Doctor Syn on the High Seas - Thorndike Russell - Страница 22

The only comfort Doctor Syn derived from all this was the security of

public opinion, so that should the Authorities take too stern a view

they would be risking their own popularity.

While Tony was wondering how best to effect his meeting with Nicholas

Tappitt, since the way was so blocked, he heard that gentleman’s voice

upon the stairs, boldly announcing himself as “Captain Nicholas Tappitt,

nephew and heir to the deceased,” and that he had come on urgent

business concerning the affair on the authority of the Mayor of Oxford.

Knowing the reputation of the Tappitt family, and noting his swaggering

demeanor, the dandies of the town made way for him. He pushed his way

into Syn’s study and bowed low.

“I am come to escort Mr. Cobtree, who acted as your second, sir, in

the affair with my unfortunate uncle, to the Town Hall. I have also the

honour to bring you a message from the Senorita Almago, who would be

glad to see you at your earliest convenience at White Friars.” He then

turned to the ladies and gentlemen who had invaded the room. “As friends

and admirers of Doctor Syn, ladies and gentlemen, I should like to state

most emphatically that although naturally deploring the sudden death of

my uncle, for whom I acted in the duel, the behavior of Doctor Syn has

been exemplary throughout. My uncle put such an affront upon him that,

in spite of his peaceful cloth, he could not brook. I am about to

inform the Mayor that no blame can possibly be attached to Doctor Syn,

who fought like a gentleman.”

The generosity of this speech did much to put him in the good graces

of the assembly, so that when he requested them to leave Doctor Syn to

his business, they readily withdrew.

When the door had closed upon them, Syn smiled for the first time

that morning.

“Oh, you’ll find me well enough yet, I dare swear,” he answered

easily.

“Come, let us go. We two to the Mayor, and you to the lovely

Imogene. By gad, Doctor, you’re a lucky man, and I wish you joy. No

doubt the little minx has told you that I have been in love with her

myself.”

“A man of taste could hardly help it, sir,” replied the Doctor, as he

led them out by a back staircase to avoid the crowds.

This ruse, however, led Doctor Syn into a worse embarrassment, for, a

number of his own students spying him, he was lifted on their shoulders

and carried to St. Giles’ in triumph.

“My little plan has made your friend a hero,” said Nicholas as he led

Cobtree away.

“I would we were at liberty to praise his swordsmanship, rather t han

imaginary marksmanship. I shall never see a fight like that again. It

was magnificent.”

- 49 -

“I can imagine it sir,” replied Nicholas. “With all his faults, my

uncle was a fighter, and I would have given much to have come earlier on

the scene to see him matched.”

The young men were relieved to find the Mayor was entirely on the

Doctor’s side. Indeed, he did not attempt to hide his profound relief

that such a menace to the town’s peace had died.

Then they proceeded to the Chancellor’s, who, although applauding his

young colleague’s courage, took a graver view of the situation.

“Doctor Syn has violated one of the strictest rules of the

University,” he said.

“But, sir,” protested Cobtree, “he went to rescue his betrothed and a

man is a man before he is a parson.”

“Oh, I know, I know,” grumbled the old man. “He was tried beyond

bearing, I admit, and a young man of spirit could do little else. But

what will our pompous Bishop have to say about the duties of a

clergyman?”

“If h e unfrocks him,” cried Tony, “his Lordship will see his own

effigy burned in every quadrangle in Oxford. He had best abide by

public opinion.”

“Aye, sir,” cried Nicholas, backing up the lawyer. “If friend Syn is

unfrocked for this, for once you’ll see the town boys behind the Gowns,

and they’ll be unfrocking every parson in Oxford, the Bishop included.”

And while his friends were thus arguing in his defense, Doctor Syn,

having closed the doors against the boisterous crowds, found peace in

his lover’s arms.

“I think I am almost afraid of you,” she whispered. “I never thought

to see a man fight like that. It was horrible and yet magnificent.

Promise to keep me always from harm as you did last night.”

“Promise to love me always, and I will,” he answered fondly.

“I think that should be easy,” she replied. “And when my dear mother

is recovered from her shock, I am going to make her consent to our

immediate marriage. Something tells me that I shall always be in danger

away from you. So let it be soon, and then no separation.”

“It cannot be too soon for me,” he said.

When Tony and Nicholas returned they had much to tell. That the

Mayor and Chancellor were friendly, there was little to fear from the

coroner, who would hold his inquiry the next day, and also that Doctor

Syn was likely to be called before the Bishop’s Court.

“Suppose they unfrock me, Imogene. Will you still marry me?”

“Oh, if they only would! she answered. “You are too adventurous for

that solemn coat. I’m sure you fight much better than you preach.”

“By gad, I think she’s right,” cried Nicholas.

And Tony echoed, “Yes, by God, I think she is.”

“You all seem bent to make a fuss of me,” said Syn.

- 50 -

Chapter 7

The Friend of the Family

At the coroner’s inquest, held in the card-room at Iffley, it was

apparent to the conspirators that no hint of suspicion that a trick had

been played upon them had entered the minds of the jury. Indeed, the

coroner himself opened the proceedings by stating that the case was a

straightforward one, and need not detain them long. In the absence of

her mother, who was too ill to attend, Imogene recounted to the court

the details of their cruel abduction from White Friars. She stated that

while her mother was locked in one room, the deceased had attempted to

love her forcibly in the very room in which the court was sitting. She

told them of the letter which the Squire had sent to Doctor Syn, and

which had been the means leading to their rescue. The unexpected

arrival of Captain Nicholas Tappitt, who had known them in Spain, backed

by the presence of Doctor Syn and his friend Mr. Cobtree, had insured

their safety, but not before the Squire had heaped such insults upon her

mother and herself as Doctor Syn, as a man of honour and her betrothed

lover, could not tolerate. The result was the meeting next morning in

Magdalen Fields.

The three young men were then called, and told the same story. They

had agreed that no mention should be made of Sommers or of the s ecret

stairway, but Doctor Syn found himself continually staring at the panel,

half expecting the avenging farmer to appear and tell the truth. But

having accomplished his work of vengeance, Sommers was wise enough to

remain on his side of the river.

After the details of the duel had been given by the seconds, the

pistols and fatal bullet were exhibited, and the two gypsies took their

stands as witnesses. The coroner said that there was no doubt in his

mind that the duel had been carried out with the strictest regularity

between gentlemen in an affair of honour, the jury agreeing that

everything was perfectly regular. As a matter of course they were asked

to view the body in the shuttered bedroom of the deceased, where the