red eve-第46章

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enter。　Here　he　lay　sick　of　his　hurts　and　unable　to　get　out　until　that
very　afternoon；　the　widow　Rebecca；　whom　they　had　saved；　nursing　him
all　the　while。

〃Did　you　hear　aught　of　us？〃　asked　Dick。

〃Ay；　at　first　that　you　were　holding　Dead　Bride's　Tower　bravely。　So　as
soon　as　I　might；　I　came　to　join　you　there　if　I　could　win　in　and　you
still　lived。　But　they　told　me　that　you　had　fallen　at　last。〃

〃Ah！〃　said　Dick；　〃well；　as　it　chances　it　was　not　we　who　fell；　but　that
tale　is　long。　Still；　David；　you　are　a　brave　lad　who　would　have　come　to
die　with　us；　and　my　master　will　thank　you　when　he　can　give　his　mind　to
such　things。　Say；　did　you　hear　aught　else？〃

〃Ay；　Dick；　I　heard　two　days　ago　that　the　French　lord；　Cattrina；　whom
Sir　Hugh　was　to　have　fought　at　Venice；　had　left　Avignon；　none　knew　why
or　whither　he　went。〃

〃Doubtless　because　of　the　plague　and　he　wished　to　go　where　there　was
none；〃　answered　Dick。

But　Hugh　groaned　again；　thinking　to　himself　that　Acour　would　scarcely
have　left　Avignon　if　Eve　were　still　alive　within　its　walls。

After　this　they　went　on　in　silence；　meeting　very　few　and　speaking　with
none；　for　the　part　of　the　great　city　through　which　they　passed　seemed
to　be　almost　deserted。　Indeed　in　this　quarter　the　pest　was　so　fearful
that　all　who　remained　alive　and　could　do　so　had　fled　elsewhere；
leaving　behind　them　only　the　sick　and　those　who　plundered　houses。

〃One　thing　I　forgot　to　say；〃　said　David　presently。　〃The　Jews　told　me
that　they　had　certain　information　that　the　notary　knave　Basil　was　paid
by　the　lord　Cattrina　to　lead　us　to　that　square　where　the　fires　burned
in　order　that　we　might　be　murdered　there。　Further；　our　death　was　to　be
the　signal　for　the　massacre　of　all　the　Jews；　only；　as　it　chanced；
their　plan　went　awry。〃

〃As　will　Basil's　neck　if　ever　I　meet　him　again；〃　muttered　Grey　Dick
beneath　his　breath。　〃Lord！　what　fools　we　were　to　trust　that　man。　Well；
we've　paid　the　price　and；　please　God；　so　shall　he。〃

They　turned　the　corner　and　rode　down　another　street；　till　presently
David　said：

〃Halt！　yonder　is　the　house。　See　the　cognizance　above　the　gateway！〃

Hugh　and　Dick　leapt　from　their　horses；　the　latter　bidding　David　lead
them　into　the　courtyard　and　hold　them　there。　Then　they　entered　the
house；　of　which　the　door　was　ajar；　and　by　the　shine　of　the　moon　that
struggled　through　the　window…places；　crept　up　the　stairs　and　passages
till　they　reached　those　rooms　where　Sir　Andrew　and　Eve　had　lodged。

〃Hist！〃　said　Dick；　and　he　pointed　to　a　line　of　light　that　showed
beneath　the　closed　door。

Hugh　pushed　it　gently　and　it　opened　a　little。　They　looked　through　the
crack；　and　within　saw　a　man　in　a　dark　robe　who　was　seated　at　a　table
counting　out　gold　by　the　light　of　a　lamp。　Just　then　he　lifted　his
head；　having　felt　the　draught　of　air　from　the　open　door。　It　was　the
notary　Basil！

Without　a　word　they　entered　the　room；　closing　and　bolting　the　door
behind　them。　Then　Dick　leapt　on　Basil　as　a　wolf　leaps；　and　held　him
fat；　while　Hugh　ran　past　him　and　threw　wide　the　door　of　that　chamber
in　which　Eve　had　lain　sick。　It　was　empty。　Back　he　came　again　and　in　a
terrible　voice；　said：

〃Now；　Sir　Notary；　where　are　the　lady　Eve　and　Sir　Andrew　her　guardian？〃

〃Alas；　Sir　Knight；〃　began　the　knave　in　a　quavering　voice；　〃both　of
them　are　dead。〃

〃What！〃　cried　Hugh　supporting　himself　against　the　wall；　for　at　this
terrible　news　his　knees　trembled　beneath　him；　〃have　you　or　your　patron
Cattrina　murdered　them？〃

〃Murdered　them；　Sir　Knight！　I　do　murder？　I；　a　Christian　and　a　man　of
peace！　Never！　And　the　noble　lord　of　Cattrina；　Count　de　Noyon！　Why；　he
wished　to　marry　the　lady；　not　to　murder　her。　indeed　he　swore　that　she
was　his　wife。〃

〃So　you　know　all　these　things；　do　you；　villain？〃　said　Grey　Dick；
shaking　him　as　a　terrier　shakes　a　rat。

