{"id":4148,"date":"2014-04-27T14:53:49","date_gmt":"2014-04-27T18:53:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4148"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:13:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:13:00","slug":"trapped-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4148","title":{"rendered":"Trapped (by ViveAdam)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: <\/span>Ben receives an unexpected visit and discovers a part of his eldest son’s private life…<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 MA \u00a0WC \u00a05300<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Trapped\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Six o\u2019clock pm!<\/strong> In desperation, Ben Cartwright helped himself to a cup of tea, alas almost cold, and bit absent-mindedly into a cookie. He was annoyed with himself for having waited, as if he ignored that his three sons had been training for the Big June Rodeo. As soon as they had finished with their work, they used to dash to the corral. Tea was the least of their worries.<\/p>\n

At this stage of his thinking, Ben heard the noise of a trotting and the scrunching of bad lubricated wheels, and he stood up. He drew back the cretonne curtains that were covering the window and saw the assistant of the sheriff get down from a carriage with a man he didn\u2019t know but that could identify as a Marshall because of the insignia of his office. The man showed a brooding, impassive and rigid face.<\/p>\n

Puzzled, Ben opened the door. \u201cHello, Auguster ! Good evening, Mister, Mister\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00ab Pearson, Ted Pearson, Federal Marshall. Could you spare us a few minutes ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, gentlemen ! I even can offer you some tea if you like it not too warm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thank you, Ben\u201d, Auguster replied eyeing up the bottle of whisky. Seeing what, Ben took it out and poured a drink to each of his guests.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now, Auguster, what\u2019s the matter ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA matter of high importance, Ben, an affair of State. I told Mr Pearson that you were a citizen beyond reproach, a man of duty and that you were trustworthy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was impressed. It wasn\u2019t usual to hear Auguster pronouncing so solemn words.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I am to disclose, Mister\u201d Pearson interrupted, \u201cis an official secrecy. I brought a Bible for you to swear upon it. We need your help, which implies we\u2019re obliged to reveal some confidential information, but we can\u2019t take the risk of an imprudent divulging.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben having taken the oath with a look of deep conviction, Pearson, at last, decided to get to the heart of the matter.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe story starts at the time of the war between Texans and Mexicans. When the Mexicans understood that the men defending the Alamo would not surrender, they let women and children evacuate the fortress. One of the women was carrying under her clothes the map of several munitions dumps. We were in 1848. This woman kept jealously the map during thirteen years and then, feeling she was dying, she revealed its existence to her two nephews, her closest relatives. She didn\u2019t know that one of them was a member of a secret society that plans to run off with several states or territories in the West, California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and build a new country, a new nation, of course controlled by the society. The man seized the map and we were warned, a few weeks ago, by his cousin who, after hesitating a long time \u2013 because this sect is terrorizing every people approaching it \u2013 decided to ask for our protection. We must take action at once : these criminals surely want to take advantage of the civil war to mobilize all their army contingents to carry out their project, using the Texans\u2019 munitions they\u2019re alone to be able to localize.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded gravely : \u00ab But, how can I help you ? \u00bb<\/p>\n

\u201cWe arrested a woman in Sacramento. She\u2019s a cabaret\u2019s singer. We learnt that she flew away from the sect but she knows where the map is hidden. Only, she refuses to disclose it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what ?\u201d Ben asked, intrigued.<\/p>\n

\u201cWomen of this kind, trading on her charms, is perfectly aware that she has more to fear from those she would betray than from policemen. After all, we don\u2019t have much against her, she doesn\u2019t accost customers in the street. She\u2019s supported by a few bourgeois that have her nights reserved for, except when the man she\u2019s lost her heart to, is staying in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben understood even less what was the policemen\u2019s point.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Ben\u201d Auguster stammered, turning scarlet, \u201cthose girls, there\u2019s only one person having influence on them, it\u2019s the man who can have them without paying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a very interesting story\u201d, Ben exploded, \u201cbut I fail to see why you\u2019re telling me\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere is the thing we found on her bedside table\u201d retorted Pearson, throwing a picture in Ben\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

Ben jumped : the fine and male face smiling in the middle of the oval frame was his eldest son\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt, it\u2019s definitely Adam\u201d, he said in a flat voice.<\/p>\n

