CHAPTER II.
THE TRAITOR.
The habitation, to which the powder was conveyed, adjoined, as hasalready been stated, the Parliament House, and stood at the south-westcorner of that structure. It was a small building, two stories high,with a little garden attached to it, surrounded by lofty walls, andbelonged to Whinneard, the keeper of the royal wardrobe, by whom it waslet to a person named Ferris. From the latter it was hired by ThomasPercy, one of the conspirators, and a relative of the Earl ofNorthumberland,--of whom it will be necessary to speak more fullyhereafter,--for the purpose to which it was now put.
Having bestowed the barrels of powder carefully in the cellar, andfastened the door of the house and the garden-gate after them, the trioreturned to the boat, and rowed back to Lambeth, where they arrivedwithout being noticed. They then threw themselves upon the floor, andsought some repose after their fatigue.
It was late in the day before they awoke. Garnet and Oldcorne had beenlong astir; but Viviana had not quitted her chamber. Catesby's firstobject was to examine the packet he had obtained from the Earl ofSalisbury, and withdrawing to a corner, he read over the papers one byone carefully.
Guy Fawkes watched his countenance as he perused them, but he asked noquestions. Many of the documents appeared to have little interest, forCatesby tossed them aside with an exclamation of disappointment. Atlength, however, a small note dropped from the bundle. Catesby picked itup, opened it, and his whole expression changed. His brow grewcontracted; and, springing to his feet, he uttered an ejaculation ofrage, crying, "It is as I suspected. We have traitors among us."
"Whom do you suspect?" cried Fawkes.
"Tresham!" cried Catesby, in a voice of thunder,--"the fawning, wily,lying Tresham. Fool that I was to league him with us."
"He is your own kinsman," observed Garnet.
"He is," replied Catesby; "but were he my own brother he should die.Here is a letter from him to Lord Mounteagle, which has found its way tothe Earl of Salisbury, hinting that a plot is hatching against thestate, and offering to give him full information of it."
"Traitor! false, perjured traitor!" cried Fawkes. "He must die."
"He shall fall by my hand," rejoined Catesby. "Stay! a plan occurs tome. He cannot be aware that this letter is in my possession. I will sendBates to bid him come hither. We will then charge him with hiscriminality, and put him to death."
"He deserves severe punishment, no doubt," replied Garnet; "but I amunwilling you should proceed to the last extremities with him."
"There is no alternative, father," replied Catesby. "Our safety demandshis destruction."
Garnet returned no answer, but bowed his head sorrowfully upon hisbreast. Bates was then despatched to Tresham; and preparations were madeby the three lay conspirators for executing their fell design.
It was agreed, that on his arrival, Tresham should be seized anddisarmed, and after being interrogated by Catesby touching the extent ofhis treachery, should be stabbed by Guy Fawkes. This being resolvedupon, it became a question how they should act in the interim. It waspossible that, after the loss of his papers, some communication mighttake place between the Earl of Salisbury and Lord Mounteagle, andthrough the latter with Tresham. Thus prepared, on the arrival of Bates,Tresham, seeing through their design, instead of accompanying him, mightgive information of their retreat to the officers. The contingency wasby no means improbable; and it was urged so strongly by Garnet, thatCatesby began to regret his precipitancy in sending the message. Still,his choler was so greatly roused against Tresham, that he resolved togratify his vengeance at any risk.
"If he betrays us, and brings the officers here, we shall know how toact," he remarked to Fawkes. "There is that below which will avenge uson them all."
"True," replied Fawkes. "But I trust we shall not be obliged to resortto it."
Soon after this, Bates returned with a message from Tresham, statingthat he would be at the rendezvous at nightfall, and that he hadimportant disclosures to make to them. He desired them, moreover, toobserve the utmost caution, and not to stir abroad.
"He may, perhaps, be able to offer an explanation of his conduct,"observed Keyes.
"Impossible," returned Catesby. "But he shall not die without ahearing."
"That is all I desire," returned Keyes.
While the others were debating upon the interrogations they should putto Tresham, and further examining the Earl of Salisbury's papers, Garnetrepaired to Viviana's chamber, and informed her what was about to takeplace. She was filled with consternation, and entreated to be allowed tosee Guy Fawkes for a few moments alone. Moved by her supplications,Garnet complied, and presently afterwards Fawkes entered the room.
"You have sent for me, Viviana," he said. "What would you?"
"I have just heard you are about to put one of your companions todeath," she replied. "It must not be."
"Viviana Radcliffe," returned Fawkes, "by your own desire you have mixedyourself up with my fortunes. I will not now discuss the prudence of thestep you have taken. But I deem it necessary to tell you, once for all,that any attempts to turn me from the line of conduct I have marked outto myself will fail. Tresham has betrayed us, and he must pay thepenalty of his treason."
