MNIPE -AA1NIPE THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE Already she had opened a great ledger THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE BY EMILIE BENSON KNIPE AND ALDEN ARTHUR KNIPE Author of "THE LUCK OF DENEWOOD," "BEATRICE OF DENEWOOD," "PEG o' THE RING," etc., etc. ILLUSTRATED BY EMILIE BENSON KNIPE NEW YORK THE CENTURY CO. 1922 Copyright, 1922, by THE CENTUBY Co. PRINTED IN TT. S. A. CONTENTS CHAPTER PA6B I IN WHICH WE MEET A LADY .... 3 II IN WHICH WE HEAR NEWS OF THE GREAT MOGUL 13. III IN WHICH THE LADY HATH THE BIRTH- DAY GIFT SHE COVETS 28 IV IN WHICH THERE Is MENTION OF A STRANGE FLOWER 38 V IN WHICH JUDITH Is CALLED A MISER . 54 VI IN WHICH A BARGAIN Is STRUCK AND A TOKEN GIVEN 73 VII IN WHICH MUCH GOLD CHANGETH HANDS 88 VIII IN WHICH A BATTLE Is FOUGHT AND A VICTORY WON 104 IX IN WHICH A NOBLE DAME SEEKS SYM- PATHY AND AID 119 X IN WHICH VISITORS ARRIVE FROM PATRIA 128 XI IN WHICH A CHESS PROBLEM REMAINETH UNSOLVED 147 XII IN WHICH A LADY GROWS IMPATIENT . 164 XIII IN WHICH JUDITH ENGAGES HERSELF FOR THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL . . . 184 XIV IN WHICH CAROLUS ALSO NAMES His PARTNER 195 2136585 CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE XV IN WHICH ROBIN MAKETH A SAD CON- FESSION 209 XVI IN WHICH THE DRAGON TULIP BUDS . . 226 XVII IN WHICH A PLOT UNFOLDS .... 241 XVIII IN WHICH THE DRAGON TULIP DISAPPEARS 255 XIX IN WHICH A NIGHT SEES SEVERAL VIS- ITORS 265 XX IN WHICH METJE MAKES A CAPTIVE . . 282 XXI IN WHICH A GENTLEMAN Is DOUBTED . 295 XXII IN WHICH JAN BLOEMERS DROPS IN . . 309 XXIII IN WHICH A MARRIAGE Is ARRANGED . .319 XXIV IN WHICH SALVADOR DACOSTA HAS THE LAST WORD 337 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Already she had opened a great ledger . . Frontispiece TACINd PAQK "I myself saw the girl lay her fan about that lad's ears" 20 "She wore a vizard of black satin" . . . r ., . 182 "That way, too, it might be arranged" .., .., W1 . 332 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE CHAPTER I IN WHICH WE MEET A LADY IT was a cheerful, sunny day, and her house was in perfect order; yet Judith looked anxious as she passed quickly from the store (closed to customers since her father's untimely death), through the office, the fore-room, and the kitchen down into the cellar, then up quickly to the chambers on the second floor and above them to the garret and cockloft. No speck of dust was to be found, no piece of metal but shone as metal should. Coming back to the fore-room she went to the door of the great chamber ; but here, out of respect to the sheen of the floor which Metje had polished with loving care, she paused at the threshold. She knew well that all was as it should be, yet so much hung on the impression she would make 3 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE upon her expected visitors that she could not con- trol her anxiety. The house presented a checkered brick gable- end to the street after the Dutch fashion, an iron anker with date of erection ornamenting it. The length of the building lay along the flower-gar- dens ; thus when it stormed the drippings or drifts from the high roof were cast off harmlessly in- stead of descending on the passers-by, as was the case with the English designed houses. The day was so unseasonably warm as to re- semble spring rather than winter. Almost it seemed the Judas-tree must have budded, and Metje had thrown open some of the windows to let in the fresh breeze. Through these now came a clamor of voices that quickly drew Judith to the front door. There was indeed a rabble in the roadway, a rabble of children, circling about something in their midst with shrill shouts. Judith ran quickly to her gate, expecting that they were baiting some animal from the woods, as happened all too frequently. Instead, to her surprise, she found that a child of the better class was their victim ; and their effort was to keep her 4 IN WHICH WE MEET A LADY from seeking safety within the gate, which Jud- ith, running down the path, threw open just as the controversy had reached this height. She was entirely ignorant of the merits of the dispute, but she recognized gentle Nan Homan set on by many, foremost among whom was a lad who had earned the name of bully throughout the town, and in- stinctively she threw herself upon the weaker side. "Shame on you, big Jan Bloemers !" she cried, "to so misuse a little maid. Get you gone to your home!" "And who are you to give me orders?" Bloe- mers blustered. "You think yourself very grand because your father left you your own mistress, which my father says was most like a clever trick to befool his credi " Smack ! Judith brought her fan about his ears with such vigor that the sandle-wood sticks were shattered. "Now what means this brawling in the public highway?" cried the shrill voice of an elderly gentleman, as he rounded the corner accompanied by several companions of less years but equal dignity. "Tut! Tut! This will never do." 5 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "Run ! J T is Mijnhere van Bursum," was whispered from one to another of the young row- dies; and, with a clatter of wooden shoes on the cobbles, they all made off save Jan Bloemers, on whose shoulder one of the gentlemen had laid an unwelcome hand. "Nay," he said sternly, "we saw you punished. We wish now to know if the blows you received were merited." Indeed it was Judith who stood before these gentlemen a picture of guilt. It was of such vast importance that she should impress them with her age, her dignity, and above all her power of self- government that her heart seemed like to drop out of her breast at the thought that they had come upon her in what must have looked to them naught better than a rough-and-tumble quarrel. For the moment she was at loss for words to defend herself against their suspicions. Help came to her from an unexpected source for, like most bullies, Jan Bloemers was a coward. "Let go my paltrok," he whined. "Do ye think my father is made of money that ye tear my clothes from off my back ? I've done no hurt and I know not why the meisje took such a clip at me." 6 IN WHICH WE MEET A LADY "The lad is lying," declared one of the gentle- men, and Judith took heart. "He and his companions had set upon this little maid," she faltered. "Even within the house I heard them shouting at her. I had no thought it was a child they were baiting. I ran out, hoping to beg or buy from them some miser- able wildling, a fox cub, perchance, or a squirrel, and I found the little girl sore beset." "Then it was in her defense that you beat the lad?" "Nay," Judith reddened as she made the admis- sion, "he turned on me to slander another. 'T was then I lost my patience and broke my fan about his ears. I confess my fault." The gentlemen exchanged glances, and, making an effort to regain her self-possession, Judith begged them to enter. "And you too, Nan," she added; whispering quickly, "run to Metje at the back. She will give you your piece and later I will walk home with you." Greatly relieved by this promise, the little maid skipped off and the gentleman followed Judith up the bricked path. 7 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "I bid you welcome at my threshold, mijne heren," Judith said gravely, and her visitors followed her into the voorhuis, which in this, as in the majority of Dutch houses, was hall, living- room and dining-room combined. Most of them knew of old the leather chairs studded with brass nails, the fine painted kas, the Turkey carpet on the table, the good Dutch pictures, and the racks for silver and pewter on the walls. These missed the master's bed with its handsome red say hangings, which had long been furnishings of the fore-room as was customary in New Amsterdam. Judith had had this removed, and in its place she had set a chest of drawers of South walnut, with a press for napkins atop. "But where is the lad?" The Here van Bur- sum turned ponderously to Mr. Pierce, his captor, who shrugged his shoulders. "He escaped me," he answered. "Like an eel he twisted out of my grasp as we passed through the gate. He is no new offender, I'll warrant. He took good care that I should not be left with cap or coat for his parents to redeem." "This is not the Sabbath," Hendrick Breesteede 8 IN WHICH WE MEET A LADY sniffed, ever ready to take the opposite side to an Englishman. "None the less," Mr. Pierce told him stiffly, "had the boy not snatched his cap from my hand, I should have made it my business to take it to his parents. The law might not exact two shillings' fine as it would had he been brawling in church time, but I make sure that his father would have dealt with him." "Now, now !" Here van Bur sum spoke softly, it being ever his way to pour oil on troubled waters, "he 's gone, and perchance 't is better so. There is no need to stir up ill feeling. Com- plaints of a man's son hurt his pride the more an they are warranted. The little maid is not in- jured, and 'tis likely the lad offended uncon- sciously in some rough jest. All 's well that ends well. We Ve all been boys ourselves, so let 's to business." "Mijne heren" Judith interposed in tones that she tried to keep from trembling, "I regret that your reception hath been so lacking in the cere- mony that is your due. You are left standing in the voorhuis when the great chamber is ready 9 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE to welcome you. Will you not enter and be seated?" "Nay, child," old Here van Bursum spoke kindly, "I stood upon the threshold, but as none of us had soft-walkers I thought that we would not spoil your handiwork. We are very well where we are." "Then I pray you draw up to the table here. It is, I know, in your minds and in your power to determine whether my father's will is to be re- spected in its entirety or whether I am to have set over me certain governors." Judith seated herself naturally at the head of the table, and her visitors ranged themselves on either hand with the careful observance of pre- cedence upon which they prided themselves. Young Thomas Lane alone still stood, hat in hand. "I am but a messenger. The governor sent for my father post-haste," the lad explained as he felt all eyes upon him. "He bade me give you greeting and his regrets that his Excellency com- manded his presence just as he picked up his staff to set out. However, I am to say that his de- cision in this matter is not susceptible of change. 10 IN WHICH WE MEET A LADY He holds that till a child is of age, its father is entitled to order its life. Now, having fulfilled my errand, I ask your leave to go." "As Master Lane cannot be here himself it is proper that he should have a representative," fat Hendrick Breesteede said pompously. "Take that chair, boy." He pointed to the foot of the table. Nothing loth, Tom Lane accepted the situa- tion. His eighteen years cried out against that insulting word "boy"; but he irreverently won- dered what these "old fantods" were going to do with this nice girl, and it would make a wonder- ful tale to tell his cronies that he had sat in such a distinguished assemblage; and accordingly he took the chair indicated and looked up the long table at Judith. On her right sat the Here van Bursum, small and neat, a moneyed man, of great weight in the city, though little would one have thought it from his meek manner, forever trying to reconcile this with that. On her left was Peter Morton, a dyspeptic Englishman, who, liking neither the country nor its ways was tied to it by his possessions. The ii THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE corners of his mouth were dragged at by his dis- content till a child could read his disposition there. Hendrick Breesteede, Dutch as his name, sat next him. Large-jowled, full-paunched, he looked like a pudding taken from the mold before it was quite set. The top of his head was smaller than his neck, his shoulders than his hips; but his face despite his flabby flesh, was not weak, only entirely selfish. Edward Pierce, the other Englishman, was opposite him. He was quick in action as in thought. Sharp of feature but not ill-natured. A man with his way to make, but of whom it was already said success was sure. What side would each of these men take and how would it afTect this maid, who possessed a strange, vivid personality that set her apart from any Dutch girl Tom had seen before ? He settled in his place of no importance, well content to be there and watch the drama unfold. 12 CHAPTER II IN WHICH WE HEAR NEWS OF THE GREAT MOGUL THE question is, then, whether it is the policy of the province to permit that its rightful authority over an orphan be removed out of its hands." Mr. Pierce set out the case for consideration. Before any one else could speak his mind on the matter, Judith was on her feet. She had gone over and over in her thoughts what she must say, memorizing each sentence so that nothing should be forgotten. "Excellencies," she curtsied profoundly to the company ere she began, in tones that trembled ever so slightly, "I have no one to speak for me, therefore must I take upon myself the unmaid- enly task of defending my own rights. The question is not precisely as the honorable gentle- man hath set it forth. I do not deny the just authority of the state. I shall endeavor to do 13 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE my duty as a citizen in all ways that a maiden may. "The whole question, as I see it, is shall a dutiful child be allowed to carry out her honored father's last commands? Belike I might ask you, Here van Bursum, to read the clause in my father's will that sets these commands upon me." "I think that, by rights, I should read the whole will," Hendrick Breesteede suggested impor- tantly. "I've had a copy of it made for that purpose." "I was about to suggest it," Here van Bursum said suavely. "My voice grows hoarse too quickly for public speaking." Here Breesteede took a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles from his pocket, rubbed them with his figured calico handkerchief, and settled them on his snub nose; then he cleared his throat and began : " 'In the name of God, Amen.' ' "Amen," all those around the table repeated devoutly, and Breesteede looked at them over the tops of his glasses as if challenging them to inter- rupt again. Then, once more settling the spec- tacles firmly, he went on: 14 NEWS OF THE GREAT MOGUL "'I, Nicolaes Van Taarl, of New Ycfrke, widower, being sorely stricken in health but sound and perfect in mind, do ordain that the funeralls of my body shall be only such as shall become a Christian. 'To my daughter and only child, Judith Van Taarl, I leave all my estate of whatsoever kind, entrusting to her the payment of funnerall charges, debts and necessary disbursements, and expressly commanding that the Lords Orphan Masters be excluded from all management of my properties and be not allowed to meddle in any way with the government of my aforesaid child and universal heir, Judith Van Taarl. " 'I make Judith Van Taarl sole executor of this, my last will. "Dated, September 2nd, 1698. " 'Witnesses : [Signed] " 'NICOLAES VAN TAARL'" " 'Rip VAN WYCK " 'CORNELIS ROBERTS " TEUNIS TAMS' " " 'T is a most uncompromising document," said Peter Morton fretfully. "Truly it offers small basis for an acoommo- 15 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE dation," sighed Here van Bursum, ever hopeful of effecting a settlement. "It might be proper enough were the young miss a lad, who had already shared his father's business cares," Edward Pierce suggested, "but such responsibility is too great for a girl of How old are you?" he asked Judith abruptly. "I 'm in my sixteenth year, sir," she answered promptly. "Your birthday was when?" he asked, not to be put off. "It is to-day, sir," she answered with the best grace she could, and at the foot of the table Tom Lane hid a smile. "She 's but a child. I feel that she should not be trusted with the management of such great possessions," Morton fumed, looking around him at the evidences of riches on every side. J "I have had the charge of this house and all within it for eight years, ever since my aunt mar- ried and returned to the Fatherland. Think you aught hath suffered under that management?" Judith was serenely conscious that Metje's house- wifery left little to be desired, and on another occasion would have been the first to proclaim to 16 NEWS OF THE GREAT MOGUL whom most of the credit for the perfect order was due. "Why not request your aunt to come back and live with you?" Here van Bursum put the tips of his fingers together and leaned toward her ex- pectantly, confident that he had hit upon a most happy expedient. "Then under your uncle's supervision we could put the management of your affairs." "She is not my aunt by blood but my father's stepsister. Had he wished her and her husband to have charge over me, he would have written that in his will," Judith returned firmly. "He liked not my aunt's husband, nor do I. I would prefer the Lords Orphan Masters to their guid- ance." "Then why not agree to be placed in their charge?" Peter Morton suggested. "You are causing much anxiety by refusing to comply with what is assuredly -a wise provision to protect children too young to undertake the ordering of their own estates." "But I am not too young!" Judith exclaimed. "Have I not said that I have turned fifteen? Many girls of that age are wedded, and then they 17 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE are not told they are too young to manage their establishments." "Nor are they, under the wise guidance of their husbands," chuckled Hendrick Breesteede. "Are you perchance betrothed?" Here van Bursum purred. "That would indeed solve many problems." "But I am not betrothed," Judith flushed hotly, "nor like to be. I am too young for marriage " For the moment she had lost track of her argu- ment and had returned in her mind to an inter- view with her father when she had, for the only time in her life, refused to do his will. "Too young for marriage but not too young to claim the privileges of mevrouwen." Breesteede continued to chuckle, and again Judith flushed hotly. She did not like to be made a mock of be- fore this company, and an answer came quickly to her lips. "Women have been known to hold their own with men. We have had female traders among the Indians. There was Margaret Hardenbroeck who died leaving her husband, Frederick Flipse, a rich man. She sailed in her own ships and bought 18 NEWS OF THE GREAT MOGUL and traded in her own name, and no man could get the better of her." Now this was an unwise retort, because Vrouw Flipse had, on one notorious occasion, so over- reached Here Breesteede as to make the trans- action a jest even after the lapse of years; and to turn the laugh against a man is no way to gain his friendship. Judith knew that Mr. Lane's vote was in her favor; she was soon to learn that she had lost Hendrick Breesteede's. "Do you then plan to carry on your father's business?" Master Pierce asked. "She carry on a great business!" Breesteede puffed scornfully, before the girl had a chance to open her lips. "Do not encourage her in such lofty imaginings. Her childish prattle should tell you that her ambitions are so fired by this fond will of her father's that she holdeth herself equal to ruling the whole province. The Lords Orphan Masters must have charge over her." "Here Breesteede!" Judith was about to burst out with another hot answer, but she took thought in time. She had counted upon opposition, and 19 to win against it she must not let it anger her. "You spoke?" hinted Breesteede. "It was my wish to assure you that I had no such plan as you suggested," she said meekly. "With your approval, Excellencies, I would like to sell the contents of the shop at public vendue." "Or you might sell the whole house and shop to a trader. The good-will of the Sign of the Barrow and Bale is worth something," Master Pierce reminded her, practically. "I have no authority to sell the house," Judith answered, surprised. "I thought that was well known. It was strictly entailed by my mother's father on her children and their posterity." "Complication on complication," Peter Morton fussed. "I saw us well rid of all troubles, with your goods turned into money and you put to board with the family of some godly man, the minister of your own faith for choice." "You will be easily rid of me, Master Morton," Judith said pleadingly. "You need but agree to allow me to assume the responsibility of my own welfare, as my father wished." "Yes, yes, my child," Here van Bursum told her soothingly, "yet if, perchance, thereafter you 20 'I myself saw the girl lay her fan about that lad's ears" NEWS OF THE GREAT MOGUL should fall into the hands of designing men who robbed you of your wealth, which one of us could feel free of blame ?" "If I agree to place my moneys in your care :and to go into no business venture without your con- sent, will you allow the will to stand?" "I can see no objection to that," Here van Bursum began, after some consideration. "I do!" Breesteede interposed stubbornly. "Such a maid, impetuous, hot-tempered, and self- willed, should be under the wise restraint of the Lords Orphan Masters, as I said before." "Dear, dear!" Peter Morton mourned, "I greatly fear that you are right. I myself saw the girl lay her fan about that lad's ears." "For good reason," Edward Pierce interrupted. "It is not for that I am against removing her from all authority. She is too young to live alone, with none but an underling for a companion. What would she do in her courting days ?" "Indeed, indeed, Master Pierce," Judith twisted her hands together in her eagerness, "I '11 have no lovers. I '11 promise you there shall be no court- ing. My mind is full of other matters of true importance." 21 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "It is easy to forswear lovers who do not exist" Master Pierce with difficulty concealed a kindly smile, "but at seventeen, say, when they come thronging, what would there be to keep you to your word if our authority were removed?" "My honor," said Judith simply. "Nay, nay !" Here van Bursum interposed, "it is no part of the policy of the colony to lay such irksome restraints upon its orphans." "Of late years," Breesteede spoke pompously, "since New Amsterdam is no more, New Yorke has become the haunt of adventurers from all lands" "The English did not invent the Madagascar trade," Pierce rejoined tartly, -the animosity be- tween the two races ever ready to leap to the surface. "The Strand swarmed with pirates when we came here." "Gentlemen! Gentlemen!" Here van Bursum implored, "we 're here to discuss the government of Judith Van Taarl, not of the province." "None the less," Peter Morton said specifically, "Here Breesteede is right to point out the perils to one of so impetuous a temperament. This young 22 NEWS OF THE GREAT MOGUL woman needeth a firm hand to guide her past more dangers than one." " 'T is exactly what I said." Here Breesteede puffed out his fat cheeks approvingly. "Failing that, the Lords Orphan Masters must act. There is no precedent for such an extraordinary will." Several heads were nodding in agreement to this last statement when Tom Lane at the foot of the table spoke for the first time since he had taken his place there. "I crave your indulgence, gentlemen," he said respectfully, "but as I am here in my father's place, I take it I may speak if I but quote his words." "Of a surety," Here van Bursum replied. "There can be no harm in that." He glanced from one to the other of his colleagues, who sig- nified assent, grudging or willing as their natures dictated. "Then," said young Lane, "that is just what there is a precedent." "A precedent for this unprecedented will?" Hendrick Breesteede stuttered. "What mean you?" THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "Exactly that," Tom told them gravely. date is 1678. I found the record of it for my father. It is the joint will of Stoeffel and Heeltie Abeel and is very similar in wording to Here Van Taarl's will. Here is a copy of it I made. It con- firmed my father in his decision that the terms of this will must be complied with." "And were the Abeel children left free of the restraints of the Lords Orphan Masters ?" asked Here van Bursum, after each man in turn had pcfred over the paper. "So my father was assured," young Lane answered. "Then," said Peter Morton, complainingly, "we have been put to needless trouble, and I can see no reason for the appointment of this com- mittee." "Nor I," sputtered Breesteede, bringing a fat, moist fist down on the table. "A precedent is *a precedent. The matter is settled." "A precedent need not be followed if it is better for this orphan that it be ignored," Mr. Pierce pointed out gravely, but this brought a storm of protest from his colleagues ; even gentle Here van 24 NEWS OF THE GREAT 'MOGUL Bur sum now considered the matter settled out of their hands, and they all rose to go. Judith it was who stayed them. "I pray you, Excellencies, that you will not leave my roof without partaking of my hospi- tality," she said. "I will bring the trays, which are already prepared, if you will excuse my absence for a moment." 