"Your Highness has mistaken," said Ben Israel; "there is no treachery in
the young man. I have told your Highness how he came to me, and what he
knows. Your servant has not spoken words of falsehood, but of truth."
"But you did not tell me he was not a Jew: you know him not as I do,"
was the Protector's reply: "he consorts with----" then suddenly checking
himself, he continued, addressing the soldiers: "But search him gently
withal--peradventure he has no secret weapons--we would not deal
unjustly; but, of late, there has been so much evil intended us by all
classes of Malignants, that it behoves us to be careful. Methinks,
friend Manasseh, there was no need of this disguise?"
"It was to avoid the scandal of my own people, please your Highness, who
would marvel to see any other than one of our tribe about my person."
The little girl, who was no other than Bridget, a great favourite of
Cromwell's, and one of the youngest children of Ireton, the Protector's
son-in-law, seemed much amused at the search, and the extraordinary
materials it brought to light. There was a whistle, a string of bells, a
small black mask, quantities of paint and patches, and various other
things; but no arms of any kind, save the small Spanish dagger which
Robin so lately exchanged with the sailor at Greenwich. The Protector
took this up, examined it attentively, placed it in a small drawer, then
briefly dismissed the attendants, and seating himself, apologised to Ben
Israel for the delay.
"This person will not wonder at it," he continued, looking at Robin;
"for he knows what excellent reason I have to believe him an adept in
falsehood."
"No one ever heard me speak a lie, please your Highness," said Robin, in
a hesitating and tremulous voice.
"I cannot call to mind your speaking lies; but you are famous for acting
them: however, I desire you speak none here."
"Please your Highness," returned Robin Hays, regaining his
self-possession, "I do not intend it, for it would be useless."
"How mean ye?"
"Because your Highness can always tell truth from falsehood; and say who
is the speaker, no matter how hidden from others."
A smile relaxed for a moment the full, firm, but flexible mouth of
Oliver Cromwell, at this well-timed compliment to that on which he so
much prided himself--his penetration. He then commenced questioning the
Ranger upon his knowledge of Sir Willmott Burrell and the Rabbi's
daughter. Robin did not in the least degree equivocate; but related
every particular as minutely and distinctly as he had done to Ben
Israel; not omitting his knowledge that Sir Willmott meditated the
destruction of Walter De Guerre. Cromwell listened to the details with
much attention; but it was not until this portion of his story was
concluded, that, with his usual wiliness, he told the Ranger, that, as
it had nothing to do with Manasseh Ben Israel, it need not have been
mentioned.