“Then I need trouble you no further,” replied the other, preparing to depart.
“Stay!” exclaimed Colonel Holland. “Have you a safe-conduct?”
“I have, sir,” replied Standish, producing a paper.
“Let me look at it,” said the governor.
The young man handed it to him.
After glancing at the passport, Colonel Holland returned it, and said in a stern tone:
“You are free to depart. But quit the town at once, or you will be treated as a spy.”
“When I next appear, it will be to summon you in the king’s name to surrender,” said Standish.
And with a haughty bow to the governor he quitted the house.
“I think I ought to have ordered his arrest,” observed Colonel Holland.
“You did better to let him go,” rejoined Rosworm. “He will tell Lord Derby that we are prepared. Besides, he had a safe-conduct.”
“True,” said the governor.
Gertrude made no remark, but she was evidently well pleased that the young man had got off.
Meanwhile, Frank Standish pursued his way along a narrow street that skirted the churchyard, and led him to the top of Smithy Bank, whence he could distinguish the bridge across the Irwell, and noticed that it was strongly defended by posts and chains. He also remarked that a guard was stationed at the upper end of the bridge.
He did not stop to make any further observations; perceiving that his movements were watched, and that he was an object of suspicion to several of the townspeople whom he encountered.
As he proceeded towards Deansgate, he caught sight of the mud-walls with which Colonel Rosworm had surrounded the town. The ramparts were about ten or twelve feet high, and proportionately thick, and no doubt would completely shelter the musketeers stationed behind them.
At the bottom of Market-street Lane, there was an outlet to Acres Fields, and this was protected by posts and chains. In Deansgate a barricade was erected. Externally, the fortifications ran round this part of the town.
Frank Standish having already exhibited his safe-conduct from Sir Edward Mosley to the guard stationed at the barricade, was permitted to quit the town without any hindrance.
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VIII
Alport Lodge
ON this side of Manchester, at the period in question, and at no great distance from the town, stood Alport Lodge, a mansion belonging to Sir Edward Mosley. Situated in the midst of a large park that extended nearly to Castlefield, and ran down to the left bank of the Irwell, the house was almost concealed by trees.
As Sir Edward Mosley was a staunch Royalist, the proximity of his mansion to the town was by no means agreeable to the Roundheads, who often threatened to despoil the park, and knock the house about his ears; but no attempt had been made to execute their threats, probably because Sir Edward kept a considerable number of armed retainers, and would undoubtedly have made a vigorous resistance.
The park gates were within a few hundred yards of the town, and were always kept shut and guarded. Frank Standish, however, passed through them, and proceeded to the lodge.
Nothing indicated that the house was occupied by a troop of horse belonging to Sir Thomas Tyldesley, who had arrived there late on the previous night, and had taken up their quarters so quickly, that their presence was not suspected by the neighbouring Parliamentarians.
Every precaution was taken to prevent discovery. No troopers were seen in Alport park, and when Frank Standish visited the town, as just described, he was wholly unattended.
On reaching the mansion, Standish found Sir Edward Mosley and Sir Thomas Tyldesley in the entrance hall, and at once informed them that his errand had proved unsuccessful.
“Nothing is to be done with Rosworm,” he said. “He is incorruptible. I could not even obtain a word with him in private; but I had some converse with his daughter, and she quite satisfied me that her father will not listen to any proposition. Rosworm would have preferred the king to the Parliament in the first instance, but since he has engaged with the latter, he will remain firm.”
“I am sorry for it,” said Sir Thomas Tyldesley. “He would have been of infinite use to us. But how looks the town? I suppose he has thoroughly fortified it?”