'Tray allow me to carry a tray for you," Tom Lane suggested gravely, and as gravely Judith accepted his offer. It was not till the kitchen door closed behind them that she turned to him with anxious eyes, while Metje hastened to brew both tea and saffron. "It was kind of you to want to help me; but what will happen when they find out there is no such will?" she asked. "They won't find that out," Tom answered, taking up a heavily laden tray, "because there is." "I saw you writing it at the table," Judith chal- lenged him, as she too seized on a tray. "Well, so I did from memory. It would have taken too much explaining to make them under- stand that my father pocketed the copy I made for 25 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE him." Tom led the way back to the voorhuis and placed his tray safely on the table, Judith following at his heels, relieved in her mind that there really was a precedent to strengthen her con- tention, yet a little disappointed withal, she knew not why. The young housewife had contrived to lay a very acceptable refreshment before her guests. In addition to the saffron which had been brewed to accompany the China tea, Hollands gin and West India rum were brought out of the kas and placed on the table with metheglin, oblies, sugar biscuits, roasted almonds, and strange, netted jars of candied ginger. The gentlemen set to with gusto, and even Breesteede, the most opposed among them to giv- ing her her liberty, felt more kindly disposed to- ward his hostess after his sixth cup of tea and saffron. 'T is fine tea you have brewed," he said, smacking his lips ere he wiped them on the linen napkin provided for him. "I '11 wager it came in your father's own ship, the Great Mogul." "It did," Judith told him. "It is packed in chests of waxed wood, each lined with silvered 26 NEWS OF THE GREAT MOGUL paper and sealed within an outer case of lead. When this is gone no more such tea will I be able to offer your Excellencies." "Surely you can send for more on the next voy- age of the Great Mogul?" Here van Bursum sug- gested. "It would be too bad that your friends should be deprived of such a satisfaction." "Did you not know," Judith tried to make her voice sound indifferent, "that the Great Mogul was lost nine months gone or more?" There was a moment's stillness in the room, for the news she gave, them, was of a great disaster. "How mean you lost?" Peter Morton inquired petulantly. "Did the Mogul founder in a storm, or was she cast away? Was there no salvage?" "No," said Judith, "there was no salvage. She was taken by buccaneers." CHAPTER III IN WHICH THE LADY HATH THE BIRTHDAY GIFT SHE COVETS A HEAVY silence greeted this announcement. Of all those present young Tom Lane was the most thrilled by it, for seizure of ships by buc- caneers was not so usual a happening in 1699 as it had been a few years earlier, or as it was to be again ; while the older men had lived in the palmy days of the Madagascar trade when all New York had fattened and grown rich on the exchange of goods with freebooters. The commissioning- of privateers by the English Government to prey upon and destroy enemy ship- ing had drawn scores of heavily armed, swift-sail- ing combatants from colonial ports. Once at sea the majority of these plundered indiscriminately, without regard to what flag their victim flew, and sold their booty openly in the markets of New Yorke. Under Governor Fletcher this was quite safe. 28 LADY HATH GIFT SHE COVETS Many of the most notorious pirates boasted the possession of his commission and swaggered openly on the city's streets, armed with jeweled swords and daggers and pearl-handled pistols. But it was not in direct ownership of privateers, real or pretended, that the New Yorke merchants were most deeply involved. They had devised a safer plan. This was to load a ship for Mada- gascar with Jamaica rum, gunpowder, and Ma- deira wines, which the pirates stood ready to buy at triple their cost. From the sea-rovers they took East India goods of all sorts, camphor from Borneo, coffee from Java, precious stones and cinnamon from Ceylon, shawls from Bengal, ebony and sandalwood, silks and embroideries from China, diamonds from the mines of Gol- conda itself, besides gold, gloves, and other booty; while between the bales were cloves and nutmegs ying loose so that you might wade in them to your knees and, if the wind set right, could smell the ships as they came up the bay. Another profit was reaped on this exchange, so that one voyage might net a vessel fifty thousand pounds or more, and there was no risk from pirates, as the corsairs did not molest those who traded with them and! 29 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE offered them their best means of returning to their homes. Small wonder that Arab gold and Portuguese half-jos were more numerous than English guineas, and that Lord Bellomont, who was sent to replace Governor Fletcher, had met with oppo- sition to his attempts to regulate this illegal traffic. On hearing Judith's news it is likely that every man at that table except young Lane was asking himself if the old days were coming back when, if one did not wish to be shorn, it was safer to be a wolf. Tom Lane, the exception, was boy enough to long for the pirate tale, caring nothing for what it might portend. Wholly forgetting the august company, and leaning well across the table among the tea-cups, he cried excitedly : "What happened? I pray you tell the story. Was she taken off the Malabar coast or the West Indies? Did they scuttle her? Were the crew made to walk the plank ? How had you the news ? And who was the pirate captain ? "Softly, softly," said Here van Bursum, "the Juffer will be drowned in such a rush of words. 30 LADY HATH GIFT SHE COVETS Let her give us the history in her own way and at her ease." "Indeed there is naught more for me to tell," Judith said calmly. "My father told me by word of mouth exactly what I have recounted to you." "But, my child," Here van Bursum spoke com- passionately, "such a loss is enough to cripple the richest." Nods went around the table. It was evident that all of the men felt that here was a fact which materially altered the position of the young girl. "My father was a great merchant with shares in many ventures," she returned, unperturbed. "Is it not possible that others divided this loss with him ? I cannot believe he would n't have told me if the matter were so serious as you seem to fear. Even the hen-wife puts not* all her eggs in one basket." "To be sure! To be sure!" Here van Bursum murmured with a sigh of "relief. "Doubtless he carried cargo for many. Perchance even he was not sole owner of the ship." "Your father's papers should make all that 31 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE clear," Peter Morton fussed. "It would be well if we examined them for you." ''If any difficulties arise, anything that passeth the female comprehension, I shall thankfully avail myself of your kind help," Judith said, "but, an I can, I wish to prove myself worthy of my father's reliance on me and manage my affairs myself." " 'T is an overweening ambition for a female," Breesteede grunted sourly. " 'T is at least a laudable one," said Edward Pierce kindly, "and I wish you all success." "And I too ; though I know not nor can divine what the town will come to if the women are taken out of their homes and set at the head of great affairs," Peter Morton mourned. The gentlemen rose to go. It seemed as if all had been said and their errand ended. "Your freedom comes to you as a birthday gift, my child." Here van Bursum's high voice was softened as he looked into the clear young eyes that were on a level with his own. "It is my hope that you will use it wisely, although I too am aware of apprehension lest lack of experience hamper you more than you believe possible." "At least experience did not protect her father's 32 LADY HATH GIFT SHE COVETS ship against pirates," Tom Lane suggested, still full of the Great Mogul. "Think you it was the work of one of the known marooners, Captain Tew or " But the elder gentlemen, no longer concerned with Judith's affairs, cut short his inquiries by taking their departure, each doubtless turning 1 over in his mind the news she had given them and its possible effect upon his own business ventures. Tom lingered, not inclined longer to the society of his elders, and designing to allow them some- what of a start, as his way lay with theirs. Judith, however, now wished to be about her own affairs, having much that needed attention. "I thank you for your good services," she told him. "I would not hasten your departure, but I must take Nan home as I promised her." "I 'm off at once," Tom laughed, "only I Ve this to say. I know that you know more about the Great Mogul than you told our reverend sirs, and some day I mean to have it out of you. I '11 see you soon again." With which words he too went out of the open door, and his whistling could be heard all the way down the brick walk to the gate. 33 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "And now we will go at once," Judith held out her hand to Nan, who slipped her slender fingers into it confidingly, "Metje will clear all away. Moreover it is not far to the Waal Straat and I will be back before she is done." "I should not take you from your tasks," Nan said, but it was plain that she had no desire to adventure again upon the streets alone. "I am my own taskmaster now," Judith laughed gaily; "come, let us scamper." "You will not tell any one in my home that aught went wrong with me to-day," Nan pleaded. Judith stayed her steps for a moment. "Pray, why not?" she asked. "Indeed I think they should know for your better protection, since you must go to school with such rude oafs." Nan pondered this for a moment. She seemed a grave child and old beyond her years. Indeed to Judith it was as if she lay under the shadow of her father's disgrace, for he had been Governor Fletcher's right hand, and was badly smirched by his dealings with pirates. "This is the way of it," the child explained. "There was no grudge against me because / am me. It is just that they like not our clothes nor 34 LADY HATH GIFT SHE COVETS that we sit apart at the top of the room ; they think the schoolmaster favors the richer pupils. The truth is we know more English than they, so the token is always left with them ; and that adds to their ill-will." "The token?" asked Judith. "Yes," Nan nodded. "In order that all shall learn to speak English, the first who uses a Dutch word is given a copper token. He may pass it on to any one he catches talking Dutch, and the last who holds it at the end of the day is whipped. To-day it happened that one of us had it all morn- ing. It is a half-holiday, you know, and the lower end of the room was all a-buzz with joy. Indeed Jan Bloemers could not contain himself and when Kiliaen was going up to take his punishment Jan, said out loud, 'He '11 get the plak at least. Kiliaen, who is very mannerly, made him a little bow and handed him the token. 'Not I !' he said. Jan was whipped, and that made all his friends very angry." "But was he not fairly caught?" Judith asked. Nan knitted her brows as if puzzled. "Yes, and no," she returned. "Plak is Dutch, there is no gainsaying that; but there is no 35 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE English word for it. It is not a rod nor even a ruler, and that being the case they did not think it quite fair." "But that was no reason for teasing you," Judith insisted. "You had naught to do with it." "I laughed," Nan acknowledged. "It was not at Jan; but that they could not know. It was because Kiliaen reminded me of my Lord Bello- mont, he was so gracious." She had hesitated an instant to find the right word. "What know you of Lord Bellomont?" Judith asked, surprised that Daniel Roman's daughter should speak so familiarly of his Excellency the governor. "I go there to sing to Lady Bellomont," the girl said simply. "She is in need of entertainment. Never mind that now. I wish an education. I must learn all I can where I can. My mother examined well their signs and what they were licensed to teach, and decided upon this as the best school in the city. Did my nurse hear that I had met with annoyance, she would ask mother to take me away, and I might lose precious time, lacking a teacher. If I am always met at the 36 LADY HATH GIFT SHE COVETS door, and I myself can arrange that I '11 be as safe where I am as anywhere." "Very well," Judith agreed, "I shall say noth- ing. In fact I think it better that I should leave you outside your gate so that you will not have to explain my presence." "My mother has gone a-visiting in the Jerseys," Nan said, after considering this a moment, "so she would not be at home to receive you; and I shall come soon to thank you as I have not yet' found words to do." Accordingly they parted, but as she ran up the stoep before her door Nan turned and waved her hand, calling, "I '11 see you soon again." And Judith realized that this was the second time she had heard the words that day. 37 CHAPTER IV IN WHICH THERE IS MENTION OF A STRANGE FLOWER ON her return the girl found Metje awaiting her. "The dainties are on the table near the store- closet, handy for you to lock away," the woman told her. "I Ve set a pot of water to heat. When it boils we should wash up an we would be done before supper-time." As in all Dutch households, Judith and Metje did the work together. Here Van Taarl had brought the woman over from Holland as a re- demptioner, bound to work for him until she had earned her passage-money, which, with the low rate of wages, took several years. Metje had come when Judith was very little and had not been quick to marry. When Judith's mother died her heart had gone out to the lonely child whose father was so immersed in his business, and she 38 MENTION OF A STRANGE FLOWER had stayed on at suitable wages but without bond. Van Taarl was quite content that it should be so. Unlike most of the Dutchmen who came to New Amsterdam in Peter Stuyvesant's time, he had no intention of attaching himself to the new country. He acquired no bouwcrie, no foot of land in the town. His wife inheriting a sub- stantial dwelling from her father, he removed his home and business to it, but that did not alter his plans. He meant to make a great fortune and then return to "Patria." A very young man when he arrived, he had hardly established himself before the English came and took over the city, renaming it New Yorke. At first he thought he could not endure to live in servitude to his enemies, but he soon found that they were able to do little to change conditions. Dutch was still the language of New; Yorke and Dutchmen its inhabitants. He was pleased when a Dutch fleet under Com- modores Evertsen and Benkes retook the town and province in 1673; but he did not greatly grieve when the peace of Westminster conceded the Nieuw Nederlandts to England in 1674. Really, he told himself, it was nothing to him. 39 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE He had done business under the English before and could again. "The happy revolution" which set Mary Stuart and William of Orange on the English throne saw him still in the city. He was rich, but not yet rich enough. Queen Mary died. Van Taarl hardly knew it, so immersed was he in his affairs ; but he grudged the little he was asked to give to drape the city in mourning at her death. The king was a staunch Dutchman, so he, too, would rather every stuyver of a true man's fortune should be hoarded to spend in the Lowlands. Thus years passed and at last the goal was in sight. It was only a matter of months when Van Taarl should cross the seas to return to the New World no more. The merchant never spoke of his dreams to any one, least of all to his daughter. It would be time enough to tell Judith what was expected of her when he was quite ready. Moreover she would scarce relish the news, having been her own mistress so long ; for in Holland he meant to marry again and found a great family Then came two unexpected happenings, the 40 MENTION OF A STRANGE FLOWER second less reparable than the first. His ship, the Great Mogul, was captured by freebooters, and Nicolaes Van Taarl, who had never had a day's sickness in his life, learned that his end was near. His first thought was not of his daughter but of his possessions. Later he called her to him and told her of the will he had just made and of what he had planned. And Judith agreed to carry out his wishes in every particular save one. She was not ready to marry. Thus his last words were: "1 do not demand that obedience unless there is no other way to fulfil the commands I have laid upon you; but bear this in mind, a father's last wishes are sacred, and it is my pride that no one shall pry into my affairs to say I failed of my intent." Judith opened her mouth to reply, but he waved her from the room. "My strength is gone. I would sleep," he said fretfully. "Beside, what need for a flux of words? You know what you must do if you would earn my blessing. A marriage with De Heem's son would set all straight." THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE For a moment his hand rested upon her bowed head; but when she looked at him he seemed to have sunk into the sleep from which he never wakened. The girl could not be expected to grieve deeply for one who had deliberately shut her out of his life, not from unkindness or dislike but from indifference. She quickly took up her tasks again, determined to carry out her father's wishes in every particular. Too well she knew that had there been any other he could trust he would not have turned to her at the last. He had no faith in a female's hardihood or ability; but somewhere within him there had lived a hope that if she kept closely to his plan the results would be what he wished. He was not asking her to do anything on her own initiative. Rather his idea was that, as a reflection in a mirror follows each movement of the one before it, so she, without thought, might follow the plans he had laid before her. And already in securing her liberty from the Lords Orphan Masters Judith had taken a long step forward. She went to bed that night quite satisfied with her progress, and slept so soundly 42 MENTION OF A STRANGE FLOWER that she failed to waken even when one of the periodical battles between Metje and the watch grew acrimonious over the smoky condition of the lanthorns which, as hers was a seventh house, the law required her to hang out on moon- less nights for the illumination of the streets. Some days were to pass before Judith saw either of her new friends again. The weather had been too fine to last and a wild storm set in that filled the gutters in the middle of the streets to overflowing and drenched passers-by with the streams shot from the roofs by the rain-spouts. It cleared at last with a freezing wind out of the northwest, and the girl hurried early to her garden to make sure that the protection for the winter had not been washed from the beds where her precious tulips and other bulbs were planted. As she worked down toward the front gate in her careful inspection she was accosted from the street and turned to see Tom Lane looking over the wall at her. "Good day to you," he said smilingly. "I Ve come for news of the Great Mogul. May I enter?" 43 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE Judith bade him welcome and, being somewhat embarrassed by his presence, continued her in- spection of her garden beds until Tom grew impatient. "I can see naught of interest there," he said, gazing appraisingly at the litter, "and I 'm vastly curious about the Great Mogul. Can you not spare the time to tell me the story?" "Some months from now, if all goes well, there will be a different tune to sing about my flower- beds," Judith declared. "There is a flower planted there, a surpassing curiosity " "Naught can surpass my curiosity, Tom laughed. "Tell me, I pray you, of the piracy. I cannot sleep for thinking of it." "Come in then," Judith said. "The wind is cutting to-day." Together they entered the voorhuis and Judith threw off her fur-edged jacket and seated her- self with her elbows on the table. "There 's not so much to tell, after all," she declared at last. "The ship was seized by an- other flying the black flag. No one was hurt for no resistence was offered; and the officers and men were marooned on an island where by right 44 MENTION OF A STRANGE FLOWER they should have lived and died, so little was it visited; but, as chance would have it, the Santa Lucia out of Venice put in there, her water hav- ing gone bad, and so they were taken off ere they had come to want. The captain lost no time in sending my father word of the misadventure. He had found other employ on the ship of a Da- nish merchant, and had little to tell save the short account of their meeting with a pirate seemingly heavily armed and manned, whom they felt powerless to withstand. The buccaneer put a crew on the Great Mogul and sailed away with both ships. "Two things only he held to be strange. One was something one of the boatmen who landed them on the island let drop, that assured him that it was their vessel and their vessel only the pirate had sailed out to intercept. Does not that seem odd to you?" Tom gave the matter serious thought. "Nay," he said with disappointment, "that's reasonable enough. 'T is not every day such a rich cargo is set afloat. Doubtless these sea- robbers have spies who forewarn them of such prizes." 45 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "That may have been the way of it." Judith wrinkled her brow. "But my lather said this voyage was very secret." "What is tht other strange happening?" Tom asked. "It was not a happening," Judith replied. "A shot was fired across the Mogul's bows at day- break. There was scarce light to see their enemy; but as day had dawned and it grew brighter each moment, they could not hope to escape in the dusk, so they lay to and were boarded. No time was lost in securing them, both officers and men. Yet when full daylight was come our captain declared that he found most of his enemy's guns to be dummies." "How mean you?" Tom asked greatly puz- zled. "Just what I say," Judith answered. "He thought that the boat which had seized them, with her black flag and her many cannons, was in reality no proper pirate but a merchantman with painted ports and sham guns, who had cunningly attacked them while the light w r as too dim for them to detec* the imposition." "None the less was it a pirate," Tom declared, MENTION OF A STRANGE FLOWER unable to fit his mind to Judith's meaning. "It fired on them and marooned their crew." "Yes, yes," said the girl impatiently, "I 'm not denying that ; but for all that it seems to me a strange buccaneer who has no more than a mock- ery of force to back his threats." A knock on the door brought Judith to her feet to open it. Nan Homan, attended by her nurse, stood without, undismayed by Krumm the watch-dog, who was growling menacingly. "This is Nurse Kate," Nan indicated with her hand the substantial figure at her side, "but I know not your name." "I am Judith Van Taarl," the older girl smiled, acknowledging the respectful curtesy with which Nu'rse Kate favored her, after an appraising glance to determine whether her charge's new acquaintance was gentle or simple. "If Nurse Kate will go into the kitchen, Metje will soon have ready some tea, which I hope you will share with us." "Another time," said Nan, "I would like it, if I may come again. Now my mother begs that you will wait upon her. She longs to thank you for the care you took of me on Saturday." 