The Argosy, April 1912 — page 30: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

-16 THE ARGOSY. “°*Tis simple,” I returned. “These men seized me and brought me here.”’ “You suffered them to hale you—an in- nocent man—through the streets?” “They represented the majesty of the law,” said I right priggishly; adding with a grin: “Moreover, when a- man’s hat is bashed down over his eyes and mouth as you saw mine was, he can scarce talk con- vincingly. I could not raise my hands to remove the hat, for they pinioned my arms.” “He—he hath a sword!” cried Dog- berry excitedly. “I take oath he was un- armed when we made the arrest. I noted that with especial care.” “He probably grew the sword during the journey,” observed the magistrate. At which rare jest his subordinates dutifully shrieked with laughter. “But,” went on the magistrate, “the fact that he wears a sword and did not know it nor was deprived of it by the watch, bears out his story. I fear, sir,” he added, turning to me, “that you have been the victim of a grievous blunder. If there are any in London who can attest to your character I will gladly turn you loose and tender you the law’s apologies for this in- convenience.”’ “By your leave,” put in Master Shake- speare, rising and stepping forward, “I know this gentleman, and I am sure he is mixed in no treason plots. Will that suffice?” The magistrate bowed assent; treating this mere scrivener of stage plays with as deep respect as though he were a man of importance; whereat I marveled. “Vou are free, sir,” the magistrate told me. “I grieve for your ill treatment. Also for the rents in your cloak. As for the hat’s destruction, ’twas evidently a shock- ing bad hat at best and far out of style. So you suffer little loss there.” I thanked him and stood aside. I was about to depart when Master Shakespeare plucked me by the sleeve. “Was it not rare?” he chuckled. “Was it not rare to hear yon clown of a Dog- berry? Could I but put such a character on the boards, ’twould set the whole pit in a roar. I must talk further with this same Master Dogberry.”’ “Twas monstrous good of you,” quoth I, “to speak for me just now.” “Nay,” he answered. “’Iwas for mine own interest. At supper to-night I chanced to speak of you to my Lord of Shaftes- bury. He hates Whitson and ‘is powerful enow to protect you from him. He bade me, should I see you again, to offer you honorable service in his own household. There is much chance there for advance- ment. On the morrow you and I will wait upon his lordship.” I thrilled_with joy at the idea. To find such employment was almost beyond the dream of a plain soldier of fortune. It was lucrative and offered fine chances of preferment. To be a member of the great Shaftes- bury’s official household was the open sesame to wealth and rank, for the right sort of man. In a thrice, my world was changed. From poverty and despair I found my feet set upon the high road to fortune. I felt as 1f all the gray, old world were one glori- ous blaze of sunshine. Then, athwart my golden dream came a black shadow. And at the shock, I could feel myself turn -white. My promise to mine enemy! I had pledged myself to sail to the Americas with Captain John Smith, to take up there the dreary, hopeless, grinding life of a Vir- ginia colonist. I had made my solemn pledge to abide by the decision of the dice. And the dice had decided against me. There was but one thing a man of honor could do. Had I been victor in that strange duel with Smith, I should have deemed him the vilest of curs if he had begged off or eluded payment and I knew he would have kept his pledge. Was I to prove myself less of a man than that swashbucklering braggart? ‘There was but one course open to me. ‘Master Shakespeare,’ I muttered— and my voice was dead with the deep de- spair that sanded my dry throat—“I thank vou from my heart. But I have other em- ployment.” I could say no more. And I knew my words must sound ungracious. | “As you will,” he answered, plainly hurt at the rebuff. And he strolled out of the room. I wrapped the torn cloak about me, for the December night was cold, and prepared to set off to the meeting-place of the cursed Virginia expedition, secretly hoping that I might be too late and that the three ships might already have sailed. comicaoolkks CO