"Pa.s.s on," and the sentry, one of Bucicault"s arquebusiers, looked at us curiously as we went by. And now, to add to my shame, we met, face to face, a group of late revellers returning to the camp.
"_Diable!_" called out a gay voice, "our respectable provost is at work I see. What have you got there, Braccio?"
I shuddered, for I recognised Bellegarde, a young n.o.ble of the Franche Compte, who had come to seek glory in the Italian war.
"Close up, men--another of my strayed lambs brought back to the fold, Viscompte--pardon me--it is late, and I must hurry on."
But Bellegarde was merry with wine. "Not till you have drunk our health," he laughed, barring the way with his drawn rapier, as he added, "Lowenthal here has a skin of wine from the Rhineland, have a pull at it, man, and let us see the prisoner."
"_Blitzen!_ Der brisoner first, he will hang pefore der herr brovost,"
and the half-drunk Lanzknecht thrust his wine-skin towards me.
"Gentlemen--gentlemen! have you a care! See here, Viscompte," and Braccio whispered to Bellegarde.
"My G.o.d!" said the latter; and then hastily, "Come on, Lowenthal! Let them go."
"Let der brisoner drink. Would you debrife a boor man of his liquor?"
replied Lowenthal, and to hide my face, I seized the skin, and raised it to my lips. Even Braccio held the torch away, and Von Lowenthal failed to recognise me in the half-light. My throat was red-hot with thirst, and sick as I was with shame, I drank greedily, and handed the wine-skin back to the German.
"_Blitzen!_" he said, giving it a shake, "you drink like an honest man. Now, herr brovost, a health to Germany, in honest German wine.
What! No! Then drink to der halter, man, and Lowenthal will knight you," swaying to and fro, he attempted to draw his sword.
Matters were at a crisis, for Braccio was not to be trifled with any longer. At this juncture, Bellegarde and the others with him again intervened, and dragged Von Lowenthal away. The provost instantly pressed forwards with a hurried good-night. We did not go so fast, however, as not to perceive, from the noises behind us, that the Lanzknecht had subsided to earth, and was apparently abandoned there, with his wine-skin, by his companions. The sound of his voice, engaged in a drunken monologue, reached us.
"Der rascal Braccio, der knight of der noose und halter. I will gif him der accolade. I----" But we lost the rest as we hurried on, the guards smiling to themselves, and Braccio very ill-tempered.
In a few paces we pa.s.sed D"Alegres" headquarters, and through an open window, I saw half-a-dozen of my late companions playing at dice, and heard Hawkwood"s ba.s.s calling the mains. A few steps more brought us to our point, a fortified wing of the Villa Accolti itself, and Braccio, thrusting me into a strong room, turned the key of the door, and with a gruff order, which I did not catch, walked away. Now, indeed, was I in a distressful state, and the agony of my mind so great, that I heeded not the pain of the cords, but paced up and down like any caged animal. I fully recognised that I was the victim of a deeply laid plot on the part of D"Entrangues, and saw clearly that I was completely in his hands. It was a stroke of genius on his part, not to interfere in any way to save his creature, the wretched Tarbes.
That hasty order of D"Alegres had removed the only danger of his scheme being laid bare. I tried to think out some plan of action; but to no purpose, for my mind was altogether confused and bewildered, and I was incapable of thought. The room in which I was confined was bare of all furniture, not even a camp-stool. There was only one window, and that, iron-grated, was set high up, near the ceiling. The moonlight straggled through the grating in long white ribbons, and dimly showed up the walls around me. Hour after hour pa.s.sed away. I could hear the occasional barking of dogs, the distant cries of the sentinels as they called to one another, and the sound of the guard being relieved at my door. Then the moon sank and the morning came.
From sheer weariness I threw myself on the floor, and fell into a troubled sleep, from which I was aroused by the cords biting into my flesh. This, and the constrained position in which my arms were held, gave me torture. I attempted by shouting to attract the attention of the sentinel over me; but though I heard the clod tramping up and down, I received no answer.
At length, about the sixth hour, I made another effort to get some one to hear me. I fortunately chose a moment when the guards were being visited. After a short discussion outside, an under-officer entered the cell. I begged him to free me from the cords, pointing out that escape was impossible, swearing that I would not attempt it, and ended by offering him five crowns for the good office. He hesitated at first, but either pity for my condition, or the bait of the crowns moved the man, for he freed me with a touch of his dagger, and for another five crowns I obtained from him the promise of procuring for me a change of attire from my tent. I had, hidden in a belt, worn under my shirt, thirty crowns, and this I reached with some difficulty, owing to the stiffness of my arms, and paid him the money.
