red eve-第47章

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wonder　has　ever　man　borne　a　heavier　burden　for　all　this　weary　while？
If　I　were　sure；　it　would　not　be　so　bad；　for　when　earthly　hope　is　done
we　may　turn　to　other　comfort。　But　I'm　not　sure；　Basil　may　have　lied。
The　priest　by　the　pit　could　only　swear　to　the　red　cloak；　of　which
there　are　many；　though　few　be　buried　in　them。　And；　Dick；　there　are
worse　things　than　that。　Perchance　Acour　got　her　after　all。〃

〃And　perchance　he　didn't；〃　answered　Dick。　〃Well；　fret　on　if　you　will；
the　thing　does　not　trouble　me　who　for　my　part　am　sure　enough。〃

〃Of　what；　man；　of　what？〃

〃Of　seeing　the　lady　Eve　ere　long。〃

〃In　this　world　or　the　next；　Dick？〃

〃In　this。　I　don't　reckon　of　the　next；　mayhap　there　we　shall　be　blind
and　not　see。　Besides；　of　what　use　is　that　world　to　you　where　it　is
written　that　they　neither　marry　nor　are　given　in　marriage；　but　are　as
the　angels？　You'll　make　no　good　angel；　I'm　thinking；　while　as　for　the
lady　Eve；　she's　too　human　for　it　as　yet。〃

〃Why　do　you　think　we　shall　see　her　on　earth？〃　asked　Hugh；　ignoring
these　reflections。

〃Because　he　who　is　called　the　Helper　said　as　much；　and　whatever　he　may
be　he　is　no　liar。　Do　you　not　remember　what　Red　Eve　told　you　when　she
awoke　from　that　dream　of　hers；　which　was　no　dream？　And　do　you　not
remember　what　Sir　Andrew　told　you　as　to　a　certain　meeting　in　the　snow
pest　upon　it！〃　and　he　wiped　some　of　the　driving　flakes　from　his　face
〃Sir　Andrew；　who　is　a　saint；　and；　therefore；　like　Murgh；　can　be　no
liar？〃

〃If　you　think　thus；〃　said　Hugh　in　a　new　voice；　〃why　did　you　not　say　so
before？〃

〃Because　I　love　not　argument；　master；　and　if　I　had；　you　would　ever
have　reasoned　with　me　from　Avignon　to　Yarmouth　town　and　spoilt　my
sleep　of　nights。　Oh！　where　is　your　faith？〃

〃What　is　faith；　Dick？〃

〃The　gift　of　belief；　master。　A　very　great　gift；　seeing　what　a　man
believes　is　and　will　be　true　for　him；　however　false　it　may　prove　for
others。　He　who　believes　nothing；　sows　nothing；　and　therefore　reaps
nothing；　good　or　ill。〃

〃Who　taught　you　these　things；　Dick？〃

〃One　whom　I　am　not　likely　to　forget；　or　you；　either。　One　who　is　my
master　at　archery　and　whose　words；　like　his　arrows；　though　they　be
few；　yet　strike　the　heart　of　hidden　truth。　Oh；　fear　not；　doubtless
sorrow　waits　you　yonder；〃　and　he　pointed　toward　Dunwich。　〃Yet　it　comes
to　my　lips　that　there's　joy　beyond　the　sorrows；　the　joy　of　battle　and
of　lovefor　those　who　care　for　love；　which　I　think　foolishness。　There
stands　a　farm；　and　the　farmer　is　a　friend　of　mine；　or　used　to　be。　Let
us　go　thither　and　feed　these　poor　beasts　and　ourselves；　or　I　think　we
will　never　come　to　Dunwich　through　this　cold　and　snow。　Moreover；〃　he
added　thoughtfully；　〃joy　or　sorrow　or　both　of　them　are　best　met　by
full　men；　and　I　wish　to　look　to　your　harness　and　my　own；　for　sword　and
axe　are　rusted　with　the　sea。　Who　knows　but　that　we　may　need　them　in
Dunwich；　or　beyond；　when　we　meet　with　Murgh；　as　he　promised　that　we
should。〃

So　they　rode　up　to　the　house　and　found　Dick's　friend；　the　farmer；
lying　dead　there　in　his　own　yard；　whither　his　family　had　dragged　him
ere　they　determined　to　fly　the　place。　Still；　there　was　fodder　in　the
stable　and　they　lit　a　fire　in　the　kitchen　hearth　and　drank　of　the　wine
which　they　had　brought　with　them　from　the　ship；　and　ate　of　the　bacon
which　still　hung　from　the　rafters。　This　done；　they　lay　down　to　sleep　a
while。　About　one　in　the　morning；　however；　Hugh　roused　Dick　and　David；
saying　that　he　could　rest　no　more　and　that　something　in　his　heart　bade
him　push　on　to　Dunwich。

〃Then　let　us　follow　your　heart；　master；〃　said　Dick；　yawning。　〃Yet　I
wish　it　had　waited　till　dawn　to　move　you。　Yes；　let　us　follow　your
heart　to　good　or　evil。　David；　go　you　out　and　saddle　up　those　nags。〃

