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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/34425-8.txt b/34425-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7f723b2 --- /dev/null +++ b/34425-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11507 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Johnstone of the Border, 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: Johnstone of the Border + +Author: Harold Bindloss + +Illustrator: Cyrus Cuneo + +Release Date: November 24, 2010 [EBook #34425] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER + + + + +BY THE SAME AUTHOR + +ALTON OF SOMASCO +LORIMER OF THE NORTHWEST +THURSTON OF ORCHARD VALLEY +WINSTON OF THE PRAIRIE +THE GOLD TRAIL +SYDNEY CARTERET, RANCHER +A PRAIRIE COURTSHIP +VANE OF THE TIMBERLANDS +THE LONG PORTAGE +RANCHING FOR SYLVIA +PRESCOTT OF SASKATCHEWAN +THE DUST OF CONFLICT +THE GREATER POWER +MASTERS OF THE WHEATLANDS +DELILAH OF THE SNOWS +BY RIGHT OF PURCHASE +THE CATTLE BARON'S DAUGHTER +THRICE ARMED +FOR JACINTA +THE INTRIGUERS +THE LEAGUE OF THE LEOPARD +FOR THE ALLINSON HONOR +THE SECRET OF THE REEF +HARDING OF ALLENWOOD +THE COAST OF ADVENTURE + + + + +[Illustration: "An occasional word or phrase reached her: '. . . +submarine . . . coast of . . . this line marks. . . .'"--Page 220] + + + + +JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER + +BY HAROLD BINDLOSS + +_Author of_ "PRESCOTT OF SASKATCHEWAN," +"RANCHING FOR SYLVIA," "FOR THE ALLINSON +HONOR," "THE SECRET OF THE REEF," ETC. + +_WITH FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR_ + +[Illustration] + +NEW YORK + +FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY +PUBLISHERS + +COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY RODERICK A. STOKES COMPANY +PUBLISHED IN ENGLAND UNDER THE TITLE "THE BORDERER" + +ALL RIGHTS RESERVED + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER PAGE +I THE SUMMONS 1 +II A PAINFUL MEMORY 12 +III THE SOLWAY SHORE 19 +IV APPLEYARD 29 +V SWEETHEART ABBEY 42 +VI ON CRIFFELL HILL 53 +VII THE GRAY CAR 60 +VIII THE "ROWAN'S" LIGHT 71 +IX IN THE DARK 81 +X THE YOUNG OFFICER 92 +XI THE SIGNAL 103 +XII A FALSE ALARM 114 +XIII THE WRECK 127 +XIV A FAIR ALLY 140 +XV A BARGAIN 148 +XVI TRAILING THE MOTORCYCLE 160 +XVII THE MATCHBOX 172 +XVIII A CONFERENCE AT SEA 183 +XIX A WARNING 195 +XX THE WHAMMEL BOAT 205 +XXI THE LOST PAPER 216 +XXII STAFFER'S MESSENGER 226 +XXIII AN EVENING AT APPLEYARD 235 +XXIV THE BUOYED CHANNEL 247 +XXV A CLUE 259 +XXVI TIGHTENING THE MESHES 272 +XXVII THE RECKONING DAY 283 +XXVIII A WILD RIDE 293 +XXIX WHEN THE TIDE TURNED 305 +XXX THE NET 317 +XXXI UNEXPECTED HAPPINESS 327 + + + + +JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE SUMMONS + + +Sable Lake shone like a mirror among the ragged pines, as it ran back +between the rocks, smooth as oil except where a puff of wind streaked +its flashing surface with faint blue wrinkles. Behind it the lonely +woods rolled on, south to Lake Superior and north to Hudson Bay. At +one place a new transcontinental railroad cut its way through the +forest; hammers rang and noisy gravel plows emptied the ballast cars +along the half-graded track; but these sounds of human activity were +quickly lost and in a mile or two only the splash of water and the +elfin sighing in the pine-tops broke the deep silence of the woods. +This belt of tangled forest, where the trees are stunted and the soil +is sterile, offers no attraction to homesteader or lumberman. In +consequence, it has lain desolate since the half-breed _voyageurs_, +who crossed it with canoe and dog-team, abandoned the northwest trail +when the Canadian Pacific locomotives began to pant through the +rock-cuts by Lake Superior. + +The solitude itself had drawn Andrew Johnstone into the quiet bush. +The lone trail had a charm for him. He knew the empty spaces of +Canada; for his inaptitude for an idle life had led him on adventurous +journeys through many leagues of its trackless forest. He was of the +type that preferred some degree of hardship to conventional comfort. +His one ambition had been to be a soldier; it was the career which +from early boyhood he had chosen. He had entered Woolwich as a prize +cadet, and had left it with honors; but a few weeks later he had met +with an accident on a mountain crag, and his military career was +suddenly closed. The surgeons did what they could; but it soon was +obvious that Andrew never again would be able to take his place in the +British Army. He was not crippled; he could still walk well; but he +limped slightly and his injured knee gave him trouble sometimes. + +He sat alone now, on a rock that jutted out into the lake. The thick +branches of a spruce sagged above him and furnished a welcome shadow, +for it was a close, hot day. A few feet behind him a gray trout lay in +the frying-pan beside a log hearth; and beyond that stood a small +weather-beaten tent, with flecks of bright sunlight filtering through +the trees and spreading over it in fantastic shapes. + +Andrew lighted his pipe and looked about him in languid content. The +pines that came down to the lake's edge were small and ragged; some +had been blackened by fire and some leaned drunkenly, but their +resinous sweetness hung about the camp. In the shadow, the reflection +of worn rock and rigid branch floated on the crystal water; but the +reflections quivered, and there was a soft splash upon the pebbles +near Andrew's feet. He heard it with reminiscent satisfaction and a +touch of longing. It reminded him of the swirl of the salt tide along +the Solway shore; and his thoughts went back to the Old Country he had +left two years before. + +He wondered what Elsie and Dick were doing at home at the old house in +Annandale. He called Appleyard home because he loved it, better +perhaps than Dick did, although the place did not belong to him. When +he was left an orphan, Dick's father had brought him up with stern +kindness, and he had afterward spent a month or two at Appleyard +whenever it was possible. Indeed, in the old man's last illness he had +promised that, so far as things permitted, he would look after his +somewhat flighty cousin. Andrew remembered with a twinge that he had +not done much to keep his promise; but, after all, there seemed no +reason to believe that Dick needed him. + +Then he thought of little Elsie, as he had called her, though she must +be grown up now. He was much the elder, but they had always been good +friends. No doubt they would try to marry her to Dick. Andrew was fond +of Dick, but he did not think him good enough for Elsie. + +For nearly an hour he sat on the rock, lounging back against an +outcropping boulder, thinking of Appleyard and little Elsie. Then his +thoughts were interrupted by a sound near the tent--some animal +scampering past--and he stood up and looked out across the lake. His +pose, easy and virile, showed a wiry figure of medium height; and the +strong sunshine touched his brown face. It was not a face that +attracted attention, but the eyes were gravely good-humored and the +mouth was firm. + +Andrew was watching for the gleam of a varnished hull. Whitney, his +American partner, had gone to the railroad for provisions three days +previously and should have returned. The canoe he had taken had been +built in Toronto, especially for them. Andrew would have been +satisfied with an Indian birch-bark; but Whitney not only was a keen +sport but he had enough money to afford the best of everything. + +At last something twinkled far up the lake, and Andrew's keen eyes +distinguished a small dark speck amidst the play of light. He knew +that it was Whitney; for only a canoe from which the varnish had not +worn off would so catch the sunshine. When the craft had grown into +shape, Andrew sat down again and watched her draw nearer with quiet +approval. He liked to see things done well and there was a rhythmic +precision in Whitney's movements that suggested well-directed power. +The paddle flashed at exact intervals, the lithe form behind it bent +with a graceful swing, and a curl of foam broke away from the gliding +hull. Modern as she was, the canoe did not jar upon the primitive +austerity of the wilds. Andrew felt this, though he could not have put +it into words, for there was something innately primitive in him. + +He sprang from a rugged stock, for he was a descendant of the +Annandale Johnstones, whose crest was significantly the flying spur. +Appleyard stood on the edge of the bleak moorlands that drop down to +the western marshes of the Scottish border, and he knew every lonely +rise and boggy flat that his mosstrooper ancestors had ridden on +moonless nights. It is possible that in his youthful rambles across +the high, wind-swept waste, he had acquired something that linked him +to the past. In later times, his people had made some mark as soldiers +and explorers, but for the past two generations the head of the house +had been a quiet country laird. + +Whitney drew near and in a few minutes ran the canoe upon the shingle +and stood smiling at Andrew when he had pulled her up. He was young +and athletic, with brown hair and eyes, brown skin, a rather thin +face, and an alert, half-humorous air. His clothes had been specially +designed for hunting trips by a fashionable New York tailor, but they +now looked much the worse for use in the wilds. + +"I've got the grub and brought our mail," he said, throwing Andrew a +packet. "Here's your lot; you can wade through it while I fix supper." + +"I'd have had things ready," Andrew replied; "but I was stuck for +flour and pork. You've covered some ground to-day." + +"Some," laughed Whitney. "It was pretty fierce clambering over the +portages with the canoe on my head, but I made much better time than I +could have done when I struck the woods two months ago. Looks as if +the harder you have to work, the stronger you get. Nature's way of +fixing things. But I'm not tired; so I'll fix supper while you read +your news." + +Andrew opened a letter in a girlish hand, and while he read it, +lingering over the words, his thoughts went back with longing to +Appleyard on the Solway shore. He pictured the low house, built of +Scottish granite and beaten by the winds; the red moorland rolling +north in waves; and the flash of wet sands in the distance edged with +white surf by the savage tides. It was an artless letter, treating of +loved, homely things, but it showed sweetness of temperament and, +Andrew thought, half-concealed uneasiness. The reason for this became +obvious when he read the postscript: + + "I am anxious about Dick. He is not very strong, you + know, and I wish that you were here." + +Andrew felt troubled, for he knew that Elsie never made the worst of +things. Dick was weak of will as well as of body, and his dissipation +had a marked effect on him. There was nothing vicious in the lad, but +he lacked stability, and it looked as if Elsie could not counteract +the rather demoralizing influences to which Andrew imagined the boy +was subjected. + +He opened a Montreal newspaper and then soon forgot Appleyard. It was +some time since any news from England had reached him, and the +cablegrams predicted coming war. He read on until Whitney took the +trout and a can of coffee off the fire, and called him to supper. +Andrew ate as usual, because he was hungry, but he said very little +and wore a preoccupied air. + +Whitney waited until the meal was finished; then he turned to his +comrade as he lighted his pipe. + +"There's something worrying you," he said bluntly. "Out with it!" + +"I was wondering whether you'd mind my not going north with you on the +hunting trip this fall." + +"I certainly _would_ mind. All the same, I'll let you off if there's a +reason." + +Andrew folded the letter so that the last page came on top and handed +it to him with the newspaper. Whitney carefully read the first column +in the paper before he looked up. He wanted to understand the +situation, and Andrew was not good at explaining. + +"I don't quite get the drift of things," he said. "First of all, who's +Elsie Woodhouse?" + +"In a way, she's like Dick's sister; they were brought up together and +Elsie always tried to take care of him--though she's really no +relation. Dick is my cousin." + +Whitney nodded and tried to be patient. + +"Do you want to go home because she's anxious about the fellow?" he +asked. + +"It's rather complicated," Andrew answered with some hesitation. "You +see, Dick's father raised me, and I always thought, in his way, he was +fond of me." + +Whitney found the workings of his companion's mind more interesting +than the particulars about his relatives. Andrew was sometimes slow, +but one could rely on his doing the right thing in the end. + +"And Elsie?" Whitney suggested. "Did he raise her too?" + +"Oh, no. When he died, Dick's mother soon married again, a man called +Staffer; clever fellow, but I never quite trusted him. Then she died, +and Staffer was left in charge of Appleyard until Dick came of age. He +brought his sister there, Mrs. Woodhouse, a widow; and Elsie's her +daughter. Dick and Elsie were both quite young then, but from the +beginning Elsie made it her business to take care of Dick." + +"You like her," said Whitney, noticing a certain tenderness in his +companion's voice. + +"Yes," said Andrew slowly; "I never liked anybody quite as much. But +that's all there is to it. She's much younger than I am, and she'll +probably marry Dick." + +"If she's like his sister and has been looking after him, she more +probably won't. I'm getting Dick fixed as a bit of a maverick. He and +his stepfather don't get on." + +"On the contrary, they get on very well; that's the trouble." + +"How?" + +Andrew hesitated. + +"Well, you see, Staffer does most things well; he's excellent company +and a witty talker, the kind of man a lad would try to copy." + +"Makes the pace pretty hot, eh? One of your smart set?" + +"He's extravagant, but he never gets into debt. He'll play cards on +champagne half the night, and get up next morning as steady as a rock +and bring down a cork-screwing snipe with the first barrel. I've +seldom seen a better man on a horse." + +"Think I've got him placed. Your cousin will want nerve and judgment +to play up to him. But we'll take the newspaper now. Why do you want +to go back? You won't fight." + +"I can't," Andrew replied with some color in his face. "It's my +misfortune; after I fell on the Pillar Rock." + +Whitney gave him a sympathetic nod. + +"You take me wrong; I mean your countrymen. It's been stated in your +parliament that they have no obligation to fight for France." + +Andrew filled his pipe before he answered. + +"They won't see her smashed," he said quietly. + +"I'm not sure of it, after reading the English newspapers." + +"You don't know us yet," Andrew replied. + +Whitney smiled, for he knew that his comrade would carry out an +obligation to the farthest limit; but he said nothing, and for the +next few minutes Andrew thoughtfully looked about. + +The sun was getting low, and dark shadows stretched across the glassy +lake, but in the distance a small gray dot moved amidst a ring of +widening ripples. A loon was fishing. Presently a wild, unearthly cry +rang through the stillness as the bird called its mate; and after that +everything was very quiet except for a soft splash of falling water a +long way off. The dew was settling on the brush about the camp, and +the cooling air was heavy with the fragrance of the pines. It all +appealed to Andrew; the lonely woods had a strange charm for him. + +"I'm lame and not much use, but it doesn't seem quite the thing to +stay here enjoying myself, just now," he said. "Perhaps something I +could do might turn up when I got home." + +"But you haven't a home! You lived in a boat for some years, didn't +you?" + +"I thought of living in one again. It's cheap and gives you liberty; +you can move about where you like. Then there's good wildfowl shooting +in the bays, along our coast. That would keep me occupied--if I could +find nothing else." + +"Pretty lonely though, isn't it?" + +"Sometimes. When you're wind-bound in a desolate gut among the sands, +the winter nights seem long. Then, if you have to clear out in a +hurry, with a sudden breeze sending the sea inshore and there's the +anchor and kedge to get, you feel you'd like an extra hand." + +"Then why don't you ship one?" + +"It's hard to find the right man. Living on board a small cruiser +hasn't much attraction, unless you're used to it." + +Whitney chuckled. + +"That's easily understood. I think you need a partner. How'd I do?" + +Andrew gave him an eager look, and then answered discouragingly: + +"It's rough work; you're often wet through and can't dry your clothes; +and sometimes there's not much to eat. You can't cook on a miniature +stove when she's rolling hard. Then there's no head-room and you get +cramped because you can't stand up straight." + +"Well," Whitney declared smilingly, "it can't be much rougher than +clambering over rock ledges and smashing through the brush with a +canoe on your head. So, my friend, if you have no marked objection, +I'm coming along. For one thing, an English friend of ours who lived +in New York has a shooting lodge in the Galloway district and my +mother and sister are over there. I can plant myself on them, if I get +tired of you." + +Andrew said nothing and Whitney thought him reluctant to take +advantage of his rash offer. + +"It's settled, old man," Whitney went on lightly. "We'll pull out at +sun-up and get on to the Canadian Pacific at Whitefish Creek. I'll try +to catch a trout now, and then we'll go to sleep." + +He launched the canoe, and when he paddled out across the darkening +lake, Andrew sat by the sinking fire, feeling quietly satisfied. He +did not know what he might find to do when he reached Scotland, but he +would have a partner in whom he had confidence. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A PAINFUL MEMORY + + +A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on +Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. The air was hot and oppressive, as it often +is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and +roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight. The +downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm +drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance. At one place, the imposing +avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept +slowly with clanging bells. The crowd seemed bent on holding its +ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one +of stern interest rather than excitement. The small dark figures that +filled the gap between the towering buildings were significantly +quiet, and where a ray of light fell across them, the rows of faces +were all turned in one direction. + +Andrew studied them as he stood on the outskirts of the throng. Human +nature always interested him. He noticed first that these men were +better dressed and looked more prosperous than the members of similar +gatherings he had watched in the Old Country. It was, however, not +altogether their clothes that conveyed the impression: there was a +hint of self-confident optimism in their faces and bearing; though one +could see that they were graver than usual. Their appearance was +rather American than British, and although this was mainly suggested +by certain mannerisms and the cut of their clothes, Andrew was +conscious of a subtle difference he could not explain. For one thing, +an English street crowd is generally drawn from one particular walk of +life, and if units of different rank join it they stand apart and +separate. This gathering in Winnipeg included men of widely different +callings--farmers from the plains, merchants, artisans, clerks, and +flour-mill hands--but they had, somehow, an air of common purpose and +solidarity. + +Whitney indicated them after he had lighted a cigarette. + +"It's almost an hour before our train goes out, and these fellows +evidently expect a new bulletin to be posted up soon," he said. "They +interest me because I don't know how to class them. They're developing +themselves on our lines, but they don't belong to us. If this were a +city in the United States, there'd be something doing: joshing and +pushing, or somebody would start a song. Yet I guess they wouldn't +like you to call them Englishmen." + +"That's true," Andrew agreed. + +"Then they're pretty good customers of ours and anxious to trade," +went on Whitney, "and yet when we offered them reciprocity they +wouldn't have it. They had all to gain, because the natural outlet for +their commerce is to the south, but they said they were British and +shut the door on us. On the other hand, I get on with them better than +you can, and if we wanted a job in this city, I'd get it before you. +Now our States are sovereign, but they're all American." + +"Ours are sovereign, but not English," Andrew replied. "One's +strictly Canadian, another frankly Australian, and so on. We're an +individualistic race, and our different branches grow their own way. +It looks like a loose arrangement, but we've found we hold together +well. You'll see when the bulletin comes out--if it's what I expect." + +"We'll wait. What's this fellow talking about?" + +A short, dark-skinned man had buttonholed a neighbor and was speaking +vivaciously, his dark eyes snapping. + +"But, mossieu', the alliance, _la belle alliance_!" he exclaimed, and +wheeled around to Andrew. "Is it not determine in London that we +fight?" + +"Spotted you first time, partner," Whitney laughed, and then turned to +the man: "When did you come over?" + +For a moment the fellow looked puzzled. + +"Two hundred year, mossieu'. That is, the family she arrive. Me, I am +born in Kebec." + +Whitney smiled at Andrew. + +"You haven't made much of a Britisher of him yet. They'll speak better +German in Alsace in much less time, if the Prussians keep their grip." + +"Alsace!" cried the French-Canadian. "_Attendez, mais attendez_; the +great day come. Together we take her back. It is an obligation, +_Mossieu'_. _Vive la belle alliance!_" + +"Your people claim there isn't an alliance," Whitney said to Andrew. + +"I don't know. This is certain: if our friend's attacked, we step into +the ring." + +There was a sudden movement in the crowd, which pressed closer upon +the newspaper office opposite, and a cry was raised as a lighted car +came clanging down the street: + +"Hold that driver up!" + +The car slowed, but still came on, until a well-dressed citizen +stepped quietly in front of it. + +"Stop!" he said. "You can't get through." + +The car stopped and as the passengers got out, a window in the tall +building opposite was opened. A bulletin board was hoisted in, and for +the next two minutes the crowd stood silent and motionless. Andrew +felt his nerves tingle and noted that Whitney's face was tense, though +his interest in the matter could hardly be personal. There was +something that stirred the imagination in the sight of the intent, +quiet throng that awaited the result of a crisis not of their making. +They had had no say in the quarrel that began far off in the obscure +East; but one could not doubt that they meant to make it their own. +Their stern gravity caused Andrew a half-conscious thrill of pride. + +After all, they sprang from British stock and he knew what kind of men +they were. He had seen the miles of wheat that covered the broken, +prairie waste, cities that rose as if by magic in a few months' time, +and railroads flung across quaking muskegs and driven through towering +rocks, at a speed unthought of in the mother country. He had heard the +freight-trains roaring through the great desolation between the Ottawa +and the Western plains, where no traffic would ever be found, and had +wondered at the optimism which, in spite of tremendous obstacles, had +built eight hundred miles of track to link the St. Lawrence to the +rich land beyond. These Canadians were hard men who tempered with cool +judgment a vast energy and enthusiasm, and the mother country's foes +would have to reckon with them. + +There was a strange, dead silence, as the board was replaced and the +bold black letters stood out in the lamplight. So far as Andrew could +afterward remember, the bulletin read: + +_War inevitable. England must keep her word!_ + +_Kaiser's armies marching. British fleet sails with sealed orders._ + +A few cablegrams followed, and when they were read a deep murmur rose +from the crowd; but there was no strong excitement. These were not the +men to indulge in emotional sentiment; their attitude indicated relief +from suspense, and steady resolve. Perhaps it was characteristic that +the man who had stopped the car waved his hand to the driver. + +"Now you may go ahead," he said. + +Breaking into groups, they began to talk, and Andrew caught snatches +of their conversation. + +"A big thing, but we're going to put it through," said one. "If you +hadn't fired out Laurier, we'd have been rushing our own fleet across +the ocean now." + +"Well," his neighbor replied, "we've got the boys. We want to call a +city meeting right off. Manitoba can't be left behind." + +"Manitoba's all right!" another declared. "We'll send them all the +flour they want, besides men who can ride and shoot. They'll put the +Maple Leaf right up to the front. But we want to hustle before Regina +and Calgary get a start on us." + +The man turned to a companion and the two moved off. They were +followed by other groups, and as one passed, Andrew heard an exultant +voice. + +"I tell you what happen. _Vive la belle alliance!_" + +Whitney and Andrew crossed the emptying street and walked toward the +station. "I guess you noticed they didn't talk about the Old Country's +program," Whitney remarked. "It's what Manitoba and the West are going +to do that interests them. My notion is that it will be something +big." + +"One feels that," Andrew agreed. "Somehow, it's stirring." + +"And it's contagious. When they hoist the flag you'll see some of the +boys from our side riding across the frontier to the rally." + +"You're bound to keep neutral," Andrew objected. + +"Officially, yes. But when a man can drop a flying crane with the +rifle and bust a wild range horse, they won't ask if he was born in +Montana or Saskatchewan." + +They walked up Main Street and it was obvious that the news had +spread, for talking men blocked the sidewalk here and there, and the +wide windows of the hotels were full. When they reached the station, +Whitney went off to check their baggage, and Andrew sat down, rather +disconsolately, in the great waiting-room. The damp weather had +affected his knee, and he frowned as he stretched it out, for his +aches reminded him painfully of his disadvantages. While he sat there, +a summer-evening train from Winnipeg Beach arrived and a stream of +smartly-dressed excursionists passed through the hall breaking off to +ask for the latest news. Their keen interest was significant, and +Andrew felt downcast. Canada approved the Old Country's action and +meant to do her part; but he was useless, nobody wanted him. + +Moodily lighting a cigarette, he recalled his youthful ambitions, for +he had meant to follow where his ancestors had led. It was not for +nothing that their crest was the flying spur, and their traditions had +fired him to the study of difficult sciences, which he had mastered by +dogged determination rather than cleverness. His heart was in his +work; he meant to make a good horse-artilleryman; and he had thrilled +with keen satisfaction when the examiners placed him near the top of +the list. Then came the momentous day in Ennerdale that altered +everything. Six months after the accident he had resigned his +commission, knowing that he would never walk quite straight again. + +Well, all that was done with; but now, when Britons everywhere were +springing to arms, he was good for nothing. He reflected gloomily that +he might as well stay in Canada. Yet, if he were in England, there was +a chance that something might turn up for him to do. + +Besides, there was little Elsie. . . . + +Whitney came swinging across the marble floor of the waiting-room just +as an official at the door announced that their train was ready to +start. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE SOLWAY SHORE + + +There was a light wind from the westward, and the flood tide, running +east, smoothed the sea to a faintly wrinkled heave, when the _Rowan_ +crept across Wigtown Bay on the southern coast of Scotland. Andrew +lounged at the tiller while Whitney sat in the cockpit, holding a tray +on which were laid out a pot of smoke-tainted tea, several thick +slices of bread, sardines, and marmalade. + +Whitney wore a woolen sweater--which had been white a few days before +but now was a dingy gray--new blue trousers, already streaked with +rust, and an expensive yachting cap which had got badly crushed. His +hands were not immaculate, and there was a soot-smear on his face. + +"This kind of yachting's not quite what I've been used to," he +remarked. "On Long Island Sound you don't get the sea we ran into +coming round the head last night; and when we went cruising in small +craft we always hired somebody to do the dirty work." + +"There's not much room for a paid hand on board the _Rowan_," Andrew +replied hesitatingly. "Still, if you'd like--" + +"You don't want a man." + +"He would be rather in the way, and I don't know what he'd find to do, +except the cooking." + +"And hauling the dinghy up a muddy beach, taking out the kedge on a +stormy night, and pulling twenty fathoms of heavy chain about when you +shift your moorings! I could think of a few other trifles if I tried; +but I won't insist. It looks as if I were going to get some muscle +up." + +Whitney thought his companion had a private reason for dispensing with +a paid hand; and an extra man was certainly not needed for open-water +navigation, for Andrew had shown himself quite capable of sailing the +_Rowan_ alone. After searching the Glasgow yacht-agents' registers for +a boat of sufficiently light draught, they had bought the _Rowan_ at +an Ayrshire port; and Whitney got a surprise when his partner drove +her through the furious tide-race that swirls around the Mull of +Galloway, in a strong breeze of wind. He had confidence in the little +yacht after that. She was thirty-two feet long, low in the water, and +broad of beam, but her mast was short and her canvas snug: Whitney +knew the disadvantages of a long heavy boom. Her deck was laid with +narrow planks, no longer white, for there were stains like blood upon +them where the rain had run from the mainsail, which was tanned with +cutch. + +Now the canvas glowed a warm orange in the evening light as its tall +peak swayed gently across the sky, and the ripples that lapped the +gliding hull united beneath the counter and trailed astern in silky +lines. + +To starboard, far off, the Isle of Man rose in a high, black saw-edge +above the shining sea; ahead to the east, water and sky were soft +blue; to port, the Scottish hills rose in shades of gray and purple. + +Andrew named them as the boat crept on. + +"Cairn Harry, running straight up from the water; Dirk Hatteraik +stored his brandy in a cave on Raven Crag, and John Knox hid in +Barrholm tower, in the long patch of woods. The black ridge behind is +Cairnsmoor o' Fleet, and a waste of moors runs back from it toward the +head of Clyde. The water of Cree flows through the dark hollow." + +"The Cree!" Whitney exclaimed. "That is where my mother and sister +are. Our friend has a grouse moor and some salmon rights." He paused +and laughed. "I can imagine them sitting down to dinner under the +electric light in somebody's ancestral hall, with a frozen British +butler running the show. Wonder what they'd say if they knew I wasn't +far off, living like an Indian on board this craft!" + +"There are no ancestral halls beside the Cree, and electric lights are +scarce in the Galloway wilds," Andrew explained. + +Whitney chuckled. He was not thinking of ancestral halls, but was +wondering what his sister Madge would think of his comrade. On the +surface, Andrew was easy-going, ingenuous, and diffident, but beneath +this lay an unwavering firmness. + +"Historic country, isn't it?" he remarked, to make Andrew talk. + +"Yes," said Andrew in an apologetic tone, and started off on his +favorite hobby. + +Slowly the sea grew dimmer; the sunset glow behind them faded to a +smoky red; and while they drifted east with the flood tide a black +island detached itself from the dusky shore. Soon a trembling beam +flashed out from its summit. + +"The Ross," Andrew said. "I was wrecked there." + +"Tell me about it," requested Whitney, lounging in the cockpit, lazily +watching a razor-bill which had risen with a hoarse croak from the +boat's rippling wake. + +"It was the only time such a thing ever happened to me, and I don't +understand it yet. I was living on board the _Arrow_ then, shooting +from a punt. She was a stiff, roomy boat, of nearly nine tons, and I'd +just had her pulled up at Glencaple for an overhaul. Staffer, Dick's +stepfather, found me a Glasgow carpenter who had been building some +anglers' boats at Lochmaben." + +"And what had the carpenter to do with your being wrecked?" + +"Nothing, so far as I can see; though I've thought about him now and +then." + +Andrew paused for a moment, and Whitney, knowing his comrade, waited +for him to go on. + +"The ebb had been running for some time when I left Gibb's Hole, and a +nasty surf broke on the sands. There was not wind enough to account +for it, but everything was harshly clear and that's often threatening. +However, I set the big jib and topsail, because I wanted to clear the +banks before the flood tide made. It runs from four to six knots an +hour among the Solway shoals, and there's some risk of knocking the +boat's bilges in if you get aground. The breeze fell light, and near +dusk I came round and stood inshore on the port tack, so that I could, +if necessary, slip back into Rough Firth. The Scotch channel of the +Solway is no place to run for on a dirty night. + +"When I got down to Abbey Head the swell was growing steep and the sea +looked ragged where it cut the horizon--which showed there was wind +out there. The shooting-punt I was towing was a drag, and I didn't +make much progress until a smart southwesterly breeze sprang up soon +after dark. I could just lay my course down the coast, and I hung on +to big jib and topsail while I could. With two or three hours of that +wind I'd be able to run in behind the Ross, which you see ahead. Then +the breeze freshened suddenly and she listed over until most of her +lee deck was in the water. For a time after that I had my hands full." + +"So I imagine," Whitney remarked. "I've seen a big jib give two men +trouble when they had to take it in, and you were alone and had the +topsail up. I'm not surprised that you got wrecked." + +"I wasn't wrecked just then. In fact, I made her snug, with two reefs +in the mainsail, and I lighted the compass binnacle. The trouble was +that the wind was drawing ahead and the night had turned very dark. I +couldn't get a glimpse of the coast, and it wouldn't have been wise to +run back yet. There's a light on Hestan Island, but I wouldn't have +found water enough across the sands in Rough Firth. She'd have gone +down at her anchor if I'd brought up to wait. + +"Well, I ate some sandwiches I had ready, and stood on. She was +plunging wildly and putting her storm-jib into the sea that was +getting up; but she was an able boat, and the punt towed pretty well +when I'd made an extra rope fast to her." + +"You wouldn't find that easy," Whitney suggested, as he pictured the +lonely man's struggle to haul up the heavy craft while the yacht on +which he must relinquish control rolled with thrashing canvas athwart +the combers. + +"I let the _Arrow_ come up and dropped the peak. The worst was that I +had to lean right out with both hands on the punt while I made the +second rope fast, and I nearly went overboard when she lurched. I made +it fast, but when we went on I got a shock, for the water was washing +up from under the cockpit floor. You see, as she'd shipped two or +three combers, I'd thought it was washing down." + +"The floorings would be nearly two feet above her bottom planks," +Whitney said. + +"Yes. It meant she was leaking hard, and I'll admit that rather +staggered me, because she'd always been a remarkably tight craft. +Well, I hove her to again, lighted the cabin lamp, and pulled up the +floorings. This wasn't easy; they were closely fitted and the +carpenter had nailed one or two of them down. I can't tell you why he +did it, but I tore my hand before I got them loose. You can understand +that I had to be quick. She wouldn't lie to well with nobody at the +helm, and kept forging up head to wind and falling off again. The way +she lurched about threw me against the lockers and once or twice I +heard a sea come on board. There was too much water for me to find +where it was coming in, and when I crawled out and tried the pump it +wouldn't draw, so I went back and felt for the bottom of its pipe. +There was a suction-box at the end, and it seemed to be stuffed up +with shavings. The carpenter must have thrown them under the floor." + +"Rather a curious place to put them!" Whitney commented. "I suppose a +shaving had stuck under a valve and stopped the pump. But, as you'd +have a grid on the suction-box, how did they get in?" + +"I've never found out, but I'd like to meet that carpenter," Andrew +replied grimly. + +He felt for his pipe and lighted it, and Whitney had to prompt him +before he resumed: + +"Things didn't look hopeful. It was blowing hard; she was leaking +fast, and I couldn't pump her out. I had to make the Ross while she +kept afloat. I thought about cutting the punt adrift, but it seemed a +waste, and afterward I was glad I didn't. As it was a dead beat to +windward, speed was important, and the only thing was to keep her +sailing hard and let the seas come on board. There was so much spray +flying that I couldn't see the punt astern, but the drag on the +tow-lines showed that she was there. Then the old boat began to get +sluggish, and it made me savage. She'd brought me through many a stiff +blow, and I was fond of her. The Ross light was getting brighter; but +a sea that came over the coaming washed out the binnacle lamp when I +was ready to make the Sound. If I'd been able to take the light's +bearing and look at the chart, I might have sailed her in. + +"Well, with the compass gone, I had to run for it blind, and she was +so waterlogged that she would hardly steer. Then suddenly she stopped +with a shock that threw me from the helm. What had happened was plain, +and when the next sea washed over her I pulled up the punt, cut the +lines, and fell into the well. She swung away on top of a comber, and +I wondered where she'd take me; for there were crags about and the +paddles had washed overboard. She was full and waterlogged, but I lay +along the deck and she kept right side up until we came ashore on a +bank of shingle. Rocks ran up behind it, and there was a gully I +couldn't cross at the end of the cove. I pulled the punt up, and spent +the night lying behind her out of the wind, when I wasn't tramping +about the shingle to keep myself warm. In the morning a coastguard +showed me a way up the cliff; and when I came back there later there +was no sign of the _Arrow_." + +Andrew stopped, and for some minutes the silence was broken by the +rustle of the flapping topsail and the soft splash at the bows. It had +grown dark and the sea was faintly phosphorescent: pale blue and green +spangles glimmered down the wake. Ross Island had faded into the black +head behind it, but a bright beam of light still glittered across the +water. + +"On the face of it, the reason you were wrecked is obvious," Whitney +said. "The boat began to strain when she was pounding, overpressed +with sail, through a steep head sea, and you couldn't pump her out. +Besides, as she'd just been hauled up for repairs, a butt may have got +started by the hammering or a seam have been left open." + +"The carpenter was a good workman," Andrew replied quietly. + +"He may have neglected something, for all that. Boats will leak when +they're driven hard; pumps get out of order; and a stranger might nail +down a floor board you kept loose. The curious point is that all these +things should happen together." Whitney paused and smiled. "Of course, +if you had some dangerous secret or were heir to a great estate that +somebody else wanted, one might suggest a melodramatic explanation." + +"I've no secret anybody would give twopence for, and I inherit nothing +except a very small annuity." + +"Then you'll have to put the series of accidents down to coincidence. +Where were you bound for when you came to grief?" + +Andrew glanced back toward a stretch of water that still shone faintly +among the shadowy hills. + +"Up yonder, near the head of Wigtown Bay, to shoot geese. Dick was to +come on by train and join me. He's fond of wildfowling, and I took +advantage of it to get him away." + +"Away from what?" + +Andrew hesitated. + +"Well, you see, he was inclined to go the pace, and Staffer had some +friends at Appleyard just then--clever, amusing men-about-town, who +were fond of cards and knew all about the turf. Dick tried to play up +to them, and he was losing a good deal of money and drinking rather +more than was good for him." + +"And his stepfather encouraged his extravagance?" + +"Oh, no. Staffer gave him good advice in a cynical, witty way; told +him he must pull up because the pace was too hot for a lad. I never +quite liked the man, but one must be fair, and he was willing to let +me take Dick. In fact, he agreed it was the best thing to do." + +"But as it turned out, you didn't take him. Were you much at Appleyard +afterward?" + +"No. One of Staffer's friends offered me a pretty good post abroad, +and everybody thought I ought to seize the chance, but I didn't. In +consequence, a kind of coolness grew up and I haven't stayed long at +Appleyard since. Dick sends a message and Elsie writes long letters +now and then." + +Whitney stood up and stretched himself. A rhythmic throb of engines +stole out of the silence, and, some distance off, a yellow and a green +light moved across the level sea. Overhead, the topsail cut black +against the sky, and the water had grown more luminous in the eddying +wake. To the east, a thin, silver moon was shining above the dim +heights of Cumberland. Tiny ripples lapped the _Rowan's_ side, but the +breeze was faint and everything was still. + +"The flood will take us to Rough Firth, and we may as well stand on," +Andrew said. "You can go below. I'll call you if you're wanted." + +Carefully lowering his head, Whitney crept into the small cabin and +lighted the lamp. Its illumination showed the oilskins swinging +against the forecastle bulkhead, and the narrow table on top of the +centerboard trunk, which ran up the middle of the floor. On each side +were lockers that served as seats, and two folding cots were strapped +against the skin of the boat. Whitney let one down and got into it +with his clothes on: he had found that this was prudent when cruising +in small vessels. There was a rack, loaded with odds and ends, a few +inches above his head; and a smell of tarred rope, paraffin and +mildewed canvas came out of the forecastle; but this did not trouble +him, and he was soon asleep. + +In the meanwhile, Andrew sat at the helm, his mind busy with gloomy +thoughts. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +APPLEYARD + + +It was a stormy evening when Whitney caught his first glimpse of +Appleyard. He felt disappointed. He had expected to see an ancient +Border tower with modern additions; but the low, straight-fronted +house did not look much more than a century old. It was solidly built +of gray granite, with mullioned windows and a small pepper-box turret +at one end, but while it made no pretense of architectural beauty, +Whitney admitted that it had some charm. For one thing, Appleyard +stood boldly on the breast of a knoll, with dark firs packed closely +about it, and the landscape it commanded was ruggedly wild. Bleak +pastures and lonely moorland, stained a purple-red, rolled back to the +hills that melted into leaden cloud in the north. To the south, a +strip of green littoral was dotted with white farmsteads and traversed +by the curves of a river that flashed where it caught the light. + +Beyond this level strip, the Solway sands ran far out to sea, glowing +red in the angry sunset and pierced by channels of slate-green water. +In the distance, a narrow white line showed where their edge was +washed by the receding tide. On the western shore of the wide estuary, +Criffell's lonely height stood out, a harsh dark-blue, against a +saffron glare. + +The car sped across an iron bridge spanning a ravine where hazel, +mountain-ash, and scrub oak grew among the stones, skirted a broad +lawn, and stopped at the door. Whitney was presented to Mrs. Woodhouse +and Staffer, who welcomed him cordially, and then he shook hands with +Dick. They entered the house at once, and Whitney found himself in a +large, square hall, which looked older than the rest of the building. +The light was dim, for the windows were narrow and were placed +unusually high in the massive walls. A wood fire burned in the big, +old-fashioned hearth, but the place felt chilly and especially +cheerless. + +Dick took them up a staircase that led to a gallery at the back of the +hall. + +"Your kit arrived from Glasgow, and I think you'll find all you want +laid out in your rooms," he said. "Dinner will be ready as soon as you +have changed." + +They went along a passage, and Whitney was glad to be left alone in +his room. It was his first visit to an old Scottish house, and +although not an antiquarian he was capable of receiving impressions +from places, and he wanted to discover what influence Appleyard had on +him. He noted that a fire was laid ready in the grate, although it was +August and until that morning the weather had been warm. The room was +rather bare, but the few articles of old-fashioned furniture were +solid and were made on a good model. They were marked by a certain +austerity of taste, and he thought of them as business-like. The +plain, self-colored rugs and curtains had a similar effect. Everything +that utility demanded was there, but he marked the absence of luxury +and ornament. + +The walls were very thick, and there were seats in the deep window +recesses. Opening one of the casements, Whitney stopped a minute and +looked out. He could see a stretch of wet sands that were now growing +dim, and the faint line of surf, and then, by turning sharply, black +hills running back into gathering cloud. The air was unusually keen, +and although darkness was fast coming on, the distance was clean-cut +and sharp. The landscape somehow harmonized with the house; it was +perhaps a trifle harsh, but it had a peculiarly distinctive character. + +Andrew came in while Whitney was dressing, and finding him not ready, +he went down first. + +There was no one in the hall when Andrew reached it, and he was +satisfied to be alone as he stood by the hearth, looking about. A lamp +had been lighted, but the illumination did not carry far, and the high +roof and the corners were shadowy. The hall occupied the lower story +of the old central tower, which had served as a fort in bygone years +but had since been partly rebuilt and incorporated in the house. +Andrew knew its history, for he loved Appleyard. He was, in some +respects, truer to the type of the men who had built and fought for it +than Dick. He was not jealous of his cousin, but it was hard to feel +himself a mere passing guest in the old house, and a vague discontent +tempered his satisfaction at coming home. Besides, he was poor, and +was condemned by an accident to a life of obscurity. He wondered why +Elsie had not been there to welcome him, as she had always done on +previous visits. He remembered her frank regret when he last went +away. Indeed, he had often pictured her as she stood by the lodge +gate, a slender, fresh-faced girl, with ruffled hair and a hint of +tears in her blue eyes. She was as graceful as a fawn; but her beauty +as yet was immature. + +Andrew heard a sound behind him, and turning from the fire he saw a +girl coming down the stairs. She stood out against the dark-paneled +walls, for her pale green dress caught the light and shimmered. It +went well with her auburn hair, emphasizing the pure white and pink of +her skin; and it matched her eyes, which had the changing color of the +sea. The immature grace Andrew had known had gone; there was something +of distinction in her carriage. + +While he gazed at her, she came toward him with a frank smile of +pleasure. + +"It's very nice to have you back," she said. "I couldn't get home +until a few minutes after you arrived. Roy lost a shoe as I was +driving up the Lockerbie road." + +Andrew took her hand and held it for a moment, but the only remark he +could think of was: + +"You have Roy yet?" + +Elsie laughed as if she understood, and rather liked, his +embarrassment. + +"Oh, yes. He's still going strong, and when Kevan re-shod him he +brought me home in record time. But you're very brown and looking +well." + +"It's good to be back at Appleyard," he said quietly. + +"You're still very fond of it? So am I, though that may seem curious, +because I'm really an outsider." + +"That applies to me more than to you, because the old place would +never be the same without you." + +Elsie looked at him as he stood, gravely quiet, studying her. + +"Well," she said, "Appleyard is Dick's. His father was a true +Johnstone, his mother a Jardine, but you make one feel that you're +more at home here than he is. I can't account for it. Can you?" + +"I might blame your imagination," he answered, smiling. + +Elsie gave him a roguish look, which made her seem more like the +little Elsie he had known two years before. + +"You haven't told me how I'm looking," she said. "Perhaps you don't +realize that this gown was made in Paris and was put on in your +especial honor." + +"You're rather wonderful," Andrew replied gravely. "But then you +always were. For all that, I had a pleasant surprise when you came +downstairs." + +Elsie's eyes twinkled, and he thought they looked like the sea when +the sun touched it in a breeze. + +"A surface change," she laughed. "Munich and London account for it. +I'd run wild, you know, when you saw me last. But there's no +difference underneath. You're the same too, and that's what I like. I +want to keep my old friend. You must promise you won't alter." + +"I'll try not to," he answered. "Perhaps I'm incapable of it; I'm not +progressive. Still, there are times when I feel rather old." + +"Oh, I know," she said with understanding sympathy. "But after the +cheerful letters you wrote from Canada, I hoped the lameness didn't +trouble you very much." + +"One mustn't grumble, though it's rather hard to feel useless--just +now." + +Elsie's face grew thoughtful. + +"Yes," she said slowly, "that must hurt. I've felt that we don't +realize the seriousness of the great struggle here. It's easy to +subscribe to funds and go on committees, but that kind of service +leaves you cold, and we haven't practised much self-denial at +Appleyard. I was glad Dick wanted to enlist, even though they wouldn't +have him; but he'll tell you about it himself." + +Mrs. Woodhouse and Whitney came toward them, with Dick close behind. +Dick was not unlike Andrew, but it was as if his cousin's prominent +characteristics had been watered down. Although the handsomer of the +two, he somehow looked a feeble copy of Andrew when they were +together. He had twinkling eyes and a humorous way of regarding +things, but his face was weak. His figure was light, well-poised and +athletic, but his color was unusually high, and on close study he +showed signs of bad health. + +When he had spoken a few words to Andrew they went in to dinner, and +during the meal Whitney devoted some attention to the company. One of +the differences between him and his comrade was that he was most +capable at managing people, and Andrew in handling things. Andrew knew +all about a boat and a gun, and could be relied upon to deal with +contrary tides and dangerous shoals, but he was less acquainted with +the intricacies of human nature. + +Whitney dismissed Dick as not counting; Elsie he reserved for future +study. Mrs. Woodhouse he found interesting because baffling. She was +rather fat, with regular features but an expressionless face, eyes of +light china-blue, and flat, flaxen hair. She answered his remarks with +conventional politeness, but he could not, as he thought of it, strike +a spark from her. He could not tell whether she was reserved or +merely dull. Her brother, Staffer, was of very different stamp. His +face was clean-cut and intellectual, his manners were polished but +easy, and Whitney had no trouble in placing him as a man who knew the +world. Indeed, since there was a hint of force and command about him, +Whitney wondered why he was, so to speak, vegetating in the Scottish +wilds. Staffer clearly belonged to the busy cities and the centers of +action. + +Nothing that Whitney thought worth noting occurred at dinner, except +that Dick drank a good deal of wine and Elsie watched him with +half-veiled disturbance. Whitney thought her attitude was protective +and motherly; she would have interfered had it been possible. This +suggested that a supposition of Andrew's was wrong. A girl like that +would not marry a man whom she must guide and control. + +When they went back to the hall, Andrew found a quiet corner, hoping +he might get a few minutes alone, for his meeting with Elsie had a +disturbing effect. When he last went away, she had told him that when +he came back things would not be the same; and he now recognized the +truth of this. The girl who had treated him as a trusted elder brother +had grown into a beautiful, accomplished woman. Indeed, she had, so to +speak, left him behind. She was cleverer and more composed than he; +she grasped things at once while he clumsily searched for their +meaning. The old frank confidence and the comradeship were no longer +possible, but in essentials she had not changed. The world could never +spoil Elsie's freshness nor blunt her keen honesty. + +After a while she came and sat down near where he stood in the shadowy +recess of the great hearth. + +"I believe you were trying to hide, and we must have a talk," she +said. "I'm half afraid I brought you home from Canada." + +"No," Andrew replied awkwardly; "anyway, not altogether. I felt that I +ought to come back, even if there's nothing I can do. Still, of +course, if I can be of help here--" + +Elsie's eyes were soft as she looked at him. + +"Yes, I know; you're a good friend, Andrew, but I was alarmed when I +wrote. After what the army doctors told him, Dick went to see a +specialist in Harley Street, and he must have got a plain warning, for +he was depressed and quiet for some time. Things are serious when +Dick's cast down." + +"Do you know what the doctor said?" + +"No; Dick wouldn't tell me. I'm not sure that he told Uncle Arnold +much." + +"Ah!" + +Andrew was silent for a moment. + +"Has he been indulging in any rashness since then?" + +"No, nothing fresh; but I'm afraid he's heavily in debt. His allowance +is very large, but he tried to borrow money a few days after he got +it." Elsie's color grew deeper as she continued: "I've seen him quite +unsteady at luncheon; and the worst is that it's telling on his +health." + +"Looks bad; I must see what I can do. But it's awkward, because +Staffer's really responsible for him. Has he tried to pull Dick up?" + +"Yes, in a way," Elsie answered with a thoughtful air. "Still, I +don't think it disturbs him as it ought to when he sees that he hasn't +done much good. He's witty when he should be firm--and I've sometimes +imagined that Dick feels rather flattered than ashamed after the +talk." + +"I understand. What Dick really needs is a good kicking for being fool +enough to try to copy Staffer." + +"Couldn't you take him away for a time in the boat?" + +"I'll try, but he's not fond of sailing. Then it's a delicate matter. +If one could make Staffer understand--" + +Elsie gave him a steady look. + +"No; I think you'd better not. Uncle Arnold's very kind; mother and I +owe him a good deal, and he likes Dick. For all that, he doesn't seem +to feel it's his duty to take much trouble--" + +Andrew knew she was not saying all that she thought; but he did not +press her. + +"I will try to find a way," he said. "And now tell me how things have +been going since I left." + +While they were talking, Dick came up; and not long afterward the two +men found themselves alone in the smoking-room. + +Andrew put his hands on Dick's shoulders and held him off at arm's +length. + +"You strike me as not being quite up to the mark," he said. + +"Do I?" Dick grinned. "You've been talking to Elsie!" + +"I have; and I'm sorry to hear the doctors didn't think you very well. +Hadn't you better tell me about it?" + +"I suppose I must. You're a persistent fellow, but you don't often +take the superior moral tone. Well, as I'd been in the officers' +training corps, I applied for a commission, and they sent me up to a +medical board. One doctor asked me some catchy questions, and, being +quite inexperienced, I fell into the trap. The consequence was I +didn't pass." + +"You didn't learn much about yourself from him?" + +"Not much! It was he who got the information. But when he'd finished +he offered me a scrap of advice--I'd better see a private doctor at +once." + +"Did you?" + +Dick chuckled. + +"Instead, I went up to London and tried to join one of the special +battalions. I was wiser this time, and told their medical examiner +nothing I could help. I thought I'd made a good impression; but at +last he looked at me pretty hard. 'I admire your keenness, but you +won't do,' he said. I told him I was a bit off color, but I'd play +golf all day and drink nothing but soda-water, and then come back to +him in a month. 'It would be of no use; I'd go to Harley Street now,' +he said." + +"I hope you did," Andrew remarked with a frown. + +Dick lighted a cigarette. + +"Yes; I went. I'll spare you technicalities; for that matter, I've +forgotten them; but, after all, I didn't get much of a shock. It seems +my heart's gone a bit rocky." + +"Go on," said Andrew. + +"Well, if I give up everything I like and live like an ascetic, I may +get over the trouble, though I think the fellow doubted it. On the +other hand, I may get worse and drop off suddenly." + +"Unless you steady down." + +"Yes; he hinted something of the kind." + +Andrew said nothing for a few moments. He was fond of his cousin; and, +besides, he had promised Dick's father to look after the boy. He felt +that he had been neglectful; and he wished now that he had more tact. +He had a duty ahead of him, and he did not know how to discharge it. + +"The proper course is obvious," he began somewhat awkwardly. "Suppose +you come down the Galloway coast with Whitney and me? It's early for +the black geese, but there are ducks about." + +Dick smiled. + +"Unfortunately, I'm not keen on sailing; and I must say that living on +board a small, damp boat gets monotonous. Now, if you would land me +where one could get a game of cards in the evening, or--" + +"Where they had a bar?" + +"Precisely. A bar with a fetching girl in it." + +"It wouldn't work," said Andrew firmly. "I remember what happened when +I landed you at Douglas--and a poaching escapade with some Creetown +quarrymen on the same cruise. You have a talent for getting into +trouble. Well, if you won't come with me, I'll have to make Appleyard +my headquarters for a time." + +"I hope you will," Dick replied with feeling. "Has it ever struck you +that Appleyard might be yours?" + +Andrew's face grew stern. + +"Appleyard belongs to you and, what's more, you belong to it. It's +your duty to pull yourself together and take care of the estate, to +marry and bring up your children to be a credit to your name. Instead, +you're dragging it in the dirt, making shabby betting men and turf +sharpers your friends, and, I'm half afraid, getting into speculative +money-lenders' hands." + +Dick winced and Andrew saw that his random shot had scored. + +"If you're in difficulties, I might raise a hundred pounds or so," he +went on. "If, as I suspect, that isn't half enough, we'll go and see +Mackellar before you get in too deep." + +Mackellar was the acting executor of Dick's father's will. + +"I'll think over it," Dick answered; and there was something that +puzzled Andrew in his expression. + +"Very well. Did you tell Staffer what the doctor said?" + +"I wasn't quite as frank with him as I've been with you; one isn't +proud of being a lame duck. Still, I imagine he has a pretty accurate +notion of how things are with me." + +"Then he ought to pull you up; he has the power." + +"That's doubtful. I don't think you're quite fair to Staffer. I might +have got a stepfather of a very different kind." + +"It might have been better if you had," Andrew dryly rejoined. + +Dick flushed. + +"I wish you'd leave Staffer alone; I won't have him run down." + +"I didn't mean to run him down," Andrew said. + +"Well, perhaps you didn't consciously. You'd try to conquer your +prejudices, but you're antagonistic." + +Andrew gave Dick a shrewd glance. + +"I wonder how Staffer feels about me?" he ventured. + +"You're not likely to find out," Dick answered with a laugh. "I +suppose he has his failings, but he never gives himself away." + +When Andrew went to his room that night he sat beside his window for a +long time, with a thoughtful frown. The task he had undertaken would +not be an easy one. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +SWEETHEART ABBEY + + +Soon after their arrival Whitney and Andrew drove back to the boat, +which was moored in the mouth of a stream at some distance from +Appleyard. It was a bright morning and they sat smoking in the cockpit +when they had shaken some of the canvas and laid their sea clothes and +blankets out to dry. + +Behind the white beach, a strip of marish heath led back to the broad +belt of cultivated land, with neat farmsteads scattered about; in +front, the narrow channel, in which the shallow-bodied boat lay nearly +upright, wound seaward through a great stretch of sand. The open sea +was not visible, but three or four miles away a glistening streak that +seemed to be in motion caught the light. In the middle distance a +green lagoon and two ribands of water were rapidly widening. Flocks of +black and white oyster-catchers fluttered about the banks of the +channels, and long rows of salmon nets ran back along the shore. + +"This is a curious place to navigate," Whitney remarked. "You were +right in insisting on shallow draught and a centerboard." + +"The shoals are not the worst," Andrew replied. "The tide runs up +these gutters very fast, and, as a rule, you can't take out an anchor +if you get aground." + +"But that's the first thing one generally does." + +"It's dangerous here. If the anchor held until she floated on the +flood tide, the strain on the cable would probably pull her down. If +it didn't hold, which is much more likely, it would check her while +she drove across the bank, sheering athwart the stream, in danger of +rolling over. The safest plan is to keep all sail set and try to make +for deep water as soon as she floats." + +Whitney glanced at the nearest channel. A small white ridge, perhaps +six inches high, stretched from bank to bank, moving forward about as +fast as one could walk, and as the wave passed on the riband of water +changed into a lake. He thought it would not be pleasant to meet the +advancing tide at some distance from the land. + +On looking round, Whitney saw a man walking toward them across the +bank. The fellow was old and his brown face was deeply lined. He wore +a yellow oilskin cap, an old blue jersey, and rubber waders that +reached to his thighs. Clambering on board, he nodded to Andrew. + +"Weel," he said, "I'm glad to see ye back, an' it's a bonny wee boat +ye have got." + +"She's not bad for work among the shoals, but she's not the best type +for the long seas you get in open water," Andrew replied, and turned +to Whitney. "You might bring up the bottle in the port locker, Jim, +and the soda." + +"Ye can let the sodda bide; I've nae use for't." When Whitney returned +the fisherman filled his glass. "Here's til ye an' her! Ye have given +her a right name," he said. + +"Why's the name good? What does _Rowan_ mean?" asked Whitney. + +"The mountain-ash. The old mosstroopers sometimes wore a spray in +their steel caps as a protection against witchcraft and bad luck. +We're descendants of the Norse pirates, and the ash was the +Scandinavians' sacred Ysdragil, the tree of life." + +"You're a curious lot," Whitney remarked. "I guess our beachcombers +don't know much about archæology: they don't have superstitions a +thousand years old." + +"Were ye thinking o' making a trip to the deep water doon wast?" the +Scotsman inquired. + +"I don't know yet. We might do some shooting here. Is there much fowl +about?" + +"Ye'll get shellduck noo, an' a few teal; whaups, too, if ye're +wanting them, but the lag-geese an' the bernicle are no' here yet." He +paused and added: "I wouldna' say but it might be better if ye bide +until they come." + +Andrew looked hard at him. + +"Why?" + +"I'm thinking ye're wanted here. It would be an ill thing to see +Appleyard gang doon, and it might be yours some day." + +"It's my cousin's and he's younger than I am," Andrew answered with a +frown. + +"Just that! Ye're leal, we ken. Weel, as ye're fond o' the young +laird, it might be wiser to keep an eye on him. He's overmuch under +yon foreigner's thumb." + +"How's the fishing?" Andrew asked pointedly. + +The old fellow broke into a slow chuckle. + +"It might be better an' it might be waur; there's ower many o' the +Board's watchers here awa' for my liking. An' noo, I'll need to win +ashore before the tide's on the bank." + +He went off across the sands and Whitney turned to Andrew with a +smile. + +"You people leave a good deal to the imagination, but, so far as I +could understand him, he gave you a hint or two. What's his business?" + +"Salmon-fishing with a drift net. I've known Jock Marshall since I was +a boy, and I believe he takes a well-meaning interest in me." + +"Why did he call Staffer a foreigner?" + +"In a sense, he is a foreigner, although he's been a naturalized +British subject for some time. We knew nothing about him until he +married Dick's mother, but there's reason to believe his name used to +be Von Stauffer, or something like it. Mrs. Woodhouse was born in +Austria, but she came over young, and her husband was all right." + +Whitney was not much interested. + +"What about to-morrow?" he asked. + +"If the breeze holds, we'll have no trouble in crossing the sands to +New Abbey. Elsie and Dick will come, and I expect you'll enjoy the +trip. It's an interesting place." + +As they stowed the sails the boat suddenly rose upright, drifted a few +yards, and then brought up with a jar of tightening cable while the +tide splashed against her planks. Launching the light dinghy, they +paddled shoreward with the stream. + +At high-water the next day they went back on board and the _Rowan_ +stood out across the sands. Elsie sat at the tiller, while Andrew +sounded with a long boat-hook, and Dick lounged in the cockpit, +smoking a cigarette. He laughed and told humorous stories, but +Whitney noticed that Elsie was intent upon her steering. He had +expected this, for he thought that whatever the girl undertook would +be well done; but she did not obtrude her earnestness. Now and then +she glanced at Andrew as he dipped the pole and a nod or a gesture was +exchanged. He was feeling his way across the shoals with +half-instinctive skill and the girl understood what he wished her to +do. Their task was not an easy one: there was only a foot or two of +water under the boat and she forged ahead fast through the short seas +the tide made as it raced across the banks. + +The seas began to curl as the ebb met the freshening wind, and little +showers of spray splashed into the straining canvas. The deck got wet; +the water was filled with sand and streaked with foam. There was no +mark in all the glittering stretch, but Andrew knew when he reached +the main channel, and told Whitney to let the centerboard down. Then +they went to windward faster, the sea hurrying westward with them in +confused eddies while small white combers foamed about the boat. She +plunged through them, scooping their broken crests on board, and by +and by the water ahead grew yellow and marked by frothy lines. + +Elsie looked at Andrew, and he took out his watch. + +"We ought to get a fathom most of the way across," he said, and turned +to Whitney. "You might stand by below to pull up the board." + +Whitney crept into the low-roofed cabin, where he sat on a locker, +holding the tackle that lifted the heavy iron centerplate. He knew +that it would be desirable to heave it up as soon as possible after he +got the order. From where he sat he could see nothing outside the +boat, but as he looked aft through the hatch he was offered a +fascinating picture. + +A strip of the tanned mainsail, shining ruby-red, cut against a patch +of clear blue sky, and Elsie sat beneath it, her gracefully lined +figure swaying easily as the boat rose and fell. She leaned on the +long tiller, and a lock of loosened hair that shone like the sail +fluttered across her forehead. Her eyes were bright, and there was a +fine color in her face; but it was not so much her beauty as her +decision and confidence that Whitney liked. The girl was capable of +keen enjoyment, but it must be in something that was worth doing. He +was already conscious of a curious respect for Elsie Woodhouse. + +Andrew called to him to lift the board and come up; and when he +reached the deck he saw close ahead of them a long, hump-backed +mountain that rose abruptly from a narrow strip of rolling pasture. A +row of very small white houses bordered a green common behind the +beach, and the tide swept, froth-streaked, down the channel in front. + +"Where do we bring up?" he asked. + +"In the Carsethorn gut," said Andrew. "Do you think you can find it, +Elsie?" + +"I'll try. Give her a foot or two of sheet." + +The boat swung round a little, edging in toward the beach, and Whitney +saw by the ripples that they were in shallow water. Andrew let the +staysail run down, but when he stood ready with the boathook, Elsie +smiled. + +"Sound if you like, but you won't find bottom here," she said. + +"A good shot. You have hit the mouth of the gut." + +"You'll touch now," said Elsie a few minutes later; and Andrew dipped +the pole, then threw it down and lowered the jib. The boat came round +head to wind, and the anchor went down with a rattle of running chain. + +Landing from the dinghy, they struck across the fields, and although +it was autumn, Whitney wondered at the lush greenness of the grass. +Close on their left hand, Criffell's lonely ridge ran up against the +sky, colored purple-red, though the hollows in its curving side were +filled with dark-blue shadows. The ash-trees in the hedgerows that +crossed the rolling pasture obscured their view ahead, and they were +crossing the last rise when Whitney stopped. + +"This is worth coming a very long way to see!" he exclaimed. + +A deep glen, where the light was subdued and the colors dim, cleft the +mountain's northern flank, and at its mouth a cluster of white houses +stood among the trees; then, on a narrow green level, bright in the +sun, the old abbey shone rosy red. Ancient ash-trees and crumbling +granite walls straggled about it, but the molding of the high, east +window, buttress and tower, still rose in lines of beauty, worked in +warm-colored stone. + +Elsie gave him a quick look and he knew that she was pleased with his +frank admiration. When they entered the cool, shadowy interior she +acted as his guide, for Dick and Andrew stayed outside in the sun. +Presently she stopped near the east end of the building, and Whitney +looked back down the long rows of plinths, from which the pillars had +fallen, and up into the hollow of the great ruined tower. + +"It must have been a wonderful place in the old days; a jewel in the +shape of a church. And I dare say if they'd searched Scotland they +couldn't have found a finer setting than these rich meadows at the +mountain's foot." + +Elsie led him a few yards along a wall, over which a low, groined roof +still hung. + +"Its building was a labor of love, and perhaps that's why it never +leaves one cold," she said. "I suppose you know its history?" + +"I only know it's called Sweetheart Abbey." + +"The Countess Devorgilla built it as a shrine for her husband's heart, +which was embalmed and buried on her breast. It's a moving story, when +one thinks of what she undertook. Galloway was then, for the most +part, a savage waste; skilled workmen must be brought from somewhere +else, perhaps from Italy or France. Then there is only granite, which +could not be cut and molded, on these hills, and the soft red stone +had to be carried down the Firth and across the sands. They had no +mechanical transport, and you can see the size of the blocks. In spite +of all this, the abbey rose and still stands, marked, I often think, +by a tender, elusive beauty that's peculiar to the North." + +Elsie moved back to where the sun shone down into the roofless nave, +and Whitney thought he understood why she did so. Her imagination was +fastidiously refined: she would not loiter talking by Devorgilla's +tomb. Standing silent beside her, he waited, with a faint smile. He +was not a sentimentalist trying to play up to a pretty girl; somehow, +she had stirred him. He felt that she had the gift of seizing what +was true in romance and missing what was false. Then, she had the +strange elusive beauty of the North which she had spoken of: an +ethereal tenderness that flashed out and vanished, leaving the hard +rock of a character steadfast as the granite upon the Solway shore. + +Elsie turned and looked east with grave, steady eyes. + +"One reaches out for something that's on the other side," she said; +"but perhaps when one knocks and the gate is opened, one goes through +unawares--" + +"You mean, that when one's eyes are opened, there may not be much +difference between the land of enchantment and ours?" + +"Something like that." + +During the short silence that followed, Whitney looked round the great +church that was still majestic in its decay. + +"Well," he said, "there can't be many of us, nowadays, who'd deserve +the love and labor this place must have cost." + +"But there must be some," she insisted. + +"It seems a big thing to claim, but I have met two or three who, so +far as my judgment goes, were good enough for the kind of woman your +Countess seems to have been; not clever men and in no way remarkable, +until you knew them well, but you felt that, whatever happened, they'd +do the square thing. One could trust them. Somehow, one man in +particular stands out from the rest." + +Elsie turned toward him and he saw the strange, elusive tenderness +shining in her eyes. Momentary as it was, it transformed her face, +and he wondered whether she approved his sentiment or knew whom he +meant. + +"I imagine you are a good friend," she said softly. "It must be nice +to have somebody who believes in you like that." + +"If the man I'm thinking of knew how he stood with me and others, it +would make him embarrassed." Whitney laughed. "But that's natural. +It's a hard thing to feel that you must live up to your reputation." + +"I like you best when you're serious," Elsie rebuked him, though she +smiled. + +She took the lead he gave her and they went back to the others, +engaged in careless talk. When they reached an arch that opened on a +sweep of sunny grass, Andrew looked up from the stone on which he sat. + +"You haven't hurried," he remarked. + +"No," said Whitney. "I've been learning some more of your traditions, +and they're inspiring. The people round here seem to have been great +lovers as well as pretty hard fighters." + +"A happy thought has struck me," Dick broke in. "It would be hot work +dragging the dinghy down across a quarter of a mile of sand, and I +don't feel up to carrying a heavy lunch basket. There's a hotel in the +village where they'd give us something to eat, and we could stroll up +the burnside afterward. It's a pretty walk." + +Whitney noticed that Andrew's glance rested for a second on Elsie's +face and then passed on. She made no sign, but it seemed that Andrew +understood without it. + +"I think not," he said; "the place would probably be full of Dumfries +excursionists. It would be pleasanter on the beach." + +"And I want to see the view you talked about," Whitney followed him +up. + +Dick broke into a resigned grin. + +"Very well; but you'll drag the dinghy down yourselves." + +They had to carry the boat some distance, and afterward they rowed +lazily along the edge of the sand until they landed at the foot of a +little glen. Here they lunched and lounged in the sun until the flood +tide came softly lapping across the flats. + +The breeze had fallen very light when the stream swept the _Rowan_ +east across the shoals, and Whitney, sitting on the cabin-top, watched +the Galloway shore recede. The western sky was a pale saffron, against +which Criffell rose, steeped in a wonderful blue. The shadows were +gathering fast about the rolling ground below, but the hollow where +the old red abbey stood still could be distinguished. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +ON CRIFFELL HILL + + +The sun burned down on the heather. Below, in the curving glen where +the heath gave place to white bent-grass, a burn flashed like a silver +riband among the stones; above, the long ridge of Criffell ran up +against the clear blue sky. Grouse were calling as they skimmed the +steep downward slope, and a curlew's wild cry fell sharply from the +summit of the hill. These were sounds that delighted Andrew, for he +loved the fellside almost as he loved the sea; but his lips were set +and his brows knitted as he stood waist-deep in the heather. + +Whitney was toiling up the hill beside Elsie a short distance farther +on, and Dick was behind them; but, seeing Andrew stop, they waited +until he came up. + +"It's rather steep," said Elsie, giving Andrew a sympathetic glance. +"Here's a nice flat stone; we'll rest for a few minutes." + +She sat down on a slab of lichened granite, and Dick found a place +beside her. + +"I wonder why Andrew loaded himself up with that heavy ruck-sack on a +day like this?" he said. "I suppose there's a pair of marine glasses +and a chart, and a parallel rule and compass, inside of it. Andrew +thinks he'd get lost if he didn't carry the lot about when he risks +himself ashore." + +"They're all there," Andrew replied somewhat grimly. "Still, it wasn't +the bag that stopped me." + +"I'm sorry we forced the pace," Elsie said. "You were going well at +the bottom." + +"I felt all right; but that's just when my weakness finds me out. +Sometimes it's the damp that brings it on and sometimes the heat; but +one oughtn't to grumble about not being able to climb a hill as fast +as usual." He broke off and resumed after a twinge of pain: "It's +thinking of our boys being rolled back on Cambrai while I loaf about +the Solway shore, that worries me." + +When they had rested a while they climbed up the steep face of a +pointed knoll, and then followed a long ridge to the massive cairn on +the top of the hill, where shallow pools gleamed among the green moss +of a bog. Andrew sat down on a stone, but Whitney stood on the highest +hillock, his eyes wandering across the wide landscape that rolled away +beneath him. + +To the south the sea glittered like silver, and a bright arm wound +inland up a valley. To the west and north a few lemon-yellow harvest +fields and strips of green pasture checkered the red heath, and the +smoke of a little town hung about a hollow; but the picture's dominant +tone was wild solitude. The plain rose in step-like ridges, the +hillsides that bordered it were washed with shades of delicate gray, +and in the distance lofty rounded summits cut against the sky. + +"It looks as lonely as our Western deserts," Whitney remarked. + +Andrew was busy with his chart. He had spread it on a flat stone; +then, putting a compass on the middle of it, he moved a notched brass +ring round the instrument. The tide was about half ebb and broad belts +of sand rose among the glistering channels in the firth. Andrew took +sights across them, then penciled notes on the margin of the chart, +but at times he lay still for a minute or two with the marine glasses +at his eyes. The others left him alone until he rolled up the chart +and lighted his pipe. + +"I've learned something useful," he said. "These channels change so +fast that a chart's of no use unless you keep it up to date." + +"What's the country to the east like?" Whitney asked. "It looks high +and rough, but I seem to make out a deep valley beyond your +Annandale." + +"Now you have set him off!" Dick exclaimed. "Andrew's one hobby is +that western road to England!" + +Andrew laughed. + +"The road is interesting. I will take you over it some day. For one +thing, nature has provided a good route through a rugged country. For +most of the way, the valleys are shut in by high moors, and that made +Eskdale a natural sallyport for the old Border clans." + +Elsie and Dick were walking about, picking their way among the shallow +pools; but Whitney sat down beside Andrew and listened with interest +to the history of the old Eskdale road. + +"I shall buy a motorcycle," he declared, when Andrew had concluded; +"one of those with a side-car, so that we can travel around these +roads." + +Elsie and Dick joined them and for a time they sat talking and looking +about. There was very little wind and the murmur of the Solway tide +came up to them faintly across the purple slopes where the grouse were +calling. + +Suddenly, as if he had sprung from the earth, a young man in khaki +uniform appeared, picking his way across the bog. He was hot and +breathless, and seemed surprised when he saw the party, but he came +toward them with a smile. + +"So you're back!" he exclaimed to Andrew. "I meant to look you up." + +"We'll be glad to see you, Murray," Dick said cordially. "You haven't +been round for a long time. What brings you up Criffell in full +uniform? I must say it's a better fit than some they've been serving +out lately." + +Murray laughed. + +"We are giving the Terriers a run; but business first. I suppose you +haven't seen any turf that might have been dug over recently, or +stones that seemed to have been pulled up?" + +"No. Did you expect to find anything of the sort?" + +"To tell the truth, I don't know what I did expect to find. We're +ostensibly practising scouting, but there's a batch of Dumfries +cyclists scouring the Galloway roads, and I imagine the authorities +have some reason for sending us out." + +"I suppose if you met a foreigner or anybody with an electric battery, +he'd go into the bag," Dick suggested. "After reading the newspapers, +one must admit that the Terriers are remarkably good shots. In fact, +it's not safe to meet them in the dark." + +"You imagine this turnout isn't merely part of the men's training?" +Andrew asked. + +Murray looked thoughtful. + +"No; I believe there is something going on round here. We've got +orders to search the country as far as Screel of Bengairn--though of +course that can't be done in a day. I heard they mean to organize +scouting parties in the Castle Douglas neighborhood." + +"Well, perhaps a wireless installation could be made small enough to +carry about and hide; but a good deal of Galloway's a wilderness of +granite and heath." + +"That's why it might prove a suitable place." + +"Yes, in a way. There are glens where a man could lurk for a long time +without being seen; but they're hard to reach, and nothing that the +enemy would wish to learn is likely to happen here. Then the sands +protect this shore. The east coast's our vulnerable point: any +important news could best be picked up about Rosyth. If there are +wireless installations working, one would naturally look for them on +the eastern slope of the Lammermuirs and along the seaboard between +Berwick and the Forth." + +"Of course," agreed Murray. "And no doubt they've had that district +searched. But you must remember we're dealing with remarkably clever +people, who wouldn't go to work in the obvious way. Now, suppose some +news was gathered about Rosyth, how long would it take a powerful car +to bring it here?" + +"Four hours and a half, provided that none of your fellows or the +police interfered." + +"That's by the Eskdale road. I'd go the other way--a rough country, +but there's nobody to bother about the speed limit." + +"Well," said Andrew, thoughtfully, "I'd prefer the Eskdale. The +obvious way's sometimes safest; it's the unusual thing that excites +suspicion." + +"There's only one road for Andrew," Dick laughed. + +Murray got up. + +"I must be off," he said. "My Terriers are scattered about the mosses, +and khaki has its disadvantages when you're looking for your men." + +He turned away and when he went, springing down the western slope of +the hill, Elsie looked at the others. + +"It was so serene up here," she said; "and he has broken the charm. +The war cloud looked a long way off, but it seems closer now." She +glanced across the ranges of sunny hills as she added: "What a +beautiful world this might be if men were sensible and just!" + +"True," replied Dick; "but then we'd miss some excitement and get fat +and slack. A certain amount of trouble's good for us, and that's why +we make it." + +"We didn't make this horrible war." + +"No; I suppose we didn't. As a future landowner, I've naturally no +admiration for the Lloyd George gang, but one must admit that they +were forced into the fray. To do them justice, they're not the lot to +fight when they can help it, and they're certainly getting on better +than I expected." + +"You were bound by the 'Scrap of paper,'" Whitney remarked. + +Dick chuckled. + +"Our politicians have left us nothing to say about that; but I'll +admit there's something convenient in the other fellows' theory. I +happen to know a little about scraps of paper and there are one or two +I'd be glad to disown." + +"So I thought!" Andrew interposed dryly. + +"Oh," Dick laughed; "my frankness is always getting me into trouble." + +Soon afterward they went down the hill, talking carelessly, but +Elsie's eyes were grave when she saw in the distance small scattered +figures moving across the heath. There was something ominous about the +soldiers' presence on the quiet moors where the black-faced sheep had +long fed undisturbed. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE GRAY CAR + + +It was one o'clock in the morning, but Andrew could not sleep. He sat +by an open window, looking at the tops of the firs, which stood out in +black silhouette. It annoyed him to be so wakeful, as he and Whitney +were to make an early start for Edinburgh; but Andrew had something to +think about, for he realized that his friendship with Elsie could not +be resumed where it had broken off. She had grown up while he was +away, and his feeling toward her had changed. To be regarded as an +elder brother no longer satisfied him, and if he were not very +careful, he would find himself in love with her. This was unthinkable: +first of all, because he was lame and poor, and then because it was +obvious that Elsie ought to marry Dick. She had no money; Dick had +plenty and, besides, Dick needed her. Elsie would keep him straight, +and his weak heart would cease to trouble him when he steadied down. +Andrew had long cherished an affection for both of them, and he knew +that Dick trusted him. + +Then he reflected that Elsie's attitude toward Dick was to a large +extent protective and motherly, which was not the feeling one would +expect a girl to show for the man she meant to marry; and while Dick +was obviously fond of her, his attachment, so far as one could judge, +was not passionate. Besides, when one came to think of it, the +suggestion that their marriage must be taken for granted had come from +Staffer. He had, so to speak, delicately warned Andrew off. + +Andrew firmly pulled himself up. He was being led away by specious +arguments. It was easy to find excuses for indulging oneself and he +had promised to look after Dick. If he tried to supplant his cousin in +Elsie's affection, he would be doing a dishonorable thing. There was +no getting around this; but it cost him an effort to face the truth. + +A soft rattle of gravel down the drive attracted Andrew's attention. +Rabbits sometimes got through the netting and one might have disturbed +the stones as it sprang across; but he rejected this explanation. The +sound was too loud, although he imagined that there was something +stealthy in it. Anybody coming toward the house across the smoothly +paved bridge, would have to walk on the gravel, as there was a flower +border between the drive and the shrubbery. This had a narrow grass +edging, but hoops were placed along it to keep people off. + +Andrew leaned forward cautiously and looked about him. It was a calm +night and not very dark, although there was no moon. He could see the +firs near the house cutting black against the sky, and the blurred +outline of a shrubbery beside the drive to the bridge. Thin white mist +rose from the ravine, and beyond it a beechwood rolled down the hill. +The air was warm, and the smell of flowers and wet soil drifted into +the room. There seemed to be nothing moving, however, and the sound +was not repeated. For a few moments Andrew waited, expecting to hear +the intruder fall over one of the hoops that edged the drive. When +this did not happen, he fixed his eyes intently upon the end of the +shrubbery, and then he made out a very indistinct figure moving slowly +through the gloom beneath the firs. + +This was strange. He had never heard of any house-breaking in the +dale, and there was nothing at Appleyard to attract a burglar from the +distant towns. It was too late for a villager to keep tryst with one +of the maids; and a poacher would not cross the well-fenced grounds. +Andrew decided that he would not give the alarm, but he slipped across +the room and opened his door quietly so that he could hear if anybody +entered the house. Though he stood beside it, listening closely, he +heard nothing. Then he returned to the window, and saw a dark form +move back into the gloom of the trees. Presently there was another +soft rattle of gravel near the bridge, and after that deep silence +except for the splash of water in the ravine. Andrew imagined that +about five minutes had elapsed since he heard the first sound, but the +prowler had gone and he must try to solve the puzzle in the morning. + +He got up early and went down to the drive before anybody was about. A +fresh footprint showed plainly in the flower border near the bridge, +close to an opening in the shrubbery by which one could reach the +lawn, as if the man had meant to jump across and had fallen a few +inches short. That he had not gone along the grass edging showed that +he knew the hoops were there. + +Andrew examined the footprint. It was deep and clearly defined, and he +thought it looked more like the impress of a well-made shooting boot +than of the heavy boots the country people wore. For one thing, he +could see no marks of the tackets the Scottish peasant uses. Acting on +a half-understood impulse, he covered the footprint up and strolled +toward the gardener, who was just coming out with his rake. + +"You have a big place to take care of, Fergus, but you keep it very +neat," Andrew said. + +"Aye," replied the gardener. "I'm thinking it's big enough." + +"Have you help?" + +"Willie Grant comes over whiles, when I've mair than ordinar' to do. +He has a club foot, ye'll mind, an' is no' verra active, but there's +jobs he saves me." + +Andrew knew the man, and knew that he could not have sprung across the +flower border. + +"I see Tom is still at the stables, but the man who drives the car is +new. How long have they had him?" + +"A year, maybe. Watson's a quiet man, an' makes no unnecessar' mess, +like some o' them. He leeves in the hoose." + +"Then he doesn't get up very early." + +"He's at Dumfries wi' the car. There was something to be sortit an' he +took her there yestreen. Mr. Staffer's for Glasgow, the morn." + +After a few remarks about the garden, Andrew strolled away. He had +learned that the night prowler could not have been one of the men +employed at Appleyard. The fellow had apparently not entered the +house, and although he had stayed long enough to deliver a message to +somebody inside, Andrew had not heard a door or window open. The +matter puzzled him, but he determined to say nothing about it, +although he was conscious of no particular reason for his reserve. + +An hour later, Whitney and he started for Edinburgh, with Dick on the +carrier of the motorcycle. The machine was powerful and they meant to +travel by short stages and stop at points of interest for a walk +across the hills. Andrew was glad to have Dick with them, particularly +as he was dubious about the visits the boy was in the habit of making +to Dumfries and Lockerbie. Dick generally returned late at night and +did not look his best the next morning. + +Whitney enjoyed the journey. He had understood that southern Scotland +was the home of scientific agriculture, and in this respect the +valleys came up to his expectations; but when they left them on foot, +as they did now and then, they crossed barren, wind-swept spaces +clothed with bent-grass and heather. In places, lonely hills rolled +from horizon to horizon without sign of life except for the +black-faced sheep and the grouse that skimmed the heath. + +Andrew knew every incident in the history of this rugged country, and +with a little encouragement he told tales of English invasions and +fierce reprisals, of stern Covenanting martyrs and their followers' +fanatical cruelties. Looking down from the heights of the Lammermuirs, +they saw where Cromwell crushed his Scottish pursuers; they climbed +the battlements of old square towers that had defied English raids, +and traced the line of Prince Charlie's march. + +Whitney found it rather bewildering. There was so much romantic +incident packed into two or three centuries; but he felt that he +understood the insular Briton better than he had done, and this +understanding improved his conception of the native-born American. It +was here that some of the leading principles of American democracy +were first proclaimed and fought for. Another thing was plain--if the +spirit of this virile people had not greatly changed, deeds worthy of +new ballads would be done in France and Flanders. + +On the return journey they reached Hawick one evening and stopped for +an hour or two. Dick suggested that they stay the night; but there was +nothing to keep them in the smoky, wool-spinning town, and Andrew +preferred to push on. + +"The night air's bracing among the moors and I like to hear the whaups +crying round the house," he said to Whitney. "There's a small hotel, +built right on the fellside, and we should get there in an hour." + +They set off, with Andrew on the carrier, and the powerful machine +rolled smoothly out of the town. The street lamps were beginning to +twinkle as they left it and low mist crept across the fields past +which they sped. The cry of geese, feeding among the stubble, came out +of the haze, which lay breast-high between the hedgerows, clogging the +dust, but it thinned and rolled behind them as the road began to rise. +Then the stubble fields became less frequent, fewer dark squares of +turnips checkered the sweep of grass, and the murmur of Teviot, +running among the willows, crept out of the gathering dusk. + +Cothouses marked by glimmering lights went by; they sped through a +dim, white village; and Whitney opened out his engine as they went +rocking past a line of stunted trees. They were the last and highest, +for after them the rough ling and bent-grass rolled across the haunts +of the sheep and grouse. Whitney changed his gear as the grade got +steeper, the hedges gave place to stone walls until they ran out on an +open moor, round which the hills lifted their black summits against +the fading sky. The three men made a heavy load on the long incline, +but the machine brought them up, and the last of the light had gone +when they stopped in front of a lonely hotel. It looked like a Swiss +châlet on the breast of the fell, and a dark glen dropped steeply away +from it, but it glowed with electric light. + +"They seem to have some shooting people here," Dick said. "I'll run +across and see if they can take us in, while you look at the +carbureter. We may have to go on to Langholm and she wasn't firing +very well." + +He went up the drive and Whitney opened his tool bag. The top of the +pass was about half a mile behind them, and the road ran straight down +from it, widening in front of the hotel. There was a patch of loose +stones on the other side, and the motorcycle stood a yard or two from +the gate. Everything was very still except for the sound of running +water, and it was rather dark, because the hills rose steeply above +the glen. + +"Dick's a long time coming back," Andrew said with a frown. + +"Perhaps you'd better go for him," Whitney suggested. + +Andrew went off, but met Dick in the drive. + +"It's all right; there's nobody stopping here," he reported. "They +keep the lights blazing to draw motoring people." + +He spoke clearly, but with an evident effort, and Andrew frowned +again. + +"There's a nut I can't get hold of," Whitney called to them from under +the motorcycle. "Do you think I could borrow a smaller spanner here, +Dick?" + +"I'll get it for you," Dick volunteered jovially, and started back +toward the house. + +Andrew put a firm hand on his arm. + +"You will not!" he said shortly. + +Dick turned upon him in a moment's rage; and then laughed. + +"Oh, all right. You're a tyrant, Andrew, but you mean well." + +When Whitney went for the spanner Dick knelt down in the road to +inspect the machine. + +"Lend me your knife," he requested. "It will be all right if I put +something in the jaws." + +"I'm inclined to think you'd better leave it alone," Andrew replied +meaningly. + +Dick laughed. + +"You're a suspicious beggar. I wasn't away five minutes. Anyhow, +there's a fascination in tampering with other people's machines. +Where's the knife?" + +Andrew let him have it, and soon afterward Dick uttered an expletive +as he tore the skin from one of his knuckles. + +"The beastly thing will slip; but I'm not going to be beaten by a +common American nut," he declared. "If I can't screw it up, I'll twist +the bolt-head off." + +"Leave it alone!" said Andrew. + +"It's going!" Dick panted, and threw the spanner down. "Another +knuckle skinned," he added grimly. + +As he stopped to wipe his hand, a loud humming came across the summit. +Then four lights leaped up and their united beam rushed down the +pass. + +"That fellow's driving very fast, but he has plenty of room," Dick +remarked, and Andrew, stepping back, saw that the tail-lamp of the +motorcycle was burning well. + +Dick got up, and Andrew moved out a yard or two across the road with +the headlamp, half dazzled by the blaze of light that filled the glen. +Suddenly the stream of radiance wavered, and Andrew wondered whether +the driver had lost his nerve on seeing the patch of stones, which +perhaps looked larger than they were. Then he heard the wheels skid +and loose metal fly as the car lurched across the road. + +"Jump!" he shouted, violently hurling Dick back before he sprang out +of the way. + +He struck the motorcycle with his lame leg, staggered, and fell on the +gravel close to the gate. For a moment or two he had not the courage +to look up, and then, with keen relief, he saw Dick standing safe. + +"The clumsy brute!" Dick cried, in a voice that sounded hoarse with +rage. + +Running to the bicycle, he started it and jumped into the saddle. The +red tail-light streamed away through the dark like a rocket, and when +it grew dim, Andrew, standing shakily, saw Whitney beside him. + +"He's gone mad!" Whitney exclaimed. + +Andrew did not speak, and above the dying roar the big car made in the +narrow hollow they heard a shrill buzzing that sounded strangely +venomous. + +"Forty miles an hour, anyway," Whitney estimated. "It would take a +good car to get away from her. Is he fool enough to run into the back +of it?" + +"I don't know," said Andrew. "Dick's capable of anything when he's +worked up. The curious thing is that his head is steadier than usual +then." + +They waited until the sound grew fainter and then died away. + +"I am going down the glen," Andrew said. + +They had not gone far when they heard a motor panting up hill to meet +them, and a minute later Dick's car ran past and he waved his hand. + +"Hotel gate!" he shouted. "Don't want to stop!" + +When they reached the gate, Dick was waiting. Andrew turned the light +on him, and started at the sight which met him. Dick's face was white +and strained and smeared with blood, and he was evidently laboring +under an emotion not wholly due to anger and excitement. + +Even in the sudden flash past them of the automobile Andrew thought he +had recognized the car as one belonging to Appleyard--a low, gray car +which Staffer always used. He had believed that the lurch which nearly +cost them their lives was due to reckless driving; but there was a +tenseness in Dick's expression which he could not quite understand. + +"Did you overtake the car?" he asked. + +"No," said Dick, with a forced grin; "I took the bank and I'm afraid +the machine is something the worse for it. I was gaining and close to +the car when we got down to the bottom of the glen. You know it's very +narrow there." + +Whitney nodded. There was a sharp bend where road and stream ran out +side by side through the sharply contracted gap in the hills. The +slope on both sides was very steep and there was only a strip of +grass between the road and the water, seven or eight feet below. + +"Yes; it's not the place I'd care to negotiate at full speed." + +"I meant to catch the car and ran on to the grass to get a wider +sweep; but she wouldn't take the curve. Went straight up the hillside +for a dozen yards and then threw me off. Luckily I fell into some fern +and when I'd pulled myself together, I somehow got her down." + +"But the car?" + +"Got off," Dick replied in a strained tone. + +Andrew spoke quickly. + +"You'd better come and let us see if your face is badly cut." + +They entered the hotel, but Dick stopped as they were passing the bar. + +"We've all had a shock," he said; "and if you feel you'd like a drink, +don't mind me. You needn't be afraid of setting me a bad example--I +don't want anything." + +Andrew smiled. + +"Nor do I. Sometimes you're a very thoughtful fellow, Dick." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE _ROWAN'S_ LIGHT + + +Dick's cuts were not deep and he joined his companions at supper. One +of the windows was open and the smell of peat smoke came in, while the +noise of Ewes water running down the glen mingled pleasantly with the +bleating of sheep. The room, however, was illuminated by electric +light and a row of sepia drawings hung on the wall. + +"There's something distinctive about the Border," Whitney remarked; +"but there's one thing that strikes me. In old English +cities--Chester, for example--there are streets that look as they did +in Queen Elizabeth's reign; but the Scottish towns you've shown me +might have been built forty years ago." + +Andrew smiled. + +"The reason lies in our national character. We're utilitarian and +don't allow sentiment to interfere with progress. As soon as a +building gets out of date, we pull it down. Our past lives in the +race's memory and we don't need to keep it embodied in stone." + +He turned to Dick, who had been unusually quiet. + +"It's lucky you didn't get worse hurt. Did you see the car's number?" + +Dick hesitated a moment. + +"No-o. The plate was covered with mud." + +"But there has been no rain," Whitney objected. "I was near the gate +when the driver swerved, and I couldn't see any reason for his doing +so." + +"He may not have noticed the loose stones until he was close to them, +and then lost control of the steering because he was startled; or +perhaps the wheels skidded on the loose metal," Andrew suggested. + +"It's curious," Whitney persisted, "because if the fellow's nerve had +given way he would have gone over the motorcycle and into the gate. +Anyhow, he didn't lose control, because he straightened her up the +moment Andrew threw you back." + +"His nerve did not give way," said Dick. + +Andrew looked hard at him. + +"You know something. What is it, Dick?" + +"I know the car," Dick said grimly; "but it isn't nice to think your +own friends came near killing you." + +"You're sure?" + +"Positive. I thought I recognized the hum she makes on the top gear, +and when I was close behind them at the bottom of the glen, I saw the +tail-lamp had a cracked glass and a dinge in the top. It isn't a +coincidence that our lamp's like that. I remember when Watson dropped +it." + +"Staffer certainly wouldn't lose control of his steering." + +"No," said Dick; "he's as steady as a rock. So's Watson. You don't +often find a lowland Scot of his type jumpy." + +Whitney lighted a cigarette and leaned back, watching the others. + +"Staffer was going to Glasgow," Andrew argued. + +"Yes; the hydraulic ram that pumps our water had broken down and he +meant to see the makers. He told me he might not be back for a few +days." + +"But would he return by Edinburgh? Had he any business there?" + +"None that I know of; we deal with Glasgow. I wanted him to come up to +Edinburgh not long ago, but he wouldn't. Said he didn't know anybody +in the place and there was nothing to do." + +"After all, you may have been mistaken about the car." + +"Oh, no," said Dick; "but we'll talk about something else. I don't +like to think that Staffer nearly finished me--and he wouldn't feel +happy about it. Of course he didn't recognize us; and, on the whole, I +think we'd better not mention it to him." + +"I agree with you," Whitney said; and they planned to ship the damaged +machine to Hawick and to walk back across the hills. + +On their return to Appleyard, Whitney watched Staffer closely when +Dick explained that they had been delayed by an accident in the glen +at Teviot-head. He showed only a polite interest in the matter, and +when Whitney talked about Edinburgh, he remarked that he found the +city disappointing and seldom visited it. + +A few days later, they all sat on the terrace one calm evening when +Watson came back with the car and gave Dick and Staffer some letters. + +"From Murray," Dick announced when he had opened his. "They're going +to search the Colvend country next Thursday, and he suggests that we +might like to join, though he hints that he's not allowed to give us +much information." + +"What does he expect to find?" Staffer asked. His tone expressed +indifference, but Whitney suspected that it covered a keen interest. + +"He doesn't say. Somebody working a wireless installation, I imagine." + +"And is Thursday particularly suitable for that kind of thing?" + +"It's Dumfries' early-closing day. They can get a lot of motorcyclists +then. Murray states that the coast and moss-roads will be watched." + +"You ought to go," Elsie interposed. "Mr. Whitney would enjoy a day +upon the heather." + +"An opportunity for combining a pleasant excursion with a patriotic +duty!" Staffer remarked. "Well, the high ground from Bengairn to Susie +Hill will need some searching. No doubt, they'll push across the moors +toward Black Beast?" + +"Murray doesn't say, but it's probable. I don't know whether the +military authorities have the spy mania; but if there is any ground +for suspicion, it can do no harm to draw the Galloway moors. What do +you think, Andrew?" + +"I'd try the hills farther east." + +"About Eskdale, of course?" Staffer said with ironical humor. + +"Well," Andrew replied, "I don't claim much strategical knowledge, but +if we take it for granted that a hostile force could be landed on our +east coast--" + +"Rosyth's being a naval station would make that difficult. But go on." + +Beginning rather awkwardly, Andrew worked out a supposititious plan of +campaign, and to Whitney, who had just been over the ground, it +seemed a very good one. The scheme he outlined certainly appeared +practical; and Whitney saw that Staffer was more interested than he +pretended, and that his objections were designed to draw Andrew on. +Both showed a knowledge of military needs and history; and when +Staffer mentioned Cromwell's retreat on Dunbar, Whitney thought +Andrew's defense of his favorite route across, instead of around, the +Lammermuirs was good. He noted that Staffer did not claim as much +local knowledge; indeed, he thought he was careful not to do so. + +"I'm not convinced that we have much to fear, but you have worked the +thing out very well," he said at last. "Have you thought that the War +Office might find something to interest them in your views?" + +Andrew flushed. + +"They're probably bothered enough by amateur strategists," he replied. +"Of course, I may be all wrong; but if there really did seem any need +for it, I'd try to get somebody with influence to put my ideas before +them." + +Staffer folded a letter he had been reading, and looked at his watch. + +"I must send off a telegram," he said, and left them. + +"Well, Andrew, are we going on this spy hunt?" Whitney asked. It +sounded promising to him. + +"I could take the boat to Rough Firth. Then we might go on to Wigtown +Bay, where you could see your people. Will you come, Dick?" + +"Yes--as far as Rough Firth; but I don't know about the rest. Small +boat sailing needs an acquired taste. You have to get used to eating +half-cooked food and sleeping among wet sails. On my last cruise, +drops from a deck-beam fell on my face all night when it rained. +Andrew's hardier than I am, and no doubt truer to the old strain; but +while the Annandale Johnstones did many reckless things, they had +generally sense enough to stick to dry land." + +They made the necessary arrangements, and a few days later the _Rowan_ +went down the Solway with the strong ebb-tide. The shoals were +beginning to show above the sand-filled water when she drifted past a +point fringed by low reefs and boulders, at Criffel's southern foot. +Whitney guessed its distance as about three miles, and took a compass +bearing at Andrew's order. The coast turned sharply west at the point, +and the mountain, sloping to meet it, broke down into a wall of cliffs +that rose, grim and forbidding, from the beach. At one place, a gap in +the wall suggested a river mouth. There was not much wind, the sky was +hazy, and on the port hand a stretch of gray water ran back to the +horizon. It looked like open sea; but the strong rippling in the +foreground indicated that the tide was running across thinly-covered +banks. + +"I should have liked a breeze," Andrew said. "If we bring her around, +the ebb will sweep us past the mouth of the Firth. There's not much +water on the sands ahead, but we ought to get a fathom, if I can find +the Barnhourie gut. Keep her as she's going, Dick, with the knoll +ashore on the bowsprit-end, while I look at the chart." + +Andrew went below and Whitney turned to Dick. + +"Do you know this gut?" he asked. + +"I remember something about it, but they keep changing. See what depth +there is." + +Whitney found six feet, and looked around as he heard the topsail +flap. The _Rowan_ was sailing upright, but going very fast, with the +current eddying about her. Wreaths of sand came up to the surface and +went down again. + +"Keep her full," he said. "She's luffing off her course." + +"It's possible. The tide's strong and she's not steering well. I dare +say there's enough water everywhere, but Andrew must find the gut: he +feels he has to do the proper thing. He's made like that." + +"We'll take no chances," Whitney answered; and ran to the scuttle. +"Pull up the board and come on deck!" he shouted to Andrew. + +In a few moments Andrew's head appeared; and after a glance round, he +swung himself up and jumping aft took the helm from Dick. + +"Ready with the head-sheets!" he ordered. "We'll come round." + +She began to turn and then suddenly stopped, with a rush of sandy +water boiling about her stern. Andrew seized an oar, but could not +push her off, and she sank on one side until the water flowed along +the lower deck-planks. + +"She's fast," Whitney said. "Where are we?" + +"On the Barnhourie tongue of the Mersehead bank," replied Andrew, +throwing down the oar. "I meant to run through the gut between them." +He turned to Dick. "You're a hundred yards off your course." + +"That's the tide's fault. Shall we take the sail off her?" + +Andrew thought for a moment. + +"Yes. I don't know about laying out an anchor. The flood runs pretty +fast here; but we'll see when the sands are dry." + +They lowered the canvas and then went below to cook a meal. This took +them some time, for the floor and lockers slanted awkwardly, as the +boat listed over, and when they went on deck again the light had begun +to fade. Whitney was astonished at the transformation. What had looked +like open water when he went below, was now a waste of sloppy sand +that ran back as far as he could see. It was, however, pierced by a +broad channel, from which a depression, filled with shallow pools, cut +through the bank and ended in a lagoon not far off. This was evidently +the gut Andrew had meant to navigate. The cliffs round the bay, to the +westward, were losing their sharpness of outline; but two or three +blocks of houses and a tower on the rocky point showed black above the +level strip behind them. + +"That's Southerness; they'll light up, soon," Andrew said. "I know one +of the light-keepers and I'll walk across and ask him about the +entrance to Rough Firth. There's a flock of duck up the channel, Jim, +and you might get a shot at them from the dinghy when it's a bit +darker. Will you stay on board, Dick?" + +"Not much! There's nothing more melancholy than sitting alone in a +stranded boat. I'll go with Jim." + +Andrew went below and trimmed the anchor-light; then fastened it +firmly to the forestay, and set off across the sands. Half an hour +later, Dick and Whitney carried the small, folding dinghy to the +channel and pushed her off. The current was now slack and they made +progress until Dick shipped his oars and, kneeling down, took up the +small hand paddles; but he let her drift for a few moments while they +looked about. It was dark and the shore-line had faded, but some +distance up the channel a small black sail was visible across the +bank, and a steady bright beam marked the Southerness lighthouse. +Half-seen birds were wading about the water's edge, but Dick said +these were oyster-catchers and not worth powder and shot. A curlew's +wild whistle fell from overhead and the cry of a black-backed gull +came out of the obscurity like a hoarse laugh. It was rather dreary; +and their clothes and the dinghy were getting damp; so, dipping the +paddles, Dick drove the boat ahead. + +After a while they distinguished a cluster of small dark objects some +distance in front, and made toward them cautiously. The ducks did not +seem to get much plainer, and Whitney thought they were swimming away. +Stopping a few minutes to allay suspicion, Dick paddled again; but the +ducks vanished as they crept on. Then he turned in toward the bank and +pushed the craft along the bottom, hoping the dark background would +hide their approach. Presently they saw the ducks again and Whitney +raised his gun. + +There was a red flash, smoke blew into his face, and the air was +filled with the clamor of startled wildfowl. Still, they had heard a +splash and Dick got out the oars and rowed ahead. As he picked up a +floating mallard, they heard a flutter and knew there was a crippled +duck not far off. Rowing out into the stream, they saw it rise +awkwardly from the water. Whitney fired, and missed. After this, they +spent some time in trying to get into range before he brought down +the bird. Then they ran the dinghy ashore and Dick landed with his +gun. + +"I'll walk up the bank and try the soft places about the pools," he +said. "If I don't turn up soon, it will be because I've gone back to +the _Rowan_." + +Whitney lighted his pipe while he waited to allow the birds to recover +from their alarm, but he had to strike several matches because his +hands were wet, and he was annoyed to find that he had not many left. +It was very dark, and a cold wind was blowing. Whitney lay down on the +floorings, for shelter and to hide the glow of his pipe. The birds +were quiet, but a dull, throbbing roar came out of the distance, and +he supposed it was the splash of the surf on the seaward edge of the +shoals. When his pipe was empty, he got up, intending to step +overboard and drag the dinghy down to the receding water; but he found +that this was not needful, as the ebb had nearly run out. Paddling up +the channel he heard the whistle of curlew, and for a time followed +the invisible birds. He could not get a shot, and, deciding that he +had had enough, he laid down the paddles. Hitherto, he had been +looking ahead, but when he put the oars in the crutches he was facing +aft. + +Grasping the oars firmly, he looked for the twinkle of the _Rowan's_ +light. In his surprise he almost dropped an oar. The _Rowan_ had +disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +IN THE DARK + + +Whitney frowned as he looked about. He could see nothing except the +black line of the bank a few yards away and the beam from the +lighthouse on Southerness, though this had grown less distinct. There +was no fog, but the air was filled with an obscuring moisture that wet +his face and gathered upon the dinghy. Since the _Rowan's_ canvas had +been lowered she would be hard to see, and she lay at some distance +from the water. He could not remember how long it was since he had +seen the light, but it must have been some time, and he blamed himself +for not keeping an eye on it. + +Still, he ought to find the gutter near which she lay, and he knew the +bearing of the Southerness light from there. He had guessed its +distance, and if he took a new bearing now, the angle between it and +the other would give him the length of the line he must follow to +reach the neighborhood of the yacht. Taking out a small compass, he +struck a match, but it went out. His hands were wet and the box was +damp. He tried two or three more with no better success, and when he +got the last to burn, the knife-blade he laid across the compass cast +a shadow on the card. This prevented his seeing the points; and +finding that he had no matches left, he paused to think. + +If his friends had returned to the boat, they would certainly not have +put out the lamp, and it was disturbing to imagine their wandering +about the sands, particularly as Andrew might have to cross some +hollows up which the tide would shortly flow. Whitney shouted, but got +no answer, and after waiting a few minutes he began to row, because it +was plain that he must relight the lamp as soon as possible. He kept +out in the channel to get the help of the stream, which he thought was +running with him, but he did not seem to be making much progress, when +he passed a projecting tongue of sand. Stopping to get his breath, he +saw that the dinghy began to drift slowly back, and this disturbed +him. The tide had turned sooner than he expected. + +Heading in toward the bank, he rowed savagely; but the flat-bottomed +craft did not pull well. Her main advantage was that she could be +folded up and stowed on deck. After a time bits of seaweed and flakes +of scum drifted up to meet him, and he could hear the water ripple +along the edge of the sand where the channel bent. The flood was +beginning to run and he had not covered much distance yet. Sweat +dripped from his face, his back ached and his hands blistered; but +this did not matter. Dick should be able to follow the channel down; +but Andrew was no doubt a long way from land, with his retreat to the +beach perhaps cut off. Moreover, Whitney saw that his own position was +not fortunate. + +He had the dinghy, but her side was only a foot above the water and +the tide would presently sweep her up the Firth. He could not row +against it long, and the current would capsize or swamp the boat if +he struck a shoal. Still, it would be slack for about an hour and he +must make good use of the time. His arms got stiff, but he kept up the +pace and edged inshore until he touched bottom, when he made a deep +stroke. The temptation to turn round and look ahead was strong, but he +resisted it. He must not relax his efforts for a moment. He ought to +see the mouth of the gutter when he had gone far enough. +Unfortunately, however, the edge of the bank began to be indented by +shallow bays, and, as he must pull straight across in order not to +lose time, their ends were not always visible. It was unthinkable that +he should overshoot the gutter, but he imagined it was still some +distance off. + +At last he saw a bold ridge of sand that looked like the place where +they had launched the dinghy, but on pulling close in, he could not +distinguish the mark she must have made as they dragged her down. He +rowed on for a hundred yards and stopped. There was no gutter, though +he believed he had come far enough. The sound of the surf was +ominously loud and a black-backed gull that fluttered overhead seemed +to mock him with its hoarse, croaking laugh. + +Whitney felt unnerved; but he pulled himself together. His friends' +lives, and perhaps his own, depended on his keeping cool. He must have +passed the gutter, but he might see the _Rowan_ from the top of the +bank. Running aground, he pulled the dinghy out. There was no grapnel, +but she had a few fathoms of painter and he tied it to an oar, which +he drove into the sand. This ought to hold her if she floated before +he came back. + +For a few minutes he walked rapidly away from the water, then turned +and ran along the flat, but could not see the yacht; and when he dared +stay no longer he came down to the channel. There was nothing that +looked like the mouth of the gutter and the dinghy was afloat. Pushing +off, he rowed a short distance and made another unsuccessful search. +Whitney was now getting desperate, but he tried to think calmly what +he should do. He could fold up the dinghy and carry her toward the +Southerness light, shouting as he went; but the others would be in +very grave danger if he missed them; besides, they would not both come +the same way. The plan would not serve; he must try again to find the +_Rowan_. Progress was difficult against the current; but he did his +best, and landing again, he dragged the dinghy up. She would not float +for some time because the bank was steep, but he dared not go far, +lest he should lose his way in coming back. + +Striking shoreward, he plowed breathlessly through soft sand, but saw +nothing for some minutes. Then, when he was despairing, a black object +emerged from the gloom. It might be only a hummock; but after he had +gone a few yards, he knew it was the yacht and felt a thrill of relief +that was unnerving in its keenness. Still, he must brace himself and +decide between two courses. The dinghy might be needed to take his +comrades off, and there was a risk of her going adrift before he got +back; he ought not to lose a moment in returning to her. On the other +hand, Dick and Andrew must be in danger of being cut off by the +advancing tide and the lamp would show them where the boat lay; but it +might take some time to light. Hesitation would be fatal: he must do +one thing or the other at once. + +Running to the yacht, he clambered on board and unfastened the lamp +from the stay, and then groped about the cabin for matches. At last he +found some and, shaking the lamp, heard the oil splash inside. The +wick did not ignite readily and he had to rub the charred edge off, +but by and by the flame began to spread and he scrambled on deck, +striking his head against the hatch. When he reached the bow, he found +himself shaking and scarcely able to tie the lamp to the stay, but he +jumped down on the sand and ran with all his speed toward the channel. +He could not see the dinghy and feared that she had gone, but he found +her safe, afloat and straining at the rope. + +Jumping on board, he pulled along the edge of the bank until an eddy +swept him into the mouth of the gutter. This decided a point that he +was anxious about. The tide was flowing into the hollow from the +channel and not from its seaward end, which meant that there was less +danger that the others would be surrounded. The rising water carried +him close to the yacht, and when he got on board he sat down, +breathing hard and feeling conscious of keen nervous strain. He +shouted, but there was no answer; only the crying of wildfowl and the +ripple of the tide broke the silence. It was running fast up the +gutter, surging noisily over the uneven bottom and lapping the edge of +the sand, and Whitney soon heard a splash against the starboard plank. + +He must now grapple with a fresh problem. The _Rowan_, drawing little +water when her centerboard was up, would shortly be afloat. Andrew had +not laid out an anchor, for it might be dangerous. If the anchor +failed to hold, she would sheer across the current before her keel +was quite off the bottom, and the leverage of the taut chain might +help the rush of water to press her down into the sand or roll her +over. One could take no chances with the Solway tide. Still, if left +unmoored, she would drive across the flats, away from his comrades. + +Whitney could not determine what to do; and while he waited in +tormenting indecision, the boat rose upright and the water swirled +furiously round her bilge. Then his heart leaped as a cry came out of +the dark, and soon afterward two indistinct figures appeared at the +side of the gut. + +"Be quick! She'll be off in a moment and the anchor's on board," he +shouted, pulling up the dinghy to row across. + +"Stay where you are!" Andrew called. "We can wade it. In with you, +Dick!" + +They were soon knee-deep and Whitney saw the current boil about their +legs when they stopped as the water got deeper, but Andrew encouraged +Dick, and they went on again and reached the yacht. Dick was panting, +but Andrew seemed quite cool. + +"I don't know about the anchor yet; we'll wait," he said, and stood +watching the tide ripple past. + +"It was lucky I met Andrew when I lost the channel," Dick said to +Whitney in a resentful tone. "You might have waited for me." + +"Hold on, Dick," interrupted Andrew. "Perhaps you'd better go below +and change your clothes." + +Dick left them; and soon afterward the boat began to move uneasily. + +"The stream's getting slack; the water must be coming through from the +other end," Andrew said. + +In another minute she slowly floated away and he threw the anchor off +the bow. + +"She'll ride to it, but as we needn't make sail until the flats are +covered, we'll go down and get supper." + +He changed his clothes while Whitney lighted the stove. + +"How did the lamp go out?" he asked presently. + +Whitney related his adventures, and Dick turned to him with a smile. + +"Sorry I was huffed, but I dare say you can make allowance for my +feelings. They'd got rather harrowed while I wandered about in the +dark. You did the right thing, of course, in going back." + +Dick made some coffee and when it was on the table Whitney was glad to +lean back on a locker and light his pipe. With two candle lamps +burning, the narrow cabin looked very snug and cheerful after the +desolate sands, and it was something to see Andrew sitting opposite, +safe but thoughtful. + +"Did you trim the lamp properly?" Dick asked, puzzled. + +"Of course," said Andrew, with a touch of dryness. "That's something I +don't often neglect. Mixed the oil myself--colza and a dash of +paraffin; and the lamp's the best I could get in Glasgow. Suppose you +bring it down." + +Dick did so, and Andrew took off the oil-container, which was nearly +full, and examined the burner. There was nothing wrong, and Whitney +noted the good workmanship of the fittings. + +"It couldn't go out," he said decidedly. + +"That," Andrew replied, frowning, "is my opinion; but as I came down +to the gutter I saw only two rows of footsteps, and you made those in +coming and going back to the dinghy. I can't say there wasn't another +track, because the light was faint so far from the boat; but we might +look about the deck and cabin-top to see if anybody has been on +board." + +"I'm afraid I mussed that all up with sand," Whitney pointed out. + +"But who'd want to come on board?" Dick asked. "Theft could be the +only object, and we'll soon find out about that." + +They looked round the cabin, but missed nothing. + +"A thief wouldn't have put out the light, because he'd know that might +bring us back before he got away," Dick elucidated; then turned to +Whitney. "What do you think?" + +"Well," said Whitney, smiling. "I've only one suggestion and it's +rather far-fetched. The thing might have been a plot to make us lose +the boat or, perhaps, make an end of us. If that's so, it nearly +succeeded." + +"Rot!" exclaimed Andrew. "Nobody would be twopence the richer for +putting me out of the way." + +"And I haven't an enemy in the world--unless it's myself," Dick +grinned. "I don't count the Kaiser, because the bad feeling's +patriotic; I've nothing personal against him." + +Andrew made a sign of impatience, and Whitney, watching him closely, +thought he felt disturbed. + +"Did you see anybody on the bank?" + +"No," Whitney answered. "I saw a small sail; a lugsail, I think, +because it was long on the head. It looked very black." + +"Tanned with blacklead and oil; one of the Annan whammel boats, most +likely. They drag a net for salmon, but wouldn't get any just now, as +the water's too smooth." + +"Then why were they out?" + +"After flounders, perhaps. But none of the Annan men would meddle with +our light. However, we'd better make a start if we mean to reach Rough +Firth this tide." + +"Now and then I'm glad I'm not much of a seaman," Dick laughed. "As +I'd probably pull the wrong string, I'll stay below and smoke." + +A cold east wind was blowing when Whitney went on deck, and after +hoisting sail they crept away against the tide. Whitney sounded with +the pole until he could no longer touch bottom, when Andrew seemed +satisfied. It was very dark, but two quivering beams pierced the +gloom. + +"Get the topsail down," Andrew ordered after a while. "We'll find the +stream that fills Rough Firth in a few minutes and it will take us up +fast enough." + +This proved correct, for shortly afterward the sea broke about them in +confused eddies, and the boat splashed and lurched as she crossed the +troubled space that divided the tides. Then she forged ahead very +fast, and blurred hills and shadowy cliffs soon loomed out. Whitney +used the sounding pole again, the cliffs grew plainer, and when the +land closed in on them, they dropped anchor. She brought up and, after +helping to stow the canvas, Whitney climbed into his folding cot. + +For a time he did not sleep but lay thinking about the extinguished +light. It seemed impossible that the lamp should have gone out +accidentally, and he was not satisfied that the explanation he had +humorously offered was altogether absurd. His friends had had another +narrow escape not long before, and it might be significant that +although they were together on both occasions, Andrew had run the +greater risk. Whitney admitted that this might be coincidence and he +must not let his imagination run away with him. One must use sense and +not wrap up in romantic mystery a matter that might be perfectly +simple. For all that, he meant to seize any clue that chance might +offer him. + +Next morning they landed and joined Murray at a village among the +hills. They spent the day upon the heather, working inland across +broad, grassy spaces and red moors where the sheep fled before them, +and then climbed a line of rugged hills. These were not high, but +Whitney found them romantically interesting as he scrambled among +black peat-hags where the wild cotton grew, up marshy ravines, and +past great granite boulders. Stopping now and then to get his breath, +he watched the line of small figures stretched out across the waste +and thought that nobody lurking among the stones and heather could +escape. Still, when the different detachments met upon a windy summit, +none of them had seen anything suspicious. + +"We've drawn blank," Murray remarked, as they ate some sandwiches +behind a boulder. + +"Yes," said Andrew. "If there is anything to be found out, I'd locate +it farther east." + +Murray looked at him keenly for a moment and then answered: + +"On the whole, I agree with you. It's my business, however, to search +where I am told." + +They went downhill soon afterward, and the next day the _Rowan_ sailed +west along the coast, carrying Dick, who had reluctantly consented to +go with the others. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE YOUNG OFFICER + + +It was a fine afternoon when the train ran down from the granite wilds +round Cairnsmuir into a broad green valley. Behind, the red heath, +strewn with boulders and scarred by watercourses, rolled upward into +gathering clouds; in front, yellow stubble fields and smooth meadows +lay shining in the light, with a river flashing through their midst. +Whitney, watching the scene from a window, thought the change was +typical of southern Scotland, which he had found a land of contrasts. + +They had left the _Rowan_ where the river mouth opened into a +sheltered, hill-girt bay, and walked up a dale that was steeped in +quiet pastoral beauty. It led them to a wind-swept tableland, in which +lonely, ruffled lakes lay among the stones, and granite outcrops +ribbed the desolate heath. There they had caught the train; and now it +was running down to well-tilled levels, dotted with trim white houses +and marked in the distance by the blue smoke of a town. Andrew had +chosen the route to show Whitney the country, and he admitted that it +had its charm. + +The train slowed down as it approached a station, and when it stopped +Dick jumped up. + +"I may be able to get a paper here," he said, and leaped down on to +the station platform, where shepherds with rough collies, +cattle-dealers, and quarrymen stood waiting. + +Dick vanished among the crowd; but a few moments later he returned +hurriedly, without his paper. + +"I nearly ran into old Mackellar!" he exclaimed with a chuckle. "But I +dodged him!" + +"Who is Mackellar?" Whitney asked. "One of your creditors?" + +"Worse than that. One of my trustees. I thought I'd better not meet +him; he might have felt embarrassed after what he said to me not long +ago." + +Alighting at the next station, they walked downhill to the narrow town +beside the Cree, and here they arranged to be driven up the waterside +to the shooting lodge where Whitney's mother was staying. After +standing on the bridge a while they went to the little inn. It was now +getting late in the afternoon, the hillside above the town shut out +the light, and the room they entered was rather dim. Dick stopped just +inside the door. + +"Mackellar!" he exclaimed; and turned to be off. + +"Dick! Ye're not going before ye speak to me?" + +"I want to show my friend the town," he explained with a laugh, but he +came forward and shook hands and presented Whitney. + +Mackellar was about fifty years of age, strongly built, and dressed in +quiet taste. He had a shrewd, thoughtful face, with a hint of command +in it, and there was a touch of formality in his manner, but Whitney +liked his faint, twinkling smile. + +"Weel," said the Scot, after they had talked a while, "ye may take +your friend out to see the town now, Dick; but, with Mr. Whitney's +leave, I'll keep your cousin here until ye come back." + +Whitney felt amused as he saw that Dick had failed in his rather +obvious intention of preventing the others from enjoying a private +talk. + +When Whitney and Dick had gone, Mackellar rang a bell that stood on +the table. "Ye'll join me with a glass o' wine," he said to Andrew. + +The wine was brought, and though Andrew did not hear what Mackellar +said to the waitress, he imagined that they would not be disturbed. + +"I would say Dick's new friend is to be trusted," Mackellar began when +they were alone. + +"Of course," said Andrew. "If I grasp what you mean, he'll do the boy +no harm; but he's really a friend of mine." + +"That should put the thing beyond all doubt," Mackellar replied, and +filled the glasses. + +Andrew waited. Mackellar was generally deliberate, but people valued +his opinion. He had been a lawyer, and in the small Scottish towns +lawyers are entrusted with their clients' investments, and, in +consequence, are often appointed agents by the banks. + +"I think ye see your duty to your cousin," Mackellar resumed. + +"Yes," said Andrew simply. "I wish I saw how it ought to be carried +out. I'm at a loss there." + +Mackellar's nod indicated sympathetic understanding. + +"Ye're young and want to see the whole road ahead. It's enough that ye +walk cannily, doing what seems needful as ye find it. For a' that, I'm +glad to hear ye feel that ye are responsible. It's some help to me." + +"Then you take a personal interest in him?" Andrew hesitated and +added: "I mean, if you understand, apart from your being a trustee." + +Mackellar smiled. + +"I understand. We're dour folk and not given to sentiment, but I think +we can be trusted to pay our debts, and Dick's father was a good +friend o' mine. It was the Appleyard business first put me on my feet. +Then your cousin is a likable lad; though he's given me trouble. But +we'll not dwell on that--there are other things to talk about." + +"Have you paid off his debts?" + +"Some. There are one or two for which the holders would not give up +his notes." + +"Why?" + +"They carry high interest and fall due at a future date. Then I have +reasons for thinking the holders are agents for a principal in the +background." + +"The fellow must take a risk, because Dick's not of age. Hasn't the +law something to say about a minor's debts?" + +"I'm not sure the risk is as big as it looks. Would ye expect a +Johnstone o' Appleyard to repudiate his obligations?" + +"No," said Andrew. "When you come to think of it, such a thing's +impossible." + +"Weel, there's another point; your cousin did not tell us all he +owed." + +Andrew frowned. + +"I must admit that I was afraid Dick hadn't been quite straight with +us. What's to be done? Can we take him away from Staffer?" + +"Why would ye wish that?" Mackellar asked sharply. + +"It's not easy to explain, and my position's difficult. Dick thinks +highly of the fellow, and I can't see anything that's openly wrong +with him. Still, one feels he hasn't a good influence on Dick." + +"Just that," Mackellar dryly returned. "Dick's mother put the lad into +Staffer's hands and I had no power to stop her. If Staffer abused his +position, it would give me a handle, but I cannot find fault with +anything he does. A careful, well-thought-of man, and exact to a penny +in the estate accounts." + +"And yet you don't trust him. If you did, you'd tell him about those +debts instead of me." + +"Weel," chuckled Mackellar, "there's maybe something in that." + +Andrew knitted his brows. + +"I feel that there's something going on, so to speak, behind the +scenes, but I can't tell what it is. Do you know that Dick's heart is +weak, and dissipation and excitement are bad for him?" + +"I heard something about it." Mackellar gave Andrew a steady, meaning +look. "Your cousin will not be in danger until he's twenty-one." + +"What danger do you mean?" Andrew asked uneasily. + +"I cannot tell--ye have heard that loose living is bad for him. He'll +be free from restraint when he comes of age." + +Andrew suspected that this was not all that Mackellar meant. + +"Suppose his creditors insisted on his insuring his life?" he asked. + +"There's a difficulty--insurance companies are not as a rule anxious +to take a man with a weak heart. For a' that--" Mackellar broke off +and sipped his wine in silence before he resumed: "I'll try to follow +up the matter of the notes and ye'll keep an eye on Dick. If ye remark +anything suspicious, ye will let me know. Now, I think there's no more +to be said." + +Andrew agreed, and lighted his pipe. He was troubled by vague +suspicions that Mackellar seemed to share. On the surface, the +suspicions looked somewhat ridiculous; but Andrew was not satisfied, +and Mackellar had admitted the need for vigilance. Well, he must keep +the best watch he could. + +Whitney came in while they sat there. + +"Dick's not back?" he said. "I thought I'd find him here." + +"Ye might try the bar," Mackellar replied, with a twinkle. "Mr. +Johnstone's not anxious to talk to me. How did ye lose him?" + +"I rather think he lost me," Whitney laughed; "but he knows we've +ordered tea and he'll be along soon." + +When the trap they had hired was waiting, Dick came in. His face was +flushed, and his eyes gleamed with amusement as he glanced at +Mackellar. + +"I shan't have to leave without a word or two, after all." + +"Well," said Mackellar, "ye cut it very fine. Where have ye been?" + +"In the other hotel. I found a number of people there. They'd been to +the Creetown sheep sales and were in a convivial mood. In fact, they +wouldn't let me go." + +"It's no doubt a matter o' taste, but one would not expect to find a +Johnstone o' Applegate colloging with drovers in a second-class bar," +Mackellar observed. + +Dick laughed. + +"I don't know that it makes much difference, but I was playing cards," +he said. + +"Losing money ye could not afford!" + +They drove away in a high-wheeled trap that is locally called a +machine. Andrew had set off in a serious mood, but it was difficult to +continue thoughtful in Dick's society, and he enlivened the way as +they followed the winding river. It led them up a long valley, past +turnip-fields, smooth pasture, and alder-fringed pools. The soil was +well tilled on their bank, but across the stream, birchwoods turning +yellow straggled up the barren hill slopes, and to the north, rugged +fells rose dark against the sky. By degrees the landscape changed. +There was less cultivation and the woods got thinner. Rough heath ran +down to the river, which foamed and brawled among the stones, and +white tufts of wild cotton shone among the peat. They were climbing to +a desolation of moor and bog that looked strangely wild and lonely in +the fading light. Then, as the shadows closed upon the wilderness, +lights blinked among the firs in a glen, a lodge gate was opened, and +a smooth drive led them to a straggling modern house. + +They were hospitably welcomed, and Andrew liked his host, a genial, +gray-haired man who had lately retired from business to spend his +well-earned leisure in outdoor sports. Whitney's mother and sister +also impressed him favorably. Mrs. Whitney was quiet and dignified, +and there was a touch of stateliness in Madge's refined beauty. At +first, Andrew felt shy of her and left her to Dick, but she soon set +him at his ease. Madge rang true, and he found that she could be +remarkably frank. + +On the evening after his arrival he strolled along the terrace talking +to her. A soft red glow still shone behind the firs that straggled up +the western end of the glen and the air was cool and still. They could +hear a little burn splashing in the shadow and the river tumbling +among the stones. + +"How do you like this place?" Andrew asked. "From what I've seen of +your country this is a change." + +"Yes," Madge said; "it's quiet. When we rusticate in the wilds we take +a troop of friends along. The environment we're used to goes with us. +Perhaps that's why I don't harmonize with a natural background as some +of your people do. Here, for instance, I feel I'm an exotic." + +"Exotics are generally beautiful and one likes them for their glow and +color. Ours is a land of neutral tints and I dare say it has an effect +upon our character." + +Madge laughed. + +"That's very nice of you, but it's difficult to judge your character. +You're not an expansive race, and, for another thing, there are no +young men about--though one must admit that's to their credit, just +now. It seems there's still an answer when you send round the Fiery +Cross." + +"Yes," said Andrew with a flush. "They were wanted somewhere else, and +they went." + +Andrew paused and Madge gave him a sympathetic glance. + +"Jim told me why you couldn't go," she said softly. "After all, you +have something to do at home, haven't you?" + +Andrew saw that she was well-informed about his affairs, but he did +not resent it. When he took his comrade into his confidence he did not +do so rashly; and that Whitney had told his sister only proved that +she could be trusted. Something in her manner and her frank, level +glance made him sure of this. + +"Well," he said hesitatingly, "it's nice to feel that one is needed; +though of course there's a risk of being officious." + +"I don't suppose Elsie thinks you officious for trying to look after +her cousin. He's quite charming, but I imagine he'll keep you busy." + +"I'm prepared for that," Andrew laughed; "and I don't mind the +trouble. Dick's a very likable fellow, and Elsie feels more satisfied +when I'm about. I wish you could meet her. Little Elsie's worth +knowing." + +"Little? Jim told me she was tall; regal, I think he said. In fact, +he's enthusiastic about her; and that makes me curious, because Jim's +taste is not often bad." + +"It isn't. But I always thought of her as little Elsie--she was a girl +when I left home. I can understand what struck your brother: I felt it +myself when I first saw her, after I came back." + +"Elsie had grown up?" + +"It wasn't quite that. She had grown up in the way I had expected, but +she had somehow grown beyond it. In fact, though I used to be a kind +of elder brother, she had caught me up and left me." + +He broke off as their host came toward them with Lieutenant Rankine, +a brown-faced young man, who had arrived on the previous afternoon. + +"I hear you're cruising about the Galloway coast," Rankine said to +Andrew. "If you happen to be between the Isle of Man and the Solway, I +dare say we shall meet, and we'll be glad to see you on board the +_Tern_." + +"The _Tern_?" Andrew looked his surprise. "She's--" + +"An antiquated barge!" Rankine laughed. "Well, she makes a handy +surveying craft, and the sea lords have lent me to the hydrographic +department. Rather a come down just now; but somebody must keep the +charts up to date." + +Andrew felt puzzled. Rankine had a capable look, and, being young, was +no doubt ambitious. It was curious that he should be satisfied with +the monotonous task of taking soundings, when the battleships were +watching for the enemy's fleet. He looked at Rankine keenly; but the +young lieutenant merely smiled back at him in a quizzical manner and +began to speak of shoals and tides. + +Madge slipped off to join her brother. + +"What do you think of my partner?" Whitney asked her. "Are you still +pleased with him?" + +"Entirely so; he improves, which doesn't often happen. In fact, he's +fine, if you get what I mean." + +"Well, I imagine Andrew's unique, but that doesn't quite hit it. +Suppose we say rare, in its old English sense. Anyhow, though I don't +know that he's very susceptible, I'd rather you didn't turn his head. +You are attractive when you exert yourself." + +Madge laughed. + +"He's proof against my charms. Andrew's earmarked for somebody else." + +"Elsie Woodhouse? Well, that struck me, but I don't know. He says it's +very probable that she'll marry Dick." + +"Andrew is in love with her himself," Madge said firmly; "though I +don't think he knows it yet. Dick's delightful, but the girl would +never be satisfied with him." + +"So I think; but you don't know her." + +"Your partner has told me about her." + +Whitney laughed. + +"Andrew has his talents, but the delineation of character's not his +strong point." + +"A precise description isn't always needed," Madge rejoined. "When you +have an image clearly stamped upon your mind, it's sometimes possible +to make others see it without saying very much. Your partner can do +that." + +"Perhaps you're right. He has now an idea that his country's somehow +threatened from the old main road to the south. On the face of it, the +idea's absurd, and yet he makes one feel that he's not quite +mistaken." + +Madge indicated Rankine, who was still talking to Andrew. + +"I wonder why they sent that man to a post where ability doesn't seem +to be required?" she questioned. + +"It's possible that Rankine's job is more important than he's allowed +to admit." + +He broke off, for Rankine was coming toward them, and he saw his +sister's face flush prettily. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE SIGNAL + + +A light breeze was blowing when the _Rowan_ ran into a confused tide +eddy in the mouth of Wigtown Bay. There had been more wind and the +swell it left was broken by the current into short, splashing seas +amid which the yacht lurched uneasily. It was four o'clock in the +afternoon and about two hours before high-water, and when the breeze +fell very light a stream that ran north from the disturbed patch swept +the _Rowan_ up the bay. + +Andrew frowned as he looked about. + +"She's right off her course, but it's too deep to anchor, and the +bottom's foul near the beach," he said. "We must let her drift until +the ebb sets in and carries her down along the opposite shore. We +ought to make Ramsey on the next flood." + +"At four or five o'clock in the morning!" Dick grumbled. "Well, I'm +glad I'm no use at the helm in the dark, and we may get a few hours' +smooth water before we round the Burrow Head. At present I'm wondering +why I came." + +"There's some water in the bilge, and it's your turn to pump," Whitney +remarked. + +"If she was half full, I wouldn't pump until this rolling stops," Dick +said firmly. + +The sea got smoother as they drifted along the coast, and presently +ran in faint undulations that gleamed like oil where their surface +caught the light. The days, however, were getting short, and soon the +long tongue of land across the bay cut low and black against the +sunset. The hills to the eastward were gray and dim, a heavy dew began +to fall, and a pale half-moon came out. Now and then a puff of wind +from the south rippled the glassy water and drove the yacht farther up +the bay. + +When an inlet began to open out ahead Dick took up the glasses. + +"We ought to find water enough across the sands to Gatehouse," he +said. "I'd a good deal rather sleep ashore and we'd get a much better +meal at the Murray Arms than Whitney can cook." + +"We can't get ashore without a breeze," Andrew replied. + +"There's somebody going up. I can see a lugsail boat beyond the +point." + +Andrew took the glasses from him. The light had nearly gone and mist +hung about the shore, but a belt of water shone with a pale gleam, +against which a distant boat stood out sharply. + +"She looks like one of the Annan whammelers; they use a sail with a +shorter head in the West, but I can't see what an Annan man would be +doing here." + +Putting up the glasses, he thoughtfully filled his pipe. + +"The night our lamp went out on Mersehead sands," Whitney said, "I saw +a lugsail boat. What kind of fellows are the whammelers?" + +"Unusually good seamen. The boats are small, but they turn out in very +wild weather when the salmon are about." + +"That was not what I meant." + +"Oh, they're a sturdy, honest lot; but you don't often find a set of +men that doesn't include a wastrel." + +Soon a white light and a green one twinkled some distance behind the +yacht, and Dick called attention to it. + +"That steamer's moving slowly," he said. + +"A trawler, I expect. She's probably waiting until it's dark, when +she'll put her lights out and drop her net. I understand the Fishery +Board forbid trawling here." + +They said nothing further, and the _Rowan_ drifted shoreward with an +eddy of the tide, which had begun to turn. The moon was half obscured +by haze, but they could see a wall of cliff to starboard with a narrow +line of surf at its foot. Part of the wall seemed detached from the +rest and Andrew explained it to Whitney. + +"That's Barennan Island. This strip of coast was a favorite haunt of +Dirk Hatteraik's, but tradition locates his cove at Ravenshall, across +the inlet yonder. It might have been convenient for running contraband +up the Cree and Fleet, but the shore abreast of us has better +hiding-places, besides being nearer open sea." + +"Dirk's been dead a long time, and has no successors in the business," +Dick interposed. "His men probably were more ruffianly than romantic, +but they must have given the neighborhood an interest, with their +signal fires, their vessels running in at dark, and their pack-horses +winding through the moors-- The trawler's gone!" + +"Impossible," Andrew said quietly. "She hasn't had time to steam +farther than we could see her lights." + +"Then she's put them out. Perhaps the net's over." + +"What's that light ashore?" Whitney asked. + +A twinkling flash appeared on the high, black cliff behind the island +and went out, but after a moment or two flickered up again and, +growing brighter, burned for a time. + +"It looks as if the smugglers weren't quite extinct," Whitney +remarked. + +Andrew made no comment, but when a cool breeze came off the land he +edged the boat closer to the beach. It showed as a gray blur beneath +the crag, hardly distinguishable except for the white fringe of surf. + +"I'm curious about that light," he admitted. "I'd have said it was +somebody baiting a long-line or looking for lobsters, only that the +fellow wouldn't have waited for high-water. Then, it was too brilliant +for a lantern." + +"Let's go ashore, Whitney," suggested Dick, anticipating adventure of +some kind. + +"All right," Andrew replied. "Scull in instead of rowing: it's +quieter. And take the small cask and ask if there's a spring about if +you meet anybody." + +Whitney launched the light dinghy and put an oar in the sculling notch +when Dick joined him. The swell looked higher than it had appeared +from the yacht, and as he heard it tumbling among the stones he +wondered how they were to land. Besides, it was difficult to keep the +lurching craft on a straight course. He stopped sculling when a weedy +ledge of rock with a white wash running over it appeared in the +gloom. + +"Go on," said Dick. "Keep the reef to starboard. There's a cove. I've +been here before." + +Swinging past the ledge as an undulation rolled in, they were met by +its broken recoil; but Whitney drove the craft through this, and a few +moments later ran her on to a narrow beach. Quietly lifting the boat +beyond the reach of the water, they made for the cliff. After a few +yards they came to large, rough stones, and Dick stopped. Everything +was quiet except for the splash of the surf, and the wall of rock rose +above them, black and mysterious. + +"We couldn't see anybody against that background," he said in a low +voice; "and it's difficult to move quietly among these stones. I think +we'll try the crag." + +It took them longer to reach it than Whitney expected, but presently +Dick stopped in front of a mass of fallen rock. + +"Follow me close; the path isn't good," he said. + +They went up carefully, feeling for a foothold among the stones, until +they came to a ledge that ran upward across the face of the cliff. +Whitney could see nothing below him, but he followed Dick, and after a +while they reached a ravine filled with tangled grass and heath, which +led them to the summit. Here they lay down behind a whinn bush and +then Whitney understood why his companion had chosen the position. The +moon was hidden, but the sea reflected an elusive light that +distinguished it from the blackness of the land. Anybody moving along +the beach would show against the glimmer of the water. Whitney could +not see the _Rowan_, but Andrew had, no doubt, steered a course that +would bring the island behind her canvas. It was, of course, possible +that their landing had been noticed; but the dinghy was very small +and the dull roar of the surf would have drowned the noise they made. + +Turning quietly, Whitney looked inland across high, rolling ground. It +was all obscure, but in the hollows there were gray patches, which he +supposed were belts of mist, and two or three dim lights twinkled in +the distance. Now and then a bleating of sheep and the whistle of a +curlew came down the cold wind. There was nothing to rouse suspicion, +and Whitney began to think of going back. Just then Dick touched him. + +A shadowy figure showed against the water a short distance from where +they had landed, and then a flickering beam of light fell upon the +sea. It was too bright for an ordinary lantern, and Whitney could not +see where it came from, but after a moment or two it was abruptly cut +off. + +"There's another cove behind the point and I think I know a way down," +Dick whispered. "Come on as quickly as you can!" + +The figure vanished, but as the light was obviously a signal, it was +worth an effort to learn something about the men who had made it. When +Whitney got on his feet, Dick had already started. They turned down +the landward slope of the crag, where they stumbled among prickly +whinns and long heather. In a few minutes, Dick was breathing hard, +but he kept up the pace, and they presently came to a ravine that +seamed the front of the cliff. It looked dangerously steep and there +was no evidence of a path, but Dick went down, following a runlet of +water, and now and again catching at the grass and stones to check his +descent. Whitney, following as closely as he could, hoped that the +ravine did not end in a precipice. + +They came to one steep drop, and at the bottom of it Whitney stumbled +into a hole among the stones. When he got up, Dick was some distance +below him, but he could distinguish his figure against the sea. No +sound but the growl of the surf reached them; but this was loud enough +to drown any footsteps on the beach and cover their rather noisy +descent. Whitney reached the edge of the pool where the runlet of +water widened, and was looking for a way across it when he saw Dick +stagger. He swayed in a curious way, as if trying to recover his +balance, and then suddenly disappeared. Whitney splashed through the +water and came to the edge of a very steep slope. He could not see the +bottom, but he scrambled down, clinging to the stones; and after +sliding the last few yards he found himself on the beach. Dick lay +motionless on a slab of rock near by. + +"Are you badly hurt?" he asked, breathlessly. + +"No," Dick said faintly. "Leave me alone a while." + +Whitney sat down beside him, feeling alarmed. The dinghy was some +distance off, and he did not know whether it could be reached by the +beach. It would be impossible to carry Dick across the rough stones +without help; the _Rowan_ was too far off for Andrew to hear a call; +and he did not want to leave the boy, who might be seriously injured. + +"Do you feel better?" Whitney asked presently. + +"Don't talk," said Dick. "I'll be all right presently." + +Whitney waited anxiously, and five minutes later Dick held out his +hand. + +"Give me a lift; I'll try to get up." + +He got upon his feet with Whitney's help, but leaned on him heavily +for a minute. + +"I can move along slowly," he said; "there's a way across the point." + +They were some time in crossing the slippery rocks, but at last +Whitney helped the lad down to the sand and felt keen satisfaction +when they came to the dinghy. + +"I'm much better," Dick said as Whitney pushed off. "I must have been +half stunned--guess I knocked my head as I fell down the last bit." + +"Is it cut?" + +"Don't fuss!" Dick answered irritably. "She'll wash back up the beach +if you don't pull." + +Whitney occupied himself with the oars; but he felt puzzled. Dick +seemed to have turned dizzy before he fell; and although it was +possible that he struck his head, his statement that he had done so +looked like an afterthought. It was, however, his business now to find +the _Rowan_, and he could see by the way the cliff slid past that the +tide was running down. He had to pull hard to get near the island, and +the wind was rising, but soon he distinguished a patch of dark canvas, +and a few minutes later he ran the dinghy alongside the yacht. + +"Lash the helm and come below!" he called to Andrew, after helping +Dick on board. + +Andrew stopped to throw a sail over the skylight when Whitney lighted +the lamps, and then went down and looked at Dick, who lay on a locker. +His face was very white, his lips had a blue tint, and the veins +showed dark on the back of his colorless hands. + +"I think you had better have a drink," he said, taking out a whisky +bottle. + +Dick drained the glass. + +"That's good; I'll soon be all right. I slipped when we were coming +down the crag and pitched over the edge of the steep bottom part." + +"He thinks he hit his head," Whitney added. + +Andrew felt Dick's head in spite of his objections. + +"There is a lump, but not large. It doesn't account for the shock you +seem to have got." + +"If you had fallen down that rock, I don't suppose you'd feel very +fit. But give me a cigarette and ask Jim to tell you what we saw." + +Andrew gave him the cigarette and then looked out the scuttle. A +breeze had got up, blowing off the land, and the yacht was drifting +seaward with her loose mainsail flapping and her jib aback. She would +need no attention; so he closed the hatch and sat down to listen to +Whitney's story. + +"Do you think they heard Dick fall?" he asked. + +"I can't say. It's possible, though the swell was breaking noisily on +the beach." + +"It's a curious affair," said Andrew. "I saw the light and was glad +I'd kept the boat in the gloom of the island. It certainly looks as if +the steamer that put her lights out and the whammel boat that crept in +to the land at dusk had some connection with each other. Then I +thought I heard oars shortly before you came off." + +"Suppose the boatmen had meant to signal the vessel, why should they +land when they could have lighted a flare on board?" + +"It would have shone all round," said Andrew. "By coming ashore they +got the crag for a screen and a high platform. The light could be seen +farther off, but only from the sea." + +"But what would they want to signal from a place like this, and whom +would they signal to?" + +"I don't pretend to know. It's a long distance from a main line, but a +fast car would cover a good deal of ground in an hour or two." + +Andrew stopped, and, taking a chart from a rack, pointed to the narrow +channel between Scotland and Ireland. + +"You see how close Fair Head is to Kintyre," he resumed. "Well, all +the shipping from the Clyde and a good deal from Liverpool passes +through that gap. You can imagine what would happen if it were filled +with mines." + +"The difficulty is that the mine-sowers would be seen. The lighthouses +on Rathlin and Kintyre command the channel." + +"It's hard to see a vessel that carries no lights, and a mine-sower +wouldn't proclaim his intentions. There's a big fleet of trawlers +working in the Irish Sea, and a stranger would excite no remark by +slipping in among them. It wouldn't take long to paint on a registered +number and copy the funnel of a steam fishing company." + +"So Rankine has another duty besides taking soundings! A small survey +vessel could cruise about among the shoals without attracting much +notice. Her business would be obvious, but that needn't stop her crew +from watching out." + +"Well," said Andrew, "it isn't difficult to form a theory to fit the +few things we know. However--" + +"It would probably be all wrong when you'd made it," Dick broke in. + +"I'm glad you're feeling better," Andrew smiled. "I'll go up and look +after the boat." + +He left the scuttle open and they heard blocks rattle as he hauled the +main sheet, and the soft splashing at the bows as the yacht gathered +speed. + +"I'm not sure it was the blow on your head that knocked you out, +Dick," Whitney said. "You reeled as if you were getting faint before +you fell." + +"Well, suppose I did? I may have been running harder than was good for +me; but can't you understand that one shrinks from making a fuss about +one's weaknesses?" + +"Of course. This means you want to keep the real explanation from your +cousin?" + +"I'd very much rather nobody knew. Falling on your head is a good +enough reason for feeling faint, and, as a matter of fact, I hit it +hard enough." + +"Very well," agreed Whitney. "I suppose I must say nothing, since you +have taken me into your confidence." + +"You might let my cot down and pull out the blankets. I'm not quite +right yet, to tell the truth. I think I'll go to sleep." + +Whitney arranged the cot for him, and then, going up on deck, sat in +the cockpit while the _Rowan_ stretched across the bay before a fresh +easterly breeze. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A FALSE ALARM + + +Heavy rains lashed the windows at Appleyard and a wild west wind +buffeted the house. Between the gusts one could hear the wail of +storm-tossed trees and the distant roar of the flood tide foaming +across the Solway sands. It was, however, warm and bright within the +thick granite walls, and Andrew lounged in a corner of the +billiard-room after dinner, watching Elsie knit. She was making a +soldier's woolen belt, and he noted the precise neatness of the work. +Elsie was conscientious in all she did, but he thought this view of +the matter did not go far enough. The care with which she linked up +the stitches was deepened by love. + +"It will be a lucky man who gets the belt," he remarked. "We must hope +he isn't by any chance one of our enemies." + +Elsie looked up with a smile. + +"After all, I wouldn't mind that very much, so long as he needed it. +It must be dreadful to lie out, cold and hungry, in the snow." + +"It is," said Andrew. "I've done something of the kind. Of course +you're right; but ordinary people would rather help their own side, +particularly when the other seems to be singularly unchivalrous." + +He stopped as he saw a tinge of color creep into her face; but she +quietly met his apologetic glance. + +"I know you didn't mean to hurt. I do remember sometimes, that, in a +sense, I belong to the other side." + +"You can't help that, and you're Scottish to the backbone in all that +matters." + +Elsie's eyes twinkled. + +"You're not making it much better, but perhaps you'd lose something if +you were not so frank. One distrusts people who always say the proper +thing." + +Andrew glanced at a well-dressed, handsome man who was playing +billiards with Dick. He came to Appleyard for a day or two now and +then, and had been there when Andrew arrived from Canada. + +"Does that mean you don't quite trust Williamson? I've sometimes +wondered whether it's his right name." + +Elsie looked thoughtful and answered with some hesitation: + +"I don't think it is. He hasn't a trace of foreign accent and his ways +are ours, but I can't help feeling that he does not belong to us. Then +I've noticed that he never talks to Mother much. But of course it's +only changing his name that matters, not where he was born. Our +enemies are not all treacherous and cruel. You have seen the portraits +Mother has of her own people, and three or four were soldiers. They +have kind, true faces. I think they were men with an unusual sense of +duty." + +"You see what's best in everybody," Andrew replied. "But if there are +good fellows on the other side, why do they behave like savages?" + +"Ah!" said Elsie, and was silent for a few moments. + +Andrew glanced at his cousin, who had soon recovered from his fall. +He was now chalking his cue, and his eyes had an excited glitter. A +syphon and a whisky bottle stood on a table near by, and Andrew +wondered whether Elsie had noticed that Dick's glass was full again. + +"I'll beat you if I can make that cannon," Dick was saying. + +"Half a sovereign you don't; but you had better not take me," +Williamson replied. "It would need a professional's stroke." + +Andrew surmised that they were not playing for mere amusement. + +"You can't do it, Dick!" Whitney said; and his tone was restraining, +while Andrew imagined that Williamson's was meant to be provocative. + +Dick raised his glass and put it down again half empty before he +poised his cue. + +"Watch me!" + +He made the cannon; but something in his hot face suggested that it +had been a nervous strain, and he turned to the table at once to +refill his glass. + +"Now," he said, "I think the game is mine." + +His play was clever, but Andrew, watching closely, imagined that +Williamson was not doing quite his best. It was difficult to say what +gave him the impression, but he was a judge of matters that needed +accurate judgment and steadiness of hand. Williamson was cool and +skilful, but he missed a cannon he ought to have made, and there was a +break he bungled. It looked as if he did not want to win. That was +curious, for Andrew did not think he felt any hesitation about taking +Dick's money. + +Dick reached out for his glass without turning round, and Whitney, +standing behind him, neatly struck the bottle with his elbow in +stepping back. It rolled across the table, upsetting the glass, and +fell upon the floor. + +"I'm sorry," he apologized simply. + +Dick regarded him with an ironical grin. "I'll have to ring for +another," he said. + +Andrew wondered how much Elsie understood; and he was not deceived by +her unchanged expression. Elsie was quick and did not always show her +feelings. + +"You made some brilliant strokes, but your play's a bit erratic," +Williamson said to Dick. "It might be worth your while to study some +of the good professionals. That reminds me, there's an interesting +semi-private match next Thursday, and I've friends at the club." + +He mentioned two players whom Andrew had heard of, and the door opened +while he added something about the match. Andrew was watching his +cousin and did not look up, and it was a few moments later when he saw +that Staffer had come in. + +"I've been suggesting that Dick should come to town to-morrow," +Williamson said. "I can show him some good billiards." + +"I can't stop him, although I imagine he'd better stay at home," +Staffer answered with a smile. "As he has been warned to keep regular +hours and that sort of thing, it's possible that the excursion might +not be good for him. Dick's rather too keen a sportsman." + +Andrew could find no obvious fault with Staffer's reply. On the +surface, it was tactful; but something in his manner made it inciting +instead of deterrent. + +"You arranged to take us snipe-shooting on Wednesday," he reminded his +cousin. + +"So I did," Dick admitted. "Still, we could fix another day. We might +get a woodcock if we waited a bit." + +"I'm keen on snipe," Whitney interposed. "Besides, we're going down +the coast again at the end of the week." + +Staffer gave him a quick glance and Dick seemed to hesitate. + +"That makes a difference; but you could go without me. I'm not a crack +shot." + +"You know all about snipe, and where to find a cock," Andrew insisted. +"They ought to be here now and it's a long time since I bagged one." + +"Oh, well!" said Dick. "You mustn't be disappointed, and we'll try to +show Whitney the best sport we can." + +Elsie looked at Andrew and he saw that she was grateful; but Staffer +came across to where he sat. + +"I met Marshall, the salmon fisher, in Annan, and he mentioned that +they had run the Burnfoot boats up this afternoon," he said. "There +was a big surf last high-water, and he asked if you had been down to +the yacht. It looked as if he thought you ought to go." + +Andrew turned to Whitney. + +"Is the motorcycle all right, Jim?" + +"Take the car," suggested Staffer. "Watson won't have housed her yet." + +They started in three or four minutes; but it was not the _Rowan_ that +Andrew thought about as the big car throbbed at full speed through the +dark. He had kept Dick at Appleyard, and Williamson would be gone +to-morrow, which was something to the good, because Dick was apt to +get out of hand when the man was there. Andrew thought he made rash +bets with him, and he certainly drank more than usual. It was his duty +to look after Dick; but it was getting harder to do so for Elsie's +sake, and at times when he thought of his task in this light he had to +master a feeling of bitterness. Dick was not good enough for Elsie. +Still, if she really loved him, she would be able to keep him +straight. He knew the protective tenderness she felt for him. This +might be different from the love she could give a lover; but Andrew +would not follow up that line of thought. It might lead to false hopes +and to shabby conduct of which he would always be ashamed. + +It was near high-water when they left the car at the end of a miry +road and struggled across a common to the beach. The roar of the sea +filled the air and driving sand stung their faces, but they carried +the dinghy down and, wading out some distance through the surf, got on +board. After a few minutes' hard pulling they reached the yacht, and +Andrew looked about while he felt the cable. + +"The anchor's holding, but perhaps we'd better take the kedge farther +out," he said. + +It cost them half an hour's hard work; for they had to follow up the +heavy warp while angry, broken waves splashed into the dinghy; and +then, after tearing the anchor out of the sand, they had to row some +distance against the drag of the rope. At last, however, Andrew was +satisfied. + +"I'm not sure all that was necessary, but it was wiser to make things +safe," he said, when they carried the dinghy up on the shore. + +Whitney did not answer, and as they passed a sod cabin on the common a +man came out. + +"Is that you, Jock?" Andrew asked. "It's a wild night, and when Mr. +Staffer told me what you said I thought I'd come down to see how the +boat was riding." + +"It's wild enough," agreed the fisherman; and Whitney recognized him +as the man who had come on board on the morning after their arrival. +"What was it Mr. Staffer said?" + +"I can't remember exactly, but I understood you thought the boat might +drag." + +"Weel, I wouldna' say that was impossible, but ye hae good ground +tackle." + +Whitney looked hard at him, but he could not see the Scot's face well. + +"And Mr. Staffer sent ye off in his car to see if she was a' right?" +Marshall chuckled. + +"I don't know that he sent us. He said we could use the car." + +"He's a thoughtful man, but I wouldna' say Watson would be +pleased--he'd be wanting to wash her. Onyway, ye needna' fash about +the boat. I'll be here until the tide rins doon and if onything needs +doing, I'll see til it." + +"Thanks," said Andrew. "Do you know if one of the whammel boats has +gone west?" + +"Yin's gone; I dinna ken where. A shooting man frae Edinbro' bought +Tarn Grahame's _Nance_. Him and another took her off soon after ye +came." + +"How do you know he was an Edinburgh man?" + +"There was a Waverley label on his portmanteau and he didna' speak +like us. Still, I alloo it might have been Inverness." + +"And the man who was with him?" + +"Ye canna' tell where a man comes frae when he keeps his mouth shut, +but he was a sailor by the way he handilt the gear." + +Andrew asked no more questions, and they went back to the car. When +they reached Appleyard Dick met them in the hall. + +"I've found a way of letting you have your shooting," he said in an +apologetic tone. "Young Ross will go with you. There isn't a snipe in +the mosses he doesn't know about. If there's any sport to be had, +he'll see you get it." + +"I suppose this means you're going with Williamson?" + +"I really want to go, if you don't mind very much. I may be back +before you leave and you'll only be away a week." + +"That's so," said Andrew, "Well, you'd better bear in mind what the +doctor told you." + +He moved on, frowning, and presently found Elsie in the drawing-room. + +"I did my best, but Dick's going with Williamson," he said. "You +didn't want him to?" + +"No," she answered frankly, but with some embarrassment. "Of course, +there's no obvious reason for our interfering." + +"That was my difficulty. Dick will soon be master here. I'm only his +guest, and Williamson is a friend of Staffer's. Nobody knows anything +against the man." + +"And yet--" Elsie stopped. + +"I'm vexed? You can take it that I don't like to be beaten, +particularly by my youthful cousin," Andrew answered with a smile, +wishing to allay her uneasiness. + +Staffer and Mrs. Woodhouse came in then; and when the party broke up +for the night, Whitney went with Andrew to his room. + +"I guess you noticed the coincidences that happened this evening," he +said, sitting on the broad window-seat and lighting a cigarette. + +"I feel rather annoyed by Dick, if that is what you mean," Andrew +replied in a discouraging tone. + +Whitney smiled. + +"Not altogether that. One,"--enumerating them on his fingers--"you try +to stop his going with the fellow and just about put it over. Two, +Staffer mentions the boat and rushes us off in his car. Three, +Marshall says the boat's all right and hints Staffer may have mistaken +his remarks. Four, we return and find that Dick has changed his plans. +Five,--" + +"Oh, I'll admit that Staffer is a clever fellow," Andrew interrupted. +"I've known that for some time." + +"I've an idea that Mackellar's on his trail; and--well, if you need +me, I'm ready. You're playing a straight game, and I want you to win. +It would be a fine thing for you to save Dick; and Elsie expects it of +you. Then, Staffer knows he's up against you. Keep it at that; it's +quite enough for the present." + +"You mean there's something else going on?" Andrew said in a curiously +quiet voice. + +"Of course! But you want to let Staffer think you're only fighting him +for your cousin. He can understand that and won't suspect you of +guessing he's engaged in another game. I'll play up to you as much as +I can. Staffer doesn't take much stock in me." + +"But what object can he have?" + +"Can't say," Whitney answered non-committally. "But he may be forced +to show his hand. Well, I'll get along to bed." + +Dick started for London with Williamson the next morning; and he let +himself go when he got there. With his companion's help, he spent +several days and the greater part of several nights in exciting +amusements and adventures. It was not often the sparkling cup of +pleasure was held out to him full, and he drained it to the dregs. As +one result of this, he did not feel quite up to the mark; but Dick was +something of a philosopher and knew that one cannot get anything +without payment. Besides, if quietness was good for him, it was to be +had in abundance at Appleyard. + +For all that, when he left Euston at midnight, a reaction had begun, +and he wondered whether he had made the pace too hot. On reflection, +however, he suspected that it had rather been made for him and he had +tactfully been encouraged to fall into his companion's stride. Well, +he had had a glorious time; but he wished his head did not ache so +badly and he could get rid of the unpleasant, shaky feeling that +troubled him, because there was some business he must talk over with +Williamson before they reached Rugby. + +"We had better get things settled now," he said. "Your friend, +Marsden, has my note for thirty pounds, but you paid the other +fellows, as well as for that supper, and the hotel bill. How much am I +in?" + +Williamson took out his notebook, and Dick got a shock. + +"Forty pounds in an evening!" he exclaimed. "I knew I was going it, +but this is a bit of a facer. With all the other things, it's a pretty +hot pace; especially as I have just half a sovereign left." + +"You needn't be disturbed about it. Your promise is good enough; I can +wait." + +"We can't leave it at that," Dick objected, and added with a forced +grin: "Besides, you might have to wait some time." + +"Then what do you propose?" + +Dick wished his head were clearer, for he was getting dizzy. + +"I thought you might see Craven and arrange the thing with him. Of +course, he's holding a good lot of my paper, but he gets good +interest." + +Williamson produced a fountain pen and a sheet of paper. + +"Very well. As it happens, I expect to meet him to-morrow." + +It struck Dick that the man was suspiciously prompt; indeed he seemed +to have been waiting for the request. + +Dick suddenly felt as if he were suffocating; he could not breathe, +and his dizziness was turning to blackness. He threw up the window and +leaned his head on the sill, gasping once or twice. It was a dark +night and the express was traveling fast. Its lights sped smoothly +along the black hedgerows beside the line and flashed across water +lying on swampy fields. Blurred trees raced past, twinkling points +were suddenly pricked in the obscurity a mile away and then rushed +back and vanished, and a faint glimmer flickered in the sky ahead. +Dick thought this marked Rugby, and sitting back again, he tried to +pull himself together. + +"I'll make it enough to cover everything and put us straight," he said +as he took the pen. + +He found writing difficult, for the bracing effect of the cold wind +was wearing off, but the note was written and Williamson carefully put +it into his pocket-book before looking at his watch. + +"We're due in a few minutes," he said. "Will you get down and have a +drink? You don't look very fit." + +"No," Dick answered. "If I'd had fewer drinks in town I'd probably +feel better now." + +The speed began to slacken and Williamson collected his belongings. +Dick handed him his coat as the train stopped, but did not shake hands +with him. Somehow he felt he would rather not. After a careless +good-by, Williamson jumped down, and Dick sat in a corner, struggling +against the faintness that was overcoming him. He would feel better +when the train started, but he must be alone; he could not have people +looking at him while he felt as he did. + +Nobody else got in; he heard the guard's whistle and then the engine +begin to pant. There was a jerk and the lights on the platform drifted +past; but his head was reeling and he could not get his breath. +Falling away from the corner, he made a half-conscious effort to keep +on the seat, and for some time afterward he remembered nothing. + +He was roused by a rattle that swelled into a roar; and, getting up +shakily, he saw the lights of a station flash past. There were other +lights all around, running back into the distance in rows, while the +red glow of fires that streamed above the roofs seemed to indicate a +manufacturing town. Dick noted this vacantly, for he felt weak and +cold. They must be in Lancashire, and he had lain in a dead faint for +a long time. With difficulty he pulled up the window and got back to +his corner. + +"If this kind of thing happens often, the fellows who hold my notes +will get a painful shock," he thought, with a wry smile, and closed +his eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE WRECK + + +Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the +_Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway. Whitney held the helm, +his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern +the yacht was hard to steer. The small storm-jib ran water as it swung +above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and +fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of +carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across. Andrew stood in the +cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night +glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead. He saw +enough to daunt a stranger to the firth. + +The hills along the western shore were indicated by a vague blackness +devoid of outline, but Andrew could distinguish a belt of broken water +that stretched across his course and faded into the gloom. The backs +of the seas were toward him and he noted how their crests were cut off +by the wind as they curled against the tide, which was running down +the firth. In some places their length and regularity indicated depth +of water, but, for the most part, they boiled in frothy confusion +across the shoals. A steady beam of light stretched out from the +shore, but this was not much guide to the intricate channel through +the sands. While he watched, the moon came out, and as its light +widened, smooth, bright patches became visible amidst the turmoil. +These were the tops of the banks that the tide was leaving. + +Andrew put down the glasses and, stooping under the cabin hatch, +lighted his pipe. + +"It's rather late to try for Rough Firth, but I'm not sure I could +find the Barbara Deep if we let her run. If we missed it and went +ashore, she'd soon break up." + +"That is not to be thought of," said Whitney. + +"Well, I suppose the proper thing would be to set the trysail and try +to beat her out; but with the tide knocking up the sea, she'd nearly +wash us off when she came on the wind." + +"She's wet enough running before it, and I don't feel like pumping +hard all night. Can't you think of another plan?" + +Andrew occupied himself with the bearing of the light, while Whitney +braced his aching arms against the tiller. He was tired; for they had +spent several nights pushing the dinghy across the flats at the head +of a distant bay, and a couple of bernicle geese and some mallards lay +in the forecastle. The last night had been passed rolling violently at +anchor on a disturbed swell, and they had been at sea since dawn in +weather that made cooking impossible and demanded constant +watchfulness. + +"I think," Andrew said presently, "I could find the Horseshoe Spit, +and we'd get shelter behind it. In fact, the sea shouldn't get in at +all after half ebb, and daylight won't be far off when the tide covers +the flats again." + +He took the helm and Whitney got down out of the wind and spray. +Andrew would tell him when he was wanted, and in the meantime the +sight of the wet sands that broke out from the welter of surf was not +encouraging. It was reassuring to feel that Andrew knew his business; +for if he made a mistake now, the _Rowan_ would probably be hammered +to pieces in the next half hour. + +Fortunately, the moonlight got brighter, and when Andrew called +Whitney they were running up a channel with a strip of glistening sand +astern and a wild turmoil of foaming water close on their port hand. +This, no doubt, marked the Horseshoe Spit, with the tide streaming +across it to meet the surf. Whitney could not see how they had avoided +the bank astern; but he was not given much time to look about. + +"Stand by the big anchor!" Andrew called to him. "Drop it when I tell +you and let the kedge go after she sheers!" + +The _Rowan_ came up head to wind, and Whitney was hard at work for the +next few minutes, handling heavy chain that ran out furiously and then +stopped until he dragged more up from below, paying out the thick +kedge-warp that coiled all about the deck, and lashing the thrashing +jib to the bowsprit. Then he and Andrew got the mainsail down and the +boat rode to her moorings; though she was not at rest. Sometimes the +wind drove her up against the tide and the short waves washed on deck; +sometimes the current swept her back, while the tightening cable rang +and it looked as if she must drag her anchors and ground upon the +surf-swept bank. + +After watching her for a few minutes, Andrew seemed satisfied and +they went below, where Whitney lighted the stove. + +"I've eaten nothing but a lump of wet bread and a bit of canned beef +since morning, and now I want a meal," he said. + +"Then, you'll have to hold the frying-pan on, and trim the table +cleverly if you want to keep the food off the floor." + +"I'll try. There's a charm in small boat sailing, but it's a charm +that only gets you by degrees, and one finds it hard to say what it +consists of on nights like this. I don't like being wet and hungry, +and I hate to feel cold, and yet here I am, in a gale of wind, behind +the Horseshoe Spit!" + +"It's curious," said Andrew, smiling. "I dare say there are instincts +in human nature that neither of us understands. But you'd better watch +your job; you're running the ham fat all over the stove." + +Whitney dished the ham and made some coffee, cut a loaf that was not +very wet, and took out a sticky jar of marmalade. Leaning forward from +the lockers, they began to eat; but care was needed in taking things +from the table, which swiveled above the centerboard-trunk, for a rash +movement would precipitate all it held upon the sloppy floorings. + +Whitney got rather knocked about as he put the things away. For a time +afterward he contrived to lie on the locker; then he knocked out his +pipe and sat listening. The chain cable jarred across the stem, the +halyards slapped the mast, and through the shrill scream of wind came +in deep undertone the roar of the sea. + +"It sounds pretty bad, but I've been banged about for the last twelve +hours and nobody could sleep while this racket goes on," he said. "Is +that sand hard, and could one get on to it?" + +"I think so, and I'd like to see the channel. We might have some +trouble in pulling across, but it will be smoother coming back." + +"Very well," said Whitney. "Things will be a bit more comfortable +then, and I've had enough." + +They went on deck, but he half regretted his suggestion as they +launched the dinghy. The moon was covered by driving clouds, and in +the darkness the sea raged about the yacht. It was not high, because +the tide was falling and the water shoaling fast, but it broke angrily +and the air was thick with spray. As soon as the dinghy was overboard +they jumped into her and while Whitney got out the oars Andrew pushed +her clear of the rolling yacht. The current swept them away, but a +furious gust whipped the channel, throwing up a haze of spindrift, and +they were blown back past the _Rowan_ in spite of Whitney's efforts. +It was a minute or two before he could control the craft, but he +fought his way to windward until a ridge of wet sand began to shelter +them. When this was reached they dragged her up and set off across the +bank. + +It was hardly possible to see a dozen yards and they struggled on with +lowered heads, sinking in oozy patches and splashing into pools. Then +the sand got firmer, and although it had been under water an hour +before, it drove past them in whistling streams. The surf roared in +the darkness with a rising and falling cadence like the roll of giant +drums, but every now and then its deep tone was drowned by the scream +of the savage wind. The men wore oilskins, sea-boots and sou'westers, +but the spray that swept the bank in a thin mist found out the +openings in their clothing, which the gale distended. It was difficult +to keep one's feet, and Whitney wondered rather anxiously whether +Andrew knew where he was going. Still, there was something that braced +and exhilarated one in the struggle. + +They had gone about a mile and a half and were near the other side of +the bank when the moon suddenly shone out. The wet sand flashed into +brightness and Whitney distinguished a belt of tossing white that was +blurred and confused in the foreground but grew into regular, foaming +lines farther off. This must be an inlet that pierced the sands; and +on looking round a little he saw a dark mass with a pole rising from +it some distance away. He touched Andrew and they made for the object. + +Whitney imagined it to be a perch, a spar built into a pile of stones +for a beacon. He did not expect to find anything of interest there, +but the pole had been raised by human hands, and made a landmark in +the storm-swept waste. It brought him into touch with his fellow men +in a spot where the strife of wind and sea was daunting. As they got +nearer, however, he saw that he had been mistaken. The pole was too +thick for a perch, and the black mass below did not consist of stones. +Jagged timbers stuck out from the sand like the ribs of a skeleton, +but in one place they were clothed with planks and supported a mast. +It was obviously a wreck they were approaching. + +They stopped to lee of the vessel, and Whitney was glad to get his +breath as he studied her. She appeared to have been a schooner of +about two hundred tons, but her after part and mainmast were gone. +The fore end, however, had escaped destruction, and although the +foremast slanted ominously and the topmast and yards had fallen, it +still defied the storms. Standing beneath the swell of the bows, the +men were out of the wind and could make their voices heard. + +"Now I see why I didn't notice a perch on the chart, though I once saw +the spar as we came down this side of the Firth," Whitney said. "It's +curious they didn't mark the wreck." + +"She wasn't here when the last survey was made. A coaster loaded with +coal. Somebody tried to get her cargo out, but I understand had to +give it up." + +Whitney had got his breath, but was silent for a time. He had camped +in the silent Canadian forests and by frozen lakes on the vast snowy +plains, but he did not think he ever had seen anything so savage and +desolate as this strip of surf-beaten sand with the wreck in its +midst. Men had hewn her timbers with skilful toil; but the sea had +shattered them, and now seemed to challenge all attempts to dispute +its power. Whitney was not unduly imaginative, but he felt depressed +and somewhat daunted. It was an eerie spot to linger in at midnight in +a gale of wind. + +"The fo'castle doesn't seem broken up. Can we get on board?" he said. + +"We'll try," Andrew replied. + +Climbing up by the fragments of planking attached to a rib, they +reached a strip of deck. It sloped sharply, but Andrew, grasping the +ragged bulwark, looked up. + +"The iron forestay's holding the mast, and there's a couple of blocks +slung round the top," he said. "If it wasn't blowing quite so hard, +I'd go up for them." Then he caught a thin rope that ran down from +the blocks. "Good signal-halyard; I'd like to take it back, but I +didn't bring my knife." + +Whitney felt amused. Andrew could seldom resist the temptation of +picking up anything that might be of use on board his yacht. Indeed, +her forecastle was cumbered with what Whitney called truck. + +They moved forward a few paces and stopped by two curved beams that +rose above a black hole. + +"The remains of the fo'castle hatch. I wonder what it's like below," +Andrew said. + +Kneeling on the wet deck, he struck a match, which blew out; but the +next burned for a moment or two, and Whitney saw the light flicker on +dripping planks and bulging beams. It was obvious that the water +flowed into the vessel and he wondered at Andrew's curiosity. The dark +hole did not look inviting and he was anxious to return to the yacht +in good time. Still, it was bitterly cold standing in the wind. + +"We'll go and see, but I'll let you drop down first," he said. + +Andrew seized the carline-beam and vanished through the gap. There was +a splash below, and he called to Whitney to be careful how he came +down. As this was impossible, Whitney let go the beam and, touching +the vessel's keelson with his foot, fell against her planking. It +jarred him, but he got up and Andrew struck another match and stooping +down picked something out of the water that lay among the timbers. + +"A bit of candle!" he exclaimed. "It's going to burn." + +It did so after he had scraped off some smoldering wick and stuck it +on a massive oak knee. The wrecked bulwarks broke the wind, for only +draughts came down, and the light spread about the forecastle. There +was some sand in the vessel's bottom, and the floor and ceilings had +gone. Nothing remained but the heavy timbers and the planks bolted +fast to them. A few shrimps sped up and down a pool and a small crab +that made a crackling noise crawled into a corner. Andrew examined the +beams and knees with interest. + +"These old vessels were very well built," he said. "They used picked +material, cutting out the sapwood and seeing that the grain followed +the curve where there was any shape. She broke up aft in pounding with +the coal on board, but now that it's gone, this part of her may stand +a long time. Good, salted oak will last for many years under water." + +"How did they get the coal away?" Whitney asked. + +"They didn't get much. I wasn't here when they tried to salve it, but +I believe they used carts." + +"Then you can reach land at low water?" + +"They must have been able to reach it then, though I'm not sure you +could do so now, because the channels are continually changing. It's +possible they had to drive through water that may have got deeper +since; and the tide would not allow them much time for work. I dare +say that stopped the undertaking; and haulage would be expensive, +because it's two or three miles from the beach." + +"How long is it since they let up?" + +"About two years; I can't say exactly." Andrew stopped to light his +pipe, and then asked with a smile: "Do you think of trying for the +coal?" + +"I was wondering whether the men who quit the business left that +candle. Would a candle burn after rolling about for two years in salt +water?" + +"I don't know; it's an interesting point," Andrew replied +thoughtfully, and moved toward a timber from which he scraped a patch +of grease. "It was stuck on here when it was used and that must have +been after she took the sharp list. If she'd been upright, the flame +would have scorched the knee and I see no sign of that." + +"Would she list over when she struck the bank?" + +Andrew knitted his brows as if the question were an important one. + +"I'm not sure. She'd have a full cargo, and these vessels are built +with flat floors to lie on the ground. It's only westerly breezes that +drive much broken water up the Firth, and though she lists to the +east, she hasn't gone very far over yet." + +"In short, the chances are that she stood nearly upright when they +were working at the coal." + +"Yes," said Andrew gravely, "I think she did." + +Whitney was silent for a moment or two, listening to the turmoil of +the sea and the uproar of the gale that filled the shadowy hold with +confused sound, through which came the steady trickle of water running +out on the sand. He felt that the wreck had a secret. + +"You must see what I'm getting after," he said. "It looks as if +somebody had been here since the salvers gave her up." + +Andrew nodded. + +"The blocks on the masthead are not the kind they'd use for heaving +cargo out; besides, they'd want a gaff. Then the signal-halyard felt +quite sound." + +"If you wanted to get on board, would you take a whammel boat?" + +"It depends. A whammeler couldn't get alongside if it was blowing from +the west; and since the tide runs out fast she'd have to leave early +on the ebb. If she came on the flood, the wreck would soon be +covered." + +"Then anybody who meant to get on board would, if possible, walk +across the sands, which narrows things down. Now we come to another +point. Why would anybody wish to board her?" + +Andrew said nothing for a minute and then answered thoughtfully: + +"Of course, I've seen where you were leading. The signal-halyard would +lift the steel triangle they use with a wireless installation, and +they'd get some height at the masthead. Besides, messages travel +farthest at night; and the operator wouldn't be seen crossing the +sands. I don't know whether he could carry the necessary apparatus, +but he might hide it in a watertight box. The candle will be out in a +minute, so we can't look." + +"You don't know yet if he could cross the sands." + +"That's true. I'm going to find out. You had better climb up while the +light lasts." + +Whitney reached the deck with some difficulty, and it was dark below +when Andrew joined him. + +"We haven't much time to lose if we're to see whether it's possible to +get here from the beach." + +They dropped over the side and set off across the bank. The wind +buffeted them and driving sand rattled on their oilskins. Whitney +hoped that Andrew was going straight, because the moon was obscured +again, and the Solway tide rises remarkably fast. For a time they saw +nothing but shallow pools in winding hollows and balls of foam that +seemed half solidified as they blew along the ground. Whitney thought +it must be past low-water, but Andrew trudged quietly on and he made +no protest. At last they came to a broad stream of water, and he noted +with mixed feelings that there was no way of getting round. He was not +sorry that it threatened to stop their advance; but his comrade was +not easily daunted and might try to wade across. + +"As there's not likely to be another big gutter between us and the +beach, it would be a pity to turn back now," Andrew shouted. + +"I'll wait and see how you get on," Whitney replied. + +Andrew plunged in and was soon knee-deep. When he had gone a few yards +farther, the water splashed about the skirts of his oilskin jacket and +he came out. + +"We might have crossed, but the bottom's soft, and there's some +stream," he said. + +"Which way is it running?" + +"Up, but not very fast yet." + +"Then we're going back at once," Whitney said firmly. + +They started, and Whitney did his best as he heard the growl of the +surf grow louder. It would be remarkably unpleasant to find themselves +cut off from the dinghy, and there were several gutters to be crossed, +with the tide steadily running up. Andrew seemed to realize this, for +he went on a quick trot, the water pumping into his sea-boots. It was +easier to make progress with the gale behind them, and Whitney felt +relieved when they passed the wreck at some distance. Andrew was +heading straight across the sands, though Whitney could not tell what +he was steering by. After a time, they came to a stretch of water that +widened as they splashed through, but when they had floundered across +the soft sand at its edge and reached a higher level they were +comparatively safe. Breathing hard, they made their way across firmer +ground, and Whitney was conscious of keen satisfaction when he saw the +dinghy lying a few yards from the glistening water. + +When they had launched her, the wind blew them towards the _Rowan_, +and they were soon on board. She was riding easier, and would continue +to do so for a while. + +"Have you decided whether it's possible to wade out to the wreck?" +Whitney asked as they took off their wet oilskins. + +"I think it is," said Andrew. "There was about three feet of water in +the gutter that turned us back; but the tides are low now and don't +run out very far. As they get higher, the gutter would dry toward the +last of the ebb." + +"The last of the ebb on a big tide would be between five and seven +o'clock, and it would be dark then, night and morning," Whitney +remarked. "This means that, supposing there was a wireless +installation, it could be used only at fixed intervals; roughly +speaking, it wouldn't be available one week out of two." + +"Yes," said Andrew. "It rather upsets the supposition, but we may find +out something more." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A FAIR ALLY + + +It was bright afternoon, and Elsie sat beside a tea-table on the lawn +at Appleyard, with Williamson standing beside her. The days were +getting short, but the screen of stiff silver-firs kept off the light +wind, and strong sunshine warmed the air. It was what the Scot calls a +pet day; one borrowed from a finer season, and to be made the most of +when winter was close at hand. Madge Whitney lay in a canvas lounge +nearer the shelter of the trees, talking to Andrew, and several young +men and women stood about the tennis net across the lawn. They seemed +to be engaged in a good-humored dispute and their laughter followed a +remark of Dick's. + +Williamson glanced at his companion and saw that her eyes were fixed +upon the boy. They were grave, and her expression was preoccupied, but +he did not see the softness he had expected. Indeed, her interest in +Dick was puzzling, because he did not think it was altogether +accounted for by the hints Staffer had given him, and this was a point +upon which he wished to be enlightened. Williamson knew something +about women, but, for the most part, they were not women of very high +character. With these he was not a favorite, although he was a clever +talker and his manners were good. + +"You do play tennis sometimes," Elsie said after a silence. + +Williamson smiled. Her meaning was obvious. + +"Oh, yes, but one feels lazy now and then; and I imagined you let me +stay because you wanted to talk to me! Was I wrong?" + +"No," answered Elsie; and he noted her unmoved calm. + +She was young, but he had not expected shy hesitation or forced +boldness from her. He was, however, surprised when she said nothing +for the next minute; for he had usually found that an inexperienced +antagonist shirks the strain of silence. Then he indicated Dick, who +had just returned a difficult ball. + +"He plays a good game." + +"Dick does a number of things pretty well, although there's none at +which he really excels. I don't know which is the more useful--" + +"You like a man to have some salient point of skill or character that +those who know him can rely upon?" + +He noticed her glance wander and did not know that she was half +instinctively looking for Andrew, but it rested again on Dick, +brooding but calm. Williamson saw that she felt no keen animosity +against himself. She knew or suspected that they were, in some +respects, opponents, but this did not make her vindictive. She would +take the course she had determined on without hating him. This +indicated strength of character, but it was too detached an attitude +for a young girl fighting for her lover. + +"Dick looks better than he did," he remarked to give her an opening. + +"Yes," said Elsie, fixing her eyes quietly on his face; "very much +better than he did when he came home from town." + +Williamson admired her courage. + +"For which you held me to blame!" he said. + +"Partly to blame." + +"Well, I see you're trying to be fair, though I'm half afraid you +failed. But since you meant to raise this point, I must warn you +against looking at things out of their right perspective. It makes +those in the foreground appear too big." + +"You mean one should not exaggerate their relative importance?" + +"Exactly. You must, for example, allow for the exhilarating effect a +change of air has on a young man fresh from the country who spends a +few days in town. Remember that Dick leads a very quiet and monotonous +life at Appleyard." + +"A sober life is much the best for him." + +Williamson wondered whether she spoke with naïve girlish prudery; if +not, there was something he ought to know. + +"Perhaps it's best for everybody; but we don't all like it, and a +change is bracing," he answered with a smile. "I suppose you are +looking at the thing from the moral standpoint." + +"Not exclusively. Dick will soon be master at Appleyard, and that will +bring him duties he ought to be fitting himself for. Then you may not +know that he is not very strong." + +"I guessed something of the kind, but a few late nights and a little +excitement can't do much harm." + +Elsie looked at him with thoughtful eyes. + +"Possibly not, in most cases, but they are bad for Dick." + +"If you would be quite frank it would help." Williamson was anxious to +learn why quietness was necessary for the lad. "We might get on better +if we understood each other." + +"Have I not been frank? You could hardly have expected me to say as +much as I have, even. But I am not Dick's doctor." + +Williamson felt baffled, but he would not show it. + +"You feel that I ought to have looked after Dick better. I think +that's hardly just, because I have, of course, no control over him." + +"You are an older man, and he is easily led. A hint would have gone a +long way, and he doesn't resent good-humored firmness from those he +likes." + +"You suggest that he likes me?" + +"One can't tell," said Elsie in a quiet voice. + +"Well, you must see how awkwardly I'm placed. I can't defend myself +without attacking Dick, and you wouldn't like that. Suppose I hinted +that he insisted on following his bent although I tried to restrain +him?" + +"Did you?" + +Williamson hesitated, which was an unusual thing. He had no +sentimental respect for girlish inexperience, but he could not make +the direct statement that would have cleared him. He reflected with a +touch of ironical amusement that Elsie would not be deceived. + +"It was really difficult to interfere, but I did try a tactful hint," +he said with an indulgent air. "Perhaps the way you regard the thing +is natural and deserves some sympathy, but I must say I feel a little +hurt. It looks as if you thought I had some object in encouraging Dick +to be extravagant and rash." + +"No; I can't see what you would gain," Elsie replied thoughtfully. + +"Well, that's some relief; but what do you want now? A promise that, +at the risk of offending him, I'll be very firm in future?" + +Elsie was silent for a moment and then looked at him calmly. + +"I don't think I will ask you for this," she said. + +She rose, and Williamson turned away, feeling somewhat annoyed with +himself. Elsie had not asked for his promise, because she thought it +would not be kept. He had failed to convince her, and her opposition +must be reckoned with. Then, what she had said about excitement being +bad for Dick had roused his keen curiosity. The girl was inexperienced +and had used no artifice, but he did not think she could have played +her part better. Staffer apparently believed that she and Andrew +Johnstone were not important; but Williamson thought him mistaken. +While he crossed the lawn Madge Whitney watched him with a smile. + +"That man," she remarked to Andrew, "has just got a set down, but I +imagine Elsie has been wasting her time." + +"It looks as if you knew what they had been talking about," Andrew +replied. + +Madge's eyes twinkled. + +"Why, of course I do! You must remember that I've been here a week, +noticing things. Elsie doesn't like the man, and the only reason she +could have for talking to him confidentially is that she wanted to +warn him to keep his hands off Dick. But I don't think he will." + +"Ah!" Andrew said sharply. "It's curious that you--" + +"Shall I finish what you meant to say? It's curious that although I +haven't had much opportunity for seeing what is going on, I should +agree with the conclusion you have come to after mature deliberation. +Well, if you're afraid of complimenting me on my cleverness, you can +account for it by remembering that I'm an American. Of course, this +doesn't make me anything the less of an outsider." + +"I didn't mean that you were an outsider." + +"Perhaps you didn't. It was your Scottish reserve that made you hate +to talk about your family affairs; but Jim, who counts you as his +partner, has told me something. Then I don't mind telling you that I +like you and admire what you are trying to do. However, we'll keep to +the point. Williamson is leading your cousin into extravagance with +some object." + +"I believe that's true," Andrew agreed quietly. "After all, you were +right to some extent, about my reserve; but now if you can help me +I'll be very glad. It isn't an easy job I have undertaken." + +"Very well. I'll begin by telling you something. The evening +Williamson arrived, I was coming down to dinner before the rest--I +afterward found my watch was fast. When I got to the gallery at the +top of the stairs I stopped; it's rather dark where you come out of +the passage, you know. Dick was standing by the fire in the hall and +his manner indicated that he was waiting for somebody. As I hesitated, +Williamson came out of the opposite passage and went downstairs, but +his quick glance around showed he wanted to be sure there was nobody +but Dick about. I saw Dick's face, and it was eager. Williamson gave +him two or three bits of paper that looked like bank-notes." + +"If Dick had given them to Williamson, I could have understood it +better," Andrew interrupted. + +"Yes; the explanation would then have been obvious; but what I saw +suggests something graver. Dick went away, looking relieved; but +Williamson moved toward the stairs and then turned back, and a few +moments afterward Staffer came in. He said, 'So you have seen him!'" + +Andrew made an abrupt movement, but said nothing. + +"I suppose you see the significance of this?" Madge said. + +It was plain to Andrew that Staffer had known, and no doubt approved, +of the transaction between Williamson and Dick. + +"Yes; and I feel disturbed about it." + +"Well," continued Madge, "I went back quietly and didn't come down for +some time; but I watched the three men at dinner. Williamson spoke to +Dick as if he had not seen him since he came, and Dick said he was +sorry he wasn't able to meet him at the station. In fact, they rather +overdid it; and Staffer seemed to think so, because he stopped them. +Then, perhaps, because he felt relieved, Dick--" + +"Drank more than usual?" Andrew suggested grimly when she hesitated. +"I noticed that. Well, since you have seen so much, I'm glad to have +you on my side, particularly if you can tell me what I ought to do. +I'll admit that I don't know." + +"I think you should watch and do what seems plainly needful, but +nothing more. Don't try to make clever plans, but take Mackellar into +your confidence." + +"You haven't met him," Andrew said in surprise. + +"Jim has, and I know what he thinks of him." + +Andrew took her advice and soon afterward left Appleyard in the +side-car. Whitney let the high-powered bicycle go when they turned +into the main western road, which runs, straight and level, along the +Solway, and they reached Dumfries in an hour. Mackellar had not left +his office and in five minutes Andrew had made the situation plain. +Mackellar pondered it silently for a time, and then looked up. + +"Weel," he said, "it gets interesting and I must set to work. I'll let +ye know when I have anything to report." + +Andrew, knowing his man, was satisfied with this. He and Whitney drove +home at full speed, and arrived before their absence had been noticed. +Williamson left the next morning, and Madge Whitney a few days +afterward, and nothing of importance happened during the following +week; but Mackellar had, in the meantime, been carrying out a plan +that was to have some influence upon Williamson's affairs. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A BARGAIN + + +There was no Sunday delivery of letters, and one Monday morning +Williamson sat rather anxiously watching the road outside a small +country house beside the Tweed. One of the tall gateposts at the end +of the drive had sunk to a slant and the gravel had not been rolled or +raked for some time. The borders round the lawn hinted at economy in +bedding out and gardener's hire, and the old house had a dilapidated +look. These things were significant and explained why Williamson had +been received there as a paying guest, with the privilege of some +rough shooting and salmon-fishing. + +He could have found cheaper quarters, but the place suited him. For +one thing, his residence there gave him a certain standing in the +country, and his host, a decayed Scottish gentleman, was getting old +and left him alone. He could go and come as he liked without exciting +remark, and the people he met were well bred and not imaginative. +Since he had been received by his host, they took it for granted that +he was a man one could be friendly with. + +The postman at last dismounted from his bicycle at the gate. It is +customary in that neighborhood to meet the post, but Williamson sat +still, as if he did not expect any letters. The man gave him three +before he went on to the house, and Williamson put them down and +carelessly lighted his pipe. He had learned to exercise caution in +such details, though he felt disturbed as he recognized the writing. + +The first curtly reminded him that payment for the hire of a motor car +was two months overdue. The second enclosed a statement of a +fashionable tailor's account, which included an expensive fur coat; +but there was no difference in the hand. Williamson knew it well; +indeed, he had two or three similar demands in his pocket. Each ended +with an intimation that unless payment were made within a specified +time, proceedings would be taken to enforce it. + +Williamson put down the notes and vacantly looked about. Not far away, +the Tweed, sparkling in the sunshine, ran through a wooded hollow +where beeches gleamed ruddy-brown among somber firs. Two men with guns +upon their shoulders were crossing the steep stubble that glittered +with melting hoar frost on the breast of a neighboring hill, and a +keeper with a couple of setters stood at the gate. Williamson was to +have gone shooting with his host; but now he must excuse himself, for +he had something of importance to think about. + +His expenses were heavy, for it was important that he should pass for +a sporting man of means, and he was a good shot and skilful with the +salmon rod. As a rule, he had money enough for his needs, but his +supplies had been irregular since the war began, and as he had +luxurious tastes his debts had mounted up. Of late, his creditors had +grown impatient, but it was curious they should all have asked the +same lawyer to enforce their claims. This could not have happened by +coincidence. It looked as if somebody, who must have taken a good +deal of trouble to investigate his affairs, meant to put some pressure +on him. This was alarming, for several reasons; and as he could not +pay his debts in the time allowed, he determined to call upon the +lawyer and see what he could find out. + +There was, however, another matter that demanded attention, and as he +took up a letter with the Newcastle postmark the Tweed drew his eyes +again. It reminded him of a wider river with older associations; a +river where terraced vineyards rose steeply from the waterside, +instead of the rounded Scottish hills, and barges slowly floating past +ancient towns. His expression changed and grew resolute as he thought +of it. + +Opening the envelope he found, as he expected, a short note folded +round a letter. The note said that he would, no doubt, like to hear +how Jack was getting on in Holland, and ended with a few references to +mutual acquaintances. The letter was of some length, and narrated in +gossiping style its writer's business journey to several Dutch towns. +Williamson, however, knew that there was more in it than met the eye, +and he went to excuse himself from joining the shooting party. After +this, he spent some time studying the letter in his room, and when he +had burned it he went at once to the station. + +Leaving the train at an old country town, he called at the lawyer's +office and was received by a suave elderly gentleman. + +"It was my unpleasant duty to send you these notices," the lawyer said +with an apologetic air. "I appreciate your prompt response, and expect +the little matter will now be put right. You must admit that the +creditors have exercised some patience." + +"But don't mean to do so any longer, eh? That is really what I came to +see about." + +"Of course you understand that the war has made money tight. My +clients inform me that they find themselves compelled to press for +outstanding accounts and to take a course that in a happier state of +things they would not employ." + +"Then I am to understand that these notices will be acted upon?" + +"I think you can take that for granted," the lawyer answered in a +deprecatory tone. "However, there is a way in which you can obviate +all trouble to yourself and me--I mean by paying what is due at once." + +Williamson looked at him with a grim smile. + +"It sounds simple, but there are difficulties. Now, I can pay these +bills, but not in the time mentioned. Have you power to extend it?" + +"No; but if you will make me an offer I will consult my clients." + +"That would cause some delay. As I want the matter settled, I would +prefer to call upon the man who has brought it to a head. Will you +tell me his name?" + +Williamson had hoped to catch the lawyer off his guard, but his amused +expression showed him that he had failed. + +"There are several names. You know the people." + +"Of course; but suppose you admit that I have some intelligence and +try to look at the matter from my point of view." + +"It would be difficult, for the want of practise," the lawyer answered +dryly. "I have no debts." + +"Still, if you had several creditors who lived in different places and +simultaneously put their claims into the hands of one particular +lawyer, what would you think?" + +"It might be accounted for very simply. I believe I am known as a +businesslike, trustworthy man." + +"I don't doubt it; but I suspect another explanation. There is +somebody behind these people who has persuaded them to stop my credit +or has bought up the debts. He must have a reason for this, and if I +could talk it over privately with him, it would simplify things." + +"I'm not so sure that follows," said the lawyer. "All I can tell you +is that the bills have been sent to me for collection and unless they +are met I shall reluctantly be forced to--" + +"Just so," Williamson interrupted. "At present, I cannot say whether +they will be met or not. I'm afraid we must leave it at that. And now, +good day." + +A clerk politely showed him out; and he reached the station in time to +catch an Edinburgh train. There was no one else in the compartment he +entered, and he sat in a corner, thinking hard. Though he had not +learned much he felt that he was right in his surmise. Some one was +trying to put pressure on him through his creditors. His first guess +at his unknown antagonist's object caused him serious alarm; but after +some reflection he dismissed it with relief as improbable and sought +for another explanation. + +To begin with, he must first discover the identity of his enemy. His +suspicions centered on Appleyard. Andrew Johnstone was certainly +hostile, on his cousin's account; and it was possible that he had been +helped by Mackellar, whom Williamson had met at Appleyard. He +determined to see Mackellar; but he could not do so until next day, +for a more important matter demanded attention first. + +Getting out at the Waverley station, he took a cable tram, and, +leaving it on the outskirts of the city, walked on to Leith. Here at +dusk he met a man dressed like a sailor, and spent an hour with him in +the back room of a public house. When they came out the sailor +disappeared in the darkness and Williamson returned to Edinburgh, +where he dined and slept at a fashionable hotel. The next morning he +went to Glasgow, and left it shortly after his arrival by a train +which took him to Dumfries. It was not without a reason he had +traveled by three different railways. Williamson generally tried to +cover his tracks. + +After lunch at the station hotel, he walked down the narrow High +Street and stopped at a garage, to order a motorcycle to be ready in +half an hour. Then, by an indirect route, he went to Mackellar's +offices. + +As it happened, Mackellar was then talking to Andrew and Whitney in +his private room, and he smiled as he showed them Williamson's card. + +"Maybe ye had better ask Mr. Davies to let ye out by the back," he +said. "If ye call again in half an hour, I may have some news." + +"I wonder how Williamson got here?" Andrew said when they reached the +street. "There's no train that connects with the North British." + +"Came in a car, perhaps," Whitney suggested. "Somehow, I'd like to +know. Let's try our garage; everybody puts up there." + +They went to the garage and Whitney began to make an unnecessary +adjustment to the engine of his side-car. + +"I suppose Mr. Williamson comes here when he's in town?" he said to a +man at work near by. + +"Yes," the man answered. "He's in town the noo." + +"Did Mr. Staffer bring him in his car?" + +"She's no' in the yard, and Mr. Williamson's for Castle Douglas." The +man indicated the motorcycle on which he was working. "I'm tightening +her up for the run; no' that she needs it much. Mr. Williamson kens a +good machine and always asks for her." + +"Is there anything doing at Castle Douglas to-day?" + +"No' that I've heard of. He's for the moors, I'm thinking. There's a +gun-case to be strapped on the carrier; but if ye're wanting to see +him ye must leave word at the office. I'll be away at another job +before he comes in." + +"It doesn't matter; we may meet him," Whitney answered carelessly; and +he and Andrew strolled away. + +"Well," he said, "we have learned something! It seems Williamson's in +the habit of hiring a motorcycle here. Has he any friends in Galloway +who might give him some shooting?" + +"None that I know of," Andrew replied with a puzzled look. + +"I guess you noted that he makes a curious choice of a machine. She's +good--I know that make--but I can't see why he picks a single-cylinder +lightweight when they've several full-powered machines on the stand. +Looks as if he expected he'd have to wheel her. What's the Castle +Douglas road like?" + +"It's the highway to the west, and we keep our main roads in good +order." + +"You certainly do," Whitney agreed. "But I stick to my opinion that +he has some particular reason for choosing a light machine." He +hesitated a moment. "I don't want to butt in, and as the fellow's a +family friend, it's delicate ground; but if you feel you'd like a run +through Galloway--" + +"Perhaps we'd better go; but we'll see first what Mackellar has to +say." + +They walked down to the bridge foot, to pass the time; and in the +meanwhile Mackellar received Williamson. + +"You wished to see me?" he said. + +Williamson took out the bills and the lawyer's letters and put them on +Mackellar's desk. + +"I wonder whether you know anything about these?" + +"I know the gentleman who seems to have charge of the matter. Why do +you ask?" + +"Because I prefer to deal with the principal instead of an agent. It +saves time, and one arrives at an understanding easier." + +"In this case there's no great difficulty. Ye have only to pay the +bills." + +"Precisely," agreed Williamson. "They can be paid--that's worth +noting--but not just yet." + +Mackellar understood this as a hint that the power Williamson's debts +gave his antagonist was only temporary. + +"In the meantime, ye might be put to some inconvenience," he replied. +"One cannot proceed against a man for debt without publicity, which is +apt to be damaging, and unpleasant to his friends." + +"Exactly. That is what I want to avoid." + +"And yet ye cannot pay the bills! Weel, ye are doubtless aware that +one gets nothing for nothing, and since ye must ask for some delay, +what could ye offer by way of consideration?" + +"To begin with, I should like to hear what the principal, the man who +stands behind my creditors, wants." Williamson paused and added +meaningly: "I think you know." + +Mackellar was silent for a few moments. + +"I'll no' deny it," he then said. "Would ye be willing to produce the +notes of hand and the long-date bills Dick Johnstone has given ye and +cancel them on payment of the money lent with current interest up to +date? If ye insist, we might allow a little more interest, because ye +took some risk." + +"I'd be willing to give up one or two," Williamson answered with some +hesitation. + +"But no' the rest, which are no' in your hands?" + +"I suppose I must admit that. But what did you mean by saying I took a +risk?" + +"We'll talk of that again. Are ye willing to give your word that ye'll +lend Mr. Johnstone no more money, make no fresh bet with him, and no' +help him to negotiate a loan?" + +"Is that all?" Williamson asked with a touch of sarcasm. + +"I think the matter could be arranged on the terms I have laid down." + +On the whole Williamson was conscious of relief. To do as Mackellar +asked would place him in an embarrassing position, but he had been +afraid of something much worse. + +"It needs thought," he said. + +"Then I will give ye five minutes; but it may help ye to decide if I +explain why ye took a risk. Ye're maybe aware that there's legislation +about a minor's debts." + +"Dick Johnstone would not make that excuse for disowning his +obligations." + +"I'm no' sure ye would have to deal with him," said Mackellar +meaningly. "Dick has no doubt been borrowing money on promises to pay +when Appleyard is his. Weel, it's no' certain that he'll live until he +gets possession." + +"Nor may the lenders, for that matter!" + +"Verra true," Mackellar agreed. "For a' that, the chances against +Dick's reaching twenty-one are greater than usual. It seems ye do not +know that two doctors would not pass him for the army." + +"On what grounds?" Williamson asked with some sharpness. + +"A weak heart that might stop the first time he was over-excited or +over-exerted himself." + +Williamson was silent for some moments. He knew Dick was not strong; +but Staffer, who must have known the truth, had not told him how grave +the danger was. + +"Still, suppose the worst happened. The new owner would not repudiate +his kinsman's debts." + +"Who do ye take the heir to be?" + +"Staffer." + +Mackellar looked at him with dry amusement. + +"Did he tell ye so?" + +"No," Williamson said thoughtfully. "I can't remember that he ever did +say that exactly, but I was led to understand from the beginning +that--" + +"Appleyard would be his? Weel, perhaps I may tell ye something about +the family's affairs. Dick's father left the house and land to the +lad, with a reversion to the next o' kin, in case he died before +inheriting. Mistress Johnstone got a separate portion and power to +manage the estate for her son's benefit until he came of age, subject +to the approval of the executors. She could appoint a guardian for the +lad, to superintend his education, but she could not alienate a yard +of land. It was not a will that I approved of, but Mr. Johnstone was +very ill when he made it and did not listen to my objections. Maybe he +hardly expected his widow to marry again. Mr. Staffer, who acted as +steward for his wife, now acts for Dick; but there his interest ends." + +"Then, in the event of Dick's death, who gets the estate?" + +"Andrew Johnstone." + +Williamson got a double shock. Staffer, whom he had regarded as the +next heir, had not been straight with him; and he knew that Andrew +would be difficult to deal with. Besides, if Dick did reach twenty-one +Staffer's influence would cease. Mackellar was right: a serious risk +attended the discounting of bills by which Dick raised money for +gambling and similar extravagances. Since Staffer had played him a +shabby trick in leaving him in ignorance, Williamson need not consider +him and could look after his own interests. + +"Very well," he said, "I'm ready to give you the promise you want if +we can come to terms." + +"Then I'll pay off any notes of Dick's that ye may bring me, with +interest at two per cent. above the bank rate. If this will not enable +ye to satisfy your creditors, I'll engage that they will give ye +another six months." + +"It's enough," said Williamson. "But of course you see that when I +have satisfied them your hold on me has gone." + +Mackellar smiled. + +"Verra true; but I believe I've shown ye that it would be wiser to +leave Dick alone. I'm thinking ye have sense enough to take a hint and +keep your word." + +"You'll find that I mean to do so," Williamson replied. + +Soon after he went out, Andrew and Whitney returned. Mackellar told +them what Williamson had promised, and added: + +"The man might have been dangerous, but we need not fear any further +trouble from him. There are two points worth noting, though I cannot +tell whether they concern us or not. He's anxious to avoid anything +that might damage his credit and make him leave this part of the +country; and he expects some money before long. Can ye account for +this?" + +They discussed the matter for a few minutes; and then Andrew and +Whitney hurried back to the garage. + +"Our man must be some distance ahead," Whitney said. "We may even lose +him." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +TRAILING THE MOTORCYCLE + + +For a few minutes Whitney's machine turned in and out of narrow +streets between rows of tall, old houses, and then went cautiously +down the dip to the Nith. There was some traffic on the bridge, and +when they had crossed, carts encumbered the road on the Galloway side. +Whitney fumed at the delay; but he opened out his engine as they +entered a stretch of open road, and the wind began to fan Andrew's +face. + +For a mile in front of them the river-plain ran level, the stubble +shining yellow among squares of pasture and the dark green of +turnip-fields; then a ridge of hills rose steeply across their way. +The sun that flooded the valley with mellow light was getting low, and +while the trees upon the summit of the ridge stood out sharply +distinct, the wooded slopes were steeped in soft blue shadow. + +"Looks like a climb," Whitney remarked. "I suppose we go right up +there?" + +"Maxwellton braes," said Andrew. "I expect you have heard of then. +It's an easy gradient up a long glen." + +"Then sit tight, and we'll rush her up on the top gear." + +The dust whirled behind them, and the cropped hedgerows spun past; +they swung giddily round a curve at a bridge, and the throb of the +engine grew louder as they breasted the hill. Dark firs streamed down +to meet them; here and there a leafless birch and an oak that gleamed +like burnished copper swept by. There was a tinkle of running water in +the wood; and, now that they were out of the sunshine, the air felt +keen. Ahead, the ascending road unrolled like a white riband through +faint, shifting lights and lilac shadow. + +Soon the glen ran out into a wide hollow that led westward across a +tableland. Low, green hills with gently rounded tops shut off the +rugged moors beyond; the shallow vale was cultivated and tame, but the +road was good, and Andrew felt the thrill of speed. Long fields and +stone dykes swept behind into the trail of dust. The sun sank toward a +bank of slate-colored cloud; its rays raked the valley, throwing the +black shadows of the scattered ash-trees far across the fields. + +Andrew kept his eyes fixed steadily upon the road. This ran, for the +most part, straight and level; but, though they were traveling very +fast, there was no speeding streak of dust ahead. + +After a time a long white village rose from the rolling pasture; and +when they ran in among the low houses Whitney pulled up. There was a +smith's shop by the roadside, and a man stood outside, holding a +cartwheel, while another moved a glowing iron hoop amid the flame of a +circular fire. + +"You have been watching that tire heat for a while, I guess," said +Whitney. + +"Lang enough," the other answered. "She's no' stretching weel." + +"Then have you seen a small, black motorcycle pass?" + +"No; there was a big gray yin, an' anither with a side-car." + +"How long have you been outside?" + +"Maybe twenty minutes; maybe a few mair." + +"Thanks," said Whitney; and started the motorcycle. + +"It's curious. He's traveling light, but I don't think a +single-cylinder engine could beat the machine I'm driving by a quarter +of an hour. Anyhow, I'll try to speed her up." + +The sunlight faded off the grass as they raced away; the slaty clouds +rolled higher up the sky; and the wind that whipped their faces bit +keen. Andrew was swung to and fro in the rocking car, and sometimes +felt uneasy when his comrade dashed furiously round the bends; but for +most of the way the road ran straight, and they could see nothing on +the long, white streak ahead. After a time they came to a narrow loch, +ruffled by the wind, that lay in a lonely, grassy waste, and as they +ran past the thin wood on its edge Andrew asked Whitney to stop. + +"A motor scout," he said, indicating a man in uniform who rode +leisurely toward them on a bicycle. + +The scout dismounted when they called to him, and said he had left +Castle Douglas an hour before and had kept to the main road, but had +not seen a single-cylinder motorcycle. They let him go and Whitney +lighted a cigarette. + +"Now," he said, "we have to think. Our man pulled out for Castle +Douglas, but hasn't gone there; my notion is that he didn't mean to. +Where's he likely to have headed?" + +"It's hard to tell. A road runs northwest to New Galloway, but I can't +see what would take him there. It's a small place on the edge of the +moors." + +"And right away from the Eskdale road!" Whitney ejaculated, looking +hard at him. + +"Well," said Andrew quietly, "I'll admit I thought of that." + +"As a matter of fact, you've been thinking of something like it for +quite a time." + +Andrew was silent for a moment or two. + +"There was a chance of my being mistaken," he said slowly. "However, I +now feel that it's my duty to get upon the fellow's track, if I can." + +"Would you rather I dropped out?" + +Andrew knew that the suggestion was prompted by delicacy, but he made +a negative sign. + +"After all, you know something, and may as well know the rest--if +there is anything more to learn. Besides, you're quicker than I am in +several ways, and I might want you." + +"When you do, you'll find me ready," Whitney answered. "But we'll get +back to business. Which way do you suppose he's gone?" + +"On the whole, I think south toward Dalbeattie; it's nearer the +Solway. As it might be better to follow the road he'd take, we'll have +to run back nearly to Dumfries." + +"That's all right," said Whitney. "Get in. She seems to be feeling +particularly good to-day, and I'm going to let her hum." + +They raced back eastward while the distant hills turned gray in front +of them. Then they turned sharply to the south, and soon the road +skirted a railway line. Whitney got down when they reached a station. + +"Have you seen a small, black motorcycle?" he asked a lounging porter. + +"Yes; I mind her because I thought she was running verra hard for a +wee machine. If yon man's a friend o' yours, ye'll no' catch him +easy." + +"When did he pass?" + +"It would be about five minutes after the Stranraer goods cam' +through, and that's an hour ago." + +Whitney ran back to his machine and jumped into the saddle. + +"We're on his trail, but he must have come straight and fast from +Dumfries. Well, we'll get after him." + +The car leaped forward as the clutch took hold; dykes and trees swept +down the road; and Criffell's bold ridge rose higher against the +eastern sky. Here and there a loch gleamed palely in the desolate +tableland, and in the distance a river caught the fading light, but +the cloud-bank was spreading fast and the west getting dim. At last +they saw from the top of a rise a gray haze stretched across a hollow, +and Andrew told his comrade that it was the smoke of Dalbeattie. Then +a man with a spade and barrow came into view on the slope of another +hill, and Andrew asked Whitney to stop. The man was cutting back the +grass edges on the roadside; he had not seen a bicycle of the kind +they described. + +"How long have you been here?" Andrew asked. + +"Since seven o'clock this morning." + +Whitney started the car slowly, and pulled up when the roadmender was +hidden behind the hill. + +"We want to talk this over," he said. "Williamson left the road +between the station and where we met the man. We know he hasn't gone +west or farther south. What about the east?" + +Andrew glanced at Criffell, which rose between them and the sea. Its +summit cut sharply against the sky, but its slopes were blurred and +gray and the stone dykes that ran toward its foot had lost their +continuity of outline. Two or three miles away, to the southeast, the +mountain ran down in a long ridge. + +"It's obvious that he hasn't gone over the top. He could cross the +shoulder yonder, but he'd have some trouble." + +"He'd have to leave the motorcycle." + +"That's so," said Andrew thoughtfully. "There's an old road between +here and the station and he might reach the moors by what we call a +loaning--a green track that sometimes leads to a farm or cothouse and +sometimes ends in a bog. Of course, if he found one and crossed the +hill on foot, he'd cut the main road from Dumfries round the coast +before he reached the Solway beach." + +"You're taking it for granted that he'd try to make the beach--which +means the wreck." + +"Yes," said Andrew quietly; "I believe it's what he'd do." + +"Well, there are two things to note. He could have gone straight from +Dumfries by a good road on the other side of the mountain, but he +preferred this way and a rough climb across. Then he started for +Castle Douglas, when he might as well have told the garage people he +was going to Dalbeattie. This implies that he'd a pretty good reason +for covering his trail." Whitney paused and looked hard at Andrew. +"Before we go any farther, you have to decide whether you really want +to find out that reason. You can quit the business now, but you may +not be able to do so afterward." + +"I'd rather stop, but I must go on," said Andrew grimly. + +"Very well; we'll try to follow him." + +They drove back, passing the roadmender, who leaned upon his spade +looking after them; and a little while later Whitney pulled up at a +broken gate that hung open. A rough track, grown with grass, led away +from it between loose stone walls. + +"Not intended for automobiles!" Whitney remarked, as he cautiously +steered between the ruts. "Williamson must have found it easier than +we do." + +Andrew nodded. His comrade's eyes were keen, for only a crushed tuft +of grass here and there suggested the track of a bicycle tire. Farther +along they stopped at a gate where the loaning forked. One branch ran +on; the other turned off, and in the distance a lonely white house +showed amidst a clump of bare, wind-bent trees. + +"He would not have gone to the farm," said Whitney. "Jump down and +open the gate." + +They went on again carefully, but after a time the loaning got very +rough and rushes grew across it where the ground was soft. After +narrowly escaping an upset into the ditch on one side, Whitney +stopped. + +"I guess this is as far as she'll take us, and I see a peat-stack +where we could leave her." + +Lifting down a small fir that closed a gap in the wall, they pushed +the motorcycle across a strip of heath and against a pile of turf; +and then they stopped to look about. + +The light was rapidly going and the wind was falling. In front lay a +stretch of moor, seamed by black peat-hags, in some of which water +glistened; beyond the moor rough heather-covered slopes ran up to the +black hillcrest. A curlew whistled overhead, and the sharp cry of a +grouse rose from the darkening heath. Except for this, it was very +still and the landscape looked strangely desolate. Not far ahead a +patch of roof showed faintly among some stunted ash-trees. + +"A cothouse," said Andrew in surprise. + +"We'll look at it," Whitney answered, and started for the building. + +One end had fallen down, but half the thatch remained upon the bending +rafters. The rest had gone, and it was plain that the cot had been +abandoned for a long time. Crossing a ditch by a rotten plank, they +stood knee-deep among withered nettles at the door, and the ruined +walls struck a mournful note in the gathering dark. + +"There's a track here," said Whitney. "I guess the sheep go in." + +He struck a match as they entered, and, avoiding stones and fallen +beams, they made for the door of an inner room. When they reached it, +Whitney struck another match, and smiled as he held it up, for the +light fell upon a single-cylinder motorcycle with a gun-case strapped +to the carrier. + +"Well," he said, "I expected this. If we cross the end of the hill +going southeast, we would strike the sands somewhere abreast of the +wreck?" + +"Yes." + +"How's the tide?" + +"High-water's about one o'clock. That means it's a big tide and, of +course, runs out a long way on the ebb." + +"Then the sands will be dry and there'll be no gutters to cross. Well, +I guess it's a long walk, but we've got to make it. Take your overalls +off." + +Three or four minutes later they left the cothouse and struck across +the heath. There was no track, but Andrew headed for a knoll on the +mountain's sloping shoulder. After they left the level, the heather +grew tall and strong, brushing about their knees and entangling their +feet. Then there were awkward rabbit-holes and granite boulders +scattered about, and they bruised their shins as they laboriously +plodded upward. The light had almost gone, and there was nothing +visible but the stretch of shadowy hillside in front. + +Whitney heard Andrew breathing hard, and imagined that his injured leg +was giving him trouble. + +"Are we rushing it too much?" he asked. + +"I can hold out until we get to the top, and I'll be all right then. +It's gripping the brae with the side of my foot that bothers me." + +He went on without slackening speed, and the slope grew easier and the +light breeze keener. Then the stretch of heather which had shut off +their view suddenly fell away, and they looked down through the soft +darkness on to a vast, black plain. There was nothing to distinguish +land from sea; but a faint cluster of lights that pricked the gloom +like pin-points marked the English-shore, and farther off the +flickering glare of blast-furnaces was reflected in the sky. In the +middle distance, a twinkle showed where the Solway lightship guarded +the fairway through the shoals; but there was no light near them, nor +any sound except the distant murmur of the sea. They stood remote from +the homes of men in the mountain solitude. + +Andrew, stooping behind a mass of granite, struck a match and took out +his watch. + +"We haven't much time to spare. I wish I knew if the lightship yonder +was still riding to the ebb," he said. "There's a burn somewhere below +us and running water is generally a good guide down." + +They went on, floundering through tangled heather and falling into +rabbit-burrows, until the tinkle of water reached them softly. After +that they wound downhill beside the growing burn, past brakes of thorn +and hazel and over banks of stones, until a long wood led them to the +road. Following the wood for a time they went down again through +smooth pasture and turnip-fields and came to a wall that ran along the +beach. The empty space beyond it looked black and lonely, and the +mournful crying of wildfowl came out of the gloom, but at some +distance a beam from a lighthouse cast its reflection upon the sloppy +sand. + +"Can you hit the wreck from here?" Whitney asked. + +"I'll try," said Andrew. "It's a long way, and the tide must be on the +turn." + +They took off their boots, and as they launched out across the dark +level the sand felt sharply cold. Here and there they splashed through +pools, but for the most part the bank was ribbed with hard ridges. The +shore soon vanished; Criffell's black bulk grew blurred and shapeless +against the sky; and they had only the misty beam from the lighthouse +for guide. Whitney, however, imagined that Andrew was going straight, +which was comforting, when they came to a wide depression where water +glimmered. He thought this was the channel that had stopped them +before, and he felt somewhat uneasy as he waded in. There was now no +boat they could retreat to on the other side of the wreck. + +The water, however, hardly covered their ankles; and some time +afterward Andrew touched Whitney's arm as a dim, formless mass rose +from the sand. It got plainer as they cautiously approached it, their +bare feet falling noiselessly, and in a minute or two they stopped and +listened beside the wreck. There was no sound but the drip of water, +and Andrew, grasping a broken beam, swung himself up. Whitney +followed, his nerves tense, his muscles braced; and he held his breath +when he dropped into the forecastle. The next moment a pale light +sprang up, and he saw Andrew holding out a match. The feeble glow +spread along the wet planks and filled the forecastle before the match +went out, and Whitney was more relieved than disappointed to see that +nobody else was there. + +"We have missed him," he said. "Take my box; they're wax and burn +better than the wooden kind." + +Andrew struck another light, and it burned clearer. The candle they +had used and replaced on the last visit had gone, but two or three +matches floated in a pool. He picked them up and Whitney examined them +closely. + +"These are quite fresh," he said. "Looks as if they'd just been +struck, though we can't be sure of that. Extra thick wax, same make as +mine; I got the best I could, because I wanted them to light the +bicycle lamp." + +Then the match burned low, and Andrew threw it down. + +"It proves nothing except that the man who used them wanted a good +article. The make is well known, but in this part of the country you +couldn't find it except at a tobacconist's." + +"That's a point. Anything is good enough for a fisherman or a sailor +to get a light with. The fellow who came here must have meant to have +the best." + +"After all, the matches don't tell us who he is," Andrew said slowly. + +"They don't, but they may help us later. And now we'll hustle for the +beach. It would be awkward if we found the tide running up the +gutter." + +They set off across the sands and waded through the channel without +trouble. Reaching land, they put on their boots and laboriously +struggled up the dark hill. Both were tired when they floundered down +through the heather on the other side, but they found the boggy heath, +and came at last to the cothouse. As they expected, the motorcycle was +no longer there. They trudged on to the peat-stack, and shortly +afterward Whitney started his machine, and with some difficulty kept +out of the ruts and ditches until he turned into the highroad. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE MATCHBOX + + +The dead leaves were driving round Appleyard before a boisterous wind +that lashed the granite walls with bitter rain. A fire had been +lighted in the drawing-room, and Staffer sat talking to his sister. +Mrs. Woodhouse was a quiet woman, generally content to remain in the +background; and the influence she exercised at Appleyard was, as a +rule, negative. She rarely claimed authority, even over her daughter, +or openly interfered, but the things she disapproved of were seldom +done. Now her usually placid face was firm. + +The drawing-room door was open, and she watched Williamson, who stood +near Elsie in the hall. His pose was gracefully easy as he smiled at a +remark of the girl's. He looked suave and well-bred, but Mrs. +Woodhouse's expression hardened. + +"Will that man be here long?" she asked, when Williamson and Elsie +moved away. + +Staffer gave her a quick glance. It was desirable that his relations +with Williamson should be cordial, but of late his guest had shown +some reserve. It was so slight that Staffer, knowing of no cause for +their disagreement, felt it instinctively rather than noticed it by +any particular sign. For all that, something had come between them, +and he wondered whether his sister was to blame for this. + +"It looks as if you didn't wish him to stay," he said. + +"I don't. His society is not good for Dick." + +Staffer smiled, though he was puzzled. On his last visit Williamson +had rather avoided Dick. + +"He can't do him much harm; and, after all, it does not look as if +Dick would marry Elsie, as we once thought was possible." + +"No; Elsie will not marry him, and I would not wish it, if she were +willing." + +Staffer was somewhat surprised. + +"Then why need you bother about him?" he said. "If he indulges in +foolish extravagances, it's his affair." + +She looked at Staffer with a listless expression. + +"I don't think you would understand; but I do not want him to come to +harm." + +"Well, there's something else to talk about. It won't be long before +Dick is his own master, and we must leave Appleyard. This will make a +big difference, because our means are small and Elsie has been taught +no profession. What will she do then, unless she marries somebody?" + +"I do not know," Mrs. Woodhouse answered in a placid tone. + +Staffer mastered his impatience, for his sister sometimes baffled him, +and there was a matter of importance about which he wished to sound +her. + +"I'm sorry you seem to have a prejudice against Williamson. Is it only +on Dick's account?" + +"No; I feel that he may bring trouble to us all. We were happier +before his visits began. There is a difference now at Appleyard, and I +don't like mystery. Why does he call himself Williamson?" + +"Ah! You imagine it is not his name?" + +"I have known for some time that it is not." + +Staffer felt disturbed. His sister had been shrewder than he expected, +and he wondered whether anybody else shared her suspicions; but her +statement gave him the lead he wanted. + +"Well," he said, "I dare say you can see that to use his proper name +just now might make things unpleasant for him." + +"He did not use it when he first came here, and nobody would have +minded it then." + +"I'm not certain; these Scots are prejudiced against foreigners; but +it's hard to see why you should dislike the man because he is one of +us." He paused and looked at her reproachfully. "Have you forgotten +the people you belong to, Gretchen, and where you were born?" + +Mrs. Woodhouse's face was troubled, but there was a hint of firmness +in her voice as she answered. + +"I have not forgotten. But when I married I knew I must choose between +my country and my husband's; one could not belong to both. I chose +his; his people became mine. He was a good man--I think there are not +many like him--and I was happy. When he died, I tried to bring up his +daughter as he would have her." + +"You succeeded. Elsie is a Scot," Staffer remarked with a sneer. + +Something in her face warned him that his sister was not to be moved. +It was seldom she had shown him her deeper feelings, but she had a +mother's heart, against which he could not prevail. She might have +made him a useful if not altogether conscious ally, but that idea must +be dropped. He had been beaten by a fundamental quality in human +nature; and he was half afraid he had said too much. + +"Well," he added, "I'll be content if you treat Williamson as you +would any other guest. You needn't go beyond this, if you'd rather +not." + +She turned and gave him a steady glance. + +"I wish you had nothing to do with him, Arnold--I feel he's dangerous. +But I will be polite to him, so long as he does not harm Dick." + +"That's all I want," said Staffer, turning away. + +He entered the billiard-room where the others had gathered. Elsie was +knitting, Dick and Andrew were playing, and Williamson stood looking +on. Staffer thought this strange, because Andrew did not play well, +and Williamson had generally engaged Dick in a game for a stake. + +"Making stockings now!" Staffer said to Elsie. "Whom is this lot for?" + +"The Border regiment." + +"The men who're lucky enough to get them ought to feel flattered," +Williamson interposed. + +"The brave soldiers are entitled to the best we can send them," Elsie +said staunchly. + +Williamson carelessly examined the work. + +"This is very neat. Knitting's an essentially Scottish accomplishment. +It's useful, which no doubt appeals to a race of utilitarian +character." + +"That's why I like it," Elsie declared. "I am Scottish in all my +habits and feelings, you know." + +Whitney thought there was something defiant in her voice, but he could +not tell whether Williamson noticed it. + +When the game was finished, Whitney took out a cigarette and walked +to a match-holder, which he knew was empty. + +"Will you give me a light?" he asked Williamson. + +"Certainly," said Williamson, producing a well-made gun-metal case, +which he immediately returned to his pocket. "I think I used the last +there, but I have a box somewhere." + +He handed Whitney an ordinary card box containing pine matches. + +"Thank you." + +As Whitney returned the box he noticed that Andrew was watching them. +Then he glanced quickly at Elsie, but she was quietly knitting, with +her eyes on the stitches. + +A few minutes afterward a servant brought in the afternoon edition of +a Glasgow newspaper. Staffer glanced at the front page and then sat +down near one of the lamps. There was a certain deliberation in his +movements that Whitney noticed, though he admitted that he might not +have done so had not the matchbox incident roused him to suspicious +vigilance. He thought Staffer was waiting for something, and in a +moment or two Williamson left Dick and turned toward him. + +Then Staffer folded back the newspaper. + +"The A. & P. liner _Centaur_ has gone down in the North Channel," he +announced calmly. + +Whitney started, Dick abruptly put down his cue, and Andrew's face +grew hard. + +"Do you mean that she was blown up?" Elsie asked with a note of horror +in her voice. + +"It looks so; but there's not much news yet." + +Staffer began to read: + + "The captain of the Clyde coaster _Gannet_ reports + that when he was off the Skerries near dark one of the + big A. & P. liners passed him at some distance to the + north. It was blowing fresh, and hazy, but when the + vessel was almost out of sight he noticed a dense + cloud of smoke. He ran to the box on the bridge-rail, + where he kept his glasses, but when he got them out + the liner had disappeared. He steered for the spot + where he had last seen her, but it was dark when he + reached it, and after steaming about for some time, + and seeing nothing but a quantity of wreckage, he made + for Rathlin and megaphoned the lighthouse-keepers + before proceeding. An unconfirmed report from Larne + states that a fishing craft passed a steamer's + lifeboat, but lost her in the dark. The _Centaur_, a + large and nearly new steamer, left Montreal with wheat + and a number of passengers eight days ago." + +Nobody spoke for a minute after he put down the newspaper, and Whitney +lighted a cigarette to cover his excitement. The news was startling, +but he thought it did not take Staffer or Williamson by surprise. +There was something curious in their expression. Andrew's face, +however, had grown very stern; and Elsie's was angrily flushed. + +"This is not war, but murder!" she exclaimed. "The men who blow up +unarmed vessels ought to be severely punished." + +"When you catch them," Staffer answered. "I expect that it will prove +difficult; and I'm afraid we must be prepared for some nasty knocks." + +"It's rather exasperating to be hit hard where you flatter yourself +you're secure against attack," Williamson remarked. "The Admiralty +must have thought the North Channel safe." + +"It _is_ except against treachery," Elsie declared. "Don't you think +so, Andrew?" + +"I do," said Andrew quietly. "It's narrow and commanded by lighthouses +and coastguard stations; though perhaps, in a way, its narrowness is a +danger. But we must see that this kind of thing doesn't happen again." + +"How would you try to prevent it?" Staffer asked, with a calmness that +was somewhat overdone. + +Whitney gave Andrew a careless glance, and was relieved to note that +his grim look had vanished. Andrew's views on this subject would be +worth having, but it was obvious that he did not mean to state them. + +"I'm not a navy officer," he answered and turned to Elsie. "One feels +that it won't bear talking about." + +"Yes," she agreed, with a flash in her eyes. "There's no use in giving +way to rage when one is hurt. The best one can do after a treacherous +blow is to keep very quiet and wait until the time comes to strike +back." + +"There's a true Scot!" laughed Staffer. "You're a stubborn, +unemotional race. I wouldn't like to fall into your hands if I'd +wronged your friends." + +"The Scots are just: they repay both injuries and favors." + +Then, by general consent, they talked about something else; and after +a time the others went out, and Whitney and Elsie were left alone. He +suspected that she had meant this to happen, but he was surprised by +her first question. + +"Have you a bad memory?" + +"I like to think that it's as good as my neighbor's." + +"Then it's strange you lighted a cigarette with a match from your own +box after asking Mr. Williamson for his." + +"Well, by jove!" Whitney exclaimed. "Do you think he noticed it?" + +Elsie's eyes twinkled. + +"No; he had his back toward you when you began the next cigarette. But +why did you ask for a match when you had some?" + +Whitney looked at her frankly. + +"I'd rather you didn't press me for an answer," he said. + +"Why? Do you mean you wouldn't tell me?" + +"Yes. And I shouldn't like to refuse." + +Elsie smiled. + +"You're not a good plotter. It was easy to catch you out." + +"So it seems. But if I'm not as smart as I ought to be, I mean well." + +"I don't doubt it, and I have some reason for trusting you. I think +you're a good friend of Dick's and Andrew's; and their friends are +mine." + +"Thank you! But Williamson's by way of being a friend of Dick's." + +"Oh, no; he only pretends he is. You must know this." + +"Suppose we admit it. Don't you think Andrew's able to take care of +his cousin?" + +"I'm glad he has your help." + +"Perhaps it's more important that he has yours. We're three to one, +and that ought to be enough." + +Elsie's face was calm, but she was silent for a moment, and Whitney +thought she was trying to hide some embarrassment. + +"Tell me," she said, "was it on Dick's account you asked Williamson +for a match?" + +"No; that is, not directly. I can't tell you anything more; but since +we are friends, can you arrange that there are no matches put beside +the bedroom candles?" + +"The man is our guest," Elsie said with some hesitation. "Still +perhaps one mustn't be fastidious when--" + +"When there's a good deal at stake--Dick's welfare, for one thing." + +"Very well," Elsie promised. + +An hour later the party broke up. They used oil-lamps at Appleyard, +and at night a row of candles in old-fashioned brass holders were +placed upon a table on the bedroom landing. As a rule, a few +matchboxes were put beside them; but sometimes this was overlooked. + +Williamson went upstairs first, and stopped on reaching the table. + +"Matches run out here, too!" he said to Whitney, who was close behind +him. "Shall I light your candle?" + +Whitney's hand moved toward his pocket, but he remembered in time. + +"Thanks!" he answered carelessly. "Perhaps you had better light the +lot." + +Williamson took out the gun-metal box and struck a small pine match. + +"I filled it up again," he remarked. "I always like to have matches +handy in an old-fashioned house." + +"It's a good plan," Whitney agreed, and went away with his candle. + +Five minutes later he opened Andrew's door and found him standing by +the window. + +"Come in! I'm thinking about that Canadian boat." + +"So I expected," Whitney answered meaningly. "But we'll take the other +matter first. Seems to me they're connected." + +"The matchbox matter? I don't know whether it was a clever trick or +not, but I'd like to hear your views." + +"Well," Whitney laughed, "I'm not so smart as I thought. Elsie soon +tripped me up." + +Andrew frowned. + +"Then she saw you? She understands?" + +"Something. I don't know how much, but I'm free to admit that she's +cleverer than either of us. However, one thing's obvious: Williamson +took care to have a box that would hold a good many matches and keep +them dry. It's curious that he didn't shake it before he said it was +empty. Anyhow, he overdid the thing. If he had given me a thick wax +match like those we found on board the wreck, it wouldn't have proved +much; while his anxiety to show he used the small pine kind strikes me +as significant." + +"Elsie must be kept out of all this," Andrew said firmly. + +"Then I guess you'll have to keep her out; I'm not up to Miss +Woodhouse's mark. Did you notice Staffer's attempt to learn if you +knew much about the North Channel?" + +"Yes; but we'll let that go for the present. The A. & P. boat was +mined or torpedoed. What are we to do?" + +Whitney hesitated. + +"To begin with," he said, "you must make up your mind right now how +far you are willing to go. You're proud of being a Johnstone, and put +the good name of the family pretty high." + +"Yes," answered Andrew slowly; "that is true. These, however, are +personal reasons, and don't come first. You can take it for granted +that I'm ready to go as far as is needful for the good of my country, +regardless of--of any one at Appleyard." + +"Then we must try to find Rankine and tell him what we suspect." + +"Very well," said Andrew. "We'll sail on the ebb in the morning." + +Whitney made a sign of agreement and went away. Andrew had not +hesitated about his decision, but Whitney knew it had cost him +something. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A CONFERENCE AT SEA + + +North Barrule's blunt cone and the range of Manx hills beyond it cut, +harshly blue, against an angry blaze of saffron that had broken out +when the rain stopped and was now beginning to fade. The sun had sunk +behind the island, and the sky to the northwest was black as ink, but +the tall cliffs of the Mull of Galloway were traced across the +storm-cloud in a neutral-tinted smear. Between them and the _Rowan_ +stretched a belt of lead-colored sea, which, in the foreground, rose +in hollow-fronted walls with livid white summits that overweighted +them until they curled and broke in cataracts of foam. + +It was blowing hard, and threatened to blow harder soon, but Andrew's +wet face was tranquil as he sat on the weather coaming, braced against +the strain of the helm. Whitney was in the cockpit, where he could +avoid the worst of the spray, but he was cold and sore from +twenty-four hours of savage lurching. Clouds of spray drove across the +boat, striking the canvas and blowing out to lee under the boom, but +some fell short and splashed upon Whitney's lowered head. The _Rowan_, +beating to windward, progressed in jerks and plunges, nearly stopping +with a shock now and then as her bows sank into a comber. Whitney +thought she could not carry her shortened canvas long; but their port +was to windward, and they could not ease her much if they wished to +reach it. + +"She's ramming them pretty badly," he remarked, as a white sea boiled +across the deck. "I suppose you'd find her hard to steer if I lowered +the staysail?" + +"Yes; she makes my arms ache now. Still, if it doesn't blow much worse +in the next two hours, we'll find smoother water to lee of the +island." Something on the horizon caught Andrew's eye. "Get me the +glasses," he added. + +Whitney went below to look for them, and lighted the cabin lamp. The +floor and beams were steeply inclined, and he had to brace his feet +against the centerboard trunk. The narrow cabin throbbed with a +muffled uproar, and water trickled in. There was a pool that splashed +about where the floor boards met the locker. The leather case of the +glasses had swollen, and he spent a minute or two in opening it, +though he made the best speed he could. They had been searching for +Rankine's vessel in weather that had tried their nerve and skill. Once +or twice it had looked as if they must run for shelter, but the breeze +had moderated a trifle, and Andrew had held on. Now, however, he was +making for Ramsey, to Whitney's keen satisfaction. + +Andrew wound the tiller-line round one hand as he put the glasses to +his eyes. He saw what he had expected: two slender spars and a funnel, +both sharply slanted, that rose above the back of a distant sea. Then +a patch of dark hull swung into sight, and vanished again. + +"The survey boat," he said, giving Whitney the glasses. "She must be +near the edge of King William's Bank, and we'll find an ugly sea +running there. You'd better start the pump." + +It was hard work, for when Whitney unscrewed the plug on deck the sea +poured down the pipe to meet the water he forced out, and the boat's +wild plunges threw him against the coaming; but he persevered. As they +were likely to find the sea worse, she must be cleared of water before +more came on board. It was some time before the pump sucked and only +froth came up; then Whitney precariously balanced himself on the +cabin-top with his hand upon the boom while he looked about. + +Every now and then the straining storm-jib plunged into a sea that +curled in foam across the bows, throwing showers of spray into the +hollow of the staysail. Then the bowsprit swung high above the turmoil +and the water blew away in streams from the canvas while a frothy +cataract poured aft down the uplifted deck. When he glanced to +windward the spray lashed his face, but he distinguished a rolling +steamer some distance off. There was no smoke about her funnel, and +after watching her for a few moments he did not think she moved. + +"Lying head to sea," he said to Andrew. "Rankine might as well run +into the harbor: he won't do much sounding to-night." + +"That's plain. It doesn't look as if he thought sounding his most +important job. Haul down the staysail." + +Whitney scrambled forward, and when he let go the halyard he dropped +on hands and knees. The straining sail would not run down the wire to +which it was fastened, and he must cross the narrow deck to free it. +He did not want to go; for the _Rowan_ buried her bows as she plunged, +and the foam boiled over them a foot in depth; but the whitening of +the sea to windward showed that a savage squall was on its way. He +reached the inboard end of the bowsprit and held fast while a comber +washed across the rail, and then, rising half upright, he seized the +line that hung from the head of the sail. The loosened canvas thrashed +him; he was swung to and fro, in danger of going overboard; but he +held on until the sail came down with a run and fell on to his knees. + +The plunges were not quite so vicious when he got back to the cockpit, +but the alteration in the sail-spread made steering difficult, and +Andrew strained against the pull of the tiller-line as he drove her +through the squall. + +In the meantime, the _Rowan_ had drawn nearer to the steamer, which +now lay close ahead, rolling until her deck sloped like a roof, and +then lurching back with her streaming side lifted high above the sea. +Andrew went about and then ran close to leeward, where they checked +the _Rowan_ by hauling her jib aback. A man in oilskins leaned out +from the steamer's bridge, and the fading light touched his wet face. + +"It's Rankine," said Andrew. "We must try to make him hear." + +The next moment a shout came down across the broken seas that rolled +between the vessels. + +"Yacht, ahoy! What d'you want?" + +"To see you!" Andrew answered, throwing his voice to windward with all +his force. "Important!" + +Rankine steadied himself against the rail, with his glasses at his +eyes. + +"The _Rowan_; Mr. Johnstone! Could you jump on board our gig?" + +"Can't leave the boat!" shouted Andrew, letting her forge ahead a few +yards nearer. + +Rankine made a sign of comprehension. + +"Very well. Follow us into shelter!" + +Andrew waved his arm, and, trimming the jib over, drove the _Rowan_ +ahead. As he did so, the steamer's screw splashed round half out of +water, and she slowly turned toward the north. + +"That's not the way to Ramsey," Whitney grumbled. + +"No," said Andrew. "I guess he has some reason for not going there. He +means to run in behind the Mull, though it's farther off." + +Whitney frowned as he glanced across the wild stretch of foaming water +toward a twinkling stream of light. He was numbed and wet; it was now +getting dark and the bitter wind seemed freshening to a gale; but +Andrew meant to follow the steamer, and there was nothing to be said. +The only comfort was that their change of course brought the wind +farther aft and the _Rowan_ would sail fast. + +Rankine's crew hung out a stern light as their vessel left the yacht, +and Whitney, getting down in the cockpit, tried to dodge the spray +while she rolled and tumbled across the high beam-sea. He was sorry +for Andrew, who must sit on the coaming amid the spray; though he +imagined that his comrade would be sufficiently occupied to make him +careless of the wet and cold. + +As a matter of fact, Andrew mechanically avoided the rush of the +foaming combers, for he was thinking hard. He shrank from the meeting +he had sought, because he knew he was badly equipped for the +difficult part he must play. He suspected Williamson of practises +which must, at any cost, be stopped, since it was unthinkable that a +traitor should make use of Appleyard. This was bad; but it was worse +to know that Staffer was acting as Williamson's confederate. + +The trouble was that if Andrew exposed the men, the innocent would +suffer. Staffer was Mrs. Woodhouse's brother, and Andrew pitied the +quiet woman. Then there was Elsie, whom Staffer had certainly treated +well. She would be crushed by shame if she learned his share in the +plot. Andrew knew her well enough to feel sure of this. Elsie was true +as steel; if he told her his suspicions, she would urge him to do his +duty. Still, she would suffer; and part of Staffer's punishment would +fall on her. It would not be forgotten that she was the niece of a +foreign spy; and her mother might be suspected of complicity. + +It was a painful situation; for Andrew gladly would have made any +personal sacrifice that might save the girl a pang. He must try to +find a way of doing his duty without involving her; in some way he +must warn Rankine and yet keep back part of what he knew. This was a +repugnant course, and he frowned as he drove the dripping boat across +the foaming sea. + +At times the steamer's stern light almost faded out, but it grew +brighter again, and Andrew knew that Rankine was waiting for him. It +was now blowing hard, and the combers looked very steep and angry, +though he could no longer distinguish them until they broke close to +the yacht. He imagined that they were stirred up by a strong tide, and +several pinnacles of rock rose from deep water in the neighborhood. He +hoped Rankine knew their position as he followed the steamer's light. + +At last the sea got smoother and, instead of breaking, ran in a long, +disturbed swell. The wind no longer hove the boat down with a steady +pressure, but lightened until she swung nearly upright and then fell +upon her in furious squalls that sent her staggering along with her +lee deck deep in the foam. A lofty black ridge towered above her port +side, and Andrew knew they were behind the Mull of Galloway. The +water, however, was too deep, and the tide too strong for them to +bring up there, and he supposed Rankine knew of a safe anchorage. + +After a time he heard a whistle, and the light ahead stopped; then +there was a roar of running chain, and as he luffed up a shout reached +him. + +"Let go and give her plenty scope!" + +The chain was nearly all out before Andrew thought she had enough, and +while she rolled and tumbled on the swell a splash of oars came out of +the dark. Then a white gig loomed up alongside, and he and Whitney +jumped on board as the crew backed away. They had to wait a minute or +two close to the steamer's side, until a smooth undulation lapped the +lurching hull, when they seized the ladder and scrambled up. + +Rankine took them into a small, teak-paneled room with a brass stove +in a corner. It was remarkably neat, though a cushioned locker, a +small table, and two camp-chairs comprised the furniture. Nautical +instruments occupied a rack, and a large chart of the Irish Sea was +spread upon the table. Rankine put a bottle of wine and some +cigarettes on the chart, and then hung up his wet oilskins. + +"We're safe here so long as the wind keeps to the west; and I can give +you a berth if your cabin's wet," he said. + +"No, thanks," replied Andrew. "It's an exposed coast." + +He tasted the wine Rankine poured out and lighted a cigarette. Whitney +said nothing, and there was silence for a time. Rankine waited, with a +polite smile. + +"What are you doing near King William's Bank?" Andrew asked presently; +and the others knew that his question was more to the purpose than +appeared. + +"Taking bearings and sounding, until the sea got up. I've made one or +two interesting discoveries about that shoal." + +Although he sympathized with Andrew, Whitney felt amused, for he saw +that Rankine would do nothing to help him. + +"You gave us a long run," Andrew said. "We would have got better +shelter in Ramsey Bay." + +"That's true. I preferred this place." + +Andrew frowned at the chart, as if he did not know how to go on; and +Whitney came to his rescue. + +"I guess it suits you better to keep away from port; you don't want to +be seen and talked about." + +Rankine smiled. + +"Am I mistaken in suggesting that we don't make much progress. Now, +after meeting you at Craigwhinnie and inviting you to come on board, +it's a satisfaction to find you have taken me at my word; but if you +have any other reason for the visit, I'm at your command. I understood +this was so." + +"The matter is important, and we want to feel we're justified in +talking about it," Whitney replied. "In fact, if your work's confined +to surveying, we'd rather you regarded us as casual guests." + +"Then I think you can take it that my job doesn't end there. I'm still +a navy officer, though I'm now assisting the Trinity House." + +Whitney laughed. + +"Well, I guess that's as much as one could expect you to admit. +British official caution is a remarkable thing." He turned to Andrew. +"You'd better tell him what we've seen." + +Andrew began with their adventures on the sands when the lamp went +out, and then mentioned the signal lights on Barennan Crag and what +they had discovered on board the wreck. He told the story well, adding +particulars that had escaped Whitney's observation, and Rankine +followed him closely on the chart. + +He looked up with frank appreciation when Andrew had finished. + +"I don't think I've ever heard as clear and concise a report before. +May I suggest that you're rather wasting your talents? You ought to be +in the navy." + +"I had to leave the army," Andrew replied, coloring. "But that's not +what we have to talk about." + +"No," agreed Rankine, and was silent for a while. + +Whitney watched him with tranquil interest. The teak-paneled room was +warm and bright, and after long exposure to numbing cold it was +soothing to feel himself getting warm and drowsy; though the men still +held his attention. The navy officer was, no doubt, the cleverer of +the two, but Whitney thought he recognized a strong similarity in +their characters. They were resolute, quiet, and capable, and he felt +sure of their honesty. Rankine's face was now gravely thoughtful, but +Andrew's wore a troubled frown, and Whitney imagined he recognized +that the difficult part of the interview had not yet been reached. + +"What you have discovered seems to have one of two meanings," Rankine +said. "It may indicate a signaling of military and political news, +which, strictly speaking, is not my business; or it may have some +bearing on the loss of the A. & P. liner, and perhaps lead to similar +attacks." + +"Which _would_ be your business," Whitney drawled. + +"I can't talk about that; but Mr. Johnstone did right in telling me," +Rankine answered, and turned to Andrew. "Have you told any one else?" + +"No." There was a curious quietness in Andrew's voice which showed +Whitney that he had decided on his course. + +"Why not? If my first surmise is correct, it's a matter for the +military authorities." + +"It seems to me the thing's not ripe. I have nothing but vague +suspicions to go upon." + +"Then you suspect somebody?" + +"Yes." + +Rankine looked at him in silence for a few moments. + +"I suppose you mean to follow up the clue you've got?" he then asked. + +"You may take that for granted," Andrew answered. + +"And if you find your suspicions right?" + +"When I'm certain of that, I'll act; but not before." + +"Well, you no doubt recognize the responsibility you're taking. There +are people appointed to investigate these things who could act with +greater skill and force." + +"I see that," Andrew replied quietly. "And when I think the time has +come, I'll go to them, or you." + +"But you mean to decide for yourself whether it has come or not?" + +"Exactly; I must decide." + +Rankine looked hard at him, knitting his brows. + +"I cannot tell you what my orders are," he said; "but you put me in an +awkward position. I may do wrong in not reporting our conversation." + +"Even if you did report it, I should stick to the line I've taken. If +it led to my arrest, that would, of course, prevent my watching the +coast--and I can do that as well as you." + +"Better; for you wouldn't be suspected. Well, as I see you must be +indulged, I'll tell you how to find me when you have something more to +say. You must be careful to follow my instructions." + +"Then write them down." + +"I think not; I'm rather straining my authority in giving them to you +at all, and secrecy is important." + +Whitney got up. + +"Perhaps I ought to remind you that I'm not a British subject," he +said. + +Rankine smiled. + +"Since you are in Mr. Johnstone's confidence, you may remain. He won't +mind my saying that, so far as strictly nautical matters go, he's well +qualified to deal with them, but there are touches about what he told +me that seem to show he has had your help. Now you must exactly follow +these directions--" + +He told them how they could learn his movements and send him word. + +"That is all," he concluded. "If you think the weather permits it, +I'll be glad to keep you on board over night." + +Andrew opened the door, and the bitter draught that swept in lifted +the chart on the table and swirled about the room. They heard the surf +beat upon a rocky beach and the wind scream in the shrouds. + +"No, thanks," he said. "It's not a night to leave the boat." + +Rankine went out with them and gave an order. Half-seen men ran aft +and dropped into the dark from the vessel's rail, and presently the +gig lay tossing abreast of the gangway. Whitney looked at the warm, +well-lighted deckhouse with regret, and then, buttoning his oilskins, +followed Andrew down into the boat. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A WARNING + + +Staffer and Williamson sat in the library at Appleyard. It was getting +late, and the rest of the household were in bed. Williamson had gone +to his room with the others, but afterward had crept down again +quietly. He had arrived that evening, but had found it difficult to +get any private conversation with his host without making his wish to +do so rather marked; for he imagined that Miss Woodhouse was watching +him; and Whitney was constantly about. Now, however, he had said all +he thought needful, and he wondered why Staffer did not let him go. + +The library was spacious and was lighted only by a shaded lamp on a +table near them. The polished floor gleamed like ice in the +illuminated circle, but everything outside this was dim, and Staffer's +face was in the shadow. The fire in the big hearth had sunk, and a +pale-blue flame that gave no light played about the embers of the +hardwood logs. The room was very quiet and getting cold. + +"You'll be in town next week," Staffer said. "Can you find a good +excuse for taking Dick? A boxing or billiard match, for example." + +"I don't know of anything of the kind." + +"Then you surprise me. You belong to one or two smart sporting clubs." + +"Sporting events are not popular just now." + +"There's always something going on; and if it's semi-private, so much +the better. When one is as young as Dick, a little mystery is +inciting, and it's flattering to feel oneself a privileged person." + +"No doubt. For all that, I haven't heard of any attractive fixture; +and if I invented one that didn't come off, it would make the game +obvious, even to Dick." + +"I suppose this means you don't want to take him," Staffer suggested. +"Let's be frank." + +"Then you are anxious that he should go?" + +"For one thing, it looks as if you had rather held Dick off lately. +This is against our plans. Then, if Dick's away, Andrew and his +American friend will leave. It would be safer not to have them about." + +"Your last reason's good; in fact, it's better than the other," +Williamson said dryly. "I'm going to take no further part in +exploiting Dick." + +Staffer frowned. + +"That resolve will cost you something. What has led you to make it?" + +"The thing is getting dangerous. We can't afford to run an unnecessary +risk, you know." + +"That's true, but I don't see where the danger lies." + +Williamson pondered. He had acted as Staffer's tool in leading Dick +into extravagance; but Staffer had not been straight with him. +Besides, if he now explained that Mackellar was suspicious, it would +look as if he had turned against his confederate and tried to make +terms with the bank agent. + +"Dick has friends who would carefully investigate matters if he had to +admit his debts, and they might find out enough to cause us trouble. +Then, we're engaged in another business of first importance that +can't be neglected while we make plans for our private benefit. If we +fail, the consequences would be unpleasant--to say the least." + +Staffer laughed. Williamson wished he could see his face, for his +amusement had a hint of a threat. + +"Remarkably unpleasant! As it happens, you haven't met with much +success of late. Another man whom I needn't mention brought off the +last big stroke." + +"It was not my fault; things have been dead against me, as you know." + +"So it seems! But our employers expect results, not excuses." Staffer +paused and resumed: "As you have been unlucky, I thought you might +find some advantage in helping me with Dick." + +Williamson saw that Staffer's remarks were connected. He was being +warned, and asked to think over his refusal; but he stood his ground. + +"The advantage doesn't counterbalance the danger," he said. + +"Well, I suppose that is for you to decide. Perhaps you are wise in +concentrating on your particular business. Our employers are liberal +when they're served well, but not as a rule indulgent when a post is +unsatisfactorily filled." + +Williamson was silent for a moment. Staffer was, in a sense, his +superior officer; but for all that, he was expected to use his +judgment, and he foresaw danger for both if he meddled with Dick. +Still, Staffer was powerful and had given him a significant hint. + +"I don't think our employers have much to complain of," Williamson +said; "and we must try to work together as far as possible." + +"Just so," Staffer answered, getting up. + +They separated apparently on good terms; but they were conscious of +mutual distrust. + +The next morning Whitney, after trying to get into range of a flock of +curlew feeding among the sands, threw his gun upon his shoulder and +set out for the _Rowan_. The sun was bright and the breeze fresh, and +after opening the skylights to ventilate the boat, he went below to +see if their blankets were damp. While he was busy he heard a foot on +deck, and Marshall, the fisherman, came down the ladder. He visited +the yacht now and then; and Whitney at once got out the whisky bottle. + +"Help yourself, but you'll excuse my not joining you," he said. "It's +rather early in the morning, and I reckon my nerves aren't as good as +yours." + +Marshall poured out a liberal portion and regarded him with a twinkle. + +"I'm thinking they canna' be bad since ye're shipmate with Mr. Andrew. +He's no' the man I'd sail with if I was fleyt o' the sea." + +"Well, he _is_ pretty daring; but he's cautious, too, and knows +exactly what he's doing. That makes a difference." + +"Ay," agreed Marshall; "Andrew Johnstone's a by-ordinar' good seaman; +but ye may run a risk ye canna' see. Tide-rips and sudden blows are +bad, but they're no' the only dangers." + +Whitney lighted a cigarette. It was plain that the old fellow had a +warm liking for Andrew, and Whitney imagined he meant to give him a +hint of some kind. + +"I wish you'd tell me what you mean," he said. "You want to remember +that I'm an American and not used to dark remarks. In fact, it's more +or less my habit to say what I think." + +"Ye'll find it expensive whiles," Marshall rejoined with a chuckle. +"Onyway, ye're a friend o' Mr. Johnstone's?" + +"I believe so. It's a sure thing that I like him." + +"Then he'll maybe need ye. It's no' an easy job he has. Yon two at +Appleyard are kittle-cattle, and would be better for watching." + +"Why don't you tell me what they're after?" + +"For yea thing, I dinna ken, but I'm certain it's naething good." + +Whitney made a gesture of resignation. + +"This is a pretty hard country for a stranger to get along in. You're +such a blamed cautious people that nobody can guess what you think. +Why don't you give my partner or Dick a hint, if you believe there's +something wrong?" + +"There's aye a rizzon," Marshall replied with a grin. "Mr. Andrew +mightna' believe me, and Mr. Dick would let it oot to Staffer. It's +no' wise to offend the gentry, mair particularly your landlord, when a +salmon noo and then comes by accident into your flounder net or ye +chance upon a hare sitting ower close in her form." + +"But Dick would not be hard on you, and he'll be your landlord soon." + +"That's no' what Mr. Staffer's thinking," said Marshall meaningly. + +Whitney gave him a steady glance, knitting his brows. + +"My partner will get Appleyard if Dick dies." + +"Ay, that's supposed to be the way o' it; but Mr. Dick has debts that +would have to be paid. Then Mr. Staffer's acting baillie for the +estate, and it wouldna' suit him weel to see Mr. Andrew get it." + +"You mean he's a dangerous man?" + +"Ye should ken. I'm thinking ye're intelligent, and ye're Mr. Andrew's +friend." + +"I suppose that's a compliment, and I must try to deserve it," Whitney +smiled. + +Marshall poured out another drink and then went away, leaving Whitney +in a thoughtful mood. + +The old fellow's remarks were not clear, but two points appeared: he +thought Andrew was running some personal risk, and that Staffer might +put an obstacle in the way of his inheriting Appleyard. It was +difficult to see how Staffer could do so, even if he could take +advantage of Dick's extravagance in such a way as to give him a claim +on the estate; but suppose Andrew did not live to demand his rights? +Whitney remembered that his comrade had been in grave danger when the +gray car swerved in the glen, and again when the light went out on +Mersehead sands. That Dick shared the danger on both occasions might, +of course, be coincidence; but it might have a very sinister meaning. +Whitney felt disturbed about it; but he decided that as his suspicions +might be unfounded and the matter was delicate, he would not warn his +friends, and must be satisfied with keeping a keen watch on Staffer. + +One morning shortly after this Williamson picked his way across the +moss at the foot of Criffell as day was breaking. He was tired and +hungry, but, even at the risk of missing his breakfast, he did not +want to arrive at Dumfries too soon. Dawn was late now and he must +not give the hotel people cause to wonder why he had set out long +before it was light. + +The black mass of the mountain rose between him and the east with a +flush of pink above its sloping shoulder; the rolling country to the +west was shadowy, and dry tufts of wild cotton glimmered a ghostly +white among the dark-peat-hags. There had been light frost for a few +days, but it had gone, and a raw wind blew in Williamson's face. The +ground was getting soft, the rushes he brushed through were beaded +with moisture, and now and then half-thawed ice crackled beneath his +wet boots. Still, as he did not wish to loiter about Dumfries, he went +on leisurely. + +When he got over the fence, he found the loaning softer than he +expected, and on reaching the cothouse he decided that it would not be +safe to ride the motorcycle. The machine, however, was light, and he +was glad of a chance to warm himself by pushing it to the main road. +There was nobody in the wet fields, but the light was getting clear, +and a thin streak of smoke rose from the farm among the trees. +Everything looked gray and cold and desolate, but as Williamson +splashed into a pool a jolt of the bicycle warned him that he had +better fix his attention on the ruts. + +While he did so, he noticed a sinuous line running to meet him. At +first he supposed it was the track he had made in going down the lane; +then he thought it looked rather deep, and with sudden suspicion he +placed the back wheel of his bicycle beside it. The pattern the tire +left in the mud was different, and now he saw another line run out +from the grass. This seemed to indicate the track of a side-car, and +Williamson, leaning his wheel against the wall, followed the marks +back over the ground he had traversed. + +They led him to a gap in the dyke, and after taking down the pole that +closed it, he traced them to a peat-stack. They were lighter here, +which showed that the men had dismounted. He knew that it would take +some trouble to push a heavy motorcycle with a car attached over the +soft ground; but this had been done, and the machine dragged close +behind the stack. After examining the ground carefully, Williamson +returned to the loaning and made his way to the highroad as fast as +possible. It was now important that nobody should see him coming from +the moss. + +Reaching the road, where he would excite no curiosity, he sat down in +the shelter of a bank and lighted a cigarette, for he had received a +decided shock. Some one had driven a motorcycle down the loaning, but +had not gone to the farm. This was strange; and it was significant +that the man had taken a good deal of trouble to hide the machine, +which suggested that he must have meant to leave it for some time, and +wished to prevent its being seen. There was nothing on the moss to +repay a visit, and the owner of a motorcycle would have no reason for +taking a short cut across the mountain on foot, when he could drive +round as soon by road. That there was probably another man in the +side-car made the puzzle worse; and Williamson's face hardened as he +admitted the possibility of their having tried to follow him. + +Looking back at the rugged fellside anxiously, he saw that as he +crossed its summit he would have been visible against the sky, though +any one coming up could not be seen against the dark heath. It was +unfortunate that he had not looked back as he went down the other +side, or hidden behind a boulder and waited; but he had no ground for +believing that anybody knew of his journeys across the hill. + +He was engaged in a dangerous business, and the consequences would be +serious if the military authorities found him out; but this was not +the worst he feared. They might be baffled; but Staffer had hinted +that his employers were not satisfied, and it was a dangerous thing to +disappoint them. Their rewards were liberal, but their servants must +perform their task. Williamson shivered as he remembered what he had +heard about the fate of one or two who had not succeeded in this. + +Cowering behind the bank, while the cold wind whistled past, he +carefully thought out the situation. He saw that he had to face one of +two dangers. Either he had by some carelessness excited suspicion, and +was being watched, or he was distrusted by his friends. In the latter +case, flight to America was the only means of escape, because he knew +enough to make his employers uneasy, and if they failed in one plan to +put him out of the way, they would try another. He would certainly not +be left free to save himself by telling what he knew. But if he had +only the British authorities to fear, there was less cause for alarm. +They could be thrown off the track; indeed, this must be done, for he +dare not now abandon the work he had undertaken. + +Williamson was getting very cold, and a searching drizzle had begun to +fall; but he scarcely noticed it as he sat weighing the arguments for +and against each supposition. Eventually, he decided that he must +blame some incautiousness of his own, and he began to wonder whose +suspicions he had aroused. Whitney had a motorcycle, and its tires +would leave just such a mark as he had noticed; but this did not prove +much, because the make was in common use. The American was shrewd and +was a friend of Andrew's; but while both were antagonistic Williamson +thought they opposed him only on Dick's account. Well, he had promised +to leave Dick alone. That ought to satisfy them; and if he were very +careful he would be able to elude any other enemies. + +Feeling that his scare had been needless, he set off for Dumfries; +although he had not yet reached an explanation of the motorcycle +tracks. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE WHAMMEL BOAT + + +Thin fog drifted down the Firth when, with Whitney's help, Andrew +pulled the dinghy up the bank and then stopped to look about. It was +nine o'clock in the evening when they left the _Rowan_ at anchor in +the channel a hundred yards away, and he knew the tide was beginning +to flow, which meant that he had an hour and a half in which to reach +and return from the wreck. Everything was obscured to the east, but to +the west the sky was clear, and a thin, bright moon shone in a patch +of dusky blue. The sand felt harder than usual, for the night air was +frosty, but the melancholy calling of the wild fowl told that the salt +ooze in the gutters was still unfrozen. There was no other sound +except the ripple of the current across the shoals. + +"I suppose we'll let up for a bit if we see nobody to-night," Whitney +suggested. + +"Yes," said Andrew; "the tide's getting late." + +Whitney nodded agreement. They had sailed from the burnfoot three days +before, and after standing out to sea on the ebb, had returned to the +outer end of the channel in the dark as soon as they could stem the +slackening stream. Then, landing in the dinghy, they hung about the +wreck until the advancing tide drove them back. They had done this for +two nights, without seeing anything suspicious, and they could now +abandon the search, because as the time of high-water approached six +o'clock the tides did not run out far enough to enable anybody to +reach the wreck from land. + +Striking across the flats, they stopped on the edge of a hollow +running through the highest part. The mist was driving nearer before a +cold wind, and the moon was dim, but they could see for some distance +toward the west across the level stretch of sand. Nothing broke its +smooth expanse, but the sound of the sea had grown louder and the wild +fowl noisier. + +After a few moments, Andrew struck into the hollow and began to follow +it up. The sand was softer here, though there were spears of ice on +the muddy pools; but the men's figures no longer cut against the sky, +and Whitney knew the need for caution. The gutter got deeper as they +went on, until they could not see beyond its banks, and soon it began +to wind off to one side. When Andrew stopped at the turning, a wild +cry that was like a hoarse laugh came out of the dark. + +"What's that?" Whitney asked. + +"A black-backed gull," said Andrew thoughtfully. "They're suspicious +brutes and a nuisance when you're trying to crawl up to a flock of +duck. In fact, it often looks as if they laughed because you'd lost +your shot." + +"Do you think something has disturbed the bird?" + +"We'll know in a minute." + +A mournful wail that ended in a quavering tremolo fell from the air as +the harsh laughter died away. + +"That's a curlew going over," Andrew said. + +Then a shrill screaming broke out; and Andrew turned toward the bank +and began to climb out of the hollow. + +"Oyster-catchers now; they're all off," he said. + +When they reached the level, Whitney looked round quickly. The haze +was crawling close up in long, low-lying belts, but it had not reached +them yet, and as his eyes turned seaward he saw a black triangle +projecting above the edge of the flats. + +"A lugsail, isn't it?" he asked. + +"Yes; a whammel boat." + +Andrew seized Whitney's arm and, moving back a few steps, dropped upon +his knees and dragged his companion down. Whitney understood the +reason when he saw a faint, dark figure on the bank some distance off. + +"After all, it may be a fisherman," he said. + +"It's possible, but I don't know what he's doing here, and we'll +follow up the gutter until we're abreast of the wreck. The fog will +come down thick before we reach her." + +"I don't know that I'm fond of fog," Whitney replied. "However, if you +think you can find the dinghy--" + +Moving back into the bed of the channel, they went on as fast as +possible. They were out of sight, but the winding hollow lengthened +the distance. It got darker as they splashed among the pools; and when +at last Andrew thought they had gone far enough and they climbed the +bank, everything was hidden by drifting fog. Whitney was frankly +uneasy. Andrew knew the sands well, but, for all that, it would not be +difficult to lose their way, and they had purposely left no light on +board the yacht. Still, it was unthinkable that they should turn back +when the man they had been trying to mark down seemed almost in their +hands. Banishing his misgivings, he plunged into the clammy mist, +following closely behind Andrew. + +The birds had gone; nothing broke the silence, and there was nothing +to be seen. Whitney imagined that Andrew was going straight, but this +was not certain, and he recognized that the man they hoped to surprise +might have turned back. Andrew went a few yards in front, a dim, +ghostly figure in the fog, but it was a relief to see that he showed +no hesitation. Though they tried to move quietly, they made some +noise. Where the bank was hard their footsteps rang through the haze, +now and then shells crunched beneath their boots, and there were spots +where they splashed through half-frozen mud. + +At last they saw the blurred outline of the wreck. + +"Go straight on and then wait until I creep up on the other side," +Andrew whispered. + +They separated, and Whitney braced himself for a struggle as he moved +softly forward. The man would no doubt be armed, but he must not get +away until they learned who he was. Whitney set his lips as he neared +the wreck. Andrew's footsteps had died away, and there was something +that daunted him in the look of the dark mass of timber; but he went +on, and presently stopped at the edge of a pool beside the vessel. He +did not think anybody had left her as he approached. The man must be +on board; but he must wait until Andrew came up. There was no sound +but the drip of water and the wail of the cold wind; it was eerie and +depressing to stand there in the fog; but at last he heard a cautious +step and knew that his comrade had reached the opposite side of the +hulk. + +"Go ahead," he said softly; and scrambled up with a feeling of relief +that the waiting was over. + +He heard Andrew's heavy boots rasp upon the planks; but he reached the +forecastle hatch first, and his nerves tingled as he dropped through +it in the dark. He came down safely; but he did not hear the clatter +of feet among the timbers he had expected. While he felt about, for +fear an unseen enemy might seize him at a disadvantage, Andrew sprang +down and the light of an electric torch flashed round the hold. It +showed broken timbers, sand, and glistening pools; but that was all. +They had wasted their efforts; nobody was there. Andrew moved about, +holding up the torch, and then extinguished it as he came back to the +spot beneath the hatch. + +"Well," he said, "we're no farther forward." + +"Could the fellow have seen us and slipped away?" + +"Not on my side. The fog wasn't very thick, and I could see the wreck. +I suppose you kept a good lookout?" + +"Of course. Perhaps he saw us when we noticed him on the bank." + +"It's possible, but not likely. We had only just left the gutter, and +he was going the other way." + +Andrew was silent for a minute. + +"It would help us," he said "if we knew whether he could carry a +wireless apparatus across the sands. I don't think it could be hidden +on board." + +"It might be buried outside in a watertight box. Shall we go dig?" + +"No; we'd be seen from the shore, and a good glass would show what we +were doing. In the dark we would have to use a lantern." + +"That's so," Whitney agreed. "Well, as there's nothing doing here, +let's get back." + +They reached the dinghy before the tide flowed round her, and shortly +afterward got on board the _Rowan_. The fog was thick and the wind +blowing against them down the Firth, but Andrew decided to hoist no +sail when they hove the anchor. + +"It's early yet to find deep water, and I can steer her with an oar," +he said. "We'll let the tide take her up." + +He sounded now and then as the current carried her away, and Whitney +wondered whether it would strand them on a thinly covered bank. Andrew +had no guide except the depth and the hoarse murmur the stream made as +it rippled across the shoals. + +Suddenly Andrew began to scull vigorously. + +"Not much water; I think we're too near the middle sand," he said. + +The next minute the boat stopped with a jar and listed down on her +side while the ripples splashed angrily against her planks. Whitney +seized the boat-hook to push her off, but Andrew stopped him. + +"She'll soon float, and the tide's not running very fast." + +They sat in the cockpit to wait, and the noise the current made as it +swirled round her died away. She was not quite afloat, however, and +Whitney was picking up the boathook when a flicker of light shone +through the fog. He raised his hand in warning to Andrew, and both saw +the faint gleam go out. + +Then a splashing sound grew louder, and a dim gray object drove toward +them. Whitney knew it was a lugsail boat beating up the Firth, and he +saw that she would pass at a few yards' distance if she stood on. So +far, he did not think they had been seen, for the _Rowan's_ hull was +low, and she had no sail set. While he waited in suspense he heard the +splash of an oar as somebody sounded. + +"No' quite a fathom. Doon helm, Jock," said a hoarse voice. + +There was a flutter of canvas, and the boat, swinging round, vanished +on the other tack. + +"What are we going to do?" Whitney asked. + +"Anchor as soon as they're far enough off not to hear our chain." + +Andrew sculled the _Rowan_ into the channel, and presently dropped the +anchor. When she brought up, he went below and lighted the lamp. + +"They didn't see us, but I won't want to follow them up the Firth," he +explained. "Their boat can cross the flats before we can, and when we +landed they'd all have gone. Besides, it might look suspicious if we +came up soon afterward. I think we'll wait for daylight." + +Whitney put the kettle on the stove and lighted his pipe. + +"Well," he said, "I guess it's puzzling, but there's certainly +something going on, and it may be something that will mean the loss of +another big liner. I expect you see that it ought to be stopped at +once." + +"Yes," said Andrew firmly. "I mean to stop it." + +Whitney nodded and thought for a few moments. + +"So far," he contended, "we haven't scored much; it looks as if the +opposition were pretty smart. The point you have to answer is +this--suppose they do some serious damage before we can stop them?" + +"You mean that in trying to keep the thing in my own hands I take a +dangerous risk?" + +"Yes; but I can't tell you what you ought to do. You're awkwardly +fixed." + +Andrew leaned back on the locker and grappled with a problem that had +troubled him much of late. He was quietly proud of the Johnstones' +traditions; and the honor of the family, which had long stood high, +was threatened. It was painful to admit that a traitor was making use +of Appleyard; but, had there been no other obstacle, Andrew would not +have hesitated about denouncing him. The trouble was that if he did +so, Elsie must suffer with her guilty relative. To keep silent might +enable the plotter to carry out designs which Andrew with his limited +powers could not thwart, and his duty to the State was obvious. + +He did not want to shirk that duty; he was willing to bear any +personal loss, and even bring discredit upon Appleyard, but it did not +seem his duty to involve the girl he loved. Elsie had done no wrong, +but she was Staffer's niece, and that would be enough to condemn her. +Besides, he might be mistaken, and it was unthinkable that he should +bring suspicion upon Appleyard until his last doubts had vanished. If +Staffer were proved guilty, nobody would believe that Mrs. Woodhouse +and Dick were free from blame. And yet Andrew saw that his country +must not be left unprotected from the plots of its enemies. + +He set his lips as he tried to balance contending claims, using +arguments on both sides that had led him into a maze before; and each +time he was forced back upon the decision he had already made. +Something must be risked, and in the meanwhile he would follow up his +clues alone; it would be time enough to warn the authorities when he +had found out what was to be feared. + +His face was tense as he turned to Whitney. + +"I think we'll have to work out this thing in our own way; but as the +tides won't suit for the next few days, we'll take a run north along +the Eskdale road." + +"Very well, if you think that's somehow in the plot," Whitney agreed. +"It's possible you're right about the other matter. You'd put the load +on the proper shoulders if you warned your authorities, but if they +didn't get to work very quietly, they'd scare the fellows off before +they found out much. The trail's certainly not plain, but I guess we +can follow it without showing what we're after." + +"See if the anchor's holding," said Andrew. "I'm going to lie down." + +He lowered his folding cot, but the flood tide had covered the flats, +and the yacht was rolling gently on the swell it brought in before he +went to sleep. + +Farther up the narrowing Firth the wind was faint, and Elsie, lying +awake toward high-water, heard the murmur of the sea. It throbbed in a +deep monotone through the stillness that brooded over the fog-wrapped +countryside. Elsie listened to it for a time, wondering what Andrew +was doing as she glanced at the obscurity outside her window, for the +Firth was dangerous to navigate in thick weather. He had promised to +return the next day, and she wanted him back at Appleyard. She felt +safer when Andrew was about. He was not clever, but he was practical, +and one could trust him to do the right thing in a difficulty. + +Elsie was glad to remember this, because she had difficulties to +contend with. Dick had been restless and depressed, and his occasional +efforts at rather boisterous gaiety had emphasized his general +moodiness. He was obviously not well; but Elsie thought this did not +account for everything. Then her mother had been quieter than usual, +and her manner seemed to indicate secret anxiety. + +Elsie felt that things were going very wrong at Appleyard. Something +mysterious and sinister threatened the household, but she could not +combat the danger, because she did not know what it was. Even now, +when every one was probably asleep, she had an instinctive feeling +that there was mischief on foot. She told herself that she was highly +strung and imaginative, but her uneasiness would not be banished. +Anyway, she could not sleep. Seeing that the fire had not quite gone +out, she got up, finally, and, putting on her slippers and kimono, +lighted a small reading lamp. She drew a thick curtain across the +window, and then opened a book; but she found that her thoughts would +dwell on Andrew, somewhere out in the fog. + +With a gesture of impatience, Elsie closed the book and threw it down. +It had not made her sleepy, and the room was getting cold, but she did +not want to go back to bed and lie awake. Sitting still, she mused and +listened. The wind always moaned round Appleyard, and when the nights +were still one could hear the hoarse murmur of the Solway tide. Then +there were the mysterious sounds that occur in old houses: creaking +floors, boards cracking, and now and then the rattle of a door. Elsie +was used to these noises, but for no obvious reason her senses were +alert. + +Suddenly she sat upright. Somewhere downstairs a door was being opened +cautiously. Her clock showed that it was just half-past two. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE LOST PAPER + + +The sound of the opening door did not startle Elsie, because of her +curious feeling that something unusual was going to happen. With a +quick glance at the window she decided not to put out the light. The +thick curtain would probably hide it, and, if not, to darken the +window suddenly would show that some one was watching. Then it struck +her that she had not heard a key being turned or a bolt drawn; but the +door fastenings were carefully oiled. Staffer had had this seen to, +after having had difficulty with his latchkey one night. + +Elsie was curious and highly strung, but not alarmed, for there were +no burglars in Annandale. Prompted by the suspicions that had filled +her mind lately, she determined to find out who had come in; so, +slipping quietly out of her room, she pulled her door to softly and +walked to the top of the stairs. The cold draught that came up from +the hall showed that the door was open, and she stopped when she had +gone down a few steps. So far, she had not paused to reflect, but she +recognized now that she had not acted altogether on an unreasoning +impulse. Dick and Staffer were at home; but she did not wish to warn +Staffer, and she felt it might be better if Dick did not go down. + +Leaning over the banister, she heard a low voice in the darkness and +it gave her a strange, disturbing thrill. She could catch no words, +but the accent reminded her of Munich. Then a ray of light flickered +about the hall, and Elsie shrank back, her heart beating fast, as the +beam ran up the wall. Some one was using an electric torch. She began +to feel that she was in danger; but the light stopped and streamed +back again, leaving her in the shadow. After that it flashed round and +fell upon two men near the door. They had made no noise, and there was +something startling in the way their figures sprang out of the gloom. +Both were dressed in oilskins and rubber sea-boots. + +One was Williamson; the other a stranger, who in spite of his dress, +did not look like a fisherman. He had blue eyes and a stiff, red +mustache; but he vanished as the light traveled past him to rest on +the door of the library, which opened out of the hall. Then, though +Elsie heard no sound, she knew the men had gone in. What was more, she +knew that Staffer carried the torch. This was the most disturbing +thing; and she leaned upon the banister while she tried to think. + +She had frankly distrusted Williamson, feeling that he threatened +Dick, and she knew now that she had never really trusted Staffer. He +had treated her well; but she imagined this was for her mother's sake; +and instead of affection she felt a curious, half-instinctive +antagonism for him. After all, she had really not been his guest, but +Dick's; Appleyard, which she had come to love, belonged to the +Johnstones and not to her uncle. She felt that its peace was +threatened; and she determined to find out what the men were doing. + +Moving noiselessly, she crept down to the hall, and as she reached it +a faint but steady light streamed out of the library door. This was +not the torch; Staffer had lighted one of the lamps. For a few moments +she stopped and hesitated, trying to master her fears. She knew that +she must not be discovered; though it was not Williamson but her uncle +she dreaded most. This, however, was not all of her trouble: the +stranger's accent had awakened a flood of disturbing memories. She had +been kindly treated in Munich, where she had learned her mother's +native tongue, and the sound of it had stirred strong, deep-rooted +feelings. The man with the red mustache had a look of command, in +spite of his rough clothes. She knew the stamp, for she had seen it on +officers whose wives had, for a time, been her friends. Some were men +she had admired; but now they were her country's enemies. + +That was the trouble: one could not belong to two nations, and she was +Scotch. Appleyard was her home, and Dick and Andrew, although not her +kin, were dearer than any one except her mother; yet her mother's +blood was in her veins, and she felt it stirring now. But this must +not be allowed. She was her father's daughter, too, and belonged by +adoption to the Johnstones. She had accepted their traditions, and now +she must side with the men she loved; she felt that they were hers. + +Having reached this decision, she realized that she must find a +hiding-place from which she could see into the library. She crept +across the hall, feeling her way to a tall, old clock that stood +against the wall. Its oak case did not project far, but by standing +straight behind it she would be in the gloom, and the half-opened +hall-door would help to conceal her. + +Leaning forward from the corner, she found her view commanded the end +of the library table, where Staffer sat beside a shaded lamp, with +some documents spread out in front of him. The men bent over the +table, examining the papers with eager attention. + +For a few moments no one spoke, and then the stranger with the red +mustache said something which Elsie did not catch. + +"Yes," Staffer returned gruffly, "Rankine is an obstacle, but he +doesn't interfere with my part of the business." + +Elsie could not hear what followed; but Williamson and the stranger +spoke in quiet, earnest tones that suggested that what they had to say +was important. Being accustomed to Staffer's voice, she could more +easily catch his remarks. Presently he stopped the stranger with an +impatient movement of his hand. + +"No; you must get into the habit of calling him Sanders!" + +The man's face was hidden, but Elsie thought his pose stiffened as if +he resented Staffer's tone. This seemed to indicate that he was a man +of rank, which something in his bearing had already hinted. + +"Well," he said in English, speaking a trifle louder, "if he is +watched, as he suspects, you may have some trouble in getting his +instructions. To visit him in Edinburgh might lead--" + +Elsie could not hear the rest, but she could see Staffer's smile as he +answered: + +"We have a suitable messenger." He turned to Williamson. "Nobody would +suspect Dick, and he'd be safe, because he'd have no idea of what he +was doing. He's going up with me in the car to-morrow." + +"I'm not sure--" Williamson began; but they had gradually ceased to +lower their voices, and Staffer stopped him with a warning sign. + +Elsie caught her breath as Staffer suddenly turned in his chair; but +he was only looking for a map which was buried beneath the other +papers. When he opened it, he spoke quietly, and the others listened +with close attention. At first Elsie could not catch a word; but as +their caution lessened with their intense interest, an occasional word +or phrase reached her. + +". . . submarine . . . coast of . . . this line marks . . ." + +Staffer's voice dropped to a murmur again; until finally he folded the +papers and handed them to the stranger. + +"Now it's up to you," he said, quite distinctly. "You know what will +happen to you if you fail!" + +Elsie crouched back as the men straightened up. She knew the interview +was over, but she did not dare risk crossing the hall to the +staircase. A clink of glass reached her; and then she stood straight +against the wall, pressed close against the old clock, for she knew +the men were coming out. + +Williamson entered the hall first, and as he pushed the door back the +light touched the clock. Its tall case was shallow, and when +Williamson turned partly round Elsie's heart beat fast. He went on, +however, and the stranger followed, putting the papers Staffer had +given him into a pocket under his oilskin coat. He wore thick woolen +gloves, but perhaps his hands were cold, for an envelope dropped out +at the bottom of the oilskin. It fell a foot or two from where Elsie +stood, and she thought she could not escape discovery if he stooped +to pick it up; but the next moment the library went suddenly dark. The +man passed on, and Staffer flashed on the electric torch as he came +out, but its light did not fall near the corner. He extinguished it +when the men reached the house door, and Elsie stood very still with +tingling nerves. + +She had escaped, but the envelope lay on the floor, and she felt that +Appleyard was threatened by some plot in which Dick was to be +involved. Both must be protected; she must get the paper. Its loss +would no doubt embarrass the conspirators, and would probably not be +discovered for some time, but she must be quick. Their footsteps were +almost noiseless, but she heard them go down the steps. Stooping +swiftly, she drew her hand across the floor, found the envelope and +thrust it inside her kimono. Then she darted across to the stairs, and +when she reached the landing she stopped to listen. It was possible +that the stranger might feel if he had all the papers before he left. + +No sound reached her, and she breathed a sigh of relief; but she +forgot that the others had moved silently, and a flash of light swept +up the stairs and struck her face. She was dazzled and alarmed; but +with an effort she kept her self-control. It would be dangerous to be +seen trying to steal away, but if she remained, looking down over the +banisters, her presence might be accounted for. + +"Who's there?" she asked in a sharp voice. + +For a moment or two the light rested on her face, and she was glad to +remember that she would not be expected to look composed. + +Staffer laughed as he turned the beam on Williamson. + +"Our friend and I," he answered. "I'm sorry we startled you. Perhaps +I'd better get a candle." + +He looked cool. That was comforting, for it suggested that he did not +know she had been in the hall; but she thought it wiser to wait a +minute. Staffer struck a match; then he put out the torch and gave the +lighted candle to Williamson. + +"If you don't want supper, we may as well go upstairs. The room you +generally use is ready." + +Elsie imagined that Williamson had not meant to stay, but he came up +in front of Staffer, carrying the candle. She noted that he wore +rubber knee-boots and that Staffer had only his stockings on his feet. +When they reached the landing, Williamson looked rather keenly at her, +but his face was inscrutable. She could not be sure that he had not +seen her behind the clock; and Staffer's attitude might be intended to +hide some plan for her embarrassment. But she must keep cool. + +"I think we could find Mr. Williamson some cold meat if he is hungry," +she said. + +"He'd rather have sleep," Staffer answered. "He meant to stay at +Langholm, so as to get home early to-morrow; but you can never rely on +a motorcycle." He turned to Williamson. "How far did you have to walk +when it broke down?" + +"Four or five miles, after I'd spent some time trying to put it +right," Williamson answered, and made his excuses for disturbing them; +but Elsie thought he was taking Staffer's cue, and she knew that they +were both watching her. For all that, she smiled as she replied with +conventional politeness. + +"Well," resumed Staffer, "it's getting cold, and I'll look after +Williamson. If you hear a door open another time, you'd better call me +instead of going down." He paused a moment, and there was a slight +change in his tone. "We know your pluck, but I can't allow you to run +a risk." + +Elsie turned away with keen relief, and on reaching her room she +locked the door before she took out the envelope. The name +_Thorkelsen_ was written across it. That suggested a Norwegian or a +Dane, and was not what she had expected, but she sat for a time with +the envelope in her hand. She had no doubt that it contained some +dangerous secret. A plausible excuse had been made for Williamson's +visit; but she had noticed his clothes, and deck-boots, which were not +what one generally wore when motor-cycling. Then, why had the man in +oilskins come to Appleyard when he might have expected every one to be +asleep? It looked as if her uncle had a part, and a leading part, in +some plot in which Williamson was engaged; but she could not reason +the matter out. Now that the strain had gone, she suddenly felt limp. + +With an effort she roused herself and threw the envelope into the +fire. She could not betray her uncle, to whom she owed much; but he +should not lead Dick into trouble, and Appleyard must not be used by +her country's enemies. The situation, however, was embarrassing, and +she felt that she could not ask Andrew's help. She longed to do so, +because she instinctively turned to him when she was in a difficulty, +and he had never failed her. But it was impossible now. She must wait +and trust to finding some way of baffling the conspirators without +staining the family honor. + +At last she went to bed, and presently fell asleep; but she got up +early in the morning and found Dick outside, watching Watson clean the +car. + +"Are you going to Edinburgh to-day?" she asked, as they turned back to +the house. + +"Yes," said Dick. "A bit of a change is bracing." + +"But Andrew and Mr. Whitney are coming back." + +"I suppose that means you don't want me to go; can't trust me up in +town?" Dick said lightly. + +"It isn't that." Elsie hesitated. "I imagine they want to make some +use of you." + +Dick gave her a curious glance. + +"I suppose you mean Williamson does?" + +"No," said Elsie, with a touch of color in her face; "I mean both." + +"Ah!" Dick looked at her keenly for a moment. "You're generally frank, +Elsie; open as the sunshine, in fact; and I'm not clever at hiding +what I think. Suppose you tell me what you really do mean?" + +"I can't, Dick; but I want you to be careful in Edinburgh, for my +sake." + +"Very well. I'll promise that; and I think I can manage not to let +others see I've had a hint. It's a funny thing, but although I am a +bit of a fool, I really have more sense than people imagine." + +Elsie was puzzled by his manner. The hardness in his tone was not like +Dick; but she let the matter drop. + +"Who is Rankine? Do you know him?" she asked. + +"Yes; he's a friend of Whitney's people, a navy officer. Struck me as +a remarkably good type." + +"Where is he now?" + +"I don't know. Somewhere between here and Ireland, surveying for +charts." + +"Perhaps Mr. Whitney will bring him to Appleyard when his ship's in +port." + +"I'll ask him to, if you like. But I don't know you as a plotter. +What's the scheme?" + +"I can't tell you," Elsie answered with a careless smile. "You'll have +to trust me, Dick." + +"That's easy," he said in a different tone. "Anybody who knew you well +would trust you with his life." + +Elsie gave him a quick, affectionate glance, and they went into the +house. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +STAFFER'S MESSENGER + + +Dick spent several exhilarating days in Edinburgh, although on the +whole he conducted himself with a sobriety that surprised his +companions, who were thus encouraged to leave him alone. + +As they were getting breakfast on the morning they left Edinburgh, +Staffer said to Dick: + +"We must start back as soon as we can, but there's an adjustment to be +made on the car that may keep me half an hour at the garage. I don't +suppose you'll mind doing an errand for me in the meantime?" + +"Certainly not," said Dick. + +"Then you might go to the Caledonian Hotel and see a man called +Sanders. I'll give you his room number, so you needn't bother them at +the office. Go straight up in the elevator and ask if he has any +message for me; then you can come back to the garage, where we'll be +waiting." + +"He doesn't know me, but perhaps that won't matter?" + +"I don't suppose so; the thing's not important," Staffer answered +carelessly. "However, since you mention it, if he should hesitate, you +can show him this." + +He gave Dick a handsome silver cigarette-case, engraved with a rather +unusual pattern round the crest. + +"Be back in half an hour," he said. + +It was a fine morning with bright sunshine and a keen east wind, and +Dick walked along carelessly, looking at the shops. At one he bought +some gloves for Mrs. Woodhouse, and at another some delicate, quilled +chrysanthemums caught his eye. He bought a larger bunch than he could +conveniently hold, imagining that they might please Elsie, and farther +on he purchased an enameled locket. + +With a box of gloves sticking awkwardly out of his pocket, and a +wrapped-up jewel case dangling by a loop from a finger of the hand +with which he clutched the great bunch of chrysanthemums, Dick entered +the hotel. None of the pages or porters asked him what he wanted when +he strode through the entrance hall; for his twinkling smile and easy +manner banished suspicion. There were very few people who ever +distrusted Dick. Staffer had chosen his messenger well. + +Dick found Sanders reading a letter in his room, and thought the +fellow had been surprised when he entered unannounced. The paper in +his hand was crumpled, as if he had meant to put it out of sight, but +he turned to Dick with a quiet movement. His face was expressionless, +but his glance was very keen. + +"Perhaps I ought to apologize for breaking in on you like this," Dick +said. + +"It's not quite usual," Sanders replied. "The general custom is to +send in a card." + +"Well, I was told to go straight up; and as I was thinking of +something else, I'm afraid I forgot to knock." + +"I'm afraid you did," returned Sanders. "Who told you to come up?" + +"Staffer. I understand you have a message for him. We're just starting +home." + +"Ah!" Sanders' voice was quiet, but Dick imagined that he felt some +surprise. "You will excuse my remarking that, as a rule, one likes to +know something about a messenger." + +"Of course; I forgot." Dick took out the cigarette-case. "Staffer is +my step-father, and he said you'd know this." + +"Then you're Mr. Johnstone of Appleyard?" + +Dick nodded and felt that he was being quietly studied. It was obvious +that Sanders knew something about him. + +"How long have you been in Edinburgh?" he asked, and looked thoughtful +when Dick told him. + +"Well, I have no message for Mr. Staffer. As a matter of fact, I was +expecting some news from him, and have not received it. You might tell +him so." + +"I see; you can't reply to a message you didn't get. But I'll send him +round when I reach the garage, if you like--and there's the +telephone." + +"You seem to understand the situation," Sanders smiled. "I won't +trouble Mr. Staffer, as it is not important. Will you come down and +smoke a cigarette?" + +"No, thanks. Staffer's waiting," Dick said. + +Sanders picked up the cigarette-case, which he had left on the table. + +"This is Mr. Staffer's, and perhaps you had better return it as soon +as you see him. The thing is valuable." + +Dick left the hotel, but took out the case and examined it as he +walked back up the street. It was heavily gilded inside, and he +thought the engraving round the small gold crest remarkably good. The +case was beautifully made, and must have been expensive; but he +suspected that this did not altogether account for Sanders' warning +him to take care of it. Dick's face grew thoughtful as he remembered +the crumpled letter, which the man had not had time to thrust into his +pocket. Then, it was strange that he had been unwilling to use the +telephone; and, when one came to think of it, Staffer could have +avoided some delay by ringing him up. Moreover, Elsie had told him +that he might be made use of in Edinburgh. + +As he remembered this, Dick smiled. After all, he was not so simple as +he looked, and people who misunderstood his character sometimes +suffered for their mistake. His mind was occupied as he went on to the +garage, where he found the car waiting at the door with Williamson +inside. They had not brought Watson, and when Dick appeared Staffer +started the engine. + +"I suppose you saw Sanders," he said carelessly. + +"Yes," replied Dick. "Hope I haven't kept you; I wasn't with him +long." + +"Jump up," Staffer said, as he threw in the clutch, and the big car +rolled away down the street. + +The traffic was thick when they crossed the railway bridge, and +Staffer was forced to drive cautiously; and when they ran between tall +houses along the narrow highway out of the town, there seemed to be an +unusual number of carts about and tramcars on the line. It was not +until they were speeding past the last of the small villas on the +outskirts that Staffer could relax his watchfulness, and then he did +not speak to Dick. Staffer and Sanders had given him to understand +that the message was of no importance, and Dick knew that Staffer +would accordingly show no haste to ask about it. + +They ran under a lofty railway viaduct and through a colliery village; +then the road led upward across open country toward a high, blue ridge +that rose between them and the south. As the car sped on, the careful +cultivation that marks the Lothian levels became less evident. There +were fewer broad belts of stubble, and the dark-green turnip fields +were left behind; no copses and patches of woodland lined the winding +road. Rushy pastures rolled away from it, the hedgerows were made of +ragged, wind-stunted thorns, which presently gave place to dry stone +dykes. Round hilltops began to rise above the high table-land where +the white bent-grass grew, and a keen wind from the North Sea stung +their faces as they climbed the last ascent. Here Dick's eyes swept +the landscape. + +The Forth had dwindled to a thin, glittering streak, Edinburgh was +hidden by a haze of smoke, and the Craigs and Arthur's seat were +fading into the background of the highland hills. Ahead, across the +divide, a long, gently sloping hollow opened up where Gala Water wound +among the fields and woods. The road, however, ran straight along the +hillside, which gradually rose above it, while the valley melted +through deepening shades of gray into a gulf of blue shadow. As the +car rushed down the incline a faint white line was drawn across the +distance, and Dick, glancing at his watch, imagined it was an +Edinburgh express. + +Then Staffer turned to him. + +"By the way, what about the message Sanders gave you?" + +"Oh," said Dick, "he didn't give it to me." + +Staffer looked round as far as he was able, but dared not neglect his +driving, and so missed Dick's grin. + +"But you saw him!" he exclaimed. + +"Oh, yes; but he had nothing to say. He didn't know what you wanted, +because he hadn't heard from you. Anyway, that's what I understood." + +The car had swung toward the edge of the road, and Staffer was +occupied by the wheel for the next few moments, but Dick imagined that +he and Williamson exchanged glances. + +"Can you remember his exact remarks?" Staffer asked when he could turn +again. + +"I'm afraid not. Still, I think he expected you to send him something +that hadn't come." + +Staffer said nothing more, but Williamson put his hand into his +pocket, and took out what appeared to be a time-table. A thin spire +with a few white houses below it now stood out from the hillside two +or three miles away, but Dick thought Williamson would not get out +there. It would look significant after hearing his report, and he +could get a train to Edinburgh farther on. Staffer said something that +Dick could not hear, and the car raced through the village without +slackening speed. + +For a time the road ran southward beside the sparkling stream, and +then wound round wide curves where woods rolled down the hollows of +the hills, until, as they turned a corner, Galashield's factory +chimneys rose about the waterside, and a haze of smoke floated across +the valley. Staffer reduced speed as they ran in among the houses, and +drove very slowly when they reached a sharp bend near the station. + +"I want some oil," he said. "We'll stop here and get a tin." + +He pulled up in front of a big red hotel, and they went into the +smoking-room. + +Williamson walked over to the fire. + +"It's a cold day for driving, and I don't think I'll go any farther," +he remarked. "I want a few things that I can buy in the town, and I'll +go on by the afternoon train." + +"As you like," said Staffer. "Your place is off our way." + +When Williamson left them, Dick turned to Staffer. + +"I wonder if you would lend me a pound or two?" he asked. + +"I might take the risk; but why do you want it?" + +"Well," Dick said apologetically, "it's difficult to bring much money +back when you go to Edinburgh; and if you don't mind I'll stop here. +If Andrew and Whitney aren't in the neighborhood, I'll come on by +train, but I expect to find them at Melrose or Abbotsford. You see, I +felt rather shabby about leaving on the day they were coming home." + +Staffer did not object, but Dick thought his compliance was accounted +for by the whistle of a stopping train that was then starting for +Edinburgh. + +"Andrew has eccentric tastes, but, allowing for that, it's hard to see +what satisfaction he and his American friend can get from cruising +about the Galloway coast in winter," Staffer said. + +"They're fond of a shot at the black geese." + +"They can get snipe and partridges at Appleyard without much trouble." + +"They can," Dick agreed, smiling; "that partly accounts for it. If +you knew Andrew as I do, you'd understand why he prefers the geese. +Anything he can get easily, doesn't appeal to him. No doubt, it's a +matter of temperament, but I imagine he goes punting after geese +because it's a remarkably good way of getting cold and wet." + +"Then it's only the shooting that takes him along the coast." + +"Of course. I can't think of anything else. Can you?" + +"No," Staffer said with a quick laugh. "But I'll admit that I don't +understand your cousin's type of character." + +They left the hotel soon afterward, but Dick's face grew thoughtful +when Staffer drove off in the car. He had known for some time that +Williamson derived an advantage from exploiting his extravagance, but +he had not minded this. Of late, however, Williamson had left him +alone, but Dick did not think this was because Staffer had interfered +on his behalf. He had admired and trusted his step-father, who had +always treated him indulgently; and he now retained some liking for +him, though he was beginning to know him better. + +Leaving the town he took the road to Abbotsford lost in gloomy +thought; but presently he braced himself to ponder the line he ought +now to take. After all, he was the heir to Appleyard, and although he +had recklessly ignored his responsibilities, he loved the old house. +Now, all was not well there: something mysterious was going on. Dick +held Williamson mainly accountable for this, but it looked as if +Staffer had a part in the plot. This complicated things, because +Staffer was his step-father and Elsie's uncle, and Dick cherished the +honor of his house. + +He looked up as he heard the hoot of a motor horn, and his tense face +relaxed into a smile. Andrew, in the side-car of Whitney's bicycle, +waved his hand and Dick's troubles began to vanish. One could rely on +Andrew, who, after all, was a much better Johnstone than himself. +Somehow, Andrew would stand between them and whatever threatened the +honor of Appleyard. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +AN EVENING AT APPLEYARD + + +Rankine had got a few days' leave and was spending it at Appleyard. He +sat beside Elsie in a corner of the billiard-room, where the party had +gathered after dinner. He had arrived during the afternoon, and Andrew +was not altogether pleased to see him, although he liked the man. +Elsie had suggested that Dick should invite him, and had added that he +might as well come when Madge Whitney was there. Since Elsie had not +seen Rankine until he arrived, Andrew wondered what she meant; but he +admitted that she generally had a reason for what she did. + +Nobody had been playing billiards or wanted to begin. Elsie and Mrs. +Woodhouse were knitting and the others were talking quietly, while +they waited for the evening newspaper. + +Presently Staffer made a remark about the Navy, and Madge Whitney +looked at Rankine with a smile. + +"Don't you feel that you must answer that?" + +"I don't know that I can," Rankine answered good-naturedly. "To some +extent, Mr. Staffer's right. The Navy certainly occupies the +background of the stage, just now." + +"It strikes me as being out of sight altogether," Staffer said. + +"Well, perhaps that's its proper place. But I expect it will emerge +from obscurity when it's wanted." + +"We must hope so," Staffer returned. "No doubt, your commanders are +waiting for the right moment to make a dramatic entry on the scene; +but one imagines that ambitious young officers must find being kept in +the background rather galling." + +Andrew caught Whitney's glance and understood it as a warning not to +speak. It had been blowing hard for the past week and he thought of +the great battleships rolling until it was scarcely possible to keep a +footing on their stripped decks, while anxious men slept beside the +guns and bitter seas foamed across the ponderous, low-sided hulls. It +would be worse on the swift destroyers, driving, half submerged, +through the gale and trembling when the combers struck them, until +their thin steel skin and beams racked and bent with the strain. No +man could really keep a lookout in the blinding clouds of spray, and +their decks would be swept from end to end with icy water. Rankine +knew this, but he smiled tranquilly as he turned to Staffer. + +"Oh, I don't think they mind--so long as they feel they're useful!" + +"Is that what you feel?" + +"Something of the kind. Surveying's not the work one would prefer, +just now, but it's necessary. The banks and channels shift and our +commerce must go on." + +"There have been interruptions," Staffer said dryly. + +Andrew felt puzzled. Staffer's manners were generally good; but now, +while there was nothing offensive in his tone, he had gone farther +than was altogether tactful. It looked as if he wanted to sting the +young navy officer into an indignant protest, though Andrew could not +see what he expected to gain. Rankine, however, agreed with Staffer. + +"That's so; and it's possible we may hear of another interruption or +two. Our men will do their best; but, while our cruisers are pretty +active, they can't be everywhere at once." + +The newspaper was brought in and Staffer handed it to Dick. + +"You can read it to us. I can't see very well where I am." + +Dick took the thin sheet. + +"Nothing of importance on the western front; a trench or two carried, +another lost." + +He stopped with an exclamation, and the others leaned forward eagerly. + +"What is it, Dick?" Elsie asked in a hushed voice. + +"They've sunk another ship in the North Channel--a wheat ship from +Canada!" + +"Read it!" Andrew said tensely. + +Dick gave a quick look at Staffer before beginning; but Staffer at +that instant was lighting a cigar, so his face was masked. + + "A telegram from Londonderry reports that the British + cargo steamer _Meridian_ with grain from Canada was + beached in a sinking state near Greencastle last + night. Full particulars have not yet been received, + but a violent shock was felt when the vessel was off + Malin Head and soon afterward she began to settle + down. The water rose rapidly in two of her holds, but + the bulkheads stood the strain and the captain was + able to reach the mouth of Lough Foyle. Whether she + struck a mine or was torpedoed is not at present + known, but some light is thrown on the subject by the + crew of the _Concord's_ experience. The latter, a + steamer of 6,000 tons, bound from Montreal to Glasgow, + passed Tory Island yesterday, steering east. A high, + confused sea was running, and it was getting dark when + she was abreast of Portrush, where the lookout forward + reported a submarine. + + "The captain immediately altered his course, and the + vessel, which was rolling wildly, listed over as she + obeyed her helm. The lookout, running across the + forecastle, after he hailed the bridge, as if to see + the submarine better, was thrown down the ladder and + picked up, unconscious, on the iron deck. The captain + steamed out to sea and returned an hour or two + afterward nearer the Kintyre side. The injured seaman + had not recovered consciousness when he was landed in + the Clyde." + +There was silence for a few moments when Dick put down the newspaper. +Andrew's face was hard, for Rankine had given him a meaning glance; +Elsie was very quiet, but she was lightly flushed. + +"I suppose it wouldn't be difficult to recognize a submarine?" she +asked presently. + +"No," said Rankine; "not if it were at the surface. One might, +however, mistake a spar or batten, floating upright, for a periscope." + +No one followed up his explanation, but the party seemed to find the +pause trying. + +"They burn gasolene, don't they?" Madge asked. + +"Either that or oil when they're running on the surface. The engines +are driven by electricity when they're submerged." + +"Can they carry much gasolene?" + +"Not very much," Rankine answered, guardedly. + +"Can they carry enough to take them from Germany and back?" Madge +persisted. + +"I believe some can do so; but they wouldn't have much to spare, and +they'd run a serious risk if they remained any time as far away from +their base as the North Channel." + +"You must see that the point's important," said Elsie. + +"Its importance is obvious," Rankine agreed. + +"If the boat couldn't carry enough fuel, she'd have to get some while +she was out on a trip?" + +There was another long pause and then Mrs. Woodhouse spoke. + +"You must mean somewhere in Scotland," she said. + +"Disagreeable conclusion, isn't it? But we don't know yet that it was +a submarine," Rankine answered. + +"But suppose there _should_ be an enemy submarine in the North Channel +that hadn't much fuel left, how could she renew her supply?" Staffer +asked. + +Rankine seemed unwilling to talk about the subject, but he smiled. + +"Oh," he said, "it's hard to tell. One could form plausible theories, +but they'd probably be wrong. Perhaps we'd better leave the matter to +the people whose business it is." + +He began to talk about something else, and the curious tension that +all had felt gradually slackened. Soon afterward, a servant announced +that Mackellar had arrived. Staffer had been expecting him, and when +he left the room Madge and Dick went to the drawing-room with Elsie +and Mrs. Woodhouse, and Rankine found himself alone with Andrew and +Whitney. + +"Have you made any progress with your investigations?" he asked. + +"No," Andrew answered quietly; "nothing very marked." + +"And you are still resolved to keep them in your own hands, after the +news we got to-night?" + +"Do you know that the loss of the cargo boat has any connection with +the matter?" + +"No; but it looks suspicious," Rankine answered, with a touch of +grimness. "If I did know, my course would be clear." + +"So would mine," said Andrew. "We found some matches and a candle on +board the wreck, and followed a man across Criffell to the beach +abreast of her--or rather we followed his tracks. Then we saw another +fellow on the sands at night; but that's all I have to tell." + +"Could you see either of the men clearly?" + +"No. I didn't see the first at all; and the other was some distance +off, and a thick fog was coming on." + +"That means it was impossible for you to recognize him." + +"Quite," Andrew said firmly. "Besides, I didn't expect to recognize +him; there was nothing to indicate it was anybody I'd ever met. Have +you learned anything?" + +Rankine smiled. + +"I've examined the wreck and dug up the sand, besides watching the +flats for several nights. The place might be used for a wireless +installation, but, lying in a hollow, with hills on both sides, it's +not particularly suitable." He paused and looked at Andrew. "That had +some influence with me." + +Andrew thought Rankine meant that if he felt certain that messages +were sent from the wreck, he would have brought some pressure to bear +on him. + +"How did you get there?" he asked. + +"We ran in behind Ross Island when it was too rough for surveying, and +afterward brought up near Abbey Head. You get some shelter there so +long as the wind's not south." + +"But it's a long way from Abbey Head to the wreck," Whitney +interposed. + +"I shipped a steam launch at Belfast." + +"And went to the wreck and back at night? Wasn't it blowing hard?" + +"Hard enough," smiled Rankine. "We had some trouble to keep the fire +from being swamped, but she's a powerful boat and has a good big pump. +Then we traveled most of the distance shortly before and after +low-water, when the sea was not so bad; but I'll confess that I +couldn't have found my way among the shoals except for Mr. Johnstone's +directions. We made three trips and got back before daylight without +noting anything suspicious." + +They looked at him in surprise. A steam launch voyage along that +dangerous coast on a wild winter night was a bold undertaking, +particularly when one must cross surf-swept sands with only a few feet +of water under the boat. And Rankine had safely accomplished it +thrice. + +"What about the digging?" Whitney asked. "Mightn't it alarm our man?" + +"The surf would level the sand in a tide," Andrew said; and turned to +Rankine. "What do you think of doing now?" + +"I don't know, but I'm afraid I can't stay here as long as I expected. +The steamer's in Loch Ryan. We went in to make some repairs after a +hammering we got. Now, perhaps we had better join the others." + +Andrew left them in the drawing-room and found Mackellar alone in the +library. + +"I'll have finished with these in a few minutes," he remarked, +indicating the papers before him. "Mr. Staffer's accounts don't give +much trouble. He's a man o' parts." + +"Yes," agreed Andrew; "the estate is managed well." + +"We must give him all the credit he deserves, but there's another +matter I'm anxious about. We have not got to the bottom o' your +cousin's debts." + +Andrew frowned. + +"Do you mean that Williamson has got hold of him again?" + +"No; I'm thinking he's out of the game, and the borrowed money's none +o' his. But Dick has incurred some fresh liabilities. Here's a bit +statement; ye can study it." + +Andrew felt disturbed, but he waited until Mackellar put the papers +into his pocket. + +"I can't see how Dick has spent so much money; but how did he get it?" + +"On notes that will mature when he's twenty-one. I found the man who +cashed them, but he parted with the paper, and I canno' tell who holds +it now." + +"I've no doubt you tried to find out." + +Mackellar's eyes twinkled. + +"Ye may take that for granted. If there had been a weak spot in the +man's affairs, I'd have made him tell." + +There was silence for a minute. Andrew suspected that it was Staffer; +but he did not think it was time to speak, and he knew that Mackellar +would take him into his confidence when he saw fit. + +"The fellow who really made the loan has some courage," he said +presently. + +"I'm thinking he kens the Johnstone character. Dick would no' disown +his debts on the ground that he was under age; nor would ye, if your +cousin died before he inherited." + +"No," said Andrew. "Dick's debts must be met; but I would pay what he +borrowed with reasonable interest, and nothing more." + +"Ye're a true Johnstone," Mackellar remarked, with dry approval. "My +opinion is that the lender's no' expecting ye to inherit." + +"Well, it's most unlikely, and I'm glad it is so. I suppose you have +nothing more to say, but you'll tell me when I can help." + +"I will," Mackellar promised. + +Andrew did not feel inclined to join the others. He strolled into the +hall, and found Elsie sitting in a corner with her knitting. + +"I stole away to finish this belt," she said. "It's the last of a +dozen I promised to let the committee have to-morrow." + +"You keep your promises," Andrew replied. "It must be a comfort to +feel you're useful, because somebody in the snow and mud will be glad +of that warm belt. I begin to wish I'd been taught to knit." + +Elsie gave him a sympathetic glance, for there was a hint of +bitterness in his tone. + +"What is troubling you to-night, Andrew?" she asked gently. + +"It is rather hard to explain; a general sense of futility, I think," +he answered with a smile. "Did you ever feel that you had come up +against a dead wall that you could neither break through nor get +over?" + +"Yes; I know the feeling well. There is so much that ought to be done +and it seems impossible. But what did you want to do?" + +Andrew stood beside the hearth, silently watching her for a minute. +Her face was quiet but faintly troubled, and although she was looking +at the fire and not her knitting, the needles flashed steadily through +the wool. Elsie had beautiful hands, but they were capable and strong, +and it was not often that she allowed her feelings to interfere with +her work. + +"To tell what you meant to do and couldn't sounds pretty weak, but I +had two objects when I came home," he said. "I wanted to help Dick and +keep him out of trouble; but the proper kind of help needs tact, and I +haven't much. Besides, there's something peculiarly elusive about +Dick; you think you have him, so to speak, in a corner, and the next +moment he slips away from you. Sometimes I suspect he's a good deal +more clever than we imagine." + +Elsie nodded. + +"Yes; I know what you mean. But you're a very good friend of his and +it wouldn't be like you to give him up." + +"I don't mean to give him up; but just now it looks as if I could get +no farther. That's the trouble." + +"You mean part of it," said Elsie quietly. "What was your other +object?" + +Andrew hesitated. + +"It was rather vague, but I thought I might somehow be useful--to the +country. I'm lame and can't enlist; I can't give much money; but I +might, perhaps, help to watch the coast. Then there was the Eskdale +road. You know my hobby." + +Elsie stopped her knitting and gave him a steady look. + +"And after a time, you thought you saw a way to be of use. You found +out something?" + +"Yes," he said in a disturbed voice. "Still, it looked as if I +couldn't go on with the thing. Some of the clues broke off and those I +tried to follow led me into difficulties. You can't act on faint +suspicion: it might lead to unnecessary complications." + +"One must take a risk now and then," Elsie answered. "I mean, do one's +duty and face the consequences." + +Andrew did not reply and she picked up her knitting. + +"Well, peace must come, sometime," she said. "Have you thought what +you will do then?" + +"Yes; if I could see Dick starting well as the owner of Appleyard, +and, better still, safely married, I'd go away again." + +"What do you mean by 'safely married'?" + +"I think you know. He's such a good sort, and a girl who understood +him and was patient with his failings would soon help him to get rid +of them. She'd make the most of his good points, and Dick has +talents--" + +"Are there girls like that?" + +"Yes," said Andrew, firmly; "I am quite sure that I know one." + +Elsie gave him a curious glance. + +"But you're only thinking of Dick. What about yourself?" + +"Oh," he said with a brave effort to be cheerful, "I don't count for +much. I've no money and no particular ability beyond being able to +sail a boat. Still, I have the sea and I'm fond of wandering. It's a +pretty good old world, after all, and if you keep an open mind, you +make friends wherever you go." + +"But it must hurt to leave the old ones." + +"Yes," he agreed with a hint of strain; "it hurts very much. But you +never leave them altogether. Things change, of course, but you can +come back if you are wanted." + +He left her rather abruptly, and Elsie dropped her work and sat +looking into the fire, a curious, gentle smile on her face. Andrew was +true to the core; he would never seek his own advantage when it +conflicted with his loyalty to his friends. Now he was willing to +sacrifice himself for Dick; though perhaps his poverty influenced him, +too. Still, he should see--Elsie resolutely picked up her knitting. +She must not indulge in disturbing thoughts like these--and the belts +must be finished. Shivering men, worn with stern fighting in Flanders, +needed them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE BUOYED CHANNEL + + +A bitter east wind was blowing through light mist, though the moon was +in the sky, when Andrew came out of a little shop in a lonely village +near the Galloway coast. He carried a basket of provisions and wore a +thick jersey and oilskins, but he shivered as he looked down the +street. It was empty, and dark except for a faint yellow glow here and +there in the windows of the small, white houses that rose abruptly +from the rough pavement. + +"Dick's a long time in getting the eggs," he said to Whitney. + +"That's so; we've been 'most half an hour buying the few things you +wanted. He's probably talking to somebody. Making friends with +strangers is a way he has, particularly when he knows we're waiting." + +"I could suggest another explanation," Andrew replied. + +He looked round at a clatter of heavy boots and saw two dark figures +against a square of light. Then a door was shut and Dick came up with +a man who wore an oilskin cap and jersey. Dick was awkwardly holding a +big paper bag. + +"It's no' a good night," said the seaman. "I wouldna' say but we might +have a shift o' wind before long. They're telling me ye have brought +up in the west bay." + +"For the night," said Andrew. "It's an exposed place." + +"It's a' that. If the wind comes from the south'ard, it will take good +ground-tackle to hold ye." + +"What about the burnfoot gutter?" + +"It's snug enough, but ye might have to stop a week. Ye canna' beat +oot when there's any sea running on the sands." + +"Are there any geese about?" + +"Weel, I did see two or three bernicle, a week ago; but if it's +shooting ye want, ye'll have to gang doon west. The geese have moved +on, but I hear the duck are throng on the flats roon Deefoot, behind +the Ross." + +Andrew said nothing. He had picked up Dick at Kirkcudbright on the +Dee, but had not seen a duck about the river mouth. It seemed that the +man had learned that they came from the head of Solway, but did not +know they were then returning from the west. He left them at the end +of the village and Andrew then asked Dick what had kept him. + +"The eggs," Dick grinned. "Jim insisted on them and I didn't want to +disappoint him, though they're scarce just now. I should advise him to +take them before they smash; I'm not clever at carrying eggs in a +paper bag." + +"Where did you get them?" Whitney asked as he took the bag. + +"Where do you think? When you're in doubt in a Scotch clachan, it's +safe to try the change-house." + +"I suppose that means the saloon," said Whitney. "Well, I suspected +something of the kind." + +Leaving the road outside the village, they struck across some wet +fields and came to a marsh, through which a muddy creek wound +crookedly. After jumping deep drains and floundering through rushes, +they reached a steep bank of gravel, with a cut where the creek made +its way to the sea. A mooring buoy floated in the channel; and across +the channel lay a waste of sand, dotted with shallow pools. This ran +seaward until it was lost in the haze. + +An old shooting punt that Andrew had repaired lay upon the gravel and +they dragged her down. As she was larger than usual and the big gun +had been unshipped for the voyage, she would carry them all; though +her shallow hull was deep in the water and the yacht some distance +off. They had brought their ordinary shoulder guns on the chance of +getting a shot at geese or duck. The village was about a mile away, +and the spot looked strangely desolate; although a raised causeway, +lined by stunted thorns, that ran back into the mist, seemed to +suggest that a road came down to the sands across the creek. + +Andrew took the long paddle when they pushed off, and the tide carried +them away between muddy banks veined with tiny rivulets of water. In +coming, soon after high tide, they had crossed the sands, following +the line of beach, but now they must head seaward until they could +round the end of the projecting shoal. Soon the banks got lower and +the riband of water widened; and then a tall upright branch rose ahead +of them. + +"That perch is new since I was here last," Andrew remarked. "Who was +the fellow you were talking to, Dick?" + +"I don't know. He told me he had a boat at the burnfoot, but the +fishing wasn't good." + +They drifted on until a strong ripple broke the surface ahead. A small +black object tossed in the disturbed patch. + +"What's that?" asked Whitney. "Looks like a lobster trap." + +"Lobsters prefer stones," said Andrew. "I don't think there are any +here, but we'll see, if you get hold of the buoy. Anyhow, it will let +me stop paddling and throw some water out." + +He headed across the channel, and Whitney, crouching on deck, seized +the ring of corks. The punt swung round sharply with her bow to the +stream and there was an angry splash against her planks. Whitney was +glad to ease the strain on his arms by making fast the wet line. + +"The tide's running strong," he said. + +Andrew nodded. + +"The buoy's not on a lobster creel or we'd have pulled it up. I wonder +what depth there is?" + +He pushed down the double-ended paddle, which, as used in shooting +punts, is about nine feet long, and touched bottom when it was wet +half-way up. Then he held the blade against the stream until the punt +sheered across the channel, dragging the line with her, when he tried +again. This time he could not find bottom. + +"It looks as if the corks are meant to mark a corner of the bank," he +said. "In a way, that's curious, because fishermen don't often bother +about a buoy. They know the ground and are satisfied with sounding +with an oar." + +Andrew began to bail her out, and Whitney and Dick sat on the after +deck while he caught the water which ran toward them in the bailing +can. + +"What about the geese?" Whitney asked. + +"The man mentioned bernicle and I'd expect to find them on the outer +end of the flat, because it's soft ground and bernicle get their food +in the mud. Besides, I'd like to see how this channel runs as the +sands dry; there's more water than I thought. Suppose we leave the +punt and walk down the edge? As it's lower than the top of the bank, +we'd be out of sight." + +"I'll stay in the punt," said Dick. "I'm not fond of crawling through +soft mud. Then, if you put up some birds, they'll probably fly over +me." + +They paddled ashore and left him with the punt, Andrew showing him two +small rollers, which would help him to launch her if he wished to come +after them. The sand was soft and made a sucking noise about their +sea-boots, but this was the only sound except the faint ripple of the +tide. The shore was hidden and there was nothing visible beyond the +stretch of sloppy flat that vanished into the mist. The haze, however, +was not thick, and faint moonlight filtered through. + +"What do you expect to find here?" Whitney asked. + +"I don't know. I'm curious about the buoy and I imagine that the +fellow Dick was with wanted us to clear out. He was right in saying +that we'd brought up in an exposed place; but why did he tell us ducks +were plentiful down west?" + +Whitney made a sign of agreement. + +"It's certainly suspicious." + +They went on while the sand got softer, but they saw nothing except a +few small wading birds and a black-backed gull. Then Andrew stopped +near the outer end of the bank. Something black floated in the midst +of a tide-ripple, about forty yards away. + +"Another buoy and a bigger one, marking the fairway to the gut," he +said thoughtfully. "With that and the compass course to the corks we +saw, I'd take a boat drawing eight feet up to the burnfoot at five +hours' flood, on an average tide." + +"Eight feet draught would give you a pretty big boat; a vessel of +about a hundred tons would float on that. But what would bring her +here?" + +"That's the point," said Andrew. "I believe old wooden schooners +sometimes take cargoes of coal up these gutters and dump it into carts +on the beach, but I'm not quite satisfied." + +He turned suddenly, as he heard a flapping of canvas, and a few +moments later, a tall dark shape emerged from the haze. At first, it +had no clear outline, but Andrew knew it was the topsail of a +cutter-rigged boat, beating in against the tide. She grew in +distinctness until they could see her black hull washed by a streak of +foam, and the straining mainsail, slanted away from them. The iron +shoe of a trawl-beam projected between her shrouds, and the net hung +in a dark festoon over her weather side. The wind was abeam just there +and she passed them, sailing fast; but they waited, knowing that it +would draw ahead where the channel curved. Presently, there was a +banging of canvas that suddenly swung upright, and then filled and +vanished on the other tack. + +"Smart work!" Andrew commented. "They'll have about twenty yards of +deep water to gather way in before they bring her round again, against +the stream. The fellows who can beat her round that bend don't need +buoys. I'd like to take some bearings: this gutter's very sketchily +indicated on the chart." + +"Shore bearings wouldn't be of much use to anybody who wanted to come +up in the dark." + +"That's true," Andrew agreed thoughtfully. "But we came for geese, and +we may as well make our way back across the middle of the sand." + +After a while they found a nearly dry gutter, and moved up it +cautiously until Andrew stopped. Out of the dark came a clear, high +note, the clanging cry of the bernicle geese. It was answered from one +side and behind, and then a measured fanning became audible. This +swelled into a rhythmic creak as the broad wings beat the air. + +The men crouched low, with tingling nerves, clenching their guns and +straining for the first glimpse of the approaching birds. + +"Flying low and right over," Andrew whispered. "Fire when you see the +first!" + +Whitney got down on one knee, while the ooze soaked through his +trousers and ran into his sea-boot. But this did not matter; it was +worth sinking waist-deep to hear the wild call break out close ahead. +A dark object, planing downward on extended wings, shot out of the +mist; another came close behind; and the gun-butt jarred Whitney's +shoulder while smoke blew into his eyes. He swung the gun as he pulled +the second trigger, and saw a red flash leap out; and then the dark +was filled with a harsh clamor and the furious beat of wings. Andrew +jerked his gun open and the burnt cartridges shot out while smoke +curled about the breach. + +"Two, I think," he said. "Yours is up the bank." + +Whitney found it presently: a small, black-breasted goose. + +"My first bernicle!" he said with a thrill of pride. "They're more +like a big duck than the heavy lag birds we've already bagged. Do you +think Dick will get a shot?" + +"He ought to. They were flying straight up the bank." + +They waited a few minutes, but no gunshot came out of the mist, and +when everything was silent they turned back down the gutter. + +"The geese won't alight again," Andrew said. "As Dick knows that, +he'll probably launch the punt and come to meet us." + +When they reached the edge of the water, Whitney stopped and lighted +his pipe. + +"It's pretty soft farther on. Let's wait here for the punt," he +suggested. + +He had nearly smoked his pipe out when they heard the splash of a +paddle, and presently the punt crept out of the mist. Its low, +gray-painted hull was hard to see; but Dick's form was more distinct +and Andrew made an abrupt movement as he watched him. He sat facing +forward, on the after deck, and he lurched clumsily from side to side +as he dipped the paddle. The punt was not going straight, but sheered +about, and Dick did not seem to be making for the bank. This projected +in a short cape, not far away, and then the sand ran back toward the +east, leaving a stretch of rippling water that vanished in the haze. +The tide was rapidly running seaward and the wind blew off the flat. + +"Dip to leeward!" Andrew shouted. "Head her up for the point!" + +Dick stopped and flourished his paddle. + +"I'm not coming ashore," he answered with a chuckle. "Do you good to +walk back. Jim's getting fat!" + +Whitney looked at Andrew in alarm. + +"Yes; he's drunk!" Andrew said with an impatient sign. + +It was plain to both that the situation was not free from danger. A +shooting punt, with its sides only from six to eight inches high, is +essentially a smooth-water craft and is easily swamped, in spite of +her deck. There was a good breeze, and if Dick passed the short point, +he would risk being blown out to sea. The tide did not follow the +sweep of bank but ran straight out. + +"Don't be a fool!" Andrew shouted. "Run her in at once!" + +Dick sat hunched up, with the paddle on the deck, and they heard him +laugh. + +"It's quite oll ri'," he answered. "Needn't bother about me. I'm going +to look for submarinesh." + +Andrew ran toward the point, and Whitney, following, tore two buttons +off his oilskin jacket as he tried to unfasten them with numbed +fingers. He wore ordinary serge trousers and heavy sea-boots, but the +punt must be stopped before she drifted past the little cape. +Afterward, it would be too late. + +Andrew reached the spot first, while the punt was still upstream of +it, and at once plunged in; but Whitney, who had now got rid of his +oilskin, stopped and tried to pull off his long, wet boots. He hardly +thought Andrew could wade out far enough, and one of them might have +to swim. He was furious with Dick; but the boy must be rescued. He got +his boots off and went in up to his knees; but then he stopped; for he +would not be needed if his comrade could reach the punt. Andrew was +waist-deep but still floundering on, when Dick, laughing hoarsely, +threw something at him. It fell into the water, but the next shot was +better aimed, for Whitney saw an egg smash on Andrew's oilskin cap. + +Another struck him in the face; but the punt was near now, and after a +few more floundering strides, Andrew threw himself forward. The craft +lurched as he fell across her deck, and Whitney thought she would +capsize; but the next moment Andrew flung Dick into the well and then, +kneeling on the deck, brought the craft ashore with a few strokes of +the paddle. + +Whitney felt very cold, and he was getting stiffly on board when +Andrew asked: + +"Hadn't you better bring your coat and boots?" + +Whitney found it a relief to laugh as he went back for the things; and +Andrew pushed the punt off when he got on board. + +"I'll paddle while you keep the young ass in the well," he said. +"Knock him down if he tries to get up." + +"Don't want to get up," Dick remarked. "Quite snug down here. Only +trouble is I'm sitting in the eggs." + +"I think that's correct," said Whitney. "_In_ is the proper word. +There's rather a mess on your face, too." + +"Good shot, ole man," Dick observed with a grin. + +Andrew said nothing as he swung the long paddle, for the ripples were +getting larger as they left the sand, and the breeze was freshening, +but at last the yacht's light twinkled in the mist. Getting on board, +they hustled Dick below, where Andrew stripped off his wet clothes and +put him into his berth, while Whitney got the stove to burn. + +After a time, Dick put out his head. + +"Feel I'd like some supper, before I go to sleep." + +"You can go to sleep without it," Andrew said sternly. "I suppose +there's no use in talking about it now, but you've been warned that +this kind of thing may kill you." + +"I'm 'shured," Dick rejoined. "Good big policy and I don't pay the +premiums." + +"Who does pay them?" Andrew asked, in a quiet, insistent voice; but +Dick only grinned. + +"That'sh secret, ole man. You're very good fellow, but don't know +everything. Don't bother me any more; I'm sleepy." + +He was silent after this, but Whitney waited until he thought Dick was +really asleep. + +"He looked sober when he joined us at the village," he said. + +"I think he was," Andrew agreed. "Perhaps he'd drunk enough to make +him want more, and brought a bottle away. No doubt, we'll find it when +we clean up the punt." Then he forced a smile. "You'll have to go +without your eggs." + +"That's obvious. But what did he mean about his being insured, and +somebody else's paying the premiums?" + +"I don't know, and don't expect to get any more information when he's +sober, but I'll see what Mackellar thinks. Sometimes I feel like +giving up the whole business. Dick's too clever for me; and when I +turn to the other matter, I'm brought to a full stop." + +Whitney nodded sympathetically. + +"It's an awkward job, but you won't let up. You're not a quitter, and +luck or Mackellar may help you through." + +He got into his cot, and the regular splash of ripples against the +boat's side, and the soft slapping of the halyards on the mast, soon +made him drowsy, but the last thing he saw was Andrew sitting on the +opposite locker with a stern, thoughtful face. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +A CLUE + + +There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading. +A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping +shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet. Masses of +soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was +clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was +why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, +for the tides run fast when the moon is young. + +Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent +gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling +wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built. She had +been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she +felt that a shadow rested upon the house. Dick had returned from a +cruise with Andrew, looking dejected and unwell; and she was glad that +Whitney had taken both away again, on his motorcycle, because Dick had +lately had fits of moody restlessness when he was at home. Still, she +missed them badly, for her mother was silent and preoccupied; and when +Andrew was away, she found it hard to banish the troubles that seemed +to be gathering round. They were worse for being very vaguely defined, +but she felt convinced that something sinister was going on. + +As she thought of Andrew, her face grew gentle and she smiled. She +knew his worth and his limitations, and loved him for both. He had his +suspicions, too, and would follow where they led. Andrew was not the +man to shirk a painful duty, but she could not openly help him yet. +That might come, and in the meanwhile she would at least put no +obstacle in his way. Still, if her fears were justified, the situation +was daunting and she might need all her courage. + +As she neared the lodge, she saw a man loitering in the shadow. + +"Are you waiting for somebody, Jock?" she asked. + +Marshall, the fisherman, turned and looked at her thoughtfully. + +"Weel," he said, "they telt me Mr. Andrew's no' at home." + +"Did you want to see him about the yacht?" + +"It wasna' that, a'thegither." + +"No?" + +"Ye see, I've missed him twice and I'm for Stranraer the morn. We're +gaun west to try the herring fishing." + +"And you wanted to tell Mr. Johnstone something before you left? Can I +give him a message when he comes back?" + +Marshall hesitated. + +"Weel," he said, "ye can tell him that the _Nance_ cam' up the Firth +the night before he started for Edinbro'; that's a while ago, ye mind. +Last night she cam' up again, wi' the same crew; the Edinbro' man I +telt him o', anither wha keeps a trawl boat doon the Colvend shore, +and yin who has a reid mustache." + +Elsie started, and then wondered whether she had betrayed her +surprise. + +"I'll try to remember. I suppose this is for Mr. Johnstone alone?" + +"Just that," said Marshall. "I'm thinking it would be better that ye +telt naebody else." + +He moved off, and Elsie, looking round a moment afterward, saw that he +had vanished. It was nearly dark among the trees, but she knew that +she could have seen him had he kept on the road; besides, his heavy, +tacketed boots would have made some noise, and she had heard nothing. +Then she saw a figure coming from the lodge and her brain acted +quickly, because she recognized Staffer. + +Marshall had hinted it was important that his message should be kept +secret; and fishermen had good sight. He must have noticed Staffer +before she did, and did not want to be seen talking to her. Then she +remembered that the night before Andrew started for Edinburgh was when +Williamson and the man with the red mustache had entered the house. +The stranger had come up the Firth in one of the salmon boats shortly +before his visit to Appleyard, and had been there again without her +seeing him. + +She felt a thrill that was half apprehension and half excitement as +she went on slowly. The lodge was about a hundred yards away when she +met Staffer. + +"There's something I want to ask you," he said. "Have you any reason +to doubt the honesty of our servants?" + +Elsie saw at once where his question led, and tried to nerve herself. +He was a clever man and she was young and inexperienced. + +"No," she said; "I have none; and Mother's quite satisfied with them. +Why do you ask?" + +"You'll remember the night Williamson arrived rather late. He lost a +paper in an envelope, and it looks as if somebody in the house had +picked it up." + +"Have you inquired about it?" Elsie asked, remembering that it was the +man with the red mustache who had dropped the envelope. + +"No," Staffer said carelessly; "I didn't want to make the thing look +more important than it was, and I thought the envelope might turn up." + +"But it must be of some consequence, or you wouldn't bother about it +now." + +"That's obviously true. It has become important since we lost it. It +gave us some particulars that we find we can't remember." + +Staffer gave her a scrutinizing look. + +"It was dropped in the house," he said slowly. "Somebody must have +found it." + +Elsie wondered whether he suspected her. He had seen her looking down +from the landing and might not have been satisfied that she had come +to see who was in the house; the men had been careful to make no +noise. + +Staffer frowned when she did not answer. + +"If the thing doesn't turn up," he declared, "I'll dismiss everybody +about the place! We can't have people round us whom it's impossible to +trust." + +"None of the servants found it," Elsie said with forced quietness. + +"You seem strangely sure of it!" + +Elsie hesitated. She could not allow innocent people to suffer for +what she had done; but the matter had greater issues. Though much was +dark, it was clear that she and Andrew were on one side, and Staffer +and his friends on the other. Andrew could be trusted, but Staffer +could not. For all that, she felt the tie of kinship and could not act +treacherously to him. + +"I am sure," she said slowly, "because I found the envelope myself." + +Although the light was bad, she saw his face change, and she grew +suddenly afraid. There was a fury in his eyes that made her quail; but +he kept his self-control. + +"So you were downstairs that night!" + +"Yes," she said, and waited with tingling nerves, though she thought +the worst was past. For a moment or two she had, perhaps, been in +danger. + +"What did you do with the thing?" he asked harshly. "Did you give it +to Andrew Johnstone?" + +"Why do you think I did that?" + +Staffer saw he had blundered by hinting that the paper related to +matters which might concern Andrew. + +"Never mind; answer me!" + +"I burned it at once, without opening it." + +He looked at her as if he found this impossible to believe. + +"It is quite true," she said with forced calm. + +"But why? You steal a letter belonging to my guest, which you must +have thought important, and then burn it unread. Do you expect me to +understand your action? The thing seems purposeless." + +"It isn't easy to explain, but I must try," she answered, nerving +herself for an effort. + +"That's obvious." + +She hesitated a moment and then spoke bravely. + +"I knew that something not right was going on at Appleyard." + +"Ah! Did you know what it was?" + +Elsie made a negative sign. + +"I really didn't want to know; but I believed that the letter was +dangerous. If I had read it, I might have felt forced to tell what I +found out; so I put it straight into the fire." + +"Knowing that its loss might embarrass Williamson or me!" + +"Yes," she said; "I thought of that. But I felt it would be safer for +us all if I burned the paper." + +"I suppose you understand that what you have admitted must make a +difference? You have set yourself deliberately against me." + +"If I had meant to injure you, I would have kept the letter; but I +won't urge this. If Appleyard were yours, I would go away at once, but +it is Dick's and he could not get on without my mother." + +"Then you mean to stay and continue spying on my guests!" + +"So long as no harm comes to Dick or Andrew, I shall leave you and +your friends alone." + +Staffer laughed. + +"I'm afraid you're letting your imagination run away with you. What +harm could come to either of them through me? But we'll say no more +about it, just now." + +He left her at the door and she went to her room and threw herself +down on her couch, feeling rather limp, for the strain had told on +her. Besides, her suspicions now were no longer vague. She had found a +clue and she began to see where it led. Andrew was obviously watching +the mouth of the Firth, while Rankine had some mysterious business +farther west. Marshall thought it well that Andrew should know that +the man with the red mustache had come from the suspected neighborhood +late at night, in a salmon boat. The man had been at Appleyard, where +he dropped an important letter; and Williamson and Staffer were in +league with him. From all this it looked as if their business were +treasonable. + +This filled her with alarm, but she was glad she had told Staffer that +she found the envelope. After all, he was her uncle and to have kept +silence would have been treacherous; but the struggle between family +obligations and her duty to the State got keener. It was unthinkable +that she should spy upon a kinsman to whom she owed much; but would +she not, in a sense, be an accomplice if she allowed him and the +others to carry on their plots? This question, however, was dismissed +for a time. There were other points to think about. + +Did Staffer imagine she was in Andrew's confidence and secretly +helping him; and had he believed her statement that she had destroyed +the letter? If not, she was, perhaps, in some danger, because his +laughing remark about her imagination had not been convincing. But, +after all, what could he do? She could hardly be kidnapped and +smuggled out of the country; and it was, of course, absurd to think of +his attempting anything worse. + +After a while she began to see her way. She would not watch her uncle, +but if chance brought her clear proof that he was helping her +country's enemies, she would see that he was stopped. This was a +compromise that she suspected could hardly be justified; but the next +decision was easier, because it had to do with those she loved. If +Staffer or his friends plotted any harm to Dick or Andrew, she would +remorselessly use every weapon she had against him. + +Then she roused herself and bathed her face and hands, for she had +felt some physical strain while she thrashed out the painful matter. +She would need calm and courage to meet Staffer as if nothing had +happened, so that her mother might not suspect trouble. The part she +had chosen was difficult, but she must play it out. When she went in +to dinner she did not know whether she was relieved or not by +Staffer's smile, but he talked to her with the suave good-humor he +generally showed. + +Two days after Elsie's talk with Jock Marshall, Andrew and Whitney +were sitting in a Melrose hotel, when a postcard from Stranraer was +brought to Andrew. There was a tarry fingermark at the bottom, +alongside of the straggling signature, _J. Marshall_, Andrew read it +aloud: + + "As I'm away at the fishing, it might be weel if ye + cam' home and lookit after the boat. Miss Elsie will + give ye a bit message. I would not leave her until the + tides get low." + +Whitney smiled. + +"You Scots are a remarkably cautious and capable lot," he said. "I can +imagine the wrinkled old image writing this, with a wooden face and a +chuckle inside. The meaning of the last sentence is cleverly +ambiguous. I suppose the boat is quite all right?" + +"Of course; no tide could hurt her." + +"It's plain then that Marshall thinks you're wanted on Miss +Woodhouse's account. I can have the motorcycle ready in five minutes, +and if we pull out now we can be home soon after dark. Will you tell +Dick?" + +"No. We'll put him on the train, if there is one. Get that railway +guide." + +Whitney opened it. + +"If you mean to see him off, you'll have to wait an hour; and, on the +whole, I think you'd better. He seems to have made a number of +acquaintances in the bar. Anyway, with this light frost, the roads +will be good and hard." + +Dick showed some unwillingness to leave the town, but Andrew was firm +and put him on the train. When it started, he joined Whitney, who was +waiting with the motorcycle. + +The light was getting dim as they ran down the long dip to Hawick, +though pale saffron, barred with leaden gray, shone above the western +hills. When they swept down the last hill, frosty mist hung about the +woolen mills in the hollow, and Whitney throttled his engine as they +jolted past glimmering lights and half-seen houses. + +"It doesn't look very cheerful for a fifty-mile run, but I suppose you +want to get on," he remarked. + +"Yes," said Andrew. "I hope Dick won't miss the train at one of the +junctions, but he'll be all right if he reaches Carlisle. He can't +well get into trouble at the place we stay at there." + +The mist melted into the keen brightness of a frosty night as they +climbed beside Teviot to the snow-sprinkled moors. Whitney's eyes were +watering and his hands numb as they crossed the high watershed. + +"We haven't lost much time, so far, but I suppose I'd better let her +go her best," he said. "There oughtn't to be much traffic on the +road." + +Andrew nodded and pulled the rug tighter round him as the motorcycle +leaped forward down the hill. He was eager to get back, for he felt +anxious. It was not for nothing that Marshall had warned him that he +was wanted. + +There was moonlight in the shallow depression that led down from the +summit, but soon the hilltops rose higher and they plunged into a dark +glen. A glimmer of light flashed up to meet them, and as the side-car, +rocking wildly, raced past the Mosspaul hotel, Andrew remembered what +had happened there a few months previously. He had seen since then +that Dick had not been in much danger when Staffer's car swerved; the +risk of being struck down had been run by him only. Well, that did not +matter much. If any one was threatened now, it was neither himself nor +Dick, and it was horrible to feel that Elsie might be in some danger. +Whitney was driving recklessly fast, but Andrew frowned impatiently as +he watched the hillsides unfold out of the dark and rush by while the +throbbing of the engine filled the narrow glen. + +They swung out at Ewes doors, leaning over hard as the car took the +curve with an inch or two between the wheel and the drop to the burn. +Then the widening valley grew bright again and they raced up and down +rolling hillsides, past scattered farms and white cothouses, until the +lights of Langholm stretched across the hollow. Whitney slowed his +engine here, but they narrowly escaped the wall, as they took the +bridge below the town, and then sped on again furiously through the +woods that line the brawling Esk. + +Appleyard was reached in time for dinner, and Andrew was relieved to +find that Staffer was not at home. Everything was as usual; it was +difficult to imagine any cause for alarm; and he wondered whether he +had been needlessly disturbed. After dinner, Mrs. Woodhouse took +Whitney into the drawing-room and Andrew found Elsie knitting in a +corner of the hall. + +She looked up with a smile when he sat down near her. + +"Haven't you come home earlier than you planned?" she asked. + +Andrew studied her face. It was quiet and undisturbed, but he +suspected a thoughtfulness that she meant to hide. + +"Yes," he said. "I got a postcard from Marshall. He's at Stranraer and +seemed to think I ought to look after the boat." + +"The boat? But it's fine weather. Isn't she quite safe?" + +"Oh, the tides are pretty high and run up the gutter fast." + +Elsie counted her stitches, and then gave him a quiet look. + +"Dick was with you," she said; "so it couldn't have been on his +account that you came back." + +Andrew smiled. + +"That's obvious." + +Elsie was silent for a moment, while a faint touch of color crept into +her face. His explanation about the boat had not deceived her, and +she had noted his searching glance when he first came in. Marshall +must have been hiding near by when she was talking to Staffer, and +have given Andrew a hint. It was for her sake he had hurried back. She +knew that he had hurried, because she had tactfully led Whitney into +making some admissions about their speed. She hardly thought she had +been in actual danger; but she knew that she was quite safe now, and +her heart went out to the man who had come to help. If only she could +confide in him! But it was impossible. His very loyalty to her made +her feel more strongly that she could not betray her uncle and bring +disgrace upon her mother. + +"Marshall gave me a message for you," she said. "I'll deliver it as +nearly as I can." + +She watched him as she repeated the fisherman's words. Andrew was a +bad actor and she was not misled by his clumsy indifference. It looked +as if he knew that the man with the red mustache had dealings with +Williamson and Staffer. + +"Thank you," he said. "I'm afraid we'll have to go west again, before +long." + +Elsie put down her knitting. + +"You'll be careful, Andrew. I want you to keep out of danger." + +His heart beat fast, for he saw that she was anxious about him. Elsie +knew something and would be sorry if he got hurt; but he must not +alarm her or show where his suspicions led. + +"Of course I will," he answered cheerfully. "As a matter of fact, I'm +not running much risk." + +"I'd rather you didn't think so; it leads to carelessness. You won't +be rash?" + +"Certainly not. Tell me why you are anxious." + +Elsie hesitated, and the color in her face grew deeper. + +"Somehow, I seem to feel that trouble is hanging over us, and"--her +voice dropped to a caress--"I want to have you near." + +Andrew caught his breath. + +"Elsie," Mrs. Woodhouse interrupted, "I think Mr. Whitney would like +to have some music." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +TIGHTENING THE MESHES + + +Andrew spent a week at Appleyard, without noticing anything that +caused him uneasiness; and then he got a letter from Rankine asking +him to meet him in the pool behind the Ross, near Kirkcudbright. He +did not want to go; but he thought that he could get back in three or +four days; and Staffer was to be away from home. Besides, Dick would +be there to take care of Elsie. + +Sailing at high-tide, with a keen east wind blowing down the Firth, he +found water across the sands to the mouth of the Nith, where he left +the boat and drove to Dumfries. Here, he and Whitney called upon +Mackellar and were taken into his private office. + +"I have some news that may surprise ye," the banker said. "Dick's +principal creditor is his step-father. Here's a list o' his +obligations, though I'm no' sure it's complete." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Andrew, "I don't know whether I'm surprised or not, +but I begin to see a light." He frowned, as he noted the figures. "It +won't be an easy matter to pay this off; the estate will feel the +strain for some time. But how has the young idiot got rid of the +money?" + +"Betting." + +"But he doesn't go to many races, and turf accountants wouldn't deal +with a boy under age." + +"Verra true," Mackellar agreed dryly. "Dick would get somebody else to +put the money on for him--or at least that's no doubt what he thought +he did. Williamson, or one o' his friends, would be willing." + +"Why do you say it's what Dick thought?" + +"I have my doubts whether his go-between made the bets at all. Where +was the need? The fellow had only to take the money when Dick lost." + +"But Dick's not a fool! He wouldn't back the wrong horse every time. +He reads the sporting papers and I suppose their forecasts are right +now and then." + +Mackellar smiled. + +"If he's no' a fool, he's near it. A tip anybody can buy for a penny +is no' of much account; but it's flattering to feel ye ken the secrets +o' the inside ring. Staffer's friends would see he had that +satisfaction. In other words, they'd tell him how he ought to bet with +them, and, although they'd let him win at times, I imagine they found +it a profitable game." + +"It must be stopped!" said Andrew. + +"Just so; but ye would prefer it to be stopped quietly. There's +another thing I learned, and ye put me on the track when ye told me +what Dick said about his being insured. A policy has been taken out +for a large sum." + +Andrew made an abrupt movement, and Whitney looked puzzled. + +"That's pretty hard to understand. His is not the kind of life they'd +take except at a big premium." + +"It gave me something to think about and I have no' come to the bottom +o' it yet. It's possible the insurance was effected some time ago, +before Dick's weakness had developed. His parents were sound and it +was long before we suspected there was anything wrong with him. +However, I had an interview with the company's local agent and +afterward with the Edinburgh manager." + +"What did you learn?" Andrew asked. + +"Nothing much. In fact, I'm thinking I met my match; the heads o' that +office are men o' some ability, and I had no good ground for +interference. For a' that, they know something and if it was offered +the bank in the way o' business, I would not make a big advance +against the policy." + +"In whose favor is it drawn?" Whitney asked. + +"I canno' tell ye; they were verra reserved gentlemen, but the name +would no' be Staffer's, though the transaction would be ultimately to +his benefit. Mr. Staffer's a man o' retiring habits." + +Andrew was silent for a minute and then looked up. + +"I see now that I have suspected something like this from the +beginning," he said. "What are we to do?" + +Mackellar's face hardened. + +"I think we'll see Mr. Staffer and tell him what we know. It's +possible he'll fight, but that's no' what I would expect. I'm most +concerned about Dick's attitude. We canno' do much if he's against +us." + +"Dick has been rather a puzzle lately. I'll be away for a few days, +but we'll interview Staffer as soon as I'm back." + +Mackellar said that he expected to call at Appleyard shortly, and +would make an appointment then; and Andrew and Whitney drove back to +the yacht. Getting under way at once, they sailed down-channel with +the last of the ebb between wastes of drying sand; and dusk found them +slowly forging out to sea against the incoming flood. They met Rankine +where he had arranged, and, carrying out his instructions, sailed east +again. One evening late they landed from the dinghy at the mouth of +the buoyed gutter. It was near low-water and the tide had run far out. +Fine rain was falling and it was very dark, but as they waded ashore +through the fringe of splashing ripples, an indistinct figure appeared +at the edge of the bank. + +"Is that you, Jock?" Andrew called; and Marshall came up. + +"I startit when yere letter came and Mistress Wilson at the wee shop +in the clachan has taen me in," he said. + +"Did you keep the letter?" + +"Na," said Marshall; "I pit it in the fire." + +Andrew nodded. + +"Then I suppose you understand what you are to do." + +"I'm to try the net-fishing for flounders and keep my een open, though +it's no' just the season the flatfish come up on the banks. They telt +me, at the clachan, there were verra few to be had; but I allooed they +couldna' be scarcer than Loch Ryan herring." + +"He's got it right," Whitney laughed. "Come along and take your net. +You'll have to carry it up the bank; the dinghy's loaded deep and the +tide's still running out." + +When they had dragged the net ashore, Marshall lighted a lantern and +examined it carefully. Whitney, picking up the light, turned it on +the fisherman's wrinkled face and was not surprised to see a twinkle +in his eyes. + +"What do you think of it?" he asked. + +"It's gran' gear, but maybe, a bit heavy for flounders. I wouldna' say +but the heid-rope would haud a shark." + +"It's better to be on the safe side," Whitney said with a laugh. "When +you set a net you can't tell what you're going to catch. That's why we +brought you some iron pipes for the posts. Now you'd better show us +where you want the net put up." + +They went back and pushed off the dinghy while Marshall plodded up the +bank abreast of them with the net on his shoulder. At a bend of the +narrowing channel he hailed them. + +"She'll do here--though I dinna' ken aboot the fishery board," he +said, when they landed and gave him the iron posts. "Ye're no allooed +to stop a through-running watter." + +"I'll be responsible for that," Andrew told him. + +"Then it would be a kind o' pity to leave yon gutter open," suggested +Marshall, turning to Whitney. "A flounder-net in a runway only fishes +on the ebb. Ye haul her up to the heid-rope when the fish come in with +the flood, and let her doon when high-watter's past. Then a' that's +gone by her canna' get back. Onyway, yon's the usual plan, but she'd +maybe fish better here if we keepit her doon with lead and pulled her +up afterwards wi' a heid-rope tackle." + +"I was going to suggest something of the kind," Andrew said. "You'll +want a boat, but there are two or three old punts on the beach. Hire +whichever you like and I'll be accountable. But what about the +trawler fellow who keeps the boat at the point?" + +"They telt me he's awa' doon west." + +"Good. You can begin to put up your stakes, using the pipe. We have +another job to look after, but we'll come back when it's done." + +Whitney shoved the dinghy off and they paddled up the channel. It was +very dark and the rain made the obscurity worse, but Andrew searched +one bank carefully as the dinghy crept along its edge. Everything was +quiet, for there seemed to be no birds about, but they could hear the +thud of Marshall's hammer as he drove in the pipes. Whitney, sitting +aft, felt damp and cold as the water trickled down his oilskins. + +"How much do you think the old fellow suspects?" he asked. + +"I can't tell. He suspects something, and I didn't try to put him off +the track. There were one or two reasons for thinking I'd better not. +Anyway, he's to be trusted. Where's that corner buoy?" + +Whitney laughed. + +"If you were anybody else, I'd wager you wouldn't find it on a night +like this. You don't know it was on a corner, to begin with." + +"Well," Andrew said, "I'm pretty confident about hitting it in the +next few minutes." + +He pulled on steadily, while the rain ran down his face and trickled +from the dinghy's thwarts. The bank was scarcely distinguishable a few +yards away, but the water had not the opaque blackness of the sand, +and Whitney scanned its surface narrowly. There was not a ripple, for +the stream was slackening, and the channel was smooth as oil except +for the disturbance the dinghy made. The water she displaced lapped +upon the sand astern, but there was nothing on the narrow dark strip +ahead. + +"You haven't made a center shot this time," he said presently. + +Andrew laughed and, pulling hard on one oar, swung the dinghy round. + +"The buoy's certainly not in the water. We'll try the bank. The tide +hadn't ebbed so far when we were here last." + +They landed, and plowed through slushy sand. At last Whitney caught +his foot in a rope. + +"You've struck it after all," he laughed, as he followed up the rope +to a ring of large net-corks. "Now, we'll get to work." + +Returning to the spot where the rope came out of the sand, he began to +dig with a spade they had brought; but he did not make much progress. +Water and soft ooze ran back into the hole almost as fast as he could +throw them out; his heavy boots sank into the yielding ground; and his +oilskins hampered him greatly. When he was hot and breathless, Andrew +took the spade. + +"The fellow who moored the buoy here, didn't mean it to go adrift," he +remarked as he flung the wet sand about. + +The spade jarred upon something hard, and Andrew worked its edge under +the object while Whitney seized the rope. For a time, they tugged and +wrenched at it, and then, when they were gasping and splashed all +over, a heavy stone slowly rolled out of its muddy bed. Andrew let it +lie and walked back a short distance toward higher ground. + +"The next step needs care," he said. "We mustn't move the stone far, +because that would show that its position had been changed; but the +bank is steep and a few yards will make a difference. If I can shorten +the depth by half a fathom, it will satisfy me." + +Whitney chuckled. + +"That ought to be enough. When your draught's pretty deep it's +embarrassing to find half a fathom less water than you expect." + +Andrew carefully estimated the difference of level along the bank. + +"I think we'll put it here," he decided. + +It took them some time to move and bury the heavy stone. + +"What about the fairway buoy?" Whitney asked when they had finished. + +"We'll let that stay. I want our man to get in and his troubles had +better not begin until he's going back. The flood would soon float the +vessel off if she grounded going up, but it will be a different matter +coming down, when the tide's on the ebb." + +They pushed the dinghy off and Whitney pulled away against the stream, +which was beginning to run up the channel. The rain had got heavier, +but they could hear Marshall's hammer as he drove down the stakes. +When they were abreast of him, Whitney stopped rowing. For a few +minutes the fisherman stood beside the dinghy while Andrew gave him +instructions, and then he vanished into the gloom as Whitney pulled +away. Andrew lighted a small lantern and, putting it beside a compass +in the bottom of the craft, kept his comrade on his course. + +"Harder with your left; the tide's on our port bow," he said: "Steady +at that; we're round the point. Pull as even as you can." + +The sharper rise and fall and the splashing about the craft showed +Whitney that they had reached open water, but he had no other guide. +They had left no light on the _Rowan_ and black darkness enveloped the +dinghy. The faint glow from the lantern in her bottom made it worse, +and all that Whitney could see was Andrew's face and the wet front of +his sou'wester as he bent over the compass. The rest of his figure +melted into the surrounding gloom. Whitney was tired and wet, and +gritty sand scraped the backs of his hands as the oilskin sleeves +rubbed across them. There was some risk of Andrew's not finding the +yacht, and he must pull hard to reach her before the tide got too +strong. + +This was very different from yachting in hot weather on the Canadian +lakes and Long Island Sound; but it had a fascination he would not +have thought possible a few months ago. Andrew and he were playing a +bold and somewhat dangerous game, the end of which, he thought, could +not be long delayed. As an American, he had no stake on it, except, +perhaps, his life, but he understood his comrade's patriotic keenness +and meant to see him through. Then he had read enough about the +sinking of unarmed merchant ships and the drowning of the crews to +fire his blood. He thought this was excuse enough for not observing a +strict neutrality; then, as he felt the dinghy lurch across the swell +and heard the hoarse murmur of the surf upon the shoals, he knew that +the sport was in itself engrossing. + +He had caught the big gray trout of the lone Northwest, the bass, and +the fighting tarpon, but he was now angling for fiercer prey and he +hoped the murderous steel monsters that lurked in the dark water would +rise to the bait. They were handled with a relentless cunning that +struck him as devilish; and Rankine had hinted that two of the largest +and fastest were not far away, lying in wait for a huge new battleship +that was coming from the Clyde. Whitney could not think calmly of her +lurching under, shattered by a torpedo, with her swarming crew. +Besides, his partner had resolved that this should not happen. + +"Pull with your right!" said Andrew. "She's sagging to lee'ard now." + +They crept on against the tide, Whitney panting as he tugged at the +oars, for he had enough; and it was with keen satisfaction that he +heard Andrew call out presently: + +"Hard with your left; let her swing! I see the boat!" + +Whitney got a glimpse of a rocking mast, as the dinghy came round, and +a few moments afterward he put out his hand to ease the shock as they +ran alongside. A quarter of an hour later the anchor was on deck and +they went eastward with the flood under easy sail. + +"You might put on the kettle. It will be high water before we're up +the Firth," Andrew said. "If we can get our business with Staffer done +to-morrow, we'll sail again for the wreck as soon as it gets dark." + +Whitney hesitated a moment. + +"No doubt you see the consequences if we catch our man at work." + +"They're obvious, but they must be faced," Andrew said in a hard +voice. "I've held back longer than I should, but it wasn't for my own +sake and I can't shirk my duty now." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE RECKONING DAY + + +It was getting dark in the library at Appleyard, and Mackellar stopped +speaking when a servant entered to light the lamps. Staffer leaned +back in his chair as if the interruption were a relief, but Mackellar +sat grim and upright, watching him. Irvine, the other executor of +Dick's father's will, nervously fingered his gold-rimmed eye-glasses; +and Andrew found the servant's deliberate movements exasperating. He +wanted the matter settled. The situation was painful and galling to +his family pride; and the cautious way that Mackellar had led up to +the climax had tried his patience. So far, Staffer had made no reply. + +At last the servant withdrew, and the feeling of tension grew keener +after the soft snap of the closing door. They could now see one +another's faces, and all looked somewhat strained. No one spoke for a +few moments, and Irvine began to polish his eye-glasses with his +handkerchief. + +"It might now be well if Mr. Staffer would tell us his views," he +said. "I think Mr. Mackellar has made ours plain." + +Staffer seemed to rouse himself. + +"It's obvious that you want to get rid of me. Your suggestion is that +I should relinquish control of Dick and leave Appleyard at once?" + +"Precisely," said Irvine. "I see no other way." + +"Does your demand extend to my sister and niece?" + +"Certainly not," Mackellar replied. "We all think it would be an +advantage if Mrs. Woodhouse stayed at Appleyard, and, with Dick's +consent, we would make her a suitable allowance. The management of the +household could not be in better hands." + +"That's some relief," said Staffer. "Now, in the ordinary course of +things, my authority here would terminate very soon, when Dick is +twenty-one, and I should be willing to go then. Is it worth while to +make a drastic change, which would inconvenience everybody, for so +short a time?" + +Andrew was somewhat surprised by Staffer's half conciliatory attitude, +but he thought he saw anxiety in the man's face. It looked as if he +had some strong reason for not wanting to leave Appleyard just yet. + +"Our opinion is that it would be well worth while," Irvine said dryly. + +"Suppose I refuse to go? How do you propose to turn me out?" + +"We'll apply for the necessary powers," Mackellar answered. + +"Do you mind telling me what grounds you mean to urge?" + +Mackellar sorted the papers in his hand, and Andrew marked his quiet +deliberation. Indeed, in spite of a certain feeling of tension, the +proceedings had, so far, been characterized by a curious calm. Perhaps +this was because three of the actors were Scotch; but Andrew felt that +the calm was deceptive. The situation had strong dramatic force. + +"I cannot see why ye should not know," Mackellar replied. "I would +begin by proving undue and dangerous influence on a young man of +extravagant habits who had been placed in your charge." + +"Can you prove it?" + +"Weel, these figures relating to money lent and bills discounted, +would go some length, particularly when it was shown that ye concealed +the part ye took by acting through agents." + +He read out particulars of the money borrowed, with the high rate of +interest charged, and traced the transactions back to Staffer through +other hands. It was a telling accusation and Andrew thought Staffer +was surprised and alarmed by Mackellar's knowledge. + +"I'm not sure that we could not establish a charge o' conspiracy," +Mackellar concluded. + +"There is no fraud!" Staffer declared hotly. "The terms were stated; +Dick knew what he would have to pay." + +"He did not know to whom he would have to pay it," Irvine interposed. + +Staffer was silent for a moment. + +"You can do nothing without Dick's consent," he said slowly. "Why did +you not let him speak for himself? Are you afraid of him?" + +"We found ye had sent him to Dumfries, and we thought ye would prefer +that he was not consulted yet. But there's another matter: the +insurance policy, by which we have ground for believing ye would +ultimately benefit." + +"What do you know about that?" + +"At present we do not know everything, but there's much that we +suspect, considering the state o' Dick's health." + +Staffer looked at him keenly. + +"Do you imply that Dick's health is very bad?" he asked. + +"Ye should ken." + +Andrew thought Staffer looked puzzled, as if he suspected the other of +knowing more than he did himself. + +"Well, is it your intention to dispute my claim or disown Dick's +debts?" + +Mackellar took up a paper. + +"No' at all. Here's a memorandum of our terms, which ye would be wise +in agreeing to. I'll read them out." + +Staffer smiled. + +"Then if threats prove useless, you mean to bribe me to go! Very well. +Give me another three months here, and I'll accept." + +"Our offer is made on the understanding that you leave at once." + +"Then I'm afraid you'll have to turn me out--and you may find it +rather hard. But you haven't answered a point I raised. Suppose Dick +takes my side and insists upon my staying?" + +"Our being executors would warrant our interference; and there's +another party on whose behalf we could make a plea. Mr. Andrew +Johnstone could claim the protection o' his interest as the next heir, +on the grounds o' the direct inheritor's dangerous health." + +"Would you urge this in court?" + +"If we were forced," Mackellar said dryly. + +Staffer's self-control gave way and he turned to Andrew with a savage, +sneering laugh. + +"So _you_ are responsible for the extraordinary line these gentlemen +have taken! You have been counting on your cousin's death!" + +Andrew flushed. + +"As you well know, I came home from Canada to take care of him. Still, +I agree with the executors. If you can still persuade Dick to believe +in you, he must be saved in spite of himself." + +Staffer gave him a curious look. It was plain that Andrew was his most +troublesome antagonist. There was something in Staffer's expression +that disturbed the others. + +"Very well," he said. "You must do what you think fit. I shall remain +at Appleyard." + +He rose, as if to intimate that there was no more to be said; and +Andrew accompanied the others to the car that was waiting at the door, +and afterward found Whitney and told him what they had done. + +"You'll have to be careful, partner," Whitney cautioned. "He might be +dangerous now." + +"Well," Andrew replied thoughtfully, "I must try to avoid risks. But +we must get down the Firth, to-night, and you'd better bring the +motorcycle round as soon as you can." + +A quarter of an hour later, Andrew came downstairs, dressed in a thick +jersey and his old boating clothes and met Elsie in the hall. She +thought his face looked unusually stern. + +"Are you going to sea again, to-night?" she asked, in surprise. + +"Yes; I didn't know beforehand whether I could get away until +to-morrow. As a matter of fact, I don't want to go at all, but I +must." + +She put her hand gently on his arm. + +"If you feel it's your duty, you must go; but I'm anxious, Andrew, and +you'll be careful for my sake. You see, I have come to depend on you, +and I feel that something is threatening us all." + +He thrilled at her touch, and it cost him a stern effort to stand as +if unmoved while he noted the tenderness in her eyes and the flicker +of color in her face. + +"You mustn't imagine things." + +"Tell me the truth, Andrew. Am I mistaken?" + +"Well," he said quietly, "perhaps Appleyard has, so to speak, been +under a cloud for a little while, but I see the light breaking. In +fact, the shadow may be gone in the next few days. But you may need +some courage--and I know you have it." + +"Ah!" she said. "You mean that something may happen here?" + +"I'm sorry I can't tell you anything now," Andrew replied, with an +embarrassed air. "I may be able to do so when I come back." + +She gave him her hand with a gentle look. + +"Then I must wait. But you won't be rash. Remember that I shall be +anxious about you!" + +He left her and for a while she sat quietly in the hall. Andrew was +not going on a shooting cruise; it was some more serious business. She +had already connected it with Rankine and the sinking of the merchant +ships. The reasons that led her to this conclusion were not very +clear, but she felt that Williamson and the man with the red mustache +had something to do with the matter. She wondered whether she ought to +warn Andrew; but she felt that she could not betray her uncle unless +she was certain that Andrew was in danger. + +She roused herself when she heard the car outside. Madge Whitney was +coming to spend a week with them. Shortly after Madge's arrival, Dick +returned from Dumfries, looking ill; and when the party gathered in +the drawing-room after dinner, conversation dragged. It was a relief +when Mrs. Woodhouse suggested that they go to bed. Elsie went with +Madge to her room, and they sat together on a low divan before the +fire. + +"Now," Madge said, "what's the matter with you all?" + +"I don't know," said Elsie. "I don't feel very gay; but you didn't +cheer us much. I'm sorry your head aches." + +"The trip was pretty bad. But I had a little adventure." + +Madge smiled charmingly. + +"What?" Elsie asked indifferently. + +"When we stopped at Dumfries, I got out to get a paper, and as I ran +along the platform I bumped into a man who'd come from the cars across +the track. He had his hands full of things and said a kind of swear in +German, when he dropped them all about." + +"In German!" Elsie exclaimed. + +"Sure. Well, I didn't want him to miss the train, so I picked up the +nearest thing. It was a nice little box that flew open, and I thought +it had a clock in it. He got into my car and began to apologize in +very good English, and then I asked him what was in the box. I thought +he hesitated, but he showed me that it was a compass, with a brass +thing that turned around its top and had two little slits for looking +through." + +"An azimuth; Andrew has one. They're used when you want to be +accurate in taking bearings. But go on." + +"There's not much more. He was rather a charming man and had been in +America. We talked all the way to Annan, where he got out." + +"What was he like?" + +"Tall and big with a sunburned face, very light blue eyes, hair +between red and brown. He looked like a sailor--a captain or something +of the kind, though he was dressed plainly in thick, blue clothes and +had a bundle of oil slickers." + +"Had he a red mustache?" + +"He had none at all, but I guess it would be red if he let it grow. Do +you know him?" + +"No," Elsie said quietly; "at least, I'm not sure." + +Madge gave her a keen look. + +"You make me curious; I went into detail because you are more +interested than you want to show. Of course, I thought it strange that +a man who spoke good English should relieve his feelings in German +when he felt annoyed, and afterward try to convince me that he wasn't +a foreigner. I think he did try and that was the reason he talked so +much." + +"I was thinking about the compass; you said it was in a nice little +box. They use things like that on small yachts and boats." + +"This one was about as long as your hand. Where does the other track +that runs into Dumfries come from?" + +"From Glasgow." + +"Oh!" said Madge. "You build warships there, don't you?" + +She opened her traveling bag and took out a time-table which contained +a map of Scotland. + +"Look at this," she said, indicating Stranraer, Portpatrick, and +Ramsey. "Rankine's been at these places, because I've had notes from +him, and you see how they command the way out from the Clyde. His +business doesn't stop at making charts." + +"Has he told you so?" + +"No." Madge blushed prettily. "Still, he's admitted something; you +see, we are friends. Besides, he's a smart officer; they wouldn't +waste a man like him on taking soundings. That would be quite absurd." + +Elsie's smile was sympathetic, for she thought she understood her +friend's belief in Rankine's talents. + +"He's here on guard in the west," Madge went on; "Andrew's there, +about half way between him and Annan; and now we have a German sailor, +who speaks English and has a boat-compass, at the head of the Solway +Firth." + +Elsie made an abrupt movement, for Madge had found the missing link +and the chain was complete. Men were working night and day at +armaments and warships on the Clyde. Her face was troubled, but her +lips set firm, for she began to see that she could no longer keep her +secret. The time when she must act had come. + +"I think you have guessed right," she said after a moment or two. + +"Then you understand that we have some responsibility." + +"I don't see yours." + +The color crept into Madge's face. + +"Oh, well! For one thing, my brother's with Andrew." Then she put her +arm impulsively round Elsie's waist. "We've got to see this through, +dear." + +Elsie's reserve gave way. + +"Yes," she answered steadily; "we must. The man you met has been at +Appleyard when they thought we were all asleep--and I'm afraid he'll +be here again." + +Madge showed no surprise. + +"I know how you're fixed. But think! Andrew and Jim may be in danger. +We can't let them get hurt." + +"That's impossible! But what must we do?" + +"Watch for the German sailor, first of all," Madge advised. "Try to +find out what he has come for, and spoil the plot. I'm glad you gave +me the room next to yours. I can reach you by that inner door, if it's +necessary." She leaned forward and kissed Elsie. "Now you must go to +bed, dear. You look anxious and tired." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +A WILD RIDE + + +Elsie went to sleep at last, but her rest was broken and once or twice +she awoke with a start. She was uneasy and highly strung, but she +heard nothing unusual. The wind moaned about the house and the splash +of the little burn rose from the glen. Staffer had gone out before +dinner and as he had not come back when she went to bed, she did not +think any stranger would visit Appleyard. Telling herself that she +must not indulge in nerves, she went to sleep again. Some time later, +when lying half awake, she heard a soft rattle; and her heart beat +fast, for she knew that the handle of her door was being gently +turned. She was glad that she had locked it, though this was the first +time she had ever done so. + +The sound stopped, a board in the passage creaked, and as the shock of +alarm began to pass, Elsie guessed that it was Staffer trying to make +sure that she was in her room. This implied that he was going +downstairs to meet some one; but she waited until she got calmer, +wondering if, after all, she had been mistaken. Staffer could not have +returned until late, and it was strange he had allowed his visitor to +risk coming to the house when he might be out. She tried to believe he +had not done so; but when she heard a faint tap on the other door, +which opened into Madge's room, there was no longer any doubt. +Nerving herself for a painful effort, she got up and hastily put on +some clothes. Then she went into the other room and saw Madge's +shadowy figure standing by the window. + +"You heard it?" Madge whispered. "Somebody's gone down. Do you know +who it is?" + +"Yes. . . . It is my uncle." + +Madge put out her hand in the darkness and squeezed Elsie's cold +little fingers sympathetically. + +"You have to choose between him and Andrew, dear," she said. + +"Yes," Elsie agreed in a strange, toneless way. + +"Then we must find out what's going on. My brother's on board the +_Rowan_ too, you must remember--and there's the survey ship. I was +thinking of them all and I couldn't sleep." + +"Are you ready to come down?" Elsie asked. + +Madge shivered as she opened the door. It was very dark and cold in +the passage, and she shrank from the adventure; but she followed +Elsie, when the girl quietly locked the door, taking out the key. +Elsie had better cause to hesitate than Madge, but her resolution was +fixed. Andrew might be threatened and that was enough. She loved him, +and he loved her, though he had tried to hide it. He was hers, and, +with a woman's deep-rooted instincts, she was ready to fight for him. +The choice she had made was no longer hard. Her uncle had now no claim +on her; he was her lover's enemy. For the time, all complexities had +vanished; Elsie was driven by primitive impulses. She would protect +Andrew as a mother protects her child. + +As they approached the top of the stairs, she put out her hand and +stopped Madge. + +"Not this way," she whispered. "Follow me close. We'll go down by the +back." + +They turned into a passage that led through the servants' part of the +house. It was dark and narrow, but Elsie moved down the middle and +Madge kept behind her. When they reached a small, back landing, Elsie +guided her to a hole in the floor, and, putting down her foot +cautiously, Madge felt a step. They were newel stairs and the stone +struck cold through her stockings as she tried to find the broader +side. When she reached level ground, she crept forward behind Elsie, +across a large empty space which seemed to be the kitchen. The next +moment Madge struck something that jarred noisily on the floor, and +she and Elsie stopped with frightened gasps. The sound seemed to echo +through the house. + +They waited, listening with tingling nerves, but all was silent, and +they crept on until they came to a closed door. Elsie, putting both +hands on the knob, turned it cautiously. The latch clicked and they +stopped again; but heard nothing. The gloom in front was impenetrable, +but a draught of cold air touched their faces and Madge thought they +were looking into the hall. After a few moments, she heard a sound +that suggested a chair being moved, and then a half-distinguishable +murmur. It seemed to come from somewhere near by. + +"They're in the drawing-room. Wait here," Elsie whispered; and the +next moment Madge was alone. + +It was very cold and the darkness was daunting, but she tried to brace +herself. Her brother was engaged in dangerous work, and the secret +conference that was being held in the room across the hall might +threaten him. Then, Rankine had some part in the business. She felt a +thrill that brought the blood to her face and gave her courage as she +determined that no harm should come to him. + +The murmur in the drawing-room grew louder, and Madge wondered if she +could get nearer to it. Advancing cautiously into the hall, she tried +to remember where the furniture was; but her outstretched hand struck +something that rattled, and she stopped, alarmed. She had been on the +point of knocking down a vase, and it was plain to her that further +progress would involve risk. Elsie had some plan, and a noise would +spoil it. Madge went back to her post and waited there in the +darkness, highly strung and shivering. + +Elsie, in the meantime, had left the house and crept round it on the +grass until she reached a greenhouse built against one side of the +drawing-room. The door was open, as she had expected, and, feeling for +the edge of a flower-stand, she followed it up until she could crouch +down beside the steps leading to a French window. It was closed but +not latched, for when she ran her fingers along the joint, she felt an +aperture; but she dared not try to pull it open. Still, she could see +in. The lamps had not been lighted, but an electric torch lay on the +table and threw a ring of light on the opposite wall, two or three +feet from the ground. The rest of the room was in darkness, but a dim +illumination which spread beyond the bright beam showed two figures +faintly. + +The men sat at the table. Elsie could not hear what they said; for +their voices were low and they spoke in curt sentences. As soon as +they had finished their business, one of them would get up and go, and +she might not be able to steal away in time; besides, another man +might come in by the door behind her. She must risk trying to open the +window. She got her fingernails into the crack; but the hinges began +to grate, and she let her hand drop. The voices, however, were now a +trifle more distinct and she recognized one as her uncle's. Only a +word or two was audible here and there, and she could not connect them +with what she missed; but, after a time, she heard Staffer say: + +"All falls through unless Williamson gets into touch. . . ." + +"He must . . . should be there now . . . low water," said the other +man. + +Elsie missed Staffer's answer, but soon she caught: + +"Andrew Johnstone and the American. . . ." + +"Must be stopped . . . know too much . . . No scruples . . . can't +hesitate." + +Staffer laughed; and Elsie shuddered at his half-heard voice. + +"I don't . . . do what you like . . . But make sure . . . know too +much . . . both dangerous." + +Elsie shrank down as Staffer rose and the light traveled along the +wall, but the men crossed the floor and she heard a cupboard being +opened. They were now near the hall door and she missed what they +said; but she had heard enough and must escape before the stranger +left by the window. + +Stealing out of the greenhouse, she ran back, with her brain busily at +work. Madge was waiting where she had left her. Together they crept up +the back stairs and into Madge's room. + +Elsie was very calm when at last she felt it safe to speak. + +"They came to the door once. What did you hear?" she asked in a +whisper. + +"_The wreck. About three hours. There before high water!_ It wasn't +Staffer's voice." + +Elsie pressed her arm, and, listening eagerly, they heard a stealthy +footstep in the passage. Then the handle of Elsie's door shook, as if +it had been touched, and there was silence. + +They waited for a few minutes while Elsie thought quickly. The +situation, though still obscure, was getting clearer. Andrew was +interfering with something it was necessary that Williamson should do, +and Staffer had told his visitor that he could stop him as he liked, +but must make sure. There had been something horribly threatening in +his laugh as he said that Andrew and Whitney knew too much. The +visitor was to do what he had undertaken, about low water, near a +wreck. + +The question was: _What had he undertaken?_ + +"What is that?" Madge whispered, turning to the open window. + +A faint throbbing came out of the dark. It was some distance off, but +Elsie recognized it as a motor running down the valley. + +"It's the man going to Annan," she said. "Listen while I explain--" + +Her conclusions grew clearer and more logical as she put them into +words, and she got up resolutely when she had finished. + +"We can do nothing more; Dick must help us now." + +Stealing down the passage, she entered his room and shook him gently. +He awoke, and she put her hand on his face to check the exclamation +she half expected. + +"It's Elsie; you mustn't make a noise," she whispered. "Do you know +anything about a wreck?" + +"I know where it is," he answered drowsily. + +"Andrew's there to-night, isn't he?" + +"It's possible," said Dick, lifting himself on his elbow. "Why do you +ask?" + +She told him what she had overheard, and he was silent for a moment, +though she knew that he was now wide awake. + +"Andrew must be warned," he said; "and the other fellow's got a start. +I couldn't get the car out without bringing Staffer down, and +Whitney's motorcycle is at the Burnfoot. I'll have to take my +bicycle." + +Elsie noted that he had shown no surprise, which was curious, and that +he was very cool. Then she remembered that he had not been looking +well for some days. + +"Can't you get a fisherman to go?" she suggested. "You could give him +a guarded message or a note." + +Dick smiled. + +"I'll have to take a fisherman, but I'm going. Andrew's a very good +sort and I owe him something." His tone changed strangely. "Will you +give me a kiss, Elsie? You haven't done so since we were kiddies--but +I'd like you to." + +Elsie stooped and kissed his cheek and he put his hand on hers. + +"Thank you, dear. Now you'll have to go. I must start as soon as +possible." + +She left him, wondering at something unusual in his manner; and five +minutes afterward Dick crept down the back stairs. When he wheeled out +his bicycle, the lamp would not burn and he had no time to look for +fresh carbide. It was difficult to keep on the drive, and he feared +that Staffer might hear the crash if he ran into the border and fell, +but he avoided this, and opened the gate at the lodge without wakening +its occupants. + +The valley was dark, the road wet, and Dick could scarcely see the +clipped hedgerows. Indeed, at first, he ran on to the grass, but by +degrees his eyes got used to the gloom and he let the bicycle coast +down a long hill. It gave him a good start, but when he came to the +bottom, the hill in front was steep, and he knew a stern effort would +be needed, as he changed to the low gear. He was distressed and +panting hard when he was half-way up, and as he forced the cranks +round, the tires slipped and skidded in the mud. The trees that +stretched their bare branches overhead kept the road soft, but it +seemed to him that they also shut out the air. He could not breathe in +the thick gloom beneath them, and his heart was throbbing painfully. + +This was the kind of thing he had been especially warned against; but +he could not stop. The wind was light, and, allowing for some loss of +time in waking a fisherman and getting his boat away, it would be past +low-water when they approached the wreck. Remembering what had +happened the night the lamp went out, Dick saw that Andrew's danger +would begin when the flood-tide raced across the sands. + +The breeze met him in the face when the road turned toward the coast +at the summit of the hill. He found it refreshing, but it threatened +to increase his labor and the mud got worse as he ran down to the +seaboard plain. Light mist thickened the gloom and the bicycle skidded +badly when he struck the boggy strip along the half-seen hedgerows. +Still he toiled on, while the perspiration dripped from his forehead +and he got dizzy. The exertion he was making was not sufficient cause +for this, but he had paid for rashly running upstairs at a Lockerbie +hotel a few days before. Something the doctor had warned him of had +happened, and he had not recovered from it yet. For all that, he must +reach the lower end of the channel before the tide began to flow. + +He knew the road well, but he could not distinguish where he was, and +was half afraid he had taken a wrong turning, until a few faint lights +shone out ahead. These must mark the outskirts of Annan. Five minutes +later he ran down the main street. The houses were dark, and he had +some trouble to find the narrow lane that turned off to the waterside. +There were no lights here, but the road was paved, and when he passed +under a railway bridge tall black buildings rose between him and the +river. A sour smell came from the wet mud-banks behind them, and the +splash of running water warned him that the tide was falling fast. He +must lose no time if he meant to get away before the boats were left +aground. + +He passed a silent factory and a long, shadowy mill; a schooner's +masts rose out of the gloom, and he was in the open. When the road +stopped near a wharf-shed, Dick pushed the bicycle through a gap in a +hedge and across a field, until he reached a very muddy lane. He would +rather have left the machine; but time did not permit; and for the +next five minutes he jolted furiously among the pools and ruts. +Somehow, he saved himself from falling, and jumped down when a dark +row of houses, on rising ground, cut against the sky. Throwing the +bicycle against a fence, he climbed the hill, breathing hard, while +his head swam and he felt the heavy thumping of his heart. + +When he knocked at the door, a man came down and took him into a +small, plainly furnished room. He was a big fellow, with keen blue +eyes, and a brown face covered with fine wrinkles. + +"Noo ye can tell me what ye want," he said. + +Dick gave him a rather inadequate explanation, and the fisherman +looked thoughtful. + +"Weel," he said, "I dinna' understand it athegither, but it's enough +if ye think Mr. Andrew's in trouble." He paused for a moment, as if +pondering, and then resumed: "The big shrimp-boat would take us doon +faster, but she draws four feet and we'd want a punt to get ashore. +I'm thinking we'll take the whammeler. She's a smart bit craft and we +could pull her if there was need." + +He gave Dick a bundle of black oilskins. + +"Pit these on. Ye'll need them." + +Dick thought this probable, for he was wearing only his thin, ordinary +clothes. + +"Thanks," he said, as he got into the oilskins, which were softer and +more pliable than any he had seen in shops. "You see, I left in rather +a hurry." + +"I ken. An' noo we'll start." + +His curtness was reassuring, for Dick knew his countrymen. The +fellow's immediate business was to take him to the wreck, and he would +fix his mind on doing so. It was obvious that there was something +mysterious about their errand, but although the Scot is as curious as +other people, he seldom asks unnecessary questions when there is work +to be done. His habit is to concentrate upon the main issue. + +They left the house, and a few minutes later crept along a slippery +plank to a boat lying against a timber framework on which nets were +dried. She was sharp at both ends, half-decked, and about twenty feet +long; with a short, thick mast. Now that the tide had ebbed, the river +mouth was about a dozen yards across, and a row of larger craft, +sheering to and fro in the eddies, nearly filled the channel. Behind +these, a cluster of white buildings and a low promontory loomed out of +the dark. On the opposite side, a high gravel bank seemed to close the +narrow entrance. + +"Lowse the stern-mooring!" said the fisherman; and there was a harsh +rattle of chain as the boat slid out into the stream. + +He threw an oar into the sculling notch and they drifted away, +slipping between the trawl-boats that rose out of the gloom and +vanished astern. A minute later, the stream boiled noisily along the +gravel bank, the white buildings faded, and they were swept into the +darkness that brooded over the Firth. The fisherman hoisted a small, +black lugsail and jib, and took the tiller as the boat listed gently +down to a biting wind. + +"Maybe ye'll find it warmer in the for'ad den," he said. "Ye can light +the bit stove and set the kettle on." + +Dick was shivering, and he was glad to crawl through a hatch into a +narrow dark hole, where he lay down, after feeling for and lighting +the stove. There was no room between floor and deck-beams to sit +comfortably, but an old sail and some ropes made a couch on which he +could rest. He felt shaky, and an unpleasant faintness threatened to +overcome him. + +He heard the water splash against the planks and felt the boat list. +That was comforting, because he thought it was fourteen miles to the +wreck. Still, the ebb would run nearly four miles an hour, there was +some wind, and the whammel boats sailed fast. If his companion could +keep her off the ground as the banks dried and the channel narrowed, +they ought to arrive by low-water. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +WHEN THE TIDE TURNED + + +The wind fell as the tide drained out, and belts of mist hung +motionless about the sands when the whammel boat crept slowly down to +the mouth of the channel. The sail lay on deck, and Dick panted as he +pulled an oar while his companion sculled astern. He felt faint, and +the heavily ballasted boat was hard to move, but he thought the tide +was turning now and he knew that he must hold out. Occasionally he +turned and looked ahead, but saw nothing except the mist. There were +no birds about, the water was smooth, and everything was very quiet. +At length, a tall mast grew out of the haze and Dick stopped rowing. + +"The _Rowan_. Scull her in to the bank," he said. "I want to see where +the dinghy is." + +They could not find her, but presently came upon a whammel boat lying +near the edge of the sand. + +"It's the _Nance_ that Tam Grahame selt awa'," the fisherman remarked. +"I canna' see what she's doing here with naebody on board." + +"We'll pull off to the yacht," Dick replied. + +The dinghy was not astern when they boarded the _Rowan_; and when Dick +went below and lighted a lamp, his companion looked puzzled. + +"It's queer! There's seeven feet o' watter, and Mr. Andrew wouldna' +swim ashore." + +"Not when he had the dinghy." + +"But she's no' on the bank." + +"I imagine she's out at sea, by now," Dick said grimly. "How long do +you think the _Nance_ has been here?" + +"Maybe half an hour. Her keel's weel in the ground and the tide +doesna' fall much on the last o' the ebb. They're no' expecting to be +back until the flood makes, because her anchor's up the bank." + +"That's what I thought," said Dick. "Now, I will tell you that Andrew +is in danger. I had meant to find him, but I don't feel well enough. I +suppose you can use a gun?" + +"We get a shot at a whaup or shellduck whiles. Ye're no' looking +weel." + +Dick lifted a big 10-bore gun from a rack and searched a locker for +cartridges. + +"Fours," he said, putting down a packet. "I think you'd better have +B's. Here they are." + +The fisherman looked at him curiously as he took the cartridges, which +were loaded with large shot; and Dick smiled. + +"You may meet the man who set the punt adrift," he explained. "I want +you to go to the wreck and find my cousin. Tell him to be careful, +because one of the gang has come down the channel after him. If +there's trouble going on when you get there, do what you think best; +but bring Andrew back. The police won't blame you afterward if you +have to use the gun." + +The man nodded quietly, and Dick knew that he could be trusted. + +"Ye'll be for staying here. Will I light the stove?" + +"No," said Dick. "I imagine it would be safer if I waited in your +boat. She'll be needed when the tide flows, and I can make myself +comfortable in the den." + +The fisherman sculled the boat ashore and put out an anchor; and then +he went away across the bank and Dick crept into the forecastle. The +stove was still burning, and the small, dark place was warm. It had +been a strain to hold out until all that was necessary had been done, +and now he was glad to lie down among the ropes and sails. There was a +weight on his chest, his breathing was hard, and his pulse seemed to +be getting sluggish. He wished he had some brandy or there was +somebody about; but he must not give in yet. The boat would be needed +when Andrew came back and it might be tampered with. + +While the fisherman and Dick had been hurrying to them, Andrew and +Whitney, well armed, crossed the bank toward the wreck and then +separated at a short distance from her. Andrew went straight forward +while his comrade made a round so as to approach her from the other +side. Hitherto, their visits had led to nothing, but Rankine seemed to +think it would be different this time. + +When he got near the wreck, Andrew found that the tide had scoured out +a pool round her after part, and this threatened to make things +difficult. His figure would be visible against the pale gleam of the +water and he could not get across without splashing. He must go round, +but this would take him away from the place where it was easiest to +get on board. For all that, he must not make a noise, and he moved +cautiously across the wet sand until he reached the broken timbers on +the edge of the pool. + +He heard the water trickle through the vessel's seams and the murmur +of the languid surf in the distance, but presently he thought there +was something else. The sound seemed to come from inside the wreck. He +moved a few yards nearer and then stopped, with his feet in the pool, +listening hard. There was a curious snap and crackle, like the +striking of matches; and, looking up, Andrew saw that something was +sticking out from the masthead. His lips set in a hard line. A +wireless installation was at work, perhaps giving a message that would +send another ship to its doom. But it looked as if he could surprise +and seize the operator, and he meant to do so, though he realized what +the consequences might be. + +It was, however, impossible to climb up with the gun in his hand, and +he was sorry that he had brought it. Leaning it against the wreck, he +found a rest for his hand and lifted himself to a stringer. His head +and shoulders were now above the top of the vessel's ribs, but he did +not see how he was to reach the deck, which had fallen in abreast of +where he was. While he looked about there was a sharp report behind +him and a tremor in the wood. It had been struck by a bullet a few +inches from his side. Letting go quickly, he fell back with a splash. + +Andrew was afterward uncertain whether he lost his hold in alarm or +dropped back with instinctive caution. He came down in the water, and +did not get up, because a dark figure stood on the other side of the +pool and he feared that a movement would draw a bullet. His gun was +some yards away; but Andrew thought he would be nearly invisible +against the side of the wreck so long as he kept still, and the shot +would bring Whitney to his help. + +There was a shout from the deck, and Andrew recognized Williamson's +voice. He was obviously alarmed, but the other man called out sharply +in German, ordering him back. Andrew imagined from this that the +message he was transmitting was of urgent importance, or perhaps the +newcomer had another to send. + +It was plain that the men must not be allowed to finish their work, +and Andrew wondered whether he could creep back to where his gun lay +while the fellow's attention was diverted. He was getting up +cautiously when the enemy's pistol flashed and a spurt of water +splashed into his face. Then there was a streak of light and a heavier +report farther back on the sands, and his antagonist turned and ran a +few yards along the beach. + +Andrew knew that Whitney could not have fired the shot. But at the +moment this was not important; he must get his gun while the man was +occupied. As he felt for it he heard Whitney run round the stern of +the wreck. He was safe now; but that crackling sound had begun again, +and at all costs Williamson must be stopped. Besides, Andrew had a +signal of his own to make. Leaving the gun, he climbed up a timber and +had just reached the deck when an indistinct figure rushed across it +and vanished over the broken bulwarks on the opposite side. Then a +patter of feet on the sand indicated that Williamson was escaping. + +For all that, Andrew stopped, and, dragging a tin from his pocket, put +it on the rail and struck a match. As he dropped it into the tin a +bright blaze sprang up. Then he jumped down to the sand and seized his +gun. The fellow who had shot at him had disappeared and there was +nobody in sight; but he could hear men running on the other side of +the wreck. + +"Come on!" Whitney's voice reached him out of the darkness. + +As he splashed through the water around the vessel's stern he saw two +figures on the sand. One he took to be Whitney and the other was +evidently a friend. Making an effort, he caught them up, and Whitney +began to talk in breathless gasps. + +"An Annan man--Dick sent him. Think coastguards will see your flare?" + +"Where's Williamson and the other fellow?" Andrew asked quickly. + +"Close ahead. They were going back to the channel, but couldn't get +past us. What about the tide?" + +Andrew began to understand the situation. While he was trying to +surprise Williamson, his assailant had quietly come up behind him; and +he, in turn, had been followed by the man Dick had sent. The fugitives +must now make for the Scotch shore, or risk being shot at if they +tried to go around his party's flank. In order to prevent this, he +must extend his line. + +"Spread out!" he cried. "Tide's flowing now, and the water will be in +the gut when we get there!" + +Whitney and the fisherman moved off left and right, and Andrew, +glancing round, saw that his flare was burning. The men they followed +could not see it because they faced the other way, and although there +was some mist, he thought the signal would warn the coast-patrol, whom +Rankine had told to keep a good lookout. They ran on, splashing across +wet sand and into pools. Sometimes they caught a glimpse of two +figures ahead and sometimes lost them in the haze. It was hard to tell +whether they were gaming or not. Andrew dared not stop to take off his +long boots, and the Annan man, hampered by his oilskins, was falling +back; but Whitney was running well and drawing in front. + +The sound of the advancing tide steadily grew louder, and a breeze was +getting up. As the three men came panting out of a belt of mist a +streak of water glimmered among the sands, and beyond it a black +hillside rose from the dusky beach. The fugitives were plainer now, +and it looked as if they could not escape; but the men held on +steadily, and Andrew wondered what depth there was in the gutter. +Glancing to one side, he thought he saw something moving along the +edge of the channel; but he could not be sure because there was mist +about the spot, and he could not stop to get a better view, for he was +determined to follow Williamson. + +A few minutes later he saw the men in front stop at the edge of the +water, and he wondered why they did so. The channel was rapidly +widening and they must cross at once or surrender. Instead, they ran +along the bank for some distance and stopped again; and Andrew now saw +that a white boat was moving along the opposite side. Changing his +course, he ran on, panting hard, and saw that the men in front were +waiting. A moment later one plunged into the channel while his comrade +stood still. + +As Andrew got nearer, there were two or three quick, bright flashes, +and he heard a bullet pass his head and saw the sand spurt up at +Whitney's feet. The fellow meant to stop them while his partner got a +start; or perhaps he imagined that the water was too deep to cross. + +Whitney stopped. A puff of smoke blew about him and there was a heavy +report. The man on the bank staggered, fired his pistol again, and +splashed awkwardly into the water. A moment later Andrew plunged in. +He was close to the fellow now, but he had dropped his gun, because he +did not mean to shoot. The man turned and raised his pistol, but his +arm fell back, and Andrew sprang upon him. + +They went down, and the stream boiled about them, but Andrew held on, +and a minute later Whitney was at his side. They dragged their +prisoner out. + +"My arm!" he said breathlessly. "There is also some shot in my leg." + +"Where's your pistol?" Andrew asked. + +"In the sea." + +"Well," said Whitney as the fisherman joined them, "I wish I knew what +we ought to do with him. We can't stay here." + +This was obvious; for the tide was already flowing past their feet. As +they stood a moment, puzzling, they heard a hail and saw the white +boat pulling slowly toward them against the stream. She struck the +sand and a man in uniform jumped out. + +"I see you have got one of them," he said. "Do you know him?" + +"I never saw him before," Andrew answered. "Where's the other?" + +"Gone down, I think. We saw him trying to swim, but the tide swept him +up the gut, and when we were getting close he disappeared. We pulled +round the spot, but saw nothing. No doubt, he'd have on his oilskins +and sea-boots." + +"Well, this fellow's hurt. Will you take him?" + +"Certainly. And you'd better come with us. You're Mr. Johnstone, I +suppose. We were told to look out for you. We launched our gig as soon +as we saw your flare." + +Andrew said that he must get back to his boat and barely would have +time enough to do so; and after a hurried account of the affair, he +set off across the sands with his companions. Though they lost sight +of the water presently, they made the best pace they could, and the +Annan man, whom Andrew had recognized, related Dick's attempt to join +him. + +"It's as weel, Mr. Johnstone stayed behind," he concluded. "I'm +thinking it was the fellow ye caught who set your dinghy adrift and +he'd maybe have a mate hanging roon the _Nance_." + +When they came down to the channel, the tide was rising fast and the +_Nance_ had gone. The other boat was floating, but was held by the +anchor the fisherman had carried up the bank. There was no answer to +their hail and Andrew plunged into the water. + +"Mr. Johnstone's nae doot in the den. He wasna' looking weel," said +the fisherman. + +Andrew was on board in a few moments, and as he looked into the +forecastle while the others pulled the boat ashore, it was with relief +that he heard Dick's voice. + +"Got back all right, old man?" + +"Yes; we owe that to you." + +"I'm glad," said Dick. "You might help me out; I'm not sure I could +get through the hatch." + +Andrew noted that his voice was faint and strained, and he felt +disturbed when he saw how helpless the boy was when with some trouble +they lifted him through the narrow scuttle and put him down on the +floorings. + +"Don't talk any more," Andrew said; and turned to the fisherman. +"Scull her off to the yacht as fast as possible!" + +They were alongside in a few minutes and soon had Dick on a locker in +the cabin. + +"Give me some whisky," he gasped. "I think I'm pretty bad." + +"We'll soon run up the Firth and put you in a doctor's hands," Andrew +replied, as he held a glass to his lips. + +Dick drained it, and then was silent for a minute or two. + +"Andrew," he said finally, "there's something to talk about. You see, +I'm not sure I'll get over this." + +"Rot!" Andrew exclaimed gruffly, trying to hide his alarm. "You've +been as bad before." + +"No; not quite. But wait--" + +Dick closed his eyes, and Andrew saw his fears reflected in Whitney's +look. Dick's face was chalky-white and haggard, and they noted his +labored breathing. + +The tide splashed against the yacht's planks, the halyards had begun +to tap against the mast, and there was a sharp rattle of blocks as the +fisherman hoisted sail. They let him go and sat watching Dick from the +opposite locker. Presently he looked up. + +"Think I can talk a bit now. You'll have Appleyard, Andrew, if I don't +get well. There's nothing to be said about that, because you'll look +after it much better than I should have done. Still, you'll keep the +old hands until you can pension them; and there's Bob, my old pony--I +shouldn't like him sold." + +"You're taking too much for granted, Dick," Andrew replied. "You +knocked yourself out in hurrying down here to warn me, but you'll be +all right again in a few days." + +"I know you hope so. It's possible, too; but we'll get things +straightened up. Of course, Appleyard is Mrs. Woodhouse's home--she's +not responsible for her brother, you know. Elsie will keep everything +right unless she marries." Dick paused and looked at Andrew with a +feeble smile. "She may, you know." + +Andrew turned his head, and after a minute, Dick went on: + +"I'd like my debts paid off, but the estate must not be robbed. If you +open my desk, you'll find an old pocket-book. It will show you what I +actually got. Pin them down to that. Now give me a little more +whisky." + +Dick rested for a short while before he continued. + +"You see, I did get their money, though not all that the notes called +for--and they'll have some trouble about the insurance." + +"Ah!" Andrew interrupted. "How's that? But you'd better not bother +about it now." + +"I may not be able to bother later," Dick smiled. "When I got the +doctor's warning I was very hard up, so I went to the insurance people +and asked how much they'd let me have if I surrendered the policy. +Well, though they asked a lot of questions, we didn't come to terms. +It seemed the other fellows were entitled to benefit; but something +wasn't straight and I think the office will dispute their claim. I +felt amused about it now and then; but they mustn't lose what they +really lent." + +"I'll see to that," said Andrew, "Now, you lie quiet and Whitney will +look after you while I take her up the Firth. A doctor must see you as +soon as possible. Perhaps it will help things if you can go to sleep." + +Andrew went on deck, and after weighing anchor and making sail he sat +at the helm, lost in disturbing thought, while the _Rowan_ stood +up-channel. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THE NET + + +It was a calm, dark night and the trawler's engines ran at half speed +as she closed with the land. The badge of a British steam-fishing +company was painted on her funnel, and a correct registration number +appeared in bold, white figures on her bows; but she carried no lights +and her crew were not Englishmen. Ahead, formless black hillsides +faded into the gloom, but the skipper, provided with the latest +Admiralty chart, knew his bearings and the leadsman had found the +depth of water he expected. + +A plume of vapor trailed away from her escape-pipe, for, as she moved +slowly shoreward with the flood, the engines could not take all the +steam it was prudent to raise. After a time, a light twinkled upon the +unseen beach, went out, and shone again; and the skipper, ordering +another cast of the lead, made a quick calculation. The tide would +rise for an hour yet and there was already two feet more water than +his vessel drew in the channel he must enter. Then the lookout +reported a buoy ahead, and he rang his telegraph for more speed. He +was in the channel now and another buoy farther on would warn him of +the only dangerous bend. He was anxious to pick up his cargo and get +to sea again. + +Moving shoreward faster, the vessel faded into the gloom of the land; +but the beat of engines and the splash of displaced water travel far +on a calm night, and men with keen ears were listening for these +sounds on board a powerful steam-launch two miles away. She traveled +at a moderate speed, towing a big, white gig filled with coastguards, +but her crew were navy men. A smart young lieutenant held the wheel, +trying to remember the soundings, bearings, and courses he had studied +so carefully. They were hard to check, particularly as the flood-tide +swept him along, but he was glad to remember that three feet of water +was enough for him. + +Presently he stopped the engine and listened. At first, he could hear +only the ripple of the tide across some hidden shoal and the wash of +the languid swell upon the invisible beach; but after a time a +measured thud came out of the distance, and he knew that it was the +beat of a steamer's screw. + +"Between us and the land, I think," he said. + +"Yes, sir; about two miles off," agreed the second officer. + +"Then she must be going up the gutter, because there's not a fathom on +the banks. We'll go ahead; there's enough water anywhere for us." + +The launch swung round on a different course when her engines began to +clank, and a man sounded now and then as they ran for the shoals. The +lieutenant hardly expected to follow the channel; his object was to +keep within hearing of the other vessel, and, if he were lucky, his +work would be finished before the tide ebbed much. Suddenly a sharp, +pulsatory roar came out of the dark. + +"It looks as if she were on the ground and carrying plenty steam," he +said, when he had ordered the engines to be stopped. "As they'll no +doubt back her off, we'll wait a while, to give them time to ship +their cargo." + +For the next few minutes the crews of launch and gig listened eagerly. +They knew that when the vessel ran aground the steam her stopped +engines could not use had blown off. The roar died away, as was to be +expected, when the machinery was restarted, hard-astern, but now that +the immobility of the stranded craft increased the resistance, the +thud of the screw was louder. Presently, it changed to a steady beat +that drew away from them; and they knew she had got afloat and was +steaming up-channel. + +"Easy all, for half an hour!" said the lieutenant, looking at his +watch. + +The boats lay close together, rolling gently on the languid swell, +while the men sat in relaxed attitudes and talked in low voices. +Still, there was a feeling of suppressed excitement and it was a +relief when their officer grasped the wheel. + +"Let her go at half speed!" he ordered. + +The tow-rope tightened as the gig swung into line astern, and they +moved steadily toward the land for some time. Then they heard a roar +of steam again, louder than before and continuous, and the lieutenant +signed to the engineer. + +"Full speed! We have her now!" + +The water hissed along the planks, the gig lifted her bows on a +surging wave, and the wash of the screw ran far astern. A blurred +object grew out of the darkness in front of them, and then the officer +called to the coastguards: + +"Cast off and get to your work! Burn a flare if you want us!" + +A rope fell into the water, the engines stopped, and there was a +rattle of oars as the gig drove by. They fell with a simultaneous +splash, and their regular thud receded as she swept up-channel while +the launch's crew waited. + +In a few minutes the sound stopped. There were alarmed shouts and +hoarse orders; while the roar of steam continued. Then the beat of +oars began again. The boat came back slowly, with two men pulling, and +ran alongside the launch. + +"You don't seem to have had much trouble," the lieutenant remarked. + +"We hadn't, sir," answered a coastguard officer. "They were busy and +didn't hear us until we'd got our boat-hook on her rail. Only one of +them drew a pistol and he was knocked down. We'll land them and leave +a guard on board when she's moored.'" + +"Very well, if we can't take her to Barrow this tide?" + +The coastguard laughed. + +"So far as I could see, there's a big piece of flounder-net wrapped +round her propeller and trailing about her aft. It has an unusually +thick head-rope, and some lengths of iron pipe are jambed between the +blades and the rudder. The fellow who set the net made a good job. +We'll have trouble in cutting it loose when she dries." + +"Did you find much oil?" + +"About a boat-load of heavy drums, which had just been thrown on deck. +We got the boat and I guess our fellows ashore have seized another +lot. However, here are your two men. I don't think you'll do much +with the skipper, but the other seems less obstinate." + +Two handcuffed men were put on board and the boat dropped back as the +launch leaped ahead. The water rose about her bows in a white, curling +wave, her stern sank down in a hollow ridged with foam, and she shook +with the fierce throb of hard-driven machinery. Dark hills slid past +to starboard, bold cliffs that stood out from their dim background +rolled by, and after a time a flash from a lantern was answered by a +gleam of light ahead. Then the blurred outline of a steamer grew into +distinct form. In another minute the launch was alongside and the +winches strained and clanked as she was hoisted in. + +"Everything went as we expected, and I've brought you the two +prisoners," the lieutenant reported to Rankine, who sat in his room +before a big chart. + +"Send them in, one at a time. And clear the guns and get under way. +The course is west by south." + +Rankine spent some time examining his prisoners. One preserved an +obstinate silence, but when he had been taken away, the other seemed +to see the force of Rankine's arguments. When the second prisoner had +been dismissed, Rankine went up to the bridge and changed the course a +few points. + +"The fellow bears out what we have been told," he said to the young +officer on watch. "I rather think he'll deal straight with us in order +to save his skin. Anyhow, he has given me their supply-boat signal. +The craft we're after is the latest and biggest thing of her kind." + +"We ought to bag her," the officer replied thoughtfully. "I've got the +searchlight rigged, and Wilson's the best shot we had on the +battleship. Still, the little guns are awkwardly mounted and we +haven't a clear field of fire." + +"It won't need more than one shot. A perforated submarine isn't much +use under water, and the game's ours if she stays on top. I'll give +you the call-up signal and you can get things ready." + +An hour later, Rankine pressed a button and the engines stopped. The +clang of a steamer's bridge-telegraph can be heard some distance off, +but Rankine had substituted an electric signal. Having undertaken a +dangerous piece of work, he had carefully made his plans so that he +need not announce his movements to the enemy. Two guns had been put on +board the vessel, but as it was thought advisable to conceal them, and +the deckhouse and the masts were in the way, their fire commanded only +a limited strip of horizon. + +Rankine searched the water with his night-glasses. + +The coast was out of sight, mist drifted across the sea, and the night +was dark. On the whole, this was an advantage, for his antagonist was +expecting a trawler, and the darkness would prevent him from noticing +the vessel's size and rig until they were close together. There was +some swell, though the surface of the water was smooth, and the vessel +rolled languidly. A feather of steam eddied about her funnel, and +there was a soft splashing as her slanted side sank into the sea. No +gleam of light pierced the darkness; everything was still; and Rankine +stood waiting eagerly. + +Presently he gave an order and one of the prisoners was brought to the +bridge; then the steamer slowly moved ahead while a petty officer, +standing behind a canvas wind-screen, alternately held up and lowered +red and green pyrotechnic flares. The streams of colored light showed +shadowy figures waiting motionless at their stations and drove a +radiant track across the water. Then they died away and men whose eyes +had been held by the glitter felt relief. Now they could see about the +ship, and they knew watchfulness was needed. + +For five minutes nothing happened, and Rankine, conscious of keen +tension, began to wonder whether he should signal again. It was +possible that he had overshot or fallen short of his distance. Then a +sharp hail came from a lookout and he saw the sea break not far ahead. +A confused white ripple spread away from something that moved amidst +it, and drew out in a long, wavering line. A lantern flashed between +regular intervals of darkness, and presently a low, black object grew +out of the advancing foam. Rankine pressed the button and the throb of +engines slackened; then he gave an order to his prisoner. + +The man hailed in German; the submarine swerved and slowed; and the +two vessels drew abreast, perhaps fifty yards apart, while Rankine's +quarter boat swung out from the davits. + +"Tell them to jump into the water and I'll pick them up!" he ordered +the prisoner. + +As the man called out, a dazzling beam from the searchlight played +upon the submarine's hull and her wet steel skin glittered like +silver. The next moment there was another flash, streaked with a vein +of red; and a cloud of thin, acrid smoke whirled up. The steamer +quivered with the heavy concussion; the submarine reeled and listed +over. Indistinct figures plunged into the foam that lapped about her +side; and then the bright beam showed an empty stretch of seething +water: Rankine was watching his boat, which moved into the lighted +track on her work of rescue, when a lookout shouted a hoarse warning. + +Swinging round, Rankine saw a feathery streak of foam on the opposite +side of the vessel. It was heading toward her at tremendous speed, and +he knew the wash of a torpedo. + +"Starboard, hard!" he called to the helmsman; and set his lips as he +pressed the button for full speed. + +Two submarines had answered his signal, instead of one, and the last +had crept up to attack him while he was sinking her consort. + +The steamer, however, answered her helm, slowly, but enough. The swift +white streak drove past her stern with a few feet to spare, and she +began to shake as her engines quickened. + +"Port!" Rankine shouted in a harsh voice. "Steady that!" + +A flash blazed out of the darkness, a panel of the wheelhouse was +shattered, and the canvas bridge-screen fell apart in rags; but +Rankine had seen a long, dark shape on the water close ahead. It might +vanish in a moment, before his guns could be swung and trained. +Indeed, he doubted if the submarine were within their field of fire, +and he meant to use a surer means. One end of the black hull tilted up +and the other began to sink. His enemy was going under. But would she +be quick enough? The steamer's sharp steel stem was only a dozen yards +away now. + +Shouting an order to the crew, Rankine gripped the bridge-rails hard. + +The water ahead boiled and rose in a tumbling ridge; there was a heavy +shock, and the steamer trembled violently. One could feel her forge +through something that crumpled up beneath her bows; but the jarring +and grinding passed aft, and she leaped forward when she was once over +the obstacle. Rankine saw a curious disturbance down the screw-torn +wake, but it subsided and he stopped the engines. + +"Sound the forward well! Swing your light aft and lower the gig!" he +ordered. + +The stream of radiance flashed astern and spread about the vessel; but +there was nothing on the water except their own boat, which made +toward them. Then a man came up to report that the well was nearly +dry. + +"She's a strong old ship," Rankine remarked, and turned to another +man: "Where's that prisoner, Evans?" + +"I haven't seen him, sir, since the torpedo missed us." + +"Ask on deck," said Rankine. "Why isn't the gig away?" + +As the man went down the ladder, a splash of oars began, and the +searchlight's moving beam swept the sea. It picked out the larger boat +and then passed on, leaving black darkness, and followed the gig. Ten +minutes later, the boats returned and Rankine received the young +lieutenant in his cabin. + +"We have six men; all from the first craft, so far as we can make +out," the lieutenant reported, with rather strained quietness. + +"Then the rest have gone," Rankine said. "We have lost one prisoner, +too. It's pretty obvious that he jumped over. He must have known there +were two submarines and expected the last to sink us." + +"He was not in the boats. Do you want to see the men we picked up?" + +"Not just yet. Let them have dry clothes and anything else they need. +I wish we'd got some of the others; I don't know that one ought to +think they deserved their fate. But, after all, when one remembers the +torpedoed merchant ships-- However, we'll land them in Loch Ryan. Let +her go west by north until you make the Mull of Galloway light." + +The lieutenant went out, and Rankine, lying back on the locker, +lighted his pipe. It was his first battle, and he wanted to recover +his normal calm. He had won, but he did not quite feel the +exhilarating flush of victory he had expected. Instead, he rather +shrank from dwelling upon the fight. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +UNEXPECTED HAPPINESS + + +Elsie, lying half awake, raised herself on her pillow as she heard a +clock strike. The anxiety she had half forgotten returned to her with +double force. Although she had not been quite asleep, she had lost +count of the time, and it was now nearly three hours after low-water. +The danger that had threatened Andrew must be past, but she did not +know how long she must wait for news of him. Besides, some mischance +might have befallen Dick. He had looked ill when she sent him on an +errand that would severely try his strength. + +After a long time she heard a sharp throbbing coming up the valley. It +sounded like a motorcycle and she jumped out of bed and began to +dress, wondering whether Dick had borrowed the machine at Annan and +was returning. The sound grew louder; the motorcycle had passed the +lodge and was nearing the house when Elsie quietly entered Madge's +room. + +"I heard it," Madge said. "I haven't been asleep. Shall I get up?" + +"No." Elsie touched her in warning as a door opened. + +There were steps in the passage, and they waited until the sound died +away. + +"Are you going down?" Madge asked. + +"Yes; I feel that I must. But it might be better if you didn't come." + +She heard the hall door open as she descended the stairs, but she kept +on and waited at the bottom. The machine had stopped and she thought +it significant that its driver had boldly ridden up to the house. If +Dick had done so, he would have come in; but nobody had entered and +Staffer had gone out. After a few minutes, she heard the sliding door +of the garage run back. Elsie knew the sound of the small wheels as +they grated upon the iron carrier. + +The motorcycle sped away noisily down the drive, and soon afterward +Staffer came in carrying a lantern. He did not see Elsie as he put the +light on a table and locked a traveling bag. She thought it curious +that the bag was ready packed; and since he had taken no precautions +against being heard, it looked as if speed were more important than +secrecy. The message that had been brought him must deal with some +urgent matter. Still, Dick had not returned and she was horribly +anxious. She could not wait to learn what had happened at the wreck. + +As she moved forward to speak to Staffer, he looked up. His expression +was tense, but she thought he was calm. + +"So you have spied on me again!" he said. + +"Where's Dick?" + +"Dick?" repeated Staffer. "Ah! Now I begin to understand! You sent him +down the Firth!" + +"Yes; I did. And where is he?" + +"On board Andrew's yacht, I imagine." + +Elsie was sensible of keen satisfaction; but only part of her fears +were set at rest. + +"And Andrew? Is he on the yacht?" + +Staffer looked hard at her. She was trembling with excitement and +cold, but she did not flinch, and he surprised her by a curious, +bitter laugh. It carried a hint of understanding that brought the +blood to her face. + +"I don't know where he is, but there's reason to think he has come to +no harm. That ought to satisfy you." + +Elsie was silent. Her relief was great, but now that Andrew was safe, +her mind could fix itself on other matters. Staffer had guessed her +secret and knew that she had spoiled his plans; but his manner was +more ironical than revengeful. For all that, it disturbed and +frightened her. She thought something that had hit him hard had +happened, and his cold-blooded calm was daunting. + +"Well," he said, "there's a touch of grim humor in the situation. I +found you a home and gave you the advantages you enjoy; and now you +have baffled me and ruined the work of cleverer brains than mine. It's +humiliating to see one's schemes brought to nothing by a raw girl's +devotion to her stupid lover." + +"I'm sorry the course of things made us enemies. It was unavoidable," +she said quietly. + +Staffer made an impatient sign. + +"I'm going away and it's very doubtful if I'll ever return; but I'd +rather you didn't mention the matter until breakfast to-morrow. Then +you can say I've gone to Edinburgh. Perhaps you can promise me that?" + +"Yes. Don't you want to see Mother before you go?" + +"No," Staffer answered thoughtfully; "it might be better if I didn't." + +He broke off as the car came throbbing to the door; and Elsie followed +him across the hall. + +"If things had only been different," she said, "we might have been +friends--" + +Staffer did not seem to hear, for he jumped into the car and it rolled +away. Elsie stood looking out into the darkness for a long time; then +she shut the door and went slowly upstairs. She felt limp and +bewildered now that the strain had gone; the one thing she realized +clearly was that Andrew was safe. + +Madge turned to her eagerly as she entered her room; but Elsie did not +stop. + +"They are all right, but I can't talk about it now," she said and +passed on into her room, closing the door. + +While Staffer was leaving Appleyard, Andrew was picking his way toward +the burnfoot, across a boggy heath. He had landed about an hour +earlier and gone to a farm to ask for a horse and trap and had sent a +man to Annan for a doctor. Now he was returning as fast as possible, +because he felt anxious about Dick; but caution was needed, for many +deep drains crossed the heath. The mist had closed in again, and, as +he stopped at the last drain to look for a narrow spot, he heard the +languid splash of the surf and the wild cry of a black-backed gull. +For some reason, the harsh sound disturbed him; and, jumping the drain +where he stood, he went on as fast as he could. The splash of the sea +grew louder, and at last he saw an indistinct figure waiting near the +water's edge. Andrew was used to the sands at night, but the +motionless dark form seemed to strike a deeper note of desolation. +His steps slackened as he approached it. + +"Is that you, Jim?" he called. + +Whitney waited until he came up, and then put his hand on his arm. + +"I'm afraid you must brace yourself against a shock," he said gently. + +"Ah! You mean Dick's worse?" + +Whitney pressed his arm sympathetically. + +"He's dead." + +There was silence for the next minute, except for the mournful murmur +of the sea. + +"It wasn't long after you went ashore," Whitney added. "He looked up +and beckoned me to sit on the locker by his cot. 'Tell Andrew I'm glad +he'll have Appleyard,' he said." + +Whitney paused for a moment. + +"He lay still afterward, and I thought he'd gone to sleep. Then the +cabin seemed to grow strangely quiet, and when I got up to look at him +I saw that he was dead." + +"The hurried trip down-channel killed him, and he made it for my +sake!" Andrew said, in a tense, hoarse voice. + +"You mustn't take that for granted; but, if true, he certainly +wouldn't grudge the risk. He might have died at any time from some +trifling exertion." + +Andrew indicated the dinghy, in which he had rowed off from the yacht +alone. + +"How did you get ashore?" + +"The bank's steep and I sheered her in until I could jump from the +bowsprit end. I didn't want you to come on board without knowing." + +"Thanks," said Andrew. "I'm going off to her now. Try to get into +Marshall's hut and make a fire. We'll have to wait some time for the +doctor." + +He launched the dinghy, and when he returned Whitney had lighted a few +sticks and peats in the fisherman's sod hut. Andrew's face was grave +as he sat down on an empty box. + +"If you don't mind, I'd rather not talk," he said. + +He let Whitney row the doctor off when he arrived; and day was +breaking when they reached Annan. An hour later, Andrew, feeling limp +and cold, got down from a trap at Appleyard and walked stiffly into +the hall. Elsie came to meet him with a glow in her eyes; but she +stopped abruptly when she saw his face. + +"What's the matter?" she asked. + +He looked at her compassionately and she gasped. + +"Oh! Is Dick--?" + +He put his arm around her and led her to an oak bench near the big +fireplace. + +"Dick's dead," he said quietly. "On board the _Rowan_. Heart failure, +the doctor thinks." + +"I sent him, when I knew he was ill!" she cried in distress. + +"You didn't know it would do him much harm, dear." + +"But I did!" Elsie moaned with a shiver, turning her head. + +Andrew was puzzled, but he answered soothingly: + +"I know what you feel, because I felt it too--Dick might have got +better and lived a long time if he hadn't gone down-channel to warn +me. In fact, I spoke to the doctor about it, but he didn't altogether +take this view." + +"He didn't want you to blame yourself." + +"No; I don't think that was it. But it's a blow to us both, and the +worst is I can do nothing to soften it for you." + +"You loved him," she said with a look of pain. "You came home from +Canada and fought Williamson for his sake. I was often impatient with +him, and he always bore it well. He was generous and forgiving--and we +know he was brave. He must have known the risk he ran--but he didn't +hesitate. I knew it--and I sent him--" + +Her voice trailed off and she broke into stormy sobbing, while Andrew, +with his arm around her, awkwardly tried to comfort her. His touch +seemed to have a soothing influence, for Elsie got calmer. + +"You were always a help, Andrew; one turns to you in trouble," she +said. "But I mustn't give way like this." + +She rose as she spoke, and when she left him Andrew went up to +Whitney's room. + +"I expect Miss Woodhouse feels the thing keenly," Whitney said. + +"Yes; in fact, she feels much as I do, in spite of what the doctor +said. If Dick hadn't gone to our rescue, he'd have been with us yet. +Still, I don't quite understand--" + +"You don't see why she let him go, when she thought it might be +dangerous?" + +"Yes; that's what bothers me," Andrew said with some hesitation. + +Whitney gave him a keen glance. He saw that Andrew had no suspicion of +the truth; but it was not his business to enlighten him. + +"Well, she may have thought there were two lives that could be saved +against one that must be risked. It would be desperately hard for a +young girl to face the responsibility of deciding right. Miss +Woodhouse probably feels the strain--and, no doubt she's rather +overcome by the consequences of the line she took. But when she gets +calmer she'll see that she can't blame herself. But you had better +change your clothes and get some breakfast." + +It was a relief to Andrew to find his time occupied. At noon he was +surprised by a request for an interview with a man he did not know. +The stranger was shown into the library and gave Andrew a letter. + +"My card may convey nothing to you, but here are my credentials." + +The letter was from the Home Secretary's office and was countersigned +by an eminent military authority. + +"I'm at your command," Andrew said. "What is it you want to know?" + +"Perhaps I'd better state that my visit is made in a friendly spirit. +We recognize the patriotic line you and your cousin have taken. I met +him once, and, it's rather curious, he invited me to Appleyard." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Andrew. "I never thought that Dick--" + +"Shared your suspicions? I can't tell you how far his went, but he may +have known more than you imagine. He certainly once did us an +important service. But we'll let that go. Did Mr. Staffer offer any +explanation for leaving here early this morning?" + +"He said he was going to Edinburgh; that was all." + +"Well, he got to Hawick, where we lost trace of him, but I think it's +impossible that he went farther north. Have you any ground for +suspecting who brought him the warning?" + +"None," said Andrew shortly. + +"I'm glad I can take your word, Mr. Johnstone. Now I must ask you to +tell me about your recent adventures on the sands. You see, I'm in +touch with Lieutenant Rankine and the coastguards." + +Andrew related what had happened, and his companion looked satisfied. + +"You don't seem to know that Williamson's body was washed up on the +Colvend shore, a few hours ago." + +"Oh!" + +"The man who could have told us most has gone. Our hope now is to +catch Staffer." + +"You'd better make Appleyard your headquarters while you're looking +into things," Andrew said. "We have nothing to hide." + +"Thanks; I'll be glad to do so. It may be some satisfaction for you to +learn that no unnecessary publicity will be allowed to attend this +matter." + +The next day, the officer told Andrew that Staffer's car had been +found on the roadside, near a small fishing village on the +Northumberland coast. + +"He doubled back into England by Norham," he added. "When our men got +upon his track they found he'd covered the distances between the +points at which they heard of him extraordinarily fast. In +consequence, he had a number of hours' start when he left the car, and +as a fishing boat sailed soon afterward, I'm afraid he got away across +the North Sea." + +"I can't say that I am sorry he escaped," Andrew replied; "but I won't +complain if his friends on the other side keep him there for good." + +Dick was buried two days later, in a lonely kirkyard where many of his +race had been laid to rest. The kirk had long crumbled down except for +one tottering arch, but, as usual in the country, the funeral service +was held at Appleyard, and Andrew's heart stirred as he saw the long +stream of mourners coming up the drive. Dick had not died unlamented, +but even those who knew him best were astonished at the number of his +friends. None of his tenantry was missing, his neighbors had come from +far and near; but there were others--fishermen, shepherds, men who +lived by horse-couping and other devious means, and innkeepers from +Dumfries and Lockerbie. The respectability of some was doubtful, but +their grief was obvious, so far as the Scottish character allowed it +to be seen, and Andrew gave them all his thanks and hand. This was an +ancient custom and he was now the head of the family; but as he looked +at the rows of solemn faces, he wondered whether he could win the love +his predecessor had won. + +That night, when the others had gone to bed, Andrew sat talking to +Rankine by the fire in the hall. + +"Has the fellow we caught on the sands made any admissions?" he asked. +"I understand you have seen him." + +"None so far. He declined to talk, and, if I'm a judge of character, +it's the line he'll stick to until the end. He sees that he has no +defense. I'm rather curious about his rank; but he's obviously a navy +man." + +"He'll be court-martialed?" + +"Yes. It will be kept quiet, for one or two reasons, and I don't think +you'll be wanted." + +"That's a relief. What's your private opinion about the matter? Was +the plot confined to supplying the submarines?" + +Rankine lighted a cigarette before he answered. + +"On the whole, I don't think so. In fact, it's possible there was some +foundation for your theory about the Eskdale road." + +"Then you know something?" + +"Something," Rankine agreed with a smile. "Now that my business on the +coast is finished and I'm going to join a battleship, I may perhaps +tell you that my rank is not lieutenant." + +"Well, now that you are here, I hope you can spare us a few days." + +"Thanks; I'll be glad to. My new ship needs some refitting and they +don't want me at Portsmouth yet." + +The next few months passed uneventfully at Appleyard. For the most +part, Andrew was kept occupied, investigating Dick's affairs and +making new arrangements for the improvement of the estate. It was a +relief to be busy; for his loss still weighed on him; and he had +another trouble. Every day he grew deeper in love with Elsie; and she +seemed to try purposely to avoid him. When they met she was friendly, +but he noticed a hint of reserve in her manner. At last he began to +think he would better go to Canada for a while when he had put +everything straight. + +Then, one cold spring evening, when he came back from a visit to a +moorland farm, he found her sitting by the fire in the hall. The light +was getting dim but the glow from the logs fell on her, and he noted +her quick, nervous movement as she saw him. + +"I'm afraid I startled you," he said, stopping beside her. "I've been +walking about a wet bog all afternoon, examining drains, and it looks +very cozy here. I won't disturb you if I sit down?" + +"Of course not." + +Andrew took a chair near her, and stretched his hands to the fire. +Neither spoke for a few minutes; and their silence seemed the deeper +because of the loud ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. + +"I've always loved Appleyard," Andrew said slowly, looking about the +big hall; "but somehow it doesn't seem homey to me now. There's +something wanting; it's too big, or I'm better used to a boat." + +"You miss Dick," Elsie answered softly, with a touch of color in her +face. "Though he was often ill, it's wonderful how bright he was." + +"Yes; I miss him all the time--but perhaps not as you do." + +Andrew's voice was full of sympathy, and Elsie gave him a quick +glance. + +"You must know the truth, Andrew," she said impulsively. "At first I +did feel miserably guilty for having sent Dick on a dangerous errand +when I knew he was ill--" + +"Dick went because he wanted to go," Andrew interrupted. "He never +shirked a risk, and least of all when he could help his friends." + +"But if I had loved Dick in the way you seem to think I loved +him--perhaps I would not have been brave enough to let him go--I can't +be sure." + +"You didn't love him in that way?" + +Elsie looked down at the book which lay in her lap. Her face was +flooded with color, but a smile played about her lips. + +"I would never have married Dick," she said, in a voice so low that +Andrew had to lean toward her to catch her words. + +"There was some one else?" he asked tensely. + +She looked up at him then, and he gasped at the deepening glow in her +eyes. + +"What a stupid thing you are, Andrew! You ought to--" + +He waited. + +"Elsie--" + +His voice was a mingling of incredulity and joy; and she answered his +unspoken question with a shy smile. + +"Of course--dear!" + + +THE END + + + + +Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors present in the +original edition have been corrected. + +In Chapter II, a missing quotation mark was added before "Attendez, +mais attendez". + +In Chapter III, "expensive yatching cap" was changed to "expensive +yachting cap", and "the Isle of Man, rose" was changed to "the Isle of +Man rose". + +In Chapter VII, "is if the man had meant to jump across" was changed +to "as if the man had meant to jump across". + +In Chapter XVI, "single-cyclinder engine" was changed to +"single-cylinder engine". + +In Chapter XXVI, "his heavy boots sanks" was changed to "his heavy +boots sank". + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Johnstone of the Border, by Harold Bindloss + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER *** + +***** This file should be named 34425-8.txt or 34425-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/4/2/34425/ + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +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 www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Johnstone of the Border + +Author: Harold Bindloss + +Illustrator: Cyrus Cuneo + +Release Date: November 24, 2010 [EBook #34425] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER</h1> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>BY THE SAME AUTHOR</h2> + +<p class="advert">Alton of Somasco</p> +<p class="advert">Lorimer of the Northwest</p> +<p class="advert">Thurston of Orchard Valley</p> +<p class="advert">Winston of the Prairie</p> +<p class="advert">The Gold Trail</p> +<p class="advert">Sydney Carteret, Rancher</p> +<p class="advert">A Prairie Courtship</p> +<p class="advert">Vane of the Timberlands</p> +<p class="advert">The Long Portage</p> +<p class="advert">Ranching for Sylvia</p> +<p class="advert">Prescott of Saskatchewan</p> +<p class="advert">The Dust of Conflict</p> +<p class="advert">The Greater Power</p> +<p class="advert">Masters of the Wheatlands</p> +<p class="advert">Delilah of the Snows</p> +<p class="advert">By Right of Purchase</p> +<p class="advert">The Cattle Baron's Daughter</p> +<p class="advert">Thrice Armed</p> +<p class="advert">For Jacinta</p> +<p class="advert">The Intriguers</p> +<p class="advert">The League of the Leopard</p> +<p class="advert">For the Allinson Honor</p> +<p class="advert">The Secret of the Reef</p> +<p class="advert">Harding of Allenwood</p> +<p class="advert">The Coast of Adventure</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 326px;"> +<img src="images/front.jpg" width="326" height="500" alt="frontispiece" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="caption">"An occasional word or phrase reached her: '. . . +submarine . . . coast of . . . this line marks. . . .'"—<a href="#front">Page 220</a></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h1>JOHNSTONE<br /> +<i>of the</i> BORDER</h1> + +<h2><span class="smcap">By</span> HAROLD BINDLOSS</h2> + +<p class="center"><i>Author of</i> <span class="smcap">"Prescott of Saskatchewan,"<br /> +"Ranching for Sylvia," "For the Allinson<br /> +Honor," "The Secret of the Reef," etc.</span></p> + +<p class="center"><i>WITH FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 180px;"> +<img src="images/logo.png" width="180" height="224" alt="publisher's logo" title="Frederick A Stokes Company New York Established Eighteen Eighty-One" /> +</div> + +<p class="center">NEW YORK<br /> +FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY<br /> +PUBLISHERS</p> + +<p class="center">COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY RODERICK A. STOKES COMPANY</p> + +<p class="center">PUBLISHED IN ENGLAND UNDER THE TITLE "THE BORDERER"</p> + +<p class="center">ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum smalltext">CHAPTER</td> +<td class="chapname smalltext"> </td> +<td class="chappage smalltext">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">I</td> +<td class="chapname">The Summons</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">II</td> +<td class="chapname">A Painful Memory</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">12</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">III</td> +<td class="chapname">The Solway Shore</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">19</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">IV</td> +<td class="chapname">Appleyard</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">29</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">V</td> +<td class="chapname">Sweetheart Abbey</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">42</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">VI</td> +<td class="chapname">On Criffell Hill</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">53</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">VII</td> +<td class="chapname">The Gray Car</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">60</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">VIII</td> +<td class="chapname">The "Rowan's" Light</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">71</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">IX</td> +<td class="chapname">In the Dark</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">81</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">X</td> +<td class="chapname">The Young Officer</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">92</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XI</td> +<td class="chapname">The Signal</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">103</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XII</td> +<td class="chapname">A False Alarm</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">114</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XIII</td> +<td class="chapname">The Wreck</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">127</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XIV</td> +<td class="chapname">A Fair Ally</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">140</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XV</td> +<td class="chapname">A Bargain</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">148</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XVI</td> +<td class="chapname">Trailing the Motorcycle</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">160</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XVII</td> +<td class="chapname">The Matchbox</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">172</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XVIII</td> +<td class="chapname">A Conference at Sea</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">183</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XIX</td> +<td class="chapname">A Warning</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">195</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XX</td> +<td class="chapname">The Whammel Boat</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">205</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXI</td> +<td class="chapname">The Lost Paper</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">216</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXII</td> +<td class="chapname">Staffer's Messenger</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">226</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXIII</td> +<td class="chapname">An Evening at Appleyard</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">235</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXIV</td> +<td class="chapname">The Buoyed Channel</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">247</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXV</td> +<td class="chapname">A Clue</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">259</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXVI</td> +<td class="chapname">Tightening the Meshes</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">272</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXVII</td> +<td class="chapname">The Reckoning Day</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">283</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXVIII</td> +<td class="chapname">A Wild Ride</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">293</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXIX</td> +<td class="chapname">When the Tide Turned</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">305</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXX</td> +<td class="chapname">The Net</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">317</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXXI</td> +<td class="chapname">Unexpected Happiness</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">327</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="JOHNSTONE_OF_THE_BORDER" id="JOHNSTONE_OF_THE_BORDER"></a>JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER</h2> + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE SUMMONS</span></h2> + + +<p>Sable Lake shone like a mirror among the ragged pines, as it ran back +between the rocks, smooth as oil except where a puff of wind streaked +its flashing surface with faint blue wrinkles. Behind it the lonely +woods rolled on, south to Lake Superior and north to Hudson Bay. At +one place a new transcontinental railroad cut its way through the +forest; hammers rang and noisy gravel plows emptied the ballast cars +along the half-graded track; but these sounds of human activity were +quickly lost and in a mile or two only the splash of water and the +elfin sighing in the pine-tops broke the deep silence of the woods. +This belt of tangled forest, where the trees are stunted and the soil +is sterile, offers no attraction to homesteader or lumberman. In +consequence, it has lain desolate since the half-breed <i>voyageurs</i>, +who crossed it with canoe and dog-team, abandoned the northwest trail +when the Canadian Pacific locomotives began to pant through the +rock-cuts by Lake Superior.</p> + +<p>The solitude itself had drawn Andrew Johnstone into the quiet bush. +The lone trail had a charm for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> him. He knew the empty spaces of +Canada; for his inaptitude for an idle life had led him on adventurous +journeys through many leagues of its trackless forest. He was of the +type that preferred some degree of hardship to conventional comfort. +His one ambition had been to be a soldier; it was the career which +from early boyhood he had chosen. He had entered Woolwich as a prize +cadet, and had left it with honors; but a few weeks later he had met +with an accident on a mountain crag, and his military career was +suddenly closed. The surgeons did what they could; but it soon was +obvious that Andrew never again would be able to take his place in the +British Army. He was not crippled; he could still walk well; but he +limped slightly and his injured knee gave him trouble sometimes.</p> + +<p>He sat alone now, on a rock that jutted out into the lake. The thick +branches of a spruce sagged above him and furnished a welcome shadow, +for it was a close, hot day. A few feet behind him a gray trout lay in +the frying-pan beside a log hearth; and beyond that stood a small +weather-beaten tent, with flecks of bright sunlight filtering through +the trees and spreading over it in fantastic shapes.</p> + +<p>Andrew lighted his pipe and looked about him in languid content. The +pines that came down to the lake's edge were small and ragged; some +had been blackened by fire and some leaned drunkenly, but their +resinous sweetness hung about the camp. In the shadow, the reflection +of worn rock and rigid branch floated on the crystal water; but the +reflections quivered, and there was a soft splash upon the pebbles +near Andrew's feet. He heard it with reminiscent satis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span>faction and a +touch of longing. It reminded him of the swirl of the salt tide along +the Solway shore; and his thoughts went back to the Old Country he had +left two years before.</p> + +<p>He wondered what Elsie and Dick were doing at home at the old house in +Annandale. He called Appleyard home because he loved it, better +perhaps than Dick did, although the place did not belong to him. When +he was left an orphan, Dick's father had brought him up with stern +kindness, and he had afterward spent a month or two at Appleyard +whenever it was possible. Indeed, in the old man's last illness he had +promised that, so far as things permitted, he would look after his +somewhat flighty cousin. Andrew remembered with a twinge that he had +not done much to keep his promise; but, after all, there seemed no +reason to believe that Dick needed him.</p> + +<p>Then he thought of little Elsie, as he had called her, though she must +be grown up now. He was much the elder, but they had always been good +friends. No doubt they would try to marry her to Dick. Andrew was fond +of Dick, but he did not think him good enough for Elsie.</p> + +<p>For nearly an hour he sat on the rock, lounging back against an +outcropping boulder, thinking of Appleyard and little Elsie. Then his +thoughts were interrupted by a sound near the tent—some animal +scampering past—and he stood up and looked out across the lake. His +pose, easy and virile, showed a wiry figure of medium height; and the +strong sunshine touched his brown face. It was not a face that +attracted attention, but the eyes were gravely good-humored and the +mouth was firm.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>Andrew was watching for the gleam of a varnished hull. Whitney, his +American partner, had gone to the railroad for provisions three days +previously and should have returned. The canoe he had taken had been +built in Toronto, especially for them. Andrew would have been +satisfied with an Indian birch-bark; but Whitney not only was a keen +sport but he had enough money to afford the best of everything.</p> + +<p>At last something twinkled far up the lake, and Andrew's keen eyes +distinguished a small dark speck amidst the play of light. He knew +that it was Whitney; for only a canoe from which the varnish had not +worn off would so catch the sunshine. When the craft had grown into +shape, Andrew sat down again and watched her draw nearer with quiet +approval. He liked to see things done well and there was a rhythmic +precision in Whitney's movements that suggested well-directed power. +The paddle flashed at exact intervals, the lithe form behind it bent +with a graceful swing, and a curl of foam broke away from the gliding +hull. Modern as she was, the canoe did not jar upon the primitive +austerity of the wilds. Andrew felt this, though he could not have put +it into words, for there was something innately primitive in him.</p> + +<p>He sprang from a rugged stock, for he was a descendant of the +Annandale Johnstones, whose crest was significantly the flying spur. +Appleyard stood on the edge of the bleak moorlands that drop down to +the western marshes of the Scottish border, and he knew every lonely +rise and boggy flat that his mosstrooper ancestors had ridden on +moonless nights. It is possible that in his youthful rambles across +the high, wind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span>-swept waste, he had acquired something that linked him +to the past. In later times, his people had made some mark as soldiers +and explorers, but for the past two generations the head of the house +had been a quiet country laird.</p> + +<p>Whitney drew near and in a few minutes ran the canoe upon the shingle +and stood smiling at Andrew when he had pulled her up. He was young +and athletic, with brown hair and eyes, brown skin, a rather thin +face, and an alert, half-humorous air. His clothes had been specially +designed for hunting trips by a fashionable New York tailor, but they +now looked much the worse for use in the wilds.</p> + +<p>"I've got the grub and brought our mail," he said, throwing Andrew a +packet. "Here's your lot; you can wade through it while I fix supper."</p> + +<p>"I'd have had things ready," Andrew replied; "but I was stuck for +flour and pork. You've covered some ground to-day."</p> + +<p>"Some," laughed Whitney. "It was pretty fierce clambering over the +portages with the canoe on my head, but I made much better time than I +could have done when I struck the woods two months ago. Looks as if +the harder you have to work, the stronger you get. Nature's way of +fixing things. But I'm not tired; so I'll fix supper while you read +your news."</p> + +<p>Andrew opened a letter in a girlish hand, and while he read it, +lingering over the words, his thoughts went back with longing to +Appleyard on the Solway shore. He pictured the low house, built of +Scottish granite and beaten by the winds; the red moorland rolling +north in waves; and the flash of wet sands in the distance edged with +white surf by the savage tides.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> It was an artless letter, treating of +loved, homely things, but it showed sweetness of temperament and, +Andrew thought, half-concealed uneasiness. The reason for this became +obvious when he read the postscript:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I am anxious about Dick. He is not very strong, you +know, and I wish that you were here."</p></div> + +<p>Andrew felt troubled, for he knew that Elsie never made the worst of +things. Dick was weak of will as well as of body, and his dissipation +had a marked effect on him. There was nothing vicious in the lad, but +he lacked stability, and it looked as if Elsie could not counteract +the rather demoralizing influences to which Andrew imagined the boy +was subjected.</p> + +<p>He opened a Montreal newspaper and then soon forgot Appleyard. It was +some time since any news from England had reached him, and the +cablegrams predicted coming war. He read on until Whitney took the +trout and a can of coffee off the fire, and called him to supper. +Andrew ate as usual, because he was hungry, but he said very little +and wore a preoccupied air.</p> + +<p>Whitney waited until the meal was finished; then he turned to his +comrade as he lighted his pipe.</p> + +<p>"There's something worrying you," he said bluntly. "Out with it!"</p> + +<p>"I was wondering whether you'd mind my not going north with you on the +hunting trip this fall."</p> + +<p>"I certainly <i>would</i> mind. All the same, I'll let you off if there's a +reason."</p> + +<p>Andrew folded the letter so that the last page came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> on top and handed +it to him with the newspaper. Whitney carefully read the first column +in the paper before he looked up. He wanted to understand the +situation, and Andrew was not good at explaining.</p> + +<p>"I don't quite get the drift of things," he said. "First of all, who's +Elsie Woodhouse?"</p> + +<p>"In a way, she's like Dick's sister; they were brought up together and +Elsie always tried to take care of him—though she's really no +relation. Dick is my cousin."</p> + +<p>Whitney nodded and tried to be patient.</p> + +<p>"Do you want to go home because she's anxious about the fellow?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"It's rather complicated," Andrew answered with some hesitation. "You +see, Dick's father raised me, and I always thought, in his way, he was +fond of me."</p> + +<p>Whitney found the workings of his companion's mind more interesting +than the particulars about his relatives. Andrew was sometimes slow, +but one could rely on his doing the right thing in the end.</p> + +<p>"And Elsie?" Whitney suggested. "Did he raise her too?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no. When he died, Dick's mother soon married again, a man called +Staffer; clever fellow, but I never quite trusted him. Then she died, +and Staffer was left in charge of Appleyard until Dick came of age. He +brought his sister there, Mrs. Woodhouse, a widow; and Elsie's her +daughter. Dick and Elsie were both quite young then, but from the +beginning Elsie made it her business to take care of Dick."</p> + +<p>"You like her," said Whitney, noticing a certain tenderness in his +companion's voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Andrew slowly; "I never liked any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>body quite as much. But +that's all there is to it. She's much younger than I am, and she'll +probably marry Dick."</p> + +<p>"If she's like his sister and has been looking after him, she more +probably won't. I'm getting Dick fixed as a bit of a maverick. He and +his stepfather don't get on."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, they get on very well; that's the trouble."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>Andrew hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, Staffer does most things well; he's excellent company +and a witty talker, the kind of man a lad would try to copy."</p> + +<p>"Makes the pace pretty hot, eh? One of your smart set?"</p> + +<p>"He's extravagant, but he never gets into debt. He'll play cards on +champagne half the night, and get up next morning as steady as a rock +and bring down a cork-screwing snipe with the first barrel. I've +seldom seen a better man on a horse."</p> + +<p>"Think I've got him placed. Your cousin will want nerve and judgment +to play up to him. But we'll take the newspaper now. Why do you want +to go back? You won't fight."</p> + +<p>"I can't," Andrew replied with some color in his face. "It's my +misfortune; after I fell on the Pillar Rock."</p> + +<p>Whitney gave him a sympathetic nod.</p> + +<p>"You take me wrong; I mean your countrymen. It's been stated in your +parliament that they have no obligation to fight for France."</p> + +<p>Andrew filled his pipe before he answered.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>"They won't see her smashed," he said quietly.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure of it, after reading the English newspapers."</p> + +<p>"You don't know us yet," Andrew replied.</p> + +<p>Whitney smiled, for he knew that his comrade would carry out an +obligation to the farthest limit; but he said nothing, and for the +next few minutes Andrew thoughtfully looked about.</p> + +<p>The sun was getting low, and dark shadows stretched across the glassy +lake, but in the distance a small gray dot moved amidst a ring of +widening ripples. A loon was fishing. Presently a wild, unearthly cry +rang through the stillness as the bird called its mate; and after that +everything was very quiet except for a soft splash of falling water a +long way off. The dew was settling on the brush about the camp, and +the cooling air was heavy with the fragrance of the pines. It all +appealed to Andrew; the lonely woods had a strange charm for him.</p> + +<p>"I'm lame and not much use, but it doesn't seem quite the thing to +stay here enjoying myself, just now," he said. "Perhaps something I +could do might turn up when I got home."</p> + +<p>"But you haven't a home! You lived in a boat for some years, didn't +you?"</p> + +<p>"I thought of living in one again. It's cheap and gives you liberty; +you can move about where you like. Then there's good wildfowl shooting +in the bays, along our coast. That would keep me occupied—if I could +find nothing else."</p> + +<p>"Pretty lonely though, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Sometimes. When you're wind-bound in a desolate gut among the sands, +the winter nights seem long.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> Then, if you have to clear out in a +hurry, with a sudden breeze sending the sea inshore and there's the +anchor and kedge to get, you feel you'd like an extra hand."</p> + +<p>"Then why don't you ship one?"</p> + +<p>"It's hard to find the right man. Living on board a small cruiser +hasn't much attraction, unless you're used to it."</p> + +<p>Whitney chuckled.</p> + +<p>"That's easily understood. I think you need a partner. How'd I do?"</p> + +<p>Andrew gave him an eager look, and then answered discouragingly:</p> + +<p>"It's rough work; you're often wet through and can't dry your clothes; +and sometimes there's not much to eat. You can't cook on a miniature +stove when she's rolling hard. Then there's no head-room and you get +cramped because you can't stand up straight."</p> + +<p>"Well," Whitney declared smilingly, "it can't be much rougher than +clambering over rock ledges and smashing through the brush with a +canoe on your head. So, my friend, if you have no marked objection, +I'm coming along. For one thing, an English friend of ours who lived +in New York has a shooting lodge in the Galloway district and my +mother and sister are over there. I can plant myself on them, if I get +tired of you."</p> + +<p>Andrew said nothing and Whitney thought him reluctant to take +advantage of his rash offer.</p> + +<p>"It's settled, old man," Whitney went on lightly. "We'll pull out at +sun-up and get on to the Canadian Pacific at Whitefish Creek. I'll try +to catch a trout now, and then we'll go to sleep."</p> + +<p>He launched the canoe, and when he paddled out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> across the darkening +lake, Andrew sat by the sinking fire, feeling quietly satisfied. He +did not know what he might find to do when he reached Scotland, but he +would have a partner in whom he had confidence.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II<br /> +<span class="smalltext">A PAINFUL MEMORY</span></h2> + + +<p>A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on +Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. The air was hot and oppressive, as it often +is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and +roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight. The +downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm +drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance. At one place, the imposing +avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept +slowly with clanging bells. The crowd seemed bent on holding its +ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one +of stern interest rather than excitement. The small dark figures that +filled the gap between the towering buildings were significantly +quiet, and where a ray of light fell across them, the rows of faces +were all turned in one direction.</p> + +<p>Andrew studied them as he stood on the outskirts of the throng. Human +nature always interested him. He noticed first that these men were +better dressed and looked more prosperous than the members of similar +gatherings he had watched in the Old Country. It was, however, not +altogether their clothes that conveyed the impression: there was a +hint of self-confident optimism in their faces and bearing; though one +could see that they were graver than usual. Their appear<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>ance was +rather American than British, and although this was mainly suggested +by certain mannerisms and the cut of their clothes, Andrew was +conscious of a subtle difference he could not explain. For one thing, +an English street crowd is generally drawn from one particular walk of +life, and if units of different rank join it they stand apart and +separate. This gathering in Winnipeg included men of widely different +callings—farmers from the plains, merchants, artisans, clerks, and +flour-mill hands—but they had, somehow, an air of common purpose and +solidarity.</p> + +<p>Whitney indicated them after he had lighted a cigarette.</p> + +<p>"It's almost an hour before our train goes out, and these fellows +evidently expect a new bulletin to be posted up soon," he said. "They +interest me because I don't know how to class them. They're developing +themselves on our lines, but they don't belong to us. If this were a +city in the United States, there'd be something doing: joshing and +pushing, or somebody would start a song. Yet I guess they wouldn't +like you to call them Englishmen."</p> + +<p>"That's true," Andrew agreed.</p> + +<p>"Then they're pretty good customers of ours and anxious to trade," +went on Whitney, "and yet when we offered them reciprocity they +wouldn't have it. They had all to gain, because the natural outlet for +their commerce is to the south, but they said they were British and +shut the door on us. On the other hand, I get on with them better than +you can, and if we wanted a job in this city, I'd get it before you. +Now our States are sovereign, but they're all American."</p> + +<p>"Ours are sovereign, but not English," Andrew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> replied. "One's +strictly Canadian, another frankly Australian, and so on. We're an +individualistic race, and our different branches grow their own way. +It looks like a loose arrangement, but we've found we hold together +well. You'll see when the bulletin comes out—if it's what I expect."</p> + +<p>"We'll wait. What's this fellow talking about?"</p> + +<p>A short, dark-skinned man had buttonholed a neighbor and was speaking +vivaciously, his dark eyes snapping.</p> + +<p>"But, mossieu', the alliance, <i>la belle alliance</i>!" he exclaimed, and +wheeled around to Andrew. "Is it not determine in London that we +fight?"</p> + +<p>"Spotted you first time, partner," Whitney laughed, and then turned to +the man: "When did you come over?"</p> + +<p>For a moment the fellow looked puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Two hundred year, mossieu'. That is, the family she arrive. Me, I am +born in Kebec."</p> + +<p>Whitney smiled at Andrew.</p> + +<p>"You haven't made much of a Britisher of him yet. They'll speak better +German in Alsace in much less time, if the Prussians keep their grip."</p> + +<p>"Alsace!" cried the French-Canadian. "<i>Attendez, mais attendez</i>; the +great day come. Together we take her back. It is an obligation, +<i>Mossieu'</i>. <i>Vive la belle alliance!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Your people claim there isn't an alliance," Whitney said to Andrew.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. This is certain: if our friend's attacked, we step into +the ring."</p> + +<p>There was a sudden movement in the crowd, which pressed closer upon +the newspaper office opposite, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> a cry was raised as a lighted car +came clanging down the street:</p> + +<p>"Hold that driver up!"</p> + +<p>The car slowed, but still came on, until a well-dressed citizen +stepped quietly in front of it.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" he said. "You can't get through."</p> + +<p>The car stopped and as the passengers got out, a window in the tall +building opposite was opened. A bulletin board was hoisted in, and for +the next two minutes the crowd stood silent and motionless. Andrew +felt his nerves tingle and noted that Whitney's face was tense, though +his interest in the matter could hardly be personal. There was +something that stirred the imagination in the sight of the intent, +quiet throng that awaited the result of a crisis not of their making. +They had had no say in the quarrel that began far off in the obscure +East; but one could not doubt that they meant to make it their own. +Their stern gravity caused Andrew a half-conscious thrill of pride.</p> + +<p>After all, they sprang from British stock and he knew what kind of men +they were. He had seen the miles of wheat that covered the broken, +prairie waste, cities that rose as if by magic in a few months' time, +and railroads flung across quaking muskegs and driven through towering +rocks, at a speed unthought of in the mother country. He had heard the +freight-trains roaring through the great desolation between the Ottawa +and the Western plains, where no traffic would ever be found, and had +wondered at the optimism which, in spite of tremendous obstacles, had +built eight hundred miles of track to link the St. Lawrence to the +rich land beyond. These Canadians were hard men who tempered with cool +judgment a vast energy and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> enthusiasm, and the mother country's foes +would have to reckon with them.</p> + +<p>There was a strange, dead silence, as the board was replaced and the +bold black letters stood out in the lamplight. So far as Andrew could +afterward remember, the bulletin read:</p> + +<p><i>War inevitable. England must keep her word!</i></p> + +<p><i>Kaiser's armies marching. British fleet sails with sealed orders.</i></p> + +<p>A few cablegrams followed, and when they were read a deep murmur rose +from the crowd; but there was no strong excitement. These were not the +men to indulge in emotional sentiment; their attitude indicated relief +from suspense, and steady resolve. Perhaps it was characteristic that +the man who had stopped the car waved his hand to the driver.</p> + +<p>"Now you may go ahead," he said.</p> + +<p>Breaking into groups, they began to talk, and Andrew caught snatches +of their conversation.</p> + +<p>"A big thing, but we're going to put it through," said one. "If you +hadn't fired out Laurier, we'd have been rushing our own fleet across +the ocean now."</p> + +<p>"Well," his neighbor replied, "we've got the boys. We want to call a +city meeting right off. Manitoba can't be left behind."</p> + +<p>"Manitoba's all right!" another declared. "We'll send them all the +flour they want, besides men who can ride and shoot. They'll put the +Maple Leaf right up to the front. But we want to hustle before Regina +and Calgary get a start on us."</p> + +<p>The man turned to a companion and the two moved off. They were +followed by other groups, and as one passed, Andrew heard an exultant +voice.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>"I tell you what happen. <i>Vive la belle alliance!</i>"</p> + +<p>Whitney and Andrew crossed the emptying street and walked toward the +station. "I guess you noticed they didn't talk about the Old Country's +program," Whitney remarked. "It's what Manitoba and the West are going +to do that interests them. My notion is that it will be something +big."</p> + +<p>"One feels that," Andrew agreed. "Somehow, it's stirring."</p> + +<p>"And it's contagious. When they hoist the flag you'll see some of the +boys from our side riding across the frontier to the rally."</p> + +<p>"You're bound to keep neutral," Andrew objected.</p> + +<p>"Officially, yes. But when a man can drop a flying crane with the +rifle and bust a wild range horse, they won't ask if he was born in +Montana or Saskatchewan."</p> + +<p>They walked up Main Street and it was obvious that the news had +spread, for talking men blocked the sidewalk here and there, and the +wide windows of the hotels were full. When they reached the station, +Whitney went off to check their baggage, and Andrew sat down, rather +disconsolately, in the great waiting-room. The damp weather had +affected his knee, and he frowned as he stretched it out, for his +aches reminded him painfully of his disadvantages. While he sat there, +a summer-evening train from Winnipeg Beach arrived and a stream of +smartly-dressed excursionists passed through the hall breaking off to +ask for the latest news. Their keen interest was significant, and +Andrew felt downcast. Canada approved the Old Country's action and +meant to do her part; but he was useless, nobody wanted him.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>Moodily lighting a cigarette, he recalled his youthful ambitions, for +he had meant to follow where his ancestors had led. It was not for +nothing that their crest was the flying spur, and their traditions had +fired him to the study of difficult sciences, which he had mastered by +dogged determination rather than cleverness. His heart was in his +work; he meant to make a good horse-artilleryman; and he had thrilled +with keen satisfaction when the examiners placed him near the top of +the list. Then came the momentous day in Ennerdale that altered +everything. Six months after the accident he had resigned his +commission, knowing that he would never walk quite straight again.</p> + +<p>Well, all that was done with; but now, when Britons everywhere were +springing to arms, he was good for nothing. He reflected gloomily that +he might as well stay in Canada. Yet, if he were in England, there was +a chance that something might turn up for him to do.</p> + +<p>Besides, there was little Elsie. . . .</p> + +<p>Whitney came swinging across the marble floor of the waiting-room just +as an official at the door announced that their train was ready to +start.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE SOLWAY SHORE</span></h2> + + +<p>There was a light wind from the westward, and the flood tide, running +east, smoothed the sea to a faintly wrinkled heave, when the <i>Rowan</i> +crept across Wigtown Bay on the southern coast of Scotland. Andrew +lounged at the tiller while Whitney sat in the cockpit, holding a tray +on which were laid out a pot of smoke-tainted tea, several thick +slices of bread, sardines, and marmalade.</p> + +<p>Whitney wore a woolen sweater—which had been white a few days before +but now was a dingy gray—new blue trousers, already streaked with +rust, and an expensive yachting cap which had got badly crushed. His +hands were not immaculate, and there was a soot-smear on his face.</p> + +<p>"This kind of yachting's not quite what I've been used to," he +remarked. "On Long Island Sound you don't get the sea we ran into +coming round the head last night; and when we went cruising in small +craft we always hired somebody to do the dirty work."</p> + +<p>"There's not much room for a paid hand on board the <i>Rowan</i>," Andrew +replied hesitatingly. "Still, if you'd like—"</p> + +<p>"You don't want a man."</p> + +<p>"He would be rather in the way, and I don't know what he'd find to do, +except the cooking."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>"And hauling the dinghy up a muddy beach, taking out the kedge on a +stormy night, and pulling twenty fathoms of heavy chain about when you +shift your moorings! I could think of a few other trifles if I tried; +but I won't insist. It looks as if I were going to get some muscle +up."</p> + +<p>Whitney thought his companion had a private reason for dispensing with +a paid hand; and an extra man was certainly not needed for open-water +navigation, for Andrew had shown himself quite capable of sailing the +<i>Rowan</i> alone. After searching the Glasgow yacht-agents' registers for +a boat of sufficiently light draught, they had bought the <i>Rowan</i> at +an Ayrshire port; and Whitney got a surprise when his partner drove +her through the furious tide-race that swirls around the Mull of +Galloway, in a strong breeze of wind. He had confidence in the little +yacht after that. She was thirty-two feet long, low in the water, and +broad of beam, but her mast was short and her canvas snug: Whitney +knew the disadvantages of a long heavy boom. Her deck was laid with +narrow planks, no longer white, for there were stains like blood upon +them where the rain had run from the mainsail, which was tanned with +cutch.</p> + +<p>Now the canvas glowed a warm orange in the evening light as its tall +peak swayed gently across the sky, and the ripples that lapped the +gliding hull united beneath the counter and trailed astern in silky +lines.</p> + +<p>To starboard, far off, the Isle of Man rose in a high, black saw-edge +above the shining sea; ahead to the east, water and sky were soft +blue; to port, the Scottish hills rose in shades of gray and purple.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>Andrew named them as the boat crept on.</p> + +<p>"Cairn Harry, running straight up from the water; Dirk Hatteraik +stored his brandy in a cave on Raven Crag, and John Knox hid in +Barrholm tower, in the long patch of woods. The black ridge behind is +Cairnsmoor o' Fleet, and a waste of moors runs back from it toward the +head of Clyde. The water of Cree flows through the dark hollow."</p> + +<p>"The Cree!" Whitney exclaimed. "That is where my mother and sister +are. Our friend has a grouse moor and some salmon rights." He paused +and laughed. "I can imagine them sitting down to dinner under the +electric light in somebody's ancestral hall, with a frozen British +butler running the show. Wonder what they'd say if they knew I wasn't +far off, living like an Indian on board this craft!"</p> + +<p>"There are no ancestral halls beside the Cree, and electric lights are +scarce in the Galloway wilds," Andrew explained.</p> + +<p>Whitney chuckled. He was not thinking of ancestral halls, but was +wondering what his sister Madge would think of his comrade. On the +surface, Andrew was easy-going, ingenuous, and diffident, but beneath +this lay an unwavering firmness.</p> + +<p>"Historic country, isn't it?" he remarked, to make Andrew talk.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Andrew in an apologetic tone, and started off on his +favorite hobby.</p> + +<p>Slowly the sea grew dimmer; the sunset glow behind them faded to a +smoky red; and while they drifted east with the flood tide a black +island detached itself from the dusky shore. Soon a trembling beam +flashed out from its summit.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>"The Ross," Andrew said. "I was wrecked there."</p> + +<p>"Tell me about it," requested Whitney, lounging in the cockpit, lazily +watching a razor-bill which had risen with a hoarse croak from the +boat's rippling wake.</p> + +<p>"It was the only time such a thing ever happened to me, and I don't +understand it yet. I was living on board the <i>Arrow</i> then, shooting +from a punt. She was a stiff, roomy boat, of nearly nine tons, and I'd +just had her pulled up at Glencaple for an overhaul. Staffer, Dick's +stepfather, found me a Glasgow carpenter who had been building some +anglers' boats at Lochmaben."</p> + +<p>"And what had the carpenter to do with your being wrecked?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, so far as I can see; though I've thought about him now and +then."</p> + +<p>Andrew paused for a moment, and Whitney, knowing his comrade, waited +for him to go on.</p> + +<p>"The ebb had been running for some time when I left Gibb's Hole, and a +nasty surf broke on the sands. There was not wind enough to account +for it, but everything was harshly clear and that's often threatening. +However, I set the big jib and topsail, because I wanted to clear the +banks before the flood tide made. It runs from four to six knots an +hour among the Solway shoals, and there's some risk of knocking the +boat's bilges in if you get aground. The breeze fell light, and near +dusk I came round and stood inshore on the port tack, so that I could, +if necessary, slip back into Rough Firth. The Scotch channel of the +Solway is no place to run for on a dirty night.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>"When I got down to Abbey Head the swell was growing steep and the sea +looked ragged where it cut the horizon—which showed there was wind +out there. The shooting-punt I was towing was a drag, and I didn't +make much progress until a smart southwesterly breeze sprang up soon +after dark. I could just lay my course down the coast, and I hung on +to big jib and topsail while I could. With two or three hours of that +wind I'd be able to run in behind the Ross, which you see ahead. Then +the breeze freshened suddenly and she listed over until most of her +lee deck was in the water. For a time after that I had my hands full."</p> + +<p>"So I imagine," Whitney remarked. "I've seen a big jib give two men +trouble when they had to take it in, and you were alone and had the +topsail up. I'm not surprised that you got wrecked."</p> + +<p>"I wasn't wrecked just then. In fact, I made her snug, with two reefs +in the mainsail, and I lighted the compass binnacle. The trouble was +that the wind was drawing ahead and the night had turned very dark. I +couldn't get a glimpse of the coast, and it wouldn't have been wise to +run back yet. There's a light on Hestan Island, but I wouldn't have +found water enough across the sands in Rough Firth. She'd have gone +down at her anchor if I'd brought up to wait.</p> + +<p>"Well, I ate some sandwiches I had ready, and stood on. She was +plunging wildly and putting her storm-jib into the sea that was +getting up; but she was an able boat, and the punt towed pretty well +when I'd made an extra rope fast to her."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't find that easy," Whitney suggested, as he pictured the +lonely man's struggle to haul up the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> heavy craft while the yacht on +which he must relinquish control rolled with thrashing canvas athwart +the combers.</p> + +<p>"I let the <i>Arrow</i> come up and dropped the peak. The worst was that I +had to lean right out with both hands on the punt while I made the +second rope fast, and I nearly went overboard when she lurched. I made +it fast, but when we went on I got a shock, for the water was washing +up from under the cockpit floor. You see, as she'd shipped two or +three combers, I'd thought it was washing down."</p> + +<p>"The floorings would be nearly two feet above her bottom planks," +Whitney said.</p> + +<p>"Yes. It meant she was leaking hard, and I'll admit that rather +staggered me, because she'd always been a remarkably tight craft. +Well, I hove her to again, lighted the cabin lamp, and pulled up the +floorings. This wasn't easy; they were closely fitted and the +carpenter had nailed one or two of them down. I can't tell you why he +did it, but I tore my hand before I got them loose. You can understand +that I had to be quick. She wouldn't lie to well with nobody at the +helm, and kept forging up head to wind and falling off again. The way +she lurched about threw me against the lockers and once or twice I +heard a sea come on board. There was too much water for me to find +where it was coming in, and when I crawled out and tried the pump it +wouldn't draw, so I went back and felt for the bottom of its pipe. +There was a suction-box at the end, and it seemed to be stuffed up +with shavings. The carpenter must have thrown them under the floor."</p> + +<p>"Rather a curious place to put them!" Whitney<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> commented. "I suppose a +shaving had stuck under a valve and stopped the pump. But, as you'd +have a grid on the suction-box, how did they get in?"</p> + +<p>"I've never found out, but I'd like to meet that carpenter," Andrew +replied grimly.</p> + +<p>He felt for his pipe and lighted it, and Whitney had to prompt him +before he resumed:</p> + +<p>"Things didn't look hopeful. It was blowing hard; she was leaking +fast, and I couldn't pump her out. I had to make the Ross while she +kept afloat. I thought about cutting the punt adrift, but it seemed a +waste, and afterward I was glad I didn't. As it was a dead beat to +windward, speed was important, and the only thing was to keep her +sailing hard and let the seas come on board. There was so much spray +flying that I couldn't see the punt astern, but the drag on the +tow-lines showed that she was there. Then the old boat began to get +sluggish, and it made me savage. She'd brought me through many a stiff +blow, and I was fond of her. The Ross light was getting brighter; but +a sea that came over the coaming washed out the binnacle lamp when I +was ready to make the Sound. If I'd been able to take the light's +bearing and look at the chart, I might have sailed her in.</p> + +<p>"Well, with the compass gone, I had to run for it blind, and she was +so waterlogged that she would hardly steer. Then suddenly she stopped +with a shock that threw me from the helm. What had happened was plain, +and when the next sea washed over her I pulled up the punt, cut the +lines, and fell into the well. She swung away on top of a comber, and +I wondered where she'd take me; for there were crags about and the +paddles had washed overboard. She was full and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> waterlogged, but I lay +along the deck and she kept right side up until we came ashore on a +bank of shingle. Rocks ran up behind it, and there was a gully I +couldn't cross at the end of the cove. I pulled the punt up, and spent +the night lying behind her out of the wind, when I wasn't tramping +about the shingle to keep myself warm. In the morning a coastguard +showed me a way up the cliff; and when I came back there later there +was no sign of the <i>Arrow</i>."</p> + +<p>Andrew stopped, and for some minutes the silence was broken by the +rustle of the flapping topsail and the soft splash at the bows. It had +grown dark and the sea was faintly phosphorescent: pale blue and green +spangles glimmered down the wake. Ross Island had faded into the black +head behind it, but a bright beam of light still glittered across the +water.</p> + +<p>"On the face of it, the reason you were wrecked is obvious," Whitney +said. "The boat began to strain when she was pounding, overpressed +with sail, through a steep head sea, and you couldn't pump her out. +Besides, as she'd just been hauled up for repairs, a butt may have got +started by the hammering or a seam have been left open."</p> + +<p>"The carpenter was a good workman," Andrew replied quietly.</p> + +<p>"He may have neglected something, for all that. Boats will leak when +they're driven hard; pumps get out of order; and a stranger might nail +down a floor board you kept loose. The curious point is that all these +things should happen together." Whitney paused and smiled. "Of course, +if you had some dangerous secret or were heir to a great estate that +some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>body else wanted, one might suggest a melodramatic explanation."</p> + +<p>"I've no secret anybody would give twopence for, and I inherit nothing +except a very small annuity."</p> + +<p>"Then you'll have to put the series of accidents down to coincidence. +Where were you bound for when you came to grief?"</p> + +<p>Andrew glanced back toward a stretch of water that still shone faintly +among the shadowy hills.</p> + +<p>"Up yonder, near the head of Wigtown Bay, to shoot geese. Dick was to +come on by train and join me. He's fond of wildfowling, and I took +advantage of it to get him away."</p> + +<p>"Away from what?"</p> + +<p>Andrew hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, he was inclined to go the pace, and Staffer had some +friends at Appleyard just then—clever, amusing men-about-town, who +were fond of cards and knew all about the turf. Dick tried to play up +to them, and he was losing a good deal of money and drinking rather +more than was good for him."</p> + +<p>"And his stepfather encouraged his extravagance?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no. Staffer gave him good advice in a cynical, witty way; told +him he must pull up because the pace was too hot for a lad. I never +quite liked the man, but one must be fair, and he was willing to let +me take Dick. In fact, he agreed it was the best thing to do."</p> + +<p>"But as it turned out, you didn't take him. Were you much at Appleyard +afterward?"</p> + +<p>"No. One of Staffer's friends offered me a pretty good post abroad, +and everybody thought I ought to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> seize the chance, but I didn't. In +consequence, a kind of coolness grew up and I haven't stayed long at +Appleyard since. Dick sends a message and Elsie writes long letters +now and then."</p> + +<p>Whitney stood up and stretched himself. A rhythmic throb of engines +stole out of the silence, and, some distance off, a yellow and a green +light moved across the level sea. Overhead, the topsail cut black +against the sky, and the water had grown more luminous in the eddying +wake. To the east, a thin, silver moon was shining above the dim +heights of Cumberland. Tiny ripples lapped the <i>Rowan's</i> side, but the +breeze was faint and everything was still.</p> + +<p>"The flood will take us to Rough Firth, and we may as well stand on," +Andrew said. "You can go below. I'll call you if you're wanted."</p> + +<p>Carefully lowering his head, Whitney crept into the small cabin and +lighted the lamp. Its illumination showed the oilskins swinging +against the forecastle bulkhead, and the narrow table on top of the +centerboard trunk, which ran up the middle of the floor. On each side +were lockers that served as seats, and two folding cots were strapped +against the skin of the boat. Whitney let one down and got into it +with his clothes on: he had found that this was prudent when cruising +in small vessels. There was a rack, loaded with odds and ends, a few +inches above his head; and a smell of tarred rope, paraffin and +mildewed canvas came out of the forecastle; but this did not trouble +him, and he was soon asleep.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, Andrew sat at the helm, his mind busy with gloomy +thoughts.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">APPLEYARD</span></h2> + + +<p>It was a stormy evening when Whitney caught his first glimpse of +Appleyard. He felt disappointed. He had expected to see an ancient +Border tower with modern additions; but the low, straight-fronted +house did not look much more than a century old. It was solidly built +of gray granite, with mullioned windows and a small pepper-box turret +at one end, but while it made no pretense of architectural beauty, +Whitney admitted that it had some charm. For one thing, Appleyard +stood boldly on the breast of a knoll, with dark firs packed closely +about it, and the landscape it commanded was ruggedly wild. Bleak +pastures and lonely moorland, stained a purple-red, rolled back to the +hills that melted into leaden cloud in the north. To the south, a +strip of green littoral was dotted with white farmsteads and traversed +by the curves of a river that flashed where it caught the light.</p> + +<p>Beyond this level strip, the Solway sands ran far out to sea, glowing +red in the angry sunset and pierced by channels of slate-green water. +In the distance, a narrow white line showed where their edge was +washed by the receding tide. On the western shore of the wide estuary, +Criffell's lonely height stood out, a harsh dark-blue, against a +saffron glare.</p> + +<p>The car sped across an iron bridge spanning a ravine where hazel, +mountain-ash, and scrub oak grew among<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> the stones, skirted a broad +lawn, and stopped at the door. Whitney was presented to Mrs. Woodhouse +and Staffer, who welcomed him cordially, and then he shook hands with +Dick. They entered the house at once, and Whitney found himself in a +large, square hall, which looked older than the rest of the building. +The light was dim, for the windows were narrow and were placed +unusually high in the massive walls. A wood fire burned in the big, +old-fashioned hearth, but the place felt chilly and especially +cheerless.</p> + +<p>Dick took them up a staircase that led to a gallery at the back of the +hall.</p> + +<p>"Your kit arrived from Glasgow, and I think you'll find all you want +laid out in your rooms," he said. "Dinner will be ready as soon as you +have changed."</p> + +<p>They went along a passage, and Whitney was glad to be left alone in +his room. It was his first visit to an old Scottish house, and +although not an antiquarian he was capable of receiving impressions +from places, and he wanted to discover what influence Appleyard had on +him. He noted that a fire was laid ready in the grate, although it was +August and until that morning the weather had been warm. The room was +rather bare, but the few articles of old-fashioned furniture were +solid and were made on a good model. They were marked by a certain +austerity of taste, and he thought of them as business-like. The +plain, self-colored rugs and curtains had a similar effect. Everything +that utility demanded was there, but he marked the absence of luxury +and ornament.</p> + +<p>The walls were very thick, and there were seats in the deep window +recesses. Opening one of the casements, Whitney stopped a minute and +looked out. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> could see a stretch of wet sands that were now growing +dim, and the faint line of surf, and then, by turning sharply, black +hills running back into gathering cloud. The air was unusually keen, +and although darkness was fast coming on, the distance was clean-cut +and sharp. The landscape somehow harmonized with the house; it was +perhaps a trifle harsh, but it had a peculiarly distinctive character.</p> + +<p>Andrew came in while Whitney was dressing, and finding him not ready, +he went down first.</p> + +<p>There was no one in the hall when Andrew reached it, and he was +satisfied to be alone as he stood by the hearth, looking about. A lamp +had been lighted, but the illumination did not carry far, and the high +roof and the corners were shadowy. The hall occupied the lower story +of the old central tower, which had served as a fort in bygone years +but had since been partly rebuilt and incorporated in the house. +Andrew knew its history, for he loved Appleyard. He was, in some +respects, truer to the type of the men who had built and fought for it +than Dick. He was not jealous of his cousin, but it was hard to feel +himself a mere passing guest in the old house, and a vague discontent +tempered his satisfaction at coming home. Besides, he was poor, and +was condemned by an accident to a life of obscurity. He wondered why +Elsie had not been there to welcome him, as she had always done on +previous visits. He remembered her frank regret when he last went +away. Indeed, he had often pictured her as she stood by the lodge +gate, a slender, fresh-faced girl, with ruffled hair and a hint of +tears in her blue eyes. She was as graceful as a fawn; but her beauty +as yet was immature.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>Andrew heard a sound behind him, and turning from the fire he saw a +girl coming down the stairs. She stood out against the dark-paneled +walls, for her pale green dress caught the light and shimmered. It +went well with her auburn hair, emphasizing the pure white and pink of +her skin; and it matched her eyes, which had the changing color of the +sea. The immature grace Andrew had known had gone; there was something +of distinction in her carriage.</p> + +<p>While he gazed at her, she came toward him with a frank smile of +pleasure.</p> + +<p>"It's very nice to have you back," she said. "I couldn't get home +until a few minutes after you arrived. Roy lost a shoe as I was +driving up the Lockerbie road."</p> + +<p>Andrew took her hand and held it for a moment, but the only remark he +could think of was:</p> + +<p>"You have Roy yet?"</p> + +<p>Elsie laughed as if she understood, and rather liked, his +embarrassment.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. He's still going strong, and when Kevan re-shod him he +brought me home in record time. But you're very brown and looking +well."</p> + +<p>"It's good to be back at Appleyard," he said quietly.</p> + +<p>"You're still very fond of it? So am I, though that may seem curious, +because I'm really an outsider."</p> + +<p>"That applies to me more than to you, because the old place would +never be the same without you."</p> + +<p>Elsie looked at him as he stood, gravely quiet, studying her.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said, "Appleyard is Dick's. His father was a true +Johnstone, his mother a Jardine, but you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> make one feel that you're +more at home here than he is. I can't account for it. Can you?"</p> + +<p>"I might blame your imagination," he answered, smiling.</p> + +<p>Elsie gave him a roguish look, which made her seem more like the +little Elsie he had known two years before.</p> + +<p>"You haven't told me how I'm looking," she said. "Perhaps you don't +realize that this gown was made in Paris and was put on in your +especial honor."</p> + +<p>"You're rather wonderful," Andrew replied gravely. "But then you +always were. For all that, I had a pleasant surprise when you came +downstairs."</p> + +<p>Elsie's eyes twinkled, and he thought they looked like the sea when +the sun touched it in a breeze.</p> + +<p>"A surface change," she laughed. "Munich and London account for it. +I'd run wild, you know, when you saw me last. But there's no +difference underneath. You're the same too, and that's what I like. I +want to keep my old friend. You must promise you won't alter."</p> + +<p>"I'll try not to," he answered. "Perhaps I'm incapable of it; I'm not +progressive. Still, there are times when I feel rather old."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know," she said with understanding sympathy. "But after the +cheerful letters you wrote from Canada, I hoped the lameness didn't +trouble you very much."</p> + +<p>"One mustn't grumble, though it's rather hard to feel useless—just +now."</p> + +<p>Elsie's face grew thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said slowly, "that must hurt. I've felt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> that we don't +realize the seriousness of the great struggle here. It's easy to +subscribe to funds and go on committees, but that kind of service +leaves you cold, and we haven't practised much self-denial at +Appleyard. I was glad Dick wanted to enlist, even though they wouldn't +have him; but he'll tell you about it himself."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Woodhouse and Whitney came toward them, with Dick close behind. +Dick was not unlike Andrew, but it was as if his cousin's prominent +characteristics had been watered down. Although the handsomer of the +two, he somehow looked a feeble copy of Andrew when they were +together. He had twinkling eyes and a humorous way of regarding +things, but his face was weak. His figure was light, well-poised and +athletic, but his color was unusually high, and on close study he +showed signs of bad health.</p> + +<p>When he had spoken a few words to Andrew they went in to dinner, and +during the meal Whitney devoted some attention to the company. One of +the differences between him and his comrade was that he was most +capable at managing people, and Andrew in handling things. Andrew knew +all about a boat and a gun, and could be relied upon to deal with +contrary tides and dangerous shoals, but he was less acquainted with +the intricacies of human nature.</p> + +<p>Whitney dismissed Dick as not counting; Elsie he reserved for future +study. Mrs. Woodhouse he found interesting because baffling. She was +rather fat, with regular features but an expressionless face, eyes of +light china-blue, and flat, flaxen hair. She answered his remarks with +conventional politeness, but he could not, as he thought of it, strike +a spark from her. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> could not tell whether she was reserved or +merely dull. Her brother, Staffer, was of very different stamp. His +face was clean-cut and intellectual, his manners were polished but +easy, and Whitney had no trouble in placing him as a man who knew the +world. Indeed, since there was a hint of force and command about him, +Whitney wondered why he was, so to speak, vegetating in the Scottish +wilds. Staffer clearly belonged to the busy cities and the centers of +action.</p> + +<p>Nothing that Whitney thought worth noting occurred at dinner, except +that Dick drank a good deal of wine and Elsie watched him with +half-veiled disturbance. Whitney thought her attitude was protective +and motherly; she would have interfered had it been possible. This +suggested that a supposition of Andrew's was wrong. A girl like that +would not marry a man whom she must guide and control.</p> + +<p>When they went back to the hall, Andrew found a quiet corner, hoping +he might get a few minutes alone, for his meeting with Elsie had a +disturbing effect. When he last went away, she had told him that when +he came back things would not be the same; and he now recognized the +truth of this. The girl who had treated him as a trusted elder brother +had grown into a beautiful, accomplished woman. Indeed, she had, so to +speak, left him behind. She was cleverer and more composed than he; +she grasped things at once while he clumsily searched for their +meaning. The old frank confidence and the comradeship were no longer +possible, but in essentials she had not changed. The world could never +spoil Elsie's freshness nor blunt her keen honesty.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>After a while she came and sat down near where he stood in the shadowy +recess of the great hearth.</p> + +<p>"I believe you were trying to hide, and we must have a talk," she +said. "I'm half afraid I brought you home from Canada."</p> + +<p>"No," Andrew replied awkwardly; "anyway, not altogether. I felt that I +ought to come back, even if there's nothing I can do. Still, of +course, if I can be of help here—"</p> + +<p>Elsie's eyes were soft as she looked at him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know; you're a good friend, Andrew, but I was alarmed when I +wrote. After what the army doctors told him, Dick went to see a +specialist in Harley Street, and he must have got a plain warning, for +he was depressed and quiet for some time. Things are serious when +Dick's cast down."</p> + +<p>"Do you know what the doctor said?"</p> + +<p>"No; Dick wouldn't tell me. I'm not sure that he told Uncle Arnold +much."</p> + +<p>"Ah!"</p> + +<p>Andrew was silent for a moment.</p> + +<p>"Has he been indulging in any rashness since then?"</p> + +<p>"No, nothing fresh; but I'm afraid he's heavily in debt. His allowance +is very large, but he tried to borrow money a few days after he got +it." Elsie's color grew deeper as she continued: "I've seen him quite +unsteady at luncheon; and the worst is that it's telling on his +health."</p> + +<p>"Looks bad; I must see what I can do. But it's awkward, because +Staffer's really responsible for him. Has he tried to pull Dick up?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, in a way," Elsie answered with a thoughtful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> air. "Still, I +don't think it disturbs him as it ought to when he sees that he hasn't +done much good. He's witty when he should be firm—and I've sometimes +imagined that Dick feels rather flattered than ashamed after the +talk."</p> + +<p>"I understand. What Dick really needs is a good kicking for being fool +enough to try to copy Staffer."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't you take him away for a time in the boat?"</p> + +<p>"I'll try, but he's not fond of sailing. Then it's a delicate matter. +If one could make Staffer understand—"</p> + +<p>Elsie gave him a steady look.</p> + +<p>"No; I think you'd better not. Uncle Arnold's very kind; mother and I +owe him a good deal, and he likes Dick. For all that, he doesn't seem +to feel it's his duty to take much trouble—"</p> + +<p>Andrew knew she was not saying all that she thought; but he did not +press her.</p> + +<p>"I will try to find a way," he said. "And now tell me how things have +been going since I left."</p> + +<p>While they were talking, Dick came up; and not long afterward the two +men found themselves alone in the smoking-room.</p> + +<p>Andrew put his hands on Dick's shoulders and held him off at arm's +length.</p> + +<p>"You strike me as not being quite up to the mark," he said.</p> + +<p>"Do I?" Dick grinned. "You've been talking to Elsie!"</p> + +<p>"I have; and I'm sorry to hear the doctors didn't think you very well. +Hadn't you better tell me about it?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>"I suppose I must. You're a persistent fellow, but you don't often +take the superior moral tone. Well, as I'd been in the officers' +training corps, I applied for a commission, and they sent me up to a +medical board. One doctor asked me some catchy questions, and, being +quite inexperienced, I fell into the trap. The consequence was I +didn't pass."</p> + +<p>"You didn't learn much about yourself from him?"</p> + +<p>"Not much! It was he who got the information. But when he'd finished +he offered me a scrap of advice—I'd better see a private doctor at +once."</p> + +<p>"Did you?"</p> + +<p>Dick chuckled.</p> + +<p>"Instead, I went up to London and tried to join one of the special +battalions. I was wiser this time, and told their medical examiner +nothing I could help. I thought I'd made a good impression; but at +last he looked at me pretty hard. 'I admire your keenness, but you +won't do,' he said. I told him I was a bit off color, but I'd play +golf all day and drink nothing but soda-water, and then come back to +him in a month. 'It would be of no use; I'd go to Harley Street now,' +he said."</p> + +<p>"I hope you did," Andrew remarked with a frown.</p> + +<p>Dick lighted a cigarette.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I went. I'll spare you technicalities; for that matter, I've +forgotten them; but, after all, I didn't get much of a shock. It seems +my heart's gone a bit rocky."</p> + +<p>"Go on," said Andrew.</p> + +<p>"Well, if I give up everything I like and live like an ascetic, I may +get over the trouble, though I think the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> fellow doubted it. On the +other hand, I may get worse and drop off suddenly."</p> + +<p>"Unless you steady down."</p> + +<p>"Yes; he hinted something of the kind."</p> + +<p>Andrew said nothing for a few moments. He was fond of his cousin; and, +besides, he had promised Dick's father to look after the boy. He felt +that he had been neglectful; and he wished now that he had more tact. +He had a duty ahead of him, and he did not know how to discharge it.</p> + +<p>"The proper course is obvious," he began somewhat awkwardly. "Suppose +you come down the Galloway coast with Whitney and me? It's early for +the black geese, but there are ducks about."</p> + +<p>Dick smiled.</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately, I'm not keen on sailing; and I must say that living on +board a small, damp boat gets monotonous. Now, if you would land me +where one could get a game of cards in the evening, or—"</p> + +<p>"Where they had a bar?"</p> + +<p>"Precisely. A bar with a fetching girl in it."</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't work," said Andrew firmly. "I remember what happened when +I landed you at Douglas—and a poaching escapade with some Creetown +quarrymen on the same cruise. You have a talent for getting into +trouble. Well, if you won't come with me, I'll have to make Appleyard +my headquarters for a time."</p> + +<p>"I hope you will," Dick replied with feeling. "Has it ever struck you +that Appleyard might be yours?"</p> + +<p>Andrew's face grew stern.</p> + +<p>"Appleyard belongs to you and, what's more, you belong to it. It's +your duty to pull yourself together<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> and take care of the estate, to +marry and bring up your children to be a credit to your name. Instead, +you're dragging it in the dirt, making shabby betting men and turf +sharpers your friends, and, I'm half afraid, getting into speculative +money-lenders' hands."</p> + +<p>Dick winced and Andrew saw that his random shot had scored.</p> + +<p>"If you're in difficulties, I might raise a hundred pounds or so," he +went on. "If, as I suspect, that isn't half enough, we'll go and see +Mackellar before you get in too deep."</p> + +<p>Mackellar was the acting executor of Dick's father's will.</p> + +<p>"I'll think over it," Dick answered; and there was something that +puzzled Andrew in his expression.</p> + +<p>"Very well. Did you tell Staffer what the doctor said?"</p> + +<p>"I wasn't quite as frank with him as I've been with you; one isn't +proud of being a lame duck. Still, I imagine he has a pretty accurate +notion of how things are with me."</p> + +<p>"Then he ought to pull you up; he has the power."</p> + +<p>"That's doubtful. I don't think you're quite fair to Staffer. I might +have got a stepfather of a very different kind."</p> + +<p>"It might have been better if you had," Andrew dryly rejoined.</p> + +<p>Dick flushed.</p> + +<p>"I wish you'd leave Staffer alone; I won't have him run down."</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to run him down," Andrew said.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps you didn't consciously. You'd try to conquer your +prejudices, but you're antagonistic."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>Andrew gave Dick a shrewd glance.</p> + +<p>"I wonder how Staffer feels about me?" he ventured.</p> + +<p>"You're not likely to find out," Dick answered with a laugh. "I +suppose he has his failings, but he never gives himself away."</p> + +<p>When Andrew went to his room that night he sat beside his window for a +long time, with a thoughtful frown. The task he had undertaken would +not be an easy one.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V<br /> +<span class="smalltext">SWEETHEART ABBEY</span></h2> + + +<p>Soon after their arrival Whitney and Andrew drove back to the boat, +which was moored in the mouth of a stream at some distance from +Appleyard. It was a bright morning and they sat smoking in the cockpit +when they had shaken some of the canvas and laid their sea clothes and +blankets out to dry.</p> + +<p>Behind the white beach, a strip of marish heath led back to the broad +belt of cultivated land, with neat farmsteads scattered about; in +front, the narrow channel, in which the shallow-bodied boat lay nearly +upright, wound seaward through a great stretch of sand. The open sea +was not visible, but three or four miles away a glistening streak that +seemed to be in motion caught the light. In the middle distance a +green lagoon and two ribands of water were rapidly widening. Flocks of +black and white oyster-catchers fluttered about the banks of the +channels, and long rows of salmon nets ran back along the shore.</p> + +<p>"This is a curious place to navigate," Whitney remarked. "You were +right in insisting on shallow draught and a centerboard."</p> + +<p>"The shoals are not the worst," Andrew replied. "The tide runs up +these gutters very fast, and, as a rule, you can't take out an anchor +if you get aground."</p> + +<p>"But that's the first thing one generally does."</p> + +<p>"It's dangerous here. If the anchor held until she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> floated on the +flood tide, the strain on the cable would probably pull her down. If +it didn't hold, which is much more likely, it would check her while +she drove across the bank, sheering athwart the stream, in danger of +rolling over. The safest plan is to keep all sail set and try to make +for deep water as soon as she floats."</p> + +<p>Whitney glanced at the nearest channel. A small white ridge, perhaps +six inches high, stretched from bank to bank, moving forward about as +fast as one could walk, and as the wave passed on the riband of water +changed into a lake. He thought it would not be pleasant to meet the +advancing tide at some distance from the land.</p> + +<p>On looking round, Whitney saw a man walking toward them across the +bank. The fellow was old and his brown face was deeply lined. He wore +a yellow oilskin cap, an old blue jersey, and rubber waders that +reached to his thighs. Clambering on board, he nodded to Andrew.</p> + +<p>"Weel," he said, "I'm glad to see ye back, an' it's a bonny wee boat +ye have got."</p> + +<p>"She's not bad for work among the shoals, but she's not the best type +for the long seas you get in open water," Andrew replied, and turned +to Whitney. "You might bring up the bottle in the port locker, Jim, +and the soda."</p> + +<p>"Ye can let the sodda bide; I've nae use for't." When Whitney returned +the fisherman filled his glass. "Here's til ye an' her! Ye have given +her a right name," he said.</p> + +<p>"Why's the name good? What does <i>Rowan</i> mean?" asked Whitney.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>"The mountain-ash. The old mosstroopers sometimes wore a spray in +their steel caps as a protection against witchcraft and bad luck. +We're descendants of the Norse pirates, and the ash was the +Scandinavians' sacred Ysdragil, the tree of life."</p> + +<p>"You're a curious lot," Whitney remarked. "I guess our beachcombers +don't know much about archæology: they don't have superstitions a +thousand years old."</p> + +<p>"Were ye thinking o' making a trip to the deep water doon wast?" the +Scotsman inquired.</p> + +<p>"I don't know yet. We might do some shooting here. Is there much fowl +about?"</p> + +<p>"Ye'll get shellduck noo, an' a few teal; whaups, too, if ye're +wanting them, but the lag-geese an' the bernicle are no' here yet." He +paused and added: "I wouldna' say but it might be better if ye bide +until they come."</p> + +<p>Andrew looked hard at him.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking ye're wanted here. It would be an ill thing to see +Appleyard gang doon, and it might be yours some day."</p> + +<p>"It's my cousin's and he's younger than I am," Andrew answered with a +frown.</p> + +<p>"Just that! Ye're leal, we ken. Weel, as ye're fond o' the young +laird, it might be wiser to keep an eye on him. He's overmuch under +yon foreigner's thumb."</p> + +<p>"How's the fishing?" Andrew asked pointedly.</p> + +<p>The old fellow broke into a slow chuckle.</p> + +<p>"It might be better an' it might be waur; there's ower many o' the +Board's watchers here awa' for my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> liking. An' noo, I'll need to win +ashore before the tide's on the bank."</p> + +<p>He went off across the sands and Whitney turned to Andrew with a +smile.</p> + +<p>"You people leave a good deal to the imagination, but, so far as I +could understand him, he gave you a hint or two. What's his business?"</p> + +<p>"Salmon-fishing with a drift net. I've known Jock Marshall since I was +a boy, and I believe he takes a well-meaning interest in me."</p> + +<p>"Why did he call Staffer a foreigner?"</p> + +<p>"In a sense, he is a foreigner, although he's been a naturalized +British subject for some time. We knew nothing about him until he +married Dick's mother, but there's reason to believe his name used to +be Von Stauffer, or something like it. Mrs. Woodhouse was born in +Austria, but she came over young, and her husband was all right."</p> + +<p>Whitney was not much interested.</p> + +<p>"What about to-morrow?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"If the breeze holds, we'll have no trouble in crossing the sands to +New Abbey. Elsie and Dick will come, and I expect you'll enjoy the +trip. It's an interesting place."</p> + +<p>As they stowed the sails the boat suddenly rose upright, drifted a few +yards, and then brought up with a jar of tightening cable while the +tide splashed against her planks. Launching the light dinghy, they +paddled shoreward with the stream.</p> + +<p>At high-water the next day they went back on board and the <i>Rowan</i> +stood out across the sands. Elsie sat at the tiller, while Andrew +sounded with a long boat-hook, and Dick lounged in the cockpit, +smoking a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> cigarette. He laughed and told humorous stories, but +Whitney noticed that Elsie was intent upon her steering. He had +expected this, for he thought that whatever the girl undertook would +be well done; but she did not obtrude her earnestness. Now and then +she glanced at Andrew as he dipped the pole and a nod or a gesture was +exchanged. He was feeling his way across the shoals with +half-instinctive skill and the girl understood what he wished her to +do. Their task was not an easy one: there was only a foot or two of +water under the boat and she forged ahead fast through the short seas +the tide made as it raced across the banks.