"But not with his life," replied Viviana. "Do you not now perceive intowhat enormities this fatal enterprise will lead you? It is not one crimealone that you are about to commit, but many. You constitute yourselvesjudges of your companion, and without allowing him to defend himself,take his life. Disguise it as you may, it is assassination--cold-bloodedassassination."
"His life is justly forfeited," replied Guy Fawkes, sternly. "When hetook the oath of secrecy and fidelity to our league, he well knew whatthe consequences would be if he violated it. He has done so. He hascompromised our safety. Nay, he has sold us to our enemies, and nothingshall save him."
"If this is so," replied Viviana, "how much better would it be to employthe time now left in providing for your safety, than in contriving meansof vengeance upon one, who will be sufficiently punished for hisbaseness by his own conscience. Even if you destroy him, you will notadd to your own security, while you will commit a foul and needlesscrime, equal, if not exceeding in atrocity that you seek to punish."
"Viviana," replied Fawkes, in an angry tone, "in an evil hour, Iconsented to your accompanying me. I now repent my acquiescence. But,having passed my word, I cannot retract. You waste time, and exhaust mypatience and your own by these unavailing supplications. When I embarkedin this enterprise, I embraced all its dangers, all its crimes if youwill, and I shall not shrink from them. The extent of Tresham'streachery is not yet known to us. There may be--and God grantit!--extenuating circumstances in his conduct that may save his life.But, as the case stands at present, his offence appears of that dye thatnothing can wash it out but his blood."
And he turned to depart.
"When do you expect this wretched man?" asked Viviana, arresting him.
"At nightfall," replied Fawkes.
"Oh! that there were any means of warning him of his danger!" she cried.
"There are none," rejoined Fawkes, fiercely,--"none that you can adopt.And I must lay my injunctions upon you not to quit your chamber."
So saying, he retired.
Left alone, Viviana became a prey to the most agonizing reflections.Despite the strong, and almost unaccountable interest she felt in GuyFawkes, she began to repent the step she had taken in joining him, ascalculated to make her a party to his criminal conduct. But thisfeeling was transient, and was succeeded by a firmer determination topursue the good work she had undertaken.
"Though slight success has hitherto attended my efforts," she thought,"that is no reason why I should relax them. The time is arrived when Imay exert a beneficial influence over him; and it may be, that whatoccurs to-night will prove the first step towards complete triumph. Inany case, nothing shall be wanting to prevent the commission of themeditated atrocity."
With this, she knelt down and prayed long an
d fervently, and aroseconfirmed and strengthened in her resolution.
Meanwhile, no alteration had taken place in the purposes of theconspirators. Night came, but with it came not Tresham. Catesby, who, upto this time had managed to restrain his impatience, now arose, andsignified his intention of going in search of him, and was withdifficulty prevented from carrying his threat into execution by GuyFawkes, who represented the folly and risk of such a course.
"If he comes not before midnight, we shall know what to think, and howto act," he observed; "but till then let us remain tranquil."
Keyes and the others adding their persuasions to those of Fawkes,Catesby sat sullenly down, and a profound silence ensued. In this way,some hours were passed, when just at the stroke of midnight, Vivianadescended from her room, and appeared amongst them. Her countenance wasdeathly pale, and she looked anxiously around the assemblage. All,however, with the exception of Fawkes, avoided her gaze.
"Is he come?" she exclaimed at length. "I have listened intently, buthave heard nothing. You cannot have murdered him. And yet your looksalarm me. Father Garnet, answer me,--is the deed done?"
"No, my daughter," replied Garnet, sternly.
"Then he has escaped!" she cried, joyfully. "You expected him atnightfall."
"It is not yet too late," replied Fawkes, in a sombre tone; "his deathis only deferred."
"Oh! do not say so," she cried, in a voice of agony. "I hoped you hadrelented."
At this moment a peculiar knock was heard at the door. It was thricerepeated, and the strokes vibrated, though with different effect,through every bosom.
"He is here," cried Catesby, rising.
"Viviana, go to your chamber," commanded Guy Fawkes, grasping her hand,and leading her towards the stairs.
But she resisted his efforts, and fell on her knees.
"I will not go," she cried, in a supplicating tone, "unless you willspare this man's life."
"I have already told you my fixed determination," rejoined Fawkes,fiercely. "If you will not retire of your own free will, I must forceyou."
"If you attempt it, I will scream, and alarm your victim," she replied."Mr. Catesby," she added, "have my prayers, my entreaties, no weightwith you? Will you not grant me his life?"
"No!" replied Catesby, fiercely. "She must be silenced," he added, witha significant look at Fawkes.
