Chapter XI: The Inquisition

UNOBSERVED, the Spaniard had turned the well-oiled lock and silently gained the room. How long he had been there I knew not, but, caught fairly in the act of attempted concealment, I could only look at him in blank dismay.

"Ah, Señor Ralph!" he remarked at length, "'tis a sad failing with lads. They are always prying into other people's business, and helping themselves to anything that meets their eye."

"Since some of the charts are my father's," I retorted, "'tis meet and proper that his son should be allowed to examine them."

Don Iago's face betrayed no surprise at my reply.

"These charts seem to interest you as much as others interest me. To come to the point: You are now in my house, a fact that proves to you that I am able to control your immediate future. You have had a foretaste of what may happen if you obstinately refuse to accept my conditions."

"I refuse to accept your word," I replied. "How can you place reliance on my promise to return with the chart when once I am safe at home?"

"To be blunt with you, your father will be a hostage for your safe return. He knows the position of the mine without having to make use of the plan, but, like you, he is obstinate."

"Then I, too, will be obstinate," I rejoined doggedly.

"My lad," said d'Alvarez softly, "I am sorry for you. There is no alternative but to hand you over to the Holy Office. More, you will be employed to compel your mulish sire to disgorge the secret. 'Tis a last resource, but 'twill not fail."

For a few moments he eyed me keenly, as if to detect any sign of wavering, but I maintained a resolute silence.

Seating himself at the table, Don Iago leisurely took pen and paper, wrote a few lines and sprinkled them with sand.

"Here is the order delivering your body and your soul to the jurisdiction of the Holy Inquisition," quoth he. "Yet, 'tis not too late to change your mind."

"Nay," I replied. "My conditions are simple enow. I ask but to see my father, obtain his free consent, and your desire will be gratified. Otherwise, I refuse, and you can do your worst."

"By the Virgin!" he exclaimed vehemently, "you shall see your father, but not in the way you wish."

Thereupon he folded and sealed the missive and rang a bell. The summons was answered by two powerful-looking men dressed in the same sombre livery as the servant who had admitted me into the house.

Seizing me by the shoulders they marched me forth into the courtyard, where a file of pikemen stood waiting as if anticipating the use of their services. My arms were secured behind my back, and, surrounded by the soldiers, I was marched down the street towards the harbour.

Having traversed the marketplace, the pikemen, instead of taking the road that led to the water-gate, turned off to the left and skirted the water front of the town for a considerable distance.

At length I saw before me a formidable-looking fortress, which I rightly guessed to be the prison wherein heretics and other offenders 'gainst the Popish faith were confined.

It consisted of a lofty eight-sided keep, surrounded by a high embattled "curtain," without which was a double moat crossed by drawbridges, each of which was defended by a barbican. The outer moat appeared to be tidal, but the inner one was filled with stagnant water.

At the outer gateway we were met by an officer and a guard of fully-armed soldiers. The order for the delivery of my body was presented and duly signed, and the pikemen handed me over to the care of half a score of arquebusiers.

By them I was taken across the first drawbridge and placed in a low stone chamber with a heavily-groined roof.

{Illustration: "MY JAILERS HALTED BEFORE A SMALL OAKEN DOOR." [p.
124.}

Here four stalwart men, clad in leathern jerkins, seized hold of me. In a few moments I was stripped to the skin, while to prevent the possible concealment of a weapon or tool of any sort they ran their fingers through my hair and even forced open my mouth.

Having satisfied themselves on this point, they made me don a loose garment not unlike a friar's gown, and fastened fetters to my wrists. The end of a rope was placed round my neck, one of my jailers holding the other end, and in this manner I was marched across the inner drawbridge into the castle itself.

Within all seemed ominously quiet. Here and there were a few monks with clasped hands and downcast eyes, as if unaware of their surroundings, some austere-looking priests, and several brawny men clad similarly to my new custodians.

Passing through the triple gateway of the principal tower, I bade farewell to the open air and the direct sunlight for many a long day. Through a sombre passage I was led slowly and silently, as if the dignified progress were calculated to fill me with awe and terror.

