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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10076-0.txt b/10076-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b8d19fb --- /dev/null +++ b/10076-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8983 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10076 *** + +LISTER'S GREAT ADVENTURE + +BY HAROLD BINDLOSS + +_Author_ of "THE WILDERNESS MINE," "WYNDHAM'S PAL," "PARTNERS OF THE +OUT-TRAIL," "THE BUCCANEER FARMER," "THE LURE OF THE NORTH," "THE GIRL +FROM KELLER'S," "CARMEN'S MESSENGER," ETC. + +1920 + + + + + + + +CONTENTS + +PART I--BARBARA'S REBELLION + +CHAPTER + +I CARTWRIGHT MEDDLES + +II IN THE DARK + +III BARBARA VANISHES + +IV THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM + +V SHILLITO GETS AWAY + +VI WINNIPEG BEACH + +VII LISTER'S DISSATISFACTION + +VIII THE TEST + +IX BARBARA PLAYS A PART + +X VERNON'S CURIOSITY + +PART II--THE RECKONING + +I VERNON'S PLOT + +II BARBARA'S RETURN + +III LISTER CLEARS THE GROUND + +IV A DISSATISFIED SHAREHOLDER + +V CARTWRIGHT'S SCRUPLES + +VI A NASTY KNOCK + +VII THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING + +VIII A STOLEN EXCURSION + +IX CARTWRIGHT SEES A PLAN + +X A BOLD SPECULATION + +XI THE START + +PART III--THE BREAKING STRAIN + +I THE FIRST STRUGGLE + +II THE WRECK + +III A FUEL PROBLEM + +IV MONTGOMERY'S OFFER + +V MONTGOMERY USES HIS POWER + +VI LISTER MEETS AN OLD ANTAGONIST + +VII BARBARA'S REFUSAL + +VIII CARTWRIGHT GETS TO WORK + +IX LISTER MAKES GOOD + +X BARBARA TAKES CONTROL + +XI LISTER'S REWARD + + + +PART I--BARBARA'S REBELLION + + + +CHAPTER I + +CARTWRIGHT MEDDLES + +Dinner was over, and Cartwright occupied a chair on the lawn in front of +the Canadian summer hotel. Automatic sprinklers threw sparkling showers +across the rough, parched grass, the lake shimmered, smooth as oil, in +the sunset, and a sweet, resinous smell drifted from the pines that +rolled down to the water's edge. The straight trunks stood out against a +background of luminous red and green, and here and there a slanting beam +touched a branch with fire. + +Natural beauty had not much charm for Cartwright, who was satisfied to +loaf and enjoy the cool of the evening. He had, as usual, dined well, +his cigar was good, and he meant to give Mrs. Cartwright half an hour. +Clara expected this, and, although he was sometimes bored, he indulged +her when he could. Besides, it was too soon for cards. The lights had +not begun to spring up in the wooden hotel, and for the most part the +guests were boating on the lake. When he had finished his cigar it would +be time to join the party in the smoking-room. Cartwright was something +of a gambler and liked the American games. They gave one scope for +bluffing, and although his antagonists declared his luck was good, he +knew his nerve was better. In fact, since he lost his money by a +reckless plunge, he had to some extent lived by bluff. Yet some people +trusted Tom Cartwright. + +Mrs. Cartwright did so. She was a large, dull woman, but had kept a +touch of the beauty that had marked her when she was young. She was +kind, conventional, and generally anxious to take the proper line. +Cartwright was twelve years older, and since she was a widow and had +three children when she married him, her friends declared her money +accounted for much, and a lawyer relation carefully guarded, against +Cartwright's using her fortune. + +Yet, in a sense, Cartwright was not an adventurer, although his ventures +in finance and shipping were numerous. He sprang from an old Liverpool +family whose prosperity diminished when steamers replaced sailing ships. +His father had waited long before he resigned himself to the change, but +was not altogether too late, and Cartwright was now managing owner of +the Independent Freighters Line. The company's business had brought him +to Montreal, and when it was transacted he had taken Mrs. Cartwright and +her family to the hotel by the Ontario lake. + +Cartwright's hair and mustache were white; his face was fleshy and red. +He was fastidious about his clothes, and his tailor cleverly hid the +bulkiness of his figure. As a rule, his look was fierce and commanding, +but now and then his small keen eyes twinkled. Although Cartwright was +clever, he was, in some respects, primitive. He had long indulged his +appetites, and wore the stamp of what is sometimes called good living. + +The managing owner of the Independent Freighters needed cleverness, +since the company was small and often embarrassed for money. For the +most part, it ran its ships in opposition to the regular liners. When +the _Conference_ forced up freights Cartwright quietly canvassed the +merchants and offered to carry their goods at something under the +standard rate, if the shippers would engage to fill up his boat. As a +rule, secrecy was important, but sometimes, when cargo was scarce, +Cartwright let his plans be known and allowed the _Conference_ to buy +him off. Although his skill in the delicate negotiations was marked, the +company paid small dividends and he had enemies among the shareholders. +Now, however, he was satisfied. _Oreana_ had sailed for Montreal, loaded +to the limit the law allowed, and he had booked her return cargo before +the _Conference_ knew he was cutting rates. + +Mrs. Cartwright talked, but she talked much and Cartwright hardly +listened, and looked across the lake. A canoe drifted out from behind a +neighboring point, and its varnished side shone in the fading light. +Then a man dipped the paddle, and the ripple at the bow got longer and +broke the reflections of the pines. A girl, sitting at the stern, put +her hands in the water, and when she flung the sparkling drops at her +companion her laugh came across the lake. Cartwright's look got keen and +he began to note his wife's remarks. + +"Do you imply Barbara's getting fond of the fellow?" he asked. + +"I am afraid of something like that," Mrs. Cartwright admitted. "In a +way, one hesitates to meddle; sometimes meddling does harm, and, of +course, if Barbara really loved the young man--" She paused and gave +Cartwright a sentimental smile. "After all, I married for love, and a +number of my friends did not approve." + +Cartwright grunted. He had married Clara because she was rich, but it +was something to his credit that she had not suspected this. Clara was +dull, and her dullness often amused him. + +"If you think it necessary, I won't hesitate about meddling," he +remarked. "Shillito's a beggarly sawmill clerk." + +"He said he was _treasurer_ for an important lumber company. Barbara's +very young and romantic, and although she has not known him long--" + +"She has known him for about two weeks," Cartwright rejoined. "Perhaps +it's long enough. Shillito's what Canadians call a looker and Barbara's +a romantic fool. I've no doubt he's found out she'll inherit some money; +it's possible she's told him. Now I come to think about it, she was off +somewhere all the afternoon, and it looks as if she had promised the +fellow the evening." + +He indicated the canoe and was satisfied when Mrs. Cartwright agreed, +since he refused to wear spectacles and own his sight was going. +Although Clara was generous, he could not use her money, and, indeed, +did not mean to do so, but he was extravagant and his managing owner's +post was not secure. When one had powerful antagonists, one did not +admit that one was getting old. + +"I doubt if Shillito's character is all one could wish,'" Mrs. +Cartwright resumed. "Character's very important, don't you think? Mrs. +Grant--the woman with the big hat--knows something about him and she +said he was _fierce_. I think she meant he was wild. Then she hinted he +spent money he ought not to spend. But isn't a treasurer's pay good?" + +Cartwright smiled, for he was patient to his wife. "It depends upon the +company. A treasurer is sometimes a book-keeping clerk. However, the +trouble is, Barbara's as wild as a hawk, though I don't know where she +got her wildness. Her brother and sister are tame enough." + +"Sometimes I'm bothered about Barbara," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. "She's +rash and obstinate; not like the others. I don't know if they're tame, +but they had never given me much anxiety. One can trust them to do all +they ought." + +Cartwright said nothing. As a rule, Clara's son and elder daughter +annoyed him. Mortimer Hyslop was a calculating prig; Grace was finicking +and bound by ridiculous rules. She was pale and inanimate; there was no +blood in her. But Cartwright was fond of the younger girl. Barbara was +frankly flesh and blood; he liked her flashes of temper and her pluck. + +When the canoe came to the landing he got up. "Leave the thing to me," +he said. "I'll talk to Shillito." + +He went off, but when he reached the steps to the veranda in front of +the hotel he stopped. His gout bothered him. At the top Mortimer Hyslop +was smoking a cigarette. The young man was thin and looked bored; his +summer clothes were a study in harmonious colors, and he had delicate +hands like a woman's. When he saw Cartwright stop he asked: "Can I help +you up, sir?" + +Cartwright's face got red. He hated an offer of help that drew attention +to his infirmity, and thought Mortimer knew. + +"No, thanks! I'm not a cripple yet. Have you seen Shillito?" + +"You'll probably find him in the smoking room. The card party has gone +in and he's a gambler." + +"So am I!" + +Mortimer shrugged, and Cartwright wondered whether the fellow meant to +imply that his gambling was not important since he had married a rich +wife. The young man, however, hesitated and looked thoughtful. + +"I don't know your object for wanting Shillito, but if my supposition's +near the mark, might I state that I approve? In fact, I'd begun to +wonder whether something ought not to be done. The fellow's plausible. +Not our sort, of course; but when a girl's romantic and obstinate--" + +Cartwright stopped him. "Exactly! Well, I'm the head of the house and +imagine you can leave the thing to me. Perhaps it doesn't matter if your +sister is obstinate. I'm going to talk to Shillito." + +He crossed the veranda, and Mortimer returned to his chair and +cigarette. He did not approve his step-father, but admitted that +Cartwright could be trusted to handle a matter like this. Mortimer's +fastidiousness was sometimes a handicap, but Cartwright had none. + +Cartwright entered the smoking-room and crossed the floor to a table, at +which two or three men stood as if waiting for somebody. One was young +and tall. His thin face was finely molded, his eyes and hair were very +black, and his figure was marked by an agile grace. + +He looked up sharply as Cartwright advanced. + +"I want you for a few minutes," Cartwright said roughly, as if he gave +an order. + +Shillito frowned, but went with him to the back veranda. Although the +night was warm and an electric light burned under the roof, nobody was +about. Cartwright signed the other to sit down. + +"I expect your holiday's nearly up, and the hotel car meets the train in +the morning," he remarked. + +"What about it?" Shillito asked. "I'm not going yet." + +"You're going to-morrow," said Cartwright grimly. + +Shillito smiled and gave him an insolent look, but his smile vanished. +Cartwright's white mustache bristled, his face was red, and his eyes +were very steady. It was not for nothing the old ship-owner had fronted +disappointed investors and forced his will on shareholders' meetings. +Shillito saw the fellow was dangerous. + +"I'll call you," he said, using a gambler's phrase. + +"Very well," said Cartwright. "I think my cards are good, and if I can't +win on one suit, I'll try another. To begin with, the hotel proprietor +sent for me. He stated the house was new and beginning to pay, and he +was anxious about its character. People must be amused, but he was +running a summer hotel, not a gambling den. The play was too high, and +young fools got into trouble; two or three days since one got broke. +Well, he wanted me to use my influence, and I said I would." + +"He asked you to keep the stakes in bounds? It's a good joke!" + +"Not at all," said Cartwright dryly. "I like an exciting game, so long +as it is straight, and when I lose I pay. I do lose, and if I come out +fifty dollars ahead when I leave, I'll be satisfied. How much have you +cleared?" + +Shillito said nothing, and Cartwright went on: "My antagonists are old +card-players who know the game; but when you broke Forman he was drunk +and the other two were not quite sober. You play against young fools and +_your luck's too good_. If you force me to tell all I think and +something that I know. I imagine you'll get a straight hint to quit." + +"You talked about another plan," Shillito remarked. + +"On the whole, I think the plan I've indicated will work. If it does not +and you speak to any member of Mrs. Cartwright's family, I'll thrash you +on the veranda when people are about. I won't state my grounds for doing +so; they ought to be obvious." + +Shillito looked at the other hand. Cartwright's eyes were bloodshot, his +face was going purple, and he thrust out his heavy chin. Shillito +thought he meant all he said, and his threat carried weight. The old +fellow was, of course, not a match for the vigorous young man, but +Shillito saw he had the power to do him an injury that was not +altogether physical. He pondered for a few moments, and then got up. + +"I'll pull out," he said with a coolness that cost him much. + +Cartwright nodded. "There's another thing. If you write to Miss Hyslop, +your letters will be burned." + +He went back to the smoking-room, and playing with his usual boldness, +won twenty dollars. Then he joined Mrs. Cartwright on the front veranda +and remarked: "Shillito won't bother us. He goes in the morning." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a grateful smile. She had long known that when +she asked her husband's help difficulties were removed. Now he had +removed Shillito, and she was satisfied but imagined he was not. +Cartwright knitted his white brows and drew hard at his cigar. + +"You had better watch Barbara until the fellow starts," he resumed. +"Then I think you and the girls might join the Vernons at their fishing +camp. Vernon would like it, and he's a useful friend; besides, it's +possible Shillito's obstinate. Your letters needn't follow you; have +them sent to me at Montreal, which will cover your tracks. I must go +back in a few days." + +Mrs. Cartwright weighed the suggestion. Vernon was a Winnipeg merchant, +and his wife had urged her to join the party at the fishing camp in the +woods. The journey was long, but Mrs. Cartwright rather liked the plan. +Shillito would not find them, and Mrs. Vernon had two sons. + +"Can't you come with us?" she asked. "Mortimer is going to Detroit." + +"Sorry I can't," said Cartwright firmly. "I don't want to leave you, but +business calls." + +He was relieved when Mrs. Cartwright let it go. Clara was a good sort +and seldom argued. He had loafed about with her family for two weeks and +had had enough. Moreover, business did call. If the _Conference_ found +out before his boat arrived that he had engaged _Oreana's_ return load, +they might see the shippers and make trouble. Anyhow, they would use +some effort to get the cargo for their boats. Sometimes one promised +regular customers a drawback on standard rates. + +"I'll write to Mrs. Vernon in the morning," Mrs. Cartwright remarked. + +"Telegraph" said Cartwright, who did not lose time when he had made a +plan. "When the lines are not engaged after business hours, you can send +a night-letter; a long message at less than the proper charge." + +Mrs. Cartwright looked pleased. Although she was rich and sometimes +generous, she liked small economies. + +"After all, writing a letter's tiresome," she said. "Telegrams are easy. +Will you get me a form?" + + + +CHAPTER II + +IN THE DARK + +In the morning Cartwright told the porter to take his chair to the beach +and sat down in a shady spot. He had not seen Barbara at breakfast and +was rather sorry for her, but she had not known Shillito long, and +although she might be angry for a time, her hurt could not be deep. +Lighting his pipe, he watched the path that led between the pines to the +water. + +By and by a girl came out of the shadow, and going to the small +landing-stage, looked at her wrist-watch. Cartwright imagined she did +not see him and studied her with some amusement. Barbara looked +impatient. People did not often keep her waiting, and she had not +inherited her mother's placidity. She had a touch of youthful beauty, +and although she was impulsive and rather raw, Cartwright thought her +charm would be marked when she met the proper people and, so to speak, +got toned down. + +Cartwright meant her to meet the proper people, because he was fond of +Barbara. She had grace, and although her figure was slender and girlish, +she carried herself well. Her brown eyes were steady, her small mouth +was firm, and as a rule her color was delicate white and pink. Now it +was high, and Cartwright knew she was angry. She wore boating clothes +and had obviously meant to go on the lake. The trouble was, her +companion had not arrived. + +"Hallo!" said Cartwright. "Are you waiting for somebody?" + +Barbara advanced and sat down on a rocky ledge. + +"No," she said, "I'm not waiting _now_." + +Cartwright smiled. He knew Barbara's temper, and his line was to keep +her resentment warm. + +"You mean, you have given him up and won't go if he does arrive? Well, +when a young man doesn't keep his appointment, it's the proper plan." + +She blushed, but tried to smile. "I don't know if you're clever or not +just now, although you sometimes do see things the others miss. I really +was a little annoyed." + +"I've lived a long time," said Cartwright. "However, perhaps it's +important I haven't forgotten I was young. I think your brother and +sister never were very young. They were soberer than me when I knew them +first." + +"Mortimer _is_ a stick," Barbara agreed. "He and Grace have a calm +superiority that makes one savage now and then. I like human people, who +sometimes let themselves go--" + +She stopped, and Cartwright noted her wandering glance that searched the +beach and the path to the hotel. He knew whom she expected, and thought +it would give her some satisfaction to quarrel with the fellow. +Cartwright did not mean to soothe her. + +"Mr. Shillito ought to have sent his apologies when he found he could +not come," he said. + +Barbara's glance got fixed, and Cartwright knew he had blundered. + +"Oh!" she said, "now I begin to see! Mother kept me by her all the +evening; but mother's not very clever and Mortimer's too fastidious to +meddle, unless he gets a dignified part. Of course, the plot was yours!" + +Cartwright nodded. Sometimes he used tact, but he was sometimes brutally +frank. + +"You had better try to console yourself with the Wheeler boys; they're +straight young fellows. Shillito is gone. He went by the car this +morning and it's unlikely he'll come back." + +"You sent him off?" said Barbara, and her eyes sparkled. "Well, I'm not +a child and you're not my father really. Why did you meddle?" + +"For one thing, he's not your sort. Then I'm a meddlesome old fellow and +rather fond of you. To see you entangled by a man like Shillito would +hurt. Let him go. If you want to try your powers, you'll find a number +of honest young fellows on whom you can experiment. The boys one meets +in this country are a pretty good sample." + +"There's a rude vein in you," Barbara declared. "One sees it sometimes, +although you're sometimes kind. Anyhow, I won't be bullied and +controlled; I'm not a shareholder in the Cartwright line. I don't know +if it's important, but why don't you like Mr. Shillito?" + +Cartwright's eyes twinkled. In a sense, he could justify his getting rid +of Shillito, but he knew Barbara and doubted if she could be persuaded. +Still she was not a fool, and he would give her something to think +about. + +"It's possible my views are not important," he agreed. "All the same, +when I told the man he had better go he saw the force of my arguments. +He went, and I think his going is significant. Since I'd sooner not +quarrel, I'll leave you to weigh this." + +He went off, but Barbara stopped and brooded. She was angry and +humiliated, but perhaps the worst was she had a vague notion Cartwright +might be justified. It was very strange Shillito had gone. All the same, +she did not mean to submit. Her mother's placid conventionality had long +irritated her; one got tired of galling rules and criticism. She was not +going to be molded into a calculating prude like Grace, or a prig like +Mortimer. They did not know the ridiculous good-form they cultivated was +out of date. In fact, she had had enough and meant to rebel. + +Then she began to think about Shillito. His carelessness was strangely +intriguing; he stood for adventure and all the romance she had known. +Besides, he was a handsome fellow; she liked his reckless twinkle and +his coolness where coolness was needed. For all that, she would not +acknowledge him her lover; Barbara did not know if she really wanted a +lover yet. She imagined Cartwright had got near the mark when he said +she wanted to try her power. Cartwright was keen, although Barbara +sensed something in him that was fierce and primitive. + +Perhaps nobody else could have bullied Shillito; Mortimer certainly +could not, but Barbara refused to speculate about the means Cartwright +had used. + +Shillito ought not to have gone without seeing her; this was where it +hurt. She was entitled to be angry--and then she started, for a page boy +came quietly out of the shade. + +"A note, miss," he said with a grin. "I was to give it you when nobody +was around." + +Barbara's heart beat, but she gave the boy a quarter and opened the +envelope. The note was short and not romantic. Shillito stated he had +grounds for imagining it might not reach her, but if it did, he begged +she would give him her address when she left the hotel. He told her +where to write, and added if she could find a way to get his letters he +had much to say. + +His coolness annoyed Barbara, but he had excited her curiosity and she +was intrigued. Moreover, Cartwright had tried to meddle and she wanted +to feel she was cleverer than he. Then Shillito was entitled to defend +himself, and to find the way he talked about would not be difficult. +Barbara knitted her brows and began to think. + +At lunch Mrs. Cartwright told her they were going to join the Vernons in +the woods and she acquiesced. Two or three days afterwards they started, +and at the station she gave Cartwright her hand with a smiling glance, +but Cartwright knew his step-daughter and was not altogether satisfied. +Barbara did not sulk; when one tried to baffle her she fought. + +The Vernons' camp was like others Winnipeg people pitch in the lonely +woods that roll west from Fort William to the plains. It is a rugged +country pierced by angry rivers and dotted by lakes, but a gasolene +launch brought up supplies, the tents were large and double-roofed, and +for a few weeks one could play at pioneering without its hardships. The +Vernons were hospitable, the young men and women given to healthy sport, +and Mrs. Cartwright, watching Barbara fish and paddle on the lake, +banished her doubts. For herself she did not miss much; the people were +nice, and the cooking was really good. + +When two weeks had gone, Grace and Barbara sat one evening among the +stones by a lake. The evening was calm, the sun was setting, and the +shadow of the pines stretched across the tranquil water. Now and then +the reflections trembled and a languid ripple broke against the +driftwood on the beach. In the distance a loon called, but when its wild +cry died away all was very quiet. + +Grace looked across the lake and frowned. She was a tall girl, and +although she had walked for some distance in the woods, her clothes were +hardly crumpled. Her face was finely molded, but rather colorless; her +hands were very white, while Barbara's were brown. Her dress and voice +indicated cultivated taste; but the taste was negative, as if Grace had +banished carefully all that jarred and then had stopped. It was +characteristic that she was tranquil, although she had grounds for +disturbance. They were some distance from camp and it would soon be +dark, but nothing broke the gleaming surface of the lake. The boat that +ought to have met them had not arrived. + +"I suppose this is the spot where Harry Vernon agreed to land and take +us on board?" she said. + +"It's like the spot. I understand we must watch out for a point opposite +an island with big trees." + +"Watch out?" Grace remarked. + +"Watch out is good Canadian," Barbara rejoined. "I'm studying the +language and find it expressive and plain. When our new friends talk you +know what they mean. Besides, I'd better learn their idioms, because I +might stop in Canada if somebody urged me." + +Grace gave her a quiet look. Barbara meant to annoy her, or perhaps did +not want to admit she had mistaken the spot. Now Grace came to think +about it, the plan that the young men should meet them and paddle them +down the lake was Barbara's. + +"I don't see why we didn't go with Harry and the other, as he +suggested," she said. + +"Then, you're rather dull. They didn't really want us; they wanted to +fish. To know when people might be bored is useful." + +"But there are a number of bays and islands. They may go somewhere +else," Grace insisted. + +"Oh well, it ought to amuse Harry and Winter to look for us, and if +they're annoyed, they deserve some punishment. If they had urged us very +much to go, I would have gone. Anyhow, you needn't bother. There's a +short way back to camp by the old loggers' trail." + +Grace said nothing. She thought Barbara's carelessness was forced; +Barbara was sometimes moody. Perhaps she felt Shillito's going more than +she was willing to own. For all that, the fellow was gone, and Barbara +would, no doubt, presently be consoled. + +"If mother could see things!" Barbara resumed. "Sometimes one feels one +wants a guide, but all one gets is a ridiculous platitude from her +old-fashioned code. One has puzzles one can't solve by out-of-date +rules. However, since she doesn't see, there's no use in bothering." + +"I'm your elder sister, but you don't give me your confidence." + +Barbara's mood changed and her laugh was touched by scorn. "You are +worse than mother. She's kind, but can't see; you don't want to see. I'd +sooner trust my step-father. He's a very human old ruffian. I wish I had +a real girl friend, but you tactfully freeze off all the girls I like. +It's strange how many people there are whom virtuous folks don't +approve." + +Grace missed the note of appeal in her sister's bitterness. She did not +see the girl as disturbed by doubts and looked in perplexity for a +guiding light. Afterwards, when understanding was too late, Grace partly +understood. + +"Mr. Cartwright is not a ruffian." she said coldly. + +"I suppose you're taking the proper line, and you'd be rather noble, +only you're not sincere. You don't like Cartwright and know he doesn't +like you. All the same, it's not important. We were talking about +getting home, and since the boys have not come for us we had better +start." + +The loon had flown away and nothing broke the surface of the lake; the +shadows had got longer and driven back the light. Thin mist drifted +about the islands, the green glow behind the trunks was fading, and it +would soon be dark. + +"In winter, the big timber wolves prowl about the woods," Barbara +remarked. "Horrible, savage brutes! I expect you saw the heads at the +packer's house. Still, one understands they stay North until the frost +begins." + +She got up, and when they set off Grace looked regretfully across the +lake, for she would sooner have gone home on board the fishing bateau. +She was puzzled. The bays on the lake were numerous, and islands dotted +the winding reaches, but it was strange the young men had gone to the +wrong spot. They knew the lake and had told Barbara where to meet them. +In the meantime, however, the important thing was to get home. + +Darkness crept across the woods, and as she stumbled along the uneven +trail Grace got disturbed. She felt the daunting loneliness, the quiet +jarred her nerve. The pines looked ghostly in the gloom. They were +ragged and strangely stiff, it looked as if their branches never moved, +and the dark gaps between the trunks were somehow forbidding. + +Grace did not like Canada. Her cultivation was artificial, but Canada +was primitive and stern. In the towns, one found inventions that +lightened labor, and brought to the reach of all a physical comfort that +in England only the rich enjoyed, but the contrasts were sharp. One left +one's hotel, with its very modern furniture, noisy elevators and +telephones, and plunged into the wilderness where all was as it had been +from the beginning. Grace shrank from primitive rudeness and hated +adventure. Living by rule she distrusted all she did not know. She +thought it strange that Barbara, who feared nothing, let her go in +front. + +They came to a pool. All round, the black tops of the pines cut the sky; +the water was dark and sullen in the gloom. The trail followed its edge +and when a loon's wild cry rang across the woods Grace stopped. She knew +the cry of the lonely bird that haunts the Canadian wilds, but it had a +strange note, like mocking laughter. Grace disliked the loon when its +voice first disturbed her sleep at the fishing camp; she hated it +afterwards. + +"Go on!" said Barbara sharply. + +For a moment or two Grace stood still. She did not want to stop, but +something in Barbara's voice indicated strain. If Barbara were startled, +it was strange. Then, not far off, a branch cracked and the pine-spray +rustled as if they were gently pushed aside. + +"Oh!" Grace cried, "something is creeping through the bush!" + +"Then don't stop," said Barbara. "Perhaps it's a wolf!" + +Grace clutched her dress and ran. At first, she thought she heard +Barbara behind, but she owned she had not her sister's pluck and fear +gave her speed. She must get as far as possible from the pool before she +stopped. Besides, she imagined something broke through the undergrowth +near the trail, but her heart beat and she could not hear properly. + +At length her breath got labored and she was forced to stop. All was +quiet and the quiet was daunting. Barbara was not about and when Grace +called did not reply. Grace tried to brace herself. Perhaps she ought to +go back, but she could not; she shrank from the terror that haunted the +dark. Then she began to argue that to go back was illogical. If Barbara +had lost her way, she could not help. It was better to push on to the +camp and send men who knew the woods to look for her sister. She set +off, and presently saw with keen relief the light of a fire reflected on +calm water. + + + +CHAPTER III + +BARBARA VANISHES + +Grace's arrival was greeted by a shout, and when she stopped in front of +the dining-tent a group of curious people surrounded her. The double +roof of the big tent was extended horizontally, and a lamp hanging from +a pole gave a brilliant light. Grace would sooner the light had been +dim, for she was hot and her clothes were torn and wet with dew. +Besides, she must tell her tale and admit that she had not played a +heroic part. + +"Where's Barbara?" Mrs. Cartwright asked. + +"I don't know. Harry Vernon did not meet us and we started home by the +loggers' trail. I lost Barbara by the pool. Something in the bush tried +to creep up to us; a wolf, I think--" + +"Oh, shucks!" remarked a frank Winnipeg girl who did not like Miss +Hyslop. "In summer, you can't find a wolf south of Broken Range. Looks +as if you were scared for nothing, but I can't see why Barbara didn't +beat you at hitting up the pace." + +Others asked questions, and when Grace got breath she tried to satisfy +their curiosity. Some of the group looked thoughtful and Mrs. Vernon +said: + +"Nothing can have hurt Barbara, and if she has lost her way, she cannot +wander far, because she must be in the loop between the river and the +lake. But Harry did go to meet you, and when he found you had not come +back went off again with Bob. I expect they'll soon arrive with +Barbara." + +They waited for half-an-hour, and then, when the splash of paddles stole +out of the dark, ran down to the beach. Presently a double-ended bateau +crossed the beam of light and grounded. A young man helped Barbara out +and gave her his arm. + +"You mustn't bother, Harry. I can walk all right," she said. + +"Get hold," said Vernon. "You're not going to walk. If you're obstinate, +I'll carry you." + +Barbara leaned upon his arm, but her color was high and her look +strained when he helped her across the stones. Harry Vernon was a tall, +thin, wiry Canadian, with a quiet face. When he got to the tent he +opened the curtain, and beckoning Mrs. Cartwright, pushed Barbara +inside. + +"You'll give her some supper, ma'am, and I'll chase the others off," he +said. "The little girl's tired and mustn't be disturbed." + +Barbara gave him a grateful look and the blood came to his sunburned +skin. + +"I am a little tired," she declared, and added, too quietly for Mrs. +Cartwright to hear: "You're a white man." + +Vernon pulled the curtain across, and joining the others, lighted a +cigarette. + +"The girls stopped at False Point, two miles short of the spot we +fixed," he said. "I reckon Bob's directions were not plain enough. Since +we didn't come along, they started back by the loggers' trail, while we +went to look for them by the other track. At the pool, they thought they +heard a wolf. That's so, Miss Hyslop?" + +"Yes," said Grace. "I ran away and thought I heard Barbara following. +But what happened afterwards?" + +"She fell. Hurt her foot, had to stop, and then couldn't make good time. +We found her limping along, and shoved through the bush for the river, +so she needn't walk. Well, I think that's all." + +It was plausible, but Grace was not altogether satisfied. Moreover, she +imagined Vernon was not, and noted that Mrs. Vernon gave him a +thoughtful glance. All the same, there was nothing to be said, and she +went to her tent. + +At daybreak Vernon left the camp, and when he reached the pool walked +round its edge and then sat down and lighted his pipe. A few yards in +front, a number of faint marks were printed on a belt of sand. By and by +he heard steps, and frowned when Winter came out from an opening in the +row of trunks. They were friends, and Bob was a very good sort, but +Vernon would sooner he had stopped away. + +"Hallo!" he said. "Why have you come along?" + +"I lost my hunting-knife," Winter replied. "It was hooked to my belt and +I thought the clip let go when we helped Miss Hyslop over the big log. A +bully knife; I wanted to find the thing." He paused and smiled when he +resumed: "I reckon you pulled out of camp to meditate?" + +Vernon hesitated. Had Winter stopped a few yards off, he would have +begun some banter and drawn him away from the pool. Bob was a woodsman +and his eyes were keen. The sun was, however, rising behind the pines +and a beam of light touched the sand. There was no use in trying to hide +the marks. In fact, Vernon imagined Bob had seen them. + +"No," he said. "I thought I'd try to trail the wolf Miss Hyslop talked +about." + +"Looks as if you'd found some tracks," Winter remarked. "Well, they're +not a wolf's." He sat down opposite Vernon. "A man's! I saw another at a +soft spot. He followed the girls from the lake and stopped for some +time. I allow I reckoned on something like that." + +Vernon made an experiment. "Might have been a packer going to a logging +camp, or perhaps an Indian." + +"Shucks!" said Winter, although he gave Vernon a sympathetic smile. +"There are no Indians about the lake and packers' boots don't make marks +like those. A city boot and a city man! A fellow who's wise to the bush +lifts his feet. Anyhow, I reckon he doesn't belong to your crowd." + +"A sure thing!" Vernon agreed. "I can fix where all the boys were. +Besides, if somebody in our lot had wanted to talk to Miss Hyslop, he +wouldn't have hung around in the woods. My mother's pretty fastidious +about her guests. Well, I'll own up the thing bothers me." + +Winter nodded. Harry was frank and honest, and Bob imagined he had felt +Barbara Hyslop's charm. He was sorry for Harry. The thing was awkward. + +"What are you going to do about it?" he asked. + +"To begin with, I'm going to hide these tracks. After all, I don't see +much light. I suppose I ought to tell my mother and put Mrs. Cartwright +wise; but I won't. Spying on a girl and telling is mean. All the same, +I'm surely bothered. In a sense, my mother's accountable for her guests +and the girl's nice. I'd like it if I could talk to the man." + +"Nothing doing there; he'll watch out. Well, we'll hide up his tracks +and look for my knife. D'you think Grace Hyslop knew the job was put +up?" + +"I don't," said Vernon dryly. "I reckon she was puzzled, but that's all. +You couldn't persuade Miss Hyslop her sister liked adventures in the +dark. Anyhow, the thing's done with. We have got to let it go." + +They went off and Winter pondered. Harry had got something of a knock. +Perhaps he was taking the proper line; anyhow, it was the line Harry +would take, but Bob doubted. The girl was very young and the man who met +her in the dark was obviously a wastrel. + +When they returned for breakfast Barbara had joined the others and wore +soft Indian moccasins. Bob looked at Harry and understood his frown. +Harry had played up when he helped her home, but he, no doubt, thought +the game ought to stop. Bob wondered whether Barbara knew, because she +turned her head when Harry advanced. + +After breakfast, Mrs. Vernon, carrying a small bottle, joined Mrs. +Cartwright's party under the pines outside the tent. The dew was drying +and the water shone like a mirror, but it was cool in the shade. Barbara +occupied a camp-chair and rested her foot on a stone, Mrs. Cartwright +knitted, and Grace studied a philosophical book. Her rule was to +cultivate her mind for a fixed time every day. Harry Vernon strolled up +to the group and Mrs. Cartwright put down her knitting. + +"You're kind, but the child's obstinate and won't let me see her foot," +she said to Mrs. Vernon. + +"It's comfortable now," Barbara remarked. "When something that hurt you +stops hurting I think it's better to leave it alone. Besides, one +doesn't want to bother people." + +"You won't bother me, and I'll fix your foot in two or three minutes so +it won't hurt again," Mrs. Vernon declared. "The elixir's famous and I +haven't known it to miss. I always carry some when we camp in the +woods." She turned to her son. "Tell Barbara how soon I cured you when +you hurt your arm." + +"You want to burn Miss Hyslop with the elixir?" + +"It doesn't burn much. You said you hardly felt it, and soon after I +rubbed your arm the pain was gone." + +Harry glanced at Barbara and saw she was embarrassed, although her mouth +was firm. Since she did not mean to let Mrs. Vernon examine her +supposititious injury, his business was to help, and he laughed. + +"Miss Hyslop's skin is not like my tough hide. You certainly fixed my +arm, but it was a drastic cure, and I think Miss Hyslop ought to refuse. +I try to indulge you, like a dutiful son, but you are not her mother." + +"I am her mother and she will not indulge me," Mrs. Cartwright remarked +with languid grievance, and Barbara gave Harry a quick, searching +glance. His face was inscrutable, but she wondered how much he knew. She +felt shabby and ashamed. + +When Mrs. Vernon went off with the elixir, Harry sat down. + +"If you could bring Mr. Cartwright out, I might persuade my father to +come along," he said. "The old man likes Cartwright; declares he's a +sport." + +"He is a ship-owner." Grace remarked. "I think he used to shoot, but +it's some time since." + +Harry looked at Barbara and his eyes twinkled. "American English isn't +Oxford English, but your people are beginning to use it and Miss Barbara +learns fast. All the same, running the Independent Freighters is quite a +sporting proposition, and I imagine Mr. Cartwright generally makes good. +The old man and I would back him to put over an awkward deal every +time." + +"My husband is a good business man," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. "But you +belong to Winnipeg and I understand his business is at Montreal." + +"The steamship _Conference_ understood something like that, until +Cartwright put them wise. You see, we Western people grow the wheat that +goes down the lakes, and when the _Conference_ got to know an +Independent boat was coming out they went round and offered Montreal +shippers and brokers a drawback on the rates. That is, if the shippers +gave them all their stuff, they'd meet their bills for a rebate some +time afterwards. Bully for the shippers, but it left the Western men, +who raised the wheat, in the cold. Well, while the _Conference_ got +after him at Montreal, Cartwright came West and booked all the grain he +could load before it started off. When the _Conference_ got wise, the +cargo was in the Independent freighter's hold. Cartwright's surely a +business man." + +Barbara laughed and Mrs. Cartwright languidly agreed, but Grace frowned. +Although she did not approve Cartwright, he was the head of her house, +and to know his clever tricks were something of a joke hurt her dignity. +Harry saw her frown. + +"Anyhow, Cartwright's promise stands," he resumed. "If he ran his boat +across half empty, he'd make good. You can trust him." + +He went off and Barbara mused unhappily. She thought Harry had talked to +help her over an awkward moment, and she was grateful but disturbed. It +looked as if he knew something and he might know much. All the same, +when he talked about her step-father she agreed. Cartwright was bold and +clever, and, although he was sometimes not very scrupulous, people did +trust him. Barbara wished she had his cleverness and his talent for +removing obstacles. There were obstacles in her path and the path was +dark. Yet she had promised to take it and must make good. She tried to +banish her doubts and began to talk. + +After lunch she allowed one of the party to help her on board a canoe. +The afternoon was calm, and the light breeze that now and then sighed in +the pine-tops hardly ruffled the shining water. In the evening, when the +straight trunks cut against a blaze of gold and green, they sat by a +smudge fire that kept off the mosquitoes and sang to an accompaniment of +banjos and mandolins. Barbara sang with the others, but it cost her an +effort. The tranquil day was nearly done and she felt it was the last +tranquillity she might know for long. Her companions were frank and +kind, Canadians, but her sort, and she was going to make a bold plunge +with another who was not. Yet she knew one could not rebel for nothing, +and she had pluck. The light faded behind the trees, a loon's wild cry +rang across the dark water, and the party went to bed. + +In the morning Grace awoke Mrs. Cartwright quietly. + +"Barbara is gone," she said. + +"Ridiculous!" said Mrs. Cartwright. + +"She is gone. Her clothes are not about; but we must be calm and not +disturb the camp. Mrs. Vernon ought to know, but nobody else. You see, +it's important--" + +Mrs. Cartwright saw, and a few minutes afterwards her hostess knew. + +"It's plain I must give Harry my confidence, to some extent," Mrs. +Vernon said, and went to look for her son. + +She found him going off for a swim, and when she told her tale he +frowned. + +"In a way, perhaps, I'm accountable, but we'll talk about this again," +he said. "Get Mrs. Cartwright on board the launch and come along +yourself. As soon as Bob's inside his clothes we'll start." + +"But Bob--" Mrs. Vernon began. + +"Bob _knows_, and I'll need a partner. If Miss Hyslop didn't leave the +settlement on the night express, she'll be hitting the trail through the +woods for the United States. You must hustle." + +Mrs. Vernon left him, and a few minutes afterwards the fast motor launch +swung out from the landing and sped down river with a white wave at her +bows. Grace watched the boat vanish behind a wooded point and then went +to her tent. She was horribly angry and shocked. Barbara had cheated her +and disgraced them all. + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM + +The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of +Fort William. After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine +the track are numerous and the express had been delayed. Now, however, +the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with +throttle wide open. Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders +rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows. The +wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing +clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the +wooden bridges by metal. + +This was George Lister's business, and he lounged in a corner of a +smoking-compartment, and rather drowsily studied some calculations. He +was bound West from Montreal, and in the morning would resume his labors +at a construction camp. There was much to be done and the construction +bosses who had sent for him were getting impatient. + +Lister's thoughts wandered from the figures. He liked his occupation and +admitted that he had been lucky, but began to see he had gone as far as +he could expect to go. The trouble was, he had not enjoyed the +scientific training that distinguished the men who got important posts. +His mechanical career began in the engine-room of a wheat-boat on the +lakes, and he had entered the railroad company's service when shipping +was bad and steamers were laid up. Although he had studied for a term or +two at McGill University, he knew his drawbacks. Sometimes promotion was +given for merit, but for the most part the men who made progress came +from technical colleges and famous engineering works. + +An accident in the ranges on the Pacific slope, when a mountain +locomotive jumped the track and plunged down a precipitous hillside, +gave Lister his first chance. He got the locomotive back to the line, +and being rewarded by a better post, stubbornly pushed himself nearer +the front. Now, however, it looked as if he must stop. Rules were not +often relaxed in favor of men who had no highly-placed friends. Yet +Lister wondered. + +Not long since, a gentleman whose word carried some weight at the +company's office had visited the construction camp with his indulged +daughter. The girl was clever, adventurous, and interested by pioneer +work, and Lister had helped her to some thrills she obviously enjoyed. +She had, with his guidance, driven a locomotive across a shaking, +half-braced bridge, fired a heavy blasting shot, and caught big gray +trout from his canoe. Although Lister used some reserve, their +friendship ripened, and when she left she hinted she had some power she +might be willing to use on his behalf. + +All the same, Lister was proud. The girl belonged to a circle he could +not enter, and if he got promotion, it must be by his merits. He was not +the man to get forward by intrigue and the clever use of a woman's +influence; he had no talent for that kind of thing. He let it go, and +tried to concentrate on his calculations. + +By and by the colored porter stopped to tell him his berth was fixed and +the passengers were going to bed. Lister nodded, put up his papers, and +then lighted a cigarette. The smoking-compartment was hot, the light the +rocking lamp threw about had hurt his eyes, and he thought he would go +out on the platform for a few minutes. + +He went. The draught that swept the gap between the cars was bracing and +cool. There was a moon, he saw water shine and dark pines stream past. +The snorting of the locomotive broke in a measured beat through the roll +of wheels; the rocks threw back confused echoes about the clanging cars. +Then the gleam among the trees got wider and Lister knew they were +nearing a trestle that crossed an arm of a lake. In fact, he had +wondered whether he would be sent to pull down the bridge and rebuild it +with steel. + +He sat down on the little box-seat, with his back against the door. The +platform had not the new guards the company was then fitting; there was +an opening in the rails, and one could go down the steps when the train +was running. The moonlight touched the back of the car in front, but +Lister was in the gloom, and when the vestibule door opposite opened he +was annoyed. If somebody wanted to go through the train, he must get up. + +A girl came out of the other car and seizing the rails looked down. She +was in the light, and Lister remarked that she did not wear traveling +clothes; he thought her small, knitted cap, short dress, and loose +jacket indicated that she had come from a summer camp. Then she turned +her head and he saw her face was rather white and her look was strained. +It was obvious that something had disturbed her. + +The girl did not see him, and while he wondered whether he ought to get +up she put her foot on the step and leaned out, as if she weighed the +possibility of jumping off. She swung back when the cars lurched round a +curve, and the measured roll of wheels changed to a sharp, broken din. +The train was running on to the trestle and Lister saw the water shine +below the platform. He got up, and moving quietly, seized the girl's arm +and pulled her from the rails. + +"A jolt might throw you off," he said. + +She looked up with a start and the blood came to her skin, but she gave +him a quick, searching glance. Lister was athletic, his face was bronzed +by frost and sun, and his look was frank. She lowered her eyes and her +color faded. + +"Does the train stop soon?" she asked. + +"If the engineer's lucky, we won't stop until he makes the next +water-tank, and it's some distance." + +She turned with a quick, nervous movement and glanced at the door. +Lister imagined she was afraid somebody might come out. + +"Could one persuade or bribe the conductor to pull up?" + +Lister hesitated. He knew the train gang and was a railroad boss, but +the company was spending a large sum in order to cut down the +time-schedule and somebody must account for all delay. + +"I think not. You see, unless there's a washout or the track is blocked, +nothing is allowed to stop the Vancouver express." + +The girl glanced at the door again and then gave him an appealing look. + +"But I must get off! I oughtn't to have come on board. I want to go +East, towards Montreal, and not to Winnipeg." + +Although he was not romantic, Lister was moved. She was very young and +her distress was obvious. Somehow he felt her grounds for wanting to +leave the train were good. Indeed, he rather thought she had meant to +jump off had they not run on to the bridge. Yet for him to stop the +express would be ridiculous; the conductor and engineer would pay for +his meddling. With quiet firmness he pulled the girl farther from the +opening of the rails. + +"We stop long before we get to Winnipeg," he said soothingly. "Then it's +possible we'll be held up by a blocked track. Wash-outs are pretty +numerous on this piece of line. However, if we do stop and you get down, +you'll be left in the woods." + +"Oh!" she said, "that's not important! All I want is to get off." + +"Very well," said Lister. "If we are held up, I'll look for you. But I +don't know if the jolting platform is very safe. Hadn't you better go +back to your car?" + +She gave him a quick glance and he thought she braced herself. + +"I'm not going back. I can't. It's impossible!" + +Lister was curious, but hesitated about trying to satisfy his curiosity. +The girl was afraid of somebody, and, seeing no other help, she trusted +him. + +"Then, you had better come with me and I'll find you a berth where you +won't be disturbed," he said. + +She followed him with a confidence he thought moving, and when they met +the conductor he took the man aside. + +"That's all right," said the other. "Nobody's going to bother her while +I'm about." + +Lister returned to the smoking-compartment, but the adventure had given +him a pleasant thrill and he did not feel sleepy. He got out his +calculations and tried to interest himself until a man entered the car. +The fellow was rather handsome and his clothes were good, but Lister +thought he looked perplexed. He gave Lister a keen glance and went on +through the car. Some minutes afterwards, he came back, frowning +savagely, stopped in front of Lister, as if he meant to speak, +hesitated, and went out by the vestibule. + +It was plain the fellow had gone to look for the girl and had not found +her. The conductor had seen to that. Lister smiled, but admitted that +the thing was puzzling. The man was older than the girl, although he was +not old enough to be her father. If he were her husband, she would not +have run away from him, and it did not look as if he were her lover. +Lister saw no light, but since it was obvious she feared the man he +resolved, if possible, to help her to escape. + +Some time afterwards, the whistle pierced the roll of wheels, and +Lister, going to the platform, saw a big electric head-lamp shine like a +star. The cars were slowing and he imagined the operator had tried to +run a construction train across the section before the express came up. +They would probably stop for a minute at the intersection of the main +and side tracks. Hurrying through the train, Lister found the conductor, +who look him to a curtained berth, and the girl got down. She was +dressed and wore her knitted cap. + +"If you are resolved to go, I may be able to help you off," Lister said. + +"I must go," she replied, and although Lister remarked that her hands +trembled as she smoothed her crumpled dress, her voice was steady. + +"Very well," he said. "Come along." + +When he opened the vestibule door the train was stopping and the beam +from a standing locomotive's head-lamp flooded the track with dazzling +light. For a moment the girl hesitated, but when Lister went down the +steps she gave him her hand and jumped. Lister felt her tremble and was +himself conscious of some excitement. He did not know if he was rash or +not, but since she meant to go, speed was important, because the man +from whom she wanted to escape might see them on the line. He went to +the waiting engine in front of a long row of ballast cars, on which a +big gravel plough loomed faintly in the dark. + +"Who's on board?" he asked. + +A man he knew looked out from the cab window. + +"Hallo, Mr. Lister! I'm on board with Jake. We're going to Malcolm cut +for gravel. Washout's mixed things; operator reckoned he could rush us +through--" + +"Then you'll stop and get water at the tank," Lister interrupted. "Will +you make it before the East-bound comes along?" + +"We ought to make it half-an-hour ahead. Wires all right that way. +Nothing's on the road." + +Lister turned to the girl. "If you're going East you must buy a new +ticket at Malcolm. Have you money?" + +"I have some--" she said and stopped, and Lister imagined she had not +until then thought about money and had not much. + +"You'll take this lady to Malcolm, Roberts, and put her down where she +can get to the station," he said to the engineer. "Nobody will see you +have a passenger, but if the agent's curious, I'll fix the thing with +him." + +It was breaking rules, but the man knew Lister, and Lister knew he could +be trusted. He took some bills from his wallet, and as he helped the +girl up the steps pushed the paper into her hand. + +She turned to the cab door, and Lister imagined she was hardly conscious +of the money he had given her. Her color was high but her look indicated +keen relief. + +"Oh!" she said, "I owe you much! You don't know all you have done. I +will not forget--" + +Somebody waved a lantern, a whistle shrieked, and the locomotive bell +began to toll. Lister jumped back and seized the rails above the +platform steps as the car lurched forward. They moved faster, the beam +of the head-lamp faded, and the train rolled on into the dark. + + + +CHAPTER V + +SHILLITO GETS AWAY + +When the train started Lister did not go to his berth. His curiosity was +excited and he wondered whether he had been rash. Now he came to think +about it, the girl was attractive, and perhaps this to some extent +accounted for his willingness to help. Moreover she was young, and it +was possible her relations had put her in the man's control. If so, his +meddling could not be justified. + +After a time he heard the whistle, and imagined the train was going to +stop at a small station to which mails were brought from some mining +camps. The neighboring country was rugged and lonely, but a trail ran +south through the woods to the American frontier. When the cars stopped +he pushed down the window and looked out. + +Small trees grew along the track and the light from the cars touched +their branches. The line was checkered by illuminated patches and belts +of gloom. Lister heard somebody open the baggage car and then saw a man +run along the line beside the train. Another jumped off a platform and +they met not far from Lister's window. The man who got down was the +fellow who had gone through the car looking for the girl. The locomotive +pump throbbed noisily and Lister could not hear their talk, but he +thought they argued. + +The one who came up the line looked impatient and put his hand on his +companion's arm, as if to urge him away. The other stepped back, and his +gesture implied that he refused to go. The train was long, the +passengers were asleep, and the men, no doubt, imagined nobody saw them. +Lister thought the fellow who got down did not know the girl was gone +and did not mean to leave the train without her. The light touched the +men's faces, and it was obvious that one was angry and the other +disturbed. The scene intrigued Lister. It was like watching an act in a +cinema play of which one did not know the plot. + +After a minute or two a lantern flashed up the track, the bell tolled, +and the nearer man jumped back on the step. Lister heard a vestibule +door shut and then the throb of wheels began. The fellow on the line +frowned and threw out his hands angrily. From the movement of his lips +Lister thought he swore, but the car rolled past him and he melted into +the dark. + +Lister went to his berth, but did not undress. Much of the night had +gone, he would reach his camp soon after daybreak, and the train would +only stop long enough for him to jump off. He could sleep in his clothes +for an hour or two. A slackening of the roll of wheels wakened him and +he got out of his berth, but the big lamps were burning and when he went +to the door he saw dawn had not come. It was obvious they had not +reached the construction camp. Lister shivered, and was returning to his +berth when the conductor opened the door. + +"Our luck's surely not good to-night," he said. "They're pulling us up +at Maple. If it's not a washout, somebody will get fired." + +He went off, grumbling, but when the train stopped came back with a +trooper of the North-West Mounted Police. + +"Where's the guy you told me to watch out for?" he asked. + +Lister said he did not know and offered to go with them and help find +the man. It looked as if he were going to see the end of the play. + +When they opened a vestibule door a man came out of the car in front and +stopped, as if he were dazzled by the beam from the conductor's lifted +lamp. + +"That's the fellow," Lister shouted. + +He thought the other saw the trooper's uniform, because he stepped back +quickly. The door, however, was shut. When he let go the handle the +spring-bolt had engaged. + +"Nothing doing that way!" said the trooper. "My partner's coming along +behind you; you're corraled all right. I've a warrant for you, Louis +Shillito." + +The North-West Police work in couples and the situation was plain. One +trooper had begun his search at the front of the train, the other at the +back, and Shillito, hearing the first turn the passengers out of their +berths, had tried to steal away and met the other. His face got +strangely white, but Lister thought it was rather with rage than fear. +His lips drew back in a snarl, and the veins swelled on his forehead. He +occupied the center of the illuminated circle thrown by the conductor's +lamp, and his savage gaze was fixed. Lister saw he was not looking at +the policeman but at him. + +"Blast you!" Shillito shouted. "If you hadn't butted in--" + +"Cut it out!" said the trooper. "Hands up; we've got you! Don't make +trouble." + +Shillito's hand went behind him. It was possible he felt for the door +knob, but the trooper meant to run no risks. Although he had put down +his rifle and taken out his handcuffs, he jumped forward, across the +platform, and Shillito bent sideways to avoid his spring. The fellow was +athletic and his quick side-movement indicated he was something of a +boxer; the policeman was embarrassed by his handcuffs and young. +Shillito seized him and threw him against the rails, close to the gap +where the steps went down. The trooper gasped, his grasp got slack, and +his body slipped along the rails. It looked as if Shillito would throw +him down the steps, and Lister jumped. + +He saw Shillito's hand go up and next moment got a heavy blow. For all +that, he seized the man and held on, though blood ran into his eyes and +he felt dizzy. Shillito struggled like a savage animal and Lister +imagined the trooper did not help much. He got his arms round his +antagonist and tried to pull him down; Shillito was trying to reach the +opening in the rails. After a moment or two, Lister felt his muscles +getting slack, lurched forward, and saw nothing in front. He plunged out +from the gap, struck a step with his foot, and somebody fell on him. +Then he thought he heard a rifle-shot, and knew nothing more. + +By and by somebody pulled him to his feet and he saw the conductor +holding his arm. A group of excited passengers stood round them in the +light that shone from the train and some others ran along the edge of +the woods. The trooper and Shillito were gone. + +Lister's head hurt, he felt shaky, and when he wiped his face his hand +was wet with blood. + +"My head's cut. S'pose I hit something when I fell," he said. + +"Shillito socked it to you pretty good," the conductor replied, and +waved his lamp. "All aboard!" he shouted, and pushed Lister up the +steps. + +When they reached the platform the car jolted and Lister sat down, with +his back against the door. + +"My legs won't hold me," he said in an apologetic voice. "Did Shillito +get off?" + +"Knocked out the trooper and made the bush; the other fellow was way +back along the train," the conductor replied. "They want him for +embezzlement and will soon get on his trail, but the wash-out's broke +the wires and I reckon he'll cross the frontier ahead. Now you come +along and I'll try to fix your cut." + +Lister went, and soon after a porter helped him into his berth. His head +hurt and he felt very dull and slack, but he slept and when he woke +bright sunshine streamed into the standing car and he saw the train had +stopped at Winnipeg. Soon afterwards the conductor and one of the +station officials put him into an automobile. + +"If the reporters get after you, remember you're not to talk about the +girl," he said to the conductor. + +The other nodded, and signed the driver to start. The car rolled off and +stopped at the house of a doctor who dressed the cut on Lister's head +and ordered him a week's rest. Lister went to a hotel, and in the +morning found a romantic narrative of Shillito's escape in the +newspaper, but was relieved to note that nothing was said about the +girl. The report, however, stated that a passenger who tried to help the +police had got badly hurt and Shillito had vanished in the woods. The +police had not found his trail and it was possible he would reach the +American frontier. + +Lister thought the thing was done with, and when a letter arrived from +the construction office, telling him to stay until he felt able to +resume his work, resigned himself to rather dreary idleness. For some +days his head ached and he could not go out; the other guests were +engaged in the city and there was nobody to whom he could talk. He got +badly bored, and it was a relief when one afternoon the gentleman he had +met at the construction camp arrived with his daughter. For all that, +Lister was surprised. Duveen was a man of some importance, Miss Duveen +was a fashionable young lady, and Lister had imagined they had forgotten +him. He took his guests to a corner of the spacious rotunda where a +throbbing electric fan blew away the flies, and Duveen gave him a +cigarette. + +"The _Record_ did not give your name, but we soon found out who was the +plucky passenger," he said with a friendly smile. "Ruth thought she'd +like to see you, and since I wasn't engaged this afternoon we came +along." + +"I did want to come, but I really think you proposed the visit," Ruth +remarked. + +"Oh, well," said Duveen, "I don't know if it's important, but perhaps we +oughtn't to make Mr. Lister talk." + +Lister declared he wanted to talk, and Duveen said presently, "I don't +see why you butted in." + +For a moment or two Lister hesitated. He was resolved to say nothing +about the girl; it was obvious she would not like her adventure known, +but he must be cautious. Duveen was clever, and he thought Miss Duveen +gave him a curious glance. + +"The trooper was young and I sympathized with his keenness. Looked as if +it was his first important job and he meant to make good." + +"A romantic impulse?" Duveen remarked, and laughed. "Well, when one is +young, I expect it's hard to stand off while a fight's going on. All the +same, it's strange you didn't sympathize with the fellow who was +corraled. That's youth's natural instinct, although I allow it's not +often justified." + +"The trooper was corraled. He'd put down his rifle and Shillito had a +gun; I reckon it was the sharp butt of a heavy automatic that cut my +head. Then I didn't like the fellow; he'd come through the train before +and looked a smart crook." + +"He is a crook and got away with a big wad of the lumber firm's money. +However, you were rash to jump for a man with a pistol. You didn't know +he'd use the butt. All the same, you look brighter than we thought and +can take a rest. I expect the construction office won't rush you back +until you're fit." + +"I want to get back. Loafing round the hotel is dreary and my job's not +getting on. Although I'm ordered to lie off, this won't count for much. +I'll be made accountable for getting behind." + +Duveen said nothing for a moment or two, but he looked thoughtful, and +Lister imagined Miss Duveen studied him quietly. He did not belong to +the Duveens' circle; he was ruder. In fact, it was rather strange to see +these people sitting with him, engaged in friendly talk, although, now +he thought about it, Miss Duveen had not said much. + +She was a pretty girl and Lister liked her fashionable dress. Somehow +Ruth Duveen harmonized with the tall pillars and rich ornamentation of +the rotunda. One felt she belonged to spacious rooms. Duveen's clothes +were in quiet taste, he wore a big diamond, and looked commanding. One +felt this was a man whose word carried weight. + +"You're something of a hustler," he remarked with a smile. "For all +that, you got a nasty knock, and your quitting for a time is justified. +Well, if you feel lonesome, come along and dine at our hotel. Then we'll +go and see the American opera. I'm told the show is good." + +Lister made some excuses, but Duveen would not be refused. + +"When we stopped at your camp you made things smooth for us. You gave +Ruth some thrills, showed her the romance of track-grading, and +generally helped her to a good time. Anyhow, the thing is fixed. We'll +send the car for you." + +They went off soon afterwards, and Lister mused and smoked. He had +hardly expected to meet the Duveens again and wondered whether he owed +the visit to Ruth or her father; he had remarked at the camp that she +was generally indulged. Well, it was plain Duveen could help him and +Lister was ambitious, but he frowned and pulled himself up. He was not +going to intrigue for promotion and use a girl's friendship in order to +force his chiefs to see his merits. Things like that were done, but not +by him; it demanded qualities he did not think were his. Moreover he did +not know if Ruth Duveen was his friend. She was attractive, but he +imagined she was clever. All the same, if he could get the doctor to fix +his bandage so as to make it inconspicuous he would dine with the +Duveens. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +WINNIPEG BEACH + +Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and +the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd. For +the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were +rude. His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept +alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods. From daybreak until +dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers +filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark. When a soft +muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring +blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast +cars. + +Labor and concentration had left their mark. Lister's muscles were hard, +but his body and face were thin. He looked fine-drawn and alert; his +talk was direct and quick. As a rule, his skin was brown, but now the +brown was gone, and the lines on his face were deeper. His injury +accounted for something and he felt the reaction from a strain he had +hardly noted while it must be borne. Although he had not altogether +hidden his bandage and his clothes were not the latest fashion, Ruth +Duveen was satisfied. Somehow he looked a finer type than the business +men in the neighboring stalls. One felt the man's clean virility and got +a hint of force. + +Lister was highly strung. The music stirred his imagination, and when +the curtain went down the light and glitter, the perfume that drifted +about, the women's dress, and the society of his attractive companion +gave him a curious thrill. He began to see he had missed much; ambitions +that had forced him to struggle for scope to use fresh efforts took +another turn. Life was not all labor. Ruth Duveen had enlightened him. + +He studied her. She had grace and charm; it was much to enjoy, for one +evening, the society of a girl like this. Duveen went off between the +acts to meet his friends, but Ruth stopped and talked. Her smile was +gracious and Lister let himself go. He told her about adventures on the +track and asked about her life in the cities. Perhaps it was strange, +but she did not look bored, and when the curtain went down for the last +time he felt a pang. The evening was gone and in a day or two he must +resume his labor in the wilds. Lister did not cheat himself; he knew the +strange, romantic excitement he had indulged would not be his again. +When they went down the passage Ruth gave him a smiling glance and saw +his mouth was firm. + +"You look rather tired," she said. "Have we tired you?" + +Lister turned and his eyes were thoughtful. She had stopped to fasten +her cloak, and the people pushing by forced her to his side. An electric +lamp burned overhead and her beauty moved him. He noted the heavy coils +of her dark hair, her delicate color, and the grace of her form. + +"I'm not at all tired," he said. "I feel remarkably braced and keen, as +if I'd waked up from sleep. In fact, I think I have awakened." + +Ruth laughed. She saw he was not smiling and his graveness gave her a +sense of power. He had owned, with typical frankness, that she had moved +him. + +"Sometimes to wake up suddenly gives one a jolt," she said. "However, +you will soon get calm again in the woods." + +He sensed something provocative and challenging in her voice, but he +would not play up. + +"I wonder--" he said quietly. "In a way, the proper line's to go to +sleep again." + +"Sometimes one dreams! I expect you dream about locomotives breaking +through trestles and dump-cars plunging into muskegs?" + +He laughed. "They're things I know, and safe to dream about. All the +same, I rather expect I'll be haunted by lights and music, pretty +dresses and faces--" + +He stopped, and Ruth remarked: "If these have charm, there are no very +obvious grounds for your going without. You can command a locomotive and +Winnipeg's not very far from your camp. But we're stopping the people, +and I can't fix this clasp." + +She moved, and the opera cloak fell back from her arm, which was +uncovered but for the filmy sleeve that reached a little below the +shoulder. He noted its fine curves and the silky smoothness of her skin. +Although he fastened the clasp with a workman's firm touch, he thrilled. +Then the crowd forced them on and they found Duveen waiting by the car. +When they stopped at Lister's hotel Ruth said, "We are going to Winnipeg +Beach, Saturday. Would you like to come?" + +Duveen nodded. "A happy thought! I've got to talk to some business +people who make Ruth tired. If you come along, I needn't bother about +her." + +"That's how one's father argues!" Ruth exclaimed. + +Lister hesitated. "I was told to lie off because I was hurt. If I'm fit +to enjoy an excursion, I'm fit to work." + +"You're too scrupulous, young man. Have a good time when it's possible, +or you'll be sorry afterwards. I reckon you're justified to take all the +company will give." + +"It was caution, not scruples. Suppose I meet one of the railroad +chiefs?" + +"I'll fix him," Duveen rejoined. "Your bosses won't get after you when +you belong to my party. Anyhow, we'll look out for you." + +The car rolled off, and Lister, going to the rotunda, lighted a +cigarette and mused. Ruth Duveen had beauty, he liked her but must use +caution, since he imagined the friendship she had given him was +something of an indulged girl's caprice. Then he began to think about +the girl he had met on board the train. Now he was able, undisturbed, to +draw her picture, he saw she, too, had charm, but she was not at all +like Ruth. The strange thing was, one did not note if she were beautiful +or not. In a way, this did not matter; her pluck and firmness fixed +one's interest. + +Lister threw away his cigarette. He was poor and not romantic. The girl +he had helped had vanished, and after their excursion he hardly expected +to see Ruth again. Ruth was kind, but she would soon forget him when he +was gone. He would go to Winnipeg Beach with her, and then return to the +woods and let his job absorb him. In the meantime, his head had begun to +ache and he went to bed. + +The Saturday morning was typical of Winnipeg in summer. The fresh +northwest breeze that sweeps the Manitoba plains had dropped. Dark +thunder-clouds rolled about the sky, but the sun was hot and an +enervating humidity brooded over the town. The perspiring crowd in Main +Street moved slackly, the saloon bars were full, and the groups of +holiday-makers flocking to the station wore a languid look. + +Lister met his hosts in the marble waiting hall where a gold-framed +panorama of Canadian scenery closes the view between the rows of stately +pillars. Duveen had brought three or four keen-eyed, nervous business +men, a rather imposing lady, and Ruth, and they got on board a local +train soon after Lister arrived. Winnipeg Beach was then beginning to +attract holiday-makers from the prairie town. One could row and fish in +sheltered bays, and adventure on board a gasoline launch into the +northern wilds. Boating, however, had no charm for Duveen's friends. The +excursion was an opportunity for friendly business talk, and when lunch +was over Ruth and Lister went out on the lawn in front of the hotel. + +There was no wind. A few dark clouds floated motionless overhead, but +outside their shadow the lake shone like glass, running back until it +melted into faint reflections on the horizon. A varnished launch flashed +in the sun and trailed a long white wake across the water. + +"Do you want to stay and talk to Mrs. Knapp?" Ruth asked. + +"I do not," said Lister. "Anyhow, I imagine Mrs. Knapp doesn't want to +talk to me. I'm not a big-business man." + +Ruth laughed. "Oh, well, when you speculate at the Board of Trade, a +railroad engineer is not a useful friend. I suppose I ought to stay, but +the things one ought to do are tiresome. Let's go on the lake." + +Lister got a canoe, and fixing a cushion for Ruth, picked up the paddle. + +"Where shall we go?" + +"North, as far as you can. Let's get away from the boats and trippers +and imagine we're back in the woods where you helped me catch the big +gray trout." + +"Then you liked it at the construction camp?" Lister remarked. "It was a +pretty rude spot." + +"For an indulged city girl?" Ruth said, smiling. "Well, perhaps I'd got +all the satisfaction dinner parties and dances and the society at hotels +can give. I knew the men who handle finance and work the wires behind +the scenes, but I wanted to know the others who do the strenuous things +and keep the country going. I came, and you helped me to understand the +romance of the lakes and woods." + +Lister did not remember if he had tried to do so and thought he had not. +All the same, the girl was keen and interested. In summer, it was not +hard to feel the lonely sheets of water and tangled bush were touched by +romance. Then, perhaps, everybody felt at times a vague longing for the +rude and primitive. But he was not a philosopher, and dipping the +paddle, he drove the canoe across the tranquil lake. + +In the meantime, he imagined Ruth studied him with quiet amusement, and +wondered whether she thought he was not playing up. He did not mean to +play up; the game was intricate, and, if he were rash, might cost him +much. He had taken off his hat and jacket and effort had brought back +the color to his skin. His thin face had the clean bronze tint of an +Indian's; the soft shirt showed the fine-drawn lines of his athletic +figure; but Lister was not conscious of this. He knew his drawbacks, but +not all his advantages. + +When he had gone some distance and the hotel and houses began to melt +into the background, he stopped and let the canoe drift. + +"How far shall we go?" he asked. + +Ruth indicated a rocky point, cut off by the glimmering reflection, that +seemed to float above the horizon. + +"Let's see what is on the other side. Now and then one wants to know. +Exploration's intriguing. Don't you think so?" + +"Sometimes; in a practical sense. When a height of land cuts the +landscape, I wonder whether one could find an easy down-grade for the +track across the summit. That's about as far as my imagination goes." + +"Oh, well," said Ruth, "exploration like that is useful and one doesn't +run much risk. But risk and adventure appeal to some people." + +Lister resumed paddling. The girl had charm and he was young; if he were +not cautious, there might be some risk for him. He was not a clever +philanderer, and Ruth and Duveen had been kind. By and by a puff of cool +wind touched his hot skin and he looked round. A black cloud had rolled +up and there were lines on the water. + +"We may get a blow and some thunder," he remarked. "Shall we go back?" + +"Not yet. We'll make the point first. If it does thunder, summer storms +don't last." + +He paddled harder and a small white wave lapped the canoe's bows. The +sky was getting dark, and now the lines that streaked the lake were +white, but the wind was astern and they were going fast. The glimmering +reflections had vanished and the rocks ahead rose sharply from the +leaden water. The point was some distance off, but Lister knew he must +reach it soon. + +A flash of forked lightning leaped from the sky and touched the lake, +there was a long, rumbling peal, and then a humming noise began astern. +Angry white ripples splashed about the canoe and lumps of hail beat +Lister's head. Then, while the thunder rolled across the sky, the canoe +swerved. It was blowing hard, the high bow and stern caught the wind, +the strength was needed to hold her straight with the single paddle. If +he brought her round, he could not paddle to windward, and to steer +across the sea that would soon get up might be dangerous. They must make +the point and land. He threw Ruth his jacket, for spray had begun to fly +and the drops from the paddle blew on board. + +"Put on the thing; I've got to work," he said. + +In a few minutes his work was hard. Short, white waves rolled past, the +canoe lurched and swerved, and Lister knew if she swung off across wind +and sea she might capsize. He must keep her running and let the combers +split against her pointed stern. The combers were getting large and +their hissing tops surged by some height above the gunwale, but so long +as he could keep her before them they would not come on board. When her +bows went up she sheered, as if she meant to shoot across the hollow +left by the sea that rolled by. He stopped her with a back-stroke and +then drove hard ahead, for he must have speed to steer when the next sea +came on. In the meantime, the lightning flickered about the lake and +between the flashes all was nearly dark. The tops of the waves tossed +against leaden cloud and he could hardly see the rocks for which he +steered. + +By and by, however, the point stood out close ahead. The trees on the +summit bent in the wind; spray leaped about the bowlders where the white +foam rolled. He must go round and find a landing to lee, but to go round +he must cross the belt of breaking water, with the savage wind abeam. +The canoe shipped some water, and riding in on a comber's crest, +narrowly missed a rock that lifted its top for a moment out of the foam. +Then Lister drove her in behind the point and helped Ruth to land on a +gravel beach. Her eyes sparkled and he saw she had not been daunted. + +"We're all right now, but we have got to stay until the storm blows +out," he said. + +They found shelter in a hollow of the cliff and sat among the driftwood +while the rain that blotted out the lake drove overhead. The deluge did +not reach them and the cold was going. + +"You go back on Monday?" Ruth said at length. + +Lister smiled with humorous resignation. "I must. The strange thing is, +when I left my job before I was keen to get back. Now I'd rather stop +and loaf." + +"Then you were not bored at Winnipeg?" + +"Not at all," Lister declared. "If it would give me a holiday like this, +I'd get hurt again." + +"I expect the woods get dreary. Then, perhaps, one doesn't make much +progress by sticking to the track? Don't you want to get into the office +where the big plans are made?" + +"I don't know," said Lister thoughtfully. "On the track you're all right +if you know your job; at headquarters you need qualities I don't know +are mine. Anyhow, I'm not likely to get there, if I want or not." + +Ruth gave him a curious glance. "Sometimes one's friends can help. Would +you really like a headquarters post?" + +Lister moved abruptly and his mouth got firm. Perhaps Ruth exaggerated +her father's importance, but it was possible Duveen could get him +promotion. All the same, Lister saw what his taking the job implied; he +must give up his independence and be Duveen's man. Moreover, if the girl +meant to help, she had some grounds for doing so. He thrilled and was +tempted, but he thought hard. It looked as if she liked him and was +perhaps willing to embark upon a sentimental adventure, but he thought +this was all. She would not marry a poor man. + +"No," he said, with a touch of awkwardness. "I reckon I had better stick +to the track. To know where you properly belong is something, and if I +took the other job, my chiefs would soon find me out." + +"You're modest," Ruth remarked. "One likes modest people, but don't you +think you're obstinate?" + +"When the trail you hit goes uphill, obstinacy's useful." + +"If you won't take help, you may be long reaching the top, but we'll let +it go. The wind hasn't dropped much. How can we get back?" + +"We must wait," Lister replied with a twinkle. "The trouble about an +adventure is, when you start you're often forced to stay with it and put +it over. That sometimes costs more than you reckon." + +Ruth's eyes sparkled, but she forced a smile. "Logical people make me +tired. But why do you imagine I haven't the pluck to pay?" + +"I don't," said Lister. "I've no grounds to imagine anything like that. +My business was to take care of you and I ought to have seen the storm +was coming. Now I'm mad because I didn't watch out." + +"Sometimes you're rather nice," Ruth remarked. "You know I made you go +on. All the same, we must start as soon as possible." + +Lister got up presently and launched the canoe. The thunder had gone, +but the breeze was strong and angry white waves rolled up the lake. To +drive the canoe to windward was heavy labor, and while she lurched +slowly across the combers the sun got low. Lister's wet hands blistered +and his arms ached, but he swung the paddle stubbornly, and at length +the houses and hotel stood out from the beach. When they got near the +landing Ruth looked ahead. + +"The train's ready to pull out!" she exclaimed. "Can you make it?" + +Lister tried. His face got dark with effort and his hands bled, but in a +few minutes he ran the canoe aground. Ruth jumped out and they reached +the station as the bell began to toll. Duveen waved to them from the +track by the front of the train and then jumped on board, and Lister +pushed Ruth up the steps of the last car. The car was second-class and +crowded by returning holiday-makers, but the conductor, who did not know +Lister and Miss Duveen, declared all the train was full and they must +stay where they were. When he went off and locked the vestibule Lister +looked about. + +All the seats and much of the central passage were occupied, for the +most part by young men and women. Some were frankly lovers and did not +look disturbed by the banter of their friends. Lister was embarrassed, +for Ruth's sake, until he saw with some surprise that she studied the +others with amused curiosity. Looking down he met her twinkling glance +and thought it something like a challenge. His embarrassment got worse. +One could not talk because of the noise and to shout was ridiculous. He +must stand in a cramped pose and try not to fall against Ruth when the +cars rocked. He admitted that his proper background was the rude +construction camp, and it was something of a relief when they rolled +into Winnipeg. + +Duveen's car was at the station, and Ruth stopped for a moment before +she got on board. + +"You start on Monday and we will be out of town to-morrow. I wish you +good luck." + +Lister thanked her, and when she got into the car she gave him a curious +smile. "I think I liked you better in the woods," she said, and the car +rolled off. + + + +CHAPTER VII + +LISTER'S DISSATISFACTION + +Soon after his return from Winnipeg, Lister stood one evening by a +length of track planned to cut out an awkward curve. The new line ran +into a muskeg that sucked down brush and logs and the loads of numerous +gravel trains. Angry foremen declared one could not fill up the bog, and +Lister knew the heads of the construction office grumbled about the +delay. He was tired, for he had been strenuously occupied since morning, +but could not persuade himself that the work had made much progress. + +Small trees lay in tangled rows about the fresh gravel; farther back, +the standing bush ran in a broken line against the fading light. In +front, thin mist drifted across the muskeg where slender trunks rose +from the quaking mud. Not far off a high, wooden trestle carried the +rails across a ravine. The bridge would presently be rebuilt with steel, +but in the meantime the frame was open and the gaps between the ties +were wide. + +It was getting dark and noisy blast-lamps threw up pillars of white +fire. The line had sunk in the afternoon and it was necessary to lift +the rails and fill up the subsidence before the next gravel train +arrived. Lister was angry and puzzled, for he had pushed the road-bed +across to near the other side, but the rails had not sunk in the new +belt but in ground over which the trains had run. + +By and by a man joined him and remarked: "The boys have got the ties up, +but I reckon they won't fix the track for three or four hours. Looks as +if the blamed muskeg was going to beat us." + +"She can't beat us," Lister rejoined impatiently. "The trouble is, +hauling the stuff she swallows runs up construction costs, and that +counts against us. Did you leave Willis with the gang?" + +The other laughed. "I did not. He was tired. Wanted something at the +office and allowed he'd stop and take a smoke." + +"Hustle him out when you go along, Kemp. I'd sooner our chiefs down East +had kept that young man. The job's not soft enough for him. However, I +s'pose he lighted the lamp across the bridge?" + +"Willis has friends," Kemp remarked meaningly, and indicated a +reflection behind the trees. "The lamp's burning." + +Lister glanced at the trembling light. "I expect it's good enough for +the engineer, but the flame's not steady. Willis hasn't bothered to get +the pressure right. It's possible he didn't wait until she warmed the +oil." + +The powerful lamp had been carried across the bridge in order to warn +the engineer of the gravel train, who on his last journey had run to the +end of the line. The light could be seen for some distance up the track. + +"I got after Hardie about making good time. We must dump his load in the +soft spot before we stop," Lister resumed. + +"He's coming now; climbing the height of land," said Kemp. "He'll let +her go all out when he makes the top." + +A measured throb rolled across the woods, and as the noise got louder +the beat of the exhaust marked the progress of the train. The explosive +snorts indicated that the locomotive labored up the last steep pitch, +and Lister sat down by the rails. He was tired and would not be needed +until the gravel plough threw the rattling ballast off the cars. After a +few moments he looked up, for a man came out of the gloom. + +"Hello, Willis! I s'pose you've been taking a quiet smoke?" + +"That's so," said the other. "I've hustled round since sun-up and +imagined the gang could get along for half an hour without my watching. +You want to leave something to your foremen." + +Lister said nothing. He did not choose his helpers, but tried to make +the best use of those the bosses sent. Willis had some useful qualities, +but he was slack, and got sulky if one drove him hard. The young man had +come from the drawing-office of a famous bridge-building works. + +In the meantime, the rumble of the gravel train grew to a pulsating +roar. The locomotive had crossed the divide and was running furiously +down grade. The roughly-ballasted track was uneven, but the engineer had +been on board since daybreak and no doubt wanted to finish his job. + +"She's in the rock cut now," Kemp remarked. "Hardie ought to throttle +down when he runs out and sees the light." + +Lister listened. The swelling note indicated that the train had left the +cut, but it did not look as if the engineer was pulling up. + +"She's coming along pretty fast," said Willis. "If he doesn't snub her +soon, she'll jump the steel and take the muskeg." + +Next moment Lister was on his feet. Hardie was driving too fast; Lister +doubted if he could stop before the heavy train plunged through the +broken track. The unsteady white flicker behind the trees had sunk and +changed to smoky red. If looked as if the oil was not vaporizing +properly and the lamp was going out. When the engineer saw the light it +would be too late. + +"Get the boys off the track. I'll try to fix the lamp," Lister shouted, +and started for the bridge. + +The errand was not his. Willis had lighted the lamp: moreover, one might +have sent a workman, but when a job was urgent Lister went himself. The +job was urgent and dangerous. Unless he made good speed, he would meet +the train on the bridge and the cylinders of the locomotive projected +beyond the edge. + +The track was rough and fresh gravel rolled under his feet. Now and then +he struck a cross-tie and nearly fell. It had got dark and among the +trees the gloom was deep; one could not see the ties. Yet he must run, +and his breath got labored and his heart thumped. He did not know where +the train was, only that it was near. The woods throbbed with a savage +din; the big cars, loaded with rattling gravel, clanged and roared as +they plunged down grade. + +Lister hardly thought he could stop the train. It looked as if he would +be caught on the trestle, but he meant to go on. He did not argue about +it; he was rather moved by instinctive stubbornness. At moments of +strain one does not argue and logic has no appeal. Character counts for +all, and Lister followed his bent. His job was urgent and must be +carried out. + +When he reached the bridge he saw white threads of water between the +timbers of the open frame. The spacing of the ties was not regular, and +if he stepped short, or too far, he would go through. Then, if he did +not strike a brace, he would fall upon the rocks in the stream. All the +same, he saw the blaze of the head-lamp pick out the trees across the +ravine and sprang on to the bridge. + +Somehow he hit the ties; perhaps by subconscious judgment, and perhaps +by good luck. Then he felt loose gravel under his feet and thrilled with +a strange fierce satisfaction. His breath was labored and his body wet +by sweat, but the moving beam had not reached the lamp. He was going to +make it. + +When the black front of a gravel car leaped out of the gloom he jumped +off the track. The locomotive pushed the cars, the train was long, and +the lamp was but a few yards off. It had not gone out, although the +flame had sunk to a faint red jet that would not be seen in the dust. +His hands shook, but he gave the pump a few strokes and turned the valve +wheel. The red jet got white and leaped higher and Lister, pumping hard, +looked up the track. Big cars, rocking and banging, rushed past in a +cloud of dust. Bits of gravel struck him and rattled against the lamp. +The blurred, dark figures of men who sat upon the load cut against the +fan-shaped beam, and in the background he saw a shower of leaping +sparks. + +But the other light was growing and Lister turned the wheel. Burning oil +splashed around him, a pillar of fire rushed up, and when a whistle +screamed he let go the valve and turned from the blinding dust. He was +shaking, but the heavy snorting stopped. The engineer had seen the light +and cut off steam. + +When Lister looked round the train was gone. He had done what he had +undertaken, and after waiting for a few moments he started back. Now he +could go cautiously, he stopped and tried to brace himself at the end of +the bridge. Although he had run across not long since, he shrank from +the dark, forbidding gaps. For all that, he must get back, and feeling +carefully for the ties, he reached the other side and was for some time +engaged at the muskeg where two cars had overrun the broken rails. At +length he went to the log shack he used for his office and +sleeping-room, and soon after he lighted his pipe Kemp came in. + +"You made it," Kemp remarked. "When you stopped me at the bridge I saw +you'd get there." + +Lister laughed. "Now you talk about it, I believe I did shout you to go +back. Anyhow, you were some way behind. Did Willis come?" + +"He did not. Willis was badly rattled and started for the muskeg. +Thought he might get the track thrown across the hole, perhaps! I'm +rather sorry for the kid. But what are you going to do about it?" + +"Report we had two cars bogged and state the cost of labor. That's all, +I think." + +Kemp nodded. "Well, perhaps there's no use in talking about the lamp. +Our business is to make good, using the tools we've got. All the same, +if they want a man somewhere else, I guess I'd recommend Willis." + +He smoked quietly for a time, and then resumed: "We don't get forward +much. In fact, if the new Western irrigation company would take me on, I +think I'd quit." + +Lister pondered. Since his short stop at Winnipeg he had been conscious +of a strange restlessness. He wanted something the woods could not give, +and had begun to think life had more to offer than he had known. +Besides, he was not making much progress. + +"Since the double track is to be pushed on across the plains, the +department will need a bigger staff and there ought to be a chance for +some of us," he said. "Then there's the new work with the long bridges +on the lake section that will carry higher pay. We're next on turn and +have some claim. They ought to move us up." + +"I doubt. We didn't come from a famous office, and it's not always +enough to know your job." + +"Somebody will get a better post, and if I'm lucky I'll stay. If not, I +think I'll try the irrigation works." + +"I feel like that," Kemp declared. "But suppose the irrigation people +turn our application down?" + +"Then I'll lie off for a time. Except when I went, to McGill with money +I earned on a wheat barge, I haven't stopped work since I was a boy. Now +I'm getting tired and think I'll pull out and go across to look at the +Old Country. My father was an Englishman, and I have some money to +burn." + +"A good plan," Kemp agreed. "After a change you come back fresh with a +stronger punch. Well, if we're not put on to the lake section, we'll try +the irrigation scheme." + +He got up and went off, but Lister sat on his bunk and smoked. The bunk +was packed with swamp-grass on which his coarse Hudson's Bay blankets +were laid, and the shack was bare. Ragged slickers and old overalls +occupied the wall, long gum-boots a corner. A big box carried an iron +wash-basin, and a small table some drawing instruments. Lister was not +fastidious, and, as a rule, did not stop long enough at one spot to +justify his making his shack comfortable. Besides, he found it necessary +to concentrate on his work, and had not much time to think about +refinements. + +All the same, he felt the shack was dreary and his life was bleak. He +had not felt this until he went to Winnipeg. On the whole, he had liked +the struggle against physical obstacles. It was his proper job, but the +struggle was stern and sometimes exhausting, and his reward was small. +Now he wanted something different, and gave himself to vague and +brooding discontent. + +Ruth Duveen had broken his former tranquillity. In a sense, she had +awakened him, and he imagined she had meant to do so. All the same, to +think she loved him was ridiculous; she was rather experimenting with +fresh material. Yet she was accountable for his discontent. She had +helped him to see that while he labored in the woods he had missed much. +He wanted the society of cultivated women and men with power and +influence; to use control instead of carrying out orders; and to know +something of refinement and beauty. After all, his father was a +cultivated Englishman, although Lister imagined he had inherited +qualities that helped him most from his Canadian mother. It was all he +had inherited, except some debts he had laboriously paid. + +He admitted that to realize his ambitions might be hard, but he meant to +try. Canada was for the young and stubborn. If his chiefs did not +promote him, he would make a plunge, and if his new plan did not work, +he would go over and see the Old Country. Then he would come back, +braced and refreshed, and try his luck again. + +Putting down his pipe, he got into bed. He was tired and in the morning +the gravel cars must be pulled out of the muskeg. The job was awkward, +and while he thought about it he went to sleep. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE TEST + +A boisterous wind swept the high plain and round, white-edged clouds +rolled across the sky. The grass that ran back from the horizon was +parched, and in the distance a white streak of blowing dust marked a +dried alkali lake. Dust of dark color drove along the row of wooden +stores and houses that fronted the railroad track, across which three +grain elevators rose like castles. The telegraph posts along the track +melted into the level waste, and behind the spot where they vanished the +tops of a larger group of elevators cut the edge of the plain. + +The street was not paved, and the soil was deeply ploughed by wheels. +The soil was the black gumbo in which the wheat plant thrives, but the +town occupied the fringe of a dry belt and farming had not made much +progress. Now, however, a company was going to irrigate the land with +water from a river fed by the Rockies' snow. The town was square, and +although it looked much smaller than real-estate agents' maps indicated, +it was ornamented by four wooden churches, a Y.M.C.A. like a temple, and +an ambitious public hall. + +The Tecumseh Hotel occupied a corner lot at the end of the street and +was not remarkably commodious or clean, but its charges were less than +the Occidental's by the station, and Lister and Kemp were not +fastidious. Some time had gone since they pulled the gravel cars out of +the swamp and they had not been sent to the lake section. In +consequence, they had applied to the irrigation company for a post, and +having been called to meet the engineers and directors, imagined they +were on the short list. + +Lister lounged against the rails on the Tecumseh veranda. The boards +were cracked and dirty; burned matches and cigar ends were scattered +about, and a skeleton, gauze covered door that shut with a powerful +spring kept some of the flies and mosquitoes out of the hotel. + +"We'll know to-morrow," he remarked presently. + +Kemp nodded. "I can't figure on our chances. Feel anxious about it?" + +"Not much. In fact, I mean to use the thing to test my luck. If we're +engaged, I'll stay in Canada; if they turn us down, I'll start for the +Old Country." + +"You have no particular plans, I reckon." + +"No," said Lister, smiling. "I'm going to look about. I know our new +Western towns, but I want to see old cities, churches, and cathedrals; +the great jobs men made before they used concrete and steel. Then I'd +like to study art and music and see the people my father talked about. +Ours is a good country, but when it's all you know it gets monotonous." +He indicated the row of wooden houses and lonely plain. "One wants more +than the track and this." + +"It's possible you may go across," said Kemp. "Looks as if the company's +short list was pretty long. There's a gang of candidates in town, we +have no pull on the directors, and I don't know if our advantages are +very marked--" He stopped and laughed, for a man came round the corner. +"Hello, Willis!" he exclaimed. "When did you arrive?" + +"I came in on the last train. Got a notice to meet the Irrigation +Board." + +"Oh, well," said Kemp, "since the applicants are more numerous than the +posts, I reckon another won't count. Do you expect they're going to take +you on?" + +"I expect my chance is as good as yours." + +"I'll sell you my chance for ten dollars," Kemp rejoined. + +"Nothing doing, at the price," said Willis, and went off. + +Kemp laughed. Willis was marked by a superficial smartness his comrades +sometimes found amusing and sometimes annoying. For the most part, they +bore with him good-humoredly, but did not trust him when work that +needed careful thought was done. + +"The kid looks confident, but his applying for a job is something of a +joke," Kemp remarked. "I'd put his value at fifty cents a day." + +Lister agreed, and looked up the dusty street. The fronts of the small +frame houses were cracked by the sun, and some were carried up to hide +the roof and give the building a fictitious height. A Clover-leaf wagon +stood in front of a store, the wheels crusted by dry mud, and the team +fidgeted amidst a swarm of flies. Except for one or two railroad hands +waiting by the caboose of a freight train, nobody was about. The town +looked strangely dreary. + +Yet Lister knew it stood for all the relief from labor in the stinging +alkali dust one could get. One could loaf in a hard chair in front of +the hotel, lose a dollar or two at the shabby pool-room, or go to a +movie show and see pictures of frankly ridiculous Western melodrama. In +the real West, the pictures were ridiculous, because romantic +shootings-up did not happen. In fact, unless a stubborn labor dispute +began, nothing broke the dull monotony of toilsome effort. Romance had +vanished with the buffaloes. Lister admitted that he had not long felt +the monotony. The trouble began when he stopped at Winnipeg. + +"I think I'll go up the street," he said. + +A rough plank sidewalk ran in front of the houses, and Lister imagined +it was needed when the spring thaw and summer thunder-storms softened +the gumbo soil. Opposite the Occidental he stopped, for Duveen occupied +a chair on the veranda. While Lister hesitated Duveen beckoned him to +come up. + +"It's hot and dusty. Will you take a drink?" he said. + +Lister refused with thanks and wondered whether Ruth was at the hotel. +In a way, he would like to see her, but admitted that perhaps he had +better not. When he asked if she was well Duveen said she had gone to +Quebec, and gave Lister a cigar. + +"It looks as if you had left the railroad," he remarked. + +"I have not left yet," said Lister cautiously. + +"Then, you won't go unless you get a better job? Did you know I had +joined the Irrigation Board?" + +Lister said he did not know, and got embarrassed when Duveen gave him a +thoughtful glance. He wondered whether Ruth had talked to Duveen before +she hinted he might get a better post. + +"Perhaps I ought not to have come up. In fact, I hesitated--" + +Duveen laughed. "So I remarked! You reckoned the Occidental stoop was +pretty public and your talking to me might imply that you wanted my +support? Well, I'll risk that. It's obvious you're on the short list. Do +you want a post?" + +For a moment or two Lister pondered. He did want a post; anyhow, he +ought to try for it. On the whole he liked Duveen, and thought he might +have liked Ruth better had she not been rich. All the same, Duveen was a +shrewd manipulator of new industries and to take a post by his favor +would be to own a debt, for which payment might be demanded. Yet Duveen +had been kind and Lister hesitated. + +"I asked for a post," he said. "If I'm engaged, I'll try to make good; +but I must make good at the dam or on the ditch. Then I don't want to +bother my friends. The company has my engineering record and must judge +my usefulness by this. If they're not satisfied, I won't grumble much." + +"You're an independent fellow, but I think I understand," Duveen +rejoined with a twinkle. "A company director's duty _is_ to judge an +applicant for a post by his professional record. If you are appointed, +you want us to appoint you because we believe you are the proper man?" + +"Something like that," said Lister quietly. + +Duveen nodded, and his glance rested for a moment on Lister's forehead. + +"I see the mark you got on board the train hasn't altogether gone. Did +you hear anything about the girl you helped?" + +"I did not," said Lister, starting, for he had not imagined Duveen knew +about the girl. "I have not seen her since she went off on the +locomotive." + +"Then she has not written to you since?" + +"She could not write, because she doesn't know who I am, and I don't +know her. We talked for a minute or two, that's all." + +Duveen's face was inscrutable and Lister wondered whether he doubted his +statement. He was annoyed because the other knew so much. + +"Oh, well," said Duveen, "I expect you heard they didn't catch Shillito, +and since he got across the frontier, it's possible the Canadian police +won't see him again. But I must get ready for supper. Will you stay?" + +Lister excused himself and went back to the Tecumseh, where the bill of +fare was frugal and the serving rude. He imagined he had refused much +more than a first-class supper, but was satisfied he had taken the +proper line. For one thing, Duveen knew Ruth had given him her +friendship and, since he knew his daughter, it was significant that he +had not thought it necessary to meddle. Lister wondered whether he had +meant to use him, and was glad he had kept his independence. If he got +the post now, he would know he had rather misjudged Duveen, but he +doubted. All the same, he liked the man. + +After supper Kemp and he sat on the veranda and watched the green glow +fade from the edge of the plain. They did not talk much, but by and by +Kemp remarked: "I thought I saw you go into the Occidental." + +"Duveen called me on to the stoop." + +"Duveen?" Kemp exclaimed. "Then he's got his hand on the wires! If the +Irrigation Company puts the undertaking over, a number of the dollars +will go to Duveen's wad. If he's your friend, I expect you know he could +get you the job." + +"It's possible. All the same, I hinted I didn't want his help." + +Kemp laughed. "You surprise me every time! I'm all for a square deal and +down with scheming grafters and log-rollers, but I allow I hate them +worst when they give another fellow the post I want." + +"The thing's not fixed yet. The company's engineers are going to judge +and our record's pretty good. They may engage us. We'll know to-morrow." + +"Sure thing," Kemp remarked dryly. "I reckon we'll both pull out on the +first train." + +It began to get dark and Lister went off to bed. He must get water from +a cistern in the roof and to carry the heavy jug was awkward when one +could not see. At the Tecumseh the guests were expected to carry water +for themselves, and Lister, groping along the shadowy passage with his +load, thought his doing so had some significance. It was part of the +price he must pay for freedom. + +At the time fixed in the morning, he went to the Occidental and was +shown into a room where a number of gentlemen occupied a table. One or +two were smoking and the others talked in low voices, but when Lister +came in and the secretary indicated a chair they turned as if to study +him. Duveen sat next a man at the end of the table and gave Lister a +nod. Somehow Lister thought he was amused. + +Lister's heart beat. He felt this was ridiculous, because he had +persuaded himself it did not matter whether he got the post or not. Now, +however, when the moment to try his luck had come, he shrank from the +plunge he had resolved to make if he were not engaged. After all, he +knew and liked his occupation; to let it go and try fresh fields would +be something of a wrench. + +The gentlemen did not embarrass him. On the whole, they were urbane, and +when the secretary gave the chairman his application one asked a few +questions about the work he had done. Lister was able to answer +satisfactorily, and another talked to him about the obstacles +encountered when one excavated treacherous gravel and built a bank to +stand angry floods. For all that, Lister was anxious. The others looked +bored, as if they were politely playing a game. He thought they knew +beforehand how the game would end, but he did not know. The inquiries +that bored the urbane gentlemen had important consequences for him and +the suspense was keen. + +At length they let him go, and Duveen gave him a smile that Lister +thought implied much. When he returned to the hotel Kemp remarked that +he looked as if he needed a drink, and suggested that Lister go with him +and get one. + +"I need three or four drinks, but mean to go without," said Lister +grimly. "I begin to understand how some men get the tanking habit." + +He started off across the plain, and coming back too late for lunch, +found Kemp on the veranda. Kemp looked as if he were trying to be +philosophical, but found it hard. + +"The secretary arrived not long since," he said. "A polite man! He +didn't want to let us down too heavily." + +"Ah!" said Lister. "The Irrigation people have no use for us?" + +Kemp nodded. "Willis has got the best job; they've hired up two or three +others, but we're left out." + +"Willis!" exclaimed Lister, and joined in Kemp's laugh. + +"After all, the money he's going to get is theirs," said Kemp. "In this +country we're a curious lot. We let grafters and wire-pullers run us, +and, when we start a big job, get away with much of the capital we want +for machines; but somehow we make good. We shoulder a load we needn't +carry and hit the pace up hot. If we got clean control, I reckon we'd +never stop. However, there's not much use in philosophizing when you've +lost your job, and the East-bound train goes out in a few minutes. You'd +better pack your grip." + + + +CHAPTER IX + +BARBARA PLAYS A PART + +Lister returned to the railroad camp and stayed until the company sent a +man to fill his post. In the meantime, he wrote to some of his father's +relations, whom he had not seen, and their reply was kind. They stated +that while he was in England he must make their house his home. When his +successor arrived he started for Montreal, and one afternoon sat under a +tree in the square by the cathedral. + +The afternoon was calm. A thunderstorm that wet the streets had gone, +and an enervating damp heat brooded over the city. After the fresh winds +that sweep the woods and plains, Lister felt the languid air made him +slack and dull. His steamer did not sail until daybreak, and since he +had gone up the mountain and seen the cathedral and Notre Dame, he did +not know what to do. The bench he occupied was in the shade, and he +smoked and looked about. + +Cabs rolled up the street to the big hotel across the square, and behind +the trees the huge block of the C.P.R. station cut the sky. One heard +whistles, the rumble of heavy wheels, and the tolling of locomotive +bells. Pigeons flew down from the cathedral dome and searched the damp +gravel. + +A group of foreign emigrants picnicked in the shade. Their clothes were +old and greasy; they carried big shapeless bundles and looked tired and +worn. Lister could not guess their nationality, but imagined they had +known poverty and oppression in Eastern Europe. It was obvious they had +recently disembarked from a crowded steerage and waited for an emigrant +train. They were going West, to the land of promise, and Lister wished +them luck. He and they were birds of passage and, with all old landmarks +left behind, rested for a few hours on their journey. + +He studied the group. The men looked dull and beaten; the women had no +beauty and had grown coarse with toil. Their faces were pinched and +their shoulders bent. Only the children, in spite of rags and dirt, +struck a hopeful note. Yet the forlorn strangers had pluck; they had +made a great adventure and might get their reward. Lister had seen +others in the West, who had made good, breaking soil they owned and +walking with the confident step of self-respecting men. On the plains, +stubborn labor was rewarded, but one needed pluck to leave all one knew +and break custom's familiar but heavy yoke. + +By and by Lister remembered he wanted to take his relations a few +typically Canadian presents. He had seen nothing that satisfied him at +Winnipeg, and had better look about the shops at Montreal. Anyhow, it +would amuse him for an hour or two. He got up, went along the path for a +few yards, and then stopped. + +Across the clanging of the locomotive bells and the roll of trolley cars +at the bottom of the hill he heard sweet voices. The music was faint and +somehow ethereal, as if it fell from a height. One lost it now and then. +It came from the cathedral and Lister stopped and listened. He did not +know what office was being sung, but the jaded emigrants knew, for a +child got up and stood with bent head, holding a greasy cap, and a +ragged woman's face got gentle as she signed herself with the cross. It +looked as if the birds of passage had found a landmark in a foreign +land. Lister was moved, and gave the child a coin before he went off. + +He strolled east, past Notre Dame, towards the post office, about which +the stately banks and imposing office blocks stand. This quarter of the +city drew him, for one saw how constructive talent and imagination could +be used, and he wondered whether England had new buildings like these. +Sometimes one felt the Western towns were raw and vulgar, but one saw +the bold Canadian genius at its best in Montreal. + +After a time he stopped in front of a shop in a short side street. +Indian embroidery work and enameled silver occupied the window, and +although Lister was not an artist he had an eye for line and knew the +things were good. The soft, stained deerskin was cleverly embroidered; +he liked the warm colors of the enamel, and going in was shown a tray of +spoons. + +The shop, shut in by high buildings, was dark and smelt of aromatic wood +and leather, but a beam from a window pierced the gloom and sparkled on +the silver. This was emblazoned with the arms of the Provinces; the +Ship, the Wheatsheaves, and the red Maple Leaf. Lister picked up the +articles, and while he did so was vaguely conscious that a girl at the +opposite counter studied him. He, however, did not look up until he had +selected a few of the spoons, and then he started. + +The light that touched the girl's face did not illuminate it all. Her +profile was sharp as an old daguerreotype: he saw the flowing line from +brow to chin, drawn with something of austere classic beauty, the arched +lips and the faint indication of a gently-rounded cheek. The rest was in +shadow, and the contrast of light and gloom was like a Rembrandt +picture. Then the enameled spoons rattled as Lister put down the tray. +He knew the picture. When he last saw the girl, her face was lighted +like that by the blaze of a locomotive head-lamp. + +"I'll take these things," he said, and crossed the floor. + +The girl moved back, but he indicated a bundle of deerskin articles he +thought her business was to sell. Her color was high; he noted the vivid +white and pink against the dull background of stained leather. + +"What does one do with those bags?" he asked. + +"They're useful for keeping gloves and handkerchiefs," she replied. "The +pattern is worked in sinews, but we have some with a neat colored +embroidery." She paused and signed to a saleswoman farther on. "Will you +bring this gentleman the Revillon goods?" + +Lister's object for stopping her was not very plain, but he did not mean +to let her go. + +"Please don't bother. I expect to find something in this bundle," he +said to the approaching saleswoman. Then he turned to the girl in front. +"Let me look at the bag with the arrow-head pattern." + +She gave him the bag, and although her glance was steady he knew she was +embarrassed. + +"If you will wrap it up, I'll keep this one," he resumed. "I expect you +have not forgotten me. When I came into the shop I didn't imagine I +should meet you, but if you'd sooner I went off, I'll go." + +"I have not forgotten," she admitted, and her color faded and came back +to her delicate skin. + +"Very well! Since I sail to-night on the Allan boat, it's plain you +needn't be afraid of my bothering you. All the same, we were partners in +an adventure that ought to make us friends. Can't I meet you for a few +minutes when you stop work?" + +She hesitated, and then gave him a searching glance. + +"Come to the fountain up the street in an hour. This is my early +evening." + +Lister went off with the bag and spoons, and when he returned to the +fountain saw her crossing the square in front. She was dressed like the +shop-girls he had seen hurrying on board the street cars in the morning; +her clothes were pretty and fashionable, but Lister thought the material +was cheap. He felt she ought not to wear things like that. While she +advanced he studied her. She was attractive, in a way he had hardly +remarked on board the train. One rather noted her quick, resolute +movements, the sparkle in her eyes, and her keen vitality. Lister began +to think he had unconsciously noted much. + +"I'm going to take you to supper, and you can send me off when you like +afterwards," he said and started across the square. A famous restaurant +was not far off. + +"No," she said, as if she knew where he was going. "If I go with you, it +must be the tea-rooms I and my friends use." She gave him a rather hard +smile and added: "There's no use in my going where I don't belong." + +Lister said nothing, but while they walked across the town she talked +with a brightness he thought forced, and when they stopped at a small +tea-room in a side street he frowned. He was persuaded she did not +belong there. She was playing a part, perhaps not very cleverly since he +had found her out. She wanted him to think her a shop-girl enjoying an +evening's adventure; her talk and careless laugh hinted at this, but +Lister was not cheated. + +They went in. The room was small and its ornamentation unusual. +Imitation vines crawled about light wooden arches, cutting up the floor +space into quiet corners. The room was rather dark, but pink lamps shone +among the leaves and the soft light touched the tables and clusters of +artificial grapes. Lister thought the plan was well carried out, for the +grapes were the small red Muskokas that grow in Canada. When he picked +up the menu card he understood why girls from the stores and offices +used the place. + +Lister ordered the best supper the French-Canadian landlady could serve, +and then began to talk while he helped his companion. The corner they +occupied was secluded and he owned that to sup with an attractive girl +had a romantic charm. He noted that she frankly enjoyed the food and he +liked her light, quick laugh and the sparkle in her eyes. Her thin +summer clothes hinted at a slender, finely-lined form, and her careless +pose was graceful. + +He wondered whether she felt her meeting him was something of an +adventure, but he was persuaded she was playing a part. Her frankness +was not bold, the little, French-Canadian gestures were obviously +borrowed, and some of the colloquialisms she used were out of date. +Except for these, her talk was cultivated. For a time Lister tried to +play up, and then resolved to see if he could break her reserve. + +"It looks as if you made Malcolm all right on board the gravel train," +he remarked. + +She gave him a quick glance and colored. "Yes, I made it and got the +East-bound express. The engineer was kind. I expect you told him he must +help?" + +"When I put you on board the locomotive I knew Roberts would see you +out. He's a sober fellow and has two girls as old as you." + +"You don't know how old I am," she said with an effort for carelessness. + +"Anyhow, it's plain you are young enough to be rash," Lister rejoined. + +She put down her cup and her glance was soft. He saw she was not acting. + +"I don't think I really was rash--not _then_. It's something to know +when you can trust people, and I did know." + +Lister was embarrassed, but her gentleness had charm. He did not want +her to resume her other manner. Then he was tempted to make an +experiment. + +"You know Shillito got away?" + +Her lips trembled and the blood came to her skin, but she fronted him +bravely and he felt ashamed. + +"Yes," she said. "I think I would sooner he had been caught! But why did +you begin to talk about Shillito?" + +"Perhaps I oughtn't; I'm sorry." + +She studied him and he thought she pondered, although it was possible +she wanted to recover her calm. + +"Unless you are very dull, you know something," she resumed with an +effort. "Well, I was rash, but just before I saw you on the platform I +found out all I'd risked. I think I was desperate; I meant to jump off +the train, only it was going fast and water shone under the bridge. Then +you pushed me from the step and I felt I must make another plunge and +try to get your help. Now I'm glad I did so. But that's all." + +Lister understood that the thing was done with. She would tell him +nothing more, and he was sorry he had indulged his curiosity. + +"Oh, well," he said, "there's not much risk of my bothering you about +the fellow again. I start for England in a few hours." + +Her glance got wistful. She moved her plate and her hand trembled. + +"You are English?" he resumed. + +"I met you first on board a Canadian train and now you find me helping +at a Montreal store. Isn't this enough? Why do you try to find out where +I come from?" + +"I'm sorry. All the same, you're not a Canadian." + +"I am a Canadian now," she rejoined, and then added, as if she were +resolved to talk about something else, "There's a mark on your forehead, +like a deep cut. You hadn't got it when I saw you on the platform." + +"No," said Lister. "I fell down some steps not long afterwards." + +She looked at him sharply and then exclaimed: "Oh! the newspapers said +there was a struggle on the train! Somebody helped the police and got +hurt. It was you. Shillito knew you had meddled. You got the cut for +me!" + +"We agreed we wouldn't talk about Shillito. I got the cut because I +didn't want to see a young police trooper knocked out. People who meddle +do get hurt now and then. Anyhow, it's some time since and I think we'll +let it go. Suppose you tell me about Montreal and your job at the +store?" + +She roused herself and began to talk. Lister thought it cost her +something, but she sketched her working companions with skill and humor. +She used their accent and their French-Canadian gestures. Lister laughed +and led her on, although he got a hint of strain. The girl was not happy +and he had noted her wistful look when she talked about England. At +length she got up, and stopping at the door for a moment gave him her +hand. + +"Thank you. I wish you _bon voyage_," she said. + +"Can't we go somewhere else? Is there nothing doing at the theaters?" +Lister asked. + +"No," she said resolutely; "I'm going home. Anyhow, I'm going where I +live." + +Lister let her go, but waited, watching her while she went up the +street. Somehow she looked forlorn and he felt pitiful. He remembered +that he did not know her name, which he had wanted to ask but durst not. + +When he returned to his hotel he stopped at the desk and gave the clerk +a cigarette. As a rule, a Canadian hotel clerk knows something about +everybody of importance in the town. + +"I bought some _souvenirs_ at a curiosity depot," he said, and told the +other where the shop was. "Although they charged me pretty high, the +things looked good." + +"You haven't got stung," the clerk remarked. "The folks are +French-Canadians but they like a square deal. If you put up the money, +they put up the goods." + +"The shop hands looked smart and bright. If you study the sales people, +you can sometimes tell how a store is run." + +"That's so. Those girls don't want to grumble. They're treated all +right." + +"Oh, well," said Lister, "since I don't know much about enameled goods +and deerskin truck, I'm glad I've not got stung." + +When he went off the other smiled, for a hotel clerk is not often +cheated, and he thought he saw where Lister's remarks led. Lister, +however, was strangely satisfied. It was something to know the +storekeepers were honest and kind to the people they employed. + + + +CHAPTER X + +VERNON'S CURIOSITY + +Silky blue lines streaked the long undulations that ran back to the +horizon and the _Flaminian_ rolled with a measured swing. When her bows +went down the shining swell broke with a dull roar and rainbows +flickered in the spray about her forecastle; then, while the long deck +got level, one heard the beat of engines and the grinding of screws. A +wake like an angry torrent foamed astern, and in the distance, where the +dingy smoke-cloud melted, the crags of Labrador ran in faint, broken +line. Ahead an ice-floe glittered in the sun. The liner had left Belle +Isle Strait and was steaming towards Greenland on the northern Atlantic +course. + +Harry Vernon occupied a chair on the saloon-deck and read the _Montreal +Star_ which had been sent on board at Rimouski. The light reflected by +the white boats and deck was strong; he was not much interested, and put +down the newspaper when Lister joined him. They had met on the journey +from Winnipeg to Montreal, and on boarding the _Flaminian_ Lister was +given the second berth in Vernon's room. Vernon liked Lister. + +"Take a smoke," he said, indicating a packet of cigarettes. "Nothing +fresh in the newspapers. They've caught the fellow Porteous; he was +trying to steal across to Detroit." + +Lister sat down and lighted a cigarette. Porteous was a clerk who had +not long since gone off with a large sum of his employer's money. + +"Canada is getting a popular hunting ground for smart crooks. It looks +as if our business men were easily robbed." + +"There are two kinds of business men; one lot makes things, the other +buys and sells. Some of the first are pretty good manufacturers, but +stop at that. They concentrate on manufacturing and hire a specialist to +look after finance." + +"But if the specialist's a crook, can't you spot him when he gets to +work?" + +"As a rule, the men who get stung know all about machines and material +but nothing about book-keeping," Vernon replied. "A bright accountant +could rob one or two I've met when he was asleep. For example, there was +Shillito. His employers were big and prosperous lumber people; clever +men at their job, but Shillito gambled with their money for some time +before they got on his track. I expect you read about him in the +newspapers?" + +Lister smiled and, pushing back his cap, touched his forehead. + +"I know something about Shillito. That's his mark!" + +"Then you were the man he knocked out!" Vernon exclaimed. "But he hasn't +got your money. Why did you help the police?" + +"It isn't very obvious. Somehow, I didn't like the fellow. Then, you +see, the girl--" + +"The girl? What had a girl to do with it?" + +Lister frowned. He had not meant to talk about the girl and was angry +because he had done so, but did not see how he could withdraw his +careless statement. Moreover Vernon looked interested, and it was +important that both were typical Canadians. The young Canadian is not +subtle; as a rule, his talk is direct, and at awkward moments he is +generally marked by a frank gravity. Vernon was grave now and Lister +thought he pondered. He had not known Vernon long, but he felt one could +trust him. + +"I met a girl on board the train," he said. "She was keen about getting +away from Shillito." + +"Why did she want to get away?" + +"I don't know. Looked as if she was afraid of him. When I first saw her +she was on the car platform and I reckoned she was bracing herself to +jump off. Since we were running across a trestle, I pulled her from the +steps. That's how the thing began." + +"But it didn't stop just then?" + +"It stopped soon afterwards," Lister replied. "She wanted to get off and +go East; the train was bound West, but we were held up at a side-track, +and I put her on board a gravel train locomotive." + +"Then she went East!" said Vernon thoughtfully, and studied the other. + +Lister sat with his head thrown back and the sun on his brown face. His +look was calm and frank; his careless pose brought out the lines of his +thin but muscular figure. Vernon felt he was honest; he knew Lister's +type. + +"She went off on board our construction locomotive," Lister replied. + +"But I don't see yet! Why did you meddle? Why did she give you her +confidence?" + +"She didn't give me her confidence," Lister said, and smiled. "She +wanted to get away and I helped. That's all. It's obvious I wasn't out +for a romantic adventure, because I put her off the train." + +Vernon nodded. Lister's argument was sound; besides, he did not look +like a philanderer. + +"Then you don't know who she is?" + +"I don't know. She didn't put me wise and my business was not to bother +her." + +"What was she like? Did you guess her age? How was she dressed?" + +Lister lighted a fresh cigarette. Vernon's keenness rather puzzled him, +but he thought he had told the fellow enough. In fact, he doubted if the +girl would approve his frankness. He was not going to state that he had +met her at Montreal. Anyhow, not yet. If Vernon talked about the thing +again and gave proper grounds for his curiosity, he might perhaps +satisfy him. + +"She was young," he answered vaguely. "Attractive, something of a +looker, I think. I don't know much about women's clothes." + +"Oh, well!" said Vernon. "You helped her off and Shillito found this out +and got after you?" + +"He got after me when he saw he was corraled," Lister replied, and +narrated his struggle on the platform. He was now willing to tell Vernon +all he wanted to know, but saw the other's interest was not keen and +they presently began to talk about something else. + +"What are you going to do in the Old Country?" Vernon asked. + +"I have no plans. For a time, I guess I'll loaf and look about. Then I +want to see my father's folks, whom I haven't met." + +"Your father was English?" + +"Why, yes," said Lister, smiling. "If you reckon up, you'll find a big +proportion of the staunchest Canadians' parents came from the Old +Country. In fact, I sometimes feel Canada belongs to us and the boys of +the sourdough stock. Between us we have given the country its stamp and +made it a land for white men; but we'll soon be forced to make good our +claim. If we're slack, we'll be snowed under by folks from Eastern +Europe whose rules and habits are not ours." + +Vernon nodded. "It's a problem we have got to solve. But are you going +back to the railroad when you have looked about?" + +"I'm going back some time, but, now I have pulled out, I want to see all +I can. I'd like to look at Europe, Egypt and India." + +"Wandering around costs something," Vernon remarked. + +"That is so. My wad's small, but if I've not had enough when it's used +up, I'll look for a job. If nothing else is doing, I'll go to sea." + +Vernon's smile was sympathetic and he looked ahead, over the dipping +forecastle to the far horizon. The sea shone with reflected light and an +iceberg glimmered against the blue. He felt the measured throb of +engines and the ship leap forward. Vernon was a young Canadian and +sprang from pioneering stock. The vague distance called; he felt the +lure of going somewhere. + +"If the thing was possible, I'd go with you," he said. "All the same, +I'm tied to business and the old man can't pull his load alone. My job's +to stick to the traces and help him along. But do you know much about +the sea?" + +"I was engineer on board a Pacific coasting boat and a wheat barge on +the Lakes." + +"Well," said Vernon thoughtfully, "I know an English shipping boss who +might help you get a berth. I'd rather like you to meet him, but we'll +talk about this again. Now let's join those fellows at deck-quoits." + +Their friendship ripened, but it was not until the last day of the +voyage Vernon said something more about the English ship-owner. +_Flaminian_ was steaming across the Irish Sea, with the high blue hills +of Mourne astern and the Manx rocks ahead. Vernon lounged on the +saloon-deck and his face was thoughtful as he looked across the shining +water. + +"We'll make Liverpool soon after dark, and if I can get the train I +want, I'll pull out right then," he said. "You allowed you might try a +run on board an English ship before you went back?" + +"It's possible," said Lister. "Depends on how my wad holds out and on +somebody's being willing to give me a post." + +Vernon nodded. "That's where I'm leading." He stopped, and Lister +wondered why he pondered. The thing did not seem worth the thought his +companion gave it. + +"I reckon you don't know Cartwright of the Independent Freighters, but +he could put you wise about getting a ship," Vernon resumed. "I'm +stopping for a week or two at his country house. The freighters are +small boats, but Cartwright's worth knowing; in fact, to know him is +something of an education. In the West we're pretty keen business men, +and I've put across some smart deals at the Winnipeg Board of Trade, but +I'll admit Cartwright would beat me every time. Where do you mean to +locate?" + +Lister said he was going to the neighborhood of a small country town in +the North of England, and was puzzled by Vernon's start. + +"That fixes it! The thing's strangely lucky. Cartwright's country house +is not far off. You had better come along by my train. Soon after I +arrive I'll get Mrs. Cartwright to ask you across." + +"I mustn't bother your friends," said Lister. "Besides, I really don't +know if I want to go to sea." + +"All the same, you'll come over to Carrock. You ought to know Cartwright +and I reckon he'll like to know you. I have a notion you and he would +make a good team." + +Lister wondered whether Vernon had an object for urging him to meet his +friend, but this looked ridiculous. + +"What's Cartwright like?" he asked carelessly. + +"My notion is, Cartwright's unique. You imagine he's something of a +highbrow Englishman, rather formal and polite, but he has an eye like a +fish-hawk's and his orders go. Hair and mustache white; you don't know +if his clothes are old or new, but you feel they're exactly what he +ought to wear. That's Cartwright, so to speak, on top; but when you meet +him you want to remember you're not up against a Canadian. We're a +straight type. When we're tough, we're very tough all the time; when +we're cultivated, you can see the polish shine. In the Old Country it's +harder to fix where folks belong." + +"You imply that you have got to know Cartwright before you fix him?" + +Vernon laughed. "I haven't quite fixed him yet. At one time he's a sober +gentleman of the stiff old school; at another he's as rough as the +roughest hobo I've met in the West. I reckon he'd beat a business crook +at the other's smartest trick, but if you're out for a straight deal, +you'll find Cartwright straight." + +He went off to change some money and Lister went to his cabin and began +to pack his trunk. When he came up they had passed the Chicken Rock and +a long bright beam touched the sea astern. In the East, water and sky +faded to dusky blue, but presently a faint light began to blink as if it +beckoned. The light got brighter and gradually drew abeam. The foaming +wake glimmered lividly in the dark, the beat of screws seemed quicker, +and Lister thought the ship was carried forward by a stream of tide. + +Other lights began to blink. They stole out of the dark, got bright, and +vanished, and Lister, leaning on the rails, felt they called him on. One +knew them by their colors and measured flashes. They were beacons, +burning on a well-ordered plan to guide the navigator, but he did not +know the plan. In a sense, this was important, and he began to muse. + +Now he would soon reach the Old Country, he felt he had made a momentous +plunge. Adventure called, he knew Canada and wanted something fresh, but +he wondered whether this was all. Perhaps the plunge had, so to speak, +not been a thoughtless caprice. In a sense, things had led up to it and +made it logical. For example, it might not have been for nothing he met +the girl on the train and got hurt. His hurt had kept him at Winnipeg +and stopping there had roused his discontent. Then he had met Vernon, +who wanted him to know the English ship-owner. It was possible these +things were like the flashes that leaped out of the dark. He would know +where they pointed when the journey was over. Then Lister smiled and +knocked out his pipe. + +When he went on deck again some time afterwards the ship was steering +for a gap between two rows of twinkling lights. They ran on, closing on +each other, like electric lamps in a long street, and in front the sky +shone with a dull red glow. It was the glimmer of a great port, they +were entering the Mersey, and he went off to get up his luggage. + +PART II--THE RECKONING + + + +CHAPTER I + +VERNON'S PLOT + +Lister occupied the end of a slate-flag bench on the lawn at Carrock, +Mrs. Cartwright's house in Rannerdale. Rannerdale slopes to a lake in +the North Country, and the old house stands among trees and rocks in a +sheltered hollow. The sun shone on its lichened front, where a creeper +was going red; in the background birches with silver stems and leaves +like showers of gold gleamed against somber firs. Across the lawn and +winding road, the tranquil lake reflected bordering woods; and then long +mountain slopes that faded from yellow and green to purple closed the +view. + +While Lister waited for the tea Mrs. Cartwright had given him to cool he +felt the charm of house and dale was strong. Perhaps it owed something +to the play of soft light and shade, for, as a rule, in Canada all was +sharply cut. The English landscape had a strange elusive beauty that +gripped one hard, and melted as the fleecy clouds rolled by. When the +light came back color and line were as beautiful but not the same. + +There was no grass in Canada like the sweep of smooth English turf, and +Lister had not thought a house could give the sense of ancient calm one +got at Carrock. Since his boyhood he had not known a home; his resting +place had been a shack at a noisy construction camp, a room at a crowded +cheap hotel, and a berth beside a steamer's rattling engines. Then the +shining silver on the tea-table was something new; he marked its beauty +of line, and the blue and gold and brown pattern on the delicate china +he was almost afraid to touch. In fact, all at Carrock was marked by a +strange refinement and quiet charm. + +He liked his hosts. Mrs. Cartwright was large, rather fat, and placid, +but he felt the house and all it stood for were hers by rightful +inheritance. Her son and daughter were not like that. Lister thought +they had cultivated their well-bred serenity and by doing so had +cultivated out some virile qualities of human nature. Grace Hyslop had +beauty, but not much charm; Lister thought her cold, and imagined her +prejudices were strong and conventional. Mortimer's talk and manners +were colorlessly correct. Lister did not know yet if Hyslop was a prig +or not. + +Cartwright was frankly puzzling. He looked like a sober country +gentleman, and this was not the type Lister had thought to meet. His +clothes were fastidiously good, his voice had a level, restrained note, +but his eye was like a hawk's, as Vernon had said. Now and then one saw +a twinkle of ironical amusement and some of his movements were quick and +vigorous. Lister thought Cartwright's blood was red. + +Vernon, lounging at the opposite end of the bench, talked about a day +Hyslop and he had spent upon the rocks, and rather struck a foreign +note. He had not Hyslop's graceful languidness; he looked alert and +highly-strung. His thin face was too grave for Carrock and his glance +too quick. Lister, listening to his remarks, was surprised to note that +Hyslop was a bold mountaineer. + +"Oh, well," he said, with a deprecatory smile, when Vernon stopped, +"this small group of mountains is all the wild belt we have got, and you +like to find a stranger keen about your favorite sport. Then your +keenness was flattering. In your country, with its lonely woods and +rivers running to the North, you have a field for strenuous sport and +adventure." + +"The woods pull," Vernon agreed. "All the same, I'm a business man. +Betting at the Board of Trade is my proper job and I've got to be +satisfied with a week at a fishing camp now and then. Adventure is for +the pioneers, lumber men and railroad builders like my friend." + +Lister looked up. He did not see why Vernon talked about him. + +"My adventures don't count for much," he said. "Sometimes a car went +into a muskeg and we had to hustle to dig her out. Sometimes the boys +made trouble about their pay. Railroad building is often dull." + +"I don't know if we're all modest in Canada, but my partner is," Vernon +observed. "If you want a romantic tale, persuade him to tell you how he +got the mark on his head." + +"Oh shucks!" said Lister. "I had sooner you had cut that out." He turned +to the others apologetically. "It was a dispute with a fellow on board a +train who threw me down the steps. I don't want to bore you with the +tale." + +"The man was the famous crook, Shillito," Vernon remarked. + +Cartwright lifted his head and looked at Vernon hard. Then he looked at +Lister, who felt embarrassed and angry. He saw Grace and Mrs. Cartwright +were curious and thought Hyslop's glance got keen. + +"If it will not bother Mr. Lister, we would like to hear his narrative," +said Cartwright quietly, but Lister got a hint of command. + +He narrated his adventure on the train, and although he tried to rob the +story of its romance, was surprised when he stopped for a moment. Vernon +was carelessly lighting a cigarette, but Lister saw his carelessness was +forced. When he got a light he crossed the grass, as if he meant to +throw the match over the hedge. Lister thought Cartwright watched Harry +with dry amusement. Mrs. Cartwright's look was obviously disturbed, but +she had not altogether lost her calm. One felt her calm was part of her, +but the Hyslops' was cultivated. Lister imagined it cost them something +to use control. + +"Go on," said Cartwright, rather sharply. + +Lister resumed, but presently Cartwright stopped him. + +"You imagined the girl was afraid of Shillito! What were your grounds?" + +"She was disturbed and declared she must get off the train. I think she +meant to jump off, although we were going fast. Then she asked me if the +conductor could be bribed to stop." + +"Perhaps we can take it for granted she wanted to get away from +somebody. Why did you surmise the man was Shillito?" + +"He came through the car afterwards, as if he tried to find the girl, +and gave me a keen glance. When he came back I thought him angry and +disappointed. By and by I had better grounds for imagining he suspected +I had helped her." + +Cartwright pondered, but Lister did not think he doubted. It rather +looked as if he weighed something carefully. The lines on his face got +deeper and his look was thoughtful. + +"I understand the girl did not give you her name," he said. "What was +she like? How was she dressed?" + +Lister was rather surprised to find he could not answer satisfactorily. +It was not the girl's physical qualities but her emotions he had marked. +He remembered the pluck with which she had struggled against the fear +she obviously felt, her impulsive trust when he offered help, and her +relief when she got into the locomotive cab. Although he had studied her +at Montreal, it was her effort to play a part that impressed him most. + +"She was young, and I think attractive," he replied. "She wore a knitted +cap and a kind of jersey a girl might use for boating. I thought she +came from a summer camp." + +Cartwright's face was inscrutable, but Lister saw the others' interest +was keen. Mrs. Cartwright's eyes were fixed on him and he got a hint of +suspense. Although Grace was very quiet, a touch of color had come to +her skin, as if she felt humiliated. Mortimer's pose was stiff and his +control over done. Then Cartwright turned to his step-daughter. + +"Have you told Jones about the box of plants for Liverpool?" + +Grace's look indicated that she did not want to go, but Cartwright's +glance was insistent and she got up. Lister looked about and saw Vernon +had not come back. He was studying the plants in a border across the +lawn. When Grace had gone Cartwright asked: + +"Can you remember the evening of the month and the time when you first +saw the girl?" + +Lister fixed the date and added: "It was nearly ten o'clock. The porter +had just gone through the car and when he said my berth was ready I +looked at my watch. He went to the next Pullman, and I thought he was +getting busy late." + +Cartwright nodded and Mortimer glanced at him sharply, but next moment +looked imperturbable. Mrs. Cartwright's relief, however, was obvious. +Her face had become animated and her hands trembled. + +"Thank you," said Cartwright. "Go on." + +Lister narrated his putting the girl on board the gravel train and Mrs. +Cartwright interrupted. + +"Do you know if she had money?" + +"She had some. Enough to buy a ticket East." + +"It's strange," said Mrs. Cartwright, and then exclaimed: "You mean you +gave her some?" + +"Oh, well," said Lister awkwardly, "I'd seen her look at her purse and +frown, and as I helped her up the locomotive steps I pushed a few bills +into her hand. I don't think she knew they were paper money. She was +highly-strung and anxious to get off before Shillito came along." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a look that moved him. Her eyes shone and he +knew she was his friend. + +"The poor girl was strangely lucky when she met you," she said. + +Lister resumed his narrative, but it was plain the climax had passed. +The others' interest was now polite, and he went on as fast as possible. +He had begun to see a light and wanted to finish and get away. He did +not, however, see that while he told his artless tale he had drawn his +character. When he stopped Cartwright said: + +"Then you did not know her name?" + +"I don't know it yet," said Lister, as coolly as he could, but got +embarrassed when he saw Cartwright's smile. + +"You don't imagine Shillito rejoined her afterwards?" + +"No," said Lister firmly, "I think it's impossible. The gravel train was +going East, and when the police boarded the cars we had run some +distance West." He stopped for a moment, because he saw he was very +dull. If his supposition were correct, there was something the others +ought to know. "Besides," he resumed, "I met her not long since at +Montreal." + +"At Montreal!" Mrs. Cartwright exclaimed. + +"At a shop where they sold _souvenirs_," Lister replied. "I didn't +expect to meet her; I went in to buy some enameled things. It was a +pretty good shop and the hotel clerk declared the people were all right. +She knew me and we went to a tea-room. She left me at the door, and I +think that's all." + +He got up. "I don't know if I have bored you, but I felt you wanted me +to talk. Now I must get off, and I want to see Harry before I go." + +"Mr. Vernon does not seem to be about," Cartwright remarked with some +dryness. "I'll go to the gate with you." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave Lister her hand and her glance was very kind. "You +will come back? So long as you stop here I hope you will feel our house +is open to you." + +Hyslop got up, but Cartwright stopped him with a sign. He was quiet +while they crossed the lawn, but when they reached the wood by the road +he said, "I imagine you know we owe you much. After a time, your efforts +to use some tact were rather obvious. Well, the girl you helped is my +step-daughter." + +"At the beginning, I did not know this," Lister declared. + +"It was plain," said Cartwright, "Well, I agree with her mother--Barbara +was very lucky when she met you, but since you look embarrassed, we'll +let this go. Did she repay your loan?" + +"She wanted to pay me," said Lister. "I refused." + +"Why?" Cartwright asked, looking at him hard. + +Lister hesitated, "For one thing, I didn't know the sum. Then I knew her +wages were not high. You ought to see I couldn't take the money." + +"You ought to have taken the money, for the girl's sake." + +"Oh," said Lister, "I think she knew I didn't refuse because I wanted +her to feel she owed me something." + +"It's possible she did know," said Cartwright dryly. "You must try to +remember the sum when you come again. Now I want the name of the shop at +Montreal." + +Lister told him and added: "You mean to write to Miss Hyslop?" + +Cartwright smiled. "I'm going across as soon as possible to bring my +step-daughter home." + + + +CHAPTER II + +BARBARA'S RETURN + +When Lister had gone Cartwright returned to the tea-table and looked at +Hyslop, who got up and went off. Hyslop did not altogether want to go +but he had cultivated discretion, and it was plain his step-father meant +to get rid of him. Then Cartwright gave his wife a sympathetic glance. +Mrs. Cartwright was calm, but when she put some cups together her hand +shook. + +"Leave the things alone," said Cartwright in a soothing voice. "Vernon's +plot was clever." + +"Do you think Harry planned that Lister should tell us?" + +"It looks like that," said Cartwright dryly. "He was keen about bringing +his friend over, but was cautious enough to wait until the fellow began +to know us. When he talked about Lister's adventures I wondered where he +was leading. The other was puzzled, and didn't see until near the end." + +"But why didn't Harry, himself, tell us all he knew?" + +"Vernon's a good sort and more fastidious than one thinks; he saw he'd +be forced to venture on rather awkward ground, and there was some doubt. +He wanted us to weigh the story and judge if the clew he gave us ought +to be followed. This was not Vernon's job, although I think he was +satisfied." + +"But you are satisfied?" + +"Yes," said Cartwright "Lister's portrait of Barbara was lifelike and +his own was pretty good. I think he drew himself and her better than he +knew, and perhaps it's lucky we have to deal with fellows like these. A +good Canadian is a fine type. However, we must bring Barbara back." + +"Ah!" said Mrs. Cartwright, "I want her back! One must hide one's hurt, +but to hide it is hard--" She pulled herself up and added: "Will you +send a cablegram?" + +"I think not. The girl is proud and as wild as a hawk. She thinks she +has humiliated us, and if she's startled, she'll probably run away." + +"You don't think she has humiliated us?" Mrs. Cartwright said in a +hesitating voice. + +Cartwright smiled. "It's plain that her escapade must not be talked +about but we can trust these Canadians and I know Barbara. In a sense, +Lister's narrative wasn't necessary. The girl is headstrong, but I was +persuaded she would find the rascal out. Looks as if she did so soon +after they got on board the cars, and I imagine Shillito had an awkward +few moments; Barbara's temper is not mild. Then it's important that she +was desperately anxious to escape from him. There's no more to be said." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a grateful look. Her husband had never failed +her and he had justified her trust again. + +"If you don't send a cablegram, how shall we get Barbara back?" + +"I'll go myself," said Cartwright "If she can't be persuaded, I'll bring +her by force. It's lucky I can charge the cost to the office. The new +wheat is coming down to Montreal, and the _Conference_ people have a +plan to get it all, but I expect to beat them and engage some cargo for +our boats before the St. Lawrence freezes. However, since I'm going, I +must get to work." + +He started for the house and met his step-son at the porch. Mortimer +looked thoughtful, and held an unlighted cigarette. Cartwright studied +him with scornful amusement. + +"Have you been speculating about the proper way of handling an awkward +situation?" + +"I have been talking to Grace," Hyslop replied in an even voice. + +"I rather think Grace has been talking to you, but expect you agreed. +You have, no doubt, decided the best plan is to leave your headstrong +sister alone?" + +"We did agree about something like that," said Hyslop coolly, although +when Cartwright fixed his eyes on his he turned his head. "We thought if +Barbara were given an allowance, she might, for example, stay with the +Vernons. Grace's notion--" + +Cartwright's mouth got hard and his mustache bristled. When he was moved +his urbanity vanished and his talk was very blunt. + +"We'll let Grace's notion go. My form is not my step-children's, but I +try to moderate my remarks about women. We'll admit Grace is a woman, +although I sometimes doubt. Anyhow, you are not a man; you haven't a +drop of warm blood in your veins! You're a curled and scented fine +lady's lap-dog pup!" + +"I don't see much use in talking about my qualities, sir." + +"You don't see," Cartwright agreed. "That's your drawback! You see +nothing that's rude and human; you're afraid to look. All that's obvious +is, Barbara must not come home to throw an awkward reflection on Grace's +Puritanical virtue. People might find out something and talk? If anybody +talks while I'm about, I'll ram the implication down his throat! You +don't see, or perhaps you don't mind, the drawbacks to separating +Barbara from her mother and banishing her from home? She's trustful, +rash, and fiery, and not a statue like Grace. Anyhow, Barbara is coming +back, and if you don't approve, I'll expect you to be resigned. Now get +off before I let myself go!" + +Hyslop went. One gained nothing by arguing with a brute like Cartwright, +and since Mrs. Cartwright's infatuation for her husband could not be +disturbed Hyslop knew he must acquiesce. Cartwright, rather braced by +the encounter, went to the library and wrote some letters to Liverpool. +A few days afterwards, he packed his trunk and was driven to the station +in Mrs. Cartwright's car. Grace got up an hour earlier than usual in +order to see him off, and when she brought his scarf and gloves +Cartwright accepted her ministrations with politeness. Although he knew +she disapproved of him, she thought her duty was to do things like this, +and he played up. + +When the throb of the car was getting faint she met Mortimer going to +the lake. He stopped and looked up at the valley, which was streaked by +a thin line of dust. + +"For three or four weeks we'll be undisturbed," he said. "I admit I like +Carrock better when my step-father is away." + +"Barbara's coming back with him," Grace remarked. "In some ways, her +return will be awkward, but perhaps she ought to come." + +Mortimer gave her a surprised glance. "This was not your view!" + +"Oh, well, I have been thinking. Barbara is rash and very young. In +Canada, she would be free from all control, and one must not weigh +drawbacks against one's duty. Perhaps Cartwright takes the proper line, +although of course it costs him nothing. You didn't tell me what he said +the other evening." + +Mortimer shrugged. "As a rule, my step-father's remarks won't bear +re-stating. He was a little franker than usual." + +"He _is_ coarse," said Grace. "One feels he gets coarser, as if his +thoughts had begun to react on his body. There is a link, and, of +course, with his habits--" + +"I rather think you mean with his appetites. Cartwright does not often +let himself go when he's at home, but when he is away he's another man." + +Grace looked thoughtful. "One likes restraint. All the same, I sometimes +think rude, primitive people have a vigor we have not. It's strange, but +indulgence seems to go with force. One feels our friends are rather +_bloodless_--I'm using Cartwright's phrase." + +"Our Canadian friends are not bloodless. I expect you have remarked that +Barbara's the type they like." + +"She has an appeal for men like that," Grace agreed, and mused. + +It was hard to own, but she began to see that when she thought Barbara +ought to stop in Canada she was inspired by jealousy. Barbara's charm +for men was strong and when she was about they left Grace alone. Still +she had a vague perception that her sister's charm was not altogether +physical. She herself had a classical beauty that did not mark the +younger girl; it looked as if Barbara had attractive qualities that were +not hers. Lister, for example, was not a brute like Cartwright, but it +was plain that Barbara had attracted him. Grace approved his soberness +and frank gravity; and then she pulled herself up. She must not be +jealous about her sister. + +"Cartwright's power is stronger because he does not use our money," +Mortimer resumed. "I don't know if it was cleverness or scruples that +urged him to refuse. All the same, if he were forced to ask mother's +help, his influence would be less." + +"But his needing help is not probable. He's managing owner of the line." + +Mortimer smiled. "He gets a commission on the boat's earnings, but does +not hold many shares. Then the fleet is small and the boats don't earn +very much. Things are not going smoothly and some shareholders would +like to put Cartwright off the Board. At the last meeting, one fellow +talked about the need for fresh blood. However, I expect Cartwright's +clever enough, to keep off the rocks, and when one can't get rid of a +drawback one must submit." + +Lighting a cigarette, he started for the lake and Grace returned +thoughtfully to the house. Mortimer hated Cartwright and Grace admitted +he had some grounds. Although her brother was indolent and +philosophical, he did not forget. Rude disputes jarred him, but if by +some chance he was able to injure the other, Grace thought he would do +so. Grace, herself, strongly disapproved of Cartwright. All the same, he +was her step-father and she had tried to cultivate her sense of duty. +She was prejudiced, cold, and censorious, but she meant to be just and +did not like Mortimer's bitterness. + +Cartwright was occupied for some time at Montreal, and the birch leaves +had fallen when he returned. The evening was dark, and chilly mist +rolled down the dale, but a big fire burned in the hall at Carrock and +tall lamps threw a cheerful light on the oak paneling. A flooded beck +roared in the hollow of a ghyll across the lawn and its turmoil echoed +about the hall. Mrs. Cartwright stood by the fire, Grace moved +restlessly about, and Mortimer appeared to be absorbed by the morning's +news. + +"I wish you would sit down, mother," he said presently. "You can hear +the car, you know, and the train is often late." + +For a few minutes Mrs. Cartwright did not move, and then she started and +fixed her eyes on the door. She heard an engine throb, there was a noise +in the porch, and a cold wind blew into the room. Then the door opened +and Cartwright entered, shaking the damp from his fur coat. He turned, +beckoning somebody behind, and Barbara came out from the arch. Her face +was flushed, her eyes were hard, and she stopped irresolutely. Mortimer +advanced to take the coat she carried and Grace crossed the floor, but +Barbara waited, as if she did not see them. Then her strained look +vanished, for Mrs. Cartwright went forward with awkward speed and took +her in her arms. + +Cartwright saw his wife had forgotten him, and turning to the others +with a commanding gesture, drove them and the servants from the hall. +When they had gone he gave Mrs. Cartwright a smile. + +"I've brought her back," he said. "Not altogether an easy job. Barbara's +ridiculous, but she can fight." + +He went off and Barbara clung to her mother. She was shaking and her +breath came hard. + +"You were ridiculous," said Mrs. Cartwright in a gentle voice. "I expect +you were very obstinate. But he was kind?" + +"He's a dear; I love him!" Barbara replied. "He understands everything. +I think he ought to have stopped at Liverpool; the secretary met us and +talked about some business, but if he hadn't come with me, I could not +have borne--" + +She stopped, and resting her head on Mrs. Cartwright's shoulder, began +to cry. Mrs. Cartwright said nothing, but kissed and soothed her with +loving gentleness. + +When, some time afterwards, Barbara came down the stairs that occupied +one side of the hall she was composed, but tea by the fire was something +of a strain. It was plain that Grace's careless talk was forced and +Mortimer's efforts to keep on safe ground were marked. Now and then +Cartwright's eyes twinkled and Barbara thought she knew why he sometimes +made a joke that jarred the others. When the meal was over he took them +away. + +"I imagine your sister understands Grace and you are willing to take her +back and forget the pain she gave you," he said to Hyslop. "Your +handling of the situation was tactful and correct, but you can leave her +to her mother." + +Mrs. Cartwright stopped with Barbara, who brought a footstool to the +hearthrug, and sitting down leaned against her knee. + +"I have been an obstinate, selfish, romantic fool!" she broke out. + +Mrs. Cartwright touched her hair and smiled, for she felt comforted. +This was the tempestuous Barbara she thought she had lost. + +"My dear!" she said. "It's not important since you have come back.'' + +"I oughtn't to have come back. If you had not sent father, I would not +have come. He's determined, but he's gentle. You know he sympathizes." + +"Although I wanted him to go, I did not send him," Mrs. Cartwright +replied. "He went because he loves you, but we can talk about this +again." She hesitated for a moment and went on: "It was not long, I +think, before you found Shillito was a thief? Mr. Lister's story +indicated this." + +A wave of color came to Barbara's skin, but she looked up and her eyes +flashed. + +"At the beginning, I did not know he was a thief; I found out he was a +cunning brute. Afterwards, when I read about his escape in the +newspapers, I rather wished the trooper who shot at him had not +missed--" She shook with horror and anger and it was a moment or two +before she resumed: "I can't tell you all, mother. I was frightened, but +anger gave me pluck. He said I must stick to him because I could not go +back. I think I struck him, and then I ran away. People were going to +their berths in the Pullman and he durst not use force. When I got to +the car platform and was going to jump off I saw Mr. Lister--but he has +told you--" + +Mrs. Cartwright nodded, for she was satisfied. + +"My dear," she said, "it's done with. Still I wonder why you were +willing to leave us." + +"Sometimes I wonder. To begin with, I have owned I was a fool; but +things were dreary and I wanted a thrill. Then I had begun to feel +nobody at home wanted me. Father and you were kind, but he seemed to +think me an amusing, willful child. Grace always disapproved, and +Mortimer sneered. They knew I was not their sort and very proper people +are cruel if you won't obey their rules. I hated rules; Grace's +correctness made me rebel. Then Louis came and declared I was all to +him. He was handsome and romantic, and I was tired of restraint. I +thought I loved him, but it was ridiculous, because I hate him now. +Mortimer's a prig, but Louis is a brute!" + +Mrs. Cartwright sighed. She liked tranquillity and the girl's passion +jarred. She tried to soothe her, and presently Barbara asked in a level +voice: "Where is Harry Vernon?" + +"He went to town a few days since." + +"When he knew I would soon arrive? His going is significant. I shall +hate Harry next!" + +"You must not be unjust. I imagine he thought to meet him would +embarrass you." + +"It would have embarrassed me, but Harry would not have known," Barbara +declared. "If I have been a fool, I can pay. Still I ought to have +stayed in Canada. Father's obstinate and I wanted to come home, but +things will be harder than at Montreal." + +Mrs. Cartwright kissed her. "My poor child, the hurt is not as deep as +you think. We will try to help you to forget." + + + +CHAPTER III + +LISTER CLEARS THE GROUND + +The sun was on the rocks and the lichen shone in rings of soft and +varied color. Blue shadows filled the dale, which, from the side of the +Buttress, looked profoundly deep. A row of young men and women followed +a ledge that crossed the face of the steep crag; Mortimer Hyslop +leading, a girl and Vernon a few yards behind, Lister and Barbara +farther off. + +Hyslop knew the rocks and was a good leader. He was cool and cautious +and did not undertake a climb until he was satisfied about his +companions' powers. The slanting edge looked dangerous, but was not, +although one must be steady and there was an awkward corner. At the +turning, the ledge got narrow, and one must seize a knob and then step +lightly on a stone embedded in mossy soil. + +When they reached the spot Hyslop stopped and told Vernon what to do; +the girl immediately behind him was a clever mountaineer. They went +round and Lister watched from a few yards off. For a moment or two each +in turn, supported by one foot with body braced against the rock, +grasped the knob and vanished round the corner. It was plain one must +get a firm hold, but Lister thought this was all. He was used to the +tall skeleton trestles that carried the rails across Canadian ravines. + +After the others disappeared Lister seized the knob. He thought the +stone he stood on moved and he cautiously took a heavier strain on his +arm. He could get across, but he obeyed an impulse and gave the stone a +push. It rolled out and, when he swung himself back to the ledge, +plunged down and smashed upon the rocks below. For a few moments the +echoes rolled about the crags, and then Hyslop shouted: "Are you all +right? Can you get round?" + +Lister said he thought not, and Hyslop replied that it did not matter. +Barbara would take him up a grassy ridge and the others would meet them +at the top. A rattle of nailed boots indicated that he was going off and +Lister turned and glanced at Barbara. She had sat down on an inclined +slab and her figure and face, in profile, cut against the sky. A yard or +two beneath her, the sloping rock vanished at the top of a steep pitch +and one saw nothing but the crags across the narrow dale. Yet Lister +thought the girl was not disturbed. + +"I expect I was clumsy,'' he apologized. + +"Well," she said, "it looks like that!" + +He gave her a quick glance and pondered. Although he had gone to Carrock +since she came home, she had been strangely cold and, so to speak, +aloof. He had imagined their meeting might embarrass her, but she was +not embarrassed. In fact, she had met him as if he were a friend, but he +had not seen her afterwards unless somebody was about. Now he meant to +force her to be frank. + +"I was clumsy," he resumed. "All the same, when I felt the stone begin +to move I might have pulled myself across by my hands. I expect the +block would have been firm enough to carry you." + +"Yes, I know," said Barbara. "You didn't want me to get across!" + +Lister studied her. He doubted if it was altogether exertion that had +brought the blood to her skin and given her eyes the keen sparkle. +Clinging to the rock, with the shadowy gulf below, she looked strangely +alert and virile. Her figure cut against the sky; he noted its +slenderness and finely-drawn lines. She was not angry, although he had +admitted he pushed down the stone, but he felt as if something divided +them and doubted if he could remove the obstacle. + +"I wanted to talk and had found I could not get near you unless the +others were about," he said. "It looked as if I had unconsciously given +you some grounds for standing me off. Well, I suppose I did put your +relations on your track." + +"It wasn't that," said Barbara. "I imagine Harry Vernon helped you +there. You were forced to tell your story." + +"I was forced. All the same, I think Harry's plan was good." + +"He went away a few days before I arrived!" Barbara remarked. + +Lister thought he saw where she led and knitted his brows. He was on +awkward ground and might say too much, but to say nothing might be +worse. + +"Harry's a good sort and I expect he pulled out because he imagined +you'd sooner he did so," he said. "For all that, I reckon he ought to +have stayed." + +Although her color was vivid, Barbara gave him a searching glance. "In +order to imply I had no grounds for embarrassment if I met him? Harry +was at the camp in the woods." + +"He knew you had no grounds for embarrassment," Lister declared. "I +knew, and Harry's an older friend." + +Barbara turned her head, and when she looked back Lister thought his +boldness was justified. In a sense she had been very frank, although +perhaps this situation made for frankness. They were alone on the face +of the towering crag. All was very quiet but for the noise of falling +water, and the only living object one could see was a buzzard hovering +high up at a white cloud's edge. One could talk in the mountain solitude +as one could not talk in a drawing-room. For all that, Lister felt he +had not altogether broken the girl's reserve. + +"One envies men like you who build railways and sail ships," she said, +and now Lister wondered where she led. "You live a natural life, knowing +bodily strain and primitive emotions. Sometimes you're exhausted and +sometimes afraid. Your thought's fixed on the struggle; you're keenly +occupied. Isn't it like that?" + +"Something like that," Lister agreed. "Sometimes the strain gets +monotonous." + +"But it's often thrilling. Men and women need to be thrilled. People +talk about the modern lust for excitement, but it isn't modern and I +expect the instinct's sound. Civilization that gives us hot water before +we get up and food we didn't grow is not all an advantage. Our bodies +get soft and we're driven back on our emotions. Where we want action we +get talk. Then one gets up against the rules; you mustn't be angry, you +mustn't be sincere, you must use a dreary level calm." + +Lister was puzzled and said nothing, but Barbara went on: "Perhaps some +girls like this; others don't, and now and then rebel. We feel we're +human, we want to live. Adventure calls us, as it calls you. We want to +front life's shocks and storms; unsatisfied curiosity drives us on. Then +perhaps romance comes and all the common longings of flesh and blood are +transfigured." + +She stopped, and Lister began to see a light. This was her apology for +her rashness in Canada, all she would give, and he doubted if she had +given as much to others. On the whole, he thought the apology good. + +"Romance cheats one now and then," he remarked, and pulled himself up +awkwardly, but Barbara was calm. + +"I wonder whether it always cheats one!" + +"I think not," he said. "Sometimes one must trust one's luck, and +venture. All the same, philosophizing is not my habit, and when I didn't +step lightly on the stone--" + +"You mean, when you pushed the stone down?" Barbara interrupted. + +"Oh, well. Anyhow, I didn't mean to philosophize. I wanted to find out +why you kept away from me." + +"Although you knew why I did so? You admitted you knew why Harry went +off!" + +"I see I've got to talk," said Lister. "Shillito was a cheat, but when +you found him out you tried to jump off the train. You let me help +because I think you trusted me." + +"I did trust you. It's much to know my trust was justified. For one +thing, it looks as if I wasn't altogether a fool." + +"Afterwards, when I met you at Montreal, you were friendly, although you +tried to persuade me you were a shop girl." + +Barbara smiled. "I was a shop girl. Besides, you were a stranger, and +it's sometimes easy to trust people one does not expect to see again." + +"My plan's to trust the people I like all the time," Lister replied. +"When I found you on the car platform I knew I ought to help, I saw you +meant to escape from something mean. Then at Montreal it was plain you +were trying in make good because you were proud and would not go back. I +liked that, although I thought you were not logical. Well, I told your +story because Vernon bluffed me, but if I'd known your step-father as I +know him now, I'd have told the tale before." + +"Then, it was in order that I might understand this you sent the stone +down the crag?" + +"I think it was," said Lister. "I hope I have, so to speak, cleared the +ground." + +Barbara gave him a puzzling smile. "You're rather obvious, but it's +important you mean to be nice. However, I expect the others are waiting +for us and we must join them, although we won't go by the grass ridge," +She indicated the slope of cracked rock in front. "The hold is pretty +good. Do you think you can get up?" + +Lister doubted. He was athletic and steady, but the climb looked awkward +for a beginner. + +"If you are going, I'll try." + +"You imagine you can go where I can go?" + +"Something like that," Lister admitted. "If I'm beaten, you're +accountable and will have to help." + +He was satisfied by Barbara's frank laugh. Her mood was changeable. Not +long since he had, with awkward sympathy, thought her a proud humiliated +woman; now she was marked by the humor of a careless girl. He could, +however, play up to her later mood, and when they set off he began to +joke. + +The rock slanted, and cracks and breaks gave a firm hold, but there was +not a crack wherever one was needed and the pitch was steep. Then in +places the slabs were slippery with wet lichen and Lister's ordinary +walking boots could get no grip. His jokes stopped and the sweat began +to dew his face. His breath got hard and he felt his heart beat. It was +obvious that climbing needed study. + +For all that, he went on and found a strange delight in watching +Barbara. Her clothes harmonized with the soft colors of lichen and +stone; her movements were confident and light. He got no sense of +effort; her pose was seldom strained and the lines of her limbs and body +flowed in easy curves. He thought she rather flitted than labored up the +rock. Practice no doubt accounted for much, but something was due to +temperament. Barbara did not hesitate; she trusted her luck and went +ahead. + +At length she stopped, pressed against the stone in the hollow of a +gully, while Lister crept obliquely across a long wet slab. He looked up +and saw her face, finely colored after effort, against a background of +green and gold. The berries on a small mountain-ash in a cranny +harmonized with the carmine of her skin. She looked down and smiled with +careless amusement. + +Then Lister's foot slipped and he could get no hold for his hands. His +smooth boots drew a greasy line across the wet slab as he slid down. +Perhaps the risk was not very daunting, but he knew he must not roll +down far. At the bottom of the slab he brought up with his foot braced +against a knob, and he saw Barbara coming after him. When she stopped +her glance was apologetic. + +"I forgot you hadn't proper boots. Give me your hand and try again." + +"No, thanks," said Lister. "Do you think I'm going to let you pull me +up?" + +"Why not?" she asked with a twinkle. + +"To begin with, I'm obstinate and don't mean to be beaten by a bit of +greasy rock. Then I expect I'm heavier than you think." + +"You're ridiculously proud. It would hurt to let a girl help," Barbara +rejoined. "After all, you're a conventionalist, and I rather thought you +were not." + +"Anyhow, I'm going up myself," Lister declared. + +He got up, but his clothes gathered some slime from the rock and his +skin was stained by soil and moss. Barbara looked at him with a twinkle. + +"Your obstinacy cost you something," she remarked. "If you're tired, you +had better stop and smoke." + +Lister lighted a cigarette. She had been rather keen about rejoining the +others, but he thought she had forgotten. Barbara's carelessness gave +her charm. Perhaps he ought to go on, but he meant to take the extra few +minutes luck had given him. + +"I'm really sorry I forgot about your boots and brought you up the +rock," she said. + +"I wonder why you did bring me up?" + +"Oh, well, a number of the men I know have a comfortable feeling of +superiority. Of course, nice men don't make you feel this, but it's +there. One likes to give such pride a jolt." + +"I think I see. If it's some comfort, I'll own you can beat me going up +awkward rocks. But where does this take us?" + +Barbara smiled. "It takes us some distance. When you admit a girl's your +equal, friendship's easier. You know, one reason Mortimer and I can't +agree is, his feeling of superiority is horribly strong." + +"Couldn't you take him up an awkward gully and get him stuck?" + +"No," said Barbara, in a regretful voice. "He's really a good cragsman +and knows exactly how far he can go. When he starts an awkward climb he +reckons up all the obstacles and is ready to get round them when they +come. The plan's good. People like Mortimer don't get stuck." + +"It's possible, but I expect they miss something now and then. There +isn't much thrill in knowing you are safe." + +"Sometimes you play up rather well," Barbara remarked. + +"I'm not playing up. I'm preaching my code. I'm not as sober and +cautious as you perhaps think." + +"For example?" + +"You'll probably get bored, but in Canada I turned down a pretty good +job because it was monotonous. I wanted something fresh, and thought I'd +go across and see the Old Country. Well, I'm here and all's charming, +but I don't know how I'll get back when my wad runs out." + +"Ah," said Barbara, "you mean your money will soon be gone? But you have +relations. Somebody would help." + +"It's possible, but I would refuse," Lister rejoined. "You're not +adventuring much when another meets the bill. When my wallet's empty +I'll pull out and take any old job. The chances are I'll go to sea." + +Barbara gave him an approving glance. She had known but one other +adventurer and he was a rogue. Lister was honest and she thought he +would go far. She liked his rashness, but if he found it hard to get on +board ship, she imagined she could help. All the same, she would not +talk about this yet. + +"We really must go," she said, and they started up a gully where holes +and wedged stones helped them up like steps. + +When they left the gully they saw a group of people on the neighboring +summit of the hill and for a moment Lister stopped. + +"We have had a glorious climb," he said, "Now it's over, I hope you're +not going to stand me off again." + +Barbara gave him a curious smile. "One can't stop on the mountains long. +We're going down to the every-day level and all looks different there." + +The others began to wave to them, and crossing a belt of boggy grass +they joined the group. When they returned to Carrock, Cartwright was not +about and Mrs. Cartwright said he had got a telegram calling him to +Liverpool. + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A DISSATISFIED SHAREHOLDER + +Cartwright had read the morning's letters and the _Journal of Commerce_, +and finding nothing important, turned his revolving chair to the fire. +He had been forced to wait for a train at a draughty station, and his +feet were cold. His office occupied an upper floor of an old-fashioned +building near the docks. Fog from the river rolled up the street and the +windows were grimed by soot, but Cartwright had not turned on the +electric light. The fire snapped cheerfully, and he lighted his pipe and +looked about. + +The furniture was shabby, the carpet was getting threadbare, and some of +the glass in the partition that cut off the clerks' office was cracked. +Cartwright had thought about modernizing and decorating the rooms, but +to do the thing properly would cost five hundred pounds, and money was +scarce. Besides, a number of the merchants who shipped goods by his +boats were conservative and rather approved his keeping the parsimonious +rules of the old school. + +The house was old and had been at one time rich and powerful. +Cartwright's father, however, had used sailing ships too long, and +Cartwright's speculations and extravagance when he took control had not +mended its fortunes. Then had come a number of lean years when few +shipping companies earned a dividend and the line's capital steadily +melted. Now the shareholders were not numerous and the ships were small. + +Cartwright glanced at the pictures in tarnished gold frames. _Oreana_, +drawn plunging across an Atlantic comber, was the best of the fleet, but +her engineer had for some time demanded new boilers. Since the reserve +fund was low and other boats needed expensive repairs, Cartwright +resolved to wait. He had bought _Melphomene_, above the fireplace, very +cheap; but her engines were clumsy compounds and she cost much to coal. +Still she was fast, and now and then got a paying load by reaching a +port where freights were high before the _Conference_ found out that +Cartwright meant to cut the rates. + +_Titania_, with the white deckhouse and shade-deck, carried a good load +on a light draught, and sometimes picked up a profitable cargo in +shallow African lagoons. When he glanced at her picture Cartwright's +look got thoughtful. She was one of two sister ships, launched at a +famous yard, and Cartwright had wanted both, but the builders demanded +terms of payment he could not meet, and another company had bought the +vessel. She was wrecked soon afterwards, and now lay buried in the sand +by an African river bar. The salvage company had given up their efforts +to float her, but Cartwright imagined she could be floated if one were +willing to run a risk. But no one, it seemed was willing. On the failure +of the salvage company the underwriters had put the steamer into the +hands of Messrs. Bull and Morse, a firm of Ship Brokers and Marine +Auctioneers, but at the public auction no bids whatever had been made. +Subsequently advertisements appeared in the shipping papers inviting +offers for the ship as she lay and for the salvage of the cargo. These +had run for several weeks, but without result. Cartwright had cut them +out. Now and then he looked at them and speculated about the +undertaking. + +By and by the bookkeeper came in and filed some letters. Gavin's hair +was going white, and he had been with Cartwright's since he was a boy. +He was fat, red-faced, and humorous, although his humor was not refined. +Gavin liked to be thought something of a sport, but Cartwright knew he +was staunch. + +"You imagine Mrs. Seaton will look me up this morning?" Cartwright said +presently. + +"Yes, sir. She called and demanded to see you. In fact, I think she +doubted when I told her you hadn't come back from the North. She said +the shareholders' meeting would be soon and she expected you to give a +bigger dividend; the Blue Funnel people had paid five per cent. If you +didn't return before long, she might run up to Carrock. So I sent the +telegram." + +Cartwright nodded. He trusted his bookkeeper, who had grounds for +imagining it was not altogether desirable Mrs. Seaton should arrive at +Carrock. + +"Have you heard anything from Manners while I was away?" + +"Nothing direct, sir. His nephew, Hatton, came round with a tender for +the bunker coal, and implied that he ought to get the job. Then I had a +notion Mrs. Seaton, so to speak, was _primed_. Looked as if somebody had +got at her; her arguments about the dividend were rather good." + +"It's possible," said Cartwright dryly. "If she comes, you can show her +in. But what about the wine?" + +"I don't know if it will see you out. There's not a great deal left, and +last time--" + +Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "Exactly! Send for another bottle and see +you get the proper stuff. Some of the biscuits, too; you know the kind. +Rather a bother, but perhaps the best plan!" + +"Safer than going out to lunch," Gavin remarked. "Then, in the office, +you're on your own ground. That counts." + +"Gives you moral support and handicaps an antagonist who's not a +business man?" Cartwright suggested. "Well, perhaps it does so, but I +see some drawbacks. Anyhow, get the wine." + +Gavin went off and Cartwright mused by the fire. The morning was raw and +foggy, and if he went out, the damp might get at his throat; moreover, +Gavin would reply to his letters. Cartwright had begun to feel it was +time to let others work while he looked on. His control counted for less +than he had thought; things went without much guidance and it was enough +to give them a push in the proper direction now and then. To rouse +himself for an effort was getting harder and he would have been +satisfied to rest, had not his pride, and, to some extent, his +step-children's antagonism, prevented his doing so. He needed money and +would not use his wife's. + +One must pay for old extravagances, and the bills were coming in; Mrs. +Seaton's expected call was an example. Ellen was a widow, but before she +married Seaton, Cartwright knew she counted him her lover. They were +alike in temperament; rash, strong-willed, and greedy for all that gave +life a thrill. In fact, Ellen was a stimulating comrade, but not the +kind of girl one married. Cartwright married Clara and knew Mrs. Seaton +bore him a lasting grudge. + +Since Seaton was a merchant whose investments in Liverpool were +numerous, it was perhaps not strange he left his widow shares that gave +her some control of the Cartwright line. Although she was not poor, she +was greedy and extravagant. In fact, Cartwright imagined greed was now +her ruling passion. + +By and by he heard steps in the passage behind the partition and thought +he knew the tap of high-heeled shoes. Then he heard a laugh and Gavin's +voice. Ellen was using her charm on his bookkeeper and the old sport +would play up. The door opened, the room smelt of violets, and Mrs. +Seaton came in. She was tall and her furs gave her large figure a touch +of dignity. Her color was sharply white and red, and in the rather dim +light her skin was like a girl's. Cartwright knew Ellen was younger than +he, but not very much. + +"You look hipped and rather slack, Tom," she said when he got up and +Gavin fetched a chair. + +"I feel the cold and damp," Cartwright replied. "Then managing a +tramp-steamship line when freights are low is a wearing job." + +Mrs. Seaton took off her coat. "Your office is shabby and climbing all +those stairs is a pull. Why don't you launch out, get a lift, and +modernize things?" + +"My trouble is to keep the boats supplied with coal and stores. Besides, +you see, I don't often use my office for a drawing-room." + +"You're very cautious," Mrs. Seaton remarked with a laugh. "You start to +get on guard before I begin my attack." + +"Oh, well," said Cartwright, smiling, "I know your power. But would you +like a cigarette?" + +She took the curiously-decorated box he gave her and broke the seal. +"Since you don't smoke these things, Tom, you were rather nice to +remember." + +"You had better take the box," said Cartwright. "I sent for a few when +_Titania_ went to the Levant. One understands they're hard to get in +England. But I have something else you like. If you will wait a +moment--" + +He rang a bell and Gavin entered, carrying two small glasses, a bottle, +and some biscuits. When he went out, Cartwright turned the bottle so +Mrs. Seaton could see the label. + +"Climbing our stairs is a fag," he said, and filled the glasses. + +Mrs. Seaton smiled and took hers. Cartwright saw her rings sparkle and +the gleam of her regular, white teeth. The reflection from the grate +touched her hair and it shone a smooth golden-brown. He admitted with +amusement that Ellen was nearly as attractive as he had thought her +thirty years since. + +"This is like old times, Tom," she said. "I remember evenings when you +brought me sandwiches and iced cup at a dance--but I don't think you +were ever remarkably romantic." + +Cartwright remembered an evening when they sat under a shaded lamp in a +quiet corner of a supper room, listening to music that somehow fired +one's blood. But perhaps it was the iced cup he had generously drunk. +All the same he had not been a fool, though he was tempted. He knew +something about Ellen then, but he knew her better now. Perhaps it was +typical that she had promptly put the box of Eastern cigarettes in her +muff. + +"Managing ships is not a romantic occupation," he rejoined. + +"Anyway, your welcome's kind and I feel shabby because I'm forced to +bother you. But suppose some of your customers arrive?" + +"We shall not be disturbed," said Cartwright, smiling. "Gavin knows his +job." + +"Very well. Do you expect to declare a better dividend at the +shareholders' meeting?" + +"I do not. If I'm lucky, I may keep the dividend where it is, but I +don't know yet." + +"Two per cent. is really nothing," Mrs. Seaton remarked. "I've been +forced to study economy and you know how I hate to pinch. Besides, I +know an investment that would give me eight per cent." + +"Then, if you're satisfied the venture is not risky, you ought to buy +the shares." + +"I want to buy, but it's a small, private company and the people +stipulate I must take a large block. I have not enough money." + +Cartwright doubted, but her plan was obvious. "When trade is slack, one +ought to be careful about investing in a private company that pays eight +per cent," he said. "After all, it might be prudent to be satisfied with +a small profit." + +"But I'm not satisfied and your dividend is remarkably small! Are you +really unable to make it larger?" + +"One can't pay dividends out of capital. Anyhow, one can't keep it up +for long!" + +"Then, as I mean to make a plunge, I must sell some of the investments +that don't earn me much. My shares in the line carry a good number of +votes and, if people grumble at the meeting, would give you some +control. Will you buy them, Tom?" + +Cartwright knitted his brows. He thought her hint about the shares +giving him useful power was significant. In fact, it looked as if +somebody had put Ellen on his track. He wondered whether Manners.... But +she must not think him disturbed. + +"What is your price?" he asked. + +"My price?" she said with a puzzled look he thought well done. "Of +course, I want the sum the shares stand for." + +"I'm sorry it's impossible. Just now the shares of very few shipping +companies are worth their face value. For example, five-pound shares in +a good line were not long since offered at two pounds ten." + +Mrs. Seaton looked disturbed. "That's dreadful!" she exclaimed. "But I'm +not rich enough to bear a heavy loss, and if you bought my lot, the +voting power would enable you to break the grumblers' opposition. +They're worth more to you than anybody else. Can't you help me?" + +Cartwright gave her a smiling glance, although he was bothered. Ellen +was not a fool and he noted her insistence on the value of the shares to +him. Where this led was obvious. He had one or two powerful antagonists +and knew of plots to force his retirement. Ellen had given him his +choice; he must promise a larger dividend or buy her shares at something +over their market price. This, of course, was impossible, but he +imagined she did not know how poor he was. + +"I can't buy," he said. "I must trust my luck and fighting power. +Although we have had stormy meetings and rates are bad, the line is +running yet." + +"If you haven't enough money, why don't you ask your wife? She's rich +and hasn't risked much of her capital in the line." + +"That is so," Cartwright agreed. Ellen meant to be nasty but he must be +cool. "Although my wife is rich, I don't use her money." + +"You're not logical, and sometimes your fastidiousness isn't very +marked. However, it looks as if you didn't marry because Clara was rich. +She was romantic before she began to get fat." + +Cartwright's face got red. He had had enough and saw Ellen was getting +savage. She had not forgotten that, in a sense, he ought to have married +her, and since he would not buy her shares, she would, no doubt, help +his antagonists. Crossing the floor, he poked the fire noisily. + +"Shall I give you some more wine?" he asked, and while he was occupied +with the glasses the telephone bell rang behind the partition. A few +moments afterwards Gavin came in. + +"Moreton has rung up, sir. If you can give him five minutes, he'll come +across. He says it's important." + +Mrs. Seaton put on her coat. "I mustn't stop when an important customer +is coming." Then she laughed and gave Cartwright her hand. "You are very +obstinate, Tom, but I know your pluck." + +She went off. Gavin took away the wine, and Cartwright opened the +window. The smell of violets vanished, but when he sat down again he +pondered. He knew Mrs. Seaton, and thought she meant to hint his pluck +might soon be needed. When Ellen smiled like that she was plotting +something. + + + +CHAPTER V + +CARTWRIGHT'S SCRUPLES + +The drawing-room at Mrs. Cartwright's house on the Cheshire side of the +Mersey was large and old-fashioned. Cartwright thought the stiff, thick +curtains and Victorian walnut furniture ugly, but Mrs. Cartwright liked +the things and he was satisfied. Clara herself frankly belonged to the +old school. She was conventional and often dull, but she had a placid +dignity that did not mark all the up-to-date women Cartwright knew. +Moreover, the house was comfortable. One got there by the Mersey tunnel +and it was only a few minutes' walk from the station. For all that, the +encroaching town had not yet reached the neighborhood, and the windows +commanded a pleasant view of clean rolling country and the blue Welsh +hills. + +Cartwright felt the house was a snug harbor where he could rest when he +was too old and battered to front the storms that had for some time been +gathering, and sitting by the fire one evening, he speculated about the +rocks and shoals ahead. All the same, the time to run for shelter was +not yet; he thought he could ride out another gale. + +An arch with heavy molding occupied the middle of the spacious room. The +folding doors had been removed and curtains partly screened the arch. On +the other side, a group of young men and women stood about the piano. On +Cartwright's side the lights were low. He had dined well and liked to +loaf after dinner. Besides, he felt dull; his gout bothered him and he +had been forced to run for his train. He had begun to find out one could +not do that kind of thing. Mrs. Cartwright sat opposite, knitting +quietly, and her smooth, rhythmic movements were soothing. Clara was +never abrupt and jerky. + +"I got a letter from Stormont's by the afternoon post," she said. "They +have been repaid the mortgage, and there's something about a foreign +bond, drawn for redemption. They want to talk about a new investment." + +Stormont, Wilmot and Stormont were her lawyers, and Cartwright nodded. +"The money ought to be earning interest and you can safely buy stock +Stormont's approve. Their judgment's sound." + +"For all that, I think I'd like to choose for myself. Suppose I bought +some shares in the line? I have a number, but it's really not large and +I have felt I'm not supporting the house as I ought." + +Cartwright knitted his brows. Clara did not know much about business, +but she was sometimes shrewder than one thought. He wondered whether +Mortimer had been talking. If the pup had talked, the thing was ominous, +because it implied that others knew the difficulties Cartwright might +have to meet. + +"Do you imagine the house needs supporting?" he asked carelessly. + +Mrs. Cartwright hesitated. "I really know nothing about it; but don't +people grumble when you can't pay them much and their shares go down? +Perhaps if the family owned a good part of the capital, you could take a +firmer line." + +It was plain that Clara had been pondering. Mortimer _had_ talked and +somebody who was not Cartwright's friend had informed him. Cartwright +was tempted to let his wife do as she wanted: Clara owned shares in the +line that he had let her buy when freights were good and she had +afterwards refused to sell. Now, however, freights were very bad and the +company was nearer the rocks than he hoped the shareholders knew. +Cartwright imagined he could yet mend its fortunes, if he were left +alone, but the job was awkward and opposition might be dangerous. To +command a solid block of votes would certainly help. + +For all that, there was a risk Clara ought not to run. His antagonists +were getting stronger, and if they meddled and baffled him, the company +would fail. Its bankruptcy would not ruin his wife, but she would feel +the loss of her money, and he was not going to use Clara for a shield +against Ellen Seaton's attacks. The thing was shabby. All the same, the +situation was humorous, and he saw, with an ironical smile, the +advantages of Mrs. Cartwright's plan. + +"I'm not a business woman, but I have noted you're sometimes moody, as +if you were anxious, and I want to help," she resumed. + +"You do help. The storms I've weathered have left a mark, and now I'm +old and strained it's much to make a quiet port at night. You take all +bothers from me, and send me out in the morning, braced for another +watch in the pilot-house." + +"Some time you must give another the helm," said Mrs. Cartwright +quietly. "I wish I could persuade you to do so soon." + +Cartwright sighed, for the strain was heavy and he wanted to rest. The +trouble was the put-off reckoning for past extravagance was at hand and +he shrank from asking his wife to pay. He had not been very scrupulous, +but he had his code. Then Hyslop came through the arch, and stopping, +noted Cartwright's awkwardly stretched-out leg. + +"Gout bothering you again, sir?" he said. "You ought to lie up for a few +days, but I expect you're needed at the office. I heard the E.P. line +had a stormy meeting and the dissatisfied shareholders came near turning +out the directors. Johnson declared they only saved the situation by a +few votes." + +"They ought to be turned out! A blundering lot! They've let a good fleet +down." + +Hyslop smiled. He had pale and watery blue eyes that generally annoyed +Cartwright. "An awkward doctrine, sir! If all the steamship directors +who might have used the shareholders' money to better advantage were +called to account, I imagine a number of respectable gentlemen would +find their occupation gone. Besides, when people start deposing rulers +they don't know where to stop. The thing's, so to speak, contagious, and +panicky investors are not logical." + +He went off and Cartwright braced himself. Mortimer meant to be nasty, +but his languid malice bit deeper than he knew. Cartwright had +hesitated, weighing the value of his wife's help against his scruples, +until his step-son's hints had tipped the beam. After all, if he used +Clara's money and saved his skin at her cost, the pup would have some +grounds to sneer. + +"I must keep control for some time yet," he said. "Times are bad, and if +I let go the helm I doubt if my successor could steer a safe course. +When the need is gone I'll willingly give up, but I must bring the old +ship into port first. In the meantime, you had better let Stormont's buy +you sound Corporation stock." + +Mrs. Cartwright acquiesced and Cartwright watched the young people +beyond the arch. With the stiff curtains for wing-scenes and the lights +concealed, the end of the room made a proscenium: it was like looking at +a drawing-room comedy on the stage. Two of the girls were pretty and he +approved their fashionable clothes. When she was quiet, Grace was almost +beautiful, but somehow none had Barbara's charm. Yet Cartwright thought +the girl was getting thin and her color was too bright. A friend of +Mortimer's occupied the music stool and Cartwright admitted that the +fellow played well, although he was something like a character from a +Gilbert opera. + +Lister sat near the piano, and talked to Barbara. He smiled, but his +smile had a touch of gravity. Cartwright thought him a good Canadian. A +bit rugged perhaps, but staunch, and his quiet sincerity was after all +better style than the cleverness of Mortimer's friends. Cartwright +imagined Barbara studied Lister, who did not know. In fact, it looked as +if he were puzzled, and Cartwright smiled. Lister had not his talents; +when Cartwright was young he knew how to amuse a pretty girl. + +The man at the piano signed to Barbara, who got up and began to sing. +The song was modern and the melody not marked. Cartwright liked the +Victorian ballads with tunes that haunted one and obvious sentiment, but +because Barbara sang he gave the words and music his languid interest. +After all, the thing was clever. There was, so to speak, not much on the +surface, but one heard an elusive note of effort, as if one struggled +after something one could not grasp. On the whole, Cartwright did not +approve that kind of sentiment; his objects were generally plain. Then +he thought the hint of strain was too well done for a young girl, and +when Barbara stopped he turned to his wife. + +"Are you satisfied about Barbara?" he asked. + +"Why should I not be satisfied?" + +"I have felt she's not quite up to her proper form. Looks thin and +sometimes she's quiet. Then why has young Vernon gone off? I haven't +seen him recently." + +"Harry's in town; he goes home in a few days," Mrs. Cartwright replied. +She hesitated and resumed, "I imagined he wanted to marry Barbara, +although she told me nothing about this. Barbara does not tell one +much." + +"Do you think she likes him?" + +"I don't know, but I rather think if she had liked him she would have +refused." + +"Ah!" said Cartwright thoughtfully. "Well, Vernon's a good sort, but I +see some light; the girl is sensitive and very proud! No doubt, she +feels her Canadian adventure--ridiculous, of course! But Barbara's hard +to move. All the same, if Vernon's the proper man and is resolute--" + +"I doubt if he is the proper man," Mrs. Cartwright replied. + +Cartwright pondered. Sometimes Clara did not say all she thought, and +his glance wandered back to the group at the other end of the room. +Barbara was again talking to Lister. He looked thoughtful and her face +was serious. They were obviously not engaged in philandering; Cartwright +felt their quiet absorption was significant. After a minute or two, +however, the party about the piano broke up and went off. Barbara +stopped to put away some music and then came through the arch. + +"Mr. Lister wants to go a voyage," she said to Cartwright. "I suggested +you might help him to get a post on board a ship." + +"I imagine he did not suggest you should persuade me?" + +"Certainly not! He refused to bother you," Barbara replied and, with +some hesitation, added: "However, perhaps in a sense we ought to help." + +"That is so," Cartwright agreed. "Why did Mr. Lister come to Liverpool?" + +"He wanted to go round the shipping offices. Mother told him our house +was always open--" + +Cartwright nodded, "Of course! Well, I'll think about it and may see a +plan." + +Barbara went off and Cartwright looked at his wife. "I don't know if +this is a fresh complication; but if she refused Harry, she'd no doubt +refuse the other. Perhaps it's important that she's willing he should go +to sea." + +"One is forced to like Mr. Lister and we owe him much," Mrs. Cartwright +remarked. + +"Certainly," Cartwright agreed. "However, it looks as if some +engineering talent is all he has got, and I think a long voyage is +indicated--" He stopped, and resumed with a twinkle: "For all that, the +fellow is not an adventurer, and I married a rich woman." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a gentle smile. "I have been happy and Barbara +is not; but, in one sense, I don't imagine we need be disturbed. Barbara +has not recovered from the jar." + +She got up, and Cartwright dozed until he heard a step and Lister +crossed the floor. + +"Hallo!" he said. "Are you going? There is no train just now." + +Lister said he meant to walk to the tramline, but Cartwright asked him +to stop for a few minutes. + +"Barbara tells me you are trying for a post in an engine-room," he +remarked. + +"That is so," said Lister with a touch of embarrassment. "Still, I +didn't mean Miss Hyslop to bother you." + +"Barbara likes to meddle and I'm a ship-owner. To begin with, why d'you +want to go to sea?" + +"I must go to sea or back to Canada," Lister said, smiling. "I've had a +pretty good holiday, but my wad's nearly gone." + +"Then, wouldn't it be prudent to return to your occupation?" + +"I haven't an occupation; I turned mine down. It's possible I'll find +another, but I'm not ready yet. In Canada, we're a restless, wandering +lot, and I want to look about the world before I go back. You see, when +you only know the woods and our Western towns--" + +Cartwright saw and sympathized. He remembered how adventure called when +he was young. Well, he had got adventure, but perhaps not the kind +Lister seemed to enjoy. Anyhow, he had not started off with an empty +wallet to look about the world. + +"How much does your roll amount to?" he asked with a bluntness he +sometimes used. + +When Lister told him he laughed. The young fellow was good stuff; +Cartwright liked his rashness. + +"Well," he said, "you have pluck, and if you're obstinate, pluck takes +you far. Have you got a promise from any of our shipping offices?" + +Lister said he had not. There were some difficulties about certificates. +He had sailed on lake boats and made coasting voyages, but the English +Board of Trade rules were strict. Then he looked at the clock and +Cartwright gave him his hand. + +"Come and see me at the office. We'll talk about this again." + +Lister thanked him, and when he had gone Cartwright mused. The young +fellow was not an adventurer; anyhow not in the sense Shillito was an +adventurer. His honesty was obvious, it was plain he did not want +Barbara's money, and Cartwright thought he did not know she was rich. In +fact, he was Barbara's sort. There was the trouble. Cartwright weighed +this for a time and then went to sleep. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A NASTY KNOCK + +Frost sparkled on the office windows and Cartwright, with his feet on +the hearthrug studied an Atlantic weather chart. The temperature +reported by the liners' captains was low, and winter had begun unusually +soon. Since Cartwright had hoped for a mild November, this was unlucky. +As a rule, cargo is plentiful at Montreal shortly before the St. +Lawrence freezes and the last steamers to go down the river do so with +heavy loads. Cartwright's plan was to run a boat across at the last +moment and pick up goods the liners would not engage to carry, and he +had sent _Oreana_ because she was fast. When the drift ice began to +gather, speed was useful. + +A cablegram two or three days since stated that she had sailed, and +Cartwright, who knew the St. Lawrence, calculated the progress she ought +to have made. Perhaps he had cut things rather fine, but Captain Davies +was a good navigator and would push on. Although the narrow waters below +Montreal, where the stream runs fast between the islands, would be open, +Lake St. Peter was freezing, and the liner _Parthian_ had some trouble +to get through. Still the channels were not yet blocked, and when Davies +had passed the Narrows he would get open water down the gorge to Quebec. +Allowing for cautious navigation, Davies ought to be near Rimouski at +the mouth of the river, and his passing would, no doubt, soon be +telegraphed from the signal station. Cartwright admitted that to get the +message would be some relief. + +By and by his bookkeeper came in. + +"Direct cablegram from Davies, sir." + +Cartwright took the form and frowned. The message was not from Rimouski +and ran: "Delayed Peter; passing Quebec." + +"Awkward, sir," Gavin remarked sympathetically. + +"Very awkward," said Cartwright. "Davies needed all the time he's lost. +It will be a near thing if he gets out." + +He picked up the weather chart and got no comfort. "Cable Malcolm at St. +Johns. You'll find questions in the code-book about ice and wind." + +Gavin withdrew and Cartwright grappled with disturbing thoughts. He had +counted on _Oreana's_ earning a good sum, and had engaged a paying cargo +for her when she got back. In fact, the two good runs ought to have made +the disappointing balance sheet he must shortly submit to the +shareholders look a little better. All the same, there was no use in +meeting trouble. Davies had passed Quebec, and if he made good progress +in the next twenty-four hours, one might begin to hope. + +Below Quebec there were awkward spots where steamers used buoyed +channels, and if these were blocked by ice Davies must risk crossing the +shoals. If he got across, the water was deep and he need only bother +about the floes until he came to the Gulf. Since Belle Isle Strait was +frozen, Davies would go South of Anticosti and out by the Cabot passage, +but the Gulf was often dark with snow and fog, and one met the old +Greenland ice. Well, much depended on the weather, and Cartwright went +to get his lunch. + +The restaurant under a big building was warm, and for a time Cartwright +occupied his favorite corner of the smoking-room. His tips were +generous, and so long as he was punctual the waitress allowed nobody to +use his chair. The noise of the traffic in the street was softened to a +faint rumble, the electric light was cleverly shaded, and his big chair +was easy. He got drowsy, but frowned when he began to nod. The trouble +was, he was often dull when he ought to be keen. His doctor talked about +the advantages of moderation, but when one got old one's pleasures were +few and Cartwright liked a good meal. At the luncheon room they did one +well, and he was not going to use self-denial yet. + +By and by a merchant he knew pulled up a chair opposite. "Very cold and +slippery outside," he remarked. "I nearly came down on the floating +bridge, and looked in for a drink. A jar shakes a man who carries +weight." + +"What were you doing on the floating bridge?" Cartwright asked. + +"I went to the stage to meet some Canadian friends on board the +_Nepigon_. They'd a bad voyage; thick mist down the St. Lawrence, and +they lost a day cruising about among the floes in the Gulf. What about +your little boat?" + +"I understand she's coming down river." + +"Hasn't she started rather late?" + +"If I'd sent her sooner, the _Conference_ would have knocked me out," +Cartwright rejoined. "I'd have got nothing but low-rated stuff the +liners didn't want. One must run some risks." + +The other nodded. "That is so, when shareholders must be satisfied. +Well, I expect I'm lucky because my partner's a good sort. When you +needn't bother about other folk's greediness, you can take a cautious +line. Now I come to think of it, I heard some of your people grumbling. +I hope your boat will get across all right." + +He got up and Cartwright pondered. If outsiders knew his shareholders +were dissatisfied, things were worse than he had thought and he might +expect trouble at the next meeting. Then he looked at his watch, but his +chair was deep and when he tried to get up his leg hurt. He sank back +again. Gavin knew where to find him if a reply from St. Johns arrived. + +By and by his office boy, carrying a cable company's envelope, came in, +and Cartwright's hand shook when he opened the message. It stated that +an easterly gale and snowstorm raged about the Newfoundland coast and +the thermometer was very low. The gale would drive the drift ice up the +Gulf and pack the floes. Things looked bad. Cartwright felt he ought to +get about and make some plans to meet the threatened blow, but he did +not see what he could do. + +He sat still. The other customers had gone, and all was quiet but for +the faint rumble of traffic and soothing throb of an electric fan. +Cartwright mused about _Oreana_ and pictured Davies sheltering behind +the wind-screens on his bridge and trying to pierce the snow, and the +look-out man half frozen in the spray that leaped about the forecastle. +_Oreana_ was a wet boat when she was loaded deep. Now and then, perhaps, +a buoy loomed in the tossing flakes. One tried to read the number and +see the color. Then the steering-engine rattled as the rudder was pulled +across and _Oreana_ headed for another mark. + +The work was nervous, because dangerous shoals bordered the channels and +Davies must let the steamer go. He knew when a risk must be run and the +engineer was staunch. The trouble was, _Oreana's_ boilers were bad; the +money Cartwright durst not spend on repairs would have been a good +investment now. Still, the old boat was fast, and Davies would drive her +full-speed. + +The captain's job would not be easier when he left the shoals. The +easterly gale would send the floes up stream. Cartwright knew the +strange chill one felt when ice was about and the faint elusive _blink_ +that marked its edge in the dark. Sometimes one did not see the blink +until the floe was almost at the bows, and when the look-out's startled +cry reached the bridge one must trust to luck and pull the helm over +quick. Then to dodge the floe might mean one crashed upon the next. It +was steering blind, but, as a rule, the sailor's instinct guided him +right. Farther on, the river got wide and in thick weather one saw no +lights: Davies must keep mid-channel and trust his reckoning while he +rushed her along. For a thousand miles the old boat's track was haunted +by dangers against which one could not guard, and Cartwright thought she +carried his last chance to mend his broken fortunes. + +If she were wrecked, the reckoning he had long put off must be fronted, +for when his embarrassments were known his antagonists would combine and +try to pull him down. One must pay for one's extravagance, but to pay +would break him, and if he were broken, Mortimer would sneer and Grace +treat him with humiliating pity. He would be their mother's pensioner, +and to lose his independence was hard. He had long ruled, and bullied, +others. + +By and by a waitress moved some glasses and Cartwright looked up with a +start. The afternoon was nearly over; he must have gone to sleep. +Returning to the office, he gave his bookkeeper some orders and then +went to the station. The pavements were slippery with frost, and tall +buildings with yellow lights loomed in the fog. Cartwright shivered, but +reflected that Davies, fighting the snow and gale, was no doubt colder. +For a day or two he must bear the suspense, and then, if no cablegram +arrived, he could take it for granted that _Oreana_ had reached the +Atlantic. After dinner he sat by the fire and smoked while Mrs. +Cartwright knitted. + +"In the afternoon I went to Mrs. Oliver's and met Mrs. Seaton," she said +presently. "She talked to me for some time. At the beginning, I thought +it strange!" + +"It's pretty obvious that you don't like her," Cartwright remarked. + +"Ellen Seaton is not my sort, but I understand she was a friend of +yours." + +"She was my friend," said Cartwright carelessly. "It's long since, and I +rather doubt if she is my friend now." + +"Then why did she buy her shares in the line?" + +"Ellen did not buy the shares. Seaton bought them when shipping was +good." + +Mrs. Cartwright looked relieved and Cartwright resumed: "All the same, I +don't see her object for telling you she was a shareholder." + +"She wanted to sell her shares to me; I knew she had some plan when she +crossed the floor. I was talking to Janet, but Ellen got Janet away and +persuaded a young man on the other side to move. It was clever. I don't +think Mrs. Oliver or anybody else remarked what she was doing. But you +know Ellen!" + +"I know Ellen rather well," said Cartwright dryly. "However, when you +saw she wanted to get you alone, why did you indulge her?" + +"For one thing, I was curious; then it wasn't worth while to spoil her +plan. I didn't think Ellen would persuade me, if I did not approve." + +Cartwright smiled. Clara did not argue much and generally agreed with +him, but sometimes she was as immovable as a rock. He pictured with +amusement the little comedy at Mrs. Oliver's, but all the same he was +annoyed. + +"Well, Ellen wanted you to buy her shares? Did she give you any +grounds?" + +"She declared she wanted money. Then she said it would help you if I +took the lot. There might be a dispute at the meeting; the directors' +report would not be satisfactory. People would ask awkward questions, +and she expected some organized opposition. It would be useful for you +to command a large number of votes." + +Cartwright's face got red. Ellen was well informed; in fact, it was +ominous that she knew so much. Had she not been greedy, he thought she +would have kept the shares in order to vote against him, but she +obviously meant to sell them before the crash she expected came. If a +number of others agreed with her, his retirement would be forced. + +"What price were you to pay?" he asked. + +Mrs. Cartwright told him, and he laughed. "If Ellen found a buyer at a +number of shillings less, she would be lucky! Well, I understand you +didn't take her offer?" + +"I did not," said Mrs. Cartwright tranquilly. "When I wanted to buy some +shares not long since, you did not approve. Since you refused to let me +help, I didn't mean to be persuaded by Ellen Seaton!" + +"You're staunch," said Cartwright and Mrs. Cartwright resumed her +knitting. In the morning he went to the office sooner than usual, but +there was no news and the dark, cold day passed drearily. When he +started for home Gavin promised to wait until the cable offices closed, +and Cartwright had gone to dinner when he was called to the telephone. +When he took down the instrument his hand shook. + +"Hallo!" he said hoarsely. "Is that you, Gavin?" + +"Yes, sir," said a voice he knew. "Cablegram from Davies just arrived, +part in code. I'll give it you slow--" + +"Go on," said Cartwright. + +"_Oreana_ ashore east Cape Chat, surrounded ice, water in fore hold. +Think some plates broken; have abandoned ship. Salvage impossible until +ice breaks." + +There was a pause, and Gavin added: "That's all. Have you got it, sir?" + +"I've got enough," Cartwright replied. + +He hung up the instrument, and going back to the dining-room, drained +his glass. Then he turned to Mrs. Cartwright, who had remarked his grim +look. + +"I've got a nasty knock. _Oreana's_ in the ice and may be wrecked. +Anyhow, we can't get her off until spring, and she's the best of the +fleet." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a sympathetic glance and signed a servant to +bring another plate. As a rule she did not say much. She studied her +husband quietly and was not much comforted when he resumed his dinner. +This was characteristic, but it was plain he had got a nasty knock. + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING + +The afternoon was dark and electric lights burned along the cornice of +the room engaged for the shareholders' meeting. The room was big and +cold, and as Gavin moved about the table on the platform his steps +echoed hollowly. He was the company's secretary and was putting down +papers by the blotting pads. A group of gentlemen, engaged in thoughtful +talk, stood by the fire. They were directors of the line and did not +look happy. Nominally, by the company's constitution, the shareholders +elected the Board; in practice, Cartwright had, so far, appointed the +directors, and meant, if possible, to do so again. The gentlemen by the +fire were eligible for reëlection, and Cartwright was satisfied, +although he had not chosen them for their business talent. Their names +were good in Liverpool and their honesty was known. Cartwright did not +want clever men. He was head of the house and knew it would totter to a +disastrous fall unless he kept his firm control. + +Now and then Gavin gave his employer a keen glance. Cartwright's lips +were rather blue and the lines round his eyes were sharply drawn. His +white mustache stuck out, and one got a hint of stubbornness, but except +for this his face was inscrutable. Although Gavin thought Cartwright +would score again, he was anxious. Nobody but Cartwright could persuade +the dissatisfied shareholders to accept _that_ balance sheet. + +Cartwright himself felt in rather good form. He had curtailed his lunch +and been satisfied with a single glass of liquor that generally braced +him up. He imagined he would need all his skill and coolness before the +meeting was over. The trouble was, he might not get much support. The +directors did not know all he knew, but they knew something, and he saw +one or two hesitated. Then Mrs. Cartwright was ill, and although she had +given her husband her proxy votes, had sent Mortimer. Mortimer was +entitled to come because he had some shares, but Cartwright did not know +the line he meant to take. The pup did not like him and was cunning. +Presently Cartwright looked at his watch. + +"They won't be long. I imagine we are going to have some opposition." + +"It's very possible," one of the others agreed. "A two-per-cent dividend +is disappointing and we are paying this by cutting down the reserve +fund. Then people know we have lost the use of our best boat for six +months and may lose her for good. When we reduced our insurance, I urged +that we were rash." + +"We saved a good sum and economy was needful," Cartwright rejoined. +"Insurance is expensive for our type of boats." + +"The balance sheet looks bad. I'll admit I'd sooner not be accountable +for a state of things like this," another remarked. + +Cartwright smiled. The balance sheet looked better than it was, but +Jordan had given him a useful lead. He knew his colleagues' weaknesses +and how they might be worked upon. + +"We are all accountable. I have consulted you frankly and you approved +my plans." + +Jordan gave him a rather doubtful look. "Anyhow, we must front an +awkward situation. Suppose the shareholders ask for an investigation +committee?" + +"We must refuse," said Cartwright, with quiet firmness. "A frightened +committee would probably urge a drastic re-construction scheme, the +writing off much of our capital, and perhaps winding up the line. When +rates are bad and cargo's scarce, one must take a low price for ships; +our liabilities are large, and I imagine selling off would leave us much +in debt--" + +Cartwright paused. He saw his remarks carried weight and knew his +co-directors. He would give them a few moments for thought before he +finished his argument. + +"Very well," he resumed. "Jordan declares he does not like to be +accountable for an unsatisfactory balance sheet. I take it he would much +less like to be made accountable for a bad bankruptcy! No doubt you +sympathize with him?" + +It was obvious that they did so and one said, "If I thought my occupying +a seat on the Board would lead to this, I would sooner have given my +shares away!" + +"I have not talked about my feelings," Cartwright went on. "All the +same, I am head of the old house; you can imagine I do not want to see +it fall. But rates are not always low, and if I'm not embarrassed by +rash meddlers, my persuasion is, I can keep the fleet running until +better times arrive." + +He saw he had won them. The number of shares they owned was not very +large: for the most part, the men were rich and not disturbed about +their money. They valued a high place in business and social circles and +their good name. To be entangled by a bankruptcy was unthinkable. + +"Then, I feel we ought to support you," Jordan replied. "For all that, +our power's not very great. We are going to meet some opposition and if +the dissatisfied people are resolute they can turn us out." + +"So long as I know the Board will back me, I'm not afraid of the +shareholders," Cartwright declared. + +"You imagine you can save the situation?" a red-faced gentleman +remarked. + +"It's possible," said Cartwright dryly. + +"Very well," said the other. "We must try to see you out." + +They went to the table soon afterwards and the shareholders began to +arrive. They were not numerous, and the scattered groups emphasized the +bareness of the big echoing room. Cartwright studied the people as they +came in. Some looked gloomy and some stubborn; a few looked frankly +bored. There were five or six women and two whispered, while the others +glanced about with jerky movements. Cartwright's face hardened when he +saw Mrs. Seaton, and then he noted Hyslop in a back row. He thought +Hyslop looked languidly amused. + +When all was quiet, he took the notes Gavin handed him, glanced at the +paper, and put it down. Then, speaking in a steady voice, he gave the +report of the year's work and talked about the balance sheet. He was +frank but not apologetic, and claimed, in view of the difficulties, that +the directors had well guarded the company's interests. When he stopped +there were murmurs of approval, as if some of the despondent had begun +to hope; the cautious admitted that Cartwright had made a bad situation +look better. + +One or two asked questions, which he answered candidly, and then there +was a pause and somebody moved the adoption of the chairman's report and +balance sheet. His seconder made a short nervous speech, and Mrs. Seaton +got up at the end of the room. She pushed back her veil, took out her +handkerchief, put her hand on a chair in front, and gave the directors +an apologetic smile. + +"I don't know if it is usual for a woman to speak at a business meeting, +but I have a number of shares in the line and it's long since I got a +good dividend," she said. "Two per cent is ridiculous and my lawyer +tells me I could get four per cent, where the security is really good." +She paused and added naïvely: "To have twice as much to spend would be +very nice." + +Somebody laughed and Cartwright braced himself. Ellen Seaton was +cleverer than she looked, and he thought her dangerous, but in the +meantime he durst not stop her. + +"One feels that security's important and it's plain ours is not +first-class," she resumed. "Well, I suppose if we accept the report, it +means we are satisfied to let the company's business be managed on the +old plan?" + +"It does mean something like that," a man agreed. + +"Then I'm _not_ satisfied. For one thing, I want a proper dividend." + +"We all want a proper dividend," somebody remarked. + +Mrs. Seaton smiled, as if she were encouraged. "To go without is +disappointing, but perhaps the dividend is not most important. I'd like +to feel my shares were worth the money they cost, and find out they are +not. We have drawn on the reserves and I expect this implies we are +losing money. You can't go on losing money very long, and we ought to +stop while we have some capital left." + +A number of the others applauded and she continued: "Our directors have +worked very hard. To manage ships that don't pay must be tiring and +perhaps we oughtn't to ask them to bear the heavy strain. Could we not +choose somebody with fresh ideas to help?" + +"That's what we want!" said one. "The Board needs new blood!" + +Then the storm broke and for a time Cartwright lost control of the +meeting. Mrs. Seaton had loosed passions he might have restrained and +the shareholders were frankly moved by fear, distrust, and greed. Men +got up, asking angry questions and shouting implications, but for a few +minutes Cartwright sat like a rock and let them rage. When they stopped +and there was an awkward pause, Mortimer Hyslop got up. He looked +languid and his voice was soft, but Cartwright admitted his speech was +clever. + +He and Mrs. Cartwright, whom he represented, owned shares in the line, +and he had not risen before because the chairman was his relation. Now, +when attacks, perhaps not altogether justified, had been made on the +Board, he was forced to state his conviction that nobody else could have +steered the company past the dangers that threatened. One must admit the +situation was bad; and for a minute or two Mortimer cleverly indicated +its drawbacks. For all that, he argued, it was rash to change pilot and +officers in the middle of a storm. The officers they knew and had +trusted must be left control until the gale blew over. + +Mortimer sat down and Cartwright knitted his brows. On the surface, his +step-son had taken the proper line. Mortimer meant to support the Board, +but he had indicated that he did so because it was his duty. His remarks +about the dangers by which the company was surrounded had made things +look worse. All the same, he had calmed the meeting, but Cartwright did +not know if this was an advantage. Criticism was harder to meet when the +critics were cool. + +Another man got up and began to talk in a quiet voice. + +"Mr. Hyslop has an object for trusting the chairman that we have not +got. We won't grumble about his staunchness, but we are entitled to +weigh his arguments, which are not altogether sound. He owns the +situation is awkward and the outlook dark, but he urges us to trust the +officers who got the ship in danger. One feels this is not remarkably +logical. Then he declares nobody else could have kept the fleet running. +I think the claim is rash. In this city we are conservative and names +long known in business circles carry an exaggerated weight; we expect a +man to work wonders because his father started a prosperous line, and +another because he long since made a lucky plunge. Men like these are +often satisfied with former triumphs while times and methods change. We +want fresh thought and modern methods. It's obvious the old have brought +us near the rocks!" + +Cartwright saw the shareholders were moved and the time for him to speak +had come. He got up and fronted a doubting and antagonistic audience. +His face was inscrutable, but he looked dignified. + +"We have heard angry criticism and hints about slackness," he began. +"Some of you have suggested rejecting the report, a committee of +inquiry, and new members for the Board, but no substantive motion has +been put. Well, before this is done, I claim your patience for a few +minutes. If you are not satisfied, I and your directors are jointly +accountable. We stand together; if you get rid of one, you get rid of +all. This is a drastic but risky cure--" + +He paused and one or two of the gentlemen at the table looked surprised. +It was plain they felt the chairman had gone farther than he ought. The +red-faced man, however, smiled as if he approved and Cartwright resumed: + +"Times are bad, the markets are flat, and goods are not moved about the +world. I venture to state no steamship company is free from +embarrassments. You can, no doubt, find men with business talent equal +to ours and give them control; but you cannot give them the knowledge, +gained by long experience, one needs to grapple with the particular +difficulties the Cartwright line must meet. The personal touch is +needed; your manager must be known by the company's friends, and its +antagonists, who would not hesitate to snatch our trade from a stranger. +They know me and the others, and are cautious about attacking us. In all +that's important, until times get better, _I am the company_--" + +Cartwright stopped and drank some water. He saw he had struck the right +note and began again: + +"I will not labor the argument; the thing is obvious! If I go, the line +will stop running before the new men learn their job. Well, I'm old and +tired, but it would hurt to see the house-flag hauled down; it was +carried by famous oak clippers in my grandfather's time. You hesitate to +risk your money? I risk mine and much that money cannot buy; the honor +of a house whose ships have sailed from Liverpool for a hundred years!" + +The shareholders were moved and one heard murmurs of sympathy. Boldness +paid, and Cartwright saw he was recovering his shaken power, but it was +not all good acting. To some extent, he was sincere. He got his breath +and resumed: + +"I don't urge you with a selfish object to let me keep my post; I'd be +relieved to let it go. Counted in money, the reward for my labor is not +large. I want to save the Cartwright line, to pilot it into port, and, +if there is no rash meddling, I believe I can. But I warn you the thing +is in no other's power. Well, I have finished. You must choose whether +your directors go or not." + +There was an awkward silence, and then somebody asked: "Will the +chairman state if he has a plan for meeting a situation he admits is +difficult?" + +Cartwright smiled rather grimly. "I will not make a public statement +that might be useful to our antagonists! So long as I am chairman, you +must trust me. My proposition is, give us six months, and then, if +things are no better, we will welcome a committee of inquiry. In the +meantime, a motion is before the meeting--" + +"It is proposed and seconded that the directors' report and balance +sheet be accepted," Gavin remarked. + +The resolution was carried, the directors were reelected, and the +meeting broke up. Cartwright sat down rather limply and wiped his face. + +"I pulled it off, but they pushed me hard," he said. "At one time, it +looked as if our defenses would go down." + +"You have put off the reckoning; I think that's all," one of the +directors remarked. + +"We have six months," said Cartwright. "This is something. If they call +a meeting then, I imagine I can meet them." + +He signed to Gavin, who helped him with his big coat, and went off to +the underground restaurant, where he presently fell asleep in a chair by +the fire. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A STOLEN EXCURSION + +Barbara stopped at the top of James Street and looked down hill to the +river. The afternoon was dark and the pavement wet. Thin fog drifted +about the tall offices, lights shone in the windows, and she heard +steamers' whistles. Down the street, a white plume of steam, streaking +the dark-colored fog, marked the tunnel station, and Barbara glanced at +a neighboring clock. + +She could get a train in a few minutes, but she would be forced to wait +at a station on the Cheshire side, and there was not another train for +some time. She had bought the things she needed and did not know what to +do. One could pass half an hour at a café; but Mrs. Cartwright did not +like her to go to a café; alone and Barbara frowned impatiently. Her +mother was horribly conventional and Barbara missed the freedom she had +enjoyed in Canada. In fact, it was very dull at home; Grace's correct +serenity and cold disapproval made one savage; Mortimer's very proper +friends were tiresome. + +Barbara was restless and dissatisfied. She wanted to play an active part +and feel she was alive. Moreover, since she came home she had felt she +was being watched, and, so to speak, protected from herself. Her +relations had forgiven her Canadian escapade, but they meant to guard +against her doing something of the kind again. Perhaps from their point +of view, they were justified, but Barbara was not tempted to make a +fresh experiment. She had not yet got over the shock; she saw how near +her romantic trustfulness had brought her to disaster and thought her +faith in men and women had gone. This was perhaps the worst, because she +was generous and had frankly trusted people she liked. + +Now she imagined the gloomy day had re-acted on her spirits. She was +moody and longed for something that would banish the dreariness. +Starting down hill for the station, she stopped abruptly a few moments +afterwards. Lister was crossing the street, and if she went on they +would meet. It was some time since she had seen him and she noted with +surprise that he wore a rather soiled blue uniform. His cap, which had a +badge in front, was greasy, and he carried an oilskin coat. + +He walked quickly, looking straight in front, with his head well up, and +Barbara got a hint of purposeful activity. Barbara liked him much, but +she had, as a rule, quietly baffled his efforts to know her better. She +waited, rather hoping he would pass, until he looked round and advanced +to meet her. + +"I'm lucky!" he remarked, and his satisfaction was comforting. "It's +long since I have seen you." + +"You know our house," Barbara rejoined. + +"Oh, well," he said with a twinkle, "when I last came, you talked to me +for about two minutes and then left me to play billiards with your +brother. He was polite, but in Canada we play pool and my game's not +very good. I imagined he was bored." + +"Mortimer is like that," said Barbara. "But why are you wearing the +steamship badge and sailor's clothes?" + +Lister laughed. "They're engineer's clothes. I go to sea; that's another +reason I didn't come over." + +"Ah," said Barbara. "Did my step-father get you a post on board ship?" + +"He did not. He told me to look him up at the office, but I didn't go. +One would sooner not bother one's friends." + +"Canadians are an independent lot," Barbara remarked. "In this country, +we use our friends for all they are worth, and we're justified so long +as they want to help. If Cartwright said he would help, he meant to do +so. But what ship are you on board?" + +"_Ardrigh_, cross-channel cattle boat. She's unloading Irish steers, +sheep and pigs not far off. Will you come and see her? I don't suppose +you've been on board a Noah's ark before." + +Barbara did not hesitate. She doubted if Mrs. Cartwright would approve +and knew Grace would not, but this was not important. Grace disapproved +all she did and the stolen excursion would break the monotony. Then +Lister's twinkling smile appealed, and somehow her reserve vanished when +she was out of doors with him. + +"I'd like to go," she said. + +"Then, come along," he urged, and they started for the elevated railway +at the bottom of the street. + +While the electric cars rolled along the docks Barbara's moodiness went. +She could not see much in the fog. Wet warehouse roofs, masts and +funnels, and half-seen hulls floating on dull water, loomed up and +vanished. Inside the car, lights glimmered on polished wood; the +rattling and shaking were somehow cheerful. Barbara felt braced and +alert. Lister talked and she laughed. She could not hear all he said, +because of the noise, and thought he did not hear her, but she did not +mind. She liked his cheerfulness and frank satisfaction. The gloom +outside and the blurred lights in the fog gave the excursion a touch of +romantic adventure. + +They got down at a station by a muddy dock-road. Ponderous lorries with +giant horses rolled out of the gloom between stacks of goods; wet cattle +were entangled in the press of traffic, and Barbara was relieved when +Lister pushed back a sliding door. Then she stopped for a moment, half +daunted by the noise and bustle, and looked about. + +Big lights hung from the room of the long shed, but did not pierce the +gloom that lurked between the piles of cargo. A flock of sheep, moving +in a dense woolly mass, came down a gangway; squealing pigs occupied a +bay across the piles of goods. The front of the shed was open and in +places one saw a faint reflection that looked like water. Opposite +Barbara, the gap between the low roof and dock-sill was filled by a +deckhouse and a steamer's funnel. Steam blew across the opening farther +on, and in the vapor bales and boxes shot up and rattling chains plunged +down. Through the roar of the winches she heard coarse shouts and the +bellowing of cattle. + +Lister took her to a slanting plank that spanned a dark gulf and she saw +dim water and then the hollow of a steamer's hold. Men who looked like +ghosts moved in the gloom and indistinct cattle came up a railed plank. +Barbara could not see where they came from; they plunged out of the +dark, their horns glimmering in the beam of the lamps. + +After a few moments Lister helped her down on the steamer's bridge-deck. +The boat listed away from the wall. Her tall red funnel was inclined +sharply, much of her side was above water, and muddy streams poured from +the scuppers on the after deck, where men with long boots pulled a +hose-pipe about. The boat was horribly dirty, but her lean bows and the +length of the iron engine-room casing indicated speed. + +A man came along the bridge-deck, and Barbara thought the gold bands on +his cap indicated the captain. He stopped and when he glanced at Lister +she blushed, for there was a hint of sympathetic understanding in her +smile. + +"We won't want you until high-water," he said and went off. + +Barbara hoped Lister had not seen her blush and thought he had not. He +took her down some iron steps and to a door in a dark passage. + +"Our mess-room," he said. "I expect it's the quietest spot on board the +ship." + +He pushed the door open and stopped. The small room was bright with +electric light and a young man and woman sat opposite each other at the +table. The man's uniform was stained by oil; the girl was pretty and +fashionably dressed, but Barbara knew her clothes were cheap. She stood +at the door, hesitating, and the man gave Lister a smile like the +captain's. + +"I didn't expect you yet, but come in," he said. "The tea's not cold, +and Mike has made some doughnuts." + +"Mr. Robertson, my chief," Lister said to Barbara, and the man presented +Lister to his companion, and put a machine in a box on the floor. "Now +there's room; I was pulling out the indicator diagrams," he added. +"Won't you take off your coat, Miss Hyslop, and try Mike's doughnuts?" + +The little room was hot, and when Barbara hung up her furs she noted the +other girl's appraising glance. Miss Grant poured some black tea from a +big cracked pot and pushed across a tin of condensed milk and a plate of +greasy buns. When Barbara picked one up and looked at it doubtfully +Robertson opened a drawer. + +"We pull ours in two, but I expect you'd like a knife," he said. + +He found a knife, which he rubbed on the table-cloth. "I used the thing +on the indicator, the contraption in the box, but I think it's clean +enough." + +Barbara ate her doughnut and drank the bitter tea. Miss Grant looked +friendly and she liked the engineer. They were frank, human people, and +she thought them kind. Robertson began to talk about carpets, gas-stoves +and pans, and Miss Grant told Barbara what the articles cost. They had +been buying furniture and Robertson stated they were to be married soon. + +"I reckon you haven't got so far yet," he said to Lister, and when +Barbara saw Miss Grant touch him she blushed. It was ridiculous, but the +blood came to her skin, and then, noting Lister's embarrassment, she +began to laugh. + +"Jim _will_ talk like that!" Miss Grant remarked. + +"Oh, well," said Robertson, "I expect it's rather soon. Mr. Lister +hasn't joined us long, and you don't begin at the top." He turned to +Barbara with an encouraging smile. "All the same, he knows his job and +has got one move up. Perhaps if he sticks to it, for a year or two--" + +Miss Grant stopped him and asked Barbara's views about curtains. She had +some patterns, and while they contrasted the material and the prices the +door opened and a greasy, red-haired fellow gave the group a benevolent +grin. + +"Was thim doughnuts all right?" he inquired. + +"I've had better, but you've made some worse, Mike," Robertson replied. + +"Yez said _tea for two_. If ye'd told me it was a party, I'd have been +afther stealing the captain's Cork butter. A cook cannot do his best +whin the shore-steward sends him engine-grease. Annyhow, whin ye're +young an' romantic, what's it mather what ye ate?" + +He went off and Robertson began to talk about _Ardrigh_. He was naïvely +proud of the boat and his engines, and narrated hard runs in bad weather +to land the livestock in time for important markets. Sometimes the +hollow channel-seas that buried the plunging forecastle filled the decks +and icy cataracts came down the stokehold gratings. Sometimes the cattle +pens broke and mangled bullocks rolled about in the water and wreckage. + +Robertson had a talent for narrative and Barbara felt something of the +terror and lure of the sea. She liked the _Ardrigh's_ rather grimy crew, +their cheerfulness and rude good-humor. They did useful things, big +things now and then; they were strong, warm-blooded fellows, not +polished loafers like Mortimer's friends. Then she approved Miss Grant's +frank pride in her lover. There was something primitive about these +people. They were, so to speak, human, and not ashamed of their +humanity. Lister was somehow like them; she wondered whether this had +attracted her. Perhaps she was attracted, but the attraction must not be +indulged. + +By and by Miss Grant resumed her talk about curtains, and when they had +agreed about the material that ought to wear best Barbara looked at her +watch. Miss Grant gave her her hand and Robertson declared she must come +back when the boat was in port again. Lister took her down the gangway +and was quiet until they reached the station. Then he smiled +apologetically. + +"You played up well. I didn't know Robertson was on board, but he's a +very good sort. So's the girl, I think." + +Barbara laughed. "I didn't play up; I liked the people. The excursion +was delightful; I've enjoyed it all." + +Lister saw she was sincere and thrilled. He had begun to think he ought +not to have suggested the adventure, but he was not sorry now; Barbara +was not bothered by ridiculous conventions. She talked gayly while the +cars rolled along beside the warehouse walls, but when they got down at +the station she stopped in the middle of a sentence. Cartwright had +alighted from the next car and was a yard or two in front. Lister knew +his fur coat and rather dragging walk. If he and Barbara went on, they +would confront Cartwright when he turned to go down the steps. + +Barbara gave him a twinkling glance and remarked that he knitted his +brows but did not hesitate. In the few moments since her step-father +left the train she had seen three or four plans for avoiding him. Lister +obviously had not, and on the whole she approved his honesty. He +advanced and touched Cartwright. + +"I didn't know you were on board our train, sir." + +Cartwright looked at him rather hard and Barbara waited. Although she +had been caught enjoying a stolen excursion, she was not afraid of her +step-father, but she was curious. + +"I was in front," said Cartwright dryly. "Barbara has picked a rather +dreary day for a run to the north docks. I understood she was going to +the shops." + +"Miss Hyslop met me near the station and I persuaded her to come and see +my ship." + +"Then you have got a ship?" said Cartwright. "If you are not on duty, +come to the office in the morning and tell me about the boat. In the +meantime, I'll put Barbara on the tunnel train." + +He went off with the girl, but Barbara turned her head and Lister saw +her smile. + + + +CHAPTER IX + +CARTWRIGHT SEES A PLAN + +In the morning Lister went to Cartwright's office. To some extent, he +was embarrassed, because he had begun to see that Barbara's relations +might not approve her going on board his ship and he imagined Cartwright +meant to talk about this. When he came in Cartwright gave him a nod and +indicated a chair. + +"I understand you did not arrange for Barbara to meet you and go to the +dock?" he said. + +"No, sir. I didn't expect to meet Miss Hyslop. I was talking about the +boat and thought Miss Hyslop might like to see her." + +Cartwright turned and the electric light touched his face. He looked +thoughtful, but somehow Lister imagined he was not thinking about his +step-daughter. + +"Oh, well!" he said, as if the matter were not important, and went on: +"I might have got you a post had you looked me up. What boat are you on +board?" + +"_Ardrigh_. Perhaps you know her?" + +"Yes. Belfast model; long bow and fine lines aft. Don't know if I +approve the type. Give you speed, at the cost of carrying power, but +makes a wet ship in a head sea." + +"She is wet," Lister agreed with a smile. "Last run we couldn't keep the +water out of the stokehold. Had to cover and batten gratings, and then a +boat fetched adrift and smashed the engine skylights." + +"What's your rating?" Cartwright asked. + +Lister told him and he remarked: "You have made some progress!" + +"I was lucky. She burst some boiler tubes in my watch. We were steaming +hard, head to an ugly sea, with a lot of cattle on board, and were +forced to keep her going. Two firemen were scalded, but I was able to +put the patent-stoppers in the tubes. I used a trick I'd learned on a +Canadian lake boat; rather risky, but it worked. Afterwards the company +moved me up." + +Cartwright was not surprised. He knew men and saw the young fellow was +all he had thought. All the same, it might be worth while to get some +particulars about the accident from the _Ardrigh's_ owners. + +"You won't go far in the cross-channel trade. Why did you not try for a +berth with an Atlantic line!" + +"There was some trouble about your Board of Trade rules and I might have +been required to prove my qualifications for an English certificate. +While I was inquiring I heard an engineer was wanted on board _Ardrigh_. +The regulations don't apply to coasting voyages." + +"You might have got your certificate. Would it not have been worth +while?" + +Lister hesitated. His main object for joining the _Ardrigh_ was that she +sailed from Liverpool and he wanted to see Barbara now and then. As a +rule, he was frank, but he did not think it prudent to enlighten +Cartwright. + +"I don't know," he said. "You see, I may go back to the railroad soon." + +He wondered whether Cartwright did see and thought he had remarked his +hesitation; the old fellow was very keen. Cartwright's look, however, +was inscrutable and for a few moments he said nothing. Then he picked up +some papers on his desk. + +"Look me up now and then when you're in port. I might have a job for +you, but I don't know yet," he said, and added in a meaning voice: "If +you want to see my family, Mrs. Cartwright will receive you at her +house." + +Lister colored and got up. "I'll remember, sir! Perhaps I oughtn't to +have persuaded Miss Hyslop--I didn't stop to think--" + +When he went off Cartwright smiled, but soon afterwards he put his +cigar-case in his pocket and told Gavin he was going out. He thought he +knew where to find the cattle boat's shore-engineer, and when he did so +the waitress gave them a table at which they would not be disturbed. In +half an hour Cartwright had found out all he wanted to know, and +returning to his office, he smoked and mused. + +Lister had not exaggerated; his pluck and coolness had kept _Ardrigh's_ +engines going when to stop might have meant the loss of the livestock on +board. Well, Cartwright had known the fellow was good stuff and he might +soon want a man like that. Somebody staunch and resolute who knew his +job! He had beaten his antagonists at the shareholders' meeting, but +doubted if he could do so again. In fact, he had only put off the +reckoning for six months, in which he must make good, and he knitted his +brows while he studied _Titania's_ picture. He thought about her sister +ship, wrecked and abandoned on the African coast. + +_Arcturus_ was a useful boat and cheap to run. Although times were bad, +Cartwright could run her and earn some profit. He had known the company +that bought her was getting near the rocks, but they had insured her +heavily and there was something strange about the wreck. Cartwright +understood the underwriters had hesitated before they paid. He, himself, +would not have paid; he had a notion--. + +An effort had been made to float _Arcturus_, but the salvors did not +know all Cartwright thought he knew. If his supposition were correct, +the wreck might be worth buying and one could, no doubt, buy her very +cheap. The boat had for some time lain half-buried in shifting sands at +the mouth of an African river. + +The underwriters would be lucky if they sold her for old iron. + +Cartwright weighed the cost of floating. If he employed a regular +salvage company, this would be high, because they would bargain for a +large part of the value recovered; his plan was to do the job himself, +with cheaper appliances than theirs. The trouble was, he could not go +out and superintend. He was too old, and one ought to be an engineer; +Cartwright had grounds for imagining the job was rather an engineer's +than a sailor's. Well, he knew a young fellow who would not be daunted +and would work for him honestly, but to get the proper man was not all. + +He pondered about the money. Somehow he might get the necessary sum, but +if the venture failed, it would be the last. Nobody would trust him +again; he would be forced into retirement and dependence on his wife. It +was a risk he hesitated to run and he resolved to wait. + +In the evening after dinner Barbara joined him in the drawing-room, and +Cartwright waited with some amusement, for he thought he knew what she +wanted. + +"Did Mr. Lister come to the office?" she asked presently. + +"He did come. Did you think he would not?" + +"Oh, no!" said Barbara, smiling, "I knew he would come. Mr. Lister is +like that!" + +"I suppose you mean he's honest?" + +"I think I mean he's scrupulous. When you crossed the station platform +in front of us he got a jolt." + +"Then, you did not get a jolt?" + +"Not at all," said Barbara. "To keep behind and meet you after I'd sent +Lister off would not have bothered me. However, I was curious, although +I think I knew the line he'd take. You see, for an unsophisticated young +man, the situation was awkward." + +"If he felt it awkward, it indicated he knew he ought not to have taken +you on board his boat." + +"You're horribly logical," Barbara rejoined with a twinkle. "When we +started he didn't know I ought not to have gone. Mr. Lister is not like +you; he's very obvious. Of course, I did know, but I went!" + +"I wonder why!" said Cartwright dryly. + +"Sometimes you're keen, but you didn't remark, I meant to give you a +lead. Well, I didn't go altogether because I wanted to enjoy Mr. +Lister's society. To see a cattle boat was something fresh and I was +dull." + +"Then, when did Lister see a light? Since he stopped me, it's plain he'd +got some illumination." + +"I think it was when the engineer and the girl Robertson is going to +marry began to talk about house furnishings in the _Ardrigh's_ +mess-room. They took it for granted Lister was my lover and he was +horribly embarrassed. The thing really was humorous." + +"Folks have hinted I'm getting a back-number," Cartwright remarked. "To +talk to a modern girl makes me feel I am out-of-date." + +"Grace is not modern and to talk to her makes you tired," Barbara +rejoined. "But I'll tell you about the tea-party in the mess-room if you +like." + +"Then you got tea in the cattle boat's mess-room?" + +"Of course," said Barbara. "Black tea and condensed milk, and a ruffian +with red hair whom they called Mike had made some doughnuts with lard +like engine-grease. For all that, they were very nice people, and if you +don't interrupt, I'll tell you--" + +She told him about the party and Cartwright chuckled. He pictured her in +the dirty mess-room, looking exotic in her fashionable clothes and +expensive furs, but no doubt quite serene. She said the other girl was +pretty, but Cartwright admitted that Barbara was beautiful. He rather +sympathized with Lister's embarrassment, and wondered whether Barbara +meant to throw some light on the young man's character. + +When she stopped, he asked: "Did they talk about some burst boiler +tubes?" + +"No," said Barbara. "We talked about gas-stoves and kitchen pans." Then +she gave Cartwright a keen glance. "But what are boiler tubes? Do they +sometimes burst?" + +"They carry the flame from the furnace through the water. If you're much +interested, Gavin will show you a plan of a ship's boiler when you come +to the office. In the meantime, have you found out all you want to +know?" + +"You really are keen!" Barbara rejoined. + +"I was a little curious about what you said to Mr. Lister." + +"Ah," said Cartwright, "I imagined something like this. I told him if he +wanted to see my family, he must come to the house." + +Barbara looked thoughtful. "This was all? Was it worth while to tell him +to come to the office? To order him, in fact?" + +"It was all that's important. I think it was important and expect you to +agree." + +"Well, you have carried out your duty and ought to be satisfied," said +Barbara, who got up and gave Cartwright a smiling glance. "All the same, +if you want a man for an awkward job, I think you can trust Mr. Lister!" + +She went off and Cartwright laughed. Barbara was clever. The strange +thing was, she had been cheated by a theatrical rogue, but clever girls +were sometimes like that. He imagined she liked Lister, but this was +perhaps all, since she had been frank. In one sense, Lister was the man +for Barbara; he was honest, sober, and resolute, and she needed firm +control. The girl was as wild as a hawk, and although she was marked by +a fine fastidiousness, would revolt from a narrow-minded prig. Lister +was not a prig; his blood was red. + +In another sense, perhaps, the thing was ridiculous. Barbara was rich +and ought to make a good marriage, but good marriages sometimes brought +unhappiness. + +Human nature was stubborn; one paid for forcing it to obey the rules of +worldly prudence. Then Barbara had a romantic vein. She would risk all +for her lover and not grumble if she were forced to pay for her +staunchness. Besides, she and Lister had qualities he had not. They were +marked by something ascetic, or perhaps he meant Spartan, and if it were +worth while, could go without much that he required. + +Cartwright admitted that indulgence had cost him dear. He had paid with +grim philosophy, but he did not want Barbara to pay. Although she was +not his daughter, he loved the girl, and her recent moodiness bothered +him. If she did not love Lister, why was she disturbed? Sometimes +Cartwright thought he saw a gleam of light. Suppose she did love the +fellow and was trying to keep him off because of her Canadian adventure? +Lister knew about that and Barbara was proud. + +Cartwright's eyes got bloodshot and he clenched his fist. He would very +much like to meet Shillito. His muscles were getting slack, but he had +not lost all his power; anyhow, he could talk. Well, the thing was +humiliating, but he must not get savage. When he let himself go he +suffered for it afterwards. Getting up, he threw away his cigar, and +went off to talk to his wife. + + + +CHAPTER X + +A BOLD SPECULATION + +After weighing for some weeks all he could learn about the wreck on the +African coast, Cartwright went to London and was carried up one morning +to the second floor of an imposing office block. Black marble columns +supported the molded roof of the long passage, the wide stairs were +guarded by polished mahogany and shining brass, and a screen of artistic +iron work enclosed the elevator shaft. Cartwright's fur coat and gloves +and varnished boots harmonized with the surroundings; he looked rich and +important, but as he went along the corridor his face was stern. He was +going to make a plunge that would mend or break his fortune. Unless he +got straight in the next six months, he must retire from the Board and +make the best bargain possible with his creditors. + +He opened a door, and giving a clerk his card, was shown into a handsome +private office. Mr. Morse at a writing-table indicated a chair, and when +Cartwright sat down, rested his chin in his hand. + +"We have considered your letters, and my partner, Mr. Bull, agrees that, +if we can come to terms, your suggestion has some advantages," he said. + +"The advantages for your clients are obvious," Cartwright remarked. + +The other smiled. "They paid out a good sum when _Arcturus_ was wrecked, +and would frankly like to get something back. Well, we understand you +are willing to buy her, _as she lies_." + +"At my price! I'll give you a check when the agreement's signed." + +"Then, I expect you have made some calculations and know all about the +efforts to float the wreck. If we sell her to you, the job is yours, but +I admit some curiosity. Why do you expect to float her when the salvage +company failed?" + +"For one thing, they started the job on extravagant lines," Cartwright +replied. "They sent out two first-class tugs and a number of highly-paid +men; they ought to have hired negro laborers at the spot. The surf is +often bad, they could only work when it was calm, and while they were +doing nothing, wages mounted up. So did their bills for the coal they +must bring from Sierra Leone, where coal is expensive. Then they were +bothered by fever and were forced to send men home. They saw the +contract would not pay and let it go. The job was not impossible; it was +costing too much." + +Mr. Morse agreed that Cartwright's statement was plausible and probably +accurate, but thought he rather labored his argument. + +"You mean to use another plan?" he said. + +"My outfit will be small and cheap. This has the advantage that when my +men can't work, I won't pay much for wasted time. All the same, my risk +is obvious. The thing's a rash speculation, on which I can't embark +unless you are satisfied to take a very small price." + +For a few moments the ship broker pondered. Cartwright's line was the +line a man who wanted to buy something cheap would take. All the same, +Mr. Morse did not altogether see why he wanted to buy the wreck. + +"What about the cargo?" he suggested. "Of course, you understand that I +have no authority to sell this; you noticed the wording of our original +advertisement? 'And for the salving of the cargo,' Precisely it is on +that basis alone that the cargo underwriters will deal. Together with +your offer for the steamer as she lies, you must accept a percentage of +the value of the cargo you save." + +"What is the cargo?" + +"She carried palm-kernels in the forehold; I expect they have fermented +and rotted. Perhaps the palm oil aft isn't spoiled." + +"The barrels will have gone to bits." + +"Oak barrel staves stand salt water long." + +"The iron hoops do not," Cartwright rejoined. "Anyhow, I don't reckon on +the cargo; I expect to make my profit on buying the hull." + +"Yet the cargo is worth something. I imagine you know she carried some +valuable gums, ivory and a quantity of gold?" + +Cartwright smiled. "I do know the goods were on the ship's manifest. How +much gold did the salvage company get?" + +"Six boxes; but this was not all that was shipped." + +"I imagine it's all that will be recovered!" Cartwright remarked. + +The other looked hard at him, but his face was inscrutable and he went +on: "Well, I don't want the cargo, and may be forced to heave much of it +overboard in order to lighten the hull. However, if we find stuff worth +saving, we'll put it on the beach and I'll take a third-part of the +value, and you can send out an agent to tally the goods." + +"Very well," said the other, who approved the latter plan, although he +imagined Cartwright knew something he did not. "Let's be frank," he +resumed. "Personally, I felt from the beginning there was a mystery +about the wreck." + +"Oh, well," said Cartwright, "the owners of the boat went broke, and the +merchant who put the goods on board died. His son sold the business to a +small company, in which he took shares. The new house is prosperous and +respectable; it would be necessary to know your ground well before you +bothered them. Then I have nothing to go upon but a vague supposition. +In fact, the thing's a risky plunge, and if you refuse my offer, I won't +grumble. All the same, I doubt if anybody else would give you, for +example, five hundred pounds for _Arcturus_." + +"Five hundred pounds is, of course, ridiculous," the other rejoined, and +they began to bargain. + +When Cartwright left the office he was, on the whole, satisfied. He +could finance the undertaking, but this was all. There would be no +margin to cover unforeseen difficulties. It was his last gamble, and, +besides his money, he staked his post and reputation. If he lost, he was +done for, and the house must fall. Soon after his return he sent for +Lister and told him about the wreck and his salvage plans. + +"I had some bother to get a captain," he said. "The job has not much +attraction for a sober man, but Brown is not sober; he's frankly +reckless and irresponsible. The strange thing is, I've known him make +good where cautious men have failed. Then much depends on the engineer. +I brought you across to ask if you would go." + +Lister's eyes sparkled. "Yes, sir. I've been looking for a chance like +this." + +Cartwright studied him quietly. Lister's keenness was obvious; the young +fellow liked adventure, but Cartwright imagined this did not account for +all. + +"From one point of view, I think the chance is pretty good," he said. +"If you can float the wreck and bring her home, I expect some of the big +salvage companies will offer you a post. Anyhow, you'll get your pay, +and if we are lucky, a bonus that will depend on the cost of the +undertaking and the value of all we salve." + +"I'm going," Lister declared, and Cartwright noted that he did not +inquire about the pay. Then he hesitated and resumed: "But I haven't got +an English chief-engineer's certificate." + +"I don't know if it's important. I expect you'll find the adventure is +marked by a number of small irregularities. However, to satisfy the +Board of Trade is my business." + +"Then you can reckon on me; but there's another thing. Why do you hope +to lift the wreck when the salvage men could not?" + +Cartwright smiled. "I have been asked this before, but saw no grounds +for satisfying the inquirer's curiosity. All the same, I'll enlighten +you." + +He did so, and Lister looked up sharply. He had known Cartwright was +clever, but the old fellow was cleverer than he thought. It was possible +he had solved a puzzle that had baffled the salvage engineers. After +all, perhaps, it was not strange they were baffled. They had reckoned on +mechanical obstacles; Cartwright had reckoned on the intricacies of +human nature. + +"I expect you have got it, sir," Lister agreed. "If her bilge was in the +sand and the divers couldn't break into the engine-room--" He paused and +laughed. "A powerful centrifugal pump lifts some water, but you can't +pump out the Atlantic!" + +"It looks as if the salvage company tried," said Cartwright, dryly. +"However--" + +He talked about the undertaking, giving Lister particulars he thought he +ought to know, and when the young man went off, all important plans had +been agreed upon. Soon afterwards Cartwright went home and found Mrs. +Cartwright had gone to bed. He was getting disturbed about her, but +since the doctor had said she must rest, he talked to Barbara in the +evening. He told her about the wreck, and smiled when he stated that +Lister would have control. + +"I think you declared he was the man for an awkward job," he said. + +Barbara looked at him rather hard. "Perhaps I did say so. You don't +imply you are sending Mr. Lister because you thought I'd like it?" + +"Not at all," said Cartwright. "The thing's a business venture. Still +your statement carried weight. I admit your judgment sometimes is +sound." + +She turned her head and when she looked up and replied, her voice was +rather hard. + +"You must not trust my judgment. I have been cheated." + +"My dear!" said Cartwright. "Perhaps my remark was unlucky, but the +cleverest of us is sometimes cheated, and you were not cheated long. +We'll let it go. I'm bothered about your mother. She feels the damp and +cold and is not picking up. Perhaps we ought to send her South. I must +talk to the doctor." + +In the morning he saw the doctor, who said they had better wait for a +time, and Cartwright occupied himself by outfitting the salvage +expedition. Finding it necessary to go to London, he called on the +gentleman from whom he had bought the wreck a short time ago. + +"When we made the agreement, you asked if I knew anybody who would give +me five hundred pounds for the boat," remarked Mr. Morse. "Just then I +did not know, but not long since I was offered a better price than +yours." + +"Ah," said Cartwright, thoughtfully. "She lay in the sand for some time +and nobody bothered about her. Who was willing to buy?" + +The other smiled. "A shipbroker stated a sum at which he would take her +off our hands. It was plain he was an agent, but he wouldn't give his +customer's name. I don't imagine you will find out from him. I tried!" + +Cartwright said it was strange, and went off soon afterwards. When he +went down in the lift he smiled, for he thought he saw a light; after +all, his speculation was not as rash as it looked. + +When he got home Mrs. Cartwright had come downstairs and she joined the +others at dinner. The doctor said she was stronger and might soon +undertake a journey South; he suggested the Canaries, and Cartwright +approved. + +"If you sail by a Cape liner, it's a short run, and after you leave the +Spanish coast the sea is generally smooth," he said. "Since I must stay +at the office, we must decide who is going with you." + +Hyslop said he would like to go, and would do so if it were necessary, +but to get away just then was awkward. Grace declared somebody must stop +to look after Cartwright and the house, and she imagined this was her +post. For all that, since she was older than Barbara, it was hard to see +her duty. Mrs. Cartwright did not indicate whom she wanted, although she +glanced at Barbara. Since she was ill she had got very languid, and +Cartwright did not meddle. He knew his stepchildren, and it was +characteristic that Grace talked about her duty; taking care of an +invalid at a foreign hotel had not much charm for Grace. + +"Very well," said Barbara, "I gave you and Mortimer first chance, +because I'm not important, but since you have good grounds for staying, +we won't argue." She turned to Mrs. Cartwright: "I'm going, because I +want to go." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave her a gentle smile and it was plain that she was +satisfied, but when she had gone to bed and Cartwright was alone, he +pondered. Barbara loved her mother and would have gone had she not +wanted to go, but he thought she did want and had an object. He had told +her something about his plans, and had stated that he would use Grand +Canary as a supply depot for the expedition; then he had found the girl +studying an Atlantic chart in the library. Barbara had no doubt noted +the island lay conveniently near the African coast, and knew it was an +important coaling station, at which steamers bound South from Liverpool +called. Cartwright wondered whether she had argued she might see Lister +at Grand Canary. + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE START + +Rain was falling and the light had hardly reached the opening between +the tall warehouses. In the dock the water was smooth and shone with +dull reflections, but the gates were open and the muddy swell the flood +tide brought up the river splashed about the entrance. Ponderous lorries +rumbled across a bridge, indistinct figures moved and shouted on the +pierhead, and men in wet oilskins splashed about _Terrier's_ deck. + +She was a battered propeller tug and lay against the wall, with large +cases of machinery lashed to her bulwarks, and a stack of coal built up +beside the engine-skylights. Her bunkers were full, but the fuel she +carried would not last very long, and coal is dear at foreign ports. +Coils of thick wire rope and diving gear occupied her shallow hold, and +Cartwright was annoyed because she could not take the massive +centrifugal pump which he had sent by an African liner. Some extra coal +and supplies were loaded on a clumsy wooden hulk, but he durst not risk +her carrying expensive machinery. + +When he talked to the captain in the pilot-house, he was, on the whole, +satisfied. Brown's face was flushed and his voice was hoarse, but he +would pull himself together after he got to sea. Cartwright knew Brown's +habits when he gave him the job, although, in an important sense, the +job was Lister's. To trust the young fellow was a bold experiment, but +Cartwright did so. If Lister were not the man he thought, Cartwright +imagined his control of the line would presently come to an inglorious +end. To some extent this accounted for his bringing Barbara to see the +salvage expedition start. He knew the power of love. + +Barbara had not gone up the greasy ladder to the bridge and waited on +deck. She had left home without much breakfast, in the dark, and was +cold and rather depressed. All was gloomy and strangely flat. The tug +looked small and was horribly dirty. Coal-dust covered rails and ropes; +grimy drops from the rigging splashed on the trampled black mud on deck. +The crew were not sober and their faces were black. Two or three +draggled women called to them from the pierhead, their voices sounding +melancholy and harsh. + +Barbara had not seen Lister and wondered where he was, until a man +plunged out from the neighboring door of the engine-room. The abruptness +of his exit indicated that he had been rudely propelled by somebody +behind, and as he lurched across the deck, Lister appeared at the door. +His cap was dark with grease, his overalls were stained, and a black +smear ran from his eye to chin. + +"Hustle and get that oil drum on the wharf, you drunken hog!" he +shouted. "If I hadn't watched out you'd have left half the truck." + +He stopped when he saw Barbara. "This is very kind," he said to her. "I +knew Cartwright was on board, but hadn't hoped you would come to give us +a good send-off." + +Barbara noted his satisfaction and was moved by something in his voice. +He looked thin and fine-drawn in his stained engineer's clothes, and his +hands were greasy. The surroundings were not romantic, but somehow they +got brighter and her gloom vanished. Lister's eyes sparkled; he wore the +stamp of strength and confidence. + +"I doubted if my step-father would bring me, but I really meant to +come," she said. "For one thing, I wanted to ask you--" + +She hesitated, for it was hard to strike the right note. She had begun +to see there was something exciting and perhaps heroic about the +adventure. The handful of men had undertaken a big thing; there was much +against them, and daunting risks must be run. Moreover, she had studied +Cartwright and remarked the anxiety he thought he had hid. Cartwright +was rather inscrutable, but sympathy had given her power to understand. +She thought he was engaged in a reckless gamble and could not afford to +lose. + +"Whatever you want--" Lister declared, but she stopped him. + +"I want you to do your best." + +"You can reckon on that, anyhow! Cartwright has hired me; I'm his man." + +Barbara smiled. "Yes; I know! You're honest and will do all you engaged; +but in a sense, this is not enough. I want you to make an extra effort, +because--" + +She paused and the blood came to her skin when she went on: "You see, +it's important you should float the wreck and bring her home. It means +much to my step-father; very much, I think. He's kind and I love him. I +feel I ought to help." + +Lister saw her statement was significant, and her embarrassment +indicated that she knew it was so. In fact, she had admitted that she +knew he would, for her sake, use all his powers. He was moved, but he +was not a fool. The girl, wearing her costly furs, looked rich and +dignified; he was a working engineer and conscious of his greasy +clothes. He loved her, but for a time he must be cautious. To begin +with, he would not have her think he made a claim. + +"You're not very logical," he replied carelessly. "When I took the job I +undertook to earn my pay. Cartwright sends me off to float the wreck, +and if it's possible, I must make good." + +"I am logical," Barbara declared, while her color came and went. "One +thinks one does one's best, but sometimes when the strain comes, one can +do better. It really isn't ridiculous! Emotion, sentiment, give one +extra force--" She stopped and resumed in a strangely gentle voice: "You +are young, and if you don't make good it won't hurt very much. Mr. +Cartwright's old; he can't try again. Then he's not my step-father only. +He's my friend, and I know he trusts you. For his sake, I must be +frank--I trust you!" + +Lister smiled, but his voice betrayed him, although he thought he used +control. + +"Very well! If it's possible for flesh and blood, we'll bring _Arcturus_ +home. That's all. The thing's done with." + +She gave him her hand, and kept the glove with the dark grease stain. +Then, seeing there was no more to be said, she looked about. Ragged +clouds rolled up from the Southwest, and the disturbed swell that +splashed about the dock gates indicated wind down channel. A shower beat +upon the engine skylights and Barbara moved beneath the bridge. A great +rope rose out of the water as the men at the winch hauled up the clumsy +hulk. Two or three others, dragging a thin, stiff wire rope, floundered +unsteadily across the deck. + +"They look rough, and they're not very sober," Barbara remarked. + +Lister laughed. "They're frankly drunk! A pretty hard crowd, but Brown +and I have handled a hard crowd before. In fact, I reckon Cartwright has +got the proper men for the job." + +"Captain Brown is like them," said Barbara, thoughtfully. "You are not." + +"You haven't seen me hustling round when things go wrong." + +"I saw you throw a man out of the engine-room not long since!" + +"With a gang like ours, one must prove one's claim to be boss at the +start. Anyhow, there are different kinds of wastrels, and the fellow who +gets on a jag at intervals is often a pretty good sort. The wastrel one +has no use for is the fellow who keeps it up. But I see Mr. Cartwright +coming and mustn't philosophize." + +A gateman on the pierhead began to shout to the captain, and Cartwright +gave Lister his hand. + +"They are waiting for you and we must get ashore," he said. "Well, I've +given you and Brown a big job, but I expect you'll see me out." + +"We'll put in all we've got, sir," said Lister quietly. + +Cartwright nodded, as if he were satisfied, and touched Barbara, who +turned and gave Lister a smile. + +"Good luck!" she said, and following Cartwright, went up the steps in +the wall. + +She thought it significant Cartwright had left her for some time and had +given Lister a quick, searching glance. Lister had said nothing about +their talk and his promise; she had known he would not do so. Yet this +was not because he was clever. He had a sort of instinctive +fastidiousness. She liked his reply to Cartwright; he _would_ put in all +he had got, and a man like that had much. Fine courage, resolution and +staunch loyalty. + +When Barbara reached the pierhead, _Terrier's_ engines began to throb. +The propeller churned the green water, and the tug bumped against the +wall. Gatemen shouted, the big tow-rope splashed and tightened with a +jerk, and the hulk began to move. Then the tug's bow crept round the +corner and swung off from the gates. The engine throbbed faster, and a +blast of the whistle echoed about the warehouses. Brown waved his cap +and signed to a man in the pilot-house. The hulk swung round in a wide +sweep, and the adventurous voyage had begun. + +_Terrier_, steaming across the strong current, looked small and dingy; +when she rolled as the helm went over, the swell washed her low +bulwarks. She got smaller, until a rain squall blew across from the +Cheshire side and she melted into the background of dark water and +smoke. Barbara felt strangely forlorn, and it was some relief when +Cartwright touched her arm and they set off along the wall. + +After the rain the wind freshened, and when Brown steamed out from the +river, a confused sea rolled across the shoals. The light was not good, +but a double row of buoys led out to sea, the ebb-tide was running, and +_Terrier_ made good progress. She shipped no water yet, and the hulk +lurched along without much strain on the rope. The rope was fastened to +a massive iron hook and ran across a curved wooden horse at the tug's +stern. Sometimes it slipped along the horse and tightened with a bang, +for the clumsy hulk sheered about. When her stern went up one saw an +indistinct figure holding the wheel. + +When they passed the Bar Lightship, Lister climbed to the bridge and for +a few minutes looked about. The plunging red hull to starboard was the +last of the Mersey marks, for the North-West ship was hidden by low +clouds. Ahead the angry gray water was broken by streaks of foam. +_Terrier_ rolled and quivered when her bows smashed a sea, and showers +of spray beat like hail against the screens on the bridge. + +"She's loggish," Brown remarked. "If you don't burn up that coal soon, +she'll wash it off. Looks like a dirty night, and I'm pushing across for +Lynas Point. With the wind at south-west, I want to get under the +Anglesey coast. There'll be some sea in the channel when we open up +Holyhead." + +"The boat's good," said Lister. "Engines a bit neglected, but they're +running smooth and cool, and she has power to shove her along. +Cartwright has an eye for a useful craft." + +Brown nodded. "The old fellow has an eye for all that's useful; I reckon +he sees farther than any man I know. There's something encouraging about +this, because the job he's given us looks tough--" + +He stopped, for the tow-rope slipped noisily across the horse. There was +a clang of iron as the hook took the strain, and the captain frowned. +"That hulk is going to bother us before very long." + +Lister seized the slanted rails. The lightship had vanished, but a +bright beam pierced the haze astern. Ahead the sea was empty; gray water +rolled beneath low and ragged clouds. Spray flew about the plunging +bows, and the tug rolled uneasily. Lister turned and left the bridge, +but stopped for a few moments at the engine-room door. Barbara had stood +just opposite, where the iron funnel-stay ran down. Her rich furs gave +her girlish figure a touch of dignity, the color was in her face, and +her eyes shone. + +Lister knew the picture would haunt him, and he would come to the engine +door to recapture it when he needed bracing. He would need bracing, for +there were obstacles ahead, but he had promised Barbara to help +Cartwright out. Stepping across the ledge to a slippery platform, he +went below. + +PART III--THE BREAKING STRAIN + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE FIRST STRUGGLE + +The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about +the throbbing machinery. It looked as if the lamps swung in a +semicircle, but they did not. All else slanted at an ever-changing +angle; the swiveled lamps were still. Overhead the dark and bulky +cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, +valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the +twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit. One saw the big columns +shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks +groaned with the back push of the propeller. + +A door in the bulkhead was open, and now and then a blaze from the +stokehold lighted the engine-room. Shovels clanged and the thud of a +hammer jarred upon the throb of machinery. Men moved about like ghosts. +Their feet made no noise; for a moment one saw their sweat-streaked +faces and then they vanished. Lister sat on a tool-box, an old pipe in +his mouth, and was happier than he had been for long. For one thing, his +men were getting sober and he saw they knew their job; then he was +satisfied with his engines and relished the sense of control. He was +_chief_, and until the tug came back from Africa the engines were his. + +In the meantime he need not move about. It was like listening to an +orchestra of which he knew all the instruments, and he heard no jarring +notes. The harmony was good and the rhythm well marked. The clash and +clang rose and fell with a measured beat; but the smooth running of his +engines did not account for all Lister's satisfaction. In a sense, +Barbara had given him his job, he was her servant, doing her work, and +this was much, although he scarcely durst hope for another reward. + +Cartwright had not without careful thought sent Lister on board. He knew +the young fellow's staunchness as he knew Barbara's, and, because his +need was great, had not hesitated to use him and the girl. He was old +and must be resigned to sit at his desk and plan, but, as a rule, his +plans worked, and he had a talent for choosing his tools. When it was +possible, he used his tools carefully; he hated to overstrain fine +material. + +_Terrier's_ regular lurch and roll indicated that she was steaming along +the coast, in some shelter from the wind that blew obliquely off the +land. By and by, however, the lurches got violent, and when Lister heard +the thud of water on deck he went up, and opening the door on the lee +side, looked out. Water splashed against the ledge that protected the +engine-room; the stack of coal worked and he heard big lumps fall. Spray +blew across the bulwarks and fell in heavy showers from a boat on the +skids. For a few moments this was all he could distinguish, and then he +saw slopes of water slanting away from the tug's low side. A half-moon +shone for a few moments between ragged clouds and was hidden. + +Lister stepped across the ledge and went aft. _Terrier_ felt the drag of +the hulk astern, and he wanted to see how she was towing. He heard the +iron ring clang on the hook, and when he stopped by the horse, the big +tow-rope surged to and fro across the arch. The hulk steered wildly, and +if the sea got worse, he doubted if they could hold her. He knew where +he was, because he had steamed along the coast on board the cattle boat. +The Anglesey shore was fringed by reefs, the tide-races ran in white +turmoil across the ledges. The tide had now nearly run out, but when +they turned the corner at Carmel Point they would meet the flood stream +and the big combers the gale drove up channel. Going to the pilot-house, +Lister lighted his pipe. + +"A fierce night!" he remarked to Brown, who peered through the +spray-swept glass. "I reckon you'll want to slow down when we make +Carmel." + +The house was dark, but Lister saw the captain turn. "I'm bothered," +Brown admitted. "We ought to push on, but while we might tow the hulk +under, we can't tow her down channel. We can't turn and run; it's +blowing down the Menai Strait like a bellows spout, and there's all the +Mersey sands to leeward. We have got to face the sea and try to make +Holyhead. Will your engines shove her through?" + +"They'll give you six or seven knots, head to wind. Will your tow rope +hold?" + +"I doubt. We have a steel hawser ready, but if she breaks the hemp rope +she'll probably break the wire." + +Lister agreed. The thick hemp rope stretched and absorbed the strain; +the wire was less elastic. They were approaching Carmel Point, and +Holyhead was not far, but they must front the gale when they got round +the corner. In the meantime, the engines were running smoothly, and +Lister smoked and waited while the sea got worse. Flashing lights ahead +and the violent lurching indicated that they crept round the point. Then +_Terrier_ plunged into a white sea and deck and bulwarks vanished. Her +bows swung out of the foam and Lister ran to the door. He felt the tug +leap forward and knew the rope had gone. + +He got out in front of Brown and plunged down the ladder. Since +_Terrier_ must be stopped and turned, he was needed. Water ran from his +clothes when he reached a slanted platform and seized a greasy wheel. +The telegraph gong was clanging and the beat of engines slackened as he +followed the orders. Then the spinning cranks stopped altogether and for +a minute or two there was a strange quietness. One heard the wind, and +water splashed in the bilges. + +Lister got the signal _Ahead slow_, and when he restarted his engines +ran up the ladder. He could trust the man he left, and wanted to see +what was happening. It was a moment or two before he could satisfy his +curiosity, and then a bright beam illuminated the tug and angry water. +Brown was burning a blue-light while _Terrier_ crept up to the hulk. He +meant to pass the fresh hawser, but could not launch a boat, and Lister +doubted if the men on the hulk could heave the heavy wire rope on board. +Although one must get near to throw a line, it looked as if Brown were +going alongside. + +Two dark figures, crouched on _Terrier's_ rail like animals ready to +spring, cut against the blaze. Brown was going alongside; anyhow, he was +going near enough for the men to jump, but the thing was horribly risky. +If the rolling hulk struck the tug planks and iron plates would be +beaten in; moreover the men must jump from the slanted rail, and if they +jumped short, their long boots and oilskins would drag them down. + +It looked as if Cartwright knew how to choose men for an awkward job, +for as the tug got nearer Lister saw the men meant to go. She swung up +on the top of a white sea; the hulk, swept by spray, rolled down, with +her deck close below the steamer's rail. One felt they must shock, but +they did not. The dark figures leaped, there was a faint shout, a line +whirled out from _Terrier's_ bridge and the hulk drove astern. Then the +blue light vanished and Lister plunged into the engine-room. Somehow the +thing was done. + +The gong signaled _Half-speed_, the rhythmic clash of engines began, and +Lister felt _Terrier_ tremble as she tightened the rope. Brown had +played his part and Lister's had begun. He wondered whether they could +keep the water out of the engine-room. They had drifted off-shore, and +now they had opened up the channel the combers leaped on board. The seas +were not regular; they ran in short, steep ridges, and gave the tug no +time to lift. While she swung her bows from the foaming turmoil the next +swept her deck. But to watch the seas and keep the hulk in line was the +captain's business, and Lister was occupied by his. + +Standing on a slanted platform with his hand on the throttle, he waited +for the lurch that lifted the spinning screw. When the blades left the +water, the engines raced with a horrible din and he must cut off steam. +If he let the engines go, something might break when the propeller got +hold again. The work demanded a firm but delicate touch, since the +pressure must change with the swiftly-changing load. One could not argue +when the bows would plunge and the stern swing clear; one must know +instinctively. The muscular effort was not hard, but Lister's face was +wet with sweat, and when he was slow and the engine-room rang with the +clash of machinery his heart beat. The big columns that held the +cylinders rocked; crank and connecting-rod spun too fast for him to see. +There was a confusing flash of steel and a daunting uproar. + +For the most part, he was able to get control before the stern came +down. Moreover, he was not using full steam; to let her go would swamp +the boat and wash the men off the laboring hulk. Lister knew the rope +held because he felt the heavy drag. Although she rolled and plunged, +there was no life in _Terrier's_ movements. She was sluggish, +embarrassed by the load she hauled. + +Lister thought about the men on board the hulk. Two, buffeted by wind +and spray, must hold the wheel on the short quarter-deck that lifted +them above the shelter of the bulwarks. Forward of this, the water +rolled about, washing on board and pouring out. The men could not for a +moment slack their watchfulness. Sweating and straining at the spokes, +they must hold her straight. To let her sheer when she crossed a +comber's top would break the rope. + +The strain on the laboring engines indicated that the men held out and +Lister fixed his thoughts on his machinery. One could not see much, but +while he turned the valve-wheel he listened. If a bearing got hot or a +brass shook loose, he would hear the jar. An engine running as it ought +to run was like a well-tuned instrument. + +He heard no discord. The heavy thud of the cross-heads, flashing between +their guides, beat time to the clang of the valve-gear, a pump throbbed +like a kettledrum, and something tinkled like a high-pitched triangle. +All went well, the engines were good and _Terrier_ stubbornly forged +ahead. + +By and by the strain was less marked. The load was getting lighter and +after a time Lister let go the wheel and wiped his wet face. He could +stand on the platform without support, the plunges were easy and +regular. Calling a man to relieve him, he went to the door. + +The sea was white, but it no longer ran in crested ridges and a vague +dark line crossed the foam ahead. Sometimes part of the line vanished +and reappeared like a row of dots with broad gaps between. Lister knew +it was breakwater. On the other side anchor-lights tossed, and in the +background a dull, reflected illumination indicated a town. Then the +gong rang and Lister went back to the platform. In a few minutes he +would get the signal to stop his engines. The first struggle was over; +Brown had made Holyhead. + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE WRECK + +The night was calm, but now and then a faint, hot wind blew from the +shadowy coast, and rippling the water, brought a strange, sour smell. +Lister did not know the smell; Brown knew and frowned, for he had been +broken by the malaria that haunts West African river mouths. Heavy dew +dripped from the awnings on _Terrier's_ bridge and in places trickled +through the material, since canvas burns in the African sun. Brown +searched the dark coast with his glasses, trying to find the marks he +had noted on the chart. Lister leaned against the rails and mused about +the voyage. + +They had ridden out a winter's gale in the Bay of Biscay and for a night +had lost the hulk and the men on board. Then they went into Vigo, where +Lister's firemen wrecked a wine shop and it cost him much in bribes to +save them from jail. He had another taste of their quality at Las +Palmas, where they made trouble with the port guards and Brown brawled +in the cheap wine shops behind the cathedral. In fact, it was some +relief when the captain fell off the steam tram that runs between town +and port, and a cut on his head stopped his adventures. + +Then they steamed for fourteen-hundred miles before the Northeast +Trades, with a misty blue sky overhead and long, white-topped seas +rolling up astern. The Trade breeze was cool and bracing, but they lost +it near the coast, and now the air was hot and strangely heavy. One felt +languid and cheerfulness cost an effort. The men had begun to grumble +and Lister was glad the voyage was nearly over and it was time to get to +work. + +Lightning flickered on the sea, touching the back of the smooth swell, +and then for a few moments left all very dark. The moon was new, the sky +was cloudy, and the swell ran high, for it rolled, unbroken and +gathering momentum, from the Antarctic ice. When the lightning was +bright, one saw a low cloud that looked like steam, with a white streak +beneath that marked the impact of the big rollers on the sandy coast. +The crash of breakers came out of the dark, like the rattle of a goods +train crossing an iron bridge. + +"Four fathoms at spring tides, and a shifting channel!" Brown remarked, +quoting from a pilot-book. "The depth, however, varies with the wind, +and a stranger must use caution when entering the lagoon." He stopped, +and laughed as he resumed: "If this was a sober undertaking I'd steam +off and wait for daylight." + +"I reckon it would be prudent," said Lister dryly. + +"We have nothing to do with prudence," Brown rejoined. "Our job's to +work in a sun that knocks a white man down, and stew in the hot malaria +damp the land breeze brings off at night. Cartwright's orders are to +lose no time and I want to finish before the fever finishes me. Very +well! When the moon is new, high-water's at twelve o'clock, and along +this coast sunset's about six hours later. If we wait for +noon-to-morrow, it will be four or five o'clock before we get on board +the wreck--I understand the tide doesn't leave her until about four +hours' ebb. If we push across the bar to-night, we'll see her at +daybreak and can make our plans for getting to work." + +Lister agreed. Expenses were heavy and it was important they should not +lose a day. Moreover, Cartwright had hinted that he expected them to run +risks, and Lister had promised Barbara to help him out. If Brown touched +bottom steaming in, tug and barge would soon break up; but Lister was +not going to be daunted. + +"I'll go down and raise some extra steam," he said. "You'll need full +pressure to shove her through the surf." + +He was occupied for some time, but when a plume of steam blew from the +escape-pipe he came up to the door and looked about. _Terrier's_ languid +roll was getting sharper; mast and funnel swung into a wide sweep. +Sometimes the dark hull lurched up high above the tug's stern, and +sometimes sank in a hollow. The rollers had angry white tops, and a belt +of filmy vapor that looked luminous closed the view ahead. Lister knew +the vapor was phosphorescent spray, flung up by the turmoil on the bar, +through which they must go. If the tug struck and stopped, the white +seas would beat her down into the sand. In the meantime, she was using +full steam, because, since tide and surf carried her on, one must have +speed to steer. + +The spray cloud got thick, and wavered with luminous tremblings when the +long rollers broke. They came up, spangled with green and gold flashes, +from astern, shook their fiery crests about the tug, and vanished ahead, +but one heard them crash. Lister thought the tug throbbed to the savage +concussion. He could not hear his engines; one heard nothing but the +daunting uproar. + +By and by he felt a shock; not a violent shock, but as if the boat had +touched, and was pushing through, something soft. She slowed and Lister +saw the black hulk swing up and ride forward on a giant roller's top. It +looked as if she were coming on board the tug, and Lister jumped through +and slammed the iron door. Brown would need him now. + +He heard the roar of water on deck, there was a crash of broken glass, +and a shower fell on his head. A cloud of steam and a loud hissing came +from the stokehold, and he knew the sea that swept the tug had covered +the gratings. If she stuck, the next sea would swamp her and drown the +fires, but she had not altogether stopped. The propeller was beating +hard and he opened the throttle wide. He felt her move and tremble, as +if she struggled in the grip of the sand, and then lift buoyantly. The +water that pressed her down had rolled off the deck and the oncoming +comber had picked her up and was carrying her along. + +Her progress was obvious. One felt the headlong rush, and Lister thought +about a toboggan speeding down an icy slope. The roller would bear her +on until it broke, but if she struck the sand she might not lift again. +She did not strike; there was another wild leap forward, a savage +plunge, and a comber crashed astern. It looked as if she had crossed the +shoal and Lister let go the wheel and got his breath. He had used no +effort, but he gasped and his hand shook. + +The gong signaled _half-speed_, and when he slowed his engines the roar +of escaping steam pierced the turmoil of the surf. This was significant, +because he could not have heard the steam a few minutes earlier. +_Terrier_ rolled, but the rolling was not violent and began to get easy. +The gong signaled _stand by, stop_; he shut the valve and presently +heard the anchor plunge and the rattle of running chain. Then _Terrier_ +swung languidly and all was quiet but for the monotonous rumble in the +background. Lister gave some orders and went to his room. + +In the morning, he put a greasy jacket over his pajamas and went on +deck. The land breeze had dropped and it was very calm. Vague trees +loomed in the fog that hid the beach; there was a belt of dull, heaving +water, and then the spray cloud closed the view. The air was heavy, the +men on deck moved slackly, and Lister's skin was wet by sweat. He felt +dull and shrank from effort, but when he saw Brown in a boat alongside +he jumped on board. + +The light was getting brighter and the wreck lay about a hundred yards +off. The stump of her broken funnel, a bare iron mast, a smashed +deckhouse, and a strip of slanted side rose from the languid swell. The +rows of plates were red with rust and encrusted by shells. When the +smooth undulations sank, long weed swung about in the sandy water. +Lister thought the story of the wreck was, on the surface, plain. +Steaming out with a heavy load, _Arcturus_ had struck the bar. The surf +had beaten in her hatches, broken some plates, and afterwards washed her +back across the sand. Then, while the captain tried to reach the beach, +she had sunk in deeper water. The story was plausible, but, if +Cartwright had found the proper clew, it did not account for all. + +They rowed round _Arcturus_. She lay with a sharp list and her other +side was under water. The tide was beginning to rise and when it crept +up her slanted deck they pulled back to the tug. + +"We'll moor the hulk alongside and rig the diving pumps. I think that's +all to-day," Brown remarked. "When the sun is low I'll go to the factory +up the creek and try to hire some native boys. On this coast, a white +man who does heavy work soon gets fever." + +In the afternoon they took two men and rowed up a muddy creek that +flowed into the lagoon, but the factory was farther than they thought +and when they landed dusk was falling. The white-washed wooden house +stood near the bank, with a stockaded compound between it and the water. +It was built on piles and at the top of the outside stairs a veranda ran +along the front. The compound was tunneled by land-crabs' holes, and +light mist crept about the giant cotton woods behind. There was no +movement of air, a sickly smell rose from the creek, and all was very +damp. + +Lister and Brown went up the stairs and were received by a white man in +a big damp room. A lamp hung from a beam and the light touched the +patches of mildew on the discolored walls. There was not much furniture; +a few canvas chairs, a desk and a table. Flies crawled about the table +and hovered in a black swarm round the lamp. The room smelt of palm oil +and river mud. The white man was young, but his face was haggard and he +looked worn. His rather long hair was wet and his duck jacket was dirty. +It was obvious that he did not bother about his clothes. + +"Good of you to look me up! I expect you know I'm Montgomery; the house +is Montgomery and Raeburn," he said. "However, to begin with, you had +better have a drink. I'll call my boy." + +A negro came in and got a bottle and some glasses. He was a +strongly-built fellow with a blue stripe on his forehead, and muscular +arms and chest, but his legs, which stuck out from short cotton +trousers, were ridiculously thin. He beat up some frothy liquor in a jug +and when he filled the big glasses Lister felt disturbed, for he knew +Brown and had noted the quantity of gin the negro used. The captain, +however, was cautious and they began to talk. Lister asked Montgomery if +he carried on the factory alone. + +"I'm doing so for a time. My clerk died two or three weeks since and I +haven't got another yet." + +"Fever?" said Brown. + +"Common malaria. Perhaps this spot is worse than others, because, +although we're beginning to kill mosquitos and poison the drains, we +can't keep English boys. The last two didn't hold out six months." + +Lister got thoughtful. He knew the African coast was unhealthy, but had +not imagined it was as bad as this. He said nothing and Montgomery +resumed: "I have been forced to lie up and am shaky yet. Malaria gets us +all, but as a rule it gets strangers, particularly the young, soonest. +Looks as if the microbe liked fresh blood." + +"If I was an African merchant, I'd let an agent run my factories," Brown +remarked. + +Montgomery smiled. "Sometimes it's necessary for me to come out. This +factory is perhaps our best, and when Nevis, our agent, died, I started +by the first boat. Montgomery's is an old house, but since the big men +combined and the Amalgamation built a factory on the next creek, we have +had some trouble to pull along. Our capital is small and we can't use +up-to-date methods. In fact, I imagine our situation is much like +Cartwright's. When he bought the wreck he no doubt felt some strain. But +won't you take another drink?" + +Brown indicated his glass, which still held some liquor, and Lister +refused politely. He noted that Montgomery knew their object and was +surprised, since he thought Cartwright had not talked much about the +undertaking. Then, although Montgomery was obviously ill, one felt he +tried to paint the coast in the darkest colors. + +"What do you think about our job?" Brown asked. + +"I think it a rash experiment and imagine Cartwright agrees. All the +same, the old fellow's a bold gambler and is perhaps willing to +speculate on the chance of getting out of his embarrassments. However, +this is his business and you'll, no doubt, get your wages, although you +won't float the wreck." + +"What do you reckon the obstacles?" + +"Fever," said Montgomery dryly. "The salvage people lost some men. Surf +will wash the sand about her, if the wind comes fresh from the +south-east. Then the sharks may give you some trouble. They're nearly as +numerous as they are at Lagos Roads." He paused and added carelessly: "I +expect you know my father loaded _Arcturus_?" + +"I heard something about it," Brown replied. "All the same, Cartwright +sent us to lift her and we have got to try. Will you let me hire some of +your factory boys?" + +"Sorry, but they're Liberian Kroos, engaged on a twelve-months' contract +to work in my compound, and I'm accountable for them to the Liberian +government." + +"Then what about boys from the bush?" + +Montgomery smiled. "I can't recommend the bushmen. They're a turbulent +lot, but you might send a present to the headman at the native town up +river, and it's possible he'll let you go to see him. For all that, some +caution's indicated. The fellow's a cunning old rascal." + +Brown looked thoughtful, but began to talk about something else and by +and by got up. Montgomery went with him and Lister to the steps and when +they reached the compound they found the sailors bemused with gin under +the veranda. Brown had some trouble to get the men on board, and when +they awkwardly pulled away Lister was conscious of relief. + +"I agree with the fellow. Caution _is_ indicated," Brown observed. + + + +CHAPTER III + +A FUEL PROBLEM + +A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under +a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk. The paint on the canvas +smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not +front the sun on the open deck. The sea breeze had not sprung up and +dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell. In one +place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull +green. + +A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a +frothy patch, and then lengthened out. A flexible pipe slipped across +the edge of the open gangway, and Lister felt the line he held. The line +was slack and he knew the diver needed nothing. Two half-naked men, +their skins shining with sweat, turned the air-pumps handles, and the +rattle of the cranks cut the dull rumble of the surf. Brown, sitting on +a tool-box, studied a plan of the wreck Cartwright had given him, and +Lister thought it typical Cartwright had got the plan. The old fellow +was very keen. + +By and by Brown looked up and indicated the panting men. + +"We want colored boys for this job and must get a gang. I expect you +noted Montgomery declared his lot were Kroos. The Kroos are hefty boys +and pretty good sailors, but they come from Liberia and there are +regulations about their employment. You must engage them on a contract, +hold yourself accountable for their return and so forth. All the same my +notion is, Montgomery didn't mean to help." + +"Then we had better try the native headman he talked about." + +Brown smiled, "I've no use for bushmen, but didn't see much use in +telling Montgomery I'd been on the Coast before. For one thing, his boys +were not all Kroos. You know the Kroo by his blue forehead-stripe, but I +saw two or three with another mark. Thought them Gold Coast Fantis, and +a Fanti fisherman is useful on board ship. In a day or two I'm going +back to see." + +Lister lighted his pipe and weighed the captain's remarks. On the whole, +he agreed that it did not look as if Montgomery meant to help. The +fellow was hospitable, but hospitality that implied his pressing liquor +on the captain and making the sailors drunk had drawbacks. Brown had +used control, but Lister doubted if his resolution would stand much +strain. Then, although Montgomery's story about the need for his being +on the spot was plausible, it was, perhaps, strange the head of a +merchant house would stop for some time at a factory where his clerks +died. However, now Lister thought about it, Montgomery did not state if +he had been there long. + +"The fellow was generous with his liquor and his boy can mix a +cocktail," he remarked. + +Brown grinned. "On the Coast, they're all generous with liquor. +Montgomery knows this; but I've a notion you are wondering whether he +knows me. I reckon not, but he knows the kind of skipper you generally +meet in the palm oil trade. Still the type's going out; now ship-owners +pay higher, they get better men. In fact, I'm something of a survival +from the old school." + +He picked up the plan and Lister thought about Montgomery. The man was +ill and highly-strung, but this was not strange. The factory was rather +a daunting spot; reeking with foul smells and haunted by a sense of +gloom. Lister thought one might get morbid and imaginative if one +stopped there long. Yet he rather liked Montgomery; there was something +attractive about him. Perhaps if they had met in brighter surroundings, +when the other's health and mood were normal, they might have been +friends. Now, however, he doubted and saw Brown was not satisfied. + +The line he held jerked and he signed to the men at the pump. One kept +the cranks turning; the other went to the top of a ladder lashed to the +hulk's side. The bubbles moved away from the wreck and broke the surface +in a fixed, sparkling patch. The diver was coming up and Lister +presently helped him on board. When they had taken off his copper helmet +and unfastened his canvas he leaned against the pump and breathed hard. + +"Well?" said Brown, after waiting a minute or two for the man to get +back his normal breathing. + +"She lies with a sharp list; sand's high up her starboard bilge. +Engine-room doors jambed, but I found the stokehold grating and got some +way down the ladder. Sand's washed down and buried the starboard +bunkers. To clear out the stuff will be a long job." + +"Packed hard?" + +The diver nodded. "Like cement! I reckon the pump won't move it." + +Lister understood the captain's frown. Sometimes the sand that enters a +sunken vessel solidifies, with the pressure of surf or tide, into a mass +that one can hardly dig out. This, however, was not all. + +"Starboard bunkers buried?" Brown resumed. "They were pretty full. When +she left Forcados she had a list to port, and they trimmed her by using +the coal on that side first. Well, it's awkward! I reckoned on getting +the fuel!" + +"There is some coal on the port side," said Lister. + +"If Cartwright's plan and notes are accurate, there's not enough to see +us out. The wrecking pump will burn a lot," Brown rejoined and turned to +the diver. "Did you see any sharks?" + +"One big fellow; he hung about as if he was curious and I didn't like +him near my air-pipe, but he left me alone. The pulps you meet in warm +seas are worse than sharks. When I was down at the Spanish boat, +crawling through the holes in her broken hull was nervous work. Once I +saw an arm as thick as mine waving in the dark, and started for the +ladder. We blew in that piece of her bilge with dynamite before I went +on board again. However, when I've cleared up a bit, I'll take Mr. +Lister down." + +The diver got into the boat and rowed to the tug, but the others stopped +in the shade of the awning. They had brought a spare diving dress, and +before they tried to lift the wreck Lister must find out if Cartwright's +supposition was correct, because if Cartwright had found the proper clew +the job would be easier. For all that, Lister frankly shrank from the +preparatory exercise. Diving in shark-haunted water had not much charm. + +In the morning they hauled the tug alongside the wreck and at low-water +rigged a derrick and opened the fore hatch. The palm kernels had rotted +and a horrible pulpy mass, swollen by fermentation, rose nearly to the +ledge. It was glutinous and too thick for the pump to lift, since the +water that filled the vessel drained away through the broken plates as +the tide sank. Brown, kneeling on the hatch-coaming, knitted his brows. + +"The stuff's water-borne, forced up by its buoyancy," he said. "We may +find it looser as we get down. In the meantime, suction's no use; we +have got to break it out by hand. Start your winch and we'll fill the +skip." + +Lister signaled a man on board the tug, the winch rattled, and a big +iron bucket, hanging by a wire rope, dropped into the hold. A gang of +men climbed across the ledge and began to cut the slimy mass with +spades. The surface heaved beneath them like a treacherous bog and the +smell was horrible. Now and then a spade made an opening for the gases +to escape and the nauseated men were driven back. For all that, they +filled the skip and the swinging derrick carried the load across the +deck and tilted it overboard. + +The heat was almost unbearable, the reflections from the oily swell and +wet deck hurt one's eyes, and Lister noted that the deck did not dry +until the sea breeze began to blow. The wind brought a faint coolness +and drove back the smell, but the men's efforts presently got slack. The +labor was exhausting and one must wear some clothes because the sun +burned one's skin. They held out until the rising water drove them from +the hatch and when they went back to the tug Brown looked thoughtful. + +"The men can't keep it up; the thing's impossible! A week like this +would knock out the lot," he said. "We must use native boys and I'm +going to get some." + +In the morning Lister took his first diving lesson, and when the big +copper helmet was screwed on and the air began to swell his canvas +clothes, he shrank from the experiment. The load of metal he carried was +crushing, he could hardly drag his weighted boots across the deck, and +at the top of the ladder he hesitated, watching the bubbles that marked +the spot where the diver had vanished. Then he remembered his promise to +Barbara and cautiously went down. + +The dazzling sunshine vanished, a wave of misty green closed above the +helmet glass, hot compressed air blew about his head, and his ear-drums +began to throb. Then lead and copper lost their weight; he felt buoyant +and clung to the steps. At the bottom he was for a few moments afraid to +let go, but an indistinct, monstrous object came out of the strange +green gloom and beckoned him on. Lister went, making an effort for +balance, because he now felt ridiculously light. Then the reflections +were puzzling, for the light came and went with the rise and fall of the +swell. Yet he could see and he followed the diver until they stopped +opposite the wreck's port bilge. Her side went up like a dark wall, +covered by waving weed. + +Lister's head ached and his breathing was labored, but not much pressure +was needed to keep out the shallow water and the diver had promised to +warn him when they had stayed long enough. He forced himself to examine +the plate the other indicated. _Arcturus_ was a butt-strapped vessel and +a number of the straps had burst. Plates were smashed and some of the +holes were large, but in places the iron was drilled and in others +patches had been bolted on. The salvage company had done part of this +work and he thought it possible to make the damage good. If they could +stop the remaining holes, the big pump ought to throw out the water; but +Cartwright had talked about another opening and this would be awkward to +reach. + +Signing the diver to go on, he followed him round the vessel's stern. +The sand on the other side was high and one could climb on board, but +Lister shrank from the dark alleyway that led to the engine-room. For +all that, he went in and saw the diver had opened the jambed door. When +he reached the ledge a flash from the other's electric lamp pierced the +gloom and he tried to forget his throbbing head and looked about. + +Sparkling bubbles from his and the diver's helmets floated straight up +to the skylights, along which they glided and vanished through a hole in +the glass. The water, moving gently with the pulse of the swell, broke +the beam of light and objects it touched were distorted and magnified. +The top of the big low-pressure cylinder looked gigantic, and the thick +columns appeared to bend. Long weed clung to the platforms, from which +iron ladders went down, but so far as Lister could distinguish, all +below was buried in sand. + +He had seen enough. To clear the engines would be a heavy task, and one +must work in semi-darkness amidst a maze of ladders, gratings, and +machinery. To keep signal-line and air-pipe free from entanglement +looked impossible, but perhaps when they had broken the surface the pump +would lift the sand. Anyhow, he was getting dizzy and his breath was +labored. + +He touched the diver and they went back along the alleyway and round the +vessel's stern. Lister was desperately anxious to reach the ladder and +it cost him an effort to use control. As he went up his dress got heavy +and he was conscious of his weighted boots. The pressure on his lungs +lessened, he was dazzled by a strong light, and feeling the edge of the +hulk's deck, he got his knee on her covering-board and lurched forward. +Somebody took off his helmet and lifted the weight from his chest. He +shut his eyes and for a few moments lay on the deck. + +"Well?" said Brown presently. "You reached the engine-room?" + +Lister nodded. "She's badly sanded up. It's plain we shan't get much +coal from the starboard bunkers until we can lift her to an even keel." + +"That will be long," Brown rejoined and pondered. "We must have coal," +he resumed. "If I can't find another plan, you must take the tug to +Sierra Leone and bring a load; but we'll let it go just now. The first +thing is to hire some negro laborers, and as soon as I can leave the +wreck I'll try again." + + + +CHAPTER IV + +MONTGOMERY'S OFFER + +High-water was near and a trail of smoke, creeping up along the coast, +streaked the shining sea. Brown watched the smoke until two masts and a +funnel rose out of the vapor and began to get distinct. Then he put down +his glasses and lighted his pipe. The steamer was making for the lagoon. + +He had not long since gone to the native town up the creek and returned +with a gang of laborers. So far, the negroes had worked well, but just +now he did not need them and they lay about in the shade, some wearing a +short waist-cloth and some a sheet of cotton that hung from their +shoulders. The tide had covered the wreck, but the big rotary pump was +running and, since the men had loosened the top of the cargo, it lifted +the slimy stuff. + +A plume of steam that looked faint and diaphanous in the strong light +blew away from the noisy machine. A large flexible pipe rose from the +submerged hold and another ran from the pump across the hulk's deck. +From the end of the pipe a thick, brown flood poured into the water and +stained the green lagoon as the flood tide carried it along. The clash +and rattle of the engine carried far, for the load was heavy and Lister +was using full steam. The boiler was large and the furnace burned more +coal than he had thought. Sometimes palm kernels that had not altogether +rotted jambed the fans, and he held the valve-wheel, trying to ease the +shocks, while the perspiration dripped from his blistered skin. When +Brown indicated the steamer he looked up. + +"She's coming in; I think I know the hooker," the captain remarked. +"Shallow-draught, coasting tank; goes anywhere she'll float for twenty +tons of freight. The skipper, no doubt, expects Montgomery's got a few +hogsheads of oil, and it's possible he'll sell us some coal. The +parcels-vanners are pretty keen to trade." + +"We want coal," said Lister and turned abruptly. + +The pump jarred and stopped, the swollen suction pipe shrank, and the +splash of the discharge died away. For some time Lister was occupied and +when he restarted the engine and looked about again the steamer was +steering for the hulk. She was a small vessel, going light, with much of +her rusty side above water. A big surf-boat hung, ready for lowering, at +her rail and a wooden awning covered her bridge-deck. When the throb of +her engines slackened two or three white men leaned over her bulwarks +and looked down at the hulk with languid curiosity. Their faces were +haggard and their poses slack. The stamp of the fever-coast was plain. + +The telegraph rang, the engines stopped, and a man on the bridge +shouted: "Good morning! You have taken on an awkward job!" + +His voice was hollow and strained, and by contrast Brown's sounded full +and hearty. + +"We're getting ahead all the same. Where are you for?" + +"_Sar_ Leone, after we call at Montgomery's." + +"Then you can fill your bunkers, and our coal's getting short. Can you +sell us some?" + +The other asked how much Brown wanted and how much he would pay. Then he +beckoned a man on the deck to come up, and turned to Brown again. + +"We might give you two or three surf-boat loads, but I'll see you when +we come back. We must get up the creek and moor her before the tide +ebbs." + +He seized the telegraph handle, the propeller began to turn, and when +the steamer forged ahead Brown looked thoughtful. + +"Perhaps I'd better take a trip up the creek in the evening. We want the +coal and I don't altogether trust Montgomery," he said. + +Lister agreed that it might be prudent for Brown to go, but he was +occupied by the pump and they said no more. To lift the cargo when the +water covered the wreck's hatches and loosened the pulpy mass was easier +and he must keep his engine running full speed. When they stopped he was +exhausted by the heat and the strain of watching and did not go with +Brown. + +The captain did not, as he had promised, come back in the morning, but +after a time a smoke-trail streaked the forest and the steamer moved out +on the lagoon. Lister sent a boy for the glasses, since he expected +Brown was on board, but so far as he could see, the captain was not. The +white wave at the bows indicated that the vessel was steaming fast and +it did not look as if she was going to stop. In order to reach the +channel across the bar, she must pass near the hulk, and Lister waved to +the captain. + +"What about the coal?" he shouted. + +The other leaned out from the rails and Lister, studying him with the +glasses, saw a small patch, like sticking plaster, on his forehead. The +side of his face was discolored, as if it were bruised, and frowning +savagely, he shook his fist. + +"You can go to _Sar_ Leone or the next hottest spot for your coal!" he +roared and began to storm. + +Lister had sometimes disputed with Western railroad hands and marine +firemen, but he thought the captain's remarks equaled the others' best +efforts. In fact, it was some relief when a lump of coal, thrown by a +sailor on the hulk, crashed upon the wooden awning, and for a moment the +savage skipper paused. For all that, Lister stopped the sailor, who was +going to throw another block. + +"Hold on! The stuff is valuable!" he said. + +The captain began again, but the steamer had forged ahead, and his voice +got fainter and was presently drowned by the beat of the screw. Lister +went back to the pump. The machine was running unevenly and sometimes +the powerful engine jarred. He meant to take it down, but so long as the +pump sucked up the kernels he durst not stop. Speed was important; they +must finish the job and get away before the heat and malaria wore them +out. In the meantime, he was disturbed about Brown, who ought to have +returned, and at sunset he started for the factory in the tug's second +boat. + +Dark came suddenly and when he landed a hot, clammy fog thickened the +gloom. Little fires the factory boys had lighted by ancient custom +twinkled in the haze and a yellow beam from the veranda windows touched +the towering cottonwoods, but all else was dark and the spot was somehow +forbidding. One felt the gloom was sinister. A few miles up the creek, +the naked bushmen served their savage gods with fantastic rites and the +Ju-Ju men and Ghost Leopards ruled the shadowy land. At the factory +white men got sick and died. + +Lister went up the steps, and entering the big room, saw Montgomery in a +Madeira chair. His face was wet by sweat, but although his thin form was +covered by a blanket he shook with ague. Brown occupied a rude couch, +made from two long boxes in which flintlock guns are shipped. He lay in +an ungainly pose, his head had fallen from a cushion, and his face was +dark with blood. His eyes were shut and he breathed with a snoring +noise. + +"What's the matter with the captain?" Lister asked, although he thought +he knew. + +"He's exhausted by his efforts and the worse for liquor," Montgomery +answered with a laugh. "On the whole, I think you had better let him +sleep. Perhaps you remarked that some of the glass is broken and two of +my chairs are smashed!" + +Lister had not remarked this, but he looked about and began to +understand. He had seen Brown throw a Spanish landlord out of a Grand +Canary wine shop. + +"Your captain arrived when the steamboat men were dining with me," +Montgomery resumed. "In this country we're a hospitable lot and it's the +custom to send West African factories a supply of liquor every three +months. Mine arrived not long since, and if you open the cupboard you'll +see how much is left. But there are cigarettes in the tin box; they +mildew unless they're canned. Make yourself a cocktail. I don't want to +get up and my boy's in the compound, playing a drum to keep off the +ghosts." + +Lister lighted a cigarette and listened. A monotonous, rhythmic throb +stole into the room, and he felt there was something about the noise +that jarred. + +"I'll cut out the cocktail. You're rather generous with your liquor," he +remarked dryly. "But how did the trouble Brown made begin?" + +"By a dispute about some coal." + +"Ah!" said Lister, who looked at Montgomery hard. + +He imagined the steamboat captain had meant to give them coal, since the +man had agreed with Brown about the price. In fact, it looked as if he +had been willing to do so, until he arrived at the factory. Then he +refused, and Brown, no doubt, got savage. + +Montgomery was not embarrassed and indicated the unconscious skipper. + +"If Cartwright's not losing his keenness, it's strange he sent out a man +like this, but perhaps he couldn't get a sober captain to go." + +"Brown has some talents. For example, he got the boys we wanted, +although you refused to help." + +"We must see if he can keep them!" Montgomery rejoined, with a meaning +smile. "In the meantime, it's not important. Are you making much +progress at the wreck?" + +Lister admitted that they were not getting on as fast as he had hoped, +and when Montgomery gave him a keen glance tried to brace himself. He +felt slack and his head ached. He had been getting slack recently, and +now, when he imagined he must be alert, to think was a bother. + +"You have not been long at the lagoon, but you're beginning to feel the +climate," the other remarked. "It's perhaps the unhealthiest spot on an +unhealthy coast, and a white man cannot work in the African sun. +However, you know why the salvage company threw up their contract. They +lost a number of their men and if you stay until the morning you can see +their graves. The rest of the gang had had enough and were too sick to +keep the pump running." + +"You are not encouraging," Lister observed. + +"I don't exaggerate. I know the country and the caution one must use, +but you see I'm ill." + +The thing was obvious. Montgomery's hollow face was wet by sweat, his +eyes were dull, and his hands shook. Lister saw he tried to be cool, but +thought him highly strung. + +"If you're wise, you'll give up your post and get away before fever +knocks you out," Montgomery resumed. "In fact, I think I can promise you +another berth. The house owns two or three factories and at one we are +going to start a big oil-launch running to a native market up river. +Then we have bought new machinery for breaking palm nuts and extracting +the kernels and have fixed a site for the building at a dry, sandy spot. +I don't claim the neighborhood's healthy, but it's healthier than this, +and we have inquired about an engineer. Would you like the post?" + +"I think not. I'm Cartwright's man. I've taken his pay." + +Montgomery smiled ironically. "Let's be frank! I expect you want to +force me to make a high bid. You don't know the African coast yet, but +you're not a fool and are beginning to understand the job you have +undertaken. You can't float the wreck; the fellow Cartwright sent to +help you is a drunken brute, and I have grounds for thinking Cartwright, +himself, will soon go broke. Well, we need an engineer and I'll admit we +have not found good men keen about applying. If you can run the launch +and palm-nut plant, we'll give you two hundred pounds bonus for breaking +your engagement, besides better wages than Cartwright pays." + +Lister knitted his brows and lighted a fresh cigarette. He was not +tempted, but he wanted to think and his brain was dull. To begin with, +he wondered whether Montgomery did not think him something of a fool, +because it was plain the fellow had grounds for offering a bribe. His +doing so indicated that he did not want the wreck floated. Anyhow, +Montgomery had imagined he would not hesitate to break his engagement +for two hundred pounds. He must be cautious and control his anger. + +"On the whole, it wouldn't pay me to turn down Cartwright's job," he +said. "Two hundred pounds is not a very big wad, and if we can take the +boat home I reckon the salvage people would give me a good post. I must +wait until I'm satisfied the thing's impossible." + +"When you are satisfied I'll have no object for engaging you. We want an +engineer now," Montgomery replied. + +"Well," said Lister, "I reckon that is so." He paused, and thinking he +saw where the other led, resolved to make an experiment. "All the same, +since you are willing to buy me off, it looks as if we had a fighting +chance to make good. Then, if I am forced to quit, I rather think you'd +pay me something not to talk. For example, if I put Cartwright wise--" + +Montgomery gave him a scornful smile. "You're keener than I thought, but +you can't tell Cartwright much he doesn't believe he knows. I'll risk +your talking to somebody else." + +"Oh, well," said Lister, "I guess we'll let it go. In the meantime, I'll +get off and take the captain along. I allow you have fixed him pretty +good but he put his mark on the steamboat man and your furniture." + +He called the sailors, and finding the two who had brought Brown to the +factory, carried him downstairs and put him on board the boat. The +captain snored heavily and did not awake. When they pushed off, and with +the other boat in tow drifted down the creek, Lister pondered. + +He did not know if he had well played his part, but he had not wanted +Montgomery to think his staunchness to his employer must be reckoned on; +he would sooner the fellow thought him something of a fool. When +Montgomery offered the bribe he probably knew he was rash; his doing so +indicated that he was willing to run some risk, and this implied that +Cartwright's supposition about the wreck was justified. Montgomery was +obviously resolved she should not be floated and might be a troublesome +antagonist. For example, he had stopped their getting coal and Lister +was persuaded he had made Brown drunk. If the control the captain had so +far used broke down, it would be awkward, since Montgomery would no +doubt supply him with liquor. + +It was plain the fellow meant to bother them as much as possible, but +since he had not owned the wrecked steamer his object was hard to see. +In the meantime, Lister let it go and concentrated on steering the boat +past the mud banks in the creek. + + + +CHAPTER V + +MONTGOMERY USES HIS POWER + +Some time after Lister went to the factory he woke one night from +disturbed sleep. His small room under _Terrier's_ bridge was very hot +and the door and port were open. A faint draught blew in and the +mosquito curtain moved about his bed. The tug rolled languidly and the +water splashed against her side. Farther off the gentle swell broke with +a dull murmur across the wreck. + +This was all, but Lister was persuaded he had, when half awake, heard +something else. At dusk a drum had begun to beat across the lagoon and +the faint monotonous noise had jarred. It was typically African; the +negroes used drums for signaling, although white men had not found out +their code. Lister had come to hate all that belonged to the fever +coast. + +The drum, however, was not beating now, and he rather thought he had +heard the splash of a canoe paddle. There was no obvious reason this +should bother him, but he was bothered and after a few minutes got up +and put on a thin jacket. On deck it was very hot and he felt the warmth +of the iron plates through his slippers. In West Africa one puts on +slippers as soon as one gets out of bed, for fear of the jigger insect +that bores into one's foot. A gentle land breeze blew across the lagoon +and the air was hot and damp like steam. Lister smelt river mud and +aromatic forest. + +There was no moon, but he saw the dark hull rise and fall, and the flash +of phosphorescent foam where the swell washed across the deck. In the +distance, the surf rumbled and now and then there was a peal of thunder. +Lister wondered why he had left his berth. He was tired and needed +sleep, for he had been occupied all day at the pump, which was not +running well. Recently he had been conscious of a nervous strain and +things that were not important annoyed him; then he often woke at night, +feeling that some danger threatened. + +Walking along the deck he found a white sailor sitting on the windlass +drum. The man did not move until Lister touched his arm. + +"Did you hear something not very long since, Watson?" + +"No, sir," said the other with a start. "Now and then a fish splashed +and she got her cable across the stem. Links rattled. That was all." + +Lister thought the man had slept, but it was not important, since there +was no obvious necessity for keeping anchor watch. + +"Did you hear something, sir?" the other inquired. + +"I don't know. I imagine I did!" + +The sailor laughed, as if he understood. "A queer country; I've been +here before! Beautiful, bits of it; shining surf, yellow sands, and +palms, but it plays some funny tricks with white men. About half of them +at the factories get addled brains if they stay long. Believe in things +the bushmen believe, ghosts and magic, and such. Perhaps it's the +climate, but on this coast you get fancies you get nowhere else. I'd +sooner take look-out on the fo'cas'le in a North Sea gale than keep +anchor watch in an African calm." + +Lister nodded. He thought the man felt lonely and wanted to talk and he +sympathized. There was something insidious and daunting about the +African coast. He walked round the deck and then returning to his room +presently went to sleep. + +At daybreak he heard angry voices and going out found Brown storming +about the deck. Two white sailors had come back in the boat from the +hulk, with the news that the negroes berthed on board her had vanished +in the night, except for three or four whom the sailors had brought to +the tug. When Brown got cooler he went up to the men who squatted +tranquilly on the hatch. They were big muscular fellows and wore, +instead of the usual piece of cotton, ragged duck clothes. + +"Where's the rest of the gang?" Brown asked. + +"No savvy, sah," said one. "Some fella put them t'ing Ju-Ju on him and +he lib for bush." + +"What's a Ju-Ju?" Lister inquired. + +"Hocus-pocus, magic of a sort," the captain growled. "When a white man +knows much about Ju-Ju his proper place is an asylum." He turned to the +boys. "How did them other fellows go?" + +"No savvy, sah. We done hear not'ing." + +"I expect they were afraid to meddle," Brown remarked, and resumed: "Why +did you lib for stop?" + +"We Accra boy; white man's boy. Them bushman him d--n fool too much. Run +in bush like monkey, without him clo'es." + +Brown knitted his brows and then made a sign of resignation. "I reckon +it's all we'll know! Well, the tide's falling and we must shift for some +kernels before the sun is hot. Better start your pump." + +The pump was soon at work, and Lister, watching the engine, mused. He +wondered how much the Accra boys knew, or if it was possible the others +had stolen away without waking them. Watson, the look-out, had heard +nothing, and Lister remembered Brown's remarks about the Ju-Ju and +thought the boys did know something but were afraid to tell. Watson had +said the country was queer, and if he meant fantastic, Lister agreed. +There was something about it that re-acted strangely on one's +imagination. In the North American wilds, one was, so to speak, a +materialist and conquered savage Nature by using well-known rules. In +Africa one did not know the rules and felt the power of the +supernatural. It looked as if there was a mysterious, malignant force. +But the pump was running badly and Lister saw he must not philosophize. + +When the sun got hot he stopped for breakfast and afterwards he and +Brown smoked for a few minutes under the awning. + +"I'm bothered about the boys' going," the captain declared. "There's not +much doubt Montgomery got somebody to put Ju-Ju on them; bribed a +magician to frighten them by a trick. Since they're a superstitious lot, +I reckon we can't hire another gang in this neighborhood. However, now +he's stopped our coal, you'll have to go to _Sar_ Leone, and may pick up +some British Kroos about the port." + +"Then I'd better go soon," said Lister. "The braces I bolted on the pump +won't hold long; she rocks and strains the shaft when she's running +hard. I must get a proper casting made at a foundry. Besides, the engine +crosshead's worn and jumps about. I must try to find a forge and +machine-shop." + +"They've got something of the kind at _Sar_ Leone; I don't know about a +foundry," Brown replied. "Take Learmont to navigate, and start when you +like. We'll shift the hulk to leeward of the wreck and she ought to ride +out a south-east breeze." + +Lister sailed a few days afterwards, and reaching Sierra Leone found +nobody could make the articles he required. For all that, they must be +got, and he resolved to push on for Grand Canary. The distance was long, +he had not men enough for an ocean voyage, and would be lucky if he got +back to the lagoon in three or four weeks, but if he could not mend the +pump, the salvage work must stop. Lister knew when to run a risk was +justified. + +After he passed the Gambier, wind and sea were ahead, his crew was +short, and he was hard pressed to keep the engine going and watch the +furnaces. He slept when he could, in snatches, with his clothes on, and +now and then used an exhausted fireman's shovel On the steamy African +coast the labor and watchfulness would have worn him out, but the cool +Trade breeze was bracing. Although he was thin, and got thinner, the +lassitude he had felt at the lagoon vanished, and the fatigue he fought +against was not the fatigue that kills. + +In the meantime, _Terrier_ pushed stubbornly north across the long, +foam-tipped seas that broke in clouds of spray against her thrusting +bows. She was swept by the sparkling showers, but the showers were warm, +and the combers were not often steep enough to flood her deck. For all +that, their impact slowed her speed. She must be driven through their +tumbling crests, full steam was needed to overcome the shock, and the +worn-out men moved down coal from the stack on deck to feed the hungry +fires. + +Lister's eyes ached from the glare of smoky lamps that threw puzzling +lights about the machinery. After long balancing on slanted platforms, +his back and legs were sore; his brows were knit in a steady frown, and +his mouth was always firm. When the strain was over, he sometimes +wondered what he thought about in the long, exhausting watches, but +remembered nothing except his obstinate concentration on his task. The +strange thing was, he did not think much about Barbara, although he was +vaguely conscious that, for her sake, he must hold out. He meant to hold +out. Perhaps his talents were not numerous, but he could handle engines, +and when it was necessary he could keep awake. + +At length, Learmont called him one morning to the bridge, and he leaned +slackly against the rails. His eyes were dull, and for some hours he had +breathed the fumes of burning tallow. A slide had given him trouble; he +could keep the metal cool. On the bridge, however, the air was keen and +sweet, and he felt the contrast. _Terrier_ plunged and threw the spray +about, but the seas were short, as if something ahead broke the wind. By +and by Learmont indicated a lofty bank of mist. + +"Teneriffe!" he said. "I was half-asleep when I took the sun, but my +reckoning was not very far out." + +Lister looked up. In the distance a sharp white cone, rising from fleecy +vapor, cut the sky, and Lister, with dull satisfaction, knew the famous +peak. Nearer the tug was another bank of mist, that looked strangely +solid but ragged, as if it were wrapped about something with a broken +outline. Some minutes afterwards a high, dark object like a +mountain-top, loomed in the haze. + +"Grand Canary!" Learmont remarked. "The range behind Las Palmas town. I +expect the smudge ahead is the Isleta hill." + +"We've made it!" Lister said hoarsely, and braced himself. Now the +strain was gone, he felt very slack. + +The sun rose out of the water, the mist began to melt, and rolling back, +uncovered a line of surf and a belt of rough hillside. Then volcanic +cliffs, a sandy isthmus, and a cluster of masts and funnels got +distinct, and Lister fixed the glasses on a white stripe across a cinder +hill. His hand shook, but he steadied the glasses and saw the stripe was +a row of huge letters. + +"... _ary Engineering Co_ ..." he read. + +His heart beat when he went below. Luck had given him a hard job, but he +had put it across. Soon after _Terrier_ arrived he went to the +engineering company's office and the manager looked at him curiously. +Then he gave Lister some wine and, after studying his drawings and +patterns, said he could make the things required. Lister drove to the +town, and going to a Spanish barber's, started when he saw his +reflection in a glass. He had not shaved for long, and fresh water was +scarce on board the tug. His face was haggard, the engine grime had got +into his skin, and his eyes were red. He was forced to wait, and while +the barber attended to other customers, he fell asleep in his chair. +When he left the shop he went to a hotel and slept for twelve hours. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +LISTER MEETS AN OLD ANTAGONIST + +The hotel Catalina, half-way between Las Palmas harbor and the town, was +not crowded, and a number of the quests had gone to a ball at the +neighboring Metropole. Barbara, going out some time after dinner, found +the veranda unoccupied and sat down. Mrs. Cartwright was getting better +and did not need her, and Barbara was satisfied to be alone. Her +thoughts were disturbing, and trying to banish them for a few minutes, +she looked about. + +The veranda was long, and the lights from the hotel threw the shadow of +the wooden pillars across the dusty grass. Barbara's figure was outlined +in a dark silhouette. She did not wear a hat and, since the night was +warm, had put nothing over her thin dinner dress. She looked slender and +very young. + +A strip of parched garden, where a few dusty palms grew, ran down to the +road, across which the square block of the Metropole cut the shining +sea. Steamers' lights swung gently against the dark background of the +Isleta hill. Beyond the Metropole a white belt of surf ran back to the +cluster of lights at the foot of the mountain that marked Las Palmas. +One heard the languid rollers break upon the beach and the measured +crash of surges on the reefs across the isthmus. Sometimes, when the +throb of the surf sank, music came from the Metropole. A distant rattle +indicated a steam-tram going to the port. + +The long line across the harbor was the mole, and Barbara had thought +the small steamer, lying near its end, like _Terrier_. There was nothing +in the soft blue dark behind the mole until one came to the African +coast. Then Barbara firmly turned her glance. In a sense, she had sent +Lister to Africa, but she was not going to think about him yet. She must +not think about him until she had weighed something else. + +A few hours since she had got a jar. Walking in the town she saw a man +whose figure and step she thought she knew. He was some distance off, +and she entered a shop and bought a Spanish fan she did not want. +Perhaps her disturbance was ridiculous, but the man was very like +Shillito, and their meeting at the busy port was not impossible. Las +Palmas was something like an important railway junction. Numerous +steamers called, and passengers from all quarters, particularly South +America and the West Indies, changed boats. Then Barbara understood that +a fugitive from justice was safer in South and Central America than +anywhere else. She wondered with keen anxiety whether the man had seen +her. + +She knew now she had not loved Shillito. He had cunningly worked upon +her ignorance, discontent, and longing for romance. Illumination had +come on board the train, but although she had found him out and escaped, +she had afterwards felt herself humiliated and set apart from happy +girls who had nothing to hide. The humiliation was not altogether +earned, and the people who knew about her adventure were not numerous, +but they were all the people for whom she cared. When she thought about +it, she hated Louis Shillito. + +The steam-tram stopped at the Metropole and went on to the port, +trailing a cloud of dust. When the rattle it made began to die away, +Barbara roused herself with a start from her moody thoughts. A man was +coming up the path, and when he reached the steps she shrank back +against the wall. The light from the hotel touched his face and she saw +it was Shillito. + +Anger conquered her shrinking, for Barbara had pluck and her temper was +hot. When Shillito, lifting his hat, advanced, she got up and stood by a +pillar. Her skin had gone very white, but her eyes sparkled and her +hands were clenched. Shillito bowed and smiled. + +"It looks as if I was lucky!" he remarked, and Barbara imagined his not +finding Mrs. Cartwright about accounted for his satisfaction. + +"I suppose you saw me in the _calle mayor_?" she said. + +He nodded. "You went into a shop. Your object was pretty obvious. I +allow it hurt." + +Barbara gave him a scornful glance. "The statement's ridiculous! Do you +imagine you can cheat me now, as you cheated me in Canada?" + +"In one way, I did not cheat you. When I said I loved you, I was +honest." + +"I doubt it! All was dishonest from the beginning. You taught me deceit +and made me ashamed for my shabbiness. For your sake I tricked people +who loved and trusted me; but to you I was rashly sincere. I trusted you +and was willing to give up much in order to marry you." + +"You mean you thought you were willing, until you knew the cost?" +Shillito rejoined. "Then you saw you couldn't make good and resolved to +turn me down." + +The blood came to Barbara's skin, but she fronted him steadily. + +"I had _found you out_. Had you been something of the man I thought, I +might have gone with you and helped to baffle the police; but you were +not. You were very dull and played a stupid part. When you thought you +had won and I was in your power, I knew you for a brute." + +Shillito colored, but forced a smile. "Perhaps I was dull; I was +desperate. You had kept me hanging round the summer camp when I knew the +police were on my track; and I had been put wise they might hold up the +train. A man hitting the trail for liberty doesn't use the manners of a +highbrow carpet-knight. I reckoned you were human and your blood was +red." + +"Ah," said Barbara, "I was very human! Although I was afraid, I felt all +the passion hate can rouse. You declared I must stay with you, because I +durst not go back; I had broken rules and my fastidious relations would +have no more to do with me. Something like that! In a sense, it wasn't +true; but you said it with brutal coarseness. When I struck you I meant +to hurt; I looked for something that would hurt--" + +She stopped and struggled for calm. To indulge her anger was some +relief, but she felt the man was dangerous and she must be cool. There +was not much use in leaving him and going to her mother, because he +would, no doubt, follow and disturb Mrs. Cartwright. It was unlucky her +step-father had not arrived; he was coming out, but his boat was not +expected for a day or two. + +"Oh, well," said Shillito, "let's talk about something else. I didn't +calculate to meet you at Las Palmas, but when I saw you in the _calle_, +I hoped you might, after all, be kind for old times' sake. However, it's +obvious you have no use for me, and if you are willing to make it +easier, I'll pull out and leave you alone." + +Barbara gave him a keen glance. She had known he wanted something. + +"How can I make it easier for you to go?" + +"You don't see? Well, I've had some adventures since you left me on +board the train. I had money, but I'd waited too long to negotiate some +of the bonds and my partner robbed me. I made San Francisco and found +nothing doing there. Went down the coast to Chile and got fixed for a +time at a casino, in which I invested the most part of my wad. One night +a Chileno pulled his knife on another who cleaned him out, and when the +police got busy the casino shut down. I pushed across for Argentina, but +my luck wasn't good, and I made Las Palmas not long since on board an +Italian boat. On the whole, I like the dagos, and reckoned I might try +Cuba, or perhaps the Philippines--" + +"A Lopez boat sails for Havana in two or three days," Barbara +interrupted. + +"That is so," Shillito agreed, smiling because he noted her relief. "The +trouble is, I haven't much money. Five hundred pounds would help me +along." + +"You thought I would give you five hundred pounds?" + +"Sure," said Shillito, coolly. "You're rich; anyhow, Mrs. Cartwright is +rich, and I reckoned you would see my staying about the town has +drawbacks. For one thing, the English tourists are a gossiping lot. It +ought to pay you and your mother to help me get off." + +Barbara tried to think. The drawbacks Shillito indicated were plain, and +as long as he stayed at Las Palmas she would know no ease of mind, but +she had not five hundred pounds, and Mrs. Cartwright must not be +disturbed. Moreover, one could not trust the fellow. He might take the +money and then use his power again. He had power to humiliate her, but +unless she was willing to meet all his claims, she must resist some +time. + +"I imagine you put your importance too high," she said. "You can stay, +if you like. I certainly will not bribe you to go away." + +He studied her for a few moments; Barbara looked resolute, but he +thought her resolution forced. + +"Very well! Since I can't start for Cuba without money, I must find an +occupation at Las Palmas, and I have a plan. You see, I know some +Spanish and something about running a gambling joint. The people here +are sports, and one or two are willing to put up the money to start a +club that ought to attract the English tourists. If I found the thing +didn't pay before you went back, I could quit and get after you." + +"I think not," said Barbara, desperately. "If you came to England, a +cablegram to the Canadian police--" + +Shillito laughed. "You wouldn't send a cablegram! If I was caught I +could tell a romantic story about the girl who helped me get off. No; +I'm not going to bother about your putting the police on my trail!" + +He turned his head and Barbara clenched her hand, for a rattle of wheels +in the road broke off, as if a _tartana_ had stopped at the gate. If the +passengers from the vehicle were coming to the hotel she must get rid of +Shillito before they arrived. + +"You waste your arguments," she declared. "I will not give you money. If +you come back, I will tell the _mayordomo_ you are annoying me and he +must not let you in." + +"The plan's not very clever," Shillito rejoined. "If I made trouble for +the hotel porters, the guests would wonder, and when people have nothing +to do but loaf, they like to talk. I expect you'd find their curiosity +awkward--" He paused and laughed when he resumed: "You're embarrassed +now because somebody will see us!" + +Barbara was embarrassed. A man was coming up the path, and she knew her +figure and Shillito's cut against the light. When the stranger reached +the veranda he would see she was disturbed; but to move back into the +gloom, where Shillito would follow her, would be significant. She +thought he meant to excite the other's curiosity. + +The man stopped for a moment at the bottom of the steps and Barbara +turned her head, since she imagined he would think she was quarreling +with her lover. Then he ran up the steps, and when he stopped in front +of Shillito her heart beat fast. It was Lister, and she knew he had +remarked her strained look, for his face was very stern. + +"Hallo!" he said. "Are you bothering Miss Hyslop again?" He glanced at +Barbara. "I expect the fellow is bothering you?" + +For a moment Barbara hesitated, but she had borne a heavy strain and her +control was going. Besides, one could trust Lister and he knew ... She +signed agreement and he touched Shillito. + +"Get off the veranda!" + +Shillito did not move. His pose was tense and he looked malevolent. + +"You won't help Miss Hyslop by butting in like a clumsy fool. The +thing's too delicate for you to meddle--" + +"Get off the veranda!" Lister shouted, and threw Shillito back. + +He was highly strung, and worn by want of sleep and exhausting labor, +but he had some notion of all Barbara had borne on Shillito's account. +Although perhaps caution and tact were indicated, he was going to use +force. When Shillito struck him he seized the fellow, and rocking in a +savage grapple, they fell with a crash against the rails. Lister felt +the other's hand at his throat, and straining back, jerked his head away +while he tried to lift his antagonist off the ground. He pulled him from +the rails and they reeled across the veranda and struck the wall. + +A neighboring window rattled with the shock, the heavy tramp of their +feet shook the boards, and Barbara knew the noise would soon bring a +group of curious servants to the door; besides, all the guests had not +gone to the Metropole. Yet she could not meddle. The men's passions were +unloosed; they fought like savage animals, driven by an instinctive fury +that would not vanish until one was beaten. She looked on, trembling and +helpless, while they wrestled, with swaying bodies and hands that felt +for a firmer hold. Her face was very white and she got her breath in +painful gasps. There was something horribly primitive about the +struggle, but it fascinated. + +In the meantime, Lister was conscious that he had been rash. Shillito +was muscular and fresh, but he was tired. It was plain he could not keep +it up for long. Moreover, unless the fight soon ended, people would come +to see what the disturbance was about. This would be awkward for +Barbara; he wanted to tell her to go away, but could not. He was +breathless and Shillito was trying to choke him. + +Afterwards he knew he was lucky. They had got near the steps and he +threw Shillito against the post at the top. The jar shook the other, his +grasp got slack, and Lister saw that for a moment the advantage was his. +Using a desperate effort he pushed his antagonist back and struck him a +smashing blow. Shillito vanished and a crash in the gloom indicated that +he had fallen on an aloe in a tub by the path. Lister leaned against the +rail and laughed, because he knew aloe spikes are sharp. + +Then he heard steps and voices in the hotel, and turned to Barbara. His +face was cut, his hat was gone, and his white jacket was torn. He looked +strangely savage and disheveled, but Barbara went to him and her eyes +shone. Lister stopped her. + +"Don't know if I've helped much, but you must get off!" he gasped. +"People are coming. Go in by another door!" + +He turned and plunged down the stairs, and Barbara, seeing that Shillito +had vanished, ran along the veranda. A few moments afterwards she stood +by the window of her room and saw a group of curious servants and one or +two tourists in the path at the bottom of the steps. It looked as if +they were puzzled, and the _mayordomo_ gravely examined Lister's +battered hat. + +Barbara went from the window and sat down. She was horribly overstrained +and wanted to cry, but she began to laugh, and for some minutes could +not stop. She must get relief from the tension and, after all, in a +sense, the thing was humorous. + + + +CHAPTER VII + +BARBARA'S REFUSAL + +In the morning Barbara went to the Catalina mole. The short lava pier +was not far off, and one got the breeze, although the hotel garden was +hot. Besides, she did not want to meet people and talk about the strange +disturbance on the veranda. On the whole, she thought nobody imagined +she could satisfy the general curiosity. Finding a block of lava in the +shade, she sat down and looked about. + +A boat crossed the harbor mouth, swinging up on the smooth swell and +vanishing when the undulations rolled by. A tug towed a row of barges to +an anchored steamer, and the rattle of winches came down the wind. In +the background, clouds of dust blew about the coaling wharfs, and a +string of flags fluttered from the staff on the Isleta hill. Barbara +beckoned a port-guard and inquired what the signal meant. + +The Spaniard said an African mail-boat from England was coming in, and +Barbara was conscious of some relief. Cartwright was on board and would +arrive sooner than she had thought; the boat had obviously not called at +Madeira, the time-bills stated. Cartwright would know how to deal with +Shillito if he bothered her again. In the meantime she mused about +Lister. She had thrilled when he ran up the steps at the hotel, but, in +a sense, his arrival just then was awkward. + +She turned her head, for the sunshine on the water dazzled her eyes, and +the port was not attractive. The limekilns, coal-wharfs, and shabby lava +houses had for a background volcanic rocks, bare cinder slopes and +tossing dust. Besides, she wanted to think. She would see Lister soon; +she wanted to see him, but she shrank. For one thing, the line she ought +to take was hard. + +By and by she heard a rattle of oars thrown on board a boat behind the +neighboring wall; somebody shouted, and Lister came up. His white +clothes were clean but crumpled, and Barbara smiled when she saw his hat +was new. Crossing the lava pavement, he stopped opposite her and she +noted a piece of sticking-plaster on his cheek. + +"May I join you for a few minutes?" he asked. + +"Of course," she said graciously. + +Lister sat down. The sailors had gone off, and except for an officer of +the _Commandancia_, nobody was about. + +"I was going to the hotel to look for you. For one thing, I reckoned I +ought to apologize. When I came into the veranda and saw Shillito--" + +"I think you stopped for a moment at the bottom of the steps!" Barbara +remarked. + +He colored, but gave her a steady look. "That is so. I admit the thing's +ridiculous; but at first I felt I'd better pull out. Then I noted +something about your pose; you looked angry." + +"Ah," said Barbara. "It was a relief to see I was angry? You were +satisfied then?" + +"I was really satisfied before. It was impossible you should engage a +brute like that in friendly talk. Anyhow, I took the wrong line and +might have made things awkward. In fact, the situation needed a lighter +touch than mine. All the same, when I saw the fellow was bullying you--" + +"You butted in?" Barbara suggested, smiling, although her heart beat. + +"Like a bull moose," said Lister with a frown. "I ought to have kept +cool, used caution, and frozen him off by a few short arguments. You can +picture Cartwright's putting across the job! After all, however, I don't +know the arguments I could have used, and I remembered how the fellow +had injured you--" + +He saw Barbara's color rise, and stopped for a moment. It looked as if +he had not used much caution now. + +"Since I thought you in Africa, I don't understand how you arrived," she +began. + +"The thing's not very strange," said Lister. "I saw your name in a +visitors' list and meant to ask for you in the morning. Then I ran up +against Shillito, who didn't know me, and when he got on board the steam +tram, I hired a _tartana_. Thought he might mean trouble and I'd better +come along--" + +"Well," he resumed, "I'm sorry I handled the job clumsily, since I might +have hurt you worse; but I hated the fellow on my own account and saw +red. Perhaps it was lucky I was able to throw him down the steps, +because I expect neither of us meant to quit until the other was knocked +out." He paused and added, with a laugh: "Now I'm cool, I think the +chances were I got knocked out. Last time we met he threw me off the +car; I reckon my luck has turned!" + +Barbara studied him and was moved by pity and some other emotions. He +was very thin and his face was pinched. He looked as if he were +exhausted by the work she had sent him to do. Barbara admitted that she +had sent him. Before Cartwright planned the salvage undertaking she had +declared he would find Lister the man for an awkward job. + +"You ran some risk for my sake, and I must acknowledge a fresh debt," +she said. "I would sooner be your debtor than another's, but sometimes +I'm embarrassed. You see, I owe you so much." + +"You have paid all by letting me know you," Lister declared. + +She was quiet for a few moments, and then asked: "Are you making much +progress at the wreck?" + +"Our progress is slow, but we are getting there," Lister replied, and +seeing her interest, narrated his and Brown's struggles, and his long +voyage with a short crew on board the tug. + +The story was moving and Barbara's eyes sparkled. Lister had borne much +and done all that flesh and blood could do. He was the man she had +thought, and she knew it was for her sake that he had labored. + +"It's a splendid fight!" she said. + +"We haven't won yet," he replied, and was quiet for a few moments. Then +his look got very resolute and he went on: "All the same, if the thing +is anyhow possible, I'm going to win. You see, I've got to win! When +Cartwright engaged me I was engineer on board a cattle boat; a man of no +importance, without friends or money, and with no particular chance of +making good. Now I've got my chance. If we put across the job a big +salvage company turned down, I'll make my mark. Somebody will give me a +good post; I'll have got my foot on the ladder that leads to the top." + +"I wish you luck," said Barbara. "I expect you will get near the top." + +"If you are willing, you can help." + +"Ah," said Barbara, with forced quietness, "I think not--" + +He stopped her. "I didn't expect to find you willing. My business is to +persuade you, and I mean to try. Well, I wasn't boasting, and my +drawbacks are plain, but if I make good in Africa, some will be cut out +and you can help me remove the others. I've long wanted you, and now my +luck's turning. I was going to Catalina to tell you so. If Brown and I +float _Arcturus_, will you marry me?" + +Barbara's color came and went, but she said quietly: "When you came to +the hotel in the evening you met Shillito!" + +"I did," said Lister, with incautious passion. "If I had killed the +brute I'd have been justified! However, I threw him on to the aloe tub +and ran off. The thing was grotesquely humorous. A boy's fool trick!" + +"You ran off for my sake," said Barbara. "I liked you for it. I like you +for many things, but I will not marry you." + +He saw she was resolute. Her mouth was firm and her hand was tightly +closed. He thought he knew the grounds for her refusal, and his heart +sank. Barbara was stubborn and very proud. Moreover, the situation was +awkward, but the awkwardness must be fronted. + +"Let's be frank; perhaps you owe me this," he urged. "Since you allow +you do like me, what's to stop our marrying?" + +"For one thing, my adventure in Canada," she replied and turned her +head. + +Lister put his hand on her arm and forced her to look up. "Now you're +clean ridiculous! Shillito cheated you; he's a plausible wastrel, but +you found him out. It doesn't count at all! Besides, nobody but your +relations know." + +"You know," said Barbara, and, getting up started along the mole. + +Lister tried to brace himself, for he saw she could not be moved. Yet +there was something to be said. + +"You are the girl I mean to marry," he declared. "Some day, perhaps, +you'll see you're indulging a blamed extravagant illusion and I'm going +to wait. When you're logical I'll try again." + +Barbara forced a smile. "Sometimes I am logical; I feel I'm logical now. +But I have left my mother alone rather long and you must let me go." + +Lister went with her to the road and got on a tram going to the town. He +was hurt and angry, but not altogether daunted. Barbara's ridiculous +pride might break and she was worth waiting for. When he returned on +board, a small African liner had anchored not far off, and while he +watched the boats that swarmed about the ship, one left the others and +came towards the tug. The Spanish crew were pulling hard and a passenger +occupied the stern. Learmont, lounging near, turned his glasses on the +boat. + +"I'm not sorry you are boss," he said. "The Old Man is coming!" + +A few minutes afterwards Cartwright got over the tug's rail. His face +was red, and he looked very stern. + +"Why have you left the wreck?" he asked Lister. + +"I came for some castings I couldn't get at Sierra Leone. The pump and +engine needed mending." + +"Then where's Brown?" + +"He's busy at the lagoon, sir. There's enough to keep him occupied, +unless the pump plays out before I get back." + +Cartwright looked relieved, but asked meaningly: "Did you know Mrs. +Cartwright and Miss Hyslop were at Las Palmas?" + +"I did not know until yesterday evening, twenty-four hours after I +arrived; but we'll talk about this again. I expect you want to know how +we are getting on at the wreck?" + +Cartwright nodded. "I think my curiosity is natural! Let's get out of +the sun, and if you have liquor on board, order me a drink. When the +mail-boat steamed round the mole and I saw _Terrier_, I got a nasty +jolt." + +Lister took him to the captain's room and gave him some sour red Canary +wine. Cartwright drained his glass and looked up with an ironical smile. + +"If you use stuff like this. Brown ought not to be tempted much! +However, you can tell me what you have done at the lagoon, and the +difficulties you have met. You needn't bother to smooth down Brown's +extravagances, I knew the captain before I knew you." + +Lister told his story, and when he stopped Cartwright filled his glass, +raised it to his lips and put it back with a frown. + +"Send somebody along the mole to Garcia's shop for two or three bottles +of his Amontillado and white Muscatel. Charge the stuff to ship's +victualing. When you got Brown out of the factory, did you think it +possible he had a private stock of liquor?" + +"I'm satisfied he had not. Montgomery gave him the liquor, and I imagine +meant to give him too, much." + +"It looks like that," Cartwright agreed. "If we take something I suspect +for granted, Montgomery's opposition would be logical. I imagine you +know part of the cargo was worth much? Expensive stuff in small bulk, +you see!" + +"I have studied the cargo-lists and plans of the holds, sir." + +Cartwright nodded. "We'll find out presently if my notion how the boat +was lost is accurate," The cargo's another thing. There may have been +conspiracy between merchant and ship-owner; I don't know yet, but if it +was conspiracy, this would account for much. Some of the gum shipped was +very costly, and African alluvial gold, washed by the negroes, has been +found mixed with brass filings." + +"Montgomery frankly stated his father loaded the vessel." + +"His frankness may have been calculated," Cartwright rejoined and +knitted his brows. "Yet I'll admit the young fellow's name is good at +Liverpool, and all he sells is up to sample. His father was another +sort, but he died, and the house is now well run. However, in the +meantime we'll let it go." + +He looked up, for a fireman, carrying a basket, came in. Cartwright took +the basket and opened a bottle of white wine. + +"Take some of this," he said. "I understand you have seen Mrs. +Cartwright?" + +"Not yet, sir," said Lister, quietly. "I met Miss Hyslop soon before +your boat arrived. Perhaps I ought to tell you I asked her if she would +marry me if we floated the wreck." + +"Ah!" said Cartwright. "But why did you add the stipulation?" + +"It ought to be obvious. If we put the undertaking over, I expect to get +a post that will enable me to support a wife, although she might be +forced to go without things I'd like to give her." + +"I see!" said Cartwright, with some dryness. "Well, I don't know if +Barbara is extravagant, but she has not used much economy. Was she +willing to take the plunge?" + +"She was not, sir." + +"Then I suppose she stated her grounds for refusing?" + +"That is so," said Lister. "Perhaps Miss Hyslop will tell you what they +are. I will not." + +Cartwright looked at him hard. "All the same, I imagine you did not +agree?" + +"I did not agree. If I make good at the wreck, I will try again." + +"Barbara is pretty obstinate," Cartwright remarked with a smile, and +then filled Lister's glass. "I must go; but come to the hotel in the +morning. We must talk about the salvage plans." + +He went off, but when the boat crossed the harbor he looked back at the +tug with twinkling eyes. Lister was honest and had not asked Barbara to +marry him until he saw some chance of his supporting a wife. Since +Barbara was rich, the thing was amusing. All the same, it was possible +the young fellow must wait. Barbara exaggerated and indulged her +imagination, but she was firm. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +CARTWRIGHT GETS TO WORK + +The morning was hot and Barbara, sitting on the hotel veranda, struggled +against a flat reaction. The glitter of the sea hurt her eyes, and the +dust that blew in clouds from the road smeared her white dress. Her +mouth dropped and her pose was languid. To refuse Lister had cost her +much, and although she had done so because she felt she ought, the sense +of having carried out a duty was not remarkably soothing. It was a +relief to know she need not pretend to Cartwright, who occupied a +basket-chair opposite. One could not cheat her step-father by false +cheerfulness. + +"When you disappointed Lister you took the prudent line," he said. "The +young fellow has some talent, but he has not yet made his mark. I +approve your caution, and expect your mother will agree." + +"I wasn't cautious; I didn't argue at all like that," Barbara declared. +"Besides, I haven't told mother. She mustn't be disturbed." + +Cartwright looked thoughtful. To some extent he was sympathetic, and to +some extent amused. + +"Then I don't altogether understand why you did refuse!" + +"Oh, well," said Barbara, and the blood came to her skin, "for one +thing, Mr. Lister waited for some time, and then asked me to marry him, +after Shillito arrived." She paused and her look got hard when she +resumed: "Perhaps he thought he ought; sometimes he's chivalrous." + +Cartwright imagined Barbara was badly hurt, and this accounted for her +frankness. + +"Your reasoning isn't very obvious, but I think I see a light," he said. +"It's possible, however, he asked you because he wanted you, and there +is an explanation for his waiting. I understand he hesitated because he +doubted if he could support a wife. It looks as if Mr. Lister didn't +know you were rich." + +"He doesn't know; I think I didn't want him to know," Barbara admitted +with some embarrassment. + +"Shillito knew, but one learns caution," Cartwright remarked. "Well, +Shillito became somewhat of a nuisance, and I don't imagine you want him +to look us up again. I rather think I must get to work." + +"I hate him!" said Barbara, passionately. "Until your boat was signaled +I was horribly alarmed, but then the trouble went. I felt I needn't +bother after you arrived." Her voice softened as she added: "You are a +clever old dear! One feels safe while you're about!" + +"Thank you," said Cartwright. "I am old, but I have some useful talents. +Well, is there something else about which you want to talk?" + +Barbara hesitated. There was something for which she meant to ask, +although her object was not very plain. Perhaps Shillito's demand for +money had made her feel its power; moreover, she was independent and +liked to control her affairs. + +"My birthday was not long since, and I'm entitled to use some of the +money that is mine." + +"That is so," Cartwright agreed with a twinkle. "All the same, you're +not entitled to use much until you marry, and you have just sent off one +lover. Would you like me to send you out a sum?" + +"I think I'd like a check book, and then I needn't bother people." + +Cartwright nodded. Barbara was not extravagant. "Very well. I expect we +can trust you, and the money is yours. I can probably arrange for a +business house to meet your drafts. I'll see about it when I'm in the +town." + +He started for Las Palmas presently, and after some inquiries stopped at +a Spanish hotel, where he found Shillito. The latter frowned when he saw +Cartwright, but went with him to the courtyard and they sat down in the +shade. + +"Have you bought your ticket for Havana?" Cartwright asked. + +"I have not," said Shillito. "So far I haven't decided to leave Las +Palmas." + +"Then I imagine you had better decide _now_. If money is a difficulty, I +might lend you enough for a second-class passage, but that is all." + +Shillito smiled. "If you want to get rid of me, you'll have to go +higher. I reckon it's worth while!" + +"I think not," said Cartwright, dryly. "In fact, since I can get rid of +you for nothing, I doubt if it's worth the price of a cheap berth on +board the Lopez boat. However, I'll risk this, in order to save +bothering." + +"Bluff! You can cut it out and get to business!" + +"Very well. Your call at the Catalina didn't help you much, and if you +come again you will not be received by Miss Hyslop, but by me. I have +met and beaten fellows like you before. My offer's a second-class berth. +You had better take it!" + +"Not at all," said Shillito. "Before long you'll want to raise your +bid." + +Cartwright got up and crossed the flags; the other frowned and +hesitated, but let him go. When he reached the street Cartwright called +his _tartana_ and told the driver to take him to the British +Vice-Consul's. The Vice-Consul was a merchant who sometimes supplied the +Cartwright boats with stores, and he gave his visitor a cigar. +Cartwright told him as much about Shillito as he thought useful, and the +Vice-Consul weighed his remarks. + +"The extradition of a criminal is a long and troublesome business," he +observed. "In the meantime the fellow must not be allowed to annoy you, +and I imagine my duty is to inform the Spanish _justicia_. Don Ramon is +tactful, and I think will handle the situation discreetly. Suppose we go +to see him?" + +He took Cartwright to an old Spanish house, with the royal arms above +the door, and a very dignified gentleman received them politely. He +allowed the Vice-Consul to tell Cartwright's story in Castilian, and +then smiled. + +"Señor Graham has our thanks for the warning he has brought," he said. +"In this island we are sportsmen. We have our cockpits and casinos, but +our aim is to develop our commerce and not make the town a Monte Carlo. +Then the play at the casinos must be honest. Our way with cardsharpers +is stern." + +The Vice-Consul's eyes twinkled. He knew Don Ramon, who resumed: "Señor +Cartwright's duty is to inform the British police. No doubt he will do +so, but until they apply to our _justicia_ in the proper form, I cannot +put in prison a British subject for a robbery he did not commit on +Spanish soil. Perhaps, however, this is not necessary?" + +"On the whole, I don't think it is necessary," Cartwright remarked. "The +fellow is a dangerous scoundrel, but I don't know that it is my duty to +give you the bother extradition formalities would imply. Still you may +find him a nuisance if he stays long." + +Don Ramon smiled. "I imagine he will not stay long! My post gives me +power to deal with troublesome foreigners. Well, I thank you, and can +promise you will not be disturbed again." + +He let them go, and when they went out the Vice-Consul laughed. + +"You can trust Don Ramon. For one thing, he knows I have some claim; in +this country a merchant finds it pays to acknowledge fair treatment by +the men who rule. For all that, Don Ramon is just and uses prudently a +power we do not give British officials. The Spanish know the advantages +of firm control, and I admit their plan works well." + +Shillito did not return to the Catalina. When he was playing cards for +high stakes one evening, two _guardias civiles_ entered the gambling +house and one touched Shillito's arm. + +"You will come with us, señor," he said politely. + +Shillito pushed back his chair and looked about. The man carried a +pistol, and the civil guards have power to shoot. His comrade watched +the door. + +"What is your authority for bothering me?" he asked. + +"It is possible Don Ramon will tell you. He is waiting," said the other. +He took Shillito to the house with the coat of arms, and Don Ramon, +sending off the guards, indicated a chair. + +"We have heard something about you, and do not think you ought to remain +at Las Palmas," he remarked. "In fact, since we understand you meant to +go to Cuba, we expect you to start by the Lopez boat." + +"I don't mean to go to Cuba," Shillito rejoined. + +Don Ramon shrugged. "Well, we do not mind if you sail for another +country. Numerous steamers touch here and the choice is yours. So long +as you leave Las Palmas--" + +Shillito looked at him hard. "I am a British subject and stay where I +like!" + +"You are obstinate, señor, but I think your statement's rash," Don Ramon +observed. "A British subject is governed by British laws, but we will +not talk about this." + +He paused and studied Shillito, who began to look disturbed. "One would +sooner be polite and take the easy line," Don Ramon resumed. "So far +this is possible, because you are not on the list sent our Government by +the British police, but we have power to examine foreigners about whom +we are not satisfied. Well, I doubt if you could satisfy us that you +ought to remain, and when we begin to investigate, a demand for your +extradition might arrive. If you forced us to inquire about you, a +cablegram would soon reach London." + +Shillito saw he was beaten and got up. + +"I'll buy my ticket for Havana in the morning," he replied. + +The Lopez liner was some days late, and in the meantime Lister haunted +the office of the engineering company. At length the articles he needed +were ready, and one afternoon Cartwright hired a boat to take him and +Barbara across the harbor. _Terrier_ lay with full steam up at the end +of the long mole, and when her winch began to rattle, Cartwright told +the Spanish _peons_ to stop rowing. The tug's mooring ropes splashed, +her propeller throbbed, and she swung away from the wall. + +She was rusty and dingy; the screens along her bridge were cracked and +burned by the sun. The boat at her rail was blackened by soot, and when +she rolled the weed streamed down from her water-line. She looked very +small and overloaded by the stack of coal on deck. The wash round her +stern got whiter, ripples ran back from her bows, and when she steamed +near Cartwright's boat, her whistle shrieked. Cartwright stood up and +waved; Learmont, on the bridge, touched his cap, but for a few moments +Barbara fixed her eyes on _Terrier's_ deckhouse. Then she blushed and +her heart beat, for she saw Lister at the door of the engine-room. He +saw her and smiled. + +The tug's whistle was drowned by a deeper blast. A big liner, painted +black from water-line to funnel-top, was coming out, and Cartwright's +boat lay between her and the tug. Barbara gave the great ship a careless +glance and then started, for she read the name at the bow. This was the +Havana boat. + +Studying the groups of passengers at the rails, she thought she saw a +face she knew. The face got distinct, and when the liner's lofty side +towered above the boat, Shillito, looking down, lifted his cap and bowed +with ironical politeness. Barbara turned her head and tried for calm +while she watched the tug. + +Lister had not gone. Barbara knew he would not go so long as he could +see the boat, and standing up, with her hand on Cartwright's shoulder, +she waved her handkerchief. Lister's hand went to his cap, but he was +getting indistinct and _Terrier_ had begun to plunge on the long swell +outside the wall. She steered for open sea, the big black liner followed +the coast, and presently Cartwright signed the men to pull. Then he +looked at Barbara and smiled, for he knew she had seen Shillito. + +"Things do sometimes happen like that!" he said. "I think the fellow has +gone for good, but the other will come back." + + + +CHAPTER IX + +LISTER MAKES GOOD + +_Arcturus'_ holds were empty and a long row of oil puncheons occupied +the beach, but the men who had dragged the goods from the water were +exhausted by heavy toil in the scorching sun, and some were sick. The +divers had bolted on plates to cover the holes in the vessel's bilge +before one fell ill and his mate's nerve went. The heat and poisonous +vapors from the swamps had broken his health, and he got a bad jar one +day his air-pipe entangled and the pump-gang dragged him, unconscious, +to the top. + +Afterwards, for the most part, Lister undertook the diving, but for long +his efforts to reach the floor of the engine-room were baffled. To crawl +across slanted gratings and down weedy ladders, while air-pipe and +signal-line trailed about the machinery, was horribly dangerous, but he +kept it up, although he got slacker and felt his pluck was breaking. +Then one afternoon he knew he could not go down again, and he stayed +under water long. + +Brown, standing by the air-pumps, looked at his watch and waited +anxiously. The bubbles broke the surface above the wreck and the +signal-line was slack, but Lister had been down longer than he ought. He +wars not a diver, and the others who knew their job, had come up sooner. +Then Brown had other grounds for anxiety. If Lister were beaten, their +chance of floating the wreck was small. + +At length, the bubbles began to move towards the hulk, the ladder shook, +and a dull, red reflection shone through the water. Then the copper +helmet broke the surface, rose a few inches, and stopped, and Brown ran +to the gangway. Lister was exhausted and his worn-out body could not +meet the change of pressure. They dragged him on board and took off his +helmet and canvas dress. For some minutes he lay like a log, and then +opened his eyes and looked at Brown. + +"Cartwright was on the track!" he gasped. "We can go ahead--" + +The sun was low, but the pitch in the seams was liquid and smeared the +hot planks, and Brown pulled Lister into the shade. For a time he was +quiet, but by and by he said, "When the tide falls we'll start the pump +and let her go all night. I must get up and tell Jones to clean the +fire." + +"I'll tell him. You stay there until we get some food," Brown replied. + +The cook served the meal on deck, but they had hardly begun when he +lighted a storm-lamp. As soon as the red sun dipped thick vapor floated +off from the swamps, the water got oily black, and dark clouds rolled +across the sky. Flickering lightning illumined the tumbling surf and +sandy beach, but there was no thunder and the night was calm. The hulk +and tug were moored at opposite sides of the wreck, forward of her +engine room, and thick wire ropes that ran between them had been dragged +back under the vessel for some distance from her bow. The ropes, +however, were not yet hauled tight. When the cook took away the plates +Brown made a rough calculation. + +"We have caulked all hatches and gratings forward, and stopped the +ventilators," he said. "I reckon the water will leave the deck long +enough for the pump to give her fore-end some buoyancy. If she rises +with the flood tide, well heave the cables aft, until we can get a hold +that will lift her bow from the ground. Then you can pump out the fore +hold and we'll make a fresh start aft. We'll soon know if Cartwright's +notion is correct." + +"We know _now_; I'll satisfy you in the morning," Lister rejoined and +his confidence was not exaggerated. + +A steamer's hull below her load-line is pierced in places to admit water +for the condensers and ballast tanks. Lister had found some inlets open, +but now they were shut. + +"I'll own old Cartwright's a great man," Brown said thoughtfully. "When +he takes on a job he studies things all round. The salvage folks, no +doubt, reckoned on the possibility that the valves were open, but they +couldn't get at the controls and didn't know all Cartwright knew--" He +paused and added with a laugh: "I wonder how much the other fellows got +for the job! But it's time we started." + +Lister got up with an effort and went to the pump, which presently began +to throb. The mended engine ran well and the regular splash of water, +flung out from the big discharge pipe, drowned the languid rumble of the +surf. The hull shook; shadowy figures crossed the beam of light from the +furnace, and vanished in the dark. Twinkling lamps threw broken +reflections on the water that looked like black silk, lightning flashed +in the background, and when the swell broke with phosphorescent sparkles +about the wreck Lister marked the height the pale illumination crept up +her plates. She would not lift that tide, but the pump was clearing the +hold, and he hoped much water was not coming in. If the leakage was not +excessive, her bow ought to rise when the next tide flowed. + +For some hours he kept his watch, dragging himself wearily about the +engine and pump. He had helpers, but control was his, and to an engineer +a machine is not a dead mass of metal. Lister, so to speak, felt the +pump had individuality and temperament, like a spirited horse. Sometimes +it must be humored and sometimes urged; it would run faster for a man +whose touch was firm but light than for another. Perhaps he was +fanciful, and he was certainly over-strung, but he imagined the big, +rattling machine knew his hand. + +At length when he looked at the gauge glass he found he could not see +the line that marked the water-level. His head swam and his legs shook, +and calling a fireman to keep watch, he sat down in the coal. He wanted +to get to the awning, out of the dew, but could not, and leaning against +the rough blocks, he went to sleep. + +In the morning, he knew the fever that bothered him now and then had +returned. For all that, he must hold out and he began his labor in the +burning sun. When the flood tide rippled about the wreck it was obvious +the pump was getting the water down. The bows lifted, and starting the +winches, they hauled aft the ropes. If they could keep it, before long +they might heave her from the sand. + +It was a time of stubborn effort and crushing strain. Some of the men +were sick and all had lost their vigor. The fierce sun had not burned +but bleached their skin; their blood was poisoned by the miasma the land +breeze blew off at night. For all that, Cartwright's promise was they +should share his reward and somehow they held on. + +At length, in the scorching heat one afternoon when the flood tide began +to run, they hauled the hulk and tug abaft the wreck's engine-room and +made the great ropes fast. If Lister's calculations were accurate, the +pump had thrown out enough water, and the buoyancy of the other craft +would lift the wreck's stern. If not--but he refused to think about +this. + +The sea breeze had dropped and the smoke of the engine went straight up. +There was not a line on the glittering lagoon. The sea looked like +melted silver; one felt it give out light and heat. The men's eyes ached +and the intolerable sun pierced their double hats and dulled their +brains. When all was ready, they waited and watched the sandy water +creep up _Arcturus'_ plates until the ropes stretched and groaned and +the hulk began to list. On the wreck's other side, the tug's mast and +funnel slanted. + +_Arcturus_ was not yet afloat, and the big wire-ropes, running beneath +her bilge, held down the helping craft. The ends were made fast by hemp +lashings and somebody had put an ax beside the post. For all that, +Lister did not think Brown would give the order to cut; he himself would +not. If they did not float Arcturus now, she must remain in the sand for +good. He would hold on until the rising tide flowed across the tug. + +In the meantime, he watched the pump. The engine carried a dangerous +load and the spouting discharge pipe was swollen. Throbbing and +rattling, she fought the water that held _Arcturus_ down. A greaser +touched the crosshead-slides with a tallow swab, and a panting fireman +thrust a bar through the furnace door. Their skin was blackened by sweat +and coal dust; soaked singlets, tight like gloves, clung to their lean +bodies. Nobody else, however, was actively occupied. The negroes lay on +the deck and the white men lounged in the shade of the awning. They had +done all that flesh and blood could do, in a climate that breaks the +white man's strength, and now the tide ought to finish their labor. But +they did not know, and some doubted. + +The ropes cracked and the hulk's list got sharp. On one side, her deck +was very near the water. She was broad, but if _Arcturus_ did not lift, +it was obvious she must soon capsize. Lister opened the engine throttle +until the valve-wheel would not turn. The cylinders shook, a gland blew +steam, and the pump clashed and rocked. All the same, he knew himself +ridiculous. The extra water the pump lifted would not help much now. +They had a few minutes, and then, if nobody cut the ropes, the hulk +would go down. + +The massive oak mooring-post groaned and the deck-seams opened with the +strain; the wire-ropes were rigid; one could see no hint of curve. The +water touched the hulk's deck and began to creep up. Then it stopped, +the hulk shook, and the wreck's long side slowly got upright. + +"She's off!" said Brown hoarsely. Somebody blew the tug's whistle, and +one or two shouted, but this was all. They had won a very stubborn +fight, but winning had cost them much, and Lister felt their triumph was +strangely flat. He smiled and owned he would be satisfied to lie down +and sleep. + +Brown gave an order; _Terrier's_ propeller splashed noisily, and +_Arcturus_ began to move. Somehow it looked impossible, but she was +moving. They took her slowly and cautiously across the lagoon, and when +the tide was full put her on the sand. There was much to do yet and +Lister wondered whether he could hold out until all was done. + +In the evening Montgomery came off on board a boat pulled by four sturdy +Kroos. He was very thin and haggard, but the fever had left him. When +his boat got near, Brown, frowning savagely, went to the rail. + +"What d'you want?" he asked. + +"Let me come on board. If we can't, agree, I'll go back in a few +minutes," Montgomery replied, and climbing the bulwarks, went to the +awning and lighted a cigarette. + +"You have floated her, but the job's not finished," he said. "I expect +you mean to bring off the cargo you landed and you'll need a fresh gang +of native boys. Well, I can help." + +"You imply you can bother us if we don't agree?" Brown remarked. + +"Something like that! I can certainly make things awkward. However, all +I want is to go with you when you open the lazaret where the boxes of +gold were stored." + +"Ah!" said Brown. "I expect you see what your wanting to go indicates? +Looks as if you knew something about the wreck." + +"I imagine I do know something," Montgomery admitted quietly. "At the +beginning, I reckoned you would not float her, but in order to run no +risk, I meant to hinder you as much as possible. Now I'm beaten, I'm +going to be frank--" + +He paused and resumed in a low voice: "When I was left control of a +respected business house I was young and ambitious. It was plain the +house had weathered a bad storm, but our fortunes were mending and I +thought they could be built up again. Well, I think I was honest, and +when one of _Arcturus'_ crew demanded money I got a jar. Since my father +loaded the ship, I expect you see where the fellow's threats led?" + +"I see the line Cartwright might take," Brown remarked dryly. "If the +boxes don't hold gold, he could break you! We have found out enough +already to give him a strong pull on the boat's last owners. They're in +his power." + +"He won't use his power. Cartwright is not that sort! Besides, the +company is bankrupt." + +"You are not bankrupt. Do you know what sort Lister and I are?" + +Montgomery smiled. "It's not important. If there is no gold in the +boxes, I don't want to carry on the house's business. You can do what +you like--" + +He stopped for a few moments and Lister began to feel some sympathy. The +man was desperate and had obviously borne much. + +"My staying at the factory was a strain," Montgomery continued. "I was +ill and when at length I saw you might succeed, the suspense was +horrible. You see, I risked the honor of the house, my marriage, my +fortune. All I had and cared about!" + +"Were you to be married?" Lister asked. + +Montgomery signed agreement. "The wedding was put off. While it looked +as if my mended fortune was built on fraud and I had known, and agreed +to, the trick, I could not marry a high-principled girl." + +Brown knitted his brows and was quiet for some moments. Then he said, +"You are now willing to get us the boys we want and help us where you +can?" + +"That is so," Montgomery agreed. + +"Very well!" said Brown. "We expect to open the lazaret at daybreak and +you can come with us. You had better send off your boat and stop on +board." + + + +CHAPTER X + +BARBARA TAKES CONTROL + +The sun was rising and the mist rolled back from the lagoon. The tide +was low and _Arcturus'_ rusty side rose high above the smooth green +water. Damp weed hung from the beams in her poop cabin and a dull light +came down through the broken glass. A sailor, kneeling on the slimy +planks, tried to force a corroded ring-bolt from its niche; another +trimmed a smoky lantern. Lister, Brown and Montgomery waited. In the +half-light, their faces looked gray and worn. The sun had given them a +dull pallor, and on the West African coast nobody sleeps much. + +After a few minutes the sailor opened the swollen trap-door and then +went down, Brown carrying the lantern. As a rule a ship's lazaret is a +small, dark strong-room, used for stowing liquor and articles of value. +_Arcturus_ was wet and smelt of salt. A row of shelves crossed the +bulkhead and some water lay in the angle where the slanted floor met the +side sheathing. A thin jacket and an officer's peaked cap were in the +water. Brown indicated the objects. + +"Looks as if somebody had stripped before he got to work, and then left +without bothering about his clothes," he said. "I don't know if I +expected this, but we'll examine the thing later." He lifted the lantern +and the flickering beam touched five or six small, thick boxes. "Well, +there's some of the gold!" + +Lister seized a box and tried to lift it up, but stopped. + +"It feels like gold," he said and signed to a sailor. "Help me get the +stuff on deck, Watson." + +They carried the boxes up the ladder and Brown brought the cap and +jacket. + +"Second-mate's clothes," he said, indicating the bands round the cuffs +and cap. The imitation gold-lace had gone green but clung to the rotten +material. + +"Something in the pocket," he added and taking out a small wet book put +it in the sun. "We'll look at this again, and now for the first box! I +may want you to state you saw me break the seals." + +Sitting in the shade of the poop, they opened the box, which was filled +with fine dull-yellow grains. Then Lister sent a man to the boat for +some things he had brought, and when the fellow came back hung a small +steel cup from a spring-balance. + +"The scale's pretty accurate; I use it on board," he said. "Well, I got +the specific gravity of gold, zinc and copper from my pocket-tables, and +made a few experiments with some bearing metals. They're all brasses; +alloys of copper and zinc, with a little lead and tin in some. I weighed +and measured two or three small ingots and afterwards calculated what +they'd weigh, if their cubic size was the capacity of the cup. I'll give +you the figures." + +He did so and then filled the cup with the yellow grains and held up the +balance. Montgomery, leaning forward, looked over his shoulder. + +"Weighs more than your heaviest bearing metal! It's gold!" he exclaimed +hoarsely. + +"Yes," said Lister, "it's obviously gold. Perhaps we needn't open the +other boxes. When we get on board well weigh them against this lot. So +far as I can reckon after heaving them up the ladder, well not find much +difference." + +Montgomery sat down, as if he were too limp to stand. "But these are not +all the boxes that were shipped--" + +Brown went for the pocket-book he had put to dry and took out some +papers. "This thing belonged to Gordon Herries, second officer." + +"Mr. Herries?" exclaimed the sailor Watson. "The second-mate as was +drowned when the surf-boat capsized!" + +"What do you know about it?" Brown asked. + +"I know something, sir," said Watson, but Montgomery stopped him and +turned to the others. + +"It seems the second mate tried to _save_ the stuff." + +"Looks like that," Brown agreed and signed to the sailor. "Now tell us +all you do know." + +"We was lying in Forcados river, shifting cargo to the Lagos boat +alongside. Barret, my townie, was on board her; he'd made a run in +_Arcturus_, and told me about the wreck. When she struck, Mr. Herries +swung out number two surf-boat and Barret was her bowman. He went to the +lazaret with Herries and they got up some bags of special gum and some +heavy boxes. Barret thought they were gold, but hadn't seen them put on +board. Then a big comber hit the poop, smashed the skylights, and +flooded the lazaret. They reckoned she was going over and had some +bother to get out. Well, they got the surf-boat off her side; she was +pretty full with a load of Kroo boys and three or four white men. In the +surf, the steering oar broke, she yawed across a sea, and turned out the +lot. Some held on to her, but she rolled over and Barret made for the +beach. They all landed but Mr. Herries; Barret thought the boat hit him. +Gum and boxes went down in the surf." + +"Very good," said Brown. "Now get off and send somebody to help heave +the boxes on board." + +Montgomery turned his head and leaned against the poop. Lister saw he +trembled as if the reaction from the strain was keen. After a few +moments he braced himself. + +"It's done with! I think all the boxes held gold, but they're gone." + +Brown indicated the cloud of spray that tossed above the advancing lines +of foam. The long rollers had crashed on the bar from the beginning and +would never stop. + +"All the surf gets it keeps," he said. "If there is a secret, I reckon +the secret's safe! However, we have to talk about something else. You +can get us some native boys?" + +"I'll send you a fresh gang. If my new agent arrives soon, I'll go with +you as far as Sierra Leone. Since you're short-handed, I might perhaps +help, and I've had enough of the factory." + +The others agreed and soon afterwards got to work. When the negroes +Montgomery sent arrived all the cargo worth salving was re-stowed, and +he bought the hulk for a floating store. Then, one night when the moon +and tide were full, _Terrier_ steamed slowly across the lagoon. Two +massive ropes trailed across her stern and _Arcturus'_ high dark bow +towered above her phosphorescent wake. The land breeze blew behind her +and the surf had not the fury the sea breeze gives by day, but when +_Terrier_ plunged into the turmoil Brown watched the tow ropes with +anxious eyes. + +_Arcturus_ rolled and sheered about, putting a horrible strain on the +hawsers, and sometimes for a minute or two it looked as if she went +astern. Flame blew from the tug's funnel, lighting the black trail of +smoke; steam roared at her escape-pipe, and the engines throbbed hard. +The ebb tide, however, was beginning to run and helped her across the +shoals. The leadsman got deeper water, the rollers got smooth, and +presently the swell was long and regular and the spray cloud melted +astern. In the morning, a faint dark line to starboard was all that +indicated the African coast. Next day Brown steered for the land and +called Montgomery to the bridge. + +"I reckon to make an anchorage before dark," he said. "We'll give the +boys the rest they need and send _Terrier_ to _Sar_ Leone for coal. +Learmont will land you." + +"Then you're not going to take _Arcturus_ into port?" Montgomery +remarked with some surprise. + +"I am not. Cartwright expects me to save him as much as possible and +there are British officers and Board of Trade rules at _Sar_ Leone. You +don't imagine they'd let me start for Las Palmas? Surveys, reports, +repairs and sending for another tug, might cost two or three thousand +pounds. Then half my crew are sick and some are helpless, though I +reckon they'll pick up sooner at sea than in an African hospital." + +"It's a big risk. After all, I owe you much and know something about +curing malarial fever. Besides, I'm a yachtsman and can steer and use +the lead. If you'll take me, I'll go all the way. However, you ought to +send Lister off. He can't hold out." + +"He claims he can," Brown said dryly. "We have argued about his going to +Grand Canary by a mail-boat, but he's obstinate. Means to finish the +job; that's his sort! Anyhow, it's possible the Trade breeze will brace +him up, and if he did go, the chances of my taking _Arcturus_ to +Liverpool are not good." + +Montgomery stayed on board and when the tug returned with coal they hove +anchor and began the long run to Las Palmas. For a time, Lister kept the +engines going and superintended the pump on board the wreck, but he +could not sleep and in the morning it was hard to drag himself from his +bunk and start another laborious day. The strain was horrible and he was +weakening fast, but it would be cooler soon and perhaps he might hold +out until they met the invigorating Northeast breeze. + +In the meantime, Cartwright went back to Liverpool, Mrs. Cartwright got +better, and Barbara waited for news. She had refused Lister, but to +refuse had cost her more than she had thought. After a time Cartwright +wrote and stated that the tug and Arcturus had started home. No fresh +news arrived and Barbara tried to hide her suspense, until one morning a +small African liner steamed into port. Some passengers landed and when +they lunched at the hotel one talked about his going off with the first +officer to a ship that signaled for help. + +"It was a moving picture," he said. "The rusty, weed-coated steamer +rolling on the blue combers, and the little, battered tug, holding her +head-to-sea. The breeze was strong and for some days they had not made +three knots an hour. Well, I know something about fever, but they were +_all sick;_ the engineer delirious and very weak--" + +Barbara, sitting near the passenger, made an effort for calm. Her heart +beat and her breath came fast. Nobody remarked her abrupt movement and +the other went on: + +"Coal, food and fresh water were running out; their medicine chest was +empty. Everything was foul with soot, coal-dust and salt. I expect it +was long since they were able to clean decks. The skipper was in a +hammock under the bridge-awning and could not get up. An African trader, +Montgomery of a Liverpool house, seemed to have control. His skin was +yellow, like a mulatto's." + +A young American doctor to whom Barbara had been talking looked up. + +"Jaundice after malaria!" he remarked. "I don't know West Africa, but I +was at Panama! Was malaria all the rest had got?" + +"It was not," the passenger replied meaningly. "However, if you know +Panama--" + +"Did you try to tow the ship?" Barbara interrupted. + +"The mate thought it impossible. She was big and foul with weed, our +boat is small, and we could not delay much because of the mails. We sent +a surf-boat across with water and food, and then steamed on." + +Barbara looked about the table. Mrs. Cartwright was at the other end and +Barbara thought she had not heard. She touched the young doctor. + +"Will you help me on board the African steamer? I must see the captain." + +"Why, certainly! We'll look for a boat," the other replied and they went +off. + +Barbara saw the captain and when she stated that the owner of _Arcturus_ +was her step-father he sent for the chief mate, who narrated his visit +to the wreck. + +"You took the ship's doctor," said Barbara. "Is he now on board?" + +The mate said he imagined the doctor had not landed and Barbara turned +to Wheeler. + +"Go and find him! Find out all you can!" + +For some time afterwards she talked to the ship's officers, and when +Wheeler returned went back to her boat. While the _peons_ rowed them to +the mole she asked Wheeler for his pocket-book and wrote an address. + +"Don Luis Sarmiento is the best doctor in the town and had something to +do with a fever hospital in Cuba," she said. "If you tell him I sent +you, he will help. Take all the medicine he can give you and then go to +Leopard Trading Company and buy whatever you think sick men would need. +Bring me the bills." + +"If I get all that would be useful, it will cost you high," said Wheeler +and helped her up the steps at the mole. + +"That is not important. Get the things!" + +"Very well. But the ship is six hundred miles off. How are you going to +put the truck on board?" + +"I'm going to see about that next," Barbara replied and indicated a +cloud of dust rolling along the road. "There's the steam tram. Don't +talk; hustle!" + +Wheeler lifted his cap and running along the mole jumped on board the +tram. + +When he had gone Barbara went to the office of an important English +merchant house and asked for the junior partner. She was strangely calm, +although she knew that when the strain was over she would pay. In the +meantime, she needed help and admitted it was lucky young men liked her; +she had not hesitated to use her charm on the American. The junior +partner was keen to help, and going with her to a coaling office, +offered to charter a powerful Spanish tug the company had recently +bought. The manager agreed and Barbara made a calculation. + +"If you can get the boat ready to sail in the morning, I'll send you a +check when she starts," she said. + +They went out and the merchant gave Barbara an approving smile. "I +imagine they haven't at the moment much use for the tug, which accounts +for their being willing to take a moderate sum. All the same, you +handled the situation like a good business man. Had they known much +about your plans before we agreed, they would have sent the tug and +claimed a large reward for salvage. In fact, it looks as if you had +saved Mr. Cartwright--" + +"It's possible," Barbara broke in impatiently. "Still they don't know +where _Arcturus_ is and that her crew are ill. Now, however, we must +engage fresh men to relieve the others. I don't mind if you pay them +something over the usual rate." + +The merchant engaged the crew of a Spanish fishing schooner that was +being laid up, and Barbara returning to the hotel found Wheeler in the +garden. + +"I've got all the medicine and truck I reckon would be useful," he said. +"If the steamboat man didn't exaggerate, you want a doctor next." + +Barbara gave him a level glance and smiled. "If you like, you may go! A +fast tug sails in the morning." + +"Why," he said, "I'd be delighted! You can call it fixed. I came along +for a holiday, but soon found that loafing made me tired--" + +"Thank you," said Barbara and was gone. + +The doctor laughed and joining an English friend in the hotel ordered a +drink. + +"I reckon I've been rushed," he remarked. "You folks look slow, but I +allow when you do get started some of you can move. Since lunch I've +been helping an English girl fix some things and she hit a pace that +left me out of breath." + +"Miss Hyslop?" said the other. "Perhaps if she'd had a job for me I +might have used an effort to get up speed. A charming girl, and I think +she's resolute." + +"She's surely resolute!" Wheeler agreed. "Miss Hyslop sees where she +wants to go and gets there by the shortest road." + +When dusk fell Barbara thought all was ready and sitting down by Mrs. +Cartwright narrated what she had done. After she stopped Mrs. Cartwright +put her hand gently on the girl's arm. + +"It's lucky you came out with me," she said. "I would not have known +what to do, and I doubt if Mortimer--" + +Barbara laughed. "Mortimer would have calculated, weighed one thing +against another, and studied his plans for a week. Mine are rude, but in +the morning they'll begin to work. After all, in a sense, I have not +done much. I have sent others, when I want to go myself." + +"It's impossible, my dear," said Mrs. Cartwright, firmly. + +"Well, I expect I must be resigned. One is forced to pay for breaking +rules! I have paid; but we'll talk about something else." + +"The tug and supplies have, no doubt, cost much," Mrs. Cartwright +remarked. "You must let me give you a check." + +"No," said Barbara in a resolute voice. "I will take no money until +mine's all gone. Father's a dear, I owe him much, and now I can help I'm +going to help. I have sent a cablegram he had better come out but in the +meantime he needn't be anxious because I have taken control." + +Mrs. Cartwright let her go presently and Barbara went to her room. She +had borne a heavy strain, but the reaction had begun, and throwing +herself on a couch she covered her face with her hands and cried. + + + +CHAPTER XI + +LISTER'S REWARD + +Signal flags fluttered in the breeze at the top of the Isleta and a +smoke cloud stained the blue horizon. For a few minutes the cloud +vanished, and then rolled up again, thicker than before. Cartwright +studied it carefully and gave the glasses to Barbara, who stood near him +on the Catalina mole. + +"Is that _one_ trail of smoke?" he asked. + +"I think I see two. Sometimes they melt, but they're getting distinct +now. There _are_ two!" + +"Ah!" said Cartwright. "Then it's _Arcturus_. I expect your tug has +saved the situation." + +"Lister saved _Arcturus_ before I meddled," Barbara declared with a +blush. "However, I'm glad I could help. You have often helped me." + +Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "All I gave I have got back, but I'm not +persuaded you didn't mean to help another. Well, perhaps, the other +deserves your interest. Brown's a useful man, but he has some drawbacks +and I doubt if he could have carried through the undertaking." + +"If you'll wait in the shade, I'll get a jacket," Barbara replied. +"There's a fresh breeze, the launch splashes, and I'm going with you to +meet _Arcturus_." + +When the first flag blew out from the Isleta staff, she had called +Cartwright, and they had hurried to the neighboring mole. Cartwright had +arrived two days before and they had watched the signals until the +longed for message came: _Steamer in tow from the South._ + +"I think you'll wait," said Cartwright quietly. "You don't know much +about fever and the men I sent are not altogether making a triumphant +return." + +The blood came to Barbara's skin. She had meant to go and hated to be +baffled, but Cartwright gave her a steady glance and she knew there was +no use in arguing when he looked like that. + +"Did you or your mother tell me Mrs. Seaton arrived by a recent boat?" +he resumed. + +Barbara was surprised, but said Mrs. Seaton was at the Metropole. +Cartwright looked at the tugs' smoke. + +"Then, I ought to have time to see her before they tow _Arcturus_ in. +Some sea is running and they can't steam fast." + +He started for the Catalina and when he stopped by Mrs. Cartwright's +chair his face was hot and he trembled. Hurry and muscular effort upset +him, but time was valuable. + +"I have not yet asked you for money, Clara," he said. + +"That is so," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. "Sometimes I was hurt because you +did not. You ought to know all that's mine is yours." + +Cartwright smiled. "You are a good sort and I'm going to borrow now +because I can pay back. I want you to telegraph your bank to meet my +check." + +"I'll write you a check." + +"No," said Cartwright, "I think the other plan is better. Well, the sum +is rather large--" + +He stated the sum and Mrs. Cartwright said, "I'm not very curious, but +why do you want the money?" + +"I'm going to buy Mrs. Seaton's shares." + +"Ah," said Mrs. Cartwright with a disturbed look, "she tried to force +you to buy before." + +Cartwright knew his placid, good-humored wife hated Mrs. Seaton. + +"You're puzzled?" he remarked. "Well, I'd have bought the shares long +since, but I wasn't rich enough and didn't think my borrowing was +justified. All the same, the block she holds gives her a dangerous +power, and if I can get them I'll baffle the opposition at the company's +meeting. But I must be quick." + +"If you want to baffle Ellen Seaton, you can use all the money I have +got!" Mrs. Cartwright declared. "Tell me what I must telegraph the +bank." + +Cartwright did so and made for the Metropole as fast as possible, +because the tugs' smoke was not far off. When he reached the big square +hotel he gave a page his card and frowned while he waited in the +glass-roofed patio. Time was valuable and he hoped Mrs. Seaton would not +be long. On the whole, he did not think he was going to be shabby, but +perhaps shabbiness was justified. Ellen had not forgotten she had +thought him her lover, and although it was long since she would not +forget. She hated his wife and had tried to injure him. Cartwright +imagined she would try again, and so long as she kept her shares her +antagonism was dangerous. + +She entered the patio with two young tourists, whom she sent off, and +beckoned Cartwright to a bench behind a palm. The sun that pierced the +glass roof was strong and he reflected with dry amusement that Ellen +looked better by electric light in the evening. Although she smiled, her +glance was keen and not friendly. + +"I arrived some days since and met Barbara in the street, but she has +not been to see me yet," she said. "However, now you have come I ought +to be satisfied! Since you were able to get away from the office, I +expect shipping is languid." + +Cartwright thought she meant to be nasty. For one thing, Barbara had not +gone to see her and perhaps had not urged her calling at the hotel. +Ellen did not like the girl, but she wanted to know people and Mrs. +Cartwright had stopped at Las Palmas for some time. As a rule, Clara's +friends were good. This, however, was not important. He must buy Ellen's +shares before _Arcturus_ arrived and the news of her salvage got about. + +"Oh, well," he said, "although I think I see signs of improvement, +things are not very promising yet." + +"If you are not hopeful, the outlook must be black," Mrs. Seaton +remarked meaningly. "Perhaps I ought to sympathize, but the effort's too +much. My investments have all gone wrong and my luck at the Grand +National was remarkably bad. In fact, if nobody will buy my shares in +your line, I may be forced to agree with the people who want to wind up +the company." + +Cartwright thought his luck was good. Ellen was extravagant and a +gambler. No doubt, she needed money, but he knew she was willing to hurt +him and could do so. All the same, if she could force him to buy the +shares she thought worth nothing, her greed would conquer her +spitefulness. Well, he was going to indulge her. + +"If you did join my antagonists, I might pull through, but I'll admit it +would be awkward," he replied. "In order to avoid the fight, I'll buy +your shares for ten shillings." + +Mrs. Seaton hesitated. She did not want to lose her power, but she +wanted money. Nominally, the shares were worth a much larger sum, but +she had found out that nobody else was willing to buy the block. For all +that, Cartwright was cunning and she wondered whether he knew something +she did not. She asked for a higher price, but Cartwright refused. He +was cool and humorous, although he knew _Arcturus_ was steadily nearing +the harbor. Perhaps in a few minutes the look-out on the Isleta would +read her flags. At length he pulled out his watch. + +"I have an engagement, but I rather want the shares. My getting them +would help me at the meeting," he said. "Shall we say twelve-and-sixpence? +This is the limit." + +"Very well," said Mrs. Seaton and smiled with a sense of triumph. "It +looks very greedy, but when can I have a check? You see, I'm nearly +bankrupt." + +"Now," said Cartwright, and taking out his fountain pen, rang a bell. +"Send a page for some notepaper and write an undertaking to deliver me +the shares." + +Mrs. Seaton did so and Cartwright wrote the check. Then she signed to +one of the young men she had sent off. "Since you are very +business-like, you had better have a witness! I'm relieved to get the +check, particularly since I expected you would be forced to ask Clara +for the money." + +Cartwright had to smile. The sneer was Ellen's Parthian shot. She was +retiring from the field, but he owned that she might have beaten him by +a bold attack and he had been afraid. + +He went to the bar and ordered a drink, and then going out saw fresh +signals blow from the Isleta staff. _Arcturus'_ hull was visible in the +tugs' thick smoke; the look-out on the hill with his big telescope had +read her flags and was signaling her name and number to the town. +Cartwright had won by a few minutes and was satisfied, although he had +given Mrs. Seaton twelve-and-sixpence for her shares, when perhaps he +need not. This was now about their just value, and, for old time's sake, +he had not meant to cheat her. In the meantime a launch was waiting to +take him on board _Arcturus_ and he hurried to the mole. + +Barbara saw the launch start, with mixed emotions. She was something of +a rebel and had anybody but Cartwright ordered her to stop she would not +have obeyed. She waited in the shade, fixing her eyes on the laboring +tugs. Sometimes she felt a thrill of triumph because Lister had +conquered; sometimes she was tortured by suspense. She did not know if +he stood at the levers in the engine-room, or lay, unconscious, in his +bunk. Well, she would soon know and she shrank. + +She rubbed the glasses and looked again. There were two towropes; +_Terrier_ plunged across the rollers on _Arcturus'_ starboard bow, the +Spanish tug to port. It looked as if the wreck's steering-gear did not +work. Spray blew about the boats and the crested seas broke in foaming +turmoil against the towed vessel's side until she drew in behind the +Isleta. A few minutes afterwards she swung round the mole and Barbara +thought the picture moving. + +The tugs looked very small; the half-loaded hull they towed to an +anchorage floated high above her proper water-line. Rolling on the +languid swell at the harbor mouth, she looked huge. Her rusty side was +like a warehouse wall. When she lifted her plates from the water one saw +the wet weed shine; higher up it clung, parched and dry, to the red +iron, although there were clean belts where the stuff was scraped away. +Barbara pictured the exhausted men scraping feebly when the sea was calm +and the sun did not touch the vessel's side. + +All the same, the men had won a triumph. It looked impossible that the +handful of bemused ruffians she had seen start at Liverpool could have +dragged the big vessel from the bottom of the lagoon, but the thing was +done. _Arcturus_, battered and rusty, with sagging masts and broken +funnel, was coming into harbor. A big pump throbbed on board, throwing +water down her side; she flew a small, bright red ensign aft and a new +house-flag at the masthead. Barbara thought the flag flaunted proudly +and the thing was significant. Cartwright had weathered the storm, but +she had helped. + +The tugs' engines stopped and Barbara's heart beat, for a yellow flag +went up. She hated the ominous signal, and turning the glasses, followed +the doctor's launch. The boat ran alongside _Terrier_, a man went on +board, returned and climbed a ladder to _Arcturus'_ deck. He did not +come back for some time and Barbara looked for Lister, but could not see +him. Then the yellow flag was hauled down and _Arcturus_ moved slowly up +the harbor. + +A fleet of shore-boats followed and when the anchor dropped crowded +about the ship. Barbara braced herself and waited. Half the voyage was +over and when the engines were cleaned and mended _Arcturus_ would steam +to England. The salvors had won, but sometimes victory cost much, and +Barbara knew she might have to pay. + +A launch with an awning steamed to the mole and vanished behind the +wall. Barbara stopped in the shade; somehow she durst not go to the +steps. Cartwright came up, but seeing his grave look, she let him pass. +Then the American doctor reached the top and called to somebody below. +Three or four men awkwardly lifted a stretcher to the pavement, and +Cartwright signed to the driver of a carriage waiting in the road. +Wheeler stopped him. + +"It's not far. Carrying will be smoother." + +"Very well, I'll see all's ready," said Cartwright and got into the +carriage. + +Then Barbara went to the stretcher, which was covered by green canvas. +She thought she knew who lay behind the screens, and her look was +strained. + +"Is Mr. Lister very ill?" she asked. + +Wheeler gave her a sympathetic glance. "He is pretty sick; he was nearly +all in when I boarded the ship. Now it's possible he'll get better." + +Barbara turned her head, but after a few moments looked up. "Thank you +for going! Where are the others?" + +"We have sent some to the Spanish hospital, landed them at the coaling +wharf. They're not very sick. The rest are on board." + +"_All_ the rest?" + +"Three short," said the doctor quietly. "They have made their last +voyage. But the boys are waiting to get off with the stretcher." + +Barbara let him go and followed. He looked very tired and she did not +want to talk. She saw the stretcher carried up the hotel steps and along +a passage, and then went to her room. A Spanish doctor and nurse were +waiting and she knew she would be sent away. To feel she could not help +was hard, but she tried to be resigned and stopped in the quiet room, +listening for steps. Somebody might bring a message that Lister wanted +her. + +The message did not come and she was conscious of some relief, although +she was tormented by regretful thoughts. Lister loved her and she had +refused him, because she was proud. Perhaps her refusal was justified, +but she was honest, and admitted that she had known he would not let her +go, and had afterwards wondered how she would reply when he asked her +again. Now she knew. The strain had broken her resolution. She had +indulged her ridiculous pride and saw it might cost her much. Her lover +was very ill; Wheeler doubted if he would get better. + +In the evening Montgomery joined Cartwright in a corner of the +smoking-room. + +"I expect Captain Brown told you about the bother I gave him," he +remarked. + +"That is so," said Cartwright. "He, however, stated you gave him some +help." + +"All the same, at the beginning, I held up the job. When Brown could not +work, your expenses ran on and I feel I ought to pay." + +"It's just. Coming home, when my men were sick and Brown was in his +bunk, you undertook the duties of doctor and navigator, and Wheeler +admits your cures were good. Since you have a counter-claim, suppose we +say we're quits?" + +Montgomery felt some relief. It looked as if Cartwright did not mean to +use his advantage; the old fellow was generous. Montgomery hesitated for +a moment and then resumed: "I understand you bought the wreck?" + +"I used the shareholders' money; at all events, I used as much as I +durst. She's the company's ship." + +"But the cargo?" + +"The cargo's mine. That is, I get an allowance, agreed upon with the +underwriters for all I have salved. I rather think the sum will be +large." + +"Then you're satisfied? Although you didn't get all the gold and lost +the valuable gum in the lazaret?" + +Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "I've some grounds for satisfaction, and I +know when to stop! But perhaps I'd better be as frank as is needful. +Very well! I get salvage on some of the gold. The rest is under the surf +and nobody will open the boxes now. The thing's done with." + +Montgomery was moved, but he saw there was no more to be said and asked +quietly: "Will you tell me what you think about the prospects of the +line?" + +"On the whole, I imagine the prospects are good. We have got a useful +boat for a very small sum, and the last report was _Oreana_ could +probably be floated without much damage when the St. Lawrence ice +breaks. Well, I calculate next year's trading will earn us a small +dividend, and since business is improving, we ought to prosper before +very long." + +"Thank you," said Montgomery. "I know something about the line and +imagine the directors may need support. Just now I have some money that +does not earn much. Would it help if I bought a number of your shares?" + +"I think not," said Cartwright. "The plan has drawbacks. People are +sometimes uncharitable and I have antagonists who might hint at a bribe. +Besides, I don't need support. My luck has turned and I rather think I +can break the opposition." He smiled and getting up, put his hand on +Montgomery's arm. "All the same, when I send a boat to Africa you can +load her up. Now I'm going to find the nurse and ask about Lister." + +Lister was delirious, and for two or three days the doctors doubted his +recovery. Then, one morning, they said his temperature had fallen and +there was hope. Next morning they admitted that he was slowly making +progress. Barbara did not leave the hotel, lest she miss the latest news +from the sick-room. She was not allowed to go in, and when evening came +she knew she could not sleep. She had not slept much since they carried +Lister up the steps. + +When all was quiet and the guests had gone to bed she went to the +veranda and leaned against the rails. She was highly strung and +rebellious. Lister had sent her a message, but she was not allowed to +see him yet. She wanted to see him and was persuaded that for him to see +her would not hurt. She knew he wanted her. + +The moon was bright, but the shadow of the hotel stretched across the +garden. Somebody was moving about in the gloom and Barbara started when +she saw it was the nurse. The tired woman had gone out to rest for a few +minutes in the cool night air and Barbara saw her opportunity. + +Stealing across the veranda, she went along a passage and up some +stairs. The landing at the top was dark, but she knew Lister's door, and +turning the handle quietly, looked in. Bright moonlight shone through +the open window and a curtain moved in the gentle breeze. Mosquito gauze +wavered about the bed where a quiet figure lay. Barbara stole across the +floor and pulled back the guard. The rings rattled and Lister opened his +eyes. He smiled, and Barbara, kneeling by the bed, put her arm round his +neck. + +"My dear! You know me?" + +"Of course! I wanted you. Since I got my senses back, I've tried to call +you." + +"You called not long since. I cheated the nurse and came; but if you +ought to be quiet, I mustn't talk. The doctors said--" + +"They don't understand," said Lister. "Now I have seen you, I'm going to +get well." + +Barbara lifted her head and studied him. His face was pinched, his skin +was very white and wet. Her eyes filled and she was moved by tender +pity. + +"Oh, my dear!" she said. "It was for my sake you went!" + +Lister took her hand, and she felt his was thin and hot. "I'm paid for +all! But, Barbara, I think you're _logical_ When I'm better--?" + +She kissed him. "Of course. I'll marry you when you like. In the +meantime you're weak and tired and must go to sleep." + +"I am tired," he admitted. "Besides, the nurse will come." + +Barbara gently touched his wet hair and moved his pillow. "The nurse is +not important, but you mustn't talk." + +She gave him her hand again and he went to sleep. Some time afterwards +the nurse returned and started when she saw the white figure kneeling by +the bed. Then she began to talk angrily in a low voice. Barbara was +getting cramped, but without moving her body, she looked at the nurse +and her eyes sparkled with rebellious fire. + +"Be quiet; he mustn't wake!" she said. "There's no use in arguing. I +mean to stay!" + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10076 *** diff --git a/10076-h/10076-h.htm b/10076-h/10076-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2210562 --- /dev/null +++ b/10076-h/10076-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,11548 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/strict.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Lister's Great Adventure, by Harold Bindloss</title> + <style type="text/css"> +<!-- + + /* Style Definitions */ +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right:10%; + } + p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal + {margin-top:0.5em; + } +h1 + {margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; + page-break-after:avoid; + text-align: center; + } +h2 + {margin-top: 5em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; + page-break-after:avoid; + text-align: center; + } +h3 + {margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; + page-break-after:avoid; + text-align: left; + } + +h4 + {margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; + page-break-after:avoid; + text-align: left; + } +h5 + {margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; + page-break-after:avoid; + text-align: left; + } +p.MsoToc1 + {margin-top:0.5em; + } +p.MsoToc2 + {margin-top:0.5em; + margin-left:1em; + } +p.MsoToc3 + {margin-top:0.5em; + margin-left:2em; + } +a:link, span.MsoHyperlink + {color:blue; + text-decoration:none;} +a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed + {color:blue; + text-decoration:none;} +a:hover + { + color:blue; + text-decoration:underline; + } +--> + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10076 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Lister's Great Adventure, by Harold Bindloss</h1> +<p> </p> + + + + + +<p> </p> +<hr> +<h1>LISTER'S GREAT ADVENTURE</h1> +<h3>BY HAROLD BINDLOSS</h3> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Author</i> of "THE WILDERNESS MINE," +"WYNDHAM'S PAL," "PARTNERS OF THE OUT-TRAIL," "THE +BUCCANEER FARMER," "THE LURE OF THE NORTH," "THE GIRL FROM +KELLER'S," "CARMEN'S MESSENGER," ETC.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">1920</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> +<h3>CONTENTS</h3> +<p class="MsoToc1"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#Part1">PART +I—BARBARA'S REBELLION</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#Part1Ch1">CHAPTER +I</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#Part1Ch1desc">CARTWRIGHT +MEDDLES</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085252">CHAPTER +II</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085253">IN +THE DARK</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085254">CHAPTER +III</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085255">BARBARA +VANISHES</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085256">CHAPTER +IV</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085257">THE +GIRL ON +THE PLATFORM</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085258">CHAPTER +V</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085259">SHILLITO +GETS +AWAY</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085260">CHAPTER +VI</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085261">WINNIPEG +BEACH</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085262">CHAPTER +VII</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085263">LISTER'S +DISSATISFACTION</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085264">CHAPTER +VIII</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085265">THE +TEST</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085266">CHAPTER +IX</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085267">BARBARA +PLAYS +A PART</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085268">CHAPTER +X</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085269">VERNON'S +CURIOSITY</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc1"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085270">PART +II—THE RECKONING</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085271">CHAPTER +I</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085272">VERNON'S +PLOT</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085273">CHAPTER +II</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085274">BARBARA'S +RETURN</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085275">CHAPTER +III</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085276">LISTER +CLEARS +THE GROUND</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085277">CHAPTER +IV</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085278">A +DISSATISFIED SHAREHOLDER</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085279">CHAPTER +V</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085280">CARTWRIGHT'S +SCRUPLES</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085281">CHAPTER +VI</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085282">A +NASTY KNOCK</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085283">CHAPTER +VII</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085284">THE +SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085285">CHAPTER +VIII</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085286">A +STOLEN +EXCURSION</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085287">CHAPTER +IX</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085288">CARTWRIGHT +SEES A PLAN</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085289">CHAPTER +X</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085290">A +BOLD +SPECULATION</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085291">CHAPTER +XI</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085292">THE +START</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc1"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085293">PART +III—THE BREAKING STRAIN</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085294">CHAPTER +I</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085295">THE +FIRST STRUGGLE</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085296">CHAPTER +II</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085297">THE +WRECK</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085298">CHAPTER +III</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085299">A +FUEL +PROBLEM</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085300">CHAPTER +IV</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085301">MONTGOMERY'S +OFFER</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085302">CHAPTER +V</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085303">MONTGOMERY +USES HIS POWER</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085304">CHAPTER +VI</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085305">LISTER +MEETS +AN OLD ANTAGONIST</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085306">CHAPTER +VII</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085307">BARBARA'S +REFUSAL</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085308">CHAPTER +VIII</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085309">CARTWRIGHT +GETS TO WORK</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085310">CHAPTER +IX</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085311">LISTER +MAKES +GOOD</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085312">CHAPTER +X</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085313">BARBARA +TAKES +CONTROL</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085314">CHAPTER +XI</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085315">LISTER'S +REWARD</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> +<h1><a name="Part1">PART I—BARBARA'S REBELLION</a></h1> +<h2><a name="Part1Ch1">CHAPTER I</a></h2> +<h3><a name="Part1Ch1desc">CARTWRIGHT MEDDLES</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Dinner was over, and Cartwright occupied a chair +on the lawn +in front of the Canadian summer hotel. Automatic sprinklers threw +sparkling +showers across the rough, parched grass, the lake shimmered, smooth as +oil, in +the sunset, and a sweet, resinous smell drifted from the pines that +rolled down +to the water's edge. The straight trunks stood out against a background +of +luminous red and green, and here and there a slanting beam touched a +branch +with fire.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Natural beauty had not much charm for Cartwright, +who was +satisfied to loaf and enjoy the cool of the evening. He had, as usual, +dined +well, his cigar was good, and he meant to give Mrs. Cartwright half an +hour. +Clara expected this, and, although he was sometimes bored, he indulged +her when +he could. Besides, it was too soon for cards. The lights had not begun +to +spring up in the wooden hotel, and for the most part the guests were +boating on +the lake. When he had finished his cigar it would be time to join the +party in +the smoking-room. Cartwright was something of a gambler and liked the +American +games. They gave one scope for bluffing, and although his antagonists +declared +his luck was good, he knew his nerve was better. In fact, since he lost +his +money by a reckless plunge, he had to some extent lived by bluff. Yet +some +people trusted Tom Cartwright.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright did so. She was a large, dull +woman, but had +kept a touch of the beauty that had marked her when she was young. She +was +kind, conventional, and generally anxious to take the proper line. +Cartwright +was twelve years older, and since she was a widow and had three +children when +she married him, her friends declared her money accounted for much, and +a +lawyer relation carefully guarded, against Cartwright's using her +fortune.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Yet, in a sense, Cartwright was not an adventurer, +although +his ventures in finance and shipping were numerous. He sprang from an +old Liverpool +family whose prosperity diminished when steamers replaced sailing +ships. His +father had waited long before he resigned himself to the change, but +was not +altogether too late, and Cartwright was now managing owner of the +Independent +Freighters Line. The company's business had brought him to Montreal, +and when +it was transacted he had taken Mrs. Cartwright and her family to the +hotel by +the Ontario lake.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's hair and mustache were white; his +face was +fleshy and red. He was fastidious about his clothes, and his tailor +cleverly +hid the bulkiness of his figure. As a rule, his look was fierce and +commanding, +but now and then his small keen eyes twinkled. Although Cartwright was +clever, +he was, in some respects, primitive. He had long indulged his +appetites, and wore +the stamp of what is sometimes called good living.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The managing owner of the Independent Freighters +needed +cleverness, since the company was small and often embarrassed for +money. For +the most part, it ran its ships in opposition to the regular liners. +When the <i>Conference</i> +forced up freights Cartwright quietly canvassed the merchants and +offered to +carry their goods at something under the standard rate, if the shippers +would +engage to fill up his boat. As a rule, secrecy was important, but +sometimes, +when cargo was scarce, Cartwright let his plans be known and allowed +the <i>Conference</i> +to buy him off. Although his skill in the delicate negotiations was +marked, the +company paid small dividends and he had enemies among the shareholders. +Now, +however, he was satisfied. <i>Oreana</i> had sailed for Montreal, +loaded to the +limit the law allowed, and he had booked her return cargo before the <i>Conference</i> +knew he was cutting rates.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright talked, but she talked much and +Cartwright +hardly listened, and looked across the lake. A canoe drifted out from +behind a +neighboring point, and its varnished side shone in the fading light. +Then a man +dipped the paddle, and the ripple at the bow got longer and broke the +reflections of the pines. A girl, sitting at the stern, put her hands +in the +water, and when she flung the sparkling drops at her companion her +laugh came +across the lake. Cartwright's look got keen and he began to note his +wife's +remarks.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Do you imply Barbara's getting fond of the +fellow?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am afraid of something like that," Mrs. +Cartwright admitted. "In a way, one hesitates to meddle; sometimes +meddling does harm, and, of course, if Barbara really loved the young +man—" +She paused and gave Cartwright a sentimental smile. "After all, I +married +for love, and a number of my friends did not approve."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright grunted. He had married Clara because +she was +rich, but it was something to his credit that she had not suspected +this. Clara +was dull, and her dullness often amused him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you think it necessary, I won't hesitate about +meddling," he remarked. "Shillito's a beggarly sawmill clerk."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He said he was <i>treasurer</i> for an important +lumber company. Barbara's very young and romantic, and although she has +not +known him long—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She has known him for about two weeks," +Cartwright rejoined. "Perhaps it's long enough. Shillito's what +Canadians +call a looker and Barbara's a romantic fool. I've no doubt he's found +out +she'll inherit some money; it's possible she's told him. Now I come to +think +about it, she was off somewhere all the afternoon, and it looks as if +she had +promised the fellow the evening."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He indicated the canoe and was satisfied when Mrs. +Cartwright agreed, since he refused to wear spectacles and own his +sight was +going. Although Clara was generous, he could not use her money, and, +indeed, +did not mean to do so, but he was extravagant and his managing owner's +post was +not secure. When one had powerful antagonists, one did not admit that +one was +getting old.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I doubt if Shillito's character is all one could +wish,'" Mrs. Cartwright resumed. "Character's very important, don't +you think? Mrs. Grant—the woman with the big hat—knows something +about him and she said he was <i>fierce</i>. I think she meant he was +wild. +Then she hinted he spent money he ought not to spend. But isn't a +treasurer's +pay good?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled, for he was patient to his wife. +"It +depends upon the company. A treasurer is sometimes a book-keeping +clerk. +However, the trouble is, Barbara's as wild as a hawk, though I don't +know where +she got her wildness. Her brother and sister are tame enough."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes I'm bothered about Barbara," Mrs. +Cartwright agreed. "She's rash and obstinate; not like the others. I +don't +know if they're tame, but they had never given me much anxiety. One can +trust +them to do all they ought."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright said nothing. As a rule, Clara's son +and elder +daughter annoyed him. Mortimer Hyslop was a calculating prig; Grace was +finicking and bound by ridiculous rules. She was pale and inanimate; +there was +no blood in her. But Cartwright was fond of the younger girl. Barbara +was +frankly flesh and blood; he liked her flashes of temper and her pluck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When the canoe came to the landing he got up. +"Leave +the thing to me," he said. "I'll talk to Shillito."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off, but when he reached the steps to the +veranda in +front of the hotel he stopped. His gout bothered him. At the top +Mortimer +Hyslop was smoking a cigarette. The young man was thin and looked +bored; his +summer clothes were a study in harmonious colors, and he had delicate +hands +like a woman's. When he saw Cartwright stop he asked: "Can I help you +up, +sir?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's face got red. He hated an offer of +help that +drew attention to his infirmity, and thought Mortimer knew.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No, thanks! I'm not a cripple yet. Have you seen +Shillito?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You'll probably find him in the smoking room. The +card +party has gone in and he's a gambler."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"So am I!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mortimer shrugged, and Cartwright wondered whether +the +fellow meant to imply that his gambling was not important since he had +married +a rich wife. The young man, however, hesitated and looked thoughtful.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know your object for wanting Shillito, +but if +my supposition's near the mark, might I state that I approve? In fact, +I'd +begun to wonder whether something ought not to be done. The fellow's +plausible. +Not our sort, of course; but when a girl's romantic and obstinate—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright stopped him. "Exactly! Well, I'm the +head of +the house and imagine you can leave the thing to me. Perhaps it doesn't +matter +if your sister is obstinate. I'm going to talk to Shillito."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He crossed the veranda, and Mortimer returned to +his chair +and cigarette. He did not approve his step-father, but admitted that +Cartwright +could be trusted to handle a matter like this. Mortimer's +fastidiousness was +sometimes a handicap, but Cartwright had none.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright entered the smoking-room and crossed +the floor to +a table, at which two or three men stood as if waiting for somebody. +One was +young and tall. His thin face was finely molded, his eyes and hair were +very +black, and his figure was marked by an agile grace.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He looked up sharply as Cartwright advanced.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I want you for a few minutes," Cartwright said +roughly, as if he gave an order.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito frowned, but went with him to the back +veranda. +Although the night was warm and an electric light burned under the +roof, nobody +was about. Cartwright signed the other to sit down.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect your holiday's nearly up, and the hotel +car +meets the train in the morning," he remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What about it?" Shillito asked. "I'm not +going yet."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're going to-morrow," said Cartwright grimly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito smiled and gave him an insolent look, but +his smile +vanished. Cartwright's white mustache bristled, his face was red, and +his eyes +were very steady. It was not for nothing the old ship-owner had fronted +disappointed investors and forced his will on shareholders' meetings. +Shillito +saw the fellow was dangerous.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll call you," he said, using a gambler's +phrase.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," said Cartwright. "I think my +cards are good, and if I can't win on one suit, I'll try another. To +begin +with, the hotel proprietor sent for me. He stated the house was new and +beginning to pay, and he was anxious about its character. People must +be +amused, but he was running a summer hotel, not a gambling den. The play +was too +high, and young fools got into trouble; two or three days since one got +broke. +Well, he wanted me to use my influence, and I said I would."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He asked you to keep the stakes in bounds? It's a +good +joke!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not at all," said Cartwright dryly. "I like +an exciting game, so long as it is straight, and when I lose I pay. I +do lose, +and if I come out fifty dollars ahead when I leave, I'll be satisfied. +How much +have you cleared?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito said nothing, and Cartwright went on: "My +antagonists are old card-players who know the game; but when you broke +Forman +he was drunk and the other two were not quite sober. You play against +young +fools and <i>your luck's too good</i>. If you force me to tell all I +think and +something that I know. I imagine you'll get a straight hint to quit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You talked about another plan," Shillito +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"On the whole, I think the plan I've indicated +will +work. If it does not and you speak to any member of Mrs. Cartwright's +family, +I'll thrash you on the veranda when people are about. I won't state my +grounds +for doing so; they ought to be obvious."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito looked at the other hand. Cartwright's +eyes were +bloodshot, his face was going purple, and he thrust out his heavy chin. +Shillito thought he meant all he said, and his threat carried weight. +The old +fellow was, of course, not a match for the vigorous young man, but +Shillito saw +he had the power to do him an injury that was not altogether physical. +He +pondered for a few moments, and then got up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll pull out," he said with a coolness that cost +him much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded. "There's another thing. If you +write +to Miss Hyslop, your letters will be burned."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went back to the smoking-room, and playing with +his usual +boldness, won twenty dollars. Then he joined Mrs. Cartwright on the +front +veranda and remarked: "Shillito won't bother us. He goes in the +morning."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave him a grateful smile. She had +long +known that when she asked her husband's help difficulties were removed. +Now he +had removed Shillito, and she was satisfied but imagined he was not. +Cartwright +knitted his white brows and drew hard at his cigar.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You had better watch Barbara until the fellow +starts," he resumed. "Then I think you and the girls might join the +Vernons at their fishing camp. Vernon would like it, and he's a useful +friend; +besides, it's possible Shillito's obstinate. Your letters needn't +follow you; +have them sent to me at Montreal, which will cover your tracks. I must +go back +in a few days."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright weighed the suggestion. Vernon was +a Winnipeg +merchant, and his wife had urged her to join the party at the fishing +camp in +the woods. The journey was long, but Mrs. Cartwright rather liked the +plan. +Shillito would not find them, and Mrs. Vernon had two sons.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Can't you come with us?" she asked. +"Mortimer is going to Detroit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sorry I can't," said Cartwright firmly. "I +don't want to leave you, but business calls."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He was relieved when Mrs. Cartwright let it go. +Clara was a +good sort and seldom argued. He had loafed about with her family for +two weeks +and had had enough. Moreover, business did call. If the <i>Conference</i> +found +out before his boat arrived that he had engaged <i>Oreana's</i> return +load, +they might see the shippers and make trouble. Anyhow, they would use +some +effort to get the cargo for their boats. Sometimes one promised regular +customers a drawback on standard rates.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll write to Mrs. Vernon in the morning," Mrs. +Cartwright remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Telegraph" said Cartwright, who did not lose time +when he had made a plan. "When the lines are not engaged after business +hours, you can send a night-letter; a long message at less than the +proper +charge."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright looked pleased. Although she was +rich and +sometimes generous, she liked small economies.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"After all, writing a letter's tiresome," she +said. "Telegrams are easy. Will you get me a form?"</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085252">CHAPTER II</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085253">IN THE DARK</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning Cartwright told the porter to take +his chair +to the beach and sat down in a shady spot. He had not seen Barbara at +breakfast +and was rather sorry for her, but she had not known Shillito long, and +although +she might be angry for a time, her hurt could not be deep. Lighting his +pipe, +he watched the path that led between the pines to the water.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by a girl came out of the shadow, and going +to the +small landing-stage, looked at her wrist-watch. Cartwright imagined she +did not +see him and studied her with some amusement. Barbara looked impatient. +People +did not often keep her waiting, and she had not inherited her mother's +placidity. She had a touch of youthful beauty, and although she was +impulsive +and rather raw, Cartwright thought her charm would be marked when she +met the +proper people and, so to speak, got toned down.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright meant her to meet the proper people, +because he +was fond of Barbara. She had grace, and although her figure was slender +and +girlish, she carried herself well. Her brown eyes were steady, her +small mouth +was firm, and as a rule her color was delicate white and pink. Now it +was high, +and Cartwright knew she was angry. She wore boating clothes and had +obviously +meant to go on the lake. The trouble was, her companion had not arrived.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hallo!" said Cartwright. "Are you waiting +for somebody?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara advanced and sat down on a rocky ledge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," she said, "I'm not waiting <i>now</i>."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. He knew Barbara's temper, and +his line +was to keep her resentment warm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You mean, you have given him up and won't go if +he +does arrive? Well, when a young man doesn't keep his appointment, it's +the +proper plan."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She blushed, but tried to smile. "I don't know if +you're clever or not just now, although you sometimes do see things the +others +miss. I really was a little annoyed."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I've lived a long time," said Cartwright. +"However, perhaps it's important I haven't forgotten I was young. I +think +your brother and sister never were very young. They were soberer than +me when I +knew them first."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mortimer <i>is</i> a stick," Barbara agreed. +"He and Grace have a calm superiority that makes one savage now and +then. +I like human people, who sometimes let themselves go—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She stopped, and Cartwright noted her wandering +glance that +searched the beach and the path to the hotel. He knew whom she +expected, and +thought it would give her some satisfaction to quarrel with the fellow. +Cartwright did not mean to soothe her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Shillito ought to have sent his apologies +when he +found he could not come," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara's glance got fixed, and Cartwright knew he +had +blundered.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh!" she said, "now I begin to see! Mother +kept me by her all the evening; but mother's not very clever and +Mortimer's too +fastidious to meddle, unless he gets a dignified part. Of course, the +plot was +yours!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded. Sometimes he used tact, but he +was sometimes +brutally frank.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You had better try to console yourself with the +Wheeler boys; they're straight young fellows. Shillito is gone. He went +by the +car this morning and it's unlikely he'll come back."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You sent him off?" said Barbara, and her eyes +sparkled. +"Well, I'm not a child and you're not my father really. Why did you +meddle?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For one thing, he's not your sort. Then I'm a +meddlesome old fellow and rather fond of you. To see you entangled by a +man +like Shillito would hurt. Let him go. If you want to try your powers, +you'll +find a number of honest young fellows on whom you can experiment. The +boys one +meets in this country are a pretty good sample."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"There's a rude vein in you," Barbara declared. +"One sees it sometimes, although you're sometimes kind. Anyhow, I won't +be +bullied and controlled; I'm not a shareholder in the Cartwright line. I +don't +know if it's important, but why don't you like Mr. Shillito?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's eyes twinkled. In a sense, he could +justify his +getting rid of Shillito, but he knew Barbara and doubted if she could +be +persuaded. Still she was not a fool, and he would give her something to +think +about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible my views are not important," he +agreed. "All the same, when I told the man he had better go he saw the +force of my arguments. He went, and I think his going is significant. +Since I'd +sooner not quarrel, I'll leave you to weigh this."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off, but Barbara stopped and brooded. She +was angry +and humiliated, but perhaps the worst was she had a vague notion +Cartwright might +be justified. It was very strange Shillito had gone. All the same, she +did not +mean to submit. Her mother's placid conventionality had long irritated +her; one +got tired of galling rules and criticism. She was not going to be +molded into a +calculating prude like Grace, or a prig like Mortimer. They did not +know the +ridiculous good-form they cultivated was out of date. In fact, she had +had +enough and meant to rebel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Then she began to think about Shillito. His +carelessness was +strangely intriguing; he stood for adventure and all the romance she +had known. +Besides, he was a handsome fellow; she liked his reckless twinkle and +his +coolness where coolness was needed. For all that, she would not +acknowledge him +her lover; Barbara did not know if she really wanted a lover yet. She +imagined +Cartwright had got near the mark when he said she wanted to try her +power. +Cartwright was keen, although Barbara sensed something in him that was +fierce +and primitive.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Perhaps nobody else could have bullied Shillito; +Mortimer certainly +could not, but Barbara refused to speculate about the means Cartwright +had +used.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito ought not to have gone without seeing +her; this was +where it hurt. She was entitled to be angry—and then she started, for a +page boy came quietly out of the shade.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A note, miss," he said with a grin. "I was +to give it you when nobody was around."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara's heart beat, but she gave the boy a +quarter and +opened the envelope. The note was short and not romantic. Shillito +stated he +had grounds for imagining it might not reach her, but if it did, he +begged she +would give him her address when she left the hotel. He told her where +to write, +and added if she could find a way to get his letters he had much to say.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">His coolness annoyed Barbara, but he had excited +her curiosity +and she was intrigued. Moreover, Cartwright had tried to meddle and she +wanted +to feel she was cleverer than he. Then Shillito was entitled to defend +himself, +and to find the way he talked about would not be difficult. Barbara +knitted her +brows and began to think.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At lunch Mrs. Cartwright told her they were going +to join +the Vernons in the woods and she acquiesced. Two or three days +afterwards they +started, and at the station she gave Cartwright her hand with a smiling +glance, +but Cartwright knew his step-daughter and was not altogether satisfied. +Barbara +did not sulk; when one tried to baffle her she fought.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Vernons' camp was like others Winnipeg people +pitch in +the lonely woods that roll west from Fort William to the plains. It is +a rugged +country pierced by angry rivers and dotted by lakes, but a gasolene +launch +brought up supplies, the tents were large and double-roofed, and for a +few +weeks one could play at pioneering without its hardships. The Vernons +were +hospitable, the young men and women given to healthy sport, and Mrs. +Cartwright, watching Barbara fish and paddle on the lake, banished her +doubts. +For herself she did not miss much; the people were nice, and the +cooking was +really good.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When two weeks had gone, Grace and Barbara sat one +evening +among the stones by a lake. The evening was calm, the sun was setting, +and the +shadow of the pines stretched across the tranquil water. Now and then +the +reflections trembled and a languid ripple broke against the driftwood +on the +beach. In the distance a loon called, but when its wild cry died away +all was +very quiet.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace looked across the lake and frowned. She was +a tall +girl, and although she had walked for some distance in the woods, her +clothes +were hardly crumpled. Her face was finely molded, but rather colorless; +her +hands were very white, while Barbara's were brown. Her dress and voice +indicated cultivated taste; but the taste was negative, as if Grace had +banished carefully all that jarred and then had stopped. It was +characteristic +that she was tranquil, although she had grounds for disturbance. They +were some +distance from camp and it would soon be dark, but nothing broke the +gleaming +surface of the lake. The boat that ought to have met them had not +arrived.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I suppose this is the spot where Harry Vernon +agreed +to land and take us on board?" she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's like the spot. I understand we must watch +out for +a point opposite an island with big trees."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Watch out?" Grace remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Watch out is good Canadian," Barbara rejoined. +"I'm studying the language and find it expressive and plain. When our +new +friends talk you know what they mean. Besides, I'd better learn their +idioms, +because I might stop in Canada if somebody urged me."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace gave her a quiet look. Barbara meant to +annoy her, or +perhaps did not want to admit she had mistaken the spot. Now Grace came +to +think about it, the plan that the young men should meet them and paddle +them +down the lake was Barbara's.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't see why we didn't go with Harry and the +other, +as he suggested," she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, you're rather dull. They didn't really want +us; +they wanted to fish. To know when people might be bored is useful."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But there are a number of bays and islands. They +may +go somewhere else," Grace insisted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh well, it ought to amuse Harry and Winter to +look +for us, and if they're annoyed, they deserve some punishment. If they +had urged +us very much to go, I would have gone. Anyhow, you needn't bother. +There's a +short way back to camp by the old loggers' trail."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace said nothing. She thought Barbara's +carelessness was +forced; Barbara was sometimes moody. Perhaps she felt Shillito's going +more +than she was willing to own. For all that, the fellow was gone, and +Barbara +would, no doubt, presently be consoled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If mother could see things!" Barbara resumed. +"Sometimes one feels one wants a guide, but all one gets is a +ridiculous +platitude from her old-fashioned code. One has puzzles one can't solve +by +out-of-date rules. However, since she doesn't see, there's no use in +bothering."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm your elder sister, but you don't give me your +confidence."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara's mood changed and her laugh was touched +by scorn. +"You are worse than mother. She's kind, but can't see; you don't want +to +see. I'd sooner trust my step-father. He's a very human old ruffian. I +wish I +had a real girl friend, but you tactfully freeze off all the girls I +like. It's +strange how many people there are whom virtuous folks don't approve."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace missed the note of appeal in her sister's +bitterness. +She did not see the girl as disturbed by doubts and looked in +perplexity for a +guiding light. Afterwards, when understanding was too late, Grace +partly +understood.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Cartwright is not a ruffian." she said +coldly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I suppose you're taking the proper line, and +you'd be +rather noble, only you're not sincere. You don't like Cartwright and +know he +doesn't like you. All the same, it's not important. We were talking +about +getting home, and since the boys have not come for us we had better +start."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The loon had flown away and nothing broke the +surface of the +lake; the shadows had got longer and driven back the light. Thin mist +drifted +about the islands, the green glow behind the trunks was fading, and it +would +soon be dark.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"In winter, the big timber wolves prowl about the +woods," Barbara remarked. "Horrible, savage brutes! I expect you saw +the heads at the packer's house. Still, one understands they stay North +until +the frost begins."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She got up, and when they set off Grace looked +regretfully +across the lake, for she would sooner have gone home on board the +fishing +bateau. She was puzzled. The bays on the lake were numerous, and +islands dotted +the winding reaches, but it was strange the young men had gone to the +wrong +spot. They knew the lake and had told Barbara where to meet them. In +the +meantime, however, the important thing was to get home.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Darkness crept across the woods, and as she +stumbled along +the uneven trail Grace got disturbed. She felt the daunting loneliness, +the +quiet jarred her nerve. The pines looked ghostly in the gloom. They +were ragged +and strangely stiff, it looked as if their branches never moved, and +the dark +gaps between the trunks were somehow forbidding.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace did not like Canada. Her cultivation was +artificial, +but Canada was primitive and stern. In the towns, one found inventions +that lightened +labor, and brought to the reach of all a physical comfort that in +England only +the rich enjoyed, but the contrasts were sharp. One left one's hotel, +with its +very modern furniture, noisy elevators and telephones, and plunged into +the +wilderness where all was as it had been from the beginning. Grace +shrank from +primitive rudeness and hated adventure. Living by rule she distrusted +all she +did not know. She thought it strange that Barbara, who feared nothing, +let her +go in front.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They came to a pool. All round, the black tops of +the pines +cut the sky; the water was dark and sullen in the gloom. The trail +followed its +edge and when a loon's wild cry rang across the woods Grace stopped. +She knew +the cry of the lonely bird that haunts the Canadian wilds, but it had a +strange +note, like mocking laughter. Grace disliked the loon when its voice +first +disturbed her sleep at the fishing camp; she hated it afterwards.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Go on!" said Barbara sharply.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For a moment or two Grace stood still. She did not +want to +stop, but something in Barbara's voice indicated strain. If Barbara +were +startled, it was strange. Then, not far off, a branch cracked and the +pine-spray rustled as if they were gently pushed aside.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh!" Grace cried, "something is creeping +through the bush!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then don't stop," said Barbara. "Perhaps +it's a wolf!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace clutched her dress and ran. At first, she +thought she +heard Barbara behind, but she owned she had not her sister's pluck and +fear +gave her speed. She must get as far as possible from the pool before +she +stopped. Besides, she imagined something broke through the undergrowth +near the +trail, but her heart beat and she could not hear properly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length her breath got labored and she was +forced to stop. +All was quiet and the quiet was daunting. Barbara was not about and +when Grace +called did not reply. Grace tried to brace herself. Perhaps she ought +to go +back, but she could not; she shrank from the terror that haunted the +dark. Then +she began to argue that to go back was illogical. If Barbara had lost +her way, +she could not help. It was better to push on to the camp and send men +who knew +the woods to look for her sister. She set off, and presently saw with +keen +relief the light of a fire reflected on calm water.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085254">CHAPTER III</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085255">BARBARA VANISHES</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace's arrival was greeted by a shout, and when +she stopped +in front of the dining-tent a group of curious people surrounded her. +The +double roof of the big tent was extended horizontally, and a lamp +hanging from +a pole gave a brilliant light. Grace would sooner the light had been +dim, for +she was hot and her clothes were torn and wet with dew. Besides, she +must tell +her tale and admit that she had not played a heroic part.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Where's Barbara?" Mrs. Cartwright asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know. Harry Vernon did not meet us and we +started +home by the loggers' trail. I lost Barbara by the pool. Something in +the bush +tried to creep up to us; a wolf, I think—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, shucks!" remarked a frank Winnipeg girl who +did not like Miss Hyslop. "In summer, you can't find a wolf south of +Broken Range. Looks as if you were scared for nothing, but I can't see +why Barbara +didn't beat you at hitting up the pace."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Others asked questions, and when Grace got breath +she tried +to satisfy their curiosity. Some of the group looked thoughtful and +Mrs. Vernon +said:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Nothing can have hurt Barbara, and if she has +lost her +way, she cannot wander far, because she must be in the loop between the +river +and the lake. But Harry did go to meet you, and when he found you had +not come +back went off again with Bob. I expect they'll soon arrive with +Barbara."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They waited for half-an-hour, and then, when the +splash of +paddles stole out of the dark, ran down to the beach. Presently a +double-ended +bateau crossed the beam of light and grounded. A young man helped +Barbara out +and gave her his arm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You mustn't bother, Harry. I can walk all right," +she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Get hold," said Vernon. "You're not going to +walk. If you're obstinate, I'll carry you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara leaned upon his arm, but her color was +high and her +look strained when he helped her across the stones. Harry Vernon was a +tall, +thin, wiry Canadian, with a quiet face. When he got to the tent he +opened the +curtain, and beckoning Mrs. Cartwright, pushed Barbara inside.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You'll give her some supper, ma'am, and I'll +chase the +others off," he said. "The little girl's tired and mustn't be +disturbed."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a grateful look and the blood +came to his +sunburned skin.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am a little tired," she declared, and added, +too quietly for Mrs. Cartwright to hear: "You're a white man."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon pulled the curtain across, and joining the +others, +lighted a cigarette.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The girls stopped at False Point, two miles short +of +the spot we fixed," he said. "I reckon Bob's directions were not +plain enough. Since we didn't come along, they started back by the +loggers' +trail, while we went to look for them by the other track. At the pool, +they +thought they heard a wolf. That's so, Miss Hyslop?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes," said Grace. "I ran away and thought I +heard Barbara following. But what happened afterwards?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She fell. Hurt her foot, had to stop, and then +couldn't make good time. We found her limping along, and shoved through +the +bush for the river, so she needn't walk. Well, I think that's all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was plausible, but Grace was not altogether +satisfied. +Moreover, she imagined Vernon was not, and noted that Mrs. Vernon gave +him a +thoughtful glance. All the same, there was nothing to be said, and she +went to +her tent.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At daybreak Vernon left the camp, and when he +reached the +pool walked round its edge and then sat down and lighted his pipe. A +few yards +in front, a number of faint marks were printed on a belt of sand. By +and by he +heard steps, and frowned when Winter came out from an opening in the +row of +trunks. They were friends, and Bob was a very good sort, but Vernon +would sooner +he had stopped away.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hallo!" he said. "Why have you come +along?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I lost my hunting-knife," Winter replied. +"It was hooked to my belt and I thought the clip let go when we helped +Miss Hyslop over the big log. A bully knife; I wanted to find the +thing." +He paused and smiled when he resumed: "I reckon you pulled out of camp +to +meditate?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon hesitated. Had Winter stopped a few yards +off, he +would have begun some banter and drawn him away from the pool. Bob was +a +woodsman and his eyes were keen. The sun was, however, rising behind +the pines +and a beam of light touched the sand. There was no use in trying to +hide the +marks. In fact, Vernon imagined Bob had seen them.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," he said. "I thought I'd try to trail +the wolf Miss Hyslop talked about."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Looks as if you'd found some tracks," Winter +remarked. "Well, they're not a wolf's." He sat down opposite Vernon. "A +man's! I saw another at a soft spot. He followed the girls from the +lake and +stopped for some time. I allow I reckoned on something like that."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon made an experiment. "Might have been a +packer +going to a logging camp, or perhaps an Indian."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Shucks!" said Winter, although he gave Vernon a +sympathetic smile. "There are no Indians about the lake and packers' +boots +don't make marks like those. A city boot and a city man! A fellow who's +wise to +the bush lifts his feet. Anyhow, I reckon he doesn't belong to your +crowd."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A sure thing!" Vernon agreed. "I can fix +where all the boys were. Besides, if somebody in our lot had wanted to +talk to +Miss Hyslop, he wouldn't have hung around in the woods. My mother's +pretty +fastidious about her guests. Well, I'll own up the thing bothers me."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Winter nodded. Harry was frank and honest, and Bob +imagined +he had felt Barbara Hyslop's charm. He was sorry for Harry. The thing +was +awkward.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What are you going to do about it?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"To begin with, I'm going to hide these tracks. +After +all, I don't see much light. I suppose I ought to tell my mother and +put Mrs. +Cartwright wise; but I won't. Spying on a girl and telling is mean. All +the +same, I'm surely bothered. In a sense, my mother's accountable for her +guests +and the girl's nice. I'd like it if I could talk to the man."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Nothing doing there; he'll watch out. Well, we'll +hide +up his tracks and look for my knife. D'you think Grace Hyslop knew the +job was +put up?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't," said Vernon dryly. "I reckon she +was puzzled, but that's all. You couldn't persuade Miss Hyslop her +sister liked +adventures in the dark. Anyhow, the thing's done with. We have got to +let it +go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They went off and Winter pondered. Harry had got +something +of a knock. Perhaps he was taking the proper line; anyhow, it was the +line +Harry would take, but Bob doubted. The girl was very young and the man +who met +her in the dark was obviously a wastrel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When they returned for breakfast Barbara had +joined the +others and wore soft Indian moccasins. Bob looked at Harry and +understood his +frown. Harry had played up when he helped her home, but he, no doubt, +thought +the game ought to stop. Bob wondered whether Barbara knew, because she +turned +her head when Harry advanced.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After breakfast, Mrs. Vernon, carrying a small +bottle, +joined Mrs. Cartwright's party under the pines outside the tent. The +dew was +drying and the water shone like a mirror, but it was cool in the shade. +Barbara +occupied a camp-chair and rested her foot on a stone, Mrs. Cartwright +knitted, +and Grace studied a philosophical book. Her rule was to cultivate her +mind for +a fixed time every day. Harry Vernon strolled up to the group and Mrs. +Cartwright put down her knitting.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're kind, but the child's obstinate and won't +let +me see her foot," she said to Mrs. Vernon.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's comfortable now," Barbara remarked. +"When something that hurt you stops hurting I think it's better to +leave +it alone. Besides, one doesn't want to bother people."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You won't bother me, and I'll fix your foot in +two or +three minutes so it won't hurt again," Mrs. Vernon declared. "The +elixir's +famous and I haven't known it to miss. I always carry some when we camp +in the +woods." She turned to her son. "Tell Barbara how soon I cured you +when you hurt your arm."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You want to burn Miss Hyslop with the elixir?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It doesn't burn much. You said you hardly felt +it, and +soon after I rubbed your arm the pain was gone."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Harry glanced at Barbara and saw she was +embarrassed, +although her mouth was firm. Since she did not mean to let Mrs. Vernon +examine +her supposititious injury, his business was to help, and he laughed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Miss Hyslop's skin is not like my tough hide. You +certainly fixed my arm, but it was a drastic cure, and I think Miss +Hyslop +ought to refuse. I try to indulge you, like a dutiful son, but you are +not her +mother."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am her mother and she will not indulge me," +Mrs. Cartwright remarked with languid grievance, and Barbara gave Harry +a quick, +searching glance. His face was inscrutable, but she wondered how much +he knew. +She felt shabby and ashamed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When Mrs. Vernon went off with the elixir, Harry +sat down.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you could bring Mr. Cartwright out, I might +persuade my father to come along," he said. "The old man likes +Cartwright; declares he's a sport."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He is a ship-owner." Grace remarked. "I +think he used to shoot, but it's some time since."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Harry looked at Barbara and his eyes twinkled. +"American English isn't Oxford English, but your people are beginning +to +use it and Miss Barbara learns fast. All the same, running the +Independent +Freighters is quite a sporting proposition, and I imagine Mr. +Cartwright +generally makes good. The old man and I would back him to put over an +awkward +deal every time."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My husband is a good business man," Mrs. +Cartwright agreed. "But you belong to Winnipeg and I understand his +business is at Montreal."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The steamship <i>Conference</i> understood +something +like that, until Cartwright put them wise. You see, we Western people +grow the +wheat that goes down the lakes, and when the <i>Conference</i> got to +know an +Independent boat was coming out they went round and offered Montreal +shippers +and brokers a drawback on the rates. That is, if the shippers gave them +all +their stuff, they'd meet their bills for a rebate some time afterwards. +Bully +for the shippers, but it left the Western men, who raised the wheat, in +the +cold. Well, while the <i>Conference</i> got after him at Montreal, +Cartwright +came West and booked all the grain he could load before it started off. +When +the <i>Conference</i> got wise, the cargo was in the Independent +freighter's +hold. Cartwright's surely a business man."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara laughed and Mrs. Cartwright languidly +agreed, but +Grace frowned. Although she did not approve Cartwright, he was the head +of her +house, and to know his clever tricks were something of a joke hurt her +dignity. +Harry saw her frown.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Anyhow, Cartwright's promise stands," he resumed. +"If he ran his boat across half empty, he'd make good. You can trust +him."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off and Barbara mused unhappily. She +thought Harry +had talked to help her over an awkward moment, and she was grateful but +disturbed. It looked as if he knew something and he might know much. +All the +same, when he talked about her step-father she agreed. Cartwright was +bold and +clever, and, although he was sometimes not very scrupulous, people did +trust +him. Barbara wished she had his cleverness and his talent for removing +obstacles. There were obstacles in her path and the path was dark. Yet +she had +promised to take it and must make good. She tried to banish her doubts +and +began to talk.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After lunch she allowed one of the party to help +her on +board a canoe. The afternoon was calm, and the light breeze that now +and then +sighed in the pine-tops hardly ruffled the shining water. In the +evening, when +the straight trunks cut against a blaze of gold and green, they sat by +a smudge +fire that kept off the mosquitoes and sang to an accompaniment of +banjos and +mandolins. Barbara sang with the others, but it cost her an effort. The +tranquil day was nearly done and she felt it was the last tranquillity +she +might know for long. Her companions were frank and kind, Canadians, but +her +sort, and she was going to make a bold plunge with another who was not. +Yet she +knew one could not rebel for nothing, and she had pluck. The light +faded behind +the trees, a loon's wild cry rang across the dark water, and the party +went to +bed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning Grace awoke Mrs. Cartwright quietly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Barbara is gone," she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ridiculous!" said Mrs. Cartwright.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She is gone. Her clothes are not about; but we +must be +calm and not disturb the camp. Mrs. Vernon ought to know, but nobody +else. You +see, it's important—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright saw, and a few minutes afterwards +her +hostess knew.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's plain I must give Harry my confidence, to +some +extent," Mrs. Vernon said, and went to look for her son.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She found him going off for a swim, and when she +told her +tale he frowned.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"In a way, perhaps, I'm accountable, but we'll +talk +about this again," he said. "Get Mrs. Cartwright on board the launch +and come along yourself. As soon as Bob's inside his clothes we'll +start."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But Bob—" Mrs. Vernon began.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Bob <i>knows</i>, and I'll need a partner. If +Miss +Hyslop didn't leave the settlement on the night express, she'll be +hitting the +trail through the woods for the United States. You must hustle."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Vernon left him, and a few minutes afterwards +the fast +motor launch swung out from the landing and sped down river with a +white wave +at her bows. Grace watched the boat vanish behind a wooded point and +then went +to her tent. She was horribly angry and shocked. Barbara had cheated +her and +disgraced them all.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085256">CHAPTER IV</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085257">THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Vancouver express was running in the dark +through the +woods west of Fort William. After the rain of early summer, wash-outs +that +undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed. Now, +however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive +with +throttle wide open. Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders +rattled on +the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows. The wheels +roared on +shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for +the +company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by +metal.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">This was George Lister's business, and he lounged +in a +corner of a smoking-compartment, and rather drowsily studied some +calculations. +He was bound West from Montreal, and in the morning would resume his +labors at +a construction camp. There was much to be done and the construction +bosses who +had sent for him were getting impatient.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's thoughts wandered from the figures. He +liked his +occupation and admitted that he had been lucky, but began to see he had +gone as +far as he could expect to go. The trouble was, he had not enjoyed the +scientific training that distinguished the men who got important posts. +His +mechanical career began in the engine-room of a wheat-boat on the +lakes, and he +had entered the railroad company's service when shipping was bad and +steamers +were laid up. Although he had studied for a term or two at McGill +University, +he knew his drawbacks. Sometimes promotion was given for merit, but for +the +most part the men who made progress came from technical colleges and +famous +engineering works.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">An accident in the ranges on the Pacific slope, +when a +mountain locomotive jumped the track and plunged down a precipitous +hillside, +gave Lister his first chance. He got the locomotive back to the line, +and being +rewarded by a better post, stubbornly pushed himself nearer the front. +Now, +however, it looked as if he must stop. Rules were not often relaxed in +favor of +men who had no highly-placed friends. Yet Lister wondered.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Not long since, a gentleman whose word carried +some weight +at the company's office had visited the construction camp with his +indulged +daughter. The girl was clever, adventurous, and interested by pioneer +work, and +Lister had helped her to some thrills she obviously enjoyed. She had, +with his +guidance, driven a locomotive across a shaking, half-braced bridge, +fired a +heavy blasting shot, and caught big gray trout from his canoe. Although +Lister +used some reserve, their friendship ripened, and when she left she +hinted she +had some power she might be willing to use on his behalf.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">All the same, Lister was proud. The girl belonged +to a +circle he could not enter, and if he got promotion, it must be by his +merits. +He was not the man to get forward by intrigue and the clever use of a +woman's +influence; he had no talent for that kind of thing. He let it go, and +tried to +concentrate on his calculations.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by the colored porter stopped to tell him +his berth +was fixed and the passengers were going to bed. Lister nodded, put up +his +papers, and then lighted a cigarette. The smoking-compartment was hot, +the +light the rocking lamp threw about had hurt his eyes, and he thought he +would +go out on the platform for a few minutes.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went. The draught that swept the gap between +the cars was +bracing and cool. There was a moon, he saw water shine and dark pines +stream +past. The snorting of the locomotive broke in a measured beat through +the roll +of wheels; the rocks threw back confused echoes about the clanging +cars. Then +the gleam among the trees got wider and Lister knew they were nearing a +trestle +that crossed an arm of a lake. In fact, he had wondered whether he +would be +sent to pull down the bridge and rebuild it with steel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He sat down on the little box-seat, with his back +against +the door. The platform had not the new guards the company was then +fitting; +there was an opening in the rails, and one could go down the steps when +the +train was running. The moonlight touched the back of the car in front, +but +Lister was in the gloom, and when the vestibule door opposite opened he +was +annoyed. If somebody wanted to go through the train, he must get up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A girl came out of the other car and seizing the +rails +looked down. She was in the light, and Lister remarked that she did not +wear +traveling clothes; he thought her small, knitted cap, short dress, and +loose +jacket indicated that she had come from a summer camp. Then she turned +her head +and he saw her face was rather white and her look was strained. It was +obvious +that something had disturbed her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The girl did not see him, and while he wondered +whether he +ought to get up she put her foot on the step and leaned out, as if she +weighed +the possibility of jumping off. She swung back when the cars lurched +round a +curve, and the measured roll of wheels changed to a sharp, broken din. +The +train was running on to the trestle and Lister saw the water shine +below the +platform. He got up, and moving quietly, seized the girl's arm and +pulled her +from the rails.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A jolt might throw you off," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She looked up with a start and the blood came to +her skin, +but she gave him a quick, searching glance. Lister was athletic, his +face was +bronzed by frost and sun, and his look was frank. She lowered her eyes +and her +color faded.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Does the train stop soon?" she asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If the engineer's lucky, we won't stop until he +makes +the next water-tank, and it's some distance."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She turned with a quick, nervous movement and +glanced at the +door. Lister imagined she was afraid somebody might come out.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Could one persuade or bribe the conductor to pull +up?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister hesitated. He knew the train gang and was a +railroad boss, +but the company was spending a large sum in order to cut down the +time-schedule +and somebody must account for all delay.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not. You see, unless there's a washout or +the +track is blocked, nothing is allowed to stop the Vancouver express."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The girl glanced at the door again and then gave +him an +appealing look.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But I must get off! I oughtn't to have come on +board. +I want to go East, towards Montreal, and not to Winnipeg."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Although he was not romantic, Lister was moved. +She was very +young and her distress was obvious. Somehow he felt her grounds for +wanting to +leave the train were good. Indeed, he rather thought she had meant to +jump off +had they not run on to the bridge. Yet for him to stop the express +would be +ridiculous; the conductor and engineer would pay for his meddling. With +quiet +firmness he pulled the girl farther from the opening of the rails.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We stop long before we get to Winnipeg," he said +soothingly. "Then it's possible we'll be held up by a blocked track. +Wash-outs are pretty numerous on this piece of line. However, if we do +stop and +you get down, you'll be left in the woods."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh!" she said, "that's not important! All I +want is to get off."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," said Lister. "If we are held up, +I'll look for you. But I don't know if the jolting platform is very +safe. +Hadn't you better go back to your car?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She gave him a quick glance and he thought she +braced +herself.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm not going back. I can't. It's impossible!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister was curious, but hesitated about trying to +satisfy +his curiosity. The girl was afraid of somebody, and, seeing no other +help, she +trusted him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, you had better come with me and I'll find +you a +berth where you won't be disturbed," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She followed him with a confidence he thought +moving, and +when they met the conductor he took the man aside.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That's all right," said the other. "Nobody's +going to bother her while I'm about."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister returned to the smoking-compartment, but +the +adventure had given him a pleasant thrill and he did not feel sleepy. +He got +out his calculations and tried to interest himself until a man entered +the car. +The fellow was rather handsome and his clothes were good, but Lister +thought he +looked perplexed. He gave Lister a keen glance and went on through the +car. +Some minutes afterwards, he came back, frowning savagely, stopped in +front of +Lister, as if he meant to speak, hesitated, and went out by the +vestibule.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was plain the fellow had gone to look for the +girl and +had not found her. The conductor had seen to that. Lister smiled, but +admitted +that the thing was puzzling. The man was older than the girl, although +he was +not old enough to be her father. If he were her husband, she would not +have run +away from him, and it did not look as if he were her lover. Lister saw +no +light, but since it was obvious she feared the man he resolved, if +possible, to +help her to escape.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Some time afterwards, the whistle pierced the roll +of +wheels, and Lister, going to the platform, saw a big electric head-lamp +shine +like a star. The cars were slowing and he imagined the operator had +tried to +run a construction train across the section before the express came up. +They +would probably stop for a minute at the intersection of the main and +side +tracks. Hurrying through the train, Lister found the conductor, who +look him to +a curtained berth, and the girl got down. She was dressed and wore her +knitted +cap.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you are resolved to go, I may be able to help +you +off," Lister said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I must go," she replied, and although Lister +remarked that her hands trembled as she smoothed her crumpled dress, +her voice +was steady.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," he said. "Come along."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he opened the vestibule door the train was +stopping and +the beam from a standing locomotive's head-lamp flooded the track with +dazzling +light. For a moment the girl hesitated, but when Lister went down the +steps she +gave him her hand and jumped. Lister felt her tremble and was himself +conscious +of some excitement. He did not know if he was rash or not, but since +she meant +to go, speed was important, because the man from whom she wanted to +escape +might see them on the line. He went to the waiting engine in front of a +long +row of ballast cars, on which a big gravel plough loomed faintly in the +dark.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Who's on board?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A man he knew looked out from the cab window.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hallo, Mr. Lister! I'm on board with Jake. We're +going +to Malcolm cut for gravel. Washout's mixed things; operator reckoned he +could +rush us through—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you'll stop and get water at the tank," +Lister interrupted. "Will you make it before the East-bound comes +along?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We ought to make it half-an-hour ahead. Wires all +right that way. Nothing's on the road."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister turned to the girl. "If you're going East +you +must buy a new ticket at Malcolm. Have you money?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have some—" she said and stopped, and +Lister imagined she had not until then thought about money and had not +much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You'll take this lady to Malcolm, Roberts, and +put her +down where she can get to the station," he said to the engineer. +"Nobody will see you have a passenger, but if the agent's curious, I'll +fix +the thing with him."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was breaking rules, but the man knew Lister, +and Lister +knew he could be trusted. He took some bills from his wallet, and as he +helped +the girl up the steps pushed the paper into her hand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She turned to the cab door, and Lister imagined +she was +hardly conscious of the money he had given her. Her color was high but +her look +indicated keen relief.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh!" she said, "I owe you much! You don't +know all you have done. I will not forget—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Somebody waved a lantern, a whistle shrieked, and +the +locomotive bell began to toll. Lister jumped back and seized the rails +above +the platform steps as the car lurched forward. They moved faster, the +beam of +the head-lamp faded, and the train rolled on into the dark.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085258">CHAPTER V</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085259">SHILLITO GETS AWAY</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">When the train started Lister did not go to his +berth. His +curiosity was excited and he wondered whether he had been rash. Now he +came to +think about it, the girl was attractive, and perhaps this to some +extent +accounted for his willingness to help. Moreover she was young, and it +was +possible her relations had put her in the man's control. If so, his +meddling +could not be justified.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After a time he heard the whistle, and imagined +the train +was going to stop at a small station to which mails were brought from +some mining +camps. The neighboring country was rugged and lonely, but a trail ran +south +through the woods to the American frontier. When the cars stopped he +pushed +down the window and looked out.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Small trees grew along the track and the light +from the cars +touched their branches. The line was checkered by illuminated patches +and belts +of gloom. Lister heard somebody open the baggage car and then saw a man +run +along the line beside the train. Another jumped off a platform and they +met not +far from Lister's window. The man who got down was the fellow who had +gone +through the car looking for the girl. The locomotive pump throbbed +noisily and +Lister could not hear their talk, but he thought they argued.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The one who came up the line looked impatient and +put his +hand on his companion's arm, as if to urge him away. The other stepped +back, +and his gesture implied that he refused to go. The train was long, the +passengers were asleep, and the men, no doubt, imagined nobody saw +them. Lister +thought the fellow who got down did not know the girl was gone and did +not mean +to leave the train without her. The light touched the men's faces, and +it was +obvious that one was angry and the other disturbed. The scene intrigued +Lister. +It was like watching an act in a cinema play of which one did not know +the +plot.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After a minute or two a lantern flashed up the +track, the +bell tolled, and the nearer man jumped back on the step. Lister heard a +vestibule door shut and then the throb of wheels began. The fellow on +the line +frowned and threw out his hands angrily. From the movement of his lips +Lister +thought he swore, but the car rolled past him and he melted into the +dark.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister went to his berth, but did not undress. +Much of the +night had gone, he would reach his camp soon after daybreak, and the +train +would only stop long enough for him to jump off. He could sleep in his +clothes +for an hour or two. A slackening of the roll of wheels wakened him and +he got +out of his berth, but the big lamps were burning and when he went to +the door +he saw dawn had not come. It was obvious they had not reached the +construction +camp. Lister shivered, and was returning to his berth when the +conductor opened +the door.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Our luck's surely not good to-night," he said. +"They're pulling us up at Maple. If it's not a washout, somebody will +get +fired."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off, grumbling, but when the train stopped +came back +with a trooper of the North-West Mounted Police.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Where's the guy you told me to watch out for?" he +asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said he did not know and offered to go with +them and +help find the man. It looked as if he were going to see the end of the +play.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When they opened a vestibule door a man came out +of the car +in front and stopped, as if he were dazzled by the beam from the +conductor's +lifted lamp.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That's the fellow," Lister shouted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He thought the other saw the trooper's uniform, +because he +stepped back quickly. The door, however, was shut. When he let go the +handle +the spring-bolt had engaged.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Nothing doing that way!" said the trooper. +"My partner's coming along behind you; you're corraled all right. I've +a +warrant for you, Louis Shillito."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The North-West Police work in couples and the +situation was +plain. One trooper had begun his search at the front of the train, the +other at +the back, and Shillito, hearing the first turn the passengers out of +their +berths, had tried to steal away and met the other. His face got +strangely +white, but Lister thought it was rather with rage than fear. His lips +drew back +in a snarl, and the veins swelled on his forehead. He occupied the +center of +the illuminated circle thrown by the conductor's lamp, and his savage +gaze was +fixed. Lister saw he was not looking at the policeman but at him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Blast you!" Shillito shouted. "If you hadn't +butted in—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Cut it out!" said the trooper. "Hands up; we've +got you! Don't make trouble."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito's hand went behind him. It was possible +he felt for +the door knob, but the trooper meant to run no risks. Although he had +put down +his rifle and taken out his handcuffs, he jumped forward, across the +platform, +and Shillito bent sideways to avoid his spring. The fellow was athletic +and his +quick side-movement indicated he was something of a boxer; the +policeman was +embarrassed by his handcuffs and young. Shillito seized him and threw +him +against the rails, close to the gap where the steps went down. The +trooper +gasped, his grasp got slack, and his body slipped along the rails. It +looked as +if Shillito would throw him down the steps, and Lister jumped.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He saw Shillito's hand go up and next moment got a +heavy +blow. For all that, he seized the man and held on, though blood ran +into his +eyes and he felt dizzy. Shillito struggled like a savage animal and +Lister +imagined the trooper did not help much. He got his arms round his +antagonist +and tried to pull him down; Shillito was trying to reach the opening in +the +rails. After a moment or two, Lister felt his muscles getting slack, +lurched +forward, and saw nothing in front. He plunged out from the gap, struck +a step +with his foot, and somebody fell on him. Then he thought he heard a +rifle-shot, +and knew nothing more.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by somebody pulled him to his feet and he +saw the +conductor holding his arm. A group of excited passengers stood round +them in +the light that shone from the train and some others ran along the edge +of the woods. +The trooper and Shillito were gone.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's head hurt, he felt shaky, and when he +wiped his +face his hand was wet with blood.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My head's cut. S'pose I hit something when I +fell," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Shillito socked it to you pretty good," the +conductor replied, and waved his lamp. "All aboard!" he shouted, and +pushed Lister up the steps.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When they reached the platform the car jolted and +Lister sat +down, with his back against the door.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My legs won't hold me," he said in an apologetic +voice. "Did Shillito get off?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Knocked out the trooper and made the bush; the +other +fellow was way back along the train," the conductor replied. "They +want him for embezzlement and will soon get on his trail, but the +wash-out's +broke the wires and I reckon he'll cross the frontier ahead. Now you +come along +and I'll try to fix your cut."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister went, and soon after a porter helped him +into his +berth. His head hurt and he felt very dull and slack, but he slept and +when he +woke bright sunshine streamed into the standing car and he saw the +train had +stopped at Winnipeg. Soon afterwards the conductor and one of the +station +officials put him into an automobile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If the reporters get after you, remember you're +not to +talk about the girl," he said to the conductor.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other nodded, and signed the driver to start. +The car +rolled off and stopped at the house of a doctor who dressed the cut on +Lister's +head and ordered him a week's rest. Lister went to a hotel, and in the +morning +found a romantic narrative of Shillito's escape in the newspaper, but +was +relieved to note that nothing was said about the girl. The report, +however, +stated that a passenger who tried to help the police had got badly hurt +and +Shillito had vanished in the woods. The police had not found his trail +and it +was possible he would reach the American frontier.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister thought the thing was done with, and when a +letter +arrived from the construction office, telling him to stay until he felt +able to +resume his work, resigned himself to rather dreary idleness. For some +days his +head ached and he could not go out; the other guests were engaged in +the city +and there was nobody to whom he could talk. He got badly bored, and it +was a +relief when one afternoon the gentleman he had met at the construction +camp +arrived with his daughter. For all that, Lister was surprised. Duveen +was a man +of some importance, Miss Duveen was a fashionable young lady, and +Lister had +imagined they had forgotten him. He took his guests to a corner of the +spacious +rotunda where a throbbing electric fan blew away the flies, and Duveen +gave him +a cigarette.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The <i>Record</i> did not give your name, but we +soon +found out who was the plucky passenger," he said with a friendly smile. +"Ruth thought she'd like to see you, and since I wasn't engaged this +afternoon we came along."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did want to come, but I really think you +proposed +the visit," Ruth remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Duveen, "I don't know if +it's important, but perhaps we oughtn't to make Mr. Lister talk."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister declared he wanted to talk, and Duveen said +presently, "I don't see why you butted in."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For a moment or two Lister hesitated. He was +resolved to say +nothing about the girl; it was obvious she would not like her adventure +known, +but he must be cautious. Duveen was clever, and he thought Miss Duveen +gave him +a curious glance.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The trooper was young and I sympathized with his +keenness. Looked as if it was his first important job and he meant to +make +good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A romantic impulse?" Duveen remarked, and +laughed. "Well, when one is young, I expect it's hard to stand off +while a +fight's going on. All the same, it's strange you didn't sympathize with +the +fellow who was corraled. That's youth's natural instinct, although I +allow it's +not often justified."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The trooper was corraled. He'd put down his rifle +and +Shillito had a gun; I reckon it was the sharp butt of a heavy automatic +that +cut my head. Then I didn't like the fellow; he'd come through the train +before +and looked a smart crook."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He is a crook and got away with a big wad of the +lumber firm's money. However, you were rash to jump for a man with a +pistol. +You didn't know he'd use the butt. All the same, you look brighter than +we +thought and can take a rest. I expect the construction office won't +rush you +back until you're fit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I want to get back. Loafing round the hotel is +dreary +and my job's not getting on. Although I'm ordered to lie off, this +won't count +for much. I'll be made accountable for getting behind."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Duveen said nothing for a moment or two, but he +looked +thoughtful, and Lister imagined Miss Duveen studied him quietly. He did +not +belong to the Duveens' circle; he was ruder. In fact, it was rather +strange to +see these people sitting with him, engaged in friendly talk, although, +now he +thought about it, Miss Duveen had not said much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She was a pretty girl and Lister liked her +fashionable +dress. Somehow Ruth Duveen harmonized with the tall pillars and rich +ornamentation of the rotunda. One felt she belonged to spacious rooms. +Duveen's +clothes were in quiet taste, he wore a big diamond, and looked +commanding. One felt +this was a man whose word carried weight.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're something of a hustler," he remarked with +a smile. "For all that, you got a nasty knock, and your quitting for a +time is justified. Well, if you feel lonesome, come along and dine at +our +hotel. Then we'll go and see the American opera. I'm told the show is +good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister made some excuses, but Duveen would not be +refused.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When we stopped at your camp you made things +smooth +for us. You gave Ruth some thrills, showed her the romance of +track-grading, +and generally helped her to a good time. Anyhow, the thing is fixed. +We'll send +the car for you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They went off soon afterwards, and Lister mused +and smoked. +He had hardly expected to meet the Duveens again and wondered whether +he owed +the visit to Ruth or her father; he had remarked at the camp that she +was +generally indulged. Well, it was plain Duveen could help him and Lister +was +ambitious, but he frowned and pulled himself up. He was not going to +intrigue +for promotion and use a girl's friendship in order to force his chiefs +to see +his merits. Things like that were done, but not by him; it demanded +qualities he +did not think were his. Moreover he did not know if Ruth Duveen was his +friend. +She was attractive, but he imagined she was clever. All the same, if he +could +get the doctor to fix his bandage so as to make it inconspicuous he +would dine +with the Duveens.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085260">CHAPTER VI</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085261"></a>WINNIPEG BEACH</h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was +moved by the +music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking +crowd. +For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew +were +rude. His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept +alkali +plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods. From daybreak until dusk +fell, +hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his +ears, +and often the uproar did not stop at dark. When a soft muskeg swallowed +the new +track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw +showers +of gravel from the ballast cars.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Labor and concentration had left their mark. +Lister's +muscles were hard, but his body and face were thin. He looked +fine-drawn and +alert; his talk was direct and quick. As a rule, his skin was brown, +but now +the brown was gone, and the lines on his face were deeper. His injury +accounted +for something and he felt the reaction from a strain he had hardly +noted while +it must be borne. Although he had not altogether hidden his bandage and +his +clothes were not the latest fashion, Ruth Duveen was satisfied. Somehow +he +looked a finer type than the business men in the neighboring stalls. +One felt +the man's clean virility and got a hint of force.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister was highly strung. The music stirred his +imagination, +and when the curtain went down the light and glitter, the perfume that +drifted +about, the women's dress, and the society of his attractive companion +gave him +a curious thrill. He began to see he had missed much; ambitions that +had forced +him to struggle for scope to use fresh efforts took another turn. Life +was not +all labor. Ruth Duveen had enlightened him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He studied her. She had grace and charm; it was +much to +enjoy, for one evening, the society of a girl like this. Duveen went +off +between the acts to meet his friends, but Ruth stopped and talked. Her +smile +was gracious and Lister let himself go. He told her about adventures on +the +track and asked about her life in the cities. Perhaps it was strange, +but she +did not look bored, and when the curtain went down for the last time he +felt a +pang. The evening was gone and in a day or two he must resume his labor +in the +wilds. Lister did not cheat himself; he knew the strange, romantic +excitement +he had indulged would not be his again. When they went down the passage +Ruth +gave him a smiling glance and saw his mouth was firm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You look rather tired," she said. "Have we +tired you?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister turned and his eyes were thoughtful. She +had stopped +to fasten her cloak, and the people pushing by forced her to his side. +An +electric lamp burned overhead and her beauty moved him. He noted the +heavy +coils of her dark hair, her delicate color, and the grace of her form.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm not at all tired," he said. "I feel +remarkably braced and keen, as if I'd waked up from sleep. In fact, I +think I +have awakened."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Ruth laughed. She saw he was not smiling and his +graveness +gave her a sense of power. He had owned, with typical frankness, that +she had +moved him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes to wake up suddenly gives one a jolt," +she said. "However, you will soon get calm again in the woods."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He sensed something provocative and challenging in +her +voice, but he would not play up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wonder—" he said quietly. "In a way, +the proper line's to go to sleep again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes one dreams! I expect you dream about +locomotives breaking through trestles and dump-cars plunging into +muskegs?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He laughed. "They're things I know, and safe to +dream +about. All the same, I rather expect I'll be haunted by lights and +music, +pretty dresses and faces—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He stopped, and Ruth remarked: "If these have +charm, +there are no very obvious grounds for your going without. You can +command a +locomotive and Winnipeg's not very far from your camp. But we're +stopping the +people, and I can't fix this clasp."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She moved, and the opera cloak fell back from her +arm, which +was uncovered but for the filmy sleeve that reached a little below the +shoulder. He noted its fine curves and the silky smoothness of her +skin. +Although he fastened the clasp with a workman's firm touch, he +thrilled. Then +the crowd forced them on and they found Duveen waiting by the car. When +they +stopped at Lister's hotel Ruth said, "We are going to Winnipeg Beach, +Saturday. Would you like to come?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Duveen nodded. "A happy thought! I've got to talk +to +some business people who make Ruth tired. If you come along, I needn't +bother +about her."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That's how one's father argues!" Ruth exclaimed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister hesitated. "I was told to lie off because I +was +hurt. If I'm fit to enjoy an excursion, I'm fit to work."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're too scrupulous, young man. Have a good +time +when it's possible, or you'll be sorry afterwards. I reckon you're +justified to +take all the company will give."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It was caution, not scruples. Suppose I meet one +of +the railroad chiefs?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll fix him," Duveen rejoined. "Your bosses +won't get after you when you belong to my party. Anyhow, we'll look out +for +you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The car rolled off, and Lister, going to the +rotunda, +lighted a cigarette and mused. Ruth Duveen had beauty, he liked her but +must +use caution, since he imagined the friendship she had given him was +something +of an indulged girl's caprice. Then he began to think about the girl he +had met +on board the train. Now he was able, undisturbed, to draw her picture, +he saw +she, too, had charm, but she was not at all like Ruth. The strange +thing was, +one did not note if she were beautiful or not. In a way, this did not +matter; +her pluck and firmness fixed one's interest.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister threw away his cigarette. He was poor and +not +romantic. The girl he had helped had vanished, and after their +excursion he +hardly expected to see Ruth again. Ruth was kind, but she would soon +forget him +when he was gone. He would go to Winnipeg Beach with her, and then +return to +the woods and let his job absorb him. In the meantime, his head had +begun to +ache and he went to bed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Saturday morning was typical of Winnipeg in +summer. The +fresh northwest breeze that sweeps the Manitoba plains had dropped. +Dark +thunder-clouds rolled about the sky, but the sun was hot and an +enervating +humidity brooded over the town. The perspiring crowd in Main Street +moved +slackly, the saloon bars were full, and the groups of holiday-makers +flocking +to the station wore a languid look.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister met his hosts in the marble waiting hall +where a +gold-framed panorama of Canadian scenery closes the view between the +rows of +stately pillars. Duveen had brought three or four keen-eyed, nervous +business +men, a rather imposing lady, and Ruth, and they got on board a local +train soon +after Lister arrived. Winnipeg Beach was then beginning to attract +holiday-makers from the prairie town. One could row and fish in +sheltered bays, +and adventure on board a gasoline launch into the northern wilds. +Boating, +however, had no charm for Duveen's friends. The excursion was an +opportunity +for friendly business talk, and when lunch was over Ruth and Lister +went out on +the lawn in front of the hotel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">There was no wind. A few dark clouds floated +motionless +overhead, but outside their shadow the lake shone like glass, running +back +until it melted into faint reflections on the horizon. A varnished +launch +flashed in the sun and trailed a long white wake across the water.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Do you want to stay and talk to Mrs. Knapp?" Ruth +asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I do not," said Lister. "Anyhow, I imagine +Mrs. Knapp doesn't want to talk to me. I'm not a big-business man."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Ruth laughed. "Oh, well, when you speculate at the +Board of Trade, a railroad engineer is not a useful friend. I suppose I +ought +to stay, but the things one ought to do are tiresome. Let's go on the +lake."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister got a canoe, and fixing a cushion for Ruth, +picked up +the paddle.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Where shall we go?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"North, as far as you can. Let's get away from the +boats and trippers and imagine we're back in the woods where you helped +me +catch the big gray trout."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you liked it at the construction camp?" +Lister remarked. "It was a pretty rude spot."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For an indulged city girl?" Ruth said, smiling. +"Well, perhaps I'd got all the satisfaction dinner parties and dances +and +the society at hotels can give. I knew the men who handle finance and +work the +wires behind the scenes, but I wanted to know the others who do the +strenuous +things and keep the country going. I came, and you helped me to +understand the +romance of the lakes and woods."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister did not remember if he had tried to do so +and thought +he had not. All the same, the girl was keen and interested. In summer, +it was +not hard to feel the lonely sheets of water and tangled bush were +touched by +romance. Then, perhaps, everybody felt at times a vague longing for the +rude +and primitive. But he was not a philosopher, and dipping the paddle, he +drove +the canoe across the tranquil lake.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, he imagined Ruth studied him with +quiet +amusement, and wondered whether she thought he was not playing up. He +did not +mean to play up; the game was intricate, and, if he were rash, might +cost him +much. He had taken off his hat and jacket and effort had brought back +the color +to his skin. His thin face had the clean bronze tint of an Indian's; +the soft +shirt showed the fine-drawn lines of his athletic figure; but Lister +was not +conscious of this. He knew his drawbacks, but not all his advantages.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he had gone some distance and the hotel and +houses +began to melt into the background, he stopped and let the canoe drift.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"How far shall we go?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Ruth indicated a rocky point, cut off by the +glimmering reflection, +that seemed to float above the horizon.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Let's see what is on the other side. Now and then +one +wants to know. Exploration's intriguing. Don't you think so?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes; in a practical sense. When a height of +land +cuts the landscape, I wonder whether one could find an easy down-grade +for the +track across the summit. That's about as far as my imagination goes."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Ruth, "exploration like that +is useful and one doesn't run much risk. But risk and adventure appeal +to some +people."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister resumed paddling. The girl had charm and he +was +young; if he were not cautious, there might be some risk for him. He +was not a +clever philanderer, and Ruth and Duveen had been kind. By and by a puff +of cool +wind touched his hot skin and he looked round. A black cloud had rolled +up and +there were lines on the water.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We may get a blow and some thunder," he remarked. +"Shall we go back?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not yet. We'll make the point first. If it does +thunder, summer storms don't last."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He paddled harder and a small white wave lapped +the canoe's +bows. The sky was getting dark, and now the lines that streaked the +lake were +white, but the wind was astern and they were going fast. The glimmering +reflections had vanished and the rocks ahead rose sharply from the +leaden +water. The point was some distance off, but Lister knew he must reach +it soon.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A flash of forked lightning leaped from the sky +and touched +the lake, there was a long, rumbling peal, and then a humming noise +began +astern. Angry white ripples splashed about the canoe and lumps of hail +beat +Lister's head. Then, while the thunder rolled across the sky, the canoe +swerved. It was blowing hard, the high bow and stern caught the wind, +the +strength was needed to hold her straight with the single paddle. If he +brought +her round, he could not paddle to windward, and to steer across the sea +that +would soon get up might be dangerous. They must make the point and +land. He +threw Ruth his jacket, for spray had begun to fly and the drops from +the paddle +blew on board.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Put on the thing; I've got to work," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In a few minutes his work was hard. Short, white +waves +rolled past, the canoe lurched and swerved, and Lister knew if she +swung off +across wind and sea she might capsize. He must keep her running and let +the combers +split against her pointed stern. The combers were getting large and +their +hissing tops surged by some height above the gunwale, but so long as he +could +keep her before them they would not come on board. When her bows went +up she +sheered, as if she meant to shoot across the hollow left by the sea +that rolled +by. He stopped her with a back-stroke and then drove hard ahead, for he +must +have speed to steer when the next sea came on. In the meantime, the +lightning +flickered about the lake and between the flashes all was nearly dark. +The tops +of the waves tossed against leaden cloud and he could hardly see the +rocks for +which he steered.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by, however, the point stood out close +ahead. The +trees on the summit bent in the wind; spray leaped about the bowlders +where the +white foam rolled. He must go round and find a landing to lee, but to +go round +he must cross the belt of breaking water, with the savage wind abeam. +The canoe +shipped some water, and riding in on a comber's crest, narrowly missed +a rock +that lifted its top for a moment out of the foam. Then Lister drove her +in +behind the point and helped Ruth to land on a gravel beach. Her eyes +sparkled +and he saw she had not been daunted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We're all right now, but we have got to stay +until the +storm blows out," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They found shelter in a hollow of the cliff and +sat among +the driftwood while the rain that blotted out the lake drove overhead. +The +deluge did not reach them and the cold was going.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You go back on Monday?" Ruth said at length.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister smiled with humorous resignation. "I must. +The +strange thing is, when I left my job before I was keen to get back. Now +I'd +rather stop and loaf."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you were not bored at Winnipeg?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not at all," Lister declared. "If it would +give me a holiday like this, I'd get hurt again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect the woods get dreary. Then, perhaps, one +doesn't make much progress by sticking to the track? Don't you want to +get into +the office where the big plans are made?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know," said Lister thoughtfully. "On +the track you're all right if you know your job; at headquarters you +need +qualities I don't know are mine. Anyhow, I'm not likely to get there, +if I want +or not."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Ruth gave him a curious glance. "Sometimes one's +friends can help. Would you really like a headquarters post?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister moved abruptly and his mouth got firm. +Perhaps Ruth +exaggerated her father's importance, but it was possible Duveen could +get him +promotion. All the same, Lister saw what his taking the job implied; he +must +give up his independence and be Duveen's man. Moreover, if the girl +meant to +help, she had some grounds for doing so. He thrilled and was tempted, +but he +thought hard. It looked as if she liked him and was perhaps willing to +embark +upon a sentimental adventure, but he thought this was all. She would +not marry +a poor man.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," he said, with a touch of awkwardness. +"I reckon I had better stick to the track. To know where you properly +belong is something, and if I took the other job, my chiefs would soon +find me +out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're modest," Ruth remarked. "One likes +modest people, but don't you think you're obstinate?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When the trail you hit goes uphill, obstinacy's +useful."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you won't take help, you may be long reaching +the +top, but we'll let it go. The wind hasn't dropped much. How can we get +back?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We must wait," Lister replied with a twinkle. +"The trouble about an adventure is, when you start you're often forced +to +stay with it and put it over. That sometimes costs more than you +reckon."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Ruth's eyes sparkled, but she forced a smile. +"Logical +people make me tired. But why do you imagine I haven't the pluck to +pay?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't," said Lister. "I've no grounds to +imagine anything like that. My business was to take care of you and I +ought to +have seen the storm was coming. Now I'm mad because I didn't watch out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes you're rather nice," Ruth remarked. +"You know I made you go on. All the same, we must start as soon as +possible."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister got up presently and launched the canoe. +The thunder +had gone, but the breeze was strong and angry white waves rolled up the +lake. +To drive the canoe to windward was heavy labor, and while she lurched +slowly +across the combers the sun got low. Lister's wet hands blistered and +his arms +ached, but he swung the paddle stubbornly, and at length the houses and +hotel +stood out from the beach. When they got near the landing Ruth looked +ahead.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The train's ready to pull out!" she exclaimed. +"Can you make it?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister tried. His face got dark with effort and +his hands +bled, but in a few minutes he ran the canoe aground. Ruth jumped out +and they +reached the station as the bell began to toll. Duveen waved to them +from the +track by the front of the train and then jumped on board, and Lister +pushed +Ruth up the steps of the last car. The car was second-class and crowded +by +returning holiday-makers, but the conductor, who did not know Lister +and Miss +Duveen, declared all the train was full and they must stay where they +were. +When he went off and locked the vestibule Lister looked about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">All the seats and much of the central passage were +occupied, +for the most part by young men and women. Some were frankly lovers and +did not +look disturbed by the banter of their friends. Lister was embarrassed, +for +Ruth's sake, until he saw with some surprise that she studied the +others with +amused curiosity. Looking down he met her twinkling glance and thought +it +something like a challenge. His embarrassment got worse. One could not +talk +because of the noise and to shout was ridiculous. He must stand in a +cramped +pose and try not to fall against Ruth when the cars rocked. He admitted +that +his proper background was the rude construction camp, and it was +something of a +relief when they rolled into Winnipeg.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Duveen's car was at the station, and Ruth stopped +for a +moment before she got on board.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You start on Monday and we will be out of town +to-morrow. I wish you good luck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister thanked her, and when she got into the car +she gave +him a curious smile. "I think I liked you better in the woods," she +said, and the car rolled off.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085262">CHAPTER VII</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085263">LISTER'S DISSATISFACTION</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Soon after his return from Winnipeg, Lister stood +one +evening by a length of track planned to cut out an awkward curve. The +new line +ran into a muskeg that sucked down brush and logs and the loads of +numerous +gravel trains. Angry foremen declared one could not fill up the bog, +and Lister +knew the heads of the construction office grumbled about the delay. He +was +tired, for he had been strenuously occupied since morning, but could +not +persuade himself that the work had made much progress.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Small trees lay in tangled rows about the fresh +gravel; +farther back, the standing bush ran in a broken line against the fading +light. +In front, thin mist drifted across the muskeg where slender trunks rose +from +the quaking mud. Not far off a high, wooden trestle carried the rails +across a +ravine. The bridge would presently be rebuilt with steel, but in the +meantime +the frame was open and the gaps between the ties were wide.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was getting dark and noisy blast-lamps threw up +pillars +of white fire. The line had sunk in the afternoon and it was necessary +to lift +the rails and fill up the subsidence before the next gravel train +arrived. +Lister was angry and puzzled, for he had pushed the road-bed across to +near the +other side, but the rails had not sunk in the new belt but in ground +over which +the trains had run.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by a man joined him and remarked: "The boys +have +got the ties up, but I reckon they won't fix the track for three or +four hours. +Looks as if the blamed muskeg was going to beat us."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She can't beat us," Lister rejoined impatiently. +"The trouble is, hauling the stuff she swallows runs up construction +costs, and that counts against us. Did you leave Willis with the gang?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other laughed. "I did not. He was tired. +Wanted +something at the office and allowed he'd stop and take a smoke."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hustle him out when you go along, Kemp. I'd +sooner our +chiefs down East had kept that young man. The job's not soft enough for +him. +However, I s'pose he lighted the lamp across the bridge?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Willis has friends," Kemp remarked meaningly, and +indicated a reflection behind the trees. "The lamp's burning."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister glanced at the trembling light. "I expect +it's +good enough for the engineer, but the flame's not steady. Willis hasn't +bothered to get the pressure right. It's possible he didn't wait until +she +warmed the oil."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The powerful lamp had been carried across the +bridge in +order to warn the engineer of the gravel train, who on his last journey +had run +to the end of the line. The light could be seen for some distance up +the track.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I got after Hardie about making good time. We +must dump +his load in the soft spot before we stop," Lister resumed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He's coming now; climbing the height of land," +said Kemp. "He'll let her go all out when he makes the top."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A measured throb rolled across the woods, and as +the noise +got louder the beat of the exhaust marked the progress of the train. +The +explosive snorts indicated that the locomotive labored up the last +steep pitch, +and Lister sat down by the rails. He was tired and would not be needed +until +the gravel plough threw the rattling ballast off the cars. After a few +moments +he looked up, for a man came out of the gloom.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hello, Willis! I s'pose you've been taking a +quiet +smoke?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That's so," said the other. "I've hustled +round since sun-up and imagined the gang could get along for half an +hour +without my watching. You want to leave something to your foremen."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said nothing. He did not choose his +helpers, but +tried to make the best use of those the bosses sent. Willis had some +useful +qualities, but he was slack, and got sulky if one drove him hard. The +young man +had come from the drawing-office of a famous bridge-building works.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, the rumble of the gravel train +grew to a +pulsating roar. The locomotive had crossed the divide and was running +furiously +down grade. The roughly-ballasted track was uneven, but the engineer +had been +on board since daybreak and no doubt wanted to finish his job.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She's in the rock cut now," Kemp remarked. +"Hardie ought to throttle down when he runs out and sees the light."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister listened. The swelling note indicated that +the train +had left the cut, but it did not look as if the engineer was pulling up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She's coming along pretty fast," said Willis. +"If he doesn't snub her soon, she'll jump the steel and take the +muskeg."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Next moment Lister was on his feet. Hardie was +driving too +fast; Lister doubted if he could stop before the heavy train plunged +through +the broken track. The unsteady white flicker behind the trees had sunk +and +changed to smoky red. If looked as if the oil was not vaporizing +properly and +the lamp was going out. When the engineer saw the light it would be too +late.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Get the boys off the track. I'll try to fix the +lamp," Lister shouted, and started for the bridge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The errand was not his. Willis had lighted the +lamp: +moreover, one might have sent a workman, but when a job was urgent +Lister went +himself. The job was urgent and dangerous. Unless he made good speed, +he would +meet the train on the bridge and the cylinders of the locomotive +projected +beyond the edge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The track was rough and fresh gravel rolled under +his feet. +Now and then he struck a cross-tie and nearly fell. It had got dark and +among +the trees the gloom was deep; one could not see the ties. Yet he must +run, and +his breath got labored and his heart thumped. He did not know where the +train was, +only that it was near. The woods throbbed with a savage din; the big +cars, +loaded with rattling gravel, clanged and roared as they plunged down +grade.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister hardly thought he could stop the train. It +looked as +if he would be caught on the trestle, but he meant to go on. He did not +argue +about it; he was rather moved by instinctive stubbornness. At moments +of strain +one does not argue and logic has no appeal. Character counts for all, +and +Lister followed his bent. His job was urgent and must be carried out.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he reached the bridge he saw white threads of +water +between the timbers of the open frame. The spacing of the ties was not +regular, +and if he stepped short, or too far, he would go through. Then, if he +did not +strike a brace, he would fall upon the rocks in the stream. All the +same, he +saw the blaze of the head-lamp pick out the trees across the ravine and +sprang +on to the bridge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Somehow he hit the ties; perhaps by subconscious +judgment, +and perhaps by good luck. Then he felt loose gravel under his feet and +thrilled +with a strange fierce satisfaction. His breath was labored and his body +wet by +sweat, but the moving beam had not reached the lamp. He was going to +make it.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When the black front of a gravel car leaped out of +the gloom +he jumped off the track. The locomotive pushed the cars, the train was +long, +and the lamp was but a few yards off. It had not gone out, although the +flame +had sunk to a faint red jet that would not be seen in the dust. His +hands +shook, but he gave the pump a few strokes and turned the valve wheel. +The red +jet got white and leaped higher and Lister, pumping hard, looked up the +track. +Big cars, rocking and banging, rushed past in a cloud of dust. Bits of +gravel +struck him and rattled against the lamp. The blurred, dark figures of +men who +sat upon the load cut against the fan-shaped beam, and in the +background he saw +a shower of leaping sparks.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">But the other light was growing and Lister turned +the wheel. +Burning oil splashed around him, a pillar of fire rushed up, and when a +whistle +screamed he let go the valve and turned from the blinding dust. He was +shaking, +but the heavy snorting stopped. The engineer had seen the light and cut +off +steam.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When Lister looked round the train was gone. He +had done +what he had undertaken, and after waiting for a few moments he started +back. +Now he could go cautiously, he stopped and tried to brace himself at +the end of +the bridge. Although he had run across not long since, he shrank from +the dark, +forbidding gaps. For all that, he must get back, and feeling carefully +for the +ties, he reached the other side and was for some time engaged at the +muskeg +where two cars had overrun the broken rails. At length he went to the +log shack +he used for his office and sleeping-room, and soon after he lighted his +pipe +Kemp came in.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You made it," Kemp remarked. "When you +stopped me at the bridge I saw you'd get there."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister laughed. "Now you talk about it, I believe +I did +shout you to go back. Anyhow, you were some way behind. Did Willis +come?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He did not. Willis was badly rattled and started +for +the muskeg. Thought he might get the track thrown across the hole, +perhaps! I'm +rather sorry for the kid. But what are you going to do about it?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Report we had two cars bogged and state the cost +of +labor. That's all, I think."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Kemp nodded. "Well, perhaps there's no use in +talking +about the lamp. Our business is to make good, using the tools we've +got. All +the same, if they want a man somewhere else, I guess I'd recommend +Willis."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He smoked quietly for a time, and then resumed: +"We +don't get forward much. In fact, if the new Western irrigation company +would +take me on, I think I'd quit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister pondered. Since his short stop at Winnipeg +he had +been conscious of a strange restlessness. He wanted something the woods +could +not give, and had begun to think life had more to offer than he had +known. +Besides, he was not making much progress.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Since the double track is to be pushed on across +the +plains, the department will need a bigger staff and there ought to be a +chance +for some of us," he said. "Then there's the new work with the long +bridges on the lake section that will carry higher pay. We're next on +turn and +have some claim. They ought to move us up."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I doubt. We didn't come from a famous office, and +it's +not always enough to know your job."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Somebody will get a better post, and if I'm lucky +I'll +stay. If not, I think I'll try the irrigation works."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I feel like that," Kemp declared. "But +suppose the irrigation people turn our application down?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then I'll lie off for a time. Except when I went, +to +McGill with money I earned on a wheat barge, I haven't stopped work +since I was +a boy. Now I'm getting tired and think I'll pull out and go across to +look at +the Old Country. My father was an Englishman, and I have some money to +burn."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A good plan," Kemp agreed. "After a change +you come back fresh with a stronger punch. Well, if we're not put on to +the +lake section, we'll try the irrigation scheme."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He got up and went off, but Lister sat on his bunk +and +smoked. The bunk was packed with swamp-grass on which his coarse +Hudson's Bay +blankets were laid, and the shack was bare. Ragged slickers and old +overalls +occupied the wall, long gum-boots a corner. A big box carried an iron +wash-basin, +and a small table some drawing instruments. Lister was not fastidious, +and, as +a rule, did not stop long enough at one spot to justify his making his +shack +comfortable. Besides, he found it necessary to concentrate on his work, +and had +not much time to think about refinements.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">All the same, he felt the shack was dreary and his +life was +bleak. He had not felt this until he went to Winnipeg. On the whole, he +had +liked the struggle against physical obstacles. It was his proper job, +but the +struggle was stern and sometimes exhausting, and his reward was small. +Now he +wanted something different, and gave himself to vague and brooding +discontent.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Ruth Duveen had broken his former tranquillity. In +a sense, +she had awakened him, and he imagined she had meant to do so. All the +same, to +think she loved him was ridiculous; she was rather experimenting with +fresh +material. Yet she was accountable for his discontent. She had helped +him to see +that while he labored in the woods he had missed much. He wanted the +society of +cultivated women and men with power and influence; to use control +instead of +carrying out orders; and to know something of refinement and beauty. +After all, +his father was a cultivated Englishman, although Lister imagined he had +inherited qualities that helped him most from his Canadian mother. It +was all +he had inherited, except some debts he had laboriously paid.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He admitted that to realize his ambitions might be +hard, but +he meant to try. Canada was for the young and stubborn. If his chiefs +did not +promote him, he would make a plunge, and if his new plan did not work, +he would +go over and see the Old Country. Then he would come back, braced and +refreshed, +and try his luck again.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Putting down his pipe, he got into bed. He was +tired and in +the morning the gravel cars must be pulled out of the muskeg. The job +was +awkward, and while he thought about it he went to sleep.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085264">CHAPTER VIII</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085265">THE TEST</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">A boisterous wind swept the high plain and round, +white-edged clouds rolled across the sky. The grass that ran back from +the +horizon was parched, and in the distance a white streak of blowing dust +marked +a dried alkali lake. Dust of dark color drove along the row of wooden +stores +and houses that fronted the railroad track, across which three grain +elevators +rose like castles. The telegraph posts along the track melted into the +level +waste, and behind the spot where they vanished the tops of a larger +group of +elevators cut the edge of the plain.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The street was not paved, and the soil was deeply +ploughed +by wheels. The soil was the black gumbo in which the wheat plant +thrives, but +the town occupied the fringe of a dry belt and farming had not made +much +progress. Now, however, a company was going to irrigate the land with +water +from a river fed by the Rockies' snow. The town was square, and +although it +looked much smaller than real-estate agents' maps indicated, it was +ornamented +by four wooden churches, a Y.M.C.A. like a temple, and an ambitious +public +hall.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Tecumseh Hotel occupied a corner lot at the +end of the +street and was not remarkably commodious or clean, but its charges were +less +than the Occidental's by the station, and Lister and Kemp were not +fastidious. Some +time had gone since they pulled the gravel cars out of the swamp and +they had +not been sent to the lake section. In consequence, they had applied to +the +irrigation company for a post, and having been called to meet the +engineers and +directors, imagined they were on the short list.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister lounged against the rails on the Tecumseh +veranda. +The boards were cracked and dirty; burned matches and cigar ends were +scattered +about, and a skeleton, gauze covered door that shut with a powerful +spring kept +some of the flies and mosquitoes out of the hotel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We'll know to-morrow," he remarked presently.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Kemp nodded. "I can't figure on our chances. Feel +anxious about it?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not much. In fact, I mean to use the thing to +test my +luck. If we're engaged, I'll stay in Canada; if they turn us down, I'll +start +for the Old Country."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You have no particular plans, I reckon."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Lister, smiling. "I'm going to +look about. I know our new Western towns, but I want to see old cities, +churches, and cathedrals; the great jobs men made before they used +concrete and +steel. Then I'd like to study art and music and see the people my +father talked +about. Ours is a good country, but when it's all you know it gets +monotonous." He indicated the row of wooden houses and lonely plain. +"One wants more than the track and this."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible you may go across," said Kemp. +"Looks +as if the company's short list was pretty long. There's a gang of +candidates in +town, we have no pull on the directors, and I don't know if our +advantages are +very marked—" He stopped and laughed, for a man came round the +corner. "Hello, Willis!" he exclaimed. "When did you +arrive?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I came in on the last train. Got a notice to meet +the +Irrigation Board."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Kemp, "since the applicants +are more numerous than the posts, I reckon another won't count. Do you +expect +they're going to take you on?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect my chance is as good as yours."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll sell you my chance for ten dollars," Kemp +rejoined.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Nothing doing, at the price," said Willis, and +went off.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Kemp laughed. Willis was marked by a superficial +smartness +his comrades sometimes found amusing and sometimes annoying. For the +most part, +they bore with him good-humoredly, but did not trust him when work that +needed +careful thought was done.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The kid looks confident, but his applying for a +job is +something of a joke," Kemp remarked. "I'd put his value at fifty +cents a day."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister agreed, and looked up the dusty street. The +fronts of +the small frame houses were cracked by the sun, and some were carried +up to +hide the roof and give the building a fictitious height. A Clover-leaf +wagon +stood in front of a store, the wheels crusted by dry mud, and the team +fidgeted +amidst a swarm of flies. Except for one or two railroad hands waiting +by the +caboose of a freight train, nobody was about. The town looked strangely +dreary.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Yet Lister knew it stood for all the relief from +labor in +the stinging alkali dust one could get. One could loaf in a hard chair +in front +of the hotel, lose a dollar or two at the shabby pool-room, or go to a +movie +show and see pictures of frankly ridiculous Western melodrama. In the +real +West, the pictures were ridiculous, because romantic shootings-up did +not +happen. In fact, unless a stubborn labor dispute began, nothing broke +the dull +monotony of toilsome effort. Romance had vanished with the buffaloes. +Lister +admitted that he had not long felt the monotony. The trouble began when +he +stopped at Winnipeg.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think I'll go up the street," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A rough plank sidewalk ran in front of the houses, +and +Lister imagined it was needed when the spring thaw and summer +thunder-storms +softened the gumbo soil. Opposite the Occidental he stopped, for Duveen +occupied +a chair on the veranda. While Lister hesitated Duveen beckoned him to +come up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's hot and dusty. Will you take a drink?" he +said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister refused with thanks and wondered whether +Ruth was at +the hotel. In a way, he would like to see her, but admitted that +perhaps he had +better not. When he asked if she was well Duveen said she had gone to +Quebec, +and gave Lister a cigar.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It looks as if you had left the railroad," he +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have not left yet," said Lister cautiously.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, you won't go unless you get a better job? +Did +you know I had joined the Irrigation Board?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said he did not know, and got embarrassed +when Duveen +gave him a thoughtful glance. He wondered whether Ruth had talked to +Duveen +before she hinted he might get a better post.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Perhaps I ought not to have come up. In fact, I +hesitated—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Duveen laughed. "So I remarked! You reckoned the +Occidental stoop was pretty public and your talking to me might imply +that you +wanted my support? Well, I'll risk that. It's obvious you're on the +short list. +Do you want a post?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For a moment or two Lister pondered. He did want a +post; +anyhow, he ought to try for it. On the whole he liked Duveen, and +thought he +might have liked Ruth better had she not been rich. All the same, +Duveen was a +shrewd manipulator of new industries and to take a post by his favor +would be +to own a debt, for which payment might be demanded. Yet Duveen had been +kind +and Lister hesitated.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I asked for a post," he said. "If I'm +engaged, I'll try to make good; but I must make good at the dam or on +the +ditch. Then I don't want to bother my friends. The company has my +engineering +record and must judge my usefulness by this. If they're not satisfied, +I won't +grumble much."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're an independent fellow, but I think I +understand," Duveen rejoined with a twinkle. "A company director's +duty <i>is</i> to judge an applicant for a post by his professional +record. If +you are appointed, you want us to appoint you because we believe you +are the +proper man?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Something like that," said Lister quietly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Duveen nodded, and his glance rested for a moment +on +Lister's forehead.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I see the mark you got on board the train hasn't +altogether gone. Did you hear anything about the girl you helped?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did not," said Lister, starting, for he had not +imagined Duveen knew about the girl. "I have not seen her since she +went +off on the locomotive."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then she has not written to you since?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She could not write, because she doesn't know who +I +am, and I don't know her. We talked for a minute or two, that's all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Duveen's face was inscrutable and Lister wondered +whether he +doubted his statement. He was annoyed because the other knew so much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Duveen, "I expect you heard +they didn't catch Shillito, and since he got across the frontier, it's +possible +the Canadian police won't see him again. But I must get ready for +supper. Will +you stay?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister excused himself and went back to the +Tecumseh, where +the bill of fare was frugal and the serving rude. He imagined he had +refused +much more than a first-class supper, but was satisfied he had taken the +proper +line. For one thing, Duveen knew Ruth had given him her friendship and, +since +he knew his daughter, it was significant that he had not thought it +necessary +to meddle. Lister wondered whether he had meant to use him, and was +glad he had +kept his independence. If he got the post now, he would know he had +rather +misjudged Duveen, but he doubted. All the same, he liked the man.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After supper Kemp and he sat on the veranda and +watched the +green glow fade from the edge of the plain. They did not talk much, but +by and +by Kemp remarked: "I thought I saw you go into the Occidental."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Duveen called me on to the stoop."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Duveen?" Kemp exclaimed. "Then he's got his +hand on the wires! If the Irrigation Company puts the undertaking over, +a +number of the dollars will go to Duveen's wad. If he's your friend, I +expect +you know he could get you the job."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible. All the same, I hinted I didn't +want +his help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Kemp laughed. "You surprise me every time! I'm all +for +a square deal and down with scheming grafters and log-rollers, but I +allow I +hate them worst when they give another fellow the post I want."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The thing's not fixed yet. The company's +engineers are +going to judge and our record's pretty good. They may engage us. We'll +know +to-morrow."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sure thing," Kemp remarked dryly. "I reckon +we'll both pull out on the first train."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It began to get dark and Lister went off to bed. +He must get +water from a cistern in the roof and to carry the heavy jug was awkward +when +one could not see. At the Tecumseh the guests were expected to carry +water for +themselves, and Lister, groping along the shadowy passage with his +load, +thought his doing so had some significance. It was part of the price he +must +pay for freedom.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At the time fixed in the morning, he went to the +Occidental +and was shown into a room where a number of gentlemen occupied a table. +One or +two were smoking and the others talked in low voices, but when Lister +came in +and the secretary indicated a chair they turned as if to study him. +Duveen sat +next a man at the end of the table and gave Lister a nod. Somehow +Lister +thought he was amused.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's heart beat. He felt this was ridiculous, +because he +had persuaded himself it did not matter whether he got the post or not. +Now, +however, when the moment to try his luck had come, he shrank from the +plunge he +had resolved to make if he were not engaged. After all, he knew and +liked his +occupation; to let it go and try fresh fields would be something of a +wrench.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The gentlemen did not embarrass him. On the whole, +they were +urbane, and when the secretary gave the chairman his application one +asked a +few questions about the work he had done. Lister was able to answer +satisfactorily, and another talked to him about the obstacles +encountered when one +excavated treacherous gravel and built a bank to stand angry floods. +For all +that, Lister was anxious. The others looked bored, as if they were +politely +playing a game. He thought they knew beforehand how the game would end, +but he +did not know. The inquiries that bored the urbane gentlemen had +important +consequences for him and the suspense was keen.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length they let him go, and Duveen gave him a +smile that +Lister thought implied much. When he returned to the hotel Kemp +remarked that +he looked as if he needed a drink, and suggested that Lister go with +him and +get one.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I need three or four drinks, but mean to go +without," said Lister grimly. "I begin to understand how some men get +the tanking habit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He started off across the plain, and coming back +too late +for lunch, found Kemp on the veranda. Kemp looked as if he were trying +to be +philosophical, but found it hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The secretary arrived not long since," he said. +"A +polite man! He didn't want to let us down too heavily."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Lister. "The Irrigation people +have no use for us?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Kemp nodded. "Willis has got the best job; they've +hired up two or three others, but we're left out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Willis!" exclaimed Lister, and joined in Kemp's +laugh.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"After all, the money he's going to get is +theirs," said Kemp. "In this country we're a curious lot. We let +grafters and wire-pullers run us, and, when we start a big job, get +away with +much of the capital we want for machines; but somehow we make good. We +shoulder +a load we needn't carry and hit the pace up hot. If we got clean +control, I +reckon we'd never stop. However, there's not much use in philosophizing +when +you've lost your job, and the East-bound train goes out in a few +minutes. You'd +better pack your grip."</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085266">CHAPTER IX</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085267">BARBARA PLAYS A PART</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister returned to the railroad camp and stayed +until the +company sent a man to fill his post. In the meantime, he wrote to some +of his +father's relations, whom he had not seen, and their reply was kind. +They stated +that while he was in England he must make their house his home. When +his +successor arrived he started for Montreal, and one afternoon sat under +a tree +in the square by the cathedral.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The afternoon was calm. A thunderstorm that wet +the streets +had gone, and an enervating damp heat brooded over the city. After the +fresh +winds that sweep the woods and plains, Lister felt the languid air made +him +slack and dull. His steamer did not sail until daybreak, and since he +had gone +up the mountain and seen the cathedral and Notre Dame, he did not know +what to +do. The bench he occupied was in the shade, and he smoked and looked +about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cabs rolled up the street to the big hotel across +the +square, and behind the trees the huge block of the C.P.R. station cut +the sky. +One heard whistles, the rumble of heavy wheels, and the tolling of +locomotive +bells. Pigeons flew down from the cathedral dome and searched the damp +gravel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A group of foreign emigrants picnicked in the +shade. Their +clothes were old and greasy; they carried big shapeless bundles and +looked +tired and worn. Lister could not guess their nationality, but imagined +they had +known poverty and oppression in Eastern Europe. It was obvious they had +recently disembarked from a crowded steerage and waited for an emigrant +train. +They were going West, to the land of promise, and Lister wished them +luck. He +and they were birds of passage and, with all old landmarks left behind, +rested +for a few hours on their journey.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He studied the group. The men looked dull and +beaten; the +women had no beauty and had grown coarse with toil. Their faces were +pinched +and their shoulders bent. Only the children, in spite of rags and dirt, +struck +a hopeful note. Yet the forlorn strangers had pluck; they had made a +great +adventure and might get their reward. Lister had seen others in the +West, who +had made good, breaking soil they owned and walking with the confident +step of +self-respecting men. On the plains, stubborn labor was rewarded, but +one needed +pluck to leave all one knew and break custom's familiar but heavy yoke.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by Lister remembered he wanted to take his +relations +a few typically Canadian presents. He had seen nothing that satisfied +him at Winnipeg, +and had better look about the shops at Montreal. Anyhow, it would amuse +him for +an hour or two. He got up, went along the path for a few yards, and +then +stopped.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Across the clanging of the locomotive bells and +the roll of +trolley cars at the bottom of the hill he heard sweet voices. The music +was +faint and somehow ethereal, as if it fell from a height. One lost it +now and +then. It came from the cathedral and Lister stopped and listened. He +did not +know what office was being sung, but the jaded emigrants knew, for a +child got +up and stood with bent head, holding a greasy cap, and a ragged woman's +face +got gentle as she signed herself with the cross. It looked as if the +birds of +passage had found a landmark in a foreign land. Lister was moved, and +gave the +child a coin before he went off.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He strolled east, past Notre Dame, towards the +post office, +about which the stately banks and imposing office blocks stand. This +quarter of +the city drew him, for one saw how constructive talent and imagination +could be +used, and he wondered whether England had new buildings like these. +Sometimes +one felt the Western towns were raw and vulgar, but one saw the bold +Canadian +genius at its best in Montreal.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After a time he stopped in front of a shop in a +short side +street. Indian embroidery work and enameled silver occupied the window, +and +although Lister was not an artist he had an eye for line and knew the +things +were good. The soft, stained deerskin was cleverly embroidered; he +liked the +warm colors of the enamel, and going in was shown a tray of spoons.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The shop, shut in by high buildings, was dark and +smelt of +aromatic wood and leather, but a beam from a window pierced the gloom +and +sparkled on the silver. This was emblazoned with the arms of the +Provinces; the +Ship, the Wheatsheaves, and the red Maple Leaf. Lister picked up the +articles, +and while he did so was vaguely conscious that a girl at the opposite +counter +studied him. He, however, did not look up until he had selected a few +of the +spoons, and then he started.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The light that touched the girl's face did not +illuminate it +all. Her profile was sharp as an old daguerreotype: he saw the flowing +line +from brow to chin, drawn with something of austere classic beauty, the +arched +lips and the faint indication of a gently-rounded cheek. The rest was +in +shadow, and the contrast of light and gloom was like a Rembrandt +picture. Then +the enameled spoons rattled as Lister put down the tray. He knew the +picture. +When he last saw the girl, her face was lighted like that by the blaze +of a +locomotive head-lamp.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll take these things," he said, and crossed the +floor.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The girl moved back, but he indicated a bundle of +deerskin +articles he thought her business was to sell. Her color was high; he +noted the +vivid white and pink against the dull background of stained leather.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What does one do with those bags?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They're useful for keeping gloves and +handkerchiefs," she replied. "The pattern is worked in sinews, but we +have some with a neat colored embroidery." She paused and signed to a +saleswoman farther on. "Will you bring this gentleman the Revillon +goods?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's object for stopping her was not very +plain, but he +did not mean to let her go.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Please don't bother. I expect to find something +in +this bundle," he said to the approaching saleswoman. Then he turned to +the +girl in front. "Let me look at the bag with the arrow-head pattern."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She gave him the bag, and although her glance was +steady he +knew she was embarrassed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you will wrap it up, I'll keep this one," he +resumed. "I expect you have not forgotten me. When I came into the shop +I +didn't imagine I should meet you, but if you'd sooner I went off, I'll +go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have not forgotten," she admitted, and her +color faded and came back to her delicate skin.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well! Since I sail to-night on the Allan +boat, it's +plain you needn't be afraid of my bothering you. All the same, we were +partners +in an adventure that ought to make us friends. Can't I meet you for a +few +minutes when you stop work?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She hesitated, and then gave him a searching +glance.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Come to the fountain up the street in an hour. +This is +my early evening."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister went off with the bag and spoons, and when +he +returned to the fountain saw her crossing the square in front. She was +dressed +like the shop-girls he had seen hurrying on board the street cars in +the +morning; her clothes were pretty and fashionable, but Lister thought +the +material was cheap. He felt she ought not to wear things like that. +While she +advanced he studied her. She was attractive, in a way he had hardly +remarked on +board the train. One rather noted her quick, resolute movements, the +sparkle in +her eyes, and her keen vitality. Lister began to think he had +unconsciously +noted much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm going to take you to supper, and you can send +me +off when you like afterwards," he said and started across the square. A +famous restaurant was not far off.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," she said, as if she knew where he was going. +"If I go with you, it must be the tea-rooms I and my friends use." +She gave him a rather hard smile and added: "There's no use in my going +where I don't belong."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said nothing, but while they walked across +the town +she talked with a brightness he thought forced, and when they stopped +at a +small tea-room in a side street he frowned. He was persuaded she did +not belong +there. She was playing a part, perhaps not very cleverly since he had +found her +out. She wanted him to think her a shop-girl enjoying an evening's +adventure; +her talk and careless laugh hinted at this, but Lister was not cheated.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They went in. The room was small and its +ornamentation +unusual. Imitation vines crawled about light wooden arches, cutting up +the +floor space into quiet corners. The room was rather dark, but pink +lamps shone +among the leaves and the soft light touched the tables and clusters of +artificial grapes. Lister thought the plan was well carried out, for +the grapes +were the small red Muskokas that grow in Canada. When he picked up the +menu +card he understood why girls from the stores and offices used the place.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister ordered the best supper the French-Canadian +landlady +could serve, and then began to talk while he helped his companion. The +corner +they occupied was secluded and he owned that to sup with an attractive +girl had +a romantic charm. He noted that she frankly enjoyed the food and he +liked her +light, quick laugh and the sparkle in her eyes. Her thin summer clothes +hinted +at a slender, finely-lined form, and her careless pose was graceful.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He wondered whether she felt her meeting him was +something +of an adventure, but he was persuaded she was playing a part. Her +frankness was +not bold, the little, French-Canadian gestures were obviously borrowed, +and +some of the colloquialisms she used were out of date. Except for these, +her +talk was cultivated. For a time Lister tried to play up, and then +resolved to +see if he could break her reserve.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It looks as if you made Malcolm all right on +board the +gravel train," he remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She gave him a quick glance and colored. "Yes, I +made +it and got the East-bound express. The engineer was kind. I expect you +told him +he must help?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When I put you on board the locomotive I knew +Roberts +would see you out. He's a sober fellow and has two girls as old as you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You don't know how old I am," she said with an +effort for carelessness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Anyhow, it's plain you are young enough to be +rash," Lister rejoined.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She put down her cup and her glance was soft. He +saw she was +not acting.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't think I really was rash—not <i>then</i>. +It's something to know when you can trust people, and I did know."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister was embarrassed, but her gentleness had +charm. He did +not want her to resume her other manner. Then he was tempted to make an +experiment.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You know Shillito got away?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Her lips trembled and the blood came to her skin, +but she +fronted him bravely and he felt ashamed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes," she said. "I think I would sooner he +had been caught! But why did you begin to talk about Shillito?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Perhaps I oughtn't; I'm sorry."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She studied him and he thought she pondered, +although it was +possible she wanted to recover her calm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Unless you are very dull, you know something," +she resumed with an effort. "Well, I was rash, but just before I saw +you +on the platform I found out all I'd risked. I think I was desperate; I +meant to +jump off the train, only it was going fast and water shone under the +bridge. +Then you pushed me from the step and I felt I must make another plunge +and try +to get your help. Now I'm glad I did so. But that's all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister understood that the thing was done with. +She would +tell him nothing more, and he was sorry he had indulged his curiosity.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," he said, "there's not much risk +of my bothering you about the fellow again. I start for England in a +few +hours."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Her glance got wistful. She moved her plate and +her hand +trembled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You are English?" he resumed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I met you first on board a Canadian train and now +you +find me helping at a Montreal store. Isn't this enough? Why do you try +to find +out where I come from?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm sorry. All the same, you're not a Canadian."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am a Canadian now," she rejoined, and then +added, as if she were resolved to talk about something else, "There's a +mark on your forehead, like a deep cut. You hadn't got it when I saw +you on the +platform."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Lister. "I fell down some steps +not long afterwards."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She looked at him sharply and then exclaimed: "Oh! +the +newspapers said there was a struggle on the train! Somebody helped the +police +and got hurt. It was you. Shillito knew you had meddled. You got the +cut for +me!