</p> + +<p>The seas began to curl as the ebb met the freshening wind, and little +showers of spray splashed into the straining canvas. The deck got wet; +the water was filled with sand and streaked with foam. There was no +mark in all the glittering stretch, but Andrew knew when he reached +the main channel, and told Whitney to let the centerboard down. Then +they went to windward faster, the sea hurrying westward with them in +confused eddies while small white combers foamed about the boat. She +plunged through them, scooping their broken crests on board, and by +and by the water ahead grew yellow and marked by frothy lines.</p> + +<p>Elsie looked at Andrew, and he took out his watch.</p> + +<p>"We ought to get a fathom most of the way across," he said, and turned +to Whitney. "You might stand by below to pull up the board."</p> + +<p>Whitney crept into the low-roofed cabin, where he sat on a locker, +holding the tackle that lifted the heavy iron centerplate. He knew +that it would be desirable to heave it up as soon as possible after he +got the order.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> From where he sat he could see nothing outside the +boat, but as he looked aft through the hatch he was offered a +fascinating picture.</p> + +<p>A strip of the tanned mainsail, shining ruby-red, cut against a patch +of clear blue sky, and Elsie sat beneath it, her gracefully lined +figure swaying easily as the boat rose and fell. She leaned on the +long tiller, and a lock of loosened hair that shone like the sail +fluttered across her forehead. Her eyes were bright, and there was a +fine color in her face; but it was not so much her beauty as her +decision and confidence that Whitney liked. The girl was capable of +keen enjoyment, but it must be in something that was worth doing. He +was already conscious of a curious respect for Elsie Woodhouse.</p> + +<p>Andrew called to him to lift the board and come up; and when he +reached the deck he saw close ahead of them a long, hump-backed +mountain that rose abruptly from a narrow strip of rolling pasture. A +row of very small white houses bordered a green common behind the +beach, and the tide swept, froth-streaked, down the channel in front.</p> + +<p>"Where do we bring up?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"In the Carsethorn gut," said Andrew. "Do you think you can find it, +Elsie?"</p> + +<p>"I'll try. Give her a foot or two of sheet."</p> + +<p>The boat swung round a little, edging in toward the beach, and Whitney +saw by the ripples that they were in shallow water. Andrew let the +staysail run down, but when he stood ready with the boathook, Elsie +smiled.</p> + +<p>"Sound if you like, but you won't find bottom here," she said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>"A good shot. You have hit the mouth of the gut."</p> + +<p>"You'll touch now," said Elsie a few minutes later; and Andrew dipped +the pole, then threw it down and lowered the jib. The boat came round +head to wind, and the anchor went down with a rattle of running chain.</p> + +<p>Landing from the dinghy, they struck across the fields, and although +it was autumn, Whitney wondered at the lush greenness of the grass. +Close on their left hand, Criffell's lonely ridge ran up against the +sky, colored purple-red, though the hollows in its curving side were +filled with dark-blue shadows. The ash-trees in the hedgerows that +crossed the rolling pasture obscured their view ahead, and they were +crossing the last rise when Whitney stopped.</p> + +<p>"This is worth coming a very long way to see!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>A deep glen, where the light was subdued and the colors dim, cleft the +mountain's northern flank, and at its mouth a cluster of white houses +stood among the trees; then, on a narrow green level, bright in the +sun, the old abbey shone rosy red. Ancient ash-trees and crumbling +granite walls straggled about it, but the molding of the high, east +window, buttress and tower, still rose in lines of beauty, worked in +warm-colored stone.</p> + +<p>Elsie gave him a quick look and he knew that she was pleased with his +frank admiration. When they entered the cool, shadowy interior she +acted as his guide, for Dick and Andrew stayed outside in the sun. +Presently she stopped near the east end of the building, and Whitney +looked back down the long rows of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> plinths, from which the pillars had +fallen, and up into the hollow of the great ruined tower.</p> + +<p>"It must have been a wonderful place in the old days; a jewel in the +shape of a church. And I dare say if they'd searched Scotland they +couldn't have found a finer setting than these rich meadows at the +mountain's foot."</p> + +<p>Elsie led him a few yards along a wall, over which a low, groined roof +still hung.</p> + +<p>"Its building was a labor of love, and perhaps that's why it never +leaves one cold," she said. "I suppose you know its history?"</p> + +<p>"I only know it's called Sweetheart Abbey."</p> + +<p>"The Countess Devorgilla built it as a shrine for her husband's heart, +which was embalmed and buried on her breast. It's a moving story, when +one thinks of what she undertook. Galloway was then, for the most +part, a savage waste; skilled workmen must be brought from somewhere +else, perhaps from Italy or France. Then there is only granite, which +could not be cut and molded, on these hills, and the soft red stone +had to be carried down the Firth and across the sands. They had no +mechanical transport, and you can see the size of the blocks. In spite +of all this, the abbey rose and still stands, marked, I often think, +by a tender, elusive beauty that's peculiar to the North."</p> + +<p>Elsie moved back to where the sun shone down into the roofless nave, +and Whitney thought he understood why she did so. Her imagination was +fastidiously refined: she would not loiter talking by Devorgilla's +tomb. Standing silent beside her, he waited, with a faint smile. He +was not a sentimentalist trying to play up to a pretty girl; somehow, +she had stirred him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> He felt that she had the gift of seizing what +was true in romance and missing what was false. Then, she had the +strange elusive beauty of the North which she had spoken of: an +ethereal tenderness that flashed out and vanished, leaving the hard +rock of a character steadfast as the granite upon the Solway shore.</p> + +<p>Elsie turned and looked east with grave, steady eyes.</p> + +<p>"One reaches out for something that's on the other side," she said; +"but perhaps when one knocks and the gate is opened, one goes through +unawares—"</p> + +<p>"You mean, that when one's eyes are opened, there may not be much +difference between the land of enchantment and ours?"</p> + +<p>"Something like that."</p> + +<p>During the short silence that followed, Whitney looked round the great +church that was still majestic in its decay.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "there can't be many of us, nowadays, who'd deserve +the love and labor this place must have cost."</p> + +<p>"But there must be some," she insisted.</p> + +<p>"It seems a big thing to claim, but I have met two or three who, so +far as my judgment goes, were good enough for the kind of woman your +Countess seems to have been; not clever men and in no way remarkable, +until you knew them well, but you felt that, whatever happened, they'd +do the square thing. One could trust them. Somehow, one man in +particular stands out from the rest."</p> + +<p>Elsie turned toward him and he saw the strange, elusive tenderness +shining in her eyes. Momentary as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> it was, it transformed her face, +and he wondered whether she approved his sentiment or knew whom he +meant.</p> + +<p>"I imagine you are a good friend," she said softly. "It must be nice +to have somebody who believes in you like that."</p> + +<p>"If the man I'm thinking of knew how he stood with me and others, it +would make him embarrassed." Whitney laughed. "But that's natural. +It's a hard thing to feel that you must live up to your reputation."</p> + +<p>"I like you best when you're serious," Elsie rebuked him, though she +smiled.</p> + +<p>She took the lead he gave her and they went back to the others, +engaged in careless talk. When they reached an arch that opened on a +sweep of sunny grass, Andrew looked up from the stone on which he sat.</p> + +<p>"You haven't hurried," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"No," said Whitney. "I've been learning some more of your traditions, +and they're inspiring. The people round here seem to have been great +lovers as well as pretty hard fighters."</p> + +<p>"A happy thought has struck me," Dick broke in. "It would be hot work +dragging the dinghy down across a quarter of a mile of sand, and I +don't feel up to carrying a heavy lunch basket. There's a hotel in the +village where they'd give us something to eat, and we could stroll up +the burnside afterward. It's a pretty walk."</p> + +<p>Whitney noticed that Andrew's glance rested for a second on Elsie's +face and then passed on. She made no sign, but it seemed that Andrew +understood without it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>"I think not," he said; "the place would probably be full of Dumfries +excursionists. It would be pleasanter on the beach."</p> + +<p>"And I want to see the view you talked about," Whitney followed him +up.</p> + +<p>Dick broke into a resigned grin.</p> + +<p>"Very well; but you'll drag the dinghy down yourselves."</p> + +<p>They had to carry the boat some distance, and afterward they rowed +lazily along the edge of the sand until they landed at the foot of a +little glen. Here they lunched and lounged in the sun until the flood +tide came softly lapping across the flats.</p> + +<p>The breeze had fallen very light when the stream swept the <i>Rowan</i> +east across the shoals, and Whitney, sitting on the cabin-top, watched +the Galloway shore recede. The western sky was a pale saffron, against +which Criffell rose, steeped in a wonderful blue. The shadows were +gathering fast about the rolling ground below, but the hollow where +the old red abbey stood still could be distinguished.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">ON CRIFFELL HILL</span></h2> + + +<p>The sun burned down on the heather. Below, in the curving glen where +the heath gave place to white bent-grass, a burn flashed like a silver +riband among the stones; above, the long ridge of Criffell ran up +against the clear blue sky. Grouse were calling as they skimmed the +steep downward slope, and a curlew's wild cry fell sharply from the +summit of the hill. These were sounds that delighted Andrew, for he +loved the fellside almost as he loved the sea; but his lips were set +and his brows knitted as he stood waist-deep in the heather.</p> + +<p>Whitney was toiling up the hill beside Elsie a short distance farther +on, and Dick was behind them; but, seeing Andrew stop, they waited +until he came up.</p> + +<p>"It's rather steep," said Elsie, giving Andrew a sympathetic glance. +"Here's a nice flat stone; we'll rest for a few minutes."</p> + +<p>She sat down on a slab of lichened granite, and Dick found a place +beside her.</p> + +<p>"I wonder why Andrew loaded himself up with that heavy ruck-sack on a +day like this?" he said. "I suppose there's a pair of marine glasses +and a chart, and a parallel rule and compass, inside of it. Andrew +thinks he'd get lost if he didn't carry the lot about when he risks +himself ashore."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>"They're all there," Andrew replied somewhat grimly. "Still, it wasn't +the bag that stopped me."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry we forced the pace," Elsie said. "You were going well at +the bottom."</p> + +<p>"I felt all right; but that's just when my weakness finds me out. +Sometimes it's the damp that brings it on and sometimes the heat; but +one oughtn't to grumble about not being able to climb a hill as fast +as usual." He broke off and resumed after a twinge of pain: "It's +thinking of our boys being rolled back on Cambrai while I loaf about +the Solway shore, that worries me."</p> + +<p>When they had rested a while they climbed up the steep face of a +pointed knoll, and then followed a long ridge to the massive cairn on +the top of the hill, where shallow pools gleamed among the green moss +of a bog. Andrew sat down on a stone, but Whitney stood on the highest +hillock, his eyes wandering across the wide landscape that rolled away +beneath him.</p> + +<p>To the south the sea glittered like silver, and a bright arm wound +inland up a valley. To the west and north a few lemon-yellow harvest +fields and strips of green pasture checkered the red heath, and the +smoke of a little town hung about a hollow; but the picture's dominant +tone was wild solitude. The plain rose in step-like ridges, the +hillsides that bordered it were washed with shades of delicate gray, +and in the distance lofty rounded summits cut against the sky.</p> + +<p>"It looks as lonely as our Western deserts," Whitney remarked.</p> + +<p>Andrew was busy with his chart. He had spread<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> it on a flat stone; +then, putting a compass on the middle of it, he moved a notched brass +ring round the instrument. The tide was about half ebb and broad belts +of sand rose among the glistering channels in the firth. Andrew took +sights across them, then penciled notes on the margin of the chart, +but at times he lay still for a minute or two with the marine glasses +at his eyes. The others left him alone until he rolled up the chart +and lighted his pipe.</p> + +<p>"I've learned something useful," he said. "These channels change so +fast that a chart's of no use unless you keep it up to date."</p> + +<p>"What's the country to the east like?" Whitney asked. "It looks high +and rough, but I seem to make out a deep valley beyond your +Annandale."</p> + +<p>"Now you have set him off!" Dick exclaimed. "Andrew's one hobby is +that western road to England!"</p> + +<p>Andrew laughed.</p> + +<p>"The road is interesting. I will take you over it some day. For one +thing, nature has provided a good route through a rugged country. For +most of the way, the valleys are shut in by high moors, and that made +Eskdale a natural sallyport for the old Border clans."</p> + +<p>Elsie and Dick were walking about, picking their way among the shallow +pools; but Whitney sat down beside Andrew and listened with interest +to the history of the old Eskdale road.</p> + +<p>"I shall buy a motorcycle," he declared, when Andrew had concluded; +"one of those with a side-car, so that we can travel around these +roads."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>Elsie and Dick joined them and for a time they sat talking and looking +about. There was very little wind and the murmur of the Solway tide +came up to them faintly across the purple slopes where the grouse were +calling.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, as if he had sprung from the earth, a young man in khaki +uniform appeared, picking his way across the bog. He was hot and +breathless, and seemed surprised when he saw the party, but he came +toward them with a smile.</p> + +<p>"So you're back!" he exclaimed to Andrew. "I meant to look you up."</p> + +<p>"We'll be glad to see you, Murray," Dick said cordially. "You haven't +been round for a long time. What brings you up Criffell in full +uniform? I must say it's a better fit than some they've been serving +out lately."</p> + +<p>Murray laughed.</p> + +<p>"We are giving the Terriers a run; but business first. I suppose you +haven't seen any turf that might have been dug over recently, or +stones that seemed to have been pulled up?"</p> + +<p>"No. Did you expect to find anything of the sort?"</p> + +<p>"To tell the truth, I don't know what I did expect to find. We're +ostensibly practising scouting, but there's a batch of Dumfries +cyclists scouring the Galloway roads, and I imagine the authorities +have some reason for sending us out."</p> + +<p>"I suppose if you met a foreigner or anybody with an electric battery, +he'd go into the bag," Dick suggested. "After reading the newspapers, +one must ad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>mit that the Terriers are remarkably good shots. In fact, +it's not safe to meet them in the dark."</p> + +<p>"You imagine this turnout isn't merely part of the men's training?" +Andrew asked.</p> + +<p>Murray looked thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"No; I believe there is something going on round here. We've got +orders to search the country as far as Screel of Bengairn—though of +course that can't be done in a day. I heard they mean to organize +scouting parties in the Castle Douglas neighborhood."</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps a wireless installation could be made small enough to +carry about and hide; but a good deal of Galloway's a wilderness of +granite and heath."</p> + +<p>"That's why it might prove a suitable place."</p> + +<p>"Yes, in a way. There are glens where a man could lurk for a long time +without being seen; but they're hard to reach, and nothing that the +enemy would wish to learn is likely to happen here. Then the sands +protect this shore. The east coast's our vulnerable point: any +important news could best be picked up about Rosyth. If there are +wireless installations working, one would naturally look for them on +the eastern slope of the Lammermuirs and along the seaboard between +Berwick and the Forth."</p> + +<p>"Of course," agreed Murray. "And no doubt they've had that district +searched. But you must remember we're dealing with remarkably clever +people, who wouldn't go to work in the obvious way. Now, suppose some +news was gathered about Rosyth, how long would it take a powerful car +to bring it here?"</p> + +<p>"Four hours and a half, provided that none of your fellows or the +police interfered."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>"That's by the Eskdale road. I'd go the other way—a rough country, +but there's nobody to bother about the speed limit."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Andrew, thoughtfully, "I'd prefer the Eskdale. The +obvious way's sometimes safest; it's the unusual thing that excites +suspicion."</p> + +<p>"There's only one road for Andrew," Dick laughed.</p> + +<p>Murray got up.</p> + +<p>"I must be off," he said. "My Terriers are scattered about the mosses, +and khaki has its disadvantages when you're looking for your men."</p> + +<p>He turned away and when he went, springing down the western slope of +the hill, Elsie looked at the others.</p> + +<p>"It was so serene up here," she said; "and he has broken the charm. +The war cloud looked a long way off, but it seems closer now." She +glanced across the ranges of sunny hills as she added: "What a +beautiful world this might be if men were sensible and just!"</p> + +<p>"True," replied Dick; "but then we'd miss some excitement and get fat +and slack. A certain amount of trouble's good for us, and that's why +we make it."</p> + +<p>"We didn't make this horrible war."</p> + +<p>"No; I suppose we didn't. As a future landowner, I've naturally no +admiration for the Lloyd George gang, but one must admit that they +were forced into the fray. To do them justice, they're not the lot to +fight when they can help it, and they're certainly getting on better +than I expected."</p> + +<p>"You were bound by the 'Scrap of paper,'" Whitney remarked.</p> + +<p>Dick chuckled.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>"Our politicians have left us nothing to say about that; but I'll +admit there's something convenient in the other fellows' theory. I +happen to know a little about scraps of paper and there are one or two +I'd be glad to disown."</p> + +<p>"So I thought!" Andrew interposed dryly.</p> + +<p>"Oh," Dick laughed; "my frankness is always getting me into trouble."</p> + +<p>Soon afterward they went down the hill, talking carelessly, but +Elsie's eyes were grave when she saw in the distance small scattered +figures moving across the heath. There was something ominous about the +soldiers' presence on the quiet moors where the black-faced sheep had +long fed undisturbed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE GRAY CAR</span></h2> + + +<p>It was one o'clock in the morning, but Andrew could not sleep. He sat +by an open window, looking at the tops of the firs, which stood out in +black silhouette. It annoyed him to be so wakeful, as he and Whitney +were to make an early start for Edinburgh; but Andrew had something to +think about, for he realized that his friendship with Elsie could not +be resumed where it had broken off. She had grown up while he was +away, and his feeling toward her had changed. To be regarded as an +elder brother no longer satisfied him, and if he were not very +careful, he would find himself in love with her. This was unthinkable: +first of all, because he was lame and poor, and then because it was +obvious that Elsie ought to marry Dick. She had no money; Dick had +plenty and, besides, Dick needed her. Elsie would keep him straight, +and his weak heart would cease to trouble him when he steadied down. +Andrew had long cherished an affection for both of them, and he knew +that Dick trusted him.</p> + +<p>Then he reflected that Elsie's attitude toward Dick was to a large +extent protective and motherly, which was not the feeling one would +expect a girl to show for the man she meant to marry; and while Dick +was obviously fond of her, his attachment, so far as one could judge, +was not passionate. Besides, when one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> came to think of it, the +suggestion that their marriage must be taken for granted had come from +Staffer. He had, so to speak, delicately warned Andrew off.</p> + +<p>Andrew firmly pulled himself up. He was being led away by specious +arguments. It was easy to find excuses for indulging oneself and he +had promised to look after Dick. If he tried to supplant his cousin in +Elsie's affection, he would be doing a dishonorable thing. There was +no getting around this; but it cost him an effort to face the truth.</p> + +<p>A soft rattle of gravel down the drive attracted Andrew's attention. +Rabbits sometimes got through the netting and one might have disturbed +the stones as it sprang across; but he rejected this explanation. The +sound was too loud, although he imagined that there was something +stealthy in it. Anybody coming toward the house across the smoothly +paved bridge, would have to walk on the gravel, as there was a flower +border between the drive and the shrubbery. This had a narrow grass +edging, but hoops were placed along it to keep people off.</p> + +<p>Andrew leaned forward cautiously and looked about him. It was a calm +night and not very dark, although there was no moon. He could see the +firs near the house cutting black against the sky, and the blurred +outline of a shrubbery beside the drive to the bridge. Thin white mist +rose from the ravine, and beyond it a beechwood rolled down the hill. +The air was warm, and the smell of flowers and wet soil drifted into +the room. There seemed to be nothing moving, however, and the sound +was not repeated. For a few moments Andrew waited, expecting to hear +the intruder fall over one of the hoops that edged the drive. When<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +this did not happen, he fixed his eyes intently upon the end of the +shrubbery, and then he made out a very indistinct figure moving slowly +through the gloom beneath the firs.</p> + +<p>This was strange. He had never heard of any house-breaking in the +dale, and there was nothing at Appleyard to attract a burglar from the +distant towns. It was too late for a villager to keep tryst with one +of the maids; and a poacher would not cross the well-fenced grounds. +Andrew decided that he would not give the alarm, but he slipped across +the room and opened his door quietly so that he could hear if anybody +entered the house. Though he stood beside it, listening closely, he +heard nothing. Then he returned to the window, and saw a dark form +move back into the gloom of the trees. Presently there was another +soft rattle of gravel near the bridge, and after that deep silence +except for the splash of water in the ravine. Andrew imagined that +about five minutes had elapsed since he heard the first sound, but the +prowler had gone and he must try to solve the puzzle in the morning.</p> + +<p>He got up early and went down to the drive before anybody was about. A +fresh footprint showed plainly in the flower border near the bridge, +close to an opening in the shrubbery by which one could reach the +lawn, as if the man had meant to jump across and had fallen a few +inches short. That he had not gone along the grass edging showed that +he knew the hoops were there.</p> + +<p>Andrew examined the footprint. It was deep and clearly defined, and he +thought it looked more like the impress of a well-made shooting boot +than of the heavy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> boots the country people wore. For one thing, he +could see no marks of the tackets the Scottish peasant uses. Acting on +a half-understood impulse, he covered the footprint up and strolled +toward the gardener, who was just coming out with his rake.</p> + +<p>"You have a big place to take care of, Fergus, but you keep it very +neat," Andrew said.</p> + +<p>"Aye," replied the gardener. "I'm thinking it's big enough."</p> + +<p>"Have you help?"</p> + +<p>"Willie Grant comes over whiles, when I've mair than ordinar' to do. +He has a club foot, ye'll mind, an' is no' verra active, but there's +jobs he saves me."</p> + +<p>Andrew knew the man, and knew that he could not have sprung across the +flower border.</p> + +<p>"I see Tom is still at the stables, but the man who drives the car is +new. How long have they had him?"</p> + +<p>"A year, maybe. Watson's a quiet man, an' makes no unnecessar' mess, +like some o' them. He leeves in the hoose."</p> + +<p>"Then he doesn't get up very early."</p> + +<p>"He's at Dumfries wi' the car. There was something to be sortit an' he +took her there yestreen. Mr. Staffer's for Glasgow, the morn."</p> + +<p>After a few remarks about the garden, Andrew strolled away. He had +learned that the night prowler could not have been one of the men +employed at Appleyard. The fellow had apparently not entered the +house, and although he had stayed long enough to deliver a message to +somebody inside, Andrew had not heard a door or window open. The +matter puzzled him, but he determined to say nothing about it, +al<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>though he was conscious of no particular reason for his reserve.</p> + +<p>An hour later, Whitney and he started for Edinburgh, with Dick on the +carrier of the motorcycle. The machine was powerful and they meant to +travel by short stages and stop at points of interest for a walk +across the hills. Andrew was glad to have Dick with them, particularly +as he was dubious about the visits the boy was in the habit of making +to Dumfries and Lockerbie. Dick generally returned late at night and +did not look his best the next morning.</p> + +<p>Whitney enjoyed the journey. He had understood that southern Scotland +was the home of scientific agriculture, and in this respect the +valleys came up to his expectations; but when they left them on foot, +as they did now and then, they crossed barren, wind-swept spaces +clothed with bent-grass and heather. In places, lonely hills rolled +from horizon to horizon without sign of life except for the +black-faced sheep and the grouse that skimmed the heath.</p> + +<p>Andrew knew every incident in the history of this rugged country, and +with a little encouragement he told tales of English invasions and +fierce reprisals, of stern Covenanting martyrs and their followers' +fanatical cruelties. Looking down from the heights of the Lammermuirs, +they saw where Cromwell crushed his Scottish pursuers; they climbed +the battlements of old square towers that had defied English raids, +and traced the line of Prince Charlie's march.</p> + +<p>Whitney found it rather bewildering. There was so much romantic +incident packed into two or three centuries; but he felt that he +understood the insular Briton better than he had done, and this +understanding im<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>proved his conception of the native-born American. It +was here that some of the leading principles of American democracy +were first proclaimed and fought for. Another thing was plain—if the +spirit of this virile people had not greatly changed, deeds worthy of +new ballads would be done in France and Flanders.</p> + +<p>On the return journey they reached Hawick one evening and stopped for +an hour or two. Dick suggested that they stay the night; but there was +nothing to keep them in the smoky, wool-spinning town, and Andrew +preferred to push on.</p> + +<p>"The night air's bracing among the moors and I like to hear the whaups +crying round the house," he said to Whitney. "There's a small hotel, +built right on the fellside, and we should get there in an hour."</p> + +<p>They set off, with Andrew on the carrier, and the powerful machine +rolled smoothly out of the town. The street lamps were beginning to +twinkle as they left it and low mist crept across the fields past +which they sped. The cry of geese, feeding among the stubble, came out +of the haze, which lay breast-high between the hedgerows, clogging the +dust, but it thinned and rolled behind them as the road began to rise. +Then the stubble fields became less frequent, fewer dark squares of +turnips checkered the sweep of grass, and the murmur of Teviot, +running among the willows, crept out of the gathering dusk.</p> + +<p>Cothouses marked by glimmering lights went by; they sped through a +dim, white village; and Whitney opened out his engine as they went +rocking past a line of stunted trees. They were the last and highest, +for after them the rough ling and bent-grass rolled across the haunts +of the sheep and grouse. Whitney changed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> his gear as the grade got +steeper, the hedges gave place to stone walls until they ran out on an +open moor, round which the hills lifted their black summits against +the fading sky. The three men made a heavy load on the long incline, +but the machine brought them up, and the last of the light had gone +when they stopped in front of a lonely hotel. It looked like a Swiss +châlet on the breast of the fell, and a dark glen dropped steeply away +from it, but it glowed with electric light.</p> + +<p>"They seem to have some shooting people here," Dick said. "I'll run +across and see if they can take us in, while you look at the +carbureter. We may have to go on to Langholm and she wasn't firing +very well."</p> + +<p>He went up the drive and Whitney opened his tool bag. The top of the +pass was about half a mile behind them, and the road ran straight down +from it, widening in front of the hotel. There was a patch of loose +stones on the other side, and the motorcycle stood a yard or two from +the gate. Everything was very still except for the sound of running +water, and it was rather dark, because the hills rose steeply above +the glen.</p> + +<p>"Dick's a long time coming back," Andrew said with a frown.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you'd better go for him," Whitney suggested.</p> + +<p>Andrew went off, but met Dick in the drive.</p> + +<p>"It's all right; there's nobody stopping here," he reported. "They +keep the lights blazing to draw motoring people."</p> + +<p>He spoke clearly, but with an evident effort, and Andrew frowned +again.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>"There's a nut I can't get hold of," Whitney called to them from under +the motorcycle. "Do you think I could borrow a smaller spanner here, +Dick?"</p> + +<p>"I'll get it for you," Dick volunteered jovially, and started back +toward the house.</p> + +<p>Andrew put a firm hand on his arm.</p> + +<p>"You will not!" he said shortly.</p> + +<p>Dick turned upon him in a moment's rage; and then laughed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right. You're a tyrant, Andrew, but you mean well."</p> + +<p>When Whitney went for the spanner Dick knelt down in the road to +inspect the machine.</p> + +<p>"Lend me your knife," he requested. "It will be all right if I put +something in the jaws."</p> + +<p>"I'm inclined to think you'd better leave it alone," Andrew replied +meaningly.</p> + +<p>Dick laughed.</p> + +<p>"You're a suspicious beggar. I wasn't away five minutes. Anyhow, +there's a fascination in tampering with other people's machines. +Where's the knife?"</p> + +<p>Andrew let him have it, and soon afterward Dick uttered an expletive +as he tore the skin from one of his knuckles.</p> + +<p>"The beastly thing will slip; but I'm not going to be beaten by a +common American nut," he declared. "If I can't screw it up, I'll twist +the bolt-head off."</p> + +<p>"Leave it alone!" said Andrew.</p> + +<p>"It's going!" Dick panted, and threw the spanner down. "Another +knuckle skinned," he added grimly.</p> + +<p>As he stopped to wipe his hand, a loud humming came across the summit. +Then four lights leaped up and their united beam rushed down the +pass.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>"That fellow's driving very fast, but he has plenty of room," Dick +remarked, and Andrew, stepping back, saw that the tail-lamp of the +motorcycle was burning well.</p> + +<p>Dick got up, and Andrew moved out a yard or two across the road with +the headlamp, half dazzled by the blaze of light that filled the glen. +Suddenly the stream of radiance wavered, and Andrew wondered whether +the driver had lost his nerve on seeing the patch of stones, which +perhaps looked larger than they were. Then he heard the wheels skid +and loose metal fly as the car lurched across the road.</p> + +<p>"Jump!" he shouted, violently hurling Dick back before he sprang out +of the way.</p> + +<p>He struck the motorcycle with his lame leg, staggered, and fell on the +gravel close to the gate. For a moment or two he had not the courage +to look up, and then, with keen relief, he saw Dick standing safe.</p> + +<p>"The clumsy brute!" Dick cried, in a voice that sounded hoarse with +rage.</p> + +<p>Running to the bicycle, he started it and jumped into the saddle. The +red tail-light streamed away through the dark like a rocket, and when +it grew dim, Andrew, standing shakily, saw Whitney beside him.</p> + +<p>"He's gone mad!" Whitney exclaimed.</p> + +<p>Andrew did not speak, and above the dying roar the big car made in the +narrow hollow they heard a shrill buzzing that sounded strangely +venomous.</p> + +<p>"Forty miles an hour, anyway," Whitney estimated. "It would take a +good car to get away from her. Is he fool enough to run into the back +of it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Andrew. "Dick's capable of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> anything when he's +worked up. The curious thing is that his head is steadier than usual +then."</p> + +<p>They waited until the sound grew fainter and then died away.</p> + +<p>"I am going down the glen," Andrew said.</p> + +<p>They had not gone far when they heard a motor panting up hill to meet +them, and a minute later Dick's car ran past and he waved his hand.</p> + +<p>"Hotel gate!" he shouted. "Don't want to stop!"</p> + +<p>When they reached the gate, Dick was waiting. Andrew turned the light +on him, and started at the sight which met him. Dick's face was white +and strained and smeared with blood, and he was evidently laboring +under an emotion not wholly due to anger and excitement.</p> + +<p>Even in the sudden flash past them of the automobile Andrew thought he +had recognized the car as one belonging to Appleyard—a low, gray car +which Staffer always used. He had believed that the lurch which nearly +cost them their lives was due to reckless driving; but there was a +tenseness in Dick's expression which he could not quite understand.</p> + +<p>"Did you overtake the car?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No," said Dick, with a forced grin; "I took the bank and I'm afraid +the machine is something the worse for it. I was gaining and close to +the car when we got down to the bottom of the glen. You know it's very +narrow there."</p> + +<p>Whitney nodded. There was a sharp bend where road and stream ran out +side by side through the sharply contracted gap in the hills. The +slope on both sides was very steep and there was only a strip of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +grass between the road and the water, seven or eight feet below.</p> + +<p>"Yes; it's not the place I'd care to negotiate at full speed."</p> + +<p>"I meant to catch the car and ran on to the grass to get a wider +sweep; but she wouldn't take the curve. Went straight up the hillside +for a dozen yards and then threw me off. Luckily I fell into some fern +and when I'd pulled myself together, I somehow got her down."</p> + +<p>"But the car?"</p> + +<p>"Got off," Dick replied in a strained tone.</p> + +<p>Andrew spoke quickly.</p> + +<p>"You'd better come and let us see if your face is badly cut."</p> + +<p>They entered the hotel, but Dick stopped as they were passing the bar.</p> + +<p>"We've all had a shock," he said; "and if you feel you'd like a drink, +don't mind me. You needn't be afraid of setting me a bad example—I +don't want anything."</p> + +<p>Andrew smiled.</p> + +<p>"Nor do I. Sometimes you're a very thoughtful fellow, Dick."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE <i>ROWAN'S</i> LIGHT</span></h2> + + +<p>Dick's cuts were not deep and he joined his companions at supper. One +of the windows was open and the smell of peat smoke came in, while the +noise of Ewes water running down the glen mingled pleasantly with the +bleating of sheep. The room, however, was illuminated by electric +light and a row of sepia drawings hung on the wall.</p> + +<p>"There's something distinctive about the Border," Whitney remarked; +"but there's one thing that strikes me. In old English +cities—Chester, for example—there are streets that look as they did +in Queen Elizabeth's reign; but the Scottish towns you've shown me +might have been built forty years ago."</p> + +<p>Andrew smiled.</p> + +<p>"The reason lies in our national character. We're utilitarian and +don't allow sentiment to interfere with progress. As soon as a +building gets out of date, we pull it down. Our past lives in the +race's memory and we don't need to keep it embodied in stone."</p> + +<p>He turned to Dick, who had been unusually quiet.</p> + +<p>"It's lucky you didn't get worse hurt. Did you see the car's number?"</p> + +<p>Dick hesitated a moment.</p> + +<p>"No-o. The plate was covered with mud."</p> + +<p>"But there has been no rain," Whitney objected.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> "I was near the gate +when the driver swerved, and I couldn't see any reason for his doing +so."</p> + +<p>"He may not have noticed the loose stones until he was close to them, +and then lost control of the steering because he was startled; or +perhaps the wheels skidded on the loose metal," Andrew suggested.</p> + +<p>"It's curious," Whitney persisted, "because if the fellow's nerve had +given way he would have gone over the motorcycle and into the gate. +Anyhow, he didn't lose control, because he straightened her up the +moment Andrew threw you back."</p> + +<p>"His nerve did not give way," said Dick.</p> + +<p>Andrew looked hard at him.</p> + +<p>"You know something. What is it, Dick?"</p> + +<p>"I know the car," Dick said grimly; "but it isn't nice to think your +own friends came near killing you."</p> + +<p>"You're sure?"</p> + +<p>"Positive. I thought I recognized the hum she makes on the top gear, +and when I was close behind them at the bottom of the glen, I saw the +tail-lamp had a cracked glass and a dinge in the top. It isn't a +coincidence that our lamp's like that. I remember when Watson dropped +it."</p> + +<p>"Staffer certainly wouldn't lose control of his steering."</p> + +<p>"No," said Dick; "he's as steady as a rock. So's Watson. You don't +often find a lowland Scot of his type jumpy."</p> + +<p>Whitney lighted a cigarette and leaned back, watching the others.</p> + +<p>"Staffer was going to Glasgow," Andrew argued.</p> + +<p>"Yes; the hydraulic ram that pumps our water had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> broken down and he +meant to see the makers. He told me he might not be back for a few +days."</p> + +<p>"But would he return by Edinburgh? Had he any business there?"</p> + +<p>"None that I know of; we deal with Glasgow. I wanted him to come up to +Edinburgh not long ago, but he wouldn't. Said he didn't know anybody +in the place and there was nothing to do."</p> + +<p>"After all, you may have been mistaken about the car."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," said Dick; "but we'll talk about something else. I don't +like to think that Staffer nearly finished me—and he wouldn't feel +happy about it. Of course he didn't recognize us; and, on the whole, I +think we'd better not mention it to him."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you," Whitney said; and they planned to ship the damaged +machine to Hawick and to walk back across the hills.</p> + +<p>On their return to Appleyard, Whitney watched Staffer closely when +Dick explained that they had been delayed by an accident in the glen +at Teviot-head. He showed only a polite interest in the matter, and +when Whitney talked about Edinburgh, he remarked that he found the +city disappointing and seldom visited it.</p> + +<p>A few days later, they all sat on the terrace one calm evening when +Watson came back with the car and gave Dick and Staffer some letters.</p> + +<p>"From Murray," Dick announced when he had opened his. "They're going +to search the Colvend country next Thursday, and he suggests that we +might like to join, though he hints that he's not allowed to give us +much information."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>"What does he expect to find?" Staffer asked. His tone expressed +indifference, but Whitney suspected that it covered a keen interest.</p> + +<p>"He doesn't say. Somebody working a wireless installation, I imagine."</p> + +<p>"And is Thursday particularly suitable for that kind of thing?"</p> + +<p>"It's Dumfries' early-closing day. They can get a lot of motorcyclists +then. Murray states that the coast and moss-roads will be watched."</p> + +<p>"You ought to go," Elsie interposed. "Mr. Whitney would enjoy a day +upon the heather."</p> + +<p>"An opportunity for combining a pleasant excursion with a patriotic +duty!" Staffer remarked. "Well, the high ground from Bengairn to Susie +Hill will need some searching. No doubt, they'll push across the moors +toward Black Beast?"</p> + +<p>"Murray doesn't say, but it's probable. I don't know whether the +military authorities have the spy mania; but if there is any ground +for suspicion, it can do no harm to draw the Galloway moors. What do +you think, Andrew?"</p> + +<p>"I'd try the hills farther east."</p> + +<p>"About Eskdale, of course?" Staffer said with ironical humor.</p> + +<p>"Well," Andrew replied, "I don't claim much strategical knowledge, but +if we take it for granted that a hostile force could be landed on our +east coast—"</p> + +<p>"Rosyth's being a naval station would make that difficult. But go on."</p> + +<p>Beginning rather awkwardly, Andrew worked out a supposititious plan of +campaign, and to Whitney, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> had just been over the ground, it +seemed a very good one. The scheme he outlined certainly appeared +practical; and Whitney saw that Staffer was more interested than he +pretended, and that his objections were designed to draw Andrew on. +Both showed a knowledge of military needs and history; and when +Staffer mentioned Cromwell's retreat on Dunbar, Whitney thought +Andrew's defense of his favorite route across, instead of around, the +Lammermuirs was good. He noted that Staffer did not claim as much +local knowledge; indeed, he thought he was careful not to do so.</p> + +<p>"I'm not convinced that we have much to fear, but you have worked the +thing out very well," he said at last. "Have you thought that the War +Office might find something to interest them in your views?"</p> + +<p>Andrew flushed.</p> + +<p>"They're probably bothered enough by amateur strategists," he replied. +"Of course, I may be all wrong; but if there really did seem any need +for it, I'd try to get somebody with influence to put my ideas before +them."</p> + +<p>Staffer folded a letter he had been reading, and looked at his watch.</p> + +<p>"I must send off a telegram," he said, and left them.</p> + +<p>"Well, Andrew, are we going on this spy hunt?" Whitney asked. It +sounded promising to him.</p> + +<p>"I could take the boat to Rough Firth. Then we might go on to Wigtown +Bay, where you could see your people. Will you come, Dick?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—as far as Rough Firth; but I don't know about the rest. Small +boat sailing needs an acquired taste. You have to get used to eating +half-cooked food<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> and sleeping among wet sails. On my last cruise, +drops from a deck-beam fell on my face all night when it rained. +Andrew's hardier than I am, and no doubt truer to the old strain; but +while the Annandale Johnstones did many reckless things, they had +generally sense enough to stick to dry land."</p> + +<p>They made the necessary arrangements, and a few days later the <i>Rowan</i> +went down the Solway with the strong ebb-tide. The shoals were +beginning to show above the sand-filled water when she drifted past a +point fringed by low reefs and boulders, at Criffel's southern foot. +Whitney guessed its distance as about three miles, and took a compass +bearing at Andrew's order. The coast turned sharply west at the point, +and the mountain, sloping to meet it, broke down into a wall of cliffs +that rose, grim and forbidding, from the beach. At one place, a gap in +the wall suggested a river mouth. There was not much wind, the sky was +hazy, and on the port hand a stretch of gray water ran back to the +horizon. It looked like open sea; but the strong rippling in the +foreground indicated that the tide was running across thinly-covered +banks.</p> + +<p>"I should have liked a breeze," Andrew said. "If we bring her around, +the ebb will sweep us past the mouth of the Firth. There's not much +water on the sands ahead, but we ought to get a fathom, if I can find +the Barnhourie gut. Keep her as she's going, Dick, with the knoll +ashore on the bowsprit-end, while I look at the chart."</p> + +<p>Andrew went below and Whitney turned to Dick.</p> + +<p>"Do you know this gut?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I remember something about it, but they keep changing. See what depth +there is."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>Whitney found six feet, and looked around as he heard the topsail +flap. The <i>Rowan</i> was sailing upright, but going very fast, with the +current eddying about her. Wreaths of sand came up to the surface and +went down again.</p> + +<p>"Keep her full," he said. "She's luffing off her course."</p> + +<p>"It's possible. The tide's strong and she's not steering well. I dare +say there's enough water everywhere, but Andrew must find the gut: he +feels he has to do the proper thing. He's made like that."</p> + +<p>"We'll take no chances," Whitney answered; and ran to the scuttle. +"Pull up the board and come on deck!" he shouted to Andrew.</p> + +<p>In a few moments Andrew's head appeared; and after a glance round, he +swung himself up and jumping aft took the helm from Dick.</p> + +<p>"Ready with the head-sheets!" he ordered. "We'll come round."</p> + +<p>She began to turn and then suddenly stopped, with a rush of sandy +water boiling about her stern. Andrew seized an oar, but could not +push her off, and she sank on one side until the water flowed along +the lower deck-planks.</p> + +<p>"She's fast," Whitney said. "Where are we?"</p> + +<p>"On the Barnhourie tongue of the Mersehead bank," replied Andrew, +throwing down the oar. "I meant to run through the gut between them." +He turned to Dick. "You're a hundred yards off your course."</p> + +<p>"That's the tide's fault. Shall we take the sail off her?"</p> + +<p>Andrew thought for a moment.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I don't know about laying out an anchor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> The flood runs pretty +fast here; but we'll see when the sands are dry."</p> + +<p>They lowered the canvas and then went below to cook a meal. This took +them some time, for the floor and lockers slanted awkwardly, as the +boat listed over, and when they went on deck again the light had begun +to fade. Whitney was astonished at the transformation. What had looked +like open water when he went below, was now a waste of sloppy sand +that ran back as far as he could see. It was, however, pierced by a +broad channel, from which a depression, filled with shallow pools, cut +through the bank and ended in a lagoon not far off. This was evidently +the gut Andrew had meant to navigate. The cliffs round the bay, to the +westward, were losing their sharpness of outline; but two or three +blocks of houses and a tower on the rocky point showed black above the +level strip behind them.</p> + +<p>"That's Southerness; they'll light up, soon," Andrew said. "I know one +of the light-keepers and I'll walk across and ask him about the +entrance to Rough Firth. There's a flock of duck up the channel, Jim, +and you might get a shot at them from the dinghy when it's a bit +darker. Will you stay on board, Dick?"</p> + +<p>"Not much! There's nothing more melancholy than sitting alone in a +stranded boat. I'll go with Jim."</p> + +<p>Andrew went below and trimmed the anchor-light; then fastened it +firmly to the forestay, and set off across the sands. Half an hour +later, Dick and Whitney carried the small, folding dinghy to the +channel and pushed her off. The current was now slack and they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> made +progress until Dick shipped his oars and, kneeling down, took up the +small hand paddles; but he let her drift for a few moments while they +looked about. It was dark and the shore-line had faded, but some +distance up the channel a small black sail was visible across the +bank, and a steady bright beam marked the Southerness lighthouse. +Half-seen birds were wading about the water's edge, but Dick said +these were oyster-catchers and not worth powder and shot. A curlew's +wild whistle fell from overhead and the cry of a black-backed gull +came out of the obscurity like a hoarse laugh. It was rather dreary; +and their clothes and the dinghy were getting damp; so, dipping the +paddles, Dick drove the boat ahead.</p> + +<p>After a while they distinguished a cluster of small dark objects some +distance in front, and made toward them cautiously. The ducks did not +seem to get much plainer, and Whitney thought they were swimming away. +Stopping a few minutes to allay suspicion, Dick paddled again; but the +ducks vanished as they crept on. Then he turned in toward the bank and +pushed the craft along the bottom, hoping the dark background would +hide their approach. Presently they saw the ducks again and Whitney +raised his gun.</p> + +<p>There was a red flash, smoke blew into his face, and the air was +filled with the clamor of startled wildfowl. Still, they had heard a +splash and Dick got out the oars and rowed ahead. As he picked up a +floating mallard, they heard a flutter and knew there was a crippled +duck not far off. Rowing out into the stream, they saw it rise +awkwardly from the water. Whitney fired, and missed. After this, they +spent some time in trying to get into range before he brought down +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> bird. Then they ran the dinghy ashore and Dick landed with his +gun.</p> + +<p>"I'll walk up the bank and try the soft places about the pools," he +said. "If I don't turn up soon, it will be because I've gone back to +the <i>Rowan</i>."</p> + +<p>Whitney lighted his pipe while he waited to allow the birds to recover +from their alarm, but he had to strike several matches because his +hands were wet, and he was annoyed to find that he had not many left. +It was very dark, and a cold wind was blowing. Whitney lay down on the +floorings, for shelter and to hide the glow of his pipe. The birds +were quiet, but a dull, throbbing roar came out of the distance, and +he supposed it was the splash of the surf on the seaward edge of the +shoals. When his pipe was empty, he got up, intending to step +overboard and drag the dinghy down to the receding water; but he found +that this was not needful, as the ebb had nearly run out. Paddling up +the channel he heard the whistle of curlew, and for a time followed +the invisible birds. He could not get a shot, and, deciding that he +had had enough, he laid down the paddles. Hitherto, he had been +looking ahead, but when he put the oars in the crutches he was facing +aft.</p> + +<p>Grasping the oars firmly, he looked for the twinkle of the <i>Rowan's</i> +light. In his surprise he almost dropped an oar. The <i>Rowan</i> had +disappeared.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">IN THE DARK</span></h2> + + +<p>Whitney frowned as he looked about. He could see nothing except the +black line of the bank a few yards away and the beam from the +lighthouse on Southerness, though this had grown less distinct. There +was no fog, but the air was filled with an obscuring moisture that wet +his face and gathered upon the dinghy. Since the <i>Rowan's</i> canvas had +been lowered she would be hard to see, and she lay at some distance +from the water. He could not remember how long it was since he had +seen the light, but it must have been some time, and he blamed himself +for not keeping an eye on it.</p> + +<p>Still, he ought to find the gutter near which she lay, and he knew the +bearing of the Southerness light from there. He had guessed its +distance, and if he took a new bearing now, the angle between it and +the other would give him the length of the line he must follow to +reach the neighborhood of the yacht. Taking out a small compass, he +struck a match, but it went out. His hands were wet and the box was +damp. He tried two or three more with no better success, and when he +got the last to burn, the knife-blade he laid across the compass cast +a shadow on the card. This prevented his seeing the points; and +finding that he had no matches left, he paused to think.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>If his friends had returned to the boat, they would certainly not have +put out the lamp, and it was disturbing to imagine their wandering +about the sands, particularly as Andrew might have to cross some +hollows up which the tide would shortly flow. Whitney shouted, but got +no answer, and after waiting a few minutes he began to row, because it +was plain that he must relight the lamp as soon as possible. He kept +out in the channel to get the help of the stream, which he thought was +running with him, but he did not seem to be making much progress, when +he passed a projecting tongue of sand. Stopping to get his breath, he +saw that the dinghy began to drift slowly back, and this disturbed +him. The tide had turned sooner than he expected.</p> + +<p>Heading in toward the bank, he rowed savagely; but the flat-bottomed +craft did not pull well. Her main advantage was that she could be +folded up and stowed on deck. After a time bits of seaweed and flakes +of scum drifted up to meet him, and he could hear the water ripple +along the edge of the sand where the channel bent. The flood was +beginning to run and he had not covered much distance yet. Sweat +dripped from his face, his back ached and his hands blistered; but +this did not matter. Dick should be able to follow the channel down; +but Andrew was no doubt a long way from land, with his retreat to the +beach perhaps cut off. Moreover, Whitney saw that his own position was +not fortunate.</p> + +<p>He had the dinghy, but her side was only a foot above the water and +the tide would presently sweep her up the Firth. He could not row +against it long, and the current would capsize or swamp the boat if +he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> struck a shoal. Still, it would be slack for about an hour and he +must make good use of the time. His arms got stiff, but he kept up the +pace and edged inshore until he touched bottom, when he made a deep +stroke. The temptation to turn round and look ahead was strong, but he +resisted it. He must not relax his efforts for a moment. He ought to +see the mouth of the gutter when he had gone far enough. +Unfortunately, however, the edge of the bank began to be indented by +shallow bays, and, as he must pull straight across in order not to +lose time, their ends were not always visible. It was unthinkable that +he should overshoot the gutter, but he imagined it was still some +distance off.</p> + +<p>At last he saw a bold ridge of sand that looked like the place where +they had launched the dinghy, but on pulling close in, he could not +distinguish the mark she must have made as they dragged her down. He +rowed on for a hundred yards and stopped. There was no gutter, though +he believed he had come far enough. The sound of the surf was +ominously loud and a black-backed gull that fluttered overhead seemed +to mock him with its hoarse, croaking laugh.</p> + +<p>Whitney felt unnerved; but he pulled himself together. His friends' +lives, and perhaps his own, depended on his keeping cool. He must have +passed the gutter, but he might see the <i>Rowan</i> from the top of the +bank. Running aground, he pulled the dinghy out. There was no grapnel, +but she had a few fathoms of painter and he tied it to an oar, which +he drove into the sand. This ought to hold her if she floated before +he came back.</p> + +<p>For a few minutes he walked rapidly away from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> water, then turned +and ran along the flat, but could not see the yacht; and when he dared +stay no longer he came down to the channel. There was nothing that +looked like the mouth of the gutter and the dinghy was afloat. Pushing +off, he rowed a short distance and made another unsuccessful search. +Whitney was now getting desperate, but he tried to think calmly what +he should do. He could fold up the dinghy and carry her toward the +Southerness light, shouting as he went; but the others would be in +very grave danger if he missed them; besides, they would not both come +the same way. The plan would not serve; he must try again to find the +<i>Rowan</i>. Progress was difficult against the current; but he did his +best, and landing again, he dragged the dinghy up. She would not float +for some time because the bank was steep, but he dared not go far, +lest he should lose his way in coming back.</p> + +<p>Striking shoreward, he plowed breathlessly through soft sand, but saw +nothing for some minutes. Then, when he was despairing, a black object +emerged from the gloom. It might be only a hummock; but after he had +gone a few yards, he knew it was the yacht and felt a thrill of relief +that was unnerving in its keenness. Still, he must brace himself and +decide between two courses. The dinghy might be needed to take his +comrades off, and there was a risk of her going adrift before he got +back; he ought not to lose a moment in returning to her. On the other +hand, Dick and Andrew must be in danger of being cut off by the +advancing tide and the lamp would show them where the boat lay; but it +might take some time to light. Hesitation would be fatal: he must do +one thing or the other at once.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>Running to the yacht, he clambered on board and unfastened the lamp +from the stay, and then groped about the cabin for matches. At last he +found some and, shaking the lamp, heard the oil splash inside. The +wick did not ignite readily and he had to rub the charred edge off, +but by and by the flame began to spread and he scrambled on deck, +striking his head against the hatch. When he reached the bow, he found +himself shaking and scarcely able to tie the lamp to the stay, but he +jumped down on the sand and ran with all his speed toward the channel. +He could not see the dinghy and feared that she had gone, but he found +her safe, afloat and straining at the rope.</p> + +<p>Jumping on board, he pulled along the edge of the bank until an eddy +swept him into the mouth of the gutter. This decided a point that he +was anxious about. The tide was flowing into the hollow from the +channel and not from its seaward end, which meant that there was less +danger that the others would be surrounded. The rising water carried +him close to the yacht, and when he got on board he sat down, +breathing hard and feeling conscious of keen nervous strain. He +shouted, but there was no answer; only the crying of wildfowl and the +ripple of the tide broke the silence. It was running fast up the +gutter, surging noisily over the uneven bottom and lapping the edge of +the sand, and Whitney soon heard a splash against the starboard plank.</p> + +<p>He must now grapple with a fresh problem. The <i>Rowan</i>, drawing little +water when her centerboard was up, would shortly be afloat. Andrew had +not laid out an anchor, for it might be dangerous. If the anchor +failed to hold, she would sheer across the current before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> her keel +was quite off the bottom, and the leverage of the taut chain might +help the rush of water to press her down into the sand or roll her +over. One could take no chances with the Solway tide. Still, if left +unmoored, she would drive across the flats, away from his comrades.</p> + +<p>Whitney could not determine what to do; and while he waited in +tormenting indecision, the boat rose upright and the water swirled +furiously round her bilge. Then his heart leaped as a cry came out of +the dark, and soon afterward two indistinct figures appeared at the +side of the gut.</p> + +<p>"Be quick! She'll be off in a moment and the anchor's on board," he +shouted, pulling up the dinghy to row across.</p> + +<p>"Stay where you are!" Andrew called. "We can wade it. In with you, +Dick!"</p> + +<p>They were soon knee-deep and Whitney saw the current boil about their +legs when they stopped as the water got deeper, but Andrew encouraged +Dick, and they went on again and reached the yacht. Dick was panting, +but Andrew seemed quite cool.</p> + +<p>"I don't know about the anchor yet; we'll wait," he said, and stood +watching the tide ripple past.</p> + +<p>"It was lucky I met Andrew when I lost the channel," Dick said to +Whitney in a resentful tone. "You might have waited for me."</p> + +<p>"Hold on, Dick," interrupted Andrew. "Perhaps you'd better go below +and change your clothes."</p> + +<p>Dick left them; and soon afterward the boat began to move uneasily.</p> + +<p>"The stream's getting slack; the water must be coming through from the +other end," Andrew said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>In another minute she slowly floated away and he threw the anchor off +the bow.</p> + +<p>"She'll ride to it, but as we needn't make sail until the flats are +covered, we'll go down and get supper."</p> + +<p>He changed his clothes while Whitney lighted the stove.</p> + +<p>"How did the lamp go out?" he asked presently.</p> + +<p>Whitney related his adventures, and Dick turned to him with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Sorry I was huffed, but I dare say you can make allowance for my +feelings. They'd got rather harrowed while I wandered about in the +dark. You did the right thing, of course, in going back."</p> + +<p>Dick made some coffee and when it was on the table Whitney was glad to +lean back on a locker and light his pipe. With two candle lamps +burning, the narrow cabin looked very snug and cheerful after the +desolate sands, and it was something to see Andrew sitting opposite, +safe but thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"Did you trim the lamp properly?" Dick asked, puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Of course," said Andrew, with a touch of dryness. "That's something I +don't often neglect. Mixed the oil myself—colza and a dash of +paraffin; and the lamp's the best I could get in Glasgow. Suppose you +bring it down."</p> + +<p>Dick did so, and Andrew took off the oil-container, which was nearly +full, and examined the burner. There was nothing wrong, and Whitney +noted the good workmanship of the fittings.</p> + +<p>"It couldn't go out," he said decidedly.</p> + +<p>"That," Andrew replied, frowning, "is my opinion; but as I came down +to the gutter I saw only two rows<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> of footsteps, and you made those in +coming and going back to the dinghy. I can't say there wasn't another +track, because the light was faint so far from the boat; but we might +look about the deck and cabin-top to see if anybody has been on +board."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I mussed that all up with sand," Whitney pointed out.</p> + +<p>"But who'd want to come on board?" Dick asked. "Theft could be the +only object, and we'll soon find out about that."</p> + +<p>They looked round the cabin, but missed nothing.</p> + +<p>"A thief wouldn't have put out the light, because he'd know that might +bring us back before he got away," Dick elucidated; then turned to +Whitney. "What do you think?"</p> + +<p>"Well," said Whitney, smiling. "I've only one suggestion and it's +rather far-fetched. The thing might have been a plot to make us lose +the boat or, perhaps, make an end of us. If that's so, it nearly +succeeded."</p> + +<p>"Rot!" exclaimed Andrew. "Nobody would be twopence the richer for +putting me out of the way."</p> + +<p>"And I haven't an enemy in the world—unless it's myself," Dick +grinned. "I don't count the Kaiser, because the bad feeling's +patriotic; I've nothing personal against him."</p> + +<p>Andrew made a sign of impatience, and Whitney, watching him closely, +thought he felt disturbed.</p> + +<p>"Did you see anybody on the bank?"</p> + +<p>"No," Whitney answered. "I saw a small sail; a lugsail, I think, +because it was long on the head. It looked very black."</p> + +<p>"Tanned with blacklead and oil; one of the Annan<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> whammel boats, most +likely. They drag a net for salmon, but wouldn't get any just now, as +the water's too smooth."</p> + +<p>"Then why were they out?"</p> + +<p>"After flounders, perhaps. But none of the Annan men would meddle with +our light. However, we'd better make a start if we mean to reach Rough +Firth this tide."</p> + +<p>"Now and then I'm glad I'm not much of a seaman," Dick laughed. "As +I'd probably pull the wrong string, I'll stay below and smoke."</p> + +<p>A cold east wind was blowing when Whitney went on deck, and after +hoisting sail they crept away against the tide. Whitney sounded with +the pole until he could no longer touch bottom, when Andrew seemed +satisfied. It was very dark, but two quivering beams pierced the +gloom.</p> + +<p>"Get the topsail down," Andrew ordered after a while. "We'll find the +stream that fills Rough Firth in a few minutes and it will take us up +fast enough."</p> + +<p>This proved correct, for shortly afterward the sea broke about them in +confused eddies, and the boat splashed and lurched as she crossed the +troubled space that divided the tides. Then she forged ahead very +fast, and blurred hills and shadowy cliffs soon loomed out. Whitney +used the sounding pole again, the cliffs grew plainer, and when the +land closed in on them, they dropped anchor. She brought up and, after +helping to stow the canvas, Whitney climbed into his folding cot.</p> + +<p>For a time he did not sleep but lay thinking about the extinguished +light. It seemed impossible that the lamp should have gone out +accidentally, and he was not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> satisfied that the explanation he had +humorously offered was altogether absurd. His friends had had another +narrow escape not long before, and it might be significant that +although they were together on both occasions, Andrew had run the +greater risk. Whitney admitted that this might be coincidence and he +must not let his imagination run away with him. One must use sense and +not wrap up in romantic mystery a matter that might be perfectly +simple. For all that, he meant to seize any clue that chance might +offer him.</p> + +<p>Next morning they landed and joined Murray at a village among the +hills. They spent the day upon the heather, working inland across +broad, grassy spaces and red moors where the sheep fled before them, +and then climbed a line of rugged hills. These were not high, but +Whitney found them romantically interesting as he scrambled among +black peat-hags where the wild cotton grew, up marshy ravines, and +past great granite boulders. Stopping now and then to get his breath, +he watched the line of small figures stretched out across the waste +and thought that nobody lurking among the stones and heather could +escape. Still, when the different detachments met upon a windy summit, +none of them had seen anything suspicious.</p> + +<p>"We've drawn blank," Murray remarked, as they ate some sandwiches +behind a boulder.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Andrew. "If there is anything to be found out, I'd locate +it farther east."</p> + +<p>Murray looked at him keenly for a moment and then answered:</p> + +<p>"On the whole, I agree with you. It's my business, however, to search +where I am told."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>They went downhill soon afterward, and the next day the <i>Rowan</i> sailed +west along the coast, carrying Dick, who had reluctantly consented to +go with the others.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE YOUNG OFFICER</span></h2> + + +<p>It was a fine afternoon when the train ran down from the granite wilds +round Cairnsmuir into a broad green valley. Behind, the red heath, +strewn with boulders and scarred by watercourses, rolled upward into +gathering clouds; in front, yellow stubble fields and smooth meadows +lay shining in the light, with a river flashing through their midst. +Whitney, watching the scene from a window, thought the change was +typical of southern Scotland, which he had found a land of contrasts.</p> + +<p>They had left the <i>Rowan</i> where the river mouth opened into a +sheltered, hill-girt bay, and walked up a dale that was steeped in +quiet pastoral beauty. It led them to a wind-swept tableland, in which +lonely, ruffled lakes lay among the stones, and granite outcrops +ribbed the desolate heath. There they had caught the train; and now it +was running down to well-tilled levels, dotted with trim white houses +and marked in the distance by the blue smoke of a town. Andrew had +chosen the route to show Whitney the country, and he admitted that it +had its charm.</p> + +<p>The train slowed down as it approached a station, and when it stopped +Dick jumped up.</p> + +<p>"I may be able to get a paper here," he said, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> leaped down on to +the station platform, where shepherds with rough collies, +cattle-dealers, and quarrymen stood waiting.</p> + +<p>Dick vanished among the crowd; but a few moments later he returned +hurriedly, without his paper.</p> + +<p>"I nearly ran into old Mackellar!" he exclaimed with a chuckle. "But I +dodged him!"</p> + +<p>"Who is Mackellar?" Whitney asked. "One of your creditors?"</p> + +<p>"Worse than that. One of my trustees. I thought I'd better not meet +him; he might have felt embarrassed after what he said to me not long +ago."</p> + +<p>Alighting at the next station, they walked downhill to the narrow town +beside the Cree, and here they arranged to be driven up the waterside +to the shooting lodge where Whitney's mother was staying. After +standing on the bridge a while they went to the little inn. It was now +getting late in the afternoon, the hillside above the town shut out +the light, and the room they entered was rather dim. Dick stopped just +inside the door.</p> + +<p>"Mackellar!" he exclaimed; and turned to be off.</p> + +<p>"Dick! Ye're not going before ye speak to me?"</p> + +<p>"I want to show my friend the town," he explained with a laugh, but he +came forward and shook hands and presented Whitney.</p> + +<p>Mackellar was about fifty years of age, strongly built, and dressed in +quiet taste. He had a shrewd, thoughtful face, with a hint of command +in it, and there was a touch of formality in his manner, but Whitney +liked his faint, twinkling smile.</p> + +<p>"Weel," said the Scot, after they had talked a while, "ye may take +your friend out to see the town<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> now, Dick; but, with Mr. Whitney's +leave, I'll keep your cousin here until ye come back."</p> + +<p>Whitney felt amused as he saw that Dick had failed in his rather +obvious intention of preventing the others from enjoying a private +talk.</p> + +<p>When Whitney and Dick had gone, Mackellar rang a bell that stood on +the table. "Ye'll join me with a glass o' wine," he said to Andrew.</p> + +<p>The wine was brought, and though Andrew did not hear what Mackellar +said to the waitress, he imagined that they would not be disturbed.</p> + +<p>"I would say Dick's new friend is to be trusted," Mackellar began when +they were alone.</p> + +<p>"Of course," said Andrew. "If I grasp what you mean, he'll do the boy +no harm; but he's really a friend of mine."</p> + +<p>"That should put the thing beyond all doubt," Mackellar replied, and +filled the glasses.</p> + +<p>Andrew waited. Mackellar was generally deliberate, but people valued +his opinion. He had been a lawyer, and in the small Scottish towns +lawyers are entrusted with their clients' investments, and, in +consequence, are often appointed agents by the banks.</p> + +<p>"I think ye see your duty to your cousin," Mackellar resumed.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Andrew simply. "I wish I saw how it ought to be carried +out. I'm at a loss there."</p> + +<p>Mackellar's nod indicated sympathetic understanding.</p> + +<p>"Ye're young and want to see the whole road ahead. It's enough that ye +walk cannily, doing what seems needful as ye find it. For a' that, I'm +glad to hear ye feel that ye are responsible. It's some help to me."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>"Then you take a personal interest in him?" Andrew hesitated and +added: "I mean, if you understand, apart from your being a trustee."</p> + +<p>Mackellar smiled.</p> + +<p>"I understand. We're dour folk and not given to sentiment, but I think +we can be trusted to pay our debts, and Dick's father was a good +friend o' mine. It was the Appleyard business first put me on my feet. +Then your cousin is a likable lad; though he's given me trouble. But +we'll not dwell on that—there are other things to talk about."</p> + +<p>"Have you paid off his debts?"</p> + +<p>"Some. There are one or two for which the holders would not give up +his notes."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"They carry high interest and fall due at a future date. Then I have +reasons for thinking the holders are agents for a principal in the +background."</p> + +<p>"The fellow must take a risk, because Dick's not of age. Hasn't the +law something to say about a minor's debts?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure the risk is as big as it looks. Would ye expect a +Johnstone o' Appleyard to repudiate his obligations?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Andrew. "When you come to think of it, such a thing's +impossible."</p> + +<p>"Weel, there's another point; your cousin did not tell us all he +owed."</p> + +<p>Andrew frowned.</p> + +<p>"I must admit that I was afraid Dick hadn't been quite straight with +us. What's to be done? Can we take him away from Staffer?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>"Why would ye wish that?" Mackellar asked sharply.</p> + +<p>"It's not easy to explain, and my position's difficult. Dick thinks +highly of the fellow, and I can't see anything that's openly wrong +with him. Still, one feels he hasn't a good influence on Dick."</p> + +<p>"Just that," Mackellar dryly returned. "Dick's mother put the lad into +Staffer's hands and I had no power to stop her. If Staffer abused his +position, it would give me a handle, but I cannot find fault with +anything he does. A careful, well-thought-of man, and exact to a penny +in the estate accounts."</p> + +<p>"And yet you don't trust him. If you did, you'd tell him about those +debts instead of me."</p> + +<p>"Weel," chuckled Mackellar, "there's maybe something in that."</p> + +<p>Andrew knitted his brows.</p> + +<p>"I feel that there's something going on, so to speak, behind the +scenes, but I can't tell what it is. Do you know that Dick's heart is +weak, and dissipation and excitement are bad for him?"</p> + +<p>"I heard something about it." Mackellar gave Andrew a steady, meaning +look. "Your cousin will not be in danger until he's twenty-one."</p> + +<p>"What danger do you mean?" Andrew asked uneasily.</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell—ye have heard that loose living is bad for him. He'll +be free from restraint when he comes of age."</p> + +<p>Andrew suspected that this was not all that Mackellar meant.</p> + +<p>"Suppose his creditors insisted on his insuring his life?" he asked.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>"There's a difficulty—insurance companies are not as a rule anxious +to take a man with a weak heart. For a' that—" Mackellar broke off +and sipped his wine in silence before he resumed: "I'll try to follow +up the matter of the notes and ye'll keep an eye on Dick. If ye remark +anything suspicious, ye will let me know. Now, I think there's no more +to be said."</p> + +<p>Andrew agreed, and lighted his pipe. He was troubled by vague +suspicions that Mackellar seemed to share. On the surface, the +suspicions looked somewhat ridiculous; but Andrew was not satisfied, +and Mackellar had admitted the need for vigilance. Well, he must keep +the best watch he could.</p> + +<p>Whitney came in while they sat there.</p> + +<p>"Dick's not back?" he said. "I thought I'd find him here."</p> + +<p>"Ye might try the bar," Mackellar replied, with a twinkle. "Mr. +Johnstone's not anxious to talk to me. How did ye lose him?"</p> + +<p>"I rather think he lost me," Whitney laughed; "but he knows we've +ordered tea and he'll be along soon."</p> + +<p>When the trap they had hired was waiting, Dick came in. His face was +flushed, and his eyes gleamed with amusement as he glanced at +Mackellar.</p> + +<p>"I shan't have to leave without a word or two, after all."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mackellar, "ye cut it very fine. Where have ye been?"</p> + +<p>"In the other hotel. I found a number of people there. They'd been to +the Creetown sheep sales and were in a convivial mood. In fact, they +wouldn't let me go."</p> + +<p>"It's no doubt a matter o' taste, but one would not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> expect to find a +Johnstone o' Applegate colloging with drovers in a second-class bar," +Mackellar observed.</p> + +<p>Dick laughed.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that it makes much difference, but I was playing cards," +he said.</p> + +<p>"Losing money ye could not afford!"</p> + +<p>They drove away in a high-wheeled trap that is locally called a +machine. Andrew had set off in a serious mood, but it was difficult to +continue thoughtful in Dick's society, and he enlivened the way as +they followed the winding river. It led them up a long valley, past +turnip-fields, smooth pasture, and alder-fringed pools. The soil was +well tilled on their bank, but across the stream, birchwoods turning +yellow straggled up the barren hill slopes, and to the north, rugged +fells rose dark against the sky. By degrees the landscape changed. +There was less cultivation and the woods got thinner. Rough heath ran +down to the river, which foamed and brawled among the stones, and +white tufts of wild cotton shone among the peat. They were climbing to +a desolation of moor and bog that looked strangely wild and lonely in +the fading light. Then, as the shadows closed upon the wilderness, +lights blinked among the firs in a glen, a lodge gate was opened, and +a smooth drive led them to a straggling modern house.</p> + +<p>They were hospitably welcomed, and Andrew liked his host, a genial, +gray-haired man who had lately retired from business to spend his +well-earned leisure in outdoor sports. Whitney's mother and sister +also impressed him favorably. Mrs. Whitney was quiet and dignified, +and there was a touch of stateliness in Madge's refined beauty. At +first, Andrew felt shy of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> her and left her to Dick, but she soon set +him at his ease. Madge rang true, and he found that she could be +remarkably frank.</p> + +<p>On the evening after his arrival he strolled along the terrace talking +to her. A soft red glow still shone behind the firs that straggled up +the western end of the glen and the air was cool and still. They could +hear a little burn splashing in the shadow and the river tumbling +among the stones.</p> + +<p>"How do you like this place?" Andrew asked. "From what I've seen of +your country this is a change."</p> + +<p>"Yes," Madge said; "it's quiet. When we rusticate in the wilds we take +a troop of friends along. The environment we're used to goes with us. +Perhaps that's why I don't harmonize with a natural background as some +of your people do. Here, for instance, I feel I'm an exotic."</p> + +<p>"Exotics are generally beautiful and one likes them for their glow and +color. Ours is a land of neutral tints and I dare say it has an effect +upon our character."</p> + +<p>Madge laughed.</p> + +<p>"That's very nice of you, but it's difficult to judge your character. +You're not an expansive race, and, for another thing, there are no +young men about—though one must admit that's to their credit, just +now. It seems there's still an answer when you send round the Fiery +Cross."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Andrew with a flush. "They were wanted somewhere else, and +they went."</p> + +<p>Andrew paused and Madge gave him a sympathetic glance.</p> + +<p>"Jim told me why you couldn't go," she said softly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> "After all, you +have something to do at home, haven't you?"</p> + +<p>Andrew saw that she was well-informed about his affairs, but he did +not resent it. When he took his comrade into his confidence he did not +do so rashly; and that Whitney had told his sister only proved that +she could be trusted. Something in her manner and her frank, level +glance made him sure of this.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said hesitatingly, "it's nice to feel that one is needed; +though of course there's a risk of being officious."</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose Elsie thinks you officious for trying to look after +her cousin. He's quite charming, but I imagine he'll keep you busy."</p> + +<p>"I'm prepared for that," Andrew laughed; "and I don't mind the +trouble. Dick's a very likable fellow, and Elsie feels more satisfied +when I'm about. I wish you could meet her. Little Elsie's worth +knowing."</p> + +<p>"Little? Jim told me she was tall; regal, I think he said. In fact, +he's enthusiastic about her; and that makes me curious, because Jim's +taste is not often bad."</p> + +<p>"It isn't. But I always thought of her as little Elsie—she was a girl +when I left home. I can understand what struck your brother: I felt it +myself when I first saw her, after I came back."</p> + +<p>"Elsie had grown up?"</p> + +<p>"It wasn't quite that. She had grown up in the way I had expected, but +she had somehow grown beyond it. In fact, though I used to be a kind +of elder brother, she had caught me up and left me."</p> + +<p>He broke off as their host came toward them with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> Lieutenant Rankine, +a brown-faced young man, who had arrived on the previous afternoon.</p> + +<p>"I hear you're cruising about the Galloway coast," Rankine said to +Andrew. "If you happen to be between the Isle of Man and the Solway, I +dare say we shall meet, and we'll be glad to see you on board the +<i>Tern</i>."</p> + +<p>"The <i>Tern</i>?" Andrew looked his surprise. "She's—"</p> + +<p>"An antiquated barge!" Rankine laughed. "Well, she makes a handy +surveying craft, and the sea lords have lent me to the hydrographic +department. Rather a come down just now; but somebody must keep the +charts up to date."</p> + +<p>Andrew felt puzzled. Rankine had a capable look, and, being young, was +no doubt ambitious. It was curious that he should be satisfied with +the monotonous task of taking soundings, when the battleships were +watching for the enemy's fleet. He looked at Rankine keenly; but the +young lieutenant merely smiled back at him in a quizzical manner and +began to speak of shoals and tides.</p> + +<p>Madge slipped off to join her brother.</p> + +<p>"What do you think of my partner?" Whitney asked her. "Are you still +pleased with him?"</p> + +<p>"Entirely so; he improves, which doesn't often happen. In fact, he's +fine, if you get what I mean."</p> + +<p>"Well, I imagine Andrew's unique, but that doesn't quite hit it. +Suppose we say rare, in its old English sense. Anyhow, though I don't +know that he's very susceptible, I'd rather you didn't turn his head. +You are attractive when you exert yourself."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>Madge laughed.</p> + +<p>"He's proof against my charms. Andrew's earmarked for somebody else."</p> + +<p>"Elsie Woodhouse? Well, that struck me, but I don't know. He says it's +very probable that she'll marry Dick."</p> + +<p>"Andrew is in love with her himself," Madge said firmly; "though I +don't think he knows it yet. Dick's delightful, but the girl would +never be satisfied with him."</p> + +<p>"So I think; but you don't know her."</p> + +<p>"Your partner has told me about her."</p> + +<p>Whitney laughed.</p> + +<p>"Andrew has his talents, but the delineation of character's not his +strong point."</p> + +<p>"A precise description isn't always needed," Madge rejoined. "When you +have an image clearly stamped upon your mind, it's sometimes possible +to make others see it without saying very much. Your partner can do +that."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you're right. He has now an idea that his country's somehow +threatened from the old main road to the south. On the face of it, the +idea's absurd, and yet he makes one feel that he's not quite +mistaken."</p> + +<p>Madge indicated Rankine, who was still talking to Andrew.</p> + +<p>"I wonder why they sent that man to a post where ability doesn't seem +to be required?" she questioned.</p> + +<p>"It's possible that Rankine's job is more important than he's allowed +to admit."</p> + +<p>He broke off, for Rankine was coming toward them, and he saw his +sister's face flush prettily.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE SIGNAL</span></h2> + + +<p>A light breeze was blowing when the <i>Rowan</i> ran into a confused tide +eddy in the mouth of Wigtown Bay. There had been more wind and the +swell it left was broken by the current into short, splashing seas +amid which the yacht lurched uneasily. It was four o'clock in the +afternoon and about two hours before high-water, and when the breeze +fell very light a stream that ran north from the disturbed patch swept +the <i>Rowan</i> up the bay.</p> + +<p>Andrew frowned as he looked about.</p> + +<p>"She's right off her course, but it's too deep to anchor, and the +bottom's foul near the beach," he said. "We must let her drift until +the ebb sets in and carries her down along the opposite shore. We +ought to make Ramsey on the next flood."</p> + +<p>"At four or five o'clock in the morning!" Dick grumbled. "Well, I'm +glad I'm no use at the helm in the dark, and we may get a few hours' +smooth water before we round the Burrow Head. At present I'm wondering +why I came."</p> + +<p>"There's some water in the bilge, and it's your turn to pump," Whitney +remarked.</p> + +<p>"If she was half full, I wouldn't pump until this rolling stops," Dick +said firmly.</p> + +<p>The sea got smoother as they drifted along the coast, and presently +ran in faint undulations that gleamed like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> oil where their surface +caught the light. The days, however, were getting short, and soon the +long tongue of land across the bay cut low and black against the +sunset. The hills to the eastward were gray and dim, a heavy dew began +to fall, and a pale half-moon came out. Now and then a puff of wind +from the south rippled the glassy water and drove the yacht farther up +the bay.</p> + +<p>When an inlet began to open out ahead Dick took up the glasses.</p> + +<p>"We ought to find water enough across the sands to Gatehouse," he +said. "I'd a good deal rather sleep ashore and we'd get a much better +meal at the Murray Arms than Whitney can cook."</p> + +<p>"We can't get ashore without a breeze," Andrew replied.</p> + +<p>"There's somebody going up. I can see a lugsail boat beyond the +point."</p> + +<p>Andrew took the glasses from him. The light had nearly gone and mist +hung about the shore, but a belt of water shone with a pale gleam, +against which a distant boat stood out sharply.</p> + +<p>"She looks like one of the Annan whammelers; they use a sail with a +shorter head in the West, but I can't see what an Annan man would be +doing here."</p> + +<p>Putting up the glasses, he thoughtfully filled his pipe.</p> + +<p>"The night our lamp went out on Mersehead sands," Whitney said, "I saw +a lugsail boat. What kind of fellows are the whammelers?"</p> + +<p>"Unusually good seamen. The boats are small, but they turn out in very +wild weather when the salmon are about."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>"That was not what I meant."</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're a sturdy, honest lot; but you don't often find a set of +men that doesn't include a wastrel."</p> + +<p>Soon a white light and a green one twinkled some distance behind the +yacht, and Dick called attention to it.</p> + +<p>"That steamer's moving slowly," he said.</p> + +<p>"A trawler, I expect. She's probably waiting until it's dark, when +she'll put her lights out and drop her net. I understand the Fishery +Board forbid trawling here."</p> + +<p>They said nothing further, and the <i>Rowan</i> drifted shoreward with an +eddy of the tide, which had begun to turn. The moon was half obscured +by haze, but they could see a wall of cliff to starboard with a narrow +line of surf at its foot. Part of the wall seemed detached from the +rest and Andrew explained it to Whitney.</p> + +<p>"That's Barennan Island. This strip of coast was a favorite haunt of +Dirk Hatteraik's, but tradition locates his cove at Ravenshall, across +the inlet yonder. It might have been convenient for running contraband +up the Cree and Fleet, but the shore abreast of us has better +hiding-places, besides being nearer open sea."</p> + +<p>"Dirk's been dead a long time, and has no successors in the business," +Dick interposed. "His men probably were more ruffianly than romantic, +but they must have given the neighborhood an interest, with their +signal fires, their vessels running in at dark, and their pack-horses +winding through the moors— The trawler's gone!"</p> + +<p>"Impossible," Andrew said quietly. "She hasn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> had time to steam +farther than we could see her lights."</p> + +<p>"Then she's put them out. Perhaps the net's over."</p> + +<p>"What's that light ashore?" Whitney asked.</p> + +<p>A twinkling flash appeared on the high, black cliff behind the island +and went out, but after a moment or two flickered up again and, +growing brighter, burned for a time.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if the smugglers weren't quite extinct," Whitney +remarked.</p> + +<p>Andrew made no comment, but when a cool breeze came off the land he +edged the boat closer to the beach. It showed as a gray blur beneath +the crag, hardly distinguishable except for the white fringe of surf.</p> + +<p>"I'm curious about that light," he admitted. "I'd have said it was +somebody baiting a long-line or looking for lobsters, only that the +fellow wouldn't have waited for high-water. Then, it was too brilliant +for a lantern."</p> + +<p>"Let's go ashore, Whitney," suggested Dick, anticipating adventure of +some kind.</p> + +<p>"All right," Andrew replied. "Scull in instead of rowing: it's +quieter. And take the small cask and ask if there's a spring about if +you meet anybody."</p> + +<p>Whitney launched the light dinghy and put an oar in the sculling notch +when Dick joined him. The swell looked higher than it had appeared +from the yacht, and as he heard it tumbling among the stones he +wondered how they were to land. Besides, it was difficult to keep the +lurching craft on a straight course. He stopped sculling when a weedy +ledge of rock with a white wash running over it appeared in the +gloom.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>"Go on," said Dick. "Keep the reef to starboard. There's a cove. I've +been here before."</p> + +<p>Swinging past the ledge as an undulation rolled in, they were met by +its broken recoil; but Whitney drove the craft through this, and a few +moments later ran her on to a narrow beach. Quietly lifting the boat +beyond the reach of the water, they made for the cliff. After a few +yards they came to large, rough stones, and Dick stopped. Everything +was quiet except for the splash of the surf, and the wall of rock rose +above them, black and mysterious.</p> + +<p>"We couldn't see anybody against that background," he said in a low +voice; "and it's difficult to move quietly among these stones. I think +we'll try the crag."</p> + +<p>It took them longer to reach it than Whitney expected, but presently +Dick stopped in front of a mass of fallen rock.</p> + +<p>"Follow me close; the path isn't good," he said.</p> + +<p>They went up carefully, feeling for a foothold among the stones, until +they came to a ledge that ran upward across the face of the cliff. +Whitney could see nothing below him, but he followed Dick, and after a +while they reached a ravine filled with tangled grass and heath, which +led them to the summit. Here they lay down behind a whinn bush and +then Whitney understood why his companion had chosen the position. The +moon was hidden, but the sea reflected an elusive light that +distinguished it from the blackness of the land. Anybody moving along +the beach would show against the glimmer of the water. Whitney could +not see the <i>Rowan</i>, but Andrew had, no doubt, steered a course that +would bring the island behind her canvas. It was, of course, possible +that their landing had been noticed;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> but the dinghy was very small +and the dull roar of the surf would have drowned the noise they made.</p> + +<p>Turning quietly, Whitney looked inland across high, rolling ground. It +was all obscure, but in the hollows there were gray patches, which he +supposed were belts of mist, and two or three dim lights twinkled in +the distance. Now and then a bleating of sheep and the whistle of a +curlew came down the cold wind. There was nothing to rouse suspicion, +and Whitney began to think of going back. Just then Dick touched him.</p> + +<p>A shadowy figure showed against the water a short distance from where +they had landed, and then a flickering beam of light fell upon the +sea. It was too bright for an ordinary lantern, and Whitney could not +see where it came from, but after a moment or two it was abruptly cut +off.</p> + +<p>"There's another cove behind the point and I think I know a way down," +Dick whispered. "Come on as quickly as you can!"</p> + +<p>The figure vanished, but as the light was obviously a signal, it was +worth an effort to learn something about the men who had made it. When +Whitney got on his feet, Dick had already started. They turned down +the landward slope of the crag, where they stumbled among prickly +whinns and long heather. In a few minutes, Dick was breathing hard, +but he kept up the pace, and they presently came to a ravine that +seamed the front of the cliff. It looked dangerously steep and there +was no evidence of a path, but Dick went down, following a runlet of +water, and now and again catching at the grass and stones to check his +descent. Whitney, following as closely as he could, hoped that the +ravine did not end in a precipice.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>They came to one steep drop, and at the bottom of it Whitney stumbled +into a hole among the stones. When he got up, Dick was some distance +below him, but he could distinguish his figure against the sea. No +sound but the growl of the surf reached them; but this was loud enough +to drown any footsteps on the beach and cover their rather noisy +descent. Whitney reached the edge of the pool where the runlet of +water widened, and was looking for a way across it when he saw Dick +stagger. He swayed in a curious way, as if trying to recover his +balance, and then suddenly disappeared. Whitney splashed through the +water and came to the edge of a very steep slope. He could not see the +bottom, but he scrambled down, clinging to the stones; and after +sliding the last few yards he found himself on the beach. Dick lay +motionless on a slab of rock near by.</p> + +<p>"Are you badly hurt?" he asked, breathlessly.</p> + +<p>"No," Dick said faintly. "Leave me alone a while."</p> + +<p>Whitney sat down beside him, feeling alarmed. The dinghy was some +distance off, and he did not know whether it could be reached by the +beach. It would be impossible to carry Dick across the rough stones +without help; the <i>Rowan</i> was too far off for Andrew to hear a call; +and he did not want to leave the boy, who might be seriously injured.</p> + +<p>"Do you feel better?" Whitney asked presently.</p> + +<p>"Don't talk," said Dick. "I'll be all right presently."</p> + +<p>Whitney waited anxiously, and five minutes later Dick held out his +hand.</p> + +<p>"Give me a lift; I'll try to get up."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>He got upon his feet with Whitney's help, but leaned on him heavily +for a minute.</p> + +<p>"I can move along slowly," he said; "there's a way across the point."</p> + +<p>They were some time in crossing the slippery rocks, but at last +Whitney helped the lad down to the sand and felt keen satisfaction +when they came to the dinghy.</p> + +<p>"I'm much better," Dick said as Whitney pushed off. "I must have been +half stunned—guess I knocked my head as I fell down the last bit."</p> + +<p>"Is it cut?"</p> + +<p>"Don't fuss!" Dick answered irritably. "She'll wash back up the beach +if you don't pull."</p> + +<p>Whitney occupied himself with the oars; but he felt puzzled. Dick +seemed to have turned dizzy before he fell; and although it was +possible that he struck his head, his statement that he had done so +looked like an afterthought. It was, however, his business now to find +the <i>Rowan</i>, and he could see by the way the cliff slid past that the +tide was running down. He had to pull hard to get near the island, and +the wind was rising, but soon he distinguished a patch of dark canvas, +and a few minutes later he ran the dinghy alongside the yacht.</p> + +<p>"Lash the helm and come below!" he called to Andrew, after helping +Dick on board.</p> + +<p>Andrew stopped to throw a sail over the skylight when Whitney lighted +the lamps, and then went down and looked at Dick, who lay on a locker. +His face was very white, his lips had a blue tint, and the veins +showed dark on the back of his colorless hands.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>"I think you had better have a drink," he said, taking out a whisky +bottle.</p> + +<p>Dick drained the glass.</p> + +<p>"That's good; I'll soon be all right. I slipped when we were coming +down the crag and pitched over the edge of the steep bottom part."</p> + +<p>"He thinks he hit his head," Whitney added.</p> + +<p>Andrew felt Dick's head in spite of his objections.</p> + +<p>"There is a lump, but not large. It doesn't account for the shock you +seem to have got."</p> + +<p>"If you had fallen down that rock, I don't suppose you'd feel very +fit. But give me a cigarette and ask Jim to tell you what we saw."</p> + +<p>Andrew gave him the cigarette and then looked out the scuttle. A +breeze had got up, blowing off the land, and the yacht was drifting +seaward with her loose mainsail flapping and her jib aback. She would +need no attention; so he closed the hatch and sat down to listen to +Whitney's story.</p> + +<p>"Do you think they heard Dick fall?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I can't say. It's possible, though the swell was breaking noisily on +the beach."</p> + +<p>"It's a curious affair," said Andrew. "I saw the light and was glad +I'd kept the boat in the gloom of the island. It certainly looks as if +the steamer that put her lights out and the whammel boat that crept in +to the land at dusk had some connection with each other. Then I +thought I heard oars shortly before you came off."</p> + +<p>"Suppose the boatmen had meant to signal the vessel, why should they +land when they could have lighted a flare on board?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>"It would have shone all round," said Andrew. "By coming ashore they +got the crag for a screen and a high platform. The light could be seen +farther off, but only from the sea."</p> + +<p>"But what would they want to signal from a place like this, and whom +would they signal to?"</p> + +<p>"I don't pretend to know. It's a long distance from a main line, but a +fast car would cover a good deal of ground in an hour or two."</p> + +<p>Andrew stopped, and, taking a chart from a rack, pointed to the narrow +channel between Scotland and Ireland.</p> + +<p>"You see how close Fair Head is to Kintyre," he resumed. "Well, all +the shipping from the Clyde and a good deal from Liverpool passes +through that gap. You can imagine what would happen if it were filled +with mines."</p> + +<p>"The difficulty is that the mine-sowers would be seen. The lighthouses +on Rathlin and Kintyre command the channel."</p> + +<p>"It's hard to see a vessel that carries no lights, and a mine-sower +wouldn't proclaim his intentions. There's a big fleet of trawlers +working in the Irish Sea, and a stranger would excite no remark by +slipping in among them. It wouldn't take long to paint on a registered +number and copy the funnel of a steam fishing company."</p> + +<p>"So Rankine has another duty besides taking soundings! A small survey +vessel could cruise about among the shoals without attracting much +notice. Her business would be obvious, but that needn't stop her crew +from watching out."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Andrew, "it isn't difficult to form a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> theory to fit the +few things we know. However—"</p> + +<p>"It would probably be all wrong when you'd made it," Dick broke in.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you're feeling better," Andrew smiled. "I'll go up and look +after the boat."</p> + +<p>He left the scuttle open and they heard blocks rattle as he hauled the +main sheet, and the soft splashing at the bows as the yacht gathered +speed.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure it was the blow on your head that knocked you out, +Dick," Whitney said. "You reeled as if you were getting faint before +you fell."</p> + +<p>"Well, suppose I did? I may have been running harder than was good for +me; but can't you understand that one shrinks from making a fuss about +one's weaknesses?"</p> + +<p>"Of course. This means you want to keep the real explanation from your +cousin?"</p> + +<p>"I'd very much rather nobody knew. Falling on your head is a good +enough reason for feeling faint, and, as a matter of fact, I hit it +hard enough."</p> + +<p>"Very well," agreed Whitney. "I suppose I must say nothing, since you +have taken me into your confidence."</p> + +<p>"You might let my cot down and pull out the blankets. I'm not quite +right yet, to tell the truth. I think I'll go to sleep."</p> + +<p>Whitney arranged the cot for him, and then, going up on deck, sat in +the cockpit while the <i>Rowan</i> stretched across the bay before a fresh +easterly breeze.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">A FALSE ALARM</span></h2> + + +<p>Heavy rains lashed the windows at Appleyard and a wild west wind +buffeted the house. Between the gusts one could hear the wail of +storm-tossed trees and the distant roar of the flood tide foaming +across the Solway sands. It was, however, warm and bright within the +thick granite walls, and Andrew lounged in a corner of the +billiard-room after dinner, watching Elsie knit. She was making a +soldier's woolen belt, and he noted the precise neatness of the work. +Elsie was conscientious in all she did, but he thought this view of +the matter did not go far enough. The care with which she linked up +the stitches was deepened by love.</p> + +<p>"It will be a lucky man who gets the belt," he remarked. "We must hope +he isn't by any chance one of our enemies."</p> + +<p>Elsie looked up with a smile.</p> + +<p>"After all, I wouldn't mind that very much, so long as he needed it. +It must be dreadful to lie out, cold and hungry, in the snow."</p> + +<p>"It is," said Andrew. "I've done something of the kind. Of course +you're right; but ordinary people would rather help their own side, +particularly when the other seems to be singularly unchivalrous."</p> + +<p>He stopped as he saw a tinge of color creep into her face; but she +quietly met his apologetic glance.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>"I know you didn't mean to hurt. I do remember sometimes, that, in a +sense, I belong to the other side."</p> + +<p>"You can't help that, and you're Scottish to the backbone in all that +matters."</p> + +<p>Elsie's eyes twinkled.</p> + +<p>"You're not making it much better, but perhaps you'd lose something if +you were not so frank. One distrusts people who always say the proper +thing."</p> + +<p>Andrew glanced at a well-dressed, handsome man who was playing +billiards with Dick. He came to Appleyard for a day or two now and +then, and had been there when Andrew arrived from Canada.</p> + +<p>"Does that mean you don't quite trust Williamson? I've sometimes +wondered whether it's his right name."</p> + +<p>Elsie looked thoughtful and answered with some hesitation:</p> + +<p>"I don't think it is. He hasn't a trace of foreign accent and his ways +are ours, but I can't help feeling that he does not belong to us. Then +I've noticed that he never talks to Mother much. But of course it's +only changing his name that matters, not where he was born. Our +enemies are not all treacherous and cruel. You have seen the portraits +Mother has of her own people, and three or four were soldiers. They +have kind, true faces. I think they were men with an unusual sense of +duty."</p> + +<p>"You see what's best in everybody," Andrew replied. "But if there are +good fellows on the other side, why do they behave like savages?"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Elsie, and was silent for a few moments.</p> + +<p>Andrew glanced at his cousin, who had soon recov<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>ered from his fall. +He was now chalking his cue, and his eyes had an excited glitter. A +syphon and a whisky bottle stood on a table near by, and Andrew +wondered whether Elsie had noticed that Dick's glass was full again.</p> + +<p>"I'll beat you if I can make that cannon," Dick was saying.</p> + +<p>"Half a sovereign you don't; but you had better not take me," +Williamson replied. "It would need a professional's stroke."</p> + +<p>Andrew surmised that they were not playing for mere amusement.</p> + +<p>"You can't do it, Dick!" Whitney said; and his tone was restraining, +while Andrew imagined that Williamson's was meant to be provocative.</p> + +<p>Dick raised his glass and put it down again half empty before he +poised his cue.</p> + +<p>"Watch me!"</p> + +<p>He made the cannon; but something in his hot face suggested that it +had been a nervous strain, and he turned to the table at once to +refill his glass.</p> + +<p>"Now," he said, "I think the game is mine."</p> + +<p>His play was clever, but Andrew, watching closely, imagined that +Williamson was not doing quite his best. It was difficult to say what +gave him the impression, but he was a judge of matters that needed +accurate judgment and steadiness of hand. Williamson was cool and +skilful, but he missed a cannon he ought to have made, and there was a +break he bungled. It looked as if he did not want to win. That was +curious, for Andrew did not think he felt any hesitation about taking +Dick's money.</p> + +<p>Dick reached out for his glass without turning round,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> and Whitney, +standing behind him, neatly struck the bottle with his elbow in +stepping back. It rolled across the table, upsetting the glass, and +fell upon the floor.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," he apologized simply.</p> + +<p>Dick regarded him with an ironical grin. "I'll have to ring for +another," he said.</p> + +<p>Andrew wondered how much Elsie understood; and he was not deceived by +her unchanged expression. Elsie was quick and did not always show her +feelings.</p> + +<p>"You made some brilliant strokes, but your play's a bit erratic," +Williamson said to Dick. "It might be worth your while to study some +of the good professionals. That reminds me, there's an interesting +semi-private match next Thursday, and I've friends at the club."</p> + +<p>He mentioned two players whom Andrew had heard of, and the door opened +while he added something about the match. Andrew was watching his +cousin and did not look up, and it was a few moments later when he saw +that Staffer had come in.</p> + +<p>"I've been suggesting that Dick should come to town to-morrow," +Williamson said. "I can show him some good billiards."</p> + +<p>"I can't stop him, although I imagine he'd better stay at home," +Staffer answered with a smile. "As he has been warned to keep regular +hours and that sort of thing, it's possible that the excursion might +not be good for him. Dick's rather too keen a sportsman."</p> + +<p>Andrew could find no obvious fault with Staffer's reply. On the +surface, it was tactful; but something in his manner made it inciting +instead of deterrent.</p> + +<p>"You arranged to take us snipe-shooting on Wednesday," he reminded his +cousin.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>"So I did," Dick admitted. "Still, we could fix another day. We might +get a woodcock if we waited a bit."</p> + +<p>"I'm keen on snipe," Whitney interposed. "Besides, we're going down +the coast again at the end of the week."</p> + +<p>Staffer gave him a quick glance and Dick seemed to hesitate.</p> + +<p>"That makes a difference; but you could go without me. I'm not a crack +shot."</p> + +<p>"You know all about snipe, and where to find a cock," Andrew insisted. +"They ought to be here now and it's a long time since I bagged one."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well!" said Dick. "You mustn't be disappointed, and we'll try to +show Whitney the best sport we can."</p> + +<p>Elsie looked at Andrew and he saw that she was grateful; but Staffer +came across to where he sat.</p> + +<p>"I met Marshall, the salmon fisher, in Annan, and he mentioned that +they had run the Burnfoot boats up this afternoon," he said. "There +was a big surf last high-water, and he asked if you had been down to +the yacht. It looked as if he thought you ought to go."</p> + +<p>Andrew turned to Whitney.</p> + +<p>"Is the motorcycle all right, Jim?"</p> + +<p>"Take the car," suggested Staffer. "Watson won't have housed her yet."</p> + +<p>They started in three or four minutes; but it was not the <i>Rowan</i> that +Andrew thought about as the big car throbbed at full speed through the +dark. He had kept Dick at Appleyard, and Williamson would be gone +to-morrow, which was something to the good, because<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> Dick was apt to +get out of hand when the man was there. Andrew thought he made rash +bets with him, and he certainly drank more than usual. It was his duty +to look after Dick; but it was getting harder to do so for Elsie's +sake, and at times when he thought of his task in this light he had to +master a feeling of bitterness. Dick was not good enough for Elsie. +Still, if she really loved him, she would be able to keep him +straight. He knew the protective tenderness she felt for him. This +might be different from the love she could give a lover; but Andrew +would not follow up that line of thought. It might lead to false hopes +and to shabby conduct of which he would always be ashamed.</p> + +<p>It was near high-water when they left the car at the end of a miry +road and struggled across a common to the beach. The roar of the sea +filled the air and driving sand stung their faces, but they carried +the dinghy down and, wading out some distance through the surf, got on +board. After a few minutes' hard pulling they reached the yacht, and +Andrew looked about while he felt the cable.</p> + +<p>"The anchor's holding, but perhaps we'd better take the kedge farther +out," he said.</p> + +<p>It cost them half an hour's hard work; for they had to follow up the +heavy warp while angry, broken waves splashed into the dinghy; and +then, after tearing the anchor out of the sand, they had to row some +distance against the drag of the rope. At last, however, Andrew was +satisfied.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure all that was necessary, but it was wiser to make things +safe," he said, when they carried the dinghy up on the shore.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>Whitney did not answer, and as they passed a sod cabin on the common a +man came out.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Jock?" Andrew asked. "It's a wild night, and when Mr. +Staffer told me what you said I thought I'd come down to see how the +boat was riding."</p> + +<p>"It's wild enough," agreed the fisherman; and Whitney recognized him +as the man who had come on board on the morning after their arrival. +"What was it Mr. Staffer said?"</p> + +<p>"I can't remember exactly, but I understood you thought the boat might +drag."</p> + +<p>"Weel, I wouldna' say that was impossible, but ye hae good ground +tackle."</p> + +<p>Whitney looked hard at him, but he could not see the Scot's face well.</p> + +<p>"And Mr. Staffer sent ye off in his car to see if she was a' right?" +Marshall chuckled.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that he sent us. He said we could use the car."</p> + +<p>"He's a thoughtful man, but I wouldna' say Watson would be +pleased—he'd be wanting to wash her. Onyway, ye needna' fash about +the boat. I'll be here until the tide rins doon and if onything needs +doing, I'll see til it."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," said Andrew. "Do you know if one of the whammel boats has +gone west?"</p> + +<p>"Yin's gone; I dinna ken where. A shooting man frae Edinbro' bought +Tarn Grahame's <i>Nance</i>. Him and another took her off soon after ye +came."</p> + +<p>"How do you know he was an Edinburgh man?"</p> + +<p>"There was a Waverley label on his portmanteau<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> and he didna' speak +like us. Still, I alloo it might have been Inverness."</p> + +<p>"And the man who was with him?"</p> + +<p>"Ye canna' tell where a man comes frae when he keeps his mouth shut, +but he was a sailor by the way he handilt the gear."</p> + +<p>Andrew asked no more questions, and they went back to the car. When +they reached Appleyard Dick met them in the hall.</p> + +<p>"I've found a way of letting you have your shooting," he said in an +apologetic tone. "Young Ross will go with you. There isn't a snipe in +the mosses he doesn't know about. If there's any sport to be had, +he'll see you get it."</p> + +<p>"I suppose this means you're going with Williamson?"</p> + +<p>"I really want to go, if you don't mind very much. I may be back +before you leave and you'll only be away a week."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Andrew, "Well, you'd better bear in mind what the +doctor told you."</p> + +<p>He moved on, frowning, and presently found Elsie in the drawing-room.</p> + +<p>"I did my best, but Dick's going with Williamson," he said. "You +didn't want him to?"</p> + +<p>"No," she answered frankly, but with some embarrassment. "Of course, +there's no obvious reason for our interfering."</p> + +<p>"That was my difficulty. Dick will soon be master here. I'm only his +guest, and Williamson is a friend of Staffer's. Nobody knows anything +against the man."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>"And yet—" Elsie stopped.</p> + +<p>"I'm vexed? You can take it that I don't like to be beaten, +particularly by my youthful cousin," Andrew answered with a smile, +wishing to allay her uneasiness.</p> + +<p>Staffer and Mrs. Woodhouse came in then; and when the party broke up +for the night, Whitney went with Andrew to his room.</p> + +<p>"I guess you noticed the coincidences that happened this evening," he +said, sitting on the broad window-seat and lighting a cigarette.</p> + +<p>"I feel rather annoyed by Dick, if that is what you mean," Andrew +replied in a discouraging tone.</p> + +<p>Whitney smiled.</p> + +<p>"Not altogether that. One,"—enumerating them on his fingers—"you try +to stop his going with the fellow and just about put it over. Two, +Staffer mentions the boat and rushes us off in his car. Three, +Marshall says the boat's all right and hints Staffer may have mistaken +his remarks. Four, we return and find that Dick has changed his plans. +Five,—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll admit that Staffer is a clever fellow," Andrew interrupted. +"I've known that for some time."</p> + +<p>"I've an idea that Mackellar's on his trail; and—well, if you need +me, I'm ready. You're playing a straight game, and I want you to win. +It would be a fine thing for you to save Dick; and Elsie expects it of +you. Then, Staffer knows he's up against you. Keep it at that; it's +quite enough for the present."</p> + +<p>"You mean there's something else going on?" Andrew said in a curiously +quiet voice.</p> + +<p>"Of course! But you want to let Staffer think you're only fighting him +for your cousin. He can un<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>derstand that and won't suspect you of +guessing he's engaged in another game. I'll play up to you as much as +I can. Staffer doesn't take much stock in me."</p> + +<p>"But what object can he have?"</p> + +<p>"Can't say," Whitney answered non-committally. "But he may be forced +to show his hand. Well, I'll get along to bed."</p> + +<p>Dick started for London with Williamson the next morning; and he let +himself go when he got there. With his companion's help, he spent +several days and the greater part of several nights in exciting +amusements and adventures. It was not often the sparkling cup of +pleasure was held out to him full, and he drained it to the dregs. As +one result of this, he did not feel quite up to the mark; but Dick was +something of a philosopher and knew that one cannot get anything +without payment. Besides, if quietness was good for him, it was to be +had in abundance at Appleyard.</p> + +<p>For all that, when he left Euston at midnight, a reaction had begun, +and he wondered whether he had made the pace too hot. On reflection, +however, he suspected that it had rather been made for him and he had +tactfully been encouraged to fall into his companion's stride. Well, +he had had a glorious time; but he wished his head did not ache so +badly and he could get rid of the unpleasant, shaky feeling that +troubled him, because there was some business he must talk over with +Williamson before they reached Rugby.</p> + +<p>"We had better get things settled now," he said. "Your friend, +Marsden, has my note for thirty pounds, but you paid the other +fellows, as well as for that supper, and the hotel bill. How much am I +in?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>Williamson took out his notebook, and Dick got a shock.</p> + +<p>"Forty pounds in an evening!" he exclaimed. "I knew I was going it, +but this is a bit of a facer. With all the other things, it's a pretty +hot pace; especially as I have just half a sovereign left."</p> + +<p>"You needn't be disturbed about it. Your promise is good enough; I can +wait."</p> + +<p>"We can't leave it at that," Dick objected, and added with a forced +grin: "Besides, you might have to wait some time."</p> + +<p>"Then what do you propose?"</p> + +<p>Dick wished his head were clearer, for he was getting dizzy.</p> + +<p>"I thought you might see Craven and arrange the thing with him. Of +course, he's holding a good lot of my paper, but he gets good +interest."</p> + +<p>Williamson produced a fountain pen and a sheet of paper.</p> + +<p>"Very well. As it happens, I expect to meet him to-morrow."</p> + +<p>It struck Dick that the man was suspiciously prompt; indeed he seemed +to have been waiting for the request.</p> + +<p>Dick suddenly felt as if he were suffocating; he could not breathe, +and his dizziness was turning to blackness. He threw up the window and +leaned his head on the sill, gasping once or twice. It was a dark +night and the express was traveling fast. Its lights sped smoothly +along the black hedgerows beside the line and flashed across water +lying on swampy fields. Blurred trees raced past, twinkling points +were suddenly pricked in the obscurity a mile away and then rushed +back and vanished, and a faint glimmer flickered in the sky<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> ahead. +Dick thought this marked Rugby, and sitting back again, he tried to +pull himself together.</p> + +<p>"I'll make it enough to cover everything and put us straight," he said +as he took the pen.</p> + +<p>He found writing difficult, for the bracing effect of the cold wind +was wearing off, but the note was written and Williamson carefully put +it into his pocket-book before looking at his watch.</p> + +<p>"We're due in a few minutes," he said. "Will you get down and have a +drink? You don't look very fit."</p> + +<p>"No," Dick answered. "If I'd had fewer drinks in town I'd probably +feel better now."</p> + +<p>The speed began to slacken and Williamson collected his belongings. +Dick handed him his coat as the train stopped, but did not shake hands +with him. Somehow he felt he would rather not. After a careless +good-by, Williamson jumped down, and Dick sat in a corner, struggling +against the faintness that was overcoming him. He would feel better +when the train started, but he must be alone; he could not have people +looking at him while he felt as he did.</p> + +<p>Nobody else got in; he heard the guard's whistle and then the engine +begin to pant. There was a jerk and the lights on the platform drifted +past; but his head was reeling and he could not get his breath. +Falling away from the corner, he made a half-conscious effort to keep +on the seat, and for some time afterward he remembered nothing.</p> + +<p>He was roused by a rattle that swelled into a roar; and, getting up +shakily, he saw the lights of a station flash past. There were other +lights all around, running back into the distance in rows, while the +red glow of fires that streamed above the roofs seemed to indicate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> a +manufacturing town. Dick noted this vacantly, for he felt weak and +cold. They must be in Lancashire, and he had lain in a dead faint for +a long time. With difficulty he pulled up the window and got back to +his corner.</p> + +<p>"If this kind of thing happens often, the fellows who hold my notes +will get a painful shock," he thought, with a wry smile, and closed +his eyes.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE WRECK</span></h2> + + +<p>Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the +<i>Rowan</i>, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway. Whitney held the helm, +his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern +the yacht was hard to steer. The small storm-jib ran water as it swung +above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and +fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of +carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across. Andrew stood in the +cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night +glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead. He saw +enough to daunt a stranger to the firth.</p> + +<p>The hills along the western shore were indicated by a vague blackness +devoid of outline, but Andrew could distinguish a belt of broken water +that stretched across his course and faded into the gloom. The backs +of the seas were toward him and he noted how their crests were cut off +by the wind as they curled against the tide, which was running down +the firth. In some places their length and regularity indicated depth +of water, but, for the most part, they boiled in frothy confusion +across the shoals. A steady beam of light stretched out from the +shore, but this was not much guide to the intricate channel through +the sands.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> While he watched, the moon came out, and as its light +widened, smooth, bright patches became visible amidst the turmoil. +These were the tops of the banks that the tide was leaving.</p> + +<p>Andrew put down the glasses and, stooping under the cabin hatch, +lighted his pipe.</p> + +<p>"It's rather late to try for Rough Firth, but I'm not sure I could +find the Barbara Deep if we let her run. If we missed it and went +ashore, she'd soon break up."</p> + +<p>"That is not to be thought of," said Whitney.</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose the proper thing would be to set the trysail and try +to beat her out; but with the tide knocking up the sea, she'd nearly +wash us off when she came on the wind."</p> + +<p>"She's wet enough running before it, and I don't feel like pumping +hard all night. Can't you think of another plan?"</p> + +<p>Andrew occupied himself with the bearing of the light, while Whitney +braced his aching arms against the tiller. He was tired; for they had +spent several nights pushing the dinghy across the flats at the head +of a distant bay, and a couple of bernicle geese and some mallards lay +in the forecastle. The last night had been passed rolling violently at +anchor on a disturbed swell, and they had been at sea since dawn in +weather that made cooking impossible and demanded constant +watchfulness.</p> + +<p>"I think," Andrew said presently, "I could find the Horseshoe Spit, +and we'd get shelter behind it. In fact, the sea shouldn't get in at +all after half ebb, and daylight won't be far off when the tide covers +the flats again."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>He took the helm and Whitney got down out of the wind and spray. +Andrew would tell him when he was wanted, and in the meantime the +sight of the wet sands that broke out from the welter of surf was not +encouraging. It was reassuring to feel that Andrew knew his business; +for if he made a mistake now, the <i>Rowan</i> would probably be hammered +to pieces in the next half hour.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, the moonlight got brighter, and when Andrew called +Whitney they were running up a channel with a strip of glistening sand +astern and a wild turmoil of foaming water close on their port hand. +This, no doubt, marked the Horseshoe Spit, with the tide streaming +across it to meet the surf. Whitney could not see how they had avoided +the bank astern; but he was not given much time to look about.</p> + +<p>"Stand by the big anchor!" Andrew called to him. "Drop it when I tell +you and let the kedge go after she sheers!"</p> + +<p>The <i>Rowan</i> came up head to wind, and Whitney was hard at work for the +next few minutes, handling heavy chain that ran out furiously and then +stopped until he dragged more up from below, paying out the thick +kedge-warp that coiled all about the deck, and lashing the thrashing +jib to the bowsprit. Then he and Andrew got the mainsail down and the +boat rode to her moorings; though she was not at rest. Sometimes the +wind drove her up against the tide and the short waves washed on deck; +sometimes the current swept her back, while the tightening cable rang +and it looked as if she must drag her anchors and ground upon the +surf-swept bank.</p> + +<p>After watching her for a few minutes, Andrew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> seemed satisfied and +they went below, where Whitney lighted the stove.</p> + +<p>"I've eaten nothing but a lump of wet bread and a bit of canned beef +since morning, and now I want a meal," he said.</p> + +<p>"Then, you'll have to hold the frying-pan on, and trim the table +cleverly if you want to keep the food off the floor."</p> + +<p>"I'll try. There's a charm in small boat sailing, but it's a charm +that only gets you by degrees, and one finds it hard to say what it +consists of on nights like this. I don't like being wet and hungry, +and I hate to feel cold, and yet here I am, in a gale of wind, behind +the Horseshoe Spit!"</p> + +<p>"It's curious," said Andrew, smiling. "I dare say there are instincts +in human nature that neither of us understands. But you'd better watch +your job; you're running the ham fat all over the stove."</p> + +<p>Whitney dished the ham and made some coffee, cut a loaf that was not +very wet, and took out a sticky jar of marmalade. Leaning forward from +the lockers, they began to eat; but care was needed in taking things +from the table, which swiveled above the centerboard-trunk, for a rash +movement would precipitate all it held upon the sloppy floorings.</p> + +<p>Whitney got rather knocked about as he put the things away. For a time +afterward he contrived to lie on the locker; then he knocked out his +pipe and sat listening. The chain cable jarred across the stem, the +halyards slapped the mast, and through the shrill scream of wind came +in deep undertone the roar of the sea.</p> + +<p>"It sounds pretty bad, but I've been banged about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> for the last twelve +hours and nobody could sleep while this racket goes on," he said. "Is +that sand hard, and could one get on to it?"</p> + +<p>"I think so, and I'd like to see the channel. We might have some +trouble in pulling across, but it will be smoother coming back."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Whitney. "Things will be a bit more comfortable +then, and I've had enough."</p> + +<p>They went on deck, but he half regretted his suggestion as they +launched the dinghy. The moon was covered by driving clouds, and in +the darkness the sea raged about the yacht. It was not high, because +the tide was falling and the water shoaling fast, but it broke angrily +and the air was thick with spray. As soon as the dinghy was overboard +they jumped into her and while Whitney got out the oars Andrew pushed +her clear of the rolling yacht. The current swept them away, but a +furious gust whipped the channel, throwing up a haze of spindrift, and +they were blown back past the <i>Rowan</i> in spite of Whitney's efforts. +It was a minute or two before he could control the craft, but he +fought his way to windward until a ridge of wet sand began to shelter +them. When this was reached they dragged her up and set off across the +bank.</p> + +<p>It was hardly possible to see a dozen yards and they struggled on with +lowered heads, sinking in oozy patches and splashing into pools. Then +the sand got firmer, and although it had been under water an hour +before, it drove past them in whistling streams. The surf roared in +the darkness with a rising and falling cadence like the roll of giant +drums, but every now and then its deep tone was drowned by the scream +of the savage wind. The men wore oilskins, sea-boots and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> sou'westers, +but the spray that swept the bank in a thin mist found out the +openings in their clothing, which the gale distended. It was difficult +to keep one's feet, and Whitney wondered rather anxiously whether +Andrew knew where he was going. Still, there was something that braced +and exhilarated one in the struggle.</p> + +<p>They had gone about a mile and a half and were near the other side of +the bank when the moon suddenly shone out. The wet sand flashed into +brightness and Whitney distinguished a belt of tossing white that was +blurred and confused in the foreground but grew into regular, foaming +lines farther off. This must be an inlet that pierced the sands; and +on looking round a little he saw a dark mass with a pole rising from +it some distance away. He touched Andrew and they made for the object.</p> + +<p>Whitney imagined it to be a perch, a spar built into a pile of stones +for a beacon. He did not expect to find anything of interest there, +but the pole had been raised by human hands, and made a landmark in +the storm-swept waste. It brought him into touch with his fellow men +in a spot where the strife of wind and sea was daunting. As they got +nearer, however, he saw that he had been mistaken. The pole was too +thick for a perch, and the black mass below did not consist of stones. +Jagged timbers stuck out from the sand like the ribs of a skeleton, +but in one place they were clothed with planks and supported a mast. +It was obviously a wreck they were approaching.</p> + +<p>They stopped to lee of the vessel, and Whitney was glad to get his +breath as he studied her. She appeared to have been a schooner of +about two hundred tons, but her after part and mainmast were gone. +The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> fore end, however, had escaped destruction, and although the +foremast slanted ominously and the topmast and yards had fallen, it +still defied the storms. Standing beneath the swell of the bows, the +men were out of the wind and could make their voices heard.</p> + +<p>"Now I see why I didn't notice a perch on the chart, though I once saw +the spar as we came down this side of the Firth," Whitney said. "It's +curious they didn't mark the wreck."</p> + +<p>"She wasn't here when the last survey was made. A coaster loaded with +coal. Somebody tried to get her cargo out, but I understand had to +give it up."</p> + +<p>Whitney had got his breath, but was silent for a time. He had camped +in the silent Canadian forests and by frozen lakes on the vast snowy +plains, but he did not think he ever had seen anything so savage and +desolate as this strip of surf-beaten sand with the wreck in its +midst. Men had hewn her timbers with skilful toil; but the sea had +shattered them, and now seemed to challenge all attempts to dispute +its power. Whitney was not unduly imaginative, but he felt depressed +and somewhat daunted. It was an eerie spot to linger in at midnight in +a gale of wind.</p> + +<p>"The fo'castle doesn't seem broken up. Can we get on board?" he said.</p> + +<p>"We'll try," Andrew replied.</p> + +<p>Climbing up by the fragments of planking attached to a rib, they +reached a strip of deck. It sloped sharply, but Andrew, grasping the +ragged bulwark, looked up.</p> + +<p>"The iron forestay's holding the mast, and there's a couple of blocks +slung round the top," he said. "If it wasn't blowing quite so hard, +I'd go up for them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> Then he caught a thin rope that ran down from +the blocks. "Good signal-halyard; I'd like to take it back, but I +didn't bring my knife."</p> + +<p>Whitney felt amused. Andrew could seldom resist the temptation of +picking up anything that might be of use on board his yacht. Indeed, +her forecastle was cumbered with what Whitney called truck.</p> + +<p>They moved forward a few paces and stopped by two curved beams that +rose above a black hole.</p> + +<p>"The remains of the fo'castle hatch. I wonder what it's like below," +Andrew said.</p> + +<p>Kneeling on the wet deck, he struck a match, which blew out; but the +next burned for a moment or two, and Whitney saw the light flicker on +dripping planks and bulging beams. It was obvious that the water +flowed into the vessel and he wondered at Andrew's curiosity. The dark +hole did not look inviting and he was anxious to return to the yacht +in good time. Still, it was bitterly cold standing in the wind.</p> + +<p>"We'll go and see, but I'll let you drop down first," he said.</p> + +<p>Andrew seized the carline-beam and vanished through the gap. There was +a splash below, and he called to Whitney to be careful how he came +down. As this was impossible, Whitney let go the beam and, touching +the vessel's keelson with his foot, fell against her planking. It +jarred him, but he got up and Andrew struck another match and stooping +down picked something out of the water that lay among the timbers.</p> + +<p>"A bit of candle!" he exclaimed. "It's going to burn."</p> + +<p>It did so after he had scraped off some smoldering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> wick and stuck it +on a massive oak knee. The wrecked bulwarks broke the wind, for only +draughts came down, and the light spread about the forecastle. There +was some sand in the vessel's bottom, and the floor and ceilings had +gone. Nothing remained but the heavy timbers and the planks bolted +fast to them. A few shrimps sped up and down a pool and a small crab +that made a crackling noise crawled into a corner. Andrew examined the +beams and knees with interest.</p> + +<p>"These old vessels were very well built," he said. "They used picked +material, cutting out the sapwood and seeing that the grain followed +the curve where there was any shape. She broke up aft in pounding with +the coal on board, but now that it's gone, this part of her may stand +a long time. Good, salted oak will last for many years under water."</p> + +<p>"How did they get the coal away?" Whitney asked.</p> + +<p>"They didn't get much. I wasn't here when they tried to salve it, but +I believe they used carts."</p> + +<p>"Then you can reach land at low water?"</p> + +<p>"They must have been able to reach it then, though I'm not sure you +could do so now, because the channels are continually changing. It's +possible they had to drive through water that may have got deeper +since; and the tide would not allow them much time for work. I dare +say that stopped the undertaking; and haulage would be expensive, +because it's two or three miles from the beach."</p> + +<p>"How long is it since they let up?"</p> + +<p>"About two years; I can't say exactly." Andrew stopped to light his +pipe, and then asked with a smile: "Do you think of trying for the +coal?"</p> + +<p>"I was wondering whether the men who quit the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> business left that +candle. Would a candle burn after rolling about for two years in salt +water?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know; it's an interesting point," Andrew replied +thoughtfully, and moved toward a timber from which he scraped a patch +of grease. "It was stuck on here when it was used and that must have +been after she took the sharp list. If she'd been upright, the flame +would have scorched the knee and I see no sign of that."</p> + +<p>"Would she list over when she struck the bank?"</p> + +<p>Andrew knitted his brows as if the question were an important one.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure. She'd have a full cargo, and these vessels are built +with flat floors to lie on the ground. It's only westerly breezes that +drive much broken water up the Firth, and though she lists to the +east, she hasn't gone very far over yet."</p> + +<p>"In short, the chances are that she stood nearly upright when they +were working at the coal."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Andrew gravely, "I think she did."</p> + +<p>Whitney was silent for a moment or two, listening to the turmoil of +the sea and the uproar of the gale that filled the shadowy hold with +confused sound, through which came the steady trickle of water running +out on the sand. He felt that the wreck had a secret.</p> + +<p>"You must see what I'm getting after," he said. "It looks as if +somebody had been here since the salvers gave her up."</p> + +<p>Andrew nodded.</p> + +<p>"The blocks on the masthead are not the kind they'd use for heaving +cargo out; besides, they'd want a gaff. Then the signal-halyard felt +quite sound."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>"If you wanted to get on board, would you take a whammel boat?"</p> + +<p>"It depends. A whammeler couldn't get alongside if it was blowing from +the west; and since the tide runs out fast she'd have to leave early +on the ebb. If she came on the flood, the wreck would soon be +covered."</p> + +<p>"Then anybody who meant to get on board would, if possible, walk +across the sands, which narrows things down. Now we come to another +point. Why would anybody wish to board her?"</p> + +<p>Andrew said nothing for a minute and then answered thoughtfully:</p> + +<p>"Of course, I've seen where you were leading. The signal-halyard would +lift the steel triangle they use with a wireless installation, and +they'd get some height at the masthead. Besides, messages travel +farthest at night; and the operator wouldn't be seen crossing the +sands. I don't know whether he could carry the necessary apparatus, +but he might hide it in a watertight box. The candle will be out in a +minute, so we can't look."</p> + +<p>"You don't know yet if he could cross the sands."</p> + +<p>"That's true. I'm going to find out. You had better climb up while the +light lasts."</p> + +<p>Whitney reached the deck with some difficulty, and it was dark below +when Andrew joined him.</p> + +<p>"We haven't much time to lose if we're to see whether it's possible to +get here from the beach."</p> + +<p>They dropped over the side and set off across the bank. The wind +buffeted them and driving sand rattled on their oilskins. Whitney +hoped that Andrew was going straight, because the moon was obscured<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +again, and the Solway tide rises remarkably fast. For a time they saw +nothing but shallow pools in winding hollows and balls of foam that +seemed half solidified as they blew along the ground. Whitney thought +it must be past low-water, but Andrew trudged quietly on and he made +no protest. At last they came to a broad stream of water, and he noted +with mixed feelings that there was no way of getting round. He was not +sorry that it threatened to stop their advance; but his comrade was +not easily daunted and might try to wade across.</p> + +<p>"As there's not likely to be another big gutter between us and the +beach, it would be a pity to turn back now," Andrew shouted.</p> + +<p>"I'll wait and see how you get on," Whitney replied.</p> + +<p>Andrew plunged in and was soon knee-deep. When he had gone a few yards +farther, the water splashed about the skirts of his oilskin jacket and +he came out.</p> + +<p>"We might have crossed, but the bottom's soft, and there's some +stream," he said.</p> + +<p>"Which way is it running?"</p> + +<p>"Up, but not very fast yet."</p> + +<p>"Then we're going back at once," Whitney said firmly.</p> + +<p>They started, and Whitney did his best as he heard the growl of the +surf grow louder. It would be remarkably unpleasant to find themselves +cut off from the dinghy, and there were several gutters to be crossed, +with the tide steadily running up. Andrew seemed to realize this, for +he went on a quick trot, the water pumping into his sea-boots. It was +easier to make progress with the gale behind them, and Whitney felt +relieved when they passed the wreck at some dis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>tance. Andrew was +heading straight across the sands, though Whitney could not tell what +he was steering by. After a time, they came to a stretch of water that +widened as they splashed through, but when they had floundered across +the soft sand at its edge and reached a higher level they were +comparatively safe. Breathing hard, they made their way across firmer +ground, and Whitney was conscious of keen satisfaction when he saw the +dinghy lying a few yards from the glistening water.</p> + +<p>When they had launched her, the wind blew them towards the <i>Rowan</i>, +and they were soon on board. She was riding easier, and would continue +to do so for a while.</p> + +<p>"Have you decided whether it's possible to wade out to the wreck?" +Whitney asked as they took off their wet oilskins.</p> + +<p>"I think it is," said Andrew. "There was about three feet of water in +the gutter that turned us back; but the tides are low now and don't +run out very far. As they get higher, the gutter would dry toward the +last of the ebb."</p> + +<p>"The last of the ebb on a big tide would be between five and seven +o'clock, and it would be dark then, night and morning," Whitney +remarked. "This means that, supposing there was a wireless +installation, it could be used only at fixed intervals; roughly +speaking, it wouldn't be available one week out of two."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Andrew. "It rather upsets the supposition, but we may find +out something more."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">A FAIR ALLY</span></h2> + + +<p>It was bright afternoon, and Elsie sat beside a tea-table on the lawn +at Appleyard, with Williamson standing beside her. The days were +getting short, but the screen of stiff silver-firs kept off the light +wind, and strong sunshine warmed the air. It was what the Scot calls a +pet day; one borrowed from a finer season, and to be made the most of +when winter was close at hand. Madge Whitney lay in a canvas lounge +nearer the shelter of the trees, talking to Andrew, and several young +men and women stood about the tennis net across the lawn. They seemed +to be engaged in a good-humored dispute and their laughter followed a +remark of Dick's.</p> + +<p>Williamson glanced at his companion and saw that her eyes were fixed +upon the boy. They were grave, and her expression was preoccupied, but +he did not see the softness he had expected. Indeed, her interest in +Dick was puzzling, because he did not think it was altogether +accounted for by the hints Staffer had given him, and this was a point +upon which he wished to be enlightened. Williamson knew something +about women, but, for the most part, they were not women of very high +character. With these he was not a favorite, although he was a clever +talker and his manners were good.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>"You do play tennis sometimes," Elsie said after a silence.</p> + +<p>Williamson smiled. Her meaning was obvious.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, but one feels lazy now and then; and I imagined you let me +stay because you wanted to talk to me! Was I wrong?"</p> + +<p>"No," answered Elsie; and he noted her unmoved calm.</p> + +<p>She was young, but he had not expected shy hesitation or forced +boldness from her. He was, however, surprised when she said nothing +for the next minute; for he had usually found that an inexperienced +antagonist shirks the strain of silence. Then he indicated Dick, who +had just returned a difficult ball.</p> + +<p>"He plays a good game."</p> + +<p>"Dick does a number of things pretty well, although there's none at +which he really excels. I don't know which is the more useful—"</p> + +<p>"You like a man to have some salient point of skill or character that +those who know him can rely upon?"</p> + +<p>He noticed her glance wander and did not know that she was half +instinctively looking for Andrew, but it rested again on Dick, +brooding but calm. Williamson saw that she felt no keen animosity +against himself. She knew or suspected that they were, in some +respects, opponents, but this did not make her vindictive. She would +take the course she had determined on without hating him. This +indicated strength of character, but it was too detached an attitude +for a young girl fighting for her lover.</p> + +<p>"Dick looks better than he did," he remarked to give her an opening.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Elsie, fixing her eyes quietly on his face;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> "very much +better than he did when he came home from town."</p> + +<p>Williamson admired her courage.</p> + +<p>"For which you held me to blame!" he said.</p> + +<p>"Partly to blame."</p> + +<p>"Well, I see you're trying to be fair, though I'm half afraid you +failed. But since you meant to raise this point, I must warn you +against looking at things out of their right perspective. It makes +those in the foreground appear too big."</p> + +<p>"You mean one should not exaggerate their relative importance?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly. You must, for example, allow for the exhilarating effect a +change of air has on a young man fresh from the country who spends a +few days in town. Remember that Dick leads a very quiet and monotonous +life at Appleyard."</p> + +<p>"A sober life is much the best for him."</p> + +<p>Williamson wondered whether she spoke with naïve girlish prudery; if +not, there was something he ought to know.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's best for everybody; but we don't all like it, and a +change is bracing," he answered with a smile. "I suppose you are +looking at the thing from the moral standpoint."</p> + +<p>"Not exclusively. Dick will soon be master at Appleyard, and that will +bring him duties he ought to be fitting himself for. Then you may not +know that he is not very strong."</p> + +<p>"I guessed something of the kind, but a few late nights and a little +excitement can't do much harm."</p> + +<p>Elsie looked at him with thoughtful eyes.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>"Possibly not, in most cases, but they are bad for Dick."</p> + +<p>"If you would be quite frank it would help." Williamson was anxious to +learn why quietness was necessary for the lad. "We might get on better +if we understood each other."</p> + +<p>"Have I not been frank? You could hardly have expected me to say as +much as I have, even. But I am not Dick's doctor."</p> + +<p>Williamson felt baffled, but he would not show it.</p> + +<p>"You feel that I ought to have looked after Dick better. I think +that's hardly just, because I have, of course, no control over him."</p> + +<p>"You are an older man, and he is easily led. A hint would have gone a +long way, and he doesn't resent good-humored firmness from those he +likes."</p> + +<p>"You suggest that he likes me?"</p> + +<p>"One can't tell," said Elsie in a quiet voice.</p> + +<p>"Well, you must see how awkwardly I'm placed. I can't defend myself +without attacking Dick, and you wouldn't like that. Suppose I hinted +that he insisted on following his bent although I tried to restrain +him?"</p> + +<p>"Did you?"</p> + +<p>Williamson hesitated, which was an unusual thing. He had no +sentimental respect for girlish inexperience, but he could not make +the direct statement that would have cleared him. He reflected with a +touch of ironical amusement that Elsie would not be deceived.</p> + +<p>"It was really difficult to interfere, but I did try a tactful hint," +he said with an indulgent air. "Perhaps the way you regard the thing +is natural and deserves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> some sympathy, but I must say I feel a little +hurt. It looks as if you thought I had some object in encouraging Dick +to be extravagant and rash."</p> + +<p>"No; I can't see what you would gain," Elsie replied thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's some relief; but what do you want now? A promise that, +at the risk of offending him, I'll be very firm in future?"</p> + +<p>Elsie was silent for a moment and then looked at him calmly.</p> + +<p>"I don't think I will ask you for this," she said.</p> + +<p>She rose, and Williamson turned away, feeling somewhat annoyed with +himself. Elsie had not asked for his promise, because she thought it +would not be kept. He had failed to convince her, and her opposition +must be reckoned with. Then, what she had said about excitement being +bad for Dick had roused his keen curiosity. The girl was inexperienced +and had used no artifice, but he did not think she could have played +her part better. Staffer apparently believed that she and Andrew +Johnstone were not important; but Williamson thought him mistaken. +While he crossed the lawn Madge Whitney watched him with a smile.</p> + +<p>"That man," she remarked to Andrew, "has just got a set down, but I +imagine Elsie has been wasting her time."</p> + +<p>"It looks as if you knew what they had been talking about," Andrew +replied.</p> + +<p>Madge's eyes twinkled.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course I do! You must remember that I've been here a week, +noticing things. Elsie doesn't like the man, and the only reason she +could have for talking to him confidentially is that she wanted to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +warn him to keep his hands off Dick. But I don't think he will."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Andrew said sharply. "It's curious that you—"</p> + +<p>"Shall I finish what you meant to say? It's curious that although I +haven't had much opportunity for seeing what is going on, I should +agree with the conclusion you have come to after mature deliberation. +Well, if you're afraid of complimenting me on my cleverness, you can +account for it by remembering that I'm an American. Of course, this +doesn't make me anything the less of an outsider."</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean that you were an outsider."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you didn't. It was your Scottish reserve that made you hate +to talk about your family affairs; but Jim, who counts you as his +partner, has told me something. Then I don't mind telling you that I +like you and admire what you are trying to do. However, we'll keep to +the point. Williamson is leading your cousin into extravagance with +some object."</p> + +<p>"I believe that's true," Andrew agreed quietly. "After all, you were +right to some extent, about my reserve; but now if you can help me +I'll be very glad. It isn't an easy job I have undertaken."</p> + +<p>"Very well. I'll begin by telling you something. The evening +Williamson arrived, I was coming down to dinner before the rest—I +afterward found my watch was fast. When I got to the gallery at the +top of the stairs I stopped; it's rather dark where you come out of +the passage, you know. Dick was standing by the fire in the hall and +his manner indicated that he was waiting for somebody. As I hesitated, +Williamson came out of the opposite passage and went down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>stairs, but +his quick glance around showed he wanted to be sure there was nobody +but Dick about. I saw Dick's face, and it was eager. Williamson gave +him two or three bits of paper that looked like bank-notes."</p> + +<p>"If Dick had given them to Williamson, I could have understood it +better," Andrew interrupted.</p> + +<p>"Yes; the explanation would then have been obvious; but what I saw +suggests something graver. Dick went away, looking relieved; but +Williamson moved toward the stairs and then turned back, and a few +moments afterward Staffer came in. He said, 'So you have seen him!'"</p> + +<p>Andrew made an abrupt movement, but said nothing.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you see the significance of this?" Madge said.</p> + +<p>It was plain to Andrew that Staffer had known, and no doubt approved, +of the transaction between Williamson and Dick.</p> + +<p>"Yes; and I feel disturbed about it."</p> + +<p>"Well," continued Madge, "I went back quietly and didn't come down for +some time; but I watched the three men at dinner. Williamson spoke to +Dick as if he had not seen him since he came, and Dick said he was +sorry he wasn't able to meet him at the station. In fact, they rather +overdid it; and Staffer seemed to think so, because he stopped them. +Then, perhaps, because he felt relieved, Dick—"</p> + +<p>"Drank more than usual?" Andrew suggested grimly when she hesitated. +"I noticed that. Well, since you have seen so much, I'm glad to have +you on my side, particularly if you can tell me what I ought to do. +I'll admit that I don't know."</p> + +<p>"I think you should watch and do what seems plainly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> needful, but +nothing more. Don't try to make clever plans, but take Mackellar into +your confidence."</p> + +<p>"You haven't met him," Andrew said in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Jim has, and I know what he thinks of him."</p> + +<p>Andrew took her advice and soon afterward left Appleyard in the +side-car. Whitney let the high-powered bicycle go when they turned +into the main western road, which runs, straight and level, along the +Solway, and they reached Dumfries in an hour. Mackellar had not left +his office and in five minutes Andrew had made the situation plain. +Mackellar pondered it silently for a time, and then looked up.</p> + +<p>"Weel," he said, "it gets interesting and I must set to work. I'll let +ye know when I have anything to report."</p> + +<p>Andrew, knowing his man, was satisfied with this. He and Whitney drove +home at full speed, and arrived before their absence had been noticed. +Williamson left the next morning, and Madge Whitney a few days +afterward, and nothing of importance happened during the following +week; but Mackellar had, in the meantime, been carrying out a plan +that was to have some influence upon Williamson's affairs.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">A BARGAIN</span></h2> + + +<p>There was no Sunday delivery of letters, and one Monday morning +Williamson sat rather anxiously watching the road outside a small +country house beside the Tweed. One of the tall gateposts at the end +of the drive had sunk to a slant and the gravel had not been rolled or +raked for some time. The borders round the lawn hinted at economy in +bedding out and gardener's hire, and the old house had a dilapidated +look. These things were significant and explained why Williamson had +been received there as a paying guest, with the privilege of some +rough shooting and salmon-fishing.</p> + +<p>He could have found cheaper quarters, but the place suited him. For +one thing, his residence there gave him a certain standing in the +country, and his host, a decayed Scottish gentleman, was getting old +and left him alone. He could go and come as he liked without exciting +remark, and the people he met were well bred and not imaginative. +Since he had been received by his host, they took it for granted that +he was a man one could be friendly with.</p> + +<p>The postman at last dismounted from his bicycle at the gate. It is +customary in that neighborhood to meet the post, but Williamson sat +still, as if he did not expect any letters. The man gave him three +before he went on to the house, and Williamson put them down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> and +carelessly lighted his pipe. He had learned to exercise caution in +such details, though he felt disturbed as he recognized the writing.</p> + +<p>The first curtly reminded him that payment for the hire of a motor car +was two months overdue. The second enclosed a statement of a +fashionable tailor's account, which included an expensive fur coat; +but there was no difference in the hand. Williamson knew it well; +indeed, he had two or three similar demands in his pocket. Each ended +with an intimation that unless payment were made within a specified +time, proceedings would be taken to enforce it.</p> + +<p>Williamson put down the notes and vacantly looked about. Not far away, +the Tweed, sparkling in the sunshine, ran through a wooded hollow +where beeches gleamed ruddy-brown among somber firs. Two men with guns +upon their shoulders were crossing the steep stubble that glittered +with melting hoar frost on the breast of a neighboring hill, and a +keeper with a couple of setters stood at the gate. Williamson was to +have gone shooting with his host; but now he must excuse himself, for +he had something of importance to think about.</p> + +<p>His expenses were heavy, for it was important that he should pass for +a sporting man of means, and he was a good shot and skilful with the +salmon rod. As a rule, he had money enough for his needs, but his +supplies had been irregular since the war began, and as he had +luxurious tastes his debts had mounted up. Of late, his creditors had +grown impatient, but it was curious they should all have asked the +same lawyer to enforce their claims. This could not have happened by +coincidence. It looked as if somebody, who must<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> have taken a good +deal of trouble to investigate his affairs, meant to put some pressure +on him. This was alarming, for several reasons; and as he could not +pay his debts in the time allowed, he determined to call upon the +lawyer and see what he could find out.</p> + +<p>There was, however, another matter that demanded attention, and as he +took up a letter with the Newcastle postmark the Tweed drew his eyes +again. It reminded him of a wider river with older associations; a +river where terraced vineyards rose steeply from the waterside, +instead of the rounded Scottish hills, and barges slowly floating past +ancient towns. His expression changed and grew resolute as he thought +of it.</p> + +<p>Opening the envelope he found, as he expected, a short note folded +round a letter. The note said that he would, no doubt, like to hear +how Jack was getting on in Holland, and ended with a few references to +mutual acquaintances. The letter was of some length, and narrated in +gossiping style its writer's business journey to several Dutch towns. +Williamson, however, knew that there was more in it than met the eye, +and he went to excuse himself from joining the shooting party. After +this, he spent some time studying the letter in his room, and when he +had burned it he went at once to the station.</p> + +<p>Leaving the train at an old country town, he called at the lawyer's +office and was received by a suave elderly gentleman.</p> + +<p>"It was my unpleasant duty to send you these notices," the lawyer said +with an apologetic air. "I appreciate your prompt response, and expect +the little matter will now be put right. You must admit that the +creditors have exercised some patience."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>"But don't mean to do so any longer, eh? That is really what I came to +see about."</p> + +<p>"Of course you understand that the war has made money tight. My +clients inform me that they find themselves compelled to press for +outstanding accounts and to take a course that in a happier state of +things they would not employ."</p> + +<p>"Then I am to understand that these notices will be acted upon?"</p> + +<p>"I think you can take that for granted," the lawyer answered in a +deprecatory tone. "However, there is a way in which you can obviate +all trouble to yourself and me—I mean by paying what is due at once."</p> + +<p>Williamson looked at him with a grim smile.</p> + +<p>"It sounds simple, but there are difficulties. Now, I can pay these +bills, but not in the time mentioned. Have you power to extend it?"</p> + +<p>"No; but if you will make me an offer I will consult my clients."</p> + +<p>"That would cause some delay. As I want the matter settled, I would +prefer to call upon the man who has brought it to a head. Will you +tell me his name?"</p> + +<p>Williamson had hoped to catch the lawyer off his guard, but his amused +expression showed him that he had failed.</p> + +<p>"There are several names. You know the people."</p> + +<p>"Of course; but suppose you admit that I have some intelligence and +try to look at the matter from my point of view."</p> + +<p>"It would be difficult, for the want of practise," the lawyer answered +dryly. "I have no debts."</p> + +<p>"Still, if you had several creditors who lived in different places and +simultaneously put their claims into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> the hands of one particular +lawyer, what would you think?"</p> + +<p>"It might be accounted for very simply. I believe I am known as a +businesslike, trustworthy man."</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt it; but I suspect another explanation. There is +somebody behind these people who has persuaded them to stop my credit +or has bought up the debts. He must have a reason for this, and if I +could talk it over privately with him, it would simplify things."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure that follows," said the lawyer. "All I can tell you +is that the bills have been sent to me for collection and unless they +are met I shall reluctantly be forced to—"</p> + +<p>"Just so," Williamson interrupted. "At present, I cannot say whether +they will be met or not. I'm afraid we must leave it at that. And now, +good day."</p> + +<p>A clerk politely showed him out; and he reached the station in time to +catch an Edinburgh train. There was no one else in the compartment he +entered, and he sat in a corner, thinking hard. Though he had not +learned much he felt that he was right in his surmise. Some one was +trying to put pressure on him through his creditors. His first guess +at his unknown antagonist's object caused him serious alarm; but after +some reflection he dismissed it with relief as improbable and sought +for another explanation.</p> + +<p>To begin with, he must first discover the identity of his enemy. His +suspicions centered on Appleyard. Andrew Johnstone was certainly +hostile, on his cousin's account; and it was possible that he had been +helped by Mackellar, whom Williamson had met at Appleyard. He +determined to see Mackellar; but he could not do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> so until next day, +for a more important matter demanded attention first.</p> + +<p>Getting out at the Waverley station, he took a cable tram, and, +leaving it on the outskirts of the city, walked on to Leith. Here at +dusk he met a man dressed like a sailor, and spent an hour with him in +the back room of a public house. When they came out the sailor +disappeared in the darkness and Williamson returned to Edinburgh, +where he dined and slept at a fashionable hotel. The next morning he +went to Glasgow, and left it shortly after his arrival by a train +which took him to Dumfries. It was not without a reason he had +traveled by three different railways. Williamson generally tried to +cover his tracks.</p> + +<p>After lunch at the station hotel, he walked down the narrow High +Street and stopped at a garage, to order a motorcycle to be ready in +half an hour. Then, by an indirect route, he went to Mackellar's +offices.</p> + +<p>As it happened, Mackellar was then talking to Andrew and Whitney in +his private room, and he smiled as he showed them Williamson's card.</p> + +<p>"Maybe ye had better ask Mr. Davies to let ye out by the back," he +said. "If ye call again in half an hour, I may have some news."</p> + +<p>"I wonder how Williamson got here?" Andrew said when they reached the +street. "There's no train that connects with the North British."</p> + +<p>"Came in a car, perhaps," Whitney suggested. "Somehow, I'd like to +know. Let's try our garage; everybody puts up there."</p> + +<p>They went to the garage and Whitney began to make an unnecessary +adjustment to the engine of his side-car.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>"I suppose Mr. Williamson comes here when he's in town?" he said to a +man at work near by.</p> + +<p>"Yes," the man answered. "He's in town the noo."</p> + +<p>"Did Mr. Staffer bring him in his car?"</p> + +<p>"She's no' in the yard, and Mr. Williamson's for Castle Douglas." The +man indicated the motorcycle on which he was working. "I'm tightening +her up for the run; no' that she needs it much. Mr. Williamson kens a +good machine and always asks for her."</p> + +<p>"Is there anything doing at Castle Douglas to-day?"</p> + +<p>"No' that I've heard of. He's for the moors, I'm thinking. There's a +gun-case to be strapped on the carrier; but if ye're wanting to see +him ye must leave word at the office. I'll be away at another job +before he comes in."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't matter; we may meet him," Whitney answered carelessly; and +he and Andrew strolled away.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "we have learned something! It seems Williamson's in +the habit of hiring a motorcycle here. Has he any friends in Galloway +who might give him some shooting?"</p> + +<p>"None that I know of," Andrew replied with a puzzled look.</p> + +<p>"I guess you noted that he makes a curious choice of a machine. She's +good—I know that make—but I can't see why he picks a single-cylinder +lightweight when they've several full-powered machines on the stand. +Looks as if he expected he'd have to wheel her. What's the Castle +Douglas road like?"</p> + +<p>"It's the highway to the west, and we keep our main roads in good +order."</p> + +<p>"You certainly do," Whitney agreed. "But I stick<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> to my opinion that +he has some particular reason for choosing a light machine." He +hesitated a moment. "I don't want to butt in, and as the fellow's a +family friend, it's delicate ground; but if you feel you'd like a run +through Galloway—"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we'd better go; but we'll see first what Mackellar has to +say."</p> + +<p>They walked down to the bridge foot, to pass the time; and in the +meanwhile Mackellar received Williamson.</p> + +<p>"You wished to see me?" he said.</p> + +<p>Williamson took out the bills and the lawyer's letters and put them on +Mackellar's desk.</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether you know anything about these?"</p> + +<p>"I know the gentleman who seems to have charge of the matter. Why do +you ask?"</p> + +<p>"Because I prefer to deal with the principal instead of an agent. It +saves time, and one arrives at an understanding easier."</p> + +<p>"In this case there's no great difficulty. Ye have only to pay the +bills."</p> + +<p>"Precisely," agreed Williamson. "They can be paid—that's worth +noting—but not just yet."</p> + +<p>Mackellar understood this as a hint that the power Williamson's debts +gave his antagonist was only temporary.</p> + +<p>"In the meantime, ye might be put to some inconvenience," he replied. +"One cannot proceed against a man for debt without publicity, which is +apt to be damaging, and unpleasant to his friends."</p> + +<p>"Exactly. That is what I want to avoid."</p> + +<p>"And yet ye cannot pay the bills! Weel, ye are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> doubtless aware that +one gets nothing for nothing, and since ye must ask for some delay, +what could ye offer by way of consideration?"</p> + +<p>"To begin with, I should like to hear what the principal, the man who +stands behind my creditors, wants." Williamson paused and added +meaningly: "I think you know."</p> + +<p>Mackellar was silent for a few moments.</p> + +<p>"I'll no' deny it," he then said. "Would ye be willing to produce the +notes of hand and the long-date bills Dick Johnstone has given ye and +cancel them on payment of the money lent with current interest up to +date? If ye insist, we might allow a little more interest, because ye +took some risk."</p> + +<p>"I'd be willing to give up one or two," Williamson answered with some +hesitation.</p> + +<p>"But no' the rest, which are no' in your hands?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose I must admit that. But what did you mean by saying I took a +risk?"</p> + +<p>"We'll talk of that again. Are ye willing to give your word that ye'll +lend Mr. Johnstone no more money, make no fresh bet with him, and no' +help him to negotiate a loan?"</p> + +<p>"Is that all?" Williamson asked with a touch of sarcasm.</p> + +<p>"I think the matter could be arranged on the terms I have laid down."</p> + +<p>On the whole Williamson was conscious of relief. To do as Mackellar +asked would place him in an embarrassing position, but he had been +afraid of something much worse.</p> + +<p>"It needs thought," he said.</p> + +<p>"Then I will give ye five minutes; but it may help<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> ye to decide if I +explain why ye took a risk. Ye're maybe aware that there's legislation +about a minor's debts."</p> + +<p>"Dick Johnstone would not make that excuse for disowning his +obligations."</p> + +<p>"I'm no' sure ye would have to deal with him," said Mackellar +meaningly. "Dick has no doubt been borrowing money on promises to pay +when Appleyard is his. Weel, it's no' certain that he'll live until he +gets possession."</p> + +<p>"Nor may the lenders, for that matter!"</p> + +<p>"Verra true," Mackellar agreed. "For a' that, the chances against +Dick's reaching twenty-one are greater than usual. It seems ye do not +know that two doctors would not pass him for the army."</p> + +<p>"On what grounds?" Williamson asked with some sharpness.</p> + +<p>"A weak heart that might stop the first time he was over-excited or +over-exerted himself."</p> + +<p>Williamson was silent for some moments. He knew Dick was not strong; +but Staffer, who must have known the truth, had not told him how grave +the danger was.</p> + +<p>"Still, suppose the worst happened. The new owner would not repudiate +his kinsman's debts."</p> + +<p>"Who do ye take the heir to be?"</p> + +<p>"Staffer."</p> + +<p>Mackellar looked at him with dry amusement.</p> + +<p>"Did he tell ye so?"</p> + +<p>"No," Williamson said thoughtfully. "I can't remember that he ever did +say that exactly, but I was led to understand from the beginning +that—"</p> + +<p>"Appleyard would be his? Weel, perhaps I may<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> tell ye something about +the family's affairs. Dick's father left the house and land to the +lad, with a reversion to the next o' kin, in case he died before +inheriting. Mistress Johnstone got a separate portion and power to +manage the estate for her son's benefit until he came of age, subject +to the approval of the executors. She could appoint a guardian for the +lad, to superintend his education, but she could not alienate a yard +of land. It was not a will that I approved of, but Mr. Johnstone was +very ill when he made it and did not listen to my objections. Maybe he +hardly expected his widow to marry again. Mr. Staffer, who acted as +steward for his wife, now acts for Dick; but there his interest ends."</p> + +<p>"Then, in the event of Dick's death, who gets the estate?"</p> + +<p>"Andrew Johnstone."</p> + +<p>Williamson got a double shock. Staffer, whom he had regarded as the +next heir, had not been straight with him; and he knew that Andrew +would be difficult to deal with. Besides, if Dick did reach twenty-one +Staffer's influence would cease. Mackellar was right: a serious risk +attended the discounting of bills by which Dick raised money for +gambling and similar extravagances. Since Staffer had played him a +shabby trick in leaving him in ignorance, Williamson need not consider +him and could look after his own interests.</p> + +<p>"Very well," he said, "I'm ready to give you the promise you want if +we can come to terms."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll pay off any notes of Dick's that ye may bring me, with +interest at two per cent. above the bank rate. If this will not enable +ye to satisfy your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> creditors, I'll engage that they will give ye +another six months."</p> + +<p>"It's enough," said Williamson. "But of course you see that when I +have satisfied them your hold on me has gone."</p> + +<p>Mackellar smiled.</p> + +<p>"Verra true; but I believe I've shown ye that it would be wiser to +leave Dick alone. I'm thinking ye have sense enough to take a hint and +keep your word."</p> + +<p>"You'll find that I mean to do so," Williamson replied.</p> + +<p>Soon after he went out, Andrew and Whitney returned. Mackellar told +them what Williamson had promised, and added:</p> + +<p>"The man might have been dangerous, but we need not fear any further +trouble from him. There are two points worth noting, though I cannot +tell whether they concern us or not. He's anxious to avoid anything +that might damage his credit and make him leave this part of the +country; and he expects some money before long. Can ye account for +this?"</p> + +<p>They discussed the matter for a few minutes; and then Andrew and +Whitney hurried back to the garage.</p> + +<p>"Our man must be some distance ahead," Whitney said. "We may even lose +him."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">TRAILING THE MOTORCYCLE</span></h2> + + +<p>For a few minutes Whitney's machine turned in and out of narrow +streets between rows of tall, old houses, and then went cautiously +down the dip to the Nith. There was some traffic on the bridge, and +when they had crossed, carts encumbered the road on the Galloway side. +Whitney fumed at the delay; but he opened out his engine as they +entered a stretch of open road, and the wind began to fan Andrew's +face.</p> + +<p>For a mile in front of them the river-plain ran level, the stubble +shining yellow among squares of pasture and the dark green of +turnip-fields; then a ridge of hills rose steeply across their way. +The sun that flooded the valley with mellow light was getting low, and +while the trees upon the summit of the ridge stood out sharply +distinct, the wooded slopes were steeped in soft blue shadow.</p> + +<p>"Looks like a climb," Whitney remarked. "I suppose we go right up +there?"</p> + +<p>"Maxwellton braes," said Andrew. "I expect you have heard of then. +It's an easy gradient up a long glen."</p> + +<p>"Then sit tight, and we'll rush her up on the top gear."</p> + +<p>The dust whirled behind them, and the cropped hedgerows spun past; +they swung giddily round a curve<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> at a bridge, and the throb of the +engine grew louder as they breasted the hill. Dark firs streamed down +to meet them; here and there a leafless birch and an oak that gleamed +like burnished copper swept by. There was a tinkle of running water in +the wood; and, now that they were out of the sunshine, the air felt +keen. Ahead, the ascending road unrolled like a white riband through +faint, shifting lights and lilac shadow.</p> + +<p>Soon the glen ran out into a wide hollow that led westward across a +tableland. Low, green hills with gently rounded tops shut off the +rugged moors beyond; the shallow vale was cultivated and tame, but the +road was good, and Andrew felt the thrill of speed. Long fields and +stone dykes swept behind into the trail of dust. The sun sank toward a +bank of slate-colored cloud; its rays raked the valley, throwing the +black shadows of the scattered ash-trees far across the fields.</p> + +<p>Andrew kept his eyes fixed steadily upon the road. This ran, for the +most part, straight and level; but, though they were traveling very +fast, there was no speeding streak of dust ahead.</p> + +<p>After a time a long white village rose from the rolling pasture; and +when they ran in among the low houses Whitney pulled up. There was a +smith's shop by the roadside, and a man stood outside, holding a +cartwheel, while another moved a glowing iron hoop amid the flame of a +circular fire.</p> + +<p>"You have been watching that tire heat for a while, I guess," said +Whitney.</p> + +<p>"Lang enough," the other answered. "She's no' stretching weel."</p> + +<p>"Then have you seen a small, black motorcycle pass?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>"No; there was a big gray yin, an' anither with a side-car."</p> + +<p>"How long have you been outside?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe twenty minutes; maybe a few mair."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," said Whitney; and started the motorcycle.</p> + +<p>"It's curious. He's traveling light, but I don't think a +single-cylinder engine could beat the machine I'm driving by a quarter +of an hour. Anyhow, I'll try to speed her up."</p> + +<p>The sunlight faded off the grass as they raced away; the slaty clouds +rolled higher up the sky; and the wind that whipped their faces bit +keen. Andrew was swung to and fro in the rocking car, and sometimes +felt uneasy when his comrade dashed furiously round the bends; but for +most of the way the road ran straight, and they could see nothing on +the long, white streak ahead. After a time they came to a narrow loch, +ruffled by the wind, that lay in a lonely, grassy waste, and as they +ran past the thin wood on its edge Andrew asked Whitney to stop.</p> + +<p>"A motor scout," he said, indicating a man in uniform who rode +leisurely toward them on a bicycle.</p> + +<p>The scout dismounted when they called to him, and said he had left +Castle Douglas an hour before and had kept to the main road, but had +not seen a single-cylinder motorcycle. They let him go and Whitney +lighted a cigarette.</p> + +<p>"Now," he said, "we have to think. Our man pulled out for Castle +Douglas, but hasn't gone there; my notion is that he didn't mean to. +Where's he likely to have headed?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>"It's hard to tell. A road runs northwest to New Galloway, but I can't +see what would take him there. It's a small place on the edge of the +moors."</p> + +<p>"And right away from the Eskdale road!" Whitney ejaculated, looking +hard at him.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Andrew quietly, "I'll admit I thought of that."</p> + +<p>"As a matter of fact, you've been thinking of something like it for +quite a time."</p> + +<p>Andrew was silent for a moment or two.</p> + +<p>"There was a chance of my being mistaken," he said slowly. "However, I +now feel that it's my duty to get upon the fellow's track, if I can."</p> + +<p>"Would you rather I dropped out?"</p> + +<p>Andrew knew that the suggestion was prompted by delicacy, but he made +a negative sign.</p> + +<p>"After all, you know something, and may as well know the rest—if +there is anything more to learn. Besides, you're quicker than I am in +several ways, and I might want you."</p> + +<p>"When you do, you'll find me ready," Whitney answered. "But we'll get +back to business. Which way do you suppose he's gone?"</p> + +<p>"On the whole, I think south toward Dalbeattie; it's nearer the +Solway. As it might be better to follow the road he'd take, we'll have +to run back nearly to Dumfries."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," said Whitney. "Get in. She seems to be feeling +particularly good to-day, and I'm going to let her hum."</p> + +<p>They raced back eastward while the distant hills turned gray in front +of them. Then they turned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> sharply to the south, and soon the road +skirted a railway line. Whitney got down when they reached a station.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen a small, black motorcycle?" he asked a lounging porter.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I mind her because I thought she was running verra hard for a +wee machine. If yon man's a friend o' yours, ye'll no' catch him +easy."</p> + +<p>"When did he pass?"</p> + +<p>"It would be about five minutes after the Stranraer goods cam' +through, and that's an hour ago."</p> + +<p>Whitney ran back to his machine and jumped into the saddle.</p> + +<p>"We're on his trail, but he must have come straight and fast from +Dumfries. Well, we'll get after him."</p> + +<p>The car leaped forward as the clutch took hold; dykes and trees swept +down the road; and Criffell's bold ridge rose higher against the +eastern sky. Here and there a loch gleamed palely in the desolate +tableland, and in the distance a river caught the fading light, but +the cloud-bank was spreading fast and the west getting dim. At last +they saw from the top of a rise a gray haze stretched across a hollow, +and Andrew told his comrade that it was the smoke of Dalbeattie. Then +a man with a spade and barrow came into view on the slope of another +hill, and Andrew asked Whitney to stop. The man was cutting back the +grass edges on the roadside; he had not seen a bicycle of the kind +they described.</p> + +<p>"How long have you been here?" Andrew asked.</p> + +<p>"Since seven o'clock this morning."</p> + +<p>Whitney started the car slowly, and pulled up when the roadmender was +hidden behind the hill.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>"We want to talk this over," he said. "Williamson left the road +between the station and where we met the man. We know he hasn't gone +west or farther south. What about the east?"</p> + +<p>Andrew glanced at Criffell, which rose between them and the sea. Its +summit cut sharply against the sky, but its slopes were blurred and +gray and the stone dykes that ran toward its foot had lost their +continuity of outline. Two or three miles away, to the southeast, the +mountain ran down in a long ridge.</p> + +<p>"It's obvious that he hasn't gone over the top. He could cross the +shoulder yonder, but he'd have some trouble."</p> + +<p>"He'd have to leave the motorcycle."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Andrew thoughtfully. "There's an old road between +here and the station and he might reach the moors by what we call a +loaning—a green track that sometimes leads to a farm or cothouse and +sometimes ends in a bog. Of course, if he found one and crossed the +hill on foot, he'd cut the main road from Dumfries round the coast +before he reached the Solway beach."</p> + +<p>"You're taking it for granted that he'd try to make the beach—which +means the wreck."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Andrew quietly; "I believe it's what he'd do."</p> + +<p>"Well, there are two things to note. He could have gone straight from +Dumfries by a good road on the other side of the mountain, but he +preferred this way and a rough climb across. Then he started for +Castle Douglas, when he might as well have told the garage people he +was going to Dalbeattie. This implies that he'd a pretty good reason +for covering his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> trail." Whitney paused and looked hard at Andrew. +"Before we go any farther, you have to decide whether you really want +to find out that reason. You can quit the business now, but you may +not be able to do so afterward."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather stop, but I must go on," said Andrew grimly.</p> + +<p>"Very well; we'll try to follow him."</p> + +<p>They drove back, passing the roadmender, who leaned upon his spade +looking after them; and a little while later Whitney pulled up at a +broken gate that hung open. A rough track, grown with grass, led away +from it between loose stone walls.</p> + +<p>"Not intended for automobiles!" Whitney remarked, as he cautiously +steered between the ruts. "Williamson must have found it easier than +we do."</p> + +<p>Andrew nodded. His comrade's eyes were keen, for only a crushed tuft +of grass here and there suggested the track of a bicycle tire. Farther +along they stopped at a gate where the loaning forked. One branch ran +on; the other turned off, and in the distance a lonely white house +showed amidst a clump of bare, wind-bent trees.</p> + +<p>"He would not have gone to the farm," said Whitney. "Jump down and +open the gate."</p> + +<p>They went on again carefully, but after a time the loaning got very +rough and rushes grew across it where the ground was soft. After +narrowly escaping an upset into the ditch on one side, Whitney +stopped.</p> + +<p>"I guess this is as far as she'll take us, and I see a peat-stack +where we could leave her."