CHAPTER XIX
ANTONIO'S MESSAGE
Jessica went back to Ephraim's room, to tell him this wonderful endingof their once almost hopeless search, and for long they discussed thestory that was at once so strange, so moving, and yet so simple.
"Man proposes, God disposes," quoted "Forty-niner," with all theemphasis of an original philosophy. "If we'd set out to make up a fairystory we couldn't have beat this. But I'm so glad, it seems like Icould get right up and dance a jig, smashed leg and all."
"Glad! Ephraim, I'm so glad, too, and the gladness is so deep, deepdown that I don't want to dance. I just want to cry. And that poor manis little Luis' father. Oh! it is pitiful."
"Hush, captain. Don't you go to grieving over that scamp. A man don'tget good nor bad all in a minute. It was hard enough, I 'low, for afellow to be snatched out of the world that sudden. Yet, if he couldspeak for himself, he'd say a thousand times better that than what thelaw would have given him. Let him be. His part is done. He's passed inhis checks and don't you hear that Heaven won't pay out on all the goodones. Now--what next?"
Both knew, yet both disliked to mention that which each felt. TillEphraim swallowed something like a sob and remarked:
"The longer I lie here, like a log, the madder I get at myself and theweaker minded. I'm just about as ready to cry as a whipped baby. I know'twas the best thing could have happened, my getting hurt, though why aplain, everyday break wouldn't have answered the purpose just as wellas this 'compound fracture,' the doctors make such a fuss over andtakes so long to heal, I don't see. Nor never shall. If it had beenjust ordinary bone-crackin' I'd been lively as a hop-toad by now, andready to start right home with you this minute. As it is----"
"Oh, Ephraim! I hate to leave you--but I must get quickly to my mother!Don't you see I must? To smooth all those sad lines out of her dearface and make her happy again, as this news surely will. They'll begood to you here, and you can come the first minute they'll let you."
"Why not telegraph her? The boys go every day to Marion for the lettersyou and all send, and the postmaster is the operator, too. Why not that,and wait just a day or two. Likely I'll be cavortin' round, supple as alizard on a fence, by then."
Jessica did not answer and Ephraim asked:
"How could you go, anyway, without me or some protector? Though I madea bad job of it once I wouldn't the second time."
"I don't know how, dear old fellow, and I do know how bitterdisappointed you are that you can't be there to see my mother'sface and get her thanks right away. But----"
Fortunately for both of these perplexed people, Ninian Sharp came alongthe passage just then, and one glimpse of his bright, helpful facecleared away Jessica's anxieties.
"You'll know what's best and how to do it, won't you, dear Mr.Sharp?"
"Certainly. That's my business. Straightening out the tangled affairsof the silly rest of the world! Fetch on your trouble!"
He was in the gayest of moods, elated over the successful termination ofhis tedious labors, though in his heart not unmindful of the tragedywhich had brought his share in them to an end. What was left, the law'sdealings with Antonio and the division and disposition of the recoveredfunds, belonged to Mr. Hale, and he very thankfully resigned thesematters to that gentleman's capable hand.
"I want to go home. And I don't want to leave Ephraim."
"I want to go with you. And I'm going to leave Ephraim--because he'dhave to stay awhile, whether or not. He will be an important witnessfor the prosecution, providing that New York Company bothers any furtherafter having recovered all that belongs to them, with some that doesn't.I've a 'loose foot,' as I've heard that your 'Aunt Sally' alsohas betimes, and I mean to shake it out Sobrante way. If you'd like totravel in my company I can't prevent it, as I see!"
"Oh! you darling man! You mean--I know it, for it's just like all therest of your great kindness--that you're going wholly on purpose to takeme home!"
"Beg pardon, but indeed, I'm not. At this present moment I have nostronger desire than to see that wonderful ranch of yours and those'boys' who've spoiled you so. Why, I couldn't stay away, afterputting my finger so deeply into your family pie. I propose to starton the nine o'clock train to-morrow morning. Think you can be readyby then?"
"I'm ready this minute! No, I mean, as soon as I bid everybody good-by,and--and----"
"Do a little shopping, eh? That's what most young ladies delay for,I believe."
"But I'm neither a young lady nor have I any shopping to do. Icouldn't have because I haven't any money, you see, even if I knewhow to shop."
"Why?" demanded "Forty-niner," impatiently. "No money? I don'tbelieve all ours is gone yet."
"Why, I forgot that. I really did. And I would love, if Mr. Sharp thinksit would be all right to use it when there is all this hospital board forboth of us to pay, to take a tiny bit of a present to--to----"
"Everybody you ever knew, I'll be bound!" cried Ninian.