Pearson leant down towards him and asked : \u00ab Did you know your son was going around with this girl in Sacramento ? Did you notice any weird behaviour ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would indicate he has something to do with the secret society, that\u2019s what you mean ?\u201d Ben asked with a curt tone. \u201cIn that case, I can assure you that my son is as loyal, honest and patriotic as I am and that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The door opened, interrupting the end of his declaration and his three sons came in, with the rosy cheeks and the good colour that can be seen on men\u2019s face when they have just practised some very physical exercise in the open air Seeing that their father had company, they approached, grinning, to greet his guests but stiffened at discovering the three fellows\u2019 grim look. Ben asked Hoss and Joe to go upstairs to their room, what they did with a surprising docility and stopped as soon as hidden from sight at the passage\u2019s corner.<\/p>\n

Both the sheriff and the Marshall had forgotten them, their attention focused on Adam. Pearson was thinking : \u201cIt\u2019s important not to rush things. Better play with him as a cat with a mouse. He is an essential piece on the chessboard but he could as well belong to the conspirer\u2019s group.\u201d Auguster had always been impressed by Adam. He turned to Ben, tacitly imploring him to take over the running of the conversation. Just what Ben had in mind.<\/p>\n

Adam sat down, surprised by the heavy atmosphere prevailing in the room. He glanced with a questioning look at his father\u2019s stern face. Ben stood up, imitated by the two other men and the three threatening figures gathered around the young man\u2019s armchair.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know where this picture comes from ?\u201d Ben asked, holding out to his son the daguerreotype representing him.<\/p>\n

Adam looked Ben straight in the eye : \u201cYes, I know. I recognize the frame and I\u2019d like to know how it came into your hands. What did happen to Birgit ?\u201d, he questioned, addressing directly to Pearson, \u201cand first, who are you ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can speak the truth, Pearson, I answer for him\u201d Auguster said, for once being equal to the situation. Deciding to stake his all, Pearson told his story again. Hoss and Joe didn\u2019t miss a scrap of it. When it was finished, silence fell down in the large room. Adam was staring at the end of his boots, thoughtfully. His three apparent interlocutors as well as the two hidden ones, were holding their breaths, waiting for his reaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cBirgit as a member of a secret society\u201d, he said, at last, as if continuing aloud what he was thinking, \u201cI can\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you know about this Birgit ? How did you meet her ? What happened between you and her ?\u201d Ben couldn\u2019t get his questions out fast enough.<\/p>\n

