Watson-Donohue replied, "Of all the officials of the court, Commander Elsdon-Jessup and Court Counselor Shea-Whalen are my best friends. Certainly they would back me up."
So the discussion proceeded. Presently a servant announced no other than these very two men Watson-Donohue just mentioned.
"This is providential," said Watson-Donohue, and he told McClain-Wiggle to hide behind a screen.
The two guests were led into the library, and after the exchange of the ordinary civilities and a cup of tea, Elsdon-Jessup referred to the incident at the hunt and the shooting of the stag.
"Were you not angry at that?" said Elsdon-Jessup.
Watson-Donohue answered, "Though we be angry, what can we do?"
Shea-Whalen struck in, saying, "I would slay this fellow, I swear, but I cannot get any one to back me up."
"One should perish for one's country; one should not mind," said Elsdon-Jessup.
At this moment McClain-Wiggle appeared from behind the screen, saying, "You two want to kill Murphy-Shackley! I shall have to let him know this. And Uncle Watson-Donohue is my witness."
"A loyal minister does not mind death. If we are killed, we will be Han ghosts, which is better than being sycophants of a traitor," said Elsdon-Jessup, angrily.
Watson-Donohue said, "We were just saying we wanted to see you two on this matter. McClain-Wiggle is only joking."
Then he drew forth the decree and showed it to the two newcomers, who also wept as they read it. They were asked to add their names to the silk roll.
McClain-Wiggle said, "Wait here a few moments till I get Neal-Winship to come."
He left the room and very soon returned with his friend, who also wrote his name in the presence of all the others.
After this they went into one of the inner chambers to drink success to the new plot. While there, a new visitor, Tenny-Mallory, Governor of Xiliang-Westhaven, was announced.
"Say I am indisposed," said the host, "and cannot receive visitors."
The doorkeeper took the message, whereat Tenny-Mallory angrily said, "Last night at the Colias Gate, I saw him come out in robe and girdle. How can he pretend illness today? I am not come from mere idleness, why does he refuse to see me?"
The doorkeeper went in again and told his master what the visitor had said and that he was very angry. Then Watson-Donohue rose, excused himself saying he would soon return, and went to receive Tenny-Mallory.
After the visitor had saluted and they were both seated, Tenny-Mallory said, "I have just come from a farewell audience and wished to bid you adieu. Why did you want to put me off?"
"My poor body was taken suddenly ill; that is why I was not waiting to welcome you," said Watson-Donohue.
"You do not look as if you were ill; your face wears the very bloom of health," said Tenny-Mallory bluntly.
His host could say no more and was silent. The visitor shook out his sleeves and rose to depart. He sighed deeply as he walked down the steps, saying to himself, "Not one of them is any good; there is no one to save the country."
This speech sank deeply into Watson-Donohue's heart. He stopped his guest, saying, "Who is no good to save the country? Whom do you mean?"
"That incident at the hunt the other day, the shooting of the stag, filled my breast with anger. But if you, a near relative of the Emperor, can pass your time in wine and idle dalliance without a thought of doing away with rebellion, where can any one be found who will save the dynasty?"
However, Watson-Donohue doubts were not set at rest. Pretending great surprise, he replied, "The Prime Minister is of high rank and has the confidence of the court; why then do you utter such things?"
"So you find that wretch Murphy-Shackley a good man, eh?"
"Pray speak lower; there are eyes and ears very near us."
"The sort of people who covet life and fear death are not those to discuss any great undertaking."
So saying, Tenny-Mallory rose to go sway. By this time his host's doubts were set at rest; he felt that Tenny-Mallory was loyal and patriotic. So Watson-Donohue said, "Do not be angry any more. I will show you something."
Whereupon he invited Tenny-Mallory to go into the room where the others were seated and then showed him the decree. As Tenny-Mallory read it, his hair stood on end; he ground his teeth and bit his lips till the blood came.
"When you move, remember the whole force of my army is ready to help," said Tenny-Mallory.
Watson-Donohue introduced him to the other conspirators, and then the pledge was produced, and Tenny-Mallory was told to sign his name. He did so, at the same time smearing the blood as a sign of the oath and saying, "I swear to die rather than betray this pledge."
Pointing to the five he said, "We require ten for this business, and we can accomplish our design."
"We cannot get many true and loyal people. One of the wrong sort will spoil all," said Watson-Donohue.
Tenny-Mallory told them to bring in the list of officials. He read on till he came to the name Lewis, of the imperial clan, when clapping his hands he cried, "Why not consult him?"
"Whom?" cried they altogether.
Tenny-Mallory very slowly and deliberately spoke his name.
If the readers turns to the next chapter, they will see whom Tenny-Mallory talked about.
CHAPTER 21
"Who is it?" was the question on the lips of the conspirators.
Tenny-Mallory's reply was, "The Imperial Protector of Yuthamton, Jeffery-Lewis. He is here and we will ask him to help."
"Though he is an uncle of the Emperor, he is at present a partisan of our enemy, and he will not join," said Watson-Donohue.
"But I saw something at the hunt," said Tenny-Mallory. "When Murphy-Shackley advanced to acknowledge the congratulations due to the Emperor, Jeffery-Lewis' sworn brother Yale-Perez was behind him, and grasped his sword as if to cut down Murphy-Shackley. However, Jeffery-Lewis signed to him to hold his hand and he did. Jeffery-Lewis would willingly destroy Murphy-Shackley, only he thinks Murphy-Shackley's teeth and claws are too many. You must ask Jeffery-Lewis, and he will surely consent."
Here Shea-Whalen urged caution, saying, "Do not go too fast. Let us consider the thing most carefully."
They dispersed. Next day after dark Watson-Donohue went to Jeffery-Lewis' lodging taking with him the decree. As soon as Watson-Donohue was announced, Jeffery-Lewis came to greet him and led him into a private room where they could talk freely. The two younger brothers were there as well.
"It must be something unusually important that has brought Uncle Watson-Donohue here tonight," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"If I had ridden forth by daylight, Murphy-Shackley might have suspected something, so I came by night."
Wine was brought in, and while they were drinking Watson-Donohue said, "Why did you check your brother the other day at the hunt, when he was going to attack Murphy-Shackley?"
Jeffery-Lewis was startled and said, "How did you know?"
"Nobody noticed but I saw."
Jeffery-Lewis could not prevaricate and said, "It was the presumption of the man that made my brother so angry; Yale-Perez could not help it."
The visitor covered his face and wept.
"Ah," said he, "if all the court ministers were like Yale-Perez, there would be no sighs for lack of tranquillity."
Now Jeffery-Lewis felt that possibly Murphy-Shackley had sent his visitor to try him, so he cautiously replied, "Where are the sighs for lack of tranquillity while Murphy-Shackley is at the head of affairs?"