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We agreed we wouldn't talk about Shillito. I got +the +cut because I didn't want to see a young police trooper knocked out. +People who +meddle do get hurt now and then. Anyhow, it's some time since and I +think we'll +let it go. Suppose you tell me about Montreal and your job at the +store?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She roused herself and began to talk. Lister +thought it cost +her something, but she sketched her working companions with skill and +humor. +She used their accent and their French-Canadian gestures. Lister +laughed and +led her on, although he got a hint of strain. The girl was not happy +and he had +noted her wistful look when she talked about England. At length she got +up, and +stopping at the door for a moment gave him her hand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Thank you. I wish you <i>bon voyage</i>," she +said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Can't we go somewhere else? Is there nothing +doing at +the theaters?" Lister asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," she said resolutely; "I'm going home. +Anyhow, I'm going where I live."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister let her go, but waited, watching her while +she went +up the street. Somehow she looked forlorn and he felt pitiful. He +remembered +that he did not know her name, which he had wanted to ask but durst not.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he returned to his hotel he stopped at the +desk and +gave the clerk a cigarette. As a rule, a Canadian hotel clerk knows +something +about everybody of importance in the town.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I bought some <i>souvenirs</i> at a curiosity +depot," he said, and told the other where the shop was. "Although +they charged me pretty high, the things looked good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You haven't got stung," the clerk remarked. +"The folks are French-Canadians but they like a square deal. If you put +up +the money, they put up the goods."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The shop hands looked smart and bright. If you +study +the sales people, you can sometimes tell how a store is run."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That's so. Those girls don't want to grumble. +They're +treated all right."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Lister, "since I don't know +much about enameled goods and deerskin truck, I'm glad I've not got +stung."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he went off the other smiled, for a hotel +clerk is not +often cheated, and he thought he saw where Lister's remarks led. +Lister, +however, was strangely satisfied. It was something to know the +storekeepers +were honest and kind to the people they employed.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085268">CHAPTER X</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085269"></a>VERNON'S CURIOSITY</h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Silky blue lines streaked the long undulations +that ran back +to the horizon and the <i>Flaminian</i> rolled with a measured swing. +When her +bows went down the shining swell broke with a dull roar and rainbows +flickered +in the spray about her forecastle; then, while the long deck got level, +one +heard the beat of engines and the grinding of screws. A wake like an +angry +torrent foamed astern, and in the distance, where the dingy smoke-cloud +melted, +the crags of Labrador ran in faint, broken line. Ahead an ice-floe +glittered in +the sun. The liner had left Belle Isle Strait and was steaming towards +Greenland +on the northern Atlantic course.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Harry Vernon occupied a chair on the saloon-deck +and read +the <i>Montreal Star</i> which had been sent on board at Rimouski. The +light +reflected by the white boats and deck was strong; he was not much +interested, +and put down the newspaper when Lister joined him. They had met on the +journey +from Winnipeg to Montreal, and on boarding the <i>Flaminian</i> Lister +was +given the second berth in Vernon's room. Vernon liked Lister.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Take a smoke," he said, indicating a packet of +cigarettes. "Nothing fresh in the newspapers. They've caught the fellow +Porteous; he was trying to steal across to Detroit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister sat down and lighted a cigarette. Porteous +was a +clerk who had not long since gone off with a large sum of his +employer's money.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Canada is getting a popular hunting ground for +smart +crooks. It looks as if our business men were easily robbed."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"There are two kinds of business men; one lot +makes +things, the other buys and sells. Some of the first are pretty good +manufacturers, +but stop at that. They concentrate on manufacturing and hire a +specialist to +look after finance."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But if the specialist's a crook, can't you spot +him +when he gets to work?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"As a rule, the men who get stung know all about +machines and material but nothing about book-keeping," Vernon replied. +"A bright accountant could rob one or two I've met when he was asleep. +For +example, there was Shillito. His employers were big and prosperous +lumber +people; clever men at their job, but Shillito gambled with their money +for some +time before they got on his track. I expect you read about him in the +newspapers?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister smiled and, pushing back his cap, touched +his +forehead.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I know something about Shillito. That's his +mark!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you were the man he knocked out!" Vernon +exclaimed. "But he hasn't got your money. Why did you help the +police?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It isn't very obvious. Somehow, I didn't like the +fellow. Then, you see, the girl—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The girl? What had a girl to do with it?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister frowned. He had not meant to talk about the +girl and +was angry because he had done so, but did not see how he could withdraw +his +careless statement. Moreover Vernon looked interested, and it was +important +that both were typical Canadians. The young Canadian is not subtle; as +a rule, +his talk is direct, and at awkward moments he is generally marked by a +frank +gravity. Vernon was grave now and Lister thought he pondered. He had +not known Vernon +long, but he felt one could trust him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I met a girl on board the train," he said. +"She was keen about getting away from Shillito."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why did she want to get away?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know. Looked as if she was afraid of him. +When +I first saw her she was on the car platform and I reckoned she was +bracing +herself to jump off. Since we were running across a trestle, I pulled +her from +the steps. That's how the thing began."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But it didn't stop just then?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It stopped soon afterwards," Lister replied. +"She wanted to get off and go East; the train was bound West, but we +were +held up at a side-track, and I put her on board a gravel train +locomotive."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then she went East!" said Vernon thoughtfully, +and studied the other.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister sat with his head thrown back and the sun +on his +brown face. His look was calm and frank; his careless pose brought out +the +lines of his thin but muscular figure. Vernon felt he was honest; he +knew +Lister's type.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She went off on board our construction +locomotive," Lister replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But I don't see yet! Why did you meddle? Why did +she +give you her confidence?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She didn't give me her confidence," Lister said, +and +smiled. "She wanted to get away and I helped. That's all. It's obvious +I +wasn't out for a romantic adventure, because I put her off the train."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon nodded. Lister's argument was sound; +besides, he did +not look like a philanderer.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you don't know who she is?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know. She didn't put me wise and my +business +was not to bother her."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What was she like? Did you guess her age? How was +she +dressed?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister lighted a fresh cigarette. Vernon's +keenness rather +puzzled him, but he thought he had told the fellow enough. In fact, he +doubted +if the girl would approve his frankness. He was not going to state that +he had +met her at Montreal. Anyhow, not yet. If Vernon talked about the thing +again +and gave proper grounds for his curiosity, he might perhaps satisfy him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She was young," he answered vaguely. +"Attractive, something of a looker, I think. I don't know much about +women's clothes."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well!" said Vernon. "You helped her off +and Shillito found this out and got after you?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He got after me when he saw he was corraled," +Lister replied, and narrated his struggle on the platform. He was now +willing +to tell Vernon all he wanted to know, but saw the other's interest was +not keen +and they presently began to talk about something else.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What are you going to do in the Old Country?" +Vernon +asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have no plans. For a time, I guess I'll loaf +and look +about. Then I want to see my father's folks, whom I haven't met."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Your father was English?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why, yes," said Lister, smiling. "If you +reckon up, you'll find a big proportion of the staunchest Canadians' +parents +came from the Old Country. In fact, I sometimes feel Canada belongs to +us and +the boys of the sourdough stock. Between us we have given the country +its stamp +and made it a land for white men; but we'll soon be forced to make good +our +claim. If we're slack, we'll be snowed under by folks from Eastern +Europe whose +rules and habits are not ours."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon nodded. "It's a problem we have got to +solve. +But are you going back to the railroad when you have looked about?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm going back some time, but, now I have pulled +out, +I want to see all I can. I'd like to look at Europe, Egypt and India."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Wandering around costs something," Vernon +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so. My wad's small, but if I've not had +enough +when it's used up, I'll look for a job. If nothing else is doing, I'll +go to +sea."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon's smile was sympathetic and he looked +ahead, over the +dipping forecastle to the far horizon. The sea shone with reflected +light and +an iceberg glimmered against the blue. He felt the measured throb of +engines +and the ship leap forward. Vernon was a young Canadian and sprang from +pioneering stock. The vague distance called; he felt the lure of going +somewhere.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If the thing was possible, I'd go with you," he +said. "All the same, I'm tied to business and the old man can't pull +his +load alone. My job's to stick to the traces and help him along. But do +you know +much about the sea?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was engineer on board a Pacific coasting boat +and a +wheat barge on the Lakes."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well," said Vernon thoughtfully, "I know an +English shipping boss who might help you get a berth. I'd rather like +you to +meet him, but we'll talk about this again. Now let's join those fellows +at +deck-quoits."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Their friendship ripened, but it was not until the +last day +of the voyage Vernon said something more about the English ship-owner. <i>Flaminian</i> +was steaming across the Irish Sea, with the high blue hills of Mourne +astern +and the Manx rocks ahead. Vernon lounged on the saloon-deck and his +face was +thoughtful as he looked across the shining water.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We'll make Liverpool soon after dark, and if I +can get +the train I want, I'll pull out right then," he said. "You allowed +you might try a run on board an English ship before you went back?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible," said Lister. "Depends on how +my wad holds out and on somebody's being willing to give me a post."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon nodded. "That's where I'm leading." He +stopped, and Lister wondered why he pondered. The thing did not seem +worth the +thought his companion gave it.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I reckon you don't know Cartwright of the +Independent +Freighters, but he could put you wise about getting a ship," Vernon +resumed. "I'm stopping for a week or two at his country house. The +freighters are small boats, but Cartwright's worth knowing; in fact, to +know +him is something of an education. In the West we're pretty keen +business men, +and I've put across some smart deals at the Winnipeg Board of Trade, +but I'll +admit Cartwright would beat me every time. Where do you mean to locate?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said he was going to the neighborhood of a +small +country town in the North of England, and was puzzled by Vernon's start.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That fixes it! The thing's strangely lucky. +Cartwright's country house is not far off. You had better come along by +my +train. Soon after I arrive I'll get Mrs. Cartwright to ask you across."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I mustn't bother your friends," said Lister. +"Besides, I really don't know if I want to go to sea."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"All the same, you'll come over to Carrock. You +ought +to know Cartwright and I reckon he'll like to know you. I have a notion +you and +he would make a good team."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister wondered whether Vernon had an object for +urging him +to meet his friend, but this looked ridiculous.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What's Cartwright like?" he asked carelessly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My notion is, Cartwright's unique. You imagine +he's +something of a highbrow Englishman, rather formal and polite, but he +has an eye +like a fish-hawk's and his orders go. Hair and mustache white; you +don't know +if his clothes are old or new, but you feel they're exactly what he +ought to +wear. That's Cartwright, so to speak, on top; but when you meet him you +want to +remember you're not up against a Canadian. We're a straight type. When +we're +tough, we're very tough all the time; when we're cultivated, you can +see the +polish shine. In the Old Country it's harder to fix where folks belong."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You imply that you have got to know Cartwright +before +you fix him?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon laughed. "I haven't quite fixed him yet. At +one +time he's a sober gentleman of the stiff old school; at another he's as +rough +as the roughest hobo I've met in the West. I reckon he'd beat a +business crook +at the other's smartest trick, but if you're out for a straight deal, +you'll +find Cartwright straight."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off to change some money and Lister went +to his +cabin and began to pack his trunk. When he came up they had passed the +Chicken +Rock and a long bright beam touched the sea astern. In the East, water +and sky +faded to dusky blue, but presently a faint light began to blink as if +it +beckoned. The light got brighter and gradually drew abeam. The foaming +wake +glimmered lividly in the dark, the beat of screws seemed quicker, and +Lister +thought the ship was carried forward by a stream of tide.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Other lights began to blink. They stole out of the +dark, got +bright, and vanished, and Lister, leaning on the rails, felt they +called him +on. One knew them by their colors and measured flashes. They were +beacons, +burning on a well-ordered plan to guide the navigator, but he did not +know the +plan. In a sense, this was important, and he began to muse.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Now he would soon reach the Old Country, he felt +he had made +a momentous plunge. Adventure called, he knew Canada and wanted +something +fresh, but he wondered whether this was all. Perhaps the plunge had, so +to +speak, not been a thoughtless caprice. In a sense, things had led up to +it and +made it logical. For example, it might not have been for nothing he met +the +girl on the train and got hurt. His hurt had kept him at Winnipeg and +stopping +there had roused his discontent. Then he had met Vernon, who wanted him +to know +the English ship-owner. It was possible these things were like the +flashes that +leaped out of the dark. He would know where they pointed when the +journey was +over. Then Lister smiled and knocked out his pipe.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he went on deck again some time afterwards +the ship was +steering for a gap between two rows of twinkling lights. They ran on, +closing +on each other, like electric lamps in a long street, and in front the +sky shone +with a dull red glow. It was the glimmer of a great port, they were +entering +the Mersey, and he went off to get up his luggage.</p> +<h1><a name="_Toc56085270">PART II—THE RECKONING</a></h1> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085271">CHAPTER I</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085272"></a>VERNON'S PLOT</h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister occupied the end of a slate-flag bench on +the lawn at +Carrock, Mrs. Cartwright's house in Rannerdale. Rannerdale slopes to a +lake in +the North Country, and the old house stands among trees and rocks in a +sheltered hollow. The sun shone on its lichened front, where a creeper +was +going red; in the background birches with silver stems and leaves like +showers +of gold gleamed against somber firs. Across the lawn and winding road, +the +tranquil lake reflected bordering woods; and then long mountain slopes +that +faded from yellow and green to purple closed the view.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">While Lister waited for the tea Mrs. Cartwright +had given +him to cool he felt the charm of house and dale was strong. Perhaps it +owed +something to the play of soft light and shade, for, as a rule, in +Canada all +was sharply cut. The English landscape had a strange elusive beauty +that +gripped one hard, and melted as the fleecy clouds rolled by. When the +light +came back color and line were as beautiful but not the same.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">There was no grass in Canada like the sweep of +smooth +English turf, and Lister had not thought a house could give the sense +of +ancient calm one got at Carrock. Since his boyhood he had not known a +home; his +resting place had been a shack at a noisy construction camp, a room at +a +crowded cheap hotel, and a berth beside a steamer's rattling engines. +Then the +shining silver on the tea-table was something new; he marked its beauty +of +line, and the blue and gold and brown pattern on the delicate china he +was +almost afraid to touch. In fact, all at Carrock was marked by a strange +refinement and quiet charm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He liked his hosts. Mrs. Cartwright was large, +rather fat, +and placid, but he felt the house and all it stood for were hers by +rightful +inheritance. Her son and daughter were not like that. Lister thought +they had +cultivated their well-bred serenity and by doing so had cultivated out +some +virile qualities of human nature. Grace Hyslop had beauty, but not much +charm; +Lister thought her cold, and imagined her prejudices were strong and +conventional. Mortimer's talk and manners were colorlessly correct. +Lister did +not know yet if Hyslop was a prig or not.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright was frankly puzzling. He looked like a +sober +country gentleman, and this was not the type Lister had thought to +meet. His +clothes were fastidiously good, his voice had a level, restrained note, +but his +eye was like a hawk's, as Vernon had said. Now and then one saw a +twinkle of +ironical amusement and some of his movements were quick and vigorous. +Lister +thought Cartwright's blood was red.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon, lounging at the opposite end of the bench, +talked +about a day Hyslop and he had spent upon the rocks, and rather struck a +foreign +note. He had not Hyslop's graceful languidness; he looked alert and +highly-strung. His thin face was too grave for Carrock and his glance +too +quick. Lister, listening to his remarks, was surprised to note that +Hyslop was +a bold mountaineer.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," he said, with a deprecatory smile, +when Vernon stopped, "this small group of mountains is all the wild +belt +we have got, and you like to find a stranger keen about your favorite +sport. +Then your keenness was flattering. In your country, with its lonely +woods and +rivers running to the North, you have a field for strenuous sport and +adventure."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The woods pull," Vernon agreed. "All the +same, I'm a business man. Betting at the Board of Trade is my proper +job and +I've got to be satisfied with a week at a fishing camp now and then. +Adventure +is for the pioneers, lumber men and railroad builders like my friend."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister looked up. He did not see why Vernon talked +about +him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My adventures don't count for much," he said. +"Sometimes a car went into a muskeg and we had to hustle to dig her +out. +Sometimes the boys made trouble about their pay. Railroad building is +often +dull."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know if we're all modest in Canada, but +my +partner is," Vernon observed. "If you want a romantic tale, persuade +him to tell you how he got the mark on his head."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh shucks!" said Lister. "I had sooner you +had cut that out." He turned to the others apologetically. "It was a +dispute with a fellow on board a train who threw me down the steps. I +don't +want to bore you with the tale."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The man was the famous crook, Shillito," Vernon +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright lifted his head and looked at Vernon +hard. Then +he looked at Lister, who felt embarrassed and angry. He saw Grace and +Mrs. +Cartwright were curious and thought Hyslop's glance got keen.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If it will not bother Mr. Lister, we would like +to +hear his narrative," said Cartwright quietly, but Lister got a hint of +command.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He narrated his adventure on the train, and +although he +tried to rob the story of its romance, was surprised when he stopped +for a +moment. Vernon was carelessly lighting a cigarette, but Lister saw his +carelessness was forced. When he got a light he crossed the grass, as +if he +meant to throw the match over the hedge. Lister thought Cartwright +watched +Harry with dry amusement. Mrs. Cartwright's look was obviously +disturbed, but +she had not altogether lost her calm. One felt her calm was part of +her, but +the Hyslops' was cultivated. Lister imagined it cost them something to +use +control.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Go on," said Cartwright, rather sharply.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister resumed, but presently Cartwright stopped +him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You imagined the girl was afraid of Shillito! +What +were your grounds?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She was disturbed and declared she must get off +the +train. I think she meant to jump off, although we were going fast. Then +she +asked me if the conductor could be bribed to stop."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Perhaps we can take it for granted she wanted to +get +away from somebody. Why did you surmise the man was Shillito?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He came through the car afterwards, as if he +tried to +find the girl, and gave me a keen glance. When he came back I thought +him angry +and disappointed. By and by I had better grounds for imagining he +suspected I +had helped her."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright pondered, but Lister did not think he +doubted. It +rather looked as if he weighed something carefully. The lines on his +face got +deeper and his look was thoughtful.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I understand the girl did not give you her name," +he said. "What was she like? How was she dressed?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister was rather surprised to find he could not +answer +satisfactorily. It was not the girl's physical qualities but her +emotions he +had marked. He remembered the pluck with which she had struggled +against the +fear she obviously felt, her impulsive trust when he offered help, and +her +relief when she got into the locomotive cab. Although he had studied +her at Montreal, +it was her effort to play a part that impressed him most.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She was young, and I think attractive," he +replied. "She wore a knitted cap and a kind of jersey a girl might use +for +boating. I thought she came from a summer camp."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's face was inscrutable, but Lister saw +the +others' interest was keen. Mrs. Cartwright's eyes were fixed on him and +he got +a hint of suspense. Although Grace was very quiet, a touch of color had +come to +her skin, as if she felt humiliated. Mortimer's pose was stiff and his +control +over done. Then Cartwright turned to his step-daughter.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Have you told Jones about the box of plants for +Liverpool?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace's look indicated that she did not want to +go, but +Cartwright's glance was insistent and she got up. Lister looked about +and saw Vernon +had not come back. He was studying the plants in a border across the +lawn. When +Grace had gone Cartwright asked:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Can you remember the evening of the month and the +time +when you first saw the girl?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister fixed the date and added: "It was nearly +ten o'clock. The porter had just gone through the car and when he said +my berth was ready +I looked at my watch. He went to the next Pullman, and I thought he was +getting +busy late."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded and Mortimer glanced at him +sharply, but +next moment looked imperturbable. Mrs. Cartwright's relief, however, +was +obvious. Her face had become animated and her hands trembled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Thank you," said Cartwright. "Go on."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister narrated his putting the girl on board the +gravel +train and Mrs. Cartwright interrupted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Do you know if she had money?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She had some. Enough to buy a ticket East."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's strange," said Mrs. Cartwright, and then +exclaimed: "You mean you gave her some?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Lister awkwardly, "I'd seen +her look at her purse and frown, and as I helped her up the locomotive +steps I +pushed a few bills into her hand. I don't think she knew they were +paper money. +She was highly-strung and anxious to get off before Shillito came +along."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave him a look that moved him. +Her eyes +shone and he knew she was his friend.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The poor girl was strangely lucky when she met +you," she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister resumed his narrative, but it was plain the +climax +had passed. The others' interest was now polite, and he went on as fast +as +possible. He had begun to see a light and wanted to finish and get +away. He did +not, however, see that while he told his artless tale he had drawn his +character. When he stopped Cartwright said:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you did not know her name?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know it yet," said Lister, as coolly as +he could, but got embarrassed when he saw Cartwright's smile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You don't imagine Shillito rejoined her +afterwards?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Lister firmly, "I think it's +impossible. The gravel train was going East, and when the police +boarded the +cars we had run some distance West." He stopped for a moment, because +he +saw he was very dull. If his supposition were correct, there was +something the +others ought to know. "Besides," he resumed, "I met her not long +since at Montreal."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"At Montreal!" Mrs. Cartwright exclaimed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"At a shop where they sold <i>souvenirs</i>," +Lister replied. "I didn't expect to meet her; I went in to buy some +enameled things. It was a pretty good shop and the hotel clerk declared +the +people were all right. She knew me and we went to a tea-room. She left +me at +the door, and I think that's all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He got up. "I don't know if I have bored you, but +I +felt you wanted me to talk. Now I must get off, and I want to see Harry +before +I go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Vernon does not seem to be about," Cartwright +remarked with some dryness. "I'll go to the gate with you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave Lister her hand and her +glance was very +kind. "You will come back? So long as you stop here I hope you will +feel +our house is open to you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Hyslop got up, but Cartwright stopped him with a +sign. He +was quiet while they crossed the lawn, but when they reached the wood +by the +road he said, "I imagine you know we owe you much. After a time, your +efforts to use some tact were rather obvious. Well, the girl you helped +is my +step-daughter."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"At the beginning, I did not know this," Lister +declared.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It was plain," said Cartwright, "Well, I +agree with her mother—Barbara was very lucky when she met you, but +since +you look embarrassed, we'll let this go. Did she repay your loan?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She wanted to pay me," said Lister. "I +refused."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why?" Cartwright asked, looking at him hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister hesitated, "For one thing, I didn't know +the +sum. Then I knew her wages were not high. You ought to see I couldn't +take the +money."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You ought to have taken the money, for the girl's +sake."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh," said Lister, "I think she knew I didn't +refuse because I wanted her to feel she owed me something."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible she did know," said Cartwright +dryly. "You must try to remember the sum when you come again. Now I +want +the name of the shop at Montreal."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister told him and added: "You mean to write to +Miss +Hyslop?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. "I'm going across as soon as +possible to bring my step-daughter home."</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085273">CHAPTER II</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085274">BARBARA'S RETURN</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">When Lister had gone Cartwright returned to the +tea-table +and looked at Hyslop, who got up and went off. Hyslop did not +altogether want +to go but he had cultivated discretion, and it was plain his +step-father meant +to get rid of him. Then Cartwright gave his wife a sympathetic glance. +Mrs. +Cartwright was calm, but when she put some cups together her hand shook.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Leave the things alone," said Cartwright in a +soothing voice. "Vernon's plot was clever."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Do you think Harry planned that Lister should +tell +us?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It looks like that," said Cartwright dryly. +"He was keen about bringing his friend over, but was cautious enough to +wait until the fellow began to know us. When he talked about Lister's +adventures I wondered where he was leading. The other was puzzled, and +didn't +see until near the end."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But why didn't Harry, himself, tell us all he +knew?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Vernon's a good sort and more fastidious than one +thinks; he saw he'd be forced to venture on rather awkward ground, and +there +was some doubt. He wanted us to weigh the story and judge if the clew +he gave +us ought to be followed. This was not Vernon's job, although I think he +was +satisfied."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But you are satisfied?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes," said Cartwright "Lister's portrait of +Barbara was lifelike and his own was pretty good. I think he drew +himself and +her better than he knew, and perhaps it's lucky we have to deal with +fellows +like these. A good Canadian is a fine type. However, we must bring +Barbara +back."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Mrs. Cartwright, "I want her back! +One must hide one's hurt, but to hide it is hard—" She pulled +herself up and added: "Will you send a cablegram?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not. The girl is proud and as wild as a +hawk. +She thinks she has humiliated us, and if she's startled, she'll +probably run +away."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You don't think she has humiliated us?" Mrs. +Cartwright said in a hesitating voice.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. "It's plain that her escapade +must +not be talked about but we can trust these Canadians and I know +Barbara. In a +sense, Lister's narrative wasn't necessary. The girl is headstrong, but +I was +persuaded she would find the rascal out. Looks as if she did so soon +after they +got on board the cars, and I imagine Shillito had an awkward few +moments; +Barbara's temper is not mild. Then it's important that she was +desperately +anxious to escape from him. There's no more to be said."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave him a grateful look. Her +husband had +never failed her and he had justified her trust again.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you don't send a cablegram, how shall we get +Barbara back?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll go myself," said Cartwright "If she +can't be persuaded, I'll bring her by force. It's lucky I can charge +the cost +to the office. The new wheat is coming down to Montreal, and the <i>Conference</i> +people have a plan to get it all, but I expect to beat them and engage +some +cargo for our boats before the St. Lawrence freezes. However, since I'm +going, +I must get to work."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He started for the house and met his step-son at +the porch. +Mortimer looked thoughtful, and held an unlighted cigarette. Cartwright +studied +him with scornful amusement.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Have you been speculating about the proper way of +handling an awkward situation?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have been talking to Grace," Hyslop replied in +an even voice.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I rather think Grace has been talking to you, but +expect you agreed. You have, no doubt, decided the best plan is to +leave your +headstrong sister alone?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We did agree about something like that," said +Hyslop coolly, although when Cartwright fixed his eyes on his he turned +his +head. "We thought if Barbara were given an allowance, she might, for +example, stay with the Vernons. Grace's notion—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's mouth got hard and his mustache +bristled. When +he was moved his urbanity vanished and his talk was very blunt.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We'll let Grace's notion go. My form is not my +step-children's, but I try to moderate my remarks about women. We'll +admit +Grace is a woman, although I sometimes doubt. Anyhow, you are not a +man; you +haven't a drop of warm blood in your veins! You're a curled and scented +fine +lady's lap-dog pup!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't see much use in talking about my +qualities, +sir."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You don't see," Cartwright agreed. "That's +your drawback! You see nothing that's rude and human; you're afraid to +look. +All that's obvious is, Barbara must not come home to throw an awkward +reflection on Grace's Puritanical virtue. People might find out +something and +talk? If anybody talks while I'm about, I'll ram the implication down +his +throat! You don't see, or perhaps you don't mind, the drawbacks to +separating +Barbara from her mother and banishing her from home? She's trustful, +rash, and +fiery, and not a statue like Grace. Anyhow, Barbara is coming back, and +if you +don't approve, I'll expect you to be resigned. Now get off before I let +myself +go!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Hyslop went. One gained nothing by arguing with a +brute like +Cartwright, and since Mrs. Cartwright's infatuation for her husband +could not +be disturbed Hyslop knew he must acquiesce. Cartwright, rather braced +by the +encounter, went to the library and wrote some letters to Liverpool. A +few days +afterwards, he packed his trunk and was driven to the station in Mrs. +Cartwright's car. Grace got up an hour earlier than usual in order to +see him +off, and when she brought his scarf and gloves Cartwright accepted her +ministrations with politeness. Although he knew she disapproved of him, +she +thought her duty was to do things like this, and he played up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When the throb of the car was getting faint she +met Mortimer +going to the lake. He stopped and looked up at the valley, which was +streaked +by a thin line of dust.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For three or four weeks we'll be undisturbed," he +said. "I admit I like Carrock better when my step-father is away."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Barbara's coming back with him," Grace remarked. +"In some ways, her return will be awkward, but perhaps she ought to +come."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mortimer gave her a surprised glance. "This was +not +your view!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well, I have been thinking. Barbara is rash +and +very young. In Canada, she would be free from all control, and one must +not +weigh drawbacks against one's duty. Perhaps Cartwright takes the proper +line, +although of course it costs him nothing. You didn't tell me what he +said the +other evening."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mortimer shrugged. "As a rule, my step-father's +remarks +won't bear re-stating. He was a little franker than usual."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He <i>is</i> coarse," said Grace. "One feels +he gets coarser, as if his thoughts had begun to react on his body. +There is a +link, and, of course, with his habits—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I rather think you mean with his appetites. +Cartwright +does not often let himself go when he's at home, but when he is away +he's +another man."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace looked thoughtful. "One likes restraint. All +the +same, I sometimes think rude, primitive people have a vigor we have +not. It's +strange, but indulgence seems to go with force. One feels our friends +are +rather <i>bloodless</i>—I'm using Cartwright's phrase."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Our Canadian friends are not bloodless. I expect +you +have remarked that Barbara's the type they like."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She has an appeal for men like that," Grace +agreed, and mused.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was hard to own, but she began to see that when +she +thought Barbara ought to stop in Canada she was inspired by jealousy. +Barbara's +charm for men was strong and when she was about they left Grace alone. +Still +she had a vague perception that her sister's charm was not altogether +physical. +She herself had a classical beauty that did not mark the younger girl; +it +looked as if Barbara had attractive qualities that were not hers. +Lister, for +example, was not a brute like Cartwright, but it was plain that Barbara +had +attracted him. Grace approved his soberness and frank gravity; and then +she +pulled herself up. She must not be jealous about her sister.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Cartwright's power is stronger because he does +not use +our money," Mortimer resumed. "I don't know if it was cleverness or +scruples that urged him to refuse. All the same, if he were forced to +ask +mother's help, his influence would be less."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But his needing help is not probable. He's +managing +owner of the line."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mortimer smiled. "He gets a commission on the +boat's +earnings, but does not hold many shares. Then the fleet is small and +the boats +don't earn very much. Things are not going smoothly and some +shareholders would +like to put Cartwright off the Board. At the last meeting, one fellow +talked +about the need for fresh blood. However, I expect Cartwright's clever +enough, +to keep off the rocks, and when one can't get rid of a drawback one +must +submit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lighting a cigarette, he started for the lake and +Grace +returned thoughtfully to the house. Mortimer hated Cartwright and Grace +admitted he had some grounds. Although her brother was indolent and +philosophical, he did not forget. Rude disputes jarred him, but if by +some +chance he was able to injure the other, Grace thought he would do so. +Grace, +herself, strongly disapproved of Cartwright. All the same, he was her +step-father and she had tried to cultivate her sense of duty. She was +prejudiced, cold, and censorious, but she meant to be just and did not +like +Mortimer's bitterness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright was occupied for some time at Montreal, +and the +birch leaves had fallen when he returned. The evening was dark, and +chilly mist +rolled down the dale, but a big fire burned in the hall at Carrock and +tall +lamps threw a cheerful light on the oak paneling. A flooded beck roared +in the +hollow of a ghyll across the lawn and its turmoil echoed about the +hall. Mrs. +Cartwright stood by the fire, Grace moved restlessly about, and +Mortimer +appeared to be absorbed by the morning's news.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wish you would sit down, mother," he said +presently. "You can hear the car, you know, and the train is often +late."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For a few minutes Mrs. Cartwright did not move, +and then she +started and fixed her eyes on the door. She heard an engine throb, +there was a +noise in the porch, and a cold wind blew into the room. Then the door +opened +and Cartwright entered, shaking the damp from his fur coat. He turned, +beckoning somebody behind, and Barbara came out from the arch. Her face +was +flushed, her eyes were hard, and she stopped irresolutely. Mortimer +advanced to +take the coat she carried and Grace crossed the floor, but Barbara +waited, as +if she did not see them. Then her strained look vanished, for Mrs. +Cartwright +went forward with awkward speed and took her in her arms.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright saw his wife had forgotten him, and +turning to +the others with a commanding gesture, drove them and the servants from +the +hall. When they had gone he gave Mrs. Cartwright a smile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I've brought her back," he said. "Not +altogether an easy job. Barbara's ridiculous, but she can fight."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off and Barbara clung to her mother. She +was shaking +and her breath came hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You were ridiculous," said Mrs. Cartwright in a +gentle voice. "I expect you were very obstinate. But he was kind?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He's a dear; I love him!" Barbara replied. +"He understands everything. I think he ought to have stopped at +Liverpool; +the secretary met us and talked about some business, but if he hadn't +come with +me, I could not have borne—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She stopped, and resting her head on Mrs. +Cartwright's +shoulder, began to cry. Mrs. Cartwright said nothing, but kissed and +soothed +her with loving gentleness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When, some time afterwards, Barbara came down the +stairs +that occupied one side of the hall she was composed, but tea by the +fire was +something of a strain. It was plain that Grace's careless talk was +forced and +Mortimer's efforts to keep on safe ground were marked. Now and then +Cartwright's eyes twinkled and Barbara thought she knew why he +sometimes made a +joke that jarred the others. When the meal was over he took them away.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I imagine your sister understands Grace and you +are +willing to take her back and forget the pain she gave you," he said to +Hyslop. "Your handling of the situation was tactful and correct, but +you +can leave her to her mother."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright stopped with Barbara, who brought +a +footstool to the hearthrug, and sitting down leaned against her knee.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have been an obstinate, selfish, romantic +fool!" she broke out.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright touched her hair and smiled, for +she felt +comforted. This was the tempestuous Barbara she thought she had lost.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My dear!" she said. "It's not important +since you have come back.''</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I oughtn't to have come back. If you had not sent +father, I would not have come. He's determined, but he's gentle. You +know he +sympathizes."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Although I wanted him to go, I did not send him," +Mrs. Cartwright replied. "He went because he loves you, but we can talk +about this again." She hesitated for a moment and went on: "It was +not long, I think, before you found Shillito was a thief? Mr. Lister's +story +indicated this."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A wave of color came to Barbara's skin, but she +looked up +and her eyes flashed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"At the beginning, I did not know he was a thief; +I +found out he was a cunning brute. Afterwards, when I read about his +escape in +the newspapers, I rather wished the trooper who shot at him had not +missed—" +She shook with horror and anger and it was a moment or two before she +resumed: +"I can't tell you all, mother. I was frightened, but anger gave me +pluck. +He said I must stick to him because I could not go back. I think I +struck him, +and then I ran away. People were going to their berths in the Pullman +and he +durst not use force. When I got to the car platform and was going to +jump off I +saw Mr. Lister—but he has told you—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright nodded, for she was satisfied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My dear," she said, "it's done with. Still I +wonder why you were willing to leave us."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes I wonder. To begin with, I have owned I +was +a fool; but things were dreary and I wanted a thrill. Then I had begun +to feel +nobody at home wanted me. Father and you were kind, but he seemed to +think me +an amusing, willful child. Grace always disapproved, and Mortimer +sneered. They +knew I was not their sort and very proper people are cruel if you won't +obey +their rules. I hated rules; Grace's correctness made me rebel. Then +Louis came +and declared I was all to him. He was handsome and romantic, and I was +tired of +restraint. I thought I loved him, but it was ridiculous, because I hate +him +now. Mortimer's a prig, but Louis is a brute!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright sighed. She liked tranquillity and +the +girl's passion jarred. She tried to soothe her, and presently Barbara +asked in +a level voice: "Where is Harry Vernon?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He went to town a few days since."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When he knew I would soon arrive? His going is +significant. I shall hate Harry next!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You must not be unjust. I imagine he thought to +meet +him would embarrass you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It would have embarrassed me, but Harry would not +have +known," Barbara declared. "If I have been a fool, I can pay. Still I +ought to have stayed in Canada. Father's obstinate and I wanted to come +home, +but things will be harder than at Montreal."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright kissed her. "My poor child, the +hurt is +not as deep as you think. We will try to help you to forget."</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085275">CHAPTER III</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085276">LISTER CLEARS THE GROUND</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sun was on the rocks and the lichen shone in +rings of +soft and varied color. Blue shadows filled the dale, which, from the +side of +the Buttress, looked profoundly deep. A row of young men and women +followed a +ledge that crossed the face of the steep crag; Mortimer Hyslop leading, +a girl +and Vernon a few yards behind, Lister and Barbara farther off.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Hyslop knew the rocks and was a good leader. He +was cool and +cautious and did not undertake a climb until he was satisfied about his +companions' powers. The slanting edge looked dangerous, but was not, +although +one must be steady and there was an awkward corner. At the turning, the +ledge +got narrow, and one must seize a knob and then step lightly on a stone +embedded +in mossy soil.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When they reached the spot Hyslop stopped and told +Vernon +what to do; the girl immediately behind him was a clever mountaineer. +They went +round and Lister watched from a few yards off. For a moment or two each +in +turn, supported by one foot with body braced against the rock, grasped +the knob +and vanished round the corner. It was plain one must get a firm hold, +but +Lister thought this was all. He was used to the tall skeleton trestles +that +carried the rails across Canadian ravines.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After the others disappeared Lister seized the +knob. He +thought the stone he stood on moved and he cautiously took a heavier +strain on +his arm. He could get across, but he obeyed an impulse and gave the +stone a +push. It rolled out and, when he swung himself back to the ledge, +plunged down +and smashed upon the rocks below. For a few moments the echoes rolled +about the +crags, and then Hyslop shouted: "Are you all right? Can you get +round?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said he thought not, and Hyslop replied +that it did +not matter. Barbara would take him up a grassy ridge and the others +would meet +them at the top. A rattle of nailed boots indicated that he was going +off and +Lister turned and glanced at Barbara. She had sat down on an inclined +slab and +her figure and face, in profile, cut against the sky. A yard or two +beneath +her, the sloping rock vanished at the top of a steep pitch and one saw +nothing +but the crags across the narrow dale. Yet Lister thought the girl was +not +disturbed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect I was clumsy,'' he apologized.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well," she said, "it looks like that!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He gave her a quick glance and pondered. Although +he had +gone to Carrock since she came home, she had been strangely cold and, +so to +speak, aloof. He had imagined their meeting might embarrass her, but +she was +not embarrassed. In fact, she had met him as if he were a friend, but +he had +not seen her afterwards unless somebody was about. Now he meant to +force her to +be frank.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was clumsy," he resumed. "All the same, +when I felt the stone begin to move I might have pulled myself across +by my +hands. I expect the block would have been firm enough to carry you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes, I know," said Barbara. "You didn't want +me to get across!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister studied her. He doubted if it was +altogether exertion +that had brought the blood to her skin and given her eyes the keen +sparkle. +Clinging to the rock, with the shadowy gulf below, she looked strangely +alert +and virile. Her figure cut against the sky; he noted its slenderness +and +finely-drawn lines. She was not angry, although he had admitted he +pushed down +the stone, but he felt as if something divided them and doubted if he +could +remove the obstacle.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wanted to talk and had found I could not get +near +you unless the others were about," he said. "It looked as if I had +unconsciously given you some grounds for standing me off. Well, I +suppose I did +put your relations on your track."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It wasn't that," said Barbara. "I imagine +Harry Vernon helped you there. You were forced to tell your story."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was forced. All the same, I think Harry's plan +was +good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He went away a few days before I arrived!" +Barbara remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister thought he saw where she led and knitted +his brows. +He was on awkward ground and might say too much, but to say nothing +might be +worse.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Harry's a good sort and I expect he pulled out +because +he imagined you'd sooner he did so," he said. "For all that, I reckon +he ought to have stayed."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Although her color was vivid, Barbara gave him a +searching +glance. "In order to imply I had no grounds for embarrassment if I met +him? Harry was at the camp in the woods."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He knew you had no grounds for embarrassment," +Lister declared. "I knew, and Harry's an older friend."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara turned her head, and when she looked back +Lister +thought his boldness was justified. In a sense she had been very frank, +although perhaps this situation made for frankness. They were alone on +the face +of the towering crag. All was very quiet but for the noise of falling +water, +and the only living object one could see was a buzzard hovering high up +at a +white cloud's edge. One could talk in the mountain solitude as one +could not +talk in a drawing-room. For all that, Lister felt he had not altogether +broken +the girl's reserve.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"One envies men like you who build railways and +sail +ships," she said, and now Lister wondered where she led. "You live a +natural life, knowing bodily strain and primitive emotions. Sometimes +you're +exhausted and sometimes afraid. Your thought's fixed on the struggle; +you're +keenly occupied. Isn't it like that?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Something like that," Lister agreed. +"Sometimes the strain gets monotonous."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But it's often thrilling. Men and women need to +be +thrilled. People talk about the modern lust for excitement, but it +isn't modern +and I expect the instinct's sound. Civilization that gives us hot water +before +we get up and food we didn't grow is not all an advantage. Our bodies +get soft +and we're driven back on our emotions. Where we want action we get +talk. Then +one gets up against the rules; you mustn't be angry, you mustn't be +sincere, +you must use a dreary level calm."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister was puzzled and said nothing, but Barbara +went on: +"Perhaps some girls like this; others don't, and now and then rebel. We +feel we're human, we want to live. Adventure calls us, as it calls you. +We want +to front life's shocks and storms; unsatisfied curiosity drives us on. +Then +perhaps romance comes and all the common longings of flesh and blood +are +transfigured."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She stopped, and Lister began to see a light. This +was her +apology for her rashness in Canada, all she would give, and he doubted +if she +had given as much to others. On the whole, he thought the apology good.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Romance cheats one now and then," he remarked, +and pulled himself up awkwardly, but Barbara was calm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wonder whether it always cheats one!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not," he said. "Sometimes one must +trust one's luck, and venture. All the same, philosophizing is not my +habit, +and when I didn't step lightly on the stone—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You mean, when you pushed the stone down?" +Barbara interrupted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well. Anyhow, I didn't mean to philosophize. +I +wanted to find out why you kept away from me."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Although you knew why I did so? You admitted you +knew +why Harry went off!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I see I've got to talk," said Lister. +"Shillito was a cheat, but when you found him out you tried to jump off +the train. You let me help because I think you trusted me."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did trust you. It's much to know my trust was +justified. For one thing, it looks as if I wasn't altogether a fool."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Afterwards, when I met you at Montreal, you were +friendly, +although you tried to persuade me you were a shop girl."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara smiled. "I was a shop girl. Besides, you +were a +stranger, and it's sometimes easy to trust people one does not expect +to see +again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My plan's to trust the people I like all the +time," Lister replied. "When I found you on the car platform I knew I +ought to help, I saw you meant to escape from something mean. Then at +Montreal +it was plain you were trying in make good because you were proud and +would not +go back. I liked that, although I thought you were not logical. Well, I +told +your story because Vernon bluffed me, but if I'd known your step-father +as I +know him now, I'd have told the tale before."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, it was in order that I might understand +this you +sent the stone down the crag?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think it was," said Lister. "I hope I +have, so to speak, cleared the ground."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a puzzling smile. "You're rather +obvious, but it's important you mean to be nice. However, I expect the +others +are waiting for us and we must join them, although we won't go by the +grass +ridge," She indicated the slope of cracked rock in front. "The hold +is pretty good. Do you think you can get up?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister doubted. He was athletic and steady, but +the climb +looked awkward for a beginner.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you are going, I'll try."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You imagine you can go where I can go?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Something like that," Lister admitted. "If +I'm beaten, you're accountable and will have to help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He was satisfied by Barbara's frank laugh. Her +mood was +changeable. Not long since he had, with awkward sympathy, thought her a +proud +humiliated woman; now she was marked by the humor of a careless girl. +He could, +however, play up to her later mood, and when they set off he began to +joke.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The rock slanted, and cracks and breaks gave a +firm hold, +but there was not a crack wherever one was needed and the pitch was +steep. Then +in places the slabs were slippery with wet lichen and Lister's ordinary +walking +boots could get no grip. His jokes stopped and the sweat began to dew +his face. +His breath got hard and he felt his heart beat. It was obvious that +climbing +needed study.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For all that, he went on and found a strange +delight in +watching Barbara. Her clothes harmonized with the soft colors of lichen +and +stone; her movements were confident and light. He got no sense of +effort; her +pose was seldom strained and the lines of her limbs and body flowed in +easy +curves. He thought she rather flitted than labored up the rock. +Practice no +doubt accounted for much, but something was due to temperament. Barbara +did not +hesitate; she trusted her luck and went ahead.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length she stopped, pressed against the stone +in the +hollow of a gully, while Lister crept obliquely across a long wet slab. +He +looked up and saw her face, finely colored after effort, against a +background +of green and gold. The berries on a small mountain-ash in a cranny +harmonized +with the carmine of her skin. She looked down and smiled with careless +amusement.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Then Lister's foot slipped and he could get no +hold for his +hands. His smooth boots drew a greasy line across the wet slab as he +slid down. +Perhaps the risk was not very daunting, but he knew he must not roll +down far. +At the bottom of the slab he brought up with his foot braced against a +knob, +and he saw Barbara coming after him. When she stopped her glance was +apologetic.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I forgot you hadn't proper boots. Give me your +hand +and try again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No, thanks," said Lister. "Do you think I'm +going to let you pull me up?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why not?" she asked with a twinkle.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"To begin with, I'm obstinate and don't mean to be +beaten by a bit of greasy rock. Then I expect I'm heavier than you +think."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're ridiculously proud. It would hurt to let a +girl +help," Barbara rejoined. "After all, you're a conventionalist, and I +rather thought you were not."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Anyhow, I'm going up myself," Lister declared.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He got up, but his clothes gathered some slime +from the rock +and his skin was stained by soil and moss. Barbara looked at him with a +twinkle.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Your obstinacy cost you something," she remarked. +"If you're tired, you had better stop and smoke."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister lighted a cigarette. She had been rather +keen about +rejoining the others, but he thought she had forgotten. Barbara's +carelessness +gave her charm. Perhaps he ought to go on, but he meant to take the +extra few +minutes luck had given him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm really sorry I forgot about your boots and +brought +you up the rock," she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wonder why you did bring me up?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well, a number of the men I know have a +comfortable +feeling of superiority. Of course, nice men don't make you feel this, +but it's +there. One likes to give such pride a jolt."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think I see. If it's some comfort, I'll own you +can +beat me going up awkward rocks. But where does this take us?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara smiled. "It takes us some distance. When +you +admit a girl's your equal, friendship's easier. You know, one reason +Mortimer +and I can't agree is, his feeling of superiority is horribly strong."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Couldn't you take him up an awkward gully and get +him +stuck?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Barbara, in a regretful voice. +"He's really a good cragsman and knows exactly how far he can go. When +he +starts an awkward climb he reckons up all the obstacles and is ready to +get +round them when they come. The plan's good. People like Mortimer don't +get stuck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible, but I expect they miss something +now +and then. There isn't much thrill in knowing you are safe."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes you play up rather well," Barbara +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm not playing up. I'm preaching my code. I'm +not as +sober and cautious as you perhaps think."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For example?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You'll probably get bored, but in Canada I turned +down +a pretty good job because it was monotonous. I wanted something fresh, +and +thought I'd go across and see the Old Country. Well, I'm here and all's +charming, but I don't know how I'll get back when my wad runs out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Barbara, "you mean your money will +soon be gone? But you have relations. Somebody would help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible, but I would refuse," Lister +rejoined. "You're not adventuring much when another meets the bill. +When +my wallet's empty I'll pull out and take any old job. The chances are +I'll go +to sea."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him an approving glance. She had +known but one +other adventurer and he was a rogue. Lister was honest and she thought +he would +go far. She liked his rashness, but if he found it hard to get on board +ship, +she imagined she could help. All the same, she would not talk about +this yet.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We really must go," she said, and they started up +a gully where holes and wedged stones helped them up like steps.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When they left the gully they saw a group of +people on the +neighboring summit of the hill and for a moment Lister stopped.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have had a glorious climb," he said, "Now +it's over, I hope you're not going to stand me off again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a curious smile. "One can't stop +on +the mountains long. We're going down to the every-day level and all +looks +different there."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The others began to wave to them, and crossing a +belt of +boggy grass they joined the group. When they returned to Carrock, +Cartwright +was not about and Mrs. Cartwright said he had got a telegram calling +him to Liverpool.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085277">CHAPTER IV</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085278">A DISSATISFIED SHAREHOLDER</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright had read the morning's letters and the <i>Journal +of Commerce</i>, and finding nothing important, turned his revolving +chair to +the fire. He had been forced to wait for a train at a draughty station, +and his +feet were cold. His office occupied an upper floor of an old-fashioned +building +near the docks. Fog from the river rolled up the street and the windows +were +grimed by soot, but Cartwright had not turned on the electric light. +The fire +snapped cheerfully, and he lighted his pipe and looked about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The furniture was shabby, the carpet was getting +threadbare, +and some of the glass in the partition that cut off the clerks' office +was +cracked. Cartwright had thought about modernizing and decorating the +rooms, but +to do the thing properly would cost five hundred pounds, and money was +scarce. +Besides, a number of the merchants who shipped goods by his boats were +conservative and rather approved his keeping the parsimonious rules of +the old +school.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The house was old and had been at one time rich +and +powerful. Cartwright's father, however, had used sailing ships too +long, and +Cartwright's speculations and extravagance when he took control had not +mended +its fortunes. Then had come a number of lean years when few shipping +companies +earned a dividend and the line's capital steadily melted. Now the +shareholders +were not numerous and the ships were small.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright glanced at the pictures in tarnished +gold frames. +<i>Oreana</i>, drawn plunging across an Atlantic comber, was the best +of the +fleet, but her engineer had for some time demanded new boilers. Since +the +reserve fund was low and other boats needed expensive repairs, +Cartwright +resolved to wait. He had bought <i>Melphomene</i>, above the +fireplace, very +cheap; but her engines were clumsy compounds and she cost much to coal. +Still +she was fast, and now and then got a paying load by reaching a port +where +freights were high before the <i>Conference</i> found out that +Cartwright meant +to cut the rates.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Titania</i>, with the white deckhouse and +shade-deck, +carried a good load on a light draught, and sometimes picked up a +profitable +cargo in shallow African lagoons. When he glanced at her picture +Cartwright's +look got thoughtful. She was one of two sister ships, launched at a +famous +yard, and Cartwright had wanted both, but the builders demanded terms +of +payment he could not meet, and another company had bought the vessel. +She was +wrecked soon afterwards, and now lay buried in the sand by an African +river +bar. The salvage company had given up their efforts to float her, but +Cartwright imagined she could be floated if one were willing to run a +risk. But +no one, it seemed was willing. On the failure of the salvage company +the underwriters +had put the steamer into the hands of Messrs. Bull and Morse, a firm of +Ship +Brokers and Marine Auctioneers, but at the public auction no bids +whatever had +been made. Subsequently advertisements appeared in the shipping papers +inviting +offers for the ship as she lay and for the salvage of the cargo. These +had run +for several weeks, but without result. Cartwright had cut them out. Now +and +then he looked at them and speculated about the undertaking.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by the bookkeeper came in and filed some +letters. +Gavin's hair was going white, and he had been with Cartwright's since +he was a +boy. He was fat, red-faced, and humorous, although his humor was not +refined. +Gavin liked to be thought something of a sport, but Cartwright knew he +was +staunch.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You imagine Mrs. Seaton will look me up this +morning?" Cartwright said presently.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes, sir. She called and demanded to see you. In +fact, +I think she doubted when I told her you hadn't come back from the +North. She +said the shareholders' meeting would be soon and she expected you to +give a +bigger dividend; the Blue Funnel people had paid five per cent. If you +didn't +return before long, she might run up to Carrock. So I sent the +telegram."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded. He trusted his bookkeeper, who +had +grounds for imagining it was not altogether desirable Mrs. Seaton +should arrive +at Carrock.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Have you heard anything from Manners while I was +away?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Nothing direct, sir. His nephew, Hatton, came +round +with a tender for the bunker coal, and implied that he ought to get the +job. +Then I had a notion Mrs. Seaton, so to speak, was <i>primed</i>. +Looked as if +somebody had got at her; her arguments about the dividend were rather +good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible," said Cartwright dryly. "If +she comes, you can show her in. But what about the wine?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know if it will see you out. There's not +a +great deal left, and last time—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "Exactly! Send for +another +bottle and see you get the proper stuff. Some of the biscuits, too; you +know +the kind. Rather a bother, but perhaps the best plan!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Safer than going out to lunch," Gavin remarked. +"Then, in the office, you're on your own ground. That counts."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Gives you moral support and handicaps an +antagonist +who's not a business man?" Cartwright suggested. "Well, perhaps it +does so, but I see some drawbacks. Anyhow, get the wine."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Gavin went off and Cartwright mused by the fire. +The morning +was raw and foggy, and if he went out, the damp might get at his +throat; +moreover, Gavin would reply to his letters. Cartwright had begun to +feel it was +time to let others work while he looked on. His control counted for +less than +he had thought; things went without much guidance and it was enough to +give +them a push in the proper direction now and then. To rouse himself for +an +effort was getting harder and he would have been satisfied to rest, had +not his +pride, and, to some extent, his step-children's antagonism, prevented +his doing +so. He needed money and would not use his wife's.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">One must pay for old extravagances, and the bills +were +coming in; Mrs. Seaton's expected call was an example. Ellen was a +widow, but +before she married Seaton, Cartwright knew she counted him her lover. +They were +alike in temperament; rash, strong-willed, and greedy for all that gave +life a +thrill. In fact, Ellen was a stimulating comrade, but not the kind of +girl one +married. Cartwright married Clara and knew Mrs. Seaton bore him a +lasting +grudge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Since Seaton was a merchant whose investments in +Liverpool +were numerous, it was perhaps not strange he left his widow shares that +gave +her some control of the Cartwright line. Although she was not poor, she +was +greedy and extravagant. In fact, Cartwright imagined greed was now her +ruling +passion.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by he heard steps in the passage behind the +partition +and thought he knew the tap of high-heeled shoes. Then he heard a laugh +and +Gavin's voice. Ellen was using her charm on his bookkeeper and the old +sport +would play up. The door opened, the room smelt of violets, and Mrs. +Seaton came +in. She was tall and her furs gave her large figure a touch of dignity. +Her +color was sharply white and red, and in the rather dim light her skin +was like +a girl's. Cartwright knew Ellen was younger than he, but not very much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You look hipped and rather slack, Tom," she said +when he got up and Gavin fetched a chair.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I feel the cold and damp," Cartwright replied. +"Then managing a tramp-steamship line when freights are low is a +wearing +job."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton took off her coat. "Your office is +shabby +and climbing all those stairs is a pull. Why don't you launch out, get +a lift, +and modernize things?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My trouble is to keep the boats supplied with +coal and +stores. Besides, you see, I don't often use my office for a +drawing-room."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're very cautious," Mrs. Seaton remarked with +a laugh. "You start to get on guard before I begin my attack."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Cartwright, smiling, "I know +your power. But would you like a cigarette?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She took the curiously-decorated box he gave her +and broke +the seal. "Since you don't smoke these things, Tom, you were rather +nice +to remember."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You had better take the box," said Cartwright. +"I sent for a few when <i>Titania</i> went to the Levant. One +understands +they're hard to get in England. But I have something else you like. If +you will +wait a moment—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He rang a bell and Gavin entered, carrying two +small +glasses, a bottle, and some biscuits. When he went out, Cartwright +turned the +bottle so Mrs. Seaton could see the label.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Climbing our stairs is a fag," he said, and +filled the glasses.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton smiled and took hers. Cartwright saw +her rings +sparkle and the gleam of her regular, white teeth. The reflection from +the +grate touched her hair and it shone a smooth golden-brown. He admitted +with +amusement that Ellen was nearly as attractive as he had thought her +thirty +years since.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"This is like old times, Tom," she said. "I +remember evenings when you brought me sandwiches and iced cup at a +dance—but +I don't think you were ever remarkably romantic."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright remembered an evening when they sat +under a +shaded lamp in a quiet corner of a supper room, listening to music that +somehow +fired one's blood. But perhaps it was the iced cup he had generously +drunk. All +the same he had not been a fool, though he was tempted. He knew +something about +Ellen then, but he knew her better now. Perhaps it was typical that she +had +promptly put the box of Eastern cigarettes in her muff.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Managing ships is not a romantic occupation," he +rejoined.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Anyway, your welcome's kind and I feel shabby +because +I'm forced to bother you. But suppose some of your customers arrive?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We shall not be disturbed," said Cartwright, +smiling. "Gavin knows his job."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well. Do you expect to declare a better +dividend +at the shareholders' meeting?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I do not. If I'm lucky, I may keep the dividend +where +it is, but I don't know yet."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Two per cent. is really nothing," Mrs. Seaton +remarked. "I've been forced to study economy and you know how I hate to +pinch. Besides, I know an investment that would give me eight per cent."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, if you're satisfied the venture is not +risky, +you ought to buy the shares."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I want to buy, but it's a small, private company +and +the people stipulate I must take a large block. I have not enough +money."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright doubted, but her plan was obvious. +"When +trade is slack, one ought to be careful about investing in a private +company +that pays eight per cent," he said. "After all, it might be prudent +to be satisfied with a small profit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But I'm not satisfied and your dividend is +remarkably +small! Are you really unable to make it larger?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"One can't pay dividends out of capital. Anyhow, +one +can't keep it up for long!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, as I mean to make a plunge, I must sell +some of +the investments that don't earn me much. My shares in the line carry a +good +number of votes and, if people grumble at the meeting, would give you +some control. +Will you buy them, Tom?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright knitted his brows. He thought her hint +about the +shares giving him useful power was significant. In fact, it looked as +if +somebody had put Ellen on his track. He wondered whether Manners.... +But she +must not think him disturbed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What is your price?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My price?" she said with a puzzled look he +thought well done. "Of course, I want the sum the shares stand for."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm sorry it's impossible. Just now the shares of +very +few shipping companies are worth their face value. For example, +five-pound +shares in a good line were not long since offered at two pounds ten."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton looked disturbed. "That's dreadful!" +she exclaimed. "But I'm not rich enough to bear a heavy loss, and if +you +bought my lot, the voting power would enable you to break the +grumblers' +opposition. They're worth more to you than anybody else. Can't you help +me?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright gave her a smiling glance, although he +was +bothered. Ellen was not a fool and he noted her insistence on the value +of the +shares to him. Where this led was obvious. He had one or two powerful +antagonists and knew of plots to force his retirement. Ellen had given +him his +choice; he must promise a larger dividend or buy her shares at +something over +their market price. This, of course, was impossible, but he imagined +she did +not know how poor he was.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I can't buy," he said. "I must trust my luck +and fighting power. Although we have had stormy meetings and rates are +bad, the +line is running yet."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you haven't enough money, why don't you ask +your +wife? She's rich and hasn't risked much of her capital in the line."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," Cartwright agreed. Ellen meant to be +nasty but he must be cool. "Although my wife is rich, I don't use her +money."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're not logical, and sometimes your +fastidiousness +isn't very marked. However, it looks as if you didn't marry because +Clara was +rich. She was romantic before she began to get fat."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's face got red. He had had enough and +saw Ellen +was getting savage. She had not forgotten that, in a sense, he ought to +have +married her, and since he would not buy her shares, she would, no +doubt, help +his antagonists. Crossing the floor, he poked the fire noisily.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Shall I give you some more wine?" he asked, and +while he was occupied with the glasses the telephone bell rang behind +the +partition. A few moments afterwards Gavin came in.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Moreton has rung up, sir. If you can give him +five +minutes, he'll come across. He says it's important."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton put on her coat. "I mustn't stop when +an +important customer is coming." Then she laughed and gave Cartwright her +hand. "You are very obstinate, Tom, but I know your pluck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She went off. Gavin took away the wine, and +Cartwright +opened the window. The smell of violets vanished, but when he sat down +again he +pondered. He knew Mrs. Seaton, and thought she meant to hint his pluck +might +soon be needed. When Ellen smiled like that she was plotting something.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085279">CHAPTER V</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085280">CARTWRIGHT'S SCRUPLES</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The drawing-room at Mrs. Cartwright's house on the +Cheshire +side of the Mersey was large and old-fashioned. Cartwright thought the +stiff, +thick curtains and Victorian walnut furniture ugly, but Mrs. Cartwright +liked +the things and he was satisfied. Clara herself frankly belonged to the +old +school. She was conventional and often dull, but she had a placid +dignity that +did not mark all the up-to-date women Cartwright knew. Moreover, the +house was +comfortable. One got there by the Mersey tunnel and it was only a few +minutes' +walk from the station. For all that, the encroaching town had not yet +reached +the neighborhood, and the windows commanded a pleasant view of clean +rolling +country and the blue Welsh hills.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright felt the house was a snug harbor where +he could +rest when he was too old and battered to front the storms that had for +some +time been gathering, and sitting by the fire one evening, he speculated +about +the rocks and shoals ahead. All the same, the time to run for shelter +was not +yet; he thought he could ride out another gale.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">An arch with heavy molding occupied the middle of +the +spacious room. The folding doors had been removed and curtains partly +screened +the arch. On the other side, a group of young men and women stood about +the +piano. On Cartwright's side the lights were low. He had dined well and +liked to +loaf after dinner. Besides, he felt dull; his gout bothered him and he +had been +forced to run for his train. He had begun to find out one could not do +that +kind of thing. Mrs. Cartwright sat opposite, knitting quietly, and her +smooth, +rhythmic movements were soothing. Clara was never abrupt and jerky.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I got a letter from Stormont's by the afternoon +post," she said. "They have been repaid the mortgage, and there's +something about a foreign bond, drawn for redemption. They want to talk +about a +new investment."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Stormont, Wilmot and Stormont were her lawyers, +and +Cartwright nodded. "The money ought to be earning interest and you can +safely buy stock Stormont's approve. Their judgment's sound."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For all that, I think I'd like to choose for +myself. +Suppose I bought some shares in the line? I have a number, but it's +really not +large and I have felt I'm not supporting the house as I ought."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright knitted his brows. Clara did not know +much about +business, but she was sometimes shrewder than one thought. He wondered +whether +Mortimer had been talking. If the pup had talked, the thing was +ominous, +because it implied that others knew the difficulties Cartwright might +have to +meet.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Do you imagine the house needs supporting?" he +asked carelessly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright hesitated. "I really know nothing +about +it; but don't people grumble when you can't pay them much and their +shares go +down? Perhaps if the family owned a good part of the capital, you could +take a +firmer line."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was plain that Clara had been pondering. +Mortimer <i>had</i> +talked and somebody who was not Cartwright's friend had informed him. +Cartwright was tempted to let his wife do as she wanted: Clara owned +shares in +the line that he had let her buy when freights were good and she had +afterwards +refused to sell. Now, however, freights were very bad and the company +was +nearer the rocks than he hoped the shareholders knew. Cartwright +imagined he +could yet mend its fortunes, if he were left alone, but the job was +awkward and +opposition might be dangerous. To command a solid block of votes would +certainly help.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For all that, there was a risk Clara ought not to +run. His +antagonists were getting stronger, and if they meddled and baffled him, +the +company would fail. Its bankruptcy would not ruin his wife, but she +would feel +the loss of her money, and he was not going to use Clara for a shield +against +Ellen Seaton's attacks. The thing was shabby. All the same, the +situation was +humorous, and he saw, with an ironical smile, the advantages of Mrs. +Cartwright's plan.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm not a business woman, but I have noted you're +sometimes moody, as if you were anxious, and I want to help," she +resumed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You do help. The storms I've weathered have left +a +mark, and now I'm old and strained it's much to make a quiet port at +night. You +take all bothers from me, and send me out in the morning, braced for +another +watch in the pilot-house."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Some time you must give another the helm," said +Mrs. Cartwright quietly. "I wish I could persuade you to do so soon."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright sighed, for the strain was heavy and he +wanted to +rest. The trouble was the put-off reckoning for past extravagance was +at hand +and he shrank from asking his wife to pay. He had not been very +scrupulous, but +he had his code. Then Hyslop came through the arch, and stopping, noted +Cartwright's awkwardly stretched-out leg.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Gout bothering you again, sir?" he said. +"You ought to lie up for a few days, but I expect you're needed at the +office. I heard the E.P. line had a stormy meeting and the dissatisfied +shareholders came near turning out the directors. Johnson declared they +only +saved the situation by a few votes."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They ought to be turned out! A blundering lot! +They've +let a good fleet down."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Hyslop smiled. He had pale and watery blue eyes +that +generally annoyed Cartwright. "An awkward doctrine, sir! If all the +steamship directors who might have used the shareholders' money to +better +advantage were called to account, I imagine a number of respectable +gentlemen +would find their occupation gone. Besides, when people start deposing +rulers +they don't know where to stop. The thing's, so to speak, contagious, +and +panicky investors are not logical."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off and Cartwright braced himself. +Mortimer meant to +be nasty, but his languid malice bit deeper than he knew. Cartwright +had +hesitated, weighing the value of his wife's help against his scruples, +until +his step-son's hints had tipped the beam. After all, if he used Clara's +money +and saved his skin at her cost, the pup would have some grounds to +sneer.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I must keep control for some time yet," he said. +"Times are bad, and if I let go the helm I doubt if my successor could +steer a safe course. When the need is gone I'll willingly give up, but +I must +bring the old ship into port first. In the meantime, you had better let +Stormont's buy you sound Corporation stock."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright acquiesced and Cartwright watched +the young +people beyond the arch. With the stiff curtains for wing-scenes and the +lights +concealed, the end of the room made a proscenium: it was like looking +at a +drawing-room comedy on the stage. Two of the girls were pretty and he +approved +their fashionable clothes. When she was quiet, Grace was almost +beautiful, but +somehow none had Barbara's charm. Yet Cartwright thought the girl was +getting +thin and her color was too bright. A friend of Mortimer's occupied the +music +stool and Cartwright admitted that the fellow played well, although he +was +something like a character from a Gilbert opera.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister sat near the piano, and talked to Barbara, +He smiled, +but his smile had a touch of gravity. Cartwright thought him a good +Canadian. A +bit rugged perhaps, but staunch, and his quiet sincerity was after all +better +style than the cleverness of Mortimer's friends. Cartwright imagined +Barbara +studied Lister, who did not know. In fact, it looked as if he were +puzzled, and +Cartwright smiled. Lister had not his talents; when Cartwright was +young he +knew how to amuse a pretty girl.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The man at the piano signed to Barbara, who got up +and began +to sing. The song was modern and the melody not marked. Cartwright +liked the Victorian +ballads with tunes that haunted one and obvious sentiment, but because +Barbara +sang he gave the words and music his languid interest. After all, the +thing was +clever. There was, so to speak, not much on the surface, but one heard +an +elusive note of effort, as if one struggled after something one could +not +grasp. On the whole, Cartwright did not approve that kind of sentiment; +his +objects were generally plain. Then he thought the hint of strain was +too well +done for a young girl, and when Barbara stopped he turned to his wife.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Are you satisfied about Barbara?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why should I not be satisfied?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have felt she's not quite up to her proper +form. +Looks thin and sometimes she's quiet. Then why has young Vernon gone +off? I +haven't seen him recently."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Harry's in town; he goes home in a few days," +Mrs. Cartwright replied. She hesitated and resumed, "I imagined he +wanted +to marry Barbara, although she told me nothing about this. Barbara does +not +tell one much."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Do you think she likes him?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know, but I rather think if she had liked +him +she would have refused."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Cartwright thoughtfully. "Well, +Vernon's +a good sort, but I see some light; the girl is sensitive and very +proud! No +doubt, she feels her Canadian adventure—ridiculous, of course! But +Barbara's hard to move. All the same, if Vernon's the proper man and is +resolute—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I doubt if he is the proper man," Mrs. Cartwright +replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright pondered. Sometimes Clara did not say +all she +thought, and his glance wandered back to the group at the other end of +the +room. Barbara was again talking to Lister. He looked thoughtful and her +face +was serious. They were obviously not engaged in philandering; +Cartwright felt +their quiet absorption was significant. After a minute or two, however, +the +party about the piano broke up and went off. Barbara stopped to put +away some +music and then came through the arch.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Lister wants to go a voyage," she said to +Cartwright. "I suggested you might help him to get a post on board a +ship."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I imagine he did not suggest you should persuade +me?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Certainly not! He refused to bother you," Barbara +replied and, with some hesitation, added: "However, perhaps in a sense +we +ought to help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," Cartwright agreed. "Why did Mr. +Lister come to Liverpool?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He wanted to go round the shipping offices. +Mother +told him our house was always open—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded, "Of course! Well, I'll think +about +it and may see a plan."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara went off and Cartwright looked at his +wife. "I +don't know if this is a fresh complication; but if she refused Harry, +she'd no +doubt refuse the other. Perhaps it's important that she's willing he +should go +to sea."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"One is forced to like Mr. Lister and we owe him +much," Mrs. Cartwright remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Certainly," Cartwright agreed. "However, it +looks as if some engineering talent is all he has got, and I think a +long +voyage is indicated—" He stopped, and resumed with a twinkle: +"For all that, the fellow is not an adventurer, and I married a rich +woman."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave him a gentle smile. "I have +been +happy and Barbara is not; but, in one sense, I don't imagine we need be +disturbed. Barbara has not recovered from the jar."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She got up, and Cartwright dozed until he heard a +step and +Lister crossed the floor.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hallo!" he said. "Are you going? There is no +train just now."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said he meant to walk to the tramline, but +Cartwright +asked him to stop for a few minutes.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Barbara tells me you are trying for a post in an +engine-room," he remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," said Lister with a touch of +embarrassment. +"Still, I didn't mean Miss Hyslop to bother you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Barbara likes to meddle and I'm a ship-owner. To +begin +with, why d'you want to go to sea?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I must go to sea or back to Canada," Lister said, +smiling. "I've had a pretty good holiday, but my wad's nearly gone."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, wouldn't it be prudent to return to your +occupation?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I haven't an occupation; I turned mine down. It's +possible I'll find another, but I'm not ready yet. In Canada, we're a +restless, +wandering lot, and I want to look about the world before I go back. You +see, +when you only know the woods and our Western towns—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright saw and sympathized. He remembered how +adventure +called when he was young. Well, he had got adventure, but perhaps not +the kind +Lister seemed to enjoy. Anyhow, he had not started off with an empty +wallet to +look about the world.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"How much does your roll amount to?" he asked with +a bluntness he sometimes used.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When Lister told him he laughed. The young fellow +was good +stuff; Cartwright liked his rashness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well," he said, "you have pluck, and if +you're obstinate, pluck takes you far. Have you got a promise from any +of our +shipping offices?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said he had not. There were some +difficulties about +certificates. He had sailed on lake boats and made coasting voyages, +but the +English Board of Trade rules were strict. Then he looked at the clock +and +Cartwright gave him his hand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Come and see me at the office. We'll talk about +this +again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister thanked him, and when he had gone +Cartwright mused. +The young fellow was not an adventurer; anyhow not in the sense +Shillito was an +adventurer. His honesty was obvious, it was plain he did not want +Barbara's +money, and Cartwright thought he did not know she was rich. In fact, he +was +Barbara's sort. There was the trouble. Cartwright weighed this for a +time and +then went to sleep.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085281">CHAPTER VI</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085282">A NASTY KNOCK</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Frost sparkled on the office windows and +Cartwright, with +his feet on the hearthrug studied an Atlantic weather chart. The +temperature +reported by the liners' captains was low, and winter had begun +unusually soon. +Since Cartwright had hoped for a mild November, this was unlucky. As a +rule, +cargo is plentiful at Montreal shortly before the St. Lawrence freezes +and the +last steamers to go down the river do so with heavy loads. Cartwright's +plan +was to run a boat across at the last moment and pick up goods the +liners would +not engage to carry, and he had sent <i>Oreana</i> because she was +fast. When +the drift ice began to gather, speed was useful.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A cablegram two or three days since stated that +she had +sailed, and Cartwright, who knew the St. Lawrence, calculated the +progress she +ought to have made. Perhaps he had cut things rather fine, but Captain +Davies +was a good navigator and would push on. Although the narrow waters +below Montreal, +where the stream runs fast between the islands, would be open, Lake St. +Peter +was freezing, and the liner <i>Parthian</i> had some trouble to get +through. +Still the channels were not yet blocked, and when Davies had passed the +Narrows +he would get open water down the gorge to Quebec. Allowing for cautious +navigation, Davies ought to be near Rimouski at the mouth of the river, +and his +passing would, no doubt, soon be telegraphed from the signal station. +Cartwright admitted that to get the message would be some relief.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by his bookkeeper came in.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Direct cablegram from Davies, sir."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright took the form and frowned. The message +was not +from Rimouski and ran: "Delayed Peter; passing Quebec."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Awkward, sir," Gavin remarked sympathetically.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very awkward," said Cartwright. "Davies +needed all the time he's lost. It will be a near thing if he gets out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He picked up the weather chart and got no comfort. +"Cable +Malcolm at St. Johns. You'll find questions in the code-book about ice +and +wind."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Gavin withdrew and Cartwright grappled with +disturbing +thoughts. He had counted on <i>Oreana's</i> earning a good sum, and +had engaged +a paying cargo for her when she got back. In fact, the two good runs +ought to +have made the disappointing balance sheet he must shortly submit to the +shareholders look a little better. All the same, there was no use in +meeting +trouble. Davies had passed Quebec, and if he made good progress in the +next +twenty-four hours, one might begin to hope.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Below Quebec there were awkward spots where +steamers used +buoyed channels, and if these were blocked by ice Davies must risk +crossing the +shoals. If he got across, the water was deep and he need only bother +about the +floes until he came to the Gulf. Since Belle Isle Strait was frozen, +Davies +would go South of Anticosti and out by the Cabot passage, but the Gulf +was +often dark with snow and fog, and one met the old Greenland ice. Well, +much +depended on the weather, and Cartwright went to get his lunch.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The restaurant under a big building was warm, and +for a time +Cartwright occupied his favorite corner of the smoking-room. His tips +were +generous, and so long as he was punctual the waitress allowed nobody to +use his +chair. The noise of the traffic in the street was softened to a faint +rumble, +the electric light was cleverly shaded, and his big chair was easy. He +got +drowsy, but frowned when he began to nod. The trouble was, he was often +dull +when he ought to be keen. His doctor talked about the advantages of +moderation, +but when one got old one's pleasures were few and Cartwright liked a +good meal. +At the luncheon room they did one well, and he was not going to use +self-denial +yet.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by a merchant he knew pulled up a chair +opposite. +"Very cold and slippery outside," he remarked. "I nearly came +down on the floating bridge, and looked in for a drink. A jar shakes a +man who +carries weight."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What were you doing on the floating bridge?" +Cartwright asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I went to the stage to meet some Canadian friends +on +board the <i>Nepigon</i>. They'd a bad voyage; thick mist down the St. +Lawrence, +and they lost a day cruising about among the floes in the Gulf. What +about your +little boat?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I understand she's coming down river."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hasn't she started rather late?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If I'd sent her sooner, the <i>Conference</i> +would +have knocked me out," Cartwright rejoined. "I'd have got nothing but +low-rated stuff the liners didn't want. One must run some risks."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other nodded. "That is so, when shareholders +must +be satisfied. Well, I expect I'm lucky because my partner's a good +sort. When +you needn't bother about other folk's greediness, you can take a +cautious line. +Now I come to think of it, I heard some of your people grumbling. I +hope your +boat will get across all right."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He got up and Cartwright pondered. If outsiders +knew his +shareholders were dissatisfied, things were worse than he had thought +and he +might expect trouble at the next meeting. Then he looked at his watch, +but his +chair was deep and when he tried to get up his leg hurt. He sank back +again. +Gavin knew where to find him if a reply from St. Johns arrived.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by his office boy, carrying a cable +company's +envelope, came in, and Cartwright's hand shook when he opened the +message. It +stated that an easterly gale and snowstorm raged about the Newfoundland +coast +and the thermometer was very low. The gale would drive the drift ice up +the +Gulf and pack the floes. Things looked bad. Cartwright felt he ought to +get +about and make some plans to meet the threatened blow, but he did not +see what +he could do.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He sat still. The other customers had gone, and +all was +quiet but for the faint rumble of traffic and soothing throb of an +electric +fan. Cartwright mused about <i>Oreana</i> and pictured Davies +sheltering behind +the wind-screens on his bridge and trying to pierce the snow, and the +look-out +man half frozen in the spray that leaped about the forecastle. <i>Oreana</i> +was a wet boat when she was loaded deep. Now and then, perhaps, a buoy +loomed +in the tossing flakes. One tried to read the number and see the color. +Then the +steering-engine rattled as the rudder was pulled across and <i>Oreana</i> +headed for another mark.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The work was nervous, because dangerous shoals +bordered the +channels and Davies must let the steamer go. He knew when a risk must +be run +and the engineer was staunch. The trouble was, <i>Oreana's</i> boilers +were +bad; the money Cartwright durst not spend on repairs would have been a +good +investment now. Still, the old boat was fast, and Davies would drive +her +full-speed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The captain's job would not be easier when he left +the +shoals. The easterly gale would send the floes up stream. Cartwright +knew the +strange chill one felt when ice was about and the faint elusive <i>blink</i> +that marked its edge in the dark. Sometimes one did not see the blink +until the +floe was almost at the bows, and when the look-out's startled cry +reached the +bridge one must trust to luck and pull the helm over quick. Then to +dodge the +floe might mean one crashed upon the next. It was steering blind, but, +as a +rule, the sailor's instinct guided him right. Farther on, the river got +wide +and in thick weather one saw no lights: Davies must keep mid-channel +and trust +his reckoning while he rushed her along. For a thousand miles the old +boat's +track was haunted by dangers against which one could not guard, and +Cartwright +thought she carried his last chance to mend his broken fortunes.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">If she were wrecked, the reckoning he had long put +off must +be fronted, for when his embarrassments were known his antagonists +would +combine and try to pull him down. One must pay for one's extravagance, +but to +pay would break him, and if he were broken, Mortimer would sneer and +Grace treat +him with humiliating pity. He would be their mother's pensioner, and to +lose +his independence was hard. He had long ruled, and bullied, others.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by a waitress moved some glasses and +Cartwright looked +up with a start. The afternoon was nearly over; he must have gone to +sleep. +Returning to the office, he gave his bookkeeper some orders and then +went to +the station. The pavements were slippery with frost, and tall buildings +with +yellow lights loomed in the fog. Cartwright shivered, but reflected +that +Davies, fighting the snow and gale, was no doubt colder. For a day or +two he +must bear the suspense, and then, if no cablegram arrived, he could +take it for +granted that <i>Oreana</i> had reached the Atlantic. After dinner he +sat by the +fire and smoked while Mrs. Cartwright knitted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"In the afternoon I went to Mrs. Oliver's and met +Mrs. +Seaton," she said presently. "She talked to me for some time. At the +beginning, I thought it strange!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's pretty obvious that you don't like her," +Cartwright remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ellen Seaton is not my sort, but I understand she +was +a friend of yours."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She was my friend," said Cartwright carelessly. +"It's long since, and I rather doubt if she is my friend now."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then why did she buy her shares in the line?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ellen did not buy the shares. Seaton bought them +when +shipping was good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright looked relieved and Cartwright +resumed: +"All the same, I don't see her object for telling you she was a +shareholder."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She wanted to sell her shares to me; I knew she +had +some plan when she crossed the floor. I was talking to Janet, but Ellen +got +Janet away and persuaded a young man on the other side to move. It was +clever. +I don't think Mrs. Oliver or anybody else remarked what she was doing. +But you +know Ellen!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I know Ellen rather well," said Cartwright dryly. +"However, when you saw she wanted to get you alone, why did you indulge +her?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For one thing, I was curious; then it wasn't +worth +while to spoil her plan. I didn't think Ellen would persuade me, if I +did not +approve."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. Clara did not argue much and +generally +agreed with him, but sometimes she was as immovable as a rock. He +pictured with +amusement the little comedy at Mrs. Oliver's, but all the same he was +annoyed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well, Ellen wanted you to buy her shares? Did she +give +you any grounds?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She declared she wanted money. Then she said it +would +help you if I took the lot. There might be a dispute at the meeting; +the +directors' report would not be satisfactory. People would ask awkward +questions, and she expected some organized opposition. It would be +useful for +you to command a large number of votes."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's face got red. Ellen was well +informed; in fact, +it was ominous that she knew so much. Had she not been greedy, he +thought she +would have kept the shares in order to vote against him, but she +obviously +meant to sell them before the crash she expected came. If a number of +others +agreed with her, his retirement would be forced.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What price were you to pay?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright told him, and he laughed. "If +Ellen +found a buyer at a number of shillings less, she would be lucky! Well, +I +understand you didn't take her offer?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did not," said Mrs. Cartwright tranquilly. +"When I wanted to buy some shares not long since, you did not approve. +Since you refused to let me help, I didn't mean to be persuaded by +Ellen +Seaton!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're staunch," said Cartwright and Mrs. +Cartwright resumed her knitting. In the morning he went to the office +sooner +than usual, but there was no news and the dark, cold day passed +drearily. When +he started for home Gavin promised to wait until the cable offices +closed, and +Cartwright had gone to dinner when he was called to the telephone. When +he took +down the instrument his hand shook.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hallo!" he said hoarsely. "Is that you, +Gavin?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes, sir," said a voice he knew. "Cablegram +from Davies just arrived, part in code. I'll give it you slow—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Go on," said Cartwright.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"<i>Oreana</i> ashore east Cape Chat, surrounded +ice, +water in fore hold. Think some plates broken; have abandoned ship. +Salvage +impossible until ice breaks."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">There was a pause, and Gavin added: "That's all. +Have +you got it, sir?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I've got enough," Cartwright replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He hung up the instrument, and going back to the +dining-room, +drained his glass. Then he turned to Mrs. Cartwright, who had remarked +his grim +look.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I've got a nasty knock. <i>Oreana's</i> in the +ice and +may be wrecked. Anyhow, we can't get her off until spring, and she's +the best +of the fleet."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave him a sympathetic glance and +signed a +servant to bring another plate. As a rule she did not say much. She +studied her +husband quietly and was not much comforted when he resumed his dinner. +This was +characteristic, but it was plain he had got a nasty knock.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085283">CHAPTER VII</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085284">THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The afternoon was dark and electric lights burned +along the +cornice of the room engaged for the shareholders' meeting. The room was +big and +cold, and as Gavin moved about the table on the platform his steps +echoed +hollowly. He was the company's secretary and was putting down papers by +the +blotting pads. A group of gentlemen, engaged in thoughtful talk, stood +by the +fire. They were directors of the line and did not look happy. +Nominally, by the +company's constitution, the shareholders elected the Board; in +practice, +Cartwright had, so far, appointed the directors, and meant, if +possible, to do +so again. The gentlemen by the fire were eligible for reëlection, +and +Cartwright was satisfied, although he had not chosen them for their +business +talent. Their names were good in Liverpool and their honesty was known. +Cartwright did not want clever men. He was head of the house and knew +it would +totter to a disastrous fall unless he kept his firm control.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Now and then Gavin gave his employer a keen +glance. Cartwright's +lips were rather blue and the lines round his eyes were sharply drawn. +His +white mustache stuck out, and one got a hint of stubbornness, but +except for +this his face was inscrutable. Although Gavin thought Cartwright would +score +again, he was anxious. Nobody but Cartwright could persuade the +dissatisfied +shareholders to accept <i>that</i> balance sheet.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright himself felt in rather good form. He +had +curtailed his lunch and been satisfied with a single glass of liquor +that +generally braced him up. He imagined he would need all his skill and +coolness +before the meeting was over. The trouble was, he might not get much +support. +The directors did not know all he knew, but they knew something, and he +saw one +or two hesitated. Then Mrs. Cartwright was ill, and although she had +given her +husband her proxy votes, had sent Mortimer. Mortimer was entitled to +come +because he had some shares, but Cartwright did not know the line he +meant to +take. The pup did not like him and was cunning. Presently Cartwright +looked at +his watch.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They won't be long. I imagine we are going to +have +some opposition."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's very possible," one of the others agreed. +"A two-per-cent dividend is disappointing and we are paying this by +cutting down the reserve fund. Then people know we have lost the use of +our +best boat for six months and may lose her for good. When we reduced our +insurance, I urged that we were rash."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We saved a good sum and economy was needful," +Cartwright rejoined. "Insurance is expensive for our type of boats."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The balance sheet looks bad. I'll admit I'd +sooner not +be accountable for a state of things like this," another remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. The balance sheet looked better +than it +was, but Jordan had given him a useful lead. He knew his colleagues' +weaknesses +and how they might be worked upon.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We are all accountable. I have consulted you +frankly +and you approved my plans."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Jordan gave him a rather doubtful look. "Anyhow, +we +must front an awkward situation. Suppose the shareholders ask for an +investigation committee?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We must refuse," said Cartwright, with quiet +firmness. "A frightened committee would probably urge a drastic +re-construction scheme, the writing off much of our capital, and +perhaps +winding up the line. When rates are bad and cargo's scarce, one must +take a low +price for ships; our liabilities are large, and I imagine selling off +would +leave us much in debt—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright paused. He saw his remarks carried +weight and +knew his co-directors. He would give them a few moments for thought +before he +finished his argument.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," he resumed. "Jordan declares he +does not like to be accountable for an unsatisfactory balance sheet. I +take it +he would much less like to be made accountable for a bad bankruptcy! No +doubt +you sympathize with him?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was obvious that they did so and one said, "If +I +thought my occupying a seat on the Board would lead to this, I would +sooner +have given my shares away!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have not talked about my feelings," Cartwright +went on. "All the same, I am head of the old house; you can imagine I +do +not want to see it fall. But rates are not always low, and if I'm not +embarrassed by rash meddlers, my persuasion is, I can keep the fleet +running +until better times arrive."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He saw he had won them. The number of shares they +owned was +not very large: for the most part, the men were rich and not disturbed +about +their money. They valued a high place in business and social circles +and their +good name. To be entangled by a bankruptcy was unthinkable.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, I feel we ought to support you," Jordan +replied. +"For all that, our power's not very great. We are going to meet some +opposition and if the dissatisfied people are resolute they can turn us +out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"So long as I know the Board will back me, I'm not +afraid of the shareholders," Cartwright declared.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You imagine you can save the situation?" a +red-faced gentleman remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible," said Cartwright dryly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," said the other. "We must try to +see you out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They went to the table soon afterwards and the +shareholders +began to arrive. They were not numerous, and the scattered groups +emphasized +the bareness of the big echoing room. Cartwright studied the people as +they +came in. Some looked gloomy and some stubborn; a few looked frankly +bored. +There were five or six women and two whispered, while the others +glanced about +with jerky movements. Cartwright's face hardened when he saw Mrs. +Seaton, and +then he noted Hyslop in a back row. He thought Hyslop looked languidly +amused.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When all was quiet, he took the notes Gavin handed +him, +glanced at the paper, and put it down. Then, speaking in a steady +voice, he +gave the report of the year's work and talked about the balance sheet. +He was +frank but not apologetic, and claimed, in view of the difficulties, +that the +directors had well guarded the company's interests. When he stopped +there were +murmurs of approval, as if some of the despondent had begun to hope; +the +cautious admitted that Cartwright had made a bad situation look better.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">One or two asked questions, which he answered +candidly, and +then there was a pause and somebody moved the adoption of the +chairman's report +and balance sheet. His seconder made a short nervous speech, and Mrs. +Seaton +got up at the end of the room. She pushed back her veil, took out her +handkerchief, put her hand on a chair in front, and gave the directors +an +apologetic smile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know if it is usual for a woman to speak +at a +business meeting, but I have a number of shares in the line and it's +long since +I got a good dividend," she said. "Two per cent is ridiculous and my +lawyer tells me I could get four per cent, where the security is really +good." She paused and added naïvely: "To have twice as much to +spend +would be very nice."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Somebody laughed and Cartwright braced himself. +Ellen Seaton +was cleverer than she looked, and he thought her dangerous, but in the +meantime +he durst not stop her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"One feels that security's important and it's +plain +ours is not first-class," she resumed. "Well, I suppose if we accept +the report, it means we are satisfied to let the company's business be +managed +on the old plan?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It does mean something like that," a man agreed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then I'm <i>not</i> satisfied. For one thing, I +want a +proper dividend."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We all want a proper dividend," somebody +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton smiled, as if she were encouraged. "To +go +without is disappointing, but perhaps the dividend is not most +important. I'd +like to feel my shares were worth the money they cost, and find out +they are +not. We have drawn on the reserves and I expect this implies we are +losing +money. You can't go on losing money very long, and we ought to stop +while we +have some capital left."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A number of the others applauded and she +continued: +"Our directors have worked very hard. To manage ships that don't pay +must +be tiring and perhaps we oughtn't to ask them to bear the heavy strain. +Could +we not choose somebody with fresh ideas to help?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That's what we want!" said one. "The Board +needs new blood!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Then the storm broke and for a time Cartwright +lost control +of the meeting. Mrs. Seaton had loosed passions he might have +restrained and +the shareholders were frankly moved by fear, distrust, and greed. Men +got up, +asking angry questions and shouting implications, but for a few minutes +Cartwright sat like a rock and let them rage. When they stopped and +there was +an awkward pause, Mortimer Hyslop got up. He looked languid and his +voice was +soft, but Cartwright admitted his speech was clever.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He and Mrs. Cartwright, whom he represented, owned +shares in +the line, and he had not risen before because the chairman was his +relation. Now, +when attacks, perhaps not altogether justified, had been made on the +Board, he +was forced to state his conviction that nobody else could have steered +the +company past the dangers that threatened. One must admit the situation +was bad; +and for a minute or two Mortimer cleverly indicated its drawbacks. For +all +that, he argued, it was rash to change pilot and officers in the middle +of a +storm. The officers they knew and had trusted must be left control +until the +gale blew over.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mortimer sat down and Cartwright knitted his +brows. On the +surface, his step-son had taken the proper line. Mortimer meant to +support the +Board, but he had indicated that he did so because it was his duty. His +remarks +about the dangers by which the company was surrounded had made things +look +worse. All the same, he had calmed the meeting, but Cartwright did not +know if +this was an advantage. Criticism was harder to meet when the critics +were cool.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Another man got up and began to talk in a quiet +voice.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Hyslop has an object for trusting the +chairman +that we have not got. We won't grumble about his staunchness, but we +are +entitled to weigh his arguments, which are not altogether sound. He +owns the +situation is awkward and the outlook dark, but he urges us to trust the +officers who got the ship in danger. One feels this is not remarkably +logical. +Then he declares nobody else could have kept the fleet running. I think +the +claim is rash. In this city we are conservative and names long known in +business circles carry an exaggerated weight; we expect a man to work +wonders +because his father started a prosperous line, and another because he +long since +made a lucky plunge. Men like these are often satisfied with former +triumphs +while times and methods change. We want fresh thought and modern +methods. It's +obvious the old have brought us near the rocks!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright saw the shareholders were moved and the +time for +him to speak had come. He got up and fronted a doubting and +antagonistic +audience. His face was inscrutable, but he looked dignified.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have heard angry criticism and hints about +slackness," he began. "Some of you have suggested rejecting the +report, a committee of inquiry, and new members for the Board, but no +substantive motion has been put. Well, before this is done, I claim +your patience +for a few minutes. If you are not satisfied, I and your directors are +jointly +accountable. We stand together; if you get rid of one, you get rid of +all. This +is a drastic but risky cure—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He paused and one or two of the gentlemen at the +table +looked surprised. It was plain they felt the chairman had gone farther +than he +ought. The red-faced man, however, smiled as if he approved and +Cartwright +resumed:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Times are bad, the markets are flat, and goods +are not +moved about the world. I venture to state no steamship company is free +from +embarrassments. You can, no doubt, find men with business talent equal +to ours +and give them control; but you cannot give them the knowledge, gained +by long +experience, one needs to grapple with the particular difficulties the +Cartwright line must meet. The personal touch is needed; your manager +must be +known by the company's friends, and its antagonists, who would not +hesitate to +snatch our trade from a stranger. They know me and the others, and are +cautious +about attacking us. In all that's important, until times get better, <i>I +am +the company</i>—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright stopped and drank some water. He saw he +had +struck the right note and began again:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I will not labor the argument; the thing is +obvious! If +I go, the line will stop running before the new men learn their job. +Well, I'm +old and tired, but it would hurt to see the house-flag hauled down; it +was +carried by famous oak clippers in my grandfather's time. You hesitate +to risk +your money? I risk mine and much that money cannot buy; the honor of a +house +whose ships have sailed from Liverpool for a hundred years!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The shareholders were moved and one heard murmurs +of +sympathy. Boldness paid, and Cartwright saw he was recovering his +shaken power, +but it was not all good acting. To some extent, he was sincere. He got +his +breath and resumed:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't urge you with a selfish object to let me +keep +my post; I'd be relieved to let it go. Counted in money, the reward for +my +labor is not large. I want to save the Cartwright line, to pilot it +into port, +and, if there is no rash meddling, I believe I can. But I warn you the +thing is +in no other's power. Well, I have finished. You must choose whether +your +directors go or not."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">There was an awkward silence, and then somebody +asked: +"Will the chairman state if he has a plan for meeting a situation he +admits is difficult?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled rather grimly. "I will not make +a +public statement that might be useful to our antagonists! So long as I +am +chairman, you must trust me. My proposition is, give us six months, and +then, +if things are no better, we will welcome a committee of inquiry. In the +meantime, a motion is before the meeting—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It is proposed and seconded that the directors' +report +and balance sheet be accepted," Gavin remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The resolution was carried, the directors were +reelected, +and the meeting broke up. Cartwright sat down rather limply and wiped +his face.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I pulled it off, but they pushed me hard," he +said. "At one time, it looked as if our defenses would go down."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You have put off the reckoning; I think that's +all," one of the directors remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have six months," said Cartwright. "This +is something. If they call a meeting then, I imagine I can meet them."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He signed to Gavin, who helped him with his big +coat, and +went off to the underground restaurant, where he presently fell asleep +in a +chair by the fire.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085285">CHAPTER VIII</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085286">A STOLEN EXCURSION</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara stopped at the top of James Street and +looked down +hill to the river. The afternoon was dark and the pavement wet. Thin +fog +drifted about the tall offices, lights shone in the windows, and she +heard +steamers' whistles. Down the street, a white plume of steam, streaking +the +dark-colored fog, marked the tunnel station, and Barbara glanced at a +neighboring clock.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She could get a train in a few minutes, but she +would be +forced to wait at a station on the Cheshire side, and there was not +another +train for some time. She had bought the things she needed and did not +know what +to do. One could pass half an hour at a café; but Mrs. +Cartwright did not like +her to go to a café; alone and Barbara frowned impatiently. Her +mother was +horribly conventional and Barbara missed the freedom she had enjoyed in +Canada. +In fact, it was very dull at home; Grace's correct serenity and cold +disapproval made one savage; Mortimer's very proper friends were +tiresome.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara was restless and dissatisfied. She wanted +to play an +active part and feel she was alive. Moreover, since she came home she +had felt +she was being watched, and, so to speak, protected from herself. Her +relations +had forgiven her Canadian escapade, but they meant to guard against her +doing +something of the kind again. Perhaps from their point of view, they +were justified, +but Barbara was not tempted to make a fresh experiment. She had not yet +got +over the shock; she saw how near her romantic trustfulness had brought +her to +disaster and thought her faith in men and women had gone. This was +perhaps the +worst, because she was generous and had frankly trusted people she +liked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Now she imagined the gloomy day had re-acted on +her spirits. +She was moody and longed for something that would banish the +dreariness. +Starting down hill for the station, she stopped abruptly a few moments +afterwards. Lister was crossing the street, and if she went on they +would meet. +It was some time since she had seen him and she noted with surprise +that he +wore a rather soiled blue uniform. His cap, which had a badge in front, +was +greasy, and he carried an oilskin coat.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He walked quickly, looking straight in front, with +his head +well up, and Barbara got a hint of purposeful activity. Barbara liked +him much, +but she had, as a rule, quietly baffled his efforts to know her better. +She +waited, rather hoping he would pass, until he looked round and advanced +to meet +her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm lucky!" he remarked, and his satisfaction was +comforting. "It's long since I have seen you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You know our house," Barbara rejoined.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," he said with a twinkle, "when I +last came, you talked to me for about two minutes and then left me to +play +billiards with your brother. He was polite, but in Canada we play pool +and my game's +not very good. I imagined he was bored."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mortimer is like that," said Barbara. "But +why are you wearing the steamship badge and sailor's clothes?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister laughed. "They're engineer's clothes. I go +to +sea; that's another reason I didn't come over."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Barbara. "Did my step-father get +you a post on board ship?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He did not. He told me to look him up at the +office, +but I didn't go. One would sooner not bother one's friends."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Canadians are an independent lot," Barbara +remarked. "In this country, we use our friends for all they are worth, +and +we're justified so long as they want to help. If Cartwright said he +would help, +he meant to do so. But what ship are you on board?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"<i>Ardrigh</i>, cross-channel cattle boat. She's +unloading Irish steers, sheep and pigs not far off. Will you come and +see her? +I don't suppose you've been on board a Noah's ark before."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara did not hesitate. She doubted if Mrs. +Cartwright +would approve and knew Grace would not, but this was not important. +Grace +disapproved all she did and the stolen excursion would break the +monotony. Then +Lister's twinkling smile appealed, and somehow her reserve vanished +when she +was out of doors with him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'd like to go," she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, come along," he urged, and they started for +the elevated railway at the bottom of the street.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">While the electric cars rolled along the docks +Barbara's +moodiness went. She could not see much in the fog. Wet warehouse roofs, +masts +and funnels, and half-seen hulls floating on dull water, loomed up and +vanished. Inside the car, lights glimmered on polished wood; the +rattling and +shaking were somehow cheerful. Barbara felt braced and alert. Lister +talked and +she laughed. She could not hear all he said, because of the noise, and +thought +he did not hear her, but she did not mind. She liked his cheerfulness +and frank +satisfaction. The gloom outside and the blurred lights in the fog gave +the +excursion a touch of romantic adventure.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They got down at a station by a muddy dock-road. +Ponderous lorries +with giant horses rolled out of the gloom between stacks of goods; wet +cattle +were entangled in the press of traffic, and Barbara was relieved when +Lister +pushed back a sliding door. Then she stopped for a moment, half daunted +by the +noise and bustle, and looked about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Big lights hung from the room of the long shed, +but did not +pierce the gloom that lurked between the piles of cargo. A flock of +sheep, +moving in a dense woolly mass, came down a gangway; squealing pigs +occupied a bay +across the piles of goods. The front of the shed was open and in places +one saw +a faint reflection that looked like water. Opposite Barbara, the gap +between +the low roof and dock-sill was filled by a deckhouse and a steamer's +funnel. +Steam blew across the opening farther on, and in the vapor bales and +boxes shot +up and rattling chains plunged down. Through the roar of the winches +she heard +coarse shouts and the bellowing of cattle.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister took her to a slanting plank that spanned a +dark gulf +and she saw dim water and then the hollow of a steamer's hold. Men who +looked +like ghosts moved in the gloom and indistinct cattle came up a railed +plank. +Barbara could not see where they came from; they plunged out of the +dark, their +horns glimmering in the beam of the lamps.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After a few moments Lister helped her down on the +steamer's +bridge-deck. The boat listed away from the wall. Her tall red funnel +was +inclined sharply, much of her side was above water, and muddy streams +poured +from the scuppers on the after deck, where men with long boots pulled a +hose-pipe about. The boat was horribly dirty, but her lean bows and the +length +of the iron engine-room casing indicated speed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A man came along the bridge-deck, and Barbara +thought the +gold bands on his cap indicated the captain. He stopped and when he +glanced at +Lister she blushed, for there was a hint of sympathetic understanding +in her +smile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We won't want you until high-water," he said and +went off.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara hoped Lister had not seen her blush and +thought he +had not. He took her down some iron steps and to a door in a dark +passage.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Our mess-room," he said. "I expect it's the +quietest spot on board the ship."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He pushed the door open and stopped. The small +room was +bright with electric light and a young man and woman sat opposite each +other at +the table. The man's uniform was stained by oil; the girl was pretty +and +fashionably dressed, but Barbara knew her clothes were cheap. She stood +at the +door, hesitating, and the man gave Lister a smile like the captain's.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I didn't expect you yet, but come in," he said. +"The tea's not cold, and Mike has made some doughnuts."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Robertson, my chief," Lister said to Barbara, +and the man presented Lister to his companion, and put a machine in a +box on +the floor. "Now there's room; I was pulling out the indicator +diagrams," he added. "Won't you take off your coat, Miss Hyslop, and +try Mike's doughnuts?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The little room was hot, and when Barbara hung up +her furs +she noted the other girl's appraising glance. Miss Grant poured some +black tea +from a big cracked pot and pushed across a tin of condensed milk and a +plate of +greasy buns. When Barbara picked one up and looked at it doubtfully +Robertson +opened a drawer.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We pull ours in two, but I expect you'd like a +knife," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He found a knife, which he rubbed on the +table-cloth. +"I used the thing on the indicator, the contraption in the box, but I +think it's clean enough."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara ate her doughnut and drank the bitter tea. +Miss +Grant looked friendly and she liked the engineer. They were frank, +human +people, and she thought them kind. Robertson began to talk about +carpets, +gas-stoves and pans, and Miss Grant told Barbara what the articles +cost. They +had been buying furniture and Robertson stated they were to be married +soon.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I reckon you haven't got so far yet," he said to +Lister, and when Barbara saw Miss Grant touch him she blushed. It was +ridiculous, but the blood came to her skin, and then, noting Lister's +embarrassment, she began to laugh.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Jim <i>will</i> talk like that!" Miss Grant +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Robertson, "I expect it's +rather soon. Mr. Lister hasn't joined us long, and you don't begin at +the +top." He turned to Barbara with an encouraging smile. "All the same, +he knows his job and has got one move up. Perhaps if he sticks to it, +for a +year or two—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Miss Grant stopped him and asked Barbara's views +about +curtains. She had some patterns, and while they contrasted the material +and the +prices the door opened and a greasy, red-haired fellow gave the group a +benevolent grin.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Was thim doughnuts all right?" he inquired.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I've had better, but you've made some worse, +Mike," Robertson replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yez said <i>tea for two</i>. If ye'd told me it +was a +party, I'd have been afther stealing the captain's Cork butter. A cook +cannot +do his best whin the shore-steward sends him engine-grease. Annyhow, +whin ye're +young an' romantic, what's it mather what ye ate?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off and Robertson began to talk about <i>Ardrigh</i>. +He was naïvely proud of the boat and his engines, and narrated +hard runs in bad +weather to land the livestock in time for important markets. Sometimes +the +hollow channel-seas that buried the plunging forecastle filled the +decks and +icy cataracts came down the stokehold gratings. Sometimes the cattle +pens broke +and mangled bullocks rolled about in the water and wreckage.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Robertson had a talent for narrative and Barbara +felt +something of the terror and lure of the sea. She liked the <i>Ardrigh's</i> +rather grimy crew, their cheerfulness and rude good-humor. They did +useful +things, big things now and then; they were strong, warm-blooded +fellows, not +polished loafers like Mortimer's friends. Then she approved Miss +Grant's frank +pride in her lover. There was something primitive about these people. +They +were, so to speak, human, and not ashamed of their humanity. Lister was +somehow +like them; she wondered whether this had attracted her. Perhaps she was +attracted, but the attraction must not be indulged.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by Miss Grant resumed her talk about +curtains, and +when they had agreed about the material that ought to wear best Barbara +looked +at her watch. Miss Grant gave her her hand and Robertson declared she +must come +back when the boat was in port again. Lister took her down the gangway +and was +quiet until they reached the station. Then he smiled apologetically.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You played up well. I didn't know Robertson was +on +board, but he's a very good sort. So's the girl, I think."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara laughed. "I didn't play up; I liked the +people. +The excursion was delightful; I've enjoyed it all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister saw she was sincere and thrilled. He had +begun to +think he ought not to have suggested the adventure, but he was not +sorry now; +Barbara was not bothered by ridiculous conventions. She talked gayly +while the +cars rolled along beside the warehouse walls, but when they got down at +the +station she stopped in the middle of a sentence. Cartwright had +alighted from +the next car and was a yard or two in front. Lister knew his fur coat +and +rather dragging walk. If he and Barbara went on, they would confront +Cartwright +when he turned to go down the steps.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a twinkling glance and remarked +that he +knitted his brows but did not hesitate. In the few moments since her +step-father left the train she had seen three or four plans for +avoiding him. +Lister obviously had not, and on the whole she approved his honesty. He +advanced and touched Cartwright.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I didn't know you were on board our train, sir."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright looked at him rather hard and Barbara +waited. +Although she had been caught enjoying a stolen excursion, she was not +afraid of +her step-father, but she was curious.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was in front," said Cartwright dryly. +"Barbara has picked a rather dreary day for a run to the north docks. I +understood she was going to the shops."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Miss Hyslop met me near the station and I +persuaded +her to come and see my ship."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you have got a ship?" said Cartwright. +"If you are not on duty, come to the office in the morning and tell me +about the boat. In the meantime, I'll put Barbara on the tunnel train."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off with the girl, but Barbara turned her +head and Lister +saw her smile.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085287">CHAPTER IX</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085288">CARTWRIGHT SEES A PLAN</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning Lister went to Cartwright's office. +To some +extent, he was embarrassed, because he had begun to see that Barbara's +relations might not approve her going on board his ship and he imagined +Cartwright meant to talk about this. When he came in Cartwright gave +him a nod +and indicated a chair.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I understand you did not arrange for Barbara to +meet +you and go to the dock?" he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No, sir. I didn't expect to meet Miss Hyslop. I +was +talking about the boat and thought Miss Hyslop might like to see her."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright turned and the electric light touched +his face. +He looked thoughtful, but somehow Lister imagined he was not thinking +about his +step-daughter.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well!" he said, as if the matter were not +important, and went on: "I might have got you a post had you looked me +up. +What boat are you on board?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"<i>Ardrigh</i>. Perhaps you know her?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes. Belfast model; long bow and fine lines aft. +Don't +know if I approve the type. Give you speed, at the cost of carrying +power, but makes +a wet ship in a head sea."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She is wet," Lister agreed with a smile. +"Last run we couldn't keep the water out of the stokehold. Had to cover +and batten gratings, and then a boat fetched adrift and smashed the +engine +skylights."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What's your rating?" Cartwright asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister told him and he remarked: "You have made +some +progress!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was lucky. She burst some boiler tubes in my +watch. +We were steaming hard, head to an ugly sea, with a lot of cattle on +board, and +were forced to keep her going. Two firemen were scalded, but I was able +to put +the patent-stoppers in the tubes. I used a trick I'd learned on a +Canadian lake +boat; rather risky, but it worked. Afterwards the company moved me up."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright was not surprised. He knew men and saw +the young +fellow was all he had thought. All the same, it might be worth while to +get +some particulars about the accident from the <i>Ardrigh's</i> owners.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You won't go far in the cross-channel trade. Why +did +you not try for a berth with an Atlantic line!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"There was some trouble about your Board of Trade +rules +and I might have been required to prove my qualifications for an +English +certificate. While I was inquiring I heard an engineer was wanted on +board <i>Ardrigh</i>. +The regulations don't apply to coasting voyages."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You might have got your certificate. Would it not +have +been worth while?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister hesitated. His main object for joining the <i>Ardrigh</i> +was that she sailed from Liverpool and he wanted to see Barbara now and +then. +As a rule, he was frank, but he did not think it prudent to enlighten +Cartwright.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know," he said. "You see, I may go +back to the railroad soon."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He wondered whether Cartwright did see and thought +he had +remarked his hesitation; the old fellow was very keen. Cartwright's +look, +however, was inscrutable and for a few moments he said nothing. Then he +picked +up some papers on his desk.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Look me up now and then when you're in port. I +might +have a job for you, but I don't know yet," he said, and added in a +meaning +voice: "If you want to see my family, Mrs. Cartwright will receive you +at +her house."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister colored and got up. "I'll remember, sir! +Perhaps +I oughtn't to have persuaded Miss Hyslop—I didn't stop to think—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he went off Cartwright smiled, but soon +afterwards he +put his cigar-case in his pocket and told Gavin he was going out. He +thought he +knew where to find the cattle boat's shore-engineer, and when he did so +the +waitress gave them a table at which they would not be disturbed. In +half an +hour Cartwright had found out all he wanted to know, and returning to +his +office, he smoked and mused.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister had not exaggerated; his pluck and coolness +had kept <i>Ardrigh's</i> +engines going when to stop might have meant the loss of the livestock +on board. +Well, Cartwright had known the fellow was good stuff and he might soon +want a +man like that. Somebody staunch and resolute who knew his job! He had +beaten +his antagonists at the shareholders' meeting, but doubted if he could +do so +again. In fact, he had only put off the reckoning for six months, in +which he +must make good, and he knitted his brows while he studied <i>Titania's</i> +picture. He thought about her sister ship, wrecked and abandoned on the +African +coast.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Arcturus</i> was a useful boat and cheap to +run. Although +times were bad, Cartwright could run her and earn some profit. He had +known the +company that bought her was getting near the rocks, but they had +insured her +heavily and there was something strange about the wreck. Cartwright +understood +the underwriters had hesitated before they paid. He, himself, would not +have +paid; he had a notion—.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">An effort had been made to float <i>Arcturus</i>, +but the +salvors did not know all Cartwright thought he knew. If his supposition +were +correct, the wreck might be worth buying and one could, no doubt, buy +her very +cheap. The boat had for some time lain half-buried in shifting sands at +the +mouth of an African river.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The underwriters would be lucky if they sold her +for old +iron.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright weighed the cost of floating. If he +employed a +regular salvage company, this would be high, because they would bargain +for a +large part of the value recovered; his plan was to do the job himself, +with +cheaper appliances than theirs. The trouble was, he could not go out +and +superintend. He was too old, and one ought to be an engineer; +Cartwright had +grounds for imagining the job was rather an engineer's than a sailor's. +Well, +he knew a young fellow who would not be daunted and would work for him +honestly, but to get the proper man was not all.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He pondered about the money. Somehow he might get +the +necessary sum, but if the venture failed, it would be the last. Nobody +would +trust him again; he would be forced into retirement and dependence on +his wife. +It was a risk he hesitated to run and he resolved to wait.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the evening after dinner Barbara joined him in +the +drawing-room, and Cartwright waited with some amusement, for he thought +he knew +what she wanted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Did Mr. Lister come to the office?" she asked +presently.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He did come. Did you think he would not?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, no!" said Barbara, smiling, "I knew he +would come. Mr. Lister is like that!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I suppose you mean he's honest?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think I mean he's scrupulous. When you crossed +the +station platform in front of us he got a jolt."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, you did not get a jolt?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not at all," said Barbara. "To keep behind +and meet you after I'd sent Lister off would not have bothered me. +However, I +was curious, although I think I knew the line he'd take. You see, for +an +unsophisticated young man, the situation was awkward."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If he felt it awkward, it indicated he knew he +ought +not to have taken you on board his boat."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're horribly logical," Barbara rejoined with a +twinkle. "When we started he didn't know I ought not to have gone. Mr. +Lister is not like you; he's very obvious. Of course, I did know, but I +went!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wonder why!" said Cartwright dryly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes you're keen, but you didn't remark, I +meant +to give you a lead. Well, I didn't go altogether because I wanted to +enjoy Mr. +Lister's society. To see a cattle boat was something fresh and I was +dull."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, when did Lister see a light? Since he +stopped +me, it's plain he'd got some illumination."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think it was when the engineer and the girl +Robertson is going to marry began to talk about house furnishings in +the <i>Ardrigh's</i> +mess-room. They took it for granted Lister was my lover and he was +horribly +embarrassed. The thing really was humorous."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Folks have hinted I'm getting a back-number," +Cartwright remarked. "To talk to a modern girl makes me feel I am +out-of-date."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Grace is not modern and to talk to her makes you +tired," +Barbara rejoined. "But I'll tell you about the tea-party in the +mess-room +if you like."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you got tea in the cattle boat's mess-room?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Of course," said Barbara. "Black tea and +condensed milk, and a ruffian with red hair whom they called Mike had +made some +doughnuts with lard like engine-grease. For all that, they were very +nice +people, and if you don't interrupt, I'll tell you—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She told him about the party and Cartwright +chuckled. He +pictured her in the dirty mess-room, looking exotic in her fashionable +clothes +and expensive furs, but no doubt quite serene. She said the other girl +was +pretty, but Cartwright admitted that Barbara was beautiful. He rather +sympathized with Lister's embarrassment, and wondered whether Barbara +meant to +throw some light on the young man's character.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When she stopped, he asked: "Did they talk about +some +burst boiler tubes?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Barbara. "We talked about +gas-stoves and kitchen pans." Then she gave Cartwright a keen glance. +"But what are boiler tubes? Do they sometimes burst?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They carry the flame from the furnace through the +water. If you're much interested, Gavin will show you a plan of a +ship's boiler +when you come to the office. In the meantime, have you found out all +you want +to know?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You really are keen!" Barbara rejoined.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was a little curious about what you said to Mr. +Lister."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Cartwright, "I imagined something +like this. I told him if he wanted to see my family, he must come to +the +house."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara looked thoughtful. "This was all? Was it +worth +while to tell him to come to the office? To order him, in fact?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It was all that's important. I think it was +important +and expect you to agree."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well, you have carried out your duty and ought to +be +satisfied," said Barbara, who got up and gave Cartwright a smiling +glance. +"All the same, if you want a man for an awkward job, I think you can +trust +Mr. Lister!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She went off and Cartwright laughed. Barbara was +clever. The +strange thing was, she had been cheated by a theatrical rogue, but +clever girls +were sometimes like that. He imagined she liked Lister, but this was +perhaps +all, since she had been frank. In one sense, Lister was the man for +Barbara; he +was honest, sober, and resolute, and she needed firm control. The girl +was as +wild as a hawk, and although she was marked by a fine fastidiousness, +would +revolt from a narrow-minded prig. Lister was not a prig; his blood was +red.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In another sense, perhaps, the thing was +ridiculous. Barbara +was rich and ought to make a good marriage, but good marriages +sometimes +brought unhappiness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Human nature was stubborn; one paid for forcing it +to obey +the rules of worldly prudence. Then Barbara had a romantic vein. She +would risk +all for her lover and not grumble if she were forced to pay for her +staunchness. Besides, she and Lister had qualities he had not. They +were marked +by something ascetic, or perhaps he meant Spartan, and if it were worth +while, +could go without much that he required.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright admitted that indulgence had cost him +dear. He +had paid with grim philosophy, but he did not want Barbara to pay. +Although she +was not his daughter, he loved the girl, and her recent moodiness +bothered him. +If she did not love Lister, why was she disturbed? Sometimes Cartwright +thought +he saw a gleam of light. Suppose she did love the fellow and was trying +to keep +him off because of her Canadian adventure? Lister knew about that and +Barbara +was proud.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's eyes got bloodshot and he clenched +his fist. He +would very much like to meet Shillito. His muscles were getting slack, +but he +had not lost all his power; anyhow, he could talk. Well, the thing was +humiliating, but he must not get savage. When he let himself go he +suffered for +it afterwards. Getting up, he threw away his cigar, and went off to +talk to his +wife.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085289">CHAPTER X</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085290">A BOLD SPECULATION</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">After weighing for some weeks all he could learn +about the +wreck on the African coast, Cartwright went to London and was carried +up one +morning to the second floor of an imposing office block. Black marble +columns +supported the molded roof of the long passage, the wide stairs were +guarded by +polished mahogany and shining brass, and a screen of artistic iron work +enclosed the elevator shaft. Cartwright's fur coat and gloves and +varnished +boots harmonized with the surroundings; he looked rich and important, +but as he +went along the corridor his face was stern. He was going to make a +plunge that +would mend or break his fortune. Unless he got straight in the next six +months, +he must retire from the Board and make the best bargain possible with +his +creditors.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He opened a door, and giving a clerk his card, was +shown +into a handsome private office. Mr. Morse at a writing-table indicated +a chair, +and when Cartwright sat down, rested his chin in his hand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have considered your letters, and my partner, +Mr. +Bull, agrees that, if we can come to terms, your suggestion has some +advantages," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The advantages for your clients are obvious," +Cartwright remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other smiled. "They paid out a good sum when <i>Arcturus</i> +was wrecked, and would frankly like to get something back. Well, we +understand +you are willing to buy her, <i>as she lies</i>."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"At my price! I'll give you a check when the +agreement's +signed."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, I expect you have made some calculations +and +know all about the efforts to float the wreck. If we sell her to you, +the job +is yours, but I admit some curiosity. Why do you expect to float her +when the +salvage company failed?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For one thing, they started the job on +extravagant +lines," Cartwright replied. "They sent out two first-class tugs and a +number of highly-paid men; they ought to have hired negro laborers at +the spot. +The surf is often bad, they could only work when it was calm, and while +they +were doing nothing, wages mounted up. So did their bills for the coal +they must +bring from Sierra Leone, where coal is expensive. Then they were +bothered by +fever and were forced to send men home. They saw the contract would not +pay and +let it go. The job was not impossible; it was costing too much."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mr. Morse agreed that Cartwright's statement was +plausible +and probably accurate, but thought he rather labored his argument.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You mean to use another plan?" he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My outfit will be small and cheap. This has the +advantage that when my men can't work, I won't pay much for wasted +time. All +the same, my risk is obvious. The thing's a rash speculation, on which +I can't +embark unless you are satisfied to take a very small price."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For a few moments the ship broker pondered. +Cartwright's +line was the line a man who wanted to buy something cheap would take. +All the +same, Mr. Morse did not altogether see why he wanted to buy the wreck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What about the cargo?" he suggested. "Of +course, you understand that I have no authority to sell this; you +noticed the +wording of our original advertisement? 'And for the salving of the +cargo,' Precisely +it is on that basis alone that the cargo underwriters will deal. +Together with +your offer for the steamer as she lies, you must accept a percentage of +the +value of the cargo you save."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What is the cargo?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She carried palm-kernels in the forehold; I +expect +they have fermented and rotted. Perhaps the palm oil aft isn't spoiled."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The barrels will have gone to bits."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oak barrel staves stand salt water long."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The iron hoops do not," Cartwright rejoined. +"Anyhow, I don't reckon on the cargo; I expect to make my profit on +buying +the hull."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yet the cargo is worth something. I imagine you +know +she carried some valuable gums, ivory and a quantity of gold?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. "I do know the goods were on +the +ship's manifest. How much gold did the salvage company get?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Six boxes; but this was not all that was +shipped."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I imagine it's all that will be recovered!" +Cartwright remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other looked hard at him, but his face was +inscrutable +and he went on: "Well, I don't want the cargo, and may be forced to +heave +much of it overboard in order to lighten the hull. However, if we find +stuff +worth saving, we'll put it on the beach and I'll take a third-part of +the +value, and you can send out an agent to tally the goods."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," said the other, who approved the +latter plan, although he imagined Cartwright knew something he did not. +"Let's be frank," he resumed. "Personally, I felt from the +beginning there was a mystery about the wreck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Cartwright, "the owners of +the boat went broke, and the merchant who put the goods on board died. +His son +sold the business to a small company, in which he took shares. The new +house is +prosperous and respectable; it would be necessary to know your ground +well +before you bothered them. Then I have nothing to go upon but a vague +supposition. In fact, the thing's a risky plunge, and if you refuse my +offer, I +won't grumble. All the same, I doubt if anybody else would give you, +for +example, five hundred pounds for <i>Arcturus</i>."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Five hundred pounds is, of course, ridiculous," +the other rejoined, and they began to bargain.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When Cartwright left the office he was, on the +whole, +satisfied. He could finance the undertaking, but this was all. There +would be +no margin to cover unforeseen difficulties. It was his last gamble, +and, +besides his money, he staked his post and reputation. If he lost, he +was done +for, and the house must fall. Soon after his return he sent for Lister +and told +him about the wreck and his salvage plans.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I had some bother to get a captain," he said. +"The job has not much attraction for a sober man, but Brown is not +sober; +he's frankly reckless and irresponsible. The strange thing is, I've +known him +make good where cautious men have failed. Then much depends on the +engineer. I +brought you across to ask if you would go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's eyes sparkled. "Yes, sir. I've been +looking +for a chance like this."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright studied him quietly. Lister's keenness +was +obvious; the young fellow liked adventure, but Cartwright imagined this +did not +account for all.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"From one point of view, I think the chance is +pretty +good," he said. "If you can float the wreck and bring her home, I +expect some of the big salvage companies will offer you a post. Anyhow, +you'll +get your pay, and if we are lucky, a bonus that will depend on the cost +of the +undertaking and the value of all we salve."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm going," Lister declared, and Cartwright noted +that he did not inquire about the pay. Then he hesitated and resumed: +"But +I haven't got an English chief-engineer's certificate."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know if it's important. I expect you'll +find +the adventure is marked by a number of small irregularities. However, +to +satisfy the Board of Trade is my business."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you can reckon on me; but there's another +thing. +Why do you hope to lift the wreck when the salvage men could not?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. "I have been asked this before, +but +saw no grounds for satisfying the inquirer's curiosity. All the same, +I'll +enlighten you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He did so, and Lister looked up sharply. He had +known +Cartwright was clever, but the old fellow was cleverer than he thought. +It was +possible he had solved a puzzle that had baffled the salvage engineers. +After +all, perhaps, it was not strange they were baffled. They had reckoned +on +mechanical obstacles; Cartwright had reckoned on the intricacies of +human +nature.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect you have got it, sir," Lister agreed. +"If her bilge was in the sand and the divers couldn't break into the +engine-room—" He paused and laughed. "A powerful centrifugal +pump lifts some water, but you can't pump out the Atlantic!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It looks as if the salvage company tried," said +Cartwright, dryly. "However—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He talked about the undertaking, giving Lister +particulars +he thought he ought to know, and when the young man went off, all +important +plans had been agreed upon. Soon afterwards Cartwright went home and +found Mrs. +Cartwright had gone to bed. He was getting disturbed about her, but +since the +doctor had said she must rest, he talked to Barbara in the evening. He +told her +about the wreck, and smiled when he stated that Lister would have +control.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think you declared he was the man for an +awkward +job," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara looked at him rather hard. "Perhaps I did +say +so. You don't imply you are sending Mr. Lister because you thought I'd +like +it?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not at all," said Cartwright. "The thing's a +business venture. Still your statement carried weight. I admit your +judgment +sometimes is sound."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She turned her head and when she looked up and +replied, her +voice was rather hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You must not trust my judgment. I have been +cheated."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My dear!" said Cartwright. "Perhaps my +remark was unlucky, but the cleverest of us is sometimes cheated, and +you were +not cheated long. We'll let it go. I'm bothered about your mother. She +feels +the damp and cold and is not picking up. Perhaps we ought to send her +South. I +must talk to the doctor."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning he saw the doctor, who said they +had better +wait for a time, and Cartwright occupied himself by outfitting the +salvage +expedition. Finding it necessary to go to London, he called on the +gentleman +from whom he had bought the wreck a short time ago.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When we made the agreement, you asked if I knew +anybody who would give me five hundred pounds for the boat," remarked +Mr. +Morse. "Just then I did not know, but not long since I was offered a +better +price than yours."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Cartwright, thoughtfully. "She lay +in the sand for some time and nobody bothered about her. Who was +willing to +buy?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other smiled. "A shipbroker stated a sum at +which +he would take her off our hands. It was plain he was an agent, but he +wouldn't +give his customer's name. I don't imagine you will find out from him. I +tried!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright said it was strange, and went off soon +afterwards. When he went down in the lift he smiled, for he thought he +saw a +light; after all, his speculation was not as rash as it looked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he got home Mrs. Cartwright had come +downstairs and she +joined the others at dinner. The doctor said she was stronger and might +soon +undertake a journey South; he suggested the Canaries, and Cartwright +approved.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you sail by a Cape liner, it's a short run, +and +after you leave the Spanish coast the sea is generally smooth," he +said. +"Since I must stay at the office, we must decide who is going with +you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Hyslop said he would like to go, and would do so +if it were +necessary, but to get away just then was awkward. Grace declared +somebody must +stop to look after Cartwright and the house, and she imagined this was +her +post. For all that, since she was older than Barbara, it was hard to +see her +duty. Mrs. Cartwright did not indicate whom she wanted, although she +glanced at +Barbara. Since she was ill she had got very languid, and Cartwright did +not +meddle. He knew his stepchildren, and it was characteristic that Grace +talked +about her duty; taking care of an invalid at a foreign hotel had not +much charm +for Grace.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," said Barbara, "I gave you and +Mortimer first chance, because I'm not important, but since you have +good +grounds for staying, we won't argue." She turned to Mrs. Cartwright: +"I'm going, because I want to go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave her a gentle smile and it was +plain +that she was satisfied, but when she had gone to bed and Cartwright was +alone, +he pondered. Barbara loved her mother and would have gone had she not +wanted to +go, but he thought she did want and had an object. He had told her +something +about his plans, and had stated that he would use Grand Canary as a +supply +depot for the expedition; then he had found the girl studying an +Atlantic chart +in the library. Barbara had no doubt noted the island lay conveniently +near the +African coast, and knew it was an important coaling station, at which +steamers +bound South from Liverpool called. Cartwright wondered whether she had +argued +she might see Lister at Grand Canary.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085291">CHAPTER XI</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085292">THE START</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Rain was falling and the light had hardly reached +the +opening between the tall warehouses. In the dock the water was smooth +and shone +with dull reflections, but the gates were open and the muddy swell the +flood +tide brought up the river splashed about the entrance. Ponderous +lorries +rumbled across a bridge, indistinct figures moved and shouted on the +pierhead, +and men in wet oilskins splashed about <i>Terrier's</i> deck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She was a battered propeller tug and lay against +the wall, +with large cases of machinery lashed to her bulwarks, and a stack of +coal built +up beside the engine-skylights. Her bunkers were full, but the fuel she +carried +would not last very long, and coal is dear at foreign ports. Coils of +thick +wire rope and diving gear occupied her shallow hold, and Cartwright was +annoyed +because she could not take the massive centrifugal pump which he had +sent by an +African liner. Some extra coal and supplies were loaded on a clumsy +wooden +hulk, but he durst not risk her carrying expensive machinery.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he talked to the captain in the pilot-house, +he was, on +the whole, satisfied. Brown's face was flushed and his voice was +hoarse, but he +would pull himself together after he got to sea. Cartwright knew +Brown's habits +when he gave him the job, although, in an important sense, the job was +Lister's. To trust the young fellow was a bold experiment, but +Cartwright did +so. If Lister were not the man he thought, Cartwright imagined his +control of +the line would presently come to an inglorious end. To some extent this +accounted for his bringing Barbara to see the salvage expedition start. +He knew +the power of love.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara had not gone up the greasy ladder to the +bridge and +waited on deck. She had left home without much breakfast, in the dark, +and was +cold and rather depressed. All was gloomy and strangely flat. The tug +looked +small and was horribly dirty. Coal-dust covered rails and ropes; grimy +drops +from the rigging splashed on the trampled black mud on deck. The crew +were not +sober and their faces were black. Two or three draggled women called to +them +from the pierhead, their voices sounding melancholy and harsh.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara had not seen Lister and wondered where he +was, until +a man plunged out from the neighboring door of the engine-room. The +abruptness +of his exit indicated that he had been rudely propelled by somebody +behind, and +as he lurched across the deck, Lister appeared at the door. His cap was +dark +with grease, his overalls were stained, and a black smear ran from his +eye to +chin.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hustle and get that oil drum on the wharf, you +drunken +hog!" he shouted. "If I hadn't watched out you'd have left half the +truck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He stopped when he saw Barbara. "This is very +kind," he said to her. "I knew Cartwright was on board, but hadn't +hoped you would come to give us a good send-off."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara noted his satisfaction and was moved by +something in +his voice. He looked thin and fine-drawn in his stained engineer's +clothes, and +his hands were greasy. The surroundings were not romantic, but somehow +they got +brighter and her gloom vanished. Lister's eyes sparkled; he wore the +stamp of +strength and confidence.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I doubted if my step-father would bring me, but I +really meant to come," she said. "For one thing, I wanted to ask you—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She hesitated, for it was hard to strike the right +note. She +had begun to see there was something exciting and perhaps heroic about +the +adventure. The handful of men had undertaken a big thing; there was +much +against them, and daunting risks must be run. Moreover, she had studied +Cartwright and remarked the anxiety he thought he had hid. Cartwright +was +rather inscrutable, but sympathy had given her power to understand. She +thought +he was engaged in a reckless gamble and could not afford to lose.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Whatever you want—" Lister declared, but +she stopped him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I want you to do your best."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You can reckon on that, anyhow! Cartwright has +hired +me; I'm his man."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara smiled. "Yes; I know! You're honest and +will do +all you engaged; but in a sense, this is not enough. I want you to make +an +extra effort, because—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She paused and the blood came to her skin when she +went on: +"You see, it's important you should float the wreck and bring her home. +It +means much to my step-father; very much, I think. He's kind and I love +him. I +feel I ought to help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister saw her statement was significant, and her +embarrassment indicated that she knew it was so. In fact, she had +admitted that +she knew he would, for her sake, use all his powers. He was moved, but +he was +not a fool. The girl, wearing her costly furs, looked rich and +dignified; he +was a working engineer and conscious of his greasy clothes. He loved +her, but +for a time he must be cautious. To begin with, he would not have her +think he +made a claim.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're not very logical," he replied carelessly. +"When I took the job I undertook to earn my pay. Cartwright sends me +off +to float the wreck, and if it's possible, I must make good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am logical," Barbara declared, while her color +came and went. "One thinks one does one's best, but sometimes when the +strain comes, one can do better. It really isn't ridiculous! Emotion, +sentiment, give one extra force—" She stopped and resumed in a +strangely gentle voice: "You are young, and if you don't make good it +won't hurt very much. Mr. Cartwright's old; he can't try again. Then +he's not +my step-father only. He's my friend, and I know he trusts you. For his +sake, I +must be frank—I trust you!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister smiled, but his voice betrayed him, +although he +thought he used control.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well! If it's possible for flesh and blood, +we'll +bring <i>Arcturus</i> home. That's all. The thing's done with."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She gave him her hand, and kept the glove with the +dark +grease stain. Then, seeing there was no more to be said, she looked +about. +Ragged clouds rolled up from the Southwest, and the disturbed swell +that +splashed about the dock gates indicated wind down channel. A shower +beat upon +the engine skylights and Barbara moved beneath the bridge. A great rope +rose +out of the water as the men at the winch hauled up the clumsy hulk. Two +or +three others, dragging a thin, stiff wire rope, floundered unsteadily +across +the deck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They look rough, and they're not very sober," +Barbara remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister laughed. "They're frankly drunk! A pretty +hard +crowd, but Brown and I have handled a hard crowd before. In fact, I +reckon +Cartwright has got the proper men for the job."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Captain Brown is like them," said Barbara, +thoughtfully. "You are not."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You haven't seen me hustling round when things go +wrong."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I saw you throw a man out of the engine-room not +long +since!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"With a gang like ours, one must prove one's claim +to +be boss at the start. Anyhow, there are different kinds of wastrels, +and the +fellow who gets on a jag at intervals is often a pretty good sort. The +wastrel +one has no use for is the fellow who keeps it up. But I see Mr. +Cartwright +coming and mustn't philosophize."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A gateman on the pierhead began to shout to the +captain, and +Cartwright gave Lister his hand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They are waiting for you and we must get ashore," +he said. "Well, I've given you and Brown a big job, but I expect you'll +see me out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We'll put in all we've got, sir," said Lister +quietly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded, as if he were satisfied, and +touched +Barbara, who turned and gave Lister a smile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Good luck!" she said, and following Cartwright, +went up the steps in the wall.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She thought it significant Cartwright had left her +for some +time and had given Lister a quick, searching glance. Lister had said +nothing +about their talk and his promise; she had known he would not do so. Yet +this +was not because he was clever. He had a sort of instinctive +fastidiousness. She +liked his reply to Cartwright; he <i>would</i> put in all he had got, +and a man +like that had much. Fine courage, resolution and staunch loyalty.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When Barbara reached the pierhead, <i>Terrier's</i> +engines +began to throb. The propeller churned the green water, and the tug +bumped +against the wall. Gatemen shouted, the big tow-rope splashed and +tightened with +a jerk, and the hulk began to move. Then the tug's bow crept round the +corner +and swung off from the gates. The engine throbbed faster, and a blast +of the +whistle echoed about the warehouses. Brown waved his cap and signed to +a man in +the pilot-house. The hulk swung round in a wide sweep, and the +adventurous +voyage had begun.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Terrier</i>, steaming across the strong +current, looked +small and dingy; when she rolled as the helm went over, the swell +washed her +low bulwarks. She got smaller, until a rain squall blew across from the +Cheshire +side and she melted into the background of dark water and smoke. +Barbara felt +strangely forlorn, and it was some relief when Cartwright touched her +arm and +they set off along the wall.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After the rain the wind freshened, and when Brown +steamed +out from the river, a confused sea rolled across the shoals. The light +was not +good, but a double row of buoys led out to sea, the ebb-tide was +running, and <i>Terrier</i> +made good progress. She shipped no water yet, and the hulk lurched +along +without much strain on the rope. The rope was fastened to a massive +iron hook +and ran across a curved wooden horse at the tug's stern. Sometimes it +slipped +along the horse and tightened with a bang, for the clumsy hulk sheered +about. +When her stern went up one saw an indistinct figure holding the wheel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When they passed the Bar Lightship, Lister climbed +to the +bridge and for a few minutes looked about. The plunging red hull to +starboard +was the last of the Mersey marks, for the North-West ship was hidden by +low +clouds. Ahead the angry gray water was broken by streaks of foam. <i>Terrier</i> +rolled and quivered when her bows smashed a sea, and showers of spray +beat like +hail against the screens on the bridge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She's loggish," Brown remarked. "If you +don't burn up that coal soon, she'll wash it off. Looks like a dirty +night, and +I'm pushing across for Lynas Point. With the wind at south-west, I want +to get +under the Anglesey coast. There'll be some sea in the channel when we +open up +Holyhead."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The boat's good," said Lister. "Engines a +bit neglected, but they're running smooth and cool, and she has power +to shove +her along. Cartwright has an eye for a useful craft."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown nodded. "The old fellow has an eye for all +that's +useful; I reckon he sees farther than any man I know. There's something +encouraging about this, because the job he's given us looks tough—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He stopped, for the tow-rope slipped noisily +across the +horse. There was a clang of iron as the hook took the strain, and the +captain +frowned. "That hulk is going to bother us before very long."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister seized the slanted rails. The lightship had +vanished, +but a bright beam pierced the haze astern. Ahead the sea was empty; +gray water +rolled beneath low and ragged clouds. Spray flew about the plunging +bows, and +the tug rolled uneasily. Lister turned and left the bridge, but stopped +for a +few moments at the engine-room door. Barbara had stood just opposite, +where the +iron funnel-stay ran down. Her rich furs gave her girlish figure a +touch of +dignity, the color was in her face, and her eyes shone.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister knew the picture would haunt him, and he +would come +to the engine door to recapture it when he needed bracing. He would +need bracing, +for there were obstacles ahead, but he had promised Barbara to help +Cartwright +out. Stepping across the ledge to a slippery platform, he went below.</p> +<h1><a name="_Toc56085293">PART III—THE BREAKING STRAIN</a></h1> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085294">CHAPTER I</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085295">THE FIRST STRUGGLE</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light +and shadow +played about the throbbing machinery. It looked as if the lamps swung +in a +semicircle, but they did not. All else slanted at an ever-changing +angle; the +swiveled lamps were still. Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut +against +the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and +connecting-rod +flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their +shallow pit. +One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and +down; the +thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A door in the bulkhead was open, and now and then +a blaze +from the stokehold lighted the engine-room. Shovels clanged and the +thud of a +hammer jarred upon the throb of machinery. Men moved about like ghosts. +Their +feet made no noise; for a moment one saw their sweat-streaked faces and +then +they vanished. Lister sat on a tool-box, an old pipe in his mouth, and +was +happier than he had been for long. For one thing, his men were getting +sober +and he saw they knew their job; then he was satisfied with his engines +and +relished the sense of control. He was <i>chief</i>, and until the tug +came back +from Africa the engines were his.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime he need not move about. It was +like +listening to an orchestra of which he knew all the instruments, and he +heard no +jarring notes. The harmony was good and the rhythm well marked. The +clash and +clang rose and fell with a measured beat; but the smooth running of his +engines +did not account for all Lister's satisfaction. In a sense, Barbara had +given +him his job, he was her servant, doing her work, and this was much, +although he +scarcely durst hope for another reward.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright had not without careful thought sent +Lister on +board. He knew the young fellow's staunchness as he knew Barbara's, +and, +because his need was great, had not hesitated to use him and the girl. +He was +old and must be resigned to sit at his desk and plan, but, as a rule, +his plans +worked, and he had a talent for choosing his tools. When it was +possible, he +used his tools carefully; he hated to overstrain fine material.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Terrier's</i> regular lurch and roll indicated +that she +was steaming along the coast, in some shelter from the wind that blew +obliquely +off the land. By and by, however, the lurches got violent, and when +Lister +heard the thud of water on deck he went up, and opening the door on the +lee +side, looked out. Water splashed against the ledge that protected the +engine-room; the stack of coal worked and he heard big lumps fall. +Spray blew +across the bulwarks and fell in heavy showers from a boat on the skids. +For a +few moments this was all he could distinguish, and then he saw slopes +of water +slanting away from the tug's low side. A half-moon shone for a few +moments +between ragged clouds and was hidden.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister stepped across the ledge and went aft. <i>Terrier</i> +felt the drag of the hulk astern, and he wanted to see how she was +towing. He +heard the iron ring clang on the hook, and when he stopped by the +horse, the +big tow-rope surged to and fro across the arch. The hulk steered +wildly, and if +the sea got worse, he doubted if they could hold her. He knew where he +was, +because he had steamed along the coast on board the cattle boat. The +Anglesey +shore was fringed by reefs, the tide-races ran in white turmoil across +the +ledges. The tide had now nearly run out, but when they turned the +corner at +Carmel Point they would meet the flood stream and the big combers the +gale +drove up channel. Going to the pilot-house, Lister lighted his pipe.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A fierce night!" he remarked to Brown, who peered +through the spray-swept glass. "I reckon you'll want to slow down when +we +make Carmel."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The house was dark, but Lister saw the captain +turn. +"I'm bothered," Brown admitted. "We ought to push on, but while +we might tow the hulk under, we can't tow her down channel. We can't +turn and +run; it's blowing down the Menai Strait like a bellows spout, and +there's all +the Mersey sands to leeward. We have got to face the sea and try to +make +Holyhead. Will your engines shove her through?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They'll give you six or seven knots, head to +wind. +Will your tow rope hold?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I doubt. We have a steel hawser ready, but if she +breaks the hemp rope she'll probably break the wire."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister agreed. The thick hemp rope stretched and +absorbed +the strain; the wire was less elastic. They were approaching Carmel +Point, and +Holyhead was not far, but they must front the gale when they got round +the +corner. In the meantime, the engines were running smoothly, and Lister +smoked +and waited while the sea got worse. Flashing lights ahead and the +violent +lurching indicated that they crept round the point. Then <i>Terrier</i> +plunged +into a white sea and deck and bulwarks vanished. Her bows swung out of +the foam +and Lister ran to the door. He felt the tug leap forward and knew the +rope had +gone.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He got out in front of Brown and plunged down the +ladder. +Since <i>Terrier</i> must be stopped and turned, he was needed. Water +ran from +his clothes when he reached a slanted platform and seized a greasy +wheel. The +telegraph gong was clanging and the beat of engines slackened as he +followed +the orders. Then the spinning cranks stopped altogether and for a +minute or two +there was a strange quietness. One heard the wind, and water splashed +in the +bilges.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister got the signal <i>Ahead slow</i>, and when +he +restarted his engines ran up the ladder. He could trust the man he +left, and +wanted to see what was happening. It was a moment or two before he +could +satisfy his curiosity, and then a bright beam illuminated the tug and +angry +water. Brown was burning a blue-light while <i>Terrier</i> crept up to +the +hulk. He meant to pass the fresh hawser, but could not launch a boat, +and +Lister doubted if the men on the hulk could heave the heavy wire rope +on board. +Although one must get near to throw a line, it looked as if Brown were +going +alongside.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Two dark figures, crouched on <i>Terrier's</i> +rail like +animals ready to spring, cut against the blaze. Brown was going +alongside; +anyhow, he was going near enough for the men to jump, but the thing was +horribly risky. If the rolling hulk struck the tug planks and iron +plates would +be beaten in; moreover the men must jump from the slanted rail, and if +they +jumped short, their long boots and oilskins would drag them down.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It looked as if Cartwright knew how to choose men +for an +awkward job, for as the tug got nearer Lister saw the men meant to go. +She +swung up on the top of a white sea; the hulk, swept by spray, rolled +down, with +her deck close below the steamer's rail. One felt they must shock, but +they did +not. The dark figures leaped, there was a faint shout, a line whirled +out from <i>Terrier's</i> +bridge and the hulk drove astern. Then the blue light vanished and +Lister +plunged into the engine-room. Somehow the thing was done.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The gong signaled <i>Half-speed</i>, the rhythmic +clash of +engines began, and Lister felt <i>Terrier</i> tremble as she tightened +the +rope. Brown had played his part and Lister's had begun. He wondered +whether +they could keep the water out of the engine-room. They had drifted +off-shore, +and now they had opened up the channel the combers leaped on board. The +seas +were not regular; they ran in short, steep ridges, and gave the tug no +time to +lift. While she swung her bows from the foaming turmoil the next swept +her +deck. But to watch the seas and keep the hulk in line was the captain's +business, and Lister was occupied by his.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Standing on a slanted platform with his hand on +the +throttle, he waited for the lurch that lifted the spinning screw. When +the +blades left the water, the engines raced with a horrible din and he +must cut +off steam. If he let the engines go, something might break when the +propeller +got hold again. The work demanded a firm but delicate touch, since the +pressure +must change with the swiftly-changing load. One could not argue when +the bows +would plunge and the stern swing clear; one must know instinctively. +The muscular +effort was not hard, but Lister's face was wet with sweat, and when he +was slow +and the engine-room rang with the clash of machinery his heart beat. +The big +columns that held the cylinders rocked; crank and connecting-rod spun +too fast +for him to see. There was a confusing flash of steel and a daunting +uproar.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For the most part, he was able to get control +before the +stern came down. Moreover, he was not using full steam; to let her go +would +swamp the boat and wash the men off the laboring hulk. Lister knew the +rope +held because he felt the heavy drag. Although she rolled and plunged, +there was +no life in <i>Terrier's</i> movements. She was sluggish, embarrassed +by the +load she hauled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister thought about the men on board the hulk. +Two, +buffeted by wind and spray, must hold the wheel on the short +quarter-deck that +lifted them above the shelter of the bulwarks. Forward of this, the +water +rolled about, washing on board and pouring out. The men could not for a +moment +slack their watchfulness. Sweating and straining at the spokes, they +must hold +her straight. To let her sheer when she crossed a comber's top would +break the +rope.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The strain on the laboring engines indicated that +the men +held out and Lister fixed his thoughts on his machinery. One could not +see +much, but while he turned the valve-wheel he listened. If a bearing got +hot or +a brass shook loose, he would hear the jar. An engine running as it +ought to +run was like a well-tuned instrument.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He heard no discord. The heavy thud of the +cross-heads, +flashing between their guides, beat time to the clang of the +valve-gear, a pump +throbbed like a kettledrum, and something tinkled like a high-pitched +triangle. +All went well, the engines were good and <i>Terrier</i> stubbornly +forged +ahead.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by the strain was less marked. The load was +getting +lighter and after a time Lister let go the wheel and wiped his wet +face. He +could stand on the platform without support, the plunges were easy and +regular. +Calling a man to relieve him, he went to the door.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sea was white, but it no longer ran in crested +ridges +and a vague dark line crossed the foam ahead. Sometimes part of the +line +vanished and reappeared like a row of dots with broad gaps between. +Lister knew +it was breakwater. On the other side anchor-lights tossed, and in the +background a dull, reflected illumination indicated a town. Then the +gong rang +and Lister went back to the platform. In a few minutes he would get the +signal +to stop his engines. The first struggle was over; Brown had made +Holyhead.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085296">CHAPTER II</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085297">THE WRECK</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The night was calm, but now and then a faint, hot +wind blew +from the shadowy coast, and rippling the water, brought a strange, sour +smell. +Lister did not know the smell; Brown knew and frowned, for he had been +broken +by the malaria that haunts West African river mouths. Heavy dew dripped +from +the awnings on <i>Terrier's</i> bridge and in places trickled through +the +material, since canvas burns in the African sun. Brown searched the +dark coast +with his glasses, trying to find the marks he had noted on the chart. +Lister +leaned against the rails and mused about the voyage.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They had ridden out a winter's gale in the Bay of +Biscay and +for a night had lost the hulk and the men on board. Then they went into +Vigo, +where Lister's firemen wrecked a wine shop and it cost him much in +bribes to +save them from jail. He had another taste of their quality at Las +Palmas, where +they made trouble with the port guards and Brown brawled in the cheap +wine +shops behind the cathedral. In fact, it was some relief when the +captain fell +off the steam tram that runs between town and port, and a cut on his +head +stopped his adventures.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Then they steamed for fourteen-hundred miles +before the +Northeast Trades, with a misty blue sky overhead and long, white-topped +seas +rolling up astern. The Trade breeze was cool and bracing, but they lost +it near +the coast, and now the air was hot and strangely heavy. One felt +languid and +cheerfulness cost an effort. The men had begun to grumble and Lister +was glad +the voyage was nearly over and it was time to get to work.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lightning flickered on the sea, touching the back +of the +smooth swell, and then for a few moments left all very dark. The moon +was new, +the sky was cloudy, and the swell ran high, for it rolled, unbroken and +gathering momentum, from the Antarctic ice. When the lightning was +bright, one +saw a low cloud that looked like steam, with a white streak beneath +that marked +the impact of the big rollers on the sandy coast. The crash of breakers +came +out of the dark, like the rattle of a goods train crossing an iron +bridge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Four fathoms at spring tides, and a shifting +channel!" Brown remarked, quoting from a pilot-book. "The depth, +however, varies with the wind, and a stranger must use caution when +entering +the lagoon." He stopped, and laughed as he resumed: "If this was a +sober undertaking I'd steam off and wait for daylight."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I reckon it would be prudent," said Lister dryly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have nothing to do with prudence," Brown +rejoined. "Our job's to work in a sun that knocks a white man down, and +stew in the hot malaria damp the land breeze brings off at night. +Cartwright's +orders are to lose no time and I want to finish before the fever +finishes me. +Very well! When the moon is new, high-water's at twelve o'clock, and +along this +coast sunset's about six hours later. If we wait for noon-to-morrow, it +will be +four or five o'clock before we get on board the wreck—I understand the +tide doesn't leave her until about four hours' ebb. If we push across +the bar +to-night, we'll see her at daybreak and can make our plans for getting +to +work."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister agreed. Expenses were heavy and it was +important they +should not lose a day. Moreover, Cartwright had hinted that he expected +them to +run risks, and Lister had promised Barbara to help him out. If Brown +touched +bottom steaming in, tug and barge would soon break up; but Lister was +not going +to be daunted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll go down and raise some extra steam," he +said. "You'll need full pressure to shove her through the surf."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He was occupied for some time, but when a plume of +steam +blew from the escape-pipe he came up to the door and looked about. <i>Terrier's</i> +languid roll was getting sharper; mast and funnel swung into a wide +sweep. +Sometimes the dark hull lurched up high above the tug's stern, and +sometimes +sank in a hollow. The rollers had angry white tops, and a belt of filmy +vapor +that looked luminous closed the view ahead. Lister knew the vapor was +phosphorescent spray, flung up by the turmoil on the bar, through which +they +must go. If the tug struck and stopped, the white seas would beat her +down into +the sand. In the meantime, she was using full steam, because, since +tide and +surf carried her on, one must have speed to steer.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The spray cloud got thick, and wavered with +luminous +tremblings when the long rollers broke. They came up, spangled with +green and +gold flashes, from astern, shook their fiery crests about the tug, and +vanished +ahead, but one heard them crash. Lister thought the tug throbbed to the +savage +concussion. He could not hear his engines; one heard nothing but the +daunting +uproar.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by he felt a shock; not a violent shock, +but as if +the boat had touched, and was pushing through, something soft. She +slowed and +Lister saw the black hulk swing up and ride forward on a giant roller's +top. It +looked as if she were coming on board the tug, and Lister jumped +through and +slammed the iron door. Brown would need him now.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He heard the roar of water on deck, there was a +crash of +broken glass, and a shower fell on his head. A cloud of steam and a +loud +hissing came from the stokehold, and he knew the sea that swept the tug +had +covered the gratings. If she stuck, the next sea would swamp her and +drown the +fires, but she had not altogether stopped. The propeller was beating +hard and +he opened the throttle wide. He felt her move and tremble, as if she +struggled +in the grip of the sand, and then lift buoyantly. The water that +pressed her +down had rolled off the deck and the oncoming comber had picked her up +and was +carrying her along.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Her progress was obvious. One felt the headlong +rush, and +Lister thought about a toboggan speeding down an icy slope. The roller +would +bear her on until it broke, but if she struck the sand she might not +lift +again. She did not strike; there was another wild leap forward, a +savage +plunge, and a comber crashed astern. It looked as if she had crossed +the shoal +and Lister let go the wheel and got his breath. He had used no effort, +but he +gasped and his hand shook.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The gong signaled <i>half-speed</i>, and when he +slowed his +engines the roar of escaping steam pierced the turmoil of the surf. +This was +significant, because he could not have heard the steam a few minutes +earlier. <i>Terrier</i> +rolled, but the rolling was not violent and began to get easy. The gong +signaled <i>stand by, stop</i>; he shut the valve and presently heard +the +anchor plunge and the rattle of running chain. Then <i>Terrier</i> +swung +languidly and all was quiet but for the monotonous rumble in the +background. +Lister gave some orders and went to his room.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning, he put a greasy jacket over his +pajamas and +went on deck. The land breeze had dropped and it was very calm. Vague +trees +loomed in the fog that hid the beach; there was a belt of dull, heaving +water, +and then the spray cloud closed the view. The air was heavy, the men on +deck +moved slackly, and Lister's skin was wet by sweat. He felt dull and +shrank from +effort, but when he saw Brown in a boat alongside he jumped on board.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The light was getting brighter and the wreck lay +about a +hundred yards off. The stump of her broken funnel, a bare iron mast, a +smashed +deckhouse, and a strip of slanted side rose from the languid swell. The +rows of +plates were red with rust and encrusted by shells. When the smooth +undulations +sank, long weed swung about in the sandy water. Lister thought the +story of the +wreck was, on the surface, plain. Steaming out with a heavy load, <i>Arcturus</i> +had struck the bar. The surf had beaten in her hatches, broken some +plates, and +afterwards washed her back across the sand. Then, while the captain +tried to +reach the beach, she had sunk in deeper water. The story was plausible, +but, if +Cartwright had found the proper clew, it did not account for all.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They rowed round <i>Arcturus</i>. She lay with a +sharp list +and her other side was under water. The tide was beginning to rise and +when it +crept up her slanted deck they pulled back to the tug.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We'll moor the hulk alongside and rig the diving +pumps. I think that's all to-day," Brown remarked. "When the sun is +low I'll go to the factory up the creek and try to hire some native +boys. On +this coast, a white man who does heavy work soon gets fever."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the afternoon they took two men and rowed up a +muddy +creek that flowed into the lagoon, but the factory was farther than +they +thought and when they landed dusk was falling. The white-washed wooden +house +stood near the bank, with a stockaded compound between it and the +water. It was +built on piles and at the top of the outside stairs a veranda ran along +the +front. The compound was tunneled by land-crabs' holes, and light mist +crept +about the giant cotton woods behind. There was no movement of air, a +sickly +smell rose from the creek, and all was very damp.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister and Brown went up the stairs and were +received by a +white man in a big damp room. A lamp hung from a beam and the light +touched the +patches of mildew on the discolored walls. There was not much +furniture; a few +canvas chairs, a desk and a table. Flies crawled about the table and +hovered in +a black swarm round the lamp. The room smelt of palm oil and river mud. +The +white man was young, but his face was haggard and he looked worn. His +rather +long hair was wet and his duck jacket was dirty. It was obvious that he +did not +bother about his clothes.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Good of you to look me up! I expect you know I'm +Montgomery; +the house is Montgomery and Raeburn," he said. "However, to begin +with, you had better have a drink. I'll call my boy."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A negro came in and got a bottle and some glasses. +He was a +strongly-built fellow with a blue stripe on his forehead, and muscular +arms and +chest, but his legs, which stuck out from short cotton trousers, were +ridiculously thin. He beat up some frothy liquor in a jug and when he +filled +the big glasses Lister felt disturbed, for he knew Brown and had noted +the +quantity of gin the negro used. The captain, however, was cautious and +they +began to talk. Lister asked Montgomery if he carried on the factory +alone.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm doing so for a time. My clerk died two or +three +weeks since and I haven't got another yet."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Fever?" said Brown.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Common malaria. Perhaps this spot is worse than +others, because, although we're beginning to kill mosquitos and poison +the +drains, we can't keep English boys. The last two didn't hold out six +months."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister got thoughtful. He knew the African coast +was +unhealthy, but had not imagined it was as bad as this. He said nothing +and Montgomery +resumed: "I have been forced to lie up and am shaky yet. Malaria gets +us +all, but as a rule it gets strangers, particularly the young, soonest. +Looks as +if the microbe liked fresh blood."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If I was an African merchant, I'd let an agent +run my +factories," Brown remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery smiled. "Sometimes it's necessary for +me to +come out. This factory is perhaps our best, and when Nevis, our agent, +died, I +started by the first boat. Montgomery's is an old house, but since the +big men +combined and the Amalgamation built a factory on the next creek, we +have had +some trouble to pull along. Our capital is small and we can't use +up-to-date +methods. In fact, I imagine our situation is much like Cartwright's. +When he +bought the wreck he no doubt felt some strain. But won't you take +another +drink?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown indicated his glass, which still held some +liquor, and +Lister refused politely. He noted that Montgomery knew their object and +was +surprised, since he thought Cartwright had not talked much about the +undertaking. Then, although Montgomery was obviously ill, one felt he +tried to +paint the coast in the darkest colors.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What do you think about our job?" Brown asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think it a rash experiment and imagine +Cartwright +agrees. All the same, the old fellow's a bold gambler and is perhaps +willing to +speculate on the chance of getting out of his embarrassments. However, +this is +his business and you'll, no doubt, get your wages, although you won't +float the +wreck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What do you reckon the obstacles?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Fever," said Montgomery dryly. "The salvage +people lost some men. Surf will wash the sand about her, if the wind +comes +fresh from the south-east. Then the sharks may give you some trouble. +They're +nearly as numerous as they are at Lagos Roads." He paused and added +carelessly: "I expect you know my father loaded <i>Arcturus</i>?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I heard something about it," Brown replied. +"All the same, Cartwright sent us to lift her and we have got to try. +Will +you let me hire some of your factory boys?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sorry, but they're Liberian Kroos, engaged on a +twelve-months' +contract to work in my compound, and I'm accountable for them to the +Liberian +government."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then what about boys from the bush?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery smiled. "I can't recommend the bushmen. +They're a turbulent lot, but you might send a present to the headman at +the +native town up river, and it's possible he'll let you go to see him. +For all +that, some caution's indicated. The fellow's a cunning old rascal."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown looked thoughtful, but began to talk about +something +else and by and by got up. Montgomery went with him and Lister to the +steps and +when they reached the compound they found the sailors bemused with gin +under +the veranda. Brown had some trouble to get the men on board, and when +they +awkwardly pulled away Lister was conscious of relief.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I agree with the fellow. Caution <i>is</i> +indicated," Brown observed.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085298">CHAPTER III</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085299">A FUEL PROBLEM</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister +sat one +morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk. The paint +on the +canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one +could not +front the sun on the open deck. The sea breeze had not sprung up and +dazzling +reflections played about the oily surface of the swell. In one place, +where the +shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, +stopped +and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out. A flexible pipe +slipped +across the edge of the open gangway, and Lister felt the line he held. +The line +was slack and he knew the diver needed nothing. Two half-naked men, +their skins +shining with sweat, turned the air-pumps handles, and the rattle of the +cranks +cut the dull rumble of the surf. Brown, sitting on a tool-box, studied +a plan +of the wreck Cartwright had given him, and Lister thought it typical +Cartwright +had got the plan. The old fellow was very keen.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by Brown looked up and indicated the +panting men.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We want colored boys for this job and must get a +gang. +I expect you noted Montgomery declared his lot were Kroos. The Kroos +are hefty +boys and pretty good sailors, but they come from Liberia and there are +regulations about their employment. You must engage them on a contract, +hold +yourself accountable for their return and so forth. All the same my +notion is, Montgomery +didn't mean to help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then we had better try the native headman he +talked +about."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown smiled, "I've no use for bushmen, but didn't +see +much use in telling Montgomery I'd been on the Coast before. For one +thing, his +boys were not all Kroos. You know the Kroo by his blue forehead-stripe, +but I +saw two or three with another mark. Thought them Gold Coast Fantis, and +a Fanti +fisherman is useful on board ship. In a day or two I'm going back to +see."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister lighted his pipe and weighed the captain's +remarks. +On the whole, he agreed that it did not look as if Montgomery meant to +help. +The fellow was hospitable, but hospitality that implied his pressing +liquor on +the captain and making the sailors drunk had drawbacks. Brown had used +control, +but Lister doubted if his resolution would stand much strain. Then, +although Montgomery's +story about the need for his being on the spot was plausible, it was, +perhaps, +strange the head of a merchant house would stop for some time at a +factory +where his clerks died. However, now Lister thought about it, Montgomery +did not +state if he had been there long.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The fellow was generous with his liquor and his +boy +can mix a cocktail," he remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown grinned. "On the Coast, they're all generous +with +liquor. Montgomery knows this; but I've a notion you are wondering +whether he +knows me. I reckon not, but he knows the kind of skipper you generally +meet in +the palm oil trade. Still the type's going out; now ship-owners pay +higher, +they get better men. In fact, I'm something of a survival from the old +school."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He picked up the plan and Lister thought about +Montgomery. +The man was ill and highly-strung, but this was not strange. The +factory was +rather a daunting spot; reeking with foul smells and haunted by a sense +of +gloom. Lister thought one might get morbid and imaginative if one +stopped there +long. Yet he rather liked Montgomery; there was something attractive +about him. +Perhaps if they had met in brighter surroundings, when the other's +health and +mood were normal, they might have been friends. Now, however, he +doubted and +saw Brown was not satisfied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The line he held jerked and he signed to the men +at the +pump. One kept the cranks turning; the other went to the top of a +ladder lashed +to the hulk's side. The bubbles moved away from the wreck and broke the +surface +in a fixed, sparkling patch. The diver was coming up and Lister +presently +helped him on board. When they had taken off his copper helmet and +unfastened +his canvas he leaned against the pump and breathed hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well?" said Brown, after waiting a minute or two +for the man to get back his normal breathing.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She lies with a sharp list; sand's high up her +starboard bilge. Engine-room doors jambed, but I found the stokehold +grating +and got some way down the ladder. Sand's washed down and buried the +starboard +bunkers. To clear out the stuff will be a long job."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Packed hard?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The diver nodded. "Like cement! I reckon the pump +won't +move it."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister understood the captain's frown. Sometimes +the sand +that enters a sunken vessel solidifies, with the pressure of surf or +tide, into +a mass that one can hardly dig out. This, however, was not all.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Starboard bunkers buried?" Brown resumed. +"They were pretty full. When she left Forcados she had a list to port, +and +they trimmed her by using the coal on that side first. Well, it's +awkward! I +reckoned on getting the fuel!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"There is some coal on the port side," said +Lister.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If Cartwright's plan and notes are accurate, +there's +not enough to see us out. The wrecking pump will burn a lot," Brown +rejoined and turned to the diver. "Did you see any sharks?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"One big fellow; he hung about as if he was +curious and +I didn't like him near my air-pipe, but he left me alone. The pulps you +meet in +warm seas are worse than sharks. When I was down at the Spanish boat, +crawling +through the holes in her broken hull was nervous work. Once I saw an +arm as +thick as mine waving in the dark, and started for the ladder. We blew +in that +piece of her bilge with dynamite before I went on board again. However, +when +I've cleared up a bit, I'll take Mr. Lister down."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The diver got into the boat and rowed to the tug, +but the +others stopped in the shade of the awning. They had brought a spare +diving +dress, and before they tried to lift the wreck Lister must find out if +Cartwright's supposition was correct, because if Cartwright had found +the +proper clew the job would be easier. For all that, Lister frankly +shrank from +the preparatory exercise. Diving in shark-haunted water had not much +charm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning they hauled the tug alongside the +wreck and +at low-water rigged a derrick and opened the fore hatch. The palm +kernels had +rotted and a horrible pulpy mass, swollen by fermentation, rose nearly +to the +ledge. It was glutinous and too thick for the pump to lift, since the +water +that filled the vessel drained away through the broken plates as the +tide sank. +Brown, kneeling on the hatch-coaming, knitted his brows.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The stuff's water-borne, forced up by its +buoyancy," he said. "We may find it looser as we get down. In the +meantime, suction's no use; we have got to break it out by hand. Start +your +winch and we'll fill the skip."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister signaled a man on board the tug, the winch +rattled, +and a big iron bucket, hanging by a wire rope, dropped into the hold. A +gang of +men climbed across the ledge and began to cut the slimy mass with +spades. The +surface heaved beneath them like a treacherous bog and the smell was +horrible. +Now and then a spade made an opening for the gases to escape and the +nauseated +men were driven back. For all that, they filled the skip and the +swinging +derrick carried the load across the deck and tilted it overboard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The heat was almost unbearable, the reflections +from the +oily swell and wet deck hurt one's eyes, and Lister noted that the deck +did not +dry until the sea breeze began to blow. The wind brought a faint +coolness and +drove back the smell, but the men's efforts presently got slack. The +labor was +exhausting and one must wear some clothes because the sun burned one's +skin. +They held out until the rising water drove them from the hatch and when +they +went back to the tug Brown looked thoughtful.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The men can't keep it up; the thing's impossible! +A +week like this would knock out the lot," he said. "We must use native +boys and I'm going to get some."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning Lister took his first diving +lesson, and when +the big copper helmet was screwed on and the air began to swell his +canvas +clothes, he shrank from the experiment. The load of metal he carried +was +crushing, he could hardly drag his weighted boots across the deck, and +at the +top of the ladder he hesitated, watching the bubbles that marked the +spot where +the diver had vanished. Then he remembered his promise to Barbara and +cautiously went down.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The dazzling sunshine vanished, a wave of misty +green closed +above the helmet glass, hot compressed air blew about his head, and his +ear-drums began to throb. Then lead and copper lost their weight; he +felt +buoyant and clung to the steps. At the bottom he was for a few moments +afraid +to let go, but an indistinct, monstrous object came out of the strange +green +gloom and beckoned him on. Lister went, making an effort for balance, +because +he now felt ridiculously light. Then the reflections were puzzling, for +the +light came and went with the rise and fall of the swell. Yet he could +see and +he followed the diver until they stopped opposite the wreck's port +bilge. Her +side went up like a dark wall, covered by waving weed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's head ached and his breathing was labored, +but not +much pressure was needed to keep out the shallow water and the diver +had +promised to warn him when they had stayed long enough. He forced +himself to +examine the plate the other indicated. <i>Arcturus</i> was a +butt-strapped +vessel and a number of the straps had burst. Plates were smashed and +some of +the holes were large, but in places the iron was drilled and in others +patches +had been bolted on. The salvage company had done part of this work and +he +thought it possible to make the damage good. If they could stop the +remaining +holes, the big pump ought to throw out the water; but Cartwright had +talked +about another opening and this would be awkward to reach.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Signing the diver to go on, he followed him round +the +vessel's stern. The sand on the other side was high and one could climb +on +board, but Lister shrank from the dark alleyway that led to the +engine-room. +For all that, he went in and saw the diver had opened the jambed door. +When he +reached the ledge a flash from the other's electric lamp pierced the +gloom and +he tried to forget his throbbing head and looked about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Sparkling bubbles from his and the diver's helmets +floated +straight up to the skylights, along which they glided and vanished +through a +hole in the glass. The water, moving gently with the pulse of the +swell, broke +the beam of light and objects it touched were distorted and magnified. +The top +of the big low-pressure cylinder looked gigantic, and the thick columns +appeared to bend. Long weed clung to the platforms, from which iron +ladders +went down, but so far as Lister could distinguish, all below was buried +in +sand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He had seen enough. To clear the engines would be +a heavy +task, and one must work in semi-darkness amidst a maze of ladders, +gratings, +and machinery. To keep signal-line and air-pipe free from entanglement +looked +impossible, but perhaps when they had broken the surface the pump would +lift +the sand. Anyhow, he was getting dizzy and his breath was labored.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He touched the diver and they went back along the +alleyway +and round the vessel's stern. Lister was desperately anxious to reach +the +ladder and it cost him an effort to use control. As he went up his +dress got +heavy and he was conscious of his weighted boots. The pressure on his +lungs +lessened, he was dazzled by a strong light, and feeling the edge of the +hulk's +deck, he got his knee on her covering-board and lurched forward. +Somebody took +off his helmet and lifted the weight from his chest. He shut his eyes +and for a +few moments lay on the deck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well?" said Brown presently. "You reached +the engine-room?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister nodded. "She's badly sanded up. It's plain +we +shan't get much coal from the starboard bunkers until we can lift her +to an +even keel."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That will be long," Brown rejoined and pondered. +"We must have coal," he resumed. "If I can't find another plan, +you must take the tug to Sierra Leone and bring a load; but we'll let +it go +just now. The first thing is to hire some negro laborers, and as soon +as I can +leave the wreck I'll try again."</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085300">CHAPTER IV</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085301"></a>MONTGOMERY'S OFFER</h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">High-water was near and a trail of smoke, creeping +up along +the coast, streaked the shining sea. Brown watched the smoke until two +masts +and a funnel rose out of the vapor and began to get distinct. Then he +put down +his glasses and lighted his pipe. The steamer was making for the lagoon.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He had not long since gone to the native town up +the creek +and returned with a gang of laborers. So far, the negroes had worked +well, but +just now he did not need them and they lay about in the shade, some +wearing a +short waist-cloth and some a sheet of cotton that hung from their +shoulders. +The tide had covered the wreck, but the big rotary pump was running +and, since +the men had loosened the top of the cargo, it lifted the slimy stuff.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A plume of steam that looked faint and diaphanous +in the +strong light blew away from the noisy machine. A large flexible pipe +rose from +the submerged hold and another ran from the pump across the hulk's +deck. From +the end of the pipe a thick, brown flood poured into the water and +stained the +green lagoon as the flood tide carried it along. The clash and rattle +of the +engine carried far, for the load was heavy and Lister was using full +steam. The +boiler was large and the furnace burned more coal than he had thought. +Sometimes palm kernels that had not altogether rotted jambed the fans, +and he +held the valve-wheel, trying to ease the shocks, while the perspiration +dripped +from his blistered skin. When Brown indicated the steamer he looked up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She's coming in; I think I know the hooker," the +captain remarked. "Shallow-draught, coasting tank; goes anywhere she'll +float for twenty tons of freight. The skipper, no doubt, expects +Montgomery's +got a few hogsheads of oil, and it's possible he'll sell us some coal. +The +parcels-vanners are pretty keen to trade."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We want coal," said Lister and turned abruptly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The pump jarred and stopped, the swollen suction +pipe +shrank, and the splash of the discharge died away. For some time Lister +was +occupied and when he restarted the engine and looked about again the +steamer +was steering for the hulk. She was a small vessel, going light, with +much of +her rusty side above water. A big surf-boat hung, ready for lowering, +at her +rail and a wooden awning covered her bridge-deck. When the throb of her +engines +slackened two or three white men leaned over her bulwarks and looked +down at +the hulk with languid curiosity. Their faces were haggard and their +poses +slack. The stamp of the fever-coast was plain.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The telegraph rang, the engines stopped, and a man +on the +bridge shouted: "Good morning! You have taken on an awkward job!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">His voice was hollow and strained, and by contrast +Brown's +sounded full and hearty.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We're getting ahead all the same. Where are you +for?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"<i>Sar</i> Leone, after we call at Montgomery's."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you can fill your bunkers, and our coal's +getting +short. Can you sell us some?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other asked how much Brown wanted and how much +he would +pay. Then he beckoned a man on the deck to come up, and turned to Brown +again.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We might give you two or three surf-boat loads, +but +I'll see you when we come back. We must get up the creek and moor her +before +the tide ebbs."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He seized the telegraph handle, the propeller +began to turn, +and when the steamer forged ahead Brown looked thoughtful.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Perhaps I'd better take a trip up the creek in +the +evening. We want the coal and I don't altogether trust Montgomery," he +said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister agreed that it might be prudent for Brown +to go, but +he was occupied by the pump and they said no more. To lift the cargo +when the +water covered the wreck's hatches and loosened the pulpy mass was +easier and he +must keep his engine running full speed. When they stopped he was +exhausted by +the heat and the strain of watching and did not go with Brown.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The captain did not, as he had promised, come back +in the +morning, but after a time a smoke-trail streaked the forest and the +steamer +moved out on the lagoon. Lister sent a boy for the glasses, since he +expected +Brown was on board, but so far as he could see, the captain was not. +The white +wave at the bows indicated that the vessel was steaming fast and it did +not +look as if she was going to stop. In order to reach the channel across +the bar, +she must pass near the hulk, and Lister waved to the captain.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What about the coal?" he shouted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other leaned out from the rails and Lister, +studying him +with the glasses, saw a small patch, like sticking plaster, on his +forehead. The +side of his face was discolored, as if it were bruised, and frowning +savagely, +he shook his fist.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You can go to <i>Sar</i> Leone or the next +hottest +spot for your coal!" he roared and began to storm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister had sometimes disputed with Western +railroad hands and +marine firemen, but he thought the captain's remarks equaled the +others' best +efforts. In fact, it was some relief when a lump of coal, thrown by a +sailor on +the hulk, crashed upon the wooden awning, and for a moment the savage +skipper +paused. For all that, Lister stopped the sailor, who was going to throw +another +block.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hold on! The stuff is valuable!" he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The captain began again, but the steamer had +forged ahead, +and his voice got fainter and was presently drowned by the beat of the +screw. +Lister went back to the pump. The machine was running unevenly and +sometimes +the powerful engine jarred. He meant to take it down, but so long as +the pump +sucked up the kernels he durst not stop. Speed was important; they must +finish +the job and get away before the heat and malaria wore them out. In the +meantime, he was disturbed about Brown, who ought to have returned, and +at +sunset he started for the factory in the tug's second boat.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Dark came suddenly and when he landed a hot, +clammy fog +thickened the gloom. Little fires the factory boys had lighted by +ancient +custom twinkled in the haze and a yellow beam from the veranda windows +touched +the towering cottonwoods, but all else was dark and the spot was +somehow +forbidding. One felt the gloom was sinister. A few miles up the creek, +the +naked bushmen served their savage gods with fantastic rites and the +Ju-Ju men +and Ghost Leopards ruled the shadowy land. At the factory white men got +sick +and died.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister went up the steps, and entering the big +room, saw Montgomery +in a Madeira chair. His face was wet by sweat, but although his thin +form was +covered by a blanket he shook with ague. Brown occupied a rude couch, +made from +two long boxes in which flintlock guns are shipped. He lay in an +ungainly pose, +his head had fallen from a cushion, and his face was dark with blood. +His eyes +were shut and he breathed with a snoring noise.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What's the matter with the captain?" Lister +asked, although he thought he knew.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He's exhausted by his efforts and the worse for +liquor," Montgomery answered with a laugh. "On the whole, I think you +had better let him sleep. Perhaps you remarked that some of the glass +is broken +and two of my chairs are smashed!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister had not remarked this, but he looked about +and began +to understand. He had seen Brown throw a Spanish landlord out of a +Grand Canary +wine shop.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Your captain arrived when the steamboat men were +dining with me," Montgomery resumed. "In this country we're a +hospitable lot and it's the custom to send West African factories a +supply of +liquor every three months. Mine arrived not long since, and if you open +the +cupboard you'll see how much is left. But there are cigarettes in the +tin box; +they mildew unless they're canned. Make yourself a cocktail. I don't +want to +get up and my boy's in the compound, playing a drum to keep off the +ghosts."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister lighted a cigarette and listened. A +monotonous, rhythmic +throb stole into the room, and he felt there was something about the +noise that +jarred.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll cut out the cocktail. You're rather generous +with +your liquor," he remarked dryly. "But how did the trouble Brown made +begin?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"By a dispute about some coal."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Lister, who looked at Montgomery hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He imagined the steamboat captain had meant to +give them +coal, since the man had agreed with Brown about the price. In fact, it +looked +as if he had been willing to do so, until he arrived at the factory. +Then he +refused, and Brown, no doubt, got savage.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery was not embarrassed and indicated the +unconscious +skipper.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If Cartwright's not losing his keenness, it's +strange +he sent out a man like this, but perhaps he couldn't get a sober +captain to +go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Brown has some talents. For example, he got the +boys +we wanted, although you refused to help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We must see if he can keep them!" Montgomery +rejoined, with a meaning smile. "In the meantime, it's not important. +Are +you making much progress at the wreck?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister admitted that they were not getting on as +fast as he +had hoped, and when Montgomery gave him a keen glance tried to brace +himself. +He felt slack and his head ached. He had been getting slack recently, +and now, +when he imagined he must be alert, to think was a bother.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You have not been long at the lagoon, but you're +beginning to feel the climate," the other remarked. "It's perhaps the +unhealthiest spot on an unhealthy coast, and a white man cannot work in +the +African sun. However, you know why the salvage company threw up their +contract. +They lost a number of their men and if you stay until the morning you +can see +their graves. The rest of the gang had had enough and were too sick to +keep the +pump running."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You are not encouraging," Lister observed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't exaggerate. I know the country and the +caution +one must use, but you see I'm ill."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The thing was obvious. Montgomery's hollow face +was wet by +sweat, his eyes were dull, and his hands shook. Lister saw he tried to +be cool, +but thought him highly strung.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you're wise, you'll give up your post and get +away +before fever knocks you out," Montgomery resumed. "In fact, I think I +can promise you another berth. The house owns two or three factories +and at one +we are going to start a big oil-launch running to a native market up +river. +Then we have bought new machinery for breaking palm nuts and extracting +the +kernels and have fixed a site for the building at a dry, sandy spot. I +don't +claim the neighborhood's healthy, but it's healthier than this, and we +have +inquired about an engineer. Would you like the post?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not. I'm Cartwright's man. I've taken his +pay."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery smiled ironically. "Let's be frank! I +expect +you want to force me to make a high bid. You don't know the African +coast yet, +but you're not a fool and are beginning to understand the job you have +undertaken. You can't float the wreck; the fellow Cartwright sent to +help you +is a drunken brute, and I have grounds for thinking Cartwright, +himself, will +soon go broke. Well, we need an engineer and I'll admit we have not +found good +men keen about applying. If you can run the launch and palm-nut plant, +we'll +give you two hundred pounds bonus for breaking your engagement, besides +better +wages than Cartwright pays."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister knitted his brows and lighted a fresh +cigarette. He +was not tempted, but he wanted to think and his brain was dull. To +begin with, +he wondered whether Montgomery did not think him something of a fool, +because +it was plain the fellow had grounds for offering a bribe. His doing so +indicated that he did not want the wreck floated. Anyhow, Montgomery +had +imagined he would not hesitate to break his engagement for two hundred +pounds. +He must be cautious and control his anger.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"On the whole, it wouldn't pay me to turn down +Cartwright's job," he said. "Two hundred pounds is not a very big +wad, and if we can take the boat home I reckon the salvage people would +give me +a good post. I must wait until I'm satisfied the thing's impossible."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When you are satisfied I'll have no object for +engaging you. We want an engineer now," Montgomery replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well," said Lister, "I reckon that is +so." He paused, and thinking he saw where the other led, resolved to +make +an experiment. "All the same, since you are willing to buy me off, it +looks as if we had a fighting chance to make good. Then, if I am forced +to +quit, I rather think you'd pay me something not to talk. For example, +if I put +Cartwright wise—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery gave him a scornful smile. "You're +keener +than I thought, but you can't tell Cartwright much he doesn't believe +he knows. +I'll risk your talking to somebody else."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Lister, "I guess we'll let +it go. In the meantime, I'll get off and take the captain along. I +allow you +have fixed him pretty good but he put his mark on the steamboat man and +your +furniture."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He called the sailors, and finding the two who had +brought +Brown to the factory, carried him downstairs and put him on board the +boat. The +captain snored heavily and did not awake. When they pushed off, and +with the +other boat in tow drifted down the creek, Lister pondered.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He did not know if he had well played his part, +but he had +not wanted Montgomery to think his staunchness to his employer must be +reckoned +on; he would sooner the fellow thought him something of a fool. When +Montgomery +offered the bribe he probably knew he was rash; his doing so indicated +that he +was willing to run some risk, and this implied that Cartwright's +supposition +about the wreck was justified. Montgomery was obviously resolved she +should not +be floated and might be a troublesome antagonist. For example, he had +stopped +their getting coal and Lister was persuaded he had made Brown drunk. If +the control +the captain had so far used broke down, it would be awkward, since +Montgomery +would no doubt supply him with liquor.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was plain the fellow meant to bother them as +much as +possible, but since he had not owned the wrecked steamer his object was +hard to +see. In the meantime, Lister let it go and concentrated on steering the +boat +past the mud banks in the creek.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085302">CHAPTER V</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085303"></a>MONTGOMERY USES HIS POWER</h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Some time after Lister went to the factory he woke +one night +from disturbed sleep. His small room under <i>Terrier's</i> bridge was +very hot +and the door and port were open. A faint draught blew in and the +mosquito +curtain moved about his bed. The tug rolled languidly and the water +splashed +against her side. Farther off the gentle swell broke with a dull murmur +across +the wreck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">This was all, but Lister was persuaded he had, +when half +awake, heard something else. At dusk a drum had begun to beat across +the lagoon +and the faint monotonous noise had jarred. It was typically African; +the negroes +used drums for signaling, although white men had not found out their +code. +Lister had come to hate all that belonged to the fever coast.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The drum, however, was not beating now, and he +rather +thought he had heard the splash of a canoe paddle. There was no obvious +reason +this should bother him, but he was bothered and after a few minutes got +up and +put on a thin jacket. On deck it was very hot and he felt the warmth of +the +iron plates through his slippers. In West Africa one puts on slippers +as soon +as one gets out of bed, for fear of the jigger insect that bores into +one's +foot. A gentle land breeze blew across the lagoon and the air was hot +and damp +like steam. Lister smelt river mud and aromatic forest.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">There was no moon, but he saw the dark hull rise +and fall, +and the flash of phosphorescent foam where the swell washed across the +deck. In +the distance, the surf rumbled and now and then there was a peal of +thunder. +Lister wondered why he had left his berth. He was tired and needed +sleep, for +he had been occupied all day at the pump, which was not running well. +Recently +he had been conscious of a nervous strain and things that were not +important +annoyed him; then he often woke at night, feeling that some danger +threatened.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Walking along the deck he found a white sailor +sitting on +the windlass drum. The man did not move until Lister touched his arm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Did you hear something not very long since, +Watson?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No, sir," said the other with a start. "Now +and then a fish splashed and she got her cable across the stem. Links +rattled. +That was all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister thought the man had slept, but it was not +important, +since there was no obvious necessity for keeping anchor watch.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Did you hear something, sir?" the other inquired.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know. I imagine I did!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sailor laughed, as if he understood. "A queer +country; I've been here before! Beautiful, bits of it; shining surf, +yellow +sands, and palms, but it plays some funny tricks with white men. About +half of +them at the factories get addled brains if they stay long. Believe in +things +the bushmen believe, ghosts and magic, and such. Perhaps it's the +climate, but +on this coast you get fancies you get nowhere else. I'd sooner take +look-out on +the fo'cas'le in a North Sea gale than keep anchor watch in an African +calm."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister nodded. He thought the man felt lonely and +wanted to +talk and he sympathized. There was something insidious and daunting +about the +African coast. He walked round the deck and then returning to his room +presently went to sleep.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At daybreak he heard angry voices and going out +found Brown +storming about the deck. Two white sailors had come back in the boat +from the +hulk, with the news that the negroes berthed on board her had vanished +in the +night, except for three or four whom the sailors had brought to the +tug. When +Brown got cooler he went up to the men who squatted tranquilly on the +hatch. +They were big muscular fellows and wore, instead of the usual piece of +cotton, +ragged duck clothes.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Where's the rest of the gang?" Brown asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No savvy, sah," said one. "Some fella put +them t'ing Ju-Ju on him and he lib for bush."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What's a Ju-Ju?" Lister inquired.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hocus-pocus, magic of a sort," the captain +growled. "When a white man knows much about Ju-Ju his proper place is +an +asylum." He turned to the boys. "How did them other fellows go?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No savvy, sah. We done hear not'ing."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect they were afraid to meddle," Brown +remarked, and resumed: "Why did you lib for stop?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We Accra boy; white man's boy. Them bushman him +d—n +fool too much. Run in bush like monkey, without him clo'es."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown knitted his brows and then made a sign of +resignation. +"I reckon it's all we'll know! Well, the tide's falling and we must +shift +for some kernels before the sun is hot. Better start your pump."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The pump was soon at work, and Lister, watching +the engine, +mused. He wondered how much the Accra boys knew, or if it was possible +the +others had stolen away without waking them. Watson, the look-out, had +heard +nothing, and Lister remembered Brown's remarks about the Ju-Ju and +thought the +boys did know something but were afraid to tell. Watson had said the +country +was queer, and if he meant fantastic, Lister agreed. There was +something about +it that re-acted strangely on one's imagination. In the North American +wilds, +one was, so to speak, a materialist and conquered savage Nature by +using +well-known rules. In Africa one did not know the rules and felt the +power of +the supernatural. It looked as if there was a mysterious, malignant +force. But +the pump was running badly and Lister saw he must not philosophize.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When the sun got hot he stopped for breakfast and +afterwards +he and Brown smoked for a few minutes under the awning.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm bothered about the boys' going," the captain +declared. "There's not much doubt Montgomery got somebody to put Ju-Ju +on +them; bribed a magician to frighten them by a trick. Since they're a +superstitious lot, I reckon we can't hire another gang in this +neighborhood. +However, now he's stopped our coal, you'll have to go to <i>Sar</i> +Leone, and +may pick up some British Kroos about the port."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then I'd better go soon," said Lister. "The +braces I bolted on the pump won't hold long; she rocks and strains the +shaft +when she's running hard. I must get a proper casting made at a foundry. +Besides, the engine crosshead's worn and jumps about. I must try to +find a +forge and machine-shop."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They've got something of the kind at <i>Sar</i> +Leone; +I don't know about a foundry," Brown replied. "Take Learmont to +navigate, and start when you like. We'll shift the hulk to leeward of +the wreck +and she ought to ride out a south-east breeze."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister sailed a few days afterwards, and reaching +Sierra Leone found nobody could make the articles he required. For all +that, they +must be got, and he resolved to push on for Grand Canary. The distance +was +long, he had not men enough for an ocean voyage, and would be lucky if +he got +back to the lagoon in three or four weeks, but if he could not mend the +pump, +the salvage work must stop. Lister knew when to run a risk was +justified.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After he passed the Gambier, wind and sea were +ahead, his +crew was short, and he was hard pressed to keep the engine going and +watch the +furnaces. He slept when he could, in snatches, with his clothes on, and +now and +then used an exhausted fireman's shovel On the steamy African coast the +labor +and watchfulness would have worn him out, but the cool Trade breeze was +bracing. Although he was thin, and got thinner, the lassitude he had +felt at +the lagoon vanished, and the fatigue he fought against was not the +fatigue that +kills.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, <i>Terrier</i> pushed stubbornly +north +across the long, foam-tipped seas that broke in clouds of spray against +her +thrusting bows. She was swept by the sparkling showers, but the showers +were +warm, and the combers were not often steep enough to flood her deck. +For all +that, their impact slowed her speed. She must be driven through their +tumbling +crests, full steam was needed to overcome the shock, and the worn-out +men moved +down coal from the stack on deck to feed the hungry fires.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's eyes ached from the glare of smoky lamps +that threw +puzzling lights about the machinery. After long balancing on slanted +platforms, +his back and legs were sore; his brows were knit in a steady frown, and +his +mouth was always firm. When the strain was over, he sometimes wondered +what he +thought about in the long, exhausting watches, but remembered nothing +except +his obstinate concentration on his task. The strange thing was, he did +not +think much about Barbara, although he was vaguely conscious that, for +her sake, +he must hold out. He meant to hold out. Perhaps his talents were not +numerous, +but he could handle engines, and when it was necessary he could keep +awake.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length, Learmont called him one morning to the +bridge, +and he leaned slackly against the rails. His eyes were dull, and for +some hours +he had breathed the fumes of burning tallow. A slide had given him +trouble; he +could keep the metal cool. On the bridge, however, the air was keen and +sweet, +and he felt the contrast. <i>Terrier</i> plunged and threw the spray +about, but +the seas were short, as if something ahead broke the wind. By and by +Learmont +indicated a lofty bank of mist.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Teneriffe!" he said. "I was half-asleep when +I took the sun, but my reckoning was not very far out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister looked up. In the distance a sharp white +cone, rising +from fleecy vapor, cut the sky, and Lister, with dull satisfaction, +knew the +famous peak. Nearer the tug was another bank of mist, that looked +strangely +solid but ragged, as if it were wrapped about something with a broken +outline. +Some minutes afterwards a high, dark object like a mountain-top, loomed +in the +haze.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Grand Canary!" Learmont remarked. "The range +behind Las Palmas town. I expect the smudge ahead is the Isleta hill."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We've made it!" Lister said hoarsely, and braced +himself. Now the strain was gone, he felt very slack.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sun rose out of the water, the mist began to +melt, and +rolling back, uncovered a line of surf and a belt of rough hillside. +Then +volcanic cliffs, a sandy isthmus, and a cluster of masts and funnels +got +distinct, and Lister fixed the glasses on a white stripe across a +cinder hill. +His hand shook, but he steadied the glasses and saw the stripe was a +row of +huge letters.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"... <i>ary Engineering Co</i> ..." he read.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">His heart beat when he went below. Luck had given +him a hard +job, but he had put it across. Soon after <i>Terrier</i> arrived he +went to the +engineering company's office and the manager looked at him curiously. +Then he +gave Lister some wine and, after studying his drawings and patterns, +said he +could make the things required. Lister drove to the town, and going to +a +Spanish barber's, started when he saw his reflection in a glass. He had +not +shaved for long, and fresh water was scarce on board the tug. His face +was +haggard, the engine grime had got into his skin, and his eyes were red. +He was +forced to wait, and while the barber attended to other customers, he +fell +asleep in his chair. When he left the shop he went to a hotel and slept +for +twelve hours.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085304">CHAPTER VI</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085305">LISTER MEETS AN OLD ANTAGONIST</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The hotel Catalina, half-way between Las Palmas +harbor and +the town, was not crowded, and a number of the quests had gone to a +ball at the +neighboring Metropole. Barbara, going out some time after dinner, found +the +veranda unoccupied and sat down. Mrs. Cartwright was getting better and +did not +need her, and Barbara was satisfied to be alone. Her thoughts were +disturbing, +and trying to banish them for a few minutes, she looked about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The veranda was long, and the lights from the +hotel threw +the shadow of the wooden pillars across the dusty grass. Barbara's +figure was +outlined in a dark silhouette. She did not wear a hat and, since the +night was +warm, had put nothing over her thin dinner dress. She looked slender +and very +young.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A strip of parched garden, where a few dusty palms +grew, ran +down to the road, across which the square block of the Metropole cut +the +shining sea. Steamers' lights swung gently against the dark background +of the +Isleta hill. Beyond the Metropole a white belt of surf ran back to the +cluster +of lights at the foot of the mountain that marked Las Palmas. One heard +the +languid rollers break upon the beach and the measured crash of surges +on the +reefs across the isthmus. Sometimes, when the throb of the surf sank, +music +came from the Metropole. A distant rattle indicated a steam-tram going +to the +port.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The long line across the harbor was the mole, and +Barbara +had thought the small steamer, lying near its end, like <i>Terrier</i>. +There +was nothing in the soft blue dark behind the mole until one came to the +African +coast. Then Barbara firmly turned her glance. In a sense, she had sent +Lister +to Africa, but she was not going to think about him yet. She must not +think +about him until she had weighed something else.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A few hours since she had got a jar. Walking in +the town she +saw a man whose figure and step she thought she knew. He was some +distance off, +and she entered a shop and bought a Spanish fan she did not want. +Perhaps her +disturbance was ridiculous, but the man was very like Shillito, and +their +meeting at the busy port was not impossible. Las Palmas was something +like an +important railway junction. Numerous steamers called, and passengers +from all +quarters, particularly South America and the West Indies, changed +boats. Then +Barbara understood that a fugitive from justice was safer in South and +Central America than anywhere else. She wondered with keen anxiety +whether the man had +seen her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She knew now she had not loved Shillito. He had +cunningly +worked upon her ignorance, discontent, and longing for romance. +Illumination +had come on board the train, but although she had found him out and +escaped, +she had afterwards felt herself humiliated and set apart from happy +girls who +had nothing to hide. The humiliation was not altogether earned, and the +people +who knew about her adventure were not numerous, but they were all the +people +for whom she cared. When she thought about it, she hated Louis Shillito.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The steam-tram stopped at the Metropole and went +on to the +port, trailing a cloud of dust. When the rattle it made began to die +away, +Barbara roused herself with a start from her moody thoughts. A man was +coming +up the path, and when he reached the steps she shrank back against the +wall. +The light from the hotel touched his face and she saw it was Shillito.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Anger conquered her shrinking, for Barbara had +pluck and her +temper was hot. When Shillito, lifting his hat, advanced, she got up +and stood +by a pillar. Her skin had gone very white, but her eyes sparkled and +her hands +were clenched. Shillito bowed and smiled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It looks as if I was lucky!" he remarked, and +Barbara imagined his not finding Mrs. Cartwright about accounted for +his +satisfaction.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I suppose you saw me in the <i>calle mayor</i>?" +she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He nodded. "You went into a shop. Your object was +pretty obvious. I allow it hurt."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a scornful glance. "The +statement's +ridiculous! Do you imagine you can cheat me now, as you cheated me in +Canada?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"In one way, I did not cheat you. When I said I +loved +you, I was honest."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I doubt it! All was dishonest from the beginning. +You +taught me deceit and made me ashamed for my shabbiness. For your sake I +tricked +people who loved and trusted me; but to you I was rashly sincere. I +trusted you +and was willing to give up much in order to marry you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You mean you thought you were willing, until you +knew +the cost?" Shillito rejoined. "Then you saw you couldn't make good +and resolved to turn me down."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The blood came to Barbara's skin, but she fronted +him +steadily.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I had <i>found you out</i>. Had you been +something of +the man I thought, I might have gone with you and helped to baffle the +police; +but you were not. You were very dull and played a stupid part. When you +thought +you had won and I was in your power, I knew you for a brute."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito colored, but forced a smile. "Perhaps I +was +dull; I was desperate. You had kept me hanging round the summer camp +when I +knew the police were on my track; and I had been put wise they might +hold up +the train. A man hitting the trail for liberty doesn't use the manners +of a +highbrow carpet-knight. I reckoned you were human and your blood was +red."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Barbara, "I was very human! +Although I was afraid, I felt all the passion hate can rouse. You +declared I +must stay with you, because I durst not go back; I had broken rules and +my +fastidious relations would have no more to do with me. Something like +that! In +a sense, it wasn't true; but you said it with brutal coarseness. When I +struck +you I meant to hurt; I looked for something that would hurt—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She stopped and struggled for calm. To indulge her +anger was +some relief, but she felt the man was dangerous and she must be cool. +There was +not much use in leaving him and going to her mother, because he would, +no +doubt, follow and disturb Mrs. Cartwright. It was unlucky her +step-father had +not arrived; he was coming out, but his boat was not expected for a day +or two.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Shillito, "let's talk about +something else. I didn't calculate to meet you at Las Palmas, but when +I saw +you in the <i>calle</i>, I hoped you might, after all, be kind for old +times' +sake. However, it's obvious you have no use for me, and if you are +willing to +make it easier, I'll pull out and leave you alone."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a keen glance. She had known he +wanted +something.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"How can I make it easier for you to go?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You don't see? Well, I've had some adventures +since +you left me on board the train. I had money, but I'd waited too long to +negotiate some of the bonds and my partner robbed me. I made San +Francisco and +found nothing doing there. Went down the coast to Chile and got fixed +for a +time at a casino, in which I invested the most part of my wad. One +night a +Chileno pulled his knife on another who cleaned him out, and when the +police +got busy the casino shut down. I pushed across for Argentina, but my +luck +wasn't good, and I made Las Palmas not long since on board an Italian +boat. On +the whole, I like the dagos, and reckoned I might try Cuba, or perhaps +the Philippines—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A Lopez boat sails for Havana in two or three +days," Barbara interrupted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," Shillito agreed, smiling because he +noted her relief. "The trouble is, I haven't much money. Five hundred +pounds would help me along."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You thought I would give you five hundred +pounds?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sure," said Shillito, coolly. "You're rich; +anyhow, Mrs. Cartwright is rich, and I reckoned you would see my +staying about +the town has drawbacks. For one thing, the English tourists are a +gossiping +lot. It ought to pay you and your mother to help me get off."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara tried to think. The drawbacks Shillito +indicated +were plain, and as long as he stayed at Las Palmas she would know no +ease of +mind, but she had not five hundred pounds, and Mrs. Cartwright must not +be +disturbed. Moreover, one could not trust the fellow. He might take the +money +and then use his power again. He had power to humiliate her, but unless +she was +willing to meet all his claims, she must resist some time.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I imagine you put your importance too high," she +said. "You can stay, if you like. I certainly will not bribe you to go +away."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He studied her for a few moments; Barbara looked +resolute, +but he thought her resolution forced.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well! Since I can't start for Cuba without +money, +I must find an occupation at Las Palmas, and I have a plan. You see, I +know +some Spanish and something about running a gambling joint. The people +here are +sports, and one or two are willing to put up the money to start a club +that +ought to attract the English tourists. If I found the thing didn't pay +before +you went back, I could quit and get after you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not," said Barbara, desperately. "If +you came to England, a cablegram to the Canadian police—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito laughed. "You wouldn't send a cablegram! +If I +was caught I could tell a romantic story about the girl who helped me +get off. +No; I'm not going to bother about your putting the police on my trail!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He turned his head and Barbara clenched her hand, +for a +rattle of wheels in the road broke off, as if a <i>tartana</i> had +stopped at +the gate. If the passengers from the vehicle were coming to the hotel +she must +get rid of Shillito before they arrived.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You waste your arguments," she declared. "I +will not give you money. If you come back, I will tell the <i>mayordomo</i> +you +are annoying me and he must not let you in."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The plan's not very clever," Shillito rejoined. +"If I made trouble for the hotel porters, the guests would wonder, and +when people have nothing to do but loaf, they like to talk. I expect +you'd find +their curiosity awkward—" He paused and laughed when he resumed: +"You're embarrassed now because somebody will see us!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara was embarrassed. A man was coming up the +path, and +she knew her figure and Shillito's cut against the light. When the +stranger +reached the veranda he would see she was disturbed; but to move back +into the +gloom, where Shillito would follow her, would be significant. She +thought he +meant to excite the other's curiosity.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The man stopped for a moment at the bottom of the +steps and +Barbara turned her head, since she imagined he would think she was +quarreling +with her lover. Then he ran up the steps, and when he stopped in front +of +Shillito her heart beat fast. It was Lister, and she knew he had +remarked her +strained look, for his face was very stern.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hallo!" he said. "Are you bothering Miss Hyslop +again?" He glanced at Barbara. "I expect the fellow is bothering +you?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For a moment Barbara hesitated, but she had borne +a heavy +strain and her control was going. Besides, one could trust Lister and +he knew +... She signed agreement and he touched Shillito.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Get off the veranda!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito did not move. His pose was tense and he +looked +malevolent.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You won't help Miss Hyslop by butting in like a +clumsy +fool. The thing's too delicate for you to meddle—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Get off the veranda!" Lister shouted, and threw +Shillito back.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He was highly strung, and worn by want of sleep +and +exhausting labor, but he had some notion of all Barbara had borne on +Shillito's +account. Although perhaps caution and tact were indicated, he was going +to use +force. When Shillito struck him he seized the fellow, and rocking in a +savage +grapple, they fell with a crash against the rails. Lister felt the +other's hand +at his throat, and straining back, jerked his head away while he tried +to lift +his antagonist off the ground. He pulled him from the rails and they +reeled +across the veranda and struck the wall.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A neighboring window rattled with the shock, the +heavy tramp +of their feet shook the boards, and Barbara knew the noise would soon +bring a +group of curious servants to the door; besides, all the guests had not +gone to +the Metropole. Yet she could not meddle. The men's passions were +unloosed; they +fought like savage animals, driven by an instinctive fury that would +not vanish +until one was beaten. She looked on, trembling and helpless, while they +wrestled, with swaying bodies and hands that felt for a firmer hold. +Her face +was very white and she got her breath in painful gasps. There was +something +horribly primitive about the struggle, but it fascinated.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, Lister was conscious that he had +been rash. +Shillito was muscular and fresh, but he was tired. It was plain he +could not +keep it up for long. Moreover, unless the fight soon ended, people +would come +to see what the disturbance was about. This would be awkward for +Barbara; he +wanted to tell her to go away, but could not. He was breathless and +Shillito +was trying to choke him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Afterwards he knew he was lucky. They had got near +the steps +and he threw Shillito against the post at the top. The jar shook the +other, his +grasp got slack, and Lister saw that for a moment the advantage was +his. Using +a desperate effort he pushed his antagonist back and struck him a +smashing +blow. Shillito vanished and a crash in the gloom indicated that he had +fallen +on an aloe in a tub by the path. Lister leaned against the rail and +laughed, +because he knew aloe spikes are sharp.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Then he heard steps and voices in the hotel, and +turned to +Barbara. His face was cut, his hat was gone, and his white jacket was +torn. He +looked strangely savage and disheveled, but Barbara went to him and her +eyes +shone. Lister stopped her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Don't know if I've helped much, but you must get +off!" he gasped. "People are coming. Go in by another door!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He turned and plunged down the stairs, and +Barbara, seeing +that Shillito had vanished, ran along the veranda. A few moments +afterwards she +stood by the window of her room and saw a group of curious servants and +one or +two tourists in the path at the bottom of the steps. It looked as if +they were +puzzled, and the <i>mayordomo</i> gravely examined Lister's battered +hat.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara went from the window and sat down. She was +horribly +overstrained and wanted to cry, but she began to laugh, and for some +minutes +could not stop. She must get relief from the tension and, after all, in +a +sense, the thing was humorous.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085306">CHAPTER VII</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085307">BARBARA'S REFUSAL</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning Barbara went to the Catalina mole. +The short +lava pier was not far off, and one got the breeze, although the hotel +garden +was hot. Besides, she did not want to meet people and talk about the +strange +disturbance on the veranda. On the whole, she thought nobody imagined +she could +satisfy the general curiosity. Finding a block of lava in the shade, +she sat +down and looked about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A boat crossed the harbor mouth, swinging up on +the smooth +swell and vanishing when the undulations rolled by. A tug towed a row +of barges +to an anchored steamer, and the rattle of winches came down the wind. +In the +background, clouds of dust blew about the coaling wharfs, and a string +of flags +fluttered from the staff on the Isleta hill. Barbara beckoned a +port-guard and +inquired what the signal meant.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Spaniard said an African mail-boat from +England was +coming in, and Barbara was conscious of some relief. Cartwright was on +board +and would arrive sooner than she had thought; the boat had obviously +not called +at Madeira, the time-bills stated. Cartwright would know how to deal +with +Shillito if he bothered her again. In the meantime she mused about +Lister. She +had thrilled when he ran up the steps at the hotel, but, in a sense, +his +arrival just then was awkward.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She turned her head, for the sunshine on the water +dazzled +her eyes, and the port was not attractive. The limekilns, coal-wharfs, +and +shabby lava houses had for a background volcanic rocks, bare cinder +slopes and +tossing dust. Besides, she wanted to think. She would see Lister soon; +she +wanted to see him, but she shrank. For one thing, the line she ought to +take +was hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by she heard a rattle of oars thrown on +board a boat +behind the neighboring wall; somebody shouted, and Lister came up. His +white +clothes were clean but crumpled, and Barbara smiled when she saw his +hat was +new. Crossing the lava pavement, he stopped opposite her and she noted +a piece +of sticking-plaster on his cheek.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"May I join you for a few minutes?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Of course," she said graciously.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister sat down. The sailors had gone off, and +except for an +officer of the <i>Commandancia</i>, nobody was about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was going to the hotel to look for you. For one +thing, I reckoned I ought to apologize. When I came into the veranda +and saw +Shillito—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think you stopped for a moment at the bottom of +the +steps!" Barbara remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He colored, but gave her a steady look. "That is +so. I +admit the thing's ridiculous; but at first I felt I'd better pull out. +Then I +noted something about your pose; you looked angry."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Barbara. "It was a relief to see I +was angry? You were satisfied then?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was really satisfied before. It was impossible +you +should engage a brute like that in friendly talk. Anyhow, I took the +wrong line +and might have made things awkward. In fact, the situation needed a +lighter +touch than mine. All the same, when I saw the fellow was bullying you—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You butted in?" Barbara suggested, smiling, +although her heart beat.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Like a bull moose," said Lister with a frown. +"I ought to have kept cool, used caution, and frozen him off by a few +short arguments. You can picture Cartwright's putting across the job! +After +all, however, I don't know the arguments I could have used, and I +remembered +how the fellow had injured you—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He saw Barbara's color rise, and stopped for a +moment. It +looked as if he had not used much caution now.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Since I thought you in Africa, I don't understand +how +you arrived," she began.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The thing's not very strange," said Lister. +"I saw your name in a visitors' list and meant to ask for you in the +morning. Then I ran up against Shillito, who didn't know me, and when +he got on +board the steam tram, I hired a <i>tartana</i>. Thought he might mean +trouble +and I'd better come along—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well," he resumed, "I'm sorry I handled the +job clumsily, since I might have hurt you worse; but I hated the fellow +on my +own account and saw red. Perhaps it was lucky I was able to throw him +down the +steps, because I expect neither of us meant to quit until the other was +knocked +out." He paused and added, with a laugh: "Now I'm cool, I think the +chances were I got knocked out. Last time we met he threw me off the +car; I +reckon my luck has turned!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara studied him and was moved by pity and some +other +emotions. He was very thin and his face was pinched. He looked as if he +were +exhausted by the work she had sent him to do. Barbara admitted that she +had +sent him. Before Cartwright planned the salvage undertaking she had +declared he +would find Lister the man for an awkward job.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You ran some risk for my sake, and I must +acknowledge +a fresh debt," she said. "I would sooner be your debtor than +another's, but sometimes I'm embarrassed. You see, I owe you so much."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You have paid all by letting me know you," Lister +declared.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She was quiet for a few moments, and then asked: +"Are +you making much progress at the wreck?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Our progress is slow, but we are getting there," +Lister replied, and seeing her interest, narrated his and Brown's +struggles, +and his long voyage with a short crew on board the tug.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The story was moving and Barbara's eyes sparkled. +Lister had +borne much and done all that flesh and blood could do. He was the man +she had +thought, and she knew it was for her sake that he had labored.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's a splendid fight!" she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We haven't won yet," he replied, and was quiet +for a few moments. Then his look got very resolute and he went on: "All +the same, if the thing is anyhow possible, I'm going to win. You see, +I've got +to win! When Cartwright engaged me I was engineer on board a cattle +boat; a man +of no importance, without friends or money, and with no particular +chance of +making good. Now I've got my chance. If we put across the job a big +salvage +company turned down, I'll make my mark. Somebody will give me a good +post; I'll +have got my foot on the ladder that leads to the top."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wish you luck," said Barbara. "I expect +you will get near the top."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you are willing, you can help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Barbara, with forced quietness, "I +think not—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He stopped her. "I didn't expect to find you +willing. +My business is to persuade you, and I mean to try. Well, I wasn't +boasting, and +my drawbacks are plain, but if I make good in Africa, some will be cut +out and +you can help me remove the others. I've long wanted you, and now my +luck's +turning. I was going to Catalina to tell you so. If Brown and I float <i>Arcturus</i>, +will you marry me?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara's color came and went, but she said +quietly: +"When you came to the hotel in the evening you met Shillito!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did," said Lister, with incautious passion. +"If I had killed the brute I'd have been justified! However, I threw +him +on to the aloe tub and ran off. The thing was grotesquely humorous. A +boy's fool +trick!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You ran off for my sake," said Barbara. "I +liked you for it. I like you for many things, but I will not marry you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He saw she was resolute. Her mouth was firm and +her hand was +tightly closed. He thought he knew the grounds for her refusal, and his +heart +sank. Barbara was stubborn and very proud. Moreover, the situation was +awkward, +but the awkwardness must be fronted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Let's be frank; perhaps you owe me this," he +urged. "Since you allow you do like me, what's to stop our marrying?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For one thing, my adventure in Canada," she +replied and turned her head.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister put his hand on her arm and forced her to +look up. +"Now you're clean ridiculous! Shillito cheated you; he's a plausible +wastrel, but you found him out. It doesn't count at all! Besides, +nobody but +your relations know."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You know," said Barbara, and, getting up started +along the mole.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister tried to brace himself, for he saw she +could not be +moved. Yet there was something to be said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You are the girl I mean to marry," he declared. +"Some day, perhaps, you'll see you're indulging a blamed extravagant +illusion and I'm going to wait. When you're logical I'll try again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara forced a smile. "Sometimes I am logical; I +feel +I'm logical now. But I have left my mother alone rather long and you +must let +me go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister went with her to the road and got on a tram +going to +the town. He was hurt and angry, but not altogether daunted. Barbara's +ridiculous pride might break and she was worth waiting for. When he +returned on +board, a small African liner had anchored not far off, and while he +watched the +boats that swarmed about the ship, one left the others and came towards +the +tug. The Spanish crew were pulling hard and a passenger occupied the +stern. +Learmont, lounging near, turned his glasses on the boat.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm not sorry you are boss," he said. "The +Old Man is coming!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A few minutes afterwards Cartwright got over the +tug's rail. +His face was red, and he looked very stern.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why have you left the wreck?" he asked Lister.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I came for some castings I couldn't get at Sierra +Leone. The pump and engine needed mending."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then where's Brown?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He's busy at the lagoon, sir. There's enough to +keep +him occupied, unless the pump plays out before I get back."