I specially begged he would get for me a pair of Spanish leather boots, that were lying in my quarters, for the sole of one of my _contigie_ had come off during the struggle of last night. The honest fellow promised to do his best, and shortly returned with the articles I wanted, and in addition brought me some food and a cup of wine, for which he refused all payment, saying that I had treated him generously enough. To eat was out of the question, but the wine was grateful, and, after drinking it, I devoted myself to putting my attire in order. And here I may mention an odd circ.u.mstance, to wit, that my gold cross of St. Lazare, which I wore pinned to my breast at the supper, had by some chance remained intact, despite the struggle I had gone through, and was still hanging in its place by a shred of the ribbon. I carefully unfastened it, and placed it for security in my belt. To me it seemed an omen of fortune, this lost little tag of honour which clung to me. I succeeded indifferently well in arranging my dress, and so pa.s.sed a full hour. Heavens! when I recall that night, although more was to befall me, I do not think I ever endured such misery; nor has the noiseless file of time ever been able to eradicate the memory of those hours.
At about noon Braccio entered the cell. He raged beyond measure at finding me loosed of my bonds, and insisted at first on securing me again. I shrewdly suspected, however, that Messer Braccio was a trifle afraid of the consequences of his violence the night before, and that his furious language was in this case but bl.u.s.ter. I showed a bold front therefore, and the under-officer putting in a word for me, the provost gave in with apparent reluctance. He informed me that my affair was to be dealt with by the duke in person, and that I should make ready to go with him. I replied that I was prepared to go at once, and without more ado was escorted to the main building of the villa. I could see that a considerable crowd was collected, and from the litters and riding-horses that were being led to and fro, perceived that some ladies had heard the news, and were come to gratify their curiosity at my expense, and see such trial as I was to undergo. I was led into the great hall, which was full of people, and in the gallery above the dais saw, amongst other ladies, the d.u.c.h.esse de la Tremouille, and by her side Madame d"Entrangues. The latter kept her eyes down, and fanned herself with a fan of peac.o.c.k feathers, which, even at that moment, I was able to recognise as my gift. On the dais was a table with seats set about it, which were as yet empty. At the steps of the dais stood D"Entrangues, and beside him a small man cloaked in a sad-coloured mantle, with a keen, cleanly-shaven face, and watchful eyes. He held in his hand a small packet, and surveyed me with no little interest. D"Entrangues did not meet my look, and his hang-dog face was turned towards the doorway immediately opposite to him. In a moment or so that door was opened, and the duke entered, talking earnestly with a cavalier of a most gracious and distinguished presence. Tremouille himself was a small, slightly-built man, of features in no way remarkable; but redeemed in some part by the alert intelligence of his glance. In early life he had met with an accident which left him lame ever after. Yet he was a good horseman and of a const.i.tution that nothing could tire. As for his companion, his face was then strange to me; but in after times when I was admitted to his intimacy and honoured with his friendship, I came to know him as great beyond all men; and this I do not say in grat.i.tude for the debt I owe him; but simply to add my humble testimony to that of others, his companions-in-arms, and equals in station, who with one consent allow him to be the glory of his age, and of knighthood. Immediately behind Tremouille came D"Alegres and Trevulzio, who had raised himself to his present high position, and was a most capable soldier. These four took their seats at the table, and the numerous and brilliant staff of officers who accompanied them ranged themselves behind. From the manner in which the stranger took his seat, I gathered, and I was not mistaken, that he was there as one of my judges, and for the moment I wondered who he was. That he was of the highest rank was clear from his aspect and bearing, and from the fact that he wore round his neck the collar of the Holy Ghost. The proceedings of this public court-martial began at once. It is needless to set them down in full detail. D"Entrangues stated his case, D"Alegres briefly set forth the action taken by him, and Visconti and Hawkwood testified to having found their property in my possession, under the circ.u.mstances already explained. I will do them the justice to say that they did so with evident and genuine reluctance. Tremouille, who had doubtless heard all this before, listened patiently to the end, and then asked me what I had to say. What could I say? I looked at the faces around me and saw no sympathy. I looked up at the gallery where the ladies sat, and caught a whisper:
"I do not care--I know it is false; he is not guilty."
The words gave me courage. The charge was false. As false as h.e.l.l.
Then I found tongue. I asked if it were possible that I, a n.o.ble, whose career had hitherto been blameless, could have suddenly become so vile as to sink to common theft? I pointed out my long years of service, and called D"Alegres and Trevulzio, under whose banners I had served, to witness if they had ever known me sully my honour.
