_ CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. CARRBROKE TELLS SECRETS
The days passed quickly, with the Kings the best of friends, for Francis proved himself a boon companion, a good horseman, and quite after the King's own heart.
He made himself a favourite too, and the most courtly at the Court, ready if he had been present to have brought a sneering smile to the lips of Sir Robert Garstang, who, when the minstrels were busy in their gallery, might have seen some justification of the bullying captain's sneer respecting dancing masters, for Francis was ever ready and eager to lead some Court lady through the mazes of the dance.
For revels were plentiful at Windsor then, and Denis in the companionship of Carrbroke found the time pass pleasantly enough, on the terraces, in the park, and along the banks of the silver Thames; but he was quite forgetful for the most part of the special mission upon which he had crossed the sea.
For Ned Carrbroke had always something fresh to propose in the way of horsemanship, and often enough invited his French companion to sword-play, which was readily accepted; and to Carrbroke's wonder and delight Leoni would come to look on, and at Denis's request advise them upon questions dealing with offence and defence, and proper conduct of the rapier both in French and Italian schools.
"Why, he's splendid," cried Carrbroke one day, "only I don't like him. He puts me out of heart. I used to think that I was a good fencer, but when I cross swords with him I feel quite a baby. You are lucky to have some one like that to give you lessons. Why, you must be splendid yourself."
Denis laughed merrily.
"Why," he said, "I always feel worse than you. Master Leoni, when I fence with him and he gives me a lesson, makes me feel as if there were magic in his blade which sends a strange aching pain all up the muscles of my arm."
"Yes," cried Carrbroke, "that's something like what I feel. I say, he's your friend, isn't he?"
"Well, hardly a friend. I feel more afraid of him than anything."
"Yes," said Carrbroke eagerly, "that's how I feel--well, not afraid," he continued hastily, and flushing up; "but you won't mind my speaking out? You and I seem to have so taken to one another."
"Well, yes," said Denis, "we do seem to like one another a bit."
"Then you won't mind my speaking out quite plainly?" continued Carrbroke.
"Not I. What is it?"
"Only this. Do you think that there is something queer in his blade?"
"Only that it is best Italian steel."
"Yes, of course," said Carrbroke impatiently. "But I mean what they call magic--that there is something curious in it? You see, it turns so, and seems so strong."
"Yes, that is strange," said Denis. "It is no matter how you parry; the point always seems as if it could enter your breast if it liked. I always feel that Master Leoni could kill anyone just as he pleased."
"Of course you believe in magic?" said Carrbroke.
"I don't know. I suppose I do," replied Denis.
"I do," said Carrbroke; "and your friend seems so different from other men. Look at his eye."
"Oh, I never do if I can help it," said Denis. "You've noticed it, then?"
"Noticed it?" cried Carrbroke. "Who could help it? When he fixes it on me, as he always does, it makes me shiver; although he is always very kind, there is something about him I can't understand, and if he were my enemy I should be ready to give everything up and go away. There, what a bad job! I was just going to say, let's go for a long ride, or else make some of the King's rowers take us up the river, and then float down, and it's going to rain, and I don't want to get wet. It spoils one's doublet so. Here, I know; I'll take you all through the castle, if I can, into all the King's private rooms. They'll be with the ladies at this time of day. I can show you everything that there is to see."
"Can you?" said Denis, whose thoughts suddenly turned to his mission there.
"Oh yes; I am allowed to go where I like, as the King's youngest esquire." And then half pettishly: "They consider me only a boy. But come along."
Carrbroke was quite right, for the rain began streaming down; and a few minutes afterwards the two lads were in the royal apartments, which were quite deserted, and Carrbroke was proudly showing the different pictures, King Henry's armour, and choice collections of weapons of war. At last he stopped in front of a beautiful Italian cabinet which differed from ordinary pieces of furniture, being made to stand four-square in the centre of the apartment, each side being richly ornamented with carving and delicate inlaid work which covered the doors and drawers.
"I wish I had the keys of that," said Carrbroke.
"Why? What's inside?"
"I hardly know; but my father told me once to take notice of it, for he believed that it was full of gems and curious jewels that had been presented to the King. I never saw it open yet, but there must be many curiosities there, swords and petronels, as well as jewels."
"Indeed!" said Denis, colouring slightly.
"Oh yes; some of those curious gems that they say have magic properties--charms, don't they call them? Magic crystals that confer singular powers upon those who own them, bring good luck, and influence the fate of people. I say, do you believe in such things as that?"
"Ye-es, I think I do," said Denis, and the colour on his cheeks grew a little deeper, and then deeper still, and he winced a little as if he felt that Carrbroke's searching eyes were reading his inmost thoughts; and then he started and felt worse, for it seemed to him that his companion suspected his reasons for being there, so that he was ready to utter a sigh of relief when Carrbroke said:
"Well, you needn't look like that. You needn't be ashamed to believe in such things. I do, for there's a lot one doesn't understand. I was told once that different precious stones have very curious qualities; some will protect anyone from magic, some from enemies. There was a ring I once heard of which if a person wore would guard him from poison. It was an Italian ring, I suppose, for I believe that they try to poison people there."
"Yes, I have heard so," said Denis drily, as he stood with his eyes fixed upon the cabinet, wondering whether the treasure Leoni sought could be there. "But it seems nonsense. I don't see how a diamond or a ruby could do such things."
"No," said Carrbroke; "no more do I, unless you swallowed it to keep the poison from doing harm. Perhaps it's all nonsense. But the King believes it, I suppose."
"Why do you say so?" asked Denis.