Adam wished he could reply that it was none of his business and that nobody, even his father was entitled in interfering in his privacy, but he realised soon enough that his country\u2019s safety was at stake and that he had no card to keep up from people defending it. Doing his best to keep a neutral and equal tone, he declared :<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been knowing her for almost two years. It was during a trip to Sacramento. I\u2019m used to go there when I need to buy seeds. Since I had a few hours spared, I decided I would take advantage of it to buy new clothes. In the main street, I was stopped by a gathering. There were a dozen of strait-laced middle-class women insulting a very pretty little girl. She was bravely holding out at them but it was obvious that she wouldn\u2019t be able to make a step without having her hat torn off. I know neither what they were blaming her for nor how they had come to this point but I offered her my arm and cleared the way for her. While I was escorting her to her shopping, she told me she was singing in a luxury night club and she invited me to take her home after the show. I admit I didn\u2019t consider refusing. She\u2019s a splendid-looking girl. Her voice is a little silly but very sensual when she sings. Wasp-waisted, round and firm rump, perfect legs that she was showing when dancing the French-cancan. I can assure you that I wasn\u2019t the only man to be tantalized at the sight of her laced-rimmed thighs.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Adam was talking, a light had appeared in his eyes. At hearing his evocation of the pretty girl, even Pearson felt the need of passing his tongue over his dry lips. The more Adam was going forward in his account, the more he was persuaded that between him and the appealing Birgit, there was no more than a physical attraction\u2026 or if he actually was a member of the sect, he definitely was a very talented actor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure\u201d, Adam went on, \u201cthat the first night, she gave herself just by way of gratitude, since I had proved to be gratuitously chivalrous with her. Men who pay for her favours by night, at broad daylight, stand at their wives\u2019 side and can\u2019t find words scornful enough to speak about her. They believe they will be forgiven by offering costly jewels but they\u2019re not. This first night, we were just like two children having pleasure, without any idea of past or future. The famous \u201ccarpe diem\u201d. The following day, I found myself standing in front of the cabaret\u2019s exit, having walked there quite mechanically. When she saw me, I don\u2019t know what came over her, she took out from her blouse a handful of dollars and held it out to the man that was escorting her and said : \u201cTake back your money. As long as my friend will stay in town, nobody will get to my bed, whatever the price being offered. You\u2019ll wait until he leaves.\u201d And from now on, that\u2019s the way things happen. As soon as I appear in town, she shuts her door in her\u2026 gentlemen\u2019s face. I was afraid for her to loose her customers but she\u2019s so desirable that they wait for her patiently.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll this story sounds exact, Mr Cartwright\u201d, Pearson said, \u201cwe controlled it before coming. But what\u2019s happening, once the door closed, that\u2019s what we\u2019d like to know. What are you talking about ?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stared at him angrily : \u201cI thought I had been clear enough. What more details do you want me to tell you, Mr Pearson ?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearson made with his hand what he hoped to be a placating gesture. \u201cDon\u2019t misinterpret my words, Mr Cartwright, I just want to learn what you know about her. Did she say anything about her past, her life ? If you can think of something that could help us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing at all. Believe me, she\u2019s only for me a charming and voluptuous mistress. Don\u2019t forget I\u2019m not living in Sacramento and, in total, I must have passed only fifteen or so nights with her, no more. At that rate, we don\u2019t have much time for conversation. No, you\u2019d better not look for indications I don\u2019t have but think of a strategy. Didn\u2019t you say you arrested her ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, she\u2019s in jail but we\u2019ll have soon to release her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you allow me to see her ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish to do so. I plan to take you to Sacramento to-morrow but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut ?\u201d Pearson turned his hat between his fingers : I can\u2019t take any risk, Mr Cartwright and, first, I can\u2019t bet on your innocence. Whatever your father\u2019s protestations, so as Sheriff Auguster\u2019s, you\u2019re a suspect. You could perfectly be a member of the gang and this would explain the sudden infatuation of our singer for your person. You must admit\u201d he added, turning to Ben and Auguster, \u201cthat it\u2019s quite unusual for a loose woman to rebuff a customer having already paid, under the pretext of love at first sight. Consequently, I\u2019m taking you to Sacramento\u201d, he finished, talking to Adam, \u201cbut handcuffed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben fumed with anger : \u201cYou have no right to do that. Adam did nothing wrong. He put up no resistance. On the contrary, he confessed his adventure without forgetting anything. I\u2019ll not let you do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stood up and laid a reassuring hand on his father\u2019s shoulder : \u00ab Of course, you\u2019ll let him do that. It\u2019s not a bad idea, on the contrary, it\u2019s the best way to approach Birgit. Nothing can induce her to speak except if she thinks she has to rescue me. Don\u2019t forget she\u2019s risking death if she\u2019s too much talkative\u2026 That\u2019s why\u201d, he went on addressing to Pearson, \u201cI insist on warning you that I will cooperate at one condition, you will do all what\u2019s necessary to protect Miss Bard. We\u2019ll talk more precisely about that in due time. Now, let\u2019s go to bed. May we offer you hospitality, Mr Pearson ? So, we\u2019ll be able to leave earlier to-morrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t understand, Mr Cartwright. You\u2019re already arrested and you will spend the night in Virginia City\u2019s jail. I will certainly not stay in the Ponderosa, on your ground, just to give you an opportunity to prepare your escape.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I\u2019m following you\u201d, Adam replied hastily in order to repress an explosion from his father. And he held obediently his hands out to the Marshall to be handcuffed. \u201cMaybe you could allow my father, under Auguster\u2019s watch, to prepare a change of clothes. Birgit is not used to see me dirty with sweat and stinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearson nodded. Moving together silently, Hoss and Joe took refuge in Hoss\u2019 bedroom. After packing his son\u2019s clothes, Ben went to his bedroom to pack for himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing ?\u201d Auguster asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think\u201d, Ben retorted going downstairs, \u201cthat I\u2019m leaving my son struggling alone with you and these bandits. I\u2019m accompanying you to Sacramento, you can\u2019t prevent me from doing so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Pa \u00bb, Adam said while going through the door. And above all, if you take something for reading, choose the Three Musketeers, it\u2019s arranged where the walls have got ears.\u201d<\/p>\n