"It is known, M. di Savelli, that you are hard put for money," said Tremouille.
I admitted the fact, and also admitted that at the time I stood there I owed money lost at play; but that the sum did not amount to more than fifty crowns, and there was twice that amount due to me from the military chest. I then went on to point out how unlikely it was that, even if I had stolen the jewels, I should have h.o.a.rded them up and not turned them into money, for which I allowed I was pressed, and wound up by saying I was the victim of a conspiracy, and that I was prepared to a.s.sert my honour, man to man, against D"Entrangues, or any other who would take up his cause.
"What say you, my lord of Bayard?" and Tremouille turned to the stranger who sat beside him. Even whilst waiting for his answer, and on the cross with anxiety as I was, I could not help looking with the greatest interest at the man. This then was the celebrated Pierre du Terrail, the n.o.blest knight in Christendom. Vague rumours that he was about to join the army of Tremouille, with a high command, had reached us. But we had merely looked upon them as rumours. And now he had come, apparently suddenly, and without warning. I felt sure that he brought war with him, but had no more time to think, for he answered--"A fair offer--M. d"Entrangues can do no less than accept."
But Trevulzio then cut in, pointing out, that practically the case was proved. That to allow me the ordeal by combat would upset all the course of military discipline, under which he thought the matter should be decided. Even if the ordeal of battle was allowed, and I won, it would not prove my innocence in the face of the d.a.m.ning evidence against me.
"If there is any shadow of doubt, your excellency," and D"Entrangues advanced to the table, "this will clear it up. Messer Vieri, kindly hand that package to the duke."
The man whom he addressed, who was no other than he whom I had remarked, on entering the justice room as D"Entrangues" companion, stepped forward and placed the packet before Tremouille, who opened it amidst a dead silence.
"Messer Vieri, how did you obtain this?" asked Tremouille.
"The matter is simple, excellency," replied the banker, "but first may I ask if madame the d.u.c.h.ess recognises the trinket?"
The circlet was handed to the d.u.c.h.ess, who said in a low voice--
"It is mine: it was stolen from me a month ago--on the seventh of March."
"On the eighth of March a packet was delivered to me at my house of business by one Tarbes, calling himself servant to the Cavaliere di Savelli. He did not know the contents of the parcel; but it was sent to me for safe keeping by his master, so he said. I gave him a receipt for it. I myself did not know what the nature of the packet was until to-day; but hearing the charges preferred against the cavaliere, I opened the case and at once recognised madame"s circlet, which I have the pleasure to restore."
"How did you come to hear these charges against the Cavaliere di Savelli?" asked Bayard.
"I was informed of them by the knight, Messer d"Entrangues."
"That is to say, M. d"Entrangues must have known that the jewels were pledged to you. Is this not odd?"
It was a straw of hope that floated to me, and I could scarcely breathe. D"Entrangues, however, replied boldly, "I was told of the matter by one Tarbes, a servant to M. di Savelli."
"You forget to add," I burst out, "that he was a creature of yours, whom I employed on your recommendation."
D"Entrangues made no reply, and Bayard said, "M. d"Entrangues appears to have usurped the functions of the provost and played catchpole.
Could we not see this Tarbes?"
"Call Tarbes," said the duke.
Braccio came forward and explained that he had been dealt with summarily, under the orders of the lieutenant-general.
"Mine!" said D"Alegres in astonishment.
"Yes, excellency, he was the prisoner whom your excellency ordered me to hang last night."
"A pity," remarked the duke, and Trevulzio, between whom and D"Alegres there was little love, smiled.
"I suppose you have nothing to say to this?" said Tremouille to me.
"I was not in the camp on the seventh."
"Where were you?"
But this question I could not answer for I caught Madame d"Entrangues"
eye imploring me to silence. I looked back at the duke, and as I did so felt that Bayard had followed my glance, and that his eyes were resting on madame"s face. He glanced down almost as soon as I did and turned to me, and there was a grave encouragement in his look from which I took heart. To me it was a great thing to show I was not at or near the camp on the seventh; and yet if I did so I would ruin a woman"s name. It had been a harmless frolic, I swear this, as I know I will come to judgment before a higher tribunal than that of man; and yet had I spoken there would have been but one construction. I hated D"Entrangues, too, and this would have struck at a vital part. For a second I hesitated, and looked up once more at madame. She was pale as death.
I looked at Bayard, and his glance seemed to penetrate my thoughts.
"I cannot say!"
There was a sound of a gasping sigh, and a heavy fall. The peac.o.c.k fan fluttered slowly down from the gallery to my feet, and lay there with its hundred eyes staring at me.