</p> + +<p>Lifting down a small fir that closed a gap in the wall, they pushed +the motorcycle across a strip of heath<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> and against a pile of turf; +and then they stopped to look about.</p> + +<p>The light was rapidly going and the wind was falling. In front lay a +stretch of moor, seamed by black peat-hags, in some of which water +glistened; beyond the moor rough heather-covered slopes ran up to the +black hillcrest. A curlew whistled overhead, and the sharp cry of a +grouse rose from the darkening heath. Except for this, it was very +still and the landscape looked strangely desolate. Not far ahead a +patch of roof showed faintly among some stunted ash-trees.</p> + +<p>"A cothouse," said Andrew in surprise.</p> + +<p>"We'll look at it," Whitney answered, and started for the building.</p> + +<p>One end had fallen down, but half the thatch remained upon the bending +rafters. The rest had gone, and it was plain that the cot had been +abandoned for a long time. Crossing a ditch by a rotten plank, they +stood knee-deep among withered nettles at the door, and the ruined +walls struck a mournful note in the gathering dark.</p> + +<p>"There's a track here," said Whitney. "I guess the sheep go in."</p> + +<p>He struck a match as they entered, and, avoiding stones and fallen +beams, they made for the door of an inner room. When they reached it, +Whitney struck another match, and smiled as he held it up, for the +light fell upon a single-cylinder motorcycle with a gun-case strapped +to the carrier.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I expected this. If we cross the end of the hill +going southeast, we would strike the sands somewhere abreast of the +wreck?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>"How's the tide?"</p> + +<p>"High-water's about one o'clock. That means it's a big tide and, of +course, runs out a long way on the ebb."</p> + +<p>"Then the sands will be dry and there'll be no gutters to cross. Well, +I guess it's a long walk, but we've got to make it. Take your overalls +off."</p> + +<p>Three or four minutes later they left the cothouse and struck across +the heath. There was no track, but Andrew headed for a knoll on the +mountain's sloping shoulder. After they left the level, the heather +grew tall and strong, brushing about their knees and entangling their +feet. Then there were awkward rabbit-holes and granite boulders +scattered about, and they bruised their shins as they laboriously +plodded upward. The light had almost gone, and there was nothing +visible but the stretch of shadowy hillside in front.</p> + +<p>Whitney heard Andrew breathing hard, and imagined that his injured leg +was giving him trouble.</p> + +<p>"Are we rushing it too much?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I can hold out until we get to the top, and I'll be all right then. +It's gripping the brae with the side of my foot that bothers me."</p> + +<p>He went on without slackening speed, and the slope grew easier and the +light breeze keener. Then the stretch of heather which had shut off +their view suddenly fell away, and they looked down through the soft +darkness on to a vast, black plain. There was nothing to distinguish +land from sea; but a faint cluster of lights that pricked the gloom +like pin-points marked the English-shore, and farther off the +flickering glare of blast-furnaces was reflected in the sky. In the +middle distance, a twinkle showed where the Solway lightship<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> guarded +the fairway through the shoals; but there was no light near them, nor +any sound except the distant murmur of the sea. They stood remote from +the homes of men in the mountain solitude.</p> + +<p>Andrew, stooping behind a mass of granite, struck a match and took out +his watch.</p> + +<p>"We haven't much time to spare. I wish I knew if the lightship yonder +was still riding to the ebb," he said. "There's a burn somewhere below +us and running water is generally a good guide down."</p> + +<p>They went on, floundering through tangled heather and falling into +rabbit-burrows, until the tinkle of water reached them softly. After +that they wound downhill beside the growing burn, past brakes of thorn +and hazel and over banks of stones, until a long wood led them to the +road. Following the wood for a time they went down again through +smooth pasture and turnip-fields and came to a wall that ran along the +beach. The empty space beyond it looked black and lonely, and the +mournful crying of wildfowl came out of the gloom, but at some +distance a beam from a lighthouse cast its reflection upon the sloppy +sand.</p> + +<p>"Can you hit the wreck from here?" Whitney asked.</p> + +<p>"I'll try," said Andrew. "It's a long way, and the tide must be on the +turn."</p> + +<p>They took off their boots, and as they launched out across the dark +level the sand felt sharply cold. Here and there they splashed through +pools, but for the most part the bank was ribbed with hard ridges. The +shore soon vanished; Criffell's black bulk grew blurred and shapeless +against the sky; and they had only the misty beam from the lighthouse +for guide. Whitney,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> however, imagined that Andrew was going straight, +which was comforting, when they came to a wide depression where water +glimmered. He thought this was the channel that had stopped them +before, and he felt somewhat uneasy as he waded in. There was now no +boat they could retreat to on the other side of the wreck.</p> + +<p>The water, however, hardly covered their ankles; and some time +afterward Andrew touched Whitney's arm as a dim, formless mass rose +from the sand. It got plainer as they cautiously approached it, their +bare feet falling noiselessly, and in a minute or two they stopped and +listened beside the wreck. There was no sound but the drip of water, +and Andrew, grasping a broken beam, swung himself up. Whitney +followed, his nerves tense, his muscles braced; and he held his breath +when he dropped into the forecastle. The next moment a pale light +sprang up, and he saw Andrew holding out a match. The feeble glow +spread along the wet planks and filled the forecastle before the match +went out, and Whitney was more relieved than disappointed to see that +nobody else was there.</p> + +<p>"We have missed him," he said. "Take my box; they're wax and burn +better than the wooden kind."</p> + +<p>Andrew struck another light, and it burned clearer. The candle they +had used and replaced on the last visit had gone, but two or three +matches floated in a pool. He picked them up and Whitney examined them +closely.</p> + +<p>"These are quite fresh," he said. "Looks as if they'd just been +struck, though we can't be sure of that. Extra thick wax, same make as +mine; I got the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> best I could, because I wanted them to light the +bicycle lamp."</p> + +<p>Then the match burned low, and Andrew threw it down.</p> + +<p>"It proves nothing except that the man who used them wanted a good +article. The make is well known, but in this part of the country you +couldn't find it except at a tobacconist's."</p> + +<p>"That's a point. Anything is good enough for a fisherman or a sailor +to get a light with. The fellow who came here must have meant to have +the best."</p> + +<p>"After all, the matches don't tell us who he is," Andrew said slowly.</p> + +<p>"They don't, but they may help us later. And now we'll hustle for the +beach. It would be awkward if we found the tide running up the +gutter."</p> + +<p>They set off across the sands and waded through the channel without +trouble. Reaching land, they put on their boots and laboriously +struggled up the dark hill. Both were tired when they floundered down +through the heather on the other side, but they found the boggy heath, +and came at last to the cothouse. As they expected, the motorcycle was +no longer there. They trudged on to the peat-stack, and shortly +afterward Whitney started his machine, and with some difficulty kept +out of the ruts and ditches until he turned into the highroad.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE MATCHBOX</span></h2> + + +<p>The dead leaves were driving round Appleyard before a boisterous wind +that lashed the granite walls with bitter rain. A fire had been +lighted in the drawing-room, and Staffer sat talking to his sister. +Mrs. Woodhouse was a quiet woman, generally content to remain in the +background; and the influence she exercised at Appleyard was, as a +rule, negative. She rarely claimed authority, even over her daughter, +or openly interfered, but the things she disapproved of were seldom +done. Now her usually placid face was firm.</p> + +<p>The drawing-room door was open, and she watched Williamson, who stood +near Elsie in the hall. His pose was gracefully easy as he smiled at a +remark of the girl's. He looked suave and well-bred, but Mrs. +Woodhouse's expression hardened.</p> + +<p>"Will that man be here long?" she asked, when Williamson and Elsie +moved away.</p> + +<p>Staffer gave her a quick glance. It was desirable that his relations +with Williamson should be cordial, but of late his guest had shown +some reserve. It was so slight that Staffer, knowing of no cause for +their disagreement, felt it instinctively rather than noticed it by +any particular sign. For all that, something had come between them, +and he wondered whether his sister was to blame for this.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>"It looks as if you didn't wish him to stay," he said.</p> + +<p>"I don't. His society is not good for Dick."</p> + +<p>Staffer smiled, though he was puzzled. On his last visit Williamson +had rather avoided Dick.</p> + +<p>"He can't do him much harm; and, after all, it does not look as if +Dick would marry Elsie, as we once thought was possible."</p> + +<p>"No; Elsie will not marry him, and I would not wish it, if she were +willing."</p> + +<p>Staffer was somewhat surprised.</p> + +<p>"Then why need you bother about him?" he said. "If he indulges in +foolish extravagances, it's his affair."</p> + +<p>She looked at Staffer with a listless expression.</p> + +<p>"I don't think you would understand; but I do not want him to come to +harm."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's something else to talk about. It won't be long before +Dick is his own master, and we must leave Appleyard. This will make a +big difference, because our means are small and Elsie has been taught +no profession. What will she do then, unless she marries somebody?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know," Mrs. Woodhouse answered in a placid tone.</p> + +<p>Staffer mastered his impatience, for his sister sometimes baffled him, +and there was a matter of importance about which he wished to sound +her.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry you seem to have a prejudice against Williamson. Is it only +on Dick's account?"</p> + +<p>"No; I feel that he may bring trouble to us all. We were happier +before his visits began. There is a difference now at Appleyard, and I +don't like mystery. Why does he call himself Williamson?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>"Ah! You imagine it is not his name?"</p> + +<p>"I have known for some time that it is not."</p> + +<p>Staffer felt disturbed. His sister had been shrewder than he expected, +and he wondered whether anybody else shared her suspicions; but her +statement gave him the lead he wanted.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I dare say you can see that to use his proper name +just now might make things unpleasant for him."</p> + +<p>"He did not use it when he first came here, and nobody would have +minded it then."</p> + +<p>"I'm not certain; these Scots are prejudiced against foreigners; but +it's hard to see why you should dislike the man because he is one of +us." He paused and looked at her reproachfully. "Have you forgotten +the people you belong to, Gretchen, and where you were born?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Woodhouse's face was troubled, but there was a hint of firmness +in her voice as she answered.</p> + +<p>"I have not forgotten. But when I married I knew I must choose between +my country and my husband's; one could not belong to both. I chose +his; his people became mine. He was a good man—I think there are not +many like him—and I was happy. When he died, I tried to bring up his +daughter as he would have her."</p> + +<p>"You succeeded. Elsie is a Scot," Staffer remarked with a sneer.</p> + +<p>Something in her face warned him that his sister was not to be moved. +It was seldom she had shown him her deeper feelings, but she had a +mother's heart, against which he could not prevail. She might have +made him a useful if not altogether conscious ally, but that idea must +be dropped. He had been beaten by a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> fundamental quality in human +nature; and he was half afraid he had said too much.</p> + +<p>"Well," he added, "I'll be content if you treat Williamson as you +would any other guest. You needn't go beyond this, if you'd rather +not."</p> + +<p>She turned and gave him a steady glance.</p> + +<p>"I wish you had nothing to do with him, Arnold—I feel he's dangerous. +But I will be polite to him, so long as he does not harm Dick."</p> + +<p>"That's all I want," said Staffer, turning away.</p> + +<p>He entered the billiard-room where the others had gathered. Elsie was +knitting, Dick and Andrew were playing, and Williamson stood looking +on. Staffer thought this strange, because Andrew did not play well, +and Williamson had generally engaged Dick in a game for a stake.</p> + +<p>"Making stockings now!" Staffer said to Elsie. "Whom is this lot for?"</p> + +<p>"The Border regiment."</p> + +<p>"The men who're lucky enough to get them ought to feel flattered," +Williamson interposed.</p> + +<p>"The brave soldiers are entitled to the best we can send them," Elsie +said staunchly.</p> + +<p>Williamson carelessly examined the work.</p> + +<p>"This is very neat. Knitting's an essentially Scottish accomplishment. +It's useful, which no doubt appeals to a race of utilitarian +character."</p> + +<p>"That's why I like it," Elsie declared. "I am Scottish in all my +habits and feelings, you know."</p> + +<p>Whitney thought there was something defiant in her voice, but he could +not tell whether Williamson noticed it.</p> + +<p>When the game was finished, Whitney took out a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> cigarette and walked +to a match-holder, which he knew was empty.</p> + +<p>"Will you give me a light?" he asked Williamson.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," said Williamson, producing a well-made gun-metal case, +which he immediately returned to his pocket. "I think I used the last +there, but I have a box somewhere."</p> + +<p>He handed Whitney an ordinary card box containing pine matches.</p> + +<p>"Thank you."</p> + +<p>As Whitney returned the box he noticed that Andrew was watching them. +Then he glanced quickly at Elsie, but she was quietly knitting, with +her eyes on the stitches.</p> + +<p>A few minutes afterward a servant brought in the afternoon edition of +a Glasgow newspaper. Staffer glanced at the front page and then sat +down near one of the lamps. There was a certain deliberation in his +movements that Whitney noticed, though he admitted that he might not +have done so had not the matchbox incident roused him to suspicious +vigilance. He thought Staffer was waiting for something, and in a +moment or two Williamson left Dick and turned toward him.</p> + +<p>Then Staffer folded back the newspaper.</p> + +<p>"The A. & P. liner <i>Centaur</i> has gone down in the North Channel," he +announced calmly.</p> + +<p>Whitney started, Dick abruptly put down his cue, and Andrew's face +grew hard.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that she was blown up?" Elsie asked with a note of horror +in her voice.</p> + +<p>"It looks so; but there's not much news yet."</p> + +<p>Staffer began to read:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The captain of the Clyde coaster <i>Gannet</i> reports +that when he was off the Skerries near dark one of the +big A. & P. liners passed him at some distance to the +north. It was blowing fresh, and hazy, but when the +vessel was almost out of sight he noticed a dense +cloud of smoke. He ran to the box on the bridge-rail, +where he kept his glasses, but when he got them out +the liner had disappeared. He steered for the spot +where he had last seen her, but it was dark when he +reached it, and after steaming about for some time, +and seeing nothing but a quantity of wreckage, he made +for Rathlin and megaphoned the lighthouse-keepers +before proceeding. An unconfirmed report from Larne +states that a fishing craft passed a steamer's +lifeboat, but lost her in the dark. The <i>Centaur</i>, a +large and nearly new steamer, left Montreal with wheat +and a number of passengers eight days ago."</p></div> + +<p>Nobody spoke for a minute after he put down the newspaper, and Whitney +lighted a cigarette to cover his excitement. The news was startling, +but he thought it did not take Staffer or Williamson by surprise. +There was something curious in their expression. Andrew's face, +however, had grown very stern; and Elsie's was angrily flushed.</p> + +<p>"This is not war, but murder!" she exclaimed. "The men who blow up +unarmed vessels ought to be severely punished."</p> + +<p>"When you catch them," Staffer answered. "I expect that it will prove +difficult; and I'm afraid we must be prepared for some nasty knocks."</p> + +<p>"It's rather exasperating to be hit hard where you flatter yourself +you're secure against attack," Williamson remarked. "The Admiralty +must have thought the North Channel safe."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>"It <i>is</i> except against treachery," Elsie declared. "Don't you think +so, Andrew?"</p> + +<p>"I do," said Andrew quietly. "It's narrow and commanded by lighthouses +and coastguard stations; though perhaps, in a way, its narrowness is a +danger. But we must see that this kind of thing doesn't happen again."</p> + +<p>"How would you try to prevent it?" Staffer asked, with a calmness that +was somewhat overdone.</p> + +<p>Whitney gave Andrew a careless glance, and was relieved to note that +his grim look had vanished. Andrew's views on this subject would be +worth having, but it was obvious that he did not mean to state them.</p> + +<p>"I'm not a navy officer," he answered and turned to Elsie. "One feels +that it won't bear talking about."</p> + +<p>"Yes," she agreed, with a flash in her eyes. "There's no use in giving +way to rage when one is hurt. The best one can do after a treacherous +blow is to keep very quiet and wait until the time comes to strike +back."</p> + +<p>"There's a true Scot!" laughed Staffer. "You're a stubborn, +unemotional race. I wouldn't like to fall into your hands if I'd +wronged your friends."</p> + +<p>"The Scots are just: they repay both injuries and favors."</p> + +<p>Then, by general consent, they talked about something else; and after +a time the others went out, and Whitney and Elsie were left alone. He +suspected that she had meant this to happen, but he was surprised by +her first question.</p> + +<p>"Have you a bad memory?"</p> + +<p>"I like to think that it's as good as my neighbor's."</p> + +<p>"Then it's strange you lighted a cigarette with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> match from your own +box after asking Mr. Williamson for his."</p> + +<p>"Well, by jove!" Whitney exclaimed. "Do you think he noticed it?"</p> + +<p>Elsie's eyes twinkled.</p> + +<p>"No; he had his back toward you when you began the next cigarette. But +why did you ask for a match when you had some?"</p> + +<p>Whitney looked at her frankly.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather you didn't press me for an answer," he said.</p> + +<p>"Why? Do you mean you wouldn't tell me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. And I shouldn't like to refuse."</p> + +<p>Elsie smiled.</p> + +<p>"You're not a good plotter. It was easy to catch you out."</p> + +<p>"So it seems. But if I'm not as smart as I ought to be, I mean well."</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt it, and I have some reason for trusting you. I think +you're a good friend of Dick's and Andrew's; and their friends are +mine."</p> + +<p>"Thank you! But Williamson's by way of being a friend of Dick's."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; he only pretends he is. You must know this."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we admit it. Don't you think Andrew's able to take care of +his cousin?"</p> + +<p>"I'm glad he has your help."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's more important that he has yours. We're three to one, +and that ought to be enough."</p> + +<p>Elsie's face was calm, but she was silent for a moment, and Whitney +thought she was trying to hide some embarrassment.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>"Tell me," she said, "was it on Dick's account you asked Williamson +for a match?"</p> + +<p>"No; that is, not directly. I can't tell you anything more; but since +we are friends, can you arrange that there are no matches put beside +the bedroom candles?"</p> + +<p>"The man is our guest," Elsie said with some hesitation. "Still +perhaps one mustn't be fastidious when—"</p> + +<p>"When there's a good deal at stake—Dick's welfare, for one thing."</p> + +<p>"Very well," Elsie promised.</p> + +<p>An hour later the party broke up. They used oil-lamps at Appleyard, +and at night a row of candles in old-fashioned brass holders were +placed upon a table on the bedroom landing. As a rule, a few +matchboxes were put beside them; but sometimes this was overlooked.</p> + +<p>Williamson went upstairs first, and stopped on reaching the table.</p> + +<p>"Matches run out here, too!" he said to Whitney, who was close behind +him. "Shall I light your candle?"</p> + +<p>Whitney's hand moved toward his pocket, but he remembered in time.</p> + +<p>"Thanks!" he answered carelessly. "Perhaps you had better light the +lot."</p> + +<p>Williamson took out the gun-metal box and struck a small pine match.</p> + +<p>"I filled it up again," he remarked. "I always like to have matches +handy in an old-fashioned house."</p> + +<p>"It's a good plan," Whitney agreed, and went away with his candle.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>Five minutes later he opened Andrew's door and found him standing by +the window.</p> + +<p>"Come in! I'm thinking about that Canadian boat."</p> + +<p>"So I expected," Whitney answered meaningly. "But we'll take the other +matter first. Seems to me they're connected."</p> + +<p>"The matchbox matter? I don't know whether it was a clever trick or +not, but I'd like to hear your views."</p> + +<p>"Well," Whitney laughed, "I'm not so smart as I thought. Elsie soon +tripped me up."</p> + +<p>Andrew frowned.</p> + +<p>"Then she saw you? She understands?"</p> + +<p>"Something. I don't know how much, but I'm free to admit that she's +cleverer than either of us. However, one thing's obvious: Williamson +took care to have a box that would hold a good many matches and keep +them dry. It's curious that he didn't shake it before he said it was +empty. Anyhow, he overdid the thing. If he had given me a thick wax +match like those we found on board the wreck, it wouldn't have proved +much; while his anxiety to show he used the small pine kind strikes me +as significant."</p> + +<p>"Elsie must be kept out of all this," Andrew said firmly.</p> + +<p>"Then I guess you'll have to keep her out; I'm not up to Miss +Woodhouse's mark. Did you notice Staffer's attempt to learn if you +knew much about the North Channel?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but we'll let that go for the present. The A. & P. boat was +mined or torpedoed. What are we to do?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>Whitney hesitated.</p> + +<p>"To begin with," he said, "you must make up your mind right now how +far you are willing to go. You're proud of being a Johnstone, and put +the good name of the family pretty high."</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Andrew slowly; "that is true. These, however, are +personal reasons, and don't come first. You can take it for granted +that I'm ready to go as far as is needful for the good of my country, +regardless of—of any one at Appleyard."</p> + +<p>"Then we must try to find Rankine and tell him what we suspect."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Andrew. "We'll sail on the ebb in the morning."</p> + +<p>Whitney made a sign of agreement and went away. Andrew had not +hesitated about his decision, but Whitney knew it had cost him +something.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">A CONFERENCE AT SEA</span></h2> + + +<p>North Barrule's blunt cone and the range of Manx hills beyond it cut, +harshly blue, against an angry blaze of saffron that had broken out +when the rain stopped and was now beginning to fade. The sun had sunk +behind the island, and the sky to the northwest was black as ink, but +the tall cliffs of the Mull of Galloway were traced across the +storm-cloud in a neutral-tinted smear. Between them and the <i>Rowan</i> +stretched a belt of lead-colored sea, which, in the foreground, rose +in hollow-fronted walls with livid white summits that overweighted +them until they curled and broke in cataracts of foam.</p> + +<p>It was blowing hard, and threatened to blow harder soon, but Andrew's +wet face was tranquil as he sat on the weather coaming, braced against +the strain of the helm. Whitney was in the cockpit, where he could +avoid the worst of the spray, but he was cold and sore from +twenty-four hours of savage lurching. Clouds of spray drove across the +boat, striking the canvas and blowing out to lee under the boom, but +some fell short and splashed upon Whitney's lowered head. The <i>Rowan</i>, +beating to windward, progressed in jerks and plunges, nearly stopping +with a shock now and then as her bows sank into a comber. Whitney +thought she could not carry her shortened canvas long; but their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> port +was to windward, and they could not ease her much if they wished to +reach it.</p> + +<p>"She's ramming them pretty badly," he remarked, as a white sea boiled +across the deck. "I suppose you'd find her hard to steer if I lowered +the staysail?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; she makes my arms ache now. Still, if it doesn't blow much worse +in the next two hours, we'll find smoother water to lee of the +island." Something on the horizon caught Andrew's eye. "Get me the +glasses," he added.</p> + +<p>Whitney went below to look for them, and lighted the cabin lamp. The +floor and beams were steeply inclined, and he had to brace his feet +against the centerboard trunk. The narrow cabin throbbed with a +muffled uproar, and water trickled in. There was a pool that splashed +about where the floor boards met the locker. The leather case of the +glasses had swollen, and he spent a minute or two in opening it, +though he made the best speed he could. They had been searching for +Rankine's vessel in weather that had tried their nerve and skill. Once +or twice it had looked as if they must run for shelter, but the breeze +had moderated a trifle, and Andrew had held on. Now, however, he was +making for Ramsey, to Whitney's keen satisfaction.</p> + +<p>Andrew wound the tiller-line round one hand as he put the glasses to +his eyes. He saw what he had expected: two slender spars and a funnel, +both sharply slanted, that rose above the back of a distant sea. Then +a patch of dark hull swung into sight, and vanished again.</p> + +<p>"The survey boat," he said, giving Whitney the glasses. "She must be +near the edge of King Wil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>liam's Bank, and we'll find an ugly sea +running there. You'd better start the pump."</p> + +<p>It was hard work, for when Whitney unscrewed the plug on deck the sea +poured down the pipe to meet the water he forced out, and the boat's +wild plunges threw him against the coaming; but he persevered. As they +were likely to find the sea worse, she must be cleared of water before +more came on board. It was some time before the pump sucked and only +froth came up; then Whitney precariously balanced himself on the +cabin-top with his hand upon the boom while he looked about.</p> + +<p>Every now and then the straining storm-jib plunged into a sea that +curled in foam across the bows, throwing showers of spray into the +hollow of the staysail. Then the bowsprit swung high above the turmoil +and the water blew away in streams from the canvas while a frothy +cataract poured aft down the uplifted deck. When he glanced to +windward the spray lashed his face, but he distinguished a rolling +steamer some distance off. There was no smoke about her funnel, and +after watching her for a few moments he did not think she moved.</p> + +<p>"Lying head to sea," he said to Andrew. "Rankine might as well run +into the harbor: he won't do much sounding to-night."</p> + +<p>"That's plain. It doesn't look as if he thought sounding his most +important job. Haul down the staysail."</p> + +<p>Whitney scrambled forward, and when he let go the halyard he dropped +on hands and knees. The straining sail would not run down the wire to +which it was fastened, and he must cross the narrow deck<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> to free it. +He did not want to go; for the <i>Rowan</i> buried her bows as she plunged, +and the foam boiled over them a foot in depth; but the whitening of +the sea to windward showed that a savage squall was on its way. He +reached the inboard end of the bowsprit and held fast while a comber +washed across the rail, and then, rising half upright, he seized the +line that hung from the head of the sail. The loosened canvas thrashed +him; he was swung to and fro, in danger of going overboard; but he +held on until the sail came down with a run and fell on to his knees.</p> + +<p>The plunges were not quite so vicious when he got back to the cockpit, +but the alteration in the sail-spread made steering difficult, and +Andrew strained against the pull of the tiller-line as he drove her +through the squall.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, the <i>Rowan</i> had drawn nearer to the steamer, which +now lay close ahead, rolling until her deck sloped like a roof, and +then lurching back with her streaming side lifted high above the sea. +Andrew went about and then ran close to leeward, where they checked +the <i>Rowan</i> by hauling her jib aback. A man in oilskins leaned out +from the steamer's bridge, and the fading light touched his wet face.</p> + +<p>"It's Rankine," said Andrew. "We must try to make him hear."</p> + +<p>The next moment a shout came down across the broken seas that rolled +between the vessels.</p> + +<p>"Yacht, ahoy! What d'you want?"</p> + +<p>"To see you!" Andrew answered, throwing his voice to windward with all +his force. "Important!"</p> + +<p>Rankine steadied himself against the rail, with his glasses at his +eyes.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>"The <i>Rowan</i>; Mr. Johnstone! Could you jump on board our gig?"</p> + +<p>"Can't leave the boat!" shouted Andrew, letting her forge ahead a few +yards nearer.</p> + +<p>Rankine made a sign of comprehension.</p> + +<p>"Very well. Follow us into shelter!"</p> + +<p>Andrew waved his arm, and, trimming the jib over, drove the <i>Rowan</i> +ahead. As he did so, the steamer's screw splashed round half out of +water, and she slowly turned toward the north.</p> + +<p>"That's not the way to Ramsey," Whitney grumbled.</p> + +<p>"No," said Andrew. "I guess he has some reason for not going there. He +means to run in behind the Mull, though it's farther off."</p> + +<p>Whitney frowned as he glanced across the wild stretch of foaming water +toward a twinkling stream of light. He was numbed and wet; it was now +getting dark and the bitter wind seemed freshening to a gale; but +Andrew meant to follow the steamer, and there was nothing to be said. +The only comfort was that their change of course brought the wind +farther aft and the <i>Rowan</i> would sail fast.</p> + +<p>Rankine's crew hung out a stern light as their vessel left the yacht, +and Whitney, getting down in the cockpit, tried to dodge the spray +while she rolled and tumbled across the high beam-sea. He was sorry +for Andrew, who must sit on the coaming amid the spray; though he +imagined that his comrade would be sufficiently occupied to make him +careless of the wet and cold.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, Andrew mechanically avoided the rush of the +foaming combers, for he was thinking hard. He shrank from the meeting +he had sought,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> because he knew he was badly equipped for the +difficult part he must play. He suspected Williamson of practises +which must, at any cost, be stopped, since it was unthinkable that a +traitor should make use of Appleyard. This was bad; but it was worse +to know that Staffer was acting as Williamson's confederate.</p> + +<p>The trouble was that if Andrew exposed the men, the innocent would +suffer. Staffer was Mrs. Woodhouse's brother, and Andrew pitied the +quiet woman. Then there was Elsie, whom Staffer had certainly treated +well. She would be crushed by shame if she learned his share in the +plot. Andrew knew her well enough to feel sure of this. Elsie was true +as steel; if he told her his suspicions, she would urge him to do his +duty. Still, she would suffer; and part of Staffer's punishment would +fall on her. It would not be forgotten that she was the niece of a +foreign spy; and her mother might be suspected of complicity.</p> + +<p>It was a painful situation; for Andrew gladly would have made any +personal sacrifice that might save the girl a pang. He must try to +find a way of doing his duty without involving her; in some way he +must warn Rankine and yet keep back part of what he knew. This was a +repugnant course, and he frowned as he drove the dripping boat across +the foaming sea.</p> + +<p>At times the steamer's stern light almost faded out, but it grew +brighter again, and Andrew knew that Rankine was waiting for him. It +was now blowing hard, and the combers looked very steep and angry, +though he could no longer distinguish them until they broke close to +the yacht. He imagined that they were stirred up by a strong tide, and +several pinnacles of rock rose from deep water in the neighborhood. He +hoped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> Rankine knew their position as he followed the steamer's light.</p> + +<p>At last the sea got smoother and, instead of breaking, ran in a long, +disturbed swell. The wind no longer hove the boat down with a steady +pressure, but lightened until she swung nearly upright and then fell +upon her in furious squalls that sent her staggering along with her +lee deck deep in the foam. A lofty black ridge towered above her port +side, and Andrew knew they were behind the Mull of Galloway. The +water, however, was too deep, and the tide too strong for them to +bring up there, and he supposed Rankine knew of a safe anchorage.</p> + +<p>After a time he heard a whistle, and the light ahead stopped; then +there was a roar of running chain, and as he luffed up a shout reached +him.</p> + +<p>"Let go and give her plenty scope!"</p> + +<p>The chain was nearly all out before Andrew thought she had enough, and +while she rolled and tumbled on the swell a splash of oars came out of +the dark. Then a white gig loomed up alongside, and he and Whitney +jumped on board as the crew backed away. They had to wait a minute or +two close to the steamer's side, until a smooth undulation lapped the +lurching hull, when they seized the ladder and scrambled up.</p> + +<p>Rankine took them into a small, teak-paneled room with a brass stove +in a corner. It was remarkably neat, though a cushioned locker, a +small table, and two camp-chairs comprised the furniture. Nautical +instruments occupied a rack, and a large chart of the Irish Sea was +spread upon the table. Rankine put a bottle of wine and some +cigarettes on the chart, and then hung up his wet oilskins.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>"We're safe here so long as the wind keeps to the west; and I can give +you a berth if your cabin's wet," he said.</p> + +<p>"No, thanks," replied Andrew. "It's an exposed coast."</p> + +<p>He tasted the wine Rankine poured out and lighted a cigarette. Whitney +said nothing, and there was silence for a time. Rankine waited, with a +polite smile.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing near King William's Bank?" Andrew asked presently; +and the others knew that his question was more to the purpose than +appeared.</p> + +<p>"Taking bearings and sounding, until the sea got up. I've made one or +two interesting discoveries about that shoal."</p> + +<p>Although he sympathized with Andrew, Whitney felt amused, for he saw +that Rankine would do nothing to help him.</p> + +<p>"You gave us a long run," Andrew said. "We would have got better +shelter in Ramsey Bay."</p> + +<p>"That's true. I preferred this place."</p> + +<p>Andrew frowned at the chart, as if he did not know how to go on; and +Whitney came to his rescue.</p> + +<p>"I guess it suits you better to keep away from port; you don't want to +be seen and talked about."</p> + +<p>Rankine smiled.</p> + +<p>"Am I mistaken in suggesting that we don't make much progress. Now, +after meeting you at Craigwhinnie and inviting you to come on board, +it's a satisfaction to find you have taken me at my word; but if you +have any other reason for the visit, I'm at your command. I understood +this was so."</p> + +<p>"The matter is important, and we want to feel we're justified in +talking about it," Whitney replied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> "In fact, if your work's confined +to surveying, we'd rather you regarded us as casual guests."</p> + +<p>"Then I think you can take it that my job doesn't end there. I'm still +a navy officer, though I'm now assisting the Trinity House."</p> + +<p>Whitney laughed.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess that's as much as one could expect you to admit. +British official caution is a remarkable thing." He turned to Andrew. +"You'd better tell him what we've seen."</p> + +<p>Andrew began with their adventures on the sands when the lamp went +out, and then mentioned the signal lights on Barennan Crag and what +they had discovered on board the wreck. He told the story well, adding +particulars that had escaped Whitney's observation, and Rankine +followed him closely on the chart.</p> + +<p>He looked up with frank appreciation when Andrew had finished.</p> + +<p>"I don't think I've ever heard as clear and concise a report before. +May I suggest that you're rather wasting your talents? You ought to be +in the navy."</p> + +<p>"I had to leave the army," Andrew replied, coloring. "But that's not +what we have to talk about."</p> + +<p>"No," agreed Rankine, and was silent for a while.</p> + +<p>Whitney watched him with tranquil interest. The teak-paneled room was +warm and bright, and after long exposure to numbing cold it was +soothing to feel himself getting warm and drowsy; though the men still +held his attention. The navy officer was, no doubt, the cleverer of +the two, but Whitney thought he recognized a strong similarity in +their characters. They were resolute, quiet, and capable, and he felt +sure of their honesty. Rankine's face was now gravely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> thoughtful, but +Andrew's wore a troubled frown, and Whitney imagined he recognized +that the difficult part of the interview had not yet been reached.</p> + +<p>"What you have discovered seems to have one of two meanings," Rankine +said. "It may indicate a signaling of military and political news, +which, strictly speaking, is not my business; or it may have some +bearing on the loss of the A. & P. liner, and perhaps lead to similar +attacks."</p> + +<p>"Which <i>would</i> be your business," Whitney drawled.</p> + +<p>"I can't talk about that; but Mr. Johnstone did right in telling me," +Rankine answered, and turned to Andrew. "Have you told any one else?"</p> + +<p>"No." There was a curious quietness in Andrew's voice which showed +Whitney that he had decided on his course.</p> + +<p>"Why not? If my first surmise is correct, it's a matter for the +military authorities."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me the thing's not ripe. I have nothing but vague +suspicions to go upon."</p> + +<p>"Then you suspect somebody?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>Rankine looked at him in silence for a few moments.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you mean to follow up the clue you've got?" he then asked.</p> + +<p>"You may take that for granted," Andrew answered.</p> + +<p>"And if you find your suspicions right?"</p> + +<p>"When I'm certain of that, I'll act; but not before."</p> + +<p>"Well, you no doubt recognize the responsibility you're taking. There +are people appointed to investigate these things who could act with +greater skill and force."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>"I see that," Andrew replied quietly. "And when I think the time has +come, I'll go to them, or you."</p> + +<p>"But you mean to decide for yourself whether it has come or not?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly; I must decide."</p> + +<p>Rankine looked hard at him, knitting his brows.</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you what my orders are," he said; "but you put me in an +awkward position. I may do wrong in not reporting our conversation."</p> + +<p>"Even if you did report it, I should stick to the line I've taken. If +it led to my arrest, that would, of course, prevent my watching the +coast—and I can do that as well as you."</p> + +<p>"Better; for you wouldn't be suspected. Well, as I see you must be +indulged, I'll tell you how to find me when you have something more to +say. You must be careful to follow my instructions."</p> + +<p>"Then write them down."</p> + +<p>"I think not; I'm rather straining my authority in giving them to you +at all, and secrecy is important."</p> + +<p>Whitney got up.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I ought to remind you that I'm not a British subject," he +said.</p> + +<p>Rankine smiled.</p> + +<p>"Since you are in Mr. Johnstone's confidence, you may remain. He won't +mind my saying that, so far as strictly nautical matters go, he's well +qualified to deal with them, but there are touches about what he told +me that seem to show he has had your help. Now you must exactly follow +these directions—"</p> + +<p>He told them how they could learn his movements and send him word.</p> + +<p>"That is all," he concluded. "If you think the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> weather permits it, +I'll be glad to keep you on board over night."</p> + +<p>Andrew opened the door, and the bitter draught that swept in lifted +the chart on the table and swirled about the room. They heard the surf +beat upon a rocky beach and the wind scream in the shrouds.</p> + +<p>"No, thanks," he said. "It's not a night to leave the boat."</p> + +<p>Rankine went out with them and gave an order. Half-seen men ran aft +and dropped into the dark from the vessel's rail, and presently the +gig lay tossing abreast of the gangway. Whitney looked at the warm, +well-lighted deckhouse with regret, and then, buttoning his oilskins, +followed Andrew down into the boat.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">A WARNING</span></h2> + + +<p>Staffer and Williamson sat in the library at Appleyard. It was getting +late, and the rest of the household were in bed. Williamson had gone +to his room with the others, but afterward had crept down again +quietly. He had arrived that evening, but had found it difficult to +get any private conversation with his host without making his wish to +do so rather marked; for he imagined that Miss Woodhouse was watching +him; and Whitney was constantly about. Now, however, he had said all +he thought needful, and he wondered why Staffer did not let him go.</p> + +<p>The library was spacious and was lighted only by a shaded lamp on a +table near them. The polished floor gleamed like ice in the +illuminated circle, but everything outside this was dim, and Staffer's +face was in the shadow. The fire in the big hearth had sunk, and a +pale-blue flame that gave no light played about the embers of the +hardwood logs. The room was very quiet and getting cold.</p> + +<p>"You'll be in town next week," Staffer said. "Can you find a good +excuse for taking Dick? A boxing or billiard match, for example."</p> + +<p>"I don't know of anything of the kind."</p> + +<p>"Then you surprise me. You belong to one or two smart sporting clubs."</p> + +<p>"Sporting events are not popular just now."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>"There's always something going on; and if it's semi-private, so much +the better. When one is as young as Dick, a little mystery is +inciting, and it's flattering to feel oneself a privileged person."</p> + +<p>"No doubt. For all that, I haven't heard of any attractive fixture; +and if I invented one that didn't come off, it would make the game +obvious, even to Dick."</p> + +<p>"I suppose this means you don't want to take him," Staffer suggested. +"Let's be frank."</p> + +<p>"Then you are anxious that he should go?"</p> + +<p>"For one thing, it looks as if you had rather held Dick off lately. +This is against our plans. Then, if Dick's away, Andrew and his +American friend will leave. It would be safer not to have them about."</p> + +<p>"Your last reason's good; in fact, it's better than the other," +Williamson said dryly. "I'm going to take no further part in +exploiting Dick."</p> + +<p>Staffer frowned.</p> + +<p>"That resolve will cost you something. What has led you to make it?"</p> + +<p>"The thing is getting dangerous. We can't afford to run an unnecessary +risk, you know."</p> + +<p>"That's true, but I don't see where the danger lies."</p> + +<p>Williamson pondered. He had acted as Staffer's tool in leading Dick +into extravagance; but Staffer had not been straight with him. +Besides, if he now explained that Mackellar was suspicious, it would +look as if he had turned against his confederate and tried to make +terms with the bank agent.</p> + +<p>"Dick has friends who would carefully investigate matters if he had to +admit his debts, and they might find out enough to cause us trouble. +Then, we're engaged in another business of first importance that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +can't be neglected while we make plans for our private benefit. If we +fail, the consequences would be unpleasant—to say the least."</p> + +<p>Staffer laughed. Williamson wished he could see his face, for his +amusement had a hint of a threat.</p> + +<p>"Remarkably unpleasant! As it happens, you haven't met with much +success of late. Another man whom I needn't mention brought off the +last big stroke."</p> + +<p>"It was not my fault; things have been dead against me, as you know."</p> + +<p>"So it seems! But our employers expect results, not excuses." Staffer +paused and resumed: "As you have been unlucky, I thought you might +find some advantage in helping me with Dick."</p> + +<p>Williamson saw that Staffer's remarks were connected. He was being +warned, and asked to think over his refusal; but he stood his ground.</p> + +<p>"The advantage doesn't counterbalance the danger," he said.</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose that is for you to decide. Perhaps you are wise in +concentrating on your particular business. Our employers are liberal +when they're served well, but not as a rule indulgent when a post is +unsatisfactorily filled."</p> + +<p>Williamson was silent for a moment. Staffer was, in a sense, his +superior officer; but for all that, he was expected to use his +judgment, and he foresaw danger for both if he meddled with Dick. +Still, Staffer was powerful and had given him a significant hint.</p> + +<p>"I don't think our employers have much to complain of," Williamson +said; "and we must try to work together as far as possible."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>"Just so," Staffer answered, getting up.</p> + +<p>They separated apparently on good terms; but they were conscious of +mutual distrust.</p> + +<p>The next morning Whitney, after trying to get into range of a flock of +curlew feeding among the sands, threw his gun upon his shoulder and +set out for the <i>Rowan</i>. The sun was bright and the breeze fresh, and +after opening the skylights to ventilate the boat, he went below to +see if their blankets were damp. While he was busy he heard a foot on +deck, and Marshall, the fisherman, came down the ladder. He visited +the yacht now and then; and Whitney at once got out the whisky bottle.</p> + +<p>"Help yourself, but you'll excuse my not joining you," he said. "It's +rather early in the morning, and I reckon my nerves aren't as good as +yours."</p> + +<p>Marshall poured out a liberal portion and regarded him with a twinkle.</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking they canna' be bad since ye're shipmate with Mr. Andrew. +He's no' the man I'd sail with if I was fleyt o' the sea."</p> + +<p>"Well, he <i>is</i> pretty daring; but he's cautious, too, and knows +exactly what he's doing. That makes a difference."</p> + +<p>"Ay," agreed Marshall; "Andrew Johnstone's a by-ordinar' good seaman; +but ye may run a risk ye canna' see. Tide-rips and sudden blows are +bad, but they're no' the only dangers."</p> + +<p>Whitney lighted a cigarette. It was plain that the old fellow had a +warm liking for Andrew, and Whitney imagined he meant to give him a +hint of some kind.</p> + +<p>"I wish you'd tell me what you mean," he said. "You want to remember +that I'm an American and not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> used to dark remarks. In fact, it's more +or less my habit to say what I think."</p> + +<p>"Ye'll find it expensive whiles," Marshall rejoined with a chuckle. +"Onyway, ye're a friend o' Mr. Johnstone's?"</p> + +<p>"I believe so. It's a sure thing that I like him."</p> + +<p>"Then he'll maybe need ye. It's no' an easy job he has. Yon two at +Appleyard are kittle-cattle, and would be better for watching."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you tell me what they're after?"</p> + +<p>"For yea thing, I dinna ken, but I'm certain it's naething good."</p> + +<p>Whitney made a gesture of resignation.</p> + +<p>"This is a pretty hard country for a stranger to get along in. You're +such a blamed cautious people that nobody can guess what you think. +Why don't you give my partner or Dick a hint, if you believe there's +something wrong?"</p> + +<p>"There's aye a rizzon," Marshall replied with a grin. "Mr. Andrew +mightna' believe me, and Mr. Dick would let it oot to Staffer. It's +no' wise to offend the gentry, mair particularly your landlord, when a +salmon noo and then comes by accident into your flounder net or ye +chance upon a hare sitting ower close in her form."</p> + +<p>"But Dick would not be hard on you, and he'll be your landlord soon."</p> + +<p>"That's no' what Mr. Staffer's thinking," said Marshall meaningly.</p> + +<p>Whitney gave him a steady glance, knitting his brows.</p> + +<p>"My partner will get Appleyard if Dick dies."</p> + +<p>"Ay, that's supposed to be the way o' it; but Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> Dick has debts that +would have to be paid. Then Mr. Staffer's acting baillie for the +estate, and it wouldna' suit him weel to see Mr. Andrew get it."</p> + +<p>"You mean he's a dangerous man?"</p> + +<p>"Ye should ken. I'm thinking ye're intelligent, and ye're Mr. Andrew's +friend."</p> + +<p>"I suppose that's a compliment, and I must try to deserve it," Whitney +smiled.</p> + +<p>Marshall poured out another drink and then went away, leaving Whitney +in a thoughtful mood.</p> + +<p>The old fellow's remarks were not clear, but two points appeared: he +thought Andrew was running some personal risk, and that Staffer might +put an obstacle in the way of his inheriting Appleyard. It was +difficult to see how Staffer could do so, even if he could take +advantage of Dick's extravagance in such a way as to give him a claim +on the estate; but suppose Andrew did not live to demand his rights? +Whitney remembered that his comrade had been in grave danger when the +gray car swerved in the glen, and again when the light went out on +Mersehead sands. That Dick shared the danger on both occasions might, +of course, be coincidence; but it might have a very sinister meaning. +Whitney felt disturbed about it; but he decided that as his suspicions +might be unfounded and the matter was delicate, he would not warn his +friends, and must be satisfied with keeping a keen watch on Staffer.</p> + +<p>One morning shortly after this Williamson picked his way across the +moss at the foot of Criffell as day was breaking. He was tired and +hungry, but, even at the risk of missing his breakfast, he did not +want to arrive at Dumfries too soon. Dawn was late now and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> he must +not give the hotel people cause to wonder why he had set out long +before it was light.</p> + +<p>The black mass of the mountain rose between him and the east with a +flush of pink above its sloping shoulder; the rolling country to the +west was shadowy, and dry tufts of wild cotton glimmered a ghostly +white among the dark-peat-hags. There had been light frost for a few +days, but it had gone, and a raw wind blew in Williamson's face. The +ground was getting soft, the rushes he brushed through were beaded +with moisture, and now and then half-thawed ice crackled beneath his +wet boots. Still, as he did not wish to loiter about Dumfries, he went +on leisurely.</p> + +<p>When he got over the fence, he found the loaning softer than he +expected, and on reaching the cothouse he decided that it would not be +safe to ride the motorcycle. The machine, however, was light, and he +was glad of a chance to warm himself by pushing it to the main road. +There was nobody in the wet fields, but the light was getting clear, +and a thin streak of smoke rose from the farm among the trees. +Everything looked gray and cold and desolate, but as Williamson +splashed into a pool a jolt of the bicycle warned him that he had +better fix his attention on the ruts.</p> + +<p>While he did so, he noticed a sinuous line running to meet him. At +first he supposed it was the track he had made in going down the lane; +then he thought it looked rather deep, and with sudden suspicion he +placed the back wheel of his bicycle beside it. The pattern the tire +left in the mud was different, and now he saw another line run out +from the grass. This seemed to indicate the track of a side-car, and +Williamson, leaning his wheel against the wall, followed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> the marks +back over the ground he had traversed.</p> + +<p>They led him to a gap in the dyke, and after taking down the pole that +closed it, he traced them to a peat-stack. They were lighter here, +which showed that the men had dismounted. He knew that it would take +some trouble to push a heavy motorcycle with a car attached over the +soft ground; but this had been done, and the machine dragged close +behind the stack. After examining the ground carefully, Williamson +returned to the loaning and made his way to the highroad as fast as +possible. It was now important that nobody should see him coming from +the moss.</p> + +<p>Reaching the road, where he would excite no curiosity, he sat down in +the shelter of a bank and lighted a cigarette, for he had received a +decided shock. Some one had driven a motorcycle down the loaning, but +had not gone to the farm. This was strange; and it was significant +that the man had taken a good deal of trouble to hide the machine, +which suggested that he must have meant to leave it for some time, and +wished to prevent its being seen. There was nothing on the moss to +repay a visit, and the owner of a motorcycle would have no reason for +taking a short cut across the mountain on foot, when he could drive +round as soon by road. That there was probably another man in the +side-car made the puzzle worse; and Williamson's face hardened as he +admitted the possibility of their having tried to follow him.</p> + +<p>Looking back at the rugged fellside anxiously, he saw that as he +crossed its summit he would have been visible against the sky, though +any one coming up could not be seen against the dark heath. It was +unfortunate that he had not looked back as he went down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> the other +side, or hidden behind a boulder and waited; but he had no ground for +believing that anybody knew of his journeys across the hill.</p> + +<p>He was engaged in a dangerous business, and the consequences would be +serious if the military authorities found him out; but this was not +the worst he feared. They might be baffled; but Staffer had hinted +that his employers were not satisfied, and it was a dangerous thing to +disappoint them. Their rewards were liberal, but their servants must +perform their task. Williamson shivered as he remembered what he had +heard about the fate of one or two who had not succeeded in this.</p> + +<p>Cowering behind the bank, while the cold wind whistled past, he +carefully thought out the situation. He saw that he had to face one of +two dangers. Either he had by some carelessness excited suspicion, and +was being watched, or he was distrusted by his friends. In the latter +case, flight to America was the only means of escape, because he knew +enough to make his employers uneasy, and if they failed in one plan to +put him out of the way, they would try another. He would certainly not +be left free to save himself by telling what he knew. But if he had +only the British authorities to fear, there was less cause for alarm. +They could be thrown off the track; indeed, this must be done, for he +dare not now abandon the work he had undertaken.</p> + +<p>Williamson was getting very cold, and a searching drizzle had begun to +fall; but he scarcely noticed it as he sat weighing the arguments for +and against each supposition. Eventually, he decided that he must +blame some incautiousness of his own, and he began to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> wonder whose +suspicions he had aroused. Whitney had a motorcycle, and its tires +would leave just such a mark as he had noticed; but this did not prove +much, because the make was in common use. The American was shrewd and +was a friend of Andrew's; but while both were antagonistic Williamson +thought they opposed him only on Dick's account. Well, he had promised +to leave Dick alone. That ought to satisfy them; and if he were very +careful he would be able to elude any other enemies.</p> + +<p>Feeling that his scare had been needless, he set off for Dumfries; +although he had not yet reached an explanation of the motorcycle +tracks.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE WHAMMEL BOAT</span></h2> + + +<p>Thin fog drifted down the Firth when, with Whitney's help, Andrew +pulled the dinghy up the bank and then stopped to look about. It was +nine o'clock in the evening when they left the <i>Rowan</i> at anchor in +the channel a hundred yards away, and he knew the tide was beginning +to flow, which meant that he had an hour and a half in which to reach +and return from the wreck. Everything was obscured to the east, but to +the west the sky was clear, and a thin, bright moon shone in a patch +of dusky blue. The sand felt harder than usual, for the night air was +frosty, but the melancholy calling of the wild fowl told that the salt +ooze in the gutters was still unfrozen. There was no other sound +except the ripple of the current across the shoals.</p> + +<p>"I suppose we'll let up for a bit if we see nobody to-night," Whitney +suggested.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Andrew; "the tide's getting late."</p> + +<p>Whitney nodded agreement. They had sailed from the burnfoot three days +before, and after standing out to sea on the ebb, had returned to the +outer end of the channel in the dark as soon as they could stem the +slackening stream. Then, landing in the dinghy, they hung about the +wreck until the advancing tide drove them back. They had done this for +two nights, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>out seeing anything suspicious, and they could now +abandon the search, because as the time of high-water approached six +o'clock the tides did not run out far enough to enable anybody to +reach the wreck from land.</p> + +<p>Striking across the flats, they stopped on the edge of a hollow +running through the highest part. The mist was driving nearer before a +cold wind, and the moon was dim, but they could see for some distance +toward the west across the level stretch of sand. Nothing broke its +smooth expanse, but the sound of the sea had grown louder and the wild +fowl noisier.</p> + +<p>After a few moments, Andrew struck into the hollow and began to follow +it up. The sand was softer here, though there were spears of ice on +the muddy pools; but the men's figures no longer cut against the sky, +and Whitney knew the need for caution. The gutter got deeper as they +went on, until they could not see beyond its banks, and soon it began +to wind off to one side. When Andrew stopped at the turning, a wild +cry that was like a hoarse laugh came out of the dark.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" Whitney asked.</p> + +<p>"A black-backed gull," said Andrew thoughtfully. "They're suspicious +brutes and a nuisance when you're trying to crawl up to a flock of +duck. In fact, it often looks as if they laughed because you'd lost +your shot."</p> + +<p>"Do you think something has disturbed the bird?"</p> + +<p>"We'll know in a minute."</p> + +<p>A mournful wail that ended in a quavering tremolo fell from the air as +the harsh laughter died away.</p> + +<p>"That's a curlew going over," Andrew said.</p> + +<p>Then a shrill screaming broke out; and Andrew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> turned toward the bank +and began to climb out of the hollow.</p> + +<p>"Oyster-catchers now; they're all off," he said.</p> + +<p>When they reached the level, Whitney looked round quickly. The haze +was crawling close up in long, low-lying belts, but it had not reached +them yet, and as his eyes turned seaward he saw a black triangle +projecting above the edge of the flats.</p> + +<p>"A lugsail, isn't it?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes; a whammel boat."</p> + +<p>Andrew seized Whitney's arm and, moving back a few steps, dropped upon +his knees and dragged his companion down. Whitney understood the +reason when he saw a faint, dark figure on the bank some distance off.</p> + +<p>"After all, it may be a fisherman," he said.</p> + +<p>"It's possible, but I don't know what he's doing here, and we'll +follow up the gutter until we're abreast of the wreck. The fog will +come down thick before we reach her."</p> + +<p>"I don't know that I'm fond of fog," Whitney replied. "However, if you +think you can find the dinghy—"</p> + +<p>Moving back into the bed of the channel, they went on as fast as +possible. They were out of sight, but the winding hollow lengthened +the distance. It got darker as they splashed among the pools; and when +at last Andrew thought they had gone far enough and they climbed the +bank, everything was hidden by drifting fog. Whitney was frankly +uneasy. Andrew knew the sands well, but, for all that, it would not be +difficult to lose their way, and they had purposely left no light on +board the yacht. Still, it was unthinkable that they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> should turn back +when the man they had been trying to mark down seemed almost in their +hands. Banishing his misgivings, he plunged into the clammy mist, +following closely behind Andrew.</p> + +<p>The birds had gone; nothing broke the silence, and there was nothing +to be seen. Whitney imagined that Andrew was going straight, but this +was not certain, and he recognized that the man they hoped to surprise +might have turned back. Andrew went a few yards in front, a dim, +ghostly figure in the fog, but it was a relief to see that he showed +no hesitation. Though they tried to move quietly, they made some +noise. Where the bank was hard their footsteps rang through the haze, +now and then shells crunched beneath their boots, and there were spots +where they splashed through half-frozen mud.</p> + +<p>At last they saw the blurred outline of the wreck.</p> + +<p>"Go straight on and then wait until I creep up on the other side," +Andrew whispered.</p> + +<p>They separated, and Whitney braced himself for a struggle as he moved +softly forward. The man would no doubt be armed, but he must not get +away until they learned who he was. Whitney set his lips as he neared +the wreck. Andrew's footsteps had died away, and there was something +that daunted him in the look of the dark mass of timber; but he went +on, and presently stopped at the edge of a pool beside the vessel. He +did not think anybody had left her as he approached. The man must be +on board; but he must wait until Andrew came up. There was no sound +but the drip of water and the wail of the cold wind; it was eerie and +depressing to stand there in the fog; but at last he heard a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> cautious +step and knew that his comrade had reached the opposite side of the +hulk.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," he said softly; and scrambled up with a feeling of relief +that the waiting was over.</p> + +<p>He heard Andrew's heavy boots rasp upon the planks; but he reached the +forecastle hatch first, and his nerves tingled as he dropped through +it in the dark. He came down safely; but he did not hear the clatter +of feet among the timbers he had expected. While he felt about, for +fear an unseen enemy might seize him at a disadvantage, Andrew sprang +down and the light of an electric torch flashed round the hold. It +showed broken timbers, sand, and glistening pools; but that was all. +They had wasted their efforts; nobody was there. Andrew moved about, +holding up the torch, and then extinguished it as he came back to the +spot beneath the hatch.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "we're no farther forward."</p> + +<p>"Could the fellow have seen us and slipped away?"</p> + +<p>"Not on my side. The fog wasn't very thick, and I could see the wreck. +I suppose you kept a good lookout?"</p> + +<p>"Of course. Perhaps he saw us when we noticed him on the bank."</p> + +<p>"It's possible, but not likely. We had only just left the gutter, and +he was going the other way."</p> + +<p>Andrew was silent for a minute.</p> + +<p>"It would help us," he said "if we knew whether he could carry a +wireless apparatus across the sands. I don't think it could be hidden +on board."</p> + +<p>"It might be buried outside in a watertight box. Shall we go dig?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>"No; we'd be seen from the shore, and a good glass would show what we +were doing. In the dark we would have to use a lantern."</p> + +<p>"That's so," Whitney agreed. "Well, as there's nothing doing here, +let's get back."</p> + +<p>They reached the dinghy before the tide flowed round her, and shortly +afterward got on board the <i>Rowan</i>. The fog was thick and the wind +blowing against them down the Firth, but Andrew decided to hoist no +sail when they hove the anchor.</p> + +<p>"It's early yet to find deep water, and I can steer her with an oar," +he said. "We'll let the tide take her up."</p> + +<p>He sounded now and then as the current carried her away, and Whitney +wondered whether it would strand them on a thinly covered bank. Andrew +had no guide except the depth and the hoarse murmur the stream made as +it rippled across the shoals.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Andrew began to scull vigorously.</p> + +<p>"Not much water; I think we're too near the middle sand," he said.</p> + +<p>The next minute the boat stopped with a jar and listed down on her +side while the ripples splashed angrily against her planks. Whitney +seized the boat-hook to push her off, but Andrew stopped him.</p> + +<p>"She'll soon float, and the tide's not running very fast."</p> + +<p>They sat in the cockpit to wait, and the noise the current made as it +swirled round her died away. She was not quite afloat, however, and +Whitney was picking up the boathook when a flicker of light shone +through the fog. He raised his hand in warning to Andrew, and both saw +the faint gleam go out.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>Then a splashing sound grew louder, and a dim gray object drove toward +them. Whitney knew it was a lugsail boat beating up the Firth, and he +saw that she would pass at a few yards' distance if she stood on. So +far, he did not think they had been seen, for the <i>Rowan's</i> hull was +low, and she had no sail set. While he waited in suspense he heard the +splash of an oar as somebody sounded.</p> + +<p>"No' quite a fathom. Doon helm, Jock," said a hoarse voice.</p> + +<p>There was a flutter of canvas, and the boat, swinging round, vanished +on the other tack.</p> + +<p>"What are we going to do?" Whitney asked.</p> + +<p>"Anchor as soon as they're far enough off not to hear our chain."</p> + +<p>Andrew sculled the <i>Rowan</i> into the channel, and presently dropped the +anchor. When she brought up, he went below and lighted the lamp.</p> + +<p>"They didn't see us, but I won't want to follow them up the Firth," he +explained. "Their boat can cross the flats before we can, and when we +landed they'd all have gone. Besides, it might look suspicious if we +came up soon afterward. I think we'll wait for daylight."</p> + +<p>Whitney put the kettle on the stove and lighted his pipe.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I guess it's puzzling, but there's certainly +something going on, and it may be something that will mean the loss of +another big liner. I expect you see that it ought to be stopped at +once."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Andrew firmly. "I mean to stop it."</p> + +<p>Whitney nodded and thought for a few moments.</p> + +<p>"So far," he contended, "we haven't scored much;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> it looks as if the +opposition were pretty smart. The point you have to answer is +this—suppose they do some serious damage before we can stop them?"</p> + +<p>"You mean that in trying to keep the thing in my own hands I take a +dangerous risk?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but I can't tell you what you ought to do. You're awkwardly +fixed."</p> + +<p>Andrew leaned back on the locker and grappled with a problem that had +troubled him much of late. He was quietly proud of the Johnstones' +traditions; and the honor of the family, which had long stood high, +was threatened. It was painful to admit that a traitor was making use +of Appleyard; but, had there been no other obstacle, Andrew would not +have hesitated about denouncing him. The trouble was that if he did +so, Elsie must suffer with her guilty relative. To keep silent might +enable the plotter to carry out designs which Andrew with his limited +powers could not thwart, and his duty to the State was obvious.</p> + +<p>He did not want to shirk that duty; he was willing to bear any +personal loss, and even bring discredit upon Appleyard, but it did not +seem his duty to involve the girl he loved. Elsie had done no wrong, +but she was Staffer's niece, and that would be enough to condemn her. +Besides, he might be mistaken, and it was unthinkable that he should +bring suspicion upon Appleyard until his last doubts had vanished. If +Staffer were proved guilty, nobody would believe that Mrs. Woodhouse +and Dick were free from blame. And yet Andrew saw that his country +must not be left unprotected from the plots of its enemies.</p> + +<p>He set his lips as he tried to balance contending<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> claims, using +arguments on both sides that had led him into a maze before; and each +time he was forced back upon the decision he had already made. +Something must be risked, and in the meanwhile he would follow up his +clues alone; it would be time enough to warn the authorities when he +had found out what was to be feared.</p> + +<p>His face was tense as he turned to Whitney.</p> + +<p>"I think we'll have to work out this thing in our own way; but as the +tides won't suit for the next few days, we'll take a run north along +the Eskdale road."</p> + +<p>"Very well, if you think that's somehow in the plot," Whitney agreed. +"It's possible you're right about the other matter. You'd put the load +on the proper shoulders if you warned your authorities, but if they +didn't get to work very quietly, they'd scare the fellows off before +they found out much. The trail's certainly not plain, but I guess we +can follow it without showing what we're after."</p> + +<p>"See if the anchor's holding," said Andrew. "I'm going to lie down."</p> + +<p>He lowered his folding cot, but the flood tide had covered the flats, +and the yacht was rolling gently on the swell it brought in before he +went to sleep.</p> + +<p>Farther up the narrowing Firth the wind was faint, and Elsie, lying +awake toward high-water, heard the murmur of the sea. It throbbed in a +deep monotone through the stillness that brooded over the fog-wrapped +countryside. Elsie listened to it for a time, wondering what Andrew +was doing as she glanced at the obscurity outside her window, for the +Firth was dangerous to navigate in thick weather. He had promised to +return the next day, and she wanted him back at Appleyard.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> She felt +safer when Andrew was about. He was not clever, but he was practical, +and one could trust him to do the right thing in a difficulty.</p> + +<p>Elsie was glad to remember this, because she had difficulties to +contend with. Dick had been restless and depressed, and his occasional +efforts at rather boisterous gaiety had emphasized his general +moodiness. He was obviously not well; but Elsie thought this did not +account for everything. Then her mother had been quieter than usual, +and her manner seemed to indicate secret anxiety.</p> + +<p>Elsie felt that things were going very wrong at Appleyard. Something +mysterious and sinister threatened the household, but she could not +combat the danger, because she did not know what it was. Even now, +when every one was probably asleep, she had an instinctive feeling +that there was mischief on foot. She told herself that she was highly +strung and imaginative, but her uneasiness would not be banished. +Anyway, she could not sleep. Seeing that the fire had not quite gone +out, she got up, finally, and, putting on her slippers and kimono, +lighted a small reading lamp. She drew a thick curtain across the +window, and then opened a book; but she found that her thoughts would +dwell on Andrew, somewhere out in the fog.</p> + +<p>With a gesture of impatience, Elsie closed the book and threw it down. +It had not made her sleepy, and the room was getting cold, but she did +not want to go back to bed and lie awake. Sitting still, she mused and +listened. The wind always moaned round Appleyard, and when the nights +were still one could hear the hoarse murmur of the Solway tide. Then +there were the mysterious sounds that occur in old houses: creaking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> +floors, boards cracking, and now and then the rattle of a door. Elsie +was used to these noises, but for no obvious reason her senses were +alert.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she sat upright. Somewhere downstairs a door was being opened +cautiously. Her clock showed that it was just half-past two.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE LOST PAPER</span></h2> + + +<p>The sound of the opening door did not startle Elsie, because of her +curious feeling that something unusual was going to happen. With a +quick glance at the window she decided not to put out the light. The +thick curtain would probably hide it, and, if not, to darken the +window suddenly would show that some one was watching. Then it struck +her that she had not heard a key being turned or a bolt drawn; but the +door fastenings were carefully oiled. Staffer had had this seen to, +after having had difficulty with his latchkey one night.</p> + +<p>Elsie was curious and highly strung, but not alarmed, for there were +no burglars in Annandale. Prompted by the suspicions that had filled +her mind lately, she determined to find out who had come in; so, +slipping quietly out of her room, she pulled her door to softly and +walked to the top of the stairs. The cold draught that came up from +the hall showed that the door was open, and she stopped when she had +gone down a few steps. So far, she had not paused to reflect, but she +recognized now that she had not acted altogether on an unreasoning +impulse. Dick and Staffer were at home; but she did not wish to warn +Staffer, and she felt it might be better if Dick did not go down.</p> + +<p>Leaning over the banister, she heard a low voice in the darkness and +it gave her a strange, disturbing thrill.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> She could catch no words, +but the accent reminded her of Munich. Then a ray of light flickered +about the hall, and Elsie shrank back, her heart beating fast, as the +beam ran up the wall. Some one was using an electric torch. She began +to feel that she was in danger; but the light stopped and streamed +back again, leaving her in the shadow. After that it flashed round and +fell upon two men near the door. They had made no noise, and there was +something startling in the way their figures sprang out of the gloom. +Both were dressed in oilskins and rubber sea-boots.</p> + +<p>One was Williamson; the other a stranger, who in spite of his dress, +did not look like a fisherman. He had blue eyes and a stiff, red +mustache; but he vanished as the light traveled past him to rest on +the door of the library, which opened out of the hall. Then, though +Elsie heard no sound, she knew the men had gone in. What was more, she +knew that Staffer carried the torch. This was the most disturbing +thing; and she leaned upon the banister while she tried to think.</p> + +<p>She had frankly distrusted Williamson, feeling that he threatened +Dick, and she knew now that she had never really trusted Staffer. He +had treated her well; but she imagined this was for her mother's sake; +and instead of affection she felt a curious, half-instinctive +antagonism for him. After all, she had really not been his guest, but +Dick's; Appleyard, which she had come to love, belonged to the +Johnstones and not to her uncle. She felt that its peace was +threatened; and she determined to find out what the men were doing.</p> + +<p>Moving noiselessly, she crept down to the hall, and as she reached it +a faint but steady light streamed out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> of the library door. This was +not the torch; Staffer had lighted one of the lamps. For a few moments +she stopped and hesitated, trying to master her fears. She knew that +she must not be discovered; though it was not Williamson but her uncle +she dreaded most. This, however, was not all of her trouble: the +stranger's accent had awakened a flood of disturbing memories. She had +been kindly treated in Munich, where she had learned her mother's +native tongue, and the sound of it had stirred strong, deep-rooted +feelings. The man with the red mustache had a look of command, in +spite of his rough clothes. She knew the stamp, for she had seen it on +officers whose wives had, for a time, been her friends. Some were men +she had admired; but now they were her country's enemies.</p> + +<p>That was the trouble: one could not belong to two nations, and she was +Scotch. Appleyard was her home, and Dick and Andrew, although not her +kin, were dearer than any one except her mother; yet her mother's +blood was in her veins, and she felt it stirring now. But this must +not be allowed. She was her father's daughter, too, and belonged by +adoption to the Johnstones. She had accepted their traditions, and now +she must side with the men she loved; she felt that they were hers.</p> + +<p>Having reached this decision, she realized that she must find a +hiding-place from which she could see into the library. She crept +across the hall, feeling her way to a tall, old clock that stood +against the wall. Its oak case did not project far, but by standing +straight behind it she would be in the gloom, and the half-opened +hall-door would help to conceal her.</p> + +<p>Leaning forward from the corner, she found her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> view commanded the end +of the library table, where Staffer sat beside a shaded lamp, with +some documents spread out in front of him. The men bent over the +table, examining the papers with eager attention.</p> + +<p>For a few moments no one spoke, and then the stranger with the red +mustache said something which Elsie did not catch.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Staffer returned gruffly, "Rankine is an obstacle, but he +doesn't interfere with my part of the business."</p> + +<p>Elsie could not hear what followed; but Williamson and the stranger +spoke in quiet, earnest tones that suggested that what they had to say +was important. Being accustomed to Staffer's voice, she could more +easily catch his remarks. Presently he stopped the stranger with an +impatient movement of his hand.</p> + +<p>"No; you must get into the habit of calling him Sanders!"</p> + +<p>The man's face was hidden, but Elsie thought his pose stiffened as if +he resented Staffer's tone. This seemed to indicate that he was a man +of rank, which something in his bearing had already hinted.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said in English, speaking a trifle louder, "if he is +watched, as he suspects, you may have some trouble in getting his +instructions. To visit him in Edinburgh might lead—"</p> + +<p>Elsie could not hear the rest, but she could see Staffer's smile as he +answered:</p> + +<p>"We have a suitable messenger." He turned to Williamson. "Nobody would +suspect Dick, and he'd be safe, because he'd have no idea of what he +was doing. He's going up with me in the car to-morrow."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>"I'm not sure—" Williamson began; but they had gradually ceased to +lower their voices, and Staffer stopped him with a warning sign.</p> + +<p>Elsie caught her breath as Staffer suddenly turned in his chair; but +he was only looking for a map which was buried beneath the other +papers. When he opened it, he spoke quietly, and the others listened +with close attention. <a name="front" id="front"></a>At first Elsie could not catch a word; but as +their caution lessened with their intense interest, an occasional word +or phrase reached her.</p> + +<p>". . . submarine . . . coast of . . . this line marks . . ."</p> + +<p>Staffer's voice dropped to a murmur again; until finally he folded the +papers and handed them to the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Now it's up to you," he said, quite distinctly. "You know what will +happen to you if you fail!"</p> + +<p>Elsie crouched back as the men straightened up. She knew the interview +was over, but she did not dare risk crossing the hall to the +staircase. A clink of glass reached her; and then she stood straight +against the wall, pressed close against the old clock, for she knew +the men were coming out.</p> + +<p>Williamson entered the hall first, and as he pushed the door back the +light touched the clock. Its tall case was shallow, and when +Williamson turned partly round Elsie's heart beat fast. He went on, +however, and the stranger followed, putting the papers Staffer had +given him into a pocket under his oilskin coat. He wore thick woolen +gloves, but perhaps his hands were cold, for an envelope dropped out +at the bottom of the oilskin. It fell a foot or two from where Elsie +stood, and she thought she could not escape discovery if he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> stooped +to pick it up; but the next moment the library went suddenly dark. The +man passed on, and Staffer flashed on the electric torch as he came +out, but its light did not fall near the corner. He extinguished it +when the men reached the house door, and Elsie stood very still with +tingling nerves.</p> + +<p>She had escaped, but the envelope lay on the floor, and she felt that +Appleyard was threatened by some plot in which Dick was to be +involved. Both must be protected; she must get the paper. Its loss +would no doubt embarrass the conspirators, and would probably not be +discovered for some time, but she must be quick. Their footsteps were +almost noiseless, but she heard them go down the steps. Stooping +swiftly, she drew her hand across the floor, found the envelope and +thrust it inside her kimono. Then she darted across to the stairs, and +when she reached the landing she stopped to listen. It was possible +that the stranger might feel if he had all the papers before he left.</p> + +<p>No sound reached her, and she breathed a sigh of relief; but she +forgot that the others had moved silently, and a flash of light swept +up the stairs and struck her face. She was dazzled and alarmed; but +with an effort she kept her self-control. It would be dangerous to be +seen trying to steal away, but if she remained, looking down over the +banisters, her presence might be accounted for.</p> + +<p>"Who's there?" she asked in a sharp voice.</p> + +<p>For a moment or two the light rested on her face, and she was glad to +remember that she would not be expected to look composed.</p> + +<p>Staffer laughed as he turned the beam on Williamson.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>"Our friend and I," he answered. "I'm sorry we startled you. Perhaps +I'd better get a candle."</p> + +<p>He looked cool. That was comforting, for it suggested that he did not +know she had been in the hall; but she thought it wiser to wait a +minute. Staffer struck a match; then he put out the torch and gave the +lighted candle to Williamson.</p> + +<p>"If you don't want supper, we may as well go upstairs. The room you +generally use is ready."</p> + +<p>Elsie imagined that Williamson had not meant to stay, but he came up +in front of Staffer, carrying the candle. She noted that he wore +rubber knee-boots and that Staffer had only his stockings on his feet. +When they reached the landing, Williamson looked rather keenly at her, +but his face was inscrutable. She could not be sure that he had not +seen her behind the clock; and Staffer's attitude might be intended to +hide some plan for her embarrassment. But she must keep cool.</p> + +<p>"I think we could find Mr. Williamson some cold meat if he is hungry," +she said.</p> + +<p>"He'd rather have sleep," Staffer answered. "He meant to stay at +Langholm, so as to get home early to-morrow; but you can never rely on +a motorcycle." He turned to Williamson. "How far did you have to walk +when it broke down?"</p> + +<p>"Four or five miles, after I'd spent some time trying to put it +right," Williamson answered, and made his excuses for disturbing them; +but Elsie thought he was taking Staffer's cue, and she knew that they +were both watching her. For all that, she smiled as she replied with +conventional politeness.</p> + +<p>"Well," resumed Staffer, "it's getting cold, and I'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> look after +Williamson. If you hear a door open another time, you'd better call me +instead of going down." He paused a moment, and there was a slight +change in his tone. "We know your pluck, but I can't allow you to run +a risk."</p> + +<p>Elsie turned away with keen relief, and on reaching her room she +locked the door before she took out the envelope. The name +<i>Thorkelsen</i> was written across it. That suggested a Norwegian or a +Dane, and was not what she had expected, but she sat for a time with +the envelope in her hand. She had no doubt that it contained some +dangerous secret. A plausible excuse had been made for Williamson's +visit; but she had noticed his clothes, and deck-boots, which were not +what one generally wore when motor-cycling. Then, why had the man in +oilskins come to Appleyard when he might have expected every one to be +asleep? It looked as if her uncle had a part, and a leading part, in +some plot in which Williamson was engaged; but she could not reason +the matter out. Now that the strain had gone, she suddenly felt limp.</p> + +<p>With an effort she roused herself and threw the envelope into the +fire. She could not betray her uncle, to whom she owed much; but he +should not lead Dick into trouble, and Appleyard must not be used by +her country's enemies. The situation, however, was embarrassing, and +she felt that she could not ask Andrew's help. She longed to do so, +because she instinctively turned to him when she was in a difficulty, +and he had never failed her. But it was impossible now. She must wait +and trust to finding some way of baffling the conspirators without +staining the family honor.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>At last she went to bed, and presently fell asleep; but she got up +early in the morning and found Dick outside, watching Watson clean the +car.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to Edinburgh to-day?" she asked, as they turned back to +the house.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dick. "A bit of a change is bracing."</p> + +<p>"But Andrew and Mr. Whitney are coming back."</p> + +<p>"I suppose that means you don't want me to go; can't trust me up in +town?" Dick said lightly.</p> + +<p>"It isn't that." Elsie hesitated. "I imagine they want to make some +use of you."</p> + +<p>Dick gave her a curious glance.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you mean Williamson does?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Elsie, with a touch of color in her face; "I mean both."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Dick looked at her keenly for a moment. "You're generally frank, +Elsie; open as the sunshine, in fact; and I'm not clever at hiding +what I think. Suppose you tell me what you really do mean?"</p> + +<p>"I can't, Dick; but I want you to be careful in Edinburgh, for my +sake."</p> + +<p>"Very well. I'll promise that; and I think I can manage not to let +others see I've had a hint. It's a funny thing, but although I am a +bit of a fool, I really have more sense than people imagine."</p> + +<p>Elsie was puzzled by his manner. The hardness in his tone was not like +Dick; but she let the matter drop.</p> + +<p>"Who is Rankine? Do you know him?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes; he's a friend of Whitney's people, a navy officer. Struck me as +a remarkably good type."</p> + +<p>"Where is he now?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>"I don't know. Somewhere between here and Ireland, surveying for +charts."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Mr. Whitney will bring him to Appleyard when his ship's in +port."</p> + +<p>"I'll ask him to, if you like. But I don't know you as a plotter. +What's the scheme?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you," Elsie answered with a careless smile. "You'll have +to trust me, Dick."</p> + +<p>"That's easy," he said in a different tone. "Anybody who knew you well +would trust you with his life."</p> + +<p>Elsie gave him a quick, affectionate glance, and they went into the +house.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">STAFFER'S MESSENGER</span></h2> + + +<p>Dick spent several exhilarating days in Edinburgh, although on the +whole he conducted himself with a sobriety that surprised his +companions, who were thus encouraged to leave him alone.</p> + +<p>As they were getting breakfast on the morning they left Edinburgh, +Staffer said to Dick:</p> + +<p>"We must start back as soon as we can, but there's an adjustment to be +made on the car that may keep me half an hour at the garage. I don't +suppose you'll mind doing an errand for me in the meantime?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not," said Dick.</p> + +<p>"Then you might go to the Caledonian Hotel and see a man called +Sanders. I'll give you his room number, so you needn't bother them at +the office. Go straight up in the elevator and ask if he has any +message for me; then you can come back to the garage, where we'll be +waiting."</p> + +<p>"He doesn't know me, but perhaps that won't matter?"</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose so; the thing's not important," Staffer answered +carelessly. "However, since you mention it, if he should hesitate, you +can show him this."</p> + +<p>He gave Dick a handsome silver cigarette-case, engraved with a rather +unusual pattern round the crest.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>"Be back in half an hour," he said.</p> + +<p>It was a fine morning with bright sunshine and a keen east wind, and +Dick walked along carelessly, looking at the shops. At one he bought +some gloves for Mrs. Woodhouse, and at another some delicate, quilled +chrysanthemums caught his eye. He bought a larger bunch than he could +conveniently hold, imagining that they might please Elsie, and farther +on he purchased an enameled locket.</p> + +<p>With a box of gloves sticking awkwardly out of his pocket, and a +wrapped-up jewel case dangling by a loop from a finger of the hand +with which he clutched the great bunch of chrysanthemums, Dick entered +the hotel. None of the pages or porters asked him what he wanted when +he strode through the entrance hall; for his twinkling smile and easy +manner banished suspicion. There were very few people who ever +distrusted Dick. Staffer had chosen his messenger well.</p> + +<p>Dick found Sanders reading a letter in his room, and thought the +fellow had been surprised when he entered unannounced. The paper in +his hand was crumpled, as if he had meant to put it out of sight, but +he turned to Dick with a quiet movement. His face was expressionless, +but his glance was very keen.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I ought to apologize for breaking in on you like this," Dick +said.</p> + +<p>"It's not quite usual," Sanders replied. "The general custom is to +send in a card."</p> + +<p>"Well, I was told to go straight up; and as I was thinking of +something else, I'm afraid I forgot to knock."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you did," returned Sanders. "Who told you to come up?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>"Staffer. I understand you have a message for him. We're just starting +home."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Sanders' voice was quiet, but Dick imagined that he felt some +surprise. "You will excuse my remarking that, as a rule, one likes to +know something about a messenger."</p> + +<p>"Of course; I forgot." Dick took out the cigarette-case. "Staffer is +my step-father, and he said you'd know this."</p> + +<p>"Then you're Mr. Johnstone of Appleyard?"</p> + +<p>Dick nodded and felt that he was being quietly studied. It was obvious +that Sanders knew something about him.</p> + +<p>"How long have you been in Edinburgh?" he asked, and looked thoughtful +when Dick told him.</p> + +<p>"Well, I have no message for Mr. Staffer. As a matter of fact, I was +expecting some news from him, and have not received it. You might tell +him so."</p> + +<p>"I see; you can't reply to a message you didn't get. But I'll send him +round when I reach the garage, if you like—and there's the +telephone."</p> + +<p>"You seem to understand the situation," Sanders smiled. "I won't +trouble Mr. Staffer, as it is not important. Will you come down and +smoke a cigarette?"</p> + +<p>"No, thanks. Staffer's waiting," Dick said.</p> + +<p>Sanders picked up the cigarette-case, which he had left on the table.</p> + +<p>"This is Mr. Staffer's, and perhaps you had better return it as soon +as you see him. The thing is valuable."</p> + +<p>Dick left the hotel, but took out the case and examined it as he +walked back up the street. It was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> heavily gilded inside, and he +thought the engraving round the small gold crest remarkably good. The +case was beautifully made, and must have been expensive; but he +suspected that this did not altogether account for Sanders' warning +him to take care of it. Dick's face grew thoughtful as he remembered +the crumpled letter, which the man had not had time to thrust into his +pocket. Then, it was strange that he had been unwilling to use the +telephone; and, when one came to think of it, Staffer could have +avoided some delay by ringing him up. Moreover, Elsie had told him +that he might be made use of in Edinburgh.</p> + +<p>As he remembered this, Dick smiled. After all, he was not so simple as +he looked, and people who misunderstood his character sometimes +suffered for their mistake. His mind was occupied as he went on to the +garage, where he found the car waiting at the door with Williamson +inside. They had not brought Watson, and when Dick appeared Staffer +started the engine.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you saw Sanders," he said carelessly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Dick. "Hope I haven't kept you; I wasn't with him +long."</p> + +<p>"Jump up," Staffer said, as he threw in the clutch, and the big car +rolled away down the street.</p> + +<p>The traffic was thick when they crossed the railway bridge, and +Staffer was forced to drive cautiously; and when they ran between tall +houses along the narrow highway out of the town, there seemed to be an +unusual number of carts about and tramcars on the line. It was not +until they were speeding past the last of the small villas on the +outskirts that Staffer could relax his watchfulness, and then he did +not speak to Dick. Staffer and Sanders had given him to understand +that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> the message was of no importance, and Dick knew that Staffer +would accordingly show no haste to ask about it.</p> + +<p>They ran under a lofty railway viaduct and through a colliery village; +then the road led upward across open country toward a high, blue ridge +that rose between them and the south. As the car sped on, the careful +cultivation that marks the Lothian levels became less evident. There +were fewer broad belts of stubble, and the dark-green turnip fields +were left behind; no copses and patches of woodland lined the winding +road. Rushy pastures rolled away from it, the hedgerows were made of +ragged, wind-stunted thorns, which presently gave place to dry stone +dykes. Round hilltops began to rise above the high table-land where +the white bent-grass grew, and a keen wind from the North Sea stung +their faces as they climbed the last ascent. Here Dick's eyes swept +the landscape.</p> + +<p>The Forth had dwindled to a thin, glittering streak, Edinburgh was +hidden by a haze of smoke, and the Craigs and Arthur's seat were +fading into the background of the highland hills. Ahead, across the +divide, a long, gently sloping hollow opened up where Gala Water wound +among the fields and woods. The road, however, ran straight along the +hillside, which gradually rose above it, while the valley melted +through deepening shades of gray into a gulf of blue shadow. As the +car rushed down the incline a faint white line was drawn across the +distance, and Dick, glancing at his watch, imagined it was an +Edinburgh express.</p> + +<p>Then Staffer turned to him.</p> + +<p>"By the way, what about the message Sanders gave you?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>"Oh," said Dick, "he didn't give it to me."</p> + +<p>Staffer looked round as far as he was able, but dared not neglect his +driving, and so missed Dick's grin.</p> + +<p>"But you saw him!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; but he had nothing to say. He didn't know what you wanted, +because he hadn't heard from you. Anyway, that's what I understood."</p> + +<p>The car had swung toward the edge of the road, and Staffer was +occupied by the wheel for the next few moments, but Dick imagined that +he and Williamson exchanged glances.</p> + +<p>"Can you remember his exact remarks?" Staffer asked when he could turn +again.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not. Still, I think he expected you to send him something +that hadn't come."</p> + +<p>Staffer said nothing more, but Williamson put his hand into his +pocket, and took out what appeared to be a time-table. A thin spire +with a few white houses below it now stood out from the hillside two +or three miles away, but Dick thought Williamson would not get out +there. It would look significant after hearing his report, and he +could get a train to Edinburgh farther on. Staffer said something that +Dick could not hear, and the car raced through the village without +slackening speed.</p> + +<p>For a time the road ran southward beside the sparkling stream, and +then wound round wide curves where woods rolled down the hollows of +the hills, until, as they turned a corner, Galashield's factory +chimneys rose about the waterside, and a haze of smoke floated across +the valley. Staffer reduced speed as they ran in among the houses, and +drove very slowly when they reached a sharp bend near the station.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span>"I want some oil," he said. "We'll stop here and get a tin."</p> + +<p>He pulled up in front of a big red hotel, and they went into the +smoking-room.</p> + +<p>Williamson walked over to the fire.</p> + +<p>"It's a cold day for driving, and I don't think I'll go any farther," +he remarked. "I want a few things that I can buy in the town, and I'll +go on by the afternoon train."</p> + +<p>"As you like," said Staffer. "Your place is off our way."</p> + +<p>When Williamson left them, Dick turned to Staffer.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if you would lend me a pound or two?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I might take the risk; but why do you want it?"</p> + +<p>"Well," Dick said apologetically, "it's difficult to bring much money +back when you go to Edinburgh; and if you don't mind I'll stop here. +If Andrew and Whitney aren't in the neighborhood, I'll come on by +train, but I expect to find them at Melrose or Abbotsford. You see, I +felt rather shabby about leaving on the day they were coming home."</p> + +<p>Staffer did not object, but Dick thought his compliance was accounted +for by the whistle of a stopping train that was then starting for +Edinburgh.</p> + +<p>"Andrew has eccentric tastes, but, allowing for that, it's hard to see +what satisfaction he and his American friend can get from cruising +about the Galloway coast in winter," Staffer said.</p> + +<p>"They're fond of a shot at the black geese."</p> + +<p>"They can get snipe and partridges at Appleyard without much trouble."</p> + +<p>"They can," Dick agreed, smiling; "that partly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> accounts for it. If +you knew Andrew as I do, you'd understand why he prefers the geese. +Anything he can get easily, doesn't appeal to him. No doubt, it's a +matter of temperament, but I imagine he goes punting after geese +because it's a remarkably good way of getting cold and wet."</p> + +<p>"Then it's only the shooting that takes him along the coast."</p> + +<p>"Of course. I can't think of anything else. Can you?"</p> + +<p>"No," Staffer said with a quick laugh. "But I'll admit that I don't +understand your cousin's type of character."</p> + +<p>They left the hotel soon afterward, but Dick's face grew thoughtful +when Staffer drove off in the car. He had known for some time that +Williamson derived an advantage from exploiting his extravagance, but +he had not minded this. Of late, however, Williamson had left him +alone, but Dick did not think this was because Staffer had interfered +on his behalf. He had admired and trusted his step-father, who had +always treated him indulgently; and he now retained some liking for +him, though he was beginning to know him better.</p> + +<p>Leaving the town he took the road to Abbotsford lost in gloomy +thought; but presently he braced himself to ponder the line he ought +now to take. After all, he was the heir to Appleyard, and although he +had recklessly ignored his responsibilities, he loved the old house. +Now, all was not well there: something mysterious was going on. Dick +held Williamson mainly accountable for this, but it looked as if +Staffer had a part in the plot. This complicated things, because<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> +Staffer was his step-father and Elsie's uncle, and Dick cherished the +honor of his house.</p> + +<p>He looked up as he heard the hoot of a motor horn, and his tense face +relaxed into a smile. Andrew, in the side-car of Whitney's bicycle, +waved his hand and Dick's troubles began to vanish. One could rely on +Andrew, who, after all, was a much better Johnstone than himself. +Somehow, Andrew would stand between them and whatever threatened the +honor of Appleyard.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">AN EVENING AT APPLEYARD</span></h2> + + +<p>Rankine had got a few days' leave and was spending it at Appleyard. He +sat beside Elsie in a corner of the billiard-room, where the party had +gathered after dinner. He had arrived during the afternoon, and Andrew +was not altogether pleased to see him, although he liked the man. +Elsie had suggested that Dick should invite him, and had added that he +might as well come when Madge Whitney was there. Since Elsie had not +seen Rankine until he arrived, Andrew wondered what she meant; but he +admitted that she generally had a reason for what she did.</p> + +<p>Nobody had been playing billiards or wanted to begin. Elsie and Mrs. +Woodhouse were knitting and the others were talking quietly, while +they waited for the evening newspaper.</p> + +<p>Presently Staffer made a remark about the Navy, and Madge Whitney +looked at Rankine with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Don't you feel that you must answer that?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know that I can," Rankine answered good-naturedly. "To some +extent, Mr. Staffer's right. The Navy certainly occupies the +background of the stage, just now."</p> + +<p>"It strikes me as being out of sight altogether," Staffer said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>"Well, perhaps that's its proper place. But I expect it will emerge +from obscurity when it's wanted."</p> + +<p>"We must hope so," Staffer returned. "No doubt, your commanders are +waiting for the right moment to make a dramatic entry on the scene; +but one imagines that ambitious young officers must find being kept in +the background rather galling."</p> + +<p>Andrew caught Whitney's glance and understood it as a warning not to +speak. It had been blowing hard for the past week and he thought of +the great battleships rolling until it was scarcely possible to keep a +footing on their stripped decks, while anxious men slept beside the +guns and bitter seas foamed across the ponderous, low-sided hulls. It +would be worse on the swift destroyers, driving, half submerged, +through the gale and trembling when the combers struck them, until +their thin steel skin and beams racked and bent with the strain. No +man could really keep a lookout in the blinding clouds of spray, and +their decks would be swept from end to end with icy water. Rankine +knew this, but he smiled tranquilly as he turned to Staffer.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't think they mind—so long as they feel they're useful!"</p> + +<p>"Is that what you feel?"</p> + +<p>"Something of the kind. Surveying's not the work one would prefer, +just now, but it's necessary. The banks and channels shift and our +commerce must go on."</p> + +<p>"There have been interruptions," Staffer said dryly.</p> + +<p>Andrew felt puzzled. Staffer's manners were generally good; but now, +while there was nothing offensive in his tone, he had gone farther +than was altogether<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> tactful. It looked as if he wanted to sting the +young navy officer into an indignant protest, though Andrew could not +see what he expected to gain. Rankine, however, agreed with Staffer.</p> + +<p>"That's so; and it's possible we may hear of another interruption or +two. Our men will do their best; but, while our cruisers are pretty +active, they can't be everywhere at once."</p> + +<p>The newspaper was brought in and Staffer handed it to Dick.</p> + +<p>"You can read it to us. I can't see very well where I am."</p> + +<p>Dick took the thin sheet.</p> + +<p>"Nothing of importance on the western front; a trench or two carried, +another lost."</p> + +<p>He stopped with an exclamation, and the others leaned forward eagerly.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Dick?" Elsie asked in a hushed voice.</p> + +<p>"They've sunk another ship in the North Channel—a wheat ship from +Canada!"</p> + +<p>"Read it!" Andrew said tensely.</p> + +<p>Dick gave a quick look at Staffer before beginning; but Staffer at +that instant was lighting a cigar, so his face was masked.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A telegram from Londonderry reports that the British +cargo steamer <i>Meridian</i> with grain from Canada was +beached in a sinking state near Greencastle last +night. Full particulars have not yet been received, +but a violent shock was felt when the vessel was off +Malin Head and soon afterward she began to settle +down. The water rose rapidly in two of her holds, but +the bulkheads stood the strain and the captain was +able to reach the mouth of Lough Foyle. Whether<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> she +struck a mine or was torpedoed is not at present +known, but some light is thrown on the subject by the +crew of the <i>Concord's</i> experience. The latter, a +steamer of 6,000 tons, bound from Montreal to Glasgow, +passed Tory Island yesterday, steering east. A high, +confused sea was running, and it was getting dark when +she was abreast of Portrush, where the lookout forward +reported a submarine.</p> + +<p>"The captain immediately altered his course, and the +vessel, which was rolling wildly, listed over as she +obeyed her helm. The lookout, running across the +forecastle, after he hailed the bridge, as if to see +the submarine better, was thrown down the ladder and +picked up, unconscious, on the iron deck. The captain +steamed out to sea and returned an hour or two +afterward nearer the Kintyre side. The injured seaman +had not recovered consciousness when he was landed in +the Clyde."</p></div> + +<p>There was silence for a few moments when Dick put down the newspaper. +Andrew's face was hard, for Rankine had given him a meaning glance; +Elsie was very quiet, but she was lightly flushed.</p> + +<p>"I suppose it wouldn't be difficult to recognize a submarine?" she +asked presently.</p> + +<p>"No," said Rankine; "not if it were at the surface. One might, +however, mistake a spar or batten, floating upright, for a periscope."</p> + +<p>No one followed up his explanation, but the party seemed to find the +pause trying.</p> + +<p>"They burn gasolene, don't they?" Madge asked.</p> + +<p>"Either that or oil when they're running on the surface. The engines +are driven by electricity when they're submerged."</p> + +<p>"Can they carry much gasolene?"</p> + +<p>"Not very much," Rankine answered, guardedly.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>"Can they carry enough to take them from Germany and back?" Madge +persisted.</p> + +<p>"I believe some can do so; but they wouldn't have much to spare, and +they'd run a serious risk if they remained any time as far away from +their base as the North Channel."</p> + +<p>"You must see that the point's important," said Elsie.</p> + +<p>"Its importance is obvious," Rankine agreed.</p> + +<p>"If the boat couldn't carry enough fuel, she'd have to get some while +she was out on a trip?"</p> + +<p>There was another long pause and then Mrs. Woodhouse spoke.</p> + +<p>"You must mean somewhere in Scotland," she said.</p> + +<p>"Disagreeable conclusion, isn't it? But we don't know yet that it was +a submarine," Rankine answered.</p> + +<p>"But suppose there <i>should</i> be an enemy submarine in the North Channel +that hadn't much fuel left, how could she renew her supply?" Staffer +asked.</p> + +<p>Rankine seemed unwilling to talk about the subject, but he smiled.</p> + +<p>"Oh," he said, "it's hard to tell. One could form plausible theories, +but they'd probably be wrong. Perhaps we'd better leave the matter to +the people whose business it is."</p> + +<p>He began to talk about something else, and the curious tension that +all had felt gradually slackened. Soon afterward, a servant announced +that Mackellar had arrived. Staffer had been expecting him, and when +he left the room Madge and Dick went to the drawing-room with Elsie +and Mrs. Woodhouse, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> Rankine found himself alone with Andrew and +Whitney.</p> + +<p>"Have you made any progress with your investigations?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No," Andrew answered quietly; "nothing very marked."</p> + +<p>"And you are still resolved to keep them in your own hands, after the +news we got to-night?"</p> + +<p>"Do you know that the loss of the cargo boat has any connection with +the matter?"</p> + +<p>"No; but it looks suspicious," Rankine answered, with a touch of +grimness. "If I did know, my course would be clear."</p> + +<p>"So would mine," said Andrew. "We found some matches and a candle on +board the wreck, and followed a man across Criffell to the beach +abreast of her—or rather we followed his tracks. Then we saw another +fellow on the sands at night; but that's all I have to tell."</p> + +<p>"Could you see either of the men clearly?"</p> + +<p>"No. I didn't see the first at all; and the other was some distance +off, and a thick fog was coming on."</p> + +<p>"That means it was impossible for you to recognize him."</p> + +<p>"Quite," Andrew said firmly. "Besides, I didn't expect to recognize +him; there was nothing to indicate it was anybody I'd ever met. Have +you learned anything?"</p> + +<p>Rankine smiled.</p> + +<p>"I've examined the wreck and dug up the sand, besides watching the +flats for several nights. The place might be used for a wireless +installation, but, lying in a hollow, with hills on both sides, it's +not particularly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> suitable." He paused and looked at Andrew. "That had +some influence with me."</p> + +<p>Andrew thought Rankine meant that if he felt certain that messages +were sent from the wreck, he would have brought some pressure to bear +on him.</p> + +<p>"How did you get there?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"We ran in behind Ross Island when it was too rough for surveying, and +afterward brought up near Abbey Head. You get some shelter there so +long as the wind's not south."</p> + +<p>"But it's a long way from Abbey Head to the wreck," Whitney +interposed.</p> + +<p>"I shipped a steam launch at Belfast."</p> + +<p>"And went to the wreck and back at night? Wasn't it blowing hard?"</p> + +<p>"Hard enough," smiled Rankine. "We had some trouble to keep the fire +from being swamped, but she's a powerful boat and has a good big pump. +Then we traveled most of the distance shortly before and after +low-water, when the sea was not so bad; but I'll confess that I +couldn't have found my way among the shoals except for Mr. Johnstone's +directions. We made three trips and got back before daylight without +noting anything suspicious."</p> + +<p>They looked at him in surprise. A steam launch voyage along that +dangerous coast on a wild winter night was a bold undertaking, +particularly when one must cross surf-swept sands with only a few feet +of water under the boat. And Rankine had safely accomplished it +thrice.</p> + +<p>"What about the digging?" Whitney asked. "Mightn't it alarm our man?"</p> + +<p>"The surf would level the sand in a tide," Andrew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> said; and turned to +Rankine. "What do you think of doing now?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but I'm afraid I can't stay here as long as I expected. +The steamer's in Loch Ryan. We went in to make some repairs after a +hammering we got. Now, perhaps we had better join the others."</p> + +<p>Andrew left them in the drawing-room and found Mackellar alone in the +library.</p> + +<p>"I'll have finished with these in a few minutes," he remarked, +indicating the papers before him. "Mr. Staffer's accounts don't give +much trouble. He's a man o' parts."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Andrew; "the estate is managed well."</p> + +<p>"We must give him all the credit he deserves, but there's another +matter I'm anxious about. We have not got to the bottom o' your +cousin's debts."</p> + +<p>Andrew frowned.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that Williamson has got hold of him again?"</p> + +<p>"No; I'm thinking he's out of the game, and the borrowed money's none +o' his. But Dick has incurred some fresh liabilities. Here's a bit +statement; ye can study it."</p> + +<p>Andrew felt disturbed, but he waited until Mackellar put the papers +into his pocket.</p> + +<p>"I can't see how Dick has spent so much money; but how did he get it?"</p> + +<p>"On notes that will mature when he's twenty-one. I found the man who +cashed them, but he parted with the paper, and I canno' tell who holds +it now."</p> + +<p>"I've no doubt you tried to find out."</p> + +<p>Mackellar's eyes twinkled.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span>"Ye may take that for granted. If there had been a weak spot in the +man's affairs, I'd have made him tell."</p> + +<p>There was silence for a minute. Andrew suspected that it was Staffer; +but he did not think it was time to speak, and he knew that Mackellar +would take him into his confidence when he saw fit.</p> + +<p>"The fellow who really made the loan has some courage," he said +presently.</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking he kens the Johnstone character. Dick would no' disown +his debts on the ground that he was under age; nor would ye, if your +cousin died before he inherited."</p> + +<p>"No," said Andrew. "Dick's debts must be met; but I would pay what he +borrowed with reasonable interest, and nothing more."</p> + +<p>"Ye're a true Johnstone," Mackellar remarked, with dry approval. "My +opinion is that the lender's no' expecting ye to inherit."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's most unlikely, and I'm glad it is so. I suppose you have +nothing more to say, but you'll tell me when I can help."</p> + +<p>"I will," Mackellar promised.</p> + +<p>Andrew did not feel inclined to join the others. He strolled into the +hall, and found Elsie sitting in a corner with her knitting.</p> + +<p>"I stole away to finish this belt," she said. "It's the last of a +dozen I promised to let the committee have to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"You keep your promises," Andrew replied. "It must be a comfort to +feel you're useful, because somebody in the snow and mud will be glad +of that warm belt. I begin to wish I'd been taught to knit."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>Elsie gave him a sympathetic glance, for there was a hint of +bitterness in his tone.</p> + +<p>"What is troubling you to-night, Andrew?" she asked gently.</p> + +<p>"It is rather hard to explain; a general sense of futility, I think," +he answered with a smile. "Did you ever feel that you had come up +against a dead wall that you could neither break through nor get +over?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I know the feeling well. There is so much that ought to be done +and it seems impossible. But what did you want to do?"</p> + +<p>Andrew stood beside the hearth, silently watching her for a minute. +Her face was quiet but faintly troubled, and although she was looking +at the fire and not her knitting, the needles flashed steadily through +the wool. Elsie had beautiful hands, but they were capable and strong, +and it was not often that she allowed her feelings to interfere with +her work.</p> + +<p>"To tell what you meant to do and couldn't sounds pretty weak, but I +had two objects when I came home," he said. "I wanted to help Dick and +keep him out of trouble; but the proper kind of help needs tact, and I +haven't much. Besides, there's something peculiarly elusive about +Dick; you think you have him, so to speak, in a corner, and the next +moment he slips away from you. Sometimes I suspect he's a good deal +more clever than we imagine."</p> + +<p>Elsie nodded.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I know what you mean. But you're a very good friend of his and +it wouldn't be like you to give him up."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean to give him up; but just now it looks as if I could get +no farther. That's the trouble."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>"You mean part of it," said Elsie quietly. "What was your other +object?"</p> + +<p>Andrew hesitated.</p> + +<p>"It was rather vague, but I thought I might somehow be useful—to the +country. I'm lame and can't enlist; I can't give much money; but I +might, perhaps, help to watch the coast. Then there was the Eskdale +road. You know my hobby."</p> + +<p>Elsie stopped her knitting and gave him a steady look.</p> + +<p>"And after a time, you thought you saw a way to be of use. You found +out something?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said in a disturbed voice. "Still, it looked as if I +couldn't go on with the thing. Some of the clues broke off and those I +tried to follow led me into difficulties. You can't act on faint +suspicion: it might lead to unnecessary complications."</p> + +<p>"One must take a risk now and then," Elsie answered. "I mean, do one's +duty and face the consequences."</p> + +<p>Andrew did not reply and she picked up her knitting.</p> + +<p>"Well, peace must come, sometime," she said. "Have you thought what +you will do then?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; if I could see Dick starting well as the owner of Appleyard, +and, better still, safely married, I'd go away again."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by 'safely married'?"</p> + +<p>"I think you know. He's such a good sort, and a girl who understood +him and was patient with his failings would soon help him to get rid +of them. She'd make the most of his good points, and Dick has +talents—"</p> + +<p>"Are there girls like that?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>"Yes," said Andrew, firmly; "I am quite sure that I know one."</p> + +<p>Elsie gave him a curious glance.</p> + +<p>"But you're only thinking of Dick. What about yourself?"</p> + +<p>"Oh," he said with a brave effort to be cheerful, "I don't count for +much. I've no money and no particular ability beyond being able to +sail a boat. Still, I have the sea and I'm fond of wandering. It's a +pretty good old world, after all, and if you keep an open mind, you +make friends wherever you go."</p> + +<p>"But it must hurt to leave the old ones."</p> + +<p>"Yes," he agreed with a hint of strain; "it hurts very much. But you +never leave them altogether. Things change, of course, but you can +come back if you are wanted."</p> + +<p>He left her rather abruptly, and Elsie dropped her work and sat +looking into the fire, a curious, gentle smile on her face. Andrew was +true to the core; he would never seek his own advantage when it +conflicted with his loyalty to his friends. Now he was willing to +sacrifice himself for Dick; though perhaps his poverty influenced him, +too. Still, he should see—Elsie resolutely picked up her knitting. +She must not indulge in disturbing thoughts like these—and the belts +must be finished. Shivering men, worn with stern fighting in Flanders, +needed them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE BUOYED CHANNEL</span></h2> + + +<p>A bitter east wind was blowing through light mist, though the moon was +in the sky, when Andrew came out of a little shop in a lonely village +near the Galloway coast. He carried a basket of provisions and wore a +thick jersey and oilskins, but he shivered as he looked down the +street. It was empty, and dark except for a faint yellow glow here and +there in the windows of the small, white houses that rose abruptly +from the rough pavement.</p> + +<p>"Dick's a long time in getting the eggs," he said to Whitney.</p> + +<p>"That's so; we've been 'most half an hour buying the few things you +wanted. He's probably talking to somebody. Making friends with +strangers is a way he has, particularly when he knows we're waiting."</p> + +<p>"I could suggest another explanation," Andrew replied.</p> + +<p>He looked round at a clatter of heavy boots and saw two dark figures +against a square of light. Then a door was shut and Dick came up with +a man who wore an oilskin cap and jersey. Dick was awkwardly holding a +big paper bag.</p> + +<p>"It's no' a good night," said the seaman. "I wouldna' say but we might +have a shift o' wind before long. They're telling me ye have brought +up in the west bay."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>"For the night," said Andrew. "It's an exposed place."</p> + +<p>"It's a' that. If the wind comes from the south'ard, it will take good +ground-tackle to hold ye."</p> + +<p>"What about the burnfoot gutter?"</p> + +<p>"It's snug enough, but ye might have to stop a week. Ye canna' beat +oot when there's any sea running on the sands."</p> + +<p>"Are there any geese about?"</p> + +<p>"Weel, I did see two or three bernicle, a week ago; but if it's +shooting ye want, ye'll have to gang doon west. The geese have moved +on, but I hear the duck are throng on the flats roon Deefoot, behind +the Ross."</p> + +<p>Andrew said nothing. He had picked up Dick at Kirkcudbright on the +Dee, but had not seen a duck about the river mouth. It seemed that the +man had learned that they came from the head of Solway, but did not +know they were then returning from the west. He left them at the end +of the village and Andrew then asked Dick what had kept him.</p> + +<p>"The eggs," Dick grinned. "Jim insisted on them and I didn't want to +disappoint him, though they're scarce just now. I should advise him to +take them before they smash; I'm not clever at carrying eggs in a +paper bag."</p> + +<p>"Where did you get them?" Whitney asked as he took the bag.</p> + +<p>"Where do you think? When you're in doubt in a Scotch clachan, it's +safe to try the change-house."</p> + +<p>"I suppose that means the saloon," said Whitney. "Well, I suspected +something of the kind."</p> + +<p>Leaving the road outside the village, they struck across some wet +fields and came to a marsh, through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> which a muddy creek wound +crookedly. After jumping deep drains and floundering through rushes, +they reached a steep bank of gravel, with a cut where the creek made +its way to the sea. A mooring buoy floated in the channel; and across +the channel lay a waste of sand, dotted with shallow pools. This ran +seaward until it was lost in the haze.</p> + +<p>An old shooting punt that Andrew had repaired lay upon the gravel and +they dragged her down. As she was larger than usual and the big gun +had been unshipped for the voyage, she would carry them all; though +her shallow hull was deep in the water and the yacht some distance +off. They had brought their ordinary shoulder guns on the chance of +getting a shot at geese or duck. The village was about a mile away, +and the spot looked strangely desolate; although a raised causeway, +lined by stunted thorns, that ran back into the mist, seemed to +suggest that a road came down to the sands across the creek.</p> + +<p>Andrew took the long paddle when they pushed off, and the tide carried +them away between muddy banks veined with tiny rivulets of water. In +coming, soon after high tide, they had crossed the sands, following +the line of beach, but now they must head seaward until they could +round the end of the projecting shoal. Soon the banks got lower and +the riband of water widened; and then a tall upright branch rose ahead +of them.</p> + +<p>"That perch is new since I was here last," Andrew remarked. "Who was +the fellow you were talking to, Dick?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. He told me he had a boat at the burnfoot, but the +fishing wasn't good."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>They drifted on until a strong ripple broke the surface ahead. A small +black object tossed in the disturbed patch.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Whitney. "Looks like a lobster trap."</p> + +<p>"Lobsters prefer stones," said Andrew. "I don't think there are any +here, but we'll see, if you get hold of the buoy. Anyhow, it will let +me stop paddling and throw some water out."</p> + +<p>He headed across the channel, and Whitney, crouching on deck, seized +the ring of corks. The punt swung round sharply with her bow to the +stream and there was an angry splash against her planks. Whitney was +glad to ease the strain on his arms by making fast the wet line.</p> + +<p>"The tide's running strong," he said.</p> + +<p>Andrew nodded.</p> + +<p>"The buoy's not on a lobster creel or we'd have pulled it up. I wonder +what depth there is?"</p> + +<p>He pushed down the double-ended paddle, which, as used in shooting +punts, is about nine feet long, and touched bottom when it was wet +half-way up. Then he held the blade against the stream until the punt +sheered across the channel, dragging the line with her, when he tried +again. This time he could not find bottom.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if the corks are meant to mark a corner of the bank," he +said. "In a way, that's curious, because fishermen don't often bother +about a buoy. They know the ground and are satisfied with sounding +with an oar."</p> + +<p>Andrew began to bail her out, and Whitney and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> Dick sat on the after +deck while he caught the water which ran toward them in the bailing +can.</p> + +<p>"What about the geese?" Whitney asked.</p> + +<p>"The man mentioned bernicle and I'd expect to find them on the outer +end of the flat, because it's soft ground and bernicle get their food +in the mud. Besides, I'd like to see how this channel runs as the +sands dry; there's more water than I thought. Suppose we leave the +punt and walk down the edge? As it's lower than the top of the bank, +we'd be out of sight."</p> + +<p>"I'll stay in the punt," said Dick. "I'm not fond of crawling through +soft mud. Then, if you put up some birds, they'll probably fly over +me."</p> + +<p>They paddled ashore and left him with the punt, Andrew showing him two +small rollers, which would help him to launch her if he wished to come +after them. The sand was soft and made a sucking noise about their +sea-boots, but this was the only sound except the faint ripple of the +tide. The shore was hidden and there was nothing visible beyond the +stretch of sloppy flat that vanished into the mist. The haze, however, +was not thick, and faint moonlight filtered through.</p> + +<p>"What do you expect to find here?" Whitney asked.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I'm curious about the buoy and I imagine that the +fellow Dick was with wanted us to clear out. He was right in saying +that we'd brought up in an exposed place; but why did he tell us ducks +were plentiful down west?"</p> + +<p>Whitney made a sign of agreement.</p> + +<p>"It's certainly suspicious."</p> + +<p>They went on while the sand got softer, but they saw nothing except a +few small wading birds and a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> black-backed gull. Then Andrew stopped +near the outer end of the bank. Something black floated in the midst +of a tide-ripple, about forty yards away.</p> + +<p>"Another buoy and a bigger one, marking the fairway to the gut," he +said thoughtfully. "With that and the compass course to the corks we +saw, I'd take a boat drawing eight feet up to the burnfoot at five +hours' flood, on an average tide."</p> + +<p>"Eight feet draught would give you a pretty big boat; a vessel of +about a hundred tons would float on that. But what would bring her +here?"</p> + +<p>"That's the point," said Andrew. "I believe old wooden schooners +sometimes take cargoes of coal up these gutters and dump it into carts +on the beach, but I'm not quite satisfied."</p> + +<p>He turned suddenly, as he heard a flapping of canvas, and a few +moments later, a tall dark shape emerged from the haze. At first, it +had no clear outline, but Andrew knew it was the topsail of a +cutter-rigged boat, beating in against the tide. She grew in +distinctness until they could see her black hull washed by a streak of +foam, and the straining mainsail, slanted away from them. The iron +shoe of a trawl-beam projected between her shrouds, and the net hung +in a dark festoon over her weather side. The wind was abeam just there +and she passed them, sailing fast; but they waited, knowing that it +would draw ahead where the channel curved. Presently, there was a +banging of canvas that suddenly swung upright, and then filled and +vanished on the other tack.</p> + +<p>"Smart work!" Andrew commented. "They'll have about twenty yards of +deep water to gather way in before they bring her round again, against +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> stream. The fellows who can beat her round that bend don't need +buoys. I'd like to take some bearings: this gutter's very sketchily +indicated on the chart."</p> + +<p>"Shore bearings wouldn't be of much use to anybody who wanted to come +up in the dark."</p> + +<p>"That's true," Andrew agreed thoughtfully. "But we came for geese, and +we may as well make our way back across the middle of the sand."</p> + +<p>After a while they found a nearly dry gutter, and moved up it +cautiously until Andrew stopped. Out of the dark came a clear, high +note, the clanging cry of the bernicle geese. It was answered from one +side and behind, and then a measured fanning became audible. This +swelled into a rhythmic creak as the broad wings beat the air.</p> + +<p>The men crouched low, with tingling nerves, clenching their guns and +straining for the first glimpse of the approaching birds.</p> + +<p>"Flying low and right over," Andrew whispered. "Fire when you see the +first!"</p> + +<p>Whitney got down on one knee, while the ooze soaked through his +trousers and ran into his sea-boot. But this did not matter; it was +worth sinking waist-deep to hear the wild call break out close ahead. +A dark object, planing downward on extended wings, shot out of the +mist; another came close behind; and the gun-butt jarred Whitney's +shoulder while smoke blew into his eyes. He swung the gun as he pulled +the second trigger, and saw a red flash leap out; and then the dark +was filled with a harsh clamor and the furious beat of wings. Andrew +jerked his gun open and the burnt cartridges shot out while smoke +curled about the breach.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>"Two, I think," he said. "Yours is up the bank."</p> + +<p>Whitney found it presently: a small, black-breasted goose.</p> + +<p>"My first bernicle!" he said with a thrill of pride. "They're more +like a big duck than the heavy lag birds we've already bagged. Do you +think Dick will get a shot?"</p> + +<p>"He ought to. They were flying straight up the bank."</p> + +<p>They waited a few minutes, but no gunshot came out of the mist, and +when everything was silent they turned back down the gutter.</p> + +<p>"The geese won't alight again," Andrew said. "As Dick knows that, +he'll probably launch the punt and come to meet us."</p> + +<p>When they reached the edge of the water, Whitney stopped and lighted +his pipe.</p> + +<p>"It's pretty soft farther on. Let's wait here for the punt," he +suggested.</p> + +<p>He had nearly smoked his pipe out when they heard the splash of a +paddle, and presently the punt crept out of the mist. Its low, +gray-painted hull was hard to see; but Dick's form was more distinct +and Andrew made an abrupt movement as he watched him. He sat facing +forward, on the after deck, and he lurched clumsily from side to side +as he dipped the paddle. The punt was not going straight, but sheered +about, and Dick did not seem to be making for the bank. This projected +in a short cape, not far away, and then the sand ran back toward the +east, leaving a stretch of rippling water that vanished in the haze. +The tide was rapidly running seaward and the wind blew off the flat.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>"Dip to leeward!" Andrew shouted. "Head her up for the point!"</p> + +<p>Dick stopped and flourished his paddle.</p> + +<p>"I'm not coming ashore," he answered with a chuckle. "Do you good to +walk back. Jim's getting fat!"</p> + +<p>Whitney looked at Andrew in alarm.</p> + +<p>"Yes; he's drunk!" Andrew said with an impatient sign.</p> + +<p>It was plain to both that the situation was not free from danger. A +shooting punt, with its sides only from six to eight inches high, is +essentially a smooth-water craft and is easily swamped, in spite of +her deck. There was a good breeze, and if Dick passed the short point, +he would risk being blown out to sea. The tide did not follow the +sweep of bank but ran straight out.</p> + +<p>"Don't be a fool!" Andrew shouted. "Run her in at once!"</p> + +<p>Dick sat hunched up, with the paddle on the deck, and they heard him +laugh.</p> + +<p>"It's quite oll ri'," he answered. "Needn't bother about me. I'm going +to look for submarinesh."</p> + +<p>Andrew ran toward the point, and Whitney, following, tore two buttons +off his oilskin jacket as he tried to unfasten them with numbed +fingers. He wore ordinary serge trousers and heavy sea-boots, but the +punt must be stopped before she drifted past the little cape. +Afterward, it would be too late.</p> + +<p>Andrew reached the spot first, while the punt was still upstream of +it, and at once plunged in; but Whitney, who had now got rid of his +oilskin, stopped and tried to pull off his long, wet boots. He hardly +thought Andrew could wade out far enough, and one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> of them might have +to swim. He was furious with Dick; but the boy must be rescued. He got +his boots off and went in up to his knees; but then he stopped; for he +would not be needed if his comrade could reach the punt. Andrew was +waist-deep but still floundering on, when Dick, laughing hoarsely, +threw something at him. It fell into the water, but the next shot was +better aimed, for Whitney saw an egg smash on Andrew's oilskin cap.</p> + +<p>Another struck him in the face; but the punt was near now, and after a +few more floundering strides, Andrew threw himself forward. The craft +lurched as he fell across her deck, and Whitney thought she would +capsize; but the next moment Andrew flung Dick into the well and then, +kneeling on the deck, brought the craft ashore with a few strokes of +the paddle.</p> + +<p>Whitney felt very cold, and he was getting stiffly on board when +Andrew asked:</p> + +<p>"Hadn't you better bring your coat and boots?"</p> + +<p>Whitney found it a relief to laugh as he went back for the things; and +Andrew pushed the punt off when he got on board.</p> + +<p>"I'll paddle while you keep the young ass in the well," he said. +"Knock him down if he tries to get up."</p> + +<p>"Don't want to get up," Dick remarked. "Quite snug down here. Only +trouble is I'm sitting in the eggs."</p> + +<p>"I think that's correct," said Whitney. "<i>In</i> is the proper word. +There's rather a mess on your face, too."</p> + +<p>"Good shot, ole man," Dick observed with a grin.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>Andrew said nothing as he swung the long paddle, for the ripples were +getting larger as they left the sand, and the breeze was freshening, +but at last the yacht's light twinkled in the mist. Getting on board, +they hustled Dick below, where Andrew stripped off his wet clothes and +put him into his berth, while Whitney got the stove to burn.</p> + +<p>After a time, Dick put out his head.</p> + +<p>"Feel I'd like some supper, before I go to sleep."</p> + +<p>"You can go to sleep without it," Andrew said sternly. "I suppose +there's no use in talking about it now, but you've been warned that +this kind of thing may kill you."</p> + +<p>"I'm 'shured," Dick rejoined. "Good big policy and I don't pay the +premiums."</p> + +<p>"Who does pay them?" Andrew asked, in a quiet, insistent voice; but +Dick only grinned.</p> + +<p>"That'sh secret, ole man. You're very good fellow, but don't know +everything. Don't bother me any more; I'm sleepy."</p> + +<p>He was silent after this, but Whitney waited until he thought Dick was +really asleep.</p> + +<p>"He looked sober when he joined us at the village," he said.</p> + +<p>"I think he was," Andrew agreed. "Perhaps he'd drunk enough to make +him want more, and brought a bottle away. No doubt, we'll find it when +we clean up the punt." Then he forced a smile. "You'll have to go +without your eggs."</p> + +<p>"That's obvious. But what did he mean about his being insured, and +somebody else's paying the premiums?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, and don't expect to get any more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> information when he's +sober, but I'll see what Mackellar thinks. Sometimes I feel like +giving up the whole business. Dick's too clever for me; and when I +turn to the other matter, I'm brought to a full stop."</p> + +<p>Whitney nodded sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"It's an awkward job, but you won't let up. You're not a quitter, and +luck or Mackellar may help you through."</p> + +<p>He got into his cot, and the regular splash of ripples against the +boat's side, and the soft slapping of the halyards on the mast, soon +made him drowsy, but the last thing he saw was Andrew sitting on the +opposite locker with a stern, thoughtful face.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">A CLUE</span></h2> + + +<p>There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading. +A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping +shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet. Masses of +soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was +clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was +why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, +for the tides run fast when the moon is young.</p> + +<p>Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent +gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling +wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built. She had +been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she +felt that a shadow rested upon the house. Dick had returned from a +cruise with Andrew, looking dejected and unwell; and she was glad that +Whitney had taken both away again, on his motorcycle, because Dick had +lately had fits of moody restlessness when he was at home. Still, she +missed them badly, for her mother was silent and preoccupied; and when +Andrew was away, she found it hard to banish the troubles that seemed +to be gathering round. They were worse for being very vaguely defined, +but she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> felt convinced that something sinister was going on.</p> + +<p>As she thought of Andrew, her face grew gentle and she smiled. She +knew his worth and his limitations, and loved him for both. He had his +suspicions, too, and would follow where they led. Andrew was not the +man to shirk a painful duty, but she could not openly help him yet. +That might come, and in the meanwhile she would at least put no +obstacle in his way. Still, if her fears were justified, the situation +was daunting and she might need all her courage.</p> + +<p>As she neared the lodge, she saw a man loitering in the shadow.</p> + +<p>"Are you waiting for somebody, Jock?" she asked.</p> + +<p>Marshall, the fisherman, turned and looked at her thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Weel," he said, "they telt me Mr. Andrew's no' at home."</p> + +<p>"Did you want to see him about the yacht?"</p> + +<p>"It wasna' that, a'thegither."</p> + +<p>"No?"</p> + +<p>"Ye see, I've missed him twice and I'm for Stranraer the morn. We're +gaun west to try the herring fishing."</p> + +<p>"And you wanted to tell Mr. Johnstone something before you left? Can I +give him a message when he comes back?"</p> + +<p>Marshall hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Weel," he said, "ye can tell him that the <i>Nance</i> cam' up the Firth +the night before he started for Edinbro'; that's a while ago, ye mind. +Last night she cam' up again, wi' the same crew; the Edinbro' man I +telt him o', anither wha keeps a trawl boat doon the Colvend shore, +and yin who has a reid mustache."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>Elsie started, and then wondered whether she had betrayed her +surprise.</p> + +<p>"I'll try to remember. I suppose this is for Mr. Johnstone alone?"</p> + +<p>"Just that," said Marshall. "I'm thinking it would be better that ye +telt naebody else."</p> + +<p>He moved off, and Elsie, looking round a moment afterward, saw that he +had vanished. It was nearly dark among the trees, but she knew that +she could have seen him had he kept on the road; besides, his heavy, +tacketed boots would have made some noise, and she had heard nothing. +Then she saw a figure coming from the lodge and her brain acted +quickly, because she recognized Staffer.</p> + +<p>Marshall had hinted it was important that his message should be kept +secret; and fishermen had good sight. He must have noticed Staffer +before she did, and did not want to be seen talking to her. Then she +remembered that the night before Andrew started for Edinburgh was when +Williamson and the man with the red mustache had entered the house. +The stranger had come up the Firth in one of the salmon boats shortly +before his visit to Appleyard, and had been there again without her +seeing him.</p> + +<p>She felt a thrill that was half apprehension and half excitement as +she went on slowly. The lodge was about a hundred yards away when she +met Staffer.</p> + +<p>"There's something I want to ask you," he said. "Have you any reason +to doubt the honesty of our servants?"</p> + +<p>Elsie saw at once where his question led, and tried to nerve herself. +He was a clever man and she was young and inexperienced.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>"No," she said; "I have none; and Mother's quite satisfied with them. +Why do you ask?"</p> + +<p>"You'll remember the night Williamson arrived rather late. He lost a +paper in an envelope, and it looks as if somebody in the house had +picked it up."</p> + +<p>"Have you inquired about it?" Elsie asked, remembering that it was the +man with the red mustache who had dropped the envelope.</p> + +<p>"No," Staffer said carelessly; "I didn't want to make the thing look +more important than it was, and I thought the envelope might turn up."</p> + +<p>"But it must be of some consequence, or you wouldn't bother about it +now."</p> + +<p>"That's obviously true. It has become important since we lost it. It +gave us some particulars that we find we can't remember."</p> + +<p>Staffer gave her a scrutinizing look.</p> + +<p>"It was dropped in the house," he said slowly. "Somebody must have +found it."</p> + +<p>Elsie wondered whether he suspected her. He had seen her looking down +from the landing and might not have been satisfied that she had come +to see who was in the house; the men had been careful to make no +noise.</p> + +<p>Staffer frowned when she did not answer.</p> + +<p>"If the thing doesn't turn up," he declared, "I'll dismiss everybody +about the place! We can't have people round us whom it's impossible to +trust."</p> + +<p>"None of the servants found it," Elsie said with forced quietness.</p> + +<p>"You seem strangely sure of it!"</p> + +<p>Elsie hesitated. She could not allow innocent people to suffer for +what she had done; but the matter had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> greater issues. Though much was +dark, it was clear that she and Andrew were on one side, and Staffer +and his friends on the other. Andrew could be trusted, but Staffer +could not. For all that, she felt the tie of kinship and could not act +treacherously to him.</p> + +<p>"I am sure," she said slowly, "because I found the envelope myself."</p> + +<p>Although the light was bad, she saw his face change, and she grew +suddenly afraid. There was a fury in his eyes that made her quail; but +he kept his self-control.</p> + +<p>"So you were downstairs that night!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, and waited with tingling nerves, though she thought +the worst was past. For a moment or two she had, perhaps, been in +danger.</p> + +<p>"What did you do with the thing?" he asked harshly. "Did you give it +to Andrew Johnstone?"</p> + +<p>"Why do you think I did that?"</p> + +<p>Staffer saw he had blundered by hinting that the paper related to +matters which might concern Andrew.</p> + +<p>"Never mind; answer me!"</p> + +<p>"I burned it at once, without opening it."</p> + +<p>He looked at her as if he found this impossible to believe.</p> + +<p>"It is quite true," she said with forced calm.</p> + +<p>"But why? You steal a letter belonging to my guest, which you must +have thought important, and then burn it unread. Do you expect me to +understand your action? The thing seems purposeless."</p> + +<p>"It isn't easy to explain, but I must try," she answered, nerving +herself for an effort.</p> + +<p>"That's obvious."</p> + +<p>She hesitated a moment and then spoke bravely.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>"I knew that something not right was going on at Appleyard."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Did you know what it was?"</p> + +<p>Elsie made a negative sign.</p> + +<p>"I really didn't want to know; but I believed that the letter was +dangerous. If I had read it, I might have felt forced to tell what I +found out; so I put it straight into the fire."</p> + +<p>"Knowing that its loss might embarrass Williamson or me!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said; "I thought of that. But I felt it would be safer for +us all if I burned the paper."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you understand that what you have admitted must make a +difference? You have set yourself deliberately against me."</p> + +<p>"If I had meant to injure you, I would have kept the letter; but I +won't urge this. If Appleyard were yours, I would go away at once, but +it is Dick's and he could not get on without my mother."</p> + +<p>"Then you mean to stay and continue spying on my guests!"</p> + +<p>"So long as no harm comes to Dick or Andrew, I shall leave you and +your friends alone."</p> + +<p>Staffer laughed.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you're letting your imagination run away with you. What +harm could come to either of them through me? But we'll say no more +about it, just now."</p> + +<p>He left her at the door and she went to her room and threw herself +down on her couch, feeling rather limp, for the strain had told on +her. Besides, her suspicions now were no longer vague. She had found a +clue and she began to see where it led. Andrew was obviously<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> watching +the mouth of the Firth, while Rankine had some mysterious business +farther west. Marshall thought it well that Andrew should know that +the man with the red mustache had come from the suspected neighborhood +late at night, in a salmon boat. The man had been at Appleyard, where +he dropped an important letter; and Williamson and Staffer were in +league with him. From all this it looked as if their business were +treasonable.</p> + +<p>This filled her with alarm, but she was glad she had told Staffer that +she found the envelope. After all, he was her uncle and to have kept +silence would have been treacherous; but the struggle between family +obligations and her duty to the State got keener. It was unthinkable +that she should spy upon a kinsman to whom she owed much; but would +she not, in a sense, be an accomplice if she allowed him and the +others to carry on their plots? This question, however, was dismissed +for a time. There were other points to think about.</p> + +<p>Did Staffer imagine she was in Andrew's confidence and secretly +helping him; and had he believed her statement that she had destroyed +the letter? If not, she was, perhaps, in some danger, because his +laughing remark about her imagination had not been convincing. But, +after all, what could he do? She could hardly be kidnapped and +smuggled out of the country; and it was, of course, absurd to think of +his attempting anything worse.</p> + +<p>After a while she began to see her way. She would not watch her uncle, +but if chance brought her clear proof that he was helping her +country's enemies, she would see that he was stopped. This was a +compro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span>mise that she suspected could hardly be justified; but the next +decision was easier, because it had to do with those she loved. If +Staffer or his friends plotted any harm to Dick or Andrew, she would +remorselessly use every weapon she had against him.</p> + +<p>Then she roused herself and bathed her face and hands, for she had +felt some physical strain while she thrashed out the painful matter. +She would need calm and courage to meet Staffer as if nothing had +happened, so that her mother might not suspect trouble. The part she +had chosen was difficult, but she must play it out. When she went in +to dinner she did not know whether she was relieved or not by +Staffer's smile, but he talked to her with the suave good-humor he +generally showed.</p> + +<p>Two days after Elsie's talk with Jock Marshall, Andrew and Whitney +were sitting in a Melrose hotel, when a postcard from Stranraer was +brought to Andrew. There was a tarry fingermark at the bottom, +alongside of the straggling signature, <i>J. Marshall</i>, Andrew read it +aloud:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"As I'm away at the fishing, it might be weel if ye +cam' home and lookit after the boat. Miss Elsie will +give ye a bit message. I would not leave her until the +tides get low."</p></div> + +<p>Whitney smiled.</p> + +<p>"You Scots are a remarkably cautious and capable lot," he said. "I can +imagine the wrinkled old image writing this, with a wooden face and a +chuckle inside. The meaning of the last sentence is cleverly +ambiguous. I suppose the boat is quite all right?"</p> + +<p>"Of course; no tide could hurt her."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>"It's plain then that Marshall thinks you're wanted on Miss +Woodhouse's account. I can have the motorcycle ready in five minutes, +and if we pull out now we can be home soon after dark. Will you tell +Dick?"</p> + +<p>"No. We'll put him on the train, if there is one. Get that railway +guide."</p> + +<p>Whitney opened it.</p> + +<p>"If you mean to see him off, you'll have to wait an hour; and, on the +whole, I think you'd better. He seems to have made a number of +acquaintances in the bar. Anyway, with this light frost, the roads +will be good and hard."</p> + +<p>Dick showed some unwillingness to leave the town, but Andrew was firm +and put him on the train. When it started, he joined Whitney, who was +waiting with the motorcycle.</p> + +<p>The light was getting dim as they ran down the long dip to Hawick, +though pale saffron, barred with leaden gray, shone above the western +hills. When they swept down the last hill, frosty mist hung about the +woolen mills in the hollow, and Whitney throttled his engine as they +jolted past glimmering lights and half-seen houses.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't look very cheerful for a fifty-mile run, but I suppose you +want to get on," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Andrew. "I hope Dick won't miss the train at one of the +junctions, but he'll be all right if he reaches Carlisle. He can't +well get into trouble at the place we stay at there."</p> + +<p>The mist melted into the keen brightness of a frosty night as they +climbed beside Teviot to the snow-sprinkled moors. Whitney's eyes were +watering and his hands numb as they crossed the high watershed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>"We haven't lost much time, so far, but I suppose I'd better let her +go her best," he said. "There oughtn't to be much traffic on the +road."</p> + +<p>Andrew nodded and pulled the rug tighter round him as the motorcycle +leaped forward down the hill. He was eager to get back, for he felt +anxious. It was not for nothing that Marshall had warned him that he +was wanted.</p> + +<p>There was moonlight in the shallow depression that led down from the +summit, but soon the hilltops rose higher and they plunged into a dark +glen. A glimmer of light flashed up to meet them, and as the side-car, +rocking wildly, raced past the Mosspaul hotel, Andrew remembered what +had happened there a few months previously. He had seen since then +that Dick had not been in much danger when Staffer's car swerved; the +risk of being struck down had been run by him only. Well, that did not +matter much. If any one was threatened now, it was neither himself nor +Dick, and it was horrible to feel that Elsie might be in some danger. +Whitney was driving recklessly fast, but Andrew frowned impatiently as +he watched the hillsides unfold out of the dark and rush by while the +throbbing of the engine filled the narrow glen.</p> + +<p>They swung out at Ewes doors, leaning over hard as the car took the +curve with an inch or two between the wheel and the drop to the burn. +Then the widening valley grew bright again and they raced up and down +rolling hillsides, past scattered farms and white cothouses, until the +lights of Langholm stretched across the hollow. Whitney slowed his +engine here, but they narrowly escaped the wall, as they took the +bridge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> below the town, and then sped on again furiously through the +woods that line the brawling Esk.</p> + +<p>Appleyard was reached in time for dinner, and Andrew was relieved to +find that Staffer was not at home. Everything was as usual; it was +difficult to imagine any cause for alarm; and he wondered whether he +had been needlessly disturbed. After dinner, Mrs. Woodhouse took +Whitney into the drawing-room and Andrew found Elsie knitting in a +corner of the hall.</p> + +<p>She looked up with a smile when he sat down near her.</p> + +<p>"Haven't you come home earlier than you planned?" she asked.</p> + +<p>Andrew studied her face. It was quiet and undisturbed, but he +suspected a thoughtfulness that she meant to hide.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said. "I got a postcard from Marshall. He's at Stranraer and +seemed to think I ought to look after the boat."</p> + +<p>"The boat? But it's fine weather. Isn't she quite safe?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, the tides are pretty high and run up the gutter fast."</p> + +<p>Elsie counted her stitches, and then gave him a quiet look.</p> + +<p>"Dick was with you," she said; "so it couldn't have been on his +account that you came back."</p> + +<p>Andrew smiled.</p> + +<p>"That's obvious."</p> + +<p>Elsie was silent for a moment, while a faint touch of color crept into +her face. His explanation about the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> boat had not deceived her, and +she had noted his searching glance when he first came in. Marshall +must have been hiding near by when she was talking to Staffer, and +have given Andrew a hint. It was for her sake he had hurried back. She +knew that he had hurried, because she had tactfully led Whitney into +making some admissions about their speed. She hardly thought she had +been in actual danger; but she knew that she was quite safe now, and +her heart went out to the man who had come to help. If only she could +confide in him! But it was impossible. His very loyalty to her made +her feel more strongly that she could not betray her uncle and bring +disgrace upon her mother.</p> + +<p>"Marshall gave me a message for you," she said. "I'll deliver it as +nearly as I can."</p> + +<p>She watched him as she repeated the fisherman's words. Andrew was a +bad actor and she was not misled by his clumsy indifference. It looked +as if he knew that the man with the red mustache had dealings with +Williamson and Staffer.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," he said. "I'm afraid we'll have to go west again, before +long."</p> + +<p>Elsie put down her knitting.</p> + +<p>"You'll be careful, Andrew. I want you to keep out of danger."</p> + +<p>His heart beat fast, for he saw that she was anxious about him. Elsie +knew something and would be sorry if he got hurt; but he must not +alarm her or show where his suspicions led.</p> + +<p>"Of course I will," he answered cheerfully. "As a matter of fact, I'm +not running much risk."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather you didn't think so; it leads to carelessness. You won't +be rash?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>"Certainly not. Tell me why you are anxious."</p> + +<p>Elsie hesitated, and the color in her face grew deeper.</p> + +<p>"Somehow, I seem to feel that trouble is hanging over us, and"—her +voice dropped to a caress—"I want to have you near."</p> + +<p>Andrew caught his breath.</p> + +<p>"Elsie," Mrs. Woodhouse interrupted, "I think Mr. Whitney would like +to have some music."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">TIGHTENING THE MESHES</span></h2> + + +<p>Andrew spent a week at Appleyard, without noticing anything that +caused him uneasiness; and then he got a letter from Rankine asking +him to meet him in the pool behind the Ross, near Kirkcudbright. He +did not want to go; but he thought that he could get back in three or +four days; and Staffer was to be away from home. Besides, Dick would +be there to take care of Elsie.</p> + +<p>Sailing at high-tide, with a keen east wind blowing down the Firth, he +found water across the sands to the mouth of the Nith, where he left +the boat and drove to Dumfries. Here, he and Whitney called upon +Mackellar and were taken into his private office.</p> + +<p>"I have some news that may surprise ye," the banker said. "Dick's +principal creditor is his step-father. Here's a list o' his +obligations, though I'm no' sure it's complete."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed Andrew, "I don't know whether I'm surprised or not, +but I begin to see a light." He frowned, as he noted the figures. "It +won't be an easy matter to pay this off; the estate will feel the +strain for some time. But how has the young idiot got rid of the +money?"</p> + +<p>"Betting."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span>"But he doesn't go to many races, and turf accountants wouldn't deal +with a boy under age."</p> + +<p>"Verra true," Mackellar agreed dryly. "Dick would get somebody else to +put the money on for him—or at least that's no doubt what he thought +he did. Williamson, or one o' his friends, would be willing."</p> + +<p>"Why do you say it's what Dick thought?"</p> + +<p>"I have my doubts whether his go-between made the bets at all. Where +was the need? The fellow had only to take the money when Dick lost."</p> + +<p>"But Dick's not a fool! He wouldn't back the wrong horse every time. +He reads the sporting papers and I suppose their forecasts are right +now and then."</p> + +<p>Mackellar smiled.</p> + +<p>"If he's no' a fool, he's near it. A tip anybody can buy for a penny +is no' of much account; but it's flattering to feel ye ken the secrets +o' the inside ring. Staffer's friends would see he had that +satisfaction. In other words, they'd tell him how he ought to bet with +them, and, although they'd let him win at times, I imagine they found +it a profitable game."</p> + +<p>"It must be stopped!" said Andrew.</p> + +<p>"Just so; but ye would prefer it to be stopped quietly. There's +another thing I learned, and ye put me on the track when ye told me +what Dick said about his being insured. A policy has been taken out +for a large sum."</p> + +<p>Andrew made an abrupt movement, and Whitney looked puzzled.</p> + +<p>"That's pretty hard to understand. His is not the kind of life they'd +take except at a big premium."</p> + +<p>"It gave me something to think about and I have no' come to the bottom +o' it yet. It's possible the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> insurance was effected some time ago, +before Dick's weakness had developed. His parents were sound and it +was long before we suspected there was anything wrong with him. +However, I had an interview with the company's local agent and +afterward with the Edinburgh manager."</p> + +<p>"What did you learn?" Andrew asked.</p> + +<p>"Nothing much. In fact, I'm thinking I met my match; the heads o' that +office are men o' some ability, and I had no good ground for +interference. For a' that, they know something and if it was offered +the bank in the way o' business, I would not make a big advance +against the policy."</p> + +<p>"In whose favor is it drawn?" Whitney asked.</p> + +<p>"I canno' tell ye; they were verra reserved gentlemen, but the name +would no' be Staffer's, though the transaction would be ultimately to +his benefit. Mr. Staffer's a man o' retiring habits."</p> + +<p>Andrew was silent for a minute and then looked up.</p> + +<p>"I see now that I have suspected something like this from the +beginning," he said. "What are we to do?"</p> + +<p>Mackellar's face hardened.</p> + +<p>"I think we'll see Mr. Staffer and tell him what we know. It's +possible he'll fight, but that's no' what I would expect. I'm most +concerned about Dick's attitude. We canno' do much if he's against +us."</p> + +<p>"Dick has been rather a puzzle lately. I'll be away for a few days, +but we'll interview Staffer as soon as I'm back."</p> + +<p>Mackellar said that he expected to call at Appleyard shortly, and +would make an appointment then; and Andrew and Whitney drove back to +the yacht.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> Getting under way at once, they sailed down-channel with +the last of the ebb between wastes of drying sand; and dusk found them +slowly forging out to sea against the incoming flood. They met Rankine +where he had arranged, and, carrying out his instructions, sailed east +again. One evening late they landed from the dinghy at the mouth of +the buoyed gutter. It was near low-water and the tide had run far out. +Fine rain was falling and it was very dark, but as they waded ashore +through the fringe of splashing ripples, an indistinct figure appeared +at the edge of the bank.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Jock?" Andrew called; and Marshall came up.</p> + +<p>"I startit when yere letter came and Mistress Wilson at the wee shop +in the clachan has taen me in," he said.</p> + +<p>"Did you keep the letter?"</p> + +<p>"Na," said Marshall; "I pit it in the fire."</p> + +<p>Andrew nodded.</p> + +<p>"Then I suppose you understand what you are to do."</p> + +<p>"I'm to try the net-fishing for flounders and keep my een open, though +it's no' just the season the flatfish come up on the banks. They telt +me, at the clachan, there were verra few to be had; but I allooed they +couldna' be scarcer than Loch Ryan herring."</p> + +<p>"He's got it right," Whitney laughed. "Come along and take your net. +You'll have to carry it up the bank; the dinghy's loaded deep and the +tide's still running out."</p> + +<p>When they had dragged the net ashore, Marshall lighted a lantern and +examined it carefully. Whitney,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> picking up the light, turned it on +the fisherman's wrinkled face and was not surprised to see a twinkle +in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"What do you think of it?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"It's gran' gear, but maybe, a bit heavy for flounders. I wouldna' say +but the heid-rope would haud a shark."</p> + +<p>"It's better to be on the safe side," Whitney said with a laugh. "When +you set a net you can't tell what you're going to catch. That's why we +brought you some iron pipes for the posts. Now you'd better show us +where you want the net put up."</p> + +<p>They went back and pushed off the dinghy while Marshall plodded up the +bank abreast of them with the net on his shoulder. At a bend of the +narrowing channel he hailed them.</p> + +<p>"She'll do here—though I dinna' ken aboot the fishery board," he +said, when they landed and gave him the iron posts. "Ye're no allooed +to stop a through-running watter."</p> + +<p>"I'll be responsible for that," Andrew told him.</p> + +<p>"Then it would be a kind o' pity to leave yon gutter open," suggested +Marshall, turning to Whitney. "A flounder-net in a runway only fishes +on the ebb. Ye haul her up to the heid-rope when the fish come in with +the flood, and let her doon when high-watter's past. Then a' that's +gone by her canna' get back. Onyway, yon's the usual plan, but she'd +maybe fish better here if we keepit her doon with lead and pulled her +up afterwards wi' a heid-rope tackle."</p> + +<p>"I was going to suggest something of the kind," Andrew said. "You'll +want a boat, but there are two or three old punts on the beach. Hire +whichever you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> like and I'll be accountable. But what about the +trawler fellow who keeps the boat at the point?"</p> + +<p>"They telt me he's awa' doon west."</p> + +<p>"Good. You can begin to put up your stakes, using the pipe. We have +another job to look after, but we'll come back when it's done."</p> + +<p>Whitney shoved the dinghy off and they paddled up the channel. It was +very dark and the rain made the obscurity worse, but Andrew searched +one bank carefully as the dinghy crept along its edge. Everything was +quiet, for there seemed to be no birds about, but they could hear the +thud of Marshall's hammer as he drove in the pipes. Whitney, sitting +aft, felt damp and cold as the water trickled down his oilskins.</p> + +<p>"How much do you think the old fellow suspects?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I can't tell. He suspects something, and I didn't try to put him off +the track. There were one or two reasons for thinking I'd better not. +Anyway, he's to be trusted. Where's that corner buoy?"</p> + +<p>Whitney laughed.</p> + +<p>"If you were anybody else, I'd wager you wouldn't find it on a night +like this. You don't know it was on a corner, to begin with."</p> + +<p>"Well," Andrew said, "I'm pretty confident about hitting it in the +next few minutes."</p> + +<p>He pulled on steadily, while the rain ran down his face and trickled +from the dinghy's thwarts. The bank was scarcely distinguishable a few +yards away, but the water had not the opaque blackness of the sand, +and Whitney scanned its surface narrowly. There was not a ripple, for +the stream was slackening, and the channel was smooth as oil except +for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> disturbance the dinghy made. The water she displaced lapped +upon the sand astern, but there was nothing on the narrow dark strip +ahead.</p> + +<p>"You haven't made a center shot this time," he said presently.</p> + +<p>Andrew laughed and, pulling hard on one oar, swung the dinghy round.</p> + +<p>"The buoy's certainly not in the water. We'll try the bank. The tide +hadn't ebbed so far when we were here last."</p> + +<p>They landed, and plowed through slushy sand. At last Whitney caught +his foot in a rope.</p> + +<p>"You've struck it after all," he laughed, as he followed up the rope +to a ring of large net-corks. "Now, we'll get to work."</p> + +<p>Returning to the spot where the rope came out of the sand, he began to +dig with a spade they had brought; but he did not make much progress. +Water and soft ooze ran back into the hole almost as fast as he could +throw them out; his heavy boots sank into the yielding ground; and his +oilskins hampered him greatly. When he was hot and breathless, Andrew +took the spade.</p> + +<p>"The fellow who moored the buoy here, didn't mean it to go adrift," he +remarked as he flung the wet sand about.</p> + +<p>The spade jarred upon something hard, and Andrew worked its edge under +the object while Whitney seized the rope. For a time, they tugged and +wrenched at it, and then, when they were gasping and splashed all +over, a heavy stone slowly rolled out of its muddy bed. Andrew let it +lie and walked back a short distance toward higher ground.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>"The next step needs care," he said. "We mustn't move the stone far, +because that would show that its position had been changed; but the +bank is steep and a few yards will make a difference. If I can shorten +the depth by half a fathom, it will satisfy me."</p> + +<p>Whitney chuckled.</p> + +<p>"That ought to be enough. When your draught's pretty deep it's +embarrassing to find half a fathom less water than you expect."</p> + +<p>Andrew carefully estimated the difference of level along the bank.</p> + +<p>"I think we'll put it here," he decided.</p> + +<p>It took them some time to move and bury the heavy stone.</p> + +<p>"What about the fairway buoy?" Whitney asked when they had finished.</p> + +<p>"We'll let that stay. I want our man to get in and his troubles had +better not begin until he's going back. The flood would soon float the +vessel off if she grounded going up, but it will be a different matter +coming down, when the tide's on the ebb."</p> + +<p>They pushed the dinghy off and Whitney pulled away against the stream, +which was beginning to run up the channel. The rain had got heavier, +but they could hear Marshall's hammer as he drove down the stakes. +When they were abreast of him, Whitney stopped rowing. For a few +minutes the fisherman stood beside the dinghy while Andrew gave him +instructions, and then he vanished into the gloom as Whitney pulled +away. Andrew lighted a small lantern and, putting it beside a compass +in the bottom of the craft, kept his comrade on his course.</p> + +<p>"Harder with your left; the tide's on our port bow,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> he said: "Steady +at that; we're round the point. Pull as even as you can."</p> + +<p>The sharper rise and fall and the splashing about the craft showed +Whitney that they had reached open water, but he had no other guide. +They had left no light on the <i>Rowan</i> and black darkness enveloped the +dinghy. The faint glow from the lantern in her bottom made it worse, +and all that Whitney could see was Andrew's face and the wet front of +his sou'wester as he bent over the compass. The rest of his figure +melted into the surrounding gloom. Whitney was tired and wet, and +gritty sand scraped the backs of his hands as the oilskin sleeves +rubbed across them. There was some risk of Andrew's not finding the +yacht, and he must pull hard to reach her before the tide got too +strong.</p> + +<p>This was very different from yachting in hot weather on the Canadian +lakes and Long Island Sound; but it had a fascination he would not +have thought possible a few months ago. Andrew and he were playing a +bold and somewhat dangerous game, the end of which, he thought, could +not be long delayed. As an American, he had no stake on it, except, +perhaps, his life, but he understood his comrade's patriotic keenness +and meant to see him through. Then he had read enough about the +sinking of unarmed merchant ships and the drowning of the crews to +fire his blood. He thought this was excuse enough for not observing a +strict neutrality; then, as he felt the dinghy lurch across the swell +and heard the hoarse murmur of the surf upon the shoals, he knew that +the sport was in itself engrossing.</p> + +<p>He had caught the big gray trout of the lone North<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>west, the bass, and +the fighting tarpon, but he was now angling for fiercer prey and he +hoped the murderous steel monsters that lurked in the dark water would +rise to the bait. They were handled with a relentless cunning that +struck him as devilish; and Rankine had hinted that two of the largest +and fastest were not far away, lying in wait for a huge new battleship +that was coming from the Clyde. Whitney could not think calmly of her +lurching under, shattered by a torpedo, with her swarming crew. +Besides, his partner had resolved that this should not happen.</p> + +<p>"Pull with your right!" said Andrew. "She's sagging to lee'ard now."</p> + +<p>They crept on against the tide, Whitney panting as he tugged at the +oars, for he had enough; and it was with keen satisfaction that he +heard Andrew call out presently:</p> + +<p>"Hard with your left; let her swing! I see the boat!"</p> + +<p>Whitney got a glimpse of a rocking mast, as the dinghy came round, and +a few moments afterward he put out his hand to ease the shock as they +ran alongside. A quarter of an hour later the anchor was on deck and +they went eastward with the flood under easy sail.</p> + +<p>"You might put on the kettle. It will be high water before we're up +the Firth," Andrew said. "If we can get our business with Staffer done +to-morrow, we'll sail again for the wreck as soon as it gets dark."</p> + +<p>Whitney hesitated a moment.</p> + +<p>"No doubt you see the consequences if we catch our man at work."</p> + +<p>"They're obvious, but they must be faced," Andrew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> said in a hard +voice. "I've held back longer than I should, but it wasn't for my own +sake and I can't shirk my duty now."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE RECKONING DAY</span></h2> + + +<p>It was getting dark in the library at Appleyard, and Mackellar stopped +speaking when a servant entered to light the lamps. Staffer leaned +back in his chair as if the interruption were a relief, but Mackellar +sat grim and upright, watching him. Irvine, the other executor of +Dick's father's will, nervously fingered his gold-rimmed eye-glasses; +and Andrew found the servant's deliberate movements exasperating. He +wanted the matter settled. The situation was painful and galling to +his family pride; and the cautious way that Mackellar had led up to +the climax had tried his patience. So far, Staffer had made no reply.</p> + +<p>At last the servant withdrew, and the feeling of tension grew keener +after the soft snap of the closing door. They could now see one +another's faces, and all looked somewhat strained. No one spoke for a +few moments, and Irvine began to polish his eye-glasses with his +handkerchief.</p> + +<p>"It might now be well if Mr. Staffer would tell us his views," he +said. "I think Mr. Mackellar has made ours plain."</p> + +<p>Staffer seemed to rouse himself.</p> + +<p>"It's obvious that you want to get rid of me. Your suggestion is that +I should relinquish control of Dick and leave Appleyard at once?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>"Precisely," said Irvine. "I see no other way."</p> + +<p>"Does your demand extend to my sister and niece?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not," Mackellar replied. "We all think it would be an +advantage if Mrs. Woodhouse stayed at Appleyard, and, with Dick's +consent, we would make her a suitable allowance. The management of the +household could not be in better hands."</p> + +<p>"That's some relief," said Staffer. "Now, in the ordinary course of +things, my authority here would terminate very soon, when Dick is +twenty-one, and I should be willing to go then. Is it worth while to +make a drastic change, which would inconvenience everybody, for so +short a time?"</p> + +<p>Andrew was somewhat surprised by Staffer's half conciliatory attitude, +but he thought he saw anxiety in the man's face. It looked as if he +had some strong reason for not wanting to leave Appleyard just yet.</p> + +<p>"Our opinion is that it would be well worth while," Irvine said dryly.</p> + +<p>"Suppose I refuse to go? How do you propose to turn me out?"</p> + +<p>"We'll apply for the necessary powers," Mackellar answered.</p> + +<p>"Do you mind telling me what grounds you mean to urge?"</p> + +<p>Mackellar sorted the papers in his hand, and Andrew marked his quiet +deliberation. Indeed, in spite of a certain feeling of tension, the +proceedings had, so far, been characterized by a curious calm. Perhaps +this was because three of the actors were Scotch; but Andrew felt that +the calm was deceptive. The situation had strong dramatic force.</p> + +<p>"I cannot see why ye should not know," Mackellar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> replied. "I would +begin by proving undue and dangerous influence on a young man of +extravagant habits who had been placed in your charge."</p> + +<p>"Can you prove it?"</p> + +<p>"Weel, these figures relating to money lent and bills discounted, +would go some length, particularly when it was shown that ye concealed +the part ye took by acting through agents."</p> + +<p>He read out particulars of the money borrowed, with the high rate of +interest charged, and traced the transactions back to Staffer through +other hands. It was a telling accusation and Andrew thought Staffer +was surprised and alarmed by Mackellar's knowledge.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure that we could not establish a charge o' conspiracy," +Mackellar concluded.</p> + +<p>"There is no fraud!" Staffer declared hotly. "The terms were stated; +Dick knew what he would have to pay."</p> + +<p>"He did not know to whom he would have to pay it," Irvine interposed.</p> + +<p>Staffer was silent for a moment.</p> + +<p>"You can do nothing without Dick's consent," he said slowly. "Why did +you not let him speak for himself? Are you afraid of him?"</p> + +<p>"We found ye had sent him to Dumfries, and we thought ye would prefer +that he was not consulted yet. But there's another matter: the +insurance policy, by which we have ground for believing ye would +ultimately benefit."</p> + +<p>"What do you know about that?"</p> + +<p>"At present we do not know everything, but there's much that we +suspect, considering the state o' Dick's health."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>Staffer looked at him keenly.</p> + +<p>"Do you imply that Dick's health is very bad?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Ye should ken."</p> + +<p>Andrew thought Staffer looked puzzled, as if he suspected the other of +knowing more than he did himself.</p> + +<p>"Well, is it your intention to dispute my claim or disown Dick's +debts?"</p> + +<p>Mackellar took up a paper.</p> + +<p>"No' at all. Here's a memorandum of our terms, which ye would be wise +in agreeing to. I'll read them out."</p> + +<p>Staffer smiled.</p> + +<p>"Then if threats prove useless, you mean to bribe me to go! Very well. +Give me another three months here, and I'll accept."</p> + +<p>"Our offer is made on the understanding that you leave at once."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm afraid you'll have to turn me out—and you may find it +rather hard. But you haven't answered a point I raised. Suppose Dick +takes my side and insists upon my staying?"</p> + +<p>"Our being executors would warrant our interference; and there's +another party on whose behalf we could make a plea. Mr. Andrew +Johnstone could claim the protection o' his interest as the next heir, +on the grounds o' the direct inheritor's dangerous health."</p> + +<p>"Would you urge this in court?"</p> + +<p>"If we were forced," Mackellar said dryly.</p> + +<p>Staffer's self-control gave way and he turned to Andrew with a savage, +sneering laugh.</p> + +<p>"So <i>you</i> are responsible for the extraordinary line<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> these gentlemen +have taken! You have been counting on your cousin's death!"</p> + +<p>Andrew flushed.</p> + +<p>"As you well know, I came home from Canada to take care of him. Still, +I agree with the executors. If you can still persuade Dick to believe +in you, he must be saved in spite of himself."</p> + +<p>Staffer gave him a curious look. It was plain that Andrew was his most +troublesome antagonist. There was something in Staffer's expression +that disturbed the others.</p> + +<p>"Very well," he said. "You must do what you think fit. I shall remain +at Appleyard."</p> + +<p>He rose, as if to intimate that there was no more to be said; and +Andrew accompanied the others to the car that was waiting at the door, +and afterward found Whitney and told him what they had done.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to be careful, partner," Whitney cautioned. "He might be +dangerous now."</p> + +<p>"Well," Andrew replied thoughtfully, "I must try to avoid risks. But +we must get down the Firth, to-night, and you'd better bring the +motorcycle round as soon as you can."</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour later, Andrew came downstairs, dressed in a thick +jersey and his old boating clothes and met Elsie in the hall. She +thought his face looked unusually stern.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to sea again, to-night?" she asked, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I didn't know beforehand whether I could get away until +to-morrow. As a matter of fact, I don't want to go at all, but I +must."</p> + +<p>She put her hand gently on his arm.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span>"If you feel it's your duty, you must go; but I'm anxious, Andrew, and +you'll be careful for my sake. You see, I have come to depend on you, +and I feel that something is threatening us all."</p> + +<p>He thrilled at her touch, and it cost him a stern effort to stand as +if unmoved while he noted the tenderness in her eyes and the flicker +of color in her face.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't imagine things."</p> + +<p>"Tell me the truth, Andrew. Am I mistaken?"</p> + +<p>"Well," he said quietly, "perhaps Appleyard has, so to speak, been +under a cloud for a little while, but I see the light breaking. In +fact, the shadow may be gone in the next few days. But you may need +some courage—and I know you have it."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" she said. "You mean that something may happen here?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry I can't tell you anything now," Andrew replied, with an +embarrassed air. "I may be able to do so when I come back."</p> + +<p>She gave him her hand with a gentle look.</p> + +<p>"Then I must wait. But you won't be rash. Remember that I shall be +anxious about you!"</p> + +<p>He left her and for a while she sat quietly in the hall. Andrew was +not going on a shooting cruise; it was some more serious business. She +had already connected it with Rankine and the sinking of the merchant +ships. The reasons that led her to this conclusion were not very +clear, but she felt that Williamson and the man with the red mustache +had something to do with the matter. She wondered whether she ought to +warn Andrew; but she felt that she could not betray her uncle unless +she was certain that Andrew was in danger.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span>She roused herself when she heard the car outside. Madge Whitney was +coming to spend a week with them. Shortly after Madge's arrival, Dick +returned from Dumfries, looking ill; and when the party gathered in +the drawing-room after dinner, conversation dragged. It was a relief +when Mrs. Woodhouse suggested that they go to bed. Elsie went with +Madge to her room, and they sat together on a low divan before the +fire.</p> + +<p>"Now," Madge said, "what's the matter with you all?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Elsie. "I don't feel very gay; but you didn't +cheer us much. I'm sorry your head aches."</p> + +<p>"The trip was pretty bad. But I had a little adventure."</p> + +<p>Madge smiled charmingly.</p> + +<p>"What?" Elsie asked indifferently.