CHAPTER XX
PARDO LOSES A TRICK
At a late hour that night a rather weary horseman rode into thePrefect's camp, a few miles beyond the defile which Mr. O'Hagan washolding with his 400 men. News of the Mollendist extravagances in SanRosario having reached San Juan, the Prefect with a sudden burst ofenergy moved out with a motley force of 1500, and established himself onthe hills in readiness to force the passage next day. The horsemansought out the Prefect's quarters, in a sheltered glade some distancefrom the track, and was checked every few yards by sentries demandingthe countersign. The Prefect was always very careful that all properprecautions were taken for the safeguard of his person.
Pardo was rather annoyed by these frequent interruptions. He was verytired. The roundabout route which he had been forced to take by thepresence of the enemy across the road had kept him for many hours in thesaddle. He had hidden the loot from his late master's house; but, likeall traitors, he did not trust the man who had assisted him, and almostwished that he had not left the spoils and his friend behind. But,knowing the kind of men who formed the bulk of the Prefect's army, hehad prudently decided not to bring valuables within their reach andexpose them to temptation.
He came to the last of the chain of sentries, and requested an interviewwith the Prefect.
"His excellency is asleep, senor," said the man dubiously. "It is verylate."
"Tell his excellency that Senor Miguel Pardo desires to see him,"returned Pardo with impatience.
The man durst not leave his post, but summoned a comrade, who conveyedthe message.
"His excellency cursed and declined to see you until the morning,senor," said the man on his return.
Now, so far as Pardo knew, there was no need for haste. He had takengreat care to gag and bind Tim very thoroughly. He had left the houselocked up and the windows fastened, and even if anybody should break in,it was unlikely that the hiding-place beneath the floor of the officewould be suspected and the prisoner discovered. But Pardo was eager toconclude a scheme which he had ingeniously concocted. He had also arather exaggerated notion of his importance. So he sent the messengerback again, to say that he had something of great moment to communicate,and begged the Prefect to see him at once.
After a little delay he was admitted to his excellency, whom he foundreclining on a camp bed in the open air; tents were not required in thisrainless region.
"What is this important matter that justifies the disturbance of myrest?" asked the Prefect, rather haughtily.
"I regret the necessity, excellency," said Pardo, "but I think when youhave heard me you will consider me justified."
"Well, say on."
"Your excellency would no doubt be glad to be rid of the man O'Hagan andhis boy?"
"Caramba! I agree with you. Without them the brigands would be easilydealt with, and this ridiculous republic would tumble like a house ofcards. You have some plan?"
"I have, excellency; but I beg you not to demand particulars. I havemeans of getting rid of them both. It has cost me a great deal oflabour and not a little danger."
"Name your price," said the Prefect impatiently. "And I warn you to bemoderate, for this expedition is draining me."
"It will not cost you a peseta, excellency. All that I ask is that youwill bestow on me, free of taxes, the full ownership of O'Hagan'shacienda."
"Por Dios! That is your idea of moderation! The hacienda producesseveral thousand pounds a year. Not cost me a peseta, indeed! You arepresumptuous, senor."
"What I shall do is worth the price, excellency. O'Hagan has greatmilitary capacity. The Mollendist cause is gaining ground. A singlereverse will break up your army, and even if you win you will haveendless trouble while the Ingles is at large."
The Prefect reflected. He had reckoned on making a large income out ofMr. O'Hagan's estate. He might still do so, even if he acceded toPardo's terms. What he gave he could also take away. When theinsurrection had been scotched, he could squeeze Pardo until he becametroublesome, and then confiscate the property a second time. After ashow of hesitation he agreed to the proposal, and did not demur whenPardo asked him to sign his name to a paper with which the man withadmirable forethought had come provided.
Pardo took his leave. He might now have thought himself justified inseeking repose, but impatient greed still urged him on. He mounted hishorse, rode through the lines, and did not halt until he had reached theMollendist outposts, whom he approached under a flag of truce. It wasperhaps fortunate that they were not Mr. O'Hagan's Japanese workmen. Itwas fortunate, too, that he did not encounter Romana. He was taken toMr. O'Hagan, who lacked the luxury of a camp bed: his couch was a bundleof straw.
"It's you, is it?" said Mr. O'Hagan dryly, as he recognised his visitor."Going to turn traitor again?"
Pardo bit his lips; there was a dangerous gleam in his eyes. But hecurbed his anger: he was a man of policy.
"I have the honour to inform you, senor," he said coldly, "that your sonis a prisoner."
