Roy Norton

“ High overhead though it was, it made everything distinct; the great solemn salon; the marvelous frescoes; the Corinthian pillars at the sides; the dull pattern of the tiled and sweeping floors; the cabinets containing the valued and prized collections of his sole kinsman and—off to the side—that one which held the Crusader's Casket of gold. For but an instant she hesitated, and then with soft and hurrying feet urged him into haste that was almost a run as if a fairy had led him into a dance toward some long-sought goal. ”

“ This was Jimmy's home. And she had been brought into it because he had forgotten the feud and because he loved her. She turned toward him, feeling that he was still standing behind her with his back against the door and enjoying her content. But then she saw that his eyes were fixed thoughtfully in another direction. She turned again and discovered the Crusader's box that still stood, aloof, upon the top of the closed piano, its dull golden sides agleam with the light through the opened ports astern. She walked across the room and lifted it in her hands, and faced him. ”

“ Lemuel Harnway sniffed, seemed at loss for speech and then chuckled as if amused.
“I believe I did,” he admitted. “But even as great a man as I am can sometimes make mistakes, Jimmy. Sometimes, but not often. Now of course you must get your traps off that fool ship of yours and come here and stop with me—the longer the better. Why don't you sell the blasted thing and come and stay with me for keeps? I'm getting old, Jimmy, and you're the last living being that has Harnway blood in his veins.” ”

“ Jimmy saw with admiration that the man at their own wheel never looked back; that he was working hands and feet to shoot past; that the launch was now taking on a reckless racing speed, and that the pale arch of the bridge seemed soaring toward them from above. They smashed through a belt of total darkness; running still faster, with bow waves climbing ever higher, tore from the black shadow out into the sparkle and glitter of a million festal lights, caught the smell of the fresh sea and nearly swamped in an abrupt swerve to avoid a barge load of astonished singers. ”

“ The guide still was standing near him and the captain thrust his hand into his pocket and proffered an extravagant payment in the shape of a gold coin; but Pietro abruptly put both hands behind him as if to avoid contamination and said: “Signor, the lady pays. She has been your host. I am not a servant who accepts tips from his employer's guests.”
“But—good Lord! You work for a living, don't you, Sordillo?”
“Sometimes I work for love,” stoutly asserted Pietro with a bow, and the captain had difficulty in suppressing a smile at the guide's exaggerated politeness and air of haughtiness. ”

“ It comes back in the hands of one strange American; one who has much money; for does he not buy a palace that once belonged to a prince of the house of Mascarelli, for which he paid much gold? And I who have seen drawings of the Crusader's Casket made by my grandfather, whose painter hand of youth was inimitable, and whose hand of age had not lost its dexterity, have seen it. ”

“ After a moment more they got up and sauntered away; but Captain Jimmy sat for a long time staring abstractedly out over the square, and then arose and turned down past the Palace of the Doges, that miracle palace that is declared to be the finest kingly house on earth but which he did not appear to see. He walked down to the great gondola landing at the foot and chose a grizzled old gondolier whose craft he boarded, and straightway fell into fluent conversation, leading the veteran to boast of his knowledge of Venice and its inhabitants. ”

“ He craved the respect of this elderly though yet vigorous old man, his sole remaining kinsman, who had so generously welcomed him and so frankly sought his affection, and he found it difficult to find words adequate to his personal predicament. He could appreciate the storm of wrath that would be evoked by his frank admission that he was in love with a daughter of the hated Powell clan, and that to her he had given a pledge of assistance for the recovery of that damnable and malevolent trinket of gold for whose intrinsic value any Powell or any Harnway could have taken no heed. ”

“ The gondola came to a stop, and Pietro briskly stepped out, offering his hand to Captain Jimmy to assist him up the landing steps opening into a narrow passageway, and then after a moment's pause said to the gondolier, “It is best for you to continue on through this rio and out into the Grand Canal by the Straw Bridge, where we will meet you in half or three quarters of an hour.”
And then: “This way, Signor Ware. It is so dark that you may have to guide yourself with a hand on either side, but the distance is not far.” ”

“ It must stop!” Jimmy heard Pietro declare as with a final snap of his thumb and finger he turned and joined them.
“You seem frightfully disturbed about something,” Miss Cardell remarked with a smile and her excited guide doffed his hat, thrust his fingers through his hair and asserted, “Disturbed, signorina? Yes, I am. That pig of a guide, Giuseppe, becomes too—what you Americans call—the fresh—that's it! Too fresh with me. Pfaugh! What is he, the swine? Just a guide! Nothing but a guide! He does not understand me, for I am not only a guide, but a poet! ”

“ Quickly and somewhat excitedly Pietro stepped across to the gondola and felt for its mooring rope, while Jimmy followed, gave his hand to the girl, and helped her to a seat. The poet-guide loosened the boat, stood erect with the long oar in his hand and asked quietly, “All ready, signorina?”
“Yes, Pietro,” she said and then turned to her motor driver with, “You remember everything, don't you? That you are to be ready to start at an instant's notice, and that you are to remain here without fail, no matter what happens, until one of us comes?” ”

