Doctor Syn on the High Seas - Thorndike Russell - Страница 22
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The only comfort Doctor Syn derived from all this was the security of
public opinion, so that should the Authorities take too stern a view
they would be risking their own popularity.
While Tony was wondering how best to effect his meeting with Nicholas
Tappitt, since the way was so blocked, he heard that gentleman’s voice
upon the stairs, boldly announcing himself as “Captain Nicholas Tappitt,
nephew and heir to the deceased,” and that he had come on urgent
business concerning the affair on the authority of the Mayor of Oxford.
Knowing the reputation of the Tappitt family, and noting his swaggering
demeanor, the dandies of the town made way for him. He pushed his way
into Syn’s study and bowed low.
“I am come to escort Mr. Cobtree, who acted as your second, sir, in
the affair with my unfortunate uncle, to the Town Hall. I have also the
honour to bring you a message from the Senorita Almago, who would be
glad to see you at your earliest convenience at White Friars.” He then
turned to the ladies and gentlemen who had invaded the room. “As friends
and admirers of Doctor Syn, ladies and gentlemen, I should like to state
most emphatically that although naturally deploring the sudden death of
my uncle, for whom I acted in the duel, the behavior of Doctor Syn has
been exemplary throughout. My uncle put such an affront upon him that,
in spite of his peaceful cloth, he could not brook. I am about to
inform the Mayor that no blame can possibly be attached to Doctor Syn,
who fought like a gentleman.”
The generosity of this speech did much to put him in the good graces
of the assembly, so that when he requested them to leave Doctor Syn to
his business, they readily withdrew.
When the door had closed upon them, Syn smiled for the first time
that morning.
“Oh, you’ll find me well enough yet, I dare swear,” he answered
easily.
“Come, let us go. We two to the Mayor, and you to the lovely
Imogene. By gad, Doctor, you’re a lucky man, and I wish you joy. No
doubt the little minx has told you that I have been in love with her
myself.”
“A man of taste could hardly help it, sir,” replied the Doctor, as he
led them out by a back staircase to avoid the crowds.
This ruse, however, led Doctor Syn into a worse embarrassment, for, a
number of his own students spying him, he was lifted on their shoulders
and carried to St. Giles’ in triumph.
“My little plan has made your friend a hero,” said Nicholas as he led
Cobtree away.
“I would we were at liberty to praise his swordsmanship, rather t han
imaginary marksmanship. I shall never see a fight like that again. It
was magnificent.”
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“I can imagine it sir,” replied Nicholas. “With all his faults, my
uncle was a fighter, and I would have given much to have come earlier on
the scene to see him matched.”
The young men were relieved to find the Mayor was entirely on the
Doctor’s side. Indeed, he did not attempt to hide his profound relief
that such a menace to the town’s peace had died.
Then they proceeded to the Chancellor’s, who, although applauding his
young colleague’s courage, took a graver view of the situation.
“Doctor Syn has violated one of the strictest rules of the
University,” he said.
“But, sir,” protested Cobtree, “he went to rescue his betrothed and a
man is a man before he is a parson.”
“Oh, I know, I know,” grumbled the old man. “He was tried beyond
bearing, I admit, and a young man of spirit could do little else. But
what will our pompous Bishop have to say about the duties of a
clergyman?”
“If h e unfrocks him,” cried Tony, “his Lordship will see his own
effigy burned in every quadrangle in Oxford. He had best abide by
public opinion.”
“Aye, sir,” cried Nicholas, backing up the lawyer. “If friend Syn is
unfrocked for this, for once you’ll see the town boys behind the Gowns,
and they’ll be unfrocking every parson in Oxford, the Bishop included.”
And while his friends were thus arguing in his defense, Doctor Syn,
having closed the doors against the boisterous crowds, found peace in
his lover’s arms.
“I think I am almost afraid of you,” she whispered. “I never thought
to see a man fight like that. It was horrible and yet magnificent.
Promise to keep me always from harm as you did last night.”
“Promise to love me always, and I will,” he answered fondly.
“I think that should be easy,” she replied. “And when my dear mother
is recovered from her shock, I am going to make her consent to our
immediate marriage. Something tells me that I shall always be in danger
away from you. So let it be soon, and then no separation.”
“It cannot be too soon for me,” he said.
When Tony and Nicholas returned they had much to tell. That the
Mayor and Chancellor were friendly, there was little to fear from the
coroner, who would hold his inquiry the next day, and also that Doctor
Syn was likely to be called before the Bishop’s Court.
“Suppose they unfrock me, Imogene. Will you still marry me?”
“Oh, if they only would! she answered. “You are too adventurous for
that solemn coat. I’m sure you fight much better than you preach.”
“By gad, I think she’s right,” cried Nicholas.
And Tony echoed, “Yes, by God, I think she is.”
“You all seem bent to make a fuss of me,” said Syn.
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Chapter 7
The Friend of the Family
At the coroner’s inquest, held in the card-room at Iffley, it was
apparent to the conspirators that no hint of suspicion that a trick had
been played upon them had entered the minds of the jury. Indeed, the
coroner himself opened the proceedings by stating that the case was a
straightforward one, and need not detain them long. In the absence of
her mother, who was too ill to attend, Imogene recounted to the court
the details of their cruel abduction from White Friars. She stated that
while her mother was locked in one room, the deceased had attempted to
love her forcibly in the very room in which the court was sitting. She
told them of the letter which the Squire had sent to Doctor Syn, and
which had been the means leading to their rescue. The unexpected
arrival of Captain Nicholas Tappitt, who had known them in Spain, backed
by the presence of Doctor Syn and his friend Mr. Cobtree, had insured
their safety, but not before the Squire had heaped such insults upon her
mother and herself as Doctor Syn, as a man of honour and her betrothed
lover, could not tolerate. The result was the meeting next morning in
Magdalen Fields.
The three young men were then called, and told the same story. They
had agreed that no mention should be made of Sommers or of the s ecret
stairway, but Doctor Syn found himself continually staring at the panel,
half expecting the avenging farmer to appear and tell the truth. But
having accomplished his work of vengeance, Sommers was wise enough to
remain on his side of the river.
After the details of the duel had been given by the seconds, the
pistols and fatal bullet were exhibited, and the two gypsies took their
stands as witnesses. The coroner said that there was no doubt in his
mind that the duel had been carried out with the strictest regularity
between gentlemen in an affair of honour, the jury agreeing that
everything was perfectly regular. As a matter of course they were asked
to view the body in the shuttered bedroom of the deceased, where the
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