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diff --git a/42455-8.txt b/42455-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b6721fd..0000000 --- a/42455-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,15349 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mystery of the Sea, by Bram Stoker - -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: The Mystery of the Sea - -Author: Bram Stoker - -Release Date: April 2, 2013 [EBook #42455] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MYSTERY OF THE SEA *** - - - - -Produced by eagkw, Robert Cicconetti and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -The Mystery of the Sea - - - - -New 6s. Novels - - - THE ETERNAL CITY - BY HALL CAINE - - THE ASSASSINS - BY N. M. MEAKIN - - SCARLET AND HYSSOP - BY E. F. BENSON - - THE LUCK OF THE VAILS - BY E. F. BENSON - - THE STORY OF EDEN - BY DOLF WYLLARDE - - A PROPHET OF THE REAL - BY ESTHER MILLER - - SONS OF THE SWORD - BY MARGARET L. WOODS - - BY BREAD ALONE - BY J. K. FRIEDMAN - - THE RIGHT OF WAY - BY GILBERT PARKER - - FOUR-LEAVED CLOVER - BY MAXWELL GRAY - - JACK RAYMOND - BY E. L. VOYNICH - - LOVE AND HIS MASK - BY MÉNIE MURIEL DOWN - - TANGLED TRINITIES - BY DANIEL WOODROFFE - - GILLETTE'S MARRIAGE - BY MAMIE BOWLES - - VOYSEY - BY R. O. PROWSE - - SAWDUST - BY DOROTHEA GERARD - - FOREST FOLK - BY JAMES PRIOR - - - LONDON - WILLIAM HEINEMANN - 21 BEDFORD STREET, W.C. - - - - - The - Mystery of the Sea - - By - Bram Stoker - - Author of "Dracula" - - - [Illustration] - - - London - William Heinemann - 1902 - - - - - _All rights reserved._ - - _This Edition enjoys copyright in all - countries signatory to the Berne - Treaty, and has been copyrighted in - the United States of America by - Bram Stoker, 1902._ - - - - - TO - DAISY GILBEY RIVIERE - OF THE - THIRD GENERATION - OF - LOVING AND LOYAL FRIENDS - - - - -[Illustration] - - "To win the mystery o' the sea, - "An' learn the secrets that there be, - "Gather in ane these weirds three: - - "A gowden moon on a flowin' tide; - "An' Lammas floods for the spell to bide; - "An' a gowden mon wi death for his bride." - - [Gælic verse and English translation.] - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. SECOND SIGHT 3 - II. GORMALA 9 - III. AN ANCIENT RUNE 16 - IV. LAMMAS FLOODS 23 - V. THE MYSTERY OF THE SEA 32 - VI. THE MINISTERS OF THE DOOM 44 - VII. FROM OTHER AGES AND THE ENDS OF THE EARTH 51 - VIII. A RUN ON THE BEACH 66 - IX. CONFIDENCES AND SECRET WRITING 80 - X. A CLEAR HORIZON 94 - XI. IN THE TWILIGHT 104 - XII. THE CIPHER 113 - XIII. A RIDE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS 122 - XIV. A SECRET SHARED 130 - XV. A PECULIAR DINNER PARTY 138 - XVI. REVELATIONS 145 - XVII. SAM ADAMS'S TASK 152 - XVIII. FIREWORKS AND JOAN OF ARC 159 - XIX. ON CHANGING ONE'S NAME 165 - XX. COMRADESHIP 173 - XXI. THE OLD FAR WEST AND THE NEW 180 - XXII. CROM CASTLE 187 - XXIII. SECRET SERVICE 195 - XXIV. A SUBTLE PLAN 200 - XXV. INDUCTIVE RATIOCINATION 207 - XXVI. A WHOLE WEDDING DAY 215 - XXVII. ENTRANCE TO THE CAVERN 222 - XXVIII. VOICES IN THE DARK 229 - XXIX. THE MONUMENT 237 - XXX. THE SECRET PASSAGE 244 - XXXI. MARJORY'S ADVENTURE 251 - XXXII. THE LOST SCRIPT 260 - XXXIII. DON BERNARDINO 269 - XXXIV. THE ACCOLADE 277 - XXXV. THE POPE'S TREASURE 285 - XXXVI. THE RISING TIDE 293 - XXXVII. ROUND THE CLOCK 302 - XXXVIII. THE DUTY OF A WIFE 310 - XXXIX. AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 317 - XL. THE REDEMPTION OF A TRUST 326 - XLI. TREASURE TROVE 335 - XLII. A STRUGGLE 346 - XLIII. THE HONOUR OF A SPANIARD 355 - XLIV. THE VOICE IN THE DUST 364 - XLV. DANGER 374 - XLVI. ARDIFFERY MANSE 382 - XLVII. THE DUMB CAN SPEAK 394 - XLVIII. DUNBUY HAVEN 403 - XLIX. GORMALA'S LAST HELP 413 - L. THE EYES OF THE DEAD 423 - LI. IN THE SEA FOG 433 - LII. THE SKARES 443 - LIII. FROM THE DEEP 451 - - - - - _3233362143318194723312382934118621344275161134233 - 3168146335219364815321382634318432131443245716811 - 3203435166161816322711285923641181243736281012433 - 5449963436161423823123741281161812816162114611381 - 1618906126721322323364118814273612321263181243316 - 1491184331684811411881691106451033213143831231243 - 3453261432332234396614253233223314818132433104332 - 7661262373223552125472180_ - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE MYSTERY OF THE SEA - - - - -CHAPTER I - -SECOND SIGHT - - -I had just arrived at Cruden Bay on my annual visit, and after a late -breakfast was sitting on the low wall which was a continuation of the -escarpment of the bridge over the Water of Cruden. Opposite to me, -across the road and standing under the only little clump of trees in the -place was a tall, gaunt old woman, who kept looking at me intently. As I -sat, a little group, consisting of a man and two women, went by. I found -my eyes follow them, for it seemed to me after they had passed me that -the two women walked together and the man alone in front carrying on his -shoulder a little black box--a coffin. I shuddered as I thought, but -a moment later I saw all three abreast just as they had been. The old -woman was now looking at me with eyes that blazed. She came across the -road and said to me without preface: - -"What saw ye then, that yer e'en looked so awed?" I did not like to -tell her so I did not answer. Her great eyes were fixed keenly upon me, -seeming to look me through and through. I felt that I grew quite red, -whereupon she said, apparently to herself: "I thocht so! Even I did not -see that which he saw." - -"How do you mean?" I queried. She answered ambiguously: "Wait! Ye shall -perhaps know before this hour to-morrow!" - -Her answer interested me and I tried to get her to say more; but she -would not. She moved away with a grand stately movement that seemed to -become her great gaunt form. - -After dinner whilst I was sitting in front of the hotel, there was a -great commotion in the village; much running to and fro of men and women -with sad mien. On questioning them I found that a child had been drowned -in the little harbour below. Just then a woman and a man, the same that -had passed the bridge earlier in the day, ran by with wild looks. One of -the bystanders looked after them pityingly as he said: - -"Puir souls. It's a sad home-comin' for them the nicht." - -"Who are they?" I asked. The man took off his cap reverently as he -answered: - -"The father and mother of the child that was drowned!" As he spoke I -looked round as though some one had called me. - -There stood the gaunt woman with a look of triumph on her face. - - * * * * * - -The curved shore of Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire, is backed by a waste of -sandhills in whose hollows seagrass and moss and wild violets, together -with the pretty "grass of Parnassus" form a green carpet. The surface of -the hills is held together by bent-grass and is eternally shifting as -the wind takes the fine sand and drifts it to and fro. All behind is -green, from the meadows that mark the southern edge of the bay to the -swelling uplands that stretch away and away far in the distance, till -the blue mist of the mountains at Braemar sets a kind of barrier. In -the centre of the bay the highest point of the land that runs downward -to the sea looks like a miniature hill known as the Hawklaw; from this -point onward to the extreme south, the land runs high with a gentle -trend downwards. - -Cruden sands are wide and firm and the sea runs out a considerable -distance. When there is a storm with the wind on shore the whole bay is -a mass of leaping waves and broken water that threatens every instant -to annihilate the stake-nets which stretch out here and there along the -shore. More than a few vessels have been lost on these wide stretching -sands, and it was perhaps the roaring of the shallow seas and the terror -which they inspired which sent the crews to the spirit room and the -bodies of those of them which came to shore later on, to the churchyard -on the hill. - -If Cruden Bay is to be taken figuratively as a mouth, with the sand -hills for soft palate, and the green Hawklaw as the tongue, the rocks -which work the extremities are its teeth. To the north the rocks of red -granite rise jagged and broken. To the south, a mile and a half away as -the crow flies, Nature seems to have manifested its wildest forces. It -is here, where the little promontory called Whinnyfold juts out, that -the two great geological features of the Aberdeen coast meet. The red -sienite of the north joins the black gneiss of the south. That union -must have been originally a wild one; there are evidences of an upheaval -which must have shaken the earth to its centre. Here and there are great -masses of either species of rock hurled upwards in every conceivable -variety of form, sometimes fused or pressed together so that it is -impossible to say exactly where gneiss ends or sienite begins; but -broadly speaking here is an irregular line of separation. This line -runs seawards to the east and its strength is shown in its outcrop. For -half a mile or more the rocks rise through the sea singly or in broken -masses ending in a dangerous cluster known as "The Skares" and which has -had for centuries its full toll of wreck and disaster. Did the sea hold -its dead where they fell, its floor around the Skares would be whitened -with their bones, and new islands could build themselves with the piling -wreckage. At times one may see here the ocean in her fiercest mood; -for it is when the tempest drives from the south-east that the sea is -fretted amongst the rugged rocks and sends its spume landwards. The -rocks that at calmer times rise dark from the briny deep are lost to -sight for moments in the grand onrush of the waves. The seagulls which -usually whiten them, now flutter around screaming, and the sound of -their shrieks comes in on the gale almost in a continuous note, for the -single cries are merged in the multitudinous roar of sea and air. - -The village, squatted beside the emboucher of the Water of Cruden at the -northern side of the bay is simple enough; a few rows of fishermen's -cottages, two or three great red-tiled drying-sheds nestled in the -sand-heap behind the fishers' houses. For the rest of the place as it -was when first I saw it, a little lookout beside a tall flagstaff on -the northern cliff, a few scattered farms over the inland prospect, one -little hotel down on the western bank of the Water of Cruden with a -fringe of willows protecting its sunk garden which was always full of -fruits and flowers. - -From the most southern part of the beach of Cruden Bay to Whinnyfold -village the distance is but a few hundred yards; first a steep pull up -the face of the rock; and then an even way, beside part of which runs -a tiny stream. To the left of this path, going towards Whinnyfold, the -ground rises in a bold slope and then falls again all round, forming a -sort of wide miniature hill of some eighteen or twenty acres. Of this -the southern side is sheer, the black rock dipping into the waters of -the little bay of Whinnyfold, in the centre of which is a picturesque -island of rock shelving steeply from the water on the northern side, as -is the tendency of all the gneiss and granite in this part. But to east -and north there are irregular bays or openings, so that the furthest -points of the promontory stretch out like fingers. At the tips of these -are reefs of sunken rock falling down to deep water and whose existence -can only be suspected in bad weather when the rush of the current -beneath sends up swirling eddies or curling masses of foam. These little -bays are mostly curved and are green where falling earth or drifting -sand have hidden the outmost side of the rocks and given a foothold to -the seagrass and clover. Here have been at some time or other great -caves, now either fallen in or silted up with sand, or obliterated with -the earth brought down in the rush of surface-water in times of long -rain. In one of these bays, Broad Haven, facing right out to the Skares, -stands an isolated pillar of rock called locally the "Puir mon" through -whose base, time and weather have worn a hole through which one may walk -dryshod. - -Through the masses of rocks that run down to the sea from the sides -and shores of all these bays are here and there natural channels with -straight edges as though cut on purpose for the taking in of the cobbles -belonging to the fisher folk of Whinnyfold. - -When first I saw the place I fell in love with it. Had it been possible -I should have spent my summer there, in a house of my own, but the want -of any place in which to live forbade such an opportunity. So I stayed -in the little hotel, the Kilmarnock Arms. - -The next year I came again, and the next, and the next. And then I -arranged to take a feu at Whinnyfold and to build a house overlooking -the Skares for myself. The details of this kept me constantly going to -Whinnyfold, and my house to be was always in my thoughts. - -Hitherto my life had been an uneventful one. At school I was, though -secretly ambitious, dull as to results. At College I was better off, for -my big body and athletic powers gave me a certain position in which I -had to overcome my natural shyness. When I was about eight and twenty I -found myself nominally a barrister, with no knowledge whatever of the -practice of law and but little less of the theory, and with a commission -in the Devil's Own--the irreverent name given to the Inns of Court -Volunteers. I had few relatives, but a comfortable, though not great, -fortune; and I had been round the world, dilettante fashion. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -GORMALA - - -All that night I thought of the dead child and of the peculiar vision -which had come to me. Sleeping or waking it was all the same; my mind -could not leave the parents in procession as seen in imagination, or -their distracted mien in reality. Mingled with them was the great-eyed, -aquiline-featured, gaunt old woman who had taken such an interest in -the affair, and in my part of it. I asked the landlord if he knew her, -since, from his position as postmaster he knew almost everyone for miles -around. He told me that she was a stranger to the place. Then he added: - -"I can't imagine what brings her here. She has come over from Peterhead -two or three times lately; but she doesn't seem to have anything at -all to do. She has nothing to sell and she buys nothing. She's not a -tripper, and she's not a beggar, and she's not a thief, and she's not -a worker of any sort. She's a queer-looking lot anyhow. I fancy from -her speech that she's from the west; probably from some of the far-out -islands. I can tell that she has the Gaelic from the way she speaks." - -Later on in the day, when I was walking on the shore near the Hawklaw, -she came up to speak to me. The shore was quite lonely, for in those -days it was rare to see anyone on the beach except when the salmon -fishers drew their nets at the ebbing tide. I was walking towards -Whinnyfold when she came upon me silently from behind. She must have -been hidden among the bent-grass of the sandhills for had she been -anywhere in view I must have seen her on that desolate shore. She was -evidently a most imperious person; she at once addressed me in a tone -and manner which made me feel as though I were in some way an inferior, -and in somehow to blame: - -"What for did ye no tell me what ye saw yesterday?" Instinctively I -answered: - -"I don't know why. Perhaps because it seemed so ridiculous." Her stern -features hardened into scorn as she replied: - -"Are Death and the Doom then so redeekulous that they pleasure ye intil -silence?" I somehow felt that this was a little too much and was about -to make a sharp answer, when suddenly it struck me as a remarkable thing -that she knew already. Filled with surprise I straightway asked her: - -"Why, how on earth do you know? I told no one." I stopped for I felt all -at sea; there was some mystery here which I could not fathom. She seemed -to read my mind like an open book, for she went on looking at me as she -spoke, searchingly and with an odd smile. - -"Eh! laddie, do ye no ken that ye hae een that can see? Do ye no -understand that ye hae een that can speak? Is it that one with the Gift -o' Second Sight has no an understandin' o' it. Why, yer face when ye saw -the mark o' the Doom, was like a printed book to een like mine." - -"Do you mean to tell me" I asked "that you could tell what I saw, simply -by looking at my face?" - -"Na! na! laddie. Not all that, though a Seer am I; but I knew that you -had seen the Doom! It's no that varied that there need be any mistake. -After all Death is only one, in whatever way we may speak!" After a -pause of thought I asked her: - -"If you have the power of Second Sight why did you not see the vision, -or whatever it was, yourself?" - -"Eh! laddie" she answered, shaking her head "'Tis little ye ken o' -the wark o' the Fates! Learn ye then that the Voice speaks only as it -listeth into chosen ears, and the Vision comes only to chosen een. None -can will to hear or to see, to pleasure themselves." - -"Then" I said, and I felt that there was a measure of triumph in my tone -"if to none but the chosen is given to know, how comes it that you, who -seem not to have been chosen on this occasion at all events, know all -the same?" She answered with a touch of impatience: - -"Do ye ken, young sir, that even mortal een have power to see much, if -there be behind them the thocht, an' the knowledge and the experience -to guide them aright. How, think ye, is it that some can see much, and -learn much as they gang; while others go blind as the mowdiwart, at the -end o' the journey as before it?" - -"Then perhaps you will tell me how much you saw, and how you saw it?" - -"Ah! to them that have seen the Doom there needs but sma' guidance to -their thochts. Too lang, an' too often hae I mysen seen the death-sark -an' the watch-candle an' the dead-hole, not to know when they are seen -tae ither een. Na, na! laddie, what I kent o' yer seein' was no by the -Gift but only by the use o' my proper een. I kent not the muckle o' what -ye saw. Not whether it was ane or ither o' the garnishins o' the dead; -but weel I kent that it was o' death." - -"Then," I said interrogatively "Second Sight is altogether a matter of -chance?" - -"Chance! chance!" she repeated with scorn. "Na! young sir; when the -Voice has spoken there is no more chance than that the nicht will follow -the day." - -"You mistake me," I said, feeling somewhat superior now that I had -caught her in an error, "I did not for a moment mean that the -Doom--whatever it is--is not a true forerunner. What I meant was that -it seems to be a matter of chance in whose ear the Voice--whatever it -is--speaks; when once it has been ordained that it is to sound in the -ear of some one." Again she answered with scorn: - -"Na, na! there is no chance o' ocht aboot the Doom. Them that send forth -the Voice and the Seein' know well to whom it is sent and why. Can ye no -comprehend that it is for no bairn-play that such goes forth. When the -Voice speaks, it is mainly followed by tears an' woe an' lamentation! -Nae! nor is it only one bit manifestation that stands by its lanes, -remote and isolate from all ither. Truly 'tis but a pairt o' the great -scheme o' things; an' be sure that whoso is chosen to see or to hear is -chosen weel, an' must hae their pairt in what is to be, on to the verra -end." - -"Am I to take it" I asked, "that Second Sight is but a little bit of -some great purpose which has to be wrought out by means of many kinds; -and that whoso sees the Vision or hears the Voice is but the blind -unconscious instrument of Fate?" - -"Aye! laddie. Weel eneuch the Fates know their wishes an' their wark, no -to need the help or the thocht of any human--blind or seein', sane or -silly, conscious or unconscious." - -All through her speaking I had been struck by the old woman's use of the -word 'Fate,' and more especially when she used it in the plural. It was -evident that, Christian though she might be--and in the West they are -generally devout observants of the duties of their creed--her belief in -this respect came from some of the old pagan mythologies. I should have -liked to question her on this point; but I feared to shut her lips -against me. Instead I asked her: - -"Tell me, will you, if you don't mind, of some case you have known -yourself of Second Sight?" - -"'Tis no for them to brag or boast to whom has been given to see the -wark o' the hand o' Fate. But sine ye are yerself a Seer an' would -learn, then I may speak. I hae seen the sea ruffle wi'oot cause in the -verra spot where later a boat was to gang doon, I hae heard on a lone -moor the hammerin' o' the coffin-wright when one passed me who was soon -to dee. I hae seen the death-sark fold round the speerit o' a drowned -one, in baith ma sleepin' an' ma wakin' dreams. I hae heard the settin' -doom o' the Spaiks, an' I hae seen the Weepers on a' the crood that -walked. Aye, an' in mony anither way hae I seen an' heard the Coming o' -the Doom." - -"But did all the seeings and hearings come true?" I asked. "Did it ever -happen that you heard queer sounds or saw strange sights and that yet -nothing came of them? I gather that you do not always know to whom -something is going to happen; but only that death is coming to some -one!" She was not displeased at my questioning but replied at once: - -"Na doot! but there are times when what is seen or heard has no manifest -following. But think ye, young sir, how mony a corp, still waited for, -lies in the depths o' the sea; how mony lie oot on the hillsides, or are -fallen in deep places where their bones whiten unkent. Nay! more, to how -many has Death come in a way that men think the wark o' nature when his -hastening has come frae the hand of man, untold." This was a difficult -matter to answer so I changed or rather varied the subject. - -"How long must elapse before the warning comes true?" - -"Ye know yersel', for but yestreen ye hae seen, how the Death can follow -hard upon the Doom; but there be times, nay mostly are they so, when -days or weeks pass away ere the Doom is fulfilled." - -"Is this so?" I asked "when you know the person regarding whom the Doom -is spoken." She answered with an air of certainty which somehow carried -conviction, secretly, with it. - -"Even so! I know one who walks the airth now in all the pride o' his -strength. But the Doom has been spoken of him. I saw him with these -verra een lie prone on rocks, wi' the water rinnin' down from his hair. -An' again I heard the minute bells as he went by me on a road where is -no bell for a score o' miles. Aye, an' yet again I saw him in the kirk -itsel' wi' corbies flyin' round him, an' mair gatherin' from afar!" - -Here was indeed a case where Second Sight might be tested; so I asked -her at once, though to do so I had to overcome a strange sort of -repugnance: - -"Could this be proved? Would it not be a splendid case to make known; so -that if the death happened it would prove beyond all doubt the existence -of such a thing as Second Sight." My suggestion was not well received. -She answered with slow scorn: - -"Beyon' all doot! Doot! Wha is there that doots the bein' o' the Doom? -Learn ye too, young sir, that the Doom an' all thereby is no for -traffickin' wi' them that only cares for curiosity and publeecity. The -Voice and the Vision o' the Seer is no for fine madams and idle gentles -to while away their time in play-toy make-believe!" I climbed down at -once. - -"Pardon me!" I said "I spoke without thinking. I should not have said -so--to you at any rate." She accepted my apology with a sort of regal -inclination; but the moment after she showed by her words she was after -all but a woman! - -"I will tell ye; that so in the full time ye may hae no doot yersel'. -For ye are a Seer and as Them that has the power hae gien ye the Gift -it is no for the like o' me to cumber the road o' their doin'. Know ye -then, and remember weel, how it was told ye by Gormala MacNiel that -Lauchlane Macleod o' the Outer Isles hae been Called; tho' as yet the -Voice has no sounded in his ears but only in mine. But ye will see the -time----" - -She stopped suddenly as though some thought had struck her, and then -went on impressively: - -"When I saw him lie prone on the rocks there was ane that bent ower him -that I kent not in the nicht wha it was, though the licht o' the moon -was around him. We shall see! We shall see!" - -Without a word more she turned and left me. She would not listen to my -calling after her; but with long strides passed up the beach and was -lost among the sandhills. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -AN ANCIENT RUNE - - -On the next day I rode on my bicycle to Peterhead, and walked on the -pier. It was a bright clear day, and a fresh northern breeze was -blowing. The fishing boats were ready to start at the turn of the tide; -and as I came up the first of them began to pass out through the harbour -mouth. Their movement was beautiful to see; at first slowly, and then -getting faster as the sails were hoisted, till at last they swept -through the narrow entrance, scuppers under, righting themselves as they -swung before the wind in the open sea. Now and again a belated smacksman -came hurrying along to catch his boat before she should leave the pier. - -The eastern pier of Peterhead is guarded by a massive wall of granite, -built in several steps or tiers, which breaks the fury of the gale. When -a northern storm is on, it is a wild spot; the waves dash over it in -walls of solid green topped with mountainous masses of foam and spray. -But at present, with the July sun beating down, it was a vantage post -from which to see the whole harbour and the sea without. I climbed up -and sat on the top, looking on admiringly, and lazily smoked in quiet -enjoyment. Presently I noticed some one very like Gormala come hurrying -along the pier, and now and again crouching behind one of the mooring -posts. I said nothing but kept an eye on her, for I supposed that she -was at her usual game of watching some one. - -Soon a tall man strode leisurely along, and from every movement of the -woman I could see that he was the subject of her watching. He came near -where I sat, and stood there with that calm unconcerned patience which -is a characteristic of the fisherman. - -He was a fine-looking fellow, well over six feet high, with a tangled -mass of thick red-yellow hair and curly, bushy beard. He had lustrous, -far-seeing golden-brown eyes, and massive, finely-cut features. His -pilot-cloth trousers spangled all over with silver herring scales, were -tucked into great, bucket-boots. He wore a heavy blue jersey and a cap -of weazel skin. I had been thinking of the decline of the herring from -the action of the trawlers in certain waters, and fancied this would be -a good opportunity to get a local opinion. Before long I strolled over -and joined this son of the Vikings. He gave it, and it was a decided -one, uncompromisingly against the trawlers and the laws which allowed -them to do their nefarious work. He spoke in a sort of old-fashioned, -biblical language which was moderate and devoid of epithets, but full -of apposite illustration. When he had pointed out that certain fishing -grounds, formerly most prolific of result to the fishers, were now -absolutely worthless he ended his argument: - -"And, sure, good master, it stands to rayson. Suppose you be a farmer, -and when you have prepared your land and manured it, you sow your seed -and plough the ridges and make it all safe from wind and devastatin' -storm. If, when the green corn be shootin' frae the airth, you take your -harrow and drag it ath'art the springin' seed, where be then the promise -of your golden grain?" - -For a moment or two the beauty of his voice, the deep, resonant, -earnestness of his tone and the magnificent, simple purity of the man -took me away from the scene. He seemed as though I had looked him -through and through, and had found him to be throughout of golden -worth. Possibly it was the imagery of his own speech and the colour -which his eyes and hair and cap suggested, but he seemed to me for an -instant as a small figure projected against a background of rolling -upland clothed in ripe grain. Round his feet were massed the folds of -a great white sheet whose edges faded into air. In a moment the image -passed, and he stood before me in his full stature. - -I almost gasped, for just behind him, where she had silently come, -stood Gormala, gazing not at the fisherman but at me, with eyes that -positively blazed with a sort of baleful eagerness. She was looking -straight into my eyes; I knew it when I caught the look of hers. - -The fisherman went on talking. I did not, however, hear what he was -saying, for again some mysterious change had come over our surroundings. -The blue sea had over it the mystery of the darkness of the night; the -high noon sun had lost its fiery vigour and shone with the pale yellow -splendour of a full moon. All around me, before and on either hand, was -a waste of waters; the very air and earth seemed filmed with moving -water, and the sound of falling waters was in my ears. Again, the golden -fisherman was before me for an instant, not as a moving speck but in -full size now he lay prone; limp and lifeless, with waxen cold cheeks, -in the eloquent inaction of death. The white sheet--I could see now that -it was a shroud--was around him up to his heart. I seemed to feel -Gormala's eyes burning into my brain as I looked. All at once everything -seemed to resume its proper proportion, and I was listening calmly to -the holding forth of the Viking. - -I turned instinctively and looked at Gormala. For an instant her eyes -seemed to blaze triumphantly; then she pulled the little shawl which she -wore closer round her shoulders and, with a gesture full of modesty and -deference turned away. She climbed up the ridges of the harbour wall and -sat looking across as at the sea beyond, now studded with a myriad of -brown sails. - -A little later the stolid indifference as to time slipped all at once -from the fisherman. He was instinct with life and action, and with a -touch of his cap and a "Farewell good Master!" stood poised on the very -edge of the pier ready to spring on a trim, weather-beaten smack which -came rushing along almost grazing the rough stone work. It made our -hearts jump as he sprang on board and taking the tiller from the hand -of the steersman turned the boat's head to the open sea. As she rushed -out through the harbour mouth we heard behind us the voice of an old -fisherman who had hobbled up to us: - -"He'll do that once too often! Lauchlane Macleod is like all these men -from Uist and the rest of the Out Islanders. They don't care 'naught -about naught.'" - -Lauchlane Macleod! The very man of whom Gormala had prophesied! The very -mention of his name seemed to turn me cold. - -After lunch at the hotel I played golf on the links till evening drew -near. Then I got on my bicycle to return home. I had laboured slowly up -the long hill to the Stirling quarry when I saw Gormala sitting on the -roadside on a great boulder of red granite. She was evidently looking -out for me, for when I came near she rose up and deliberately stood in -the roadway in my path. I jumped off my wheel and asked her point blank -what she wanted with me so much that she stopped me on the road. - -Gormala was naturally an impressive figure, but at present she looked -weird and almost unearthly. Her tall, gaunt form lit by the afterglow in -a soft mysterious light was projected against the grey of the darkening -sea, whose sombreness was emphasised by the brilliant emerald green of -the sward which fell from where we stood to the jagged cliff-line. - -The loneliness of the spot was profound. From where we stood not a house -was to be seen, and the darkening sea was desert of sails. It seemed as -if we two were the only living things in nature's vast expanse. To me -it was a little awesome. Gormala's first mysterious greeting when I had -seen the mourning for the child, and her persistent following of me ever -since, had begun to get on my nerves. She had become a sort of enforced -condition to me, and whether she was present in the flesh or not, the -expectation or the apprehension of her coming--I hardly knew which it -was--kept my thoughts perpetually interested in her. Now, her weird, -statuesque attitude and the scene around us finished my intellectual -subjugation. The weather had changed to an almost inconceivable degree. -The bright clear sky of the morning had become darkly mysterious, and -the wind had died away to an ominous calm. Nature seemed altogether -sentient, and willing to speak directly to a man in my own receptive -mood. The Seer-woman evidently knew this, for she gave fully a minute of -silence for the natural charm to work before she spoke. Then in a solemn -warning voice she said: - -"Time is flying by us; Lammas-tide is nigh." The words impressed me, why -I know not; for though I had heard of Lammas-tide I had not the smallest -idea of what was meant by it. Gormala was certainly quick with her -eyes--she had that gypsy quality in remarkable degree--and she seemed to -read my face like an open book. There was a suppressed impatience in her -manner, as of one who must stop in the midst of some important matter to -explain to a child whose aid is immediately necessary: - -"Ye no ken why? Is it that ye dinna heed o' Lammas-tide, or that ye no -ken o' the prophecy of the Mystery of the Sea and the treasures that -lie hid therein." I felt more than ever abashed, and that I should have -known long ago those things of which the gaunt woman spoke, towering -above me as I leaned on my wheel. She went on: - -"An' ye no ken, then listen and learn!" and she spoke the following rune -in a strange, staccato cadence which seemed to suit our surroundings -and to sink into my heart and memory so deep that to forget would be -impossible: - - "To win the Mystery o' the Sea, - "An' learn the secrets that there be, - "Gather in one these weirds three: - - "A gowden moon on a flowin' tide, - "And Lammas floods for the spell to bide; - "And a gowden mon wi' death for his bride." - -There was a long pause of silence between us, and I felt very strangely. -The sea before me took odd, indefinite shape. It seemed as though it was -of crystal clearness, and that from where I gazed I could see all its -mysteries. That is, I could see so as to know there were mysteries, -though what they were individually I could not even dream. The past and -the present and the future seemed to be mingled in one wild, chaotic, -whirling dream, from the mass of which thoughts and ideas seemed now and -again to fly out unexpectedly on all sides as do sparks from hot iron -under the hammer. Within my heart grew vague indefinite yearnings, -aspirations, possibilities. There came a sense of power so paramount -that instinctively I drew myself up to my full height and became -conscious of the physical vigour within me. As I did so I looked around -and seemed to wake from a dream. - -Naught around me but the drifting clouds, the silent darkening land and -the brooding sea. Gormala was nowhere to be seen. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -LAMMAS FLOODS - - -When I got to Cruden it was quite dark. I had lingered by the way -thinking of Gormala MacNiel and all the queer kind of mystery in which -she seemed to be enmeshing me. The more I thought, the more I was -puzzled; for the strangest thing of all to me was that I understood -part of what seemed to be a mystery. For instance I was but imperfectly -acquainted with the Seer-woman's view of what was to be the result of -her watching of Lauchlane Macleod. I knew of course from her words at -our first conversation that in him she recognised a man doomed to near -death according to the manifestation of her own power of Second Sight; -but I knew what she did not seem to, that this was indeed a golden -man. From the momentary glimpse which I had had in that queer spell of -trance, or whatever it was which had come to me on the pier head, I had -seemed to _know_ him as a man of gold, sterling throughout. It was not -merely that his hair was red gold and that his eyes might fairly be -called golden, but his whole being could only be expressed in that way; -so that when Gormala spoke, the old rhyme seemed at once a prime factor -in the group of three powers which had to be united before the fathoming -of the Mystery of the Sea. I accordingly made up my mind to speak with -the Seer-woman and to ask her to explain. My own intellectual attitude -to the matter interested me. I was not sceptical, I did not believe; -but I think my mind hung in poise. Certainly my sympathies tended -towards the mysterious side, backed up by some kind of understanding of -the inner nature of things which was emotional or unintentional rather -than fixed. - -All that night I seemed to dream, my mind working eternally round the -data of the day; hundreds of different relationships between Gormala, -Lauchlane Macleod, Lammas-tide, the moon and the secrets of the sea -revolved before me. It was grey morning before I fell asleep to the -occasional chirping of the earliest birds. - -As sometimes happens after a night of uneasy dreaming of some disturbing -topic, the reaction of the morning carried oblivion with it. It was well -into the afternoon when all at once I remembered the existence of the -witch-woman--for as such I was beginning to think of Gormala. The -thought came accompanied by a sense of oppression which was not of fear, -but which was certainly of uneasiness. Was it possible that the woman -had in some way, or to some degree, hypnotised me. I remembered with a -slightly nervous feeling how the evening before I had stopped on the -roadway obedient to her will, and how I had lost the identity of my -surroundings in her presence. A sudden idea struck me; I went to the -window and looked out. For an instant my heart seemed to be still. - -Just opposite the house stood Gormala, motionless. I went out at once -and joined her, and instinctively we turned our steps toward the -sand-hills. As we walked along I said to her: - -"Where did you disappear to last night?" - -"About that which is to be done!" Her lips and her face were set; I -knew it was no use following up that branch of the subject, so I asked -again: - -"What did you mean by those verses which you told me?" Her answer was -given in a solemn tone: - -"Them that made them alone can tell; until the time shall come!" - -"Who made them?" - -"Nane can now tell. They are as aud as the rocky foundations o' the -isles themselves." - -"Then how did you come to know them?" There was a distinct note of pride -in her answer. Such a note as might be expected from a prince speaking -of his ancestry: - -"They hae come doon to me through centuries. Frae mither to dochter, and -from mither to dochter again, wi' never a break in the lang line o' the -tellin'. Know ye, young master, that I am o' a race o' Seers. I take -my name from that Gormala o' Uist who through long years foresaw the -passing o' mony a one. That Gormala who throughout the islands of the -west was known and feared o' all men; that Gormala whose mither's -mither, and mither's mither again, away back into the darkness o' time -when coracles crept towards the sunset ower the sea and returned not, -held the fates o' men and women in their han's and ruled the Mysteries -o' the Sea." As it was evident that Gormala must have in her own mind -some kind of meaning of the prophecy, or spell, or whatever it was, I -asked her again: - -"But you must understand something of the meaning, or you would not -attach so much importance to it?" - -"I ken naught but what is seen to ma een, and to that inner e'e which -telleth tae the soul that which it seeth!" - -"Then why did you warn me that Lammas-tide was near at hand?" The grim -woman actually smiled as she replied: - -"Did ye no hearken to the words spoken of the Lammas floods, which be of -the Powers that rule the Spell?" - -"Well, the fact is that I don't know anything of 'Lammas-tide!' We do -not keep it in the Church of England," I added as an afterthought, -explanatory of my ignorance. Gormala was clever enough to take advantage -of having caught me in a weak place; so she took advantage of it to turn -the conversation into the way she wished herself: - -"What saw ye, when Lauchlane Macleod grew sma' in yer een, and girt -again?" - -"Simply, that he seemed to be all at once a tiny image of himself, seen -against a waste of ripe corn." Then it struck me that I had not as yet -told her or any one else of what I had seen. How then did she know it? I -was annoyed and asked her. She answered scornfully: - -"How kent I it, an' me a Seer o' a race o' Seers! Are ma wakin' een then -so dim or so sma' that I canna read the thochts o' men in the glances o' -their een. Did I no see yer een look near an' far as quick as thocht? -But what saw ye after, when ye looked rapt and yer een peered side to -side, as though at one lyin' prone?" I was more annoyed than ever and -answered her in a sort of stupor: - -"I saw him lying dead on a rock, with a swift tide running by; and over -the waters the broken track of a golden moon." She made a sound which -was almost a cry, and which recalled me to myself as I looked at her. -She was ablaze. She towered to her full height with an imperious, -exultant mien; the light in her eyes was more than human as she said: - -"Dead, as I masel' saw him an' 'mid the foam o' the tide race! An' gowd, -always gowd ahint him in the een of this greater Seer. Gowden corn, and -gowden moon, and gowden sea! Aye! an' I see it now, backie-bird that I -hae been; the gowden mon indeed, wi' his gowden een an' his gowden hair -and all the truth o' his gowden life!" Then turning to me she said -fiercely: - -"Why did I warn ye that Lammas-tide was near? Go ask those that value -the months and days thereof, when be Lammas and what it means to them -that hae faith. See what they are; learn o' the comin' o' the moon and -o' the flowin' o' the tides that follow!" - -Without another word she turned and left me. - -I went back to the hotel at once, determined to post myself as to -Lammas-tide; its facts and constitutions, and the beliefs and traditions -that hung around it. Also to learn the hours of the tides, and the age -of the moon about the time of Lammas-tide. Doubtless I could have found -out all I wanted from some of the ministers of the various houses of -religion which hold in Cruden; but I was not wishful to make public, -even so far, the mystery which was closing around me. My feeling was -partly a saving sense of humour, or the fear of ridicule, and partly a -genuine repugnance to enter upon the subject with any one who might not -take it as seriously as I could wish. From which latter I gather that -the whole affair was becoming woven into the structure of my life. - -Possibly it was, that some trait, or tendency, or power which was -individual to me was beginning to manifest itself and to find its means -of expression. In my secret heart I not only believed but knew that some -instinct within me was guiding my thoughts in some strange way. The -sense of occult power which is so vital a part of divination was growing -within me and asserting its masterdom, and with it came an equally -forceful desire of secrecy. The Seer in me, latent so long, was becoming -conscious of his strength, and jealous of it. - -At this time, as the feeling of strength and consciousness grew, it -seemed to lose something of its power from this very cause. Gradually it -was forced upon me that for the full manifestation of such faculty as -I might possess, some kind of abstraction or surrender of self was -necessary. Even a few hours of experience had taught me much; for now -that my mind was bent on the phenomena of Second Sight the whole living -and moving world around me became a veritable diorama of possibilities. -Within two days from the episode at the Pier head I had had behind me a -larger experience of effort of occult force than generally comes to a -man in a lifetime. When I look back, it seems to me that all the forces -of life and nature became exposed to my view. A thousand things which -hitherto I had accepted in simple faith as facts, were pregnant with -new meanings. I began to understand that the whole earth and sea, -and air--all that of which human beings generally ordinarily take -cognisance, is but a film or crust which hides the deeper moving powers -or forces. With this insight I began to understand the grand guesses of -the Pantheists, pagan and christian alike, who out of their spiritual -and nervous and intellectual sensitiveness began to realise that there -was somewhere a purposeful cause of universal action. An action which in -its special or concrete working appeared like the sentience of nature in -general, and of the myriad items of its cosmogony. - -I soon learned that Lammas day is the first of August and is so often -accompanied by heavy weather that Lammas floods are almost annually -recurrent. The eve of the day is more or less connected with various -superstitions. - -This made me more eager for further information, and by the aid of a -chance friend, I unearthed at Aberdeen a learned professor who gave me -offhand all the information which I desired. In fact he was so full of -astronomical learning that I had to stop him now and again in order to -elucidate some point easily explainable to those who understood his -terminology, but which wrapped my swaddling knowledge in a mystery all -its own. I have a sneaking friendliness even now for anyone to whom the -word 'syzygy' carries no special meaning. - -I got at the bases of facts, however, and understood that on the night -of July 31, which was the eve of Lammas-tide, the moon would be full at -midnight. I learned also that from certain astronomical reasons the tide -which would ostensibly begin its flow a little after midnight would in -reality commence just on the stroke. As these were the points which -concerned me I came away with a new feeling of awe upon me. It seemed -as though the heavens as well as the earth were bending towards the -realisation or fulfillment of the old prophecy. At this time my own -connection with the mystery, or how it might affect me personally, did -not even enter my head. I was content to be an obedient item in the -general scheme of things. - -It was now the 28th July so, if it were to take place at the Lammas-tide -of the current year, we should know soon the full measure of the -denouêment. There was but one thing wanting to complete the conditions -of the prophecy. The weather had been abnormally dry, and there might -after all be no Lammas floods. To-day, however, the sky had been heavily -overcast. Great black clouds which seemed to roll along tumbling over -and over, as the sail of a foundered boat does in a current, loomed up -from the west. The air grew closer, and to breathe was an effort. A sort -of shiver came over the wide stretch of open country. Darker and darker -grew the sky, till it seemed so like night that the birds in the few -low-lying coppices and the scanty hedgerows ceased to sing. The bleat of -sheep and the low of cattle seemed to boom through the still air with a -hollow sound, as if coming from a distance. The intolerable stillness -which precedes the storm became so oppressive that I, who am abnormally -susceptible to the moods of nature, could almost have screamed out. - -Then all at once the storm broke. There was a flash of lightning so -vivid that it lit up the whole country away to the mountains which -encircle Braemar. The fierce crash and wide roll of the thunder followed -with incredible quickness. And then the hot, heavy-dropped summer rain -fell in torrents. - -All that afternoon the rain fell, with only a few brief intervals of -glowing sunshine. All night, too, it seemed to fall without ceasing, -for whenever I woke--which I did frequently with a sense over me of -something impending--I could hear the quick, heavy patter on the roof, -and the rush and gurgle of the overcharged gutters. - -The next day was one of unmitigated gloom. The rain poured down -ceaselessly. There was little wind, just sufficient to roll -north-eastwards the great masses of rain-laden clouds piled up by the -Gulf Stream against the rugged mountains of the western coast and its -rocky islands. Two whole days there were of such rain, and then there -was no doubt as to the strength of the Lammas floods this year. All the -wide uplands of Buchan were glistening with runnels of water whenever -the occasional glimpses of sunshine struck them. Both the Water of -Cruden and the Back Burn were running bank high. On all sides it was -reported that the Lammas floods were the greatest that had been known in -memory. - -All this time my own spiritual and intellectual uneasiness was -perpetually growing. The data for the working of the prophecy were all -fixed with remarkable exactness. In theatrical parlance 'the stage was -set' and all ready for the action which was to come. As the hours wore -on, my uneasiness changed somewhat and apprehension became merged in a -curious mixture of superstition and exaltation. I was growing eager to -the coming time. - -The afternoon of July 31 was fine. The sun shone brightly; the air was -dry and, for the time of year, cool. It seemed as though the spell of -wet weather was over and that fiery August was coming to its own again. -The effects of the rainstorm were, however, manifest. Not only was every -rill and stream and river in the North in spate but the bogs of the -mountains were so saturated with wet that many days must elapse before -they could cease to send their quota to swell the streams. The mountain -valleys were generally lakes in miniature. As one went through the -country the murmur or rush of falling water was forever in the ears. I -suppose it was in my own case partly because I was concerned in the mere -existence of Lammas floods that the whole of nature seemed so insistent -on the subject. The sound of moving water in its myriad gamut was so -perpetually in my ears that I could never get my mind away from it. I -had a long walk that afternoon through roads still too wet and heavy for -bicycling. I came back to dinner thoroughly tired out, and went to bed -early. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE MYSTERY OF THE SEA - - -I do not remember what woke me. I have a vague idea that it was a voice, -but whether outside the house or within myself I know not. - -It was eleven o'clock by my watch when I left the Kilmarnock Arms and -took my way across the sandhills, heading for the Hawklaw which stood -out boldly in the brilliant moonlight. I followed the devious sheep -track amongst the dunes covered with wet bent-grass, every now and again -stumbling amongst the rabbit burrows which in those days honeycombed the -sandhills of Cruden Bay. At last I came to the Hawklaw, and, climbing -the steep terraced edge near the sea, sat on the top to breathe myself -after the climb. - -The scene was one of exquisite beauty. Its natural loveliness was -enhanced by the softness of the full yellow moonlight which seemed to -flood the heavens and the earth alike. To the south-east the bleak -promontory of Whinnyfold stood out stark and black as velvet and the -rocks of the Skares were like black dots in the quivering sea of gold. I -arose and went on my way. The tide was far out and as I stumbled along -the rude path above the waste of boulders I had a feeling that I should -be late. I hurried on, crossed the little rill which usually only -trickled down beside the fishers' zigzag path at the back of Whinnyfold -but which was now a rushing stream--again the noise of falling water, -the voice of the Lammas floods--and took the cart track which ran hard -by the cliff down to the point which looked direct upon the Skares. - -When I reached the very edge of the cliff, where the long sea-grass -and the deep clover felt underfoot like a luxurious carpet, I was not -surprised to see Gormala seated, looking out seawards. The broad track -of the moon lay right across the outmost rock of the Skares and falling -across some of the jagged rocks, which seemed like fangs rising from -the deep water as the heave of the waveless sea fell back and the white -water streamed down, came up to where we stood and seemed to bathe both -the Seer-woman and myself in light. There was no current anywhere, but -only the silent rise and fall of the water in the everlasting movement -of the sea. When she heard me behind her Gormala turned round, and the -patient calmness of her face disappeared. She rose quickly, and as she -did so pointed to a small boat which sailing up from the south was now -drawing opposite to us and appeared to be making a course as close to -shore as possible, just clearing the outer bulwark of the Skares. - -"Look!" she said, "Lauchlane Macleod comes by his lanes. The rocks are -around him, and his doom is at hand!" - -There did not appear any danger in such a course; the wind was gentle, -the tide was at the still moment between ebb and flow, and the -smoothness of the water beyond the rock seemed to mark its great depth. - -All at once the boat seemed to stand still,--we were too far off to hear -a sound even on such a still night. The mast bent forward and broke -short off, the sails hung limp in the water with the peak of the lug -sail sticking up in a great triangle, like the fin of a mammoth shark. A -few seconds after, a dark speck moved on the water which became agitated -around it; it was evident that a swimmer was making for the land. I -would have gone to help him had it been of use; but it was not, the -outer rock was half a mile away. Indeed, though I knew it was no use, -I was yet about to swim to meet him when Gormala's voice behind me -arrested me: - -"Do ye no see that gin ye meet him amid yon rocks, ye can, when the tide -begins to race, be no help to any. If he can win through, ye may help -him if ye bide here." The advice was good and I stayed my feet. The -swimmer evidently knew the danger, for he hurried frantically to win -some point of safety before the tide should turn. But the rocks of the -Skares are deadly steep; they rise from the water sheer everywhere, -and to climb them from the sea is a hopeless task. Once and again the -swimmer tried to find a chink or cranny where he could climb; but each -time he tried to raise himself he fell back into the water. Moreover I -could see that he was wounded, for his left hand hung idle. He seemed to -realise the hopelessness of the task, and turning, made desperately for -the part where we stood. He was now within the most dangerous spot in -the whole region of the Skares. The water is of great depth everywhere -and the needlepoints of rocks rise almost to the very surface. It is -only when the waves are rough at low water that they can be seen at all, -when the dip of the waves leaves them bare; but from the surface in -calm weather they cannot be seen as the swirl of the tide around them -is invisible. Here, too, the tide, rounding the point and having the -current broken by the masses of the great rock, rolls with inconceivable -rapidity. I had too often watched from the headland where my home was to -be the set of the tide not to know the danger. I shouted as loudly as I -could, but for some reason he did not hear me. The moments ere the tide -should turn seemed like ages; and yet it was with a sudden shock that I -heard the gurgle of moving water followed by the lap, lap, lap, getting -quicker each second. Somewhere inland a clock struck twelve. - -The tide had turned and was beginning to flow. - -In a few seconds the swimmer felt its effects, though he did not seem to -notice them. Then he was swept towards the north. All at once there was -a muffled cry which seemed to reach slowly to where we stood, and the -swimmer rolled over for an instant. It was only too apparent what had -happened; he had struck his arm against one of the sunken rocks and -injured it. Then he commenced a mad struggle for life, swimming without -either arm in that deadly current which grew faster and faster every -moment. He was breathless, and now and again his head dipped; but he -kept on valiantly. At last in one of these dips, borne by the momentum -of his own strength and the force of the current, he struck his head -against another of the sunken rocks. For an instant he raised it, and I -could see it run red in the glare of the moonlight. - -Then he sank; from the height where I stood I could see the body roll -over and over in the fierce current which made for the outmost point to -the north-east of the promontory. I ran over as fast as I could, Gormala -following. When I came to the rock, which here shelved, I plunged in and -after a few strokes met by chance the body as it rolled upward. With a -desperate effort I brought it to land. - -The struggle to lift the body from the water and to bear it up the rock -exhausted me, so that when I reached the top of the cliff I had to pause -for a few seconds to breathe hard. Since the poor fellow's struggle for -life had begun I had never for an instant given the prophecy a thought. -But now, all at once, as I looked past the figure, lying limp before me -with the poor arms twisted unnaturally and the head turned--away past -the moonlit sea and the great, golden orb whose track was wrinkled over -the racing tide, the full force of it burst upon me, and I felt a sort -of spiritual transformation. The air seemed full of fluttering wings; -sea and land alike teemed with life that I had not hitherto dreamed -of. I fell in a sort of spiritual trance. But the open eyes were upon -me; I feared the man was dead, but Briton-like I would not accept -the conviction without effort. So I raised the body to my shoulders, -determined to make with what speed I could for Whinnyfold where fire and -willing hands could aid in restoration. As I laid the limp body across -my shoulders, holding the two hands in my right hand to steady the -burden whilst with the left I drew some of the clothing tight, I caught -Gormala's eye. She had not helped me in any possible way, though more -than once in distress I had called to her. So now I said angrily: - -"Get away woman! You should be ashamed of yourself never to help at -such a time," and I took my way unaided. I did not heed at the time -her answer, spoken with a certain measure of deprecation, though it -afterwards came back to me: - -"Am I to wark against the Fates when They have spoken! The Dead are dead -indeed when the Voice has whispered in their ears!" - -Now, as I passed along with the hands of the dead man in mine--the true -shell of a man whose spirit could be but little space away whilst the -still blood in the veins was yet warm--a strange thing began to happen. -The spirits of earth and sea and air seemed to take shape to me, and all -the myriad sounds of the night to have a sentient cause of utterance. As -I panted and struggled on, my physical effort warring equally with the -new spiritual experience so that nothing remained except sentience and -memory, I could see Gormala walking abreast me with even steps. Her eyes -glared balefully with a fierce disappointment; never once did she remit -the vigilant, keen look which seemed to pierce into my very soul. - -For a short space of time there was something of antagonism to her; but -this died away imperceptibly, and I neither cared nor thought about her, -except when my attention would be called to her. I was becoming wrapped -in the realisation of the mightier forces around me. - -Just where the laneway from the cliff joins Whinnyfold there is a steep -zigzag path running down to the stony beach far below where the fishers -keep their boats and which is protected from almost the wildest seas by -the great black rock--the Caudman,--which fills the middle of the little -bay, leaving deep channels on either hand. When I was come to this spot, -suddenly all the sounds of the night seemed to cease. The very air grew -still so that the grasses did not move or rustle, and the waters of the -swirling tide ceased to run in grim silence on their course. Even to -that inner sense, which was so new to me that the change in everything -to which it was susceptible became at once noticeable, all things stood -still. It was as though the spirits of earth and air and water were -holding their breath for some rare portent. Indeed I noticed as my eye -ranged the surface of the sea, that the moon track was for the time no -longer rippled, but lay in a broad glistening band. - -The only living thing in all the wide world was, it seemed to me, the -figure of Gormala as, with lowering eyes and suspended breath, she stood -watching me with uncompromising, persistent sternness. - -Then my own heart seemed to stand still, to be a part of the grim -silence of the waiting forces of the world. I was not frightened; I was -not even amazed. All seemed so thoroughly in keeping with the prevailing -influence of the time that I did not feel even a moment of surprise. - -Up the steep path came a silent procession of ghostly figures, so misty -of outline that through the grey green of their phantom being the rocks -and moonlit sea were apparent, and even the velvet blackness of the -shadows of the rocks did not lose their gloom. And yet each figure was -defined so accurately that every feature, every particle of dress or -accoutrement could be discerned. Even the sparkle of their eyes in that -grim waste of ghostly grey was like the lambent flashes of phosphoric -light in the foam of moving water cleft by a swift prow. There was no -need for me to judge by the historical sequence of their attire, or by -any inference of hearing; I knew in my heart that these were the ghosts -of the dead who had been drowned in the waters of the Cruden Skares. - -Indeed the moments of their passing--and they were many for the line was -of sickening length--became to me a lesson of the long flight of time. -At the first were skin-clad savages with long, wild hair matted; then -others with rude, primitive clothing. And so on in historic order men, -aye, and here and there a woman, too, of many lands, whose garments were -of varied cut and substance. Red-haired Vikings and black-haired Celts -and Phoenicians, fair-haired Saxons and swarthy Moors in flowing robes. -At first the figures, chiefly of the barbarians, were not many; but as -the sad procession passed along I could see how each later year had -brought its ever-growing tale of loss and disaster, and added more and -faster to the grim harvest of the sea. A vast number of the phantoms had -passed when there came along a great group which at once attracted my -attention. They were all swarthy, and bore themselves proudly under -their cuirasses and coats of mail, or their garb as fighting men of -the sea. Spaniards they were, I knew from their dress, and of three -centuries back. For an instant my heart leapt; these were men of the -great Armada, come up from the wreck of some lost galleon or patache to -visit once again the glimpses of the Moon. They were of lordly mien, -with large aquiline features and haughty eyes. As they passed, one of -them turned and looked at me. As his eyes lit on me, I saw spring into -them, as though he were quick, dread, and hate, and fear. - -Hitherto I had been impressed, awed, by the indifference of the passing -ghosts. They had looked nowhere, but with steady, silent, even tread had -passed on their way. But when this one looked at me it was a glance from -the spirit world which chilled me to the very soul. - -But he too passed on. I stood at the head of the winding path, having -the dead man still on my shoulders and looking with sinking heart at the -sad array of the victims of the Cruden Skares. I noticed that most who -came now were seamen, with here and there a group of shoresmen and a few -women amongst them. The fishermen were many, and without exception wore -great sea boots. And so with what patience I could I waited for the end. - -At length it came in the shape of a dim figure of great stature, and -both of whose arms hung limp. The blood from a gash on his forehead had -streamed on to his golden beard, and the golden eyes looked far away. -With a shudder I saw that this was the ghost of the man whose body, now -less warm, lay upon my shoulders; and so I knew that Lauchlane Macleod -was dead. I was relieved when I saw that he did not even look at me; -though as I moved on, following the procession, he walked beside me with -equal steps, stopping and moving as I stopped and moved. - -The silence of death was upon the little hamlet of Whinnyfold. There was -not a sign of life; not a dog barked as the grim procession had moved up -the steep path or now filed across the running stream and moved along -the footpath toward Cruden. Gormala with eager eyes kept watching -me; and as the minutes wore on I began to resume my double action of -thought, for I could see in her face that she was trying to reason out -from my own expression something of what I was looking at. As we moved -along she now began to make suggestions to me in a fierce whisper, -evidently hoping that she might learn something from my acquiescence in, -or negation of, her thought. Through that ghostly silence her living -voice cut with the harshness of a corncrake. - - "Shearing the silence of the night with ragged edge." - -Perhaps it was for the best; looking back now on that awful experience, -I know that no man can say what his mind may suffer in the aftertime who -walks alone with the Dead. That I was strung to some amazing pitch was -manifested by the fact that I did not seem to feel the great weight -which lay upon my shoulders. I have naturally vast strength and the -athletic training of my youth had developed it highly. But the weight of -an ordinary man is much to hold or carry for even a short time, and the -body which I bore was almost that of a giant. - -The path across the neck of land which makes the Skares a promontory is -flat, with here and there a deep cleft like a miniature ravine where the -water from the upland rushes in flood time down to the sea. All these -rills were now running strong, but I could hear no sound of murmuring -water, no splash as the streams leapt over the edge of the cliff on the -rocks below in whitening spray. The ghostly procession did not pause at -any of these streams, but moved on impassively to the farther side where -the path trends down to the sands of Cruden Bay. Gormala stood a moment -watching my eyes as they swept the long line passing the angle so that I -could see them all at once. That she guessed something was evident from -her speech: - -"They are many; his eyes range wide!" I started, and she knew that she -had guessed aright. This one guess seemed to supply her with illimitable -data; she evidently knew something of the spirit world, though she could -not see into its mysteries. Her next words brought enlightenment to me: - -"They are human spirits; they follow the path that the feet o' men hae -made!" - -It was so. The procession did not float over the surface of field or -sand, but took its painful way down the zigzag of the cliff and over the -rocky path through the great boulders of the foreshore. When the head of -it reached the sand, it passed along the summit of the ridge, just as -every Sunday night the fishermen of Whinnyfold and Collieston did in -returning to their herring boats at Peterhead. - -The tramp across the sands was long and dreary. Often as I had taken -that walk in rain or storm, with the wind almost sweeping me off my feet -whilst the sand drift from the bent-covered hills almost cut my cheeks -and ears, I had never felt the way to be so long or so hard to travel. -Though I did not realise it at the time, the dead man's weight was -beginning to tell sorely upon me. Across the Bay I could see the few -lights in the village of Port Erroll that were to be seen at such a -time of night; and far over the water came the cold grey light which is -the sign of the waning of the night rather than of the coming of the -morning. - -When we came to the Hawklaw, the head of the procession turned inward -through the sandhills. Gormala, watching my eyes, saw it and an -extraordinary change came over her. For an instant she was as if -stricken, and stood stock still. Then she raised her hands in wonder, -and said in an awed whisper: - -"The Holy Well! They gang to St. Olaf's well! The Lammas floods will aye -serve them weel." - -With an instinct of curiosity strong upon me I hurried on so as to head -the procession. As I moved along the rough path amongst the sandhills I -felt the weight of the burden on my shoulders grow heavier and heavier, -so that my feet dragged as do the feet of one in a night-mare. As I -moved on, I looked round instinctively and saw that the shade of -Lauchlane Macleod no longer kept pace with me, but retained its place in -the procession. Gormala's evil eye was once more upon me, but with her -diabolical cunning she guessed the secret of my looking round. She moved -along, not with me but at the rate she had been going as though she -liked or expected to remain in juxtaposition to the shade of the dead -man; some purpose of her own was to be fulfilled. - -As I pressed on, the shades around me seemed to grow dimmer and dimmer -still; till at the last I could see little more than a film or haze. -When I came to St. Olaf's well--then merely a rough pool at the base of -the high land that stretches back from the Hawklaw--the ghostly mist was -beginning to fade into the water. I stood hard by, and the weight upon -my shoulders became dreadful. I could hardly stand; I determined, -however, to hold on as long as I could and see what would happen. The -dead man, too, was becoming colder! I did not know whether the dimming -of the shadows was from this cause, or because the spirit of the man was -farther away. It was possibly both, for as the silent, sad procession -came on I could see more distinctly. When the wraith of the Spaniard -turned and looked at me, he seemed once more to look with living eyes -from a living soul. Then there was a dreary wait whilst the rest -came along and passed in awesome stillness down into the well and -disappeared. The weight upon my shoulders now became momentarily more -intolerable. At last I could bear it no longer, and half bending I -allowed the body to slip to the ground, I only holding the hands to -steady the descent. Gormala was now opposite to me, and seeing what -I had done leaped towards me with a loud cry. For one dim moment the -wraith of the dead man stood above its earthly shell; and then I saw the -ghostly vision no more. - -At that instant, just as Gormala was about to touch the dead body, there -was a loud hiss and murmur of waters. The whole pool burst up in a great -fountain, scattering sand and water around for a wide space. I rushed -back; Gormala did the same. - -Then the waters receded again, and when I looked, the corpse of -Lauchlane Macleod was gone. It was swallowed up in the Holy Well. - -Overcome with physical weariness and strange horror of the scene I sank -down on the wet sand. The scene whirled round me.... I remember no -more. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE MINISTERS OF THE DOOM - - -When at last I looked around me I was not surprised at anything I saw; -not even at the intense face of Gormala whose eyes, bright in the full -moonlight, were searching my face more eagerly than ever. I was lying on -the sand, and she was bending over me so closely that her face almost -touched mine. It was evident, even to my half-awake sensibilities, that -she was listening intently, lest even a whispered word from me should be -missed. - -The witch-woman was still seemingly all afire, but withal there was -manifested in her face and bearing a sense of disappointment which -comforted me. I waited a few minutes until I felt my brain clear, and -my body rested from the intolerable strain which it had undergone in -carrying that terrific burden from Whinnyfold. - -When I looked up again Gormala recognised the change in me, and her own -expression became different. The baleful glitter of her eyes faded, -and the blind, unreasoning hate and anger turned to keen inquiry. She -was not now merely baffled in her hopes, and face to face with an -unconscious man; there was at least a possibility of her gaining some -knowledge, and all the energy of her nature woke again as she spoke: - -"So ye are back wi' the moon and me. Whither went ye when ye lay down -upon the sand. Was it back ye went, or forrart; wi' the ghaists into the -Holy Well and beyond in their manifold course; or back to their comin' -frae the sea and all that could there be told? Oh! mon, what it is to me -that any ither can gang like that into spirit land, and me have to wait -here by my lanes; to wring my hands an' torture my hairt in broken -hopes!" I answered her question with another: - -"How do you mean that ghosts go into the well and beyond?" Her answer -was at the first given in a stern tone which became, however, softer, as -she went on. - -"Knew ye not, that the Lammas Floods are the carriers o' the Dead; that -on Lammas nicht the Dead can win their way to where they will, under the -airth by wherever there is rinnin' watter. Happy be they that can gain a -Holy Well, an' so pass into the bowels o' the airth to where they list." - -"And how and when do they return?" - -"Dinna jest wi' Fate an' the Dead. They in their scope can gang and -return again; no een, save your ain, o' man or Seer has seen the method -o' their gangin'. No een, even yours, can see them steal out again in -the nicht, when the chosen graves that they hae sought hae taken from -them the dross o' the airth." I felt it was not wise to talk further, so -without a word I turned and walked home by the sheep tracks amongst the -sand hills. Now and again I stumbled in a rabbit hole, and as I would -sink forward the wet bent would brush against my face. - -The walk back in the dark dawn seemed interminable. All this time -my mind was in a turmoil. I did not even seem to remember anything -definitely, or think consecutively; but facts and fancies swept through -my mind in a chaotic whirl. When I got to the house, I undressed quickly -and got into bed; I must have instantly fallen into a deep sleep. - -Next afternoon I walked by the shore to Whinnyfold. It was almost -impossible to believe that I was looking at the same place as on last -night. I sat on the cliff where I had sat last night, the hot August -sun and the cool breeze from the sea being inconceivably soothing. So I -thought and thought.... The lack of sufficient sleep the night before -and the tired feeling of the physical strain I had undergone--my -shoulders still ached--told upon me, and I fell asleep. - -When I waked Gormala stood in front of me. - -After a long pause she spoke: - -"I see that ye remember, else would ye ha' spoken to me. Will ye no tell -me all that ye saw? Then, wi' your Seer's een an' my knowledge o' the -fact we may thegither win oot the great Secret o' the Sea." I felt -stronger than ever the instinctive conviction that I must remain keenly -on guard with her. So I said nothing; waiting thus I should learn -something, whether from her words or her silence. She could not stand -this. I saw her colour rise till her face was all aglow with a red flush -that shamed the sunset; and at last the anger blazed in her eyes. It was -in a threatening tone which she spoke, though the words were themselves -sufficiently conciliatory: - -"The Secrets o' the Sea are to be won; and tae thee and me it is given -to win them. What hae been is but an earnest of what will be. For ages -ithers have tried to win but hae failed; and if we fail too for lack o' -purpose or because ye like me not, then to ithers will come in time the -great reward. For the secrets are there, and the treasures lie awaiting. -The way is open for those to whom are the Gifts. Throw not away the -favour of the Fates. For if they be kind to give where they will, they -are hard to thwart, and their revenge is sure!" I must confess that her -words began to weaken my purpose. In one way inexorable logic was on -her side. Powers such as were mine were surely given for some purpose. -Might I not be wrong in refusing to use them. If the Final Cause of -my powers were purposeful, then might not a penalty be exacted from -me because I had thwarted the project. Gormala, with that diabolical -cunning of hers, evidently followed the workings of my mind, for her -face lit up. How she knew, I know not, but I do know that her eyes never -left mine. I suppose it may be that the eyes which have power to see -at times the inwardness of things have some abnormal power also of -expressing the thoughts behind them. I felt, however, that I was in -danger. All my instincts told me that once in Gormala's power I should -rue it, so I spoke out on the instant strongly: - -"I shall have nothing to do with you whatever. Last night when you -refused to help me with the wounded man--whom you had followed, -remember, for weeks, hoping for his death--I saw you in your true -colours; and I mean to have nothing to do with you." Fierce anger blazed -again in her eyes; but again she controlled herself and spoke with an -appearance of calm, though it was won with great effort, as I could see -by the tension of her muscles: - -"An' so ye would judge me that I would not help ye to bring the Dead to -life again! I knew that Lauchlane was dead! Aye! and ye kent it too as -weel as I did masel'. It needed no Seer to tell that, when ye brocht him -up the rocks oot o' the tide. Then, when he was dead, for why wad ye -no use him? Do the Dead themselves object that they help the livin' to -their ends while the blood is yet warm in them? Is it ye that object to -the power of the Dead? You whose veins have the power o' divination of -the quick; you to whom the heavens themselves opened, and the airth and -the watters under the airth, when the spirit of the Dead that ye carried -walked beside ye as ye ganged to St. Olaf's Well. An' as for me, what -hae I done that you should object. I saw, as you did, that Lauchlane's -sands were run. You and I are alike in that. To us baith was given to -see, by signs that ages have made sacred, that Fate had spoken in his -ears though he had himself not heard the Voice. Nay more, to me was only -given to see that the Voice had spoken. But to you was shown how, and -when, and where the Doom should come, though you yersel' that can read -the future as no ither that is known, canna read the past; and so could -na tell what a lesser one would ha' guessed at lang syne. I followed the -Doom; you followed the Doom. I by my cunnin'; you when ye waked frae yer -sleep, followin' yer conviction, till we met thegither for Lauchlane's -death, amid Lammas floods and under the gowden moon on the gowden sea. -Through his aid--aye, young sir--for wi'oot a fresh corp to aid, no Seer -o' airth could hae seen as ye did, that lang line o' ghaists ye saw last -nicht. Through his aid the wonders o' the heavens and the deep, o' airth -and air, was opened till ye. Wha then be ye that condemn me that only -saw a sign an' followed? Gin I be guilty, what be you?" - -It would be impossible to describe the rude, wild, natural eloquence -with which this was spoken. In the sunset, the gaunt woman seemed to -tower above me; and as she moved her arms, the long shadows of them -stretched over the green down before us and away over the wrinkled sea -as though her gestures were, giant like, appealing to all nature. - -I was distinctly impressed, for all that she said was quite true. She -had in reality done nothing that the law would call wrong. Lauchlane's -death was in no possible way due to any act of hers. She had only -watched him; and as he did not even know that she watched he could not -have been influenced in any way by it or by her. As to my own part! Her -words gave me a new light. Why had I risen in the night and come out to -Whinnyfold? Was it intuition, or a call from the witch-woman, who in -such case must have had some hypnotic influence over me? Or was it----? - -I stood appalled at the unspoken thought. Could it be that the powers -of Nature which had been revealed to me in the dread hour had not only -sentience but purpose! - -I felt that my tone was more conciliatory as I answered her: - -"I did not mean to blame you for anything you had done. I see now that -your wrong was only passive." I felt that my words were weak, and my -feeling was emphasised by the scorn of her reply: - -"My wrang was only passive! My wrang! What wrang hae I done that you -should sit in judgment on me. Could I hae helpit it when Lauchlane met -his death amang the rocks in the tide. Why you yoursel' sat here beside -me, an' ye no helpit him or tried to, strong man though ye be, that -could carry his corp frae here to St. Olaf's Well; for ye kenned that no -livin' arm could aid him in that hour o' doom. Aye! laddie, the Fates -know their wark o'er weel to hae ony such betterment o' their plans! An' -div ye think that by any act o' yer ain, or by any refusal o' act or -speech, ye can baffle the purpose o' the Doom. Ye are yet young and -ye must learn; then learn it now whiles ye can, that when the Word is -spoken all follows as ordained. Aye! though the Ministers o' the Doom be -many an' various, an' though they hae to gather in ane from many ages -an' frae the furthermost ends o' the airth!" - -Gormala's logic and the exactness of her statement were too much for me. -I felt that I owed her some reparation and told her so. She received it -in her gaunt way with the dignity of an empress. - -But there her dignity stopped; for seeing that she had got a lever -in her hands she began at once, womanlike, to use it. Without any -hesitation or delay she asked me straightly to tell her what I had seen -the night before. The directness of her questioning was my best help; my -heart hardened and my lips closed. She saw my answer before I had spoken -it, and turned away with an eloquent, rugged gesture of despair. She -felt that her last hope was gone; that her last bolt had been sped in -vain. - -With her going, the link with last night seemed to break, and as she -passed up the road the whole of that strange experience became dimmer -and dimmer. - -I walked home by Cruden sands in a sort of dream. The chill and strain -of the night before seemed to affect me more and more with each hour. -Feeling fatigued and drowsy I lay down on my bed and sank into a heavy, -lethargic sleep. - -The last thing I remember is the sounding of the dinner-gong, and a dim -resolution not to answer its call.... - - * * * * * - -It was weeks after, when the fever had passed away, that I left my bed -in the Kilmarnock Arms. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -FROM OTHER AGES AND THE ENDS OF THE EARTH - - -The last week in June of next year, 1898, found me back in Cruden. -My own house was in process of building. I had purposely arranged -with the builders that the fitting up and what the conveyancers call -"beautifyings" should not be done until I should be on the spot myself -next year, to be consulted about everything. Every day I went over -to see the place and become familiar with it before the plans for -decoration should be taken in hand. Still there was no enjoyment in -getting wet every time I went and came, or in remaining in wet clothes, -so that my day was mainly spent at home. - -One of my first visits was to Peterhead which seemed to be in a state of -absolute activity, for the herring fishing had been good and trade of -all kinds was brisk. At the market place which was half full of booths, -could be had almost everything required for the needs or comfort of -life such as it can be on a fishing boat. Fruit and all sorts of summer -luxuries were abundant. Being Saturday the boats had returned early and -had got their nets away to the drying-grounds, and the men had been able -to shave and dress tidily. The women, too, had got their dressing done -early--the fish first and themselves afterwards. - -For awhile I wandered about aimlessly amongst the booths, with that sort -of unsatisfaction upon me which had of late been the prelude to many of -the manifestations of the power of Second Sight. This used to be just -as if something within me was groping or searching unsuccessfully for -something unknown, the satisfaction coming with the realization of the -objective of the search. - -Presently I came to an itinerant auctioneer who was dealing with a small -cart-load of odds and ends, evidently picked up in various places. -His auction or "roup" was on the "Dutch" plan; an extravagant price, -according to his own idea, being placed on each article, and the offer -decreasing in default of bidders. The auctioneer was ready with his -tongue; his patter showed how well he understood the needs and ideas of -the class whom he addressed. - -"Here's the works of the Reverend Robert William McAlister of -Trottermaverish in twal volumes, wantin' the first an' the last twa; -three damaged by use, but still full of power in dealing with the -speeritual necessities o' men who go down to the great deep in ships. A -sermon for every day in the year, in the Gaelic for them as has na got -the English, an' in good English for them as has. How much for the twal -volumes, wantin' but three? Not a bawbee less than nine shellin', goin' -goin'. Wha says eight shellin' for the lot. Seven shellin' an' no less. -Goin' for six. Five shellin' for you sir. Any bidder at four shellin'. -Not a bawbee less than three shellin'; Half a croon. Any bidder at twa -shellin'. Gone for you sir!" the nine volumes were handed over to a -grave-looking old man, and the two shillings which he produced from a -heavy canvas bag duly pocketed by the auctioneer. - -Everything he had, found some buyer; even a blue-book seemed to have -its attraction. The oddness of some of the odd lots was occasionally -amusing. When I had been round the basins of the harbour and had seen -the dressings and barrelling of the fish, I again came across the -auctioneer in the market place. He had evidently been using his time -well, for the cart was almost empty. He was just putting up the last -article, an old oak chest which up to now he had used as a sort of table -on which to display the object for sale. An old oak chest has always -charms for me, and I was about furnishing a house. I stepped over, -opened the lid and looked in; there were some papers tossed on the -bottom of it. I asked the auctioneer if the contents went with the -chest, my real object being to get a look at the lock which seemed a -very old one of steel, though it was much damaged and lacked a key. I -was answered with a torrent of speech in true auctioneer fashion: - -"Aye, good master. Take the lot just as it stands. An oaken kist, -hundreds of years aud and still worthy a rest in the house-place of any -man who has goods to guard. It wants a key, truth to tell; but the lock -is a fine aud one and you can easy fit a key. Moreover the contents, be -they what they may, are yours also. See! aud letters in some foreign -tongue--French I think. Yellow in age an' the ink faded. Somebody's love -letters, I'm thinkin'. Come now, young men here's a chance. Maybe if -ye're no that fameeliar in writin' yer hairts oot to the lassies, ye can -get some hints frae these. They can learn ye, I warrant!" - -I was not altogether unaccustomed to auctions, so I affected a -nonchalance which I did not feel. Indeed, I was unaccountably excited. -It might have been that my feelings and memories had been worked up by -the seeing again the pier where first I had met Lauchlane Macleod, and -the moving life which then had environed him. I felt coming over me that -strange impalpable influence or tendency which had been a part of my -nature in the days immediately before the drowning of the Out-islander. -Even as I looked, I seemed to feel rather than see fixed upon me the -baleful eyes of the man in the ghostly procession on that Lammas eve. I -was recalled to myself by the voice of the auctioneer: - -"The kist and its contents will be sold for a guinea and not a bawbee -less." - -"I take it!" I cried impulsively. The auctioneer who in his wildest -dreams had no hope of such a price seemed startled into momentary -comparative silence. He quickly recovered himself and said: "The kist is -yours, good master; and that concludes the roup!" - -I looked around to see if there was present any one who could even -suggest in any way the appearance of the man in the ghostly procession. -But there was no such person. I met only _mirabile dictu_, the greedy -eyes of Gormala MacNiel. - -That evening in my room at the Kilmarnock Arms, I examined the papers -as well as I could by lamplight. They were in an old-fashioned style -of writing with long tails and many flourishes which made an added -difficulty to me. The language was Spanish, which tongue I did not know; -but by aid of French and what little Latin I could remember I made out a -few words here and there. The dates ranged between 1598 and 1610. The -letters, of which there were eight, were of manifest unimportance, short -notes directed: "Don de Escoban" and merely arranging meetings. Then -there were a number of loose pages of some printed folio, used perhaps -as some kind of tally or possibly a cipher, for they were marked all -over with dots. The lot was completed by a thin, narrow strip of paper -covered with figures--possibly some account. Papers of three centuries -ago were valuable, were it only for their style of writing. So I locked -them all up carefully before I went to bed, with full intention to -examine them thoroughly some day. The appearance of Gormala just at the -time when I had become possessed of them seemed to connect them in some -mysterious way with the former weird experiences in which she had so -prominent a part. - -That night I dreamed as usual, though my dreaming was of a scattered -and incoherent character. Gormala's haunting presence and all that had -happened during the day, especially the buying of the chest with the -mysterious papers, as well as what had taken place since my arrival at -Cruden was mixed up in perpetually recurring images with the beginning -of my Second Sight and the death of Lauchlane Macleod. Again, and again, -and again, I saw with the eyes of memory, in fragmentary fashion, the -grand form of the fisherman standing in a blaze of gold, and later -fighting his way through a still sea of gold, of which the only reliefs -were the scattered piles of black rock and the pale face patched with -blood. Again, and again, and again, the ghostly procession came up the -steep path from the depths of the sea, and passed in slow silent measure -into St. Olaf's Well. - -Gormala's words were becoming a truth to me; that above and around me -was some force which was impelling to an end all things of which I could -take cognizance, myself amongst the rest. Here I stopped, suddenly -arrested by the thought that it was Gormala herself who had set my mind -working in this direction; and the words with which she had at once -warned and threatened me when after the night of Lauchlane's death we -stood at Witsennan point: - -"_When the Word is spoken all follows as ordained. Aye! though the -Ministers of the Doom may be many and various, and though they may have -to gather in one from many ages and from the furthermost ends of the -earth!_" - -The next few days were delightfully fine, and life was one long -enjoyment. On Monday evening there was a sunset which I shall never -forget. The whole western sky seemed ablaze with red and gold; great -masses of cloud which had rolled up seemed like huge crimson canopies -looped with gold over the sun throned on the western mountains. I was -standing on the Hawklaw, whence I could get a good view; beside me was a -shepherd whose flock patched the steep green hillside as with snow. I -turned to him and said: - -"Is not that a glorious sight?" - -"Aye! 'Tis grand. But like all beauty o' the warld it fadeth into -naught; an' is only a mask for dool." - -"You do not seem to hold a very optimistic opinion of things generally." -He deliberately stoked himself from his snuff mull before replying: - -"Optimist nor pessimist am I, eechie nor ochie. I'm thinkin' the -optimist and the pessimist are lears alike; takin' a pairt for -the whole, an' so guilty o' the logical sin o' _a particulari ad -universale_. Sophism they misca' it; as if there were anything but a lee -in a misstatement o' fac'. Fac's is good eneuch for me; an' that, let me -tell ye, is why I said that the splendour o' the sunset is but a mask -for dool. Look yon! The clouds are all gold and glory, like a regiment -goin' oot to the battle. But bide ye till the sun drops, not only below -the horizon but beyond the angle o' refraction. Then what see ye? All -grim and grey, and waste, and dourness and dool; like the army as it -returns frae the fecht. There be some that think that because the sun -sets fine i' the nicht, it will of necessity rise fine i' the morn. They -seem to no ken that it has to traverse one half o' the warld ere it -returns; and that the averages of fine and foul, o' light and dark hae -to be aye maintained. It may be that the days o' fine follow ane anither -fast; or that the foul times linger likewise. But in the end, the -figures of fine and foul tottle up, in accord wi' their ordered sum. -What use is it, then, to no tak' heed o' fac's? Weel I ken, that the -fac' o' the morrow will differ sair frae the fac's o' this nicht. Not in -vain hae I seen the wisdom and glory o' the Lord in sunsets an' dawns -wi'oot learnin' the lessons that they teach. Mon, I tell ye that it's -all those glories o' pomp and pageantry--all the lasceevious luxuries -o' colour an' splendour, that are the forerinners o' disaster. Do ye no -see the streaks o' wind rinnin' i' the sky, frae the east to the west? -Do ye ken what they portend? I'm tellin' ye, that before the sun sets -the morrow nicht there will be ruin and disaster on all this side o' -Scotland. The storm will no begin here. It is perhaps ragin' the noo -away to the east. But it will come quick, most likely wi' the risin' o' -the tide; and woe be then to them as has no made safe wi' all they can. -Hark ye the stillness!" Shepherd-like he took no account of his own -sheep whose ceaseless bleating, sounding in every note of the scale, -broke the otherwise universal silence of nature. "I'm thinkin' it's -but the calm before the storm. Weel sir, I maun gang. The yowes say it -is time for the hame comin'. An' mark ye, the collie! He looks at me -reproachful, as though I had forgot the yowes! My sairvice to ye, sir!" - -"Good night" I answered, "I hope I shall meet you again." - -"I'm thinkin' the same masel'. I hae much enjoyed yer pleasin' -converse. I hope it's mony a crack we yet may hae thegither!" And so my -philosophical egoist moved homewards, blissfully unconscious of the fact -that my sole contribution to the "pleasing converse" was the remark that -he did not seem optimistic. - -The whole mass of his charge moved homewards at an even footpace, the -collie making frantic dashes here and there to keep his flock headed in -the right direction. Presently I saw the herd pouring like a foam-white -noisy river across the narrow bridge over the Water of Cruden. - -The next morning was fine, very hot, and of an unusual stillness. -Ordinarily I should have rejoiced at such a day; but the warning of the -erudite and philosophical shepherd made me mistrust. To me the worst of -the prophecy business was that it became a disturbing influence. To-day, -perforce, because it was fine, I had to expect that it would end badly. -About noon I walked over to Whinnyfold; it being Saturday I knew that -the workmen would have gone away early, and I wanted to have the house -to myself so that I could go over it quietly and finally arrange the -scheme of colouring. I remained there some hours, and then, when I had -made up my mind as to things, I set off for the hotel. - -In those few hours the weather had changed marvellously. Busy within -doors and thinking of something else, I had not noticed the change, -which must have been gradual however speedy. The heat had increased till -it was most oppressive; and yet through it all there was now and then -a cold shiver in the air which almost made me wince. All was still, so -preternaturally still that occasional sounds seemed to strike the ear as -disturbances. The screaming of the seagulls had mainly ceased, and the -sound of breaking waves on rocks and shore was at variance with the -silence over the sea; the sheep and cattle were so quiet that now and -again the "moo" of a cow or the bleat of a sheep seemed strangely -single. As I stood looking out seaward there seemed to be rising a cold -wind; I could not exactly feel it, but I knew it was there. As I came -down the path over the beach I thought I heard some one calling--a faint -far-away sound. At first I did not heed it, as I knew it could not be -any one calling to me; but when I found it continued, I looked round. -There is at least a sufficient amount of curiosity in each of us to -make us look round when there is a calling. At first I could not locate -it; but then sight came to aid of sound, and I saw out on a rock two -women waving handkerchiefs. The calling manifestly came from them. It -was not good for any one to be isolated on a rock at a time when a storm -was coming up; and I knew well the rocks which these women were amongst. -I hurried on as quickly as I could, for there was a good way to go to -reach them. - -Near the south end of Cruden Bay there is a cluster of rocks which juts -out from shore, something like a cock's spur. Beyond this cluster are -isolated rocks, many of them invisible at high tide. These form part of -the rocky system of the Skares, which spread out fan-like from the point -of Whinnyfold. Amongst these rocks the sea runs at change of tide with -great force; more than once when swimming there I had been almost -carried away. What it was to be carried away amongst the rocks of the -Skares I knew too well from the fate of Lauchlane Macleod. I ran as fast -as I could down the steep pathway and along the boulder-strewn beach -till I came to the Sand Craigs. As I ran I could see from the quick -inrush of waves, which though not much at present were gathering force -every instant, that the storm which the shepherd had predicted was -coming fast upon us. In such case every moment was precious. Indeed it -might mean life; and so in breathless haste I scrambled over the rocks. -Behind the main body of the Sand Craigs are two isolated rocks whose -tops are just uncovered at high tide, but which are washed with every -wave. The near one of these is at low water not separated from the main -mass, but only joined by a narrow isthmus a few feet long, over which -the first waves of the turning tide rush vigourously, for it is in the -direct sweep of the flowing tide. Beyond this, some ninety or a hundred -feet off and separated by a deep channel, is the outer rock, always -in island form. From this spot at low water is the best view of the -multitudinous rocks of the Skares. On all sides they rise round you -as you stand, the granite seeming yellow with the washing of the sea -between the lines of high and low water; above the latter the black -seaweed ceases growing. This island is so hidden by the higher rocks -around it that it cannot be seen from any part of Cruden Bay or from -Port Erroll across it; it can only be seen from the path leading to -Whinnyfold. It was fortunate that some one had been passing just then, -or the efforts of the poor women to attract attention might have been -made in vain. - -When I reached the Sand Craigs I scrambled at once to the farthest point -of the rocks, and came within sight of the isolated rock. Fortunately -it was low water. The tide had only lately turned and was beginning to -flow rapidly through the rocks. When I had scrambled on the second last -rock I was only some thirty yards from the outermost one and could see -clearly the two women. One was stout and elderly, the other young and -tall and of exceeding beauty. The elderly one was in an almost frantic -condition of fright; but the younger one, though her face was deadly -pale--and I could see from the anxious glances which she kept casting -round her that she was far from at ease--was outwardly calm. For an -instant there was a curious effect as her pale face framed in dark hair -stood out against the foam of the tide churning round the far off rocks. -It seemed as though her head were dressed with white flowers. As there -was no time to lose, I threw off my coat and shoes and braced myself for -a swim. I called as I did so: "What has become of your boat?" The answer -came back in a clear, young voice of manifestly American intonation: - -"It drifted away. It has gone off amongst those rocks at the headland." - -I had for a moment an idea that my best plan might be to fetch it first, -but a glance at the distance and at the condition of the sea made me see -the futility of any such hope. Already the waves were rising so fast -that they were beginning to sweep over the crest of the rocks. Even that -in front of me where the women stood was now topped by almost every -wave. Without further delay I jumped into the sea and swam across. The -girl gave me a hand up the rock, and I stood beside them, the old lady -holding tight to me whilst I held the younger one and the rising waves -washing round our feet. For a moment or two I considered the situation, -and then asked them if either of them could swim. The answer was in the -negative. "Then," I said decisively, "you must leave yourselves to me, -and I shall swim across with each of you in turn." The old lady groaned. -I pointed out that there was no other way, and that if we came at once -it would not be difficult, as the distance was short and the waves were -not as yet troublesome. I tried to treat the matter as though it were a -nice holiday episode so that I might keep up their spirits; but all the -same I felt gravely anxious. The distance to swim was only some thirty -yards, but the channel was deep, and the tide running strong. Moreover -the waves were rising, and we should have to get a foothold on the -slippery seaweed-covered rock. However there was nothing to be done but -to hasten; and as I was considering how best I should take the old lady -across I said: - -"What a pity it is that we haven't even a strong cord, and then we could -pull each other across." The girl jumped at the idea and said: - -"There was plenty in the boat, but of course it is gone. Still there -should be a short piece here. I took care to fasten the painter to a -piece of rock; but like a woman forgot to see that the other end was -fixed to the boat, so that when the tide turned she drifted away with -the stream. The fast end should be here still." When the coming wave -had rolled on she pointed to a short piece of rope tied round a jutting -piece of rock; its loose end swayed to and fro with every wave. I jumped -for it at once, for I saw a possible way out of our difficulty; even if -the rope were short, so was the distance, and its strands ravelled might -cover the width of the channel. I untied the rope as quickly as I could. -It was not an easy task, for the waves made it impossible to work except -for a few seconds at a time; however, I got it free at last and pulled -it up. It was only a fragment some thirty feet in length; but my heart -leaped for I saw my way clear now. The girl saw it too and said at once: - -"Let me help you." I gave her one end of the rope and we commenced -simultaneously to ravel the piles. It was a little difficult to do, -standing as we did upon the uneven surface of the rock with the waves -rushing over our feet and the old lady beside us groaning and moaning -and imploring us to hasten. Mostly she addressed herself to me, as in -some way the _deus ex machina_ and thus superior to the occasion where -helpless women were concerned; but occasionally the wail was directed to -her companion, who would then, even in that time of stress and hurry, -spare a moment to lay a comforting hand on her as she said: - -"Hush! oh hush! Do not say anything, dear. You will only frighten -yourself. Be brave!" and such phrases of kindness and endearment. Once -the girl stopped as a wave bigger than the rest broke over her feet. The -old lady tried to still her shriek into a moan as she held on to her, -saying "Oh Miss Anita! Oh Miss Anita!" plaintively over and over again. - -At last we had ravelled the four strands of the rope and I began to knot -them together. The result was a rope long enough to reach from rock to -rock, though it was in places of very doubtful strength. I made a big -loop at one end of it and put it over the stout lady's head and under -her armpits. I cautioned both women not to tax the cord too severely by -a great or sudden strain. The elder lady protested against going first, -but was promptly negatived by the young lady, whose wishes on the -subject were to me a foregone conclusion. I took the loose end of the -rope and diving into the water swam across to the other rock upon the -top of which I scrambled with some little trouble, for the waves, though -not as yet in themselves dangerous, made difficult any movement which -exposed me to their force. I signed to the old lady to slide into the -sea which, assisted by the girl, she did very pluckily. She gasped and -gurgled a good deal and clutched the loop with a death grip; but I kept -a steady even strain on the rope whose strength I mistrusted. In a few -seconds she was safely across, and I was pulling her up by the hands up -the rock. When she was firmly fixed I gave her the loose end of the cord -to hold and swam back with the loop. The girl did not delay or give -any trouble. As she helped me up the rock I could not but notice what -strength she had; her grip of my wet hand was firm and strong, and there -was in it no quiver of anxiety. I felt that she had no care for herself, -now that her companion was safe. I signalled to the old lady to be -ready; the girl slipped into the water, I going in at the same time and -swimming beside her. The old lady pulled zealously. So absorbed was she -in her work that she did not heed my warning cry not to pull too hard. -She pulled as though on her strength rested the issue of life and death; -with the result that before we were a third of the way across the rope -broke and she fell sitting on the rock behind her. For an instant the -girl was submerged and came up gasping. In the spasmodic impulse common -at such moments she gripped me so hard round the neck that I felt -we were both in danger. Before we sank I wrenched, though with some -difficulty her hands away from me, so that when we rose I had her at -arm's length. For a few seconds I held her so that she could get her -breath; and as I did so I could hear the old lady screaming out in an -agonised way: - -"Marjory! Marjory! Marjory!" With her breath came back the girl's -reason, and she left herself to me passively. As I held her by the -shoulder, a wave sweeping over the rock took us, and in my sudden effort -to hold her I tore away the gown at her throat. It was quite evident her -wits were all about her now for she cried out suddenly: - -"Oh, my brooch! my brooch!" There was no time to waste and no time for -questions. When a man has to swim for two in a choppy sea, and when the -other one is a fully clothed woman, there is little to waste of strength -or effort. So I swam as I had never done, and brought her up to the rock -where the old lady helped her to scramble to her feet. When I had got my -breath I asked her about her brooch. She replied: - -"I would not have lost it for all the world. It is an heirloom." - -"Was it gold?" I asked, for I wanted to know its appearance as I -intended to dive for it. - -"Yes!" she said, and without another word I jumped into the channel -again to swim to the outer rock, for it was close there it must have -been lost and I could dive from there. The channel between the rocks -has a sandy bottom, and it would be easy to see the gold. As I went she -called out to me to come back, not to mind, that she would rather lose -it a thousand times than have me run any risk, and so forth; things -mightily pleasant to hear when spoken by such lips. For myself I had -only exultation. I had got off both the women without accident, and the -sea was as yet, not such as to give any concern to a good swimmer. I -dived from the rock and got bottom easily, the depth being only ten or -twelve feet; and after a few seconds looking round me I saw the gleam of -gold. When I had risen and swam to the inner rock the two women pulled -me up to my feet. - -When I gave her the brooch the young lady pressed it to her lips, and -turning to me with tears in her eyes said: - -"Oh you brave man! You kind, brave man! I would not have lost this for -anything I call mine. Thank you that you have saved our lives; and -that you have saved this for me." Then with girlish impulsiveness and -unpremeditation she put up her face and kissed me. - -That moment, with her wet face to mine, was the happiest of my life. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -A RUN ON THE BEACH - - -The girl's kiss was so spontaneous and so natural that it could not -convey any false impression to me. It was a manifest expression of -gratitude, and that only. Nevertheless it set my heart beating and my -veins tingling with delight. From that instant I did not feel quite a -stranger to the giver; nor could I ever feel as quite a stranger again. -Something of the same idea may have passed through the girl's mind, for -she blushed and looked around her shyly; but, with a proud lifting of -her head and a slight stamp of her foot on the rock, she put the matter -behind her, for the present. The old lady, in the midst of her concern -for her companion and herself, was able to throw a glance of disapproval -on me, as though I had done something wrong; from which I gathered that -the younger lady was not only very dear to her, but held in some sort of -unusual respect as well. It was peculiar that she should in the midst of -her present condition be able to give a thought to so trivial a thing. -For though death did not now stare her in the face, she was cold and -wet; the rock she stood on was hard and slippery, and the foam of the -breaking waves was even now curling around her feet. - -She looked about her apprehensively; she did not know whether or no we -were on another isolated rock. I reassured her on this subject, and we -scrambled as quickly as we could over the rocks on our way shoreward. -The elder lady took up most of my time. Here and there in a difficult -place, for the wind by now blew so strongly that one found it hard to -balance oneself as is necessary when walking on rocks, I offered the -younger my hand. At first she firmly declined; but then, manifestly -thinking it churlish, she relented and let me help her. That kiss was -evidently rankling in her mind. - -Both the women breathed more freely when we had reached the shore and -stood secure from the sea. And indeed by this time the view, as we -looked back, was enough to frighten one. Great waves topped with white -were rolling in from as far as we could see; dashing over the rocks, -sending up here and there white towers of spray, or rolling in on the -flat shore in front of us with an ominous roar. Woe betide any one who -might be isolated now on any rock beyond; he would be swept off, and -beaten on the rocks. The old lady groaned as she saw it, and then said -audibly a prayer of thankfulness. Even the girl grew white for a moment; -then, to my secret joy, unconsciously she drew closer to me. I took -control of the party. - -"Come," I said, "you mustn't stand here in your wet clothes. Hurry to -the hotel and get dried. You will get your death of cold. We must all -run! Or hasten, at all events!" I added, as I took in the dimensions of -the elder lady. - -"We have left our trap at the hotel" said the younger lady as we began -to walk quickly in the direction of Port Erroll. - -As we were moving off it suddenly struck me that Gormala might have seen -the episode of the rescue. The very thought of such a thing filled me -with such dismay that I groaned aloud. Not for all the world would I -have had her have a hand in this; it was too sacred--too delightful--too -much apart from ordinary things! Whilst I was lost in a reverie of -inexpressible sweetness for perhaps two or three seconds altogether, I -was recalled to myself by the voice of the girl who came close to me: - -"Are you hurt? Please tell me if you are. I am a First Aid." - -"Hurt?" I asked, surprised "not at all. What on earth makes you think -so?" - -"I heard you groan!" - -"Oh that----" I began with a smile. Then I stopped, for again the -haunting fear of Gormala's interference closed over my heart like a wet -mist. With the fear, however, came a resolution; I would not have any -doubt to torment me. In my glance about the shore, as we came off the -rocks on to the beach, I had not seen a sign of anyone. At this part of -the shore the sandhills have faded away into a narrow flat covered with -bent-grass, beyond which the land slopes up directly to the higher -plain. There was not room or place for any one to hide; even one lying -amongst the long bents could be seen at a glance from above. Without a -word I turned to the left and ran as quickly as I could across the beach -and up the steep bank of the sandy plateau. With a certain degree of -apprehension, and my heart beating like a trip-hammer--I had certainly -taken this matter with much concern--I looked around. Then I breathed -freely; there was not a sign of anyone as far as I could see. The wind, -now coming fiercely in from the sea, swept the tall bent-grass till it -lay over, showing the paler green of its under side; the blue-green, -metallic shimmer which marks it, and which painters find it so hard to -reproduce, had all vanished under the stress. - -I ran back to join the ladies. The elder one had continued walking -stolidly along the shore, leaving a track of wet on the half dry sand -as she went; but the younger one had lingered and came towards me as I -approached. - -"I hope there was nothing wrong?" she asked in a most natural way. - -"No," I said it without thinking, for there was something about the -girl which made me feel as if we were old friends, and I spoke to her -unconsciously in this strain. "It's all right. She's not there!" - -"Who?" she asked with unconsciousness of any _arrière pensée_, an -unconsciousness similar to my own. - -"Gormala!" I answered. - -"And who is Gormala?" For quite a minute or two I walked on without -speaking, for I wanted to think before I answered. I felt that it would -be hard to explain the odd way in which the Seer-woman seemed to have -become tangled up in my life; and yet I wanted to tell this girl. I -feared that she might laugh at me; that she might think me ridiculous; -that she might despise me; or even that she might think me a lunatic! -Then again Gormala might come and tell things to her. There was no -accounting for what the woman might do. She might come upon us at any -moment; she might be here even now! The effect of her following or -watching me had begun to tell on my mind; her existence haunted me. I -looked around anxiously, and breathed freely. There was no sign of her. -My eyes finally fetched up on the face of the girl.... Her beautiful, -dark eyes were fixed on me with interest and wonder. - -"Well!" she said, after a pause, "I don't suppose I'm more inquisitive -than my neighbours, but I should just like to know, right here, what's -wrong with you. You looked round that time just as if you were haunted! -Why did you run away that time and search round as if some one had taken -a pot-shot at you and you wanted to locate him? Why did you groan before -you went, and come back humming? Who is Gormala, anyhow; and why were -you glad that you didn't see her? Why didn't you answer me when I asked -you who she was? Why did you walk along with your head up and your eyes -staring, as though you were seeing visions? And why----" - -All at once she stopped, and a swift blush swept over her face and even -her neck. "Oh," she said in a low tone with a note of pathos in her -voice, "I beg your pardon! my unruly tongue ran away with me. I have no -right to ask so many questions--and from a stranger too!" She stopped as -suddenly as she had begun. - -"You might have spared me that!" I said "I know I have been rude in -delaying to answer your question about Gormala; but the fact is that -there are so many odd things in connection with her that I was really -considering whether you would think me a fool or a lunatic if I told -them to you. And you certainly would not understand why I didn't want -to see her, if I didn't. And perhaps not even if I did," I added as an -afterthought. The girl's awkwardness slipped from her like a robe; the -blush merged into a smile as she turned to me and said: - -"This is most interesting. O! do tell me--if you don't mind." - -"I shall be delighted" I said, and I only expressed my thought. -"Gormala" I began; but just then the stout lady in front of us, who was -now a considerable way ahead, turned round and called to us. I could -only hear "Miss Anita;" but the girl evidently understood, for she -called out: - -"All right! We are coming at once!" and she hurried on. It gave me a -thrill of pleasure that she said "we" not "I;" it was sweet to have a -part in such a comprehension. As we went she turned to me and said: - -"You must tell me all about it; I shan't be happy till I hear the whole -story, whatever it is. This is all too lovely and exciting. I hadn't an -idea when we went out sleepily this morning that there would be so much -in the day to think of afterwards." I felt that I had taken my courage -in both hands as I said: - -"You'll both dine with me at the hotel, won't you. You have missed -lunch and must be hungry, so we can dine early. It will be such a true -pleasure to me; and I can tell you all about everything afterwards, if -we can manage to get a moment alone." - -She paused, and I waited anxiously. Then she spoke with a delightful -smile: - -"That must be as Mrs. Jack says. But we shall see!" With this I had to -be content for the present. - -When we came up to her, Mrs. Jack said in a woeful way: - -"Oh, Miss Anita, I don't know what to do. The sand is so heavy, and my -clothes are so weighty with the wet, and my boots squish so with the -water in them that I'm beginning to think I'll never be able to get warm -or dry again; though I'm both warm enough and dry enough in other ways." -As she spoke she moved her feet somewhat after the manner of a bear -dancing, so as to make her wet boots squeak. I would have liked to have -laughed, though I really pitied the poor thing; but a glance at the -concern on Miss Anita's face checked me. Very tenderly she began to help -and comfort the old lady, and looked at me pleadingly to help her. "Why -dear" she said "no wonder it is hard walking for you with your clothes -so wringing wet," and she knelt down on the wet sand and began to wring -them out. I looked around to see what I could do to help. Just opposite, -where we were the outcrop of rock on which the Hawklaw is based sent up -a jagged spur of granite through the sand, close under the bent-covered -hillocks. I pointed to this and we led the old lady over to it and made -her sit down on a flat rock. Then we proceeded to wring her out, she -all the while protesting against so much trouble being taken about -her. We pulled off her spring-side boots, emptied them out and, with -considerable difficulty, forced them on again. Then we all stood up, and -the girl and I took her arms and hurried her along the beach; we all -knew that nothing could be done for real comfort till we should have -reached the hotel. As we went she said with gratitude in every note of -her voice, the words joggling out of her as she bumped along: - -"Oh, my dears, you are very good to me." - -Once again the use of the plural gave me pleasure. This time, however, -it was my head, rather than my heart, which was affected; to be so -bracketted with Miss Anita was to have hope as well as pleasure. - -Things were beginning to move fast with me. - -When we got to Cruden there was great local excitement, and much running -to and fro on the part of the good people of the hotel to get dry -clothes for the strange ladies. None of us gave any detail as to how the -wetting took place; by some kind of common consent it was simply made -known for the time that they had been overtaken by the tide. When once -the incomplete idea had been started I took care not to elaborate it. I -could see plainly enough that though the elder lady had every wish to be -profuse in the expression of her gratitude to me, the younger one not -only remained silent but now and again restrained her companion by a -warning look. Needless to say, I let things go in their own way; it was -too sweet a pleasure to me to share anything in the way of a secret with -my new friend, to imperil such a bliss by any breach of reticence. The -ladies were taken away to bedrooms to change, and I asked that dinner -for the three of us might be served in my room. When I had changed my -own clothes, over which operation I did not lose any time, I waited in -the room for the arrival of my guests. Whilst the table was being laid I -learned that the two ladies had come to the hotel early in the day in a -dogcart driven by the younger one. They had given no orders except that -the horse should be put up and well cared for. - -It was not long before the ladies appeared. Mrs. Jack began to express -her gratitude to me. I tried to turn it aside, for though it moved me -a little by its genuineness, I felt somewhat awkward, as though I were -accepting praise under false pretences. Such service as I had been able -to render, though of the utmost importance to them, had been so easy of -execution to me that more than a passing expression of thanks seemed -out of place. After all I had only accepted a wetting on behalf of two -ladies placed in an awkward position. I was a good swimmer; and my part -of the whole proceeding was unaccompanied by any danger whatever, I -thought, of course, had it been later in the coming of the storm, things -might have been very different. Here I shuddered as my imagination gave -me an instantaneous picture of the two helpless women in the toils of -the raging sea amongst those grim rocks and borne by that racing tide -which had done poor Lauchlane Macleod to death. As if to emphasise my -fears there now came a terrific burst of wind which seemed to sweep over -the house with appalling violence. It howled and roared above us, so -that every window, chimney and door, seemed to bear the sound right in -upon us. Overhead was heard, between the burst which shook the windows -and doors, that vague, booming sound, which conveys perhaps a better -sense of nature's forces when let loose, than even the concrete -expression of their violence. In this new feeling of the possibilities -of the storm, I realised the base and the truth of the gratitude which -the ladies felt; and I also realised what an awful tragedy might have -come to pass had I or some one else not come down the path from -Whinnyfold just when I did. - -I was recalled to myself by an expression of concern by Mrs. Jack: - -"Look how pale he has got. I do hope he has not been hurt." Mechanically -I answered: - -"Hurt! I was never better in my life," then I felt that my pallor must -have left me and that I grew red with pleasure as I heard Miss Anita -say: - -"Ah! I understand. He did not have any fear for himself; but he -is beginning to feel how terrible it was for us." The fulness of -understanding on the part of the beautiful girl, her perfect and ready -sympathy, the exactness of her interpretation of my mind, made for me an -inexpressible pleasure. - -When I told Mrs. Jack that I had ventured to claim them both as my -guests, and hoped that they would honour me by dining with me, she -looked at her companion in the same inquiring way which I had already -noticed. I could not see the face of the younger lady at the moment as -it was turned away from me, but her approval was manifest; the answer -was made gladly in the affirmative. Then I put forth a hope that they -would allow me to have a carriage ready to take them home, whenever they -might desire, so that they might feel at ease in remaining till they had -been thoroughly restored after their fatigue. I added that perhaps it -would be good for Miss Anita. Mrs. Jack raised her eyebrows slightly, -and I thought there was a note of distance in her voice, as though she -resented in a quiet way my mentioning the name: - -"Miss Anita!" she said; and there was that unconscious stiffening of -the back which evidences that one is on guard. I felt somewhat awkward, -as though I had taken a liberty. The younger lady saw my difficulty, and -with a quick smile jumped to the rescue. - -"Oh Mrs. Jack" she said "I quite forgot that we were never introduced; -but of course he heard you mention my name. It was rather hurried our -meeting; wasn't it? We must set it right now." Then she added very -demurely: - -"Dear Mrs. Jack, will you present to Miss Anita, Mr.----" she looked at -me interrogatively. - -"Archibald Hunter" I said, and the presentation was formally made. Then -Miss Anita answered my question about the carriage: - -"Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Archibald Hunter" I thought she -dwelt on the name, "but we shall drive back as we came. The storm will -not be quite so bad inland, and as it does not rain the cart will be all -right; we have plenty of wraps. The lamps are good, and I know the road; -I noted it well as we came. Is not that right?" she added, turning to -her companion. - -"Quite right, my dear! Do just as you like," and so the manner of their -going was arranged. - -Then we had dinner; a delightful, cosy meal. The fire leaped whenever -the wind roared; and as the darkness of the storm made a sort of -premature nightfall, it gave a pleasant, homely look to everything. -After dinner we sat round the fire, and I think for a time we were -all content. To me it was so like a dream. To sit there close to the -beautiful stranger, and to think of the romantic beginning of our -acquaintance, was enjoyment beyond words. As yet I did not dare to -cast a glance forwards; but I was content to wait for that. I had a -conviction that my own mind was made up. - -After a little while we all became silent. Mrs. Jack was beginning to -doze in her chair, and we two young folk instinctively banded ourselves -together with our youthful superiority over sleep and fatigue. I -sat quite still; there was something so sweet in this organised -companionship of silence that it enraptured me. I did not need Miss -Anita's look of caution to remain quiet; there was something in her -face, some power or quality which was as eloquent as speech. I began to -think of it; and the habit of introspection, which had now become a part -of my nature, asserted itself. How much of this quality I thought, was -in her face, how much in my own eyes and the brain that lay behind them. -I was recalled to myself by a whisper: - -"I thought for a moment you were going to sleep too. Hsh!" she placed a -finger on her lip a moment and then tiptoed over to the sofa; taking a -soft cushion she placed it under Mrs. Jack's head, which had now fallen -over sideways upon the arm of the chair. Then she sat beside me again, -and bending over said softly: - -"While she is asleep would you mind walking down to the beach, I want to -see the waves. They must be big by now; I can hear their roaring from -here." - -"I will go with delight;" I said "but you must wrap up properly. It will -not do to run any chance of a chill." - -"All right, oh wise man! I obey, King Solomon! I shall wait to put on my -own clothes till I get back; and you can lend me a mackie-coat if you -will." I got one of mine for her, the newest; and we walked over the -sandhills to the beach. - -The wind was blowing furiously. It never left off for a moment; but -occasionally there were bursts of such added violence that we found it -difficult to keep our feet. We clung to each other at such moments, and -the very sense of the strength which enabled me to shield her somewhat -from the violence of the storm, made a new feeling of love--I could not -now disguise it from myself. Something went out from me to her; some -subtle feeling which must, I suppose, have manifested itself in some -way, how I know not, for I kept guard upon myself. For one blissful -moment, possibly of forgetfulness, she clung to me as the weak cling to -the strong, the clinging of self-surrender which is equally dear to the -weak and the strong, to the woman and the man. And then she drew herself -sharply away from me. - -There was no misunderstanding the movement; it was an intentional and -conscious one, and the motive which lay behind both was her woman's -mystery. I did not know much about women, but I could make no mistake -as to this. Inasmuch as Providence has thought fit in its wisdom to -make men and women different, it is just as well that each sex should -at critical times use its own potentialities for its protection and -advancement. Herein comes, in the midst of an unnatural civilisation, -the true utility of instinct. Since we have lost the need of early -information of the presence of game or of predatory animals or hostile -men, even our instincts adapt themselves to our surroundings. Many -an act which may afterwards seem the result of long and careful -premeditation is, on reflection, found to be simply the result of that -form of momentary impulse which is in reality a blind obedience to -some knowledge of our ancestors gained through painful experience. -Some protective or militant instinct whose present exercise is but a -variant of its primal use. For an instant the man and the woman were -antagonistic. The woman shrank, therefore it was the man's interest to -advance; all at once the man in me spoke through the bashfulness and -reticence of years: - -"Why do you shrink from me? Have I done anything?" - -"Oh no!" - -"Then why?" A hot blush mantled her face and neck. Had she been an -English girl I should not probably have had a direct answer; she would -have switched conversation on some safer track, or have, after some -skirmishing, forbidden the topic altogether. This girl's training, -however, had been different. Her equal companionship in study with boys -in school and college had taught her the futility of trying to burke a -question when her antagonist was masculine; and the natural pluck and -dominance--the assertion of individuality which is a part of an American -woman's birthright--brought up her pride. Still blushing, but bearing -herself with additional dignity, she spoke. Had she been more -self-conscious, and could she have seen herself at the moment, she would -have recognised to the full that with so much pride and so much dignity -she could well afford to discuss any topic that she chose. - -"The fault is not yours. It is, or it was, my own." - -"You mean when I gave you back your brooch?" The blood deepened and -deepened to a painful intensity. In a low voice, in the tone of speech, -but with only the power of a whisper she answered me: - -"Yes!" This was my chance and I said with all the earnestness I had, and -which I felt to the full: - -"Let me say something. I shall not ever allude to it again unless you -wish. I took that sweet acknowledgment of your gratitude exactly as it -was meant. Do believe that I am a gentleman. I have not got a sister, I -am sorry to say, but if I had, I should not mind her giving a kiss to a -stranger under such circumstances. It was a sweet and womanly act and I -respect--and--like you more for it. I wouldn't, of course, for all the -world you hadn't done it; and I shall never forget it. But believe me -I shall never forget myself on account of it. If I did I should be a -howling cad;--and--that's all." - -As I spoke her face brightened and she sighed with an expression of -relief. The blush almost faded away, and a bright smile broke over her -face. With a serious deep look in the eyes which glistened through her -smile she held out her hand and said: - -"You are a good fellow, and I thank you with all my heart." - -I felt as if I walked on air as we forced our way through the storm -which roared around us, over the sandhills towards the sea. It was with -an exultation that made my head swim that I noticed that she kept step -with me. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -CONFIDENCES AND SECRET WRITING - - -The shore was a miracle of wild water and white foam. When the wind -blows into Cruden Bay there is no end or limit to the violence of waves, -which seem to gather strength as they rush over the flat expanse of -shore. The tide was now only half in, and ordinarily there would have -been a great stretch of bare sand between the dunes and the sea. -To-night, however, the piling up of the waters sent in an unnatural tide -which swept across the flat shore with exceeding violence. The roaring -was interminable, and as we stood down on the beach we were enveloped -in sheets of flying foam. The fierce blasts came at moments with such -strength that it was physically impossible for us to face them. After a -little we took shelter behind one of the wooden bathing-boxes fastened -down under the sandhills. Here, protected from the direct violence -of the storm, the shelter seemed like a calm from which we heard the -roaring of wind and wave as from far off. There was a sense of cosiness -in the shelter which made us instinctively draw close together. I could -have remained happy in such proximity forever, but I feared that it -would end at any moment. It was therefore, with delight that I heard the -voice of Miss Anita, raised to suit the requirements of the occasion: - -"Now that we are alone, won't you tell me about Gormala and the strange -occurrences?" I tried to speak, but the storm was too great for the -purposes of narrative. So I suggested that we should come behind the -sandhill. We went accordingly, and made a nest in a deep hollow behind -the outer range of hillocks. Here crouched among the tall bent, which -flew like whip lashes when the wilder bursts of the storm came, and amid -a never-ending scourge of fine sand swept from the top of the sandhills, -I told her of all my experiences of Gormala and Second Sight. - -She listened with a rapt attention. At times I could not see her face, -for the evening was closing in and the driving clouds overhead, which -kept piling up in great masses along the western horizon, shut out the -remnants of the day. When, however, in the pauses of drifting sand and -flying foam I could see her properly, I found her face positively alight -with eager intelligence. Throughout, she was moved at times, and now and -again crept a little closer to me; as for instance when I told her of -the dead child and of Lauchlane Macleod's terrible struggle for life -in the race of the tide amongst the Skares. Her questions were quite -illuminating to me at moments, for her quick woman's intuition grasped -possibilities at which my mere logical faculties had shied. Beyond all -else, she was interested in the procession of ghosts on Lammas Eve. Only -once during my narrative of this episode she interrupted me; not an -intentional interruption but a passing comment of her own, candidly -expressed. This was where the body of armed men came along; at which she -said with a deep hissing intake of her breath through her teeth: - -"Spaniards! I knew it! They were from some lost ship of the Armada!" -When I spoke of the one who turned and looked at me with eyes that -seemed of the quick, she straightened her back and squared her -shoulders, and looking all round her alertly as though for some hidden -enemy, clenched her hands and shut her lips tightly. Her great dark eyes -seemed to blaze; then she grew calm again in a moment. - -When I had finished she sat silent for a while, her eyes fixed in front -of her as with one whose mind is occupied with introspection. Suddenly -she said: - -"That man had some secret, and he feared you would discover it. I can -see it all! He, coming from his grave, could see with his dead eyes what -you could see with your living ones. Nay, more; he could, perhaps, see -not only that you saw, and what you saw, but where the knowledge would -lead you. That certainly is a grand idea of Gormala's, that of winning -the Secret of the Sea!" After a pause of a few moments she went on, -standing up as she did so and walking restlessly to and fro with -clenched hands and flashing eyes: - -"And if there be any Secrets of the Sea why not win them? If they be of -Spain and the Spaniard, why not, a thousand times more, win them. If the -Spaniard had a secret, be sure it was of no good to our Race. Why--" she -moved excitedly as she went on: "Why this is growing interesting beyond -belief. If his dead eyes could for an instant become quick, why should -not the change last longer? He might materialise altogether." She -stopped suddenly and said: "There! I am getting flighty as usual. I -must think it all over. It is all too wonderful and too exciting for -anything. You will let me ask you more about it, won't you, when we meet -again?" - -When we meet again! Then we would meet again: The thought was a delight -to me; and it was only after several rapturous seconds that I answered -her: - -"I shall tell you all I know; everything. You will be able to help me in -discovering the Mystery; perhaps working together we can win the Secret -of the Sea." - -"That would be too enchanting!" she said impulsively, and then stopped -suddenly as if remembering herself. After a pause she said sedately: - -"I'm afraid we must be going back now. We have a long way to drive; and -it will be quite late enough anyhow." - -As we moved off I asked her if I might not see her and Mrs. Jack safely -home. I could get a horse at the hotel and drive with them. She laughed -lightly as she answered: - -"You are very kind indeed. But surely we shall not need any one! I -am a good driver; the horse is perfect and the lamps are bright. You -haven't any 'hold-ups' here as we have Out West; and as I am not within -Gormala's sphere of influence, I don't think there is anything to -dread!" Then after a pause she added: - -"By the way have you ever seen Gormala since?" It was with a queer -feeling which I could not then analyse, but which I found afterwards -contained a certain proportion of exultation I answered: - -"Oh yes! I saw her only two days ago--" Here I stopped for I was struck -with a new sense of the connection of things. Miss Anita saw the wonder -in my face and drawing close to me said: - -"Tell me all about it!" So I told her of the auction at Peterhead and of -the chest and the papers with the mysterious marks, and of how I thought -it might be some sort of account--"or," I added as a new idea struck -me--"secret writing." When I had got thus far she said with decision: - -"I am quite sure it is. You must try to find it out. Oh, you must, you -must!" - -"I shall," said I, "if you desire it." She said nothing, but a blush -spread over her face. Then she resumed her movement towards the hotel. - -We walked in silence; or rather we ran and stumbled, for the fierce -wind behind us drove us along. The ups and downs of the surface were -veiled with the mist of flying sand swept from amongst the bent-grass -on the tops of the sandhills. I would have liked to help her, but a -judicious dread of seeming officious--and so losing a step in her good -graces--held me back. I felt that I was paying a price of abstinence for -that kiss. As we went, the silence between us seemed to be ridiculous; -so to get over it I said, after searching in my mind for a topic which -would not close up her sympathies with me: - -"You don't seem to like Spaniards?" - -"No," she answered quickly, "I hate them! Nasty, cruel, treacherous -wretches! Look at the way they are treating Cuba! Look at the _Maine_!" -Then she added suddenly: - -"But how on earth did you know I dislike them." I answered: - -"Your voice told me when you spoke to yourself whilst I was telling you -about the ghosts and the man with the eyes." - -"True," she said reflectively. "So I did. I must keep more guard on -myself and not let my feelings run away with me. I give myself away so -awfully." I could have made a reply to this, but I was afraid. That kiss -seemed like an embodied spirit of warning, holding a sword over my head -by a hair. - -It was not long before I found the value of my silence. The lady's -confidence in my discretion was restored, and she began, of her own -initiative, to talk. She spoke of the procession of ghosts; suddenly -stopping, however, as if she had remembered something, she said to me: - -"But why were you so anxious that Gormala should not have seen you -saving us from the rock?" - -"Because," I answered, "I did not want her to have anything to do with -this." - -"What do you mean by 'this'?" There was something in the tone of her -query which set me on guard. It was not sincere; it had not that natural -intonation, even, all through, which marks a question put in simple -faith. Rather was it in the tone of one who asks, knowing well the -answer which will or may be given. As I have said, I did not know much -about women, but the tone of coquetry, no matter how sweet, no matter -how ingenuous, no matter how lovable, cannot be mistaken by any man with -red blood in his veins! Secretly I exulted, for I felt instinctively -that there rested some advantage with me in the struggle of sex. The -knowledge gave me coolness, and brought my brain to the aid of my heart. -Nothing would have delighted me more at the moment than to fling myself, -actually as well as metaphorically, at the girl's feet. My mind was made -up to try to win her; my only thought now was the best means to that -end. I felt that I was a little sententious as I replied to her -question: - -"By 'this' I mean the whole episode of my meeting with you." - -"And Mrs. Jack," she added, interrupting me. - -"And Mrs. Jack, of course," I went on, feeling rejoiced that she had -given me an opportunity of saying something which I would not otherwise -have dared to say. "Or rather I should perhaps say, my meeting with Mrs. -Jack and her friend. It was to me a most delightful thing to meet with -Mrs. Jack; and I can honestly say this day has been the happiest of my -life." - -"Don't you think we had better be getting on? Mrs. Jack will be waiting -for us!" she said, but without any kind of reproach in her manner. - -"All right," I answered, as I ran up a steep sandhill and held out my -hand to help her. I did not let her hand go till we had run down the -other side, and up and down another hillock and came out upon the flat -waste of sand which lay between us and the road, and over which a sort -of ghostly cloud of sand drifted. - -Before we left the sand, I said earnestly: - -"Gormala's presence seems always to mean gloom and sorrow, weeping and -mourning, fear and death. I would not have any of them come near you or -yours. This is why I thanked God then, and thank Him now, that in our -meeting Gormala had no part!" - -She gave me her hand impulsively. As for an instant her soft palm lay -in my palm and her strong fingers clasped mine, I felt that there was a -bond between us which might some day enable me to shield her from harm. - -When Mrs. Jack, and 'her friend', were leaving the hotel, I came to -the door to see them off. She said to me, in a low voice, as I bade -farewell: - -"We shall, I daresay, see you before long. I know that Mrs. Jack intends -to drive over here again. Thank you for all your kindness. Good night!" -There was a shake of the reins, a clatter of feet on the hard road, a -sweeping round of the rays of light from the lamp as the cart swayed at -the start under the leap forward of the high-bred horse and swung up the -steep inland roadway. The last thing I saw was a dark, muffled figure, -topped by a tam-o'-shanter cap, projected against the mist of moving -light from the lamp. - -Next morning I was somewhat _distrait_. Half the night I had lain awake -thinking; the other half I had dreamt. Both sleeping and waking dreams -were mixed, ranging from all the brightness of hope to the harrowing -possibilities of vague, undefined fear. - -Sleeping dreams have this difference over day dreams, that the -possibilities become for the time actualities, and thus for good and -ill, pleasure or pain, multiply the joys or sufferings. Through all, -however, there remained one fixed hope always verging toward belief, I -should see Miss Anita--Marjory--again. - -Late in the afternoon I got a letter directed in a strange hand, fine -and firm, with marked characteristics and well formed letters, and just -enough of unevenness to set me at ease. I am never quite happy with the -writer whose hand is exact, letter by letter, and word by word, and line -by line. So much can be told by handwriting, I thought, as I looked at -the letter lying beside my plate. A hand that has no characteristics is -that of a person insipid; a hand that is too marked and too various is -disconcerting and undependable. Here my philosophising came to an end, -for I had opened the envelope, and not knowing the writing, had looked -at the signature, "Marjory Anita." - -I hoped that no one at the table d'hote breakfast noticed me, for I felt -that I was red and pale by turns. I laid the letter down, taking care -that the blank back page was uppermost; with what nonchalance I could I -went on with my smoked haddie. Then I put the letter in my pocket and -waited till I was in my own room, secure from interruption, before I -read it. - -That one should kiss a letter before reading it, is conceivable, -especially when it is the first which one has received from the girl he -loves. - -It was not dated nor addressed. A swift intuition told me that she had -not given the date because she did not wish to give the address; the -absence of both was less marked than the presence of the one alone. It -addressed me as "Dear Mr. Hunter." She knew my name, of course, for I -had told it to her; it was on the envelope. The body of the letter said -that she was asked by Mrs. Jack to convey her warm thanks for the great -service rendered; to which she ventured to add the expression of her own -gratitude. That in the hurry and confusion of mind, consequent on their -unexpected position, they had both quite forgotten about the boat which -they had hired and which had been lost. That the owner of it would no -doubt be uneasy about it, and that they would both be grateful if I -would see him--he lived in one of the cottages close to the harbour of -Port Erroll--and find out from him the value of the boat so that Mrs. -Jack might pay it to him, as well as a reasonable sum for the loss of -its use until he should have been able to procure another. That Mrs. -Jack ventured to give him so much trouble, as Mr. Hunter had been -already so kind that she felt emboldened to trespass upon his goodness. -And was "yours faithfully, 'Marjory Anita.'" Of course there was a -postscript--it was a woman's letter! It ran as follows: - - "Have you deciphered those papers? I have been thinking over them as - well as other things, and I am convinced they contain some secret. - You must tell me all about them when I see you on Tuesday. - - M." - -I fear that logic, as understood in books, had little to do with my kiss -on reading this; the reasoning belonged to that higher plane of thought -on which rests the happiness of men and women in this world and the -next. There was not a thought in the postscript which did not give me -joy--utter and unspeakable joy; and the more I thought of it and the -oftener I read it the more it seemed to satisfy some aching void in my -heart, "Have you deciphered the papers"--the papers whose existence was -only known to her and me! It was delightful that we should know so much -of a secret in common. She had been 'thinking over them'--and other -things! 'Other things!'--I had been thinking of other things; thinking -of them so often that every detail of their being or happening was -photographed not only on my memory but seemingly on my very soul. And -of all these 'other things' there was one!!... - -To see her again; to hear her voice; to look in her eyes; to see her -lips move and watch each varying expression which might pass across that -lovely face, evoked by thoughts which we should hold in common; to touch -her hand.... - -I sat for a while like one in a rapturous dream, where one sees all the -hopes of the heart fulfilled in completeness and endlessly. And this was -all to be on Tuesday next--Only six days off!... - -I started impulsively and went to the oak chest which stood in the -corner of my room and took out the papers. - -After looking over them carefully I settled quietly down to a minute -examination of them. I felt instinctively that my mandate or commission -was to see if they contained any secret writing. The letters I placed -aside, for the present at any rate. They were transparently simple -and written in a flowing hand which made anything like the necessary -elaboration impossible. I knew something of secret writing, for such had -in my boyhood been a favourite amusement with me. At one time I had been -an invalid for a considerable period and had taken from my father's -library a book by Bishop Wilkins, the brother-in-law of Oliver Cromwell, -called "Mercury: or the Secret and Swift Messenger." Herein were given -accounts of many of the old methods of secret communication, ciphers, -string writing, hidden meanings, and many of the mechanical devices -employed in an age when the correspondence of ambassadors, spies and -secret agents was mainly conducted by such means. This experience had -set my mind somewhat on secret writing, and ever after when in the -course of miscellaneous reading I came across anything relating to the -subject I made a note of it. I now looked over the papers to see if I -could find traces of any of the methods with which I was acquainted; -before long I had an idea. - -It was only a rudimentary idea, a surmise, a possibility; but still it -was worth going into. It was not any cause of undue pride to me, for it -came as a corollary to an established conclusion, rather than as a fine -piece of reasoning from acute observation. The dates of the letters gave -the period as the end of the sixteenth century, when one of the best -ciphers of that time had been conceived, the "Biliteral Cipher" of -Francis Bacon. To this my attention had been directed by the work -of John Wilkins and I had followed it out with great care. As I was -familiar with the principle and method of this cipher I was able to -detect signs of its existence; and this being so, I had at once strong -hopes of being able to find the key to it. The Biliteral cipher has as -its great advantage, that it can be used in any ordinary writing, and -that its forms and methods are simply endless. All that it requires in -the first instance is that there be some method arranged on between the -writer and the reader of distinguishing between different forms of the -same letter. In my desk I had a typewritten copy of a monograph on the -subject of the Biliteral cipher, in which I half suggested that possibly -Bacon's idea might be worked out more fully so that a fewer number of -symbols than his five would be sufficient. Leaving my present occupation -for a moment I went and got it; for by reading it over I might get some -clue to aid me. Some thought which had already come to me, or some -conclusion at which I had already arrived might guide me in this new -labyrinth of figures, words and symbols.