"I--believe I would. But of course I can't. So I'd best treat allalike and take nothing but our glorious goods news."
"I'm going to take that myself, part of the way. At the finish I'lllet you carry the heavy burden and deliver it yourself into yourmother's hands. Now, come sit down a minute. Ephraim, put on yourown thinking cap, and if she forgets anybody you let me know. We aregoing to take something to everybody, just as you'd like. Now, begin.The mother--but she's settled, already. For her I've made a finishedpicture from a sketch I have, of a little yellow-haired girl asleepupon a piebald burro's shoulder. Ned? A train of cars. Luis, ditto.Samson--what for Samson?"
"Would it cost too much to take them each, all the 'boys' the samething, and that would be a bright red necktie?"
"Cost not a bit too much and be a deal easier than thinking of separatethings for so many. Next? Aunt Sally?"
"Oh! she's no trouble. A few bits of new calico 'print' for herpatchwork would make her very happy."
They forgot nobody, not even Ferd whom Jessica so disliked; and at theend of the list she rather timidly suggested: "Antonio."
To that, however, both her friends cried a vehement "No!" Not a cent oftheir money should ever go to please such a man as the Senor Bernal.
"But, that reminds me. This Antonio himself wishes to have an interviewwith you before you leave Los Angeles. I want you, though, to feel atliberty to refuse this request if you so desire. He deserves no kindnessat your hands."
"No. Don't you go near him, captain. He's a snake and snakes areunpleasant critters even after their fangs are drawn. Leave Antonio tome. When I get well I'll have a little score to settle with him on myown behalf," urged Ephraim.
"Why doesn't he come to me, himself? Instead of sending for me to him.Then I shouldn't have to trouble you to take me."
Mr. Sharp looked at Ephraim and smiled, significantly.
"I suppose because he cannot. Else so polished a gentleman would surelydo so."
"Why cannot he? Is he ill, too?"
"Rather ill in his mind, but not in body. Simply, he isn't allowed."
"Won't the hospital folks have him?"
"Not at present."
"I believe you are teasing me. Where is Antonio?"
"At police headquarters."
"Oh! with Matron Wood?"
"Not with that good woman, I fear."
"Mr. Sharp, please, _don't_ tease me any more. What do you mean?"
"Antonio is under restraint of the law. He is a prisoner, for thepresent. Detained until Mr. Hale can consult with his New York peopleand find out their disposition toward the fellow. He has done criminalthings without, apparently, any benefit to himself. He says there issomething on his mind that he must tell you. We'll call to see himon our way to the shopping district and get him over and done with.I've no desire to continue his acquaintance, myself."
Jessica's face grew serious.
"Oh! poor Antonio!"
"Quit that!" commanded "Forty-niner," with more sharpness than heoften used toward his beloved lady.
"But, it is so terrible to be a--prisoner. That means that one cannever go out into the fields or climb the mountains, or ride, or hunt, oranything one likes. He has done dreadful wrongs, and I never used to likehim as well as I ought, but now I'm sorry for him. I can't help it,Ephraim, even if it does displease you."
"H-m-m. He brought his own misfortunes upon himself. But first he hadbrought worse ones on his truest friends and innocent persons whom henever saw."
"Maybe he didn't know any better. Maybe----"
"Child, you are incorrigible. You'd pity--anybody. Yet, perhaps, youare right in a measure. Antonio strikes me as more fool that knave."
"Well, I'll be glad to say good-by to him, anyway."
It was a greatly altered Antonio they found. All his haughtiness was goneand his depression, his fear, was so abject that while Lady Jess pitiedhim even more than before, the reporter felt only contempt. It was hewho cut short the manager's wordy explanations and commanded:
"Now, if you've got anything special to say to Miss Trent, out with itand have done. We must be off."
"Then leave her alone with me for five minutes, yes."
"No. What you can say to her must be said in my presence."
But Jessica petitioned for the favor, and Ninian stepped into anadjoining room, leaving the door ajar.
As soon as he was out of sight, Senor Bernal leaned forward, claspinghis hands.
"It is the good turn I do. Well, then, it is the good turn you willanswer, no."
"Of course. I'd do you any 'good turn' which was right for me."
"Then plead for me, my liberty. It is you, senorita, who have the sogreat, the strange power to move many hearts to your will. _Si._ You willplead, then, if I tell you--something--a little story--maybe?"
"I'm in no mood for stories, and you're talking in riddles as you'vealways been fond of doing. Say what you mean at once, Antonio, for I'mgoing home to-morrow. Home! going home!"