“ Jimmy declared, alarmed and distressed by this peculiar predicament.
“But you brought me here—to this ship,” she insisted. “And you seem to be known here. Can you explain that?”
“Yes,” he said gravely, “I can. I haven't lied to you, but I may have deceived you a little bit. No—not about that baggage, and the hotel, and all that; for of that I am as ignorant as are you.”
“Pfaugh! If you'd deceive me about one thing I can't see why you wouldn't about another!” she exclaimed, snapping her fingers and turning half from him with a gesture of contempt. ”

“ It seemed horrible to think that perhaps out there, even now, that handsome, fiery, temperamental, jealous youngster, Pietro, was being as callously slaughtered as if he were but a trussed sheep. In something of a fury of unreasoning impotence he rove to and fro, straining every muscle of arms and feet to break his bonds, biting savagely at the smothering folds of the cape and beating his feet helplessly on the stone floor.
The opening of the door brought a pause to his efforts and he heard that same heavy and unmistakable voice of command. ”

“ But the “Feast of the Redeemer” dies not, and each year takes on greater dignity and—greater celebration.
Captain Jimmy listened to Pietro's explanation of this on their eventful night, the guide having for the moment become poet quite as inconsequentially as if the decorated launch in which they rode had no other purpose than to mingle with the thousands of other craft that passed ceaseslessly to and fro on the great waterways. ”

“ The huge old Church of the Salute, majestic and imposing, was reflected in the waters at the mouth of the Grand Canal and the early gondola ferries were plying busily across carrying men, women and children to the larger island for their day's tasks. Captain Jimmy lazily stared at and admired the picture presented to him, and was turning back to the hotel for his breakfast when he discovered another lounging man, whose gaze was fixed calmly on the same hotel entrance. ”

“ He bent toward her and in the gloom studied the whiteness of her profile, the shadowy shape of her young shoulders and then looked around to collect himself before answering.
“Well,” he asked, feeling that to her at least there was something vital in all this, “if this man Harnway has got something that belongs to you, or your family, why don't you ask him for it?”
“Ask him? Ask a Harnway for anything?” she exclaimed, suddenly turning as if she had been a spring released from position. “I'd rather die than ask a Harnway anything on earth! ”

“ Again the man with the earrings rocked to and fro with personal amusement before he sobered enough to ask, “This Sordillo. Pietro Sordillo. The guide and bad poet—very bad poet! Is he, may I ask, a friend of yours?”
“He is!” Jimmy declared with extra vehemence. “I overheard your instructions regarding him, and if you're going to knife that boy as if he were nothing better than a troublesome dog in your way—well, sharpen the knife plenty because you'll have to use it on me too! Pietro and I came together and—one way or the other—we go together. ”

“ He had but a glimpse of the high, sharp, metal prow of another gondola, manned with two oars, shooting forward to ram his own craft! There was a resounding smash, the gondola in which he stood was overturned and he found himself swimming in the water near his own gondolier, who was swearing steadily with a vigor that proved that he was angry, rather than frightened, and in no danger of drowning. And this surprise was not dulled before he received another; for he heard a woman's voice commanding sharply, “Keep straight on! Straight on and back as fast as you can. A police boat may be called! ”

“ Ware seated himself on one of the benches and watched her as she hurried across the intervening space and addressed Pietro, who listened to whatever she had to say with an almost exaggerated gravity and deference.
“She's making a frightful mistake with that boy, I'm afraid,” Ware meditated, as he observed the guide's air of adoration. “He is infatuated with her. If it weren't for his constant attitude of respect I'd be tempted to advise her to send him on his way; to get rid of him; to tell him to shove off! ”

“ Youth, Miss Powell, is a very, very beautiful thing and reaches a noble perfection when joined with love. This conjunction I deem the best of human attainments. If you can find your way to love my nephew 1 shall feel that life has nothing more to offer, and I, too, shall love you, and eagerly long for your coming and your companionship. In any event the malice is dead and the feud of the Crusader's Casket at an end. ”

“ Jimmy agreed with a grin as he opened and reshut the box several times, before handing it to its owner.
“I observe that you like and appreciate that box, Jimmy,” said the older man. “As I've remarked, I begin to feel old and the cares of possession, and defending Harnway property, become onerous. Also I feel generous toward my only surviving kith and kin and so—Jimmy, I'll give you that box, here and now, with just one single proviso: And that is that you'll pledge yourself never—never—to let it fall into the hands of a Powell.” ”

“ Emeralds one of which would have made a man wealthy for life. Pearls of value to buy power, and pleasure and wine. But he chose none of these. He threw such aside, seeming to seek but one bauble and then, when he found the Crusader's Casket, clutched it in his hands—quite reverently—as if he did not wish it to fall into the grasp of those who were to come—and tucked it into his ragged shirt and without another glance at all that he had left behind ran out and through the door that swung open, unguarded for the first time in centuries, and was never again seen by that grandfather of mine. ”

