Читать книгу The Jade of Destiny - John Jeffery Farnol - Страница 7

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It was in the dawn they saw the age-worn, battle-scarred tower and more modern chimneys and gables of Aldrington Chase rising above tree-tops and all roseate with the spring of day.

But now the Earl checked his foam-spattered horse, and having stared gloomily awhile on tower and chimney, shivered and turned on Florian.

“Pray, sir,” said he, meekly miserable, “suffer me a private word with Mr. Dinwiddie, an’t you please.”

“With joy, my lord!” smiled Florian and rode on down the slope with Will; but even then the Earl was mute awhile, his young face very troubled.

“Alas,” sighed he, at last, “money was not all I lost away there in London!”

“What then?” questioned Jocelyn with quick anxiety.

“ ’Twas thing, sir, no money may purchase! Indeed ’tis a thing beyond all price to us Aldringtons, more precious than aught else in the world, even life itself. There be ancestors of mine have died for it ere now and I ... God forgive me, have lost it ... the holy Relic we Aldringtons hold our fortune and honour! The Amulet! The King’s Crystal! The Pelican in piety given to my ancestor by Richard the King at the siege of Acre. Since when it hath been worn by every Aldrington, like Sir John that, dying at Agincourt, sent it back here to Aldrington Tower by his esquire.... And I ... upon a night lost it basely at play—ha, no—’twas stolen from me by yon vile fellow Riderwood! The ... Aldrington Relic.” Here he gasped, and in his young eyes such anguish that Jocelyn instinctive reached long arm about his slenderness, patting his bowed shoulder, and young Richard, sensing this dumb sympathy, clasped this comforting hand, gripping it fast.

“Wert right!” he murmured. “I am a fool unworthy my high lineage, those knights and lords that so cherished this honoured Relic ... and I to lose it in such base fashion. Oh, I am vile! I must return and win it back somehow ... at any hazard. If ever my sister should know——”

“Nay, despair not, my lord, we must recover it.”

“Ah, by God’s light—if you but can....”

“Tell me, is’t of intrinsic value, easy of sale?”

“No, indeed no! It is of small value save to us Aldringtons.”

“Knoweth lord Riderwood this?”

“Indeed, sir. ’Twas my sister first showed it to him. It was Ione told him how ’twas the Aldrington Relic and very symbol of our honour and welfare.”

“Knoweth she this fellow, then?”

“Very well. He was often here upon a time and hath a house beyond Hoove village, hard by the sea, a desolate place and old.”

“Hum!” quoth the Captain and frowning, tugged at moustachio. “And prithee was this lord so presumptuous as to attempt aught in ... as ’twere ... an amorous way,—sighings, tender looks, soft speeches and the like cursed audacities?”

“Ay, truly, he proffered marriage—ha, and he wretch I prove so dishonoured! Ay, he wooed, fiend take him! But, at the last, Ione answered him, God be thanked, that, incontinent, he rode for London and I, being very fool, was persuaded to ride with him.”

“Why then, my lord, for your lost Relic, here’s comfort—Riderwood, being cunning gentleman, shall seek its best market, nor part with it to any save an Aldrington—at a price!”

“Ah, no matter the price, sir. I’ll pay gladly.”

“Hum!” quoth the Captain, and tugged his moustachio again. “Sir, there is a price no brother may ever pay or—suffer paid!”

“Ah, you mean—Ione?” gasped the Earl. “Why there it is! There lieth my fear.... Ione is of such passionate devotion to this so honoured Relic ... to win it from Riderwood’s vile keeping she would ... oh God, she might even——”

“So?” murmured Jocelyn. “Then, ere the which event, it would become necessary my lord Riderwood suddenly die.”

“Ay, true—true!” cried the young Earl wildly. “But how? Who is there to match him? I saw him touch de Bergerac thrice in as many venies! He’s vaunted cunning and deadly skilful as ever the great Saviolo himself.”

“But then, my lord, I am Dinwiddie.”

“Ay, ay—but ’tis no answer.”

“My lord, should you learn me better, you’ll know me for complete answer to much, and things a many.”

“Even to ... to Lord Riderwood?”

“Such answer, my lord, that I warrant him never to ask question more.”

“But he ... he hath killed divers times!” faltered the Earl. “I’ve heard he hath secret thrust no man may parry ... and you, sir——” here he glanced at his companion and was dumb, for in this face, suddenly grim, was that which killed all doubt, then as suddenly these narrow, glinting eyes opened, this fierce mouth curved to such transfiguring smile that the youth, leaning impulsively from saddle reached forth an eager hand.

“Sir,” said he, in voice eager as his look. “Oh, Mr. Dinwiddie, wilt honour me with thy friendship?”

“My lord,” answered the Captain gravely, “right heartily!” And hand met hand.

“And now, friend Jocelyn, to such as do love me I am Richard. And, faith, I owe thee over much for showing me the roguery of those I deemed friends—, but more shall I owe thee an thou’lt teach me the art o’ fence, subtle tricks o’ the sword, ah—wilt thou?”

“Willingly, Richard, an thou’lt be diligent to learn.”

“Ha, that will I on my life! And then, beside, wilt aid, wilt counsel me how to win back the Crystal—The Amulet?”

“Hand and head.”

“Why now, here’s mighty comfort to me, friend Jocelyn. Come then let us home to breakfast.”

So down the hill rode they together through the sweetness of this early morning, the new-risen sun bright upon them while birds made joyous babel near and far.

“Aha!” cried the Earl, bright eyes a-dance. “Friendship is right goodly thing, Jocelyn. How it comforteth a man! ’Sfoot I grow joyful as the birds, and feel as I had known thee all my days.... And if Riderwood’s arm be broke no need is there to trouble for him till after the harvest. Come, let’s to breakfast—honest English beef and ale, Jocelyn, ale!”

At foot of the hill they came up with Florian and Will, thus rode they, all four, between lofty gates, ’neath an avenue of great trees and so clattered merrily into the stately courtyard of this so ancient and noble house of Aldrington, silent all at this early hour.

And yet one there was that heard, for out from wide lattice, open to the fragrant morning, leaned Ione, who, espying her brother saluting her gaily hat in hand, reached forth a white arm to him, crying joyous as the carolling birds:

“Oh, Richard, welcome, welcome home at last!”