For　Dick　had　worked　late　at　their　mail　and　weapons；　which　now　were
bright　and　sharp　again；　and　was　very　weary。



It　was　after　three　in　the　morning　when　at　length；　leaving　the　heath；
they　rode　up　to　Dunwich　Middlegate；　expecting　to　find　it　shut　against
them　at　such　an　hour。　But　it　stood　open；　nor　did　any　challenge　them
from　the　guardhouse。

〃They　keep　an　ill　watch　in　Dunwich　now…a…days；〃　grumbled　Dick。　〃Well；
perchance　there　is　one　here　to　whom　they　can　trust　that　business。〃

Hugh　made　no　answer；　only　pressed　on　down　the　narrow　street；　that　was
deep　and　dumb　with　snow；　till　at　length　they　drew　reign　before　the
door　of　his　father's　house；　in　the　market…place；　the　great　house　where
he　was　born。　He　looked　at　the　windows　and　noted　that；　although　they
were　unshuttered；　no　friendly　light　shone　in　them。　He　called　aloud；
but　echo　was　his　only　answer；　echo　and　the　moan　of　the　bitter　wind　and
the　sullen　roar　of　the　sea。

〃Doubtless　all　men　are　asleep；〃　he　said。　〃Why　should　it　be　otherwise
at　such　an　hour？　Let　us　enter　and　waken　them。〃

〃Yes；　yes；〃　answered　Dick　as　he　dismounted　and　threw　the　reins　of　his
horse　to　David。　〃They　are　like　the　rest　of　Dunwichasleep。〃

So　they　entered　and　began　to　search　the　house　by　the　dim　light　of　the
moon。　First　they　searched　the　lower　chambers；　then　those　where　Hugh's
father　and　his　brothers　had　slept；　and　lastly　the　attics。　Here　they
found　the　pallets　of　the　serving…folk　upon　the　floor；　but　none　at　rest
upon　them。

〃The　house　is　deserted；〃　said　Hugh　heavily。

〃Yes；　yes；〃　answered　Dick　again；　in　a　cheerful　voice；　〃doubtless
Master　de　Cressi　and　your　brothers　have　moved　away　to　escape　the
pest。〃

〃Pray　God　they　have　escaped　it！〃　muttered　Hugh。　〃This　place　stifles
me；〃　he　added。　〃Let　us　out。〃

〃Whither　shall　we　go；　master？〃

〃To　Blythburgh　Manor；〃　he　answered；　〃for　there　I　may　win　tidings。
David；　bide　you　here；　and　if　you　can　learn　aught　follow　us　across　the
moor。　The　manor　cannot　be　missed。〃

So　once　more　Hugh　and　Dick　mounted　their　horses　and　rode　away　through
the　town；　stopping　now　and　again　before　some　house　they　knew　and
calling　to　its　inmates。　But　though　they　called　loudly　none　answered。
Soon　they　grew　sure　that　this　was　because　there　were　none　to　answer；
since　of　those　houses　many　of　the　doors　stood　open。　Only　one　living
creature　did　they　see　in　Dunwich。　As　they　turned　the　corner　near　to
the　Blythburgh　Gate　they　met　a　grey…haired　man　wrapped　up　in　tattered
blankets　which　were　tied　about　him　with　haybands。　He　carried　in　his
hand　a　beautiful　flagon　of　silver。　Doubtless　he　had　stolen　it　from
some　church。

Seeing　them；　he　cast　this　flagon　into　the　snow　and　began　to　whimper
like　a　dog。

〃Mad　Tom；〃　said　Dick；　recognizing　the　poor　fellow。　〃Tell　us；　Thomas；
where　are　the　folk　of　Dunwich？〃

〃Dead；　dead；　all　dead！〃　he　wailed；　and　fled　away。

〃Stay！　What　of　Master　de　Cressi？〃　called　Hugh。　But　the　tower　of　the
church　round　which　he　had　vanished　only　echoed　back　across　the　snow；
〃What　of　Master　de　Cressi？〃

Then　at　last　Hugh　understood　the　awful　truth。

It　was　that；　save　those　who　had　fled；　the　people　of　Dunwich　were　slain
with　the　Sword　of　Pestilence；　and　all　his　kin　among　them。



They　were　on　the　Blythburgh　Marshes；　travelling　thither　by　the
shortest　road。　The　moon　was　down　and　the　darkness　dense；　for　the　snow…
clouds　hid　the　stars。

〃Let　us　bide　here　a　while；〃　said　Grey　Dick　as　their　horses　blundered
through　the　thick　reeds。　〃It　will　soon　be　sunrise；　and　if　we　go　on　in
this　gloom　we　shall　fall　into　some　boghole　or　into　the　river；　which　I
hear　running　on　our　left。〃

So　they　halted　their　weary　horses　and　sat　still；　for　in　his
wretchedness　Hugh　cared　not　what　he　did。