Mr. O'Hagan went pale. This was an unexpected blow. But he saidnothing.
"The Prefect is, as you are aware, not so complaisant as the brigandMollendo," Pardo continued. "He will not release the boy for a paltryL250. He will not accept any sum as ransom for so mischievous a rebel."
He paused, as a cat releases a mouse for a moment, for the pleasure, itwould seem, of prolonging its victim's agony.
"What have you come here for?" cried Mr. O'Hagan impetuously. "Merelyto harass me, you----"
He checked himself. It was no good abusing the man.
"I come to make a proposal," said Pardo. "Your son is at present myprisoner; it rests with you whether I hand him over to the Prefect, andthen!..." He expressed his meaning by a gesture. "Or whether he isreleased, and allowed to rejoin you. My terms are quite simple, butabsolutely unconditional. They are not open to discussion. You willmake a formal assignment of your estate to me; you will then leave thecountry. Your son's life depends on your prompt acceptance."
Mr. O'Hagan sprang up.
"What is to prevent me from shooting you, you villain?" he cried,overmastered by his rage.
Pardo shrank from him. He felt a chill run down his spine like atrickle of cold water. But he recovered himself in a moment.
"The honour of an Englishman will prevent you," he said with an air ofassurance. "Besides, if I die, your son dies. Nobody but myself and oneother knows where he is. He will starve!"
Mr. O'Hagan shivered. Pardo quailed before his blazing eyes. For amoment there was silence; then Mr. O'Hagan, putting a restraint uponhimself, said:
"If I assign my estate to you----"
"Discussion is mere waste of time," Pardo interposed. "The conditionsare peremptory. You must not only assign your estate to me but leave thecountry. That is final."
"Go away," said Mr. O'Hagan.
"I cannot go without an answer."
"I will send for you--presently, when I have made up my mind--in a fewminutes."
Pardo withdrew, lit a cigarette, and strolled up and down. He felt veryconfident, and flattered himself on his astuteness. He was by no meansso sure of the success of the Prefect's arms as he had professed in hisinterview with that gentleman, even if Mr. O'Hagan were out of the way.The Mollendists were growing in number; Mollendo had made a clever movein declaring for a republic, and the loyalty of the Prefect's troopshung by a very slender thread. Pardo had schemed to secure possession ofthe estate in any event. But it was necessary to get rid of Mr.O'Hagan. Mollendo, if he gained the upper hand, might in O'Hagan'sabsence respect the assignment. He was a stickler for law. But thePrefect would certainly not do so unless his enemy were removed. Pardoconsidered that he had played his cards well.
Mr. O'Hagan was in a cruel predicament. He could not doubt Pardo'sstory. He would willingly have given up his estate to save Tim's life,but could he also desert the cause which he had taken up? His
honourwas engaged. He paced up and down the bare space in front of his couch:the sight of the red end of Pardo's cigarette a few yards away filledhim with bitter anger. He knew that he must yield. With Tim's life andhis own honour in the balance, there was no doubt which would outweighthe other. He was too proud to consult Senor Mollendo. The dilemma mustbe solved by himself alone. He could only make up his mind, go to thePresident, and confess that every other consideration--wealth, success,honour--must give way before the danger of his only son.
Out of the darkness Romana came up to him.
"A despatch from Colonel Zegarra, senor," he said. "The courier waitsfor a reply."
Pardo saw Romana, flung his cigarette away, and effaced himself amongthe trees. Mr. O'Hagan took the envelope, and tearing it openmechanically, read the few lines it contained. And then Romana wasamazed to find his hand grasped and shaken vigorously.
"He's safe, Nicolas!" said Mr. O'Hagan, working his arm up and down likea pump-handle. "My boy's safe!"
"Senor!"
"Go and kick that villain out," cried Mr. O'Hagan, recollecting himself.
"Senor, I don't understand!"
"Pardo! He's over there. Bring him to me."
Romana followed the indication of his outstretched hand, and came backwith Pardo, who, watching the scene, had been invaded by a vagueuneasiness.
"Go and hang yourself; that's my answer," said Mr. O'Hagan, turning hisback on the startled man. "See him safe out," he called over hisshoulder to Romana. "If the Japs get hold of him they'll throttle him."
And Pardo, feeling with a sinking heart that something had gone amiss,was escorted by Romana to the outskirts of the camp.
Mr. O'Hagan read again the brief despatch. It was in Colonel Zegarra'swriting.