47 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "But I thought that was to be a secret between us," Judith said, rather surprised to find that the story had been told. "So it was," Nan nodded. "You see, mother was away in the Jerseys and I forgot her. It was of Katie I was thinking chiefly. I might have known I could not keep aught secret from my mother. And now she is home with a sprained ankle and, as she cannot come to you, she begs that you will visit her." This was a request that could hardly be re- fused, and Judith, with an apology to Tom, ran upstairs to make ready. Nan had elected to await her out of doors and there Judith found the child with an arm about the neck of the great watch-dog. Metje, who had hurried to make friends with Katie, pointed to them at once. "Never have I seen the like!" she declared. "The beast is so savage that I fear to so much as feed him. I go in trembling of his great jaws, yet look at him now. I vow he hath a smile on his silly face and appeareth as if he would like to purr." MENTION OF A STRANGE FLOWER Nan laughed outright at the aptness of this description, and when the child laughed the brightness of her smile irradiated her counte- nance like sunlight. "He plays with you. It is his jest to frighten you the more because he feels that you are afraid. I fear him not and so he loveth me. Give me your paw, sir, in token of friendship." Almost sheepishly Krumm lifted his heavy paw as he was bidden and put it in the small hand outstretched to receive it. "Now we are friends," said Nan, "and I shall come often to see you. We will have many romps together. I like you better than I do my mother's spaniel dogs, who are empty-headed and vain. All they care for is to be brushed, curled and perfumed. They are fops like his Excel- lency, Lieutenant-Governor Nanfan." "Missy," cried Nurse Kate chidingly, have a care. 'T is an ill thing to speak of those in power without due thought." "My words were measured," Nan returned, "and there was no offense in them, for his Excellency liketh to be known as an exquisite." 49 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "None the less," her nurse urged, looking this way and that, " 't is important that we give no offense to the authorities." "Enough ! Enough !" cried Nan, the care-free joy gone from her face. "I will order my tongue. You need say no more." Her moment of childish forget fulness was over and she turned from Krumm without a part- ing caress; but he would not have it so and followed her to the end of his tether, gently lick- ing her hand with his rough tongue, so that at the last her heart softened and once more, im- petuously, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed the top of his great head. "Were you mine I would have you sleep at the foot of my bed and never, never leave me," she said in farewell. Then, turning to Judith, she asked, "why do you keep him tethered? When one is held on a leash one is always sad." The words were spoken as if she too felt herself in bonds. Judith, anxious to bring back the smiles to the child's face, answered her lightly. "You see, Krumm and I have never been on intimate terms. We respect each other but I 50 MENTION OF A STRANGE FLOWER have yet to cultivate his better acquaintance. I 'm not quite sure that he would like it if I whispered little love words in his ear." Nan stopped and looked at her keenly, then she smiled her radiant smile. "He would like it," she said. "I can tell you that," and she slipped her hand within Judith's arm. "Who would like what?" Tom asked, coming hurriedly out of the house where he had lingered, looking at a model of the Great Mogul which hung from one of the rafters. "Any one would like to have Judith say them love words," Nan answered mischievously. She remembered the tall lad at once and naturally fancied him an old friend of Judith's. Tom started almost imperceptibly, then he laughed. " 'T is your intent to mystify me," he declared. "That it is," said Judith, blushing a little. "We spoke only of Krumm, the great hound my father brought out of Denmark. Nan has won his regard and thinks I might do the same." "It would be worth the doing," young Lane told her. "Those dogs make faithful friends THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE and faithfuller enemies," he added, "for they never forget a wrong." "I see that it behooves me to court Krumm with soft sayings, pretty manners, and tasty tid- bits, and I shall set about it at once," Judith de- clared. Nan looked up at her to discover if she meant her words; then, with one of her sudden rever- sions to childishness, she threw her arms around the older girl and cried: "Now I am happy! I could not bear to see him so lonely, for Krumm is such a sweet puppy." This description of the great hound was droll enough, yet Judith looked over the top of Nan's head at Tom without a smile. Her affec- tion for the child was growing and she felt some- thing infinitely touching about her. A little later they reached their destination and Nan turned to Tom, her manner once again that of a woman grown. "My mother must keep to her room," she ex- plained. " 'T is my regret that I cannot ask you to join us in a dish of tea until she has recovered." "A regret which I share," Tom declared, tak- ing off his hat and making them a very grand 52 MENTION OF A STRANGE FLOWER bow, before sounding three portentous knocks with the knocker. "But I hope that the time of our next meeting may not be long deferred." 53 CHAPTER V AS the door closed upon them Nan gave three little skips. "I like him/' she announced positively. "He hath been well brought up. The way to his hat is no mystery to him. And now we will go at once to my mother, who cannot come to greet you, as her foot must not be touched to the floor." They ascended the stairs together and found Mrs. Homan in her bedchamber. Judith had no wish to pry into the affairs of the Homans', know- ing Daniel Homan to have been discredited with Fletcher as an active aid to pirates; but it was evident, even in this short passage through the house, that its owner was in affluent circum- stances. Below stairs the girl caught glimpses of many rich furnishings; but it was upstairs that she found a luxury such as she had never seen before. There was a dressing-table having 54 JUDITH IS CALLED A MISER a mirror with a silver frame, a dressing-box, from which gold and ivory instruments peeped forth, soft chairs covered with needlework, and a great bed whose silk-fringed hangings did not conceal the lady who, wrapped in silk, reposed on its down cushions with one foot on a pillow. "Come in, my dear," she said cordially, as Judith paused on the theshold, "I could not wait until this hurt was healed to thank you for your care of Nan." Impatiently she twitched aside her flowered bed-gown to show her swollen ankle. "My poppet, draw up a chair for your friend; then tell them below stairs to set out the tea-board and bring it here. You shall play housewife and serve us as though you were a daughter grown instead of such a baby thing. The ordering of everything is in your hands." She handed Nan her silver chatelaine and keys; but said no more until she heard the child's light step upon the stair, when she turned to her visitor feverishly. " 'T was good of you to come. Had you been English I should not have asked it, for Lord Bellomont is quick to visit his displeasure on any who seem friendly to Fletcher's friends. Yet I 55 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE must hear of Nan's adventure. I have sent my sons out of the province that their father's con- nection with our late governor be not a clog about their feet, but can it be that I may not even keep my baby at my side?" "No, no!" said Judith. "This was not a movement against Nan," and she quickly re- counted all she knew of the matter. " 'T is better than I feared," Mrs. Roman said, "yet I find myself in a cleft stick. If I lodge a complaint these baser-born children will watch their chance to even the matter with her. If, on the contrary, naught is said, they will think she lacketh a defender." "Can you not teach her at home?" Judith asked. "I was so taught." "I have neither the learning nor the patience," Mrs. Homan answered. "But you might find a tutor," Judith suggested. "My master hath gone back to Patria, else he would serve your turn." "Nan is such a tender babe. I would that we could find her a learned governess," the mother said. "No price would stay me." "It might be possible " Judith hesitated at 56 JUDITH IS CALLED A MISER a loss to express the idea that had suddenly come to her. Then she began afresh. "An you would care to have me direct her studies until such time as you find some one better qualified, I will gladly instruct her for certain hours each day. Ready money will be very welcome to me." In her astonishment Mistress Homan sat up- right. "But I thought " she began. "Are you not ?" She came to a second stop. "Yes," said Judith, "I am Judith Van Taarl, whom you have doubtless heard spoken of as a great heiress. But my possessions are in goods, not gold, and I do not wish to be hastened by need to sell aught below my price. Nor do I wish to go a-borrowing, lest the Lords Orphan Masters question their wisdom in leaving me to my own direction." Mrs. Homan, managing to conceal her puzzle- ment that a girl of Judith's standing should find herself in need of money, gratefully accepted the offer ; and on Nan's arrival, escorting Kate and the tea-board, there was great rejoicing over the news. Judith -went home that afternoon counting her- 57 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE self lucky to have won both friends and lucrative employment. She knew now that she had been lonely and meant to be so no more. The sight of Krumm's house reminded her of the hound. Might it not be that his disposition seemed crabbed because he was lonely too ? "Krumm," she called, "come forth, sir!" Obediently the great beast scrambled out of his door, and for a moment she knew not what to do. Indeed she grew embarrassed as if she had begun a conversation which she had no idea how to con- tinue. Then, half timidly, not because she was afraid but because to offer a caress was new to her, she put out her hand and patted his smootri head. Krumm wagged a heavy tail politely ; then of a sudden something melted within her and Judith threw her arms around his neck as she had seen Nan do, while the dog wriggled with delight. "O Krumm," she said, "we will be friends, won't we ?" A month more of the winter had gone by and Judith had become quite accustomed to teaching Nan, when, returning one day from tea with 58 JUDITH IS CALLED A MISER Mistress Homan, she found a number of girls, members of the Company to which she had be- longed since her earliest childhood, seated in the voorhuis awaiting her. "Metje told us that you had been invited out for your stuk" Geertruy Dircksen remarked. "I hope she offered you something to eat, not- withstanding that," Judith said, mindful of the Dutch tradition of hospitality. "She did," Lysbet Elsenwaert assured her, "but we had eaten ere we came." "We were glad to know that you were visiting," Blandina Jaspyn suggested. "We took it to mean that your period of mourning was over." " 'T is time it was !" Geertruy Dircksen spoke energetically and emphatically. "If a widow may marry in six months without shame " "It has naught to do with me how soon a widow may remarry," Judith said, a faint hostility in her tone. "I am little minded yet for gaiety." "Yet you went a-visiting to-day," Blandina hinted. "I went to see an older woman with a hurt foot," Judith explained impatiently. "Oh, wae" sighed Marya Jaspyn, Blandina's 59 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE younger sister, who had not spoken before. "We had been hoping that you were done with sadness and would be ready to give us a party to mark your return to our company of playmates." "This house was clearly made for dancing parties after the new English fashion," declared Blandina eagerly. "Never could there be a finer floor than your great chamber boasts," Geertruy said, a trifle enviously. "Were it mine without elders or overseers to hinder me, I would engage the new French dancing-master, who has but recently come to the city, to teach our Company here once a -week." Judith's cheeks reddened with annoyance at this broad hint. It was easy for her to imagine how the girls had let their tongues run on and their hopes rise while they sat waiting for her return. "I 'm sorry that you have not a room like it," she remarked, trying to hide her irritation. "You you could lend us this," Blandina sug- gested hopefully. "If you did n't care to meet the whole expense of the teacher " 60 JUDITH IS CALLED A MISER "Which, in your own house, we thought you might prefer," Marya put in. "Each one of the company who joined the lessons would gladly pay a part," Geertruy and Blandina said almost in one breath. "There can be no such meetings here," Judith stated positively. "I am surprised that you should expect it." "And pray, why not?" Geertruy asked. "What is the good of your freedom from govern- ment if you do not mean to use it?" "I do mean to use it, in such a way as to prove that it was not a mistake to trust me with it," Judith said. "Think well of what you are sug- gesting. I am quite sure your mothers would never let you come to parties for dancing here, where there is no older huisvrouw to keep watch over us. Well you know how the Dominie Selyns would look upon such a plan." "In truth I had not thought of begging our reverend pastor to join our company," Blandina said saucily. "Seriously, Judith," it was Lysbet who spoke, "I do not believe our mothers would object, so 61 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE long as we did not go outside of our own Company for guests. We have always played together. It is no secret that our Tonis and Geertruy were promised in their cradles, while Blandina and Joost Varrevanger are almost " "Leave Joost and me out of it," Blandina inter- posed airily, " 't will be time enough to tie our names together when I have untied his marriage knot." This was a reference to the usual present from a suitor, of money tied in a handkerchief embroidered with an appropriate motto. If the girl untied the knot it signified acceptance, and Blandina's show of spirit raised a little laugh. "She 's bold enough w r hen Joost is not near," Marya hinted. "An she cares so little for Joost, she will not mind hearing that he was seen footing to it to the Locust Trees with that pretty English miss, Audrey Lane," Geertruy said teasingly. "He may walk with whom he chooses," Blan- dina declared, tossing her head, but coloring finely at the same time. "The Klaver Waytie and the Maagde Paetje are alike open to him." These places were all resorts of sweethearts, and it was evident that Blandina was seriously 62 hurt at the idea of Joost's defection, try as she might to hide it. Even her sister Marya, pink and white as an apple-blossom but selfish and more than a little stupid, saw this and thought to comfort, her by berating Joost. "I Ve small liking for the English, have you, Judith?" -Then without waiting for an answer she went on. "Their ways are not our ways. Dutch lads should keep to Dutch girls. Why do we go in Companies together if we are to see our- selves supplanted by Englishy strangers ? There is a gallant prospect from the Locust Trees, but Joost should think shame of himself " "Be silent, Marya." 'Blandina, having had time to recover from her surprise, spoke now with unlooked-for dignity. "Joost and I are not promised. He is quite free to go where he will. I would be the last to wish to hinder his friend- ships. As for the English, we have invited none to join our Company. It might be better if we had." "What mean you by that?" asked Geertruy, surprised. "Just what I say," Blandina replied. "We are 63 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE too Dutch. There is scarce another Company which has no English members. There are things we might learn from the Islanders." A storm of protest broke out at this. Blandina waited till it had expended itself, then went on as if no one had spoken. "Indeed I meant what I said. 'T is all very well for those like our parents, who have known Patria, to cling to thoughts of another 'happy revolution,' or some such fortunate happening, to throw them back into the arms of the Neder- landts. But what are all their politics to us? We were born here. Here we shall live and die. The Lowlands and great England are alike names only to us. Therein lies the gist of the matter. We have a Dutch king, but English rulers. We may call ourselves Dutch and talk Dutch; but how long can that last when the very schools must teach in English? And, if we stir abroad, it is upon English officials we must depend." "There is truth in what you say," Judith agreed, while the other girls sat wondering how their talk had traveled away from the pleasant subject of dancing to this uninteresting topic, JUDITH IS CALLED A MISER fit for discussion between bearded men, not gay girls. "What think you we should do?" "We should be satisfied to be English or we should go elsewhere to live." "Satisfied to be English !" Geertruy cried indig- nantly. "Never! Never! Orange boven!" "You may say 'Orange over all' as often as you please, but it won't alter the fact that Patria does n't want us enough to fight for us. English we are, and English we '11 stay." "What then is your idea of what we should do?" Lysbet spoke almost timidly. "Surely 't is too late to ask new members into our Company. They would feel out of place among such old friends." "It would be for us to make them feel at home. At our next meeting I shall propose that Audrey Lane be invited to join us. She and her brother have but lately come from Europe, and, if they have not attached themselves elsewhere, we might persuade them. I look to you to uphold me." "She and her brother!" Geertruy said jeer- ingly. "Oh, ho ! That explains why you took it 65 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE so lightly that Joost walked with her to the Lo- cust Trees; for I judge the handsome jonchere who accompanied them was this brother you speak of." "Geertruy, you are too bad," Judith said, to cover Blandina's relief at the news that Joost and the pretty stranger had not gone unattended. "I think you love mischief for its own sake." " 'T is amusing to see how people will take things," Geertruy acknowledged. "To make up to you, Blandina, for my jesting, I too will ask that these English join our Company." "But, to return to our first subject," Marya put in anxiously, "will you not think better of it, Ju- dith, and let us meet here for dancing and games?" "I cannot," Judith replied, and it was evident to the densest of her friends that this answer was final. "But you will soon join us once more?" Blan- dina asked affectionately. "The skating should be good again. We miss you, Judith." Judith pressed Blandina's hand, yet at the same time shook her head in the negative. "I fear I cannot," she said. "Now that I am 66 JUDITH IS CALLED A MISER my own mistress I am also my own taskmaster. I must drive myself to forget that I am a young girl and must learn to think and work like a man." "What is the use of great possessions if they are to make your life one long slavery?" cried Lysbet aghast. "Will you never amuse yourself again, Judith?" asked Marya, her eyes Wide with as- tonishment. "At least say that you -will go with us in the spring after the wild strawberries when they ripen. None of our Company have ever been absent from the festival, and this year we are to have fine new baskets and the prettiest, gayest ribbons ever I saw." "Do say you will go, Judith," the other girls chorused, and Judith relented. Into her mind had come a picture of windy clouds overhead, sunny fields embroidered thickly with flowers, and the scent of wild strawberries in the air. It would be very pleasant to be of the party if Tom Lane and his pretty sister were there too. "I do not pfomise," she said, "only I '11 see what can be done." "Then we '11 buy a basket for you," Geertruy said. "The wilden have brought one in to order 67 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE from. An you see it, you '11 never have the heart to keep it unused." "No, no!" Judith cried anxiously, "lay not up such expense for me. My old basket is sound and good. If I go at all it must serve me." The girls stared at her, quite astonished. "But you will not look like one of our Company if you carry a different basket," Marya protested, "and truly the ribbons are to be sweetly pretty." "That cannot be helped," Judith said ob- stinately, cutting her short. "If I go at all, and it by no .means certain that I can, my basket will serve every purpose. Of course if you would rather I did not come with an old basket I can stay at home." "Nonsense!" Blandina protested, "Come as you will, so that you come. We cannot do without you." "It is still a long way off," Judith murmured, beginning to draw back a little in her secret thoughts from the idea of the festival. "Nay, now, we '11 hear no more," said Geertruy in her bluff way. "You 've said you '11 come and we mean to hold you to it, so do not begin to hunt for excuses so early. Make haste, juffrouwen. 68 JUDITH IS CALLED A MISER We must take our leave, nor hinder longer this woman of affairs." With considerable chattering to hide a certain constraint that had arisen, the young girls finally departed and Judith went at once into her father's office to take up her study of his bdoks "and papers. The two Jaspyns passing that side of the house on their homeward way, Blandina saw her through the window-bars and waved to her. "Whom are you saluting?" Marya asked, looking to right and left. "Only Judith," Blandina answered, "but she saw me not. Already she had opened a great ledger on her father's desk and was doubtless deep in figures." "I used to think it would be a wondrous thing to awaken some morning and hear that I had been left a great fortune," Marya said, "but now that I see what it hath done to Judith I am not so sure." "What then hath it done to Judith?" Blandina demanded, bristling, for Judith was her chosen friend. "Oh," said Marya in injured tones, "I know 69 ' THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE well that I am only your sister, and must be very careful what I say of your friend; but even you must admit that wealth hath greatly changed her." "I think we did wrong to so insist that she should fill her house with dancing and gaiety be- fore she herself felt ready," Blandina said. I should not have suggested it in an ordinary case, but her father scarce seemed to know that Judith lived. I Ve sat at table with them when he said no word save the grace." "Then why should she grieve that he is no more?" asked Marya not unreasonably. "Does she grieve at his loss or perchance does she grieve because she does not grieve more." "Oh, ivae!" cried Marya, "if you must ask riddles ask gayer ones. As for instance why Judith balked at buying a new basket?" "That was strange," Blandina admitted. "I can only think that you dwelt too much on the gay ribbons, so that she felt that she would seem heartless if she went so tricked out." "Of course it would be my fault!" Marya re- torted. "You would be sure to make it out that I had injured her tender sensibilities; but if you 70 JUDITH IS CALLED A MISER ask me, that is not why she did not want the basket." "What then was her reason?" Blandina turned and looked at her sister with some surprise. Marya was dull and slow, not apt to push for- ward her opinions; but now she spoke as one with a secret to reveal. "I have thought it all out," she said impor- tantly. "Like father like child." She returned Blandina's gaze as if she expected her to be as- tounded at this weighty news. "What then?" Blandina asked irritably. "For I imagine you think you mean something." "Oh, wae!" cried Marya, "never do you credit me 'with any understanding. What I mean is so- clear to me that I thought one word would set your clever wits on the track." Blandina said nothing, and the younger sister went on in a complaining tone. "Even you grant that the Here Van Taarl was a peculiar man. Known to be rich, he never seemed to find enjoyment in his 'riches. He had no bouwerie, no place on the shore of Nassau Iseland. He bought nothing new or rich for their house. It, and all that is in it of value, 71 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE came down from her mother's parents, for Judith herself told me so." "What is your meaning?" asked Blandina, stopping short in her walk, "for I see now that you have a meaning." " 'T is this," returned Marya crossly, "if a man loves money, not for the good things that it will buy him but to hoard and keep it for itself, we call him a miser. The Here Van Taarl, to my thinking, was a miser; and now that she hath money of her own, quantities of money, more than we could count, and refuseth to spend so much of it as would buy her her basket and ribbons for the strawberry festival, I think Judith is like to him. That's what I meant when I said, 'like father like child.' Judith Van Taarl is a miser too." CHAPTER VI IN WHICH A BARGAIN IS STRUCK AND A TOKEN GIVEN MEANWHILE, at her father's desk, Judith was arriving at a clear understanding of her position as his heiress. When the light failed she lit a whale-oil lamp and toiled on, regardless of the shadows that used to send her twittering to Metje when she was younger. Thus she had worked each evening almost since the day of the Here Van Taarl's death, but now she was reaching the end of her labors