At　length　the　east　began　to　lighten；　turning　the　sky　to　a　smoky　red。
Then　the　rim　of　the　sun　rising　out　of　the　white…flecked　ocean；　threw
athwart　the　desolate　marsh　a　fierce　ray　that　lay　upon　the　snows　like　a
sword　of　blood。　They　were　standing　on　the　crest　of　a　little　mound；　and
Dick；　looking　about　him；　knew　the　place。

〃See；〃　he　said；　pointing　toward　the　river　that　ran　near　by；　〃it　is
just　here　that　you　killed　young　Clavering　this　day　two　years　ago。
Yonder　also　I　shot　the　French　knights；　and　Red　Eve　and　you　leapt　into
the　Blythe　and　swam　it。〃

〃Ay；〃　said　Hugh；　looking　up　idly；　〃but　did　you　say　two　years；　Dick？
Nay；　surely　'tis　a　score。　Why；〃　he　added　in　a　changed　voice；　〃who　may
that　be　in　the　hollow？〃　and　he　pointed　to　a　tall　figure　which　stood
beneath　them　at　a　distance；　half…hidden　by　the　dank　snow…mists。

〃Let　us　go　and　see；〃　said　Dick；　speaking　almost　in　a　whisper；　for
there　was　that　about　this　figure　which　sent　the　blood　to　his　throat
and　cheeks。

He　drove　the　spurs　into　his　tired　horse's　sides；　causing　it　to　leap
forward。

Half　a　minute　later　they　had　ridden　down　the　slope　of　the　hollow。　A
puff　of　wind　that　came　with　the　sun　drove　away　the　mist。　Dick　uttered
a　choking　cry　and　leapt　from　his　saddle。　For　there；　calm；　terrible；
mighty；　clothed　in　his　red　and　yellow　cap　and　robe　of　ebon　furs；　stood
he　who　was　named　Murgh　the　Fire；　Murgh　the　Sword；　Murgh　the　Helper；
Murgh；　Gateway　of　the　Gods！

They　knelt　before　him　in　the　snow；　while；　screaming　in　their　fright；
the　horses　fled　away。

〃Knight　and　Archer；〃　said　Murgh；　in　his　icy　voice；　counting　with　the
thumb　of　his　white…gloved　right　hand　upon　the　hidden　fingers　of　his
left。　〃Friends；　you　keep　your　tryst；　but　there　are　more　to　come。　Have
patience；　there　are　more　to　come。〃

Then　he　became　quiet；　nor　dared　they　ask　him　any　questions。　Only　at　a
motion　of　his　arm　they　rose　from　their　knees　and　stood　before　him。

A　long　while　they　stood　thus　in　silence；　till　under　Murgh's　dreadful
gaze　Hugh's　brain　began　to　swim。　He　looked　about　him；　seeking　some
natural　thing　to　feed　his　eyes。　Lo！　yonder　was　that　which　he　might
watch；　a　hare　crouching　in　its　form　not　ten　paces　distant。　See；　out　of
the　reeds　crept　a　great　red　fox。　The　hare　smelt　or　saw；　and　leaped
away。　The　fox　sprang　at　it；　too　late；　for　the　white　fangs　closed
emptily　behind　its　scut。　Then　with　a　little　snarl　of　hungry　rage　it
turned　and　vanished　into　the　brake。

The　hare　and　the　fox；　the　dead　reeds；　the　rising　sun；　the　snowoh；
who　had　told　him　of　these　things？

Ah！　he　remembered　now；　and　that　memory　set　the　blood　pulsing　in　his
veins。　For　where　these　creatures　were　should　be　more　besides　Grey　Dick
and　himself　and　the　Man　of　many　names。

He　looked　toward　Murgh　to　see　that　he　had　bent　himself　and　with　his
gloved　hand　was　drawing　lines　upon　the　snow。　Those　lines　when　they
were　done　enclosed　the　shape　of　a　grave！

〃Archer；〃　said　Murgh；　〃unsheath　your　axe　and　dig。〃

As　though　he　understood；　Dick　obeyed；　and　began　to　hollow　out　a　grave
in　the　soft　and　boggy　soil。

Hugh　watched　him　like　one　who　dreams；　wondering　who　was　destined　to
fill　that　grave。　Presently　a　sound　behind　caused　him　to　turn　his　head。

Oh！　certainly　he　was　mad；　for　there　over　the　rise　not　a　dozen　yards
away　came　the　beautiful　ghost　of　Eve　Clavering；　clad　in　her　red　cloak。
With　her　was　another　ghost；　that　of　old　Sir　Andrew　Arnold；　blood
running　down　the　armour　beneath　his　robe　and　in　his　hand　the　hilt　of　a
broken　sword。

Hugh　tried　to　speak；　but　his　lips　were　dumb；　nor　did　these　ghosts　take
any　heed　of　him；　for　their　eyes　were　fixed　elsewhere。　To　Murgh　they
went　and　stood　before　him　silent。　For　a　while　he　looked　at　them；　then
asked　in　his　cold　voice：

〃Who　am　I；　Eve　Clavering？〃

〃The　Man　who　came　to　visit　me　in　my　dream　at　Avignon　and　told　m