SENOR,
I have the honour to report that the enemy has made no movement. Areconnaissance has been admirably carried out by Lieutenant O'Haganalone, and I hope to report to you to-morrow the measures which Ipropose to take for our greater security.
I have the honour to be, senor, Yours in the service of the Republic, P. ZEGARRA, Colonel.
And there was a postscript in Tim's hand:
Pardo has been playing tricks. Will write to-morrow, as I'm very tired.All well.
TIM, Lieutenant and chief of staff.
At the second reading Mr. O'Hagan could smile at the odd subscription.He saw Tim's eyes twinkling as he wrote.
Unknown equally to Tim and to Pardo, the house was not deserted, as theysupposed. Biddy Flanagan, the old Irish maid-servant, had stuck to itwhen all the other domestics fled, just as Puss will linger forlorn inan empty house. She shut herself in her room, and only ventured out toforage. She had thus sallied forth to make a cup of tea when she sawPardo and his companion coming from the direction of the town. She atonce slipped out at the back, locking the kitchen door and taking thekey with her, and hid herself in the shrubbery. Thus she did not seeTim's arrival, though she heard the hoof-beats, and supposed that Pardohad been joined by another friend. When, after some time, she heard thethud of hoofs again, and guessed that the intruders had gone away, shelet herself into the house, put the kettle on, and while she waited forthe water to boil, went through the house to see what the spalpeens hadbeen after.
"They've took the gold clock," she muttered, standing with arms foldedat the drawing-room door; "and I wouldn't wonder if it did be afterstriking in the bundle, and maybe get them rogues into trouble. And themistress's best chainey: faith, 'tis a mercy she took all her joolsalong with her, or there'd be none of um left at all." She went on tothe dining-room. "The like of it! Sorra a silver spoon to be seen, northe silver jug; I never heard tell of the way them villains have theplace stripped, and that Pardo the master's man and all."
She made a mental inventory of the missing articles and proceeded to theoffice.
"What did they be after doing here?" she grunted, as she noticed, withthe quick eye of one accustomed to superintend the cleaning operations,signs of disturbance about the matting. She stooped to straighten it,and discovered the loosened boards. "I wouldn't wonder but they did behiding the things," she said, raising the planks one after another; "andmighty foolish will they look when they come back, if so be I can getmyself down through the hole and back again. There! the kettle's on theboil; I'll just be wetting the tea, and fetch a candle for this same."
The daylight streaming in through the gap had roused Tim from hisstupor, and seeing Biddy above he tried to shout, but could not utter asound through the gag. Biddy soon returned with a candle and a kitchenchair. The latter she lowered into the hole, stepped on to it, carryingthe candle, and so reached the ground. She stooped, to search for thestolen articles, and started back in a hurry.
"Holy St. Patrick!" she exclaimed; "but 'tis a man, sure. Is it murderthey were after?"
Recovering herself, she held the candle lower.
"Mercy! 'Tis master Tim!" she cried, "and beasties crawling all over onthe poor face of um. The like of it! Divil such a state ever I seen asthe poor boy do be in."
She bent over him, whipped out a pair of scissors and snapped the cords,and whisked the insects from his spotted and swollen face with herapron.
"The poor lamb!" she said, lifting him. "Sure the life's fair bitten outof um."
Tim could neither speak nor use his numbed limbs. The old woman tookhim in her arms, climbed up through the hole, and carried him to thekitchen, where she made him swallow a cup of tea, and bathed his facewith warm water, speaking her mind freely on the iniquities of Pardo.
He told her what had happened, and what Pardo had said.
"And is it pay that the master will be giving for a prisoner that isfree!" cried the old woman. "Sure now, cannot ye telegraph to um?"
"I wish I could; we ought to have repaired the wire. But the Colonelwill be sending a despatch to Father, and his courier will get therebefore Pardo."
"He might," said Biddy. "Faith, I hope the master will shoot thewretch; he has all the silver stolen, and I don't know what all. Andwhat did ye be after, coming into this den of lions?"
"Just a change of clothes, Biddy. I suppose they haven't taken them."
"Not them. They're not clean inside or out. I will get ye the bits ofthings, my dear, and do ye rub this butter on your face. 'Tis the goodthing for them bites."
In an hour or so Tim felt able to return to the camp.
"You had better go into the town, Biddy," he said as he set off.
"What for would I be doing that?" she rejoined. "I do not be in dreadof the likes of them villains, and if so be they come back, I wouldn'tsay but I tell um what I think of um."