An officer of the United States army, I believe, sir?
Yes.
Educated at West Point, I think, by the government, to whom you have taken the oath of allegiance?
Yes.
Very good, sir, said the stranger, turning away.
You have forgotten one other fact, sir, said Pinckney, with a slightly supercilious air.
Indeed! What is it?
I am, first of all, a native of the State of South Carolina!
A murmur of applause and approval ran round the balcony. Captain Pinckney smiled and exchanged glances with Mrs. Brant, but the stranger quietly returned to the central table beside Colonel Starbottle. I am not only an unexpected delegate to this august assembly, gentlemen, he began gravely, but I am the bearer of perhaps equally unexpected news. By my position in the Southern district I am in possession of dispatches received only this morning by pony express. Fort Sumter has been besieged. The United States flag, carrying relief to the beleaguered garrison, has been fired upon by the State of South Carolina.
A burst of almost hysteric applause and enthusiasm broke from the assembly, and made the dim, vault-like passages and corridors of the casa ring. Cheer after cheer went up to the veiled gallery and the misty sky beyond. Men mounted on the tables and waved their hands frantically, and in the midst of this bewildering turbulence of sound and motion Clarence saw his wife mounted on a chair, with burning cheeks and flashing eyes, waving her handkerchief like an inspired priestess. Only the stranger, still standing beside Colonel Starbottle, remained unmoved and impassive. Then, with an imperative gesture, he demanded a sudden silence.
Convincing and unanimous as this demonstration is, gentlemen, he began quietly, it is my duty, nevertheless, to ask you if you have seriously considered the meaning of the news I have brought. It is my duty to tell you that it means civil war. It means the clash of arms between two sections of a mighty country; it means the disruption of friends, the breaking of family ties, the separation of fathers and sons, of brothers and sisterseven, perhaps, to the disseverment of husband and wife!
It means the sovereignty of the Southand the breaking of a covenant with lowborn traders and abolitionists, said Captain Pinckney.
If there are any gentlemen present, continued the stranger, without heeding the interruption, who have pledged this State to the support of the South in this emergency, or to the establishment of a Pacific republic in aid and sympathy with it, whose names are on this paperhe lifted a sheet of paper lying before Colonel Starbottlebut who now feel that the gravity of the news demands a more serious consideration of the purpose, they are at liberty to withdraw from the meeting, giving their honor, as Southern gentlemen, to keep the secret intact.
Not if I know it, interrupted a stalwart Kentuckian, as he rose to his feet and strode down the steps to the patio. For, he added, placing his back against the gateway, Ill shoot the first coward that backs out now.
A roar of laughter and approval followed, but was silenced again by the quiet, unimpassioned voice of the stranger. If, on the other hand, he went on calmly, you all feel that this news is the fitting culmination and consecration of the hopes, wishes, and plans of this meeting, you will assert it again, over your own signatures, to Colonel Starbottle at this table.
When the Kentuckian had risen, Clarence had started from his concealment; when he now saw the eager figures pressing forward to the table he hesitated no longer. Slipping along the passage, he reached the staircase which led to the corridor in the rear of the balcony. Descending this rapidly, he not only came upon the backs of the excited crowd around the table, but even elbowed one of the conspirators aside without being noticed. His wife, who had risen from her chair at the end of the balcony, was already moving towards the table. With a quick movement he seized her wrist, and threw her back in the chair again. A cry broke from her lips as she recognized him, but still holding her wrist, he stepped quickly between her and the astonished crowd. There was a moment of silence, then the cry of Spy! and Seize him! rose quickly, but above all the voice and figure of the Missourian was heard commanding them to stand back. Turning to Clarence, he said quietly,
I should know your face, sir. Who are you?
The husband of this woman and the master of this house, said Clarence as quietly, but in a voice he hardly recognized as his own.
Stand aside from her, thenunless you are hoping that her danger may protect YOU! said the Kentuckian, significantly drawing his revolver.
But Mrs. Brant sprang suddenly to her feet beside Clarence.
We are neither of us cowards, Mr. Brooksthough he speaks the truthandmore shame to meshe added, with a look of savage scorn at ClarenceIS MY HUSBAND!
What is your purpose in coming here? continued Judge Beeswinger, with his eyes fixed on Clarence.