"Because he's got a lot of such things in here. I say, don't you feel as if you'd like to smuggle some of them?"
"What!" cried Denis, flushing scarlet and gazing wildly in his companion's eyes.
"Don't look like that," cried Carrbroke, laughing. "I said smuggle; I didn't say steal. I thought you might feel as if you'd like to have one of these charms which hold such magic power."
"I am not afraid of being poisoned," said Denis huskily. "Here, come away from this; show me something else."
"Oh, haven't you seen enough? But I say, is this better or worse than Fontainebleau?"
"Oh, I don't know," said Denis hastily, for he felt mentally disturbed. "They are both beautiful places. Where does that corridor lead?"
"All along one side of the King's apartments."
"Well, let's go down there."
"But there's nothing to show you but furniture and walls covered with arras and--oh yes, there is: I know. I say, you haven't got any secret passages at Fontainebleau?"
"We have all kinds of places hidden in the walls. Have you got any here?"
Carrbroke nodded.
"I say, we are friends, aren't we?"
"Of course; the best of friends."
"Then I'll show you something; only it's a secret. Not that it matters about you knowing it, as you are not going to live here. It's something I found out myself. I was on duty here--as page in attendance on the King--one evening, just at dusk, and the candles weren't lit. There had been a grand banquet the night before, with music and dancing, and I'd been up all night, and just as it began to grow dark I turned so sleepy I couldn't keep my eyes open. I tried ever so hard, but it was of no use, and I sank down in a chair close up to the hangings in a dark corner, and was asleep in a moment. I don't think it could have been long before I woke up again with a start. I suppose some noise must have woke me, and I sat there staring and wondering where I was, for I felt quite stupid, when all at once the arras that covered the wall just opposite to me seemed to open, and something dark came out, to stand still for a few moments as if listening. Then there was a rustling of hangings, and the dark figure came straight towards me, making me turn cold; for I felt then that I had been asleep, and I thought it was some one come to punish me. But the figure did not come close up to where I sat, but suddenly turned off towards a light which appeared at the end of the corridor and came nearer, while directly after I made out that some of the servants were bringing in candles, and directly after, though I only saw his back, I knew it was the King."
"Then he didn't see you?" said Denis.
"No, fortunately for me."
"Then he must have come out of some secret passage."
"That was it, and of course you know what I did afterwards--not then, but the first day that I had the chance?"
"Searched for the secret door, of course. I should."
"Yes, and I found it; and that's what I'm going to show you. We are not likely to be disturbed now."
Before many minutes had elapsed the two youths were standing in front of a huge needlework picture representing a classic scene, covered with warriors and triumphal cars.
"There, you wouldn't think there was a door behind there, would you?"
"No, that I shouldn't," replied Denis.
"But there is. You see that warrior's shield with the boss on it that stands out as if it were real?"
"Yes," said Denis; "it is very cleverly done."
"Yes, but it is real," said Carrbroke, and he glanced to right and left to see if they were observed. "We are quite alone. Now you touch that boss."
"Yes: it's hard and round," said Denis.
"Now give it a twist."
Denis did as he was told, and there was a faint click like the lifting of a latch.
"Now push," continued Carrbroke.
Denis again obeyed, and something gave way as if he had pushed a door which opened from him.
"Now then," said Carrbroke, "what do you think of that?"
"That if I lifted the arras I could pass into another room."
"Not quite right; not into another room, but into a dark passage made in the wall. I went in one day when the King was out hunting and I felt grumpy because I had been left behind, and I thought I should like to see what there was there."
"Yes, and you went?" said Denis eagerly. "Yes, all along a dark passage for ever so far. Then I came to another door, which opened easily, and there was a flight of stairs; at the bottom of that there was another door and another long passage, twice as long as the first, and then another door."
"Did you open that?"
"Yes; and where do you think I was?"
"I don't know. In the cellars perhaps."
"No; in a dark part of the terrace all amongst the trees. Then I wasn't satisfied, for it was all new to me, and I felt curious to see where the dark winding walk that was before me went to."
"Yes," said Denis eagerly; "and where did it lead?"
"Right away down and down to some stone steps close to a little pavilion on the banks of the river, where there was a boat fastened to a post. That was the King's private way, of course."
"Yes," said Denis; "but what did he want it for?"
"Oh, I don't know; and I didn't want to know, for anyone who meddled with the King's secrets might come in for the loss of his head, and I didn't want to lose mine. I came back as fast as I could. There, you can have a look through into the dark passage if you like. Kneel down and lift up the hangings. There, what can you see?" continued the lad, as Denis obeyed, finding the abundant folds give way easily, so that he could peer right beyond.
"Nothing at all; it is quite dark."
"Come away," said Carrbroke quickly. "That's right," he continued, and then quickly taking Denis's place he quite disappeared.
"Am I to follow?" said Denis wonderingly; but he had hardly finished speaking before Carrbroke reappeared, laughing.
"Only shutting the door," he said. "Has anyone seen us?"
"No," said Denis, after a glance in both directions.
"That's right," said Carrbroke. "I say, though, it is interesting, isn't it? But now I've told you I can't help wondering why I did. But there, you won't go and tell King Hal that I told you his secrets, will you?"
"Not very likely, is it?" said Denis, smiling, but troubled the while by an uncomfortable sensation which made him feel as if he regretted his knowledge, though at the same time he knew that he had acquired information that might be of extreme value if their masquerading were discovered, perhaps mean the saving of his King.
His musings were suddenly broken off by the voice of companion.
"There," he said, "let's go out of doors in the sunshine. I feel as if I had got dark passage on the brain." _