The Heart of the Lion - Plaidy Jean. Страница 57

‘’Tis true enough,’ said Richard, ‘and it may be that the most honest of merchants would be suspected.’

It was so difficult for him to deceive. He was not meant to play any role but that of a king. His manners would have betrayed him again and again to any who was suspicious.

‘We are watchful,’ said their host. ‘I shall be obliged to let it be known that a party of pilgrims has passed this way. Did you know that King Richard has left Palestine?’

‘Is that so?’ said Baldwin before Richard could speak.

‘He has to return to his kingdom where his brother is causing trouble and it seems that he made many enemies when he was in Palestine.’

‘It is difficult not to,’ began Richard.

Baldwin interrupted: ‘There will always be rumours. It is well not to believe them all.’ Even as he spoke he threw an apologetic look at Richard for interrupting him. It was not only impossible for Richard to disguise himself; it was almost equally so for his men.

‘I have heard it said often that the king of France and the Emperor of Germany are against him, as well as Duke Leopold of Austria. My own Governor had reason to hate him.’

‘What reasons are these?’ demanded Richard hotly.

‘My Governor is Count Meinhard of Goritz, nephew of the Marquis Conrad de Montferrat, who was murdered on the orders of Richard of England.’

‘That is not true,’ cried Richard indignantly.

Again Baldwin had the temerity to interrupt. ‘Who says this?’ he asked mildly.

‘All say it. The Marquis was to be King of Jerusalem. Richard of England did not wish this, wanting the crown to go to his own man, Guy de Lusignan; but it was Conrad who had the right. The King of England finally relented and gave his consent to the appointment. It is said that he did this because he was planning to despatch the Count.’

‘It was not the King of England who murdered him,’ said Richard. ‘I swear it, on my pilgrim’s palm.’

‘Ah, my dear merchant, what can we know of these matters? Very soon after Conrad’s election he was returning home after dining with a friend when he was set upon by assassins and stabbed to death.’

‘These assassins were in the employ of the Old Man of the Mountains.’

‘Rumours have come from the mountains that it was Richard of England who ordered the murder of the Count.’

‘Then the Old Man lies.’

Their host looked furtive. Then he said: ‘I must beg of you not to speak ill of the Old Man at my table.’

‘So you fear him,’ cried Richard.

‘All wise men fear the Old Man, sir. It is said that he never forgets a slight. I would not care to be set upon by one of his men. Nay, I speak well of the Old Man. I but wish to warn you that as pilgrims it will be necessary for you to have safe conduct from the Governor.’

‘This Count . . .’ began Richard.

‘Count Meinhard of Goritz, nephew of the Count Conrad de Montferrat.’

‘Very well,’ said Richard. ‘We will ask his permission to pass safely through his land.’

In the room assigned to them they talked in whispers.

‘Think you he knew who I was?’ asked Richard.

‘It is certain, Sire, that he knew you were no ordinary merchant.’

‘Do not call me Sire. People listen. Call me Hugo. Now, Baldwin, we shall have to ask permission to cross the country. Do you think this fellow is suspicious of us?’

‘It might well be so, Sire . . . Hugo.’

‘I will send the Count a gift – a ring I have. I will tell the messenger that I bought it from a Pisan merchant at a bargain price. I would wish him to have it to show our gratitude for giving us free passage through his land.’

‘My lord . . . Hugo,’ said Baldwin, ‘that ring is a very fine one.’

‘Nay,’ said Richard, ‘but a bauble. Let us send it without delay, for I am eager to proceed with the journey. Now we must get a night’s sleep and in the morning be ready to continue our journey.’

He lay down on the pallet his host had provided. One of the men lay across the door, while the others placed themselves in strategic positions.

He lay brooding, thinking of the wasted months, of what was happening in his kingdom, of the treachery of John and Philip – an ill-assorted pair – of the nobility of Saladin.

When the ring was brought to Meinhard of Goritz he looked at it intently.

‘A merchant gave it?’ he said. ‘A merchant Hugo who is with a band of pilgrims?’

He sent for his jeweller.

‘It is a very fine ring,’ said the jeweller.

‘Scarcely one that a merchant would bestow for a free passage,’ said Meinhard.

He dismissed the jeweller and discussed the matter with his ministers.

‘There is something unusual about these pilgrims,’ he said. ‘I hear that one has a bearing of great dignity. He is said to be a merchant but the other members of the party seem very respectful towards him while attempting not to be.’

His chief minister smiled slowly. ‘My lord Count,’ he said, ‘we know that Richard of England has left Palestine. He will be wishing to reach England by the shortest route. This might well be by land.’

Meinhard nodded. ‘And you imply that our merchant Hugo could be the King of England?’

‘Who but a king would bestow such a ring as though it is a trifle. What is of great value to most men is a bagatelle to a king.’

‘If this is indeed King Richard, the murderer of my uncle, then what shall we do?’

‘We will take him prisoner. The Emperor will not easily forgive us if we allow him to slip through our fingers.’

‘I will send for the messengers whom we have been holding and give them back the ring. Then we will take him captive.’

‘There are many who would not forgive us if we did not make it known that he had arrived.’

Meinhard of Goritz sent for the messenger.

‘Take this ring back to your master,’ he said. ‘It does not belong to Hugo the Merchant. It belongs to King Richard of England. I have given my word to seize and question all pilgrims who pass through my territory and not to take gifts from them in return for a safe conduct. But this is a different matter. This is the King of England whose fame has travelled ahead of him. It is Coeur de Lion himself. Therefore take the ring and tell him that I have given my word not to accept gifts but because of his greatness and his generosity in offering it to me, I will give him free leave to go.’

When the messenger rode back with the ring and the message there was consternation among Richard’s friends.

‘I like not those words,’ said Baldwin. ‘There is a threat beneath them.’

‘I think so too,’ answered Richard. ‘We will not leave by sea. They will be watching the coast, and if I travel with a large party I shall be recognised immediately. I will go from here with a few of you and some of my possessions and I will start at once. I feel that to delay would be dangerous.’

They parted company and Richard set out. He had not been gone more than an hour when troops arrived at the lodging. Those who remained of Richard’s followers were arrested and taken to Meinhard of Goritz.

When they were brought before him he said: ‘Where is the merchant Hugo?’

Baldwin said: ‘I know not. He left us to pursue his journey alone.’

Meinhard was furious. He saw that he had acted in a manner to arouse suspicion. He should have sent the troops back with the ring. He had presumed that Richard would have accepted his promise for safe conduct and have landed right into his net.

There was no help for it. He had lost the King . . . but temporarily, he promised himself.

There was no time for reproaches. He sent messengers at once to his brother Frederick of Betsau, for the host of the previous night when questioned had revealed in which direction Richard had gone, which indicated that he must pass through Frederick’s lands.