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright looked relieved, but asked meaningly: +"Did +you know Mrs. Cartwright and Miss Hyslop were at Las Palmas?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did not know until yesterday evening, +twenty-four +hours after I arrived; but we'll talk about this again. I expect you +want to +know how we are getting on at the wreck?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded. "I think my curiosity is +natural! +Let's get out of the sun, and if you have liquor on board, order me a +drink. +When the mail-boat steamed round the mole and I saw <i>Terrier</i>, I +got a +nasty jolt."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister took him to the captain's room and gave him +some sour +red Canary wine. Cartwright drained his glass and looked up with an +ironical +smile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you use stuff like this. Brown ought not to be +tempted much! However, you can tell me what you have done at the +lagoon, and +the difficulties you have met. You needn't bother to smooth down +Brown's +extravagances, I knew the captain before I knew you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister told his story, and when he stopped +Cartwright filled +his glass, raised it to his lips and put it back with a frown.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Send somebody along the mole to Garcia's shop for +two +or three bottles of his Amontillado and white Muscatel. Charge the +stuff to +ship's victualing. When you got Brown out of the factory, did you think +it +possible he had a private stock of liquor?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm satisfied he had not. Montgomery gave him the +liquor, and I imagine meant to give him too, much."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It looks like that," Cartwright agreed. "If +we take something I suspect for granted, Montgomery's opposition would +be +logical. I imagine you know part of the cargo was worth much? Expensive +stuff +in small bulk, you see!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have studied the cargo-lists and plans of the +holds, +sir."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded. "We'll find out presently if my +notion how the boat was lost is accurate," The cargo's another thing. +There may have been conspiracy between merchant and ship-owner; I don't +know +yet, but if it was conspiracy, this would account for much. Some of the +gum +shipped was very costly, and African alluvial gold, washed by the +negroes, has +been found mixed with brass filings."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Montgomery frankly stated his father loaded the +vessel."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"His frankness may have been calculated," +Cartwright rejoined and knitted his brows. "Yet I'll admit the young +fellow's name is good at Liverpool, and all he sells is up to sample. +His +father was another sort, but he died, and the house is now well run. +However, +in the meantime we'll let it go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He looked up, for a fireman, carrying a basket, +came in. +Cartwright took the basket and opened a bottle of white wine.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Take some of this," he said. "I understand +you have seen Mrs. Cartwright?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not yet, sir," said Lister, quietly. "I met +Miss Hyslop soon before your boat arrived. Perhaps I ought to tell you +I asked +her if she would marry me if we floated the wreck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Cartwright. "But why did you add +the stipulation?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It ought to be obvious. If we put the undertaking +over, I expect to get a post that will enable me to support a wife, +although +she might be forced to go without things I'd like to give her."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I see!" said Cartwright, with some dryness. +"Well, I don't know if Barbara is extravagant, but she has not used +much +economy. Was she willing to take the plunge?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She was not, sir."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then I suppose she stated her grounds for +refusing?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," said Lister. "Perhaps Miss +Hyslop will tell you what they are. I will not."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright looked at him hard. "All the same, I +imagine +you did not agree?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did not agree. If I make good at the wreck, I +will +try again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Barbara is pretty obstinate," Cartwright remarked +with a smile, and then filled Lister's glass. "I must go; but come to +the +hotel in the morning. We must talk about the salvage plans."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off, but when the boat crossed the harbor +he looked +back at the tug with twinkling eyes. Lister was honest and had not +asked +Barbara to marry him until he saw some chance of his supporting a wife. +Since +Barbara was rich, the thing was amusing. All the same, it was possible +the +young fellow must wait. Barbara exaggerated and indulged her +imagination, but +she was firm.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085308">CHAPTER VIII</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085309">CARTWRIGHT GETS TO WORK</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The morning was hot and Barbara, sitting on the +hotel +veranda, struggled against a flat reaction. The glitter of the sea hurt +her +eyes, and the dust that blew in clouds from the road smeared her white +dress. +Her mouth dropped and her pose was languid. To refuse Lister had cost +her much, +and although she had done so because she felt she ought, the sense of +having +carried out a duty was not remarkably soothing. It was a relief to know +she +need not pretend to Cartwright, who occupied a basket-chair opposite. +One could +not cheat her step-father by false cheerfulness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When you disappointed Lister you took the prudent +line," he said. "The young fellow has some talent, but he has not yet +made his mark. I approve your caution, and expect your mother will +agree."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wasn't cautious; I didn't argue at all like +that," Barbara declared. "Besides, I haven't told mother. She mustn't +be disturbed."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright looked thoughtful. To some extent he +was +sympathetic, and to some extent amused.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then I don't altogether understand why you did +refuse!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Barbara, and the blood came to +her skin, "for one thing, Mr. Lister waited for some time, and then +asked +me to marry him, after Shillito arrived." She paused and her look got +hard +when she resumed: "Perhaps he thought he ought; sometimes he's +chivalrous."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright imagined Barbara was badly hurt, and +this +accounted for her frankness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Your reasoning isn't very obvious, but I think I +see a +light," he said. "It's possible, however, he asked you because he +wanted you, and there is an explanation for his waiting. I understand +he +hesitated because he doubted if he could support a wife. It looks as if +Mr. +Lister didn't know you were rich."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He doesn't know; I think I didn't want him to +know," Barbara admitted with some embarrassment.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Shillito knew, but one learns caution," +Cartwright remarked. "Well, Shillito became somewhat of a nuisance, and +I +don't imagine you want him to look us up again. I rather think I must +get to +work."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I hate him!" said Barbara, passionately. +"Until your boat was signaled I was horribly alarmed, but then the +trouble +went. I felt I needn't bother after you arrived." Her voice softened as +she added: "You are a clever old dear! One feels safe while you're +about!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Thank you," said Cartwright. "I am old, but +I have some useful talents. Well, is there something else about which +you want +to talk?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara hesitated. There was something for which +she meant +to ask, although her object was not very plain. Perhaps Shillito's +demand for +money had made her feel its power; moreover, she was independent and +liked to +control her affairs.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My birthday was not long since, and I'm entitled +to +use some of the money that is mine."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," Cartwright agreed with a twinkle. +"All the same, you're not entitled to use much until you marry, and you +have just sent off one lover. Would you like me to send you out a sum?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think I'd like a check book, and then I needn't +bother people."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded. Barbara was not extravagant. +"Very +well. I expect we can trust you, and the money is yours. I can probably +arrange +for a business house to meet your drafts. I'll see about it when I'm in +the +town."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He started for Las Palmas presently, and after +some +inquiries stopped at a Spanish hotel, where he found Shillito. The +latter +frowned when he saw Cartwright, but went with him to the courtyard and +they sat +down in the shade.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Have you bought your ticket for Havana?" +Cartwright asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have not," said Shillito. "So far I +haven't decided to leave Las Palmas."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then I imagine you had better decide <i>now</i>. +If +money is a difficulty, I might lend you enough for a second-class +passage, but +that is all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito smiled. "If you want to get rid of me, +you'll +have to go higher. I reckon it's worth while!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not," said Cartwright, dryly. "In +fact, since I can get rid of you for nothing, I doubt if it's worth the +price +of a cheap berth on board the Lopez boat. However, I'll risk this, in +order to +save bothering."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Bluff! You can cut it out and get to business!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well. Your call at the Catalina didn't help +you +much, and if you come again you will not be received by Miss Hyslop, +but by me. +I have met and beaten fellows like you before. My offer's a +second-class berth. +You had better take it!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not at all," said Shillito. "Before long +you'll want to raise your bid."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright got up and crossed the flags; the other +frowned +and hesitated, but let him go. When he reached the street Cartwright +called his +<i>tartana</i> and told the driver to take him to the British +Vice-Consul's. +The Vice-Consul was a merchant who sometimes supplied the Cartwright +boats with +stores, and he gave his visitor a cigar. Cartwright told him as much +about +Shillito as he thought useful, and the Vice-Consul weighed his remarks.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The extradition of a criminal is a long and +troublesome business," he observed. "In the meantime the fellow must +not be allowed to annoy you, and I imagine my duty is to inform the +Spanish <i>justicia</i>. +Don Ramon is tactful, and I think will handle the situation discreetly. +Suppose +we go to see him?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He took Cartwright to an old Spanish house, with +the royal +arms above the door, and a very dignified gentleman received them +politely. He +allowed the Vice-Consul to tell Cartwright's story in Castilian, and +then +smiled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Señor Graham has our thanks for the +warning he has +brought," he said. "In this island we are sportsmen. We have our +cockpits and casinos, but our aim is to develop our commerce and not +make the +town a Monte Carlo. Then the play at the casinos must be honest. Our +way with +cardsharpers is stern."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Vice-Consul's eyes twinkled. He knew Don +Ramon, who +resumed: "Señor Cartwright's duty is to inform the British +police. No +doubt he will do so, but until they apply to our <i>justicia</i> in +the proper +form, I cannot put in prison a British subject for a robbery he did not +commit +on Spanish soil. Perhaps, however, this is not necessary?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"On the whole, I don't think it is necessary," +Cartwright remarked. "The fellow is a dangerous scoundrel, but I don't +know that it is my duty to give you the bother extradition formalities +would +imply. Still you may find him a nuisance if he stays long."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Don Ramon smiled. "I imagine he will not stay +long! My +post gives me power to deal with troublesome foreigners. Well, I thank +you, and +can promise you will not be disturbed again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He let them go, and when they went out the +Vice-Consul +laughed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You can trust Don Ramon. For one thing, he knows +I +have some claim; in this country a merchant finds it pays to +acknowledge fair +treatment by the men who rule. For all that, Don Ramon is just and uses +prudently a power we do not give British officials. The Spanish know +the +advantages of firm control, and I admit their plan works well."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito did not return to the Catalina. When he +was playing +cards for high stakes one evening, two <i>guardias civiles</i> entered +the +gambling house and one touched Shillito's arm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You will come with us, señor," he said +politely.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito pushed back his chair and looked about. +The man +carried a pistol, and the civil guards have power to shoot. His comrade +watched +the door.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What is your authority for bothering me?" he +asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It is possible Don Ramon will tell you. He is +waiting," said the other. He took Shillito to the house with the coat +of +arms, and Don Ramon, sending off the guards, indicated a chair.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have heard something about you, and do not +think you +ought to remain at Las Palmas," he remarked. "In fact, since we +understand you meant to go to Cuba, we expect you to start by the Lopez +boat."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't mean to go to Cuba," Shillito rejoined.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Don Ramon shrugged. "Well, we do not mind if you +sail +for another country. Numerous steamers touch here and the choice is +yours. So +long as you leave Las Palmas—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito looked at him hard. "I am a British +subject +and stay where I like!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You are obstinate, señor, but I think your +statement's +rash," Don Ramon observed. "A British subject is governed by British +laws, but we will not talk about this."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He paused and studied Shillito, who began to look +disturbed. +"One would sooner be polite and take the easy line," Don Ramon +resumed. "So far this is possible, because you are not on the list sent +our Government by the British police, but we have power to examine +foreigners +about whom we are not satisfied. Well, I doubt if you could satisfy us +that you +ought to remain, and when we begin to investigate, a demand for your +extradition +might arrive. If you forced us to inquire about you, a cablegram would +soon +reach London."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito saw he was beaten and got up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll buy my ticket for Havana in the morning," he +replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Lopez liner was some days late, and in the +meantime +Lister haunted the office of the engineering company. At length the +articles he +needed were ready, and one afternoon Cartwright hired a boat to take +him and +Barbara across the harbor. <i>Terrier</i> lay with full steam up at +the end of +the long mole, and when her winch began to rattle, Cartwright told the +Spanish <i>peons</i> +to stop rowing. The tug's mooring ropes splashed, her propeller +throbbed, and +she swung away from the wall.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She was rusty and dingy; the screens along her +bridge were +cracked and burned by the sun. The boat at her rail was blackened by +soot, and +when she rolled the weed streamed down from her water-line. She looked +very +small and overloaded by the stack of coal on deck. The wash round her +stern got +whiter, ripples ran back from her bows, and when she steamed near +Cartwright's +boat, her whistle shrieked. Cartwright stood up and waved; Learmont, on +the +bridge, touched his cap, but for a few moments Barbara fixed her eyes +on <i>Terrier's</i> +deckhouse. Then she blushed and her heart beat, for she saw Lister at +the door +of the engine-room. He saw her and smiled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The tug's whistle was drowned by a deeper blast. A +big +liner, painted black from water-line to funnel-top, was coming out, and +Cartwright's boat lay between her and the tug. Barbara gave the great +ship a +careless glance and then started, for she read the name at the bow. +This was +the Havana boat.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Studying the groups of passengers at the rails, +she thought +she saw a face she knew. The face got distinct, and when the liner's +lofty side +towered above the boat, Shillito, looking down, lifted his cap and +bowed with +ironical politeness. Barbara turned her head and tried for calm while +she +watched the tug.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister had not gone. Barbara knew he would not go +so long as +he could see the boat, and standing up, with her hand on Cartwright's +shoulder, +she waved her handkerchief. Lister's hand went to his cap, but he was +getting +indistinct and <i>Terrier</i> had begun to plunge on the long swell +outside the +wall. She steered for open sea, the big black liner followed the coast, +and +presently Cartwright signed the men to pull. Then he looked at Barbara +and +smiled, for he knew she had seen Shillito.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Things do sometimes happen like that!" he said. +"I think the fellow has gone for good, but the other will come back."</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085310">CHAPTER IX</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085311">LISTER MAKES GOOD</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Arcturus'</i> holds were empty and a long row +of oil +puncheons occupied the beach, but the men who had dragged the goods +from the +water were exhausted by heavy toil in the scorching sun, and some were +sick. +The divers had bolted on plates to cover the holes in the vessel's +bilge before +one fell ill and his mate's nerve went. The heat and poisonous vapors +from the +swamps had broken his health, and he got a bad jar one day his air-pipe +entangled and the pump-gang dragged him, unconscious, to the top.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Afterwards, for the most part, Lister undertook +the diving, +but for long his efforts to reach the floor of the engine-room were +baffled. To +crawl across slanted gratings and down weedy ladders, while air-pipe +and +signal-line trailed about the machinery, was horribly dangerous, but he +kept it +up, although he got slacker and felt his pluck was breaking. Then one +afternoon +he knew he could not go down again, and he stayed under water long.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown, standing by the air-pumps, looked at his +watch and +waited anxiously. The bubbles broke the surface above the wreck and the +signal-line was slack, but Lister had been down longer than he ought. +He wars +not a diver, and the others who knew their job, had come up sooner. +Then Brown +had other grounds for anxiety. If Lister were beaten, their chance of +floating +the wreck was small.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length, the bubbles began to move towards the +hulk, the +ladder shook, and a dull, red reflection shone through the water. Then +the +copper helmet broke the surface, rose a few inches, and stopped, and +Brown ran +to the gangway. Lister was exhausted and his worn-out body could not +meet the +change of pressure. They dragged him on board and took off his helmet +and +canvas dress. For some minutes he lay like a log, and then opened his +eyes and +looked at Brown.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Cartwright was on the track!" he gasped. "We +can go ahead—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sun was low, but the pitch in the seams was +liquid and +smeared the hot planks, and Brown pulled Lister into the shade. For a +time he +was quiet, but by and by he said, "When the tide falls we'll start the +pump and let her go all night. I must get up and tell Jones to clean +the +fire."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll tell him. You stay there until we get some +food," Brown replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The cook served the meal on deck, but they had +hardly begun +when he lighted a storm-lamp. As soon as the red sun dipped thick vapor +floated +off from the swamps, the water got oily black, and dark clouds rolled +across +the sky. Flickering lightning illumined the tumbling surf and sandy +beach, but +there was no thunder and the night was calm. The hulk and tug were +moored at +opposite sides of the wreck, forward of her engine room, and thick wire +ropes +that ran between them had been dragged back under the vessel for some +distance +from her bow. The ropes, however, were not yet hauled tight. When the +cook took +away the plates Brown made a rough calculation.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have caulked all hatches and gratings forward, +and +stopped the ventilators," he said. "I reckon the water will leave the +deck long enough for the pump to give her fore-end some buoyancy. If +she rises +with the flood tide, well heave the cables aft, until we can get a hold +that +will lift her bow from the ground. Then you can pump out the fore hold +and +we'll make a fresh start aft. We'll soon know if Cartwright's notion is +correct."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We know <i>now</i>; I'll satisfy you in the +morning," Lister rejoined and his confidence was not exaggerated.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A steamer's hull below her load-line is pierced in +places to +admit water for the condensers and ballast tanks. Lister had found some +inlets +open, but now they were shut.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll own old Cartwright's a great man," Brown +said thoughtfully. "When he takes on a job he studies things all round. +The salvage folks, no doubt, reckoned on the possibility that the +valves were +open, but they couldn't get at the controls and didn't know all +Cartwright knew—" +He paused and added with a laugh: "I wonder how much the other fellows +got +for the job! But it's time we started."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister got up with an effort and went to the pump, +which +presently began to throb. The mended engine ran well and the regular +splash of +water, flung out from the big discharge pipe, drowned the languid +rumble of the +surf. The hull shook; shadowy figures crossed the beam of light from +the +furnace, and vanished in the dark. Twinkling lamps threw broken +reflections on +the water that looked like black silk, lightning flashed in the +background, and +when the swell broke with phosphorescent sparkles about the wreck +Lister marked +the height the pale illumination crept up her plates. She would not +lift that +tide, but the pump was clearing the hold, and he hoped much water was +not +coming in. If the leakage was not excessive, her bow ought to rise when +the +next tide flowed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For some hours he kept his watch, dragging himself +wearily +about the engine and pump. He had helpers, but control was his, and to +an +engineer a machine is not a dead mass of metal. Lister, so to speak, +felt the +pump had individuality and temperament, like a spirited horse. +Sometimes it +must be humored and sometimes urged; it would run faster for a man +whose touch +was firm but light than for another. Perhaps he was fanciful, and he +was +certainly over-strung, but he imagined the big, rattling machine knew +his hand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length when he looked at the gauge glass he +found he +could not see the line that marked the water-level. His head swam and +his legs +shook, and calling a fireman to keep watch, he sat down in the coal. He +wanted +to get to the awning, out of the dew, but could not, and leaning +against the +rough blocks, he went to sleep.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning, he knew the fever that bothered +him now and +then had returned. For all that, he must hold out and he began his +labor in the +burning sun. When the flood tide rippled about the wreck it was obvious +the +pump was getting the water down. The bows lifted, and starting the +winches, +they hauled aft the ropes. If they could keep it, before long they +might heave +her from the sand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was a time of stubborn effort and crushing +strain. Some +of the men were sick and all had lost their vigor. The fierce sun had +not +burned but bleached their skin; their blood was poisoned by the miasma +the land +breeze blew off at night. For all that, Cartwright's promise was they +should +share his reward and somehow they held on.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length, in the scorching heat one afternoon +when the +flood tide began to run, they hauled the hulk and tug abaft the wreck's +engine-room and made the great ropes fast. If Lister's calculations +were +accurate, the pump had thrown out enough water, and the buoyancy of the +other +craft would lift the wreck's stern. If not—but he refused to think +about +this.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sea breeze had dropped and the smoke of the +engine went +straight up. There was not a line on the glittering lagoon. The sea +looked like +melted silver; one felt it give out light and heat. The men's eyes +ached and +the intolerable sun pierced their double hats and dulled their brains. +When all +was ready, they waited and watched the sandy water creep up <i>Arcturus'</i> +plates until the ropes stretched and groaned and the hulk began to +list. On the +wreck's other side, the tug's mast and funnel slanted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Arcturus</i> was not yet afloat, and the big +wire-ropes, +running beneath her bilge, held down the helping craft. The ends were +made fast +by hemp lashings and somebody had put an ax beside the post. For all +that, +Lister did not think Brown would give the order to cut; he himself +would not. +If they did not float Arcturus now, she must remain in the sand for +good. He +would hold on until the rising tide flowed across the tug.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, he watched the pump. The engine +carried a +dangerous load and the spouting discharge pipe was swollen. Throbbing +and +rattling, she fought the water that held <i>Arcturus</i> down. A +greaser +touched the crosshead-slides with a tallow swab, and a panting fireman +thrust a +bar through the furnace door. Their skin was blackened by sweat and +coal dust; +soaked singlets, tight like gloves, clung to their lean bodies. Nobody +else, +however, was actively occupied. The negroes lay on the deck and the +white men +lounged in the shade of the awning. They had done all that flesh and +blood +could do, in a climate that breaks the white man's strength, and now +the tide +ought to finish their labor. But they did not know, and some doubted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The ropes cracked and the hulk's list got sharp. +On one +side, her deck was very near the water. She was broad, but if <i>Arcturus</i> +did not lift, it was obvious she must soon capsize. Lister opened the +engine +throttle until the valve-wheel would not turn. The cylinders shook, a +gland +blew steam, and the pump clashed and rocked. All the same, he knew +himself ridiculous. +The extra water the pump lifted would not help much now. They had a few +minutes, and then, if nobody cut the ropes, the hulk would go down.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The massive oak mooring-post groaned and the +deck-seams +opened with the strain; the wire-ropes were rigid; one could see no +hint of +curve. The water touched the hulk's deck and began to creep up. Then it +stopped, the hulk shook, and the wreck's long side slowly got upright.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She's off!" said Brown hoarsely. Somebody blew +the tug's whistle, and one or two shouted, but this was all. They had +won a +very stubborn fight, but winning had cost them much, and Lister felt +their +triumph was strangely flat. He smiled and owned he would be satisfied +to lie +down and sleep.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown gave an order; <i>Terrier's</i> propeller +splashed noisily, +and <i>Arcturus</i> began to move. Somehow it looked impossible, but +she was +moving. They took her slowly and cautiously across the lagoon, and when +the +tide was full put her on the sand. There was much to do yet and Lister +wondered +whether he could hold out until all was done.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the evening Montgomery came off on board a boat +pulled by +four sturdy Kroos. He was very thin and haggard, but the fever had left +him. +When his boat got near, Brown, frowning savagely, went to the rail.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What d'you want?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Let me come on board. If we can't, agree, I'll go +back +in a few minutes," Montgomery replied, and climbing the bulwarks, went +to +the awning and lighted a cigarette.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You have floated her, but the job's not +finished," he said. "I expect you mean to bring off the cargo you +landed and you'll need a fresh gang of native boys. Well, I can help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You imply you can bother us if we don't agree?" +Brown remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Something like that! I can certainly make things +awkward. However, all I want is to go with you when you open the +lazaret where +the boxes of gold were stored."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Brown. "I expect you see what your +wanting to go indicates? Looks as if you knew something about the +wreck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I imagine I do know something," Montgomery +admitted quietly. "At the beginning, I reckoned you would not float +her, +but in order to run no risk, I meant to hinder you as much as possible. +Now I'm +beaten, I'm going to be frank—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He paused and resumed in a low voice: "When I was +left +control of a respected business house I was young and ambitious. It was +plain +the house had weathered a bad storm, but our fortunes were mending and +I +thought they could be built up again. Well, I think I was honest, and +when one +of <i>Arcturus'</i> crew demanded money I got a jar. Since my father +loaded the +ship, I expect you see where the fellow's threats led?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I see the line Cartwright might take," Brown +remarked dryly. "If the boxes don't hold gold, he could break you! We +have +found out enough already to give him a strong pull on the boat's last +owners. +They're in his power."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He won't use his power. Cartwright is not that +sort! +Besides, the company is bankrupt."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You are not bankrupt. Do you know what sort +Lister and +I are?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery smiled. "It's not important. If there +is no +gold in the boxes, I don't want to carry on the house's business. You +can do +what you like—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He stopped for a few moments and Lister began to +feel some +sympathy. The man was desperate and had obviously borne much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My staying at the factory was a strain," +Montgomery +continued. "I was ill and when at length I saw you might succeed, the +suspense was horrible. You see, I risked the honor of the house, my +marriage, +my fortune. All I had and cared about!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Were you to be married?" Lister asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery signed agreement. "The wedding was put +off. +While it looked as if my mended fortune was built on fraud and I had +known, and +agreed to, the trick, I could not marry a high-principled girl."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown knitted his brows and was quiet for some +moments. Then +he said, "You are now willing to get us the boys we want and help us +where +you can?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," Montgomery agreed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well!" said Brown. "We expect to open +the lazaret at daybreak and you can come with us. You had better send +off your +boat and stop on board."</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085312">CHAPTER X</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085313">BARBARA TAKES CONTROL</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sun was rising and the mist rolled back from +the lagoon. +The tide was low and <i>Arcturus'</i> rusty side rose high above the +smooth +green water. Damp weed hung from the beams in her poop cabin and a dull +light +came down through the broken glass. A sailor, kneeling on the slimy +planks, +tried to force a corroded ring-bolt from its niche; another trimmed a +smoky +lantern. Lister, Brown and Montgomery waited. In the half-light, their +faces +looked gray and worn. The sun had given them a dull pallor, and on the +West +African coast nobody sleeps much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After a few minutes the sailor opened the swollen +trap-door +and then went down, Brown carrying the lantern. As a rule a ship's +lazaret is a +small, dark strong-room, used for stowing liquor and articles of value. +<i>Arcturus</i> +was wet and smelt of salt. A row of shelves crossed the bulkhead and +some water +lay in the angle where the slanted floor met the side sheathing. A thin +jacket +and an officer's peaked cap were in the water. Brown indicated the +objects.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Looks as if somebody had stripped before he got +to +work, and then left without bothering about his clothes," he said. "I +don't know if I expected this, but we'll examine the thing later." He +lifted the lantern and the flickering beam touched five or six small, +thick +boxes. "Well, there's some of the gold!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister seized a box and tried to lift it up, but +stopped.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It feels like gold," he said and signed to a +sailor. "Help me get the stuff on deck, Watson."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They carried the boxes up the ladder and Brown +brought the +cap and jacket.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Second-mate's clothes," he said, indicating the +bands round the cuffs and cap. The imitation gold-lace had gone green +but clung +to the rotten material.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Something in the pocket," he added and taking out +a small wet book put it in the sun. "We'll look at this again, and now +for +the first box! I may want you to state you saw me break the seals."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Sitting in the shade of the poop, they opened the +box, which +was filled with fine dull-yellow grains. Then Lister sent a man to the +boat for +some things he had brought, and when the fellow came back hung a small +steel +cup from a spring-balance.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The scale's pretty accurate; I use it on board," +he said. "Well, I got the specific gravity of gold, zinc and copper +from +my pocket-tables, and made a few experiments with some bearing metals. +They're +all brasses; alloys of copper and zinc, with a little lead and tin in +some. I +weighed and measured two or three small ingots and afterwards +calculated what +they'd weigh, if their cubic size was the capacity of the cup. I'll +give you +the figures."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He did so and then filled the cup with the yellow +grains and +held up the balance. Montgomery, leaning forward, looked over his +shoulder.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Weighs more than your heaviest bearing metal! +It's +gold!" he exclaimed hoarsely.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes," said Lister, "it's obviously gold. +Perhaps we needn't open the other boxes. When we get on board well +weigh them +against this lot. So far as I can reckon after heaving them up the +ladder, well +not find much difference."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery sat down, as if he were too limp to +stand. +"But these are not all the boxes that were shipped—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown went for the pocket-book he had put to dry +and took +out some papers. "This thing belonged to Gordon Herries, second +officer."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Herries?" exclaimed the sailor Watson. "The +second-mate as was drowned when the surf-boat capsized!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What do you know about it?" Brown asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I know something, sir," said Watson, but +Montgomery +stopped him and turned to the others.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It seems the second mate tried to <i>save</i> +the +stuff."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Looks like that," Brown agreed and signed to the +sailor. "Now tell us all you do know."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We was lying in Forcados river, shifting cargo to +the Lagos +boat alongside. Barret, my townie, was on board her; he'd made a run in +<i>Arcturus</i>, +and told me about the wreck. When she struck, Mr. Herries swung out +number two +surf-boat and Barret was her bowman. He went to the lazaret with +Herries and +they got up some bags of special gum and some heavy boxes. Barret +thought they +were gold, but hadn't seen them put on board. Then a big comber hit the +poop, +smashed the skylights, and flooded the lazaret. They reckoned she was +going +over and had some bother to get out. Well, they got the surf-boat off +her side; +she was pretty full with a load of Kroo boys and three or four white +men. In +the surf, the steering oar broke, she yawed across a sea, and turned +out the lot. +Some held on to her, but she rolled over and Barret made for the beach. +They +all landed but Mr. Herries; Barret thought the boat hit him. Gum and +boxes went +down in the surf."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very good," said Brown. "Now get off and +send somebody to help heave the boxes on board."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery turned his head and leaned against the +poop. +Lister saw he trembled as if the reaction from the strain was keen. +After a few +moments he braced himself.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's done with! I think all the boxes held gold, +but +they're gone."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown indicated the cloud of spray that tossed +above the +advancing lines of foam. The long rollers had crashed on the bar from +the +beginning and would never stop.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"All the surf gets it keeps," he said. "If +there is a secret, I reckon the secret's safe! However, we have to talk +about +something else. You can get us some native boys?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll send you a fresh gang. If my new agent +arrives +soon, I'll go with you as far as Sierra Leone. Since you're +short-handed, I +might perhaps help, and I've had enough of the factory."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The others agreed and soon afterwards got to work. +When the negroes +Montgomery sent arrived all the cargo worth salving was re-stowed, and +he +bought the hulk for a floating store. Then, one night when the moon and +tide +were full, <i>Terrier</i> steamed slowly across the lagoon. Two +massive ropes +trailed across her stern and <i>Arcturus'</i> high dark bow towered +above her +phosphorescent wake. The land breeze blew behind her and the surf had +not the +fury the sea breeze gives by day, but when <i>Terrier</i> plunged into +the +turmoil Brown watched the tow ropes with anxious eyes.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Arcturus</i> rolled and sheered about, putting +a horrible +strain on the hawsers, and sometimes for a minute or two it looked as +if she +went astern. Flame blew from the tug's funnel, lighting the black trail +of +smoke; steam roared at her escape-pipe, and the engines throbbed hard. +The ebb +tide, however, was beginning to run and helped her across the shoals. +The +leadsman got deeper water, the rollers got smooth, and presently the +swell was +long and regular and the spray cloud melted astern. In the morning, a +faint +dark line to starboard was all that indicated the African coast. Next +day Brown +steered for the land and called Montgomery to the bridge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I reckon to make an anchorage before dark," he +said. "We'll give the boys the rest they need and send <i>Terrier</i> +to <i>Sar</i> +Leone for coal. Learmont will land you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you're not going to take <i>Arcturus</i> +into +port?" Montgomery remarked with some surprise.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am not. Cartwright expects me to save him as +much as +possible and there are British officers and Board of Trade rules at <i>Sar</i> +Leone. You don't imagine they'd let me start for Las Palmas? Surveys, +reports, +repairs and sending for another tug, might cost two or three thousand +pounds. +Then half my crew are sick and some are helpless, though I reckon +they'll pick +up sooner at sea than in an African hospital."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's a big risk. After all, I owe you much and +know +something about curing malarial fever. Besides, I'm a yachtsman and can +steer +and use the lead. If you'll take me, I'll go all the way. However, you +ought to +send Lister off. He can't hold out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He claims he can," Brown said dryly. "We +have argued about his going to Grand Canary by a mail-boat, but he's +obstinate. +Means to finish the job; that's his sort! Anyhow, it's possible the +Trade +breeze will brace him up, and if he did go, the chances of my taking <i>Arcturus</i> +to Liverpool are not good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery stayed on board and when the tug +returned with +coal they hove anchor and began the long run to Las Palmas. For a time, +Lister +kept the engines going and superintended the pump on board the wreck, +but he +could not sleep and in the morning it was hard to drag himself from his +bunk +and start another laborious day. The strain was horrible and he was +weakening +fast, but it would be cooler soon and perhaps he might hold out until +they met +the invigorating Northeast breeze.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, Cartwright went back to +Liverpool, Mrs. +Cartwright got better, and Barbara waited for news. She had refused +Lister, but +to refuse had cost her more than she had thought. After a time +Cartwright wrote +and stated that the tug and Arcturus had started home. No fresh news +arrived +and Barbara tried to hide her suspense, until one morning a small +African liner +steamed into port. Some passengers landed and when they lunched at the +hotel +one talked about his going off with the first officer to a ship that +signaled +for help.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It was a moving picture," he said. "The +rusty, weed-coated steamer rolling on the blue combers, and the little, +battered tug, holding her head-to-sea. The breeze was strong and for +some days +they had not made three knots an hour. Well, I know something about +fever, but +they were <i>all sick;</i> the engineer delirious and very weak—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara, sitting near the passenger, made an +effort for +calm. Her heart beat and her breath came fast. Nobody remarked her +abrupt +movement and the other went on:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Coal, food and fresh water were running out; +their +medicine chest was empty. Everything was foul with soot, coal-dust and +salt. I +expect it was long since they were able to clean decks. The skipper was +in a +hammock under the bridge-awning and could not get up. An African +trader, +Montgomery of a Liverpool house, seemed to have control. His skin was +yellow, +like a mulatto's."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A young American doctor to whom Barbara had been +talking +looked up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Jaundice after malaria!" he remarked. "I +don't know West Africa, but I was at Panama! Was malaria all the rest +had +got?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It was not," the passenger replied meaningly. +"However, if you know Panama—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Did you try to tow the ship?" Barbara +interrupted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The mate thought it impossible. She was big and +foul +with weed, our boat is small, and we could not delay much because of +the mails. +We sent a surf-boat across with water and food, and then steamed on."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara looked about the table. Mrs. Cartwright +was at the +other end and Barbara thought she had not heard. She touched the young +doctor.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Will you help me on board the African steamer? I +must +see the captain."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why, certainly! We'll look for a boat," the other +replied and they went off.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara saw the captain and when she stated that +the owner +of <i>Arcturus</i> was her step-father he sent for the chief mate, who +narrated +his visit to the wreck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You took the ship's doctor," said Barbara. +"Is he now on board?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The mate said he imagined the doctor had not +landed and +Barbara turned to Wheeler.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Go and find him! Find out all you can!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For some time afterwards she talked to the ship's +officers, +and when Wheeler returned went back to her boat. While the <i>peons</i> +rowed +them to the mole she asked Wheeler for his pocket-book and wrote an +address.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Don Luis Sarmiento is the best doctor in the town +and +had something to do with a fever hospital in Cuba," she said. "If you +tell him I sent you, he will help. Take all the medicine he can give +you and +then go to Leopard Trading Company and buy whatever you think sick men +would +need. Bring me the bills."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If I get all that would be useful, it will cost +you +high," said Wheeler and helped her up the steps at the mole.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is not important. Get the things!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well. But the ship is six hundred miles off. +How +are you going to put the truck on board?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm going to see about that next," Barbara +replied and indicated a cloud of dust rolling along the road. "There's +the +steam tram. Don't talk; hustle!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Wheeler lifted his cap and running along the mole +jumped on +board the tram.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he had gone Barbara went to the office of an +important +English merchant house and asked for the junior partner. She was +strangely +calm, although she knew that when the strain was over she would pay. In +the +meantime, she needed help and admitted it was lucky young men liked +her; she +had not hesitated to use her charm on the American. The junior partner +was keen +to help, and going with her to a coaling office, offered to charter a +powerful +Spanish tug the company had recently bought. The manager agreed and +Barbara +made a calculation.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you can get the boat ready to sail in the +morning, +I'll send you a check when she starts," she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They went out and the merchant gave Barbara an +approving +smile. "I imagine they haven't at the moment much use for the tug, +which +accounts for their being willing to take a moderate sum. All the same, +you +handled the situation like a good business man. Had they known much +about your +plans before we agreed, they would have sent the tug and claimed a +large reward +for salvage. In fact, it looks as if you had saved Mr. Cartwright—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible," Barbara broke in impatiently. +"Still they don't know where <i>Arcturus</i> is and that her crew are +ill. +Now, however, we must engage fresh men to relieve the others. I don't +mind if +you pay them something over the usual rate."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The merchant engaged the crew of a Spanish fishing +schooner +that was being laid up, and Barbara returning to the hotel found +Wheeler in the +garden.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I've got all the medicine and truck I reckon +would be +useful," he said. "If the steamboat man didn't exaggerate, you want a +doctor next."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a level glance and smiled. "If +you like, +you may go! A fast tug sails in the morning."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why," he said, "I'd be delighted! You can +call it fixed. I came along for a holiday, but soon found that loafing +made me +tired—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Thank you," said Barbara and was gone.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The doctor laughed and joining an English friend +in the +hotel ordered a drink.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I reckon I've been rushed," he remarked. +"You folks look slow, but I allow when you do get started some of you +can +move. Since lunch I've been helping an English girl fix some things and +she hit +a pace that left me out of breath."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Miss Hyslop?" said the other. "Perhaps if +she'd had a job for me I might have used an effort to get up speed. A +charming girl, +and I think she's resolute."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She's surely resolute!" Wheeler agreed. +"Miss Hyslop sees where she wants to go and gets there by the shortest +road."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When dusk fell Barbara thought all was ready and +sitting +down by Mrs. Cartwright narrated what she had done. After she stopped +Mrs. +Cartwright put her hand gently on the girl's arm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's lucky you came out with me," she said. +"I would not have known what to do, and I doubt if Mortimer—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara laughed. "Mortimer would have calculated, +weighed one thing against another, and studied his plans for a week. +Mine are +rude, but in the morning they'll begin to work. After all, in a sense, +I have +not done much. I have sent others, when I want to go myself."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's impossible, my dear," said Mrs. Cartwright, +firmly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well, I expect I must be resigned. One is forced +to +pay for breaking rules! I have paid; but we'll talk about something +else."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The tug and supplies have, no doubt, cost much," +Mrs. Cartwright remarked. "You must let me give you a check."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Barbara in a resolute voice. "I +will take no money until mine's all gone. Father's a dear, I owe him +much, and +now I can help I'm going to help. I have sent a cablegram he had better +come +out but in the meantime he needn't be anxious because I have taken +control."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright let her go presently and Barbara +went to her +room. She had borne a heavy strain, but the reaction had begun, and +throwing +herself on a couch she covered her face with her hands and cried.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085314">CHAPTER XI</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085315">LISTER'S REWARD</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Signal flags fluttered in the breeze at the top of +the +Isleta and a smoke cloud stained the blue horizon. For a few minutes +the cloud +vanished, and then rolled up again, thicker than before. Cartwright +studied it +carefully and gave the glasses to Barbara, who stood near him on the +Catalina +mole.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Is that <i>one</i> trail of smoke?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think I see two. Sometimes they melt, but +they're getting +distinct now. There <i>are</i> two!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Cartwright. "Then it's <i>Arcturus</i>. +I expect your tug has saved the situation."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Lister saved <i>Arcturus</i> before I meddled," +Barbara declared with a blush. "However, I'm glad I could help. You +have +often helped me."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "All I gave I have got +back, but I'm not persuaded you didn't mean to help another. Well, +perhaps, the +other deserves your interest. Brown's a useful man, but he has some +drawbacks +and I doubt if he could have carried through the undertaking."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you'll wait in the shade, I'll get a jacket," +Barbara replied. "There's a fresh breeze, the launch splashes, and I'm +going with you to meet <i>Arcturus</i>."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When the first flag blew out from the Isleta +staff, she had +called Cartwright, and they had hurried to the neighboring mole. +Cartwright had +arrived two days before and they had watched the signals until the +longed for +message came: <i>Steamer in tow from the South.</i></p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think you'll wait," said Cartwright quietly. +"You don't know much about fever and the men I sent are not altogether +making a triumphant return."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The blood came to Barbara's skin. She had meant to +go and +hated to be baffled, but Cartwright gave her a steady glance and she +knew there +was no use in arguing when he looked like that.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Did you or your mother tell me Mrs. Seaton +arrived by +a recent boat?" he resumed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara was surprised, but said Mrs. Seaton was at +the +Metropole. Cartwright looked at the tugs' smoke.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, I ought to have time to see her before they +tow <i>Arcturus</i> +in. Some sea is running and they can't steam fast."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He started for the Catalina and when he stopped by +Mrs. +Cartwright's chair his face was hot and he trembled. Hurry and muscular +effort +upset him, but time was valuable.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have not yet asked you for money, Clara," he +said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. +"Sometimes I was hurt because you did not. You ought to know all that's +mine is yours."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. "You are a good sort and I'm +going +to borrow now because I can pay back. I want you to telegraph your bank +to meet +my check."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll write you a check."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Cartwright, "I think the other +plan is better. Well, the sum is rather large—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He stated the sum and Mrs. Cartwright said, "I'm +not +very curious, but why do you want the money?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm going to buy Mrs. Seaton's shares."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Mrs. Cartwright with a disturbed look, +"she tried to force you to buy before."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright knew his placid, good-humored wife +hated Mrs. +Seaton.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're puzzled?" he remarked. "Well, I'd +have bought the shares long since, but I wasn't rich enough and didn't +think my +borrowing was justified. All the same, the block she holds gives her a +dangerous power, and if I can get them I'll baffle the opposition at +the +company's meeting. But I must be quick."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you want to baffle Ellen Seaton, you can use +all +the money I have got!" Mrs. Cartwright declared. "Tell me what I must +telegraph the bank."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright did so and made for the Metropole as +fast as +possible, because the tugs' smoke was not far off. When he reached the +big square +hotel he gave a page his card and frowned while he waited in the +glass-roofed +patio. Time was valuable and he hoped Mrs. Seaton would not be long. On +the +whole, he did not think he was going to be shabby, but perhaps +shabbiness was +justified. Ellen had not forgotten she had thought him her lover, and +although +it was long since she would not forget. She hated his wife and had +tried to +injure him. Cartwright imagined she would try again, and so long as she +kept +her shares her antagonism was dangerous.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She entered the patio with two young tourists, +whom she sent +off, and beckoned Cartwright to a bench behind a palm. The sun that +pierced the +glass roof was strong and he reflected with dry amusement that Ellen +looked +better by electric light in the evening. Although she smiled, her +glance was +keen and not friendly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I arrived some days since and met Barbara in the +street, but she has not been to see me yet," she said. "However, now +you have come I ought to be satisfied! Since you were able to get away +from the +office, I expect shipping is languid."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright thought she meant to be nasty. For one +thing, +Barbara had not gone to see her and perhaps had not urged her calling +at the +hotel. Ellen did not like the girl, but she wanted to know people and +Mrs. Cartwright +had stopped at Las Palmas for some time. As a rule, Clara's friends +were good. +This, however, was not important. He must buy Ellen's shares before <i>Arcturus</i> +arrived and the news of her salvage got about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," he said, "although I think I see +signs of improvement, things are not very promising yet."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you are not hopeful, the outlook must be +black," Mrs. Seaton remarked meaningly. "Perhaps I ought to +sympathize, but the effort's too much. My investments have all gone +wrong and +my luck at the Grand National was remarkably bad. In fact, if nobody +will buy +my shares in your line, I may be forced to agree with the people who +want to +wind up the company."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright thought his luck was good. Ellen was +extravagant +and a gambler. No doubt, she needed money, but he knew she was willing +to hurt +him and could do so. All the same, if she could force him to buy the +shares she +thought worth nothing, her greed would conquer her spitefulness. Well, +he was +going to indulge her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you did join my antagonists, I might pull +through, +but I'll admit it would be awkward," he replied. "In order to avoid +the fight, I'll buy your shares for ten shillings."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton hesitated. She did not want to lose +her power, +but she wanted money. Nominally, the shares were worth a much larger +sum, but +she had found out that nobody else was willing to buy the block. For +all that, +Cartwright was cunning and she wondered whether he knew something she +did not. +She asked for a higher price, but Cartwright refused. He was cool and +humorous, +although he knew <i>Arcturus</i> was steadily nearing the harbor. +Perhaps in a +few minutes the look-out on the Isleta would read her flags. At length +he +pulled out his watch.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have an engagement, but I rather want the +shares. My +getting them would help me at the meeting," he said. "Shall we say +twelve-and-sixpence? This is the limit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," said Mrs. Seaton and smiled with a +sense of triumph. "It looks very greedy, but when can I have a check? +You +see, I'm nearly bankrupt."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Now," said Cartwright, and taking out his +fountain pen, rang a bell. "Send a page for some notepaper and write an +undertaking to deliver me the shares."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton did so and Cartwright wrote the check. +Then she +signed to one of the young men she had sent off. "Since you are very +business-like, you had better have a witness! I'm relieved to get the +check, +particularly since I expected you would be forced to ask Clara for the +money."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright had to smile. The sneer was Ellen's +Parthian +shot. She was retiring from the field, but he owned that she might have +beaten +him by a bold attack and he had been afraid.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went to the bar and ordered a drink, and then +going out +saw fresh signals blow from the Isleta staff. <i>Arcturus'</i> hull +was visible +in the tugs' thick smoke; the look-out on the hill with his big +telescope had +read her flags and was signaling her name and number to the town. +Cartwright +had won by a few minutes and was satisfied, although he had given Mrs. +Seaton +twelve-and-sixpence for her shares, when perhaps he need not. This was +now +about their just value, and, for old time's sake, he had not meant to +cheat +her. In the meantime a launch was waiting to take him on board <i>Arcturus</i> +and he hurried to the mole.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara saw the launch start, with mixed emotions. +She was +something of a rebel and had anybody but Cartwright ordered her to stop +she +would not have obeyed. She waited in the shade, fixing her eyes on the +laboring +tugs. Sometimes she felt a thrill of triumph because Lister had +conquered; +sometimes she was tortured by suspense. She did not know if he stood at +the +levers in the engine-room, or lay, unconscious, in his bunk. Well, she +would +soon know and she shrank.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She rubbed the glasses and looked again. There +were two +towropes; <i>Terrier</i> plunged across the rollers on <i>Arcturus'</i> +starboard bow, the Spanish tug to port. It looked as if the wreck's +steering-gear did not work. Spray blew about the boats and the crested +seas +broke in foaming turmoil against the towed vessel's side until she drew +in +behind the Isleta. A few minutes afterwards she swung round the mole +and +Barbara thought the picture moving.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The tugs looked very small; the half-loaded hull +they towed +to an anchorage floated high above her proper water-line. Rolling on +the +languid swell at the harbor mouth, she looked huge. Her rusty side was +like a +warehouse wall. When she lifted her plates from the water one saw the +wet weed +shine; higher up it clung, parched and dry, to the red iron, although +there +were clean belts where the stuff was scraped away. Barbara pictured the +exhausted +men scraping feebly when the sea was calm and the sun did not touch the +vessel's side.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">All the same, the men had won a triumph. It looked +impossible that the handful of bemused ruffians she had seen start at +Liverpool +could have dragged the big vessel from the bottom of the lagoon, but +the thing +was done. <i>Arcturus</i>, battered and rusty, with sagging masts and +broken +funnel, was coming into harbor. A big pump throbbed on board, throwing +water +down her side; she flew a small, bright red ensign aft and a new +house-flag at +the masthead. Barbara thought the flag flaunted proudly and the thing +was +significant. Cartwright had weathered the storm, but she had helped.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The tugs' engines stopped and Barbara's heart +beat, for a +yellow flag went up. She hated the ominous signal, and turning the +glasses, +followed the doctor's launch. The boat ran alongside <i>Terrier</i>, a +man went +on board, returned and climbed a ladder to <i>Arcturus'</i> deck. He +did not +come back for some time and Barbara looked for Lister, but could not +see him. +Then the yellow flag was hauled down and <i>Arcturus</i> moved slowly +up the +harbor.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A fleet of shore-boats followed and when the +anchor dropped +crowded about the ship. Barbara braced herself and waited. Half the +voyage was +over and when the engines were cleaned and mended <i>Arcturus</i> +would steam +to England. The salvors had won, but sometimes victory cost much, and +Barbara +knew she might have to pay.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A launch with an awning steamed to the mole and +vanished +behind the wall. Barbara stopped in the shade; somehow she durst not go +to the +steps. Cartwright came up, but seeing his grave look, she let him pass. +Then +the American doctor reached the top and called to somebody below. Three +or four +men awkwardly lifted a stretcher to the pavement, and Cartwright signed +to the +driver of a carriage waiting in the road. Wheeler stopped him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's not far. Carrying will be smoother."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well, I'll see all's ready," said Cartwright +and got into the carriage.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Then Barbara went to the stretcher, which was +covered by +green canvas. She thought she knew who lay behind the screens, and her +look was +strained.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Is Mr. Lister very ill?" she asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Wheeler gave her a sympathetic glance. "He is +pretty +sick; he was nearly all in when I boarded the ship. Now it's possible +he'll get +better."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara turned her head, but after a few moments +looked up. +"Thank you for going! Where are the others?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have sent some to the Spanish hospital, landed +them +at the coaling wharf. They're not very sick. The rest are on board."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"<i>All</i> the rest?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Three short," said the doctor quietly. "They +have made their last voyage. But the boys are waiting to get off with +the +stretcher."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara let him go and followed. He looked very +tired and +she did not want to talk. She saw the stretcher carried up the hotel +steps and +along a passage, and then went to her room. A Spanish doctor and nurse +were +waiting and she knew she would be sent away. To feel she could not help +was +hard, but she tried to be resigned and stopped in the quiet room, +listening for +steps. Somebody might bring a message that Lister wanted her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The message did not come and she was conscious of +some +relief, although she was tormented by regretful thoughts. Lister loved +her and +she had refused him, because she was proud. Perhaps her refusal was +justified, but +she was honest, and admitted that she had known he would not let her +go, and +had afterwards wondered how she would reply when he asked her again. +Now she +knew. The strain had broken her resolution. She had indulged her +ridiculous +pride and saw it might cost her much. Her lover was very ill; Wheeler +doubted +if he would get better.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the evening Montgomery joined Cartwright in a +corner of +the smoking-room.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect Captain Brown told you about the bother +I +gave him," he remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," said Cartwright. "He, however, +stated you gave him some help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"All the same, at the beginning, I held up the +job. +When Brown could not work, your expenses ran on and I feel I ought to +pay."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's just. Coming home, when my men were sick and +Brown was in his bunk, you undertook the duties of doctor and +navigator, and +Wheeler admits your cures were good. Since you have a counter-claim, +suppose we +say we're quits?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery felt some relief. It looked as if +Cartwright did +not mean to use his advantage; the old fellow was generous. Montgomery +hesitated for a moment and then resumed: "I understand you bought the +wreck?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I used the shareholders' money; at all events, I +used +as much as I durst. She's the company's ship."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But the cargo?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The cargo's mine. That is, I get an allowance, +agreed +upon with the underwriters for all I have salved. I rather think the +sum will +be large."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you're satisfied? Although you didn't get +all the +gold and lost the valuable gum in the lazaret?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "I've some grounds for +satisfaction, and I know when to stop! But perhaps I'd better be as +frank as is +needful. Very well! I get salvage on some of the gold. The rest is +under the +surf and nobody will open the boxes now. The thing's done with."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery was moved, but he saw there was no more +to be +said and asked quietly: "Will you tell me what you think about the +prospects of the line?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"On the whole, I imagine the prospects are good. +We +have got a useful boat for a very small sum, and the last report was <i>Oreana</i> +could probably be floated without much damage when the St. Lawrence ice +breaks. +Well, I calculate next year's trading will earn us a small dividend, +and since +business is improving, we ought to prosper before very long."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Thank you," said Montgomery. "I know something +about the line and imagine the directors may need support. Just now I +have some +money that does not earn much. Would it help if I bought a number of +your +shares?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not," said Cartwright. "The plan has +drawbacks. People are sometimes uncharitable and I have antagonists who +might +hint at a bribe. Besides, I don't need support. My luck has turned and +I rather +think I can break the opposition." He smiled and getting up, put his +hand +on Montgomery's arm. "All the same, when I send a boat to Africa you +can +load her up. Now I'm going to find the nurse and ask about Lister."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister was delirious, and for two or three days +the doctors +doubted his recovery. Then, one morning, they said his temperature had +fallen +and there was hope. Next morning they admitted that he was slowly +making +progress. Barbara did not leave the hotel, lest she miss the latest +news from +the sick-room. She was not allowed to go in, and when evening came she +knew she +could not sleep. She had not slept much since they carried Lister up +the steps.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When all was quiet and the guests had gone to bed +she went +to the veranda and leaned against the rails. She was highly strung and +rebellious. Lister had sent her a message, but she was not allowed to +see him +yet. She wanted to see him and was persuaded that for him to see her +would not +hurt. She knew he wanted her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The moon was bright, but the shadow of the hotel +stretched +across the garden. Somebody was moving about in the gloom and Barbara +started +when she saw it was the nurse. The tired woman had gone out to rest for +a few +minutes in the cool night air and Barbara saw her opportunity.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Stealing across the veranda, she went along a +passage and up +some stairs. The landing at the top was dark, but she knew Lister's +door, and +turning the handle quietly, looked in. Bright moonlight shone through +the open +window and a curtain moved in the gentle breeze. Mosquito gauze wavered +about +the bed where a quiet figure lay. Barbara stole across the floor and +pulled +back the guard. The rings rattled and Lister opened his eyes. He +smiled, and +Barbara, kneeling by the bed, put her arm round his neck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My dear! You know me?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Of course! I wanted you. Since I got my senses +back, +I've tried to call you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You called not long since. I cheated the nurse +and +came; but if you ought to be quiet, I mustn't talk. The doctors said—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They don't understand," said Lister. "Now I +have seen you, I'm going to get well."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara lifted her head and studied him. His face +was pinched, +his skin was very white and wet. Her eyes filled and she was moved by +tender +pity.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, my dear!" she said. "It was for my sake +you went!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister took her hand, and she felt his was thin +and hot. +"I'm paid for all! But, Barbara, I think you're <i>logical</i> When +I'm +better—?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She kissed him. "Of course. I'll marry you when +you +like. In the meantime you're weak and tired and must go to sleep."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am tired," he admitted. "Besides, the +nurse will come."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gently touched his wet hair and moved his +pillow. +"The nurse is not important, but you mustn't talk."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She gave him her hand again and he went to sleep. +Some time +afterwards the nurse returned and started when she saw the white figure +kneeling by the bed. Then she began to talk angrily in a low voice. +Barbara was +getting cramped, but without moving her body, she looked at the nurse +and her +eyes sparkled with rebellious fire.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Be quiet; he mustn't wake!" she said. +"There's no use in arguing. I mean to stay!"</p> +<hr> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10076 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6521587 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10076 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10076) diff --git a/old/10076-8.txt b/old/10076-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c13acc0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10076-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9408 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Lister's Great Adventure, by Harold Bindloss + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Lister's Great Adventure + +Author: Harold Bindloss + +Release Date: November 13, 2003 [eBook #10076] + +Language: English + +Chatacter set encoding: iso-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LISTER'S GREAT ADVENTURE*** + + +E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Suzanne Shell, David Kline, and +Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + + +LISTER'S GREAT ADVENTURE + +BY HAROLD BINDLOSS + +_Author_ of "THE WILDERNESS MINE," "WYNDHAM'S PAL," "PARTNERS OF THE +OUT-TRAIL," "THE BUCCANEER FARMER," "THE LURE OF THE NORTH," "THE GIRL +FROM KELLER'S," "CARMEN'S MESSENGER," ETC. + +1920 + + + + + + + +CONTENTS + +PART I--BARBARA'S REBELLION + +CHAPTER + +I CARTWRIGHT MEDDLES + +II IN THE DARK + +III BARBARA VANISHES + +IV THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM + +V SHILLITO GETS AWAY + +VI WINNIPEG BEACH + +VII LISTER'S DISSATISFACTION + +VIII THE TEST + +IX BARBARA PLAYS A PART + +X VERNON'S CURIOSITY + +PART II--THE RECKONING + +I VERNON'S PLOT + +II BARBARA'S RETURN + +III LISTER CLEARS THE GROUND + +IV A DISSATISFIED SHAREHOLDER + +V CARTWRIGHT'S SCRUPLES + +VI A NASTY KNOCK + +VII THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING + +VIII A STOLEN EXCURSION + +IX CARTWRIGHT SEES A PLAN + +X A BOLD SPECULATION + +XI THE START + +PART III--THE BREAKING STRAIN + +I THE FIRST STRUGGLE + +II THE WRECK + +III A FUEL PROBLEM + +IV MONTGOMERY'S OFFER + +V MONTGOMERY USES HIS POWER + +VI LISTER MEETS AN OLD ANTAGONIST + +VII BARBARA'S REFUSAL + +VIII CARTWRIGHT GETS TO WORK + +IX LISTER MAKES GOOD + +X BARBARA TAKES CONTROL + +XI LISTER'S REWARD + + + +PART I--BARBARA'S REBELLION + + + +CHAPTER I + +CARTWRIGHT MEDDLES + +Dinner was over, and Cartwright occupied a chair on the lawn in front of +the Canadian summer hotel. Automatic sprinklers threw sparkling showers +across the rough, parched grass, the lake shimmered, smooth as oil, in +the sunset, and a sweet, resinous smell drifted from the pines that +rolled down to the water's edge. The straight trunks stood out against a +background of luminous red and green, and here and there a slanting beam +touched a branch with fire. + +Natural beauty had not much charm for Cartwright, who was satisfied to +loaf and enjoy the cool of the evening. He had, as usual, dined well, +his cigar was good, and he meant to give Mrs. Cartwright half an hour. +Clara expected this, and, although he was sometimes bored, he indulged +her when he could. Besides, it was too soon for cards. The lights had +not begun to spring up in the wooden hotel, and for the most part the +guests were boating on the lake. When he had finished his cigar it would +be time to join the party in the smoking-room. Cartwright was something +of a gambler and liked the American games. They gave one scope for +bluffing, and although his antagonists declared his luck was good, he +knew his nerve was better. In fact, since he lost his money by a +reckless plunge, he had to some extent lived by bluff. Yet some people +trusted Tom Cartwright. + +Mrs. Cartwright did so. She was a large, dull woman, but had kept a +touch of the beauty that had marked her when she was young. She was +kind, conventional, and generally anxious to take the proper line. +Cartwright was twelve years older, and since she was a widow and had +three children when she married him, her friends declared her money +accounted for much, and a lawyer relation carefully guarded, against +Cartwright's using her fortune. + +Yet, in a sense, Cartwright was not an adventurer, although his ventures +in finance and shipping were numerous. He sprang from an old Liverpool +family whose prosperity diminished when steamers replaced sailing ships. +His father had waited long before he resigned himself to the change, but +was not altogether too late, and Cartwright was now managing owner of +the Independent Freighters Line. The company's business had brought him +to Montreal, and when it was transacted he had taken Mrs. Cartwright and +her family to the hotel by the Ontario lake. + +Cartwright's hair and mustache were white; his face was fleshy and red. +He was fastidious about his clothes, and his tailor cleverly hid the +bulkiness of his figure. As a rule, his look was fierce and commanding, +but now and then his small keen eyes twinkled. Although Cartwright was +clever, he was, in some respects, primitive. He had long indulged his +appetites, and wore the stamp of what is sometimes called good living. + +The managing owner of the Independent Freighters needed cleverness, +since the company was small and often embarrassed for money. For the +most part, it ran its ships in opposition to the regular liners. When +the _Conference_ forced up freights Cartwright quietly canvassed the +merchants and offered to carry their goods at something under the +standard rate, if the shippers would engage to fill up his boat. As a +rule, secrecy was important, but sometimes, when cargo was scarce, +Cartwright let his plans be known and allowed the _Conference_ to buy +him off. Although his skill in the delicate negotiations was marked, the +company paid small dividends and he had enemies among the shareholders. +Now, however, he was satisfied. _Oreana_ had sailed for Montreal, loaded +to the limit the law allowed, and he had booked her return cargo before +the _Conference_ knew he was cutting rates. + +Mrs. Cartwright talked, but she talked much and Cartwright hardly +listened, and looked across the lake. A canoe drifted out from behind a +neighboring point, and its varnished side shone in the fading light. +Then a man dipped the paddle, and the ripple at the bow got longer and +broke the reflections of the pines. A girl, sitting at the stern, put +her hands in the water, and when she flung the sparkling drops at her +companion her laugh came across the lake. Cartwright's look got keen and +he began to note his wife's remarks. + +"Do you imply Barbara's getting fond of the fellow?" he asked. + +"I am afraid of something like that," Mrs. Cartwright admitted. "In a +way, one hesitates to meddle; sometimes meddling does harm, and, of +course, if Barbara really loved the young man--" She paused and gave +Cartwright a sentimental smile. "After all, I married for love, and a +number of my friends did not approve." + +Cartwright grunted. He had married Clara because she was rich, but it +was something to his credit that she had not suspected this. Clara was +dull, and her dullness often amused him. + +"If you think it necessary, I won't hesitate about meddling," he +remarked. "Shillito's a beggarly sawmill clerk." + +"He said he was _treasurer_ for an important lumber company. Barbara's +very young and romantic, and although she has not known him long--" + +"She has known him for about two weeks," Cartwright rejoined. "Perhaps +it's long enough. Shillito's what Canadians call a looker and Barbara's +a romantic fool. I've no doubt he's found out she'll inherit some money; +it's possible she's told him. Now I come to think about it, she was off +somewhere all the afternoon, and it looks as if she had promised the +fellow the evening." + +He indicated the canoe and was satisfied when Mrs. Cartwright agreed, +since he refused to wear spectacles and own his sight was going. +Although Clara was generous, he could not use her money, and, indeed, +did not mean to do so, but he was extravagant and his managing owner's +post was not secure. When one had powerful antagonists, one did not +admit that one was getting old. + +"I doubt if Shillito's character is all one could wish,'" Mrs. +Cartwright resumed. "Character's very important, don't you think? Mrs. +Grant--the woman with the big hat--knows something about him and she +said he was _fierce_. I think she meant he was wild. Then she hinted he +spent money he ought not to spend. But isn't a treasurer's pay good?" + +Cartwright smiled, for he was patient to his wife. "It depends upon the +company. A treasurer is sometimes a book-keeping clerk. However, the +trouble is, Barbara's as wild as a hawk, though I don't know where she +got her wildness. Her brother and sister are tame enough." + +"Sometimes I'm bothered about Barbara," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. "She's +rash and obstinate; not like the others. I don't know if they're tame, +but they had never given me much anxiety. One can trust them to do all +they ought." + +Cartwright said nothing. As a rule, Clara's son and elder daughter +annoyed him. Mortimer Hyslop was a calculating prig; Grace was finicking +and bound by ridiculous rules. She was pale and inanimate; there was no +blood in her. But Cartwright was fond of the younger girl. Barbara was +frankly flesh and blood; he liked her flashes of temper and her pluck. + +When the canoe came to the landing he got up. "Leave the thing to me," +he said. "I'll talk to Shillito." + +He went off, but when he reached the steps to the veranda in front of +the hotel he stopped. His gout bothered him. At the top Mortimer Hyslop +was smoking a cigarette. The young man was thin and looked bored; his +summer clothes were a study in harmonious colors, and he had delicate +hands like a woman's. When he saw Cartwright stop he asked: "Can I help +you up, sir?" + +Cartwright's face got red. He hated an offer of help that drew attention +to his infirmity, and thought Mortimer knew. + +"No, thanks! I'm not a cripple yet. Have you seen Shillito?" + +"You'll probably find him in the smoking room. The card party has gone +in and he's a gambler." + +"So am I!" + +Mortimer shrugged, and Cartwright wondered whether the fellow meant to +imply that his gambling was not important since he had married a rich +wife. The young man, however, hesitated and looked thoughtful. + +"I don't know your object for wanting Shillito, but if my supposition's +near the mark, might I state that I approve? In fact, I'd begun to +wonder whether something ought not to be done. The fellow's plausible. +Not our sort, of course; but when a girl's romantic and obstinate--" + +Cartwright stopped him. "Exactly! Well, I'm the head of the house and +imagine you can leave the thing to me. Perhaps it doesn't matter if your +sister is obstinate. I'm going to talk to Shillito." + +He crossed the veranda, and Mortimer returned to his chair and +cigarette. He did not approve his step-father, but admitted that +Cartwright could be trusted to handle a matter like this. Mortimer's +fastidiousness was sometimes a handicap, but Cartwright had none. + +Cartwright entered the smoking-room and crossed the floor to a table, at +which two or three men stood as if waiting for somebody. One was young +and tall. His thin face was finely molded, his eyes and hair were very +black, and his figure was marked by an agile grace. + +He looked up sharply as Cartwright advanced. + +"I want you for a few minutes," Cartwright said roughly, as if he gave +an order. + +Shillito frowned, but went with him to the back veranda. Although the +night was warm and an electric light burned under the roof, nobody was +about. Cartwright signed the other to sit down. + +"I expect your holiday's nearly up, and the hotel car meets the train in +the morning," he remarked. + +"What about it?" Shillito asked. "I'm not going yet." + +"You're going to-morrow," said Cartwright grimly. + +Shillito smiled and gave him an insolent look, but his smile vanished. +Cartwright's white mustache bristled, his face was red, and his eyes +were very steady. It was not for nothing the old ship-owner had fronted +disappointed investors and forced his will on shareholders' meetings. +Shillito saw the fellow was dangerous. + +"I'll call you," he said, using a gambler's phrase. + +"Very well," said Cartwright. "I think my cards are good, and if I can't +win on one suit, I'll try another. To begin with, the hotel proprietor +sent for me. He stated the house was new and beginning to pay, and he +was anxious about its character. People must be amused, but he was +running a summer hotel, not a gambling den. The play was too high, and +young fools got into trouble; two or three days since one got broke. +Well, he wanted me to use my influence, and I said I would." + +"He asked you to keep the stakes in bounds? It's a good joke!" + +"Not at all," said Cartwright dryly. "I like an exciting game, so long +as it is straight, and when I lose I pay. I do lose, and if I come out +fifty dollars ahead when I leave, I'll be satisfied. How much have you +cleared?" + +Shillito said nothing, and Cartwright went on: "My antagonists are old +card-players who know the game; but when you broke Forman he was drunk +and the other two were not quite sober. You play against young fools and +_your luck's too good_. If you force me to tell all I think and +something that I know. I imagine you'll get a straight hint to quit." + +"You talked about another plan," Shillito remarked. + +"On the whole, I think the plan I've indicated will work. If it does not +and you speak to any member of Mrs. Cartwright's family, I'll thrash you +on the veranda when people are about. I won't state my grounds for doing +so; they ought to be obvious." + +Shillito looked at the other hand. Cartwright's eyes were bloodshot, his +face was going purple, and he thrust out his heavy chin. Shillito +thought he meant all he said, and his threat carried weight. The old +fellow was, of course, not a match for the vigorous young man, but +Shillito saw he had the power to do him an injury that was not +altogether physical. He pondered for a few moments, and then got up. + +"I'll pull out," he said with a coolness that cost him much. + +Cartwright nodded. "There's another thing. If you write to Miss Hyslop, +your letters will be burned." + +He went back to the smoking-room, and playing with his usual boldness, +won twenty dollars. Then he joined Mrs. Cartwright on the front veranda +and remarked: "Shillito won't bother us. He goes in the morning." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a grateful smile. She had long known that when +she asked her husband's help difficulties were removed. Now he had +removed Shillito, and she was satisfied but imagined he was not. +Cartwright knitted his white brows and drew hard at his cigar. + +"You had better watch Barbara until the fellow starts," he resumed. +"Then I think you and the girls might join the Vernons at their fishing +camp. Vernon would like it, and he's a useful friend; besides, it's +possible Shillito's obstinate. Your letters needn't follow you; have +them sent to me at Montreal, which will cover your tracks. I must go +back in a few days." + +Mrs. Cartwright weighed the suggestion. Vernon was a Winnipeg merchant, +and his wife had urged her to join the party at the fishing camp in the +woods. The journey was long, but Mrs. Cartwright rather liked the plan. +Shillito would not find them, and Mrs. Vernon had two sons. + +"Can't you come with us?" she asked. "Mortimer is going to Detroit." + +"Sorry I can't," said Cartwright firmly. "I don't want to leave you, but +business calls." + +He was relieved when Mrs. Cartwright let it go. Clara was a good sort +and seldom argued. He had loafed about with her family for two weeks and +had had enough. Moreover, business did call. If the _Conference_ found +out before his boat arrived that he had engaged _Oreana's_ return load, +they might see the shippers and make trouble. Anyhow, they would use +some effort to get the cargo for their boats. Sometimes one promised +regular customers a drawback on standard rates. + +"I'll write to Mrs. Vernon in the morning," Mrs. Cartwright remarked. + +"Telegraph" said Cartwright, who did not lose time when he had made a +plan. "When the lines are not engaged after business hours, you can send +a night-letter; a long message at less than the proper charge." + +Mrs. Cartwright looked pleased. Although she was rich and sometimes +generous, she liked small economies. + +"After all, writing a letter's tiresome," she said. "Telegrams are easy. +Will you get me a form?" + + + +CHAPTER II + +IN THE DARK + +In the morning Cartwright told the porter to take his chair to the beach +and sat down in a shady spot. He had not seen Barbara at breakfast and +was rather sorry for her, but she had not known Shillito long, and +although she might be angry for a time, her hurt could not be deep. +Lighting his pipe, he watched the path that led between the pines to the +water. + +By and by a girl came out of the shadow, and going to the small +landing-stage, looked at her wrist-watch. Cartwright imagined she did +not see him and studied her with some amusement. Barbara looked +impatient. People did not often keep her waiting, and she had not +inherited her mother's placidity. She had a touch of youthful beauty, +and although she was impulsive and rather raw, Cartwright thought her +charm would be marked when she met the proper people and, so to speak, +got toned down. + +Cartwright meant her to meet the proper people, because he was fond of +Barbara. She had grace, and although her figure was slender and girlish, +she carried herself well. Her brown eyes were steady, her small mouth +was firm, and as a rule her color was delicate white and pink. Now it +was high, and Cartwright knew she was angry. She wore boating clothes +and had obviously meant to go on the lake. The trouble was, her +companion had not arrived. + +"Hallo!" said Cartwright. "Are you waiting for somebody?" + +Barbara advanced and sat down on a rocky ledge. + +"No," she said, "I'm not waiting _now_." + +Cartwright smiled. He knew Barbara's temper, and his line was to keep +her resentment warm. + +"You mean, you have given him up and won't go if he does arrive? Well, +when a young man doesn't keep his appointment, it's the proper plan." + +She blushed, but tried to smile. "I don't know if you're clever or not +just now, although you sometimes do see things the others miss. I really +was a little annoyed." + +"I've lived a long time," said Cartwright. "However, perhaps it's +important I haven't forgotten I was young. I think your brother and +sister never were very young. They were soberer than me when I knew them +first." + +"Mortimer _is_ a stick," Barbara agreed. "He and Grace have a calm +superiority that makes one savage now and then. I like human people, who +sometimes let themselves go--" + +She stopped, and Cartwright noted her wandering glance that searched the +beach and the path to the hotel. He knew whom she expected, and thought +it would give her some satisfaction to quarrel with the fellow. +Cartwright did not mean to soothe her. + +"Mr. Shillito ought to have sent his apologies when he found he could +not come," he said. + +Barbara's glance got fixed, and Cartwright knew he had blundered. + +"Oh!" she said, "now I begin to see! Mother kept me by her all the +evening; but mother's not very clever and Mortimer's too fastidious to +meddle, unless he gets a dignified part. Of course, the plot was yours!" + +Cartwright nodded. Sometimes he used tact, but he was sometimes brutally +frank. + +"You had better try to console yourself with the Wheeler boys; they're +straight young fellows. Shillito is gone. He went by the car this +morning and it's unlikely he'll come back." + +"You sent him off?" said Barbara, and her eyes sparkled. "Well, I'm not +a child and you're not my father really. Why did you meddle?" + +"For one thing, he's not your sort. Then I'm a meddlesome old fellow and +rather fond of you. To see you entangled by a man like Shillito would +hurt. Let him go. If you want to try your powers, you'll find a number +of honest young fellows on whom you can experiment. The boys one meets +in this country are a pretty good sample." + +"There's a rude vein in you," Barbara declared. "One sees it sometimes, +although you're sometimes kind. Anyhow, I won't be bullied and +controlled; I'm not a shareholder in the Cartwright line. I don't know +if it's important, but why don't you like Mr. Shillito?" + +Cartwright's eyes twinkled. In a sense, he could justify his getting rid +of Shillito, but he knew Barbara and doubted if she could be persuaded. +Still she was not a fool, and he would give her something to think +about. + +"It's possible my views are not important," he agreed. "All the same, +when I told the man he had better go he saw the force of my arguments. +He went, and I think his going is significant. Since I'd sooner not +quarrel, I'll leave you to weigh this." + +He went off, but Barbara stopped and brooded. She was angry and +humiliated, but perhaps the worst was she had a vague notion Cartwright +might be justified. It was very strange Shillito had gone. All the same, +she did not mean to submit. Her mother's placid conventionality had long +irritated her; one got tired of galling rules and criticism. She was not +going to be molded into a calculating prude like Grace, or a prig like +Mortimer. They did not know the ridiculous good-form they cultivated was +out of date. In fact, she had had enough and meant to rebel. + +Then she began to think about Shillito. His carelessness was strangely +intriguing; he stood for adventure and all the romance she had known. +Besides, he was a handsome fellow; she liked his reckless twinkle and +his coolness where coolness was needed. For all that, she would not +acknowledge him her lover; Barbara did not know if she really wanted a +lover yet. She imagined Cartwright had got near the mark when he said +she wanted to try her power. Cartwright was keen, although Barbara +sensed something in him that was fierce and primitive. + +Perhaps nobody else could have bullied Shillito; Mortimer certainly +could not, but Barbara refused to speculate about the means Cartwright +had used. + +Shillito ought not to have gone without seeing her; this was where it +hurt. She was entitled to be angry--and then she started, for a page boy +came quietly out of the shade. + +"A note, miss," he said with a grin. "I was to give it you when nobody +was around." + +Barbara's heart beat, but she gave the boy a quarter and opened the +envelope. The note was short and not romantic. Shillito stated he had +grounds for imagining it might not reach her, but if it did, he begged +she would give him her address when she left the hotel. He told her +where to write, and added if she could find a way to get his letters he +had much to say. + +His coolness annoyed Barbara, but he had excited her curiosity and she +was intrigued. Moreover, Cartwright had tried to meddle and she wanted +to feel she was cleverer than he. Then Shillito was entitled to defend +himself, and to find the way he talked about would not be difficult. +Barbara knitted her brows and began to think. + +At lunch Mrs. Cartwright told her they were going to join the Vernons in +the woods and she acquiesced. Two or three days afterwards they started, +and at the station she gave Cartwright her hand with a smiling glance, +but Cartwright knew his step-daughter and was not altogether satisfied. +Barbara did not sulk; when one tried to baffle her she fought. + +The Vernons' camp was like others Winnipeg people pitch in the lonely +woods that roll west from Fort William to the plains. It is a rugged +country pierced by angry rivers and dotted by lakes, but a gasolene +launch brought up supplies, the tents were large and double-roofed, and +for a few weeks one could play at pioneering without its hardships. The +Vernons were hospitable, the young men and women given to healthy sport, +and Mrs. Cartwright, watching Barbara fish and paddle on the lake, +banished her doubts. For herself she did not miss much; the people were +nice, and the cooking was really good. + +When two weeks had gone, Grace and Barbara sat one evening among the +stones by a lake. The evening was calm, the sun was setting, and the +shadow of the pines stretched across the tranquil water. Now and then +the reflections trembled and a languid ripple broke against the +driftwood on the beach. In the distance a loon called, but when its wild +cry died away all was very quiet. + +Grace looked across the lake and frowned. She was a tall girl, and +although she had walked for some distance in the woods, her clothes were +hardly crumpled. Her face was finely molded, but rather colorless; her +hands were very white, while Barbara's were brown. Her dress and voice +indicated cultivated taste; but the taste was negative, as if Grace had +banished carefully all that jarred and then had stopped. It was +characteristic that she was tranquil, although she had grounds for +disturbance. They were some distance from camp and it would soon be +dark, but nothing broke the gleaming surface of the lake. The boat that +ought to have met them had not arrived. + +"I suppose this is the spot where Harry Vernon agreed to land and take +us on board?" she said. + +"It's like the spot. I understand we must watch out for a point opposite +an island with big trees." + +"Watch out?" Grace remarked. + +"Watch out is good Canadian," Barbara rejoined. "I'm studying the +language and find it expressive and plain. When our new friends talk you +know what they mean. Besides, I'd better learn their idioms, because I +might stop in Canada if somebody urged me." + +Grace gave her a quiet look. Barbara meant to annoy her, or perhaps did +not want to admit she had mistaken the spot. Now Grace came to think +about it, the plan that the young men should meet them and paddle them +down the lake was Barbara's. + +"I don't see why we didn't go with Harry and the other, as he +suggested," she said. + +"Then, you're rather dull. They didn't really want us; they wanted to +fish. To know when people might be bored is useful." + +"But there are a number of bays and islands. They may go somewhere +else," Grace insisted. + +"Oh well, it ought to amuse Harry and Winter to look for us, and if +they're annoyed, they deserve some punishment. If they had urged us very +much to go, I would have gone. Anyhow, you needn't bother. There's a +short way back to camp by the old loggers' trail." + +Grace said nothing. She thought Barbara's carelessness was forced; +Barbara was sometimes moody. Perhaps she felt Shillito's going more than +she was willing to own. For all that, the fellow was gone, and Barbara +would, no doubt, presently be consoled. + +"If mother could see things!" Barbara resumed. "Sometimes one feels one +wants a guide, but all one gets is a ridiculous platitude from her +old-fashioned code. One has puzzles one can't solve by out-of-date +rules. However, since she doesn't see, there's no use in bothering." + +"I'm your elder sister, but you don't give me your confidence." + +Barbara's mood changed and her laugh was touched by scorn. "You are +worse than mother. She's kind, but can't see; you don't want to see. I'd +sooner trust my step-father. He's a very human old ruffian. I wish I had +a real girl friend, but you tactfully freeze off all the girls I like. +It's strange how many people there are whom virtuous folks don't +approve." + +Grace missed the note of appeal in her sister's bitterness. She did not +see the girl as disturbed by doubts and looked in perplexity for a +guiding light. Afterwards, when understanding was too late, Grace partly +understood. + +"Mr. Cartwright is not a ruffian." she said coldly. + +"I suppose you're taking the proper line, and you'd be rather noble, +only you're not sincere. You don't like Cartwright and know he doesn't +like you. All the same, it's not important. We were talking about +getting home, and since the boys have not come for us we had better +start." + +The loon had flown away and nothing broke the surface of the lake; the +shadows had got longer and driven back the light. Thin mist drifted +about the islands, the green glow behind the trunks was fading, and it +would soon be dark. + +"In winter, the big timber wolves prowl about the woods," Barbara +remarked. "Horrible, savage brutes! I expect you saw the heads at the +packer's house. Still, one understands they stay North until the frost +begins." + +She got up, and when they set off Grace looked regretfully across the +lake, for she would sooner have gone home on board the fishing bateau. +She was puzzled. The bays on the lake were numerous, and islands dotted +the winding reaches, but it was strange the young men had gone to the +wrong spot. They knew the lake and had told Barbara where to meet them. +In the meantime, however, the important thing was to get home. + +Darkness crept across the woods, and as she stumbled along the uneven +trail Grace got disturbed. She felt the daunting loneliness, the quiet +jarred her nerve. The pines looked ghostly in the gloom. They were +ragged and strangely stiff, it looked as if their branches never moved, +and the dark gaps between the trunks were somehow forbidding. + +Grace did not like Canada. Her cultivation was artificial, but Canada +was primitive and stern. In the towns, one found inventions that +lightened labor, and brought to the reach of all a physical comfort that +in England only the rich enjoyed, but the contrasts were sharp. One left +one's hotel, with its very modern furniture, noisy elevators and +telephones, and plunged into the wilderness where all was as it had been +from the beginning. Grace shrank from primitive rudeness and hated +adventure. Living by rule she distrusted all she did not know. She +thought it strange that Barbara, who feared nothing, let her go in +front. + +They came to a pool. All round, the black tops of the pines cut the sky; +the water was dark and sullen in the gloom. The trail followed its edge +and when a loon's wild cry rang across the woods Grace stopped. She knew +the cry of the lonely bird that haunts the Canadian wilds, but it had a +strange note, like mocking laughter. Grace disliked the loon when its +voice first disturbed her sleep at the fishing camp; she hated it +afterwards. + +"Go on!" said Barbara sharply. + +For a moment or two Grace stood still. She did not want to stop, but +something in Barbara's voice indicated strain. If Barbara were startled, +it was strange. Then, not far off, a branch cracked and the pine-spray +rustled as if they were gently pushed aside. + +"Oh!" Grace cried, "something is creeping through the bush!" + +"Then don't stop," said Barbara. "Perhaps it's a wolf!" + +Grace clutched her dress and ran. At first, she thought she heard +Barbara behind, but she owned she had not her sister's pluck and fear +gave her speed. She must get as far as possible from the pool before she +stopped. Besides, she imagined something broke through the undergrowth +near the trail, but her heart beat and she could not hear properly. + +At length her breath got labored and she was forced to stop. All was +quiet and the quiet was daunting. Barbara was not about and when Grace +called did not reply. Grace tried to brace herself. Perhaps she ought to +go back, but she could not; she shrank from the terror that haunted the +dark. Then she began to argue that to go back was illogical. If Barbara +had lost her way, she could not help. It was better to push on to the +camp and send men who knew the woods to look for her sister. She set +off, and presently saw with keen relief the light of a fire reflected on +calm water. + + + +CHAPTER III + +BARBARA VANISHES + +Grace's arrival was greeted by a shout, and when she stopped in front of +the dining-tent a group of curious people surrounded her. The double +roof of the big tent was extended horizontally, and a lamp hanging from +a pole gave a brilliant light. Grace would sooner the light had been +dim, for she was hot and her clothes were torn and wet with dew. +Besides, she must tell her tale and admit that she had not played a +heroic part. + +"Where's Barbara?" Mrs. Cartwright asked. + +"I don't know. Harry Vernon did not meet us and we started home by the +loggers' trail. I lost Barbara by the pool. Something in the bush tried +to creep up to us; a wolf, I think--" + +"Oh, shucks!" remarked a frank Winnipeg girl who did not like Miss +Hyslop. "In summer, you can't find a wolf south of Broken Range. Looks +as if you were scared for nothing, but I can't see why Barbara didn't +beat you at hitting up the pace." + +Others asked questions, and when Grace got breath she tried to satisfy +their curiosity. Some of the group looked thoughtful and Mrs. Vernon +said: + +"Nothing can have hurt Barbara, and if she has lost her way, she cannot +wander far, because she must be in the loop between the river and the +lake. But Harry did go to meet you, and when he found you had not come +back went off again with Bob. I expect they'll soon arrive with +Barbara." + +They waited for half-an-hour, and then, when the splash of paddles stole +out of the dark, ran down to the beach. Presently a double-ended bateau +crossed the beam of light and grounded. A young man helped Barbara out +and gave her his arm. + +"You mustn't bother, Harry. I can walk all right," she said. + +"Get hold," said Vernon. "You're not going to walk. If you're obstinate, +I'll carry you." + +Barbara leaned upon his arm, but her color was high and her look +strained when he helped her across the stones. Harry Vernon was a tall, +thin, wiry Canadian, with a quiet face. When he got to the tent he +opened the curtain, and beckoning Mrs. Cartwright, pushed Barbara +inside. + +"You'll give her some supper, ma'am, and I'll chase the others off," he +said. "The little girl's tired and mustn't be disturbed." + +Barbara gave him a grateful look and the blood came to his sunburned +skin. + +"I am a little tired," she declared, and added, too quietly for Mrs. +Cartwright to hear: "You're a white man." + +Vernon pulled the curtain across, and joining the others, lighted a +cigarette. + +"The girls stopped at False Point, two miles short of the spot we +fixed," he said. "I reckon Bob's directions were not plain enough. Since +we didn't come along, they started back by the loggers' trail, while we +went to look for them by the other track. At the pool, they thought they +heard a wolf. That's so, Miss Hyslop?" + +"Yes," said Grace. "I ran away and thought I heard Barbara following. +But what happened afterwards?" + +"She fell. Hurt her foot, had to stop, and then couldn't make good time. +We found her limping along, and shoved through the bush for the river, +so she needn't walk. Well, I think that's all." + +It was plausible, but Grace was not altogether satisfied. Moreover, she +imagined Vernon was not, and noted that Mrs. Vernon gave him a +thoughtful glance. All the same, there was nothing to be said, and she +went to her tent. + +At daybreak Vernon left the camp, and when he reached the pool walked +round its edge and then sat down and lighted his pipe. A few yards in +front, a number of faint marks were printed on a belt of sand. By and by +he heard steps, and frowned when Winter came out from an opening in the +row of trunks. They were friends, and Bob was a very good sort, but +Vernon would sooner he had stopped away. + +"Hallo!" he said. "Why have you come along?" + +"I lost my hunting-knife," Winter replied. "It was hooked to my belt and +I thought the clip let go when we helped Miss Hyslop over the big log. A +bully knife; I wanted to find the thing." He paused and smiled when he +resumed: "I reckon you pulled out of camp to meditate?" + +Vernon hesitated. Had Winter stopped a few yards off, he would have +begun some banter and drawn him away from the pool. Bob was a woodsman +and his eyes were keen. The sun was, however, rising behind the pines +and a beam of light touched the sand. There was no use in trying to hide +the marks. In fact, Vernon imagined Bob had seen them. + +"No," he said. "I thought I'd try to trail the wolf Miss Hyslop talked +about." + +"Looks as if you'd found some tracks," Winter remarked. "Well, they're +not a wolf's." He sat down opposite Vernon. "A man's! I saw another at a +soft spot. He followed the girls from the lake and stopped for some +time. I allow I reckoned on something like that." + +Vernon made an experiment. "Might have been a packer going to a logging +camp, or perhaps an Indian." + +"Shucks!" said Winter, although he gave Vernon a sympathetic smile. +"There are no Indians about the lake and packers' boots don't make marks +like those. A city boot and a city man! A fellow who's wise to the bush +lifts his feet. Anyhow, I reckon he doesn't belong to your crowd." + +"A sure thing!" Vernon agreed. "I can fix where all the boys were. +Besides, if somebody in our lot had wanted to talk to Miss Hyslop, he +wouldn't have hung around in the woods. My mother's pretty fastidious +about her guests. Well, I'll own up the thing bothers me." + +Winter nodded. Harry was frank and honest, and Bob imagined he had felt +Barbara Hyslop's charm. He was sorry for Harry. The thing was awkward. + +"What are you going to do about it?" he asked. + +"To begin with, I'm going to hide these tracks. After all, I don't see +much light. I suppose I ought to tell my mother and put Mrs. Cartwright +wise; but I won't. Spying on a girl and telling is mean. All the same, +I'm surely bothered. In a sense, my mother's accountable for her guests +and the girl's nice. I'd like it if I could talk to the man." + +"Nothing doing there; he'll watch out. Well, we'll hide up his tracks +and look for my knife. D'you think Grace Hyslop knew the job was put +up?" + +"I don't," said Vernon dryly. "I reckon she was puzzled, but that's all. +You couldn't persuade Miss Hyslop her sister liked adventures in the +dark. Anyhow, the thing's done with. We have got to let it go." + +They went off and Winter pondered. Harry had got something of a knock. +Perhaps he was taking the proper line; anyhow, it was the line Harry +would take, but Bob doubted. The girl was very young and the man who met +her in the dark was obviously a wastrel. + +When they returned for breakfast Barbara had joined the others and wore +soft Indian moccasins. Bob looked at Harry and understood his frown. +Harry had played up when he helped her home, but he, no doubt, thought +the game ought to stop. Bob wondered whether Barbara knew, because she +turned her head when Harry advanced. + +After breakfast, Mrs. Vernon, carrying a small bottle, joined Mrs. +Cartwright's party under the pines outside the tent. The dew was drying +and the water shone like a mirror, but it was cool in the shade. Barbara +occupied a camp-chair and rested her foot on a stone, Mrs. Cartwright +knitted, and Grace studied a philosophical book. Her rule was to +cultivate her mind for a fixed time every day. Harry Vernon strolled up +to the group and Mrs. Cartwright put down her knitting. + +"You're kind, but the child's obstinate and won't let me see her foot," +she said to Mrs. Vernon. + +"It's comfortable now," Barbara remarked. "When something that hurt you +stops hurting I think it's better to leave it alone. Besides, one +doesn't want to bother people." + +"You won't bother me, and I'll fix your foot in two or three minutes so +it won't hurt again," Mrs. Vernon declared. "The elixir's famous and I +haven't known it to miss. I always carry some when we camp in the +woods." She turned to her son. "Tell Barbara how soon I cured you when +you hurt your arm." + +"You want to burn Miss Hyslop with the elixir?" + +"It doesn't burn much. You said you hardly felt it, and soon after I +rubbed your arm the pain was gone." + +Harry glanced at Barbara and saw she was embarrassed, although her mouth +was firm. Since she did not mean to let Mrs. Vernon examine her +supposititious injury, his business was to help, and he laughed. + +"Miss Hyslop's skin is not like my tough hide. You certainly fixed my +arm, but it was a drastic cure, and I think Miss Hyslop ought to refuse. +I try to indulge you, like a dutiful son, but you are not her mother." + +"I am her mother and she will not indulge me," Mrs. Cartwright remarked +with languid grievance, and Barbara gave Harry a quick, searching +glance. His face was inscrutable, but she wondered how much he knew. She +felt shabby and ashamed. + +When Mrs. Vernon went off with the elixir, Harry sat down. + +"If you could bring Mr. Cartwright out, I might persuade my father to +come along," he said. "The old man likes Cartwright; declares he's a +sport." + +"He is a ship-owner." Grace remarked. "I think he used to shoot, but +it's some time since." + +Harry looked at Barbara and his eyes twinkled. "American English isn't +Oxford English, but your people are beginning to use it and Miss Barbara +learns fast. All the same, running the Independent Freighters is quite a +sporting proposition, and I imagine Mr. Cartwright generally makes good. +The old man and I would back him to put over an awkward deal every +time." + +"My husband is a good business man," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. "But you +belong to Winnipeg and I understand his business is at Montreal." + +"The steamship _Conference_ understood something like that, until +Cartwright put them wise. You see, we Western people grow the wheat that +goes down the lakes, and when the _Conference_ got to know an +Independent boat was coming out they went round and offered Montreal +shippers and brokers a drawback on the rates. That is, if the shippers +gave them all their stuff, they'd meet their bills for a rebate some +time afterwards. Bully for the shippers, but it left the Western men, +who raised the wheat, in the cold. Well, while the _Conference_ got +after him at Montreal, Cartwright came West and booked all the grain he +could load before it started off. When the _Conference_ got wise, the +cargo was in the Independent freighter's hold. Cartwright's surely a +business man." + +Barbara laughed and Mrs. Cartwright languidly agreed, but Grace frowned. +Although she did not approve Cartwright, he was the head of her house, +and to know his clever tricks were something of a joke hurt her dignity. +Harry saw her frown. + +"Anyhow, Cartwright's promise stands," he resumed. "If he ran his boat +across half empty, he'd make good. You can trust him." + +He went off and Barbara mused unhappily. She thought Harry had talked to +help her over an awkward moment, and she was grateful but disturbed. It +looked as if he knew something and he might know much. All the same, +when he talked about her step-father she agreed. Cartwright was bold and +clever, and, although he was sometimes not very scrupulous, people did +trust him. Barbara wished she had his cleverness and his talent for +removing obstacles. There were obstacles in her path and the path was +dark. Yet she had promised to take it and must make good. She tried to +banish her doubts and began to talk. + +After lunch she allowed one of the party to help her on board a canoe. +The afternoon was calm, and the light breeze that now and then sighed in +the pine-tops hardly ruffled the shining water. In the evening, when the +straight trunks cut against a blaze of gold and green, they sat by a +smudge fire that kept off the mosquitoes and sang to an accompaniment of +banjos and mandolins. Barbara sang with the others, but it cost her an +effort. The tranquil day was nearly done and she felt it was the last +tranquillity she might know for long. Her companions were frank and +kind, Canadians, but her sort, and she was going to make a bold plunge +with another who was not. Yet she knew one could not rebel for nothing, +and she had pluck. The light faded behind the trees, a loon's wild cry +rang across the dark water, and the party went to bed. + +In the morning Grace awoke Mrs. Cartwright quietly. + +"Barbara is gone," she said. + +"Ridiculous!" said Mrs. Cartwright. + +"She is gone. Her clothes are not about; but we must be calm and not +disturb the camp. Mrs. Vernon ought to know, but nobody else. You see, +it's important--" + +Mrs. Cartwright saw, and a few minutes afterwards her hostess knew. + +"It's plain I must give Harry my confidence, to some extent," Mrs. +Vernon said, and went to look for her son. + +She found him going off for a swim, and when she told her tale he +frowned. + +"In a way, perhaps, I'm accountable, but we'll talk about this again," +he said. "Get Mrs. Cartwright on board the launch and come along +yourself. As soon as Bob's inside his clothes we'll start." + +"But Bob--" Mrs. Vernon began. + +"Bob _knows_, and I'll need a partner. If Miss Hyslop didn't leave the +settlement on the night express, she'll be hitting the trail through the +woods for the United States. You must hustle." + +Mrs. Vernon left him, and a few minutes afterwards the fast motor launch +swung out from the landing and sped down river with a white wave at her +bows. Grace watched the boat vanish behind a wooded point and then went +to her tent. She was horribly angry and shocked. Barbara had cheated her +and disgraced them all. + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM + +The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of +Fort William. After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine +the track are numerous and the express had been delayed. Now, however, +the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with +throttle wide open. Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders +rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows. The +wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing +clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the +wooden bridges by metal. + +This was George Lister's business, and he lounged in a corner of a +smoking-compartment, and rather drowsily studied some calculations. He +was bound West from Montreal, and in the morning would resume his labors +at a construction camp. There was much to be done and the construction +bosses who had sent for him were getting impatient. + +Lister's thoughts wandered from the figures. He liked his occupation and +admitted that he had been lucky, but began to see he had gone as far as +he could expect to go. The trouble was, he had not enjoyed the +scientific training that distinguished the men who got important posts. +His mechanical career began in the engine-room of a wheat-boat on the +lakes, and he had entered the railroad company's service when shipping +was bad and steamers were laid up. Although he had studied for a term or +two at McGill University, he knew his drawbacks. Sometimes promotion was +given for merit, but for the most part the men who made progress came +from technical colleges and famous engineering works. + +An accident in the ranges on the Pacific slope, when a mountain +locomotive jumped the track and plunged down a precipitous hillside, +gave Lister his first chance. He got the locomotive back to the line, +and being rewarded by a better post, stubbornly pushed himself nearer +the front. Now, however, it looked as if he must stop. Rules were not +often relaxed in favor of men who had no highly-placed friends. Yet +Lister wondered. + +Not long since, a gentleman whose word carried some weight at the +company's office had visited the construction camp with his indulged +daughter. The girl was clever, adventurous, and interested by pioneer +work, and Lister had helped her to some thrills she obviously enjoyed. +She had, with his guidance, driven a locomotive across a shaking, +half-braced bridge, fired a heavy blasting shot, and caught big gray +trout from his canoe. Although Lister used some reserve, their +friendship ripened, and when she left she hinted she had some power she +might be willing to use on his behalf. + +All the same, Lister was proud. The girl belonged to a circle he could +not enter, and if he got promotion, it must be by his merits. He was not +the man to get forward by intrigue and the clever use of a woman's +influence; he had no talent for that kind of thing. He let it go, and +tried to concentrate on his calculations. + +By and by the colored porter stopped to tell him his berth was fixed and +the passengers were going to bed. Lister nodded, put up his papers, and +then lighted a cigarette. The smoking-compartment was hot, the light the +rocking lamp threw about had hurt his eyes, and he thought he would go +out on the platform for a few minutes. + +He went. The draught that swept the gap between the cars was bracing and +cool. There was a moon, he saw water shine and dark pines stream past. +The snorting of the locomotive broke in a measured beat through the roll +of wheels; the rocks threw back confused echoes about the clanging cars. +Then the gleam among the trees got wider and Lister knew they were +nearing a trestle that crossed an arm of a lake. In fact, he had +wondered whether he would be sent to pull down the bridge and rebuild it +with steel. + +He sat down on the little box-seat, with his back against the door. The +platform had not the new guards the company was then fitting; there was +an opening in the rails, and one could go down the steps when the train +was running. The moonlight touched the back of the car in front, but +Lister was in the gloom, and when the vestibule door opposite opened he +was annoyed. If somebody wanted to go through the train, he must get up. + +A girl came out of the other car and seizing the rails looked down. She +was in the light, and Lister remarked that she did not wear traveling +clothes; he thought her small, knitted cap, short dress, and loose +jacket indicated that she had come from a summer camp. Then she turned +her head and he saw her face was rather white and her look was strained. +It was obvious that something had disturbed her. + +The girl did not see him, and while he wondered whether he ought to get +up she put her foot on the step and leaned out, as if she weighed the +possibility of jumping off. She swung back when the cars lurched round a +curve, and the measured roll of wheels changed to a sharp, broken din. +The train was running on to the trestle and Lister saw the water shine +below the platform. He got up, and moving quietly, seized the girl's arm +and pulled her from the rails. + +"A jolt might throw you off," he said. + +She looked up with a start and the blood came to her skin, but she gave +him a quick, searching glance. Lister was athletic, his face was bronzed +by frost and sun, and his look was frank. She lowered her eyes and her +color faded. + +"Does the train stop soon?" she asked. + +"If the engineer's lucky, we won't stop until he makes the next +water-tank, and it's some distance." + +She turned with a quick, nervous movement and glanced at the door. +Lister imagined she was afraid somebody might come out. + +"Could one persuade or bribe the conductor to pull up?" + +Lister hesitated. He knew the train gang and was a railroad boss, but +the company was spending a large sum in order to cut down the +time-schedule and somebody must account for all delay. + +"I think not. You see, unless there's a washout or the track is blocked, +nothing is allowed to stop the Vancouver express." + +The girl glanced at the door again and then gave him an appealing look. + +"But I must get off! I oughtn't to have come on board. I want to go +East, towards Montreal, and not to Winnipeg." + +Although he was not romantic, Lister was moved. She was very young and +her distress was obvious. Somehow he felt her grounds for wanting to +leave the train were good. Indeed, he rather thought she had meant to +jump off had they not run on to the bridge. Yet for him to stop the +express would be ridiculous; the conductor and engineer would pay for +his meddling. With quiet firmness he pulled the girl farther from the +opening of the rails. + +"We stop long before we get to Winnipeg," he said soothingly. "Then it's +possible we'll be held up by a blocked track. Wash-outs are pretty +numerous on this piece of line. However, if we do stop and you get down, +you'll be left in the woods." + +"Oh!" she said, "that's not important! All I want is to get off." + +"Very well," said Lister. "If we are held up, I'll look for you. But I +don't know if the jolting platform is very safe. Hadn't you better go +back to your car?" + +She gave him a quick glance and he thought she braced herself. + +"I'm not going back. I can't. It's impossible!" + +Lister was curious, but hesitated about trying to satisfy his curiosity. +The girl was afraid of somebody, and, seeing no other help, she trusted +him. + +"Then, you had better come with me and I'll find you a berth where you +won't be disturbed," he said. + +She followed him with a confidence he thought moving, and when they met +the conductor he took the man aside. + +"That's all right," said the other. "Nobody's going to bother her while +I'm about." + +Lister returned to the smoking-compartment, but the adventure had given +him a pleasant thrill and he did not feel sleepy. He got out his +calculations and tried to interest himself until a man entered the car. +The fellow was rather handsome and his clothes were good, but Lister +thought he looked perplexed. He gave Lister a keen glance and went on +through the car. Some minutes afterwards, he came back, frowning +savagely, stopped in front of Lister, as if he meant to speak, +hesitated, and went out by the vestibule. + +It was plain the fellow had gone to look for the girl and had not found +her. The conductor had seen to that. Lister smiled, but admitted that +the thing was puzzling. The man was older than the girl, although he was +not old enough to be her father. If he were her husband, she would not +have run away from him, and it did not look as if he were her lover. +Lister saw no light, but since it was obvious she feared the man he +resolved, if possible, to help her to escape. + +Some time afterwards, the whistle pierced the roll of wheels, and +Lister, going to the platform, saw a big electric head-lamp shine like a +star. The cars were slowing and he imagined the operator had tried to +run a construction train across the section before the express came up. +They would probably stop for a minute at the intersection of the main +and side tracks. Hurrying through the train, Lister found the conductor, +who look him to a curtained berth, and the girl got down. She was +dressed and wore her knitted cap. + +"If you are resolved to go, I may be able to help you off," Lister said. + +"I must go," she replied, and although Lister remarked that her hands +trembled as she smoothed her crumpled dress, her voice was steady. + +"Very well," he said. "Come along." + +When he opened the vestibule door the train was stopping and the beam +from a standing locomotive's head-lamp flooded the track with dazzling +light. For a moment the girl hesitated, but when Lister went down the +steps she gave him her hand and jumped. Lister felt her tremble and was +himself conscious of some excitement. He did not know if he was rash or +not, but since she meant to go, speed was important, because the man +from whom she wanted to escape might see them on the line. He went to +the waiting engine in front of a long row of ballast cars, on which a +big gravel plough loomed faintly in the dark. + +"Who's on board?" he asked. + +A man he knew looked out from the cab window. + +"Hallo, Mr. Lister! I'm on board with Jake. We're going to Malcolm cut +for gravel. Washout's mixed things; operator reckoned he could rush us +through--" + +"Then you'll stop and get water at the tank," Lister interrupted. "Will +you make it before the East-bound comes along?" + +"We ought to make it half-an-hour ahead. Wires all right that way. +Nothing's on the road." + +Lister turned to the girl. "If you're going East you must buy a new +ticket at Malcolm. Have you money?" + +"I have some--" she said and stopped, and Lister imagined she had not +until then thought about money and had not much. + +"You'll take this lady to Malcolm, Roberts, and put her down where she +can get to the station," he said to the engineer. "Nobody will see you +have a passenger, but if the agent's curious, I'll fix the thing with +him." + +It was breaking rules, but the man knew Lister, and Lister knew he could +be trusted. He took some bills from his wallet, and as he helped the +girl up the steps pushed the paper into her hand. + +She turned to the cab door, and Lister imagined she was hardly conscious +of the money he had given her. Her color was high but her look indicated +keen relief. + +"Oh!" she said, "I owe you much! You don't know all you have done. I +will not forget--" + +Somebody waved a lantern, a whistle shrieked, and the locomotive bell +began to toll. Lister jumped back and seized the rails above the +platform steps as the car lurched forward. They moved faster, the beam +of the head-lamp faded, and the train rolled on into the dark. + + + +CHAPTER V + +SHILLITO GETS AWAY + +When the train started Lister did not go to his berth. His curiosity was +excited and he wondered whether he had been rash. Now he came to think +about it, the girl was attractive, and perhaps this to some extent +accounted for his willingness to help. Moreover she was young, and it +was possible her relations had put her in the man's control. If so, his +meddling could not be justified. + +After a time he heard the whistle, and imagined the train was going to +stop at a small station to which mails were brought from some mining +camps. The neighboring country was rugged and lonely, but a trail ran +south through the woods to the American frontier. When the cars stopped +he pushed down the window and looked out. + +Small trees grew along the track and the light from the cars touched +their branches. The line was checkered by illuminated patches and belts +of gloom. Lister heard somebody open the baggage car and then saw a man +run along the line beside the train. Another jumped off a platform and +they met not far from Lister's window. The man who got down was the +fellow who had gone through the car looking for the girl. The locomotive +pump throbbed noisily and Lister could not hear their talk, but he +thought they argued. + +The one who came up the line looked impatient and put his hand on his +companion's arm, as if to urge him away. The other stepped back, and his +gesture implied that he refused to go. The train was long, the +passengers were asleep, and the men, no doubt, imagined nobody saw them. +Lister thought the fellow who got down did not know the girl was gone +and did not mean to leave the train without her. The light touched the +men's faces, and it was obvious that one was angry and the other +disturbed. The scene intrigued Lister. It was like watching an act in a +cinema play of which one did not know the plot. + +After a minute or two a lantern flashed up the track, the bell tolled, +and the nearer man jumped back on the step. Lister heard a vestibule +door shut and then the throb of wheels began. The fellow on the line +frowned and threw out his hands angrily. From the movement of his lips +Lister thought he swore, but the car rolled past him and he melted into +the dark. + +Lister went to his berth, but did not undress. Much of the night had +gone, he would reach his camp soon after daybreak, and the train would +only stop long enough for him to jump off. He could sleep in his clothes +for an hour or two. A slackening of the roll of wheels wakened him and +he got out of his berth, but the big lamps were burning and when he went +to the door he saw dawn had not come. It was obvious they had not +reached the construction camp. Lister shivered, and was returning to his +berth when the conductor opened the door. + +"Our luck's surely not good to-night," he said. "They're pulling us up +at Maple. If it's not a washout, somebody will get fired." + +He went off, grumbling, but when the train stopped came back with a +trooper of the North-West Mounted Police. + +"Where's the guy you told me to watch out for?" he asked. + +Lister said he did not know and offered to go with them and help find +the man. It looked as if he were going to see the end of the play. + +When they opened a vestibule door a man came out of the car in front and +stopped, as if he were dazzled by the beam from the conductor's lifted +lamp. + +"That's the fellow," Lister shouted. + +He thought the other saw the trooper's uniform, because he stepped back +quickly. The door, however, was shut. When he let go the handle the +spring-bolt had engaged. + +"Nothing doing that way!" said the trooper. "My partner's coming along +behind you; you're corraled all right. I've a warrant for you, Louis +Shillito." + +The North-West Police work in couples and the situation was plain. One +trooper had begun his search at the front of the train, the other at the +back, and Shillito, hearing the first turn the passengers out of their +berths, had tried to steal away and met the other. His face got +strangely white, but Lister thought it was rather with rage than fear. +His lips drew back in a snarl, and the veins swelled on his forehead. He +occupied the center of the illuminated circle thrown by the conductor's +lamp, and his savage gaze was fixed. Lister saw he was not looking at +the policeman but at him. + +"Blast you!" Shillito shouted. "If you hadn't butted in--" + +"Cut it out!" said the trooper. "Hands up; we've got you! Don't make +trouble." + +Shillito's hand went behind him. It was possible he felt for the door +knob, but the trooper meant to run no risks. Although he had put down +his rifle and taken out his handcuffs, he jumped forward, across the +platform, and Shillito bent sideways to avoid his spring. The fellow was +athletic and his quick side-movement indicated he was something of a +boxer; the policeman was embarrassed by his handcuffs and young. +Shillito seized him and threw him against the rails, close to the gap +where the steps went down. The trooper gasped, his grasp got slack, and +his body slipped along the rails. It looked as if Shillito would throw +him down the steps, and Lister jumped. + +He saw Shillito's hand go up and next moment got a heavy blow. For all +that, he seized the man and held on, though blood ran into his eyes and +he felt dizzy. Shillito struggled like a savage animal and Lister +imagined the trooper did not help much. He got his arms round his +antagonist and tried to pull him down; Shillito was trying to reach the +opening in the rails. After a moment or two, Lister felt his muscles +getting slack, lurched forward, and saw nothing in front. He plunged out +from the gap, struck a step with his foot, and somebody fell on him. +Then he thought he heard a rifle-shot, and knew nothing more. + +By and by somebody pulled him to his feet and he saw the conductor +holding his arm. A group of excited passengers stood round them in the +light that shone from the train and some others ran along the edge of +the woods. The trooper and Shillito were gone. + +Lister's head hurt, he felt shaky, and when he wiped his face his hand +was wet with blood. + +"My head's cut. S'pose I hit something when I fell," he said. + +"Shillito socked it to you pretty good," the conductor replied, and +waved his lamp. "All aboard!" he shouted, and pushed Lister up the +steps. + +When they reached the platform the car jolted and Lister sat down, with +his back against the door. + +"My legs won't hold me," he said in an apologetic voice. "Did Shillito +get off?" + +"Knocked out the trooper and made the bush; the other fellow was way +back along the train," the conductor replied. "They want him for +embezzlement and will soon get on his trail, but the wash-out's broke +the wires and I reckon he'll cross the frontier ahead. Now you come +along and I'll try to fix your cut." + +Lister went, and soon after a porter helped him into his berth. His head +hurt and he felt very dull and slack, but he slept and when he woke +bright sunshine streamed into the standing car and he saw the train had +stopped at Winnipeg. Soon afterwards the conductor and one of the +station officials put him into an automobile. + +"If the reporters get after you, remember you're not to talk about the +girl," he said to the conductor. + +The other nodded, and signed the driver to start. The car rolled off and +stopped at the house of a doctor who dressed the cut on Lister's head +and ordered him a week's rest. Lister went to a hotel, and in the +morning found a romantic narrative of Shillito's escape in the +newspaper, but was relieved to note that nothing was said about the +girl. The report, however, stated that a passenger who tried to help the +police had got badly hurt and Shillito had vanished in the woods. The +police had not found his trail and it was possible he would reach the +American frontier. + +Lister thought the thing was done with, and when a letter arrived from +the construction office, telling him to stay until he felt able to +resume his work, resigned himself to rather dreary idleness. For some +days his head ached and he could not go out; the other guests were +engaged in the city and there was nobody to whom he could talk. He got +badly bored, and it was a relief when one afternoon the gentleman he had +met at the construction camp arrived with his daughter. For all that, +Lister was surprised. Duveen was a man of some importance, Miss Duveen +was a fashionable young lady, and Lister had imagined they had forgotten +him. He took his guests to a corner of the spacious rotunda where a +throbbing electric fan blew away the flies, and Duveen gave him a +cigarette. + +"The _Record_ did not give your name, but we soon found out who was the +plucky passenger," he said with a friendly smile. "Ruth thought she'd +like to see you, and since I wasn't engaged this afternoon we came +along." + +"I did want to come, but I really think you proposed the visit," Ruth +remarked. + +"Oh, well," said Duveen, "I don't know if it's important, but perhaps we +oughtn't to make Mr. Lister talk." + +Lister declared he wanted to talk, and Duveen said presently, "I don't +see why you butted in." + +For a moment or two Lister hesitated. He was resolved to say nothing +about the girl; it was obvious she would not like her adventure known, +but he must be cautious. Duveen was clever, and he thought Miss Duveen +gave him a curious glance. + +"The trooper was young and I sympathized with his keenness. Looked as if +it was his first important job and he meant to make good." + +"A romantic impulse?" Duveen remarked, and laughed. "Well, when one is +young, I expect it's hard to stand off while a fight's going on. All the +same, it's strange you didn't sympathize with the fellow who was +corraled. That's youth's natural instinct, although I allow it's not +often justified." + +"The trooper was corraled. He'd put down his rifle and Shillito had a +gun; I reckon it was the sharp butt of a heavy automatic that cut my +head. Then I didn't like the fellow; he'd come through the train before +and looked a smart crook." + +"He is a crook and got away with a big wad of the lumber firm's money. +However, you were rash to jump for a man with a pistol. You didn't know +he'd use the butt. All the same, you look brighter than we thought and +can take a rest. I expect the construction office won't rush you back +until you're fit." + +"I want to get back. Loafing round the hotel is dreary and my job's not +getting on. Although I'm ordered to lie off, this won't count for much. +I'll be made accountable for getting behind." + +Duveen said nothing for a moment or two, but he looked thoughtful, and +Lister imagined Miss Duveen studied him quietly. He did not belong to +the Duveens' circle; he was ruder. In fact, it was rather strange to see +these people sitting with him, engaged in friendly talk, although, now +he thought about it, Miss Duveen had not said much. + +She was a pretty girl and Lister liked her fashionable dress. Somehow +Ruth Duveen harmonized with the tall pillars and rich ornamentation of +the rotunda. One felt she belonged to spacious rooms. Duveen's clothes +were in quiet taste, he wore a big diamond, and looked commanding. One +felt this was a man whose word carried weight. + +"You're something of a hustler," he remarked with a smile. "For all +that, you got a nasty knock, and your quitting for a time is justified. +Well, if you feel lonesome, come along and dine at our hotel. Then we'll +go and see the American opera. I'm told the show is good." + +Lister made some excuses, but Duveen would not be refused. + +"When we stopped at your camp you made things smooth for us. You gave +Ruth some thrills, showed her the romance of track-grading, and +generally helped her to a good time. Anyhow, the thing is fixed. We'll +send the car for you." + +They went off soon afterwards, and Lister mused and smoked. He had +hardly expected to meet the Duveens again and wondered whether he owed +the visit to Ruth or her father; he had remarked at the camp that she +was generally indulged. Well, it was plain Duveen could help him and +Lister was ambitious, but he frowned and pulled himself up. He was not +going to intrigue for promotion and use a girl's friendship in order to +force his chiefs to see his merits. Things like that were done, but not +by him; it demanded qualities he did not think were his. Moreover he did +not know if Ruth Duveen was his friend. She was attractive, but he +imagined she was clever. All the same, if he could get the doctor to fix +his bandage so as to make it inconspicuous he would dine with the +Duveens. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +WINNIPEG BEACH + +Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and +the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd. For +the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were +rude. His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept +alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods. From daybreak until +dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers +filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark. When a soft +muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring +blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast +cars. + +Labor and concentration had left their mark. Lister's muscles were hard, +but his body and face were thin. He looked fine-drawn and alert; his +talk was direct and quick. As a rule, his skin was brown, but now the +brown was gone, and the lines on his face were deeper. His injury +accounted for something and he felt the reaction from a strain he had +hardly noted while it must be borne. Although he had not altogether +hidden his bandage and his clothes were not the latest fashion, Ruth +Duveen was satisfied. Somehow he looked a finer type than the business +men in the neighboring stalls. One felt the man's clean virility and got +a hint of force. + +Lister was highly strung. The music stirred his imagination, and when +the curtain went down the light and glitter, the perfume that drifted +about, the women's dress, and the society of his attractive companion +gave him a curious thrill. He began to see he had missed much; ambitions +that had forced him to struggle for scope to use fresh efforts took +another turn. Life was not all labor. Ruth Duveen had enlightened him. + +He studied her. She had grace and charm; it was much to enjoy, for one +evening, the society of a girl like this. Duveen went off between the +acts to meet his friends, but Ruth stopped and talked. Her smile was +gracious and Lister let himself go. He told her about adventures on the +track and asked about her life in the cities. Perhaps it was strange, +but she did not look bored, and when the curtain went down for the last +time he felt a pang. The evening was gone and in a day or two he must +resume his labor in the wilds. Lister did not cheat himself; he knew the +strange, romantic excitement he had indulged would not be his again. +When they went down the passage Ruth gave him a smiling glance and saw +his mouth was firm. + +"You look rather tired," she said. "Have we tired you?" + +Lister turned and his eyes were thoughtful. She had stopped to fasten +her cloak, and the people pushing by forced her to his side. An electric +lamp burned overhead and her beauty moved him. He noted the heavy coils +of her dark hair, her delicate color, and the grace of her form. + +"I'm not at all tired," he said. "I feel remarkably braced and keen, as +if I'd waked up from sleep. In fact, I think I have awakened." + +Ruth laughed. She saw he was not smiling and his graveness gave her a +sense of power. He had owned, with typical frankness, that she had moved +him. + +"Sometimes to wake up suddenly gives one a jolt," she said. "However, +you will soon get calm again in the woods." + +He sensed something provocative and challenging in her voice, but he +would not play up. + +"I wonder--" he said quietly. "In a way, the proper line's to go to +sleep again." + +"Sometimes one dreams! I expect you dream about locomotives breaking +through trestles and dump-cars plunging into muskegs?" + +He laughed. "They're things I know, and safe to dream about. All the +same, I rather expect I'll be haunted by lights and music, pretty +dresses and faces--" + +He stopped, and Ruth remarked: "If these have charm, there are no very +obvious grounds for your going without. You can command a locomotive and +Winnipeg's not very far from your camp. But we're stopping the people, +and I can't fix this clasp." + +She moved, and the opera cloak fell back from her arm, which was +uncovered but for the filmy sleeve that reached a little below the +shoulder. He noted its fine curves and the silky smoothness of her skin. +Although he fastened the clasp with a workman's firm touch, he thrilled. +Then the crowd forced them on and they found Duveen waiting by the car. +When they stopped at Lister's hotel Ruth said, "We are going to Winnipeg +Beach, Saturday. Would you like to come?" + +Duveen nodded. "A happy thought! I've got to talk to some business +people who make Ruth tired. If you come along, I needn't bother about +her." + +"That's how one's father argues!" Ruth exclaimed. + +Lister hesitated. "I was told to lie off because I was hurt. If I'm fit +to enjoy an excursion, I'm fit to work." + +"You're too scrupulous, young man. Have a good time when it's possible, +or you'll be sorry afterwards. I reckon you're justified to take all the +company will give." + +"It was caution, not scruples. Suppose I meet one of the railroad +chiefs?" + +"I'll fix him," Duveen rejoined. "Your bosses won't get after you when +you belong to my party. Anyhow, we'll look out for you." + +The car rolled off, and Lister, going to the rotunda, lighted a +cigarette and mused. Ruth Duveen had beauty, he liked her but must use +caution, since he imagined the friendship she had given him was +something of an indulged girl's caprice. Then he began to think about +the girl he had met on board the train. Now he was able, undisturbed, to +draw her picture, he saw she, too, had charm, but she was not at all +like Ruth. The strange thing was, one did not note if she were beautiful +or not. In a way, this did not matter; her pluck and firmness fixed +one's interest. + +Lister threw away his cigarette. He was poor and not romantic. The girl +he had helped had vanished, and after their excursion he hardly expected +to see Ruth again. Ruth was kind, but she would soon forget him when he +was gone. He would go to Winnipeg Beach with her, and then return to the +woods and let his job absorb him. In the meantime, his head had begun to +ache and he went to bed. + +The Saturday morning was typical of Winnipeg in summer. The fresh +northwest breeze that sweeps the Manitoba plains had dropped. Dark +thunder-clouds rolled about the sky, but the sun was hot and an +enervating humidity brooded over the town. The perspiring crowd in Main +Street moved slackly, the saloon bars were full, and the groups of +holiday-makers flocking to the station wore a languid look. + +Lister met his hosts in the marble waiting hall where a gold-framed +panorama of Canadian scenery closes the view between the rows of stately +pillars. Duveen had brought three or four keen-eyed, nervous business +men, a rather imposing lady, and Ruth, and they got on board a local +train soon after Lister arrived. Winnipeg Beach was then beginning to +attract holiday-makers from the prairie town. One could row and fish in +sheltered bays, and adventure on board a gasoline launch into the +northern wilds. Boating, however, had no charm for Duveen's friends. The +excursion was an opportunity for friendly business talk, and when lunch +was over Ruth and Lister went out on the lawn in front of the hotel. + +There was no wind. A few dark clouds floated motionless overhead, but +outside their shadow the lake shone like glass, running back until it +melted into faint reflections on the horizon. A varnished launch flashed +in the sun and trailed a long white wake across the water. + +"Do you want to stay and talk to Mrs. Knapp?" Ruth asked. + +"I do not," said Lister. "Anyhow, I imagine Mrs. Knapp doesn't want to +talk to me. I'm not a big-business man." + +Ruth laughed. "Oh, well, when you speculate at the Board of Trade, a +railroad engineer is not a useful friend. I suppose I ought to stay, but +the things one ought to do are tiresome. Let's go on the lake." + +Lister got a canoe, and fixing a cushion for Ruth, picked up the paddle. + +"Where shall we go?" + +"North, as far as you can. Let's get away from the boats and trippers +and imagine we're back in the woods where you helped me catch the big +gray trout." + +"Then you liked it at the construction camp?" Lister remarked. "It was a +pretty rude spot." + +"For an indulged city girl?" Ruth said, smiling. "Well, perhaps I'd got +all the satisfaction dinner parties and dances and the society at hotels +can give. I knew the men who handle finance and work the wires behind +the scenes, but I wanted to know the others who do the strenuous things +and keep the country going. I came, and you helped me to understand the +romance of the lakes and woods." + +Lister did not remember if he had tried to do so and thought he had not. +All the same, the girl was keen and interested. In summer, it was not +hard to feel the lonely sheets of water and tangled bush were touched by +romance. Then, perhaps, everybody felt at times a vague longing for the +rude and primitive. But he was not a philosopher, and dipping the +paddle, he drove the canoe across the tranquil lake. + +In the meantime, he imagined Ruth studied him with quiet amusement, and +wondered whether she thought he was not playing up. He did not mean to +play up; the game was intricate, and, if he were rash, might cost him +much. He had taken off his hat and jacket and effort had brought back +the color to his skin. His thin face had the clean bronze tint of an +Indian's; the soft shirt showed the fine-drawn lines of his athletic +figure; but Lister was not conscious of this. He knew his drawbacks, but +not all his advantages. + +When he had gone some distance and the hotel and houses began to melt +into the background, he stopped and let the canoe drift. + +"How far shall we go?" he asked. + +Ruth indicated a rocky point, cut off by the glimmering reflection, that +seemed to float above the horizon. + +"Let's see what is on the other side. Now and then one wants to know. +Exploration's intriguing. Don't you think so?" + +"Sometimes; in a practical sense. When a height of land cuts the +landscape, I wonder whether one could find an easy down-grade for the +track across the summit. That's about as far as my imagination goes." + +"Oh, well," said Ruth, "exploration like that is useful and one doesn't +run much risk. But risk and adventure appeal to some people." + +Lister resumed paddling. The girl had charm and he was young; if he were +not cautious, there might be some risk for him. He was not a clever +philanderer, and Ruth and Duveen had been kind. By and by a puff of cool +wind touched his hot skin and he looked round. A black cloud had rolled +up and there were lines on the water. + +"We may get a blow and some thunder," he remarked. "Shall we go back?" + +"Not yet. We'll make the point first. If it does thunder, summer storms +don't last." + +He paddled harder and a small white wave lapped the canoe's bows. The +sky was getting dark, and now the lines that streaked the lake were +white, but the wind was astern and they were going fast. The glimmering +reflections had vanished and the rocks ahead rose sharply from the +leaden water. The point was some distance off, but Lister knew he must +reach it soon. + +A flash of forked lightning leaped from the sky and touched the lake, +there was a long, rumbling peal, and then a humming noise began astern. +Angry white ripples splashed about the canoe and lumps of hail beat +Lister's head. Then, while the thunder rolled across the sky, the canoe +swerved. It was blowing hard, the high bow and stern caught the wind, +the strength was needed to hold her straight with the single paddle. If +he brought her round, he could not paddle to windward, and to steer +across the sea that would soon get up might be dangerous. They must make +the point and land. He threw Ruth his jacket, for spray had begun to fly +and the drops from the paddle blew on board. + +"Put on the thing; I've got to work," he said. + +In a few minutes his work was hard. Short, white waves rolled past, the +canoe lurched and swerved, and Lister knew if she swung off across wind +and sea she might capsize. He must keep her running and let the combers +split against her pointed stern. The combers were getting large and +their hissing tops surged by some height above the gunwale, but so long +as he could keep her before them they would not come on board. When her +bows went up she sheered, as if she meant to shoot across the hollow +left by the sea that rolled by. He stopped her with a back-stroke and +then drove hard ahead, for he must have speed to steer when the next sea +came on. In the meantime, the lightning flickered about the lake and +between the flashes all was nearly dark. The tops of the waves tossed +against leaden cloud and he could hardly see the rocks for which he +steered. + +By and by, however, the point stood out close ahead. The trees on the +summit bent in the wind; spray leaped about the bowlders where the white +foam rolled. He must go round and find a landing to lee, but to go round +he must cross the belt of breaking water, with the savage wind abeam. +The canoe shipped some water, and riding in on a comber's crest, +narrowly missed a rock that lifted its top for a moment out of the foam. +Then Lister drove her in behind the point and helped Ruth to land on a +gravel beach. Her eyes sparkled and he saw she had not been daunted. + +"We're all right now, but we have got to stay until the storm blows +out," he said. + +They found shelter in a hollow of the cliff and sat among the driftwood +while the rain that blotted out the lake drove overhead. The deluge did +not reach them and the cold was going. + +"You go back on Monday?" Ruth said at length. + +Lister smiled with humorous resignation. "I must. The strange thing is, +when I left my job before I was keen to get back. Now I'd rather stop +and loaf." + +"Then you were not bored at Winnipeg?" + +"Not at all," Lister declared. "If it would give me a holiday like this, +I'd get hurt again." + +"I expect the woods get dreary. Then, perhaps, one doesn't make much +progress by sticking to the track? Don't you want to get into the office +where the big plans are made?" + +"I don't know," said Lister thoughtfully. "On the track you're all right +if you know your job; at headquarters you need qualities I don't know +are mine. Anyhow, I'm not likely to get there, if I want or not." + +Ruth gave him a curious glance. "Sometimes one's friends can help. Would +you really like a headquarters post?" + +Lister moved abruptly and his mouth got firm. Perhaps Ruth exaggerated +her father's importance, but it was possible Duveen could get him +promotion. All the same, Lister saw what his taking the job implied; he +must give up his independence and be Duveen's man. Moreover, if the girl +meant to help, she had some grounds for doing so. He thrilled and was +tempted, but he thought hard. It looked as if she liked him and was +perhaps willing to embark upon a sentimental adventure, but he thought +this was all. She would not marry a poor man. + +"No," he said, with a touch of awkwardness. "I reckon I had better stick +to the track. To know where you properly belong is something, and if I +took the other job, my chiefs would soon find me out." + +"You're modest," Ruth remarked. "One likes modest people, but don't you +think you're obstinate?" + +"When the trail you hit goes uphill, obstinacy's useful." + +"If you won't take help, you may be long reaching the top, but we'll let +it go. The wind hasn't dropped much. How can we get back?" + +"We must wait," Lister replied with a twinkle. "The trouble about an +adventure is, when you start you're often forced to stay with it and put +it over. That sometimes costs more than you reckon." + +Ruth's eyes sparkled, but she forced a smile. "Logical people make me +tired. But why do you imagine I haven't the pluck to pay?" + +"I don't," said Lister. "I've no grounds to imagine anything like that. +My business was to take care of you and I ought to have seen the storm +was coming. Now I'm mad because I didn't watch out." + +"Sometimes you're rather nice," Ruth remarked. "You know I made you go +on. All the same, we must start as soon as possible." + +Lister got up presently and launched the canoe. The thunder had gone, +but the breeze was strong and angry white waves rolled up the lake. To +drive the canoe to windward was heavy labor, and while she lurched +slowly across the combers the sun got low. Lister's wet hands blistered +and his arms ached, but he swung the paddle stubbornly, and at length +the houses and hotel stood out from the beach. When they got near the +landing Ruth looked ahead. + +"The train's ready to pull out!" she exclaimed. "Can you make it?" + +Lister tried. His face got dark with effort and his hands bled, but in a +few minutes he ran the canoe aground. Ruth jumped out and they reached +the station as the bell began to toll. Duveen waved to them from the +track by the front of the train and then jumped on board, and Lister +pushed Ruth up the steps of the last car. The car was second-class and +crowded by returning holiday-makers, but the conductor, who did not know +Lister and Miss Duveen, declared all the train was full and they must +stay where they were. When he went off and locked the vestibule Lister +looked about. + +All the seats and much of the central passage were occupied, for the +most part by young men and women. Some were frankly lovers and did not +look disturbed by the banter of their friends. Lister was embarrassed, +for Ruth's sake, until he saw with some surprise that she studied the +others with amused curiosity. Looking down he met her twinkling glance +and thought it something like a challenge. His embarrassment got worse. +One could not talk because of the noise and to shout was ridiculous. He +must stand in a cramped pose and try not to fall against Ruth when the +cars rocked. He admitted that his proper background was the rude +construction camp, and it was something of a relief when they rolled +into Winnipeg. + +Duveen's car was at the station, and Ruth stopped for a moment before +she got on board. + +"You start on Monday and we will be out of town to-morrow. I wish you +good luck." + +Lister thanked her, and when she got into the car she gave him a curious +smile. "I think I liked you better in the woods," she said, and the car +rolled off. + + + +CHAPTER VII + +LISTER'S DISSATISFACTION + +Soon after his return from Winnipeg, Lister stood one evening by a +length of track planned to cut out an awkward curve. The new line ran +into a muskeg that sucked down brush and logs and the loads of numerous +gravel trains. Angry foremen declared one could not fill up the bog, and +Lister knew the heads of the construction office grumbled about the +delay. He was tired, for he had been strenuously occupied since morning, +but could not persuade himself that the work had made much progress. + +Small trees lay in tangled rows about the fresh gravel; farther back, +the standing bush ran in a broken line against the fading light. In +front, thin mist drifted across the muskeg where slender trunks rose +from the quaking mud. Not far off a high, wooden trestle carried the +rails across a ravine. The bridge would presently be rebuilt with steel, +but in the meantime the frame was open and the gaps between the ties +were wide. + +It was getting dark and noisy blast-lamps threw up pillars of white +fire. The line had sunk in the afternoon and it was necessary to lift +the rails and fill up the subsidence before the next gravel train +arrived. Lister was angry and puzzled, for he had pushed the road-bed +across to near the other side, but the rails had not sunk in the new +belt but in ground over which the trains had run. + +By and by a man joined him and remarked: "The boys have got the ties up, +but I reckon they won't fix the track for three or four hours. Looks as +if the blamed muskeg was going to beat us." + +"She can't beat us," Lister rejoined impatiently. "The trouble is, +hauling the stuff she swallows runs up construction costs, and that +counts against us. Did you leave Willis with the gang?" + +The other laughed. "I did not. He was tired. Wanted something at the +office and allowed he'd stop and take a smoke." + +"Hustle him out when you go along, Kemp. I'd sooner our chiefs down East +had kept that young man. The job's not soft enough for him. However, I +s'pose he lighted the lamp across the bridge?" + +"Willis has friends," Kemp remarked meaningly, and indicated a +reflection behind the trees. "The lamp's burning." + +Lister glanced at the trembling light. "I expect it's good enough for +the engineer, but the flame's not steady. Willis hasn't bothered to get +the pressure right. It's possible he didn't wait until she warmed the +oil." + +The powerful lamp had been carried across the bridge in order to warn +the engineer of the gravel train, who on his last journey had run to the +end of the line. The light could be seen for some distance up the track. + +"I got after Hardie about making good time. We must dump his load in the +soft spot before we stop," Lister resumed. + +"He's coming now; climbing the height of land," said Kemp. "He'll let +her go all out when he makes the top." + +A measured throb rolled across the woods, and as the noise got louder +the beat of the exhaust marked the progress of the train. The explosive +snorts indicated that the locomotive labored up the last steep pitch, +and Lister sat down by the rails. He was tired and would not be needed +until the gravel plough threw the rattling ballast off the cars. After a +few moments he looked up, for a man came out of the gloom. + +"Hello, Willis! I s'pose you've been taking a quiet smoke?" + +"That's so," said the other. "I've hustled round since sun-up and +imagined the gang could get along for half an hour without my watching. +You want to leave something to your foremen." + +Lister said nothing. He did not choose his helpers, but tried to make +the best use of those the bosses sent. Willis had some useful qualities, +but he was slack, and got sulky if one drove him hard. The young man had +come from the drawing-office of a famous bridge-building works. + +In the meantime, the rumble of the gravel train grew to a pulsating +roar. The locomotive had crossed the divide and was running furiously +down grade. The roughly-ballasted track was uneven, but the engineer had +been on board since daybreak and no doubt wanted to finish his job. + +"She's in the rock cut now," Kemp remarked. "Hardie ought to throttle +down when he runs out and sees the light." + +Lister listened. The swelling note indicated that the train had left the +cut, but it did not look as if the engineer was pulling up. + +"She's coming along pretty fast," said Willis. "If he doesn't snub her +soon, she'll jump the steel and take the muskeg." + +Next moment Lister was on his feet. Hardie was driving too fast; Lister +doubted if he could stop before the heavy train plunged through the +broken track. The unsteady white flicker behind the trees had sunk and +changed to smoky red. If looked as if the oil was not vaporizing +properly and the lamp was going out. When the engineer saw the light it +would be too late. + +"Get the boys off the track. I'll try to fix the lamp," Lister shouted, +and started for the bridge. + +The errand was not his. Willis had lighted the lamp: moreover, one might +have sent a workman, but when a job was urgent Lister went himself. The +job was urgent and dangerous. Unless he made good speed, he would meet +the train on the bridge and the cylinders of the locomotive projected +beyond the edge. + +The track was rough and fresh gravel rolled under his feet. Now and then +he struck a cross-tie and nearly fell. It had got dark and among the +trees the gloom was deep; one could not see the ties. Yet he must run, +and his breath got labored and his heart thumped. He did not know where +the train was, only that it was near. The woods throbbed with a savage +din; the big cars, loaded with rattling gravel, clanged and roared as +they plunged down grade. + +Lister hardly thought he could stop the train. It looked as if he would +be caught on the trestle, but he meant to go on. He did not argue about +it; he was rather moved by instinctive stubbornness. At moments of +strain one does not argue and logic has no appeal. Character counts for +all, and Lister followed his bent. His job was urgent and must be +carried out. + +When he reached the bridge he saw white threads of water between the +timbers of the open frame. The spacing of the ties was not regular, and +if he stepped short, or too far, he would go through. Then, if he did +not strike a brace, he would fall upon the rocks in the stream. All the +same, he saw the blaze of the head-lamp pick out the trees across the +ravine and sprang on to the bridge. + +Somehow he hit the ties; perhaps by subconscious judgment, and perhaps +by good luck. Then he felt loose gravel under his feet and thrilled with +a strange fierce satisfaction. His breath was labored and his body wet +by sweat, but the moving beam had not reached the lamp. He was going to +make it. + +When the black front of a gravel car leaped out of the gloom he jumped +off the track. The locomotive pushed the cars, the train was long, and +the lamp was but a few yards off. It had not gone out, although the +flame had sunk to a faint red jet that would not be seen in the dust. +His hands shook, but he gave the pump a few strokes and turned the valve +wheel. The red jet got white and leaped higher and Lister, pumping hard, +looked up the track. Big cars, rocking and banging, rushed past in a +cloud of dust. Bits of gravel struck him and rattled against the lamp. +The blurred, dark figures of men who sat upon the load cut against the +fan-shaped beam, and in the background he saw a shower of leaping +sparks. + +But the other light was growing and Lister turned the wheel. Burning oil +splashed around him, a pillar of fire rushed up, and when a whistle +screamed he let go the valve and turned from the blinding dust. He was +shaking, but the heavy snorting stopped. The engineer had seen the light +and cut off steam. + +When Lister looked round the train was gone. He had done what he had +undertaken, and after waiting for a few moments he started back. Now he +could go cautiously, he stopped and tried to brace himself at the end of +the bridge. Although he had run across not long since, he shrank from +the dark, forbidding gaps. For all that, he must get back, and feeling +carefully for the ties, he reached the other side and was for some time +engaged at the muskeg where two cars had overrun the broken rails. At +length he went to the log shack he used for his office and +sleeping-room, and soon after he lighted his pipe Kemp came in. + +"You made it," Kemp remarked. "When you stopped me at the bridge I saw +you'd get there." + +Lister laughed. "Now you talk about it, I believe I did shout you to go +back. Anyhow, you were some way behind. Did Willis come?" + +"He did not. Willis was badly rattled and started for the muskeg. +Thought he might get the track thrown across the hole, perhaps! I'm +rather sorry for the kid. But what are you going to do about it?" + +"Report we had two cars bogged and state the cost of labor. That's all, +I think." + +Kemp nodded. "Well, perhaps there's no use in talking about the lamp. +Our business is to make good, using the tools we've got. All the same, +if they want a man somewhere else, I guess I'd recommend Willis." + +He smoked quietly for a time, and then resumed: "We don't get forward +much. In fact, if the new Western irrigation company would take me on, I +think I'd quit." + +Lister pondered. Since his short stop at Winnipeg he had been conscious +of a strange restlessness. He wanted something the woods could not give, +and had begun to think life had more to offer than he had known. +Besides, he was not making much progress. + +"Since the double track is to be pushed on across the plains, the +department will need a bigger staff and there ought to be a chance for +some of us," he said. "Then there's the new work with the long bridges +on the lake section that will carry higher pay. We're next on turn and +have some claim. They ought to move us up." + +"I doubt. We didn't come from a famous office, and it's not always +enough to know your job." + +"Somebody will get a better post, and if I'm lucky I'll stay. If not, I +think I'll try the irrigation works." + +"I feel like that," Kemp declared. "But suppose the irrigation people +turn our application down?" + +"Then I'll lie off for a time. Except when I went, to McGill with money +I earned on a wheat barge, I haven't stopped work since I was a boy. Now +I'm getting tired and think I'll pull out and go across to look at the +Old Country. My father was an Englishman, and I have some money to +burn." + +"A good plan," Kemp agreed. "After a change you come back fresh with a +stronger punch. Well, if we're not put on to the lake section, we'll try +the irrigation scheme." + +He got up and went off, but Lister sat on his bunk and smoked. The bunk +was packed with swamp-grass on which his coarse Hudson's Bay blankets +were laid, and the shack was bare. Ragged slickers and old overalls +occupied the wall, long gum-boots a corner. A big box carried an iron +wash-basin, and a small table some drawing instruments. Lister was not +fastidious, and, as a rule, did not stop long enough at one spot to +justify his making his shack comfortable. Besides, he found it necessary +to concentrate on his work, and had not much time to think about +refinements. + +All the same, he felt the shack was dreary and his life was bleak. He +had not felt this until he went to Winnipeg. On the whole, he had liked +the struggle against physical obstacles. It was his proper job, but the +struggle was stern and sometimes exhausting, and his reward was small. +Now he wanted something different, and gave himself to vague and +brooding discontent. + +Ruth Duveen had broken his former tranquillity. In a sense, she had +awakened him, and he imagined she had meant to do so. All the same, to +think she loved him was ridiculous; she was rather experimenting with +fresh material. Yet she was accountable for his discontent. She had +helped him to see that while he labored in the woods he had missed much. +He wanted the society of cultivated women and men with power and +influence; to use control instead of carrying out orders; and to know +something of refinement and beauty. After all, his father was a +cultivated Englishman, although Lister imagined he had inherited +qualities that helped him most from his Canadian mother. It was all he +had inherited, except some debts he had laboriously paid. + +He admitted that to realize his ambitions might be hard, but he meant to +try. Canada was for the young and stubborn. If his chiefs did not +promote him, he would make a plunge, and if his new plan did not work, +he would go over and see the Old Country. Then he would come back, +braced and refreshed, and try his luck again. + +Putting down his pipe, he got into bed. He was tired and in the morning +the gravel cars must be pulled out of the muskeg. The job was awkward, +and while he thought about it he went to sleep. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE TEST + +A boisterous wind swept the high plain and round, white-edged clouds +rolled across the sky. The grass that ran back from the horizon was +parched, and in the distance a white streak of blowing dust marked a +dried alkali lake. Dust of dark color drove along the row of wooden +stores and houses that fronted the railroad track, across which three +grain elevators rose like castles. The telegraph posts along the track +melted into the level waste, and behind the spot where they vanished the +tops of a larger group of elevators cut the edge of the plain. + +The street was not paved, and the soil was deeply ploughed by wheels. +The soil was the black gumbo in which the wheat plant thrives, but the +town occupied the fringe of a dry belt and farming had not made much +progress. Now, however, a company was going to irrigate the land with +water from a river fed by the Rockies' snow. The town was square, and +although it looked much smaller than real-estate agents' maps indicated, +it was ornamented by four wooden churches, a Y.M.C.A. like a temple, and +an ambitious public hall. + +The Tecumseh Hotel occupied a corner lot at the end of the street and +was not remarkably commodious or clean, but its charges were less than +the Occidental's by the station, and Lister and Kemp were not +fastidious. Some time had gone since they pulled the gravel cars out of +the swamp and they had not been sent to the lake section. In +consequence, they had applied to the irrigation company for a post, and +having been called to meet the engineers and directors, imagined they +were on the short list. + +Lister lounged against the rails on the Tecumseh veranda. The boards +were cracked and dirty; burned matches and cigar ends were scattered +about, and a skeleton, gauze covered door that shut with a powerful +spring kept some of the flies and mosquitoes out of the hotel. + +"We'll know to-morrow," he remarked presently. + +Kemp nodded. "I can't figure on our chances. Feel anxious about it?" + +"Not much. In fact, I mean to use the thing to test my luck. If we're +engaged, I'll stay in Canada; if they turn us down, I'll start for the +Old Country." + +"You have no particular plans, I reckon." + +"No," said Lister, smiling. "I'm going to look about. I know our new +Western towns, but I want to see old cities, churches, and cathedrals; +the great jobs men made before they used concrete and steel. Then I'd +like to study art and music and see the people my father talked about. +Ours is a good country, but when it's all you know it gets monotonous." +He indicated the row of wooden houses and lonely plain. "One wants more +than the track and this." + +"It's possible you may go across," said Kemp. "Looks as if the company's +short list was pretty long. There's a gang of candidates in town, we +have no pull on the directors, and I don't know if our advantages are +very marked--" He stopped and laughed, for a man came round the corner. +"Hello, Willis!" he exclaimed. "When did you arrive?" + +"I came in on the last train. Got a notice to meet the Irrigation +Board." + +"Oh, well," said Kemp, "since the applicants are more numerous than the +posts, I reckon another won't count. Do you expect they're going to take +you on?" + +"I expect my chance is as good as yours." + +"I'll sell you my chance for ten dollars," Kemp rejoined. + +"Nothing doing, at the price," said Willis, and went off. + +Kemp laughed. Willis was marked by a superficial smartness his comrades +sometimes found amusing and sometimes annoying. For the most part, they +bore with him good-humoredly, but did not trust him when work that +needed careful thought was done. + +"The kid looks confident, but his applying for a job is something of a +joke," Kemp remarked. "I'd put his value at fifty cents a day." + +Lister agreed, and looked up the dusty street. The fronts of the small +frame houses were cracked by the sun, and some were carried up to hide +the roof and give the building a fictitious height. A Clover-leaf wagon +stood in front of a store, the wheels crusted by dry mud, and the team +fidgeted amidst a swarm of flies. Except for one or two railroad hands +waiting by the caboose of a freight train, nobody was about. The town +looked strangely dreary. + +Yet Lister knew it stood for all the relief from labor in the stinging +alkali dust one could get. One could loaf in a hard chair in front of +the hotel, lose a dollar or two at the shabby pool-room, or go to a +movie show and see pictures of frankly ridiculous Western melodrama. In +the real West, the pictures were ridiculous, because romantic +shootings-up did not happen. In fact, unless a stubborn labor dispute +began, nothing broke the dull monotony of toilsome effort. Romance had +vanished with the buffaloes. Lister admitted that he had not long felt +the monotony. The trouble began when he stopped at Winnipeg. + +"I think I'll go up the street," he said. + +A rough plank sidewalk ran in front of the houses, and Lister imagined +it was needed when the spring thaw and summer thunder-storms softened +the gumbo soil. Opposite the Occidental he stopped, for Duveen occupied +a chair on the veranda. While Lister hesitated Duveen beckoned him to +come up. + +"It's hot and dusty. Will you take a drink?" he said. + +Lister refused with thanks and wondered whether Ruth was at the hotel. +In a way, he would like to see her, but admitted that perhaps he had +better not. When he asked if she was well Duveen said she had gone to +Quebec, and gave Lister a cigar. + +"It looks as if you had left the railroad," he remarked. + +"I have not left yet," said Lister cautiously. + +"Then, you won't go unless you get a better job? Did you know I had +joined the Irrigation Board?" + +Lister said he did not know, and got embarrassed when Duveen gave him a +thoughtful glance. He wondered whether Ruth had talked to Duveen before +she hinted he might get a better post. + +"Perhaps I ought not to have come up. In fact, I hesitated--" + +Duveen laughed. "So I remarked! You reckoned the Occidental stoop was +pretty public and your talking to me might imply that you wanted my +support? Well, I'll risk that. It's obvious you're on the short list. Do +you want a post?" + +For a moment or two Lister pondered. He did want a post; anyhow, he +ought to try for it. On the whole he liked Duveen, and thought he might +have liked Ruth better had she not been rich. All the same, Duveen was a +shrewd manipulator of new industries and to take a post by his favor +would be to own a debt, for which payment might be demanded. Yet Duveen +had been kind and Lister hesitated. + +"I asked for a post," he said. "If I'm engaged, I'll try to make good; +but I must make good at the dam or on the ditch. Then I don't want to +bother my friends. The company has my engineering record and must judge +my usefulness by this. If they're not satisfied, I won't grumble much." + +"You're an independent fellow, but I think I understand," Duveen +rejoined with a twinkle. "A company director's duty _is_ to judge an +applicant for a post by his professional record. If you are appointed, +you want us to appoint you because we believe you are the proper man?" + +"Something like that," said Lister quietly. + +Duveen nodded, and his glance rested for a moment on Lister's forehead. + +"I see the mark you got on board the train hasn't altogether gone. Did +you hear anything about the girl you helped?" + +"I did not," said Lister, starting, for he had not imagined Duveen knew +about the girl. "I have not seen her since she went off on the +locomotive." + +"Then she has not written to you since?" + +"She could not write, because she doesn't know who I am, and I don't +know her. We talked for a minute or two, that's all." + +Duveen's face was inscrutable and Lister wondered whether he doubted his +statement. He was annoyed because the other knew so much. + +"Oh, well," said Duveen, "I expect you heard they didn't catch Shillito, +and since he got across the frontier, it's possible the Canadian police +won't see him again. But I must get ready for supper. Will you stay?" + +Lister excused himself and went back to the Tecumseh, where the bill of +fare was frugal and the serving rude. He imagined he had refused much +more than a first-class supper, but was satisfied he had taken the +proper line. For one thing, Duveen knew Ruth had given him her +friendship and, since he knew his daughter, it was significant that he +had not thought it necessary to meddle. Lister wondered whether he had +meant to use him, and was glad he had kept his independence. If he got +the post now, he would know he had rather misjudged Duveen, but he +doubted. All the same, he liked the man. + +After supper Kemp and he sat on the veranda and watched the green glow +fade from the edge of the plain. They did not talk much, but by and by +Kemp remarked: "I thought I saw you go into the Occidental." + +"Duveen called me on to the stoop." + +"Duveen?" Kemp exclaimed. "Then he's got his hand on the wires! If the +Irrigation Company puts the undertaking over, a number of the dollars +will go to Duveen's wad. If he's your friend, I expect you know he could +get you the job." + +"It's possible. All the same, I hinted I didn't want his help." + +Kemp laughed. "You surprise me every time! I'm all for a square deal and +down with scheming grafters and log-rollers, but I allow I hate them +worst when they give another fellow the post I want." + +"The thing's not fixed yet. The company's engineers are going to judge +and our record's pretty good. They may engage us. We'll know to-morrow." + +"Sure thing," Kemp remarked dryly. "I reckon we'll both pull out on the +first train." + +It began to get dark and Lister went off to bed. He must get water from +a cistern in the roof and to carry the heavy jug was awkward when one +could not see. At the Tecumseh the guests were expected to carry water +for themselves, and Lister, groping along the shadowy passage with his +load, thought his doing so had some significance. It was part of the +price he must pay for freedom. + +At the time fixed in the morning, he went to the Occidental and was +shown into a room where a number of gentlemen occupied a table. One or +two were smoking and the others talked in low voices, but when Lister +came in and the secretary indicated a chair they turned as if to study +him. Duveen sat next a man at the end of the table and gave Lister a +nod. Somehow Lister thought he was amused. + +Lister's heart beat. He felt this was ridiculous, because he had +persuaded himself it did not matter whether he got the post or not. Now, +however, when the moment to try his luck had come, he shrank from the +plunge he had resolved to make if he were not engaged. After all, he +knew and liked his occupation; to let it go and try fresh fields would +be something of a wrench. + +The gentlemen did not embarrass him. On the whole, they were urbane, and +when the secretary gave the chairman his application one asked a few +questions about the work he had done. Lister was able to answer +satisfactorily, and another talked to him about the obstacles +encountered when one excavated treacherous gravel and built a bank to +stand angry floods. For all that, Lister was anxious. The others looked +bored, as if they were politely playing a game. He thought they knew +beforehand how the game would end, but he did not know. The inquiries +that bored the urbane gentlemen had important consequences for him and +the suspense was keen. + +At length they let him go, and Duveen gave him a smile that Lister +thought implied much. When he returned to the hotel Kemp remarked that +he looked as if he needed a drink, and suggested that Lister go with him +and get one. + +"I need three or four drinks, but mean to go without," said Lister +grimly. "I begin to understand how some men get the tanking habit." + +He started off across the plain, and coming back too late for lunch, +found Kemp on the veranda. Kemp looked as if he were trying to be +philosophical, but found it hard. + +"The secretary arrived not long since," he said. "A polite man! He +didn't want to let us down too heavily." + +"Ah!" said Lister. "The Irrigation people have no use for us?" + +Kemp nodded. "Willis has got the best job; they've hired up two or three +others, but we're left out." + +"Willis!" exclaimed Lister, and joined in Kemp's laugh. + +"After all, the money he's going to get is theirs," said Kemp. "In this +country we're a curious lot. We let grafters and wire-pullers run us, +and, when we start a big job, get away with much of the capital we want +for machines; but somehow we make good. We shoulder a load we needn't +carry and hit the pace up hot. If we got clean control, I reckon we'd +never stop. However, there's not much use in philosophizing when you've +lost your job, and the East-bound train goes out in a few minutes. You'd +better pack your grip." + + + +CHAPTER IX + +BARBARA PLAYS A PART + +Lister returned to the railroad camp and stayed until the company sent a +man to fill his post. In the meantime, he wrote to some of his father's +relations, whom he had not seen, and their reply was kind. They stated +that while he was in England he must make their house his home. When his +successor arrived he started for Montreal, and one afternoon sat under a +tree in the square by the cathedral. + +The afternoon was calm. A thunderstorm that wet the streets had gone, +and an enervating damp heat brooded over the city. After the fresh winds +that sweep the woods and plains, Lister felt the languid air made him +slack and dull. His steamer did not sail until daybreak, and since he +had gone up the mountain and seen the cathedral and Notre Dame, he did +not know what to do. The bench he occupied was in the shade, and he +smoked and looked about. + +Cabs rolled up the street to the big hotel across the square, and behind +the trees the huge block of the C.P.R. station cut the sky. One heard +whistles, the rumble of heavy wheels, and the tolling of locomotive +bells. Pigeons flew down from the cathedral dome and searched the damp +gravel. + +A group of foreign emigrants picnicked in the shade. Their clothes were +old and greasy; they carried big shapeless bundles and looked tired and +worn. Lister could not guess their nationality, but imagined they had +known poverty and oppression in Eastern Europe. It was obvious they had +recently disembarked from a crowded steerage and waited for an emigrant +train. They were going West, to the land of promise, and Lister wished +them luck. He and they were birds of passage and, with all old landmarks +left behind, rested for a few hours on their journey. + +He studied the group. The men looked dull and beaten; the women had no +beauty and had grown coarse with toil. Their faces were pinched and +their shoulders bent. Only the children, in spite of rags and dirt, +struck a hopeful note. Yet the forlorn strangers had pluck; they had +made a great adventure and might get their reward. Lister had seen +others in the West, who had made good, breaking soil they owned and +walking with the confident step of self-respecting men. On the plains, +stubborn labor was rewarded, but one needed pluck to leave all one knew +and break custom's familiar but heavy yoke. + +By and by Lister remembered he wanted to take his relations a few +typically Canadian presents. He had seen nothing that satisfied him at +Winnipeg, and had better look about the shops at Montreal. Anyhow, it +would amuse him for an hour or two. He got up, went along the path for a +few yards, and then stopped. + +Across the clanging of the locomotive bells and the roll of trolley cars +at the bottom of the hill he heard sweet voices. The music was faint and +somehow ethereal, as if it fell from a height. One lost it now and then. +It came from the cathedral and Lister stopped and listened. He did not +know what office was being sung, but the jaded emigrants knew, for a +child got up and stood with bent head, holding a greasy cap, and a +ragged woman's face got gentle as she signed herself with the cross. It +looked as if the birds of passage had found a landmark in a foreign +land. Lister was moved, and gave the child a coin before he went off. + +He strolled east, past Notre Dame, towards the post office, about which +the stately banks and imposing office blocks stand. This quarter of the +city drew him, for one saw how constructive talent and imagination could +be used, and he wondered whether England had new buildings like these. +Sometimes one felt the Western towns were raw and vulgar, but one saw +the bold Canadian genius at its best in Montreal. + +After a time he stopped in front of a shop in a short side street. +Indian embroidery work and enameled silver occupied the window, and +although Lister was not an artist he had an eye for line and knew the +things were good. The soft, stained deerskin was cleverly embroidered; +he liked the warm colors of the enamel, and going in was shown a tray of +spoons. + +The shop, shut in by high buildings, was dark and smelt of aromatic wood +and leather, but a beam from a window pierced the gloom and sparkled on +the silver. This was emblazoned with the arms of the Provinces; the +Ship, the Wheatsheaves, and the red Maple Leaf. Lister picked up the +articles, and while he did so was vaguely conscious that a girl at the +opposite counter studied him. He, however, did not look up until he had +selected a few of the spoons, and then he started. + +The light that touched the girl's face did not illuminate it all. Her +profile was sharp as an old daguerreotype: he saw the flowing line from +brow to chin, drawn with something of austere classic beauty, the arched +lips and the faint indication of a gently-rounded cheek. The rest was in +shadow, and the contrast of light and gloom was like a Rembrandt +picture. Then the enameled spoons rattled as Lister put down the tray. +He knew the picture. When he last saw the girl, her face was lighted +like that by the blaze of a locomotive head-lamp. + +"I'll take these things," he said, and crossed the floor. + +The girl moved back, but he indicated a bundle of deerskin articles he +thought her business was to sell. Her color was high; he noted the vivid +white and pink against the dull background of stained leather. + +"What does one do with those bags?" he asked. + +"They're useful for keeping gloves and handkerchiefs," she replied. "The +pattern is worked in sinews, but we have some with a neat colored +embroidery." She paused and signed to a saleswoman farther on. "Will you +bring this gentleman the Revillon goods?" + +Lister's object for stopping her was not very plain, but he did not mean +to let her go. + +"Please don't bother. I expect to find something in this bundle," he +said to the approaching saleswoman. Then he turned to the girl in front. +"Let me look at the bag with the arrow-head pattern." + +She gave him the bag, and although her glance was steady he knew she was +embarrassed. + +"If you will wrap it up, I'll keep this one," he resumed. "I expect you +have not forgotten me. When I came into the shop I didn't imagine I +should meet you, but if you'd sooner I went off, I'll go." + +"I have not forgotten," she admitted, and her color faded and came back +to her delicate skin. + +"Very well! Since I sail to-night on the Allan boat, it's plain you +needn't be afraid of my bothering you. All the same, we were partners in +an adventure that ought to make us friends. Can't I meet you for a few +minutes when you stop work?" + +She hesitated, and then gave him a searching glance. + +"Come to the fountain up the street in an hour. This is my early +evening." + +Lister went off with the bag and spoons, and when he returned to the +fountain saw her crossing the square in front. She was dressed like the +shop-girls he had seen hurrying on board the street cars in the morning; +her clothes were pretty and fashionable, but Lister thought the material +was cheap. He felt she ought not to wear things like that. While she +advanced he studied her. She was attractive, in a way he had hardly +remarked on board the train. One rather noted her quick, resolute +movements, the sparkle in her eyes, and her keen vitality. Lister began +to think he had unconsciously noted much. + +"I'm going to take you to supper, and you can send me off when you like +afterwards," he said and started across the square. A famous restaurant +was not far off. + +"No," she said, as if she knew where he was going. "If I go with you, it +must be the tea-rooms I and my friends use." She gave him a rather hard +smile and added: "There's no use in my going where I don't belong." + +Lister said nothing, but while they walked across the town she talked +with a brightness he thought forced, and when they stopped at a small +tea-room in a side street he frowned. He was persuaded she did not +belong there. She was playing a part, perhaps not very cleverly since he +had found her out. She wanted him to think her a shop-girl enjoying an +evening's adventure; her talk and careless laugh hinted at this, but +Lister was not cheated. + +They went in. The room was small and its ornamentation unusual. +Imitation vines crawled about light wooden arches, cutting up the floor +space into quiet corners. The room was rather dark, but pink lamps shone +among the leaves and the soft light touched the tables and clusters of +artificial grapes. Lister thought the plan was well carried out, for the +grapes were the small red Muskokas that grow in Canada. When he picked +up the menu card he understood why girls from the stores and offices +used the place. + +Lister ordered the best supper the French-Canadian landlady could serve, +and then began to talk while he helped his companion. The corner they +occupied was secluded and he owned that to sup with an attractive girl +had a romantic charm. He noted that she frankly enjoyed the food and he +liked her light, quick laugh and the sparkle in her eyes. Her thin +summer clothes hinted at a slender, finely-lined form, and her careless +pose was graceful. + +He wondered whether she felt her meeting him was something of an +adventure, but he was persuaded she was playing a part. Her frankness +was not bold, the little, French-Canadian gestures were obviously +borrowed, and some of the colloquialisms she used were out of date. +Except for these, her talk was cultivated. For a time Lister tried to +play up, and then resolved to see if he could break her reserve. + +"It looks as if you made Malcolm all right on board the gravel train," +he remarked. + +She gave him a quick glance and colored. "Yes, I made it and got the +East-bound express. The engineer was kind. I expect you told him he must +help?" + +"When I put you on board the locomotive I knew Roberts would see you +out. He's a sober fellow and has two girls as old as you." + +"You don't know how old I am," she said with an effort for carelessness. + +"Anyhow, it's plain you are young enough to be rash," Lister rejoined. + +She put down her cup and her glance was soft. He saw she was not acting. + +"I don't think I really was rash--not _then_. It's something to know +when you can trust people, and I did know." + +Lister was embarrassed, but her gentleness had charm. He did not want +her to resume her other manner. Then he was tempted to make an +experiment. + +"You know Shillito got away?" + +Her lips trembled and the blood came to her skin, but she fronted him +bravely and he felt ashamed. + +"Yes," she said. "I think I would sooner he had been caught! But why did +you begin to talk about Shillito?" + +"Perhaps I oughtn't; I'm sorry." + +She studied him and he thought she pondered, although it was possible +she wanted to recover her calm. + +"Unless you are very dull, you know something," she resumed with an +effort. "Well, I was rash, but just before I saw you on the platform I +found out all I'd risked. I think I was desperate; I meant to jump off +the train, only it was going fast and water shone under the bridge. Then +you pushed me from the step and I felt I must make another plunge and +try to get your help. Now I'm glad I did so. But that's all." + +Lister understood that the thing was done with. She would tell him +nothing more, and he was sorry he had indulged his curiosity. + +"Oh, well," he said, "there's not much risk of my bothering you about +the fellow again. I start for England in a few hours." + +Her glance got wistful. She moved her plate and her hand trembled. + +"You are English?" he resumed. + +"I met you first on board a Canadian train and now you find me helping +at a Montreal store. Isn't this enough? Why do you try to find out where +I come from?" + +"I'm sorry. All the same, you're not a Canadian." + +"I am a Canadian now," she rejoined, and then added, as if she were +resolved to talk about something else, "There's a mark on your forehead, +like a deep cut. You hadn't got it when I saw you on the platform." + +"No," said Lister. "I fell down some steps not long afterwards." + +She looked at him sharply and then exclaimed: "Oh! the newspapers said +there was a struggle on the train! Somebody helped the police and got +hurt. It was you. Shillito knew you had meddled. You got the cut for +me!" + +"We agreed we wouldn't talk about Shillito. I got the cut because I +didn't want to see a young police trooper knocked out. People who meddle +do get hurt now and then. Anyhow, it's some time since and I think we'll +let it go. Suppose you tell me about Montreal and your job at the +store?" + +She roused herself and began to talk. Lister thought it cost her +something, but she sketched her working companions with skill and humor. +She used their accent and their French-Canadian gestures. Lister laughed +and led her on, although he got a hint of strain. The girl was not happy +and he had noted her wistful look when she talked about England. At +length she got up, and stopping at the door for a moment gave him her +hand. + +"Thank you. I wish you _bon voyage_," she said. + +"Can't we go somewhere else? Is there nothing doing at the theaters?" +Lister asked. + +"No," she said resolutely; "I'm going home. Anyhow, I'm going where I +live." + +Lister let her go, but waited, watching her while she went up the +street. Somehow she looked forlorn and he felt pitiful. He remembered +that he did not know her name, which he had wanted to ask but durst not. + +When he returned to his hotel he stopped at the desk and gave the clerk +a cigarette. As a rule, a Canadian hotel clerk knows something about +everybody of importance in the town. + +"I bought some _souvenirs_ at a curiosity depot," he said, and told the +other where the shop was. "Although they charged me pretty high, the +things looked good." + +"You haven't got stung," the clerk remarked. "The folks are +French-Canadians but they like a square deal. If you put up the money, +they put up the goods." + +"The shop hands looked smart and bright. If you study the sales people, +you can sometimes tell how a store is run." + +"That's so. Those girls don't want to grumble. They're treated all +right." + +"Oh, well," said Lister, "since I don't know much about enameled goods +and deerskin truck, I'm glad I've not got stung." + +When he went off the other smiled, for a hotel clerk is not often +cheated, and he thought he saw where Lister's remarks led. Lister, +however, was strangely satisfied. It was something to know the +storekeepers were honest and kind to the people they employed. + + + +CHAPTER X + +VERNON'S CURIOSITY + +Silky blue lines streaked the long undulations that ran back to the +horizon and the _Flaminian_ rolled with a measured swing. When her bows +went down the shining swell broke with a dull roar and rainbows +flickered in the spray about her forecastle; then, while the long deck +got level, one heard the beat of engines and the grinding of screws. A +wake like an angry torrent foamed astern, and in the distance, where the +dingy smoke-cloud melted, the crags of Labrador ran in faint, broken +line. Ahead an ice-floe glittered in the sun. The liner had left Belle +Isle Strait and was steaming towards Greenland on the northern Atlantic +course. + +Harry Vernon occupied a chair on the saloon-deck and read the _Montreal +Star_ which had been sent on board at Rimouski. The light reflected by +the white boats and deck was strong; he was not much interested, and put +down the newspaper when Lister joined him. They had met on the journey +from Winnipeg to Montreal, and on boarding the _Flaminian_ Lister was +given the second berth in Vernon's room. Vernon liked Lister. + +"Take a smoke," he said, indicating a packet of cigarettes. "Nothing +fresh in the newspapers. They've caught the fellow Porteous; he was +trying to steal across to Detroit." + +Lister sat down and lighted a cigarette. Porteous was a clerk who had +not long since gone off with a large sum of his employer's money. + +"Canada is getting a popular hunting ground for smart crooks. It looks +as if our business men were easily robbed." + +"There are two kinds of business men; one lot makes things, the other +buys and sells. Some of the first are pretty good manufacturers, but +stop at that. They concentrate on manufacturing and hire a specialist to +look after finance." + +"But if the specialist's a crook, can't you spot him when he gets to +work?" + +"As a rule, the men who get stung know all about machines and material +but nothing about book-keeping," Vernon replied. "A bright accountant +could rob one or two I've met when he was asleep. For example, there was +Shillito. His employers were big and prosperous lumber people; clever +men at their job, but Shillito gambled with their money for some time +before they got on his track. I expect you read about him in the +newspapers?" + +Lister smiled and, pushing back his cap, touched his forehead. + +"I know something about Shillito. That's his mark!" + +"Then you were the man he knocked out!" Vernon exclaimed. "But he hasn't +got your money. Why did you help the police?" + +"It isn't very obvious. Somehow, I didn't like the fellow. Then, you +see, the girl--" + +"The girl? What had a girl to do with it?" + +Lister frowned. He had not meant to talk about the girl and was angry +because he had done so, but did not see how he could withdraw his +careless statement. Moreover Vernon looked interested, and it was +important that both were typical Canadians. The young Canadian is not +subtle; as a rule, his talk is direct, and at awkward moments he is +generally marked by a frank gravity. Vernon was grave now and Lister +thought he pondered. He had not known Vernon long, but he felt one could +trust him. + +"I met a girl on board the train," he said. "She was keen about getting +away from Shillito." + +"Why did she want to get away?" + +"I don't know. Looked as if she was afraid of him. When I first saw her +she was on the car platform and I reckoned she was bracing herself to +jump off. Since we were running across a trestle, I pulled her from the +steps. That's how the thing began." + +"But it didn't stop just then?" + +"It stopped soon afterwards," Lister replied. "She wanted to get off and +go East; the train was bound West, but we were held up at a side-track, +and I put her on board a gravel train locomotive." + +"Then she went East!" said Vernon thoughtfully, and studied the other. + +Lister sat with his head thrown back and the sun on his brown face. His +look was calm and frank; his careless pose brought out the lines of his +thin but muscular figure. Vernon felt he was honest; he knew Lister's +type. + +"She went off on board our construction locomotive," Lister replied. + +"But I don't see yet! Why did you meddle? Why did she give you her +confidence?" + +"She didn't give me her confidence," Lister said, and smiled. "She +wanted to get away and I helped. That's all. It's obvious I wasn't out +for a romantic adventure, because I put her off the train." + +Vernon nodded. Lister's argument was sound; besides, he did not look +like a philanderer. + +"Then you don't know who she is?" + +"I don't know. She didn't put me wise and my business was not to bother +her." + +"What was she like? Did you guess her age? How was she dressed?" + +Lister lighted a fresh cigarette. Vernon's keenness rather puzzled him, +but he thought he had told the fellow enough. In fact, he doubted if the +girl would approve his frankness. He was not going to state that he had +met her at Montreal. Anyhow, not yet. If Vernon talked about the thing +again and gave proper grounds for his curiosity, he might perhaps +satisfy him. + +"She was young," he answered vaguely. "Attractive, something of a +looker, I think. I don't know much about women's clothes." + +"Oh, well!" said Vernon. "You helped her off and Shillito found this out +and got after you?" + +"He got after me when he saw he was corraled," Lister replied, and +narrated his struggle on the platform. He was now willing to tell Vernon +all he wanted to know, but saw the other's interest was not keen and +they presently began to talk about something else. + +"What are you going to do in the Old Country?" Vernon asked. + +"I have no plans. For a time, I guess I'll loaf and look about. Then I +want to see my father's folks, whom I haven't met." + +"Your father was English?" + +"Why, yes," said Lister, smiling. "If you reckon up, you'll find a big +proportion of the staunchest Canadians' parents came from the Old +Country. In fact, I sometimes feel Canada belongs to us and the boys of +the sourdough stock. Between us we have given the country its stamp and +made it a land for white men; but we'll soon be forced to make good our +claim. If we're slack, we'll be snowed under by folks from Eastern +Europe whose rules and habits are not ours." + +Vernon nodded. "It's a problem we have got to solve. But are you going +back to the railroad when you have looked about?" + +"I'm going back some time, but, now I have pulled out, I want to see all +I can. I'd like to look at Europe, Egypt and India." + +"Wandering around costs something," Vernon remarked. + +"That is so. My wad's small, but if I've not had enough when it's used +up, I'll look for a job. If nothing else is doing, I'll go to sea." + +Vernon's smile was sympathetic and he looked ahead, over the dipping +forecastle to the far horizon. The sea shone with reflected light and an +iceberg glimmered against the blue. He felt the measured throb of +engines and the ship leap forward. Vernon was a young Canadian and +sprang from pioneering stock. The vague distance called; he felt the +lure of going somewhere. + +"If the thing was possible, I'd go with you," he said. "All the same, +I'm tied to business and the old man can't pull his load alone. My job's +to stick to the traces and help him along. But do you know much about +the sea?" + +"I was engineer on board a Pacific coasting boat and a wheat barge on +the Lakes." + +"Well," said Vernon thoughtfully, "I know an English shipping boss who +might help you get a berth. I'd rather like you to meet him, but we'll +talk about this again. Now let's join those fellows at deck-quoits." + +Their friendship ripened, but it was not until the last day of the +voyage Vernon said something more about the English ship-owner. +_Flaminian_ was steaming across the Irish Sea, with the high blue hills +of Mourne astern and the Manx rocks ahead. Vernon lounged on the +saloon-deck and his face was thoughtful as he looked across the shining +water. + +"We'll make Liverpool soon after dark, and if I can get the train I +want, I'll pull out right then," he said. "You allowed you might try a +run on board an English ship before you went back?" + +"It's possible," said Lister. "Depends on how my wad holds out and on +somebody's being willing to give me a post." + +Vernon nodded. "That's where I'm leading." He stopped, and Lister +wondered why he pondered. The thing did not seem worth the thought his +companion gave it. + +"I reckon you don't know Cartwright of the Independent Freighters, but +he could put you wise about getting a ship," Vernon resumed. "I'm +stopping for a week or two at his country house. The freighters are +small boats, but Cartwright's worth knowing; in fact, to know him is +something of an education. In the West we're pretty keen business men, +and I've put across some smart deals at the Winnipeg Board of Trade, but +I'll admit Cartwright would beat me every time. Where do you mean to +locate?" + +Lister said he was going to the neighborhood of a small country town in +the North of England, and was puzzled by Vernon's start. + +"That fixes it! The thing's strangely lucky. Cartwright's country house +is not far off. You had better come along by my train. Soon after I +arrive I'll get Mrs. Cartwright to ask you across." + +"I mustn't bother your friends," said Lister. "Besides, I really don't +know if I want to go to sea." + +"All the same, you'll come over to Carrock. You ought to know Cartwright +and I reckon he'll like to know you. I have a notion you and he would +make a good team." + +Lister wondered whether Vernon had an object for urging him to meet his +friend, but this looked ridiculous. + +"What's Cartwright like?" he asked carelessly. + +"My notion is, Cartwright's unique. You imagine he's something of a +highbrow Englishman, rather formal and polite, but he has an eye like a +fish-hawk's and his orders go. Hair and mustache white; you don't know +if his clothes are old or new, but you feel they're exactly what he +ought to wear. That's Cartwright, so to speak, on top; but when you meet +him you want to remember you're not up against a Canadian. We're a +straight type. When we're tough, we're very tough all the time; when +we're cultivated, you can see the polish shine. In the Old Country it's +harder to fix where folks belong." + +"You imply that you have got to know Cartwright before you fix him?" + +Vernon laughed. "I haven't quite fixed him yet. At one time he's a sober +gentleman of the stiff old school; at another he's as rough as the +roughest hobo I've met in the West. I reckon he'd beat a business crook +at the other's smartest trick, but if you're out for a straight deal, +you'll find Cartwright straight." + +He went off to change some money and Lister went to his cabin and began +to pack his trunk. When he came up they had passed the Chicken Rock and +a long bright beam touched the sea astern. In the East, water and sky +faded to dusky blue, but presently a faint light began to blink as if it +beckoned. The light got brighter and gradually drew abeam. The foaming +wake glimmered lividly in the dark, the beat of screws seemed quicker, +and Lister thought the ship was carried forward by a stream of tide. + +Other lights began to blink. They stole out of the dark, got bright, and +vanished, and Lister, leaning on the rails, felt they called him on. One +knew them by their colors and measured flashes. They were beacons, +burning on a well-ordered plan to guide the navigator, but he did not +know the plan. In a sense, this was important, and he began to muse. + +Now he would soon reach the Old Country, he felt he had made a momentous +plunge. Adventure called, he knew Canada and wanted something fresh, but +he wondered whether this was all. Perhaps the plunge had, so to speak, +not been a thoughtless caprice. In a sense, things had led up to it and +made it logical. For example, it might not have been for nothing he met +the girl on the train and got hurt. His hurt had kept him at Winnipeg +and stopping there had roused his discontent. Then he had met Vernon, +who wanted him to know the English ship-owner. It was possible these +things were like the flashes that leaped out of the dark. He would know +where they pointed when the journey was over. Then Lister smiled and +knocked out his pipe. + +When he went on deck again some time afterwards the ship was steering +for a gap between two rows of twinkling lights. They ran on, closing on +each other, like electric lamps in a long street, and in front the sky +shone with a dull red glow. It was the glimmer of a great port, they +were entering the Mersey, and he went off to get up his luggage. + +PART II--THE RECKONING + + + +CHAPTER I + +VERNON'S PLOT + +Lister occupied the end of a slate-flag bench on the lawn at Carrock, +Mrs. Cartwright's house in Rannerdale. Rannerdale slopes to a lake in +the North Country, and the old house stands among trees and rocks in a +sheltered hollow. The sun shone on its lichened front, where a creeper +was going red; in the background birches with silver stems and leaves +like showers of gold gleamed against somber firs. Across the lawn and +winding road, the tranquil lake reflected bordering woods; and then long +mountain slopes that faded from yellow and green to purple closed the +view. + +While Lister waited for the tea Mrs. Cartwright had given him to cool he +felt the charm of house and dale was strong. Perhaps it owed something +to the play of soft light and shade, for, as a rule, in Canada all was +sharply cut. The English landscape had a strange elusive beauty that +gripped one hard, and melted as the fleecy clouds rolled by. When the +light came back color and line were as beautiful but not the same. + +There was no grass in Canada like the sweep of smooth English turf, and +Lister had not thought a house could give the sense of ancient calm one +got at Carrock. Since his boyhood he had not known a home; his resting +place had been a shack at a noisy construction camp, a room at a crowded +cheap hotel, and a berth beside a steamer's rattling engines. Then the +shining silver on the tea-table was something new; he marked its beauty +of line, and the blue and gold and brown pattern on the delicate china +he was almost afraid to touch. In fact, all at Carrock was marked by a +strange refinement and quiet charm. + +He liked his hosts. Mrs. Cartwright was large, rather fat, and placid, +but he felt the house and all it stood for were hers by rightful +inheritance. Her son and daughter were not like that. Lister thought +they had cultivated their well-bred serenity and by doing so had +cultivated out some virile qualities of human nature. Grace Hyslop had +beauty, but not much charm; Lister thought her cold, and imagined her +prejudices were strong and conventional. Mortimer's talk and manners +were colorlessly correct. Lister did not know yet if Hyslop was a prig +or not. + +Cartwright was frankly puzzling. He looked like a sober country +gentleman, and this was not the type Lister had thought to meet. His +clothes were fastidiously good, his voice had a level, restrained note, +but his eye was like a hawk's, as Vernon had said. Now and then one saw +a twinkle of ironical amusement and some of his movements were quick and +vigorous. Lister thought Cartwright's blood was red. + +Vernon, lounging at the opposite end of the bench, talked about a day +Hyslop and he had spent upon the rocks, and rather struck a foreign +note. He had not Hyslop's graceful languidness; he looked alert and +highly-strung. His thin face was too grave for Carrock and his glance +too quick. Lister, listening to his remarks, was surprised to note that +Hyslop was a bold mountaineer. + +"Oh, well," he said, with a deprecatory smile, when Vernon stopped, +"this small group of mountains is all the wild belt we have got, and you +like to find a stranger keen about your favorite sport. Then your +keenness was flattering. In your country, with its lonely woods and +rivers running to the North, you have a field for strenuous sport and +adventure." + +"The woods pull," Vernon agreed. "All the same, I'm a business man. +Betting at the Board of Trade is my proper job and I've got to be +satisfied with a week at a fishing camp now and then. Adventure is for +the pioneers, lumber men and railroad builders like my friend." + +Lister looked up. He did not see why Vernon talked about him. + +"My adventures don't count for much," he said. "Sometimes a car went +into a muskeg and we had to hustle to dig her out. Sometimes the boys +made trouble about their pay. Railroad building is often dull." + +"I don't know if we're all modest in Canada, but my partner is," Vernon +observed. "If you want a romantic tale, persuade him to tell you how he +got the mark on his head." + +"Oh shucks!" said Lister. "I had sooner you had cut that out." He turned +to the others apologetically. "It was a dispute with a fellow on board a +train who threw me down the steps. I don't want to bore you with the +tale." + +"The man was the famous crook, Shillito," Vernon remarked. + +Cartwright lifted his head and looked at Vernon hard. Then he looked at +Lister, who felt embarrassed and angry. He saw Grace and Mrs. Cartwright +were curious and thought Hyslop's glance got keen. + +"If it will not bother Mr. Lister, we would like to hear his narrative," +said Cartwright quietly, but Lister got a hint of command. + +He narrated his adventure on the train, and although he tried to rob the +story of its romance, was surprised when he stopped for a moment. Vernon +was carelessly lighting a cigarette, but Lister saw his carelessness was +forced. When he got a light he crossed the grass, as if he meant to +throw the match over the hedge. Lister thought Cartwright watched Harry +with dry amusement. Mrs. Cartwright's look was obviously disturbed, but +she had not altogether lost her calm. One felt her calm was part of her, +but the Hyslops' was cultivated. Lister imagined it cost them something +to use control. + +"Go on," said Cartwright, rather sharply. + +Lister resumed, but presently Cartwright stopped him. + +"You imagined the girl was afraid of Shillito! What were your grounds?" + +"She was disturbed and declared she must get off the train. I think she +meant to jump off, although we were going fast. Then she asked me if the +conductor could be bribed to stop." + +"Perhaps we can take it for granted she wanted to get away from +somebody. Why did you surmise the man was Shillito?" + +"He came through the car afterwards, as if he tried to find the girl, +and gave me a keen glance. When he came back I thought him angry and +disappointed. By and by I had better grounds for imagining he suspected +I had helped her." + +Cartwright pondered, but Lister did not think he doubted. It rather +looked as if he weighed something carefully. The lines on his face got +deeper and his look was thoughtful. + +"I understand the girl did not give you her name," he said. "What was +she like? How was she dressed?" + +Lister was rather surprised to find he could not answer satisfactorily. +It was not the girl's physical qualities but her emotions he had marked. +He remembered the pluck with which she had struggled against the fear +she obviously felt, her impulsive trust when he offered help, and her +relief when she got into the locomotive cab. Although he had studied her +at Montreal, it was her effort to play a part that impressed him most. + +"She was young, and I think attractive," he replied. "She wore a knitted +cap and a kind of jersey a girl might use for boating. I thought she +came from a summer camp." + +Cartwright's face was inscrutable, but Lister saw the others' interest +was keen. Mrs. Cartwright's eyes were fixed on him and he got a hint of +suspense. Although Grace was very quiet, a touch of color had come to +her skin, as if she felt humiliated. Mortimer's pose was stiff and his +control over done. Then Cartwright turned to his step-daughter. + +"Have you told Jones about the box of plants for Liverpool?" + +Grace's look indicated that she did not want to go, but Cartwright's +glance was insistent and she got up. Lister looked about and saw Vernon +had not come back. He was studying the plants in a border across the +lawn. When Grace had gone Cartwright asked: + +"Can you remember the evening of the month and the time when you first +saw the girl?" + +Lister fixed the date and added: "It was nearly ten o'clock. The porter +had just gone through the car and when he said my berth was ready I +looked at my watch. He went to the next Pullman, and I thought he was +getting busy late." + +Cartwright nodded and Mortimer glanced at him sharply, but next moment +looked imperturbable. Mrs. Cartwright's relief, however, was obvious. +Her face had become animated and her hands trembled. + +"Thank you," said Cartwright. "Go on." + +Lister narrated his putting the girl on board the gravel train and Mrs. +Cartwright interrupted. + +"Do you know if she had money?" + +"She had some. Enough to buy a ticket East." + +"It's strange," said Mrs. Cartwright, and then exclaimed: "You mean you +gave her some?" + +"Oh, well," said Lister awkwardly, "I'd seen her look at her purse and +frown, and as I helped her up the locomotive steps I pushed a few bills +into her hand. I don't think she knew they were paper money. She was +highly-strung and anxious to get off before Shillito came along." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a look that moved him. Her eyes shone and he +knew she was his friend. + +"The poor girl was strangely lucky when she met you," she said. + +Lister resumed his narrative, but it was plain the climax had passed. +The others' interest was now polite, and he went on as fast as possible. +He had begun to see a light and wanted to finish and get away. He did +not, however, see that while he told his artless tale he had drawn his +character. When he stopped Cartwright said: + +"Then you did not know her name?" + +"I don't know it yet," said Lister, as coolly as he could, but got +embarrassed when he saw Cartwright's smile. + +"You don't imagine Shillito rejoined her afterwards?" + +"No," said Lister firmly, "I think it's impossible. The gravel train was +going East, and when the police boarded the cars we had run some +distance West." He stopped for a moment, because he saw he was very +dull. If his supposition were correct, there was something the others +ought to know. "Besides," he resumed, "I met her not long since at +Montreal." + +"At Montreal!" Mrs. Cartwright exclaimed. + +"At a shop where they sold _souvenirs_," Lister replied. "I didn't +expect to meet her; I went in to buy some enameled things. It was a +pretty good shop and the hotel clerk declared the people were all right. +She knew me and we went to a tea-room. She left me at the door, and I +think that's all." + +He got up. "I don't know if I have bored you, but I felt you wanted me +to talk. Now I must get off, and I want to see Harry before I go." + +"Mr. Vernon does not seem to be about," Cartwright remarked with some +dryness. "I'll go to the gate with you." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave Lister her hand and her glance was very kind. "You +will come back? So long as you stop here I hope you will feel our house +is open to you." + +Hyslop got up, but Cartwright stopped him with a sign. He was quiet +while they crossed the lawn, but when they reached the wood by the road +he said, "I imagine you know we owe you much. After a time, your efforts +to use some tact were rather obvious. Well, the girl you helped is my +step-daughter." + +"At the beginning, I did not know this," Lister declared. + +"It was plain," said Cartwright, "Well, I agree with her mother--Barbara +was very lucky when she met you, but since you look embarrassed, we'll +let this go. Did she repay your loan?" + +"She wanted to pay me," said Lister. "I refused." + +"Why?" Cartwright asked, looking at him hard. + +Lister hesitated, "For one thing, I didn't know the sum. Then I knew her +wages were not high. You ought to see I couldn't take the money." + +"You ought to have taken the money, for the girl's sake." + +"Oh," said Lister, "I think she knew I didn't refuse because I wanted +her to feel she owed me something." + +"It's possible she did know," said Cartwright dryly. "You must try to +remember the sum when you come again. Now I want the name of the shop at +Montreal." + +Lister told him and added: "You mean to write to Miss Hyslop?" + +Cartwright smiled. "I'm going across as soon as possible to bring my +step-daughter home." + + + +CHAPTER II + +BARBARA'S RETURN + +When Lister had gone Cartwright returned to the tea-table and looked at +Hyslop, who got up and went off. Hyslop did not altogether want to go +but he had cultivated discretion, and it was plain his step-father meant +to get rid of him. Then Cartwright gave his wife a sympathetic glance. +Mrs. Cartwright was calm, but when she put some cups together her hand +shook. + +"Leave the things alone," said Cartwright in a soothing voice. "Vernon's +plot was clever." + +"Do you think Harry planned that Lister should tell us?" + +"It looks like that," said Cartwright dryly. "He was keen about bringing +his friend over, but was cautious enough to wait until the fellow began +to know us. When he talked about Lister's adventures I wondered where he +was leading. The other was puzzled, and didn't see until near the end." + +"But why didn't Harry, himself, tell us all he knew?" + +"Vernon's a good sort and more fastidious than one thinks; he saw he'd +be forced to venture on rather awkward ground, and there was some doubt. +He wanted us to weigh the story and judge if the clew he gave us ought +to be followed. This was not Vernon's job, although I think he was +satisfied." + +"But you are satisfied?" + +"Yes," said Cartwright "Lister's portrait of Barbara was lifelike and +his own was pretty good. I think he drew himself and her better than he +knew, and perhaps it's lucky we have to deal with fellows like these. A +good Canadian is a fine type. However, we must bring Barbara back." + +"Ah!" said Mrs. Cartwright, "I want her back! One must hide one's hurt, +but to hide it is hard--" She pulled herself up and added: "Will you +send a cablegram?" + +"I think not. The girl is proud and as wild as a hawk. She thinks she +has humiliated us, and if she's startled, she'll probably run away." + +"You don't think she has humiliated us?" Mrs. Cartwright said in a +hesitating voice. + +Cartwright smiled. "It's plain that her escapade must not be talked +about but we can trust these Canadians and I know Barbara. In a sense, +Lister's narrative wasn't necessary. The girl is headstrong, but I was +persuaded she would find the rascal out. Looks as if she did so soon +after they got on board the cars, and I imagine Shillito had an awkward +few moments; Barbara's temper is not mild. Then it's important that she +was desperately anxious to escape from him. There's no more to be said." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a grateful look. Her husband had never failed +her and he had justified her trust again. + +"If you don't send a cablegram, how shall we get Barbara back?" + +"I'll go myself," said Cartwright "If she can't be persuaded, I'll bring +her by force. It's lucky I can charge the cost to the office. The new +wheat is coming down to Montreal, and the _Conference_ people have a +plan to get it all, but I expect to beat them and engage some cargo for +our boats before the St. Lawrence freezes. However, since I'm going, I +must get to work." + +He started for the house and met his step-son at the porch. Mortimer +looked thoughtful, and held an unlighted cigarette. Cartwright studied +him with scornful amusement. + +"Have you been speculating about the proper way of handling an awkward +situation?" + +"I have been talking to Grace," Hyslop replied in an even voice. + +"I rather think Grace has been talking to you, but expect you agreed. +You have, no doubt, decided the best plan is to leave your headstrong +sister alone?" + +"We did agree about something like that," said Hyslop coolly, although +when Cartwright fixed his eyes on his he turned his head. "We thought if +Barbara were given an allowance, she might, for example, stay with the +Vernons. Grace's notion--" + +Cartwright's mouth got hard and his mustache bristled. When he was moved +his urbanity vanished and his talk was very blunt. + +"We'll let Grace's notion go. My form is not my step-children's, but I +try to moderate my remarks about women. We'll admit Grace is a woman, +although I sometimes doubt. Anyhow, you are not a man; you haven't a +drop of warm blood in your veins! You're a curled and scented fine +lady's lap-dog pup!" + +"I don't see much use in talking about my qualities, sir." + +"You don't see," Cartwright agreed. "That's your drawback! You see +nothing that's rude and human; you're afraid to look. All that's obvious +is, Barbara must not come home to throw an awkward reflection on Grace's +Puritanical virtue. People might find out something and talk? If anybody +talks while I'm about, I'll ram the implication down his throat! You +don't see, or perhaps you don't mind, the drawbacks to separating +Barbara from her mother and banishing her from home? She's trustful, +rash, and fiery, and not a statue like Grace. Anyhow, Barbara is coming +back, and if you don't approve, I'll expect you to be resigned. Now get +off before I let myself go!" + +Hyslop went. One gained nothing by arguing with a brute like Cartwright, +and since Mrs. Cartwright's infatuation for her husband could not be +disturbed Hyslop knew he must acquiesce. Cartwright, rather braced by +the encounter, went to the library and wrote some letters to Liverpool. +A few days afterwards, he packed his trunk and was driven to the station +in Mrs. Cartwright's car. Grace got up an hour earlier than usual in +order to see him off, and when she brought his scarf and gloves +Cartwright accepted her ministrations with politeness. Although he knew +she disapproved of him, she thought her duty was to do things like this, +and he played up. + +When the throb of the car was getting faint she met Mortimer going to +the lake. He stopped and looked up at the valley, which was streaked by +a thin line of dust. + +"For three or four weeks we'll be undisturbed," he said. "I admit I like +Carrock better when my step-father is away." + +"Barbara's coming back with him," Grace remarked. "In some ways, her +return will be awkward, but perhaps she ought to come." + +Mortimer gave her a surprised glance. "This was not your view!" + +"Oh, well, I have been thinking. Barbara is rash and very young. In +Canada, she would be free from all control, and one must not weigh +drawbacks against one's duty. Perhaps Cartwright takes the proper line, +although of course it costs him nothing. You didn't tell me what he said +the other evening." + +Mortimer shrugged. "As a rule, my step-father's remarks won't bear +re-stating. He was a little franker than usual." + +"He _is_ coarse," said Grace. "One feels he gets coarser, as if his +thoughts had begun to react on his body. There is a link, and, of +course, with his habits--" + +"I rather think you mean with his appetites. Cartwright does not often +let himself go when he's at home, but when he is away he's another man." + +Grace looked thoughtful. "One likes restraint. All the same, I sometimes +think rude, primitive people have a vigor we have not. It's strange, but +indulgence seems to go with force. One feels our friends are rather +_bloodless_--I'm using Cartwright's phrase." + +"Our Canadian friends are not bloodless. I expect you have remarked that +Barbara's the type they like." + +"She has an appeal for men like that," Grace agreed, and mused. + +It was hard to own, but she began to see that when she thought Barbara +ought to stop in Canada she was inspired by jealousy. Barbara's charm +for men was strong and when she was about they left Grace alone. Still +she had a vague perception that her sister's charm was not altogether +physical. She herself had a classical beauty that did not mark the +younger girl; it looked as if Barbara had attractive qualities that were +not hers. Lister, for example, was not a brute like Cartwright, but it +was plain that Barbara had attracted him. Grace approved his soberness +and frank gravity; and then she pulled herself up. She must not be +jealous about her sister. + +"Cartwright's power is stronger because he does not use our money," +Mortimer resumed. "I don't know if it was cleverness or scruples that +urged him to refuse. All the same, if he were forced to ask mother's +help, his influence would be less." + +"But his needing help is not probable. He's managing owner of the line." + +Mortimer smiled. "He gets a commission on the boat's earnings, but does +not hold many shares. Then the fleet is small and the boats don't earn +very much. Things are not going smoothly and some shareholders would +like to put Cartwright off the Board. At the last meeting, one fellow +talked about the need for fresh blood. However, I expect Cartwright's +clever enough, to keep off the rocks, and when one can't get rid of a +drawback one must submit." + +Lighting a cigarette, he started for the lake and Grace returned +thoughtfully to the house. Mortimer hated Cartwright and Grace admitted +he had some grounds. Although her brother was indolent and +philosophical, he did not forget. Rude disputes jarred him, but if by +some chance he was able to injure the other, Grace thought he would do +so. Grace, herself, strongly disapproved of Cartwright. All the same, he +was her step-father and she had tried to cultivate her sense of duty. +She was prejudiced, cold, and censorious, but she meant to be just and +did not like Mortimer's bitterness. + +Cartwright was occupied for some time at Montreal, and the birch leaves +had fallen when he returned. The evening was dark, and chilly mist +rolled down the dale, but a big fire burned in the hall at Carrock and +tall lamps threw a cheerful light on the oak paneling. A flooded beck +roared in the hollow of a ghyll across the lawn and its turmoil echoed +about the hall. Mrs. Cartwright stood by the fire, Grace moved +restlessly about, and Mortimer appeared to be absorbed by the morning's +news. + +"I wish you would sit down, mother," he said presently. "You can hear +the car, you know, and the train is often late." + +For a few minutes Mrs. Cartwright did not move, and then she started and +fixed her eyes on the door. She heard an engine throb, there was a noise +in the porch, and a cold wind blew into the room. Then the door opened +and Cartwright entered, shaking the damp from his fur coat. He turned, +beckoning somebody behind, and Barbara came out from the arch. Her face +was flushed, her eyes were hard, and she stopped irresolutely. Mortimer +advanced to take the coat she carried and Grace crossed the floor, but +Barbara waited, as if she did not see them. Then her strained look +vanished, for Mrs. Cartwright went forward with awkward speed and took +her in her arms. + +Cartwright saw his wife had forgotten him, and turning to the others +with a commanding gesture, drove them and the servants from the hall. +When they had gone he gave Mrs. Cartwright a smile. + +"I've brought her back," he said. "Not altogether an easy job. Barbara's +ridiculous, but she can fight." + +He went off and Barbara clung to her mother. She was shaking and her +breath came hard. + +"You were ridiculous," said Mrs. Cartwright in a gentle voice. "I expect +you were very obstinate. But he was kind?" + +"He's a dear; I love him!" Barbara replied. "He understands everything. +I think he ought to have stopped at Liverpool; the secretary met us and +talked about some business, but if he hadn't come with me, I could not +have borne--" + +She stopped, and resting her head on Mrs. Cartwright's shoulder, began +to cry. Mrs. Cartwright said nothing, but kissed and soothed her with +loving gentleness. + +When, some time afterwards, Barbara came down the stairs that occupied +one side of the hall she was composed, but tea by the fire was something +of a strain. It was plain that Grace's careless talk was forced and +Mortimer's efforts to keep on safe ground were marked. Now and then +Cartwright's eyes twinkled and Barbara thought she knew why he sometimes +made a joke that jarred the others. When the meal was over he took them +away. + +"I imagine your sister understands Grace and you are willing to take her +back and forget the pain she gave you," he said to Hyslop. "Your +handling of the situation was tactful and correct, but you can leave her +to her mother." + +Mrs. Cartwright stopped with Barbara, who brought a footstool to the +hearthrug, and sitting down leaned against her knee. + +"I have been an obstinate, selfish, romantic fool!" she broke out. + +Mrs. Cartwright touched her hair and smiled, for she felt comforted. +This was the tempestuous Barbara she thought she had lost. + +"My dear!" she said. "It's not important since you have come back.'' + +"I oughtn't to have come back. If you had not sent father, I would not +have come. He's determined, but he's gentle. You know he sympathizes." + +"Although I wanted him to go, I did not send him," Mrs. Cartwright +replied. "He went because he loves you, but we can talk about this +again." She hesitated for a moment and went on: "It was not long, I +think, before you found Shillito was a thief? Mr. Lister's story +indicated this." + +A wave of color came to Barbara's skin, but she looked up and her eyes +flashed. + +"At the beginning, I did not know he was a thief; I found out he was a +cunning brute. Afterwards, when I read about his escape in the +newspapers, I rather wished the trooper who shot at him had not +missed--" She shook with horror and anger and it was a moment or two +before she resumed: "I can't tell you all, mother. I was frightened, but +anger gave me pluck. He said I must stick to him because I could not go +back. I think I struck him, and then I ran away. People were going to +their berths in the Pullman and he durst not use force. When I got to +the car platform and was going to jump off I saw Mr. Lister--but he has +told you--" + +Mrs. Cartwright nodded, for she was satisfied. + +"My dear," she said, "it's done with. Still I wonder why you were +willing to leave us." + +"Sometimes I wonder. To begin with, I have owned I was a fool; but +things were dreary and I wanted a thrill. Then I had begun to feel +nobody at home wanted me. Father and you were kind, but he seemed to +think me an amusing, willful child. Grace always disapproved, and +Mortimer sneered. They knew I was not their sort and very proper people +are cruel if you won't obey their rules. I hated rules; Grace's +correctness made me rebel. Then Louis came and declared I was all to +him. He was handsome and romantic, and I was tired of restraint. I +thought I loved him, but it was ridiculous, because I hate him now. +Mortimer's a prig, but Louis is a brute!" + +Mrs. Cartwright sighed. She liked tranquillity and the girl's passion +jarred. She tried to soothe her, and presently Barbara asked in a level +voice: "Where is Harry Vernon?" + +"He went to town a few days since." + +"When he knew I would soon arrive? His going is significant. I shall +hate Harry next!" + +"You must not be unjust. I imagine he thought to meet him would +embarrass you." + +"It would have embarrassed me, but Harry would not have known," Barbara +declared. "If I have been a fool, I can pay. Still I ought to have +stayed in Canada. Father's obstinate and I wanted to come home, but +things will be harder than at Montreal." + +Mrs. Cartwright kissed her. "My poor child, the hurt is not as deep as +you think. We will try to help you to forget." + + + +CHAPTER III + +LISTER CLEARS THE GROUND + +The sun was on the rocks and the lichen shone in rings of soft and +varied color. Blue shadows filled the dale, which, from the side of the +Buttress, looked profoundly deep. A row of young men and women followed +a ledge that crossed the face of the steep crag; Mortimer Hyslop +leading, a girl and Vernon a few yards behind, Lister and Barbara +farther off. + +Hyslop knew the rocks and was a good leader. He was cool and cautious +and did not undertake a climb until he was satisfied about his +companions' powers. The slanting edge looked dangerous, but was not, +although one must be steady and there was an awkward corner. At the +turning, the ledge got narrow, and one must seize a knob and then step +lightly on a stone embedded in mossy soil. + +When they reached the spot Hyslop stopped and told Vernon what to do; +the girl immediately behind him was a clever mountaineer. They went +round and Lister watched from a few yards off. For a moment or two each +in turn, supported by one foot with body braced against the rock, +grasped the knob and vanished round the corner. It was plain one must +get a firm hold, but Lister thought this was all. He was used to the +tall skeleton trestles that carried the rails across Canadian ravines. + +After the others disappeared Lister seized the knob. He thought the +stone he stood on moved and he cautiously took a heavier strain on his +arm. He could get across, but he obeyed an impulse and gave the stone a +push. It rolled out and, when he swung himself back to the ledge, +plunged down and smashed upon the rocks below. For a few moments the +echoes rolled about the crags, and then Hyslop shouted: "Are you all +right? Can you get round?" + +Lister said he thought not, and Hyslop replied that it did not matter. +Barbara would take him up a grassy ridge and the others would meet them +at the top. A rattle of nailed boots indicated that he was going off and +Lister turned and glanced at Barbara. She had sat down on an inclined +slab and her figure and face, in profile, cut against the sky. A yard or +two beneath her, the sloping rock vanished at the top of a steep pitch +and one saw nothing but the crags across the narrow dale. Yet Lister +thought the girl was not disturbed. + +"I expect I was clumsy,'' he apologized. + +"Well," she said, "it looks like that!" + +He gave her a quick glance and pondered. Although he had gone to Carrock +since she came home, she had been strangely cold and, so to speak, +aloof. He had imagined their meeting might embarrass her, but she was +not embarrassed. In fact, she had met him as if he were a friend, but he +had not seen her afterwards unless somebody was about. Now he meant to +force her to be frank. + +"I was clumsy," he resumed. "All the same, when I felt the stone begin +to move I might have pulled myself across by my hands. I expect the +block would have been firm enough to carry you." + +"Yes, I know," said Barbara. "You didn't want me to get across!" + +Lister studied her. He doubted if it was altogether exertion that had +brought the blood to her skin and given her eyes the keen sparkle. +Clinging to the rock, with the shadowy gulf below, she looked strangely +alert and virile. Her figure cut against the sky; he noted its +slenderness and finely-drawn lines. She was not angry, although he had +admitted he pushed down the stone, but he felt as if something divided +them and doubted if he could remove the obstacle. + +"I wanted to talk and had found I could not get near you unless the +others were about," he said. "It looked as if I had unconsciously given +you some grounds for standing me off. Well, I suppose I did put your +relations on your track." + +"It wasn't that," said Barbara. "I imagine Harry Vernon helped you +there. You were forced to tell your story." + +"I was forced. All the same, I think Harry's plan was good." + +"He went away a few days before I arrived!" Barbara remarked. + +Lister thought he saw where she led and knitted his brows. He was on +awkward ground and might say too much, but to say nothing might be +worse. + +"Harry's a good sort and I expect he pulled out because he imagined +you'd sooner he did so," he said. "For all that, I reckon he ought to +have stayed." + +Although her color was vivid, Barbara gave him a searching glance. "In +order to imply I had no grounds for embarrassment if I met him? Harry +was at the camp in the woods." + +"He knew you had no grounds for embarrassment," Lister declared. "I +knew, and Harry's an older friend." + +Barbara turned her head, and when she looked back Lister thought his +boldness was justified. In a sense she had been very frank, although +perhaps this situation made for frankness. They were alone on the face +of the towering crag. All was very quiet but for the noise of falling +water, and the only living object one could see was a buzzard hovering +high up at a white cloud's edge. One could talk in the mountain solitude +as one could not talk in a drawing-room. For all that, Lister felt he +had not altogether broken the girl's reserve. + +"One envies men like you who build railways and sail ships," she said, +and now Lister wondered where she led. "You live a natural life, knowing +bodily strain and primitive emotions. Sometimes you're exhausted and +sometimes afraid. Your thought's fixed on the struggle; you're keenly +occupied. Isn't it like that?" + +"Something like that," Lister agreed. "Sometimes the strain gets +monotonous." + +"But it's often thrilling. Men and women need to be thrilled. People +talk about the modern lust for excitement, but it isn't modern and I +expect the instinct's sound. Civilization that gives us hot water before +we get up and food we didn't grow is not all an advantage. Our bodies +get soft and we're driven back on our emotions. Where we want action we +get talk. Then one gets up against the rules; you mustn't be angry, you +mustn't be sincere, you must use a dreary level calm." + +Lister was puzzled and said nothing, but Barbara went on: "Perhaps some +girls like this; others don't, and now and then rebel. We feel we're +human, we want to live. Adventure calls us, as it calls you. We want to +front life's shocks and storms; unsatisfied curiosity drives us on. Then +perhaps romance comes and all the common longings of flesh and blood are +transfigured." + +She stopped, and Lister began to see a light. This was her apology for +her rashness in Canada, all she would give, and he doubted if she had +given as much to others. On the whole, he thought the apology good. + +"Romance cheats one now and then," he remarked, and pulled himself up +awkwardly, but Barbara was calm. + +"I wonder whether it always cheats one!" + +"I think not," he said. "Sometimes one must trust one's luck, and +venture. All the same, philosophizing is not my habit, and when I didn't +step lightly on the stone--" + +"You mean, when you pushed the stone down?" Barbara interrupted. + +"Oh, well. Anyhow, I didn't mean to philosophize. I wanted to find out +why you kept away from me." + +"Although you knew why I did so? You admitted you knew why Harry went +off!" + +"I see I've got to talk," said Lister. "Shillito was a cheat, but when +you found him out you tried to jump off the train. You let me help +because I think you trusted me." + +"I did trust you. It's much to know my trust was justified. For one +thing, it looks as if I wasn't altogether a fool." + +"Afterwards, when I met you at Montreal, you were friendly, although you +tried to persuade me you were a shop girl." + +Barbara smiled. "I was a shop girl. Besides, you were a stranger, and +it's sometimes easy to trust people one does not expect to see again." + +"My plan's to trust the people I like all the time," Lister replied. +"When I found you on the car platform I knew I ought to help, I saw you +meant to escape from something mean. Then at Montreal it was plain you +were trying in make good because you were proud and would not go back. I +liked that, although I thought you were not logical. Well, I told your +story because Vernon bluffed me, but if I'd known your step-father as I +know him now, I'd have told the tale before." + +"Then, it was in order that I might understand this you sent the stone +down the crag?" + +"I think it was," said Lister. "I hope I have, so to speak, cleared the +ground." + +Barbara gave him a puzzling smile. "You're rather obvious, but it's +important you mean to be nice. However, I expect the others are waiting +for us and we must join them, although we won't go by the grass ridge," +She indicated the slope of cracked rock in front. "The hold is pretty +good. Do you think you can get up?" + +Lister doubted. He was athletic and steady, but the climb looked awkward +for a beginner. + +"If you are going, I'll try." + +"You imagine you can go where I can go?" + +"Something like that," Lister admitted. "If I'm beaten, you're +accountable and will have to help." + +He was satisfied by Barbara's frank laugh. Her mood was changeable. Not +long since he had, with awkward sympathy, thought her a proud humiliated +woman; now she was marked by the humor of a careless girl. He could, +however, play up to her later mood, and when they set off he began to +joke. + +The rock slanted, and cracks and breaks gave a firm hold, but there was +not a crack wherever one was needed and the pitch was steep. Then in +places the slabs were slippery with wet lichen and Lister's ordinary +walking boots could get no grip. His jokes stopped and the sweat began +to dew his face. His breath got hard and he felt his heart beat. It was +obvious that climbing needed study. + +For all that, he went on and found a strange delight in watching +Barbara. Her clothes harmonized with the soft colors of lichen and +stone; her movements were confident and light. He got no sense of +effort; her pose was seldom strained and the lines of her limbs and body +flowed in easy curves. He thought she rather flitted than labored up the +rock. Practice no doubt accounted for much, but something was due to +temperament. Barbara did not hesitate; she trusted her luck and went +ahead. + +At length she stopped, pressed against the stone in the hollow of a +gully, while Lister crept obliquely across a long wet slab. He looked up +and saw her face, finely colored after effort, against a background of +green and gold. The berries on a small mountain-ash in a cranny +harmonized with the carmine of her skin. She looked down and smiled with +careless amusement. + +Then Lister's foot slipped and he could get no hold for his hands. His +smooth boots drew a greasy line across the wet slab as he slid down. +Perhaps the risk was not very daunting, but he knew he must not roll +down far. At the bottom of the slab he brought up with his foot braced +against a knob, and he saw Barbara coming after him. When she stopped +her glance was apologetic. + +"I forgot you hadn't proper boots. Give me your hand and try again." + +"No, thanks," said Lister. "Do you think I'm going to let you pull me +up?" + +"Why not?" she asked with a twinkle. + +"To begin with, I'm obstinate and don't mean to be beaten by a bit of +greasy rock. Then I expect I'm heavier than you think." + +"You're ridiculously proud. It would hurt to let a girl help," Barbara +rejoined. "After all, you're a conventionalist, and I rather thought you +were not." + +"Anyhow, I'm going up myself," Lister declared. + +He got up, but his clothes gathered some slime from the rock and his +skin was stained by soil and moss. Barbara looked at him with a twinkle. + +"Your obstinacy cost you something," she remarked. "If you're tired, you +had better stop and smoke." + +Lister lighted a cigarette. She had been rather keen about rejoining the +others, but he thought she had forgotten. Barbara's carelessness gave +her charm. Perhaps he ought to go on, but he meant to take the extra few +minutes luck had given him. + +"I'm really sorry I forgot about your boots and brought you up the +rock," she said. + +"I wonder why you did bring me up?" + +"Oh, well, a number of the men I know have a comfortable feeling of +superiority. Of course, nice men don't make you feel this, but it's +there. One likes to give such pride a jolt." + +"I think I see. If it's some comfort, I'll own you can beat me going up +awkward rocks. But where does this take us?" + +Barbara smiled. "It takes us some distance. When you admit a girl's your +equal, friendship's easier. You know, one reason Mortimer and I can't +agree is, his feeling of superiority is horribly strong." + +"Couldn't you take him up an awkward gully and get him stuck?" + +"No," said Barbara, in a regretful voice. "He's really a good cragsman +and knows exactly how far he can go. When he starts an awkward climb he +reckons up all the obstacles and is ready to get round them when they +come. The plan's good. People like Mortimer don't get stuck." + +"It's possible, but I expect they miss something now and then. There +isn't much thrill in knowing you are safe." + +"Sometimes you play up rather well," Barbara remarked. + +"I'm not playing up. I'm preaching my code. I'm not as sober and +cautious as you perhaps think." + +"For example?" + +"You'll probably get bored, but in Canada I turned down a pretty good +job because it was monotonous. I wanted something fresh, and thought I'd +go across and see the Old Country. Well, I'm here and all's charming, +but I don't know how I'll get back when my wad runs out." + +"Ah," said Barbara, "you mean your money will soon be gone? But you have +relations. Somebody would help." + +"It's possible, but I would refuse," Lister rejoined. "You're not +adventuring much when another meets the bill. When my wallet's empty +I'll pull out and take any old job. The chances are I'll go to sea." + +Barbara gave him an approving glance. She had known but one other +adventurer and he was a rogue. Lister was honest and she thought he +would go far. She liked his rashness, but if he found it hard to get on +board ship, she imagined she could help. All the same, she would not +talk about this yet. + +"We really must go," she said, and they started up a gully where holes +and wedged stones helped them up like steps. + +When they left the gully they saw a group of people on the neighboring +summit of the hill and for a moment Lister stopped. + +"We have had a glorious climb," he said, "Now it's over, I hope you're +not going to stand me off again." + +Barbara gave him a curious smile. "One can't stop on the mountains long. +We're going down to the every-day level and all looks different there." + +The others began to wave to them, and crossing a belt of boggy grass +they joined the group. When they returned to Carrock, Cartwright was not +about and Mrs. Cartwright said he had got a telegram calling him to +Liverpool. + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A DISSATISFIED SHAREHOLDER + +Cartwright had read the morning's letters and the _Journal of Commerce_, +and finding nothing important, turned his revolving chair to the fire. +He had been forced to wait for a train at a draughty station, and his +feet were cold. His office occupied an upper floor of an old-fashioned +building near the docks. Fog from the river rolled up the street and the +windows were grimed by soot, but Cartwright had not turned on the +electric light. The fire snapped cheerfully, and he lighted his pipe and +looked about. + +The furniture was shabby, the carpet was getting threadbare, and some of +the glass in the partition that cut off the clerks' office was cracked. +Cartwright had thought about modernizing and decorating the rooms, but +to do the thing properly would cost five hundred pounds, and money was +scarce. Besides, a number of the merchants who shipped goods by his +boats were conservative and rather approved his keeping the parsimonious +rules of the old school. + +The house was old and had been at one time rich and powerful. +Cartwright's father, however, had used sailing ships too long, and +Cartwright's speculations and extravagance when he took control had not +mended its fortunes. Then had come a number of lean years when few +shipping companies earned a dividend and the line's capital steadily +melted. Now the shareholders were not numerous and the ships were small. + +Cartwright glanced at the pictures in tarnished gold frames. _Oreana_, +drawn plunging across an Atlantic comber, was the best of the fleet, but +her engineer had for some time demanded new boilers. Since the reserve +fund was low and other boats needed expensive repairs, Cartwright +resolved to wait. He had bought _Melphomene_, above the fireplace, very +cheap; but her engines were clumsy compounds and she cost much to coal. +Still she was fast, and now and then got a paying load by reaching a +port where freights were high before the _Conference_ found out that +Cartwright meant to cut the rates. + +_Titania_, with the white deckhouse and shade-deck, carried a good load +on a light draught, and sometimes picked up a profitable cargo in +shallow African lagoons. When he glanced at her picture Cartwright's +look got thoughtful. She was one of two sister ships, launched at a +famous yard, and Cartwright had wanted both, but the builders demanded +terms of payment he could not meet, and another company had bought the +vessel. She was wrecked soon afterwards, and now lay buried in the sand +by an African river bar. The salvage company had given up their efforts +to float her, but Cartwright imagined she could be floated if one were +willing to run a risk. But no one, it seemed was willing. On the failure +of the salvage company the underwriters had put the steamer into the +hands of Messrs. Bull and Morse, a firm of Ship Brokers and Marine +Auctioneers, but at the public auction no bids whatever had been made. +Subsequently advertisements appeared in the shipping papers inviting +offers for the ship as she lay and for the salvage of the cargo. These +had run for several weeks, but without result. Cartwright had cut them +out. Now and then he looked at them and speculated about the +undertaking. + +By and by the bookkeeper came in and filed some letters. Gavin's hair +was going white, and he had been with Cartwright's since he was a boy. +He was fat, red-faced, and humorous, although his humor was not refined. +Gavin liked to be thought something of a sport, but Cartwright knew he +was staunch. + +"You imagine Mrs. Seaton will look me up this morning?" Cartwright said +presently. + +"Yes, sir. She called and demanded to see you. In fact, I think she +doubted when I told her you hadn't come back from the North. She said +the shareholders' meeting would be soon and she expected you to give a +bigger dividend; the Blue Funnel people had paid five per cent. If you +didn't return before long, she might run up to Carrock. So I sent the +telegram." + +Cartwright nodded. He trusted his bookkeeper, who had grounds for +imagining it was not altogether desirable Mrs. Seaton should arrive at +Carrock. + +"Have you heard anything from Manners while I was away?" + +"Nothing direct, sir. His nephew, Hatton, came round with a tender for +the bunker coal, and implied that he ought to get the job. Then I had a +notion Mrs. Seaton, so to speak, was _primed_. Looked as if somebody had +got at her; her arguments about the dividend were rather good." + +"It's possible," said Cartwright dryly. "If she comes, you can show her +in. But what about the wine?" + +"I don't know if it will see you out. There's not a great deal left, and +last time--" + +Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "Exactly! Send for another bottle and see +you get the proper stuff. Some of the biscuits, too; you know the kind. +Rather a bother, but perhaps the best plan!" + +"Safer than going out to lunch," Gavin remarked. "Then, in the office, +you're on your own ground. That counts." + +"Gives you moral support and handicaps an antagonist who's not a +business man?" Cartwright suggested. "Well, perhaps it does so, but I +see some drawbacks. Anyhow, get the wine." + +Gavin went off and Cartwright mused by the fire. The morning was raw and +foggy, and if he went out, the damp might get at his throat; moreover, +Gavin would reply to his letters. Cartwright had begun to feel it was +time to let others work while he looked on. His control counted for less +than he had thought; things went without much guidance and it was enough +to give them a push in the proper direction now and then. To rouse +himself for an effort was getting harder and he would have been +satisfied to rest, had not his pride, and, to some extent, his +step-children's antagonism, prevented his doing so. He needed money and +would not use his wife's. + +One must pay for old extravagances, and the bills were coming in; Mrs. +Seaton's expected call was an example. Ellen was a widow, but before she +married Seaton, Cartwright knew she counted him her lover. They were +alike in temperament; rash, strong-willed, and greedy for all that gave +life a thrill. In fact, Ellen was a stimulating comrade, but not the +kind of girl one married. Cartwright married Clara and knew Mrs. Seaton +bore him a lasting grudge. + +Since Seaton was a merchant whose investments in Liverpool were +numerous, it was perhaps not strange he left his widow shares that gave +her some control of the Cartwright line. Although she was not poor, she +was greedy and extravagant. In fact, Cartwright imagined greed was now +her ruling passion. + +By and by he heard steps in the passage behind the partition and thought +he knew the tap of high-heeled shoes. Then he heard a laugh and Gavin's +voice. Ellen was using her charm on his bookkeeper and the old sport +would play up. The door opened, the room smelt of violets, and Mrs. +Seaton came in. She was tall and her furs gave her large figure a touch +of dignity. Her color was sharply white and red, and in the rather dim +light her skin was like a girl's. Cartwright knew Ellen was younger than +he, but not very much. + +"You look hipped and rather slack, Tom," she said when he got up and +Gavin fetched a chair. + +"I feel the cold and damp," Cartwright replied. "Then managing a +tramp-steamship line when freights are low is a wearing job." + +Mrs. Seaton took off her coat. "Your office is shabby and climbing all +those stairs is a pull. Why don't you launch out, get a lift, and +modernize things?" + +"My trouble is to keep the boats supplied with coal and stores. Besides, +you see, I don't often use my office for a drawing-room." + +"You're very cautious," Mrs. Seaton remarked with a laugh. "You start to +get on guard before I begin my attack." + +"Oh, well," said Cartwright, smiling, "I know your power. But would you +like a cigarette?" + +She took the curiously-decorated box he gave her and broke the seal. +"Since you don't smoke these things, Tom, you were rather nice to +remember." + +"You had better take the box," said Cartwright. "I sent for a few when +_Titania_ went to the Levant. One understands they're hard to get in +England. But I have something else you like. If you will wait a +moment--" + +He rang a bell and Gavin entered, carrying two small glasses, a bottle, +and some biscuits. When he went out, Cartwright turned the bottle so +Mrs. Seaton could see the label. + +"Climbing our stairs is a fag," he said, and filled the glasses. + +Mrs. Seaton smiled and took hers. Cartwright saw her rings sparkle and +the gleam of her regular, white teeth. The reflection from the grate +touched her hair and it shone a smooth golden-brown. He admitted with +amusement that Ellen was nearly as attractive as he had thought her +thirty years since. + +"This is like old times, Tom," she said. "I remember evenings when you +brought me sandwiches and iced cup at a dance--but I don't think you +were ever remarkably romantic." + +Cartwright remembered an evening when they sat under a shaded lamp in a +quiet corner of a supper room, listening to music that somehow fired +one's blood. But perhaps it was the iced cup he had generously drunk. +All the same he had not been a fool, though he was tempted. He knew +something about Ellen then, but he knew her better now. Perhaps it was +typical that she had promptly put the box of Eastern cigarettes in her +muff. + +"Managing ships is not a romantic occupation," he rejoined. + +"Anyway, your welcome's kind and I feel shabby because I'm forced to +bother you. But suppose some of your customers arrive?" + +"We shall not be disturbed," said Cartwright, smiling. "Gavin knows his +job." + +"Very well. Do you expect to declare a better dividend at the +shareholders' meeting?" + +"I do not. If I'm lucky, I may keep the dividend where it is, but I +don't know yet." + +"Two per cent. is really nothing," Mrs. Seaton remarked. "I've been +forced to study economy and you know how I hate to pinch. Besides, I +know an investment that would give me eight per cent." + +"Then, if you're satisfied the venture is not risky, you ought to buy +the shares." + +"I want to buy, but it's a small, private company and the people +stipulate I must take a large block. I have not enough money." + +Cartwright doubted, but her plan was obvious. "When trade is slack, one +ought to be careful about investing in a private company that pays eight +per cent," he said. "After all, it might be prudent to be satisfied with +a small profit." + +"But I'm not satisfied and your dividend is remarkably small! Are you +really unable to make it larger?" + +"One can't pay dividends out of capital. Anyhow, one can't keep it up +for long!" + +"Then, as I mean to make a plunge, I must sell some of the investments +that don't earn me much. My shares in the line carry a good number of +votes and, if people grumble at the meeting, would give you some +control. Will you buy them, Tom?" + +Cartwright knitted his brows. He thought her hint about the shares +giving him useful power was significant. In fact, it looked as if +somebody had put Ellen on his track. He wondered whether Manners.... But +she must not think him disturbed. + +"What is your price?" he asked. + +"My price?" she said with a puzzled look he thought well done. "Of +course, I want the sum the shares stand for." + +"I'm sorry it's impossible. Just now the shares of very few shipping +companies are worth their face value. For example, five-pound shares in +a good line were not long since offered at two pounds ten." + +Mrs. Seaton looked disturbed. "That's dreadful!" she exclaimed. "But I'm +not rich enough to bear a heavy loss, and if you bought my lot, the +voting power would enable you to break the grumblers' opposition. +They're worth more to you than anybody else. Can't you help me?" + +Cartwright gave her a smiling glance, although he was bothered. Ellen +was not a fool and he noted her insistence on the value of the shares to +him. Where this led was obvious. He had one or two powerful antagonists +and knew of plots to force his retirement. Ellen had given him his +choice; he must promise a larger dividend or buy her shares at something +over their market price. This, of course, was impossible, but he +imagined she did not know how poor he was. + +"I can't buy," he said. "I must trust my luck and fighting power. +Although we have had stormy meetings and rates are bad, the line is +running yet." + +"If you haven't enough money, why don't you ask your wife? She's rich +and hasn't risked much of her capital in the line." + +"That is so," Cartwright agreed. Ellen meant to be nasty but he must be +cool. "Although my wife is rich, I don't use her money." + +"You're not logical, and sometimes your fastidiousness isn't very +marked. However, it looks as if you didn't marry because Clara was rich. +She was romantic before she began to get fat." + +Cartwright's face got red. He had had enough and saw Ellen was getting +savage. She had not forgotten that, in a sense, he ought to have married +her, and since he would not buy her shares, she would, no doubt, help +his antagonists. Crossing the floor, he poked the fire noisily. + +"Shall I give you some more wine?" he asked, and while he was occupied +with the glasses the telephone bell rang behind the partition. A few +moments afterwards Gavin came in. + +"Moreton has rung up, sir. If you can give him five minutes, he'll come +across. He says it's important." + +Mrs. Seaton put on her coat. "I mustn't stop when an important customer +is coming." Then she laughed and gave Cartwright her hand. "You are very +obstinate, Tom, but I know your pluck." + +She went off. Gavin took away the wine, and Cartwright opened the +window. The smell of violets vanished, but when he sat down again he +pondered. He knew Mrs. Seaton, and thought she meant to hint his pluck +might soon be needed. When Ellen smiled like that she was plotting +something. + + + +CHAPTER V + +CARTWRIGHT'S SCRUPLES + +The drawing-room at Mrs. Cartwright's house on the Cheshire side of the +Mersey was large and old-fashioned. Cartwright thought the stiff, thick +curtains and Victorian walnut furniture ugly, but Mrs. Cartwright liked +the things and he was satisfied. Clara herself frankly belonged to the +old school. She was conventional and often dull, but she had a placid +dignity that did not mark all the up-to-date women Cartwright knew. +Moreover, the house was comfortable. One got there by the Mersey tunnel +and it was only a few minutes' walk from the station. For all that, the +encroaching town had not yet reached the neighborhood, and the windows +commanded a pleasant view of clean rolling country and the blue Welsh +hills. + +Cartwright felt the house was a snug harbor where he could rest when he +was too old and battered to front the storms that had for some time been +gathering, and sitting by the fire one evening, he speculated about the +rocks and shoals ahead. All the same, the time to run for shelter was +not yet; he thought he could ride out another gale. + +An arch with heavy molding occupied the middle of the spacious room. The +folding doors had been removed and curtains partly screened the arch. On +the other side, a group of young men and women stood about the piano. On +Cartwright's side the lights were low. He had dined well and liked to +loaf after dinner. Besides, he felt dull; his gout bothered him and he +had been forced to run for his train. He had begun to find out one could +not do that kind of thing. Mrs. Cartwright sat opposite, knitting +quietly, and her smooth, rhythmic movements were soothing. Clara was +never abrupt and jerky. + +"I got a letter from Stormont's by the afternoon post," she said. "They +have been repaid the mortgage, and there's something about a foreign +bond, drawn for redemption. They want to talk about a new investment." + +Stormont, Wilmot and Stormont were her lawyers, and Cartwright nodded. +"The money ought to be earning interest and you can safely buy stock +Stormont's approve. Their judgment's sound." + +"For all that, I think I'd like to choose for myself. Suppose I bought +some shares in the line? I have a number, but it's really not large and +I have felt I'm not supporting the house as I ought." + +Cartwright knitted his brows. Clara did not know much about business, +but she was sometimes shrewder than one thought. He wondered whether +Mortimer had been talking. If the pup had talked, the thing was ominous, +because it implied that others knew the difficulties Cartwright might +have to meet. + +"Do you imagine the house needs supporting?" he asked carelessly. + +Mrs. Cartwright hesitated. "I really know nothing about it; but don't +people grumble when you can't pay them much and their shares go down? +Perhaps if the family owned a good part of the capital, you could take a +firmer line." + +It was plain that Clara had been pondering. Mortimer _had_ talked and +somebody who was not Cartwright's friend had informed him. Cartwright +was tempted to let his wife do as she wanted: Clara owned shares in the +line that he had let her buy when freights were good and she had +afterwards refused to sell. Now, however, freights were very bad and the +company was nearer the rocks than he hoped the shareholders knew. +Cartwright imagined he could yet mend its fortunes, if he were left +alone, but the job was awkward and opposition might be dangerous. To +command a solid block of votes would certainly help. + +For all that, there was a risk Clara ought not to run. His antagonists +were getting stronger, and if they meddled and baffled him, the company +would fail. Its bankruptcy would not ruin his wife, but she would feel +the loss of her money, and he was not going to use Clara for a shield +against Ellen Seaton's attacks. The thing was shabby. All the same, the +situation was humorous, and he saw, with an ironical smile, the +advantages of Mrs. Cartwright's plan. + +"I'm not a business woman, but I have noted you're sometimes moody, as +if you were anxious, and I want to help," she resumed. + +"You do help. The storms I've weathered have left a mark, and now I'm +old and strained it's much to make a quiet port at night. You take all +bothers from me, and send me out in the morning, braced for another +watch in the pilot-house." + +"Some time you must give another the helm," said Mrs. Cartwright +quietly. "I wish I could persuade you to do so soon." + +Cartwright sighed, for the strain was heavy and he wanted to rest. The +trouble was the put-off reckoning for past extravagance was at hand and +he shrank from asking his wife to pay. He had not been very scrupulous, +but he had his code. Then Hyslop came through the arch, and stopping, +noted Cartwright's awkwardly stretched-out leg. + +"Gout bothering you again, sir?" he said. "You ought to lie up for a few +days, but I expect you're needed at the office. I heard the E.P. line +had a stormy meeting and the dissatisfied shareholders came near turning +out the directors. Johnson declared they only saved the situation by a +few votes." + +"They ought to be turned out! A blundering lot! They've let a good fleet +down." + +Hyslop smiled. He had pale and watery blue eyes that generally annoyed +Cartwright. "An awkward doctrine, sir! If all the steamship directors +who might have used the shareholders' money to better advantage were +called to account, I imagine a number of respectable gentlemen would +find their occupation gone. Besides, when people start deposing rulers +they don't know where to stop. The thing's, so to speak, contagious, and +panicky investors are not logical." + +He went off and Cartwright braced himself. Mortimer meant to be nasty, +but his languid malice bit deeper than he knew. Cartwright had +hesitated, weighing the value of his wife's help against his scruples, +until his step-son's hints had tipped the beam. After all, if he used +Clara's money and saved his skin at her cost, the pup would have some +grounds to sneer. + +"I must keep control for some time yet," he said. "Times are bad, and if +I let go the helm I doubt if my successor could steer a safe course. +When the need is gone I'll willingly give up, but I must bring the old +ship into port first. In the meantime, you had better let Stormont's buy +you sound Corporation stock." + +Mrs. Cartwright acquiesced and Cartwright watched the young people +beyond the arch. With the stiff curtains for wing-scenes and the lights +concealed, the end of the room made a proscenium: it was like looking at +a drawing-room comedy on the stage. Two of the girls were pretty and he +approved their fashionable clothes. When she was quiet, Grace was almost +beautiful, but somehow none had Barbara's charm. Yet Cartwright thought +the girl was getting thin and her color was too bright. A friend of +Mortimer's occupied the music stool and Cartwright admitted that the +fellow played well, although he was something like a character from a +Gilbert opera. + +Lister sat near the piano, and talked to Barbara. He smiled, but his +smile had a touch of gravity. Cartwright thought him a good Canadian. A +bit rugged perhaps, but staunch, and his quiet sincerity was after all +better style than the cleverness of Mortimer's friends. Cartwright +imagined Barbara studied Lister, who did not know. In fact, it looked as +if he were puzzled, and Cartwright smiled. Lister had not his talents; +when Cartwright was young he knew how to amuse a pretty girl. + +The man at the piano signed to Barbara, who got up and began to sing. +The song was modern and the melody not marked. Cartwright liked the +Victorian ballads with tunes that haunted one and obvious sentiment, but +because Barbara sang he gave the words and music his languid interest. +After all, the thing was clever. There was, so to speak, not much on the +surface, but one heard an elusive note of effort, as if one struggled +after something one could not grasp. On the whole, Cartwright did not +approve that kind of sentiment; his objects were generally plain. Then +he thought the hint of strain was too well done for a young girl, and +when Barbara stopped he turned to his wife. + +"Are you satisfied about Barbara?" he asked. + +"Why should I not be satisfied?" + +"I have felt she's not quite up to her proper form. Looks thin and +sometimes she's quiet. Then why has young Vernon gone off? I haven't +seen him recently." + +"Harry's in town; he goes home in a few days," Mrs. Cartwright replied. +She hesitated and resumed, "I imagined he wanted to marry Barbara, +although she told me nothing about this. Barbara does not tell one +much." + +"Do you think she likes him?" + +"I don't know, but I rather think if she had liked him she would have +refused." + +"Ah!" said Cartwright thoughtfully. "Well, Vernon's a good sort, but I +see some light; the girl is sensitive and very proud! No doubt, she +feels her Canadian adventure--ridiculous, of course! But Barbara's hard +to move. All the same, if Vernon's the proper man and is resolute--" + +"I doubt if he is the proper man," Mrs. Cartwright replied. + +Cartwright pondered. Sometimes Clara did not say all she thought, and +his glance wandered back to the group at the other end of the room. +Barbara was again talking to Lister. He looked thoughtful and her face +was serious. They were obviously not engaged in philandering; Cartwright +felt their quiet absorption was significant. After a minute or two, +however, the party about the piano broke up and went off. Barbara +stopped to put away some music and then came through the arch. + +"Mr. Lister wants to go a voyage," she said to Cartwright. "I suggested +you might help him to get a post on board a ship." + +"I imagine he did not suggest you should persuade me?" + +"Certainly not! He refused to bother you," Barbara replied and, with +some hesitation, added: "However, perhaps in a sense we ought to help." + +"That is so," Cartwright agreed. "Why did Mr. Lister come to Liverpool?" + +"He wanted to go round the shipping offices. Mother told him our house +was always open--" + +Cartwright nodded, "Of course! Well, I'll think about it and may see a +plan." + +Barbara went off and Cartwright looked at his wife. "I don't know if +this is a fresh complication; but if she refused Harry, she'd no doubt +refuse the other. Perhaps it's important that she's willing he should go +to sea." + +"One is forced to like Mr. Lister and we owe him much," Mrs. Cartwright +remarked. + +"Certainly," Cartwright agreed. "However, it looks as if some +engineering talent is all he has got, and I think a long voyage is +indicated--" He stopped, and resumed with a twinkle: "For all that, the +fellow is not an adventurer, and I married a rich woman." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a gentle smile. "I have been happy and Barbara +is not; but, in one sense, I don't imagine we need be disturbed. Barbara +has not recovered from the jar." + +She got up, and Cartwright dozed until he heard a step and Lister +crossed the floor. + +"Hallo!" he said. "Are you going? There is no train just now." + +Lister said he meant to walk to the tramline, but Cartwright asked him +to stop for a few minutes. + +"Barbara tells me you are trying for a post in an engine-room," he +remarked. + +"That is so," said Lister with a touch of embarrassment. "Still, I +didn't mean Miss Hyslop to bother you." + +"Barbara likes to meddle and I'm a ship-owner. To begin with, why d'you +want to go to sea?" + +"I must go to sea or back to Canada," Lister said, smiling. "I've had a +pretty good holiday, but my wad's nearly gone." + +"Then, wouldn't it be prudent to return to your occupation?" + +"I haven't an occupation; I turned mine down. It's possible I'll find +another, but I'm not ready yet. In Canada, we're a restless, wandering +lot, and I want to look about the world before I go back. You see, when +you only know the woods and our Western towns--" + +Cartwright saw and sympathized. He remembered how adventure called when +he was young. Well, he had got adventure, but perhaps not the kind +Lister seemed to enjoy. Anyhow, he had not started off with an empty +wallet to look about the world. + +"How much does your roll amount to?" he asked with a bluntness he +sometimes used. + +When Lister told him he laughed. The young fellow was good stuff; +Cartwright liked his rashness. + +"Well," he said, "you have pluck, and if you're obstinate, pluck takes +you far. Have you got a promise from any of our shipping offices?" + +Lister said he had not. There were some difficulties about certificates. +He had sailed on lake boats and made coasting voyages, but the English +Board of Trade rules were strict. Then he looked at the clock and +Cartwright gave him his hand. + +"Come and see me at the office. We'll talk about this again." + +Lister thanked him, and when he had gone Cartwright mused. The young +fellow was not an adventurer; anyhow not in the sense Shillito was an +adventurer. His honesty was obvious, it was plain he did not want +Barbara's money, and Cartwright thought he did not know she was rich. In +fact, he was Barbara's sort. There was the trouble. Cartwright weighed +this for a time and then went to sleep. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A NASTY KNOCK + +Frost sparkled on the office windows and Cartwright, with his feet on +the hearthrug studied an Atlantic weather chart. The temperature +reported by the liners' captains was low, and winter had begun unusually +soon. Since Cartwright had hoped for a mild November, this was unlucky. +As a rule, cargo is plentiful at Montreal shortly before the St. +Lawrence freezes and the last steamers to go down the river do so with +heavy loads. Cartwright's plan was to run a boat across at the last +moment and pick up goods the liners would not engage to carry, and he +had sent _Oreana_ because she was fast. When the drift ice began to +gather, speed was useful. + +A cablegram two or three days since stated that she had sailed, and +Cartwright, who knew the St. Lawrence, calculated the progress she ought +to have made. Perhaps he had cut things rather fine, but Captain Davies +was a good navigator and would push on. Although the narrow waters below +Montreal, where the stream runs fast between the islands, would be open, +Lake St. Peter was freezing, and the liner _Parthian_ had some trouble +to get through. Still the channels were not yet blocked, and when Davies +had passed the Narrows he would get open water down the gorge to Quebec. +Allowing for cautious navigation, Davies ought to be near Rimouski at +the mouth of the river, and his passing would, no doubt, soon be +telegraphed from the signal station. Cartwright admitted that to get the +message would be some relief. + +By and by his bookkeeper came in. + +"Direct cablegram from Davies, sir." + +Cartwright took the form and frowned. The message was not from Rimouski +and ran: "Delayed Peter; passing Quebec." + +"Awkward, sir," Gavin remarked sympathetically. + +"Very awkward," said Cartwright. "Davies needed all the time he's lost. +It will be a near thing if he gets out." + +He picked up the weather chart and got no comfort. "Cable Malcolm at St. +Johns. You'll find questions in the code-book about ice and wind." + +Gavin withdrew and Cartwright grappled with disturbing thoughts. He had +counted on _Oreana's_ earning a good sum, and had engaged a paying cargo +for her when she got back. In fact, the two good runs ought to have made +the disappointing balance sheet he must shortly submit to the +shareholders look a little better. All the same, there was no use in +meeting trouble. Davies had passed Quebec, and if he made good progress +in the next twenty-four hours, one might begin to hope. + +Below Quebec there were awkward spots where steamers used buoyed +channels, and if these were blocked by ice Davies must risk crossing the +shoals. If he got across, the water was deep and he need only bother +about the floes until he came to the Gulf. Since Belle Isle Strait was +frozen, Davies would go South of Anticosti and out by the Cabot passage, +but the Gulf was often dark with snow and fog, and one met the old +Greenland ice. Well, much depended on the weather, and Cartwright went +to get his lunch. + +The restaurant under a big building was warm, and for a time Cartwright +occupied his favorite corner of the smoking-room. His tips were +generous, and so long as he was punctual the waitress allowed nobody to +use his chair. The noise of the traffic in the street was softened to a +faint rumble, the electric light was cleverly shaded, and his big chair +was easy. He got drowsy, but frowned when he began to nod. The trouble +was, he was often dull when he ought to be keen. His doctor talked about +the advantages of moderation, but when one got old one's pleasures were +few and Cartwright liked a good meal. At the luncheon room they did one +well, and he was not going to use self-denial yet. + +By and by a merchant he knew pulled up a chair opposite. "Very cold and +slippery outside," he remarked. "I nearly came down on the floating +bridge, and looked in for a drink. A jar shakes a man who carries +weight." + +"What were you doing on the floating bridge?" Cartwright asked. + +"I went to the stage to meet some Canadian friends on board the +_Nepigon_. They'd a bad voyage; thick mist down the St. Lawrence, and +they lost a day cruising about among the floes in the Gulf. What about +your little boat?" + +"I understand she's coming down river." + +"Hasn't she started rather late?" + +"If I'd sent her sooner, the _Conference_ would have knocked me out," +Cartwright rejoined. "I'd have got nothing but low-rated stuff the +liners didn't want. One must run some risks." + +The other nodded. "That is so, when shareholders must be satisfied. +Well, I expect I'm lucky because my partner's a good sort. When you +needn't bother about other folk's greediness, you can take a cautious +line. Now I come to think of it, I heard some of your people grumbling. +I hope your boat will get across all right." + +He got up and Cartwright pondered. If outsiders knew his shareholders +were dissatisfied, things were worse than he had thought and he might +expect trouble at the next meeting. Then he looked at his watch, but his +chair was deep and when he tried to get up his leg hurt. He sank back +again. Gavin knew where to find him if a reply from St. Johns arrived. + +By and by his office boy, carrying a cable company's envelope, came in, +and Cartwright's hand shook when he opened the message. It stated that +an easterly gale and snowstorm raged about the Newfoundland coast and +the thermometer was very low. The gale would drive the drift ice up the +Gulf and pack the floes. Things looked bad. Cartwright felt he ought to +get about and make some plans to meet the threatened blow, but he did +not see what he could do. + +He sat still. The other customers had gone, and all was quiet but for +the faint rumble of traffic and soothing throb of an electric fan. +Cartwright mused about _Oreana_ and pictured Davies sheltering behind +the wind-screens on his bridge and trying to pierce the snow, and the +look-out man half frozen in the spray that leaped about the forecastle. +_Oreana_ was a wet boat when she was loaded deep. Now and then, perhaps, +a buoy loomed in the tossing flakes. One tried to read the number and +see the color. Then the steering-engine rattled as the rudder was pulled +across and _Oreana_ headed for another mark. + +The work was nervous, because dangerous shoals bordered the channels and +Davies must let the steamer go. He knew when a risk must be run and the +engineer was staunch. The trouble was, _Oreana's_ boilers were bad; the +money Cartwright durst not spend on repairs would have been a good +investment now. Still, the old boat was fast, and Davies would drive her +full-speed. + +The captain's job would not be easier when he left the shoals. The +easterly gale would send the floes up stream. Cartwright knew the +strange chill one felt when ice was about and the faint elusive _blink_ +that marked its edge in the dark. Sometimes one did not see the blink +until the floe was almost at the bows, and when the look-out's startled +cry reached the bridge one must trust to luck and pull the helm over +quick. Then to dodge the floe might mean one crashed upon the next. It +was steering blind, but, as a rule, the sailor's instinct guided him +right. Farther on, the river got wide and in thick weather one saw no +lights: Davies must keep mid-channel and trust his reckoning while he +rushed her along. For a thousand miles the old boat's track was haunted +by dangers against which one could not guard, and Cartwright thought she +carried his last chance to mend his broken fortunes. + +If she were wrecked, the reckoning he had long put off must be fronted, +for when his embarrassments were known his antagonists would combine and +try to pull him down. One must pay for one's extravagance, but to pay +would break him, and if he were broken, Mortimer would sneer and Grace +treat him with humiliating pity. He would be their mother's pensioner, +and to lose his independence was hard. He had long ruled, and bullied, +others. + +By and by a waitress moved some glasses and Cartwright looked up with a +start. The afternoon was nearly over; he must have gone to sleep. +Returning to the office, he gave his bookkeeper some orders and then +went to the station. The pavements were slippery with frost, and tall +buildings with yellow lights loomed in the fog. Cartwright shivered, but +reflected that Davies, fighting the snow and gale, was no doubt colder. +For a day or two he must bear the suspense, and then, if no cablegram +arrived, he could take it for granted that _Oreana_ had reached the +Atlantic. After dinner he sat by the fire and smoked while Mrs. +Cartwright knitted. + +"In the afternoon I went to Mrs. Oliver's and met Mrs. Seaton," she said +presently. "She talked to me for some time. At the beginning, I thought +it strange!" + +"It's pretty obvious that you don't like her," Cartwright remarked. + +"Ellen Seaton is not my sort, but I understand she was a friend of +yours." + +"She was my friend," said Cartwright carelessly. "It's long since, and I +rather doubt if she is my friend now." + +"Then why did she buy her shares in the line?" + +"Ellen did not buy the shares. Seaton bought them when shipping was +good." + +Mrs. Cartwright looked relieved and Cartwright resumed: "All the same, I +don't see her object for telling you she was a shareholder." + +"She wanted to sell her shares to me; I knew she had some plan when she +crossed the floor. I was talking to Janet, but Ellen got Janet away and +persuaded a young man on the other side to move. It was clever. I don't +think Mrs. Oliver or anybody else remarked what she was doing. But you +know Ellen!" + +"I know Ellen rather well," said Cartwright dryly. "However, when you +saw she wanted to get you alone, why did you indulge her?" + +"For one thing, I was curious; then it wasn't worth while to spoil her +plan. I didn't think Ellen would persuade me, if I did not approve." + +Cartwright smiled. Clara did not argue much and generally agreed with +him, but sometimes she was as immovable as a rock. He pictured with +amusement the little comedy at Mrs. Oliver's, but all the same he was +annoyed. + +"Well, Ellen wanted you to buy her shares? Did she give you any +grounds?" + +"She declared she wanted money. Then she said it would help you if I +took the lot. There might be a dispute at the meeting; the directors' +report would not be satisfactory. People would ask awkward questions, +and she expected some organized opposition. It would be useful for you +to command a large number of votes." + +Cartwright's face got red. Ellen was well informed; in fact, it was +ominous that she knew so much. Had she not been greedy, he thought she +would have kept the shares in order to vote against him, but she +obviously meant to sell them before the crash she expected came. If a +number of others agreed with her, his retirement would be forced. + +"What price were you to pay?" he asked. + +Mrs. Cartwright told him, and he laughed. "If Ellen found a buyer at a +number of shillings less, she would be lucky! Well, I understand you +didn't take her offer?" + +"I did not," said Mrs. Cartwright tranquilly. "When I wanted to buy some +shares not long since, you did not approve. Since you refused to let me +help, I didn't mean to be persuaded by Ellen Seaton!" + +"You're staunch," said Cartwright and Mrs. Cartwright resumed her +knitting. In the morning he went to the office sooner than usual, but +there was no news and the dark, cold day passed drearily. When he +started for home Gavin promised to wait until the cable offices closed, +and Cartwright had gone to dinner when he was called to the telephone. +When he took down the instrument his hand shook. + +"Hallo!" he said hoarsely. "Is that you, Gavin?" + +"Yes, sir," said a voice he knew. "Cablegram from Davies just arrived, +part in code. I'll give it you slow--" + +"Go on," said Cartwright. + +"_Oreana_ ashore east Cape Chat, surrounded ice, water in fore hold. +Think some plates broken; have abandoned ship. Salvage impossible until +ice breaks." + +There was a pause, and Gavin added: "That's all. Have you got it, sir?" + +"I've got enough," Cartwright replied. + +He hung up the instrument, and going back to the dining-room, drained +his glass. Then he turned to Mrs. Cartwright, who had remarked his grim +look. + +"I've got a nasty knock. _Oreana's_ in the ice and may be wrecked. +Anyhow, we can't get her off until spring, and she's the best of the +fleet." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a sympathetic glance and signed a servant to +bring another plate. As a rule she did not say much. She studied her +husband quietly and was not much comforted when he resumed his dinner. +This was characteristic, but it was plain he had got a nasty knock. + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING + +The afternoon was dark and electric lights burned along the cornice of +the room engaged for the shareholders' meeting. The room was big and +cold, and as Gavin moved about the table on the platform his steps +echoed hollowly. He was the company's secretary and was putting down +papers by the blotting pads. A group of gentlemen, engaged in thoughtful +talk, stood by the fire. They were directors of the line and did not +look happy. Nominally, by the company's constitution, the shareholders +elected the Board; in practice, Cartwright had, so far, appointed the +directors, and meant, if possible, to do so again. The gentlemen by the +fire were eligible for reëlection, and Cartwright was satisfied, +although he had not chosen them for their business talent. Their names +were good in Liverpool and their honesty was known. Cartwright did not +want clever men. He was head of the house and knew it would totter to a +disastrous fall unless he kept his firm control. + +Now and then Gavin gave his employer a keen glance. Cartwright's lips +were rather blue and the lines round his eyes were sharply drawn. His +white mustache stuck out, and one got a hint of stubbornness, but except +for this his face was inscrutable. Although Gavin thought Cartwright +would score again, he was anxious. Nobody but Cartwright could persuade +the dissatisfied shareholders to accept _that_ balance sheet. + +Cartwright himself felt in rather good form. He had curtailed his lunch +and been satisfied with a single glass of liquor that generally braced +him up. He imagined he would need all his skill and coolness before the +meeting was over. The trouble was, he might not get much support. The +directors did not know all he knew, but they knew something, and he saw +one or two hesitated. Then Mrs. Cartwright was ill, and although she had +given her husband her proxy votes, had sent Mortimer. Mortimer was +entitled to come because he had some shares, but Cartwright did not know +the line he meant to take. The pup did not like him and was cunning. +Presently Cartwright looked at his watch. + +"They won't be long. I imagine we are going to have some opposition." + +"It's very possible," one of the others agreed. "A two-per-cent dividend +is disappointing and we are paying this by cutting down the reserve +fund. Then people know we have lost the use of our best boat for six +months and may lose her for good. When we reduced our insurance, I urged +that we were rash." + +"We saved a good sum and economy was needful," Cartwright rejoined. +"Insurance is expensive for our type of boats." + +"The balance sheet looks bad. I'll admit I'd sooner not be accountable +for a state of things like this," another remarked. + +Cartwright smiled. The balance sheet looked better than it was, but +Jordan had given him a useful lead. He knew his colleagues' weaknesses +and how they might be worked upon. + +"We are all accountable. I have consulted you frankly and you approved +my plans." + +Jordan gave him a rather doubtful look. "Anyhow, we must front an +awkward situation. Suppose the shareholders ask for an investigation +committee?" + +"We must refuse," said Cartwright, with quiet firmness. "A frightened +committee would probably urge a drastic re-construction scheme, the +writing off much of our capital, and perhaps winding up the line. When +rates are bad and cargo's scarce, one must take a low price for ships; +our liabilities are large, and I imagine selling off would leave us much +in debt--" + +Cartwright paused. He saw his remarks carried weight and knew his +co-directors. He would give them a few moments for thought before he +finished his argument. + +"Very well," he resumed. "Jordan declares he does not like to be +accountable for an unsatisfactory balance sheet. I take it he would much +less like to be made accountable for a bad bankruptcy! No doubt you +sympathize with him?" + +It was obvious that they did so and one said, "If I thought my occupying +a seat on the Board would lead to this, I would sooner have given my +shares away!" + +"I have not talked about my feelings," Cartwright went on. "All the +same, I am head of the old house; you can imagine I do not want to see +it fall. But rates are not always low, and if I'm not embarrassed by +rash meddlers, my persuasion is, I can keep the fleet running until +better times arrive." + +He saw he had won them. The number of shares they owned was not very +large: for the most part, the men were rich and not disturbed about +their money. They valued a high place in business and social circles and +their good name. To be entangled by a bankruptcy was unthinkable. + +"Then, I feel we ought to support you," Jordan replied. "For all that, +our power's not very great. We are going to meet some opposition and if +the dissatisfied people are resolute they can turn us out." + +"So long as I know the Board will back me, I'm not afraid of the +shareholders," Cartwright declared. + +"You imagine you can save the situation?" a red-faced gentleman +remarked. + +"It's possible," said Cartwright dryly. + +"Very well," said the other. "We must try to see you out." + +They went to the table soon afterwards and the shareholders began to +arrive. They were not numerous, and the scattered groups emphasized the +bareness of the big echoing room. Cartwright studied the people as they +came in. Some looked gloomy and some stubborn; a few looked frankly +bored. There were five or six women and two whispered, while the others +glanced about with jerky movements. Cartwright's face hardened when he +saw Mrs. Seaton, and then he noted Hyslop in a back row. He thought +Hyslop looked languidly amused. + +When all was quiet, he took the notes Gavin handed him, glanced at the +paper, and put it down. Then, speaking in a steady voice, he gave the +report of the year's work and talked about the balance sheet. He was +frank but not apologetic, and claimed, in view of the difficulties, that +the directors had well guarded the company's interests. When he stopped +there were murmurs of approval, as if some of the despondent had begun +to hope; the cautious admitted that Cartwright had made a bad situation +look better. + +One or two asked questions, which he answered candidly, and then there +was a pause and somebody moved the adoption of the chairman's report and +balance sheet. His seconder made a short nervous speech, and Mrs. Seaton +got up at the end of the room. She pushed back her veil, took out her +handkerchief, put her hand on a chair in front, and gave the directors +an apologetic smile. + +"I don't know if it is usual for a woman to speak at a business meeting, +but I have a number of shares in the line and it's long since I got a +good dividend," she said. "Two per cent is ridiculous and my lawyer +tells me I could get four per cent, where the security is really good." +She paused and added naïvely: "To have twice as much to spend would be +very nice." + +Somebody laughed and Cartwright braced himself. Ellen Seaton was +cleverer than she looked, and he thought her dangerous, but in the +meantime he durst not stop her. + +"One feels that security's important and it's plain ours is not +first-class," she resumed. "Well, I suppose if we accept the report, it +means we are satisfied to let the company's business be managed on the +old plan?" + +"It does mean something like that," a man agreed. + +"Then I'm _not_ satisfied. For one thing, I want a proper dividend." + +"We all want a proper dividend," somebody remarked. + +Mrs. Seaton smiled, as if she were encouraged. "To go without is +disappointing, but perhaps the dividend is not most important. I'd like +to feel my shares were worth the money they cost, and find out they are +not. We have drawn on the reserves and I expect this implies we are +losing money. You can't go on losing money very long, and we ought to +stop while we have some capital left." + +A number of the others applauded and she continued: "Our directors have +worked very hard. To manage ships that don't pay must be tiring and +perhaps we oughtn't to ask them to bear the heavy strain. Could we not +choose somebody with fresh ideas to help?" + +"That's what we want!" said one. "The Board needs new blood!" + +Then the storm broke and for a time Cartwright lost control of the +meeting. Mrs. Seaton had loosed passions he might have restrained and +the shareholders were frankly moved by fear, distrust, and greed. Men +got up, asking angry questions and shouting implications, but for a few +minutes Cartwright sat like a rock and let them rage. When they stopped +and there was an awkward pause, Mortimer Hyslop got up. He looked +languid and his voice was soft, but Cartwright admitted his speech was +clever. + +He and Mrs. Cartwright, whom he represented, owned shares in the line, +and he had not risen before because the chairman was his relation. Now, +when attacks, perhaps not altogether justified, had been made on the +Board, he was forced to state his conviction that nobody else could have +steered the company past the dangers that threatened. One must admit the +situation was bad; and for a minute or two Mortimer cleverly indicated +its drawbacks. For all that, he argued, it was rash to change pilot and +officers in the middle of a storm. The officers they knew and had +trusted must be left control until the gale blew over. + +Mortimer sat down and Cartwright knitted his brows. On the surface, his +step-son had taken the proper line. Mortimer meant to support the Board, +but he had indicated that he did so because it was his duty. His remarks +about the dangers by which the company was surrounded had made things +look worse. All the same, he had calmed the meeting, but Cartwright did +not know if this was an advantage. Criticism was harder to meet when the +critics were cool. + +Another man got up and began to talk in a quiet voice. + +"Mr. Hyslop has an object for trusting the chairman that we have not +got. We won't grumble about his staunchness, but we are entitled to +weigh his arguments, which are not altogether sound. He owns the +situation is awkward and the outlook dark, but he urges us to trust the +officers who got the ship in danger. One feels this is not remarkably +logical. Then he declares nobody else could have kept the fleet running. +I think the claim is rash. In this city we are conservative and names +long known in business circles carry an exaggerated weight; we expect a +man to work wonders because his father started a prosperous line, and +another because he long since made a lucky plunge. Men like these are +often satisfied with former triumphs while times and methods change. We +want fresh thought and modern methods. It's obvious the old have brought +us near the rocks!" + +Cartwright saw the shareholders were moved and the time for him to speak +had come. He got up and fronted a doubting and antagonistic audience. +His face was inscrutable, but he looked dignified. + +"We have heard angry criticism and hints about slackness," he began. +"Some of you have suggested rejecting the report, a committee of +inquiry, and new members for the Board, but no substantive motion has +been put. Well, before this is done, I claim your patience for a few +minutes. If you are not satisfied, I and your directors are jointly +accountable. We stand together; if you get rid of one, you get rid of +all. This is a drastic but risky cure--" + +He paused and one or two of the gentlemen at the table looked surprised. +It was plain they felt the chairman had gone farther than he ought. The +red-faced man, however, smiled as if he approved and Cartwright resumed: + +"Times are bad, the markets are flat, and goods are not moved about the +world. I venture to state no steamship company is free from +embarrassments. You can, no doubt, find men with business talent equal +to ours and give them control; but you cannot give them the knowledge, +gained by long experience, one needs to grapple with the particular +difficulties the Cartwright line must meet. The personal touch is +needed; your manager must be known by the company's friends, and its +antagonists, who would not hesitate to snatch our trade from a stranger. +They know me and the others, and are cautious about attacking us. In all +that's important, until times get better, _I am the company_--" + +Cartwright stopped and drank some water. He saw he had struck the right +note and began again: + +"I will not labor the argument; the thing is obvious! If I go, the line +will stop running before the new men learn their job. Well, I'm old and +tired, but it would hurt to see the house-flag hauled down; it was +carried by famous oak clippers in my grandfather's time. You hesitate to +risk your money? I risk mine and much that money cannot buy; the honor +of a house whose ships have sailed from Liverpool for a hundred years!" + +The shareholders were moved and one heard murmurs of sympathy. Boldness +paid, and Cartwright saw he was recovering his shaken power, but it was +not all good acting. To some extent, he was sincere. He got his breath +and resumed: + +"I don't urge you with a selfish object to let me keep my post; I'd be +relieved to let it go. Counted in money, the reward for my labor is not +large. I want to save the Cartwright line, to pilot it into port, and, +if there is no rash meddling, I believe I can. But I warn you the thing +is in no other's power. Well, I have finished. You must choose whether +your directors go or not." + +There was an awkward silence, and then somebody asked: "Will the +chairman state if he has a plan for meeting a situation he admits is +difficult?" + +Cartwright smiled rather grimly. "I will not make a public statement +that might be useful to our antagonists! So long as I am chairman, you +must trust me. My proposition is, give us six months, and then, if +things are no better, we will welcome a committee of inquiry. In the +meantime, a motion is before the meeting--" + +"It is proposed and seconded that the directors' report and balance +sheet be accepted," Gavin remarked. + +The resolution was carried, the directors were reelected, and the +meeting broke up. Cartwright sat down rather limply and wiped his face. + +"I pulled it off, but they pushed me hard," he said. "At one time, it +looked as if our defenses would go down." + +"You have put off the reckoning; I think that's all," one of the +directors remarked. + +"We have six months," said Cartwright. "This is something. If they call +a meeting then, I imagine I can meet them." + +He signed to Gavin, who helped him with his big coat, and went off to +the underground restaurant, where he presently fell asleep in a chair by +the fire. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A STOLEN EXCURSION + +Barbara stopped at the top of James Street and looked down hill to the +river. The afternoon was dark and the pavement wet. Thin fog drifted +about the tall offices, lights shone in the windows, and she heard +steamers' whistles. Down the street, a white plume of steam, streaking +the dark-colored fog, marked the tunnel station, and Barbara glanced at +a neighboring clock. + +She could get a train in a few minutes, but she would be forced to wait +at a station on the Cheshire side, and there was not another train for +some time. She had bought the things she needed and did not know what to +do. One could pass half an hour at a café; but Mrs. Cartwright did not +like her to go to a café; alone and Barbara frowned impatiently. Her +mother was horribly conventional and Barbara missed the freedom she had +enjoyed in Canada. In fact, it was very dull at home; Grace's correct +serenity and cold disapproval made one savage; Mortimer's very proper +friends were tiresome. + +Barbara was restless and dissatisfied. She wanted to play an active part +and feel she was alive. Moreover, since she came home she had felt she +was being watched, and, so to speak, protected from herself. Her +relations had forgiven her Canadian escapade, but they meant to guard +against her doing something of the kind again. Perhaps from their point +of view, they were justified, but Barbara was not tempted to make a +fresh experiment. She had not yet got over the shock; she saw how near +her romantic trustfulness had brought her to disaster and thought her +faith in men and women had gone. This was perhaps the worst, because she +was generous and had frankly trusted people she liked. + +Now she imagined the gloomy day had re-acted on her spirits. She was +moody and longed for something that would banish the dreariness. +Starting down hill for the station, she stopped abruptly a few moments +afterwards. Lister was crossing the street, and if she went on they +would meet. It was some time since she had seen him and she noted with +surprise that he wore a rather soiled blue uniform. His cap, which had a +badge in front, was greasy, and he carried an oilskin coat. + +He walked quickly, looking straight in front, with his head well up, and +Barbara got a hint of purposeful activity. Barbara liked him much, but +she had, as a rule, quietly baffled his efforts to know her better. She +waited, rather hoping he would pass, until he looked round and advanced +to meet her. + +"I'm lucky!" he remarked, and his satisfaction was comforting. "It's +long since I have seen you." + +"You know our house," Barbara rejoined. + +"Oh, well," he said with a twinkle, "when I last came, you talked to me +for about two minutes and then left me to play billiards with your +brother. He was polite, but in Canada we play pool and my game's not +very good. I imagined he was bored." + +"Mortimer is like that," said Barbara. "But why are you wearing the +steamship badge and sailor's clothes?" + +Lister laughed. "They're engineer's clothes. I go to sea; that's another +reason I didn't come over." + +"Ah," said Barbara. "Did my step-father get you a post on board ship?" + +"He did not. He told me to look him up at the office, but I didn't go. +One would sooner not bother one's friends." + +"Canadians are an independent lot," Barbara remarked. "In this country, +we use our friends for all they are worth, and we're justified so long +as they want to help. If Cartwright said he would help, he meant to do +so. But what ship are you on board?" + +"_Ardrigh_, cross-channel cattle boat. She's unloading Irish steers, +sheep and pigs not far off. Will you come and see her? I don't suppose +you've been on board a Noah's ark before." + +Barbara did not hesitate. She doubted if Mrs. Cartwright would approve +and knew Grace would not, but this was not important. Grace disapproved +all she did and the stolen excursion would break the monotony. Then +Lister's twinkling smile appealed, and somehow her reserve vanished when +she was out of doors with him. + +"I'd like to go," she said. + +"Then, come along," he urged, and they started for the elevated railway +at the bottom of the street. + +While the electric cars rolled along the docks Barbara's moodiness went. +She could not see much in the fog. Wet warehouse roofs, masts and +funnels, and half-seen hulls floating on dull water, loomed up and +vanished. Inside the car, lights glimmered on polished wood; the +rattling and shaking were somehow cheerful. Barbara felt braced and +alert. Lister talked and she laughed. She could not hear all he said, +because of the noise, and thought he did not hear her, but she did not +mind. She liked his cheerfulness and frank satisfaction. The gloom +outside and the blurred lights in the fog gave the excursion a touch of +romantic adventure. + +They got down at a station by a muddy dock-road. Ponderous lorries with +giant horses rolled out of the gloom between stacks of goods; wet cattle +were entangled in the press of traffic, and Barbara was relieved when +Lister pushed back a sliding door. Then she stopped for a moment, half +daunted by the noise and bustle, and looked about. + +Big lights hung from the room of the long shed, but did not pierce the +gloom that lurked between the piles of cargo. A flock of sheep, moving +in a dense woolly mass, came down a gangway; squealing pigs occupied a +bay across the piles of goods. The front of the shed was open and in +places one saw a faint reflection that looked like water. Opposite +Barbara, the gap between the low roof and dock-sill was filled by a +deckhouse and a steamer's funnel. Steam blew across the opening farther +on, and in the vapor bales and boxes shot up and rattling chains plunged +down. Through the roar of the winches she heard coarse shouts and the +bellowing of cattle. + +Lister took her to a slanting plank that spanned a dark gulf and she saw +dim water and then the hollow of a steamer's hold. Men who looked like +ghosts moved in the gloom and indistinct cattle came up a railed plank. +Barbara could not see where they came from; they plunged out of the +dark, their horns glimmering in the beam of the lamps. + +After a few moments Lister helped her down on the steamer's bridge-deck. +The boat listed away from the wall. Her tall red funnel was inclined +sharply, much of her side was above water, and muddy streams poured from +the scuppers on the after deck, where men with long boots pulled a +hose-pipe about. The boat was horribly dirty, but her lean bows and the +length of the iron engine-room casing indicated speed. + +A man came along the bridge-deck, and Barbara thought the gold bands on +his cap indicated the captain. He stopped and when he glanced at Lister +she blushed, for there was a hint of sympathetic understanding in her +smile. + +"We won't want you until high-water," he said and went off. + +Barbara hoped Lister had not seen her blush and thought he had not. He +took her down some iron steps and to a door in a dark passage. + +"Our mess-room," he said. "I expect it's the quietest spot on board the +ship." + +He pushed the door open and stopped. The small room was bright with +electric light and a young man and woman sat opposite each other at the +table. The man's uniform was stained by oil; the girl was pretty and +fashionably dressed, but Barbara knew her clothes were cheap. She stood +at the door, hesitating, and the man gave Lister a smile like the +captain's. + +"I didn't expect you yet, but come in," he said. "The tea's not cold, +and Mike has made some doughnuts." + +"Mr. Robertson, my chief," Lister said to Barbara, and the man presented +Lister to his companion, and put a machine in a box on the floor. "Now +there's room; I was pulling out the indicator diagrams," he added. +"Won't you take off your coat, Miss Hyslop, and try Mike's doughnuts?" + +The little room was hot, and when Barbara hung up her furs she noted the +other girl's appraising glance. Miss Grant poured some black tea from a +big cracked pot and pushed across a tin of condensed milk and a plate of +greasy buns. When Barbara picked one up and looked at it doubtfully +Robertson opened a drawer. + +"We pull ours in two, but I expect you'd like a knife," he said. + +He found a knife, which he rubbed on the table-cloth. "I used the thing +on the indicator, the contraption in the box, but I think it's clean +enough." + +Barbara ate her doughnut and drank the bitter tea. Miss Grant looked +friendly and she liked the engineer. They were frank, human people, and +she thought them kind. Robertson began to talk about carpets, gas-stoves +and pans, and Miss Grant told Barbara what the articles cost. They had +been buying furniture and Robertson stated they were to be married soon. + +"I reckon you haven't got so far yet," he said to Lister, and when +Barbara saw Miss Grant touch him she blushed. It was ridiculous, but the +blood came to her skin, and then, noting Lister's embarrassment, she +began to laugh. + +"Jim _will_ talk like that!" Miss Grant remarked. + +"Oh, well," said Robertson, "I expect it's rather soon. Mr. Lister +hasn't joined us long, and you don't begin at the top." He turned to +Barbara with an encouraging smile. "All the same, he knows his job and +has got one move up. Perhaps if he sticks to it, for a year or two--" + +Miss Grant stopped him and asked Barbara's views about curtains. She had +some patterns, and while they contrasted the material and the prices the +door opened and a greasy, red-haired fellow gave the group a benevolent +grin. + +"Was thim doughnuts all right?" he inquired. + +"I've had better, but you've made some worse, Mike," Robertson replied. + +"Yez said _tea for two_. If ye'd told me it was a party, I'd have been +afther stealing the captain's Cork butter. A cook cannot do his best +whin the shore-steward sends him engine-grease. Annyhow, whin ye're +young an' romantic, what's it mather what ye ate?" + +He went off and Robertson began to talk about _Ardrigh_. He was naïvely +proud of the boat and his engines, and narrated hard runs in bad weather +to land the livestock in time for important markets. Sometimes the +hollow channel-seas that buried the plunging forecastle filled the decks +and icy cataracts came down the stokehold gratings. Sometimes the cattle +pens broke and mangled bullocks rolled about in the water and wreckage. + +Robertson had a talent for narrative and Barbara felt something of the +terror and lure of the sea. She liked the _Ardrigh's_ rather grimy crew, +their cheerfulness and rude good-humor. They did useful things, big +things now and then; they were strong, warm-blooded fellows, not +polished loafers like Mortimer's friends. Then she approved Miss Grant's +frank pride in her lover. There was something primitive about these +people. They were, so to speak, human, and not ashamed of their +humanity. Lister was somehow like them; she wondered whether this had +attracted her. Perhaps she was attracted, but the attraction must not be +indulged. + +By and by Miss Grant resumed her talk about curtains, and when they had +agreed about the material that ought to wear best Barbara looked at her +watch. Miss Grant gave her her hand and Robertson declared she must come +back when the boat was in port again. Lister took her down the gangway +and was quiet until they reached the station. Then he smiled +apologetically. + +"You played up well. I didn't know Robertson was on board, but he's a +very good sort. So's the girl, I think." + +Barbara laughed. "I didn't play up; I liked the people. The excursion +was delightful; I've enjoyed it all." + +Lister saw she was sincere and thrilled. He had begun to think he ought +not to have suggested the adventure, but he was not sorry now; Barbara +was not bothered by ridiculous conventions. She talked gayly while the +cars rolled along beside the warehouse walls, but when they got down at +the station she stopped in the middle of a sentence. Cartwright had +alighted from the next car and was a yard or two in front. Lister knew +his fur coat and rather dragging walk. If he and Barbara went on, they +would confront Cartwright when he turned to go down the steps. + +Barbara gave him a twinkling glance and remarked that he knitted his +brows but did not hesitate. In the few moments since her step-father +left the train she had seen three or four plans for avoiding him. Lister +obviously had not, and on the whole she approved his honesty. He +advanced and touched Cartwright. + +"I didn't know you were on board our train, sir." + +Cartwright looked at him rather hard and Barbara waited. Although she +had been caught enjoying a stolen excursion, she was not afraid of her +step-father, but she was curious. + +"I was in front," said Cartwright dryly. "Barbara has picked a rather +dreary day for a run to the north docks. I understood she was going to +the shops." + +"Miss Hyslop met me near the station and I persuaded her to come and see +my ship." + +"Then you have got a ship?" said Cartwright. "If you are not on duty, +come to the office in the morning and tell me about the boat. In the +meantime, I'll put Barbara on the tunnel train." + +He went off with the girl, but Barbara turned her head and Lister saw +her smile. + + + +CHAPTER IX + +CARTWRIGHT SEES A PLAN + +In the morning Lister went to Cartwright's office. To some extent, he +was embarrassed, because he had begun to see that Barbara's relations +might not approve her going on board his ship and he imagined Cartwright +meant to talk about this. When he came in Cartwright gave him a nod and +indicated a chair. + +"I understand you did not arrange for Barbara to meet you and go to the +dock?" he said. + +"No, sir. I didn't expect to meet Miss Hyslop. I was talking about the +boat and thought Miss Hyslop might like to see her." + +Cartwright turned and the electric light touched his face. He looked +thoughtful, but somehow Lister imagined he was not thinking about his +step-daughter. + +"Oh, well!" he said, as if the matter were not important, and went on: +"I might have got you a post had you looked me up. What boat are you on +board?" + +"_Ardrigh_. Perhaps you know her?" + +"Yes. Belfast model; long bow and fine lines aft. Don't know if I +approve the type. Give you speed, at the cost of carrying power, but +makes a wet ship in a head sea." + +"She is wet," Lister agreed with a smile. "Last run we couldn't keep the +water out of the stokehold. Had to cover and batten gratings, and then a +boat fetched adrift and smashed the engine skylights." + +"What's your rating?" Cartwright asked. + +Lister told him and he remarked: "You have made some progress!" + +"I was lucky. She burst some boiler tubes in my watch. We were steaming +hard, head to an ugly sea, with a lot of cattle on board, and were +forced to keep her going. Two firemen were scalded, but I was able to +put the patent-stoppers in the tubes. I used a trick I'd learned on a +Canadian lake boat; rather risky, but it worked. Afterwards the company +moved me up." + +Cartwright was not surprised. He knew men and saw the young fellow was +all he had thought. All the same, it might be worth while to get some +particulars about the accident from the _Ardrigh's_ owners. + +"You won't go far in the cross-channel trade. Why did you not try for a +berth with an Atlantic line!" + +"There was some trouble about your Board of Trade rules and I might have +been required to prove my qualifications for an English certificate. +While I was inquiring I heard an engineer was wanted on board _Ardrigh_. +The regulations don't apply to coasting voyages." + +"You might have got your certificate. Would it not have been worth +while?" + +Lister hesitated. His main object for joining the _Ardrigh_ was that she +sailed from Liverpool and he wanted to see Barbara now and then. As a +rule, he was frank, but he did not think it prudent to enlighten +Cartwright. + +"I don't know," he said. "You see, I may go back to the railroad soon." + +He wondered whether Cartwright did see and thought he had remarked his +hesitation; the old fellow was very keen. Cartwright's look, however, +was inscrutable and for a few moments he said nothing. Then he picked up +some papers on his desk. + +"Look me up now and then when you're in port. I might have a job for +you, but I don't know yet," he said, and added in a meaning voice: "If +you want to see my family, Mrs. Cartwright will receive you at her +house." + +Lister colored and got up. "I'll remember, sir! Perhaps I oughtn't to +have persuaded Miss Hyslop--I didn't stop to think--" + +When he went off Cartwright smiled, but soon afterwards he put his +cigar-case in his pocket and told Gavin he was going out. He thought he +knew where to find the cattle boat's shore-engineer, and when he did so +the waitress gave them a table at which they would not be disturbed. In +half an hour Cartwright had found out all he wanted to know, and +returning to his office, he smoked and mused. + +Lister had not exaggerated; his pluck and coolness had kept _Ardrigh's_ +engines going when to stop might have meant the loss of the livestock on +board. Well, Cartwright had known the fellow was good stuff and he might +soon want a man like that. Somebody staunch and resolute who knew his +job! He had beaten his antagonists at the shareholders' meeting, but +doubted if he could do so again. In fact, he had only put off the +reckoning for six months, in which he must make good, and he knitted his +brows while he studied _Titania's_ picture. He thought about her sister +ship, wrecked and abandoned on the African coast. + +_Arcturus_ was a useful boat and cheap to run. Although times were bad, +Cartwright could run her and earn some profit. He had known the company +that bought her was getting near the rocks, but they had insured her +heavily and there was something strange about the wreck. Cartwright +understood the underwriters had hesitated before they paid. He, himself, +would not have paid; he had a notion--. + +An effort had been made to float _Arcturus_, but the salvors did not +know all Cartwright thought he knew. If his supposition were correct, +the wreck might be worth buying and one could, no doubt, buy her very +cheap. The boat had for some time lain half-buried in shifting sands at +the mouth of an African river. + +The underwriters would be lucky if they sold her for old iron. + +Cartwright weighed the cost of floating. If he employed a regular +salvage company, this would be high, because they would bargain for a +large part of the value recovered; his plan was to do the job himself, +with cheaper appliances than theirs. The trouble was, he could not go +out and superintend. He was too old, and one ought to be an engineer; +Cartwright had grounds for imagining the job was rather an engineer's +than a sailor's. Well, he knew a young fellow who would not be daunted +and would work for him honestly, but to get the proper man was not all. + +He pondered about the money. Somehow he might get the necessary sum, but +if the venture failed, it would be the last. Nobody would trust him +again; he would be forced into retirement and dependence on his wife. It +was a risk he hesitated to run and he resolved to wait. + +In the evening after dinner Barbara joined him in the drawing-room, and +Cartwright waited with some amusement, for he thought he knew what she +wanted. + +"Did Mr. Lister come to the office?" she asked presently. + +"He did come. Did you think he would not?" + +"Oh, no!" said Barbara, smiling, "I knew he would come. Mr. Lister is +like that!" + +"I suppose you mean he's honest?" + +"I think I mean he's scrupulous. When you crossed the station platform +in front of us he got a jolt." + +"Then, you did not get a jolt?" + +"Not at all," said Barbara. "To keep behind and meet you after I'd sent +Lister off would not have bothered me. However, I was curious, although +I think I knew the line he'd take. You see, for an unsophisticated young +man, the situation was awkward." + +"If he felt it awkward, it indicated he knew he ought not to have taken +you on board his boat." + +"You're horribly logical," Barbara rejoined with a twinkle. "When we +started he didn't know I ought not to have gone. Mr. Lister is not like +you; he's very obvious. Of course, I did know, but I went!" + +"I wonder why!" said Cartwright dryly. + +"Sometimes you're keen, but you didn't remark, I meant to give you a +lead. Well, I didn't go altogether because I wanted to enjoy Mr. +Lister's society. To see a cattle boat was something fresh and I was +dull." + +"Then, when did Lister see a light? Since he stopped me, it's plain he'd +got some illumination." + +"I think it was when the engineer and the girl Robertson is going to +marry began to talk about house furnishings in the _Ardrigh's_ +mess-room. They took it for granted Lister was my lover and he was +horribly embarrassed. The thing really was humorous." + +"Folks have hinted I'm getting a back-number," Cartwright remarked. "To +talk to a modern girl makes me feel I am out-of-date." + +"Grace is not modern and to talk to her makes you tired," Barbara +rejoined. "But I'll tell you about the tea-party in the mess-room if you +like." + +"Then you got tea in the cattle boat's mess-room?" + +"Of course," said Barbara. "Black tea and condensed milk, and a ruffian +with red hair whom they called Mike had made some doughnuts with lard +like engine-grease. For all that, they were very nice people, and if you +don't interrupt, I'll tell you--" + +She told him about the party and Cartwright chuckled. He pictured her in +the dirty mess-room, looking exotic in her fashionable clothes and +expensive furs, but no doubt quite serene. She said the other girl was +pretty, but Cartwright admitted that Barbara was beautiful. He rather +sympathized with Lister's embarrassment, and wondered whether Barbara +meant to throw some light on the young man's character. + +When she stopped, he asked: "Did they talk about some burst boiler +tubes?" + +"No," said Barbara. "We talked about gas-stoves and kitchen pans." Then +she gave Cartwright a keen glance. "But what are boiler tubes? Do they +sometimes burst?" + +"They carry the flame from the furnace through the water. If you're much +interested, Gavin will show you a plan of a ship's boiler when you come +to the office. In the meantime, have you found out all you want to +know?" + +"You really are keen!" Barbara rejoined. + +"I was a little curious about what you said to Mr. Lister." + +"Ah," said Cartwright, "I imagined something like this. I told him if he +wanted to see my family, he must come to the house." + +Barbara looked thoughtful. "This was all? Was it worth while to tell him +to come to the office? To order him, in fact?" + +"It was all that's important. I think it was important and expect you to +agree." + +"Well, you have carried out your duty and ought to be satisfied," said +Barbara, who got up and gave Cartwright a smiling glance. "All the same, +if you want a man for an awkward job, I think you can trust Mr. Lister!" + +She went off and Cartwright laughed. Barbara was clever. The strange +thing was, she had been cheated by a theatrical rogue, but clever girls +were sometimes like that. He imagined she liked Lister, but this was +perhaps all, since she had been frank. In one sense, Lister was the man +for Barbara; he was honest, sober, and resolute, and she needed firm +control. The girl was as wild as a hawk, and although she was marked by +a fine fastidiousness, would revolt from a narrow-minded prig. Lister +was not a prig; his blood was red. + +In another sense, perhaps, the thing was ridiculous. Barbara was rich +and ought to make a good marriage, but good marriages sometimes brought +unhappiness. + +Human nature was stubborn; one paid for forcing it to obey the rules of +worldly prudence. Then Barbara had a romantic vein. She would risk all +for her lover and not grumble if she were forced to pay for her +staunchness. Besides, she and Lister had qualities he had not. They were +marked by something ascetic, or perhaps he meant Spartan, and if it were +worth while, could go without much that he required. + +Cartwright admitted that indulgence had cost him dear. He had paid with +grim philosophy, but he did not want Barbara to pay. Although she was +not his daughter, he loved the girl, and her recent moodiness bothered +him. If she did not love Lister, why was she disturbed? Sometimes +Cartwright thought he saw a gleam of light. Suppose she did love the +fellow and was trying to keep him off because of her Canadian adventure? +Lister knew about that and Barbara was proud. + +Cartwright's eyes got bloodshot and he clenched his fist. He would very +much like to meet Shillito. His muscles were getting slack, but he had +not lost all his power; anyhow, he could talk. Well, the thing was +humiliating, but he must not get savage. When he let himself go he +suffered for it afterwards. Getting up, he threw away his cigar, and +went off to talk to his wife. + + + +CHAPTER X + +A BOLD SPECULATION + +After weighing for some weeks all he could learn about the wreck on the +African coast, Cartwright went to London and was carried up one morning +to the second floor of an imposing office block. Black marble columns +supported the molded roof of the long passage, the wide stairs were +guarded by polished mahogany and shining brass, and a screen of artistic +iron work enclosed the elevator shaft. Cartwright's fur coat and gloves +and varnished boots harmonized with the surroundings; he looked rich and +important, but as he went along the corridor his face was stern. He was +going to make a plunge that would mend or break his fortune. Unless he +got straight in the next six months, he must retire from the Board and +make the best bargain possible with his creditors. + +He opened a door, and giving a clerk his card, was shown into a handsome +private office. Mr. Morse at a writing-table indicated a chair, and when +Cartwright sat down, rested his chin in his hand. + +"We have considered your letters, and my partner, Mr. Bull, agrees that, +if we can come to terms, your suggestion has some advantages," he said. + +"The advantages for your clients are obvious," Cartwright remarked. + +The other smiled. "They paid out a good sum when _Arcturus_ was wrecked, +and would frankly like to get something back. Well, we understand you +are willing to buy her, _as she lies_." + +"At my price! I'll give you a check when the agreement's signed." + +"Then, I expect you have made some calculations and know all about the +efforts to float the wreck. If we sell her to you, the job is yours, but +I admit some curiosity. Why do you expect to float her when the salvage +company failed?" + +"For one thing, they started the job on extravagant lines," Cartwright +replied. "They sent out two first-class tugs and a number of highly-paid +men; they ought to have hired negro laborers at the spot. The surf is +often bad, they could only work when it was calm, and while they were +doing nothing, wages mounted up. So did their bills for the coal they +must bring from Sierra Leone, where coal is expensive. Then they were +bothered by fever and were forced to send men home. They saw the +contract would not pay and let it go. The job was not impossible; it was +costing too much." + +Mr. Morse agreed that Cartwright's statement was plausible and probably +accurate, but thought he rather labored his argument. + +"You mean to use another plan?" he said. + +"My outfit will be small and cheap. This has the advantage that when my +men can't work, I won't pay much for wasted time. All the same, my risk +is obvious. The thing's a rash speculation, on which I can't embark +unless you are satisfied to take a very small price." + +For a few moments the ship broker pondered. Cartwright's line was the +line a man who wanted to buy something cheap would take. All the same, +Mr. Morse did not altogether see why he wanted to buy the wreck. + +"What about the cargo?" he suggested. "Of course, you understand that I +have no authority to sell this; you noticed the wording of our original +advertisement? 'And for the salving of the cargo,' Precisely it is on +that basis alone that the cargo underwriters will deal. Together with +your offer for the steamer as she lies, you must accept a percentage of +the value of the cargo you save." + +"What is the cargo?" + +"She carried palm-kernels in the forehold; I expect they have fermented +and rotted. Perhaps the palm oil aft isn't spoiled." + +"The barrels will have gone to bits." + +"Oak barrel staves stand salt water long." + +"The iron hoops do not," Cartwright rejoined. "Anyhow, I don't reckon on +the cargo; I expect to make my profit on buying the hull." + +"Yet the cargo is worth something. I imagine you know she carried some +valuable gums, ivory and a quantity of gold?" + +Cartwright smiled. "I do know the goods were on the ship's manifest. How +much gold did the salvage company get?" + +"Six boxes; but this was not all that was shipped." + +"I imagine it's all that will be recovered!" Cartwright remarked. + +The other looked hard at him, but his face was inscrutable and he went +on: "Well, I don't want the cargo, and may be forced to heave much of it +overboard in order to lighten the hull. However, if we find stuff worth +saving, we'll put it on the beach and I'll take a third-part of the +value, and you can send out an agent to tally the goods." + +"Very well," said the other, who approved the latter plan, although he +imagined Cartwright knew something he did not. "Let's be frank," he +resumed. "Personally, I felt from the beginning there was a mystery +about the wreck." + +"Oh, well," said Cartwright, "the owners of the boat went broke, and the +merchant who put the goods on board died. His son sold the business to a +small company, in which he took shares. The new house is prosperous and +respectable; it would be necessary to know your ground well before you +bothered them. Then I have nothing to go upon but a vague supposition. +In fact, the thing's a risky plunge, and if you refuse my offer, I won't +grumble. All the same, I doubt if anybody else would give you, for +example, five hundred pounds for _Arcturus_." + +"Five hundred pounds is, of course, ridiculous," the other rejoined, and +they began to bargain. + +When Cartwright left the office he was, on the whole, satisfied. He +could finance the undertaking, but this was all. There would be no +margin to cover unforeseen difficulties. It was his last gamble, and, +besides his money, he staked his post and reputation. If he lost, he was +done for, and the house must fall. Soon after his return he sent for +Lister and told him about the wreck and his salvage plans. + +"I had some bother to get a captain," he said. "The job has not much +attraction for a sober man, but Brown is not sober; he's frankly +reckless and irresponsible. The strange thing is, I've known him make +good where cautious men have failed. Then much depends on the engineer. +I brought you across to ask if you would go." + +Lister's eyes sparkled. "Yes, sir. I've been looking for a chance like +this." + +Cartwright studied him quietly. Lister's keenness was obvious; the young +fellow liked adventure, but Cartwright imagined this did not account for +all. + +"From one point of view, I think the chance is pretty good," he said. +"If you can float the wreck and bring her home, I expect some of the big +salvage companies will offer you a post. Anyhow, you'll get your pay, +and if we are lucky, a bonus that will depend on the cost of the +undertaking and the value of all we salve." + +"I'm going," Lister declared, and Cartwright noted that he did not +inquire about the pay. Then he hesitated and resumed: "But I haven't got +an English chief-engineer's certificate." + +"I don't know if it's important. I expect you'll find the adventure is +marked by a number of small irregularities. However, to satisfy the +Board of Trade is my business." + +"Then you can reckon on me; but there's another thing. Why do you hope +to lift the wreck when the salvage men could not?" + +Cartwright smiled. "I have been asked this before, but saw no grounds +for satisfying the inquirer's curiosity. All the same, I'll enlighten +you." + +He did so, and Lister looked up sharply. He had known Cartwright was +clever, but the old fellow was cleverer than he thought. It was possible +he had solved a puzzle that had baffled the salvage engineers. After +all, perhaps, it was not strange they were baffled. They had reckoned on +mechanical obstacles; Cartwright had reckoned on the intricacies of +human nature. + +"I expect you have got it, sir," Lister agreed. "If her bilge was in the +sand and the divers couldn't break into the engine-room--" He paused and +laughed. "A powerful centrifugal pump lifts some water, but you can't +pump out the Atlantic!" + +"It looks as if the salvage company tried," said Cartwright, dryly. +"However--" + +He talked about the undertaking, giving Lister particulars he thought he +ought to know, and when the young man went off, all important plans had +been agreed upon. Soon afterwards Cartwright went home and found Mrs. +Cartwright had gone to bed. He was getting disturbed about her, but +since the doctor had said she must rest, he talked to Barbara in the +evening. He told her about the wreck, and smiled when he stated that +Lister would have control. + +"I think you declared he was the man for an awkward job," he said. + +Barbara looked at him rather hard. "Perhaps I did say so. You don't +imply you are sending Mr. Lister because you thought I'd like it?" + +"Not at all," said Cartwright. "The thing's a business venture. Still +your statement carried weight. I admit your judgment sometimes is +sound." + +She turned her head and when she looked up and replied, her voice was +rather hard. + +"You must not trust my judgment. I have been cheated." + +"My dear!" said Cartwright. "Perhaps my remark was unlucky, but the +cleverest of us is sometimes cheated, and you were not cheated long. +We'll let it go. I'm bothered about your mother. She feels the damp and +cold and is not picking up. Perhaps we ought to send her South. I must +talk to the doctor." + +In the morning he saw the doctor, who said they had better wait for a +time, and Cartwright occupied himself by outfitting the salvage +expedition. Finding it necessary to go to London, he called on the +gentleman from whom he had bought the wreck a short time ago. + +"When we made the agreement, you asked if I knew anybody who would give +me five hundred pounds for the boat," remarked Mr. Morse. "Just then I +did not know, but not long since I was offered a better price than +yours." + +"Ah," said Cartwright, thoughtfully. "She lay in the sand for some time +and nobody bothered about her. Who was willing to buy?" + +The other smiled. "A shipbroker stated a sum at which he would take her +off our hands. It was plain he was an agent, but he wouldn't give his +customer's name. I don't imagine you will find out from him. I tried!" + +Cartwright said it was strange, and went off soon afterwards. When he +went down in the lift he smiled, for he thought he saw a light; after +all, his speculation was not as rash as it looked. + +When he got home Mrs. Cartwright had come downstairs and she joined the +others at dinner. The doctor said she was stronger and might soon +undertake a journey South; he suggested the Canaries, and Cartwright +approved. + +"If you sail by a Cape liner, it's a short run, and after you leave the +Spanish coast the sea is generally smooth," he said. "Since I must stay +at the office, we must decide who is going with you." + +Hyslop said he would like to go, and would do so if it were necessary, +but to get away just then was awkward. Grace declared somebody must stop +to look after Cartwright and the house, and she imagined this was her +post. For all that, since she was older than Barbara, it was hard to see +her duty. Mrs. Cartwright did not indicate whom she wanted, although she +glanced at Barbara. Since she was ill she had got very languid, and +Cartwright did not meddle. He knew his stepchildren, and it was +characteristic that Grace talked about her duty; taking care of an +invalid at a foreign hotel had not much charm for Grace. + +"Very well," said Barbara, "I gave you and Mortimer first chance, +because I'm not important, but since you have good grounds for staying, +we won't argue." She turned to Mrs. Cartwright: "I'm going, because I +want to go." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave her a gentle smile and it was plain that she was +satisfied, but when she had gone to bed and Cartwright was alone, he +pondered. Barbara loved her mother and would have gone had she not +wanted to go, but he thought she did want and had an object. He had told +her something about his plans, and had stated that he would use Grand +Canary as a supply depot for the expedition; then he had found the girl +studying an Atlantic chart in the library. Barbara had no doubt noted +the island lay conveniently near the African coast, and knew it was an +important coaling station, at which steamers bound South from Liverpool +called. Cartwright wondered whether she had argued she might see Lister +at Grand Canary. + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE START + +Rain was falling and the light had hardly reached the opening between +the tall warehouses. In the dock the water was smooth and shone with +dull reflections, but the gates were open and the muddy swell the flood +tide brought up the river splashed about the entrance. Ponderous lorries +rumbled across a bridge, indistinct figures moved and shouted on the +pierhead, and men in wet oilskins splashed about _Terrier's_ deck. + +She was a battered propeller tug and lay against the wall, with large +cases of machinery lashed to her bulwarks, and a stack of coal built up +beside the engine-skylights. Her bunkers were full, but the fuel she +carried would not last very long, and coal is dear at foreign ports. +Coils of thick wire rope and diving gear occupied her shallow hold, and +Cartwright was annoyed because she could not take the massive +centrifugal pump which he had sent by an African liner. Some extra coal +and supplies were loaded on a clumsy wooden hulk, but he durst not risk +her carrying expensive machinery. + +When he talked to the captain in the pilot-house, he was, on the whole, +satisfied. Brown's face was flushed and his voice was hoarse, but he +would pull himself together after he got to sea. Cartwright knew Brown's +habits when he gave him the job, although, in an important sense, the +job was Lister's. To trust the young fellow was a bold experiment, but +Cartwright did so. If Lister were not the man he thought, Cartwright +imagined his control of the line would presently come to an inglorious +end. To some extent this accounted for his bringing Barbara to see the +salvage expedition start. He knew the power of love. + +Barbara had not gone up the greasy ladder to the bridge and waited on +deck. She had left home without much breakfast, in the dark, and was +cold and rather depressed. All was gloomy and strangely flat. The tug +looked small and was horribly dirty. Coal-dust covered rails and ropes; +grimy drops from the rigging splashed on the trampled black mud on deck. +The crew were not sober and their faces were black. Two or three +draggled women called to them from the pierhead, their voices sounding +melancholy and harsh. + +Barbara had not seen Lister and wondered where he was, until a man +plunged out from the neighboring door of the engine-room. The abruptness +of his exit indicated that he had been rudely propelled by somebody +behind, and as he lurched across the deck, Lister appeared at the door. +His cap was dark with grease, his overalls were stained, and a black +smear ran from his eye to chin. + +"Hustle and get that oil drum on the wharf, you drunken hog!" he +shouted. "If I hadn't watched out you'd have left half the truck." + +He stopped when he saw Barbara. "This is very kind," he said to her. "I +knew Cartwright was on board, but hadn't hoped you would come to give us +a good send-off." + +Barbara noted his satisfaction and was moved by something in his voice. +He looked thin and fine-drawn in his stained engineer's clothes, and his +hands were greasy. The surroundings were not romantic, but somehow they +got brighter and her gloom vanished. Lister's eyes sparkled; he wore the +stamp of strength and confidence. + +"I doubted if my step-father would bring me, but I really meant to +come," she said. "For one thing, I wanted to ask you--" + +She hesitated, for it was hard to strike the right note. She had begun +to see there was something exciting and perhaps heroic about the +adventure. The handful of men had undertaken a big thing; there was much +against them, and daunting risks must be run. Moreover, she had studied +Cartwright and remarked the anxiety he thought he had hid. Cartwright +was rather inscrutable, but sympathy had given her power to understand. +She thought he was engaged in a reckless gamble and could not afford to +lose. + +"Whatever you want--" Lister declared, but she stopped him. + +"I want you to do your best." + +"You can reckon on that, anyhow! Cartwright has hired me; I'm his man." + +Barbara smiled. "Yes; I know! You're honest and will do all you engaged; +but in a sense, this is not enough. I want you to make an extra effort, +because--" + +She paused and the blood came to her skin when she went on: "You see, +it's important you should float the wreck and bring her home. It means +much to my step-father; very much, I think. He's kind and I love him. I +feel I ought to help." + +Lister saw her statement was significant, and her embarrassment +indicated that she knew it was so. In fact, she had admitted that she +knew he would, for her sake, use all his powers. He was moved, but he +was not a fool. The girl, wearing her costly furs, looked rich and +dignified; he was a working engineer and conscious of his greasy +clothes. He loved her, but for a time he must be cautious. To begin +with, he would not have her think he made a claim. + +"You're not very logical," he replied carelessly. "When I took the job I +undertook to earn my pay. Cartwright sends me off to float the wreck, +and if it's possible, I must make good." + +"I am logical," Barbara declared, while her color came and went. "One +thinks one does one's best, but sometimes when the strain comes, one can +do better. It really isn't ridiculous! Emotion, sentiment, give one +extra force--" She stopped and resumed in a strangely gentle voice: "You +are young, and if you don't make good it won't hurt very much. Mr. +Cartwright's old; he can't try again. Then he's not my step-father only. +He's my friend, and I know he trusts you. For his sake, I must be +frank--I trust you!" + +Lister smiled, but his voice betrayed him, although he thought he used +control. + +"Very well! If it's possible for flesh and blood, we'll bring _Arcturus_ +home. That's all. The thing's done with." + +She gave him her hand, and kept the glove with the dark grease stain. +Then, seeing there was no more to be said, she looked about. Ragged +clouds rolled up from the Southwest, and the disturbed swell that +splashed about the dock gates indicated wind down channel. A shower beat +upon the engine skylights and Barbara moved beneath the bridge. A great +rope rose out of the water as the men at the winch hauled up the clumsy +hulk. Two or three others, dragging a thin, stiff wire rope, floundered +unsteadily across the deck. + +"They look rough, and they're not very sober," Barbara remarked. + +Lister laughed. "They're frankly drunk! A pretty hard crowd, but Brown +and I have handled a hard crowd before. In fact, I reckon Cartwright has +got the proper men for the job." + +"Captain Brown is like them," said Barbara, thoughtfully. "You are not." + +"You haven't seen me hustling round when things go wrong." + +"I saw you throw a man out of the engine-room not long since!" + +"With a gang like ours, one must prove one's claim to be boss at the +start. Anyhow, there are different kinds of wastrels, and the fellow who +gets on a jag at intervals is often a pretty good sort. The wastrel one +has no use for is the fellow who keeps it up. But I see Mr. Cartwright +coming and mustn't philosophize." + +A gateman on the pierhead began to shout to the captain, and Cartwright +gave Lister his hand. + +"They are waiting for you and we must get ashore," he said. "Well, I've +given you and Brown a big job, but I expect you'll see me out." + +"We'll put in all we've got, sir," said Lister quietly. + +Cartwright nodded, as if he were satisfied, and touched Barbara, who +turned and gave Lister a smile. + +"Good luck!" she said, and following Cartwright, went up the steps in +the wall. + +She thought it significant Cartwright had left her for some time and had +given Lister a quick, searching glance. Lister had said nothing about +their talk and his promise; she had known he would not do so. Yet this +was not because he was clever. He had a sort of instinctive +fastidiousness. She liked his reply to Cartwright; he _would_ put in all +he had got, and a man like that had much. Fine courage, resolution and +staunch loyalty. + +When Barbara reached the pierhead, _Terrier's_ engines began to throb. +The propeller churned the green water, and the tug bumped against the +wall. Gatemen shouted, the big tow-rope splashed and tightened with a +jerk, and the hulk began to move. Then the tug's bow crept round the +corner and swung off from the gates. The engine throbbed faster, and a +blast of the whistle echoed about the warehouses. Brown waved his cap +and signed to a man in the pilot-house. The hulk swung round in a wide +sweep, and the adventurous voyage had begun. + +_Terrier_, steaming across the strong current, looked small and dingy; +when she rolled as the helm went over, the swell washed her low +bulwarks. She got smaller, until a rain squall blew across from the +Cheshire side and she melted into the background of dark water and +smoke. Barbara felt strangely forlorn, and it was some relief when +Cartwright touched her arm and they set off along the wall. + +After the rain the wind freshened, and when Brown steamed out from the +river, a confused sea rolled across the shoals. The light was not good, +but a double row of buoys led out to sea, the ebb-tide was running, and +_Terrier_ made good progress. She shipped no water yet, and the hulk +lurched along without much strain on the rope. The rope was fastened to +a massive iron hook and ran across a curved wooden horse at the tug's +stern. Sometimes it slipped along the horse and tightened with a bang, +for the clumsy hulk sheered about. When her stern went up one saw an +indistinct figure holding the wheel. + +When they passed the Bar Lightship, Lister climbed to the bridge and for +a few minutes looked about. The plunging red hull to starboard was the +last of the Mersey marks, for the North-West ship was hidden by low +clouds. Ahead the angry gray water was broken by streaks of foam. +_Terrier_ rolled and quivered when her bows smashed a sea, and showers +of spray beat like hail against the screens on the bridge. + +"She's loggish," Brown remarked. "If you don't burn up that coal soon, +she'll wash it off. Looks like a dirty night, and I'm pushing across for +Lynas Point. With the wind at south-west, I want to get under the +Anglesey coast. There'll be some sea in the channel when we open up +Holyhead." + +"The boat's good," said Lister. "Engines a bit neglected, but they're +running smooth and cool, and she has power to shove her along. +Cartwright has an eye for a useful craft." + +Brown nodded. "The old fellow has an eye for all that's useful; I reckon +he sees farther than any man I know. There's something encouraging about +this, because the job he's given us looks tough--" + +He stopped, for the tow-rope slipped noisily across the horse. There was +a clang of iron as the hook took the strain, and the captain frowned. +"That hulk is going to bother us before very long." + +Lister seized the slanted rails. The lightship had vanished, but a +bright beam pierced the haze astern. Ahead the sea was empty; gray water +rolled beneath low and ragged clouds. Spray flew about the plunging +bows, and the tug rolled uneasily. Lister turned and left the bridge, +but stopped for a few moments at the engine-room door. Barbara had stood +just opposite, where the iron funnel-stay ran down. Her rich furs gave +her girlish figure a touch of dignity, the color was in her face, and +her eyes shone. + +Lister knew the picture would haunt him, and he would come to the engine +door to recapture it when he needed bracing. He would need bracing, for +there were obstacles ahead, but he had promised Barbara to help +Cartwright out. Stepping across the ledge to a slippery platform, he +went below. + +PART III--THE BREAKING STRAIN + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE FIRST STRUGGLE + +The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about +the throbbing machinery. It looked as if the lamps swung in a +semicircle, but they did not. All else slanted at an ever-changing +angle; the swiveled lamps were still. Overhead the dark and bulky +cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, +valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the +twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit. One saw the big columns +shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks +groaned with the back push of the propeller. + +A door in the bulkhead was open, and now and then a blaze from the +stokehold lighted the engine-room. Shovels clanged and the thud of a +hammer jarred upon the throb of machinery. Men moved about like ghosts. +Their feet made no noise; for a moment one saw their sweat-streaked +faces and then they vanished. Lister sat on a tool-box, an old pipe in +his mouth, and was happier than he had been for long. For one thing, his +men were getting sober and he saw they knew their job; then he was +satisfied with his engines and relished the sense of control. He was +_chief_, and until the tug came back from Africa the engines were his. + +In the meantime he need not move about. It was like listening to an +orchestra of which he knew all the instruments, and he heard no jarring +notes. The harmony was good and the rhythm well marked. The clash and +clang rose and fell with a measured beat; but the smooth running of his +engines did not account for all Lister's satisfaction. In a sense, +Barbara had given him his job, he was her servant, doing her work, and +this was much, although he scarcely durst hope for another reward. + +Cartwright had not without careful thought sent Lister on board. He knew +the young fellow's staunchness as he knew Barbara's, and, because his +need was great, had not hesitated to use him and the girl. He was old +and must be resigned to sit at his desk and plan, but, as a rule, his +plans worked, and he had a talent for choosing his tools. When it was +possible, he used his tools carefully; he hated to overstrain fine +material. + +_Terrier's_ regular lurch and roll indicated that she was steaming along +the coast, in some shelter from the wind that blew obliquely off the +land. By and by, however, the lurches got violent, and when Lister heard +the thud of water on deck he went up, and opening the door on the lee +side, looked out. Water splashed against the ledge that protected the +engine-room; the stack of coal worked and he heard big lumps fall. Spray +blew across the bulwarks and fell in heavy showers from a boat on the +skids. For a few moments this was all he could distinguish, and then he +saw slopes of water slanting away from the tug's low side. A half-moon +shone for a few moments between ragged clouds and was hidden. + +Lister stepped across the ledge and went aft. _Terrier_ felt the drag of +the hulk astern, and he wanted to see how she was towing. He heard the +iron ring clang on the hook, and when he stopped by the horse, the big +tow-rope surged to and fro across the arch. The hulk steered wildly, and +if the sea got worse, he doubted if they could hold her. He knew where +he was, because he had steamed along the coast on board the cattle boat. +The Anglesey shore was fringed by reefs, the tide-races ran in white +turmoil across the ledges. The tide had now nearly run out, but when +they turned the corner at Carmel Point they would meet the flood stream +and the big combers the gale drove up channel. Going to the pilot-house, +Lister lighted his pipe. + +"A fierce night!" he remarked to Brown, who peered through the +spray-swept glass. "I reckon you'll want to slow down when we make +Carmel." + +The house was dark, but Lister saw the captain turn. "I'm bothered," +Brown admitted. "We ought to push on, but while we might tow the hulk +under, we can't tow her down channel. We can't turn and run; it's +blowing down the Menai Strait like a bellows spout, and there's all the +Mersey sands to leeward. We have got to face the sea and try to make +Holyhead. Will your engines shove her through?" + +"They'll give you six or seven knots, head to wind. Will your tow rope +hold?" + +"I doubt. We have a steel hawser ready, but if she breaks the hemp rope +she'll probably break the wire." + +Lister agreed. The thick hemp rope stretched and absorbed the strain; +the wire was less elastic. They were approaching Carmel Point, and +Holyhead was not far, but they must front the gale when they got round +the corner. In the meantime, the engines were running smoothly, and +Lister smoked and waited while the sea got worse. Flashing lights ahead +and the violent lurching indicated that they crept round the point. Then +_Terrier_ plunged into a white sea and deck and bulwarks vanished. Her +bows swung out of the foam and Lister ran to the door. He felt the tug +leap forward and knew the rope had gone. + +He got out in front of Brown and plunged down the ladder. Since +_Terrier_ must be stopped and turned, he was needed. Water ran from his +clothes when he reached a slanted platform and seized a greasy wheel. +The telegraph gong was clanging and the beat of engines slackened as he +followed the orders. Then the spinning cranks stopped altogether and for +a minute or two there was a strange quietness. One heard the wind, and +water splashed in the bilges. + +Lister got the signal _Ahead slow_, and when he restarted his engines +ran up the ladder. He could trust the man he left, and wanted to see +what was happening. It was a moment or two before he could satisfy his +curiosity, and then a bright beam illuminated the tug and angry water. +Brown was burning a blue-light while _Terrier_ crept up to the hulk. He +meant to pass the fresh hawser, but could not launch a boat, and Lister +doubted if the men on the hulk could heave the heavy wire rope on board. +Although one must get near to throw a line, it looked as if Brown were +going alongside. + +Two dark figures, crouched on _Terrier's_ rail like animals ready to +spring, cut against the blaze. Brown was going alongside; anyhow, he was +going near enough for the men to jump, but the thing was horribly risky. +If the rolling hulk struck the tug planks and iron plates would be +beaten in; moreover the men must jump from the slanted rail, and if they +jumped short, their long boots and oilskins would drag them down. + +It looked as if Cartwright knew how to choose men for an awkward job, +for as the tug got nearer Lister saw the men meant to go. She swung up +on the top of a white sea; the hulk, swept by spray, rolled down, with +her deck close below the steamer's rail. One felt they must shock, but +they did not. The dark figures leaped, there was a faint shout, a line +whirled out from _Terrier's_ bridge and the hulk drove astern. Then the +blue light vanished and Lister plunged into the engine-room. Somehow the +thing was done. + +The gong signaled _Half-speed_, the rhythmic clash of engines began, and +Lister felt _Terrier_ tremble as she tightened the rope. Brown had +played his part and Lister's had begun. He wondered whether they could +keep the water out of the engine-room. They had drifted off-shore, and +now they had opened up the channel the combers leaped on board. The seas +were not regular; they ran in short, steep ridges, and gave the tug no +time to lift. While she swung her bows from the foaming turmoil the next +swept her deck. But to watch the seas and keep the hulk in line was the +captain's business, and Lister was occupied by his. + +Standing on a slanted platform with his hand on the throttle, he waited +for the lurch that lifted the spinning screw. When the blades left the +water, the engines raced with a horrible din and he must cut off steam. +If he let the engines go, something might break when the propeller got +hold again. The work demanded a firm but delicate touch, since the +pressure must change with the swiftly-changing load. One could not argue +when the bows would plunge and the stern swing clear; one must know +instinctively. The muscular effort was not hard, but Lister's face was +wet with sweat, and when he was slow and the engine-room rang with the +clash of machinery his heart beat. The big columns that held the +cylinders rocked; crank and connecting-rod spun too fast for him to see. +There was a confusing flash of steel and a daunting uproar. + +For the most part, he was able to get control before the stern came +down. Moreover, he was not using full steam; to let her go would swamp +the boat and wash the men off the laboring hulk. Lister knew the rope +held because he felt the heavy drag. Although she rolled and plunged, +there was no life in _Terrier's_ movements. She was sluggish, +embarrassed by the load she hauled. + +Lister thought about the men on board the hulk. Two, buffeted by wind +and spray, must hold the wheel on the short quarter-deck that lifted +them above the shelter of the bulwarks. Forward of this, the water +rolled about, washing on board and pouring out. The men could not for a +moment slack their watchfulness. Sweating and straining at the spokes, +they must hold her straight. To let her sheer when she crossed a +comber's top would break the rope. + +The strain on the laboring engines indicated that the men held out and +Lister fixed his thoughts on his machinery. One could not see much, but +while he turned the valve-wheel he listened. If a bearing got hot or a +brass shook loose, he would hear the jar. An engine running as it ought +to run was like a well-tuned instrument. + +He heard no discord. The heavy thud of the cross-heads, flashing between +their guides, beat time to the clang of the valve-gear, a pump throbbed +like a kettledrum, and something tinkled like a high-pitched triangle. +All went well, the engines were good and _Terrier_ stubbornly forged +ahead. + +By and by the strain was less marked. The load was getting lighter and +after a time Lister let go the wheel and wiped his wet face. He could +stand on the platform without support, the plunges were easy and +regular. Calling a man to relieve him, he went to the door. + +The sea was white, but it no longer ran in crested ridges and a vague +dark line crossed the foam ahead. Sometimes part of the line vanished +and reappeared like a row of dots with broad gaps between. Lister knew +it was breakwater. On the other side anchor-lights tossed, and in the +background a dull, reflected illumination indicated a town. Then the +gong rang and Lister went back to the platform. In a few minutes he +would get the signal to stop his engines. The first struggle was over; +Brown had made Holyhead. + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE WRECK + +The night was calm, but now and then a faint, hot wind blew from the +shadowy coast, and rippling the water, brought a strange, sour smell. +Lister did not know the smell; Brown knew and frowned, for he had been +broken by the malaria that haunts West African river mouths. Heavy dew +dripped from the awnings on _Terrier's_ bridge and in places trickled +through the material, since canvas burns in the African sun. Brown +searched the dark coast with his glasses, trying to find the marks he +had noted on the chart. Lister leaned against the rails and mused about +the voyage. + +They had ridden out a winter's gale in the Bay of Biscay and for a night +had lost the hulk and the men on board. Then they went into Vigo, where +Lister's firemen wrecked a wine shop and it cost him much in bribes to +save them from jail. He had another taste of their quality at Las +Palmas, where they made trouble with the port guards and Brown brawled +in the cheap wine shops behind the cathedral. In fact, it was some +relief when the captain fell off the steam tram that runs between town +and port, and a cut on his head stopped his adventures. + +Then they steamed for fourteen-hundred miles before the Northeast +Trades, with a misty blue sky overhead and long, white-topped seas +rolling up astern. The Trade breeze was cool and bracing, but they lost +it near the coast, and now the air was hot and strangely heavy. One felt +languid and cheerfulness cost an effort. The men had begun to grumble +and Lister was glad the voyage was nearly over and it was time to get to +work. + +Lightning flickered on the sea, touching the back of the smooth swell, +and then for a few moments left all very dark. The moon was new, the sky +was cloudy, and the swell ran high, for it rolled, unbroken and +gathering momentum, from the Antarctic ice. When the lightning was +bright, one saw a low cloud that looked like steam, with a white streak +beneath that marked the impact of the big rollers on the sandy coast. +The crash of breakers came out of the dark, like the rattle of a goods +train crossing an iron bridge. + +"Four fathoms at spring tides, and a shifting channel!" Brown remarked, +quoting from a pilot-book. "The depth, however, varies with the wind, +and a stranger must use caution when entering the lagoon." He stopped, +and laughed as he resumed: "If this was a sober undertaking I'd steam +off and wait for daylight." + +"I reckon it would be prudent," said Lister dryly. + +"We have nothing to do with prudence," Brown rejoined. "Our job's to +work in a sun that knocks a white man down, and stew in the hot malaria +damp the land breeze brings off at night. Cartwright's orders are to +lose no time and I want to finish before the fever finishes me. Very +well! When the moon is new, high-water's at twelve o'clock, and along +this coast sunset's about six hours later. If we wait for +noon-to-morrow, it will be four or five o'clock before we get on board +the wreck--I understand the tide doesn't leave her until about four +hours' ebb. If we push across the bar to-night, we'll see her at +daybreak and can make our plans for getting to work." + +Lister agreed. Expenses were heavy and it was important they should not +lose a day. Moreover, Cartwright had hinted that he expected them to run +risks, and Lister had promised Barbara to help him out. If Brown touched +bottom steaming in, tug and barge would soon break up; but Lister was +not going to be daunted. + +"I'll go down and raise some extra steam," he said. "You'll need full +pressure to shove her through the surf." + +He was occupied for some time, but when a plume of steam blew from the +escape-pipe he came up to the door and looked about. _Terrier's_ languid +roll was getting sharper; mast and funnel swung into a wide sweep. +Sometimes the dark hull lurched up high above the tug's stern, and +sometimes sank in a hollow. The rollers had angry white tops, and a belt +of filmy vapor that looked luminous closed the view ahead. Lister knew +the vapor was phosphorescent spray, flung up by the turmoil on the bar, +through which they must go. If the tug struck and stopped, the white +seas would beat her down into the sand. In the meantime, she was using +full steam, because, since tide and surf carried her on, one must have +speed to steer. + +The spray cloud got thick, and wavered with luminous tremblings when the +long rollers broke. They came up, spangled with green and gold flashes, +from astern, shook their fiery crests about the tug, and vanished ahead, +but one heard them crash. Lister thought the tug throbbed to the savage +concussion. He could not hear his engines; one heard nothing but the +daunting uproar. + +By and by he felt a shock; not a violent shock, but as if the boat had +touched, and was pushing through, something soft. She slowed and Lister +saw the black hulk swing up and ride forward on a giant roller's top. It +looked as if she were coming on board the tug, and Lister jumped through +and slammed the iron door. Brown would need him now. + +He heard the roar of water on deck, there was a crash of broken glass, +and a shower fell on his head. A cloud of steam and a loud hissing came +from the stokehold, and he knew the sea that swept the tug had covered +the gratings. If she stuck, the next sea would swamp her and drown the +fires, but she had not altogether stopped. The propeller was beating +hard and he opened the throttle wide. He felt her move and tremble, as +if she struggled in the grip of the sand, and then lift buoyantly. The +water that pressed her down had rolled off the deck and the oncoming +comber had picked her up and was carrying her along. + +Her progress was obvious. One felt the headlong rush, and Lister thought +about a toboggan speeding down an icy slope. The roller would bear her +on until it broke, but if she struck the sand she might not lift again. +She did not strike; there was another wild leap forward, a savage +plunge, and a comber crashed astern. It looked as if she had crossed the +shoal and Lister let go the wheel and got his breath. He had used no +effort, but he gasped and his hand shook. + +The gong signaled _half-speed_, and when he slowed his engines the roar +of escaping steam pierced the turmoil of the surf. This was significant, +because he could not have heard the steam a few minutes earlier. +_Terrier_ rolled, but the rolling was not violent and began to get easy. +The gong signaled _stand by, stop_; he shut the valve and presently +heard the anchor plunge and the rattle of running chain. Then _Terrier_ +swung languidly and all was quiet but for the monotonous rumble in the +background. Lister gave some orders and went to his room. + +In the morning, he put a greasy jacket over his pajamas and went on +deck. The land breeze had dropped and it was very calm. Vague trees +loomed in the fog that hid the beach; there was a belt of dull, heaving +water, and then the spray cloud closed the view. The air was heavy, the +men on deck moved slackly, and Lister's skin was wet by sweat. He felt +dull and shrank from effort, but when he saw Brown in a boat alongside +he jumped on board. + +The light was getting brighter and the wreck lay about a hundred yards +off. The stump of her broken funnel, a bare iron mast, a smashed +deckhouse, and a strip of slanted side rose from the languid swell. The +rows of plates were red with rust and encrusted by shells. When the +smooth undulations sank, long weed swung about in the sandy water. +Lister thought the story of the wreck was, on the surface, plain. +Steaming out with a heavy load, _Arcturus_ had struck the bar. The surf +had beaten in her hatches, broken some plates, and afterwards washed her +back across the sand. Then, while the captain tried to reach the beach, +she had sunk in deeper water. The story was plausible, but, if +Cartwright had found the proper clew, it did not account for all. + +They rowed round _Arcturus_. She lay with a sharp list and her other +side was under water. The tide was beginning to rise and when it crept +up her slanted deck they pulled back to the tug. + +"We'll moor the hulk alongside and rig the diving pumps. I think that's +all to-day," Brown remarked. "When the sun is low I'll go to the factory +up the creek and try to hire some native boys. On this coast, a white +man who does heavy work soon gets fever." + +In the afternoon they took two men and rowed up a muddy creek that +flowed into the lagoon, but the factory was farther than they thought +and when they landed dusk was falling. The white-washed wooden house +stood near the bank, with a stockaded compound between it and the water. +It was built on piles and at the top of the outside stairs a veranda ran +along the front. The compound was tunneled by land-crabs' holes, and +light mist crept about the giant cotton woods behind. There was no +movement of air, a sickly smell rose from the creek, and all was very +damp. + +Lister and Brown went up the stairs and were received by a white man in +a big damp room. A lamp hung from a beam and the light touched the +patches of mildew on the discolored walls. There was not much furniture; +a few canvas chairs, a desk and a table. Flies crawled about the table +and hovered in a black swarm round the lamp. The room smelt of palm oil +and river mud. The white man was young, but his face was haggard and he +looked worn. His rather long hair was wet and his duck jacket was dirty. +It was obvious that he did not bother about his clothes. + +"Good of you to look me up! I expect you know I'm Montgomery; the house +is Montgomery and Raeburn," he said. "However, to begin with, you had +better have a drink. I'll call my boy." + +A negro came in and got a bottle and some glasses. He was a +strongly-built fellow with a blue stripe on his forehead, and muscular +arms and chest, but his legs, which stuck out from short cotton +trousers, were ridiculously thin. He beat up some frothy liquor in a jug +and when he filled the big glasses Lister felt disturbed, for he knew +Brown and had noted the quantity of gin the negro used. The captain, +however, was cautious and they began to talk. Lister asked Montgomery if +he carried on the factory alone. + +"I'm doing so for a time. My clerk died two or three weeks since and I +haven't got another yet." + +"Fever?" said Brown. + +"Common malaria. Perhaps this spot is worse than others, because, +although we're beginning to kill mosquitos and poison the drains, we +can't keep English boys. The last two didn't hold out six months." + +Lister got thoughtful. He knew the African coast was unhealthy, but had +not imagined it was as bad as this. He said nothing and Montgomery +resumed: "I have been forced to lie up and am shaky yet. Malaria gets us +all, but as a rule it gets strangers, particularly the young, soonest. +Looks as if the microbe liked fresh blood." + +"If I was an African merchant, I'd let an agent run my factories," Brown +remarked. + +Montgomery smiled. "Sometimes it's necessary for me to come out. This +factory is perhaps our best, and when Nevis, our agent, died, I started +by the first boat. Montgomery's is an old house, but since the big men +combined and the Amalgamation built a factory on the next creek, we have +had some trouble to pull along. Our capital is small and we can't use +up-to-date methods. In fact, I imagine our situation is much like +Cartwright's. When he bought the wreck he no doubt felt some strain. But +won't you take another drink?" + +Brown indicated his glass, which still held some liquor, and Lister +refused politely. He noted that Montgomery knew their object and was +surprised, since he thought Cartwright had not talked much about the +undertaking. Then, although Montgomery was obviously ill, one felt he +tried to paint the coast in the darkest colors. + +"What do you think about our job?" Brown asked. + +"I think it a rash experiment and imagine Cartwright agrees. All the +same, the old fellow's a bold gambler and is perhaps willing to +speculate on the chance of getting out of his embarrassments. However, +this is his business and you'll, no doubt, get your wages, although you +won't float the wreck." + +"What do you reckon the obstacles?" + +"Fever," said Montgomery dryly. "The salvage people lost some men. Surf +will wash the sand about her, if the wind comes fresh from the +south-east. Then the sharks may give you some trouble. They're nearly as +numerous as they are at Lagos Roads." He paused and added carelessly: "I +expect you know my father loaded _Arcturus_?" + +"I heard something about it," Brown replied. "All the same, Cartwright +sent us to lift her and we have got to try. Will you let me hire some of +your factory boys?" + +"Sorry, but they're Liberian Kroos, engaged on a twelve-months' contract +to work in my compound, and I'm accountable for them to the Liberian +government." + +"Then what about boys from the bush?" + +Montgomery smiled. "I can't recommend the bushmen. They're a turbulent +lot, but you might send a present to the headman at the native town up +river, and it's possible he'll let you go to see him. For all that, some +caution's indicated. The fellow's a cunning old rascal." + +Brown looked thoughtful, but began to talk about something else and by +and by got up. Montgomery went with him and Lister to the steps and when +they reached the compound they found the sailors bemused with gin under +the veranda. Brown had some trouble to get the men on board, and when +they awkwardly pulled away Lister was conscious of relief. + +"I agree with the fellow. Caution _is_ indicated," Brown observed. + + + +CHAPTER III + +A FUEL PROBLEM + +A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under +a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk. The paint on the canvas +smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not +front the sun on the open deck. The sea breeze had not sprung up and +dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell. In one +place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull +green. + +A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a +frothy patch, and then lengthened out. A flexible pipe slipped across +the edge of the open gangway, and Lister felt the line he held. The line +was slack and he knew the diver needed nothing. Two half-naked men, +their skins shining with sweat, turned the air-pumps handles, and the +rattle of the cranks cut the dull rumble of the surf. Brown, sitting on +a tool-box, studied a plan of the wreck Cartwright had given him, and +Lister thought it typical Cartwright had got the plan. The old fellow +was very keen. + +By and by Brown looked up and indicated the panting men. + +"We want colored boys for this job and must get a gang. I expect you +noted Montgomery declared his lot were Kroos. The Kroos are hefty boys +and pretty good sailors, but they come from Liberia and there are +regulations about their employment. You must engage them on a contract, +hold yourself accountable for their return and so forth. All the same my +notion is, Montgomery didn't mean to help." + +"Then we had better try the native headman he talked about." + +Brown smiled, "I've no use for bushmen, but didn't see much use in +telling Montgomery I'd been on the Coast before. For one thing, his boys +were not all Kroos. You know the Kroo by his blue forehead-stripe, but I +saw two or three with another mark. Thought them Gold Coast Fantis, and +a Fanti fisherman is useful on board ship. In a day or two I'm going +back to see." + +Lister lighted his pipe and weighed the captain's remarks. On the whole, +he agreed that it did not look as if Montgomery meant to help. The +fellow was hospitable, but hospitality that implied his pressing liquor +on the captain and making the sailors drunk had drawbacks. Brown had +used control, but Lister doubted if his resolution would stand much +strain. Then, although Montgomery's story about the need for his being +on the spot was plausible, it was, perhaps, strange the head of a +merchant house would stop for some time at a factory where his clerks +died. However, now Lister thought about it, Montgomery did not state if +he had been there long. + +"The fellow was generous with his liquor and his boy can mix a +cocktail," he remarked. + +Brown grinned. "On the Coast, they're all generous with liquor. +Montgomery knows this; but I've a notion you are wondering whether he +knows me. I reckon not, but he knows the kind of skipper you generally +meet in the palm oil trade. Still the type's going out; now ship-owners +pay higher, they get better men. In fact, I'm something of a survival +from the old school." + +He picked up the plan and Lister thought about Montgomery. The man was +ill and highly-strung, but this was not strange. The factory was rather +a daunting spot; reeking with foul smells and haunted by a sense of +gloom. Lister thought one might get morbid and imaginative if one +stopped there long. Yet he rather liked Montgomery; there was something +attractive about him. Perhaps if they had met in brighter surroundings, +when the other's health and mood were normal, they might have been +friends. Now, however, he doubted and saw Brown was not satisfied. + +The line he held jerked and he signed to the men at the pump. One kept +the cranks turning; the other went to the top of a ladder lashed to the +hulk's side. The bubbles moved away from the wreck and broke the surface +in a fixed, sparkling patch. The diver was coming up and Lister +presently helped him on board. When they had taken off his copper helmet +and unfastened his canvas he leaned against the pump and breathed hard. + +"Well?" said Brown, after waiting a minute or two for the man to get +back his normal breathing. + +"She lies with a sharp list; sand's high up her starboard bilge. +Engine-room doors jambed, but I found the stokehold grating and got some +way down the ladder. Sand's washed down and buried the starboard +bunkers. To clear out the stuff will be a long job." + +"Packed hard?" + +The diver nodded. "Like cement! I reckon the pump won't move it." + +Lister understood the captain's frown. Sometimes the sand that enters a +sunken vessel solidifies, with the pressure of surf or tide, into a mass +that one can hardly dig out. This, however, was not all. + +"Starboard bunkers buried?" Brown resumed. "They were pretty full. When +she left Forcados she had a list to port, and they trimmed her by using +the coal on that side first. Well, it's awkward! I reckoned on getting +the fuel!" + +"There is some coal on the port side," said Lister. + +"If Cartwright's plan and notes are accurate, there's not enough to see +us out. The wrecking pump will burn a lot," Brown rejoined and turned to +the diver. "Did you see any sharks?" + +"One big fellow; he hung about as if he was curious and I didn't like +him near my air-pipe, but he left me alone. The pulps you meet in warm +seas are worse than sharks. When I was down at the Spanish boat, +crawling through the holes in her broken hull was nervous work. Once I +saw an arm as thick as mine waving in the dark, and started for the +ladder. We blew in that piece of her bilge with dynamite before I went +on board again. However, when I've cleared up a bit, I'll take Mr. +Lister down." + +The diver got into the boat and rowed to the tug, but the others stopped +in the shade of the awning. They had brought a spare diving dress, and +before they tried to lift the wreck Lister must find out if Cartwright's +supposition was correct, because if Cartwright had found the proper clew +the job would be easier. For all that, Lister frankly shrank from the +preparatory exercise. Diving in shark-haunted water had not much charm. + +In the morning they hauled the tug alongside the wreck and at low-water +rigged a derrick and opened the fore hatch. The palm kernels had rotted +and a horrible pulpy mass, swollen by fermentation, rose nearly to the +ledge. It was glutinous and too thick for the pump to lift, since the +water that filled the vessel drained away through the broken plates as +the tide sank. Brown, kneeling on the hatch-coaming, knitted his brows. + +"The stuff's water-borne, forced up by its buoyancy," he said. "We may +find it looser as we get down. In the meantime, suction's no use; we +have got to break it out by hand. Start your winch and we'll fill the +skip." + +Lister signaled a man on board the tug, the winch rattled, and a big +iron bucket, hanging by a wire rope, dropped into the hold. A gang of +men climbed across the ledge and began to cut the slimy mass with +spades. The surface heaved beneath them like a treacherous bog and the +smell was horrible. Now and then a spade made an opening for the gases +to escape and the nauseated men were driven back. For all that, they +filled the skip and the swinging derrick carried the load across the +deck and tilted it overboard. + +The heat was almost unbearable, the reflections from the oily swell and +wet deck hurt one's eyes, and Lister noted that the deck did not dry +until the sea breeze began to blow. The wind brought a faint coolness +and drove back the smell, but the men's efforts presently got slack. The +labor was exhausting and one must wear some clothes because the sun +burned one's skin. They held out until the rising water drove them from +the hatch and when they went back to the tug Brown looked thoughtful. + +"The men can't keep it up; the thing's impossible! A week like this +would knock out the lot," he said. "We must use native boys and I'm +going to get some." + +In the morning Lister took his first diving lesson, and when the big +copper helmet was screwed on and the air began to swell his canvas +clothes, he shrank from the experiment. The load of metal he carried was +crushing, he could hardly drag his weighted boots across the deck, and +at the top of the ladder he hesitated, watching the bubbles that marked +the spot where the diver had vanished. Then he remembered his promise to +Barbara and cautiously went down. + +The dazzling sunshine vanished, a wave of misty green closed above the +helmet glass, hot compressed air blew about his head, and his ear-drums +began to throb. Then lead and copper lost their weight; he felt buoyant +and clung to the steps. At the bottom he was for a few moments afraid to +let go, but an indistinct, monstrous object came out of the strange +green gloom and beckoned him on. Lister went, making an effort for +balance, because he now felt ridiculously light. Then the reflections +were puzzling, for the light came and went with the rise and fall of the +swell. Yet he could see and he followed the diver until they stopped +opposite the wreck's port bilge. Her side went up like a dark wall, +covered by waving weed. + +Lister's head ached and his breathing was labored, but not much pressure +was needed to keep out the shallow water and the diver had promised to +warn him when they had stayed long enough. He forced himself to examine +the plate the other indicated. _Arcturus_ was a butt-strapped vessel and +a number of the straps had burst. Plates were smashed and some of the +holes were large, but in places the iron was drilled and in others +patches had been bolted on. The salvage company had done part of this +work and he thought it possible to make the damage good. If they could +stop the remaining holes, the big pump ought to throw out the water; but +Cartwright had talked about another opening and this would be awkward to +reach. + +Signing the diver to go on, he followed him round the vessel's stern. +The sand on the other side was high and one could climb on board, but +Lister shrank from the dark alleyway that led to the engine-room. For +all that, he went in and saw the diver had opened the jambed door. When +he reached the ledge a flash from the other's electric lamp pierced the +gloom and he tried to forget his throbbing head and looked about. + +Sparkling bubbles from his and the diver's helmets floated straight up +to the skylights, along which they glided and vanished through a hole in +the glass. The water, moving gently with the pulse of the swell, broke +the beam of light and objects it touched were distorted and magnified. +The top of the big low-pressure cylinder looked gigantic, and the thick +columns appeared to bend. Long weed clung to the platforms, from which +iron ladders went down, but so far as Lister could distinguish, all +below was buried in sand. + +He had seen enough. To clear the engines would be a heavy task, and one +must work in semi-darkness amidst a maze of ladders, gratings, and +machinery. To keep signal-line and air-pipe free from entanglement +looked impossible, but perhaps when they had broken the surface the pump +would lift the sand. Anyhow, he was getting dizzy and his breath was +labored. + +He touched the diver and they went back along the alleyway and round the +vessel's stern. Lister was desperately anxious to reach the ladder and +it cost him an effort to use control. As he went up his dress got heavy +and he was conscious of his weighted boots. The pressure on his lungs +lessened, he was dazzled by a strong light, and feeling the edge of the +hulk's deck, he got his knee on her covering-board and lurched forward. +Somebody took off his helmet and lifted the weight from his chest. He +shut his eyes and for a few moments lay on the deck. + +"Well?" said Brown presently. "You reached the engine-room?" + +Lister nodded. "She's badly sanded up. It's plain we shan't get much +coal from the starboard bunkers until we can lift her to an even keel." + +"That will be long," Brown rejoined and pondered. "We must have coal," +he resumed. "If I can't find another plan, you must take the tug to +Sierra Leone and bring a load; but we'll let it go just now. The first +thing is to hire some negro laborers, and as soon as I can leave the +wreck I'll try again." + + + +CHAPTER IV + +MONTGOMERY'S OFFER + +High-water was near and a trail of smoke, creeping up along the coast, +streaked the shining sea. Brown watched the smoke until two masts and a +funnel rose out of the vapor and began to get distinct. Then he put down +his glasses and lighted his pipe. The steamer was making for the lagoon. + +He had not long since gone to the native town up the creek and returned +with a gang of laborers. So far, the negroes had worked well, but just +now he did not need them and they lay about in the shade, some wearing a +short waist-cloth and some a sheet of cotton that hung from their +shoulders. The tide had covered the wreck, but the big rotary pump was +running and, since the men had loosened the top of the cargo, it lifted +the slimy stuff. + +A plume of steam that looked faint and diaphanous in the strong light +blew away from the noisy machine. A large flexible pipe rose from the +submerged hold and another ran from the pump across the hulk's deck. +From the end of the pipe a thick, brown flood poured into the water and +stained the green lagoon as the flood tide carried it along. The clash +and rattle of the engine carried far, for the load was heavy and Lister +was using full steam. The boiler was large and the furnace burned more +coal than he had thought. Sometimes palm kernels that had not altogether +rotted jambed the fans, and he held the valve-wheel, trying to ease the +shocks, while the perspiration dripped from his blistered skin. When +Brown indicated the steamer he looked up. + +"She's coming in; I think I know the hooker," the captain remarked. +"Shallow-draught, coasting tank; goes anywhere she'll float for twenty +tons of freight. The skipper, no doubt, expects Montgomery's got a few +hogsheads of oil, and it's possible he'll sell us some coal. The +parcels-vanners are pretty keen to trade." + +"We want coal," said Lister and turned abruptly. + +The pump jarred and stopped, the swollen suction pipe shrank, and the +splash of the discharge died away. For some time Lister was occupied and +when he restarted the engine and looked about again the steamer was +steering for the hulk. She was a small vessel, going light, with much of +her rusty side above water. A big surf-boat hung, ready for lowering, at +her rail and a wooden awning covered her bridge-deck. When the throb of +her engines slackened two or three white men leaned over her bulwarks +and looked down at the hulk with languid curiosity. Their faces were +haggard and their poses slack. The stamp of the fever-coast was plain. + +The telegraph rang, the engines stopped, and a man on the bridge +shouted: "Good morning! You have taken on an awkward job!" + +His voice was hollow and strained, and by contrast Brown's sounded full +and hearty. + +"We're getting ahead all the same. Where are you for?" + +"_Sar_ Leone, after we call at Montgomery's." + +"Then you can fill your bunkers, and our coal's getting short. Can you +sell us some?" + +The other asked how much Brown wanted and how much he would pay. Then he +beckoned a man on the deck to come up, and turned to Brown again. + +"We might give you two or three surf-boat loads, but I'll see you when +we come back. We must get up the creek and moor her before the tide +ebbs." + +He seized the telegraph handle, the propeller began to turn, and when +the steamer forged ahead Brown looked thoughtful. + +"Perhaps I'd better take a trip up the creek in the evening. We want the +coal and I don't altogether trust Montgomery," he said. + +Lister agreed that it might be prudent for Brown to go, but he was +occupied by the pump and they said no more. To lift the cargo when the +water covered the wreck's hatches and loosened the pulpy mass was easier +and he must keep his engine running full speed. When they stopped he was +exhausted by the heat and the strain of watching and did not go with +Brown. + +The captain did not, as he had promised, come back in the morning, but +after a time a smoke-trail streaked the forest and the steamer moved out +on the lagoon. Lister sent a boy for the glasses, since he expected +Brown was on board, but so far as he could see, the captain was not. The +white wave at the bows indicated that the vessel was steaming fast and +it did not look as if she was going to stop. In order to reach the +channel across the bar, she must pass near the hulk, and Lister waved to +the captain. + +"What about the coal?" he shouted. + +The other leaned out from the rails and Lister, studying him with the +glasses, saw a small patch, like sticking plaster, on his forehead. The +side of his face was discolored, as if it were bruised, and frowning +savagely, he shook his fist. + +"You can go to _Sar_ Leone or the next hottest spot for your coal!" he +roared and began to storm. + +Lister had sometimes disputed with Western railroad hands and marine +firemen, but he thought the captain's remarks equaled the others' best +efforts. In fact, it was some relief when a lump of coal, thrown by a +sailor on the hulk, crashed upon the wooden awning, and for a moment the +savage skipper paused. For all that, Lister stopped the sailor, who was +going to throw another block. + +"Hold on! The stuff is valuable!" he said. + +The captain began again, but the steamer had forged ahead, and his voice +got fainter and was presently drowned by the beat of the screw. Lister +went back to the pump. The machine was running unevenly and sometimes +the powerful engine jarred. He meant to take it down, but so long as the +pump sucked up the kernels he durst not stop. Speed was important; they +must finish the job and get away before the heat and malaria wore them +out. In the meantime, he was disturbed about Brown, who ought to have +returned, and at sunset he started for the factory in the tug's second +boat. + +Dark came suddenly and when he landed a hot, clammy fog thickened the +gloom. Little fires the factory boys had lighted by ancient custom +twinkled in the haze and a yellow beam from the veranda windows touched +the towering cottonwoods, but all else was dark and the spot was somehow +forbidding. One felt the gloom was sinister. A few miles up the creek, +the naked bushmen served their savage gods with fantastic rites and the +Ju-Ju men and Ghost Leopards ruled the shadowy land. At the factory +white men got sick and died. + +Lister went up the steps, and entering the big room, saw Montgomery in a +Madeira chair. His face was wet by sweat, but although his thin form was +covered by a blanket he shook with ague. Brown occupied a rude couch, +made from two long boxes in which flintlock guns are shipped. He lay in +an ungainly pose, his head had fallen from a cushion, and his face was +dark with blood. His eyes were shut and he breathed with a snoring +noise. + +"What's the matter with the captain?" Lister asked, although he thought +he knew. + +"He's exhausted by his efforts and the worse for liquor," Montgomery +answered with a laugh. "On the whole, I think you had better let him +sleep. Perhaps you remarked that some of the glass is broken and two of +my chairs are smashed!" + +Lister had not remarked this, but he looked about and began to +understand. He had seen Brown throw a Spanish landlord out of a Grand +Canary wine shop. + +"Your captain arrived when the steamboat men were dining with me," +Montgomery resumed. "In this country we're a hospitable lot and it's the +custom to send West African factories a supply of liquor every three +months. Mine arrived not long since, and if you open the cupboard you'll +see how much is left. But there are cigarettes in the tin box; they +mildew unless they're canned. Make yourself a cocktail. I don't want to +get up and my boy's in the compound, playing a drum to keep off the +ghosts." + +Lister lighted a cigarette and listened. A monotonous, rhythmic throb +stole into the room, and he felt there was something about the noise +that jarred. + +"I'll cut out the cocktail. You're rather generous with your liquor," he +remarked dryly. "But how did the trouble Brown made begin?" + +"By a dispute about some coal." + +"Ah!" said Lister, who looked at Montgomery hard. + +He imagined the steamboat captain had meant to give them coal, since the +man had agreed with Brown about the price. In fact, it looked as if he +had been willing to do so, until he arrived at the factory. Then he +refused, and Brown, no doubt, got savage. + +Montgomery was not embarrassed and indicated the unconscious skipper. + +"If Cartwright's not losing his keenness, it's strange he sent out a man +like this, but perhaps he couldn't get a sober captain to go." + +"Brown has some talents. For example, he got the boys we wanted, +although you refused to help." + +"We must see if he can keep them!" Montgomery rejoined, with a meaning +smile. "In the meantime, it's not important. Are you making much +progress at the wreck?" + +Lister admitted that they were not getting on as fast as he had hoped, +and when Montgomery gave him a keen glance tried to brace himself. He +felt slack and his head ached. He had been getting slack recently, and +now, when he imagined he must be alert, to think was a bother. + +"You have not been long at the lagoon, but you're beginning to feel the +climate," the other remarked. "It's perhaps the unhealthiest spot on an +unhealthy coast, and a white man cannot work in the African sun. +However, you know why the salvage company threw up their contract. They +lost a number of their men and if you stay until the morning you can see +their graves. The rest of the gang had had enough and were too sick to +keep the pump running." + +"You are not encouraging," Lister observed. + +"I don't exaggerate. I know the country and the caution one must use, +but you see I'm ill." + +The thing was obvious. Montgomery's hollow face was wet by sweat, his +eyes were dull, and his hands shook. Lister saw he tried to be cool, but +thought him highly strung. + +"If you're wise, you'll give up your post and get away before fever +knocks you out," Montgomery resumed. "In fact, I think I can promise you +another berth. The house owns two or three factories and at one we are +going to start a big oil-launch running to a native market up river. +Then we have bought new machinery for breaking palm nuts and extracting +the kernels and have fixed a site for the building at a dry, sandy spot. +I don't claim the neighborhood's healthy, but it's healthier than this, +and we have inquired about an engineer. Would you like the post?" + +"I think not. I'm Cartwright's man. I've taken his pay." + +Montgomery smiled ironically. "Let's be frank! I expect you want to +force me to make a high bid. You don't know the African coast yet, but +you're not a fool and are beginning to understand the job you have +undertaken. You can't float the wreck; the fellow Cartwright sent to +help you is a drunken brute, and I have grounds for thinking Cartwright, +himself, will soon go broke. Well, we need an engineer and I'll admit we +have not found good men keen about applying. If you can run the launch +and palm-nut plant, we'll give you two hundred pounds bonus for breaking +your engagement, besides better wages than Cartwright pays." + +Lister knitted his brows and lighted a fresh cigarette. He was not +tempted, but he wanted to think and his brain was dull. To begin with, +he wondered whether Montgomery did not think him something of a fool, +because it was plain the fellow had grounds for offering a bribe. His +doing so indicated that he did not want the wreck floated. Anyhow, +Montgomery had imagined he would not hesitate to break his engagement +for two hundred pounds. He must be cautious and control his anger. + +"On the whole, it wouldn't pay me to turn down Cartwright's job," he +said. "Two hundred pounds is not a very big wad, and if we can take the +boat home I reckon the salvage people would give me a good post. I must +wait until I'm satisfied the thing's impossible." + +"When you are satisfied I'll have no object for engaging you. We want an +engineer now," Montgomery replied. + +"Well," said Lister, "I reckon that is so." He paused, and thinking he +saw where the other led, resolved to make an experiment. "All the same, +since you are willing to buy me off, it looks as if we had a fighting +chance to make good. Then, if I am forced to quit, I rather think you'd +pay me something not to talk. For example, if I put Cartwright wise--" + +Montgomery gave him a scornful smile. "You're keener than I thought, but +you can't tell Cartwright much he doesn't believe he knows. I'll risk +your talking to somebody else." + +"Oh, well," said Lister, "I guess we'll let it go. In the meantime, I'll +get off and take the captain along. I allow you have fixed him pretty +good but he put his mark on the steamboat man and your furniture." + +He called the sailors, and finding the two who had brought Brown to the +factory, carried him downstairs and put him on board the boat. The +captain snored heavily and did not awake. When they pushed off, and with +the other boat in tow drifted down the creek, Lister pondered. + +He did not know if he had well played his part, but he had not wanted +Montgomery to think his staunchness to his employer must be reckoned on; +he would sooner the fellow thought him something of a fool. When +Montgomery offered the bribe he probably knew he was rash; his doing so +indicated that he was willing to run some risk, and this implied that +Cartwright's supposition about the wreck was justified. Montgomery was +obviously resolved she should not be floated and might be a troublesome +antagonist. For example, he had stopped their getting coal and Lister +was persuaded he had made Brown drunk. If the control the captain had so +far used broke down, it would be awkward, since Montgomery would no +doubt supply him with liquor. + +It was plain the fellow meant to bother them as much as possible, but +since he had not owned the wrecked steamer his object was hard to see. +In the meantime, Lister let it go and concentrated on steering the boat +past the mud banks in the creek. + + + +CHAPTER V + +MONTGOMERY USES HIS POWER + +Some time after Lister went to the factory he woke one night from +disturbed sleep. His small room under _Terrier's_ bridge was very hot +and the door and port were open. A faint draught blew in and the +mosquito curtain moved about his bed. The tug rolled languidly and the +water splashed against her side. Farther off the gentle swell broke with +a dull murmur across the wreck. + +This was all, but Lister was persuaded he had, when half awake, heard +something else. At dusk a drum had begun to beat across the lagoon and +the faint monotonous noise had jarred. It was typically African; the +negroes used drums for signaling, although white men had not found out +their code. Lister had come to hate all that belonged to the fever +coast. + +The drum, however, was not beating now, and he rather thought he had +heard the splash of a canoe paddle. There was no obvious reason this +should bother him, but he was bothered and after a few minutes got up +and put on a thin jacket. On deck it was very hot and he felt the warmth +of the iron plates through his slippers. In West Africa one puts on +slippers as soon as one gets out of bed, for fear of the jigger insect +that bores into one's foot. A gentle land breeze blew across the lagoon +and the air was hot and damp like steam. Lister smelt river mud and +aromatic forest. + +There was no moon, but he saw the dark hull rise and fall, and the flash +of phosphorescent foam where the swell washed across the deck. In the +distance, the surf rumbled and now and then there was a peal of thunder. +Lister wondered why he had left his berth. He was tired and needed +sleep, for he had been occupied all day at the pump, which was not +running well. Recently he had been conscious of a nervous strain and +things that were not important annoyed him; then he often woke at night, +feeling that some danger threatened. + +Walking along the deck he found a white sailor sitting on the windlass +drum. The man did not move until Lister touched his arm. + +"Did you hear something not very long since, Watson?" + +"No, sir," said the other with a start. "Now and then a fish splashed +and she got her cable across the stem. Links rattled. That was all." + +Lister thought the man had slept, but it was not important, since there +was no obvious necessity for keeping anchor watch. + +"Did you hear something, sir?" the other inquired. + +"I don't know. I imagine I did!" + +The sailor laughed, as if he understood. "A queer country; I've been +here before! Beautiful, bits of it; shining surf, yellow sands, and +palms, but it plays some funny tricks with white men. About half of them +at the factories get addled brains if they stay long. Believe in things +the bushmen believe, ghosts and magic, and such. Perhaps it's the +climate, but on this coast you get fancies you get nowhere else. I'd +sooner take look-out on the fo'cas'le in a North Sea gale than keep +anchor watch in an African calm." + +Lister nodded. He thought the man felt lonely and wanted to talk and he +sympathized. There was something insidious and daunting about the +African coast. He walked round the deck and then returning to his room +presently went to sleep. + +At daybreak he heard angry voices and going out found Brown storming +about the deck. Two white sailors had come back in the boat from the +hulk, with the news that the negroes berthed on board her had vanished +in the night, except for three or four whom the sailors had brought to +the tug. When Brown got cooler he went up to the men who squatted +tranquilly on the hatch. They were big muscular fellows and wore, +instead of the usual piece of cotton, ragged duck clothes. + +"Where's the rest of the gang?" Brown asked. + +"No savvy, sah," said one. "Some fella put them t'ing Ju-Ju on him and +he lib for bush." + +"What's a Ju-Ju?" Lister inquired. + +"Hocus-pocus, magic of a sort," the captain growled. "When a white man +knows much about Ju-Ju his proper place is an asylum." He turned to the +boys. "How did them other fellows go?" + +"No savvy, sah. We done hear not'ing." + +"I expect they were afraid to meddle," Brown remarked, and resumed: "Why +did you lib for stop?" + +"We Accra boy; white man's boy. Them bushman him d--n fool too much. Run +in bush like monkey, without him clo'es." + +Brown knitted his brows and then made a sign of resignation. "I reckon +it's all we'll know! Well, the tide's falling and we must shift for some +kernels before the sun is hot. Better start your pump." + +The pump was soon at work, and Lister, watching the engine, mused. He +wondered how much the Accra boys knew, or if it was possible the others +had stolen away without waking them. Watson, the look-out, had heard +nothing, and Lister remembered Brown's remarks about the Ju-Ju and +thought the boys did know something but were afraid to tell. Watson had +said the country was queer, and if he meant fantastic, Lister agreed. +There was something about it that re-acted strangely on one's +imagination. In the North American wilds, one was, so to speak, a +materialist and conquered savage Nature by using well-known rules. In +Africa one did not know the rules and felt the power of the +supernatural. It looked as if there was a mysterious, malignant force. +But the pump was running badly and Lister saw he must not philosophize. + +When the sun got hot he stopped for breakfast and afterwards he and +Brown smoked for a few minutes under the awning. + +"I'm bothered about the boys' going," the captain declared. "There's not +much doubt Montgomery got somebody to put Ju-Ju on them; bribed a +magician to frighten them by a trick. Since they're a superstitious lot, +I reckon we can't hire another gang in this neighborhood. However, now +he's stopped our coal, you'll have to go to _Sar_ Leone, and may pick up +some British Kroos about the port." + +"Then I'd better go soon," said Lister. "The braces I bolted on the pump +won't hold long; she rocks and strains the shaft when she's running +hard. I must get a proper casting made at a foundry. Besides, the engine +crosshead's worn and jumps about. I must try to find a forge and +machine-shop." + +"They've got something of the kind at _Sar_ Leone; I don't know about a +foundry," Brown replied. "Take Learmont to navigate, and start when you +like. We'll shift the hulk to leeward of the wreck and she ought to ride +out a south-east breeze." + +Lister sailed a few days afterwards, and reaching Sierra Leone found +nobody could make the articles he required. For all that, they must be +got, and he resolved to push on for Grand Canary. The distance was long, +he had not men enough for an ocean voyage, and would be lucky if he got +back to the lagoon in three or four weeks, but if he could not mend the +pump, the salvage work must stop. Lister knew when to run a risk was +justified. + +After he passed the Gambier, wind and sea were ahead, his crew was +short, and he was hard pressed to keep the engine going and watch the +furnaces. He slept when he could, in snatches, with his clothes on, and +now and then used an exhausted fireman's shovel On the steamy African +coast the labor and watchfulness would have worn him out, but the cool +Trade breeze was bracing. Although he was thin, and got thinner, the +lassitude he had felt at the lagoon vanished, and the fatigue he fought +against was not the fatigue that kills. + +In the meantime, _Terrier_ pushed stubbornly north across the long, +foam-tipped seas that broke in clouds of spray against her thrusting +bows. She was swept by the sparkling showers, but the showers were warm, +and the combers were not often steep enough to flood her deck. For all +that, their impact slowed her speed. She must be driven through their +tumbling crests, full steam was needed to overcome the shock, and the +worn-out men moved down coal from the stack on deck to feed the hungry +fires. + +Lister's eyes ached from the glare of smoky lamps that threw puzzling +lights about the machinery. After long balancing on slanted platforms, +his back and legs were sore; his brows were knit in a steady frown, and +his mouth was always firm. When the strain was over, he sometimes +wondered what he thought about in the long, exhausting watches, but +remembered nothing except his obstinate concentration on his task. The +strange thing was, he did not think much about Barbara, although he was +vaguely conscious that, for her sake, he must hold out. He meant to hold +out. Perhaps his talents were not numerous, but he could handle engines, +and when it was necessary he could keep awake. + +At length, Learmont called him one morning to the bridge, and he leaned +slackly against the rails. His eyes were dull, and for some hours he had +breathed the fumes of burning tallow. A slide had given him trouble; he +could keep the metal cool. On the bridge, however, the air was keen and +sweet, and he felt the contrast. _Terrier_ plunged and threw the spray +about, but the seas were short, as if something ahead broke the wind. By +and by Learmont indicated a lofty bank of mist. + +"Teneriffe!" he said. "I was half-asleep when I took the sun, but my +reckoning was not very far out." + +Lister looked up. In the distance a sharp white cone, rising from fleecy +vapor, cut the sky, and Lister, with dull satisfaction, knew the famous +peak. Nearer the tug was another bank of mist, that looked strangely +solid but ragged, as if it were wrapped about something with a broken +outline. Some minutes afterwards a high, dark object like a +mountain-top, loomed in the haze. + +"Grand Canary!" Learmont remarked. "The range behind Las Palmas town. I +expect the smudge ahead is the Isleta hill." + +"We've made it!" Lister said hoarsely, and braced himself. Now the +strain was gone, he felt very slack. + +The sun rose out of the water, the mist began to melt, and rolling back, +uncovered a line of surf and a belt of rough hillside. Then volcanic +cliffs, a sandy isthmus, and a cluster of masts and funnels got +distinct, and Lister fixed the glasses on a white stripe across a cinder +hill. His hand shook, but he steadied the glasses and saw the stripe was +a row of huge letters. + +"... _ary Engineering Co_ ..." he read. + +His heart beat when he went below. Luck had given him a hard job, but he +had put it across. Soon after _Terrier_ arrived he went to the +engineering company's office and the manager looked at him curiously. +Then he gave Lister some wine and, after studying his drawings and +patterns, said he could make the things required. Lister drove to the +town, and going to a Spanish barber's, started when he saw his +reflection in a glass. He had not shaved for long, and fresh water was +scarce on board the tug. His face was haggard, the engine grime had got +into his skin, and his eyes were red. He was forced to wait, and while +the barber attended to other customers, he fell asleep in his chair. +When he left the shop he went to a hotel and slept for twelve hours. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +LISTER MEETS AN OLD ANTAGONIST + +The hotel Catalina, half-way between Las Palmas harbor and the town, was +not crowded, and a number of the quests had gone to a ball at the +neighboring Metropole. Barbara, going out some time after dinner, found +the veranda unoccupied and sat down. Mrs. Cartwright was getting better +and did not need her, and Barbara was satisfied to be alone. Her +thoughts were disturbing, and trying to banish them for a few minutes, +she looked about. + +The veranda was long, and the lights from the hotel threw the shadow of +the wooden pillars across the dusty grass. Barbara's figure was outlined +in a dark silhouette. She did not wear a hat and, since the night was +warm, had put nothing over her thin dinner dress. She looked slender and +very young. + +A strip of parched garden, where a few dusty palms grew, ran down to the +road, across which the square block of the Metropole cut the shining +sea. Steamers' lights swung gently against the dark background of the +Isleta hill. Beyond the Metropole a white belt of surf ran back to the +cluster of lights at the foot of the mountain that marked Las Palmas. +One heard the languid rollers break upon the beach and the measured +crash of surges on the reefs across the isthmus. Sometimes, when the +throb of the surf sank, music came from the Metropole. A distant rattle +indicated a steam-tram going to the port. + +The long line across the harbor was the mole, and Barbara had thought +the small steamer, lying near its end, like _Terrier_. There was nothing +in the soft blue dark behind the mole until one came to the African +coast. Then Barbara firmly turned her glance. In a sense, she had sent +Lister to Africa, but she was not going to think about him yet. She must +not think about him until she had weighed something else. + +A few hours since she had got a jar. Walking in the town she saw a man +whose figure and step she thought she knew. He was some distance off, +and she entered a shop and bought a Spanish fan she did not want. +Perhaps her disturbance was ridiculous, but the man was very like +Shillito, and their meeting at the busy port was not impossible. Las +Palmas was something like an important railway junction. Numerous +steamers called, and passengers from all quarters, particularly South +America and the West Indies, changed boats. Then Barbara understood that +a fugitive from justice was safer in South and Central America than +anywhere else. She wondered with keen anxiety whether the man had seen +her. + +She knew now she had not loved Shillito. He had cunningly worked upon +her ignorance, discontent, and longing for romance. Illumination had +come on board the train, but although she had found him out and escaped, +she had afterwards felt herself humiliated and set apart from happy +girls who had nothing to hide. The humiliation was not altogether +earned, and the people who knew about her adventure were not numerous, +but they were all the people for whom she cared. When she thought about +it, she hated Louis Shillito. + +The steam-tram stopped at the Metropole and went on to the port, +trailing a cloud of dust. When the rattle it made began to die away, +Barbara roused herself with a start from her moody thoughts. A man was +coming up the path, and when he reached the steps she shrank back +against the wall. The light from the hotel touched his face and she saw +it was Shillito. + +Anger conquered her shrinking, for Barbara had pluck and her temper was +hot. When Shillito, lifting his hat, advanced, she got up and stood by a +pillar. Her skin had gone very white, but her eyes sparkled and her +hands were clenched. Shillito bowed and smiled. + +"It looks as if I was lucky!" he remarked, and Barbara imagined his not +finding Mrs. Cartwright about accounted for his satisfaction. + +"I suppose you saw me in the _calle mayor_?" she said. + +He nodded. "You went into a shop. Your object was pretty obvious. I +allow it hurt." + +Barbara gave him a scornful glance. "The statement's ridiculous! Do you +imagine you can cheat me now, as you cheated me in Canada?" + +"In one way, I did not cheat you. When I said I loved you, I was +honest." + +"I doubt it! All was dishonest from the beginning. You taught me deceit +and made me ashamed for my shabbiness. For your sake I tricked people +who loved and trusted me; but to you I was rashly sincere. I trusted you +and was willing to give up much in order to marry you." + +"You mean you thought you were willing, until you knew the cost?" +Shillito rejoined. "Then you saw you couldn't make good and resolved to +turn me down." + +The blood came to Barbara's skin, but she fronted him steadily. + +"I had _found you out_. Had you been something of the man I thought, I +might have gone with you and helped to baffle the police; but you were +not. You were very dull and played a stupid part. When you thought you +had won and I was in your power, I knew you for a brute." + +Shillito colored, but forced a smile. "Perhaps I was dull; I was +desperate. You had kept me hanging round the summer camp when I knew the +police were on my track; and I had been put wise they might hold up the +train. A man hitting the trail for liberty doesn't use the manners of a +highbrow carpet-knight. I reckoned you were human and your blood was +red." + +"Ah," said Barbara, "I was very human! Although I was afraid, I felt all +the passion hate can rouse. You declared I must stay with you, because I +durst not go back; I had broken rules and my fastidious relations would +have no more to do with me. Something like that! In a sense, it wasn't +true; but you said it with brutal coarseness. When I struck you I meant +to hurt; I looked for something that would hurt--" + +She stopped and struggled for calm. To indulge her anger was some +relief, but she felt the man was dangerous and she must be cool. There +was not much use in leaving him and going to her mother, because he +would, no doubt, follow and disturb Mrs. Cartwright. It was unlucky her +step-father had not arrived; he was coming out, but his boat was not +expected for a day or two. + +"Oh, well," said Shillito, "let's talk about something else. I didn't +calculate to meet you at Las Palmas, but when I saw you in the _calle_, +I hoped you might, after all, be kind for old times' sake. However, it's +obvious you have no use for me, and if you are willing to make it +easier, I'll pull out and leave you alone." + +Barbara gave him a keen glance. She had known he wanted something. + +"How can I make it easier for you to go?" + +"You don't see? Well, I've had some adventures since you left me on +board the train. I had money, but I'd waited too long to negotiate some +of the bonds and my partner robbed me. I made San Francisco and found +nothing doing there. Went down the coast to Chile and got fixed for a +time at a casino, in which I invested the most part of my wad. One night +a Chileno pulled his knife on another who cleaned him out, and when the +police got busy the casino shut down. I pushed across for Argentina, but +my luck wasn't good, and I made Las Palmas not long since on board an +Italian boat. On the whole, I like the dagos, and reckoned I might try +Cuba, or perhaps the Philippines--" + +"A Lopez boat sails for Havana in two or three days," Barbara +interrupted. + +"That is so," Shillito agreed, smiling because he noted her relief. "The +trouble is, I haven't much money. Five hundred pounds would help me +along." + +"You thought I would give you five hundred pounds?" + +"Sure," said Shillito, coolly. "You're rich; anyhow, Mrs. Cartwright is +rich, and I reckoned you would see my staying about the town has +drawbacks. For one thing, the English tourists are a gossiping lot. It +ought to pay you and your mother to help me get off." + +Barbara tried to think. The drawbacks Shillito indicated were plain, and +as long as he stayed at Las Palmas she would know no ease of mind, but +she had not five hundred pounds, and Mrs. Cartwright must not be +disturbed. Moreover, one could not trust the fellow. He might take the +money and then use his power again. He had power to humiliate her, but +unless she was willing to meet all his claims, she must resist some +time. + +"I imagine you put your importance too high," she said. "You can stay, +if you like. I certainly will not bribe you to go away." + +He studied her for a few moments; Barbara looked resolute, but he +thought her resolution forced. + +"Very well! Since I can't start for Cuba without money, I must find an +occupation at Las Palmas, and I have a plan. You see, I know some +Spanish and something about running a gambling joint. The people here +are sports, and one or two are willing to put up the money to start a +club that ought to attract the English tourists. If I found the thing +didn't pay before you went back, I could quit and get after you." + +"I think not," said Barbara, desperately. "If you came to England, a +cablegram to the Canadian police--" + +Shillito laughed. "You wouldn't send a cablegram! If I was caught I +could tell a romantic story about the girl who helped me get off. No; +I'm not going to bother about your putting the police on my trail!" + +He turned his head and Barbara clenched her hand, for a rattle of wheels +in the road broke off, as if a _tartana_ had stopped at the gate. If the +passengers from the vehicle were coming to the hotel she must get rid of +Shillito before they arrived. + +"You waste your arguments," she declared. "I will not give you money. If +you come back, I will tell the _mayordomo_ you are annoying me and he +must not let you in." + +"The plan's not very clever," Shillito rejoined. "If I made trouble for +the hotel porters, the guests would wonder, and when people have nothing +to do but loaf, they like to talk. I expect you'd find their curiosity +awkward--" He paused and laughed when he resumed: "You're embarrassed +now because somebody will see us!" + +Barbara was embarrassed. A man was coming up the path, and she knew her +figure and Shillito's cut against the light. When the stranger reached +the veranda he would see she was disturbed; but to move back into the +gloom, where Shillito would follow her, would be significant. She +thought he meant to excite the other's curiosity. + +The man stopped for a moment at the bottom of the steps and Barbara +turned her head, since she imagined he would think she was quarreling +with her lover. Then he ran up the steps, and when he stopped in front +of Shillito her heart beat fast. It was Lister, and she knew he had +remarked her strained look, for his face was very stern. + +"Hallo!" he said. "Are you bothering Miss Hyslop again?" He glanced at +Barbara. "I expect the fellow is bothering you?" + +For a moment Barbara hesitated, but she had borne a heavy strain and her +control was going. Besides, one could trust Lister and he knew ... She +signed agreement and he touched Shillito. + +"Get off the veranda!" + +Shillito did not move. His pose was tense and he looked malevolent. + +"You won't help Miss Hyslop by butting in like a clumsy fool. The +thing's too delicate for you to meddle--" + +"Get off the veranda!" Lister shouted, and threw Shillito back. + +He was highly strung, and worn by want of sleep and exhausting labor, +but he had some notion of all Barbara had borne on Shillito's account. +Although perhaps caution and tact were indicated, he was going to use +force. When Shillito struck him he seized the fellow, and rocking in a +savage grapple, they fell with a crash against the rails. Lister felt +the other's hand at his throat, and straining back, jerked his head away +while he tried to lift his antagonist off the ground. He pulled him from +the rails and they reeled across the veranda and struck the wall. + +A neighboring window rattled with the shock, the heavy tramp of their +feet shook the boards, and Barbara knew the noise would soon bring a +group of curious servants to the door; besides, all the guests had not +gone to the Metropole. Yet she could not meddle. The men's passions were +unloosed; they fought like savage animals, driven by an instinctive fury +that would not vanish until one was beaten. She looked on, trembling and +helpless, while they wrestled, with swaying bodies and hands that felt +for a firmer hold. Her face was very white and she got her breath in +painful gasps. There was something horribly primitive about the +struggle, but it fascinated. + +In the meantime, Lister was conscious that he had been rash. Shillito +was muscular and fresh, but he was tired. It was plain he could not keep +it up for long. Moreover, unless the fight soon ended, people would come +to see what the disturbance was about. This would be awkward for +Barbara; he wanted to tell her to go away, but could not. He was +breathless and Shillito was trying to choke him. + +Afterwards he knew he was lucky. They had got near the steps and he +threw Shillito against the post at the top. The jar shook the other, his +grasp got slack, and Lister saw that for a moment the advantage was his. +Using a desperate effort he pushed his antagonist back and struck him a +smashing blow. Shillito vanished and a crash in the gloom indicated that +he had fallen on an aloe in a tub by the path. Lister leaned against the +rail and laughed, because he knew aloe spikes are sharp. + +Then he heard steps and voices in the hotel, and turned to Barbara. His +face was cut, his hat was gone, and his white jacket was torn. He looked +strangely savage and disheveled, but Barbara went to him and her eyes +shone. Lister stopped her. + +"Don't know if I've helped much, but you must get off!" he gasped. +"People are coming. Go in by another door!" + +He turned and plunged down the stairs, and Barbara, seeing that Shillito +had vanished, ran along the veranda. A few moments afterwards she stood +by the window of her room and saw a group of curious servants and one or +two tourists in the path at the bottom of the steps. It looked as if +they were puzzled, and the _mayordomo_ gravely examined Lister's +battered hat. + +Barbara went from the window and sat down. She was horribly overstrained +and wanted to cry, but she began to laugh, and for some minutes could +not stop. She must get relief from the tension and, after all, in a +sense, the thing was humorous. + + + +CHAPTER VII + +BARBARA'S REFUSAL + +In the morning Barbara went to the Catalina mole. The short lava pier +was not far off, and one got the breeze, although the hotel garden was +hot. Besides, she did not want to meet people and talk about the strange +disturbance on the veranda. On the whole, she thought nobody imagined +she could satisfy the general curiosity. Finding a block of lava in the +shade, she sat down and looked about. + +A boat crossed the harbor mouth, swinging up on the smooth swell and +vanishing when the undulations rolled by. A tug towed a row of barges to +an anchored steamer, and the rattle of winches came down the wind. In +the background, clouds of dust blew about the coaling wharfs, and a +string of flags fluttered from the staff on the Isleta hill. Barbara +beckoned a port-guard and inquired what the signal meant. + +The Spaniard said an African mail-boat from England was coming in, and +Barbara was conscious of some relief. Cartwright was on board and would +arrive sooner than she had thought; the boat had obviously not called at +Madeira, the time-bills stated. Cartwright would know how to deal with +Shillito if he bothered her again. In the meantime she mused about +Lister. She had thrilled when he ran up the steps at the hotel, but, in +a sense, his arrival just then was awkward. + +She turned her head, for the sunshine on the water dazzled her eyes, and +the port was not attractive. The limekilns, coal-wharfs, and shabby lava +houses had for a background volcanic rocks, bare cinder slopes and +tossing dust. Besides, she wanted to think. She would see Lister soon; +she wanted to see him, but she shrank. For one thing, the line she ought +to take was hard. + +By and by she heard a rattle of oars thrown on board a boat behind the +neighboring wall; somebody shouted, and Lister came up. His white +clothes were clean but crumpled, and Barbara smiled when she saw his hat +was new. Crossing the lava pavement, he stopped opposite her and she +noted a piece of sticking-plaster on his cheek. + +"May I join you for a few minutes?" he asked. + +"Of course," she said graciously. + +Lister sat down. The sailors had gone off, and except for an officer of +the _Commandancia_, nobody was about. + +"I was going to the hotel to look for you. For one thing, I reckoned I +ought to apologize. When I came into the veranda and saw Shillito--" + +"I think you stopped for a moment at the bottom of the steps!" Barbara +remarked. + +He colored, but gave her a steady look. "That is so. I admit the thing's +ridiculous; but at first I felt I'd better pull out. Then I noted +something about your pose; you looked angry." + +"Ah," said Barbara. "It was a relief to see I was angry? You were +satisfied then?" + +"I was really satisfied before. It was impossible you should engage a +brute like that in friendly talk. Anyhow, I took the wrong line and +might have made things awkward. In fact, the situation needed a lighter +touch than mine. All the same, when I saw the fellow was bullying you--" + +"You butted in?" Barbara suggested, smiling, although her heart beat. + +"Like a bull moose," said Lister with a frown. "I ought to have kept +cool, used caution, and frozen him off by a few short arguments. You can +picture Cartwright's putting across the job! After all, however, I don't +know the arguments I could have used, and I remembered how the fellow +had injured you--" + +He saw Barbara's color rise, and stopped for a moment. It looked as if +he had not used much caution now. + +"Since I thought you in Africa, I don't understand how you arrived," she +began. + +"The thing's not very strange," said Lister. "I saw your name in a +visitors' list and meant to ask for you in the morning. Then I ran up +against Shillito, who didn't know me, and when he got on board the steam +tram, I hired a _tartana_. Thought he might mean trouble and I'd better +come along--" + +"Well," he resumed, "I'm sorry I handled the job clumsily, since I might +have hurt you worse; but I hated the fellow on my own account and saw +red. Perhaps it was lucky I was able to throw him down the steps, +because I expect neither of us meant to quit until the other was knocked +out." He paused and added, with a laugh: "Now I'm cool, I think the +chances were I got knocked out. Last time we met he threw me off the +car; I reckon my luck has turned!" + +Barbara studied him and was moved by pity and some other emotions. He +was very thin and his face was pinched. He looked as if he were +exhausted by the work she had sent him to do. Barbara admitted that she +had sent him. Before Cartwright planned the salvage undertaking she had +declared he would find Lister the man for an awkward job. + +"You ran some risk for my sake, and I must acknowledge a fresh debt," +she said. "I would sooner be your debtor than another's, but sometimes +I'm embarrassed. You see, I owe you so much." + +"You have paid all by letting me know you," Lister declared. + +She was quiet for a few moments, and then asked: "Are you making much +progress at the wreck?" + +"Our progress is slow, but we are getting there," Lister replied, and +seeing her interest, narrated his and Brown's struggles, and his long +voyage with a short crew on board the tug. + +The story was moving and Barbara's eyes sparkled. Lister had borne much +and done all that flesh and blood could do. He was the man she had +thought, and she knew it was for her sake that he had labored. + +"It's a splendid fight!" she said. + +"We haven't won yet," he replied, and was quiet for a few moments. Then +his look got very resolute and he went on: "All the same, if the thing +is anyhow possible, I'm going to win. You see, I've got to win! When +Cartwright engaged me I was engineer on board a cattle boat; a man of no +importance, without friends or money, and with no particular chance of +making good. Now I've got my chance. If we put across the job a big +salvage company turned down, I'll make my mark. Somebody will give me a +good post; I'll have got my foot on the ladder that leads to the top." + +"I wish you luck," said Barbara. "I expect you will get near the top." + +"If you are willing, you can help." + +"Ah," said Barbara, with forced quietness, "I think not--" + +He stopped her. "I didn't expect to find you willing. My business is to +persuade you, and I mean to try. Well, I wasn't boasting, and my +drawbacks are plain, but if I make good in Africa, some will be cut out +and you can help me remove the others. I've long wanted you, and now my +luck's turning. I was going to Catalina to tell you so. If Brown and I +float _Arcturus_, will you marry me?" + +Barbara's color came and went, but she said quietly: "When you came to +the hotel in the evening you met Shillito!" + +"I did," said Lister, with incautious passion. "If I had killed the +brute I'd have been justified! However, I threw him on to the aloe tub +and ran off. The thing was grotesquely humorous. A boy's fool trick!" + +"You ran off for my sake," said Barbara. "I liked you for it. I like you +for many things, but I will not marry you." + +He saw she was resolute. Her mouth was firm and her hand was tightly +closed. He thought he knew the grounds for her refusal, and his heart +sank. Barbara was stubborn and very proud. Moreover, the situation was +awkward, but the awkwardness must be fronted. + +"Let's be frank; perhaps you owe me this," he urged. "Since you allow +you do like me, what's to stop our marrying?" + +"For one thing, my adventure in Canada," she replied and turned her +head. + +Lister put his hand on her arm and forced her to look up. "Now you're +clean ridiculous! Shillito cheated you; he's a plausible wastrel, but +you found him out. It doesn't count at all! Besides, nobody but your +relations know." + +"You know," said Barbara, and, getting up started along the mole. + +Lister tried to brace himself, for he saw she could not be moved. Yet +there was something to be said. + +"You are the girl I mean to marry," he declared. "Some day, perhaps, +you'll see you're indulging a blamed extravagant illusion and I'm going +to wait. When you're logical I'll try again." + +Barbara forced a smile. "Sometimes I am logical; I feel I'm logical now. +But I have left my mother alone rather long and you must let me go." + +Lister went with her to the road and got on a tram going to the town. He +was hurt and angry, but not altogether daunted. Barbara's ridiculous +pride might break and she was worth waiting for. When he returned on +board, a small African liner had anchored not far off, and while he +watched the boats that swarmed about the ship, one left the others and +came towards the tug. The Spanish crew were pulling hard and a passenger +occupied the stern. Learmont, lounging near, turned his glasses on the +boat. + +"I'm not sorry you are boss," he said. "The Old Man is coming!" + +A few minutes afterwards Cartwright got over the tug's rail. His face +was red, and he looked very stern. + +"Why have you left the wreck?" he asked Lister. + +"I came for some castings I couldn't get at Sierra Leone. The pump and +engine needed mending." + +"Then where's Brown?" + +"He's busy at the lagoon, sir. There's enough to keep him occupied, +unless the pump plays out before I get back." + +Cartwright looked relieved, but asked meaningly: "Did you know Mrs. +Cartwright and Miss Hyslop were at Las Palmas?" + +"I did not know until yesterday evening, twenty-four hours after I +arrived; but we'll talk about this again. I expect you want to know how +we are getting on at the wreck?" + +Cartwright nodded. "I think my curiosity is natural! Let's get out of +the sun, and if you have liquor on board, order me a drink. When the +mail-boat steamed round the mole and I saw _Terrier_, I got a nasty +jolt." + +Lister took him to the captain's room and gave him some sour red Canary +wine. Cartwright drained his glass and looked up with an ironical smile. + +"If you use stuff like this. Brown ought not to be tempted much! +However, you can tell me what you have done at the lagoon, and the +difficulties you have met. You needn't bother to smooth down Brown's +extravagances, I knew the captain before I knew you." + +Lister told his story, and when he stopped Cartwright filled his glass, +raised it to his lips and put it back with a frown. + +"Send somebody along the mole to Garcia's shop for two or three bottles +of his Amontillado and white Muscatel. Charge the stuff to ship's +victualing. When you got Brown out of the factory, did you think it +possible he had a private stock of liquor?" + +"I'm satisfied he had not. Montgomery gave him the liquor, and I imagine +meant to give him too, much." + +"It looks like that," Cartwright agreed. "If we take something I suspect +for granted, Montgomery's opposition would be logical. I imagine you +know part of the cargo was worth much? Expensive stuff in small bulk, +you see!" + +"I have studied the cargo-lists and plans of the holds, sir." + +Cartwright nodded. "We'll find out presently if my notion how the boat +was lost is accurate," The cargo's another thing. There may have been +conspiracy between merchant and ship-owner; I don't know yet, but if it +was conspiracy, this would account for much. Some of the gum shipped was +very costly, and African alluvial gold, washed by the negroes, has been +found mixed with brass filings." + +"Montgomery frankly stated his father loaded the vessel." + +"His frankness may have been calculated," Cartwright rejoined and +knitted his brows. "Yet I'll admit the young fellow's name is good at +Liverpool, and all he sells is up to sample. His father was another +sort, but he died, and the house is now well run. However, in the +meantime we'll let it go." + +He looked up, for a fireman, carrying a basket, came in. Cartwright took +the basket and opened a bottle of white wine. + +"Take some of this," he said. "I understand you have seen Mrs. +Cartwright?" + +"Not yet, sir," said Lister, quietly. "I met Miss Hyslop soon before +your boat arrived. Perhaps I ought to tell you I asked her if she would +marry me if we floated the wreck." + +"Ah!" said Cartwright. "But why did you add the stipulation?" + +"It ought to be obvious. If we put the undertaking over, I expect to get +a post that will enable me to support a wife, although she might be +forced to go without things I'd like to give her." + +"I see!" said Cartwright, with some dryness. "Well, I don't know if +Barbara is extravagant, but she has not used much economy. Was she +willing to take the plunge?" + +"She was not, sir." + +"Then I suppose she stated her grounds for refusing?" + +"That is so," said Lister. "Perhaps Miss Hyslop will tell you what they +are. I will not." + +Cartwright looked at him hard. "All the same, I imagine you did not +agree?" + +"I did not agree. If I make good at the wreck, I will try again." + +"Barbara is pretty obstinate," Cartwright remarked with a smile, and +then filled Lister's glass. "I must go; but come to the hotel in the +morning. We must talk about the salvage plans." + +He went off, but when the boat crossed the harbor he looked back at the +tug with twinkling eyes. Lister was honest and had not asked Barbara to +marry him until he saw some chance of his supporting a wife. Since +Barbara was rich, the thing was amusing. All the same, it was possible +the young fellow must wait. Barbara exaggerated and indulged her +imagination, but she was firm. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +CARTWRIGHT GETS TO WORK + +The morning was hot and Barbara, sitting on the hotel veranda, struggled +against a flat reaction. The glitter of the sea hurt her eyes, and the +dust that blew in clouds from the road smeared her white dress. Her +mouth dropped and her pose was languid. To refuse Lister had cost her +much, and although she had done so because she felt she ought, the sense +of having carried out a duty was not remarkably soothing. It was a +relief to know she need not pretend to Cartwright, who occupied a +basket-chair opposite. One could not cheat her step-father by false +cheerfulness. + +"When you disappointed Lister you took the prudent line," he said. "The +young fellow has some talent, but he has not yet made his mark. I +approve your caution, and expect your mother will agree." + +"I wasn't cautious; I didn't argue at all like that," Barbara declared. +"Besides, I haven't told mother. She mustn't be disturbed." + +Cartwright looked thoughtful. To some extent he was sympathetic, and to +some extent amused. + +"Then I don't altogether understand why you did refuse!" + +"Oh, well," said Barbara, and the blood came to her skin, "for one +thing, Mr. Lister waited for some time, and then asked me to marry him, +after Shillito arrived." She paused and her look got hard when she +resumed: "Perhaps he thought he ought; sometimes he's chivalrous." + +Cartwright imagined Barbara was badly hurt, and this accounted for her +frankness. + +"Your reasoning isn't very obvious, but I think I see a light," he said. +"It's possible, however, he asked you because he wanted you, and there +is an explanation for his waiting. I understand he hesitated because he +doubted if he could support a wife. It looks as if Mr. Lister didn't +know you were rich." + +"He doesn't know; I think I didn't want him to know," Barbara admitted +with some embarrassment. + +"Shillito knew, but one learns caution," Cartwright remarked. "Well, +Shillito became somewhat of a nuisance, and I don't imagine you want him +to look us up again. I rather think I must get to work." + +"I hate him!" said Barbara, passionately. "Until your boat was signaled +I was horribly alarmed, but then the trouble went. I felt I needn't +bother after you arrived." Her voice softened as she added: "You are a +clever old dear! One feels safe while you're about!" + +"Thank you," said Cartwright. "I am old, but I have some useful talents. +Well, is there something else about which you want to talk?" + +Barbara hesitated. There was something for which she meant to ask, +although her object was not very plain. Perhaps Shillito's demand for +money had made her feel its power; moreover, she was independent and +liked to control her affairs. + +"My birthday was not long since, and I'm entitled to use some of the +money that is mine." + +"That is so," Cartwright agreed with a twinkle. "All the same, you're +not entitled to use much until you marry, and you have just sent off one +lover. Would you like me to send you out a sum?" + +"I think I'd like a check book, and then I needn't bother people." + +Cartwright nodded. Barbara was not extravagant. "Very well. I expect we +can trust you, and the money is yours. I can probably arrange for a +business house to meet your drafts. I'll see about it when I'm in the +town." + +He started for Las Palmas presently, and after some inquiries stopped at +a Spanish hotel, where he found Shillito. The latter frowned when he saw +Cartwright, but went with him to the courtyard and they sat down in the +shade. + +"Have you bought your ticket for Havana?" Cartwright asked. + +"I have not," said Shillito. "So far I haven't decided to leave Las +Palmas." + +"Then I imagine you had better decide _now_. If money is a difficulty, I +might lend you enough for a second-class passage, but that is all." + +Shillito smiled. "If you want to get rid of me, you'll have to go +higher. I reckon it's worth while!" + +"I think not," said Cartwright, dryly. "In fact, since I can get rid of +you for nothing, I doubt if it's worth the price of a cheap berth on +board the Lopez boat. However, I'll risk this, in order to save +bothering." + +"Bluff! You can cut it out and get to business!" + +"Very well. Your call at the Catalina didn't help you much, and if you +come again you will not be received by Miss Hyslop, but by me. I have +met and beaten fellows like you before. My offer's a second-class berth. +You had better take it!" + +"Not at all," said Shillito. "Before long you'll want to raise your +bid." + +Cartwright got up and crossed the flags; the other frowned and +hesitated, but let him go. When he reached the street Cartwright called +his _tartana_ and told the driver to take him to the British +Vice-Consul's. The Vice-Consul was a merchant who sometimes supplied the +Cartwright boats with stores, and he gave his visitor a cigar. +Cartwright told him as much about Shillito as he thought useful, and the +Vice-Consul weighed his remarks. + +"The extradition of a criminal is a long and troublesome business," he +observed. "In the meantime the fellow must not be allowed to annoy you, +and I imagine my duty is to inform the Spanish _justicia_. Don Ramon is +tactful, and I think will handle the situation discreetly. Suppose we go +to see him?" + +He took Cartwright to an old Spanish house, with the royal arms above +the door, and a very dignified gentleman received them politely. He +allowed the Vice-Consul to tell Cartwright's story in Castilian, and +then smiled. + +"Señor Graham has our thanks for the warning he has brought," he said. +"In this island we are sportsmen. We have our cockpits and casinos, but +our aim is to develop our commerce and not make the town a Monte Carlo. +Then the play at the casinos must be honest. Our way with cardsharpers +is stern." + +The Vice-Consul's eyes twinkled. He knew Don Ramon, who resumed: "Señor +Cartwright's duty is to inform the British police. No doubt he will do +so, but until they apply to our _justicia_ in the proper form, I cannot +put in prison a British subject for a robbery he did not commit on +Spanish soil. Perhaps, however, this is not necessary?" + +"On the whole, I don't think it is necessary," Cartwright remarked. "The +fellow is a dangerous scoundrel, but I don't know that it is my duty to +give you the bother extradition formalities would imply. Still you may +find him a nuisance if he stays long." + +Don Ramon smiled. "I imagine he will not stay long! My post gives me +power to deal with troublesome foreigners. Well, I thank you, and can +promise you will not be disturbed again." + +He let them go, and when they went out the Vice-Consul laughed. + +"You can trust Don Ramon. For one thing, he knows I have some claim; in +this country a merchant finds it pays to acknowledge fair treatment by +the men who rule. For all that, Don Ramon is just and uses prudently a +power we do not give British officials. The Spanish know the advantages +of firm control, and I admit their plan works well." + +Shillito did not return to the Catalina. When he was playing cards for +high stakes one evening, two _guardias civiles_ entered the gambling +house and one touched Shillito's arm. + +"You will come with us, señor," he said politely. + +Shillito pushed back his chair and looked about. The man carried a +pistol, and the civil guards have power to shoot. His comrade watched +the door. + +"What is your authority for bothering me?" he asked. + +"It is possible Don Ramon will tell you. He is waiting," said the other. +He took Shillito to the house with the coat of arms, and Don Ramon, +sending off the guards, indicated a chair. + +"We have heard something about you, and do not think you ought to remain +at Las Palmas," he remarked. "In fact, since we understand you meant to +go to Cuba, we expect you to start by the Lopez boat." + +"I don't mean to go to Cuba," Shillito rejoined. + +Don Ramon shrugged. "Well, we do not mind if you sail for another +country. Numerous steamers touch here and the choice is yours. So long +as you leave Las Palmas--" + +Shillito looked at him hard. "I am a British subject and stay where I +like!" + +"You are obstinate, señor, but I think your statement's rash," Don Ramon +observed. "A British subject is governed by British laws, but we will +not talk about this." + +He paused and studied Shillito, who began to look disturbed. "One would +sooner be polite and take the easy line," Don Ramon resumed. "So far +this is possible, because you are not on the list sent our Government by +the British police, but we have power to examine foreigners about whom +we are not satisfied. Well, I doubt if you could satisfy us that you +ought to remain, and when we begin to investigate, a demand for your +extradition might arrive. If you forced us to inquire about you, a +cablegram would soon reach London." + +Shillito saw he was beaten and got up. + +"I'll buy my ticket for Havana in the morning," he replied. + +The Lopez liner was some days late, and in the meantime Lister haunted +the office of the engineering company. At length the articles he needed +were ready, and one afternoon Cartwright hired a boat to take him and +Barbara across the harbor. _Terrier_ lay with full steam up at the end +of the long mole, and when her winch began to rattle, Cartwright told +the Spanish _peons_ to stop rowing. The tug's mooring ropes splashed, +her propeller throbbed, and she swung away from the wall. + +She was rusty and dingy; the screens along her bridge were cracked and +burned by the sun. The boat at her rail was blackened by soot, and when +she rolled the weed streamed down from her water-line. She looked very +small and overloaded by the stack of coal on deck. The wash round her +stern got whiter, ripples ran back from her bows, and when she steamed +near Cartwright's boat, her whistle shrieked. Cartwright stood up and +waved; Learmont, on the bridge, touched his cap, but for a few moments +Barbara fixed her eyes on _Terrier's_ deckhouse. Then she blushed and +her heart beat, for she saw Lister at the door of the engine-room. He +saw her and smiled. + +The tug's whistle was drowned by a deeper blast. A big liner, painted +black from water-line to funnel-top, was coming out, and Cartwright's +boat lay between her and the tug. Barbara gave the great ship a careless +glance and then started, for she read the name at the bow. This was the +Havana boat. + +Studying the groups of passengers at the rails, she thought she saw a +face she knew. The face got distinct, and when the liner's lofty side +towered above the boat, Shillito, looking down, lifted his cap and bowed +with ironical politeness. Barbara turned her head and tried for calm +while she watched the tug. + +Lister had not gone. Barbara knew he would not go so long as he could +see the boat, and standing up, with her hand on Cartwright's shoulder, +she waved her handkerchief. Lister's hand went to his cap, but he was +getting indistinct and _Terrier_ had begun to plunge on the long swell +outside the wall. She steered for open sea, the big black liner followed +the coast, and presently Cartwright signed the men to pull. Then he +looked at Barbara and smiled, for he knew she had seen Shillito. + +"Things do sometimes happen like that!" he said. "I think the fellow has +gone for good, but the other will come back." + + + +CHAPTER IX + +LISTER MAKES GOOD + +_Arcturus'_ holds were empty and a long row of oil puncheons occupied +the beach, but the men who had dragged the goods from the water were +exhausted by heavy toil in the scorching sun, and some were sick. The +divers had bolted on plates to cover the holes in the vessel's bilge +before one fell ill and his mate's nerve went. The heat and poisonous +vapors from the swamps had broken his health, and he got a bad jar one +day his air-pipe entangled and the pump-gang dragged him, unconscious, +to the top. + +Afterwards, for the most part, Lister undertook the diving, but for long +his efforts to reach the floor of the engine-room were baffled. To crawl +across slanted gratings and down weedy ladders, while air-pipe and +signal-line trailed about the machinery, was horribly dangerous, but he +kept it up, although he got slacker and felt his pluck was breaking. +Then one afternoon he knew he could not go down again, and he stayed +under water long. + +Brown, standing by the air-pumps, looked at his watch and waited +anxiously. The bubbles broke the surface above the wreck and the +signal-line was slack, but Lister had been down longer than he ought. He +wars not a diver, and the others who knew their job, had come up sooner. +Then Brown had other grounds for anxiety. If Lister were beaten, their +chance of floating the wreck was small. + +At length, the bubbles began to move towards the hulk, the ladder shook, +and a dull, red reflection shone through the water. Then the copper +helmet broke the surface, rose a few inches, and stopped, and Brown ran +to the gangway. Lister was exhausted and his worn-out body could not +meet the change of pressure. They dragged him on board and took off his +helmet and canvas dress. For some minutes he lay like a log, and then +opened his eyes and looked at Brown. + +"Cartwright was on the track!" he gasped. "We can go ahead--" + +The sun was low, but the pitch in the seams was liquid and smeared the +hot planks, and Brown pulled Lister into the shade. For a time he was +quiet, but by and by he said, "When the tide falls we'll start the pump +and let her go all night. I must get up and tell Jones to clean the +fire." + +"I'll tell him. You stay there until we get some food," Brown replied. + +The cook served the meal on deck, but they had hardly begun when he +lighted a storm-lamp. As soon as the red sun dipped thick vapor floated +off from the swamps, the water got oily black, and dark clouds rolled +across the sky. Flickering lightning illumined the tumbling surf and +sandy beach, but there was no thunder and the night was calm. The hulk +and tug were moored at opposite sides of the wreck, forward of her +engine room, and thick wire ropes that ran between them had been dragged +back under the vessel for some distance from her bow. The ropes, +however, were not yet hauled tight. When the cook took away the plates +Brown made a rough calculation. + +"We have caulked all hatches and gratings forward, and stopped the +ventilators," he said. "I reckon the water will leave the deck long +enough for the pump to give her fore-end some buoyancy. If she rises +with the flood tide, well heave the cables aft, until we can get a hold +that will lift her bow from the ground. Then you can pump out the fore +hold and we'll make a fresh start aft. We'll soon know if Cartwright's +notion is correct." + +"We know _now_; I'll satisfy you in the morning," Lister rejoined and +his confidence was not exaggerated. + +A steamer's hull below her load-line is pierced in places to admit water +for the condensers and ballast tanks. Lister had found some inlets open, +but now they were shut. + +"I'll own old Cartwright's a great man," Brown said thoughtfully. "When +he takes on a job he studies things all round. The salvage folks, no +doubt, reckoned on the possibility that the valves were open, but they +couldn't get at the controls and didn't know all Cartwright knew--" He +paused and added with a laugh: "I wonder how much the other fellows got +for the job! But it's time we started." + +Lister got up with an effort and went to the pump, which presently began +to throb. The mended engine ran well and the regular splash of water, +flung out from the big discharge pipe, drowned the languid rumble of the +surf. The hull shook; shadowy figures crossed the beam of light from the +furnace, and vanished in the dark. Twinkling lamps threw broken +reflections on the water that looked like black silk, lightning flashed +in the background, and when the swell broke with phosphorescent sparkles +about the wreck Lister marked the height the pale illumination crept up +her plates. She would not lift that tide, but the pump was clearing the +hold, and he hoped much water was not coming in. If the leakage was not +excessive, her bow ought to rise when the next tide flowed. + +For some hours he kept his watch, dragging himself wearily about the +engine and pump. He had helpers, but control was his, and to an engineer +a machine is not a dead mass of metal. Lister, so to speak, felt the +pump had individuality and temperament, like a spirited horse. Sometimes +it must be humored and sometimes urged; it would run faster for a man +whose touch was firm but light than for another. Perhaps he was +fanciful, and he was certainly over-strung, but he imagined the big, +rattling machine knew his hand. + +At length when he looked at the gauge glass he found he could not see +the line that marked the water-level. His head swam and his legs shook, +and calling a fireman to keep watch, he sat down in the coal. He wanted +to get to the awning, out of the dew, but could not, and leaning against +the rough blocks, he went to sleep. + +In the morning, he knew the fever that bothered him now and then had +returned. For all that, he must hold out and he began his labor in the +burning sun. When the flood tide rippled about the wreck it was obvious +the pump was getting the water down. The bows lifted, and starting the +winches, they hauled aft the ropes. If they could keep it, before long +they might heave her from the sand. + +It was a time of stubborn effort and crushing strain. Some of the men +were sick and all had lost their vigor. The fierce sun had not burned +but bleached their skin; their blood was poisoned by the miasma the land +breeze blew off at night. For all that, Cartwright's promise was they +should share his reward and somehow they held on. + +At length, in the scorching heat one afternoon when the flood tide began +to run, they hauled the hulk and tug abaft the wreck's engine-room and +made the great ropes fast. If Lister's calculations were accurate, the +pump had thrown out enough water, and the buoyancy of the other craft +would lift the wreck's stern. If not--but he refused to think about +this. + +The sea breeze had dropped and the smoke of the engine went straight up. +There was not a line on the glittering lagoon. The sea looked like +melted silver; one felt it give out light and heat. The men's eyes ached +and the intolerable sun pierced their double hats and dulled their +brains. When all was ready, they waited and watched the sandy water +creep up _Arcturus'_ plates until the ropes stretched and groaned and +the hulk began to list. On the wreck's other side, the tug's mast and +funnel slanted. + +_Arcturus_ was not yet afloat, and the big wire-ropes, running beneath +her bilge, held down the helping craft. The ends were made fast by hemp +lashings and somebody had put an ax beside the post. For all that, +Lister did not think Brown would give the order to cut; he himself would +not. If they did not float Arcturus now, she must remain in the sand for +good. He would hold on until the rising tide flowed across the tug. + +In the meantime, he watched the pump. The engine carried a dangerous +load and the spouting discharge pipe was swollen. Throbbing and +rattling, she fought the water that held _Arcturus_ down. A greaser +touched the crosshead-slides with a tallow swab, and a panting fireman +thrust a bar through the furnace door. Their skin was blackened by sweat +and coal dust; soaked singlets, tight like gloves, clung to their lean +bodies. Nobody else, however, was actively occupied. The negroes lay on +the deck and the white men lounged in the shade of the awning. They had +done all that flesh and blood could do, in a climate that breaks the +white man's strength, and now the tide ought to finish their labor. But +they did not know, and some doubted. + +The ropes cracked and the hulk's list got sharp. On one side, her deck +was very near the water. She was broad, but if _Arcturus_ did not lift, +it was obvious she must soon capsize. Lister opened the engine throttle +until the valve-wheel would not turn. The cylinders shook, a gland blew +steam, and the pump clashed and rocked. All the same, he knew himself +ridiculous. The extra water the pump lifted would not help much now. +They had a few minutes, and then, if nobody cut the ropes, the hulk +would go down. + +The massive oak mooring-post groaned and the deck-seams opened with the +strain; the wire-ropes were rigid; one could see no hint of curve. The +water touched the hulk's deck and began to creep up. Then it stopped, +the hulk shook, and the wreck's long side slowly got upright. + +"She's off!" said Brown hoarsely. Somebody blew the tug's whistle, and +one or two shouted, but this was all. They had won a very stubborn +fight, but winning had cost them much, and Lister felt their triumph was +strangely flat. He smiled and owned he would be satisfied to lie down +and sleep. + +Brown gave an order; _Terrier's_ propeller splashed noisily, and +_Arcturus_ began to move. Somehow it looked impossible, but she was +moving. They took her slowly and cautiously across the lagoon, and when +the tide was full put her on the sand. There was much to do yet and +Lister wondered whether he could hold out until all was done. + +In the evening Montgomery came off on board a boat pulled by four sturdy +Kroos. He was very thin and haggard, but the fever had left him. When +his boat got near, Brown, frowning savagely, went to the rail. + +"What d'you want?" he asked. + +"Let me come on board. If we can't, agree, I'll go back in a few +minutes," Montgomery replied, and climbing the bulwarks, went to the +awning and lighted a cigarette. + +"You have floated her, but the job's not finished," he said. "I expect +you mean to bring off the cargo you landed and you'll need a fresh gang +of native boys. Well, I can help." + +"You imply you can bother us if we don't agree?" Brown remarked. + +"Something like that! I can certainly make things awkward. However, all +I want is to go with you when you open the lazaret where the boxes of +gold were stored." + +"Ah!" said Brown. "I expect you see what your wanting to go indicates? +Looks as if you knew something about the wreck." + +"I imagine I do know something," Montgomery admitted quietly. "At the +beginning, I reckoned you would not float her, but in order to run no +risk, I meant to hinder you as much as possible. Now I'm beaten, I'm +going to be frank--" + +He paused and resumed in a low voice: "When I was left control of a +respected business house I was young and ambitious. It was plain the +house had weathered a bad storm, but our fortunes were mending and I +thought they could be built up again. Well, I think I was honest, and +when one of _Arcturus'_ crew demanded money I got a jar. Since my father +loaded the ship, I expect you see where the fellow's threats led?" + +"I see the line Cartwright might take," Brown remarked dryly. "If the +boxes don't hold gold, he could break you! We have found out enough +already to give him a strong pull on the boat's last owners. They're in +his power." + +"He won't use his power. Cartwright is not that sort! Besides, the +company is bankrupt." + +"You are not bankrupt. Do you know what sort Lister and I are?" + +Montgomery smiled. "It's not important. If there is no gold in the +boxes, I don't want to carry on the house's business. You can do what +you like--" + +He stopped for a few moments and Lister began to feel some sympathy. The +man was desperate and had obviously borne much. + +"My staying at the factory was a strain," Montgomery continued. "I was +ill and when at length I saw you might succeed, the suspense was +horrible. You see, I risked the honor of the house, my marriage, my +fortune. All I had and cared about!" + +"Were you to be married?" Lister asked. + +Montgomery signed agreement. "The wedding was put off. While it looked +as if my mended fortune was built on fraud and I had known, and agreed +to, the trick, I could not marry a high-principled girl." + +Brown knitted his brows and was quiet for some moments. Then he said, +"You are now willing to get us the boys we want and help us where you +can?" + +"That is so," Montgomery agreed. + +"Very well!" said Brown. "We expect to open the lazaret at daybreak and +you can come with us. You had better send off your boat and stop on +board." + + + +CHAPTER X + +BARBARA TAKES CONTROL + +The sun was rising and the mist rolled back from the lagoon. The tide +was low and _Arcturus'_ rusty side rose high above the smooth green +water. Damp weed hung from the beams in her poop cabin and a dull light +came down through the broken glass. A sailor, kneeling on the slimy +planks, tried to force a corroded ring-bolt from its niche; another +trimmed a smoky lantern. Lister, Brown and Montgomery waited. In the +half-light, their faces looked gray and worn. The sun had given them a +dull pallor, and on the West African coast nobody sleeps much. + +After a few minutes the sailor opened the swollen trap-door and then +went down, Brown carrying the lantern. As a rule a ship's lazaret is a +small, dark strong-room, used for stowing liquor and articles of value. +_Arcturus_ was wet and smelt of salt. A row of shelves crossed the +bulkhead and some water lay in the angle where the slanted floor met the +side sheathing. A thin jacket and an officer's peaked cap were in the +water. Brown indicated the objects. + +"Looks as if somebody had stripped before he got to work, and then left +without bothering about his clothes," he said. "I don't know if I +expected this, but we'll examine the thing later." He lifted the lantern +and the flickering beam touched five or six small, thick boxes. "Well, +there's some of the gold!" + +Lister seized a box and tried to lift it up, but stopped. + +"It feels like gold," he said and signed to a sailor. "Help me get the +stuff on deck, Watson." + +They carried the boxes up the ladder and Brown brought the cap and +jacket. + +"Second-mate's clothes," he said, indicating the bands round the cuffs +and cap. The imitation gold-lace had gone green but clung to the rotten +material. + +"Something in the pocket," he added and taking out a small wet book put +it in the sun. "We'll look at this again, and now for the first box! I +may want you to state you saw me break the seals." + +Sitting in the shade of the poop, they opened the box, which was filled +with fine dull-yellow grains. Then Lister sent a man to the boat for +some things he had brought, and when the fellow came back hung a small +steel cup from a spring-balance. + +"The scale's pretty accurate; I use it on board," he said. "Well, I got +the specific gravity of gold, zinc and copper from my pocket-tables, and +made a few experiments with some bearing metals. They're all brasses; +alloys of copper and zinc, with a little lead and tin in some. I weighed +and measured two or three small ingots and afterwards calculated what +they'd weigh, if their cubic size was the capacity of the cup. I'll give +you the figures." + +He did so and then filled the cup with the yellow grains and held up the +balance. Montgomery, leaning forward, looked over his shoulder. + +"Weighs more than your heaviest bearing metal! It's gold!" he exclaimed +hoarsely. + +"Yes," said Lister, "it's obviously gold. Perhaps we needn't open the +other boxes. When we get on board well weigh them against this lot. So +far as I can reckon after heaving them up the ladder, well not find much +difference." + +Montgomery sat down, as if he were too limp to stand. "But these are not +all the boxes that were shipped--" + +Brown went for the pocket-book he had put to dry and took out some +papers. "This thing belonged to Gordon Herries, second officer." + +"Mr. Herries?" exclaimed the sailor Watson. "The second-mate as was +drowned when the surf-boat capsized!" + +"What do you know about it?" Brown asked. + +"I know something, sir," said Watson, but Montgomery stopped him and +turned to the others. + +"It seems the second mate tried to _save_ the stuff." + +"Looks like that," Brown agreed and signed to the sailor. "Now tell us +all you do know." + +"We was lying in Forcados river, shifting cargo to the Lagos boat +alongside. Barret, my townie, was on board her; he'd made a run in +_Arcturus_, and told me about the wreck. When she struck, Mr. Herries +swung out number two surf-boat and Barret was her bowman. He went to the +lazaret with Herries and they got up some bags of special gum and some +heavy boxes. Barret thought they were gold, but hadn't seen them put on +board. Then a big comber hit the poop, smashed the skylights, and +flooded the lazaret. They reckoned she was going over and had some +bother to get out. Well, they got the surf-boat off her side; she was +pretty full with a load of Kroo boys and three or four white men. In the +surf, the steering oar broke, she yawed across a sea, and turned out the +lot. Some held on to her, but she rolled over and Barret made for the +beach. They all landed but Mr. Herries; Barret thought the boat hit him. +Gum and boxes went down in the surf." + +"Very good," said Brown. "Now get off and send somebody to help heave +the boxes on board." + +Montgomery turned his head and leaned against the poop. Lister saw he +trembled as if the reaction from the strain was keen. After a few +moments he braced himself. + +"It's done with! I think all the boxes held gold, but they're gone." + +Brown indicated the cloud of spray that tossed above the advancing lines +of foam. The long rollers had crashed on the bar from the beginning and +would never stop. + +"All the surf gets it keeps," he said. "If there is a secret, I reckon +the secret's safe! However, we have to talk about something else. You +can get us some native boys?" + +"I'll send you a fresh gang. If my new agent arrives soon, I'll go with +you as far as Sierra Leone. Since you're short-handed, I might perhaps +help, and I've had enough of the factory." + +The others agreed and soon afterwards got to work. When the negroes +Montgomery sent arrived all the cargo worth salving was re-stowed, and +he bought the hulk for a floating store. Then, one night when the moon +and tide were full, _Terrier_ steamed slowly across the lagoon. Two +massive ropes trailed across her stern and _Arcturus'_ high dark bow +towered above her phosphorescent wake. The land breeze blew behind her +and the surf had not the fury the sea breeze gives by day, but when +_Terrier_ plunged into the turmoil Brown watched the tow ropes with +anxious eyes. + +_Arcturus_ rolled and sheered about, putting a horrible strain on the +hawsers, and sometimes for a minute or two it looked as if she went +astern. Flame blew from the tug's funnel, lighting the black trail of +smoke; steam roared at her escape-pipe, and the engines throbbed hard. +The ebb tide, however, was beginning to run and helped her across the +shoals. The leadsman got deeper water, the rollers got smooth, and +presently the swell was long and regular and the spray cloud melted +astern. In the morning, a faint dark line to starboard was all that +indicated the African coast. Next day Brown steered for the land and +called Montgomery to the bridge. + +"I reckon to make an anchorage before dark," he said. "We'll give the +boys the rest they need and send _Terrier_ to _Sar_ Leone for coal. +Learmont will land you." + +"Then you're not going to take _Arcturus_ into port?" Montgomery +remarked with some surprise. + +"I am not. Cartwright expects me to save him as much as possible and +there are British officers and Board of Trade rules at _Sar_ Leone. You +don't imagine they'd let me start for Las Palmas? Surveys, reports, +repairs and sending for another tug, might cost two or three thousand +pounds. Then half my crew are sick and some are helpless, though I +reckon they'll pick up sooner at sea than in an African hospital." + +"It's a big risk. After all, I owe you much and know something about +curing malarial fever. Besides, I'm a yachtsman and can steer and use +the lead. If you'll take me, I'll go all the way. However, you ought to +send Lister off. He can't hold out." + +"He claims he can," Brown said dryly. "We have argued about his going to +Grand Canary by a mail-boat, but he's obstinate. Means to finish the +job; that's his sort! Anyhow, it's possible the Trade breeze will brace +him up, and if he did go, the chances of my taking _Arcturus_ to +Liverpool are not good." + +Montgomery stayed on board and when the tug returned with coal they hove +anchor and began the long run to Las Palmas. For a time, Lister kept the +engines going and superintended the pump on board the wreck, but he +could not sleep and in the morning it was hard to drag himself from his +bunk and start another laborious day. The strain was horrible and he was +weakening fast, but it would be cooler soon and perhaps he might hold +out until they met the invigorating Northeast breeze. + +In the meantime, Cartwright went back to Liverpool, Mrs. Cartwright got +better, and Barbara waited for news. She had refused Lister, but to +refuse had cost her more than she had thought. After a time Cartwright +wrote and stated that the tug and Arcturus had started home. No fresh +news arrived and Barbara tried to hide her suspense, until one morning a +small African liner steamed into port. Some passengers landed and when +they lunched at the hotel one talked about his going off with the first +officer to a ship that signaled for help. + +"It was a moving picture," he said. "The rusty, weed-coated steamer +rolling on the blue combers, and the little, battered tug, holding her +head-to-sea. The breeze was strong and for some days they had not made +three knots an hour. Well, I know something about fever, but they were +_all sick;_ the engineer delirious and very weak--" + +Barbara, sitting near the passenger, made an effort for calm. Her heart +beat and her breath came fast. Nobody remarked her abrupt movement and +the other went on: + +"Coal, food and fresh water were running out; their medicine chest was +empty. Everything was foul with soot, coal-dust and salt. I expect it +was long since they were able to clean decks. The skipper was in a +hammock under the bridge-awning and could not get up. An African trader, +Montgomery of a Liverpool house, seemed to have control. His skin was +yellow, like a mulatto's." + +A young American doctor to whom Barbara had been talking looked up. + +"Jaundice after malaria!" he remarked. "I don't know West Africa, but I +was at Panama! Was malaria all the rest had got?" + +"It was not," the passenger replied meaningly. "However, if you know +Panama--" + +"Did you try to tow the ship?" Barbara interrupted. + +"The mate thought it impossible. She was big and foul with weed, our +boat is small, and we could not delay much because of the mails. We sent +a surf-boat across with water and food, and then steamed on." + +Barbara looked about the table. Mrs. Cartwright was at the other end and +Barbara thought she had not heard. She touched the young doctor. + +"Will you help me on board the African steamer? I must see the captain." + +"Why, certainly! We'll look for a boat," the other replied and they went +off. + +Barbara saw the captain and when she stated that the owner of _Arcturus_ +was her step-father he sent for the chief mate, who narrated his visit +to the wreck. + +"You took the ship's doctor," said Barbara. "Is he now on board?" + +The mate said he imagined the doctor had not landed and Barbara turned +to Wheeler. + +"Go and find him! Find out all you can!" + +For some time afterwards she talked to the ship's officers, and when +Wheeler returned went back to her boat. While the _peons_ rowed them to +the mole she asked Wheeler for his pocket-book and wrote an address. + +"Don Luis Sarmiento is the best doctor in the town and had something to +do with a fever hospital in Cuba," she said. "If you tell him I sent +you, he will help. Take all the medicine he can give you and then go to +Leopard Trading Company and buy whatever you think sick men would need. +Bring me the bills." + +"If I get all that would be useful, it will cost you high," said Wheeler +and helped her up the steps at the mole. + +"That is not important. Get the things!" + +"Very well. But the ship is six hundred miles off. How are you going to +put the truck on board?" + +"I'm going to see about that next," Barbara replied and indicated a +cloud of dust rolling along the road. "There's the steam tram. Don't +talk; hustle!" + +Wheeler lifted his cap and running along the mole jumped on board the +tram. + +When he had gone Barbara went to the office of an important English +merchant house and asked for the junior partner. She was strangely calm, +although she knew that when the strain was over she would pay. In the +meantime, she needed help and admitted it was lucky young men liked her; +she had not hesitated to use her charm on the American. The junior +partner was keen to help, and going with her to a coaling office, +offered to charter a powerful Spanish tug the company had recently +bought. The manager agreed and Barbara made a calculation. + +"If you can get the boat ready to sail in the morning, I'll send you a +check when she starts," she said. + +They went out and the merchant gave Barbara an approving smile. "I +imagine they haven't at the moment much use for the tug, which accounts +for their being willing to take a moderate sum. All the same, you +handled the situation like a good business man. Had they known much +about your plans before we agreed, they would have sent the tug and +claimed a large reward for salvage. In fact, it looks as if you had +saved Mr. Cartwright--" + +"It's possible," Barbara broke in impatiently. "Still they don't know +where _Arcturus_ is and that her crew are ill. Now, however, we must +engage fresh men to relieve the others. I don't mind if you pay them +something over the usual rate." + +The merchant engaged the crew of a Spanish fishing schooner that was +being laid up, and Barbara returning to the hotel found Wheeler in the +garden. + +"I've got all the medicine and truck I reckon would be useful," he said. +"If the steamboat man didn't exaggerate, you want a doctor next." + +Barbara gave him a level glance and smiled. "If you like, you may go! A +fast tug sails in the morning." + +"Why," he said, "I'd be delighted! You can call it fixed. I came along +for a holiday, but soon found that loafing made me tired--" + +"Thank you," said Barbara and was gone. + +The doctor laughed and joining an English friend in the hotel ordered a +drink. + +"I reckon I've been rushed," he remarked. "You folks look slow, but I +allow when you do get started some of you can move. Since lunch I've +been helping an English girl fix some things and she hit a pace that +left me out of breath." + +"Miss Hyslop?" said the other. "Perhaps if she'd had a job for me I +might have used an effort to get up speed. A charming girl, and I think +she's resolute." + +"She's surely resolute!" Wheeler agreed. "Miss Hyslop sees where she +wants to go and gets there by the shortest road." + +When dusk fell Barbara thought all was ready and sitting down by Mrs. +Cartwright narrated what she had done. After she stopped Mrs. Cartwright +put her hand gently on the girl's arm. + +"It's lucky you came out with me," she said. "I would not have known +what to do, and I doubt if Mortimer--" + +Barbara laughed. "Mortimer would have calculated, weighed one thing +against another, and studied his plans for a week. Mine are rude, but in +the morning they'll begin to work. After all, in a sense, I have not +done much. I have sent others, when I want to go myself." + +"It's impossible, my dear," said Mrs. Cartwright, firmly. + +"Well, I expect I must be resigned. One is forced to pay for breaking +rules! I have paid; but we'll talk about something else." + +"The tug and supplies have, no doubt, cost much," Mrs. Cartwright +remarked. "You must let me give you a check." + +"No," said Barbara in a resolute voice. "I will take no money until +mine's all gone. Father's a dear, I owe him much, and now I can help I'm +going to help. I have sent a cablegram he had better come out but in the +meantime he needn't be anxious because I have taken control." + +Mrs. Cartwright let her go presently and Barbara went to her room. She +had borne a heavy strain, but the reaction had begun, and throwing +herself on a couch she covered her face with her hands and cried. + + + +CHAPTER XI + +LISTER'S REWARD + +Signal flags fluttered in the breeze at the top of the Isleta and a +smoke cloud stained the blue horizon. For a few minutes the cloud +vanished, and then rolled up again, thicker than before. Cartwright +studied it carefully and gave the glasses to Barbara, who stood near him +on the Catalina mole. + +"Is that _one_ trail of smoke?" he asked. + +"I think I see two. Sometimes they melt, but they're getting distinct +now. There _are_ two!" + +"Ah!" said Cartwright. "Then it's _Arcturus_. I expect your tug has +saved the situation." + +"Lister saved _Arcturus_ before I meddled," Barbara declared with a +blush. "However, I'm glad I could help. You have often helped me." + +Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "All I gave I have got back, but I'm not +persuaded you didn't mean to help another. Well, perhaps, the other +deserves your interest. Brown's a useful man, but he has some drawbacks +and I doubt if he could have carried through the undertaking." + +"If you'll wait in the shade, I'll get a jacket," Barbara replied. +"There's a fresh breeze, the launch splashes, and I'm going with you to +meet _Arcturus_." + +When the first flag blew out from the Isleta staff, she had called +Cartwright, and they had hurried to the neighboring mole. Cartwright had +arrived two days before and they had watched the signals until the +longed for message came: _Steamer in tow from the South._ + +"I think you'll wait," said Cartwright quietly. "You don't know much +about fever and the men I sent are not altogether making a triumphant +return." + +The blood came to Barbara's skin. She had meant to go and hated to be +baffled, but Cartwright gave her a steady glance and she knew there was +no use in arguing when he looked like that. + +"Did you or your mother tell me Mrs. Seaton arrived by a recent boat?" +he resumed. + +Barbara was surprised, but said Mrs. Seaton was at the Metropole. +Cartwright looked at the tugs' smoke. + +"Then, I ought to have time to see her before they tow _Arcturus_ in. +Some sea is running and they can't steam fast." + +He started for the Catalina and when he stopped by Mrs. Cartwright's +chair his face was hot and he trembled. Hurry and muscular effort upset +him, but time was valuable. + +"I have not yet asked you for money, Clara," he said. + +"That is so," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. "Sometimes I was hurt because you +did not. You ought to know all that's mine is yours." + +Cartwright smiled. "You are a good sort and I'm going to borrow now +because I can pay back. I want you to telegraph your bank to meet my +check." + +"I'll write you a check." + +"No," said Cartwright, "I think the other plan is better. Well, the sum +is rather large--" + +He stated the sum and Mrs. Cartwright said, "I'm not very curious, but +why do you want the money?" + +"I'm going to buy Mrs. Seaton's shares." + +"Ah," said Mrs. Cartwright with a disturbed look, "she tried to force +you to buy before." + +Cartwright knew his placid, good-humored wife hated Mrs. Seaton. + +"You're puzzled?" he remarked. "Well, I'd have bought the shares long +since, but I wasn't rich enough and didn't think my borrowing was +justified. All the same, the block she holds gives her a dangerous +power, and if I can get them I'll baffle the opposition at the company's +meeting. But I must be quick." + +"If you want to baffle Ellen Seaton, you can use all the money I have +got!" Mrs. Cartwright declared. "Tell me what I must telegraph the +bank." + +Cartwright did so and made for the Metropole as fast as possible, +because the tugs' smoke was not far off. When he reached the big square +hotel he gave a page his card and frowned while he waited in the +glass-roofed patio. Time was valuable and he hoped Mrs. Seaton would not +be long. On the whole, he did not think he was going to be shabby, but +perhaps shabbiness was justified. Ellen had not forgotten she had +thought him her lover, and although it was long since she would not +forget. She hated his wife and had tried to injure him. Cartwright +imagined she would try again, and so long as she kept her shares her +antagonism was dangerous. + +She entered the patio with two young tourists, whom she sent off, and +beckoned Cartwright to a bench behind a palm. The sun that pierced the +glass roof was strong and he reflected with dry amusement that Ellen +looked better by electric light in the evening. Although she smiled, her +glance was keen and not friendly. + +"I arrived some days since and met Barbara in the street, but she has +not been to see me yet," she said. "However, now you have come I ought +to be satisfied! Since you were able to get away from the office, I +expect shipping is languid." + +Cartwright thought she meant to be nasty. For one thing, Barbara had not +gone to see her and perhaps had not urged her calling at the hotel. +Ellen did not like the girl, but she wanted to know people and Mrs. +Cartwright had stopped at Las Palmas for some time. As a rule, Clara's +friends were good. This, however, was not important. He must buy Ellen's +shares before _Arcturus_ arrived and the news of her salvage got about. + +"Oh, well," he said, "although I think I see signs of improvement, +things are not very promising yet." + +"If you are not hopeful, the outlook must be black," Mrs. Seaton +remarked meaningly. "Perhaps I ought to sympathize, but the effort's too +much. My investments have all gone wrong and my luck at the Grand +National was remarkably bad. In fact, if nobody will buy my shares in +your line, I may be forced to agree with the people who want to wind up +the company." + +Cartwright thought his luck was good. Ellen was extravagant and a +gambler. No doubt, she needed money, but he knew she was willing to hurt +him and could do so. All the same, if she could force him to buy the +shares she thought worth nothing, her greed would conquer her +spitefulness. Well, he was going to indulge her. + +"If you did join my antagonists, I might pull through, but I'll admit it +would be awkward," he replied. "In order to avoid the fight, I'll buy +your shares for ten shillings." + +Mrs. Seaton hesitated. She did not want to lose her power, but she +wanted money. Nominally, the shares were worth a much larger sum, but +she had found out that nobody else was willing to buy the block. For all +that, Cartwright was cunning and she wondered whether he knew something +she did not. She asked for a higher price, but Cartwright refused. He +was cool and humorous, although he knew _Arcturus_ was steadily nearing +the harbor. Perhaps in a few minutes the look-out on the Isleta would +read her flags. At length he pulled out his watch. + +"I have an engagement, but I rather want the shares. My getting them +would help me at the meeting," he said. "Shall we say twelve-and-sixpence? +This is the limit." + +"Very well," said Mrs. Seaton and smiled with a sense of triumph. "It +looks very greedy, but when can I have a check? You see, I'm nearly +bankrupt." + +"Now," said Cartwright, and taking out his fountain pen, rang a bell. +"Send a page for some notepaper and write an undertaking to deliver me +the shares." + +Mrs. Seaton did so and Cartwright wrote the check. Then she signed to +one of the young men she had sent off. "Since you are very +business-like, you had better have a witness! I'm relieved to get the +check, particularly since I expected you would be forced to ask Clara +for the money." + +Cartwright had to smile. The sneer was Ellen's Parthian shot. She was +retiring from the field, but he owned that she might have beaten him by +a bold attack and he had been afraid. + +He went to the bar and ordered a drink, and then going out saw fresh +signals blow from the Isleta staff. _Arcturus'_ hull was visible in the +tugs' thick smoke; the look-out on the hill with his big telescope had +read her flags and was signaling her name and number to the town. +Cartwright had won by a few minutes and was satisfied, although he had +given Mrs. Seaton twelve-and-sixpence for her shares, when perhaps he +need not. This was now about their just value, and, for old time's sake, +he had not meant to cheat her. In the meantime a launch was waiting to +take him on board _Arcturus_ and he hurried to the mole. + +Barbara saw the launch start, with mixed emotions. She was something of +a rebel and had anybody but Cartwright ordered her to stop she would not +have obeyed. She waited in the shade, fixing her eyes on the laboring +tugs. Sometimes she felt a thrill of triumph because Lister had +conquered; sometimes she was tortured by suspense. She did not know if +he stood at the levers in the engine-room, or lay, unconscious, in his +bunk. Well, she would soon know and she shrank. + +She rubbed the glasses and looked again. There were two towropes; +_Terrier_ plunged across the rollers on _Arcturus'_ starboard bow, the +Spanish tug to port. It looked as if the wreck's steering-gear did not +work. Spray blew about the boats and the crested seas broke in foaming +turmoil against the towed vessel's side until she drew in behind the +Isleta. A few minutes afterwards she swung round the mole and Barbara +thought the picture moving. + +The tugs looked very small; the half-loaded hull they towed to an +anchorage floated high above her proper water-line. Rolling on the +languid swell at the harbor mouth, she looked huge. Her rusty side was +like a warehouse wall. When she lifted her plates from the water one saw +the wet weed shine; higher up it clung, parched and dry, to the red +iron, although there were clean belts where the stuff was scraped away. +Barbara pictured the exhausted men scraping feebly when the sea was calm +and the sun did not touch the vessel's side. + +All the same, the men had won a triumph. It looked impossible that the +handful of bemused ruffians she had seen start at Liverpool could have +dragged the big vessel from the bottom of the lagoon, but the thing was +done. _Arcturus_, battered and rusty, with sagging masts and broken +funnel, was coming into harbor. A big pump throbbed on board, throwing +water down her side; she flew a small, bright red ensign aft and a new +house-flag at the masthead. Barbara thought the flag flaunted proudly +and the thing was significant. Cartwright had weathered the storm, but +she had helped. + +The tugs' engines stopped and Barbara's heart beat, for a yellow flag +went up. She hated the ominous signal, and turning the glasses, followed +the doctor's launch. The boat ran alongside _Terrier_, a man went on +board, returned and climbed a ladder to _Arcturus'_ deck. He did not +come back for some time and Barbara looked for Lister, but could not see +him. Then the yellow flag was hauled down and _Arcturus_ moved slowly up +the harbor. + +A fleet of shore-boats followed and when the anchor dropped crowded +about the ship. Barbara braced herself and waited. Half the voyage was +over and when the engines were cleaned and mended _Arcturus_ would steam +to England. The salvors had won, but sometimes victory cost much, and +Barbara knew she might have to pay. + +A launch with an awning steamed to the mole and vanished behind the +wall. Barbara stopped in the shade; somehow she durst not go to the +steps. Cartwright came up, but seeing his grave look, she let him pass. +Then the American doctor reached the top and called to somebody below. +Three or four men awkwardly lifted a stretcher to the pavement, and +Cartwright signed to the driver of a carriage waiting in the road. +Wheeler stopped him. + +"It's not far. Carrying will be smoother." + +"Very well, I'll see all's ready," said Cartwright and got into the +carriage. + +Then Barbara went to the stretcher, which was covered by green canvas. +She thought she knew who lay behind the screens, and her look was +strained. + +"Is Mr. Lister very ill?" she asked. + +Wheeler gave her a sympathetic glance. "He is pretty sick; he was nearly +all in when I boarded the ship. Now it's possible he'll get better." + +Barbara turned her head, but after a few moments looked up. "Thank you +for going! Where are the others?" + +"We have sent some to the Spanish hospital, landed them at the coaling +wharf. They're not very sick. The rest are on board." + +"_All_ the rest?" + +"Three short," said the doctor quietly. "They have made their last +voyage. But the boys are waiting to get off with the stretcher." + +Barbara let him go and followed. He looked very tired and she did not +want to talk. She saw the stretcher carried up the hotel steps and along +a passage, and then went to her room. A Spanish doctor and nurse were +waiting and she knew she would be sent away. To feel she could not help +was hard, but she tried to be resigned and stopped in the quiet room, +listening for steps. Somebody might bring a message that Lister wanted +her. + +The message did not come and she was conscious of some relief, although +she was tormented by regretful thoughts. Lister loved her and she had +refused him, because she was proud. Perhaps her refusal was justified, +but she was honest, and admitted that she had known he would not let her +go, and had afterwards wondered how she would reply when he asked her +again. Now she knew. The strain had broken her resolution. She had +indulged her ridiculous pride and saw it might cost her much. Her lover +was very ill; Wheeler doubted if he would get better. + +In the evening Montgomery joined Cartwright in a corner of the +smoking-room. + +"I expect Captain Brown told you about the bother I gave him," he +remarked. + +"That is so," said Cartwright. "He, however, stated you gave him some +help." + +"All the same, at the beginning, I held up the job. When Brown could not +work, your expenses ran on and I feel I ought to pay." + +"It's just. Coming home, when my men were sick and Brown was in his +bunk, you undertook the duties of doctor and navigator, and Wheeler +admits your cures were good. Since you have a counter-claim, suppose we +say we're quits?" + +Montgomery felt some relief. It looked as if Cartwright did not mean to +use his advantage; the old fellow was generous. Montgomery hesitated for +a moment and then resumed: "I understand you bought the wreck?" + +"I used the shareholders' money; at all events, I used as much as I +durst. She's the company's ship." + +"But the cargo?" + +"The cargo's mine. That is, I get an allowance, agreed upon with the +underwriters for all I have salved. I rather think the sum will be +large." + +"Then you're satisfied? Although you didn't get all the gold and lost +the valuable gum in the lazaret?" + +Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "I've some grounds for satisfaction, and I +know when to stop! But perhaps I'd better be as frank as is needful. +Very well! I get salvage on some of the gold. The rest is under the surf +and nobody will open the boxes now. The thing's done with." + +Montgomery was moved, but he saw there was no more to be said and asked +quietly: "Will you tell me what you think about the prospects of the +line?" + +"On the whole, I imagine the prospects are good. We have got a useful +boat for a very small sum, and the last report was _Oreana_ could +probably be floated without much damage when the St. Lawrence ice +breaks. Well, I calculate next year's trading will earn us a small +dividend, and since business is improving, we ought to prosper before +very long." + +"Thank you," said Montgomery. "I know something about the line and +imagine the directors may need support. Just now I have some money that +does not earn much. Would it help if I bought a number of your shares?" + +"I think not," said Cartwright. "The plan has drawbacks. People are +sometimes uncharitable and I have antagonists who might hint at a bribe. +Besides, I don't need support. My luck has turned and I rather think I +can break the opposition." He smiled and getting up, put his hand on +Montgomery's arm. "All the same, when I send a boat to Africa you can +load her up. Now I'm going to find the nurse and ask about Lister." + +Lister was delirious, and for two or three days the doctors doubted his +recovery. Then, one morning, they said his temperature had fallen and +there was hope. Next morning they admitted that he was slowly making +progress. Barbara did not leave the hotel, lest she miss the latest news +from the sick-room. She was not allowed to go in, and when evening came +she knew she could not sleep. She had not slept much since they carried +Lister up the steps. + +When all was quiet and the guests had gone to bed she went to the +veranda and leaned against the rails. She was highly strung and +rebellious. Lister had sent her a message, but she was not allowed to +see him yet. She wanted to see him and was persuaded that for him to see +her would not hurt. She knew he wanted her. + +The moon was bright, but the shadow of the hotel stretched across the +garden. Somebody was moving about in the gloom and Barbara started when +she saw it was the nurse. The tired woman had gone out to rest for a few +minutes in the cool night air and Barbara saw her opportunity. + +Stealing across the veranda, she went along a passage and up some +stairs. The landing at the top was dark, but she knew Lister's door, and +turning the handle quietly, looked in. Bright moonlight shone through +the open window and a curtain moved in the gentle breeze. Mosquito gauze +wavered about the bed where a quiet figure lay. Barbara stole across the +floor and pulled back the guard. The rings rattled and Lister opened his +eyes. He smiled, and Barbara, kneeling by the bed, put her arm round his +neck. + +"My dear! You know me?" + +"Of course! I wanted you. Since I got my senses back, I've tried to call +you." + +"You called not long since. I cheated the nurse and came; but if you +ought to be quiet, I mustn't talk. The doctors said--" + +"They don't understand," said Lister. "Now I have seen you, I'm going to +get well." + +Barbara lifted her head and studied him. His face was pinched, his skin +was very white and wet. Her eyes filled and she was moved by tender +pity. + +"Oh, my dear!" she said. "It was for my sake you went!" + +Lister took her hand, and she felt his was thin and hot. "I'm paid for +all! But, Barbara, I think you're _logical_ When I'm better--?" + +She kissed him. "Of course. I'll marry you when you like. In the +meantime you're weak and tired and must go to sleep." + +"I am tired," he admitted. "Besides, the nurse will come." + +Barbara gently touched his wet hair and moved his pillow. "The nurse is +not important, but you mustn't talk." + +She gave him her hand again and he went to sleep. Some time afterwards +the nurse returned and started when she saw the white figure kneeling by +the bed. Then she began to talk angrily in a low voice. Barbara was +getting cramped, but without moving her body, she looked at the nurse +and her eyes sparkled with rebellious fire. + +"Be quiet; he mustn't wake!" she said. "There's no use in arguing. I +mean to stay!" + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LISTER'S GREAT ADVENTURE*** + + +******* This file should be named 10076-8.txt or 10076-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/7/10076 + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Lister's Great Adventure</p> +<p>Author: Harold Bindloss</p> +<p>Release Date: November 13, 2003 [eBook #10076]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Chatacter set encoding: iso-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LISTER'S GREAT ADVENTURE***</p> +<p> </p> + + + +<h3>E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Suzanne Shell, David Kline,<br> + and Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders</h3> + + +<p> </p> +<hr> +<h1>LISTER'S GREAT ADVENTURE</h1> +<h3>BY HAROLD BINDLOSS</h3> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Author</i> of "THE WILDERNESS MINE," +"WYNDHAM'S PAL," "PARTNERS OF THE OUT-TRAIL," "THE +BUCCANEER FARMER," "THE LURE OF THE NORTH," "THE GIRL FROM +KELLER'S," "CARMEN'S MESSENGER," ETC.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">1920</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> +<h3>CONTENTS</h3> +<p class="MsoToc1"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#Part1">PART +I—BARBARA'S REBELLION</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#Part1Ch1">CHAPTER +I</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#Part1Ch1desc">CARTWRIGHT +MEDDLES</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085252">CHAPTER +II</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085253">IN +THE DARK</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085254">CHAPTER +III</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085255">BARBARA +VANISHES</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085256">CHAPTER +IV</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085257">THE +GIRL ON +THE PLATFORM</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085258">CHAPTER +V</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085259">SHILLITO +GETS +AWAY</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085260">CHAPTER +VI</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085261">WINNIPEG +BEACH</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085262">CHAPTER +VII</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085263">LISTER'S +DISSATISFACTION</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085264">CHAPTER +VIII</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085265">THE +TEST</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085266">CHAPTER +IX</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085267">BARBARA +PLAYS +A PART</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085268">CHAPTER +X</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085269">VERNON'S +CURIOSITY</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc1"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085270">PART +II—THE RECKONING</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085271">CHAPTER +I</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085272">VERNON'S +PLOT</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085273">CHAPTER +II</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085274">BARBARA'S +RETURN</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085275">CHAPTER +III</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085276">LISTER +CLEARS +THE GROUND</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085277">CHAPTER +IV</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085278">A +DISSATISFIED SHAREHOLDER</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085279">CHAPTER +V</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085280">CARTWRIGHT'S +SCRUPLES</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085281">CHAPTER +VI</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085282">A +NASTY KNOCK</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085283">CHAPTER +VII</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085284">THE +SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085285">CHAPTER +VIII</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085286">A +STOLEN +EXCURSION</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085287">CHAPTER +IX</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085288">CARTWRIGHT +SEES A PLAN</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085289">CHAPTER +X</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085290">A +BOLD +SPECULATION</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085291">CHAPTER +XI</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085292">THE +START</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc1"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085293">PART +III—THE BREAKING STRAIN</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085294">CHAPTER +I</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085295">THE +FIRST STRUGGLE</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085296">CHAPTER +II</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085297">THE +WRECK</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085298">CHAPTER +III</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085299">A +FUEL +PROBLEM</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085300">CHAPTER +IV</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085301">MONTGOMERY'S +OFFER</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085302">CHAPTER +V</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085303">MONTGOMERY +USES HIS POWER</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085304">CHAPTER +VI</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085305">LISTER +MEETS +AN OLD ANTAGONIST</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085306">CHAPTER +VII</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085307">BARBARA'S +REFUSAL</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085308">CHAPTER +VIII</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085309">CARTWRIGHT +GETS TO WORK</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085310">CHAPTER +IX</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085311">LISTER +MAKES +GOOD</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085312">CHAPTER +X</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085313">BARBARA +TAKES +CONTROL</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc2"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085314">CHAPTER +XI</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoToc3"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="#_Toc56085315">LISTER'S +REWARD</a></span></p> +<p class="MsoNormal"> </p> +<h1><a name="Part1">PART I—BARBARA'S REBELLION</a></h1> +<h2><a name="Part1Ch1">CHAPTER I</a></h2> +<h3><a name="Part1Ch1desc">CARTWRIGHT MEDDLES</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Dinner was over, and Cartwright occupied a chair +on the lawn +in front of the Canadian summer hotel. Automatic sprinklers threw +sparkling +showers across the rough, parched grass, the lake shimmered, smooth as +oil, in +the sunset, and a sweet, resinous smell drifted from the pines that +rolled down +to the water's edge. The straight trunks stood out against a background +of +luminous red and green, and here and there a slanting beam touched a +branch +with fire.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Natural beauty had not much charm for Cartwright, +who was +satisfied to loaf and enjoy the cool of the evening. He had, as usual, +dined +well, his cigar was good, and he meant to give Mrs. Cartwright half an +hour. +Clara expected this, and, although he was sometimes bored, he indulged +her when +he could. Besides, it was too soon for cards. The lights had not begun +to +spring up in the wooden hotel, and for the most part the guests were +boating on +the lake. When he had finished his cigar it would be time to join the +party in +the smoking-room. Cartwright was something of a gambler and liked the +American +games. They gave one scope for bluffing, and although his antagonists +declared +his luck was good, he knew his nerve was better. In fact, since he lost +his +money by a reckless plunge, he had to some extent lived by bluff. Yet +some +people trusted Tom Cartwright.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright did so. She was a large, dull +woman, but had +kept a touch of the beauty that had marked her when she was young. She +was +kind, conventional, and generally anxious to take the proper line. +Cartwright +was twelve years older, and since she was a widow and had three +children when +she married him, her friends declared her money accounted for much, and +a +lawyer relation carefully guarded, against Cartwright's using her +fortune.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Yet, in a sense, Cartwright was not an adventurer, +although +his ventures in finance and shipping were numerous. He sprang from an +old Liverpool +family whose prosperity diminished when steamers replaced sailing +ships. His +father had waited long before he resigned himself to the change, but +was not +altogether too late, and Cartwright was now managing owner of the +Independent +Freighters Line. The company's business had brought him to Montreal, +and when +it was transacted he had taken Mrs. Cartwright and her family to the +hotel by +the Ontario lake.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's hair and mustache were white; his +face was +fleshy and red. He was fastidious about his clothes, and his tailor +cleverly +hid the bulkiness of his figure. As a rule, his look was fierce and +commanding, +but now and then his small keen eyes twinkled. Although Cartwright was +clever, +he was, in some respects, primitive. He had long indulged his +appetites, and wore +the stamp of what is sometimes called good living.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The managing owner of the Independent Freighters +needed +cleverness, since the company was small and often embarrassed for +money. For +the most part, it ran its ships in opposition to the regular liners. +When the <i>Conference</i> +forced up freights Cartwright quietly canvassed the merchants and +offered to +carry their goods at something under the standard rate, if the shippers +would +engage to fill up his boat. As a rule, secrecy was important, but +sometimes, +when cargo was scarce, Cartwright let his plans be known and allowed +the <i>Conference</i> +to buy him off. Although his skill in the delicate negotiations was +marked, the +company paid small dividends and he had enemies among the shareholders. +Now, +however, he was satisfied. <i>Oreana</i> had sailed for Montreal, +loaded to the +limit the law allowed, and he had booked her return cargo before the <i>Conference</i> +knew he was cutting rates.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright talked, but she talked much and +Cartwright +hardly listened, and looked across the lake. A canoe drifted out from +behind a +neighboring point, and its varnished side shone in the fading light. +Then a man +dipped the paddle, and the ripple at the bow got longer and broke the +reflections of the pines. A girl, sitting at the stern, put her hands +in the +water, and when she flung the sparkling drops at her companion her +laugh came +across the lake. Cartwright's look got keen and he began to note his +wife's +remarks.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Do you imply Barbara's getting fond of the +fellow?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am afraid of something like that," Mrs. +Cartwright admitted. "In a way, one hesitates to meddle; sometimes +meddling does harm, and, of course, if Barbara really loved the young +man—" +She paused and gave Cartwright a sentimental smile. "After all, I +married +for love, and a number of my friends did not approve."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright grunted. He had married Clara because +she was +rich, but it was something to his credit that she had not suspected +this. Clara +was dull, and her dullness often amused him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you think it necessary, I won't hesitate about +meddling," he remarked. "Shillito's a beggarly sawmill clerk."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He said he was <i>treasurer</i> for an important +lumber company. Barbara's very young and romantic, and although she has +not +known him long—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She has known him for about two weeks," +Cartwright rejoined. "Perhaps it's long enough. Shillito's what +Canadians +call a looker and Barbara's a romantic fool. I've no doubt he's found +out +she'll inherit some money; it's possible she's told him. Now I come to +think +about it, she was off somewhere all the afternoon, and it looks as if +she had +promised the fellow the evening."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He indicated the canoe and was satisfied when Mrs. +Cartwright agreed, since he refused to wear spectacles and own his +sight was +going. Although Clara was generous, he could not use her money, and, +indeed, +did not mean to do so, but he was extravagant and his managing owner's +post was +not secure. When one had powerful antagonists, one did not admit that +one was +getting old.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I doubt if Shillito's character is all one could +wish,'" Mrs. Cartwright resumed. "Character's very important, don't +you think? Mrs. Grant—the woman with the big hat—knows something +about him and she said he was <i>fierce</i>. I think she meant he was +wild. +Then she hinted he spent money he ought not to spend. But isn't a +treasurer's +pay good?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled, for he was patient to his wife. +"It +depends upon the company. A treasurer is sometimes a book-keeping +clerk. +However, the trouble is, Barbara's as wild as a hawk, though I don't +know where +she got her wildness. Her brother and sister are tame enough."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes I'm bothered about Barbara," Mrs. +Cartwright agreed. "She's rash and obstinate; not like the others. I +don't +know if they're tame, but they had never given me much anxiety. One can +trust +them to do all they ought."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright said nothing. As a rule, Clara's son +and elder +daughter annoyed him. Mortimer Hyslop was a calculating prig; Grace was +finicking and bound by ridiculous rules. She was pale and inanimate; +there was +no blood in her. But Cartwright was fond of the younger girl. Barbara +was +frankly flesh and blood; he liked her flashes of temper and her pluck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When the canoe came to the landing he got up. +"Leave +the thing to me," he said. "I'll talk to Shillito."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off, but when he reached the steps to the +veranda in +front of the hotel he stopped. His gout bothered him. At the top +Mortimer +Hyslop was smoking a cigarette. The young man was thin and looked +bored; his +summer clothes were a study in harmonious colors, and he had delicate +hands +like a woman's. When he saw Cartwright stop he asked: "Can I help you +up, +sir?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's face got red. He hated an offer of +help that +drew attention to his infirmity, and thought Mortimer knew.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No, thanks! I'm not a cripple yet. Have you seen +Shillito?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You'll probably find him in the smoking room. The +card +party has gone in and he's a gambler."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"So am I!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mortimer shrugged, and Cartwright wondered whether +the +fellow meant to imply that his gambling was not important since he had +married +a rich wife. The young man, however, hesitated and looked thoughtful.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know your object for wanting Shillito, +but if +my supposition's near the mark, might I state that I approve? In fact, +I'd +begun to wonder whether something ought not to be done. The fellow's +plausible. +Not our sort, of course; but when a girl's romantic and obstinate—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright stopped him. "Exactly! Well, I'm the +head of +the house and imagine you can leave the thing to me. Perhaps it doesn't +matter +if your sister is obstinate. I'm going to talk to Shillito."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He crossed the veranda, and Mortimer returned to +his chair +and cigarette. He did not approve his step-father, but admitted that +Cartwright +could be trusted to handle a matter like this. Mortimer's +fastidiousness was +sometimes a handicap, but Cartwright had none.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright entered the smoking-room and crossed +the floor to +a table, at which two or three men stood as if waiting for somebody. +One was +young and tall. His thin face was finely molded, his eyes and hair were +very +black, and his figure was marked by an agile grace.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He looked up sharply as Cartwright advanced.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I want you for a few minutes," Cartwright said +roughly, as if he gave an order.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito frowned, but went with him to the back +veranda. +Although the night was warm and an electric light burned under the +roof, nobody +was about. Cartwright signed the other to sit down.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect your holiday's nearly up, and the hotel +car +meets the train in the morning," he remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What about it?" Shillito asked. "I'm not +going yet."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're going to-morrow," said Cartwright grimly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito smiled and gave him an insolent look, but +his smile +vanished. Cartwright's white mustache bristled, his face was red, and +his eyes +were very steady. It was not for nothing the old ship-owner had fronted +disappointed investors and forced his will on shareholders' meetings. +Shillito +saw the fellow was dangerous.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll call you," he said, using a gambler's +phrase.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," said Cartwright. "I think my +cards are good, and if I can't win on one suit, I'll try another. To +begin +with, the hotel proprietor sent for me. He stated the house was new and +beginning to pay, and he was anxious about its character. People must +be +amused, but he was running a summer hotel, not a gambling den. The play +was too +high, and young fools got into trouble; two or three days since one got +broke. +Well, he wanted me to use my influence, and I said I would."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He asked you to keep the stakes in bounds? It's a +good +joke!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not at all," said Cartwright dryly. "I like +an exciting game, so long as it is straight, and when I lose I pay. I +do lose, +and if I come out fifty dollars ahead when I leave, I'll be satisfied. +How much +have you cleared?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito said nothing, and Cartwright went on: "My +antagonists are old card-players who know the game; but when you broke +Forman +he was drunk and the other two were not quite sober. You play against +young +fools and <i>your luck's too good</i>. If you force me to tell all I +think and +something that I know. I imagine you'll get a straight hint to quit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You talked about another plan," Shillito +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"On the whole, I think the plan I've indicated +will +work. If it does not and you speak to any member of Mrs. Cartwright's +family, +I'll thrash you on the veranda when people are about. I won't state my +grounds +for doing so; they ought to be obvious."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito looked at the other hand. Cartwright's +eyes were +bloodshot, his face was going purple, and he thrust out his heavy chin. +Shillito thought he meant all he said, and his threat carried weight. +The old +fellow was, of course, not a match for the vigorous young man, but +Shillito saw +he had the power to do him an injury that was not altogether physical. +He +pondered for a few moments, and then got up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll pull out," he said with a coolness that cost +him much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded. "There's another thing. If you +write +to Miss Hyslop, your letters will be burned."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went back to the smoking-room, and playing with +his usual +boldness, won twenty dollars. Then he joined Mrs. Cartwright on the +front +veranda and remarked: "Shillito won't bother us. He goes in the +morning."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave him a grateful smile. She had +long +known that when she asked her husband's help difficulties were removed. +Now he +had removed Shillito, and she was satisfied but imagined he was not. +Cartwright +knitted his white brows and drew hard at his cigar.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You had better watch Barbara until the fellow +starts," he resumed. "Then I think you and the girls might join the +Vernons at their fishing camp. Vernon would like it, and he's a useful +friend; +besides, it's possible Shillito's obstinate. Your letters needn't +follow you; +have them sent to me at Montreal, which will cover your tracks. I must +go back +in a few days."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright weighed the suggestion. Vernon was +a Winnipeg +merchant, and his wife had urged her to join the party at the fishing +camp in +the woods. The journey was long, but Mrs. Cartwright rather liked the +plan. +Shillito would not find them, and Mrs. Vernon had two sons.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Can't you come with us?" she asked. +"Mortimer is going to Detroit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sorry I can't," said Cartwright firmly. "I +don't want to leave you, but business calls."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He was relieved when Mrs. Cartwright let it go. +Clara was a +good sort and seldom argued. He had loafed about with her family for +two weeks +and had had enough. Moreover, business did call. If the <i>Conference</i> +found +out before his boat arrived that he had engaged <i>Oreana's</i> return +load, +they might see the shippers and make trouble. Anyhow, they would use +some +effort to get the cargo for their boats. Sometimes one promised regular +customers a drawback on standard rates.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll write to Mrs. Vernon in the morning," Mrs. +Cartwright remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Telegraph" said Cartwright, who did not lose time +when he had made a plan. "When the lines are not engaged after business +hours, you can send a night-letter; a long message at less than the +proper +charge."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright looked pleased. Although she was +rich and +sometimes generous, she liked small economies.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"After all, writing a letter's tiresome," she +said. "Telegrams are easy. Will you get me a form?"</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085252">CHAPTER II</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085253">IN THE DARK</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning Cartwright told the porter to take +his chair +to the beach and sat down in a shady spot. He had not seen Barbara at +breakfast +and was rather sorry for her, but she had not known Shillito long, and +although +she might be angry for a time, her hurt could not be deep. Lighting his +pipe, +he watched the path that led between the pines to the water.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by a girl came out of the shadow, and going +to the +small landing-stage, looked at her wrist-watch. Cartwright imagined she +did not +see him and studied her with some amusement. Barbara looked impatient. +People +did not often keep her waiting, and she had not inherited her mother's +placidity. She had a touch of youthful beauty, and although she was +impulsive +and rather raw, Cartwright thought her charm would be marked when she +met the +proper people and, so to speak, got toned down.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright meant her to meet the proper people, +because he +was fond of Barbara. She had grace, and although her figure was slender +and +girlish, she carried herself well. Her brown eyes were steady, her +small mouth +was firm, and as a rule her color was delicate white and pink. Now it +was high, +and Cartwright knew she was angry. She wore boating clothes and had +obviously +meant to go on the lake. The trouble was, her companion had not arrived.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hallo!" said Cartwright. "Are you waiting +for somebody?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara advanced and sat down on a rocky ledge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," she said, "I'm not waiting <i>now</i>."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. He knew Barbara's temper, and +his line +was to keep her resentment warm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You mean, you have given him up and won't go if +he +does arrive? Well, when a young man doesn't keep his appointment, it's +the +proper plan."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She blushed, but tried to smile. "I don't know if +you're clever or not just now, although you sometimes do see things the +others +miss. I really was a little annoyed."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I've lived a long time," said Cartwright. +"However, perhaps it's important I haven't forgotten I was young. I +think +your brother and sister never were very young. They were soberer than +me when I +knew them first."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mortimer <i>is</i> a stick," Barbara agreed. +"He and Grace have a calm superiority that makes one savage now and +then. +I like human people, who sometimes let themselves go—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She stopped, and Cartwright noted her wandering +glance that +searched the beach and the path to the hotel. He knew whom she +expected, and +thought it would give her some satisfaction to quarrel with the fellow. +Cartwright did not mean to soothe her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Shillito ought to have sent his apologies +when he +found he could not come," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara's glance got fixed, and Cartwright knew he +had +blundered.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh!" she said, "now I begin to see! Mother +kept me by her all the evening; but mother's not very clever and +Mortimer's too +fastidious to meddle, unless he gets a dignified part. Of course, the +plot was +yours!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded. Sometimes he used tact, but he +was sometimes +brutally frank.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You had better try to console yourself with the +Wheeler boys; they're straight young fellows. Shillito is gone. He went +by the +car this morning and it's unlikely he'll come back."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You sent him off?" said Barbara, and her eyes +sparkled. +"Well, I'm not a child and you're not my father really. Why did you +meddle?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For one thing, he's not your sort. Then I'm a +meddlesome old fellow and rather fond of you. To see you entangled by a +man +like Shillito would hurt. Let him go. If you want to try your powers, +you'll +find a number of honest young fellows on whom you can experiment. The +boys one +meets in this country are a pretty good sample."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"There's a rude vein in you," Barbara declared. +"One sees it sometimes, although you're sometimes kind. Anyhow, I won't +be +bullied and controlled; I'm not a shareholder in the Cartwright line. I +don't +know if it's important, but why don't you like Mr. Shillito?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's eyes twinkled. In a sense, he could +justify his +getting rid of Shillito, but he knew Barbara and doubted if she could +be +persuaded. Still she was not a fool, and he would give her something to +think +about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible my views are not important," he +agreed. "All the same, when I told the man he had better go he saw the +force of my arguments. He went, and I think his going is significant. +Since I'd +sooner not quarrel, I'll leave you to weigh this."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off, but Barbara stopped and brooded. She +was angry +and humiliated, but perhaps the worst was she had a vague notion +Cartwright might +be justified. It was very strange Shillito had gone. All the same, she +did not +mean to submit. Her mother's placid conventionality had long irritated +her; one +got tired of galling rules and criticism. She was not going to be +molded into a +calculating prude like Grace, or a prig like Mortimer. They did not +know the +ridiculous good-form they cultivated was out of date. In fact, she had +had +enough and meant to rebel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Then she began to think about Shillito. His +carelessness was +strangely intriguing; he stood for adventure and all the romance she +had known. +Besides, he was a handsome fellow; she liked his reckless twinkle and +his +coolness where coolness was needed. For all that, she would not +acknowledge him +her lover; Barbara did not know if she really wanted a lover yet. She +imagined +Cartwright had got near the mark when he said she wanted to try her +power. +Cartwright was keen, although Barbara sensed something in him that was +fierce +and primitive.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Perhaps nobody else could have bullied Shillito; +Mortimer certainly +could not, but Barbara refused to speculate about the means Cartwright +had +used.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito ought not to have gone without seeing +her; this was +where it hurt. She was entitled to be angry—and then she started, for a +page boy came quietly out of the shade.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A note, miss," he said with a grin. "I was +to give it you when nobody was around."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara's heart beat, but she gave the boy a +quarter and +opened the envelope. The note was short and not romantic. Shillito +stated he +had grounds for imagining it might not reach her, but if it did, he +begged she +would give him her address when she left the hotel. He told her where +to write, +and added if she could find a way to get his letters he had much to say.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">His coolness annoyed Barbara, but he had excited +her curiosity +and she was intrigued. Moreover, Cartwright had tried to meddle and she +wanted +to feel she was cleverer than he. Then Shillito was entitled to defend +himself, +and to find the way he talked about would not be difficult. Barbara +knitted her +brows and began to think.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At lunch Mrs. Cartwright told her they were going +to join +the Vernons in the woods and she acquiesced. Two or three days +afterwards they +started, and at the station she gave Cartwright her hand with a smiling +glance, +but Cartwright knew his step-daughter and was not altogether satisfied. +Barbara +did not sulk; when one tried to baffle her she fought.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Vernons' camp was like others Winnipeg people +pitch in +the lonely woods that roll west from Fort William to the plains. It is +a rugged +country pierced by angry rivers and dotted by lakes, but a gasolene +launch +brought up supplies, the tents were large and double-roofed, and for a +few +weeks one could play at pioneering without its hardships. The Vernons +were +hospitable, the young men and women given to healthy sport, and Mrs. +Cartwright, watching Barbara fish and paddle on the lake, banished her +doubts. +For herself she did not miss much; the people were nice, and the +cooking was +really good.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When two weeks had gone, Grace and Barbara sat one +evening +among the stones by a lake. The evening was calm, the sun was setting, +and the +shadow of the pines stretched across the tranquil water. Now and then +the +reflections trembled and a languid ripple broke against the driftwood +on the +beach. In the distance a loon called, but when its wild cry died away +all was +very quiet.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace looked across the lake and frowned. She was +a tall +girl, and although she had walked for some distance in the woods, her +clothes +were hardly crumpled. Her face was finely molded, but rather colorless; +her +hands were very white, while Barbara's were brown. Her dress and voice +indicated cultivated taste; but the taste was negative, as if Grace had +banished carefully all that jarred and then had stopped. It was +characteristic +that she was tranquil, although she had grounds for disturbance. They +were some +distance from camp and it would soon be dark, but nothing broke the +gleaming +surface of the lake. The boat that ought to have met them had not +arrived.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I suppose this is the spot where Harry Vernon +agreed +to land and take us on board?" she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's like the spot. I understand we must watch +out for +a point opposite an island with big trees."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Watch out?" Grace remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Watch out is good Canadian," Barbara rejoined. +"I'm studying the language and find it expressive and plain. When our +new +friends talk you know what they mean. Besides, I'd better learn their +idioms, +because I might stop in Canada if somebody urged me."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace gave her a quiet look. Barbara meant to +annoy her, or +perhaps did not want to admit she had mistaken the spot. Now Grace came +to +think about it, the plan that the young men should meet them and paddle +them +down the lake was Barbara's.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't see why we didn't go with Harry and the +other, +as he suggested," she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, you're rather dull. They didn't really want +us; +they wanted to fish. To know when people might be bored is useful."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But there are a number of bays and islands. They +may +go somewhere else," Grace insisted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh well, it ought to amuse Harry and Winter to +look +for us, and if they're annoyed, they deserve some punishment. If they +had urged +us very much to go, I would have gone. Anyhow, you needn't bother. +There's a +short way back to camp by the old loggers' trail."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace said nothing. She thought Barbara's +carelessness was +forced; Barbara was sometimes moody. Perhaps she felt Shillito's going +more +than she was willing to own. For all that, the fellow was gone, and +Barbara +would, no doubt, presently be consoled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If mother could see things!" Barbara resumed. +"Sometimes one feels one wants a guide, but all one gets is a +ridiculous +platitude from her old-fashioned code. One has puzzles one can't solve +by +out-of-date rules. However, since she doesn't see, there's no use in +bothering."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm your elder sister, but you don't give me your +confidence."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara's mood changed and her laugh was touched +by scorn. +"You are worse than mother. She's kind, but can't see; you don't want +to +see. I'd sooner trust my step-father. He's a very human old ruffian. I +wish I +had a real girl friend, but you tactfully freeze off all the girls I +like. It's +strange how many people there are whom virtuous folks don't approve."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace missed the note of appeal in her sister's +bitterness. +She did not see the girl as disturbed by doubts and looked in +perplexity for a +guiding light. Afterwards, when understanding was too late, Grace +partly +understood.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Cartwright is not a ruffian." she said +coldly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I suppose you're taking the proper line, and +you'd be +rather noble, only you're not sincere. You don't like Cartwright and +know he +doesn't like you. All the same, it's not important. We were talking +about +getting home, and since the boys have not come for us we had better +start."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The loon had flown away and nothing broke the +surface of the +lake; the shadows had got longer and driven back the light. Thin mist +drifted +about the islands, the green glow behind the trunks was fading, and it +would +soon be dark.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"In winter, the big timber wolves prowl about the +woods," Barbara remarked. "Horrible, savage brutes! I expect you saw +the heads at the packer's house. Still, one understands they stay North +until +the frost begins."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She got up, and when they set off Grace looked +regretfully +across the lake, for she would sooner have gone home on board the +fishing +bateau. She was puzzled. The bays on the lake were numerous, and +islands dotted +the winding reaches, but it was strange the young men had gone to the +wrong +spot. They knew the lake and had told Barbara where to meet them. In +the +meantime, however, the important thing was to get home.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Darkness crept across the woods, and as she +stumbled along +the uneven trail Grace got disturbed. She felt the daunting loneliness, +the +quiet jarred her nerve. The pines looked ghostly in the gloom. They +were ragged +and strangely stiff, it looked as if their branches never moved, and +the dark +gaps between the trunks were somehow forbidding.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace did not like Canada. Her cultivation was +artificial, +but Canada was primitive and stern. In the towns, one found inventions +that lightened +labor, and brought to the reach of all a physical comfort that in +England only +the rich enjoyed, but the contrasts were sharp. One left one's hotel, +with its +very modern furniture, noisy elevators and telephones, and plunged into +the +wilderness where all was as it had been from the beginning. Grace +shrank from +primitive rudeness and hated adventure. Living by rule she distrusted +all she +did not know. She thought it strange that Barbara, who feared nothing, +let her +go in front.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They came to a pool. All round, the black tops of +the pines +cut the sky; the water was dark and sullen in the gloom. The trail +followed its +edge and when a loon's wild cry rang across the woods Grace stopped. +She knew +the cry of the lonely bird that haunts the Canadian wilds, but it had a +strange +note, like mocking laughter. Grace disliked the loon when its voice +first +disturbed her sleep at the fishing camp; she hated it afterwards.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Go on!" said Barbara sharply.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For a moment or two Grace stood still. She did not +want to +stop, but something in Barbara's voice indicated strain. If Barbara +were +startled, it was strange. Then, not far off, a branch cracked and the +pine-spray rustled as if they were gently pushed aside.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh!" Grace cried, "something is creeping +through the bush!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then don't stop," said Barbara. "Perhaps +it's a wolf!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace clutched her dress and ran. At first, she +thought she +heard Barbara behind, but she owned she had not her sister's pluck and +fear +gave her speed. She must get as far as possible from the pool before +she +stopped. Besides, she imagined something broke through the undergrowth +near the +trail, but her heart beat and she could not hear properly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length her breath got labored and she was +forced to stop. +All was quiet and the quiet was daunting. Barbara was not about and +when Grace +called did not reply. Grace tried to brace herself. Perhaps she ought +to go +back, but she could not; she shrank from the terror that haunted the +dark. Then +she began to argue that to go back was illogical. If Barbara had lost +her way, +she could not help. It was better to push on to the camp and send men +who knew +the woods to look for her sister. She set off, and presently saw with +keen +relief the light of a fire reflected on calm water.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085254">CHAPTER III</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085255">BARBARA VANISHES</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace's arrival was greeted by a shout, and when +she stopped +in front of the dining-tent a group of curious people surrounded her. +The +double roof of the big tent was extended horizontally, and a lamp +hanging from +a pole gave a brilliant light. Grace would sooner the light had been +dim, for +she was hot and her clothes were torn and wet with dew. Besides, she +must tell +her tale and admit that she had not played a heroic part.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Where's Barbara?" Mrs. Cartwright asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know. Harry Vernon did not meet us and we +started +home by the loggers' trail. I lost Barbara by the pool. Something in +the bush +tried to creep up to us; a wolf, I think—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, shucks!" remarked a frank Winnipeg girl who +did not like Miss Hyslop. "In summer, you can't find a wolf south of +Broken Range. Looks as if you were scared for nothing, but I can't see +why Barbara +didn't beat you at hitting up the pace."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Others asked questions, and when Grace got breath +she tried +to satisfy their curiosity. Some of the group looked thoughtful and +Mrs. Vernon +said:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Nothing can have hurt Barbara, and if she has +lost her +way, she cannot wander far, because she must be in the loop between the +river +and the lake. But Harry did go to meet you, and when he found you had +not come +back went off again with Bob. I expect they'll soon arrive with +Barbara."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They waited for half-an-hour, and then, when the +splash of +paddles stole out of the dark, ran down to the beach. Presently a +double-ended +bateau crossed the beam of light and grounded. A young man helped +Barbara out +and gave her his arm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You mustn't bother, Harry. I can walk all right," +she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Get hold," said Vernon. "You're not going to +walk. If you're obstinate, I'll carry you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara leaned upon his arm, but her color was +high and her +look strained when he helped her across the stones. Harry Vernon was a +tall, +thin, wiry Canadian, with a quiet face. When he got to the tent he +opened the +curtain, and beckoning Mrs. Cartwright, pushed Barbara inside.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You'll give her some supper, ma'am, and I'll +chase the +others off," he said. "The little girl's tired and mustn't be +disturbed."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a grateful look and the blood +came to his +sunburned skin.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am a little tired," she declared, and added, +too quietly for Mrs. Cartwright to hear: "You're a white man."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon pulled the curtain across, and joining the +others, +lighted a cigarette.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The girls stopped at False Point, two miles short +of +the spot we fixed," he said. "I reckon Bob's directions were not +plain enough. Since we didn't come along, they started back by the +loggers' +trail, while we went to look for them by the other track. At the pool, +they +thought they heard a wolf. That's so, Miss Hyslop?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes," said Grace. "I ran away and thought I +heard Barbara following. But what happened afterwards?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She fell. Hurt her foot, had to stop, and then +couldn't make good time. We found her limping along, and shoved through +the +bush for the river, so she needn't walk. Well, I think that's all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was plausible, but Grace was not altogether +satisfied. +Moreover, she imagined Vernon was not, and noted that Mrs. Vernon gave +him a +thoughtful glance. All the same, there was nothing to be said, and she +went to +her tent.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At daybreak Vernon left the camp, and when he +reached the +pool walked round its edge and then sat down and lighted his pipe. A +few yards +in front, a number of faint marks were printed on a belt of sand. By +and by he +heard steps, and frowned when Winter came out from an opening in the +row of +trunks. They were friends, and Bob was a very good sort, but Vernon +would sooner +he had stopped away.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hallo!" he said. "Why have you come +along?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I lost my hunting-knife," Winter replied. +"It was hooked to my belt and I thought the clip let go when we helped +Miss Hyslop over the big log. A bully knife; I wanted to find the +thing." +He paused and smiled when he resumed: "I reckon you pulled out of camp +to +meditate?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon hesitated. Had Winter stopped a few yards +off, he +would have begun some banter and drawn him away from the pool. Bob was +a +woodsman and his eyes were keen. The sun was, however, rising behind +the pines +and a beam of light touched the sand. There was no use in trying to +hide the +marks. In fact, Vernon imagined Bob had seen them.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," he said. "I thought I'd try to trail +the wolf Miss Hyslop talked about."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Looks as if you'd found some tracks," Winter +remarked. "Well, they're not a wolf's." He sat down opposite Vernon. "A +man's! I saw another at a soft spot. He followed the girls from the +lake and +stopped for some time. I allow I reckoned on something like that."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon made an experiment. "Might have been a +packer +going to a logging camp, or perhaps an Indian."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Shucks!" said Winter, although he gave Vernon a +sympathetic smile. "There are no Indians about the lake and packers' +boots +don't make marks like those. A city boot and a city man! A fellow who's +wise to +the bush lifts his feet. Anyhow, I reckon he doesn't belong to your +crowd."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A sure thing!" Vernon agreed. "I can fix +where all the boys were. Besides, if somebody in our lot had wanted to +talk to +Miss Hyslop, he wouldn't have hung around in the woods. My mother's +pretty +fastidious about her guests. Well, I'll own up the thing bothers me."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Winter nodded. Harry was frank and honest, and Bob +imagined +he had felt Barbara Hyslop's charm. He was sorry for Harry. The thing +was +awkward.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What are you going to do about it?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"To begin with, I'm going to hide these tracks. +After +all, I don't see much light. I suppose I ought to tell my mother and +put Mrs. +Cartwright wise; but I won't. Spying on a girl and telling is mean. All +the +same, I'm surely bothered. In a sense, my mother's accountable for her +guests +and the girl's nice. I'd like it if I could talk to the man."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Nothing doing there; he'll watch out. Well, we'll +hide +up his tracks and look for my knife. D'you think Grace Hyslop knew the +job was +put up?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't," said Vernon dryly. "I reckon she +was puzzled, but that's all. You couldn't persuade Miss Hyslop her +sister liked +adventures in the dark. Anyhow, the thing's done with. We have got to +let it +go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They went off and Winter pondered. Harry had got +something +of a knock. Perhaps he was taking the proper line; anyhow, it was the +line +Harry would take, but Bob doubted. The girl was very young and the man +who met +her in the dark was obviously a wastrel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When they returned for breakfast Barbara had +joined the +others and wore soft Indian moccasins. Bob looked at Harry and +understood his +frown. Harry had played up when he helped her home, but he, no doubt, +thought +the game ought to stop. Bob wondered whether Barbara knew, because she +turned +her head when Harry advanced.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After breakfast, Mrs. Vernon, carrying a small +bottle, +joined Mrs. Cartwright's party under the pines outside the tent. The +dew was +drying and the water shone like a mirror, but it was cool in the shade. +Barbara +occupied a camp-chair and rested her foot on a stone, Mrs. Cartwright +knitted, +and Grace studied a philosophical book. Her rule was to cultivate her +mind for +a fixed time every day. Harry Vernon strolled up to the group and Mrs. +Cartwright put down her knitting.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're kind, but the child's obstinate and won't +let +me see her foot," she said to Mrs. Vernon.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's comfortable now," Barbara remarked. +"When something that hurt you stops hurting I think it's better to +leave +it alone. Besides, one doesn't want to bother people."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You won't bother me, and I'll fix your foot in +two or +three minutes so it won't hurt again," Mrs. Vernon declared. "The +elixir's +famous and I haven't known it to miss. I always carry some when we camp +in the +woods." She turned to her son. "Tell Barbara how soon I cured you +when you hurt your arm."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You want to burn Miss Hyslop with the elixir?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It doesn't burn much. You said you hardly felt +it, and +soon after I rubbed your arm the pain was gone."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Harry glanced at Barbara and saw she was +embarrassed, +although her mouth was firm. Since she did not mean to let Mrs. Vernon +examine +her supposititious injury, his business was to help, and he laughed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Miss Hyslop's skin is not like my tough hide. You +certainly fixed my arm, but it was a drastic cure, and I think Miss +Hyslop +ought to refuse. I try to indulge you, like a dutiful son, but you are +not her +mother."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am her mother and she will not indulge me," +Mrs. Cartwright remarked with languid grievance, and Barbara gave Harry +a quick, +searching glance. His face was inscrutable, but she wondered how much +he knew. +She felt shabby and ashamed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When Mrs. Vernon went off with the elixir, Harry +sat down.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you could bring Mr. Cartwright out, I might +persuade my father to come along," he said. "The old man likes +Cartwright; declares he's a sport."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He is a ship-owner." Grace remarked. "I +think he used to shoot, but it's some time since."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Harry looked at Barbara and his eyes twinkled. +"American English isn't Oxford English, but your people are beginning +to +use it and Miss Barbara learns fast. All the same, running the +Independent +Freighters is quite a sporting proposition, and I imagine Mr. +Cartwright +generally makes good. The old man and I would back him to put over an +awkward +deal every time."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My husband is a good business man," Mrs. +Cartwright agreed. "But you belong to Winnipeg and I understand his +business is at Montreal."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The steamship <i>Conference</i> understood +something +like that, until Cartwright put them wise. You see, we Western people +grow the +wheat that goes down the lakes, and when the <i>Conference</i> got to +know an +Independent boat was coming out they went round and offered Montreal +shippers +and brokers a drawback on the rates. That is, if the shippers gave them +all +their stuff, they'd meet their bills for a rebate some time afterwards. +Bully +for the shippers, but it left the Western men, who raised the wheat, in +the +cold. Well, while the <i>Conference</i> got after him at Montreal, +Cartwright +came West and booked all the grain he could load before it started off. +When +the <i>Conference</i> got wise, the cargo was in the Independent +freighter's +hold. Cartwright's surely a business man."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara laughed and Mrs. Cartwright languidly +agreed, but +Grace frowned. Although she did not approve Cartwright, he was the head +of her +house, and to know his clever tricks were something of a joke hurt her +dignity. +Harry saw her frown.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Anyhow, Cartwright's promise stands," he resumed. +"If he ran his boat across half empty, he'd make good. You can trust +him."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off and Barbara mused unhappily. She +thought Harry +had talked to help her over an awkward moment, and she was grateful but +disturbed. It looked as if he knew something and he might know much. +All the +same, when he talked about her step-father she agreed. Cartwright was +bold and +clever, and, although he was sometimes not very scrupulous, people did +trust +him. Barbara wished she had his cleverness and his talent for removing +obstacles. There were obstacles in her path and the path was dark. Yet +she had +promised to take it and must make good. She tried to banish her doubts +and +began to talk.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After lunch she allowed one of the party to help +her on +board a canoe. The afternoon was calm, and the light breeze that now +and then +sighed in the pine-tops hardly ruffled the shining water. In the +evening, when +the straight trunks cut against a blaze of gold and green, they sat by +a smudge +fire that kept off the mosquitoes and sang to an accompaniment of +banjos and +mandolins. Barbara sang with the others, but it cost her an effort. The +tranquil day was nearly done and she felt it was the last tranquillity +she +might know for long. Her companions were frank and kind, Canadians, but +her +sort, and she was going to make a bold plunge with another who was not. +Yet she +knew one could not rebel for nothing, and she had pluck. The light +faded behind +the trees, a loon's wild cry rang across the dark water, and the party +went to +bed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning Grace awoke Mrs. Cartwright quietly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Barbara is gone," she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ridiculous!" said Mrs. Cartwright.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She is gone. Her clothes are not about; but we +must be +calm and not disturb the camp. Mrs. Vernon ought to know, but nobody +else. You +see, it's important—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright saw, and a few minutes afterwards +her +hostess knew.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's plain I must give Harry my confidence, to +some +extent," Mrs. Vernon said, and went to look for her son.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She found him going off for a swim, and when she +told her +tale he frowned.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"In a way, perhaps, I'm accountable, but we'll +talk +about this again," he said. "Get Mrs. Cartwright on board the launch +and come along yourself. As soon as Bob's inside his clothes we'll +start."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But Bob—" Mrs. Vernon began.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Bob <i>knows</i>, and I'll need a partner. If +Miss +Hyslop didn't leave the settlement on the night express, she'll be +hitting the +trail through the woods for the United States. You must hustle."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Vernon left him, and a few minutes afterwards +the fast +motor launch swung out from the landing and sped down river with a +white wave +at her bows. Grace watched the boat vanish behind a wooded point and +then went +to her tent. She was horribly angry and shocked. Barbara had cheated +her and +disgraced them all.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085256">CHAPTER IV</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085257">THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Vancouver express was running in the dark +through the +woods west of Fort William. After the rain of early summer, wash-outs +that +undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed. Now, +however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive +with +throttle wide open. Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders +rattled on +the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows. The wheels +roared on +shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for +the +company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by +metal.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">This was George Lister's business, and he lounged +in a +corner of a smoking-compartment, and rather drowsily studied some +calculations. +He was bound West from Montreal, and in the morning would resume his +labors at +a construction camp. There was much to be done and the construction +bosses who +had sent for him were getting impatient.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's thoughts wandered from the figures. He +liked his +occupation and admitted that he had been lucky, but began to see he had +gone as +far as he could expect to go. The trouble was, he had not enjoyed the +scientific training that distinguished the men who got important posts. +His +mechanical career began in the engine-room of a wheat-boat on the +lakes, and he +had entered the railroad company's service when shipping was bad and +steamers +were laid up. Although he had studied for a term or two at McGill +University, +he knew his drawbacks. Sometimes promotion was given for merit, but for +the +most part the men who made progress came from technical colleges and +famous +engineering works.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">An accident in the ranges on the Pacific slope, +when a +mountain locomotive jumped the track and plunged down a precipitous +hillside, +gave Lister his first chance. He got the locomotive back to the line, +and being +rewarded by a better post, stubbornly pushed himself nearer the front. +Now, +however, it looked as if he must stop. Rules were not often relaxed in +favor of +men who had no highly-placed friends. Yet Lister wondered.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Not long since, a gentleman whose word carried +some weight +at the company's office had visited the construction camp with his +indulged +daughter. The girl was clever, adventurous, and interested by pioneer +work, and +Lister had helped her to some thrills she obviously enjoyed. She had, +with his +guidance, driven a locomotive across a shaking, half-braced bridge, +fired a +heavy blasting shot, and caught big gray trout from his canoe. Although +Lister +used some reserve, their friendship ripened, and when she left she +hinted she +had some power she might be willing to use on his behalf.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">All the same, Lister was proud. The girl belonged +to a +circle he could not enter, and if he got promotion, it must be by his +merits. +He was not the man to get forward by intrigue and the clever use of a +woman's +influence; he had no talent for that kind of thing. He let it go, and +tried to +concentrate on his calculations.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by the colored porter stopped to tell him +his berth +was fixed and the passengers were going to bed. Lister nodded, put up +his +papers, and then lighted a cigarette. The smoking-compartment was hot, +the +light the rocking lamp threw about had hurt his eyes, and he thought he +would +go out on the platform for a few minutes.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went. The draught that swept the gap between +the cars was +bracing and cool. There was a moon, he saw water shine and dark pines +stream +past. The snorting of the locomotive broke in a measured beat through +the roll +of wheels; the rocks threw back confused echoes about the clanging +cars. Then +the gleam among the trees got wider and Lister knew they were nearing a +trestle +that crossed an arm of a lake. In fact, he had wondered whether he +would be +sent to pull down the bridge and rebuild it with steel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He sat down on the little box-seat, with his back +against +the door. The platform had not the new guards the company was then +fitting; +there was an opening in the rails, and one could go down the steps when +the +train was running. The moonlight touched the back of the car in front, +but +Lister was in the gloom, and when the vestibule door opposite opened he +was +annoyed. If somebody wanted to go through the train, he must get up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A girl came out of the other car and seizing the +rails +looked down. She was in the light, and Lister remarked that she did not +wear +traveling clothes; he thought her small, knitted cap, short dress, and +loose +jacket indicated that she had come from a summer camp. Then she turned +her head +and he saw her face was rather white and her look was strained. It was +obvious +that something had disturbed her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The girl did not see him, and while he wondered +whether he +ought to get up she put her foot on the step and leaned out, as if she +weighed +the possibility of jumping off. She swung back when the cars lurched +round a +curve, and the measured roll of wheels changed to a sharp, broken din. +The +train was running on to the trestle and Lister saw the water shine +below the +platform. He got up, and moving quietly, seized the girl's arm and +pulled her +from the rails.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A jolt might throw you off," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She looked up with a start and the blood came to +her skin, +but she gave him a quick, searching glance. Lister was athletic, his +face was +bronzed by frost and sun, and his look was frank. She lowered her eyes +and her +color faded.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Does the train stop soon?" she asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If the engineer's lucky, we won't stop until he +makes +the next water-tank, and it's some distance."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She turned with a quick, nervous movement and +glanced at the +door. Lister imagined she was afraid somebody might come out.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Could one persuade or bribe the conductor to pull +up?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister hesitated. He knew the train gang and was a +railroad boss, +but the company was spending a large sum in order to cut down the +time-schedule +and somebody must account for all delay.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not. You see, unless there's a washout or +the +track is blocked, nothing is allowed to stop the Vancouver express."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The girl glanced at the door again and then gave +him an +appealing look.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But I must get off! I oughtn't to have come on +board. +I want to go East, towards Montreal, and not to Winnipeg."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Although he was not romantic, Lister was moved. +She was very +young and her distress was obvious. Somehow he felt her grounds for +wanting to +leave the train were good. Indeed, he rather thought she had meant to +jump off +had they not run on to the bridge. Yet for him to stop the express +would be +ridiculous; the conductor and engineer would pay for his meddling. With +quiet +firmness he pulled the girl farther from the opening of the rails.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We stop long before we get to Winnipeg," he said +soothingly. "Then it's possible we'll be held up by a blocked track. +Wash-outs are pretty numerous on this piece of line. However, if we do +stop and +you get down, you'll be left in the woods."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh!" she said, "that's not important! All I +want is to get off."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," said Lister. "If we are held up, +I'll look for you. But I don't know if the jolting platform is very +safe. +Hadn't you better go back to your car?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She gave him a quick glance and he thought she +braced +herself.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm not going back. I can't. It's impossible!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister was curious, but hesitated about trying to +satisfy +his curiosity. The girl was afraid of somebody, and, seeing no other +help, she +trusted him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, you had better come with me and I'll find +you a +berth where you won't be disturbed," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She followed him with a confidence he thought +moving, and +when they met the conductor he took the man aside.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That's all right," said the other. "Nobody's +going to bother her while I'm about."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister returned to the smoking-compartment, but +the +adventure had given him a pleasant thrill and he did not feel sleepy. +He got +out his calculations and tried to interest himself until a man entered +the car. +The fellow was rather handsome and his clothes were good, but Lister +thought he +looked perplexed. He gave Lister a keen glance and went on through the +car. +Some minutes afterwards, he came back, frowning savagely, stopped in +front of +Lister, as if he meant to speak, hesitated, and went out by the +vestibule.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was plain the fellow had gone to look for the +girl and +had not found her. The conductor had seen to that. Lister smiled, but +admitted +that the thing was puzzling. The man was older than the girl, although +he was +not old enough to be her father. If he were her husband, she would not +have run +away from him, and it did not look as if he were her lover. Lister saw +no +light, but since it was obvious she feared the man he resolved, if +possible, to +help her to escape.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Some time afterwards, the whistle pierced the roll +of +wheels, and Lister, going to the platform, saw a big electric head-lamp +shine +like a star. The cars were slowing and he imagined the operator had +tried to +run a construction train across the section before the express came up. +They +would probably stop for a minute at the intersection of the main and +side +tracks. Hurrying through the train, Lister found the conductor, who +look him to +a curtained berth, and the girl got down. She was dressed and wore her +knitted +cap.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you are resolved to go, I may be able to help +you +off," Lister said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I must go," she replied, and although Lister +remarked that her hands trembled as she smoothed her crumpled dress, +her voice +was steady.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," he said. "Come along."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he opened the vestibule door the train was +stopping and +the beam from a standing locomotive's head-lamp flooded the track with +dazzling +light. For a moment the girl hesitated, but when Lister went down the +steps she +gave him her hand and jumped. Lister felt her tremble and was himself +conscious +of some excitement. He did not know if he was rash or not, but since +she meant +to go, speed was important, because the man from whom she wanted to +escape +might see them on the line. He went to the waiting engine in front of a +long +row of ballast cars, on which a big gravel plough loomed faintly in the +dark.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Who's on board?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A man he knew looked out from the cab window.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hallo, Mr. Lister! I'm on board with Jake. We're +going +to Malcolm cut for gravel. Washout's mixed things; operator reckoned he +could +rush us through—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you'll stop and get water at the tank," +Lister interrupted. "Will you make it before the East-bound comes +along?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We ought to make it half-an-hour ahead. Wires all +right that way. Nothing's on the road."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister turned to the girl. "If you're going East +you +must buy a new ticket at Malcolm. Have you money?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have some—" she said and stopped, and +Lister imagined she had not until then thought about money and had not +much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You'll take this lady to Malcolm, Roberts, and +put her +down where she can get to the station," he said to the engineer. +"Nobody will see you have a passenger, but if the agent's curious, I'll +fix +the thing with him."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was breaking rules, but the man knew Lister, +and Lister +knew he could be trusted. He took some bills from his wallet, and as he +helped +the girl up the steps pushed the paper into her hand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She turned to the cab door, and Lister imagined +she was +hardly conscious of the money he had given her. Her color was high but +her look +indicated keen relief.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh!" she said, "I owe you much! You don't +know all you have done. I will not forget—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Somebody waved a lantern, a whistle shrieked, and +the +locomotive bell began to toll. Lister jumped back and seized the rails +above +the platform steps as the car lurched forward. They moved faster, the +beam of +the head-lamp faded, and the train rolled on into the dark.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085258">CHAPTER V</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085259">SHILLITO GETS AWAY</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">When the train started Lister did not go to his +berth. His +curiosity was excited and he wondered whether he had been rash. Now he +came to +think about it, the girl was attractive, and perhaps this to some +extent +accounted for his willingness to help. Moreover she was young, and it +was +possible her relations had put her in the man's control. If so, his +meddling +could not be justified.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After a time he heard the whistle, and imagined +the train +was going to stop at a small station to which mails were brought from +some mining +camps. The neighboring country was rugged and lonely, but a trail ran +south +through the woods to the American frontier. When the cars stopped he +pushed +down the window and looked out.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Small trees grew along the track and the light +from the cars +touched their branches. The line was checkered by illuminated patches +and belts +of gloom. Lister heard somebody open the baggage car and then saw a man +run +along the line beside the train. Another jumped off a platform and they +met not +far from Lister's window. The man who got down was the fellow who had +gone +through the car looking for the girl. The locomotive pump throbbed +noisily and +Lister could not hear their talk, but he thought they argued.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The one who came up the line looked impatient and +put his +hand on his companion's arm, as if to urge him away. The other stepped +back, +and his gesture implied that he refused to go. The train was long, the +passengers were asleep, and the men, no doubt, imagined nobody saw +them. Lister +thought the fellow who got down did not know the girl was gone and did +not mean +to leave the train without her. The light touched the men's faces, and +it was +obvious that one was angry and the other disturbed. The scene intrigued +Lister. +It was like watching an act in a cinema play of which one did not know +the +plot.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After a minute or two a lantern flashed up the +track, the +bell tolled, and the nearer man jumped back on the step. Lister heard a +vestibule door shut and then the throb of wheels began. The fellow on +the line +frowned and threw out his hands angrily. From the movement of his lips +Lister +thought he swore, but the car rolled past him and he melted into the +dark.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister went to his berth, but did not undress. +Much of the +night had gone, he would reach his camp soon after daybreak, and the +train +would only stop long enough for him to jump off. He could sleep in his +clothes +for an hour or two. A slackening of the roll of wheels wakened him and +he got +out of his berth, but the big lamps were burning and when he went to +the door +he saw dawn had not come. It was obvious they had not reached the +construction +camp. Lister shivered, and was returning to his berth when the +conductor opened +the door.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Our luck's surely not good to-night," he said. +"They're pulling us up at Maple. If it's not a washout, somebody will +get +fired."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off, grumbling, but when the train stopped +came back +with a trooper of the North-West Mounted Police.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Where's the guy you told me to watch out for?" he +asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said he did not know and offered to go with +them and +help find the man. It looked as if he were going to see the end of the +play.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When they opened a vestibule door a man came out +of the car +in front and stopped, as if he were dazzled by the beam from the +conductor's +lifted lamp.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That's the fellow," Lister shouted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He thought the other saw the trooper's uniform, +because he +stepped back quickly. The door, however, was shut. When he let go the +handle +the spring-bolt had engaged.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Nothing doing that way!" said the trooper. +"My partner's coming along behind you; you're corraled all right. I've +a +warrant for you, Louis Shillito."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The North-West Police work in couples and the +situation was +plain. One trooper had begun his search at the front of the train, the +other at +the back, and Shillito, hearing the first turn the passengers out of +their +berths, had tried to steal away and met the other. His face got +strangely +white, but Lister thought it was rather with rage than fear. His lips +drew back +in a snarl, and the veins swelled on his forehead. He occupied the +center of +the illuminated circle thrown by the conductor's lamp, and his savage +gaze was +fixed. Lister saw he was not looking at the policeman but at him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Blast you!" Shillito shouted. "If you hadn't +butted in—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Cut it out!" said the trooper. "Hands up; we've +got you! Don't make trouble."