Presently my jailers came to a halt before a small oaken door studded with nails. It was so low that it was necessary to descend three more steps ere a man could pass beneath the flattened arch.

Back swung a heavy door, disclosing a stone-vaulted passage, from which a dank, unwholesome odour emanated. Taking a torch from an iron rack, one of the men lit it and preceded me the others following almost on my heels, after the hindermost man had kindled another torch and carefully relocked the door.

I counted twoscore paces ere the men halted before one of the double row of iron-bound doors that flanked the passage. Over it was the number nineteen, and so long as I remained in the prison I was to be known by that number.

Within the cell, which was barely seven feet by five, the furniture consisted merely of a wooden bench at a height of about two feet from the ground, an earthenware basin and platter, a small bundle of straw, and a coverlet of sackcloth.

One of the thick stone walls was pierced by a small aperture that admitted both light and air--though there was little indeed of the former, for my hasty look around was possible only by the flicker of the torches.

It was a prison wherein a miserable captive had not the remotest chance of escape, but even this did not satisfy my jailers; they must needs fasten a chain round my left ankle ere casting loose the fetters that bound my arms.

Then, having filled my pitcher with water and placed a small brown loaf upon the platter, they left me to my own resources.

I waited till the last sound of their departing footsteps died away, and then mounted upon the bench and raised myself to the aperture. This I accomplished with difficulty, for although the length of the chain permitted me to move thus far, I had to raise its weight in addition to my own.

Owing to the thickness of the walls and the narrowness of the opening in the stonework my range of vision was greatly restricted, but I made the discovery that my cell was partly below the surface of the water in the inner moat. A rise of a foot in its level would flood the prison.

On the farther side of the moat a wall rose sheer to a height of quite twenty feet, the masonry being so smooth that even a rat could not obtain a foothold, while on the summit a musketeer was slowly pacing to and fro.

Eager to learn whether the adjoining cells were tenanted, I dropped back to the floor and knocked upon one of the intervening walls with my platter, putting my ear to the stonework to catch the faintest sound of a reply to my signal. But 'twas in vain; it was the silence of the tomb.

Then I tried the opposite wall, but my ear detected the sound of a most dismal groaning that I was glad to abandon my efforts in that direction. Evidently my neighbour had been the victim of excruciating torture, and had been carried back to die--or to survive solely for the purpose of being put to the rack again.

By degrees my eyes grew accustomed to the gloom, and ere nightfall I could discern objects in the cell with as much ease as I had in the torchlight. Strangely enough it was not the fear of what was going to happen that troubled me; it was the deadly monotony that threatened to reduce me to the lowest depths of despair.

Then day after day went by till I lost all count of time. Save for the regular visits of my jailers when they came to supply me with food and water, and an occasional glimpse of the sentry on the wall of the moat, I saw the face of no human being.

After many days I began to realise that my strength was failing me. This I knew to be due mostly to my meagre fare, but 'twas also owing to a lack of exercise. Over the former I had no control, but hereafter I made it part of my daily business to work my arms and legs till the muscles once more began to resume their wonted strength and suppleness.

At length--it must have been some months after the _San Josef_ brought me into harbour--I was startled by the entry of a number of men, whose heads were hidden under long, black, cone-shaped hoods, with holes for their eyes and mouths. They were the "familiars" of the Holy Inquisition.

They filed in silently till the little cell was filled to overflowing. Without speaking a word, they seized me and stripped my cloak-like garment from my shoulders till it served only as a loin-cloth. Into the dismal stone passage I was thrust, then, preceded and followed by the "familiars," was made to traverse a portion of the tunnel-like shaft till further progress was stopped by a blank wall.

Stooping down, one of the men raised a circular slab disclosing a spiral staircase. Descending, I found myself in another passage even more foetid than the other, for the walls were green with slime, and moisture trickled 'twixt every joint in the masonry, causing the torches to splutter and give forth thick smoke continually.

Presently the procession stopped abreast of a deep recess. Here, covered with a sheet, lay a man, so grievously mishandled that his groans were terrible to listen to.