"She shall," replied the latter, drawing his poniard. "Viviana!" hecontinued, in a voice, and with a look that left no doubt as to hisintentions, "do not compel me to be your destroyer."
As he spoke, the knocking was repeated, and Viviana uttered a prolongedand piercing cry. Guy Fawkes raised his weapon, and was about to strike,but his resolution failed him, and his arm dropped nerveless to hisside.
"Your better angel has conquered!" she cried, clasping his knees.
While this was passing, the door was thrown open by Catesby, and Treshamentered the room.
"What means this outcry?" he asked, looking round in alarm. "Ah! what doI see? Viviana Radcliffe here! Did she utter the scream?"
"She did," replied Viviana, rising, "and she hoped to warn you by it.But you were led on by your fate."
"Warn me from what?" ejaculated Tresham, starting. "I am among friends."
"You are among those who have resolved upon your death," repliedViviana.
"Ah!" exclaimed Tresham, making an effort to gain the door, and draw hissword.
In both attempts, however, he was foiled, for Catesby intercepted him,while Fawkes and Keyes flung themselves upon him, and binding his armstogether with a sword-belt, forced him into a chair.
"Of what am I accused?" he demanded, in a voice tremulous with rage andterror.
"You shall learn presently," replied Catesby. And he motioned to Fawkesto remove Viviana.
"Let me remain," she cried, fiercely. "My nature is changed, and isbecome as savage as your own. If blood must be spilt, I will tarry tolook upon it."
"This is no place for you, dear daughter," interposed Garnet.
"Nor for you either, father," retorted Viviana, bitterly; "unless youwill act as a minister of Christ, and prevent this violence."
"Let her remain, if she will," observed Catesby. "Her presence need nothinder our proceedings."
So saying, he seated himself opposite Tresham, while the two priestsplaced themselves on either side. Guy Fawkes took up a position on theleft of the prisoner, with his drawn dagger in his hand, and Keyesstationed himself near the door. The unfortunate captive regarded themwith terrified glances, and trembled in every limb.
"Thomas Tresham," commenced Catesby, in a stern voice, "you are a swornbrother in our plot. Before I proceed further, I will ask you whatshould be his punishment who violates his oath, and betrays hisconfederates? We await your answer?"
But Tresham remained obstinately silent.
"I will tell you, since you refuse to speak," continued Catesby. "It isdeath--death by the hands of his associates."
"It may be," replied Tresham; "but I have neither broken my oath, norbetrayed you."
"Your letter to Lord Mounteagle is in my possession," replied Catesby."Behold it!"
"Perdition!" exclaimed Tresham. "But you will not slay me? I havebetrayed nothing. I have revealed nothing. On my soul's salvation, Ihave not! Spare me! spare me! and I will be a faithful friend in future.I have been indiscreet--I own it--but nothing more. I have mentioned nonames. And Lord Mounteagle, as you well know, is as zealous a Catholicas any now present."
"Your letter has been sent to the Earl of Salisbury," pursued Catesby,coldly. "It was from him I obtained it."
"Then Lord Mounteagle has betrayed me," returned Tresham, becoming paleas death.
"Have you nothing further to allege?" demanded Catesby. As Tresham madeno answer, he turned to the others, and said, "Is it your judgment heshould die?"
All, except Viviana, answered in the affirmative.
"Tresham," continued Catesby, solemnly, "prepare to meet your fate likea man. And do you, father," he added to Garnet, "proceed to shrive him."
"Hold!" cried Viviana, stepping into the midst of them,--"hold!" sheexclaimed, in a voice so authoritative, and with a look so commanding,that the whole assemblage were awe-stricken. "If you think to committhis crime with impunity, you are mistaken. I swear by everythingsacred, if you take this man's life, I will go forth instantly, anddenounce you all to the Council. You may stare, sirs, and threaten me,but you shall find I will keep my word."
"We must put her to death too," observed Catesby, in an under tone toFawkes, "or we shall have a worse enemy left than Tresham."
"I cannot consent to it," replied Fawkes.
"If you mistrust this person, why not place him in restraint?" pursuedViviana. "You will not mend matters by killing him."
"She says well," observed Garnet; "let us put him in some place ofsecurity."
"I am agreed," replied Fawkes.
"And I," added Keyes.
"My judgment, then, is overruled," rejoined Catesby. "But I will notoppose you. We will imprison him in the vault beneath this chamber."
"He must be without light," said Garnet.
"And without arms," added Keyes.
"And without food," muttered Catesby. "He has only exchanged one deathfor another."
The flag was then raised, and Tresham thrust into the vault, after whichit was restored to its former position.
"I have saved you from the lesser crime," cried Viviana to Guy Fawkes;"and, with Heaven's grace, I trust to preserve you from the greater!"