[1] - - [1] See Appendix A. - -When I had carefully read the paper, occasionally referring to the -documents before me, I sat down and wrote a letter to Miss Anita -telling her that I had undertaken the task at once on her suggestion and -that I surmised that the method of secret writing adopted if any, was -probably a variant of the Biliteral cipher. I therefore sent her my own -monograph on the subject so that if she chose she might study it and be -prepared to go into the matter when we met. I studiously avoided saying -anything which might frighten her or make any barrier between us; -matters were shaping themselves too clearly for me to allow myself to -fall into the folly of over-precipitation. It was only when I had -placed the letter with its enclosure in the envelope and written -Marjory's--Miss Anita's--name that I remembered that I had not got her -address. I put it in my pocket to keep for her till we should meet on -Tuesday. - -When I resumed my work I began on the two remaining exhibits. The first -was a sheaf of some thirty pages torn out of some black-letter law-book. -The only remarkable thing about it was that every page seemed covered -with dots--hundreds, perhaps thousands on each page. The second was -quite different: a narrow slip of paper somewhat longer than a half -sheet of modern note paper, covered with an endless array of figures in -even lines, written small and with exquisite care. The paper was just -such a size as might be put as marker in an ordinary quarto; that it had -been so used was manifest by the discolouration of a portion of it that -had evidently stuck out at the top of the volume. Fortunately, in its -long dusty rest in the bookshelf the side written on had been downward -so that the figures, though obscured by dust and faded by light and -exposure to the air, were still decipherable. This paper I examined most -carefully with a microscope; but could see in it no signs of secret -writing beyond what might be contained in the disposition of the numbers -themselves. I got a sheet of foolscap and made an enlarged copy, taking -care to leave fair space between the rows of figures and between the -figures themselves. - -Then I placed the copy of figures and the first of the dotted pages side -by side before me and began to study them. - -I confined my attention at first chiefly to the paper of figures, for it -struck me that it would of necessity be the simpler of the two systems -to read, inasmuch as the symbols should be self-contained. In the dotted -letters it was possible that more than one element existed, for the -disposition of significants appeared to be of endless variety, and -the very novelty of the method--it being one to which the eyes and the -senses were not accustomed--made it a difficult one to follow at first. -I had little doubt, however, that I should ultimately find the dot -cipher the more simple of the two, when I should have learned its secret -and become accustomed to its form. Its mere bulk made the supposition -likely that it was in reality simple; for it would be indeed an endless -task, to work out in this laborious form two whole sheets of a -complicated cipher. - -Over and over and over again I read the script of numbers. Forward and -backward; vertically; up and down, for the lines both horizontal and -vertical were complete and exact, I read it. But nothing struck me of -sufficient importance to commence with as a beginning. - -Of course there were here and there repetitions of the same combination -of figures, sometimes two, sometimes three, sometimes four together; but -of the larger combinations the instances were rare and did not afford me -any suggestion of a clue! - -So I became practical, and spent the remainder of my work-time that day -in making by aid of my microscope an exact but enlarged copy, but in -Roman letters, of the first of the printed pages. - -Then I reproduced the dots as exactly as I could. This was a laborious -task indeed. When the page was finished, half-blinded, I took my hat and -went out along the shore towards Whinnyfold. I wanted to go to the Sand -Craigs; but even to myself I said 'Whinnyfold' which lay farther on. - -"Men are deceivers ever," sang Balthazar in the play: they deceive -even themselves at times. Or they pretend they do--which is a new and -advanced form of the same deceit. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -A CLEAR HORIZON - - -If any ordinary person be afflicted with ennui and want something -to take his thoughts away from a perpetual consideration of his own -weariness let me recommend him to take up the interpretation of secret -writing. At first, perhaps, he may regard the matter lightly and be -inclined to smile at its triviality. But after a little while, if he -have in him at all any of the persistence or doggedness which is, and -should be, a part of a man's nature, he will find the subject take -possession of him to the almost entire exclusion of all else. Turn from -it how he will; make he never so many resolutions to put the matter -behind him; try he never so hard to find some more engrossing topic, he -will still find the evasive mystery ever close before him. For my own -part I can honestly say that I ate, drank, slept and dreamed secret -writing during the entire of the days and nights which intervened -between my taking up the task and the coming of Miss Anita to Cruden -Bay. All day long the hidden mystery was before me; wherever I was, in -my room, still or contorting myself; walking on the beach; or out on the -headlands, with the breezes singing in my ears, and the waves lapping -below my feet. Hitherto in my life my only experience of haunting -had been that of Gormala; but even that experience failed before the -ever-hopeful, ever-baffling subject of the cryptograms. The worst of my -feeling, and that which made it more poignant, was that I was of the -firm belief not only that there was a cryptogram but that my mind was -already on the track of it. Every now and again, sometimes when the MS. -or its copy was before me and sometimes when I was out in the open, -for the moment not thinking of it at all, a sort of inspiration would -come to me; some sort of root idea whose full significance I felt it -difficult to grasp. - -My first relief came on Tuesday when at noon I saw the high dog-cart -dash past the gate and draw up short opposite the post-office. - -I did not lose any time in reaching the cart so as to be able to help -the ladies down. Marjory gave me both her hands and jumped lightly, but -the elder lady required a good deal of help. It is always thus; the -experience of every young man is the same. Every woman, old or young, -except the one whom he likes to lift or carry tenderly, is willing to be -lifted or carried in the most leisurely or self-denying manner. - -When Mrs. Jack and 'her friend' had come into the hotel sitting-room the -latter said to me: - -"I hope you forgive us for all the trouble we have put you to." - -"No trouble at all," I answered--and oh! it sounded so tame--"only a -pleasure!" "Thank you," she continued gravely, "that is very nice of -you. Now we want you to add to your kindness and take us out again on -that rock. I have not yet finished my sketch, and I don't like to be -baffled." - -"Finished your sketch, my dear," said Mrs. Jack, in a tone which -manifestly showed that the whole thing was new to her. "Why, Marjory, it -was washed into the sea before Mr. Hunter came to help us!" The slight, -quick blush which rose to her face showed that she understood the false -position in which the maladroit remark placed her; but she went on -pluckily: - -"Oh, yes, dear, I know! What I mean is, that having set my heart on -making that sketch, I want to do it; even if my first effort went wrong. -That is, dear Mrs. Jack, if you do not mind our going out there again." - -"Oh, my dear," said the elder lady, "of course I will do just whatever -you wish. But I suppose it will do if I sit on the rock near at hand? -Somehow, since our experience there, I seem to prefer the mainland than -any place where you may have to swim to get away from it." Marjory -smiled at me as she said to her: - -"That will do capitally. And you can keep the lunch basket; and have -your eye on me and the rising of the tide all the time." - -So I sent to Whinnyfold to have a boat ready when we should drive over. -Whilst the ladies were preparing themselves for the boating trip I -went to my room and took in my pocket the papers from the chest and my -rescripts. I took also the letter which I had not been able to deliver. - -At Whinnyfold Miss Anita and I took the steep zigzag to the beach, -piloted by one of John Hay's boys whilst the other took Mrs. Jack across -the neck of the headland to the Sand Craigs. - -As we went down the steep path, the vision of the procession of ghosts -moving steadily up it on Lammas Eve, came back to me; instinctively I -looked round to see if Gormala was watching. I breathed more freely when -I saw she was not about. - -I should dearly have liked to take Miss Anita alone in the boat, but I -feared that such was not safe. Rowing amongst the rocks of the Skares is -at the best of times no child's play, and I was guardian of too great a -treasure to be willing to run any risks. Young Hay and I pulled, the boy -being in the bow and doing the steering. This position of affairs suited -me admirably, for it kept me close to my companion and facing her. It -was at all times a pleasure to me as it would have been to any man, to -watch her face; but to-day her eager joy at the beauty of all around her -made me thrill with delight. The day was ideal for the place; a bright, -clear day with just a ripple of wind from the water which took the edge -from the July heat. The sea quivered with points of light, as though it -were strewn with diamonds, and the lines of the racing tide threading a -way amongst the rocks below were alone an endless source of interest. -We rowed slowly which is much the safest way of progression in these -waters, and especially when, as now, the tide was running towards the -end of the ebb. As the boy seemed to know every one of the myriad rocks -which topped the water, and by a sort of instinct even those that lay -below, we steered a devious course. I had told him to take us round by -the outer rocks from which thousands of seabirds rose screaming as we -approached; and as we crept in under the largest of them we felt that -mysterious sense of unworthiness which comes to one in deep water under -the shadow of rocks. I could see that Marjory had the sense of doubt, -or of possible danger, which made her clutch hard at each gunwale of -the boat till her knuckles grew white. As we rounded the Reivie o' -Pircappies, and found the tide swirling amongst the pointed rocks, -she grew so deadly pale that I felt concerned. I should have liked to -question her, but as I knew from my experience of her courage that she -would probably prefer that I remained silent, I pretended not to notice. -Male pretence does not count for much with women. She saw through me -at once, and with a faint smile, which lit the pallor of her face like -sunshine on snow, she said in so low a whisper that it did not reach the -fisher boy: - -"I was thinking what it would have been for us that day--only for you." - -"I was glad," I answered in an equally low voice, "to be able to render -any help to--to Mrs. Jack and her friend." - -"Mrs. Jack--and her friend--are very much obliged to you," she answered -gaily in her natural voice and tone. I could see that she had fully -regained her courage, as involuntarily she took her hands from the sides -of the boat. We kept now well out from the rocks and in deep water, -and shortly sighted the Sand Craigs. As we could see Mrs. Jack and her -escort trudging leisurely along the sand, and as we did not wish to -hurry her, I asked young Hay with my companion's consent, to keep -round the outermost of the Sand Craigs, which was now grey-white with -sea-gulls. On our approach the birds all rose and wheeled round with -myriad screaming; the wonder and admiration of the girl's eyes as they -eagerly followed the sweep of the cloud of birds was good to see. - -We hung around the great pointed rock till we saw Mrs. Jack making her -way cautiously along the rocks. We rowed at once to the inner rock and -placed the luncheon basket in a safe place. We then prepared a little -sheltered nook for Mrs. Jack, with rugs and cushions so that she might -be quite at ease. Miss Anita chose the place herself. I am bound to say -it was not just as I should have selected; for when she sat down, her -back was towards the rock from which she had been rescued. It was -doubtless the young girl's thoughtfulness in keeping her mind away from -a place fraught with such unpleasant memories. - -When she was safely installed we dismissed the boys till the half tide. -Mrs. Jack was somewhat tired with her trudge over the sand, and even -when we left her she was nodding her head with coming sleep. Then Miss -Anita got out her little easel which I fixed for her as she directed; -when her camp stool was rightly placed and her palette prepared I sat -down on the rock at her feet and looked at her whilst she began her -work. For a little while she painted in silence: then turning to me she -said suddenly: - -"What about those papers? Have you found anything yet?" It was only then -I bethought me of the letter in my pocket. Without a word I took it out -and handed it to her. There was a slight blush as well as a smile on her -face as she took it. When she saw the date she said impulsively: - -"Why did I not get it before?" - -"Because I had not got your address, and did not know how to reach you." - -"I see!" she answered abstractedly as she began to read. When she had -gone right through it she handed it to me and said: - -"Now you read it out loud to me whilst I paint; and let me ask questions -so that I may understand." So I read; and now and again she asked -me searching questions. Twice or three times I had to read over the -memorandum; but each time she began to understand better and better, and -at last said eagerly: - -"Have you ever worked out such reductions?" - -"Not yet, but I could do so. I have been so busy trying to decipher the -secret writing that I have not had time to try any such writing myself." - -"Have you succeeded in any way?" - -"No!" I answered. "I am sorry to say that as yet I have nothing -definite; though I am bound to say I am satisfied that there is a -cipher." - -"Have you tried both the numbers and the dots?" - -"Both," I answered; "but as yet I want a jumping-off place." - -"Do you really think from what you have studied that the cipher is a -biliteral one, or on the basis of a biliteral cipher?" - -"I do! I can't say exactly how I came to think so; but I certainly do." - -"Are there combinations of five?" - -"Not that I can see." - -"Are there combinations of less than five?" - -"There may be. There are certainly." - -"Then why on earth don't you begin by reducing the biliteral cipher to -the lowest dimensions you can manage? You may light on something that -way." - -A light began to dawn upon me, and I determined that my task--so soon as -my friends had left Cruden--would be to reduce Bacon's biliteral. It was -with genuine admiration for her suggestion that I answered Miss Anita: - -"Your woman's intuition is quicker than my man's ratiocination. 'I shall -in all my best obey you, Madam!'" She painted away steadily for some -time. I was looking at her, covertly but steadily when an odd flash of -memory came to me; without thinking I spoke: - -"When I first saw you, as you and Mrs. Jack stood on the rock, and away -beyond you the rocks were all fringed with foam, your head looked as -if it was decked with flowers." For a moment or two she paused before -asking: - -"What kind of flowers?" - -Once again in our brief acquaintance I stood on guard. There was -something in her voice which made me pause. It made my brain whirl, too, -but there was a note of warning. At this time, God knows, I did not want -any spurring. I was head over heels in love with the girl, and my only -fear was lest by precipitancy I should spoil it all. Not for the wide -world would I have cancelled the hopes that were dawning in me and -filling me with a feverish anxiety. I could not help a sort of satisfied -feeling as I answered: - -"White flowers!" - -"Oh!" she said impulsively, and then with a blush continued, painting -hard as she spoke: - -"That is what they put on the dead! I see!" This was a counter-stroke -with a vengeance. It would not do to let it pass so I added: - -"There is another 'first-column' function also in which white flowers -are used. Besides, they don't put flowers on the head of corpses." - -"Of whom then?" The note of warning sounded again in the meekness of the -voice. But I did not heed it. I did not want to heed it. I answered: - -"Of Brides!" She made no reply--in words. She simply raised her eyes and -sent one flashing glance through me, and then went on with her work. -That glance was to a certain degree encouragement; but it was to a much -greater degree dangerous, for it was full of warning. Although my brain -was whirling, I kept my head and let her change the conversation with -what meekness I could. - -We accordingly went back to the cipher. She asked me many questions, and -I promised to show her the secret writings when we should go back to the -hotel. Here she struck in: - -"We have ordered dinner at the hotel; and you are to dine with us." I -tried not to tremble as I answered: - -"I shall be delighted." - -"And now," she said "if we are to have lunch here to-day we had better -go and wake Mrs. Jack. See! the tide has been rising all the time we -have been talking. It is time to feed the animals." - -Mrs. Jack was surprised when we wakened her; but she too was ready for -lunch. We enjoyed the meal hugely. - -At half-tide the Hay boys came back. Miss Anita thought that there was -enough work for them both in carrying the basket and helping Mrs. Jack -back to the carriage. "You will be able to row all right, will you not?" -she said, turning to me. "You know the way now and can steer. I shall -not be afraid!" - -When we were well out beyond the rock and could see the figures of Mrs. -Jack and the boys getting further away each step, I took my courage in -both hands; I was getting reckless now, and said to her: - -"When a man is very anxious about a thing, and is afraid that just for -omitting to say what he would like to say, he may lose something that he -would give all the rest of the world to have a chance of getting--do--do -you think he should remain silent?" I could see that she, too, could -realise a note of warning. There was a primness and a want of the usual -reality in her voice as she answered me: - -"Silence, they say, is golden." I laughed with a dash of bitterness -which I could not help feeling as I replied: - -"Then in this world the gold of true happiness is only for the dumb!" -she said nothing but looked out with a sort of steadfast introspective -eagerness over the million flashing diamonds of the sea; I rowed on with -all my strength, glad to let go on something. Presently she turned to -me, and with all the lambency of her spirit in her face, said with a -sweetness which tingled through me: - -"Are you not rowing too hard? You seem anxious to get to Whinnyfold. I -fear we shall be there too soon. There is no hurry; we shall meet the -others there in good time. Had you not better keep outside the dangerous -rocks. There is not a sail in sight; not one, so far as I know, over the -whole horizon, so you need not fear any collision. Remember, I do not -advise you to cease rowing; for, after all, the current may bear us -away if we are merely passive. But row easily; and we may reach the -harbour safely and in good time!" - -Her speech filled me with a flood of feeling which has no name. It was -not love; it was not respect; it was not worship; it was not, gratitude. -But it was compounded of them all. I had been of late studying secret -writing so earnestly that there was now a possible secret meaning in -everything I read. But oh! the poverty of written words beside the -gracious richness of speech! No man who had a heart to feel or a brain -to understand could have mistaken her meaning. She gave warning, and -hope, and courage, and advice; all that wife could give husband, or -friend give friend. I only looked at her, and without a word held out my -hand. She placed hers in it frankly; for a brief, blissful moment my -soul was at one with the brightness of sea and sky. - -There, in the very spot where I had seen Lauchlane Macleod go down into -the deep, my own life took a new being. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -IN THE TWILIGHT - - -It was not without misgiving that I climbed the steep zigzag at -Whinnyfold, for at every turn I half expected to see the unwelcome face -of Gormala before me. It seemed hardly possible that everything could -go on so well with me, and that yet I should not be disturbed by her -presence. Miss Anita, I think, saw my uneasiness and guessed the cause -of it; I saw her follow my glances round, and then she too kept an eager -look out. We won the top, however, and got into the waiting carriage -without mishap. At the hotel she asked me to bring to their sitting-room -the papers with the secret writing. She gave a whispered explanation -that we should be quite alone as Mrs. Jack always took a nap, when -possible, before dinner. - -She puzzled long and anxiously over the papers and over my enlarged part -copy of them. Finally she shook her head and gave it up for the time. -Then I told her the chief of the surmises which I had made regarding the -means by which the biliteral cipher, did such exist, might be expressed. -That it must be by marks of some sort was evident; but which of those -used were applied to this purpose I could not yet make out. When I had -exhausted my stock of surmises she said: - -"More than ever I am convinced that you must begin by reducing the -biliteral cipher. Every time I think of it, it seems plainer to me that -Bacon, or any one else using such a system, would naturally perfect it -if possible. And now let us forget this for the present. I am sure you -must want a rest from thinking of the cipher, and I feel that I do. -Dinner is ready; after it, if you will, I should like another run down -to the beach." - -"_Another_" run to the beach! then she remembered our former one as a -sort of fixed point. My heart swelled within me, and my resolution to -take my own course, even if it were an unwise one, grew. - -After dinner, we took our way over the sandhills and along the shore -towards the Hawklaw, keeping on the line of hard sand just below -high-water mark. - -The sun was down and the twilight was now beginning. In these northern -latitudes twilight is long, and at the beginning differs little from the -full light of day. There is a mellowed softness over everything, and all -is grey in earth and sea and air. Light, however, there is in abundance -at the first. The mystery of twilight, as Southerns know it, comes later -on, when the night comes creeping up from over the sea, and the shadows -widen into gloom. Still twilight is twilight in any degree of its -changing existence; and the sentiment of twilight is the same all the -world over. It is a time of itself; between the stress and caution of -the day, and the silent oblivion of the night: It is an hour when all -living things, beasts as well as human, confine themselves to their own -business. With the easy relaxation comes something of self-surrender; -soul leans to soul and mind to mind, as does body to body in moments of -larger and more complete intention. Just as in the moment after sunset, -when the earth is lit not by the narrow disc of the sun but by the -glory of the wide heavens above, twin shadows merge into one, so in the -twilight two natures which are akin come closer to the identity of one. -Between daylight and dark as the myriad sounds of life die away one by -one, the chirp of birds, the lowing of cattle, the bleating of sheep, -the barking of dogs, so do the natural sounds such as the rustle of -trees, the plash of falling water, or the roar of breaking waves wake -into a new force that strikes on the ear with a sense of intention or -conscious power. It is as though in all the wide circle of nature's -might there is never to be such a thing as stagnation; no moment of -poise, save when the spirits of nature proclaim abnormal silence, such -as ruled when earth stood "at gaze, like Joshua's moon on Ajalon." - -The spirits of my companion and myself yielded to this silent influence -of the coming night. Unconsciously we walked close together and in step; -and were silent, wrapt in the beauty around us. To me it was a gentle -ecstasy. To be alone with her in such a way, in such a place, was the -good of all heaven and all earth in one. And so for many minutes we went -slowly on our way along the deserted sand, and in hearing of the music -of the sounding sea and the echoing shore. - -But even Heaven had its revolt. It seems that whether it be on Earth or -in Heaven intelligence is not content to remain in a condition of poise. -Ever there are heights to be won. Out of my own very happiness and the -peace that it gave me, came afresh the wild desire to scale new heights -and to make the present altitude which I had achieved a stepping-off -place for a loftier height. All arguments seemed to crowd in my mind to -prove that I was justified in asking Marjory to be my wife. Other men -had asked women whom they had known but a short time to marry them; and -with happy result. It was apparent that at the least she did not dislike -me. I was a gentleman, of fair stock, and well-to-do; I could offer her -a true and a whole heart. She, who was seemingly only companion to a -wealthy woman, could not be offended at a man's offering to her all -he had to give. I had already approached the subject, and she had not -warned me off it; she had only given me in a sweetly artful way advice -in which hope held a distinct place. Above all, the days and hours and -moments were flying by. I did not know her address or when I should see -her again, or if at all. This latest thought decided me. I would speak -plainly to-night. - -Oh, but men are dull beside women in the way of intuition. This girl -seemed to be looking over the sea, and yet with some kind of double -glance, such as women have at command, she seemed to have been all the -time looking straight through and through me and getting some idea -of her own from my changing expression. I suppose the appearance of -determination frightened her or set her on guard, for she suddenly said: - -"Ought we not to be turning home?" - -"Not yet!" I pleaded, all awake in a moment from my dreams. "A few -minutes, and then we can go back." - -"Very well," she said with a smile, and then added demurely; "we must -not be long." I felt that my hour had come and spoke impulsively: - -"Marjory, will you be my wife?" Having got out the words I stopped. My -heart was beating so heavily that I could not speak more. For a few -seconds, which seemed ages to me, we were both silent. I daresay that -she may have been prepared for something; from what I know now I am -satisfied that her own intention was to ward off any coming difficulty. -But the suddenness and boldness of the question surprised her and -embarrassed her to silence. She stopped walking, and as she stood still -I could see her bosom heave--like my own. Then with a great effort, -which involved a long breath and the pulling up of her figure and the -setting back of her shoulders, she spoke: - -"But you know nothing of me!" - -"I know all of you that I want to know!" This truly Hibernian speech -amused her, even through her manifest emotion and awkwardness, if one -can apply the word to one compact of so many graces. I saw the smile, -and it seemed to set us both more at ease. - -"That sounds very rude," she said "but I understand what you mean, and -take it so." This gave me an opening into which I jumped at once. She -listened, seeming not displeased at my words; but on the whole glad of a -moment's pause to collect her thoughts before again speaking: - -"I know that you are beautiful; the most beautiful and graceful girl I -ever saw. I know that you are brave and sweet and tender and thoughtful. -I know that you are clever and resourceful and tactful. I know that you -are a good comrade; that you are an artist with a poet's soul. I know -that you are the one woman in all the wide world for me; that having -seen you there can never be any one else to take your place in my heart. -I know that I would rather die with you in my arms, than live a king -with any other queen!" - -"But you have only seen me twice. How can you know so many nice things -about me. I wish they were all true! I am only a girl; and I must say it -is sweet to hear them, whether they be true or not. Anyhow, supposing -them all true, how could you have known them?" - -Hope was stepping beside me now. I went on: - -"I did not need a second meeting to know so much. To-day was but a -repetition of my joy; an endorsement of my judgment; a fresh rivetting -of my fetters!" She smiled in spite of herself as she replied: - -"You leave me dumb. How can I answer or argue with such a conviction." -Then she laid her hand tenderly on my arm as she went on: - -"Oh, I know what you mean, my friend. I take it all in simple truth; and -believe me it makes me proud to hear it, though it also makes me feel -somewhat unworthy of so much faith. But there is one other thing which -you must consider. In justice to me you must." She paused and I felt my -heart grow cold. "What is it?" I asked. I tried to speak naturally but I -felt that my voice was hoarse. Her answer came slowly, but it seemed to -turn me to ice: - -"But I don't know you!" - -There was a pity in her eyes which gave me some comfort, though not -much; a man whose soul is crying out for love does not want pity. -Love is a glorious self-surrender; all spontaneity; all gladness, all -satisfaction, in which doubt and forethought have no part. Pity is a -conscious act of the mind; wherein is a knowledge of one's own security -of foothold. The two can no more mingle than water and oil. - -The shock had come, and I braced myself to it. I felt that now if ever -I should do my devoir as a gentleman. It was my duty as well as my -privilege to shield this woman from unnecessary pain and humiliation. -Well I knew, that it had been pain to her to say such a thing to me; and -the pain had come from my own selfish impulse. She had warned me earlier -in the day, and I had broken through her warning. Now she was put in -a false position through my act; it was necessary I should make her -feelings as little painful as I could. I had even then a sort of dim -idea that my best plan would have been to have taken her in my arms and -kissed her. Had we both been older I might have done so; but my love was -not built in this fashion. Passion was so mingled with respect that the -other course, recognition of, and obedience to, her wishes seemed all -that was open to me. Besides it flashed across me that she might take it -that I was presuming on her own impulsive act on the rock. I said with -what good heart I could: - -"That is an argument unanswerable, at present. I can only hope that time -will stand my friend. Only" I added and my voice choked as I said it -"Do, do believe that I am in deadly earnest; that all my life is at -stake; and that I only wait, and I will wait loyally with what patience -I can, in obedience to your will. My feelings and my wish, and--and my -request will stand unaltered till I die!" She said not a word, but the -tears rose up in her beautiful eyes and ran down her blushing cheeks as -she held out her hand to me. She did not object when I raised it to my -lips and kissed it with all my soul in the kiss! - -We turned instinctively and walked homewards. I felt dejected, but not -broken. At first the sand seemed to be heavy to my feet; but when after -a little I noticed that my companion walked with a buoyancy unusual even -to her, I too became gay again. We came back to the hotel much in the -spirit in which we had set out. - -We found Mrs. Jack dressed, all but her outer cloak, and ready for the -road. She went away with Marjory to finish her toilet, but came back -before her younger companion. When we were alone she said to me after a -few moments of 'hum'ing and 'ha'ing and awkward preparation of speech: - -"Oh Mr. Hunter, Marjory tells me that she intends to ride on her bicycle -down to Aberdeen from Braemar where we are going on Friday. I am to -drive from Braemar to Ballater and then go on by train so that I shall -be in before her, though I am to leave later. But I am fearful about the -girl riding such a journey by herself. We have no gentleman friend here, -and it would be so good of you to take charge of her, if you happened -to be anywhere about there. I know I can trust you to take care of her, -you have been so good to her, and to me, already." - -My heart leaped. Here was an unexpected chance come my way. Time was -showing himself to be my friend already. - -"Be quite assured," I said as calmly as I could "I shall be truly glad -to be of the least service. And indeed it will just suit my plans, as I -hoped to go to Braemar on my bicycle one day very soon and can arrange -to go just as may suit you. But of course you understand that I must not -go unless Miss Anita wishes it. I could not presume to thrust myself -upon her." - -"Oh that is all right!" she answered quickly, so quickly that I took it -that she had already considered the matter and was satisfied about it. -"Marjory will not object." Just then the young lady entered the room and -Mrs. Jack turning to her said: - -"I have asked Mr. Hunter my dear to ride down with you from Braemar; and -he says that as it just suits his plans as he was going there he will be -very happy if you ask him." She smiled as she said: - -"Oh since you asked him and he had said yes I need not ask him too; but -I shall be very glad!" I bowed. When Mrs. Jack went out, Marjory turning -to me said: - -"When did you plan to go to Braemar?" - -"When Mrs. Jack told me you were going" I answered boldly. - -"Oh! I didn't mean that," she said with a slight blush "but at what time -you were to be there." To which I said: - -"That will be just to suit your convenience. Will you write and let me -know?" She saw through my ruse of getting a letter, and smilingly held -up a warning finger. - -As we strolled up the road, waiting for the dog-cart to be got ready, -she said to me: - -"Now you can be a good comrade I know; and you said that, amongst other -things, I was a good comrade. So I am; and between Braemar and Aberdeen -we must both be good comrades. That and nothing more! Whatever may come -after, for good or ill, that time must be kept apart." - -"Agreed!" I said and felt a secret exultation as we joined Mrs. Jack. -Before they started Marjory said: - -"Mrs. Jack I also have asked Mr. Hunter to come on the ride from -Braemar. I thought it would please him if we both asked him, since he is -so diffident and unimpulsive!" - -With a smile she said good-bye and waved it with her whip as they -started. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE CIPHER - - -I went straight to my own room and commenced to work afresh on the -biliteral cipher. More than ever had I the conviction upon me that the -reading of the secret writing would be the first step to the attainment -of my wishes regarding Marjory. It would have been strange therefore if -I had not first attempted the method which she had herself suggested, -the reducing the Baconian cipher to its lowest elements. - -For many hours I laboured at this work, and finally when I had reduced -the Baconian five symbols to three I felt that I had accomplished all -that was possible in that way.[2] - - [2] See Appendix B. - -When I had arrived at this result, and had tested its accuracy in -working, I felt in a position to experiment with my new knowledge on the -old number cipher. First I wrote out my method of reduction as a sort of -addendum to the paper which I had prepared for Marjory. Then I made a -key to cipher and one to de-cipher.[3] By this time the night was well -on and the grey of early morning was beginning to steal in by the edges -of the blinds; I was not sleepy, however; I was too much excited to -think of sleep, for the solving of the problem seemed almost within my -grasp. Excited to a state which almost frightened me by its intensity, I -got ready my copy of the number cipher and my newly prepared key. With -an effort which took me all my resolution I went on steadily writing -its proper letter under each combination without once looking back; for -I knew that even should some of the letters be misplaced in the key -the chance of recognising the right ones would be largely increased by -seeing a considerable number of letters together. - - [3] See Appendix C. - -Then I glanced over the whole and found that many of the symbols made up -letters. With such a basis to work on, the rest was only labour. A few -tentative efforts and I had corrected the key to agreement with some of -the combinations in the cipher. - -I found, however, that only here and there were letters revealed; try -how I would, I could not piece out the intervening symbols. At last it -occurred to me that there might be in the paper two or more ciphers. On -trying to follow out the idea, it became apparent that there were at -least a quantity of impeding numbers scattered through the cipher. These -might be only put in to baffle pursuit, as I had surmised might be done -when I made the cipher; or they might have a more definite purpose. At -any rate they hampered my work, so I struck them out as I went along. -That I continued till I had exhausted the whole list of numbers in the -script. - -When I looked back over the letters translated from the cipher thus -depleted, I found to my inexpressible joy that the sequence and sense -were almost complete. The translation read as follows: - -"To read the history of the Trust use cipher of Fr. Bacon. The senses -and the figures are less worthy than the Trinity B. de E." - -One step more and my work was done. I set the discarded numbers in -sequence on another sheet of paper, and found to my intense satisfaction -they formed an inner record readable by the same key. The "encloased" -words, to use Bacon's phrase, were: - -"Treasure Cave cliff one and half degree Northe of East from outer -rock." - -Then and then only did I feel tired. The sun was well up but I tumbled -into bed and was asleep in a moment. - -The gong was sounding for breakfast when I awoke. After breakfast when -I resumed my work I set myself to construct a variant of my number key -to suit the dotted letters, for my best chance, now that I was on the -track was to construct rather than to decipher. After some hard work I -at last constructed a cipher on this plan.