GK Chesterton Father Brown 2 Wisdom of Father Brown, The

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bundle of papers and envelopes to the brigand.
Excellent! cried that outlaw gaily; so far we are all cozy. I resume the
points of my proclamation, so soon to be published to all Italy. The third
item is that of ransom. I am asking from the friends of the Harrogate family a
ransom of three thousand pounds, which I am sure is almost insulting to that
family in its moderate estimate of their importance. Who would not pay triple
this sum for another day s association with such a domestic circle? I will not
conceal from you that the document ends with certain legal phrases about the
unpleasant things that may happen if the money is not paid; but meanwhile,
ladies and gentlemen, let me assure you that I am comfortably off here for
accommodation, wine and cigars, and bid you for the present a sportsman-like
welcome to the luxuries of the Paradise of Thieves.
All the time that he had been speaking, the dubious-looking men with carbines
and dirty slouch hats had been gathering silently in such preponderating
numbers that even Muscari was compelled to recognize his sally with the sword
as hopeless. He glanced around him; but the girl had already gone over to
soothe and comfort her father, for her natural affection for his person was as
strong or stronger than her somewhat snobbish pride in his success. Muscari,
with the illogicality of a lover, admired this filial devotion, and yet was
irritated by it. He slapped his sword back in the scabbard and went and flung
himself somewhat sulkily on one of the green banks. The priest sat down within
a yard or two, and Muscari turned his aquiline nose on him in an instantaneous
irritation.
Well, said the poet tartly, do people still think me too romantic? Are
there, I wonder, any brigands left in the mountains?
There may be, said Father Brown agnostically.
What do you mean? asked the other sharply.
I mean I am puzzled, replied the priest. I am puzzled about Ezza or
Montano, or whatever his name is. He seems to me much more inexplicable as a
brigand even than he was as a courier.
But in what way? persisted his companion. Santa Maria! I should have
thought the brigand was plain enough.
I find three curious difficulties, said the priest in a quiet voice. I
should like to have your opinion on them. First of all I must tell you I was
lunching in that restaurant at the seaside. As four of you left the room, you
and Miss Harrogate went ahead, talking and laughing; the banker and the
courier came behind, speaking sparely and rather low. But I could not help
hearing Ezza say these words Well, let her have a little fun; you know the
blow may smash her any minute. Mr. Harrogate answered nothing; so the words
must have had some meaning. On the impulse of the moment I warned her brother
that she might be in peril; I said nothing of its nature, for I did not know.
But if it meant this capture in the hills, the thing is nonsense. Why should
the brigand-courier warn his patron, even by a hint, when it was his whole
purpose to lure him into the mountain-mousetrap? It could not have meant that.
But if not, what is this disaster, known both to courier and banker, which
hangs over Miss Harrogate s head?
Disaster to Miss Harrogate! ejaculated the poet, sitting up with some
ferocity. Explain yourself; go on.
All my riddles, however, revolve round our bandit chief, resumed the priest
reflectively. And here is the second of them. Why did he put so prominently
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in his demand for ransom the fact that he had taken two thousand pounds from
his victim on the spot? It had no faintest tendency to evoke the ransom. Quite
the other way, in fact. Harrogate s friends would be far likelier to fear for
his fate if they thought the thieves were poor and desperate. Yet the
spoliation on the spot was emphasized and even put first in the demand. Why
should Ezza Montano want so specially to tell all Europe that he had picked
the pocket before he levied the blackmail?
I cannot imagine, said Muscari, rubbing up his black hair for once with an
unaffected gesture. You may think you enlighten me, but you are leading me
deeper in the dark. What may be the third objection to the King of the
Thieves?
The third objection, said Father Brown, still in meditation, is this bank [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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