〃Sir　Knight；〃　went　on　the　frightened　fellow；　〃blame　me　not　for　the
acts　of　God。　He　slew　these　noble　persons；　not　I；　I　myself　saw　the
lovely　lady　carried　from　this　house　wrapped　in　a　red　cloak。〃

〃So　you　were　in　the　house；　were　you？〃　said　Grey　Dick；　shaking　him
again。　〃Well；　whither　did　they　carry　her；　thief　of　the　night？〃

〃To　the　plague　pit；　good　sir；　where　else　in　these　times？〃

Now　Hugh　groaned　aloud；　his　eyes　closed；　and　he　seemed　as　though　he
were　about　to　fall。　Grey　Dick；　noting　it；　for　a　moment　let　go　of　the
notary　and　turned　as　though　to　help　his　master。　Like　a　flash　Basil
drew　a　dagger　from　under　his　dirty　robe　and　struck　at　Dick's　back。　The
blow　was　well　aimed；　nor　could　an　unprotected　man　on　whom　it　fell　have
escaped　death。　But　although　Basil　did　not　see　it　because　of　Dick's
long　cloak；　beneath　this　cloak　he　wore　the　best　of　mail；　and　on　that
mail　the　slender　dagger　broke；　its　point　falling　harmless　to　the
ground。　Next　instant　Dick　had　him　again　in　his　iron　grip。　Paying　no
further　heed　to　Hugh；　who　had　sunk　to　the　floor　a　huddled　heap；　he
began　to　speak　into　the　lawyer's　ear　in　his　slow；　hissing　voice。

〃Devil；〃　he　said；　〃whether　or　no　you　murdered　Red　Eve　and　Sir　Andrew
Arnold　the　saint；　I　cannot　say　for　certain；　though　doubtless　I　shall
learn　in　time。　At　least　a　while　ago　you　who　had　taken　our　money；
strove　to　murder　both　of　us；　or　cause　us　to　be　torn　in　pieces　upon
yonder　square　where　the　fires　burned。　Now；　too；　you　have　striven　to
murder　me　with　that　bodkin　of　yours；　not　knowing；　fool；　that　I　am　safe
from　all　men。　Well；　say　your　prayers；　since　you　too　journey　to　the
plague　pit；　for　so　the　gatherers　of　the　dead　will　think　you　died。〃

〃Sir；〃　gasped　the　terrified　wretch；　〃spare　me　and　I　will　speak〃

〃More　lies；〃　hissed　Dick　into　his　ear。　〃Nay；　go　tell　them　to　the
father　of　lies；　for　I　have　no　time　to　waste　in　hearkening　to　them。
Take　your　pay；　traitor！〃

A　few　seconds　later　Basil　lay　dead　upon　the　floor。

Grey　Dick　looked　at　him。　Kneeling　down；　he　thrust　his　hands　into　the
man's　pockets；　and　took　thence　the　gold　that　he　had　been　hiding　away
when　they　came　upon　him；　no　small　sum　as　it　chanced。

〃Our　own　come　back　with　interest；〃　he　said　with　one　of　his　silent
laughs；　〃and　we　shall　need　monies　for　our　faring。　Why；　here's　a
writing　also　which　may　tell　those　who　can　read　it　something。〃

He　cast　it　on　the　table；　then　turned　to　his　master；　who　was　awakening
from　his　swoon。

Dick　helped　him　to　his　feet。

〃What　has　passed？〃　asked　Hugh　in　a　hollow　voice。

〃Murgh！〃　answered　Dick；　pointing　to　the　dead　man　on　the　floor。

〃Have　you　killed　him；　friend？〃

〃Ay；　sure　enough；　as　he　strove　to　kill　me；〃　and　again　he　pointed；　this
time　to　the　broken　dagger。

Hugh　made　no　answer；　only　seeing　the　writing　on　the　table；　took　it　up；
and　began　to　read　like　one　who　knows　not　what　he　does。　Presently　his
eyes　brightened　and　he　said：

〃What　does　this　mean；　I　wonder。　Hearken。〃

　〃Rogue；　you　have　cheated　me　as　you　cheat　all　men　and　now　I　follow
　　her　who　has　gone。　Be　sure；　however；　that　you　shall　reap　your
　　reward　in　due　season。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　〃de　Noyon。〃

〃I　know　not；〃　said　Dick；　〃and　the　interpreter　is　silent；〃　and　he
kicked　the　body　of　Basil。　〃Perhaps　I　was　a　little　over　hasty　who　might
have　squeezed　the　truth　out　of　him　before　the　end。〃

〃'Her　who　is　gone；'〃　reflected　Hugh　aloud。　〃'Tis　Red　Eve　who　is　gone
and　de　Noyon　is　scarcely　the　man　to　seek　her　among　passed　souls。
Moreover；　the　Jews　swear　that　he　rode　from　Avignon　two　days　ago。　Come；
Dick；　let　that　carrion　lie；　and　to　the　plague　pit。〃