</p> + +<p>"When we stopped at Dumfries, I got out to get a paper, and as I ran +along the platform I bumped into a man who'd come from the cars across +the track. He had his hands full of things and said a kind of swear in +German, when he dropped them all about."</p> + +<p>"In German!" Elsie exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Sure. Well, I didn't want him to miss the train, so I picked up the +nearest thing. It was a nice little box that flew open, and I thought +it had a clock in it. He got into my car and began to apologize in +very good English, and then I asked him what was in the box. I thought +he hesitated, but he showed me that it was a compass, with a brass +thing that turned around its top and had two little slits for looking +through."</p> + +<p>"An azimuth; Andrew has one. They're used when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> you want to be +accurate in taking bearings. But go on."</p> + +<p>"There's not much more. He was rather a charming man and had been in +America. We talked all the way to Annan, where he got out."</p> + +<p>"What was he like?"</p> + +<p>"Tall and big with a sunburned face, very light blue eyes, hair +between red and brown. He looked like a sailor—a captain or something +of the kind, though he was dressed plainly in thick, blue clothes and +had a bundle of oil slickers."</p> + +<p>"Had he a red mustache?"</p> + +<p>"He had none at all, but I guess it would be red if he let it grow. Do +you know him?"</p> + +<p>"No," Elsie said quietly; "at least, I'm not sure."</p> + +<p>Madge gave her a keen look.</p> + +<p>"You make me curious; I went into detail because you are more +interested than you want to show. Of course, I thought it strange that +a man who spoke good English should relieve his feelings in German +when he felt annoyed, and afterward try to convince me that he wasn't +a foreigner. I think he did try and that was the reason he talked so +much."</p> + +<p>"I was thinking about the compass; you said it was in a nice little +box. They use things like that on small yachts and boats."</p> + +<p>"This one was about as long as your hand. Where does the other track +that runs into Dumfries come from?"</p> + +<p>"From Glasgow."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Madge. "You build warships there, don't you?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span>She opened her traveling bag and took out a time-table which contained +a map of Scotland.</p> + +<p>"Look at this," she said, indicating Stranraer, Portpatrick, and +Ramsey. "Rankine's been at these places, because I've had notes from +him, and you see how they command the way out from the Clyde. His +business doesn't stop at making charts."</p> + +<p>"Has he told you so?"</p> + +<p>"No." Madge blushed prettily. "Still, he's admitted something; you +see, we are friends. Besides, he's a smart officer; they wouldn't +waste a man like him on taking soundings. That would be quite absurd."</p> + +<p>Elsie's smile was sympathetic, for she thought she understood her +friend's belief in Rankine's talents.</p> + +<p>"He's here on guard in the west," Madge went on; "Andrew's there, +about half way between him and Annan; and now we have a German sailor, +who speaks English and has a boat-compass, at the head of the Solway +Firth."</p> + +<p>Elsie made an abrupt movement, for Madge had found the missing link +and the chain was complete. Men were working night and day at +armaments and warships on the Clyde. Her face was troubled, but her +lips set firm, for she began to see that she could no longer keep her +secret. The time when she must act had come.</p> + +<p>"I think you have guessed right," she said after a moment or two.</p> + +<p>"Then you understand that we have some responsibility."</p> + +<p>"I don't see yours."</p> + +<p>The color crept into Madge's face.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span>"Oh, well! For one thing, my brother's with Andrew." Then she put her +arm impulsively round Elsie's waist. "We've got to see this through, +dear."</p> + +<p>Elsie's reserve gave way.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she answered steadily; "we must. The man you met has been at +Appleyard when they thought we were all asleep—and I'm afraid he'll +be here again."</p> + +<p>Madge showed no surprise.</p> + +<p>"I know how you're fixed. But think! Andrew and Jim may be in danger. +We can't let them get hurt."</p> + +<p>"That's impossible! But what must we do?"</p> + +<p>"Watch for the German sailor, first of all," Madge advised. "Try to +find out what he has come for, and spoil the plot. I'm glad you gave +me the room next to yours. I can reach you by that inner door, if it's +necessary." She leaned forward and kissed Elsie. "Now you must go to +bed, dear. You look anxious and tired."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">A WILD RIDE</span></h2> + + +<p>Elsie went to sleep at last, but her rest was broken and once or twice +she awoke with a start. She was uneasy and highly strung, but she +heard nothing unusual. The wind moaned about the house and the splash +of the little burn rose from the glen. Staffer had gone out before +dinner and as he had not come back when she went to bed, she did not +think any stranger would visit Appleyard. Telling herself that she +must not indulge in nerves, she went to sleep again. Some time later, +when lying half awake, she heard a soft rattle; and her heart beat +fast, for she knew that the handle of her door was being gently +turned. She was glad that she had locked it, though this was the first +time she had ever done so.</p> + +<p>The sound stopped, a board in the passage creaked, and as the shock of +alarm began to pass, Elsie guessed that it was Staffer trying to make +sure that she was in her room. This implied that he was going +downstairs to meet some one; but she waited until she got calmer, +wondering if, after all, she had been mistaken. Staffer could not have +returned until late, and it was strange he had allowed his visitor to +risk coming to the house when he might be out. She tried to believe he +had not done so; but when she heard a faint tap on the other door, +which opened into Madge's room, there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> was no longer any doubt. +Nerving herself for a painful effort, she got up and hastily put on +some clothes. Then she went into the other room and saw Madge's +shadowy figure standing by the window.</p> + +<p>"You heard it?" Madge whispered. "Somebody's gone down. Do you know +who it is?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. . . . It is my uncle."</p> + +<p>Madge put out her hand in the darkness and squeezed Elsie's cold +little fingers sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"You have to choose between him and Andrew, dear," she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Elsie agreed in a strange, toneless way.</p> + +<p>"Then we must find out what's going on. My brother's on board the +<i>Rowan</i> too, you must remember—and there's the survey ship. I was +thinking of them all and I couldn't sleep."</p> + +<p>"Are you ready to come down?" Elsie asked.</p> + +<p>Madge shivered as she opened the door. It was very dark and cold in +the passage, and she shrank from the adventure; but she followed +Elsie, when the girl quietly locked the door, taking out the key. +Elsie had better cause to hesitate than Madge, but her resolution was +fixed. Andrew might be threatened and that was enough. She loved him, +and he loved her, though he had tried to hide it. He was hers, and, +with a woman's deep-rooted instincts, she was ready to fight for him. +The choice she had made was no longer hard. Her uncle had now no claim +on her; he was her lover's enemy. For the time, all complexities had +vanished; Elsie was driven by primitive impulses. She would protect +Andrew as a mother protects her child.</p> + +<p>As they approached the top of the stairs, she put out her hand and +stopped Madge.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>"Not this way," she whispered. "Follow me close. We'll go down by the +back."</p> + +<p>They turned into a passage that led through the servants' part of the +house. It was dark and narrow, but Elsie moved down the middle and +Madge kept behind her. When they reached a small, back landing, Elsie +guided her to a hole in the floor, and, putting down her foot +cautiously, Madge felt a step. They were newel stairs and the stone +struck cold through her stockings as she tried to find the broader +side. When she reached level ground, she crept forward behind Elsie, +across a large empty space which seemed to be the kitchen. The next +moment Madge struck something that jarred noisily on the floor, and +she and Elsie stopped with frightened gasps. The sound seemed to echo +through the house.</p> + +<p>They waited, listening with tingling nerves, but all was silent, and +they crept on until they came to a closed door. Elsie, putting both +hands on the knob, turned it cautiously. The latch clicked and they +stopped again; but heard nothing. The gloom in front was impenetrable, +but a draught of cold air touched their faces and Madge thought they +were looking into the hall. After a few moments, she heard a sound +that suggested a chair being moved, and then a half-distinguishable +murmur. It seemed to come from somewhere near by.</p> + +<p>"They're in the drawing-room. Wait here," Elsie whispered; and the +next moment Madge was alone.</p> + +<p>It was very cold and the darkness was daunting, but she tried to brace +herself. Her brother was engaged in dangerous work, and the secret +conference that was being held in the room across the hall might +threaten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> him. Then, Rankine had some part in the business. She felt a +thrill that brought the blood to her face and gave her courage as she +determined that no harm should come to him.</p> + +<p>The murmur in the drawing-room grew louder, and Madge wondered if she +could get nearer to it. Advancing cautiously into the hall, she tried +to remember where the furniture was; but her outstretched hand struck +something that rattled, and she stopped, alarmed. She had been on the +point of knocking down a vase, and it was plain to her that further +progress would involve risk. Elsie had some plan, and a noise would +spoil it. Madge went back to her post and waited there in the +darkness, highly strung and shivering.</p> + +<p>Elsie, in the meantime, had left the house and crept round it on the +grass until she reached a greenhouse built against one side of the +drawing-room. The door was open, as she had expected, and, feeling for +the edge of a flower-stand, she followed it up until she could crouch +down beside the steps leading to a French window. It was closed but +not latched, for when she ran her fingers along the joint, she felt an +aperture; but she dared not try to pull it open. Still, she could see +in. The lamps had not been lighted, but an electric torch lay on the +table and threw a ring of light on the opposite wall, two or three +feet from the ground. The rest of the room was in darkness, but a dim +illumination which spread beyond the bright beam showed two figures +faintly.</p> + +<p>The men sat at the table. Elsie could not hear what they said; for +their voices were low and they spoke in curt sentences. As soon as +they had finished their business, one of them would get up and go, and +she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> might not be able to steal away in time; besides, another man +might come in by the door behind her. She must risk trying to open the +window. She got her fingernails into the crack; but the hinges began +to grate, and she let her hand drop. The voices, however, were now a +trifle more distinct and she recognized one as her uncle's. Only a +word or two was audible here and there, and she could not connect them +with what she missed; but, after a time, she heard Staffer say:</p> + +<p>"All falls through unless Williamson gets into touch. . . ."</p> + +<p>"He must . . . should be there now . . . low water," said the other +man.</p> + +<p>Elsie missed Staffer's answer, but soon she caught:</p> + +<p>"Andrew Johnstone and the American. . . ."</p> + +<p>"Must be stopped . . . know too much . . . No scruples . . . can't +hesitate."</p> + +<p>Staffer laughed; and Elsie shuddered at his half-heard voice.</p> + +<p>"I don't . . . do what you like . . . But make sure . . . know too +much . . . both dangerous."</p> + +<p>Elsie shrank down as Staffer rose and the light traveled along the +wall, but the men crossed the floor and she heard a cupboard being +opened. They were now near the hall door and she missed what they +said; but she had heard enough and must escape before the stranger +left by the window.</p> + +<p>Stealing out of the greenhouse, she ran back, with her brain busily at +work. Madge was waiting where she had left her. Together they crept up +the back stairs and into Madge's room.</p> + +<p>Elsie was very calm when at last she felt it safe to speak.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span>"They came to the door once. What did you hear?" she asked in a +whisper.</p> + +<p>"<i>The wreck. About three hours. There before high water!</i> It wasn't +Staffer's voice."</p> + +<p>Elsie pressed her arm, and, listening eagerly, they heard a stealthy +footstep in the passage. Then the handle of Elsie's door shook, as if +it had been touched, and there was silence.</p> + +<p>They waited for a few minutes while Elsie thought quickly. The +situation, though still obscure, was getting clearer. Andrew was +interfering with something it was necessary that Williamson should do, +and Staffer had told his visitor that he could stop him as he liked, +but must make sure. There had been something horribly threatening in +his laugh as he said that Andrew and Whitney knew too much. The +visitor was to do what he had undertaken, about low water, near a +wreck.</p> + +<p>The question was: <i>What had he undertaken?</i></p> + +<p>"What is that?" Madge whispered, turning to the open window.</p> + +<p>A faint throbbing came out of the dark. It was some distance off, but +Elsie recognized it as a motor running down the valley.</p> + +<p>"It's the man going to Annan," she said. "Listen while I explain—"</p> + +<p>Her conclusions grew clearer and more logical as she put them into +words, and she got up resolutely when she had finished.</p> + +<p>"We can do nothing more; Dick must help us now."</p> + +<p>Stealing down the passage, she entered his room and shook him gently. +He awoke, and she put her hand on his face to check the exclamation +she half expected.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>"It's Elsie; you mustn't make a noise," she whispered. "Do you know +anything about a wreck?"</p> + +<p>"I know where it is," he answered drowsily.</p> + +<p>"Andrew's there to-night, isn't he?"</p> + +<p>"It's possible," said Dick, lifting himself on his elbow. "Why do you +ask?"</p> + +<p>She told him what she had overheard, and he was silent for a moment, +though she knew that he was now wide awake.</p> + +<p>"Andrew must be warned," he said; "and the other fellow's got a start. +I couldn't get the car out without bringing Staffer down, and +Whitney's motorcycle is at the Burnfoot. I'll have to take my +bicycle."</p> + +<p>Elsie noted that he had shown no surprise, which was curious, and that +he was very cool. Then she remembered that he had not been looking +well for some days.</p> + +<p>"Can't you get a fisherman to go?" she suggested. "You could give him +a guarded message or a note."</p> + +<p>Dick smiled.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to take a fisherman, but I'm going. Andrew's a very good +sort and I owe him something." His tone changed strangely. "Will you +give me a kiss, Elsie? You haven't done so since we were kiddies—but +I'd like you to."</p> + +<p>Elsie stooped and kissed his cheek and he put his hand on hers.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, dear. Now you'll have to go. I must start as soon as +possible."</p> + +<p>She left him, wondering at something unusual in his manner; and five +minutes afterward Dick crept down the back stairs. When he wheeled out +his bicycle, the lamp would not burn and he had no time to look for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> +fresh carbide. It was difficult to keep on the drive, and he feared +that Staffer might hear the crash if he ran into the border and fell, +but he avoided this, and opened the gate at the lodge without wakening +its occupants.</p> + +<p>The valley was dark, the road wet, and Dick could scarcely see the +clipped hedgerows. Indeed, at first, he ran on to the grass, but by +degrees his eyes got used to the gloom and he let the bicycle coast +down a long hill. It gave him a good start, but when he came to the +bottom, the hill in front was steep, and he knew a stern effort would +be needed, as he changed to the low gear. He was distressed and +panting hard when he was half-way up, and as he forced the cranks +round, the tires slipped and skidded in the mud. The trees that +stretched their bare branches overhead kept the road soft, but it +seemed to him that they also shut out the air. He could not breathe in +the thick gloom beneath them, and his heart was throbbing painfully.</p> + +<p>This was the kind of thing he had been especially warned against; but +he could not stop. The wind was light, and, allowing for some loss of +time in waking a fisherman and getting his boat away, it would be past +low-water when they approached the wreck. Remembering what had +happened the night the lamp went out, Dick saw that Andrew's danger +would begin when the flood-tide raced across the sands.</p> + +<p>The breeze met him in the face when the road turned toward the coast +at the summit of the hill. He found it refreshing, but it threatened +to increase his labor and the mud got worse as he ran down to the +seaboard plain. Light mist thickened the gloom and the bicycle skidded +badly when he struck the boggy strip<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> along the half-seen hedgerows. +Still he toiled on, while the perspiration dripped from his forehead +and he got dizzy. The exertion he was making was not sufficient cause +for this, but he had paid for rashly running upstairs at a Lockerbie +hotel a few days before. Something the doctor had warned him of had +happened, and he had not recovered from it yet. For all that, he must +reach the lower end of the channel before the tide began to flow.</p> + +<p>He knew the road well, but he could not distinguish where he was, and +was half afraid he had taken a wrong turning, until a few faint lights +shone out ahead. These must mark the outskirts of Annan. Five minutes +later he ran down the main street. The houses were dark, and he had +some trouble to find the narrow lane that turned off to the waterside. +There were no lights here, but the road was paved, and when he passed +under a railway bridge tall black buildings rose between him and the +river. A sour smell came from the wet mud-banks behind them, and the +splash of running water warned him that the tide was falling fast. He +must lose no time if he meant to get away before the boats were left +aground.</p> + +<p>He passed a silent factory and a long, shadowy mill; a schooner's +masts rose out of the gloom, and he was in the open. When the road +stopped near a wharf-shed, Dick pushed the bicycle through a gap in a +hedge and across a field, until he reached a very muddy lane. He would +rather have left the machine; but time did not permit; and for the +next five minutes he jolted furiously among the pools and ruts. +Somehow, he saved himself from falling, and jumped down when a dark +row of houses, on rising ground, cut against the sky. Throw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span>ing the +bicycle against a fence, he climbed the hill, breathing hard, while +his head swam and he felt the heavy thumping of his heart.</p> + +<p>When he knocked at the door, a man came down and took him into a +small, plainly furnished room. He was a big fellow, with keen blue +eyes, and a brown face covered with fine wrinkles.</p> + +<p>"Noo ye can tell me what ye want," he said.</p> + +<p>Dick gave him a rather inadequate explanation, and the fisherman +looked thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"Weel," he said, "I dinna' understand it athegither, but it's enough +if ye think Mr. Andrew's in trouble." He paused for a moment, as if +pondering, and then resumed: "The big shrimp-boat would take us doon +faster, but she draws four feet and we'd want a punt to get ashore. +I'm thinking we'll take the whammeler. She's a smart bit craft and we +could pull her if there was need."</p> + +<p>He gave Dick a bundle of black oilskins.</p> + +<p>"Pit these on. Ye'll need them."</p> + +<p>Dick thought this probable, for he was wearing only his thin, ordinary +clothes.</p> + +<p>"Thanks," he said, as he got into the oilskins, which were softer and +more pliable than any he had seen in shops. "You see, I left in rather +a hurry."</p> + +<p>"I ken. An' noo we'll start."</p> + +<p>His curtness was reassuring, for Dick knew his countrymen. The +fellow's immediate business was to take him to the wreck, and he would +fix his mind on doing so. It was obvious that there was something +mysterious about their errand, but although the Scot is as curious as +other people, he seldom asks unnecessary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> questions when there is work +to be done. His habit is to concentrate upon the main issue.</p> + +<p>They left the house, and a few minutes later crept along a slippery +plank to a boat lying against a timber framework on which nets were +dried. She was sharp at both ends, half-decked, and about twenty feet +long; with a short, thick mast. Now that the tide had ebbed, the river +mouth was about a dozen yards across, and a row of larger craft, +sheering to and fro in the eddies, nearly filled the channel. Behind +these, a cluster of white buildings and a low promontory loomed out of +the dark. On the opposite side, a high gravel bank seemed to close the +narrow entrance.</p> + +<p>"Lowse the stern-mooring!" said the fisherman; and there was a harsh +rattle of chain as the boat slid out into the stream.</p> + +<p>He threw an oar into the sculling notch and they drifted away, +slipping between the trawl-boats that rose out of the gloom and +vanished astern. A minute later, the stream boiled noisily along the +gravel bank, the white buildings faded, and they were swept into the +darkness that brooded over the Firth. The fisherman hoisted a small, +black lugsail and jib, and took the tiller as the boat listed gently +down to a biting wind.</p> + +<p>"Maybe ye'll find it warmer in the for'ad den," he said. "Ye can light +the bit stove and set the kettle on."</p> + +<p>Dick was shivering, and he was glad to crawl through a hatch into a +narrow dark hole, where he lay down, after feeling for and lighting +the stove. There was no room between floor and deck-beams to sit +com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span>fortably, but an old sail and some ropes made a couch on which he +could rest. He felt shaky, and an unpleasant faintness threatened to +overcome him.</p> + +<p>He heard the water splash against the planks and felt the boat list. +That was comforting, because he thought it was fourteen miles to the +wreck. Still, the ebb would run nearly four miles an hour, there was +some wind, and the whammel boats sailed fast. If his companion could +keep her off the ground as the banks dried and the channel narrowed, +they ought to arrive by low-water.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">WHEN THE TIDE TURNED</span></h2> + + +<p>The wind fell as the tide drained out, and belts of mist hung +motionless about the sands when the whammel boat crept slowly down to +the mouth of the channel. The sail lay on deck, and Dick panted as he +pulled an oar while his companion sculled astern. He felt faint, and +the heavily ballasted boat was hard to move, but he thought the tide +was turning now and he knew that he must hold out. Occasionally he +turned and looked ahead, but saw nothing except the mist. There were +no birds about, the water was smooth, and everything was very quiet. +At length, a tall mast grew out of the haze and Dick stopped rowing.</p> + +<p>"The <i>Rowan</i>. Scull her in to the bank," he said. "I want to see where +the dinghy is."</p> + +<p>They could not find her, but presently came upon a whammel boat lying +near the edge of the sand.</p> + +<p>"It's the <i>Nance</i> that Tam Grahame selt awa'," the fisherman remarked. +"I canna' see what she's doing here with naebody on board."</p> + +<p>"We'll pull off to the yacht," Dick replied.</p> + +<p>The dinghy was not astern when they boarded the <i>Rowan</i>; and when Dick +went below and lighted a lamp, his companion looked puzzled.</p> + +<p>"It's queer! There's seeven feet o' watter, and Mr. Andrew wouldna' +swim ashore."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span>"Not when he had the dinghy."</p> + +<p>"But she's no' on the bank."</p> + +<p>"I imagine she's out at sea, by now," Dick said grimly. "How long do +you think the <i>Nance</i> has been here?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe half an hour. Her keel's weel in the ground and the tide +doesna' fall much on the last o' the ebb. They're no' expecting to be +back until the flood makes, because her anchor's up the bank."</p> + +<p>"That's what I thought," said Dick. "Now, I will tell you that Andrew +is in danger. I had meant to find him, but I don't feel well enough. I +suppose you can use a gun?"</p> + +<p>"We get a shot at a whaup or shellduck whiles. Ye're no' looking +weel."</p> + +<p>Dick lifted a big 10-bore gun from a rack and searched a locker for +cartridges.</p> + +<p>"Fours," he said, putting down a packet. "I think you'd better have +B's. Here they are."</p> + +<p>The fisherman looked at him curiously as he took the cartridges, which +were loaded with large shot; and Dick smiled.</p> + +<p>"You may meet the man who set the punt adrift," he explained. "I want +you to go to the wreck and find my cousin. Tell him to be careful, +because one of the gang has come down the channel after him. If +there's trouble going on when you get there, do what you think best; +but bring Andrew back. The police won't blame you afterward if you +have to use the gun."</p> + +<p>The man nodded quietly, and Dick knew that he could be trusted.</p> + +<p>"Ye'll be for staying here. Will I light the stove?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Dick. "I imagine it would be safer if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> I waited in your +boat. She'll be needed when the tide flows, and I can make myself +comfortable in the den."</p> + +<p>The fisherman sculled the boat ashore and put out an anchor; and then +he went away across the bank and Dick crept into the forecastle. The +stove was still burning, and the small, dark place was warm. It had +been a strain to hold out until all that was necessary had been done, +and now he was glad to lie down among the ropes and sails. There was a +weight on his chest, his breathing was hard, and his pulse seemed to +be getting sluggish. He wished he had some brandy or there was +somebody about; but he must not give in yet. The boat would be needed +when Andrew came back and it might be tampered with.</p> + +<p>While the fisherman and Dick had been hurrying to them, Andrew and +Whitney, well armed, crossed the bank toward the wreck and then +separated at a short distance from her. Andrew went straight forward +while his comrade made a round so as to approach her from the other +side. Hitherto, their visits had led to nothing, but Rankine seemed to +think it would be different this time.</p> + +<p>When he got near the wreck, Andrew found that the tide had scoured out +a pool round her after part, and this threatened to make things +difficult. His figure would be visible against the pale gleam of the +water and he could not get across without splashing. He must go round, +but this would take him away from the place where it was easiest to +get on board. For all that, he must not make a noise, and he moved +cautiously across the wet sand until he reached the broken timbers on +the edge of the pool.</p> + +<p>He heard the water trickle through the vessel's seams<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> and the murmur +of the languid surf in the distance, but presently he thought there +was something else. The sound seemed to come from inside the wreck. He +moved a few yards nearer and then stopped, with his feet in the pool, +listening hard. There was a curious snap and crackle, like the +striking of matches; and, looking up, Andrew saw that something was +sticking out from the masthead. His lips set in a hard line. A +wireless installation was at work, perhaps giving a message that would +send another ship to its doom. But it looked as if he could surprise +and seize the operator, and he meant to do so, though he realized what +the consequences might be.</p> + +<p>It was, however, impossible to climb up with the gun in his hand, and +he was sorry that he had brought it. Leaning it against the wreck, he +found a rest for his hand and lifted himself to a stringer. His head +and shoulders were now above the top of the vessel's ribs, but he did +not see how he was to reach the deck, which had fallen in abreast of +where he was. While he looked about there was a sharp report behind +him and a tremor in the wood. It had been struck by a bullet a few +inches from his side. Letting go quickly, he fell back with a splash.</p> + +<p>Andrew was afterward uncertain whether he lost his hold in alarm or +dropped back with instinctive caution. He came down in the water, and +did not get up, because a dark figure stood on the other side of the +pool and he feared that a movement would draw a bullet. His gun was +some yards away; but Andrew thought he would be nearly invisible +against the side of the wreck so long as he kept still, and the shot +would bring Whitney to his help.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span>There was a shout from the deck, and Andrew recognized Williamson's +voice. He was obviously alarmed, but the other man called out sharply +in German, ordering him back. Andrew imagined from this that the +message he was transmitting was of urgent importance, or perhaps the +newcomer had another to send.</p> + +<p>It was plain that the men must not be allowed to finish their work, +and Andrew wondered whether he could creep back to where his gun lay +while the fellow's attention was diverted. He was getting up +cautiously when the enemy's pistol flashed and a spurt of water +splashed into his face. Then there was a streak of light and a heavier +report farther back on the sands, and his antagonist turned and ran a +few yards along the beach.</p> + +<p>Andrew knew that Whitney could not have fired the shot. But at the +moment this was not important; he must get his gun while the man was +occupied. As he felt for it he heard Whitney run round the stern of +the wreck. He was safe now; but that crackling sound had begun again, +and at all costs Williamson must be stopped. Besides, Andrew had a +signal of his own to make. Leaving the gun, he climbed up a timber and +had just reached the deck when an indistinct figure rushed across it +and vanished over the broken bulwarks on the opposite side. Then a +patter of feet on the sand indicated that Williamson was escaping.</p> + +<p>For all that, Andrew stopped, and, dragging a tin from his pocket, put +it on the rail and struck a match. As he dropped it into the tin a +bright blaze sprang up. Then he jumped down to the sand and seized his +gun. The fellow who had shot at him had disappeared and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> there was +nobody in sight; but he could hear men running on the other side of +the wreck.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" Whitney's voice reached him out of the darkness.</p> + +<p>As he splashed through the water around the vessel's stern he saw two +figures on the sand. One he took to be Whitney and the other was +evidently a friend. Making an effort, he caught them up, and Whitney +began to talk in breathless gasps.</p> + +<p>"An Annan man—Dick sent him. Think coastguards will see your flare?"</p> + +<p>"Where's Williamson and the other fellow?" Andrew asked quickly.</p> + +<p>"Close ahead. They were going back to the channel, but couldn't get +past us. What about the tide?"</p> + +<p>Andrew began to understand the situation. While he was trying to +surprise Williamson, his assailant had quietly come up behind him; and +he, in turn, had been followed by the man Dick had sent. The fugitives +must now make for the Scotch shore, or risk being shot at if they +tried to go around his party's flank. In order to prevent this, he +must extend his line.</p> + +<p>"Spread out!" he cried. "Tide's flowing now, and the water will be in +the gut when we get there!"</p> + +<p>Whitney and the fisherman moved off left and right, and Andrew, +glancing round, saw that his flare was burning. The men they followed +could not see it because they faced the other way, and although there +was some mist, he thought the signal would warn the coast-patrol, whom +Rankine had told to keep a good lookout. They ran on, splashing across +wet sand and into pools. Sometimes they caught a glimpse of two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> +figures ahead and sometimes lost them in the haze. It was hard to tell +whether they were gaming or not. Andrew dared not stop to take off his +long boots, and the Annan man, hampered by his oilskins, was falling +back; but Whitney was running well and drawing in front.</p> + +<p>The sound of the advancing tide steadily grew louder, and a breeze was +getting up. As the three men came panting out of a belt of mist a +streak of water glimmered among the sands, and beyond it a black +hillside rose from the dusky beach. The fugitives were plainer now, +and it looked as if they could not escape; but the men held on +steadily, and Andrew wondered what depth there was in the gutter. +Glancing to one side, he thought he saw something moving along the +edge of the channel; but he could not be sure because there was mist +about the spot, and he could not stop to get a better view, for he was +determined to follow Williamson.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later he saw the men in front stop at the edge of the +water, and he wondered why they did so. The channel was rapidly +widening and they must cross at once or surrender. Instead, they ran +along the bank for some distance and stopped again; and Andrew now saw +that a white boat was moving along the opposite side. Changing his +course, he ran on, panting hard, and saw that the men in front were +waiting. A moment later one plunged into the channel while his comrade +stood still.</p> + +<p>As Andrew got nearer, there were two or three quick, bright flashes, +and he heard a bullet pass his head and saw the sand spurt up at +Whitney's feet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> The fellow meant to stop them while his partner got a +start; or perhaps he imagined that the water was too deep to cross.</p> + +<p>Whitney stopped. A puff of smoke blew about him and there was a heavy +report. The man on the bank staggered, fired his pistol again, and +splashed awkwardly into the water. A moment later Andrew plunged in. +He was close to the fellow now, but he had dropped his gun, because he +did not mean to shoot. The man turned and raised his pistol, but his +arm fell back, and Andrew sprang upon him.</p> + +<p>They went down, and the stream boiled about them, but Andrew held on, +and a minute later Whitney was at his side. They dragged their +prisoner out.</p> + +<p>"My arm!" he said breathlessly. "There is also some shot in my leg."</p> + +<p>"Where's your pistol?" Andrew asked.</p> + +<p>"In the sea."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Whitney as the fisherman joined them, "I wish I knew what +we ought to do with him. We can't stay here."</p> + +<p>This was obvious; for the tide was already flowing past their feet. As +they stood a moment, puzzling, they heard a hail and saw the white +boat pulling slowly toward them against the stream. She struck the +sand and a man in uniform jumped out.</p> + +<p>"I see you have got one of them," he said. "Do you know him?"</p> + +<p>"I never saw him before," Andrew answered. "Where's the other?"</p> + +<p>"Gone down, I think. We saw him trying to swim, but the tide swept him +up the gut, and when we were getting close he disappeared. We pulled +round the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> spot, but saw nothing. No doubt, he'd have on his oilskins +and sea-boots."</p> + +<p>"Well, this fellow's hurt. Will you take him?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly. And you'd better come with us. You're Mr. Johnstone, I +suppose. We were told to look out for you. We launched our gig as soon +as we saw your flare."</p> + +<p>Andrew said that he must get back to his boat and barely would have +time enough to do so; and after a hurried account of the affair, he +set off across the sands with his companions. Though they lost sight +of the water presently, they made the best pace they could, and the +Annan man, whom Andrew had recognized, related Dick's attempt to join +him.</p> + +<p>"It's as weel, Mr. Johnstone stayed behind," he concluded. "I'm +thinking it was the fellow ye caught who set your dinghy adrift and +he'd maybe have a mate hanging roon the <i>Nance</i>."</p> + +<p>When they came down to the channel, the tide was rising fast and the +<i>Nance</i> had gone. The other boat was floating, but was held by the +anchor the fisherman had carried up the bank. There was no answer to +their hail and Andrew plunged into the water.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Johnstone's nae doot in the den. He wasna' looking weel," said +the fisherman.</p> + +<p>Andrew was on board in a few moments, and as he looked into the +forecastle while the others pulled the boat ashore, it was with relief +that he heard Dick's voice.</p> + +<p>"Got back all right, old man?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; we owe that to you."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad," said Dick. "You might help me out; I'm not sure I could +get through the hatch."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span>Andrew noted that his voice was faint and strained, and he felt +disturbed when he saw how helpless the boy was when with some trouble +they lifted him through the narrow scuttle and put him down on the +floorings.</p> + +<p>"Don't talk any more," Andrew said; and turned to the fisherman. +"Scull her off to the yacht as fast as possible!"</p> + +<p>They were alongside in a few minutes and soon had Dick on a locker in +the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Give me some whisky," he gasped. "I think I'm pretty bad."</p> + +<p>"We'll soon run up the Firth and put you in a doctor's hands," Andrew +replied, as he held a glass to his lips.</p> + +<p>Dick drained it, and then was silent for a minute or two.</p> + +<p>"Andrew," he said finally, "there's something to talk about. You see, +I'm not sure I'll get over this."</p> + +<p>"Rot!" Andrew exclaimed gruffly, trying to hide his alarm. "You've +been as bad before."</p> + +<p>"No; not quite. But wait—"</p> + +<p>Dick closed his eyes, and Andrew saw his fears reflected in Whitney's +look. Dick's face was chalky-white and haggard, and they noted his +labored breathing.</p> + +<p>The tide splashed against the yacht's planks, the halyards had begun +to tap against the mast, and there was a sharp rattle of blocks as the +fisherman hoisted sail. They let him go and sat watching Dick from the +opposite locker. Presently he looked up.</p> + +<p>"Think I can talk a bit now. You'll have Appleyard, Andrew, if I don't +get well. There's nothing to be said about that, because you'll look +after it much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> better than I should have done. Still, you'll keep the +old hands until you can pension them; and there's Bob, my old pony—I +shouldn't like him sold."</p> + +<p>"You're taking too much for granted, Dick," Andrew replied. "You +knocked yourself out in hurrying down here to warn me, but you'll be +all right again in a few days."</p> + +<p>"I know you hope so. It's possible, too; but we'll get things +straightened up. Of course, Appleyard is Mrs. Woodhouse's home—she's +not responsible for her brother, you know. Elsie will keep everything +right unless she marries." Dick paused and looked at Andrew with a +feeble smile. "She may, you know."</p> + +<p>Andrew turned his head, and after a minute, Dick went on:</p> + +<p>"I'd like my debts paid off, but the estate must not be robbed. If you +open my desk, you'll find an old pocket-book. It will show you what I +actually got. Pin them down to that. Now give me a little more +whisky."</p> + +<p>Dick rested for a short while before he continued.</p> + +<p>"You see, I did get their money, though not all that the notes called +for—and they'll have some trouble about the insurance."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Andrew interrupted. "How's that? But you'd better not bother +about it now."</p> + +<p>"I may not be able to bother later," Dick smiled. "When I got the +doctor's warning I was very hard up, so I went to the insurance people +and asked how much they'd let me have if I surrendered the policy. +Well, though they asked a lot of questions, we didn't come to terms. +It seemed the other fellows were entitled to benefit; but something +wasn't straight and I think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> the office will dispute their claim. I +felt amused about it now and then; but they mustn't lose what they +really lent."</p> + +<p>"I'll see to that," said Andrew, "Now, you lie quiet and Whitney will +look after you while I take her up the Firth. A doctor must see you as +soon as possible. Perhaps it will help things if you can go to sleep."</p> + +<p>Andrew went on deck, and after weighing anchor and making sail he sat +at the helm, lost in disturbing thought, while the <i>Rowan</i> stood +up-channel.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE NET</span></h2> + + +<p>It was a calm, dark night and the trawler's engines ran at half speed +as she closed with the land. The badge of a British steam-fishing +company was painted on her funnel, and a correct registration number +appeared in bold, white figures on her bows; but she carried no lights +and her crew were not Englishmen. Ahead, formless black hillsides +faded into the gloom, but the skipper, provided with the latest +Admiralty chart, knew his bearings and the leadsman had found the +depth of water he expected.</p> + +<p>A plume of vapor trailed away from her escape-pipe, for, as she moved +slowly shoreward with the flood, the engines could not take all the +steam it was prudent to raise. After a time, a light twinkled upon the +unseen beach, went out, and shone again; and the skipper, ordering +another cast of the lead, made a quick calculation. The tide would +rise for an hour yet and there was already two feet more water than +his vessel drew in the channel he must enter. Then the lookout +reported a buoy ahead, and he rang his telegraph for more speed. He +was in the channel now and another buoy farther on would warn him of +the only dangerous bend. He was anxious to pick up his cargo and get +to sea again.</p> + +<p>Moving shoreward faster, the vessel faded into the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> gloom of the land; +but the beat of engines and the splash of displaced water travel far +on a calm night, and men with keen ears were listening for these +sounds on board a powerful steam-launch two miles away. She traveled +at a moderate speed, towing a big, white gig filled with coastguards, +but her crew were navy men. A smart young lieutenant held the wheel, +trying to remember the soundings, bearings, and courses he had studied +so carefully. They were hard to check, particularly as the flood-tide +swept him along, but he was glad to remember that three feet of water +was enough for him.</p> + +<p>Presently he stopped the engine and listened. At first, he could hear +only the ripple of the tide across some hidden shoal and the wash of +the languid swell upon the invisible beach; but after a time a +measured thud came out of the distance, and he knew that it was the +beat of a steamer's screw.</p> + +<p>"Between us and the land, I think," he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; about two miles off," agreed the second officer.</p> + +<p>"Then she must be going up the gutter, because there's not a fathom on +the banks. We'll go ahead; there's enough water anywhere for us."</p> + +<p>The launch swung round on a different course when her engines began to +clank, and a man sounded now and then as they ran for the shoals. The +lieutenant hardly expected to follow the channel; his object was to +keep within hearing of the other vessel, and, if he were lucky, his +work would be finished before the tide ebbed much. Suddenly a sharp, +pulsatory roar came out of the dark.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if she were on the ground and carrying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> plenty steam," he +said, when he had ordered the engines to be stopped. "As they'll no +doubt back her off, we'll wait a while, to give them time to ship +their cargo."</p> + +<p>For the next few minutes the crews of launch and gig listened eagerly. +They knew that when the vessel ran aground the steam her stopped +engines could not use had blown off. The roar died away, as was to be +expected, when the machinery was restarted, hard-astern, but now that +the immobility of the stranded craft increased the resistance, the +thud of the screw was louder. Presently, it changed to a steady beat +that drew away from them; and they knew she had got afloat and was +steaming up-channel.</p> + +<p>"Easy all, for half an hour!" said the lieutenant, looking at his +watch.</p> + +<p>The boats lay close together, rolling gently on the languid swell, +while the men sat in relaxed attitudes and talked in low voices. +Still, there was a feeling of suppressed excitement and it was a +relief when their officer grasped the wheel.</p> + +<p>"Let her go at half speed!" he ordered.</p> + +<p>The tow-rope tightened as the gig swung into line astern, and they +moved steadily toward the land for some time. Then they heard a roar +of steam again, louder than before and continuous, and the lieutenant +signed to the engineer.</p> + +<p>"Full speed! We have her now!"</p> + +<p>The water hissed along the planks, the gig lifted her bows on a +surging wave, and the wash of the screw ran far astern. A blurred +object grew out of the darkness in front of them, and then the officer +called to the coastguards:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>"Cast off and get to your work! Burn a flare if you want us!"</p> + +<p>A rope fell into the water, the engines stopped, and there was a +rattle of oars as the gig drove by. They fell with a simultaneous +splash, and their regular thud receded as she swept up-channel while +the launch's crew waited.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the sound stopped. There were alarmed shouts and +hoarse orders; while the roar of steam continued. Then the beat of +oars began again. The boat came back slowly, with two men pulling, and +ran alongside the launch.</p> + +<p>"You don't seem to have had much trouble," the lieutenant remarked.</p> + +<p>"We hadn't, sir," answered a coastguard officer. "They were busy and +didn't hear us until we'd got our boat-hook on her rail. Only one of +them drew a pistol and he was knocked down. We'll land them and leave +a guard on board when she's moored.'"</p> + +<p>"Very well, if we can't take her to Barrow this tide?"</p> + +<p>The coastguard laughed.</p> + +<p>"So far as I could see, there's a big piece of flounder-net wrapped +round her propeller and trailing about her aft. It has an unusually +thick head-rope, and some lengths of iron pipe are jambed between the +blades and the rudder. The fellow who set the net made a good job. +We'll have trouble in cutting it loose when she dries."</p> + +<p>"Did you find much oil?"</p> + +<p>"About a boat-load of heavy drums, which had just been thrown on deck. +We got the boat and I guess our fellows ashore have seized another +lot. However, here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> are your two men. I don't think you'll do much +with the skipper, but the other seems less obstinate."</p> + +<p>Two handcuffed men were put on board and the boat dropped back as the +launch leaped ahead. The water rose about her bows in a white, curling +wave, her stern sank down in a hollow ridged with foam, and she shook +with the fierce throb of hard-driven machinery. Dark hills slid past +to starboard, bold cliffs that stood out from their dim background +rolled by, and after a time a flash from a lantern was answered by a +gleam of light ahead. Then the blurred outline of a steamer grew into +distinct form. In another minute the launch was alongside and the +winches strained and clanked as she was hoisted in.</p> + +<p>"Everything went as we expected, and I've brought you the two +prisoners," the lieutenant reported to Rankine, who sat in his room +before a big chart.</p> + +<p>"Send them in, one at a time. And clear the guns and get under way. +The course is west by south."</p> + +<p>Rankine spent some time examining his prisoners. One preserved an +obstinate silence, but when he had been taken away, the other seemed +to see the force of Rankine's arguments. When the second prisoner had +been dismissed, Rankine went up to the bridge and changed the course a +few points.</p> + +<p>"The fellow bears out what we have been told," he said to the young +officer on watch. "I rather think he'll deal straight with us in order +to save his skin. Anyhow, he has given me their supply-boat signal. +The craft we're after is the latest and biggest thing of her kind."</p> + +<p>"We ought to bag her," the officer replied thoughtfully. "I've got the +searchlight rigged, and Wilson's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> the best shot we had on the +battleship. Still, the little guns are awkwardly mounted and we +haven't a clear field of fire."</p> + +<p>"It won't need more than one shot. A perforated submarine isn't much +use under water, and the game's ours if she stays on top. I'll give +you the call-up signal and you can get things ready."</p> + +<p>An hour later, Rankine pressed a button and the engines stopped. The +clang of a steamer's bridge-telegraph can be heard some distance off, +but Rankine had substituted an electric signal. Having undertaken a +dangerous piece of work, he had carefully made his plans so that he +need not announce his movements to the enemy. Two guns had been put on +board the vessel, but as it was thought advisable to conceal them, and +the deckhouse and the masts were in the way, their fire commanded only +a limited strip of horizon.</p> + +<p>Rankine searched the water with his night-glasses.</p> + +<p>The coast was out of sight, mist drifted across the sea, and the night +was dark. On the whole, this was an advantage, for his antagonist was +expecting a trawler, and the darkness would prevent him from noticing +the vessel's size and rig until they were close together. There was +some swell, though the surface of the water was smooth, and the vessel +rolled languidly. A feather of steam eddied about her funnel, and +there was a soft splashing as her slanted side sank into the sea. No +gleam of light pierced the darkness; everything was still; and Rankine +stood waiting eagerly.</p> + +<p>Presently he gave an order and one of the prisoners was brought to the +bridge; then the steamer slowly moved ahead while a petty officer, +standing behind a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> canvas wind-screen, alternately held up and lowered +red and green pyrotechnic flares. The streams of colored light showed +shadowy figures waiting motionless at their stations and drove a +radiant track across the water. Then they died away and men whose eyes +had been held by the glitter felt relief. Now they could see about the +ship, and they knew watchfulness was needed.</p> + +<p>For five minutes nothing happened, and Rankine, conscious of keen +tension, began to wonder whether he should signal again. It was +possible that he had overshot or fallen short of his distance. Then a +sharp hail came from a lookout and he saw the sea break not far ahead. +A confused white ripple spread away from something that moved amidst +it, and drew out in a long, wavering line. A lantern flashed between +regular intervals of darkness, and presently a low, black object grew +out of the advancing foam. Rankine pressed the button and the throb of +engines slackened; then he gave an order to his prisoner.</p> + +<p>The man hailed in German; the submarine swerved and slowed; and the +two vessels drew abreast, perhaps fifty yards apart, while Rankine's +quarter boat swung out from the davits.</p> + +<p>"Tell them to jump into the water and I'll pick them up!" he ordered +the prisoner.</p> + +<p>As the man called out, a dazzling beam from the searchlight played +upon the submarine's hull and her wet steel skin glittered like +silver. The next moment there was another flash, streaked with a vein +of red; and a cloud of thin, acrid smoke whirled up. The steamer +quivered with the heavy concussion; the submarine reeled and listed +over. Indistinct figures<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> plunged into the foam that lapped about her +side; and then the bright beam showed an empty stretch of seething +water: Rankine was watching his boat, which moved into the lighted +track on her work of rescue, when a lookout shouted a hoarse warning.</p> + +<p>Swinging round, Rankine saw a feathery streak of foam on the opposite +side of the vessel. It was heading toward her at tremendous speed, and +he knew the wash of a torpedo.</p> + +<p>"Starboard, hard!" he called to the helmsman; and set his lips as he +pressed the button for full speed.</p> + +<p>Two submarines had answered his signal, instead of one, and the last +had crept up to attack him while he was sinking her consort.</p> + +<p>The steamer, however, answered her helm, slowly, but enough. The swift +white streak drove past her stern with a few feet to spare, and she +began to shake as her engines quickened.</p> + +<p>"Port!" Rankine shouted in a harsh voice. "Steady that!"</p> + +<p>A flash blazed out of the darkness, a panel of the wheelhouse was +shattered, and the canvas bridge-screen fell apart in rags; but +Rankine had seen a long, dark shape on the water close ahead. It might +vanish in a moment, before his guns could be swung and trained. +Indeed, he doubted if the submarine were within their field of fire, +and he meant to use a surer means. One end of the black hull tilted up +and the other began to sink. His enemy was going under. But would she +be quick enough? The steamer's sharp steel stem was only a dozen yards +away now.</p> + +<p>Shouting an order to the crew, Rankine gripped the bridge-rails hard.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span>The water ahead boiled and rose in a tumbling ridge; there was a heavy +shock, and the steamer trembled violently. One could feel her forge +through something that crumpled up beneath her bows; but the jarring +and grinding passed aft, and she leaped forward when she was once over +the obstacle. Rankine saw a curious disturbance down the screw-torn +wake, but it subsided and he stopped the engines.</p> + +<p>"Sound the forward well! Swing your light aft and lower the gig!" he +ordered.</p> + +<p>The stream of radiance flashed astern and spread about the vessel; but +there was nothing on the water except their own boat, which made +toward them. Then a man came up to report that the well was nearly +dry.</p> + +<p>"She's a strong old ship," Rankine remarked, and turned to another +man: "Where's that prisoner, Evans?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't seen him, sir, since the torpedo missed us."</p> + +<p>"Ask on deck," said Rankine. "Why isn't the gig away?"</p> + +<p>As the man went down the ladder, a splash of oars began, and the +searchlight's moving beam swept the sea. It picked out the larger boat +and then passed on, leaving black darkness, and followed the gig. Ten +minutes later, the boats returned and Rankine received the young +lieutenant in his cabin.</p> + +<p>"We have six men; all from the first craft, so far as we can make +out," the lieutenant reported, with rather strained quietness.</p> + +<p>"Then the rest have gone," Rankine said. "We have lost one prisoner, +too. It's pretty obvious that he jumped over. He must have known there +were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> two submarines and expected the last to sink us."</p> + +<p>"He was not in the boats. Do you want to see the men we picked up?"</p> + +<p>"Not just yet. Let them have dry clothes and anything else they need. +I wish we'd got some of the others; I don't know that one ought to +think they deserved their fate. But, after all, when one remembers the +torpedoed merchant ships— However, we'll land them in Loch Ryan. Let +her go west by north until you make the Mull of Galloway light."</p> + +<p>The lieutenant went out, and Rankine, lying back on the locker, +lighted his pipe. It was his first battle, and he wanted to recover +his normal calm. He had won, but he did not quite feel the +exhilarating flush of victory he had expected. Instead, he rather +shrank from dwelling upon the fight.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">UNEXPECTED HAPPINESS</span></h2> + + +<p>Elsie, lying half awake, raised herself on her pillow as she heard a +clock strike. The anxiety she had half forgotten returned to her with +double force. Although she had not been quite asleep, she had lost +count of the time, and it was now nearly three hours after low-water. +The danger that had threatened Andrew must be past, but she did not +know how long she must wait for news of him. Besides, some mischance +might have befallen Dick. He had looked ill when she sent him on an +errand that would severely try his strength.</p> + +<p>After a long time she heard a sharp throbbing coming up the valley. It +sounded like a motorcycle and she jumped out of bed and began to +dress, wondering whether Dick had borrowed the machine at Annan and +was returning. The sound grew louder; the motorcycle had passed the +lodge and was nearing the house when Elsie quietly entered Madge's +room.</p> + +<p>"I heard it," Madge said. "I haven't been asleep. Shall I get up?"</p> + +<p>"No." Elsie touched her in warning as a door opened.</p> + +<p>There were steps in the passage, and they waited until the sound died +away.</p> + +<p>"Are you going down?" Madge asked.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span>"Yes; I feel that I must. But it might be better if you didn't come."</p> + +<p>She heard the hall door open as she descended the stairs, but she kept +on and waited at the bottom. The machine had stopped and she thought +it significant that its driver had boldly ridden up to the house. If +Dick had done so, he would have come in; but nobody had entered and +Staffer had gone out. After a few minutes, she heard the sliding door +of the garage run back. Elsie knew the sound of the small wheels as +they grated upon the iron carrier.</p> + +<p>The motorcycle sped away noisily down the drive, and soon afterward +Staffer came in carrying a lantern. He did not see Elsie as he put the +light on a table and locked a traveling bag. She thought it curious +that the bag was ready packed; and since he had taken no precautions +against being heard, it looked as if speed were more important than +secrecy. The message that had been brought him must deal with some +urgent matter. Still, Dick had not returned and she was horribly +anxious. She could not wait to learn what had happened at the wreck.</p> + +<p>As she moved forward to speak to Staffer, he looked up. His expression +was tense, but she thought he was calm.</p> + +<p>"So you have spied on me again!" he said.</p> + +<p>"Where's Dick?"</p> + +<p>"Dick?" repeated Staffer. "Ah! Now I begin to understand! You sent him +down the Firth!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I did. And where is he?"</p> + +<p>"On board Andrew's yacht, I imagine."</p> + +<p>Elsie was sensible of keen satisfaction; but only part of her fears +were set at rest.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span>"And Andrew? Is he on the yacht?"</p> + +<p>Staffer looked hard at her. She was trembling with excitement and +cold, but she did not flinch, and he surprised her by a curious, +bitter laugh. It carried a hint of understanding that brought the +blood to her face.</p> + +<p>"I don't know where he is, but there's reason to think he has come to +no harm. That ought to satisfy you."</p> + +<p>Elsie was silent. Her relief was great, but now that Andrew was safe, +her mind could fix itself on other matters. Staffer had guessed her +secret and knew that she had spoiled his plans; but his manner was +more ironical than revengeful. For all that, it disturbed and +frightened her. She thought something that had hit him hard had +happened, and his cold-blooded calm was daunting.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "there's a touch of grim humor in the situation. I +found you a home and gave you the advantages you enjoy; and now you +have baffled me and ruined the work of cleverer brains than mine. It's +humiliating to see one's schemes brought to nothing by a raw girl's +devotion to her stupid lover."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry the course of things made us enemies. It was unavoidable," +she said quietly.</p> + +<p>Staffer made an impatient sign.</p> + +<p>"I'm going away and it's very doubtful if I'll ever return; but I'd +rather you didn't mention the matter until breakfast to-morrow. Then +you can say I've gone to Edinburgh. Perhaps you can promise me that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Don't you want to see Mother before you go?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span>"No," Staffer answered thoughtfully; "it might be better if I didn't."</p> + +<p>He broke off as the car came throbbing to the door; and Elsie followed +him across the hall.</p> + +<p>"If things had only been different," she said, "we might have been +friends—"</p> + +<p>Staffer did not seem to hear, for he jumped into the car and it rolled +away. Elsie stood looking out into the darkness for a long time; then +she shut the door and went slowly upstairs. She felt limp and +bewildered now that the strain had gone; the one thing she realized +clearly was that Andrew was safe.</p> + +<p>Madge turned to her eagerly as she entered her room; but Elsie did not +stop.</p> + +<p>"They are all right, but I can't talk about it now," she said and +passed on into her room, closing the door.</p> + +<p>While Staffer was leaving Appleyard, Andrew was picking his way toward +the burnfoot, across a boggy heath. He had landed about an hour +earlier and gone to a farm to ask for a horse and trap and had sent a +man to Annan for a doctor. Now he was returning as fast as possible, +because he felt anxious about Dick; but caution was needed, for many +deep drains crossed the heath. The mist had closed in again, and, as +he stopped at the last drain to look for a narrow spot, he heard the +languid splash of the surf and the wild cry of a black-backed gull. +For some reason, the harsh sound disturbed him; and, jumping the drain +where he stood, he went on as fast as he could. The splash of the sea +grew louder, and at last he saw an indistinct figure waiting near the +water's edge. Andrew was used to the sands at night, but the +motion<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>less dark form seemed to strike a deeper note of desolation. +His steps slackened as he approached it.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Jim?" he called.</p> + +<p>Whitney waited until he came up, and then put his hand on his arm.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you must brace yourself against a shock," he said gently.</p> + +<p>"Ah! You mean Dick's worse?"</p> + +<p>Whitney pressed his arm sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"He's dead."</p> + +<p>There was silence for the next minute, except for the mournful murmur +of the sea.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't long after you went ashore," Whitney added. "He looked up +and beckoned me to sit on the locker by his cot. 'Tell Andrew I'm glad +he'll have Appleyard,' he said."</p> + +<p>Whitney paused for a moment.</p> + +<p>"He lay still afterward, and I thought he'd gone to sleep. Then the +cabin seemed to grow strangely quiet, and when I got up to look at him +I saw that he was dead."</p> + +<p>"The hurried trip down-channel killed him, and he made it for my +sake!" Andrew said, in a tense, hoarse voice.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't take that for granted; but, if true, he certainly +wouldn't grudge the risk. He might have died at any time from some +trifling exertion."</p> + +<p>Andrew indicated the dinghy, in which he had rowed off from the yacht +alone.</p> + +<p>"How did you get ashore?"</p> + +<p>"The bank's steep and I sheered her in until I could jump from the +bowsprit end. I didn't want you to come on board without knowing."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span>"Thanks," said Andrew. "I'm going off to her now. Try to get into +Marshall's hut and make a fire. We'll have to wait some time for the +doctor."</p> + +<p>He launched the dinghy, and when he returned Whitney had lighted a few +sticks and peats in the fisherman's sod hut. Andrew's face was grave +as he sat down on an empty box.</p> + +<p>"If you don't mind, I'd rather not talk," he said.</p> + +<p>He let Whitney row the doctor off when he arrived; and day was +breaking when they reached Annan. An hour later, Andrew, feeling limp +and cold, got down from a trap at Appleyard and walked stiffly into +the hall. Elsie came to meet him with a glow in her eyes; but she +stopped abruptly when she saw his face.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" she asked.</p> + +<p>He looked at her compassionately and she gasped.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Is Dick—?"</p> + +<p>He put his arm around her and led her to an oak bench near the big +fireplace.</p> + +<p>"Dick's dead," he said quietly. "On board the <i>Rowan</i>. Heart failure, +the doctor thinks."</p> + +<p>"I sent him, when I knew he was ill!" she cried in distress.</p> + +<p>"You didn't know it would do him much harm, dear."</p> + +<p>"But I did!" Elsie moaned with a shiver, turning her head.</p> + +<p>Andrew was puzzled, but he answered soothingly:</p> + +<p>"I know what you feel, because I felt it too—Dick might have got +better and lived a long time if he hadn't gone down-channel to warn +me. In fact, I spoke to the doctor about it, but he didn't altogether +take this view."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span>"He didn't want you to blame yourself."</p> + +<p>"No; I don't think that was it. But it's a blow to us both, and the +worst is I can do nothing to soften it for you."</p> + +<p>"You loved him," she said with a look of pain. "You came home from +Canada and fought Williamson for his sake. I was often impatient with +him, and he always bore it well. He was generous and forgiving—and we +know he was brave. He must have known the risk he ran—but he didn't +hesitate. I knew it—and I sent him—"</p> + +<p>Her voice trailed off and she broke into stormy sobbing, while Andrew, +with his arm around her, awkwardly tried to comfort her. His touch +seemed to have a soothing influence, for Elsie got calmer.</p> + +<p>"You were always a help, Andrew; one turns to you in trouble," she +said. "But I mustn't give way like this."</p> + +<p>She rose as she spoke, and when she left him Andrew went up to +Whitney's room.</p> + +<p>"I expect Miss Woodhouse feels the thing keenly," Whitney said.</p> + +<p>"Yes; in fact, she feels much as I do, in spite of what the doctor +said. If Dick hadn't gone to our rescue, he'd have been with us yet. +Still, I don't quite understand—"</p> + +<p>"You don't see why she let him go, when she thought it might be +dangerous?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; that's what bothers me," Andrew said with some hesitation.</p> + +<p>Whitney gave him a keen glance. He saw that Andrew had no suspicion of +the truth; but it was not his business to enlighten him.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>"Well, she may have thought there were two lives that could be saved +against one that must be risked. It would be desperately hard for a +young girl to face the responsibility of deciding right. Miss +Woodhouse probably feels the strain—and, no doubt she's rather +overcome by the consequences of the line she took. But when she gets +calmer she'll see that she can't blame herself. But you had better +change your clothes and get some breakfast."</p> + +<p>It was a relief to Andrew to find his time occupied. At noon he was +surprised by a request for an interview with a man he did not know. +The stranger was shown into the library and gave Andrew a letter.</p> + +<p>"My card may convey nothing to you, but here are my credentials."</p> + +<p>The letter was from the Home Secretary's office and was countersigned +by an eminent military authority.</p> + +<p>"I'm at your command," Andrew said. "What is it you want to know?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I'd better state that my visit is made in a friendly spirit. +We recognize the patriotic line you and your cousin have taken. I met +him once, and, it's rather curious, he invited me to Appleyard."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed Andrew. "I never thought that Dick—"</p> + +<p>"Shared your suspicions? I can't tell you how far his went, but he may +have known more than you imagine. He certainly once did us an +important service. But we'll let that go. Did Mr. Staffer offer any +explanation for leaving here early this morning?"</p> + +<p>"He said he was going to Edinburgh; that was all."</p> + +<p>"Well, he got to Hawick, where we lost trace of him, but I think it's +impossible that he went farther<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> north. Have you any ground for +suspecting who brought him the warning?"</p> + +<p>"None," said Andrew shortly.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad I can take your word, Mr. Johnstone. Now I must ask you to +tell me about your recent adventures on the sands. You see, I'm in +touch with Lieutenant Rankine and the coastguards."</p> + +<p>Andrew related what had happened, and his companion looked satisfied.</p> + +<p>"You don't seem to know that Williamson's body was washed up on the +Colvend shore, a few hours ago."</p> + +<p>"Oh!"</p> + +<p>"The man who could have told us most has gone. Our hope now is to +catch Staffer."</p> + +<p>"You'd better make Appleyard your headquarters while you're looking +into things," Andrew said. "We have nothing to hide."</p> + +<p>"Thanks; I'll be glad to do so. It may be some satisfaction for you to +learn that no unnecessary publicity will be allowed to attend this +matter."</p> + +<p>The next day, the officer told Andrew that Staffer's car had been +found on the roadside, near a small fishing village on the +Northumberland coast.</p> + +<p>"He doubled back into England by Norham," he added. "When our men got +upon his track they found he'd covered the distances between the +points at which they heard of him extraordinarily fast. In +consequence, he had a number of hours' start when he left the car, and +as a fishing boat sailed soon afterward, I'm afraid he got away across +the North Sea."</p> + +<p>"I can't say that I am sorry he escaped," Andrew replied; "but I won't +complain if his friends on the other side keep him there for good."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span>Dick was buried two days later, in a lonely kirkyard where many of his +race had been laid to rest. The kirk had long crumbled down except for +one tottering arch, but, as usual in the country, the funeral service +was held at Appleyard, and Andrew's heart stirred as he saw the long +stream of mourners coming up the drive. Dick had not died unlamented, +but even those who knew him best were astonished at the number of his +friends. None of his tenantry was missing, his neighbors had come from +far and near; but there were others—fishermen, shepherds, men who +lived by horse-couping and other devious means, and innkeepers from +Dumfries and Lockerbie. The respectability of some was doubtful, but +their grief was obvious, so far as the Scottish character allowed it +to be seen, and Andrew gave them all his thanks and hand. This was an +ancient custom and he was now the head of the family; but as he looked +at the rows of solemn faces, he wondered whether he could win the love +his predecessor had won.</p> + +<p>That night, when the others had gone to bed, Andrew sat talking to +Rankine by the fire in the hall.</p> + +<p>"Has the fellow we caught on the sands made any admissions?" he asked. +"I understand you have seen him."</p> + +<p>"None so far. He declined to talk, and, if I'm a judge of character, +it's the line he'll stick to until the end. He sees that he has no +defense. I'm rather curious about his rank; but he's obviously a navy +man."</p> + +<p>"He'll be court-martialed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. It will be kept quiet, for one or two reasons, and I don't think +you'll be wanted."</p> + +<p>"That's a relief. What's your private opinion<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> about the matter? Was +the plot confined to supplying the submarines?"</p> + +<p>Rankine lighted a cigarette before he answered.</p> + +<p>"On the whole, I don't think so. In fact, it's possible there was some +foundation for your theory about the Eskdale road."</p> + +<p>"Then you know something?"</p> + +<p>"Something," Rankine agreed with a smile. "Now that my business on the +coast is finished and I'm going to join a battleship, I may perhaps +tell you that my rank is not lieutenant."</p> + +<p>"Well, now that you are here, I hope you can spare us a few days."</p> + +<p>"Thanks; I'll be glad to. My new ship needs some refitting and they +don't want me at Portsmouth yet."</p> + +<p>The next few months passed uneventfully at Appleyard. For the most +part, Andrew was kept occupied, investigating Dick's affairs and +making new arrangements for the improvement of the estate. It was a +relief to be busy; for his loss still weighed on him; and he had +another trouble. Every day he grew deeper in love with Elsie; and she +seemed to try purposely to avoid him. When they met she was friendly, +but he noticed a hint of reserve in her manner. At last he began to +think he would better go to Canada for a while when he had put +everything straight.</p> + +<p>Then, one cold spring evening, when he came back from a visit to a +moorland farm, he found her sitting by the fire in the hall. The light +was getting dim but the glow from the logs fell on her, and he noted +her quick, nervous movement as she saw him.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I startled you," he said, stopping beside her. "I've been +walking about a wet bog all after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span>noon, examining drains, and it looks +very cozy here. I won't disturb you if I sit down?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not."</p> + +<p>Andrew took a chair near her, and stretched his hands to the fire. +Neither spoke for a few minutes; and their silence seemed the deeper +because of the loud ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner.</p> + +<p>"I've always loved Appleyard," Andrew said slowly, looking about the +big hall; "but somehow it doesn't seem homey to me now. There's +something wanting; it's too big, or I'm better used to a boat."</p> + +<p>"You miss Dick," Elsie answered softly, with a touch of color in her +face. "Though he was often ill, it's wonderful how bright he was."</p> + +<p>"Yes; I miss him all the time—but perhaps not as you do."</p> + +<p>Andrew's voice was full of sympathy, and Elsie gave him a quick +glance.</p> + +<p>"You must know the truth, Andrew," she said impulsively. "At first I +did feel miserably guilty for having sent Dick on a dangerous errand +when I knew he was ill—"</p> + +<p>"Dick went because he wanted to go," Andrew interrupted. "He never +shirked a risk, and least of all when he could help his friends."</p> + +<p>"But if I had loved Dick in the way you seem to think I loved +him—perhaps I would not have been brave enough to let him go—I can't +be sure."</p> + +<p>"You didn't love him in that way?"</p> + +<p>Elsie looked down at the book which lay in her lap. Her face was +flooded with color, but a smile played about her lips.</p> + +<p>"I would never have married Dick," she said, in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> voice so low that +Andrew had to lean toward her to catch her words.</p> + +<p>"There was some one else?" he asked tensely.</p> + +<p>She looked up at him then, and he gasped at the deepening glow in her +eyes.</p> + +<p>"What a stupid thing you are, Andrew! You ought to—"</p> + +<p>He waited.</p> + +<p>"Elsie—"</p> + +<p>His voice was a mingling of incredulity and joy; and she answered his +unspoken question with a shy smile.</p> + +<p>"Of course—dear!"</p> + + +<p class="center newchapter">THE END</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors present in the +original edition have been corrected.</p> + +<p>In Chapter II, a missing quotation mark was added before "Attendez, +mais attendez".</p> + +<p>In Chapter III, "expensive yatching cap" was changed to "expensive +yachting cap", and "the Isle of Man, rose" was changed to "the Isle of +Man rose".</p> + +<p>In Chapter VII, "is if the man had meant to jump across" was changed +to "as if the man had meant to jump across".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XVI, "single-cyclinder engine" was changed to +"single-cylinder engine".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XXVI, "his heavy boots sanks" was changed to "his heavy +boots sank".</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Johnstone of the Border, by Harold Bindloss + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER *** + +***** This file should be named 34425-h.htm or 34425-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/4/2/34425/ + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +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 www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Johnstone of the Border + +Author: Harold Bindloss + +Illustrator: Cyrus Cuneo + +Release Date: November 24, 2010 [EBook #34425] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER + + + + +BY THE SAME AUTHOR + +ALTON OF SOMASCO +LORIMER OF THE NORTHWEST +THURSTON OF ORCHARD VALLEY +WINSTON OF THE PRAIRIE +THE GOLD TRAIL +SYDNEY CARTERET, RANCHER +A PRAIRIE COURTSHIP +VANE OF THE TIMBERLANDS +THE LONG PORTAGE +RANCHING FOR SYLVIA +PRESCOTT OF SASKATCHEWAN +THE DUST OF CONFLICT +THE GREATER POWER +MASTERS OF THE WHEATLANDS +DELILAH OF THE SNOWS +BY RIGHT OF PURCHASE +THE CATTLE BARON'S DAUGHTER +THRICE ARMED +FOR JACINTA +THE INTRIGUERS +THE LEAGUE OF THE LEOPARD +FOR THE ALLINSON HONOR +THE SECRET OF THE REEF +HARDING OF ALLENWOOD +THE COAST OF ADVENTURE + + + + +[Illustration: "An occasional word or phrase reached her: '. . . +submarine . . . coast of . . . this line marks. . . .'"--Page 220] + + + + +JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER + +BY HAROLD BINDLOSS + +_Author of_ "PRESCOTT OF SASKATCHEWAN," +"RANCHING FOR SYLVIA," "FOR THE ALLINSON +HONOR," "THE SECRET OF THE REEF," ETC. + +_WITH FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR_ + +[Illustration] + +NEW YORK + +FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY +PUBLISHERS + +COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY RODERICK A. STOKES COMPANY +PUBLISHED IN ENGLAND UNDER THE TITLE "THE BORDERER" + +ALL RIGHTS RESERVED + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER PAGE +I THE SUMMONS 1 +II A PAINFUL MEMORY 12 +III THE SOLWAY SHORE 19 +IV APPLEYARD 29 +V SWEETHEART ABBEY 42 +VI ON CRIFFELL HILL 53 +VII THE GRAY CAR 60 +VIII THE "ROWAN'S" LIGHT 71 +IX IN THE DARK 81 +X THE YOUNG OFFICER 92 +XI THE SIGNAL 103 +XII A FALSE ALARM 114 +XIII THE WRECK 127 +XIV A FAIR ALLY 140 +XV A BARGAIN 148 +XVI TRAILING THE MOTORCYCLE 160 +XVII THE MATCHBOX 172 +XVIII A CONFERENCE AT SEA 183 +XIX A WARNING 195 +XX THE WHAMMEL BOAT 205 +XXI THE LOST PAPER 216 +XXII STAFFER'S MESSENGER 226 +XXIII AN EVENING AT APPLEYARD 235 +XXIV THE BUOYED CHANNEL 247 +XXV A CLUE 259 +XXVI TIGHTENING THE MESHES 272 +XXVII THE RECKONING DAY 283 +XXVIII A WILD RIDE 293 +XXIX WHEN THE TIDE TURNED 305 +XXX THE NET 317 +XXXI UNEXPECTED HAPPINESS 327 + + + + +JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE SUMMONS + + +Sable Lake shone like a mirror among the ragged pines, as it ran back +between the rocks, smooth as oil except where a puff of wind streaked +its flashing surface with faint blue wrinkles. Behind it the lonely +woods rolled on, south to Lake Superior and north to Hudson Bay. At +one place a new transcontinental railroad cut its way through the +forest; hammers rang and noisy gravel plows emptied the ballast cars +along the half-graded track; but these sounds of human activity were +quickly lost and in a mile or two only the splash of water and the +elfin sighing in the pine-tops broke the deep silence of the woods. +This belt of tangled forest, where the trees are stunted and the soil +is sterile, offers no attraction to homesteader or lumberman. In +consequence, it has lain desolate since the half-breed _voyageurs_, +who crossed it with canoe and dog-team, abandoned the northwest trail +when the Canadian Pacific locomotives began to pant through the +rock-cuts by Lake Superior. + +The solitude itself had drawn Andrew Johnstone into the quiet bush. +The lone trail had a charm for him. He knew the empty spaces of +Canada; for his inaptitude for an idle life had led him on adventurous +journeys through many leagues of its trackless forest. He was of the +type that preferred some degree of hardship to conventional comfort. +His one ambition had been to be a soldier; it was the career which +from early boyhood he had chosen. He had entered Woolwich as a prize +cadet, and had left it with honors; but a few weeks later he had met +with an accident on a mountain crag, and his military career was +suddenly closed. The surgeons did what they could; but it soon was +obvious that Andrew never again would be able to take his place in the +British Army. He was not crippled; he could still walk well; but he +limped slightly and his injured knee gave him trouble sometimes. + +He sat alone now, on a rock that jutted out into the lake. The thick +branches of a spruce sagged above him and furnished a welcome shadow, +for it was a close, hot day. A few feet behind him a gray trout lay in +the frying-pan beside a log hearth; and beyond that stood a small +weather-beaten tent, with flecks of bright sunlight filtering through +the trees and spreading over it in fantastic shapes. + +Andrew lighted his pipe and looked about him in languid content. The +pines that came down to the lake's edge were small and ragged; some +had been blackened by fire and some leaned drunkenly, but their +resinous sweetness hung about the camp. In the shadow, the reflection +of worn rock and rigid branch floated on the crystal water; but the +reflections quivered, and there was a soft splash upon the pebbles +near Andrew's feet. He heard it with reminiscent satisfaction and a +touch of longing. It reminded him of the swirl of the salt tide along +the Solway shore; and his thoughts went back to the Old Country he had +left two years before. + +He wondered what Elsie and Dick were doing at home at the old house in +Annandale. He called Appleyard home because he loved it, better +perhaps than Dick did, although the place did not belong to him. When +he was left an orphan, Dick's father had brought him up with stern +kindness, and he had afterward spent a month or two at Appleyard +whenever it was possible. Indeed, in the old man's last illness he had +promised that, so far as things permitted, he would look after his +somewhat flighty cousin. Andrew remembered with a twinge that he had +not done much to keep his promise; but, after all, there seemed no +reason to believe that Dick needed him. + +Then he thought of little Elsie, as he had called her, though she must +be grown up now. He was much the elder, but they had always been good +friends. No doubt they would try to marry her to Dick. Andrew was fond +of Dick, but he did not think him good enough for Elsie. + +For nearly an hour he sat on the rock, lounging back against an +outcropping boulder, thinking of Appleyard and little Elsie. Then his +thoughts were interrupted by a sound near the tent--some animal +scampering past--and he stood up and looked out across the lake. His +pose, easy and virile, showed a wiry figure of medium height; and the +strong sunshine touched his brown face. It was not a face that +attracted attention, but the eyes were gravely good-humored and the +mouth was firm. + +Andrew was watching for the gleam of a varnished hull. Whitney, his +American partner, had gone to the railroad for provisions three days +previously and should have returned. The canoe he had taken had been +built in Toronto, especially for them. Andrew would have been +satisfied with an Indian birch-bark; but Whitney not only was a keen +sport but he had enough money to afford the best of everything. + +At last something twinkled far up the lake, and Andrew's keen eyes +distinguished a small dark speck amidst the play of light. He knew +that it was Whitney; for only a canoe from which the varnish had not +worn off would so catch the sunshine. When the craft had grown into +shape, Andrew sat down again and watched her draw nearer with quiet +approval. He liked to see things done well and there was a rhythmic +precision in Whitney's movements that suggested well-directed power. +The paddle flashed at exact intervals, the lithe form behind it bent +with a graceful swing, and a curl of foam broke away from the gliding +hull. Modern as she was, the canoe did not jar upon the primitive +austerity of the wilds. Andrew felt this, though he could not have put +it into words, for there was something innately primitive in him. + +He sprang from a rugged stock, for he was a descendant of the +Annandale Johnstones, whose crest was significantly the flying spur. +Appleyard stood on the edge of the bleak moorlands that drop down to +the western marshes of the Scottish border, and he knew every lonely +rise and boggy flat that his mosstrooper ancestors had ridden on +moonless nights. It is possible that in his youthful rambles across +the high, wind-swept waste, he had acquired something that linked him +to the past. In later times, his people had made some mark as soldiers +and explorers, but for the past two generations the head of the house +had been a quiet country laird. + +Whitney drew near and in a few minutes ran the canoe upon the shingle +and stood smiling at Andrew when he had pulled her up. He was young +and athletic, with brown hair and eyes, brown skin, a rather thin +face, and an alert, half-humorous air. His clothes had been specially +designed for hunting trips by a fashionable New York tailor, but they +now looked much the worse for use in the wilds. + +"I've got the grub and brought our mail," he said, throwing Andrew a +packet. "Here's your lot; you can wade through it while I fix supper." + +"I'd have had things ready," Andrew replied; "but I was stuck for +flour and pork. You've covered some ground to-day." + +"Some," laughed Whitney. "It was pretty fierce clambering over the +portages with the canoe on my head, but I made much better time than I +could have done when I struck the woods two months ago. Looks as if +the harder you have to work, the stronger you get. Nature's way of +fixing things. But I'm not tired; so I'll fix supper while you read +your news." + +Andrew opened a letter in a girlish hand, and while he read it, +lingering over the words, his thoughts went back with longing to +Appleyard on the Solway shore. He pictured the low house, built of +Scottish granite and beaten by the winds; the red moorland rolling +north in waves; and the flash of wet sands in the distance edged with +white surf by the savage tides. It was an artless letter, treating of +loved, homely things, but it showed sweetness of temperament and, +Andrew thought, half-concealed uneasiness. The reason for this became +obvious when he read the postscript: + + "I am anxious about Dick. He is not very strong, you + know, and I wish that you were here." + +Andrew felt troubled, for he knew that Elsie never made the worst of +things. Dick was weak of will as well as of body, and his dissipation +had a marked effect on him. There was nothing vicious in the lad, but +he lacked stability, and it looked as if Elsie could not counteract +the rather demoralizing influences to which Andrew imagined the boy +was subjected. + +He opened a Montreal newspaper and then soon forgot Appleyard. It was +some time since any news from England had reached him, and the +cablegrams predicted coming war. He read on until Whitney took the +trout and a can of coffee off the fire, and called him to supper. +Andrew ate as usual, because he was hungry, but he said very little +and wore a preoccupied air. + +Whitney waited until the meal was finished; then he turned to his +comrade as he lighted his pipe. + +"There's something worrying you," he said bluntly. "Out with it!" + +"I was wondering whether you'd mind my not going north with you on the +hunting trip this fall." + +"I certainly _would_ mind. All the same, I'll let you off if there's a +reason." + +Andrew folded the letter so that the last page came on top and handed +it to him with the newspaper. Whitney carefully read the first column +in the paper before he looked up. He wanted to understand the +situation, and Andrew was not good at explaining. + +"I don't quite get the drift of things," he said. "First of all, who's +Elsie Woodhouse?" + +"In a way, she's like Dick's sister; they were brought up together and +Elsie always tried to take care of him--though she's really no +relation. Dick is my cousin." + +Whitney nodded and tried to be patient. + +"Do you want to go home because she's anxious about the fellow?" he +asked. + +"It's rather complicated," Andrew answered with some hesitation. "You +see, Dick's father raised me, and I always thought, in his way, he was +fond of me." + +Whitney found the workings of his companion's mind more interesting +than the particulars about his relatives. Andrew was sometimes slow, +but one could rely on his doing the right thing in the end. + +"And Elsie?" Whitney suggested. "Did he raise her too?" + +"Oh, no. When he died, Dick's mother soon married again, a man called +Staffer; clever fellow, but I never quite trusted him. Then she died, +and Staffer was left in charge of Appleyard until Dick came of age. He +brought his sister there, Mrs. Woodhouse, a widow; and Elsie's her +daughter. Dick and Elsie were both quite young then, but from the +beginning Elsie made it her business to take care of Dick." + +"You like her," said Whitney, noticing a certain tenderness in his +companion's voice. + +"Yes," said Andrew slowly; "I never liked anybody quite as much. But +that's all there is to it. She's much younger than I am, and she'll +probably marry Dick." + +"If she's like his sister and has been looking after him, she more +probably won't. I'm getting Dick fixed as a bit of a maverick. He and +his stepfather don't get on." + +"On the contrary, they get on very well; that's the trouble." + +"How?" + +Andrew hesitated. + +"Well, you see, Staffer does most things well; he's excellent company +and a witty talker, the kind of man a lad would try to copy." + +"Makes the pace pretty hot, eh? One of your smart set?" + +"He's extravagant, but he never gets into debt. He'll play cards on +champagne half the night, and get up next morning as steady as a rock +and bring down a cork-screwing snipe with the first barrel. I've +seldom seen a better man on a horse." + +"Think I've got him placed. Your cousin will want nerve and judgment +to play up to him. But we'll take the newspaper now. Why do you want +to go back? You won't fight." + +"I can't," Andrew replied with some color in his face. "It's my +misfortune; after I fell on the Pillar Rock." + +Whitney gave him a sympathetic nod. + +"You take me wrong; I mean your countrymen. It's been stated in your +parliament that they have no obligation to fight for France." + +Andrew filled his pipe before he answered. + +"They won't see her smashed," he said quietly. + +"I'm not sure of it, after reading the English newspapers." + +"You don't know us yet," Andrew replied. + +Whitney smiled, for he knew that his comrade would carry out an +obligation to the farthest limit; but he said nothing, and for the +next few minutes Andrew thoughtfully looked about. + +The sun was getting low, and dark shadows stretched across the glassy +lake, but in the distance a small gray dot moved amidst a ring of +widening ripples. A loon was fishing. Presently a wild, unearthly cry +rang through the stillness as the bird called its mate; and after that +everything was very quiet except for a soft splash of falling water a +long way off. The dew was settling on the brush about the camp, and +the cooling air was heavy with the fragrance of the pines. It all +appealed to Andrew; the lonely woods had a strange charm for him. + +"I'm lame and not much use, but it doesn't seem quite the thing to +stay here enjoying myself, just now," he said. "Perhaps something I +could do might turn up when I got home." + +"But you haven't a home! You lived in a boat for some years, didn't +you?" + +"I thought of living in one again. It's cheap and gives you liberty; +you can move about where you like. Then there's good wildfowl shooting +in the bays, along our coast. That would keep me occupied--if I could +find nothing else." + +"Pretty lonely though, isn't it?" + +"Sometimes. When you're wind-bound in a desolate gut among the sands, +the winter nights seem long. Then, if you have to clear out in a +hurry, with a sudden breeze sending the sea inshore and there's the +anchor and kedge to get, you feel you'd like an extra hand." + +"Then why don't you ship one?" + +"It's hard to find the right man. Living on board a small cruiser +hasn't much attraction, unless you're used to it." + +Whitney chuckled. + +"That's easily understood. I think you need a partner. How'd I do?" + +Andrew gave him an eager look, and then answered discouragingly: + +"It's rough work; you're often wet through and can't dry your clothes; +and sometimes there's not much to eat. You can't cook on a miniature +stove when she's rolling hard. Then there's no head-room and you get +cramped because you can't stand up straight." + +"Well," Whitney declared smilingly, "it can't be much rougher than +clambering over rock ledges and smashing through the brush with a +canoe on your head. So, my friend, if you have no marked objection, +I'm coming along. For one thing, an English friend of ours who lived +in New York has a shooting lodge in the Galloway district and my +mother and sister are over there. I can plant myself on them, if I get +tired of you." + +Andrew said nothing and Whitney thought him reluctant to take +advantage of his rash offer. + +"It's settled, old man," Whitney went on lightly. "We'll pull out at +sun-up and get on to the Canadian Pacific at Whitefish Creek. I'll try +to catch a trout now, and then we'll go to sleep." + +He launched the canoe, and when he paddled out across the darkening +lake, Andrew sat by the sinking fire, feeling quietly satisfied. He +did not know what he might find to do when he reached Scotland, but he +would have a partner in whom he had confidence. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A PAINFUL MEMORY + + +A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on +Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. The air was hot and oppressive, as it often +is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and +roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight. The +downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm +drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance. At one place, the imposing +avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept +slowly with clanging bells. The crowd seemed bent on holding its +ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one +of stern interest rather than excitement. The small dark figures that +filled the gap between the towering buildings were significantly +quiet, and where a ray of light fell across them, the rows of faces +were all turned in one direction. + +Andrew studied them as he stood on the outskirts of the throng. Human +nature always interested him. He noticed first that these men were +better dressed and looked more prosperous than the members of similar +gatherings he had watched in the Old Country. It was, however, not +altogether their clothes that conveyed the impression: there was a +hint of self-confident optimism in their faces and bearing; though one +could see that they were graver than usual. Their appearance was +rather American than British, and although this was mainly suggested +by certain mannerisms and the cut of their clothes, Andrew was +conscious of a subtle difference he could not explain. For one thing, +an English street crowd is generally drawn from one particular walk of +life, and if units of different rank join it they stand apart and +separate. This gathering in Winnipeg included men of widely different +callings--farmers from the plains, merchants, artisans, clerks, and +flour-mill hands--but they had, somehow, an air of common purpose and +solidarity. + +Whitney indicated them after he had lighted a cigarette. + +"It's almost an hour before our train goes out, and these fellows +evidently expect a new bulletin to be posted up soon," he said. "They +interest me because I don't know how to class them. They're developing +themselves on our lines, but they don't belong to us. If this were a +city in the United States, there'd be something doing: joshing and +pushing, or somebody would start a song. Yet I guess they wouldn't +like you to call them Englishmen." + +"That's true," Andrew agreed. + +"Then they're pretty good customers of ours and anxious to trade," +went on Whitney, "and yet when we offered them reciprocity they +wouldn't have it. They had all to gain, because the natural outlet for +their commerce is to the south, but they said they were British and +shut the door on us. On the other hand, I get on with them better than +you can, and if we wanted a job in this city, I'd get it before you. +Now our States are sovereign, but they're all American." + +"Ours are sovereign, but not English," Andrew replied. "One's +strictly Canadian, another frankly Australian, and so on. We're an +individualistic race, and our different branches grow their own way. +It looks like a loose arrangement, but we've found we hold together +well. You'll see when the bulletin comes out--if it's what I expect." + +"We'll wait. What's this fellow talking about?" + +A short, dark-skinned man had buttonholed a neighbor and was speaking +vivaciously, his dark eyes snapping. + +"But, mossieu', the alliance, _la belle alliance_!" he exclaimed, and +wheeled around to Andrew. "Is it not determine in London that we +fight?" + +"Spotted you first time, partner," Whitney laughed, and then turned to +the man: "When did you come over?" + +For a moment the fellow looked puzzled. + +"Two hundred year, mossieu'. That is, the family she arrive. Me, I am +born in Kebec." + +Whitney smiled at Andrew. + +"You haven't made much of a Britisher of him yet. They'll speak better +German in Alsace in much less time, if the Prussians keep their grip." + +"Alsace!" cried the French-Canadian. "_Attendez, mais attendez_; the +great day come. Together we take her back. It is an obligation, +_Mossieu'_. _Vive la belle alliance!_" + +"Your people claim there isn't an alliance," Whitney said to Andrew. + +"I don't know. This is certain: if our friend's attacked, we step into +the ring." + +There was a sudden movement in the crowd, which pressed closer upon +the newspaper office opposite, and a cry was raised as a lighted car +came clanging down the street: + +"Hold that driver up!" + +The car slowed, but still came on, until a well-dressed citizen +stepped quietly in front of it. + +"Stop!" he said. "You can't get through." + +The car stopped and as the passengers got out, a window in the tall +building opposite was opened. A bulletin board was hoisted in, and for +the next two minutes the crowd stood silent and motionless. Andrew +felt his nerves tingle and noted that Whitney's face was tense, though +his interest in the matter could hardly be personal. There was +something that stirred the imagination in the sight of the intent, +quiet throng that awaited the result of a crisis not of their making. +They had had no say in the quarrel that began far off in the obscure +East; but one could not doubt that they meant to make it their own. +Their stern gravity caused Andrew a half-conscious thrill of pride. + +After all, they sprang from British stock and he knew what kind of men +they were. He had seen the miles of wheat that covered the broken, +prairie waste, cities that rose as if by magic in a few months' time, +and railroads flung across quaking muskegs and driven through towering +rocks, at a speed unthought of in the mother country. He had heard the +freight-trains roaring through the great desolation between the Ottawa +and the Western plains, where no traffic would ever be found, and had +wondered at the optimism which, in spite of tremendous obstacles, had +built eight hundred miles of track to link the St. Lawrence to the +rich land beyond. These Canadians were hard men who tempered with cool +judgment a vast energy and enthusiasm, and the mother country's foes +would have to reckon with them. + +There was a strange, dead silence, as the board was replaced and the +bold black letters stood out in the lamplight. So far as Andrew could +afterward remember, the bulletin read: + +_War inevitable. England must keep her word!_ + +_Kaiser's armies marching. British fleet sails with sealed orders._ + +A few cablegrams followed, and when they were read a deep murmur rose +from the crowd; but there was no strong excitement. These were not the +men to indulge in emotional sentiment; their attitude indicated relief +from suspense, and steady resolve. Perhaps it was characteristic that +the man who had stopped the car waved his hand to the driver. + +"Now you may go ahead," he said. + +Breaking into groups, they began to talk, and Andrew caught snatches +of their conversation. + +"A big thing, but we're going to put it through," said one. "If you +hadn't fired out Laurier, we'd have been rushing our own fleet across +the ocean now." + +"Well," his neighbor replied, "we've got the boys. We want to call a +city meeting right off. Manitoba can't be left behind." + +"Manitoba's all right!" another declared. "We'll send them all the +flour they want, besides men who can ride and shoot. They'll put the +Maple Leaf right up to the front. But we want to hustle before Regina +and Calgary get a start on us." + +The man turned to a companion and the two moved off. They were +followed by other groups, and as one passed, Andrew heard an exultant +voice. + +"I tell you what happen. _Vive la belle alliance!_" + +Whitney and Andrew crossed the emptying street and walked toward the +station. "I guess you noticed they didn't talk about the Old Country's +program," Whitney remarked. "It's what Manitoba and the West are going +to do that interests them. My notion is that it will be something +big." + +"One feels that," Andrew agreed. "Somehow, it's stirring." + +"And it's contagious. When they hoist the flag you'll see some of the +boys from our side riding across the frontier to the rally." + +"You're bound to keep neutral," Andrew objected. + +"Officially, yes. But when a man can drop a flying crane with the +rifle and bust a wild range horse, they won't ask if he was born in +Montana or Saskatchewan." + +They walked up Main Street and it was obvious that the news had +spread, for talking men blocked the sidewalk here and there, and the +wide windows of the hotels were full. When they reached the station, +Whitney went off to check their baggage, and Andrew sat down, rather +disconsolately, in the great waiting-room. The damp weather had +affected his knee, and he frowned as he stretched it out, for his +aches reminded him painfully of his disadvantages. While he sat there, +a summer-evening train from Winnipeg Beach arrived and a stream of +smartly-dressed excursionists passed through the hall breaking off to +ask for the latest news. Their keen interest was significant, and +Andrew felt downcast. Canada approved the Old Country's action and +meant to do her part; but he was useless, nobody wanted him. + +Moodily lighting a cigarette, he recalled his youthful ambitions, for +he had meant to follow where his ancestors had led. It was not for +nothing that their crest was the flying spur, and their traditions had +fired him to the study of difficult sciences, which he had mastered by +dogged determination rather than cleverness. His heart was in his +work; he meant to make a good horse-artilleryman; and he had thrilled +with keen satisfaction when the examiners placed him near the top of +the list. Then came the momentous day in Ennerdale that altered +everything. Six months after the accident he had resigned his +commission, knowing that he would never walk quite straight again. + +Well, all that was done with; but now, when Britons everywhere were +springing to arms, he was good for nothing. He reflected gloomily that +he might as well stay in Canada. Yet, if he were in England, there was +a chance that something might turn up for him to do. + +Besides, there was little Elsie. . . . + +Whitney came swinging across the marble floor of the waiting-room just +as an official at the door announced that their train was ready to +start. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE SOLWAY SHORE + + +There was a light wind from the westward, and the flood tide, running +east, smoothed the sea to a faintly wrinkled heave, when the _Rowan_ +crept across Wigtown Bay on the southern coast of Scotland. Andrew +lounged at the tiller while Whitney sat in the cockpit, holding a tray +on which were laid out a pot of smoke-tainted tea, several thick +slices of bread, sardines, and marmalade. + +Whitney wore a woolen sweater--which had been white a few days before +but now was a dingy gray--new blue trousers, already streaked with +rust, and an expensive yachting cap which had got badly crushed. His +hands were not immaculate, and there was a soot-smear on his face. + +"This kind of yachting's not quite what I've been used to," he +remarked. "On Long Island Sound you don't get the sea we ran into +coming round the head last night; and when we went cruising in small +craft we always hired somebody to do the dirty work." + +"There's not much room for a paid hand on board the _Rowan_," Andrew +replied hesitatingly. "Still, if you'd like--" + +"You don't want a man." + +"He would be rather in the way, and I don't know what he'd find to do, +except the cooking." + +"And hauling the dinghy up a muddy beach, taking out the kedge on a +stormy night, and pulling twenty fathoms of heavy chain about when you +shift your moorings! I could think of a few other trifles if I tried; +but I won't insist. It looks as if I were going to get some muscle +up." + +Whitney thought his companion had a private reason for dispensing with +a paid hand; and an extra man was certainly not needed for open-water +navigation, for Andrew had shown himself quite capable of sailing the +_Rowan_ alone. After searching the Glasgow yacht-agents' registers for +a boat of sufficiently light draught, they had bought the _Rowan_ at +an Ayrshire port; and Whitney got a surprise when his partner drove +her through the furious tide-race that swirls around the Mull of +Galloway, in a strong breeze of wind. He had confidence in the little +yacht after that. She was thirty-two feet long, low in the water, and +broad of beam, but her mast was short and her canvas snug: Whitney +knew the disadvantages of a long heavy boom. Her deck was laid with +narrow planks, no longer white, for there were stains like blood upon +them where the rain had run from the mainsail, which was tanned with +cutch. + +Now the canvas glowed a warm orange in the evening light as its tall +peak swayed gently across the sky, and the ripples that lapped the +gliding hull united beneath the counter and trailed astern in silky +lines. + +To starboard, far off, the Isle of Man rose in a high, black saw-edge +above the shining sea; ahead to the east, water and sky were soft +blue; to port, the Scottish hills rose in shades of gray and purple. + +Andrew named them as the boat crept on. + +"Cairn Harry, running straight up from the water; Dirk Hatteraik +stored his brandy in a cave on Raven Crag, and John Knox hid in +Barrholm tower, in the long patch of woods. The black ridge behind is +Cairnsmoor o' Fleet, and a waste of moors runs back from it toward the +head of Clyde. The water of Cree flows through the dark hollow." + +"The Cree!" Whitney exclaimed. "That is where my mother and sister +are. Our friend has a grouse moor and some salmon rights." He paused +and laughed. "I can imagine them sitting down to dinner under the +electric light in somebody's ancestral hall, with a frozen British +butler running the show. Wonder what they'd say if they knew I wasn't +far off, living like an Indian on board this craft!" + +"There are no ancestral halls beside the Cree, and electric lights are +scarce in the Galloway wilds," Andrew explained. + +Whitney chuckled. He was not thinking of ancestral halls, but was +wondering what his sister Madge would think of his comrade. On the +surface, Andrew was easy-going, ingenuous, and diffident, but beneath +this lay an unwavering firmness. + +"Historic country, isn't it?" he remarked, to make Andrew talk. + +"Yes," said Andrew in an apologetic tone, and started off on his +favorite hobby. + +Slowly the sea grew dimmer; the sunset glow behind them faded to a +smoky red; and while they drifted east with the flood tide a black +island detached itself from the dusky shore. Soon a trembling beam +flashed out from its summit. + +"The Ross," Andrew said. "I was wrecked there." + +"Tell me about it," requested Whitney, lounging in the cockpit, lazily +watching a razor-bill which had risen with a hoarse croak from the +boat's rippling wake. + +"It was the only time such a thing ever happened to me, and I don't +understand it yet. I was living on board the _Arrow_ then, shooting +from a punt. She was a stiff, roomy boat, of nearly nine tons, and I'd +just had her pulled up at Glencaple for an overhaul. Staffer, Dick's +stepfather, found me a Glasgow carpenter who had been building some +anglers' boats at Lochmaben." + +"And what had the carpenter to do with your being wrecked?" + +"Nothing, so far as I can see; though I've thought about him now and +then." + +Andrew paused for a moment, and Whitney, knowing his comrade, waited +for him to go on. + +"The ebb had been running for some time when I left Gibb's Hole, and a +nasty surf broke on the sands. There was not wind enough to account +for it, but everything was harshly clear and that's often threatening. +However, I set the big jib and topsail, because I wanted to clear the +banks before the flood tide made. It runs from four to six knots an +hour among the Solway shoals, and there's some risk of knocking the +boat's bilges in if you get aground. The breeze fell light, and near +dusk I came round and stood inshore on the port tack, so that I could, +if necessary, slip back into Rough Firth. The Scotch channel of the +Solway is no place to run for on a dirty night. + +"When I got down to Abbey Head the swell was growing steep and the sea +looked ragged where it cut the horizon--which showed there was wind +out there. The shooting-punt I was towing was a drag, and I didn't +make much progress until a smart southwesterly breeze sprang up soon +after dark. I could just lay my course down the coast, and I hung on +to big jib and topsail while I could. With two or three hours of that +wind I'd be able to run in behind the Ross, which you see ahead. Then +the breeze freshened suddenly and she listed over until most of her +lee deck was in the water. For a time after that I had my hands full." + +"So I imagine," Whitney remarked. "I've seen a big jib give two men +trouble when they had to take it in, and you were alone and had the +topsail up. I'm not surprised that you got wrecked." + +"I wasn't wrecked just then. In fact, I made her snug, with two reefs +in the mainsail, and I lighted the compass binnacle. The trouble was +that the wind was drawing ahead and the night had turned very dark. I +couldn't get a glimpse of the coast, and it wouldn't have been wise to +run back yet. There's a light on Hestan Island, but I wouldn't have +found water enough across the sands in Rough Firth. She'd have gone +down at her anchor if I'd brought up to wait. + +"Well, I ate some sandwiches I had ready, and stood on. She was +plunging wildly and putting her storm-jib into the sea that was +getting up; but she was an able boat, and the punt towed pretty well +when I'd made an extra rope fast to her." + +"You wouldn't find that easy," Whitney suggested, as he pictured the +lonely man's struggle to haul up the heavy craft while the yacht on +which he must relinquish control rolled with thrashing canvas athwart +the combers. + +"I let the _Arrow_ come up and dropped the peak. The worst was that I +had to lean right out with both hands on the punt while I made the +second rope fast, and I nearly went overboard when she lurched. I made +it fast, but when we went on I got a shock, for the water was washing +up from under the cockpit floor. You see, as she'd shipped two or +three combers, I'd thought it was washing down." + +"The floorings would be nearly two feet above her bottom planks," +Whitney said. + +"Yes. It meant she was leaking hard, and I'll admit that rather +staggered me, because she'd always been a remarkably tight craft. +Well, I hove her to again, lighted the cabin lamp, and pulled up the +floorings. This wasn't easy; they were closely fitted and the +carpenter had nailed one or two of them down. I can't tell you why he +did it, but I tore my hand before I got them loose. You can understand +that I had to be quick. She wouldn't lie to well with nobody at the +helm, and kept forging up head to wind and falling off again. The way +she lurched about threw me against the lockers and once or twice I +heard a sea come on board. There was too much water for me to find +where it was coming in, and when I crawled out and tried the pump it +wouldn't draw, so I went back and felt for the bottom of its pipe. +There was a suction-box at the end, and it seemed to be stuffed up +with shavings. The carpenter must have thrown them under the floor." + +"Rather a curious place to put them!" Whitney commented. "I suppose a +shaving had stuck under a valve and stopped the pump. But, as you'd +have a grid on the suction-box, how did they get in?" + +"I've never found out, but I'd like to meet that carpenter," Andrew +replied grimly. + +He felt for his pipe and lighted it, and Whitney had to prompt him +before he resumed: + +"Things didn't look hopeful. It was blowing hard; she was leaking +fast, and I couldn't pump her out. I had to make the Ross while she +kept afloat. I thought about cutting the punt adrift, but it seemed a +waste, and afterward I was glad I didn't. As it was a dead beat to +windward, speed was important, and the only thing was to keep her +sailing hard and let the seas come on board. There was so much spray +flying that I couldn't see the punt astern, but the drag on the +tow-lines showed that she was there. Then the old boat began to get +sluggish, and it made me savage. She'd brought me through many a stiff +blow, and I was fond of her. The Ross light was getting brighter; but +a sea that came over the coaming washed out the binnacle lamp when I +was ready to make the Sound. If I'd been able to take the light's +bearing and look at the chart, I might have sailed her in. + +"Well, with the compass gone, I had to run for it blind, and she was +so waterlogged that she would hardly steer. Then suddenly she stopped +with a shock that threw me from the helm. What had happened was plain, +and when the next sea washed over her I pulled up the punt, cut the +lines, and fell into the well. She swung away on top of a comber, and +I wondered where she'd take me; for there were crags about and the +paddles had washed overboard. She was full and waterlogged, but I lay +along the deck and she kept right side up until we came ashore on a +bank of shingle. Rocks ran up behind it, and there was a gully I +couldn't cross at the end of the cove. I pulled the punt up, and spent +the night lying behind her out of the wind, when I wasn't tramping +about the shingle to keep myself warm. In the morning a coastguard +showed me a way up the cliff; and when I came back there later there +was no sign of the _Arrow_." + +Andrew stopped, and for some minutes the silence was broken by the +rustle of the flapping topsail and the soft splash at the bows. It had +grown dark and the sea was faintly phosphorescent: pale blue and green +spangles glimmered down the wake. Ross Island had faded into the black +head behind it, but a bright beam of light still glittered across the +water. + +"On the face of it, the reason you were wrecked is obvious," Whitney +said. "The boat began to strain when she was pounding, overpressed +with sail, through a steep head sea, and you couldn't pump her out. +Besides, as she'd just been hauled up for repairs, a butt may have got +started by the hammering or a seam have been left open." + +"The carpenter was a good workman," Andrew replied quietly. + +"He may have neglected something, for all that. Boats will leak when +they're driven hard; pumps get out of order; and a stranger might nail +down a floor board you kept loose. The curious point is that all these +things should happen together." Whitney paused and smiled. "Of course, +if you had some dangerous secret or were heir to a great estate that +somebody else wanted, one might suggest a melodramatic explanation." + +"I've no secret anybody would give twopence for, and I inherit nothing +except a very small annuity." + +"Then you'll have to put the series of accidents down to coincidence. +Where were you bound for when you came to grief?" + +Andrew glanced back toward a stretch of water that still shone faintly +among the shadowy hills. + +"Up yonder, near the head of Wigtown Bay, to shoot geese. Dick was to +come on by train and join me. He's fond of wildfowling, and I took +advantage of it to get him away." + +"Away from what?" + +Andrew hesitated. + +"Well, you see, he was inclined to go the pace, and Staffer had some +friends at Appleyard just then--clever, amusing men-about-town, who +were fond of cards and knew all about the turf. Dick tried to play up +to them, and he was losing a good deal of money and drinking rather +more than was good for him." + +"And his stepfather encouraged his extravagance?" + +"Oh, no. Staffer gave him good advice in a cynical, witty way; told +him he must pull up because the pace was too hot for a lad. I never +quite liked the man, but one must be fair, and he was willing to let +me take Dick. In fact, he agreed it was the best thing to do." + +"But as it turned out, you didn't take him. Were you much at Appleyard +afterward?" + +"No. One of Staffer's friends offered me a pretty good post abroad, +and everybody thought I ought to seize the chance, but I didn't. In +consequence, a kind of coolness grew up and I haven't stayed long at +Appleyard since. Dick sends a message and Elsie writes long letters +now and then." + +Whitney stood up and stretched himself. A rhythmic throb of engines +stole out of the silence, and, some distance off, a yellow and a green +light moved across the level sea. Overhead, the topsail cut black +against the sky, and the water had grown more luminous in the eddying +wake. To the east, a thin, silver moon was shining above the dim +heights of Cumberland. Tiny ripples lapped the _Rowan's_ side, but the +breeze was faint and everything was still. + +"The flood will take us to Rough Firth, and we may as well stand on," +Andrew said. "You can go below. I'll call you if you're wanted." + +Carefully lowering his head, Whitney crept into the small cabin and +lighted the lamp. Its illumination showed the oilskins swinging +against the forecastle bulkhead, and the narrow table on top of the +centerboard trunk, which ran up the middle of the floor. On each side +were lockers that served as seats, and two folding cots were strapped +against the skin of the boat. Whitney let one down and got into it +with his clothes on: he had found that this was prudent when cruising +in small vessels. There was a rack, loaded with odds and ends, a few +inches above his head; and a smell of tarred rope, paraffin and +mildewed canvas came out of the forecastle; but this did not trouble +him, and he was soon asleep. + +In the meanwhile, Andrew sat at the helm, his mind busy with gloomy +thoughts. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +APPLEYARD + + +It was a stormy evening when Whitney caught his first glimpse of +Appleyard. He felt disappointed. He had expected to see an ancient +Border tower with modern additions; but the low, straight-fronted +house did not look much more than a century old. It was solidly built +of gray granite, with mullioned windows and a small pepper-box turret +at one end, but while it made no pretense of architectural beauty, +Whitney admitted that it had some charm. For one thing, Appleyard +stood boldly on the breast of a knoll, with dark firs packed closely +about it, and the landscape it commanded was ruggedly wild. Bleak +pastures and lonely moorland, stained a purple-red, rolled back to the +hills that melted into leaden cloud in the north. To the south, a +strip of green littoral was dotted with white farmsteads and traversed +by the curves of a river that flashed where it caught the light. + +Beyond this level strip, the Solway sands ran far out to sea, glowing +red in the angry sunset and pierced by channels of slate-green water. +In the distance, a narrow white line showed where their edge was +washed by the receding tide. On the western shore of the wide estuary, +Criffell's lonely height stood out, a harsh dark-blue, against a +saffron glare. + +The car sped across an iron bridge spanning a ravine where hazel, +mountain-ash, and scrub oak grew among the stones, skirted a broad +lawn, and stopped at the door. Whitney was presented to Mrs. Woodhouse +and Staffer, who welcomed him cordially, and then he shook hands with +Dick. They entered the house at once, and Whitney found himself in a +large, square hall, which looked older than the rest of the building. +The light was dim, for the windows were narrow and were placed +unusually high in the massive walls. A wood fire burned in the big, +old-fashioned hearth, but the place felt chilly and especially +cheerless. + +Dick took them up a staircase that led to a gallery at the back of the +hall. + +"Your kit arrived from Glasgow, and I think you'll find all you want +laid out in your rooms," he said. "Dinner will be ready as soon as you +have changed." + +They went along a passage, and Whitney was glad to be left alone in +his room. It was his first visit to an old Scottish house, and +although not an antiquarian he was capable of receiving impressions +from places, and he wanted to discover what influence Appleyard had on +him. He noted that a fire was laid ready in the grate, although it was +August and until that morning the weather had been warm. The room was +rather bare, but the few articles of old-fashioned furniture were +solid and were made on a good model. They were marked by a certain +austerity of taste, and he thought of them as business-like. The +plain, self-colored rugs and curtains had a similar effect. Everything +that utility demanded was there, but he marked the absence of luxury +and ornament. + +The walls were very thick, and there were seats in the deep window +recesses. Opening one of the casements, Whitney stopped a minute and +looked out. He could see a stretch of wet sands that were now growing +dim, and the faint line of surf, and then, by turning sharply, black +hills running back into gathering cloud. The air was unusually keen, +and although darkness was fast coming on, the distance was clean-cut +and sharp. The landscape somehow harmonized with the house; it was +perhaps a trifle harsh, but it had a peculiarly distinctive character. + +Andrew came in while Whitney was dressing, and finding him not ready, +he went down first. + +There was no one in the hall when Andrew reached it, and he was +satisfied to be alone as he stood by the hearth, looking about. A lamp +had been lighted, but the illumination did not carry far, and the high +roof and the corners were shadowy. The hall occupied the lower story +of the old central tower, which had served as a fort in bygone years +but had since been partly rebuilt and incorporated in the house. +Andrew knew its history, for he loved Appleyard. He was, in some +respects, truer to the type of the men who had built and fought for it +than Dick. He was not jealous of his cousin, but it was hard to feel +himself a mere passing guest in the old house, and a vague discontent +tempered his satisfaction at coming home. Besides, he was poor, and +was condemned by an accident to a life of obscurity. He wondered why +Elsie had not been there to welcome him, as she had always done on +previous visits. He remembered her frank regret when he last went +away. Indeed, he had often pictured her as she stood by the lodge +gate, a slender, fresh-faced girl, with ruffled hair and a hint of +tears in her blue eyes. She was as graceful as a fawn; but her beauty +as yet was immature. + +Andrew heard a sound behind him, and turning from the fire he saw a +girl coming down the stairs. She stood out against the dark-paneled +walls, for her pale green dress caught the light and shimmered. It +went well with her auburn hair, emphasizing the pure white and pink of +her skin; and it matched her eyes, which had the changing color of the +sea. The immature grace Andrew had known had gone; there was something +of distinction in her carriage. + +While he gazed at her, she came toward him with a frank smile of +pleasure. + +"It's very nice to have you back," she said. "I couldn't get home +until a few minutes after you arrived. Roy lost a shoe as I was +driving up the Lockerbie road." + +Andrew took her hand and held it for a moment, but the only remark he +could think of was: + +"You have Roy yet?" + +Elsie laughed as if she understood, and rather liked, his +embarrassment. + +"Oh, yes. He's still going strong, and when Kevan re-shod him he +brought me home in record time. But you're very brown and looking +well." + +"It's good to be back at Appleyard," he said quietly. + +"You're still very fond of it? So am I, though that may seem curious, +because I'm really an outsider." + +"That applies to me more than to you, because the old place would +never be the same without you." + +Elsie looked at him as he stood, gravely quiet, studying her. + +"Well," she said, "Appleyard is Dick's. His father was a true +Johnstone, his mother a Jardine, but you make one feel that you're +more at home here than he is. I can't account for it. Can you?" + +"I might blame your imagination," he answered, smiling. + +Elsie gave him a roguish look, which made her seem more like the +little Elsie he had known two years before. + +"You haven't told me how I'm looking," she said. "Perhaps you don't +realize that this gown was made in Paris and was put on in your +especial honor." + +"You're rather wonderful," Andrew replied gravely. "But then you +always were. For all that, I had a pleasant surprise when you came +downstairs." + +Elsie's eyes twinkled, and he thought they looked like the sea when +the sun touched it in a breeze. + +"A surface change," she laughed. "Munich and London account for it. +I'd run wild, you know, when you saw me last. But there's no +difference underneath. You're the same too, and that's what I like. I +want to keep my old friend. You must promise you won't alter." + +"I'll try not to," he answered. "Perhaps I'm incapable of it; I'm not +progressive. Still, there are times when I feel rather old." + +"Oh, I know," she said with understanding sympathy. "But after the +cheerful letters you wrote from Canada, I hoped the lameness didn't +trouble you very much." + +"One mustn't grumble, though it's rather hard to feel useless--just +now." + +Elsie's face grew thoughtful. + +"Yes," she said slowly, "that must hurt. I've felt that we don't +realize the seriousness of the great struggle here. It's easy to +subscribe to funds and go on committees, but that kind of service +leaves you cold, and we haven't practised much self-denial at +Appleyard. I was glad Dick wanted to enlist, even though they wouldn't +have him; but he'll tell you about it himself." + +Mrs. Woodhouse and Whitney came toward them, with Dick close behind. +Dick was not unlike Andrew, but it was as if his cousin's prominent +characteristics had been watered down. Although the handsomer of the +two, he somehow looked a feeble copy of Andrew when they were +together. He had twinkling eyes and a humorous way of regarding +things, but his face was weak. His figure was light, well-poised and +athletic, but his color was unusually high, and on close study he +showed signs of bad health. + +When he had spoken a few words to Andrew they went in to dinner, and +during the meal Whitney devoted some attention to the company. One of +the differences between him and his comrade was that he was most +capable at managing people, and Andrew in handling things. Andrew knew +all about a boat and a gun, and could be relied upon to deal with +contrary tides and dangerous shoals, but he was less acquainted with +the intricacies of human nature. + +Whitney dismissed Dick as not counting; Elsie he reserved for future +study. Mrs. Woodhouse he found interesting because baffling. She was +rather fat, with regular features but an expressionless face, eyes of +light china-blue, and flat, flaxen hair. She answered his remarks with +conventional politeness, but he could not, as he thought of it, strike +a spark from her. He could not tell whether she was reserved or +merely dull. Her brother, Staffer, was of very different stamp. His +face was clean-cut and intellectual, his manners were polished but +easy, and Whitney had no trouble in placing him as a man who knew the +world. Indeed, since there was a hint of force and command about him, +Whitney wondered why he was, so to speak, vegetating in the Scottish +wilds. Staffer clearly belonged to the busy cities and the centers of +action. + +Nothing that Whitney thought worth noting occurred at dinner, except +that Dick drank a good deal of wine and Elsie watched him with +half-veiled disturbance. Whitney thought her attitude was protective +and motherly; she would have interfered had it been possible. This +suggested that a supposition of Andrew's was wrong. A girl like that +would not marry a man whom she must guide and control. + +When they went back to the hall, Andrew found a quiet corner, hoping +he might get a few minutes alone, for his meeting with Elsie had a +disturbing effect. When he last went away, she had told him that when +he came back things would not be the same; and he now recognized the +truth of this. The girl who had treated him as a trusted elder brother +had grown into a beautiful, accomplished woman. Indeed, she had, so to +speak, left him behind. She was cleverer and more composed than he; +she grasped things at once while he clumsily searched for their +meaning. The old frank confidence and the comradeship were no longer +possible, but in essentials she had not changed. The world could never +spoil Elsie's freshness nor blunt her keen honesty. + +After a while she came and sat down near where he stood in the shadowy +recess of the great hearth. + +"I believe you were trying to hide, and we must have a talk," she +said. "I'm half afraid I brought you home from Canada." + +"No," Andrew replied awkwardly; "anyway, not altogether. I felt that I +ought to come back, even if there's nothing I can do. Still, of +course, if I can be of help here--" + +Elsie's eyes were soft as she looked at him. + +"Yes, I know; you're a good friend, Andrew, but I was alarmed when I +wrote. After what the army doctors told him, Dick went to see a +specialist in Harley Street, and he must have got a plain warning, for +he was depressed and quiet for some time. Things are serious when +Dick's cast down." + +"Do you know what the doctor said?" + +"No; Dick wouldn't tell me. I'm not sure that he told Uncle Arnold +much." + +"Ah!" + +Andrew was silent for a moment. + +"Has he been indulging in any rashness since then?" + +"No, nothing fresh; but I'm afraid he's heavily in debt. His allowance +is very large, but he tried to borrow money a few days after he got +it." Elsie's color grew deeper as she continued: "I've seen him quite +unsteady at luncheon; and the worst is that it's telling on his +health." + +"Looks bad; I must see what I can do. But it's awkward, because +Staffer's really responsible for him. Has he tried to pull Dick up?" + +"Yes, in a way," Elsie answered with a thoughtful air. "Still, I +don't think it disturbs him as it ought to when he sees that he hasn't +done much good. He's witty when he should be firm--and I've sometimes +imagined that Dick feels rather flattered than ashamed after the +talk." + +"I understand. What Dick really needs is a good kicking for being fool +enough to try to copy Staffer." + +"Couldn't you take him away for a time in the boat?" + +"I'll try, but he's not fond of sailing. Then it's a delicate matter. +If one could make Staffer understand--" + +Elsie gave him a steady look. + +"No; I think you'd better not. Uncle Arnold's very kind; mother and I +owe him a good deal, and he likes Dick. For all that, he doesn't seem +to feel it's his duty to take much trouble--" + +Andrew knew she was not saying all that she thought; but he did not +press her. + +"I will try to find a way," he said. "And now tell me how things have +been going since I left." + +While they were talking, Dick came up; and not long afterward the two +men found themselves alone in the smoking-room. + +Andrew put his hands on Dick's shoulders and held him off at arm's +length. + +"You strike me as not being quite up to the mark," he said. + +"Do I?" Dick grinned. "You've been talking to Elsie!" + +"I have; and I'm sorry to hear the doctors didn't think you very well. +Hadn't you better tell me about it?" + +"I suppose I must. You're a persistent fellow, but you don't often +take the superior moral tone. Well, as I'd been in the officers' +training corps, I applied for a commission, and they sent me up to a +medical board. One doctor asked me some catchy questions, and, being +quite inexperienced, I fell into the trap. The consequence was I +didn't pass." + +"You didn't learn much about yourself from him?" + +"Not much! It was he who got the information. But when he'd finished +he offered me a scrap of advice--I'd better see a private doctor at +once." + +"Did you?" + +Dick chuckled. + +"Instead, I went up to London and tried to join one of the special +battalions. I was wiser this time, and told their medical examiner +nothing I could help. I thought I'd made a good impression; but at +last he looked at me pretty hard. 'I admire your keenness, but you +won't do,' he said. I told him I was a bit off color, but I'd play +golf all day and drink nothing but soda-water, and then come back to +him in a month. 'It would be of no use; I'd go to Harley Street now,' +he said." + +"I hope you did," Andrew remarked with a frown. + +Dick lighted a cigarette. + +"Yes; I went. I'll spare you technicalities; for that matter, I've +forgotten them; but, after all, I didn't get much of a shock. It seems +my heart's gone a bit rocky." + +"Go on," said Andrew. + +"Well, if I give up everything I like and live like an ascetic, I may +get over the trouble, though I think the fellow doubted it. On the +other hand, I may get worse and drop off suddenly." + +"Unless you steady down." + +"Yes; he hinted something of the kind." + +Andrew said nothing for a few moments. He was fond of his cousin; and, +besides, he had promised Dick's father to look after the boy. He felt +that he had been neglectful; and he wished now that he had more tact. +He had a duty ahead of him, and he did not know how to discharge it. + +"The proper course is obvious," he began somewhat awkwardly. "Suppose +you come down the Galloway coast with Whitney and me? It's early for +the black geese, but there are ducks about." + +Dick smiled. + +"Unfortunately, I'm not keen on sailing; and I must say that living on +board a small, damp boat gets monotonous. Now, if you would land me +where one could get a game of cards in the evening, or--" + +"Where they had a bar?" + +"Precisely. A bar with a fetching girl in it." + +"It wouldn't work," said Andrew firmly. "I remember what happened when +I landed you at Douglas--and a poaching escapade with some Creetown +quarrymen on the same cruise. You have a talent for getting into +trouble. Well, if you won't come with me, I'll have to make Appleyard +my headquarters for a time." + +"I hope you will," Dick replied with feeling. "Has it ever struck you +that Appleyard might be yours?" + +Andrew's face grew stern. + +"Appleyard belongs to you and, what's more, you belong to it. It's +your duty to pull yourself together and take care of the estate, to +marry and bring up your children to be a credit to your name. Instead, +you're dragging it in the dirt, making shabby betting men and turf +sharpers your friends, and, I'm half afraid, getting into speculative +money-lenders' hands." + +Dick winced and Andrew saw that his random shot had scored. + +"If you're in difficulties, I might raise a hundred pounds or so," he +went on. "If, as I suspect, that isn't half enough, we'll go and see +Mackellar before you get in too deep." + +Mackellar was the acting executor of Dick's father's will. + +"I'll think over it," Dick answered; and there was something that +puzzled Andrew in his expression. + +"Very well. Did you tell Staffer what the doctor said?" + +"I wasn't quite as frank with him as I've been with you; one isn't +proud of being a lame duck. Still, I imagine he has a pretty accurate +notion of how things are with me." + +"Then he ought to pull you up; he has the power." + +"That's doubtful. I don't think you're quite fair to Staffer. I might +have got a stepfather of a very different kind." + +"It might have been better if you had," Andrew dryly rejoined. + +Dick flushed. + +"I wish you'd leave Staffer alone; I won't have him run down." + +"I didn't mean to run him down," Andrew said. + +"Well, perhaps you didn't consciously. You'd try to conquer your +prejudices, but you're antagonistic." + +Andrew gave Dick a shrewd glance. + +"I wonder how Staffer feels about me?" he ventured. + +"You're not likely to find out," Dick answered with a laugh. "I +suppose he has his failings, but he never gives himself away." + +When Andrew went to his room that night he sat beside his window for a +long time, with a thoughtful frown. The task he had undertaken would +not be an easy one. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +SWEETHEART ABBEY + + +Soon after their arrival Whitney and Andrew drove back to the boat, +which was moored in the mouth of a stream at some distance from +Appleyard. It was a bright morning and they sat smoking in the cockpit +when they had shaken some of the canvas and laid their sea clothes and +blankets out to dry. + +Behind the white beach, a strip of marish heath led back to the broad +belt of cultivated land, with neat farmsteads scattered about; in +front, the narrow channel, in which the shallow-bodied boat lay nearly +upright, wound seaward through a great stretch of sand. The open sea +was not visible, but three or four miles away a glistening streak that +seemed to be in motion caught the light. In the middle distance a +green lagoon and two ribands of water were rapidly widening. Flocks of +black and white oyster-catchers fluttered about the banks of the +channels, and long rows of salmon nets ran back along the shore. + +"This is a curious place to navigate," Whitney remarked. "You were +right in insisting on shallow draught and a centerboard." + +"The shoals are not the worst," Andrew replied. "The tide runs up +these gutters very fast, and, as a rule, you can't take out an anchor +if you get aground." + +"But that's the first thing one generally does." + +"It's dangerous here. If the anchor held until she floated on the +flood tide, the strain on the cable would probably pull her down. If +it didn't hold, which is much more likely, it would check her while +she drove across the bank, sheering athwart the stream, in danger of +rolling over. The safest plan is to keep all sail set and try to make +for deep water as soon as she floats." + +Whitney glanced at the nearest channel. A small white ridge, perhaps +six inches high, stretched from bank to bank, moving forward about as +fast as one could walk, and as the wave passed on the riband of water +changed into a lake. He thought it would not be pleasant to meet the +advancing tide at some distance from the land. + +On looking round, Whitney saw a man walking toward them across the +bank. The fellow was old and his brown face was deeply lined. He wore +a yellow oilskin cap, an old blue jersey, and rubber waders that +reached to his thighs. Clambering on board, he nodded to Andrew. + +"Weel," he said, "I'm glad to see ye back, an' it's a bonny wee boat +ye have got." + +"She's not bad for work among the shoals, but she's not the best type +for the long seas you get in open water," Andrew replied, and turned +to Whitney. "You might bring up the bottle in the port locker, Jim, +and the soda." + +"Ye can let the sodda bide; I've nae use for't." When Whitney returned +the fisherman filled his glass. "Here's til ye an' her! Ye have given +her a right name," he said. + +"Why's the name good? What does _Rowan_ mean?" asked Whitney. + +"The mountain-ash. The old mosstroopers sometimes wore a spray in +their steel caps as a protection against witchcraft and bad luck. +We're descendants of the Norse pirates, and the ash was the +Scandinavians' sacred Ysdragil, the tree of life." + +"You're a curious lot," Whitney remarked. "I guess our beachcombers +don't know much about archaeology: they don't have superstitions a +thousand years old." + +"Were ye thinking o' making a trip to the deep water doon wast?" the +Scotsman inquired. + +"I don't know yet. We might do some shooting here. Is there much fowl +about?" + +"Ye'll get shellduck noo, an' a few teal; whaups, too, if ye're +wanting them, but the lag-geese an' the bernicle are no' here yet." He +paused and added: "I wouldna' say but it might be better if ye bide +until they come." + +Andrew looked hard at him. + +"Why?" + +"I'm thinking ye're wanted here. It would be an ill thing to see +Appleyard gang doon, and it might be yours some day." + +"It's my cousin's and he's younger than I am," Andrew answered with a +frown. + +"Just that! Ye're leal, we ken. Weel, as ye're fond o' the young +laird, it might be wiser to keep an eye on him. He's overmuch under +yon foreigner's thumb." + +"How's the fishing?" Andrew asked pointedly. + +The old fellow broke into a slow chuckle. + +"It might be better an' it might be waur; there's ower many o' the +Board's watchers here awa' for my liking. An' noo, I'll need to win +ashore before the tide's on the bank." + +He went off across the sands and Whitney turned to Andrew with a +smile. + +"You people leave a good deal to the imagination, but, so far as I +could understand him, he gave you a hint or two. What's his business?" + +"Salmon-fishing with a drift net. I've known Jock Marshall since I was +a boy, and I believe he takes a well-meaning interest in me." + +"Why did he call Staffer a foreigner?" + +"In a sense, he is a foreigner, although he's been a naturalized +British subject for some time. We knew nothing about him until he +married Dick's mother, but there's reason to believe his name used to +be Von Stauffer, or something like it. Mrs. Woodhouse was born in +Austria, but she came over young, and her husband was all right." + +Whitney was not much interested. + +"What about to-morrow?" he asked. + +"If the breeze holds, we'll have no trouble in crossing the sands to +New Abbey. Elsie and Dick will come, and I expect you'll enjoy the +trip. It's an interesting place." + +As they stowed the sails the boat suddenly rose upright, drifted a few +yards, and then brought up with a jar of tightening cable while the +tide splashed against her planks. Launching the light dinghy, they +paddled shoreward with the stream. + +At high-water the next day they went back on board and the _Rowan_ +stood out across the sands. Elsie sat at the tiller, while Andrew +sounded with a long boat-hook, and Dick lounged in the cockpit, +smoking a cigarette. He laughed and told humorous stories, but +Whitney noticed that Elsie was intent upon her steering. He had +expected this, for he thought that whatever the girl undertook would +be well done; but she did not obtrude her earnestness. Now and then +she glanced at Andrew as he dipped the pole and a nod or a gesture was +exchanged. He was feeling his way across the shoals with +half-instinctive skill and the girl understood what he wished her to +do. Their task was not an easy one: there was only a foot or two of +water under the boat and she forged ahead fast through the short seas +the tide made as it raced across the banks. + +The seas began to curl as the ebb met the freshening wind, and little +showers of spray splashed into the straining canvas. The deck got wet; +the water was filled with sand and streaked with foam. There was no +mark in all the glittering stretch, but Andrew knew when he reached +the main channel, and told Whitney to let the centerboard down. Then +they went to windward faster, the sea hurrying westward with them in +confused eddies while small white combers foamed about the boat. She +plunged through them, scooping their broken crests on board, and by +and by the water ahead grew yellow and marked by frothy lines. + +Elsie looked at Andrew, and he took out his watch. + +"We ought to get a fathom most of the way across," he said, and turned +to Whitney. "You might stand by below to pull up the board." + +Whitney crept into the low-roofed cabin, where he sat on a locker, +holding the tackle that lifted the heavy iron centerplate. He knew +that it would be desirable to heave it up as soon as possible after he +got the order. From where he sat he could see nothing outside the +boat, but as he looked aft through the hatch he was offered a +fascinating picture. + +A strip of the tanned mainsail, shining ruby-red, cut against a patch +of clear blue sky, and Elsie sat beneath it, her gracefully lined +figure swaying easily as the boat rose and fell. She leaned on the +long tiller, and a lock of loosened hair that shone like the sail +fluttered across her forehead. Her eyes were bright, and there was a +fine color in her face; but it was not so much her beauty as her +decision and confidence that Whitney liked. The girl was capable of +keen enjoyment, but it must be in something that was worth doing. He +was already conscious of a curious respect for Elsie Woodhouse. + +Andrew called to him to lift the board and come up; and when he +reached the deck he saw close ahead of them a long, hump-backed +mountain that rose abruptly from a narrow strip of rolling pasture. A +row of very small white houses bordered a green common behind the +beach, and the tide swept, froth-streaked, down the channel in front. + +"Where do we bring up?" he asked. + +"In the Carsethorn gut," said Andrew. "Do you think you can find it, +Elsie?" + +"I'll try. Give her a foot or two of sheet." + +The boat swung round a little, edging in toward the beach, and Whitney +saw by the ripples that they were in shallow water. Andrew let the +staysail run down, but when he stood ready with the boathook, Elsie +smiled. + +"Sound if you like, but you won't find bottom here," she said. + +"A good shot. You have hit the mouth of the gut." + +"You'll touch now," said Elsie a few minutes later; and Andrew dipped +the pole, then threw it down and lowered the jib. The boat came round +head to wind, and the anchor went down with a rattle of running chain. + +Landing from the dinghy, they struck across the fields, and although +it was autumn, Whitney wondered at the lush greenness of the grass. +Close on their left hand, Criffell's lonely ridge ran up against the +sky, colored purple-red, though the hollows in its curving side were +filled with dark-blue shadows. The ash-trees in the hedgerows that +crossed the rolling pasture obscured their view ahead, and they were +crossing the last rise when Whitney stopped. + +"This is worth coming a very long way to see!" he exclaimed. + +A deep glen, where the light was subdued and the colors dim, cleft the +mountain's northern flank, and at its mouth a cluster of white houses +stood among the trees; then, on a narrow green level, bright in the +sun, the old abbey shone rosy red. Ancient ash-trees and crumbling +granite walls straggled about it, but the molding of the high, east +window, buttress and tower, still rose in lines of beauty, worked in +warm-colored stone. + +Elsie gave him a quick look and he knew that she was pleased with his +frank admiration. When they entered the cool, shadowy interior she +acted as his guide, for Dick and Andrew stayed outside in the sun. +Presently she stopped near the east end of the building, and Whitney +looked back down the long rows of plinths, from which the pillars had +fallen, and up into the hollow of the great ruined tower. + +"It must have been a wonderful place in the old days; a jewel in the +shape of a church. And I dare say if they'd searched Scotland they +couldn't have found a finer setting than these rich meadows at the +mountain's foot." + +Elsie led him a few yards along a wall, over which a low, groined roof +still hung. + +"Its building was a labor of love, and perhaps that's why it never +leaves one cold," she said. "I suppose you know its history?" + +"I only know it's called Sweetheart Abbey." + +"The Countess Devorgilla built it as a shrine for her husband's heart, +which was embalmed and buried on her breast. It's a moving story, when +one thinks of what she undertook. Galloway was then, for the most +part, a savage waste; skilled workmen must be brought from somewhere +else, perhaps from Italy or France. Then there is only granite, which +could not be cut and molded, on these hills, and the soft red stone +had to be carried down the Firth and across the sands. They had no +mechanical transport, and you can see the size of the blocks. In spite +of all this, the abbey rose and still stands, marked, I often think, +by a tender, elusive beauty that's peculiar to the North." + +Elsie moved back to where the sun shone down into the roofless nave, +and Whitney thought he understood why she did so. Her imagination was +fastidiously refined: she would not loiter talking by Devorgilla's +tomb. Standing silent beside her, he waited, with a faint smile. He +was not a sentimentalist trying to play up to a pretty girl; somehow, +she had stirred him. He felt that she had the gift of seizing what +was true in romance and missing what was false. Then, she had the +strange elusive beauty of the North which she had spoken of: an +ethereal tenderness that flashed out and vanished, leaving the hard +rock of a character steadfast as the granite upon the Solway shore. + +Elsie turned and looked east with grave, steady eyes. + +"One reaches out for something that's on the other side," she said; +"but perhaps when one knocks and the gate is opened, one goes through +unawares--" + +"You mean, that when one's eyes are opened, there may not be much +difference between the land of enchantment and ours?" + +"Something like that." + +During the short silence that followed, Whitney looked round the great +church that was still majestic in its decay. + +"Well," he said, "there can't be many of us, nowadays, who'd deserve +the love and labor this place must have cost." + +"But there must be some," she insisted. + +"It seems a big thing to claim, but I have met two or three who, so +far as my judgment goes, were good enough for the kind of woman your +Countess seems to have been; not clever men and in no way remarkable, +until you knew them well, but you felt that, whatever happened, they'd +do the square thing. One could trust them. Somehow, one man in +particular stands out from the rest." + +Elsie turned toward him and he saw the strange, elusive tenderness +shining in her eyes. Momentary as it was, it transformed her face, +and he wondered whether she approved his sentiment or knew whom he +meant. + +"I imagine you are a good friend," she said softly. "It must be nice +to have somebody who believes in you like that." + +"If the man I'm thinking of knew how he stood with me and others, it +would make him embarrassed." Whitney laughed. "But that's natural. +It's a hard thing to feel that you must live up to your reputation." + +"I like you best when you're serious," Elsie rebuked him, though she +smiled. + +She took the lead he gave her and they went back to the others, +engaged in careless talk. When they reached an arch that opened on a +sweep of sunny grass, Andrew looked up from the stone on which he sat. + +"You haven't hurried," he remarked. + +"No," said Whitney. "I've been learning some more of your traditions, +and they're inspiring. The people round here seem to have been great +lovers as well as pretty hard fighters." + +"A happy thought has struck me," Dick broke in. "It would be hot work +dragging the dinghy down across a quarter of a mile of sand, and I +don't feel up to carrying a heavy lunch basket. There's a hotel in the +village where they'd give us something to eat, and we could stroll up +the burnside afterward. It's a pretty walk." + +Whitney noticed that Andrew's glance rested for a second on Elsie's +face and then passed on. She made no sign, but it seemed that Andrew +understood without it. + +"I think not," he said; "the place would probably be full of Dumfries +excursionists. It would be pleasanter on the beach." + +"And I want to see the view you talked about," Whitney followed him +up. + +Dick broke into a resigned grin. + +"Very well; but you'll drag the dinghy down yourselves." + +They had to carry the boat some distance, and afterward they rowed +lazily along the edge of the sand until they landed at the foot of a +little glen. Here they lunched and lounged in the sun until the flood +tide came softly lapping across the flats. + +The breeze had fallen very light when the stream swept the _Rowan_ +east across the shoals, and Whitney, sitting on the cabin-top, watched +the Galloway shore recede. The western sky was a pale saffron, against +which Criffell rose, steeped in a wonderful blue. The shadows were +gathering fast about the rolling ground below, but the hollow where +the old red abbey stood still could be distinguished. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +ON CRIFFELL HILL + + +The sun burned down on the heather. Below, in the curving glen where +the heath gave place to white bent-grass, a burn flashed like a silver +riband among the stones; above, the long ridge of Criffell ran up +against the clear blue sky. Grouse were calling as they skimmed the +steep downward slope, and a curlew's wild cry fell sharply from the +summit of the hill. These were sounds that delighted Andrew, for he +loved the fellside almost as he loved the sea; but his lips were set +and his brows knitted as he stood waist-deep in the heather. + +Whitney was toiling up the hill beside Elsie a short distance farther +on, and Dick was behind them; but, seeing Andrew stop, they waited +until he came up. + +"It's rather steep," said Elsie, giving Andrew a sympathetic glance. +"Here's a nice flat stone; we'll rest for a few minutes." + +She sat down on a slab of lichened granite, and Dick found a place +beside her. + +"I wonder why Andrew loaded himself up with that heavy ruck-sack on a +day like this?" he said. "I suppose there's a pair of marine glasses +and a chart, and a parallel rule and compass, inside of it. Andrew +thinks he'd get lost if he didn't carry the lot about when he risks +himself ashore." + +"They're all there," Andrew replied somewhat grimly. "Still, it wasn't +the bag that stopped me." + +"I'm sorry we forced the pace," Elsie said. "You were going well at +the bottom." + +"I felt all right; but that's just when my weakness finds me out. +Sometimes it's the damp that brings it on and sometimes the heat; but +one oughtn't to grumble about not being able to climb a hill as fast +as usual." He broke off and resumed after a twinge of pain: "It's +thinking of our boys being rolled back on Cambrai while I loaf about +the Solway shore, that worries me." + +When they had rested a while they climbed up the steep face of a +pointed knoll, and then followed a long ridge to the massive cairn on +the top of the hill, where shallow pools gleamed among the green moss +of a bog. Andrew sat down on a stone, but Whitney stood on the highest +hillock, his eyes wandering across the wide landscape that rolled away +beneath him. + +To the south the sea glittered like silver, and a bright arm wound +inland up a valley. To the west and north a few lemon-yellow harvest +fields and strips of green pasture checkered the red heath, and the +smoke of a little town hung about a hollow; but the picture's dominant +tone was wild solitude. The plain rose in step-like ridges, the +hillsides that bordered it were washed with shades of delicate gray, +and in the distance lofty rounded summits cut against the sky. + +"It looks as lonely as our Western deserts," Whitney remarked. + +Andrew was busy with his chart. He had spread it on a flat stone; +then, putting a compass on the middle of it, he moved a notched brass +ring round the instrument. The tide was about half ebb and broad belts +of sand rose among the glistering channels in the firth. Andrew took +sights across them, then penciled notes on the margin of the chart, +but at times he lay still for a minute or two with the marine glasses +at his eyes. The others left him alone until he rolled up the chart +and lighted his pipe. + +"I've learned something useful," he said. "These channels change so +fast that a chart's of no use unless you keep it up to date." + +"What's the country to the east like?" Whitney asked. "It looks high +and rough, but I seem to make out a deep valley beyond your +Annandale." + +"Now you have set him off!" Dick exclaimed. "Andrew's one hobby is +that western road to England!" + +Andrew laughed. + +"The road is interesting. I will take you over it some day. For one +thing, nature has provided a good route through a rugged country. For +most of the way, the valleys are shut in by high moors, and that made +Eskdale a natural sallyport for the old Border clans." + +Elsie and Dick were walking about, picking their way among the shallow +pools; but Whitney sat down beside Andrew and listened with interest +to the history of the old Eskdale road. + +"I shall buy a motorcycle," he declared, when Andrew had concluded; +"one of those with a side-car, so that we can travel around these +roads." + +Elsie and Dick joined them and for a time they sat talking and looking +about. There was very little wind and the murmur of the Solway tide +came up to them faintly across the purple slopes where the grouse were +calling. + +Suddenly, as if he had sprung from the earth, a young man in khaki +uniform appeared, picking his way across the bog. He was hot and +breathless, and seemed surprised when he saw the party, but he came +toward them with a smile. + +"So you're back!" he exclaimed to Andrew. "I meant to look you up." + +"We'll be glad to see you, Murray," Dick said cordially. "You haven't +been round for a long time. What brings you up Criffell in full +uniform? I must say it's a better fit than some they've been serving +out lately." + +Murray laughed. + +"We are giving the Terriers a run; but business first. I suppose you +haven't seen any turf that might have been dug over recently, or +stones that seemed to have been pulled up?" + +"No. Did you expect to find anything of the sort?" + +"To tell the truth, I don't know what I did expect to find. We're +ostensibly practising scouting, but there's a batch of Dumfries +cyclists scouring the Galloway roads, and I imagine the authorities +have some reason for sending us out." + +"I suppose if you met a foreigner or anybody with an electric battery, +he'd go into the bag," Dick suggested. "After reading the newspapers, +one must admit that the Terriers are remarkably good shots. In fact, +it's not safe to meet them in the dark." + +"You imagine this turnout isn't merely part of the men's training?" +Andrew asked. + +Murray looked thoughtful. + +"No; I believe there is something going on round here. We've got +orders to search the country as far as Screel of Bengairn--though of +course that can't be done in a day. I heard they mean to organize +scouting parties in the Castle Douglas neighborhood." + +"Well, perhaps a wireless installation could be made small enough to +carry about and hide; but a good deal of Galloway's a wilderness of +granite and heath." + +"That's why it might prove a suitable place." + +"Yes, in a way. There are glens where a man could lurk for a long time +without being seen; but they're hard to reach, and nothing that the +enemy would wish to learn is likely to happen here. Then the sands +protect this shore. The east coast's our vulnerable point: any +important news could best be picked up about Rosyth. If there are +wireless installations working, one would naturally look for them on +the eastern slope of the Lammermuirs and along the seaboard between +Berwick and the Forth." + +"Of course," agreed Murray. "And no doubt they've had that district +searched. But you must remember we're dealing with remarkably clever +people, who wouldn't go to work in the obvious way. Now, suppose some +news was gathered about Rosyth, how long would it take a powerful car +to bring it here?" + +"Four hours and a half, provided that none of your fellows or the +police interfered." + +"That's by the Eskdale road. I'd go the other way--a rough country, +but there's nobody to bother about the speed limit." + +"Well," said Andrew, thoughtfully, "I'd prefer the Eskdale. The +obvious way's sometimes safest; it's the unusual thing that excites +suspicion." + +"There's only one road for Andrew," Dick laughed. + +Murray got up. + +"I must be off," he said. "My Terriers are scattered about the mosses, +and khaki has its disadvantages when you're looking for your men." + +He turned away and when he went, springing down the western slope of +the hill, Elsie looked at the others. + +"It was so serene up here," she said; "and he has broken the charm. +The war cloud looked a long way off, but it seems closer now." She +glanced across the ranges of sunny hills as she added: "What a +beautiful world this might be if men were sensible and just!" + +"True," replied Dick; "but then we'd miss some excitement and get fat +and slack. A certain amount of trouble's good for us, and that's why +we make it." + +"We didn't make this horrible war." + +"No; I suppose we didn't. As a future landowner, I've naturally no +admiration for the Lloyd George gang, but one must admit that they +were forced into the fray. To do them justice, they're not the lot to +fight when they can help it, and they're certainly getting on better +than I expected." + +"You were bound by the 'Scrap of paper,'" Whitney remarked. + +Dick chuckled. + +"Our politicians have left us nothing to say about that; but I'll +admit there's something convenient in the other fellows' theory. I +happen to know a little about scraps of paper and there are one or two +I'd be glad to disown." + +"So I thought!" Andrew interposed dryly. + +"Oh," Dick laughed; "my frankness is always getting me into trouble." + +Soon afterward they went down the hill, talking carelessly, but +Elsie's eyes were grave when she saw in the distance small scattered +figures moving across the heath. There was something ominous about the +soldiers' presence on the quiet moors where the black-faced sheep had +long fed undisturbed. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE GRAY CAR + + +It was one o'clock in the morning, but Andrew could not sleep. He sat +by an open window, looking at the tops of the firs, which stood out in +black silhouette. It annoyed him to be so wakeful, as he and Whitney +were to make an early start for Edinburgh; but Andrew had something to +think about, for he realized that his friendship with Elsie could not +be resumed where it had broken off. She had grown up while he was +away, and his feeling toward her had changed. To be regarded as an +elder brother no longer satisfied him, and if he were not very +careful, he would find himself in love with her. This was unthinkable: +first of all, because he was lame and poor, and then because it was +obvious that Elsie ought to marry Dick. She had no money; Dick had +plenty and, besides, Dick needed her. Elsie would keep him straight, +and his weak heart would cease to trouble him when he steadied down. +Andrew had long cherished an affection for both of them, and he knew +that Dick trusted him. + +Then he reflected that Elsie's attitude toward Dick was to a large +extent protective and motherly, which was not the feeling one would +expect a girl to show for the man she meant to marry; and while Dick +was obviously fond of her, his attachment, so far as one could judge, +was not passionate. Besides, when one came to think of it, the +suggestion that their marriage must be taken for granted had come from +Staffer. He had, so to speak, delicately warned Andrew off. + +Andrew firmly pulled himself up. He was being led away by specious +arguments. It was easy to find excuses for indulging oneself and he +had promised to look after Dick. If he tried to supplant his cousin in +Elsie's affection, he would be doing a dishonorable thing. There was +no getting around this; but it cost him an effort to face the truth. + +A soft rattle of gravel down the drive attracted Andrew's attention. +Rabbits sometimes got through the netting and one might have disturbed +the stones as it sprang across; but he rejected this explanation. The +sound was too loud, although he imagined that there was something +stealthy in it. Anybody coming toward the house across the smoothly +paved bridge, would have to walk on the gravel, as there was a flower +border between the drive and the shrubbery. This had a narrow grass +edging, but hoops were placed along it to keep people off. + +Andrew leaned forward cautiously and looked about him. It was a calm +night and not very dark, although there was no moon. He could see the +firs near the house cutting black against the sky, and the blurred +outline of a shrubbery beside the drive to the bridge. Thin white mist +rose from the ravine, and beyond it a beechwood rolled down the hill. +The air was warm, and the smell of flowers and wet soil drifted into +the room. There seemed to be nothing moving, however, and the sound +was not repeated. For a few moments Andrew waited, expecting to hear +the intruder fall over one of the hoops that edged the drive. When +this did not happen, he fixed his eyes intently upon the end of the +shrubbery, and then he made out a very indistinct figure moving slowly +through the gloom beneath the firs. + +This was strange. He had never heard of any house-breaking in the +dale, and there was nothing at Appleyard to attract a burglar from the +distant towns. It was too late for a villager to keep tryst with one +of the maids; and a poacher would not cross the well-fenced grounds. +Andrew decided that he would not give the alarm, but he slipped across +the room and opened his door quietly so that he could hear if anybody +entered the house. Though he stood beside it, listening closely, he +heard nothing. Then he returned to the window, and saw a dark form +move back into the gloom of the trees. Presently there was another +soft rattle of gravel near the bridge, and after that deep silence +except for the splash of water in the ravine. Andrew imagined that +about five minutes had elapsed since he heard the first sound, but the +prowler had gone and he must try to solve the puzzle in the morning. + +He got up early and went down to the drive before anybody was about. A +fresh footprint showed plainly in the flower border near the bridge, +close to an opening in the shrubbery by which one could reach the +lawn, as if the man had meant to jump across and had fallen a few +inches short. That he had not gone along the grass edging showed that +he knew the hoops were there. + +Andrew examined the footprint. It was deep and clearly defined, and he +thought it looked more like the impress of a well-made shooting boot +than of the heavy boots the country people wore. For one thing, he +could see no marks of the tackets the Scottish peasant uses. Acting on +a half-understood impulse, he covered the footprint up and strolled +toward the gardener, who was just coming out with his rake. + +"You have a big place to take care of, Fergus, but you keep it very +neat," Andrew said. + +"Aye," replied the gardener. "I'm thinking it's big enough." + +"Have you help?" + +"Willie Grant comes over whiles, when I've mair than ordinar' to do. +He has a club foot, ye'll mind, an' is no' verra active, but there's +jobs he saves me." + +Andrew knew the man, and knew that he could not have sprung across the +flower border. + +"I see Tom is still at the stables, but the man who drives the car is +new. How long have they had him?" + +"A year, maybe. Watson's a quiet man, an' makes no unnecessar' mess, +like some o' them. He leeves in the hoose." + +"Then he doesn't get up very early." + +"He's at Dumfries wi' the car. There was something to be sortit an' he +took her there yestreen. Mr. Staffer's for Glasgow, the morn." + +After a few remarks about the garden, Andrew strolled away. He had +learned that the night prowler could not have been one of the men +employed at Appleyard. The fellow had apparently not entered the +house, and although he had stayed long enough to deliver a message to +somebody inside, Andrew had not heard a door or window open. The +matter puzzled him, but he determined to say nothing about it, +although he was conscious of no particular reason for his reserve. + +An hour later, Whitney and he started for Edinburgh, with Dick on the +carrier of the motorcycle. The machine was powerful and they meant to +travel by short stages and stop at points of interest for a walk +across the hills. Andrew was glad to have Dick with them, particularly +as he was dubious about the visits the boy was in the habit of making +to Dumfries and Lockerbie. Dick generally returned late at night and +did not look his best the next morning. + +Whitney enjoyed the journey. He had understood that southern Scotland +was the home of scientific agriculture, and in this respect the +valleys came up to his expectations; but when they left them on foot, +as they did now and then, they crossed barren, wind-swept spaces +clothed with bent-grass and heather. In places, lonely hills rolled +from horizon to horizon without sign of life except for the +black-faced sheep and the grouse that skimmed the heath. + +Andrew knew every incident in the history of this rugged country, and +with a little encouragement he told tales of English invasions and +fierce reprisals, of stern Covenanting martyrs and their followers' +fanatical cruelties. Looking down from the heights of the Lammermuirs, +they saw where Cromwell crushed his Scottish pursuers; they climbed +the battlements of old square towers that had defied English raids, +and traced the line of Prince Charlie's march. + +Whitney found it rather bewildering. There was so much romantic +incident packed into two or three centuries; but he felt that he +understood the insular Briton better than he had done, and this +understanding improved his conception of the native-born American. It +was here that some of the leading principles of American democracy +were first proclaimed and fought for. Another thing was plain--if the +spirit of this virile people had not greatly changed, deeds worthy of +new ballads would be done in France and Flanders. + +On the return journey they reached Hawick one evening and stopped for +an hour or two. Dick suggested that they stay the night; but there was +nothing to keep them in the smoky, wool-spinning town, and Andrew +preferred to push on. + +"The night air's bracing among the moors and I like to hear the whaups +crying round the house," he said to Whitney. "There's a small hotel, +built right on the fellside, and we should get there in an hour." + +They set off, with Andrew on the carrier, and the powerful machine +rolled smoothly out of the town. The street lamps were beginning to +twinkle as they left it and low mist crept across the fields past +which they sped. The cry of geese, feeding among the stubble, came out +of the haze, which lay breast-high between the hedgerows, clogging the +dust, but it thinned and rolled behind them as the road began to rise. +Then the stubble fields became less frequent, fewer dark squares of +turnips checkered the sweep of grass, and the murmur of Teviot, +running among the willows, crept out of the gathering dusk. + +Cothouses marked by glimmering lights went by; they sped through a +dim, white village; and Whitney opened out his engine as they went +rocking past a line of stunted trees. They were the last and highest, +for after them the rough ling and bent-grass rolled across the haunts +of the sheep and grouse. Whitney changed his gear as the grade got +steeper, the hedges gave place to stone walls until they ran out on an +open moor, round which the hills lifted their black summits against +the fading sky. The three men made a heavy load on the long incline, +but the machine brought them up, and the last of the light had gone +when they stopped in front of a lonely hotel. It looked like a Swiss +chalet on the breast of the fell, and a dark glen dropped steeply away +from it, but it glowed with electric light. + +"They seem to have some shooting people here," Dick said. "I'll run +across and see if they can take us in, while you look at the +carbureter. We may have to go on to Langholm and she wasn't firing +very well." + +He went up the drive and Whitney opened his tool bag. The top of the +pass was about half a mile behind them, and the road ran straight down +from it, widening in front of the hotel. There was a patch of loose +stones on the other side, and the motorcycle stood a yard or two from +the gate. Everything was very still except for the sound of running +water, and it was rather dark, because the hills rose steeply above +the glen. + +"Dick's a long time coming back," Andrew said with a frown. + +"Perhaps you'd better go for him," Whitney suggested. + +Andrew went off, but met Dick in the drive. + +"It's all right; there's nobody stopping here," he reported. "They +keep the lights blazing to draw motoring people." + +He spoke clearly, but with an evident effort, and Andrew frowned +again. + +"There's a nut I can't get hold of," Whitney called to them from under +the motorcycle. "Do you think I could borrow a smaller spanner here, +Dick?" + +"I'll get it for you," Dick volunteered jovially, and started back +toward the house. + +Andrew put a firm hand on his arm. + +"You will not!" he said shortly. + +Dick turned upon him in a moment's rage; and then laughed. + +"Oh, all right. You're a tyrant, Andrew, but you mean well." + +When Whitney went for the spanner Dick knelt down in the road to +inspect the machine. + +"Lend me your knife," he requested. "It will be all right if I put +something in the jaws." + +"I'm inclined to think you'd better leave it alone," Andrew replied +meaningly. + +Dick laughed. + +"You're a suspicious beggar. I wasn't away five minutes. Anyhow, +there's a fascination in tampering with other people's machines. +Where's the knife?" + +Andrew let him have it, and soon afterward Dick uttered an expletive +as he tore the skin from one of his knuckles. + +"The beastly thing will slip; but I'm not going to be beaten by a +common American nut," he declared. "If I can't screw it up, I'll twist +the bolt-head off." + +"Leave it alone!" said Andrew. + +"It's going!" Dick panted, and threw the spanner down. "Another +knuckle skinned," he added grimly. + +As he stopped to wipe his hand, a loud humming came across the summit. +Then four lights leaped up and their united beam rushed down the +pass. + +"That fellow's driving very fast, but he has plenty of room," Dick +remarked, and Andrew, stepping back, saw that the tail-lamp of the +motorcycle was burning well. + +Dick got up, and Andrew moved out a yard or two across the road with +the headlamp, half dazzled by the blaze of light that filled the glen. +Suddenly the stream of radiance wavered, and Andrew wondered whether +the driver had lost his nerve on seeing the patch of stones, which +perhaps looked larger than they were. Then he heard the wheels skid +and loose metal fly as the car lurched across the road. + +"Jump!" he shouted, violently hurling Dick back before he sprang out +of the way. + +He struck the motorcycle with his lame leg, staggered, and fell on the +gravel close to the gate. For a moment or two he had not the courage +to look up, and then, with keen relief, he saw Dick standing safe. + +"The clumsy brute!" Dick cried, in a voice that sounded hoarse with +rage. + +Running to the bicycle, he started it and jumped into the saddle. The +red tail-light streamed away through the dark like a rocket, and when +it grew dim, Andrew, standing shakily, saw Whitney beside him. + +"He's gone mad!" Whitney exclaimed. + +Andrew did not speak, and above the dying roar the big car made in the +narrow hollow they heard a shrill buzzing that sounded strangely +venomous. + +"Forty miles an hour, anyway," Whitney estimated. "It would take a +good car to get away from her. Is he fool enough to run into the back +of it?" + +"I don't know," said Andrew. "Dick's capable of anything when he's +worked up. The curious thing is that his head is steadier than usual +then." + +They waited until the sound grew fainter and then died away. + +"I am going down the glen," Andrew said. + +They had not gone far when they heard a motor panting up hill to meet +them, and a minute later Dick's car ran past and he waved his hand. + +"Hotel gate!" he shouted. "Don't want to stop!" + +When they reached the gate, Dick was waiting. Andrew turned the light +on him, and started at the sight which met him. Dick's face was white +and strained and smeared with blood, and he was evidently laboring +under an emotion not wholly due to anger and excitement. + +Even in the sudden flash past them of the automobile Andrew thought he +had recognized the car as one belonging to Appleyard--a low, gray car +which Staffer always used. He had believed that the lurch which nearly +cost them their lives was due to reckless driving; but there was a +tenseness in Dick's expression which he could not quite understand. + +"Did you overtake the car?" he asked. + +"No," said Dick, with a forced grin; "I took the bank and I'm afraid +the machine is something the worse for it. I was gaining and close to +the car when we got down to the bottom of the glen. You know it's very +narrow there." + +Whitney nodded. There was a sharp bend where road and stream ran out +side by side through the sharply contracted gap in the hills. The +slope on both sides was very steep and there was only a strip of +grass between the road and the water, seven or eight feet below. + +"Yes; it's not the place I'd care to negotiate at full speed." + +"I meant to catch the car and ran on to the grass to get a wider +sweep; but she wouldn't take the curve. Went straight up the hillside +for a dozen yards and then threw me off. Luckily I fell into some fern +and when I'd pulled myself together, I somehow got her down." + +"But the car?" + +"Got off," Dick replied in a strained tone. + +Andrew spoke quickly. + +"You'd better come and let us see if your face is badly cut." + +They entered the hotel, but Dick stopped as they were passing the bar. + +"We've all had a shock," he said; "and if you feel you'd like a drink, +don't mind me. You needn't be afraid of setting me a bad example--I +don't want anything." + +Andrew smiled. + +"Nor do I. Sometimes you're a very thoughtful fellow, Dick." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE _ROWAN'S_ LIGHT + + +Dick's cuts were not deep and he joined his companions at supper. One +of the windows was open and the smell of peat smoke came in, while the +noise of Ewes water running down the glen mingled pleasantly with the +bleating of sheep. The room, however, was illuminated by electric +light and a row of sepia drawings hung on the wall. + +"There's something distinctive about the Border," Whitney remarked; +"but there's one thing that strikes me. In old English +cities--Chester, for example--there are streets that look as they did +in Queen Elizabeth's reign; but the Scottish towns you've shown me +might have been built forty years ago." + +Andrew smiled. + +"The reason lies in our national character. We're utilitarian and +don't allow sentiment to interfere with progress. As soon as a +building gets out of date, we pull it down. Our past lives in the +race's memory and we don't need to keep it embodied in stone." + +He turned to Dick, who had been unusually quiet. + +"It's lucky you didn't get worse hurt. Did you see the car's number?" + +Dick hesitated a moment. + +"No-o. The plate was covered with mud." + +"But there has been no rain," Whitney objected. "I was near the gate +when the driver swerved, and I couldn't see any reason for his doing +so." + +"He may not have noticed the loose stones until he was close to them, +and then lost control of the steering because he was startled; or +perhaps the wheels skidded on the loose metal," Andrew suggested. + +"It's curious," Whitney persisted, "because if the fellow's nerve had +given way he would have gone over the motorcycle and into the gate. +Anyhow, he didn't lose control, because he straightened her up the +moment Andrew threw you back." + +"His nerve did not give way," said Dick. + +Andrew looked hard at him. + +"You know something. What is it, Dick?" + +"I know the car," Dick said grimly; "but it isn't nice to think your +own friends came near killing you." + +"You're sure?" + +"Positive. I thought I recognized the hum she makes on the top gear, +and when I was close behind them at the bottom of the glen, I saw the +tail-lamp had a cracked glass and a dinge in the top. It isn't a +coincidence that our lamp's like that. I remember when Watson dropped +it." + +"Staffer certainly wouldn't lose control of his steering." + +"No," said Dick; "he's as steady as a rock. So's Watson. You don't +often find a lowland Scot of his type jumpy." + +Whitney lighted a cigarette and leaned back, watching the others. + +"Staffer was going to Glasgow," Andrew argued. + +"Yes; the hydraulic ram that pumps our water had broken down and he +meant to see the makers. He told me he might not be back for a few +days." + +"But would he return by Edinburgh? Had he any business there?" + +"None that I know of; we deal with Glasgow. I wanted him to come up to +Edinburgh not long ago, but he wouldn't. Said he didn't know anybody +in the place and there was nothing to do." + +"After all, you may have been mistaken about the car." + +"Oh, no," said Dick; "but we'll talk about something else. I don't +like to think that Staffer nearly finished me--and he wouldn't feel +happy about it. Of course he didn't recognize us; and, on the whole, I +think we'd better not mention it to him." + +"I agree with you," Whitney said; and they planned to ship the damaged +machine to Hawick and to walk back across the hills. + +On their return to Appleyard, Whitney watched Staffer closely when +Dick explained that they had been delayed by an accident in the glen +at Teviot-head. He showed only a polite interest in the matter, and +when Whitney talked about Edinburgh, he remarked that he found the +city disappointing and seldom visited it. + +A few days later, they all sat on the terrace one calm evening when +Watson came back with the car and gave Dick and Staffer some letters. + +"From Murray," Dick announced when he had opened his. "They're going +to search the Colvend country next Thursday, and he suggests that we +might like to join, though he hints that he's not allowed to give us +much information." + +"What does he expect to find?" Staffer asked. His tone expressed +indifference, but Whitney suspected that it covered a keen interest. + +"He doesn't say. Somebody working a wireless installation, I imagine." + +"And is Thursday particularly suitable for that kind of thing?" + +"It's Dumfries' early-closing day. They can get a lot of motorcyclists +then. Murray states that the coast and moss-roads will be watched." + +"You ought to go," Elsie interposed. "Mr. Whitney would enjoy a day +upon the heather." + +"An opportunity for combining a pleasant excursion with a patriotic +duty!" Staffer remarked. "Well, the high ground from Bengairn to Susie +Hill will need some searching. No doubt, they'll push across the moors +toward Black Beast?" + +"Murray doesn't say, but it's probable. I don't know whether the +military authorities have the spy mania; but if there is any ground +for suspicion, it can do no harm to draw the Galloway moors. What do +you think, Andrew?" + +"I'd try the hills farther east." + +"About Eskdale, of course?" Staffer said with ironical humor. + +"Well," Andrew replied, "I don't claim much strategical knowledge, but +if we take it for granted that a hostile force could be landed on our +east coast--" + +"Rosyth's being a naval station would make that difficult. But go on." + +Beginning rather awkwardly, Andrew worked out a supposititious plan of +campaign, and to Whitney, who had just been over the ground, it +seemed a very good one. The scheme he outlined certainly appeared +practical; and Whitney saw that Staffer was more interested than he +pretended, and that his objections were designed to draw Andrew on. +Both showed a knowledge of military needs and history; and when +Staffer mentioned Cromwell's retreat on Dunbar, Whitney thought +Andrew's defense of his favorite route across, instead of around, the +Lammermuirs was good. He noted that Staffer did not claim as much +local knowledge; indeed, he thought he was careful not to do so. + +"I'm not convinced that we have much to fear, but you have worked the +thing out very well," he said at last. "Have you thought that the War +Office might find something to interest them in your views?" + +Andrew flushed. + +"They're probably bothered enough by amateur strategists," he replied. +"Of course, I may be all wrong; but if there really did seem any need +for it, I'd try to get somebody with influence to put my ideas before +them." + +Staffer folded a letter he had been reading, and looked at his watch. + +"I must send off a telegram," he said, and left them. + +"Well, Andrew, are we going on this spy hunt?" Whitney asked. It +sounded promising to him. + +"I could take the boat to Rough Firth. Then we might go on to Wigtown +Bay, where you could see your people. Will you come, Dick?" + +"Yes--as far as Rough Firth; but I don't know about the rest. Small +boat sailing needs an acquired taste. You have to get used to eating +half-cooked food and sleeping among wet sails. On my last cruise, +drops from a deck-beam fell on my face all night when it rained. +Andrew's hardier than I am, and no doubt truer to the old strain; but +while the Annandale Johnstones did many reckless things, they had +generally sense enough to stick to dry land." + +They made the necessary arrangements, and a few days later the _Rowan_ +went down the Solway with the strong ebb-tide. The shoals were +beginning to show above the sand-filled water when she drifted past a +point fringed by low reefs and boulders, at Criffel's southern foot. +Whitney guessed its distance as about three miles, and took a compass +bearing at Andrew's order. The coast turned sharply west at the point, +and the mountain, sloping to meet it, broke down into a wall of cliffs +that rose, grim and forbidding, from the beach. At one place, a gap in +the wall suggested a river mouth. There was not much wind, the sky was +hazy, and on the port hand a stretch of gray water ran back to the +horizon. It looked like open sea; but the strong rippling in the +foreground indicated that the tide was running across thinly-covered +banks. + +"I should have liked a breeze," Andrew said. "If we bring her around, +the ebb will sweep us past the mouth of the Firth. There's not much +water on the sands ahead, but we ought to get a fathom, if I can find +the Barnhourie gut. Keep her as she's going, Dick, with the knoll +ashore on the bowsprit-end, while I look at the chart." + +Andrew went below and Whitney turned to Dick. + +"Do you know this gut?" he asked. + +"I remember something about it, but they keep changing. See what depth +there is." + +Whitney found six feet, and looked around as he heard the topsail +flap. The _Rowan_ was sailing upright, but going very fast, with the +current eddying about her. Wreaths of sand came up to the surface and +went down again. + +"Keep her full," he said. "She's luffing off her course." + +"It's possible. The tide's strong and she's not steering well. I dare +say there's enough water everywhere, but Andrew must find the gut: he +feels he has to do the proper thing. He's made like that." + +"We'll take no chances," Whitney answered; and ran to the scuttle. +"Pull up the board and come on deck!" he shouted to Andrew. + +In a few moments Andrew's head appeared; and after a glance round, he +swung himself up and jumping aft took the helm from Dick. + +"Ready with the head-sheets!" he ordered. "We'll come round." + +She began to turn and then suddenly stopped, with a rush of sandy +water boiling about her stern. Andrew seized an oar, but could not +push her off, and she sank on one side until the water flowed along +the lower deck-planks. + +"She's fast," Whitney said. "Where are we?" + +"On the Barnhourie tongue of the Mersehead bank," replied Andrew, +throwing down the oar. "I meant to run through the gut between them." +He turned to Dick. "You're a hundred yards off your course." + +"That's the tide's fault. Shall we take the sail off her?" + +Andrew thought for a moment. + +"Yes. I don't know about laying out an anchor. The flood runs pretty +fast here; but we'll see when the sands are dry." + +They lowered the canvas and then went below to cook a meal. This took +them some time, for the floor and lockers slanted awkwardly, as the +boat listed over, and when they went on deck again the light had begun +to fade. Whitney was astonished at the transformation. What had looked +like open water when he went below, was now a waste of sloppy sand +that ran back as far as he could see. It was, however, pierced by a +broad channel, from which a depression, filled with shallow pools, cut +through the bank and ended in a lagoon not far off. This was evidently +the gut Andrew had meant to navigate. The cliffs round the bay, to the +westward, were losing their sharpness of outline; but two or three +blocks of houses and a tower on the rocky point showed black above the +level strip behind them. + +"That's Southerness; they'll light up, soon," Andrew said. "I know one +of the light-keepers and I'll walk across and ask him about the +entrance to Rough Firth. There's a flock of duck up the channel, Jim, +and you might get a shot at them from the dinghy when it's a bit +darker. Will you stay on board, Dick?" + +"Not much! There's nothing more melancholy than sitting alone in a +stranded boat. I'll go with Jim." + +Andrew went below and trimmed the anchor-light; then fastened it +firmly to the forestay, and set off across the sands. Half an hour +later, Dick and Whitney carried the small, folding dinghy to the +channel and pushed her off. The current was now slack and they made +progress until Dick shipped his oars and, kneeling down, took up the +small hand paddles; but he let her drift for a few moments while they +looked about. It was dark and the shore-line had faded, but some +distance up the channel a small black sail was visible across the +bank, and a steady bright beam marked the Southerness lighthouse. +Half-seen birds were wading about the water's edge, but Dick said +these were oyster-catchers and not worth powder and shot. A curlew's +wild whistle fell from overhead and the cry of a black-backed gull +came out of the obscurity like a hoarse laugh. It was rather dreary; +and their clothes and the dinghy were getting damp; so, dipping the +paddles, Dick drove the boat ahead. + +After a while they distinguished a cluster of small dark objects some +distance in front, and made toward them cautiously. The ducks did not +seem to get much plainer, and Whitney thought they were swimming away. +Stopping a few minutes to allay suspicion, Dick paddled again; but the +ducks vanished as they crept on. Then he turned in toward the bank and +pushed the craft along the bottom, hoping the dark background would +hide their approach. Presently they saw the ducks again and Whitney +raised his gun. + +There was a red flash, smoke blew into his face, and the air was +filled with the clamor of startled wildfowl. Still, they had heard a +splash and Dick got out the oars and rowed ahead. As he picked up a +floating mallard, they heard a flutter and knew there was a crippled +duck not far off. Rowing out into the stream, they saw it rise +awkwardly from the water. Whitney fired, and missed. After this, they +spent some time in trying to get into range before he brought down +the bird. Then they ran the dinghy ashore and Dick landed with his +gun. + +"I'll walk up the bank and try the soft places about the pools," he +said. "If I don't turn up soon, it will be because I've gone back to +the _Rowan_." + +Whitney lighted his pipe while he waited to allow the birds to recover +from their alarm, but he had to strike several matches because his +hands were wet, and he was annoyed to find that he had not many left. +It was very dark, and a cold wind was blowing. Whitney lay down on the +floorings, for shelter and to hide the glow of his pipe. The birds +were quiet, but a dull, throbbing roar came out of the distance, and +he supposed it was the splash of the surf on the seaward edge of the +shoals. When his pipe was empty, he got up, intending to step +overboard and drag the dinghy down to the receding water; but he found +that this was not needful, as the ebb had nearly run out. Paddling up +the channel he heard the whistle of curlew, and for a time followed +the invisible birds. He could not get a shot, and, deciding that he +had had enough, he laid down the paddles. Hitherto, he had been +looking ahead, but when he put the oars in the crutches he was facing +aft. + +Grasping the oars firmly, he looked for the twinkle of the _Rowan's_ +light. In his surprise he almost dropped an oar. The _Rowan_ had +disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +IN THE DARK + + +Whitney frowned as he looked about. He could see nothing except the +black line of the bank a few yards away and the beam from the +lighthouse on Southerness, though this had grown less distinct. There +was no fog, but the air was filled with an obscuring moisture that wet +his face and gathered upon the dinghy. Since the _Rowan's_ canvas had +been lowered she would be hard to see, and she lay at some distance +from the water. He could not remember how long it was since he had +seen the light, but it must have been some time, and he blamed himself +for not keeping an eye on it. + +Still, he ought to find the gutter near which she lay, and he knew the +bearing of the Southerness light from there. He had guessed its +distance, and if he took a new bearing now, the angle between it and +the other would give him the length of the line he must follow to +reach the neighborhood of the yacht. Taking out a small compass, he +struck a match, but it went out. His hands were wet and the box was +damp. He tried two or three more with no better success, and when he +got the last to burn, the knife-blade he laid across the compass cast +a shadow on the card. This prevented his seeing the points; and +finding that he had no matches left, he paused to think. + +If his friends had returned to the boat, they would certainly not have +put out the lamp, and it was disturbing to imagine their wandering +about the sands, particularly as Andrew might have to cross some +hollows up which the tide would shortly flow. Whitney shouted, but got +no answer, and after waiting a few minutes he began to row, because it +was plain that he must relight the lamp as soon as possible. He kept +out in the channel to get the help of the stream, which he thought was +running with him, but he did not seem to be making much progress, when +he passed a projecting tongue of sand. Stopping to get his breath, he +saw that the dinghy began to drift slowly back, and this disturbed +him. The tide had turned sooner than he expected. + +Heading in toward the bank, he rowed savagely; but the flat-bottomed +craft did not pull well. Her main advantage was that she could be +folded up and stowed on deck. After a time bits of seaweed and flakes +of scum drifted up to meet him, and he could hear the water ripple +along the edge of the sand where the channel bent. The flood was +beginning to run and he had not covered much distance yet. Sweat +dripped from his face, his back ached and his hands blistered; but +this did not matter. Dick should be able to follow the channel down; +but Andrew was no doubt a long way from land, with his retreat to the +beach perhaps cut off. Moreover, Whitney saw that his own position was +not fortunate. + +He had the dinghy, but her side was only a foot above the water and +the tide would presently sweep her up the Firth. He could not row +against it long, and the current would capsize or swamp the boat if +he struck a shoal. Still, it would be slack for about an hour and he +must make good use of the time. His arms got stiff, but he kept up the +pace and edged inshore until he touched bottom, when he made a deep +stroke. The temptation to turn round and look ahead was strong, but he +resisted it. He must not relax his efforts for a moment. He ought to +see the mouth of the gutter when he had gone far enough. +Unfortunately, however, the edge of the bank began to be indented by +shallow bays, and, as he must pull straight across in order not to +lose time, their ends were not always visible. It was unthinkable that +he should overshoot the gutter, but he imagined it was still some +distance off. + +At last he saw a bold ridge of sand that looked like the place where +they had launched the dinghy, but on pulling close in, he could not +distinguish the mark she must have made as they dragged her down. He +rowed on for a hundred yards and stopped. There was no gutter, though +he believed he had come far enough. The sound of the surf was +ominously loud and a black-backed gull that fluttered overhead seemed +to mock him with its hoarse, croaking laugh. + +Whitney felt unnerved; but he pulled himself together. His friends' +lives, and perhaps his own, depended on his keeping cool. He must have +passed the gutter, but he might see the _Rowan_ from the top of the +bank. Running aground, he pulled the dinghy out. There was no grapnel, +but she had a few fathoms of painter and he tied it to an oar, which +he drove into the sand. This ought to hold her if she floated before +he came back. + +For a few minutes he walked rapidly away from the water, then turned +and ran along the flat, but could not see the yacht; and when he dared +stay no longer he came down to the channel. There was nothing that +looked like the mouth of the gutter and the dinghy was afloat. Pushing +off, he rowed a short distance and made another unsuccessful search. +Whitney was now getting desperate, but he tried to think calmly what +he should do. He could fold up the dinghy and carry her toward the +Southerness light, shouting as he went; but the others would be in +very grave danger if he missed them; besides, they would not both come +the same way. The plan would not serve; he must try again to find the +_Rowan_. Progress was difficult against the current; but he did his +best, and landing again, he dragged the dinghy up. She would not float +for some time because the bank was steep, but he dared not go far, +lest he should lose his way in coming back. + +Striking shoreward, he plowed breathlessly through soft sand, but saw +nothing for some minutes. Then, when he was despairing, a black object +emerged from the gloom. It might be only a hummock; but after he had +gone a few yards, he knew it was the yacht and felt a thrill of relief +that was unnerving in its keenness. Still, he must brace himself and +decide between two courses. The dinghy might be needed to take his +comrades off, and there was a risk of her going adrift before he got +back; he ought not to lose a moment in returning to her. On the other +hand, Dick and Andrew must be in danger of being cut off by the +advancing tide and the lamp would show them where the boat lay; but it +might take some time to light. Hesitation would be fatal: he must do +one thing or the other at once. + +Running to the yacht, he clambered on board and unfastened the lamp +from the stay, and then groped about the cabin for matches. At last he +found some and, shaking the lamp, heard the oil splash inside. The +wick did not ignite readily and he had to rub the charred edge off, +but by and by the flame began to spread and he scrambled on deck, +striking his head against the hatch. When he reached the bow, he found +himself shaking and scarcely able to tie the lamp to the stay, but he +jumped down on the sand and ran with all his speed toward the channel. +He could not see the dinghy and feared that she had gone, but he found +her safe, afloat and straining at the rope. + +Jumping on board, he pulled along the edge of the bank until an eddy +swept him into the mouth of the gutter. This decided a point that he +was anxious about. The tide was flowing into the hollow from the +channel and not from its seaward end, which meant that there was less +danger that the others would be surrounded. The rising water carried +him close to the yacht, and when he got on board he sat down, +breathing hard and feeling conscious of keen nervous strain. He +shouted, but there was no answer; only the crying of wildfowl and the +ripple of the tide broke the silence. It was running fast up the +gutter, surging noisily over the uneven bottom and lapping the edge of +the sand, and Whitney soon heard a splash against the starboard plank. + +He must now grapple with a fresh problem. The _Rowan_, drawing little +water when her centerboard was up, would shortly be afloat. Andrew had +not laid out an anchor, for it might be dangerous. If the anchor +failed to hold, she would sheer across the current before her keel +was quite off the bottom, and the leverage of the taut chain might +help the rush of water to press her down into the sand or roll her +over. One could take no chances with the Solway tide. Still, if left +unmoored, she would drive across the flats, away from his comrades. + +Whitney could not determine what to do; and while he waited in +tormenting indecision, the boat rose upright and the water swirled +furiously round her bilge. Then his heart leaped as a cry came out of +the dark, and soon afterward two indistinct figures appeared at the +side of the gut. + +"Be quick! She'll be off in a moment and the anchor's on board," he +shouted, pulling up the dinghy to row across. + +"Stay where you are!" Andrew called. "We can wade it. In with you, +Dick!" + +They were soon knee-deep and Whitney saw the current boil about their +legs when they stopped as the water got deeper, but Andrew encouraged +Dick, and they went on again and reached the yacht. Dick was panting, +but Andrew seemed quite cool. + +"I don't know about the anchor yet; we'll wait," he said, and stood +watching the tide ripple past. + +"It was lucky I met Andrew when I lost the channel," Dick said to +Whitney in a resentful tone. "You might have waited for me." + +"Hold on, Dick," interrupted Andrew. "Perhaps you'd better go below +and change your clothes." + +Dick left them; and soon afterward the boat began to move uneasily. + +"The stream's getting slack; the water must be coming through from the +other end," Andrew said. + +In another minute she slowly floated away and he threw the anchor off +the bow. + +"She'll ride to it, but as we needn't make sail until the flats are +covered, we'll go down and get supper." + +He changed his clothes while Whitney lighted the stove. + +"How did the lamp go out?" he asked presently. + +Whitney related his adventures, and Dick turned to him with a smile. + +"Sorry I was huffed, but I dare say you can make allowance for my +feelings. They'd got rather harrowed while I wandered about in the +dark. You did the right thing, of course, in going back." + +Dick made some coffee and when it was on the table Whitney was glad to +lean back on a locker and light his pipe. With two candle lamps +burning, the narrow cabin looked very snug and cheerful after the +desolate sands, and it was something to see Andrew sitting opposite, +safe but thoughtful. + +"Did you trim the lamp properly?" Dick asked, puzzled. + +"Of course," said Andrew, with a touch of dryness. "That's something I +don't often neglect. Mixed the oil myself--colza and a dash of +paraffin; and the lamp's the best I could get in Glasgow. Suppose you +bring it down." + +Dick did so, and Andrew took off the oil-container, which was nearly +full, and examined the burner. There was nothing wrong, and Whitney +noted the good workmanship of the fittings. + +"It couldn't go out," he said decidedly. + +"That," Andrew replied, frowning, "is my opinion; but as I came down +to the gutter I saw only two rows of footsteps, and you made those in +coming and going back to the dinghy. I can't say there wasn't another +track, because the light was faint so far from the boat; but we might +look about the deck and cabin-top to see if anybody has been on +board." + +"I'm afraid I mussed that all up with sand," Whitney pointed out. + +"But who'd want to come on board?" Dick asked. "Theft could be the +only object, and we'll soon find out about that." + +They looked round the cabin, but missed nothing. + +"A thief wouldn't have put out the light, because he'd know that might +bring us back before he got away," Dick elucidated; then turned to +Whitney. "What do you think?" + +"Well," said Whitney, smiling. "I've only one suggestion and it's +rather far-fetched. The thing might have been a plot to make us lose +the boat or, perhaps, make an end of us. If that's so, it nearly +succeeded." + +"Rot!" exclaimed Andrew. "Nobody would be twopence the richer for +putting me out of the way." + +"And I haven't an enemy in the world--unless it's myself," Dick +grinned. "I don't count the Kaiser, because the bad feeling's +patriotic; I've nothing personal against him." + +Andrew made a sign of impatience, and Whitney, watching him closely, +thought he felt disturbed. + +"Did you see anybody on the bank?" + +"No," Whitney answered. "I saw a small sail; a lugsail, I think, +because it was long on the head. It looked very black." + +"Tanned with blacklead and oil; one of the Annan whammel boats, most +likely. They drag a net for salmon, but wouldn't get any just now, as +the water's too smooth." + +"Then why were they out?" + +"After flounders, perhaps. But none of the Annan men would meddle with +our light. However, we'd better make a start if we mean to reach Rough +Firth this tide." + +"Now and then I'm glad I'm not much of a seaman," Dick laughed. "As +I'd probably pull the wrong string, I'll stay below and smoke." + +A cold east wind was blowing when Whitney went on deck, and after +hoisting sail they crept away against the tide. Whitney sounded with +the pole until he could no longer touch bottom, when Andrew seemed +satisfied. It was very dark, but two quivering beams pierced the +gloom. + +"Get the topsail down," Andrew ordered after a while. "We'll find the +stream that fills Rough Firth in a few minutes and it will take us up +fast enough." + +This proved correct, for shortly afterward the sea broke about them in +confused eddies, and the boat splashed and lurched as she crossed the +troubled space that divided the tides. Then she forged ahead very +fast, and blurred hills and shadowy cliffs soon loomed out. Whitney +used the sounding pole again, the cliffs grew plainer, and when the +land closed in on them, they dropped anchor. She brought up and, after +helping to stow the canvas, Whitney climbed into his folding cot. + +For a time he did not sleep but lay thinking about the extinguished +light. It seemed impossible that the lamp should have gone out +accidentally, and he was not satisfied that the explanation he had +humorously offered was altogether absurd. His friends had had another +narrow escape not long before, and it might be significant that +although they were together on both occasions, Andrew had run the +greater risk. Whitney admitted that this might be coincidence and he +must not let his imagination run away with him. One must use sense and +not wrap up in romantic mystery a matter that might be perfectly +simple. For all that, he meant to seize any clue that chance might +offer him. + +Next morning they landed and joined Murray at a village among the +hills. They spent the day upon the heather, working inland across +broad, grassy spaces and red moors where the sheep fled before them, +and then climbed a line of rugged hills. These were not high, but +Whitney found them romantically interesting as he scrambled among +black peat-hags where the wild cotton grew, up marshy ravines, and +past great granite boulders. Stopping now and then to get his breath, +he watched the line of small figures stretched out across the waste +and thought that nobody lurking among the stones and heather could +escape. Still, when the different detachments met upon a windy summit, +none of them had seen anything suspicious. + +"We've drawn blank," Murray remarked, as they ate some sandwiches +behind a boulder. + +"Yes," said Andrew. "If there is anything to be found out, I'd locate +it farther east." + +Murray looked at him keenly for a moment and then answered: + +"On the whole, I agree with you. It's my business, however, to search +where I am told." + +They went downhill soon afterward, and the next day the _Rowan_ sailed +west along the coast, carrying Dick, who had reluctantly consented to +go with the others. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE YOUNG OFFICER + + +It was a fine afternoon when the train ran down from the granite wilds +round Cairnsmuir into a broad green valley. Behind, the red heath, +strewn with boulders and scarred by watercourses, rolled upward into +gathering clouds; in front, yellow stubble fields and smooth meadows +lay shining in the light, with a river flashing through their midst. +Whitney, watching the scene from a window, thought the change was +typical of southern Scotland, which he had found a land of contrasts. + +They had left the _Rowan_ where the river mouth opened into a +sheltered, hill-girt bay, and walked up a dale that was steeped in +quiet pastoral beauty. It led them to a wind-swept tableland, in which +lonely, ruffled lakes lay among the stones, and granite outcrops +ribbed the desolate heath. There they had caught the train; and now it +was running down to well-tilled levels, dotted with trim white houses +and marked in the distance by the blue smoke of a town. Andrew had +chosen the route to show Whitney the country, and he admitted that it +had its charm. + +The train slowed down as it approached a station, and when it stopped +Dick jumped up. + +"I may be able to get a paper here," he said, and leaped down on to +the station platform, where shepherds with rough collies, +cattle-dealers, and quarrymen stood waiting. + +Dick vanished among the crowd; but a few moments later he returned +hurriedly, without his paper. + +"I nearly ran into old Mackellar!" he exclaimed with a chuckle. "But I +dodged him!" + +"Who is Mackellar?" Whitney asked. "One of your creditors?" + +"Worse than that. One of my trustees. I thought I'd better not meet +him; he might have felt embarrassed after what he said to me not long +ago." + +Alighting at the next station, they walked downhill to the narrow town +beside the Cree, and here they arranged to be driven up the waterside +to the shooting lodge where Whitney's mother was staying. After +standing on the bridge a while they went to the little inn. It was now +getting late in the afternoon, the hillside above the town shut out +the light, and the room they entered was rather dim. Dick stopped just +inside the door. + +"Mackellar!" he exclaimed; and turned to be off. + +"Dick! Ye're not going before ye speak to me?" + +"I want to show my friend the town," he explained with a laugh, but he +came forward and shook hands and presented Whitney. + +Mackellar was about fifty years of age, strongly built, and dressed in +quiet taste. He had a shrewd, thoughtful face, with a hint of command +in it, and there was a touch of formality in his manner, but Whitney +liked his faint, twinkling smile. + +"Weel," said the Scot, after they had talked a while, "ye may take +your friend out to see the town now, Dick; but, with Mr. Whitney's +leave, I'll keep your cousin here until ye come back." + +Whitney felt amused as he saw that Dick had failed in his rather +obvious intention of preventing the others from enjoying a private +talk. + +When Whitney and Dick had gone, Mackellar rang a bell that stood on +the table. "Ye'll join me with a glass o' wine," he said to Andrew. + +The wine was brought, and though Andrew did not hear what Mackellar +said to the waitress, he imagined that they would not be disturbed. + +"I would say Dick's new friend is to be trusted," Mackellar began when +they were alone. + +"Of course," said Andrew. "If I grasp what you mean, he'll do the boy +no harm; but he's really a friend of mine." + +"That should put the thing beyond all doubt," Mackellar replied, and +filled the glasses. + +Andrew waited. Mackellar was generally deliberate, but people valued +his opinion. He had been a lawyer, and in the small Scottish towns +lawyers are entrusted with their clients' investments, and, in +consequence, are often appointed agents by the banks. + +"I think ye see your duty to your cousin," Mackellar resumed. + +"Yes," said Andrew simply. "I wish I saw how it ought to be carried +out. I'm at a loss there." + +Mackellar's nod indicated sympathetic understanding. + +"Ye're young and want to see the whole road ahead. It's enough that ye +walk cannily, doing what seems needful as ye find it. For a' that, I'm +glad to hear ye feel that ye are responsible. It's some help to me." + +"Then you take a personal interest in him?" Andrew hesitated and +added: "I mean, if you understand, apart from your being a trustee." + +Mackellar smiled. + +"I understand. We're dour folk and not given to sentiment, but I think +we can be trusted to pay our debts, and Dick's father was a good +friend o' mine. It was the Appleyard business first put me on my feet. +Then your cousin is a likable lad; though he's given me trouble. But +we'll not dwell on that--there are other things to talk about." + +"Have you paid off his debts?" + +"Some. There are one or two for which the holders would not give up +his notes." + +"Why?" + +"They carry high interest and fall due at a future date. Then I have +reasons for thinking the holders are agents for a principal in the +background." + +"The fellow must take a risk, because Dick's not of age. Hasn't the +law something to say about a minor's debts?" + +"I'm not sure the risk is as big as it looks. Would ye expect a +Johnstone o' Appleyard to repudiate his obligations?" + +"No," said Andrew. "When you come to think of it, such a thing's +impossible." + +"Weel, there's another point; your cousin did not tell us all he +owed." + +Andrew frowned. + +"I must admit that I was afraid Dick hadn't been quite straight with +us. What's to be done? Can we take him away from Staffer?" + +"Why would ye wish that?" Mackellar asked sharply. + +"It's not easy to explain, and my position's difficult. Dick thinks +highly of the fellow, and I can't see anything that's openly wrong +with him. Still, one feels he hasn't a good influence on Dick." + +"Just that," Mackellar dryly returned. "Dick's mother put the lad into +Staffer's hands and I had no power to stop her. If Staffer abused his +position, it would give me a handle, but I cannot find fault with +anything he does. A careful, well-thought-of man, and exact to a penny +in the estate accounts." + +"And yet you don't trust him. If you did, you'd tell him about those +debts instead of me." + +"Weel," chuckled Mackellar, "there's maybe something in that." + +Andrew knitted his brows. + +"I feel that there's something going on, so to speak, behind the +scenes, but I can't tell what it is. Do you know that Dick's heart is +weak, and dissipation and excitement are bad for him?" + +"I heard something about it." Mackellar gave Andrew a steady, meaning +look. "Your cousin will not be in danger until he's twenty-one." + +"What danger do you mean?" Andrew asked uneasily. + +"I cannot tell--ye have heard that loose living is bad for him. He'll +be free from restraint when he comes of age." + +Andrew suspected that this was not all that Mackellar meant. + +"Suppose his creditors insisted on his insuring his life?" he asked. + +"There's a difficulty--insurance companies are not as a rule anxious +to take a man with a weak heart. For a' that--" Mackellar broke off +and sipped his wine in silence before he resumed: "I'll try to follow +up the matter of the notes and ye'll keep an eye on Dick. If ye remark +anything suspicious, ye will let me know. Now, I think there's no more +to be said." + +Andrew agreed, and lighted his pipe. He was troubled by vague +suspicions that Mackellar seemed to share. On the surface, the +suspicions looked somewhat ridiculous; but Andrew was not satisfied, +and Mackellar had admitted the need for vigilance. Well, he must keep +the best watch he could. + +Whitney came in while they sat there. + +"Dick's not back?" he said. "I thought I'd find him here." + +"Ye might try the bar," Mackellar replied, with a twinkle. "Mr. +Johnstone's not anxious to talk to me. How did ye lose him?" + +"I rather think he lost me," Whitney laughed; "but he knows we've +ordered tea and he'll be along soon." + +When the trap they had hired was waiting, Dick came in. His face was +flushed, and his eyes gleamed with amusement as he glanced at +Mackellar. + +"I shan't have to leave without a word or two, after all." + +"Well," said Mackellar, "ye cut it very fine. Where have ye been?" + +"In the other hotel. I found a number of people there. They'd been to +the Creetown sheep sales and were in a convivial mood. In fact, they +wouldn't let me go." + +"It's no doubt a matter o' taste, but one would not expect to find a +Johnstone o' Applegate colloging with drovers in a second-class bar," +Mackellar observed. + +Dick laughed. + +"I don't know that it makes much difference, but I was playing cards," +he said. + +"Losing money ye could not afford!" + +They drove away in a high-wheeled trap that is locally called a +machine. Andrew had set off in a serious mood, but it was difficult to +continue thoughtful in Dick's society, and he enlivened the way as +they followed the winding river. It led them up a long valley, past +turnip-fields, smooth pasture, and alder-fringed pools. The soil was +well tilled on their bank, but across the stream, birchwoods turning +yellow straggled up the barren hill slopes, and to the north, rugged +fells rose dark against the sky. By degrees the landscape changed. +There was less cultivation and the woods got thinner. Rough heath ran +down to the river, which foamed and brawled among the stones, and +white tufts of wild cotton shone among the peat. They were climbing to +a desolation of moor and bog that looked strangely wild and lonely in +the fading light. Then, as the shadows closed upon the wilderness, +lights blinked among the firs in a glen, a lodge gate was opened, and +a smooth drive led them to a straggling modern house. + +They were hospitably welcomed, and Andrew liked his host, a genial, +gray-haired man who had lately retired from business to spend his +well-earned leisure in outdoor sports. Whitney's mother and sister +also impressed him favorably. Mrs. Whitney was quiet and dignified, +and there was a touch of stateliness in Madge's refined beauty. At +first, Andrew felt shy of her and left her to Dick, but she soon set +him at his ease. Madge rang true, and he found that she could be +remarkably frank. + +On the evening after his arrival he strolled along the terrace talking +to her. A soft red glow still shone behind the firs that straggled up +the western end of the glen and the air was cool and still. They could +hear a little burn splashing in the shadow and the river tumbling +among the stones. + +"How do you like this place?" Andrew asked. "From what I've seen of +your country this is a change." + +"Yes," Madge said; "it's quiet. When we rusticate in the wilds we take +a troop of friends along. The environment we're used to goes with us. +Perhaps that's why I don't harmonize with a natural background as some +of your people do. Here, for instance, I feel I'm an exotic." + +"Exotics are generally beautiful and one likes them for their glow and +color. Ours is a land of neutral tints and I dare say it has an effect +upon our character." + +Madge laughed. + +"That's very nice of you, but it's difficult to judge your character. +You're not an expansive race, and, for another thing, there are no +young men about--though one must admit that's to their credit, just +now. It seems there's still an answer when you send round the Fiery +Cross." + +"Yes," said Andrew with a flush. "They were wanted somewhere else, and +they went." + +Andrew paused and Madge gave him a sympathetic glance. + +"Jim told me why you couldn't go," she said softly. "After all, you +have something to do at home, haven't you?" + +Andrew saw that she was well-informed about his affairs, but he did +not resent it. When he took his comrade into his confidence he did not +do so rashly; and that Whitney had told his sister only proved that +she could be trusted. Something in her manner and her frank, level +glance made him sure of this. + +"Well," he said hesitatingly, "it's nice to feel that one is needed; +though of course there's a risk of being officious." + +"I don't suppose Elsie thinks you officious for trying to look after +her cousin. He's quite charming, but I imagine he'll keep you busy." + +"I'm prepared for that," Andrew laughed; "and I don't mind the +trouble. Dick's a very likable fellow, and Elsie feels more satisfied +when I'm about. I wish you could meet her. Little Elsie's worth +knowing." + +"Little? Jim told me she was tall; regal, I think he said. In fact, +he's enthusiastic about her; and that makes me curious, because Jim's +taste is not often bad." + +"It isn't. But I always thought of her as little Elsie--she was a girl +when I left home. I can understand what struck your brother: I felt it +myself when I first saw her, after I came back." + +"Elsie had grown up?" + +"It wasn't quite that. She had grown up in the way I had expected, but +she had somehow grown beyond it. In fact, though I used to be a kind +of elder brother, she had caught me up and left me." + +He broke off as their host came toward them with Lieutenant Rankine, +a brown-faced young man, who had arrived on the previous afternoon. + +"I hear you're cruising about the Galloway coast," Rankine said to +Andrew. "If you happen to be between the Isle of Man and the Solway, I +dare say we shall meet, and we'll be glad to see you on board the +_Tern_." + +"The _Tern_?" Andrew looked his surprise. "She's--" + +"An antiquated barge!" Rankine laughed. "Well, she makes a handy +surveying craft, and the sea lords have lent me to the hydrographic +department. Rather a come down just now; but somebody must keep the +charts up to date." + +Andrew felt puzzled. Rankine had a capable look, and, being young, was +no doubt ambitious. It was curious that he should be satisfied with +the monotonous task of taking soundings, when the battleships were +watching for the enemy's fleet. He looked at Rankine keenly; but the +young lieutenant merely smiled back at him in a quizzical manner and +began to speak of shoals and tides. + +Madge slipped off to join her brother. + +"What do you think of my partner?" Whitney asked her. "Are you still +pleased with him?" + +"Entirely so; he improves, which doesn't often happen. In fact, he's +fine, if you get what I mean." + +"Well, I imagine Andrew's unique, but that doesn't quite hit it. +Suppose we say rare, in its old English sense. Anyhow, though I don't +know that he's very susceptible, I'd rather you didn't turn his head. +You are attractive when you exert yourself." + +Madge laughed. + +"He's proof against my charms. Andrew's earmarked for somebody else." + +"Elsie Woodhouse? Well, that struck me, but I don't know. He says it's +very probable that she'll marry Dick." + +"Andrew is in love with her himself," Madge said firmly; "though I +don't think he knows it yet. Dick's delightful, but the girl would +never be satisfied with him." + +"So I think; but you don't know her." + +"Your partner has told me about her." + +Whitney laughed. + +"Andrew has his talents, but the delineation of character's not his +strong point." + +"A precise description isn't always needed," Madge rejoined. "When you +have an image clearly stamped upon your mind, it's sometimes possible +to make others see it without saying very much. Your partner can do +that." + +"Perhaps you're right. He has now an idea that his country's somehow +threatened from the old main road to the south. On the face of it, the +idea's absurd, and yet he makes one feel that he's not quite +mistaken." + +Madge indicated Rankine, who was still talking to Andrew. + +"I wonder why they sent that man to a post where ability doesn't seem +to be required?" she questioned. + +"It's possible that Rankine's job is more important than he's allowed +to admit." + +He broke off, for Rankine was coming toward them, and he saw his +sister's face flush prettily. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE SIGNAL + + +A light breeze was blowing when the _Rowan_ ran into a confused tide +eddy in the mouth of Wigtown Bay. There had been more wind and the +swell it left was broken by the current into short, splashing seas +amid which the yacht lurched uneasily. It was four o'clock in the +afternoon and about two hours before high-water, and when the breeze +fell very light a stream that ran north from the disturbed patch swept +the _Rowan_ up the bay. + +Andrew frowned as he looked about. + +"She's right off her course, but it's too deep to anchor, and the +bottom's foul near the beach," he said. "We must let her drift until +the ebb sets in and carries her down along the opposite shore. We +ought to make Ramsey on the next flood." + +"At four or five o'clock in the morning!" Dick grumbled. "Well, I'm +glad I'm no use at the helm in the dark, and we may get a few hours' +smooth water before we round the Burrow Head. At present I'm wondering +why I came." + +"There's some water in the bilge, and it's your turn to pump," Whitney +remarked. + +"If she was half full, I wouldn't pump until this rolling stops," Dick +said firmly. + +The sea got smoother as they drifted along the coast, and presently +ran in faint undulations that gleamed like oil where their surface +caught the light. The days, however, were getting short, and soon the +long tongue of land across the bay cut low and black against the +sunset. The hills to the eastward were gray and dim, a heavy dew began +to fall, and a pale half-moon came out. Now and then a puff of wind +from the south rippled the glassy water and drove the yacht farther up +the bay. + +When an inlet began to open out ahead Dick took up the glasses. + +"We ought to find water enough across the sands to Gatehouse," he +said. "I'd a good deal rather sleep ashore and we'd get a much better +meal at the Murray Arms than Whitney can cook." + +"We can't get ashore without a breeze," Andrew replied. + +"There's somebody going up. I can see a lugsail boat beyond the +point." + +Andrew took the glasses from him. The light had nearly gone and mist +hung about the shore, but a belt of water shone with a pale gleam, +against which a distant boat stood out sharply. + +"She looks like one of the Annan whammelers; they use a sail with a +shorter head in the West, but I can't see what an Annan man would be +doing here." + +Putting up the glasses, he thoughtfully filled his pipe. + +"The night our lamp went out on Mersehead sands," Whitney said, "I saw +a lugsail boat. What kind of fellows are the whammelers?" + +"Unusually good seamen. The boats are small, but they turn out in very +wild weather when the salmon are about." + +"That was not what I meant." + +"Oh, they're a sturdy, honest lot; but you don't often find a set of +men that doesn't include a wastrel." + +Soon a white light and a green one twinkled some distance behind the +yacht, and Dick called attention to it. + +"That steamer's moving slowly," he said. + +"A trawler, I expect. She's probably waiting until it's dark, when +she'll put her lights out and drop her net. I understand the Fishery +Board forbid trawling here." + +They said nothing further, and the _Rowan_ drifted shoreward with an +eddy of the tide, which had begun to turn. The moon was half obscured +by haze, but they could see a wall of cliff to starboard with a narrow +line of surf at its foot. Part of the wall seemed detached from the +rest and Andrew explained it to Whitney. + +"That's Barennan Island. This strip of coast was a favorite haunt of +Dirk Hatteraik's, but tradition locates his cove at Ravenshall, across +the inlet yonder. It might have been convenient for running contraband +up the Cree and Fleet, but the shore abreast of us has better +hiding-places, besides being nearer open sea." + +"Dirk's been dead a long time, and has no successors in the business," +Dick interposed. "His men probably were more ruffianly than romantic, +but they must have given the neighborhood an interest, with their +signal fires, their vessels running in at dark, and their pack-horses +winding through the moors-- The trawler's gone!" + +"Impossible," Andrew said quietly. "She hasn't had time to steam +farther than we could see her lights." + +"Then she's put them out. Perhaps the net's over." + +"What's that light ashore?" Whitney asked. + +A twinkling flash appeared on the high, black cliff behind the island +and went out, but after a moment or two flickered up again and, +growing brighter, burned for a time. + +"It looks as if the smugglers weren't quite extinct," Whitney +remarked. + +Andrew made no comment, but when a cool breeze came off the land he +edged the boat closer to the beach. It showed as a gray blur beneath +the crag, hardly distinguishable except for the white fringe of surf. + +"I'm curious about that light," he admitted. "I'd have said it was +somebody baiting a long-line or looking for lobsters, only that the +fellow wouldn't have waited for high-water. Then, it was too brilliant +for a lantern." + +"Let's go ashore, Whitney," suggested Dick, anticipating adventure of +some kind. + +"All right," Andrew replied. "Scull in instead of rowing: it's +quieter. And take the small cask and ask if there's a spring about if +you meet anybody." + +Whitney launched the light dinghy and put an oar in the sculling notch +when Dick joined him. The swell looked higher than it had appeared +from the yacht, and as he heard it tumbling among the stones he +wondered how they were to land. Besides, it was difficult to keep the +lurching craft on a straight course. He stopped sculling when a weedy +ledge of rock with a white wash running over it appeared in the +gloom. + +"Go on," said Dick. "Keep the reef to starboard. There's a cove. I've +been here before." + +Swinging past the ledge as an undulation rolled in, they were met by +its broken recoil; but Whitney drove the craft through this, and a few +moments later ran her on to a narrow beach. Quietly lifting the boat +beyond the reach of the water, they made for the cliff. After a few +yards they came to large, rough stones, and Dick stopped. Everything +was quiet except for the splash of the surf, and the wall of rock rose +above them, black and mysterious. + +"We couldn't see anybody against that background," he said in a low +voice; "and it's difficult to move quietly among these stones. I think +we'll try the crag." + +It took them longer to reach it than Whitney expected, but presently +Dick stopped in front of a mass of fallen rock. + +"Follow me close; the path isn't good," he said. + +They went up carefully, feeling for a foothold among the stones, until +they came to a ledge that ran upward across the face of the cliff. +Whitney could see nothing below him, but he followed Dick, and after a +while they reached a ravine filled with tangled grass and heath, which +led them to the summit. Here they lay down behind a whinn bush and +then Whitney understood why his companion had chosen the position. The +moon was hidden, but the sea reflected an elusive light that +distinguished it from the blackness of the land. Anybody moving along +the beach would show against the glimmer of the water. Whitney could +not see the _Rowan_, but Andrew had, no doubt, steered a course that +would bring the island behind her canvas. It was, of course, possible +that their landing had been noticed; but the dinghy was very small +and the dull roar of the surf would have drowned the noise they made. + +Turning quietly, Whitney looked inland across high, rolling ground. It +was all obscure, but in the hollows there were gray patches, which he +supposed were belts of mist, and two or three dim lights twinkled in +the distance. Now and then a bleating of sheep and the whistle of a +curlew came down the cold wind. There was nothing to rouse suspicion, +and Whitney began to think of going back. Just then Dick touched him. + +A shadowy figure showed against the water a short distance from where +they had landed, and then a flickering beam of light fell upon the +sea. It was too bright for an ordinary lantern, and Whitney could not +see where it came from, but after a moment or two it was abruptly cut +off. + +"There's another cove behind the point and I think I know a way down," +Dick whispered. "Come on as quickly as you can!" + +The figure vanished, but as the light was obviously a signal, it was +worth an effort to learn something about the men who had made it. When +Whitney got on his feet, Dick had already started. They turned down +the landward slope of the crag, where they stumbled among prickly +whinns and long heather. In a few minutes, Dick was breathing hard, +but he kept up the pace, and they presently came to a ravine that +seamed the front of the cliff. It looked dangerously steep and there +was no evidence of a path, but Dick went down, following a runlet of +water, and now and again catching at the grass and stones to check his +descent. Whitney, following as closely as he could, hoped that the +ravine did not end in a precipice. + +They came to one steep drop, and at the bottom of it Whitney stumbled +into a hole among the stones. When he got up, Dick was some distance +below him, but he could distinguish his figure against the sea. No +sound but the growl of the surf reached them; but this was loud enough +to drown any footsteps on the beach and cover their rather noisy +descent. Whitney reached the edge of the pool where the runlet of +water widened, and was looking for a way across it when he saw Dick +stagger. He swayed in a curious way, as if trying to recover his +balance, and then suddenly disappeared. Whitney splashed through the +water and came to the edge of a very steep slope. He could not see the +bottom, but he scrambled down, clinging to the stones; and after +sliding the last few yards he found himself on the beach. Dick lay +motionless on a slab of rock near by. + +"Are you badly hurt?" he asked, breathlessly. + +"No," Dick said faintly. "Leave me alone a while." + +Whitney sat down beside him, feeling alarmed. The dinghy was some +distance off, and he did not know whether it could be reached by the +beach. It would be impossible to carry Dick across the rough stones +without help; the _Rowan_ was too far off for Andrew to hear a call; +and he did not want to leave the boy, who might be seriously injured. + +"Do you feel better?" Whitney asked presently. + +"Don't talk," said Dick. "I'll be all right presently." + +Whitney waited anxiously, and five minutes later Dick held out his +hand. + +"Give me a lift; I'll try to get up." + +He got upon his feet with Whitney's help, but leaned on him heavily +for a minute. + +"I can move along slowly," he said; "there's a way across the point." + +They were some time in crossing the slippery rocks, but at last +Whitney helped the lad down to the sand and felt keen satisfaction +when they came to the dinghy. + +"I'm much better," Dick said as Whitney pushed off. "I must have been +half stunned--guess I knocked my head as I fell down the last bit." + +"Is it cut?" + +"Don't fuss!" Dick answered irritably. "She'll wash back up the beach +if you don't pull." + +Whitney occupied himself with the oars; but he felt puzzled. Dick +seemed to have turned dizzy before he fell; and although it was +possible that he struck his head, his statement that he had done so +looked like an afterthought. It was, however, his business now to find +the _Rowan_, and he could see by the way the cliff slid past that the +tide was running down. He had to pull hard to get near the island, and +the wind was rising, but soon he distinguished a patch of dark canvas, +and a few minutes later he ran the dinghy alongside the yacht. + +"Lash the helm and come below!" he called to Andrew, after helping +Dick on board. + +Andrew stopped to throw a sail over the skylight when Whitney lighted +the lamps, and then went down and looked at Dick, who lay on a locker. +His face was very white, his lips had a blue tint, and the veins +showed dark on the back of his colorless hands. + +"I think you had better have a drink," he said, taking out a whisky +bottle. + +Dick drained the glass. + +"That's good; I'll soon be all right. I slipped when we were coming +down the crag and pitched over the edge of the steep bottom part." + +"He thinks he hit his head," Whitney added. + +Andrew felt Dick's head in spite of his objections. + +"There is a lump, but not large. It doesn't account for the shock you +seem to have got." + +"If you had fallen down that rock, I don't suppose you'd feel very +fit. But give me a cigarette and ask Jim to tell you what we saw." + +Andrew gave him the cigarette and then looked out the scuttle. A +breeze had got up, blowing off the land, and the yacht was drifting +seaward with her loose mainsail flapping and her jib aback. She would +need no attention; so he closed the hatch and sat down to listen to +Whitney's story. + +"Do you think they heard Dick fall?" he asked. + +"I can't say. It's possible, though the swell was breaking noisily on +the beach." + +"It's a curious affair," said Andrew. "I saw the light and was glad +I'd kept the boat in the gloom of the island. It certainly looks as if +the steamer that put her lights out and the whammel boat that crept in +to the land at dusk had some connection with each other. Then I +thought I heard oars shortly before you came off." + +"Suppose the boatmen had meant to signal the vessel, why should they +land when they could have lighted a flare on board?" + +"It would have shone all round," said Andrew. "By coming ashore they +got the crag for a screen and a high platform. The light could be seen +farther off, but only from the sea." + +"But what would they want to signal from a place like this, and whom +would they signal to?" + +"I don't pretend to know. It's a long distance from a main line, but a +fast car would cover a good deal of ground in an hour or two." + +Andrew stopped, and, taking a chart from a rack, pointed to the narrow +channel between Scotland and Ireland. + +"You see how close Fair Head is to Kintyre," he resumed. "Well, all +the shipping from the Clyde and a good deal from Liverpool passes +through that gap. You can imagine what would happen if it were filled +with mines." + +"The difficulty is that the mine-sowers would be seen. The lighthouses +on Rathlin and Kintyre command the channel." + +"It's hard to see a vessel that carries no lights, and a mine-sower +wouldn't proclaim his intentions. There's a big fleet of trawlers +working in the Irish Sea, and a stranger would excite no remark by +slipping in among them. It wouldn't take long to paint on a registered +number and copy the funnel of a steam fishing company." + +"So Rankine has another duty besides taking soundings! A small survey +vessel could cruise about among the shoals without attracting much +notice. Her business would be obvious, but that needn't stop her crew +from watching out." + +"Well," said Andrew, "it isn't difficult to form a theory to fit the +few things we know. However--" + +"It would probably be all wrong when you'd made it," Dick broke in. + +"I'm glad you're feeling better," Andrew smiled. "I'll go up and look +after the boat." + +He left the scuttle open and they heard blocks rattle as he hauled the +main sheet, and the soft splashing at the bows as the yacht gathered +speed. + +"I'm not sure it was the blow on your head that knocked you out, +Dick," Whitney said. "You reeled as if you were getting faint before +you fell." + +"Well, suppose I did? I may have been running harder than was good for +me; but can't you understand that one shrinks from making a fuss about +one's weaknesses?" + +"Of course. This means you want to keep the real explanation from your +cousin?" + +"I'd very much rather nobody knew. Falling on your head is a good +enough reason for feeling faint, and, as a matter of fact, I hit it +hard enough." + +"Very well," agreed Whitney. "I suppose I must say nothing, since you +have taken me into your confidence." + +"You might let my cot down and pull out the blankets. I'm not quite +right yet, to tell the truth. I think I'll go to sleep." + +Whitney arranged the cot for him, and then, going up on deck, sat in +the cockpit while the _Rowan_ stretched across the bay before a fresh +easterly breeze. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A FALSE ALARM + + +Heavy rains lashed the windows at Appleyard and a wild west wind +buffeted the house. Between the gusts one could hear the wail of +storm-tossed trees and the distant roar of the flood tide foaming +across the Solway sands. It was, however, warm and bright within the +thick granite walls, and Andrew lounged in a corner of the +billiard-room after dinner, watching Elsie knit. She was making a +soldier's woolen belt, and he noted the precise neatness of the work. +Elsie was conscientious in all she did, but he thought this view of +the matter did not go far enough. The care with which she linked up +the stitches was deepened by love. + +"It will be a lucky man who gets the belt," he remarked. "We must hope +he isn't by any chance one of our enemies." + +Elsie looked up with a smile. + +"After all, I wouldn't mind that very much, so long as he needed it. +It must be dreadful to lie out, cold and hungry, in the snow." + +"It is," said Andrew. "I've done something of the kind. Of course +you're right; but ordinary people would rather help their own side, +particularly when the other seems to be singularly unchivalrous." + +He stopped as he saw a tinge of color creep into her face; but she +quietly met his apologetic glance. + +"I know you didn't mean to hurt. I do remember sometimes, that, in a +sense, I belong to the other side." + +"You can't help that, and you're Scottish to the backbone in all that +matters." + +Elsie's eyes twinkled. + +"You're not making it much better, but perhaps you'd lose something if +you were not so frank. One distrusts people who always say the proper +thing." + +Andrew glanced at a well-dressed, handsome man who was playing +billiards with Dick. He came to Appleyard for a day or two now and +then, and had been there when Andrew arrived from Canada. + +"Does that mean you don't quite trust Williamson? I've sometimes +wondered whether it's his right name." + +Elsie looked thoughtful and answered with some hesitation: + +"I don't think it is. He hasn't a trace of foreign accent and his ways +are ours, but I can't help feeling that he does not belong to us. Then +I've noticed that he never talks to Mother much. But of course it's +only changing his name that matters, not where he was born. Our +enemies are not all treacherous and cruel. You have seen the portraits +Mother has of her own people, and three or four were soldiers. They +have kind, true faces. I think they were men with an unusual sense of +duty." + +"You see what's best in everybody," Andrew replied. "But if there are +good fellows on the other side, why do they behave like savages?" + +"Ah!" said Elsie, and was silent for a few moments. + +Andrew glanced at his cousin, who had soon recovered from his fall. +He was now chalking his cue, and his eyes had an excited glitter. A +syphon and a whisky bottle stood on a table near by, and Andrew +wondered whether Elsie had noticed that Dick's glass was full again. + +"I'll beat you if I can make that cannon," Dick was saying. + +"Half a sovereign you don't; but you had better not take me," +Williamson replied. "It would need a professional's stroke." + +Andrew surmised that they were not playing for mere amusement. + +"You can't do it, Dick!" Whitney said; and his tone was restraining, +while Andrew imagined that Williamson's was meant to be provocative. + +Dick raised his glass and put it down again half empty before he +poised his cue. + +"Watch me!" + +He made the cannon; but something in his hot face suggested that it +had been a nervous strain, and he turned to the table at once to +refill his glass. + +"Now," he said, "I think the game is mine." + +His play was clever, but Andrew, watching closely, imagined that +Williamson was not doing quite his best. It was difficult to say what +gave him the impression, but he was a judge of matters that needed +accurate judgment and steadiness of hand. Williamson was cool and +skilful, but he missed a cannon he ought to have made, and there was a +break he bungled. It looked as if he did not want to win. That was +curious, for Andrew did not think he felt any hesitation about taking +Dick's money. + +Dick reached out for his glass without turning round, and Whitney, +standing behind him, neatly struck the bottle with his elbow in +stepping back. It rolled across the table, upsetting the glass, and +fell upon the floor. + +"I'm sorry," he apologized simply. + +Dick regarded him with an ironical grin. "I'll have to ring for +another," he said. + +Andrew wondered how much Elsie understood; and he was not deceived by +her unchanged expression. Elsie was quick and did not always show her +feelings. + +"You made some brilliant strokes, but your play's a bit erratic," +Williamson said to Dick. "It might be worth your while to study some +of the good professionals. That reminds me, there's an interesting +semi-private match next Thursday, and I've friends at the club." + +He mentioned two players whom Andrew had heard of, and the door opened +while he added something about the match. Andrew was watching his +cousin and did not look up, and it was a few moments later when he saw +that Staffer had come in. + +"I've been suggesting that Dick should come to town to-morrow," +Williamson said. "I can show him some good billiards." + +"I can't stop him, although I imagine he'd better stay at home," +Staffer answered with a smile. "As he has been warned to keep regular +hours and that sort of thing, it's possible that the excursion might +not be good for him. Dick's rather too keen a sportsman." + +Andrew could find no obvious fault with Staffer's reply. On the +surface, it was tactful; but something in his manner made it inciting +instead of deterrent. + +"You arranged to take us snipe-shooting on Wednesday," he reminded his +cousin. + +"So I did," Dick admitted. "Still, we could fix another day. We might +get a woodcock if we waited a bit." + +"I'm keen on snipe," Whitney interposed. "Besides, we're going down +the coast again at the end of the week." + +Staffer gave him a quick glance and Dick seemed to hesitate. + +"That makes a difference; but you could go without me. I'm not a crack +shot." + +"You know all about snipe, and where to find a cock," Andrew insisted. +"They ought to be here now and it's a long time since I bagged one." + +"Oh, well!" said Dick. "You mustn't be disappointed, and we'll try to +show Whitney the best sport we can." + +Elsie looked at Andrew and he saw that she was grateful; but Staffer +came across to where he sat. + +"I met Marshall, the salmon fisher, in Annan, and he mentioned that +they had run the Burnfoot boats up this afternoon," he said. "There +was a big surf last high-water, and he asked if you had been down to +the yacht. It looked as if he thought you ought to go." + +Andrew turned to Whitney. + +"Is the motorcycle all right, Jim?" + +"Take the car," suggested Staffer. "Watson won't have housed her yet." + +They started in three or four minutes; but it was not the _Rowan_ that +Andrew thought about as the big car throbbed at full speed through the +dark. He had kept Dick at Appleyard, and Williamson would be gone +to-morrow, which was something to the good, because Dick was apt to +get out of hand when the man was there. Andrew thought he made rash +bets with him, and he certainly drank more than usual. It was his duty +to look after Dick; but it was getting harder to do so for Elsie's +sake, and at times when he thought of his task in this light he had to +master a feeling of bitterness. Dick was not good enough for Elsie. +Still, if she really loved him, she would be able to keep him +straight. He knew the protective tenderness she felt for him. This +might be different from the love she could give a lover; but Andrew +would not follow up that line of thought. It might lead to false hopes +and to shabby conduct of which he would always be ashamed. + +It was near high-water when they left the car at the end of a miry +road and struggled across a common to the beach. The roar of the sea +filled the air and driving sand stung their faces, but they carried +the dinghy down and, wading out some distance through the surf, got on +board. After a few minutes' hard pulling they reached the yacht, and +Andrew looked about while he felt the cable. + +"The anchor's holding, but perhaps we'd better take the kedge farther +out," he said. + +It cost them half an hour's hard work; for they had to follow up the +heavy warp while angry, broken waves splashed into the dinghy; and +then, after tearing the anchor out of the sand, they had to row some +distance against the drag of the rope. At last, however, Andrew was +satisfied. + +"I'm not sure all that was necessary, but it was wiser to make things +safe," he said, when they carried the dinghy up on the shore. + +Whitney did not answer, and as they passed a sod cabin on the common a +man came out. + +"Is that you, Jock?" Andrew asked. "It's a wild night, and when Mr. +Staffer told me what you said I thought I'd come down to see how the +boat was riding." + +"It's wild enough," agreed the fisherman; and Whitney recognized him +as the man who had come on board on the morning after their arrival. +"What was it Mr. Staffer said?" + +"I can't remember exactly, but I understood you thought the boat might +drag." + +"Weel, I wouldna' say that was impossible, but ye hae good ground +tackle." + +Whitney looked hard at him, but he could not see the Scot's face well. + +"And Mr. Staffer sent ye off in his car to see if she was a' right?" +Marshall chuckled. + +"I don't know that he sent us. He said we could use the car." + +"He's a thoughtful man, but I wouldna' say Watson would be +pleased--he'd be wanting to wash her. Onyway, ye needna' fash about +the boat. I'll be here until the tide rins doon and if onything needs +doing, I'll see til it." + +"Thanks," said Andrew. "Do you know if one of the whammel boats has +gone west?" + +"Yin's gone; I dinna ken where. A shooting man frae Edinbro' bought +Tarn Grahame's _Nance_. Him and another took her off soon after ye +came." + +"How do you know he was an Edinburgh man?" + +"There was a Waverley label on his portmanteau and he didna' speak +like us. Still, I alloo it might have been Inverness." + +"And the man who was with him?" + +"Ye canna' tell where a man comes frae when he keeps his mouth shut, +but he was a sailor by the way he handilt the gear." + +Andrew asked no more questions, and they went back to the car. When +they reached Appleyard Dick met them in the hall. + +"I've found a way of letting you have your shooting," he said in an +apologetic tone. "Young Ross will go with you. There isn't a snipe in +the mosses he doesn't know about. If there's any sport to be had, +he'll see you get it." + +"I suppose this means you're going with Williamson?" + +"I really want to go, if you don't mind very much. I may be back +before you leave and you'll only be away a week." + +"That's so," said Andrew, "Well, you'd better bear in mind what the +doctor told you." + +He moved on, frowning, and presently found Elsie in the drawing-room. + +"I did my best, but Dick's going with Williamson," he said. "You +didn't want him to?" + +"No," she answered frankly, but with some embarrassment. "Of course, +there's no obvious reason for our interfering." + +"That was my difficulty. Dick will soon be master here. I'm only his +guest, and Williamson is a friend of Staffer's. Nobody knows anything +against the man." + +"And yet--" Elsie stopped. + +"I'm vexed? You can take it that I don't like to be beaten, +particularly by my youthful cousin," Andrew answered with a smile, +wishing to allay her uneasiness. + +Staffer and Mrs. Woodhouse came in then; and when the party broke up +for the night, Whitney went with Andrew to his room. + +"I guess you noticed the coincidences that happened this evening," he +said, sitting on the broad window-seat and lighting a cigarette. + +"I feel rather annoyed by Dick, if that is what you mean," Andrew +replied in a discouraging tone. + +Whitney smiled. + +"Not altogether that. One,"--enumerating them on his fingers--"you try +to stop his going with the fellow and just about put it over. Two, +Staffer mentions the boat and rushes us off in his car. Three, +Marshall says the boat's all right and hints Staffer may have mistaken +his remarks. Four, we return and find that Dick has changed his plans. +Five,--" + +"Oh, I'll admit that Staffer is a clever fellow," Andrew interrupted. +"I've known that for some time." + +"I've an idea that Mackellar's on his trail; and--well, if you need +me, I'm ready. You're playing a straight game, and I want you to win. +It would be a fine thing for you to save Dick; and Elsie expects it of +you. Then, Staffer knows he's up against you. Keep it at that; it's +quite enough for the present." + +"You mean there's something else going on?" Andrew said in a curiously +quiet voice. + +"Of course! But you want to let Staffer think you're only fighting him +for your cousin. He can understand that and won't suspect you of +guessing he's engaged in another game. I'll play up to you as much as +I can. Staffer doesn't take much stock in me." + +"But what object can he have?" + +"Can't say," Whitney answered non-committally. "But he may be forced +to show his hand. Well, I'll get along to bed." + +Dick started for London with Williamson the next morning; and he let +himself go when he got there. With his companion's help, he spent +several days and the greater part of several nights in exciting +amusements and adventures. It was not often the sparkling cup of +pleasure was held out to him full, and he drained it to the dregs. As +one result of this, he did not feel quite up to the mark; but Dick was +something of a philosopher and knew that one cannot get anything +without payment. Besides, if quietness was good for him, it was to be +had in abundance at Appleyard. + +For all that, when he left Euston at midnight, a reaction had begun, +and he wondered whether he had made the pace too hot. On reflection, +however, he suspected that it had rather been made for him and he had +tactfully been encouraged to fall into his companion's stride. Well, +he had had a glorious time; but he wished his head did not ache so +badly and he could get rid of the unpleasant, shaky feeling that +troubled him, because there was some business he must talk over with +Williamson before they reached Rugby. + +"We had better get things settled now," he said. "Your friend, +Marsden, has my note for thirty pounds, but you paid the other +fellows, as well as for that supper, and the hotel bill. How much am I +in?" + +Williamson took out his notebook, and Dick got a shock. + +"Forty pounds in an evening!" he exclaimed. "I knew I was going it, +but this is a bit of a facer. With all the other things, it's a pretty +hot pace; especially as I have just half a sovereign left." + +"You needn't be disturbed about it. Your promise is good enough; I can +wait." + +"We can't leave it at that," Dick objected, and added with a forced +grin: "Besides, you might have to wait some time." + +"Then what do you propose?" + +Dick wished his head were clearer, for he was getting dizzy. + +"I thought you might see Craven and arrange the thing with him. Of +course, he's holding a good lot of my paper, but he gets good +interest." + +Williamson produced a fountain pen and a sheet of paper. + +"Very well. As it happens, I expect to meet him to-morrow." + +It struck Dick that the man was suspiciously prompt; indeed he seemed +to have been waiting for the request. + +Dick suddenly felt as if he were suffocating; he could not breathe, +and his dizziness was turning to blackness. He threw up the window and +leaned his head on the sill, gasping once or twice. It was a dark +night and the express was traveling fast. Its lights sped smoothly +along the black hedgerows beside the line and flashed across water +lying on swampy fields. Blurred trees raced past, twinkling points +were suddenly pricked in the obscurity a mile away and then rushed +back and vanished, and a faint glimmer flickered in the sky ahead. +Dick thought this marked Rugby, and sitting back again, he tried to +pull himself together. + +"I'll make it enough to cover everything and put us straight," he said +as he took the pen. + +He found writing difficult, for the bracing effect of the cold wind +was wearing off, but the note was written and Williamson carefully put +it into his pocket-book before looking at his watch. + +"We're due in a few minutes," he said. "Will you get down and have a +drink? You don't look very fit." + +"No," Dick answered. "If I'd had fewer drinks in town I'd probably +feel better now." + +The speed began to slacken and Williamson collected his belongings. +Dick handed him his coat as the train stopped, but did not shake hands +with him. Somehow he felt he would rather not. After a careless +good-by, Williamson jumped down, and Dick sat in a corner, struggling +against the faintness that was overcoming him. He would feel better +when the train started, but he must be alone; he could not have people +looking at him while he felt as he did. + +Nobody else got in; he heard the guard's whistle and then the engine +begin to pant. There was a jerk and the lights on the platform drifted +past; but his head was reeling and he could not get his breath. +Falling away from the corner, he made a half-conscious effort to keep +on the seat, and for some time afterward he remembered nothing. + +He was roused by a rattle that swelled into a roar; and, getting up +shakily, he saw the lights of a station flash past. There were other +lights all around, running back into the distance in rows, while the +red glow of fires that streamed above the roofs seemed to indicate a +manufacturing town. Dick noted this vacantly, for he felt weak and +cold. They must be in Lancashire, and he had lain in a dead faint for +a long time. With difficulty he pulled up the window and got back to +his corner. + +"If this kind of thing happens often, the fellows who hold my notes +will get a painful shock," he thought, with a wry smile, and closed +his eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE WRECK + + +Pale moonlight trembled across the foaming sea and faded again as the +_Rowan_, rolling hard, bore up for the Solway. Whitney held the helm, +his lips set and his brows knitted, for with the savage wind astern +the yacht was hard to steer. The small storm-jib ran water as it swung +above the seas, and the black, close-reefed mainsail lurched to and +fro, lifting its heavy boom high above Whitney's head, at the risk of +carrying away the mast if he let it jibe across. Andrew stood in the +cockpit, with the spray rattling like shot on his oilskins, his night +glasses steadied on the cabin top as he searched the sea ahead. He saw +enough to daunt a stranger to the firth. + +The hills along the western shore were indicated by a vague blackness +devoid of outline, but Andrew could distinguish a belt of broken water +that stretched across his course and faded into the gloom. The backs +of the seas were toward him and he noted how their crests were cut off +by the wind as they curled against the tide, which was running down +the firth. In some places their length and regularity indicated depth +of water, but, for the most part, they boiled in frothy confusion +across the shoals. A steady beam of light stretched out from the +shore, but this was not much guide to the intricate channel through +the sands. While he watched, the moon came out, and as its light +widened, smooth, bright patches became visible amidst the turmoil. +These were the tops of the banks that the tide was leaving. + +Andrew put down the glasses and, stooping under the cabin hatch, +lighted his pipe. + +"It's rather late to try for Rough Firth, but I'm not sure I could +find the Barbara Deep if we let her run. If we missed it and went +ashore, she'd soon break up." + +"That is not to be thought of," said Whitney. + +"Well, I suppose the proper thing would be to set the trysail and try +to beat her out; but with the tide knocking up the sea, she'd nearly +wash us off when she came on the wind." + +"She's wet enough running before it, and I don't feel like pumping +hard all night. Can't you think of another plan?" + +Andrew occupied himself with the bearing of the light, while Whitney +braced his aching arms against the tiller. He was tired; for they had +spent several nights pushing the dinghy across the flats at the head +of a distant bay, and a couple of bernicle geese and some mallards lay +in the forecastle. The last night had been passed rolling violently at +anchor on a disturbed swell, and they had been at sea since dawn in +weather that made cooking impossible and demanded constant +watchfulness. + +"I think," Andrew said presently, "I could find the Horseshoe Spit, +and we'd get shelter behind it. In fact, the sea shouldn't get in at +all after half ebb, and daylight won't be far off when the tide covers +the flats again." + +He took the helm and Whitney got down out of the wind and spray. +Andrew would tell him when he was wanted, and in the meantime the +sight of the wet sands that broke out from the welter of surf was not +encouraging. It was reassuring to feel that Andrew knew his business; +for if he made a mistake now, the _Rowan_ would probably be hammered +to pieces in the next half hour. + +Fortunately, the moonlight got brighter, and when Andrew called +Whitney they were running up a channel with a strip of glistening sand +astern and a wild turmoil of foaming water close on their port hand. +This, no doubt, marked the Horseshoe Spit, with the tide streaming +across it to meet the surf. Whitney could not see how they had avoided +the bank astern; but he was not given much time to look about. + +"Stand by the big anchor!" Andrew called to him. "Drop it when I tell +you and let the kedge go after she sheers!" + +The _Rowan_ came up head to wind, and Whitney was hard at work for the +next few minutes, handling heavy chain that ran out furiously and then +stopped until he dragged more up from below, paying out the thick +kedge-warp that coiled all about the deck, and lashing the thrashing +jib to the bowsprit. Then he and Andrew got the mainsail down and the +boat rode to her moorings; though she was not at rest. Sometimes the +wind drove her up against the tide and the short waves washed on deck; +sometimes the current swept her back, while the tightening cable rang +and it looked as if she must drag her anchors and ground upon the +surf-swept bank. + +After watching her for a few minutes, Andrew seemed satisfied and +they went below, where Whitney lighted the stove. + +"I've eaten nothing but a lump of wet bread and a bit of canned beef +since morning, and now I want a meal," he said. + +"Then, you'll have to hold the frying-pan on, and trim the table +cleverly if you want to keep the food off the floor." + +"I'll try. There's a charm in small boat sailing, but it's a charm +that only gets you by degrees, and one finds it hard to say what it +consists of on nights like this. I don't like being wet and hungry, +and I hate to feel cold, and yet here I am, in a gale of wind, behind +the Horseshoe Spit!" + +"It's curious," said Andrew, smiling. "I dare say there are instincts +in human nature that neither of us understands. But you'd better watch +your job; you're running the ham fat all over the stove." + +Whitney dished the ham and made some coffee, cut a loaf that was not +very wet, and took out a sticky jar of marmalade. Leaning forward from +the lockers, they began to eat; but care was needed in taking things +from the table, which swiveled above the centerboard-trunk, for a rash +movement would precipitate all it held upon the sloppy floorings. + +Whitney got rather knocked about as he put the things away. For a time +afterward he contrived to lie on the locker; then he knocked out his +pipe and sat listening. The chain cable jarred across the stem, the +halyards slapped the mast, and through the shrill scream of wind came +in deep undertone the roar of the sea. + +"It sounds pretty bad, but I've been banged about for the last twelve +hours and nobody could sleep while this racket goes on," he said. "Is +that sand hard, and could one get on to it?" + +"I think so, and I'd like to see the channel. We might have some +trouble in pulling across, but it will be smoother coming back." + +"Very well," said Whitney. "Things will be a bit more comfortable +then, and I've had enough." + +They went on deck, but he half regretted his suggestion as they +launched the dinghy. The moon was covered by driving clouds, and in +the darkness the sea raged about the yacht. It was not high, because +the tide was falling and the water shoaling fast, but it broke angrily +and the air was thick with spray. As soon as the dinghy was overboard +they jumped into her and while Whitney got out the oars Andrew pushed +her clear of the rolling yacht. The current swept them away, but a +furious gust whipped the channel, throwing up a haze of spindrift, and +they were blown back past the _Rowan_ in spite of Whitney's efforts. +It was a minute or two before he could control the craft, but he +fought his way to windward until a ridge of wet sand began to shelter +them. When this was reached they dragged her up and set off across the +bank. + +It was hardly possible to see a dozen yards and they struggled on with +lowered heads, sinking in oozy patches and splashing into pools. Then +the sand got firmer, and although it had been under water an hour +before, it drove past them in whistling streams. The surf roared in +the darkness with a rising and falling cadence like the roll of giant +drums, but every now and then its deep tone was drowned by the scream +of the savage wind. The men wore oilskins, sea-boots and sou'westers, +but the spray that swept the bank in a thin mist found out the +openings in their clothing, which the gale distended. It was difficult +to keep one's feet, and Whitney wondered rather anxiously whether +Andrew knew where he was going. Still, there was something that braced +and exhilarated one in the struggle. + +They had gone about a mile and a half and were near the other side of +the bank when the moon suddenly shone out. The wet sand flashed into +brightness and Whitney distinguished a belt of tossing white that was +blurred and confused in the foreground but grew into regular, foaming +lines farther off. This must be an inlet that pierced the sands; and +on looking round a little he saw a dark mass with a pole rising from +it some distance away. He touched Andrew and they made for the object. + +Whitney imagined it to be a perch, a spar built into a pile of stones +for a beacon. He did not expect to find anything of interest there, +but the pole had been raised by human hands, and made a landmark in +the storm-swept waste. It brought him into touch with his fellow men +in a spot where the strife of wind and sea was daunting. As they got +nearer, however, he saw that he had been mistaken. The pole was too +thick for a perch, and the black mass below did not consist of stones. +Jagged timbers stuck out from the sand like the ribs of a skeleton, +but in one place they were clothed with planks and supported a mast. +It was obviously a wreck they were approaching. + +They stopped to lee of the vessel, and Whitney was glad to get his +breath as he studied her. She appeared to have been a schooner of +about two hundred tons, but her after part and mainmast were gone. +The fore end, however, had escaped destruction, and although the +foremast slanted ominously and the topmast and yards had fallen, it +still defied the storms. Standing beneath the swell of the bows, the +men were out of the wind and could make their voices heard. + +"Now I see why I didn't notice a perch on the chart, though I once saw +the spar as we came down this side of the Firth," Whitney said. "It's +curious they didn't mark the wreck." + +"She wasn't here when the last survey was made. A coaster loaded with +coal. Somebody tried to get her cargo out, but I understand had to +give it up." + +Whitney had got his breath, but was silent for a time. He had camped +in the silent Canadian forests and by frozen lakes on the vast snowy +plains, but he did not think he ever had seen anything so savage and +desolate as this strip of surf-beaten sand with the wreck in its +midst. Men had hewn her timbers with skilful toil; but the sea had +shattered them, and now seemed to challenge all attempts to dispute +its power. Whitney was not unduly imaginative, but he felt depressed +and somewhat daunted. It was an eerie spot to linger in at midnight in +a gale of wind. + +"The fo'castle doesn't seem broken up. Can we get on board?" he said. + +"We'll try," Andrew replied. + +Climbing up by the fragments of planking attached to a rib, they +reached a strip of deck. It sloped sharply, but Andrew, grasping the +ragged bulwark, looked up. + +"The iron forestay's holding the mast, and there's a couple of blocks +slung round the top," he said. "If it wasn't blowing quite so hard, +I'd go up for them." Then he caught a thin rope that ran down from +the blocks. "Good signal-halyard; I'd like to take it back, but I +didn't bring my knife." + +Whitney felt amused. Andrew could seldom resist the temptation of +picking up anything that might be of use on board his yacht. Indeed, +her forecastle was cumbered with what Whitney called truck. + +They moved forward a few paces and stopped by two curved beams that +rose above a black hole. + +"The remains of the fo'castle hatch. I wonder what it's like below," +Andrew said. + +Kneeling on the wet deck, he struck a match, which blew out; but the +next burned for a moment or two, and Whitney saw the light flicker on +dripping planks and bulging beams. It was obvious that the water +flowed into the vessel and he wondered at Andrew's curiosity. The dark +hole did not look inviting and he was anxious to return to the yacht +in good time. Still, it was bitterly cold standing in the wind. + +"We'll go and see, but I'll let you drop down first," he said. + +Andrew seized the carline-beam and vanished through the gap. There was +a splash below, and he called to Whitney to be careful how he came +down. As this was impossible, Whitney let go the beam and, touching +the vessel's keelson with his foot, fell against her planking. It +jarred him, but he got up and Andrew struck another match and stooping +down picked something out of the water that lay among the timbers. + +"A bit of candle!" he exclaimed. "It's going to burn." + +It did so after he had scraped off some smoldering wick and stuck it +on a massive oak knee. The wrecked bulwarks broke the wind, for only +draughts came down, and the light spread about the forecastle. There +was some sand in the vessel's bottom, and the floor and ceilings had +gone. Nothing remained but the heavy timbers and the planks bolted +fast to them. A few shrimps sped up and down a pool and a small crab +that made a crackling noise crawled into a corner. Andrew examined the +beams and knees with interest. + +"These old vessels were very well built," he said. "They used picked +material, cutting out the sapwood and seeing that the grain followed +the curve where there was any shape. She broke up aft in pounding with +the coal on board, but now that it's gone, this part of her may stand +a long time. Good, salted oak will last for many years under water." + +"How did they get the coal away?" Whitney asked. + +"They didn't get much. I wasn't here when they tried to salve it, but +I believe they used carts." + +"Then you can reach land at low water?" + +"They must have been able to reach it then, though I'm not sure you +could do so now, because the channels are continually changing. It's +possible they had to drive through water that may have got deeper +since; and the tide would not allow them much time for work. I dare +say that stopped the undertaking; and haulage would be expensive, +because it's two or three miles from the beach." + +"How long is it since they let up?" + +"About two years; I can't say exactly." Andrew stopped to light his +pipe, and then asked with a smile: "Do you think of trying for the +coal?" + +"I was wondering whether the men who quit the business left that +candle. Would a candle burn after rolling about for two years in salt +water?" + +"I don't know; it's an interesting point," Andrew replied +thoughtfully, and moved toward a timber from which he scraped a patch +of grease. "It was stuck on here when it was used and that must have +been after she took the sharp list. If she'd been upright, the flame +would have scorched the knee and I see no sign of that." + +"Would she list over when she struck the bank?" + +Andrew knitted his brows as if the question were an important one. + +"I'm not sure. She'd have a full cargo, and these vessels are built +with flat floors to lie on the ground. It's only westerly breezes that +drive much broken water up the Firth, and though she lists to the +east, she hasn't gone very far over yet." + +"In short, the chances are that she stood nearly upright when they +were working at the coal." + +"Yes," said Andrew gravely, "I think she did." + +Whitney was silent for a moment or two, listening to the turmoil of +the sea and the uproar of the gale that filled the shadowy hold with +confused sound, through which came the steady trickle of water running +out on the sand. He felt that the wreck had a secret. + +"You must see what I'm getting after," he said. "It looks as if +somebody had been here since the salvers gave her up." + +Andrew nodded. + +"The blocks on the masthead are not the kind they'd use for heaving +cargo out; besides, they'd want a gaff. Then the signal-halyard felt +quite sound." + +"If you wanted to get on board, would you take a whammel boat?" + +"It depends. A whammeler couldn't get alongside if it was blowing from +the west; and since the tide runs out fast she'd have to leave early +on the ebb. If she came on the flood, the wreck would soon be +covered." + +"Then anybody who meant to get on board would, if possible, walk +across the sands, which narrows things down. Now we come to another +point. Why would anybody wish to board her?" + +Andrew said nothing for a minute and then answered thoughtfully: + +"Of course, I've seen where you were leading. The signal-halyard would +lift the steel triangle they use with a wireless installation, and +they'd get some height at the masthead. Besides, messages travel +farthest at night; and the operator wouldn't be seen crossing the +sands. I don't know whether he could carry the necessary apparatus, +but he might hide it in a watertight box. The candle will be out in a +minute, so we can't look." + +"You don't know yet if he could cross the sands." + +"That's true. I'm going to find out. You had better climb up while the +light lasts." + +Whitney reached the deck with some difficulty, and it was dark below +when Andrew joined him. + +"We haven't much time to lose if we're to see whether it's possible to +get here from the beach." + +They dropped over the side and set off across the bank. The wind +buffeted them and driving sand rattled on their oilskins. Whitney +hoped that Andrew was going straight, because the moon was obscured +again, and the Solway tide rises remarkably fast. For a time they saw +nothing but shallow pools in winding hollows and balls of foam that +seemed half solidified as they blew along the ground. Whitney thought +it must be past low-water, but Andrew trudged quietly on and he made +no protest. At last they came to a broad stream of water, and he noted +with mixed feelings that there was no way of getting round. He was not +sorry that it threatened to stop their advance; but his comrade was +not easily daunted and might try to wade across. + +"As there's not likely to be another big gutter between us and the +beach, it would be a pity to turn back now," Andrew shouted. + +"I'll wait and see how you get on," Whitney replied. + +Andrew plunged in and was soon knee-deep. When he had gone a few yards +farther, the water splashed about the skirts of his oilskin jacket and +he came out. + +"We might have crossed, but the bottom's soft, and there's some +stream," he said. + +"Which way is it running?" + +"Up, but not very fast yet." + +"Then we're going back at once," Whitney said firmly. + +They started, and Whitney did his best as he heard the growl of the +surf grow louder. It would be remarkably unpleasant to find themselves +cut off from the dinghy, and there were several gutters to be crossed, +with the tide steadily running up. Andrew seemed to realize this, for +he went on a quick trot, the water pumping into his sea-boots. It was +easier to make progress with the gale behind them, and Whitney felt +relieved when they passed the wreck at some distance. Andrew was +heading straight across the sands, though Whitney could not tell what +he was steering by. After a time, they came to a stretch of water that +widened as they splashed through, but when they had floundered across +the soft sand at its edge and reached a higher level they were +comparatively safe. Breathing hard, they made their way across firmer +ground, and Whitney was conscious of keen satisfaction when he saw the +dinghy lying a few yards from the glistening water. + +When they had launched her, the wind blew them towards the _Rowan_, +and they were soon on board. She was riding easier, and would continue +to do so for a while. + +"Have you decided whether it's possible to wade out to the wreck?" +Whitney asked as they took off their wet oilskins. + +"I think it is," said Andrew. "There was about three feet of water in +the gutter that turned us back; but the tides are low now and don't +run out very far. As they get higher, the gutter would dry toward the +last of the ebb." + +"The last of the ebb on a big tide would be between five and seven +o'clock, and it would be dark then, night and morning," Whitney +remarked. "This means that, supposing there was a wireless +installation, it could be used only at fixed intervals; roughly +speaking, it wouldn't be available one week out of two." + +"Yes," said Andrew. "It rather upsets the supposition, but we may find +out something more." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A FAIR ALLY + + +It was bright afternoon, and Elsie sat beside a tea-table on the lawn +at Appleyard, with Williamson standing beside her. The days were +getting short, but the screen of stiff silver-firs kept off the light +wind, and strong sunshine warmed the air. It was what the Scot calls a +pet day; one borrowed from a finer season, and to be made the most of +when winter was close at hand. Madge Whitney lay in a canvas lounge +nearer the shelter of the trees, talking to Andrew, and several young +men and women stood about the tennis net across the lawn. They seemed +to be engaged in a good-humored dispute and their laughter followed a +remark of Dick's. + +Williamson glanced at his companion and saw that her eyes were fixed +upon the boy. They were grave, and her expression was preoccupied, but +he did not see the softness he had expected. Indeed, her interest in +Dick was puzzling, because he did not think it was altogether +accounted for by the hints Staffer had given him, and this was a point +upon which he wished to be enlightened. Williamson knew something +about women, but, for the most part, they were not women of very high +character. With these he was not a favorite, although he was a clever +talker and his manners were good. + +"You do play tennis sometimes," Elsie said after a silence. + +Williamson smiled. Her meaning was obvious. + +"Oh, yes, but one feels lazy now and then; and I imagined you let me +stay because you wanted to talk to me! Was I wrong?" + +"No," answered Elsie; and he noted her unmoved calm. + +She was young, but he had not expected shy hesitation or forced +boldness from her. He was, however, surprised when she said nothing +for the next minute; for he had usually found that an inexperienced +antagonist shirks the strain of silence. Then he indicated Dick, who +had just returned a difficult ball. + +"He plays a good game." + +"Dick does a number of things pretty well, although there's none at +which he really excels. I don't know which is the more useful--" + +"You like a man to have some salient point of skill or character that +those who know him can rely upon?" + +He noticed her glance wander and did not know that she was half +instinctively looking for Andrew, but it rested again on Dick, +brooding but calm. Williamson saw that she felt no keen animosity +against himself. She knew or suspected that they were, in some +respects, opponents, but this did not make her vindictive. She would +take the course she had determined on without hating him. This +indicated strength of character, but it was too detached an attitude +for a young girl fighting for her lover. + +"Dick looks better than he did," he remarked to give her an opening. + +"Yes," said Elsie, fixing her eyes quietly on his face; "very much +better than he did when he came home from town." + +Williamson admired her courage. + +"For which you held me to blame!" he said. + +"Partly to blame." + +"Well, I see you're trying to be fair, though I'm half afraid you +failed. But since you meant to raise this point, I must warn you +against looking at things out of their right perspective. It makes +those in the foreground appear too big." + +"You mean one should not exaggerate their relative importance?" + +"Exactly. You must, for example, allow for the exhilarating effect a +change of air has on a young man fresh from the country who spends a +few days in town. Remember that Dick leads a very quiet and monotonous +life at Appleyard." + +"A sober life is much the best for him." + +Williamson wondered whether she spoke with naive girlish prudery; if +not, there was something he ought to know. + +"Perhaps it's best for everybody; but we don't all like it, and a +change is bracing," he answered with a smile. "I suppose you are +looking at the thing from the moral standpoint." + +"Not exclusively. Dick will soon be master at Appleyard, and that will +bring him duties he ought to be fitting himself for. Then you may not +know that he is not very strong." + +"I guessed something of the kind, but a few late nights and a little +excitement can't do much harm." + +Elsie looked at him with thoughtful eyes. + +"Possibly not, in most cases, but they are bad for Dick." + +"If you would be quite frank it would help." Williamson was anxious to +learn why quietness was necessary for the lad. "We might get on better +if we understood each other." + +"Have I not been frank? You could hardly have expected me to say as +much as I have, even. But I am not Dick's doctor." + +Williamson felt baffled, but he would not show it. + +"You feel that I ought to have looked after Dick better. I think +that's hardly just, because I have, of course, no control over him." + +"You are an older man, and he is easily led. A hint would have gone a +long way, and he doesn't resent good-humored firmness from those he +likes." + +"You suggest that he likes me?" + +"One can't tell," said Elsie in a quiet voice. + +"Well, you must see how awkwardly I'm placed. I can't defend myself +without attacking Dick, and you wouldn't like that. Suppose I hinted +that he insisted on following his bent although I tried to restrain +him?" + +"Did you?" + +Williamson hesitated, which was an unusual thing. He had no +sentimental respect for girlish inexperience, but he could not make +the direct statement that would have cleared him. He reflected with a +touch of ironical amusement that Elsie would not be deceived. + +"It was really difficult to interfere, but I did try a tactful hint," +he said with an indulgent air. "Perhaps the way you regard the thing +is natural and deserves some sympathy, but I must say I feel a little +hurt. It looks as if you thought I had some object in encouraging Dick +to be extravagant and rash." + +"No; I can't see what you would gain," Elsie replied thoughtfully. + +"Well, that's some relief; but what do you want now? A promise that, +at the risk of offending him, I'll be very firm in future?" + +Elsie was silent for a moment and then looked at him calmly. + +"I don't think I will ask you for this," she said. + +She rose, and Williamson turned away, feeling somewhat annoyed with +himself. Elsie had not asked for his promise, because she thought it +would not be kept. He had failed to convince her, and her opposition +must be reckoned with. Then, what she had said about excitement being +bad for Dick had roused his keen curiosity. The girl was inexperienced +and had used no artifice, but he did not think she could have played +her part better. Staffer apparently believed that she and Andrew +Johnstone were not important; but Williamson thought him mistaken. +While he crossed the lawn Madge Whitney watched him with a smile. + +"That man," she remarked to Andrew, "has just got a set down, but I +imagine Elsie has been wasting her time." + +"It looks as if you knew what they had been talking about," Andrew +replied. + +Madge's eyes twinkled. + +"Why, of course I do! You must remember that I've been here a week, +noticing things. Elsie doesn't like the man, and the only reason she +could have for talking to him confidentially is that she wanted to +warn him to keep his hands off Dick. But I don't think he will." + +"Ah!" Andrew said sharply. "It's curious that you--" + +"Shall I finish what you meant to say? It's curious that although I +haven't had much opportunity for seeing what is going on, I should +agree with the conclusion you have come to after mature deliberation. +Well, if you're afraid of complimenting me on my cleverness, you can +account for it by remembering that I'm an American. Of course, this +doesn't make me anything the less of an outsider." + +"I didn't mean that you were an outsider." + +"Perhaps you didn't. It was your Scottish reserve that made you hate +to talk about your family affairs; but Jim, who counts you as his +partner, has told me something. Then I don't mind telling you that I +like you and admire what you are trying to do. However, we'll keep to +the point. Williamson is leading your cousin into extravagance with +some object." + +"I believe that's true," Andrew agreed quietly. "After all, you were +right to some extent, about my reserve; but now if you can help me +I'll be very glad. It isn't an easy job I have undertaken." + +"Very well. I'll begin by telling you something. The evening +Williamson arrived, I was coming down to dinner before the rest--I +afterward found my watch was fast. When I got to the gallery at the +top of the stairs I stopped; it's rather dark where you come out of +the passage, you know. Dick was standing by the fire in the hall and +his manner indicated that he was waiting for somebody. As I hesitated, +Williamson came out of the opposite passage and went downstairs, but +his quick glance around showed he wanted to be sure there was nobody +but Dick about. I saw Dick's face, and it was eager. Williamson gave +him two or three bits of paper that looked like bank-notes." + +"If Dick had given them to Williamson, I could have understood it +better," Andrew interrupted. + +"Yes; the explanation would then have been obvious; but what I saw +suggests something graver. Dick went away, looking relieved; but +Williamson moved toward the stairs and then turned back, and a few +moments afterward Staffer came in. He said, 'So you have seen him!'" + +Andrew made an abrupt movement, but said nothing. + +"I suppose you see the significance of this?" Madge said. + +It was plain to Andrew that Staffer had known, and no doubt approved, +of the transaction between Williamson and Dick. + +"Yes; and I feel disturbed about it." + +"Well," continued Madge, "I went back quietly and didn't come down for +some time; but I watched the three men at dinner. Williamson spoke to +Dick as if he had not seen him since he came, and Dick said he was +sorry he wasn't able to meet him at the station. In fact, they rather +overdid it; and Staffer seemed to think so, because he stopped them. +Then, perhaps, because he felt relieved, Dick--" + +"Drank more than usual?" Andrew suggested grimly when she hesitated. +"I noticed that. Well, since you have seen so much, I'm glad to have +you on my side, particularly if you can tell me what I ought to do. +I'll admit that I don't know." + +"I think you should watch and do what seems plainly needful, but +nothing more. Don't try to make clever plans, but take Mackellar into +your confidence." + +"You haven't met him," Andrew said in surprise. + +"Jim has, and I know what he thinks of him." + +Andrew took her advice and soon afterward left Appleyard in the +side-car. Whitney let the high-powered bicycle go when they turned +into the main western road, which runs, straight and level, along the +Solway, and they reached Dumfries in an hour. Mackellar had not left +his office and in five minutes Andrew had made the situation plain. +Mackellar pondered it silently for a time, and then looked up. + +"Weel," he said, "it gets interesting and I must set to work. I'll let +ye know when I have anything to report." + +Andrew, knowing his man, was satisfied with this. He and Whitney drove +home at full speed, and arrived before their absence had been noticed. +Williamson left the next morning, and Madge Whitney a few days +afterward, and nothing of importance happened during the following +week; but Mackellar had, in the meantime, been carrying out a plan +that was to have some influence upon Williamson's affairs. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A BARGAIN + + +There was no Sunday delivery of letters, and one Monday morning +Williamson sat rather anxiously watching the road outside a small +country house beside the Tweed. One of the tall gateposts at the end +of the drive had sunk to a slant and the gravel had not been rolled or +raked for some time. The borders round the lawn hinted at economy in +bedding out and gardener's hire, and the old house had a dilapidated +look. These things were significant and explained why Williamson had +been received there as a paying guest, with the privilege of some +rough shooting and salmon-fishing. + +He could have found cheaper quarters, but the place suited him. For +one thing, his residence there gave him a certain standing in the +country, and his host, a decayed Scottish gentleman, was getting old +and left him alone. He could go and come as he liked without exciting +remark, and the people he met were well bred and not imaginative. +Since he had been received by his host, they took it for granted that +he was a man one could be friendly with. + +The postman at last dismounted from his bicycle at the gate. It is +customary in that neighborhood to meet the post, but Williamson sat +still, as if he did not expect any letters. The man gave him three +before he went on to the house, and Williamson put them down and +carelessly lighted his pipe. He had learned to exercise caution in +such details, though he felt disturbed as he recognized the writing. + +The first curtly reminded him that payment for the hire of a motor car +was two months overdue. The second enclosed a statement of a +fashionable tailor's account, which included an expensive fur coat; +but there was no difference in the hand. Williamson knew it well; +indeed, he had two or three similar demands in his pocket. Each ended +with an intimation that unless payment were made within a specified +time, proceedings would be taken to enforce it. + +Williamson put down the notes and vacantly looked about. Not far away, +the Tweed, sparkling in the sunshine, ran through a wooded hollow +where beeches gleamed ruddy-brown among somber firs. Two men with guns +upon their shoulders were crossing the steep stubble that glittered +with melting hoar frost on the breast of a neighboring hill, and a +keeper with a couple of setters stood at the gate. Williamson was to +have gone shooting with his host; but now he must excuse himself, for +he had something of importance to think about. + +His expenses were heavy, for it was important that he should pass for +a sporting man of means, and he was a good shot and skilful with the +salmon rod. As a rule, he had money enough for his needs, but his +supplies had been irregular since the war began, and as he had +luxurious tastes his debts had mounted up. Of late, his creditors had +grown impatient, but it was curious they should all have asked the +same lawyer to enforce their claims. This could not have happened by +coincidence. It looked as if somebody, who must have taken a good +deal of trouble to investigate his affairs, meant to put some pressure +on him. This was alarming, for several reasons; and as he could not +pay his debts in the time allowed, he determined to call upon the +lawyer and see what he could find out. + +There was, however, another matter that demanded attention, and as he +took up a letter with the Newcastle postmark the Tweed drew his eyes +again. It reminded him of a wider river with older associations; a +river where terraced vineyards rose steeply from the waterside, +instead of the rounded Scottish hills, and barges slowly floating past +ancient towns. His expression changed and grew resolute as he thought +of it. + +Opening the envelope he found, as he expected, a short note folded +round a letter. The note said that he would, no doubt, like to hear +how Jack was getting on in Holland, and ended with a few references to +mutual acquaintances. The letter was of some length, and narrated in +gossiping style its writer's business journey to several Dutch towns. +Williamson, however, knew that there was more in it than met the eye, +and he went to excuse himself from joining the shooting party. After +this, he spent some time studying the letter in his room, and when he +had burned it he went at once to the station. + +Leaving the train at an old country town, he called at the lawyer's +office and was received by a suave elderly gentleman. + +"It was my unpleasant duty to send you these notices," the lawyer said +with an apologetic air. "I appreciate your prompt response, and expect +the little matter will now be put right. You must admit that the +creditors have exercised some patience." + +"But don't mean to do so any longer, eh? That is really what I came to +see about." + +"Of course you understand that the war has made money tight. My +clients inform me that they find themselves compelled to press for +outstanding accounts and to take a course that in a happier state of +things they would not employ." + +"Then I am to understand that these notices will be acted upon?" + +"I think you can take that for granted," the lawyer answered in a +deprecatory tone. "However, there is a way in which you can obviate +all trouble to yourself and me--I mean by paying what is due at once." + +Williamson looked at him with a grim smile. + +"It sounds simple, but there are difficulties. Now, I can pay these +bills, but not in the time mentioned. Have you power to extend it?" + +"No; but if you will make me an offer I will consult my clients." + +"That would cause some delay. As I want the matter settled, I would +prefer to call upon the man who has brought it to a head. Will you +tell me his name?" + +Williamson had hoped to catch the lawyer off his guard, but his amused +expression showed him that he had failed. + +"There are several names. You know the people." + +"Of course; but suppose you admit that I have some intelligence and +try to look at the matter from my point of view." + +"It would be difficult, for the want of practise," the lawyer answered +dryly. "I have no debts." + +"Still, if you had several creditors who lived in different places and +simultaneously put their claims into the hands of one particular +lawyer, what would you think?" + +"It might be accounted for very simply. I believe I am known as a +businesslike, trustworthy man." + +"I don't doubt it; but I suspect another explanation. There is +somebody behind these people who has persuaded them to stop my credit +or has bought up the debts. He must have a reason for this, and if I +could talk it over privately with him, it would simplify things." + +"I'm not so sure that follows," said the lawyer. "All I can tell you +is that the bills have been sent to me for collection and unless they +are met I shall reluctantly be forced to--" + +"Just so," Williamson interrupted. "At present, I cannot say whether +they will be met or not. I'm afraid we must leave it at that. And now, +good day." + +A clerk politely showed him out; and he reached the station in time to +catch an Edinburgh train. There was no one else in the compartment he +entered, and he sat in a corner, thinking hard. Though he had not +learned much he felt that he was right in his surmise. Some one was +trying to put pressure on him through his creditors. His first guess +at his unknown antagonist's object caused him serious alarm; but after +some reflection he dismissed it with relief as improbable and sought +for another explanation. + +To begin with, he must first discover the identity of his enemy. His +suspicions centered on Appleyard. Andrew Johnstone was certainly +hostile, on his cousin's account; and it was possible that he had been +helped by Mackellar, whom Williamson had met at Appleyard. He +determined to see Mackellar; but he could not do so until next day, +for a more important matter demanded attention first. + +Getting out at the Waverley station, he took a cable tram, and, +leaving it on the outskirts of the city, walked on to Leith. Here at +dusk he met a man dressed like a sailor, and spent an hour with him in +the back room of a public house. When they came out the sailor +disappeared in the darkness and Williamson returned to Edinburgh, +where he dined and slept at a fashionable hotel. The next morning he +went to Glasgow, and left it shortly after his arrival by a train +which took him to Dumfries. It was not without a reason he had +traveled by three different railways. Williamson generally tried to +cover his tracks. + +After lunch at the station hotel, he walked down the narrow High +Street and stopped at a garage, to order a motorcycle to be ready in +half an hour. Then, by an indirect route, he went to Mackellar's +offices. + +As it happened, Mackellar was then talking to Andrew and Whitney in +his private room, and he smiled as he showed them Williamson's card. + +"Maybe ye had better ask Mr. Davies to let ye out by the back," he +said. "If ye call again in half an hour, I may have some news." + +"I wonder how Williamson got here?" Andrew said when they reached the +street. "There's no train that connects with the North British." + +"Came in a car, perhaps," Whitney suggested. "Somehow, I'd like to +know. Let's try our garage; everybody puts up there." + +They went to the garage and Whitney began to make an unnecessary +adjustment to the engine of his side-car. + +"I suppose Mr. Williamson comes here when he's in town?" he said to a +man at work near by. + +"Yes," the man answered. "He's in town the noo." + +"Did Mr. Staffer bring him in his car?" + +"She's no' in the yard, and Mr. Williamson's for Castle Douglas." The +man indicated the motorcycle on which he was working. "I'm tightening +her up for the run; no' that she needs it much. Mr. Williamson kens a +good machine and always asks for her." + +"Is there anything doing at Castle Douglas to-day?" + +"No' that I've heard of. He's for the moors, I'm thinking. There's a +gun-case to be strapped on the carrier; but if ye're wanting to see +him ye must leave word at the office. I'll be away at another job +before he comes in." + +"It doesn't matter; we may meet him," Whitney answered carelessly; and +he and Andrew strolled away. + +"Well," he said, "we have learned something! It seems Williamson's in +the habit of hiring a motorcycle here. Has he any friends in Galloway +who might give him some shooting?" + +"None that I know of," Andrew replied with a puzzled look. + +"I guess you noted that he makes a curious choice of a machine. She's +good--I know that make--but I can't see why he picks a single-cylinder +lightweight when they've several full-powered machines on the stand. +Looks as if he expected he'd have to wheel her. What's the Castle +Douglas road like?" + +"It's the highway to the west, and we keep our main roads in good +order." + +"You certainly do," Whitney agreed. "But I stick to my opinion that +he has some particular reason for choosing a light machine." He +hesitated a moment. "I don't want to butt in, and as the fellow's a +family friend, it's delicate ground; but if you feel you'd like a run +through Galloway--" + +"Perhaps we'd better go; but we'll see first what Mackellar has to +say." + +They walked down to the bridge foot, to pass the time; and in the +meanwhile Mackellar received Williamson. + +"You wished to see me?" he said. + +Williamson took out the bills and the lawyer's letters and put them on +Mackellar's desk. + +"I wonder whether you know anything about these?" + +"I know the gentleman who seems to have charge of the matter. Why do +you ask?" + +"Because I prefer to deal with the principal instead of an agent. It +saves time, and one arrives at an understanding easier." + +"In this case there's no great difficulty. Ye have only to pay the +bills." + +"Precisely," agreed Williamson. "They can be paid--that's worth +noting--but not just yet." + +Mackellar understood this as a hint that the power Williamson's debts +gave his antagonist was only temporary. + +"In the meantime, ye might be put to some inconvenience," he replied. +"One cannot proceed against a man for debt without publicity, which is +apt to be damaging, and unpleasant to his friends." + +"Exactly. That is what I want to avoid." + +"And yet ye cannot pay the bills! Weel, ye are doubtless aware that +one gets nothing for nothing, and since ye must ask for some delay, +what could ye offer by way of consideration?" + +"To begin with, I should like to hear what the principal, the man who +stands behind my creditors, wants." Williamson paused and added +meaningly: "I think you know." + +Mackellar was silent for a few moments. + +"I'll no' deny it," he then said. "Would ye be willing to produce the +notes of hand and the long-date bills Dick Johnstone has given ye and +cancel them on payment of the money lent with current interest up to +date? If ye insist, we might allow a little more interest, because ye +took some risk." + +"I'd be willing to give up one or two," Williamson answered with some +hesitation. + +"But no' the rest, which are no' in your hands?" + +"I suppose I must admit that. But what did you mean by saying I took a +risk?" + +"We'll talk of that again. Are ye willing to give your word that ye'll +lend Mr. Johnstone no more money, make no fresh bet with him, and no' +help him to negotiate a loan?" + +"Is that all?" Williamson asked with a touch of sarcasm. + +"I think the matter could be arranged on the terms I have laid down." + +On the whole Williamson was conscious of relief. To do as Mackellar +asked would place him in an embarrassing position, but he had been +afraid of something much worse. + +"It needs thought," he said. + +"Then I will give ye five minutes; but it may help ye to decide if I +explain why ye took a risk. Ye're maybe aware that there's legislation +about a minor's debts." + +"Dick Johnstone would not make that excuse for disowning his +obligations." + +"I'm no' sure ye would have to deal with him," said Mackellar +meaningly. "Dick has no doubt been borrowing money on promises to pay +when Appleyard is his. Weel, it's no' certain that he'll live until he +gets possession." + +"Nor may the lenders, for that matter!" + +"Verra true," Mackellar agreed. "For a' that, the chances against +Dick's reaching twenty-one are greater than usual. It seems ye do not +know that two doctors would not pass him for the army." + +"On what grounds?" Williamson asked with some sharpness. + +"A weak heart that might stop the first time he was over-excited or +over-exerted himself." + +Williamson was silent for some moments. He knew Dick was not strong; +but Staffer, who must have known the truth, had not told him how grave +the danger was. + +"Still, suppose the worst happened. The new owner would not repudiate +his kinsman's debts." + +"Who do ye take the heir to be?" + +"Staffer." + +Mackellar looked at him with dry amusement. + +"Did he tell ye so?" + +"No," Williamson said thoughtfully. "I can't remember that he ever did +say that exactly, but I was led to understand from the beginning +that--" + +"Appleyard would be his? Weel, perhaps I may tell ye something about +the family's affairs. Dick's father left the house and land to the +lad, with a reversion to the next o' kin, in case he died before +inheriting. Mistress Johnstone got a separate portion and power to +manage the estate for her son's benefit until he came of age, subject +to the approval of the executors. She could appoint a guardian for the +lad, to superintend his education, but she could not alienate a yard +of land. It was not a will that I approved of, but Mr. Johnstone was +very ill when he made it and did not listen to my objections. Maybe he +hardly expected his widow to marry again. Mr. Staffer, who acted as +steward for his wife, now acts for Dick; but there his interest ends." + +"Then, in the event of Dick's death, who gets the estate?" + +"Andrew Johnstone." + +Williamson got a double shock. Staffer, whom he had regarded as the +next heir, had not been straight with him; and he knew that Andrew +would be difficult to deal with. Besides, if Dick did reach twenty-one +Staffer's influence would cease. Mackellar was right: a serious risk +attended the discounting of bills by which Dick raised money for +gambling and similar extravagances. Since Staffer had played him a +shabby trick in leaving him in ignorance, Williamson need not consider +him and could look after his own interests. + +"Very well," he said, "I'm ready to give you the promise you want if +we can come to terms." + +"Then I'll pay off any notes of Dick's that ye may bring me, with +interest at two per cent. above the bank rate. If this will not enable +ye to satisfy your creditors, I'll engage that they will give ye +another six months." + +"It's enough," said Williamson. "But of course you see that when I +have satisfied them your hold on me has gone." + +Mackellar smiled. + +"Verra true; but I believe I've shown ye that it would be wiser to +leave Dick alone. I'm thinking ye have sense enough to take a hint and +keep your word." + +"You'll find that I mean to do so," Williamson replied. + +Soon after he went out, Andrew and Whitney returned. Mackellar told +them what Williamson had promised, and added: + +"The man might have been dangerous, but we need not fear any further +trouble from him. There are two points worth noting, though I cannot +tell whether they concern us or not. He's anxious to avoid anything +that might damage his credit and make him leave this part of the +country; and he expects some money before long. Can ye account for +this?" + +They discussed the matter for a few minutes; and then Andrew and +Whitney hurried back to the garage. + +"Our man must be some distance ahead," Whitney said. "We may even lose +him." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +TRAILING THE MOTORCYCLE + + +For a few minutes Whitney's machine turned in and out of narrow +streets between rows of tall, old houses, and then went cautiously +down the dip to the Nith. There was some traffic on the bridge, and +when they had crossed, carts encumbered the road on the Galloway side. +Whitney fumed at the delay; but he opened out his engine as they +entered a stretch of open road, and the wind began to fan Andrew's +face. + +For a mile in front of them the river-plain ran level, the stubble +shining yellow among squares of pasture and the dark green of +turnip-fields; then a ridge of hills rose steeply across their way. +The sun that flooded the valley with mellow light was getting low, and +while the trees upon the summit of the ridge stood out sharply +distinct, the wooded slopes were steeped in soft blue shadow. + +"Looks like a climb," Whitney remarked. "I suppose we go right up +there?" + +"Maxwellton braes," said Andrew. "I expect you have heard of then. +It's an easy gradient up a long glen." + +"Then sit tight, and we'll rush her up on the top gear." + +The dust whirled behind them, and the cropped hedgerows spun past; +they swung giddily round a curve at a bridge, and the throb of the +engine grew louder as they breasted the hill. Dark firs streamed down +to meet them; here and there a leafless birch and an oak that gleamed +like burnished copper swept by. There was a tinkle of running water in +the wood; and, now that they were out of the sunshine, the air felt +keen. Ahead, the ascending road unrolled like a white riband through +faint, shifting lights and lilac shadow. + +Soon the glen ran out into a wide hollow that led westward across a +tableland. Low, green hills with gently rounded tops shut off the +rugged moors beyond; the shallow vale was cultivated and tame, but the +road was good, and Andrew felt the thrill of speed. Long fields and +stone dykes swept behind into the trail of dust. The sun sank toward a +bank of slate-colored cloud; its rays raked the valley, throwing the +black shadows of the scattered ash-trees far across the fields. + +Andrew kept his eyes fixed steadily upon the road. This ran, for the +most part, straight and level; but, though they were traveling very +fast, there was no speeding streak of dust ahead. + +After a time a long white village rose from the rolling pasture; and +when they ran in among the low houses Whitney pulled up. There was a +smith's shop by the roadside, and a man stood outside, holding a +cartwheel, while another moved a glowing iron hoop amid the flame of a +circular fire. + +"You have been watching that tire heat for a while, I guess," said +Whitney. + +"Lang enough," the other answered. "She's no' stretching weel." + +"Then have you seen a small, black motorcycle pass?" + +"No; there was a big gray yin, an' anither with a side-car." + +"How long have you been outside?" + +"Maybe twenty minutes; maybe a few mair." + +"Thanks," said Whitney; and started the motorcycle. + +"It's curious. He's traveling light, but I don't think a +single-cylinder engine could beat the machine I'm driving by a quarter +of an hour. Anyhow, I'll try to speed her up." + +The sunlight faded off the grass as they raced away; the slaty clouds +rolled higher up the sky; and the wind that whipped their faces bit +keen. Andrew was swung to and fro in the rocking car, and sometimes +felt uneasy when his comrade dashed furiously round the bends; but for +most of the way the road ran straight, and they could see nothing on +the long, white streak ahead. After a time they came to a narrow loch, +ruffled by the wind, that lay in a lonely, grassy waste, and as they +ran past the thin wood on its edge Andrew asked Whitney to stop. + +"A motor scout," he said, indicating a man in uniform who rode +leisurely toward them on a bicycle. + +The scout dismounted when they called to him, and said he had left +Castle Douglas an hour before and had kept to the main road, but had +not seen a single-cylinder motorcycle. They let him go and Whitney +lighted a cigarette. + +"Now," he said, "we have to think. Our man pulled out for Castle +Douglas, but hasn't gone there; my notion is that he didn't mean to. +Where's he likely to have headed?" + +"It's hard to tell. A road runs northwest to New Galloway, but I can't +see what would take him there. It's a small place on the edge of the +moors." + +"And right away from the Eskdale road!" Whitney ejaculated, looking +hard at him. + +"Well," said Andrew quietly, "I'll admit I thought of that." + +"As a matter of fact, you've been thinking of something like it for +quite a time." + +Andrew was silent for a moment or two. + +"There was a chance of my being mistaken," he said slowly. "However, I +now feel that it's my duty to get upon the fellow's track, if I can." + +"Would you rather I dropped out?" + +Andrew knew that the suggestion was prompted by delicacy, but he made +a negative sign. + +"After all, you know something, and may as well know the rest--if +there is anything more to learn. Besides, you're quicker than I am in +several ways, and I might want you." + +"When you do, you'll find me ready," Whitney answered. "But we'll get +back to business. Which way do you suppose he's gone?" + +"On the whole, I think south toward Dalbeattie; it's nearer the +Solway. As it might be better to follow the road he'd take, we'll have +to run back nearly to Dumfries." + +"That's all right," said Whitney. "Get in. She seems to be feeling +particularly good to-day, and I'm going to let her hum." + +They raced back eastward while the distant hills turned gray in front +of them. Then they turned sharply to the south, and soon the road +skirted a railway line. Whitney got down when they reached a station. + +"Have you seen a small, black motorcycle?" he asked a lounging porter. + +"Yes; I mind her because I thought she was running verra hard for a +wee machine. If yon man's a friend o' yours, ye'll no' catch him +easy." + +"When did he pass?" + +"It would be about five minutes after the Stranraer goods cam' +through, and that's an hour ago." + +Whitney ran back to his machine and jumped into the saddle. + +"We're on his trail, but he must have come straight and fast from +Dumfries. Well, we'll get after him." + +The car leaped forward as the clutch took hold; dykes and trees swept +down the road; and Criffell's bold ridge rose higher against the +eastern sky. Here and there a loch gleamed palely in the desolate +tableland, and in the distance a river caught the fading light, but +the cloud-bank was spreading fast and the west getting dim. At last +they saw from the top of a rise a gray haze stretched across a hollow, +and Andrew told his comrade that it was the smoke of Dalbeattie. Then +a man with a spade and barrow came into view on the slope of another +hill, and Andrew asked Whitney to stop. The man was cutting back the +grass edges on the roadside; he had not seen a bicycle of the kind +they described. + +"How long have you been here?" Andrew asked. + +"Since seven o'clock this morning." + +Whitney started the car slowly, and pulled up when the roadmender was +hidden behind the hill. + +"We want to talk this over," he said. "Williamson left the road +between the station and where we met the man. We know he hasn't gone +west or farther south. What about the east?" + +Andrew glanced at Criffell, which rose between them and the sea. Its +summit cut sharply against the sky, but its slopes were blurred and +gray and the stone dykes that ran toward its foot had lost their +continuity of outline. Two or three miles away, to the southeast, the +mountain ran down in a long ridge. + +"It's obvious that he hasn't gone over the top. He could cross the +shoulder yonder, but he'd have some trouble." + +"He'd have to leave the motorcycle." + +"That's so," said Andrew thoughtfully. "There's an old road between +here and the station and he might reach the moors by what we call a +loaning--a green track that sometimes leads to a farm or cothouse and +sometimes ends in a bog. Of course, if he found one and crossed the +hill on foot, he'd cut the main road from Dumfries round the coast +before he reached the Solway beach." + +"You're taking it for granted that he'd try to make the beach--which +means the wreck." + +"Yes," said Andrew quietly; "I believe it's what he'd do." + +"Well, there are two things to note. He could have gone straight from +Dumfries by a good road on the other side of the mountain, but he +preferred this way and a rough climb across. Then he started for +Castle Douglas, when he might as well have told the garage people he +was going to Dalbeattie. This implies that he'd a pretty good reason +for covering his trail." Whitney paused and looked hard at Andrew. +"Before we go any farther, you have to decide whether you really want +to find out that reason. You can quit the business now, but you may +not be able to do so afterward." + +"I'd rather stop, but I must go on," said Andrew grimly. + +"Very well; we'll try to follow him." + +They drove back, passing the roadmender, who leaned upon his spade +looking after them; and a little while later Whitney pulled up at a +broken gate that hung open. A rough track, grown with grass, led away +from it between loose stone walls. + +"Not intended for automobiles!" Whitney remarked, as he cautiously +steered between the ruts. "Williamson must have found it easier than +we do." + +Andrew nodded. His comrade's eyes were keen, for only a crushed tuft +of grass here and there suggested the track of a bicycle tire. Farther +along they stopped at a gate where the loaning forked. One branch ran +on; the other turned off, and in the distance a lonely white house +showed amidst a clump of bare, wind-bent trees. + +"He would not have gone to the farm," said Whitney. "Jump down and +open the gate." + +They went on again carefully, but after a time the loaning got very +rough and rushes grew across it where the ground was soft. After +narrowly escaping an upset into the ditch on one side, Whitney +stopped. + +"I guess this is as far as she'll take us, and I see a peat-stack +where we could leave her." + +Lifting down a small fir that closed a gap in the wall, they pushed +the motorcycle across a strip of heath and against a pile of turf; +and then they stopped to look about. + +The light was rapidly going and the wind was falling. In front lay a +stretch of moor, seamed by black peat-hags, in some of which water +glistened; beyond the moor rough heather-covered slopes ran up to the +black hillcrest. A curlew whistled overhead, and the sharp cry of a +grouse rose from the darkening heath. Except for this, it was very +still and the landscape looked strangely desolate. Not far ahead a +patch of roof showed faintly among some stunted ash-trees. + +"A cothouse," said Andrew in surprise. + +"We'll look at it," Whitney answered, and started for the building. + +One end had fallen down, but half the thatch remained upon the bending +rafters. The rest had gone, and it was plain that the cot had been +abandoned for a long time. Crossing a ditch by a rotten plank, they +stood knee-deep among withered nettles at the door, and the ruined +walls struck a mournful note in the gathering dark. + +"There's a track here," said Whitney. "I guess the sheep go in." + +He struck a match as they entered, and, avoiding stones and fallen +beams, they made for the door of an inner room. When they reached it, +Whitney struck another match, and smiled as he held it up, for the +light fell upon a single-cylinder motorcycle with a gun-case strapped +to the carrier. + +"Well," he said, "I expected this. If we cross the end of the hill +going southeast, we would strike the sands somewhere abreast of the +wreck?" + +"Yes." + +"How's the tide?" + +"High-water's about one o'clock. That means it's a big tide and, of +course, runs out a long way on the ebb." + +"Then the sands will be dry and there'll be no gutters to cross. Well, +I guess it's a long walk, but we've got to make it. Take your overalls +off." + +Three or four minutes later they left the cothouse and struck across +the heath. There was no track, but Andrew headed for a knoll on the +mountain's sloping shoulder. After they left the level, the heather +grew tall and strong, brushing about their knees and entangling their +feet. Then there were awkward rabbit-holes and granite boulders +scattered about, and they bruised their shins as they laboriously +plodded upward. The light had almost gone, and there was nothing +visible but the stretch of shadowy hillside in front. + +Whitney heard Andrew breathing hard, and imagined that his injured leg +was giving him trouble. + +"Are we rushing it too much?" he asked. + +"I can hold out until we get to the top, and I'll be all right then. +It's gripping the brae with the side of my foot that bothers me." + +He went on without slackening speed, and the slope grew easier and the +light breeze keener. Then the stretch of heather which had shut off +their view suddenly fell away, and they looked down through the soft +darkness on to a vast, black plain. There was nothing to distinguish +land from sea; but a faint cluster of lights that pricked the gloom +like pin-points marked the English-shore, and farther off the +flickering glare of blast-furnaces was reflected in the sky. In the +middle distance, a twinkle showed where the Solway lightship guarded +the fairway through the shoals; but there was no light near them, nor +any sound except the distant murmur of the sea. They stood remote from +the homes of men in the mountain solitude. + +Andrew, stooping behind a mass of granite, struck a match and took out +his watch. + +"We haven't much time to spare. I wish I knew if the lightship yonder +was still riding to the ebb," he said. "There's a burn somewhere below +us and running water is generally a good guide down." + +They went on, floundering through tangled heather and falling into +rabbit-burrows, until the tinkle of water reached them softly. After +that they wound downhill beside the growing burn, past brakes of thorn +and hazel and over banks of stones, until a long wood led them to the +road. Following the wood for a time they went down again through +smooth pasture and turnip-fields and came to a wall that ran along the +beach. The empty space beyond it looked black and lonely, and the +mournful crying of wildfowl came out of the gloom, but at some +distance a beam from a lighthouse cast its reflection upon the sloppy +sand. + +"Can you hit the wreck from here?" Whitney asked. + +"I'll try," said Andrew. "It's a long way, and the tide must be on the +turn." + +They took off their boots, and as they launched out across the dark +level the sand felt sharply cold. Here and there they splashed through +pools, but for the most part the bank was ribbed with hard ridges. The +shore soon vanished; Criffell's black bulk grew blurred and shapeless +against the sky; and they had only the misty beam from the lighthouse +for guide. Whitney, however, imagined that Andrew was going straight, +which was comforting, when they came to a wide depression where water +glimmered. He thought this was the channel that had stopped them +before, and he felt somewhat uneasy as he waded in. There was now no +boat they could retreat to on the other side of the wreck. + +The water, however, hardly covered their ankles; and some time +afterward Andrew touched Whitney's arm as a dim, formless mass rose +from the sand. It got plainer as they cautiously approached it, their +bare feet falling noiselessly, and in a minute or two they stopped and +listened beside the wreck. There was no sound but the drip of water, +and Andrew, grasping a broken beam, swung himself up. Whitney +followed, his nerves tense, his muscles braced; and he held his breath +when he dropped into the forecastle. The next moment a pale light +sprang up, and he saw Andrew holding out a match. The feeble glow +spread along the wet planks and filled the forecastle before the match +went out, and Whitney was more relieved than disappointed to see that +nobody else was there. + +"We have missed him," he said. "Take my box; they're wax and burn +better than the wooden kind." + +Andrew struck another light, and it burned clearer. The candle they +had used and replaced on the last visit had gone, but two or three +matches floated in a pool. He picked them up and Whitney examined them +closely. + +"These are quite fresh," he said. "Looks as if they'd just been +struck, though we can't be sure of that. Extra thick wax, same make as +mine; I got the best I could, because I wanted them to light the +bicycle lamp." + +Then the match burned low, and Andrew threw it down. + +"It proves nothing except that the man who used them wanted a good +article. The make is well known, but in this part of the country you +couldn't find it except at a tobacconist's." + +"That's a point. Anything is good enough for a fisherman or a sailor +to get a light with. The fellow who came here must have meant to have +the best." + +"After all, the matches don't tell us who he is," Andrew said slowly. + +"They don't, but they may help us later. And now we'll hustle for the +beach. It would be awkward if we found the tide running up the +gutter." + +They set off across the sands and waded through the channel without +trouble. Reaching land, they put on their boots and laboriously +struggled up the dark hill. Both were tired when they floundered down +through the heather on the other side, but they found the boggy heath, +and came at last to the cothouse. As they expected, the motorcycle was +no longer there. They trudged on to the peat-stack, and shortly +afterward Whitney started his machine, and with some difficulty kept +out of the ruts and ditches until he turned into the highroad. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE MATCHBOX + + +The dead leaves were driving round Appleyard before a boisterous wind +that lashed the granite walls with bitter rain. A fire had been +lighted in the drawing-room, and Staffer sat talking to his sister. +Mrs. Woodhouse was a quiet woman, generally content to remain in the +background; and the influence she exercised at Appleyard was, as a +rule, negative. She rarely claimed authority, even over her daughter, +or openly interfered, but the things she disapproved of were seldom +done. Now her usually placid face was firm. + +The drawing-room door was open, and she watched Williamson, who stood +near Elsie in the hall. His pose was gracefully easy as he smiled at a +remark of the girl's. He looked suave and well-bred, but Mrs. +Woodhouse's expression hardened. + +"Will that man be here long?" she asked, when Williamson and Elsie +moved away. + +Staffer gave her a quick glance. It was desirable that his relations +with Williamson should be cordial, but of late his guest had shown +some reserve. It was so slight that Staffer, knowing of no cause for +their disagreement, felt it instinctively rather than noticed it by +any particular sign. For all that, something had come between them, +and he wondered whether his sister was to blame for this. + +"It looks as if you didn't wish him to stay," he said. + +"I don't. His society is not good for Dick." + +Staffer smiled, though he was puzzled. On his last visit Williamson +had rather avoided Dick. + +"He can't do him much harm; and, after all, it does not look as if +Dick would marry Elsie, as we once thought was possible." + +"No; Elsie will not marry him, and I would not wish it, if she were +willing." + +Staffer was somewhat surprised. + +"Then why need you bother about him?" he said. "If he indulges in +foolish extravagances, it's his affair." + +She looked at Staffer with a listless expression. + +"I don't think you would understand; but I do not want him to come to +harm." + +"Well, there's something else to talk about. It won't be long before +Dick is his own master, and we must leave Appleyard. This will make a +big difference, because our means are small and Elsie has been taught +no profession. What will she do then, unless she marries somebody?" + +"I do not know," Mrs. Woodhouse answered in a placid tone. + +Staffer mastered his impatience, for his sister sometimes baffled him, +and there was a matter of importance about which he wished to sound +her. + +"I'm sorry you seem to have a prejudice against Williamson. Is it only +on Dick's account?" + +"No; I feel that he may bring trouble to us all. We were happier +before his visits began. There is a difference now at Appleyard, and I +don't like mystery. Why does he call himself Williamson?" + +"Ah! You imagine it is not his name?" + +"I have known for some time that it is not." + +Staffer felt disturbed. His sister had been shrewder than he expected, +and he wondered whether anybody else shared her suspicions; but her +statement gave him the lead he wanted. + +"Well," he said, "I dare say you can see that to use his proper name +just now might make things unpleasant for him." + +"He did not use it when he first came here, and nobody would have +minded it then." + +"I'm not certain; these Scots are prejudiced against foreigners; but +it's hard to see why you should dislike the man because he is one of +us." He paused and looked at her reproachfully. "Have you forgotten +the people you belong to, Gretchen, and where you were born?" + +Mrs. Woodhouse's face was troubled, but there was a hint of firmness +in her voice as she answered. + +"I have not forgotten. But when I married I knew I must choose between +my country and my husband's; one could not belong to both. I chose +his; his people became mine. He was a good man--I think there are not +many like him--and I was happy. When he died, I tried to bring up his +daughter as he would have her." + +"You succeeded. Elsie is a Scot," Staffer remarked with a sneer. + +Something in her face warned him that his sister was not to be moved. +It was seldom she had shown him her deeper feelings, but she had a +mother's heart, against which he could not prevail. She might have +made him a useful if not altogether conscious ally, but that idea must +be dropped. He had been beaten by a fundamental quality in human +nature; and he was half afraid he had said too much. + +"Well," he added, "I'll be content if you treat Williamson as you +would any other guest. You needn't go beyond this, if you'd rather +not." + +She turned and gave him a steady glance. + +"I wish you had nothing to do with him, Arnold--I feel he's dangerous. +But I will be polite to him, so long as he does not harm Dick." + +"That's all I want," said Staffer, turning away. + +He entered the billiard-room where the others had gathered. Elsie was +knitting, Dick and Andrew were playing, and Williamson stood looking +on. Staffer thought this strange, because Andrew did not play well, +and Williamson had generally engaged Dick in a game for a stake. + +"Making stockings now!" Staffer said to Elsie. "Whom is this lot for?" + +"The Border regiment." + +"The men who're lucky enough to get them ought to feel flattered," +Williamson interposed. + +"The brave soldiers are entitled to the best we can send them," Elsie +said staunchly. + +Williamson carelessly examined the work. + +"This is very neat. Knitting's an essentially Scottish accomplishment. +It's useful, which no doubt appeals to a race of utilitarian +character." + +"That's why I like it," Elsie declared. "I am Scottish in all my +habits and feelings, you know." + +Whitney thought there was something defiant in her voice, but he could +not tell whether Williamson noticed it. + +When the game was finished, Whitney took out a cigarette and walked +to a match-holder, which he knew was empty. + +"Will you give me a light?" he asked Williamson. + +"Certainly," said Williamson, producing a well-made gun-metal case, +which he immediately returned to his pocket. "I think I used the last +there, but I have a box somewhere." + +He handed Whitney an ordinary card box containing pine matches. + +"Thank you." + +As Whitney returned the box he noticed that Andrew was watching them. +Then he glanced quickly at Elsie, but she was quietly knitting, with +her eyes on the stitches. + +A few minutes afterward a servant brought in the afternoon edition of +a Glasgow newspaper. Staffer glanced at the front page and then sat +down near one of the lamps. There was a certain deliberation in his +movements that Whitney noticed, though he admitted that he might not +have done so had not the matchbox incident roused him to suspicious +vigilance. He thought Staffer was waiting for something, and in a +moment or two Williamson left Dick and turned toward him. + +Then Staffer folded back the newspaper. + +"The A. & P. liner _Centaur_ has gone down in the North Channel," he +announced calmly. + +Whitney started, Dick abruptly put down his cue, and Andrew's face +grew hard. + +"Do you mean that she was blown up?" Elsie asked with a note of horror +in her voice. + +"It looks so; but there's not much news yet." + +Staffer began to read: + + "The captain of the Clyde coaster _Gannet_ reports + that when he was off the Skerries near dark one of the + big A. & P. liners passed him at some distance to the + north. It was blowing fresh, and hazy, but when the + vessel was almost out of sight he noticed a dense + cloud of smoke. He ran to the box on the bridge-rail, + where he kept his glasses, but when he got them out + the liner had disappeared. He steered for the spot + where he had last seen her, but it was dark when he + reached it, and after steaming about for some time, + and seeing nothing but a quantity of wreckage, he made + for Rathlin and megaphoned the lighthouse-keepers + before proceeding. An unconfirmed report from Larne + states that a fishing craft passed a steamer's + lifeboat, but lost her in the dark. The _Centaur_, a + large and nearly new steamer, left Montreal with wheat + and a number of passengers eight days ago." + +Nobody spoke for a minute after he put down the newspaper, and Whitney +lighted a cigarette to cover his excitement. The news was startling, +but he thought it did not take Staffer or Williamson by surprise. +There was something curious in their expression. Andrew's face, +however, had grown very stern; and Elsie's was angrily flushed. + +"This is not war, but murder!" she exclaimed. "The men who blow up +unarmed vessels ought to be severely punished." + +"When you catch them," Staffer answered. "I expect that it will prove +difficult; and I'm afraid we must be prepared for some nasty knocks." + +"It's rather exasperating to be hit hard where you flatter yourself +you're secure against attack," Williamson remarked. "The Admiralty +must have thought the North Channel safe." + +"It _is_ except against treachery," Elsie declared. "Don't you think +so, Andrew?" + +"I do," said Andrew quietly. "It's narrow and commanded by lighthouses +and coastguard stations; though perhaps, in a way, its narrowness is a +danger. But we must see that this kind of thing doesn't happen again." + +"How would you try to prevent it?" Staffer asked, with a calmness that +was somewhat overdone. + +Whitney gave Andrew a careless glance, and was relieved to note that +his grim look had vanished. Andrew's views on this subject would be +worth having, but it was obvious that he did not mean to state them. + +"I'm not a navy officer," he answered and turned to Elsie. "One feels +that it won't bear talking about." + +"Yes," she agreed, with a flash in her eyes. "There's no use in giving +way to rage when one is hurt. The best one can do after a treacherous +blow is to keep very quiet and wait until the time comes to strike +back." + +"There's a true Scot!" laughed Staffer. "You're a stubborn, +unemotional race. I wouldn't like to fall into your hands if I'd +wronged your friends." + +"The Scots are just: they repay both injuries and favors." + +Then, by general consent, they talked about something else; and after +a time the others went out, and Whitney and Elsie were left alone. He +suspected that she had meant this to happen, but he was surprised by +her first question. + +"Have you a bad memory?" + +"I like to think that it's as good as my neighbor's." + +"Then it's strange you lighted a cigarette with a match from your own +box after asking Mr. Williamson for his." + +"Well, by jove!" Whitney exclaimed. "Do you think he noticed it?" + +Elsie's eyes twinkled. + +"No; he had his back toward you when you began the next cigarette. But +why did you ask for a match when you had some?" + +Whitney looked at her frankly. + +"I'd rather you didn't press me for an answer," he said. + +"Why? Do you mean you wouldn't tell me?" + +"Yes. And I shouldn't like to refuse." + +Elsie smiled. + +"You're not a good plotter. It was easy to catch you out." + +"So it seems. But if I'm not as smart as I ought to be, I mean well." + +"I don't doubt it, and I have some reason for trusting you. I think +you're a good friend of Dick's and Andrew's; and their friends are +mine." + +"Thank you! But Williamson's by way of being a friend of Dick's." + +"Oh, no; he only pretends he is. You must know this." + +"Suppose we admit it. Don't you think Andrew's able to take care of +his cousin?" + +"I'm glad he has your help." + +"Perhaps it's more important that he has yours. We're three to one, +and that ought to be enough." + +Elsie's face was calm, but she was silent for a moment, and Whitney +thought she was trying to hide some embarrassment. + +"Tell me," she said, "was it on Dick's account you asked Williamson +for a match?" + +"No; that is, not directly. I can't tell you anything more; but since +we are friends, can you arrange that there are no matches put beside +the bedroom candles?" + +"The man is our guest," Elsie said with some hesitation. "Still +perhaps one mustn't be fastidious when--" + +"When there's a good deal at stake--Dick's welfare, for one thing." + +"Very well," Elsie promised. + +An hour later the party broke up. They used oil-lamps at Appleyard, +and at night a row of candles in old-fashioned brass holders were +placed upon a table on the bedroom landing. As a rule, a few +matchboxes were put beside them; but sometimes this was overlooked. + +Williamson went upstairs first, and stopped on reaching the table. + +"Matches run out here, too!" he said to Whitney, who was close behind +him. "Shall I light your candle?" + +Whitney's hand moved toward his pocket, but he remembered in time. + +"Thanks!" he answered carelessly. "Perhaps you had better light the +lot." + +Williamson took out the gun-metal box and struck a small pine match. + +"I filled it up again," he remarked. "I always like to have matches +handy in an old-fashioned house." + +"It's a good plan," Whitney agreed, and went away with his candle. + +Five minutes later he opened Andrew's door and found him standing by +the window. + +"Come in! I'm thinking about that Canadian boat." + +"So I expected," Whitney answered meaningly. "But we'll take the other +matter first. Seems to me they're connected." + +"The matchbox matter? I don't know whether it was a clever trick or +not, but I'd like to hear your views." + +"Well," Whitney laughed, "I'm not so smart as I thought. Elsie soon +tripped me up." + +Andrew frowned. + +"Then she saw you? She understands?" + +"Something. I don't know how much, but I'm free to admit that she's +cleverer than either of us. However, one thing's obvious: Williamson +took care to have a box that would hold a good many matches and keep +them dry. It's curious that he didn't shake it before he said it was +empty. Anyhow, he overdid the thing. If he had given me a thick wax +match like those we found on board the wreck, it wouldn't have proved +much; while his anxiety to show he used the small pine kind strikes me +as significant." + +"Elsie must be kept out of all this," Andrew said firmly. + +"Then I guess you'll have to keep her out; I'm not up to Miss +Woodhouse's mark. Did you notice Staffer's attempt to learn if you +knew much about the North Channel?" + +"Yes; but we'll let that go for the present. The A. & P. boat was +mined or torpedoed. What are we to do?" + +Whitney hesitated. + +"To begin with," he said, "you must make up your mind right now how +far you are willing to go. You're proud of being a Johnstone, and put +the good name of the family pretty high." + +"Yes," answered Andrew slowly; "that is true. These, however, are +personal reasons, and don't come first. You can take it for granted +that I'm ready to go as far as is needful for the good of my country, +regardless of--of any one at Appleyard." + +"Then we must try to find Rankine and tell him what we suspect." + +"Very well," said Andrew. "We'll sail on the ebb in the morning." + +Whitney made a sign of agreement and went away. Andrew had not +hesitated about his decision, but Whitney knew it had cost him +something. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A CONFERENCE AT SEA + + +North Barrule's blunt cone and the range of Manx hills beyond it cut, +harshly blue, against an angry blaze of saffron that had broken out +when the rain stopped and was now beginning to fade. The sun had sunk +behind the island, and the sky to the northwest was black as ink, but +the tall cliffs of the Mull of Galloway were traced across the +storm-cloud in a neutral-tinted smear. Between them and the _Rowan_ +stretched a belt of lead-colored sea, which, in the foreground, rose +in hollow-fronted walls with livid white summits that overweighted +them until they curled and broke in cataracts of foam. + +It was blowing hard, and threatened to blow harder soon, but Andrew's +wet face was tranquil as he sat on the weather coaming, braced against +the strain of the helm. Whitney was in the cockpit, where he could +avoid the worst of the spray, but he was cold and sore from +twenty-four hours of savage lurching. Clouds of spray drove across the +boat, striking the canvas and blowing out to lee under the boom, but +some fell short and splashed upon Whitney's lowered head. The _Rowan_, +beating to windward, progressed in jerks and plunges, nearly stopping +with a shock now and then as her bows sank into a comber. Whitney +thought she could not carry her shortened canvas long; but their port +was to windward, and they could not ease her much if they wished to +reach it. + +"She's ramming them pretty badly," he remarked, as a white sea boiled +across the deck. "I suppose you'd find her hard to steer if I lowered +the staysail?" + +"Yes; she makes my arms ache now. Still, if it doesn't blow much worse +in the next two hours, we'll find smoother water to lee of the +island." Something on the horizon caught Andrew's eye. "Get me the +glasses," he added. + +Whitney went below to look for them, and lighted the cabin lamp. The +floor and beams were steeply inclined, and he had to brace his feet +against the centerboard trunk. The narrow cabin throbbed with a +muffled uproar, and water trickled in. There was a pool that splashed +about where the floor boards met the locker. The leather case of the +glasses had swollen, and he spent a minute or two in opening it, +though he made the best speed he could. They had been searching for +Rankine's vessel in weather that had tried their nerve and skill. Once +or twice it had looked as if they must run for shelter, but the breeze +had moderated a trifle, and Andrew had held on. Now, however, he was +making for Ramsey, to Whitney's keen satisfaction. + +Andrew wound the tiller-line round one hand as he put the glasses to +his eyes. He saw what he had expected: two slender spars and a funnel, +both sharply slanted, that rose above the back of a distant sea. Then +a patch of dark hull swung into sight, and vanished again. + +"The survey boat," he said, giving Whitney the glasses. "She must be +near the edge of King William's Bank, and we'll find an ugly sea +running there. You'd better start the pump." + +It was hard work, for when Whitney unscrewed the plug on deck the sea +poured down the pipe to meet the water he forced out, and the boat's +wild plunges threw him against the coaming; but he persevered. As they +were likely to find the sea worse, she must be cleared of water before +more came on board. It was some time before the pump sucked and only +froth came up; then Whitney precariously balanced himself on the +cabin-top with his hand upon the boom while he looked about. + +Every now and then the straining storm-jib plunged into a sea that +curled in foam across the bows, throwing showers of spray into the +hollow of the staysail. Then the bowsprit swung high above the turmoil +and the water blew away in streams from the canvas while a frothy +cataract poured aft down the uplifted deck. When he glanced to +windward the spray lashed his face, but he distinguished a rolling +steamer some distance off. There was no smoke about her funnel, and +after watching her for a few moments he did not think she moved. + +"Lying head to sea," he said to Andrew. "Rankine might as well run +into the harbor: he won't do much sounding to-night." + +"That's plain. It doesn't look as if he thought sounding his most +important job. Haul down the staysail." + +Whitney scrambled forward, and when he let go the halyard he dropped +on hands and knees. The straining sail would not run down the wire to +which it was fastened, and he must cross the narrow deck to free it. +He did not want to go; for the _Rowan_ buried her bows as she plunged, +and the foam boiled over them a foot in depth; but the whitening of +the sea to windward showed that a savage squall was on its way. He +reached the inboard end of the bowsprit and held fast while a comber +washed across the rail, and then, rising half upright, he seized the +line that hung from the head of the sail. The loosened canvas thrashed +him; he was swung to and fro, in danger of going overboard; but he +held on until the sail came down with a run and fell on to his knees. + +The plunges were not quite so vicious when he got back to the cockpit, +but the alteration in the sail-spread made steering difficult, and +Andrew strained against the pull of the tiller-line as he drove her +through the squall. + +In the meantime, the _Rowan_ had drawn nearer to the steamer, which +now lay close ahead, rolling until her deck sloped like a roof, and +then lurching back with her streaming side lifted high above the sea. +Andrew went about and then ran close to leeward, where they checked +the _Rowan_ by hauling her jib aback. A man in oilskins leaned out +from the steamer's bridge, and the fading light touched his wet face. + +"It's Rankine," said Andrew. "We must try to make him hear." + +The next moment a shout came down across the broken seas that rolled +between the vessels. + +"Yacht, ahoy! What d'you want?" + +"To see you!" Andrew answered, throwing his voice to windward with all +his force. "Important!" + +Rankine steadied himself against the rail, with his glasses at his +eyes. + +"The _Rowan_; Mr. Johnstone! Could you jump on board our gig?" + +"Can't leave the boat!" shouted Andrew, letting her forge ahead a few +yards nearer. + +Rankine made a sign of comprehension. + +"Very well. Follow us into shelter!" + +Andrew waved his arm, and, trimming the jib over, drove the _Rowan_ +ahead. As he did so, the steamer's screw splashed round half out of +water, and she slowly turned toward the north. + +"That's not the way to Ramsey," Whitney grumbled. + +"No," said Andrew. "I guess he has some reason for not going there. He +means to run in behind the Mull, though it's farther off." + +Whitney frowned as he glanced across the wild stretch of foaming water +toward a twinkling stream of light. He was numbed and wet; it was now +getting dark and the bitter wind seemed freshening to a gale; but +Andrew meant to follow the steamer, and there was nothing to be said. +The only comfort was that their change of course brought the wind +farther aft and the _Rowan_ would sail fast. + +Rankine's crew hung out a stern light as their vessel left the yacht, +and Whitney, getting down in the cockpit, tried to dodge the spray +while she rolled and tumbled across the high beam-sea. He was sorry +for Andrew, who must sit on the coaming amid the spray; though he +imagined that his comrade would be sufficiently occupied to make him +careless of the wet and cold. + +As a matter of fact, Andrew mechanically avoided the rush of the +foaming combers, for he was thinking hard. He shrank from the meeting +he had sought, because he knew he was badly equipped for the +difficult part he must play. He suspected Williamson of practises +which must, at any cost, be stopped, since it was unthinkable that a +traitor should make use of Appleyard. This was bad; but it was worse +to know that Staffer was acting as Williamson's confederate. + +The trouble was that if Andrew exposed the men, the innocent would +suffer. Staffer was Mrs. Woodhouse's brother, and Andrew pitied the +quiet woman. Then there was Elsie, whom Staffer had certainly treated +well. She would be crushed by shame if she learned his share in the +plot. Andrew knew her well enough to feel sure of this. Elsie was true +as steel; if he told her his suspicions, she would urge him to do his +duty. Still, she would suffer; and part of Staffer's punishment would +fall on her. It would not be forgotten that she was the niece of a +foreign spy; and her mother might be suspected of complicity. + +It was a painful situation; for Andrew gladly would have made any +personal sacrifice that might save the girl a pang. He must try to +find a way of doing his duty without involving her; in some way he +must warn Rankine and yet keep back part of what he knew. This was a +repugnant course, and he frowned as he drove the dripping boat across +the foaming sea. + +At times the steamer's stern light almost faded out, but it grew +brighter again, and Andrew knew that Rankine was waiting for him. It +was now blowing hard, and the combers looked very steep and angry, +though he could no longer distinguish them until they broke close to +the yacht. He imagined that they were stirred up by a strong tide, and +several pinnacles of rock rose from deep water in the neighborhood. He +hoped Rankine knew their position as he followed the steamer's light. + +At last the sea got smoother and, instead of breaking, ran in a long, +disturbed swell. The wind no longer hove the boat down with a steady +pressure, but lightened until she swung nearly upright and then fell +upon her in furious squalls that sent her staggering along with her +lee deck deep in the foam. A lofty black ridge towered above her port +side, and Andrew knew they were behind the Mull of Galloway. The +water, however, was too deep, and the tide too strong for them to +bring up there, and he supposed Rankine knew of a safe anchorage. + +After a time he heard a whistle, and the light ahead stopped; then +there was a roar of running chain, and as he luffed up a shout reached +him. + +"Let go and give her plenty scope!" + +The chain was nearly all out before Andrew thought she had enough, and +while she rolled and tumbled on the swell a splash of oars came out of +the dark. Then a white gig loomed up alongside, and he and Whitney +jumped on board as the crew backed away. They had to wait a minute or +two close to the steamer's side, until a smooth undulation lapped the +lurching hull, when they seized the ladder and scrambled up. + +Rankine took them into a small, teak-paneled room with a brass stove +in a corner. It was remarkably neat, though a cushioned locker, a +small table, and two camp-chairs comprised the furniture. Nautical +instruments occupied a rack, and a large chart of the Irish Sea was +spread upon the table. Rankine put a bottle of wine and some +cigarettes on the chart, and then hung up his wet oilskins. + +"We're safe here so long as the wind keeps to the west; and I can give +you a berth if your cabin's wet," he said. + +"No, thanks," replied Andrew. "It's an exposed coast." + +He tasted the wine Rankine poured out and lighted a cigarette. Whitney +said nothing, and there was silence for a time. Rankine waited, with a +polite smile. + +"What are you doing near King William's Bank?" Andrew asked presently; +and the others knew that his question was more to the purpose than +appeared. + +"Taking bearings and sounding, until the sea got up. I've made one or +two interesting discoveries about that shoal." + +Although he sympathized with Andrew, Whitney felt amused, for he saw +that Rankine would do nothing to help him. + +"You gave us a long run," Andrew said. "We would have got better +shelter in Ramsey Bay." + +"That's true. I preferred this place." + +Andrew frowned at the chart, as if he did not know how to go on; and +Whitney came to his rescue. + +"I guess it suits you better to keep away from port; you don't want to +be seen and talked about." + +Rankine smiled. + +"Am I mistaken in suggesting that we don't make much progress. Now, +after meeting you at Craigwhinnie and inviting you to come on board, +it's a satisfaction to find you have taken me at my word; but if you +have any other reason for the visit, I'm at your command. I understood +this was so." + +"The matter is important, and we want to feel we're justified in +talking about it," Whitney replied. "In fact, if your work's confined +to surveying, we'd rather you regarded us as casual guests." + +"Then I think you can take it that my job doesn't end there. I'm still +a navy officer, though I'm now assisting the Trinity House." + +Whitney laughed. + +"Well, I guess that's as much as one could expect you to admit. +British official caution is a remarkable thing." He turned to Andrew. +"You'd better tell him what we've seen." + +Andrew began with their adventures on the sands when the lamp went +out, and then mentioned the signal lights on Barennan Crag and what +they had discovered on board the wreck. He told the story well, adding +particulars that had escaped Whitney's observation, and Rankine +followed him closely on the chart. + +He looked up with frank appreciation when Andrew had finished. + +"I don't think I've ever heard as clear and concise a report before. +May I suggest that you're rather wasting your talents? You ought to be +in the navy." + +"I had to leave the army," Andrew replied, coloring. "But that's not +what we have to talk about." + +"No," agreed Rankine, and was silent for a while. + +Whitney watched him with tranquil interest. The teak-paneled room was +warm and bright, and after long exposure to numbing cold it was +soothing to feel himself getting warm and drowsy; though the men still +held his attention. The navy officer was, no doubt, the cleverer of +the two, but Whitney thought he recognized a strong similarity in +their characters. They were resolute, quiet, and capable, and he felt +sure of their honesty. Rankine's face was now gravely thoughtful, but +Andrew's wore a troubled frown, and Whitney imagined he recognized +that the difficult part of the interview had not yet been reached. + +"What you have discovered seems to have one of two meanings," Rankine +said. "It may indicate a signaling of military and political news, +which, strictly speaking, is not my business; or it may have some +bearing on the loss of the A. & P. liner, and perhaps lead to similar +attacks." + +"Which _would_ be your business," Whitney drawled. + +"I can't talk about that; but Mr. Johnstone did right in telling me," +Rankine answered, and turned to Andrew. "Have you told any one else?" + +"No." There was a curious quietness in Andrew's voice which showed +Whitney that he had decided on his course. + +"Why not? If my first surmise is correct, it's a matter for the +military authorities." + +"It seems to me the thing's not ripe. I have nothing but vague +suspicions to go upon." + +"Then you suspect somebody?" + +"Yes." + +Rankine looked at him in silence for a few moments. + +"I suppose you mean to follow up the clue you've got?" he then asked. + +"You may take that for granted," Andrew answered. + +"And if you find your suspicions right?" + +"When I'm certain of that, I'll act; but not before." + +"Well, you no doubt recognize the responsibility you're taking. There +are people appointed to investigate these things who could act with +greater skill and force." + +"I see that," Andrew replied quietly. "And when I think the time has +come, I'll go to them, or you." + +"But you mean to decide for yourself whether it has come or not?" + +"Exactly; I must decide." + +Rankine looked hard at him, knitting his brows. + +"I cannot tell you what my orders are," he said; "but you put me in an +awkward position. I may do wrong in not reporting our conversation." + +"Even if you did report it, I should stick to the line I've taken. If +it led to my arrest, that would, of course, prevent my watching the +coast--and I can do that as well as you." + +"Better; for you wouldn't be suspected. Well, as I see you must be +indulged, I'll tell you how to find me when you have something more to +say. You must be careful to follow my instructions." + +"Then write them down." + +"I think not; I'm rather straining my authority in giving them to you +at all, and secrecy is important." + +Whitney got up. + +"Perhaps I ought to remind you that I'm not a British subject," he +said. + +Rankine smiled. + +"Since you are in Mr. Johnstone's confidence, you may remain. He won't +mind my saying that, so far as strictly nautical matters go, he's well +qualified to deal with them, but there are touches about what he told +me that seem to show he has had your help. Now you must exactly follow +these directions--" + +He told them how they could learn his movements and send him word. + +"That is all," he concluded. "If you think the weather permits it, +I'll be glad to keep you on board over night." + +Andrew opened the door, and the bitter draught that swept in lifted +the chart on the table and swirled about the room. They heard the surf +beat upon a rocky beach and the wind scream in the shrouds. + +"No, thanks," he said. "It's not a night to leave the boat." + +Rankine went out with them and gave an order. Half-seen men ran aft +and dropped into the dark from the vessel's rail, and presently the +gig lay tossing abreast of the gangway. Whitney looked at the warm, +well-lighted deckhouse with regret, and then, buttoning his oilskins, +followed Andrew down into the boat. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A WARNING + + +Staffer and Williamson sat in the library at Appleyard. It was getting +late, and the rest of the household were in bed. Williamson had gone +to his room with the others, but afterward had crept down again +quietly. He had arrived that evening, but had found it difficult to +get any private conversation with his host without making his wish to +do so rather marked; for he imagined that Miss Woodhouse was watching +him; and Whitney was constantly about. Now, however, he had said all +he thought needful, and he wondered why Staffer did not let him go. + +The library was spacious and was lighted only by a shaded lamp on a +table near them. The polished floor gleamed like ice in the +illuminated circle, but everything outside this was dim, and Staffer's +face was in the shadow. The fire in the big hearth had sunk, and a +pale-blue flame that gave no light played about the embers of the +hardwood logs. The room was very quiet and getting cold. + +"You'll be in town next week," Staffer said. "Can you find a good +excuse for taking Dick? A boxing or billiard match, for example." + +"I don't know of anything of the kind." + +"Then you surprise me. You belong to one or two smart sporting clubs." + +"Sporting events are not popular just now." + +"There's always something going on; and if it's semi-private, so much +the better. When one is as young as Dick, a little mystery is +inciting, and it's flattering to feel oneself a privileged person." + +"No doubt. For all that, I haven't heard of any attractive fixture; +and if I invented one that didn't come off, it would make the game +obvious, even to Dick." + +"I suppose this means you don't want to take him," Staffer suggested. +"Let's be frank." + +"Then you are anxious that he should go?" + +"For one thing, it looks as if you had rather held Dick off lately. +This is against our plans. Then, if Dick's away, Andrew and his +American friend will leave. It would be safer not to have them about." + +"Your last reason's good; in fact, it's better than the other," +Williamson said dryly. "I'm going to take no further part in +exploiting Dick." + +Staffer frowned. + +"That resolve will cost you something. What has led you to make it?" + +"The thing is getting dangerous. We can't afford to run an unnecessary +risk, you know." + +"That's true, but I don't see where the danger lies." + +Williamson pondered. He had acted as Staffer's tool in leading Dick +into extravagance; but Staffer had not been straight with him. +Besides, if he now explained that Mackellar was suspicious, it would +look as if he had turned against his confederate and tried to make +terms with the bank agent. + +"Dick has friends who would carefully investigate matters if he had to +admit his debts, and they might find out enough to cause us trouble. +Then, we're engaged in another business of first importance that +can't be neglected while we make plans for our private benefit. If we +fail, the consequences would be unpleasant--to say the least." + +Staffer laughed. Williamson wished he could see his face, for his +amusement had a hint of a threat. + +"Remarkably unpleasant! As it happens, you haven't met with much +success of late. Another man whom I needn't mention brought off the +last big stroke." + +"It was not my fault; things have been dead against me, as you know." + +"So it seems! But our employers expect results, not excuses." Staffer +paused and resumed: "As you have been unlucky, I thought you might +find some advantage in helping me with Dick." + +Williamson saw that Staffer's remarks were connected. He was being +warned, and asked to think over his refusal; but he stood his ground. + +"The advantage doesn't counterbalance the danger," he said. + +"Well, I suppose that is for you to decide. Perhaps you are wise in +concentrating on your particular business. Our employers are liberal +when they're served well, but not as a rule indulgent when a post is +unsatisfactorily filled." + +Williamson was silent for a moment. Staffer was, in a sense, his +superior officer; but for all that, he was expected to use his +judgment, and he foresaw danger for both if he meddled with Dick. +Still, Staffer was powerful and had given him a significant hint. + +"I don't think our employers have much to complain of," Williamson +said; "and we must try to work together as far as possible." + +"Just so," Staffer answered, getting up. + +They separated apparently on good terms; but they were conscious of +mutual distrust. + +The next morning Whitney, after trying to get into range of a flock of +curlew feeding among the sands, threw his gun upon his shoulder and +set out for the _Rowan_. The sun was bright and the breeze fresh, and +after opening the skylights to ventilate the boat, he went below to +see if their blankets were damp. While he was busy he heard a foot on +deck, and Marshall, the fisherman, came down the ladder. He visited +the yacht now and then; and Whitney at once got out the whisky bottle. + +"Help yourself, but you'll excuse my not joining you," he said. "It's +rather early in the morning, and I reckon my nerves aren't as good as +yours." + +Marshall poured out a liberal portion and regarded him with a twinkle. + +"I'm thinking they canna' be bad since ye're shipmate with Mr. Andrew. +He's no' the man I'd sail with if I was fleyt o' the sea." + +"Well, he _is_ pretty daring; but he's cautious, too, and knows +exactly what he's doing. That makes a difference." + +"Ay," agreed Marshall; "Andrew Johnstone's a by-ordinar' good seaman; +but ye may run a risk ye canna' see. Tide-rips and sudden blows are +bad, but they're no' the only dangers." + +Whitney lighted a cigarette. It was plain that the old fellow had a +warm liking for Andrew, and Whitney imagined he meant to give him a +hint of some kind. + +"I wish you'd tell me what you mean," he said. "You want to remember +that I'm an American and not used to dark remarks. In fact, it's more +or less my habit to say what I think." + +"Ye'll find it expensive whiles," Marshall rejoined with a chuckle. +"Onyway, ye're a friend o' Mr. Johnstone's?" + +"I believe so. It's a sure thing that I like him." + +"Then he'll maybe need ye. It's no' an easy job he has. Yon two at +Appleyard are kittle-cattle, and would be better for watching." + +"Why don't you tell me what they're after?" + +"For yea thing, I dinna ken, but I'm certain it's naething good." + +Whitney made a gesture of resignation. + +"This is a pretty hard country for a stranger to get along in. You're +such a blamed cautious people that nobody can guess what you think. +Why don't you give my partner or Dick a hint, if you believe there's +something wrong?" + +"There's aye a rizzon," Marshall replied with a grin. "Mr. Andrew +mightna' believe me, and Mr. Dick would let it oot to Staffer. It's +no' wise to offend the gentry, mair particularly your landlord, when a +salmon noo and then comes by accident into your flounder net or ye +chance upon a hare sitting ower close in her form." + +"But Dick would not be hard on you, and he'll be your landlord soon." + +"That's no' what Mr. Staffer's thinking," said Marshall meaningly. + +Whitney gave him a steady glance, knitting his brows. + +"My partner will get Appleyard if Dick dies." + +"Ay, that's supposed to be the way o' it; but Mr. Dick has debts that +would have to be paid. Then Mr. Staffer's acting baillie for the +estate, and it wouldna' suit him weel to see Mr. Andrew get it." + +"You mean he's a dangerous man?" + +"Ye should ken. I'm thinking ye're intelligent, and ye're Mr. Andrew's +friend." + +"I suppose that's a compliment, and I must try to deserve it," Whitney +smiled. + +Marshall poured out another drink and then went away, leaving Whitney +in a thoughtful mood. + +The old fellow's remarks were not clear, but two points appeared: he +thought Andrew was running some personal risk, and that Staffer might +put an obstacle in the way of his inheriting Appleyard. It was +difficult to see how Staffer could do so, even if he could take +advantage of Dick's extravagance in such a way as to give him a claim +on the estate; but suppose Andrew did not live to demand his rights? +Whitney remembered that his comrade had been in grave danger when the +gray car swerved in the glen, and again when the light went out on +Mersehead sands. That Dick shared the danger on both occasions might, +of course, be coincidence; but it might have a very sinister meaning. +Whitney felt disturbed about it; but he decided that as his suspicions +might be unfounded and the matter was delicate, he would not warn his +friends, and must be satisfied with keeping a keen watch on Staffer. + +One morning shortly after this Williamson picked his way across the +moss at the foot of Criffell as day was breaking. He was tired and +hungry, but, even at the risk of missing his breakfast, he did not +want to arrive at Dumfries too soon. Dawn was late now and he must +not give the hotel people cause to wonder why he had set out long +before it was light. + +The black mass of the mountain rose between him and the east with a +flush of pink above its sloping shoulder; the rolling country to the +west was shadowy, and dry tufts of wild cotton glimmered a ghostly +white among the dark-peat-hags. There had been light frost for a few +days, but it had gone, and a raw wind blew in Williamson's face. The +ground was getting soft, the rushes he brushed through were beaded +with moisture, and now and then half-thawed ice crackled beneath his +wet boots. Still, as he did not wish to loiter about Dumfries, he went +on leisurely. + +When he got over the fence, he found the loaning softer than he +expected, and on reaching the cothouse he decided that it would not be +safe to ride the motorcycle. The machine, however, was light, and he +was glad of a chance to warm himself by pushing it to the main road. +There was nobody in the wet fields, but the light was getting clear, +and a thin streak of smoke rose from the farm among the trees. +Everything looked gray and cold and desolate, but as Williamson +splashed into a pool a jolt of the bicycle warned him that he had +better fix his attention on the ruts. + +While he did so, he noticed a sinuous line running to meet him. At +first he supposed it was the track he had made in going down the lane; +then he thought it looked rather deep, and with sudden suspicion he +placed the back wheel of his bicycle beside it. The pattern the tire +left in the mud was different, and now he saw another line run out +from the grass. This seemed to indicate the track of a side-car, and +Williamson, leaning his wheel against the wall, followed the marks +back over the ground he had traversed. + +They led him to a gap in the dyke, and after taking down the pole that +closed it, he traced them to a peat-stack. They were lighter here, +which showed that the men had dismounted. He knew that it would take +some trouble to push a heavy motorcycle with a car attached over the +soft ground; but this had been done, and the machine dragged close +behind the stack. After examining the ground carefully, Williamson +returned to the loaning and made his way to the highroad as fast as +possible. It was now important that nobody should see him coming from +the moss. + +Reaching the road, where he would excite no curiosity, he sat down in +the shelter of a bank and lighted a cigarette, for he had received a +decided shock. Some one had driven a motorcycle down the loaning, but +had not gone to the farm. This was strange; and it was significant +that the man had taken a good deal of trouble to hide the machine, +which suggested that he must have meant to leave it for some time, and +wished to prevent its being seen. There was nothing on the moss to +repay a visit, and the owner of a motorcycle would have no reason for +taking a short cut across the mountain on foot, when he could drive +round as soon by road. That there was probably another man in the +side-car made the puzzle worse; and Williamson's face hardened as he +admitted the possibility of their having tried to follow him. + +Looking back at the rugged fellside anxiously, he saw that as he +crossed its summit he would have been visible against the sky, though +any one coming up could not be seen against the dark heath. It was +unfortunate that he had not looked back as he went down the other +side, or hidden behind a boulder and waited; but he had no ground for +believing that anybody knew of his journeys across the hill. + +He was engaged in a dangerous business, and the consequences would be +serious if the military authorities found him out; but this was not +the worst he feared. They might be baffled; but Staffer had hinted +that his employers were not satisfied, and it was a dangerous thing to +disappoint them. Their rewards were liberal, but their servants must +perform their task. Williamson shivered as he remembered what he had +heard about the fate of one or two who had not succeeded in this. + +Cowering behind the bank, while the cold wind whistled past, he +carefully thought out the situation. He saw that he had to face one of +two dangers. Either he had by some carelessness excited suspicion, and +was being watched, or he was distrusted by his friends. In the latter +case, flight to America was the only means of escape, because he knew +enough to make his employers uneasy, and if they failed in one plan to +put him out of the way, they would try another. He would certainly not +be left free to save himself by telling what he knew. But if he had +only the British authorities to fear, there was less cause for alarm. +They could be thrown off the track; indeed, this must be done, for he +dare not now abandon the work he had undertaken. + +Williamson was getting very cold, and a searching drizzle had begun to +fall; but he scarcely noticed it as he sat weighing the arguments for +and against each supposition. Eventually, he decided that he must +blame some incautiousness of his own, and he began to wonder whose +suspicions he had aroused. Whitney had a motorcycle, and its tires +would leave just such a mark as he had noticed; but this did not prove +much, because the make was in common use. The American was shrewd and +was a friend of Andrew's; but while both were antagonistic Williamson +thought they opposed him only on Dick's account. Well, he had promised +to leave Dick alone. That ought to satisfy them; and if he were very +careful he would be able to elude any other enemies. + +Feeling that his scare had been needless, he set off for Dumfries; +although he had not yet reached an explanation of the motorcycle +tracks. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE WHAMMEL BOAT + + +Thin fog drifted down the Firth when, with Whitney's help, Andrew +pulled the dinghy up the bank and then stopped to look about. It was +nine o'clock in the evening when they left the _Rowan_ at anchor in +the channel a hundred yards away, and he knew the tide was beginning +to flow, which meant that he had an hour and a half in which to reach +and return from the wreck. Everything was obscured to the east, but to +the west the sky was clear, and a thin, bright moon shone in a patch +of dusky blue. The sand felt harder than usual, for the night air was +frosty, but the melancholy calling of the wild fowl told that the salt +ooze in the gutters was still unfrozen. There was no other sound +except the ripple of the current across the shoals. + +"I suppose we'll let up for a bit if we see nobody to-night," Whitney +suggested. + +"Yes," said Andrew; "the tide's getting late." + +Whitney nodded agreement. They had sailed from the burnfoot three days +before, and after standing out to sea on the ebb, had returned to the +outer end of the channel in the dark as soon as they could stem the +slackening stream. Then, landing in the dinghy, they hung about the +wreck until the advancing tide drove them back. They had done this for +two nights, without seeing anything suspicious, and they could now +abandon the search, because as the time of high-water approached six +o'clock the tides did not run out far enough to enable anybody to +reach the wreck from land. + +Striking across the flats, they stopped on the edge of a hollow +running through the highest part. The mist was driving nearer before a +cold wind, and the moon was dim, but they could see for some distance +toward the west across the level stretch of sand. Nothing broke its +smooth expanse, but the sound of the sea had grown louder and the wild +fowl noisier. + +After a few moments, Andrew struck into the hollow and began to follow +it up. The sand was softer here, though there were spears of ice on +the muddy pools; but the men's figures no longer cut against the sky, +and Whitney knew the need for caution. The gutter got deeper as they +went on, until they could not see beyond its banks, and soon it began +to wind off to one side. When Andrew stopped at the turning, a wild +cry that was like a hoarse laugh came out of the dark. + +"What's that?" Whitney asked. + +"A black-backed gull," said Andrew thoughtfully. "They're suspicious +brutes and a nuisance when you're trying to crawl up to a flock of +duck. In fact, it often looks as if they laughed because you'd lost +your shot." + +"Do you think something has disturbed the bird?" + +"We'll know in a minute." + +A mournful wail that ended in a quavering tremolo fell from the air as +the harsh laughter died away. + +"That's a curlew going over," Andrew said. + +Then a shrill screaming broke out; and Andrew turned toward the bank +and began to climb out of the hollow. + +"Oyster-catchers now; they're all off," he said. + +When they reached the level, Whitney looked round quickly. The haze +was crawling close up in long, low-lying belts, but it had not reached +them yet, and as his eyes turned seaward he saw a black triangle +projecting above the edge of the flats. + +"A lugsail, isn't it?" he asked. + +"Yes; a whammel boat." + +Andrew seized Whitney's arm and, moving back a few steps, dropped upon +his knees and dragged his companion down. Whitney understood the +reason when he saw a faint, dark figure on the bank some distance off. + +"After all, it may be a fisherman," he said. + +"It's possible, but I don't know what he's doing here, and we'll +follow up the gutter until we're abreast of the wreck. The fog will +come down thick before we reach her." + +"I don't know that I'm fond of fog," Whitney replied. "However, if you +think you can find the dinghy--" + +Moving back into the bed of the channel, they went on as fast as +possible. They were out of sight, but the winding hollow lengthened +the distance. It got darker as they splashed among the pools; and when +at last Andrew thought they had gone far enough and they climbed the +bank, everything was hidden by drifting fog. Whitney was frankly +uneasy. Andrew knew the sands well, but, for all that, it would not be +difficult to lose their way, and they had purposely left no light on +board the yacht. Still, it was unthinkable that they should turn back +when the man they had been trying to mark down seemed almost in their +hands. Banishing his misgivings, he plunged into the clammy mist, +following closely behind Andrew. + +The birds had gone; nothing broke the silence, and there was nothing +to be seen. Whitney imagined that Andrew was going straight, but this +was not certain, and he recognized that the man they hoped to surprise +might have turned back. Andrew went a few yards in front, a dim, +ghostly figure in the fog, but it was a relief to see that he showed +no hesitation. Though they tried to move quietly, they made some +noise. Where the bank was hard their footsteps rang through the haze, +now and then shells crunched beneath their boots, and there were spots +where they splashed through half-frozen mud. + +At last they saw the blurred outline of the wreck. + +"Go straight on and then wait until I creep up on the other side," +Andrew whispered. + +They separated, and Whitney braced himself for a struggle as he moved +softly forward. The man would no doubt be armed, but he must not get +away until they learned who he was. Whitney set his lips as he neared +the wreck. Andrew's footsteps had died away, and there was something +that daunted him in the look of the dark mass of timber; but he went +on, and presently stopped at the edge of a pool beside the vessel. He +did not think anybody had left her as he approached. The man must be +on board; but he must wait until Andrew came up. There was no sound +but the drip of water and the wail of the cold wind; it was eerie and +depressing to stand there in the fog; but at last he heard a cautious +step and knew that his comrade had reached the opposite side of the +hulk. + +"Go ahead," he said softly; and scrambled up with a feeling of relief +that the waiting was over. + +He heard Andrew's heavy boots rasp upon the planks; but he reached the +forecastle hatch first, and his nerves tingled as he dropped through +it in the dark. He came down safely; but he did not hear the clatter +of feet among the timbers he had expected. While he felt about, for +fear an unseen enemy might seize him at a disadvantage, Andrew sprang +down and the light of an electric torch flashed round the hold. It +showed broken timbers, sand, and glistening pools; but that was all. +They had wasted their efforts; nobody was there. Andrew moved about, +holding up the torch, and then extinguished it as he came back to the +spot beneath the hatch. + +"Well," he said, "we're no farther forward." + +"Could the fellow have seen us and slipped away?" + +"Not on my side. The fog wasn't very thick, and I could see the wreck. +I suppose you kept a good lookout?" + +"Of course. Perhaps he saw us when we noticed him on the bank." + +"It's possible, but not likely. We had only just left the gutter, and +he was going the other way." + +Andrew was silent for a minute. + +"It would help us," he said "if we knew whether he could carry a +wireless apparatus across the sands. I don't think it could be hidden +on board." + +"It might be buried outside in a watertight box. Shall we go dig?" + +"No; we'd be seen from the shore, and a good glass would show what we +were doing. In the dark we would have to use a lantern." + +"That's so," Whitney agreed. "Well, as there's nothing doing here, +let's get back." + +They reached the dinghy before the tide flowed round her, and shortly +afterward got on board the _Rowan_. The fog was thick and the wind +blowing against them down the Firth, but Andrew decided to hoist no +sail when they hove the anchor. + +"It's early yet to find deep water, and I can steer her with an oar," +he said. "We'll let the tide take her up." + +He sounded now and then as the current carried her away, and Whitney +wondered whether it would strand them on a thinly covered bank. Andrew +had no guide except the depth and the hoarse murmur the stream made as +it rippled across the shoals. + +Suddenly Andrew began to scull vigorously. + +"Not much water; I think we're too near the middle sand," he said. + +The next minute the boat stopped with a jar and listed down on her +side while the ripples splashed angrily against her planks. Whitney +seized the boat-hook to push her off, but Andrew stopped him. + +"She'll soon float, and the tide's not running very fast." + +They sat in the cockpit to wait, and the noise the current made as it +swirled round her died away. She was not quite afloat, however, and +Whitney was picking up the boathook when a flicker of light shone +through the fog. He raised his hand in warning to Andrew, and both saw +the faint gleam go out. + +Then a splashing sound grew louder, and a dim gray object drove toward +them. Whitney knew it was a lugsail boat beating up the Firth, and he +saw that she would pass at a few yards' distance if she stood on. So +far, he did not think they had been seen, for the _Rowan's_ hull was +low, and she had no sail set. While he waited in suspense he heard the +splash of an oar as somebody sounded. + +"No' quite a fathom. Doon helm, Jock," said a hoarse voice. + +There was a flutter of canvas, and the boat, swinging round, vanished +on the other tack. + +"What are we going to do?" Whitney asked. + +"Anchor as soon as they're far enough off not to hear our chain." + +Andrew sculled the _Rowan_ into the channel, and presently dropped the +anchor. When she brought up, he went below and lighted the lamp. + +"They didn't see us, but I won't want to follow them up the Firth," he +explained. "Their boat can cross the flats before we can, and when we +landed they'd all have gone. Besides, it might look suspicious if we +came up soon afterward. I think we'll wait for daylight." + +Whitney put the kettle on the stove and lighted his pipe. + +"Well," he said, "I guess it's puzzling, but there's certainly +something going on, and it may be something that will mean the loss of +another big liner. I expect you see that it ought to be stopped at +once." + +"Yes," said Andrew firmly. "I mean to stop it." + +Whitney nodded and thought for a few moments. + +"So far," he contended, "we haven't scored much; it looks as if the +opposition were pretty smart. The point you have to answer is +this--suppose they do some serious damage before we can stop them?" + +"You mean that in trying to keep the thing in my own hands I take a +dangerous risk?" + +"Yes; but I can't tell you what you ought to do. You're awkwardly +fixed." + +Andrew leaned back on the locker and grappled with a problem that had +troubled him much of late. He was quietly proud of the Johnstones' +traditions; and the honor of the family, which had long stood high, +was threatened. It was painful to admit that a traitor was making use +of Appleyard; but, had there been no other obstacle, Andrew would not +have hesitated about denouncing him. The trouble was that if he did +so, Elsie must suffer with her guilty relative. To keep silent might +enable the plotter to carry out designs which Andrew with his limited +powers could not thwart, and his duty to the State was obvious. + +He did not want to shirk that duty; he was willing to bear any +personal loss, and even bring discredit upon Appleyard, but it did not +seem his duty to involve the girl he loved. Elsie had done no wrong, +but she was Staffer's niece, and that would be enough to condemn her. +Besides, he might be mistaken, and it was unthinkable that he should +bring suspicion upon Appleyard until his last doubts had vanished. If +Staffer were proved guilty, nobody would believe that Mrs. Woodhouse +and Dick were free from blame. And yet Andrew saw that his country +must not be left unprotected from the plots of its enemies. + +He set his lips as he tried to balance contending claims, using +arguments on both sides that had led him into a maze before; and each +time he was forced back upon the decision he had already made. +Something must be risked, and in the meanwhile he would follow up his +clues alone; it would be time enough to warn the authorities when he +had found out what was to be feared. + +His face was tense as he turned to Whitney. + +"I think we'll have to work out this thing in our own way; but as the +tides won't suit for the next few days, we'll take a run north along +the Eskdale road." + +"Very well, if you think that's somehow in the plot," Whitney agreed. +"It's possible you're right about the other matter. You'd put the load +on the proper shoulders if you warned your authorities, but if they +didn't get to work very quietly, they'd scare the fellows off before +they found out much. The trail's certainly not plain, but I guess we +can follow it without showing what we're after." + +"See if the anchor's holding," said Andrew. "I'm going to lie down." + +He lowered his folding cot, but the flood tide had covered the flats, +and the yacht was rolling gently on the swell it brought in before he +went to sleep. + +Farther up the narrowing Firth the wind was faint, and Elsie, lying +awake toward high-water, heard the murmur of the sea. It throbbed in a +deep monotone through the stillness that brooded over the fog-wrapped +countryside. Elsie listened to it for a time, wondering what Andrew +was doing as she glanced at the obscurity outside her window, for the +Firth was dangerous to navigate in thick weather. He had promised to +return the next day, and she wanted him back at Appleyard. She felt +safer when Andrew was about. He was not clever, but he was practical, +and one could trust him to do the right thing in a difficulty. + +Elsie was glad to remember this, because she had difficulties to +contend with. Dick had been restless and depressed, and his occasional +efforts at rather boisterous gaiety had emphasized his general +moodiness. He was obviously not well; but Elsie thought this did not +account for everything. Then her mother had been quieter than usual, +and her manner seemed to indicate secret anxiety. + +Elsie felt that things were going very wrong at Appleyard. Something +mysterious and sinister threatened the household, but she could not +combat the danger, because she did not know what it was. Even now, +when every one was probably asleep, she had an instinctive feeling +that there was mischief on foot. She told herself that she was highly +strung and imaginative, but her uneasiness would not be banished. +Anyway, she could not sleep. Seeing that the fire had not quite gone +out, she got up, finally, and, putting on her slippers and kimono, +lighted a small reading lamp. She drew a thick curtain across the +window, and then opened a book; but she found that her thoughts would +dwell on Andrew, somewhere out in the fog. + +With a gesture of impatience, Elsie closed the book and threw it down. +It had not made her sleepy, and the room was getting cold, but she did +not want to go back to bed and lie awake. Sitting still, she mused and +listened. The wind always moaned round Appleyard, and when the nights +were still one could hear the hoarse murmur of the Solway tide. Then +there were the mysterious sounds that occur in old houses: creaking +floors, boards cracking, and now and then the rattle of a door. Elsie +was used to these noises, but for no obvious reason her senses were +alert. + +Suddenly she sat upright. Somewhere downstairs a door was being opened +cautiously. Her clock showed that it was just half-past two. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE LOST PAPER + + +The sound of the opening door did not startle Elsie, because of her +curious feeling that something unusual was going to happen. With a +quick glance at the window she decided not to put out the light. The +thick curtain would probably hide it, and, if not, to darken the +window suddenly would show that some one was watching. Then it struck +her that she had not heard a key being turned or a bolt drawn; but the +door fastenings were carefully oiled. Staffer had had this seen to, +after having had difficulty with his latchkey one night. + +Elsie was curious and highly strung, but not alarmed, for there were +no burglars in Annandale. Prompted by the suspicions that had filled +her mind lately, she determined to find out who had come in; so, +slipping quietly out of her room, she pulled her door to softly and +walked to the top of the stairs. The cold draught that came up from +the hall showed that the door was open, and she stopped when she had +gone down a few steps. So far, she had not paused to reflect, but she +recognized now that she had not acted altogether on an unreasoning +impulse. Dick and Staffer were at home; but she did not wish to warn +Staffer, and she felt it might be better if Dick did not go down. + +Leaning over the banister, she heard a low voice in the darkness and +it gave her a strange, disturbing thrill. She could catch no words, +but the accent reminded her of Munich. Then a ray of light flickered +about the hall, and Elsie shrank back, her heart beating fast, as the +beam ran up the wall. Some one was using an electric torch. She began +to feel that she was in danger; but the light stopped and streamed +back again, leaving her in the shadow. After that it flashed round and +fell upon two men near the door. They had made no noise, and there was +something startling in the way their figures sprang out of the gloom. +Both were dressed in oilskins and rubber sea-boots. + +One was Williamson; the other a stranger, who in spite of his dress, +did not look like a fisherman. He had blue eyes and a stiff, red +mustache; but he vanished as the light traveled past him to rest on +the door of the library, which opened out of the hall. Then, though +Elsie heard no sound, she knew the men had gone in. What was more, she +knew that Staffer carried the torch. This was the most disturbing +thing; and she leaned upon the banister while she tried to think. + +She had frankly distrusted Williamson, feeling that he threatened +Dick, and she knew now that she had never really trusted Staffer. He +had treated her well; but she imagined this was for her mother's sake; +and instead of affection she felt a curious, half-instinctive +antagonism for him. After all, she had really not been his guest, but +Dick's; Appleyard, which she had come to love, belonged to the +Johnstones and not to her uncle. She felt that its peace was +threatened; and she determined to find out what the men were doing. + +Moving noiselessly, she crept down to the hall, and as she reached it +a faint but steady light streamed out of the library door. This was +not the torch; Staffer had lighted one of the lamps. For a few moments +she stopped and hesitated, trying to master her fears. She knew that +she must not be discovered; though it was not Williamson but her uncle +she dreaded most. This, however, was not all of her trouble: the +stranger's accent had awakened a flood of disturbing memories. She had +been kindly treated in Munich, where she had learned her mother's +native tongue, and the sound of it had stirred strong, deep-rooted +feelings. The man with the red mustache had a look of command, in +spite of his rough clothes. She knew the stamp, for she had seen it on +officers whose wives had, for a time, been her friends. Some were men +she had admired; but now they were her country's enemies. + +That was the trouble: one could not belong to two nations, and she was +Scotch. Appleyard was her home, and Dick and Andrew, although not her +kin, were dearer than any one except her mother; yet her mother's +blood was in her veins, and she felt it stirring now. But this must +not be allowed. She was her father's daughter, too, and belonged by +adoption to the Johnstones. She had accepted their traditions, and now +she must side with the men she loved; she felt that they were hers. + +Having reached this decision, she realized that she must find a +hiding-place from which she could see into the library. She crept +across the hall, feeling her way to a tall, old clock that stood +against the wall. Its oak case did not project far, but by standing +straight behind it she would be in the gloom, and the half-opened +hall-door would help to conceal her. + +Leaning forward from the corner, she found her view commanded the end +of the library table, where Staffer sat beside a shaded lamp, with +some documents spread out in front of him. The men bent over the +table, examining the papers with eager attention. + +For a few moments no one spoke, and then the stranger with the red +mustache said something which Elsie did not catch. + +"Yes," Staffer returned gruffly, "Rankine is an obstacle, but he +doesn't interfere with my part of the business." + +Elsie could not hear what followed; but Williamson and the stranger +spoke in quiet, earnest tones that suggested that what they had to say +was important. Being accustomed to Staffer's voice, she could more +easily catch his remarks. Presently he stopped the stranger with an +impatient movement of his hand. + +"No; you must get into the habit of calling him Sanders!" + +The man's face was hidden, but Elsie thought his pose stiffened as if +he resented Staffer's tone. This seemed to indicate that he was a man +of rank, which something in his bearing had already hinted. + +"Well," he said in English, speaking a trifle louder, "if he is +watched, as he suspects, you may have some trouble in getting his +instructions. To visit him in Edinburgh might lead--" + +Elsie could not hear the rest, but she could see Staffer's smile as he +answered: + +"We have a suitable messenger." He turned to Williamson. "Nobody would +suspect Dick, and he'd be safe, because he'd have no idea of what he +was doing. He's going up with me in the car to-morrow." + +"I'm not sure--" Williamson began; but they had gradually ceased to +lower their voices, and Staffer stopped him with a warning sign. + +Elsie caught her breath as Staffer suddenly turned in his chair; but +he was only looking for a map which was buried beneath the other +papers. When he opened it, he spoke quietly, and the others listened +with close attention. At first Elsie could not catch a word; but as +their caution lessened with their intense interest, an occasional word +or phrase reached her. + +". . . submarine . . . coast of . . . this line marks . . ." + +Staffer's voice dropped to a murmur again; until finally he folded the +papers and handed them to the stranger. + +"Now it's up to you," he said, quite distinctly. "You know what will +happen to you if you fail!" + +Elsie crouched back as the men straightened up. She knew the interview +was over, but she did not dare risk crossing the hall to the +staircase. A clink of glass reached her; and then she stood straight +against the wall, pressed close against the old clock, for she knew +the men were coming out. + +Williamson entered the hall first, and as he pushed the door back the +light touched the clock. Its tall case was shallow, and when +Williamson turned partly round Elsie's heart beat fast. He went on, +however, and the stranger followed, putting the papers Staffer had +given him into a pocket under his oilskin coat. He wore thick woolen +gloves, but perhaps his hands were cold, for an envelope dropped out +at the bottom of the oilskin. It fell a foot or two from where Elsie +stood, and she thought she could not escape discovery if he stooped +to pick it up; but the next moment the library went suddenly dark. The +man passed on, and Staffer flashed on the electric torch as he came +out, but its light did not fall near the corner. He extinguished it +when the men reached the house door, and Elsie stood very still with +tingling nerves. + +She had escaped, but the envelope lay on the floor, and she felt that +Appleyard was threatened by some plot in which Dick was to be +involved. Both must be protected; she must get the paper. Its loss +would no doubt embarrass the conspirators, and would probably not be +discovered for some time, but she must be quick. Their footsteps were +almost noiseless, but she heard them go down the steps. Stooping +swiftly, she drew her hand across the floor, found the envelope and +thrust it inside her kimono. Then she darted across to the stairs, and +when she reached the landing she stopped to listen. It was possible +that the stranger might feel if he had all the papers before he left. + +No sound reached her, and she breathed a sigh of relief; but she +forgot that the others had moved silently, and a flash of light swept +up the stairs and struck her face. She was dazzled and alarmed; but +with an effort she kept her self-control. It would be dangerous to be +seen trying to steal away, but if she remained, looking down over the +banisters, her presence might be accounted for. + +"Who's there?" she asked in a sharp voice. + +For a moment or two the light rested on her face, and she was glad to +remember that she would not be expected to look composed. + +Staffer laughed as he turned the beam on Williamson. + +"Our friend and I," he answered. "I'm sorry we startled you. Perhaps +I'd better get a candle." + +He looked cool. That was comforting, for it suggested that he did not +know she had been in the hall; but she thought it wiser to wait a +minute. Staffer struck a match; then he put out the torch and gave the +lighted candle to Williamson. + +"If you don't want supper, we may as well go upstairs. The room you +generally use is ready." + +Elsie imagined that Williamson had not meant to stay, but he came up +in front of Staffer, carrying the candle. She noted that he wore +rubber knee-boots and that Staffer had only his stockings on his feet. +When they reached the landing, Williamson looked rather keenly at her, +but his face was inscrutable. She could not be sure that he had not +seen her behind the clock; and Staffer's attitude might be intended to +hide some plan for her embarrassment. But she must keep cool. + +"I think we could find Mr. Williamson some cold meat if he is hungry," +she said. + +"He'd rather have sleep," Staffer answered. "He meant to stay at +Langholm, so as to get home early to-morrow; but you can never rely on +a motorcycle." He turned to Williamson. "How far did you have to walk +when it broke down?" + +"Four or five miles, after I'd spent some time trying to put it +right," Williamson answered, and made his excuses for disturbing them; +but Elsie thought he was taking Staffer's cue, and she knew that they +were both watching her. For all that, she smiled as she replied with +conventional politeness. + +"Well," resumed Staffer, "it's getting cold, and I'll look after +Williamson. If you hear a door open another time, you'd better call me +instead of going down." He paused a moment, and there was a slight +change in his tone. "We know your pluck, but I can't allow you to run +a risk." + +Elsie turned away with keen relief, and on reaching her room she +locked the door before she took out the envelope. The name +_Thorkelsen_ was written across it. That suggested a Norwegian or a +Dane, and was not what she had expected, but she sat for a time with +the envelope in her hand. She had no doubt that it contained some +dangerous secret. A plausible excuse had been made for Williamson's +visit; but she had noticed his clothes, and deck-boots, which were not +what one generally wore when motor-cycling. Then, why had the man in +oilskins come to Appleyard when he might have expected every one to be +asleep? It looked as if her uncle had a part, and a leading part, in +some plot in which Williamson was engaged; but she could not reason +the matter out. Now that the strain had gone, she suddenly felt limp. + +With an effort she roused herself and threw the envelope into the +fire. She could not betray her uncle, to whom she owed much; but he +should not lead Dick into trouble, and Appleyard must not be used by +her country's enemies. The situation, however, was embarrassing, and +she felt that she could not ask Andrew's help. She longed to do so, +because she instinctively turned to him when she was in a difficulty, +and he had never failed her. But it was impossible now. She must wait +and trust to finding some way of baffling the conspirators without +staining the family honor. + +At last she went to bed, and presently fell asleep; but she got up +early in the morning and found Dick outside, watching Watson clean the +car. + +"Are you going to Edinburgh to-day?" she asked, as they turned back to +the house. + +"Yes," said Dick. "A bit of a change is bracing." + +"But Andrew and Mr. Whitney are coming back." + +"I suppose that means you don't want me to go; can't trust me up in +town?" Dick said lightly. + +"It isn't that." Elsie hesitated. "I imagine they want to make some +use of you." + +Dick gave her a curious glance. + +"I suppose you mean Williamson does?" + +"No," said Elsie, with a touch of color in her face; "I mean both." + +"Ah!" Dick looked at her keenly for a moment. "You're generally frank, +Elsie; open as the sunshine, in fact; and I'm not clever at hiding +what I think. Suppose you tell me what you really do mean?" + +"I can't, Dick; but I want you to be careful in Edinburgh, for my +sake." + +"Very well. I'll promise that; and I think I can manage not to let +others see I've had a hint. It's a funny thing, but although I am a +bit of a fool, I really have more sense than people imagine." + +Elsie was puzzled by his manner. The hardness in his tone was not like +Dick; but she let the matter drop. + +"Who is Rankine? Do you know him?" she asked. + +"Yes; he's a friend of Whitney's people, a navy officer. Struck me as +a remarkably good type." + +"Where is he now?" + +"I don't know. Somewhere between here and Ireland, surveying for +charts." + +"Perhaps Mr. Whitney will bring him to Appleyard when his ship's in +port." + +"I'll ask him to, if you like. But I don't know you as a plotter. +What's the scheme?" + +"I can't tell you," Elsie answered with a careless smile. "You'll have +to trust me, Dick." + +"That's easy," he said in a different tone. "Anybody who knew you well +would trust you with his life." + +Elsie gave him a quick, affectionate glance, and they went into the +house. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +STAFFER'S MESSENGER + + +Dick spent several exhilarating days in Edinburgh, although on the +whole he conducted himself with a sobriety that surprised his +companions, who were thus encouraged to leave him alone. + +As they were getting breakfast on the morning they left Edinburgh, +Staffer said to Dick: + +"We must start back as soon as we can, but there's an adjustment to be +made on the car that may keep me half an hour at the garage. I don't +suppose you'll mind doing an errand for me in the meantime?" + +"Certainly not," said Dick. + +"Then you might go to the Caledonian Hotel and see a man called +Sanders. I'll give you his room number, so you needn't bother them at +the office. Go straight up in the elevator and ask if he has any +message for me; then you can come back to the garage, where we'll be +waiting." + +"He doesn't know me, but perhaps that won't matter?" + +"I don't suppose so; the thing's not important," Staffer answered +carelessly. "However, since you mention it, if he should hesitate, you +can show him this." + +He gave Dick a handsome silver cigarette-case, engraved with a rather +unusual pattern round the crest. + +"Be back in half an hour," he said. + +It was a fine morning with bright sunshine and a keen east wind, and +Dick walked along carelessly, looking at the shops. At one he bought +some gloves for Mrs. Woodhouse, and at another some delicate, quilled +chrysanthemums caught his eye. He bought a larger bunch than he could +conveniently hold, imagining that they might please Elsie, and farther +on he purchased an enameled locket. + +With a box of gloves sticking awkwardly out of his pocket, and a +wrapped-up jewel case dangling by a loop from a finger of the hand +with which he clutched the great bunch of chrysanthemums, Dick entered +the hotel. None of the pages or porters asked him what he wanted when +he strode through the entrance hall; for his twinkling smile and easy +manner banished suspicion. There were very few people who ever +distrusted Dick. Staffer had chosen his messenger well. + +Dick found Sanders reading a letter in his room, and thought the +fellow had been surprised when he entered unannounced. The paper in +his hand was crumpled, as if he had meant to put it out of sight, but +he turned to Dick with a quiet movement. His face was expressionless, +but his glance was very keen. + +"Perhaps I ought to apologize for breaking in on you like this," Dick +said. + +"It's not quite usual," Sanders replied. "The general custom is to +send in a card." + +"Well, I was told to go straight up; and as I was thinking of +something else, I'm afraid I forgot to knock." + +"I'm afraid you did," returned Sanders. "Who told you to come up?" + +"Staffer. I understand you have a message for him. We're just starting +home." + +"Ah!" Sanders' voice was quiet, but Dick imagined that he felt some +surprise. "You will excuse my remarking that, as a rule, one likes to +know something about a messenger." + +"Of course; I forgot." Dick took out the cigarette-case. "Staffer is +my step-father, and he said you'd know this." + +"Then you're Mr. Johnstone of Appleyard?" + +Dick nodded and felt that he was being quietly studied. It was obvious +that Sanders knew something about him. + +"How long have you been in Edinburgh?" he asked, and looked thoughtful +when Dick told him. + +"Well, I have no message for Mr. Staffer. As a matter of fact, I was +expecting some news from him, and have not received it. You might tell +him so." + +"I see; you can't reply to a message you didn't get. But I'll send him +round when I reach the garage, if you like--and there's the +telephone." + +"You seem to understand the situation," Sanders smiled. "I won't +trouble Mr. Staffer, as it is not important. Will you come down and +smoke a cigarette?" + +"No, thanks. Staffer's waiting," Dick said. + +Sanders picked up the cigarette-case, which he had left on the table. + +"This is Mr. Staffer's, and perhaps you had better return it as soon +as you see him. The thing is valuable." + +Dick left the hotel, but took out the case and examined it as he +walked back up the street. It was heavily gilded inside, and he +thought the engraving round the small gold crest remarkably good. The +case was beautifully made, and must have been expensive; but he +suspected that this did not altogether account for Sanders' warning +him to take care of it. Dick's face grew thoughtful as he remembered +the crumpled letter, which the man had not had time to thrust into his +pocket. Then, it was strange that he had been unwilling to use the +telephone; and, when one came to think of it, Staffer could have +avoided some delay by ringing him up. Moreover, Elsie had told him +that he might be made use of in Edinburgh. + +As he remembered this, Dick smiled. After all, he was not so simple as +he looked, and people who misunderstood his character sometimes +suffered for their mistake. His mind was occupied as he went on to the +garage, where he found the car waiting at the door with Williamson +inside. They had not brought Watson, and when Dick appeared Staffer +started the engine. + +"I suppose you saw Sanders," he said carelessly. + +"Yes," replied Dick. "Hope I haven't kept you; I wasn't with him +long." + +"Jump up," Staffer said, as he threw in the clutch, and the big car +rolled away down the street. + +The traffic was thick when they crossed the railway bridge, and +Staffer was forced to drive cautiously; and when they ran between tall +houses along the narrow highway out of the town, there seemed to be an +unusual number of carts about and tramcars on the line. It was not +until they were speeding past the last of the small villas on the +outskirts that Staffer could relax his watchfulness, and then he did +not speak to Dick. Staffer and Sanders had given him to understand +that the message was of no importance, and Dick knew that Staffer +would accordingly show no haste to ask about it. + +They ran under a lofty railway viaduct and through a colliery village; +then the road led upward across open country toward a high, blue ridge +that rose between them and the south. As the car sped on, the careful +cultivation that marks the Lothian levels became less evident. There +were fewer broad belts of stubble, and the dark-green turnip fields +were left behind; no copses and patches of woodland lined the winding +road. Rushy pastures rolled away from it, the hedgerows were made of +ragged, wind-stunted thorns, which presently gave place to dry stone +dykes. Round hilltops began to rise above the high table-land where +the white bent-grass grew, and a keen wind from the North Sea stung +their faces as they climbed the last ascent. Here Dick's eyes swept +the landscape. + +The Forth had dwindled to a thin, glittering streak, Edinburgh was +hidden by a haze of smoke, and the Craigs and Arthur's seat were +fading into the background of the highland hills. Ahead, across the +divide, a long, gently sloping hollow opened up where Gala Water wound +among the fields and woods. The road, however, ran straight along the +hillside, which gradually rose above it, while the valley melted +through deepening shades of gray into a gulf of blue shadow. As the +car rushed down the incline a faint white line was drawn across the +distance, and Dick, glancing at his watch, imagined it was an +Edinburgh express. + +Then Staffer turned to him. + +"By the way, what about the message Sanders gave you?" + +"Oh," said Dick, "he didn't give it to me." + +Staffer looked round as far as he was able, but dared not neglect his +driving, and so missed Dick's grin. + +"But you saw him!" he exclaimed. + +"Oh, yes; but he had nothing to say. He didn't know what you wanted, +because he hadn't heard from you. Anyway, that's what I understood." + +The car had swung toward the edge of the road, and Staffer was +occupied by the wheel for the next few moments, but Dick imagined that +he and Williamson exchanged glances. + +"Can you remember his exact remarks?" Staffer asked when he could turn +again. + +"I'm afraid not. Still, I think he expected you to send him something +that hadn't come." + +Staffer said nothing more, but Williamson put his hand into his +pocket, and took out what appeared to be a time-table. A thin spire +with a few white houses below it now stood out from the hillside two +or three miles away, but Dick thought Williamson would not get out +there. It would look significant after hearing his report, and he +could get a train to Edinburgh farther on. Staffer said something that +Dick could not hear, and the car raced through the village without +slackening speed. + +For a time the road ran southward beside the sparkling stream, and +then wound round wide curves where woods rolled down the hollows of +the hills, until, as they turned a corner, Galashield's factory +chimneys rose about the waterside, and a haze of smoke floated across +the valley. Staffer reduced speed as they ran in among the houses, and +drove very slowly when they reached a sharp bend near the station. + +"I want some oil," he said. "We'll stop here and get a tin." + +He pulled up in front of a big red hotel, and they went into the +smoking-room. + +Williamson walked over to the fire. + +"It's a cold day for driving, and I don't think I'll go any farther," +he remarked. "I want a few things that I can buy in the town, and I'll +go on by the afternoon train." + +"As you like," said Staffer. "Your place is off our way." + +When Williamson left them, Dick turned to Staffer. + +"I wonder if you would lend me a pound or two?" he asked. + +"I might take the risk; but why do you want it?" + +"Well," Dick said apologetically, "it's difficult to bring much money +back when you go to Edinburgh; and if you don't mind I'll stop here. +If Andrew and Whitney aren't in the neighborhood, I'll come on by +train, but I expect to find them at Melrose or Abbotsford. You see, I +felt rather shabby about leaving on the day they were coming home." + +Staffer did not object, but Dick thought his compliance was accounted +for by the whistle of a stopping train that was then starting for +Edinburgh. + +"Andrew has eccentric tastes, but, allowing for that, it's hard to see +what satisfaction he and his American friend can get from cruising +about the Galloway coast in winter," Staffer said. + +"They're fond of a shot at the black geese." + +"They can get snipe and partridges at Appleyard without much trouble." + +"They can," Dick agreed, smiling; "that partly accounts for it. If +you knew Andrew as I do, you'd understand why he prefers the geese. +Anything he can get easily, doesn't appeal to him. No doubt, it's a +matter of temperament, but I imagine he goes punting after geese +because it's a remarkably good way of getting cold and wet." + +"Then it's only the shooting that takes him along the coast." + +"Of course. I can't think of anything else. Can you?" + +"No," Staffer said with a quick laugh. "But I'll admit that I don't +understand your cousin's type of character." + +They left the hotel soon afterward, but Dick's face grew thoughtful +when Staffer drove off in the car. He had known for some time that +Williamson derived an advantage from exploiting his extravagance, but +he had not minded this. Of late, however, Williamson had left him +alone, but Dick did not think this was because Staffer had interfered +on his behalf. He had admired and trusted his step-father, who had +always treated him indulgently; and he now retained some liking for +him, though he was beginning to know him better. + +Leaving the town he took the road to Abbotsford lost in gloomy +thought; but presently he braced himself to ponder the line he ought +now to take. After all, he was the heir to Appleyard, and although he +had recklessly ignored his responsibilities, he loved the old house. +Now, all was not well there: something mysterious was going on. Dick +held Williamson mainly accountable for this, but it looked as if +Staffer had a part in the plot. This complicated things, because +Staffer was his step-father and Elsie's uncle, and Dick cherished the +honor of his house. + +He looked up as he heard the hoot of a motor horn, and his tense face +relaxed into a smile. Andrew, in the side-car of Whitney's bicycle, +waved his hand and Dick's troubles began to vanish. One could rely on +Andrew, who, after all, was a much better Johnstone than himself. +Somehow, Andrew would stand between them and whatever threatened the +honor of Appleyard. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +AN EVENING AT APPLEYARD + + +Rankine had got a few days' leave and was spending it at Appleyard. He +sat beside Elsie in a corner of the billiard-room, where the party had +gathered after dinner. He had arrived during the afternoon, and Andrew +was not altogether pleased to see him, although he liked the man. +Elsie had suggested that Dick should invite him, and had added that he +might as well come when Madge Whitney was there. Since Elsie had not +seen Rankine until he arrived, Andrew wondered what she meant; but he +admitted that she generally had a reason for what she did. + +Nobody had been playing billiards or wanted to begin. Elsie and Mrs. +Woodhouse were knitting and the others were talking quietly, while +they waited for the evening newspaper. + +Presently Staffer made a remark about the Navy, and Madge Whitney +looked at Rankine with a smile. + +"Don't you feel that you must answer that?" + +"I don't know that I can," Rankine answered good-naturedly. "To some +extent, Mr. Staffer's right. The Navy certainly occupies the +background of the stage, just now." + +"It strikes me as being out of sight altogether," Staffer said. + +"Well, perhaps that's its proper place. But I expect it will emerge +from obscurity when it's wanted." + +"We must hope so," Staffer returned. "No doubt, your commanders are +waiting for the right moment to make a dramatic entry on the scene; +but one imagines that ambitious young officers must find being kept in +the background rather galling." + +Andrew caught Whitney's glance and understood it as a warning not to +speak. It had been blowing hard for the past week and he thought of +the great battleships rolling until it was scarcely possible to keep a +footing on their stripped decks, while anxious men slept beside the +guns and bitter seas foamed across the ponderous, low-sided hulls. It +would be worse on the swift destroyers, driving, half submerged, +through the gale and trembling when the combers struck them, until +their thin steel skin and beams racked and bent with the strain. No +man could really keep a lookout in the blinding clouds of spray, and +their decks would be swept from end to end with icy water. Rankine +knew this, but he smiled tranquilly as he turned to Staffer. + +"Oh, I don't think they mind--so long as they feel they're useful!" + +"Is that what you feel?" + +"Something of the kind. Surveying's not the work one would prefer, +just now, but it's necessary. The banks and channels shift and our +commerce must go on." + +"There have been interruptions," Staffer said dryly. + +Andrew felt puzzled. Staffer's manners were generally good; but now, +while there was nothing offensive in his tone, he had gone farther +than was altogether tactful. It looked as if he wanted to sting the +young navy officer into an indignant protest, though Andrew could not +see what he expected to gain. Rankine, however, agreed with Staffer. + +"That's so; and it's possible we may hear of another interruption or +two. Our men will do their best; but, while our cruisers are pretty +active, they can't be everywhere at once." + +The newspaper was brought in and Staffer handed it to Dick. + +"You can read it to us. I can't see very well where I am." + +Dick took the thin sheet. + +"Nothing of importance on the western front; a trench or two carried, +another lost." + +He stopped with an exclamation, and the others leaned forward eagerly. + +"What is it, Dick?" Elsie asked in a hushed voice. + +"They've sunk another ship in the North Channel--a wheat ship from +Canada!" + +"Read it!" Andrew said tensely. + +Dick gave a quick look at Staffer before beginning; but Staffer at +that instant was lighting a cigar, so his face was masked. + + "A telegram from Londonderry reports that the British + cargo steamer _Meridian_ with grain from Canada was + beached in a sinking state near Greencastle last + night. Full particulars have not yet been received, + but a violent shock was felt when the vessel was off + Malin Head and soon afterward she began to settle + down. The water rose rapidly in two of her holds, but + the bulkheads stood the strain and the captain was + able to reach the mouth of Lough Foyle. Whether she + struck a mine or was torpedoed is not at present + known, but some light is thrown on the subject by the + crew of the _Concord's_ experience. The latter, a + steamer of 6,000 tons, bound from Montreal to Glasgow, + passed Tory Island yesterday, steering east. A high, + confused sea was running, and it was getting dark when + she was abreast of Portrush, where the lookout forward + reported a submarine. + + "The captain immediately altered his course, and the + vessel, which was rolling wildly, listed over as she + obeyed her helm. The lookout, running across the + forecastle, after he hailed the bridge, as if to see + the submarine better, was thrown down the ladder and + picked up, unconscious, on the iron deck. The captain + steamed out to sea and returned an hour or two + afterward nearer the Kintyre side. The injured seaman + had not recovered consciousness when he was landed in + the Clyde." + +There was silence for a few moments when Dick put down the newspaper. +Andrew's face was hard, for Rankine had given him a meaning glance; +Elsie was very quiet, but she was lightly flushed. + +"I suppose it wouldn't be difficult to recognize a submarine?" she +asked presently. + +"No," said Rankine; "not if it were at the surface. One might, +however, mistake a spar or batten, floating upright, for a periscope." + +No one followed up his explanation, but the party seemed to find the +pause trying. + +"They burn gasolene, don't they?" Madge asked. + +"Either that or oil when they're running on the surface. The engines +are driven by electricity when they're submerged." + +"Can they carry much gasolene?" + +"Not very much," Rankine answered, guardedly. + +"Can they carry enough to take them from Germany and back?" Madge +persisted. + +"I believe some can do so; but they wouldn't have much to spare, and +they'd run a serious risk if they remained any time as far away from +their base as the North Channel." + +"You must see that the point's important," said Elsie. + +"Its importance is obvious," Rankine agreed. + +"If the boat couldn't carry enough fuel, she'd have to get some while +she was out on a trip?" + +There was another long pause and then Mrs. Woodhouse spoke. + +"You must mean somewhere in Scotland," she said. + +"Disagreeable conclusion, isn't it? But we don't know yet that it was +a submarine," Rankine answered. + +"But suppose there _should_ be an enemy submarine in the North Channel +that hadn't much fuel left, how could she renew her supply?" Staffer +asked. + +Rankine seemed unwilling to talk about the subject, but he smiled. + +"Oh," he said, "it's hard to tell. One could form plausible theories, +but they'd probably be wrong. Perhaps we'd better leave the matter to +the people whose business it is." + +He began to talk about something else, and the curious tension that +all had felt gradually slackened. Soon afterward, a servant announced +that Mackellar had arrived. Staffer had been expecting him, and when +he left the room Madge and Dick went to the drawing-room with Elsie +and Mrs. Woodhouse, and Rankine found himself alone with Andrew and +Whitney. + +"Have you made any progress with your investigations?" he asked. + +"No," Andrew answered quietly; "nothing very marked." + +"And you are still resolved to keep them in your own hands, after the +news we got to-night?" + +"Do you know that the loss of the cargo boat has any connection with +the matter?" + +"No; but it looks suspicious," Rankine answered, with a touch of +grimness. "If I did know, my course would be clear." + +"So would mine," said Andrew. "We found some matches and a candle on +board the wreck, and followed a man across Criffell to the beach +abreast of her--or rather we followed his tracks. Then we saw another +fellow on the sands at night; but that's all I have to tell." + +"Could you see either of the men clearly?" + +"No. I didn't see the first at all; and the other was some distance +off, and a thick fog was coming on." + +"That means it was impossible for you to recognize him." + +"Quite," Andrew said firmly. "Besides, I didn't expect to recognize +him; there was nothing to indicate it was anybody I'd ever met. Have +you learned anything?" + +Rankine smiled. + +"I've examined the wreck and dug up the sand, besides watching the +flats for several nights. The place might be used for a wireless +installation, but, lying in a hollow, with hills on both sides, it's +not particularly suitable." He paused and looked at Andrew. "That had +some influence with me." + +Andrew thought Rankine meant that if he felt certain that messages +were sent from the wreck, he would have brought some pressure to bear +on him. + +"How did you get there?" he asked. + +"We ran in behind Ross Island when it was too rough for surveying, and +afterward brought up near Abbey Head. You get some shelter there so +long as the wind's not south." + +"But it's a long way from Abbey Head to the wreck," Whitney +interposed. + +"I shipped a steam launch at Belfast." + +"And went to the wreck and back at night? Wasn't it blowing hard?" + +"Hard enough," smiled Rankine. "We had some trouble to keep the fire +from being swamped, but she's a powerful boat and has a good big pump. +Then we traveled most of the distance shortly before and after +low-water, when the sea was not so bad; but I'll confess that I +couldn't have found my way among the shoals except for Mr. Johnstone's +directions. We made three trips and got back before daylight without +noting anything suspicious." + +They looked at him in surprise. A steam launch voyage along that +dangerous coast on a wild winter night was a bold undertaking, +particularly when one must cross surf-swept sands with only a few feet +of water under the boat. And Rankine had safely accomplished it +thrice. + +"What about the digging?" Whitney asked. "Mightn't it alarm our man?" + +"The surf would level the sand in a tide," Andrew said; and turned to +Rankine. "What do you think of doing now?" + +"I don't know, but I'm afraid I can't stay here as long as I expected. +The steamer's in Loch Ryan. We went in to make some repairs after a +hammering we got. Now, perhaps we had better join the others." + +Andrew left them in the drawing-room and found Mackellar alone in the +library. + +"I'll have finished with these in a few minutes," he remarked, +indicating the papers before him. "Mr. Staffer's accounts don't give +much trouble. He's a man o' parts." + +"Yes," agreed Andrew; "the estate is managed well." + +"We must give him all the credit he deserves, but there's another +matter I'm anxious about. We have not got to the bottom o' your +cousin's debts." + +Andrew frowned. + +"Do you mean that Williamson has got hold of him again?" + +"No; I'm thinking he's out of the game, and the borrowed money's none +o' his. But Dick has incurred some fresh liabilities. Here's a bit +statement; ye can study it." + +Andrew felt disturbed, but he waited until Mackellar put the papers +into his pocket. + +"I can't see how Dick has spent so much money; but how did he get it?" + +"On notes that will mature when he's twenty-one. I found the man who +cashed them, but he parted with the paper, and I canno' tell who holds +it now." + +"I've no doubt you tried to find out." + +Mackellar's eyes twinkled. + +"Ye may take that for granted. If there had been a weak spot in the +man's affairs, I'd have made him tell." + +There was silence for a minute. Andrew suspected that it was Staffer; +but he did not think it was time to speak, and he knew that Mackellar +would take him into his confidence when he saw fit. + +"The fellow who really made the loan has some courage," he said +presently. + +"I'm thinking he kens the Johnstone character. Dick would no' disown +his debts on the ground that he was under age; nor would ye, if your +cousin died before he inherited." + +"No," said Andrew. "Dick's debts must be met; but I would pay what he +borrowed with reasonable interest, and nothing more." + +"Ye're a true Johnstone," Mackellar remarked, with dry approval. "My +opinion is that the lender's no' expecting ye to inherit." + +"Well, it's most unlikely, and I'm glad it is so. I suppose you have +nothing more to say, but you'll tell me when I can help." + +"I will," Mackellar promised. + +Andrew did not feel inclined to join the others. He strolled into the +hall, and found Elsie sitting in a corner with her knitting. + +"I stole away to finish this belt," she said. "It's the last of a +dozen I promised to let the committee have to-morrow." + +"You keep your promises," Andrew replied. "It must be a comfort to +feel you're useful, because somebody in the snow and mud will be glad +of that warm belt. I begin to wish I'd been taught to knit." + +Elsie gave him a sympathetic glance, for there was a hint of +bitterness in his tone. + +"What is troubling you to-night, Andrew?" she asked gently. + +"It is rather hard to explain; a general sense of futility, I think," +he answered with a smile. "Did you ever feel that you had come up +against a dead wall that you could neither break through nor get +over?" + +"Yes; I know the feeling well. There is so much that ought to be done +and it seems impossible. But what did you want to do?" + +Andrew stood beside the hearth, silently watching her for a minute. +Her face was quiet but faintly troubled, and although she was looking +at the fire and not her knitting, the needles flashed steadily through +the wool. Elsie had beautiful hands, but they were capable and strong, +and it was not often that she allowed her feelings to interfere with +her work. + +"To tell what you meant to do and couldn't sounds pretty weak, but I +had two objects when I came home," he said. "I wanted to help Dick and +keep him out of trouble; but the proper kind of help needs tact, and I +haven't much. Besides, there's something peculiarly elusive about +Dick; you think you have him, so to speak, in a corner, and the next +moment he slips away from you. Sometimes I suspect he's a good deal +more clever than we imagine." + +Elsie nodded. + +"Yes; I know what you mean. But you're a very good friend of his and +it wouldn't be like you to give him up." + +"I don't mean to give him up; but just now it looks as if I could get +no farther. That's the trouble." + +"You mean part of it," said Elsie quietly. "What was your other +object?" + +Andrew hesitated. + +"It was rather vague, but I thought I might somehow be useful--to the +country. I'm lame and can't enlist; I can't give much money; but I +might, perhaps, help to watch the coast. Then there was the Eskdale +road. You know my hobby." + +Elsie stopped her knitting and gave him a steady look. + +"And after a time, you thought you saw a way to be of use. You found +out something?" + +"Yes," he said in a disturbed voice. "Still, it looked as if I +couldn't go on with the thing. Some of the clues broke off and those I +tried to follow led me into difficulties. You can't act on faint +suspicion: it might lead to unnecessary complications." + +"One must take a risk now and then," Elsie answered. "I mean, do one's +duty and face the consequences." + +Andrew did not reply and she picked up her knitting. + +"Well, peace must come, sometime," she said. "Have you thought what +you will do then?" + +"Yes; if I could see Dick starting well as the owner of Appleyard, +and, better still, safely married, I'd go away again." + +"What do you mean by 'safely married'?" + +"I think you know. He's such a good sort, and a girl who understood +him and was patient with his failings would soon help him to get rid +of them. She'd make the most of his good points, and Dick has +talents--" + +"Are there girls like that?" + +"Yes," said Andrew, firmly; "I am quite sure that I know one." + +Elsie gave him a curious glance. + +"But you're only thinking of Dick. What about yourself?" + +"Oh," he said with a brave effort to be cheerful, "I don't count for +much. I've no money and no particular ability beyond being able to +sail a boat. Still, I have the sea and I'm fond of wandering. It's a +pretty good old world, after all, and if you keep an open mind, you +make friends wherever you go." + +"But it must hurt to leave the old ones." + +"Yes," he agreed with a hint of strain; "it hurts very much. But you +never leave them altogether. Things change, of course, but you can +come back if you are wanted." + +He left her rather abruptly, and Elsie dropped her work and sat +looking into the fire, a curious, gentle smile on her face. Andrew was +true to the core; he would never seek his own advantage when it +conflicted with his loyalty to his friends. Now he was willing to +sacrifice himself for Dick; though perhaps his poverty influenced him, +too. Still, he should see--Elsie resolutely picked up her knitting. +She must not indulge in disturbing thoughts like these--and the belts +must be finished. Shivering men, worn with stern fighting in Flanders, +needed them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE BUOYED CHANNEL + + +A bitter east wind was blowing through light mist, though the moon was +in the sky, when Andrew came out of a little shop in a lonely village +near the Galloway coast. He carried a basket of provisions and wore a +thick jersey and oilskins, but he shivered as he looked down the +street. It was empty, and dark except for a faint yellow glow here and +there in the windows of the small, white houses that rose abruptly +from the rough pavement. + +"Dick's a long time in getting the eggs," he said to Whitney. + +"That's so; we've been 'most half an hour buying the few things you +wanted. He's probably talking to somebody. Making friends with +strangers is a way he has, particularly when he knows we're waiting." + +"I could suggest another explanation," Andrew replied. + +He looked round at a clatter of heavy boots and saw two dark figures +against a square of light. Then a door was shut and Dick came up with +a man who wore an oilskin cap and jersey. Dick was awkwardly holding a +big paper bag. + +"It's no' a good night," said the seaman. "I wouldna' say but we might +have a shift o' wind before long. They're telling me ye have brought +up in the west bay." + +"For the night," said Andrew. "It's an exposed place." + +"It's a' that. If the wind comes from the south'ard, it will take good +ground-tackle to hold ye." + +"What about the burnfoot gutter?" + +"It's snug enough, but ye might have to stop a week. Ye canna' beat +oot when there's any sea running on the sands." + +"Are there any geese about?" + +"Weel, I did see two or three bernicle, a week ago; but if it's +shooting ye want, ye'll have to gang doon west. The geese have moved +on, but I hear the duck are throng on the flats roon Deefoot, behind +the Ross." + +Andrew said nothing. He had picked up Dick at Kirkcudbright on the +Dee, but had not seen a duck about the river mouth. It seemed that the +man had learned that they came from the head of Solway, but did not +know they were then returning from the west. He left them at the end +of the village and Andrew then asked Dick what had kept him. + +"The eggs," Dick grinned. "Jim insisted on them and I didn't want to +disappoint him, though they're scarce just now. I should advise him to +take them before they smash; I'm not clever at carrying eggs in a +paper bag." + +"Where did you get them?" Whitney asked as he took the bag. + +"Where do you think? When you're in doubt in a Scotch clachan, it's +safe to try the change-house." + +"I suppose that means the saloon," said Whitney. "Well, I suspected +something of the kind." + +Leaving the road outside the village, they struck across some wet +fields and came to a marsh, through which a muddy creek wound +crookedly. After jumping deep drains and floundering through rushes, +they reached a steep bank of gravel, with a cut where the creek made +its way to the sea. A mooring buoy floated in the channel; and across +the channel lay a waste of sand, dotted with shallow pools. This ran +seaward until it was lost in the haze. + +An old shooting punt that Andrew had repaired lay upon the gravel and +they dragged her down. As she was larger than usual and the big gun +had been unshipped for the voyage, she would carry them all; though +her shallow hull was deep in the water and the yacht some distance +off. They had brought their ordinary shoulder guns on the chance of +getting a shot at geese or duck. The village was about a mile away, +and the spot looked strangely desolate; although a raised causeway, +lined by stunted thorns, that ran back into the mist, seemed to +suggest that a road came down to the sands across the creek. + +Andrew took the long paddle when they pushed off, and the tide carried +them away between muddy banks veined with tiny rivulets of water. In +coming, soon after high tide, they had crossed the sands, following +the line of beach, but now they must head seaward until they could +round the end of the projecting shoal. Soon the banks got lower and +the riband of water widened; and then a tall upright branch rose ahead +of them. + +"That perch is new since I was here last," Andrew remarked. "Who was +the fellow you were talking to, Dick?" + +"I don't know. He told me he had a boat at the burnfoot, but the +fishing wasn't good." + +They drifted on until a strong ripple broke the surface ahead. A small +black object tossed in the disturbed patch. + +"What's that?" asked Whitney. "Looks like a lobster trap." + +"Lobsters prefer stones," said Andrew. "I don't think there are any +here, but we'll see, if you get hold of the buoy. Anyhow, it will let +me stop paddling and throw some water out." + +He headed across the channel, and Whitney, crouching on deck, seized +the ring of corks. The punt swung round sharply with her bow to the +stream and there was an angry splash against her planks. Whitney was +glad to ease the strain on his arms by making fast the wet line. + +"The tide's running strong," he said. + +Andrew nodded. + +"The buoy's not on a lobster creel or we'd have pulled it up. I wonder +what depth there is?" + +He pushed down the double-ended paddle, which, as used in shooting +punts, is about nine feet long, and touched bottom when it was wet +half-way up. Then he held the blade against the stream until the punt +sheered across the channel, dragging the line with her, when he tried +again. This time he could not find bottom. + +"It looks as if the corks are meant to mark a corner of the bank," he +said. "In a way, that's curious, because fishermen don't often bother +about a buoy. They know the ground and are satisfied with sounding +with an oar." + +Andrew began to bail her out, and Whitney and Dick sat on the after +deck while he caught the water which ran toward them in the bailing +can. + +"What about the geese?" Whitney asked. + +"The man mentioned bernicle and I'd expect to find them on the outer +end of the flat, because it's soft ground and bernicle get their food +in the mud. Besides, I'd like to see how this channel runs as the +sands dry; there's more water than I thought. Suppose we leave the +punt and walk down the edge? As it's lower than the top of the bank, +we'd be out of sight." + +"I'll stay in the punt," said Dick. "I'm not fond of crawling through +soft mud. Then, if you put up some birds, they'll probably fly over +me." + +They paddled ashore and left him with the punt, Andrew showing him two +small rollers, which would help him to launch her if he wished to come +after them. The sand was soft and made a sucking noise about their +sea-boots, but this was the only sound except the faint ripple of the +tide. The shore was hidden and there was nothing visible beyond the +stretch of sloppy flat that vanished into the mist. The haze, however, +was not thick, and faint moonlight filtered through. + +"What do you expect to find here?" Whitney asked. + +"I don't know. I'm curious about the buoy and I imagine that the +fellow Dick was with wanted us to clear out. He was right in saying +that we'd brought up in an exposed place; but why did he tell us ducks +were plentiful down west?" + +Whitney made a sign of agreement. + +"It's certainly suspicious." + +They went on while the sand got softer, but they saw nothing except a +few small wading birds and a black-backed gull. Then Andrew stopped +near the outer end of the bank. Something black floated in the midst +of a tide-ripple, about forty yards away. + +"Another buoy and a bigger one, marking the fairway to the gut," he +said thoughtfully. "With that and the compass course to the corks we +saw, I'd take a boat drawing eight feet up to the burnfoot at five +hours' flood, on an average tide." + +"Eight feet draught would give you a pretty big boat; a vessel of +about a hundred tons would float on that. But what would bring her +here?" + +"That's the point," said Andrew. "I believe old wooden schooners +sometimes take cargoes of coal up these gutters and dump it into carts +on the beach, but I'm not quite satisfied." + +He turned suddenly, as he heard a flapping of canvas, and a few +moments later, a tall dark shape emerged from the haze. At first, it +had no clear outline, but Andrew knew it was the topsail of a +cutter-rigged boat, beating in against the tide. She grew in +distinctness until they could see her black hull washed by a streak of +foam, and the straining mainsail, slanted away from them. The iron +shoe of a trawl-beam projected between her shrouds, and the net hung +in a dark festoon over her weather side. The wind was abeam just there +and she passed them, sailing fast; but they waited, knowing that it +would draw ahead where the channel curved. Presently, there was a +banging of canvas that suddenly swung upright, and then filled and +vanished on the other tack. + +"Smart work!" Andrew commented. "They'll have about twenty yards of +deep water to gather way in before they bring her round again, against +the stream. The fellows who can beat her round that bend don't need +buoys. I'd like to take some bearings: this gutter's very sketchily +indicated on the chart." + +"Shore bearings wouldn't be of much use to anybody who wanted to come +up in the dark." + +"That's true," Andrew agreed thoughtfully. "But we came for geese, and +we may as well make our way back across the middle of the sand." + +After a while they found a nearly dry gutter, and moved up it +cautiously until Andrew stopped. Out of the dark came a clear, high +note, the clanging cry of the bernicle geese. It was answered from one +side and behind, and then a measured fanning became audible. This +swelled into a rhythmic creak as the broad wings beat the air. + +The men crouched low, with tingling nerves, clenching their guns and +straining for the first glimpse of the approaching birds. + +"Flying low and right over," Andrew whispered. "Fire when you see the +first!" + +Whitney got down on one knee, while the ooze soaked through his +trousers and ran into his sea-boot. But this did not matter; it was +worth sinking waist-deep to hear the wild call break out close ahead. +A dark object, planing downward on extended wings, shot out of the +mist; another came close behind; and the gun-butt jarred Whitney's +shoulder while smoke blew into his eyes. He swung the gun as he pulled +the second trigger, and saw a red flash leap out; and then the dark +was filled with a harsh clamor and the furious beat of wings. Andrew +jerked his gun open and the burnt cartridges shot out while smoke +curled about the breach. + +"Two, I think," he said. "Yours is up the bank." + +Whitney found it presently: a small, black-breasted goose. + +"My first bernicle!" he said with a thrill of pride. "They're more +like a big duck than the heavy lag birds we've already bagged. Do you +think Dick will get a shot?" + +"He ought to. They were flying straight up the bank." + +They waited a few minutes, but no gunshot came out of the mist, and +when everything was silent they turned back down the gutter. + +"The geese won't alight again," Andrew said. "As Dick knows that, +he'll probably launch the punt and come to meet us." + +When they reached the edge of the water, Whitney stopped and lighted +his pipe. + +"It's pretty soft farther on. Let's wait here for the punt," he +suggested. + +He had nearly smoked his pipe out when they heard the splash of a +paddle, and presently the punt crept out of the mist. Its low, +gray-painted hull was hard to see; but Dick's form was more distinct +and Andrew made an abrupt movement as he watched him. He sat facing +forward, on the after deck, and he lurched clumsily from side to side +as he dipped the paddle. The punt was not going straight, but sheered +about, and Dick did not seem to be making for the bank. This projected +in a short cape, not far away, and then the sand ran back toward the +east, leaving a stretch of rippling water that vanished in the haze. +The tide was rapidly running seaward and the wind blew off the flat. + +"Dip to leeward!" Andrew shouted. "Head her up for the point!" + +Dick stopped and flourished his paddle. + +"I'm not coming ashore," he answered with a chuckle. "Do you good to +walk back. Jim's getting fat!" + +Whitney looked at Andrew in alarm. + +"Yes; he's drunk!" Andrew said with an impatient sign. + +It was plain to both that the situation was not free from danger. A +shooting punt, with its sides only from six to eight inches high, is +essentially a smooth-water craft and is easily swamped, in spite of +her deck. There was a good breeze, and if Dick passed the short point, +he would risk being blown out to sea. The tide did not follow the +sweep of bank but ran straight out. + +"Don't be a fool!" Andrew shouted. "Run her in at once!" + +Dick sat hunched up, with the paddle on the deck, and they heard him +laugh. + +"It's quite oll ri'," he answered. "Needn't bother about me. I'm going +to look for submarinesh." + +Andrew ran toward the point, and Whitney, following, tore two buttons +off his oilskin jacket as he tried to unfasten them with numbed +fingers. He wore ordinary serge trousers and heavy sea-boots, but the +punt must be stopped before she drifted past the little cape. +Afterward, it would be too late. + +Andrew reached the spot first, while the punt was still upstream of +it, and at once plunged in; but Whitney, who had now got rid of his +oilskin, stopped and tried to pull off his long, wet boots. He hardly +thought Andrew could wade out far enough, and one of them might have +to swim. He was furious with Dick; but the boy must be rescued. He got +his boots off and went in up to his knees; but then he stopped; for he +would not be needed if his comrade could reach the punt. Andrew was +waist-deep but still floundering on, when Dick, laughing hoarsely, +threw something at him. It fell into the water, but the next shot was +better aimed, for Whitney saw an egg smash on Andrew's oilskin cap. + +Another struck him in the face; but the punt was near now, and after a +few more floundering strides, Andrew threw himself forward. The craft +lurched as he fell across her deck, and Whitney thought she would +capsize; but the next moment Andrew flung Dick into the well and then, +kneeling on the deck, brought the craft ashore with a few strokes of +the paddle. + +Whitney felt very cold, and he was getting stiffly on board when +Andrew asked: + +"Hadn't you better bring your coat and boots?" + +Whitney found it a relief to laugh as he went back for the things; and +Andrew pushed the punt off when he got on board. + +"I'll paddle while you keep the young ass in the well," he said. +"Knock him down if he tries to get up." + +"Don't want to get up," Dick remarked. "Quite snug down here. Only +trouble is I'm sitting in the eggs." + +"I think that's correct," said Whitney. "_In_ is the proper word. +There's rather a mess on your face, too." + +"Good shot, ole man," Dick observed with a grin. + +Andrew said nothing as he swung the long paddle, for the ripples were +getting larger as they left the sand, and the breeze was freshening, +but at last the yacht's light twinkled in the mist. Getting on board, +they hustled Dick below, where Andrew stripped off his wet clothes and +put him into his berth, while Whitney got the stove to burn. + +After a time, Dick put out his head. + +"Feel I'd like some supper, before I go to sleep." + +"You can go to sleep without it," Andrew said sternly. "I suppose +there's no use in talking about it now, but you've been warned that +this kind of thing may kill you." + +"I'm 'shured," Dick rejoined. "Good big policy and I don't pay the +premiums." + +"Who does pay them?" Andrew asked, in a quiet, insistent voice; but +Dick only grinned. + +"That'sh secret, ole man. You're very good fellow, but don't know +everything. Don't bother me any more; I'm sleepy." + +He was silent after this, but Whitney waited until he thought Dick was +really asleep. + +"He looked sober when he joined us at the village," he said. + +"I think he was," Andrew agreed. "Perhaps he'd drunk enough to make +him want more, and brought a bottle away. No doubt, we'll find it when +we clean up the punt." Then he forced a smile. "You'll have to go +without your eggs." + +"That's obvious. But what did he mean about his being insured, and +somebody else's paying the premiums?" + +"I don't know, and don't expect to get any more information when he's +sober, but I'll see what Mackellar thinks. Sometimes I feel like +giving up the whole business. Dick's too clever for me; and when I +turn to the other matter, I'm brought to a full stop." + +Whitney nodded sympathetically. + +"It's an awkward job, but you won't let up. You're not a quitter, and +luck or Mackellar may help you through." + +He got into his cot, and the regular splash of ripples against the +boat's side, and the soft slapping of the halyards on the mast, soon +made him drowsy, but the last thing he saw was Andrew sitting on the +opposite locker with a stern, thoughtful face. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +A CLUE + + +There was a touch of frost in the still air and the light was fading. +A yellow glow lingered in the southwest beyond Criffell's sloping +shoulder, which ran up against it, tinged a deep violet. Masses of +soft, gray cloud floated above the mountain's summit; but the sky was +clear overhead, and a thin new moon grew brighter in the east This was +why the murmur of the sea came out of the distance in a muffled roar, +for the tides run fast when the moon is young. + +Elsie, walking homeward, vacantly noticed how bright the crescent +gleamed above the dusky firs, as she entered the gloom of a straggling +wood at the foot of the hill on which Appleyard was built. She had +been out all the afternoon and now she shrank from going home, for she +felt that a shadow rested upon the house. Dick had returned from a +cruise with Andrew, looking dejected and unwell; and she was glad that +Whitney had taken both away again, on his motorcycle, because Dick had +lately had fits of moody restlessness when he was at home. Still, she +missed them badly, for her mother was silent and preoccupied; and when +Andrew was away, she found it hard to banish the troubles that seemed +to be gathering round. They were worse for being very vaguely defined, +but she felt convinced that something sinister was going on. + +As she thought of Andrew, her face grew gentle and she smiled. She +knew his worth and his limitations, and loved him for both. He had his +suspicions, too, and would follow where they led. Andrew was not the +man to shirk a painful duty, but she could not openly help him yet. +That might come, and in the meanwhile she would at least put no +obstacle in his way. Still, if her fears were justified, the situation +was daunting and she might need all her courage. + +As she neared the lodge, she saw a man loitering in the shadow. + +"Are you waiting for somebody, Jock?" she asked. + +Marshall, the fisherman, turned and looked at her thoughtfully. + +"Weel," he said, "they telt me Mr. Andrew's no' at home." + +"Did you want to see him about the yacht?" + +"It wasna' that, a'thegither." + +"No?" + +"Ye see, I've missed him twice and I'm for Stranraer the morn. We're +gaun west to try the herring fishing." + +"And you wanted to tell Mr. Johnstone something before you left? Can I +give him a message when he comes back?" + +Marshall hesitated. + +"Weel," he said, "ye can tell him that the _Nance_ cam' up the Firth +the night before he started for Edinbro'; that's a while ago, ye mind. +Last night she cam' up again, wi' the same crew; the Edinbro' man I +telt him o', anither wha keeps a trawl boat doon the Colvend shore, +and yin who has a reid mustache." + +Elsie started, and then wondered whether she had betrayed her +surprise. + +"I'll try to remember. I suppose this is for Mr. Johnstone alone?" + +"Just that," said Marshall. "I'm thinking it would be better that ye +telt naebody else." + +He moved off, and Elsie, looking round a moment afterward, saw that he +had vanished. It was nearly dark among the trees, but she knew that +she could have seen him had he kept on the road; besides, his heavy, +tacketed boots would have made some noise, and she had heard nothing. +Then she saw a figure coming from the lodge and her brain acted +quickly, because she recognized Staffer. + +Marshall had hinted it was important that his message should be kept +secret; and fishermen had good sight. He must have noticed Staffer +before she did, and did not want to be seen talking to her. Then she +remembered that the night before Andrew started for Edinburgh was when +Williamson and the man with the red mustache had entered the house. +The stranger had come up the Firth in one of the salmon boats shortly +before his visit to Appleyard, and had been there again without her +seeing him. + +She felt a thrill that was half apprehension and half excitement as +she went on slowly. The lodge was about a hundred yards away when she +met Staffer. + +"There's something I want to ask you," he said. "Have you any reason +to doubt the honesty of our servants?" + +Elsie saw at once where his question led, and tried to nerve herself. +He was a clever man and she was young and inexperienced. + +"No," she said; "I have none; and Mother's quite satisfied with them. +Why do you ask?" + +"You'll remember the night Williamson arrived rather late. He lost a +paper in an envelope, and it looks as if somebody in the house had +picked it up." + +"Have you inquired about it?" Elsie asked, remembering that it was the +man with the red mustache who had dropped the envelope. + +"No," Staffer said carelessly; "I didn't want to make the thing look +more important than it was, and I thought the envelope might turn up." + +"But it must be of some consequence, or you wouldn't bother about it +now." + +"That's obviously true. It has become important since we lost it. It +gave us some particulars that we find we can't remember." + +Staffer gave her a scrutinizing look. + +"It was dropped in the house," he said slowly. "Somebody must have +found it." + +Elsie wondered whether he suspected her. He had seen her looking down +from the landing and might not have been satisfied that she had come +to see who was in the house; the men had been careful to make no +noise. + +Staffer frowned when she did not answer. + +"If the thing doesn't turn up," he declared, "I'll dismiss everybody +about the place! We can't have people round us whom it's impossible to +trust." + +"None of the servants found it," Elsie said with forced quietness. + +"You seem strangely sure of it!" + +Elsie hesitated. She could not allow innocent people to suffer for +what she had done; but the matter had greater issues. Though much was +dark, it was clear that she and Andrew were on one side, and Staffer +and his friends on the other. Andrew could be trusted, but Staffer +could not. For all that, she felt the tie of kinship and could not act +treacherously to him. + +"I am sure," she said slowly, "because I found the envelope myself." + +Although the light was bad, she saw his face change, and she grew +suddenly afraid. There was a fury in his eyes that made her quail; but +he kept his self-control. + +"So you were downstairs that night!" + +"Yes," she said, and waited with tingling nerves, though she thought +the worst was past. For a moment or two she had, perhaps, been in +danger. + +"What did you do with the thing?" he asked harshly. "Did you give it +to Andrew Johnstone?" + +"Why do you think I did that?" + +Staffer saw he had blundered by hinting that the paper related to +matters which might concern Andrew. + +"Never mind; answer me!" + +"I burned it at once, without opening it." + +He looked at her as if he found this impossible to believe. + +"It is quite true," she said with forced calm. + +"But why? You steal a letter belonging to my guest, which you must +have thought important, and then burn it unread. Do you expect me to +understand your action? The thing seems purposeless." + +"It isn't easy to explain, but I must try," she answered, nerving +herself for an effort. + +"That's obvious." + +She hesitated a moment and then spoke bravely. + +"I knew that something not right was going on at Appleyard." + +"Ah! Did you know what it was?" + +Elsie made a negative sign. + +"I really didn't want to know; but I believed that the letter was +dangerous. If I had read it, I might have felt forced to tell what I +found out; so I put it straight into the fire." + +"Knowing that its loss might embarrass Williamson or me!" + +"Yes," she said; "I thought of that. But I felt it would be safer for +us all if I burned the paper." + +"I suppose you understand that what you have admitted must make a +difference? You have set yourself deliberately against me." + +"If I had meant to injure you, I would have kept the letter; but I +won't urge this. If Appleyard were yours, I would go away at once, but +it is Dick's and he could not get on without my mother." + +"Then you mean to stay and continue spying on my guests!" + +"So long as no harm comes to Dick or Andrew, I shall leave you and +your friends alone." + +Staffer laughed. + +"I'm afraid you're letting your imagination run away with you. What +harm could come to either of them through me? But we'll say no more +about it, just now." + +He left her at the door and she went to her room and threw herself +down on her couch, feeling rather limp, for the strain had told on +her. Besides, her suspicions now were no longer vague. She had found a +clue and she began to see where it led. Andrew was obviously watching +the mouth of the Firth, while Rankine had some mysterious business +farther west. Marshall thought it well that Andrew should know that +the man with the red mustache had come from the suspected neighborhood +late at night, in a salmon boat. The man had been at Appleyard, where +he dropped an important letter; and Williamson and Staffer were in +league with him. From all this it looked as if their business were +treasonable. + +This filled her with alarm, but she was glad she had told Staffer that +she found the envelope. After all, he was her uncle and to have kept +silence would have been treacherous; but the struggle between family +obligations and her duty to the State got keener. It was unthinkable +that she should spy upon a kinsman to whom she owed much; but would +she not, in a sense, be an accomplice if she allowed him and the +others to carry on their plots? This question, however, was dismissed +for a time. There were other points to think about. + +Did Staffer imagine she was in Andrew's confidence and secretly +helping him; and had he believed her statement that she had destroyed +the letter? If not, she was, perhaps, in some danger, because his +laughing remark about her imagination had not been convincing. But, +after all, what could he do? She could hardly be kidnapped and +smuggled out of the country; and it was, of course, absurd to think of +his attempting anything worse. + +After a while she began to see her way. She would not watch her uncle, +but if chance brought her clear proof that he was helping her +country's enemies, she would see that he was stopped. This was a +compromise that she suspected could hardly be justified; but the next +decision was easier, because it had to do with those she loved. If +Staffer or his friends plotted any harm to Dick or Andrew, she would +remorselessly use every weapon she had against him. + +Then she roused herself and bathed her face and hands, for she had +felt some physical strain while she thrashed out the painful matter. +She would need calm and courage to meet Staffer as if nothing had +happened, so that her mother might not suspect trouble. The part she +had chosen was difficult, but she must play it out. When she went in +to dinner she did not know whether she was relieved or not by +Staffer's smile, but he talked to her with the suave good-humor he +generally showed. + +Two days after Elsie's talk with Jock Marshall, Andrew and Whitney +were sitting in a Melrose hotel, when a postcard from Stranraer was +brought to Andrew. There was a tarry fingermark at the bottom, +alongside of the straggling signature, _J. Marshall_, Andrew read it +aloud: + + "As I'm away at the fishing, it might be weel if ye + cam' home and lookit after the boat. Miss Elsie will + give ye a bit message. I would not leave her until the + tides get low." + +Whitney smiled. + +"You Scots are a remarkably cautious and capable lot," he said. "I can +imagine the wrinkled old image writing this, with a wooden face and a +chuckle inside. The meaning of the last sentence is cleverly +ambiguous. I suppose the boat is quite all right?" + +"Of course; no tide could hurt her." + +"It's plain then that Marshall thinks you're wanted on Miss +Woodhouse's account. I can have the motorcycle ready in five minutes, +and if we pull out now we can be home soon after dark. Will you tell +Dick?" + +"No. We'll put him on the train, if there is one. Get that railway +guide." + +Whitney opened it. + +"If you mean to see him off, you'll have to wait an hour; and, on the +whole, I think you'd better. He seems to have made a number of +acquaintances in the bar. Anyway, with this light frost, the roads +will be good and hard." + +Dick showed some unwillingness to leave the town, but Andrew was firm +and put him on the train. When it started, he joined Whitney, who was +waiting with the motorcycle. + +The light was getting dim as they ran down the long dip to Hawick, +though pale saffron, barred with leaden gray, shone above the western +hills. When they swept down the last hill, frosty mist hung about the +woolen mills in the hollow, and Whitney throttled his engine as they +jolted past glimmering lights and half-seen houses. + +"It doesn't look very cheerful for a fifty-mile run, but I suppose you +want to get on," he remarked. + +"Yes," said Andrew. "I hope Dick won't miss the train at one of the +junctions, but he'll be all right if he reaches Carlisle. He can't +well get into trouble at the place we stay at there." + +The mist melted into the keen brightness of a frosty night as they +climbed beside Teviot to the snow-sprinkled moors. Whitney's eyes were +watering and his hands numb as they crossed the high watershed. + +"We haven't lost much time, so far, but I suppose I'd better let her +go her best," he said. "There oughtn't to be much traffic on the +road." + +Andrew nodded and pulled the rug tighter round him as the motorcycle +leaped forward down the hill. He was eager to get back, for he felt +anxious. It was not for nothing that Marshall had warned him that he +was wanted. + +There was moonlight in the shallow depression that led down from the +summit, but soon the hilltops rose higher and they plunged into a dark +glen. A glimmer of light flashed up to meet them, and as the side-car, +rocking wildly, raced past the Mosspaul hotel, Andrew remembered what +had happened there a few months previously. He had seen since then +that Dick had not been in much danger when Staffer's car swerved; the +risk of being struck down had been run by him only. Well, that did not +matter much. If any one was threatened now, it was neither himself nor +Dick, and it was horrible to feel that Elsie might be in some danger. +Whitney was driving recklessly fast, but Andrew frowned impatiently as +he watched the hillsides unfold out of the dark and rush by while the +throbbing of the engine filled the narrow glen. + +They swung out at Ewes doors, leaning over hard as the car took the +curve with an inch or two between the wheel and the drop to the burn. +Then the widening valley grew bright again and they raced up and down +rolling hillsides, past scattered farms and white cothouses, until the +lights of Langholm stretched across the hollow. Whitney slowed his +engine here, but they narrowly escaped the wall, as they took the +bridge below the town, and then sped on again furiously through the +woods that line the brawling Esk. + +Appleyard was reached in time for dinner, and Andrew was relieved to +find that Staffer was not at home. Everything was as usual; it was +difficult to imagine any cause for alarm; and he wondered whether he +had been needlessly disturbed. After dinner, Mrs. Woodhouse took +Whitney into the drawing-room and Andrew found Elsie knitting in a +corner of the hall. + +She looked up with a smile when he sat down near her. + +"Haven't you come home earlier than you planned?" she asked. + +Andrew studied her face. It was quiet and undisturbed, but he +suspected a thoughtfulness that she meant to hide. + +"Yes," he said. "I got a postcard from Marshall. He's at Stranraer and +seemed to think I ought to look after the boat." + +"The boat? But it's fine weather. Isn't she quite safe?" + +"Oh, the tides are pretty high and run up the gutter fast." + +Elsie counted her stitches, and then gave him a quiet look. + +"Dick was with you," she said; "so it couldn't have been on his +account that you came back." + +Andrew smiled. + +"That's obvious." + +Elsie was silent for a moment, while a faint touch of color crept into +her face. His explanation about the boat had not deceived her, and +she had noted his searching glance when he first came in. Marshall +must have been hiding near by when she was talking to Staffer, and +have given Andrew a hint. It was for her sake he had hurried back. She +knew that he had hurried, because she had tactfully led Whitney into +making some admissions about their speed. She hardly thought she had +been in actual danger; but she knew that she was quite safe now, and +her heart went out to the man who had come to help. If only she could +confide in him! But it was impossible. His very loyalty to her made +her feel more strongly that she could not betray her uncle and bring +disgrace upon her mother. + +"Marshall gave me a message for you," she said. "I'll deliver it as +nearly as I can." + +She watched him as she repeated the fisherman's words. Andrew was a +bad actor and she was not misled by his clumsy indifference. It looked +as if he knew that the man with the red mustache had dealings with +Williamson and Staffer. + +"Thank you," he said. "I'm afraid we'll have to go west again, before +long." + +Elsie put down her knitting. + +"You'll be careful, Andrew. I want you to keep out of danger." + +His heart beat fast, for he saw that she was anxious about him. Elsie +knew something and would be sorry if he got hurt; but he must not +alarm her or show where his suspicions led. + +"Of course I will," he answered cheerfully. "As a matter of fact, I'm +not running much risk." + +"I'd rather you didn't think so; it leads to carelessness. You won't +be rash?" + +"Certainly not. Tell me why you are anxious." + +Elsie hesitated, and the color in her face grew deeper. + +"Somehow, I seem to feel that trouble is hanging over us, and"--her +voice dropped to a caress--"I want to have you near." + +Andrew caught his breath. + +"Elsie," Mrs. Woodhouse interrupted, "I think Mr. Whitney would like +to have some music." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +TIGHTENING THE MESHES + + +Andrew spent a week at Appleyard, without noticing anything that +caused him uneasiness; and then he got a letter from Rankine asking +him to meet him in the pool behind the Ross, near Kirkcudbright. He +did not want to go; but he thought that he could get back in three or +four days; and Staffer was to be away from home. Besides, Dick would +be there to take care of Elsie. + +Sailing at high-tide, with a keen east wind blowing down the Firth, he +found water across the sands to the mouth of the Nith, where he left +the boat and drove to Dumfries. Here, he and Whitney called upon +Mackellar and were taken into his private office. + +"I have some news that may surprise ye," the banker said. "Dick's +principal creditor is his step-father. Here's a list o' his +obligations, though I'm no' sure it's complete." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Andrew, "I don't know whether I'm surprised or not, +but I begin to see a light." He frowned, as he noted the figures. "It +won't be an easy matter to pay this off; the estate will feel the +strain for some time. But how has the young idiot got rid of the +money?" + +"Betting." + +"But he doesn't go to many races, and turf accountants wouldn't deal +with a boy under age." + +"Verra true," Mackellar agreed dryly. "Dick would get somebody else to +put the money on for him--or at least that's no doubt what he thought +he did. Williamson, or one o' his friends, would be willing." + +"Why do you say it's what Dick thought?" + +"I have my doubts whether his go-between made the bets at all. Where +was the need? The fellow had only to take the money when Dick lost." + +"But Dick's not a fool! He wouldn't back the wrong horse every time. +He reads the sporting papers and I suppose their forecasts are right +now and then." + +Mackellar smiled. + +"If he's no' a fool, he's near it. A tip anybody can buy for a penny +is no' of much account; but it's flattering to feel ye ken the secrets +o' the inside ring. Staffer's friends would see he had that +satisfaction. In other words, they'd tell him how he ought to bet with +them, and, although they'd let him win at times, I imagine they found +it a profitable game." + +"It must be stopped!" said Andrew. + +"Just so; but ye would prefer it to be stopped quietly. There's +another thing I learned, and ye put me on the track when ye told me +what Dick said about his being insured. A policy has been taken out +for a large sum." + +Andrew made an abrupt movement, and Whitney looked puzzled. + +"That's pretty hard to understand. His is not the kind of life they'd +take except at a big premium." + +"It gave me something to think about and I have no' come to the bottom +o' it yet. It's possible the insurance was effected some time ago, +before Dick's weakness had developed. His parents were sound and it +was long before we suspected there was anything wrong with him. +However, I had an interview with the company's local agent and +afterward with the Edinburgh manager." + +"What did you learn?" Andrew asked. + +"Nothing much. In fact, I'm thinking I met my match; the heads o' that +office are men o' some ability, and I had no good ground for +interference. For a' that, they know something and if it was offered +the bank in the way o' business, I would not make a big advance +against the policy." + +"In whose favor is it drawn?" Whitney asked. + +"I canno' tell ye; they were verra reserved gentlemen, but the name +would no' be Staffer's, though the transaction would be ultimately to +his benefit. Mr. Staffer's a man o' retiring habits." + +Andrew was silent for a minute and then looked up. + +"I see now that I have suspected something like this from the +beginning," he said. "What are we to do?" + +Mackellar's face hardened. + +"I think we'll see Mr. Staffer and tell him what we know. It's +possible he'll fight, but that's no' what I would expect. I'm most +concerned about Dick's attitude. We canno' do much if he's against +us." + +"Dick has been rather a puzzle lately. I'll be away for a few days, +but we'll interview Staffer as soon as I'm back." + +Mackellar said that he expected to call at Appleyard shortly, and +would make an appointment then; and Andrew and Whitney drove back to +the yacht. Getting under way at once, they sailed down-channel with +the last of the ebb between wastes of drying sand; and dusk found them +slowly forging out to sea against the incoming flood. They met Rankine +where he had arranged, and, carrying out his instructions, sailed east +again. One evening late they landed from the dinghy at the mouth of +the buoyed gutter. It was near low-water and the tide had run far out. +Fine rain was falling and it was very dark, but as they waded ashore +through the fringe of splashing ripples, an indistinct figure appeared +at the edge of the bank. + +"Is that you, Jock?" Andrew called; and Marshall came up. + +"I startit when yere letter came and Mistress Wilson at the wee shop +in the clachan has taen me in," he said. + +"Did you keep the letter?" + +"Na," said Marshall; "I pit it in the fire." + +Andrew nodded. + +"Then I suppose you understand what you are to do." + +"I'm to try the net-fishing for flounders and keep my een open, though +it's no' just the season the flatfish come up on the banks. They telt +me, at the clachan, there were verra few to be had; but I allooed they +couldna' be scarcer than Loch Ryan herring." + +"He's got it right," Whitney laughed. "Come along and take your net. +You'll have to carry it up the bank; the dinghy's loaded deep and the +tide's still running out." + +When they had dragged the net ashore, Marshall lighted a lantern and +examined it carefully. Whitney, picking up the light, turned it on +the fisherman's wrinkled face and was not surprised to see a twinkle +in his eyes. + +"What do you think of it?" he asked. + +"It's gran' gear, but maybe, a bit heavy for flounders. I wouldna' say +but the heid-rope would haud a shark." + +"It's better to be on the safe side," Whitney said with a laugh. "When +you set a net you can't tell what you're going to catch. That's why we +brought you some iron pipes for the posts. Now you'd better show us +where you want the net put up." + +They went back and pushed off the dinghy while Marshall plodded up the +bank abreast of them with the net on his shoulder. At a bend of the +narrowing channel he hailed them. + +"She'll do here--though I dinna' ken aboot the fishery board," he +said, when they landed and gave him the iron posts. "Ye're no allooed +to stop a through-running watter." + +"I'll be responsible for that," Andrew told him. + +"Then it would be a kind o' pity to leave yon gutter open," suggested +Marshall, turning to Whitney. "A flounder-net in a runway only fishes +on the ebb. Ye haul her up to the heid-rope when the fish come in with +the flood, and let her doon when high-watter's past. Then a' that's +gone by her canna' get back. Onyway, yon's the usual plan, but she'd +maybe fish better here if we keepit her doon with lead and pulled her +up afterwards wi' a heid-rope tackle." + +"I was going to suggest something of the kind," Andrew said. "You'll +want a boat, but there are two or three old punts on the beach. Hire +whichever you like and I'll be accountable. But what about the +trawler fellow who keeps the boat at the point?" + +"They telt me he's awa' doon west." + +"Good. You can begin to put up your stakes, using the pipe. We have +another job to look after, but we'll come back when it's done." + +Whitney shoved the dinghy off and they paddled up the channel. It was +very dark and the rain made the obscurity worse, but Andrew searched +one bank carefully as the dinghy crept along its edge. Everything was +quiet, for there seemed to be no birds about, but they could hear the +thud of Marshall's hammer as he drove in the pipes. Whitney, sitting +aft, felt damp and cold as the water trickled down his oilskins. + +"How much do you think the old fellow suspects?" he asked. + +"I can't tell. He suspects something, and I didn't try to put him off +the track. There were one or two reasons for thinking I'd better not. +Anyway, he's to be trusted. Where's that corner buoy?" + +Whitney laughed. + +"If you were anybody else, I'd wager you wouldn't find it on a night +like this. You don't know it was on a corner, to begin with." + +"Well," Andrew said, "I'm pretty confident about hitting it in the +next few minutes." + +He pulled on steadily, while the rain ran down his face and trickled +from the dinghy's thwarts. The bank was scarcely distinguishable a few +yards away, but the water had not the opaque blackness of the sand, +and Whitney scanned its surface narrowly. There was not a ripple, for +the stream was slackening, and the channel was smooth as oil except +for the disturbance the dinghy made. The water she displaced lapped +upon the sand astern, but there was nothing on the narrow dark strip +ahead. + +"You haven't made a center shot this time," he said presently. + +Andrew laughed and, pulling hard on one oar, swung the dinghy round. + +"The buoy's certainly not in the water. We'll try the bank. The tide +hadn't ebbed so far when we were here last." + +They landed, and plowed through slushy sand. At last Whitney caught +his foot in a rope. + +"You've struck it after all," he laughed, as he followed up the rope +to a ring of large net-corks. "Now, we'll get to work." + +Returning to the spot where the rope came out of the sand, he began to +dig with a spade they had brought; but he did not make much progress. +Water and soft ooze ran back into the hole almost as fast as he could +throw them out; his heavy boots sank into the yielding ground; and his +oilskins hampered him greatly. When he was hot and breathless, Andrew +took the spade. + +"The fellow who moored the buoy here, didn't mean it to go adrift," he +remarked as he flung the wet sand about. + +The spade jarred upon something hard, and Andrew worked its edge under +the object while Whitney seized the rope. For a time, they tugged and +wrenched at it, and then, when they were gasping and splashed all +over, a heavy stone slowly rolled out of its muddy bed. Andrew let it +lie and walked back a short distance toward higher ground. + +"The next step needs care," he said. "We mustn't move the stone far, +because that would show that its position had been changed; but the +bank is steep and a few yards will make a difference. If I can shorten +the depth by half a fathom, it will satisfy me." + +Whitney chuckled. + +"That ought to be enough. When your draught's pretty deep it's +embarrassing to find half a fathom less water than you expect." + +Andrew carefully estimated the difference of level along the bank. + +"I think we'll put it here," he decided. + +It took them some time to move and bury the heavy stone. + +"What about the fairway buoy?" Whitney asked when they had finished. + +"We'll let that stay. I want our man to get in and his troubles had +better not begin until he's going back. The flood would soon float the +vessel off if she grounded going up, but it will be a different matter +coming down, when the tide's on the ebb." + +They pushed the dinghy off and Whitney pulled away against the stream, +which was beginning to run up the channel. The rain had got heavier, +but they could hear Marshall's hammer as he drove down the stakes. +When they were abreast of him, Whitney stopped rowing. For a few +minutes the fisherman stood beside the dinghy while Andrew gave him +instructions, and then he vanished into the gloom as Whitney pulled +away. Andrew lighted a small lantern and, putting it beside a compass +in the bottom of the craft, kept his comrade on his course. + +"Harder with your left; the tide's on our port bow," he said: "Steady +at that; we're round the point. Pull as even as you can." + +The sharper rise and fall and the splashing about the craft showed +Whitney that they had reached open water, but he had no other guide. +They had left no light on the _Rowan_ and black darkness enveloped the +dinghy. The faint glow from the lantern in her bottom made it worse, +and all that Whitney could see was Andrew's face and the wet front of +his sou'wester as he bent over the compass. The rest of his figure +melted into the surrounding gloom. Whitney was tired and wet, and +gritty sand scraped the backs of his hands as the oilskin sleeves +rubbed across them. There was some risk of Andrew's not finding the +yacht, and he must pull hard to reach her before the tide got too +strong. + +This was very different from yachting in hot weather on the Canadian +lakes and Long Island Sound; but it had a fascination he would not +have thought possible a few months ago. Andrew and he were playing a +bold and somewhat dangerous game, the end of which, he thought, could +not be long delayed. As an American, he had no stake on it, except, +perhaps, his life, but he understood his comrade's patriotic keenness +and meant to see him through. Then he had read enough about the +sinking of unarmed merchant ships and the drowning of the crews to +fire his blood. He thought this was excuse enough for not observing a +strict neutrality; then, as he felt the dinghy lurch across the swell +and heard the hoarse murmur of the surf upon the shoals, he knew that +the sport was in itself engrossing. + +He had caught the big gray trout of the lone Northwest, the bass, and +the fighting tarpon, but he was now angling for fiercer prey and he +hoped the murderous steel monsters that lurked in the dark water would +rise to the bait. They were handled with a relentless cunning that +struck him as devilish; and Rankine had hinted that two of the largest +and fastest were not far away, lying in wait for a huge new battleship +that was coming from the Clyde. Whitney could not think calmly of her +lurching under, shattered by a torpedo, with her swarming crew. +Besides, his partner had resolved that this should not happen. + +"Pull with your right!" said Andrew. "She's sagging to lee'ard now." + +They crept on against the tide, Whitney panting as he tugged at the +oars, for he had enough; and it was with keen satisfaction that he +heard Andrew call out presently: + +"Hard with your left; let her swing! I see the boat!" + +Whitney got a glimpse of a rocking mast, as the dinghy came round, and +a few moments afterward he put out his hand to ease the shock as they +ran alongside. A quarter of an hour later the anchor was on deck and +they went eastward with the flood under easy sail. + +"You might put on the kettle. It will be high water before we're up +the Firth," Andrew said. "If we can get our business with Staffer done +to-morrow, we'll sail again for the wreck as soon as it gets dark." + +Whitney hesitated a moment. + +"No doubt you see the consequences if we catch our man at work." + +"They're obvious, but they must be faced," Andrew said in a hard +voice. "I've held back longer than I should, but it wasn't for my own +sake and I can't shirk my duty now." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE RECKONING DAY + + +It was getting dark in the library at Appleyard, and Mackellar stopped +speaking when a servant entered to light the lamps. Staffer leaned +back in his chair as if the interruption were a relief, but Mackellar +sat grim and upright, watching him. Irvine, the other executor of +Dick's father's will, nervously fingered his gold-rimmed eye-glasses; +and Andrew found the servant's deliberate movements exasperating. He +wanted the matter settled. The situation was painful and galling to +his family pride; and the cautious way that Mackellar had led up to +the climax had tried his patience. So far, Staffer had made no reply. + +At last the servant withdrew, and the feeling of tension grew keener +after the soft snap of the closing door. They could now see one +another's faces, and all looked somewhat strained. No one spoke for a +few moments, and Irvine began to polish his eye-glasses with his +handkerchief. + +"It might now be well if Mr. Staffer would tell us his views," he +said. "I think Mr. Mackellar has made ours plain." + +Staffer seemed to rouse himself. + +"It's obvious that you want to get rid of me. Your suggestion is that +I should relinquish control of Dick and leave Appleyard at once?" + +"Precisely," said Irvine. "I see no other way." + +"Does your demand extend to my sister and niece?" + +"Certainly not," Mackellar replied. "We all think it would be an +advantage if Mrs. Woodhouse stayed at Appleyard, and, with Dick's +consent, we would make her a suitable allowance. The management of the +household could not be in better hands." + +"That's some relief," said Staffer. "Now, in the ordinary course of +things, my authority here would terminate very soon, when Dick is +twenty-one, and I should be willing to go then. Is it worth while to +make a drastic change, which would inconvenience everybody, for so +short a time?" + +Andrew was somewhat surprised by Staffer's half conciliatory attitude, +but he thought he saw anxiety in the man's face. It looked as if he +had some strong reason for not wanting to leave Appleyard just yet. + +"Our opinion is that it would be well worth while," Irvine said dryly. + +"Suppose I refuse to go? How do you propose to turn me out?" + +"We'll apply for the necessary powers," Mackellar answered. + +"Do you mind telling me what grounds you mean to urge?" + +Mackellar sorted the papers in his hand, and Andrew marked his quiet +deliberation. Indeed, in spite of a certain feeling of tension, the +proceedings had, so far, been characterized by a curious calm. Perhaps +this was because three of the actors were Scotch; but Andrew felt that +the calm was deceptive. The situation had strong dramatic force. + +"I cannot see why ye should not know," Mackellar replied. "I would +begin by proving undue and dangerous influence on a young man of +extravagant habits who had been placed in your charge." + +"Can you prove it?" + +"Weel, these figures relating to money lent and bills discounted, +would go some length, particularly when it was shown that ye concealed +the part ye took by acting through agents." + +He read out particulars of the money borrowed, with the high rate of +interest charged, and traced the transactions back to Staffer through +other hands. It was a telling accusation and Andrew thought Staffer +was surprised and alarmed by Mackellar's knowledge. + +"I'm not sure that we could not establish a charge o' conspiracy," +Mackellar concluded. + +"There is no fraud!" Staffer declared hotly. "The terms were stated; +Dick knew what he would have to pay." + +"He did not know to whom he would have to pay it," Irvine interposed. + +Staffer was silent for a moment. + +"You can do nothing without Dick's consent," he said slowly. "Why did +you not let him speak for himself? Are you afraid of him?" + +"We found ye had sent him to Dumfries, and we thought ye would prefer +that he was not consulted yet. But there's another matter: the +insurance policy, by which we have ground for believing ye would +ultimately benefit." + +"What do you know about that?" + +"At present we do not know everything, but there's much that we +suspect, considering the state o' Dick's health." + +Staffer looked at him keenly. + +"Do you imply that Dick's health is very bad?" he asked. + +"Ye should ken." + +Andrew thought Staffer looked puzzled, as if he suspected the other of +knowing more than he did himself. + +"Well, is it your intention to dispute my claim or disown Dick's +debts?" + +Mackellar took up a paper. + +"No' at all. Here's a memorandum of our terms, which ye would be wise +in agreeing to. I'll read them out." + +Staffer smiled. + +"Then if threats prove useless, you mean to bribe me to go! Very well. +Give me another three months here, and I'll accept." + +"Our offer is made on the understanding that you leave at once." + +"Then I'm afraid you'll have to turn me out--and you may find it +rather hard. But you haven't answered a point I raised. Suppose Dick +takes my side and insists upon my staying?" + +"Our being executors would warrant our interference; and there's +another party on whose behalf we could make a plea. Mr. Andrew +Johnstone could claim the protection o' his interest as the next heir, +on the grounds o' the direct inheritor's dangerous health." + +"Would you urge this in court?" + +"If we were forced," Mackellar said dryly. + +Staffer's self-control gave way and he turned to Andrew with a savage, +sneering laugh. + +"So _you_ are responsible for the extraordinary line these gentlemen +have taken! You have been counting on your cousin's death!" + +Andrew flushed. + +"As you well know, I came home from Canada to take care of him. Still, +I agree with the executors. If you can still persuade Dick to believe +in you, he must be saved in spite of himself." + +Staffer gave him a curious look. It was plain that Andrew was his most +troublesome antagonist. There was something in Staffer's expression +that disturbed the others. + +"Very well," he said. "You must do what you think fit. I shall remain +at Appleyard." + +He rose, as if to intimate that there was no more to be said; and +Andrew accompanied the others to the car that was waiting at the door, +and afterward found Whitney and told him what they had done. + +"You'll have to be careful, partner," Whitney cautioned. "He might be +dangerous now." + +"Well," Andrew replied thoughtfully, "I must try to avoid risks. But +we must get down the Firth, to-night, and you'd better bring the +motorcycle round as soon as you can." + +A quarter of an hour later, Andrew came downstairs, dressed in a thick +jersey and his old boating clothes and met Elsie in the hall. She +thought his face looked unusually stern. + +"Are you going to sea again, to-night?" she asked, in surprise. + +"Yes; I didn't know beforehand whether I could get away until +to-morrow. As a matter of fact, I don't want to go at all, but I +must." + +She put her hand gently on his arm. + +"If you feel it's your duty, you must go; but I'm anxious, Andrew, and +you'll be careful for my sake. You see, I have come to depend on you, +and I feel that something is threatening us all." + +He thrilled at her touch, and it cost him a stern effort to stand as +if unmoved while he noted the tenderness in her eyes and the flicker +of color in her face. + +"You mustn't imagine things." + +"Tell me the truth, Andrew. Am I mistaken?" + +"Well," he said quietly, "perhaps Appleyard has, so to speak, been +under a cloud for a little while, but I see the light breaking. In +fact, the shadow may be gone in the next few days. But you may need +some courage--and I know you have it." + +"Ah!" she said. "You mean that something may happen here?" + +"I'm sorry I can't tell you anything now," Andrew replied, with an +embarrassed air. "I may be able to do so when I come back." + +She gave him her hand with a gentle look. + +"Then I must wait. But you won't be rash. Remember that I shall be +anxious about you!" + +He left her and for a while she sat quietly in the hall. Andrew was +not going on a shooting cruise; it was some more serious business. She +had already connected it with Rankine and the sinking of the merchant +ships. The reasons that led her to this conclusion were not very +clear, but she felt that Williamson and the man with the red mustache +had something to do with the matter. She wondered whether she ought to +warn Andrew; but she felt that she could not betray her uncle unless +she was certain that Andrew was in danger. + +She roused herself when she heard the car outside. Madge Whitney was +coming to spend a week with them. Shortly after Madge's arrival, Dick +returned from Dumfries, looking ill; and when the party gathered in +the drawing-room after dinner, conversation dragged. It was a relief +when Mrs. Woodhouse suggested that they go to bed. Elsie went with +Madge to her room, and they sat together on a low divan before the +fire. + +"Now," Madge said, "what's the matter with you all?" + +"I don't know," said Elsie. "I don't feel very gay; but you didn't +cheer us much. I'm sorry your head aches." + +"The trip was pretty bad. But I had a little adventure." + +Madge smiled charmingly. + +"What?" Elsie asked indifferently. + +"When we stopped at Dumfries, I got out to get a paper, and as I ran +along the platform I bumped into a man who'd come from the cars across +the track. He had his hands full of things and said a kind of swear in +German, when he dropped them all about." + +"In German!" Elsie exclaimed. + +"Sure. Well, I didn't want him to miss the train, so I picked up the +nearest thing. It was a nice little box that flew open, and I thought +it had a clock in it. He got into my car and began to apologize in +very good English, and then I asked him what was in the box. I thought +he hesitated, but he showed me that it was a compass, with a brass +thing that turned around its top and had two little slits for looking +through." + +"An azimuth; Andrew has one. They're used when you want to be +accurate in taking bearings. But go on." + +"There's not much more. He was rather a charming man and had been in +America. We talked all the way to Annan, where he got out." + +"What was he like?" + +"Tall and big with a sunburned face, very light blue eyes, hair +between red and brown. He looked like a sailor--a captain or something +of the kind, though he was dressed plainly in thick, blue clothes and +had a bundle of oil slickers." + +"Had he a red mustache?" + +"He had none at all, but I guess it would be red if he let it grow. Do +you know him?" + +"No," Elsie said quietly; "at least, I'm not sure." + +Madge gave her a keen look. + +"You make me curious; I went into detail because you are more +interested than you want to show. Of course, I thought it strange that +a man who spoke good English should relieve his feelings in German +when he felt annoyed, and afterward try to convince me that he wasn't +a foreigner. I think he did try and that was the reason he talked so +much." + +"I was thinking about the compass; you said it was in a nice little +box. They use things like that on small yachts and boats." + +"This one was about as long as your hand. Where does the other track +that runs into Dumfries come from?" + +"From Glasgow." + +"Oh!" said Madge. "You build warships there, don't you?" + +She opened her traveling bag and took out a time-table which contained +a map of Scotland. + +"Look at this," she said, indicating Stranraer, Portpatrick, and +Ramsey. "Rankine's been at these places, because I've had notes from +him, and you see how they command the way out from the Clyde. His +business doesn't stop at making charts." + +"Has he told you so?" + +"No." Madge blushed prettily. "Still, he's admitted something; you +see, we are friends. Besides, he's a smart officer; they wouldn't +waste a man like him on taking soundings. That would be quite absurd." + +Elsie's smile was sympathetic, for she thought she understood her +friend's belief in Rankine's talents. + +"He's here on guard in the west," Madge went on; "Andrew's there, +about half way between him and Annan; and now we have a German sailor, +who speaks English and has a boat-compass, at the head of the Solway +Firth." + +Elsie made an abrupt movement, for Madge had found the missing link +and the chain was complete. Men were working night and day at +armaments and warships on the Clyde. Her face was troubled, but her +lips set firm, for she began to see that she could no longer keep her +secret. The time when she must act had come. + +"I think you have guessed right," she said after a moment or two. + +"Then you understand that we have some responsibility." + +"I don't see yours." + +The color crept into Madge's face. + +"Oh, well! For one thing, my brother's with Andrew." Then she put her +arm impulsively round Elsie's waist. "We've got to see this through, +dear." + +Elsie's reserve gave way. + +"Yes," she answered steadily; "we must. The man you met has been at +Appleyard when they thought we were all asleep--and I'm afraid he'll +be here again." + +Madge showed no surprise. + +"I know how you're fixed. But think! Andrew and Jim may be in danger. +We can't let them get hurt." + +"That's impossible! But what must we do?" + +"Watch for the German sailor, first of all," Madge advised. "Try to +find out what he has come for, and spoil the plot. I'm glad you gave +me the room next to yours. I can reach you by that inner door, if it's +necessary." She leaned forward and kissed Elsie. "Now you must go to +bed, dear. You look anxious and tired." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +A WILD RIDE + + +Elsie went to sleep at last, but her rest was broken and once or twice +she awoke with a start. She was uneasy and highly strung, but she +heard nothing unusual. The wind moaned about the house and the splash +of the little burn rose from the glen. Staffer had gone out before +dinner and as he had not come back when she went to bed, she did not +think any stranger would visit Appleyard. Telling herself that she +must not indulge in nerves, she went to sleep again. Some time later, +when lying half awake, she heard a soft rattle; and her heart beat +fast, for she knew that the handle of her door was being gently +turned. She was glad that she had locked it, though this was the first +time she had ever done so. + +The sound stopped, a board in the passage creaked, and as the shock of +alarm began to pass, Elsie guessed that it was Staffer trying to make +sure that she was in her room. This implied that he was going +downstairs to meet some one; but she waited until she got calmer, +wondering if, after all, she had been mistaken. Staffer could not have +returned until late, and it was strange he had allowed his visitor to +risk coming to the house when he might be out. She tried to believe he +had not done so; but when she heard a faint tap on the other door, +which opened into Madge's room, there was no longer any doubt. +Nerving herself for a painful effort, she got up and hastily put on +some clothes. Then she went into the other room and saw Madge's +shadowy figure standing by the window. + +"You heard it?" Madge whispered. "Somebody's gone down. Do you know +who it is?" + +"Yes. . . . It is my uncle." + +Madge put out her hand in the darkness and squeezed Elsie's cold +little fingers sympathetically. + +"You have to choose between him and Andrew, dear," she said. + +"Yes," Elsie agreed in a strange, toneless way. + +"Then we must find out what's going on. My brother's on board the +_Rowan_ too, you must remember--and there's the survey ship. I was +thinking of them all and I couldn't sleep." + +"Are you ready to come down?" Elsie asked. + +Madge shivered as she opened the door. It was very dark and cold in +the passage, and she shrank from the adventure; but she followed +Elsie, when the girl quietly locked the door, taking out the key. +Elsie had better cause to hesitate than Madge, but her resolution was +fixed. Andrew might be threatened and that was enough. She loved him, +and he loved her, though he had tried to hide it. He was hers, and, +with a woman's deep-rooted instincts, she was ready to fight for him. +The choice she had made was no longer hard. Her uncle had now no claim +on her; he was her lover's enemy. For the time, all complexities had +vanished; Elsie was driven by primitive impulses. She would protect +Andrew as a mother protects her child. + +As they approached the top of the stairs, she put out her hand and +stopped Madge. + +"Not this way," she whispered. "Follow me close. We'll go down by the +back." + +They turned into a passage that led through the servants' part of the +house. It was dark and narrow, but Elsie moved down the middle and +Madge kept behind her. When they reached a small, back landing, Elsie +guided her to a hole in the floor, and, putting down her foot +cautiously, Madge felt a step. They were newel stairs and the stone +struck cold through her stockings as she tried to find the broader +side. When she reached level ground, she crept forward behind Elsie, +across a large empty space which seemed to be the kitchen. The next +moment Madge struck something that jarred noisily on the floor, and +she and Elsie stopped with frightened gasps. The sound seemed to echo +through the house. + +They waited, listening with tingling nerves, but all was silent, and +they crept on until they came to a closed door. Elsie, putting both +hands on the knob, turned it cautiously. The latch clicked and they +stopped again; but heard nothing. The gloom in front was impenetrable, +but a draught of cold air touched their faces and Madge thought they +were looking into the hall. After a few moments, she heard a sound +that suggested a chair being moved, and then a half-distinguishable +murmur. It seemed to come from somewhere near by. + +"They're in the drawing-room. Wait here," Elsie whispered; and the +next moment Madge was alone. + +It was very cold and the darkness was daunting, but she tried to brace +herself. Her brother was engaged in dangerous work, and the secret +conference that was being held in the room across the hall might +threaten him. Then, Rankine had some part in the business. She felt a +thrill that brought the blood to her face and gave her courage as she +determined that no harm should come to him. + +The murmur in the drawing-room grew louder, and Madge wondered if she +could get nearer to it. Advancing cautiously into the hall, she tried +to remember where the furniture was; but her outstretched hand struck +something that rattled, and she stopped, alarmed. She had been on the +point of knocking down a vase, and it was plain to her that further +progress would involve risk. Elsie had some plan, and a noise would +spoil it. Madge went back to her post and waited there in the +darkness, highly strung and shivering. + +Elsie, in the meantime, had left the house and crept round it on the +grass until she reached a greenhouse built against one side of the +drawing-room. The door was open, as she had expected, and, feeling for +the edge of a flower-stand, she followed it up until she could crouch +down beside the steps leading to a French window. It was closed but +not latched, for when she ran her fingers along the joint, she felt an +aperture; but she dared not try to pull it open. Still, she could see +in. The lamps had not been lighted, but an electric torch lay on the +table and threw a ring of light on the opposite wall, two or three +feet from the ground. The rest of the room was in darkness, but a dim +illumination which spread beyond the bright beam showed two figures +faintly. + +The men sat at the table. Elsie could not hear what they said; for +their voices were low and they spoke in curt sentences. As soon as +they had finished their business, one of them would get up and go, and +she might not be able to steal away in time; besides, another man +might come in by the door behind her. She must risk trying to open the +window. She got her fingernails into the crack; but the hinges began +to grate, and she let her hand drop. The voices, however, were now a +trifle more distinct and she recognized one as her uncle's. Only a +word or two was audible here and there, and she could not connect them +with what she missed; but, after a time, she heard Staffer say: + +"All falls through unless Williamson gets into touch. . . ." + +"He must . . . should be there now . . . low water," said the other +man. + +Elsie missed Staffer's answer, but soon she caught: + +"Andrew Johnstone and the American. . . ." + +"Must be stopped . . . know too much . . . No scruples . . . can't +hesitate." + +Staffer laughed; and Elsie shuddered at his half-heard voice. + +"I don't . . . do what you like . . . But make sure . . . know too +much . . . both dangerous." + +Elsie shrank down as Staffer rose and the light traveled along the +wall, but the men crossed the floor and she heard a cupboard being +opened. They were now near the hall door and she missed what they +said; but she had heard enough and must escape before the stranger +left by the window. + +Stealing out of the greenhouse, she ran back, with her brain busily at +work. Madge was waiting where she had left her. Together they crept up +the back stairs and into Madge's room. + +Elsie was very calm when at last she felt it safe to speak. + +"They came to the door once. What did you hear?" she asked in a +whisper. + +"_The wreck. About three hours. There before high water!_ It wasn't +Staffer's voice." + +Elsie pressed her arm, and, listening eagerly, they heard a stealthy +footstep in the passage. Then the handle of Elsie's door shook, as if +it had been touched, and there was silence. + +They waited for a few minutes while Elsie thought quickly. The +situation, though still obscure, was getting clearer. Andrew was +interfering with something it was necessary that Williamson should do, +and Staffer had told his visitor that he could stop him as he liked, +but must make sure. There had been something horribly threatening in +his laugh as he said that Andrew and Whitney knew too much. The +visitor was to do what he had undertaken, about low water, near a +wreck. + +The question was: _What had he undertaken?_ + +"What is that?" Madge whispered, turning to the open window. + +A faint throbbing came out of the dark. It was some distance off, but +Elsie recognized it as a motor running down the valley. + +"It's the man going to Annan," she said. "Listen while I explain--" + +Her conclusions grew clearer and more logical as she put them into +words, and she got up resolutely when she had finished. + +"We can do nothing more; Dick must help us now." + +Stealing down the passage, she entered his room and shook him gently. +He awoke, and she put her hand on his face to check the exclamation +she half expected. + +"It's Elsie; you mustn't make a noise," she whispered. "Do you know +anything about a wreck?" + +"I know where it is," he answered drowsily. + +"Andrew's there to-night, isn't he?" + +"It's possible," said Dick, lifting himself on his elbow. "Why do you +ask?" + +She told him what she had overheard, and he was silent for a moment, +though she knew that he was now wide awake. + +"Andrew must be warned," he said; "and the other fellow's got a start. +I couldn't get the car out without bringing Staffer down, and +Whitney's motorcycle is at the Burnfoot. I'll have to take my +bicycle." + +Elsie noted that he had shown no surprise, which was curious, and that +he was very cool. Then she remembered that he had not been looking +well for some days. + +"Can't you get a fisherman to go?" she suggested. "You could give him +a guarded message or a note." + +Dick smiled. + +"I'll have to take a fisherman, but I'm going. Andrew's a very good +sort and I owe him something." His tone changed strangely. "Will you +give me a kiss, Elsie? You haven't done so since we were kiddies--but +I'd like you to." + +Elsie stooped and kissed his cheek and he put his hand on hers. + +"Thank you, dear. Now you'll have to go. I must start as soon as +possible." + +She left him, wondering at something unusual in his manner; and five +minutes afterward Dick crept down the back stairs. When he wheeled out +his bicycle, the lamp would not burn and he had no time to look for +fresh carbide. It was difficult to keep on the drive, and he feared +that Staffer might hear the crash if he ran into the border and fell, +but he avoided this, and opened the gate at the lodge without wakening +its occupants. + +The valley was dark, the road wet, and Dick could scarcely see the +clipped hedgerows. Indeed, at first, he ran on to the grass, but by +degrees his eyes got used to the gloom and he let the bicycle coast +down a long hill. It gave him a good start, but when he came to the +bottom, the hill in front was steep, and he knew a stern effort would +be needed, as he changed to the low gear. He was distressed and +panting hard when he was half-way up, and as he forced the cranks +round, the tires slipped and skidded in the mud. The trees that +stretched their bare branches overhead kept the road soft, but it +seemed to him that they also shut out the air. He could not breathe in +the thick gloom beneath them, and his heart was throbbing painfully. + +This was the kind of thing he had been especially warned against; but +he could not stop. The wind was light, and, allowing for some loss of +time in waking a fisherman and getting his boat away, it would be past +low-water when they approached the wreck. Remembering what had +happened the night the lamp went out, Dick saw that Andrew's danger +would begin when the flood-tide raced across the sands. + +The breeze met him in the face when the road turned toward the coast +at the summit of the hill. He found it refreshing, but it threatened +to increase his labor and the mud got worse as he ran down to the +seaboard plain. Light mist thickened the gloom and the bicycle skidded +badly when he struck the boggy strip along the half-seen hedgerows. +Still he toiled on, while the perspiration dripped from his forehead +and he got dizzy. The exertion he was making was not sufficient cause +for this, but he had paid for rashly running upstairs at a Lockerbie +hotel a few days before. Something the doctor had warned him of had +happened, and he had not recovered from it yet. For all that, he must +reach the lower end of the channel before the tide began to flow. + +He knew the road well, but he could not distinguish where he was, and +was half afraid he had taken a wrong turning, until a few faint lights +shone out ahead. These must mark the outskirts of Annan. Five minutes +later he ran down the main street. The houses were dark, and he had +some trouble to find the narrow lane that turned off to the waterside. +There were no lights here, but the road was paved, and when he passed +under a railway bridge tall black buildings rose between him and the +river. A sour smell came from the wet mud-banks behind them, and the +splash of running water warned him that the tide was falling fast. He +must lose no time if he meant to get away before the boats were left +aground. + +He passed a silent factory and a long, shadowy mill; a schooner's +masts rose out of the gloom, and he was in the open. When the road +stopped near a wharf-shed, Dick pushed the bicycle through a gap in a +hedge and across a field, until he reached a very muddy lane. He would +rather have left the machine; but time did not permit; and for the +next five minutes he jolted furiously among the pools and ruts. +Somehow, he saved himself from falling, and jumped down when a dark +row of houses, on rising ground, cut against the sky. Throwing the +bicycle against a fence, he climbed the hill, breathing hard, while +his head swam and he felt the heavy thumping of his heart. + +When he knocked at the door, a man came down and took him into a +small, plainly furnished room. He was a big fellow, with keen blue +eyes, and a brown face covered with fine wrinkles. + +"Noo ye can tell me what ye want," he said. + +Dick gave him a rather inadequate explanation, and the fisherman +looked thoughtful. + +"Weel," he said, "I dinna' understand it athegither, but it's enough +if ye think Mr. Andrew's in trouble." He paused for a moment, as if +pondering, and then resumed: "The big shrimp-boat would take us doon +faster, but she draws four feet and we'd want a punt to get ashore. +I'm thinking we'll take the whammeler. She's a smart bit craft and we +could pull her if there was need." + +He gave Dick a bundle of black oilskins. + +"Pit these on. Ye'll need them." + +Dick thought this probable, for he was wearing only his thin, ordinary +clothes. + +"Thanks," he said, as he got into the oilskins, which were softer and +more pliable than any he had seen in shops. "You see, I left in rather +a hurry." + +"I ken. An' noo we'll start." + +His curtness was reassuring, for Dick knew his countrymen. The +fellow's immediate business was to take him to the wreck, and he would +fix his mind on doing so. It was obvious that there was something +mysterious about their errand, but although the Scot is as curious as +other people, he seldom asks unnecessary questions when there is work +to be done. His habit is to concentrate upon the main issue. + +They left the house, and a few minutes later crept along a slippery +plank to a boat lying against a timber framework on which nets were +dried. She was sharp at both ends, half-decked, and about twenty feet +long; with a short, thick mast. Now that the tide had ebbed, the river +mouth was about a dozen yards across, and a row of larger craft, +sheering to and fro in the eddies, nearly filled the channel. Behind +these, a cluster of white buildings and a low promontory loomed out of +the dark. On the opposite side, a high gravel bank seemed to close the +narrow entrance. + +"Lowse the stern-mooring!" said the fisherman; and there was a harsh +rattle of chain as the boat slid out into the stream. + +He threw an oar into the sculling notch and they drifted away, +slipping between the trawl-boats that rose out of the gloom and +vanished astern. A minute later, the stream boiled noisily along the +gravel bank, the white buildings faded, and they were swept into the +darkness that brooded over the Firth. The fisherman hoisted a small, +black lugsail and jib, and took the tiller as the boat listed gently +down to a biting wind. + +"Maybe ye'll find it warmer in the for'ad den," he said. "Ye can light +the bit stove and set the kettle on." + +Dick was shivering, and he was glad to crawl through a hatch into a +narrow dark hole, where he lay down, after feeling for and lighting +the stove. There was no room between floor and deck-beams to sit +comfortably, but an old sail and some ropes made a couch on which he +could rest. He felt shaky, and an unpleasant faintness threatened to +overcome him. + +He heard the water splash against the planks and felt the boat list. +That was comforting, because he thought it was fourteen miles to the +wreck. Still, the ebb would run nearly four miles an hour, there was +some wind, and the whammel boats sailed fast. If his companion could +keep her off the ground as the banks dried and the channel narrowed, +they ought to arrive by low-water. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +WHEN THE TIDE TURNED + + +The wind fell as the tide drained out, and belts of mist hung +motionless about the sands when the whammel boat crept slowly down to +the mouth of the channel. The sail lay on deck, and Dick panted as he +pulled an oar while his companion sculled astern. He felt faint, and +the heavily ballasted boat was hard to move, but he thought the tide +was turning now and he knew that he must hold out. Occasionally he +turned and looked ahead, but saw nothing except the mist. There were +no birds about, the water was smooth, and everything was very quiet. +At length, a tall mast grew out of the haze and Dick stopped rowing. + +"The _Rowan_. Scull her in to the bank," he said. "I want to see where +the dinghy is." + +They could not find her, but presently came upon a whammel boat lying +near the edge of the sand. + +"It's the _Nance_ that Tam Grahame selt awa'," the fisherman remarked. +"I canna' see what she's doing here with naebody on board." + +"We'll pull off to the yacht," Dick replied. + +The dinghy was not astern when they boarded the _Rowan_; and when Dick +went below and lighted a lamp, his companion looked puzzled. + +"It's queer! There's seeven feet o' watter, and Mr. Andrew wouldna' +swim ashore." + +"Not when he had the dinghy." + +"But she's no' on the bank." + +"I imagine she's out at sea, by now," Dick said grimly. "How long do +you think the _Nance_ has been here?" + +"Maybe half an hour. Her keel's weel in the ground and the tide +doesna' fall much on the last o' the ebb. They're no' expecting to be +back until the flood makes, because her anchor's up the bank." + +"That's what I thought," said Dick. "Now, I will tell you that Andrew +is in danger. I had meant to find him, but I don't feel well enough. I +suppose you can use a gun?" + +"We get a shot at a whaup or shellduck whiles. Ye're no' looking +weel." + +Dick lifted a big 10-bore gun from a rack and searched a locker for +cartridges. + +"Fours," he said, putting down a packet. "I think you'd better have +B's. Here they are." + +The fisherman looked at him curiously as he took the cartridges, which +were loaded with large shot; and Dick smiled. + +"You may meet the man who set the punt adrift," he explained. "I want +you to go to the wreck and find my cousin. Tell him to be careful, +because one of the gang has come down the channel after him. If +there's trouble going on when you get there, do what you think best; +but bring Andrew back. The police won't blame you afterward if you +have to use the gun." + +The man nodded quietly, and Dick knew that he could be trusted. + +"Ye'll be for staying here. Will I light the stove?" + +"No," said Dick. "I imagine it would be safer if I waited in your +boat. She'll be needed when the tide flows, and I can make myself +comfortable in the den." + +The fisherman sculled the boat ashore and put out an anchor; and then +he went away across the bank and Dick crept into the forecastle. The +stove was still burning, and the small, dark place was warm. It had +been a strain to hold out until all that was necessary had been done, +and now he was glad to lie down among the ropes and sails. There was a +weight on his chest, his breathing was hard, and his pulse seemed to +be getting sluggish. He wished he had some brandy or there was +somebody about; but he must not give in yet. The boat would be needed +when Andrew came back and it might be tampered with. + +While the fisherman and Dick had been hurrying to them, Andrew and +Whitney, well armed, crossed the bank toward the wreck and then +separated at a short distance from her. Andrew went straight forward +while his comrade made a round so as to approach her from the other +side. Hitherto, their visits had led to nothing, but Rankine seemed to +think it would be different this time. + +When he got near the wreck, Andrew found that the tide had scoured out +a pool round her after part, and this threatened to make things +difficult. His figure would be visible against the pale gleam of the +water and he could not get across without splashing. He must go round, +but this would take him away from the place where it was easiest to +get on board. For all that, he must not make a noise, and he moved +cautiously across the wet sand until he reached the broken timbers on +the edge of the pool. + +He heard the water trickle through the vessel's seams and the murmur +of the languid surf in the distance, but presently he thought there +was something else. The sound seemed to come from inside the wreck. He +moved a few yards nearer and then stopped, with his feet in the pool, +listening hard. There was a curious snap and crackle, like the +striking of matches; and, looking up, Andrew saw that something was +sticking out from the masthead. His lips set in a hard line. A +wireless installation was at work, perhaps giving a message that would +send another ship to its doom. But it looked as if he could surprise +and seize the operator, and he meant to do so, though he realized what +the consequences might be. + +It was, however, impossible to climb up with the gun in his hand, and +he was sorry that he had brought it. Leaning it against the wreck, he +found a rest for his hand and lifted himself to a stringer. His head +and shoulders were now above the top of the vessel's ribs, but he did +not see how he was to reach the deck, which had fallen in abreast of +where he was. While he looked about there was a sharp report behind +him and a tremor in the wood. It had been struck by a bullet a few +inches from his side. Letting go quickly, he fell back with a splash. + +Andrew was afterward uncertain whether he lost his hold in alarm or +dropped back with instinctive caution. He came down in the water, and +did not get up, because a dark figure stood on the other side of the +pool and he feared that a movement would draw a bullet. His gun was +some yards away; but Andrew thought he would be nearly invisible +against the side of the wreck so long as he kept still, and the shot +would bring Whitney to his help. + +There was a shout from the deck, and Andrew recognized Williamson's +voice. He was obviously alarmed, but the other man called out sharply +in German, ordering him back. Andrew imagined from this that the +message he was transmitting was of urgent importance, or perhaps the +newcomer had another to send. + +It was plain that the men must not be allowed to finish their work, +and Andrew wondered whether he could creep back to where his gun lay +while the fellow's attention was diverted. He was getting up +cautiously when the enemy's pistol flashed and a spurt of water +splashed into his face. Then there was a streak of light and a heavier +report farther back on the sands, and his antagonist turned and ran a +few yards along the beach. + +Andrew knew that Whitney could not have fired the shot. But at the +moment this was not important; he must get his gun while the man was +occupied. As he felt for it he heard Whitney run round the stern of +the wreck. He was safe now; but that crackling sound had begun again, +and at all costs Williamson must be stopped. Besides, Andrew had a +signal of his own to make. Leaving the gun, he climbed up a timber and +had just reached the deck when an indistinct figure rushed across it +and vanished over the broken bulwarks on the opposite side. Then a +patter of feet on the sand indicated that Williamson was escaping. + +For all that, Andrew stopped, and, dragging a tin from his pocket, put +it on the rail and struck a match. As he dropped it into the tin a +bright blaze sprang up. Then he jumped down to the sand and seized his +gun. The fellow who had shot at him had disappeared and there was +nobody in sight; but he could hear men running on the other side of +the wreck. + +"Come on!" Whitney's voice reached him out of the darkness. + +As he splashed through the water around the vessel's stern he saw two +figures on the sand. One he took to be Whitney and the other was +evidently a friend. Making an effort, he caught them up, and Whitney +began to talk in breathless gasps. + +"An Annan man--Dick sent him. Think coastguards will see your flare?" + +"Where's Williamson and the other fellow?" Andrew asked quickly. + +"Close ahead. They were going back to the channel, but couldn't get +past us. What about the tide?" + +Andrew began to understand the situation. While he was trying to +surprise Williamson, his assailant had quietly come up behind him; and +he, in turn, had been followed by the man Dick had sent. The fugitives +must now make for the Scotch shore, or risk being shot at if they +tried to go around his party's flank. In order to prevent this, he +must extend his line. + +"Spread out!" he cried. "Tide's flowing now, and the water will be in +the gut when we get there!" + +Whitney and the fisherman moved off left and right, and Andrew, +glancing round, saw that his flare was burning. The men they followed +could not see it because they faced the other way, and although there +was some mist, he thought the signal would warn the coast-patrol, whom +Rankine had told to keep a good lookout. They ran on, splashing across +wet sand and into pools. Sometimes they caught a glimpse of two +figures ahead and sometimes lost them in the haze. It was hard to tell +whether they were gaming or not. Andrew dared not stop to take off his +long boots, and the Annan man, hampered by his oilskins, was falling +back; but Whitney was running well and drawing in front. + +The sound of the advancing tide steadily grew louder, and a breeze was +getting up. As the three men came panting out of a belt of mist a +streak of water glimmered among the sands, and beyond it a black +hillside rose from the dusky beach. The fugitives were plainer now, +and it looked as if they could not escape; but the men held on +steadily, and Andrew wondered what depth there was in the gutter. +Glancing to one side, he thought he saw something moving along the +edge of the channel; but he could not be sure because there was mist +about the spot, and he could not stop to get a better view, for he was +determined to follow Williamson. + +A few minutes later he saw the men in front stop at the edge of the +water, and he wondered why they did so. The channel was rapidly +widening and they must cross at once or surrender. Instead, they ran +along the bank for some distance and stopped again; and Andrew now saw +that a white boat was moving along the opposite side. Changing his +course, he ran on, panting hard, and saw that the men in front were +waiting. A moment later one plunged into the channel while his comrade +stood still. + +As Andrew got nearer, there were two or three quick, bright flashes, +and he heard a bullet pass his head and saw the sand spurt up at +Whitney's feet. The fellow meant to stop them while his partner got a +start; or perhaps he imagined that the water was too deep to cross. + +Whitney stopped. A puff of smoke blew about him and there was a heavy +report. The man on the bank staggered, fired his pistol again, and +splashed awkwardly into the water. A moment later Andrew plunged in. +He was close to the fellow now, but he had dropped his gun, because he +did not mean to shoot. The man turned and raised his pistol, but his +arm fell back, and Andrew sprang upon him. + +They went down, and the stream boiled about them, but Andrew held on, +and a minute later Whitney was at his side. They dragged their +prisoner out. + +"My arm!" he said breathlessly. "There is also some shot in my leg." + +"Where's your pistol?" Andrew asked. + +"In the sea." + +"Well," said Whitney as the fisherman joined them, "I wish I knew what +we ought to do with him. We can't stay here." + +This was obvious; for the tide was already flowing past their feet. As +they stood a moment, puzzling, they heard a hail and saw the white +boat pulling slowly toward them against the stream. She struck the +sand and a man in uniform jumped out. + +"I see you have got one of them," he said. "Do you know him?" + +"I never saw him before," Andrew answered. "Where's the other?" + +"Gone down, I think. We saw him trying to swim, but the tide swept him +up the gut, and when we were getting close he disappeared. We pulled +round the spot, but saw nothing. No doubt, he'd have on his oilskins +and sea-boots." + +"Well, this fellow's hurt. Will you take him?" + +"Certainly. And you'd better come with us. You're Mr. Johnstone, I +suppose. We were told to look out for you. We launched our gig as soon +as we saw your flare." + +Andrew said that he must get back to his boat and barely would have +time enough to do so; and after a hurried account of the affair, he +set off across the sands with his companions. Though they lost sight +of the water presently, they made the best pace they could, and the +Annan man, whom Andrew had recognized, related Dick's attempt to join +him. + +"It's as weel, Mr. Johnstone stayed behind," he concluded. "I'm +thinking it was the fellow ye caught who set your dinghy adrift and +he'd maybe have a mate hanging roon the _Nance_." + +When they came down to the channel, the tide was rising fast and the +_Nance_ had gone. The other boat was floating, but was held by the +anchor the fisherman had carried up the bank. There was no answer to +their hail and Andrew plunged into the water. + +"Mr. Johnstone's nae doot in the den. He wasna' looking weel," said +the fisherman. + +Andrew was on board in a few moments, and as he looked into the +forecastle while the others pulled the boat ashore, it was with relief +that he heard Dick's voice. + +"Got back all right, old man?" + +"Yes; we owe that to you." + +"I'm glad," said Dick. "You might help me out; I'm not sure I could +get through the hatch." + +Andrew noted that his voice was faint and strained, and he felt +disturbed when he saw how helpless the boy was when with some trouble +they lifted him through the narrow scuttle and put him down on the +floorings. + +"Don't talk any more," Andrew said; and turned to the fisherman. +"Scull her off to the yacht as fast as possible!" + +They were alongside in a few minutes and soon had Dick on a locker in +the cabin. + +"Give me some whisky," he gasped. "I think I'm pretty bad." + +"We'll soon run up the Firth and put you in a doctor's hands," Andrew +replied, as he held a glass to his lips. + +Dick drained it, and then was silent for a minute or two. + +"Andrew," he said finally, "there's something to talk about. You see, +I'm not sure I'll get over this." + +"Rot!" Andrew exclaimed gruffly, trying to hide his alarm. "You've +been as bad before." + +"No; not quite. But wait--" + +Dick closed his eyes, and Andrew saw his fears reflected in Whitney's +look. Dick's face was chalky-white and haggard, and they noted his +labored breathing. + +The tide splashed against the yacht's planks, the halyards had begun +to tap against the mast, and there was a sharp rattle of blocks as the +fisherman hoisted sail. They let him go and sat watching Dick from the +opposite locker. Presently he looked up. + +"Think I can talk a bit now. You'll have Appleyard, Andrew, if I don't +get well. There's nothing to be said about that, because you'll look +after it much better than I should have done. Still, you'll keep the +old hands until you can pension them; and there's Bob, my old pony--I +shouldn't like him sold." + +"You're taking too much for granted, Dick," Andrew replied. "You +knocked yourself out in hurrying down here to warn me, but you'll be +all right again in a few days." + +"I know you hope so. It's possible, too; but we'll get things +straightened up. Of course, Appleyard is Mrs. Woodhouse's home--she's +not responsible for her brother, you know. Elsie will keep everything +right unless she marries." Dick paused and looked at Andrew with a +feeble smile. "She may, you know." + +Andrew turned his head, and after a minute, Dick went on: + +"I'd like my debts paid off, but the estate must not be robbed. If you +open my desk, you'll find an old pocket-book. It will show you what I +actually got. Pin them down to that. Now give me a little more +whisky." + +Dick rested for a short while before he continued. + +"You see, I did get their money, though not all that the notes called +for--and they'll have some trouble about the insurance." + +"Ah!" Andrew interrupted. "How's that? But you'd better not bother +about it now." + +"I may not be able to bother later," Dick smiled. "When I got the +doctor's warning I was very hard up, so I went to the insurance people +and asked how much they'd let me have if I surrendered the policy. +Well, though they asked a lot of questions, we didn't come to terms. +It seemed the other fellows were entitled to benefit; but something +wasn't straight and I think the office will dispute their claim. I +felt amused about it now and then; but they mustn't lose what they +really lent." + +"I'll see to that," said Andrew, "Now, you lie quiet and Whitney will +look after you while I take her up the Firth. A doctor must see you as +soon as possible. Perhaps it will help things if you can go to sleep." + +Andrew went on deck, and after weighing anchor and making sail he sat +at the helm, lost in disturbing thought, while the _Rowan_ stood +up-channel. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THE NET + + +It was a calm, dark night and the trawler's engines ran at half speed +as she closed with the land. The badge of a British steam-fishing +company was painted on her funnel, and a correct registration number +appeared in bold, white figures on her bows; but she carried no lights +and her crew were not Englishmen. Ahead, formless black hillsides +faded into the gloom, but the skipper, provided with the latest +Admiralty chart, knew his bearings and the leadsman had found the +depth of water he expected. + +A plume of vapor trailed away from her escape-pipe, for, as she moved +slowly shoreward with the flood, the engines could not take all the +steam it was prudent to raise. After a time, a light twinkled upon the +unseen beach, went out, and shone again; and the skipper, ordering +another cast of the lead, made a quick calculation. The tide would +rise for an hour yet and there was already two feet more water than +his vessel drew in the channel he must enter. Then the lookout +reported a buoy ahead, and he rang his telegraph for more speed. He +was in the channel now and another buoy farther on would warn him of +the only dangerous bend. He was anxious to pick up his cargo and get +to sea again. + +Moving shoreward faster, the vessel faded into the gloom of the land; +but the beat of engines and the splash of displaced water travel far +on a calm night, and men with keen ears were listening for these +sounds on board a powerful steam-launch two miles away. She traveled +at a moderate speed, towing a big, white gig filled with coastguards, +but her crew were navy men. A smart young lieutenant held the wheel, +trying to remember the soundings, bearings, and courses he had studied +so carefully. They were hard to check, particularly as the flood-tide +swept him along, but he was glad to remember that three feet of water +was enough for him. + +Presently he stopped the engine and listened. At first, he could hear +only the ripple of the tide across some hidden shoal and the wash of +the languid swell upon the invisible beach; but after a time a +measured thud came out of the distance, and he knew that it was the +beat of a steamer's screw. + +"Between us and the land, I think," he said. + +"Yes, sir; about two miles off," agreed the second officer. + +"Then she must be going up the gutter, because there's not a fathom on +the banks. We'll go ahead; there's enough water anywhere for us." + +The launch swung round on a different course when her engines began to +clank, and a man sounded now and then as they ran for the shoals. The +lieutenant hardly expected to follow the channel; his object was to +keep within hearing of the other vessel, and, if he were lucky, his +work would be finished before the tide ebbed much. Suddenly a sharp, +pulsatory roar came out of the dark. + +"It looks as if she were on the ground and carrying plenty steam," he +said, when he had ordered the engines to be stopped. "As they'll no +doubt back her off, we'll wait a while, to give them time to ship +their cargo." + +For the next few minutes the crews of launch and gig listened eagerly. +They knew that when the vessel ran aground the steam her stopped +engines could not use had blown off. The roar died away, as was to be +expected, when the machinery was restarted, hard-astern, but now that +the immobility of the stranded craft increased the resistance, the +thud of the screw was louder. Presently, it changed to a steady beat +that drew away from them; and they knew she had got afloat and was +steaming up-channel. + +"Easy all, for half an hour!" said the lieutenant, looking at his +watch. + +The boats lay close together, rolling gently on the languid swell, +while the men sat in relaxed attitudes and talked in low voices. +Still, there was a feeling of suppressed excitement and it was a +relief when their officer grasped the wheel. + +"Let her go at half speed!" he ordered. + +The tow-rope tightened as the gig swung into line astern, and they +moved steadily toward the land for some time. Then they heard a roar +of steam again, louder than before and continuous, and the lieutenant +signed to the engineer. + +"Full speed! We have her now!" + +The water hissed along the planks, the gig lifted her bows on a +surging wave, and the wash of the screw ran far astern. A blurred +object grew out of the darkness in front of them, and then the officer +called to the coastguards: + +"Cast off and get to your work! Burn a flare if you want us!" + +A rope fell into the water, the engines stopped, and there was a +rattle of oars as the gig drove by. They fell with a simultaneous +splash, and their regular thud receded as she swept up-channel while +the launch's crew waited. + +In a few minutes the sound stopped. There were alarmed shouts and +hoarse orders; while the roar of steam continued. Then the beat of +oars began again. The boat came back slowly, with two men pulling, and +ran alongside the launch. + +"You don't seem to have had much trouble," the lieutenant remarked. + +"We hadn't, sir," answered a coastguard officer. "They were busy and +didn't hear us until we'd got our boat-hook on her rail. Only one of +them drew a pistol and he was knocked down. We'll land them and leave +a guard on board when she's moored.'" + +"Very well, if we can't take her to Barrow this tide?" + +The coastguard laughed. + +"So far as I could see, there's a big piece of flounder-net wrapped +round her propeller and trailing about her aft. It has an unusually +thick head-rope, and some lengths of iron pipe are jambed between the +blades and the rudder. The fellow who set the net made a good job. +We'll have trouble in cutting it loose when she dries." + +"Did you find much oil?" + +"About a boat-load of heavy drums, which had just been thrown on deck. +We got the boat and I guess our fellows ashore have seized another +lot. However, here are your two men. I don't think you'll do much +with the skipper, but the other seems less obstinate." + +Two handcuffed men were put on board and the boat dropped back as the +launch leaped ahead. The water rose about her bows in a white, curling +wave, her stern sank down in a hollow ridged with foam, and she shook +with the fierce throb of hard-driven machinery. Dark hills slid past +to starboard, bold cliffs that stood out from their dim background +rolled by, and after a time a flash from a lantern was answered by a +gleam of light ahead. Then the blurred outline of a steamer grew into +distinct form. In another minute the launch was alongside and the +winches strained and clanked as she was hoisted in. + +"Everything went as we expected, and I've brought you the two +prisoners," the lieutenant reported to Rankine, who sat in his room +before a big chart. + +"Send them in, one at a time. And clear the guns and get under way. +The course is west by south." + +Rankine spent some time examining his prisoners. One preserved an +obstinate silence, but when he had been taken away, the other seemed +to see the force of Rankine's arguments. When the second prisoner had +been dismissed, Rankine went up to the bridge and changed the course a +few points. + +"The fellow bears out what we have been told," he said to the young +officer on watch. "I rather think he'll deal straight with us in order +to save his skin. Anyhow, he has given me their supply-boat signal. +The craft we're after is the latest and biggest thing of her kind." + +"We ought to bag her," the officer replied thoughtfully. "I've got the +searchlight rigged, and Wilson's the best shot we had on the +battleship. Still, the little guns are awkwardly mounted and we +haven't a clear field of fire." + +"It won't need more than one shot. A perforated submarine isn't much +use under water, and the game's ours if she stays on top. I'll give +you the call-up signal and you can get things ready." + +An hour later, Rankine pressed a button and the engines stopped. The +clang of a steamer's bridge-telegraph can be heard some distance off, +but Rankine had substituted an electric signal. Having undertaken a +dangerous piece of work, he had carefully made his plans so that he +need not announce his movements to the enemy. Two guns had been put on +board the vessel, but as it was thought advisable to conceal them, and +the deckhouse and the masts were in the way, their fire commanded only +a limited strip of horizon. + +Rankine searched the water with his night-glasses. + +The coast was out of sight, mist drifted across the sea, and the night +was dark. On the whole, this was an advantage, for his antagonist was +expecting a trawler, and the darkness would prevent him from noticing +the vessel's size and rig until they were close together. There was +some swell, though the surface of the water was smooth, and the vessel +rolled languidly. A feather of steam eddied about her funnel, and +there was a soft splashing as her slanted side sank into the sea. No +gleam of light pierced the darkness; everything was still; and Rankine +stood waiting eagerly. + +Presently he gave an order and one of the prisoners was brought to the +bridge; then the steamer slowly moved ahead while a petty officer, +standing behind a canvas wind-screen, alternately held up and lowered +red and green pyrotechnic flares. The streams of colored light showed +shadowy figures waiting motionless at their stations and drove a +radiant track across the water. Then they died away and men whose eyes +had been held by the glitter felt relief. Now they could see about the +ship, and they knew watchfulness was needed. + +For five minutes nothing happened, and Rankine, conscious of keen +tension, began to wonder whether he should signal again. It was +possible that he had overshot or fallen short of his distance. Then a +sharp hail came from a lookout and he saw the sea break not far ahead. +A confused white ripple spread away from something that moved amidst +it, and drew out in a long, wavering line. A lantern flashed between +regular intervals of darkness, and presently a low, black object grew +out of the advancing foam. Rankine pressed the button and the throb of +engines slackened; then he gave an order to his prisoner. + +The man hailed in German; the submarine swerved and slowed; and the +two vessels drew abreast, perhaps fifty yards apart, while Rankine's +quarter boat swung out from the davits. + +"Tell them to jump into the water and I'll pick them up!" he ordered +the prisoner. + +As the man called out, a dazzling beam from the searchlight played +upon the submarine's hull and her wet steel skin glittered like +silver. The next moment there was another flash, streaked with a vein +of red; and a cloud of thin, acrid smoke whirled up. The steamer +quivered with the heavy concussion; the submarine reeled and listed +over. Indistinct figures plunged into the foam that lapped about her +side; and then the bright beam showed an empty stretch of seething +water: Rankine was watching his boat, which moved into the lighted +track on her work of rescue, when a lookout shouted a hoarse warning. + +Swinging round, Rankine saw a feathery streak of foam on the opposite +side of the vessel. It was heading toward her at tremendous speed, and +he knew the wash of a torpedo. + +"Starboard, hard!" he called to the helmsman; and set his lips as he +pressed the button for full speed. + +Two submarines had answered his signal, instead of one, and the last +had crept up to attack him while he was sinking her consort. + +The steamer, however, answered her helm, slowly, but enough. The swift +white streak drove past her stern with a few feet to spare, and she +began to shake as her engines quickened. + +"Port!" Rankine shouted in a harsh voice. "Steady that!" + +A flash blazed out of the darkness, a panel of the wheelhouse was +shattered, and the canvas bridge-screen fell apart in rags; but +Rankine had seen a long, dark shape on the water close ahead. It might +vanish in a moment, before his guns could be swung and trained. +Indeed, he doubted if the submarine were within their field of fire, +and he meant to use a surer means. One end of the black hull tilted up +and the other began to sink. His enemy was going under. But would she +be quick enough? The steamer's sharp steel stem was only a dozen yards +away now. + +Shouting an order to the crew, Rankine gripped the bridge-rails hard. + +The water ahead boiled and rose in a tumbling ridge; there was a heavy +shock, and the steamer trembled violently. One could feel her forge +through something that crumpled up beneath her bows; but the jarring +and grinding passed aft, and she leaped forward when she was once over +the obstacle. Rankine saw a curious disturbance down the screw-torn +wake, but it subsided and he stopped the engines. + +"Sound the forward well! Swing your light aft and lower the gig!" he +ordered. + +The stream of radiance flashed astern and spread about the vessel; but +there was nothing on the water except their own boat, which made +toward them. Then a man came up to report that the well was nearly +dry. + +"She's a strong old ship," Rankine remarked, and turned to another +man: "Where's that prisoner, Evans?" + +"I haven't seen him, sir, since the torpedo missed us." + +"Ask on deck," said Rankine. "Why isn't the gig away?" + +As the man went down the ladder, a splash of oars began, and the +searchlight's moving beam swept the sea. It picked out the larger boat +and then passed on, leaving black darkness, and followed the gig. Ten +minutes later, the boats returned and Rankine received the young +lieutenant in his cabin. + +"We have six men; all from the first craft, so far as we can make +out," the lieutenant reported, with rather strained quietness. + +"Then the rest have gone," Rankine said. "We have lost one prisoner, +too. It's pretty obvious that he jumped over. He must have known there +were two submarines and expected the last to sink us." + +"He was not in the boats. Do you want to see the men we picked up?" + +"Not just yet. Let them have dry clothes and anything else they need. +I wish we'd got some of the others; I don't know that one ought to +think they deserved their fate. But, after all, when one remembers the +torpedoed merchant ships-- However, we'll land them in Loch Ryan. Let +her go west by north until you make the Mull of Galloway light." + +The lieutenant went out, and Rankine, lying back on the locker, +lighted his pipe. It was his first battle, and he wanted to recover +his normal calm. He had won, but he did not quite feel the +exhilarating flush of victory he had expected. Instead, he rather +shrank from dwelling upon the fight. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +UNEXPECTED HAPPINESS + + +Elsie, lying half awake, raised herself on her pillow as she heard a +clock strike. The anxiety she had half forgotten returned to her with +double force. Although she had not been quite asleep, she had lost +count of the time, and it was now nearly three hours after low-water. +The danger that had threatened Andrew must be past, but she did not +know how long she must wait for news of him. Besides, some mischance +might have befallen Dick. He had looked ill when she sent him on an +errand that would severely try his strength. + +After a long time she heard a sharp throbbing coming up the valley. It +sounded like a motorcycle and she jumped out of bed and began to +dress, wondering whether Dick had borrowed the machine at Annan and +was returning. The sound grew louder; the motorcycle had passed the +lodge and was nearing the house when Elsie quietly entered Madge's +room. + +"I heard it," Madge said. "I haven't been asleep. Shall I get up?" + +"No." Elsie touched her in warning as a door opened. + +There were steps in the passage, and they waited until the sound died +away. + +"Are you going down?" Madge asked. + +"Yes; I feel that I must. But it might be better if you didn't come." + +She heard the hall door open as she descended the stairs, but she kept +on and waited at the bottom. The machine had stopped and she thought +it significant that its driver had boldly ridden up to the house. If +Dick had done so, he would have come in; but nobody had entered and +Staffer had gone out. After a few minutes, she heard the sliding door +of the garage run back. Elsie knew the sound of the small wheels as +they grated upon the iron carrier. + +The motorcycle sped away noisily down the drive, and soon afterward +Staffer came in carrying a lantern. He did not see Elsie as he put the +light on a table and locked a traveling bag. She thought it curious +that the bag was ready packed; and since he had taken no precautions +against being heard, it looked as if speed were more important than +secrecy. The message that had been brought him must deal with some +urgent matter. Still, Dick had not returned and she was horribly +anxious. She could not wait to learn what had happened at the wreck. + +As she moved forward to speak to Staffer, he looked up. His expression +was tense, but she thought he was calm. + +"So you have spied on me again!" he said. + +"Where's Dick?" + +"Dick?" repeated Staffer. "Ah! Now I begin to understand! You sent him +down the Firth!" + +"Yes; I did. And where is he?" + +"On board Andrew's yacht, I imagine." + +Elsie was sensible of keen satisfaction; but only part of her fears +were set at rest. + +"And Andrew? Is he on the yacht?" + +Staffer looked hard at her. She was trembling with excitement and +cold, but she did not flinch, and he surprised her by a curious, +bitter laugh. It carried a hint of understanding that brought the +blood to her face. + +"I don't know where he is, but there's reason to think he has come to +no harm. That ought to satisfy you." + +Elsie was silent. Her relief was great, but now that Andrew was safe, +her mind could fix itself on other matters. Staffer had guessed her +secret and knew that she had spoiled his plans; but his manner was +more ironical than revengeful. For all that, it disturbed and +frightened her. She thought something that had hit him hard had +happened, and his cold-blooded calm was daunting. + +"Well," he said, "there's a touch of grim humor in the situation. I +found you a home and gave you the advantages you enjoy; and now you +have baffled me and ruined the work of cleverer brains than mine. It's +humiliating to see one's schemes brought to nothing by a raw girl's +devotion to her stupid lover." + +"I'm sorry the course of things made us enemies. It was unavoidable," +she said quietly. + +Staffer made an impatient sign. + +"I'm going away and it's very doubtful if I'll ever return; but I'd +rather you didn't mention the matter until breakfast to-morrow. Then +you can say I've gone to Edinburgh. Perhaps you can promise me that?" + +"Yes. Don't you want to see Mother before you go?" + +"No," Staffer answered thoughtfully; "it might be better if I didn't." + +He broke off as the car came throbbing to the door; and Elsie followed +him across the hall. + +"If things had only been different," she said, "we might have been +friends--" + +Staffer did not seem to hear, for he jumped into the car and it rolled +away. Elsie stood looking out into the darkness for a long time; then +she shut the door and went slowly upstairs. She felt limp and +bewildered now that the strain had gone; the one thing she realized +clearly was that Andrew was safe. + +Madge turned to her eagerly as she entered her room; but Elsie did not +stop. + +"They are all right, but I can't talk about it now," she said and +passed on into her room, closing the door. + +While Staffer was leaving Appleyard, Andrew was picking his way toward +the burnfoot, across a boggy heath. He had landed about an hour +earlier and gone to a farm to ask for a horse and trap and had sent a +man to Annan for a doctor. Now he was returning as fast as possible, +because he felt anxious about Dick; but caution was needed, for many +deep drains crossed the heath. The mist had closed in again, and, as +he stopped at the last drain to look for a narrow spot, he heard the +languid splash of the surf and the wild cry of a black-backed gull. +For some reason, the harsh sound disturbed him; and, jumping the drain +where he stood, he went on as fast as he could. The splash of the sea +grew louder, and at last he saw an indistinct figure waiting near the +water's edge. Andrew was used to the sands at night, but the +motionless dark form seemed to strike a deeper note of desolation. +His steps slackened as he approached it. + +"Is that you, Jim?" he called. + +Whitney waited until he came up, and then put his hand on his arm. + +"I'm afraid you must brace yourself against a shock," he said gently. + +"Ah! You mean Dick's worse?" + +Whitney pressed his arm sympathetically. + +"He's dead." + +There was silence for the next minute, except for the mournful murmur +of the sea. + +"It wasn't long after you went ashore," Whitney added. "He looked up +and beckoned me to sit on the locker by his cot. 'Tell Andrew I'm glad +he'll have Appleyard,' he said." + +Whitney paused for a moment. + +"He lay still afterward, and I thought he'd gone to sleep. Then the +cabin seemed to grow strangely quiet, and when I got up to look at him +I saw that he was dead." + +"The hurried trip down-channel killed him, and he made it for my +sake!" Andrew said, in a tense, hoarse voice. + +"You mustn't take that for granted; but, if true, he certainly +wouldn't grudge the risk. He might have died at any time from some +trifling exertion." + +Andrew indicated the dinghy, in which he had rowed off from the yacht +alone. + +"How did you get ashore?" + +"The bank's steep and I sheered her in until I could jump from the +bowsprit end. I didn't want you to come on board without knowing." + +"Thanks," said Andrew. "I'm going off to her now. Try to get into +Marshall's hut and make a fire. We'll have to wait some time for the +doctor." + +He launched the dinghy, and when he returned Whitney had lighted a few +sticks and peats in the fisherman's sod hut. Andrew's face was grave +as he sat down on an empty box. + +"If you don't mind, I'd rather not talk," he said. + +He let Whitney row the doctor off when he arrived; and day was +breaking when they reached Annan. An hour later, Andrew, feeling limp +and cold, got down from a trap at Appleyard and walked stiffly into +the hall. Elsie came to meet him with a glow in her eyes; but she +stopped abruptly when she saw his face. + +"What's the matter?" she asked. + +He looked at her compassionately and she gasped. + +"Oh! Is Dick--?" + +He put his arm around her and led her to an oak bench near the big +fireplace. + +"Dick's dead," he said quietly. "On board the _Rowan_. Heart failure, +the doctor thinks." + +"I sent him, when I knew he was ill!" she cried in distress. + +"You didn't know it would do him much harm, dear." + +"But I did!" Elsie moaned with a shiver, turning her head. + +Andrew was puzzled, but he answered soothingly: + +"I know what you feel, because I felt it too--Dick might have got +better and lived a long time if he hadn't gone down-channel to warn +me. In fact, I spoke to the doctor about it, but he didn't altogether +take this view." + +"He didn't want you to blame yourself." + +"No; I don't think that was it. But it's a blow to us both, and the +worst is I can do nothing to soften it for you." + +"You loved him," she said with a look of pain. "You came home from +Canada and fought Williamson for his sake. I was often impatient with +him, and he always bore it well. He was generous and forgiving--and we +know he was brave. He must have known the risk he ran--but he didn't +hesitate. I knew it--and I sent him--" + +Her voice trailed off and she broke into stormy sobbing, while Andrew, +with his arm around her, awkwardly tried to comfort her. His touch +seemed to have a soothing influence, for Elsie got calmer. + +"You were always a help, Andrew; one turns to you in trouble," she +said. "But I mustn't give way like this." + +She rose as she spoke, and when she left him Andrew went up to +Whitney's room. + +"I expect Miss Woodhouse feels the thing keenly," Whitney said. + +"Yes; in fact, she feels much as I do, in spite of what the doctor +said. If Dick hadn't gone to our rescue, he'd have been with us yet. +Still, I don't quite understand--" + +"You don't see why she let him go, when she thought it might be +dangerous?" + +"Yes; that's what bothers me," Andrew said with some hesitation. + +Whitney gave him a keen glance. He saw that Andrew had no suspicion of +the truth; but it was not his business to enlighten him. + +"Well, she may have thought there were two lives that could be saved +against one that must be risked. It would be desperately hard for a +young girl to face the responsibility of deciding right. Miss +Woodhouse probably feels the strain--and, no doubt she's rather +overcome by the consequences of the line she took. But when she gets +calmer she'll see that she can't blame herself. But you had better +change your clothes and get some breakfast." + +It was a relief to Andrew to find his time occupied. At noon he was +surprised by a request for an interview with a man he did not know. +The stranger was shown into the library and gave Andrew a letter. + +"My card may convey nothing to you, but here are my credentials." + +The letter was from the Home Secretary's office and was countersigned +by an eminent military authority. + +"I'm at your command," Andrew said. "What is it you want to know?" + +"Perhaps I'd better state that my visit is made in a friendly spirit. +We recognize the patriotic line you and your cousin have taken. I met +him once, and, it's rather curious, he invited me to Appleyard." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Andrew. "I never thought that Dick--" + +"Shared your suspicions? I can't tell you how far his went, but he may +have known more than you imagine. He certainly once did us an +important service. But we'll let that go. Did Mr. Staffer offer any +explanation for leaving here early this morning?" + +"He said he was going to Edinburgh; that was all." + +"Well, he got to Hawick, where we lost trace of him, but I think it's +impossible that he went farther north. Have you any ground for +suspecting who brought him the warning?" + +"None," said Andrew shortly. + +"I'm glad I can take your word, Mr. Johnstone. Now I must ask you to +tell me about your recent adventures on the sands. You see, I'm in +touch with Lieutenant Rankine and the coastguards." + +Andrew related what had happened, and his companion looked satisfied. + +"You don't seem to know that Williamson's body was washed up on the +Colvend shore, a few hours ago." + +"Oh!" + +"The man who could have told us most has gone. Our hope now is to +catch Staffer." + +"You'd better make Appleyard your headquarters while you're looking +into things," Andrew said. "We have nothing to hide." + +"Thanks; I'll be glad to do so. It may be some satisfaction for you to +learn that no unnecessary publicity will be allowed to attend this +matter." + +The next day, the officer told Andrew that Staffer's car had been +found on the roadside, near a small fishing village on the +Northumberland coast. + +"He doubled back into England by Norham," he added. "When our men got +upon his track they found he'd covered the distances between the +points at which they heard of him extraordinarily fast. In +consequence, he had a number of hours' start when he left the car, and +as a fishing boat sailed soon afterward, I'm afraid he got away across +the North Sea." + +"I can't say that I am sorry he escaped," Andrew replied; "but I won't +complain if his friends on the other side keep him there for good." + +Dick was buried two days later, in a lonely kirkyard where many of his +race had been laid to rest. The kirk had long crumbled down except for +one tottering arch, but, as usual in the country, the funeral service +was held at Appleyard, and Andrew's heart stirred as he saw the long +stream of mourners coming up the drive. Dick had not died unlamented, +but even those who knew him best were astonished at the number of his +friends. None of his tenantry was missing, his neighbors had come from +far and near; but there were others--fishermen, shepherds, men who +lived by horse-couping and other devious means, and innkeepers from +Dumfries and Lockerbie. The respectability of some was doubtful, but +their grief was obvious, so far as the Scottish character allowed it +to be seen, and Andrew gave them all his thanks and hand. This was an +ancient custom and he was now the head of the family; but as he looked +at the rows of solemn faces, he wondered whether he could win the love +his predecessor had won. + +That night, when the others had gone to bed, Andrew sat talking to +Rankine by the fire in the hall. + +"Has the fellow we caught on the sands made any admissions?" he asked. +"I understand you have seen him." + +"None so far. He declined to talk, and, if I'm a judge of character, +it's the line he'll stick to until the end. He sees that he has no +defense. I'm rather curious about his rank; but he's obviously a navy +man." + +"He'll be court-martialed?" + +"Yes. It will be kept quiet, for one or two reasons, and I don't think +you'll be wanted." + +"That's a relief. What's your private opinion about the matter? Was +the plot confined to supplying the submarines?" + +Rankine lighted a cigarette before he answered. + +"On the whole, I don't think so. In fact, it's possible there was some +foundation for your theory about the Eskdale road." + +"Then you know something?" + +"Something," Rankine agreed with a smile. "Now that my business on the +coast is finished and I'm going to join a battleship, I may perhaps +tell you that my rank is not lieutenant." + +"Well, now that you are here, I hope you can spare us a few days." + +"Thanks; I'll be glad to. My new ship needs some refitting and they +don't want me at Portsmouth yet." + +The next few months passed uneventfully at Appleyard. For the most +part, Andrew was kept occupied, investigating Dick's affairs and +making new arrangements for the improvement of the estate. It was a +relief to be busy; for his loss still weighed on him; and he had +another trouble. Every day he grew deeper in love with Elsie; and she +seemed to try purposely to avoid him. When they met she was friendly, +but he noticed a hint of reserve in her manner. At last he began to +think he would better go to Canada for a while when he had put +everything straight. + +Then, one cold spring evening, when he came back from a visit to a +moorland farm, he found her sitting by the fire in the hall. The light +was getting dim but the glow from the logs fell on her, and he noted +her quick, nervous movement as she saw him. + +"I'm afraid I startled you," he said, stopping beside her. "I've been +walking about a wet bog all afternoon, examining drains, and it looks +very cozy here. I won't disturb you if I sit down?" + +"Of course not." + +Andrew took a chair near her, and stretched his hands to the fire. +Neither spoke for a few minutes; and their silence seemed the deeper +because of the loud ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. + +"I've always loved Appleyard," Andrew said slowly, looking about the +big hall; "but somehow it doesn't seem homey to me now. There's +something wanting; it's too big, or I'm better used to a boat." + +"You miss Dick," Elsie answered softly, with a touch of color in her +face. "Though he was often ill, it's wonderful how bright he was." + +"Yes; I miss him all the time--but perhaps not as you do." + +Andrew's voice was full of sympathy, and Elsie gave him a quick +glance. + +"You must know the truth, Andrew," she said impulsively. "At first I +did feel miserably guilty for having sent Dick on a dangerous errand +when I knew he was ill--" + +"Dick went because he wanted to go," Andrew interrupted. "He never +shirked a risk, and least of all when he could help his friends." + +"But if I had loved Dick in the way you seem to think I loved +him--perhaps I would not have been brave enough to let him go--I can't +be sure." + +"You didn't love him in that way?" + +Elsie looked down at the book which lay in her lap. Her face was +flooded with color, but a smile played about her lips. + +"I would never have married Dick," she said, in a voice so low that +Andrew had to lean toward her to catch her words. + +"There was some one else?" he asked tensely. + +She looked up at him then, and he gasped at the deepening glow in her +eyes. + +"What a stupid thing you are, Andrew! You ought to--" + +He waited. + +"Elsie--" + +His voice was a mingling of incredulity and joy; and she answered his +unspoken question with a shy smile. + +"Of course--dear!" + + +THE END + + + + +Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors present in the +original edition have been corrected. + +In Chapter II, a missing quotation mark was added before "Attendez, +mais attendez". + +In Chapter III, "expensive yatching cap" was changed to "expensive +yachting cap", and "the Isle of Man, rose" was changed to "the Isle of +Man rose". + +In Chapter VII, "is if the man had meant to jump across" was changed +to "as if the man had meant to jump across". + +In Chapter XVI, "single-cyclinder engine" was changed to +"single-cylinder engine". + +In Chapter XXVI, "his heavy boots sanks" was changed to "his heavy +boots sank". + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Johnstone of the Border, by Harold Bindloss + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHNSTONE OF THE BORDER *** + +***** This file should be named 34425.txt or 34425.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/4/2/34425/ + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +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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