“Make sure that we may venture forth,” cried Clavering. Ninian stepped out into the gallery, and reported that no one was there, but that he could hear the voices of the troopers in the hall below. On this assurance, Clavering and John Habergeon instantly went forth, closing the door after them.
Left alone, the good clergyman sat down, and strove to prepare himself for the scene which he expected to ensue. All the time, Stelfax continued battering at the closet door, and vociferating loudly.
Ere long, Sergeant Delves and the two troopers entered the room, bearing the implements for breaking open the mantelpiece. They were surprised on seeing only Mr. Beard, and at a loss to account for their leader’s disappearance, for Stelfax had momentarily ceased his clamour—probably from exhaustion. However, he presently renewed it, and with greater fury than ever, and then Sergeant Delves, beginning to comprehend what had occurred, rushed up to the clergyman, and, seizing his shoulder, shook him violently, exclaiming,
“What! thou perfidious and dissembling Episcopalian, hast thou entrapped our leader, a mighty man of valour like Amasiah, the captain of Jehoshaphat, and fastened him within yon closet? Give me the key thereof instantly, or I will smite thee with the edge of the sword, even as the false priests of Baal were put to death by the soldiers of Jehu.”
“To do me injury will advance thee little, friend,” replied Mr. Beard, firmly. “I have not the key. Thou wert better liberate thy captain thyself. Thou hast the means of doing so.”
Apparently, the sergeant thought the advice good, for he called out to Captain Stelfax that assistance was at hand, which had the effect of tranquillizing him. Delves next directed his men to burst open the door—a task which they easily accomplished.
Thus liberated, the Roundhead captain strode forth, sword in hand, and foaming with rage, followed by Micklegift, who maintained the most perfect composure.
“‘Tis as I expected!” Stelfax cried, looking around, and seeming only Mr. Beard; “the treacherous rogues have fled. But they shall not escape me. They cannot have quitted the house.”
“Impossible, captain,” Sergeant Delves rejoined. “Every issue is guarded.”
“We will have them, alive or dead!” cried Stelfax. “Get thee downstairs quickly, Delves, and give the alarm to thy comrades. Bid them be on the alert. If any one attempts to escape, let him be shot down. Bring up half a dozen men with you. We will search the house from top to bottom but we will find them. Some one must have been concealed within this chamber—perchance the Young Man, Charles Stuart, himself.”
“Ha! say you so, captain?” Delves exclaimed. “That were a prize, indeed!”
“Nay, ’tis mere conjecture,” Stelfax rejoined, somewhat hastily. “Yet ’tis certain one has been hidden here. Away with thee downstairs, and leave me to question this Episcopalian preacher.”
And as Delves departed, the Roundhead captain marched up to Mr. Beard, and shaking him as roughly as the sergeant had done, fiercely demanded who had been concealed in the room.
“I will answer no questions,” Mr. Beard replied, meekly but firmly; “so you may spare yourself the trouble of interrogating me.”
“I will find a way of making thee speak, thou perverse and purblind zealot,” Stelfax roared. “Think not I will show thee mercy because of thy comely daughter. Thou shalt undergo the torture. My men shall put jagged rings upon thy limbs that shall pierce deeply into the flesh. Thy legs shall be thrust into an iron boot that shall crush bone and marrow, and make thee lame for life.”
“All this you may do, and more, as your savage nature may suggest,” the clergyman said, firmly; “yet shall you not force me speak.”
“We shall see presently,” Stelfax cried. “I ask thee again, who has been concealed in this room?—the Young Man, Charles Stuart, eh?”
Mr. Beard made no reply.
“Put on the thumbscrew, Tola,” Stelfax said. “I will waste no more time with him.”
“Hold, captain,” Micklegift interposed. “I will not permit this worthy man to be tortured.”
“Thou wilt not permit it! ho! ho!” Stelfax exclaimed, in a jeering tone. “In what way wilt thou prevent it? Withdraw, if thou carest not to see my order executed.”