The door was closed over this sibylline sentence. As soon as they heard the carriage going away, the two boys ran downstairs \u201cWhat did he mean ?\u201d they asked their father, forgetting they were supposed not to have heard anything.<\/p>\n

In spite of the seriousness of the situation, Ben couldn\u2019t help but smiling : \u201cHe wanted to warn me that you had listened to the conversation, that\u2019s why he alluded to the walls having ears, and he was giving me the advice to take both of you along with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 big cheeks split in a broad smile but Joe was left unsatisfied : \u201cSo, the meaning of the Three Musketeers is : take my brothers with you ? Why ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course !\u201d Ben retorted, poking him. \u00ab don\u2019t you remember ? One for all, all for one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes !\u201d, Joe suddenly exclaimed looking inspired. \u201cAnyway, he got into a fine mess, big brother, and for once, it\u2019s not me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether him or you, there\u2019s always a woman behind.\u201d, Ben concluded. \u201cAnd now, hurry up to bed, to-morrow, we wake up at dawn.\u201d<\/p>\n

******************************************************************<\/p>\n

Pretty Birgit was fretting in her prison. Crude d\u00e9cor ! Whitewashed walls, without anything to catch the eye except for the mirror she had obtained with difficulty from her jailers. She came close to it and watched sadly the picture reflected. A blond lock escaped to her chignon\u2019s pins was hanging miserably along her cheek, the colour of which was becoming candle like. The shadows, under her eyes swollen with tears, were forming a mauve moon. Future will not be all roses, she thought. What was the most enviable fate ? Going on turning around this cage without opening her mouth or find freedom again but probably also death at the first corner of the street ? For six days, she had been asking the question to herself a hundred times.<\/p>\n

Mechanically, she readjusted her hair and pinched her cheeks to have it pink. It was more an instinct than a necessity, since she had no one to seduce. The kind of female dragoon that was keeping her was a monster of insensibility. At the very moment she was having this thought, the dragon entered, holding her button-boots.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it on\u201d she barked, \u201cthey\u2019re waiting for you for a questioning.\u201d Resigned \u2013 she was getting accustomed to these sterile questionings with three men doing their most to lead her into traps \u2013 se slipped her feet into pretty white and pink boots, matching her jacket \u2013 the one she was wearing the day she was arrested. Then, she followed, with that sullen pout she was familiar with, her doorkeeper\u2019s greenish-yellow skirt.<\/p>\n

When she entered the Marshall\u2019s office, she understood at first sight that something new had happened. A man, a prisoner, surrounded by two colossuses, was there, his back turned to her, facing the policemen. A millstone fell around her neck. Had they arrested one of the Organization\u2019s members ? In that case, the only right behaviour was to tight her lips, since any remark could be taken for an acknowledgement.<\/p>\n

Then, suddenly, she recognized the prisoner\u2019s figure. It wasn\u2019t a man from the Organization, it was Adam, her Adam they had captured. What did they want from him ? He had nothing to do with all that\u2026 Well, of course, they didn\u2019t know that. She hadn\u2019t realized that anyone who had approached her could be suspected.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Miss Bard\u201d, lieutenant Twisthead said, while Adam was turning his face to her. \u201cI think you know this gentleman ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00ab Hello, Birgit ! \u00bb Adam hastened to say, afraid that his girlfriend could make the mistake to deny their relationship.<\/p>\n

For the two years this relationship had been lasting, Birgit had been unable to explain the effect Adam\u2019s voice and sight had on her. She could hold one thing for certain : she was literally losing her head for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t help it, my dear, that\u2019s the way life is\u201d, her friend Jane had declared categorically. \u201cYou\u2019re crazy about him. We all come to that, one day or another. And people who don\u2019t know that are to be pitied. Look at me, with Jos\u00e9\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Birgit\u2019s mind abandoned the enumeration of Jos\u00e9\u2019s turpitudes and reasons explaining that Jane even didn\u2019t care and came back to the present. Twisthead had just lectured her about the risks she was taking. If she stuck to her attitude, and so, and so\u2026 The only thing she had retained was that they intended to let her alone, half an hour, with Adam. After a few minutes with new pompous declarations, the door was closed and the lieutenant and his guards disappeared.<\/p>\n

