I set out for the manor-house shortly before twilight, taking the Boston post road, which led northward by the patroon’s estate. I passed the Kissing Bridge, over which I had seen the patroon and his dwarf ride with a retinue of soldiers behind them; thence along the doubling road for five miles till I came at last to a noble park of elms and beeches. Here the road began to lift, not steeply, but swinging in broad curves among the tree trunks, till at last I came to a pause on the crest of a hill. After breathing my horse for a moment, I continued my way and soon reached a terraced lawn dotted with shrubs, and all of an exquisite softness of color. A fringe of cedars hid the offices and out-buildings, though the side of the manor-house was in plain view. When I reached the front of the rambling stone building, a servant in livery took my horse, and another showed me into a reception room, where I was to wait till he took my name to his master. Soon he returned and desired me to follow him.
I found Van Volkenberg in his study, surrounded by papers and maps; he was evidently deep in the business of his estate.
A dog—it looked like the one I had fought with, 172though I thought I had killed him—this dog rose at my entrance and stood by his master’s chair, growling sullenly. The patroon looked up with an expression in his face that showed neither irritation at being interrupted nor pleasure at seeing me. He was dressed from head to foot in black except for a dark crimson skull cap that confined his silver gray hair. He was seated by the table when I entered, but rose politely to bid me welcome.
“Monsieur St. Vincent,” he said with a dignified inclination of his head. “C’est bien.”
I made a low bow, pleased to hear my native tongue. Then I stood erect with one hand on the hilt of my sword, the other resting upon my hip. I threw as much bravado into my appearance as I could, for I was playing a bold game and the patroon did not look like a man who would be taken by a cringing manner.
“Patroon Van Volkenberg,” I began, in order to introduce my errand, “I have come to ask a favor of you.”
“Ah,” he returned pleasantly. “Favors are what I like. Pray be seated. Louis, a chair for Monsieur St. Vincent.”
It was the dwarf, Louis Van Ramm, who had escorted me into the presence of the patroon. He now set a chair for me and, at another signal, withdrew. He seemed to obey his orders a little sullenly. I am not sure but that the signal for his 173withdrawal was repeated before he noticed it. This behavior surprised me, for I had heard much of the discipline of the Red Band and of the despotic rule of Van Volkenberg.
“Now, sir,” continued the patroon as soon as we were alone. “Now, sir, I am at your service.”
“It is to be admitted to yours that I have come to you to-day.”
“To mine; to my service do you mean?”
“Yes, sir.”
“For what reason?” he asked, gazing at me with his keen, penetrating eyes.
“From what I hear of the condition of the city, I am led to believe that you have plenty of work for a soldier who has honorable scars to show.”
“You mean, I suppose, that some one has told you that there is fighting to do in the Red Band.”
“I was informed, indeed, that there was fighting recently on the Slip.”
“No ‘indeed’ about it! A mere brawl. A street fight among drunkards. Is that the kind of fighting you are anxious for?”
“I shall not choose the quarrels if your honor will let me help to settle them.”
“You have a clever way with your tongue, monsieur. But why did you come to me? The Earl of Bellamont is the man of all Yorke whom it is good to fight for at present.”
“True, sir. But I came to you for the simplest of reasons. He will have none of me.”
174“Hush, you brute,” he cried to the dog, who had begun to growl again. “So you applied to his Excellency, did you?”
“Assuredly.”
“Assuredly! I like your assuredly and your assurance too! Why him before me?”
“You have just spoken it; because he is the man now.”
“Zounds! This to my face! And asking a favor of me to boot! Back, you brute. Must you fly at everything I point my finger at?”
The patroon had started up angrily, followed by his dog, which leaped upon me, or had nearly done so, when his master caught him by the collar and dragged him back. The suddenness of the attack gave me no time to reflect, much less to get out of the way. Therefore I made a virtue of necessity and stood my ground with firmness. This apparent fortitude on my part seemed to raise me considerably in the opinion of the patroon.
“You are no coward,” he said, at the same time making an effort to pacify the hound. “How am I to know that you are not sent here by my enemies to spy upon me? It is not three days since I found Caesar nearly dead, and the next morning there were footprints under my study window.”
Whether it was by mere chance or by intention that he made this allusion to my former escapade, I do not know. However, I met his look bravely and without flinching. For the moment, 175he seemed satisfied of my integrity, whatever his inward thoughts may have been.
“Tell your story, St. Vincent. But mark my word, if you play me a trick I shall have you lashed.” He hesitated a moment, then added, with his eyes upon me as before: “Ay, or worse than lashed.”
“When you find me false, it will be time to talk of punishment,” I answered stiffly. “I am no knave, but an honest man.”
“Proceed; it is the only way I can get rid of you.”
“Pardon me,” I retorted, at the same time rising from my chair as if much offended at his rude rejoinder. “I have no desire to serve you. There are some things that become neither a gentleman nor a gentleman’s master. I shall rid you of my presence as soon as I have delivered a message that should not have waited on my own concerns.”
“You have a message for me?”
“Yes. Captain Tew desired me to inform you that his voyage is prospering well, and that ample return will be made.”
“Tew, Tew, who is Captain Tew?”
“Your honor best knows. He bade me tell you that. With your permission I shall seek my horse.”
“Be not so quick to take offense. Sit down again and explain your errand.”
“My only............