and it was plain to her that the commands set upon her were like to be a net about her feet. At nine o'clock Metje came to call her to supper, which they took together, Metje being careful to keep her own place toward the foot of the table. The first course was prunes, stewed with barley and spices. This was followed by the remains 73 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE of the fish which they had had for their dinner at eleven, reheated now in a tasty sauce of Metje's concocting. When this was removed she set nuts and raisins on the table. "There are no more almonds," she explained. "You were away or busy all day, so I did not trouble you to buy them. You will have only kiskitomas nuts to-night." Judith's face had clouded as the meal pro- gressed. Now, after a little hesitation, she spoke what was in her mind. "I like well these hickory-nuts which we gather ourselves," she said. "I shall buy no more al- monds which are very costly. Moreover, while there was a man in the house whose great frame called for strong nourishment, such heavy suppers were needful; but for two females they are gluttonous, and lead only to restless sleep and nightmares. From now on let our supper be of bread and cheese. That should suffice." Metje's face showed her aversion to this plan most clearly. "Nay now, meisje" she said, coaxingly, "none can accuse you of gluttony. You but pick a little here and there as if you were a bird. And, as for 74 IN WHICH A BARGAIN IS STRUCK me, if I am to labor in the garden like a man this spring, surely will I feel the need of a man's food to sustain me." This last was a cunning argument. Metje held herself very clever to have thought of it. "When you work in the garden you will have salat to add to your cheese, if you want it," Judith replied; "but for the really hard work of spading and cultivating I shall employ a laborer now and then to help us." To herself she added, "His wage can come out of my money for teach- ing," but she did not say this aloud. "That at least is good news," Metje returned, "yet I like not signs of parsimony in the young. One so rich as you should set a rich table." " 'T is better still that I set a go'od example," said Judith, with the ghost of a smile. "Surely if the rich govern not their appetites 't is too much to expect those less well instructed to do so." " 'Tis useless for me to measure tongues with ye," said Metje, with some ill humor, "but I tell you plainly that I do not know you these days. You act as if you had lost a fortune, not inherited one." "With money come cares and responsibilities," 75 Judith rejoined. ''When the wealth was my father's, I never gave it a thought, being satisfied that he would speak his mind if we spent too lavishly. Now that I have no one to govern me, I must govern myself." "In truth," Metje said snappily, "it does not seem that you will need to chide yourself withal. As to your father, he was so preyed on by his sister-in-law's wastefulness that, once she was gone, my small accounts seemed to him miracu- lous." "You are a wonderful manager, Metje; that I know," Judith returned soothingly. "There is no better in all the settlements; so, for yourself, you shall have all that you crave. But for my part I shall henceforth eat naught but bread and cheese." "That indeed would be a pretty sight," Metje scoffed, not at all appeased. "Me, seated below the salt, feasting on delicacies ; while you, at the top of the table, live on prison fare. I think I see myself cooking crabs w r ith walnuts for Metje, medlars with sweet butter and green ginger for Metje, pasties for Metje " "Then save such dainties for feast-days," Judith laughed, "and now let us hasten to wash up or it will be ten o'clock and the clearing clock will ring ere we are ready for bed." Fortunately for all concerned, Metje had been greatly taken with Nan Homan and joyfully accepted her daily visits, glad of anything that drew Judith from poring over her father's ledgers and account-books. Once her own mistress, the girl had wasted no time in making arrangements to sell the contents of the storehouse. Vendue criers were engaged to cry the news through the town and Judith felt that when the sale was over she would be rid of considerable responsibility; for there were furs, woolens, 'and blankets among the goods, and the season was coming when moth would have to be guarded against if these were not disposed of. Nan and she were at lessons one morning when a click of the gate-latch and a furious rush by Krumm, who had been promoted to a position of trust and no longer was chained, brought both girls to the rescue of a visitor. This was a little man whose curled black beard and hair proclaimed him for the Jew he was. 77 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE He had been driven back against the gate by Krumm's onslaught and stood there dazed, hat in hand. " 'T is here the vendue is to be held?" he asked in a trembling voice, when the dog had been called off. "At the Sign of the Barrow and Bale?" For as was usual Van Taarl's place of business was known by the name of its sign rather than that of its owner. "Yes," Judith replied, "but the goods are not to be shown until the day before the sale." "A vendue is a game of chance for the seller as well as for the buyer," said the Portuguese. "Do you wish to try your luck?" "I wish only to be rid, at a fair price, of a busi- ness that I am not trained to conduct," Judith replied. "Then show me your goods. It may happen that I will buy." Judith hesitated, her glance taking in the threadbare coat -and faded hat of her visitor. Yet there was something kindly in the face of the little man that drew her to him in spite of herself. "The conditions of this sale are unusual," she faltered. "I cannot take beavers or sea want or 78 IN WHICH A BARGAIN IS STRUCK any commodity. I must have -coin in hand." "That even might be arranged," the Jew said, "though I am a poor man, according to my reck- oning." "Go you back to your work, Nan," Judith told the child. "Write the copy I set you, 'Industry rewardeth self/ twenty times. When that is finished Nurse Katy will be here to fetch you." Then she turned again to her visitor. "Pray follow me. I will show you the inventory and such of the goods as you desire to see and handle. All are warranted to be new, unused, and in the best of condition." The lightning rapidity with which the little man made himself master of the contents of the shop took Judith's breath away. "These were a good bargain," he said, finger- ing some rolls of lord's serge. They came by the Rose of Guelderland and your father gave no more than half what one must pay to-day in the open market." He made some figures on a tablet he carried. "These fire-irons are from England by the swift Sea-horse, and are in need of grease. The Bourse of Amsterdam, a lumber- ing ship, brought this velvet which is not quite 79 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE perfect so that it must go cheap under the hammer. You will find that the pile is unevenly shorn near the selvage." Judith examined and found the defect he had mentioned, although she had not observed it be- fore. "It is true that these goods came upon the ships you have named, but how knew you that? I did n't tell you." "There was no need," the man murmured in his beard. "Such things have faces for me. Once I see them I know them again. There is scarce one article in all this storehouse on which I cannot fix the price he paid and what the Here Van Taarl was ready to sell for." " 'T is marvelous," said Judith in honest ad- miration. "I asked my father was it his wish that I should keep the store, and I confess myself hurt that he did not hold me capable, yet now I see that he was wise and right. I have studied the books and the labels on each article, only to forget next day what I had so painfully acquired. To me, one piece of velvet differs from another only in color, yet I know that there are vastly different prices entered against them in the lists. 80 IN WHICH A BARGAIN IS STRUCK Must all who would prosper in trade have knowl- edge like to yours?" "There be others who have seeing eyes," the little man explained. "My brother Asser can tell the weight, the flaws, if any, and the true value of any jewel he hath once held in his hand. My cousin David is a judge of pictures, lacs and curios. I know only a little of such things, but in dealing with the ordinary goods I, Salvador Dacosta, can hold my own." He turned again to his work of appraisal, and Judith, watching him in amazement, observed how deft and gentle and how well-kept were his long, slim-fingered hands. These seemed to serve him as an extra pair of eyes, for if they but touched an object he was satisfied and entered a note of it on his tablets without once stopping to look further ; and in a surprisingly short time he professed himself satisfied. "Here are my figures," he said. "I show them to you freely. Salvador Dacosta is no robber of the orphan. In this column is what your father paid. In the other column is what he ex- pected to receive. Perchance at private sale, in a period of a year, you might realize so much 81 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE money; but your need of haste is more urgent than you know. I will give you a sum midway between the two figures, saving you the cost of the vendue and the sack that must flow to put people in a buying mood. That would be a great expense, so what say you?" "I know not what to say, save 'Thank you,' ' Judith faltered. Indeed the amount named was generous, more than she had dared count on from the auction; yet, even while she spoke, her heart misgave her lest in some way this strange Portu- guese was plotting to overreach her ; and the man read her thoughts and answered them with true dignity. "My child," he said, "your eyes are wells of truth that tell what passeth in your mind. With- out doubt I am a Jew, but I am an honest Jew. I have no need to take one stuyver that is not law- fully mine. Therefore I say to you that if you agree to accept my offer and trust me it is best you should I will pay you within the hour in gold, and will take from this house no piece of goods until you have placed the gold in the safe- keeping of some true man of this town Mijn- here van Cortlandt or some one else of solid 82 IN WHICH A BARGAIN IS STRUCK worth and he has declared that you may rest satisfied." "Forgive me that I distrusted you," Judith said impulsively, not attempting to deny her guilt, "but in sooth I think it is not so much you I distrusted as myself. I see myself so unequal to the great task imposed upon me/' "You will be equal to your trust," Dacosta declared positively. "In the end you will pre- vail, for your motives are worthy of all praise. Now after this bargain there are two things I ask you to remember and one to forget." Judith looked her astonishment and the strange man went on. "First, remember that there are in this world two sorts of fools. One who pays too late and one who pays too soon. Let nothing tempt you to be one of the latter. Second, remember, should you need help, that this, sent to David Cohen at the City Tavern near the ferry, may avail some- thing." He picked out of a box on the shelf as he spoke a carved mother-of-pearl fish such as were commonly used as counters in many childish games. This he pressed into her hand. "And 83 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE lastly, and this mayhap is most important of all, forget for the present that you ever saw Salvador Dacosta or so much as heard his name." "But who shall I say bought this great stock?" Judith looked about her, bewildered. "The man who brings you the gold will give a name," he said carelessly, "for all you know I may be acting for another. And now, farewell. If you do not scorn a Jew's blessing it is yours, for the worth of a dutiful child is above rubies." The Portuguese threw open the shop door and passed out that way, without again going into the house, and thus it happened that Metje did not see him ; for she had gone a-marketing when he arrived, and with Metje the business of marketing was never entered upon lightly. Alone in the shop Judith looked about her almost regretfully. During her father's life- time she had rarely crossed its threshold. Since the responsibilities attendant upon her inheri- tance had rested heavy upon her shoulders she had spent many toilsome hours there and in the small office that opened off it, and she felt a sud- den and most unexpected pang at giving it up. She went into the office and, laying the carved IN WHICH A BARGAIN IS STRUCK fish in a tray with some dry and crumbling wa- fers, and mechanically turning over the hour- glass, she seated herself at the desk, staring at the shelf of books and packets of paper tied with green tape as if she had never before seen them. What did the strange Jew mean by the things he had said to her? Almost they sounded as if he knew what she believed buried in her own heart. Indeed he had hinted at a knowledge greater than hers, and that he had read her very thoughts in a way that seemed supernatural there was no denying. The familiar surroundings faded away. She no longer saw the rolls of tobacco, the shears and chopper, the string of bills, the painted money- chest with its carved legs, the basket of long Gouda pipes, the quills for pens, or the sand- shaker for drying the ink. Instead the face of the Jew was before her, and she seemed to hear his voice saying, "Your need of haste is more urgent than you know." How long she had been there she could not have said. It was Metje's insistent calling that brought her to herself. "I knew not where to look for you," the woman 85 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE said, -bustling in. "I thought it might be that you had walked out to fetch Nan again. There's a strange man at the kitchen door who demands speech with you. I shall not leave you alone with him. He is clearly mad; but if he seems dangerous forget not to call Krumm to defend us. I will purposely set the door ajar so that we can slip back within the house." "Nay, then," Judith protested, not a little startled, "what makes you think this poor creature is crazed? And if he is why must I talk with him?" "What else can I think?" Metje asked. "He hath two great bags which he swear's are full of gold and says he hath bought the whole store- house out from top shelf to floor. He vows that not so much as a reel of thread remains to you." "What name doth he give?" The girl was naturally curious on this point. "Smathers, the silly says he 's called, and he plans to take the goods by ship to the South River. For a minute he spoke so reasonable I almost thought him in his senses." "He is," said Judith, slipping down from the 86 IN WHICH A BARGAIN IS STRUCK high stool on which she was perched. "I wonder if he will help me carry the gold to the Here van Bursum's." CHAPTER VII IN WHICH MUCH GOLD CHANGETH HANDS JOB SMATHERS proved to be Salvador Dacosta's emissary, as Judith had guessed. "The money is here to the uttermost farthing," he said. "Even has it been sorted out in English gold to be the readier for your use. 'T is in bags of a hundred undipped pieces, and 't is my belief, so careful has been the count, that you will find not so much as one pistole, nor one doubloon, to give rise to a question. By your leave I will sit while you look it through." "Is .all that gold?" Metje asked, her eyes pop- ping. "Your very own? And yet you wish to eat naught but bread and cheese for supper?" "I have no intention of keeping the gold here," Judith explained to the man, ignoring Metje's complaint. "I purpose to leave it in the charge of the Here van Bursum if you will consent to carry it thither for me." 88 "Nay, miss/' Smathers returned, "I beg you to hold me excused. I am no bravo ready to die in defense of this fortune, which is yours and not mine, if you take my meaning. I Ve been followed on my way here by several naughty- looking fellows, and I am greatly relieved to complete my errand without ill hap. The gold now is yours. Count it or not as best suits you. My only remaining business with you is to get your signature to this satisfaction, when I will in good time begin the removal of the stores." "There 's no necessity to count the gold," Judith said hesitatingly. "I am well aware there is no intent to cheat me." "Not count the gold!" exclaimed Metje, scan- dalized. "A fine business woman, you. Give it to me, then. I '11 count it. Never before, nor in my lifetime again I dare swear, will I see such a lot of precious metal." She lifted the big bags that contained the smaller ones, with a grunt at their weight, and went inside with them. "Will naught persuade you to accompany me to the Here van Bursum's?" Judith asked. " 'T is but a short distance. I cannot think there is danger from foot-pads, but, on the other hand, 89 the bags are heavy and I could scarce manage them alone." "My errand is done," Smathers said, shaking his head with true English stubbornness. "I shall not tempt fortune a second time. Who can say that if we were set on and robbed I might not be accused of standing in with the robbers? 'You 've got your gold. 'T is for you to guard it now." Judith saw that nothing would move the man and gave over the attempt. But, if his tale was true and he had been followed to her house, she felt that it was no place to keep her money, nor did she like the idea of walking the streets with it unprotected. She slipped down the path to the gate, for once without a thought of her flowers. She was pon- dering in her mind where she could ask for help when she saw Nan, attended by her nurse, return- ing from her dinner. Here at least was a trusty messenger, and she hailed the child with even more than her usual delight. "I want you to go an errand for me," she explained at once, "yet I know not quite where 90 MUCH GOLD CHANGETH HANDS to send you. I need help." In a few words she explained the situation and Job Smather's fears. "Nay, then," said Kate shrewdly, "methinks this man is too anxious to establish his innocence before he hath been doubted. If you ask me, I believe he himself plans to recover the gold from your messenger." "I could send for some of my Company," Judith suggested, ignoring Kate's remark, her mind still intent on securing an escort for the money. "The Jaspyns, Wouter or Piet, or the Varrevangers ; but they are all scarce more than lads." "I have a friend." Nan spoke eagerly. "A man of mighty deeds. His name is Robin Marrow." Nurse Kate snorted. " 'T is a strong man and a doughty I 'll not deny, but scarce one " "I know what is in your mind to say," Nan turned upon her nurse, stamping her foot in a passion of indignation. "Were this treasure mine, I would entrust it to his sole keeping to prove how you misjudge him; but now my idea 91 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE is that another must be found to carry the bag, and I will instruct Robin that he is to guard this messenger with his life." Judith looked at Kate, who nodded her consent to this. "Robin will do naught to anger her" she acknowledged. "He is my brother, miss, and I live in fear of his backsliding. He was once a bloody pirate," she added in so low a tone that Nan at the gate, waving her kerchief frantically to some one she saw in the distance, did not over- hear her words. "Here comes the very one of all others best fitted to help us," the child cried complacently. " 'T is Tom Lane, earlier than is his wont." For in truth Tom had developed what might almost be called a habit of dropping in and interrupting the lesson at some time in the afternoon. "Oh," said Judith, "tell him nothing of this case, Nan. I have no claim on Master Lane such as one hath on the young men of her own Company. I could not ask him to run a risk on my account." "There will be no risk," Nan rejoined. "Robin is as good as ten men in a fight. He hath told 92 MUCH GOLD CHANGETH HANDS me so himself, in all modesty. I '11 bid him take care of Tom." "Will I then need taking care of ?" Tom's sharp ears had warned him that he was under discussion even before he had crossed the stepping-stones of the gutter. "What adventure are you embark- ing me on now?" The tale had to be told over again from the beginning, and for the moment Tom was young enough to be carried away with enthusiasm at the prospect of a tussle ; but, when Nan had gone with Nurse Kate to seek Robin, there was time for his English caution to cool his ardor. "Who is this Robin?" he asked, knitting his brows. "After all, this is -a serious trust. I must make sure that I am not carrying your fortune into deeper danger than it would be here in your father's strong box." "Robin is a pirate, a reformed one, I gather," Judith replied, "and in truth I like not the idea of rushing you into peril on my account. Some of the lads of my own Company " "In that case," Tom suggested jealously, "there is no reason for favoring others of them above me. My sister and I have joined your 93 Company even to-day. 'T is that I Ve come to tell you." Before Judith could reply suitably to this an- nouncement, Tom went on : "Yet am I not satisfied to run risks with your money. I must think of a. plan. But first let us be rid of this Job Smathers, as quickly as pos- sible." They went up the path together where, finding Smathers patiently waiting on the kitchen stoep, Judith called in to Metje to bid her hasten the count. "Seventy-seven, seventy-eight, speak not to me lest you put me out, seventy-nine, eighty " Metje's voice droned on. "Meisje, I have handled every guinea here. How many should there be ?" Judith, not wishing to publish her wealth abroad, ran into the house to return in a moment with a signed receipt. "Metje says the count is correct. Do you purpose removing the goods to-day?" "All that we can," Smathers answered briskly. "Then here is the key to the storehouse," Judith told him. "I '11 set the bars to the inner doors, and you will be free to come and go by the shop 94 MUCH GOLD CHANGETH HANDS entrance as you see fit. When all is removed, an you will hang the key on the hook near the door I will see to it that the place is properly closed once more ; but from now* on the goods are yours to care for." "And have you found a messenger to carry your gold?" Smathers inquired a trifle eagerly, looking Tom over the while. "You had the chance to be of service," Judith told him coldly. "You refused, and so are rid of all responsibility. I bid you good day." "There 's no hard feeling, missy," Smathers muttered as he folded the receipt and stuck it in his cap-band for safe-keeping; then he slouched down the path and out of the gate closely followed by Krumm, who was not content until he saw the man clear of the premises. "Krumm did not trust him," Judith declared, fondling the hound. "He never left him for a moment, not even to welcome Nan or you, whom he counts his friends." "I like the man no better," Tom said shortly. "Nurse Kate thinks that, having paid over the money, he now plans to seize it again," Judith suggested. 95 "A good stroke of business for a villain," Tom agreed. "So he would have both goods and gold. That confirms me in my plan. We must trick him, and this is what I propose. We will empty these bags and fill them again with some- thing sufficiently heavy to fool thieves and Nan's Robin as well. Then, if he should turn on me, he shall have the spoil after just enough of a fight to satisfy him, and the same with thieves. We will punish them a little and let them escape. They will not stop to examine their booty until they are safe from pursuit; meanwhile you can hide the gold here without risk, and later I will return for it." "That sounds like a wise plan." Metje already was looking hither and yon for things to fill the bags with. "I know what we need," cried Judith excitedly, entering into the spirit of the venture. "Those bags of leaden disks in the garret. Fetch them, Metje. I had meant to take them to the store- house but clean forgot them." "Better yet, I '11 carry the bags to the billets," Metje replied, "while you two hide away the gold. It can go on the steps in the chimney." 