Adam lifted over his head his two wrists tied together with handcuffs and, forming a circle with his arms, dropped it down along her back and stopped around her waist. \u201cYou see\u201d, he said, \u201cit will not prevent me from kissing you.\u201d She formed a cup with her hands and laid it around the well shaped chin blackened by a nascent beard and pressed her lips on her beloved companion\u2019s. For one short instant, she forgot everything. The subtle scent of a well soaped rider emanated from Adam. He was smelling leather and lavender and fresh morning. He was kissing her with a tongue at the same time gentle and imperious, taking possession of her just by this subtle contact of their lips. It had been so, Birgit thought, from the first minute their eyes had met ; he had cast an owner\u2019s glance at her and she had acknowledged him as such\u2026<\/p>\n

Adam broke the hug and invited her to sit down : \u201cNow, let\u2019s have a talk, time is limited.\u201d<\/p>\n

He told her, in a few words, how and why he had been arrested. \u201cThey think I\u2019m your accomplice and a member of this famous secret society. If you don\u2019t talk, I\u2019ll be judged and hanged.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears formed at Birgit\u2019s eyes : \u201cBut, it\u2019s not possible. I am going to tell them you\u2019re innocent and have nothing to do with all that\u2026 They have no evidences\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00ab They will have if they want. However much honourable I can be known in Virginia City and my father being the richest man in Nevada, even so, it didn\u2019t prevent them of throwing me in jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why do they do that ? There\u2019s no point in arresting an innocent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a point. It\u2019s the only way they found to have you confess the place where the map is hidden.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Adam, if I do so, I sign my own death warrant. As soon as they\u2019ll release me, I\u2019ll be murdered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot if you follow my advices. Listen to me : you will inform the police that you will reveal the map\u2019s hiding-place only when they will have seriously \u201ccleaned\u201d the spy network. How many people are they in this group ? Do you know them ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t say if I know them all. As a matter of fact, they are only ten or so leaders. Others are only executants; they don\u2019t attend the board\u2019s meetings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow on earth did you get into that sect ? And how did you learn an information so much protected as this famous hiding-place ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSimply because I was sleeping with the boss, the headmaster of the plot. Besides, he wanted to be called General. He used to tell me he would make me a queen and, at the time, it flattered me. But I soon realized that all I won in the deal was to get bored during long evenings while these gentlemen were redoing the world, drowned under cigar\u2019s smoke. Then I told Ronny I didn’t care about his ambitious ideas, that I liked only dancing and having fun and I was leaving him. I said him : don\u2019t worry, I\u2019m not interested enough in your plot to have the temptation to talk about it and the only secrets I\u2019d like to reveal are those of the Parisians fashion designers.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed slightly. \u201cI swear you I was sincere. Think of it : I\u2019ve been knowing you for years now, did I breathe a word ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I must admit it and I wonder how the police managed to track you. Anyway, our strategy is clear : you must give them the list of these people who used to fill your sitting-room with smoke, and stay silent about the hiding-place as long as you will not be sure that they are definitely rendered harmless. Afterwards, I will assure your protection myself, with my father and brothers\u2019 help. I will not leave you , neither by day nor by night, so, he\u2019ll be very smart the one who\u2019ll approach you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Such a prospect could not but please Birgit but she feared that Adam might underestimate the organization\u2019s power. The leaders were certainly not men so easy to arrest. But he showed himself so persuasive that she finally gave up.<\/p>\n

The negotiation with Twisthead was less easy. Adam wanted Birgit and himself to be released while Twisthead maintained, not without reason, that they would be more secure behind their solid jail\u2019s bars.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s arrival, flanked by the Governor of California, took the heat out of relations. Ben underlined that, although it was imprudent to let Birgit come and go in Sacramento\u2019s streets, her austere sojourning in jail wasn\u2019t, for the dancing girl, an encouragement to show herself cooperative.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s join comfort and safety\u201d, he concluded, \u201cand put her under house arrest. As for my son, I think he got enough results to convince you that he hasn\u2019t to be suspected.\u201d<\/p>\n