"Ah! me! And? But yes. I will. I will force myself. I will ask it.That--that--title? Know you of that?"
"How should I know?"
"Ephraim. Was not Ephraim at the safe one midnight? Is not Ephraim alittle strange--here?" touching his own forehead.
Jessica turned away, indignant.
"No, but you are. The queerest, crookedest man I ever saw. If you'veanything to tell me, just be quick, I am going. As for Ephraim, I wish,unhappy man, that you had half the goodness and honesty in your wholebody that dear old fellow has in his littlest finger. He couldn't do amean thing nor even think one, and if you sent for me to abuse him to meyou might have spared yourself the trouble."
"Well, then. It is known, is it not? That when I shook the dust ofSobrante rancho from my feet I took away with me all the papers thatappertained to the so great business of the place? Why not? Was I notto go back the master, and for the settlement of all affairs which Ihad with the Dona Gabriella?"
"You will please never call my mother by her first name again, AntonioBernal. She is an American gentlewoman, and her title is Mrs. Trent.Understand? She is not afraid of you, nor am I, though she was patientand, for her children's sakes, would not quarrel nor resent yourinsolence. All that is changed. You can do us no further harm. Myfather's name is freed from all the shadow that your wickedness castover it, and as for titles to property--poor! None of the Trents, bigor little, care anything for property since we have regained honor!Besides, Sobrante isn't the only home in the world. They are everywhere,waiting for those who will take them. If we lose Sobrante, as I supposewe may, I--just I, Jessica Trent, a child, will make a home for mymother and my brother--somewhere. I am strong. I can work. I am notat all afraid."
Despite his meanness and cupidity, Antonio was moved. The girl wasradiant in her courage and enthusiasm, and her disdain of what he couldmake her suffer was infinite.
"Good, senorita. When you speak and look like that I can no longerkeep silence, I. The papers! It is possible, no? That among them, inmy so great haste at leaving Sobrante, that little, yes, it might--itmight be among those other papers appertaining to the so great business._Si._ If I point the way, if I tell the secret retiring place of me,I, Antonio Bernal, you will plead and set me free? It is a contract, abargain--yes?"
Jessica pondered. The temptation was strong to say "yes" without delay;but she had now learned to distrust the late manager of her mother'sbusiness, and answered, cautiously:
"I'll do what I can, Antonio, but if my mother forbids me to 'plead,'I shall not disobey her. You did what you pleased, and my friends sayyou will have to suffer the consequences."
"Ah! but it is the so old head on the so small shoulders. That wisdomwas not of your own, senorita. But, I forgive the suspicion. Yes, I ammagnanimous. I am generous, I, Senor Bernal, heir--rightful heir--toSobrante rancho and all of Paraiso d'Oro. See! Behold! Did the LadyJessica never hear of El Desierto, no?"
"The Deserted Ranch? Where Pedro says the spirits of dead people walk?Of course. Everybody has heard of that. Why?"
"Sometimes the 'spirits' keep hidden treasures safe. Yes. _Si._ Doesthe senorita know the trail thither, to that haunted place?"
"No. Nor wish to. Good-by, Antonio. I can wait for no more of yournonsense."
"The paper. The pencil, which the Lady Jess holds in her hand. Onemoment, that to me, if the senorita pleases."
"I brought these for my little shopping trip, which I'm to take withMr. Sharp. I can't give them to you, but I'll lend, for a moment. Herethey are. Be quick."
Antonio seized the pencil and rapidly sketched upon the pad a fewdots and lines, suggesting a zigzag road and stations upon it. At thestarting point he wrote "Marion," and at the end "Sobrante." Midway,and well to the north, where a curving course indicated an arroyo hemarked "El Desierto."
Then he looked up, and Jessica reached forward to take back herpossessions.
But with what he considered great chaft and cunning he thrust them behindhim and smiled grimly:
"The promise, senorita. First the promise; 'I will plead for theliberty of Senor Antonio Bernal, so help me----'"
Unperceived by the artful manager, Ninian Sharp had entered the room froma rear door. He was tired of waiting for the interview to end and hadoverheard most of it from the outer room. He now quietly stretched outhis own hand and possessed himself of the rude map, and then as quietlyand instantly withdrew with it, calling as he did so:
"Come on, Lady Jess. Time's up. So is Antonio's little game; yet,thanks, senor, for playing it so openly, Good-day. _Adios._ Farewell. _Etcetera. Au revoir_ and all the rest. We'll show you that title deed--ifwe find it!"