96 MUCH GOLD CHANGETH HANDS 'T is the first place any one would look," Judith said discontentedly. "Nay, the pickle- barrel is empty since last week. I '11 pack the gold in there." No sooner said than done, and when Metje returned with her burden she found the two young people going the round of the flower-beds as if nothing unusual were afoot. "Here," said Judith pointing, "is where all my hopes are centered. Scarce can I wait for spring to see their leaves come up. You know how much the Dutch love flowers and how they prize the tulip above all others ? Well, this is a tulip such as was never seen before. I hold it to be a sport, for it came up among these Semper Augustus- plants which it in no way resembles. Should these bulbs here come true I can sell them to one of the great growers in Holland for thousands of guilders." Tom looked at her in sudden surprise. Within the house was such a store of gold that it had be- come a danger, yet Judith was talking eagerly as if she coveted more. He had little time to ponder this thought when Nan hailed him from without the gate. 97 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "Here he is!" she cried triumphantly. "This is my friend Robin. He says he 's as ready as another for a little fun and will love the lad who leads him to it." "Heaven send 't is not the beginning of another unlawful outbreak," Nurse Kate murmured piously, Tolling her eyes toward the skies. "Robin is my brother, never will I deny him ; yet it would pleasure me greatly if he found joyance in gentler ways." "Thou wouldst have me take to lace-making and go bird's-nesting when I felt adventurous," Robin laughed as he swaggered through the gate. He was a broad man, and, being in his forties, seemed old to Tom ; but there was still a flash of white teeth under his black mustache and a glint of humor in his clear brown eyes. In one ear he wore a gold ring from w r hich a large emerald swung, and he was clad in a sleeveless blue jacket which showed his shirt-sleeves of white silk rolled above his elbows to free his powerful arms. Around his middle was a leathern apron, one end of which was tucked into a red silk belt having a rich gold clasp. Short breeches, fringed, over MUCH GOLD CHANGETH HANDS gray wool stockings and rosetted shoes of brown Spanish leather, -composed a costume sufficiently incongruous to have attracted attention anywhere except within the town of New Yorke. He was whittling at a great staff as he entered, his knife being a dagger with a gold-inlaid blade and a jeweled hilt. He wore no cap nor hat, and he knuckled his brow politely at sight of Judith. "Man of mischief though I be in my sister's eyes," he said, meeting the girl's appraising gaze freely and without embarrassment, "I will serve you fairly in this matter, were it only for my little friend's sake." As he spoke he 'had laid hold on Krumm and fondled him unthinkingly, and Judith's heart went out to him. This was not her idea of a bloody pirate. "I know you will," she said impulsively, while Nan danced for joy to see her friends so friendly. Tom also had suffered a change of heart at sight of Robin. Pirate this man might have been, but most assuredly he was not one to stick a dagger in a comrade's back. Now he determined to tell him all of the plan instead of half of it. 99 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE Robin heard him with a thoughtful brow and signified his approval with a great roar of laughter. " 'T is the strategy of a great soldier,'' he cried. "We could win through with the gold, but in doing so blood might be spilt and and I care not to call myself to the minds of the authorities." "I would not have you run into danger on my account," said Judith anxiously. Again Robin laughed. "In an affray of this kind, where there is no fear there is no danger." He sheathed his dagger and flourished his staff in his hand. "If you know aught of single-stick, sir, we '11 give these knaves a drubbing they will long remember." "Then think you we are right in our surmises?" "That there is a plan to take back the purchase money ? Aye, that I do ! 'T is too usual a strat- agem to be called in question. I could tell tales " He interrupted himself and went on. "The only puzzle is how we can make the capture of the gold plausible." Once more Robin knit his brow in troubled thought ; then his face cleared. "I have it ! You, sir, shall pretend a hurt and I will stand by to 100 MUCH GOLD CHANGETH HANDS guard you. And now let 's be off. For so long have I been tied by promises to my sister's apron that I can scarce wait for the fun that is before us." "First I must find a good stout stick," Tom suggested. "Master had staffs enow," Metje volunteered, and went within. She returned in a moment carrying also a long huik. "I too have had a thought in this matter," she said. "They expect to see our Meisje here carrying part of the gold. Would it not be well if you put this on and be- fooled them into thinking she was on the road with it?" Invitingly she held out the cloak to Tom, who was just young enough to dislike the thought of going tricked out as a maid and so shrank back with marked distaste. "Smathers will know me again," he said. "He looked me over well so that there should be no mistake." "I '11 wear it," Robin offered eagerly, with his great roar of laughter. "Faith, I 'm a thought large ; but I '11 go mincingly. See to it that you give me a polite hand in crossing the kennel." He pulled the hood over his head, hid his staff 101 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE in the folds of his mantle, and picked up one of the bags of metal. "This is so heavy it might be used as a weapon," he said, with a whistle. "But we must fight delicately in order to disable no one." "Go out by the back," Judith suggested, " 't is thus I would go were I wishful to be unobserved, and, if things are as we think, a watch will be set there beyond a doubt." "Moreover," Metje put in, a shade of trucu- lence in her tones, " 't is that way is the loneliest. Along the back of the garden you may have a peaceful fight without fear of interruption." "Spoken like a wench after my own heart!" Robin exclaimed, with a piercing glance at Metje, who reddened with embarrassment at his praise. "O Metje!" cried Nan, greatly enjoying Rdbin's masquerade, "you 're neglectful of your mistress. You should carry her burden to the gate, at least." "In sooth 't is over-heavy for my delicate strength." Robin tried to imitate a fine la,dy. "To the corner I think you should accompany me. I trust you have my smelling-salts at hand." "Go you into the house, Judith!" Nan ex- 1 02 MUCH GOLD CHANGETH HANDS claimed, dancing with excitement. "Should you be seen, there will be no deception as to who is hid by that huik." In a great bustle she and Nurse Kate escorted the adventurous party to the back gate and there bade them farewell. But Metje had not re- turned, and they had scarce reached the house, when a loud outcry warned them that the fray had begun. 103 CHAPTER VIII IN WHICH A BATTLE IS FOUGHT AND A VICTORY IS WON WITH the battle opened Judith saw no reason for hiding and ran with the others to the gate, where they heard the rattle of many stout blows ere the sound of the fray died out. Even then no one returned, and Judith's anxiety grew apace. "I shall go as far as the corner," she declared, "Metje and and the others may be killed for all I know. I cannot bear the suspense." Nan would have gone with her, but this Kate would not allow nor did Judith wish it, so she was prevailed on to wait on the promise that Judith would return at once with news. Alas, however, for human fraility! No sooner did the girl reach the corner than she too disappeared around it. Nan cast one indignant glance toward Nurse 104 IN WHICH A BATTLE IS FOUGHT Kate, resenting a restraint that was no longer imposed, for the worthy dame, tucking up her petticoats, had set off in pursuit of Judith. With a whoop of joy. Nan picked up her little skirts and ran too. Once the corner was rounded the disappointing fact became evident that the fight was over and a parley was toward. Tom Lane was stretched on the bank with Ju- dith bending over him. Metje was tightly holding something wrapped about in the huik, and Robin was facing two or three men and talking to them heatedly. "Sorry I am to say it, for ye be well-meaning yokels, I make no doubt; but spoil-sports ye be. Shame on ye ! The young gentleman and I had scarce warmed to our work ere ye nipped in on our side. Small hope then that the robbers would stand and take their punishment. The odds were too great and our plan working to perfection too!" "If 't was part of your plan to lose the gold, then 't was marvelous well done," one of the new- comers declared sarcastically, the while he nursed a hurt shin. "Your mate there tripped me, or I 105 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE would have had the man in the yellow cap who carried off one bag." "Give over your quarreling and see what I brought down with no better weapon than the Huik, which you would have left trailing in the mud of the gutter had I not run to rescue it," called Metje chidingly. But the men paid her no heed, and it was Nurse Kate who went to her aid. "What the Senhor will say I little like to think," another of the strangers muttered, mak- ing a sling of his neckerchief to support a bruised arm. "I know not your Senhor nor care what he thinks," Robin said stoutly, "but I am curious to know whence you had news of what we carried." "You scarce were so innocent as to suppose Job would be sent upon such an errand un- guarded," the first stranger explained impatiently. "We were told that our master's honor would not be satisfied until the gold was placed by the juffcr with some man of affairs. Till that was done we were responsible. But, finding Smathers had 1 06 IN WHICH A BATTLE IS FOUGHT sundry hired bravos conveniently near, we kept an eye on them as well." "Now I am glad," said Judith to nobody in particular, "although I ought to have had no doubt." "You may be glad, miss," the last of the strangers interrupted sourly, "but we can scarce be brought to rejoice with ye. I tell ye flatly 't is your own men you have to blame for this mishap. Are their reputations all they should be? For, look you, I dare swear that not one but both connived at the escape of the thieves, and I know not how I am to face my master with the news I have for him." "Well, then," said Metje, who with Nurse Kate's help had set up the bundle she held and now was unswathing its wrappings, "here's a present you may carry to him. Belike, whoever he is, he '11 have ways of rewarding an unfaith- ful servant." Blinking and gasping for breath for Metje, a fine figure of a woman, had thrown the huik over his head and then borne him to the ground by sheer weight, Job Smathers emerged from 107 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE the folds of cloth only to try again to take refuge in the concealment the cloak afforded when he recognized the men talking to Robin ; but he was too late. With exclamations of grim satisfaction they pounced upon him. "With this rascal in hand we '11 find the others. He can be made to peach!" one of them cried exultantly, and Judith felt it in her to be sorry for so sorry a knave when she heard his whimper- ing appeals for mercy as he fell on his knees be- fore her in the muddy roadway. "Who," asked Metje suddenly, "is on watch in my kitchen? Fine stewards are we. We may return to find ne'er a pickle left." "Krumm will be on guard," Nan said compla- cently. "He is faithfuller than we." But Metje's words had jogged their memories and they made ready in haste to return to the house, while Judith addressed the strangers. "You have had small thanks for the help you came to give," she said. ("Thanks indeed!" Robin snorted under his breath.) "But I am not unmindful of it and, if you will take a letter to your master for me, I can promise that you will find yourselves freed from blame." 108 IN WHICH A BATTLE IS FOUGHT Not very hopeful that her message would do aught for them, the men too went to the house and were regaled by Metje with ale and kookies and much talk; while Judith wrote her letter to Salvador Dacosta, explaining all. She sealed this with her father's signet, pressed down on the hot wax; but Dacosta had enjoined that she for- get his name so there was no superscription. Thus she handed it to his men, and noted that they were in no way surprised at the lack of address, but rather that she seemed to rise in their estimation as one who, having been entrusted with a secret, knew how to guard it. "This shall reach its destination, missy, be sure of that," was all they said on taking leave. They carried with them their miserable prisoner, cringing and protesting at every step; but, once they were gone, it was hard to believe in their very existence, so fantastic did their entrance into the affair seem. Indeed, the others could scarce control their laughter till the men were out of hearing. "Robin would have me squire him over the stones like the pretty lady he pretended to be," Tom at last began their tale, "and 't was when he 109 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE was enjoying some extra airs and graces that the thieves descended upon us." "It took me a minute to strip off that huik" Robin interpolated, "while one great hairy man, who scared gentle me a'most to death, tugged at my bag of gold. So frighted was he when he saw my pretty face come out from the hood that he went over backward into the muck in the kennel. A moment later he was up and made off" "Helped by a good thwack from Rabin's staff," Tom interrupted. "Glad I was to see the wretch go, for he took one bag of metal with him." "There were seven men left," Robin went on, "and I looked for a right merry meeting. It would have done me good, for I lack exercise sorely; but along must come those spoil-sports shouting 'A rescue! A rescue!' to ruin the fun." "Now then," said Judith, "I do not understand your figures. Surely you said the odds were against the thieves, yet they were seven, the res- cuers three, which with you and Master Lane makes five to us " "Od zounds!" Robin explained, "count the others as you -will, but Master Lane and I could no IN WHICH A BATTLE IS FOUGHT not in justice rate ourselves at evens against such scum ! I had thought to fight with one hand held behind me in the way of sport." "Men are men and numbers are numbers," Judith began. But Nan interrupted, looking at Robin with adoring eyes. "Nay, I know what Robin means," she said. "Krumm is a dog and so are my mother's sickly spaniels that must sit on a 'ladies' darling' apiece to keep warm, even though my mother and I, lacking foot-stoves, go with cold feet. Think you it would be fair to rate Krumm at evens with such? So it is with men." "It still remains to take your pickles to market," Tom remarked jocularly, when Nan's explanation had been approved. "And I can tell you how to do it," Kate said. "Here comes the boy with water from the Tea-^water Pump. Hire him to drive the keg in his dog-wagon to the Here van Bursum's count- ing-house. Robin and Master Lane can walk on the other side of the kennel, and no one will know that they guard aught of worth." "Judith and I will go too, to see the sport," Nan in THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE suggested hopefully, but Judith made short work of that idea. "Judith and you will sit in the office to work at a little Latin that hath been neglected of late," she said sternly, motioning Nan to enter. "I '11 return with Here van Bursum's receipt," Tom called, in haste. "Oh!" Judith stayed her steps. "Is that nec- essary ? Can you not keep it for me till another day ? Surely am I making you lose too much time from your father's business." Tom laughed a little dryly at this suggestion. "I 'm none so anxious to prove zealous and effi- cient in that business," he confessed. "If I do too well, there is danger that I may never be let go back to my studies. Whereas should my father make up his mind that I am not useful to him in his large affairs, he may ship me off to Europe where my heart is." "If that is your wish, I hope you may get it," Judith told him steadily. "I see Metje has come to terms with the dog-boy, and as you are in no haste, 't is in my mind that I shall set seals upon that keg ; thus the Here van Bursum will not need 112 IN WHICH A BATTLE IS FOUGHT to know what it contains in money, nor will he be troubled to count it as otherwise I am sure he would think he must." She withdrew suddenly into the house, to all seeming intent upon this errand, and soon after- ward Robin came out, rolling the pickle-barrel. 'T is good your dog-wagon is a stout one," he remarked to the boy, "for this rum, if rum it be, hath a body to it to turn men's heads." With an effort he landed it in the cart, winking at Tom to note the humor of his deception. The dog-boy looked Robin over. "Your rum, if rum it be" he said, "is laced, I make no doubt, with richer goods. But let's be off. 'T is naught to me or my team if we carry water from the Tea-water Pump or pirate's treasure. We earn but our just fees." And, in imitation of Robin, he winked at Tom most vil- lainously. Far from being angered at this, Robin roared with laughter and tweaked the boy's ear good- naturedly. "Almost thou mindest me of myself at thy age," he declared. "See that thou leadest as THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE sweet and gentle a life, so that when thou readiest my years thou wilt be, as I am, a squire of dames and toy-maker to children." "Well, let's be off," Tom said wth a swift glance tow r ard the house, to make sure that Judith and Nan were not returning to wish them God- speed. "Think you we need our staffs ?" he asked Robin in an undertone. "I 've little hope that we will," Robin replied. "There 's no such luck comes my way as two lawful turn-ups in one day. We '11 take them, none the less, for there 's the chance that our res- cuers may not have been the fools they seemed and may by now suspect that we would have been less ready to be rid of our burdens had they contained aught of value." "You don't fancy they would turn on us?" Tom asked, astonished at such a suggestion. "Nay, then," said Robin shrugging his shoulders, "I say no such thing, for I have small expectation of it; but there is a chance that one or t'other among them might like to try a bout with us for the sport of it, if naught more. -There was but enough of that little fray just now to whet the appetite." And, hoping against hope 114 IN WHICH A BATTLE IS FOUGHT that they might meet with some new adventure, they set out for Here van Bursum's. Within the house Nurse Kate was at her knit- ting and Metje at her wheel, while Judith and Nan labored over lessons on which it was very hard to fix their minds after the recent stirring events. "Why did you run to Tom, Judith ?" Nan asked suddenly. "I had no alarm for him. Did you forget that it was ffart of the plan that he should feign a wound?" The older girl colored faintly. "I saw Metje, busied as I thought in gathering my cloak from the kennel, so I knew that I need fear naught for her ; but he, Master Lane " "You called him Tom yesterday," Nan re- minded her. "To be sure," said Judith, rallying her forces. "Why not? He is a member now of my own Company. Tom lay there with no one looking after him, so still that I fancied his hurt was real. Common humanity caused me to go to his assistance. I thought he had come by his injury in my service, and there is no way for me to re- pay him. Now as to Robin, Nan, I should give him a gold piece, should I not ?" THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "No, no!" cried Nan indignantly, "you must not wound him so. Robin fights not for hire but for friendship. He will value your thanks more than aught else you can bestow. I know that he hath no need of gold, nor would he accept it." "Then will I thank him right heartily," Judith declared. "Come, we will give over lessons for to-day. Neither of us is in the mood for them." "Let us go into the garden," Nan suggested eagerly; "there we can first see Robin returning." But when the two came they were disconsolate. Nothing at all had happened. The precious keg had been delivered to Here van Bursum at his counting-house where he made himself respon- sible for its safe keeping. Tom gave Judith the receipt. It was all very flat and uninteresting, and Robin was plunged into melancholy over what might have been but was not. "What I should have done was to have stretched those meddling rescuers!" he exclaimed as if at a sudden discovery. "Then would I have had time to play with the foot-pads as I saw fit." "Robin, Robin," cried Kate in chiding tones, 116 IN WHICH A BATTLE IS FOUGHT "against my wish our little lady exposed you to this danger. Seize hold on yourself or you will backslide. I know you will." Robin finding naught to say for himself, a de- fender appeared for him in the person of Metje. "Give over harrying the man," she said. "Fighting is man's meat. Wouldst make a milk- sop of thy brother ?" She and Nurse Kate, usu- ally the best of friends, now faced each other looking like two fat hens with ruffled feathers, and Judith hastened to interpose to save hard words between them. "Indeed the responsibility is all mine," she de- clared. "It was in my defense Robin acted and I cannot thank him enough for his help." She gave him her hand prettily, whereat Robin red- dened like a blushing maiden but looked vastly pleased withal. Shortly thereafter Nan started home, taking the brother and sister with her, but Tom still lingered. He had little to say seemingly, and at last Judith broke a rather oppressive silence to ask openly what he stayed for if he were not minded for conversation. 117 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "I waited to be thanked as sweetly as was Robin," he declared, with an attempt at lightness which Judith parried readily. "You know you have my gratitude," she told him. "I also waited to ask " he began; then stopped at a loss for words. "Nothing!" he ended and flung out of the gate and away, throwing back over his shoulder the words : "I leave town to- morrow on my father's business." 118 CHAPTER IX IN WHICH A NOBLE DAME SEEKS SYMPATHY AND AID JUDITH, somewhat astray in her mind for the explanation of Tom's brusqueness, went within to pick up certain fag ends of womanish work which had been sadly neglected while she was about the task of closing out her father's busi- ness ; but she had hardly started when she heard the rolling of a coach, and a liveried footman, closely escorted by Krumm, who sniffed suspi- ciously at his silken elegancy, ran up the walk to knock a thundering roll upon the door. "Save us," cried Metje, " 't is no other than the Governor's lady! Think you she means to visit here or hath she gone astray?" "My heart misgives me that she means to honor me," Judith said. "An we do not answer, most like she will drive away and forget us," Metje suggested. 119 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "Go to the door and speak to the lackey," Ju- dith commanded, with a foot on the stair. "I will smooth my hair and be ready to meet the lady as she enters. She would but come again another time." Lady Bellomont, a lackey standing obsequiously at either side of the open gate, came up the path in haste and entered with a considerable show of excitement, Judith, in accordance with Dutch etiquette, giving her greeting at the thresh- old. "What's this, I hear? What's this?" the noble lady demanded, scarce troubling to notice the young girl's salutation. "I pray your ladyship will enter the great chamber and be seated," Judith said, for her visi- tor was sweeping from end to end of the voorhuis with her robe flying, till the patterns Metje had sanded there were scattered, and the sand was laid in swaths along the floor. "Why do you not answer me, miss?" Lady Bellomont rapped out. "Adzooks ! Am I never to have a straight answer to a plain question?" "In truth, Lady Bellomont, I know not what 120 A NOBLE DAME SEEKS SYMPATHY it is you wish to know," Judith replied, with a dig- nity unusual in so young a girl, "but there is naught I have any interest in concealing; there- fore you may rest assured that I will answer to the best of my ability whatever it may please you to ask." This assurance seemed to calm Lady Bello- mont, for she drew out a chair from the table and seated herself. "Here then is the case," she said. " 'T is a well-known fact that Captain Giles Shelley, the buccaneer, hid on our shores a vast treasure that hath never been recovered. To-day the boy from the Tea-water pump drove his dogs through the town, boasting at every door that he had carried a pirate treasure from this house." "The boy lied," Judith said shortly. "Say not so!" Lady Bellomont's pretty face darkened. "I want not to lose my good opinion of you. There were many who saw the man who guarded it. A burly ruffian with a jeweled earring." "True enough," Judith agreed, and "true it was that that man was engaged in guarding a 121 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE treasure, but it was no fabulous pirate hoard. Only the sum of money paid me for the goods in my father's storehouse." "Eh, then," interrupted Lady Bellomont, quick to seize on any hope of profit, "how much was that? Surely there are death dues and charges against it for the state that should be given over into the hands of my lord." "Rest assured that whatever is lawful will be dispensed by the Here van Bursum to whose good offices it was consigned," Judith said steadily. At this her ladyship was at small pains to conceal her annoyance, and jumped to her feet to resume her nervous walk up and down the voorhuis. "Perchance," she said at last, hope springing again in her breast, "this treasure you speak of is not the one the lad meant." "But it was, your Excellency," Judith declared. "There was no other, I 'm sure; for scarce would the boy be hired to carry two such loads in one day. He but invented a likely tale of pirates, or believed it himself, perchance." "A pox on him ! He should be whipped for a 122 A NOBLE DAME SEEKS SYMPATHY little liar/' said her ladyship hotly; then once more her temper seemed to cool and she resumed her seat at the table. "Hast never been beyond this province?" she asked. Judith shook her head. "I die for London," her visitor murmured. "My lord is so busied with his office, and so bitter in his war against the Madagascar trade, that he hath estranged all the gentles, leaving me friend- less and alone. It was my purpose, had there been a treasure, to demand a share in it for the finder's protection. With money in hand, I could induce my husband to give up his post here and return to England; I know I could." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I pine and sicken for my home," she sobbed. "Look at my hands, so thin that almost you can see through them. Think you my heart is stouter? I tell you that in this hateful country my end is near. I must go home ! I must !" Judith was moved and surprised by this sud- den confidence from one whom she hardly knew. " 'T is sad that you are not happy here," she said gently. "I would I could help you." "Would you an you could?" Lady Bellomont 123 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE asked quickly, "for truly I fear I shall go mad in this wilderness, who am used to all the pleasures and luxuries of London-town, I ask you, would you an you could?" "That I would," Judith assured her heartily. "Then demand of this man of yours if he hath knowledge of any hidden hoard? He was a pirate once, you can't deny it, and such men hold strange secrets." "But why should he not seek out the treasure for himself, in such case?" Judith inquired reasonably. "He might lack a boat helpers he could trust. I know not ! At least promise you will ask him." "That I can do," Judith promised, and the noble lady took her leave, her romantic fancy already busy with dreams of what she would do if she were mistress of a vast treasure. Judith resumed her seat at the table to review what had just passed, but found herself unable to fix her mind on the matter. Instead, a wave of self-pity overwhelmed her. Here she was, an orphan, alone in the city, at the mercy of robbers who plotted to seize her wealth, with but one faint chance of carrying out her father's com- 124 A NOBLE DAME SEEKS SYMPATHY mands without sacrificing herself; with no rel- atives she could turn to, few if any friends "Oh, wae, Judith Van Taarl," she broke the thread of her own thoughts to speak aloud. "What 's wrong with thee ? I think thou must be ill. Never before in thy long life hast thou felt like this. Get thee to Metje and perchance she can physick thee ere 't is too late." With faltering steps she made her way to the kitchen, where a most savory smell greeted her. "I had planned," said Metje, stirring a pot busily, "to keep my ear glued to the keyhole, that I might be able in future to tell my posterity how the great ones of this world discourse; but there was that within me that would not be stilled." "Your conscience," Judith murmured, white to the lips. "Nay," said Metje, " 't was more serious still than that. It was a terrible feeling, such as in all my life I had not had before." "O Metje," cried Judith, "is it a catching sick- ness? For I too am suddenly seized by a vast emptiness, an awful goneness here." She placed a pretty hand on the pit of her stomach and looked to Metje for sympathy. 125 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE " 'T is the same disease," Metje nodded. "A tidbit here and a tidbit there have eased my troubles mightily, and soon, I can promise you, you will be quite recovered; for to-night we sup not on bread and cheese but on the best Metje can set before you, and early, too, for all is ready now to dish up. Know you not, my pet lamb, that no bite nor sup hath passed your lips this day since breakfast-time, so busied have you been?" Then a light dawned upon Judith. "And is this hateful feeling hunger," she cried, "and naught more? O Metje, hast fed Krumm? I would not have him suffer so." "He 's fed and all is ready for our service," Metje assured her. "Let 's to table. You carry the lobster. I '11 take the lamprey-pie and the fricassee of chicken and return for the rest. The sooner you put food in your stomach, the sooner will the world wag well again." Their meal began almost in silence; but when the first great hunger was appeased they found time to talk over the events of the day. "Think you you got all you should have for your stores?" Metje asked. "A sale by the 126 A NOBLE DAME SEEKS SYMPATHY candle sometimes brings great returns, if the people grow heated in bidding against each other." "I am content," Judith replied. "I made by it more than my father expected. But let us not forget to call off the vendue criers to-morrow. I want no disappointed bargain-hunters at our door." "I '11 attend to it ere you wake," Metje re- turned. "Save us ! Who 's that would enter here to-night ? Hark to Krumm barking. He '11 have the man in pieces." Together they ran to the door to call Krumm off the visitor. 127 CHAPTER X IN WHICH VISITORS ARRIVE FROM PATRIA 'QUCH a wild beast should not be let live!" ^ These were the words Judith heard as Metje opened the door, uttered in high complaining tones that echoed in her memory along with a very different voice, saying, "Your need of haste is more urgent than you know." "I will dispose of him to-morrow," a man made answer, and as the door opened a crack this speaker set his foot against it and pushed it in quickly. Metje and Judith stepping aside hastily to make way for the visitor, for well they knew who was come. "This is Judith?" the Here de Heem said coldly, as he entered. "You have grown, as was to be expected, but I should have known you again." "Judith, my dear dead brother's only child," sobbed the lady who followed him. " 'T is a sad 128 VISITORS ARRIVE FROM PATRIA home-coming, my love," and, still weeping, she fell upon Judith's neck and clung there. Metje smiled grimly at this exhibition, recalling full well the many differences in the old days between this flabby, lacrimose lady and her forth- right stepbrother; but when she spoke it was civilly enough. "Let me take your wraps and bundles. The supper is still upon the table. 'T would be well to eat it ere it is cold." "Supper!" sniffed Moeye Beletje, "that is like you, Metje; but how can I think of food and my heart aching?" None the less she released Judith and stepped briskly toward the table, only turning back to say, "Welcome Carolus as he should be welcomed, my dear. I assure you he hath been longing for this meeting through all our weary jour- ney." At her words, Carolus de Heem, who had stayed his steps just within the doorway and was taking in the scene with quick-glancing, ironical eyes, stepped forward to salute the girl ; but she avoided him politely enough by dropping a curtesy and saying formally, "You are welcome to 129 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE Yorke," the while she thought resentfully, "I might have been spared this intrusion." Her lack of enthusiasm had been noted at once by the elder De Heem, who shrugged his shoulders behind her back as Judith pressed them all to draw up to the table and regale themselves, while she and Metje went above stairs to lay out well-aired sheets and prepare their rooms for occupancy. "It seems to me the Juffrouw Van Taarl hath more spirit than you credited her with," Carolus said when she was out of hearing. "This is no meek maiden, or my eyes deceive me." "Her aunt will have a word with her to- morrow," his father assured him. "Nay," protested the Vrouw de Heem, her mouth full of pie, " 't is always 7 am that am set to do the distasteful things." "There's naught distasteful about this," Here de Heem hastened to point out, seeing his wife again upon the brink of tears. "Any girl should be glad to clear her father's name and wed a per- sonable young man to boot." "Do they always live like this in the New World?" Carolus asked, helping himself liberally 130 VISITORS ARRIVE FROM PATRIA to pigeons and buttered ale. " T is rich fare." " 'T is rank extravagance," his father said, looking from one to another of the delectable dishes on the table. "Your mother to-morrow must take a hand in the housekeeping." " 'T is useless to ask me," his wife blubbered. "Judith, being young, I can handle mayhap; but Metje, never! She would laugh in my face." "Then she must go," iDe Heem declared. "I will not have an insolent servant in my house." "In Holland, where you are known, you can carry things like that with a high hand," his wife plucked up spirit to say, "but you are forgetting that we Dutch threw away this province. It is English, and these English have a rare idea of justice." "My mother is right, sir," Carolus said, for so he named his father's wife, while she stroked his hand furtively under the cloth. Indeed if there was one thing Vrouw de Heem loved it was this stepson, who was hers through her late marriage. " 'T is ever more prudential not to stir up enmity. What will a little extra butter and spice matter in the long run?" THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "True enough, I am not playing for counters in this game; but I like not such lavishness," De Heem grumbled; and Metje, setting her foot on the stair above, overheard him and at once took the matter up. "You will have no cause to complain of it again," she told him gruffly. "Our usual supper is bread and cheese; but to-day we had neither dinner nor piece, a fact that you are profiting by," and she passed out of the voorhuis into the kitchen without giving him time to reply. "That is a most 'tankerous woman," he said, aggrievedly. "I am overruled, but an I had my way I 'd be rid of her at any cost." Judith now came downstairs to take her place at the head of the table and -act the hostess, which she did prettily enough, albeit she had little heart in it. "I know not how one feels when coming off a ship," she remarked, "but if indeed you have finished your meal, your beds are ready should you wish to retire. For my part, I have had a long and taxing day of it and should be glad of a little rest." She bent her head and said the short grace after meat that was customary and then 132 VISITORS ARRIVE FROM P ATRIA stood awaiting her guests' pleasure; but, such was the force of her desire to be rid of them for the time, that almost against their wills, they found themselves ushered to their rooms. Vrouw de Heem walked at once to the docfr of Judith's chamber, but the girl stayed her with^her hand on the latch. "That is my room now, Moeye Beletje," she said, "I think you and the Here de Heem will find as great comfort in the side-chamber. Your son I have put in the room above the office, which has recently had new curtains and a drugget on the floor." "It would be more fitting that I had my old chamber and your uncle the Master's bed in the voorhuis," Vrouw de Heem grumbled. "There is no bed in the voorhuis now, nor ever will be again," Judith answered calmly. "I trust you will all sleep well; but, should you want for anything, Metje rests in a trundle-bed in my chamber, and a call will bring her to you. Once more, sleep well." She entered her own room and closed the door behind her. Carolus followed his father and mother into their apartment and there laughed long if silently. 133 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "I see naught to laugh at," grumbled Here de Heem. "Here I am sent off to bed like a naughty child without a smoke or a glass of schnapps." " 'T is that I 'm laughing at," Carolus grinned. "We are all sent off to bed by this half -grown girl, who was to be as wax in your hands. For my part I am rejoiced. Her show of spirit likes me well." "There is no reason you should not love her," his stepmother said eagerly, "and she, you. 'T is on that that I base my hopes." Carolus patted her on the shoulder indulgently. "Let us see what to-morrow will bring forth," he suggested enigmatically, and went off to bed. Metje, below stairs, was setting everything away when Judith reopened her door and slipped down to help her. "O Metje," she murmured, "however are we going to stand it ? How long do you suppose they intend to stay?" She held an answer to that question which Metje could not supply, but it was a help to talk to some one sympathetic. Metje shrugged her shoulders. "This is a cheap inn, but it shall not be too 134 VISITORS ARRIVE FROM PATRIA good ; for at last am I in favor of your economies. The Here -de Heem holds that you are extrava- gant, does he? We'll show him!" she snorted indignantly. "But we cannot be inhospitable, Metje. Think of the shame if they left my roof and went to stop at the City Tavern?" "No danger," Metje scoffed, "I remember Here de Heem of old. A florin to him was so big it would cover the moon." "This then we can do," Judith said thought- fully : "we can feed them as plainly as my station will allow. And I must harden my heart to with- stand certain pressure I foresee they mean to put upon me. This house was never my father's save in courtesy. Here I am mistress, and mis- tress I purpose to remain." "That is well said. See that you hold to it, but it will be hard for you to resist your aunt's complainings. Also must we have a care of Krumm. They like him not." "My dog!" Judith cried, stiffening at the thought. "Come ! Let 's to bed. We '11 soon see how I can meet them on that point." All being in order, the kitchen embers covered 135 with ashes and the lights out, the two groped their way to the stair and so to bed. They were up in the morning bright and early, but not so early as to be ahead of the Here de Heem, whom they found fuming at the door, where, sure enough, the first thing he mentioned was Krumm. "This brute must be disposed of, Judith," he said, hardly returning the girl's salutation. "I cannot have him at large about the place." Judith opened her eyes a little at such arro- gance but, determined not to begin the battle she foresaw, replied politely. "Do you not think him a good watch-dog? I know he let you enter last night, but the outer gate had not been locked or you could never have passed him." " 'T is not that he let me in that I complain of ; rather that this morning he will not let me out," Here de Heem replied. "Moreover, your aunt hath delicate sensibilities and cannot bear such a great beast rushing at her. He must be got rid of. On that point I am determined." "I 'm sorry to refuse your request" Judith spoke quietly, "but I consider Krumm necessary for our protection. I cannot, nor will I, part with him. I can promise you, however, that he will not annoy my aunt. He is used to women- folk and gentle with them." She opened the door as she spoke and the hound came at once for his morning greeting, gamboling like a puppy at sight of her. Bringing him close to Here de Heem and tak- ing a fold of his coat in her hand, she held it to Krumm's nose. "He may come and go, Krumm," she said. "He may come and go, sir," and the beast seemed to understand her, for when De Heem started down the path he bared his teeth but made no effort to stay him. "Now, good dog, we'll get your breakfast." Judith moved toward the kitchen door. "It might be as well that I make friends with him," Here de Heem suggested, pausing on his way to the gate, "so let me feed him ; if the brute is to stay, that is." "Be a friend to him and he will be a friend to you," Judith smiled, elated at her little victory. "But he is trained to eat from no hand save Metje's or mine. There 's always a chance that 137 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE some evil-minded person might try to poison a watch-dog, so, setting the store I do by Krumm, I have taken due precautions." She went on her way and De Heem started on his walk, inclined rather more than he had been to his son's idea that this was not wax he had to deal with. When he was gone Vrouw de Heem came fussily down and out to the kitchen. "Is breakfast ready?" she asked. "Have you a tea-board and a fair cloth to spread upon it? I always carry Carolus his jogolato to his room." "Indeed !" said Metje. "There 's no jogolato here for lazy lubbers. Our breakfast is suppawn and milk, fresh and unskimmed." "No more than that?" The Vrouw de Heem was taken aback. "No kaffef No fish? No tasties to tempt the sluggish appetite ? O Judith, what will your uncle say?" "The Here was quick to chide our luxury last night," Metje answered for her mistress. "Sure- ly then must he commend our economies to-day." "Here de Heem, as a stranger in my house, will, I am sure, be the last to carp at its manage- ment," said Judith. 138 VISITORS ARRIVE FROM PATRIA "I would never have thought you could grow so heartless," Vrouw de Heem declared, ignoring Metje and dabbing at her eyes as if she expected to find tears flowing from them. "Of a surety you should feel grateful that we have rushed to your aid across these many leagues of ocean ; yet you speak of your dear uncle as if he were a stranger, nor give a thought of gratitude that he hath traveled the seas to help you." "The Here de Heem is almost unknown to me, nor is he my uncle," Judith reminded her. "It would seem a familiarity so to style one I have scarce seen in all my life before." "He is my husband," snapped Vrouw de Heem. "I desire that you treat him with respect; but also with affection." Her show of spirit was short- lived. "I beg you, Judith, for my sake to call him 'oom' " she implored, her easy tears brimming from her eyes, "and be kind to Carolus. Can you not at least give me some good beer, for this, his first morning here ?" "We 've scharre bier a-plenty," Metje put in, afraid that Judith would relent; "but 'tis a thought sour. I know not how it will sit on his stomach with suppawn and new milk. . . . I 've 139 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE made ready the board. Shall I take it to his chamber ?" "No, no!" the vrouw answered hurriedly. " 'T is my joy to wait upon him." She looked down at the meager contents of the tray with considerable irritation. "Have you no pounded sugar to go with the suppawn? This is beggar's fare you offer your guests." "There is pounded sugar," Judith hastened to assure her, lest Metje deny her even that. "Metje has put maple-sugar on the tray because we prefer it to white; but I will add a little of that too, in case the Jonchere de Heem likes not the flavor of our wild sugar." This done, Vrouw de Heem took up the tray and waddled off with it soon to come back wreathed in smiles. "He likes well the maple-sugar," she announced proudly. "He wonders why we serve no suppawn in Patria. He thinks the milk much wholesomer than jogolato. Also he hath slept sweetly and hath a brave appetite." "Now that is right good news," said Metje ironically, while Judith looked up, surprised. She had expected complaints from Carolus. 140 VISITORS ARRIVE FROM PATRIA She was not disappointed of her complaints, however, when Here de Heem returned and they sat down to table. He was in a most villainous temper, liked naught that was set before him. and, making but half a meal, pushed back his chair and demanded an immediate interview with Judith. "Already I have told myself that I have much that must be made plain to you," the girl said steadily. "Mayhap you will walk in the garden and enjoy a smoke while I help clear away. Then I will be at your service." "I am in no mind to be kept waiting," Here de Heem snarled. " 'T is your housework must wait. Or your aunt can give your woman a hand, if help she needs must have." "If there is such urgent haste," Judith said gravely, "my work assuredly can wait; but I desire that my aunt shall be present at our inter- view. To my thinking she is as deeply concerned in it as you or I." Carolus, coming down the stairs with a chess- board under his arm, heard these words with amusement. Assuredly this little provincial had spirit. 141 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "I '11 not go a step unless Carolus comes too," the Vrcniw de Heem quavered, holding- out a hand to her favorite, who took it and patted it reassuringly. "Any one more useless than I at a business conference it would be hard to find," he said, "but, if I may spread out my board on a table in some corner, I have a problem to work on and will try to be in no one's way." He looked at Judith as he spoke. The girl made no protest. His presence or absence was a matter of utter indif- ference to her; so he sauntered after them into the office and, establishing himself at one end of the room, set a number of carved and jeweled chessmen before him and soon seemed deep in his problem. Here de Heem, however, could hardly wait to see them all seated ere he burst into angry speech. "What, may I ask, is the meaning of the news that met me this morning ? I was greeted by an old friend near the Whitehall who told me there was great gossip in the town of a mad will your father left expressly cutting us off from the management of your affairs?" 142 VISITORS ARRIVE FROM PATRIA Carolus's hand, hovering over his board with a pawn in it, remained poised in the air a moment : then the pawn was quietly set in place and he seemed sunk in contemplation of his next move. His stepmother, her chair pushed as near his as possible, watched him with doting eyes; but the other two, the contest well begun, had no thought for aught else. "My father made a will expressly freeing -me from the control of the Lords Orphan Masters," said Judith. "There was no mention of you in the matter, and no slight "intended." "In that case," Here de Heem strove to speak amicably, "you will naturally move to have the will set aside and to have us appointed your guardians under the law." Judith hesitated. Here was a suggestion hard to parry without offense. "I must thank you for your kind interest in my affairs," she said at length, "but it is too late. Already have I taken over the ordering of my own business." "That was a mistake, but one that there is still time to rectify," De Heem declared. "Doubtless your father hesitated to call me from Europe; 143 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE but, now that I am here, he would wish me to direct you. That you can readily understand." Again Judith was slow in answering. She preferred not to be brutally direct if it could be avoided. "My father gave me very exact instructions/' she said at last, "which I am carrying out to the best of my ability." "To the best of your ability!" Here de Heem laughed slightingly. "There you have said it. How could you, an inexperienced maiden, be ex- pected to have the ability to sell your father's rich stores and possessions?" "But I have sold them," Judith murmured. (How she longed for even Metje's friendly sup- port at that moment no one can ever know.) Here de Heem jumped to his feet angrily, send- ing his chair over backward with a crash. "You have disposed of all the goods?" he shouted. "Was there ever such madness ? This matter must be looked into. Has aught been re- moved from the premises yet?" "I think not," Judith acknowledged. "I Ve been listening for the carriers and have heard nothing." 144 VISITORS ARRIVE FROM PATRIA "Then," said Here de Heem, rubbing his hands, "it is not too late, it will be easy enough, in view of your age, to have this bargain set aside. We shall refuse admittance to any attempting to take aught away. Carolus, leave your game. You may be of use here." But Carolus still puzzled over his chess-board as if he had not heard, and it was Judith who stayed De Heem's bustling progress toward the door. "I have no wish or intention of breaking my bargain," she declared; and her aunt gave a little moan of protest at such a defiance. "I sold for more than my father told me I could expect, and I have been paid in full in good, broad pieces. What possible complaint have I?" Here de Heem stopped in his tracks, his mouth opening and shutting like that of a fish out of water and his eyes bulging like a hooked cod's. "Where, then, is this great sum of money?" he gasped. "In the care of the Here van Bursum," Judith told him shortly. At the end of the room Carolus rose and stretched himself delicately like a cat; indeed all 145 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE his movements were graceful, and he was dark and slender, more like a Frenchman than a Dutch burgher. "Check!" he said to his mother in an under- tone, pointing to his chess-board, while she smiled fondly at his success. 