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito's hand went behind him. It was possible +he felt for +the door knob, but the trooper meant to run no risks. Although he had +put down +his rifle and taken out his handcuffs, he jumped forward, across the +platform, +and Shillito bent sideways to avoid his spring. The fellow was athletic +and his +quick side-movement indicated he was something of a boxer; the +policeman was +embarrassed by his handcuffs and young. Shillito seized him and threw +him +against the rails, close to the gap where the steps went down. The +trooper +gasped, his grasp got slack, and his body slipped along the rails. It +looked as +if Shillito would throw him down the steps, and Lister jumped.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He saw Shillito's hand go up and next moment got a +heavy +blow. For all that, he seized the man and held on, though blood ran +into his +eyes and he felt dizzy. Shillito struggled like a savage animal and +Lister +imagined the trooper did not help much. He got his arms round his +antagonist +and tried to pull him down; Shillito was trying to reach the opening in +the +rails. After a moment or two, Lister felt his muscles getting slack, +lurched +forward, and saw nothing in front. He plunged out from the gap, struck +a step +with his foot, and somebody fell on him. Then he thought he heard a +rifle-shot, +and knew nothing more.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by somebody pulled him to his feet and he +saw the +conductor holding his arm. A group of excited passengers stood round +them in +the light that shone from the train and some others ran along the edge +of the woods. +The trooper and Shillito were gone.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's head hurt, he felt shaky, and when he +wiped his +face his hand was wet with blood.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My head's cut. S'pose I hit something when I +fell," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Shillito socked it to you pretty good," the +conductor replied, and waved his lamp. "All aboard!" he shouted, and +pushed Lister up the steps.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When they reached the platform the car jolted and +Lister sat +down, with his back against the door.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My legs won't hold me," he said in an apologetic +voice. "Did Shillito get off?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Knocked out the trooper and made the bush; the +other +fellow was way back along the train," the conductor replied. "They +want him for embezzlement and will soon get on his trail, but the +wash-out's +broke the wires and I reckon he'll cross the frontier ahead. Now you +come along +and I'll try to fix your cut."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister went, and soon after a porter helped him +into his +berth. His head hurt and he felt very dull and slack, but he slept and +when he +woke bright sunshine streamed into the standing car and he saw the +train had +stopped at Winnipeg. Soon afterwards the conductor and one of the +station +officials put him into an automobile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If the reporters get after you, remember you're +not to +talk about the girl," he said to the conductor.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other nodded, and signed the driver to start. +The car +rolled off and stopped at the house of a doctor who dressed the cut on +Lister's +head and ordered him a week's rest. Lister went to a hotel, and in the +morning +found a romantic narrative of Shillito's escape in the newspaper, but +was +relieved to note that nothing was said about the girl. The report, +however, +stated that a passenger who tried to help the police had got badly hurt +and +Shillito had vanished in the woods. The police had not found his trail +and it +was possible he would reach the American frontier.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister thought the thing was done with, and when a +letter +arrived from the construction office, telling him to stay until he felt +able to +resume his work, resigned himself to rather dreary idleness. For some +days his +head ached and he could not go out; the other guests were engaged in +the city +and there was nobody to whom he could talk. He got badly bored, and it +was a +relief when one afternoon the gentleman he had met at the construction +camp +arrived with his daughter. For all that, Lister was surprised. Duveen +was a man +of some importance, Miss Duveen was a fashionable young lady, and +Lister had +imagined they had forgotten him. He took his guests to a corner of the +spacious +rotunda where a throbbing electric fan blew away the flies, and Duveen +gave him +a cigarette.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The <i>Record</i> did not give your name, but we +soon +found out who was the plucky passenger," he said with a friendly smile. +"Ruth thought she'd like to see you, and since I wasn't engaged this +afternoon we came along."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did want to come, but I really think you +proposed +the visit," Ruth remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Duveen, "I don't know if +it's important, but perhaps we oughtn't to make Mr. Lister talk."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister declared he wanted to talk, and Duveen said +presently, "I don't see why you butted in."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For a moment or two Lister hesitated. He was +resolved to say +nothing about the girl; it was obvious she would not like her adventure +known, +but he must be cautious. Duveen was clever, and he thought Miss Duveen +gave him +a curious glance.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The trooper was young and I sympathized with his +keenness. Looked as if it was his first important job and he meant to +make +good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A romantic impulse?" Duveen remarked, and +laughed. "Well, when one is young, I expect it's hard to stand off +while a +fight's going on. All the same, it's strange you didn't sympathize with +the +fellow who was corraled. That's youth's natural instinct, although I +allow it's +not often justified."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The trooper was corraled. He'd put down his rifle +and +Shillito had a gun; I reckon it was the sharp butt of a heavy automatic +that +cut my head. Then I didn't like the fellow; he'd come through the train +before +and looked a smart crook."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He is a crook and got away with a big wad of the +lumber firm's money. However, you were rash to jump for a man with a +pistol. +You didn't know he'd use the butt. All the same, you look brighter than +we +thought and can take a rest. I expect the construction office won't +rush you +back until you're fit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I want to get back. Loafing round the hotel is +dreary +and my job's not getting on. Although I'm ordered to lie off, this +won't count +for much. I'll be made accountable for getting behind."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Duveen said nothing for a moment or two, but he +looked +thoughtful, and Lister imagined Miss Duveen studied him quietly. He did +not +belong to the Duveens' circle; he was ruder. In fact, it was rather +strange to +see these people sitting with him, engaged in friendly talk, although, +now he +thought about it, Miss Duveen had not said much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She was a pretty girl and Lister liked her +fashionable +dress. Somehow Ruth Duveen harmonized with the tall pillars and rich +ornamentation of the rotunda. One felt she belonged to spacious rooms. +Duveen's +clothes were in quiet taste, he wore a big diamond, and looked +commanding. One felt +this was a man whose word carried weight.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're something of a hustler," he remarked with +a smile. "For all that, you got a nasty knock, and your quitting for a +time is justified. Well, if you feel lonesome, come along and dine at +our +hotel. Then we'll go and see the American opera. I'm told the show is +good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister made some excuses, but Duveen would not be +refused.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When we stopped at your camp you made things +smooth +for us. You gave Ruth some thrills, showed her the romance of +track-grading, +and generally helped her to a good time. Anyhow, the thing is fixed. +We'll send +the car for you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They went off soon afterwards, and Lister mused +and smoked. +He had hardly expected to meet the Duveens again and wondered whether +he owed +the visit to Ruth or her father; he had remarked at the camp that she +was +generally indulged. Well, it was plain Duveen could help him and Lister +was +ambitious, but he frowned and pulled himself up. He was not going to +intrigue +for promotion and use a girl's friendship in order to force his chiefs +to see +his merits. Things like that were done, but not by him; it demanded +qualities he +did not think were his. Moreover he did not know if Ruth Duveen was his +friend. +She was attractive, but he imagined she was clever. All the same, if he +could +get the doctor to fix his bandage so as to make it inconspicuous he +would dine +with the Duveens.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085260">CHAPTER VI</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085261"></a>WINNIPEG BEACH</h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was +moved by the +music and the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking +crowd. +For the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew +were +rude. His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept +alkali +plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods. From daybreak until dusk +fell, +hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers filled his +ears, +and often the uproar did not stop at dark. When a soft muskeg swallowed +the new +track, he must watch, by the flaring blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw +showers +of gravel from the ballast cars.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Labor and concentration had left their mark. +Lister's +muscles were hard, but his body and face were thin. He looked +fine-drawn and +alert; his talk was direct and quick. As a rule, his skin was brown, +but now +the brown was gone, and the lines on his face were deeper. His injury +accounted +for something and he felt the reaction from a strain he had hardly +noted while +it must be borne. Although he had not altogether hidden his bandage and +his +clothes were not the latest fashion, Ruth Duveen was satisfied. Somehow +he +looked a finer type than the business men in the neighboring stalls. +One felt +the man's clean virility and got a hint of force.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister was highly strung. The music stirred his +imagination, +and when the curtain went down the light and glitter, the perfume that +drifted +about, the women's dress, and the society of his attractive companion +gave him +a curious thrill. He began to see he had missed much; ambitions that +had forced +him to struggle for scope to use fresh efforts took another turn. Life +was not +all labor. Ruth Duveen had enlightened him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He studied her. She had grace and charm; it was +much to +enjoy, for one evening, the society of a girl like this. Duveen went +off +between the acts to meet his friends, but Ruth stopped and talked. Her +smile +was gracious and Lister let himself go. He told her about adventures on +the +track and asked about her life in the cities. Perhaps it was strange, +but she +did not look bored, and when the curtain went down for the last time he +felt a +pang. The evening was gone and in a day or two he must resume his labor +in the +wilds. Lister did not cheat himself; he knew the strange, romantic +excitement +he had indulged would not be his again. When they went down the passage +Ruth +gave him a smiling glance and saw his mouth was firm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You look rather tired," she said. "Have we +tired you?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister turned and his eyes were thoughtful. She +had stopped +to fasten her cloak, and the people pushing by forced her to his side. +An +electric lamp burned overhead and her beauty moved him. He noted the +heavy +coils of her dark hair, her delicate color, and the grace of her form.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm not at all tired," he said. "I feel +remarkably braced and keen, as if I'd waked up from sleep. In fact, I +think I +have awakened."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Ruth laughed. She saw he was not smiling and his +graveness +gave her a sense of power. He had owned, with typical frankness, that +she had +moved him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes to wake up suddenly gives one a jolt," +she said. "However, you will soon get calm again in the woods."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He sensed something provocative and challenging in +her +voice, but he would not play up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wonder—" he said quietly. "In a way, +the proper line's to go to sleep again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes one dreams! I expect you dream about +locomotives breaking through trestles and dump-cars plunging into +muskegs?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He laughed. "They're things I know, and safe to +dream +about. All the same, I rather expect I'll be haunted by lights and +music, +pretty dresses and faces—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He stopped, and Ruth remarked: "If these have +charm, +there are no very obvious grounds for your going without. You can +command a +locomotive and Winnipeg's not very far from your camp. But we're +stopping the +people, and I can't fix this clasp."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She moved, and the opera cloak fell back from her +arm, which +was uncovered but for the filmy sleeve that reached a little below the +shoulder. He noted its fine curves and the silky smoothness of her +skin. +Although he fastened the clasp with a workman's firm touch, he +thrilled. Then +the crowd forced them on and they found Duveen waiting by the car. When +they +stopped at Lister's hotel Ruth said, "We are going to Winnipeg Beach, +Saturday. Would you like to come?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Duveen nodded. "A happy thought! I've got to talk +to +some business people who make Ruth tired. If you come along, I needn't +bother +about her."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That's how one's father argues!" Ruth exclaimed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister hesitated. "I was told to lie off because I +was +hurt. If I'm fit to enjoy an excursion, I'm fit to work."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're too scrupulous, young man. Have a good +time +when it's possible, or you'll be sorry afterwards. I reckon you're +justified to +take all the company will give."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It was caution, not scruples. Suppose I meet one +of +the railroad chiefs?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll fix him," Duveen rejoined. "Your bosses +won't get after you when you belong to my party. Anyhow, we'll look out +for +you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The car rolled off, and Lister, going to the +rotunda, +lighted a cigarette and mused. Ruth Duveen had beauty, he liked her but +must +use caution, since he imagined the friendship she had given him was +something +of an indulged girl's caprice. Then he began to think about the girl he +had met +on board the train. Now he was able, undisturbed, to draw her picture, +he saw +she, too, had charm, but she was not at all like Ruth. The strange +thing was, +one did not note if she were beautiful or not. In a way, this did not +matter; +her pluck and firmness fixed one's interest.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister threw away his cigarette. He was poor and +not +romantic. The girl he had helped had vanished, and after their +excursion he +hardly expected to see Ruth again. Ruth was kind, but she would soon +forget him +when he was gone. He would go to Winnipeg Beach with her, and then +return to +the woods and let his job absorb him. In the meantime, his head had +begun to +ache and he went to bed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Saturday morning was typical of Winnipeg in +summer. The +fresh northwest breeze that sweeps the Manitoba plains had dropped. +Dark +thunder-clouds rolled about the sky, but the sun was hot and an +enervating +humidity brooded over the town. The perspiring crowd in Main Street +moved +slackly, the saloon bars were full, and the groups of holiday-makers +flocking +to the station wore a languid look.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister met his hosts in the marble waiting hall +where a +gold-framed panorama of Canadian scenery closes the view between the +rows of +stately pillars. Duveen had brought three or four keen-eyed, nervous +business +men, a rather imposing lady, and Ruth, and they got on board a local +train soon +after Lister arrived. Winnipeg Beach was then beginning to attract +holiday-makers from the prairie town. One could row and fish in +sheltered bays, +and adventure on board a gasoline launch into the northern wilds. +Boating, +however, had no charm for Duveen's friends. The excursion was an +opportunity +for friendly business talk, and when lunch was over Ruth and Lister +went out on +the lawn in front of the hotel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">There was no wind. A few dark clouds floated +motionless +overhead, but outside their shadow the lake shone like glass, running +back +until it melted into faint reflections on the horizon. A varnished +launch +flashed in the sun and trailed a long white wake across the water.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Do you want to stay and talk to Mrs. Knapp?" Ruth +asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I do not," said Lister. "Anyhow, I imagine +Mrs. Knapp doesn't want to talk to me. I'm not a big-business man."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Ruth laughed. "Oh, well, when you speculate at the +Board of Trade, a railroad engineer is not a useful friend. I suppose I +ought +to stay, but the things one ought to do are tiresome. Let's go on the +lake."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister got a canoe, and fixing a cushion for Ruth, +picked up +the paddle.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Where shall we go?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"North, as far as you can. Let's get away from the +boats and trippers and imagine we're back in the woods where you helped +me +catch the big gray trout."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you liked it at the construction camp?" +Lister remarked. "It was a pretty rude spot."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For an indulged city girl?" Ruth said, smiling. +"Well, perhaps I'd got all the satisfaction dinner parties and dances +and +the society at hotels can give. I knew the men who handle finance and +work the +wires behind the scenes, but I wanted to know the others who do the +strenuous +things and keep the country going. I came, and you helped me to +understand the +romance of the lakes and woods."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister did not remember if he had tried to do so +and thought +he had not. All the same, the girl was keen and interested. In summer, +it was +not hard to feel the lonely sheets of water and tangled bush were +touched by +romance. Then, perhaps, everybody felt at times a vague longing for the +rude +and primitive. But he was not a philosopher, and dipping the paddle, he +drove +the canoe across the tranquil lake.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, he imagined Ruth studied him with +quiet +amusement, and wondered whether she thought he was not playing up. He +did not +mean to play up; the game was intricate, and, if he were rash, might +cost him +much. He had taken off his hat and jacket and effort had brought back +the color +to his skin. His thin face had the clean bronze tint of an Indian's; +the soft +shirt showed the fine-drawn lines of his athletic figure; but Lister +was not +conscious of this. He knew his drawbacks, but not all his advantages.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he had gone some distance and the hotel and +houses +began to melt into the background, he stopped and let the canoe drift.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"How far shall we go?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Ruth indicated a rocky point, cut off by the +glimmering reflection, +that seemed to float above the horizon.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Let's see what is on the other side. Now and then +one +wants to know. Exploration's intriguing. Don't you think so?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes; in a practical sense. When a height of +land +cuts the landscape, I wonder whether one could find an easy down-grade +for the +track across the summit. That's about as far as my imagination goes."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Ruth, "exploration like that +is useful and one doesn't run much risk. But risk and adventure appeal +to some +people."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister resumed paddling. The girl had charm and he +was +young; if he were not cautious, there might be some risk for him. He +was not a +clever philanderer, and Ruth and Duveen had been kind. By and by a puff +of cool +wind touched his hot skin and he looked round. A black cloud had rolled +up and +there were lines on the water.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We may get a blow and some thunder," he remarked. +"Shall we go back?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not yet. We'll make the point first. If it does +thunder, summer storms don't last."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He paddled harder and a small white wave lapped +the canoe's +bows. The sky was getting dark, and now the lines that streaked the +lake were +white, but the wind was astern and they were going fast. The glimmering +reflections had vanished and the rocks ahead rose sharply from the +leaden +water. The point was some distance off, but Lister knew he must reach +it soon.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A flash of forked lightning leaped from the sky +and touched +the lake, there was a long, rumbling peal, and then a humming noise +began +astern. Angry white ripples splashed about the canoe and lumps of hail +beat +Lister's head. Then, while the thunder rolled across the sky, the canoe +swerved. It was blowing hard, the high bow and stern caught the wind, +the +strength was needed to hold her straight with the single paddle. If he +brought +her round, he could not paddle to windward, and to steer across the sea +that +would soon get up might be dangerous. They must make the point and +land. He +threw Ruth his jacket, for spray had begun to fly and the drops from +the paddle +blew on board.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Put on the thing; I've got to work," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In a few minutes his work was hard. Short, white +waves +rolled past, the canoe lurched and swerved, and Lister knew if she +swung off +across wind and sea she might capsize. He must keep her running and let +the combers +split against her pointed stern. The combers were getting large and +their +hissing tops surged by some height above the gunwale, but so long as he +could +keep her before them they would not come on board. When her bows went +up she +sheered, as if she meant to shoot across the hollow left by the sea +that rolled +by. He stopped her with a back-stroke and then drove hard ahead, for he +must +have speed to steer when the next sea came on. In the meantime, the +lightning +flickered about the lake and between the flashes all was nearly dark. +The tops +of the waves tossed against leaden cloud and he could hardly see the +rocks for +which he steered.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by, however, the point stood out close +ahead. The +trees on the summit bent in the wind; spray leaped about the bowlders +where the +white foam rolled. He must go round and find a landing to lee, but to +go round +he must cross the belt of breaking water, with the savage wind abeam. +The canoe +shipped some water, and riding in on a comber's crest, narrowly missed +a rock +that lifted its top for a moment out of the foam. Then Lister drove her +in +behind the point and helped Ruth to land on a gravel beach. Her eyes +sparkled +and he saw she had not been daunted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We're all right now, but we have got to stay +until the +storm blows out," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They found shelter in a hollow of the cliff and +sat among +the driftwood while the rain that blotted out the lake drove overhead. +The +deluge did not reach them and the cold was going.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You go back on Monday?" Ruth said at length.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister smiled with humorous resignation. "I must. +The +strange thing is, when I left my job before I was keen to get back. Now +I'd +rather stop and loaf."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you were not bored at Winnipeg?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not at all," Lister declared. "If it would +give me a holiday like this, I'd get hurt again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect the woods get dreary. Then, perhaps, one +doesn't make much progress by sticking to the track? Don't you want to +get into +the office where the big plans are made?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know," said Lister thoughtfully. "On +the track you're all right if you know your job; at headquarters you +need +qualities I don't know are mine. Anyhow, I'm not likely to get there, +if I want +or not."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Ruth gave him a curious glance. "Sometimes one's +friends can help. Would you really like a headquarters post?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister moved abruptly and his mouth got firm. +Perhaps Ruth +exaggerated her father's importance, but it was possible Duveen could +get him +promotion. All the same, Lister saw what his taking the job implied; he +must +give up his independence and be Duveen's man. Moreover, if the girl +meant to +help, she had some grounds for doing so. He thrilled and was tempted, +but he +thought hard. It looked as if she liked him and was perhaps willing to +embark +upon a sentimental adventure, but he thought this was all. She would +not marry +a poor man.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," he said, with a touch of awkwardness. +"I reckon I had better stick to the track. To know where you properly +belong is something, and if I took the other job, my chiefs would soon +find me +out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're modest," Ruth remarked. "One likes +modest people, but don't you think you're obstinate?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When the trail you hit goes uphill, obstinacy's +useful."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you won't take help, you may be long reaching +the +top, but we'll let it go. The wind hasn't dropped much. How can we get +back?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We must wait," Lister replied with a twinkle. +"The trouble about an adventure is, when you start you're often forced +to +stay with it and put it over. That sometimes costs more than you +reckon."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Ruth's eyes sparkled, but she forced a smile. +"Logical +people make me tired. But why do you imagine I haven't the pluck to +pay?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't," said Lister. "I've no grounds to +imagine anything like that. My business was to take care of you and I +ought to +have seen the storm was coming. Now I'm mad because I didn't watch out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes you're rather nice," Ruth remarked. +"You know I made you go on. All the same, we must start as soon as +possible."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister got up presently and launched the canoe. +The thunder +had gone, but the breeze was strong and angry white waves rolled up the +lake. +To drive the canoe to windward was heavy labor, and while she lurched +slowly +across the combers the sun got low. Lister's wet hands blistered and +his arms +ached, but he swung the paddle stubbornly, and at length the houses and +hotel +stood out from the beach. When they got near the landing Ruth looked +ahead.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The train's ready to pull out!" she exclaimed. +"Can you make it?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister tried. His face got dark with effort and +his hands +bled, but in a few minutes he ran the canoe aground. Ruth jumped out +and they +reached the station as the bell began to toll. Duveen waved to them +from the +track by the front of the train and then jumped on board, and Lister +pushed +Ruth up the steps of the last car. The car was second-class and crowded +by +returning holiday-makers, but the conductor, who did not know Lister +and Miss +Duveen, declared all the train was full and they must stay where they +were. +When he went off and locked the vestibule Lister looked about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">All the seats and much of the central passage were +occupied, +for the most part by young men and women. Some were frankly lovers and +did not +look disturbed by the banter of their friends. Lister was embarrassed, +for +Ruth's sake, until he saw with some surprise that she studied the +others with +amused curiosity. Looking down he met her twinkling glance and thought +it +something like a challenge. His embarrassment got worse. One could not +talk +because of the noise and to shout was ridiculous. He must stand in a +cramped +pose and try not to fall against Ruth when the cars rocked. He admitted +that +his proper background was the rude construction camp, and it was +something of a +relief when they rolled into Winnipeg.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Duveen's car was at the station, and Ruth stopped +for a +moment before she got on board.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You start on Monday and we will be out of town +to-morrow. I wish you good luck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister thanked her, and when she got into the car +she gave +him a curious smile. "I think I liked you better in the woods," she +said, and the car rolled off.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085262">CHAPTER VII</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085263">LISTER'S DISSATISFACTION</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Soon after his return from Winnipeg, Lister stood +one +evening by a length of track planned to cut out an awkward curve. The +new line +ran into a muskeg that sucked down brush and logs and the loads of +numerous +gravel trains. Angry foremen declared one could not fill up the bog, +and Lister +knew the heads of the construction office grumbled about the delay. He +was +tired, for he had been strenuously occupied since morning, but could +not +persuade himself that the work had made much progress.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Small trees lay in tangled rows about the fresh +gravel; +farther back, the standing bush ran in a broken line against the fading +light. +In front, thin mist drifted across the muskeg where slender trunks rose +from +the quaking mud. Not far off a high, wooden trestle carried the rails +across a +ravine. The bridge would presently be rebuilt with steel, but in the +meantime +the frame was open and the gaps between the ties were wide.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was getting dark and noisy blast-lamps threw up +pillars +of white fire. The line had sunk in the afternoon and it was necessary +to lift +the rails and fill up the subsidence before the next gravel train +arrived. +Lister was angry and puzzled, for he had pushed the road-bed across to +near the +other side, but the rails had not sunk in the new belt but in ground +over which +the trains had run.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by a man joined him and remarked: "The boys +have +got the ties up, but I reckon they won't fix the track for three or +four hours. +Looks as if the blamed muskeg was going to beat us."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She can't beat us," Lister rejoined impatiently. +"The trouble is, hauling the stuff she swallows runs up construction +costs, and that counts against us. Did you leave Willis with the gang?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other laughed. "I did not. He was tired. +Wanted +something at the office and allowed he'd stop and take a smoke."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hustle him out when you go along, Kemp. I'd +sooner our +chiefs down East had kept that young man. The job's not soft enough for +him. +However, I s'pose he lighted the lamp across the bridge?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Willis has friends," Kemp remarked meaningly, and +indicated a reflection behind the trees. "The lamp's burning."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister glanced at the trembling light. "I expect +it's +good enough for the engineer, but the flame's not steady. Willis hasn't +bothered to get the pressure right. It's possible he didn't wait until +she +warmed the oil."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The powerful lamp had been carried across the +bridge in +order to warn the engineer of the gravel train, who on his last journey +had run +to the end of the line. The light could be seen for some distance up +the track.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I got after Hardie about making good time. We +must dump +his load in the soft spot before we stop," Lister resumed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He's coming now; climbing the height of land," +said Kemp. "He'll let her go all out when he makes the top."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A measured throb rolled across the woods, and as +the noise +got louder the beat of the exhaust marked the progress of the train. +The +explosive snorts indicated that the locomotive labored up the last +steep pitch, +and Lister sat down by the rails. He was tired and would not be needed +until +the gravel plough threw the rattling ballast off the cars. After a few +moments +he looked up, for a man came out of the gloom.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hello, Willis! I s'pose you've been taking a +quiet +smoke?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That's so," said the other. "I've hustled +round since sun-up and imagined the gang could get along for half an +hour +without my watching. You want to leave something to your foremen."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said nothing. He did not choose his +helpers, but +tried to make the best use of those the bosses sent. Willis had some +useful +qualities, but he was slack, and got sulky if one drove him hard. The +young man +had come from the drawing-office of a famous bridge-building works.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, the rumble of the gravel train +grew to a +pulsating roar. The locomotive had crossed the divide and was running +furiously +down grade. The roughly-ballasted track was uneven, but the engineer +had been +on board since daybreak and no doubt wanted to finish his job.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She's in the rock cut now," Kemp remarked. +"Hardie ought to throttle down when he runs out and sees the light."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister listened. The swelling note indicated that +the train +had left the cut, but it did not look as if the engineer was pulling up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She's coming along pretty fast," said Willis. +"If he doesn't snub her soon, she'll jump the steel and take the +muskeg."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Next moment Lister was on his feet. Hardie was +driving too +fast; Lister doubted if he could stop before the heavy train plunged +through +the broken track. The unsteady white flicker behind the trees had sunk +and +changed to smoky red. If looked as if the oil was not vaporizing +properly and +the lamp was going out. When the engineer saw the light it would be too +late.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Get the boys off the track. I'll try to fix the +lamp," Lister shouted, and started for the bridge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The errand was not his. Willis had lighted the +lamp: +moreover, one might have sent a workman, but when a job was urgent +Lister went +himself. The job was urgent and dangerous. Unless he made good speed, +he would +meet the train on the bridge and the cylinders of the locomotive +projected +beyond the edge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The track was rough and fresh gravel rolled under +his feet. +Now and then he struck a cross-tie and nearly fell. It had got dark and +among +the trees the gloom was deep; one could not see the ties. Yet he must +run, and +his breath got labored and his heart thumped. He did not know where the +train was, +only that it was near. The woods throbbed with a savage din; the big +cars, +loaded with rattling gravel, clanged and roared as they plunged down +grade.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister hardly thought he could stop the train. It +looked as +if he would be caught on the trestle, but he meant to go on. He did not +argue +about it; he was rather moved by instinctive stubbornness. At moments +of strain +one does not argue and logic has no appeal. Character counts for all, +and +Lister followed his bent. His job was urgent and must be carried out.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he reached the bridge he saw white threads of +water +between the timbers of the open frame. The spacing of the ties was not +regular, +and if he stepped short, or too far, he would go through. Then, if he +did not +strike a brace, he would fall upon the rocks in the stream. All the +same, he +saw the blaze of the head-lamp pick out the trees across the ravine and +sprang +on to the bridge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Somehow he hit the ties; perhaps by subconscious +judgment, +and perhaps by good luck. Then he felt loose gravel under his feet and +thrilled +with a strange fierce satisfaction. His breath was labored and his body +wet by +sweat, but the moving beam had not reached the lamp. He was going to +make it.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When the black front of a gravel car leaped out of +the gloom +he jumped off the track. The locomotive pushed the cars, the train was +long, +and the lamp was but a few yards off. It had not gone out, although the +flame +had sunk to a faint red jet that would not be seen in the dust. His +hands +shook, but he gave the pump a few strokes and turned the valve wheel. +The red +jet got white and leaped higher and Lister, pumping hard, looked up the +track. +Big cars, rocking and banging, rushed past in a cloud of dust. Bits of +gravel +struck him and rattled against the lamp. The blurred, dark figures of +men who +sat upon the load cut against the fan-shaped beam, and in the +background he saw +a shower of leaping sparks.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">But the other light was growing and Lister turned +the wheel. +Burning oil splashed around him, a pillar of fire rushed up, and when a +whistle +screamed he let go the valve and turned from the blinding dust. He was +shaking, +but the heavy snorting stopped. The engineer had seen the light and cut +off +steam.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When Lister looked round the train was gone. He +had done +what he had undertaken, and after waiting for a few moments he started +back. +Now he could go cautiously, he stopped and tried to brace himself at +the end of +the bridge. Although he had run across not long since, he shrank from +the dark, +forbidding gaps. For all that, he must get back, and feeling carefully +for the +ties, he reached the other side and was for some time engaged at the +muskeg +where two cars had overrun the broken rails. At length he went to the +log shack +he used for his office and sleeping-room, and soon after he lighted his +pipe +Kemp came in.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You made it," Kemp remarked. "When you +stopped me at the bridge I saw you'd get there."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister laughed. "Now you talk about it, I believe +I did +shout you to go back. Anyhow, you were some way behind. Did Willis +come?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He did not. Willis was badly rattled and started +for +the muskeg. Thought he might get the track thrown across the hole, +perhaps! I'm +rather sorry for the kid. But what are you going to do about it?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Report we had two cars bogged and state the cost +of +labor. That's all, I think."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Kemp nodded. "Well, perhaps there's no use in +talking +about the lamp. Our business is to make good, using the tools we've +got. All +the same, if they want a man somewhere else, I guess I'd recommend +Willis."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He smoked quietly for a time, and then resumed: +"We +don't get forward much. In fact, if the new Western irrigation company +would +take me on, I think I'd quit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister pondered. Since his short stop at Winnipeg +he had +been conscious of a strange restlessness. He wanted something the woods +could +not give, and had begun to think life had more to offer than he had +known. +Besides, he was not making much progress.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Since the double track is to be pushed on across +the +plains, the department will need a bigger staff and there ought to be a +chance +for some of us," he said. "Then there's the new work with the long +bridges on the lake section that will carry higher pay. We're next on +turn and +have some claim. They ought to move us up."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I doubt. We didn't come from a famous office, and +it's +not always enough to know your job."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Somebody will get a better post, and if I'm lucky +I'll +stay. If not, I think I'll try the irrigation works."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I feel like that," Kemp declared. "But +suppose the irrigation people turn our application down?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then I'll lie off for a time. Except when I went, +to +McGill with money I earned on a wheat barge, I haven't stopped work +since I was +a boy. Now I'm getting tired and think I'll pull out and go across to +look at +the Old Country. My father was an Englishman, and I have some money to +burn."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A good plan," Kemp agreed. "After a change +you come back fresh with a stronger punch. Well, if we're not put on to +the +lake section, we'll try the irrigation scheme."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He got up and went off, but Lister sat on his bunk +and +smoked. The bunk was packed with swamp-grass on which his coarse +Hudson's Bay +blankets were laid, and the shack was bare. Ragged slickers and old +overalls +occupied the wall, long gum-boots a corner. A big box carried an iron +wash-basin, +and a small table some drawing instruments. Lister was not fastidious, +and, as +a rule, did not stop long enough at one spot to justify his making his +shack +comfortable. Besides, he found it necessary to concentrate on his work, +and had +not much time to think about refinements.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">All the same, he felt the shack was dreary and his +life was +bleak. He had not felt this until he went to Winnipeg. On the whole, he +had +liked the struggle against physical obstacles. It was his proper job, +but the +struggle was stern and sometimes exhausting, and his reward was small. +Now he +wanted something different, and gave himself to vague and brooding +discontent.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Ruth Duveen had broken his former tranquillity. In +a sense, +she had awakened him, and he imagined she had meant to do so. All the +same, to +think she loved him was ridiculous; she was rather experimenting with +fresh +material. Yet she was accountable for his discontent. She had helped +him to see +that while he labored in the woods he had missed much. He wanted the +society of +cultivated women and men with power and influence; to use control +instead of +carrying out orders; and to know something of refinement and beauty. +After all, +his father was a cultivated Englishman, although Lister imagined he had +inherited qualities that helped him most from his Canadian mother. It +was all +he had inherited, except some debts he had laboriously paid.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He admitted that to realize his ambitions might be +hard, but +he meant to try. Canada was for the young and stubborn. If his chiefs +did not +promote him, he would make a plunge, and if his new plan did not work, +he would +go over and see the Old Country. Then he would come back, braced and +refreshed, +and try his luck again.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Putting down his pipe, he got into bed. He was +tired and in +the morning the gravel cars must be pulled out of the muskeg. The job +was +awkward, and while he thought about it he went to sleep.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085264">CHAPTER VIII</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085265">THE TEST</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">A boisterous wind swept the high plain and round, +white-edged clouds rolled across the sky. The grass that ran back from +the +horizon was parched, and in the distance a white streak of blowing dust +marked +a dried alkali lake. Dust of dark color drove along the row of wooden +stores +and houses that fronted the railroad track, across which three grain +elevators +rose like castles. The telegraph posts along the track melted into the +level +waste, and behind the spot where they vanished the tops of a larger +group of +elevators cut the edge of the plain.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The street was not paved, and the soil was deeply +ploughed +by wheels. The soil was the black gumbo in which the wheat plant +thrives, but +the town occupied the fringe of a dry belt and farming had not made +much +progress. Now, however, a company was going to irrigate the land with +water +from a river fed by the Rockies' snow. The town was square, and +although it +looked much smaller than real-estate agents' maps indicated, it was +ornamented +by four wooden churches, a Y.M.C.A. like a temple, and an ambitious +public +hall.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Tecumseh Hotel occupied a corner lot at the +end of the +street and was not remarkably commodious or clean, but its charges were +less +than the Occidental's by the station, and Lister and Kemp were not +fastidious. Some +time had gone since they pulled the gravel cars out of the swamp and +they had +not been sent to the lake section. In consequence, they had applied to +the +irrigation company for a post, and having been called to meet the +engineers and +directors, imagined they were on the short list.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister lounged against the rails on the Tecumseh +veranda. +The boards were cracked and dirty; burned matches and cigar ends were +scattered +about, and a skeleton, gauze covered door that shut with a powerful +spring kept +some of the flies and mosquitoes out of the hotel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We'll know to-morrow," he remarked presently.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Kemp nodded. "I can't figure on our chances. Feel +anxious about it?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not much. In fact, I mean to use the thing to +test my +luck. If we're engaged, I'll stay in Canada; if they turn us down, I'll +start +for the Old Country."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You have no particular plans, I reckon."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Lister, smiling. "I'm going to +look about. I know our new Western towns, but I want to see old cities, +churches, and cathedrals; the great jobs men made before they used +concrete and +steel. Then I'd like to study art and music and see the people my +father talked +about. Ours is a good country, but when it's all you know it gets +monotonous." He indicated the row of wooden houses and lonely plain. +"One wants more than the track and this."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible you may go across," said Kemp. +"Looks +as if the company's short list was pretty long. There's a gang of +candidates in +town, we have no pull on the directors, and I don't know if our +advantages are +very marked—" He stopped and laughed, for a man came round the +corner. "Hello, Willis!" he exclaimed. "When did you +arrive?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I came in on the last train. Got a notice to meet +the +Irrigation Board."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Kemp, "since the applicants +are more numerous than the posts, I reckon another won't count. Do you +expect +they're going to take you on?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect my chance is as good as yours."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll sell you my chance for ten dollars," Kemp +rejoined.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Nothing doing, at the price," said Willis, and +went off.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Kemp laughed. Willis was marked by a superficial +smartness +his comrades sometimes found amusing and sometimes annoying. For the +most part, +they bore with him good-humoredly, but did not trust him when work that +needed +careful thought was done.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The kid looks confident, but his applying for a +job is +something of a joke," Kemp remarked. "I'd put his value at fifty +cents a day."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister agreed, and looked up the dusty street. The +fronts of +the small frame houses were cracked by the sun, and some were carried +up to +hide the roof and give the building a fictitious height. A Clover-leaf +wagon +stood in front of a store, the wheels crusted by dry mud, and the team +fidgeted +amidst a swarm of flies. Except for one or two railroad hands waiting +by the +caboose of a freight train, nobody was about. The town looked strangely +dreary.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Yet Lister knew it stood for all the relief from +labor in +the stinging alkali dust one could get. One could loaf in a hard chair +in front +of the hotel, lose a dollar or two at the shabby pool-room, or go to a +movie +show and see pictures of frankly ridiculous Western melodrama. In the +real +West, the pictures were ridiculous, because romantic shootings-up did +not +happen. In fact, unless a stubborn labor dispute began, nothing broke +the dull +monotony of toilsome effort. Romance had vanished with the buffaloes. +Lister +admitted that he had not long felt the monotony. The trouble began when +he +stopped at Winnipeg.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think I'll go up the street," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A rough plank sidewalk ran in front of the houses, +and +Lister imagined it was needed when the spring thaw and summer +thunder-storms +softened the gumbo soil. Opposite the Occidental he stopped, for Duveen +occupied +a chair on the veranda. While Lister hesitated Duveen beckoned him to +come up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's hot and dusty. Will you take a drink?" he +said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister refused with thanks and wondered whether +Ruth was at +the hotel. In a way, he would like to see her, but admitted that +perhaps he had +better not. When he asked if she was well Duveen said she had gone to +Quebec, +and gave Lister a cigar.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It looks as if you had left the railroad," he +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have not left yet," said Lister cautiously.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, you won't go unless you get a better job? +Did +you know I had joined the Irrigation Board?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said he did not know, and got embarrassed +when Duveen +gave him a thoughtful glance. He wondered whether Ruth had talked to +Duveen +before she hinted he might get a better post.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Perhaps I ought not to have come up. In fact, I +hesitated—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Duveen laughed. "So I remarked! You reckoned the +Occidental stoop was pretty public and your talking to me might imply +that you +wanted my support? Well, I'll risk that. It's obvious you're on the +short list. +Do you want a post?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For a moment or two Lister pondered. He did want a +post; +anyhow, he ought to try for it. On the whole he liked Duveen, and +thought he +might have liked Ruth better had she not been rich. All the same, +Duveen was a +shrewd manipulator of new industries and to take a post by his favor +would be +to own a debt, for which payment might be demanded. Yet Duveen had been +kind +and Lister hesitated.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I asked for a post," he said. "If I'm +engaged, I'll try to make good; but I must make good at the dam or on +the +ditch. Then I don't want to bother my friends. The company has my +engineering +record and must judge my usefulness by this. If they're not satisfied, +I won't +grumble much."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're an independent fellow, but I think I +understand," Duveen rejoined with a twinkle. "A company director's +duty <i>is</i> to judge an applicant for a post by his professional +record. If +you are appointed, you want us to appoint you because we believe you +are the +proper man?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Something like that," said Lister quietly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Duveen nodded, and his glance rested for a moment +on +Lister's forehead.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I see the mark you got on board the train hasn't +altogether gone. Did you hear anything about the girl you helped?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did not," said Lister, starting, for he had not +imagined Duveen knew about the girl. "I have not seen her since she +went +off on the locomotive."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then she has not written to you since?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She could not write, because she doesn't know who +I +am, and I don't know her. We talked for a minute or two, that's all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Duveen's face was inscrutable and Lister wondered +whether he +doubted his statement. He was annoyed because the other knew so much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Duveen, "I expect you heard +they didn't catch Shillito, and since he got across the frontier, it's +possible +the Canadian police won't see him again. But I must get ready for +supper. Will +you stay?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister excused himself and went back to the +Tecumseh, where +the bill of fare was frugal and the serving rude. He imagined he had +refused +much more than a first-class supper, but was satisfied he had taken the +proper +line. For one thing, Duveen knew Ruth had given him her friendship and, +since +he knew his daughter, it was significant that he had not thought it +necessary +to meddle. Lister wondered whether he had meant to use him, and was +glad he had +kept his independence. If he got the post now, he would know he had +rather +misjudged Duveen, but he doubted. All the same, he liked the man.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After supper Kemp and he sat on the veranda and +watched the +green glow fade from the edge of the plain. They did not talk much, but +by and +by Kemp remarked: "I thought I saw you go into the Occidental."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Duveen called me on to the stoop."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Duveen?" Kemp exclaimed. "Then he's got his +hand on the wires! If the Irrigation Company puts the undertaking over, +a +number of the dollars will go to Duveen's wad. If he's your friend, I +expect +you know he could get you the job."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible. All the same, I hinted I didn't +want +his help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Kemp laughed. "You surprise me every time! I'm all +for +a square deal and down with scheming grafters and log-rollers, but I +allow I +hate them worst when they give another fellow the post I want."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The thing's not fixed yet. The company's +engineers are +going to judge and our record's pretty good. They may engage us. We'll +know +to-morrow."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sure thing," Kemp remarked dryly. "I reckon +we'll both pull out on the first train."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It began to get dark and Lister went off to bed. +He must get +water from a cistern in the roof and to carry the heavy jug was awkward +when +one could not see. At the Tecumseh the guests were expected to carry +water for +themselves, and Lister, groping along the shadowy passage with his +load, +thought his doing so had some significance. It was part of the price he +must +pay for freedom.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At the time fixed in the morning, he went to the +Occidental +and was shown into a room where a number of gentlemen occupied a table. +One or +two were smoking and the others talked in low voices, but when Lister +came in +and the secretary indicated a chair they turned as if to study him. +Duveen sat +next a man at the end of the table and gave Lister a nod. Somehow +Lister +thought he was amused.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's heart beat. He felt this was ridiculous, +because he +had persuaded himself it did not matter whether he got the post or not. +Now, +however, when the moment to try his luck had come, he shrank from the +plunge he +had resolved to make if he were not engaged. After all, he knew and +liked his +occupation; to let it go and try fresh fields would be something of a +wrench.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The gentlemen did not embarrass him. On the whole, +they were +urbane, and when the secretary gave the chairman his application one +asked a +few questions about the work he had done. Lister was able to answer +satisfactorily, and another talked to him about the obstacles +encountered when one +excavated treacherous gravel and built a bank to stand angry floods. +For all +that, Lister was anxious. The others looked bored, as if they were +politely +playing a game. He thought they knew beforehand how the game would end, +but he +did not know. The inquiries that bored the urbane gentlemen had +important +consequences for him and the suspense was keen.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length they let him go, and Duveen gave him a +smile that +Lister thought implied much. When he returned to the hotel Kemp +remarked that +he looked as if he needed a drink, and suggested that Lister go with +him and +get one.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I need three or four drinks, but mean to go +without," said Lister grimly. "I begin to understand how some men get +the tanking habit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He started off across the plain, and coming back +too late +for lunch, found Kemp on the veranda. Kemp looked as if he were trying +to be +philosophical, but found it hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The secretary arrived not long since," he said. +"A +polite man! He didn't want to let us down too heavily."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Lister. "The Irrigation people +have no use for us?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Kemp nodded. "Willis has got the best job; they've +hired up two or three others, but we're left out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Willis!" exclaimed Lister, and joined in Kemp's +laugh.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"After all, the money he's going to get is +theirs," said Kemp. "In this country we're a curious lot. We let +grafters and wire-pullers run us, and, when we start a big job, get +away with +much of the capital we want for machines; but somehow we make good. We +shoulder +a load we needn't carry and hit the pace up hot. If we got clean +control, I +reckon we'd never stop. However, there's not much use in philosophizing +when +you've lost your job, and the East-bound train goes out in a few +minutes. You'd +better pack your grip."</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085266">CHAPTER IX</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085267">BARBARA PLAYS A PART</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister returned to the railroad camp and stayed +until the +company sent a man to fill his post. In the meantime, he wrote to some +of his +father's relations, whom he had not seen, and their reply was kind. +They stated +that while he was in England he must make their house his home. When +his +successor arrived he started for Montreal, and one afternoon sat under +a tree +in the square by the cathedral.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The afternoon was calm. A thunderstorm that wet +the streets +had gone, and an enervating damp heat brooded over the city. After the +fresh +winds that sweep the woods and plains, Lister felt the languid air made +him +slack and dull. His steamer did not sail until daybreak, and since he +had gone +up the mountain and seen the cathedral and Notre Dame, he did not know +what to +do. The bench he occupied was in the shade, and he smoked and looked +about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cabs rolled up the street to the big hotel across +the +square, and behind the trees the huge block of the C.P.R. station cut +the sky. +One heard whistles, the rumble of heavy wheels, and the tolling of +locomotive +bells. Pigeons flew down from the cathedral dome and searched the damp +gravel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A group of foreign emigrants picnicked in the +shade. Their +clothes were old and greasy; they carried big shapeless bundles and +looked +tired and worn. Lister could not guess their nationality, but imagined +they had +known poverty and oppression in Eastern Europe. It was obvious they had +recently disembarked from a crowded steerage and waited for an emigrant +train. +They were going West, to the land of promise, and Lister wished them +luck. He +and they were birds of passage and, with all old landmarks left behind, +rested +for a few hours on their journey.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He studied the group. The men looked dull and +beaten; the +women had no beauty and had grown coarse with toil. Their faces were +pinched +and their shoulders bent. Only the children, in spite of rags and dirt, +struck +a hopeful note. Yet the forlorn strangers had pluck; they had made a +great +adventure and might get their reward. Lister had seen others in the +West, who +had made good, breaking soil they owned and walking with the confident +step of +self-respecting men. On the plains, stubborn labor was rewarded, but +one needed +pluck to leave all one knew and break custom's familiar but heavy yoke.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by Lister remembered he wanted to take his +relations +a few typically Canadian presents. He had seen nothing that satisfied +him at Winnipeg, +and had better look about the shops at Montreal. Anyhow, it would amuse +him for +an hour or two. He got up, went along the path for a few yards, and +then +stopped.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Across the clanging of the locomotive bells and +the roll of +trolley cars at the bottom of the hill he heard sweet voices. The music +was +faint and somehow ethereal, as if it fell from a height. One lost it +now and +then. It came from the cathedral and Lister stopped and listened. He +did not +know what office was being sung, but the jaded emigrants knew, for a +child got +up and stood with bent head, holding a greasy cap, and a ragged woman's +face +got gentle as she signed herself with the cross. It looked as if the +birds of +passage had found a landmark in a foreign land. Lister was moved, and +gave the +child a coin before he went off.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He strolled east, past Notre Dame, towards the +post office, +about which the stately banks and imposing office blocks stand. This +quarter of +the city drew him, for one saw how constructive talent and imagination +could be +used, and he wondered whether England had new buildings like these. +Sometimes +one felt the Western towns were raw and vulgar, but one saw the bold +Canadian +genius at its best in Montreal.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After a time he stopped in front of a shop in a +short side +street. Indian embroidery work and enameled silver occupied the window, +and +although Lister was not an artist he had an eye for line and knew the +things +were good. The soft, stained deerskin was cleverly embroidered; he +liked the +warm colors of the enamel, and going in was shown a tray of spoons.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The shop, shut in by high buildings, was dark and +smelt of +aromatic wood and leather, but a beam from a window pierced the gloom +and +sparkled on the silver. This was emblazoned with the arms of the +Provinces; the +Ship, the Wheatsheaves, and the red Maple Leaf. Lister picked up the +articles, +and while he did so was vaguely conscious that a girl at the opposite +counter +studied him. He, however, did not look up until he had selected a few +of the +spoons, and then he started.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The light that touched the girl's face did not +illuminate it +all. Her profile was sharp as an old daguerreotype: he saw the flowing +line +from brow to chin, drawn with something of austere classic beauty, the +arched +lips and the faint indication of a gently-rounded cheek. The rest was +in +shadow, and the contrast of light and gloom was like a Rembrandt +picture. Then +the enameled spoons rattled as Lister put down the tray. He knew the +picture. +When he last saw the girl, her face was lighted like that by the blaze +of a +locomotive head-lamp.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll take these things," he said, and crossed the +floor.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The girl moved back, but he indicated a bundle of +deerskin +articles he thought her business was to sell. Her color was high; he +noted the +vivid white and pink against the dull background of stained leather.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What does one do with those bags?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They're useful for keeping gloves and +handkerchiefs," she replied. "The pattern is worked in sinews, but we +have some with a neat colored embroidery." She paused and signed to a +saleswoman farther on. "Will you bring this gentleman the Revillon +goods?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's object for stopping her was not very +plain, but he +did not mean to let her go.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Please don't bother. I expect to find something +in +this bundle," he said to the approaching saleswoman. Then he turned to +the +girl in front. "Let me look at the bag with the arrow-head pattern."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She gave him the bag, and although her glance was +steady he +knew she was embarrassed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you will wrap it up, I'll keep this one," he +resumed. "I expect you have not forgotten me. When I came into the shop +I +didn't imagine I should meet you, but if you'd sooner I went off, I'll +go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have not forgotten," she admitted, and her +color faded and came back to her delicate skin.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well! Since I sail to-night on the Allan +boat, it's +plain you needn't be afraid of my bothering you. All the same, we were +partners +in an adventure that ought to make us friends. Can't I meet you for a +few +minutes when you stop work?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She hesitated, and then gave him a searching +glance.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Come to the fountain up the street in an hour. +This is +my early evening."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister went off with the bag and spoons, and when +he +returned to the fountain saw her crossing the square in front. She was +dressed +like the shop-girls he had seen hurrying on board the street cars in +the +morning; her clothes were pretty and fashionable, but Lister thought +the +material was cheap. He felt she ought not to wear things like that. +While she +advanced he studied her. She was attractive, in a way he had hardly +remarked on +board the train. One rather noted her quick, resolute movements, the +sparkle in +her eyes, and her keen vitality. Lister began to think he had +unconsciously +noted much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm going to take you to supper, and you can send +me +off when you like afterwards," he said and started across the square. A +famous restaurant was not far off.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," she said, as if she knew where he was going. +"If I go with you, it must be the tea-rooms I and my friends use." +She gave him a rather hard smile and added: "There's no use in my going +where I don't belong."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said nothing, but while they walked across +the town +she talked with a brightness he thought forced, and when they stopped +at a +small tea-room in a side street he frowned. He was persuaded she did +not belong +there. She was playing a part, perhaps not very cleverly since he had +found her +out. She wanted him to think her a shop-girl enjoying an evening's +adventure; +her talk and careless laugh hinted at this, but Lister was not cheated.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They went in. The room was small and its +ornamentation +unusual. Imitation vines crawled about light wooden arches, cutting up +the +floor space into quiet corners. The room was rather dark, but pink +lamps shone +among the leaves and the soft light touched the tables and clusters of +artificial grapes. Lister thought the plan was well carried out, for +the grapes +were the small red Muskokas that grow in Canada. When he picked up the +menu +card he understood why girls from the stores and offices used the place.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister ordered the best supper the French-Canadian +landlady +could serve, and then began to talk while he helped his companion. The +corner +they occupied was secluded and he owned that to sup with an attractive +girl had +a romantic charm. He noted that she frankly enjoyed the food and he +liked her +light, quick laugh and the sparkle in her eyes. Her thin summer clothes +hinted +at a slender, finely-lined form, and her careless pose was graceful.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He wondered whether she felt her meeting him was +something +of an adventure, but he was persuaded she was playing a part. Her +frankness was +not bold, the little, French-Canadian gestures were obviously borrowed, +and +some of the colloquialisms she used were out of date. Except for these, +her +talk was cultivated. For a time Lister tried to play up, and then +resolved to +see if he could break her reserve.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It looks as if you made Malcolm all right on +board the +gravel train," he remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She gave him a quick glance and colored. "Yes, I +made +it and got the East-bound express. The engineer was kind. I expect you +told him +he must help?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When I put you on board the locomotive I knew +Roberts +would see you out. He's a sober fellow and has two girls as old as you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You don't know how old I am," she said with an +effort for carelessness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Anyhow, it's plain you are young enough to be +rash," Lister rejoined.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She put down her cup and her glance was soft. He +saw she was +not acting.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't think I really was rash—not <i>then</i>. +It's something to know when you can trust people, and I did know."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister was embarrassed, but her gentleness had +charm. He did +not want her to resume her other manner. Then he was tempted to make an +experiment.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You know Shillito got away?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Her lips trembled and the blood came to her skin, +but she +fronted him bravely and he felt ashamed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes," she said. "I think I would sooner he +had been caught! But why did you begin to talk about Shillito?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Perhaps I oughtn't; I'm sorry."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She studied him and he thought she pondered, +although it was +possible she wanted to recover her calm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Unless you are very dull, you know something," +she resumed with an effort. "Well, I was rash, but just before I saw +you +on the platform I found out all I'd risked. I think I was desperate; I +meant to +jump off the train, only it was going fast and water shone under the +bridge. +Then you pushed me from the step and I felt I must make another plunge +and try +to get your help. Now I'm glad I did so. But that's all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister understood that the thing was done with. +She would +tell him nothing more, and he was sorry he had indulged his curiosity.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," he said, "there's not much risk +of my bothering you about the fellow again. I start for England in a +few +hours."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Her glance got wistful. She moved her plate and +her hand +trembled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You are English?" he resumed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I met you first on board a Canadian train and now +you +find me helping at a Montreal store. Isn't this enough? Why do you try +to find +out where I come from?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm sorry. All the same, you're not a Canadian."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am a Canadian now," she rejoined, and then +added, as if she were resolved to talk about something else, "There's a +mark on your forehead, like a deep cut. You hadn't got it when I saw +you on the +platform."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Lister. "I fell down some steps +not long afterwards."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She looked at him sharply and then exclaimed: "Oh! +the +newspapers said there was a struggle on the train! Somebody helped the +police +and got hurt. It was you. Shillito knew you had meddled. You got the +cut for +me!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We agreed we wouldn't talk about Shillito. I got +the +cut because I didn't want to see a young police trooper knocked out. +People who +meddle do get hurt now and then. Anyhow, it's some time since and I +think we'll +let it go. Suppose you tell me about Montreal and your job at the +store?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She roused herself and began to talk. Lister +thought it cost +her something, but she sketched her working companions with skill and +humor. +She used their accent and their French-Canadian gestures. Lister +laughed and +led her on, although he got a hint of strain. The girl was not happy +and he had +noted her wistful look when she talked about England. At length she got +up, and +stopping at the door for a moment gave him her hand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Thank you. I wish you <i>bon voyage</i>," she +said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Can't we go somewhere else? Is there nothing +doing at +the theaters?" Lister asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," she said resolutely; "I'm going home. +Anyhow, I'm going where I live."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister let her go, but waited, watching her while +she went +up the street. Somehow she looked forlorn and he felt pitiful. He +remembered +that he did not know her name, which he had wanted to ask but durst not.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he returned to his hotel he stopped at the +desk and +gave the clerk a cigarette. As a rule, a Canadian hotel clerk knows +something +about everybody of importance in the town.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I bought some <i>souvenirs</i> at a curiosity +depot," he said, and told the other where the shop was. "Although +they charged me pretty high, the things looked good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You haven't got stung," the clerk remarked. +"The folks are French-Canadians but they like a square deal. If you put +up +the money, they put up the goods."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The shop hands looked smart and bright. If you +study +the sales people, you can sometimes tell how a store is run."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That's so. Those girls don't want to grumble. +They're +treated all right."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Lister, "since I don't know +much about enameled goods and deerskin truck, I'm glad I've not got +stung."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he went off the other smiled, for a hotel +clerk is not +often cheated, and he thought he saw where Lister's remarks led. +Lister, +however, was strangely satisfied. It was something to know the +storekeepers +were honest and kind to the people they employed.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085268">CHAPTER X</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085269"></a>VERNON'S CURIOSITY</h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Silky blue lines streaked the long undulations +that ran back +to the horizon and the <i>Flaminian</i> rolled with a measured swing. +When her +bows went down the shining swell broke with a dull roar and rainbows +flickered +in the spray about her forecastle; then, while the long deck got level, +one +heard the beat of engines and the grinding of screws. A wake like an +angry +torrent foamed astern, and in the distance, where the dingy smoke-cloud +melted, +the crags of Labrador ran in faint, broken line. Ahead an ice-floe +glittered in +the sun. The liner had left Belle Isle Strait and was steaming towards +Greenland +on the northern Atlantic course.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Harry Vernon occupied a chair on the saloon-deck +and read +the <i>Montreal Star</i> which had been sent on board at Rimouski. The +light +reflected by the white boats and deck was strong; he was not much +interested, +and put down the newspaper when Lister joined him. They had met on the +journey +from Winnipeg to Montreal, and on boarding the <i>Flaminian</i> Lister +was +given the second berth in Vernon's room. Vernon liked Lister.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Take a smoke," he said, indicating a packet of +cigarettes. "Nothing fresh in the newspapers. They've caught the fellow +Porteous; he was trying to steal across to Detroit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister sat down and lighted a cigarette. Porteous +was a +clerk who had not long since gone off with a large sum of his +employer's money.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Canada is getting a popular hunting ground for +smart +crooks. It looks as if our business men were easily robbed."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"There are two kinds of business men; one lot +makes +things, the other buys and sells. Some of the first are pretty good +manufacturers, +but stop at that. They concentrate on manufacturing and hire a +specialist to +look after finance."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But if the specialist's a crook, can't you spot +him +when he gets to work?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"As a rule, the men who get stung know all about +machines and material but nothing about book-keeping," Vernon replied. +"A bright accountant could rob one or two I've met when he was asleep. +For +example, there was Shillito. His employers were big and prosperous +lumber +people; clever men at their job, but Shillito gambled with their money +for some +time before they got on his track. I expect you read about him in the +newspapers?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister smiled and, pushing back his cap, touched +his +forehead.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I know something about Shillito. That's his +mark!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you were the man he knocked out!" Vernon +exclaimed. "But he hasn't got your money. Why did you help the +police?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It isn't very obvious. Somehow, I didn't like the +fellow. Then, you see, the girl—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The girl? What had a girl to do with it?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister frowned. He had not meant to talk about the +girl and +was angry because he had done so, but did not see how he could withdraw +his +careless statement. Moreover Vernon looked interested, and it was +important +that both were typical Canadians. The young Canadian is not subtle; as +a rule, +his talk is direct, and at awkward moments he is generally marked by a +frank +gravity. Vernon was grave now and Lister thought he pondered. He had +not known Vernon +long, but he felt one could trust him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I met a girl on board the train," he said. +"She was keen about getting away from Shillito."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why did she want to get away?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know. Looked as if she was afraid of him. +When +I first saw her she was on the car platform and I reckoned she was +bracing +herself to jump off. Since we were running across a trestle, I pulled +her from +the steps. That's how the thing began."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But it didn't stop just then?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It stopped soon afterwards," Lister replied. +"She wanted to get off and go East; the train was bound West, but we +were +held up at a side-track, and I put her on board a gravel train +locomotive."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then she went East!" said Vernon thoughtfully, +and studied the other.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister sat with his head thrown back and the sun +on his +brown face. His look was calm and frank; his careless pose brought out +the +lines of his thin but muscular figure. Vernon felt he was honest; he +knew +Lister's type.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She went off on board our construction +locomotive," Lister replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But I don't see yet! Why did you meddle? Why did +she +give you her confidence?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She didn't give me her confidence," Lister said, +and +smiled. "She wanted to get away and I helped. That's all. It's obvious +I +wasn't out for a romantic adventure, because I put her off the train."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon nodded. Lister's argument was sound; +besides, he did +not look like a philanderer.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you don't know who she is?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know. She didn't put me wise and my +business +was not to bother her."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What was she like? Did you guess her age? How was +she +dressed?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister lighted a fresh cigarette. Vernon's +keenness rather +puzzled him, but he thought he had told the fellow enough. In fact, he +doubted +if the girl would approve his frankness. He was not going to state that +he had +met her at Montreal. Anyhow, not yet. If Vernon talked about the thing +again +and gave proper grounds for his curiosity, he might perhaps satisfy him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She was young," he answered vaguely. +"Attractive, something of a looker, I think. I don't know much about +women's clothes."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well!" said Vernon. "You helped her off +and Shillito found this out and got after you?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He got after me when he saw he was corraled," +Lister replied, and narrated his struggle on the platform. He was now +willing +to tell Vernon all he wanted to know, but saw the other's interest was +not keen +and they presently began to talk about something else.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What are you going to do in the Old Country?" +Vernon +asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have no plans. For a time, I guess I'll loaf +and look +about. Then I want to see my father's folks, whom I haven't met."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Your father was English?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why, yes," said Lister, smiling. "If you +reckon up, you'll find a big proportion of the staunchest Canadians' +parents +came from the Old Country. In fact, I sometimes feel Canada belongs to +us and +the boys of the sourdough stock. Between us we have given the country +its stamp +and made it a land for white men; but we'll soon be forced to make good +our +claim. If we're slack, we'll be snowed under by folks from Eastern +Europe whose +rules and habits are not ours."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon nodded. "It's a problem we have got to +solve. +But are you going back to the railroad when you have looked about?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm going back some time, but, now I have pulled +out, +I want to see all I can. I'd like to look at Europe, Egypt and India."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Wandering around costs something," Vernon +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so. My wad's small, but if I've not had +enough +when it's used up, I'll look for a job. If nothing else is doing, I'll +go to +sea."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon's smile was sympathetic and he looked +ahead, over the +dipping forecastle to the far horizon. The sea shone with reflected +light and +an iceberg glimmered against the blue. He felt the measured throb of +engines +and the ship leap forward. Vernon was a young Canadian and sprang from +pioneering stock. The vague distance called; he felt the lure of going +somewhere.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If the thing was possible, I'd go with you," he +said. "All the same, I'm tied to business and the old man can't pull +his +load alone. My job's to stick to the traces and help him along. But do +you know +much about the sea?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was engineer on board a Pacific coasting boat +and a +wheat barge on the Lakes."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well," said Vernon thoughtfully, "I know an +English shipping boss who might help you get a berth. I'd rather like +you to +meet him, but we'll talk about this again. Now let's join those fellows +at +deck-quoits."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Their friendship ripened, but it was not until the +last day +of the voyage Vernon said something more about the English ship-owner. <i>Flaminian</i> +was steaming across the Irish Sea, with the high blue hills of Mourne +astern +and the Manx rocks ahead. Vernon lounged on the saloon-deck and his +face was +thoughtful as he looked across the shining water.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We'll make Liverpool soon after dark, and if I +can get +the train I want, I'll pull out right then," he said. "You allowed +you might try a run on board an English ship before you went back?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible," said Lister. "Depends on how +my wad holds out and on somebody's being willing to give me a post."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon nodded. "That's where I'm leading." He +stopped, and Lister wondered why he pondered. The thing did not seem +worth the +thought his companion gave it.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I reckon you don't know Cartwright of the +Independent +Freighters, but he could put you wise about getting a ship," Vernon +resumed. "I'm stopping for a week or two at his country house. The +freighters are small boats, but Cartwright's worth knowing; in fact, to +know +him is something of an education. In the West we're pretty keen +business men, +and I've put across some smart deals at the Winnipeg Board of Trade, +but I'll +admit Cartwright would beat me every time. Where do you mean to locate?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said he was going to the neighborhood of a +small +country town in the North of England, and was puzzled by Vernon's start.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That fixes it! The thing's strangely lucky. +Cartwright's country house is not far off. You had better come along by +my +train. Soon after I arrive I'll get Mrs. Cartwright to ask you across."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I mustn't bother your friends," said Lister. +"Besides, I really don't know if I want to go to sea."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"All the same, you'll come over to Carrock. You +ought +to know Cartwright and I reckon he'll like to know you. I have a notion +you and +he would make a good team."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister wondered whether Vernon had an object for +urging him +to meet his friend, but this looked ridiculous.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What's Cartwright like?" he asked carelessly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My notion is, Cartwright's unique. You imagine +he's +something of a highbrow Englishman, rather formal and polite, but he +has an eye +like a fish-hawk's and his orders go. Hair and mustache white; you +don't know +if his clothes are old or new, but you feel they're exactly what he +ought to +wear. That's Cartwright, so to speak, on top; but when you meet him you +want to +remember you're not up against a Canadian. We're a straight type. When +we're +tough, we're very tough all the time; when we're cultivated, you can +see the +polish shine. In the Old Country it's harder to fix where folks belong."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You imply that you have got to know Cartwright +before +you fix him?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon laughed. "I haven't quite fixed him yet. At +one +time he's a sober gentleman of the stiff old school; at another he's as +rough +as the roughest hobo I've met in the West. I reckon he'd beat a +business crook +at the other's smartest trick, but if you're out for a straight deal, +you'll +find Cartwright straight."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off to change some money and Lister went +to his +cabin and began to pack his trunk. When he came up they had passed the +Chicken +Rock and a long bright beam touched the sea astern. In the East, water +and sky +faded to dusky blue, but presently a faint light began to blink as if +it +beckoned. The light got brighter and gradually drew abeam. The foaming +wake +glimmered lividly in the dark, the beat of screws seemed quicker, and +Lister +thought the ship was carried forward by a stream of tide.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Other lights began to blink. They stole out of the +dark, got +bright, and vanished, and Lister, leaning on the rails, felt they +called him +on. One knew them by their colors and measured flashes. They were +beacons, +burning on a well-ordered plan to guide the navigator, but he did not +know the +plan. In a sense, this was important, and he began to muse.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Now he would soon reach the Old Country, he felt +he had made +a momentous plunge. Adventure called, he knew Canada and wanted +something +fresh, but he wondered whether this was all. Perhaps the plunge had, so +to +speak, not been a thoughtless caprice. In a sense, things had led up to +it and +made it logical. For example, it might not have been for nothing he met +the +girl on the train and got hurt. His hurt had kept him at Winnipeg and +stopping +there had roused his discontent. Then he had met Vernon, who wanted him +to know +the English ship-owner. It was possible these things were like the +flashes that +leaped out of the dark. He would know where they pointed when the +journey was +over. Then Lister smiled and knocked out his pipe.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he went on deck again some time afterwards +the ship was +steering for a gap between two rows of twinkling lights. They ran on, +closing +on each other, like electric lamps in a long street, and in front the +sky shone +with a dull red glow. It was the glimmer of a great port, they were +entering +the Mersey, and he went off to get up his luggage.</p> +<h1><a name="_Toc56085270">PART II—THE RECKONING</a></h1> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085271">CHAPTER I</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085272"></a>VERNON'S PLOT</h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister occupied the end of a slate-flag bench on +the lawn at +Carrock, Mrs. Cartwright's house in Rannerdale. Rannerdale slopes to a +lake in +the North Country, and the old house stands among trees and rocks in a +sheltered hollow. The sun shone on its lichened front, where a creeper +was +going red; in the background birches with silver stems and leaves like +showers +of gold gleamed against somber firs. Across the lawn and winding road, +the +tranquil lake reflected bordering woods; and then long mountain slopes +that +faded from yellow and green to purple closed the view.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">While Lister waited for the tea Mrs. Cartwright +had given +him to cool he felt the charm of house and dale was strong. Perhaps it +owed +something to the play of soft light and shade, for, as a rule, in +Canada all +was sharply cut. The English landscape had a strange elusive beauty +that +gripped one hard, and melted as the fleecy clouds rolled by. When the +light +came back color and line were as beautiful but not the same.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">There was no grass in Canada like the sweep of +smooth +English turf, and Lister had not thought a house could give the sense +of +ancient calm one got at Carrock. Since his boyhood he had not known a +home; his +resting place had been a shack at a noisy construction camp, a room at +a +crowded cheap hotel, and a berth beside a steamer's rattling engines. +Then the +shining silver on the tea-table was something new; he marked its beauty +of +line, and the blue and gold and brown pattern on the delicate china he +was +almost afraid to touch. In fact, all at Carrock was marked by a strange +refinement and quiet charm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He liked his hosts. Mrs. Cartwright was large, +rather fat, +and placid, but he felt the house and all it stood for were hers by +rightful +inheritance. Her son and daughter were not like that. Lister thought +they had +cultivated their well-bred serenity and by doing so had cultivated out +some +virile qualities of human nature. Grace Hyslop had beauty, but not much +charm; +Lister thought her cold, and imagined her prejudices were strong and +conventional. Mortimer's talk and manners were colorlessly correct. +Lister did +not know yet if Hyslop was a prig or not.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright was frankly puzzling. He looked like a +sober +country gentleman, and this was not the type Lister had thought to +meet. His +clothes were fastidiously good, his voice had a level, restrained note, +but his +eye was like a hawk's, as Vernon had said. Now and then one saw a +twinkle of +ironical amusement and some of his movements were quick and vigorous. +Lister +thought Cartwright's blood was red.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Vernon, lounging at the opposite end of the bench, +talked +about a day Hyslop and he had spent upon the rocks, and rather struck a +foreign +note. He had not Hyslop's graceful languidness; he looked alert and +highly-strung. His thin face was too grave for Carrock and his glance +too +quick. Lister, listening to his remarks, was surprised to note that +Hyslop was +a bold mountaineer.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," he said, with a deprecatory smile, +when Vernon stopped, "this small group of mountains is all the wild +belt +we have got, and you like to find a stranger keen about your favorite +sport. +Then your keenness was flattering. In your country, with its lonely +woods and +rivers running to the North, you have a field for strenuous sport and +adventure."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The woods pull," Vernon agreed. "All the +same, I'm a business man. Betting at the Board of Trade is my proper +job and +I've got to be satisfied with a week at a fishing camp now and then. +Adventure +is for the pioneers, lumber men and railroad builders like my friend."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister looked up. He did not see why Vernon talked +about +him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My adventures don't count for much," he said. +"Sometimes a car went into a muskeg and we had to hustle to dig her +out. +Sometimes the boys made trouble about their pay. Railroad building is +often +dull."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know if we're all modest in Canada, but +my +partner is," Vernon observed. "If you want a romantic tale, persuade +him to tell you how he got the mark on his head."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh shucks!" said Lister. "I had sooner you +had cut that out." He turned to the others apologetically. "It was a +dispute with a fellow on board a train who threw me down the steps. I +don't +want to bore you with the tale."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The man was the famous crook, Shillito," Vernon +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright lifted his head and looked at Vernon +hard. Then +he looked at Lister, who felt embarrassed and angry. He saw Grace and +Mrs. +Cartwright were curious and thought Hyslop's glance got keen.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If it will not bother Mr. Lister, we would like +to +hear his narrative," said Cartwright quietly, but Lister got a hint of +command.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He narrated his adventure on the train, and +although he +tried to rob the story of its romance, was surprised when he stopped +for a +moment. Vernon was carelessly lighting a cigarette, but Lister saw his +carelessness was forced. When he got a light he crossed the grass, as +if he +meant to throw the match over the hedge. Lister thought Cartwright +watched +Harry with dry amusement. Mrs. Cartwright's look was obviously +disturbed, but +she had not altogether lost her calm. One felt her calm was part of +her, but +the Hyslops' was cultivated. Lister imagined it cost them something to +use +control.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Go on," said Cartwright, rather sharply.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister resumed, but presently Cartwright stopped +him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You imagined the girl was afraid of Shillito! +What +were your grounds?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She was disturbed and declared she must get off +the +train. I think she meant to jump off, although we were going fast. Then +she +asked me if the conductor could be bribed to stop."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Perhaps we can take it for granted she wanted to +get +away from somebody. Why did you surmise the man was Shillito?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He came through the car afterwards, as if he +tried to +find the girl, and gave me a keen glance. When he came back I thought +him angry +and disappointed. By and by I had better grounds for imagining he +suspected I +had helped her."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright pondered, but Lister did not think he +doubted. It +rather looked as if he weighed something carefully. The lines on his +face got +deeper and his look was thoughtful.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I understand the girl did not give you her name," +he said. "What was she like? How was she dressed?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister was rather surprised to find he could not +answer +satisfactorily. It was not the girl's physical qualities but her +emotions he +had marked. He remembered the pluck with which she had struggled +against the +fear she obviously felt, her impulsive trust when he offered help, and +her +relief when she got into the locomotive cab. Although he had studied +her at Montreal, +it was her effort to play a part that impressed him most.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She was young, and I think attractive," he +replied. "She wore a knitted cap and a kind of jersey a girl might use +for +boating. I thought she came from a summer camp."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's face was inscrutable, but Lister saw +the +others' interest was keen. Mrs. Cartwright's eyes were fixed on him and +he got +a hint of suspense. Although Grace was very quiet, a touch of color had +come to +her skin, as if she felt humiliated. Mortimer's pose was stiff and his +control +over done. Then Cartwright turned to his step-daughter.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Have you told Jones about the box of plants for +Liverpool?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace's look indicated that she did not want to +go, but +Cartwright's glance was insistent and she got up. Lister looked about +and saw Vernon +had not come back. He was studying the plants in a border across the +lawn. When +Grace had gone Cartwright asked:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Can you remember the evening of the month and the +time +when you first saw the girl?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister fixed the date and added: "It was nearly +ten o'clock. The porter had just gone through the car and when he said +my berth was ready +I looked at my watch. He went to the next Pullman, and I thought he was +getting +busy late."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded and Mortimer glanced at him +sharply, but +next moment looked imperturbable. Mrs. Cartwright's relief, however, +was +obvious. Her face had become animated and her hands trembled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Thank you," said Cartwright. "Go on."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister narrated his putting the girl on board the +gravel +train and Mrs. Cartwright interrupted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Do you know if she had money?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She had some. Enough to buy a ticket East."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's strange," said Mrs. Cartwright, and then +exclaimed: "You mean you gave her some?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Lister awkwardly, "I'd seen +her look at her purse and frown, and as I helped her up the locomotive +steps I +pushed a few bills into her hand. I don't think she knew they were +paper money. +She was highly-strung and anxious to get off before Shillito came +along."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave him a look that moved him. +Her eyes +shone and he knew she was his friend.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The poor girl was strangely lucky when she met +you," she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister resumed his narrative, but it was plain the +climax +had passed. The others' interest was now polite, and he went on as fast +as +possible. He had begun to see a light and wanted to finish and get +away. He did +not, however, see that while he told his artless tale he had drawn his +character. When he stopped Cartwright said:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you did not know her name?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know it yet," said Lister, as coolly as +he could, but got embarrassed when he saw Cartwright's smile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You don't imagine Shillito rejoined her +afterwards?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Lister firmly, "I think it's +impossible. The gravel train was going East, and when the police +boarded the +cars we had run some distance West." He stopped for a moment, because +he +saw he was very dull. If his supposition were correct, there was +something the +others ought to know. "Besides," he resumed, "I met her not long +since at Montreal."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"At Montreal!" Mrs. Cartwright exclaimed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"At a shop where they sold <i>souvenirs</i>," +Lister replied. "I didn't expect to meet her; I went in to buy some +enameled things. It was a pretty good shop and the hotel clerk declared +the +people were all right. She knew me and we went to a tea-room. She left +me at +the door, and I think that's all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He got up. "I don't know if I have bored you, but +I +felt you wanted me to talk. Now I must get off, and I want to see Harry +before +I go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Vernon does not seem to be about," Cartwright +remarked with some dryness. "I'll go to the gate with you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave Lister her hand and her +glance was very +kind. "You will come back? So long as you stop here I hope you will +feel +our house is open to you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Hyslop got up, but Cartwright stopped him with a +sign. He +was quiet while they crossed the lawn, but when they reached the wood +by the +road he said, "I imagine you know we owe you much. After a time, your +efforts to use some tact were rather obvious. Well, the girl you helped +is my +step-daughter."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"At the beginning, I did not know this," Lister +declared.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It was plain," said Cartwright, "Well, I +agree with her mother—Barbara was very lucky when she met you, but +since +you look embarrassed, we'll let this go. Did she repay your loan?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She wanted to pay me," said Lister. "I +refused."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why?" Cartwright asked, looking at him hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister hesitated, "For one thing, I didn't know +the +sum. Then I knew her wages were not high. You ought to see I couldn't +take the +money."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You ought to have taken the money, for the girl's +sake."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh," said Lister, "I think she knew I didn't +refuse because I wanted her to feel she owed me something."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible she did know," said Cartwright +dryly. "You must try to remember the sum when you come again. Now I +want +the name of the shop at Montreal."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister told him and added: "You mean to write to +Miss +Hyslop?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. "I'm going across as soon as +possible to bring my step-daughter home."</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085273">CHAPTER II</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085274">BARBARA'S RETURN</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">When Lister had gone Cartwright returned to the +tea-table +and looked at Hyslop, who got up and went off. Hyslop did not +altogether want +to go but he had cultivated discretion, and it was plain his +step-father meant +to get rid of him. Then Cartwright gave his wife a sympathetic glance. +Mrs. +Cartwright was calm, but when she put some cups together her hand shook.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Leave the things alone," said Cartwright in a +soothing voice. "Vernon's plot was clever."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Do you think Harry planned that Lister should +tell +us?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It looks like that," said Cartwright dryly. +"He was keen about bringing his friend over, but was cautious enough to +wait until the fellow began to know us. When he talked about Lister's +adventures I wondered where he was leading. The other was puzzled, and +didn't +see until near the end."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But why didn't Harry, himself, tell us all he +knew?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Vernon's a good sort and more fastidious than one +thinks; he saw he'd be forced to venture on rather awkward ground, and +there +was some doubt. He wanted us to weigh the story and judge if the clew +he gave +us ought to be followed. This was not Vernon's job, although I think he +was +satisfied."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But you are satisfied?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes," said Cartwright "Lister's portrait of +Barbara was lifelike and his own was pretty good. I think he drew +himself and +her better than he knew, and perhaps it's lucky we have to deal with +fellows +like these. A good Canadian is a fine type. However, we must bring +Barbara +back."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Mrs. Cartwright, "I want her back! +One must hide one's hurt, but to hide it is hard—" She pulled +herself up and added: "Will you send a cablegram?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not. The girl is proud and as wild as a +hawk. +She thinks she has humiliated us, and if she's startled, she'll +probably run +away."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You don't think she has humiliated us?" Mrs. +Cartwright said in a hesitating voice.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. "It's plain that her escapade +must +not be talked about but we can trust these Canadians and I know +Barbara. In a +sense, Lister's narrative wasn't necessary. The girl is headstrong, but +I was +persuaded she would find the rascal out. Looks as if she did so soon +after they +got on board the cars, and I imagine Shillito had an awkward few +moments; +Barbara's temper is not mild. Then it's important that she was +desperately +anxious to escape from him. There's no more to be said."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave him a grateful look. Her +husband had +never failed her and he had justified her trust again.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you don't send a cablegram, how shall we get +Barbara back?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll go myself," said Cartwright "If she +can't be persuaded, I'll bring her by force. It's lucky I can charge +the cost +to the office. The new wheat is coming down to Montreal, and the <i>Conference</i> +people have a plan to get it all, but I expect to beat them and engage +some +cargo for our boats before the St. Lawrence freezes. However, since I'm +going, +I must get to work."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He started for the house and met his step-son at +the porch. +Mortimer looked thoughtful, and held an unlighted cigarette. Cartwright +studied +him with scornful amusement.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Have you been speculating about the proper way of +handling an awkward situation?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have been talking to Grace," Hyslop replied in +an even voice.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I rather think Grace has been talking to you, but +expect you agreed. You have, no doubt, decided the best plan is to +leave your +headstrong sister alone?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We did agree about something like that," said +Hyslop coolly, although when Cartwright fixed his eyes on his he turned +his +head. "We thought if Barbara were given an allowance, she might, for +example, stay with the Vernons. Grace's notion—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's mouth got hard and his mustache +bristled. When +he was moved his urbanity vanished and his talk was very blunt.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We'll let Grace's notion go. My form is not my +step-children's, but I try to moderate my remarks about women. We'll +admit +Grace is a woman, although I sometimes doubt. Anyhow, you are not a +man; you +haven't a drop of warm blood in your veins! You're a curled and scented +fine +lady's lap-dog pup!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't see much use in talking about my +qualities, +sir."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You don't see," Cartwright agreed. "That's +your drawback! You see nothing that's rude and human; you're afraid to +look. +All that's obvious is, Barbara must not come home to throw an awkward +reflection on Grace's Puritanical virtue. People might find out +something and +talk? If anybody talks while I'm about, I'll ram the implication down +his +throat! You don't see, or perhaps you don't mind, the drawbacks to +separating +Barbara from her mother and banishing her from home? She's trustful, +rash, and +fiery, and not a statue like Grace. Anyhow, Barbara is coming back, and +if you +don't approve, I'll expect you to be resigned. Now get off before I let +myself +go!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Hyslop went. One gained nothing by arguing with a +brute like +Cartwright, and since Mrs. Cartwright's infatuation for her husband +could not +be disturbed Hyslop knew he must acquiesce. Cartwright, rather braced +by the +encounter, went to the library and wrote some letters to Liverpool. A +few days +afterwards, he packed his trunk and was driven to the station in Mrs. +Cartwright's car. Grace got up an hour earlier than usual in order to +see him +off, and when she brought his scarf and gloves Cartwright accepted her +ministrations with politeness. Although he knew she disapproved of him, +she +thought her duty was to do things like this, and he played up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When the throb of the car was getting faint she +met Mortimer +going to the lake. He stopped and looked up at the valley, which was +streaked +by a thin line of dust.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For three or four weeks we'll be undisturbed," he +said. "I admit I like Carrock better when my step-father is away."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Barbara's coming back with him," Grace remarked. +"In some ways, her return will be awkward, but perhaps she ought to +come."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mortimer gave her a surprised glance. "This was +not +your view!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well, I have been thinking. Barbara is rash +and +very young. In Canada, she would be free from all control, and one must +not +weigh drawbacks against one's duty. Perhaps Cartwright takes the proper +line, +although of course it costs him nothing. You didn't tell me what he +said the +other evening."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mortimer shrugged. "As a rule, my step-father's +remarks +won't bear re-stating. He was a little franker than usual."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He <i>is</i> coarse," said Grace. "One feels +he gets coarser, as if his thoughts had begun to react on his body. +There is a +link, and, of course, with his habits—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I rather think you mean with his appetites. +Cartwright +does not often let himself go when he's at home, but when he is away +he's +another man."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Grace looked thoughtful. "One likes restraint. All +the +same, I sometimes think rude, primitive people have a vigor we have +not. It's +strange, but indulgence seems to go with force. One feels our friends +are +rather <i>bloodless</i>—I'm using Cartwright's phrase."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Our Canadian friends are not bloodless. I expect +you +have remarked that Barbara's the type they like."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She has an appeal for men like that," Grace +agreed, and mused.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was hard to own, but she began to see that when +she +thought Barbara ought to stop in Canada she was inspired by jealousy. +Barbara's +charm for men was strong and when she was about they left Grace alone. +Still +she had a vague perception that her sister's charm was not altogether +physical. +She herself had a classical beauty that did not mark the younger girl; +it +looked as if Barbara had attractive qualities that were not hers. +Lister, for +example, was not a brute like Cartwright, but it was plain that Barbara +had +attracted him. Grace approved his soberness and frank gravity; and then +she +pulled herself up. She must not be jealous about her sister.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Cartwright's power is stronger because he does +not use +our money," Mortimer resumed. "I don't know if it was cleverness or +scruples that urged him to refuse. All the same, if he were forced to +ask +mother's help, his influence would be less."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But his needing help is not probable. He's +managing +owner of the line."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mortimer smiled. "He gets a commission on the +boat's +earnings, but does not hold many shares. Then the fleet is small and +the boats +don't earn very much. Things are not going smoothly and some +shareholders would +like to put Cartwright off the Board. At the last meeting, one fellow +talked +about the need for fresh blood. However, I expect Cartwright's clever +enough, +to keep off the rocks, and when one can't get rid of a drawback one +must +submit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lighting a cigarette, he started for the lake and +Grace +returned thoughtfully to the house. Mortimer hated Cartwright and Grace +admitted he had some grounds. Although her brother was indolent and +philosophical, he did not forget. Rude disputes jarred him, but if by +some +chance he was able to injure the other, Grace thought he would do so. +Grace, +herself, strongly disapproved of Cartwright. All the same, he was her +step-father and she had tried to cultivate her sense of duty. She was +prejudiced, cold, and censorious, but she meant to be just and did not +like +Mortimer's bitterness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright was occupied for some time at Montreal, +and the +birch leaves had fallen when he returned. The evening was dark, and +chilly mist +rolled down the dale, but a big fire burned in the hall at Carrock and +tall +lamps threw a cheerful light on the oak paneling. A flooded beck roared +in the +hollow of a ghyll across the lawn and its turmoil echoed about the +hall. Mrs. +Cartwright stood by the fire, Grace moved restlessly about, and +Mortimer +appeared to be absorbed by the morning's news.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wish you would sit down, mother," he said +presently. "You can hear the car, you know, and the train is often +late."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For a few minutes Mrs. Cartwright did not move, +and then she +started and fixed her eyes on the door. She heard an engine throb, +there was a +noise in the porch, and a cold wind blew into the room. Then the door +opened +and Cartwright entered, shaking the damp from his fur coat. He turned, +beckoning somebody behind, and Barbara came out from the arch. Her face +was +flushed, her eyes were hard, and she stopped irresolutely. Mortimer +advanced to +take the coat she carried and Grace crossed the floor, but Barbara +waited, as +if she did not see them. Then her strained look vanished, for Mrs. +Cartwright +went forward with awkward speed and took her in her arms.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright saw his wife had forgotten him, and +turning to +the others with a commanding gesture, drove them and the servants from +the +hall. When they had gone he gave Mrs. Cartwright a smile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I've brought her back," he said. "Not +altogether an easy job. Barbara's ridiculous, but she can fight."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off and Barbara clung to her mother. She +was shaking +and her breath came hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You were ridiculous," said Mrs. Cartwright in a +gentle voice. "I expect you were very obstinate. But he was kind?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He's a dear; I love him!" Barbara replied. +"He understands everything. I think he ought to have stopped at +Liverpool; +the secretary met us and talked about some business, but if he hadn't +come with +me, I could not have borne—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She stopped, and resting her head on Mrs. +Cartwright's +shoulder, began to cry. Mrs. Cartwright said nothing, but kissed and +soothed +her with loving gentleness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When, some time afterwards, Barbara came down the +stairs +that occupied one side of the hall she was composed, but tea by the +fire was +something of a strain. It was plain that Grace's careless talk was +forced and +Mortimer's efforts to keep on safe ground were marked. Now and then +Cartwright's eyes twinkled and Barbara thought she knew why he +sometimes made a +joke that jarred the others. When the meal was over he took them away.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I imagine your sister understands Grace and you +are +willing to take her back and forget the pain she gave you," he said to +Hyslop. "Your handling of the situation was tactful and correct, but +you +can leave her to her mother."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright stopped with Barbara, who brought +a +footstool to the hearthrug, and sitting down leaned against her knee.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have been an obstinate, selfish, romantic +fool!" she broke out.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright touched her hair and smiled, for +she felt +comforted. This was the tempestuous Barbara she thought she had lost.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My dear!" she said. "It's not important +since you have come back.''</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I oughtn't to have come back. If you had not sent +father, I would not have come. He's determined, but he's gentle. You +know he +sympathizes."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Although I wanted him to go, I did not send him," +Mrs. Cartwright replied. "He went because he loves you, but we can talk +about this again." She hesitated for a moment and went on: "It was +not long, I think, before you found Shillito was a thief? Mr. Lister's +story +indicated this."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A wave of color came to Barbara's skin, but she +looked up +and her eyes flashed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"At the beginning, I did not know he was a thief; +I +found out he was a cunning brute. Afterwards, when I read about his +escape in +the newspapers, I rather wished the trooper who shot at him had not +missed—" +She shook with horror and anger and it was a moment or two before she +resumed: +"I can't tell you all, mother. I was frightened, but anger gave me +pluck. +He said I must stick to him because I could not go back. I think I +struck him, +and then I ran away. People were going to their berths in the Pullman +and he +durst not use force. When I got to the car platform and was going to +jump off I +saw Mr. Lister—but he has told you—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright nodded, for she was satisfied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My dear," she said, "it's done with. Still I +wonder why you were willing to leave us."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes I wonder. To begin with, I have owned I +was +a fool; but things were dreary and I wanted a thrill. Then I had begun +to feel +nobody at home wanted me. Father and you were kind, but he seemed to +think me +an amusing, willful child. Grace always disapproved, and Mortimer +sneered. They +knew I was not their sort and very proper people are cruel if you won't +obey +their rules. I hated rules; Grace's correctness made me rebel. Then +Louis came +and declared I was all to him. He was handsome and romantic, and I was +tired of +restraint. I thought I loved him, but it was ridiculous, because I hate +him +now. Mortimer's a prig, but Louis is a brute!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright sighed. She liked tranquillity and +the +girl's passion jarred. She tried to soothe her, and presently Barbara +asked in +a level voice: "Where is Harry Vernon?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He went to town a few days since."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When he knew I would soon arrive? His going is +significant. I shall hate Harry next!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You must not be unjust. I imagine he thought to +meet +him would embarrass you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It would have embarrassed me, but Harry would not +have +known," Barbara declared. "If I have been a fool, I can pay. Still I +ought to have stayed in Canada. Father's obstinate and I wanted to come +home, +but things will be harder than at Montreal."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright kissed her. "My poor child, the +hurt is +not as deep as you think. We will try to help you to forget."</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085275">CHAPTER III</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085276">LISTER CLEARS THE GROUND</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sun was on the rocks and the lichen shone in +rings of +soft and varied color. Blue shadows filled the dale, which, from the +side of +the Buttress, looked profoundly deep. A row of young men and women +followed a +ledge that crossed the face of the steep crag; Mortimer Hyslop leading, +a girl +and Vernon a few yards behind, Lister and Barbara farther off.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Hyslop knew the rocks and was a good leader. He +was cool and +cautious and did not undertake a climb until he was satisfied about his +companions' powers. The slanting edge looked dangerous, but was not, +although +one must be steady and there was an awkward corner. At the turning, the +ledge +got narrow, and one must seize a knob and then step lightly on a stone +embedded +in mossy soil.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When they reached the spot Hyslop stopped and told +Vernon +what to do; the girl immediately behind him was a clever mountaineer. +They went +round and Lister watched from a few yards off. For a moment or two each +in +turn, supported by one foot with body braced against the rock, grasped +the knob +and vanished round the corner. It was plain one must get a firm hold, +but +Lister thought this was all. He was used to the tall skeleton trestles +that +carried the rails across Canadian ravines.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After the others disappeared Lister seized the +knob. He +thought the stone he stood on moved and he cautiously took a heavier +strain on +his arm. He could get across, but he obeyed an impulse and gave the +stone a +push. It rolled out and, when he swung himself back to the ledge, +plunged down +and smashed upon the rocks below. For a few moments the echoes rolled +about the +crags, and then Hyslop shouted: "Are you all right? Can you get +round?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said he thought not, and Hyslop replied +that it did +not matter. Barbara would take him up a grassy ridge and the others +would meet +them at the top. A rattle of nailed boots indicated that he was going +off and +Lister turned and glanced at Barbara. She had sat down on an inclined +slab and +her figure and face, in profile, cut against the sky. A yard or two +beneath +her, the sloping rock vanished at the top of a steep pitch and one saw +nothing +but the crags across the narrow dale. Yet Lister thought the girl was +not +disturbed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect I was clumsy,'' he apologized.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well," she said, "it looks like that!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He gave her a quick glance and pondered. Although +he had +gone to Carrock since she came home, she had been strangely cold and, +so to +speak, aloof. He had imagined their meeting might embarrass her, but +she was +not embarrassed. In fact, she had met him as if he were a friend, but +he had +not seen her afterwards unless somebody was about. Now he meant to +force her to +be frank.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was clumsy," he resumed. "All the same, +when I felt the stone begin to move I might have pulled myself across +by my +hands. I expect the block would have been firm enough to carry you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes, I know," said Barbara. "You didn't want +me to get across!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister studied her. He doubted if it was +altogether exertion +that had brought the blood to her skin and given her eyes the keen +sparkle. +Clinging to the rock, with the shadowy gulf below, she looked strangely +alert +and virile. Her figure cut against the sky; he noted its slenderness +and +finely-drawn lines. She was not angry, although he had admitted he +pushed down +the stone, but he felt as if something divided them and doubted if he +could +remove the obstacle.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wanted to talk and had found I could not get +near +you unless the others were about," he said. "It looked as if I had +unconsciously given you some grounds for standing me off. Well, I +suppose I did +put your relations on your track."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It wasn't that," said Barbara. "I imagine +Harry Vernon helped you there. You were forced to tell your story."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was forced. All the same, I think Harry's plan +was +good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He went away a few days before I arrived!" +Barbara remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister thought he saw where she led and knitted +his brows. +He was on awkward ground and might say too much, but to say nothing +might be +worse.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Harry's a good sort and I expect he pulled out +because +he imagined you'd sooner he did so," he said. "For all that, I reckon +he ought to have stayed."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Although her color was vivid, Barbara gave him a +searching +glance. "In order to imply I had no grounds for embarrassment if I met +him? Harry was at the camp in the woods."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He knew you had no grounds for embarrassment," +Lister declared. "I knew, and Harry's an older friend."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara turned her head, and when she looked back +Lister +thought his boldness was justified. In a sense she had been very frank, +although perhaps this situation made for frankness. They were alone on +the face +of the towering crag. All was very quiet but for the noise of falling +water, +and the only living object one could see was a buzzard hovering high up +at a +white cloud's edge. One could talk in the mountain solitude as one +could not +talk in a drawing-room. For all that, Lister felt he had not altogether +broken +the girl's reserve.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"One envies men like you who build railways and +sail +ships," she said, and now Lister wondered where she led. "You live a +natural life, knowing bodily strain and primitive emotions. Sometimes +you're +exhausted and sometimes afraid. Your thought's fixed on the struggle; +you're +keenly occupied. Isn't it like that?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Something like that," Lister agreed. +"Sometimes the strain gets monotonous."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But it's often thrilling. Men and women need to +be +thrilled. People talk about the modern lust for excitement, but it +isn't modern +and I expect the instinct's sound. Civilization that gives us hot water +before +we get up and food we didn't grow is not all an advantage. Our bodies +get soft +and we're driven back on our emotions. Where we want action we get +talk. Then +one gets up against the rules; you mustn't be angry, you mustn't be +sincere, +you must use a dreary level calm."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister was puzzled and said nothing, but Barbara +went on: +"Perhaps some girls like this; others don't, and now and then rebel. We +feel we're human, we want to live. Adventure calls us, as it calls you. +We want +to front life's shocks and storms; unsatisfied curiosity drives us on. +Then +perhaps romance comes and all the common longings of flesh and blood +are +transfigured."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She stopped, and Lister began to see a light. This +was her +apology for her rashness in Canada, all she would give, and he doubted +if she +had given as much to others. On the whole, he thought the apology good.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Romance cheats one now and then," he remarked, +and pulled himself up awkwardly, but Barbara was calm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wonder whether it always cheats one!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not," he said. "Sometimes one must +trust one's luck, and venture. All the same, philosophizing is not my +habit, +and when I didn't step lightly on the stone—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You mean, when you pushed the stone down?" +Barbara interrupted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well. Anyhow, I didn't mean to philosophize. +I +wanted to find out why you kept away from me."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Although you knew why I did so? You admitted you +knew +why Harry went off!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I see I've got to talk," said Lister. +"Shillito was a cheat, but when you found him out you tried to jump off +the train. You let me help because I think you trusted me."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did trust you. It's much to know my trust was +justified. For one thing, it looks as if I wasn't altogether a fool."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Afterwards, when I met you at Montreal, you were +friendly, +although you tried to persuade me you were a shop girl."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara smiled. "I was a shop girl. Besides, you +were a +stranger, and it's sometimes easy to trust people one does not expect +to see +again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My plan's to trust the people I like all the +time," Lister replied. "When I found you on the car platform I knew I +ought to help, I saw you meant to escape from something mean. Then at +Montreal +it was plain you were trying in make good because you were proud and +would not +go back. I liked that, although I thought you were not logical. Well, I +told +your story because Vernon bluffed me, but if I'd known your step-father +as I +know him now, I'd have told the tale before."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, it was in order that I might understand +this you +sent the stone down the crag?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think it was," said Lister. "I hope I +have, so to speak, cleared the ground."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a puzzling smile. "You're rather +obvious, but it's important you mean to be nice. However, I expect the +others +are waiting for us and we must join them, although we won't go by the +grass +ridge," She indicated the slope of cracked rock in front. "The hold +is pretty good. Do you think you can get up?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister doubted. He was athletic and steady, but +the climb +looked awkward for a beginner.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you are going, I'll try."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You imagine you can go where I can go?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Something like that," Lister admitted. "If +I'm beaten, you're accountable and will have to help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He was satisfied by Barbara's frank laugh. Her +mood was +changeable. Not long since he had, with awkward sympathy, thought her a +proud +humiliated woman; now she was marked by the humor of a careless girl. +He could, +however, play up to her later mood, and when they set off he began to +joke.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The rock slanted, and cracks and breaks gave a +firm hold, +but there was not a crack wherever one was needed and the pitch was +steep. Then +in places the slabs were slippery with wet lichen and Lister's ordinary +walking +boots could get no grip. His jokes stopped and the sweat began to dew +his face. +His breath got hard and he felt his heart beat. It was obvious that +climbing +needed study.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For all that, he went on and found a strange +delight in +watching Barbara. Her clothes harmonized with the soft colors of lichen +and +stone; her movements were confident and light. He got no sense of +effort; her +pose was seldom strained and the lines of her limbs and body flowed in +easy +curves. He thought she rather flitted than labored up the rock. +Practice no +doubt accounted for much, but something was due to temperament. Barbara +did not +hesitate; she trusted her luck and went ahead.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length she stopped, pressed against the stone +in the +hollow of a gully, while Lister crept obliquely across a long wet slab. +He +looked up and saw her face, finely colored after effort, against a +background +of green and gold. The berries on a small mountain-ash in a cranny +harmonized +with the carmine of her skin. She looked down and smiled with careless +amusement.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Then Lister's foot slipped and he could get no +hold for his +hands. His smooth boots drew a greasy line across the wet slab as he +slid down. +Perhaps the risk was not very daunting, but he knew he must not roll +down far. +At the bottom of the slab he brought up with his foot braced against a +knob, +and he saw Barbara coming after him. When she stopped her glance was +apologetic.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I forgot you hadn't proper boots. Give me your +hand +and try again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No, thanks," said Lister. "Do you think I'm +going to let you pull me up?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why not?" she asked with a twinkle.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"To begin with, I'm obstinate and don't mean to be +beaten by a bit of greasy rock. Then I expect I'm heavier than you +think."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're ridiculously proud. It would hurt to let a +girl +help," Barbara rejoined. "After all, you're a conventionalist, and I +rather thought you were not."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Anyhow, I'm going up myself," Lister declared.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He got up, but his clothes gathered some slime +from the rock +and his skin was stained by soil and moss. Barbara looked at him with a +twinkle.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Your obstinacy cost you something," she remarked. +"If you're tired, you had better stop and smoke."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister lighted a cigarette. She had been rather +keen about +rejoining the others, but he thought she had forgotten. Barbara's +carelessness +gave her charm. Perhaps he ought to go on, but he meant to take the +extra few +minutes luck had given him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm really sorry I forgot about your boots and +brought +you up the rock," she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wonder why you did bring me up?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well, a number of the men I know have a +comfortable +feeling of superiority. Of course, nice men don't make you feel this, +but it's +there. One likes to give such pride a jolt."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think I see. If it's some comfort, I'll own you +can +beat me going up awkward rocks. But where does this take us?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara smiled. "It takes us some distance. When +you +admit a girl's your equal, friendship's easier. You know, one reason +Mortimer +and I can't agree is, his feeling of superiority is horribly strong."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Couldn't you take him up an awkward gully and get +him +stuck?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Barbara, in a regretful voice. +"He's really a good cragsman and knows exactly how far he can go. When +he +starts an awkward climb he reckons up all the obstacles and is ready to +get +round them when they come. The plan's good. People like Mortimer don't +get stuck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible, but I expect they miss something +now +and then. There isn't much thrill in knowing you are safe."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes you play up rather well," Barbara +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm not playing up. I'm preaching my code. I'm +not as +sober and cautious as you perhaps think."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For example?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You'll probably get bored, but in Canada I turned +down +a pretty good job because it was monotonous. I wanted something fresh, +and +thought I'd go across and see the Old Country. Well, I'm here and all's +charming, but I don't know how I'll get back when my wad runs out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Barbara, "you mean your money will +soon be gone? But you have relations. Somebody would help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible, but I would refuse," Lister +rejoined. "You're not adventuring much when another meets the bill. +When +my wallet's empty I'll pull out and take any old job. The chances are +I'll go +to sea."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him an approving glance. She had +known but one +other adventurer and he was a rogue. Lister was honest and she thought +he would +go far. She liked his rashness, but if he found it hard to get on board +ship, +she imagined she could help. All the same, she would not talk about +this yet.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We really must go," she said, and they started up +a gully where holes and wedged stones helped them up like steps.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When they left the gully they saw a group of +people on the +neighboring summit of the hill and for a moment Lister stopped.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have had a glorious climb," he said, "Now +it's over, I hope you're not going to stand me off again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a curious smile. "One can't stop +on +the mountains long. We're going down to the every-day level and all +looks +different there."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The others began to wave to them, and crossing a +belt of +boggy grass they joined the group. When they returned to Carrock, +Cartwright +was not about and Mrs. Cartwright said he had got a telegram calling +him to Liverpool.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085277">CHAPTER IV</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085278">A DISSATISFIED SHAREHOLDER</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright had read the morning's letters and the <i>Journal +of Commerce</i>, and finding nothing important, turned his revolving +chair to +the fire. He had been forced to wait for a train at a draughty station, +and his +feet were cold. His office occupied an upper floor of an old-fashioned +building +near the docks. Fog from the river rolled up the street and the windows +were +grimed by soot, but Cartwright had not turned on the electric light. +The fire +snapped cheerfully, and he lighted his pipe and looked about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The furniture was shabby, the carpet was getting +threadbare, +and some of the glass in the partition that cut off the clerks' office +was +cracked. Cartwright had thought about modernizing and decorating the +rooms, but +to do the thing properly would cost five hundred pounds, and money was +scarce. +Besides, a number of the merchants who shipped goods by his boats were +conservative and rather approved his keeping the parsimonious rules of +the old +school.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The house was old and had been at one time rich +and +powerful. Cartwright's father, however, had used sailing ships too +long, and +Cartwright's speculations and extravagance when he took control had not +mended +its fortunes. Then had come a number of lean years when few shipping +companies +earned a dividend and the line's capital steadily melted. Now the +shareholders +were not numerous and the ships were small.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright glanced at the pictures in tarnished +gold frames. +<i>Oreana</i>, drawn plunging across an Atlantic comber, was the best +of the +fleet, but her engineer had for some time demanded new boilers. Since +the +reserve fund was low and other boats needed expensive repairs, +Cartwright +resolved to wait. He had bought <i>Melphomene</i>, above the +fireplace, very +cheap; but her engines were clumsy compounds and she cost much to coal. +Still +she was fast, and now and then got a paying load by reaching a port +where +freights were high before the <i>Conference</i> found out that +Cartwright meant +to cut the rates.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Titania</i>, with the white deckhouse and +shade-deck, +carried a good load on a light draught, and sometimes picked up a +profitable +cargo in shallow African lagoons. When he glanced at her picture +Cartwright's +look got thoughtful. She was one of two sister ships, launched at a +famous +yard, and Cartwright had wanted both, but the builders demanded terms +of +payment he could not meet, and another company had bought the vessel. +She was +wrecked soon afterwards, and now lay buried in the sand by an African +river +bar. The salvage company had given up their efforts to float her, but +Cartwright imagined she could be floated if one were willing to run a +risk. But +no one, it seemed was willing. On the failure of the salvage company +the underwriters +had put the steamer into the hands of Messrs. Bull and Morse, a firm of +Ship +Brokers and Marine Auctioneers, but at the public auction no bids +whatever had +been made. Subsequently advertisements appeared in the shipping papers +inviting +offers for the ship as she lay and for the salvage of the cargo. These +had run +for several weeks, but without result. Cartwright had cut them out. Now +and +then he looked at them and speculated about the undertaking.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by the bookkeeper came in and filed some +letters. +Gavin's hair was going white, and he had been with Cartwright's since +he was a +boy. He was fat, red-faced, and humorous, although his humor was not +refined. +Gavin liked to be thought something of a sport, but Cartwright knew he +was +staunch.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You imagine Mrs. Seaton will look me up this +morning?" Cartwright said presently.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes, sir. She called and demanded to see you. In +fact, +I think she doubted when I told her you hadn't come back from the +North. She +said the shareholders' meeting would be soon and she expected you to +give a +bigger dividend; the Blue Funnel people had paid five per cent. If you +didn't +return before long, she might run up to Carrock. So I sent the +telegram."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded. He trusted his bookkeeper, who +had +grounds for imagining it was not altogether desirable Mrs. Seaton +should arrive +at Carrock.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Have you heard anything from Manners while I was +away?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Nothing direct, sir. His nephew, Hatton, came +round +with a tender for the bunker coal, and implied that he ought to get the +job. +Then I had a notion Mrs. Seaton, so to speak, was <i>primed</i>. +Looked as if +somebody had got at her; her arguments about the dividend were rather +good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible," said Cartwright dryly. "If +she comes, you can show her in. But what about the wine?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know if it will see you out. There's not +a +great deal left, and last time—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "Exactly! Send for +another +bottle and see you get the proper stuff. Some of the biscuits, too; you +know +the kind. Rather a bother, but perhaps the best plan!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Safer than going out to lunch," Gavin remarked. +"Then, in the office, you're on your own ground. That counts."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Gives you moral support and handicaps an +antagonist +who's not a business man?" Cartwright suggested. "Well, perhaps it +does so, but I see some drawbacks. Anyhow, get the wine."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Gavin went off and Cartwright mused by the fire. +The morning +was raw and foggy, and if he went out, the damp might get at his +throat; +moreover, Gavin would reply to his letters. Cartwright had begun to +feel it was +time to let others work while he looked on. His control counted for +less than +he had thought; things went without much guidance and it was enough to +give +them a push in the proper direction now and then. To rouse himself for +an +effort was getting harder and he would have been satisfied to rest, had +not his +pride, and, to some extent, his step-children's antagonism, prevented +his doing +so. He needed money and would not use his wife's.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">One must pay for old extravagances, and the bills +were +coming in; Mrs. Seaton's expected call was an example. Ellen was a +widow, but +before she married Seaton, Cartwright knew she counted him her lover. +They were +alike in temperament; rash, strong-willed, and greedy for all that gave +life a +thrill. In fact, Ellen was a stimulating comrade, but not the kind of +girl one +married. Cartwright married Clara and knew Mrs. Seaton bore him a +lasting +grudge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Since Seaton was a merchant whose investments in +Liverpool +were numerous, it was perhaps not strange he left his widow shares that +gave +her some control of the Cartwright line. Although she was not poor, she +was +greedy and extravagant. In fact, Cartwright imagined greed was now her +ruling +passion.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by he heard steps in the passage behind the +partition +and thought he knew the tap of high-heeled shoes. Then he heard a laugh +and +Gavin's voice. Ellen was using her charm on his bookkeeper and the old +sport +would play up. The door opened, the room smelt of violets, and Mrs. +Seaton came +in. She was tall and her furs gave her large figure a touch of dignity. +Her +color was sharply white and red, and in the rather dim light her skin +was like +a girl's. Cartwright knew Ellen was younger than he, but not very much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You look hipped and rather slack, Tom," she said +when he got up and Gavin fetched a chair.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I feel the cold and damp," Cartwright replied. +"Then managing a tramp-steamship line when freights are low is a +wearing +job."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton took off her coat. "Your office is +shabby +and climbing all those stairs is a pull. Why don't you launch out, get +a lift, +and modernize things?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My trouble is to keep the boats supplied with +coal and +stores. Besides, you see, I don't often use my office for a +drawing-room."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're very cautious," Mrs. Seaton remarked with +a laugh. "You start to get on guard before I begin my attack."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Cartwright, smiling, "I know +your power. But would you like a cigarette?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She took the curiously-decorated box he gave her +and broke +the seal. "Since you don't smoke these things, Tom, you were rather +nice +to remember."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You had better take the box," said Cartwright. +"I sent for a few when <i>Titania</i> went to the Levant. One +understands +they're hard to get in England. But I have something else you like. If +you will +wait a moment—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He rang a bell and Gavin entered, carrying two +small +glasses, a bottle, and some biscuits. When he went out, Cartwright +turned the +bottle so Mrs. Seaton could see the label.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Climbing our stairs is a fag," he said, and +filled the glasses.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton smiled and took hers. Cartwright saw +her rings +sparkle and the gleam of her regular, white teeth. The reflection from +the +grate touched her hair and it shone a smooth golden-brown. He admitted +with +amusement that Ellen was nearly as attractive as he had thought her +thirty +years since.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"This is like old times, Tom," she said. "I +remember evenings when you brought me sandwiches and iced cup at a +dance—but +I don't think you were ever remarkably romantic."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright remembered an evening when they sat +under a +shaded lamp in a quiet corner of a supper room, listening to music that +somehow +fired one's blood. But perhaps it was the iced cup he had generously +drunk. All +the same he had not been a fool, though he was tempted. He knew +something about +Ellen then, but he knew her better now. Perhaps it was typical that she +had +promptly put the box of Eastern cigarettes in her muff.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Managing ships is not a romantic occupation," he +rejoined.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Anyway, your welcome's kind and I feel shabby +because +I'm forced to bother you. But suppose some of your customers arrive?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We shall not be disturbed," said Cartwright, +smiling. "Gavin knows his job."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well. Do you expect to declare a better +dividend +at the shareholders' meeting?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I do not. If I'm lucky, I may keep the dividend +where +it is, but I don't know yet."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Two per cent. is really nothing," Mrs. Seaton +remarked. "I've been forced to study economy and you know how I hate to +pinch. Besides, I know an investment that would give me eight per cent."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, if you're satisfied the venture is not +risky, +you ought to buy the shares."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I want to buy, but it's a small, private company +and +the people stipulate I must take a large block. I have not enough +money."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright doubted, but her plan was obvious. +"When +trade is slack, one ought to be careful about investing in a private +company +that pays eight per cent," he said. "After all, it might be prudent +to be satisfied with a small profit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But I'm not satisfied and your dividend is +remarkably +small! Are you really unable to make it larger?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"One can't pay dividends out of capital. Anyhow, +one +can't keep it up for long!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, as I mean to make a plunge, I must sell +some of +the investments that don't earn me much. My shares in the line carry a +good +number of votes and, if people grumble at the meeting, would give you +some control. +Will you buy them, Tom?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright knitted his brows. He thought her hint +about the +shares giving him useful power was significant. In fact, it looked as +if +somebody had put Ellen on his track. He wondered whether Manners.... +But she +must not think him disturbed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What is your price?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My price?" she said with a puzzled look he +thought well done. "Of course, I want the sum the shares stand for."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm sorry it's impossible. Just now the shares of +very +few shipping companies are worth their face value. For example, +five-pound +shares in a good line were not long since offered at two pounds ten."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton looked disturbed. "That's dreadful!" +she exclaimed. "But I'm not rich enough to bear a heavy loss, and if +you +bought my lot, the voting power would enable you to break the +grumblers' +opposition. They're worth more to you than anybody else. Can't you help +me?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright gave her a smiling glance, although he +was +bothered. Ellen was not a fool and he noted her insistence on the value +of the +shares to him. Where this led was obvious. He had one or two powerful +antagonists and knew of plots to force his retirement. Ellen had given +him his +choice; he must promise a larger dividend or buy her shares at +something over +their market price. This, of course, was impossible, but he imagined +she did +not know how poor he was.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I can't buy," he said. "I must trust my luck +and fighting power. Although we have had stormy meetings and rates are +bad, the +line is running yet."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you haven't enough money, why don't you ask +your +wife? She's rich and hasn't risked much of her capital in the line."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," Cartwright agreed. Ellen meant to be +nasty but he must be cool. "Although my wife is rich, I don't use her +money."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're not logical, and sometimes your +fastidiousness +isn't very marked. However, it looks as if you didn't marry because +Clara was +rich. She was romantic before she began to get fat."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's face got red. He had had enough and +saw Ellen +was getting savage. She had not forgotten that, in a sense, he ought to +have +married her, and since he would not buy her shares, she would, no +doubt, help +his antagonists. Crossing the floor, he poked the fire noisily.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Shall I give you some more wine?" he asked, and +while he was occupied with the glasses the telephone bell rang behind +the +partition. A few moments afterwards Gavin came in.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Moreton has rung up, sir. If you can give him +five +minutes, he'll come across. He says it's important."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton put on her coat. "I mustn't stop when +an +important customer is coming." Then she laughed and gave Cartwright her +hand. "You are very obstinate, Tom, but I know your pluck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She went off. Gavin took away the wine, and +Cartwright +opened the window. The smell of violets vanished, but when he sat down +again he +pondered. He knew Mrs. Seaton, and thought she meant to hint his pluck +might +soon be needed. When Ellen smiled like that she was plotting something.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085279">CHAPTER V</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085280">CARTWRIGHT'S SCRUPLES</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The drawing-room at Mrs. Cartwright's house on the +Cheshire +side of the Mersey was large and old-fashioned. Cartwright thought the +stiff, +thick curtains and Victorian walnut furniture ugly, but Mrs. Cartwright +liked +the things and he was satisfied. Clara herself frankly belonged to the +old +school. She was conventional and often dull, but she had a placid +dignity that +did not mark all the up-to-date women Cartwright knew. Moreover, the +house was +comfortable. One got there by the Mersey tunnel and it was only a few +minutes' +walk from the station. For all that, the encroaching town had not yet +reached +the neighborhood, and the windows commanded a pleasant view of clean +rolling +country and the blue Welsh hills.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright felt the house was a snug harbor where +he could +rest when he was too old and battered to front the storms that had for +some +time been gathering, and sitting by the fire one evening, he speculated +about +the rocks and shoals ahead. All the same, the time to run for shelter +was not +yet; he thought he could ride out another gale.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">An arch with heavy molding occupied the middle of +the +spacious room. The folding doors had been removed and curtains partly +screened +the arch. On the other side, a group of young men and women stood about +the +piano. On Cartwright's side the lights were low. He had dined well and +liked to +loaf after dinner. Besides, he felt dull; his gout bothered him and he +had been +forced to run for his train. He had begun to find out one could not do +that +kind of thing. Mrs. Cartwright sat opposite, knitting quietly, and her +smooth, +rhythmic movements were soothing. Clara was never abrupt and jerky.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I got a letter from Stormont's by the afternoon +post," she said. "They have been repaid the mortgage, and there's +something about a foreign bond, drawn for redemption. They want to talk +about a +new investment."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Stormont, Wilmot and Stormont were her lawyers, +and +Cartwright nodded. "The money ought to be earning interest and you can +safely buy stock Stormont's approve. Their judgment's sound."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For all that, I think I'd like to choose for +myself. +Suppose I bought some shares in the line? I have a number, but it's +really not +large and I have felt I'm not supporting the house as I ought."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright knitted his brows. Clara did not know +much about +business, but she was sometimes shrewder than one thought. He wondered +whether +Mortimer had been talking. If the pup had talked, the thing was +ominous, +because it implied that others knew the difficulties Cartwright might +have to +meet.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Do you imagine the house needs supporting?" he +asked carelessly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright hesitated. "I really know nothing +about +it; but don't people grumble when you can't pay them much and their +shares go +down? Perhaps if the family owned a good part of the capital, you could +take a +firmer line."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was plain that Clara had been pondering. +Mortimer <i>had</i> +talked and somebody who was not Cartwright's friend had informed him. +Cartwright was tempted to let his wife do as she wanted: Clara owned +shares in +the line that he had let her buy when freights were good and she had +afterwards +refused to sell. Now, however, freights were very bad and the company +was +nearer the rocks than he hoped the shareholders knew. Cartwright +imagined he +could yet mend its fortunes, if he were left alone, but the job was +awkward and +opposition might be dangerous. To command a solid block of votes would +certainly help.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For all that, there was a risk Clara ought not to +run. His +antagonists were getting stronger, and if they meddled and baffled him, +the +company would fail. Its bankruptcy would not ruin his wife, but she +would feel +the loss of her money, and he was not going to use Clara for a shield +against +Ellen Seaton's attacks. The thing was shabby. All the same, the +situation was +humorous, and he saw, with an ironical smile, the advantages of Mrs. +Cartwright's plan.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm not a business woman, but I have noted you're +sometimes moody, as if you were anxious, and I want to help," she +resumed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You do help. The storms I've weathered have left +a +mark, and now I'm old and strained it's much to make a quiet port at +night. You +take all bothers from me, and send me out in the morning, braced for +another +watch in the pilot-house."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Some time you must give another the helm," said +Mrs. Cartwright quietly. "I wish I could persuade you to do so soon."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright sighed, for the strain was heavy and he +wanted to +rest. The trouble was the put-off reckoning for past extravagance was +at hand +and he shrank from asking his wife to pay. He had not been very +scrupulous, but +he had his code. Then Hyslop came through the arch, and stopping, noted +Cartwright's awkwardly stretched-out leg.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Gout bothering you again, sir?" he said. +"You ought to lie up for a few days, but I expect you're needed at the +office. I heard the E.P. line had a stormy meeting and the dissatisfied +shareholders came near turning out the directors. Johnson declared they +only +saved the situation by a few votes."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They ought to be turned out! A blundering lot! +They've +let a good fleet down."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Hyslop smiled. He had pale and watery blue eyes +that +generally annoyed Cartwright. "An awkward doctrine, sir! If all the +steamship directors who might have used the shareholders' money to +better +advantage were called to account, I imagine a number of respectable +gentlemen +would find their occupation gone. Besides, when people start deposing +rulers +they don't know where to stop. The thing's, so to speak, contagious, +and +panicky investors are not logical."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off and Cartwright braced himself. +Mortimer meant to +be nasty, but his languid malice bit deeper than he knew. Cartwright +had +hesitated, weighing the value of his wife's help against his scruples, +until +his step-son's hints had tipped the beam. After all, if he used Clara's +money +and saved his skin at her cost, the pup would have some grounds to +sneer.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I must keep control for some time yet," he said. +"Times are bad, and if I let go the helm I doubt if my successor could +steer a safe course. When the need is gone I'll willingly give up, but +I must +bring the old ship into port first. In the meantime, you had better let +Stormont's buy you sound Corporation stock."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright acquiesced and Cartwright watched +the young +people beyond the arch. With the stiff curtains for wing-scenes and the +lights +concealed, the end of the room made a proscenium: it was like looking +at a +drawing-room comedy on the stage. Two of the girls were pretty and he +approved +their fashionable clothes. When she was quiet, Grace was almost +beautiful, but +somehow none had Barbara's charm. Yet Cartwright thought the girl was +getting +thin and her color was too bright. A friend of Mortimer's occupied the +music +stool and Cartwright admitted that the fellow played well, although he +was +something like a character from a Gilbert opera.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister sat near the piano, and talked to Barbara, +He smiled, +but his smile had a touch of gravity. Cartwright thought him a good +Canadian. A +bit rugged perhaps, but staunch, and his quiet sincerity was after all +better +style than the cleverness of Mortimer's friends. Cartwright imagined +Barbara +studied Lister, who did not know. In fact, it looked as if he were +puzzled, and +Cartwright smiled. Lister had not his talents; when Cartwright was +young he +knew how to amuse a pretty girl.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The man at the piano signed to Barbara, who got up +and began +to sing. The song was modern and the melody not marked. Cartwright +liked the Victorian +ballads with tunes that haunted one and obvious sentiment, but because +Barbara +sang he gave the words and music his languid interest. After all, the +thing was +clever. There was, so to speak, not much on the surface, but one heard +an +elusive note of effort, as if one struggled after something one could +not +grasp. On the whole, Cartwright did not approve that kind of sentiment; +his +objects were generally plain. Then he thought the hint of strain was +too well +done for a young girl, and when Barbara stopped he turned to his wife.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Are you satisfied about Barbara?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why should I not be satisfied?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have felt she's not quite up to her proper +form. +Looks thin and sometimes she's quiet. Then why has young Vernon gone +off? I +haven't seen him recently."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Harry's in town; he goes home in a few days," +Mrs. Cartwright replied. She hesitated and resumed, "I imagined he +wanted +to marry Barbara, although she told me nothing about this. Barbara does +not +tell one much."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Do you think she likes him?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know, but I rather think if she had liked +him +she would have refused."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Cartwright thoughtfully. "Well, +Vernon's +a good sort, but I see some light; the girl is sensitive and very +proud! No +doubt, she feels her Canadian adventure—ridiculous, of course! But +Barbara's hard to move. All the same, if Vernon's the proper man and is +resolute—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I doubt if he is the proper man," Mrs. Cartwright +replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright pondered. Sometimes Clara did not say +all she +thought, and his glance wandered back to the group at the other end of +the +room. Barbara was again talking to Lister. He looked thoughtful and her +face +was serious. They were obviously not engaged in philandering; +Cartwright felt +their quiet absorption was significant. After a minute or two, however, +the +party about the piano broke up and went off. Barbara stopped to put +away some +music and then came through the arch.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Lister wants to go a voyage," she said to +Cartwright. "I suggested you might help him to get a post on board a +ship."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I imagine he did not suggest you should persuade +me?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Certainly not! He refused to bother you," Barbara +replied and, with some hesitation, added: "However, perhaps in a sense +we +ought to help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," Cartwright agreed. "Why did Mr. +Lister come to Liverpool?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He wanted to go round the shipping offices. +Mother +told him our house was always open—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded, "Of course! Well, I'll think +about +it and may see a plan."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara went off and Cartwright looked at his +wife. "I +don't know if this is a fresh complication; but if she refused Harry, +she'd no +doubt refuse the other. Perhaps it's important that she's willing he +should go +to sea."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"One is forced to like Mr. Lister and we owe him +much," Mrs. Cartwright remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Certainly," Cartwright agreed. "However, it +looks as if some engineering talent is all he has got, and I think a +long +voyage is indicated—" He stopped, and resumed with a twinkle: +"For all that, the fellow is not an adventurer, and I married a rich +woman."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave him a gentle smile. "I have +been +happy and Barbara is not; but, in one sense, I don't imagine we need be +disturbed. Barbara has not recovered from the jar."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She got up, and Cartwright dozed until he heard a +step and +Lister crossed the floor.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hallo!" he said. "Are you going? There is no +train just now."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said he meant to walk to the tramline, but +Cartwright +asked him to stop for a few minutes.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Barbara tells me you are trying for a post in an +engine-room," he remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," said Lister with a touch of +embarrassment. +"Still, I didn't mean Miss Hyslop to bother you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Barbara likes to meddle and I'm a ship-owner. To +begin +with, why d'you want to go to sea?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I must go to sea or back to Canada," Lister said, +smiling. "I've had a pretty good holiday, but my wad's nearly gone."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, wouldn't it be prudent to return to your +occupation?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I haven't an occupation; I turned mine down. It's +possible I'll find another, but I'm not ready yet. In Canada, we're a +restless, +wandering lot, and I want to look about the world before I go back. You +see, +when you only know the woods and our Western towns—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright saw and sympathized. He remembered how +adventure +called when he was young. Well, he had got adventure, but perhaps not +the kind +Lister seemed to enjoy. Anyhow, he had not started off with an empty +wallet to +look about the world.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"How much does your roll amount to?" he asked with +a bluntness he sometimes used.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When Lister told him he laughed. The young fellow +was good +stuff; Cartwright liked his rashness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well," he said, "you have pluck, and if +you're obstinate, pluck takes you far. Have you got a promise from any +of our +shipping offices?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister said he had not. There were some +difficulties about +certificates. He had sailed on lake boats and made coasting voyages, +but the +English Board of Trade rules were strict. Then he looked at the clock +and +Cartwright gave him his hand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Come and see me at the office. We'll talk about +this +again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister thanked him, and when he had gone +Cartwright mused. +The young fellow was not an adventurer; anyhow not in the sense +Shillito was an +adventurer. His honesty was obvious, it was plain he did not want +Barbara's +money, and Cartwright thought he did not know she was rich. In fact, he +was +Barbara's sort. There was the trouble. Cartwright weighed this for a +time and +then went to sleep.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085281">CHAPTER VI</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085282">A NASTY KNOCK</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Frost sparkled on the office windows and +Cartwright, with +his feet on the hearthrug studied an Atlantic weather chart. The +temperature +reported by the liners' captains was low, and winter had begun +unusually soon. +Since Cartwright had hoped for a mild November, this was unlucky. As a +rule, +cargo is plentiful at Montreal shortly before the St. Lawrence freezes +and the +last steamers to go down the river do so with heavy loads. Cartwright's +plan +was to run a boat across at the last moment and pick up goods the +liners would +not engage to carry, and he had sent <i>Oreana</i> because she was +fast. When +the drift ice began to gather, speed was useful.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A cablegram two or three days since stated that +she had +sailed, and Cartwright, who knew the St. Lawrence, calculated the +progress she +ought to have made. Perhaps he had cut things rather fine, but Captain +Davies +was a good navigator and would push on. Although the narrow waters +below Montreal, +where the stream runs fast between the islands, would be open, Lake St. +Peter +was freezing, and the liner <i>Parthian</i> had some trouble to get +through. +Still the channels were not yet blocked, and when Davies had passed the +Narrows +he would get open water down the gorge to Quebec. Allowing for cautious +navigation, Davies ought to be near Rimouski at the mouth of the river, +and his +passing would, no doubt, soon be telegraphed from the signal station. +Cartwright admitted that to get the message would be some relief.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by his bookkeeper came in.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Direct cablegram from Davies, sir."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright took the form and frowned. The message +was not +from Rimouski and ran: "Delayed Peter; passing Quebec."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Awkward, sir," Gavin remarked sympathetically.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very awkward," said Cartwright. "Davies +needed all the time he's lost. It will be a near thing if he gets out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He picked up the weather chart and got no comfort. +"Cable +Malcolm at St. Johns. You'll find questions in the code-book about ice +and +wind."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Gavin withdrew and Cartwright grappled with +disturbing +thoughts. He had counted on <i>Oreana's</i> earning a good sum, and +had engaged +a paying cargo for her when she got back. In fact, the two good runs +ought to +have made the disappointing balance sheet he must shortly submit to the +shareholders look a little better. All the same, there was no use in +meeting +trouble. Davies had passed Quebec, and if he made good progress in the +next +twenty-four hours, one might begin to hope.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Below Quebec there were awkward spots where +steamers used +buoyed channels, and if these were blocked by ice Davies must risk +crossing the +shoals. If he got across, the water was deep and he need only bother +about the +floes until he came to the Gulf. Since Belle Isle Strait was frozen, +Davies +would go South of Anticosti and out by the Cabot passage, but the Gulf +was +often dark with snow and fog, and one met the old Greenland ice. Well, +much +depended on the weather, and Cartwright went to get his lunch.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The restaurant under a big building was warm, and +for a time +Cartwright occupied his favorite corner of the smoking-room. His tips +were +generous, and so long as he was punctual the waitress allowed nobody to +use his +chair. The noise of the traffic in the street was softened to a faint +rumble, +the electric light was cleverly shaded, and his big chair was easy. He +got +drowsy, but frowned when he began to nod. The trouble was, he was often +dull +when he ought to be keen. His doctor talked about the advantages of +moderation, +but when one got old one's pleasures were few and Cartwright liked a +good meal. +At the luncheon room they did one well, and he was not going to use +self-denial +yet.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by a merchant he knew pulled up a chair +opposite. +"Very cold and slippery outside," he remarked. "I nearly came +down on the floating bridge, and looked in for a drink. A jar shakes a +man who +carries weight."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What were you doing on the floating bridge?" +Cartwright asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I went to the stage to meet some Canadian friends +on +board the <i>Nepigon</i>. They'd a bad voyage; thick mist down the St. +Lawrence, +and they lost a day cruising about among the floes in the Gulf. What +about your +little boat?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I understand she's coming down river."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hasn't she started rather late?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If I'd sent her sooner, the <i>Conference</i> +would +have knocked me out," Cartwright rejoined. "I'd have got nothing but +low-rated stuff the liners didn't want. One must run some risks."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other nodded. "That is so, when shareholders +must +be satisfied. Well, I expect I'm lucky because my partner's a good +sort. When +you needn't bother about other folk's greediness, you can take a +cautious line. +Now I come to think of it, I heard some of your people grumbling. I +hope your +boat will get across all right."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He got up and Cartwright pondered. If outsiders +knew his +shareholders were dissatisfied, things were worse than he had thought +and he +might expect trouble at the next meeting. Then he looked at his watch, +but his +chair was deep and when he tried to get up his leg hurt. He sank back +again. +Gavin knew where to find him if a reply from St. Johns arrived.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by his office boy, carrying a cable +company's +envelope, came in, and Cartwright's hand shook when he opened the +message. It +stated that an easterly gale and snowstorm raged about the Newfoundland +coast +and the thermometer was very low. The gale would drive the drift ice up +the +Gulf and pack the floes. Things looked bad. Cartwright felt he ought to +get +about and make some plans to meet the threatened blow, but he did not +see what +he could do.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He sat still. The other customers had gone, and +all was +quiet but for the faint rumble of traffic and soothing throb of an +electric +fan. Cartwright mused about <i>Oreana</i> and pictured Davies +sheltering behind +the wind-screens on his bridge and trying to pierce the snow, and the +look-out +man half frozen in the spray that leaped about the forecastle. <i>Oreana</i> +was a wet boat when she was loaded deep. Now and then, perhaps, a buoy +loomed +in the tossing flakes. One tried to read the number and see the color. +Then the +steering-engine rattled as the rudder was pulled across and <i>Oreana</i> +headed for another mark.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The work was nervous, because dangerous shoals +bordered the +channels and Davies must let the steamer go. He knew when a risk must +be run +and the engineer was staunch. The trouble was, <i>Oreana's</i> boilers +were +bad; the money Cartwright durst not spend on repairs would have been a +good +investment now. Still, the old boat was fast, and Davies would drive +her +full-speed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The captain's job would not be easier when he left +the +shoals. The easterly gale would send the floes up stream. Cartwright +knew the +strange chill one felt when ice was about and the faint elusive <i>blink</i> +that marked its edge in the dark. Sometimes one did not see the blink +until the +floe was almost at the bows, and when the look-out's startled cry +reached the +bridge one must trust to luck and pull the helm over quick. Then to +dodge the +floe might mean one crashed upon the next. It was steering blind, but, +as a +rule, the sailor's instinct guided him right. Farther on, the river got +wide +and in thick weather one saw no lights: Davies must keep mid-channel +and trust +his reckoning while he rushed her along. For a thousand miles the old +boat's +track was haunted by dangers against which one could not guard, and +Cartwright +thought she carried his last chance to mend his broken fortunes.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">If she were wrecked, the reckoning he had long put +off must +be fronted, for when his embarrassments were known his antagonists +would +combine and try to pull him down. One must pay for one's extravagance, +but to +pay would break him, and if he were broken, Mortimer would sneer and +Grace treat +him with humiliating pity. He would be their mother's pensioner, and to +lose +his independence was hard. He had long ruled, and bullied, others.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by a waitress moved some glasses and +Cartwright looked +up with a start. The afternoon was nearly over; he must have gone to +sleep. +Returning to the office, he gave his bookkeeper some orders and then +went to +the station. The pavements were slippery with frost, and tall buildings +with +yellow lights loomed in the fog. Cartwright shivered, but reflected +that +Davies, fighting the snow and gale, was no doubt colder. For a day or +two he +must bear the suspense, and then, if no cablegram arrived, he could +take it for +granted that <i>Oreana</i> had reached the Atlantic. After dinner he +sat by the +fire and smoked while Mrs. Cartwright knitted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"In the afternoon I went to Mrs. Oliver's and met +Mrs. +Seaton," she said presently. "She talked to me for some time. At the +beginning, I thought it strange!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's pretty obvious that you don't like her," +Cartwright remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ellen Seaton is not my sort, but I understand she +was +a friend of yours."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She was my friend," said Cartwright carelessly. +"It's long since, and I rather doubt if she is my friend now."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then why did she buy her shares in the line?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ellen did not buy the shares. Seaton bought them +when +shipping was good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright looked relieved and Cartwright +resumed: +"All the same, I don't see her object for telling you she was a +shareholder."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She wanted to sell her shares to me; I knew she +had +some plan when she crossed the floor. I was talking to Janet, but Ellen +got +Janet away and persuaded a young man on the other side to move. It was +clever. +I don't think Mrs. Oliver or anybody else remarked what she was doing. +But you +know Ellen!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I know Ellen rather well," said Cartwright dryly. +"However, when you saw she wanted to get you alone, why did you indulge +her?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For one thing, I was curious; then it wasn't +worth +while to spoil her plan. I didn't think Ellen would persuade me, if I +did not +approve."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. Clara did not argue much and +generally +agreed with him, but sometimes she was as immovable as a rock. He +pictured with +amusement the little comedy at Mrs. Oliver's, but all the same he was +annoyed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well, Ellen wanted you to buy her shares? Did she +give +you any grounds?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She declared she wanted money. Then she said it +would +help you if I took the lot. There might be a dispute at the meeting; +the +directors' report would not be satisfactory. People would ask awkward +questions, and she expected some organized opposition. It would be +useful for +you to command a large number of votes."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's face got red. Ellen was well +informed; in fact, +it was ominous that she knew so much. Had she not been greedy, he +thought she +would have kept the shares in order to vote against him, but she +obviously +meant to sell them before the crash she expected came. If a number of +others +agreed with her, his retirement would be forced.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What price were you to pay?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright told him, and he laughed. "If +Ellen +found a buyer at a number of shillings less, she would be lucky! Well, +I +understand you didn't take her offer?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did not," said Mrs. Cartwright tranquilly. +"When I wanted to buy some shares not long since, you did not approve. +Since you refused to let me help, I didn't mean to be persuaded by +Ellen +Seaton!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're staunch," said Cartwright and Mrs. +Cartwright resumed her knitting. In the morning he went to the office +sooner +than usual, but there was no news and the dark, cold day passed +drearily. When +he started for home Gavin promised to wait until the cable offices +closed, and +Cartwright had gone to dinner when he was called to the telephone. When +he took +down the instrument his hand shook.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hallo!" he said hoarsely. "Is that you, +Gavin?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes, sir," said a voice he knew. "Cablegram +from Davies just arrived, part in code. I'll give it you slow—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Go on," said Cartwright.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"<i>Oreana</i> ashore east Cape Chat, surrounded +ice, +water in fore hold. Think some plates broken; have abandoned ship. +Salvage +impossible until ice breaks."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">There was a pause, and Gavin added: "That's all. +Have +you got it, sir?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I've got enough," Cartwright replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He hung up the instrument, and going back to the +dining-room, +drained his glass. Then he turned to Mrs. Cartwright, who had remarked +his grim +look.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I've got a nasty knock. <i>Oreana's</i> in the +ice and +may be wrecked. Anyhow, we can't get her off until spring, and she's +the best +of the fleet."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave him a sympathetic glance and +signed a +servant to bring another plate. As a rule she did not say much. She +studied her +husband quietly and was not much comforted when he resumed his dinner. +This was +characteristic, but it was plain he had got a nasty knock.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085283">CHAPTER VII</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085284">THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The afternoon was dark and electric lights burned +along the +cornice of the room engaged for the shareholders' meeting. The room was +big and +cold, and as Gavin moved about the table on the platform his steps +echoed +hollowly. He was the company's secretary and was putting down papers by +the +blotting pads. A group of gentlemen, engaged in thoughtful talk, stood +by the +fire. They were directors of the line and did not look happy. +Nominally, by the +company's constitution, the shareholders elected the Board; in +practice, +Cartwright had, so far, appointed the directors, and meant, if +possible, to do +so again. The gentlemen by the fire were eligible for reëlection, +and +Cartwright was satisfied, although he had not chosen them for their +business +talent. Their names were good in Liverpool and their honesty was known. +Cartwright did not want clever men. He was head of the house and knew +it would +totter to a disastrous fall unless he kept his firm control.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Now and then Gavin gave his employer a keen +glance. Cartwright's +lips were rather blue and the lines round his eyes were sharply drawn. +His +white mustache stuck out, and one got a hint of stubbornness, but +except for +this his face was inscrutable. Although Gavin thought Cartwright would +score +again, he was anxious. Nobody but Cartwright could persuade the +dissatisfied +shareholders to accept <i>that</i> balance sheet.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright himself felt in rather good form. He +had +curtailed his lunch and been satisfied with a single glass of liquor +that +generally braced him up. He imagined he would need all his skill and +coolness +before the meeting was over. The trouble was, he might not get much +support. +The directors did not know all he knew, but they knew something, and he +saw one +or two hesitated. Then Mrs. Cartwright was ill, and although she had +given her +husband her proxy votes, had sent Mortimer. Mortimer was entitled to +come +because he had some shares, but Cartwright did not know the line he +meant to +take. The pup did not like him and was cunning. Presently Cartwright +looked at +his watch.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They won't be long. I imagine we are going to +have +some opposition."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's very possible," one of the others agreed. +"A two-per-cent dividend is disappointing and we are paying this by +cutting down the reserve fund. Then people know we have lost the use of +our +best boat for six months and may lose her for good. When we reduced our +insurance, I urged that we were rash."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We saved a good sum and economy was needful," +Cartwright rejoined. "Insurance is expensive for our type of boats."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The balance sheet looks bad. I'll admit I'd +sooner not +be accountable for a state of things like this," another remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. The balance sheet looked better +than it +was, but Jordan had given him a useful lead. He knew his colleagues' +weaknesses +and how they might be worked upon.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We are all accountable. I have consulted you +frankly +and you approved my plans."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Jordan gave him a rather doubtful look. "Anyhow, +we +must front an awkward situation. Suppose the shareholders ask for an +investigation committee?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We must refuse," said Cartwright, with quiet +firmness. "A frightened committee would probably urge a drastic +re-construction scheme, the writing off much of our capital, and +perhaps +winding up the line. When rates are bad and cargo's scarce, one must +take a low +price for ships; our liabilities are large, and I imagine selling off +would +leave us much in debt—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright paused. He saw his remarks carried +weight and +knew his co-directors. He would give them a few moments for thought +before he +finished his argument.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," he resumed. "Jordan declares he +does not like to be accountable for an unsatisfactory balance sheet. I +take it +he would much less like to be made accountable for a bad bankruptcy! No +doubt +you sympathize with him?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was obvious that they did so and one said, "If +I +thought my occupying a seat on the Board would lead to this, I would +sooner +have given my shares away!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have not talked about my feelings," Cartwright +went on. "All the same, I am head of the old house; you can imagine I +do +not want to see it fall. But rates are not always low, and if I'm not +embarrassed by rash meddlers, my persuasion is, I can keep the fleet +running +until better times arrive."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He saw he had won them. The number of shares they +owned was +not very large: for the most part, the men were rich and not disturbed +about +their money. They valued a high place in business and social circles +and their +good name. To be entangled by a bankruptcy was unthinkable.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, I feel we ought to support you," Jordan +replied. +"For all that, our power's not very great. We are going to meet some +opposition and if the dissatisfied people are resolute they can turn us +out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"So long as I know the Board will back me, I'm not +afraid of the shareholders," Cartwright declared.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You imagine you can save the situation?" a +red-faced gentleman remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible," said Cartwright dryly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," said the other. "We must try to +see you out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They went to the table soon afterwards and the +shareholders +began to arrive. They were not numerous, and the scattered groups +emphasized +the bareness of the big echoing room. Cartwright studied the people as +they +came in. Some looked gloomy and some stubborn; a few looked frankly +bored. +There were five or six women and two whispered, while the others +glanced about +with jerky movements. Cartwright's face hardened when he saw Mrs. +Seaton, and +then he noted Hyslop in a back row. He thought Hyslop looked languidly +amused.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When all was quiet, he took the notes Gavin handed +him, +glanced at the paper, and put it down. Then, speaking in a steady +voice, he +gave the report of the year's work and talked about the balance sheet. +He was +frank but not apologetic, and claimed, in view of the difficulties, +that the +directors had well guarded the company's interests. When he stopped +there were +murmurs of approval, as if some of the despondent had begun to hope; +the +cautious admitted that Cartwright had made a bad situation look better.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">One or two asked questions, which he answered +candidly, and +then there was a pause and somebody moved the adoption of the +chairman's report +and balance sheet. His seconder made a short nervous speech, and Mrs. +Seaton +got up at the end of the room. She pushed back her veil, took out her +handkerchief, put her hand on a chair in front, and gave the directors +an +apologetic smile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know if it is usual for a woman to speak +at a +business meeting, but I have a number of shares in the line and it's +long since +I got a good dividend," she said. "Two per cent is ridiculous and my +lawyer tells me I could get four per cent, where the security is really +good." She paused and added naïvely: "To have twice as much to +spend +would be very nice."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Somebody laughed and Cartwright braced himself. +Ellen Seaton +was cleverer than she looked, and he thought her dangerous, but in the +meantime +he durst not stop her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"One feels that security's important and it's +plain +ours is not first-class," she resumed. "Well, I suppose if we accept +the report, it means we are satisfied to let the company's business be +managed +on the old plan?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It does mean something like that," a man agreed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then I'm <i>not</i> satisfied. For one thing, I +want a +proper dividend."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We all want a proper dividend," somebody +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton smiled, as if she were encouraged. "To +go +without is disappointing, but perhaps the dividend is not most +important. I'd +like to feel my shares were worth the money they cost, and find out +they are +not. We have drawn on the reserves and I expect this implies we are +losing +money. You can't go on losing money very long, and we ought to stop +while we +have some capital left."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A number of the others applauded and she +continued: +"Our directors have worked very hard. To manage ships that don't pay +must +be tiring and perhaps we oughtn't to ask them to bear the heavy strain. +Could +we not choose somebody with fresh ideas to help?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That's what we want!" said one. "The Board +needs new blood!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Then the storm broke and for a time Cartwright +lost control +of the meeting. Mrs. Seaton had loosed passions he might have +restrained and +the shareholders were frankly moved by fear, distrust, and greed. Men +got up, +asking angry questions and shouting implications, but for a few minutes +Cartwright sat like a rock and let them rage. When they stopped and +there was +an awkward pause, Mortimer Hyslop got up. He looked languid and his +voice was +soft, but Cartwright admitted his speech was clever.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He and Mrs. Cartwright, whom he represented, owned +shares in +the line, and he had not risen before because the chairman was his +relation. Now, +when attacks, perhaps not altogether justified, had been made on the +Board, he +was forced to state his conviction that nobody else could have steered +the +company past the dangers that threatened. One must admit the situation +was bad; +and for a minute or two Mortimer cleverly indicated its drawbacks. For +all +that, he argued, it was rash to change pilot and officers in the middle +of a +storm. The officers they knew and had trusted must be left control +until the +gale blew over.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mortimer sat down and Cartwright knitted his +brows. On the +surface, his step-son had taken the proper line. Mortimer meant to +support the +Board, but he had indicated that he did so because it was his duty. His +remarks +about the dangers by which the company was surrounded had made things +look +worse. All the same, he had calmed the meeting, but Cartwright did not +know if +this was an advantage. Criticism was harder to meet when the critics +were cool.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Another man got up and began to talk in a quiet +voice.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Hyslop has an object for trusting the +chairman +that we have not got. We won't grumble about his staunchness, but we +are +entitled to weigh his arguments, which are not altogether sound. He +owns the +situation is awkward and the outlook dark, but he urges us to trust the +officers who got the ship in danger. One feels this is not remarkably +logical. +Then he declares nobody else could have kept the fleet running. I think +the +claim is rash. In this city we are conservative and names long known in +business circles carry an exaggerated weight; we expect a man to work +wonders +because his father started a prosperous line, and another because he +long since +made a lucky plunge. Men like these are often satisfied with former +triumphs +while times and methods change. We want fresh thought and modern +methods. It's +obvious the old have brought us near the rocks!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright saw the shareholders were moved and the +time for +him to speak had come. He got up and fronted a doubting and +antagonistic +audience. His face was inscrutable, but he looked dignified.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have heard angry criticism and hints about +slackness," he began. "Some of you have suggested rejecting the +report, a committee of inquiry, and new members for the Board, but no +substantive motion has been put. Well, before this is done, I claim +your patience +for a few minutes. If you are not satisfied, I and your directors are +jointly +accountable. We stand together; if you get rid of one, you get rid of +all. This +is a drastic but risky cure—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He paused and one or two of the gentlemen at the +table +looked surprised. It was plain they felt the chairman had gone farther +than he +ought. The red-faced man, however, smiled as if he approved and +Cartwright +resumed:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Times are bad, the markets are flat, and goods +are not +moved about the world. I venture to state no steamship company is free +from +embarrassments. You can, no doubt, find men with business talent equal +to ours +and give them control; but you cannot give them the knowledge, gained +by long +experience, one needs to grapple with the particular difficulties the +Cartwright line must meet. The personal touch is needed; your manager +must be +known by the company's friends, and its antagonists, who would not +hesitate to +snatch our trade from a stranger. They know me and the others, and are +cautious +about attacking us. In all that's important, until times get better, <i>I +am +the company</i>—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright stopped and drank some water. He saw he +had +struck the right note and began again:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I will not labor the argument; the thing is +obvious! If +I go, the line will stop running before the new men learn their job. +Well, I'm +old and tired, but it would hurt to see the house-flag hauled down; it +was +carried by famous oak clippers in my grandfather's time. You hesitate +to risk +your money? I risk mine and much that money cannot buy; the honor of a +house +whose ships have sailed from Liverpool for a hundred years!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The shareholders were moved and one heard murmurs +of +sympathy. Boldness paid, and Cartwright saw he was recovering his +shaken power, +but it was not all good acting. To some extent, he was sincere. He got +his +breath and resumed:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't urge you with a selfish object to let me +keep +my post; I'd be relieved to let it go. Counted in money, the reward for +my +labor is not large. I want to save the Cartwright line, to pilot it +into port, +and, if there is no rash meddling, I believe I can. But I warn you the +thing is +in no other's power. Well, I have finished. You must choose whether +your +directors go or not."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">There was an awkward silence, and then somebody +asked: +"Will the chairman state if he has a plan for meeting a situation he +admits is difficult?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled rather grimly. "I will not make +a +public statement that might be useful to our antagonists! So long as I +am +chairman, you must trust me. My proposition is, give us six months, and +then, +if things are no better, we will welcome a committee of inquiry. In the +meantime, a motion is before the meeting—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It is proposed and seconded that the directors' +report +and balance sheet be accepted," Gavin remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The resolution was carried, the directors were +reelected, +and the meeting broke up. Cartwright sat down rather limply and wiped +his face.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I pulled it off, but they pushed me hard," he +said. "At one time, it looked as if our defenses would go down."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You have put off the reckoning; I think that's +all," one of the directors remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have six months," said Cartwright. "This +is something. If they call a meeting then, I imagine I can meet them."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He signed to Gavin, who helped him with his big +coat, and +went off to the underground restaurant, where he presently fell asleep +in a +chair by the fire.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085285">CHAPTER VIII</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085286">A STOLEN EXCURSION</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara stopped at the top of James Street and +looked down +hill to the river. The afternoon was dark and the pavement wet. Thin +fog +drifted about the tall offices, lights shone in the windows, and she +heard +steamers' whistles. Down the street, a white plume of steam, streaking +the +dark-colored fog, marked the tunnel station, and Barbara glanced at a +neighboring clock.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She could get a train in a few minutes, but she +would be +forced to wait at a station on the Cheshire side, and there was not +another +train for some time. She had bought the things she needed and did not +know what +to do. One could pass half an hour at a café; but Mrs. +Cartwright did not like +her to go to a café; alone and Barbara frowned impatiently. Her +mother was +horribly conventional and Barbara missed the freedom she had enjoyed in +Canada. +In fact, it was very dull at home; Grace's correct serenity and cold +disapproval made one savage; Mortimer's very proper friends were +tiresome.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara was restless and dissatisfied. She wanted +to play an +active part and feel she was alive. Moreover, since she came home she +had felt +she was being watched, and, so to speak, protected from herself. Her +relations +had forgiven her Canadian escapade, but they meant to guard against her +doing +something of the kind again. Perhaps from their point of view, they +were justified, +but Barbara was not tempted to make a fresh experiment. She had not yet +got +over the shock; she saw how near her romantic trustfulness had brought +her to +disaster and thought her faith in men and women had gone. This was +perhaps the +worst, because she was generous and had frankly trusted people she +liked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Now she imagined the gloomy day had re-acted on +her spirits. +She was moody and longed for something that would banish the +dreariness. +Starting down hill for the station, she stopped abruptly a few moments +afterwards. Lister was crossing the street, and if she went on they +would meet. +It was some time since she had seen him and she noted with surprise +that he +wore a rather soiled blue uniform. His cap, which had a badge in front, +was +greasy, and he carried an oilskin coat.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He walked quickly, looking straight in front, with +his head +well up, and Barbara got a hint of purposeful activity. Barbara liked +him much, +but she had, as a rule, quietly baffled his efforts to know her better. +She +waited, rather hoping he would pass, until he looked round and advanced +to meet +her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm lucky!" he remarked, and his satisfaction was +comforting. "It's long since I have seen you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You know our house," Barbara rejoined.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," he said with a twinkle, "when I +last came, you talked to me for about two minutes and then left me to +play +billiards with your brother. He was polite, but in Canada we play pool +and my game's +not very good. I imagined he was bored."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mortimer is like that," said Barbara. "But +why are you wearing the steamship badge and sailor's clothes?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister laughed. "They're engineer's clothes. I go +to +sea; that's another reason I didn't come over."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Barbara. "Did my step-father get +you a post on board ship?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He did not. He told me to look him up at the +office, +but I didn't go. One would sooner not bother one's friends."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Canadians are an independent lot," Barbara +remarked. "In this country, we use our friends for all they are worth, +and +we're justified so long as they want to help. If Cartwright said he +would help, +he meant to do so. But what ship are you on board?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"<i>Ardrigh</i>, cross-channel cattle boat. She's +unloading Irish steers, sheep and pigs not far off. Will you come and +see her? +I don't suppose you've been on board a Noah's ark before."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara did not hesitate. She doubted if Mrs. +Cartwright +would approve and knew Grace would not, but this was not important. +Grace +disapproved all she did and the stolen excursion would break the +monotony. Then +Lister's twinkling smile appealed, and somehow her reserve vanished +when she +was out of doors with him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'd like to go," she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, come along," he urged, and they started for +the elevated railway at the bottom of the street.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">While the electric cars rolled along the docks +Barbara's +moodiness went. She could not see much in the fog. Wet warehouse roofs, +masts +and funnels, and half-seen hulls floating on dull water, loomed up and +vanished. Inside the car, lights glimmered on polished wood; the +rattling and +shaking were somehow cheerful. Barbara felt braced and alert. Lister +talked and +she laughed. She could not hear all he said, because of the noise, and +thought +he did not hear her, but she did not mind. She liked his cheerfulness +and frank +satisfaction. The gloom outside and the blurred lights in the fog gave +the +excursion a touch of romantic adventure.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They got down at a station by a muddy dock-road. +Ponderous lorries +with giant horses rolled out of the gloom between stacks of goods; wet +cattle +were entangled in the press of traffic, and Barbara was relieved when +Lister +pushed back a sliding door. Then she stopped for a moment, half daunted +by the +noise and bustle, and looked about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Big lights hung from the room of the long shed, +but did not +pierce the gloom that lurked between the piles of cargo. A flock of +sheep, +moving in a dense woolly mass, came down a gangway; squealing pigs +occupied a bay +across the piles of goods. The front of the shed was open and in places +one saw +a faint reflection that looked like water. Opposite Barbara, the gap +between +the low roof and dock-sill was filled by a deckhouse and a steamer's +funnel. +Steam blew across the opening farther on, and in the vapor bales and +boxes shot +up and rattling chains plunged down. Through the roar of the winches +she heard +coarse shouts and the bellowing of cattle.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister took her to a slanting plank that spanned a +dark gulf +and she saw dim water and then the hollow of a steamer's hold. Men who +looked +like ghosts moved in the gloom and indistinct cattle came up a railed +plank. +Barbara could not see where they came from; they plunged out of the +dark, their +horns glimmering in the beam of the lamps.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After a few moments Lister helped her down on the +steamer's +bridge-deck. The boat listed away from the wall. Her tall red funnel +was +inclined sharply, much of her side was above water, and muddy streams +poured +from the scuppers on the after deck, where men with long boots pulled a +hose-pipe about. The boat was horribly dirty, but her lean bows and the +length +of the iron engine-room casing indicated speed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A man came along the bridge-deck, and Barbara +thought the +gold bands on his cap indicated the captain. He stopped and when he +glanced at +Lister she blushed, for there was a hint of sympathetic understanding +in her +smile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We won't want you until high-water," he said and +went off.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara hoped Lister had not seen her blush and +thought he +had not. He took her down some iron steps and to a door in a dark +passage.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Our mess-room," he said. "I expect it's the +quietest spot on board the ship."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He pushed the door open and stopped. The small +room was +bright with electric light and a young man and woman sat opposite each +other at +the table. The man's uniform was stained by oil; the girl was pretty +and +fashionably dressed, but Barbara knew her clothes were cheap. She stood +at the +door, hesitating, and the man gave Lister a smile like the captain's.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I didn't expect you yet, but come in," he said. +"The tea's not cold, and Mike has made some doughnuts."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Robertson, my chief," Lister said to Barbara, +and the man presented Lister to his companion, and put a machine in a +box on +the floor. "Now there's room; I was pulling out the indicator +diagrams," he added. "Won't you take off your coat, Miss Hyslop, and +try Mike's doughnuts?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The little room was hot, and when Barbara hung up +her furs +she noted the other girl's appraising glance. Miss Grant poured some +black tea +from a big cracked pot and pushed across a tin of condensed milk and a +plate of +greasy buns. When Barbara picked one up and looked at it doubtfully +Robertson +opened a drawer.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We pull ours in two, but I expect you'd like a +knife," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He found a knife, which he rubbed on the +table-cloth. +"I used the thing on the indicator, the contraption in the box, but I +think it's clean enough."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara ate her doughnut and drank the bitter tea. +Miss +Grant looked friendly and she liked the engineer. They were frank, +human +people, and she thought them kind. Robertson began to talk about +carpets, +gas-stoves and pans, and Miss Grant told Barbara what the articles +cost. They +had been buying furniture and Robertson stated they were to be married +soon.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I reckon you haven't got so far yet," he said to +Lister, and when Barbara saw Miss Grant touch him she blushed. It was +ridiculous, but the blood came to her skin, and then, noting Lister's +embarrassment, she began to laugh.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Jim <i>will</i> talk like that!" Miss Grant +remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Robertson, "I expect it's +rather soon. Mr. Lister hasn't joined us long, and you don't begin at +the +top." He turned to Barbara with an encouraging smile. "All the same, +he knows his job and has got one move up. Perhaps if he sticks to it, +for a +year or two—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Miss Grant stopped him and asked Barbara's views +about +curtains. She had some patterns, and while they contrasted the material +and the +prices the door opened and a greasy, red-haired fellow gave the group a +benevolent grin.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Was thim doughnuts all right?" he inquired.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I've had better, but you've made some worse, +Mike," Robertson replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yez said <i>tea for two</i>. If ye'd told me it +was a +party, I'd have been afther stealing the captain's Cork butter. A cook +cannot +do his best whin the shore-steward sends him engine-grease. Annyhow, +whin ye're +young an' romantic, what's it mather what ye ate?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off and Robertson began to talk about <i>Ardrigh</i>. +He was naïvely proud of the boat and his engines, and narrated +hard runs in bad +weather to land the livestock in time for important markets. Sometimes +the +hollow channel-seas that buried the plunging forecastle filled the +decks and +icy cataracts came down the stokehold gratings. Sometimes the cattle +pens broke +and mangled bullocks rolled about in the water and wreckage.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Robertson had a talent for narrative and Barbara +felt +something of the terror and lure of the sea. She liked the <i>Ardrigh's</i> +rather grimy crew, their cheerfulness and rude good-humor. They did +useful +things, big things now and then; they were strong, warm-blooded +fellows, not +polished loafers like Mortimer's friends. Then she approved Miss +Grant's frank +pride in her lover. There was something primitive about these people. +They +were, so to speak, human, and not ashamed of their humanity. Lister was +somehow +like them; she wondered whether this had attracted her. Perhaps she was +attracted, but the attraction must not be indulged.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by Miss Grant resumed her talk about +curtains, and +when they had agreed about the material that ought to wear best Barbara +looked +at her watch. Miss Grant gave her her hand and Robertson declared she +must come +back when the boat was in port again. Lister took her down the gangway +and was +quiet until they reached the station. Then he smiled apologetically.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You played up well. I didn't know Robertson was +on +board, but he's a very good sort. So's the girl, I think."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara laughed. "I didn't play up; I liked the +people. +The excursion was delightful; I've enjoyed it all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister saw she was sincere and thrilled. He had +begun to +think he ought not to have suggested the adventure, but he was not +sorry now; +Barbara was not bothered by ridiculous conventions. She talked gayly +while the +cars rolled along beside the warehouse walls, but when they got down at +the +station she stopped in the middle of a sentence. Cartwright had +alighted from +the next car and was a yard or two in front. Lister knew his fur coat +and +rather dragging walk. If he and Barbara went on, they would confront +Cartwright +when he turned to go down the steps.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a twinkling glance and remarked +that he +knitted his brows but did not hesitate. In the few moments since her +step-father left the train she had seen three or four plans for +avoiding him. +Lister obviously had not, and on the whole she approved his honesty. He +advanced and touched Cartwright.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I didn't know you were on board our train, sir."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright looked at him rather hard and Barbara +waited. +Although she had been caught enjoying a stolen excursion, she was not +afraid of +her step-father, but she was curious.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was in front," said Cartwright dryly. +"Barbara has picked a rather dreary day for a run to the north docks. I +understood she was going to the shops."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Miss Hyslop met me near the station and I +persuaded +her to come and see my ship."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you have got a ship?" said Cartwright. +"If you are not on duty, come to the office in the morning and tell me +about the boat. In the meantime, I'll put Barbara on the tunnel train."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off with the girl, but Barbara turned her +head and Lister +saw her smile.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085287">CHAPTER IX</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085288">CARTWRIGHT SEES A PLAN</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning Lister went to Cartwright's office. +To some +extent, he was embarrassed, because he had begun to see that Barbara's +relations might not approve her going on board his ship and he imagined +Cartwright meant to talk about this. When he came in Cartwright gave +him a nod +and indicated a chair.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I understand you did not arrange for Barbara to +meet +you and go to the dock?" he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No, sir. I didn't expect to meet Miss Hyslop. I +was +talking about the boat and thought Miss Hyslop might like to see her."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright turned and the electric light touched +his face. +He looked thoughtful, but somehow Lister imagined he was not thinking +about his +step-daughter.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well!" he said, as if the matter were not +important, and went on: "I might have got you a post had you looked me +up. +What boat are you on board?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"<i>Ardrigh</i>. Perhaps you know her?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes. Belfast model; long bow and fine lines aft. +Don't +know if I approve the type. Give you speed, at the cost of carrying +power, but makes +a wet ship in a head sea."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She is wet," Lister agreed with a smile. +"Last run we couldn't keep the water out of the stokehold. Had to cover +and batten gratings, and then a boat fetched adrift and smashed the +engine +skylights."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What's your rating?" Cartwright asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister told him and he remarked: "You have made +some +progress!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was lucky. She burst some boiler tubes in my +watch. +We were steaming hard, head to an ugly sea, with a lot of cattle on +board, and +were forced to keep her going. Two firemen were scalded, but I was able +to put +the patent-stoppers in the tubes. I used a trick I'd learned on a +Canadian lake +boat; rather risky, but it worked. Afterwards the company moved me up."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright was not surprised. He knew men and saw +the young +fellow was all he had thought. All the same, it might be worth while to +get +some particulars about the accident from the <i>Ardrigh's</i> owners.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You won't go far in the cross-channel trade. Why +did +you not try for a berth with an Atlantic line!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"There was some trouble about your Board of Trade +rules +and I might have been required to prove my qualifications for an +English +certificate. While I was inquiring I heard an engineer was wanted on +board <i>Ardrigh</i>. +The regulations don't apply to coasting voyages."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You might have got your certificate. Would it not +have +been worth while?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister hesitated. His main object for joining the <i>Ardrigh</i> +was that she sailed from Liverpool and he wanted to see Barbara now and +then. +As a rule, he was frank, but he did not think it prudent to enlighten +Cartwright.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know," he said. "You see, I may go +back to the railroad soon."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He wondered whether Cartwright did see and thought +he had +remarked his hesitation; the old fellow was very keen. Cartwright's +look, +however, was inscrutable and for a few moments he said nothing. Then he +picked +up some papers on his desk.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Look me up now and then when you're in port. I +might +have a job for you, but I don't know yet," he said, and added in a +meaning +voice: "If you want to see my family, Mrs. Cartwright will receive you +at +her house."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister colored and got up. "I'll remember, sir! +Perhaps +I oughtn't to have persuaded Miss Hyslop—I didn't stop to think—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he went off Cartwright smiled, but soon +afterwards he +put his cigar-case in his pocket and told Gavin he was going out. He +thought he +knew where to find the cattle boat's shore-engineer, and when he did so +the +waitress gave them a table at which they would not be disturbed. In +half an +hour Cartwright had found out all he wanted to know, and returning to +his +office, he smoked and mused.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister had not exaggerated; his pluck and coolness +had kept <i>Ardrigh's</i> +engines going when to stop might have meant the loss of the livestock +on board. +Well, Cartwright had known the fellow was good stuff and he might soon +want a +man like that. Somebody staunch and resolute who knew his job! He had +beaten +his antagonists at the shareholders' meeting, but doubted if he could +do so +again. In fact, he had only put off the reckoning for six months, in +which he +must make good, and he knitted his brows while he studied <i>Titania's</i> +picture. He thought about her sister ship, wrecked and abandoned on the +African +coast.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Arcturus</i> was a useful boat and cheap to +run. Although +times were bad, Cartwright could run her and earn some profit. He had +known the +company that bought her was getting near the rocks, but they had +insured her +heavily and there was something strange about the wreck. Cartwright +understood +the underwriters had hesitated before they paid. He, himself, would not +have +paid; he had a notion—.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">An effort had been made to float <i>Arcturus</i>, +but the +salvors did not know all Cartwright thought he knew. If his supposition +were +correct, the wreck might be worth buying and one could, no doubt, buy +her very +cheap. The boat had for some time lain half-buried in shifting sands at +the +mouth of an African river.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The underwriters would be lucky if they sold her +for old +iron.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright weighed the cost of floating. If he +employed a +regular salvage company, this would be high, because they would bargain +for a +large part of the value recovered; his plan was to do the job himself, +with +cheaper appliances than theirs. The trouble was, he could not go out +and +superintend. He was too old, and one ought to be an engineer; +Cartwright had +grounds for imagining the job was rather an engineer's than a sailor's. +Well, +he knew a young fellow who would not be daunted and would work for him +honestly, but to get the proper man was not all.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He pondered about the money. Somehow he might get +the +necessary sum, but if the venture failed, it would be the last. Nobody +would +trust him again; he would be forced into retirement and dependence on +his wife. +It was a risk he hesitated to run and he resolved to wait.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the evening after dinner Barbara joined him in +the +drawing-room, and Cartwright waited with some amusement, for he thought +he knew +what she wanted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Did Mr. Lister come to the office?" she asked +presently.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He did come. Did you think he would not?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, no!" said Barbara, smiling, "I knew he +would come. Mr. Lister is like that!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I suppose you mean he's honest?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think I mean he's scrupulous. When you crossed +the +station platform in front of us he got a jolt."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, you did not get a jolt?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not at all," said Barbara. "To keep behind +and meet you after I'd sent Lister off would not have bothered me. +However, I +was curious, although I think I knew the line he'd take. You see, for +an +unsophisticated young man, the situation was awkward."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If he felt it awkward, it indicated he knew he +ought +not to have taken you on board his boat."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're horribly logical," Barbara rejoined with a +twinkle. "When we started he didn't know I ought not to have gone. Mr. +Lister is not like you; he's very obvious. Of course, I did know, but I +went!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wonder why!" said Cartwright dryly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sometimes you're keen, but you didn't remark, I +meant +to give you a lead. Well, I didn't go altogether because I wanted to +enjoy Mr. +Lister's society. To see a cattle boat was something fresh and I was +dull."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, when did Lister see a light? Since he +stopped +me, it's plain he'd got some illumination."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think it was when the engineer and the girl +Robertson is going to marry began to talk about house furnishings in +the <i>Ardrigh's</i> +mess-room. They took it for granted Lister was my lover and he was +horribly +embarrassed. The thing really was humorous."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Folks have hinted I'm getting a back-number," +Cartwright remarked. "To talk to a modern girl makes me feel I am +out-of-date."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Grace is not modern and to talk to her makes you +tired," +Barbara rejoined. "But I'll tell you about the tea-party in the +mess-room +if you like."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you got tea in the cattle boat's mess-room?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Of course," said Barbara. "Black tea and +condensed milk, and a ruffian with red hair whom they called Mike had +made some +doughnuts with lard like engine-grease. For all that, they were very +nice +people, and if you don't interrupt, I'll tell you—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She told him about the party and Cartwright +chuckled. He +pictured her in the dirty mess-room, looking exotic in her fashionable +clothes +and expensive furs, but no doubt quite serene. She said the other girl +was +pretty, but Cartwright admitted that Barbara was beautiful. He rather +sympathized with Lister's embarrassment, and wondered whether Barbara +meant to +throw some light on the young man's character.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When she stopped, he asked: "Did they talk about +some +burst boiler tubes?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Barbara. "We talked about +gas-stoves and kitchen pans." Then she gave Cartwright a keen glance. +"But what are boiler tubes? Do they sometimes burst?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They carry the flame from the furnace through the +water. If you're much interested, Gavin will show you a plan of a +ship's boiler +when you come to the office. In the meantime, have you found out all +you want +to know?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You really are keen!" Barbara rejoined.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was a little curious about what you said to Mr. +Lister."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Cartwright, "I imagined something +like this. I told him if he wanted to see my family, he must come to +the +house."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara looked thoughtful. "This was all? Was it +worth +while to tell him to come to the office? To order him, in fact?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It was all that's important. I think it was +important +and expect you to agree."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well, you have carried out your duty and ought to +be +satisfied," said Barbara, who got up and gave Cartwright a smiling +glance. +"All the same, if you want a man for an awkward job, I think you can +trust +Mr. Lister!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She went off and Cartwright laughed. Barbara was +clever. The +strange thing was, she had been cheated by a theatrical rogue, but +clever girls +were sometimes like that. He imagined she liked Lister, but this was +perhaps +all, since she had been frank. In one sense, Lister was the man for +Barbara; he +was honest, sober, and resolute, and she needed firm control. The girl +was as +wild as a hawk, and although she was marked by a fine fastidiousness, +would +revolt from a narrow-minded prig. Lister was not a prig; his blood was +red.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In another sense, perhaps, the thing was +ridiculous. Barbara +was rich and ought to make a good marriage, but good marriages +sometimes +brought unhappiness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Human nature was stubborn; one paid for forcing it +to obey +the rules of worldly prudence. Then Barbara had a romantic vein. She +would risk +all for her lover and not grumble if she were forced to pay for her +staunchness. Besides, she and Lister had qualities he had not. They +were marked +by something ascetic, or perhaps he meant Spartan, and if it were worth +while, +could go without much that he required.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright admitted that indulgence had cost him +dear. He +had paid with grim philosophy, but he did not want Barbara to pay. +Although she +was not his daughter, he loved the girl, and her recent moodiness +bothered him. +If she did not love Lister, why was she disturbed? Sometimes Cartwright +thought +he saw a gleam of light. Suppose she did love the fellow and was trying +to keep +him off because of her Canadian adventure? Lister knew about that and +Barbara +was proud.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's eyes got bloodshot and he clenched +his fist. He +would very much like to meet Shillito. His muscles were getting slack, +but he +had not lost all his power; anyhow, he could talk. Well, the thing was +humiliating, but he must not get savage. When he let himself go he +suffered for +it afterwards. Getting up, he threw away his cigar, and went off to +talk to his +wife.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085289">CHAPTER X</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085290">A BOLD SPECULATION</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">After weighing for some weeks all he could learn +about the +wreck on the African coast, Cartwright went to London and was carried +up one +morning to the second floor of an imposing office block. Black marble +columns +supported the molded roof of the long passage, the wide stairs were +guarded by +polished mahogany and shining brass, and a screen of artistic iron work +enclosed the elevator shaft. Cartwright's fur coat and gloves and +varnished +boots harmonized with the surroundings; he looked rich and important, +but as he +went along the corridor his face was stern. He was going to make a +plunge that +would mend or break his fortune. Unless he got straight in the next six +months, +he must retire from the Board and make the best bargain possible with +his +creditors.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He opened a door, and giving a clerk his card, was +shown +into a handsome private office. Mr. Morse at a writing-table indicated +a chair, +and when Cartwright sat down, rested his chin in his hand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have considered your letters, and my partner, +Mr. +Bull, agrees that, if we can come to terms, your suggestion has some +advantages," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The advantages for your clients are obvious," +Cartwright remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other smiled. "They paid out a good sum when <i>Arcturus</i> +was wrecked, and would frankly like to get something back. Well, we +understand +you are willing to buy her, <i>as she lies</i>."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"At my price! I'll give you a check when the +agreement's +signed."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, I expect you have made some calculations +and +know all about the efforts to float the wreck. If we sell her to you, +the job +is yours, but I admit some curiosity. Why do you expect to float her +when the +salvage company failed?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For one thing, they started the job on +extravagant +lines," Cartwright replied. "They sent out two first-class tugs and a +number of highly-paid men; they ought to have hired negro laborers at +the spot. +The surf is often bad, they could only work when it was calm, and while +they +were doing nothing, wages mounted up. So did their bills for the coal +they must +bring from Sierra Leone, where coal is expensive. Then they were +bothered by +fever and were forced to send men home. They saw the contract would not +pay and +let it go. The job was not impossible; it was costing too much."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mr. Morse agreed that Cartwright's statement was +plausible +and probably accurate, but thought he rather labored his argument.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You mean to use another plan?" he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My outfit will be small and cheap. This has the +advantage that when my men can't work, I won't pay much for wasted +time. All +the same, my risk is obvious. The thing's a rash speculation, on which +I can't +embark unless you are satisfied to take a very small price."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For a few moments the ship broker pondered. +Cartwright's +line was the line a man who wanted to buy something cheap would take. +All the +same, Mr. Morse did not altogether see why he wanted to buy the wreck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What about the cargo?" he suggested. "Of +course, you understand that I have no authority to sell this; you +noticed the +wording of our original advertisement? 'And for the salving of the +cargo,' Precisely +it is on that basis alone that the cargo underwriters will deal. +Together with +your offer for the steamer as she lies, you must accept a percentage of +the +value of the cargo you save."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What is the cargo?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She carried palm-kernels in the forehold; I +expect +they have fermented and rotted. Perhaps the palm oil aft isn't spoiled."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The barrels will have gone to bits."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oak barrel staves stand salt water long."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The iron hoops do not," Cartwright rejoined. +"Anyhow, I don't reckon on the cargo; I expect to make my profit on +buying +the hull."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yet the cargo is worth something. I imagine you +know +she carried some valuable gums, ivory and a quantity of gold?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. "I do know the goods were on +the +ship's manifest. How much gold did the salvage company get?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Six boxes; but this was not all that was +shipped."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I imagine it's all that will be recovered!" +Cartwright remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other looked hard at him, but his face was +inscrutable +and he went on: "Well, I don't want the cargo, and may be forced to +heave +much of it overboard in order to lighten the hull. However, if we find +stuff +worth saving, we'll put it on the beach and I'll take a third-part of +the +value, and you can send out an agent to tally the goods."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," said the other, who approved the +latter plan, although he imagined Cartwright knew something he did not. +"Let's be frank," he resumed. "Personally, I felt from the +beginning there was a mystery about the wreck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Cartwright, "the owners of +the boat went broke, and the merchant who put the goods on board died. +His son +sold the business to a small company, in which he took shares. The new +house is +prosperous and respectable; it would be necessary to know your ground +well +before you bothered them. Then I have nothing to go upon but a vague +supposition. In fact, the thing's a risky plunge, and if you refuse my +offer, I +won't grumble. All the same, I doubt if anybody else would give you, +for +example, five hundred pounds for <i>Arcturus</i>."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Five hundred pounds is, of course, ridiculous," +the other rejoined, and they began to bargain.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When Cartwright left the office he was, on the +whole, +satisfied. He could finance the undertaking, but this was all. There +would be +no margin to cover unforeseen difficulties. It was his last gamble, +and, +besides his money, he staked his post and reputation. If he lost, he +was done +for, and the house must fall. Soon after his return he sent for Lister +and told +him about the wreck and his salvage plans.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I had some bother to get a captain," he said. +"The job has not much attraction for a sober man, but Brown is not +sober; +he's frankly reckless and irresponsible. The strange thing is, I've +known him +make good where cautious men have failed. Then much depends on the +engineer. I +brought you across to ask if you would go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's eyes sparkled. "Yes, sir. I've been +looking +for a chance like this."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright studied him quietly. Lister's keenness +was +obvious; the young fellow liked adventure, but Cartwright imagined this +did not +account for all.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"From one point of view, I think the chance is +pretty +good," he said. "If you can float the wreck and bring her home, I +expect some of the big salvage companies will offer you a post. Anyhow, +you'll +get your pay, and if we are lucky, a bonus that will depend on the cost +of the +undertaking and the value of all we salve."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm going," Lister declared, and Cartwright noted +that he did not inquire about the pay. Then he hesitated and resumed: +"But +I haven't got an English chief-engineer's certificate."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know if it's important. I expect you'll +find +the adventure is marked by a number of small irregularities. However, +to +satisfy the Board of Trade is my business."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you can reckon on me; but there's another +thing. +Why do you hope to lift the wreck when the salvage men could not?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. "I have been asked this before, +but +saw no grounds for satisfying the inquirer's curiosity. All the same, +I'll +enlighten you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He did so, and Lister looked up sharply. He had +known +Cartwright was clever, but the old fellow was cleverer than he thought. +It was +possible he had solved a puzzle that had baffled the salvage engineers. +After +all, perhaps, it was not strange they were baffled. They had reckoned +on +mechanical obstacles; Cartwright had reckoned on the intricacies of +human +nature.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect you have got it, sir," Lister agreed. +"If her bilge was in the sand and the divers couldn't break into the +engine-room—" He paused and laughed. "A powerful centrifugal +pump lifts some water, but you can't pump out the Atlantic!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It looks as if the salvage company tried," said +Cartwright, dryly. "However—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He talked about the undertaking, giving Lister +particulars +he thought he ought to know, and when the young man went off, all +important +plans had been agreed upon. Soon afterwards Cartwright went home and +found Mrs. +Cartwright had gone to bed. He was getting disturbed about her, but +since the +doctor had said she must rest, he talked to Barbara in the evening. He +told her +about the wreck, and smiled when he stated that Lister would have +control.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think you declared he was the man for an +awkward +job," he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara looked at him rather hard. "Perhaps I did +say +so. You don't imply you are sending Mr. Lister because you thought I'd +like +it?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not at all," said Cartwright. "The thing's a +business venture. Still your statement carried weight. I admit your +judgment +sometimes is sound."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She turned her head and when she looked up and +replied, her +voice was rather hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You must not trust my judgment. I have been +cheated."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My dear!" said Cartwright. "Perhaps my +remark was unlucky, but the cleverest of us is sometimes cheated, and +you were +not cheated long. We'll let it go. I'm bothered about your mother. She +feels +the damp and cold and is not picking up. Perhaps we ought to send her +South. I +must talk to the doctor."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning he saw the doctor, who said they +had better +wait for a time, and Cartwright occupied himself by outfitting the +salvage +expedition. Finding it necessary to go to London, he called on the +gentleman +from whom he had bought the wreck a short time ago.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When we made the agreement, you asked if I knew +anybody who would give me five hundred pounds for the boat," remarked +Mr. +Morse. "Just then I did not know, but not long since I was offered a +better +price than yours."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Cartwright, thoughtfully. "She lay +in the sand for some time and nobody bothered about her. Who was +willing to +buy?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other smiled. "A shipbroker stated a sum at +which +he would take her off our hands. It was plain he was an agent, but he +wouldn't +give his customer's name. I don't imagine you will find out from him. I +tried!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright said it was strange, and went off soon +afterwards. When he went down in the lift he smiled, for he thought he +saw a +light; after all, his speculation was not as rash as it looked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he got home Mrs. Cartwright had come +downstairs and she +joined the others at dinner. The doctor said she was stronger and might +soon +undertake a journey South; he suggested the Canaries, and Cartwright +approved.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you sail by a Cape liner, it's a short run, +and +after you leave the Spanish coast the sea is generally smooth," he +said. +"Since I must stay at the office, we must decide who is going with +you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Hyslop said he would like to go, and would do so +if it were +necessary, but to get away just then was awkward. Grace declared +somebody must +stop to look after Cartwright and the house, and she imagined this was +her +post. For all that, since she was older than Barbara, it was hard to +see her +duty. Mrs. Cartwright did not indicate whom she wanted, although she +glanced at +Barbara. Since she was ill she had got very languid, and Cartwright did +not +meddle. He knew his stepchildren, and it was characteristic that Grace +talked +about her duty; taking care of an invalid at a foreign hotel had not +much charm +for Grace.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," said Barbara, "I gave you and +Mortimer first chance, because I'm not important, but since you have +good +grounds for staying, we won't argue." She turned to Mrs. Cartwright: +"I'm going, because I want to go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright gave her a gentle smile and it was +plain +that she was satisfied, but when she had gone to bed and Cartwright was +alone, +he pondered. Barbara loved her mother and would have gone had she not +wanted to +go, but he thought she did want and had an object. He had told her +something +about his plans, and had stated that he would use Grand Canary as a +supply +depot for the expedition; then he had found the girl studying an +Atlantic chart +in the library. Barbara had no doubt noted the island lay conveniently +near the +African coast, and knew it was an important coaling station, at which +steamers +bound South from Liverpool called. Cartwright wondered whether she had +argued +she might see Lister at Grand Canary.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085291">CHAPTER XI</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085292">THE START</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Rain was falling and the light had hardly reached +the +opening between the tall warehouses. In the dock the water was smooth +and shone +with dull reflections, but the gates were open and the muddy swell the +flood +tide brought up the river splashed about the entrance. Ponderous +lorries +rumbled across a bridge, indistinct figures moved and shouted on the +pierhead, +and men in wet oilskins splashed about <i>Terrier's</i> deck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She was a battered propeller tug and lay against +the wall, +with large cases of machinery lashed to her bulwarks, and a stack of +coal built +up beside the engine-skylights. Her bunkers were full, but the fuel she +carried +would not last very long, and coal is dear at foreign ports. Coils of +thick +wire rope and diving gear occupied her shallow hold, and Cartwright was +annoyed +because she could not take the massive centrifugal pump which he had +sent by an +African liner. Some extra coal and supplies were loaded on a clumsy +wooden +hulk, but he durst not risk her carrying expensive machinery.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he talked to the captain in the pilot-house, +he was, on +the whole, satisfied. Brown's face was flushed and his voice was +hoarse, but he +would pull himself together after he got to sea. Cartwright knew +Brown's habits +when he gave him the job, although, in an important sense, the job was +Lister's. To trust the young fellow was a bold experiment, but +Cartwright did +so. If Lister were not the man he thought, Cartwright imagined his +control of +the line would presently come to an inglorious end. To some extent this +accounted for his bringing Barbara to see the salvage expedition start. +He knew +the power of love.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara had not gone up the greasy ladder to the +bridge and +waited on deck. She had left home without much breakfast, in the dark, +and was +cold and rather depressed. All was gloomy and strangely flat. The tug +looked +small and was horribly dirty. Coal-dust covered rails and ropes; grimy +drops +from the rigging splashed on the trampled black mud on deck. The crew +were not +sober and their faces were black. Two or three draggled women called to +them +from the pierhead, their voices sounding melancholy and harsh.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara had not seen Lister and wondered where he +was, until +a man plunged out from the neighboring door of the engine-room. The +abruptness +of his exit indicated that he had been rudely propelled by somebody +behind, and +as he lurched across the deck, Lister appeared at the door. His cap was +dark +with grease, his overalls were stained, and a black smear ran from his +eye to +chin.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hustle and get that oil drum on the wharf, you +drunken +hog!" he shouted. "If I hadn't watched out you'd have left half the +truck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He stopped when he saw Barbara. "This is very +kind," he said to her. "I knew Cartwright was on board, but hadn't +hoped you would come to give us a good send-off."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara noted his satisfaction and was moved by +something in +his voice. He looked thin and fine-drawn in his stained engineer's +clothes, and +his hands were greasy. The surroundings were not romantic, but somehow +they got +brighter and her gloom vanished. Lister's eyes sparkled; he wore the +stamp of +strength and confidence.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I doubted if my step-father would bring me, but I +really meant to come," she said. "For one thing, I wanted to ask you—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She hesitated, for it was hard to strike the right +note. She +had begun to see there was something exciting and perhaps heroic about +the +adventure. The handful of men had undertaken a big thing; there was +much +against them, and daunting risks must be run. Moreover, she had studied +Cartwright and remarked the anxiety he thought he had hid. Cartwright +was +rather inscrutable, but sympathy had given her power to understand. She +thought +he was engaged in a reckless gamble and could not afford to lose.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Whatever you want—" Lister declared, but +she stopped him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I want you to do your best."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You can reckon on that, anyhow! Cartwright has +hired +me; I'm his man."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara smiled. "Yes; I know! You're honest and +will do +all you engaged; but in a sense, this is not enough. I want you to make +an +extra effort, because—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She paused and the blood came to her skin when she +went on: +"You see, it's important you should float the wreck and bring her home. +It +means much to my step-father; very much, I think. He's kind and I love +him. I +feel I ought to help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister saw her statement was significant, and her +embarrassment indicated that she knew it was so. In fact, she had +admitted that +she knew he would, for her sake, use all his powers. He was moved, but +he was +not a fool. The girl, wearing her costly furs, looked rich and +dignified; he +was a working engineer and conscious of his greasy clothes. He loved +her, but +for a time he must be cautious. To begin with, he would not have her +think he +made a claim.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're not very logical," he replied carelessly. +"When I took the job I undertook to earn my pay. Cartwright sends me +off +to float the wreck, and if it's possible, I must make good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am logical," Barbara declared, while her color +came and went. "One thinks one does one's best, but sometimes when the +strain comes, one can do better. It really isn't ridiculous! Emotion, +sentiment, give one extra force—" She stopped and resumed in a +strangely gentle voice: "You are young, and if you don't make good it +won't hurt very much. Mr. Cartwright's old; he can't try again. Then +he's not +my step-father only. He's my friend, and I know he trusts you. For his +sake, I +must be frank—I trust you!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister smiled, but his voice betrayed him, +although he +thought he used control.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well! If it's possible for flesh and blood, +we'll +bring <i>Arcturus</i> home. That's all. The thing's done with."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She gave him her hand, and kept the glove with the +dark +grease stain. Then, seeing there was no more to be said, she looked +about. +Ragged clouds rolled up from the Southwest, and the disturbed swell +that +splashed about the dock gates indicated wind down channel. A shower +beat upon +the engine skylights and Barbara moved beneath the bridge. A great rope +rose +out of the water as the men at the winch hauled up the clumsy hulk. Two +or +three others, dragging a thin, stiff wire rope, floundered unsteadily +across +the deck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They look rough, and they're not very sober," +Barbara remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister laughed. "They're frankly drunk! A pretty +hard +crowd, but Brown and I have handled a hard crowd before. In fact, I +reckon +Cartwright has got the proper men for the job."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Captain Brown is like them," said Barbara, +thoughtfully. "You are not."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You haven't seen me hustling round when things go +wrong."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I saw you throw a man out of the engine-room not +long +since!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"With a gang like ours, one must prove one's claim +to +be boss at the start. Anyhow, there are different kinds of wastrels, +and the +fellow who gets on a jag at intervals is often a pretty good sort. The +wastrel +one has no use for is the fellow who keeps it up. But I see Mr. +Cartwright +coming and mustn't philosophize."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A gateman on the pierhead began to shout to the +captain, and +Cartwright gave Lister his hand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They are waiting for you and we must get ashore," +he said. "Well, I've given you and Brown a big job, but I expect you'll +see me out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We'll put in all we've got, sir," said Lister +quietly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded, as if he were satisfied, and +touched +Barbara, who turned and gave Lister a smile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Good luck!" she said, and following Cartwright, +went up the steps in the wall.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She thought it significant Cartwright had left her +for some +time and had given Lister a quick, searching glance. Lister had said +nothing +about their talk and his promise; she had known he would not do so. Yet +this +was not because he was clever. He had a sort of instinctive +fastidiousness. She +liked his reply to Cartwright; he <i>would</i> put in all he had got, +and a man +like that had much. Fine courage, resolution and staunch loyalty.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When Barbara reached the pierhead, <i>Terrier's</i> +engines +began to throb. The propeller churned the green water, and the tug +bumped +against the wall. Gatemen shouted, the big tow-rope splashed and +tightened with +a jerk, and the hulk began to move. Then the tug's bow crept round the +corner +and swung off from the gates. The engine throbbed faster, and a blast +of the +whistle echoed about the warehouses. Brown waved his cap and signed to +a man in +the pilot-house. The hulk swung round in a wide sweep, and the +adventurous +voyage had begun.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Terrier</i>, steaming across the strong +current, looked +small and dingy; when she rolled as the helm went over, the swell +washed her +low bulwarks. She got smaller, until a rain squall blew across from the +Cheshire +side and she melted into the background of dark water and smoke. +Barbara felt +strangely forlorn, and it was some relief when Cartwright touched her +arm and +they set off along the wall.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After the rain the wind freshened, and when Brown +steamed +out from the river, a confused sea rolled across the shoals. The light +was not +good, but a double row of buoys led out to sea, the ebb-tide was +running, and <i>Terrier</i> +made good progress. She shipped no water yet, and the hulk lurched +along +without much strain on the rope. The rope was fastened to a massive +iron hook +and ran across a curved wooden horse at the tug's stern. Sometimes it +slipped +along the horse and tightened with a bang, for the clumsy hulk sheered +about. +When her stern went up one saw an indistinct figure holding the wheel.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When they passed the Bar Lightship, Lister climbed +to the +bridge and for a few minutes looked about. The plunging red hull to +starboard +was the last of the Mersey marks, for the North-West ship was hidden by +low +clouds. Ahead the angry gray water was broken by streaks of foam. <i>Terrier</i> +rolled and quivered when her bows smashed a sea, and showers of spray +beat like +hail against the screens on the bridge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She's loggish," Brown remarked. "If you +don't burn up that coal soon, she'll wash it off. Looks like a dirty +night, and +I'm pushing across for Lynas Point. With the wind at south-west, I want +to get +under the Anglesey coast. There'll be some sea in the channel when we +open up +Holyhead."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The boat's good," said Lister. "Engines a +bit neglected, but they're running smooth and cool, and she has power +to shove +her along. Cartwright has an eye for a useful craft."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown nodded. "The old fellow has an eye for all +that's +useful; I reckon he sees farther than any man I know. There's something +encouraging about this, because the job he's given us looks tough—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He stopped, for the tow-rope slipped noisily +across the +horse. There was a clang of iron as the hook took the strain, and the +captain +frowned. "That hulk is going to bother us before very long."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister seized the slanted rails. The lightship had +vanished, +but a bright beam pierced the haze astern. Ahead the sea was empty; +gray water +rolled beneath low and ragged clouds. Spray flew about the plunging +bows, and +the tug rolled uneasily. Lister turned and left the bridge, but stopped +for a +few moments at the engine-room door. Barbara had stood just opposite, +where the +iron funnel-stay ran down. Her rich furs gave her girlish figure a +touch of +dignity, the color was in her face, and her eyes shone.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister knew the picture would haunt him, and he +would come +to the engine door to recapture it when he needed bracing. He would +need bracing, +for there were obstacles ahead, but he had promised Barbara to help +Cartwright +out. Stepping across the ledge to a slippery platform, he went below.</p> +<h1><a name="_Toc56085293">PART III—THE BREAKING STRAIN</a></h1> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085294">CHAPTER I</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085295">THE FIRST STRUGGLE</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light +and shadow +played about the throbbing machinery. It looked as if the lamps swung +in a +semicircle, but they did not. All else slanted at an ever-changing +angle; the +swiveled lamps were still. Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut +against +the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and +connecting-rod +flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their +shallow pit. +One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and +down; the +thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A door in the bulkhead was open, and now and then +a blaze +from the stokehold lighted the engine-room. Shovels clanged and the +thud of a +hammer jarred upon the throb of machinery. Men moved about like ghosts. +Their +feet made no noise; for a moment one saw their sweat-streaked faces and +then +they vanished. Lister sat on a tool-box, an old pipe in his mouth, and +was +happier than he had been for long. For one thing, his men were getting +sober +and he saw they knew their job; then he was satisfied with his engines +and +relished the sense of control. He was <i>chief</i>, and until the tug +came back +from Africa the engines were his.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime he need not move about. It was +like +listening to an orchestra of which he knew all the instruments, and he +heard no +jarring notes. The harmony was good and the rhythm well marked. The +clash and +clang rose and fell with a measured beat; but the smooth running of his +engines +did not account for all Lister's satisfaction. In a sense, Barbara had +given +him his job, he was her servant, doing her work, and this was much, +although he +scarcely durst hope for another reward.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright had not without careful thought sent +Lister on +board. He knew the young fellow's staunchness as he knew Barbara's, +and, +because his need was great, had not hesitated to use him and the girl. +He was +old and must be resigned to sit at his desk and plan, but, as a rule, +his plans +worked, and he had a talent for choosing his tools. When it was +possible, he +used his tools carefully; he hated to overstrain fine material.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Terrier's</i> regular lurch and roll indicated +that she +was steaming along the coast, in some shelter from the wind that blew +obliquely +off the land. By and by, however, the lurches got violent, and when +Lister +heard the thud of water on deck he went up, and opening the door on the +lee +side, looked out. Water splashed against the ledge that protected the +engine-room; the stack of coal worked and he heard big lumps fall. +Spray blew +across the bulwarks and fell in heavy showers from a boat on the skids. +For a +few moments this was all he could distinguish, and then he saw slopes +of water +slanting away from the tug's low side. A half-moon shone for a few +moments +between ragged clouds and was hidden.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister stepped across the ledge and went aft. <i>Terrier</i> +felt the drag of the hulk astern, and he wanted to see how she was +towing. He +heard the iron ring clang on the hook, and when he stopped by the +horse, the +big tow-rope surged to and fro across the arch. The hulk steered +wildly, and if +the sea got worse, he doubted if they could hold her. He knew where he +was, +because he had steamed along the coast on board the cattle boat. The +Anglesey +shore was fringed by reefs, the tide-races ran in white turmoil across +the +ledges. The tide had now nearly run out, but when they turned the +corner at +Carmel Point they would meet the flood stream and the big combers the +gale +drove up channel. Going to the pilot-house, Lister lighted his pipe.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A fierce night!" he remarked to Brown, who peered +through the spray-swept glass. "I reckon you'll want to slow down when +we +make Carmel."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The house was dark, but Lister saw the captain +turn. +"I'm bothered," Brown admitted. "We ought to push on, but while +we might tow the hulk under, we can't tow her down channel. We can't +turn and +run; it's blowing down the Menai Strait like a bellows spout, and +there's all +the Mersey sands to leeward. We have got to face the sea and try to +make +Holyhead. Will your engines shove her through?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They'll give you six or seven knots, head to +wind. +Will your tow rope hold?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I doubt. We have a steel hawser ready, but if she +breaks the hemp rope she'll probably break the wire."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister agreed. The thick hemp rope stretched and +absorbed +the strain; the wire was less elastic. They were approaching Carmel +Point, and +Holyhead was not far, but they must front the gale when they got round +the +corner. In the meantime, the engines were running smoothly, and Lister +smoked +and waited while the sea got worse. Flashing lights ahead and the +violent +lurching indicated that they crept round the point. Then <i>Terrier</i> +plunged +into a white sea and deck and bulwarks vanished. Her bows swung out of +the foam +and Lister ran to the door. He felt the tug leap forward and knew the +rope had +gone.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He got out in front of Brown and plunged down the +ladder. +Since <i>Terrier</i> must be stopped and turned, he was needed. Water +ran from +his clothes when he reached a slanted platform and seized a greasy +wheel. The +telegraph gong was clanging and the beat of engines slackened as he +followed +the orders. Then the spinning cranks stopped altogether and for a +minute or two +there was a strange quietness. One heard the wind, and water splashed +in the +bilges.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister got the signal <i>Ahead slow</i>, and when +he +restarted his engines ran up the ladder. He could trust the man he +left, and +wanted to see what was happening. It was a moment or two before he +could +satisfy his curiosity, and then a bright beam illuminated the tug and +angry +water. Brown was burning a blue-light while <i>Terrier</i> crept up to +the +hulk. He meant to pass the fresh hawser, but could not launch a boat, +and +Lister doubted if the men on the hulk could heave the heavy wire rope +on board. +Although one must get near to throw a line, it looked as if Brown were +going +alongside.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Two dark figures, crouched on <i>Terrier's</i> +rail like +animals ready to spring, cut against the blaze. Brown was going +alongside; +anyhow, he was going near enough for the men to jump, but the thing was +horribly risky. If the rolling hulk struck the tug planks and iron +plates would +be beaten in; moreover the men must jump from the slanted rail, and if +they +jumped short, their long boots and oilskins would drag them down.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It looked as if Cartwright knew how to choose men +for an +awkward job, for as the tug got nearer Lister saw the men meant to go. +She +swung up on the top of a white sea; the hulk, swept by spray, rolled +down, with +her deck close below the steamer's rail. One felt they must shock, but +they did +not. The dark figures leaped, there was a faint shout, a line whirled +out from <i>Terrier's</i> +bridge and the hulk drove astern. Then the blue light vanished and +Lister +plunged into the engine-room. Somehow the thing was done.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The gong signaled <i>Half-speed</i>, the rhythmic +clash of +engines began, and Lister felt <i>Terrier</i> tremble as she tightened +the +rope. Brown had played his part and Lister's had begun. He wondered +whether +they could keep the water out of the engine-room. They had drifted +off-shore, +and now they had opened up the channel the combers leaped on board. The +seas +were not regular; they ran in short, steep ridges, and gave the tug no +time to +lift. While she swung her bows from the foaming turmoil the next swept +her +deck. But to watch the seas and keep the hulk in line was the captain's +business, and Lister was occupied by his.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Standing on a slanted platform with his hand on +the +throttle, he waited for the lurch that lifted the spinning screw. When +the +blades left the water, the engines raced with a horrible din and he +must cut +off steam. If he let the engines go, something might break when the +propeller +got hold again. The work demanded a firm but delicate touch, since the +pressure +must change with the swiftly-changing load. One could not argue when +the bows +would plunge and the stern swing clear; one must know instinctively. +The muscular +effort was not hard, but Lister's face was wet with sweat, and when he +was slow +and the engine-room rang with the clash of machinery his heart beat. +The big +columns that held the cylinders rocked; crank and connecting-rod spun +too fast +for him to see. There was a confusing flash of steel and a daunting +uproar.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For the most part, he was able to get control +before the +stern came down. Moreover, he was not using full steam; to let her go +would +swamp the boat and wash the men off the laboring hulk. Lister knew the +rope +held because he felt the heavy drag. Although she rolled and plunged, +there was +no life in <i>Terrier's</i> movements. She was sluggish, embarrassed +by the +load she hauled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister thought about the men on board the hulk. +Two, +buffeted by wind and spray, must hold the wheel on the short +quarter-deck that +lifted them above the shelter of the bulwarks. Forward of this, the +water +rolled about, washing on board and pouring out. The men could not for a +moment +slack their watchfulness. Sweating and straining at the spokes, they +must hold +her straight. To let her sheer when she crossed a comber's top would +break the +rope.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The strain on the laboring engines indicated that +the men +held out and Lister fixed his thoughts on his machinery. One could not +see +much, but while he turned the valve-wheel he listened. If a bearing got +hot or +a brass shook loose, he would hear the jar. An engine running as it +ought to +run was like a well-tuned instrument.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He heard no discord. The heavy thud of the +cross-heads, +flashing between their guides, beat time to the clang of the +valve-gear, a pump +throbbed like a kettledrum, and something tinkled like a high-pitched +triangle. +All went well, the engines were good and <i>Terrier</i> stubbornly +forged +ahead.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by the strain was less marked. The load was +getting +lighter and after a time Lister let go the wheel and wiped his wet +face. He +could stand on the platform without support, the plunges were easy and +regular. +Calling a man to relieve him, he went to the door.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sea was white, but it no longer ran in crested +ridges +and a vague dark line crossed the foam ahead. Sometimes part of the +line +vanished and reappeared like a row of dots with broad gaps between. +Lister knew +it was breakwater. On the other side anchor-lights tossed, and in the +background a dull, reflected illumination indicated a town. Then the +gong rang +and Lister went back to the platform. In a few minutes he would get the +signal +to stop his engines. The first struggle was over; Brown had made +Holyhead.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085296">CHAPTER II</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085297">THE WRECK</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The night was calm, but now and then a faint, hot +wind blew +from the shadowy coast, and rippling the water, brought a strange, sour +smell. +Lister did not know the smell; Brown knew and frowned, for he had been +broken +by the malaria that haunts West African river mouths. Heavy dew dripped +from +the awnings on <i>Terrier's</i> bridge and in places trickled through +the +material, since canvas burns in the African sun. Brown searched the +dark coast +with his glasses, trying to find the marks he had noted on the chart. +Lister +leaned against the rails and mused about the voyage.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They had ridden out a winter's gale in the Bay of +Biscay and +for a night had lost the hulk and the men on board. Then they went into +Vigo, +where Lister's firemen wrecked a wine shop and it cost him much in +bribes to +save them from jail. He had another taste of their quality at Las +Palmas, where +they made trouble with the port guards and Brown brawled in the cheap +wine +shops behind the cathedral. In fact, it was some relief when the +captain fell +off the steam tram that runs between town and port, and a cut on his +head +stopped his adventures.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Then they steamed for fourteen-hundred miles +before the +Northeast Trades, with a misty blue sky overhead and long, white-topped +seas +rolling up astern. The Trade breeze was cool and bracing, but they lost +it near +the coast, and now the air was hot and strangely heavy. One felt +languid and +cheerfulness cost an effort. The men had begun to grumble and Lister +was glad +the voyage was nearly over and it was time to get to work.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lightning flickered on the sea, touching the back +of the +smooth swell, and then for a few moments left all very dark. The moon +was new, +the sky was cloudy, and the swell ran high, for it rolled, unbroken and +gathering momentum, from the Antarctic ice. When the lightning was +bright, one +saw a low cloud that looked like steam, with a white streak beneath +that marked +the impact of the big rollers on the sandy coast. The crash of breakers +came +out of the dark, like the rattle of a goods train crossing an iron +bridge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Four fathoms at spring tides, and a shifting +channel!" Brown remarked, quoting from a pilot-book. "The depth, +however, varies with the wind, and a stranger must use caution when +entering +the lagoon." He stopped, and laughed as he resumed: "If this was a +sober undertaking I'd steam off and wait for daylight."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I reckon it would be prudent," said Lister dryly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have nothing to do with prudence," Brown +rejoined. "Our job's to work in a sun that knocks a white man down, and +stew in the hot malaria damp the land breeze brings off at night. +Cartwright's +orders are to lose no time and I want to finish before the fever +finishes me. +Very well! When the moon is new, high-water's at twelve o'clock, and +along this +coast sunset's about six hours later. If we wait for noon-to-morrow, it +will be +four or five o'clock before we get on board the wreck—I understand the +tide doesn't leave her until about four hours' ebb. If we push across +the bar +to-night, we'll see her at daybreak and can make our plans for getting +to +work."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister agreed. Expenses were heavy and it was +important they +should not lose a day. Moreover, Cartwright had hinted that he expected +them to +run risks, and Lister had promised Barbara to help him out. If Brown +touched +bottom steaming in, tug and barge would soon break up; but Lister was +not going +to be daunted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll go down and raise some extra steam," he +said. "You'll need full pressure to shove her through the surf."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He was occupied for some time, but when a plume of +steam +blew from the escape-pipe he came up to the door and looked about. <i>Terrier's</i> +languid roll was getting sharper; mast and funnel swung into a wide +sweep. +Sometimes the dark hull lurched up high above the tug's stern, and +sometimes +sank in a hollow. The rollers had angry white tops, and a belt of filmy +vapor +that looked luminous closed the view ahead. Lister knew the vapor was +phosphorescent spray, flung up by the turmoil on the bar, through which +they +must go. If the tug struck and stopped, the white seas would beat her +down into +the sand. In the meantime, she was using full steam, because, since +tide and +surf carried her on, one must have speed to steer.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The spray cloud got thick, and wavered with +luminous +tremblings when the long rollers broke. They came up, spangled with +green and +gold flashes, from astern, shook their fiery crests about the tug, and +vanished +ahead, but one heard them crash. Lister thought the tug throbbed to the +savage +concussion. He could not hear his engines; one heard nothing but the +daunting +uproar.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by he felt a shock; not a violent shock, +but as if +the boat had touched, and was pushing through, something soft. She +slowed and +Lister saw the black hulk swing up and ride forward on a giant roller's +top. It +looked as if she were coming on board the tug, and Lister jumped +through and +slammed the iron door. Brown would need him now.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He heard the roar of water on deck, there was a +crash of +broken glass, and a shower fell on his head. A cloud of steam and a +loud +hissing came from the stokehold, and he knew the sea that swept the tug +had +covered the gratings. If she stuck, the next sea would swamp her and +drown the +fires, but she had not altogether stopped. The propeller was beating +hard and +he opened the throttle wide. He felt her move and tremble, as if she +struggled +in the grip of the sand, and then lift buoyantly. The water that +pressed her +down had rolled off the deck and the oncoming comber had picked her up +and was +carrying her along.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Her progress was obvious. One felt the headlong +rush, and +Lister thought about a toboggan speeding down an icy slope. The roller +would +bear her on until it broke, but if she struck the sand she might not +lift +again. She did not strike; there was another wild leap forward, a +savage +plunge, and a comber crashed astern. It looked as if she had crossed +the shoal +and Lister let go the wheel and got his breath. He had used no effort, +but he +gasped and his hand shook.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The gong signaled <i>half-speed</i>, and when he +slowed his +engines the roar of escaping steam pierced the turmoil of the surf. +This was +significant, because he could not have heard the steam a few minutes +earlier. <i>Terrier</i> +rolled, but the rolling was not violent and began to get easy. The gong +signaled <i>stand by, stop</i>; he shut the valve and presently heard +the +anchor plunge and the rattle of running chain. Then <i>Terrier</i> +swung +languidly and all was quiet but for the monotonous rumble in the +background. +Lister gave some orders and went to his room.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning, he put a greasy jacket over his +pajamas and +went on deck. The land breeze had dropped and it was very calm. Vague +trees +loomed in the fog that hid the beach; there was a belt of dull, heaving +water, +and then the spray cloud closed the view. The air was heavy, the men on +deck +moved slackly, and Lister's skin was wet by sweat. He felt dull and +shrank from +effort, but when he saw Brown in a boat alongside he jumped on board.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The light was getting brighter and the wreck lay +about a +hundred yards off. The stump of her broken funnel, a bare iron mast, a +smashed +deckhouse, and a strip of slanted side rose from the languid swell. The +rows of +plates were red with rust and encrusted by shells. When the smooth +undulations +sank, long weed swung about in the sandy water. Lister thought the +story of the +wreck was, on the surface, plain. Steaming out with a heavy load, <i>Arcturus</i> +had struck the bar. The surf had beaten in her hatches, broken some +plates, and +afterwards washed her back across the sand. Then, while the captain +tried to +reach the beach, she had sunk in deeper water. The story was plausible, +but, if +Cartwright had found the proper clew, it did not account for all.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They rowed round <i>Arcturus</i>. She lay with a +sharp list +and her other side was under water. The tide was beginning to rise and +when it +crept up her slanted deck they pulled back to the tug.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We'll moor the hulk alongside and rig the diving +pumps. I think that's all to-day," Brown remarked. "When the sun is +low I'll go to the factory up the creek and try to hire some native +boys. On +this coast, a white man who does heavy work soon gets fever."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the afternoon they took two men and rowed up a +muddy +creek that flowed into the lagoon, but the factory was farther than +they +thought and when they landed dusk was falling. The white-washed wooden +house +stood near the bank, with a stockaded compound between it and the +water. It was +built on piles and at the top of the outside stairs a veranda ran along +the +front. The compound was tunneled by land-crabs' holes, and light mist +crept +about the giant cotton woods behind. There was no movement of air, a +sickly +smell rose from the creek, and all was very damp.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister and Brown went up the stairs and were +received by a +white man in a big damp room. A lamp hung from a beam and the light +touched the +patches of mildew on the discolored walls. There was not much +furniture; a few +canvas chairs, a desk and a table. Flies crawled about the table and +hovered in +a black swarm round the lamp. The room smelt of palm oil and river mud. +The +white man was young, but his face was haggard and he looked worn. His +rather +long hair was wet and his duck jacket was dirty. It was obvious that he +did not +bother about his clothes.