Some of the "familiars" seized the litter on which he lay and bore it joltingly along the passage I had traversed; whilst the others, now numbering but four, compelled me to resume my way.

{Illustration: "FOUR MASKED AND HOODED FAMILIARS ENTERED." [p.138.}

At the end of the subterranean gallery its whole width and height were taken up by a double door. This could be opened only from the remote side, and in reply to a thunderous knock--to enable those within to hear, so thick was the timber--the door was flung back.

For an instant I was almost blinded by the sudden glare, and ere I had time to take in the scene I was pushed forward into a large room and the doors fastened behind me.

The place was nearly a score paces in length, and almost the same in breadth. The walls, floor, and ceiling were of stone, the latter being heavily groined, with a double row of massive rounded pillars to bear the weight of the roof. At one end of the central aisle, if I may term it so, was a raised daïs hung with crimson cloth, above which was a large crucifix.

Seated on the daïs were three men clad in crimson gowns and wearing masks. These were the Chief Inquisitor and his two assistants.

In front and slightly below the daïs was a long table, covered with books and bundles of parchment, while two scriveners were waiting to set down whatever the Inquisitors thought fit to dictate.

Away on the left glowed a brazier of coals, by the side of which a hooded "familiar" was ostentatiously heating a pair of long-handled pincers. Hard by stood the rack, with its complication of pulleys and levers, ready to wring from some unhappy sufferer a confession to a crime he had never committed.

The only officers of the court who were not masked were two pikemen, clad in breast and back pieces, and steel caps somewhat resembling the "pot" of our train-bands.

Standing betwixt two pikemen, with the "familiars" behind me ready to carry out the behests of their masters, I faced the three Inquisitors.

With neither undue haste nor unnecessary delay, one of the scriveners read an indictment in Latin. What it was about I was totally ignorant of, and for the first time in my existence I regretted having refused the offer of old Master Ridge, the apothecary, to teach me that tongue. However, when the reading was completed, the scrivener translated it in very fair English.

It was formidable enough in all sooth. I was charged with being concerned in a heinous crime against the Holy Church, to wit, the theft of a jewelled crucifix identified as having been taken from the cathedral of Carthagena. Furthermore, I was a heretic. These crimes brought me within the arm of the Inquisition. As for the charge of piracy, that had been waived by the Spanish civil courts in order to let the Holy Office wreak its vengeance upon me.

On the first charge I battled desperately for my life, vehemently protesting that I knew nothing of the church ornament till a seaman of the _San Josef_ found it in Captain Cleat's chest.

As to being a heretic, I admitted I was such according to the Popish tenets, but stoutly maintained that I was a member of a religion established by the laws of the realm of England.

Whether the scrivener translated all I said I know not, but within ten minutes my sentence was pronounced.

As a sacrilegist and a heretic I was to be burned at the stake.

Although I had secretly expected it, the actual pronunciation of my fearful sentence made me reel as if stricken with a club. I turned faint and dizzy, my knees shook, and but for the support given by the two soldiers I would have fallen to the ground.

They made no attempt to remove me. As I cowered and trembled the Inquisitors seemed to be taking an unholy delight in watching my misery and despair.

Then the Chief Inquisitor spoke. He had a sweet, melodious voice, the sound of which made me marvel how a man who delighted in inflicting torture and death could speak in such a tone.

When he had finished, the scrivener who acted as interpreter told me that for the time being the execution of my sentence would be deferred or even mitigated. On the earnest supplication of the right worthy Don Iago d'Alvarez mercy might yet be shown me. If, on the other hand, I was obstinate and stiff-necked, torture would be inflicted ere the final punishment took place. In the meantime I was to be removed and allowed the ministrations of a priest to prepare my stubborn mind for the fruits of the true Church.

With that I was marched off--not back to my cell, but to another on the opposite side of the passage.

