飘-第165章

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bled　so　that　she　could　not　enter　the　room。　Hand　at　her　mouth；　she　stared　while　Melanie　packed　a　fresh　towel　against　his　shoulder；　pressing　it　hard　as　though　she　could　force　back　the　blood　into　his　body。　But　the　towel　reddened　as　though　by　magic。
　How　could　a　man　bleed　so　much　and　still　live？　But；　thank　God；　there　was　no　bubble　of　blood　at　his　lips—oh；　those　frothy　red　bubbles；　forerunners　of　death　that　she　knew　so　well　from　the　dreadful　day　of　the　battle　at　Peachtree　Creek　when　the　wounded　had　died　on　Aunt　Pitty’s　lawn　with　bloody　mouths。
　“Brace　up；”　said　Rhett；　and　there　was　a　hard；　faintly　jeering　note　in　his　voice。　“He　won’t　die。　Now；　go　take　the　lamp　and　hold　it　for　Mrs。　Wilkes。　I　need　Archie　to　run　errands。”
　Archie　looked　across　the　lamp　at　Rhett。
　“I　ain’t　takin’　no　orders　from　you；”　he　said　briefly；　shifting　his　wad　of　tobacco　to　the　other　cheek。
　“You　do　what　he　says；”　said　Melanie　sternly；　“and　do　it　quickly。　Do　everything　Captain　Butler　says。　Scarlett；　take　the　lamp。”
　Scarlett　went　forward　and　took　the　lamp；　holding　it　in　both　hands　to　keep　from　dropping　it。　Ashley’s　eyes　had　closed　again。　His　bare　chest　heaved　up　slowly　and　sank　quickly　and　the　red　stream　seeped　from　between　Melanie’s　small　frantic　fingers。　Dimly　she　heard　Archie　stump　across　the　room　to　Rhett　and　heard　Rhett’s　low　rapid　words。　Her　mind　was　so　fixed　upon　Ashley　that　of　the　first　half…whispered　words　of　Rhett；　she　only　heard：　Take　my　horse　。。。　tied　outside　。。。　ride　like　hell。”
　Archie　mumbled　some　question　and　Scarlett　heard　Rhett　reply：　“The　old　Sullivan　plantation。　You’ll　find　the　robes　pushed　up　the　biggest　chimney。　Burn　them。”
　“Um；”　grunted　Archie。
　“And　there’s　two—men　in　the　cellar。　Pack　them　over　the　horse　as　best　you　can　and　take　them　to　that　vacant　lot　behind　Belle’s—the　one　between　her　house　and　the　railroad　tracks。　Be　careful。　If　anyone　sees　you；　you’ll　hang　as　well　as　the　rest　of　us。　Put　them　in　that　lot　and　put　pistols　near　them—in　their　hands。　Here—take　mine。”
　Scarlett；　looking　across　the　room；　saw　Rhett　reach　under　his　coat　tails　and　produce　two　revolvers　which　Archie　took　and　shoved　into　his　waist　band。
　“Fire　one　shot　from　each。　It’s　got　to　appear　like　a　plain　case　of　shooting。　You　understand？”
　Archie　nodded　as　if　he　understood　perfectly　and　an　unwilling　gleam　of　respect　shone　in　his　cold　eye。　But　understanding　was　far　from　Scarlett。　The　last　half…hour　had　been　so　nightmarish　that　she　felt　nothing　would　ever　be　plain　and　clear　again。　However；　Rhett　seemed　in　perfect　command　of　the　bewildering　situation　and　that　was　a　small　comfort。
　Archie　turned　to　go　and　then　swung　about　and　his　one　eye　went　questioningly　to　Rhett’s　face。
　“Him？”
　“Yes。”
　Archie　grunted　and　spat　on　the　floor。
　“Hell　to　pay；”　he　said　as　he　stumped　down　the　hall　to　the　back　door。
　Something　in　the　last　low　interchange　of　words　made　a　new　fear　and　suspicion　rise　up　in　Scarlett’s　breast　like　a　chill　ever…swelling　bubble。　When　that　bubble　broke—
　“Where’s　Frank？”　she　cried。
　Rhett　came　swiftly　across　the　room　to　the　bed；　his　big　body　swinging　as　lightly　and　noiselessly　as　a　cat’s。
　“All　in　good　time；”　he　said　and　smiled　briefly。　“Steady　that　lamp；　Scarlett。　You　don’t　want　to　burn　Mr。　Wilkes　up。　Miss　Melly—”
　Melanie　looked　up　like　a　good　little　soldier　awaiting　a　command　and　so　tense　was　the　situation　it　did　not　occur　to　her　that　for　the　first　time　Rhett　was　calling　her　familiarly　by　the　name　which　only　family　and　old　friends　used。
　“I　beg　your　pardon；　I　mean；　Mrs。　Wilkes。　。。。”
　“Oh；　Captain　Butler；　do　not　ask　my　pardon！　I　should　feel　honored　if　you　called　me　‘Melly’　without　the　Miss！　I　feel　as　though　you　were　my—my　brother　or—or　my　cousin。　How　kind　you　are　and　how　clever！　How　can　I　ever　thank　you　enough？”