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Good of you to look me up! I expect you know I'm +Montgomery; +the house is Montgomery and Raeburn," he said. "However, to begin +with, you had better have a drink. I'll call my boy."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A negro came in and got a bottle and some glasses. +He was a +strongly-built fellow with a blue stripe on his forehead, and muscular +arms and +chest, but his legs, which stuck out from short cotton trousers, were +ridiculously thin. He beat up some frothy liquor in a jug and when he +filled +the big glasses Lister felt disturbed, for he knew Brown and had noted +the +quantity of gin the negro used. The captain, however, was cautious and +they +began to talk. Lister asked Montgomery if he carried on the factory +alone.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm doing so for a time. My clerk died two or +three +weeks since and I haven't got another yet."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Fever?" said Brown.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Common malaria. Perhaps this spot is worse than +others, because, although we're beginning to kill mosquitos and poison +the +drains, we can't keep English boys. The last two didn't hold out six +months."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister got thoughtful. He knew the African coast +was +unhealthy, but had not imagined it was as bad as this. He said nothing +and Montgomery +resumed: "I have been forced to lie up and am shaky yet. Malaria gets +us +all, but as a rule it gets strangers, particularly the young, soonest. +Looks as +if the microbe liked fresh blood."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If I was an African merchant, I'd let an agent +run my +factories," Brown remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery smiled. "Sometimes it's necessary for +me to +come out. This factory is perhaps our best, and when Nevis, our agent, +died, I +started by the first boat. Montgomery's is an old house, but since the +big men +combined and the Amalgamation built a factory on the next creek, we +have had +some trouble to pull along. Our capital is small and we can't use +up-to-date +methods. In fact, I imagine our situation is much like Cartwright's. +When he +bought the wreck he no doubt felt some strain. But won't you take +another +drink?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown indicated his glass, which still held some +liquor, and +Lister refused politely. He noted that Montgomery knew their object and +was +surprised, since he thought Cartwright had not talked much about the +undertaking. Then, although Montgomery was obviously ill, one felt he +tried to +paint the coast in the darkest colors.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What do you think about our job?" Brown asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think it a rash experiment and imagine +Cartwright +agrees. All the same, the old fellow's a bold gambler and is perhaps +willing to +speculate on the chance of getting out of his embarrassments. However, +this is +his business and you'll, no doubt, get your wages, although you won't +float the +wreck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What do you reckon the obstacles?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Fever," said Montgomery dryly. "The salvage +people lost some men. Surf will wash the sand about her, if the wind +comes +fresh from the south-east. Then the sharks may give you some trouble. +They're +nearly as numerous as they are at Lagos Roads." He paused and added +carelessly: "I expect you know my father loaded <i>Arcturus</i>?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I heard something about it," Brown replied. +"All the same, Cartwright sent us to lift her and we have got to try. +Will +you let me hire some of your factory boys?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sorry, but they're Liberian Kroos, engaged on a +twelve-months' +contract to work in my compound, and I'm accountable for them to the +Liberian +government."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then what about boys from the bush?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery smiled. "I can't recommend the bushmen. +They're a turbulent lot, but you might send a present to the headman at +the +native town up river, and it's possible he'll let you go to see him. +For all +that, some caution's indicated. The fellow's a cunning old rascal."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown looked thoughtful, but began to talk about +something +else and by and by got up. Montgomery went with him and Lister to the +steps and +when they reached the compound they found the sailors bemused with gin +under +the veranda. Brown had some trouble to get the men on board, and when +they +awkwardly pulled away Lister was conscious of relief.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I agree with the fellow. Caution <i>is</i> +indicated," Brown observed.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085298">CHAPTER III</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085299">A FUEL PROBLEM</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister +sat one +morning under a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk. The paint +on the +canvas smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one +could not +front the sun on the open deck. The sea breeze had not sprung up and +dazzling +reflections played about the oily surface of the swell. In one place, +where the +shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull green.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, +stopped +and made a frothy patch, and then lengthened out. A flexible pipe +slipped +across the edge of the open gangway, and Lister felt the line he held. +The line +was slack and he knew the diver needed nothing. Two half-naked men, +their skins +shining with sweat, turned the air-pumps handles, and the rattle of the +cranks +cut the dull rumble of the surf. Brown, sitting on a tool-box, studied +a plan +of the wreck Cartwright had given him, and Lister thought it typical +Cartwright +had got the plan. The old fellow was very keen.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by Brown looked up and indicated the +panting men.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We want colored boys for this job and must get a +gang. +I expect you noted Montgomery declared his lot were Kroos. The Kroos +are hefty +boys and pretty good sailors, but they come from Liberia and there are +regulations about their employment. You must engage them on a contract, +hold +yourself accountable for their return and so forth. All the same my +notion is, Montgomery +didn't mean to help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then we had better try the native headman he +talked +about."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown smiled, "I've no use for bushmen, but didn't +see +much use in telling Montgomery I'd been on the Coast before. For one +thing, his +boys were not all Kroos. You know the Kroo by his blue forehead-stripe, +but I +saw two or three with another mark. Thought them Gold Coast Fantis, and +a Fanti +fisherman is useful on board ship. In a day or two I'm going back to +see."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister lighted his pipe and weighed the captain's +remarks. +On the whole, he agreed that it did not look as if Montgomery meant to +help. +The fellow was hospitable, but hospitality that implied his pressing +liquor on +the captain and making the sailors drunk had drawbacks. Brown had used +control, +but Lister doubted if his resolution would stand much strain. Then, +although Montgomery's +story about the need for his being on the spot was plausible, it was, +perhaps, +strange the head of a merchant house would stop for some time at a +factory +where his clerks died. However, now Lister thought about it, Montgomery +did not +state if he had been there long.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The fellow was generous with his liquor and his +boy +can mix a cocktail," he remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown grinned. "On the Coast, they're all generous +with +liquor. Montgomery knows this; but I've a notion you are wondering +whether he +knows me. I reckon not, but he knows the kind of skipper you generally +meet in +the palm oil trade. Still the type's going out; now ship-owners pay +higher, +they get better men. In fact, I'm something of a survival from the old +school."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He picked up the plan and Lister thought about +Montgomery. +The man was ill and highly-strung, but this was not strange. The +factory was +rather a daunting spot; reeking with foul smells and haunted by a sense +of +gloom. Lister thought one might get morbid and imaginative if one +stopped there +long. Yet he rather liked Montgomery; there was something attractive +about him. +Perhaps if they had met in brighter surroundings, when the other's +health and +mood were normal, they might have been friends. Now, however, he +doubted and +saw Brown was not satisfied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The line he held jerked and he signed to the men +at the +pump. One kept the cranks turning; the other went to the top of a +ladder lashed +to the hulk's side. The bubbles moved away from the wreck and broke the +surface +in a fixed, sparkling patch. The diver was coming up and Lister +presently +helped him on board. When they had taken off his copper helmet and +unfastened +his canvas he leaned against the pump and breathed hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well?" said Brown, after waiting a minute or two +for the man to get back his normal breathing.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She lies with a sharp list; sand's high up her +starboard bilge. Engine-room doors jambed, but I found the stokehold +grating +and got some way down the ladder. Sand's washed down and buried the +starboard +bunkers. To clear out the stuff will be a long job."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Packed hard?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The diver nodded. "Like cement! I reckon the pump +won't +move it."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister understood the captain's frown. Sometimes +the sand +that enters a sunken vessel solidifies, with the pressure of surf or +tide, into +a mass that one can hardly dig out. This, however, was not all.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Starboard bunkers buried?" Brown resumed. +"They were pretty full. When she left Forcados she had a list to port, +and +they trimmed her by using the coal on that side first. Well, it's +awkward! I +reckoned on getting the fuel!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"There is some coal on the port side," said +Lister.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If Cartwright's plan and notes are accurate, +there's +not enough to see us out. The wrecking pump will burn a lot," Brown +rejoined and turned to the diver. "Did you see any sharks?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"One big fellow; he hung about as if he was +curious and +I didn't like him near my air-pipe, but he left me alone. The pulps you +meet in +warm seas are worse than sharks. When I was down at the Spanish boat, +crawling +through the holes in her broken hull was nervous work. Once I saw an +arm as +thick as mine waving in the dark, and started for the ladder. We blew +in that +piece of her bilge with dynamite before I went on board again. However, +when +I've cleared up a bit, I'll take Mr. Lister down."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The diver got into the boat and rowed to the tug, +but the +others stopped in the shade of the awning. They had brought a spare +diving +dress, and before they tried to lift the wreck Lister must find out if +Cartwright's supposition was correct, because if Cartwright had found +the +proper clew the job would be easier. For all that, Lister frankly +shrank from +the preparatory exercise. Diving in shark-haunted water had not much +charm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning they hauled the tug alongside the +wreck and +at low-water rigged a derrick and opened the fore hatch. The palm +kernels had +rotted and a horrible pulpy mass, swollen by fermentation, rose nearly +to the +ledge. It was glutinous and too thick for the pump to lift, since the +water +that filled the vessel drained away through the broken plates as the +tide sank. +Brown, kneeling on the hatch-coaming, knitted his brows.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The stuff's water-borne, forced up by its +buoyancy," he said. "We may find it looser as we get down. In the +meantime, suction's no use; we have got to break it out by hand. Start +your +winch and we'll fill the skip."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister signaled a man on board the tug, the winch +rattled, +and a big iron bucket, hanging by a wire rope, dropped into the hold. A +gang of +men climbed across the ledge and began to cut the slimy mass with +spades. The +surface heaved beneath them like a treacherous bog and the smell was +horrible. +Now and then a spade made an opening for the gases to escape and the +nauseated +men were driven back. For all that, they filled the skip and the +swinging +derrick carried the load across the deck and tilted it overboard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The heat was almost unbearable, the reflections +from the +oily swell and wet deck hurt one's eyes, and Lister noted that the deck +did not +dry until the sea breeze began to blow. The wind brought a faint +coolness and +drove back the smell, but the men's efforts presently got slack. The +labor was +exhausting and one must wear some clothes because the sun burned one's +skin. +They held out until the rising water drove them from the hatch and when +they +went back to the tug Brown looked thoughtful.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The men can't keep it up; the thing's impossible! +A +week like this would knock out the lot," he said. "We must use native +boys and I'm going to get some."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning Lister took his first diving +lesson, and when +the big copper helmet was screwed on and the air began to swell his +canvas +clothes, he shrank from the experiment. The load of metal he carried +was +crushing, he could hardly drag his weighted boots across the deck, and +at the +top of the ladder he hesitated, watching the bubbles that marked the +spot where +the diver had vanished. Then he remembered his promise to Barbara and +cautiously went down.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The dazzling sunshine vanished, a wave of misty +green closed +above the helmet glass, hot compressed air blew about his head, and his +ear-drums began to throb. Then lead and copper lost their weight; he +felt +buoyant and clung to the steps. At the bottom he was for a few moments +afraid +to let go, but an indistinct, monstrous object came out of the strange +green +gloom and beckoned him on. Lister went, making an effort for balance, +because +he now felt ridiculously light. Then the reflections were puzzling, for +the +light came and went with the rise and fall of the swell. Yet he could +see and +he followed the diver until they stopped opposite the wreck's port +bilge. Her +side went up like a dark wall, covered by waving weed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's head ached and his breathing was labored, +but not +much pressure was needed to keep out the shallow water and the diver +had +promised to warn him when they had stayed long enough. He forced +himself to +examine the plate the other indicated. <i>Arcturus</i> was a +butt-strapped +vessel and a number of the straps had burst. Plates were smashed and +some of +the holes were large, but in places the iron was drilled and in others +patches +had been bolted on. The salvage company had done part of this work and +he +thought it possible to make the damage good. If they could stop the +remaining +holes, the big pump ought to throw out the water; but Cartwright had +talked +about another opening and this would be awkward to reach.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Signing the diver to go on, he followed him round +the +vessel's stern. The sand on the other side was high and one could climb +on +board, but Lister shrank from the dark alleyway that led to the +engine-room. +For all that, he went in and saw the diver had opened the jambed door. +When he +reached the ledge a flash from the other's electric lamp pierced the +gloom and +he tried to forget his throbbing head and looked about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Sparkling bubbles from his and the diver's helmets +floated +straight up to the skylights, along which they glided and vanished +through a +hole in the glass. The water, moving gently with the pulse of the +swell, broke +the beam of light and objects it touched were distorted and magnified. +The top +of the big low-pressure cylinder looked gigantic, and the thick columns +appeared to bend. Long weed clung to the platforms, from which iron +ladders +went down, but so far as Lister could distinguish, all below was buried +in +sand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He had seen enough. To clear the engines would be +a heavy +task, and one must work in semi-darkness amidst a maze of ladders, +gratings, +and machinery. To keep signal-line and air-pipe free from entanglement +looked +impossible, but perhaps when they had broken the surface the pump would +lift +the sand. Anyhow, he was getting dizzy and his breath was labored.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He touched the diver and they went back along the +alleyway +and round the vessel's stern. Lister was desperately anxious to reach +the +ladder and it cost him an effort to use control. As he went up his +dress got +heavy and he was conscious of his weighted boots. The pressure on his +lungs +lessened, he was dazzled by a strong light, and feeling the edge of the +hulk's +deck, he got his knee on her covering-board and lurched forward. +Somebody took +off his helmet and lifted the weight from his chest. He shut his eyes +and for a +few moments lay on the deck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well?" said Brown presently. "You reached +the engine-room?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister nodded. "She's badly sanded up. It's plain +we +shan't get much coal from the starboard bunkers until we can lift her +to an +even keel."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That will be long," Brown rejoined and pondered. +"We must have coal," he resumed. "If I can't find another plan, +you must take the tug to Sierra Leone and bring a load; but we'll let +it go +just now. The first thing is to hire some negro laborers, and as soon +as I can +leave the wreck I'll try again."</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085300">CHAPTER IV</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085301"></a>MONTGOMERY'S OFFER</h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">High-water was near and a trail of smoke, creeping +up along +the coast, streaked the shining sea. Brown watched the smoke until two +masts +and a funnel rose out of the vapor and began to get distinct. Then he +put down +his glasses and lighted his pipe. The steamer was making for the lagoon.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He had not long since gone to the native town up +the creek +and returned with a gang of laborers. So far, the negroes had worked +well, but +just now he did not need them and they lay about in the shade, some +wearing a +short waist-cloth and some a sheet of cotton that hung from their +shoulders. +The tide had covered the wreck, but the big rotary pump was running +and, since +the men had loosened the top of the cargo, it lifted the slimy stuff.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A plume of steam that looked faint and diaphanous +in the +strong light blew away from the noisy machine. A large flexible pipe +rose from +the submerged hold and another ran from the pump across the hulk's +deck. From +the end of the pipe a thick, brown flood poured into the water and +stained the +green lagoon as the flood tide carried it along. The clash and rattle +of the +engine carried far, for the load was heavy and Lister was using full +steam. The +boiler was large and the furnace burned more coal than he had thought. +Sometimes palm kernels that had not altogether rotted jambed the fans, +and he +held the valve-wheel, trying to ease the shocks, while the perspiration +dripped +from his blistered skin. When Brown indicated the steamer he looked up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She's coming in; I think I know the hooker," the +captain remarked. "Shallow-draught, coasting tank; goes anywhere she'll +float for twenty tons of freight. The skipper, no doubt, expects +Montgomery's +got a few hogsheads of oil, and it's possible he'll sell us some coal. +The +parcels-vanners are pretty keen to trade."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We want coal," said Lister and turned abruptly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The pump jarred and stopped, the swollen suction +pipe +shrank, and the splash of the discharge died away. For some time Lister +was +occupied and when he restarted the engine and looked about again the +steamer +was steering for the hulk. She was a small vessel, going light, with +much of +her rusty side above water. A big surf-boat hung, ready for lowering, +at her +rail and a wooden awning covered her bridge-deck. When the throb of her +engines +slackened two or three white men leaned over her bulwarks and looked +down at +the hulk with languid curiosity. Their faces were haggard and their +poses +slack. The stamp of the fever-coast was plain.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The telegraph rang, the engines stopped, and a man +on the +bridge shouted: "Good morning! You have taken on an awkward job!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">His voice was hollow and strained, and by contrast +Brown's +sounded full and hearty.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We're getting ahead all the same. Where are you +for?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"<i>Sar</i> Leone, after we call at Montgomery's."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you can fill your bunkers, and our coal's +getting +short. Can you sell us some?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other asked how much Brown wanted and how much +he would +pay. Then he beckoned a man on the deck to come up, and turned to Brown +again.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We might give you two or three surf-boat loads, +but +I'll see you when we come back. We must get up the creek and moor her +before +the tide ebbs."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He seized the telegraph handle, the propeller +began to turn, +and when the steamer forged ahead Brown looked thoughtful.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Perhaps I'd better take a trip up the creek in +the +evening. We want the coal and I don't altogether trust Montgomery," he +said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister agreed that it might be prudent for Brown +to go, but +he was occupied by the pump and they said no more. To lift the cargo +when the +water covered the wreck's hatches and loosened the pulpy mass was +easier and he +must keep his engine running full speed. When they stopped he was +exhausted by +the heat and the strain of watching and did not go with Brown.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The captain did not, as he had promised, come back +in the +morning, but after a time a smoke-trail streaked the forest and the +steamer +moved out on the lagoon. Lister sent a boy for the glasses, since he +expected +Brown was on board, but so far as he could see, the captain was not. +The white +wave at the bows indicated that the vessel was steaming fast and it did +not +look as if she was going to stop. In order to reach the channel across +the bar, +she must pass near the hulk, and Lister waved to the captain.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What about the coal?" he shouted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The other leaned out from the rails and Lister, +studying him +with the glasses, saw a small patch, like sticking plaster, on his +forehead. The +side of his face was discolored, as if it were bruised, and frowning +savagely, +he shook his fist.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You can go to <i>Sar</i> Leone or the next +hottest +spot for your coal!" he roared and began to storm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister had sometimes disputed with Western +railroad hands and +marine firemen, but he thought the captain's remarks equaled the +others' best +efforts. In fact, it was some relief when a lump of coal, thrown by a +sailor on +the hulk, crashed upon the wooden awning, and for a moment the savage +skipper +paused. For all that, Lister stopped the sailor, who was going to throw +another +block.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hold on! The stuff is valuable!" he said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The captain began again, but the steamer had +forged ahead, +and his voice got fainter and was presently drowned by the beat of the +screw. +Lister went back to the pump. The machine was running unevenly and +sometimes +the powerful engine jarred. He meant to take it down, but so long as +the pump +sucked up the kernels he durst not stop. Speed was important; they must +finish +the job and get away before the heat and malaria wore them out. In the +meantime, he was disturbed about Brown, who ought to have returned, and +at +sunset he started for the factory in the tug's second boat.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Dark came suddenly and when he landed a hot, +clammy fog +thickened the gloom. Little fires the factory boys had lighted by +ancient +custom twinkled in the haze and a yellow beam from the veranda windows +touched +the towering cottonwoods, but all else was dark and the spot was +somehow +forbidding. One felt the gloom was sinister. A few miles up the creek, +the +naked bushmen served their savage gods with fantastic rites and the +Ju-Ju men +and Ghost Leopards ruled the shadowy land. At the factory white men got +sick +and died.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister went up the steps, and entering the big +room, saw Montgomery +in a Madeira chair. His face was wet by sweat, but although his thin +form was +covered by a blanket he shook with ague. Brown occupied a rude couch, +made from +two long boxes in which flintlock guns are shipped. He lay in an +ungainly pose, +his head had fallen from a cushion, and his face was dark with blood. +His eyes +were shut and he breathed with a snoring noise.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What's the matter with the captain?" Lister +asked, although he thought he knew.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He's exhausted by his efforts and the worse for +liquor," Montgomery answered with a laugh. "On the whole, I think you +had better let him sleep. Perhaps you remarked that some of the glass +is broken +and two of my chairs are smashed!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister had not remarked this, but he looked about +and began +to understand. He had seen Brown throw a Spanish landlord out of a +Grand Canary +wine shop.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Your captain arrived when the steamboat men were +dining with me," Montgomery resumed. "In this country we're a +hospitable lot and it's the custom to send West African factories a +supply of +liquor every three months. Mine arrived not long since, and if you open +the +cupboard you'll see how much is left. But there are cigarettes in the +tin box; +they mildew unless they're canned. Make yourself a cocktail. I don't +want to +get up and my boy's in the compound, playing a drum to keep off the +ghosts."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister lighted a cigarette and listened. A +monotonous, rhythmic +throb stole into the room, and he felt there was something about the +noise that +jarred.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll cut out the cocktail. You're rather generous +with +your liquor," he remarked dryly. "But how did the trouble Brown made +begin?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"By a dispute about some coal."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Lister, who looked at Montgomery hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He imagined the steamboat captain had meant to +give them +coal, since the man had agreed with Brown about the price. In fact, it +looked +as if he had been willing to do so, until he arrived at the factory. +Then he +refused, and Brown, no doubt, got savage.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery was not embarrassed and indicated the +unconscious +skipper.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If Cartwright's not losing his keenness, it's +strange +he sent out a man like this, but perhaps he couldn't get a sober +captain to +go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Brown has some talents. For example, he got the +boys +we wanted, although you refused to help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We must see if he can keep them!" Montgomery +rejoined, with a meaning smile. "In the meantime, it's not important. +Are +you making much progress at the wreck?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister admitted that they were not getting on as +fast as he +had hoped, and when Montgomery gave him a keen glance tried to brace +himself. +He felt slack and his head ached. He had been getting slack recently, +and now, +when he imagined he must be alert, to think was a bother.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You have not been long at the lagoon, but you're +beginning to feel the climate," the other remarked. "It's perhaps the +unhealthiest spot on an unhealthy coast, and a white man cannot work in +the +African sun. However, you know why the salvage company threw up their +contract. +They lost a number of their men and if you stay until the morning you +can see +their graves. The rest of the gang had had enough and were too sick to +keep the +pump running."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You are not encouraging," Lister observed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't exaggerate. I know the country and the +caution +one must use, but you see I'm ill."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The thing was obvious. Montgomery's hollow face +was wet by +sweat, his eyes were dull, and his hands shook. Lister saw he tried to +be cool, +but thought him highly strung.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you're wise, you'll give up your post and get +away +before fever knocks you out," Montgomery resumed. "In fact, I think I +can promise you another berth. The house owns two or three factories +and at one +we are going to start a big oil-launch running to a native market up +river. +Then we have bought new machinery for breaking palm nuts and extracting +the +kernels and have fixed a site for the building at a dry, sandy spot. I +don't +claim the neighborhood's healthy, but it's healthier than this, and we +have +inquired about an engineer. Would you like the post?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not. I'm Cartwright's man. I've taken his +pay."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery smiled ironically. "Let's be frank! I +expect +you want to force me to make a high bid. You don't know the African +coast yet, +but you're not a fool and are beginning to understand the job you have +undertaken. You can't float the wreck; the fellow Cartwright sent to +help you +is a drunken brute, and I have grounds for thinking Cartwright, +himself, will +soon go broke. Well, we need an engineer and I'll admit we have not +found good +men keen about applying. If you can run the launch and palm-nut plant, +we'll +give you two hundred pounds bonus for breaking your engagement, besides +better +wages than Cartwright pays."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister knitted his brows and lighted a fresh +cigarette. He +was not tempted, but he wanted to think and his brain was dull. To +begin with, +he wondered whether Montgomery did not think him something of a fool, +because +it was plain the fellow had grounds for offering a bribe. His doing so +indicated that he did not want the wreck floated. Anyhow, Montgomery +had +imagined he would not hesitate to break his engagement for two hundred +pounds. +He must be cautious and control his anger.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"On the whole, it wouldn't pay me to turn down +Cartwright's job," he said. "Two hundred pounds is not a very big +wad, and if we can take the boat home I reckon the salvage people would +give me +a good post. I must wait until I'm satisfied the thing's impossible."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When you are satisfied I'll have no object for +engaging you. We want an engineer now," Montgomery replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well," said Lister, "I reckon that is +so." He paused, and thinking he saw where the other led, resolved to +make +an experiment. "All the same, since you are willing to buy me off, it +looks as if we had a fighting chance to make good. Then, if I am forced +to +quit, I rather think you'd pay me something not to talk. For example, +if I put +Cartwright wise—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery gave him a scornful smile. "You're +keener +than I thought, but you can't tell Cartwright much he doesn't believe +he knows. +I'll risk your talking to somebody else."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Lister, "I guess we'll let +it go. In the meantime, I'll get off and take the captain along. I +allow you +have fixed him pretty good but he put his mark on the steamboat man and +your +furniture."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He called the sailors, and finding the two who had +brought +Brown to the factory, carried him downstairs and put him on board the +boat. The +captain snored heavily and did not awake. When they pushed off, and +with the +other boat in tow drifted down the creek, Lister pondered.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He did not know if he had well played his part, +but he had +not wanted Montgomery to think his staunchness to his employer must be +reckoned +on; he would sooner the fellow thought him something of a fool. When +Montgomery +offered the bribe he probably knew he was rash; his doing so indicated +that he +was willing to run some risk, and this implied that Cartwright's +supposition +about the wreck was justified. Montgomery was obviously resolved she +should not +be floated and might be a troublesome antagonist. For example, he had +stopped +their getting coal and Lister was persuaded he had made Brown drunk. If +the control +the captain had so far used broke down, it would be awkward, since +Montgomery +would no doubt supply him with liquor.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was plain the fellow meant to bother them as +much as +possible, but since he had not owned the wrecked steamer his object was +hard to +see. In the meantime, Lister let it go and concentrated on steering the +boat +past the mud banks in the creek.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085302">CHAPTER V</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085303"></a>MONTGOMERY USES HIS POWER</h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Some time after Lister went to the factory he woke +one night +from disturbed sleep. His small room under <i>Terrier's</i> bridge was +very hot +and the door and port were open. A faint draught blew in and the +mosquito +curtain moved about his bed. The tug rolled languidly and the water +splashed +against her side. Farther off the gentle swell broke with a dull murmur +across +the wreck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">This was all, but Lister was persuaded he had, +when half +awake, heard something else. At dusk a drum had begun to beat across +the lagoon +and the faint monotonous noise had jarred. It was typically African; +the negroes +used drums for signaling, although white men had not found out their +code. +Lister had come to hate all that belonged to the fever coast.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The drum, however, was not beating now, and he +rather +thought he had heard the splash of a canoe paddle. There was no obvious +reason +this should bother him, but he was bothered and after a few minutes got +up and +put on a thin jacket. On deck it was very hot and he felt the warmth of +the +iron plates through his slippers. In West Africa one puts on slippers +as soon +as one gets out of bed, for fear of the jigger insect that bores into +one's +foot. A gentle land breeze blew across the lagoon and the air was hot +and damp +like steam. Lister smelt river mud and aromatic forest.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">There was no moon, but he saw the dark hull rise +and fall, +and the flash of phosphorescent foam where the swell washed across the +deck. In +the distance, the surf rumbled and now and then there was a peal of +thunder. +Lister wondered why he had left his berth. He was tired and needed +sleep, for +he had been occupied all day at the pump, which was not running well. +Recently +he had been conscious of a nervous strain and things that were not +important +annoyed him; then he often woke at night, feeling that some danger +threatened.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Walking along the deck he found a white sailor +sitting on +the windlass drum. The man did not move until Lister touched his arm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Did you hear something not very long since, +Watson?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No, sir," said the other with a start. "Now +and then a fish splashed and she got her cable across the stem. Links +rattled. +That was all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister thought the man had slept, but it was not +important, +since there was no obvious necessity for keeping anchor watch.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Did you hear something, sir?" the other inquired.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know. I imagine I did!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sailor laughed, as if he understood. "A queer +country; I've been here before! Beautiful, bits of it; shining surf, +yellow +sands, and palms, but it plays some funny tricks with white men. About +half of +them at the factories get addled brains if they stay long. Believe in +things +the bushmen believe, ghosts and magic, and such. Perhaps it's the +climate, but +on this coast you get fancies you get nowhere else. I'd sooner take +look-out on +the fo'cas'le in a North Sea gale than keep anchor watch in an African +calm."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister nodded. He thought the man felt lonely and +wanted to +talk and he sympathized. There was something insidious and daunting +about the +African coast. He walked round the deck and then returning to his room +presently went to sleep.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At daybreak he heard angry voices and going out +found Brown +storming about the deck. Two white sailors had come back in the boat +from the +hulk, with the news that the negroes berthed on board her had vanished +in the +night, except for three or four whom the sailors had brought to the +tug. When +Brown got cooler he went up to the men who squatted tranquilly on the +hatch. +They were big muscular fellows and wore, instead of the usual piece of +cotton, +ragged duck clothes.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Where's the rest of the gang?" Brown asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No savvy, sah," said one. "Some fella put +them t'ing Ju-Ju on him and he lib for bush."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What's a Ju-Ju?" Lister inquired.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hocus-pocus, magic of a sort," the captain +growled. "When a white man knows much about Ju-Ju his proper place is +an +asylum." He turned to the boys. "How did them other fellows go?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No savvy, sah. We done hear not'ing."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect they were afraid to meddle," Brown +remarked, and resumed: "Why did you lib for stop?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We Accra boy; white man's boy. Them bushman him +d—n +fool too much. Run in bush like monkey, without him clo'es."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown knitted his brows and then made a sign of +resignation. +"I reckon it's all we'll know! Well, the tide's falling and we must +shift +for some kernels before the sun is hot. Better start your pump."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The pump was soon at work, and Lister, watching +the engine, +mused. He wondered how much the Accra boys knew, or if it was possible +the +others had stolen away without waking them. Watson, the look-out, had +heard +nothing, and Lister remembered Brown's remarks about the Ju-Ju and +thought the +boys did know something but were afraid to tell. Watson had said the +country +was queer, and if he meant fantastic, Lister agreed. There was +something about +it that re-acted strangely on one's imagination. In the North American +wilds, +one was, so to speak, a materialist and conquered savage Nature by +using +well-known rules. In Africa one did not know the rules and felt the +power of +the supernatural. It looked as if there was a mysterious, malignant +force. But +the pump was running badly and Lister saw he must not philosophize.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When the sun got hot he stopped for breakfast and +afterwards +he and Brown smoked for a few minutes under the awning.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm bothered about the boys' going," the captain +declared. "There's not much doubt Montgomery got somebody to put Ju-Ju +on +them; bribed a magician to frighten them by a trick. Since they're a +superstitious lot, I reckon we can't hire another gang in this +neighborhood. +However, now he's stopped our coal, you'll have to go to <i>Sar</i> +Leone, and +may pick up some British Kroos about the port."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then I'd better go soon," said Lister. "The +braces I bolted on the pump won't hold long; she rocks and strains the +shaft +when she's running hard. I must get a proper casting made at a foundry. +Besides, the engine crosshead's worn and jumps about. I must try to +find a +forge and machine-shop."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They've got something of the kind at <i>Sar</i> +Leone; +I don't know about a foundry," Brown replied. "Take Learmont to +navigate, and start when you like. We'll shift the hulk to leeward of +the wreck +and she ought to ride out a south-east breeze."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister sailed a few days afterwards, and reaching +Sierra Leone found nobody could make the articles he required. For all +that, they +must be got, and he resolved to push on for Grand Canary. The distance +was +long, he had not men enough for an ocean voyage, and would be lucky if +he got +back to the lagoon in three or four weeks, but if he could not mend the +pump, +the salvage work must stop. Lister knew when to run a risk was +justified.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After he passed the Gambier, wind and sea were +ahead, his +crew was short, and he was hard pressed to keep the engine going and +watch the +furnaces. He slept when he could, in snatches, with his clothes on, and +now and +then used an exhausted fireman's shovel On the steamy African coast the +labor +and watchfulness would have worn him out, but the cool Trade breeze was +bracing. Although he was thin, and got thinner, the lassitude he had +felt at +the lagoon vanished, and the fatigue he fought against was not the +fatigue that +kills.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, <i>Terrier</i> pushed stubbornly +north +across the long, foam-tipped seas that broke in clouds of spray against +her +thrusting bows. She was swept by the sparkling showers, but the showers +were +warm, and the combers were not often steep enough to flood her deck. +For all +that, their impact slowed her speed. She must be driven through their +tumbling +crests, full steam was needed to overcome the shock, and the worn-out +men moved +down coal from the stack on deck to feed the hungry fires.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister's eyes ached from the glare of smoky lamps +that threw +puzzling lights about the machinery. After long balancing on slanted +platforms, +his back and legs were sore; his brows were knit in a steady frown, and +his +mouth was always firm. When the strain was over, he sometimes wondered +what he +thought about in the long, exhausting watches, but remembered nothing +except +his obstinate concentration on his task. The strange thing was, he did +not +think much about Barbara, although he was vaguely conscious that, for +her sake, +he must hold out. He meant to hold out. Perhaps his talents were not +numerous, +but he could handle engines, and when it was necessary he could keep +awake.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length, Learmont called him one morning to the +bridge, +and he leaned slackly against the rails. His eyes were dull, and for +some hours +he had breathed the fumes of burning tallow. A slide had given him +trouble; he +could keep the metal cool. On the bridge, however, the air was keen and +sweet, +and he felt the contrast. <i>Terrier</i> plunged and threw the spray +about, but +the seas were short, as if something ahead broke the wind. By and by +Learmont +indicated a lofty bank of mist.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Teneriffe!" he said. "I was half-asleep when +I took the sun, but my reckoning was not very far out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister looked up. In the distance a sharp white +cone, rising +from fleecy vapor, cut the sky, and Lister, with dull satisfaction, +knew the +famous peak. Nearer the tug was another bank of mist, that looked +strangely +solid but ragged, as if it were wrapped about something with a broken +outline. +Some minutes afterwards a high, dark object like a mountain-top, loomed +in the +haze.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Grand Canary!" Learmont remarked. "The range +behind Las Palmas town. I expect the smudge ahead is the Isleta hill."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We've made it!" Lister said hoarsely, and braced +himself. Now the strain was gone, he felt very slack.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sun rose out of the water, the mist began to +melt, and +rolling back, uncovered a line of surf and a belt of rough hillside. +Then +volcanic cliffs, a sandy isthmus, and a cluster of masts and funnels +got +distinct, and Lister fixed the glasses on a white stripe across a +cinder hill. +His hand shook, but he steadied the glasses and saw the stripe was a +row of +huge letters.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"... <i>ary Engineering Co</i> ..." he read.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">His heart beat when he went below. Luck had given +him a hard +job, but he had put it across. Soon after <i>Terrier</i> arrived he +went to the +engineering company's office and the manager looked at him curiously. +Then he +gave Lister some wine and, after studying his drawings and patterns, +said he +could make the things required. Lister drove to the town, and going to +a +Spanish barber's, started when he saw his reflection in a glass. He had +not +shaved for long, and fresh water was scarce on board the tug. His face +was +haggard, the engine grime had got into his skin, and his eyes were red. +He was +forced to wait, and while the barber attended to other customers, he +fell +asleep in his chair. When he left the shop he went to a hotel and slept +for +twelve hours.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085304">CHAPTER VI</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085305">LISTER MEETS AN OLD ANTAGONIST</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The hotel Catalina, half-way between Las Palmas +harbor and +the town, was not crowded, and a number of the quests had gone to a +ball at the +neighboring Metropole. Barbara, going out some time after dinner, found +the +veranda unoccupied and sat down. Mrs. Cartwright was getting better and +did not +need her, and Barbara was satisfied to be alone. Her thoughts were +disturbing, +and trying to banish them for a few minutes, she looked about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The veranda was long, and the lights from the +hotel threw +the shadow of the wooden pillars across the dusty grass. Barbara's +figure was +outlined in a dark silhouette. She did not wear a hat and, since the +night was +warm, had put nothing over her thin dinner dress. She looked slender +and very +young.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A strip of parched garden, where a few dusty palms +grew, ran +down to the road, across which the square block of the Metropole cut +the +shining sea. Steamers' lights swung gently against the dark background +of the +Isleta hill. Beyond the Metropole a white belt of surf ran back to the +cluster +of lights at the foot of the mountain that marked Las Palmas. One heard +the +languid rollers break upon the beach and the measured crash of surges +on the +reefs across the isthmus. Sometimes, when the throb of the surf sank, +music +came from the Metropole. A distant rattle indicated a steam-tram going +to the +port.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The long line across the harbor was the mole, and +Barbara +had thought the small steamer, lying near its end, like <i>Terrier</i>. +There +was nothing in the soft blue dark behind the mole until one came to the +African +coast. Then Barbara firmly turned her glance. In a sense, she had sent +Lister +to Africa, but she was not going to think about him yet. She must not +think +about him until she had weighed something else.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A few hours since she had got a jar. Walking in +the town she +saw a man whose figure and step she thought she knew. He was some +distance off, +and she entered a shop and bought a Spanish fan she did not want. +Perhaps her +disturbance was ridiculous, but the man was very like Shillito, and +their +meeting at the busy port was not impossible. Las Palmas was something +like an +important railway junction. Numerous steamers called, and passengers +from all +quarters, particularly South America and the West Indies, changed +boats. Then +Barbara understood that a fugitive from justice was safer in South and +Central America than anywhere else. She wondered with keen anxiety +whether the man had +seen her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She knew now she had not loved Shillito. He had +cunningly +worked upon her ignorance, discontent, and longing for romance. +Illumination +had come on board the train, but although she had found him out and +escaped, +she had afterwards felt herself humiliated and set apart from happy +girls who +had nothing to hide. The humiliation was not altogether earned, and the +people +who knew about her adventure were not numerous, but they were all the +people +for whom she cared. When she thought about it, she hated Louis Shillito.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The steam-tram stopped at the Metropole and went +on to the +port, trailing a cloud of dust. When the rattle it made began to die +away, +Barbara roused herself with a start from her moody thoughts. A man was +coming +up the path, and when he reached the steps she shrank back against the +wall. +The light from the hotel touched his face and she saw it was Shillito.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Anger conquered her shrinking, for Barbara had +pluck and her +temper was hot. When Shillito, lifting his hat, advanced, she got up +and stood +by a pillar. Her skin had gone very white, but her eyes sparkled and +her hands +were clenched. Shillito bowed and smiled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It looks as if I was lucky!" he remarked, and +Barbara imagined his not finding Mrs. Cartwright about accounted for +his +satisfaction.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I suppose you saw me in the <i>calle mayor</i>?" +she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He nodded. "You went into a shop. Your object was +pretty obvious. I allow it hurt."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a scornful glance. "The +statement's +ridiculous! Do you imagine you can cheat me now, as you cheated me in +Canada?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"In one way, I did not cheat you. When I said I +loved +you, I was honest."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I doubt it! All was dishonest from the beginning. +You +taught me deceit and made me ashamed for my shabbiness. For your sake I +tricked +people who loved and trusted me; but to you I was rashly sincere. I +trusted you +and was willing to give up much in order to marry you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You mean you thought you were willing, until you +knew +the cost?" Shillito rejoined. "Then you saw you couldn't make good +and resolved to turn me down."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The blood came to Barbara's skin, but she fronted +him +steadily.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I had <i>found you out</i>. Had you been +something of +the man I thought, I might have gone with you and helped to baffle the +police; +but you were not. You were very dull and played a stupid part. When you +thought +you had won and I was in your power, I knew you for a brute."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito colored, but forced a smile. "Perhaps I +was +dull; I was desperate. You had kept me hanging round the summer camp +when I +knew the police were on my track; and I had been put wise they might +hold up +the train. A man hitting the trail for liberty doesn't use the manners +of a +highbrow carpet-knight. I reckoned you were human and your blood was +red."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Barbara, "I was very human! +Although I was afraid, I felt all the passion hate can rouse. You +declared I +must stay with you, because I durst not go back; I had broken rules and +my +fastidious relations would have no more to do with me. Something like +that! In +a sense, it wasn't true; but you said it with brutal coarseness. When I +struck +you I meant to hurt; I looked for something that would hurt—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She stopped and struggled for calm. To indulge her +anger was +some relief, but she felt the man was dangerous and she must be cool. +There was +not much use in leaving him and going to her mother, because he would, +no +doubt, follow and disturb Mrs. Cartwright. It was unlucky her +step-father had +not arrived; he was coming out, but his boat was not expected for a day +or two.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Shillito, "let's talk about +something else. I didn't calculate to meet you at Las Palmas, but when +I saw +you in the <i>calle</i>, I hoped you might, after all, be kind for old +times' +sake. However, it's obvious you have no use for me, and if you are +willing to +make it easier, I'll pull out and leave you alone."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a keen glance. She had known he +wanted +something.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"How can I make it easier for you to go?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You don't see? Well, I've had some adventures +since +you left me on board the train. I had money, but I'd waited too long to +negotiate some of the bonds and my partner robbed me. I made San +Francisco and +found nothing doing there. Went down the coast to Chile and got fixed +for a +time at a casino, in which I invested the most part of my wad. One +night a +Chileno pulled his knife on another who cleaned him out, and when the +police +got busy the casino shut down. I pushed across for Argentina, but my +luck +wasn't good, and I made Las Palmas not long since on board an Italian +boat. On +the whole, I like the dagos, and reckoned I might try Cuba, or perhaps +the Philippines—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"A Lopez boat sails for Havana in two or three +days," Barbara interrupted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," Shillito agreed, smiling because he +noted her relief. "The trouble is, I haven't much money. Five hundred +pounds would help me along."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You thought I would give you five hundred +pounds?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Sure," said Shillito, coolly. "You're rich; +anyhow, Mrs. Cartwright is rich, and I reckoned you would see my +staying about +the town has drawbacks. For one thing, the English tourists are a +gossiping +lot. It ought to pay you and your mother to help me get off."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara tried to think. The drawbacks Shillito +indicated +were plain, and as long as he stayed at Las Palmas she would know no +ease of +mind, but she had not five hundred pounds, and Mrs. Cartwright must not +be +disturbed. Moreover, one could not trust the fellow. He might take the +money +and then use his power again. He had power to humiliate her, but unless +she was +willing to meet all his claims, she must resist some time.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I imagine you put your importance too high," she +said. "You can stay, if you like. I certainly will not bribe you to go +away."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He studied her for a few moments; Barbara looked +resolute, +but he thought her resolution forced.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well! Since I can't start for Cuba without +money, +I must find an occupation at Las Palmas, and I have a plan. You see, I +know +some Spanish and something about running a gambling joint. The people +here are +sports, and one or two are willing to put up the money to start a club +that +ought to attract the English tourists. If I found the thing didn't pay +before +you went back, I could quit and get after you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not," said Barbara, desperately. "If +you came to England, a cablegram to the Canadian police—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito laughed. "You wouldn't send a cablegram! +If I +was caught I could tell a romantic story about the girl who helped me +get off. +No; I'm not going to bother about your putting the police on my trail!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He turned his head and Barbara clenched her hand, +for a +rattle of wheels in the road broke off, as if a <i>tartana</i> had +stopped at +the gate. If the passengers from the vehicle were coming to the hotel +she must +get rid of Shillito before they arrived.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You waste your arguments," she declared. "I +will not give you money. If you come back, I will tell the <i>mayordomo</i> +you +are annoying me and he must not let you in."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The plan's not very clever," Shillito rejoined. +"If I made trouble for the hotel porters, the guests would wonder, and +when people have nothing to do but loaf, they like to talk. I expect +you'd find +their curiosity awkward—" He paused and laughed when he resumed: +"You're embarrassed now because somebody will see us!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara was embarrassed. A man was coming up the +path, and +she knew her figure and Shillito's cut against the light. When the +stranger +reached the veranda he would see she was disturbed; but to move back +into the +gloom, where Shillito would follow her, would be significant. She +thought he +meant to excite the other's curiosity.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The man stopped for a moment at the bottom of the +steps and +Barbara turned her head, since she imagined he would think she was +quarreling +with her lover. Then he ran up the steps, and when he stopped in front +of +Shillito her heart beat fast. It was Lister, and she knew he had +remarked her +strained look, for his face was very stern.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Hallo!" he said. "Are you bothering Miss Hyslop +again?" He glanced at Barbara. "I expect the fellow is bothering +you?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For a moment Barbara hesitated, but she had borne +a heavy +strain and her control was going. Besides, one could trust Lister and +he knew +... She signed agreement and he touched Shillito.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Get off the veranda!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito did not move. His pose was tense and he +looked +malevolent.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You won't help Miss Hyslop by butting in like a +clumsy +fool. The thing's too delicate for you to meddle—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Get off the veranda!" Lister shouted, and threw +Shillito back.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He was highly strung, and worn by want of sleep +and +exhausting labor, but he had some notion of all Barbara had borne on +Shillito's +account. Although perhaps caution and tact were indicated, he was going +to use +force. When Shillito struck him he seized the fellow, and rocking in a +savage +grapple, they fell with a crash against the rails. Lister felt the +other's hand +at his throat, and straining back, jerked his head away while he tried +to lift +his antagonist off the ground. He pulled him from the rails and they +reeled +across the veranda and struck the wall.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A neighboring window rattled with the shock, the +heavy tramp +of their feet shook the boards, and Barbara knew the noise would soon +bring a +group of curious servants to the door; besides, all the guests had not +gone to +the Metropole. Yet she could not meddle. The men's passions were +unloosed; they +fought like savage animals, driven by an instinctive fury that would +not vanish +until one was beaten. She looked on, trembling and helpless, while they +wrestled, with swaying bodies and hands that felt for a firmer hold. +Her face +was very white and she got her breath in painful gasps. There was +something +horribly primitive about the struggle, but it fascinated.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, Lister was conscious that he had +been rash. +Shillito was muscular and fresh, but he was tired. It was plain he +could not +keep it up for long. Moreover, unless the fight soon ended, people +would come +to see what the disturbance was about. This would be awkward for +Barbara; he +wanted to tell her to go away, but could not. He was breathless and +Shillito +was trying to choke him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Afterwards he knew he was lucky. They had got near +the steps +and he threw Shillito against the post at the top. The jar shook the +other, his +grasp got slack, and Lister saw that for a moment the advantage was +his. Using +a desperate effort he pushed his antagonist back and struck him a +smashing +blow. Shillito vanished and a crash in the gloom indicated that he had +fallen +on an aloe in a tub by the path. Lister leaned against the rail and +laughed, +because he knew aloe spikes are sharp.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Then he heard steps and voices in the hotel, and +turned to +Barbara. His face was cut, his hat was gone, and his white jacket was +torn. He +looked strangely savage and disheveled, but Barbara went to him and her +eyes +shone. Lister stopped her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Don't know if I've helped much, but you must get +off!" he gasped. "People are coming. Go in by another door!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He turned and plunged down the stairs, and +Barbara, seeing +that Shillito had vanished, ran along the veranda. A few moments +afterwards she +stood by the window of her room and saw a group of curious servants and +one or +two tourists in the path at the bottom of the steps. It looked as if +they were +puzzled, and the <i>mayordomo</i> gravely examined Lister's battered +hat.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara went from the window and sat down. She was +horribly +overstrained and wanted to cry, but she began to laugh, and for some +minutes +could not stop. She must get relief from the tension and, after all, in +a +sense, the thing was humorous.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085306">CHAPTER VII</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085307">BARBARA'S REFUSAL</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning Barbara went to the Catalina mole. +The short +lava pier was not far off, and one got the breeze, although the hotel +garden +was hot. Besides, she did not want to meet people and talk about the +strange +disturbance on the veranda. On the whole, she thought nobody imagined +she could +satisfy the general curiosity. Finding a block of lava in the shade, +she sat +down and looked about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A boat crossed the harbor mouth, swinging up on +the smooth +swell and vanishing when the undulations rolled by. A tug towed a row +of barges +to an anchored steamer, and the rattle of winches came down the wind. +In the +background, clouds of dust blew about the coaling wharfs, and a string +of flags +fluttered from the staff on the Isleta hill. Barbara beckoned a +port-guard and +inquired what the signal meant.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Spaniard said an African mail-boat from +England was +coming in, and Barbara was conscious of some relief. Cartwright was on +board +and would arrive sooner than she had thought; the boat had obviously +not called +at Madeira, the time-bills stated. Cartwright would know how to deal +with +Shillito if he bothered her again. In the meantime she mused about +Lister. She +had thrilled when he ran up the steps at the hotel, but, in a sense, +his +arrival just then was awkward.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She turned her head, for the sunshine on the water +dazzled +her eyes, and the port was not attractive. The limekilns, coal-wharfs, +and +shabby lava houses had for a background volcanic rocks, bare cinder +slopes and +tossing dust. Besides, she wanted to think. She would see Lister soon; +she +wanted to see him, but she shrank. For one thing, the line she ought to +take +was hard.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">By and by she heard a rattle of oars thrown on +board a boat +behind the neighboring wall; somebody shouted, and Lister came up. His +white +clothes were clean but crumpled, and Barbara smiled when she saw his +hat was +new. Crossing the lava pavement, he stopped opposite her and she noted +a piece +of sticking-plaster on his cheek.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"May I join you for a few minutes?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Of course," she said graciously.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister sat down. The sailors had gone off, and +except for an +officer of the <i>Commandancia</i>, nobody was about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was going to the hotel to look for you. For one +thing, I reckoned I ought to apologize. When I came into the veranda +and saw +Shillito—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think you stopped for a moment at the bottom of +the +steps!" Barbara remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He colored, but gave her a steady look. "That is +so. I +admit the thing's ridiculous; but at first I felt I'd better pull out. +Then I +noted something about your pose; you looked angry."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Barbara. "It was a relief to see I +was angry? You were satisfied then?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I was really satisfied before. It was impossible +you +should engage a brute like that in friendly talk. Anyhow, I took the +wrong line +and might have made things awkward. In fact, the situation needed a +lighter +touch than mine. All the same, when I saw the fellow was bullying you—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You butted in?" Barbara suggested, smiling, +although her heart beat.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Like a bull moose," said Lister with a frown. +"I ought to have kept cool, used caution, and frozen him off by a few +short arguments. You can picture Cartwright's putting across the job! +After +all, however, I don't know the arguments I could have used, and I +remembered +how the fellow had injured you—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He saw Barbara's color rise, and stopped for a +moment. It +looked as if he had not used much caution now.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Since I thought you in Africa, I don't understand +how +you arrived," she began.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The thing's not very strange," said Lister. +"I saw your name in a visitors' list and meant to ask for you in the +morning. Then I ran up against Shillito, who didn't know me, and when +he got on +board the steam tram, I hired a <i>tartana</i>. Thought he might mean +trouble +and I'd better come along—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well," he resumed, "I'm sorry I handled the +job clumsily, since I might have hurt you worse; but I hated the fellow +on my +own account and saw red. Perhaps it was lucky I was able to throw him +down the +steps, because I expect neither of us meant to quit until the other was +knocked +out." He paused and added, with a laugh: "Now I'm cool, I think the +chances were I got knocked out. Last time we met he threw me off the +car; I +reckon my luck has turned!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara studied him and was moved by pity and some +other +emotions. He was very thin and his face was pinched. He looked as if he +were +exhausted by the work she had sent him to do. Barbara admitted that she +had +sent him. Before Cartwright planned the salvage undertaking she had +declared he +would find Lister the man for an awkward job.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You ran some risk for my sake, and I must +acknowledge +a fresh debt," she said. "I would sooner be your debtor than +another's, but sometimes I'm embarrassed. You see, I owe you so much."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You have paid all by letting me know you," Lister +declared.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She was quiet for a few moments, and then asked: +"Are +you making much progress at the wreck?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Our progress is slow, but we are getting there," +Lister replied, and seeing her interest, narrated his and Brown's +struggles, +and his long voyage with a short crew on board the tug.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The story was moving and Barbara's eyes sparkled. +Lister had +borne much and done all that flesh and blood could do. He was the man +she had +thought, and she knew it was for her sake that he had labored.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's a splendid fight!" she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We haven't won yet," he replied, and was quiet +for a few moments. Then his look got very resolute and he went on: "All +the same, if the thing is anyhow possible, I'm going to win. You see, +I've got +to win! When Cartwright engaged me I was engineer on board a cattle +boat; a man +of no importance, without friends or money, and with no particular +chance of +making good. Now I've got my chance. If we put across the job a big +salvage +company turned down, I'll make my mark. Somebody will give me a good +post; I'll +have got my foot on the ladder that leads to the top."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wish you luck," said Barbara. "I expect +you will get near the top."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you are willing, you can help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Barbara, with forced quietness, "I +think not—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He stopped her. "I didn't expect to find you +willing. +My business is to persuade you, and I mean to try. Well, I wasn't +boasting, and +my drawbacks are plain, but if I make good in Africa, some will be cut +out and +you can help me remove the others. I've long wanted you, and now my +luck's +turning. I was going to Catalina to tell you so. If Brown and I float <i>Arcturus</i>, +will you marry me?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara's color came and went, but she said +quietly: +"When you came to the hotel in the evening you met Shillito!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did," said Lister, with incautious passion. +"If I had killed the brute I'd have been justified! However, I threw +him +on to the aloe tub and ran off. The thing was grotesquely humorous. A +boy's fool +trick!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You ran off for my sake," said Barbara. "I +liked you for it. I like you for many things, but I will not marry you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He saw she was resolute. Her mouth was firm and +her hand was +tightly closed. He thought he knew the grounds for her refusal, and his +heart +sank. Barbara was stubborn and very proud. Moreover, the situation was +awkward, +but the awkwardness must be fronted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Let's be frank; perhaps you owe me this," he +urged. "Since you allow you do like me, what's to stop our marrying?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"For one thing, my adventure in Canada," she +replied and turned her head.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister put his hand on her arm and forced her to +look up. +"Now you're clean ridiculous! Shillito cheated you; he's a plausible +wastrel, but you found him out. It doesn't count at all! Besides, +nobody but +your relations know."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You know," said Barbara, and, getting up started +along the mole.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister tried to brace himself, for he saw she +could not be +moved. Yet there was something to be said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You are the girl I mean to marry," he declared. +"Some day, perhaps, you'll see you're indulging a blamed extravagant +illusion and I'm going to wait. When you're logical I'll try again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara forced a smile. "Sometimes I am logical; I +feel +I'm logical now. But I have left my mother alone rather long and you +must let +me go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister went with her to the road and got on a tram +going to +the town. He was hurt and angry, but not altogether daunted. Barbara's +ridiculous pride might break and she was worth waiting for. When he +returned on +board, a small African liner had anchored not far off, and while he +watched the +boats that swarmed about the ship, one left the others and came towards +the +tug. The Spanish crew were pulling hard and a passenger occupied the +stern. +Learmont, lounging near, turned his glasses on the boat.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm not sorry you are boss," he said. "The +Old Man is coming!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A few minutes afterwards Cartwright got over the +tug's rail. +His face was red, and he looked very stern.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why have you left the wreck?" he asked Lister.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I came for some castings I couldn't get at Sierra +Leone. The pump and engine needed mending."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then where's Brown?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He's busy at the lagoon, sir. There's enough to +keep +him occupied, unless the pump plays out before I get back."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright looked relieved, but asked meaningly: +"Did +you know Mrs. Cartwright and Miss Hyslop were at Las Palmas?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did not know until yesterday evening, +twenty-four +hours after I arrived; but we'll talk about this again. I expect you +want to +know how we are getting on at the wreck?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded. "I think my curiosity is +natural! +Let's get out of the sun, and if you have liquor on board, order me a +drink. +When the mail-boat steamed round the mole and I saw <i>Terrier</i>, I +got a +nasty jolt."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister took him to the captain's room and gave him +some sour +red Canary wine. Cartwright drained his glass and looked up with an +ironical +smile.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you use stuff like this. Brown ought not to be +tempted much! However, you can tell me what you have done at the +lagoon, and +the difficulties you have met. You needn't bother to smooth down +Brown's +extravagances, I knew the captain before I knew you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister told his story, and when he stopped +Cartwright filled +his glass, raised it to his lips and put it back with a frown.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Send somebody along the mole to Garcia's shop for +two +or three bottles of his Amontillado and white Muscatel. Charge the +stuff to +ship's victualing. When you got Brown out of the factory, did you think +it +possible he had a private stock of liquor?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm satisfied he had not. Montgomery gave him the +liquor, and I imagine meant to give him too, much."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It looks like that," Cartwright agreed. "If +we take something I suspect for granted, Montgomery's opposition would +be +logical. I imagine you know part of the cargo was worth much? Expensive +stuff +in small bulk, you see!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have studied the cargo-lists and plans of the +holds, +sir."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded. "We'll find out presently if my +notion how the boat was lost is accurate," The cargo's another thing. +There may have been conspiracy between merchant and ship-owner; I don't +know +yet, but if it was conspiracy, this would account for much. Some of the +gum +shipped was very costly, and African alluvial gold, washed by the +negroes, has +been found mixed with brass filings."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Montgomery frankly stated his father loaded the +vessel."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"His frankness may have been calculated," +Cartwright rejoined and knitted his brows. "Yet I'll admit the young +fellow's name is good at Liverpool, and all he sells is up to sample. +His +father was another sort, but he died, and the house is now well run. +However, +in the meantime we'll let it go."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He looked up, for a fireman, carrying a basket, +came in. +Cartwright took the basket and opened a bottle of white wine.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Take some of this," he said. "I understand +you have seen Mrs. Cartwright?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not yet, sir," said Lister, quietly. "I met +Miss Hyslop soon before your boat arrived. Perhaps I ought to tell you +I asked +her if she would marry me if we floated the wreck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Cartwright. "But why did you add +the stipulation?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It ought to be obvious. If we put the undertaking +over, I expect to get a post that will enable me to support a wife, +although +she might be forced to go without things I'd like to give her."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I see!" said Cartwright, with some dryness. +"Well, I don't know if Barbara is extravagant, but she has not used +much +economy. Was she willing to take the plunge?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She was not, sir."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then I suppose she stated her grounds for +refusing?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," said Lister. "Perhaps Miss +Hyslop will tell you what they are. I will not."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright looked at him hard. "All the same, I +imagine +you did not agree?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I did not agree. If I make good at the wreck, I +will +try again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Barbara is pretty obstinate," Cartwright remarked +with a smile, and then filled Lister's glass. "I must go; but come to +the +hotel in the morning. We must talk about the salvage plans."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went off, but when the boat crossed the harbor +he looked +back at the tug with twinkling eyes. Lister was honest and had not +asked +Barbara to marry him until he saw some chance of his supporting a wife. +Since +Barbara was rich, the thing was amusing. All the same, it was possible +the +young fellow must wait. Barbara exaggerated and indulged her +imagination, but +she was firm.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085308">CHAPTER VIII</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085309">CARTWRIGHT GETS TO WORK</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The morning was hot and Barbara, sitting on the +hotel +veranda, struggled against a flat reaction. The glitter of the sea hurt +her +eyes, and the dust that blew in clouds from the road smeared her white +dress. +Her mouth dropped and her pose was languid. To refuse Lister had cost +her much, +and although she had done so because she felt she ought, the sense of +having +carried out a duty was not remarkably soothing. It was a relief to know +she +need not pretend to Cartwright, who occupied a basket-chair opposite. +One could +not cheat her step-father by false cheerfulness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"When you disappointed Lister you took the prudent +line," he said. "The young fellow has some talent, but he has not yet +made his mark. I approve your caution, and expect your mother will +agree."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I wasn't cautious; I didn't argue at all like +that," Barbara declared. "Besides, I haven't told mother. She mustn't +be disturbed."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright looked thoughtful. To some extent he +was +sympathetic, and to some extent amused.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then I don't altogether understand why you did +refuse!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," said Barbara, and the blood came to +her skin, "for one thing, Mr. Lister waited for some time, and then +asked +me to marry him, after Shillito arrived." She paused and her look got +hard +when she resumed: "Perhaps he thought he ought; sometimes he's +chivalrous."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright imagined Barbara was badly hurt, and +this +accounted for her frankness.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Your reasoning isn't very obvious, but I think I +see a +light," he said. "It's possible, however, he asked you because he +wanted you, and there is an explanation for his waiting. I understand +he +hesitated because he doubted if he could support a wife. It looks as if +Mr. +Lister didn't know you were rich."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He doesn't know; I think I didn't want him to +know," Barbara admitted with some embarrassment.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Shillito knew, but one learns caution," +Cartwright remarked. "Well, Shillito became somewhat of a nuisance, and +I +don't imagine you want him to look us up again. I rather think I must +get to +work."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I hate him!" said Barbara, passionately. +"Until your boat was signaled I was horribly alarmed, but then the +trouble +went. I felt I needn't bother after you arrived." Her voice softened as +she added: "You are a clever old dear! One feels safe while you're +about!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Thank you," said Cartwright. "I am old, but +I have some useful talents. Well, is there something else about which +you want +to talk?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara hesitated. There was something for which +she meant +to ask, although her object was not very plain. Perhaps Shillito's +demand for +money had made her feel its power; moreover, she was independent and +liked to +control her affairs.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My birthday was not long since, and I'm entitled +to +use some of the money that is mine."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," Cartwright agreed with a twinkle. +"All the same, you're not entitled to use much until you marry, and you +have just sent off one lover. Would you like me to send you out a sum?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think I'd like a check book, and then I needn't +bother people."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright nodded. Barbara was not extravagant. +"Very +well. I expect we can trust you, and the money is yours. I can probably +arrange +for a business house to meet your drafts. I'll see about it when I'm in +the +town."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He started for Las Palmas presently, and after +some +inquiries stopped at a Spanish hotel, where he found Shillito. The +latter +frowned when he saw Cartwright, but went with him to the courtyard and +they sat +down in the shade.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Have you bought your ticket for Havana?" +Cartwright asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have not," said Shillito. "So far I +haven't decided to leave Las Palmas."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then I imagine you had better decide <i>now</i>. +If +money is a difficulty, I might lend you enough for a second-class +passage, but +that is all."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito smiled. "If you want to get rid of me, +you'll +have to go higher. I reckon it's worth while!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not," said Cartwright, dryly. "In +fact, since I can get rid of you for nothing, I doubt if it's worth the +price +of a cheap berth on board the Lopez boat. However, I'll risk this, in +order to +save bothering."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Bluff! You can cut it out and get to business!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well. Your call at the Catalina didn't help +you +much, and if you come again you will not be received by Miss Hyslop, +but by me. +I have met and beaten fellows like you before. My offer's a +second-class berth. +You had better take it!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Not at all," said Shillito. "Before long +you'll want to raise your bid."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright got up and crossed the flags; the other +frowned +and hesitated, but let him go. When he reached the street Cartwright +called his +<i>tartana</i> and told the driver to take him to the British +Vice-Consul's. +The Vice-Consul was a merchant who sometimes supplied the Cartwright +boats with +stores, and he gave his visitor a cigar. Cartwright told him as much +about +Shillito as he thought useful, and the Vice-Consul weighed his remarks.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The extradition of a criminal is a long and +troublesome business," he observed. "In the meantime the fellow must +not be allowed to annoy you, and I imagine my duty is to inform the +Spanish <i>justicia</i>. +Don Ramon is tactful, and I think will handle the situation discreetly. +Suppose +we go to see him?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He took Cartwright to an old Spanish house, with +the royal +arms above the door, and a very dignified gentleman received them +politely. He +allowed the Vice-Consul to tell Cartwright's story in Castilian, and +then +smiled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Señor Graham has our thanks for the +warning he has +brought," he said. "In this island we are sportsmen. We have our +cockpits and casinos, but our aim is to develop our commerce and not +make the +town a Monte Carlo. Then the play at the casinos must be honest. Our +way with +cardsharpers is stern."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Vice-Consul's eyes twinkled. He knew Don +Ramon, who +resumed: "Señor Cartwright's duty is to inform the British +police. No +doubt he will do so, but until they apply to our <i>justicia</i> in +the proper +form, I cannot put in prison a British subject for a robbery he did not +commit +on Spanish soil. Perhaps, however, this is not necessary?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"On the whole, I don't think it is necessary," +Cartwright remarked. "The fellow is a dangerous scoundrel, but I don't +know that it is my duty to give you the bother extradition formalities +would +imply. Still you may find him a nuisance if he stays long."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Don Ramon smiled. "I imagine he will not stay +long! My +post gives me power to deal with troublesome foreigners. Well, I thank +you, and +can promise you will not be disturbed again."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He let them go, and when they went out the +Vice-Consul +laughed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You can trust Don Ramon. For one thing, he knows +I +have some claim; in this country a merchant finds it pays to +acknowledge fair +treatment by the men who rule. For all that, Don Ramon is just and uses +prudently a power we do not give British officials. The Spanish know +the +advantages of firm control, and I admit their plan works well."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito did not return to the Catalina. When he +was playing +cards for high stakes one evening, two <i>guardias civiles</i> entered +the +gambling house and one touched Shillito's arm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You will come with us, señor," he said +politely.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito pushed back his chair and looked about. +The man +carried a pistol, and the civil guards have power to shoot. His comrade +watched +the door.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What is your authority for bothering me?" he +asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It is possible Don Ramon will tell you. He is +waiting," said the other. He took Shillito to the house with the coat +of +arms, and Don Ramon, sending off the guards, indicated a chair.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have heard something about you, and do not +think you +ought to remain at Las Palmas," he remarked. "In fact, since we +understand you meant to go to Cuba, we expect you to start by the Lopez +boat."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't mean to go to Cuba," Shillito rejoined.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Don Ramon shrugged. "Well, we do not mind if you +sail +for another country. Numerous steamers touch here and the choice is +yours. So +long as you leave Las Palmas—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito looked at him hard. "I am a British +subject +and stay where I like!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You are obstinate, señor, but I think your +statement's +rash," Don Ramon observed. "A British subject is governed by British +laws, but we will not talk about this."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He paused and studied Shillito, who began to look +disturbed. +"One would sooner be polite and take the easy line," Don Ramon +resumed. "So far this is possible, because you are not on the list sent +our Government by the British police, but we have power to examine +foreigners +about whom we are not satisfied. Well, I doubt if you could satisfy us +that you +ought to remain, and when we begin to investigate, a demand for your +extradition +might arrive. If you forced us to inquire about you, a cablegram would +soon +reach London."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Shillito saw he was beaten and got up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll buy my ticket for Havana in the morning," he +replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The Lopez liner was some days late, and in the +meantime +Lister haunted the office of the engineering company. At length the +articles he +needed were ready, and one afternoon Cartwright hired a boat to take +him and +Barbara across the harbor. <i>Terrier</i> lay with full steam up at +the end of +the long mole, and when her winch began to rattle, Cartwright told the +Spanish <i>peons</i> +to stop rowing. The tug's mooring ropes splashed, her propeller +throbbed, and +she swung away from the wall.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She was rusty and dingy; the screens along her +bridge were +cracked and burned by the sun. The boat at her rail was blackened by +soot, and +when she rolled the weed streamed down from her water-line. She looked +very +small and overloaded by the stack of coal on deck. The wash round her +stern got +whiter, ripples ran back from her bows, and when she steamed near +Cartwright's +boat, her whistle shrieked. Cartwright stood up and waved; Learmont, on +the +bridge, touched his cap, but for a few moments Barbara fixed her eyes +on <i>Terrier's</i> +deckhouse. Then she blushed and her heart beat, for she saw Lister at +the door +of the engine-room. He saw her and smiled.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The tug's whistle was drowned by a deeper blast. A +big +liner, painted black from water-line to funnel-top, was coming out, and +Cartwright's boat lay between her and the tug. Barbara gave the great +ship a +careless glance and then started, for she read the name at the bow. +This was +the Havana boat.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Studying the groups of passengers at the rails, +she thought +she saw a face she knew. The face got distinct, and when the liner's +lofty side +towered above the boat, Shillito, looking down, lifted his cap and +bowed with +ironical politeness. Barbara turned her head and tried for calm while +she +watched the tug.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister had not gone. Barbara knew he would not go +so long as +he could see the boat, and standing up, with her hand on Cartwright's +shoulder, +she waved her handkerchief. Lister's hand went to his cap, but he was +getting +indistinct and <i>Terrier</i> had begun to plunge on the long swell +outside the +wall. She steered for open sea, the big black liner followed the coast, +and +presently Cartwright signed the men to pull. Then he looked at Barbara +and +smiled, for he knew she had seen Shillito.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Things do sometimes happen like that!" he said. +"I think the fellow has gone for good, but the other will come back."</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085310">CHAPTER IX</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085311">LISTER MAKES GOOD</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Arcturus'</i> holds were empty and a long row +of oil +puncheons occupied the beach, but the men who had dragged the goods +from the +water were exhausted by heavy toil in the scorching sun, and some were +sick. +The divers had bolted on plates to cover the holes in the vessel's +bilge before +one fell ill and his mate's nerve went. The heat and poisonous vapors +from the +swamps had broken his health, and he got a bad jar one day his air-pipe +entangled and the pump-gang dragged him, unconscious, to the top.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Afterwards, for the most part, Lister undertook +the diving, +but for long his efforts to reach the floor of the engine-room were +baffled. To +crawl across slanted gratings and down weedy ladders, while air-pipe +and +signal-line trailed about the machinery, was horribly dangerous, but he +kept it +up, although he got slacker and felt his pluck was breaking. Then one +afternoon +he knew he could not go down again, and he stayed under water long.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown, standing by the air-pumps, looked at his +watch and +waited anxiously. The bubbles broke the surface above the wreck and the +signal-line was slack, but Lister had been down longer than he ought. +He wars +not a diver, and the others who knew their job, had come up sooner. +Then Brown +had other grounds for anxiety. If Lister were beaten, their chance of +floating +the wreck was small.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length, the bubbles began to move towards the +hulk, the +ladder shook, and a dull, red reflection shone through the water. Then +the +copper helmet broke the surface, rose a few inches, and stopped, and +Brown ran +to the gangway. Lister was exhausted and his worn-out body could not +meet the +change of pressure. They dragged him on board and took off his helmet +and +canvas dress. For some minutes he lay like a log, and then opened his +eyes and +looked at Brown.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Cartwright was on the track!" he gasped. "We +can go ahead—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sun was low, but the pitch in the seams was +liquid and +smeared the hot planks, and Brown pulled Lister into the shade. For a +time he +was quiet, but by and by he said, "When the tide falls we'll start the +pump and let her go all night. I must get up and tell Jones to clean +the +fire."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll tell him. You stay there until we get some +food," Brown replied.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The cook served the meal on deck, but they had +hardly begun +when he lighted a storm-lamp. As soon as the red sun dipped thick vapor +floated +off from the swamps, the water got oily black, and dark clouds rolled +across +the sky. Flickering lightning illumined the tumbling surf and sandy +beach, but +there was no thunder and the night was calm. The hulk and tug were +moored at +opposite sides of the wreck, forward of her engine room, and thick wire +ropes +that ran between them had been dragged back under the vessel for some +distance +from her bow. The ropes, however, were not yet hauled tight. When the +cook took +away the plates Brown made a rough calculation.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have caulked all hatches and gratings forward, +and +stopped the ventilators," he said. "I reckon the water will leave the +deck long enough for the pump to give her fore-end some buoyancy. If +she rises +with the flood tide, well heave the cables aft, until we can get a hold +that +will lift her bow from the ground. Then you can pump out the fore hold +and +we'll make a fresh start aft. We'll soon know if Cartwright's notion is +correct."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We know <i>now</i>; I'll satisfy you in the +morning," Lister rejoined and his confidence was not exaggerated.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A steamer's hull below her load-line is pierced in +places to +admit water for the condensers and ballast tanks. Lister had found some +inlets +open, but now they were shut.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll own old Cartwright's a great man," Brown +said thoughtfully. "When he takes on a job he studies things all round. +The salvage folks, no doubt, reckoned on the possibility that the +valves were +open, but they couldn't get at the controls and didn't know all +Cartwright knew—" +He paused and added with a laugh: "I wonder how much the other fellows +got +for the job! But it's time we started."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister got up with an effort and went to the pump, +which +presently began to throb. The mended engine ran well and the regular +splash of +water, flung out from the big discharge pipe, drowned the languid +rumble of the +surf. The hull shook; shadowy figures crossed the beam of light from +the +furnace, and vanished in the dark. Twinkling lamps threw broken +reflections on +the water that looked like black silk, lightning flashed in the +background, and +when the swell broke with phosphorescent sparkles about the wreck +Lister marked +the height the pale illumination crept up her plates. She would not +lift that +tide, but the pump was clearing the hold, and he hoped much water was +not +coming in. If the leakage was not excessive, her bow ought to rise when +the +next tide flowed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For some hours he kept his watch, dragging himself +wearily +about the engine and pump. He had helpers, but control was his, and to +an +engineer a machine is not a dead mass of metal. Lister, so to speak, +felt the +pump had individuality and temperament, like a spirited horse. +Sometimes it +must be humored and sometimes urged; it would run faster for a man +whose touch +was firm but light than for another. Perhaps he was fanciful, and he +was +certainly over-strung, but he imagined the big, rattling machine knew +his hand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length when he looked at the gauge glass he +found he +could not see the line that marked the water-level. His head swam and +his legs +shook, and calling a fireman to keep watch, he sat down in the coal. He +wanted +to get to the awning, out of the dew, but could not, and leaning +against the +rough blocks, he went to sleep.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the morning, he knew the fever that bothered +him now and +then had returned. For all that, he must hold out and he began his +labor in the +burning sun. When the flood tide rippled about the wreck it was obvious +the +pump was getting the water down. The bows lifted, and starting the +winches, +they hauled aft the ropes. If they could keep it, before long they +might heave +her from the sand.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">It was a time of stubborn effort and crushing +strain. Some +of the men were sick and all had lost their vigor. The fierce sun had +not +burned but bleached their skin; their blood was poisoned by the miasma +the land +breeze blew off at night. For all that, Cartwright's promise was they +should +share his reward and somehow they held on.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">At length, in the scorching heat one afternoon +when the +flood tide began to run, they hauled the hulk and tug abaft the wreck's +engine-room and made the great ropes fast. If Lister's calculations +were +accurate, the pump had thrown out enough water, and the buoyancy of the +other +craft would lift the wreck's stern. If not—but he refused to think +about +this.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sea breeze had dropped and the smoke of the +engine went +straight up. There was not a line on the glittering lagoon. The sea +looked like +melted silver; one felt it give out light and heat. The men's eyes +ached and +the intolerable sun pierced their double hats and dulled their brains. +When all +was ready, they waited and watched the sandy water creep up <i>Arcturus'</i> +plates until the ropes stretched and groaned and the hulk began to +list. On the +wreck's other side, the tug's mast and funnel slanted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Arcturus</i> was not yet afloat, and the big +wire-ropes, +running beneath her bilge, held down the helping craft. The ends were +made fast +by hemp lashings and somebody had put an ax beside the post. For all +that, +Lister did not think Brown would give the order to cut; he himself +would not. +If they did not float Arcturus now, she must remain in the sand for +good. He +would hold on until the rising tide flowed across the tug.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, he watched the pump. The engine +carried a +dangerous load and the spouting discharge pipe was swollen. Throbbing +and +rattling, she fought the water that held <i>Arcturus</i> down. A +greaser +touched the crosshead-slides with a tallow swab, and a panting fireman +thrust a +bar through the furnace door. Their skin was blackened by sweat and +coal dust; +soaked singlets, tight like gloves, clung to their lean bodies. Nobody +else, +however, was actively occupied. The negroes lay on the deck and the +white men +lounged in the shade of the awning. They had done all that flesh and +blood +could do, in a climate that breaks the white man's strength, and now +the tide +ought to finish their labor. But they did not know, and some doubted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The ropes cracked and the hulk's list got sharp. +On one +side, her deck was very near the water. She was broad, but if <i>Arcturus</i> +did not lift, it was obvious she must soon capsize. Lister opened the +engine +throttle until the valve-wheel would not turn. The cylinders shook, a +gland +blew steam, and the pump clashed and rocked. All the same, he knew +himself ridiculous. +The extra water the pump lifted would not help much now. They had a few +minutes, and then, if nobody cut the ropes, the hulk would go down.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The massive oak mooring-post groaned and the +deck-seams +opened with the strain; the wire-ropes were rigid; one could see no +hint of +curve. The water touched the hulk's deck and began to creep up. Then it +stopped, the hulk shook, and the wreck's long side slowly got upright.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She's off!" said Brown hoarsely. Somebody blew +the tug's whistle, and one or two shouted, but this was all. They had +won a +very stubborn fight, but winning had cost them much, and Lister felt +their +triumph was strangely flat. He smiled and owned he would be satisfied +to lie +down and sleep.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown gave an order; <i>Terrier's</i> propeller +splashed noisily, +and <i>Arcturus</i> began to move. Somehow it looked impossible, but +she was +moving. They took her slowly and cautiously across the lagoon, and when +the +tide was full put her on the sand. There was much to do yet and Lister +wondered +whether he could hold out until all was done.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the evening Montgomery came off on board a boat +pulled by +four sturdy Kroos. He was very thin and haggard, but the fever had left +him. +When his boat got near, Brown, frowning savagely, went to the rail.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What d'you want?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Let me come on board. If we can't, agree, I'll go +back +in a few minutes," Montgomery replied, and climbing the bulwarks, went +to +the awning and lighted a cigarette.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You have floated her, but the job's not +finished," he said. "I expect you mean to bring off the cargo you +landed and you'll need a fresh gang of native boys. Well, I can help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You imply you can bother us if we don't agree?" +Brown remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Something like that! I can certainly make things +awkward. However, all I want is to go with you when you open the +lazaret where +the boxes of gold were stored."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Brown. "I expect you see what your +wanting to go indicates? Looks as if you knew something about the +wreck."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I imagine I do know something," Montgomery +admitted quietly. "At the beginning, I reckoned you would not float +her, +but in order to run no risk, I meant to hinder you as much as possible. +Now I'm +beaten, I'm going to be frank—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He paused and resumed in a low voice: "When I was +left +control of a respected business house I was young and ambitious. It was +plain +the house had weathered a bad storm, but our fortunes were mending and +I +thought they could be built up again. Well, I think I was honest, and +when one +of <i>Arcturus'</i> crew demanded money I got a jar. Since my father +loaded the +ship, I expect you see where the fellow's threats led?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I see the line Cartwright might take," Brown +remarked dryly. "If the boxes don't hold gold, he could break you! We +have +found out enough already to give him a strong pull on the boat's last +owners. +They're in his power."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He won't use his power. Cartwright is not that +sort! +Besides, the company is bankrupt."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You are not bankrupt. Do you know what sort +Lister and +I are?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery smiled. "It's not important. If there +is no +gold in the boxes, I don't want to carry on the house's business. You +can do +what you like—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He stopped for a few moments and Lister began to +feel some +sympathy. The man was desperate and had obviously borne much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My staying at the factory was a strain," +Montgomery +continued. "I was ill and when at length I saw you might succeed, the +suspense was horrible. You see, I risked the honor of the house, my +marriage, +my fortune. All I had and cared about!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Were you to be married?" Lister asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery signed agreement. "The wedding was put +off. +While it looked as if my mended fortune was built on fraud and I had +known, and +agreed to, the trick, I could not marry a high-principled girl."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown knitted his brows and was quiet for some +moments. Then +he said, "You are now willing to get us the boys we want and help us +where +you can?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," Montgomery agreed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well!" said Brown. "We expect to open +the lazaret at daybreak and you can come with us. You had better send +off your +boat and stop on board."</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085312">CHAPTER X</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085313">BARBARA TAKES CONTROL</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">The sun was rising and the mist rolled back from +the lagoon. +The tide was low and <i>Arcturus'</i> rusty side rose high above the +smooth +green water. Damp weed hung from the beams in her poop cabin and a dull +light +came down through the broken glass. A sailor, kneeling on the slimy +planks, +tried to force a corroded ring-bolt from its niche; another trimmed a +smoky +lantern. Lister, Brown and Montgomery waited. In the half-light, their +faces +looked gray and worn. The sun had given them a dull pallor, and on the +West +African coast nobody sleeps much.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">After a few minutes the sailor opened the swollen +trap-door +and then went down, Brown carrying the lantern. As a rule a ship's +lazaret is a +small, dark strong-room, used for stowing liquor and articles of value. +<i>Arcturus</i> +was wet and smelt of salt. A row of shelves crossed the bulkhead and +some water +lay in the angle where the slanted floor met the side sheathing. A thin +jacket +and an officer's peaked cap were in the water. Brown indicated the +objects.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Looks as if somebody had stripped before he got +to +work, and then left without bothering about his clothes," he said. "I +don't know if I expected this, but we'll examine the thing later." He +lifted the lantern and the flickering beam touched five or six small, +thick +boxes. "Well, there's some of the gold!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister seized a box and tried to lift it up, but +stopped.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It feels like gold," he said and signed to a +sailor. "Help me get the stuff on deck, Watson."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They carried the boxes up the ladder and Brown +brought the +cap and jacket.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Second-mate's clothes," he said, indicating the +bands round the cuffs and cap. The imitation gold-lace had gone green +but clung +to the rotten material.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Something in the pocket," he added and taking out +a small wet book put it in the sun. "We'll look at this again, and now +for +the first box! I may want you to state you saw me break the seals."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Sitting in the shade of the poop, they opened the +box, which +was filled with fine dull-yellow grains. Then Lister sent a man to the +boat for +some things he had brought, and when the fellow came back hung a small +steel +cup from a spring-balance.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The scale's pretty accurate; I use it on board," +he said. "Well, I got the specific gravity of gold, zinc and copper +from +my pocket-tables, and made a few experiments with some bearing metals. +They're +all brasses; alloys of copper and zinc, with a little lead and tin in +some. I +weighed and measured two or three small ingots and afterwards +calculated what +they'd weigh, if their cubic size was the capacity of the cup. I'll +give you +the figures."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He did so and then filled the cup with the yellow +grains and +held up the balance. Montgomery, leaning forward, looked over his +shoulder.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Weighs more than your heaviest bearing metal! +It's +gold!" he exclaimed hoarsely.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes," said Lister, "it's obviously gold. +Perhaps we needn't open the other boxes. When we get on board well +weigh them +against this lot. So far as I can reckon after heaving them up the +ladder, well +not find much difference."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery sat down, as if he were too limp to +stand. +"But these are not all the boxes that were shipped—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown went for the pocket-book he had put to dry +and took +out some papers. "This thing belonged to Gordon Herries, second +officer."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Mr. Herries?" exclaimed the sailor Watson. "The +second-mate as was drowned when the surf-boat capsized!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"What do you know about it?" Brown asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I know something, sir," said Watson, but +Montgomery +stopped him and turned to the others.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It seems the second mate tried to <i>save</i> +the +stuff."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Looks like that," Brown agreed and signed to the +sailor. "Now tell us all you do know."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We was lying in Forcados river, shifting cargo to +the Lagos +boat alongside. Barret, my townie, was on board her; he'd made a run in +<i>Arcturus</i>, +and told me about the wreck. When she struck, Mr. Herries swung out +number two +surf-boat and Barret was her bowman. He went to the lazaret with +Herries and +they got up some bags of special gum and some heavy boxes. Barret +thought they +were gold, but hadn't seen them put on board. Then a big comber hit the +poop, +smashed the skylights, and flooded the lazaret. They reckoned she was +going +over and had some bother to get out. Well, they got the surf-boat off +her side; +she was pretty full with a load of Kroo boys and three or four white +men. In +the surf, the steering oar broke, she yawed across a sea, and turned +out the lot. +Some held on to her, but she rolled over and Barret made for the beach. +They +all landed but Mr. Herries; Barret thought the boat hit him. Gum and +boxes went +down in the surf."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very good," said Brown. "Now get off and +send somebody to help heave the boxes on board."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery turned his head and leaned against the +poop. +Lister saw he trembled as if the reaction from the strain was keen. +After a few +moments he braced himself.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's done with! I think all the boxes held gold, +but +they're gone."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Brown indicated the cloud of spray that tossed +above the +advancing lines of foam. The long rollers had crashed on the bar from +the +beginning and would never stop.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"All the surf gets it keeps," he said. "If +there is a secret, I reckon the secret's safe! However, we have to talk +about +something else. You can get us some native boys?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll send you a fresh gang. If my new agent +arrives +soon, I'll go with you as far as Sierra Leone. Since you're +short-handed, I +might perhaps help, and I've had enough of the factory."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The others agreed and soon afterwards got to work. +When the negroes +Montgomery sent arrived all the cargo worth salving was re-stowed, and +he +bought the hulk for a floating store. Then, one night when the moon and +tide +were full, <i>Terrier</i> steamed slowly across the lagoon. Two +massive ropes +trailed across her stern and <i>Arcturus'</i> high dark bow towered +above her +phosphorescent wake. The land breeze blew behind her and the surf had +not the +fury the sea breeze gives by day, but when <i>Terrier</i> plunged into +the +turmoil Brown watched the tow ropes with anxious eyes.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Arcturus</i> rolled and sheered about, putting +a horrible +strain on the hawsers, and sometimes for a minute or two it looked as +if she +went astern. Flame blew from the tug's funnel, lighting the black trail +of +smoke; steam roared at her escape-pipe, and the engines throbbed hard. +The ebb +tide, however, was beginning to run and helped her across the shoals. +The +leadsman got deeper water, the rollers got smooth, and presently the +swell was +long and regular and the spray cloud melted astern. In the morning, a +faint +dark line to starboard was all that indicated the African coast. Next +day Brown +steered for the land and called Montgomery to the bridge.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I reckon to make an anchorage before dark," he +said. "We'll give the boys the rest they need and send <i>Terrier</i> +to <i>Sar</i> +Leone for coal. Learmont will land you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you're not going to take <i>Arcturus</i> +into +port?" Montgomery remarked with some surprise.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am not. Cartwright expects me to save him as +much as +possible and there are British officers and Board of Trade rules at <i>Sar</i> +Leone. You don't imagine they'd let me start for Las Palmas? Surveys, +reports, +repairs and sending for another tug, might cost two or three thousand +pounds. +Then half my crew are sick and some are helpless, though I reckon +they'll pick +up sooner at sea than in an African hospital."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's a big risk. After all, I owe you much and +know +something about curing malarial fever. Besides, I'm a yachtsman and can +steer +and use the lead. If you'll take me, I'll go all the way. However, you +ought to +send Lister off. He can't hold out."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"He claims he can," Brown said dryly. "We +have argued about his going to Grand Canary by a mail-boat, but he's +obstinate. +Means to finish the job; that's his sort! Anyhow, it's possible the +Trade +breeze will brace him up, and if he did go, the chances of my taking <i>Arcturus</i> +to Liverpool are not good."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery stayed on board and when the tug +returned with +coal they hove anchor and began the long run to Las Palmas. For a time, +Lister +kept the engines going and superintended the pump on board the wreck, +but he +could not sleep and in the morning it was hard to drag himself from his +bunk +and start another laborious day. The strain was horrible and he was +weakening +fast, but it would be cooler soon and perhaps he might hold out until +they met +the invigorating Northeast breeze.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, Cartwright went back to +Liverpool, Mrs. +Cartwright got better, and Barbara waited for news. She had refused +Lister, but +to refuse had cost her more than she had thought. After a time +Cartwright wrote +and stated that the tug and Arcturus had started home. No fresh news +arrived +and Barbara tried to hide her suspense, until one morning a small +African liner +steamed into port. Some passengers landed and when they lunched at the +hotel +one talked about his going off with the first officer to a ship that +signaled +for help.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It was a moving picture," he said. "The +rusty, weed-coated steamer rolling on the blue combers, and the little, +battered tug, holding her head-to-sea. The breeze was strong and for +some days +they had not made three knots an hour. Well, I know something about +fever, but +they were <i>all sick;</i> the engineer delirious and very weak—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara, sitting near the passenger, made an +effort for +calm. Her heart beat and her breath came fast. Nobody remarked her +abrupt +movement and the other went on:</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Coal, food and fresh water were running out; +their +medicine chest was empty. Everything was foul with soot, coal-dust and +salt. I +expect it was long since they were able to clean decks. The skipper was +in a +hammock under the bridge-awning and could not get up. An African +trader, +Montgomery of a Liverpool house, seemed to have control. His skin was +yellow, +like a mulatto's."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A young American doctor to whom Barbara had been +talking +looked up.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Jaundice after malaria!" he remarked. "I +don't know West Africa, but I was at Panama! Was malaria all the rest +had +got?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It was not," the passenger replied meaningly. +"However, if you know Panama—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Did you try to tow the ship?" Barbara +interrupted.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The mate thought it impossible. She was big and +foul +with weed, our boat is small, and we could not delay much because of +the mails. +We sent a surf-boat across with water and food, and then steamed on."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara looked about the table. Mrs. Cartwright +was at the +other end and Barbara thought she had not heard. She touched the young +doctor.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Will you help me on board the African steamer? I +must +see the captain."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why, certainly! We'll look for a boat," the other +replied and they went off.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara saw the captain and when she stated that +the owner +of <i>Arcturus</i> was her step-father he sent for the chief mate, who +narrated +his visit to the wreck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You took the ship's doctor," said Barbara. +"Is he now on board?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The mate said he imagined the doctor had not +landed and +Barbara turned to Wheeler.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Go and find him! Find out all you can!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">For some time afterwards she talked to the ship's +officers, +and when Wheeler returned went back to her boat. While the <i>peons</i> +rowed +them to the mole she asked Wheeler for his pocket-book and wrote an +address.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Don Luis Sarmiento is the best doctor in the town +and +had something to do with a fever hospital in Cuba," she said. "If you +tell him I sent you, he will help. Take all the medicine he can give +you and +then go to Leopard Trading Company and buy whatever you think sick men +would +need. Bring me the bills."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If I get all that would be useful, it will cost +you +high," said Wheeler and helped her up the steps at the mole.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is not important. Get the things!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well. But the ship is six hundred miles off. +How +are you going to put the truck on board?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm going to see about that next," Barbara +replied and indicated a cloud of dust rolling along the road. "There's +the +steam tram. Don't talk; hustle!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Wheeler lifted his cap and running along the mole +jumped on +board the tram.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When he had gone Barbara went to the office of an +important +English merchant house and asked for the junior partner. She was +strangely +calm, although she knew that when the strain was over she would pay. In +the +meantime, she needed help and admitted it was lucky young men liked +her; she +had not hesitated to use her charm on the American. The junior partner +was keen +to help, and going with her to a coaling office, offered to charter a +powerful +Spanish tug the company had recently bought. The manager agreed and +Barbara +made a calculation.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you can get the boat ready to sail in the +morning, +I'll send you a check when she starts," she said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">They went out and the merchant gave Barbara an +approving +smile. "I imagine they haven't at the moment much use for the tug, +which +accounts for their being willing to take a moderate sum. All the same, +you +handled the situation like a good business man. Had they known much +about your +plans before we agreed, they would have sent the tug and claimed a +large reward +for salvage. In fact, it looks as if you had saved Mr. Cartwright—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's possible," Barbara broke in impatiently. +"Still they don't know where <i>Arcturus</i> is and that her crew are +ill. +Now, however, we must engage fresh men to relieve the others. I don't +mind if +you pay them something over the usual rate."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The merchant engaged the crew of a Spanish fishing +schooner +that was being laid up, and Barbara returning to the hotel found +Wheeler in the +garden.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I've got all the medicine and truck I reckon +would be +useful," he said. "If the steamboat man didn't exaggerate, you want a +doctor next."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gave him a level glance and smiled. "If +you like, +you may go! A fast tug sails in the morning."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Why," he said, "I'd be delighted! You can +call it fixed. I came along for a holiday, but soon found that loafing +made me +tired—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Thank you," said Barbara and was gone.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The doctor laughed and joining an English friend +in the +hotel ordered a drink.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I reckon I've been rushed," he remarked. +"You folks look slow, but I allow when you do get started some of you +can +move. Since lunch I've been helping an English girl fix some things and +she hit +a pace that left me out of breath."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Miss Hyslop?" said the other. "Perhaps if +she'd had a job for me I might have used an effort to get up speed. A +charming girl, +and I think she's resolute."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"She's surely resolute!" Wheeler agreed. +"Miss Hyslop sees where she wants to go and gets there by the shortest +road."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When dusk fell Barbara thought all was ready and +sitting +down by Mrs. Cartwright narrated what she had done. After she stopped +Mrs. +Cartwright put her hand gently on the girl's arm.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's lucky you came out with me," she said. +"I would not have known what to do, and I doubt if Mortimer—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara laughed. "Mortimer would have calculated, +weighed one thing against another, and studied his plans for a week. +Mine are +rude, but in the morning they'll begin to work. After all, in a sense, +I have +not done much. I have sent others, when I want to go myself."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's impossible, my dear," said Mrs. Cartwright, +firmly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Well, I expect I must be resigned. One is forced +to +pay for breaking rules! I have paid; but we'll talk about something +else."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The tug and supplies have, no doubt, cost much," +Mrs. Cartwright remarked. "You must let me give you a check."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Barbara in a resolute voice. "I +will take no money until mine's all gone. Father's a dear, I owe him +much, and +now I can help I'm going to help. I have sent a cablegram he had better +come +out but in the meantime he needn't be anxious because I have taken +control."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Cartwright let her go presently and Barbara +went to her +room. She had borne a heavy strain, but the reaction had begun, and +throwing +herself on a couch she covered her face with her hands and cried.</p> +<h2><a name="_Toc56085314">CHAPTER XI</a></h2> +<h3><a name="_Toc56085315">LISTER'S REWARD</a></h3> +<p class="MsoNormal">Signal flags fluttered in the breeze at the top of +the +Isleta and a smoke cloud stained the blue horizon. For a few minutes +the cloud +vanished, and then rolled up again, thicker than before. Cartwright +studied it +carefully and gave the glasses to Barbara, who stood near him on the +Catalina +mole.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Is that <i>one</i> trail of smoke?" he asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think I see two. Sometimes they melt, but +they're getting +distinct now. There <i>are</i> two!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah!" said Cartwright. "Then it's <i>Arcturus</i>. +I expect your tug has saved the situation."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Lister saved <i>Arcturus</i> before I meddled," +Barbara declared with a blush. "However, I'm glad I could help. You +have +often helped me."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "All I gave I have got +back, but I'm not persuaded you didn't mean to help another. Well, +perhaps, the +other deserves your interest. Brown's a useful man, but he has some +drawbacks +and I doubt if he could have carried through the undertaking."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you'll wait in the shade, I'll get a jacket," +Barbara replied. "There's a fresh breeze, the launch splashes, and I'm +going with you to meet <i>Arcturus</i>."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When the first flag blew out from the Isleta +staff, she had +called Cartwright, and they had hurried to the neighboring mole. +Cartwright had +arrived two days before and they had watched the signals until the +longed for +message came: <i>Steamer in tow from the South.</i></p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think you'll wait," said Cartwright quietly. +"You don't know much about fever and the men I sent are not altogether +making a triumphant return."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The blood came to Barbara's skin. She had meant to +go and +hated to be baffled, but Cartwright gave her a steady glance and she +knew there +was no use in arguing when he looked like that.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Did you or your mother tell me Mrs. Seaton +arrived by +a recent boat?" he resumed.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara was surprised, but said Mrs. Seaton was at +the +Metropole. Cartwright looked at the tugs' smoke.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then, I ought to have time to see her before they +tow <i>Arcturus</i> +in. Some sea is running and they can't steam fast."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He started for the Catalina and when he stopped by +Mrs. +Cartwright's chair his face was hot and he trembled. Hurry and muscular +effort +upset him, but time was valuable.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have not yet asked you for money, Clara," he +said.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. +"Sometimes I was hurt because you did not. You ought to know all that's +mine is yours."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright smiled. "You are a good sort and I'm +going +to borrow now because I can pay back. I want you to telegraph your bank +to meet +my check."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'll write you a check."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"No," said Cartwright, "I think the other +plan is better. Well, the sum is rather large—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He stated the sum and Mrs. Cartwright said, "I'm +not +very curious, but why do you want the money?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm going to buy Mrs. Seaton's shares."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Ah," said Mrs. Cartwright with a disturbed look, +"she tried to force you to buy before."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright knew his placid, good-humored wife +hated Mrs. +Seaton.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You're puzzled?" he remarked. "Well, I'd +have bought the shares long since, but I wasn't rich enough and didn't +think my +borrowing was justified. All the same, the block she holds gives her a +dangerous power, and if I can get them I'll baffle the opposition at +the +company's meeting. But I must be quick."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you want to baffle Ellen Seaton, you can use +all +the money I have got!" Mrs. Cartwright declared. "Tell me what I must +telegraph the bank."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright did so and made for the Metropole as +fast as +possible, because the tugs' smoke was not far off. When he reached the +big square +hotel he gave a page his card and frowned while he waited in the +glass-roofed +patio. Time was valuable and he hoped Mrs. Seaton would not be long. On +the +whole, he did not think he was going to be shabby, but perhaps +shabbiness was +justified. Ellen had not forgotten she had thought him her lover, and +although +it was long since she would not forget. She hated his wife and had +tried to +injure him. Cartwright imagined she would try again, and so long as she +kept +her shares her antagonism was dangerous.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She entered the patio with two young tourists, +whom she sent +off, and beckoned Cartwright to a bench behind a palm. The sun that +pierced the +glass roof was strong and he reflected with dry amusement that Ellen +looked +better by electric light in the evening. Although she smiled, her +glance was +keen and not friendly.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I arrived some days since and met Barbara in the +street, but she has not been to see me yet," she said. "However, now +you have come I ought to be satisfied! Since you were able to get away +from the +office, I expect shipping is languid."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright thought she meant to be nasty. For one +thing, +Barbara had not gone to see her and perhaps had not urged her calling +at the +hotel. Ellen did not like the girl, but she wanted to know people and +Mrs. Cartwright +had stopped at Las Palmas for some time. As a rule, Clara's friends +were good. +This, however, was not important. He must buy Ellen's shares before <i>Arcturus</i> +arrived and the news of her salvage got about.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, well," he said, "although I think I see +signs of improvement, things are not very promising yet."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you are not hopeful, the outlook must be +black," Mrs. Seaton remarked meaningly. "Perhaps I ought to +sympathize, but the effort's too much. My investments have all gone +wrong and +my luck at the Grand National was remarkably bad. In fact, if nobody +will buy +my shares in your line, I may be forced to agree with the people who +want to +wind up the company."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright thought his luck was good. Ellen was +extravagant +and a gambler. No doubt, she needed money, but he knew she was willing +to hurt +him and could do so. All the same, if she could force him to buy the +shares she +thought worth nothing, her greed would conquer her spitefulness. Well, +he was +going to indulge her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"If you did join my antagonists, I might pull +through, +but I'll admit it would be awkward," he replied. "In order to avoid +the fight, I'll buy your shares for ten shillings."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton hesitated. She did not want to lose +her power, +but she wanted money. Nominally, the shares were worth a much larger +sum, but +she had found out that nobody else was willing to buy the block. For +all that, +Cartwright was cunning and she wondered whether he knew something she +did not. +She asked for a higher price, but Cartwright refused. He was cool and +humorous, +although he knew <i>Arcturus</i> was steadily nearing the harbor. +Perhaps in a +few minutes the look-out on the Isleta would read her flags. At length +he +pulled out his watch.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I have an engagement, but I rather want the +shares. My +getting them would help me at the meeting," he said. "Shall we say +twelve-and-sixpence? This is the limit."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well," said Mrs. Seaton and smiled with a +sense of triumph. "It looks very greedy, but when can I have a check? +You +see, I'm nearly bankrupt."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Now," said Cartwright, and taking out his +fountain pen, rang a bell. "Send a page for some notepaper and write an +undertaking to deliver me the shares."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Mrs. Seaton did so and Cartwright wrote the check. +Then she +signed to one of the young men she had sent off. "Since you are very +business-like, you had better have a witness! I'm relieved to get the +check, +particularly since I expected you would be forced to ask Clara for the +money."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright had to smile. The sneer was Ellen's +Parthian +shot. She was retiring from the field, but he owned that she might have +beaten +him by a bold attack and he had been afraid.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">He went to the bar and ordered a drink, and then +going out +saw fresh signals blow from the Isleta staff. <i>Arcturus'</i> hull +was visible +in the tugs' thick smoke; the look-out on the hill with his big +telescope had +read her flags and was signaling her name and number to the town. +Cartwright +had won by a few minutes and was satisfied, although he had given Mrs. +Seaton +twelve-and-sixpence for her shares, when perhaps he need not. This was +now +about their just value, and, for old time's sake, he had not meant to +cheat +her. In the meantime a launch was waiting to take him on board <i>Arcturus</i> +and he hurried to the mole.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara saw the launch start, with mixed emotions. +She was +something of a rebel and had anybody but Cartwright ordered her to stop +she +would not have obeyed. She waited in the shade, fixing her eyes on the +laboring +tugs. Sometimes she felt a thrill of triumph because Lister had +conquered; +sometimes she was tortured by suspense. She did not know if he stood at +the +levers in the engine-room, or lay, unconscious, in his bunk. Well, she +would +soon know and she shrank.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She rubbed the glasses and looked again. There +were two +towropes; <i>Terrier</i> plunged across the rollers on <i>Arcturus'</i> +starboard bow, the Spanish tug to port. It looked as if the wreck's +steering-gear did not work. Spray blew about the boats and the crested +seas +broke in foaming turmoil against the towed vessel's side until she drew +in +behind the Isleta. A few minutes afterwards she swung round the mole +and +Barbara thought the picture moving.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The tugs looked very small; the half-loaded hull +they towed +to an anchorage floated high above her proper water-line. Rolling on +the +languid swell at the harbor mouth, she looked huge. Her rusty side was +like a +warehouse wall. When she lifted her plates from the water one saw the +wet weed +shine; higher up it clung, parched and dry, to the red iron, although +there +were clean belts where the stuff was scraped away. Barbara pictured the +exhausted +men scraping feebly when the sea was calm and the sun did not touch the +vessel's side.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">All the same, the men had won a triumph. It looked +impossible that the handful of bemused ruffians she had seen start at +Liverpool +could have dragged the big vessel from the bottom of the lagoon, but +the thing +was done. <i>Arcturus</i>, battered and rusty, with sagging masts and +broken +funnel, was coming into harbor. A big pump throbbed on board, throwing +water +down her side; she flew a small, bright red ensign aft and a new +house-flag at +the masthead. Barbara thought the flag flaunted proudly and the thing +was +significant. Cartwright had weathered the storm, but she had helped.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The tugs' engines stopped and Barbara's heart +beat, for a +yellow flag went up. She hated the ominous signal, and turning the +glasses, +followed the doctor's launch. The boat ran alongside <i>Terrier</i>, a +man went +on board, returned and climbed a ladder to <i>Arcturus'</i> deck. He +did not +come back for some time and Barbara looked for Lister, but could not +see him. +Then the yellow flag was hauled down and <i>Arcturus</i> moved slowly +up the +harbor.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A fleet of shore-boats followed and when the +anchor dropped +crowded about the ship. Barbara braced herself and waited. Half the +voyage was +over and when the engines were cleaned and mended <i>Arcturus</i> +would steam +to England. The salvors had won, but sometimes victory cost much, and +Barbara +knew she might have to pay.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">A launch with an awning steamed to the mole and +vanished +behind the wall. Barbara stopped in the shade; somehow she durst not go +to the +steps. Cartwright came up, but seeing his grave look, she let him pass. +Then +the American doctor reached the top and called to somebody below. Three +or four +men awkwardly lifted a stretcher to the pavement, and Cartwright signed +to the +driver of a carriage waiting in the road. Wheeler stopped him.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's not far. Carrying will be smoother."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Very well, I'll see all's ready," said Cartwright +and got into the carriage.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Then Barbara went to the stretcher, which was +covered by +green canvas. She thought she knew who lay behind the screens, and her +look was +strained.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Is Mr. Lister very ill?" she asked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Wheeler gave her a sympathetic glance. "He is +pretty +sick; he was nearly all in when I boarded the ship. Now it's possible +he'll get +better."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara turned her head, but after a few moments +looked up. +"Thank you for going! Where are the others?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"We have sent some to the Spanish hospital, landed +them +at the coaling wharf. They're not very sick. The rest are on board."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"<i>All</i> the rest?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Three short," said the doctor quietly. "They +have made their last voyage. But the boys are waiting to get off with +the +stretcher."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara let him go and followed. He looked very +tired and +she did not want to talk. She saw the stretcher carried up the hotel +steps and +along a passage, and then went to her room. A Spanish doctor and nurse +were +waiting and she knew she would be sent away. To feel she could not help +was +hard, but she tried to be resigned and stopped in the quiet room, +listening for +steps. Somebody might bring a message that Lister wanted her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The message did not come and she was conscious of +some +relief, although she was tormented by regretful thoughts. Lister loved +her and +she had refused him, because she was proud. Perhaps her refusal was +justified, but +she was honest, and admitted that she had known he would not let her +go, and +had afterwards wondered how she would reply when he asked her again. +Now she +knew. The strain had broken her resolution. She had indulged her +ridiculous +pride and saw it might cost her much. Her lover was very ill; Wheeler +doubted +if he would get better.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">In the evening Montgomery joined Cartwright in a +corner of +the smoking-room.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I expect Captain Brown told you about the bother +I +gave him," he remarked.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"That is so," said Cartwright. "He, however, +stated you gave him some help."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"All the same, at the beginning, I held up the +job. +When Brown could not work, your expenses ran on and I feel I ought to +pay."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"It's just. Coming home, when my men were sick and +Brown was in his bunk, you undertook the duties of doctor and +navigator, and +Wheeler admits your cures were good. Since you have a counter-claim, +suppose we +say we're quits?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery felt some relief. It looked as if +Cartwright did +not mean to use his advantage; the old fellow was generous. Montgomery +hesitated for a moment and then resumed: "I understand you bought the +wreck?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I used the shareholders' money; at all events, I +used +as much as I durst. She's the company's ship."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"But the cargo?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"The cargo's mine. That is, I get an allowance, +agreed +upon with the underwriters for all I have salved. I rather think the +sum will +be large."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Then you're satisfied? Although you didn't get +all the +gold and lost the valuable gum in the lazaret?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "I've some grounds for +satisfaction, and I know when to stop! But perhaps I'd better be as +frank as is +needful. Very well! I get salvage on some of the gold. The rest is +under the +surf and nobody will open the boxes now. The thing's done with."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Montgomery was moved, but he saw there was no more +to be +said and asked quietly: "Will you tell me what you think about the +prospects of the line?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"On the whole, I imagine the prospects are good. +We +have got a useful boat for a very small sum, and the last report was <i>Oreana</i> +could probably be floated without much damage when the St. Lawrence ice +breaks. +Well, I calculate next year's trading will earn us a small dividend, +and since +business is improving, we ought to prosper before very long."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Thank you," said Montgomery. "I know something +about the line and imagine the directors may need support. Just now I +have some +money that does not earn much. Would it help if I bought a number of +your +shares?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I think not," said Cartwright. "The plan has +drawbacks. People are sometimes uncharitable and I have antagonists who +might +hint at a bribe. Besides, I don't need support. My luck has turned and +I rather +think I can break the opposition." He smiled and getting up, put his +hand +on Montgomery's arm. "All the same, when I send a boat to Africa you +can +load her up. Now I'm going to find the nurse and ask about Lister."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister was delirious, and for two or three days +the doctors +doubted his recovery. Then, one morning, they said his temperature had +fallen +and there was hope. Next morning they admitted that he was slowly +making +progress. Barbara did not leave the hotel, lest she miss the latest +news from +the sick-room. She was not allowed to go in, and when evening came she +knew she +could not sleep. She had not slept much since they carried Lister up +the steps.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">When all was quiet and the guests had gone to bed +she went +to the veranda and leaned against the rails. She was highly strung and +rebellious. Lister had sent her a message, but she was not allowed to +see him +yet. She wanted to see him and was persuaded that for him to see her +would not +hurt. She knew he wanted her.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">The moon was bright, but the shadow of the hotel +stretched +across the garden. Somebody was moving about in the gloom and Barbara +started +when she saw it was the nurse. The tired woman had gone out to rest for +a few +minutes in the cool night air and Barbara saw her opportunity.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Stealing across the veranda, she went along a +passage and up +some stairs. The landing at the top was dark, but she knew Lister's +door, and +turning the handle quietly, looked in. Bright moonlight shone through +the open +window and a curtain moved in the gentle breeze. Mosquito gauze wavered +about +the bed where a quiet figure lay. Barbara stole across the floor and +pulled +back the guard. The rings rattled and Lister opened his eyes. He +smiled, and +Barbara, kneeling by the bed, put her arm round his neck.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"My dear! You know me?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Of course! I wanted you. Since I got my senses +back, +I've tried to call you."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"You called not long since. I cheated the nurse +and +came; but if you ought to be quiet, I mustn't talk. The doctors said—"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"They don't understand," said Lister. "Now I +have seen you, I'm going to get well."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara lifted her head and studied him. His face +was pinched, +his skin was very white and wet. Her eyes filled and she was moved by +tender +pity.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, my dear!" she said. "It was for my sake +you went!"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Lister took her hand, and she felt his was thin +and hot. +"I'm paid for all! But, Barbara, I think you're <i>logical</i> When +I'm +better—?"</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She kissed him. "Of course. I'll marry you when +you +like. In the meantime you're weak and tired and must go to sleep."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"I am tired," he admitted. "Besides, the +nurse will come."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">Barbara gently touched his wet hair and moved his +pillow. +"The nurse is not important, but you mustn't talk."</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">She gave him her hand again and he went to sleep. +Some time +afterwards the nurse returned and started when she saw the white figure +kneeling by the bed. Then she began to talk angrily in a low voice. +Barbara was +getting cramped, but without moving her body, she looked at the nurse +and her +eyes sparkled with rebellious fire.</p> +<p class="MsoNormal">"Be quiet; he mustn't wake!" she said. +"There's no use in arguing. I mean to stay!"</p> +<hr> + +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LISTER'S GREAT ADVENTURE***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 10076-h.txt or 10076-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/7/10076">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/7/10076</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL">https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/10076.txt b/old/10076.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2f69413 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10076.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9408 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Lister's Great Adventure, by Harold Bindloss + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Lister's Great Adventure + +Author: Harold Bindloss + +Release Date: November 13, 2003 [eBook #10076] + +Language: English + +Chatacter set encoding: US-ASCII + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LISTER'S GREAT ADVENTURE*** + + +E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Suzanne Shell, David Kline, and +Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + + +LISTER'S GREAT ADVENTURE + +BY HAROLD BINDLOSS + +_Author_ of "THE WILDERNESS MINE," "WYNDHAM'S PAL," "PARTNERS OF THE +OUT-TRAIL," "THE BUCCANEER FARMER," "THE LURE OF THE NORTH," "THE GIRL +FROM KELLER'S," "CARMEN'S MESSENGER," ETC. + +1920 + + + + + + + +CONTENTS + +PART I--BARBARA'S REBELLION + +CHAPTER + +I CARTWRIGHT MEDDLES + +II IN THE DARK + +III BARBARA VANISHES + +IV THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM + +V SHILLITO GETS AWAY + +VI WINNIPEG BEACH + +VII LISTER'S DISSATISFACTION + +VIII THE TEST + +IX BARBARA PLAYS A PART + +X VERNON'S CURIOSITY + +PART II--THE RECKONING + +I VERNON'S PLOT + +II BARBARA'S RETURN + +III LISTER CLEARS THE GROUND + +IV A DISSATISFIED SHAREHOLDER + +V CARTWRIGHT'S SCRUPLES + +VI A NASTY KNOCK + +VII THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING + +VIII A STOLEN EXCURSION + +IX CARTWRIGHT SEES A PLAN + +X A BOLD SPECULATION + +XI THE START + +PART III--THE BREAKING STRAIN + +I THE FIRST STRUGGLE + +II THE WRECK + +III A FUEL PROBLEM + +IV MONTGOMERY'S OFFER + +V MONTGOMERY USES HIS POWER + +VI LISTER MEETS AN OLD ANTAGONIST + +VII BARBARA'S REFUSAL + +VIII CARTWRIGHT GETS TO WORK + +IX LISTER MAKES GOOD + +X BARBARA TAKES CONTROL + +XI LISTER'S REWARD + + + +PART I--BARBARA'S REBELLION + + + +CHAPTER I + +CARTWRIGHT MEDDLES + +Dinner was over, and Cartwright occupied a chair on the lawn in front of +the Canadian summer hotel. Automatic sprinklers threw sparkling showers +across the rough, parched grass, the lake shimmered, smooth as oil, in +the sunset, and a sweet, resinous smell drifted from the pines that +rolled down to the water's edge. The straight trunks stood out against a +background of luminous red and green, and here and there a slanting beam +touched a branch with fire. + +Natural beauty had not much charm for Cartwright, who was satisfied to +loaf and enjoy the cool of the evening. He had, as usual, dined well, +his cigar was good, and he meant to give Mrs. Cartwright half an hour. +Clara expected this, and, although he was sometimes bored, he indulged +her when he could. Besides, it was too soon for cards. The lights had +not begun to spring up in the wooden hotel, and for the most part the +guests were boating on the lake. When he had finished his cigar it would +be time to join the party in the smoking-room. Cartwright was something +of a gambler and liked the American games. They gave one scope for +bluffing, and although his antagonists declared his luck was good, he +knew his nerve was better. In fact, since he lost his money by a +reckless plunge, he had to some extent lived by bluff. Yet some people +trusted Tom Cartwright. + +Mrs. Cartwright did so. She was a large, dull woman, but had kept a +touch of the beauty that had marked her when she was young. She was +kind, conventional, and generally anxious to take the proper line. +Cartwright was twelve years older, and since she was a widow and had +three children when she married him, her friends declared her money +accounted for much, and a lawyer relation carefully guarded, against +Cartwright's using her fortune. + +Yet, in a sense, Cartwright was not an adventurer, although his ventures +in finance and shipping were numerous. He sprang from an old Liverpool +family whose prosperity diminished when steamers replaced sailing ships. +His father had waited long before he resigned himself to the change, but +was not altogether too late, and Cartwright was now managing owner of +the Independent Freighters Line. The company's business had brought him +to Montreal, and when it was transacted he had taken Mrs. Cartwright and +her family to the hotel by the Ontario lake. + +Cartwright's hair and mustache were white; his face was fleshy and red. +He was fastidious about his clothes, and his tailor cleverly hid the +bulkiness of his figure. As a rule, his look was fierce and commanding, +but now and then his small keen eyes twinkled. Although Cartwright was +clever, he was, in some respects, primitive. He had long indulged his +appetites, and wore the stamp of what is sometimes called good living. + +The managing owner of the Independent Freighters needed cleverness, +since the company was small and often embarrassed for money. For the +most part, it ran its ships in opposition to the regular liners. When +the _Conference_ forced up freights Cartwright quietly canvassed the +merchants and offered to carry their goods at something under the +standard rate, if the shippers would engage to fill up his boat. As a +rule, secrecy was important, but sometimes, when cargo was scarce, +Cartwright let his plans be known and allowed the _Conference_ to buy +him off. Although his skill in the delicate negotiations was marked, the +company paid small dividends and he had enemies among the shareholders. +Now, however, he was satisfied. _Oreana_ had sailed for Montreal, loaded +to the limit the law allowed, and he had booked her return cargo before +the _Conference_ knew he was cutting rates. + +Mrs. Cartwright talked, but she talked much and Cartwright hardly +listened, and looked across the lake. A canoe drifted out from behind a +neighboring point, and its varnished side shone in the fading light. +Then a man dipped the paddle, and the ripple at the bow got longer and +broke the reflections of the pines. A girl, sitting at the stern, put +her hands in the water, and when she flung the sparkling drops at her +companion her laugh came across the lake. Cartwright's look got keen and +he began to note his wife's remarks. + +"Do you imply Barbara's getting fond of the fellow?" he asked. + +"I am afraid of something like that," Mrs. Cartwright admitted. "In a +way, one hesitates to meddle; sometimes meddling does harm, and, of +course, if Barbara really loved the young man--" She paused and gave +Cartwright a sentimental smile. "After all, I married for love, and a +number of my friends did not approve." + +Cartwright grunted. He had married Clara because she was rich, but it +was something to his credit that she had not suspected this. Clara was +dull, and her dullness often amused him. + +"If you think it necessary, I won't hesitate about meddling," he +remarked. "Shillito's a beggarly sawmill clerk." + +"He said he was _treasurer_ for an important lumber company. Barbara's +very young and romantic, and although she has not known him long--" + +"She has known him for about two weeks," Cartwright rejoined. "Perhaps +it's long enough. Shillito's what Canadians call a looker and Barbara's +a romantic fool. I've no doubt he's found out she'll inherit some money; +it's possible she's told him. Now I come to think about it, she was off +somewhere all the afternoon, and it looks as if she had promised the +fellow the evening." + +He indicated the canoe and was satisfied when Mrs. Cartwright agreed, +since he refused to wear spectacles and own his sight was going. +Although Clara was generous, he could not use her money, and, indeed, +did not mean to do so, but he was extravagant and his managing owner's +post was not secure. When one had powerful antagonists, one did not +admit that one was getting old. + +"I doubt if Shillito's character is all one could wish,'" Mrs. +Cartwright resumed. "Character's very important, don't you think? Mrs. +Grant--the woman with the big hat--knows something about him and she +said he was _fierce_. I think she meant he was wild. Then she hinted he +spent money he ought not to spend. But isn't a treasurer's pay good?" + +Cartwright smiled, for he was patient to his wife. "It depends upon the +company. A treasurer is sometimes a book-keeping clerk. However, the +trouble is, Barbara's as wild as a hawk, though I don't know where she +got her wildness. Her brother and sister are tame enough." + +"Sometimes I'm bothered about Barbara," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. "She's +rash and obstinate; not like the others. I don't know if they're tame, +but they had never given me much anxiety. One can trust them to do all +they ought." + +Cartwright said nothing. As a rule, Clara's son and elder daughter +annoyed him. Mortimer Hyslop was a calculating prig; Grace was finicking +and bound by ridiculous rules. She was pale and inanimate; there was no +blood in her. But Cartwright was fond of the younger girl. Barbara was +frankly flesh and blood; he liked her flashes of temper and her pluck. + +When the canoe came to the landing he got up. "Leave the thing to me," +he said. "I'll talk to Shillito." + +He went off, but when he reached the steps to the veranda in front of +the hotel he stopped. His gout bothered him. At the top Mortimer Hyslop +was smoking a cigarette. The young man was thin and looked bored; his +summer clothes were a study in harmonious colors, and he had delicate +hands like a woman's. When he saw Cartwright stop he asked: "Can I help +you up, sir?" + +Cartwright's face got red. He hated an offer of help that drew attention +to his infirmity, and thought Mortimer knew. + +"No, thanks! I'm not a cripple yet. Have you seen Shillito?" + +"You'll probably find him in the smoking room. The card party has gone +in and he's a gambler." + +"So am I!" + +Mortimer shrugged, and Cartwright wondered whether the fellow meant to +imply that his gambling was not important since he had married a rich +wife. The young man, however, hesitated and looked thoughtful. + +"I don't know your object for wanting Shillito, but if my supposition's +near the mark, might I state that I approve? In fact, I'd begun to +wonder whether something ought not to be done. The fellow's plausible. +Not our sort, of course; but when a girl's romantic and obstinate--" + +Cartwright stopped him. "Exactly! Well, I'm the head of the house and +imagine you can leave the thing to me. Perhaps it doesn't matter if your +sister is obstinate. I'm going to talk to Shillito." + +He crossed the veranda, and Mortimer returned to his chair and +cigarette. He did not approve his step-father, but admitted that +Cartwright could be trusted to handle a matter like this. Mortimer's +fastidiousness was sometimes a handicap, but Cartwright had none. + +Cartwright entered the smoking-room and crossed the floor to a table, at +which two or three men stood as if waiting for somebody. One was young +and tall. His thin face was finely molded, his eyes and hair were very +black, and his figure was marked by an agile grace. + +He looked up sharply as Cartwright advanced. + +"I want you for a few minutes," Cartwright said roughly, as if he gave +an order. + +Shillito frowned, but went with him to the back veranda. Although the +night was warm and an electric light burned under the roof, nobody was +about. Cartwright signed the other to sit down. + +"I expect your holiday's nearly up, and the hotel car meets the train in +the morning," he remarked. + +"What about it?" Shillito asked. "I'm not going yet." + +"You're going to-morrow," said Cartwright grimly. + +Shillito smiled and gave him an insolent look, but his smile vanished. +Cartwright's white mustache bristled, his face was red, and his eyes +were very steady. It was not for nothing the old ship-owner had fronted +disappointed investors and forced his will on shareholders' meetings. +Shillito saw the fellow was dangerous. + +"I'll call you," he said, using a gambler's phrase. + +"Very well," said Cartwright. "I think my cards are good, and if I can't +win on one suit, I'll try another. To begin with, the hotel proprietor +sent for me. He stated the house was new and beginning to pay, and he +was anxious about its character. People must be amused, but he was +running a summer hotel, not a gambling den. The play was too high, and +young fools got into trouble; two or three days since one got broke. +Well, he wanted me to use my influence, and I said I would." + +"He asked you to keep the stakes in bounds? It's a good joke!" + +"Not at all," said Cartwright dryly. "I like an exciting game, so long +as it is straight, and when I lose I pay. I do lose, and if I come out +fifty dollars ahead when I leave, I'll be satisfied. How much have you +cleared?" + +Shillito said nothing, and Cartwright went on: "My antagonists are old +card-players who know the game; but when you broke Forman he was drunk +and the other two were not quite sober. You play against young fools and +_your luck's too good_. If you force me to tell all I think and +something that I know. I imagine you'll get a straight hint to quit." + +"You talked about another plan," Shillito remarked. + +"On the whole, I think the plan I've indicated will work. If it does not +and you speak to any member of Mrs. Cartwright's family, I'll thrash you +on the veranda when people are about. I won't state my grounds for doing +so; they ought to be obvious." + +Shillito looked at the other hand. Cartwright's eyes were bloodshot, his +face was going purple, and he thrust out his heavy chin. Shillito +thought he meant all he said, and his threat carried weight. The old +fellow was, of course, not a match for the vigorous young man, but +Shillito saw he had the power to do him an injury that was not +altogether physical. He pondered for a few moments, and then got up. + +"I'll pull out," he said with a coolness that cost him much. + +Cartwright nodded. "There's another thing. If you write to Miss Hyslop, +your letters will be burned." + +He went back to the smoking-room, and playing with his usual boldness, +won twenty dollars. Then he joined Mrs. Cartwright on the front veranda +and remarked: "Shillito won't bother us. He goes in the morning." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a grateful smile. She had long known that when +she asked her husband's help difficulties were removed. Now he had +removed Shillito, and she was satisfied but imagined he was not. +Cartwright knitted his white brows and drew hard at his cigar. + +"You had better watch Barbara until the fellow starts," he resumed. +"Then I think you and the girls might join the Vernons at their fishing +camp. Vernon would like it, and he's a useful friend; besides, it's +possible Shillito's obstinate. Your letters needn't follow you; have +them sent to me at Montreal, which will cover your tracks. I must go +back in a few days." + +Mrs. Cartwright weighed the suggestion. Vernon was a Winnipeg merchant, +and his wife had urged her to join the party at the fishing camp in the +woods. The journey was long, but Mrs. Cartwright rather liked the plan. +Shillito would not find them, and Mrs. Vernon had two sons. + +"Can't you come with us?" she asked. "Mortimer is going to Detroit." + +"Sorry I can't," said Cartwright firmly. "I don't want to leave you, but +business calls." + +He was relieved when Mrs. Cartwright let it go. Clara was a good sort +and seldom argued. He had loafed about with her family for two weeks and +had had enough. Moreover, business did call. If the _Conference_ found +out before his boat arrived that he had engaged _Oreana's_ return load, +they might see the shippers and make trouble. Anyhow, they would use +some effort to get the cargo for their boats. Sometimes one promised +regular customers a drawback on standard rates. + +"I'll write to Mrs. Vernon in the morning," Mrs. Cartwright remarked. + +"Telegraph" said Cartwright, who did not lose time when he had made a +plan. "When the lines are not engaged after business hours, you can send +a night-letter; a long message at less than the proper charge." + +Mrs. Cartwright looked pleased. Although she was rich and sometimes +generous, she liked small economies. + +"After all, writing a letter's tiresome," she said. "Telegrams are easy. +Will you get me a form?" + + + +CHAPTER II + +IN THE DARK + +In the morning Cartwright told the porter to take his chair to the beach +and sat down in a shady spot. He had not seen Barbara at breakfast and +was rather sorry for her, but she had not known Shillito long, and +although she might be angry for a time, her hurt could not be deep. +Lighting his pipe, he watched the path that led between the pines to the +water. + +By and by a girl came out of the shadow, and going to the small +landing-stage, looked at her wrist-watch. Cartwright imagined she did +not see him and studied her with some amusement. Barbara looked +impatient. People did not often keep her waiting, and she had not +inherited her mother's placidity. She had a touch of youthful beauty, +and although she was impulsive and rather raw, Cartwright thought her +charm would be marked when she met the proper people and, so to speak, +got toned down. + +Cartwright meant her to meet the proper people, because he was fond of +Barbara. She had grace, and although her figure was slender and girlish, +she carried herself well. Her brown eyes were steady, her small mouth +was firm, and as a rule her color was delicate white and pink. Now it +was high, and Cartwright knew she was angry. She wore boating clothes +and had obviously meant to go on the lake. The trouble was, her +companion had not arrived. + +"Hallo!" said Cartwright. "Are you waiting for somebody?" + +Barbara advanced and sat down on a rocky ledge. + +"No," she said, "I'm not waiting _now_." + +Cartwright smiled. He knew Barbara's temper, and his line was to keep +her resentment warm. + +"You mean, you have given him up and won't go if he does arrive? Well, +when a young man doesn't keep his appointment, it's the proper plan." + +She blushed, but tried to smile. "I don't know if you're clever or not +just now, although you sometimes do see things the others miss. I really +was a little annoyed." + +"I've lived a long time," said Cartwright. "However, perhaps it's +important I haven't forgotten I was young. I think your brother and +sister never were very young. They were soberer than me when I knew them +first." + +"Mortimer _is_ a stick," Barbara agreed. "He and Grace have a calm +superiority that makes one savage now and then. I like human people, who +sometimes let themselves go--" + +She stopped, and Cartwright noted her wandering glance that searched the +beach and the path to the hotel. He knew whom she expected, and thought +it would give her some satisfaction to quarrel with the fellow. +Cartwright did not mean to soothe her. + +"Mr. Shillito ought to have sent his apologies when he found he could +not come," he said. + +Barbara's glance got fixed, and Cartwright knew he had blundered. + +"Oh!" she said, "now I begin to see! Mother kept me by her all the +evening; but mother's not very clever and Mortimer's too fastidious to +meddle, unless he gets a dignified part. Of course, the plot was yours!" + +Cartwright nodded. Sometimes he used tact, but he was sometimes brutally +frank. + +"You had better try to console yourself with the Wheeler boys; they're +straight young fellows. Shillito is gone. He went by the car this +morning and it's unlikely he'll come back." + +"You sent him off?" said Barbara, and her eyes sparkled. "Well, I'm not +a child and you're not my father really. Why did you meddle?" + +"For one thing, he's not your sort. Then I'm a meddlesome old fellow and +rather fond of you. To see you entangled by a man like Shillito would +hurt. Let him go. If you want to try your powers, you'll find a number +of honest young fellows on whom you can experiment. The boys one meets +in this country are a pretty good sample." + +"There's a rude vein in you," Barbara declared. "One sees it sometimes, +although you're sometimes kind. Anyhow, I won't be bullied and +controlled; I'm not a shareholder in the Cartwright line. I don't know +if it's important, but why don't you like Mr. Shillito?" + +Cartwright's eyes twinkled. In a sense, he could justify his getting rid +of Shillito, but he knew Barbara and doubted if she could be persuaded. +Still she was not a fool, and he would give her something to think +about. + +"It's possible my views are not important," he agreed. "All the same, +when I told the man he had better go he saw the force of my arguments. +He went, and I think his going is significant. Since I'd sooner not +quarrel, I'll leave you to weigh this." + +He went off, but Barbara stopped and brooded. She was angry and +humiliated, but perhaps the worst was she had a vague notion Cartwright +might be justified. It was very strange Shillito had gone. All the same, +she did not mean to submit. Her mother's placid conventionality had long +irritated her; one got tired of galling rules and criticism. She was not +going to be molded into a calculating prude like Grace, or a prig like +Mortimer. They did not know the ridiculous good-form they cultivated was +out of date. In fact, she had had enough and meant to rebel. + +Then she began to think about Shillito. His carelessness was strangely +intriguing; he stood for adventure and all the romance she had known. +Besides, he was a handsome fellow; she liked his reckless twinkle and +his coolness where coolness was needed. For all that, she would not +acknowledge him her lover; Barbara did not know if she really wanted a +lover yet. She imagined Cartwright had got near the mark when he said +she wanted to try her power. Cartwright was keen, although Barbara +sensed something in him that was fierce and primitive. + +Perhaps nobody else could have bullied Shillito; Mortimer certainly +could not, but Barbara refused to speculate about the means Cartwright +had used. + +Shillito ought not to have gone without seeing her; this was where it +hurt. She was entitled to be angry--and then she started, for a page boy +came quietly out of the shade. + +"A note, miss," he said with a grin. "I was to give it you when nobody +was around." + +Barbara's heart beat, but she gave the boy a quarter and opened the +envelope. The note was short and not romantic. Shillito stated he had +grounds for imagining it might not reach her, but if it did, he begged +she would give him her address when she left the hotel. He told her +where to write, and added if she could find a way to get his letters he +had much to say. + +His coolness annoyed Barbara, but he had excited her curiosity and she +was intrigued. Moreover, Cartwright had tried to meddle and she wanted +to feel she was cleverer than he. Then Shillito was entitled to defend +himself, and to find the way he talked about would not be difficult. +Barbara knitted her brows and began to think. + +At lunch Mrs. Cartwright told her they were going to join the Vernons in +the woods and she acquiesced. Two or three days afterwards they started, +and at the station she gave Cartwright her hand with a smiling glance, +but Cartwright knew his step-daughter and was not altogether satisfied. +Barbara did not sulk; when one tried to baffle her she fought. + +The Vernons' camp was like others Winnipeg people pitch in the lonely +woods that roll west from Fort William to the plains. It is a rugged +country pierced by angry rivers and dotted by lakes, but a gasolene +launch brought up supplies, the tents were large and double-roofed, and +for a few weeks one could play at pioneering without its hardships. The +Vernons were hospitable, the young men and women given to healthy sport, +and Mrs. Cartwright, watching Barbara fish and paddle on the lake, +banished her doubts. For herself she did not miss much; the people were +nice, and the cooking was really good. + +When two weeks had gone, Grace and Barbara sat one evening among the +stones by a lake. The evening was calm, the sun was setting, and the +shadow of the pines stretched across the tranquil water. Now and then +the reflections trembled and a languid ripple broke against the +driftwood on the beach. In the distance a loon called, but when its wild +cry died away all was very quiet. + +Grace looked across the lake and frowned. She was a tall girl, and +although she had walked for some distance in the woods, her clothes were +hardly crumpled. Her face was finely molded, but rather colorless; her +hands were very white, while Barbara's were brown. Her dress and voice +indicated cultivated taste; but the taste was negative, as if Grace had +banished carefully all that jarred and then had stopped. It was +characteristic that she was tranquil, although she had grounds for +disturbance. They were some distance from camp and it would soon be +dark, but nothing broke the gleaming surface of the lake. The boat that +ought to have met them had not arrived. + +"I suppose this is the spot where Harry Vernon agreed to land and take +us on board?" she said. + +"It's like the spot. I understand we must watch out for a point opposite +an island with big trees." + +"Watch out?" Grace remarked. + +"Watch out is good Canadian," Barbara rejoined. "I'm studying the +language and find it expressive and plain. When our new friends talk you +know what they mean. Besides, I'd better learn their idioms, because I +might stop in Canada if somebody urged me." + +Grace gave her a quiet look. Barbara meant to annoy her, or perhaps did +not want to admit she had mistaken the spot. Now Grace came to think +about it, the plan that the young men should meet them and paddle them +down the lake was Barbara's. + +"I don't see why we didn't go with Harry and the other, as he +suggested," she said. + +"Then, you're rather dull. They didn't really want us; they wanted to +fish. To know when people might be bored is useful." + +"But there are a number of bays and islands. They may go somewhere +else," Grace insisted. + +"Oh well, it ought to amuse Harry and Winter to look for us, and if +they're annoyed, they deserve some punishment. If they had urged us very +much to go, I would have gone. Anyhow, you needn't bother. There's a +short way back to camp by the old loggers' trail." + +Grace said nothing. She thought Barbara's carelessness was forced; +Barbara was sometimes moody. Perhaps she felt Shillito's going more than +she was willing to own. For all that, the fellow was gone, and Barbara +would, no doubt, presently be consoled. + +"If mother could see things!" Barbara resumed. "Sometimes one feels one +wants a guide, but all one gets is a ridiculous platitude from her +old-fashioned code. One has puzzles one can't solve by out-of-date +rules. However, since she doesn't see, there's no use in bothering." + +"I'm your elder sister, but you don't give me your confidence." + +Barbara's mood changed and her laugh was touched by scorn. "You are +worse than mother. She's kind, but can't see; you don't want to see. I'd +sooner trust my step-father. He's a very human old ruffian. I wish I had +a real girl friend, but you tactfully freeze off all the girls I like. +It's strange how many people there are whom virtuous folks don't +approve." + +Grace missed the note of appeal in her sister's bitterness. She did not +see the girl as disturbed by doubts and looked in perplexity for a +guiding light. Afterwards, when understanding was too late, Grace partly +understood. + +"Mr. Cartwright is not a ruffian." she said coldly. + +"I suppose you're taking the proper line, and you'd be rather noble, +only you're not sincere. You don't like Cartwright and know he doesn't +like you. All the same, it's not important. We were talking about +getting home, and since the boys have not come for us we had better +start." + +The loon had flown away and nothing broke the surface of the lake; the +shadows had got longer and driven back the light. Thin mist drifted +about the islands, the green glow behind the trunks was fading, and it +would soon be dark. + +"In winter, the big timber wolves prowl about the woods," Barbara +remarked. "Horrible, savage brutes! I expect you saw the heads at the +packer's house. Still, one understands they stay North until the frost +begins." + +She got up, and when they set off Grace looked regretfully across the +lake, for she would sooner have gone home on board the fishing bateau. +She was puzzled. The bays on the lake were numerous, and islands dotted +the winding reaches, but it was strange the young men had gone to the +wrong spot. They knew the lake and had told Barbara where to meet them. +In the meantime, however, the important thing was to get home. + +Darkness crept across the woods, and as she stumbled along the uneven +trail Grace got disturbed. She felt the daunting loneliness, the quiet +jarred her nerve. The pines looked ghostly in the gloom. They were +ragged and strangely stiff, it looked as if their branches never moved, +and the dark gaps between the trunks were somehow forbidding. + +Grace did not like Canada. Her cultivation was artificial, but Canada +was primitive and stern. In the towns, one found inventions that +lightened labor, and brought to the reach of all a physical comfort that +in England only the rich enjoyed, but the contrasts were sharp. One left +one's hotel, with its very modern furniture, noisy elevators and +telephones, and plunged into the wilderness where all was as it had been +from the beginning. Grace shrank from primitive rudeness and hated +adventure. Living by rule she distrusted all she did not know. She +thought it strange that Barbara, who feared nothing, let her go in +front. + +They came to a pool. All round, the black tops of the pines cut the sky; +the water was dark and sullen in the gloom. The trail followed its edge +and when a loon's wild cry rang across the woods Grace stopped. She knew +the cry of the lonely bird that haunts the Canadian wilds, but it had a +strange note, like mocking laughter. Grace disliked the loon when its +voice first disturbed her sleep at the fishing camp; she hated it +afterwards. + +"Go on!" said Barbara sharply. + +For a moment or two Grace stood still. She did not want to stop, but +something in Barbara's voice indicated strain. If Barbara were startled, +it was strange. Then, not far off, a branch cracked and the pine-spray +rustled as if they were gently pushed aside. + +"Oh!" Grace cried, "something is creeping through the bush!" + +"Then don't stop," said Barbara. "Perhaps it's a wolf!" + +Grace clutched her dress and ran. At first, she thought she heard +Barbara behind, but she owned she had not her sister's pluck and fear +gave her speed. She must get as far as possible from the pool before she +stopped. Besides, she imagined something broke through the undergrowth +near the trail, but her heart beat and she could not hear properly. + +At length her breath got labored and she was forced to stop. All was +quiet and the quiet was daunting. Barbara was not about and when Grace +called did not reply. Grace tried to brace herself. Perhaps she ought to +go back, but she could not; she shrank from the terror that haunted the +dark. Then she began to argue that to go back was illogical. If Barbara +had lost her way, she could not help. It was better to push on to the +camp and send men who knew the woods to look for her sister. She set +off, and presently saw with keen relief the light of a fire reflected on +calm water. + + + +CHAPTER III + +BARBARA VANISHES + +Grace's arrival was greeted by a shout, and when she stopped in front of +the dining-tent a group of curious people surrounded her. The double +roof of the big tent was extended horizontally, and a lamp hanging from +a pole gave a brilliant light. Grace would sooner the light had been +dim, for she was hot and her clothes were torn and wet with dew. +Besides, she must tell her tale and admit that she had not played a +heroic part. + +"Where's Barbara?" Mrs. Cartwright asked. + +"I don't know. Harry Vernon did not meet us and we started home by the +loggers' trail. I lost Barbara by the pool. Something in the bush tried +to creep up to us; a wolf, I think--" + +"Oh, shucks!" remarked a frank Winnipeg girl who did not like Miss +Hyslop. "In summer, you can't find a wolf south of Broken Range. Looks +as if you were scared for nothing, but I can't see why Barbara didn't +beat you at hitting up the pace." + +Others asked questions, and when Grace got breath she tried to satisfy +their curiosity. Some of the group looked thoughtful and Mrs. Vernon +said: + +"Nothing can have hurt Barbara, and if she has lost her way, she cannot +wander far, because she must be in the loop between the river and the +lake. But Harry did go to meet you, and when he found you had not come +back went off again with Bob. I expect they'll soon arrive with +Barbara." + +They waited for half-an-hour, and then, when the splash of paddles stole +out of the dark, ran down to the beach. Presently a double-ended bateau +crossed the beam of light and grounded. A young man helped Barbara out +and gave her his arm. + +"You mustn't bother, Harry. I can walk all right," she said. + +"Get hold," said Vernon. "You're not going to walk. If you're obstinate, +I'll carry you." + +Barbara leaned upon his arm, but her color was high and her look +strained when he helped her across the stones. Harry Vernon was a tall, +thin, wiry Canadian, with a quiet face. When he got to the tent he +opened the curtain, and beckoning Mrs. Cartwright, pushed Barbara +inside. + +"You'll give her some supper, ma'am, and I'll chase the others off," he +said. "The little girl's tired and mustn't be disturbed." + +Barbara gave him a grateful look and the blood came to his sunburned +skin. + +"I am a little tired," she declared, and added, too quietly for Mrs. +Cartwright to hear: "You're a white man." + +Vernon pulled the curtain across, and joining the others, lighted a +cigarette. + +"The girls stopped at False Point, two miles short of the spot we +fixed," he said. "I reckon Bob's directions were not plain enough. Since +we didn't come along, they started back by the loggers' trail, while we +went to look for them by the other track. At the pool, they thought they +heard a wolf. That's so, Miss Hyslop?" + +"Yes," said Grace. "I ran away and thought I heard Barbara following. +But what happened afterwards?" + +"She fell. Hurt her foot, had to stop, and then couldn't make good time. +We found her limping along, and shoved through the bush for the river, +so she needn't walk. Well, I think that's all." + +It was plausible, but Grace was not altogether satisfied. Moreover, she +imagined Vernon was not, and noted that Mrs. Vernon gave him a +thoughtful glance. All the same, there was nothing to be said, and she +went to her tent. + +At daybreak Vernon left the camp, and when he reached the pool walked +round its edge and then sat down and lighted his pipe. A few yards in +front, a number of faint marks were printed on a belt of sand. By and by +he heard steps, and frowned when Winter came out from an opening in the +row of trunks. They were friends, and Bob was a very good sort, but +Vernon would sooner he had stopped away. + +"Hallo!" he said. "Why have you come along?" + +"I lost my hunting-knife," Winter replied. "It was hooked to my belt and +I thought the clip let go when we helped Miss Hyslop over the big log. A +bully knife; I wanted to find the thing." He paused and smiled when he +resumed: "I reckon you pulled out of camp to meditate?" + +Vernon hesitated. Had Winter stopped a few yards off, he would have +begun some banter and drawn him away from the pool. Bob was a woodsman +and his eyes were keen. The sun was, however, rising behind the pines +and a beam of light touched the sand. There was no use in trying to hide +the marks. In fact, Vernon imagined Bob had seen them. + +"No," he said. "I thought I'd try to trail the wolf Miss Hyslop talked +about." + +"Looks as if you'd found some tracks," Winter remarked. "Well, they're +not a wolf's." He sat down opposite Vernon. "A man's! I saw another at a +soft spot. He followed the girls from the lake and stopped for some +time. I allow I reckoned on something like that." + +Vernon made an experiment. "Might have been a packer going to a logging +camp, or perhaps an Indian." + +"Shucks!" said Winter, although he gave Vernon a sympathetic smile. +"There are no Indians about the lake and packers' boots don't make marks +like those. A city boot and a city man! A fellow who's wise to the bush +lifts his feet. Anyhow, I reckon he doesn't belong to your crowd." + +"A sure thing!" Vernon agreed. "I can fix where all the boys were. +Besides, if somebody in our lot had wanted to talk to Miss Hyslop, he +wouldn't have hung around in the woods. My mother's pretty fastidious +about her guests. Well, I'll own up the thing bothers me." + +Winter nodded. Harry was frank and honest, and Bob imagined he had felt +Barbara Hyslop's charm. He was sorry for Harry. The thing was awkward. + +"What are you going to do about it?" he asked. + +"To begin with, I'm going to hide these tracks. After all, I don't see +much light. I suppose I ought to tell my mother and put Mrs. Cartwright +wise; but I won't. Spying on a girl and telling is mean. All the same, +I'm surely bothered. In a sense, my mother's accountable for her guests +and the girl's nice. I'd like it if I could talk to the man." + +"Nothing doing there; he'll watch out. Well, we'll hide up his tracks +and look for my knife. D'you think Grace Hyslop knew the job was put +up?" + +"I don't," said Vernon dryly. "I reckon she was puzzled, but that's all. +You couldn't persuade Miss Hyslop her sister liked adventures in the +dark. Anyhow, the thing's done with. We have got to let it go." + +They went off and Winter pondered. Harry had got something of a knock. +Perhaps he was taking the proper line; anyhow, it was the line Harry +would take, but Bob doubted. The girl was very young and the man who met +her in the dark was obviously a wastrel. + +When they returned for breakfast Barbara had joined the others and wore +soft Indian moccasins. Bob looked at Harry and understood his frown. +Harry had played up when he helped her home, but he, no doubt, thought +the game ought to stop. Bob wondered whether Barbara knew, because she +turned her head when Harry advanced. + +After breakfast, Mrs. Vernon, carrying a small bottle, joined Mrs. +Cartwright's party under the pines outside the tent. The dew was drying +and the water shone like a mirror, but it was cool in the shade. Barbara +occupied a camp-chair and rested her foot on a stone, Mrs. Cartwright +knitted, and Grace studied a philosophical book. Her rule was to +cultivate her mind for a fixed time every day. Harry Vernon strolled up +to the group and Mrs. Cartwright put down her knitting. + +"You're kind, but the child's obstinate and won't let me see her foot," +she said to Mrs. Vernon. + +"It's comfortable now," Barbara remarked. "When something that hurt you +stops hurting I think it's better to leave it alone. Besides, one +doesn't want to bother people." + +"You won't bother me, and I'll fix your foot in two or three minutes so +it won't hurt again," Mrs. Vernon declared. "The elixir's famous and I +haven't known it to miss. I always carry some when we camp in the +woods." She turned to her son. "Tell Barbara how soon I cured you when +you hurt your arm." + +"You want to burn Miss Hyslop with the elixir?" + +"It doesn't burn much. You said you hardly felt it, and soon after I +rubbed your arm the pain was gone." + +Harry glanced at Barbara and saw she was embarrassed, although her mouth +was firm. Since she did not mean to let Mrs. Vernon examine her +supposititious injury, his business was to help, and he laughed. + +"Miss Hyslop's skin is not like my tough hide. You certainly fixed my +arm, but it was a drastic cure, and I think Miss Hyslop ought to refuse. +I try to indulge you, like a dutiful son, but you are not her mother." + +"I am her mother and she will not indulge me," Mrs. Cartwright remarked +with languid grievance, and Barbara gave Harry a quick, searching +glance. His face was inscrutable, but she wondered how much he knew. She +felt shabby and ashamed. + +When Mrs. Vernon went off with the elixir, Harry sat down. + +"If you could bring Mr. Cartwright out, I might persuade my father to +come along," he said. "The old man likes Cartwright; declares he's a +sport." + +"He is a ship-owner." Grace remarked. "I think he used to shoot, but +it's some time since." + +Harry looked at Barbara and his eyes twinkled. "American English isn't +Oxford English, but your people are beginning to use it and Miss Barbara +learns fast. All the same, running the Independent Freighters is quite a +sporting proposition, and I imagine Mr. Cartwright generally makes good. +The old man and I would back him to put over an awkward deal every +time." + +"My husband is a good business man," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. "But you +belong to Winnipeg and I understand his business is at Montreal." + +"The steamship _Conference_ understood something like that, until +Cartwright put them wise. You see, we Western people grow the wheat that +goes down the lakes, and when the _Conference_ got to know an +Independent boat was coming out they went round and offered Montreal +shippers and brokers a drawback on the rates. That is, if the shippers +gave them all their stuff, they'd meet their bills for a rebate some +time afterwards. Bully for the shippers, but it left the Western men, +who raised the wheat, in the cold. Well, while the _Conference_ got +after him at Montreal, Cartwright came West and booked all the grain he +could load before it started off. When the _Conference_ got wise, the +cargo was in the Independent freighter's hold. Cartwright's surely a +business man." + +Barbara laughed and Mrs. Cartwright languidly agreed, but Grace frowned. +Although she did not approve Cartwright, he was the head of her house, +and to know his clever tricks were something of a joke hurt her dignity. +Harry saw her frown. + +"Anyhow, Cartwright's promise stands," he resumed. "If he ran his boat +across half empty, he'd make good. You can trust him." + +He went off and Barbara mused unhappily. She thought Harry had talked to +help her over an awkward moment, and she was grateful but disturbed. It +looked as if he knew something and he might know much. All the same, +when he talked about her step-father she agreed. Cartwright was bold and +clever, and, although he was sometimes not very scrupulous, people did +trust him. Barbara wished she had his cleverness and his talent for +removing obstacles. There were obstacles in her path and the path was +dark. Yet she had promised to take it and must make good. She tried to +banish her doubts and began to talk. + +After lunch she allowed one of the party to help her on board a canoe. +The afternoon was calm, and the light breeze that now and then sighed in +the pine-tops hardly ruffled the shining water. In the evening, when the +straight trunks cut against a blaze of gold and green, they sat by a +smudge fire that kept off the mosquitoes and sang to an accompaniment of +banjos and mandolins. Barbara sang with the others, but it cost her an +effort. The tranquil day was nearly done and she felt it was the last +tranquillity she might know for long. Her companions were frank and +kind, Canadians, but her sort, and she was going to make a bold plunge +with another who was not. Yet she knew one could not rebel for nothing, +and she had pluck. The light faded behind the trees, a loon's wild cry +rang across the dark water, and the party went to bed. + +In the morning Grace awoke Mrs. Cartwright quietly. + +"Barbara is gone," she said. + +"Ridiculous!" said Mrs. Cartwright. + +"She is gone. Her clothes are not about; but we must be calm and not +disturb the camp. Mrs. Vernon ought to know, but nobody else. You see, +it's important--" + +Mrs. Cartwright saw, and a few minutes afterwards her hostess knew. + +"It's plain I must give Harry my confidence, to some extent," Mrs. +Vernon said, and went to look for her son. + +She found him going off for a swim, and when she told her tale he +frowned. + +"In a way, perhaps, I'm accountable, but we'll talk about this again," +he said. "Get Mrs. Cartwright on board the launch and come along +yourself. As soon as Bob's inside his clothes we'll start." + +"But Bob--" Mrs. Vernon began. + +"Bob _knows_, and I'll need a partner. If Miss Hyslop didn't leave the +settlement on the night express, she'll be hitting the trail through the +woods for the United States. You must hustle." + +Mrs. Vernon left him, and a few minutes afterwards the fast motor launch +swung out from the landing and sped down river with a white wave at her +bows. Grace watched the boat vanish behind a wooded point and then went +to her tent. She was horribly angry and shocked. Barbara had cheated her +and disgraced them all. + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM + +The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of +Fort William. After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine +the track are numerous and the express had been delayed. Now, however, +the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with +throttle wide open. Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders +rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows. The +wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing +clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the +wooden bridges by metal. + +This was George Lister's business, and he lounged in a corner of a +smoking-compartment, and rather drowsily studied some calculations. He +was bound West from Montreal, and in the morning would resume his labors +at a construction camp. There was much to be done and the construction +bosses who had sent for him were getting impatient. + +Lister's thoughts wandered from the figures. He liked his occupation and +admitted that he had been lucky, but began to see he had gone as far as +he could expect to go. The trouble was, he had not enjoyed the +scientific training that distinguished the men who got important posts. +His mechanical career began in the engine-room of a wheat-boat on the +lakes, and he had entered the railroad company's service when shipping +was bad and steamers were laid up. Although he had studied for a term or +two at McGill University, he knew his drawbacks. Sometimes promotion was +given for merit, but for the most part the men who made progress came +from technical colleges and famous engineering works. + +An accident in the ranges on the Pacific slope, when a mountain +locomotive jumped the track and plunged down a precipitous hillside, +gave Lister his first chance. He got the locomotive back to the line, +and being rewarded by a better post, stubbornly pushed himself nearer +the front. Now, however, it looked as if he must stop. Rules were not +often relaxed in favor of men who had no highly-placed friends. Yet +Lister wondered. + +Not long since, a gentleman whose word carried some weight at the +company's office had visited the construction camp with his indulged +daughter. The girl was clever, adventurous, and interested by pioneer +work, and Lister had helped her to some thrills she obviously enjoyed. +She had, with his guidance, driven a locomotive across a shaking, +half-braced bridge, fired a heavy blasting shot, and caught big gray +trout from his canoe. Although Lister used some reserve, their +friendship ripened, and when she left she hinted she had some power she +might be willing to use on his behalf. + +All the same, Lister was proud. The girl belonged to a circle he could +not enter, and if he got promotion, it must be by his merits. He was not +the man to get forward by intrigue and the clever use of a woman's +influence; he had no talent for that kind of thing. He let it go, and +tried to concentrate on his calculations. + +By and by the colored porter stopped to tell him his berth was fixed and +the passengers were going to bed. Lister nodded, put up his papers, and +then lighted a cigarette. The smoking-compartment was hot, the light the +rocking lamp threw about had hurt his eyes, and he thought he would go +out on the platform for a few minutes. + +He went. The draught that swept the gap between the cars was bracing and +cool. There was a moon, he saw water shine and dark pines stream past. +The snorting of the locomotive broke in a measured beat through the roll +of wheels; the rocks threw back confused echoes about the clanging cars. +Then the gleam among the trees got wider and Lister knew they were +nearing a trestle that crossed an arm of a lake. In fact, he had +wondered whether he would be sent to pull down the bridge and rebuild it +with steel. + +He sat down on the little box-seat, with his back against the door. The +platform had not the new guards the company was then fitting; there was +an opening in the rails, and one could go down the steps when the train +was running. The moonlight touched the back of the car in front, but +Lister was in the gloom, and when the vestibule door opposite opened he +was annoyed. If somebody wanted to go through the train, he must get up. + +A girl came out of the other car and seizing the rails looked down. She +was in the light, and Lister remarked that she did not wear traveling +clothes; he thought her small, knitted cap, short dress, and loose +jacket indicated that she had come from a summer camp. Then she turned +her head and he saw her face was rather white and her look was strained. +It was obvious that something had disturbed her. + +The girl did not see him, and while he wondered whether he ought to get +up she put her foot on the step and leaned out, as if she weighed the +possibility of jumping off. She swung back when the cars lurched round a +curve, and the measured roll of wheels changed to a sharp, broken din. +The train was running on to the trestle and Lister saw the water shine +below the platform. He got up, and moving quietly, seized the girl's arm +and pulled her from the rails. + +"A jolt might throw you off," he said. + +She looked up with a start and the blood came to her skin, but she gave +him a quick, searching glance. Lister was athletic, his face was bronzed +by frost and sun, and his look was frank. She lowered her eyes and her +color faded. + +"Does the train stop soon?" she asked. + +"If the engineer's lucky, we won't stop until he makes the next +water-tank, and it's some distance." + +She turned with a quick, nervous movement and glanced at the door. +Lister imagined she was afraid somebody might come out. + +"Could one persuade or bribe the conductor to pull up?" + +Lister hesitated. He knew the train gang and was a railroad boss, but +the company was spending a large sum in order to cut down the +time-schedule and somebody must account for all delay. + +"I think not. You see, unless there's a washout or the track is blocked, +nothing is allowed to stop the Vancouver express." + +The girl glanced at the door again and then gave him an appealing look. + +"But I must get off! I oughtn't to have come on board. I want to go +East, towards Montreal, and not to Winnipeg." + +Although he was not romantic, Lister was moved. She was very young and +her distress was obvious. Somehow he felt her grounds for wanting to +leave the train were good. Indeed, he rather thought she had meant to +jump off had they not run on to the bridge. Yet for him to stop the +express would be ridiculous; the conductor and engineer would pay for +his meddling. With quiet firmness he pulled the girl farther from the +opening of the rails. + +"We stop long before we get to Winnipeg," he said soothingly. "Then it's +possible we'll be held up by a blocked track. Wash-outs are pretty +numerous on this piece of line. However, if we do stop and you get down, +you'll be left in the woods." + +"Oh!" she said, "that's not important! All I want is to get off." + +"Very well," said Lister. "If we are held up, I'll look for you. But I +don't know if the jolting platform is very safe. Hadn't you better go +back to your car?" + +She gave him a quick glance and he thought she braced herself. + +"I'm not going back. I can't. It's impossible!" + +Lister was curious, but hesitated about trying to satisfy his curiosity. +The girl was afraid of somebody, and, seeing no other help, she trusted +him. + +"Then, you had better come with me and I'll find you a berth where you +won't be disturbed," he said. + +She followed him with a confidence he thought moving, and when they met +the conductor he took the man aside. + +"That's all right," said the other. "Nobody's going to bother her while +I'm about." + +Lister returned to the smoking-compartment, but the adventure had given +him a pleasant thrill and he did not feel sleepy. He got out his +calculations and tried to interest himself until a man entered the car. +The fellow was rather handsome and his clothes were good, but Lister +thought he looked perplexed. He gave Lister a keen glance and went on +through the car. Some minutes afterwards, he came back, frowning +savagely, stopped in front of Lister, as if he meant to speak, +hesitated, and went out by the vestibule. + +It was plain the fellow had gone to look for the girl and had not found +her. The conductor had seen to that. Lister smiled, but admitted that +the thing was puzzling. The man was older than the girl, although he was +not old enough to be her father. If he were her husband, she would not +have run away from him, and it did not look as if he were her lover. +Lister saw no light, but since it was obvious she feared the man he +resolved, if possible, to help her to escape. + +Some time afterwards, the whistle pierced the roll of wheels, and +Lister, going to the platform, saw a big electric head-lamp shine like a +star. The cars were slowing and he imagined the operator had tried to +run a construction train across the section before the express came up. +They would probably stop for a minute at the intersection of the main +and side tracks. Hurrying through the train, Lister found the conductor, +who look him to a curtained berth, and the girl got down. She was +dressed and wore her knitted cap. + +"If you are resolved to go, I may be able to help you off," Lister said. + +"I must go," she replied, and although Lister remarked that her hands +trembled as she smoothed her crumpled dress, her voice was steady. + +"Very well," he said. "Come along." + +When he opened the vestibule door the train was stopping and the beam +from a standing locomotive's head-lamp flooded the track with dazzling +light. For a moment the girl hesitated, but when Lister went down the +steps she gave him her hand and jumped. Lister felt her tremble and was +himself conscious of some excitement. He did not know if he was rash or +not, but since she meant to go, speed was important, because the man +from whom she wanted to escape might see them on the line. He went to +the waiting engine in front of a long row of ballast cars, on which a +big gravel plough loomed faintly in the dark. + +"Who's on board?" he asked. + +A man he knew looked out from the cab window. + +"Hallo, Mr. Lister! I'm on board with Jake. We're going to Malcolm cut +for gravel. Washout's mixed things; operator reckoned he could rush us +through--" + +"Then you'll stop and get water at the tank," Lister interrupted. "Will +you make it before the East-bound comes along?" + +"We ought to make it half-an-hour ahead. Wires all right that way. +Nothing's on the road." + +Lister turned to the girl. "If you're going East you must buy a new +ticket at Malcolm. Have you money?" + +"I have some--" she said and stopped, and Lister imagined she had not +until then thought about money and had not much. + +"You'll take this lady to Malcolm, Roberts, and put her down where she +can get to the station," he said to the engineer. "Nobody will see you +have a passenger, but if the agent's curious, I'll fix the thing with +him." + +It was breaking rules, but the man knew Lister, and Lister knew he could +be trusted. He took some bills from his wallet, and as he helped the +girl up the steps pushed the paper into her hand. + +She turned to the cab door, and Lister imagined she was hardly conscious +of the money he had given her. Her color was high but her look indicated +keen relief. + +"Oh!" she said, "I owe you much! You don't know all you have done. I +will not forget--" + +Somebody waved a lantern, a whistle shrieked, and the locomotive bell +began to toll. Lister jumped back and seized the rails above the +platform steps as the car lurched forward. They moved faster, the beam +of the head-lamp faded, and the train rolled on into the dark. + + + +CHAPTER V + +SHILLITO GETS AWAY + +When the train started Lister did not go to his berth. His curiosity was +excited and he wondered whether he had been rash. Now he came to think +about it, the girl was attractive, and perhaps this to some extent +accounted for his willingness to help. Moreover she was young, and it +was possible her relations had put her in the man's control. If so, his +meddling could not be justified. + +After a time he heard the whistle, and imagined the train was going to +stop at a small station to which mails were brought from some mining +camps. The neighboring country was rugged and lonely, but a trail ran +south through the woods to the American frontier. When the cars stopped +he pushed down the window and looked out. + +Small trees grew along the track and the light from the cars touched +their branches. The line was checkered by illuminated patches and belts +of gloom. Lister heard somebody open the baggage car and then saw a man +run along the line beside the train. Another jumped off a platform and +they met not far from Lister's window. The man who got down was the +fellow who had gone through the car looking for the girl. The locomotive +pump throbbed noisily and Lister could not hear their talk, but he +thought they argued. + +The one who came up the line looked impatient and put his hand on his +companion's arm, as if to urge him away. The other stepped back, and his +gesture implied that he refused to go. The train was long, the +passengers were asleep, and the men, no doubt, imagined nobody saw them. +Lister thought the fellow who got down did not know the girl was gone +and did not mean to leave the train without her. The light touched the +men's faces, and it was obvious that one was angry and the other +disturbed. The scene intrigued Lister. It was like watching an act in a +cinema play of which one did not know the plot. + +After a minute or two a lantern flashed up the track, the bell tolled, +and the nearer man jumped back on the step. Lister heard a vestibule +door shut and then the throb of wheels began. The fellow on the line +frowned and threw out his hands angrily. From the movement of his lips +Lister thought he swore, but the car rolled past him and he melted into +the dark. + +Lister went to his berth, but did not undress. Much of the night had +gone, he would reach his camp soon after daybreak, and the train would +only stop long enough for him to jump off. He could sleep in his clothes +for an hour or two. A slackening of the roll of wheels wakened him and +he got out of his berth, but the big lamps were burning and when he went +to the door he saw dawn had not come. It was obvious they had not +reached the construction camp. Lister shivered, and was returning to his +berth when the conductor opened the door. + +"Our luck's surely not good to-night," he said. "They're pulling us up +at Maple. If it's not a washout, somebody will get fired." + +He went off, grumbling, but when the train stopped came back with a +trooper of the North-West Mounted Police. + +"Where's the guy you told me to watch out for?" he asked. + +Lister said he did not know and offered to go with them and help find +the man. It looked as if he were going to see the end of the play. + +When they opened a vestibule door a man came out of the car in front and +stopped, as if he were dazzled by the beam from the conductor's lifted +lamp. + +"That's the fellow," Lister shouted. + +He thought the other saw the trooper's uniform, because he stepped back +quickly. The door, however, was shut. When he let go the handle the +spring-bolt had engaged. + +"Nothing doing that way!" said the trooper. "My partner's coming along +behind you; you're corraled all right. I've a warrant for you, Louis +Shillito." + +The North-West Police work in couples and the situation was plain. One +trooper had begun his search at the front of the train, the other at the +back, and Shillito, hearing the first turn the passengers out of their +berths, had tried to steal away and met the other. His face got +strangely white, but Lister thought it was rather with rage than fear. +His lips drew back in a snarl, and the veins swelled on his forehead. He +occupied the center of the illuminated circle thrown by the conductor's +lamp, and his savage gaze was fixed. Lister saw he was not looking at +the policeman but at him. + +"Blast you!" Shillito shouted. "If you hadn't butted in--" + +"Cut it out!" said the trooper. "Hands up; we've got you! Don't make +trouble." + +Shillito's hand went behind him. It was possible he felt for the door +knob, but the trooper meant to run no risks. Although he had put down +his rifle and taken out his handcuffs, he jumped forward, across the +platform, and Shillito bent sideways to avoid his spring. The fellow was +athletic and his quick side-movement indicated he was something of a +boxer; the policeman was embarrassed by his handcuffs and young. +Shillito seized him and threw him against the rails, close to the gap +where the steps went down. The trooper gasped, his grasp got slack, and +his body slipped along the rails. It looked as if Shillito would throw +him down the steps, and Lister jumped. + +He saw Shillito's hand go up and next moment got a heavy blow. For all +that, he seized the man and held on, though blood ran into his eyes and +he felt dizzy. Shillito struggled like a savage animal and Lister +imagined the trooper did not help much. He got his arms round his +antagonist and tried to pull him down; Shillito was trying to reach the +opening in the rails. After a moment or two, Lister felt his muscles +getting slack, lurched forward, and saw nothing in front. He plunged out +from the gap, struck a step with his foot, and somebody fell on him. +Then he thought he heard a rifle-shot, and knew nothing more. + +By and by somebody pulled him to his feet and he saw the conductor +holding his arm. A group of excited passengers stood round them in the +light that shone from the train and some others ran along the edge of +the woods. The trooper and Shillito were gone. + +Lister's head hurt, he felt shaky, and when he wiped his face his hand +was wet with blood. + +"My head's cut. S'pose I hit something when I fell," he said. + +"Shillito socked it to you pretty good," the conductor replied, and +waved his lamp. "All aboard!" he shouted, and pushed Lister up the +steps. + +When they reached the platform the car jolted and Lister sat down, with +his back against the door. + +"My legs won't hold me," he said in an apologetic voice. "Did Shillito +get off?" + +"Knocked out the trooper and made the bush; the other fellow was way +back along the train," the conductor replied. "They want him for +embezzlement and will soon get on his trail, but the wash-out's broke +the wires and I reckon he'll cross the frontier ahead. Now you come +along and I'll try to fix your cut." + +Lister went, and soon after a porter helped him into his berth. His head +hurt and he felt very dull and slack, but he slept and when he woke +bright sunshine streamed into the standing car and he saw the train had +stopped at Winnipeg. Soon afterwards the conductor and one of the +station officials put him into an automobile. + +"If the reporters get after you, remember you're not to talk about the +girl," he said to the conductor. + +The other nodded, and signed the driver to start. The car rolled off and +stopped at the house of a doctor who dressed the cut on Lister's head +and ordered him a week's rest. Lister went to a hotel, and in the +morning found a romantic narrative of Shillito's escape in the +newspaper, but was relieved to note that nothing was said about the +girl. The report, however, stated that a passenger who tried to help the +police had got badly hurt and Shillito had vanished in the woods. The +police had not found his trail and it was possible he would reach the +American frontier. + +Lister thought the thing was done with, and when a letter arrived from +the construction office, telling him to stay until he felt able to +resume his work, resigned himself to rather dreary idleness. For some +days his head ached and he could not go out; the other guests were +engaged in the city and there was nobody to whom he could talk. He got +badly bored, and it was a relief when one afternoon the gentleman he had +met at the construction camp arrived with his daughter. For all that, +Lister was surprised. Duveen was a man of some importance, Miss Duveen +was a fashionable young lady, and Lister had imagined they had forgotten +him. He took his guests to a corner of the spacious rotunda where a +throbbing electric fan blew away the flies, and Duveen gave him a +cigarette. + +"The _Record_ did not give your name, but we soon found out who was the +plucky passenger," he said with a friendly smile. "Ruth thought she'd +like to see you, and since I wasn't engaged this afternoon we came +along." + +"I did want to come, but I really think you proposed the visit," Ruth +remarked. + +"Oh, well," said Duveen, "I don't know if it's important, but perhaps we +oughtn't to make Mr. Lister talk." + +Lister declared he wanted to talk, and Duveen said presently, "I don't +see why you butted in." + +For a moment or two Lister hesitated. He was resolved to say nothing +about the girl; it was obvious she would not like her adventure known, +but he must be cautious. Duveen was clever, and he thought Miss Duveen +gave him a curious glance. + +"The trooper was young and I sympathized with his keenness. Looked as if +it was his first important job and he meant to make good." + +"A romantic impulse?" Duveen remarked, and laughed. "Well, when one is +young, I expect it's hard to stand off while a fight's going on. All the +same, it's strange you didn't sympathize with the fellow who was +corraled. That's youth's natural instinct, although I allow it's not +often justified." + +"The trooper was corraled. He'd put down his rifle and Shillito had a +gun; I reckon it was the sharp butt of a heavy automatic that cut my +head. Then I didn't like the fellow; he'd come through the train before +and looked a smart crook." + +"He is a crook and got away with a big wad of the lumber firm's money. +However, you were rash to jump for a man with a pistol. You didn't know +he'd use the butt. All the same, you look brighter than we thought and +can take a rest. I expect the construction office won't rush you back +until you're fit." + +"I want to get back. Loafing round the hotel is dreary and my job's not +getting on. Although I'm ordered to lie off, this won't count for much. +I'll be made accountable for getting behind." + +Duveen said nothing for a moment or two, but he looked thoughtful, and +Lister imagined Miss Duveen studied him quietly. He did not belong to +the Duveens' circle; he was ruder. In fact, it was rather strange to see +these people sitting with him, engaged in friendly talk, although, now +he thought about it, Miss Duveen had not said much. + +She was a pretty girl and Lister liked her fashionable dress. Somehow +Ruth Duveen harmonized with the tall pillars and rich ornamentation of +the rotunda. One felt she belonged to spacious rooms. Duveen's clothes +were in quiet taste, he wore a big diamond, and looked commanding. One +felt this was a man whose word carried weight. + +"You're something of a hustler," he remarked with a smile. "For all +that, you got a nasty knock, and your quitting for a time is justified. +Well, if you feel lonesome, come along and dine at our hotel. Then we'll +go and see the American opera. I'm told the show is good." + +Lister made some excuses, but Duveen would not be refused. + +"When we stopped at your camp you made things smooth for us. You gave +Ruth some thrills, showed her the romance of track-grading, and +generally helped her to a good time. Anyhow, the thing is fixed. We'll +send the car for you." + +They went off soon afterwards, and Lister mused and smoked. He had +hardly expected to meet the Duveens again and wondered whether he owed +the visit to Ruth or her father; he had remarked at the camp that she +was generally indulged. Well, it was plain Duveen could help him and +Lister was ambitious, but he frowned and pulled himself up. He was not +going to intrigue for promotion and use a girl's friendship in order to +force his chiefs to see his merits. Things like that were done, but not +by him; it demanded qualities he did not think were his. Moreover he did +not know if Ruth Duveen was his friend. She was attractive, but he +imagined she was clever. All the same, if he could get the doctor to fix +his bandage so as to make it inconspicuous he would dine with the +Duveens. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +WINNIPEG BEACH + +Lister went to the opera with his hosts and was moved by the music and +the feeling that he was one of a careless, pleasure-seeking crowd. For +the most part, his life had been strenuous and the crowds he knew were +rude. His home was a bare shack, sometimes built on the wind-swept +alkali plains, and sometimes in the tangled woods. From daybreak until +dusk fell, hoarse shouts, the clank of rails, the beat of heavy hammers +filled his ears, and often the uproar did not stop at dark. When a soft +muskeg swallowed the new track, he must watch, by the flaring +blast-lamps, noisy ploughs throw showers of gravel from the ballast +cars. + +Labor and concentration had left their mark. Lister's muscles were hard, +but his body and face were thin. He looked fine-drawn and alert; his +talk was direct and quick. As a rule, his skin was brown, but now the +brown was gone, and the lines on his face were deeper. His injury +accounted for something and he felt the reaction from a strain he had +hardly noted while it must be borne. Although he had not altogether +hidden his bandage and his clothes were not the latest fashion, Ruth +Duveen was satisfied. Somehow he looked a finer type than the business +men in the neighboring stalls. One felt the man's clean virility and got +a hint of force. + +Lister was highly strung. The music stirred his imagination, and when +the curtain went down the light and glitter, the perfume that drifted +about, the women's dress, and the society of his attractive companion +gave him a curious thrill. He began to see he had missed much; ambitions +that had forced him to struggle for scope to use fresh efforts took +another turn. Life was not all labor. Ruth Duveen had enlightened him. + +He studied her. She had grace and charm; it was much to enjoy, for one +evening, the society of a girl like this. Duveen went off between the +acts to meet his friends, but Ruth stopped and talked. Her smile was +gracious and Lister let himself go. He told her about adventures on the +track and asked about her life in the cities. Perhaps it was strange, +but she did not look bored, and when the curtain went down for the last +time he felt a pang. The evening was gone and in a day or two he must +resume his labor in the wilds. Lister did not cheat himself; he knew the +strange, romantic excitement he had indulged would not be his again. +When they went down the passage Ruth gave him a smiling glance and saw +his mouth was firm. + +"You look rather tired," she said. "Have we tired you?" + +Lister turned and his eyes were thoughtful. She had stopped to fasten +her cloak, and the people pushing by forced her to his side. An electric +lamp burned overhead and her beauty moved him. He noted the heavy coils +of her dark hair, her delicate color, and the grace of her form. + +"I'm not at all tired," he said. "I feel remarkably braced and keen, as +if I'd waked up from sleep. In fact, I think I have awakened." + +Ruth laughed. She saw he was not smiling and his graveness gave her a +sense of power. He had owned, with typical frankness, that she had moved +him. + +"Sometimes to wake up suddenly gives one a jolt," she said. "However, +you will soon get calm again in the woods." + +He sensed something provocative and challenging in her voice, but he +would not play up. + +"I wonder--" he said quietly. "In a way, the proper line's to go to +sleep again." + +"Sometimes one dreams! I expect you dream about locomotives breaking +through trestles and dump-cars plunging into muskegs?" + +He laughed. "They're things I know, and safe to dream about. All the +same, I rather expect I'll be haunted by lights and music, pretty +dresses and faces--" + +He stopped, and Ruth remarked: "If these have charm, there are no very +obvious grounds for your going without. You can command a locomotive and +Winnipeg's not very far from your camp. But we're stopping the people, +and I can't fix this clasp." + +She moved, and the opera cloak fell back from her arm, which was +uncovered but for the filmy sleeve that reached a little below the +shoulder. He noted its fine curves and the silky smoothness of her skin. +Although he fastened the clasp with a workman's firm touch, he thrilled. +Then the crowd forced them on and they found Duveen waiting by the car. +When they stopped at Lister's hotel Ruth said, "We are going to Winnipeg +Beach, Saturday. Would you like to come?" + +Duveen nodded. "A happy thought! I've got to talk to some business +people who make Ruth tired. If you come along, I needn't bother about +her." + +"That's how one's father argues!" Ruth exclaimed. + +Lister hesitated. "I was told to lie off because I was hurt. If I'm fit +to enjoy an excursion, I'm fit to work." + +"You're too scrupulous, young man. Have a good time when it's possible, +or you'll be sorry afterwards. I reckon you're justified to take all the +company will give." + +"It was caution, not scruples. Suppose I meet one of the railroad +chiefs?" + +"I'll fix him," Duveen rejoined. "Your bosses won't get after you when +you belong to my party. Anyhow, we'll look out for you." + +The car rolled off, and Lister, going to the rotunda, lighted a +cigarette and mused. Ruth Duveen had beauty, he liked her but must use +caution, since he imagined the friendship she had given him was +something of an indulged girl's caprice. Then he began to think about +the girl he had met on board the train. Now he was able, undisturbed, to +draw her picture, he saw she, too, had charm, but she was not at all +like Ruth. The strange thing was, one did not note if she were beautiful +or not. In a way, this did not matter; her pluck and firmness fixed +one's interest. + +Lister threw away his cigarette. He was poor and not romantic. The girl +he had helped had vanished, and after their excursion he hardly expected +to see Ruth again. Ruth was kind, but she would soon forget him when he +was gone. He would go to Winnipeg Beach with her, and then return to the +woods and let his job absorb him. In the meantime, his head had begun to +ache and he went to bed. + +The Saturday morning was typical of Winnipeg in summer. The fresh +northwest breeze that sweeps the Manitoba plains had dropped. Dark +thunder-clouds rolled about the sky, but the sun was hot and an +enervating humidity brooded over the town. The perspiring crowd in Main +Street moved slackly, the saloon bars were full, and the groups of +holiday-makers flocking to the station wore a languid look. + +Lister met his hosts in the marble waiting hall where a gold-framed +panorama of Canadian scenery closes the view between the rows of stately +pillars. Duveen had brought three or four keen-eyed, nervous business +men, a rather imposing lady, and Ruth, and they got on board a local +train soon after Lister arrived. Winnipeg Beach was then beginning to +attract holiday-makers from the prairie town. One could row and fish in +sheltered bays, and adventure on board a gasoline launch into the +northern wilds. Boating, however, had no charm for Duveen's friends. The +excursion was an opportunity for friendly business talk, and when lunch +was over Ruth and Lister went out on the lawn in front of the hotel. + +There was no wind. A few dark clouds floated motionless overhead, but +outside their shadow the lake shone like glass, running back until it +melted into faint reflections on the horizon. A varnished launch flashed +in the sun and trailed a long white wake across the water. + +"Do you want to stay and talk to Mrs. Knapp?" Ruth asked. + +"I do not," said Lister. "Anyhow, I imagine Mrs. Knapp doesn't want to +talk to me. I'm not a big-business man." + +Ruth laughed. "Oh, well, when you speculate at the Board of Trade, a +railroad engineer is not a useful friend. I suppose I ought to stay, but +the things one ought to do are tiresome. Let's go on the lake." + +Lister got a canoe, and fixing a cushion for Ruth, picked up the paddle. + +"Where shall we go?" + +"North, as far as you can. Let's get away from the boats and trippers +and imagine we're back in the woods where you helped me catch the big +gray trout." + +"Then you liked it at the construction camp?" Lister remarked. "It was a +pretty rude spot." + +"For an indulged city girl?" Ruth said, smiling. "Well, perhaps I'd got +all the satisfaction dinner parties and dances and the society at hotels +can give. I knew the men who handle finance and work the wires behind +the scenes, but I wanted to know the others who do the strenuous things +and keep the country going. I came, and you helped me to understand the +romance of the lakes and woods." + +Lister did not remember if he had tried to do so and thought he had not. +All the same, the girl was keen and interested. In summer, it was not +hard to feel the lonely sheets of water and tangled bush were touched by +romance. Then, perhaps, everybody felt at times a vague longing for the +rude and primitive. But he was not a philosopher, and dipping the +paddle, he drove the canoe across the tranquil lake. + +In the meantime, he imagined Ruth studied him with quiet amusement, and +wondered whether she thought he was not playing up. He did not mean to +play up; the game was intricate, and, if he were rash, might cost him +much. He had taken off his hat and jacket and effort had brought back +the color to his skin. His thin face had the clean bronze tint of an +Indian's; the soft shirt showed the fine-drawn lines of his athletic +figure; but Lister was not conscious of this. He knew his drawbacks, but +not all his advantages. + +When he had gone some distance and the hotel and houses began to melt +into the background, he stopped and let the canoe drift. + +"How far shall we go?" he asked. + +Ruth indicated a rocky point, cut off by the glimmering reflection, that +seemed to float above the horizon. + +"Let's see what is on the other side. Now and then one wants to know. +Exploration's intriguing. Don't you think so?" + +"Sometimes; in a practical sense. When a height of land cuts the +landscape, I wonder whether one could find an easy down-grade for the +track across the summit. That's about as far as my imagination goes." + +"Oh, well," said Ruth, "exploration like that is useful and one doesn't +run much risk. But risk and adventure appeal to some people." + +Lister resumed paddling. The girl had charm and he was young; if he were +not cautious, there might be some risk for him. He was not a clever +philanderer, and Ruth and Duveen had been kind. By and by a puff of cool +wind touched his hot skin and he looked round. A black cloud had rolled +up and there were lines on the water. + +"We may get a blow and some thunder," he remarked. "Shall we go back?" + +"Not yet. We'll make the point first. If it does thunder, summer storms +don't last." + +He paddled harder and a small white wave lapped the canoe's bows. The +sky was getting dark, and now the lines that streaked the lake were +white, but the wind was astern and they were going fast. The glimmering +reflections had vanished and the rocks ahead rose sharply from the +leaden water. The point was some distance off, but Lister knew he must +reach it soon. + +A flash of forked lightning leaped from the sky and touched the lake, +there was a long, rumbling peal, and then a humming noise began astern. +Angry white ripples splashed about the canoe and lumps of hail beat +Lister's head. Then, while the thunder rolled across the sky, the canoe +swerved. It was blowing hard, the high bow and stern caught the wind, +the strength was needed to hold her straight with the single paddle. If +he brought her round, he could not paddle to windward, and to steer +across the sea that would soon get up might be dangerous. They must make +the point and land. He threw Ruth his jacket, for spray had begun to fly +and the drops from the paddle blew on board. + +"Put on the thing; I've got to work," he said. + +In a few minutes his work was hard. Short, white waves rolled past, the +canoe lurched and swerved, and Lister knew if she swung off across wind +and sea she might capsize. He must keep her running and let the combers +split against her pointed stern. The combers were getting large and +their hissing tops surged by some height above the gunwale, but so long +as he could keep her before them they would not come on board. When her +bows went up she sheered, as if she meant to shoot across the hollow +left by the sea that rolled by. He stopped her with a back-stroke and +then drove hard ahead, for he must have speed to steer when the next sea +came on. In the meantime, the lightning flickered about the lake and +between the flashes all was nearly dark. The tops of the waves tossed +against leaden cloud and he could hardly see the rocks for which he +steered. + +By and by, however, the point stood out close ahead. The trees on the +summit bent in the wind; spray leaped about the bowlders where the white +foam rolled. He must go round and find a landing to lee, but to go round +he must cross the belt of breaking water, with the savage wind abeam. +The canoe shipped some water, and riding in on a comber's crest, +narrowly missed a rock that lifted its top for a moment out of the foam. +Then Lister drove her in behind the point and helped Ruth to land on a +gravel beach. Her eyes sparkled and he saw she had not been daunted. + +"We're all right now, but we have got to stay until the storm blows +out," he said. + +They found shelter in a hollow of the cliff and sat among the driftwood +while the rain that blotted out the lake drove overhead. The deluge did +not reach them and the cold was going. + +"You go back on Monday?" Ruth said at length. + +Lister smiled with humorous resignation. "I must. The strange thing is, +when I left my job before I was keen to get back. Now I'd rather stop +and loaf." + +"Then you were not bored at Winnipeg?" + +"Not at all," Lister declared. "If it would give me a holiday like this, +I'd get hurt again." + +"I expect the woods get dreary. Then, perhaps, one doesn't make much +progress by sticking to the track? Don't you want to get into the office +where the big plans are made?" + +"I don't know," said Lister thoughtfully. "On the track you're all right +if you know your job; at headquarters you need qualities I don't know +are mine. Anyhow, I'm not likely to get there, if I want or not." + +Ruth gave him a curious glance. "Sometimes one's friends can help. Would +you really like a headquarters post?" + +Lister moved abruptly and his mouth got firm. Perhaps Ruth exaggerated +her father's importance, but it was possible Duveen could get him +promotion. All the same, Lister saw what his taking the job implied; he +must give up his independence and be Duveen's man. Moreover, if the girl +meant to help, she had some grounds for doing so. He thrilled and was +tempted, but he thought hard. It looked as if she liked him and was +perhaps willing to embark upon a sentimental adventure, but he thought +this was all. She would not marry a poor man. + +"No," he said, with a touch of awkwardness. "I reckon I had better stick +to the track. To know where you properly belong is something, and if I +took the other job, my chiefs would soon find me out." + +"You're modest," Ruth remarked. "One likes modest people, but don't you +think you're obstinate?" + +"When the trail you hit goes uphill, obstinacy's useful." + +"If you won't take help, you may be long reaching the top, but we'll let +it go. The wind hasn't dropped much. How can we get back?" + +"We must wait," Lister replied with a twinkle. "The trouble about an +adventure is, when you start you're often forced to stay with it and put +it over. That sometimes costs more than you reckon." + +Ruth's eyes sparkled, but she forced a smile. "Logical people make me +tired. But why do you imagine I haven't the pluck to pay?" + +"I don't," said Lister. "I've no grounds to imagine anything like that. +My business was to take care of you and I ought to have seen the storm +was coming. Now I'm mad because I didn't watch out." + +"Sometimes you're rather nice," Ruth remarked. "You know I made you go +on. All the same, we must start as soon as possible." + +Lister got up presently and launched the canoe. The thunder had gone, +but the breeze was strong and angry white waves rolled up the lake. To +drive the canoe to windward was heavy labor, and while she lurched +slowly across the combers the sun got low. Lister's wet hands blistered +and his arms ached, but he swung the paddle stubbornly, and at length +the houses and hotel stood out from the beach. When they got near the +landing Ruth looked ahead. + +"The train's ready to pull out!" she exclaimed. "Can you make it?" + +Lister tried. His face got dark with effort and his hands bled, but in a +few minutes he ran the canoe aground. Ruth jumped out and they reached +the station as the bell began to toll. Duveen waved to them from the +track by the front of the train and then jumped on board, and Lister +pushed Ruth up the steps of the last car. The car was second-class and +crowded by returning holiday-makers, but the conductor, who did not know +Lister and Miss Duveen, declared all the train was full and they must +stay where they were. When he went off and locked the vestibule Lister +looked about. + +All the seats and much of the central passage were occupied, for the +most part by young men and women. Some were frankly lovers and did not +look disturbed by the banter of their friends. Lister was embarrassed, +for Ruth's sake, until he saw with some surprise that she studied the +others with amused curiosity. Looking down he met her twinkling glance +and thought it something like a challenge. His embarrassment got worse. +One could not talk because of the noise and to shout was ridiculous. He +must stand in a cramped pose and try not to fall against Ruth when the +cars rocked. He admitted that his proper background was the rude +construction camp, and it was something of a relief when they rolled +into Winnipeg. + +Duveen's car was at the station, and Ruth stopped for a moment before +she got on board. + +"You start on Monday and we will be out of town to-morrow. I wish you +good luck." + +Lister thanked her, and when she got into the car she gave him a curious +smile. "I think I liked you better in the woods," she said, and the car +rolled off. + + + +CHAPTER VII + +LISTER'S DISSATISFACTION + +Soon after his return from Winnipeg, Lister stood one evening by a +length of track planned to cut out an awkward curve. The new line ran +into a muskeg that sucked down brush and logs and the loads of numerous +gravel trains. Angry foremen declared one could not fill up the bog, and +Lister knew the heads of the construction office grumbled about the +delay. He was tired, for he had been strenuously occupied since morning, +but could not persuade himself that the work had made much progress. + +Small trees lay in tangled rows about the fresh gravel; farther back, +the standing bush ran in a broken line against the fading light. In +front, thin mist drifted across the muskeg where slender trunks rose +from the quaking mud. Not far off a high, wooden trestle carried the +rails across a ravine. The bridge would presently be rebuilt with steel, +but in the meantime the frame was open and the gaps between the ties +were wide. + +It was getting dark and noisy blast-lamps threw up pillars of white +fire. The line had sunk in the afternoon and it was necessary to lift +the rails and fill up the subsidence before the next gravel train +arrived. Lister was angry and puzzled, for he had pushed the road-bed +across to near the other side, but the rails had not sunk in the new +belt but in ground over which the trains had run. + +By and by a man joined him and remarked: "The boys have got the ties up, +but I reckon they won't fix the track for three or four hours. Looks as +if the blamed muskeg was going to beat us." + +"She can't beat us," Lister rejoined impatiently. "The trouble is, +hauling the stuff she swallows runs up construction costs, and that +counts against us. Did you leave Willis with the gang?" + +The other laughed. "I did not. He was tired. Wanted something at the +office and allowed he'd stop and take a smoke." + +"Hustle him out when you go along, Kemp. I'd sooner our chiefs down East +had kept that young man. The job's not soft enough for him. However, I +s'pose he lighted the lamp across the bridge?" + +"Willis has friends," Kemp remarked meaningly, and indicated a +reflection behind the trees. "The lamp's burning." + +Lister glanced at the trembling light. "I expect it's good enough for +the engineer, but the flame's not steady. Willis hasn't bothered to get +the pressure right. It's possible he didn't wait until she warmed the +oil." + +The powerful lamp had been carried across the bridge in order to warn +the engineer of the gravel train, who on his last journey had run to the +end of the line. The light could be seen for some distance up the track. + +"I got after Hardie about making good time. We must dump his load in the +soft spot before we stop," Lister resumed. + +"He's coming now; climbing the height of land," said Kemp. "He'll let +her go all out when he makes the top." + +A measured throb rolled across the woods, and as the noise got louder +the beat of the exhaust marked the progress of the train. The explosive +snorts indicated that the locomotive labored up the last steep pitch, +and Lister sat down by the rails. He was tired and would not be needed +until the gravel plough threw the rattling ballast off the cars. After a +few moments he looked up, for a man came out of the gloom. + +"Hello, Willis! I s'pose you've been taking a quiet smoke?" + +"That's so," said the other. "I've hustled round since sun-up and +imagined the gang could get along for half an hour without my watching. +You want to leave something to your foremen." + +Lister said nothing. He did not choose his helpers, but tried to make +the best use of those the bosses sent. Willis had some useful qualities, +but he was slack, and got sulky if one drove him hard. The young man had +come from the drawing-office of a famous bridge-building works. + +In the meantime, the rumble of the gravel train grew to a pulsating +roar. The locomotive had crossed the divide and was running furiously +down grade. The roughly-ballasted track was uneven, but the engineer had +been on board since daybreak and no doubt wanted to finish his job. + +"She's in the rock cut now," Kemp remarked. "Hardie ought to throttle +down when he runs out and sees the light." + +Lister listened. The swelling note indicated that the train had left the +cut, but it did not look as if the engineer was pulling up. + +"She's coming along pretty fast," said Willis. "If he doesn't snub her +soon, she'll jump the steel and take the muskeg." + +Next moment Lister was on his feet. Hardie was driving too fast; Lister +doubted if he could stop before the heavy train plunged through the +broken track. The unsteady white flicker behind the trees had sunk and +changed to smoky red. If looked as if the oil was not vaporizing +properly and the lamp was going out. When the engineer saw the light it +would be too late. + +"Get the boys off the track. I'll try to fix the lamp," Lister shouted, +and started for the bridge. + +The errand was not his. Willis had lighted the lamp: moreover, one might +have sent a workman, but when a job was urgent Lister went himself. The +job was urgent and dangerous. Unless he made good speed, he would meet +the train on the bridge and the cylinders of the locomotive projected +beyond the edge. + +The track was rough and fresh gravel rolled under his feet. Now and then +he struck a cross-tie and nearly fell. It had got dark and among the +trees the gloom was deep; one could not see the ties. Yet he must run, +and his breath got labored and his heart thumped. He did not know where +the train was, only that it was near. The woods throbbed with a savage +din; the big cars, loaded with rattling gravel, clanged and roared as +they plunged down grade. + +Lister hardly thought he could stop the train. It looked as if he would +be caught on the trestle, but he meant to go on. He did not argue about +it; he was rather moved by instinctive stubbornness. At moments of +strain one does not argue and logic has no appeal. Character counts for +all, and Lister followed his bent. His job was urgent and must be +carried out. + +When he reached the bridge he saw white threads of water between the +timbers of the open frame. The spacing of the ties was not regular, and +if he stepped short, or too far, he would go through. Then, if he did +not strike a brace, he would fall upon the rocks in the stream. All the +same, he saw the blaze of the head-lamp pick out the trees across the +ravine and sprang on to the bridge. + +Somehow he hit the ties; perhaps by subconscious judgment, and perhaps +by good luck. Then he felt loose gravel under his feet and thrilled with +a strange fierce satisfaction. His breath was labored and his body wet +by sweat, but the moving beam had not reached the lamp. He was going to +make it. + +When the black front of a gravel car leaped out of the gloom he jumped +off the track. The locomotive pushed the cars, the train was long, and +the lamp was but a few yards off. It had not gone out, although the +flame had sunk to a faint red jet that would not be seen in the dust. +His hands shook, but he gave the pump a few strokes and turned the valve +wheel. The red jet got white and leaped higher and Lister, pumping hard, +looked up the track. Big cars, rocking and banging, rushed past in a +cloud of dust. Bits of gravel struck him and rattled against the lamp. +The blurred, dark figures of men who sat upon the load cut against the +fan-shaped beam, and in the background he saw a shower of leaping +sparks. + +But the other light was growing and Lister turned the wheel. Burning oil +splashed around him, a pillar of fire rushed up, and when a whistle +screamed he let go the valve and turned from the blinding dust. He was +shaking, but the heavy snorting stopped. The engineer had seen the light +and cut off steam. + +When Lister looked round the train was gone. He had done what he had +undertaken, and after waiting for a few moments he started back. Now he +could go cautiously, he stopped and tried to brace himself at the end of +the bridge. Although he had run across not long since, he shrank from +the dark, forbidding gaps. For all that, he must get back, and feeling +carefully for the ties, he reached the other side and was for some time +engaged at the muskeg where two cars had overrun the broken rails. At +length he went to the log shack he used for his office and +sleeping-room, and soon after he lighted his pipe Kemp came in. + +"You made it," Kemp remarked. "When you stopped me at the bridge I saw +you'd get there." + +Lister laughed. "Now you talk about it, I believe I did shout you to go +back. Anyhow, you were some way behind. Did Willis come?" + +"He did not. Willis was badly rattled and started for the muskeg. +Thought he might get the track thrown across the hole, perhaps! I'm +rather sorry for the kid. But what are you going to do about it?" + +"Report we had two cars bogged and state the cost of labor. That's all, +I think." + +Kemp nodded. "Well, perhaps there's no use in talking about the lamp. +Our business is to make good, using the tools we've got. All the same, +if they want a man somewhere else, I guess I'd recommend Willis." + +He smoked quietly for a time, and then resumed: "We don't get forward +much. In fact, if the new Western irrigation company would take me on, I +think I'd quit." + +Lister pondered. Since his short stop at Winnipeg he had been conscious +of a strange restlessness. He wanted something the woods could not give, +and had begun to think life had more to offer than he had known. +Besides, he was not making much progress. + +"Since the double track is to be pushed on across the plains, the +department will need a bigger staff and there ought to be a chance for +some of us," he said. "Then there's the new work with the long bridges +on the lake section that will carry higher pay. We're next on turn and +have some claim. They ought to move us up." + +"I doubt. We didn't come from a famous office, and it's not always +enough to know your job." + +"Somebody will get a better post, and if I'm lucky I'll stay. If not, I +think I'll try the irrigation works." + +"I feel like that," Kemp declared. "But suppose the irrigation people +turn our application down?" + +"Then I'll lie off for a time. Except when I went, to McGill with money +I earned on a wheat barge, I haven't stopped work since I was a boy. Now +I'm getting tired and think I'll pull out and go across to look at the +Old Country. My father was an Englishman, and I have some money to +burn." + +"A good plan," Kemp agreed. "After a change you come back fresh with a +stronger punch. Well, if we're not put on to the lake section, we'll try +the irrigation scheme." + +He got up and went off, but Lister sat on his bunk and smoked. The bunk +was packed with swamp-grass on which his coarse Hudson's Bay blankets +were laid, and the shack was bare. Ragged slickers and old overalls +occupied the wall, long gum-boots a corner. A big box carried an iron +wash-basin, and a small table some drawing instruments. Lister was not +fastidious, and, as a rule, did not stop long enough at one spot to +justify his making his shack comfortable. Besides, he found it necessary +to concentrate on his work, and had not much time to think about +refinements. + +All the same, he felt the shack was dreary and his life was bleak. He +had not felt this until he went to Winnipeg. On the whole, he had liked +the struggle against physical obstacles. It was his proper job, but the +struggle was stern and sometimes exhausting, and his reward was small. +Now he wanted something different, and gave himself to vague and +brooding discontent. + +Ruth Duveen had broken his former tranquillity. In a sense, she had +awakened him, and he imagined she had meant to do so. All the same, to +think she loved him was ridiculous; she was rather experimenting with +fresh material. Yet she was accountable for his discontent. She had +helped him to see that while he labored in the woods he had missed much. +He wanted the society of cultivated women and men with power and +influence; to use control instead of carrying out orders; and to know +something of refinement and beauty. After all, his father was a +cultivated Englishman, although Lister imagined he had inherited +qualities that helped him most from his Canadian mother. It was all he +had inherited, except some debts he had laboriously paid. + +He admitted that to realize his ambitions might be hard, but he meant to +try. Canada was for the young and stubborn. If his chiefs did not +promote him, he would make a plunge, and if his new plan did not work, +he would go over and see the Old Country. Then he would come back, +braced and refreshed, and try his luck again. + +Putting down his pipe, he got into bed. He was tired and in the morning +the gravel cars must be pulled out of the muskeg. The job was awkward, +and while he thought about it he went to sleep. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE TEST + +A boisterous wind swept the high plain and round, white-edged clouds +rolled across the sky. The grass that ran back from the horizon was +parched, and in the distance a white streak of blowing dust marked a +dried alkali lake. Dust of dark color drove along the row of wooden +stores and houses that fronted the railroad track, across which three +grain elevators rose like castles. The telegraph posts along the track +melted into the level waste, and behind the spot where they vanished the +tops of a larger group of elevators cut the edge of the plain. + +The street was not paved, and the soil was deeply ploughed by wheels. +The soil was the black gumbo in which the wheat plant thrives, but the +town occupied the fringe of a dry belt and farming had not made much +progress. Now, however, a company was going to irrigate the land with +water from a river fed by the Rockies' snow. The town was square, and +although it looked much smaller than real-estate agents' maps indicated, +it was ornamented by four wooden churches, a Y.M.C.A. like a temple, and +an ambitious public hall. + +The Tecumseh Hotel occupied a corner lot at the end of the street and +was not remarkably commodious or clean, but its charges were less than +the Occidental's by the station, and Lister and Kemp were not +fastidious. Some time had gone since they pulled the gravel cars out of +the swamp and they had not been sent to the lake section. In +consequence, they had applied to the irrigation company for a post, and +having been called to meet the engineers and directors, imagined they +were on the short list. + +Lister lounged against the rails on the Tecumseh veranda. The boards +were cracked and dirty; burned matches and cigar ends were scattered +about, and a skeleton, gauze covered door that shut with a powerful +spring kept some of the flies and mosquitoes out of the hotel. + +"We'll know to-morrow," he remarked presently. + +Kemp nodded. "I can't figure on our chances. Feel anxious about it?" + +"Not much. In fact, I mean to use the thing to test my luck. If we're +engaged, I'll stay in Canada; if they turn us down, I'll start for the +Old Country." + +"You have no particular plans, I reckon." + +"No," said Lister, smiling. "I'm going to look about. I know our new +Western towns, but I want to see old cities, churches, and cathedrals; +the great jobs men made before they used concrete and steel. Then I'd +like to study art and music and see the people my father talked about. +Ours is a good country, but when it's all you know it gets monotonous." +He indicated the row of wooden houses and lonely plain. "One wants more +than the track and this." + +"It's possible you may go across," said Kemp. "Looks as if the company's +short list was pretty long. There's a gang of candidates in town, we +have no pull on the directors, and I don't know if our advantages are +very marked--" He stopped and laughed, for a man came round the corner. +"Hello, Willis!" he exclaimed. "When did you arrive?" + +"I came in on the last train. Got a notice to meet the Irrigation +Board." + +"Oh, well," said Kemp, "since the applicants are more numerous than the +posts, I reckon another won't count. Do you expect they're going to take +you on?" + +"I expect my chance is as good as yours." + +"I'll sell you my chance for ten dollars," Kemp rejoined. + +"Nothing doing, at the price," said Willis, and went off. + +Kemp laughed. Willis was marked by a superficial smartness his comrades +sometimes found amusing and sometimes annoying. For the most part, they +bore with him good-humoredly, but did not trust him when work that +needed careful thought was done. + +"The kid looks confident, but his applying for a job is something of a +joke," Kemp remarked. "I'd put his value at fifty cents a day." + +Lister agreed, and looked up the dusty street. The fronts of the small +frame houses were cracked by the sun, and some were carried up to hide +the roof and give the building a fictitious height. A Clover-leaf wagon +stood in front of a store, the wheels crusted by dry mud, and the team +fidgeted amidst a swarm of flies. Except for one or two railroad hands +waiting by the caboose of a freight train, nobody was about. The town +looked strangely dreary. + +Yet Lister knew it stood for all the relief from labor in the stinging +alkali dust one could get. One could loaf in a hard chair in front of +the hotel, lose a dollar or two at the shabby pool-room, or go to a +movie show and see pictures of frankly ridiculous Western melodrama. In +the real West, the pictures were ridiculous, because romantic +shootings-up did not happen. In fact, unless a stubborn labor dispute +began, nothing broke the dull monotony of toilsome effort. Romance had +vanished with the buffaloes. Lister admitted that he had not long felt +the monotony. The trouble began when he stopped at Winnipeg. + +"I think I'll go up the street," he said. + +A rough plank sidewalk ran in front of the houses, and Lister imagined +it was needed when the spring thaw and summer thunder-storms softened +the gumbo soil. Opposite the Occidental he stopped, for Duveen occupied +a chair on the veranda. While Lister hesitated Duveen beckoned him to +come up. + +"It's hot and dusty. Will you take a drink?" he said. + +Lister refused with thanks and wondered whether Ruth was at the hotel. +In a way, he would like to see her, but admitted that perhaps he had +better not. When he asked if she was well Duveen said she had gone to +Quebec, and gave Lister a cigar. + +"It looks as if you had left the railroad," he remarked. + +"I have not left yet," said Lister cautiously. + +"Then, you won't go unless you get a better job? Did you know I had +joined the Irrigation Board?" + +Lister said he did not know, and got embarrassed when Duveen gave him a +thoughtful glance. He wondered whether Ruth had talked to Duveen before +she hinted he might get a better post. + +"Perhaps I ought not to have come up. In fact, I hesitated--" + +Duveen laughed. "So I remarked! You reckoned the Occidental stoop was +pretty public and your talking to me might imply that you wanted my +support? Well, I'll risk that. It's obvious you're on the short list. Do +you want a post?" + +For a moment or two Lister pondered. He did want a post; anyhow, he +ought to try for it. On the whole he liked Duveen, and thought he might +have liked Ruth better had she not been rich. All the same, Duveen was a +shrewd manipulator of new industries and to take a post by his favor +would be to own a debt, for which payment might be demanded. Yet Duveen +had been kind and Lister hesitated. + +"I asked for a post," he said. "If I'm engaged, I'll try to make good; +but I must make good at the dam or on the ditch. Then I don't want to +bother my friends. The company has my engineering record and must judge +my usefulness by this. If they're not satisfied, I won't grumble much." + +"You're an independent fellow, but I think I understand," Duveen +rejoined with a twinkle. "A company director's duty _is_ to judge an +applicant for a post by his professional record. If you are appointed, +you want us to appoint you because we believe you are the proper man?" + +"Something like that," said Lister quietly. + +Duveen nodded, and his glance rested for a moment on Lister's forehead. + +"I see the mark you got on board the train hasn't altogether gone. Did +you hear anything about the girl you helped?" + +"I did not," said Lister, starting, for he had not imagined Duveen knew +about the girl. "I have not seen her since she went off on the +locomotive." + +"Then she has not written to you since?" + +"She could not write, because she doesn't know who I am, and I don't +know her. We talked for a minute or two, that's all." + +Duveen's face was inscrutable and Lister wondered whether he doubted his +statement. He was annoyed because the other knew so much. + +"Oh, well," said Duveen, "I expect you heard they didn't catch Shillito, +and since he got across the frontier, it's possible the Canadian police +won't see him again. But I must get ready for supper. Will you stay?" + +Lister excused himself and went back to the Tecumseh, where the bill of +fare was frugal and the serving rude. He imagined he had refused much +more than a first-class supper, but was satisfied he had taken the +proper line. For one thing, Duveen knew Ruth had given him her +friendship and, since he knew his daughter, it was significant that he +had not thought it necessary to meddle. Lister wondered whether he had +meant to use him, and was glad he had kept his independence. If he got +the post now, he would know he had rather misjudged Duveen, but he +doubted. All the same, he liked the man. + +After supper Kemp and he sat on the veranda and watched the green glow +fade from the edge of the plain. They did not talk much, but by and by +Kemp remarked: "I thought I saw you go into the Occidental." + +"Duveen called me on to the stoop." + +"Duveen?" Kemp exclaimed. "Then he's got his hand on the wires! If the +Irrigation Company puts the undertaking over, a number of the dollars +will go to Duveen's wad. If he's your friend, I expect you know he could +get you the job." + +"It's possible. All the same, I hinted I didn't want his help." + +Kemp laughed. "You surprise me every time! I'm all for a square deal and +down with scheming grafters and log-rollers, but I allow I hate them +worst when they give another fellow the post I want." + +"The thing's not fixed yet. The company's engineers are going to judge +and our record's pretty good. They may engage us. We'll know to-morrow." + +"Sure thing," Kemp remarked dryly. "I reckon we'll both pull out on the +first train." + +It began to get dark and Lister went off to bed. He must get water from +a cistern in the roof and to carry the heavy jug was awkward when one +could not see. At the Tecumseh the guests were expected to carry water +for themselves, and Lister, groping along the shadowy passage with his +load, thought his doing so had some significance. It was part of the +price he must pay for freedom. + +At the time fixed in the morning, he went to the Occidental and was +shown into a room where a number of gentlemen occupied a table. One or +two were smoking and the others talked in low voices, but when Lister +came in and the secretary indicated a chair they turned as if to study +him. Duveen sat next a man at the end of the table and gave Lister a +nod. Somehow Lister thought he was amused. + +Lister's heart beat. He felt this was ridiculous, because he had +persuaded himself it did not matter whether he got the post or not. Now, +however, when the moment to try his luck had come, he shrank from the +plunge he had resolved to make if he were not engaged. After all, he +knew and liked his occupation; to let it go and try fresh fields would +be something of a wrench. + +The gentlemen did not embarrass him. On the whole, they were urbane, and +when the secretary gave the chairman his application one asked a few +questions about the work he had done. Lister was able to answer +satisfactorily, and another talked to him about the obstacles +encountered when one excavated treacherous gravel and built a bank to +stand angry floods. For all that, Lister was anxious. The others looked +bored, as if they were politely playing a game. He thought they knew +beforehand how the game would end, but he did not know. The inquiries +that bored the urbane gentlemen had important consequences for him and +the suspense was keen. + +At length they let him go, and Duveen gave him a smile that Lister +thought implied much. When he returned to the hotel Kemp remarked that +he looked as if he needed a drink, and suggested that Lister go with him +and get one. + +"I need three or four drinks, but mean to go without," said Lister +grimly. "I begin to understand how some men get the tanking habit." + +He started off across the plain, and coming back too late for lunch, +found Kemp on the veranda. Kemp looked as if he were trying to be +philosophical, but found it hard. + +"The secretary arrived not long since," he said. "A polite man! He +didn't want to let us down too heavily." + +"Ah!" said Lister. "The Irrigation people have no use for us?" + +Kemp nodded. "Willis has got the best job; they've hired up two or three +others, but we're left out." + +"Willis!" exclaimed Lister, and joined in Kemp's laugh. + +"After all, the money he's going to get is theirs," said Kemp. "In this +country we're a curious lot. We let grafters and wire-pullers run us, +and, when we start a big job, get away with much of the capital we want +for machines; but somehow we make good. We shoulder a load we needn't +carry and hit the pace up hot. If we got clean control, I reckon we'd +never stop. However, there's not much use in philosophizing when you've +lost your job, and the East-bound train goes out in a few minutes. You'd +better pack your grip." + + + +CHAPTER IX + +BARBARA PLAYS A PART + +Lister returned to the railroad camp and stayed until the company sent a +man to fill his post. In the meantime, he wrote to some of his father's +relations, whom he had not seen, and their reply was kind. They stated +that while he was in England he must make their house his home. When his +successor arrived he started for Montreal, and one afternoon sat under a +tree in the square by the cathedral. + +The afternoon was calm. A thunderstorm that wet the streets had gone, +and an enervating damp heat brooded over the city. After the fresh winds +that sweep the woods and plains, Lister felt the languid air made him +slack and dull. His steamer did not sail until daybreak, and since he +had gone up the mountain and seen the cathedral and Notre Dame, he did +not know what to do. The bench he occupied was in the shade, and he +smoked and looked about. + +Cabs rolled up the street to the big hotel across the square, and behind +the trees the huge block of the C.P.R. station cut the sky. One heard +whistles, the rumble of heavy wheels, and the tolling of locomotive +bells. Pigeons flew down from the cathedral dome and searched the damp +gravel. + +A group of foreign emigrants picnicked in the shade. Their clothes were +old and greasy; they carried big shapeless bundles and looked tired and +worn. Lister could not guess their nationality, but imagined they had +known poverty and oppression in Eastern Europe. It was obvious they had +recently disembarked from a crowded steerage and waited for an emigrant +train. They were going West, to the land of promise, and Lister wished +them luck. He and they were birds of passage and, with all old landmarks +left behind, rested for a few hours on their journey. + +He studied the group. The men looked dull and beaten; the women had no +beauty and had grown coarse with toil. Their faces were pinched and +their shoulders bent. Only the children, in spite of rags and dirt, +struck a hopeful note. Yet the forlorn strangers had pluck; they had +made a great adventure and might get their reward. Lister had seen +others in the West, who had made good, breaking soil they owned and +walking with the confident step of self-respecting men. On the plains, +stubborn labor was rewarded, but one needed pluck to leave all one knew +and break custom's familiar but heavy yoke. + +By and by Lister remembered he wanted to take his relations a few +typically Canadian presents. He had seen nothing that satisfied him at +Winnipeg, and had better look about the shops at Montreal. Anyhow, it +would amuse him for an hour or two. He got up, went along the path for a +few yards, and then stopped. + +Across the clanging of the locomotive bells and the roll of trolley cars +at the bottom of the hill he heard sweet voices. The music was faint and +somehow ethereal, as if it fell from a height. One lost it now and then. +It came from the cathedral and Lister stopped and listened. He did not +know what office was being sung, but the jaded emigrants knew, for a +child got up and stood with bent head, holding a greasy cap, and a +ragged woman's face got gentle as she signed herself with the cross. It +looked as if the birds of passage had found a landmark in a foreign +land. Lister was moved, and gave the child a coin before he went off. + +He strolled east, past Notre Dame, towards the post office, about which +the stately banks and imposing office blocks stand. This quarter of the +city drew him, for one saw how constructive talent and imagination could +be used, and he wondered whether England had new buildings like these. +Sometimes one felt the Western towns were raw and vulgar, but one saw +the bold Canadian genius at its best in Montreal. + +After a time he stopped in front of a shop in a short side street. +Indian embroidery work and enameled silver occupied the window, and +although Lister was not an artist he had an eye for line and knew the +things were good. The soft, stained deerskin was cleverly embroidered; +he liked the warm colors of the enamel, and going in was shown a tray of +spoons. + +The shop, shut in by high buildings, was dark and smelt of aromatic wood +and leather, but a beam from a window pierced the gloom and sparkled on +the silver. This was emblazoned with the arms of the Provinces; the +Ship, the Wheatsheaves, and the red Maple Leaf. Lister picked up the +articles, and while he did so was vaguely conscious that a girl at the +opposite counter studied him. He, however, did not look up until he had +selected a few of the spoons, and then he started. + +The light that touched the girl's face did not illuminate it all. Her +profile was sharp as an old daguerreotype: he saw the flowing line from +brow to chin, drawn with something of austere classic beauty, the arched +lips and the faint indication of a gently-rounded cheek. The rest was in +shadow, and the contrast of light and gloom was like a Rembrandt +picture. Then the enameled spoons rattled as Lister put down the tray. +He knew the picture. When he last saw the girl, her face was lighted +like that by the blaze of a locomotive head-lamp. + +"I'll take these things," he said, and crossed the floor. + +The girl moved back, but he indicated a bundle of deerskin articles he +thought her business was to sell. Her color was high; he noted the vivid +white and pink against the dull background of stained leather. + +"What does one do with those bags?" he asked. + +"They're useful for keeping gloves and handkerchiefs," she replied. "The +pattern is worked in sinews, but we have some with a neat colored +embroidery." She paused and signed to a saleswoman farther on. "Will you +bring this gentleman the Revillon goods?" + +Lister's object for stopping her was not very plain, but he did not mean +to let her go. + +"Please don't bother. I expect to find something in this bundle," he +said to the approaching saleswoman. Then he turned to the girl in front. +"Let me look at the bag with the arrow-head pattern." + +She gave him the bag, and although her glance was steady he knew she was +embarrassed. + +"If you will wrap it up, I'll keep this one," he resumed. "I expect you +have not forgotten me. When I came into the shop I didn't imagine I +should meet you, but if you'd sooner I went off, I'll go." + +"I have not forgotten," she admitted, and her color faded and came back +to her delicate skin. + +"Very well! Since I sail to-night on the Allan boat, it's plain you +needn't be afraid of my bothering you. All the same, we were partners in +an adventure that ought to make us friends. Can't I meet you for a few +minutes when you stop work?" + +She hesitated, and then gave him a searching glance. + +"Come to the fountain up the street in an hour. This is my early +evening." + +Lister went off with the bag and spoons, and when he returned to the +fountain saw her crossing the square in front. She was dressed like the +shop-girls he had seen hurrying on board the street cars in the morning; +her clothes were pretty and fashionable, but Lister thought the material +was cheap. He felt she ought not to wear things like that. While she +advanced he studied her. She was attractive, in a way he had hardly +remarked on board the train. One rather noted her quick, resolute +movements, the sparkle in her eyes, and her keen vitality. Lister began +to think he had unconsciously noted much. + +"I'm going to take you to supper, and you can send me off when you like +afterwards," he said and started across the square. A famous restaurant +was not far off. + +"No," she said, as if she knew where he was going. "If I go with you, it +must be the tea-rooms I and my friends use." She gave him a rather hard +smile and added: "There's no use in my going where I don't belong." + +Lister said nothing, but while they walked across the town she talked +with a brightness he thought forced, and when they stopped at a small +tea-room in a side street he frowned. He was persuaded she did not +belong there. She was playing a part, perhaps not very cleverly since he +had found her out. She wanted him to think her a shop-girl enjoying an +evening's adventure; her talk and careless laugh hinted at this, but +Lister was not cheated. + +They went in. The room was small and its ornamentation unusual. +Imitation vines crawled about light wooden arches, cutting up the floor +space into quiet corners. The room was rather dark, but pink lamps shone +among the leaves and the soft light touched the tables and clusters of +artificial grapes. Lister thought the plan was well carried out, for the +grapes were the small red Muskokas that grow in Canada. When he picked +up the menu card he understood why girls from the stores and offices +used the place. + +Lister ordered the best supper the French-Canadian landlady could serve, +and then began to talk while he helped his companion. The corner they +occupied was secluded and he owned that to sup with an attractive girl +had a romantic charm. He noted that she frankly enjoyed the food and he +liked her light, quick laugh and the sparkle in her eyes. Her thin +summer clothes hinted at a slender, finely-lined form, and her careless +pose was graceful. + +He wondered whether she felt her meeting him was something of an +adventure, but he was persuaded she was playing a part. Her frankness +was not bold, the little, French-Canadian gestures were obviously +borrowed, and some of the colloquialisms she used were out of date. +Except for these, her talk was cultivated. For a time Lister tried to +play up, and then resolved to see if he could break her reserve. + +"It looks as if you made Malcolm all right on board the gravel train," +he remarked. + +She gave him a quick glance and colored. "Yes, I made it and got the +East-bound express. The engineer was kind. I expect you told him he must +help?" + +"When I put you on board the locomotive I knew Roberts would see you +out. He's a sober fellow and has two girls as old as you." + +"You don't know how old I am," she said with an effort for carelessness. + +"Anyhow, it's plain you are young enough to be rash," Lister rejoined. + +She put down her cup and her glance was soft. He saw she was not acting. + +"I don't think I really was rash--not _then_. It's something to know +when you can trust people, and I did know." + +Lister was embarrassed, but her gentleness had charm. He did not want +her to resume her other manner. Then he was tempted to make an +experiment. + +"You know Shillito got away?" + +Her lips trembled and the blood came to her skin, but she fronted him +bravely and he felt ashamed. + +"Yes," she said. "I think I would sooner he had been caught! But why did +you begin to talk about Shillito?" + +"Perhaps I oughtn't; I'm sorry." + +She studied him and he thought she pondered, although it was possible +she wanted to recover her calm. + +"Unless you are very dull, you know something," she resumed with an +effort. "Well, I was rash, but just before I saw you on the platform I +found out all I'd risked. I think I was desperate; I meant to jump off +the train, only it was going fast and water shone under the bridge. Then +you pushed me from the step and I felt I must make another plunge and +try to get your help. Now I'm glad I did so. But that's all." + +Lister understood that the thing was done with. She would tell him +nothing more, and he was sorry he had indulged his curiosity. + +"Oh, well," he said, "there's not much risk of my bothering you about +the fellow again. I start for England in a few hours." + +Her glance got wistful. She moved her plate and her hand trembled. + +"You are English?" he resumed. + +"I met you first on board a Canadian train and now you find me helping +at a Montreal store. Isn't this enough? Why do you try to find out where +I come from?" + +"I'm sorry. All the same, you're not a Canadian." + +"I am a Canadian now," she rejoined, and then added, as if she were +resolved to talk about something else, "There's a mark on your forehead, +like a deep cut. You hadn't got it when I saw you on the platform." + +"No," said Lister. "I fell down some steps not long afterwards." + +She looked at him sharply and then exclaimed: "Oh! the newspapers said +there was a struggle on the train! Somebody helped the police and got +hurt. It was you. Shillito knew you had meddled. You got the cut for +me!" + +"We agreed we wouldn't talk about Shillito. I got the cut because I +didn't want to see a young police trooper knocked out. People who meddle +do get hurt now and then. Anyhow, it's some time since and I think we'll +let it go. Suppose you tell me about Montreal and your job at the +store?" + +She roused herself and began to talk. Lister thought it cost her +something, but she sketched her working companions with skill and humor. +She used their accent and their French-Canadian gestures. Lister laughed +and led her on, although he got a hint of strain. The girl was not happy +and he had noted her wistful look when she talked about England. At +length she got up, and stopping at the door for a moment gave him her +hand. + +"Thank you. I wish you _bon voyage_," she said. + +"Can't we go somewhere else? Is there nothing doing at the theaters?" +Lister asked. + +"No," she said resolutely; "I'm going home. Anyhow, I'm going where I +live." + +Lister let her go, but waited, watching her while she went up the +street. Somehow she looked forlorn and he felt pitiful. He remembered +that he did not know her name, which he had wanted to ask but durst not. + +When he returned to his hotel he stopped at the desk and gave the clerk +a cigarette. As a rule, a Canadian hotel clerk knows something about +everybody of importance in the town. + +"I bought some _souvenirs_ at a curiosity depot," he said, and told the +other where the shop was. "Although they charged me pretty high, the +things looked good." + +"You haven't got stung," the clerk remarked. "The folks are +French-Canadians but they like a square deal. If you put up the money, +they put up the goods." + +"The shop hands looked smart and bright. If you study the sales people, +you can sometimes tell how a store is run." + +"That's so. Those girls don't want to grumble. They're treated all +right." + +"Oh, well," said Lister, "since I don't know much about enameled goods +and deerskin truck, I'm glad I've not got stung." + +When he went off the other smiled, for a hotel clerk is not often +cheated, and he thought he saw where Lister's remarks led. Lister, +however, was strangely satisfied. It was something to know the +storekeepers were honest and kind to the people they employed. + + + +CHAPTER X + +VERNON'S CURIOSITY + +Silky blue lines streaked the long undulations that ran back to the +horizon and the _Flaminian_ rolled with a measured swing. When her bows +went down the shining swell broke with a dull roar and rainbows +flickered in the spray about her forecastle; then, while the long deck +got level, one heard the beat of engines and the grinding of screws. A +wake like an angry torrent foamed astern, and in the distance, where the +dingy smoke-cloud melted, the crags of Labrador ran in faint, broken +line. Ahead an ice-floe glittered in the sun. The liner had left Belle +Isle Strait and was steaming towards Greenland on the northern Atlantic +course. + +Harry Vernon occupied a chair on the saloon-deck and read the _Montreal +Star_ which had been sent on board at Rimouski. The light reflected by +the white boats and deck was strong; he was not much interested, and put +down the newspaper when Lister joined him. They had met on the journey +from Winnipeg to Montreal, and on boarding the _Flaminian_ Lister was +given the second berth in Vernon's room. Vernon liked Lister. + +"Take a smoke," he said, indicating a packet of cigarettes. "Nothing +fresh in the newspapers. They've caught the fellow Porteous; he was +trying to steal across to Detroit." + +Lister sat down and lighted a cigarette. Porteous was a clerk who had +not long since gone off with a large sum of his employer's money. + +"Canada is getting a popular hunting ground for smart crooks. It looks +as if our business men were easily robbed." + +"There are two kinds of business men; one lot makes things, the other +buys and sells. Some of the first are pretty good manufacturers, but +stop at that. They concentrate on manufacturing and hire a specialist to +look after finance." + +"But if the specialist's a crook, can't you spot him when he gets to +work?" + +"As a rule, the men who get stung know all about machines and material +but nothing about book-keeping," Vernon replied. "A bright accountant +could rob one or two I've met when he was asleep. For example, there was +Shillito. His employers were big and prosperous lumber people; clever +men at their job, but Shillito gambled with their money for some time +before they got on his track. I expect you read about him in the +newspapers?" + +Lister smiled and, pushing back his cap, touched his forehead. + +"I know something about Shillito. That's his mark!" + +"Then you were the man he knocked out!" Vernon exclaimed. "But he hasn't +got your money. Why did you help the police?" + +"It isn't very obvious. Somehow, I didn't like the fellow. Then, you +see, the girl--" + +"The girl? What had a girl to do with it?" + +Lister frowned. He had not meant to talk about the girl and was angry +because he had done so, but did not see how he could withdraw his +careless statement. Moreover Vernon looked interested, and it was +important that both were typical Canadians. The young Canadian is not +subtle; as a rule, his talk is direct, and at awkward moments he is +generally marked by a frank gravity. Vernon was grave now and Lister +thought he pondered. He had not known Vernon long, but he felt one could +trust him. + +"I met a girl on board the train," he said. "She was keen about getting +away from Shillito." + +"Why did she want to get away?" + +"I don't know. Looked as if she was afraid of him. When I first saw her +she was on the car platform and I reckoned she was bracing herself to +jump off. Since we were running across a trestle, I pulled her from the +steps. That's how the thing began." + +"But it didn't stop just then?" + +"It stopped soon afterwards," Lister replied. "She wanted to get off and +go East; the train was bound West, but we were held up at a side-track, +and I put her on board a gravel train locomotive." + +"Then she went East!" said Vernon thoughtfully, and studied the other. + +Lister sat with his head thrown back and the sun on his brown face. His +look was calm and frank; his careless pose brought out the lines of his +thin but muscular figure. Vernon felt he was honest; he knew Lister's +type. + +"She went off on board our construction locomotive," Lister replied. + +"But I don't see yet! Why did you meddle? Why did she give you her +confidence?" + +"She didn't give me her confidence," Lister said, and smiled. "She +wanted to get away and I helped. That's all. It's obvious I wasn't out +for a romantic adventure, because I put her off the train." + +Vernon nodded. Lister's argument was sound; besides, he did not look +like a philanderer. + +"Then you don't know who she is?" + +"I don't know. She didn't put me wise and my business was not to bother +her." + +"What was she like? Did you guess her age? How was she dressed?" + +Lister lighted a fresh cigarette. Vernon's keenness rather puzzled him, +but he thought he had told the fellow enough. In fact, he doubted if the +girl would approve his frankness. He was not going to state that he had +met her at Montreal. Anyhow, not yet. If Vernon talked about the thing +again and gave proper grounds for his curiosity, he might perhaps +satisfy him. + +"She was young," he answered vaguely. "Attractive, something of a +looker, I think. I don't know much about women's clothes." + +"Oh, well!" said Vernon. "You helped her off and Shillito found this out +and got after you?" + +"He got after me when he saw he was corraled," Lister replied, and +narrated his struggle on the platform. He was now willing to tell Vernon +all he wanted to know, but saw the other's interest was not keen and +they presently began to talk about something else. + +"What are you going to do in the Old Country?" Vernon asked. + +"I have no plans. For a time, I guess I'll loaf and look about. Then I +want to see my father's folks, whom I haven't met." + +"Your father was English?" + +"Why, yes," said Lister, smiling. "If you reckon up, you'll find a big +proportion of the staunchest Canadians' parents came from the Old +Country. In fact, I sometimes feel Canada belongs to us and the boys of +the sourdough stock. Between us we have given the country its stamp and +made it a land for white men; but we'll soon be forced to make good our +claim. If we're slack, we'll be snowed under by folks from Eastern +Europe whose rules and habits are not ours." + +Vernon nodded. "It's a problem we have got to solve. But are you going +back to the railroad when you have looked about?" + +"I'm going back some time, but, now I have pulled out, I want to see all +I can. I'd like to look at Europe, Egypt and India." + +"Wandering around costs something," Vernon remarked. + +"That is so. My wad's small, but if I've not had enough when it's used +up, I'll look for a job. If nothing else is doing, I'll go to sea." + +Vernon's smile was sympathetic and he looked ahead, over the dipping +forecastle to the far horizon. The sea shone with reflected light and an +iceberg glimmered against the blue. He felt the measured throb of +engines and the ship leap forward. Vernon was a young Canadian and +sprang from pioneering stock. The vague distance called; he felt the +lure of going somewhere. + +"If the thing was possible, I'd go with you," he said. "All the same, +I'm tied to business and the old man can't pull his load alone. My job's +to stick to the traces and help him along. But do you know much about +the sea?" + +"I was engineer on board a Pacific coasting boat and a wheat barge on +the Lakes." + +"Well," said Vernon thoughtfully, "I know an English shipping boss who +might help you get a berth. I'd rather like you to meet him, but we'll +talk about this again. Now let's join those fellows at deck-quoits." + +Their friendship ripened, but it was not until the last day of the +voyage Vernon said something more about the English ship-owner. +_Flaminian_ was steaming across the Irish Sea, with the high blue hills +of Mourne astern and the Manx rocks ahead. Vernon lounged on the +saloon-deck and his face was thoughtful as he looked across the shining +water. + +"We'll make Liverpool soon after dark, and if I can get the train I +want, I'll pull out right then," he said. "You allowed you might try a +run on board an English ship before you went back?" + +"It's possible," said Lister. "Depends on how my wad holds out and on +somebody's being willing to give me a post." + +Vernon nodded. "That's where I'm leading." He stopped, and Lister +wondered why he pondered. The thing did not seem worth the thought his +companion gave it. + +"I reckon you don't know Cartwright of the Independent Freighters, but +he could put you wise about getting a ship," Vernon resumed. "I'm +stopping for a week or two at his country house. The freighters are +small boats, but Cartwright's worth knowing; in fact, to know him is +something of an education. In the West we're pretty keen business men, +and I've put across some smart deals at the Winnipeg Board of Trade, but +I'll admit Cartwright would beat me every time. Where do you mean to +locate?" + +Lister said he was going to the neighborhood of a small country town in +the North of England, and was puzzled by Vernon's start. + +"That fixes it! The thing's strangely lucky. Cartwright's country house +is not far off. You had better come along by my train. Soon after I +arrive I'll get Mrs. Cartwright to ask you across." + +"I mustn't bother your friends," said Lister. "Besides, I really don't +know if I want to go to sea." + +"All the same, you'll come over to Carrock. You ought to know Cartwright +and I reckon he'll like to know you. I have a notion you and he would +make a good team." + +Lister wondered whether Vernon had an object for urging him to meet his +friend, but this looked ridiculous. + +"What's Cartwright like?" he asked carelessly. + +"My notion is, Cartwright's unique. You imagine he's something of a +highbrow Englishman, rather formal and polite, but he has an eye like a +fish-hawk's and his orders go. Hair and mustache white; you don't know +if his clothes are old or new, but you feel they're exactly what he +ought to wear. That's Cartwright, so to speak, on top; but when you meet +him you want to remember you're not up against a Canadian. We're a +straight type. When we're tough, we're very tough all the time; when +we're cultivated, you can see the polish shine. In the Old Country it's +harder to fix where folks belong." + +"You imply that you have got to know Cartwright before you fix him?" + +Vernon laughed. "I haven't quite fixed him yet. At one time he's a sober +gentleman of the stiff old school; at another he's as rough as the +roughest hobo I've met in the West. I reckon he'd beat a business crook +at the other's smartest trick, but if you're out for a straight deal, +you'll find Cartwright straight." + +He went off to change some money and Lister went to his cabin and began +to pack his trunk. When he came up they had passed the Chicken Rock and +a long bright beam touched the sea astern. In the East, water and sky +faded to dusky blue, but presently a faint light began to blink as if it +beckoned. The light got brighter and gradually drew abeam. The foaming +wake glimmered lividly in the dark, the beat of screws seemed quicker, +and Lister thought the ship was carried forward by a stream of tide. + +Other lights began to blink. They stole out of the dark, got bright, and +vanished, and Lister, leaning on the rails, felt they called him on. One +knew them by their colors and measured flashes. They were beacons, +burning on a well-ordered plan to guide the navigator, but he did not +know the plan. In a sense, this was important, and he began to muse. + +Now he would soon reach the Old Country, he felt he had made a momentous +plunge. Adventure called, he knew Canada and wanted something fresh, but +he wondered whether this was all. Perhaps the plunge had, so to speak, +not been a thoughtless caprice. In a sense, things had led up to it and +made it logical. For example, it might not have been for nothing he met +the girl on the train and got hurt. His hurt had kept him at Winnipeg +and stopping there had roused his discontent. Then he had met Vernon, +who wanted him to know the English ship-owner. It was possible these +things were like the flashes that leaped out of the dark. He would know +where they pointed when the journey was over. Then Lister smiled and +knocked out his pipe. + +When he went on deck again some time afterwards the ship was steering +for a gap between two rows of twinkling lights. They ran on, closing on +each other, like electric lamps in a long street, and in front the sky +shone with a dull red glow. It was the glimmer of a great port, they +were entering the Mersey, and he went off to get up his luggage. + +PART II--THE RECKONING + + + +CHAPTER I + +VERNON'S PLOT + +Lister occupied the end of a slate-flag bench on the lawn at Carrock, +Mrs. Cartwright's house in Rannerdale. Rannerdale slopes to a lake in +the North Country, and the old house stands among trees and rocks in a +sheltered hollow. The sun shone on its lichened front, where a creeper +was going red; in the background birches with silver stems and leaves +like showers of gold gleamed against somber firs. Across the lawn and +winding road, the tranquil lake reflected bordering woods; and then long +mountain slopes that faded from yellow and green to purple closed the +view. + +While Lister waited for the tea Mrs. Cartwright had given him to cool he +felt the charm of house and dale was strong. Perhaps it owed something +to the play of soft light and shade, for, as a rule, in Canada all was +sharply cut. The English landscape had a strange elusive beauty that +gripped one hard, and melted as the fleecy clouds rolled by. When the +light came back color and line were as beautiful but not the same. + +There was no grass in Canada like the sweep of smooth English turf, and +Lister had not thought a house could give the sense of ancient calm one +got at Carrock. Since his boyhood he had not known a home; his resting +place had been a shack at a noisy construction camp, a room at a crowded +cheap hotel, and a berth beside a steamer's rattling engines. Then the +shining silver on the tea-table was something new; he marked its beauty +of line, and the blue and gold and brown pattern on the delicate china +he was almost afraid to touch. In fact, all at Carrock was marked by a +strange refinement and quiet charm. + +He liked his hosts. Mrs. Cartwright was large, rather fat, and placid, +but he felt the house and all it stood for were hers by rightful +inheritance. Her son and daughter were not like that. Lister thought +they had cultivated their well-bred serenity and by doing so had +cultivated out some virile qualities of human nature. Grace Hyslop had +beauty, but not much charm; Lister thought her cold, and imagined her +prejudices were strong and conventional. Mortimer's talk and manners +were colorlessly correct. Lister did not know yet if Hyslop was a prig +or not. + +Cartwright was frankly puzzling. He looked like a sober country +gentleman, and this was not the type Lister had thought to meet. His +clothes were fastidiously good, his voice had a level, restrained note, +but his eye was like a hawk's, as Vernon had said. Now and then one saw +a twinkle of ironical amusement and some of his movements were quick and +vigorous. Lister thought Cartwright's blood was red. + +Vernon, lounging at the opposite end of the bench, talked about a day +Hyslop and he had spent upon the rocks, and rather struck a foreign +note. He had not Hyslop's graceful languidness; he looked alert and +highly-strung. His thin face was too grave for Carrock and his glance +too quick. Lister, listening to his remarks, was surprised to note that +Hyslop was a bold mountaineer. + +"Oh, well," he said, with a deprecatory smile, when Vernon stopped, +"this small group of mountains is all the wild belt we have got, and you +like to find a stranger keen about your favorite sport. Then your +keenness was flattering. In your country, with its lonely woods and +rivers running to the North, you have a field for strenuous sport and +adventure." + +"The woods pull," Vernon agreed. "All the same, I'm a business man. +Betting at the Board of Trade is my proper job and I've got to be +satisfied with a week at a fishing camp now and then. Adventure is for +the pioneers, lumber men and railroad builders like my friend." + +Lister looked up. He did not see why Vernon talked about him. + +"My adventures don't count for much," he said. "Sometimes a car went +into a muskeg and we had to hustle to dig her out. Sometimes the boys +made trouble about their pay. Railroad building is often dull." + +"I don't know if we're all modest in Canada, but my partner is," Vernon +observed. "If you want a romantic tale, persuade him to tell you how he +got the mark on his head." + +"Oh shucks!" said Lister. "I had sooner you had cut that out." He turned +to the others apologetically. "It was a dispute with a fellow on board a +train who threw me down the steps. I don't want to bore you with the +tale." + +"The man was the famous crook, Shillito," Vernon remarked. + +Cartwright lifted his head and looked at Vernon hard. Then he looked at +Lister, who felt embarrassed and angry. He saw Grace and Mrs. Cartwright +were curious and thought Hyslop's glance got keen. + +"If it will not bother Mr. Lister, we would like to hear his narrative," +said Cartwright quietly, but Lister got a hint of command. + +He narrated his adventure on the train, and although he tried to rob the +story of its romance, was surprised when he stopped for a moment. Vernon +was carelessly lighting a cigarette, but Lister saw his carelessness was +forced. When he got a light he crossed the grass, as if he meant to +throw the match over the hedge. Lister thought Cartwright watched Harry +with dry amusement. Mrs. Cartwright's look was obviously disturbed, but +she had not altogether lost her calm. One felt her calm was part of her, +but the Hyslops' was cultivated. Lister imagined it cost them something +to use control. + +"Go on," said Cartwright, rather sharply. + +Lister resumed, but presently Cartwright stopped him. + +"You imagined the girl was afraid of Shillito! What were your grounds?" + +"She was disturbed and declared she must get off the train. I think she +meant to jump off, although we were going fast. Then she asked me if the +conductor could be bribed to stop." + +"Perhaps we can take it for granted she wanted to get away from +somebody. Why did you surmise the man was Shillito?" + +"He came through the car afterwards, as if he tried to find the girl, +and gave me a keen glance. When he came back I thought him angry and +disappointed. By and by I had better grounds for imagining he suspected +I had helped her." + +Cartwright pondered, but Lister did not think he doubted. It rather +looked as if he weighed something carefully. The lines on his face got +deeper and his look was thoughtful. + +"I understand the girl did not give you her name," he said. "What was +she like? How was she dressed?" + +Lister was rather surprised to find he could not answer satisfactorily. +It was not the girl's physical qualities but her emotions he had marked. +He remembered the pluck with which she had struggled against the fear +she obviously felt, her impulsive trust when he offered help, and her +relief when she got into the locomotive cab. Although he had studied her +at Montreal, it was her effort to play a part that impressed him most. + +"She was young, and I think attractive," he replied. "She wore a knitted +cap and a kind of jersey a girl might use for boating. I thought she +came from a summer camp." + +Cartwright's face was inscrutable, but Lister saw the others' interest +was keen. Mrs. Cartwright's eyes were fixed on him and he got a hint of +suspense. Although Grace was very quiet, a touch of color had come to +her skin, as if she felt humiliated. Mortimer's pose was stiff and his +control over done. Then Cartwright turned to his step-daughter. + +"Have you told Jones about the box of plants for Liverpool?" + +Grace's look indicated that she did not want to go, but Cartwright's +glance was insistent and she got up. Lister looked about and saw Vernon +had not come back. He was studying the plants in a border across the +lawn. When Grace had gone Cartwright asked: + +"Can you remember the evening of the month and the time when you first +saw the girl?" + +Lister fixed the date and added: "It was nearly ten o'clock. The porter +had just gone through the car and when he said my berth was ready I +looked at my watch. He went to the next Pullman, and I thought he was +getting busy late." + +Cartwright nodded and Mortimer glanced at him sharply, but next moment +looked imperturbable. Mrs. Cartwright's relief, however, was obvious. +Her face had become animated and her hands trembled. + +"Thank you," said Cartwright. "Go on." + +Lister narrated his putting the girl on board the gravel train and Mrs. +Cartwright interrupted. + +"Do you know if she had money?" + +"She had some. Enough to buy a ticket East." + +"It's strange," said Mrs. Cartwright, and then exclaimed: "You mean you +gave her some?" + +"Oh, well," said Lister awkwardly, "I'd seen her look at her purse and +frown, and as I helped her up the locomotive steps I pushed a few bills +into her hand. I don't think she knew they were paper money. She was +highly-strung and anxious to get off before Shillito came along." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a look that moved him. Her eyes shone and he +knew she was his friend. + +"The poor girl was strangely lucky when she met you," she said. + +Lister resumed his narrative, but it was plain the climax had passed. +The others' interest was now polite, and he went on as fast as possible. +He had begun to see a light and wanted to finish and get away. He did +not, however, see that while he told his artless tale he had drawn his +character. When he stopped Cartwright said: + +"Then you did not know her name?" + +"I don't know it yet," said Lister, as coolly as he could, but got +embarrassed when he saw Cartwright's smile. + +"You don't imagine Shillito rejoined her afterwards?" + +"No," said Lister firmly, "I think it's impossible. The gravel train was +going East, and when the police boarded the cars we had run some +distance West." He stopped for a moment, because he saw he was very +dull. If his supposition were correct, there was something the others +ought to know. "Besides," he resumed, "I met her not long since at +Montreal." + +"At Montreal!" Mrs. Cartwright exclaimed. + +"At a shop where they sold _souvenirs_," Lister replied. "I didn't +expect to meet her; I went in to buy some enameled things. It was a +pretty good shop and the hotel clerk declared the people were all right. +She knew me and we went to a tea-room. She left me at the door, and I +think that's all." + +He got up. "I don't know if I have bored you, but I felt you wanted me +to talk. Now I must get off, and I want to see Harry before I go." + +"Mr. Vernon does not seem to be about," Cartwright remarked with some +dryness. "I'll go to the gate with you." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave Lister her hand and her glance was very kind. "You +will come back? So long as you stop here I hope you will feel our house +is open to you." + +Hyslop got up, but Cartwright stopped him with a sign. He was quiet +while they crossed the lawn, but when they reached the wood by the road +he said, "I imagine you know we owe you much. After a time, your efforts +to use some tact were rather obvious. Well, the girl you helped is my +step-daughter." + +"At the beginning, I did not know this," Lister declared. + +"It was plain," said Cartwright, "Well, I agree with her mother--Barbara +was very lucky when she met you, but since you look embarrassed, we'll +let this go. Did she repay your loan?" + +"She wanted to pay me," said Lister. "I refused." + +"Why?" Cartwright asked, looking at him hard. + +Lister hesitated, "For one thing, I didn't know the sum. Then I knew her +wages were not high. You ought to see I couldn't take the money." + +"You ought to have taken the money, for the girl's sake." + +"Oh," said Lister, "I think she knew I didn't refuse because I wanted +her to feel she owed me something." + +"It's possible she did know," said Cartwright dryly. "You must try to +remember the sum when you come again. Now I want the name of the shop at +Montreal." + +Lister told him and added: "You mean to write to Miss Hyslop?" + +Cartwright smiled. "I'm going across as soon as possible to bring my +step-daughter home." + + + +CHAPTER II + +BARBARA'S RETURN + +When Lister had gone Cartwright returned to the tea-table and looked at +Hyslop, who got up and went off. Hyslop did not altogether want to go +but he had cultivated discretion, and it was plain his step-father meant +to get rid of him. Then Cartwright gave his wife a sympathetic glance. +Mrs. Cartwright was calm, but when she put some cups together her hand +shook. + +"Leave the things alone," said Cartwright in a soothing voice. "Vernon's +plot was clever." + +"Do you think Harry planned that Lister should tell us?" + +"It looks like that," said Cartwright dryly. "He was keen about bringing +his friend over, but was cautious enough to wait until the fellow began +to know us. When he talked about Lister's adventures I wondered where he +was leading. The other was puzzled, and didn't see until near the end." + +"But why didn't Harry, himself, tell us all he knew?" + +"Vernon's a good sort and more fastidious than one thinks; he saw he'd +be forced to venture on rather awkward ground, and there was some doubt. +He wanted us to weigh the story and judge if the clew he gave us ought +to be followed. This was not Vernon's job, although I think he was +satisfied." + +"But you are satisfied?" + +"Yes," said Cartwright "Lister's portrait of Barbara was lifelike and +his own was pretty good. I think he drew himself and her better than he +knew, and perhaps it's lucky we have to deal with fellows like these. A +good Canadian is a fine type. However, we must bring Barbara back." + +"Ah!" said Mrs. Cartwright, "I want her back! One must hide one's hurt, +but to hide it is hard--" She pulled herself up and added: "Will you +send a cablegram?" + +"I think not. The girl is proud and as wild as a hawk. She thinks she +has humiliated us, and if she's startled, she'll probably run away." + +"You don't think she has humiliated us?" Mrs. Cartwright said in a +hesitating voice. + +Cartwright smiled. "It's plain that her escapade must not be talked +about but we can trust these Canadians and I know Barbara. In a sense, +Lister's narrative wasn't necessary. The girl is headstrong, but I was +persuaded she would find the rascal out. Looks as if she did so soon +after they got on board the cars, and I imagine Shillito had an awkward +few moments; Barbara's temper is not mild. Then it's important that she +was desperately anxious to escape from him. There's no more to be said." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a grateful look. Her husband had never failed +her and he had justified her trust again. + +"If you don't send a cablegram, how shall we get Barbara back?" + +"I'll go myself," said Cartwright "If she can't be persuaded, I'll bring +her by force. It's lucky I can charge the cost to the office. The new +wheat is coming down to Montreal, and the _Conference_ people have a +plan to get it all, but I expect to beat them and engage some cargo for +our boats before the St. Lawrence freezes. However, since I'm going, I +must get to work." + +He started for the house and met his step-son at the porch. Mortimer +looked thoughtful, and held an unlighted cigarette. Cartwright studied +him with scornful amusement. + +"Have you been speculating about the proper way of handling an awkward +situation?" + +"I have been talking to Grace," Hyslop replied in an even voice. + +"I rather think Grace has been talking to you, but expect you agreed. +You have, no doubt, decided the best plan is to leave your headstrong +sister alone?" + +"We did agree about something like that," said Hyslop coolly, although +when Cartwright fixed his eyes on his he turned his head. "We thought if +Barbara were given an allowance, she might, for example, stay with the +Vernons. Grace's notion--" + +Cartwright's mouth got hard and his mustache bristled. When he was moved +his urbanity vanished and his talk was very blunt. + +"We'll let Grace's notion go. My form is not my step-children's, but I +try to moderate my remarks about women. We'll admit Grace is a woman, +although I sometimes doubt. Anyhow, you are not a man; you haven't a +drop of warm blood in your veins! You're a curled and scented fine +lady's lap-dog pup!" + +"I don't see much use in talking about my qualities, sir." + +"You don't see," Cartwright agreed. "That's your drawback! You see +nothing that's rude and human; you're afraid to look. All that's obvious +is, Barbara must not come home to throw an awkward reflection on Grace's +Puritanical virtue. People might find out something and talk? If anybody +talks while I'm about, I'll ram the implication down his throat! You +don't see, or perhaps you don't mind, the drawbacks to separating +Barbara from her mother and banishing her from home? She's trustful, +rash, and fiery, and not a statue like Grace. Anyhow, Barbara is coming +back, and if you don't approve, I'll expect you to be resigned. Now get +off before I let myself go!" + +Hyslop went. One gained nothing by arguing with a brute like Cartwright, +and since Mrs. Cartwright's infatuation for her husband could not be +disturbed Hyslop knew he must acquiesce. Cartwright, rather braced by +the encounter, went to the library and wrote some letters to Liverpool. +A few days afterwards, he packed his trunk and was driven to the station +in Mrs. Cartwright's car. Grace got up an hour earlier than usual in +order to see him off, and when she brought his scarf and gloves +Cartwright accepted her ministrations with politeness. Although he knew +she disapproved of him, she thought her duty was to do things like this, +and he played up. + +When the throb of the car was getting faint she met Mortimer going to +the lake. He stopped and looked up at the valley, which was streaked by +a thin line of dust. + +"For three or four weeks we'll be undisturbed," he said. "I admit I like +Carrock better when my step-father is away." + +"Barbara's coming back with him," Grace remarked. "In some ways, her +return will be awkward, but perhaps she ought to come." + +Mortimer gave her a surprised glance. "This was not your view!" + +"Oh, well, I have been thinking. Barbara is rash and very young. In +Canada, she would be free from all control, and one must not weigh +drawbacks against one's duty. Perhaps Cartwright takes the proper line, +although of course it costs him nothing. You didn't tell me what he said +the other evening." + +Mortimer shrugged. "As a rule, my step-father's remarks won't bear +re-stating. He was a little franker than usual." + +"He _is_ coarse," said Grace. "One feels he gets coarser, as if his +thoughts had begun to react on his body. There is a link, and, of +course, with his habits--" + +"I rather think you mean with his appetites. Cartwright does not often +let himself go when he's at home, but when he is away he's another man." + +Grace looked thoughtful. "One likes restraint. All the same, I sometimes +think rude, primitive people have a vigor we have not. It's strange, but +indulgence seems to go with force. One feels our friends are rather +_bloodless_--I'm using Cartwright's phrase." + +"Our Canadian friends are not bloodless. I expect you have remarked that +Barbara's the type they like." + +"She has an appeal for men like that," Grace agreed, and mused. + +It was hard to own, but she began to see that when she thought Barbara +ought to stop in Canada she was inspired by jealousy. Barbara's charm +for men was strong and when she was about they left Grace alone. Still +she had a vague perception that her sister's charm was not altogether +physical. She herself had a classical beauty that did not mark the +younger girl; it looked as if Barbara had attractive qualities that were +not hers. Lister, for example, was not a brute like Cartwright, but it +was plain that Barbara had attracted him. Grace approved his soberness +and frank gravity; and then she pulled herself up. She must not be +jealous about her sister. + +"Cartwright's power is stronger because he does not use our money," +Mortimer resumed. "I don't know if it was cleverness or scruples that +urged him to refuse. All the same, if he were forced to ask mother's +help, his influence would be less." + +"But his needing help is not probable. He's managing owner of the line." + +Mortimer smiled. "He gets a commission on the boat's earnings, but does +not hold many shares. Then the fleet is small and the boats don't earn +very much. Things are not going smoothly and some shareholders would +like to put Cartwright off the Board. At the last meeting, one fellow +talked about the need for fresh blood. However, I expect Cartwright's +clever enough, to keep off the rocks, and when one can't get rid of a +drawback one must submit." + +Lighting a cigarette, he started for the lake and Grace returned +thoughtfully to the house. Mortimer hated Cartwright and Grace admitted +he had some grounds. Although her brother was indolent and +philosophical, he did not forget. Rude disputes jarred him, but if by +some chance he was able to injure the other, Grace thought he would do +so. Grace, herself, strongly disapproved of Cartwright. All the same, he +was her step-father and she had tried to cultivate her sense of duty. +She was prejudiced, cold, and censorious, but she meant to be just and +did not like Mortimer's bitterness. + +Cartwright was occupied for some time at Montreal, and the birch leaves +had fallen when he returned. The evening was dark, and chilly mist +rolled down the dale, but a big fire burned in the hall at Carrock and +tall lamps threw a cheerful light on the oak paneling. A flooded beck +roared in the hollow of a ghyll across the lawn and its turmoil echoed +about the hall. Mrs. Cartwright stood by the fire, Grace moved +restlessly about, and Mortimer appeared to be absorbed by the morning's +news. + +"I wish you would sit down, mother," he said presently. "You can hear +the car, you know, and the train is often late." + +For a few minutes Mrs. Cartwright did not move, and then she started and +fixed her eyes on the door. She heard an engine throb, there was a noise +in the porch, and a cold wind blew into the room. Then the door opened +and Cartwright entered, shaking the damp from his fur coat. He turned, +beckoning somebody behind, and Barbara came out from the arch. Her face +was flushed, her eyes were hard, and she stopped irresolutely. Mortimer +advanced to take the coat she carried and Grace crossed the floor, but +Barbara waited, as if she did not see them. Then her strained look +vanished, for Mrs. Cartwright went forward with awkward speed and took +her in her arms. + +Cartwright saw his wife had forgotten him, and turning to the others +with a commanding gesture, drove them and the servants from the hall. +When they had gone he gave Mrs. Cartwright a smile. + +"I've brought her back," he said. "Not altogether an easy job. Barbara's +ridiculous, but she can fight." + +He went off and Barbara clung to her mother. She was shaking and her +breath came hard. + +"You were ridiculous," said Mrs. Cartwright in a gentle voice. "I expect +you were very obstinate. But he was kind?" + +"He's a dear; I love him!" Barbara replied. "He understands everything. +I think he ought to have stopped at Liverpool; the secretary met us and +talked about some business, but if he hadn't come with me, I could not +have borne--" + +She stopped, and resting her head on Mrs. Cartwright's shoulder, began +to cry. Mrs. Cartwright said nothing, but kissed and soothed her with +loving gentleness. + +When, some time afterwards, Barbara came down the stairs that occupied +one side of the hall she was composed, but tea by the fire was something +of a strain. It was plain that Grace's careless talk was forced and +Mortimer's efforts to keep on safe ground were marked. Now and then +Cartwright's eyes twinkled and Barbara thought she knew why he sometimes +made a joke that jarred the others. When the meal was over he took them +away. + +"I imagine your sister understands Grace and you are willing to take her +back and forget the pain she gave you," he said to Hyslop. "Your +handling of the situation was tactful and correct, but you can leave her +to her mother." + +Mrs. Cartwright stopped with Barbara, who brought a footstool to the +hearthrug, and sitting down leaned against her knee. + +"I have been an obstinate, selfish, romantic fool!" she broke out. + +Mrs. Cartwright touched her hair and smiled, for she felt comforted. +This was the tempestuous Barbara she thought she had lost. + +"My dear!" she said. "It's not important since you have come back.'' + +"I oughtn't to have come back. If you had not sent father, I would not +have come. He's determined, but he's gentle. You know he sympathizes." + +"Although I wanted him to go, I did not send him," Mrs. Cartwright +replied. "He went because he loves you, but we can talk about this +again." She hesitated for a moment and went on: "It was not long, I +think, before you found Shillito was a thief? Mr. Lister's story +indicated this." + +A wave of color came to Barbara's skin, but she looked up and her eyes +flashed. + +"At the beginning, I did not know he was a thief; I found out he was a +cunning brute. Afterwards, when I read about his escape in the +newspapers, I rather wished the trooper who shot at him had not +missed--" She shook with horror and anger and it was a moment or two +before she resumed: "I can't tell you all, mother. I was frightened, but +anger gave me pluck. He said I must stick to him because I could not go +back. I think I struck him, and then I ran away. People were going to +their berths in the Pullman and he durst not use force. When I got to +the car platform and was going to jump off I saw Mr. Lister--but he has +told you--" + +Mrs. Cartwright nodded, for she was satisfied. + +"My dear," she said, "it's done with. Still I wonder why you were +willing to leave us." + +"Sometimes I wonder. To begin with, I have owned I was a fool; but +things were dreary and I wanted a thrill. Then I had begun to feel +nobody at home wanted me. Father and you were kind, but he seemed to +think me an amusing, willful child. Grace always disapproved, and +Mortimer sneered. They knew I was not their sort and very proper people +are cruel if you won't obey their rules. I hated rules; Grace's +correctness made me rebel. Then Louis came and declared I was all to +him. He was handsome and romantic, and I was tired of restraint. I +thought I loved him, but it was ridiculous, because I hate him now. +Mortimer's a prig, but Louis is a brute!" + +Mrs. Cartwright sighed. She liked tranquillity and the girl's passion +jarred. She tried to soothe her, and presently Barbara asked in a level +voice: "Where is Harry Vernon?" + +"He went to town a few days since." + +"When he knew I would soon arrive? His going is significant. I shall +hate Harry next!" + +"You must not be unjust. I imagine he thought to meet him would +embarrass you." + +"It would have embarrassed me, but Harry would not have known," Barbara +declared. "If I have been a fool, I can pay. Still I ought to have +stayed in Canada. Father's obstinate and I wanted to come home, but +things will be harder than at Montreal." + +Mrs. Cartwright kissed her. "My poor child, the hurt is not as deep as +you think. We will try to help you to forget." + + + +CHAPTER III + +LISTER CLEARS THE GROUND + +The sun was on the rocks and the lichen shone in rings of soft and +varied color. Blue shadows filled the dale, which, from the side of the +Buttress, looked profoundly deep. A row of young men and women followed +a ledge that crossed the face of the steep crag; Mortimer Hyslop +leading, a girl and Vernon a few yards behind, Lister and Barbara +farther off. + +Hyslop knew the rocks and was a good leader. He was cool and cautious +and did not undertake a climb until he was satisfied about his +companions' powers. The slanting edge looked dangerous, but was not, +although one must be steady and there was an awkward corner. At the +turning, the ledge got narrow, and one must seize a knob and then step +lightly on a stone embedded in mossy soil. + +When they reached the spot Hyslop stopped and told Vernon what to do; +the girl immediately behind him was a clever mountaineer. They went +round and Lister watched from a few yards off. For a moment or two each +in turn, supported by one foot with body braced against the rock, +grasped the knob and vanished round the corner. It was plain one must +get a firm hold, but Lister thought this was all. He was used to the +tall skeleton trestles that carried the rails across Canadian ravines. + +After the others disappeared Lister seized the knob. He thought the +stone he stood on moved and he cautiously took a heavier strain on his +arm. He could get across, but he obeyed an impulse and gave the stone a +push. It rolled out and, when he swung himself back to the ledge, +plunged down and smashed upon the rocks below. For a few moments the +echoes rolled about the crags, and then Hyslop shouted: "Are you all +right? Can you get round?" + +Lister said he thought not, and Hyslop replied that it did not matter. +Barbara would take him up a grassy ridge and the others would meet them +at the top. A rattle of nailed boots indicated that he was going off and +Lister turned and glanced at Barbara. She had sat down on an inclined +slab and her figure and face, in profile, cut against the sky. A yard or +two beneath her, the sloping rock vanished at the top of a steep pitch +and one saw nothing but the crags across the narrow dale. Yet Lister +thought the girl was not disturbed. + +"I expect I was clumsy,'' he apologized. + +"Well," she said, "it looks like that!" + +He gave her a quick glance and pondered. Although he had gone to Carrock +since she came home, she had been strangely cold and, so to speak, +aloof. He had imagined their meeting might embarrass her, but she was +not embarrassed. In fact, she had met him as if he were a friend, but he +had not seen her afterwards unless somebody was about. Now he meant to +force her to be frank. + +"I was clumsy," he resumed. "All the same, when I felt the stone begin +to move I might have pulled myself across by my hands. I expect the +block would have been firm enough to carry you." + +"Yes, I know," said Barbara. "You didn't want me to get across!" + +Lister studied her. He doubted if it was altogether exertion that had +brought the blood to her skin and given her eyes the keen sparkle. +Clinging to the rock, with the shadowy gulf below, she looked strangely +alert and virile. Her figure cut against the sky; he noted its +slenderness and finely-drawn lines. She was not angry, although he had +admitted he pushed down the stone, but he felt as if something divided +them and doubted if he could remove the obstacle. + +"I wanted to talk and had found I could not get near you unless the +others were about," he said. "It looked as if I had unconsciously given +you some grounds for standing me off. Well, I suppose I did put your +relations on your track." + +"It wasn't that," said Barbara. "I imagine Harry Vernon helped you +there. You were forced to tell your story." + +"I was forced. All the same, I think Harry's plan was good." + +"He went away a few days before I arrived!" Barbara remarked. + +Lister thought he saw where she led and knitted his brows. He was on +awkward ground and might say too much, but to say nothing might be +worse. + +"Harry's a good sort and I expect he pulled out because he imagined +you'd sooner he did so," he said. "For all that, I reckon he ought to +have stayed." + +Although her color was vivid, Barbara gave him a searching glance. "In +order to imply I had no grounds for embarrassment if I met him? Harry +was at the camp in the woods." + +"He knew you had no grounds for embarrassment," Lister declared. "I +knew, and Harry's an older friend." + +Barbara turned her head, and when she looked back Lister thought his +boldness was justified. In a sense she had been very frank, although +perhaps this situation made for frankness. They were alone on the face +of the towering crag. All was very quiet but for the noise of falling +water, and the only living object one could see was a buzzard hovering +high up at a white cloud's edge. One could talk in the mountain solitude +as one could not talk in a drawing-room. For all that, Lister felt he +had not altogether broken the girl's reserve. + +"One envies men like you who build railways and sail ships," she said, +and now Lister wondered where she led. "You live a natural life, knowing +bodily strain and primitive emotions. Sometimes you're exhausted and +sometimes afraid. Your thought's fixed on the struggle; you're keenly +occupied. Isn't it like that?" + +"Something like that," Lister agreed. "Sometimes the strain gets +monotonous." + +"But it's often thrilling. Men and women need to be thrilled. People +talk about the modern lust for excitement, but it isn't modern and I +expect the instinct's sound. Civilization that gives us hot water before +we get up and food we didn't grow is not all an advantage. Our bodies +get soft and we're driven back on our emotions. Where we want action we +get talk. Then one gets up against the rules; you mustn't be angry, you +mustn't be sincere, you must use a dreary level calm." + +Lister was puzzled and said nothing, but Barbara went on: "Perhaps some +girls like this; others don't, and now and then rebel. We feel we're +human, we want to live. Adventure calls us, as it calls you. We want to +front life's shocks and storms; unsatisfied curiosity drives us on. Then +perhaps romance comes and all the common longings of flesh and blood are +transfigured." + +She stopped, and Lister began to see a light. This was her apology for +her rashness in Canada, all she would give, and he doubted if she had +given as much to others. On the whole, he thought the apology good. + +"Romance cheats one now and then," he remarked, and pulled himself up +awkwardly, but Barbara was calm. + +"I wonder whether it always cheats one!" + +"I think not," he said. "Sometimes one must trust one's luck, and +venture. All the same, philosophizing is not my habit, and when I didn't +step lightly on the stone--" + +"You mean, when you pushed the stone down?" Barbara interrupted. + +"Oh, well. Anyhow, I didn't mean to philosophize. I wanted to find out +why you kept away from me." + +"Although you knew why I did so? You admitted you knew why Harry went +off!" + +"I see I've got to talk," said Lister. "Shillito was a cheat, but when +you found him out you tried to jump off the train. You let me help +because I think you trusted me." + +"I did trust you. It's much to know my trust was justified. For one +thing, it looks as if I wasn't altogether a fool." + +"Afterwards, when I met you at Montreal, you were friendly, although you +tried to persuade me you were a shop girl." + +Barbara smiled. "I was a shop girl. Besides, you were a stranger, and +it's sometimes easy to trust people one does not expect to see again." + +"My plan's to trust the people I like all the time," Lister replied. +"When I found you on the car platform I knew I ought to help, I saw you +meant to escape from something mean. Then at Montreal it was plain you +were trying in make good because you were proud and would not go back. I +liked that, although I thought you were not logical. Well, I told your +story because Vernon bluffed me, but if I'd known your step-father as I +know him now, I'd have told the tale before." + +"Then, it was in order that I might understand this you sent the stone +down the crag?" + +"I think it was," said Lister. "I hope I have, so to speak, cleared the +ground." + +Barbara gave him a puzzling smile. "You're rather obvious, but it's +important you mean to be nice. However, I expect the others are waiting +for us and we must join them, although we won't go by the grass ridge," +She indicated the slope of cracked rock in front. "The hold is pretty +good. Do you think you can get up?" + +Lister doubted. He was athletic and steady, but the climb looked awkward +for a beginner. + +"If you are going, I'll try." + +"You imagine you can go where I can go?" + +"Something like that," Lister admitted. "If I'm beaten, you're +accountable and will have to help." + +He was satisfied by Barbara's frank laugh. Her mood was changeable. Not +long since he had, with awkward sympathy, thought her a proud humiliated +woman; now she was marked by the humor of a careless girl. He could, +however, play up to her later mood, and when they set off he began to +joke. + +The rock slanted, and cracks and breaks gave a firm hold, but there was +not a crack wherever one was needed and the pitch was steep. Then in +places the slabs were slippery with wet lichen and Lister's ordinary +walking boots could get no grip. His jokes stopped and the sweat began +to dew his face. His breath got hard and he felt his heart beat. It was +obvious that climbing needed study. + +For all that, he went on and found a strange delight in watching +Barbara. Her clothes harmonized with the soft colors of lichen and +stone; her movements were confident and light. He got no sense of +effort; her pose was seldom strained and the lines of her limbs and body +flowed in easy curves. He thought she rather flitted than labored up the +rock. Practice no doubt accounted for much, but something was due to +temperament. Barbara did not hesitate; she trusted her luck and went +ahead. + +At length she stopped, pressed against the stone in the hollow of a +gully, while Lister crept obliquely across a long wet slab. He looked up +and saw her face, finely colored after effort, against a background of +green and gold. The berries on a small mountain-ash in a cranny +harmonized with the carmine of her skin. She looked down and smiled with +careless amusement. + +Then Lister's foot slipped and he could get no hold for his hands. His +smooth boots drew a greasy line across the wet slab as he slid down. +Perhaps the risk was not very daunting, but he knew he must not roll +down far. At the bottom of the slab he brought up with his foot braced +against a knob, and he saw Barbara coming after him. When she stopped +her glance was apologetic. + +"I forgot you hadn't proper boots. Give me your hand and try again." + +"No, thanks," said Lister. "Do you think I'm going to let you pull me +up?" + +"Why not?" she asked with a twinkle. + +"To begin with, I'm obstinate and don't mean to be beaten by a bit of +greasy rock. Then I expect I'm heavier than you think." + +"You're ridiculously proud. It would hurt to let a girl help," Barbara +rejoined. "After all, you're a conventionalist, and I rather thought you +were not." + +"Anyhow, I'm going up myself," Lister declared. + +He got up, but his clothes gathered some slime from the rock and his +skin was stained by soil and moss. Barbara looked at him with a twinkle. + +"Your obstinacy cost you something," she remarked. "If you're tired, you +had better stop and smoke." + +Lister lighted a cigarette. She had been rather keen about rejoining the +others, but he thought she had forgotten. Barbara's carelessness gave +her charm. Perhaps he ought to go on, but he meant to take the extra few +minutes luck had given him. + +"I'm really sorry I forgot about your boots and brought you up the +rock," she said. + +"I wonder why you did bring me up?" + +"Oh, well, a number of the men I know have a comfortable feeling of +superiority. Of course, nice men don't make you feel this, but it's +there. One likes to give such pride a jolt." + +"I think I see. If it's some comfort, I'll own you can beat me going up +awkward rocks. But where does this take us?" + +Barbara smiled. "It takes us some distance. When you admit a girl's your +equal, friendship's easier. You know, one reason Mortimer and I can't +agree is, his feeling of superiority is horribly strong." + +"Couldn't you take him up an awkward gully and get him stuck?" + +"No," said Barbara, in a regretful voice. "He's really a good cragsman +and knows exactly how far he can go. When he starts an awkward climb he +reckons up all the obstacles and is ready to get round them when they +come. The plan's good. People like Mortimer don't get stuck." + +"It's possible, but I expect they miss something now and then. There +isn't much thrill in knowing you are safe." + +"Sometimes you play up rather well," Barbara remarked. + +"I'm not playing up. I'm preaching my code. I'm not as sober and +cautious as you perhaps think." + +"For example?" + +"You'll probably get bored, but in Canada I turned down a pretty good +job because it was monotonous. I wanted something fresh, and thought I'd +go across and see the Old Country. Well, I'm here and all's charming, +but I don't know how I'll get back when my wad runs out." + +"Ah," said Barbara, "you mean your money will soon be gone? But you have +relations. Somebody would help." + +"It's possible, but I would refuse," Lister rejoined. "You're not +adventuring much when another meets the bill. When my wallet's empty +I'll pull out and take any old job. The chances are I'll go to sea." + +Barbara gave him an approving glance. She had known but one other +adventurer and he was a rogue. Lister was honest and she thought he +would go far. She liked his rashness, but if he found it hard to get on +board ship, she imagined she could help. All the same, she would not +talk about this yet. + +"We really must go," she said, and they started up a gully where holes +and wedged stones helped them up like steps. + +When they left the gully they saw a group of people on the neighboring +summit of the hill and for a moment Lister stopped. + +"We have had a glorious climb," he said, "Now it's over, I hope you're +not going to stand me off again." + +Barbara gave him a curious smile. "One can't stop on the mountains long. +We're going down to the every-day level and all looks different there." + +The others began to wave to them, and crossing a belt of boggy grass +they joined the group. When they returned to Carrock, Cartwright was not +about and Mrs. Cartwright said he had got a telegram calling him to +Liverpool. + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A DISSATISFIED SHAREHOLDER + +Cartwright had read the morning's letters and the _Journal of Commerce_, +and finding nothing important, turned his revolving chair to the fire. +He had been forced to wait for a train at a draughty station, and his +feet were cold. His office occupied an upper floor of an old-fashioned +building near the docks. Fog from the river rolled up the street and the +windows were grimed by soot, but Cartwright had not turned on the +electric light. The fire snapped cheerfully, and he lighted his pipe and +looked about. + +The furniture was shabby, the carpet was getting threadbare, and some of +the glass in the partition that cut off the clerks' office was cracked. +Cartwright had thought about modernizing and decorating the rooms, but +to do the thing properly would cost five hundred pounds, and money was +scarce. Besides, a number of the merchants who shipped goods by his +boats were conservative and rather approved his keeping the parsimonious +rules of the old school. + +The house was old and had been at one time rich and powerful. +Cartwright's father, however, had used sailing ships too long, and +Cartwright's speculations and extravagance when he took control had not +mended its fortunes. Then had come a number of lean years when few +shipping companies earned a dividend and the line's capital steadily +melted. Now the shareholders were not numerous and the ships were small. + +Cartwright glanced at the pictures in tarnished gold frames. _Oreana_, +drawn plunging across an Atlantic comber, was the best of the fleet, but +her engineer had for some time demanded new boilers. Since the reserve +fund was low and other boats needed expensive repairs, Cartwright +resolved to wait. He had bought _Melphomene_, above the fireplace, very +cheap; but her engines were clumsy compounds and she cost much to coal. +Still she was fast, and now and then got a paying load by reaching a +port where freights were high before the _Conference_ found out that +Cartwright meant to cut the rates. + +_Titania_, with the white deckhouse and shade-deck, carried a good load +on a light draught, and sometimes picked up a profitable cargo in +shallow African lagoons. When he glanced at her picture Cartwright's +look got thoughtful. She was one of two sister ships, launched at a +famous yard, and Cartwright had wanted both, but the builders demanded +terms of payment he could not meet, and another company had bought the +vessel. She was wrecked soon afterwards, and now lay buried in the sand +by an African river bar. The salvage company had given up their efforts +to float her, but Cartwright imagined she could be floated if one were +willing to run a risk. But no one, it seemed was willing. On the failure +of the salvage company the underwriters had put the steamer into the +hands of Messrs. Bull and Morse, a firm of Ship Brokers and Marine +Auctioneers, but at the public auction no bids whatever had been made. +Subsequently advertisements appeared in the shipping papers inviting +offers for the ship as she lay and for the salvage of the cargo. These +had run for several weeks, but without result. Cartwright had cut them +out. Now and then he looked at them and speculated about the +undertaking. + +By and by the bookkeeper came in and filed some letters. Gavin's hair +was going white, and he had been with Cartwright's since he was a boy. +He was fat, red-faced, and humorous, although his humor was not refined. +Gavin liked to be thought something of a sport, but Cartwright knew he +was staunch. + +"You imagine Mrs. Seaton will look me up this morning?" Cartwright said +presently. + +"Yes, sir. She called and demanded to see you. In fact, I think she +doubted when I told her you hadn't come back from the North. She said +the shareholders' meeting would be soon and she expected you to give a +bigger dividend; the Blue Funnel people had paid five per cent. If you +didn't return before long, she might run up to Carrock. So I sent the +telegram." + +Cartwright nodded. He trusted his bookkeeper, who had grounds for +imagining it was not altogether desirable Mrs. Seaton should arrive at +Carrock. + +"Have you heard anything from Manners while I was away?" + +"Nothing direct, sir. His nephew, Hatton, came round with a tender for +the bunker coal, and implied that he ought to get the job. Then I had a +notion Mrs. Seaton, so to speak, was _primed_. Looked as if somebody had +got at her; her arguments about the dividend were rather good." + +"It's possible," said Cartwright dryly. "If she comes, you can show her +in. But what about the wine?" + +"I don't know if it will see you out. There's not a great deal left, and +last time--" + +Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "Exactly! Send for another bottle and see +you get the proper stuff. Some of the biscuits, too; you know the kind. +Rather a bother, but perhaps the best plan!" + +"Safer than going out to lunch," Gavin remarked. "Then, in the office, +you're on your own ground. That counts." + +"Gives you moral support and handicaps an antagonist who's not a +business man?" Cartwright suggested. "Well, perhaps it does so, but I +see some drawbacks. Anyhow, get the wine." + +Gavin went off and Cartwright mused by the fire. The morning was raw and +foggy, and if he went out, the damp might get at his throat; moreover, +Gavin would reply to his letters. Cartwright had begun to feel it was +time to let others work while he looked on. His control counted for less +than he had thought; things went without much guidance and it was enough +to give them a push in the proper direction now and then. To rouse +himself for an effort was getting harder and he would have been +satisfied to rest, had not his pride, and, to some extent, his +step-children's antagonism, prevented his doing so. He needed money and +would not use his wife's. + +One must pay for old extravagances, and the bills were coming in; Mrs. +Seaton's expected call was an example. Ellen was a widow, but before she +married Seaton, Cartwright knew she counted him her lover. They were +alike in temperament; rash, strong-willed, and greedy for all that gave +life a thrill. In fact, Ellen was a stimulating comrade, but not the +kind of girl one married. Cartwright married Clara and knew Mrs. Seaton +bore him a lasting grudge. + +Since Seaton was a merchant whose investments in Liverpool were +numerous, it was perhaps not strange he left his widow shares that gave +her some control of the Cartwright line. Although she was not poor, she +was greedy and extravagant. In fact, Cartwright imagined greed was now +her ruling passion. + +By and by he heard steps in the passage behind the partition and thought +he knew the tap of high-heeled shoes. Then he heard a laugh and Gavin's +voice. Ellen was using her charm on his bookkeeper and the old sport +would play up. The door opened, the room smelt of violets, and Mrs. +Seaton came in. She was tall and her furs gave her large figure a touch +of dignity. Her color was sharply white and red, and in the rather dim +light her skin was like a girl's. Cartwright knew Ellen was younger than +he, but not very much. + +"You look hipped and rather slack, Tom," she said when he got up and +Gavin fetched a chair. + +"I feel the cold and damp," Cartwright replied. "Then managing a +tramp-steamship line when freights are low is a wearing job." + +Mrs. Seaton took off her coat. "Your office is shabby and climbing all +those stairs is a pull. Why don't you launch out, get a lift, and +modernize things?" + +"My trouble is to keep the boats supplied with coal and stores. Besides, +you see, I don't often use my office for a drawing-room." + +"You're very cautious," Mrs. Seaton remarked with a laugh. "You start to +get on guard before I begin my attack." + +"Oh, well," said Cartwright, smiling, "I know your power. But would you +like a cigarette?" + +She took the curiously-decorated box he gave her and broke the seal. +"Since you don't smoke these things, Tom, you were rather nice to +remember." + +"You had better take the box," said Cartwright. "I sent for a few when +_Titania_ went to the Levant. One understands they're hard to get in +England. But I have something else you like. If you will wait a +moment--" + +He rang a bell and Gavin entered, carrying two small glasses, a bottle, +and some biscuits. When he went out, Cartwright turned the bottle so +Mrs. Seaton could see the label. + +"Climbing our stairs is a fag," he said, and filled the glasses. + +Mrs. Seaton smiled and took hers. Cartwright saw her rings sparkle and +the gleam of her regular, white teeth. The reflection from the grate +touched her hair and it shone a smooth golden-brown. He admitted with +amusement that Ellen was nearly as attractive as he had thought her +thirty years since. + +"This is like old times, Tom," she said. "I remember evenings when you +brought me sandwiches and iced cup at a dance--but I don't think you +were ever remarkably romantic." + +Cartwright remembered an evening when they sat under a shaded lamp in a +quiet corner of a supper room, listening to music that somehow fired +one's blood. But perhaps it was the iced cup he had generously drunk. +All the same he had not been a fool, though he was tempted. He knew +something about Ellen then, but he knew her better now. Perhaps it was +typical that she had promptly put the box of Eastern cigarettes in her +muff. + +"Managing ships is not a romantic occupation," he rejoined. + +"Anyway, your welcome's kind and I feel shabby because I'm forced to +bother you. But suppose some of your customers arrive?" + +"We shall not be disturbed," said Cartwright, smiling. "Gavin knows his +job." + +"Very well. Do you expect to declare a better dividend at the +shareholders' meeting?" + +"I do not. If I'm lucky, I may keep the dividend where it is, but I +don't know yet." + +"Two per cent. is really nothing," Mrs. Seaton remarked. "I've been +forced to study economy and you know how I hate to pinch. Besides, I +know an investment that would give me eight per cent." + +"Then, if you're satisfied the venture is not risky, you ought to buy +the shares." + +"I want to buy, but it's a small, private company and the people +stipulate I must take a large block. I have not enough money." + +Cartwright doubted, but her plan was obvious. "When trade is slack, one +ought to be careful about investing in a private company that pays eight +per cent," he said. "After all, it might be prudent to be satisfied with +a small profit." + +"But I'm not satisfied and your dividend is remarkably small! Are you +really unable to make it larger?" + +"One can't pay dividends out of capital. Anyhow, one can't keep it up +for long!" + +"Then, as I mean to make a plunge, I must sell some of the investments +that don't earn me much. My shares in the line carry a good number of +votes and, if people grumble at the meeting, would give you some +control. Will you buy them, Tom?" + +Cartwright knitted his brows. He thought her hint about the shares +giving him useful power was significant. In fact, it looked as if +somebody had put Ellen on his track. He wondered whether Manners.... But +she must not think him disturbed. + +"What is your price?" he asked. + +"My price?" she said with a puzzled look he thought well done. "Of +course, I want the sum the shares stand for." + +"I'm sorry it's impossible. Just now the shares of very few shipping +companies are worth their face value. For example, five-pound shares in +a good line were not long since offered at two pounds ten." + +Mrs. Seaton looked disturbed. "That's dreadful!" she exclaimed. "But I'm +not rich enough to bear a heavy loss, and if you bought my lot, the +voting power would enable you to break the grumblers' opposition. +They're worth more to you than anybody else. Can't you help me?" + +Cartwright gave her a smiling glance, although he was bothered. Ellen +was not a fool and he noted her insistence on the value of the shares to +him. Where this led was obvious. He had one or two powerful antagonists +and knew of plots to force his retirement. Ellen had given him his +choice; he must promise a larger dividend or buy her shares at something +over their market price. This, of course, was impossible, but he +imagined she did not know how poor he was. + +"I can't buy," he said. "I must trust my luck and fighting power. +Although we have had stormy meetings and rates are bad, the line is +running yet." + +"If you haven't enough money, why don't you ask your wife? She's rich +and hasn't risked much of her capital in the line." + +"That is so," Cartwright agreed. Ellen meant to be nasty but he must be +cool. "Although my wife is rich, I don't use her money." + +"You're not logical, and sometimes your fastidiousness isn't very +marked. However, it looks as if you didn't marry because Clara was rich. +She was romantic before she began to get fat." + +Cartwright's face got red. He had had enough and saw Ellen was getting +savage. She had not forgotten that, in a sense, he ought to have married +her, and since he would not buy her shares, she would, no doubt, help +his antagonists. Crossing the floor, he poked the fire noisily. + +"Shall I give you some more wine?" he asked, and while he was occupied +with the glasses the telephone bell rang behind the partition. A few +moments afterwards Gavin came in. + +"Moreton has rung up, sir. If you can give him five minutes, he'll come +across. He says it's important." + +Mrs. Seaton put on her coat. "I mustn't stop when an important customer +is coming." Then she laughed and gave Cartwright her hand. "You are very +obstinate, Tom, but I know your pluck." + +She went off. Gavin took away the wine, and Cartwright opened the +window. The smell of violets vanished, but when he sat down again he +pondered. He knew Mrs. Seaton, and thought she meant to hint his pluck +might soon be needed. When Ellen smiled like that she was plotting +something. + + + +CHAPTER V + +CARTWRIGHT'S SCRUPLES + +The drawing-room at Mrs. Cartwright's house on the Cheshire side of the +Mersey was large and old-fashioned. Cartwright thought the stiff, thick +curtains and Victorian walnut furniture ugly, but Mrs. Cartwright liked +the things and he was satisfied. Clara herself frankly belonged to the +old school. She was conventional and often dull, but she had a placid +dignity that did not mark all the up-to-date women Cartwright knew. +Moreover, the house was comfortable. One got there by the Mersey tunnel +and it was only a few minutes' walk from the station. For all that, the +encroaching town had not yet reached the neighborhood, and the windows +commanded a pleasant view of clean rolling country and the blue Welsh +hills. + +Cartwright felt the house was a snug harbor where he could rest when he +was too old and battered to front the storms that had for some time been +gathering, and sitting by the fire one evening, he speculated about the +rocks and shoals ahead. All the same, the time to run for shelter was +not yet; he thought he could ride out another gale. + +An arch with heavy molding occupied the middle of the spacious room. The +folding doors had been removed and curtains partly screened the arch. On +the other side, a group of young men and women stood about the piano. On +Cartwright's side the lights were low. He had dined well and liked to +loaf after dinner. Besides, he felt dull; his gout bothered him and he +had been forced to run for his train. He had begun to find out one could +not do that kind of thing. Mrs. Cartwright sat opposite, knitting +quietly, and her smooth, rhythmic movements were soothing. Clara was +never abrupt and jerky. + +"I got a letter from Stormont's by the afternoon post," she said. "They +have been repaid the mortgage, and there's something about a foreign +bond, drawn for redemption. They want to talk about a new investment." + +Stormont, Wilmot and Stormont were her lawyers, and Cartwright nodded. +"The money ought to be earning interest and you can safely buy stock +Stormont's approve. Their judgment's sound." + +"For all that, I think I'd like to choose for myself. Suppose I bought +some shares in the line? I have a number, but it's really not large and +I have felt I'm not supporting the house as I ought." + +Cartwright knitted his brows. Clara did not know much about business, +but she was sometimes shrewder than one thought. He wondered whether +Mortimer had been talking. If the pup had talked, the thing was ominous, +because it implied that others knew the difficulties Cartwright might +have to meet. + +"Do you imagine the house needs supporting?" he asked carelessly. + +Mrs. Cartwright hesitated. "I really know nothing about it; but don't +people grumble when you can't pay them much and their shares go down? +Perhaps if the family owned a good part of the capital, you could take a +firmer line." + +It was plain that Clara had been pondering. Mortimer _had_ talked and +somebody who was not Cartwright's friend had informed him. Cartwright +was tempted to let his wife do as she wanted: Clara owned shares in the +line that he had let her buy when freights were good and she had +afterwards refused to sell. Now, however, freights were very bad and the +company was nearer the rocks than he hoped the shareholders knew. +Cartwright imagined he could yet mend its fortunes, if he were left +alone, but the job was awkward and opposition might be dangerous. To +command a solid block of votes would certainly help. + +For all that, there was a risk Clara ought not to run. His antagonists +were getting stronger, and if they meddled and baffled him, the company +would fail. Its bankruptcy would not ruin his wife, but she would feel +the loss of her money, and he was not going to use Clara for a shield +against Ellen Seaton's attacks. The thing was shabby. All the same, the +situation was humorous, and he saw, with an ironical smile, the +advantages of Mrs. Cartwright's plan. + +"I'm not a business woman, but I have noted you're sometimes moody, as +if you were anxious, and I want to help," she resumed. + +"You do help. The storms I've weathered have left a mark, and now I'm +old and strained it's much to make a quiet port at night. You take all +bothers from me, and send me out in the morning, braced for another +watch in the pilot-house." + +"Some time you must give another the helm," said Mrs. Cartwright +quietly. "I wish I could persuade you to do so soon." + +Cartwright sighed, for the strain was heavy and he wanted to rest. The +trouble was the put-off reckoning for past extravagance was at hand and +he shrank from asking his wife to pay. He had not been very scrupulous, +but he had his code. Then Hyslop came through the arch, and stopping, +noted Cartwright's awkwardly stretched-out leg. + +"Gout bothering you again, sir?" he said. "You ought to lie up for a few +days, but I expect you're needed at the office. I heard the E.P. line +had a stormy meeting and the dissatisfied shareholders came near turning +out the directors. Johnson declared they only saved the situation by a +few votes." + +"They ought to be turned out! A blundering lot! They've let a good fleet +down." + +Hyslop smiled. He had pale and watery blue eyes that generally annoyed +Cartwright. "An awkward doctrine, sir! If all the steamship directors +who might have used the shareholders' money to better advantage were +called to account, I imagine a number of respectable gentlemen would +find their occupation gone. Besides, when people start deposing rulers +they don't know where to stop. The thing's, so to speak, contagious, and +panicky investors are not logical." + +He went off and Cartwright braced himself. Mortimer meant to be nasty, +but his languid malice bit deeper than he knew. Cartwright had +hesitated, weighing the value of his wife's help against his scruples, +until his step-son's hints had tipped the beam. After all, if he used +Clara's money and saved his skin at her cost, the pup would have some +grounds to sneer. + +"I must keep control for some time yet," he said. "Times are bad, and if +I let go the helm I doubt if my successor could steer a safe course. +When the need is gone I'll willingly give up, but I must bring the old +ship into port first. In the meantime, you had better let Stormont's buy +you sound Corporation stock." + +Mrs. Cartwright acquiesced and Cartwright watched the young people +beyond the arch. With the stiff curtains for wing-scenes and the lights +concealed, the end of the room made a proscenium: it was like looking at +a drawing-room comedy on the stage. Two of the girls were pretty and he +approved their fashionable clothes. When she was quiet, Grace was almost +beautiful, but somehow none had Barbara's charm. Yet Cartwright thought +the girl was getting thin and her color was too bright. A friend of +Mortimer's occupied the music stool and Cartwright admitted that the +fellow played well, although he was something like a character from a +Gilbert opera. + +Lister sat near the piano, and talked to Barbara. He smiled, but his +smile had a touch of gravity. Cartwright thought him a good Canadian. A +bit rugged perhaps, but staunch, and his quiet sincerity was after all +better style than the cleverness of Mortimer's friends. Cartwright +imagined Barbara studied Lister, who did not know. In fact, it looked as +if he were puzzled, and Cartwright smiled. Lister had not his talents; +when Cartwright was young he knew how to amuse a pretty girl. + +The man at the piano signed to Barbara, who got up and began to sing. +The song was modern and the melody not marked. Cartwright liked the +Victorian ballads with tunes that haunted one and obvious sentiment, but +because Barbara sang he gave the words and music his languid interest. +After all, the thing was clever. There was, so to speak, not much on the +surface, but one heard an elusive note of effort, as if one struggled +after something one could not grasp. On the whole, Cartwright did not +approve that kind of sentiment; his objects were generally plain. Then +he thought the hint of strain was too well done for a young girl, and +when Barbara stopped he turned to his wife. + +"Are you satisfied about Barbara?" he asked. + +"Why should I not be satisfied?" + +"I have felt she's not quite up to her proper form. Looks thin and +sometimes she's quiet. Then why has young Vernon gone off? I haven't +seen him recently." + +"Harry's in town; he goes home in a few days," Mrs. Cartwright replied. +She hesitated and resumed, "I imagined he wanted to marry Barbara, +although she told me nothing about this. Barbara does not tell one +much." + +"Do you think she likes him?" + +"I don't know, but I rather think if she had liked him she would have +refused." + +"Ah!" said Cartwright thoughtfully. "Well, Vernon's a good sort, but I +see some light; the girl is sensitive and very proud! No doubt, she +feels her Canadian adventure--ridiculous, of course! But Barbara's hard +to move. All the same, if Vernon's the proper man and is resolute--" + +"I doubt if he is the proper man," Mrs. Cartwright replied. + +Cartwright pondered. Sometimes Clara did not say all she thought, and +his glance wandered back to the group at the other end of the room. +Barbara was again talking to Lister. He looked thoughtful and her face +was serious. They were obviously not engaged in philandering; Cartwright +felt their quiet absorption was significant. After a minute or two, +however, the party about the piano broke up and went off. Barbara +stopped to put away some music and then came through the arch. + +"Mr. Lister wants to go a voyage," she said to Cartwright. "I suggested +you might help him to get a post on board a ship." + +"I imagine he did not suggest you should persuade me?" + +"Certainly not! He refused to bother you," Barbara replied and, with +some hesitation, added: "However, perhaps in a sense we ought to help." + +"That is so," Cartwright agreed. "Why did Mr. Lister come to Liverpool?" + +"He wanted to go round the shipping offices. Mother told him our house +was always open--" + +Cartwright nodded, "Of course! Well, I'll think about it and may see a +plan." + +Barbara went off and Cartwright looked at his wife. "I don't know if +this is a fresh complication; but if she refused Harry, she'd no doubt +refuse the other. Perhaps it's important that she's willing he should go +to sea." + +"One is forced to like Mr. Lister and we owe him much," Mrs. Cartwright +remarked. + +"Certainly," Cartwright agreed. "However, it looks as if some +engineering talent is all he has got, and I think a long voyage is +indicated--" He stopped, and resumed with a twinkle: "For all that, the +fellow is not an adventurer, and I married a rich woman." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a gentle smile. "I have been happy and Barbara +is not; but, in one sense, I don't imagine we need be disturbed. Barbara +has not recovered from the jar." + +She got up, and Cartwright dozed until he heard a step and Lister +crossed the floor. + +"Hallo!" he said. "Are you going? There is no train just now." + +Lister said he meant to walk to the tramline, but Cartwright asked him +to stop for a few minutes. + +"Barbara tells me you are trying for a post in an engine-room," he +remarked. + +"That is so," said Lister with a touch of embarrassment. "Still, I +didn't mean Miss Hyslop to bother you." + +"Barbara likes to meddle and I'm a ship-owner. To begin with, why d'you +want to go to sea?" + +"I must go to sea or back to Canada," Lister said, smiling. "I've had a +pretty good holiday, but my wad's nearly gone." + +"Then, wouldn't it be prudent to return to your occupation?" + +"I haven't an occupation; I turned mine down. It's possible I'll find +another, but I'm not ready yet. In Canada, we're a restless, wandering +lot, and I want to look about the world before I go back. You see, when +you only know the woods and our Western towns--" + +Cartwright saw and sympathized. He remembered how adventure called when +he was young. Well, he had got adventure, but perhaps not the kind +Lister seemed to enjoy. Anyhow, he had not started off with an empty +wallet to look about the world. + +"How much does your roll amount to?" he asked with a bluntness he +sometimes used. + +When Lister told him he laughed. The young fellow was good stuff; +Cartwright liked his rashness. + +"Well," he said, "you have pluck, and if you're obstinate, pluck takes +you far. Have you got a promise from any of our shipping offices?" + +Lister said he had not. There were some difficulties about certificates. +He had sailed on lake boats and made coasting voyages, but the English +Board of Trade rules were strict. Then he looked at the clock and +Cartwright gave him his hand. + +"Come and see me at the office. We'll talk about this again." + +Lister thanked him, and when he had gone Cartwright mused. The young +fellow was not an adventurer; anyhow not in the sense Shillito was an +adventurer. His honesty was obvious, it was plain he did not want +Barbara's money, and Cartwright thought he did not know she was rich. In +fact, he was Barbara's sort. There was the trouble. Cartwright weighed +this for a time and then went to sleep. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A NASTY KNOCK + +Frost sparkled on the office windows and Cartwright, with his feet on +the hearthrug studied an Atlantic weather chart. The temperature +reported by the liners' captains was low, and winter had begun unusually +soon. Since Cartwright had hoped for a mild November, this was unlucky. +As a rule, cargo is plentiful at Montreal shortly before the St. +Lawrence freezes and the last steamers to go down the river do so with +heavy loads. Cartwright's plan was to run a boat across at the last +moment and pick up goods the liners would not engage to carry, and he +had sent _Oreana_ because she was fast. When the drift ice began to +gather, speed was useful. + +A cablegram two or three days since stated that she had sailed, and +Cartwright, who knew the St. Lawrence, calculated the progress she ought +to have made. Perhaps he had cut things rather fine, but Captain Davies +was a good navigator and would push on. Although the narrow waters below +Montreal, where the stream runs fast between the islands, would be open, +Lake St. Peter was freezing, and the liner _Parthian_ had some trouble +to get through. Still the channels were not yet blocked, and when Davies +had passed the Narrows he would get open water down the gorge to Quebec. +Allowing for cautious navigation, Davies ought to be near Rimouski at +the mouth of the river, and his passing would, no doubt, soon be +telegraphed from the signal station. Cartwright admitted that to get the +message would be some relief. + +By and by his bookkeeper came in. + +"Direct cablegram from Davies, sir." + +Cartwright took the form and frowned. The message was not from Rimouski +and ran: "Delayed Peter; passing Quebec." + +"Awkward, sir," Gavin remarked sympathetically. + +"Very awkward," said Cartwright. "Davies needed all the time he's lost. +It will be a near thing if he gets out." + +He picked up the weather chart and got no comfort. "Cable Malcolm at St. +Johns. You'll find questions in the code-book about ice and wind." + +Gavin withdrew and Cartwright grappled with disturbing thoughts. He had +counted on _Oreana's_ earning a good sum, and had engaged a paying cargo +for her when she got back. In fact, the two good runs ought to have made +the disappointing balance sheet he must shortly submit to the +shareholders look a little better. All the same, there was no use in +meeting trouble. Davies had passed Quebec, and if he made good progress +in the next twenty-four hours, one might begin to hope. + +Below Quebec there were awkward spots where steamers used buoyed +channels, and if these were blocked by ice Davies must risk crossing the +shoals. If he got across, the water was deep and he need only bother +about the floes until he came to the Gulf. Since Belle Isle Strait was +frozen, Davies would go South of Anticosti and out by the Cabot passage, +but the Gulf was often dark with snow and fog, and one met the old +Greenland ice. Well, much depended on the weather, and Cartwright went +to get his lunch. + +The restaurant under a big building was warm, and for a time Cartwright +occupied his favorite corner of the smoking-room. His tips were +generous, and so long as he was punctual the waitress allowed nobody to +use his chair. The noise of the traffic in the street was softened to a +faint rumble, the electric light was cleverly shaded, and his big chair +was easy. He got drowsy, but frowned when he began to nod. The trouble +was, he was often dull when he ought to be keen. His doctor talked about +the advantages of moderation, but when one got old one's pleasures were +few and Cartwright liked a good meal. At the luncheon room they did one +well, and he was not going to use self-denial yet. + +By and by a merchant he knew pulled up a chair opposite. "Very cold and +slippery outside," he remarked. "I nearly came down on the floating +bridge, and looked in for a drink. A jar shakes a man who carries +weight." + +"What were you doing on the floating bridge?" Cartwright asked. + +"I went to the stage to meet some Canadian friends on board the +_Nepigon_. They'd a bad voyage; thick mist down the St. Lawrence, and +they lost a day cruising about among the floes in the Gulf. What about +your little boat?" + +"I understand she's coming down river." + +"Hasn't she started rather late?" + +"If I'd sent her sooner, the _Conference_ would have knocked me out," +Cartwright rejoined. "I'd have got nothing but low-rated stuff the +liners didn't want. One must run some risks." + +The other nodded. "That is so, when shareholders must be satisfied. +Well, I expect I'm lucky because my partner's a good sort. When you +needn't bother about other folk's greediness, you can take a cautious +line. Now I come to think of it, I heard some of your people grumbling. +I hope your boat will get across all right." + +He got up and Cartwright pondered. If outsiders knew his shareholders +were dissatisfied, things were worse than he had thought and he might +expect trouble at the next meeting. Then he looked at his watch, but his +chair was deep and when he tried to get up his leg hurt. He sank back +again. Gavin knew where to find him if a reply from St. Johns arrived. + +By and by his office boy, carrying a cable company's envelope, came in, +and Cartwright's hand shook when he opened the message. It stated that +an easterly gale and snowstorm raged about the Newfoundland coast and +the thermometer was very low. The gale would drive the drift ice up the +Gulf and pack the floes. Things looked bad. Cartwright felt he ought to +get about and make some plans to meet the threatened blow, but he did +not see what he could do. + +He sat still. The other customers had gone, and all was quiet but for +the faint rumble of traffic and soothing throb of an electric fan. +Cartwright mused about _Oreana_ and pictured Davies sheltering behind +the wind-screens on his bridge and trying to pierce the snow, and the +look-out man half frozen in the spray that leaped about the forecastle. +_Oreana_ was a wet boat when she was loaded deep. Now and then, perhaps, +a buoy loomed in the tossing flakes. One tried to read the number and +see the color. Then the steering-engine rattled as the rudder was pulled +across and _Oreana_ headed for another mark. + +The work was nervous, because dangerous shoals bordered the channels and +Davies must let the steamer go. He knew when a risk must be run and the +engineer was staunch. The trouble was, _Oreana's_ boilers were bad; the +money Cartwright durst not spend on repairs would have been a good +investment now. Still, the old boat was fast, and Davies would drive her +full-speed. + +The captain's job would not be easier when he left the shoals. The +easterly gale would send the floes up stream. Cartwright knew the +strange chill one felt when ice was about and the faint elusive _blink_ +that marked its edge in the dark. Sometimes one did not see the blink +until the floe was almost at the bows, and when the look-out's startled +cry reached the bridge one must trust to luck and pull the helm over +quick. Then to dodge the floe might mean one crashed upon the next. It +was steering blind, but, as a rule, the sailor's instinct guided him +right. Farther on, the river got wide and in thick weather one saw no +lights: Davies must keep mid-channel and trust his reckoning while he +rushed her along. For a thousand miles the old boat's track was haunted +by dangers against which one could not guard, and Cartwright thought she +carried his last chance to mend his broken fortunes. + +If she were wrecked, the reckoning he had long put off must be fronted, +for when his embarrassments were known his antagonists would combine and +try to pull him down. One must pay for one's extravagance, but to pay +would break him, and if he were broken, Mortimer would sneer and Grace +treat him with humiliating pity. He would be their mother's pensioner, +and to lose his independence was hard. He had long ruled, and bullied, +others. + +By and by a waitress moved some glasses and Cartwright looked up with a +start. The afternoon was nearly over; he must have gone to sleep. +Returning to the office, he gave his bookkeeper some orders and then +went to the station. The pavements were slippery with frost, and tall +buildings with yellow lights loomed in the fog. Cartwright shivered, but +reflected that Davies, fighting the snow and gale, was no doubt colder. +For a day or two he must bear the suspense, and then, if no cablegram +arrived, he could take it for granted that _Oreana_ had reached the +Atlantic. After dinner he sat by the fire and smoked while Mrs. +Cartwright knitted. + +"In the afternoon I went to Mrs. Oliver's and met Mrs. Seaton," she said +presently. "She talked to me for some time. At the beginning, I thought +it strange!" + +"It's pretty obvious that you don't like her," Cartwright remarked. + +"Ellen Seaton is not my sort, but I understand she was a friend of +yours." + +"She was my friend," said Cartwright carelessly. "It's long since, and I +rather doubt if she is my friend now." + +"Then why did she buy her shares in the line?" + +"Ellen did not buy the shares. Seaton bought them when shipping was +good." + +Mrs. Cartwright looked relieved and Cartwright resumed: "All the same, I +don't see her object for telling you she was a shareholder." + +"She wanted to sell her shares to me; I knew she had some plan when she +crossed the floor. I was talking to Janet, but Ellen got Janet away and +persuaded a young man on the other side to move. It was clever. I don't +think Mrs. Oliver or anybody else remarked what she was doing. But you +know Ellen!" + +"I know Ellen rather well," said Cartwright dryly. "However, when you +saw she wanted to get you alone, why did you indulge her?" + +"For one thing, I was curious; then it wasn't worth while to spoil her +plan. I didn't think Ellen would persuade me, if I did not approve." + +Cartwright smiled. Clara did not argue much and generally agreed with +him, but sometimes she was as immovable as a rock. He pictured with +amusement the little comedy at Mrs. Oliver's, but all the same he was +annoyed. + +"Well, Ellen wanted you to buy her shares? Did she give you any +grounds?" + +"She declared she wanted money. Then she said it would help you if I +took the lot. There might be a dispute at the meeting; the directors' +report would not be satisfactory. People would ask awkward questions, +and she expected some organized opposition. It would be useful for you +to command a large number of votes." + +Cartwright's face got red. Ellen was well informed; in fact, it was +ominous that she knew so much. Had she not been greedy, he thought she +would have kept the shares in order to vote against him, but she +obviously meant to sell them before the crash she expected came. If a +number of others agreed with her, his retirement would be forced. + +"What price were you to pay?" he asked. + +Mrs. Cartwright told him, and he laughed. "If Ellen found a buyer at a +number of shillings less, she would be lucky! Well, I understand you +didn't take her offer?" + +"I did not," said Mrs. Cartwright tranquilly. "When I wanted to buy some +shares not long since, you did not approve. Since you refused to let me +help, I didn't mean to be persuaded by Ellen Seaton!" + +"You're staunch," said Cartwright and Mrs. Cartwright resumed her +knitting. In the morning he went to the office sooner than usual, but +there was no news and the dark, cold day passed drearily. When he +started for home Gavin promised to wait until the cable offices closed, +and Cartwright had gone to dinner when he was called to the telephone. +When he took down the instrument his hand shook. + +"Hallo!" he said hoarsely. "Is that you, Gavin?" + +"Yes, sir," said a voice he knew. "Cablegram from Davies just arrived, +part in code. I'll give it you slow--" + +"Go on," said Cartwright. + +"_Oreana_ ashore east Cape Chat, surrounded ice, water in fore hold. +Think some plates broken; have abandoned ship. Salvage impossible until +ice breaks." + +There was a pause, and Gavin added: "That's all. Have you got it, sir?" + +"I've got enough," Cartwright replied. + +He hung up the instrument, and going back to the dining-room, drained +his glass. Then he turned to Mrs. Cartwright, who had remarked his grim +look. + +"I've got a nasty knock. _Oreana's_ in the ice and may be wrecked. +Anyhow, we can't get her off until spring, and she's the best of the +fleet." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave him a sympathetic glance and signed a servant to +bring another plate. As a rule she did not say much. She studied her +husband quietly and was not much comforted when he resumed his dinner. +This was characteristic, but it was plain he had got a nasty knock. + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING + +The afternoon was dark and electric lights burned along the cornice of +the room engaged for the shareholders' meeting. The room was big and +cold, and as Gavin moved about the table on the platform his steps +echoed hollowly. He was the company's secretary and was putting down +papers by the blotting pads. A group of gentlemen, engaged in thoughtful +talk, stood by the fire. They were directors of the line and did not +look happy. Nominally, by the company's constitution, the shareholders +elected the Board; in practice, Cartwright had, so far, appointed the +directors, and meant, if possible, to do so again. The gentlemen by the +fire were eligible for reelection, and Cartwright was satisfied, +although he had not chosen them for their business talent. Their names +were good in Liverpool and their honesty was known. Cartwright did not +want clever men. He was head of the house and knew it would totter to a +disastrous fall unless he kept his firm control. + +Now and then Gavin gave his employer a keen glance. Cartwright's lips +were rather blue and the lines round his eyes were sharply drawn. His +white mustache stuck out, and one got a hint of stubbornness, but except +for this his face was inscrutable. Although Gavin thought Cartwright +would score again, he was anxious. Nobody but Cartwright could persuade +the dissatisfied shareholders to accept _that_ balance sheet. + +Cartwright himself felt in rather good form. He had curtailed his lunch +and been satisfied with a single glass of liquor that generally braced +him up. He imagined he would need all his skill and coolness before the +meeting was over. The trouble was, he might not get much support. The +directors did not know all he knew, but they knew something, and he saw +one or two hesitated. Then Mrs. Cartwright was ill, and although she had +given her husband her proxy votes, had sent Mortimer. Mortimer was +entitled to come because he had some shares, but Cartwright did not know +the line he meant to take. The pup did not like him and was cunning. +Presently Cartwright looked at his watch. + +"They won't be long. I imagine we are going to have some opposition." + +"It's very possible," one of the others agreed. "A two-per-cent dividend +is disappointing and we are paying this by cutting down the reserve +fund. Then people know we have lost the use of our best boat for six +months and may lose her for good. When we reduced our insurance, I urged +that we were rash." + +"We saved a good sum and economy was needful," Cartwright rejoined. +"Insurance is expensive for our type of boats." + +"The balance sheet looks bad. I'll admit I'd sooner not be accountable +for a state of things like this," another remarked. + +Cartwright smiled. The balance sheet looked better than it was, but +Jordan had given him a useful lead. He knew his colleagues' weaknesses +and how they might be worked upon. + +"We are all accountable. I have consulted you frankly and you approved +my plans." + +Jordan gave him a rather doubtful look. "Anyhow, we must front an +awkward situation. Suppose the shareholders ask for an investigation +committee?" + +"We must refuse," said Cartwright, with quiet firmness. "A frightened +committee would probably urge a drastic re-construction scheme, the +writing off much of our capital, and perhaps winding up the line. When +rates are bad and cargo's scarce, one must take a low price for ships; +our liabilities are large, and I imagine selling off would leave us much +in debt--" + +Cartwright paused. He saw his remarks carried weight and knew his +co-directors. He would give them a few moments for thought before he +finished his argument. + +"Very well," he resumed. "Jordan declares he does not like to be +accountable for an unsatisfactory balance sheet. I take it he would much +less like to be made accountable for a bad bankruptcy! No doubt you +sympathize with him?" + +It was obvious that they did so and one said, "If I thought my occupying +a seat on the Board would lead to this, I would sooner have given my +shares away!" + +"I have not talked about my feelings," Cartwright went on. "All the +same, I am head of the old house; you can imagine I do not want to see +it fall. But rates are not always low, and if I'm not embarrassed by +rash meddlers, my persuasion is, I can keep the fleet running until +better times arrive." + +He saw he had won them. The number of shares they owned was not very +large: for the most part, the men were rich and not disturbed about +their money. They valued a high place in business and social circles and +their good name. To be entangled by a bankruptcy was unthinkable. + +"Then, I feel we ought to support you," Jordan replied. "For all that, +our power's not very great. We are going to meet some opposition and if +the dissatisfied people are resolute they can turn us out." + +"So long as I know the Board will back me, I'm not afraid of the +shareholders," Cartwright declared. + +"You imagine you can save the situation?" a red-faced gentleman +remarked. + +"It's possible," said Cartwright dryly. + +"Very well," said the other. "We must try to see you out." + +They went to the table soon afterwards and the shareholders began to +arrive. They were not numerous, and the scattered groups emphasized the +bareness of the big echoing room. Cartwright studied the people as they +came in. Some looked gloomy and some stubborn; a few looked frankly +bored. There were five or six women and two whispered, while the others +glanced about with jerky movements. Cartwright's face hardened when he +saw Mrs. Seaton, and then he noted Hyslop in a back row. He thought +Hyslop looked languidly amused. + +When all was quiet, he took the notes Gavin handed him, glanced at the +paper, and put it down. Then, speaking in a steady voice, he gave the +report of the year's work and talked about the balance sheet. He was +frank but not apologetic, and claimed, in view of the difficulties, that +the directors had well guarded the company's interests. When he stopped +there were murmurs of approval, as if some of the despondent had begun +to hope; the cautious admitted that Cartwright had made a bad situation +look better. + +One or two asked questions, which he answered candidly, and then there +was a pause and somebody moved the adoption of the chairman's report and +balance sheet. His seconder made a short nervous speech, and Mrs. Seaton +got up at the end of the room. She pushed back her veil, took out her +handkerchief, put her hand on a chair in front, and gave the directors +an apologetic smile. + +"I don't know if it is usual for a woman to speak at a business meeting, +but I have a number of shares in the line and it's long since I got a +good dividend," she said. "Two per cent is ridiculous and my lawyer +tells me I could get four per cent, where the security is really good." +She paused and added naively: "To have twice as much to spend would be +very nice." + +Somebody laughed and Cartwright braced himself. Ellen Seaton was +cleverer than she looked, and he thought her dangerous, but in the +meantime he durst not stop her. + +"One feels that security's important and it's plain ours is not +first-class," she resumed. "Well, I suppose if we accept the report, it +means we are satisfied to let the company's business be managed on the +old plan?" + +"It does mean something like that," a man agreed. + +"Then I'm _not_ satisfied. For one thing, I want a proper dividend." + +"We all want a proper dividend," somebody remarked. + +Mrs. Seaton smiled, as if she were encouraged. "To go without is +disappointing, but perhaps the dividend is not most important. I'd like +to feel my shares were worth the money they cost, and find out they are +not. We have drawn on the reserves and I expect this implies we are +losing money. You can't go on losing money very long, and we ought to +stop while we have some capital left." + +A number of the others applauded and she continued: "Our directors have +worked very hard. To manage ships that don't pay must be tiring and +perhaps we oughtn't to ask them to bear the heavy strain. Could we not +choose somebody with fresh ideas to help?" + +"That's what we want!" said one. "The Board needs new blood!" + +Then the storm broke and for a time Cartwright lost control of the +meeting. Mrs. Seaton had loosed passions he might have restrained and +the shareholders were frankly moved by fear, distrust, and greed. Men +got up, asking angry questions and shouting implications, but for a few +minutes Cartwright sat like a rock and let them rage. When they stopped +and there was an awkward pause, Mortimer Hyslop got up. He looked +languid and his voice was soft, but Cartwright admitted his speech was +clever. + +He and Mrs. Cartwright, whom he represented, owned shares in the line, +and he had not risen before because the chairman was his relation. Now, +when attacks, perhaps not altogether justified, had been made on the +Board, he was forced to state his conviction that nobody else could have +steered the company past the dangers that threatened. One must admit the +situation was bad; and for a minute or two Mortimer cleverly indicated +its drawbacks. For all that, he argued, it was rash to change pilot and +officers in the middle of a storm. The officers they knew and had +trusted must be left control until the gale blew over. + +Mortimer sat down and Cartwright knitted his brows. On the surface, his +step-son had taken the proper line. Mortimer meant to support the Board, +but he had indicated that he did so because it was his duty. His remarks +about the dangers by which the company was surrounded had made things +look worse. All the same, he had calmed the meeting, but Cartwright did +not know if this was an advantage. Criticism was harder to meet when the +critics were cool. + +Another man got up and began to talk in a quiet voice. + +"Mr. Hyslop has an object for trusting the chairman that we have not +got. We won't grumble about his staunchness, but we are entitled to +weigh his arguments, which are not altogether sound. He owns the +situation is awkward and the outlook dark, but he urges us to trust the +officers who got the ship in danger. One feels this is not remarkably +logical. Then he declares nobody else could have kept the fleet running. +I think the claim is rash. In this city we are conservative and names +long known in business circles carry an exaggerated weight; we expect a +man to work wonders because his father started a prosperous line, and +another because he long since made a lucky plunge. Men like these are +often satisfied with former triumphs while times and methods change. We +want fresh thought and modern methods. It's obvious the old have brought +us near the rocks!" + +Cartwright saw the shareholders were moved and the time for him to speak +had come. He got up and fronted a doubting and antagonistic audience. +His face was inscrutable, but he looked dignified. + +"We have heard angry criticism and hints about slackness," he began. +"Some of you have suggested rejecting the report, a committee of +inquiry, and new members for the Board, but no substantive motion has +been put. Well, before this is done, I claim your patience for a few +minutes. If you are not satisfied, I and your directors are jointly +accountable. We stand together; if you get rid of one, you get rid of +all. This is a drastic but risky cure--" + +He paused and one or two of the gentlemen at the table looked surprised. +It was plain they felt the chairman had gone farther than he ought. The +red-faced man, however, smiled as if he approved and Cartwright resumed: + +"Times are bad, the markets are flat, and goods are not moved about the +world. I venture to state no steamship company is free from +embarrassments. You can, no doubt, find men with business talent equal +to ours and give them control; but you cannot give them the knowledge, +gained by long experience, one needs to grapple with the particular +difficulties the Cartwright line must meet. The personal touch is +needed; your manager must be known by the company's friends, and its +antagonists, who would not hesitate to snatch our trade from a stranger. +They know me and the others, and are cautious about attacking us. In all +that's important, until times get better, _I am the company_--" + +Cartwright stopped and drank some water. He saw he had struck the right +note and began again: + +"I will not labor the argument; the thing is obvious! If I go, the line +will stop running before the new men learn their job. Well, I'm old and +tired, but it would hurt to see the house-flag hauled down; it was +carried by famous oak clippers in my grandfather's time. You hesitate to +risk your money? I risk mine and much that money cannot buy; the honor +of a house whose ships have sailed from Liverpool for a hundred years!" + +The shareholders were moved and one heard murmurs of sympathy. Boldness +paid, and Cartwright saw he was recovering his shaken power, but it was +not all good acting. To some extent, he was sincere. He got his breath +and resumed: + +"I don't urge you with a selfish object to let me keep my post; I'd be +relieved to let it go. Counted in money, the reward for my labor is not +large. I want to save the Cartwright line, to pilot it into port, and, +if there is no rash meddling, I believe I can. But I warn you the thing +is in no other's power. Well, I have finished. You must choose whether +your directors go or not." + +There was an awkward silence, and then somebody asked: "Will the +chairman state if he has a plan for meeting a situation he admits is +difficult?" + +Cartwright smiled rather grimly. "I will not make a public statement +that might be useful to our antagonists! So long as I am chairman, you +must trust me. My proposition is, give us six months, and then, if +things are no better, we will welcome a committee of inquiry. In the +meantime, a motion is before the meeting--" + +"It is proposed and seconded that the directors' report and balance +sheet be accepted," Gavin remarked. + +The resolution was carried, the directors were reelected, and the +meeting broke up. Cartwright sat down rather limply and wiped his face. + +"I pulled it off, but they pushed me hard," he said. "At one time, it +looked as if our defenses would go down." + +"You have put off the reckoning; I think that's all," one of the +directors remarked. + +"We have six months," said Cartwright. "This is something. If they call +a meeting then, I imagine I can meet them." + +He signed to Gavin, who helped him with his big coat, and went off to +the underground restaurant, where he presently fell asleep in a chair by +the fire. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A STOLEN EXCURSION + +Barbara stopped at the top of James Street and looked down hill to the +river. The afternoon was dark and the pavement wet. Thin fog drifted +about the tall offices, lights shone in the windows, and she heard +steamers' whistles. Down the street, a white plume of steam, streaking +the dark-colored fog, marked the tunnel station, and Barbara glanced at +a neighboring clock. + +She could get a train in a few minutes, but she would be forced to wait +at a station on the Cheshire side, and there was not another train for +some time. She had bought the things she needed and did not know what to +do. One could pass half an hour at a cafe; but Mrs. Cartwright did not +like her to go to a cafe; alone and Barbara frowned impatiently. Her +mother was horribly conventional and Barbara missed the freedom she had +enjoyed in Canada. In fact, it was very dull at home; Grace's correct +serenity and cold disapproval made one savage; Mortimer's very proper +friends were tiresome. + +Barbara was restless and dissatisfied. She wanted to play an active part +and feel she was alive. Moreover, since she came home she had felt she +was being watched, and, so to speak, protected from herself. Her +relations had forgiven her Canadian escapade, but they meant to guard +against her doing something of the kind again. Perhaps from their point +of view, they were justified, but Barbara was not tempted to make a +fresh experiment. She had not yet got over the shock; she saw how near +her romantic trustfulness had brought her to disaster and thought her +faith in men and women had gone. This was perhaps the worst, because she +was generous and had frankly trusted people she liked. + +Now she imagined the gloomy day had re-acted on her spirits. She was +moody and longed for something that would banish the dreariness. +Starting down hill for the station, she stopped abruptly a few moments +afterwards. Lister was crossing the street, and if she went on they +would meet. It was some time since she had seen him and she noted with +surprise that he wore a rather soiled blue uniform. His cap, which had a +badge in front, was greasy, and he carried an oilskin coat. + +He walked quickly, looking straight in front, with his head well up, and +Barbara got a hint of purposeful activity. Barbara liked him much, but +she had, as a rule, quietly baffled his efforts to know her better. She +waited, rather hoping he would pass, until he looked round and advanced +to meet her. + +"I'm lucky!" he remarked, and his satisfaction was comforting. "It's +long since I have seen you." + +"You know our house," Barbara rejoined. + +"Oh, well," he said with a twinkle, "when I last came, you talked to me +for about two minutes and then left me to play billiards with your +brother. He was polite, but in Canada we play pool and my game's not +very good. I imagined he was bored." + +"Mortimer is like that," said Barbara. "But why are you wearing the +steamship badge and sailor's clothes?" + +Lister laughed. "They're engineer's clothes. I go to sea; that's another +reason I didn't come over." + +"Ah," said Barbara. "Did my step-father get you a post on board ship?" + +"He did not. He told me to look him up at the office, but I didn't go. +One would sooner not bother one's friends." + +"Canadians are an independent lot," Barbara remarked. "In this country, +we use our friends for all they are worth, and we're justified so long +as they want to help. If Cartwright said he would help, he meant to do +so. But what ship are you on board?" + +"_Ardrigh_, cross-channel cattle boat. She's unloading Irish steers, +sheep and pigs not far off. Will you come and see her? I don't suppose +you've been on board a Noah's ark before." + +Barbara did not hesitate. She doubted if Mrs. Cartwright would approve +and knew Grace would not, but this was not important. Grace disapproved +all she did and the stolen excursion would break the monotony. Then +Lister's twinkling smile appealed, and somehow her reserve vanished when +she was out of doors with him. + +"I'd like to go," she said. + +"Then, come along," he urged, and they started for the elevated railway +at the bottom of the street. + +While the electric cars rolled along the docks Barbara's moodiness went. +She could not see much in the fog. Wet warehouse roofs, masts and +funnels, and half-seen hulls floating on dull water, loomed up and +vanished. Inside the car, lights glimmered on polished wood; the +rattling and shaking were somehow cheerful. Barbara felt braced and +alert. Lister talked and she laughed. She could not hear all he said, +because of the noise, and thought he did not hear her, but she did not +mind. She liked his cheerfulness and frank satisfaction. The gloom +outside and the blurred lights in the fog gave the excursion a touch of +romantic adventure. + +They got down at a station by a muddy dock-road. Ponderous lorries with +giant horses rolled out of the gloom between stacks of goods; wet cattle +were entangled in the press of traffic, and Barbara was relieved when +Lister pushed back a sliding door. Then she stopped for a moment, half +daunted by the noise and bustle, and looked about. + +Big lights hung from the room of the long shed, but did not pierce the +gloom that lurked between the piles of cargo. A flock of sheep, moving +in a dense woolly mass, came down a gangway; squealing pigs occupied a +bay across the piles of goods. The front of the shed was open and in +places one saw a faint reflection that looked like water. Opposite +Barbara, the gap between the low roof and dock-sill was filled by a +deckhouse and a steamer's funnel. Steam blew across the opening farther +on, and in the vapor bales and boxes shot up and rattling chains plunged +down. Through the roar of the winches she heard coarse shouts and the +bellowing of cattle. + +Lister took her to a slanting plank that spanned a dark gulf and she saw +dim water and then the hollow of a steamer's hold. Men who looked like +ghosts moved in the gloom and indistinct cattle came up a railed plank. +Barbara could not see where they came from; they plunged out of the +dark, their horns glimmering in the beam of the lamps. + +After a few moments Lister helped her down on the steamer's bridge-deck. +The boat listed away from the wall. Her tall red funnel was inclined +sharply, much of her side was above water, and muddy streams poured from +the scuppers on the after deck, where men with long boots pulled a +hose-pipe about. The boat was horribly dirty, but her lean bows and the +length of the iron engine-room casing indicated speed. + +A man came along the bridge-deck, and Barbara thought the gold bands on +his cap indicated the captain. He stopped and when he glanced at Lister +she blushed, for there was a hint of sympathetic understanding in her +smile. + +"We won't want you until high-water," he said and went off. + +Barbara hoped Lister had not seen her blush and thought he had not. He +took her down some iron steps and to a door in a dark passage. + +"Our mess-room," he said. "I expect it's the quietest spot on board the +ship." + +He pushed the door open and stopped. The small room was bright with +electric light and a young man and woman sat opposite each other at the +table. The man's uniform was stained by oil; the girl was pretty and +fashionably dressed, but Barbara knew her clothes were cheap. She stood +at the door, hesitating, and the man gave Lister a smile like the +captain's. + +"I didn't expect you yet, but come in," he said. "The tea's not cold, +and Mike has made some doughnuts." + +"Mr. Robertson, my chief," Lister said to Barbara, and the man presented +Lister to his companion, and put a machine in a box on the floor. "Now +there's room; I was pulling out the indicator diagrams," he added. +"Won't you take off your coat, Miss Hyslop, and try Mike's doughnuts?" + +The little room was hot, and when Barbara hung up her furs she noted the +other girl's appraising glance. Miss Grant poured some black tea from a +big cracked pot and pushed across a tin of condensed milk and a plate of +greasy buns. When Barbara picked one up and looked at it doubtfully +Robertson opened a drawer. + +"We pull ours in two, but I expect you'd like a knife," he said. + +He found a knife, which he rubbed on the table-cloth. "I used the thing +on the indicator, the contraption in the box, but I think it's clean +enough." + +Barbara ate her doughnut and drank the bitter tea. Miss Grant looked +friendly and she liked the engineer. They were frank, human people, and +she thought them kind. Robertson began to talk about carpets, gas-stoves +and pans, and Miss Grant told Barbara what the articles cost. They had +been buying furniture and Robertson stated they were to be married soon. + +"I reckon you haven't got so far yet," he said to Lister, and when +Barbara saw Miss Grant touch him she blushed. It was ridiculous, but the +blood came to her skin, and then, noting Lister's embarrassment, she +began to laugh. + +"Jim _will_ talk like that!" Miss Grant remarked. + +"Oh, well," said Robertson, "I expect it's rather soon. Mr. Lister +hasn't joined us long, and you don't begin at the top." He turned to +Barbara with an encouraging smile. "All the same, he knows his job and +has got one move up. Perhaps if he sticks to it, for a year or two--" + +Miss Grant stopped him and asked Barbara's views about curtains. She had +some patterns, and while they contrasted the material and the prices the +door opened and a greasy, red-haired fellow gave the group a benevolent +grin. + +"Was thim doughnuts all right?" he inquired. + +"I've had better, but you've made some worse, Mike," Robertson replied. + +"Yez said _tea for two_. If ye'd told me it was a party, I'd have been +afther stealing the captain's Cork butter. A cook cannot do his best +whin the shore-steward sends him engine-grease. Annyhow, whin ye're +young an' romantic, what's it mather what ye ate?" + +He went off and Robertson began to talk about _Ardrigh_. He was naively +proud of the boat and his engines, and narrated hard runs in bad weather +to land the livestock in time for important markets. Sometimes the +hollow channel-seas that buried the plunging forecastle filled the decks +and icy cataracts came down the stokehold gratings. Sometimes the cattle +pens broke and mangled bullocks rolled about in the water and wreckage. + +Robertson had a talent for narrative and Barbara felt something of the +terror and lure of the sea. She liked the _Ardrigh's_ rather grimy crew, +their cheerfulness and rude good-humor. They did useful things, big +things now and then; they were strong, warm-blooded fellows, not +polished loafers like Mortimer's friends. Then she approved Miss Grant's +frank pride in her lover. There was something primitive about these +people. They were, so to speak, human, and not ashamed of their +humanity. Lister was somehow like them; she wondered whether this had +attracted her. Perhaps she was attracted, but the attraction must not be +indulged. + +By and by Miss Grant resumed her talk about curtains, and when they had +agreed about the material that ought to wear best Barbara looked at her +watch. Miss Grant gave her her hand and Robertson declared she must come +back when the boat was in port again. Lister took her down the gangway +and was quiet until they reached the station. Then he smiled +apologetically. + +"You played up well. I didn't know Robertson was on board, but he's a +very good sort. So's the girl, I think." + +Barbara laughed. "I didn't play up; I liked the people. The excursion +was delightful; I've enjoyed it all." + +Lister saw she was sincere and thrilled. He had begun to think he ought +not to have suggested the adventure, but he was not sorry now; Barbara +was not bothered by ridiculous conventions. She talked gayly while the +cars rolled along beside the warehouse walls, but when they got down at +the station she stopped in the middle of a sentence. Cartwright had +alighted from the next car and was a yard or two in front. Lister knew +his fur coat and rather dragging walk. If he and Barbara went on, they +would confront Cartwright when he turned to go down the steps. + +Barbara gave him a twinkling glance and remarked that he knitted his +brows but did not hesitate. In the few moments since her step-father +left the train she had seen three or four plans for avoiding him. Lister +obviously had not, and on the whole she approved his honesty. He +advanced and touched Cartwright. + +"I didn't know you were on board our train, sir." + +Cartwright looked at him rather hard and Barbara waited. Although she +had been caught enjoying a stolen excursion, she was not afraid of her +step-father, but she was curious. + +"I was in front," said Cartwright dryly. "Barbara has picked a rather +dreary day for a run to the north docks. I understood she was going to +the shops." + +"Miss Hyslop met me near the station and I persuaded her to come and see +my ship." + +"Then you have got a ship?" said Cartwright. "If you are not on duty, +come to the office in the morning and tell me about the boat. In the +meantime, I'll put Barbara on the tunnel train." + +He went off with the girl, but Barbara turned her head and Lister saw +her smile. + + + +CHAPTER IX + +CARTWRIGHT SEES A PLAN + +In the morning Lister went to Cartwright's office. To some extent, he +was embarrassed, because he had begun to see that Barbara's relations +might not approve her going on board his ship and he imagined Cartwright +meant to talk about this. When he came in Cartwright gave him a nod and +indicated a chair. + +"I understand you did not arrange for Barbara to meet you and go to the +dock?" he said. + +"No, sir. I didn't expect to meet Miss Hyslop. I was talking about the +boat and thought Miss Hyslop might like to see her." + +Cartwright turned and the electric light touched his face. He looked +thoughtful, but somehow Lister imagined he was not thinking about his +step-daughter. + +"Oh, well!" he said, as if the matter were not important, and went on: +"I might have got you a post had you looked me up. What boat are you on +board?" + +"_Ardrigh_. Perhaps you know her?" + +"Yes. Belfast model; long bow and fine lines aft. Don't know if I +approve the type. Give you speed, at the cost of carrying power, but +makes a wet ship in a head sea." + +"She is wet," Lister agreed with a smile. "Last run we couldn't keep the +water out of the stokehold. Had to cover and batten gratings, and then a +boat fetched adrift and smashed the engine skylights." + +"What's your rating?" Cartwright asked. + +Lister told him and he remarked: "You have made some progress!" + +"I was lucky. She burst some boiler tubes in my watch. We were steaming +hard, head to an ugly sea, with a lot of cattle on board, and were +forced to keep her going. Two firemen were scalded, but I was able to +put the patent-stoppers in the tubes. I used a trick I'd learned on a +Canadian lake boat; rather risky, but it worked. Afterwards the company +moved me up." + +Cartwright was not surprised. He knew men and saw the young fellow was +all he had thought. All the same, it might be worth while to get some +particulars about the accident from the _Ardrigh's_ owners. + +"You won't go far in the cross-channel trade. Why did you not try for a +berth with an Atlantic line!" + +"There was some trouble about your Board of Trade rules and I might have +been required to prove my qualifications for an English certificate. +While I was inquiring I heard an engineer was wanted on board _Ardrigh_. +The regulations don't apply to coasting voyages." + +"You might have got your certificate. Would it not have been worth +while?" + +Lister hesitated. His main object for joining the _Ardrigh_ was that she +sailed from Liverpool and he wanted to see Barbara now and then. As a +rule, he was frank, but he did not think it prudent to enlighten +Cartwright. + +"I don't know," he said. "You see, I may go back to the railroad soon." + +He wondered whether Cartwright did see and thought he had remarked his +hesitation; the old fellow was very keen. Cartwright's look, however, +was inscrutable and for a few moments he said nothing. Then he picked up +some papers on his desk. + +"Look me up now and then when you're in port. I might have a job for +you, but I don't know yet," he said, and added in a meaning voice: "If +you want to see my family, Mrs. Cartwright will receive you at her +house." + +Lister colored and got up. "I'll remember, sir! Perhaps I oughtn't to +have persuaded Miss Hyslop--I didn't stop to think--" + +When he went off Cartwright smiled, but soon afterwards he put his +cigar-case in his pocket and told Gavin he was going out. He thought he +knew where to find the cattle boat's shore-engineer, and when he did so +the waitress gave them a table at which they would not be disturbed. In +half an hour Cartwright had found out all he wanted to know, and +returning to his office, he smoked and mused. + +Lister had not exaggerated; his pluck and coolness had kept _Ardrigh's_ +engines going when to stop might have meant the loss of the livestock on +board. Well, Cartwright had known the fellow was good stuff and he might +soon want a man like that. Somebody staunch and resolute who knew his +job! He had beaten his antagonists at the shareholders' meeting, but +doubted if he could do so again. In fact, he had only put off the +reckoning for six months, in which he must make good, and he knitted his +brows while he studied _Titania's_ picture. He thought about her sister +ship, wrecked and abandoned on the African coast. + +_Arcturus_ was a useful boat and cheap to run. Although times were bad, +Cartwright could run her and earn some profit. He had known the company +that bought her was getting near the rocks, but they had insured her +heavily and there was something strange about the wreck. Cartwright +understood the underwriters had hesitated before they paid. He, himself, +would not have paid; he had a notion--. + +An effort had been made to float _Arcturus_, but the salvors did not +know all Cartwright thought he knew. If his supposition were correct, +the wreck might be worth buying and one could, no doubt, buy her very +cheap. The boat had for some time lain half-buried in shifting sands at +the mouth of an African river. + +The underwriters would be lucky if they sold her for old iron. + +Cartwright weighed the cost of floating. If he employed a regular +salvage company, this would be high, because they would bargain for a +large part of the value recovered; his plan was to do the job himself, +with cheaper appliances than theirs. The trouble was, he could not go +out and superintend. He was too old, and one ought to be an engineer; +Cartwright had grounds for imagining the job was rather an engineer's +than a sailor's. Well, he knew a young fellow who would not be daunted +and would work for him honestly, but to get the proper man was not all. + +He pondered about the money. Somehow he might get the necessary sum, but +if the venture failed, it would be the last. Nobody would trust him +again; he would be forced into retirement and dependence on his wife. It +was a risk he hesitated to run and he resolved to wait. + +In the evening after dinner Barbara joined him in the drawing-room, and +Cartwright waited with some amusement, for he thought he knew what she +wanted. + +"Did Mr. Lister come to the office?" she asked presently. + +"He did come. Did you think he would not?" + +"Oh, no!" said Barbara, smiling, "I knew he would come. Mr. Lister is +like that!" + +"I suppose you mean he's honest?" + +"I think I mean he's scrupulous. When you crossed the station platform +in front of us he got a jolt." + +"Then, you did not get a jolt?" + +"Not at all," said Barbara. "To keep behind and meet you after I'd sent +Lister off would not have bothered me. However, I was curious, although +I think I knew the line he'd take. You see, for an unsophisticated young +man, the situation was awkward." + +"If he felt it awkward, it indicated he knew he ought not to have taken +you on board his boat." + +"You're horribly logical," Barbara rejoined with a twinkle. "When we +started he didn't know I ought not to have gone. Mr. Lister is not like +you; he's very obvious. Of course, I did know, but I went!" + +"I wonder why!" said Cartwright dryly. + +"Sometimes you're keen, but you didn't remark, I meant to give you a +lead. Well, I didn't go altogether because I wanted to enjoy Mr. +Lister's society. To see a cattle boat was something fresh and I was +dull." + +"Then, when did Lister see a light? Since he stopped me, it's plain he'd +got some illumination." + +"I think it was when the engineer and the girl Robertson is going to +marry began to talk about house furnishings in the _Ardrigh's_ +mess-room. They took it for granted Lister was my lover and he was +horribly embarrassed. The thing really was humorous." + +"Folks have hinted I'm getting a back-number," Cartwright remarked. "To +talk to a modern girl makes me feel I am out-of-date." + +"Grace is not modern and to talk to her makes you tired," Barbara +rejoined. "But I'll tell you about the tea-party in the mess-room if you +like." + +"Then you got tea in the cattle boat's mess-room?" + +"Of course," said Barbara. "Black tea and condensed milk, and a ruffian +with red hair whom they called Mike had made some doughnuts with lard +like engine-grease. For all that, they were very nice people, and if you +don't interrupt, I'll tell you--" + +She told him about the party and Cartwright chuckled. He pictured her in +the dirty mess-room, looking exotic in her fashionable clothes and +expensive furs, but no doubt quite serene. She said the other girl was +pretty, but Cartwright admitted that Barbara was beautiful. He rather +sympathized with Lister's embarrassment, and wondered whether Barbara +meant to throw some light on the young man's character. + +When she stopped, he asked: "Did they talk about some burst boiler +tubes?" + +"No," said Barbara. "We talked about gas-stoves and kitchen pans." Then +she gave Cartwright a keen glance. "But what are boiler tubes? Do they +sometimes burst?" + +"They carry the flame from the furnace through the water. If you're much +interested, Gavin will show you a plan of a ship's boiler when you come +to the office. In the meantime, have you found out all you want to +know?" + +"You really are keen!" Barbara rejoined. + +"I was a little curious about what you said to Mr. Lister." + +"Ah," said Cartwright, "I imagined something like this. I told him if he +wanted to see my family, he must come to the house." + +Barbara looked thoughtful. "This was all? Was it worth while to tell him +to come to the office? To order him, in fact?" + +"It was all that's important. I think it was important and expect you to +agree." + +"Well, you have carried out your duty and ought to be satisfied," said +Barbara, who got up and gave Cartwright a smiling glance. "All the same, +if you want a man for an awkward job, I think you can trust Mr. Lister!" + +She went off and Cartwright laughed. Barbara was clever. The strange +thing was, she had been cheated by a theatrical rogue, but clever girls +were sometimes like that. He imagined she liked Lister, but this was +perhaps all, since she had been frank. In one sense, Lister was the man +for Barbara; he was honest, sober, and resolute, and she needed firm +control. The girl was as wild as a hawk, and although she was marked by +a fine fastidiousness, would revolt from a narrow-minded prig. Lister +was not a prig; his blood was red. + +In another sense, perhaps, the thing was ridiculous. Barbara was rich +and ought to make a good marriage, but good marriages sometimes brought +unhappiness. + +Human nature was stubborn; one paid for forcing it to obey the rules of +worldly prudence. Then Barbara had a romantic vein. She would risk all +for her lover and not grumble if she were forced to pay for her +staunchness. Besides, she and Lister had qualities he had not. They were +marked by something ascetic, or perhaps he meant Spartan, and if it were +worth while, could go without much that he required. + +Cartwright admitted that indulgence had cost him dear. He had paid with +grim philosophy, but he did not want Barbara to pay. Although she was +not his daughter, he loved the girl, and her recent moodiness bothered +him. If she did not love Lister, why was she disturbed? Sometimes +Cartwright thought he saw a gleam of light. Suppose she did love the +fellow and was trying to keep him off because of her Canadian adventure? +Lister knew about that and Barbara was proud. + +Cartwright's eyes got bloodshot and he clenched his fist. He would very +much like to meet Shillito. His muscles were getting slack, but he had +not lost all his power; anyhow, he could talk. Well, the thing was +humiliating, but he must not get savage. When he let himself go he +suffered for it afterwards. Getting up, he threw away his cigar, and +went off to talk to his wife. + + + +CHAPTER X + +A BOLD SPECULATION + +After weighing for some weeks all he could learn about the wreck on the +African coast, Cartwright went to London and was carried up one morning +to the second floor of an imposing office block. Black marble columns +supported the molded roof of the long passage, the wide stairs were +guarded by polished mahogany and shining brass, and a screen of artistic +iron work enclosed the elevator shaft. Cartwright's fur coat and gloves +and varnished boots harmonized with the surroundings; he looked rich and +important, but as he went along the corridor his face was stern. He was +going to make a plunge that would mend or break his fortune. Unless he +got straight in the next six months, he must retire from the Board and +make the best bargain possible with his creditors. + +He opened a door, and giving a clerk his card, was shown into a handsome +private office. Mr. Morse at a writing-table indicated a chair, and when +Cartwright sat down, rested his chin in his hand. + +"We have considered your letters, and my partner, Mr. Bull, agrees that, +if we can come to terms, your suggestion has some advantages," he said. + +"The advantages for your clients are obvious," Cartwright remarked. + +The other smiled. "They paid out a good sum when _Arcturus_ was wrecked, +and would frankly like to get something back. Well, we understand you +are willing to buy her, _as she lies_." + +"At my price! I'll give you a check when the agreement's signed." + +"Then, I expect you have made some calculations and know all about the +efforts to float the wreck. If we sell her to you, the job is yours, but +I admit some curiosity. Why do you expect to float her when the salvage +company failed?" + +"For one thing, they started the job on extravagant lines," Cartwright +replied. "They sent out two first-class tugs and a number of highly-paid +men; they ought to have hired negro laborers at the spot. The surf is +often bad, they could only work when it was calm, and while they were +doing nothing, wages mounted up. So did their bills for the coal they +must bring from Sierra Leone, where coal is expensive. Then they were +bothered by fever and were forced to send men home. They saw the +contract would not pay and let it go. The job was not impossible; it was +costing too much." + +Mr. Morse agreed that Cartwright's statement was plausible and probably +accurate, but thought he rather labored his argument. + +"You mean to use another plan?" he said. + +"My outfit will be small and cheap. This has the advantage that when my +men can't work, I won't pay much for wasted time. All the same, my risk +is obvious. The thing's a rash speculation, on which I can't embark +unless you are satisfied to take a very small price." + +For a few moments the ship broker pondered. Cartwright's line was the +line a man who wanted to buy something cheap would take. All the same, +Mr. Morse did not altogether see why he wanted to buy the wreck. + +"What about the cargo?" he suggested. "Of course, you understand that I +have no authority to sell this; you noticed the wording of our original +advertisement? 'And for the salving of the cargo,' Precisely it is on +that basis alone that the cargo underwriters will deal. Together with +your offer for the steamer as she lies, you must accept a percentage of +the value of the cargo you save." + +"What is the cargo?" + +"She carried palm-kernels in the forehold; I expect they have fermented +and rotted. Perhaps the palm oil aft isn't spoiled." + +"The barrels will have gone to bits." + +"Oak barrel staves stand salt water long." + +"The iron hoops do not," Cartwright rejoined. "Anyhow, I don't reckon on +the cargo; I expect to make my profit on buying the hull." + +"Yet the cargo is worth something. I imagine you know she carried some +valuable gums, ivory and a quantity of gold?" + +Cartwright smiled. "I do know the goods were on the ship's manifest. How +much gold did the salvage company get?" + +"Six boxes; but this was not all that was shipped." + +"I imagine it's all that will be recovered!" Cartwright remarked. + +The other looked hard at him, but his face was inscrutable and he went +on: "Well, I don't want the cargo, and may be forced to heave much of it +overboard in order to lighten the hull. However, if we find stuff worth +saving, we'll put it on the beach and I'll take a third-part of the +value, and you can send out an agent to tally the goods." + +"Very well," said the other, who approved the latter plan, although he +imagined Cartwright knew something he did not. "Let's be frank," he +resumed. "Personally, I felt from the beginning there was a mystery +about the wreck." + +"Oh, well," said Cartwright, "the owners of the boat went broke, and the +merchant who put the goods on board died. His son sold the business to a +small company, in which he took shares. The new house is prosperous and +respectable; it would be necessary to know your ground well before you +bothered them. Then I have nothing to go upon but a vague supposition. +In fact, the thing's a risky plunge, and if you refuse my offer, I won't +grumble. All the same, I doubt if anybody else would give you, for +example, five hundred pounds for _Arcturus_." + +"Five hundred pounds is, of course, ridiculous," the other rejoined, and +they began to bargain. + +When Cartwright left the office he was, on the whole, satisfied. He +could finance the undertaking, but this was all. There would be no +margin to cover unforeseen difficulties. It was his last gamble, and, +besides his money, he staked his post and reputation. If he lost, he was +done for, and the house must fall. Soon after his return he sent for +Lister and told him about the wreck and his salvage plans. + +"I had some bother to get a captain," he said. "The job has not much +attraction for a sober man, but Brown is not sober; he's frankly +reckless and irresponsible. The strange thing is, I've known him make +good where cautious men have failed. Then much depends on the engineer. +I brought you across to ask if you would go." + +Lister's eyes sparkled. "Yes, sir. I've been looking for a chance like +this." + +Cartwright studied him quietly. Lister's keenness was obvious; the young +fellow liked adventure, but Cartwright imagined this did not account for +all. + +"From one point of view, I think the chance is pretty good," he said. +"If you can float the wreck and bring her home, I expect some of the big +salvage companies will offer you a post. Anyhow, you'll get your pay, +and if we are lucky, a bonus that will depend on the cost of the +undertaking and the value of all we salve." + +"I'm going," Lister declared, and Cartwright noted that he did not +inquire about the pay. Then he hesitated and resumed: "But I haven't got +an English chief-engineer's certificate." + +"I don't know if it's important. I expect you'll find the adventure is +marked by a number of small irregularities. However, to satisfy the +Board of Trade is my business." + +"Then you can reckon on me; but there's another thing. Why do you hope +to lift the wreck when the salvage men could not?" + +Cartwright smiled. "I have been asked this before, but saw no grounds +for satisfying the inquirer's curiosity. All the same, I'll enlighten +you." + +He did so, and Lister looked up sharply. He had known Cartwright was +clever, but the old fellow was cleverer than he thought. It was possible +he had solved a puzzle that had baffled the salvage engineers. After +all, perhaps, it was not strange they were baffled. They had reckoned on +mechanical obstacles; Cartwright had reckoned on the intricacies of +human nature. + +"I expect you have got it, sir," Lister agreed. "If her bilge was in the +sand and the divers couldn't break into the engine-room--" He paused and +laughed. "A powerful centrifugal pump lifts some water, but you can't +pump out the Atlantic!" + +"It looks as if the salvage company tried," said Cartwright, dryly. +"However--" + +He talked about the undertaking, giving Lister particulars he thought he +ought to know, and when the young man went off, all important plans had +been agreed upon. Soon afterwards Cartwright went home and found Mrs. +Cartwright had gone to bed. He was getting disturbed about her, but +since the doctor had said she must rest, he talked to Barbara in the +evening. He told her about the wreck, and smiled when he stated that +Lister would have control. + +"I think you declared he was the man for an awkward job," he said. + +Barbara looked at him rather hard. "Perhaps I did say so. You don't +imply you are sending Mr. Lister because you thought I'd like it?" + +"Not at all," said Cartwright. "The thing's a business venture. Still +your statement carried weight. I admit your judgment sometimes is +sound." + +She turned her head and when she looked up and replied, her voice was +rather hard. + +"You must not trust my judgment. I have been cheated." + +"My dear!" said Cartwright. "Perhaps my remark was unlucky, but the +cleverest of us is sometimes cheated, and you were not cheated long. +We'll let it go. I'm bothered about your mother. She feels the damp and +cold and is not picking up. Perhaps we ought to send her South. I must +talk to the doctor." + +In the morning he saw the doctor, who said they had better wait for a +time, and Cartwright occupied himself by outfitting the salvage +expedition. Finding it necessary to go to London, he called on the +gentleman from whom he had bought the wreck a short time ago. + +"When we made the agreement, you asked if I knew anybody who would give +me five hundred pounds for the boat," remarked Mr. Morse. "Just then I +did not know, but not long since I was offered a better price than +yours." + +"Ah," said Cartwright, thoughtfully. "She lay in the sand for some time +and nobody bothered about her. Who was willing to buy?" + +The other smiled. "A shipbroker stated a sum at which he would take her +off our hands. It was plain he was an agent, but he wouldn't give his +customer's name. I don't imagine you will find out from him. I tried!" + +Cartwright said it was strange, and went off soon afterwards. When he +went down in the lift he smiled, for he thought he saw a light; after +all, his speculation was not as rash as it looked. + +When he got home Mrs. Cartwright had come downstairs and she joined the +others at dinner. The doctor said she was stronger and might soon +undertake a journey South; he suggested the Canaries, and Cartwright +approved. + +"If you sail by a Cape liner, it's a short run, and after you leave the +Spanish coast the sea is generally smooth," he said. "Since I must stay +at the office, we must decide who is going with you." + +Hyslop said he would like to go, and would do so if it were necessary, +but to get away just then was awkward. Grace declared somebody must stop +to look after Cartwright and the house, and she imagined this was her +post. For all that, since she was older than Barbara, it was hard to see +her duty. Mrs. Cartwright did not indicate whom she wanted, although she +glanced at Barbara. Since she was ill she had got very languid, and +Cartwright did not meddle. He knew his stepchildren, and it was +characteristic that Grace talked about her duty; taking care of an +invalid at a foreign hotel had not much charm for Grace. + +"Very well," said Barbara, "I gave you and Mortimer first chance, +because I'm not important, but since you have good grounds for staying, +we won't argue." She turned to Mrs. Cartwright: "I'm going, because I +want to go." + +Mrs. Cartwright gave her a gentle smile and it was plain that she was +satisfied, but when she had gone to bed and Cartwright was alone, he +pondered. Barbara loved her mother and would have gone had she not +wanted to go, but he thought she did want and had an object. He had told +her something about his plans, and had stated that he would use Grand +Canary as a supply depot for the expedition; then he had found the girl +studying an Atlantic chart in the library. Barbara had no doubt noted +the island lay conveniently near the African coast, and knew it was an +important coaling station, at which steamers bound South from Liverpool +called. Cartwright wondered whether she had argued she might see Lister +at Grand Canary. + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE START + +Rain was falling and the light had hardly reached the opening between +the tall warehouses. In the dock the water was smooth and shone with +dull reflections, but the gates were open and the muddy swell the flood +tide brought up the river splashed about the entrance. Ponderous lorries +rumbled across a bridge, indistinct figures moved and shouted on the +pierhead, and men in wet oilskins splashed about _Terrier's_ deck. + +She was a battered propeller tug and lay against the wall, with large +cases of machinery lashed to her bulwarks, and a stack of coal built up +beside the engine-skylights. Her bunkers were full, but the fuel she +carried would not last very long, and coal is dear at foreign ports. +Coils of thick wire rope and diving gear occupied her shallow hold, and +Cartwright was annoyed because she could not take the massive +centrifugal pump which he had sent by an African liner. Some extra coal +and supplies were loaded on a clumsy wooden hulk, but he durst not risk +her carrying expensive machinery. + +When he talked to the captain in the pilot-house, he was, on the whole, +satisfied. Brown's face was flushed and his voice was hoarse, but he +would pull himself together after he got to sea. Cartwright knew Brown's +habits when he gave him the job, although, in an important sense, the +job was Lister's. To trust the young fellow was a bold experiment, but +Cartwright did so. If Lister were not the man he thought, Cartwright +imagined his control of the line would presently come to an inglorious +end. To some extent this accounted for his bringing Barbara to see the +salvage expedition start. He knew the power of love. + +Barbara had not gone up the greasy ladder to the bridge and waited on +deck. She had left home without much breakfast, in the dark, and was +cold and rather depressed. All was gloomy and strangely flat. The tug +looked small and was horribly dirty. Coal-dust covered rails and ropes; +grimy drops from the rigging splashed on the trampled black mud on deck. +The crew were not sober and their faces were black. Two or three +draggled women called to them from the pierhead, their voices sounding +melancholy and harsh. + +Barbara had not seen Lister and wondered where he was, until a man +plunged out from the neighboring door of the engine-room. The abruptness +of his exit indicated that he had been rudely propelled by somebody +behind, and as he lurched across the deck, Lister appeared at the door. +His cap was dark with grease, his overalls were stained, and a black +smear ran from his eye to chin. + +"Hustle and get that oil drum on the wharf, you drunken hog!" he +shouted. "If I hadn't watched out you'd have left half the truck." + +He stopped when he saw Barbara. "This is very kind," he said to her. "I +knew Cartwright was on board, but hadn't hoped you would come to give us +a good send-off." + +Barbara noted his satisfaction and was moved by something in his voice. +He looked thin and fine-drawn in his stained engineer's clothes, and his +hands were greasy. The surroundings were not romantic, but somehow they +got brighter and her gloom vanished. Lister's eyes sparkled; he wore the +stamp of strength and confidence. + +"I doubted if my step-father would bring me, but I really meant to +come," she said. "For one thing, I wanted to ask you--" + +She hesitated, for it was hard to strike the right note. She had begun +to see there was something exciting and perhaps heroic about the +adventure. The handful of men had undertaken a big thing; there was much +against them, and daunting risks must be run. Moreover, she had studied +Cartwright and remarked the anxiety he thought he had hid. Cartwright +was rather inscrutable, but sympathy had given her power to understand. +She thought he was engaged in a reckless gamble and could not afford to +lose. + +"Whatever you want--" Lister declared, but she stopped him. + +"I want you to do your best." + +"You can reckon on that, anyhow! Cartwright has hired me; I'm his man." + +Barbara smiled. "Yes; I know! You're honest and will do all you engaged; +but in a sense, this is not enough. I want you to make an extra effort, +because--" + +She paused and the blood came to her skin when she went on: "You see, +it's important you should float the wreck and bring her home. It means +much to my step-father; very much, I think. He's kind and I love him. I +feel I ought to help." + +Lister saw her statement was significant, and her embarrassment +indicated that she knew it was so. In fact, she had admitted that she +knew he would, for her sake, use all his powers. He was moved, but he +was not a fool. The girl, wearing her costly furs, looked rich and +dignified; he was a working engineer and conscious of his greasy +clothes. He loved her, but for a time he must be cautious. To begin +with, he would not have her think he made a claim. + +"You're not very logical," he replied carelessly. "When I took the job I +undertook to earn my pay. Cartwright sends me off to float the wreck, +and if it's possible, I must make good." + +"I am logical," Barbara declared, while her color came and went. "One +thinks one does one's best, but sometimes when the strain comes, one can +do better. It really isn't ridiculous! Emotion, sentiment, give one +extra force--" She stopped and resumed in a strangely gentle voice: "You +are young, and if you don't make good it won't hurt very much. Mr. +Cartwright's old; he can't try again. Then he's not my step-father only. +He's my friend, and I know he trusts you. For his sake, I must be +frank--I trust you!" + +Lister smiled, but his voice betrayed him, although he thought he used +control. + +"Very well! If it's possible for flesh and blood, we'll bring _Arcturus_ +home. That's all. The thing's done with." + +She gave him her hand, and kept the glove with the dark grease stain. +Then, seeing there was no more to be said, she looked about. Ragged +clouds rolled up from the Southwest, and the disturbed swell that +splashed about the dock gates indicated wind down channel. A shower beat +upon the engine skylights and Barbara moved beneath the bridge. A great +rope rose out of the water as the men at the winch hauled up the clumsy +hulk. Two or three others, dragging a thin, stiff wire rope, floundered +unsteadily across the deck. + +"They look rough, and they're not very sober," Barbara remarked. + +Lister laughed. "They're frankly drunk! A pretty hard crowd, but Brown +and I have handled a hard crowd before. In fact, I reckon Cartwright has +got the proper men for the job." + +"Captain Brown is like them," said Barbara, thoughtfully. "You are not." + +"You haven't seen me hustling round when things go wrong." + +"I saw you throw a man out of the engine-room not long since!" + +"With a gang like ours, one must prove one's claim to be boss at the +start. Anyhow, there are different kinds of wastrels, and the fellow who +gets on a jag at intervals is often a pretty good sort. The wastrel one +has no use for is the fellow who keeps it up. But I see Mr. Cartwright +coming and mustn't philosophize." + +A gateman on the pierhead began to shout to the captain, and Cartwright +gave Lister his hand. + +"They are waiting for you and we must get ashore," he said. "Well, I've +given you and Brown a big job, but I expect you'll see me out." + +"We'll put in all we've got, sir," said Lister quietly. + +Cartwright nodded, as if he were satisfied, and touched Barbara, who +turned and gave Lister a smile. + +"Good luck!" she said, and following Cartwright, went up the steps in +the wall. + +She thought it significant Cartwright had left her for some time and had +given Lister a quick, searching glance. Lister had said nothing about +their talk and his promise; she had known he would not do so. Yet this +was not because he was clever. He had a sort of instinctive +fastidiousness. She liked his reply to Cartwright; he _would_ put in all +he had got, and a man like that had much. Fine courage, resolution and +staunch loyalty. + +When Barbara reached the pierhead, _Terrier's_ engines began to throb. +The propeller churned the green water, and the tug bumped against the +wall. Gatemen shouted, the big tow-rope splashed and tightened with a +jerk, and the hulk began to move. Then the tug's bow crept round the +corner and swung off from the gates. The engine throbbed faster, and a +blast of the whistle echoed about the warehouses. Brown waved his cap +and signed to a man in the pilot-house. The hulk swung round in a wide +sweep, and the adventurous voyage had begun. + +_Terrier_, steaming across the strong current, looked small and dingy; +when she rolled as the helm went over, the swell washed her low +bulwarks. She got smaller, until a rain squall blew across from the +Cheshire side and she melted into the background of dark water and +smoke. Barbara felt strangely forlorn, and it was some relief when +Cartwright touched her arm and they set off along the wall. + +After the rain the wind freshened, and when Brown steamed out from the +river, a confused sea rolled across the shoals. The light was not good, +but a double row of buoys led out to sea, the ebb-tide was running, and +_Terrier_ made good progress. She shipped no water yet, and the hulk +lurched along without much strain on the rope. The rope was fastened to +a massive iron hook and ran across a curved wooden horse at the tug's +stern. Sometimes it slipped along the horse and tightened with a bang, +for the clumsy hulk sheered about. When her stern went up one saw an +indistinct figure holding the wheel. + +When they passed the Bar Lightship, Lister climbed to the bridge and for +a few minutes looked about. The plunging red hull to starboard was the +last of the Mersey marks, for the North-West ship was hidden by low +clouds. Ahead the angry gray water was broken by streaks of foam. +_Terrier_ rolled and quivered when her bows smashed a sea, and showers +of spray beat like hail against the screens on the bridge. + +"She's loggish," Brown remarked. "If you don't burn up that coal soon, +she'll wash it off. Looks like a dirty night, and I'm pushing across for +Lynas Point. With the wind at south-west, I want to get under the +Anglesey coast. There'll be some sea in the channel when we open up +Holyhead." + +"The boat's good," said Lister. "Engines a bit neglected, but they're +running smooth and cool, and she has power to shove her along. +Cartwright has an eye for a useful craft." + +Brown nodded. "The old fellow has an eye for all that's useful; I reckon +he sees farther than any man I know. There's something encouraging about +this, because the job he's given us looks tough--" + +He stopped, for the tow-rope slipped noisily across the horse. There was +a clang of iron as the hook took the strain, and the captain frowned. +"That hulk is going to bother us before very long." + +Lister seized the slanted rails. The lightship had vanished, but a +bright beam pierced the haze astern. Ahead the sea was empty; gray water +rolled beneath low and ragged clouds. Spray flew about the plunging +bows, and the tug rolled uneasily. Lister turned and left the bridge, +but stopped for a few moments at the engine-room door. Barbara had stood +just opposite, where the iron funnel-stay ran down. Her rich furs gave +her girlish figure a touch of dignity, the color was in her face, and +her eyes shone. + +Lister knew the picture would haunt him, and he would come to the engine +door to recapture it when he needed bracing. He would need bracing, for +there were obstacles ahead, but he had promised Barbara to help +Cartwright out. Stepping across the ledge to a slippery platform, he +went below. + +PART III--THE BREAKING STRAIN + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE FIRST STRUGGLE + +The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about +the throbbing machinery. It looked as if the lamps swung in a +semicircle, but they did not. All else slanted at an ever-changing +angle; the swiveled lamps were still. Overhead the dark and bulky +cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, +valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the +twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit. One saw the big columns +shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks +groaned with the back push of the propeller. + +A door in the bulkhead was open, and now and then a blaze from the +stokehold lighted the engine-room. Shovels clanged and the thud of a +hammer jarred upon the throb of machinery. Men moved about like ghosts. +Their feet made no noise; for a moment one saw their sweat-streaked +faces and then they vanished. Lister sat on a tool-box, an old pipe in +his mouth, and was happier than he had been for long. For one thing, his +men were getting sober and he saw they knew their job; then he was +satisfied with his engines and relished the sense of control. He was +_chief_, and until the tug came back from Africa the engines were his. + +In the meantime he need not move about. It was like listening to an +orchestra of which he knew all the instruments, and he heard no jarring +notes. The harmony was good and the rhythm well marked. The clash and +clang rose and fell with a measured beat; but the smooth running of his +engines did not account for all Lister's satisfaction. In a sense, +Barbara had given him his job, he was her servant, doing her work, and +this was much, although he scarcely durst hope for another reward. + +Cartwright had not without careful thought sent Lister on board. He knew +the young fellow's staunchness as he knew Barbara's, and, because his +need was great, had not hesitated to use him and the girl. He was old +and must be resigned to sit at his desk and plan, but, as a rule, his +plans worked, and he had a talent for choosing his tools. When it was +possible, he used his tools carefully; he hated to overstrain fine +material. + +_Terrier's_ regular lurch and roll indicated that she was steaming along +the coast, in some shelter from the wind that blew obliquely off the +land. By and by, however, the lurches got violent, and when Lister heard +the thud of water on deck he went up, and opening the door on the lee +side, looked out. Water splashed against the ledge that protected the +engine-room; the stack of coal worked and he heard big lumps fall. Spray +blew across the bulwarks and fell in heavy showers from a boat on the +skids. For a few moments this was all he could distinguish, and then he +saw slopes of water slanting away from the tug's low side. A half-moon +shone for a few moments between ragged clouds and was hidden. + +Lister stepped across the ledge and went aft. _Terrier_ felt the drag of +the hulk astern, and he wanted to see how she was towing. He heard the +iron ring clang on the hook, and when he stopped by the horse, the big +tow-rope surged to and fro across the arch. The hulk steered wildly, and +if the sea got worse, he doubted if they could hold her. He knew where +he was, because he had steamed along the coast on board the cattle boat. +The Anglesey shore was fringed by reefs, the tide-races ran in white +turmoil across the ledges. The tide had now nearly run out, but when +they turned the corner at Carmel Point they would meet the flood stream +and the big combers the gale drove up channel. Going to the pilot-house, +Lister lighted his pipe. + +"A fierce night!" he remarked to Brown, who peered through the +spray-swept glass. "I reckon you'll want to slow down when we make +Carmel." + +The house was dark, but Lister saw the captain turn. "I'm bothered," +Brown admitted. "We ought to push on, but while we might tow the hulk +under, we can't tow her down channel. We can't turn and run; it's +blowing down the Menai Strait like a bellows spout, and there's all the +Mersey sands to leeward. We have got to face the sea and try to make +Holyhead. Will your engines shove her through?" + +"They'll give you six or seven knots, head to wind. Will your tow rope +hold?" + +"I doubt. We have a steel hawser ready, but if she breaks the hemp rope +she'll probably break the wire." + +Lister agreed. The thick hemp rope stretched and absorbed the strain; +the wire was less elastic. They were approaching Carmel Point, and +Holyhead was not far, but they must front the gale when they got round +the corner. In the meantime, the engines were running smoothly, and +Lister smoked and waited while the sea got worse. Flashing lights ahead +and the violent lurching indicated that they crept round the point. Then +_Terrier_ plunged into a white sea and deck and bulwarks vanished. Her +bows swung out of the foam and Lister ran to the door. He felt the tug +leap forward and knew the rope had gone. + +He got out in front of Brown and plunged down the ladder. Since +_Terrier_ must be stopped and turned, he was needed. Water ran from his +clothes when he reached a slanted platform and seized a greasy wheel. +The telegraph gong was clanging and the beat of engines slackened as he +followed the orders. Then the spinning cranks stopped altogether and for +a minute or two there was a strange quietness. One heard the wind, and +water splashed in the bilges. + +Lister got the signal _Ahead slow_, and when he restarted his engines +ran up the ladder. He could trust the man he left, and wanted to see +what was happening. It was a moment or two before he could satisfy his +curiosity, and then a bright beam illuminated the tug and angry water. +Brown was burning a blue-light while _Terrier_ crept up to the hulk. He +meant to pass the fresh hawser, but could not launch a boat, and Lister +doubted if the men on the hulk could heave the heavy wire rope on board. +Although one must get near to throw a line, it looked as if Brown were +going alongside. + +Two dark figures, crouched on _Terrier's_ rail like animals ready to +spring, cut against the blaze. Brown was going alongside; anyhow, he was +going near enough for the men to jump, but the thing was horribly risky. +If the rolling hulk struck the tug planks and iron plates would be +beaten in; moreover the men must jump from the slanted rail, and if they +jumped short, their long boots and oilskins would drag them down. + +It looked as if Cartwright knew how to choose men for an awkward job, +for as the tug got nearer Lister saw the men meant to go. She swung up +on the top of a white sea; the hulk, swept by spray, rolled down, with +her deck close below the steamer's rail. One felt they must shock, but +they did not. The dark figures leaped, there was a faint shout, a line +whirled out from _Terrier's_ bridge and the hulk drove astern. Then the +blue light vanished and Lister plunged into the engine-room. Somehow the +thing was done. + +The gong signaled _Half-speed_, the rhythmic clash of engines began, and +Lister felt _Terrier_ tremble as she tightened the rope. Brown had +played his part and Lister's had begun. He wondered whether they could +keep the water out of the engine-room. They had drifted off-shore, and +now they had opened up the channel the combers leaped on board. The seas +were not regular; they ran in short, steep ridges, and gave the tug no +time to lift. While she swung her bows from the foaming turmoil the next +swept her deck. But to watch the seas and keep the hulk in line was the +captain's business, and Lister was occupied by his. + +Standing on a slanted platform with his hand on the throttle, he waited +for the lurch that lifted the spinning screw. When the blades left the +water, the engines raced with a horrible din and he must cut off steam. +If he let the engines go, something might break when the propeller got +hold again. The work demanded a firm but delicate touch, since the +pressure must change with the swiftly-changing load. One could not argue +when the bows would plunge and the stern swing clear; one must know +instinctively. The muscular effort was not hard, but Lister's face was +wet with sweat, and when he was slow and the engine-room rang with the +clash of machinery his heart beat. The big columns that held the +cylinders rocked; crank and connecting-rod spun too fast for him to see. +There was a confusing flash of steel and a daunting uproar. + +For the most part, he was able to get control before the stern came +down. Moreover, he was not using full steam; to let her go would swamp +the boat and wash the men off the laboring hulk. Lister knew the rope +held because he felt the heavy drag. Although she rolled and plunged, +there was no life in _Terrier's_ movements. She was sluggish, +embarrassed by the load she hauled. + +Lister thought about the men on board the hulk. Two, buffeted by wind +and spray, must hold the wheel on the short quarter-deck that lifted +them above the shelter of the bulwarks. Forward of this, the water +rolled about, washing on board and pouring out. The men could not for a +moment slack their watchfulness. Sweating and straining at the spokes, +they must hold her straight. To let her sheer when she crossed a +comber's top would break the rope. + +The strain on the laboring engines indicated that the men held out and +Lister fixed his thoughts on his machinery. One could not see much, but +while he turned the valve-wheel he listened. If a bearing got hot or a +brass shook loose, he would hear the jar. An engine running as it ought +to run was like a well-tuned instrument. + +He heard no discord. The heavy thud of the cross-heads, flashing between +their guides, beat time to the clang of the valve-gear, a pump throbbed +like a kettledrum, and something tinkled like a high-pitched triangle. +All went well, the engines were good and _Terrier_ stubbornly forged +ahead. + +By and by the strain was less marked. The load was getting lighter and +after a time Lister let go the wheel and wiped his wet face. He could +stand on the platform without support, the plunges were easy and +regular. Calling a man to relieve him, he went to the door. + +The sea was white, but it no longer ran in crested ridges and a vague +dark line crossed the foam ahead. Sometimes part of the line vanished +and reappeared like a row of dots with broad gaps between. Lister knew +it was breakwater. On the other side anchor-lights tossed, and in the +background a dull, reflected illumination indicated a town. Then the +gong rang and Lister went back to the platform. In a few minutes he +would get the signal to stop his engines. The first struggle was over; +Brown had made Holyhead. + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE WRECK + +The night was calm, but now and then a faint, hot wind blew from the +shadowy coast, and rippling the water, brought a strange, sour smell. +Lister did not know the smell; Brown knew and frowned, for he had been +broken by the malaria that haunts West African river mouths. Heavy dew +dripped from the awnings on _Terrier's_ bridge and in places trickled +through the material, since canvas burns in the African sun. Brown +searched the dark coast with his glasses, trying to find the marks he +had noted on the chart. Lister leaned against the rails and mused about +the voyage. + +They had ridden out a winter's gale in the Bay of Biscay and for a night +had lost the hulk and the men on board. Then they went into Vigo, where +Lister's firemen wrecked a wine shop and it cost him much in bribes to +save them from jail. He had another taste of their quality at Las +Palmas, where they made trouble with the port guards and Brown brawled +in the cheap wine shops behind the cathedral. In fact, it was some +relief when the captain fell off the steam tram that runs between town +and port, and a cut on his head stopped his adventures. + +Then they steamed for fourteen-hundred miles before the Northeast +Trades, with a misty blue sky overhead and long, white-topped seas +rolling up astern. The Trade breeze was cool and bracing, but they lost +it near the coast, and now the air was hot and strangely heavy. One felt +languid and cheerfulness cost an effort. The men had begun to grumble +and Lister was glad the voyage was nearly over and it was time to get to +work. + +Lightning flickered on the sea, touching the back of the smooth swell, +and then for a few moments left all very dark. The moon was new, the sky +was cloudy, and the swell ran high, for it rolled, unbroken and +gathering momentum, from the Antarctic ice. When the lightning was +bright, one saw a low cloud that looked like steam, with a white streak +beneath that marked the impact of the big rollers on the sandy coast. +The crash of breakers came out of the dark, like the rattle of a goods +train crossing an iron bridge. + +"Four fathoms at spring tides, and a shifting channel!" Brown remarked, +quoting from a pilot-book. "The depth, however, varies with the wind, +and a stranger must use caution when entering the lagoon." He stopped, +and laughed as he resumed: "If this was a sober undertaking I'd steam +off and wait for daylight." + +"I reckon it would be prudent," said Lister dryly. + +"We have nothing to do with prudence," Brown rejoined. "Our job's to +work in a sun that knocks a white man down, and stew in the hot malaria +damp the land breeze brings off at night. Cartwright's orders are to +lose no time and I want to finish before the fever finishes me. Very +well! When the moon is new, high-water's at twelve o'clock, and along +this coast sunset's about six hours later. If we wait for +noon-to-morrow, it will be four or five o'clock before we get on board +the wreck--I understand the tide doesn't leave her until about four +hours' ebb. If we push across the bar to-night, we'll see her at +daybreak and can make our plans for getting to work." + +Lister agreed. Expenses were heavy and it was important they should not +lose a day. Moreover, Cartwright had hinted that he expected them to run +risks, and Lister had promised Barbara to help him out. If Brown touched +bottom steaming in, tug and barge would soon break up; but Lister was +not going to be daunted. + +"I'll go down and raise some extra steam," he said. "You'll need full +pressure to shove her through the surf." + +He was occupied for some time, but when a plume of steam blew from the +escape-pipe he came up to the door and looked about. _Terrier's_ languid +roll was getting sharper; mast and funnel swung into a wide sweep. +Sometimes the dark hull lurched up high above the tug's stern, and +sometimes sank in a hollow. The rollers had angry white tops, and a belt +of filmy vapor that looked luminous closed the view ahead. Lister knew +the vapor was phosphorescent spray, flung up by the turmoil on the bar, +through which they must go. If the tug struck and stopped, the white +seas would beat her down into the sand. In the meantime, she was using +full steam, because, since tide and surf carried her on, one must have +speed to steer. + +The spray cloud got thick, and wavered with luminous tremblings when the +long rollers broke. They came up, spangled with green and gold flashes, +from astern, shook their fiery crests about the tug, and vanished ahead, +but one heard them crash. Lister thought the tug throbbed to the savage +concussion. He could not hear his engines; one heard nothing but the +daunting uproar. + +By and by he felt a shock; not a violent shock, but as if the boat had +touched, and was pushing through, something soft. She slowed and Lister +saw the black hulk swing up and ride forward on a giant roller's top. It +looked as if she were coming on board the tug, and Lister jumped through +and slammed the iron door. Brown would need him now. + +He heard the roar of water on deck, there was a crash of broken glass, +and a shower fell on his head. A cloud of steam and a loud hissing came +from the stokehold, and he knew the sea that swept the tug had covered +the gratings. If she stuck, the next sea would swamp her and drown the +fires, but she had not altogether stopped. The propeller was beating +hard and he opened the throttle wide. He felt her move and tremble, as +if she struggled in the grip of the sand, and then lift buoyantly. The +water that pressed her down had rolled off the deck and the oncoming +comber had picked her up and was carrying her along. + +Her progress was obvious. One felt the headlong rush, and Lister thought +about a toboggan speeding down an icy slope. The roller would bear her +on until it broke, but if she struck the sand she might not lift again. +She did not strike; there was another wild leap forward, a savage +plunge, and a comber crashed astern. It looked as if she had crossed the +shoal and Lister let go the wheel and got his breath. He had used no +effort, but he gasped and his hand shook. + +The gong signaled _half-speed_, and when he slowed his engines the roar +of escaping steam pierced the turmoil of the surf. This was significant, +because he could not have heard the steam a few minutes earlier. +_Terrier_ rolled, but the rolling was not violent and began to get easy. +The gong signaled _stand by, stop_; he shut the valve and presently +heard the anchor plunge and the rattle of running chain. Then _Terrier_ +swung languidly and all was quiet but for the monotonous rumble in the +background. Lister gave some orders and went to his room. + +In the morning, he put a greasy jacket over his pajamas and went on +deck. The land breeze had dropped and it was very calm. Vague trees +loomed in the fog that hid the beach; there was a belt of dull, heaving +water, and then the spray cloud closed the view. The air was heavy, the +men on deck moved slackly, and Lister's skin was wet by sweat. He felt +dull and shrank from effort, but when he saw Brown in a boat alongside +he jumped on board. + +The light was getting brighter and the wreck lay about a hundred yards +off. The stump of her broken funnel, a bare iron mast, a smashed +deckhouse, and a strip of slanted side rose from the languid swell. The +rows of plates were red with rust and encrusted by shells. When the +smooth undulations sank, long weed swung about in the sandy water. +Lister thought the story of the wreck was, on the surface, plain. +Steaming out with a heavy load, _Arcturus_ had struck the bar. The surf +had beaten in her hatches, broken some plates, and afterwards washed her +back across the sand. Then, while the captain tried to reach the beach, +she had sunk in deeper water. The story was plausible, but, if +Cartwright had found the proper clew, it did not account for all. + +They rowed round _Arcturus_. She lay with a sharp list and her other +side was under water. The tide was beginning to rise and when it crept +up her slanted deck they pulled back to the tug. + +"We'll moor the hulk alongside and rig the diving pumps. I think that's +all to-day," Brown remarked. "When the sun is low I'll go to the factory +up the creek and try to hire some native boys. On this coast, a white +man who does heavy work soon gets fever." + +In the afternoon they took two men and rowed up a muddy creek that +flowed into the lagoon, but the factory was farther than they thought +and when they landed dusk was falling. The white-washed wooden house +stood near the bank, with a stockaded compound between it and the water. +It was built on piles and at the top of the outside stairs a veranda ran +along the front. The compound was tunneled by land-crabs' holes, and +light mist crept about the giant cotton woods behind. There was no +movement of air, a sickly smell rose from the creek, and all was very +damp. + +Lister and Brown went up the stairs and were received by a white man in +a big damp room. A lamp hung from a beam and the light touched the +patches of mildew on the discolored walls. There was not much furniture; +a few canvas chairs, a desk and a table. Flies crawled about the table +and hovered in a black swarm round the lamp. The room smelt of palm oil +and river mud. The white man was young, but his face was haggard and he +looked worn. His rather long hair was wet and his duck jacket was dirty. +It was obvious that he did not bother about his clothes. + +"Good of you to look me up! I expect you know I'm Montgomery; the house +is Montgomery and Raeburn," he said. "However, to begin with, you had +better have a drink. I'll call my boy." + +A negro came in and got a bottle and some glasses. He was a +strongly-built fellow with a blue stripe on his forehead, and muscular +arms and chest, but his legs, which stuck out from short cotton +trousers, were ridiculously thin. He beat up some frothy liquor in a jug +and when he filled the big glasses Lister felt disturbed, for he knew +Brown and had noted the quantity of gin the negro used. The captain, +however, was cautious and they began to talk. Lister asked Montgomery if +he carried on the factory alone. + +"I'm doing so for a time. My clerk died two or three weeks since and I +haven't got another yet." + +"Fever?" said Brown. + +"Common malaria. Perhaps this spot is worse than others, because, +although we're beginning to kill mosquitos and poison the drains, we +can't keep English boys. The last two didn't hold out six months." + +Lister got thoughtful. He knew the African coast was unhealthy, but had +not imagined it was as bad as this. He said nothing and Montgomery +resumed: "I have been forced to lie up and am shaky yet. Malaria gets us +all, but as a rule it gets strangers, particularly the young, soonest. +Looks as if the microbe liked fresh blood." + +"If I was an African merchant, I'd let an agent run my factories," Brown +remarked. + +Montgomery smiled. "Sometimes it's necessary for me to come out. This +factory is perhaps our best, and when Nevis, our agent, died, I started +by the first boat. Montgomery's is an old house, but since the big men +combined and the Amalgamation built a factory on the next creek, we have +had some trouble to pull along. Our capital is small and we can't use +up-to-date methods. In fact, I imagine our situation is much like +Cartwright's. When he bought the wreck he no doubt felt some strain. But +won't you take another drink?" + +Brown indicated his glass, which still held some liquor, and Lister +refused politely. He noted that Montgomery knew their object and was +surprised, since he thought Cartwright had not talked much about the +undertaking. Then, although Montgomery was obviously ill, one felt he +tried to paint the coast in the darkest colors. + +"What do you think about our job?" Brown asked. + +"I think it a rash experiment and imagine Cartwright agrees. All the +same, the old fellow's a bold gambler and is perhaps willing to +speculate on the chance of getting out of his embarrassments. However, +this is his business and you'll, no doubt, get your wages, although you +won't float the wreck." + +"What do you reckon the obstacles?" + +"Fever," said Montgomery dryly. "The salvage people lost some men. Surf +will wash the sand about her, if the wind comes fresh from the +south-east. Then the sharks may give you some trouble. They're nearly as +numerous as they are at Lagos Roads." He paused and added carelessly: "I +expect you know my father loaded _Arcturus_?" + +"I heard something about it," Brown replied. "All the same, Cartwright +sent us to lift her and we have got to try. Will you let me hire some of +your factory boys?" + +"Sorry, but they're Liberian Kroos, engaged on a twelve-months' contract +to work in my compound, and I'm accountable for them to the Liberian +government." + +"Then what about boys from the bush?" + +Montgomery smiled. "I can't recommend the bushmen. They're a turbulent +lot, but you might send a present to the headman at the native town up +river, and it's possible he'll let you go to see him. For all that, some +caution's indicated. The fellow's a cunning old rascal." + +Brown looked thoughtful, but began to talk about something else and by +and by got up. Montgomery went with him and Lister to the steps and when +they reached the compound they found the sailors bemused with gin under +the veranda. Brown had some trouble to get the men on board, and when +they awkwardly pulled away Lister was conscious of relief. + +"I agree with the fellow. Caution _is_ indicated," Brown observed. + + + +CHAPTER III + +A FUEL PROBLEM + +A few days after his visit to the factory, Lister sat one morning under +a tarpaulin they had stretched across the hulk. The paint on the canvas +smelt as if it burned, but the awning gave some shade and one could not +front the sun on the open deck. The sea breeze had not sprung up and +dazzling reflections played about the oily surface of the swell. In one +place, where the shadow of the wreck fell, the water was a cool, dull +green. + +A row of bubbles slowly crossed the belt of shade, stopped and made a +frothy patch, and then lengthened out. A flexible pipe slipped across +the edge of the open gangway, and Lister felt the line he held. The line +was slack and he knew the diver needed nothing. Two half-naked men, +their skins shining with sweat, turned the air-pumps handles, and the +rattle of the cranks cut the dull rumble of the surf. Brown, sitting on +a tool-box, studied a plan of the wreck Cartwright had given him, and +Lister thought it typical Cartwright had got the plan. The old fellow +was very keen. + +By and by Brown looked up and indicated the panting men. + +"We want colored boys for this job and must get a gang. I expect you +noted Montgomery declared his lot were Kroos. The Kroos are hefty boys +and pretty good sailors, but they come from Liberia and there are +regulations about their employment. You must engage them on a contract, +hold yourself accountable for their return and so forth. All the same my +notion is, Montgomery didn't mean to help." + +"Then we had better try the native headman he talked about." + +Brown smiled, "I've no use for bushmen, but didn't see much use in +telling Montgomery I'd been on the Coast before. For one thing, his boys +were not all Kroos. You know the Kroo by his blue forehead-stripe, but I +saw two or three with another mark. Thought them Gold Coast Fantis, and +a Fanti fisherman is useful on board ship. In a day or two I'm going +back to see." + +Lister lighted his pipe and weighed the captain's remarks. On the whole, +he agreed that it did not look as if Montgomery meant to help. The +fellow was hospitable, but hospitality that implied his pressing liquor +on the captain and making the sailors drunk had drawbacks. Brown had +used control, but Lister doubted if his resolution would stand much +strain. Then, although Montgomery's story about the need for his being +on the spot was plausible, it was, perhaps, strange the head of a +merchant house would stop for some time at a factory where his clerks +died. However, now Lister thought about it, Montgomery did not state if +he had been there long. + +"The fellow was generous with his liquor and his boy can mix a +cocktail," he remarked. + +Brown grinned. "On the Coast, they're all generous with liquor. +Montgomery knows this; but I've a notion you are wondering whether he +knows me. I reckon not, but he knows the kind of skipper you generally +meet in the palm oil trade. Still the type's going out; now ship-owners +pay higher, they get better men. In fact, I'm something of a survival +from the old school." + +He picked up the plan and Lister thought about Montgomery. The man was +ill and highly-strung, but this was not strange. The factory was rather +a daunting spot; reeking with foul smells and haunted by a sense of +gloom. Lister thought one might get morbid and imaginative if one +stopped there long. Yet he rather liked Montgomery; there was something +attractive about him. Perhaps if they had met in brighter surroundings, +when the other's health and mood were normal, they might have been +friends. Now, however, he doubted and saw Brown was not satisfied. + +The line he held jerked and he signed to the men at the pump. One kept +the cranks turning; the other went to the top of a ladder lashed to the +hulk's side. The bubbles moved away from the wreck and broke the surface +in a fixed, sparkling patch. The diver was coming up and Lister +presently helped him on board. When they had taken off his copper helmet +and unfastened his canvas he leaned against the pump and breathed hard. + +"Well?" said Brown, after waiting a minute or two for the man to get +back his normal breathing. + +"She lies with a sharp list; sand's high up her starboard bilge. +Engine-room doors jambed, but I found the stokehold grating and got some +way down the ladder. Sand's washed down and buried the starboard +bunkers. To clear out the stuff will be a long job." + +"Packed hard?" + +The diver nodded. "Like cement! I reckon the pump won't move it." + +Lister understood the captain's frown. Sometimes the sand that enters a +sunken vessel solidifies, with the pressure of surf or tide, into a mass +that one can hardly dig out. This, however, was not all. + +"Starboard bunkers buried?" Brown resumed. "They were pretty full. When +she left Forcados she had a list to port, and they trimmed her by using +the coal on that side first. Well, it's awkward! I reckoned on getting +the fuel!" + +"There is some coal on the port side," said Lister. + +"If Cartwright's plan and notes are accurate, there's not enough to see +us out. The wrecking pump will burn a lot," Brown rejoined and turned to +the diver. "Did you see any sharks?" + +"One big fellow; he hung about as if he was curious and I didn't like +him near my air-pipe, but he left me alone. The pulps you meet in warm +seas are worse than sharks. When I was down at the Spanish boat, +crawling through the holes in her broken hull was nervous work. Once I +saw an arm as thick as mine waving in the dark, and started for the +ladder. We blew in that piece of her bilge with dynamite before I went +on board again. However, when I've cleared up a bit, I'll take Mr. +Lister down." + +The diver got into the boat and rowed to the tug, but the others stopped +in the shade of the awning. They had brought a spare diving dress, and +before they tried to lift the wreck Lister must find out if Cartwright's +supposition was correct, because if Cartwright had found the proper clew +the job would be easier. For all that, Lister frankly shrank from the +preparatory exercise. Diving in shark-haunted water had not much charm. + +In the morning they hauled the tug alongside the wreck and at low-water +rigged a derrick and opened the fore hatch. The palm kernels had rotted +and a horrible pulpy mass, swollen by fermentation, rose nearly to the +ledge. It was glutinous and too thick for the pump to lift, since the +water that filled the vessel drained away through the broken plates as +the tide sank. Brown, kneeling on the hatch-coaming, knitted his brows. + +"The stuff's water-borne, forced up by its buoyancy," he said. "We may +find it looser as we get down. In the meantime, suction's no use; we +have got to break it out by hand. Start your winch and we'll fill the +skip." + +Lister signaled a man on board the tug, the winch rattled, and a big +iron bucket, hanging by a wire rope, dropped into the hold. A gang of +men climbed across the ledge and began to cut the slimy mass with +spades. The surface heaved beneath them like a treacherous bog and the +smell was horrible. Now and then a spade made an opening for the gases +to escape and the nauseated men were driven back. For all that, they +filled the skip and the swinging derrick carried the load across the +deck and tilted it overboard. + +The heat was almost unbearable, the reflections from the oily swell and +wet deck hurt one's eyes, and Lister noted that the deck did not dry +until the sea breeze began to blow. The wind brought a faint coolness +and drove back the smell, but the men's efforts presently got slack. The +labor was exhausting and one must wear some clothes because the sun +burned one's skin. They held out until the rising water drove them from +the hatch and when they went back to the tug Brown looked thoughtful. + +"The men can't keep it up; the thing's impossible! A week like this +would knock out the lot," he said. "We must use native boys and I'm +going to get some." + +In the morning Lister took his first diving lesson, and when the big +copper helmet was screwed on and the air began to swell his canvas +clothes, he shrank from the experiment. The load of metal he carried was +crushing, he could hardly drag his weighted boots across the deck, and +at the top of the ladder he hesitated, watching the bubbles that marked +the spot where the diver had vanished. Then he remembered his promise to +Barbara and cautiously went down. + +The dazzling sunshine vanished, a wave of misty green closed above the +helmet glass, hot compressed air blew about his head, and his ear-drums +began to throb. Then lead and copper lost their weight; he felt buoyant +and clung to the steps. At the bottom he was for a few moments afraid to +let go, but an indistinct, monstrous object came out of the strange +green gloom and beckoned him on. Lister went, making an effort for +balance, because he now felt ridiculously light. Then the reflections +were puzzling, for the light came and went with the rise and fall of the +swell. Yet he could see and he followed the diver until they stopped +opposite the wreck's port bilge. Her side went up like a dark wall, +covered by waving weed. + +Lister's head ached and his breathing was labored, but not much pressure +was needed to keep out the shallow water and the diver had promised to +warn him when they had stayed long enough. He forced himself to examine +the plate the other indicated. _Arcturus_ was a butt-strapped vessel and +a number of the straps had burst. Plates were smashed and some of the +holes were large, but in places the iron was drilled and in others +patches had been bolted on. The salvage company had done part of this +work and he thought it possible to make the damage good. If they could +stop the remaining holes, the big pump ought to throw out the water; but +Cartwright had talked about another opening and this would be awkward to +reach. + +Signing the diver to go on, he followed him round the vessel's stern. +The sand on the other side was high and one could climb on board, but +Lister shrank from the dark alleyway that led to the engine-room. For +all that, he went in and saw the diver had opened the jambed door. When +he reached the ledge a flash from the other's electric lamp pierced the +gloom and he tried to forget his throbbing head and looked about. + +Sparkling bubbles from his and the diver's helmets floated straight up +to the skylights, along which they glided and vanished through a hole in +the glass. The water, moving gently with the pulse of the swell, broke +the beam of light and objects it touched were distorted and magnified. +The top of the big low-pressure cylinder looked gigantic, and the thick +columns appeared to bend. Long weed clung to the platforms, from which +iron ladders went down, but so far as Lister could distinguish, all +below was buried in sand. + +He had seen enough. To clear the engines would be a heavy task, and one +must work in semi-darkness amidst a maze of ladders, gratings, and +machinery. To keep signal-line and air-pipe free from entanglement +looked impossible, but perhaps when they had broken the surface the pump +would lift the sand. Anyhow, he was getting dizzy and his breath was +labored. + +He touched the diver and they went back along the alleyway and round the +vessel's stern. Lister was desperately anxious to reach the ladder and +it cost him an effort to use control. As he went up his dress got heavy +and he was conscious of his weighted boots. The pressure on his lungs +lessened, he was dazzled by a strong light, and feeling the edge of the +hulk's deck, he got his knee on her covering-board and lurched forward. +Somebody took off his helmet and lifted the weight from his chest. He +shut his eyes and for a few moments lay on the deck. + +"Well?" said Brown presently. "You reached the engine-room?" + +Lister nodded. "She's badly sanded up. It's plain we shan't get much +coal from the starboard bunkers until we can lift her to an even keel." + +"That will be long," Brown rejoined and pondered. "We must have coal," +he resumed. "If I can't find another plan, you must take the tug to +Sierra Leone and bring a load; but we'll let it go just now. The first +thing is to hire some negro laborers, and as soon as I can leave the +wreck I'll try again." + + + +CHAPTER IV + +MONTGOMERY'S OFFER + +High-water was near and a trail of smoke, creeping up along the coast, +streaked the shining sea. Brown watched the smoke until two masts and a +funnel rose out of the vapor and began to get distinct. Then he put down +his glasses and lighted his pipe. The steamer was making for the lagoon. + +He had not long since gone to the native town up the creek and returned +with a gang of laborers. So far, the negroes had worked well, but just +now he did not need them and they lay about in the shade, some wearing a +short waist-cloth and some a sheet of cotton that hung from their +shoulders. The tide had covered the wreck, but the big rotary pump was +running and, since the men had loosened the top of the cargo, it lifted +the slimy stuff. + +A plume of steam that looked faint and diaphanous in the strong light +blew away from the noisy machine. A large flexible pipe rose from the +submerged hold and another ran from the pump across the hulk's deck. +From the end of the pipe a thick, brown flood poured into the water and +stained the green lagoon as the flood tide carried it along. The clash +and rattle of the engine carried far, for the load was heavy and Lister +was using full steam. The boiler was large and the furnace burned more +coal than he had thought. Sometimes palm kernels that had not altogether +rotted jambed the fans, and he held the valve-wheel, trying to ease the +shocks, while the perspiration dripped from his blistered skin. When +Brown indicated the steamer he looked up. + +"She's coming in; I think I know the hooker," the captain remarked. +"Shallow-draught, coasting tank; goes anywhere she'll float for twenty +tons of freight. The skipper, no doubt, expects Montgomery's got a few +hogsheads of oil, and it's possible he'll sell us some coal. The +parcels-vanners are pretty keen to trade." + +"We want coal," said Lister and turned abruptly. + +The pump jarred and stopped, the swollen suction pipe shrank, and the +splash of the discharge died away. For some time Lister was occupied and +when he restarted the engine and looked about again the steamer was +steering for the hulk. She was a small vessel, going light, with much of +her rusty side above water. A big surf-boat hung, ready for lowering, at +her rail and a wooden awning covered her bridge-deck. When the throb of +her engines slackened two or three white men leaned over her bulwarks +and looked down at the hulk with languid curiosity. Their faces were +haggard and their poses slack. The stamp of the fever-coast was plain. + +The telegraph rang, the engines stopped, and a man on the bridge +shouted: "Good morning! You have taken on an awkward job!" + +His voice was hollow and strained, and by contrast Brown's sounded full +and hearty. + +"We're getting ahead all the same. Where are you for?" + +"_Sar_ Leone, after we call at Montgomery's." + +"Then you can fill your bunkers, and our coal's getting short. Can you +sell us some?" + +The other asked how much Brown wanted and how much he would pay. Then he +beckoned a man on the deck to come up, and turned to Brown again. + +"We might give you two or three surf-boat loads, but I'll see you when +we come back. We must get up the creek and moor her before the tide +ebbs." + +He seized the telegraph handle, the propeller began to turn, and when +the steamer forged ahead Brown looked thoughtful. + +"Perhaps I'd better take a trip up the creek in the evening. We want the +coal and I don't altogether trust Montgomery," he said. + +Lister agreed that it might be prudent for Brown to go, but he was +occupied by the pump and they said no more. To lift the cargo when the +water covered the wreck's hatches and loosened the pulpy mass was easier +and he must keep his engine running full speed. When they stopped he was +exhausted by the heat and the strain of watching and did not go with +Brown. + +The captain did not, as he had promised, come back in the morning, but +after a time a smoke-trail streaked the forest and the steamer moved out +on the lagoon. Lister sent a boy for the glasses, since he expected +Brown was on board, but so far as he could see, the captain was not. The +white wave at the bows indicated that the vessel was steaming fast and +it did not look as if she was going to stop. In order to reach the +channel across the bar, she must pass near the hulk, and Lister waved to +the captain. + +"What about the coal?" he shouted. + +The other leaned out from the rails and Lister, studying him with the +glasses, saw a small patch, like sticking plaster, on his forehead. The +side of his face was discolored, as if it were bruised, and frowning +savagely, he shook his fist. + +"You can go to _Sar_ Leone or the next hottest spot for your coal!" he +roared and began to storm. + +Lister had sometimes disputed with Western railroad hands and marine +firemen, but he thought the captain's remarks equaled the others' best +efforts. In fact, it was some relief when a lump of coal, thrown by a +sailor on the hulk, crashed upon the wooden awning, and for a moment the +savage skipper paused. For all that, Lister stopped the sailor, who was +going to throw another block. + +"Hold on! The stuff is valuable!" he said. + +The captain began again, but the steamer had forged ahead, and his voice +got fainter and was presently drowned by the beat of the screw. Lister +went back to the pump. The machine was running unevenly and sometimes +the powerful engine jarred. He meant to take it down, but so long as the +pump sucked up the kernels he durst not stop. Speed was important; they +must finish the job and get away before the heat and malaria wore them +out. In the meantime, he was disturbed about Brown, who ought to have +returned, and at sunset he started for the factory in the tug's second +boat. + +Dark came suddenly and when he landed a hot, clammy fog thickened the +gloom. Little fires the factory boys had lighted by ancient custom +twinkled in the haze and a yellow beam from the veranda windows touched +the towering cottonwoods, but all else was dark and the spot was somehow +forbidding. One felt the gloom was sinister. A few miles up the creek, +the naked bushmen served their savage gods with fantastic rites and the +Ju-Ju men and Ghost Leopards ruled the shadowy land. At the factory +white men got sick and died. + +Lister went up the steps, and entering the big room, saw Montgomery in a +Madeira chair. His face was wet by sweat, but although his thin form was +covered by a blanket he shook with ague. Brown occupied a rude couch, +made from two long boxes in which flintlock guns are shipped. He lay in +an ungainly pose, his head had fallen from a cushion, and his face was +dark with blood. His eyes were shut and he breathed with a snoring +noise. + +"What's the matter with the captain?" Lister asked, although he thought +he knew. + +"He's exhausted by his efforts and the worse for liquor," Montgomery +answered with a laugh. "On the whole, I think you had better let him +sleep. Perhaps you remarked that some of the glass is broken and two of +my chairs are smashed!" + +Lister had not remarked this, but he looked about and began to +understand. He had seen Brown throw a Spanish landlord out of a Grand +Canary wine shop. + +"Your captain arrived when the steamboat men were dining with me," +Montgomery resumed. "In this country we're a hospitable lot and it's the +custom to send West African factories a supply of liquor every three +months. Mine arrived not long since, and if you open the cupboard you'll +see how much is left. But there are cigarettes in the tin box; they +mildew unless they're canned. Make yourself a cocktail. I don't want to +get up and my boy's in the compound, playing a drum to keep off the +ghosts." + +Lister lighted a cigarette and listened. A monotonous, rhythmic throb +stole into the room, and he felt there was something about the noise +that jarred. + +"I'll cut out the cocktail. You're rather generous with your liquor," he +remarked dryly. "But how did the trouble Brown made begin?" + +"By a dispute about some coal." + +"Ah!" said Lister, who looked at Montgomery hard. + +He imagined the steamboat captain had meant to give them coal, since the +man had agreed with Brown about the price. In fact, it looked as if he +had been willing to do so, until he arrived at the factory. Then he +refused, and Brown, no doubt, got savage. + +Montgomery was not embarrassed and indicated the unconscious skipper. + +"If Cartwright's not losing his keenness, it's strange he sent out a man +like this, but perhaps he couldn't get a sober captain to go." + +"Brown has some talents. For example, he got the boys we wanted, +although you refused to help." + +"We must see if he can keep them!" Montgomery rejoined, with a meaning +smile. "In the meantime, it's not important. Are you making much +progress at the wreck?" + +Lister admitted that they were not getting on as fast as he had hoped, +and when Montgomery gave him a keen glance tried to brace himself. He +felt slack and his head ached. He had been getting slack recently, and +now, when he imagined he must be alert, to think was a bother. + +"You have not been long at the lagoon, but you're beginning to feel the +climate," the other remarked. "It's perhaps the unhealthiest spot on an +unhealthy coast, and a white man cannot work in the African sun. +However, you know why the salvage company threw up their contract. They +lost a number of their men and if you stay until the morning you can see +their graves. The rest of the gang had had enough and were too sick to +keep the pump running." + +"You are not encouraging," Lister observed. + +"I don't exaggerate. I know the country and the caution one must use, +but you see I'm ill." + +The thing was obvious. Montgomery's hollow face was wet by sweat, his +eyes were dull, and his hands shook. Lister saw he tried to be cool, but +thought him highly strung. + +"If you're wise, you'll give up your post and get away before fever +knocks you out," Montgomery resumed. "In fact, I think I can promise you +another berth. The house owns two or three factories and at one we are +going to start a big oil-launch running to a native market up river. +Then we have bought new machinery for breaking palm nuts and extracting +the kernels and have fixed a site for the building at a dry, sandy spot. +I don't claim the neighborhood's healthy, but it's healthier than this, +and we have inquired about an engineer. Would you like the post?" + +"I think not. I'm Cartwright's man. I've taken his pay." + +Montgomery smiled ironically. "Let's be frank! I expect you want to +force me to make a high bid. You don't know the African coast yet, but +you're not a fool and are beginning to understand the job you have +undertaken. You can't float the wreck; the fellow Cartwright sent to +help you is a drunken brute, and I have grounds for thinking Cartwright, +himself, will soon go broke. Well, we need an engineer and I'll admit we +have not found good men keen about applying. If you can run the launch +and palm-nut plant, we'll give you two hundred pounds bonus for breaking +your engagement, besides better wages than Cartwright pays." + +Lister knitted his brows and lighted a fresh cigarette. He was not +tempted, but he wanted to think and his brain was dull. To begin with, +he wondered whether Montgomery did not think him something of a fool, +because it was plain the fellow had grounds for offering a bribe. His +doing so indicated that he did not want the wreck floated. Anyhow, +Montgomery had imagined he would not hesitate to break his engagement +for two hundred pounds. He must be cautious and control his anger. + +"On the whole, it wouldn't pay me to turn down Cartwright's job," he +said. "Two hundred pounds is not a very big wad, and if we can take the +boat home I reckon the salvage people would give me a good post. I must +wait until I'm satisfied the thing's impossible." + +"When you are satisfied I'll have no object for engaging you. We want an +engineer now," Montgomery replied. + +"Well," said Lister, "I reckon that is so." He paused, and thinking he +saw where the other led, resolved to make an experiment. "All the same, +since you are willing to buy me off, it looks as if we had a fighting +chance to make good. Then, if I am forced to quit, I rather think you'd +pay me something not to talk. For example, if I put Cartwright wise--" + +Montgomery gave him a scornful smile. "You're keener than I thought, but +you can't tell Cartwright much he doesn't believe he knows. I'll risk +your talking to somebody else." + +"Oh, well," said Lister, "I guess we'll let it go. In the meantime, I'll +get off and take the captain along. I allow you have fixed him pretty +good but he put his mark on the steamboat man and your furniture." + +He called the sailors, and finding the two who had brought Brown to the +factory, carried him downstairs and put him on board the boat. The +captain snored heavily and did not awake. When they pushed off, and with +the other boat in tow drifted down the creek, Lister pondered. + +He did not know if he had well played his part, but he had not wanted +Montgomery to think his staunchness to his employer must be reckoned on; +he would sooner the fellow thought him something of a fool. When +Montgomery offered the bribe he probably knew he was rash; his doing so +indicated that he was willing to run some risk, and this implied that +Cartwright's supposition about the wreck was justified. Montgomery was +obviously resolved she should not be floated and might be a troublesome +antagonist. For example, he had stopped their getting coal and Lister +was persuaded he had made Brown drunk. If the control the captain had so +far used broke down, it would be awkward, since Montgomery would no +doubt supply him with liquor. + +It was plain the fellow meant to bother them as much as possible, but +since he had not owned the wrecked steamer his object was hard to see. +In the meantime, Lister let it go and concentrated on steering the boat +past the mud banks in the creek. + + + +CHAPTER V + +MONTGOMERY USES HIS POWER + +Some time after Lister went to the factory he woke one night from +disturbed sleep. His small room under _Terrier's_ bridge was very hot +and the door and port were open. A faint draught blew in and the +mosquito curtain moved about his bed. The tug rolled languidly and the +water splashed against her side. Farther off the gentle swell broke with +a dull murmur across the wreck. + +This was all, but Lister was persuaded he had, when half awake, heard +something else. At dusk a drum had begun to beat across the lagoon and +the faint monotonous noise had jarred. It was typically African; the +negroes used drums for signaling, although white men had not found out +their code. Lister had come to hate all that belonged to the fever +coast. + +The drum, however, was not beating now, and he rather thought he had +heard the splash of a canoe paddle. There was no obvious reason this +should bother him, but he was bothered and after a few minutes got up +and put on a thin jacket. On deck it was very hot and he felt the warmth +of the iron plates through his slippers. In West Africa one puts on +slippers as soon as one gets out of bed, for fear of the jigger insect +that bores into one's foot. A gentle land breeze blew across the lagoon +and the air was hot and damp like steam. Lister smelt river mud and +aromatic forest. + +There was no moon, but he saw the dark hull rise and fall, and the flash +of phosphorescent foam where the swell washed across the deck. In the +distance, the surf rumbled and now and then there was a peal of thunder. +Lister wondered why he had left his berth. He was tired and needed +sleep, for he had been occupied all day at the pump, which was not +running well. Recently he had been conscious of a nervous strain and +things that were not important annoyed him; then he often woke at night, +feeling that some danger threatened. + +Walking along the deck he found a white sailor sitting on the windlass +drum. The man did not move until Lister touched his arm. + +"Did you hear something not very long since, Watson?" + +"No, sir," said the other with a start. "Now and then a fish splashed +and she got her cable across the stem. Links rattled. That was all." + +Lister thought the man had slept, but it was not important, since there +was no obvious necessity for keeping anchor watch. + +"Did you hear something, sir?" the other inquired. + +"I don't know. I imagine I did!" + +The sailor laughed, as if he understood. "A queer country; I've been +here before! Beautiful, bits of it; shining surf, yellow sands, and +palms, but it plays some funny tricks with white men. About half of them +at the factories get addled brains if they stay long. Believe in things +the bushmen believe, ghosts and magic, and such. Perhaps it's the +climate, but on this coast you get fancies you get nowhere else. I'd +sooner take look-out on the fo'cas'le in a North Sea gale than keep +anchor watch in an African calm." + +Lister nodded. He thought the man felt lonely and wanted to talk and he +sympathized. There was something insidious and daunting about the +African coast. He walked round the deck and then returning to his room +presently went to sleep. + +At daybreak he heard angry voices and going out found Brown storming +about the deck. Two white sailors had come back in the boat from the +hulk, with the news that the negroes berthed on board her had vanished +in the night, except for three or four whom the sailors had brought to +the tug. When Brown got cooler he went up to the men who squatted +tranquilly on the hatch. They were big muscular fellows and wore, +instead of the usual piece of cotton, ragged duck clothes. + +"Where's the rest of the gang?" Brown asked. + +"No savvy, sah," said one. "Some fella put them t'ing Ju-Ju on him and +he lib for bush." + +"What's a Ju-Ju?" Lister inquired. + +"Hocus-pocus, magic of a sort," the captain growled. "When a white man +knows much about Ju-Ju his proper place is an asylum." He turned to the +boys. "How did them other fellows go?" + +"No savvy, sah. We done hear not'ing." + +"I expect they were afraid to meddle," Brown remarked, and resumed: "Why +did you lib for stop?" + +"We Accra boy; white man's boy. Them bushman him d--n fool too much. Run +in bush like monkey, without him clo'es." + +Brown knitted his brows and then made a sign of resignation. "I reckon +it's all we'll know! Well, the tide's falling and we must shift for some +kernels before the sun is hot. Better start your pump." + +The pump was soon at work, and Lister, watching the engine, mused. He +wondered how much the Accra boys knew, or if it was possible the others +had stolen away without waking them. Watson, the look-out, had heard +nothing, and Lister remembered Brown's remarks about the Ju-Ju and +thought the boys did know something but were afraid to tell. Watson had +said the country was queer, and if he meant fantastic, Lister agreed. +There was something about it that re-acted strangely on one's +imagination. In the North American wilds, one was, so to speak, a +materialist and conquered savage Nature by using well-known rules. In +Africa one did not know the rules and felt the power of the +supernatural. It looked as if there was a mysterious, malignant force. +But the pump was running badly and Lister saw he must not philosophize. + +When the sun got hot he stopped for breakfast and afterwards he and +Brown smoked for a few minutes under the awning. + +"I'm bothered about the boys' going," the captain declared. "There's not +much doubt Montgomery got somebody to put Ju-Ju on them; bribed a +magician to frighten them by a trick. Since they're a superstitious lot, +I reckon we can't hire another gang in this neighborhood. However, now +he's stopped our coal, you'll have to go to _Sar_ Leone, and may pick up +some British Kroos about the port." + +"Then I'd better go soon," said Lister. "The braces I bolted on the pump +won't hold long; she rocks and strains the shaft when she's running +hard. I must get a proper casting made at a foundry. Besides, the engine +crosshead's worn and jumps about. I must try to find a forge and +machine-shop." + +"They've got something of the kind at _Sar_ Leone; I don't know about a +foundry," Brown replied. "Take Learmont to navigate, and start when you +like. We'll shift the hulk to leeward of the wreck and she ought to ride +out a south-east breeze." + +Lister sailed a few days afterwards, and reaching Sierra Leone found +nobody could make the articles he required. For all that, they must be +got, and he resolved to push on for Grand Canary. The distance was long, +he had not men enough for an ocean voyage, and would be lucky if he got +back to the lagoon in three or four weeks, but if he could not mend the +pump, the salvage work must stop. Lister knew when to run a risk was +justified. + +After he passed the Gambier, wind and sea were ahead, his crew was +short, and he was hard pressed to keep the engine going and watch the +furnaces. He slept when he could, in snatches, with his clothes on, and +now and then used an exhausted fireman's shovel On the steamy African +coast the labor and watchfulness would have worn him out, but the cool +Trade breeze was bracing. Although he was thin, and got thinner, the +lassitude he had felt at the lagoon vanished, and the fatigue he fought +against was not the fatigue that kills. + +In the meantime, _Terrier_ pushed stubbornly north across the long, +foam-tipped seas that broke in clouds of spray against her thrusting +bows. She was swept by the sparkling showers, but the showers were warm, +and the combers were not often steep enough to flood her deck. For all +that, their impact slowed her speed. She must be driven through their +tumbling crests, full steam was needed to overcome the shock, and the +worn-out men moved down coal from the stack on deck to feed the hungry +fires. + +Lister's eyes ached from the glare of smoky lamps that threw puzzling +lights about the machinery. After long balancing on slanted platforms, +his back and legs were sore; his brows were knit in a steady frown, and +his mouth was always firm. When the strain was over, he sometimes +wondered what he thought about in the long, exhausting watches, but +remembered nothing except his obstinate concentration on his task. The +strange thing was, he did not think much about Barbara, although he was +vaguely conscious that, for her sake, he must hold out. He meant to hold +out. Perhaps his talents were not numerous, but he could handle engines, +and when it was necessary he could keep awake. + +At length, Learmont called him one morning to the bridge, and he leaned +slackly against the rails. His eyes were dull, and for some hours he had +breathed the fumes of burning tallow. A slide had given him trouble; he +could keep the metal cool. On the bridge, however, the air was keen and +sweet, and he felt the contrast. _Terrier_ plunged and threw the spray +about, but the seas were short, as if something ahead broke the wind. By +and by Learmont indicated a lofty bank of mist. + +"Teneriffe!" he said. "I was half-asleep when I took the sun, but my +reckoning was not very far out." + +Lister looked up. In the distance a sharp white cone, rising from fleecy +vapor, cut the sky, and Lister, with dull satisfaction, knew the famous +peak. Nearer the tug was another bank of mist, that looked strangely +solid but ragged, as if it were wrapped about something with a broken +outline. Some minutes afterwards a high, dark object like a +mountain-top, loomed in the haze. + +"Grand Canary!" Learmont remarked. "The range behind Las Palmas town. I +expect the smudge ahead is the Isleta hill." + +"We've made it!" Lister said hoarsely, and braced himself. Now the +strain was gone, he felt very slack. + +The sun rose out of the water, the mist began to melt, and rolling back, +uncovered a line of surf and a belt of rough hillside. Then volcanic +cliffs, a sandy isthmus, and a cluster of masts and funnels got +distinct, and Lister fixed the glasses on a white stripe across a cinder +hill. His hand shook, but he steadied the glasses and saw the stripe was +a row of huge letters. + +"... _ary Engineering Co_ ..." he read. + +His heart beat when he went below. Luck had given him a hard job, but he +had put it across. Soon after _Terrier_ arrived he went to the +engineering company's office and the manager looked at him curiously. +Then he gave Lister some wine and, after studying his drawings and +patterns, said he could make the things required. Lister drove to the +town, and going to a Spanish barber's, started when he saw his +reflection in a glass. He had not shaved for long, and fresh water was +scarce on board the tug. His face was haggard, the engine grime had got +into his skin, and his eyes were red. He was forced to wait, and while +the barber attended to other customers, he fell asleep in his chair. +When he left the shop he went to a hotel and slept for twelve hours. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +LISTER MEETS AN OLD ANTAGONIST + +The hotel Catalina, half-way between Las Palmas harbor and the town, was +not crowded, and a number of the quests had gone to a ball at the +neighboring Metropole. Barbara, going out some time after dinner, found +the veranda unoccupied and sat down. Mrs. Cartwright was getting better +and did not need her, and Barbara was satisfied to be alone. Her +thoughts were disturbing, and trying to banish them for a few minutes, +she looked about. + +The veranda was long, and the lights from the hotel threw the shadow of +the wooden pillars across the dusty grass. Barbara's figure was outlined +in a dark silhouette. She did not wear a hat and, since the night was +warm, had put nothing over her thin dinner dress. She looked slender and +very young. + +A strip of parched garden, where a few dusty palms grew, ran down to the +road, across which the square block of the Metropole cut the shining +sea. Steamers' lights swung gently against the dark background of the +Isleta hill. Beyond the Metropole a white belt of surf ran back to the +cluster of lights at the foot of the mountain that marked Las Palmas. +One heard the languid rollers break upon the beach and the measured +crash of surges on the reefs across the isthmus. Sometimes, when the +throb of the surf sank, music came from the Metropole. A distant rattle +indicated a steam-tram going to the port. + +The long line across the harbor was the mole, and Barbara had thought +the small steamer, lying near its end, like _Terrier_. There was nothing +in the soft blue dark behind the mole until one came to the African +coast. Then Barbara firmly turned her glance. In a sense, she had sent +Lister to Africa, but she was not going to think about him yet. She must +not think about him until she had weighed something else. + +A few hours since she had got a jar. Walking in the town she saw a man +whose figure and step she thought she knew. He was some distance off, +and she entered a shop and bought a Spanish fan she did not want. +Perhaps her disturbance was ridiculous, but the man was very like +Shillito, and their meeting at the busy port was not impossible. Las +Palmas was something like an important railway junction. Numerous +steamers called, and passengers from all quarters, particularly South +America and the West Indies, changed boats. Then Barbara understood that +a fugitive from justice was safer in South and Central America than +anywhere else. She wondered with keen anxiety whether the man had seen +her. + +She knew now she had not loved Shillito. He had cunningly worked upon +her ignorance, discontent, and longing for romance. Illumination had +come on board the train, but although she had found him out and escaped, +she had afterwards felt herself humiliated and set apart from happy +girls who had nothing to hide. The humiliation was not altogether +earned, and the people who knew about her adventure were not numerous, +but they were all the people for whom she cared. When she thought about +it, she hated Louis Shillito. + +The steam-tram stopped at the Metropole and went on to the port, +trailing a cloud of dust. When the rattle it made began to die away, +Barbara roused herself with a start from her moody thoughts. A man was +coming up the path, and when he reached the steps she shrank back +against the wall. The light from the hotel touched his face and she saw +it was Shillito. + +Anger conquered her shrinking, for Barbara had pluck and her temper was +hot. When Shillito, lifting his hat, advanced, she got up and stood by a +pillar. Her skin had gone very white, but her eyes sparkled and her +hands were clenched. Shillito bowed and smiled. + +"It looks as if I was lucky!" he remarked, and Barbara imagined his not +finding Mrs. Cartwright about accounted for his satisfaction. + +"I suppose you saw me in the _calle mayor_?" she said. + +He nodded. "You went into a shop. Your object was pretty obvious. I +allow it hurt." + +Barbara gave him a scornful glance. "The statement's ridiculous! Do you +imagine you can cheat me now, as you cheated me in Canada?" + +"In one way, I did not cheat you. When I said I loved you, I was +honest." + +"I doubt it! All was dishonest from the beginning. You taught me deceit +and made me ashamed for my shabbiness. For your sake I tricked people +who loved and trusted me; but to you I was rashly sincere. I trusted you +and was willing to give up much in order to marry you." + +"You mean you thought you were willing, until you knew the cost?" +Shillito rejoined. "Then you saw you couldn't make good and resolved to +turn me down." + +The blood came to Barbara's skin, but she fronted him steadily. + +"I had _found you out_. Had you been something of the man I thought, I +might have gone with you and helped to baffle the police; but you were +not. You were very dull and played a stupid part. When you thought you +had won and I was in your power, I knew you for a brute." + +Shillito colored, but forced a smile. "Perhaps I was dull; I was +desperate. You had kept me hanging round the summer camp when I knew the +police were on my track; and I had been put wise they might hold up the +train. A man hitting the trail for liberty doesn't use the manners of a +highbrow carpet-knight. I reckoned you were human and your blood was +red." + +"Ah," said Barbara, "I was very human! Although I was afraid, I felt all +the passion hate can rouse. You declared I must stay with you, because I +durst not go back; I had broken rules and my fastidious relations would +have no more to do with me. Something like that! In a sense, it wasn't +true; but you said it with brutal coarseness. When I struck you I meant +to hurt; I looked for something that would hurt--" + +She stopped and struggled for calm. To indulge her anger was some +relief, but she felt the man was dangerous and she must be cool. There +was not much use in leaving him and going to her mother, because he +would, no doubt, follow and disturb Mrs. Cartwright. It was unlucky her +step-father had not arrived; he was coming out, but his boat was not +expected for a day or two. + +"Oh, well," said Shillito, "let's talk about something else. I didn't +calculate to meet you at Las Palmas, but when I saw you in the _calle_, +I hoped you might, after all, be kind for old times' sake. However, it's +obvious you have no use for me, and if you are willing to make it +easier, I'll pull out and leave you alone." + +Barbara gave him a keen glance. She had known he wanted something. + +"How can I make it easier for you to go?" + +"You don't see? Well, I've had some adventures since you left me on +board the train. I had money, but I'd waited too long to negotiate some +of the bonds and my partner robbed me. I made San Francisco and found +nothing doing there. Went down the coast to Chile and got fixed for a +time at a casino, in which I invested the most part of my wad. One night +a Chileno pulled his knife on another who cleaned him out, and when the +police got busy the casino shut down. I pushed across for Argentina, but +my luck wasn't good, and I made Las Palmas not long since on board an +Italian boat. On the whole, I like the dagos, and reckoned I might try +Cuba, or perhaps the Philippines--" + +"A Lopez boat sails for Havana in two or three days," Barbara +interrupted. + +"That is so," Shillito agreed, smiling because he noted her relief. "The +trouble is, I haven't much money. Five hundred pounds would help me +along." + +"You thought I would give you five hundred pounds?" + +"Sure," said Shillito, coolly. "You're rich; anyhow, Mrs. Cartwright is +rich, and I reckoned you would see my staying about the town has +drawbacks. For one thing, the English tourists are a gossiping lot. It +ought to pay you and your mother to help me get off." + +Barbara tried to think. The drawbacks Shillito indicated were plain, and +as long as he stayed at Las Palmas she would know no ease of mind, but +she had not five hundred pounds, and Mrs. Cartwright must not be +disturbed. Moreover, one could not trust the fellow. He might take the +money and then use his power again. He had power to humiliate her, but +unless she was willing to meet all his claims, she must resist some +time. + +"I imagine you put your importance too high," she said. "You can stay, +if you like. I certainly will not bribe you to go away." + +He studied her for a few moments; Barbara looked resolute, but he +thought her resolution forced. + +"Very well! Since I can't start for Cuba without money, I must find an +occupation at Las Palmas, and I have a plan. You see, I know some +Spanish and something about running a gambling joint. The people here +are sports, and one or two are willing to put up the money to start a +club that ought to attract the English tourists. If I found the thing +didn't pay before you went back, I could quit and get after you." + +"I think not," said Barbara, desperately. "If you came to England, a +cablegram to the Canadian police--" + +Shillito laughed. "You wouldn't send a cablegram! If I was caught I +could tell a romantic story about the girl who helped me get off. No; +I'm not going to bother about your putting the police on my trail!" + +He turned his head and Barbara clenched her hand, for a rattle of wheels +in the road broke off, as if a _tartana_ had stopped at the gate. If the +passengers from the vehicle were coming to the hotel she must get rid of +Shillito before they arrived. + +"You waste your arguments," she declared. "I will not give you money. If +you come back, I will tell the _mayordomo_ you are annoying me and he +must not let you in." + +"The plan's not very clever," Shillito rejoined. "If I made trouble for +the hotel porters, the guests would wonder, and when people have nothing +to do but loaf, they like to talk. I expect you'd find their curiosity +awkward--" He paused and laughed when he resumed: "You're embarrassed +now because somebody will see us!" + +Barbara was embarrassed. A man was coming up the path, and she knew her +figure and Shillito's cut against the light. When the stranger reached +the veranda he would see she was disturbed; but to move back into the +gloom, where Shillito would follow her, would be significant. She +thought he meant to excite the other's curiosity. + +The man stopped for a moment at the bottom of the steps and Barbara +turned her head, since she imagined he would think she was quarreling +with her lover. Then he ran up the steps, and when he stopped in front +of Shillito her heart beat fast. It was Lister, and she knew he had +remarked her strained look, for his face was very stern. + +"Hallo!" he said. "Are you bothering Miss Hyslop again?" He glanced at +Barbara. "I expect the fellow is bothering you?" + +For a moment Barbara hesitated, but she had borne a heavy strain and her +control was going. Besides, one could trust Lister and he knew ... She +signed agreement and he touched Shillito. + +"Get off the veranda!" + +Shillito did not move. His pose was tense and he looked malevolent. + +"You won't help Miss Hyslop by butting in like a clumsy fool. The +thing's too delicate for you to meddle--" + +"Get off the veranda!" Lister shouted, and threw Shillito back. + +He was highly strung, and worn by want of sleep and exhausting labor, +but he had some notion of all Barbara had borne on Shillito's account. +Although perhaps caution and tact were indicated, he was going to use +force. When Shillito struck him he seized the fellow, and rocking in a +savage grapple, they fell with a crash against the rails. Lister felt +the other's hand at his throat, and straining back, jerked his head away +while he tried to lift his antagonist off the ground. He pulled him from +the rails and they reeled across the veranda and struck the wall. + +A neighboring window rattled with the shock, the heavy tramp of their +feet shook the boards, and Barbara knew the noise would soon bring a +group of curious servants to the door; besides, all the guests had not +gone to the Metropole. Yet she could not meddle. The men's passions were +unloosed; they fought like savage animals, driven by an instinctive fury +that would not vanish until one was beaten. She looked on, trembling and +helpless, while they wrestled, with swaying bodies and hands that felt +for a firmer hold. Her face was very white and she got her breath in +painful gasps. There was something horribly primitive about the +struggle, but it fascinated. + +In the meantime, Lister was conscious that he had been rash. Shillito +was muscular and fresh, but he was tired. It was plain he could not keep +it up for long. Moreover, unless the fight soon ended, people would come +to see what the disturbance was about. This would be awkward for +Barbara; he wanted to tell her to go away, but could not. He was +breathless and Shillito was trying to choke him. + +Afterwards he knew he was lucky. They had got near the steps and he +threw Shillito against the post at the top. The jar shook the other, his +grasp got slack, and Lister saw that for a moment the advantage was his. +Using a desperate effort he pushed his antagonist back and struck him a +smashing blow. Shillito vanished and a crash in the gloom indicated that +he had fallen on an aloe in a tub by the path. Lister leaned against the +rail and laughed, because he knew aloe spikes are sharp. + +Then he heard steps and voices in the hotel, and turned to Barbara. His +face was cut, his hat was gone, and his white jacket was torn. He looked +strangely savage and disheveled, but Barbara went to him and her eyes +shone. Lister stopped her. + +"Don't know if I've helped much, but you must get off!" he gasped. +"People are coming. Go in by another door!" + +He turned and plunged down the stairs, and Barbara, seeing that Shillito +had vanished, ran along the veranda. A few moments afterwards she stood +by the window of her room and saw a group of curious servants and one or +two tourists in the path at the bottom of the steps. It looked as if +they were puzzled, and the _mayordomo_ gravely examined Lister's +battered hat. + +Barbara went from the window and sat down. She was horribly overstrained +and wanted to cry, but she began to laugh, and for some minutes could +not stop. She must get relief from the tension and, after all, in a +sense, the thing was humorous. + + + +CHAPTER VII + +BARBARA'S REFUSAL + +In the morning Barbara went to the Catalina mole. The short lava pier +was not far off, and one got the breeze, although the hotel garden was +hot. Besides, she did not want to meet people and talk about the strange +disturbance on the veranda. On the whole, she thought nobody imagined +she could satisfy the general curiosity. Finding a block of lava in the +shade, she sat down and looked about. + +A boat crossed the harbor mouth, swinging up on the smooth swell and +vanishing when the undulations rolled by. A tug towed a row of barges to +an anchored steamer, and the rattle of winches came down the wind. In +the background, clouds of dust blew about the coaling wharfs, and a +string of flags fluttered from the staff on the Isleta hill. Barbara +beckoned a port-guard and inquired what the signal meant. + +The Spaniard said an African mail-boat from England was coming in, and +Barbara was conscious of some relief. Cartwright was on board and would +arrive sooner than she had thought; the boat had obviously not called at +Madeira, the time-bills stated. Cartwright would know how to deal with +Shillito if he bothered her again. In the meantime she mused about +Lister. She had thrilled when he ran up the steps at the hotel, but, in +a sense, his arrival just then was awkward. + +She turned her head, for the sunshine on the water dazzled her eyes, and +the port was not attractive. The limekilns, coal-wharfs, and shabby lava +houses had for a background volcanic rocks, bare cinder slopes and +tossing dust. Besides, she wanted to think. She would see Lister soon; +she wanted to see him, but she shrank. For one thing, the line she ought +to take was hard. + +By and by she heard a rattle of oars thrown on board a boat behind the +neighboring wall; somebody shouted, and Lister came up. His white +clothes were clean but crumpled, and Barbara smiled when she saw his hat +was new. Crossing the lava pavement, he stopped opposite her and she +noted a piece of sticking-plaster on his cheek. + +"May I join you for a few minutes?" he asked. + +"Of course," she said graciously. + +Lister sat down. The sailors had gone off, and except for an officer of +the _Commandancia_, nobody was about. + +"I was going to the hotel to look for you. For one thing, I reckoned I +ought to apologize. When I came into the veranda and saw Shillito--" + +"I think you stopped for a moment at the bottom of the steps!" Barbara +remarked. + +He colored, but gave her a steady look. "That is so. I admit the thing's +ridiculous; but at first I felt I'd better pull out. Then I noted +something about your pose; you looked angry." + +"Ah," said Barbara. "It was a relief to see I was angry? You were +satisfied then?" + +"I was really satisfied before. It was impossible you should engage a +brute like that in friendly talk. Anyhow, I took the wrong line and +might have made things awkward. In fact, the situation needed a lighter +touch than mine. All the same, when I saw the fellow was bullying you--" + +"You butted in?" Barbara suggested, smiling, although her heart beat. + +"Like a bull moose," said Lister with a frown. "I ought to have kept +cool, used caution, and frozen him off by a few short arguments. You can +picture Cartwright's putting across the job! After all, however, I don't +know the arguments I could have used, and I remembered how the fellow +had injured you--" + +He saw Barbara's color rise, and stopped for a moment. It looked as if +he had not used much caution now. + +"Since I thought you in Africa, I don't understand how you arrived," she +began. + +"The thing's not very strange," said Lister. "I saw your name in a +visitors' list and meant to ask for you in the morning. Then I ran up +against Shillito, who didn't know me, and when he got on board the steam +tram, I hired a _tartana_. Thought he might mean trouble and I'd better +come along--" + +"Well," he resumed, "I'm sorry I handled the job clumsily, since I might +have hurt you worse; but I hated the fellow on my own account and saw +red. Perhaps it was lucky I was able to throw him down the steps, +because I expect neither of us meant to quit until the other was knocked +out." He paused and added, with a laugh: "Now I'm cool, I think the +chances were I got knocked out. Last time we met he threw me off the +car; I reckon my luck has turned!" + +Barbara studied him and was moved by pity and some other emotions. He +was very thin and his face was pinched. He looked as if he were +exhausted by the work she had sent him to do. Barbara admitted that she +had sent him. Before Cartwright planned the salvage undertaking she had +declared he would find Lister the man for an awkward job. + +"You ran some risk for my sake, and I must acknowledge a fresh debt," +she said. "I would sooner be your debtor than another's, but sometimes +I'm embarrassed. You see, I owe you so much." + +"You have paid all by letting me know you," Lister declared. + +She was quiet for a few moments, and then asked: "Are you making much +progress at the wreck?" + +"Our progress is slow, but we are getting there," Lister replied, and +seeing her interest, narrated his and Brown's struggles, and his long +voyage with a short crew on board the tug. + +The story was moving and Barbara's eyes sparkled. Lister had borne much +and done all that flesh and blood could do. He was the man she had +thought, and she knew it was for her sake that he had labored. + +"It's a splendid fight!" she said. + +"We haven't won yet," he replied, and was quiet for a few moments. Then +his look got very resolute and he went on: "All the same, if the thing +is anyhow possible, I'm going to win. You see, I've got to win! When +Cartwright engaged me I was engineer on board a cattle boat; a man of no +importance, without friends or money, and with no particular chance of +making good. Now I've got my chance. If we put across the job a big +salvage company turned down, I'll make my mark. Somebody will give me a +good post; I'll have got my foot on the ladder that leads to the top." + +"I wish you luck," said Barbara. "I expect you will get near the top." + +"If you are willing, you can help." + +"Ah," said Barbara, with forced quietness, "I think not--" + +He stopped her. "I didn't expect to find you willing. My business is to +persuade you, and I mean to try. Well, I wasn't boasting, and my +drawbacks are plain, but if I make good in Africa, some will be cut out +and you can help me remove the others. I've long wanted you, and now my +luck's turning. I was going to Catalina to tell you so. If Brown and I +float _Arcturus_, will you marry me?" + +Barbara's color came and went, but she said quietly: "When you came to +the hotel in the evening you met Shillito!" + +"I did," said Lister, with incautious passion. "If I had killed the +brute I'd have been justified! However, I threw him on to the aloe tub +and ran off. The thing was grotesquely humorous. A boy's fool trick!" + +"You ran off for my sake," said Barbara. "I liked you for it. I like you +for many things, but I will not marry you." + +He saw she was resolute. Her mouth was firm and her hand was tightly +closed. He thought he knew the grounds for her refusal, and his heart +sank. Barbara was stubborn and very proud. Moreover, the situation was +awkward, but the awkwardness must be fronted. + +"Let's be frank; perhaps you owe me this," he urged. "Since you allow +you do like me, what's to stop our marrying?" + +"For one thing, my adventure in Canada," she replied and turned her +head. + +Lister put his hand on her arm and forced her to look up. "Now you're +clean ridiculous! Shillito cheated you; he's a plausible wastrel, but +you found him out. It doesn't count at all! Besides, nobody but your +relations know." + +"You know," said Barbara, and, getting up started along the mole. + +Lister tried to brace himself, for he saw she could not be moved. Yet +there was something to be said. + +"You are the girl I mean to marry," he declared. "Some day, perhaps, +you'll see you're indulging a blamed extravagant illusion and I'm going +to wait. When you're logical I'll try again." + +Barbara forced a smile. "Sometimes I am logical; I feel I'm logical now. +But I have left my mother alone rather long and you must let me go." + +Lister went with her to the road and got on a tram going to the town. He +was hurt and angry, but not altogether daunted. Barbara's ridiculous +pride might break and she was worth waiting for. When he returned on +board, a small African liner had anchored not far off, and while he +watched the boats that swarmed about the ship, one left the others and +came towards the tug. The Spanish crew were pulling hard and a passenger +occupied the stern. Learmont, lounging near, turned his glasses on the +boat. + +"I'm not sorry you are boss," he said. "The Old Man is coming!" + +A few minutes afterwards Cartwright got over the tug's rail. His face +was red, and he looked very stern. + +"Why have you left the wreck?" he asked Lister. + +"I came for some castings I couldn't get at Sierra Leone. The pump and +engine needed mending." + +"Then where's Brown?" + +"He's busy at the lagoon, sir. There's enough to keep him occupied, +unless the pump plays out before I get back." + +Cartwright looked relieved, but asked meaningly: "Did you know Mrs. +Cartwright and Miss Hyslop were at Las Palmas?" + +"I did not know until yesterday evening, twenty-four hours after I +arrived; but we'll talk about this again. I expect you want to know how +we are getting on at the wreck?" + +Cartwright nodded. "I think my curiosity is natural! Let's get out of +the sun, and if you have liquor on board, order me a drink. When the +mail-boat steamed round the mole and I saw _Terrier_, I got a nasty +jolt." + +Lister took him to the captain's room and gave him some sour red Canary +wine. Cartwright drained his glass and looked up with an ironical smile. + +"If you use stuff like this. Brown ought not to be tempted much! +However, you can tell me what you have done at the lagoon, and the +difficulties you have met. You needn't bother to smooth down Brown's +extravagances, I knew the captain before I knew you." + +Lister told his story, and when he stopped Cartwright filled his glass, +raised it to his lips and put it back with a frown. + +"Send somebody along the mole to Garcia's shop for two or three bottles +of his Amontillado and white Muscatel. Charge the stuff to ship's +victualing. When you got Brown out of the factory, did you think it +possible he had a private stock of liquor?" + +"I'm satisfied he had not. Montgomery gave him the liquor, and I imagine +meant to give him too, much." + +"It looks like that," Cartwright agreed. "If we take something I suspect +for granted, Montgomery's opposition would be logical. I imagine you +know part of the cargo was worth much? Expensive stuff in small bulk, +you see!" + +"I have studied the cargo-lists and plans of the holds, sir." + +Cartwright nodded. "We'll find out presently if my notion how the boat +was lost is accurate," The cargo's another thing. There may have been +conspiracy between merchant and ship-owner; I don't know yet, but if it +was conspiracy, this would account for much. Some of the gum shipped was +very costly, and African alluvial gold, washed by the negroes, has been +found mixed with brass filings." + +"Montgomery frankly stated his father loaded the vessel." + +"His frankness may have been calculated," Cartwright rejoined and +knitted his brows. "Yet I'll admit the young fellow's name is good at +Liverpool, and all he sells is up to sample. His father was another +sort, but he died, and the house is now well run. However, in the +meantime we'll let it go." + +He looked up, for a fireman, carrying a basket, came in. Cartwright took +the basket and opened a bottle of white wine. + +"Take some of this," he said. "I understand you have seen Mrs. +Cartwright?" + +"Not yet, sir," said Lister, quietly. "I met Miss Hyslop soon before +your boat arrived. Perhaps I ought to tell you I asked her if she would +marry me if we floated the wreck." + +"Ah!" said Cartwright. "But why did you add the stipulation?" + +"It ought to be obvious. If we put the undertaking over, I expect to get +a post that will enable me to support a wife, although she might be +forced to go without things I'd like to give her." + +"I see!" said Cartwright, with some dryness. "Well, I don't know if +Barbara is extravagant, but she has not used much economy. Was she +willing to take the plunge?" + +"She was not, sir." + +"Then I suppose she stated her grounds for refusing?" + +"That is so," said Lister. "Perhaps Miss Hyslop will tell you what they +are. I will not." + +Cartwright looked at him hard. "All the same, I imagine you did not +agree?" + +"I did not agree. If I make good at the wreck, I will try again." + +"Barbara is pretty obstinate," Cartwright remarked with a smile, and +then filled Lister's glass. "I must go; but come to the hotel in the +morning. We must talk about the salvage plans." + +He went off, but when the boat crossed the harbor he looked back at the +tug with twinkling eyes. Lister was honest and had not asked Barbara to +marry him until he saw some chance of his supporting a wife. Since +Barbara was rich, the thing was amusing. All the same, it was possible +the young fellow must wait. Barbara exaggerated and indulged her +imagination, but she was firm. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +CARTWRIGHT GETS TO WORK + +The morning was hot and Barbara, sitting on the hotel veranda, struggled +against a flat reaction. The glitter of the sea hurt her eyes, and the +dust that blew in clouds from the road smeared her white dress. Her +mouth dropped and her pose was languid. To refuse Lister had cost her +much, and although she had done so because she felt she ought, the sense +of having carried out a duty was not remarkably soothing. It was a +relief to know she need not pretend to Cartwright, who occupied a +basket-chair opposite. One could not cheat her step-father by false +cheerfulness. + +"When you disappointed Lister you took the prudent line," he said. "The +young fellow has some talent, but he has not yet made his mark. I +approve your caution, and expect your mother will agree." + +"I wasn't cautious; I didn't argue at all like that," Barbara declared. +"Besides, I haven't told mother. She mustn't be disturbed." + +Cartwright looked thoughtful. To some extent he was sympathetic, and to +some extent amused. + +"Then I don't altogether understand why you did refuse!" + +"Oh, well," said Barbara, and the blood came to her skin, "for one +thing, Mr. Lister waited for some time, and then asked me to marry him, +after Shillito arrived." She paused and her look got hard when she +resumed: "Perhaps he thought he ought; sometimes he's chivalrous." + +Cartwright imagined Barbara was badly hurt, and this accounted for her +frankness. + +"Your reasoning isn't very obvious, but I think I see a light," he said. +"It's possible, however, he asked you because he wanted you, and there +is an explanation for his waiting. I understand he hesitated because he +doubted if he could support a wife. It looks as if Mr. Lister didn't +know you were rich." + +"He doesn't know; I think I didn't want him to know," Barbara admitted +with some embarrassment. + +"Shillito knew, but one learns caution," Cartwright remarked. "Well, +Shillito became somewhat of a nuisance, and I don't imagine you want him +to look us up again. I rather think I must get to work." + +"I hate him!" said Barbara, passionately. "Until your boat was signaled +I was horribly alarmed, but then the trouble went. I felt I needn't +bother after you arrived." Her voice softened as she added: "You are a +clever old dear! One feels safe while you're about!" + +"Thank you," said Cartwright. "I am old, but I have some useful talents. +Well, is there something else about which you want to talk?" + +Barbara hesitated. There was something for which she meant to ask, +although her object was not very plain. Perhaps Shillito's demand for +money had made her feel its power; moreover, she was independent and +liked to control her affairs. + +"My birthday was not long since, and I'm entitled to use some of the +money that is mine." + +"That is so," Cartwright agreed with a twinkle. "All the same, you're +not entitled to use much until you marry, and you have just sent off one +lover. Would you like me to send you out a sum?" + +"I think I'd like a check book, and then I needn't bother people." + +Cartwright nodded. Barbara was not extravagant. "Very well. I expect we +can trust you, and the money is yours. I can probably arrange for a +business house to meet your drafts. I'll see about it when I'm in the +town." + +He started for Las Palmas presently, and after some inquiries stopped at +a Spanish hotel, where he found Shillito. The latter frowned when he saw +Cartwright, but went with him to the courtyard and they sat down in the +shade. + +"Have you bought your ticket for Havana?" Cartwright asked. + +"I have not," said Shillito. "So far I haven't decided to leave Las +Palmas." + +"Then I imagine you had better decide _now_. If money is a difficulty, I +might lend you enough for a second-class passage, but that is all." + +Shillito smiled. "If you want to get rid of me, you'll have to go +higher. I reckon it's worth while!" + +"I think not," said Cartwright, dryly. "In fact, since I can get rid of +you for nothing, I doubt if it's worth the price of a cheap berth on +board the Lopez boat. However, I'll risk this, in order to save +bothering." + +"Bluff! You can cut it out and get to business!" + +"Very well. Your call at the Catalina didn't help you much, and if you +come again you will not be received by Miss Hyslop, but by me. I have +met and beaten fellows like you before. My offer's a second-class berth. +You had better take it!" + +"Not at all," said Shillito. "Before long you'll want to raise your +bid." + +Cartwright got up and crossed the flags; the other frowned and +hesitated, but let him go. When he reached the street Cartwright called +his _tartana_ and told the driver to take him to the British +Vice-Consul's. The Vice-Consul was a merchant who sometimes supplied the +Cartwright boats with stores, and he gave his visitor a cigar. +Cartwright told him as much about Shillito as he thought useful, and the +Vice-Consul weighed his remarks. + +"The extradition of a criminal is a long and troublesome business," he +observed. "In the meantime the fellow must not be allowed to annoy you, +and I imagine my duty is to inform the Spanish _justicia_. Don Ramon is +tactful, and I think will handle the situation discreetly. Suppose we go +to see him?" + +He took Cartwright to an old Spanish house, with the royal arms above +the door, and a very dignified gentleman received them politely. He +allowed the Vice-Consul to tell Cartwright's story in Castilian, and +then smiled. + +"Senor Graham has our thanks for the warning he has brought," he said. +"In this island we are sportsmen. We have our cockpits and casinos, but +our aim is to develop our commerce and not make the town a Monte Carlo. +Then the play at the casinos must be honest. Our way with cardsharpers +is stern." + +The Vice-Consul's eyes twinkled. He knew Don Ramon, who resumed: "Senor +Cartwright's duty is to inform the British police. No doubt he will do +so, but until they apply to our _justicia_ in the proper form, I cannot +put in prison a British subject for a robbery he did not commit on +Spanish soil. Perhaps, however, this is not necessary?" + +"On the whole, I don't think it is necessary," Cartwright remarked. "The +fellow is a dangerous scoundrel, but I don't know that it is my duty to +give you the bother extradition formalities would imply. Still you may +find him a nuisance if he stays long." + +Don Ramon smiled. "I imagine he will not stay long! My post gives me +power to deal with troublesome foreigners. Well, I thank you, and can +promise you will not be disturbed again." + +He let them go, and when they went out the Vice-Consul laughed. + +"You can trust Don Ramon. For one thing, he knows I have some claim; in +this country a merchant finds it pays to acknowledge fair treatment by +the men who rule. For all that, Don Ramon is just and uses prudently a +power we do not give British officials. The Spanish know the advantages +of firm control, and I admit their plan works well." + +Shillito did not return to the Catalina. When he was playing cards for +high stakes one evening, two _guardias civiles_ entered the gambling +house and one touched Shillito's arm. + +"You will come with us, senor," he said politely. + +Shillito pushed back his chair and looked about. The man carried a +pistol, and the civil guards have power to shoot. His comrade watched +the door. + +"What is your authority for bothering me?" he asked. + +"It is possible Don Ramon will tell you. He is waiting," said the other. +He took Shillito to the house with the coat of arms, and Don Ramon, +sending off the guards, indicated a chair. + +"We have heard something about you, and do not think you ought to remain +at Las Palmas," he remarked. "In fact, since we understand you meant to +go to Cuba, we expect you to start by the Lopez boat." + +"I don't mean to go to Cuba," Shillito rejoined. + +Don Ramon shrugged. "Well, we do not mind if you sail for another +country. Numerous steamers touch here and the choice is yours. So long +as you leave Las Palmas--" + +Shillito looked at him hard. "I am a British subject and stay where I +like!" + +"You are obstinate, senor, but I think your statement's rash," Don Ramon +observed. "A British subject is governed by British laws, but we will +not talk about this." + +He paused and studied Shillito, who began to look disturbed. "One would +sooner be polite and take the easy line," Don Ramon resumed. "So far +this is possible, because you are not on the list sent our Government by +the British police, but we have power to examine foreigners about whom +we are not satisfied. Well, I doubt if you could satisfy us that you +ought to remain, and when we begin to investigate, a demand for your +extradition might arrive. If you forced us to inquire about you, a +cablegram would soon reach London." + +Shillito saw he was beaten and got up. + +"I'll buy my ticket for Havana in the morning," he replied. + +The Lopez liner was some days late, and in the meantime Lister haunted +the office of the engineering company. At length the articles he needed +were ready, and one afternoon Cartwright hired a boat to take him and +Barbara across the harbor. _Terrier_ lay with full steam up at the end +of the long mole, and when her winch began to rattle, Cartwright told +the Spanish _peons_ to stop rowing. The tug's mooring ropes splashed, +her propeller throbbed, and she swung away from the wall. + +She was rusty and dingy; the screens along her bridge were cracked and +burned by the sun. The boat at her rail was blackened by soot, and when +she rolled the weed streamed down from her water-line. She looked very +small and overloaded by the stack of coal on deck. The wash round her +stern got whiter, ripples ran back from her bows, and when she steamed +near Cartwright's boat, her whistle shrieked. Cartwright stood up and +waved; Learmont, on the bridge, touched his cap, but for a few moments +Barbara fixed her eyes on _Terrier's_ deckhouse. Then she blushed and +her heart beat, for she saw Lister at the door of the engine-room. He +saw her and smiled. + +The tug's whistle was drowned by a deeper blast. A big liner, painted +black from water-line to funnel-top, was coming out, and Cartwright's +boat lay between her and the tug. Barbara gave the great ship a careless +glance and then started, for she read the name at the bow. This was the +Havana boat. + +Studying the groups of passengers at the rails, she thought she saw a +face she knew. The face got distinct, and when the liner's lofty side +towered above the boat, Shillito, looking down, lifted his cap and bowed +with ironical politeness. Barbara turned her head and tried for calm +while she watched the tug. + +Lister had not gone. Barbara knew he would not go so long as he could +see the boat, and standing up, with her hand on Cartwright's shoulder, +she waved her handkerchief. Lister's hand went to his cap, but he was +getting indistinct and _Terrier_ had begun to plunge on the long swell +outside the wall. She steered for open sea, the big black liner followed +the coast, and presently Cartwright signed the men to pull. Then he +looked at Barbara and smiled, for he knew she had seen Shillito. + +"Things do sometimes happen like that!" he said. "I think the fellow has +gone for good, but the other will come back." + + + +CHAPTER IX + +LISTER MAKES GOOD + +_Arcturus'_ holds were empty and a long row of oil puncheons occupied +the beach, but the men who had dragged the goods from the water were +exhausted by heavy toil in the scorching sun, and some were sick. The +divers had bolted on plates to cover the holes in the vessel's bilge +before one fell ill and his mate's nerve went. The heat and poisonous +vapors from the swamps had broken his health, and he got a bad jar one +day his air-pipe entangled and the pump-gang dragged him, unconscious, +to the top. + +Afterwards, for the most part, Lister undertook the diving, but for long +his efforts to reach the floor of the engine-room were baffled. To crawl +across slanted gratings and down weedy ladders, while air-pipe and +signal-line trailed about the machinery, was horribly dangerous, but he +kept it up, although he got slacker and felt his pluck was breaking. +Then one afternoon he knew he could not go down again, and he stayed +under water long. + +Brown, standing by the air-pumps, looked at his watch and waited +anxiously. The bubbles broke the surface above the wreck and the +signal-line was slack, but Lister had been down longer than he ought. He +wars not a diver, and the others who knew their job, had come up sooner. +Then Brown had other grounds for anxiety. If Lister were beaten, their +chance of floating the wreck was small. + +At length, the bubbles began to move towards the hulk, the ladder shook, +and a dull, red reflection shone through the water. Then the copper +helmet broke the surface, rose a few inches, and stopped, and Brown ran +to the gangway. Lister was exhausted and his worn-out body could not +meet the change of pressure. They dragged him on board and took off his +helmet and canvas dress. For some minutes he lay like a log, and then +opened his eyes and looked at Brown. + +"Cartwright was on the track!" he gasped. "We can go ahead--" + +The sun was low, but the pitch in the seams was liquid and smeared the +hot planks, and Brown pulled Lister into the shade. For a time he was +quiet, but by and by he said, "When the tide falls we'll start the pump +and let her go all night. I must get up and tell Jones to clean the +fire." + +"I'll tell him. You stay there until we get some food," Brown replied. + +The cook served the meal on deck, but they had hardly begun when he +lighted a storm-lamp. As soon as the red sun dipped thick vapor floated +off from the swamps, the water got oily black, and dark clouds rolled +across the sky. Flickering lightning illumined the tumbling surf and +sandy beach, but there was no thunder and the night was calm. The hulk +and tug were moored at opposite sides of the wreck, forward of her +engine room, and thick wire ropes that ran between them had been dragged +back under the vessel for some distance from her bow. The ropes, +however, were not yet hauled tight. When the cook took away the plates +Brown made a rough calculation. + +"We have caulked all hatches and gratings forward, and stopped the +ventilators," he said. "I reckon the water will leave the deck long +enough for the pump to give her fore-end some buoyancy. If she rises +with the flood tide, well heave the cables aft, until we can get a hold +that will lift her bow from the ground. Then you can pump out the fore +hold and we'll make a fresh start aft. We'll soon know if Cartwright's +notion is correct." + +"We know _now_; I'll satisfy you in the morning," Lister rejoined and +his confidence was not exaggerated. + +A steamer's hull below her load-line is pierced in places to admit water +for the condensers and ballast tanks. Lister had found some inlets open, +but now they were shut. + +"I'll own old Cartwright's a great man," Brown said thoughtfully. "When +he takes on a job he studies things all round. The salvage folks, no +doubt, reckoned on the possibility that the valves were open, but they +couldn't get at the controls and didn't know all Cartwright knew--" He +paused and added with a laugh: "I wonder how much the other fellows got +for the job! But it's time we started." + +Lister got up with an effort and went to the pump, which presently began +to throb. The mended engine ran well and the regular splash of water, +flung out from the big discharge pipe, drowned the languid rumble of the +surf. The hull shook; shadowy figures crossed the beam of light from the +furnace, and vanished in the dark. Twinkling lamps threw broken +reflections on the water that looked like black silk, lightning flashed +in the background, and when the swell broke with phosphorescent sparkles +about the wreck Lister marked the height the pale illumination crept up +her plates. She would not lift that tide, but the pump was clearing the +hold, and he hoped much water was not coming in. If the leakage was not +excessive, her bow ought to rise when the next tide flowed. + +For some hours he kept his watch, dragging himself wearily about the +engine and pump. He had helpers, but control was his, and to an engineer +a machine is not a dead mass of metal. Lister, so to speak, felt the +pump had individuality and temperament, like a spirited horse. Sometimes +it must be humored and sometimes urged; it would run faster for a man +whose touch was firm but light than for another. Perhaps he was +fanciful, and he was certainly over-strung, but he imagined the big, +rattling machine knew his hand. + +At length when he looked at the gauge glass he found he could not see +the line that marked the water-level. His head swam and his legs shook, +and calling a fireman to keep watch, he sat down in the coal. He wanted +to get to the awning, out of the dew, but could not, and leaning against +the rough blocks, he went to sleep. + +In the morning, he knew the fever that bothered him now and then had +returned. For all that, he must hold out and he began his labor in the +burning sun. When the flood tide rippled about the wreck it was obvious +the pump was getting the water down. The bows lifted, and starting the +winches, they hauled aft the ropes. If they could keep it, before long +they might heave her from the sand. + +It was a time of stubborn effort and crushing strain. Some of the men +were sick and all had lost their vigor. The fierce sun had not burned +but bleached their skin; their blood was poisoned by the miasma the land +breeze blew off at night. For all that, Cartwright's promise was they +should share his reward and somehow they held on. + +At length, in the scorching heat one afternoon when the flood tide began +to run, they hauled the hulk and tug abaft the wreck's engine-room and +made the great ropes fast. If Lister's calculations were accurate, the +pump had thrown out enough water, and the buoyancy of the other craft +would lift the wreck's stern. If not--but he refused to think about +this. + +The sea breeze had dropped and the smoke of the engine went straight up. +There was not a line on the glittering lagoon. The sea looked like +melted silver; one felt it give out light and heat. The men's eyes ached +and the intolerable sun pierced their double hats and dulled their +brains. When all was ready, they waited and watched the sandy water +creep up _Arcturus'_ plates until the ropes stretched and groaned and +the hulk began to list. On the wreck's other side, the tug's mast and +funnel slanted. + +_Arcturus_ was not yet afloat, and the big wire-ropes, running beneath +her bilge, held down the helping craft. The ends were made fast by hemp +lashings and somebody had put an ax beside the post. For all that, +Lister did not think Brown would give the order to cut; he himself would +not. If they did not float Arcturus now, she must remain in the sand for +good. He would hold on until the rising tide flowed across the tug. + +In the meantime, he watched the pump. The engine carried a dangerous +load and the spouting discharge pipe was swollen. Throbbing and +rattling, she fought the water that held _Arcturus_ down. A greaser +touched the crosshead-slides with a tallow swab, and a panting fireman +thrust a bar through the furnace door. Their skin was blackened by sweat +and coal dust; soaked singlets, tight like gloves, clung to their lean +bodies. Nobody else, however, was actively occupied. The negroes lay on +the deck and the white men lounged in the shade of the awning. They had +done all that flesh and blood could do, in a climate that breaks the +white man's strength, and now the tide ought to finish their labor. But +they did not know, and some doubted. + +The ropes cracked and the hulk's list got sharp. On one side, her deck +was very near the water. She was broad, but if _Arcturus_ did not lift, +it was obvious she must soon capsize. Lister opened the engine throttle +until the valve-wheel would not turn. The cylinders shook, a gland blew +steam, and the pump clashed and rocked. All the same, he knew himself +ridiculous. The extra water the pump lifted would not help much now. +They had a few minutes, and then, if nobody cut the ropes, the hulk +would go down. + +The massive oak mooring-post groaned and the deck-seams opened with the +strain; the wire-ropes were rigid; one could see no hint of curve. The +water touched the hulk's deck and began to creep up. Then it stopped, +the hulk shook, and the wreck's long side slowly got upright. + +"She's off!" said Brown hoarsely. Somebody blew the tug's whistle, and +one or two shouted, but this was all. They had won a very stubborn +fight, but winning had cost them much, and Lister felt their triumph was +strangely flat. He smiled and owned he would be satisfied to lie down +and sleep. + +Brown gave an order; _Terrier's_ propeller splashed noisily, and +_Arcturus_ began to move. Somehow it looked impossible, but she was +moving. They took her slowly and cautiously across the lagoon, and when +the tide was full put her on the sand. There was much to do yet and +Lister wondered whether he could hold out until all was done. + +In the evening Montgomery came off on board a boat pulled by four sturdy +Kroos. He was very thin and haggard, but the fever had left him. When +his boat got near, Brown, frowning savagely, went to the rail. + +"What d'you want?" he asked. + +"Let me come on board. If we can't, agree, I'll go back in a few +minutes," Montgomery replied, and climbing the bulwarks, went to the +awning and lighted a cigarette. + +"You have floated her, but the job's not finished," he said. "I expect +you mean to bring off the cargo you landed and you'll need a fresh gang +of native boys. Well, I can help." + +"You imply you can bother us if we don't agree?" Brown remarked. + +"Something like that! I can certainly make things awkward. However, all +I want is to go with you when you open the lazaret where the boxes of +gold were stored." + +"Ah!" said Brown. "I expect you see what your wanting to go indicates? +Looks as if you knew something about the wreck." + +"I imagine I do know something," Montgomery admitted quietly. "At the +beginning, I reckoned you would not float her, but in order to run no +risk, I meant to hinder you as much as possible. Now I'm beaten, I'm +going to be frank--" + +He paused and resumed in a low voice: "When I was left control of a +respected business house I was young and ambitious. It was plain the +house had weathered a bad storm, but our fortunes were mending and I +thought they could be built up again. Well, I think I was honest, and +when one of _Arcturus'_ crew demanded money I got a jar. Since my father +loaded the ship, I expect you see where the fellow's threats led?" + +"I see the line Cartwright might take," Brown remarked dryly. "If the +boxes don't hold gold, he could break you! We have found out enough +already to give him a strong pull on the boat's last owners. They're in +his power." + +"He won't use his power. Cartwright is not that sort! Besides, the +company is bankrupt." + +"You are not bankrupt. Do you know what sort Lister and I are?" + +Montgomery smiled. "It's not important. If there is no gold in the +boxes, I don't want to carry on the house's business. You can do what +you like--" + +He stopped for a few moments and Lister began to feel some sympathy. The +man was desperate and had obviously borne much. + +"My staying at the factory was a strain," Montgomery continued. "I was +ill and when at length I saw you might succeed, the suspense was +horrible. You see, I risked the honor of the house, my marriage, my +fortune. All I had and cared about!" + +"Were you to be married?" Lister asked. + +Montgomery signed agreement. "The wedding was put off. While it looked +as if my mended fortune was built on fraud and I had known, and agreed +to, the trick, I could not marry a high-principled girl." + +Brown knitted his brows and was quiet for some moments. Then he said, +"You are now willing to get us the boys we want and help us where you +can?" + +"That is so," Montgomery agreed. + +"Very well!" said Brown. "We expect to open the lazaret at daybreak and +you can come with us. You had better send off your boat and stop on +board." + + + +CHAPTER X + +BARBARA TAKES CONTROL + +The sun was rising and the mist rolled back from the lagoon. The tide +was low and _Arcturus'_ rusty side rose high above the smooth green +water. Damp weed hung from the beams in her poop cabin and a dull light +came down through the broken glass. A sailor, kneeling on the slimy +planks, tried to force a corroded ring-bolt from its niche; another +trimmed a smoky lantern. Lister, Brown and Montgomery waited. In the +half-light, their faces looked gray and worn. The sun had given them a +dull pallor, and on the West African coast nobody sleeps much. + +After a few minutes the sailor opened the swollen trap-door and then +went down, Brown carrying the lantern. As a rule a ship's lazaret is a +small, dark strong-room, used for stowing liquor and articles of value. +_Arcturus_ was wet and smelt of salt. A row of shelves crossed the +bulkhead and some water lay in the angle where the slanted floor met the +side sheathing. A thin jacket and an officer's peaked cap were in the +water. Brown indicated the objects. + +"Looks as if somebody had stripped before he got to work, and then left +without bothering about his clothes," he said. "I don't know if I +expected this, but we'll examine the thing later." He lifted the lantern +and the flickering beam touched five or six small, thick boxes. "Well, +there's some of the gold!" + +Lister seized a box and tried to lift it up, but stopped. + +"It feels like gold," he said and signed to a sailor. "Help me get the +stuff on deck, Watson." + +They carried the boxes up the ladder and Brown brought the cap and +jacket. + +"Second-mate's clothes," he said, indicating the bands round the cuffs +and cap. The imitation gold-lace had gone green but clung to the rotten +material. + +"Something in the pocket," he added and taking out a small wet book put +it in the sun. "We'll look at this again, and now for the first box! I +may want you to state you saw me break the seals." + +Sitting in the shade of the poop, they opened the box, which was filled +with fine dull-yellow grains. Then Lister sent a man to the boat for +some things he had brought, and when the fellow came back hung a small +steel cup from a spring-balance. + +"The scale's pretty accurate; I use it on board," he said. "Well, I got +the specific gravity of gold, zinc and copper from my pocket-tables, and +made a few experiments with some bearing metals. They're all brasses; +alloys of copper and zinc, with a little lead and tin in some. I weighed +and measured two or three small ingots and afterwards calculated what +they'd weigh, if their cubic size was the capacity of the cup. I'll give +you the figures." + +He did so and then filled the cup with the yellow grains and held up the +balance. Montgomery, leaning forward, looked over his shoulder. + +"Weighs more than your heaviest bearing metal! It's gold!" he exclaimed +hoarsely. + +"Yes," said Lister, "it's obviously gold. Perhaps we needn't open the +other boxes. When we get on board well weigh them against this lot. So +far as I can reckon after heaving them up the ladder, well not find much +difference." + +Montgomery sat down, as if he were too limp to stand. "But these are not +all the boxes that were shipped--" + +Brown went for the pocket-book he had put to dry and took out some +papers. "This thing belonged to Gordon Herries, second officer." + +"Mr. Herries?" exclaimed the sailor Watson. "The second-mate as was +drowned when the surf-boat capsized!" + +"What do you know about it?" Brown asked. + +"I know something, sir," said Watson, but Montgomery stopped him and +turned to the others. + +"It seems the second mate tried to _save_ the stuff." + +"Looks like that," Brown agreed and signed to the sailor. "Now tell us +all you do know." + +"We was lying in Forcados river, shifting cargo to the Lagos boat +alongside. Barret, my townie, was on board her; he'd made a run in +_Arcturus_, and told me about the wreck. When she struck, Mr. Herries +swung out number two surf-boat and Barret was her bowman. He went to the +lazaret with Herries and they got up some bags of special gum and some +heavy boxes. Barret thought they were gold, but hadn't seen them put on +board. Then a big comber hit the poop, smashed the skylights, and +flooded the lazaret. They reckoned she was going over and had some +bother to get out. Well, they got the surf-boat off her side; she was +pretty full with a load of Kroo boys and three or four white men. In the +surf, the steering oar broke, she yawed across a sea, and turned out the +lot. Some held on to her, but she rolled over and Barret made for the +beach. They all landed but Mr. Herries; Barret thought the boat hit him. +Gum and boxes went down in the surf." + +"Very good," said Brown. "Now get off and send somebody to help heave +the boxes on board." + +Montgomery turned his head and leaned against the poop. Lister saw he +trembled as if the reaction from the strain was keen. After a few +moments he braced himself. + +"It's done with! I think all the boxes held gold, but they're gone." + +Brown indicated the cloud of spray that tossed above the advancing lines +of foam. The long rollers had crashed on the bar from the beginning and +would never stop. + +"All the surf gets it keeps," he said. "If there is a secret, I reckon +the secret's safe! However, we have to talk about something else. You +can get us some native boys?" + +"I'll send you a fresh gang. If my new agent arrives soon, I'll go with +you as far as Sierra Leone. Since you're short-handed, I might perhaps +help, and I've had enough of the factory." + +The others agreed and soon afterwards got to work. When the negroes +Montgomery sent arrived all the cargo worth salving was re-stowed, and +he bought the hulk for a floating store. Then, one night when the moon +and tide were full, _Terrier_ steamed slowly across the lagoon. Two +massive ropes trailed across her stern and _Arcturus'_ high dark bow +towered above her phosphorescent wake. The land breeze blew behind her +and the surf had not the fury the sea breeze gives by day, but when +_Terrier_ plunged into the turmoil Brown watched the tow ropes with +anxious eyes. + +_Arcturus_ rolled and sheered about, putting a horrible strain on the +hawsers, and sometimes for a minute or two it looked as if she went +astern. Flame blew from the tug's funnel, lighting the black trail of +smoke; steam roared at her escape-pipe, and the engines throbbed hard. +The ebb tide, however, was beginning to run and helped her across the +shoals. The leadsman got deeper water, the rollers got smooth, and +presently the swell was long and regular and the spray cloud melted +astern. In the morning, a faint dark line to starboard was all that +indicated the African coast. Next day Brown steered for the land and +called Montgomery to the bridge. + +"I reckon to make an anchorage before dark," he said. "We'll give the +boys the rest they need and send _Terrier_ to _Sar_ Leone for coal. +Learmont will land you." + +"Then you're not going to take _Arcturus_ into port?" Montgomery +remarked with some surprise. + +"I am not. Cartwright expects me to save him as much as possible and +there are British officers and Board of Trade rules at _Sar_ Leone. You +don't imagine they'd let me start for Las Palmas? Surveys, reports, +repairs and sending for another tug, might cost two or three thousand +pounds. Then half my crew are sick and some are helpless, though I +reckon they'll pick up sooner at sea than in an African hospital." + +"It's a big risk. After all, I owe you much and know something about +curing malarial fever. Besides, I'm a yachtsman and can steer and use +the lead. If you'll take me, I'll go all the way. However, you ought to +send Lister off. He can't hold out." + +"He claims he can," Brown said dryly. "We have argued about his going to +Grand Canary by a mail-boat, but he's obstinate. Means to finish the +job; that's his sort! Anyhow, it's possible the Trade breeze will brace +him up, and if he did go, the chances of my taking _Arcturus_ to +Liverpool are not good." + +Montgomery stayed on board and when the tug returned with coal they hove +anchor and began the long run to Las Palmas. For a time, Lister kept the +engines going and superintended the pump on board the wreck, but he +could not sleep and in the morning it was hard to drag himself from his +bunk and start another laborious day. The strain was horrible and he was +weakening fast, but it would be cooler soon and perhaps he might hold +out until they met the invigorating Northeast breeze. + +In the meantime, Cartwright went back to Liverpool, Mrs. Cartwright got +better, and Barbara waited for news. She had refused Lister, but to +refuse had cost her more than she had thought. After a time Cartwright +wrote and stated that the tug and Arcturus had started home. No fresh +news arrived and Barbara tried to hide her suspense, until one morning a +small African liner steamed into port. Some passengers landed and when +they lunched at the hotel one talked about his going off with the first +officer to a ship that signaled for help. + +"It was a moving picture," he said. "The rusty, weed-coated steamer +rolling on the blue combers, and the little, battered tug, holding her +head-to-sea. The breeze was strong and for some days they had not made +three knots an hour. Well, I know something about fever, but they were +_all sick;_ the engineer delirious and very weak--" + +Barbara, sitting near the passenger, made an effort for calm. Her heart +beat and her breath came fast. Nobody remarked her abrupt movement and +the other went on: + +"Coal, food and fresh water were running out; their medicine chest was +empty. Everything was foul with soot, coal-dust and salt. I expect it +was long since they were able to clean decks. The skipper was in a +hammock under the bridge-awning and could not get up. An African trader, +Montgomery of a Liverpool house, seemed to have control. His skin was +yellow, like a mulatto's." + +A young American doctor to whom Barbara had been talking looked up. + +"Jaundice after malaria!" he remarked. "I don't know West Africa, but I +was at Panama! Was malaria all the rest had got?" + +"It was not," the passenger replied meaningly. "However, if you know +Panama--" + +"Did you try to tow the ship?" Barbara interrupted. + +"The mate thought it impossible. She was big and foul with weed, our +boat is small, and we could not delay much because of the mails. We sent +a surf-boat across with water and food, and then steamed on." + +Barbara looked about the table. Mrs. Cartwright was at the other end and +Barbara thought she had not heard. She touched the young doctor. + +"Will you help me on board the African steamer? I must see the captain." + +"Why, certainly! We'll look for a boat," the other replied and they went +off. + +Barbara saw the captain and when she stated that the owner of _Arcturus_ +was her step-father he sent for the chief mate, who narrated his visit +to the wreck. + +"You took the ship's doctor," said Barbara. "Is he now on board?" + +The mate said he imagined the doctor had not landed and Barbara turned +to Wheeler. + +"Go and find him! Find out all you can!" + +For some time afterwards she talked to the ship's officers, and when +Wheeler returned went back to her boat. While the _peons_ rowed them to +the mole she asked Wheeler for his pocket-book and wrote an address. + +"Don Luis Sarmiento is the best doctor in the town and had something to +do with a fever hospital in Cuba," she said. "If you tell him I sent +you, he will help. Take all the medicine he can give you and then go to +Leopard Trading Company and buy whatever you think sick men would need. +Bring me the bills." + +"If I get all that would be useful, it will cost you high," said Wheeler +and helped her up the steps at the mole. + +"That is not important. Get the things!" + +"Very well. But the ship is six hundred miles off. How are you going to +put the truck on board?" + +"I'm going to see about that next," Barbara replied and indicated a +cloud of dust rolling along the road. "There's the steam tram. Don't +talk; hustle!" + +Wheeler lifted his cap and running along the mole jumped on board the +tram. + +When he had gone Barbara went to the office of an important English +merchant house and asked for the junior partner. She was strangely calm, +although she knew that when the strain was over she would pay. In the +meantime, she needed help and admitted it was lucky young men liked her; +she had not hesitated to use her charm on the American. The junior +partner was keen to help, and going with her to a coaling office, +offered to charter a powerful Spanish tug the company had recently +bought. The manager agreed and Barbara made a calculation. + +"If you can get the boat ready to sail in the morning, I'll send you a +check when she starts," she said. + +They went out and the merchant gave Barbara an approving smile. "I +imagine they haven't at the moment much use for the tug, which accounts +for their being willing to take a moderate sum. All the same, you +handled the situation like a good business man. Had they known much +about your plans before we agreed, they would have sent the tug and +claimed a large reward for salvage. In fact, it looks as if you had +saved Mr. Cartwright--" + +"It's possible," Barbara broke in impatiently. "Still they don't know +where _Arcturus_ is and that her crew are ill. Now, however, we must +engage fresh men to relieve the others. I don't mind if you pay them +something over the usual rate." + +The merchant engaged the crew of a Spanish fishing schooner that was +being laid up, and Barbara returning to the hotel found Wheeler in the +garden. + +"I've got all the medicine and truck I reckon would be useful," he said. +"If the steamboat man didn't exaggerate, you want a doctor next." + +Barbara gave him a level glance and smiled. "If you like, you may go! A +fast tug sails in the morning." + +"Why," he said, "I'd be delighted! You can call it fixed. I came along +for a holiday, but soon found that loafing made me tired--" + +"Thank you," said Barbara and was gone. + +The doctor laughed and joining an English friend in the hotel ordered a +drink. + +"I reckon I've been rushed," he remarked. "You folks look slow, but I +allow when you do get started some of you can move. Since lunch I've +been helping an English girl fix some things and she hit a pace that +left me out of breath." + +"Miss Hyslop?" said the other. "Perhaps if she'd had a job for me I +might have used an effort to get up speed. A charming girl, and I think +she's resolute." + +"She's surely resolute!" Wheeler agreed. "Miss Hyslop sees where she +wants to go and gets there by the shortest road." + +When dusk fell Barbara thought all was ready and sitting down by Mrs. +Cartwright narrated what she had done. After she stopped Mrs. Cartwright +put her hand gently on the girl's arm. + +"It's lucky you came out with me," she said. "I would not have known +what to do, and I doubt if Mortimer--" + +Barbara laughed. "Mortimer would have calculated, weighed one thing +against another, and studied his plans for a week. Mine are rude, but in +the morning they'll begin to work. After all, in a sense, I have not +done much. I have sent others, when I want to go myself." + +"It's impossible, my dear," said Mrs. Cartwright, firmly. + +"Well, I expect I must be resigned. One is forced to pay for breaking +rules! I have paid; but we'll talk about something else." + +"The tug and supplies have, no doubt, cost much," Mrs. Cartwright +remarked. "You must let me give you a check." + +"No," said Barbara in a resolute voice. "I will take no money until +mine's all gone. Father's a dear, I owe him much, and now I can help I'm +going to help. I have sent a cablegram he had better come out but in the +meantime he needn't be anxious because I have taken control." + +Mrs. Cartwright let her go presently and Barbara went to her room. She +had borne a heavy strain, but the reaction had begun, and throwing +herself on a couch she covered her face with her hands and cried. + + + +CHAPTER XI + +LISTER'S REWARD + +Signal flags fluttered in the breeze at the top of the Isleta and a +smoke cloud stained the blue horizon. For a few minutes the cloud +vanished, and then rolled up again, thicker than before. Cartwright +studied it carefully and gave the glasses to Barbara, who stood near him +on the Catalina mole. + +"Is that _one_ trail of smoke?" he asked. + +"I think I see two. Sometimes they melt, but they're getting distinct +now. There _are_ two!" + +"Ah!" said Cartwright. "Then it's _Arcturus_. I expect your tug has +saved the situation." + +"Lister saved _Arcturus_ before I meddled," Barbara declared with a +blush. "However, I'm glad I could help. You have often helped me." + +Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "All I gave I have got back, but I'm not +persuaded you didn't mean to help another. Well, perhaps, the other +deserves your interest. Brown's a useful man, but he has some drawbacks +and I doubt if he could have carried through the undertaking." + +"If you'll wait in the shade, I'll get a jacket," Barbara replied. +"There's a fresh breeze, the launch splashes, and I'm going with you to +meet _Arcturus_." + +When the first flag blew out from the Isleta staff, she had called +Cartwright, and they had hurried to the neighboring mole. Cartwright had +arrived two days before and they had watched the signals until the +longed for message came: _Steamer in tow from the South._ + +"I think you'll wait," said Cartwright quietly. "You don't know much +about fever and the men I sent are not altogether making a triumphant +return." + +The blood came to Barbara's skin. She had meant to go and hated to be +baffled, but Cartwright gave her a steady glance and she knew there was +no use in arguing when he looked like that. + +"Did you or your mother tell me Mrs. Seaton arrived by a recent boat?" +he resumed. + +Barbara was surprised, but said Mrs. Seaton was at the Metropole. +Cartwright looked at the tugs' smoke. + +"Then, I ought to have time to see her before they tow _Arcturus_ in. +Some sea is running and they can't steam fast." + +He started for the Catalina and when he stopped by Mrs. Cartwright's +chair his face was hot and he trembled. Hurry and muscular effort upset +him, but time was valuable. + +"I have not yet asked you for money, Clara," he said. + +"That is so," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. "Sometimes I was hurt because you +did not. You ought to know all that's mine is yours." + +Cartwright smiled. "You are a good sort and I'm going to borrow now +because I can pay back. I want you to telegraph your bank to meet my +check." + +"I'll write you a check." + +"No," said Cartwright, "I think the other plan is better. Well, the sum +is rather large--" + +He stated the sum and Mrs. Cartwright said, "I'm not very curious, but +why do you want the money?" + +"I'm going to buy Mrs. Seaton's shares." + +"Ah," said Mrs. Cartwright with a disturbed look, "she tried to force +you to buy before." + +Cartwright knew his placid, good-humored wife hated Mrs. Seaton. + +"You're puzzled?" he remarked. "Well, I'd have bought the shares long +since, but I wasn't rich enough and didn't think my borrowing was +justified. All the same, the block she holds gives her a dangerous +power, and if I can get them I'll baffle the opposition at the company's +meeting. But I must be quick." + +"If you want to baffle Ellen Seaton, you can use all the money I have +got!" Mrs. Cartwright declared. "Tell me what I must telegraph the +bank." + +Cartwright did so and made for the Metropole as fast as possible, +because the tugs' smoke was not far off. When he reached the big square +hotel he gave a page his card and frowned while he waited in the +glass-roofed patio. Time was valuable and he hoped Mrs. Seaton would not +be long. On the whole, he did not think he was going to be shabby, but +perhaps shabbiness was justified. Ellen had not forgotten she had +thought him her lover, and although it was long since she would not +forget. She hated his wife and had tried to injure him. Cartwright +imagined she would try again, and so long as she kept her shares her +antagonism was dangerous. + +She entered the patio with two young tourists, whom she sent off, and +beckoned Cartwright to a bench behind a palm. The sun that pierced the +glass roof was strong and he reflected with dry amusement that Ellen +looked better by electric light in the evening. Although she smiled, her +glance was keen and not friendly. + +"I arrived some days since and met Barbara in the street, but she has +not been to see me yet," she said. "However, now you have come I ought +to be satisfied! Since you were able to get away from the office, I +expect shipping is languid." + +Cartwright thought she meant to be nasty. For one thing, Barbara had not +gone to see her and perhaps had not urged her calling at the hotel. +Ellen did not like the girl, but she wanted to know people and Mrs. +Cartwright had stopped at Las Palmas for some time. As a rule, Clara's +friends were good. This, however, was not important. He must buy Ellen's +shares before _Arcturus_ arrived and the news of her salvage got about. + +"Oh, well," he said, "although I think I see signs of improvement, +things are not very promising yet." + +"If you are not hopeful, the outlook must be black," Mrs. Seaton +remarked meaningly. "Perhaps I ought to sympathize, but the effort's too +much. My investments have all gone wrong and my luck at the Grand +National was remarkably bad. In fact, if nobody will buy my shares in +your line, I may be forced to agree with the people who want to wind up +the company." + +Cartwright thought his luck was good. Ellen was extravagant and a +gambler. No doubt, she needed money, but he knew she was willing to hurt +him and could do so. All the same, if she could force him to buy the +shares she thought worth nothing, her greed would conquer her +spitefulness. Well, he was going to indulge her. + +"If you did join my antagonists, I might pull through, but I'll admit it +would be awkward," he replied. "In order to avoid the fight, I'll buy +your shares for ten shillings." + +Mrs. Seaton hesitated. She did not want to lose her power, but she +wanted money. Nominally, the shares were worth a much larger sum, but +she had found out that nobody else was willing to buy the block. For all +that, Cartwright was cunning and she wondered whether he knew something +she did not. She asked for a higher price, but Cartwright refused. He +was cool and humorous, although he knew _Arcturus_ was steadily nearing +the harbor. Perhaps in a few minutes the look-out on the Isleta would +read her flags. At length he pulled out his watch. + +"I have an engagement, but I rather want the shares. My getting them +would help me at the meeting," he said. "Shall we say twelve-and-sixpence? +This is the limit." + +"Very well," said Mrs. Seaton and smiled with a sense of triumph. "It +looks very greedy, but when can I have a check? You see, I'm nearly +bankrupt." + +"Now," said Cartwright, and taking out his fountain pen, rang a bell. +"Send a page for some notepaper and write an undertaking to deliver me +the shares." + +Mrs. Seaton did so and Cartwright wrote the check. Then she signed to +one of the young men she had sent off. "Since you are very +business-like, you had better have a witness! I'm relieved to get the +check, particularly since I expected you would be forced to ask Clara +for the money." + +Cartwright had to smile. The sneer was Ellen's Parthian shot. She was +retiring from the field, but he owned that she might have beaten him by +a bold attack and he had been afraid. + +He went to the bar and ordered a drink, and then going out saw fresh +signals blow from the Isleta staff. _Arcturus'_ hull was visible in the +tugs' thick smoke; the look-out on the hill with his big telescope had +read her flags and was signaling her name and number to the town. +Cartwright had won by a few minutes and was satisfied, although he had +given Mrs. Seaton twelve-and-sixpence for her shares, when perhaps he +need not. This was now about their just value, and, for old time's sake, +he had not meant to cheat her. In the meantime a launch was waiting to +take him on board _Arcturus_ and he hurried to the mole. + +Barbara saw the launch start, with mixed emotions. She was something of +a rebel and had anybody but Cartwright ordered her to stop she would not +have obeyed. She waited in the shade, fixing her eyes on the laboring +tugs. Sometimes she felt a thrill of triumph because Lister had +conquered; sometimes she was tortured by suspense. She did not know if +he stood at the levers in the engine-room, or lay, unconscious, in his +bunk. Well, she would soon know and she shrank. + +She rubbed the glasses and looked again. There were two towropes; +_Terrier_ plunged across the rollers on _Arcturus'_ starboard bow, the +Spanish tug to port. It looked as if the wreck's steering-gear did not +work. Spray blew about the boats and the crested seas broke in foaming +turmoil against the towed vessel's side until she drew in behind the +Isleta. A few minutes afterwards she swung round the mole and Barbara +thought the picture moving. + +The tugs looked very small; the half-loaded hull they towed to an +anchorage floated high above her proper water-line. Rolling on the +languid swell at the harbor mouth, she looked huge. Her rusty side was +like a warehouse wall. When she lifted her plates from the water one saw +the wet weed shine; higher up it clung, parched and dry, to the red +iron, although there were clean belts where the stuff was scraped away. +Barbara pictured the exhausted men scraping feebly when the sea was calm +and the sun did not touch the vessel's side. + +All the same, the men had won a triumph. It looked impossible that the +handful of bemused ruffians she had seen start at Liverpool could have +dragged the big vessel from the bottom of the lagoon, but the thing was +done. _Arcturus_, battered and rusty, with sagging masts and broken +funnel, was coming into harbor. A big pump throbbed on board, throwing +water down her side; she flew a small, bright red ensign aft and a new +house-flag at the masthead. Barbara thought the flag flaunted proudly +and the thing was significant. Cartwright had weathered the storm, but +she had helped. + +The tugs' engines stopped and Barbara's heart beat, for a yellow flag +went up. She hated the ominous signal, and turning the glasses, followed +the doctor's launch. The boat ran alongside _Terrier_, a man went on +board, returned and climbed a ladder to _Arcturus'_ deck. He did not +come back for some time and Barbara looked for Lister, but could not see +him. Then the yellow flag was hauled down and _Arcturus_ moved slowly up +the harbor. + +A fleet of shore-boats followed and when the anchor dropped crowded +about the ship. Barbara braced herself and waited. Half the voyage was +over and when the engines were cleaned and mended _Arcturus_ would steam +to England. The salvors had won, but sometimes victory cost much, and +Barbara knew she might have to pay. + +A launch with an awning steamed to the mole and vanished behind the +wall. Barbara stopped in the shade; somehow she durst not go to the +steps. Cartwright came up, but seeing his grave look, she let him pass. +Then the American doctor reached the top and called to somebody below. +Three or four men awkwardly lifted a stretcher to the pavement, and +Cartwright signed to the driver of a carriage waiting in the road. +Wheeler stopped him. + +"It's not far. Carrying will be smoother." + +"Very well, I'll see all's ready," said Cartwright and got into the +carriage. + +Then Barbara went to the stretcher, which was covered by green canvas. +She thought she knew who lay behind the screens, and her look was +strained. + +"Is Mr. Lister very ill?" she asked. + +Wheeler gave her a sympathetic glance. "He is pretty sick; he was nearly +all in when I boarded the ship. Now it's possible he'll get better." + +Barbara turned her head, but after a few moments looked up. "Thank you +for going! Where are the others?" + +"We have sent some to the Spanish hospital, landed them at the coaling +wharf. They're not very sick. The rest are on board." + +"_All_ the rest?" + +"Three short," said the doctor quietly. "They have made their last +voyage. But the boys are waiting to get off with the stretcher." + +Barbara let him go and followed. He looked very tired and she did not +want to talk. She saw the stretcher carried up the hotel steps and along +a passage, and then went to her room. A Spanish doctor and nurse were +waiting and she knew she would be sent away. To feel she could not help +was hard, but she tried to be resigned and stopped in the quiet room, +listening for steps. Somebody might bring a message that Lister wanted +her. + +The message did not come and she was conscious of some relief, although +she was tormented by regretful thoughts. Lister loved her and she had +refused him, because she was proud. Perhaps her refusal was justified, +but she was honest, and admitted that she had known he would not let her +go, and had afterwards wondered how she would reply when he asked her +again. Now she knew. The strain had broken her resolution. She had +indulged her ridiculous pride and saw it might cost her much. Her lover +was very ill; Wheeler doubted if he would get better. + +In the evening Montgomery joined Cartwright in a corner of the +smoking-room. + +"I expect Captain Brown told you about the bother I gave him," he +remarked. + +"That is so," said Cartwright. "He, however, stated you gave him some +help." + +"All the same, at the beginning, I held up the job. When Brown could not +work, your expenses ran on and I feel I ought to pay." + +"It's just. Coming home, when my men were sick and Brown was in his +bunk, you undertook the duties of doctor and navigator, and Wheeler +admits your cures were good. Since you have a counter-claim, suppose we +say we're quits?" + +Montgomery felt some relief. It looked as if Cartwright did not mean to +use his advantage; the old fellow was generous. Montgomery hesitated for +a moment and then resumed: "I understand you bought the wreck?" + +"I used the shareholders' money; at all events, I used as much as I +durst. She's the company's ship." + +"But the cargo?" + +"The cargo's mine. That is, I get an allowance, agreed upon with the +underwriters for all I have salved. I rather think the sum will be +large." + +"Then you're satisfied? Although you didn't get all the gold and lost +the valuable gum in the lazaret?" + +Cartwright's eyes twinkled. "I've some grounds for satisfaction, and I +know when to stop! But perhaps I'd better be as frank as is needful. +Very well! I get salvage on some of the gold. The rest is under the surf +and nobody will open the boxes now. The thing's done with." + +Montgomery was moved, but he saw there was no more to be said and asked +quietly: "Will you tell me what you think about the prospects of the +line?" + +"On the whole, I imagine the prospects are good. We have got a useful +boat for a very small sum, and the last report was _Oreana_ could +probably be floated without much damage when the St. Lawrence ice +breaks. Well, I calculate next year's trading will earn us a small +dividend, and since business is improving, we ought to prosper before +very long." + +"Thank you," said Montgomery. "I know something about the line and +imagine the directors may need support. Just now I have some money that +does not earn much. Would it help if I bought a number of your shares?" + +"I think not," said Cartwright. "The plan has drawbacks. People are +sometimes uncharitable and I have antagonists who might hint at a bribe. +Besides, I don't need support. My luck has turned and I rather think I +can break the opposition." He smiled and getting up, put his hand on +Montgomery's arm. "All the same, when I send a boat to Africa you can +load her up. Now I'm going to find the nurse and ask about Lister." + +Lister was delirious, and for two or three days the doctors doubted his +recovery. Then, one morning, they said his temperature had fallen and +there was hope. Next morning they admitted that he was slowly making +progress. Barbara did not leave the hotel, lest she miss the latest news +from the sick-room. She was not allowed to go in, and when evening came +she knew she could not sleep. She had not slept much since they carried +Lister up the steps. + +When all was quiet and the guests had gone to bed she went to the +veranda and leaned against the rails. She was highly strung and +rebellious. Lister had sent her a message, but she was not allowed to +see him yet. She wanted to see him and was persuaded that for him to see +her would not hurt. She knew he wanted her. + +The moon was bright, but the shadow of the hotel stretched across the +garden. Somebody was moving about in the gloom and Barbara started when +she saw it was the nurse. The tired woman had gone out to rest for a few +minutes in the cool night air and Barbara saw her opportunity. + +Stealing across the veranda, she went along a passage and up some +stairs. The landing at the top was dark, but she knew Lister's door, and +turning the handle quietly, looked in. Bright moonlight shone through +the open window and a curtain moved in the gentle breeze. Mosquito gauze +wavered about the bed where a quiet figure lay. Barbara stole across the +floor and pulled back the guard. The rings rattled and Lister opened his +eyes. He smiled, and Barbara, kneeling by the bed, put her arm round his +neck. + +"My dear! You know me?" + +"Of course! I wanted you. Since I got my senses back, I've tried to call +you." + +"You called not long since. I cheated the nurse and came; but if you +ought to be quiet, I mustn't talk. The doctors said--" + +"They don't understand," said Lister. "Now I have seen you, I'm going to +get well." + +Barbara lifted her head and studied him. His face was pinched, his skin +was very white and wet. Her eyes filled and she was moved by tender +pity. + +"Oh, my dear!" she said. "It was for my sake you went!" + +Lister took her hand, and she felt his was thin and hot. "I'm paid for +all! But, Barbara, I think you're _logical_ When I'm better--?" + +She kissed him. "Of course. I'll marry you when you like. In the +meantime you're weak and tired and must go to sleep." + +"I am tired," he admitted. "Besides, the nurse will come." + +Barbara gently touched his wet hair and moved his pillow. "The nurse is +not important, but you mustn't talk." + +She gave him her hand again and he went to sleep. Some time afterwards +the nurse returned and started when she saw the white figure kneeling by +the bed. Then she began to talk angrily in a low voice. Barbara was +getting cramped, but without moving her body, she looked at the nurse +and her eyes sparkled with rebellious fire. + +"Be quiet; he mustn't wake!" she said. "There's no use in arguing. I +mean to stay!" + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LISTER'S GREAT ADVENTURE*** + + +******* This file should be named 10076.txt or 10076.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/7/10076 + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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