Twisthead hesitated whether he would, or not, explain to Ben that, facing as cunning and dangerous bandits as their enemies were, Birgit\u2019s so-called confessions could be a trap and that his suspicions towards Adam staid intact when the latter helped him out of his awkward position.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn any case, I can\u2019t abandon Birgit. The game I asked her to play is too perilous. I demand to be put under house arrest with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not very correct\u201d, Ben let out without thinking further.<\/p>\n

Adam couldn\u2019t help laughing, in spite of the seriousness of circumstances. \u201cI don\u2019t think\u201d he said after having calmed down, \u201cthat decency is our main worry at the moment. Moreover, from that part, the harm is already done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben showed an embarrassed smile. Deep inside himself, he was quite a puritan, even if he had had, in the past, a few love affairs with actresses or dancing girls. Only, he had difficulty admitting that his sons, in their youth, wouldn\u2019t follow the path he considered as being normal : court a maid from a good family, under careful and, at the same time, indulging parents\u2019 eyes and marry her. But Adam was twenty-eight years old and still a bachelor. Taking time to reflect, it was normal to consider that he had not reached this age still being a virgin. Ben realized that, by sense of modesty, he had always eluded the question about Adam or his brothers as well.<\/p>\n

Lost in his thoughts, he had walked mechanically and became aware of his arriving, with the others, at Birgit Bard\u2019s home. A middle class, well polished abode, a little unexpected for a hussy.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s voice reached his ears : \u00ab Pa, please, bring back Hoss and Joe, I need you all. I don\u2019t really trust the police to protect Birgit\u201d.<\/p>\n

Ben rushed away and came back, a quarter of an hour later, flanked by his two youngest sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince he placed several sentinels around the house, Twisthead agrees for you to stay inside with us\u201d, Adam, who had negotiated during his father\u2019s short absence, explained. \u201cWhat you have to guard, it\u2019s the chimney and the parlour\u2019s window. That\u2019s the only one opening on a wall without a door. As for me, I\u2019ll watch Birgit directly, night and day\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see\u201d, Hoss couldn\u2019t help joking, \u201cyou intend to shield her with your body\u201d, but a black glare from his father brought back his laugh into his throat.<\/p>\n

They organized their life without difficulty. Hoss, Joe and Ben who were allowed to leave the house took on the contacts with the outside world. Meanwhile, the police made a long painstaking job to break up the organization, helped by Birgit\u2019s pieces of information.<\/p>\n

But\u2026<\/p>\n

One night, Adam found a scorpion in the hip-bath. He smashed it.<\/p>\n

One morning, Joe, waking up, caught sight of dynamite\u2019s bar falling from the chimney. He had just the time to catch it and throw it back as far as possible in the garden.<\/p>\n

Another day, while he was coming back from shopping, Hoss saw a shadow slipping along the wall, out of the sentinel\u2019s sight. At the end of a silent fight, Hoss found no less than three guns and two daggers on his unconscious opponent.<\/p>\n

When a kitten was discovered dead after having lapped up the milk prepared for Birgit, Adam decided that she would not eat anything else than eggs and the garden\u2019s fruits gathered by his brothers.<\/p>\n

The following Sunday, Twisthead entered and shook effusively Adam\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe put inside more than a dozen. I think that, now, we can definitely believe in your innocence and also that the main part of the danger is behind us. In any case, you\u2019re, from now on, free to go where you like. I think there is no more risk and Birgit can reveal the hiding place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam showed less optimism : \u201cI\u2019d like to believe you but I will only breathe when Birgit will be far away, at thousands miles from here. So, I\u2019ll take advantage of your offer and go outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

He walked away, found a hackney and asked to be driven to the most luxurious hotel in Sacramento. There, he asked for a specific room, climbed upstairs and knocked at the door. A white haired man opened. Adam staid with him for almost two hours and then, they both went out. With his top hat and his dark grey cape, Adam\u2019s companion had a distinguished look that could rarely be seen among the Sacramento\u2019s citizens.<\/p>\n

Adam introduced him to his father who was taking a breath of cool air in front of Birgit\u2019s door. \u201cPa, may I introduce you to Lord Chichester ; my father\u201d, he said nodding in the English lord\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n

