And yet is not wise enough to escape the tricks of a kidnapper, Craigengelt? replied the younger man. But dont be angry; you know you will nto fight, and so it is as well to leave your hilt in peace and quiet, and tell me in sober guise how you drew the Master into your confidence?
By flattering his love of vengeance, Bucklaw, answered Craigengelt. He has always distrusted me; but I watched my time, and struck while his temper was red-hot with the sense of insult and of wrong. He goes now to expostulate, as he says, and perhaps thinks, with Sir William Ashton. I say, that if they meet, and the lawyer puts him to his defence, the Master will kill him; for he had that sparkle in his eye which never deceives you when you would read a mans purpose. At any rate, he will give him such a bullying as will be construed into an assault on a privy councillor; so there will be a total breach betwixt him and government. Scotland will be too hot for him; France will gain him; and we will all set sail together in the French brig LEspoir, which is hovering for us off Eyemouth.
Content am I, said Bucklaw; Scotland has little left that I care about; and if carrying the Master with us will get us a better reception in France, why, so be it, a Gods name. I doubt our own merits will procure us slender preferment; and I trust he will send a ball through the Keepers head before he joins us. One or two of these scoundrel statesmen should be shot once a year, just to keep the others on their good behaviour.
That is very true, replied Craigengelt; and it reminds me that I must go and see that our horses have been fed and are in readiness; for, should such deed be done, it will be no time for grass to grow beneath their heels. He proceeded as far as the door, then turned back with a look of earnestness, and said to Bucklaw: Whatever should come of this business, I am sure you will do me the justice to remember that I said nothing to the Master which could imply my accession to any act of violence which he may take it into his head to commit.
No, no, not a single word like accession, replied Bucklaw; you know too well the risk belonging to these two terrible words, art and part. Then, as if to himself, he recited the following lines:
The dial spoke not, but it made shrewd signs, And pointed full upon the stroke of murder.
What is that you are talking to yourself? said Craigengelt, turning back with some anxiety.
Nothing, only two lines I have heard upon the stage, replied his companion.
Bucklaw, said Craigengelt, I sometimes think you should have been a stage-player yourself; all is fancy and frolic with you.
I have often thought so myself, said Bucklaw. I believe it would be safer than acting with you in the Fatal Conspiracy. But away, play your own part, and look after the horses like a groom as you are. A play-actor a stage-player! he repeated to himself; that would have deserved a stab, but that Craigengelts a coward. And yet I should like the profession well enough. Stay, let me see; ay, I would come out in Alexander:
Thus from the grave I rise to save my love,
Draw all your swords, and quick as lightning move.
When I rush on, sure none will dare to stay:
Tis love commands, and glory leads the way.
As with a voice of thunder, and his hand upon his sword, Bucklaw repeated the ranting couplets of poor Lee, Craigengelt re-entered with a face of alarm.
We are undone, Bucklaw! The Masters led horse has cast himself over his halter in the stable, and is dead lame. His hackney will be set up with the days work, and now he has no fresh horse; he will never get off.
Egad, there will be no moving with the speed of lightning this bout, said Bucklaw, drily. But stay, you can give him yours.
What! and be taken myself? I thank you for the proposal, said Craigengelt.
Why, replied Bucklaw, if the Lord Keeper should have met with a mischance, which for my part I cannot suppose, for the Master is not the lad to shoot an old and unarmed man but IF there should have been a fray at the Castle, you are neither art not part in it, you know, so have nothing to fear.
True, true, answered the other, with embarrassment; but consider my commission from Saint Germains.
Which many men think is a commission of your own making, noble Captain. Well, if you will not give him your horse, why, d n it, he must have mine.
Yours? said Craigengelt.
Ay, mine, repeated Bucklaw; it shall never be said that I agreed to back a gentleman in a little affair of honour, and neither helped him on with it nor off from it.
You will give him your horse? and have you considered the loss?
Loss! why, Grey Gilbert cost me twenty Jacobuses, thats true; but then his hackney is worth something, and his Black Moor is worth twice as much were he sound, and I know how to handle him. Take a fat sucking mastiff whelp, flay and bowel him, stuff the body full of black and grey snails, roast a reasonable time, and baste with oil of spikenard, saffron, cinnamon, and honey, anoint with the dripping, working it in
Yes, Bucklaw; but in the mean while, before the sprain is cured, nay, before the whelp is roasted, you will be caught and hung. Depend on it, the chase will be hard after Ravenswood. I wish we had made our place of rendezvous nearer to the coast.
On my faith, then, said Bucklaw, I had best go off just now, and leave my horse for him. Stay stay, he comes: I hear a horses feet.
Are you sure there is only one? said Craigengelt. I fear there is a chase; I think I hear three or four galloping together. I am sure I hear more horses than one.
Pooh, pooh, it is the wench of the house clattering to the well in her pattens. By my faith, Captain, you should give up both your captainship and your secret service, for you are as easily scared as a wild goose. But here comes the Master alone, and looking as gloomy as a night in November.
The Master of Ravenswood entered the room accordingly, his cloak muffled around him, his arms folded, his looks stern, and at the same time dejected. He flung his cloak from him as he entered, threw himself upon a chair, and appeared sunk in a profound reverie.
What has happened? What have you done? was hastily demanded by Craigengelt and Bucklaw in the same moment.
Nothing! was the short and sullen answer.
Nothing! and left us, determined to call the old villain to account for all the injuries that you, we, and the country have received at his hand? Have you seen him? I have, replied the Master of Ravenswood.
Seen him and come away without settling scores which have been so long due? said Bucklaw; I would not have expected that at the hand of the Master of Ravenswood.
No matter what you expected, replied Ravenswood; it is not to you, sir, that I shall be disposed to render any reason for my conduct.
Patience, Bucklaw, said Craigengelt, interrupting his companion, who seemed about to make an angry reply. The Master has been interrupted in his purpose by some accident; but he must excuse the anxious curiosity of friends who are devoted to his cause like you and me.
Friends, Captain Craigengelt! retorted Ravenswood, haughtily; I am ignorant what familiarity passed betwixt us to entitle you to use that expression. I think our friendship amounts to this, that we agreed to leave Scotland together so soon as I should have visited the alienated mansion of my fathers, and had an interview with its present possessor I will not call him proprietor.