I have given you all the information, said Clarence quietly, that is necessary to make you, as a gentleman, leave this house at onceand that is my purpose. It is all the information you will get from me as long as you and your friends insult my roof with your uninvited presence. What I may have to say to you and each of you hereafterwhat I may choose to demand of you, according to your own code of honor,he fixed his eyes on Captain Pinckneys,is another question, and one not usually discussed before a lady.
Pardon me. A momenta single moment.
It was the voice of Colonel Starbottle; it was the frilled shirt front, the lightly buttoned blue coat with its expanding lapels, like bursting petals, and the smiling mask of that gentleman rising above the table and bowing to Clarence Brant and his wife with infinite courtesy. Theerhumiliating situation in which we find ourselves, gentlemen,the reluctant witnesses oferwhat we trust is only a temporary disagreement between our charming hostess and theergentleman whom she recognized under the highest title to our consideration,is distressing to us all, and would seem to amply justify that gentlemans claims to a personal satisfaction, which I know we would all delight to give. But that situation rests upon the supposition that our gathering here was of a purely social or festive nature! It may be, continued the colonel with a blandly reflective air, that the spectacle of these decanters and glasses, and the nectar furnished us by our Hebe-like hostess (he lifted a glass of whiskey and water to his lips while he bowed to Mrs. Brant gracefully), has led the gentleman to such a deduction. But when I suggest to him that our meeting was of a business, or private nature, it strikes me that the question of intrusion may be fairly divided between him and ourselves. We may be even justified, in view of that privacy, in asking him if hiserentrance to this house wasercoincident with his appearance among us.
With my front door in possession of strangers, said Clarence, more in reply to a sudden contemptuous glance from his wife than Starbottles insinuation, I entered the house through the window.
Of my boudoir, where another intruder once broke his neck, interrupted his wife with a mocking laugh.
Where I once helped this lady to regain possession of her house when it was held by another party of illegal trespassers, who, however, were content to call themselves jumpers, and did not claim the privacy of gentlemen.
Of my boudoir, where another intruder once broke his neck, interrupted his wife with a mocking laugh.
Where I once helped this lady to regain possession of her house when it was held by another party of illegal trespassers, who, however, were content to call themselves jumpers, and did not claim the privacy of gentlemen.
Do you mean to imply, sir, began Colonel Starbottle haughtily, that
I mean to imply, sir, said Clarence with quiet scorn, that I have neither the wish to know nor the slightest concern in any purpose that brought you here, and that when you quit the house you take your secrets and your privacy with you intact, without let or hindrance from me.
Do you mean to say, Mr. Brant, said Judge Beeswinger, suppressing the angry interruption of his fellows with a dominant wave of his hand, as he fixed his eyes on Clarence keenly, that you have no sympathy with your wifes political sentiments?
I have already given you the information necessary to make you quit this house, and that is all you have a right to know, returned Clarence with folded arms.
But I can answer for him, said Mrs. Brant, rising, with a quivering voice and curling lip. There IS no sympathy between us. We are as far apart as the poles. We have nothing in common but this house and his name.
But you are husband and wife, bound together by a sacred compact.
A compact! echoed Mrs. Brant, with a bitter laugh. Yes, the compact that binds South Carolina to the nigger-worshipping Massachusetts. The compact that links together white and black, the gentleman and the trader, the planter and the poor whitethe compact of those UNITED States. Bah! THAT has been broken, and so can this.
Clarences face paled. But before he could speak there was a rapid clattering at the gate and a dismounted vaquero entered excitedly. Turning to Mrs. Brant he said hurriedly, Mother of God! the casa is surrounded by a rabble of mounted men, and there is one among them even now who demands admittance in the name of the Law.
This is your work, said Brooks, facing Clarence furiously. You have brought them with you, but, by God, they shall not save you! He would have clutched Clarence, but the powerful arm of Judge Beeswinger intervened. Nevertheless, he still struggled to reach Clarence, appealing to the others: Are you fools to stand there and let him triumph! Dont you see the cowardly Yankee trick hes played upon us?
He has not, said Mrs. Brant haughtily. I have no reason to love him or his friends; but I know he does not lie.