　“Thank　you；”　said　Rhett　and　for　a　moment　he　looked　almost　embarrassed。　“I　should　never　presume　so　far；　but　Miss　Melly；”　and　his　voice　was　apologetic；　“I’m　sorry　I　had　to　say　that　Mr。　Wilkes　was　in　Belle　Watling’s　house。　I’m　sorry　to　have　involved　him　and　the　others　in　such　a—　But　I　had　to　think　fast　when　I　rode　away　from　here　and　that　was　the　only　plan　that　occurred　to　me。　I　knew　my　word　would　be　accepted　because　I　have　so　many　friends　among　the　Yankee　officers。　They　do　me　the　dubious　honor　of　thinking　me　almost　one　of　them　because　they　know　my—shall　we　call　it　my　‘unpopularity’？—among　my　townsmen。　And　you　see；　I　was　playing　poker　in　Belle’s　bar　earlier　in　the　evening。　There　are　a　dozen　Yankee　soldiers　who　can　testify　to　that。　And　Belle　and　her　girls　will　gladly　lie　themselves　black　in　the　face　and　say　Mr。　Wilkes　and　the　others　were—upstairs　all　evening。　And　the　Yankees　will　believe　them。　Yankees　are　queer　that　way。　It　won’t　occur　to　them　that　women　of—their　profession　are　capable　of　intense　loyalty　or　patriotism。　The　Yankees　wouldn’t　take　the　word　of　a　single　nice　Atlanta　lady　as　to　the　whereabouts　of　the　men　who　were　supposed　to　be　at　the　meeting　tonight　but　they　will　take　the　word　of—fancy　ladies。　And　I　think　that　between　the　word　of　honor　of　a　Scalawag　and　a　dozen　fancy　ladies；　we　may　have　a　chance　of　getting　the　men　off。”
　There　was　a　sardonic　grin　on　his　face　at　the　last　words　but　it　faded　as　Melanie　turned　up　to　him　a　face　that　blazed　with　gratitude。
　“Captain　Butler；　you　are　so　smart！　I　wouldn’t　have　cared　if　you’d　said　they　were　in　hell　itself　tonight；　if　it　saves　them！　For　I　know　and　every　one　else　who　matters　knows　that　my　husband　was　never　in　a　dreadful　place　like　that！”
　“Well—”　began　Rhett　awkwardly；　“as　a　matter　of　fact；　he　was　at　Belle’s　tonight。”
　Melanie　drew　herself　up　coldly。
　“You　can　never　make　me　believe　such　a　lie！”
　“Please；　Miss　Melly！　Let　me　explain！　When　I　got　out　to　the　old　Sullivan　place　tonight；　I　found　Mr。　Wilkes　wounded　and　with　him　were　Hugh　Elsing　and　Dr。　Meade　and　old　man　Merriwether—”
　“Not　the　old　gentleman！”　cried　Scarlett。
　“Men　are　never　too　old　to　be　fools。　And　your　Uncle　Henry—”
　“Oh；　mercy！”　cried　Aunt　Pitty。
　“The　others　had　scattered　after　the　brush　with　the　troops　and　the　crowd　that　stuck　together　had　come　to　the　Sullivan　place　to　hide　their　robes　in　the　chimney　and　to　see　how　badly　Mr。　Wilkes　was　hurt。　But　for　his　wound；　they’d　be　headed　for　Texas　by　now—all　of　them—but　he　couldn’t　ride　far　and　they　wouldn’t　leave　him。　It　was　necessary　to　prove　that　they　had　been　somewhere　instead　of　where　they　had　been；　and　so　I　took　them　by　back　ways　to　Belle　Watling’s。”
　“Oh—I　see。　I　do　beg　your　pardon　for　my　rudeness；　Captain　Butler。　I　see　now　it　was　necessary　to　take　them　there　but—　Oh；　Captain　Butler；　people　must　have　seen　you　going　in！”
　“No　one　saw　us。　We　went　in　through　a　private　back　entrance　that　opens　on　the　railroad　tracks。　It’s　always　dark　and　locked。”
　“Then　how—？”
　“I　have　a　key；”　said　Rhett　laconically；　and　his　eyes　met　Melanie’s　evenly。
　As　the　full　impact　of　the　meaning　smote　her；　Melanie　became　so　embarrassed　that　she　fumbled　with　the　bandage　until　it　slid　off　the　wound　entirely。
　“I　did　not　mean　to　pry—”　she　said　in　a　muffled　voice；　her　white　face　reddening；　as　she　hastily　pressed　the　towel　back　into　place。
　“I　regret　having　to　tell　a　lady　such　a　thing。”
　“Then　it’s　true！”　thought　Scarlett　with　an　odd　pang。　Then　he　does　live　with　that　dreadful　Watling　creature！　He　does　own　her　house！”