146 CHAPTER XI IN WHICH A CHESS PROBLEM REMAINETH UNSOLVED NO one but 'his stepmother heeding, Carolus sat down and once more puzzled over his pieces. "Now it is indeed time that we came to an understanding," said De Heem. "If you know it not, let me tell you that the loss of the Great Mogul left your father in debt to my wife and me for the amount of the moneys he had urged us to advance. This was a modest fortune, and not one stuyver of it had been repaid at the time of your father's fatal attack. Therefore" he drew a long breath, "the gold you speak of is mine, and I demand that you at once give me an order on the Here van Bursum for it." For a space Judith's determination wavered, and her hesitancy was evident in her attitude. Her disposition was impetuous, and it would have been a great weight off her mind to be rid of these THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE creditors. There was, she felt sure, enough money in the Here van Bursum's care to buy her release from this man's presence if she bargained with him shrewdly; but such had not been her dying father's commands. Considering her course, she stood in momentary silence, only glancing up when the sense of eyes upon her drew her gaze. Carolus was looking fixedly across his chess-board at her, and, as his eyes met hers*, he shook his head gravely. "I do not think that a wise move," he said. "Nothing would be gained by it." "What move do you speak of, Carolus?" De Heem asked impatiently. "You know naught of this matter." Carolus opened wide his eyes as if in amaze- ment. "Assuredly not, sir," he replied. "I know less than naught of business. I spoke of my problem on the board here. If I throw away this piece I get in exchange that. But what will it profit me when the balance is still against me ? My chess- master told me that, with skill, white, which seems the 'weaker here, should mate in eight moves due to superior position " 148 A CHESS PROBLEM UNSOLVED "Give over your chattering," his father said impatiently. "There is business toward." Leaving his pieces where they lay, Carolus got up and lounged out of the room, saying mildly over his shoulder as he went : "I warned you I was of no use in such cases." Even his mother made no effort to stop him, and De Heem, looking in the inkwell to make sure it was filled, pushed it toward Judith and trimmed her a pen. "Write me the order," he commanded. But Judith had had time to think. What had been Salvador Dacosta's words? "There are two sorts of fools, one who pays too late and one who pays too soon." Her mind now fully made up, she set the pen back on the rack. "It is my intention that you should be paid," she said, "all in good time. But there is, as you know, a period allowed for the settlement of an estate. At the end of that all creditors receive their just proportion." "Then it is your idea that your father died a bankrupt, unable to pay his lawful debts in full a thief protected only by our too lenient laws?" 149 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE Judith flushed deeply at these words, and her aunt began to sob into her handkerchief. "Why should you wish to pay strangers before your own kith and kin?" she whimpered. "I should think it would pleasure you greatly to do as your Oom Claes desires." "Lest there be any misunderstanding," Judith returned, "let me make myself clear to you. I intend to pay all my father owes, even as he would have done had he lived. No one shall be able to cast a slur upon his good name. In all the years he traded from this port no one was a guilder the worse for dealing with him. 'Honest Van TaaiT he was called. Honest Van Taarl he lived and died. Think you his daughter would see his good name smirched after his death? I 'd die myself first!" Here de Heem paid no attention to this out- burst, his thoughts still busy over Judith's pos- sessions. "What else of value had your father?" he asked, "and how quickly can all be converted into money? I have no desire to spend my life in this wilderness. First there 's this house. We 150 A CHESS PROBLEM UNSOLVED might, perchance, take it in partial payment of our claims." Judith rose, determined to make an end of the matter. "You can go home when you wish," she said coldly. "When the time allowed is up, if I have failed to pay every stuyver my father owed, then may an inquisition be made into his affairs to see if there is aught unaccounted for. As to this house, it is mine nor ever was my father's." "And pray," De Heem said suspiciously, "how can that be? This is some cunning jobbery to keep valuables out of the accounting." Judith's lip curled at this unworthy suspicion. "Were it in my power to sell it," she declared, "I would not grudge even the roof over my head, but this house was strictly entailed by my mother's father. I regret that you must reconcile your- selves to being my guests even as my own father was." She started to go out ; then-paused for a moment on the threshold. "I can promise you only short commons here; for, until all is paid, I purpose keeping expenses THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE at the minimum. Ycm will have your coin as surely whether you go or stay. Why do you not return to Patria ? ;> De Heem stared at her appraisingly ; then burst into a sardonic laugh. "You look only on one side of the picture," he said. "Here then is the other. Your father begged our money for this great venture, vowing there was no risk. Believing him, I advanced too much for our -means. You have a care for the honor of your father, dead. I have a care for the honor of Claes de Heem, living. I shall not go back to Holland until I can look those who trusted me in the face and pay them every 'guilder I owe them. Indeed I have not the passage money an I wished to -go." Vrouw de Heem's eyes widened as he talked. Now she cast her apron over her head and blub- bered." "Oh, wae, wae!" she sobbed. "Where did Carolus go? Bid him come to me. Never did you tell us this, before." "Nor should I have told you now had it not been necessary to make things plain to this stiff- necked meisje," said De Heem spitefully; "and I 152 A CHESS PROBLEM UNSOLVED forbid you both to mention it to Carolus. When we are paid, as I mean to see we are, there will be naught to weep over ; and then, and then only, will you be rid of us." "You are forgetting," his wife gulped, as Ju- dith left them alone together, "the other plan, about whfch letters passed between my brother and me." "I fopget nothing," said her husband, "but I must see my way clear before -I broach that plan. Meanwhile for once thy slobbering has served its purpose. Judith will hardly doubt that we are at the end of our resources." "And are we not?" asked his wife, mopping her eyes diligently. "Had you the brains of a flea, which I am told can be roomily lodged on the point of a pin, you would know that we are not. But 't is a wise pre- caution to make her think we have empty pockets ; so say nothing to warn her to the contrary. And now get you to the kitchen and cajole Metje into heating up what was left of last night's pie. An I do not stow something within my stomach soon, I am like to murder yon handsome spitfire ere dinner is done/' 153 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE Meanwhile Judith had gone to the garden to find Nan busy with her lesson and Carolus march- ing up and down the path in the sun, Krumm at his side. She watched him a trifle maliciously, expecting him to be made nervous by such close attendance; and Nan, looking up, read her face. "There 's no fun to be got out of him," she said. "He loveth Krumm. He said he had a dog like to him once, Henri Quatre by name." "Art sure it was not a lap-dog like Mistress Homan's?" Judith laughed, not able to keep a certain contempt out of her tone. "Don't you like your cousin?" asked Nan in surprise. "He is a very pretty gentleman. Prettier even than Tom Lane." "Oh," Judith returned vaguely, "I don't Enow. I don't think I ever looked at him." "He has looked at you," Nan said. "When you were in the office I came within, seeking for you, and he scarce took his eyes from your face for all he pretended to be playing with his chess- board." "Nonsense!" said Judith, unaccountably an- noyed at the child's babble. "Set to your lesson, Nan, or you '11 never have done." 154 A CHESS PROBLEM UNSOLVED "It is no nonsense," the child averred stoutly, "for I asked him if he did n't think you were very pretty, and he said you were the first red Indian ever he had met and he would not fail to let me know his decisions concerning you when he had studied you sufficiently to form an opinion. So you see he was studying you. He thought I was a red Indian too, but I told him right quickly that I was English, and you were not at all like any of the wilden ever I saw. I thought that you were Dutch, but remembering that he was your cousin I minded my manners and did not contradict him." "He is not my cousin, Nan, nor will he ever know aught about me," Judith declared haughtily. "Now I am sure you do not like him," Nan cried, "but I do, and Robin will too." "How is Robin?" Judith asked, to change the subject. "He 's well," the child said, "although I fear I did wrong to let him engage himself in the strife of yesterday. Robin hath such a love of adven- ture in his blood that once 't is started boiling is hard to stay till it hath boiled over and put out the fire." "I would greatly regret that he fell into bad 155 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE ways because of me," Judith said. "Is there naught I can do to hold him back?" "You talked of wanting a man to work among the flowers and vegetables," Nan returned. "Now I knew it not before, but Robin hath a great love for flowers. When he heard you had need of such a man he asked me to speak for him for the place. It is not money he needs but Occupation; at least that is what he said." "Tell Nurse Kate to send him to me. Work would at least be this much help that he would have less time for mischief," Judith said readily, thinking also that here would be her chance to fulfil her useless promise to the Governor's lady. "Oh, he's ever busy," Nan told her. "He makes boats for the boys and toys for all of us. But he will come at once I know." Robin, sent by Nan, presented himself at the kitchen door that afternoon before dusk. Metje could scarce believe her eyes, so great was the change in him. Gone were his mustache, his ear- ring, and the other remnants of pirate finery. Instead he wore a clean linen paltrok, broad breeches of fustian, and \vell darned stockings 156 A CHESS PROBLEM UNSOLVED thrust into wooden shoes, all such as any boor laboring by the day for his bread might wear. "Save us !" cried Metje when she had made out who he was. "Almost ye look like a Christian and not a bloodthirsty sea-robber." But her tone was more than a little disappointed, and Robin laughed understandingly. "This garb smacks less of adventure," said he, "yet, for the present, 't is safer. My sister hath the right of it when she tells me I am not content unless I thrust my neck within the noose. I could have gone with the young master the other day and enjoyed the fun of the play without any need to trick myself out like a gentleman rover. Yet, if I had not, perchance you would never have looked twice my way." "Take that for your sauce!" cried Metje, out- raged, bestowing a ringing box on his ear. "Who is there bold enough to say I looked at you at all?" "Not I, forsooth," Robin ruefully rubbed the side of his head, "but, if you did n't look at me others did; for my Lady Bellomont hath lost no time in ordering that I be found and brought to the Governor's mansion. Such being the case, 157 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE Robin Marrow sailed with the tide this morning on the flute-ship Angel of Peace for Boston town and the Maine. I am Simon Gobbet, an it please you, come to ask the Juffer for a little honest work." "Simon Gobbet," sniffed Metje, " 't is a name suits ye fine. Simple Simon, I shall tell the meisje, waits upon her." She flounced out of the room while Robin sat touching his ear tenderly as if he liked to make sure it still grew beside his face. Metje found her young mistress in the voor- huis engaged in another controversy with Here de Heem, and so waited politely within the door till such time as she should receive permission to speak. "In fine," De Heem was saying. " J t is plain that a chit of a girl cannot be capable of carrying on such great affairs. This you have proved, hav- ing already, doubtless, lost us much money by your hasty and ill-considered action in selling out the stores. Wherefore I have determined to lay in a stock of goods on credit to reopen the busi- ness of the Sign of the Barrel and Bale. Be so 158 A CHESS PROBLEM UNSOLVED good as to pass over the keys of the store and the office to me." For a moment Judith stood fingering her chat- elaine. Then she went to the office door and locked it, not defiantly but with quiet determin- ation; and, equally quietly, she turned and faced her visitor. "I regret," she began in a voice that trembled slightly, "to seem ever in opposition to you. My instructions from my father leave me no choice. Had it not been for his express orders I could doubtless have sold the good-will here for some- thing substantial ; but he commanded the business closed. Closed it is, and so it shall stay." "Your father, when he gave such commands, did not consider the possibility of my coming here/' Here de Heem began. "Please !" Judith held up her hand. "He con- sidered everything!" She turned from him with decision. "What is it, Metje?" "A gardener is here to speak to you, meisje, Simple Simon, by name." "You will excuse " The girl followed Metje from the room. "Was it but a device to get me 159 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE away?" she whispered. "I know no Simple Simon." "Indeed, no," Metje sniffed. " T is that great oaf, Robin. He claims her ladyship hath run- ners looking for him, so 't is needful to conceal his name and station. 'T is to a certainty a huge lie; but, as in duty bound, I tell it you as he told me." "Nay, then," Judith spoke anxiously, "I fear it is no lie, but let's to Robin." They found him on the kitchen stoep still lov- ingly fingering his ear. "What is it, Robin?" Judith demanded, anx- ious for news of Lady Bellomont's plans. "Something buzzed by my ear," he spoke as a man with a grievance, "and stung it sorely. Faith, it still rings as if a whole swarm were loose in my head." 'T was naught but a bee," Judith suggested. "They are busy at the hives along the house, now that spring is almost here." "Perchance you 're right," Robin conceded meekly, avoiding Metje's truculent eyes, "but why should it pick on me, who had not tried to steal its honey?" 160 A CHESS PROBLEM UNSOLVED Metje greeted this with a great clatter of cop- pers and frying-pans, intended to assure him that she had heard none of his remarks, and Judith hastened to turn his mind from what she thought a very trivial injury for a bold buccaneer to make such a to-do over. "Tell me what leads you to think you are wanted at the Governor's house?" she questioned. "There 's no doubt of it," Robin returned readily. "One of the runners was a messmate of mine. He came in haste to warn me to be off, so I signed on the flute-ship and am now well out of sight of land, as her ladyship will have heard. This man you see before you is Simon Gobbet, honest yeoman, at your service." "Simpleton Gobbet," came a mutter from with- in the kitchen. "Faith, it will be easy to call him that. It fits him to a T." Judith suppressed a smile, and so perchance did Robin. "Know you why her ladyship sent in search of you?" the girl asked anxiously. "I do not know, but I can guess," Robin said. "We none of us scorn wealth, but thank the Lord there be none in my rank of life so careless how 161 they get it as are those in high places. An honest pirate must hide well his hard-won takings, else will he be robbed of all he hath set aside for his old age. Doubtless that prating dog-boy blabbed of what he carted. Thinking it mine, her lady- ship sought to share with me or else, with eyes upturned to Heaven, to seize all for the state." "But, Robin," Judith suggested, "if perchance there is a reward for your capture " "I 'm safe enough. The scent is lost, I 'm sure. Measuring well the length of his tongue, I had the dog-boy carry my sea-chest to the water's edge to be taken aboard the Angel of Peace." Robin winked prodigiously, relishing his own cunning. "He '11 spread the news abroad." When Judith would have protested further, he silenced her with a great show of bravado. "A man is only happy when he smells danger. The thought of it sends his blood coursing through his veins; but, an you would have me safe from harm, I pray you give me work. My best friend would not know me behind a spade." So it arranged itself, and soon it seemed that 162 A CHESS PROBLEM UNSOLVED Simon had always been a part of their house- hold. He was trimming some bushes near the stoep one day when the elder De Heem, fresh from a disagreement with Judith, came down the steps and blundered into him at the turn. Without so much as a glance at the boor, De Heem cursed him for a clumsy hind and went on his way ; but Robin straightened up and looked after him in surprise. "Now that," he said, scratching his head, "is a face I little thought to see again. But was I not clever when I said none would know me at such work?" 163 CHAPTER XII IN WHICH A LADY GROWS IMPATIENT ONE afternoon Tom Lane, who had been in New England on an errand for his father for the week after the De Heems' coming and hence knew nothing of the arrivals from Patria, hurried to the house full of a strange adven- ture. He knocked hastily and, impatient of de- lay, laid his hand on the latch and Dpened the door. "Judith!" he called. "Nan, where are you?" The voorhuis was deserted, and he crossed to look into the office where the lessons were often held. The door was locked and he rattled it noisily. "Give over your jesting," he called more loudly. "I have strange news for your ears." Nobody answering he turned and was about to try his luck in the kitchen, when a movement on the stair drew his attention that way to find a 164 A LADY GROWS IMPATIENT strange lady standing half-way down, staring at him. For a moment he eyed her* in surprise; then quite unconscious of offense, he asked: "Is aught wrong, madam? Seemingly I can make no one hear me." "Fear not for that," the lady replied tartly. "Your shouts would raise the dead. But as it happens my niece is not here. Your news must wait." Tom Lane being a personable young man and friendly withal, was not accustomed to such treatment as he now received. The lady turned on the stair with some difficulty, presenting a figure that he likened to two short, well-stuffed links of sausage, and ponderously ascended again to the floor above. Tom was left, mouth open, eyes lifted, to the enjoyment of his own company. For a moment he stood as if rooted; then he swung on his heel and passed into the kitchen, as he had intended to do before the recent in- terruption. It, too, was empty. However, going out by that door, he at last discovered Metje, directing a man who was spading a stretch of ground to the rear. 165 He went to her at once, restrained from calling by the hint he had received indoors. "This," said she, not waiting for Tom to speak, "is our new man, Simple Simon by name and the same by nature. 1 fear, when planting time comes, he will set out tulips to eat instead of onions an I am not by to lesson him." Simple Simon continued at his recently ac- quired trade after pulling his forelock in ac- knowledgment of the introduction. "In truth," he mumbled, "I do be needin' a lot of schoolin'. Metje will have to stand between me and many a ratin'." Metje sniffed disdainfully, and Tom inter- rupted the yokel's maunderings to ask impa- tiently, "Where have they gone and who is the strange dame? Why did Judith not warn me her aunt was coming a-visiting?" "Sakes alive," said Metje, "if you know 't is her aunt why ask me who she is ? And the juffer has but walked home with Nan." She had time to say no more, for Tom was off like a flash, determined to meet Judith and escort her back. 166 A LADY GROWS IMPATIENT In the garden Robin lifted his bent back and followed the young man with his eyes. "Did I not tell you none would know me behind a spade," he chuckled. "You 've no time to waste an you would get this plot mellow before night falls," Metje told him. "Eh, then, the hard-hearted woman you are," he said with a pretended sigh, but for all that Robin returned to his work. Meanwhile Tom, hastening on, met the Jas- pyn sisters, who stopped him, feeling that it was scarce friendly to pass by this new member of their Company as they would a stranger. " 'T is growing so warm we will soon have to think of our strawberry festival," Marya said, for want of something better. "Has your sister bought her basket? The wilden are making them in the shed back of the old Kierstede house," Blandina suggested kindly, and Tom thanked her. "You are new to our ways, so I must tell you that you should invite a maid to be your partner 167 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE for that day. Is it not strange that Judith be- grudged the money for her trappings " "If Judith goes at all," Blandina interrupted her sister, not liking the turn her conversation was taking, "she will have to go with her cousin, I suppose." "'Twill be no hardship," cried Marya. "I saw him at the gate with her great dog one day, and later, having an errand there, I met him. Since then I Ve seen him often. He is wonder- ful agreeable. A most complete young gentle- man I make sure." "I have not had a chance to see him yet," Blandina owned regretfully, "but his mother invited us both to bring our Juffer-bockjes for him to write in. She says he hath a very pretty taste in verse making." "I haven't met this excellent young man," Tom said, ready to go on. "Our Piet is planning to ask your lovely sister's hand for the strawberry hunt," Blandina called as they were moving off. "He will help you, should you want for a partner one of us you do not yet know." 168 A LADY GROWS IMPATIENT "If I must ask some one," said Tom, "I shall choose Nan Roman." This stayed the girls' steps. "Nan Homan!" exclaimed Marya, almost stuttering with excitement. "Is that not the child of Daniel Homan? She is not a member of our Company." "Surely you are jesting," Blandina said. "You know our Companies are regulated very strictly by age. Even Marya was not admitted without discussion; but she had always played with me and my friends, so it was decided that to shut her out as too young would be unkind." "But why should any one want Nan Homan?" Marya asked, bursting with surprise and curi- osity. "Her father's reputation " "Because she 's sweetly pretty," Tom inter- rupted, not eager to hear the repetition of stale gossip, "and I like her well, but I bow to your customs. It was my ignorance made me propose her." Again the sisters started onward, but, once out of 'hearing, Marya gasped. ^Didst ever hear the like? A child of Nan 169 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE Roman's age to be set above all the maids of our Company ! That 's what we get for asking Uitlanders to join us." "To my mind 'twas only that Master Lane was so undone at hearing that Judith would have another escort," Blandina said, but this was not pleasing to Marya. "With you it is ever Judith," she declared crossly. "Judith here and Judith there. One might think that no other maid was ever born with hair or eyes or skin, to hear you talk." Blandina wisely let this pass, yet Marya went on. "Why you set such store by her is a mystery to me. Selfish she is, and close-fisted as a miser, as I tell every one." "Marya," her sister interrupted, "of this I must speak, for if I cannot silence you myself I shall ask moeder to take a hand in the matter. Do you not see that you do yourself great harm and prove yourself lacking in loyalty to your Company when you talk of one of its members as you do of Judith?" "By scolding me you do naught to prove Judith free and generous," Marya said spitefully. 