Gentlemen!gentlemen! implored Colonel Starbottle with beaming and unctuous persuasion, may Ierremarkthat all this is far from the question? Are we to be alarmed because an unknown rabble, no matter whence they come, demand entrance here in the name of the Law? I am not aware of any law of the State of California that we are infringing. By all means admit them.
The gate was thrown open. A single thick-set man, apparently unarmed and dressed like an ordinary traveler, followed by half a dozen other equally unpretentious-looking men, entered. The leader turned to the balcony.
I am the Chief of Police of San Francisco. I have warrants for the arrest of Colonel Culpepper Starbottle, Joshua Brooks, Captain Pinckney, Clarence Brant and Alice his wife, and others charged with inciting to riot and unlawful practice calculated to disturb the peace of the State of California and its relations with the Federal government, said the leader, in a dry official voice.
Clarence started. In spite of its monotonous utterance it was the voice of the red-bearded controversialist of the stage-coach. But where were his characteristic beard and hair? Involuntarily Clarence glanced at Judge Beeswinger; that gentleman was quietly regarding the stranger with an impassive face that betrayed no recognition whatever.
But the city of San Francisco has no jurisdiction here, said Colonel Starbottle, turning a bland smile towards his fellow-members. I amersorry to inform you that you are simply trespassing, sir.
I am here also as deputy sheriff, returned the stranger coolly. We were unable to locate the precise place of this meeting, although we knew of its existence. I was sworn in this morning at Santa Inez by the judge of this district, and these gentlemen with me are my posse.
There was a quick movement of resistance by the members, which was, however, again waived blandly aside by Colonel Starbottle. Leaning forward in a slightly forensic attitude, with his fingers on the table and a shirt frill that seemed to have become of itself erectile, he said, with pained but polite precision, I grieve to have to state, sir, that even that position is utterly untenable here. I am a lawyer myself, as my friend here, Judge Beeswingereh? I beg your pardon!
The officer of the law had momentarily started, with his eyes fixed on Judge Beeswinger, who, however, seemed to be quietly writing at the table.
As Judge Beeswinger, continued Colonel Starbottle, will probably tell you and as a jurist himself, he will also probably agree with me when I also inform you that, as the United States government is an aggrieved party, it is a matter for the Federal courts to prosecute, and that the only officer we can recognize is the United States Marshal for the district. When I add that the marshal, Colonel Crackenthorpe, is one of my oldest friends, and an active sympathizer with the South in the present struggle, you will understand that any action from him in this matter is exceedingly improbable.
The general murmur of laughter, relief, and approval was broken by the quiet voice of Judge Beeswinger.
Let me see your warrant, Mr. Deputy Sheriff.
The officer approached him with a slightly perplexed and constrained air, and exhibited the paper. Judge Beeswinger handed it back to him. Colonel Starbottle is quite right in his contention, he said quietly; the only officer that this assembly can recognize is the United States Marshal or his legal deputy. But Colonel Starbottle is wrong in his supposition that Colonel Crackenthorpe still retains the functions of that office. He was removed by the President of the United States, and his successor was appointed and sworn in by the Federal judge early this morning. He paused, and folding up the paper on which he had been writing, placed it in the hands of the deputy. And this, he continued in the same even voice, constitutes you his deputy, and will enable you to carry out your duty in coming here.
What the devil does this mean, sir? Who are you? gasped Colonel Starbottle, recoiling suddenly from the man at his side.
I am the new United States Marshal for the Southern District of California.
CHAPTER III
Unsuspected and astounding as the revelation was to Clarence, its strange reception by the conspirators seemed to him as astounding. He had started forward, half expecting that the complacent and self-confessed spy would be immolated by his infuriated dupes. But to his surprise the shock seemed to have changed their natures, and given them the dignity they had lacked. The excitability, irritation, and recklessness which had previously characterized them had disappeared. The deputy and his posse, who had advanced to the assistance of their revealed chief, met with no resistance. They had evidently, as if with one accord, drawn away from Judge Beeswinger, leaving a cleared space around him, and regarded their captors with sullen contemptuous silence. It was only broken by Colonel Starbottle:
Your duty commands you, sir, to use all possible diligence in bringing us before the Federal judge of this districtunless your master in Washington has violated the Constitution so far as to remove him, too!