“ Astonished at the old gondolier's night vision Jimmy laughed, dropped the chair and swung the door open. He could hear Tomaso panting heavily in the darkness and then, “Have you a light, signor?”
“Yes,” Jimmy said. “Just a moment. But I've no match.” He felt two or three thrust into his fingers, struck one, crossed the room, found the lamp and with it in his hand turned and stared at Tomaso.
“Good Lord! You're hurt!” Jimmy exclaimed. “What's all that blood on your face?”
“I don't think it amounts to much, signor. Knife thrust in the dark. Fought it off with my arm. ”

“ Ware was smiling in the darkness and watching her, absorbed and quite as benevolent as the lion. Furthermore, he felt that he would no more have resented it had she slapped him on the head in the same familiar way. She sat brooding over her wrongs until, still secretly smiling, he urged her to further explanation.
“If I'm to be a partner of yours in this restoration of rights, or stolen property, or vindication of family honor,” he said, “I think you should tell me what it's all about. That's the way things are done in a real partnership of any sort, aren't they?” ”

“ I can't help anything that's been done any more than I can help being a Harnway or you can help being a Powell. Isn't it time that all the old horrible, tragic episodes of a feud were brushed aside, and the feud itself forgotten? ”

“ Poor, unfortunate men! What despair they must have felt in that moment.”
The captain caught Pietro's eyes fixed on her in the dim light with a great look of understanding, as if he recognized a kindred spirit in the world of romance, and once again was bewildered by the many sides to the girl's character. ”

“ An English clergyman was gravely discussing something, and at a near-by table, alone, sat an attractive young woman of the unmistakable American type, who now and then glanced at her tiny wrist watch and frowned as if impatient because some expected one was late.
Captain Jimmy's attention was distracted by the voice of one of the hotel concierges insisting upon the serenaders' boat pulling ahead to make room at the clean, white-marble landing for an arrival. The man was punctuating his remarks with certain Italian expressions that betokened much impatience. ”

“ After the lights of the Grand Canal and the fête the way seemed dark, gloomy, and dangerously narrow. As they progressed in a constantly increasing tension Jimmy was pleased to observe that they passed neither gondola nor other craft. Tommie too noticed it and exultantly called his attention to their good fortune.
“See,” she said quietly, “Pietro was right. This entire part of the city is practically deserted to-night. We shall go to a turn not far from the palace of that dreadful old man, where we shall find a gondola moored. ”

“ Down the dark opening they raced. Their course was no longer obstructed now that they passed through the main procession of craft. Back behind them they could see the distant searchlights of but two boats and then, off to the left, there shone another. Like hounds that had caught a scent the guard boats were answering the alarm and closing in. For a moment Jimmy watched them with sea-trained eyes, and then chuckled as he decided that they were not gaining, but were possibly losing.
“Go to it!” he cried aloud in his excitement. “Catch us if you can! You're welcome. This is some boat to catch!” ”

“ He saw that for a moment she hesitated and that Pietro was staring at her as if to suggest that she decline, and he felt a savage desire to tell that young man that it was not the part of a guide to make suggestions to his employer. She glanced up almost casually at Pietro, intercepted his look and then her lips closed firmly as she replied, “I shall be your guest in the evening, with pleasure, Mr. Ware.”
Pietro arose almost sulkily, recovered his poise, and said: “Then it is planned that we leave the hotel at three o'clock, Signorina Cardell.” ”

“ He did not see her leave the hotel. Furthermore, he did not see Giuseppe. The only man he saw whom he knew was the patient old gondolier whom he had retained, sitting, half asleep, in his repaired and revarnished craft, stolidly awaiting orders. At sight of him Captain Jimmy grinned and thought, “If I don't fire that old crab he'll keep on waiting forever. I don't know which one is the worst, he, Pietro, or that Giuseppe person.” ”

“ But it is a very old man's natural desire that his name should somehow be continued. It might possibly be compounded to Harnway-Powell, or—I'll make the last concession for proof that all my prejudices are done and that the detested and deplorable feud is at an end—he might even legally change the name to Powell-Harnway because I appreciate the Powells as admirable, and honorable, and fearless enemies and a very fine old family. ”

“ Loungers in front of the long row of ancient buildings facing the aged water front, and loungers who sat beneath the trees, indolently stared at the landing party. First came a gray-haired old man in the unmistakable garb of a Venetian gondolier who growled and held the prow of the boat hard to the water-washed stones. ”

“ Captain Jimmy, quietly observant, wondered if all her tours were made in such purposeful manner. When she began to fold the map he hastily summoned the waiter, paid his bill, and without glancing at her sauntered out into the hallway, timing his movements so that he need not depart before she appeared. He saw, lounging in the hallway, the guide Sordillo whom he had overheard talking on the previous night and, even as the rustle of girlish garments behind gave warning of approach, stepped across and accosted him.
“I see by your badge,” he said, “that you are a guide. ”

“ Here is the launch, signorina,” Pietro shouted, and the gondola swept up alongside their craft. Together, pell-mell, they tumbled in, the girl still clutching her treasure to her breast, and although excited she was anything but panic-stricken. The feeling of the launch beneath her feet seemed to reassure her.
“We still have a chance,” she exulted. “And if they overtake us, at least no one shall have the casket. I'll throw it overboard, first, rather than let it go back to the Harnways.”
“Good!” Jimmy explained fervently. “Good! Why not chuck it now?” ”