An　hour　later　and　they　stood　on　the　edge　of　that　dreadful　place；
hearing　and　seeing　things　which　are　best　left　untold。　A　priest　came　up
to　them；　one　of　those　good　men　who；　caring　nothing　for　themselves；
still　dared　to　celebrate　the　last　rites　of　the　Church　above　the　poor
departed。

〃Friends；〃　he　said；　〃you　seem　to　be　in　trouble。　Can　I　help　you；　for
Jesus'　sake？〃

〃Perchance；　holy　Father；〃　answered　Hugh。　〃Tell　us；　you　who　watch　this
dreadful　place；　was　a　woman　wrapped　in　a　red　cloak　thrown　in　here　two
or　three　days　gone？〃

〃Alas；　yes；〃　said　the　priest　with　a　sigh；　〃for　I　read　the　Office　over
her　and　others。　Nay；　what　are　you　about　to　do？　By　now　she　is　two
fathoms　deep　and　burned　away　with　lime　so　that　none　could　know　her。　If
you　enter　there　the　guards　will　not　let　you　thence　living。　Moreover；
it　is　useless。　Pray　to　God　to　comfort　you；　poor　man；　as　I　will；　who　am
sure　it　will　not　be　denied。〃

Then　Dick　led；　or　rather　carried；　Hugh　from　the　brink　of　that　awesome；
common　grave。



　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　CHAPTER　XIX

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　DOOM

It　was　the　last　night　of　February；　the　bitterest　night　perhaps　of　all
that　sad　winter；　when　at　length　Hugh　de　Cressi；　Grey　Dick；　and　David
Day　rode　into　the　town　of　Dunwich。　Only　that　morning　they　had　landed
at　Yarmouth　after　a　long；　long　journey　whereof　the　perils　and　the
horrors　may　be　guessed　but　need　not　be　written。　France；　through　which
they　had　passed；　seemed　to　be　but　one　vast　grave　over　which　the　wail
of　those　who　still　survived　went　up　without　cease　to　the　cold；
unpitying　heavens。

Here　in　England　the　tale　was　still　the　same。　Thus　in　the　great　seaport
of　Yarmouth　scarcely　enough　people　were　left　alive　to　inter　the
unshriven　dead；　nor　of　these　would　any　stay　to　speak　with　them；
fearing　lest　they　had　brought　a　fresh　curse　from　overseas。　Even　the
horses　that　they　rode　they　took　from　a　stable　where　they　whinnied
hungrily；　none　being　there　to　feed　them；　leaving　in　their　place　a
writing　of　the　debt。

Betwixt　Yarmouth　and　Dunwich　they　had　travelled　through　smitten　towns
and　villages；　where　a　few　wandered　fearfully；　distraught　with　sorrow
or　seeking　food。　In　the　streets　the　very　dogs　lay　dead　and　in　the
fields　they　saw　the　carcasses　of　cattle　dragged　from　the　smokeless　and
deserted　steadings　and　half　hidden　in　a　winding…sheet　of　snow。　For　the
Black　Plague　spared　neither　man　nor　beast。

At　the　little　port　of　Lowestoft　they　met　a　sullen　sailorman　who　stood
staring　at　the　beach　whereon　his　fishing　boat　lay　overturned　and　awash
for　lack　of　hands　to　drag　it　out　of　reach　of　the　angry　sea。　They　asked
him　if　he　knew　of　how　it　fared　with　Dunwich。

By　way　of　answer　he　cursed　them；　adding：

〃Must　I　be　forever　pestered　as　to　Dunwich？　This　is　the　third　time　of
late　that　I　have　heard　of　Dunwich　from　wandering　folk。　Begone　thither
and　gather　tidings　for　yourselves；　which　I　hope　will　please　you　as
well　as　they　do　me。〃

〃Now；　if　I　were　not　in　haste　I　would　stay　a　while　to　teach　you
manners；　you　foul…mouthed　churl；〃　muttered　Grey　Dick　between　his
teeth。

〃Let　the　fellow　be；〃　said　Hugh　wearily；　〃the　men　of　Lowestoft　have
ever　hated　those　of　Dunwich；　and　it　seems　that　a　common　woe　does　not
soften　hearts。　Soon　enough　we　shall　learn　the　truth。〃

〃Ay；　you'll　learn　it　soon　enough；〃　shouted　the　brute　after　them。
〃Dunwich　boats　won't　steel　Lowestoft　herrings　for　many　a　year！〃

So　they　rode　on　through　Kessland；　which　they　reached　as　night　was
closing　in；　through　Benacre　and　Wrentham；　also　past　houses　in　which
none　seemed　to　dwell。

〃Murgh　has　been　here　before　us；　I　think；〃　said　Dick　at　length。

〃Then　I　hope　that　we　may　overtake　him；〃　answered　Hugh　with　a　smile；
〃for　I　need　his　tidingsor　his　rest。　Oh！　Dick；　Dick；〃　he　added；　〃I
wonder　has　ever　man　borne　a　heavier　burden　for