My jailers kept their torches without, so that at first I could not discover my limited surroundings, but soon I was aware that the cell possessed another occupant. A man was crouching on the low wooden bench, his hunched shoulder denoting complete apathy as to what was going on. I could see that he was of massive frame, though his flesh was shrunken till his cheek-bones protruded under his waxen complexion. A tangle of long dark hair and beard nearly concealed his features.

Somehow or other my instinct told me that it was none other than my father, yet I kept silence till the door closed upon us. Then I called him by name.

Instantly he started, drew his hand across his forehead as if to collect his wits, then springing to his feet with an alacrity that seemed surprising, he grasped me by the shoulder.

"Who are you?" he demanded; then looking earnestly into my face he exclaimed, "Ralph, my son, what evil chance has brought you here?"

For some time after the first few moments of surprise we were deep in conversation, question and answer following in quick succession; then he besought me to tell him of the circumstances under which I was made a prisoner of the Inquisition. We talked in low tones, fearful lest an unseen listener was lurking to trap us into some diabolical snare.

When that ended, he told me the whole story of his dealings with Don Iago d'Alvarez, of the finding of the mine, of the Spaniard's treachery, and of the loss of the silver in the Rio del Foy. "As for the chart he seeks, Ralph," continued my father, "it still remains hidden in our house at Crofton. Without it even I would be unable to find the spot, and it is certain that I cannot commit the secret of the mine within my breast."

"But my mother left the house soon after you disappeared," said I.

"Then if we ever escape from this grave danger the plan can easily be obtained. Something seems to tell me that we may yet be delivered from these fiendish toils. Were I sure it would be otherwise, Ralph, I would as lief strangle you with mine own hands and beat my brains out against this wall, rather than suffer the tortures these incarnate fiends love to inflict."

"Tell me," I said presently, "what happened on the night you were called away and did not return?"

"It is a long story, Ralph. Briefly, it was the doing of d'Alvarez and his crafty companion José da Silva. Knowing where I lived, and wishing to gain the coveted information--thinking, possibly, that I kept the chart ever on my person--they obtained an audience with Philip of Spain and suggested the great importance of securing the person of an English pilot well acquainted with the Channel. I know not whether 'tis now common knowledge at home, but ere long--though it may be years hence--Spain will try her utmost to bring England once more under her yoke. Here it is well known that a large fleet--the largest that the world has ever yet seen--will be built for that purpose, and having use for skilled pilots, the King of Spain did not hesitate to give his ear to the counsels of d'Alvarez and his craven friend.

"So when I was called upon that night I went, mistrusting no one, and on boarding the ship that lay off the haven, 'twas no _Speedie_ of Brixham, but a swift galeas of Cadiz. I discovered the trap ere their longboat ran alongside, but 'twas too late. Several of the rogues had broken pates to remember me thereby, but by weight of numbers they secured me.

"When the vessel reached Spain I was taken to the Escurial into the presence of King Philip. I was offered much gold and plenteous rewards should I take service under him and the expedition prove successful--though the Dons had few doubts as to the latter.

"'Heretofore I was your Majesty's pilot,' I replied. 'And though 'twas by order of my sovereign, 'twas the worst bit of work I ever did for my country. Rest assured, sire, that 'twill not occur again.'

"With that I was hastened off to prison, tortured all to no purpose, for I swore that nothing would make me play the traitor.

"Then it was that d'Alvarez interposed, claimed my person from the King, and obtained his consent to do with me as he would. Now, indeed, he has, through you, hit me hard, but as I hope for eternal salvation, I believe in my heart that you and I will see Old England again."

"And I, too, will be resolute, hoping for a happy issue out of our misfortunes," I added.

At length, by the dimming of the light that filtered in through a narrow grated opening, we knew that evening was drawing nigh. Still we talked in undertones, happy in our reunion in spite of the miserable conditions under which we had met.

Suddenly the door of our cell was opened and the four masked and hooded "familiars" entered. Ghostlike they indicated that I should accompany them. My father clasped me in his arms to take possibly a last farewell, but roughly we were separated, and with a long despairing look I was led forth.

Stripped as before to my waist they brought me to the torture-chamber; then, having placed me between the two pikemen, the "familiars" departed.