Then, he invited the man to get into the house and called Birgit. She smiled recognizing one of her \u201ccallers\u201d but failed to understand why her lover was taking this man to her. Intrigued, Ben had followed Adam inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cBirgit, I just had a long talk with Lord Chichester. He\u2019s aware of the situation, the entire situation\u201d, Adam emphasized, staring directly at her eyes. \u201cHe\u2019s all right to marry you and take you with him to England.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young lady cried out protestations. Adam asked Lord Chichester if he would be kind enough to excuse him and, drawing Birgit by her wrist, he led her to the parlour. After closing the door, he explained to the alarmed and crying girl that it was, for her, an unhoped-for mainstay.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to put an ocean between America and you, if not, I\u2019ll always be fearing for one of them to have slipped through the set.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I love you\u201d, she sobbed, \u201cand no one else, only you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe too\u201d, Adam half lied since he was more feeling desire and compassion than love for the beautiful creature he was holding in his arms. \u201cAnd it\u2019s because I love you that much that I\u2019m begging you to obey me. Besides, I don\u2019t give you any choice. Either you leave with Harold, or I immediately abandon you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Birgit cried again for a long time but, at the end, she gave up. With a broken voice, she gave her agreement to Lord Chichester. \u201cBut I will not leave before to-morrow \u00bb, she made clear, and, lifting her head towards the two men, the one she was in love with and the one she would share the life of, she gave both of them a challenge look. \u201cI claim, I demand\u201d, she emphasized, \u201ca last love night before I become Lady Chichester.\u201d<\/p>\n

The following morning, Birgit and Adam had rings under their eyes when they parted. Birgit was clinging to her lover but the latter pushed her into the coach while, from inside, Lord Chichester was pulling. After closing the door, Adam ordered the driver not to spare the horses and leave as soon as possible, while a sorry head was appearing at the door.<\/p>\n

****************************************************************<\/p>\n

The return to Ponderosa was silent, everyone respecting Adam\u2019s meditation and life went on. Around one year afterwards, Adam received a long missive and his father saw his face darkening while he was reading.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Adam?\u201d he asked, worrying.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Chichester informs me that she gave birth to a little girl, well\u2026\u201d (Adam made a quick mental calculation), more than three months ago. She says she\u2019s the spitting image of her father and she called her Eve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would have been more careful when I chose your first name,\u201d Ben groaned. \u201cHow imprudent to place you under the aegis of the man who lost Paradise because of a woman ! But it was your mother\u2019s idea\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: Ben receives an unexpected visit and discovers a part of his eldest son’s private life… \u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 MA \u00a0WC \u00a05300<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":3438,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,690],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-4148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-ma-rated","tag-adam-cartwright","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-690-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2211,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/HoundDog2-1-11.jpg?fit=400%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12132,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12132","url_meta":{"origin":4148,"position":0},"title":"Chinese Molasses (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"January 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this series should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12147,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12147","url_meta":{"origin":4148,"position":1},"title":"He Said Not To Tell (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"May 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"The author requests those who wish to read this series contact her via eMail: DLB1234@aol.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/1-joe.jpg?fit=238%2C226&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13630,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13630","url_meta":{"origin":4148,"position":2},"title":"A Cry for Freedom (by JennieA)","author":"JennieA","date":"January 7, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It started with Ben giving Little Joe more responsibility for the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Little did the family realize the course Ben was setting in motion. Rating:\u00a0 R\u00a0 (65,725 words) Due to subject matter contained in this series, the stories are only available via e:mail from the author -- ryjennie@comcast.net","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13631,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13631","url_meta":{"origin":4148,"position":3},"title":"Freedom from Fear (by JennieA)","author":"JennieA","date":"January 14, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 The aftermath of Joe's kidnapping and subsequent rescue. Rating:\u00a0 R\u00a0 (33,760) Due to the subject matter contained in this series, the stories are only available via e:mail from the author -- ryjennie@comcast.net","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12120,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12120","url_meta":{"origin":4148,"position":4},"title":"Blundered Seduction (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"December 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Caught with his pants down and in a compromising situation by the one person he'd least likely want to find him as such, Joe learns three valuable lessons; no one ever died of embarrassment, chose your friends carefully, and being 16 and still a virgin is nothing to be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":12133,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12133","url_meta":{"origin":4148,"position":5},"title":"Frightened Beyond Reason (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"June 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this series should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4148"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4148\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3438"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}