JARVIS. Couldn"t I? G.o.d only knows what I"ve been through since. Those two shots you heard--that was the finish. This morning when I got back to my hotel, there was a message waiting for me. It was signed Jim Marc.u.m, head of the family, and proposed that, as we were out of Kentucky, we meet and end the feud amicably. He asked me to meet him at this hotel in his room--no matter what hour--he would be waiting. He was leaving at six in the morning and wanted it settled. It was a pretty scheme. I knew the man and I saw the trap. I came over here prepared and went directly to his room. It was on this floor. I flung open the door and met Jim Marc.u.m face to face. He was waiting. Without a word he fired. I fired, and he dropped. Now do you understand why the law would not give me justice?
PRINCESS. Did you kill him?
JARVIS. I don"t know--I didn"t wait.
PRINCESS. What are you going to do?
JARVIS. I don"t know. Do you know what it means to fight single-handed against fearful odds--to fight an endless fight alone?
PRINCESS. Yes--yes--I know.
JARVIS. Endless fight--without even a single word of encouragement?
PRINCESS. Yes, I know what it means.
JARVIS. You know? How could you know? How could any woman know?
PRINCESS. Yes, I do know, because I too am fighting against fearful odds.
JARVIS. There is no man to fight for you?
PRINCESS. No man left who dares.
JARVIS. G.o.d, if there had only been some woman to fight for in my fight!
PRINCESS. Your mother?
JARVIS. She"s gone, too.
PRINCESS. Are you alone?
JARVIS. Alone.
PRINCESS. If you"re caught it means your life.
JARVIS. Yes.
PRINCESS. Suppose I decide to help you?
JARVIS. What do you mean?
PRINCESS. You have no fear of death? You are not afraid of ghosts?
JARVIS. No, I"m not afraid of ghosts.
PRINCESS. If you escape from here it will be because I helped you--we might say I saved your life, if what you tell me is true--and if I do it, it will be from a selfish motive entirely--it will be because I have work for you. Do you understand? Work--hard work--dangerous work. It may mean your life in the end.
JARVIS. You are frank, anyway.
PRINCESS. It"s a chance--and you have nothing to lose.
JARVIS. And if I agree?
PRINCESS. You will begin by taking the ancient feudal oath of my country.
JARVIS. Oath? Isn"t my word good enough?
PRINCESS. You will pardon me if I insist.
JARVIS. Very well--I"ll swear the blackest oath you can utter. Let"s hear it.
PRINCESS. What"s your name?
JARVIS. Jarvis.
PRINCESS. Your full name?
JARVIS. Warren Jarvis.
PRINCESS. Kneel, then, Warren of Jarvis. (JARVIS _kneels on both knees._) No, not that way--on one knee.
JARVIS. I beg your pardon----
PRINCESS. Now repeat this oath: "I, Warren of Jarvis----"
JARVIS. "I, Warren of Jarvis----"
PRINCESS. "Senor of all the domains, fiefs, keeps and marshes of Warren of Kentucky----"
JARVIS. Whew---- "Senor of all the domains, fiefs, keeps and marshes of Warren of Kentucky--"
PRINCESS. "Do convey to Maria Theresa, of Aragon, all my worldly t.i.tles and possessions----" Now take my left hand in both of yours and repeat, "--and receive them back as va.s.sal and retainer."
JARVIS. "And receive them back as va.s.sal and retainer."
PRINCESS. "And do faithfully fight in my lady"s cause according to the feudal laws of Castile and Aragon."
JARVIS. "And do faithfully fight in my lady"s cause according to the feudal laws of Castile and Aragon."
PRINCESS. Arise, va.s.sal. (JARVIS _arises and kisses her hand._) That is part of the ceremony, but I meant to omit it.
JARVIS. I thought that the only sensible part. I beg your pardon--but who on earth is this Maria Theresa that I am hired man to?
PRINCESS. I--am Her Highness--Maria Theresa--Princess of Aragon.
JARVIS. Good night! You a Princess! And I have been ordering you around with a gun. (_Sound of running for a moment._) Sh! (_Crosses to door_ R., _listens._) It"s all right, but how am I going to get out? They"ve got me in a trap here.
PRINCESS. The trunk----