170 A LADY GROWS IMPATIENT After which the sisters pursued their way in hostile silence. Meanwhile Tom Lane had walked on; but somehow the fun and excitement seemed to have gone from what he had to tell Judith. Instead he could think of nothing but the childish business of the strawberry festival, to berate himself that ever he had joined the Company at all. "That younger Jaspyn girl, she of the lobster eyes and snub nose, had it in mind that, lacking Judith, I would ask her to accompany me," he thought exasperatedly, hardly fair in his annoy- ance to Marya's charms. "I '11 stay at home first ! And who is this cousin who comes popping up from nowhere? Faith, if he is as broad in the beam as his sainted mama he '11 be a romantic object to be tied to for the day." Somewhat comforted by the thought of a wide and waddling Carolus, Tom mended his pace and came upon Judith just as she and Nan were about to part. The sight of them reawakened his interest in his strange experience, and he hastened to gain the attention of his audience. "I 've had a most mysterious adventure," were 171 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE his first words, without ceremony of greeting, save that he still deserved Nan's commendation by reason of a doffed hat. "Returning to my father's warehouse from my errand in the country, I was stopped in the street by a most villainous old hag " "Was it a witch, Tom?" demanded Nan ex- citedly. "Did she have crossed eyes, and on her chin a mole with three hairs growing from it?" "It had not occurred to me before that this female was a witch," Tom answered, "though indeed, now that you suggest it, it seems no more than credible, for she assuredly robbed me of all good sense. What first caught my eye was a thriving beard." "It was a witch," Nan nodded contentedly ; "go on!" "So stiff it was and bristling, that I took her for a man in disguise, and Robin in the huik at once entered my mind, which scarce explains why, when she asked me would I be spirited enough to help a lady in distress, my thoughts flew to you, Judith; yet on the spur of the moment I said, 'Assuredly.' Whereat she started hobbling off 172 A LADY GROWS IMPATIENT across the pebbles, down one side of the slope to the gutter, over the stones and up the other side, briskly enough for all her bent back and gray hairs. "Sober second thought always daunts a man's ardor, and before we reached the next corner I had time to take counsel with my inner self as to the foolishness of what I was doing, hurrying through the streets of Yorke behind a tattered hag, on an errand I knew naught of ; so I mended my pace and overtook her, laying a hand upon her shoulder. "At my touch she leaped to one side and let up an eldritch screech, raising her iron-shod staff as if to beat me about the head. "Seeing who it was, she lowered her weapon but looked at me with scant sweetness. " 'What 's your will ?' she asked. 'Canst not blow hot and cold with me ! Hast lost thy taste for adventure so quickly ?' " ' 'T is not so much that I have lost my taste for adventure,' I told her, 'as that a man is a fool who enters a battle unarmed. Why throw away a good cause for lack of preparation? I must know more of those I am to meet/ THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "In truth I had no weapon save my two fists and thought it foolish to go on. "For a moment she looked at me evilly, but when she spoke her words were smooth enough. 'Young sir/ she said, 'he who goeth to meet a lady hath no need of any defense save a hard heart. An thou art minded to turn back, waste not my time. There be other gallants in this town of proper spirit.' " 'Then/ said I, 'if there is only a lady in question I am ready enough to go on, but, if she expects from me aught in the way of defense, it would be well that I should know it to make my preparations ere it is too late.' "At this the old harridan started on again, mumbling 1 under her breath the while, 'Small chance is there the quality would open their minds to me. All I can say is, I was not told to bid ye bring arms.' "Where it was possible to take a by-path or an evil-smelling back street she seemed to choose it by instinct, but at last she stopped at the half- open door of an oast-house, still scented by its last drying of hops. " ' 'T is here she is to meet you/ she said, 'and 174 A LADY GROWS IMPATIENT you are to pay me a silver sixpence for my pains.' "I put my hand in my pocket to comply with this request, when it struck me that this, most like, was the end and aim of the whole expedition, and I drew it out again empty. There was no lady there nor would there be, and if I paid the dame for leading me on such a wild goose chase I should be a fool for my pains. " 'Indeed/ said I. 'I am to pay you ? Since when has it been the custom for the one sent for to pay the messenger? When the lady comes you will be paid, but not before/ At this, as I expected, she flew into a rage. Her very eyes grew red with anger and she foamed at the mouth, raising her stick threaten- ingly. For all her malevolence, she was but a frail old thing, and I hesitated to touch her for two reasons. First, I dreaded to hurt her by accident; or, escaping that, I dreaded lest she make claim to the authorities that I had done so. Yet she commanded the path." "And all this pother over a sixpence!" Judith said. "I should have paid her and gotten me gone, though I like as little as any to be tricked out of my money." 175 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "But, Judith," cried Nan, with round eyes, "do you not see he could not? 'T was a matter of of " she hesitated for the word. "Of principle," Tom nodded. "Yes, that was it. I could not allow myself to be so put upon. We English are for justice " "O you English !" Judith sighed. "Never will I understand you. But go on." "I did not go on." Tom flushed at the ac- knowledgment. After all it was not a heroic fig- ure he had cut. "A cloth was thrown over my head, I was dragged into the oast-house, and the door slammed. I fought a bit, but when you are pinioned from behind you have small chance for self-defense. Moreover, I discovered that there Was no desire to hurt me. I was handled as gently as was consistent with turning out my pockets. The old woman got her sixpence with interest, for 't was evident that those who had taken me held her tongue in great respect. My hands and feet were bound and, with my head still muffled in a cloth, I was pulled a few paces and bidden to seat myself on a keg. Then we waited. "My assailants, whom I took to be two in 176 A LADY GROWS IMPATIENT number, stood on either side of me quite motion- less. Time passed but slowly, I do not need to tell you, and at last one of the men muttered, 'Dost think she hath left us in the lurch ?' " 'She '11 be here at her own good pleasure,' the other returned; but this exchange told me there was a female expected and set me a-wondering what she could want with me, who had already two bravos at her command. "With something to ponder on time passed more quickly, and at last the creaking of the door and a faint light penetrating my mufflings led me to conjecture that some one had come in. The men said naught, and it was some seconds ere a female voice broke the long silence. " 'Is this Master Lane ?' it asked, in drawling tones. 'How could my orders have been so mis- understood? Get ye gone out of here! And think yourselves lucky if you escape without punishment.' " 'But your ' one of the men began. "There was the stamp of a foot. " 'Silence! Begone, I say!' The door creaked again and I knew that the lady and I were alone." 177 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE Tom paused, enjoying the breathless interest that his recital was arousing. "Go on," said Nan, "what happened next?" "I felt a hand on my head wrappings ; then the voice said, 'You are on your honor, sir, not to look around/ The wrappings were removed, and, while I drew a full breath, for they were smothering things, a folded kerchief was passed over my eyes. " This is for your protection,' the voice said. 'If you are questioned, you can vow you know not who sent for you.' " 'Indeed, madam,' I told her mock seriously, 'I hope that where a lady is concerned I could be trusted to lie like a nobleman.' "As reward for this sauciness I received a good rap over the head "That for your insolence/ she said sharply; and I returned, sulkily enough, for I liked not such treatment, 'If such is my recompense for an offer to sacrifice even my love of truth to your in- terests, I had better keep silence.' "Whereupon she upbraided herself very pret- tily for misunderstanding my meaning, and at last got down to the reason for my being taken 178 A LADY GROWS IMPATIENT as I was. . . . Judith, she wanted a true and full account of the rendering into Here van Bursum's hands of your keg of treasure." "What excuse did she give for such curiosity?" the girl demanded. "A plausible excuse enough," Tom acknowl- edged. "She hinted that she had been robbed of her patrimony of gold and jewels, and fancied the treasure I had helped to guard might be her fortune." "What did you tell her?" Judith asked. "Faith," Tom owned freely, "I know not whether what I did was for the best, but I told her the plain truth. I could not have her think an English gentleman helped a robber. And it seemed to me safer for you that the Here van Bursum should be known to have the care of the money. He must have a guard over his gold, whereas you have no one to depend upon save Krumm and the watch." "Oh," Nan put in, "did you not know, Tom, that Judith is alone no longer? She hath an uncle and a lusty cousin for protection." "I met your aunt but now, when I entered in search of you." Tom spoke to Judith over 179 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE Nan's head. "And the Jaspyn sisters told me of your cousin." "Carolus de Heern is not my cousin," Judith corrected him at once. "No relation at all is he in fact, for he is but stepson to my stepaunt." "Were he son-in-law to my aunt by law I would claim him for a cousin fast enough," cried Nan, "though he does tease me by pretending that I am a redskin." Tom looked at Nan, somewhat surprised at this outburst. He had thought the child one who would not be quick to make friends, and here she was already taken with this stranger. The idea pleased him little, and Judith's -interruption was welcome. " Finish your tale," she said. " 'T is of vastly more interest than Carolus de Heem. We left you seated upon a keg while a lady stood behind you quizzing you." "In truth that sounds as if I were discour- teous," Tom returned, "but the fact is I know not did she sit or stand. My eyes were tightly tied and I was pelted with questions so fast that I had much ado to answer them. Who was Robin? How did I know the money was yours ? .Might it 180 A LADY GROWS IMPATIENT not have been a treasure-trove, as I could not claim to have seen it paid over ? Did Robin talk to me of hidden treasure while we walked behind the dog-boy as guards?" "Did you know that he had signed on the Angel of Peace?" Judith asked. "Not before I spoke with her, but she cried me the news when I suggested that, if Robin had knowledge of hidden treasure, he might be paid to share it. She said he had doubtless gone to jdin some privateer fitting out to prey on the king's enemies, which did not greatly surprise me. I thought Robin ripe for another back-sliding." At his words Nan turned on him like a small tigress defending her cub. "I hate you for that, Tom Lane!" she said hotly. "If a poor sailor like Robin signs on a privateer he needs must be a buccaneer and marooner. But your father and other rich gentlemen may build and own the ships such men sail on without scathe to their great names. They risk nothing. At least Robin risks his life to fight his country's enemies." Bursting into tears the child flashed by them and ran into the house. 181 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE "Now what did I say to raise such a storm?" Tom asked helplessly, anxious to run after the child to comfort her, but not sure how to go about it. "I know not, save that she is deeply attached to Robin. Finish your tale. That keg may be powder ready to blow you through the roof for all I know/' This attempt to speak lightly helped to clear the air, and Tom resumed his story, but the spirit had gone out of the recital. "At last the lady gave over questioning me, Having gotten little to her liking out of me. 'I shall cut the cord that binds your wrists,' she said, 'but I trust to your gentlemanliness not to look after me nor follow me when I leave you.' " 'The temptation is great/ I told her. 'One who has spent an hour with you must not be blamed if he schemes to spend another/ "Strange to say this, that I had meant for raillery, seemed to flatter her. She loosed my bonds and passed a finger over the weals on my wrists. " There, there, poor boy!' she said; 'they used you too hard/ 182 'She wore a vizard of black satin" A LADY GROWS IMPATIENT " 'Nay,' I returned, ' 't is not that I complain of, but that they cut my purse/ "In a moment she was on fire. 'What took they?' she demanded. " 'But a few florins, madam,' I answered. 'T was scarce worth the trouble,' she re- turned scornfully, whereat I put up my hands de- liberately to loose the kerchief, and still she stood in the doorway. When it came off she was still there and I could feel her gazing at me mockingly ; but by the time my feet were freed she was gone." "How looked she?" asked Judith breathlessly. Tom shrugged. "I know not. She wore a vizard of btack satin." 183 CHAPTER XIII IN WHICH JUDITH ENGAGES HERSELF FOR THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL A VIZARD of black satin !" Judith echoed ^A- Tom Lane's words. Then, impatiently: "But her mouth? Her chin? Her figure? What were they like? Would you know her again?" "As to her mouth and chin, her vizard was fringed with lace well designed to hide them. As to her figure, she wore a man's cloak of Spanish cloth, turned inside out to display the velvet lin- ing." "Her shoes, then; what saw you of them? Had she paste buckles ?" "I know not." Tom shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "The heels were red I think " "So are half the heels in town," Judith cried impatiently. "Oh, would that I had been there. I would have ferreted out who she was ere we parted." 184 THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL "I would you had been there," Tom said dryly, "an it would have pleasured you, for I found scant amusement to pay for the loss of my purse." In fact the young man began to feel himself ill- used at her reception of his tele. She seemed to have thoughts only for what he had failed to observe. "So you saw naught at all save a cloak, a vizard, and a red heel." Judith pursued dis- consolately, ignoring his peevishness. Then brightening; "Her hair! It's color you must have seen." "The lady was not in her hair," Tom returned. "Her head was swathed about with folds of muslin, lace-edged." "After all, it is of no moment," Judith said. "I know who it was and need no proof." "You know who it was?" Tom echoed incredu- lously. "It was my Lady Bellomont," Judith declared positively. "She hath taken it into her head that my moneys were a pirate treasure, belonging by rights to her husband as governor." "The province or crown might have rights in such a trove," Tom said, after a moment's 185 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE thought, "though I fear there would be small chance that most treasure seekers would haste to turn over their find to the authorities." "As there is no treasure there 's naught to turn over," Judith remarked practically. They were nearing her house now and Tom hurried to broach another subject that was in his mind, for he had no intention of again facing her formidable aunt that day. "When I joined your Company, I had thought that you and I would spend some gay hours to- gether at the strawberry festival and other such picnics; but now the Jaspyns tell me you are promised to your cousin." A flood of color overspread Judith's face to make her anger and annoyance the more evident. "I ?" she cried, half incredulously, "I promised to Carolus! How dared they?" Tom Lane was startled by the storm his words had roused, and, feeling that he had not reported the conversation exactly, he hastened to correct his first story. "I think I have scarce given you a true idea of what was said. Their belief was that, out of 186 THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL courtesy to a guest in your house, you would be obliged to accept your cousin's escort." "How many times must I say that Carolus de Heem is no cousin of mine?" Judith snapped. "As to going with him to the festival I '11 stay at home first!" The gate was at hand and all of the De Heems were in the garden, drawn thither by the air, which was warm and balmy. Judith had paused to make her emphatic declaration and then started forward, but Tom stopped her once more. "If you do not mean to go with him, will you go with me?" he asked eagerly. "Gladly," said Judith, the while she watched with a truculent eye a young man on the other side of the garden wall who seemed to have no thought for her but busied himself in the summer- house with his chess-board. No further words were spoken till they reached the gate where Judith formally asked Tom to enter. He as formally refused, and they parted, he to walk homeward and she to enter the garden. "It has taken you very long to go the short way THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE to the Waal Straat and back," her aunt called pointedly as the girl walked up the path. "It was too hot to hasten," Judith returned indifferently, although she was aware that this was another of the pin-pricks she was constantly called on to endure. "I cannot think your aunt should permit you to prance upon the streets escorted by English strangers," De Heem declared. "She should put her foot down, nor so allow you to misuse your liberty." Judith had told herself that she would hold her hot temper in check and bear with the De Heems until it was in her power to bid them begone ; but now she had been deeply annoyed and hurried into a step that her sober second judgment warned her was hasty. Carolus, for all he was his father's son, was her guest, and if she were minded not to go to the strawberry festival with him, she should have found him a partner before agreeing to go with any other. Moreover, that other, to confound her -aunt's ready criticism, should have been an old friend and Dutch. All these things Judith knew, and they served but to increase her irritation. Almost without her vo- 188 THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL lition she crossed the grass to the summer-house where they all sat and, stopping in front of De Heem, looked him up and down! "Sir," she said, "this is an English plantation now. The Lords Orphan Masters themselves, were I in their care, would scarce hold me to blame for politeness to an English friend." "Orange boven," sighed Vrouw de Heem, in the tone of one invoking the aid of a sacred relic. "Times are changed indeed if our Dutch maidens make friends of the English usurpers. I have no wish to interfere, Judith, nor do I claim the authority that you see fit to deny, but in truth I cannot think it best for your good name that this rowdy Englishman Should be let go roaring through this house as if it were his own." "And since when has a maiden's house been shut to an honest queester," bawled Metje angrily from the kitchen window. "Her suitor he is. The lad is a good lad and one of her own Company at that. There is naught in the law, English or Dutch, that forbids courting, is there?" "These childish Companies Judith should long have outgrown. A girl betrothed to one man cannot, unless she is light-minded, receive an- 189 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE other," said Vrouw de Heem, tight-lipped but trembling. "And who dare say I am betrothed to any one?" Judith demanded advancing on the older lady almost threateningly. "I am free as air, and so I purpose to remain." "Your father and I had serious correspondence on the question of your marriage to Carolus," her aunt told her, for once holding her ground. "He favored the match, and, as a dutiful daughter " "As a dutiful daughter, if it were needful to throw myself and my fortune into the balance to pay my father's debts I might hold it a duty so to do; but I do not fear things coming to that pass." Judith's glance traveled past the De Heems and rested, almost triumphantly, on the bed where her cherished tulip-bulbs lay hid. "Until they do, I will submit to neither criticism nor control. I shall go where I please with whom I please." Her indignation lifted her quite out of herself, and she stood there fronting the De Heems rather like some wild thing native to the land than a stolid Dutch maiden. From face to face her eyes ranged defiantly; 190 THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL but when they met Carolus's gaze they stopped, while he took one step forward as if answering a call and spoke directly to Judith. "Now there I am minded to agree with you," he declared calmly. "This business of settling one's affairs for one, while it saves trouble, is sometimes irksome. Let us combine against such tyranny." As he spoke he put an arm around his stepmother and gave her a warning pat. "So far as my making any claim upon you, pray hold yourself what was it you said? It was a good phrase and quite took my fancy. Ah, now I have it. Pray hold yourself as free as air." He swept a graceful gesture toward the tinted evening sky where the homing birds seemed to flicker across the arch and vanish. "Go where you will with whom you will; your humble ser- vant would be the last to hinder you." Making her a little, half-ironical bow, he loosed his hold of his stepmother and, still speaking to Judith, went on. "All embarrassment being happily at an end between us, may I ask if you will give me a little information about a plant I have found in the rear of the vegetable garden, which shows signs of early sprouting? Your learned gar- 191 THE FLOWER OF FORTUNE dener, doubtless a worthy fellow, assures me it is poisonous penhawiss used by the Indians to tip their arrows, so that their enemies turn blue and die unpeacef ully ; but, as he thinks that hyacinths are a superior kind of radish, I have my doubts of his authority in this matter." Somehow Judith found herself walking toward the back of the property beside Carolus, while behind them Here de Heem swore a gentle oath. "Now what means that?" complained his wife fretfully. "It doth not seem to me that Carolus hath shown his usual good sense to throw Judith back her father's promise, for so it might almost have been called." "And to me," her husband answered, jeering as usual at her opinions, "it seems that he has made what might be called a stroke of genius. To let a girl like that go free is, I verily believe, the only way to bind her to you." "Carolus is very clever," sighed his mother. "For once at least I am inclined to agree with you," De Heem said, "but I shall be better satis- fied w r hen I see them married." The pair had moved well a*way from the house to a spot where Metje, for all her sharp ears, 192 THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL could not overhear them; yet Claes de Heem looked all around before he answered his wife's next question. She spoke almost mus- ingly. "Stupid though you think me, Claes, I can read you at most times as a scholar reads his horn-book. I know why I want Judith to marry Carolus. She has, for life at least, a tidy for- tune, and I would rather she married him than a stranger on whom I would have no claim, and who might be jealous of my love for our son and seek to cut me off from him ; but you you want it more by far than I. Why? What is your motive? For that you always have one I know well." "There are reasons why I hold that it would be desirable," De Heem acknowledged, after his questing look around," but I think we may safely leave it to Carolus now. He will manage better than -we. That I see plainly." For a moment silence fell between them only broken by a snarl from Krumm as De Heem paced too close to where he was gnawing a bone and slashed at him in passing. "I shall take that iron-shod staff of Van Taarl's 193 and give that brute the beating he deserves some fine night," he muttered. "Better not," Vrouw de Heem spoke with one of her flashes of shrewdness. "Unless you wish to go to the City Tavern to lodge, the dog should bear a charmed life for you. Judith expects you to move against him." "That's twice you have been right in one day," De Heem said. "Clearly the end of the world is at hand ; but let not the brute attack me, for even Judith could scarce expect me not to defend my- self." He turned to go back to the house when Vrouw de Heem faced him with one more question : "Claes, suppose Carolus was not so clever as you think. Suppose he meant what he said to Judith that for all of him she might consider herself as free as air?" De Heem considered this for a moment. "You don't think " he paused, "you don't think the young fool would break his given word?" 194 CHAPTER XIV IN WHICH CAROLUS ALSO NAMES HIS PARTNER