The King's ward leaned back in
her chair, very white, but with a proud, still face, and hands loosely
folded in her lap. My lord stood irresolute, his lip caught between
his teeth, his eyes upon the door.
"Cry out, my lord," I said. "You are in danger. Cry to your friends
without, who may come in time. Cry out loudly, like a soldier and
a gentleman!"
With a furious oath he stooped and caught up the glove at his feet;
then snatched out of my hand the sword that I offered him.
"Push back the settle, you; it is in the way!" he cried to Diccon;
then to me, in a voice thick with passion: "Come on, sir! Here
there are no meddling governors; this time let Death throw down
the warder!"
"He throws it," said the minister beneath his breath.
From without came a trampling and a sudden burst of excited
voices. The next instant the door was burst open, and a most
villainous, fiery-red face thrust itself inside. "A ship!" bawled the
apparition, and vanished. The clamor increased; voices cried for
captain and mate, and more pirates appeared at the door, swearing
out the good news, come in search of Kirby, and giving no choice
but to go with them at once.
"Until this interruption is over, sir," I said sternly, bowing to him
as I spoke. "No longer."
"Be sure, sir, that to my impatience the time will go heavily," he
answered as sternly.
Pages:
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267