　“I　saw　Belle　and　explained　to　her。　We　gave　her　a　list　of　the　men　who　were　out　tonight　and　she　and　her　girls　will　testify　that　they　were　all　in　her　house　tonight。　Then　to　make　our　exit　more　conspicuous；　she　called　the　two　desperadoes　who　keep　order　at　her　place　and　had　us　dragged　downstairs；　fighting；　and　through　the　barroom　and　thrown　out　into　the　street　as　brawling　drunks　who　were　disturbing　the　place。”
　He　grinned　reminiscently。　“Dr。　Meade　did　not　make　a　very　convincing　drunk。　It　hurt　his　dignity　to　even　be　in　such　a　place。　But　your　Uncle　Henry　and　old　man　Merriwether　were　excellent。　The　stage　lost　two　great　actors　when　they　did　not　take　up　the　drama。　They　seemed　to　enjoy　the　affair。　I’m　afraid　your　Uncle　Henry　has　a　black　eye　due　to　Mr。　Merriwether’s　zeal　for　his　part。　He—”
　The　back　door　swung　open　and　India　entered；　followed　by　old　Dr。　Dean；　his　long　white　hair　tumbled；　his　worn　leather　bag　bulging　under　his　cape。　He　nodded　briefly　but　without　words　to　those　present　and　quickly　lifted　the　bandage　from　Ashley’s　shoulder。
　Too　high　for　the　lung；”　he　said。　“If　it　hasn’t　splintered　his　collar　bone　it’s　not　so　serious。　Get　me　plenty　of　towels；　ladies；　and　cotton　if　you　have　it；　and　some　brandy。”
　Rhett　took　the　lamp　from　Scarlett　and　set　it　on　the　table　as　Melanie　and　India　sped　about；　obeying　the　doctor’s　orders。
　“You　can’t　do　anything　here。　Come　into　the　parlor　by　the　fire。”　He　took　her　arm　and　propelled　her　from　the　room。　There　was　a　gentleness　foreign　to　him　in　both　hand　and　voice。　“You’ve　had　a　rotten　day；　haven’t　you？”
　She　allowed　herself　to　be　led　into　the　front　room　and　though　she　stood　on　the　hearth　rug　in　front　of　the　fire　she　began　to　shiver。　The　bubble　of　suspicion　in　her　breast　was　swelling　larger　now。　It　was　more　than　a　suspicion。　It　was　almost　a　certainty　and　a　terrible　certainty。　She　looked　up　into　Rhett’s　immobile　face　and　for　a　moment　she　could　not　speak。　Then：
　“Was　Frank　at—Belle　Watling’s？”
　“No。”
　Rhett’s　voice　was　blunt。
　“Archie’s　carrying　him　to　the　vacant　lot　near　Belle’s。　He’s　dead。　Shot　through　the　head。”
　
　CHAPTER　XLVI
　FEW　FAMILIES　in　the　north　end　of　town　slept　that　night　for　the　news　of　the　disaster　to　the　Klan；　and　Rhett’s　stratagem　spread　swiftly　on　silent　feet　as　the　shadowy　form　of　India　Wilkes　slipped　through　back　yards；　whispered　urgently　through　kitchen　doors　and　slipped　away　into　the　windy　darkness。　And　in　her　path；　she　left　fear　and　desperate　hope。
　From　without；　houses　looked　black　and　silent　and　wrapped　in　sleep　but；　within；　voices　whispered　vehemently　into　the　dawn。　Not　only　those　involved　in　the　night’s　raid　but　every　member　of　the　Klan　was　ready　for　flight　and　in　almost　every　stable　along　Peachtree　Street；　horses　stood　saddled　in　the　darkness；　pistols　in　holsters　and　food　in　saddlebags。　All　that　prevented　a　wholesale　exodus　was　India’s　whispered　message：　“Captain　Butler　says　not　to　run。　The　roads　will　be　watched。　He　has　arranged　with　that　Watling　creature—”　In　dark　rooms　men　whispered：　“But　why　should　I　trust　that　damned　Scalawag　Butler？　It　may　be　a　trap！”　And　women’s　voices　implored：　“Don’t　go！　If　he　saved　Ashley　and　Hugh；　he　may　save　everybody。　If　India　and　Melanie　trust　him—”　And　they　half　trusted　and　stayed　because　there　was　no　other　course　open　to　them。
　Earlier　in　the　night；　the　soldiers　had　knocked　at　a　dozen　doors　and　those　who　could　not　or　would　not　tell　where　they　had　been　that　night　were　marched　off　under　arrest。　René　Picard　and　one　of　Mrs。　Merriwether’s　nephews　and　the　Simmons　boys　and　Andy　Bonnell　were　among　those　who　spent　the　night　in　jail。　They　had　been　in　the　ill…starred　foray　but　had　separated　from　the　others　after　the　shooting。　Riding　hard　for　home　they　were　arrested　before　they　learned　of　Rhett’s　plan。　Fortunately　they　all　replied；　to　questions；　that　where　they　had　been　that　night　wa