[4] - - [4] See Appendix D. - -I then began therefore to apply my new key to the copy of the cipher in -the printed pages. - -I worked steadily and completed the whole of the first page, writing -down only the answer to those combinations which fitted into my scheme, -and leaving all doubtful matters blank. Then I laid aside my key, and -with a beating heart glanced over the result. - -It more than satisfied me, for in the scattered letters though there -were many blanks, was manifestly a connected narrative. Then I took the -blanks and worked at them altering my key to suit the scheme of the -original writer, till by slow degrees I had mastered the secret of the -cipher construction. - -From that hour on, till I had translated the cipher writing from -beginning to end I knew no rest that I could avoid. I had to take my -meals, and to snatch a few hours of sleep now and again; for the labour -of translation was very arduous and slow, and the strain on my eyes -was too great to be kept up continuously; with each hour, however, I -acquired greater facility in the work. It was the evening of the fourth -day, however, before my work was complete. I was then absolute master -of the writer's intent. - -All this time I had not heard from Marjory, and this alone made -excessive work a necessary anodyne. Had I not had the long and -overwhelming preoccupation to keep my mind from dwelling on the never -ending disappointment, I do not know what I should have done. I fully -expected a letter by the last post that night. I knew Marjory was -staying somewhere in the County; it was by that post that we received -local letters. None came, however, and that night I spent in making a -fair transcript of the whole translation. - -The first part of it was in the shape of a letter, and ran as follows: - - "My deare Sonne, These from the towne of Aberdeyne in Scotland - wherin I lie sick, and before I go on my quest for the fullfillment - of my Trust. I have written, from time to time during my long - sickness, a full narrative of what has been; so that you may know - all as though your own ears had heard and your own eyes had seen. - All that I have written is to the one end--that you my eldest sonne - and the rest of my children, may, should I fail--and I am weak in - bodie to so strive--carry on the Trust to which I have pledged you - as well as myself; so that untill that Trust be yielded up complete, - neither I nor you nor they are free to any that may clash with the - purpose to which our race is henceforth now devoted. But that mine - oath may not press overhard on my children, and if need be on their - children and their children's children to the end, it will suffice - if one alone at all times shall hold himself or herself pledged to - the fullfillment of the Trust. To this end I charge herewith all of - my blood and race that the eldest sonne of each generation do hold - himself pledged to the purpose of the Trust, unless some other of - the direct lineage do undertake it on his behalf. In default of - which, or if such undertaken Trust shall fail, then the duty - reverteth back and back till one be found whose duty it is by - priority of inheritance, unless by some other of the direct lineage - the Trust be undertaken on his behalf. And be mindful one and all to - whom is this sacred duty that secrecy is of its very essence. The - great Trust was to me in the first instance in that His Holiness - Pope Sixtus Fifth and my good kinsman known as the Spanish Cardinal - held graciouslly that I was one in whose heart the ancient honour of - our dear Spain had a place of lodgement so secure that time alone - could not efface it nor its continuance in the hearts of my - children. To the purpose then of this great Trust His Holiness hath - himself given to me and mine full powers of all kinds so to deal - with such circumstances as may arise that the labour which we have - undertaken may in all cases be brought to a successful issue. To the - which His Holiness hath formulated a Quittance which shall be - co-existent with the Trust and which shall purge the natural sin of - any to whom in the discharge of the duties of the Trust any - necessity may arise. But inasmuch as the Trust is a secret one and - the undue publication of such Quittance might call the attention of - the curious to its existence, such Document is filed in the secret - record of the Vatican, where, should necessity hereafter arise, it - may be found by the Holy Father who may then occupy the Chair of St. - Peter on application made to him on behalf of any who may so offend - against law or the rules of well-being which govern the children of - Christ. And I charge you, oh! my sonne to ever bear in mind that - though there be some strange things in the narrative they are in - mine own eyes true in all ways, though it may appear to you that - they accord not with what may be said hereafter of these time's by - other men. - - "And oh, my sonne, and my children all, take this my last blessing - and with it my counsel that ye walk always in Faith and - Righteousness, in Honour and in Good Report, with your duty ever to - Holy Church and to the King in loyal service. Farewell! God and the - Blessed Virgin and the Saintes and Angels watch over you and help - you that your duty be done. - - "Your father in all love, - "BERNARDINO DE ESCOBAN." - - "These will be brought by a trusty hand, for I fear lest they shall - fall into the hands of the English Queene, or any of her hereticall - surroundings. If it be that you fail at the first in the speedy - fullfillment of the Trust--as may be, now that the purpose of our - great Armada hath been checked--it may be well that whoso to whom - is the Trust may come hither and dwell upon these shores so that he - may watch over the purpose of the Trust and be at hand for its - fullfillment when occasion may serve. But be mindful ever, oh my - sonne, that who so guardeth the Trust will be ever surrounded by - enemies, heathenish and without remorse, whose greed should it ever - be awakened to this purpose would be fatal to all which we cherish. - Dixi." - -Following this came: - - "Narrative of Bernardino de Escoban, Knight of the Cross of the Holy - See and Grandee of Spain. - - In this was set out at full length[5] the history of the great - Treasure gathered by Pope Sixtus Fifth for the subjugation of - England, and which he entrusted to the writer of the narrative who - had at his own cost built and manned one of the vessels of the - Armada the _San Cristobal_ flagship of the Squadron of the Galleons - of Castile. The Pope, wearied by the demands of Philip of Spain and - offended by his claim to appoint bishops under the new domain and - further incensed by the incautious insolence of Count de Olivares - the Spanish ambassador to Rome, has chosen to make this a secret - trust and has on the suggestion of the Spanish Cardinal chosen Don - Bernardino de Escoban for the service. In furtherance of his design - he has sent him for his new galleon a "figurehead" wrought in - silver and gold for his own galley by Benvenuto Cellini. Also he - has given him as a souvenir a brooch wrought by the same - master-hand, the figurehead wrought _in petto_. Don Bernardino - gives account of the defeat of the Armada and tells how his vessel - being crippled and he being fearful of the seizure of the treasure - entrusted to him buries it and the coveted figurehead in a water - cave at the headland of a bay on the coast of Aberdeyne. He has - blown up the opening of the cave for safety. In the narrative were - certain enlightening phrases such as when the Pope says: - - [5] See Appendix E. - -"'To which end I am placing with you a vastness of treasure such as no -nation hath ever seen." Which was to be applied to only the advancement -of the True Faith, and which was in case of failure of the enterprise of -the Armada to be given to the custody of whatever King should, after the -death of Sixtus V, sit upon the throne. And again: - -"'The Cave was a great one on the south side of the Bay with many -windings and blind offsets.... 'The black stone on one hand and the red -on the other giving back the blare of the lantern.'" - -The memoranda which follow give the future history of the Trust: - - "The narrative of my father, the great and good Don Bernardino de - Escoban, I have put in the present form for the preservation of the - secret. For inasmuch as the chart to which he has alluded is not to - be found, though other papers and charts there be, it may be - necessary that a branch of our house may live in this country in - obedience to the provision of the Trust and so must learn to speak - the English as though it were the mother tongue. As I was but a - youth when my father wrote, so many years have elapsed that death - has wrought many changes and the hand that should have carried the - message and given me the papers and the chart is no more, lying as - is thought beside my father amongst the surges of the Skyres. So - that only a brief note pointing to the contents of an oaken chest - wherein I found them, though incomplete, was all that I had to guide - me. The tongue that might have spoken some added words of import was - silent for ever - - "FRANCISCO DE ESCOBAN." - "23, October, 1599." - - - "The narrative of my grandfather, together with my father's note - have I Englished faithfully and put in this secret form for the - guidance of those who may follow me, and whose life must be passed - in this rigorous clime untill the sacred Trust committed to us by - Pope Sixtus the Fifth be fullfilled. When on the death of my elder - brother, I being but the second son, I was sent to join my father - in Aberdeyne, I made grave preparation for bearing worthily the - burden laid upon us by the Trust and so schooled myself in the - English that it is now as my mother tongue. Then when my father, - having completed the building of his castle, set himself to the - finding of the cave whereof the secret was lost, in which emprise - he, like my grandfather lost his life amongst the waters of the - Skyres of Crudene. Ye that may follow me in the trust regard well - this secret writing, made for the confusion of the curious but to - the preservation of our secret. Bear ever in mind that not all that - is shows on the surface of even simple words. The cipher of my - Grandfather devised by Fr. Bacon now High Chancellor of England has - many mouths, all of which may speak if there be aught to say. - - "BERNARDINO DE ESCOBAN." - "4, July, 1620." - - -In addition to the cipher narrative I found on close examination that -there was a separate cipher running through the marginal notes on the -earlier of the printed pages. When translated it ran as follows: - - "Cave mouthe northe of outer rock one degree and half North of East. - Reef lies from shore point three and half degrees South of South - East." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -A RIDE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS - - -I read Don Escoban's narrative over and over again, till I had -thoroughly mastered every detail of it; then I studied the key of the -number cipher till I had it by heart. I had an instinct that memory -on this subject would be a help and a safety to me now or hereafter. -For now new doubts had begun to assail me. What I had learned was in -reality a State secret and had possible consequences or eventualities -which, despite the lapse of three centuries, might prove far-reaching -and dangerous. The treasure in question was so vast, its purpose so -definite, and its guardianship so jealously protected against time and -accident, that there was but little chance of forgetfulness regarding -it. I was not assailed by moral scruples in any way. The treasure had -been amassed and dedicated to the undoing of England; and for those -who had gathered it and sent it forth I had no concern. That it had -been hidden in Britain by Britain's enemies during time of war surely -deprived them of all right to recover by legal means. What the law might -be on the subject I did not know, and till I knew I cared little. It was -a case of "finders keepers," and if I could find it first I held myself -justified in using it to my own purposes. All the same I made up my mind -to look up the law of Treasure Trove, which I had a hazy idea was in a -pretty uncertain condition. At first none of these issues troubled me. -They were indeed side issues till the treasure should be found; when -they would become of prime importance. I had felt that my first step to -winning the hand of Marjory Anita was to read the cipher. This I had -done; and in the doing had made discovery of a secret of such a nature -that it might place me beyond the dreams of avarice, and in a position -to ask any girl in the world to marry me. I believe that I regarded the -treasure as already my own; as much as though I had already recovered it -from the bowels of the earth. - -Early in the morning I took my way to Whinnyfold, bringing with me a -pocket compass so that I could locate the exact spot where the mouth -of the cave had been closed. I knew of course that even granite rocks -cannot withstand untouched the beating of three centuries of stormy sea, -the waste of three hundred summers and winters, and the thousands of -nights of bitter frost and days of burning sun which had come to pass -since the entrance of the cave had been so rudely shaken down. But I -was, I confess, not prepared for the utter annihilation which had come -to every trace of its whereabouts. Time after time the sea had bitten -into the land; and falling rocks, and creeping verdure, and drifting -sand had changed the sea-front beyond all recognition. - -I did what I could, however, to take the bearings of the place as laid -down by Don de Escoban by walking along the top of the cliff, beginning -at the very edge of Witsennan Point till I reached a spot where the -south end of the outer rock of the Skares stood out. - -Then to my surprise I found that it was as near as possible in the -direction of my own house. In fact when I looked at the plan which the -local surveyor had made of my house I found that the northern wall made -a bee line for the south end of the main rock of the Skares. As it was -manifest that what had originally been the front of the cave had fallen -in and been partly worn and worked away, my remaining hope was that the -cave itself lay under part of my ground if not under the house itself. -This gave a new feature to the whole affair. If my surmise were correct -I need not hurry at all; the safest thing I could do would be to quietly -make an opening from my house into the cave, and explore at leisure. All -seemed clear for this proceeding. The workmen who had done the building -were gone, and the coming of the decorators had not yet been fixed. I -could therefore have the house to myself. As I went back to the hotel, I -planned out in my mind how I should get from Glasgow or Aberdeen proper -implements for digging and cutting through the rock into the house; -these would be sent in cases, so that no one would suspect what I was -undertaking. The work would have to be done by myself if I wished to -preserve secrecy. I had now so much to tell Marjory when we should meet -that I felt I should hardly know where to begin, and the business side -of my mind began to plan and arrange so that all things might come in -due order and to the best effect. - -When I got to the hotel I found awaiting me a letter from Marjory which -had come by the last post. I took it away to my room and locked the door -before opening it. It had neither address nor date, and was decidedly -characteristic: - - "My dear Sir: Mrs. Jack asks me to write for her to say that we - shall be leaving Braemar on Tuesday. We shall be staying at the Fife - Arms Hotel, and she will be very happy if you will breakfast with us - at nine o'clock A. M. Room No. 16. This is all of course in case you - care to ride down to Aberdeen. We are breakfasting so early as the - ride is long, sixty miles, and Mrs. Jack thinks that I should have - a rest at least twice on the way. As I believe you know the road, - she will be glad if you will kindly arrange our stopping places. - Mrs. Jack will leave Braemar at about three o'clock and drive down - to Ballater to catch the half-past five train. She asks me to say - that she hopes you will pardon her for the trouble she is giving - you, and to impress on you that in case you would rather not come, - or should anything occur to prevent you, she will quite understand a - telegram with the single word 'regret.' By the way she will be - obliged if you will kindly not mention her name--either her surname - or her Christian name--before any of the people--strangers or hotel - people, at Braemar or during the journey--or indeed during the day. - Believe me, - - Yours very truly, - "MARJORY ANITA." - - "P.S.--How about the cipher; have you reduced the biliteral, or got - any clue yet? - - "P.P.S.--I don't suppose that anything, unless it be really - serious, will prevent your coming. Mrs. Jack is so looking forward - to my having that bicycle ride. - - "P.P.P.S.--Have you second-sighted any ships yet? Or any more white - flowers--for the Dead?" - -For long I sat with the letter in my hand after I had read it over and -over again many many times. Each time I read it its purpose seemed more -luminous. It may have been that my old habit of a year ago of finding -secret meanings in everything was creeping back to me. I thought and -thought; and the introspective habit made me reason out causes even in -the midst of imaginative flights. "Might not" I thought "it be possible -that there be minor forms of Second Sight; Day Dreams based on some -great effort of truth. In the real world there are manifestations of -life in lower as well as higher forms; and yet all alike are instinct -with some of that higher principle which divides the quick and the dead. -The secret voices of the brain need not always speak in thunder; the -Dream-Painter within us need not always have a full canvas for the -exercise of his craft." - -On Tuesday morning when at nine o'clock to the minute I went to the Fife -Arms at Braemar, I found Marjory alone. She came forward with a bright, -frank smile and shook hands. "It's real good to see you" was all she -said. Presently she added: - -"Mrs. Jack will be here in a minute or two. Before she comes, it is -understood that between this and Aberdeen and indeed for to-day, you and -I are only to be comrades." - -"Yes!" said I, and then added: "Without prejudice!" She showed her -pearly teeth in a smile as she answered: - -"All right. Without prejudice! Be it so!" Then Mrs. Jack came in, and -having greeted me warmly, we sat down to breakfast. When this was over, -Marjory cut a good packet of sandwiches and tied them up herself. These -she handed to me saying: - -"You will not mind carrying these. It will be nicer having our lunch out -than going to a hotel; don't you think so?" Needless to say I cordially -acquiesced. Both our bicycles were ready at the door, and we lost no -time in getting under weigh. Indeed my companion showed some anxiety to -be off quickly, as though she wished to avoid observation. - -The day was glorious. There was bright sunshine; and a sky of turquoise -with here and there a flock of fleecy clouds. The smart easterly breeze -swept us along as though we were under sail. The air was cool and the -road smooth as asphalt, but with the springiness of well-packed gravel. -With the least effort of pedalling we simply seemed to fly. I could see -the exhilaration on my companion's face as clearly as I could feel it in -my own nature. All was buoyancy, above, below, around us; and I doubt if -in all the wide circle of the sun's rays there were two such glad hearts -as Marjory's and my own. - -As we flew along, the lovely scenery on either hand seemed like an -endless panorama. Of high mountains patched with heather which here and -there, early in the year as it was, broke out in delicate patches of -pink; of overarching woods whose creaking branches swaying in the wind -threw kaleidoscopic patterns of light along our way; of a brown river -fed by endless streams rushing over a bed of stones which here and there -lifted their dark heads through the foam of the brown-white water; of -green fields stretching away on either side of the river or rising -steeply from our feet to the fringes of high-lying pines or the black -mountains which rose just beyond; of endless aisles of forest where, -through the dark shade of the brown trunks, rose from the brown mass -of long-fallen pine needles which spread the ground below, and where -patches of sunlight fell in places with a seemingly intolerable glare! -Then out into the open again where the sunlight seemed all natural and -even the idea of shade unreal. Down steep hills where the ground seemed -to slide back underneath our flying wheels, and up lesser hills, swept -without effort by the wind behind us and the swift impetus of our pace. - -After a while the mountains before us, which at first had seemed like an -unbroken line of frowning giants barring our course, seemed to open a -way to us. Round and round we swept, curve after curve yielding and -falling back and opening new vistas; till at the last we passed into the -open gap between the hills around Ballater. Here in the face of possible -danger we began to crawl cautiously down the steep hill to the town. -Mrs. Jack had proposed that we should make our first halt at Ballater. -As, however, we put on pace again at the foot of the hill Marjory said: - -"Oh do not let us stop in a town. I could not bear it just after that -lovely ride through the mountains." - -"Agreed!" I said "let us push on! That twenty miles seems like nothing. -Beyond Cambus-o-May there is a lake on the northern side; we can ride -round it and come back to the road again at Dinnet. If you like we can -have our lunch in the shelter of a lovely wood at the far side of it." - -"That will be enchanting!" she said, and the happy girlish freshness of -her voice was like a strain of music which suited well the scene. When -we had passed Ballater and climbed the hill up to the railway bridge we -stopped to look back; and in sheer delight she caught hold of my arm and -stood close to me. And no wonder she was moved, for in the world there -can be few places of equal beauty of a similar kind. Right above us to -the right, and again across the valley, towered mountains of rich brown -with patches of purple and lines of green; and in front of us in the -centre of the amphitheatre, two round hills, looming large in a delicate -mist, served as portals to the valley which trended upward between -the hills beyond. The road to Braemar seemed like a veritable road of -mystery, guarded by an enchanted gate. With a sigh we turned our backs -on all this beauty, and skirting the river, ran by Cambus-o-May and -between woods of pine in an opening vista of new loveliness. Eastward -before us lay a mighty sweep of hill and moor, backed on every side by -great mountains which fell away one behind the other into misty distance -of delicate blue. At our feet far below, lay two spreading lakes of -sapphire hue, fringed here and there with woods, and dotted with little -islands whose trees bent down to the water's edge. Marjory stood rapt -for awhile, her breast heaving and her face glowing. At last she turned -to me with a sigh; her beautiful eyes were bright with unshed tears as -she said: - -"Oh, was there ever in the world anything so beautiful as this Country! -And was there ever so exquisite a ride as ours to-day!" - -Does ever a man love a woman more than when she shows herself -susceptible to beauty, and is moved to the fulness and simplicity of -emotion which is denied to his own sex? I thought not, as Marjory and I -swept down the steep road and skirted by the crystal lakes of Ceander -and Davan to the wood in which we were to have our _al fresco_ lunch. -Here, sheltered from the wind, the sunshine seemed too strong to make -sitting in the open pleasant; and we were glad to have the shade of the -trees. As we sat down and I began to unpack the luncheon, Marjory said: - -"And now tell me how you have been getting on with the cipher." I stood -still for so long that she raised her head and took a sharp glance of -surprise at me. - -In the charm of her presence I had absolutely forgotten all about the -cipher and what might grow from it. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -A SECRET SHARED - - -"There is so much to tell" I said "that I hardly know where to begin. -Perhaps I had better tell you all here, where we are alone and not -likely to be disturbed. We have come so fast that we have lots of time -and we need not hurry. When you have had your lunch I shall tell you -all." - -"Oh please don't wait till then," she said, "I am all impatience. Let me -know right away." - -"Young woman" I said sternly "you are at present insincere. You _know_ -you are ravenously hungry, as you should be after a twenty mile ride; -and you are speaking according to your idea of convention and not out of -your heart. This is not convention; there is nothing conventional in the -whole outfit. Eat the food prepared for you by the thoughtfulness of a -very beautiful and charming girl!" She held up a warning finger and -said: - -"Remember '_Bon Camarade_--without prejudice.'" - -"All right" I answered "so it shall be. But if the lady wants to hold me -up for criminal libel I shall undertake to repeat the expression when, -and where, and how she will. I shall repeat the assertion and abide by -the consequences." She went on eating her sandwiches, not, I thought, -displeased. When we had both finished she turned to me and said: - -"Now!" I took from my pocket the rescript of Don Bernardino de -Escoban's narrative and handed it to her. She looked at it, turned over -the pages, and glanced at them as she went. Then she returned to the -beginning, and after reading the first few lines, said to me with an -eager look in her eyes: - -"Is this really the translation of the secret writing? Oh, I am so glad -you have succeeded. You are cute!" She took out her watch, and having -looked at it, went on: "We have loads of time. Won't you read it for me? -It will be so much nicer! And let me ask you questions." - -"Delighted!" I answered, "But would it not be better if I read it right -through first, and then let you ask questions! Or better still you read -it yourself right through, and then ask." I had a purpose in this. If I -had to read it, my eyes must be wholly engrossed in my work; but if she -read, I need never take them off her face. I longed to see the varying -expression with which she would follow every phase of the strange story. -She thought for a few seconds before answering, and as she thought -looked me straight in the eyes. I think she read my secret, or at any -rate enough of it to fathom my wish; nothing else could account for the -gentle blush that spread over her face. Then she said in quite a meek -tone: - -"I shall read it myself if you think it best!" - -I shall never forget that reading. Her face, always expressive, was to -me like an open book. I was by this time quite familiar with de -Escoban's narrative, as I had with infinite patience dug it out letter -by letter from the cipher in which it had been buried for so long. As -also I had written it out fair twice over, it was little wonder that -I knew it well. As she read I so followed that I could have told to a -sentence how far she had got in the history. Once she unconsciously put -her hand to her throat and felt the brooch; but immediately drew it -away again, glancing for a moment at me from under her eyelashes to see -whether I had observed. She saw I had, shook her head with a smile, and -read on. - -When she had finished reading, she gave a long sigh and then held out -her hand to me saying: - -"Bravo! I congratulate you with all my heart!" Her touch thrilled me; -she was all on fire, and there was a purposeful look in her face which -was outside and beyond any joy that she could have with regard to any -success of mine. This struck me so much that I said impulsively: - -"Why are you so glad?" She answered instinctively and without thought: - -"Because you will keep it from the Spaniards!" Then she stopped -suddenly, with a gesture of self repression. - -I felt a little piqued. I would have thought that her concern would have -been rather individual than political. That in such a matter even before -racial hatred would have come gladness at the well-doing of even such a -friend--without prejudice--as I was. Looking at me, she seemed to see -through me and said - - "With her two white hands extended, as if praying one offended:" - -"Oh, I am sorry! I did not mean to hurt you. I can't explain yet; not -to-day, which is for comradeship only.--Yes without prejudice"--for she -saw my look and answered it "But some day you will understand." She was -so evidently embarrassed and pained at having for some reason which I -did not comprehend to show reticence to me who had been so open with -her, that I felt it my duty to put her at ease. This I tried to do by -assuring her that I quite understood that she had some good reason, -and that I was quite content to wait. I could not help adding before I -stopped: "This is a small thing to have to wait for after all; when I -have to wait for something so much more important." The warning finger -was held up again with a smile. - -Then we went over the whole of the narrative again, I reading this time -and she stopping to ask me questions. There was not much to ask; all the -story was so plain that the proceeding did not take very long. Then she -asked me to explain how I had come to decipher the cryptogram. I took -out my pocket book and proceeded to make a key to the cipher, explaining -as I went on the principle. "To me," I said, "it is very complete, and -can be used in an infinity of ways. Any mode of expression can be used -that has two objects with five varieties of each." Here she interrupted -me. As I was explaining I was holding out my hands with the fingers -spread as a natural way of expressing my meaning. She saw at once what -had escaped me, and clasping her hands exclaimed impulsively: - -"Like your two hands! It is delightful! Two hands, and five fingers -on each. We can talk a new deaf and dumb alphabet; which no one but -ourselves can understand!" Her words thrilled through me. One more -secret to share with her; one more secret which would be in perpetual -exercise, in pursuance of a common thought. I was about to speak when -she stopped me with a gesture. "Sorry!" she said. "Go on; explain to me! -We can think of variety later!" So I continued: - -"So long as we have means that are suitable, we have only to translate -into the biliteral, and we who know this can understand. Thus we have a -double guard of secrecy. There are some who could translate into symbols -with which they are familiar, symbols with which they are not; but in -this method we have a buffer of ignorance or mystery between the known -and the unknown. There is also this advantage; the cipher as it stands -is sufficiently on a basis of science or at any rate of order, that its -key is easily capable of reproduction. As you have seen, I can make -a key without any help. Bacon's biliteral cipher is scientifically -accurate. It can, therefore, be easily reproduced; the method of -exclusions is also entirely rational, so that we need have no difficulty -in remembering it. If two people would take the trouble to learn the -symbols of the biliteral, as kept after the exclusions and which are -used in this cipher, they might with very little practice be able to -write or read off-hand. Indeed the suggestion, which you have just made, -of a deaf-and-dumb alphabet is capital. It is as simple as the daylight! -You have only to decide whether the thumb or the little finger means 1 -or 2; and then reproduce by right hand or left, and using the fingers -of each hand, the five symbols of the amended biliteral, and you can -talk as well and as easily as do the deaf mutes!" Again she spoke out -impulsively: - -"Let us both learn off by heart the symbols of our cipher; and then we -shan't want even to make a key. We can talk to each other in a crowd, -and no one be the wiser of what we are saying." - -This was very sweet to me. When a man is in love, as I was, anything -which links him to his lady, and to her alone, has a charm beyond words. -Here was a perpetual link, if we cared to make it so, and if the Fates -would be good to us. - -"The Fates!" With the thought came back Gormala's words to me at the -beginning. She had told me, and somehow I seemed to have always believed -the same, that the Fates worked to their own end and in their own way. -Kindness or unkindness had no part in their workings; pity had no place -at the beginning of their interest, no more than had remorse at the end. -Was it possible that in the scheme of Fate, in which Gormala and I and -Lauchlane Macleod had places, there was also a place for Marjory? The -Witch-woman had said that the Fates would work their will, though for -the doing of it came elements out of past centuries and from the ends of -the earth. The cipher of Don de Escoban had lain hidden three centuries, -only to be revived at its due time. Marjory had come from a nation which -had no existence when the Don had lived, and from a place which in his -time was the far home of the red man and the wolf and the bison and the -bear. - -But yet what was there to connect Marjory with Don de Escoban and his -secret? As I thought, I saw Marjory who had turned her back to me, -quietly take something from her throat and put it into her pocket. Here -was the clue indeed. - -The brooch! When I had taken it up from the sea at the Sand Craigs I had -returned it to her with only a glance; and as I had often seen it since, -without any mystery, I had hardly noticed it. It rushed in on my mind -that it was of the same form as that described by Don de Escoban as -having been given by the Pope. I had only noticed a big figure and a -little one; but surely it could be none other than a figure of St. -Christopher. I should have liked to have asked Marjory about it at once; -but her words already spoken putting off explanation, and her recent -act, of which I was supposed to know nothing, in putting it out of -sight, forbade me to inquire. All the more I thought, however; and other -matters regarding it crowded into my mind. - -The chain was complete, the only weak link being the connection between -Marjory and the St. Christopher brooch. And even here there was a -mystery, acknowledged in her concealment, which might explain itself -when the time came. - -Matters took such a grave turn for me with my latest surmise, that I -thought it would be well to improve the occasion with Marjory, in so far -as it might be possible to learn something of her surroundings. I was -barred from asking questions by her own wish; but still I did not like -to lose the chance without an effort, so I said to her: - -"We have learned a lot to-day, haven't we?" - -"Indeed we have. It hardly seems possible that a day could make such a -change!" - -"I suppose we should take it that new knowledge should apply new -conditions to established fact?" I said this with some diffidence; and I -could see that the change in my tone, much against my will, attracted -her attention. She evidently understood my wish, for she answered with -decision: - -"If you mean by 'new conditions' any alteration of the compact made -between us for to-day--yes, I remember 'without prejudice'--there is -nothing in our new knowledge to alter the old ones. Do remember, sir, -that this day is one set apart, and nothing that is not a very grave -matter indeed can be allowed to alter what is established regarding it." - -"Then," said I, "at all events let us learn the cipher--our cipher as -you very properly called it." - -"Oh no! surely?" this was said with a rising blush. - -"Indeed, yes--I am glad to say!" - -"Take care!" she replied, meaningly, then she added: - -"Very well! Ours let it be. But really and truly I have no right to its -discovery; it makes me feel like a fraud to hear you say so." - -"Be easy," I replied. "You helped me more than I can say. It was your -suggestion to reduce the terms of the biliteral; and it was by that -means that I read the cipher. But at any rate when we call it 'ours' it -will content me if the word 'ours'"--I could not help repeating the word -for it was delight to me; it did not displease her either, though it -made her blush--"is applied not to invention but to possession!" - -"All right," she said. "That is good of you. I cannot argue with you. -Amendment accepted! Come, let us get on our wheels again. You have the -key of _our_ cipher with you; you can tell me the items one by one, and -we will learn them as we go along." - -And so as we swept round Davan Lake, with the wind behind us driving us -along except just before we regained the high road at Dinnet, I repeated -the symbols of the reduced biliteral. We went over and over them again -and again, till we were unable to puzzle each other questioning up and -down, 'dodging' as the school-boys say. - -Oh, but that ride was delightful! There was some sort of conscious -equality between us which I could see my comrade felt as well as myself. -Down the falling road we sped almost without effort, our wheels seeming -to glide on air. When we came to the bridge over the railway just above -Aboyne, where the river comes north and runs in under a bank of shale -and rock, we dismounted and looked back. Behind us was our last view of -the gorge above Ballater, where the two round hills stood as portals, -and where the cloud rack hanging above and beyond made a mystery which -was full of delightful fascination and no less delightful remembrance. -Then with a sigh we turned. - -There, before us lay a dark alley between the closing pines. No less -mysterious, but seemingly dark and grim. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -A PECULIAR DINNER-PARTY - - -We did not stop at Aboyne, but ran on beyond Kincardine O'Neill, and -took our second rest close to the Bridge of Potarch where we had tea at -the little hotel on the right bank of the river. Then for a while we -leaned over the parapet and looked at the water flowing swiftly far -below as the river narrows from its pebbly bed to the gorge of rock on -which the bridge rests. There is something soothing, perhaps something -hypnotic, in the ceaseless rush of water. It unconsciously takes one's -thoughts on and on, till the reality of the present is in some measure -lost and the mind wanders towards imagination through the regions of the -unknown. As I looked at Marjory, with the afternoon sun falling on her -superb figure and showing up her clear-cut profile with all the finish -of a cameo, I could not but be struck with the union of gentleness and -independence which was so clearly manifested in her. Without thinking, I -spoke out my mind. It is a privilege of those who understand each other, -or of the very young, to give voice to the latter portion of a train of -thought without feeling it necessary to enlighten the hearer as to what -has gone to make up the conclusion. The feeling was hourly growing upon -me that, even if I could not quite understand Marjory, at least she -understood me. - -"But then all you American girls are so independent!" She did not seem -a bit surprised by this fag end of reasoning; she had evidently been -following up some train of thought of her own, and by some happy -instinct my words fitted in with it. Without turning towards me, but -still keeping her eyes fixed down the stream to where far away it swayed -to the right through a gap between pine clad hills she answered: - -"Yes! We are as a rule brought up to be independent. It seems to be a -part of what our people call the 'genius' of the country. Indeed for -many, women as well as men, it is a sort of necessity. Our nation is -so vast, and it expands so quickly, that there is nearly everywhere -a family separation. In the main, all the children of one generation -become the heads of families of the next. Somehow, the bulk of our young -people still follow the sunset; and in the new life which comes to -each, whether in the fields or in the city or in the reclamation of -the wilderness, the one thing which makes life endurable is this -independence which is another form of self-reliance. This it is which -enables them to brave hunger and thirst and all danger which comes to -pioneers; which in the cities makes the solitude of lonely life bearable -to the young as well as to the old; which makes them work and study -in patience; which makes them self-sacrificing, and thrifty, and long -enduring. I tell you it is this which makes a race of patriots, whose -voices swell in unison till the great voice of the nation, raised in -some good cause, can ring and echo through the world!" As she spoke she -got more and more earnest, more and more enthusiastic, till her voice -began to vibrate and her face to flush. When she turned towards me at -the end, her eyes were full of spiritual light. I looked at her, and I -suppose my love as well as my admiration must have expressed itself, for -her eyes fell and the flush on her face melted into a soft blush. She -turned, looked at the water again, and then went on speaking: - -"This is the good side of our independence and _faute de mieux_ it -serves; those who know no better do not miss what might be. But oh! it -has to be paid for. The little sufferings of day by day can grow into a -mass which in the end outweighs those seemingly far greater ills which -manifest themselves all at once. No one knows, no one ever will know, -how much quiet, dull pain goes to tame a woman's heart to the solitude -of life. I have not seen so much of it as some others; my life has been -laid in pleasant places, and only through the small accidents of life -have I come to know of the negative pain which other girls have to -endure. It is so much to have round one the familiar faces of our youth; -to meet sympathy at every turn of life, and to know that there is -understanding for us always. We women have to give something in order to -be happy. The stronger-minded ones, as we call them, blame the Creator -for this disposition of things--or else I do not know who or what they -blame; but the rest of us, who are wise enough to accept what cannot -be altered, try to realise what can be done for the best. We all want -to care for some one or something, if it is only a cat or a dog. For -myself, so far back as I can remember, I longed to have a brother or -sister, but I think that in my secret heart it was a brother I wanted. -Of course as I merged into my actual surroundings I grew out of this; -but once it was brought home to me with new force. We were staying for a -few days in one of those great English houses where there was a growing -family of boys and girls. There was one sweet young girl, just about my -own age, who seemed idolised by all her brothers. When we arrived they -were all going in to evening prayers. The last of the sunlight was -falling through the old stained glass window of the great baronial hall, -and lit up the little family group. The girl sat between two of her -young brothers, great stalwart lads who had all the characteristics of -a family of soldiers. During prayers each of them held one of her hands; -and when they all knelt, her arms went round their necks. I could not -help feeling deeply--down into the very depths of my soul--how good -it was for them all. I would have given everything I have, or am ever -likely to have, that mine had been such an upbringing. Think, how in -after years it will come back to those boys in hours of trial, or pain, -or prosperity, or passion; in all times when their manhood or their -honour or their worth is to be tried; how they will remember the words -which were spoken to them as those were spoken, and were listened to as -those were listened to, in the midst of sympathy and love. Many and many -a time in years to come those boys will bless such hours, and God -Himself will surely rejoice that His will was being wrought in so sweet -a way. And the same thing is going on in a thousand English homes!" She -paused and turned to me and the feeling in her heart found expression in -the silent tears that ran down her cheeks. Again she turned her eyes to -the running water and gazed awhile before speaking again. Then looking -at me, she went on: - -"And the girl, too, how good it was for her! What an antidote to -selfishness! How much of self-control, of sympathy, of love, of -toleration was begun and fostered and completed in those moments of the -expression of her heart! What place can there really be for selfish want -and sorrows in the heart of a woman so trained to sympathise with and -help others? It is good! good! good! and I pray that in the later -development of my own dear country, all such things may have a part. -Expansion at its present rate must soon cease; and then some predominant -idea must take the place of the eternal self-independence. We shall, I -trust, moult no feather of our national feeling of personal duty; but -I am sure that our people, and more especially our women, will lead -happier as well as healthier lives." - -This present phase of Marjory's character was new to me, fresh and -enchanting. Every hour seemed to bring out new worths and beauties of -the girl's character, of her intellectual gifts, of the endless wealth -of her heart. - -When she ceased speaking I took her hand in mine, she not resenting, and -kissed it. I said only one word "Marjory!" but it was enough. I could -see that in her eyes which made my heart leap. - -Then a new life seemed to come to both of us. With one accord we moved -towards our bicycles, and mounted in silence. After a few minutes of -rapid spin down the sloping road from the bridge, we began to chat again -gaily. For myself I was in wildly joyous spirits. Even a self-doubting -lover could not fail to understand such a look in his mistress's eyes. -If ever love spoke out in eloquent silence it was then, all doubt melted -from my heart, as the night shadows pale before the dawn. I was content -to wait now, illimitably and in silence. She, too, seemed altogether -happy, and accepted in unquestioning faith all the little pleasures -which came in the progress of our journey. And such pleasures are many. -As we drew down the valley of the Dee, with the mountains falling -back and the dark pinewoods running up them like tongues of flame and -emphasising by their gloom the brightness of grass and heather which -cropped up amongst the rocks beyond, every turn of the road brought us -to some new scene of peaceful beauty. From under the splendid woods of -Crathes Castle we saw the river running like a blue ribbon far to the -east and on either side of it fields and gardens and woods spreading -wide. On we sped with delight in every moment, till at last through -miles of shady woods we came to the great stone bridge, and ended our -jaunt over the rough granite cobblestones of Aberdeen. - -We were a little before the time the train was due; so leaving our -wheels in the Palace Hotel we went down on the platform to meet Mrs. -Jack on her arrival. - -We met her in due course, and brought her up to the hotel. At the -stairway Marjory, who had lingered half a flight behind her companion, -whispered to me: - -"You have been a good boy to-day, a real good boy; and you shall before -long have your reward." As she gave me her hand, I whispered: - -"I am content to wait now Marjory; dear Marjory!" She blushed and -smiled, and fled upstairs with a warning finger laid upon her lips. - -It had been understood that I was to dine with Mrs. Jack and her friend, -so I went up to the room which I had secured, to change my clothes. -When I came down, in what I thought was a reasonable time, I went to -the private sitting-room and knocked. As there was no answer I knocked -again; then receiving no reply I took it for granted that the ladies had -not yet come from their rooms and entered. - -The room was empty but on the table which was laid for dinner for three -was a note in Marjory's hand directed to me. With a sinking of the heart -I opened it, and stood for a few minutes amazed. It had no apostrophe -and ran as follows:-- - - "We have had to leave suddenly, but Mrs. Jack wants you to oblige - her very much if you will be so good. Stay in the room, and when - dinner is served sit down by yourself and eat it. Please, please do - not think hardly of Mrs. Jack's request; and do not fail to carry it - out. There is good reason for it, as you will very soon know. More - depends on your doing as Mrs. Jack"--the "Mrs. Jack" was written - over an obliterated "I"--"asks than you may think. I am sure that by - this time you know you can trust me. - - "MARJORY." - -The situation was disappointing and both humiliating and embarrassing. -To be a guest under such conditions was almost ridiculous; and under -ordinary circumstances I should have refused. But then I remembered that -last look of Marjory's eyes at the bridge of Potarch! Without a word, or -another thought, of revolt I sat down to the dinner which the waiter was -just now bringing into the room. - -As it was evident to me that my staying in the room was for some purpose -of delay, I lingered over my wine and had two cigars before I came -away. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -REVELATIONS - - -In the hall I met together two men whom I knew well. The first was -Adams of the American Embassy in London; the second Cathcart of the -British Embassy at Washington, now on leave. I had not seen either -for two years, and it was with mutual pleasure that we met. After our -preliminary handshaking, and the inevitable drink at the American's -request, Adams slapped me on the shoulder and said heartily: - -"Well, old fellow, I congratulate you; or rather am I to congratulate -you?" - -"What do you mean?" I asked in feeble embarrassment. - -"All right, old chap!" he said heartily. "Your blush is enough. I see it -hasn't come off yet at all events!" A man never lets well alone when he -is in an awkward position. If I had only held my tongue I might not have -made a guy of myself; but as I was in doubt as to what might be the -issue of my suit to Marjory, I felt additionally constrained to affect -ignorance of his meaning. So I floundered on: - -"'Come off yet'? What on earth do you mean?" Again he slapped me on the -back as he said in his chaffing way: - -"My dear boy I saw you come in over the bridge. You had had a long ride -I could see by your wheels; and I am bound to say that you did seem on -excellent terms with each other!" This was getting dangerous ground, so -I tried to sheer off. "Oh," I said, "you mean my bike ride with Miss -Anita"--I was interrupted by his sudden whistle. - -"Oh," he said in exact imitation of my own manner. "You mean Miss Anita! -So it has come to that already! Anyhow I congratulate you heartily, -whether it has come, or may come, or will come to anything else." - -"I don't see," I said, with a helpless feeling of having been driven -into a corner, "that there is anything especially remarkable in a man -having a bicycle ride with a young lady of his acquaintance." - -"Keep your hair on, old man!" he said with a smile. "There is nothing -remarkable about a man riding with a young lady; but there is something -very remarkable about any man riding with this particular young lady. -Why, man alive, don't you know that there isn't a man in America, or out -of it, that wouldn't give the eyes out of his head to take your place on -such an occasion. To ride alone with Marjory Drake--" - -"With whom?" I said impulsively; and having spoken could have bitten -out my tongue. Adams paused; he was silent so long that I began to grow -uneasy. His face grew very grave, and there spread over it that look -between cunning and dominance which was his official expression. Then he -spoke, but his words had not the same careless ring in them. There was a -manifest caution and a certain indefinable sense of distance. - -"Look here, Archie Hunter! Is it possible that you don't know who it is -that you were with. All right! I know of course that you are acquainted -with her personally," for he saw I was about to protest, "the very fact -of your being with her and your knowing the name that she seldom uses -answer for that; and you may take it from me that the lady needs no -character for discretion from me. But how is it that you are on such -good terms with her, and yet don't seem even to know her name?" For -fully a minute there was silence between us. Cathcart had as yet -said not a word, and Adams was thinking. For myself I was in a sea of -multitudinous concerns; whichever way I turned I was face to face with -some new difficulty. It would not do to leave these men under the -impression that there was any social irregularity in my friendship with -Marjory; I was too jealous of her good name to allow such a thing to be -possible. And yet I could not explain at length how we had come to be -such good friends. Already there were so many little mysteries; right up -to this very evening when she and Mrs. Jack had gone away so strangely, -leaving me in the ridiculous position of a guest with no host. It was -not easy to explain these things; it was impossible to avoid them. In -the midst of this chaotic whirl of thoughts Adams spoke: - -"I think I had better say no more, anyhow. After all, if Miss Drake -chooses to keep a secret, or to make one, it is not my business to give -it, or her, away. She knows what she's doing. You will excuse me, old -fellow, won't you; but as it is manifestly a lady's wish, I think I can -do best by holding my tongue." - -"Any wish of that lady's," said I, and I felt that I must seem to speak -grandiloquently, "can only have my most loyal support." - -There was an awkward silence which was relieved by Cathcart, who said to -me: - -"Come up to my room, Archie; I want to tell you something. You'll join -us, too, Sam, won't you?" - -"All right, Billy," said Adams, "I'll come in a few minutes. I want to -give some directions about a horse for to-morrow." - -When we were in Cathcart's room, he closed the door and said to me with -the most genuine good feeling: - -"I didn't like to say a word downstairs, old chap; but I could see you -were in some difficulty. Of course I know it's all right; but ought you -not to know something of the lady? With any one else but Sam and myself -such a thing might have conveyed a false impression. Surely you can best -protect the lady by knowing how to avoid anything that might embarrass -her!" This was all good sound common sense. For a moment I weighed up -the matter against the possibility of Marjory's wishing to keep her name -a secret. Looking back, however, I could see that any concealment that -had been was rather positive than negative. The original error had been -mine; she had simply allowed it to pass. The whole thing had probably -been the passing fancy of a bright, spirited young girl; to take it too -seriously, or to make too much of it might do harm. Why, even these -men might, were I to regard it as important, take it as some piece of -deliberate deceit on her part. Thus convinced of the wisdom of -Cathcart's proposition I spoke: - -"You are quite right! and I shall be much obliged if you will--if you -will enlighten me." He bowed and smiled, and went on genially: - -"The lady you called Miss Anita, you so far called quite correctly. Her -name is Anita; but it is only her second Christian name. She is known to -the world as Miss Marjory Drake, of Chicago." - -"Known to the world." Was this a mere phrase, or the simple expression -of a fact! I asked directly: - -"How known to the world? Do you mean that is the name known amongst her -circle of acquaintances? Is--is there any cause why the great world -outside that circle should know her at all?" He smiled and laid his -hand on my shoulder in a very brotherly way as he answered: - -"Yes, old fellow. There is a reason, and a good one, why the great world -should know her. I see you are all in the dark; so I had better tell you -what I know. Marjory Anita Drake is an heiress, a great heiress, a very -great heiress; perhaps a long way the greatest heiress in America, or -out of it. Her father, who died when she was a baby, left her a gigantic -fortune; and her trustees have multiplied it over and over again." He -paused; so I said--it seeming necessary to say something: - -"But being an heiress is not sufficient reason why a girl should be -known to the world." - -"It is a pretty good one. Most people wouldn't want any better. But this -is not the reason in her case. She is the girl who gave the battle ship -to the American Government!" - -"Gave the battle ship! I don't understand!" - -"It was this way. At the time the reports kept crowding in of the -Spanish atrocities on the _reconcentrados_; when public feeling was -rising in the United States, this girl got all on fire to free Cuba. To -this end she bought a battle ship that the Cramp's had built for Japan. -She had the ship armed with Krupp cannon which she bought through -friends in Italy; and went along the Eastern coast amongst the sailors -and fishermen till she had recruited a crew. Then she handed the whole -thing over to the Government as a spur to it to take some action. The -ship is officered with men from the Naval Academy at Annapolis; and -they tell me there isn't one of the crew--from the cabin boy to the -captain--that wouldn't die for the girl to-morrow." - -"Bravo!" I said instinctively! "That's a girl for a nation to be proud -of!" - -"She is all that!" said Cathcart enthusiastically. "Now you can -understand why Adams congratulated you; and why he was so surprised when -you did not seem to know who she was." I stood for a moment thinking, -and all the clouds which wrapped Marjory's purpose in mystery seemed to -disperse. This, then, was why she allowed the error of her name to pass. -She had not made an _incognita_; chance had done this for her, and -she had simply accepted it. Doubtless, wearied with praise and with -publicity and notoriety in all its popular forms, she was glad to get -away and hide herself for a while. Fortune had thrown in her way a man -who was manifestly ignorant of her very existence; and it was a pleasure -to play with him at hide-and-seek! - -It was, after all, an up-to-date story of the Princess in disguise; and -I was the young man, all unknowing, with whom she had played. - -Here a terrible doubt assailed me. Other Princesses had played -hide-and-seek; and, having had their sport, had vanished; leaving -desolation and an empty heart behind them. Was it possible that she too -was like this; that she had been all the while playing with me; that -even whilst she was being most gracious, she was taking steps to -hide even her whereabouts from me? Here was I, who had even proposed -marriage; and yet who did not even know when or where I should see her -again--if indeed I should ever see her again at all. I could not believe -it. I had looked into her eyes, and had seen the truth. Here was no -wanton playing at bowls with men's hearts. My life upon her faith! - -I seemed to have lost myself in a sort of trance. I was recalled from it -by Cathcart, who seeing me in a reverie had gone over to the fireplace -and stood with his back to me, filling his pipe at the mantel-piece: - -"I think I hear Adams coming. Pardon me, old fellow, but though I am -sure he knows I have told you about Miss Drake, and though he probably -made an excuse for delay so that I might have an opportunity to do so, -he wants to appear not to enter on the subject. He is _diplomat_ all -over. Remember he is of the U. S. Embassy; and Miss Drake, as an -American citizen, is theoretically under his care in this foreign -country. Let us be talking of something else when he comes in!" Sam came -along the passage softly whistling a bar of "Yankee Doodle." Cathcart -nodded to me and whispered: - -"I told you so! He takes good care that he may not surprise us." When he -came in we were talking of the prospects of the Autumn fishing on the -Dee. - -When we left Cathcart's room, after a cigar, I, being somewhat tired -with my long ride, went at once to my room. Adams came with me as far as -the door. - -I was just getting into bed when I heard a slight tap at the door. I -unlocked it and found Adams without. He raised a warning hand, and said -in a whisper: - -"May I come in? I want to say something very privately." More than ever -mystified--everything seemed a mystery now--I opened the door. He came -in and I closed it softly and locked it. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -SAM ADAMS'S TASK - - -Adams began at once: "Archie I want to tell you something; but it is in -the strictest confidence. You must promise me not to mention to any one, -mind _any one_, what I say; or even that I have spoken to you on the -subject." I thought for a moment before replying. It flashed across me -that what he had to say must concern Marjory, so I answered: - -"I fear I cannot make such a promise, if the matter is regarding some -one other than myself." A shade of annoyance passed across his face as -he said: - -"Well, it is about some one else; but really you must trust me. I would -not for the world, old fellow, ask you to do anything that was not -correct." - -"I know that" I said "I know it right well; but you see it might be -regarding some one with whom my relations might be peculiar--not fixed -you know. It might be necessary for me to speak. Perhaps not now; but -later on." I was stumbling blindly, so sought refuge in fact and query, -"Tell me" I said "does it relate to Miss Drake?" - -"It does; but I thought that you who are a friend of hers might like to -do her a service." - -"Of course I would." I answered. "There is nothing I would not do for -her if it were in my power." - -"Except hold your tongue!" he said with a touch of bitterness unusual -with him. I could see that anxious as I was to hear he was still more -anxious to tell me; so I was able to keep my temper and not make matters -worse by answering back sarcastically. I said: - -"Yes, old chap, even by holding my tongue. If I could see that I would -benefit her by holding my tongue, or by cutting out my tongue, I would -do it. What I must refuse is to _promise_ to hold my tongue. Come, old -fellow, don't put me in a wrong position. You don't know all that I do, -or exactly how I am placed. Why don't you trust me? I am willing to -promise that I won't speak at all of the matter unless it be necessary; -and that I won't speak at all in any case of having been told anything -by you." He brightened up at once and said: - -"All right, then we can drive on. I take it that since we met -last"--that was a few minutes ago, but he was a diplomatist--"you have -learned more about Miss Drake, or rather of her history and her position -and importance, than you knew at that time?" - -"Yes," I answered, and I could not help smiling. - -"Then we needn't go into that. We take facts for granted. Well, that -fine act of hers--you know what I mean--has brought her, or may bring -her, a peck of trouble. There are, or there were, a certain lot of -Spaniards--Copperheads--at home who look on her as a sort of embodiment -of the American antagonism to their own nation. They are the low lot; -for mind you, though we are at war with them I say it, the good Spaniard -is a fine fellow. It came to the ears of the authorities in Washington -that there was some sort of plot on foot to do her a harm. The Secret -Service was a little at fault, and couldn't get accurate or full -information; for naturally enough the Spaniards didn't trust any but -themselves in such a matter. We know enough, however, to be somewhat -concerned for her; and it was arranged that a secret watch should be -kept on her, so that no harm should come that could be prevented. The -proper men had been detailed off for the work; when to our surprise, and -a little to our consternation, it turned out that the young lady had -disappeared. We knew of course that her going was voluntary; she had -left word to that effect, so that there might not be any bother made -about her. But the trouble was that she did not know of the danger which -threatened her; and as our people didn't know where she was, no step -could be taken to protect or warn her. It is clear that my lady got -tired of fireworks and of the Joan of Arc business, and bolted. It was -considered necessary at headquarters that we should in the meantime all -keep our heads shut. But we were advised at the Embassy in London that -the plot was on, and that we should hump ourselves a bit to look after -her in case she was in England. The matter was handed over to me, and I -have been on the run ever since; but I have not been able to hear tale -or tiding of her. Two days ago we got a cable in our cipher which told -us that, from information received and the rest of it, they suspected -she was in England, or probably in Scotland; and that there was later -evidence that the plot was more active than ever. Unfortunately we have -as yet no details, and not even a clue. That is why I am here. I came -down with Cathcart, who fortunately was bound for the North, as it -covered up my purpose. I have been in a regular stew for days past. -Marjory Drake is too good to have any trouble come to her that any -American can help. You can imagine my delight when I saw her this -evening; for now that I have located her, I can take steps to look after -her safety if necessary. You two went so fast on your wheels that I lost -you at the Bridge; but I surmised that you would be coming here anyhow -after your ride. So I came up as quickly as I could, and saw you two and -the old lady come up from the railway station. I couldn't get to see -Miss Drake to-night; but I expect to look her up pretty early in the -morning." - -Here was a new entanglement. It seemed to me as more than likely -that Marjory, having seen Adams and knowing his diplomatic position, -suspected some interference with her liberty, and made an escape at -once. This, then, was the reason why she had asked me to stay and eat -dinner alone; I was to cover up her tracks and secure her a night's -delay. Thus, even to Adams, my tongue was tied as to her movements. I -did not wish to seem to deceive him, so avoided the subject. In answer -to him I asked: - -"But tell me, old fellow, how and where do I come into your story? Why -do you tell me this?" He answered very gravely: - -"Because I want your help. This is, or rather may be, a very serious -matter to Miss Drake. The whole business is entrusted by our government -to my chief, who has detailed me on the service. It is of so delicate -and secret a nature that I cannot make confidence with many people, and -I am loth to trust any one but a gentleman. Besides Miss Drake is a very -peculiar girl. She is absolutely independent, thoroughly determined, and -more than plucky. If she knew there was a plot on foot, as likely as not -she would try to encourage it out of mere recklessness; and would try -to counterplot all by herself. Her enemies know this, and will avail -themselves of every chance and of every false move of hers; so that she -might help to work out herself the evil intended for her. This we cannot -permit; and I am quite sure that you, who are a friend of hers, are at -one with me here. Now, if you want to know exactly how you can help I -will tell you; and you will, I am sure, pardon me if I say too much--or -too little. If she were to know that the matter of her protection was -a Government one, nothing on earth would make her yield herself to our -views. But if it were suggested by a--a friend whom she--she valued, her -action would probably be quite the opposite. She is a girl all heart and -soul. When she is taken rightly you can lead her with a thread; but you -can't drag her with gun-ropes. From what I saw yesterday, I am inclined -to think that you might have more influence with her than any one else I -could pick out." - -I could not say anything to this, either positive or negative, so I -remained silent. He went on: - -"There is one other reason why I ask you to help, but it is secondary to -the other one, believe me, and one I only use to fortify a better one. -I ask you as an old friend to help me in a matter which, even if you -are not concerned in it, may be of the utmost importance to me in my -diplomatic career. This matter has been placed in my hands, and it would -not do for me to fail. There is not much +kudos+ to be got out of it if -all be well--except with my immediate chiefs; but if I failed it would -go far against me. If Marjory Drake should suffer from this Spanish -plot, she who had, so to speak, fired the torch of the nation in the -war, it would be formal, official ruin to me. There wouldn't be a man -from Maine to California, from the Lakes to the Gulf, who wouldn't look -on me as an imbecile, or worse!" Whilst he was speaking I was thinking, -and trying to make up my mind as to what I should do. Manifestly, I -could not tell him of the dawning relations between Marjory and myself. -I was not yet prepared to speak of the Pope's treasure. I could not in -honour give away Marjory's confidence in me in asking me to cover up her -escape, or the implied promise of my acceptance of it. Still, Adams's -confidence required some measure of frankness from me. His last appeal -to me as an old friend to help him as an individual in an important -work, which might mar if it could not make him, demanded that I should -stretch every point I could in his favour. So I said: - -"Sam, I shall do all I honestly or honourably can. But I must ask you -to wait a while and trust me. The fact is I am not at liberty just at -present to turn any way I choose. I am already committed to certain -confidences, which were made before I saw you or had any knowledge of -what you tell me. Moreover, I am in certain ways ignorant in matters -that you would not expect. I shall at once take every step I can to be -in a position to speak to you more freely. I am more deeply stirred, old -fellow, by what you have told me than I can say; and out of the depths -of my heart I am grateful to you and your Government for your care for -Miss Anita--Miss Drake. I may say this, that until to-morrow at all -events, I am unable to help you in any possible way. Were I to try to do -anything till a certain thing happens, it would hinder rather than help -your purpose. So wait patiently and do please try to understand me." - -He replied with unwonted sarcasm: - -"Try to understand you! Why man alive I've been trying whilst you were -speaking, until my brain reels. But I'm blamed if I can make head or -tail of what you say. You seem to be snarled up in more knots than a -conjuror. What the hell does it all mean? You don't seem to be able to -turn anywhere or do anything, even when the safety or the life of such a -girl as Marjory Drake is in question. On my faith Mr. Hunter I hope I -don't make any mistake about you!" - -"Yes, you do, Sam!" I said quietly, for I could not but feel that he had -good cause for disappointment or even anger. "At the first moment I am -free to do so, I shall tell you all I can; and you shall then see that -I am only doing what you would under similar circumstances do yourself. -Won't you trust me, old friend!" He gazed at me steadily for a few -seconds, and then his look softened. - -"By God I will!" he said, as he held out his hand. - -"Now tell me," I said "what can I do to keep in touch with you. I must -go back to Cruden in the morning. It is necessary." This was in answer -to his questioning look. "It is the first step in my doing as you wish." -I knew that Marjory would send to me, if at all, to Cruden. "But tell me -how or where I can wire you in case we are not within hail." For answer -he pulled out of his pocket a bundle of "priority" telegrams addressed -to the United States Embassy in London. - -"Take them and use them as may be required. I am in constant touch with -the Embassy and they will know where to find me. How will I find you?" - -"Send to me care of Post-office, Cruden Bay," I said, "I shall keep you -advised of wherever I may be." With that we said good night. - -"I shall see you in the morning," he said as he went out. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -FIREWORKS AND JOAN OF ARC - - -For some time I did not sleep. Things were hurrying on so fast; and -so many new events and facts and dangers were coming to light, that I -hardly knew where to begin to think. Of course all things concerning -Marjory, principally her safety, took the first place. What could be -this Spanish plot; what could be its method or its purpose? At first -when Adams had told me of it, I had not been much concerned; it -seemed so far away, so improbable, that I fear I did not take it with -sufficient gravity. I had not thought at the time that the two nations -were actually at war, and that already, both before the war and during -it, deeds of desperate treachery had been done, the memory of which were -not even obliterated by the valour and chivalry which had been shown -by the nobler of America's foes. "_Remember The Maine_" was still a -watchword and war cry. There were many scoundrels, such as chiefly -come to the surface in war time, who would undertake any work, however -deadly, however brutal, however dangerous. Such villains might be at -work even now! With a bound I was out upon the floor. In that moment of -concrete thought of danger to Marjory I realised to the full the danger -of my own ignorance of her situation, and even of the locality where she -might be. This impotence to do anything was simply maddening; when I -felt it I could not but understand the annoyance of Adams in feeling a -measure of the same impotence, with what looked like my obstinacy added. -But think how I would, I could do nothing till I should see Marjory or -hear from her. With this thought, which, under the circumstances, was -more than harrowing, I went back to bed. - -I was waked by the knocking of Adams who in reply to my "Come," slipped -in and shut the door behind him. - -"They are gone!" - -"Who?" I asked mechanically, though I well knew. - -"Miss Drake and her friend. They went away last night, just after you -came back from the station. By the way, I thought you dined with them?" -he said interrogatively, and with a dash of suspicion in his tone. - -"I was to dine with them;" I answered "but they were not there." He made -a long pause. - -"I don't understand!" he said. I felt that as the time which I was -to cover had passed, I might speak; for all sakes I wanted to avoid -collision with Adams or the appearance of deceiving him. So I said: - -"I can tell you now, Sam. I was asked to dine last night with Mrs. Jack -and Miss Anita--Miss Drake. When I came down to the room I found a -letter saying that they had to go away and making a special request that -I would dine alone, just as though they were there. I was not to say -a word to any one about their being away. Please understand, my dear -fellow--and I must ask you to take it that this is only a hint which you -must accept and not attempt to follow up--that there are reasons why I -should act on any request of Miss Drake's, blindfold. I told you last -night that my hands were tied; this was one of the cords. To-day I hold -myself free to explain I may now also tell you more. Last night I could -do nothing. I could take no step myself, nor could I help you to take -one; simply for the reason that I do not know where Miss Drake is -staying. She is I know stopping, or was till lately, somewhere on the -eastern side of Aberdeen County; but where the place is I have not the -faintest idea. I expect to know very shortly; and the moment I know I -will try to inform you, unless I am forbidden. You will know in time -that I have spoken exact truth; though you may have found my words or -meaning hard to understand. I am more than anxious to put Marjory on -guard. When you left me last night, the whole deadly seriousness of the -matter grew on me, till I was as miserable as a man can be." His face -lightened as I spoke. - -"Well," he said "at least we are one in the matter; that is something. -I feared you were, and would be, working against me. Now look here, I -have been thinking the matter over, and I daresay I have come nearer to -understanding your position than you imagine. I don't want to limit or -hamper you in working in your own way for Miss Drake's good; but I may -tell you this. I mean to find her if I can, and in my own way. I am not -fettered anywhere, except by the necessary secrecy. Outside of this I am -free to act. I shall keep you advised at Cruden." - -Before I was dressed I had another visitor. This time it was Cathcart -who, with considerable diffidence and all the shamefaced embarrassment -of an Englishman when doing a kindly action in which he may be taken as -intruding, offered me his services. I tried to set him at ease by the -heartiness of my thanks. Upon which he expanded enough to say: - -"From something Adams let drop--in all confidence believe me--I gather -you are or may be in trouble about some friend. If this should be, and -from my heart I trust it may not, I hope you will bear in mind that I -am a friend, and unattached. I am pretty well alone in the world so far -as family is concerned, and there is no one to interfere with me. Indeed -there are some who would be happy, for testamentary reasons, to attend -my funeral. I hope you will remember this, old chap, if there is any fun -going." Then he went away, easy of carriage and debonair as usual. It -was in such wise that this gallant gentleman made me a proffer of his -life. It moved me more than I can tell. - -I went down to Cruden by the next train, and arranged with the -postmaster to send on to me at once by messenger or wire any telegram -that might come directed as I had told Adams. - -Towards dusk a letter was brought to me. It was in Marjory's hand, and -on my asking at once how it had come, I was told that it was brought by -a mounted man who on handing it in had said "no answer" and had ridden -away. - -With hope and joy and misgiving mingled I opened it. All these feelings -were justified by the few words it contained: - -"Meet me to-morrow at eleven at Pircappies." - -I passed the night with what patience I could, and rose early. At ten I -took a light boat and rowed by myself from Port Erroll across the bay. -I hung round outside the Skares, ostensibly fishing but keeping watch -for any sign of Marjory; for from this point I could see the road to -Whinnyfold and the path by the beach. A little before eleven I saw a -woman wheeling a bicycle down the Whinnyfold laneway. Taking in my -lines, I pulled, quietly and avoiding any appearance of hurry, for I -knew not whether any one might see us, into the tiny harbour behind the -jutting rock. Marjory arrived just at the same time, and I rejoiced -to see that her face bore no mark or sign of care. As yet nothing had -happened. We met with a slight hand shake; but there was a look in her -eyes which made my heart leap. For the past thirty-six hours my anxiety -for her had put aside every other feeling. I had not thought of myself, -and therefore not of my love for her; but now my selfish instinct woke -again in full force. In her presence, and in the jubilance of my own -heart, fear in all forms seemed as impossible to realise as that the -burning sun above us should be blotted out with falling snow. With one -of her mysterious signs of silence she pointed to the rock that here -stretches out into the sea, and whose top is crowned with long sea -grass. Together we climbed the face of the cliff, and bearing across the -narrow promontory passed over the top of the rock. We found a cosy nest -hidden behind it. Here we were absolutely isolated from the world; out -of earshot of every one, and out of sight except from beyond the stretch -of rocky sea. In a demure way she acknowledged my satisfaction. - -"Isn't it a nice place. I chose it out yesterday when I was here!" For -an instant I felt as though she had struck me. Just to think that she -had been here yesterday, whilst I was waiting for her only across the -bay, eating my heart out. However, there was no use looking back. She -was with me now, and we were alone. The whole delight of the thing -swept away every other feeling. With a pretty little motion of settling -herself comfortably, and which to me seemed to prelude a long talk, she -began: - -"I suppose you know a lot about me now?" - -"How do you mean?" - -"Come now, don't prevaricate. I saw Sam Adams in Aberdeen, and of course -he told you all about me." I interrupted: - -"No he didn't." The very tone of my voice enlightened her. With a smile -she said: - -"Then some one else did. Answer me some questions. What is my name?" - -"Marjory Anita Drake." - -"Am I poor?" - -"In the way of money, no." - -"Right! Why did I leave America?" - -"To run away from the fireworks and the Joan of Arc business." - -"Right again; but that sounds mighty like Sam Adams. Well, that's all -right; now we may begin. I want to tell you something which you don't -know." She paused. Half in delight and half in fear, for her appearance -of purpose alarmed me, I set myself to listen. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -ON CHANGING ONE'S NAME - - -With a smile Marjory began: - -"You are satisfied that it was because of the fireworks and Joan of Arc -business that I came away?" - -"Oh yes!" - -"And that this was the final and determining cause?" - -"Why certainly!" - -"Then you are wrong!" I looked at her in wonder and in some secret -concern. If I were wrong in this belief, then why not in others? If -Adams's belief and my acceptance of it were erroneous, what new mystery -was there to be revealed? Just at present things had been looking so -well for the accomplishment of my wishes that any disturbance must be -unwelcome. Marjory, watching me from under her eyelashes, had by this -time summed me up. The stern look which she always had when her brows -were fixed in thought, melted into a smile which was partly happy, -partly mischievous, and wholly girlish. - -"Make your mind easy, Archie" she said, and oh! how my heart leaped when -she addressed me by my Christian name for the first time. "There isn't -anything to get uneasy about. I'll tell you what it was if you wish." - -"Certainly I wish, if you don't dislike telling me." - -So she went on: - -"I did not mind the fireworks; that is I did mind them and liked them -too. Between you and me, there has to be a lot of fireworks for one to -object to them. People may say what they please, but it's only those who -have not tasted popular favour that say they don't like it. I don't know -how Joan of Arc felt, but I've a pretty cute idea that she was like -other girls. If she enjoyed being cheered and made much of as well as -I did, no wonder that she kept up the game as long as she could. What -broke me all up was the proposals of marriage! It's all very well -getting proposed to by people you know, and that you don't dislike. But -when you get a washing basket full of proposals every morning by the -post; when seedy looking scallywags ogle you; when smug young men with -soft hats and no chins wait outside your door to hand you their own -poems; and when greasy cranks stop your carriage to proffer their hearts -to you before your servants, it becomes too much. Of course you can burn -the letters, though there are some of them too good and too honest not -to treat their writers with respect. But the cranks and egotists, and -scallywags and publicans and sinners, the loafers that float round one -like an unwholesome miasma; these are too many and too various, and too -awful to cope with. I felt the conviction so driven in to me that the -girl, or at any rate her personality, counts for so little, but that her -money, or her notoriety, or celebrity or whatever it is, counts for so -much, that I couldn't bear to meet strangers at all. Burglars and ghosts -and tigers and snakes and all kinds of things that dart out on you -are bad enough; but I tell you that proposers on the pounce are a holy -terror. Why, at last I began to distrust everyone. There wasn't an -unmarried man of my acquaintance that I didn't begin to suspect of some -design; and then the funny part of it was that if they didn't come up -to the scratch I felt aggrieved. It was awfully unfair wasn't it? But I -could not help it. I wonder if there is a sort of moral jaundice which -makes one see colours all wrong! If there is, I had it; and so I just -came away to get cured if I could. - -"You can't imagine the freedom which it was to me not to be made much -of and run after. Of course there was a disappointing side to it; -I'm afraid people's heads swell very quick! But, all told, it was -delightful. Mrs. Jack had come with me, and I had covered up my tracks -at home so that no one would be worried. We ran up to Canada, and at -Montreal took a steamer to Liverpool. We got out, however, at Moville. -We had given false names, so that we couldn't be tracked." Here she -stopped; and a shy look grew over her face. I waited, for I thought it -would embarrass her less to tell things in her own way than to be asked -questions. The shy look grew into a rosy blush, through which came that -divine truth which now and again can shine from a girl's eyes. She said -in quite a different way from any in which she had spoken to me as yet; -with a gentle appealing gravity: - -"That was why I let you keep the wrong impression as to my name. I -couldn't bear that you, who had been so good to me, should, at the very -start of our--our friendship, find me out in a piece of falsity. And -then when we knew each other better, and after you had treated me with -so much confidence about the Second Sight and Gormala and the Treasure, -it made me feel so guilty every time I thought of it that I was ashamed -to speak." She stopped and I ventured to take her hand. I said in as -consolatory a way as I could: - -"But my dear, that was not any deceit--to me at any rate. You took -another name to avoid trouble before ever I even saw you; how then could -I be aggrieved. Besides" I added, feeling bolder as she did not make any -effort to draw away her hand, "I should be the last person in the world -to object to your changing your name!" - -"Why?" she asked raising her eyes to mine with a glance which shot -through me. This was pure coquetry; she knew just as well as I did what -I meant. All the same, however, I said: - -"Because I too want you to change it!" She did not say a word, but -looked down. - -I was now sure of my ground, and without a word I bent over and kissed -her. She did not draw back. Her arms went round me; and in an instant I -had a glimpse of heaven. - -Presently she put me away gently and said: - -"There was another reason why I did not speak all that time. I can tell -it to you now." - -"Pardon me" I interrupted "but before you tell me, am I to take it -that--well, what has just been between us--is an affirmative answer to -my question?" Her teeth flashed as well as her eyes as she answered: - -"Have you any doubt? Was there any imperfection in the answer? If so, -perhaps we had better read it as 'no.'" - -My answer was not verbal; but it was satisfactory to me. Then she went -on: - -"I can surely tell you now at all events. Have you still doubts?" - -"Yes" said I, "many, very many, hundreds, thousands, millions, all of -which are clamouring for instant satisfaction!" She said quietly and -very demurely, at the same time raising that warning hand which I -already well knew, and which I could not but feel was apt to have an -influence on my life, though I had no doubt but that it would always be -for good: - -"Then as there are so many, there is not the slightest use trying to -deal with them now." - -"All right" I said "we shall take them in proper season and deal with -them seriatim." She said nothing, but she looked happy. - -I felt so happy myself that the very air round us, and the sunshine, -and the sea, seemed full of joyous song. There was music even in the -screaming of the myriad seagulls sweeping overhead, and in the wash of -the rising and falling waves at our feet. I kept my eyes on Marjory as -she went on to speak: - -"Oh, it is a delight to be able to tell you now what a pleasure it was -to me to know that you, who knew nothing of me, of my money, or my ship, -or all the fireworks and Joan of Arc business--I shall never forget that -phrase--had come to me for myself alone. It was a pleasure which I could -not help prolonging. Even had I had no awkwardness in telling my name, -I should have kept it back if possible; so that, till we had made our -inner feelings known to each other, I should have been able to revel in -this assurance of personal attraction;" I was so happy that I felt I -could interrupt: - -"That sounds an awfully stilted way of putting it, is it not?" I said. -"May I take it that what you mean is, that though you loved me a -little--of course after I had shown you that I loved you a great -deal--you still wished to keep me on a string; so that my ignorance of -your extrinsic qualities might add a flavour to your enjoyment of my -personal devotion?" - -"You talk" she said with a joyful smile "like a small book with gilt -edges! And now, I know you want to know more of my surroundings, where -we are living and what are our plans." - -Her words brought a sort of cold shiver to me. In my great happiness I -had forgotten for the time all anxiety for her safety. In a rush there -swept over me all the matters which had caused me such anguish of mind -for the last day and a half. She saw the change in me, and with poetic -feeling put in picturesque form her evident concern: - -"Archie, what troubles you? your face is like a cloud passing over a -cornfield!" - -"I am anxious about you" I said. "In the perfection of happiness -which you have given me, I forgot for the moment some things that are -troubling me." With infinite gentleness, and with that sweet tenderness -which is the sympathetic facet of love, she laid her hand on mine and -said: - -"Tell me what troubles you. I have a right to know now, have I not?" For -answer I raised her hand and kissed it; then holding it in mine I went -on: - -"At the same time that I learned about you, I heard of some other things -which have caused me much anxiety. You will help to put me at ease, -won't you?" - -"Anything you like I shall do. I am all yours now!" - -"Thank you, my darling, thank you!" was all I could say; her sweet -surrender of herself overwhelmed me. "But I shall tell you later; in the -meantime tell me all about yourself, for that is a part of what I wait -for." So she spoke: - -"We are living, Mrs. Jack and I, in an old Castle some miles back in the -country from here. First I must tell you that Mrs. Jack is my old nurse. -Her husband had been a workman of my father's in his pioneer days. When -Dad made his own pile he took care of Jack--Jack Dempsey his name was, -but we never called him anything but Jack. His wife was Mrs. Jack then, -and has been so ever since to me. When mother died, Mrs. Jack, who had -lost her husband a little while before, came to take care of me. Then -when father died she took care of everything; and has been like a mother -to me ever since. As I dare say you have noticed, she has never got over -the deferential manner which she used to have in her poorer days. But -Mrs. Jack is a rich woman as women go; if some of my proposers had an -idea of how much money she has they would never let her alone till she -married some one. I think she got a little frightened at the way I was -treated; and there was a secret conviction that she might be the next to -suffer. If it hadn't been for that, I doubt if she would ever, even to -please me, have fallen in with my mad scheme of running away under false -names. When we came to London we saw the people at Morgan's; and the -gentleman who had charge of our affairs undertook to keep silence as to -us. He was a nice old man, and I told him enough of the state of affairs -for him to understand that I had a good reason for lying dark. I thought -that Scotland might be a good place to hide in for a time; so we looked -about amongst the land agents for a house where we would not be likely -to be found. They offered us a lot; but at last they told us of one -between Ellon and Peterhead, way back from the road. We found it in a -dip between a lot of hills where you would never suspect there was a -house at all, especially as it was closely surrounded with a wood. It is -in reality an old castle, built about two or three hundred years ago. -The people who own it--Barnard by name, are away, the agent told us, and -the place was to let year after year but no one has ever taken it. He -didn't seem to know much about the owners as he had only seen their -solicitor; but he said they might come some time and ask to visit the -house. It is an interesting old place, but awfully gloomy. There are -steel trellis gates, and great oak doors bound with steel, that rumble -like thunder when you shut them. There are vaulted roofs; and windows in -the thickness of the wall, which though they are big enough to sit in, -are only slits at the outside. Oh! it is a perfect daisy of an old -house. You must come and see it! I will take you all over it; that is, -over all I can, for there are some parts of it shut off and locked up." - -"When may I go?" I asked. - -"Well, I had thought," she answered, "that it would be very nice if you -were to get your wheel and ride over with me to-day." - -"Count me in every time! By the way what is the name of the place?" - -"Crom Castle. Crom is the name of the little village, but it is a couple -of miles away." I paused a while thinking before I spoke. Then with my -mind made up I said: - -"Before we leave here I want to speak of something which, however -unimportant you may think it, makes me anxious. You will let me at the -beginning beg, won't you, that you do not ask me who my informant is, or -not to tell you anything except what I think advisable." Her face grew -grave as she said: - -"You frighten me! But Archie, dear, I trust you. I trust you; and you -may speak plainly. I shall understand." - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -COMRADESHIP - - -"I want you to promise me that you will not hide yourself where I cannot -find you. I have grave reason for the request. Also, I want you, if -you will, to let some others know where you are." At first there was -instinctive defiance in her mouth and nostrils. Then her brows wrinkled -in thought; the sequence was an index to character which I could not but -notice. However the war was not long; reason, whatever was the outcome -of its dominance, triumphed over impulse. I thought I could understand -the logical process which led to her spoken conclusion: - -"You want to report me to 'Uncle Sam'." - -"That's about it!" I answered, and hurried on to give her a reason -before she made up her mind to object. - -"Remember, my dear, that your nation is at war; and, though you are -at present safe in a country friendly to both belligerents, there are -evil-minded people in all countries who will take advantage of anything -unusual, to work their own ends. That splendid gift of yours to the -nation, while it has made you a public favourite and won for you -millions of friends--and proposals--has yet made for you a host of -enemies. It is not as if you had given a hospital-ship or an ambulance. -Your gift belongs to the war side and calls out active hatred; and no -doubt there are men banded together to do you harm. This cannot be -allowed. Your friends, and the nation as a whole, would take any step -to prevent such a thing; but they might all be powerless if you were -hidden anywhere where they could not find you." As I spoke, Marjory -looked at me keenly, not with hostility, but with genuine interest. When -I had finished she said quietly: - -"That is very well; but now tell me, dear"--how the word thrilled me; it -was the first time she had used it to me--"did Sam Adams fill you up -with that argument, or is it your own? Don't think me nasty; but I want -to know something of what is going on. Believe me, I am willing to -do all _you_ wish if it is your own will; and I am grateful for your -thought for me. But I don't want you to be a mere mouthpiece for any -party moves by the politicians at home." - -"How do you mean?" - -"My dear boy, I don't suppose you know enough of American politics to -see how a certain lot would use to their own advantage anything that -came in their way. Anybody or anything which the public takes an -interest in would be, and is, used by them unscrupulously. Why, if the -hangers-on to the war party wanted to make a show, they might enroll my -proposers and start a new battalion." - -"But," I remonstrated, "you don't think the Government is like that?" In -reply she smiled: - -"I don't altogether know about that. Parties are parties all the world -over. But of course the Washington people wouldn't do things that are -done by local politicians. And one other thing. Don't imagine for a -moment that I think Sam Adams is anything of the kind. He belongs to the -service of the nation and takes his orders from his chief. How can he, -or any one fixed like him, know the ins and outs of things; except -from what he hears privately from home, or gathers from what goes on -around him if he is cute?" It appeared to me that all this was tending -to establish an argument against taking the American Embassy into -confidence, so I struck in before it should be complete. As I was not -at liberty to take Marjory into confidence with regard to my source of -information, I had to try to get her to agree to what I thought right or -necessary on other grounds: - -"My dearest, can you not leave out politics, American or otherwise. What -on earth have politics to do with us?" She opened her eyes in wonder; -she was reasoning better than I was. With an air of conviction she said: - -"Why, everything! If any one wants to do me harm, it must be on the -grounds of politics. I don't believe there is any one in the world who -could want to injure me on private grounds. Oh! my dear, I don't want -to talk about it, not even to you; but all my life I have tried to help -other people in a quiet way. My guardians would tell you that I have -asked them for too much money to give to charities; and personally I -have tried to do what a girl can in a helpful way to others. I have been -in hospitals and homes of all kinds; and I have classes of girls in my -own house and try to make them happier and better. Archie, don't think -poorly of me for speaking like this; but I couldn't bear that _you_ -should think I had no sense of the responsibility of great wealth. I -have always looked on it as a trust; and I hope, my dear, that in time -to come you will help me to bear the burden and to share the trust!" I -had thought up to now that I couldn't love her more than I did. But when -I heard her words, and recognised the high purpose that lay behind them, -and saw the sweet embarrassment which came to her in speaking them to -me, I felt that I had been mistaken. She looked at me lovingly, and, -holding my hand in both of hers, went on: - -"What then could hurt me except it came from the political side. I could -quite understand it if Spaniards wished to harm me, for I have done -what I can to hinder them from murdering and torturing other victims. -And I could understand if some of our own low-down politicians would try -to use me as a stalking horse, though they wouldn't harm me. I want to -keep clear of politics; and I tell you frankly that I shall if I can." - -"But Marjory dear, there may be, I believe there are, Spaniards who -would try to harm you. If you were in America you would be safer from -them; for there at present, whilst the war is on, every stranger is a -marked man. Here, on neutral ground, foreigners are free; and they are -not watched and observed in the same way. If there were such fiends, and -I am told there are, they might do you a harm before any one could know -their intention or have time to forestall them." - -All the native independence of Marjory's race and nature stood out in -strong relief as she answered me: - -"My dear Archie, I come from a race of men who have held their lives in -their hands from the cradle to the grave. My father, and my grandfather, -and my great grandfather were pioneers in Illinois, in Kentucky, in -the Rockies and California. They knew that there were treacherous foes -behind them every hour of their lives; and yet they were not afraid. And -I am not afraid either. Their blood is in my veins, and speaks loudly to -me when any sense of fear comes near me. Their brains, as well as their -hands, kept guard on their lives; and my brains are like theirs. I do -not fear any foe, open or secret. Indeed, when I think of a secret foe -all the keenness of my people wakes in me, and I want to fight. And this -secret work is a way in which a woman can fight in an age like ours. If -my enemies plot, I can counter-plot; if they watch without faltering to -catch me off guard, I can keep guard unflinchingly. A woman can't go out -now-a-days, except at odd times, and fight with weapons like Joan of -Arc, or the Maid of Saragossa; but she can do her fighting in her own -way, level with her time. I don't see that if there is to be danger -around me, why I shouldn't do as my ancestors did, fight harder than -their foes. Here! let me tell you something now, that I intended to say -later. Do you know what race of men I come from? Does my name tell you -nothing? If not, then this will!" - -She took from her neck, where again it had been concealed by a lace -collar, the golden jewel which I had rescued from the sea. As I took it -in my hand and examined it she went on: - -"That came to me from my father, who got it from his, and he from his, -on and on till our story of it, which is only verbal, for we have no -records, is lost in the legend that it is a relic of the Armada brought -to America by two cousins who had married, both being of the family to -which the great Sir Francis Drake belonged. I didn't know, till lately, -and none of us ever did, where exactly in the family the last owners of -the brooch came in, or how they became possessed of such a beautiful -jewel. But you have told me in your translation of Don de Escoban's -narrative. That was the jewel that Benvenuto Cellini made in duplicate -when he wrought the figurehead for the Pope's galley. The Pope gave it -to Bernardino de Escoban, and he gave it to Admiral Pedro de Valdes. -I have been looking up the history of the time since I saw you, and I -found that Admiral de Valdes when he was taken prisoner by Sir Francis -Drake at the fight with the Armada was kept, pending his ransom, in the -house of Richard Drake, kinsman of Sir Francis. How the Drake family got -possession of the brooch I don't know; but anyhow I don't suppose they -stole it. They were a kindly lot in private, any of them that I ever -knew; though when they were in a fight they fought like demons. The old -Spanish Dons were generous and free with their presents, and I take it -that when Pedro de Valdes got his ransom he made the finest gift he -could to those who had been kind to him. That is the way I figure it -out." - -Whilst she was speaking, thoughts kept crowding in upon me. Here was -indeed the missing link in the chain of Marjory's connection with the -hidden treasure; and here was the beginning of the end of Gormala's -prophecy, for as such I had come to regard it. The Fates were at work -upon us. Clotho was spinning the thread which was to enmesh Marjory and -myself and all who were in the scheme of the old prophecy of the Mystery -of the Sea and its working out. - -Once more the sense of impotence grew upon me. We were all as -shuttlecocks, buffeted to and fro without power to alter our course. -With the thought came that measure of resignation which is the anodyne -to despair. In a sort of trance of passivity I heard Marjory's voice run -on: - -"Therefore, my dear Archie, I will trust to you to help me. The -comradeship which has been between us, will never through this grow -less; though nearer and dearer and closer ties may seem to overshadow -it." - -I could not answer such reasoning; but I took her in my arms and kissed -her. I understood, as she did, that my kisses meant acquiescence in her -wishes. After a while I said to her: - -"One thing I must do. I owe it as a duty of honour to tell my informant -that I am unable to give your address to the American Embassy, and that -I cannot myself take a part in anything which is to be done except by -your consent. But oh! my dear, I fear we are entering on a dangerous -course. We are all staying deliberately in the dark, whilst there is -light to be had; and we shall need all the light which we can get." -Then a thought struck me and I added, "By the way, I suppose I am free -to give information how I can, so long as you are not committed or -compromised?" She thought for quite a few minutes before she answered. -I could see that she was weighing up the situation, and considering it -from all points of view. Then she said, putting both her hands in mine: - -"In this, as in all ways, Archie, I know that I can trust you. There is -so much more than even this between us, that I should feel mean to give -it a thought hereafter!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -THE OLD FAR WEST AND THE NEW - - -Presently Marjory jumped up and said: - -"Now you must get your wheel and come over to Crom. I am burning to show -it to you!" We crossed the little isthmus and climbed the rocks above -the Reivie o' Pircappies. As we topped the steep path I almost fell back -with the start I gave. - -There sat Gormala MacNiel, fixed and immovable as though she were of -stone. She looked so unconcerned that I began to suspect her. At first -she seemed not to notice us; but I could see that she was looking at us -under her eyelashes. I was anxious to find out how long she had been -there, so I said, mentioning her name in order that Marjory might know -who she was: - -"Why, Gormala, what has become of you? I thought you were off again to -the Islands. We haven't seen you for a long time." She replied in her -usual uncompromising way: - -"I hae nae doot that ye thocht me far, gin ye did na see me. Aye! Aye! -the time has been lang; but I could wait: I could wait!" - -"What were you waiting for?" Marjory's voice seemed almost as that of a -being from another world. It was so fresh, so true, so independent that -it seemed at variance with Gormala and her whole existence. As a man -beside two women, I felt more as a spectator than as a participant, and -my first general impression was that the New World was speaking to the -Old. Gormala seemed to me absolutely flabbergasted. She stared, and -looked in a dazed way, at the girl, standing up as she did so with the -instinctive habit, ingrained through centuries of custom, of an inferior -to a superior. Then she moved her hand across her forehead, as though to -clear her brain, before she replied: - -"What was I waitin' for? I'll tell ye, an ye will. I was waitin' for the -fulfillment o' the Doom. The Voices hae spoken; and what they hae said, -will be. There be them that would stand in the way o' Fate, and would -try to hinder the comin' that must be. But they will fail; they will -fail! They can no more block the river o' time wi' ony deeds o' mon, -than they can dam the spate wi' a bairn's playtoy." Again came Marjory's -searching question, with all the mystery-dispelling freshness of her -unfettered youth; and indeed it seemed as if the Old-world mystery could -not hold its dignity in the face of overt, direct questioning: - -"By the way, what was it that the Doom said? Was it anything that an -American girl can understand?" Gormala gazed at her in manifest wonder. -To her, reared in the atmosphere of the Old Far West, this product of -the New Far West seemed like a being of another world. Had Marjory been -less sweet in her manner than she was, or less fair to look upon, less -dignified, or less grave, the old woman would probably have shown -hostility at once. But it seemed to me impossible that even a -witch-woman could be hostile to Marjory to-day. She looked so sweet, and -kind and happy; so bright and joyous; so much like the incarnation of -ideal girlhood, that criticism was disarmed, and hostility could not -force a way into the charmed circle of that radiant presence. To me, her -attitude towards Gormala was incomprehensible. She knew Gormala, for I -had told her of who and what the Seer was, and of the prophecies and -warnings that she had already uttered; and yet from her manner she -appeared ignorant of all concerning both her and them. She was not -conciliatory after the manner of the young who wish to please the old, -or to ingratiate themselves with them. She was not hostile, as would be -one who had determined on opposition. About her or her manner there was -nothing hard, or frivolous or contradictory. And yet it was apparent to -me that she had some fixed, determined purpose of her own; and it became -before long apparent to me also, that the other woman knew, or at any -rate suspected, such an existence, though she could neither comprehend -nor locate it. Gormala seemed once, twice, as though she were about to -speak, but hesitated; at last with an effort she spoke out: - -"The Voice o' the Doom no sounds in words such as mortals can hear. It -is spoken in sounds that are heard of the inner ear. What matter the -words, when the ear that hearkens can understan'!" - -"But," said Marjory, "could I not be told the words, or if there were no -actual words, could you not give me in your own words what the sounds -uttered seemed to you to mean?" To anyone but a Seer such a request -would seem reasonable enough; but visionaries who have a receptive power -of their own, and who learn by means whose methods are unconscious to -them, can hardly undertake to translate the dim, wide-stretching purpose -of the powers of the Unknown into bald, narrow, human speech. Gormala's -brows wrinkled up in thought; then a scowl of disappointment swept over -her face. In an angry tone she turned to me and said: - -"Wha be yon lassie that questions so blithely the truth o' the Voice -that is kent by ye an' me? Why dinna ye tak her awa' before she mocks -me, an' in me the Doom; an' I speak oot to her?" Marjory spoke up for -herself. - -"Please do not think it a liberty to ask you; but I should like so much -to know exactly what was said. It is so easy for people to confuse ideas -when words are loosely used. Don't you find it so?" I do not think -Gormala MacNiel had any humour at all; if she had, I had certainly never -seen any trace of it. Had it been there it would have surely saved her -from anger; for there was something delicious in the way in which -Marjory put her question, as though to one of her own kind and holding -the same views as herself on general matters. Gormala did not like it. -Though there was a blank in her mind as to the existence of humour, she -must have felt conscious of the blank. She could not understand the -other woman; and for a little while sought refuge in a silence composed -of about equal parts of sulk and dignity. But Marjory was not content -with silence; she pressed home her question in the most polite but most -matter of fact way, till I could see the Witch-woman mentally writhe. I -should have interfered, for I did not want any unpleasant scene in which -Marjory must have a part; but I felt that the girl had some purposeful -meaning in her persistence. Had Gormala had a pause in the attack -she would, I felt, have gone away and bided her time: but in such a -pushing of the matter as Marjory braced herself to, there could be no -withdrawal, unless under defeat. Gormala looked round now and again, -as one, man or animal, does when hunted; but each time she restrained -herself by an effort. At last her temper began to rise; her face -flushed, and the veins, of passion stood out on her forehead. Her eyes -flashed, and white marks began to come and go about the face, especially -round the nose. I could see from the leap of fire in Marjory's eyes that -this was what she was waiting for. She lowered her voice, and the tone -of her speaking, till both matter and manner were icily chill; but all -the time she persisted in her matter-of-fact questioning. - -At last Gormala's temper broke, and she turned on the girl in such -a fury that for a few seconds I thought she was going to attack her -physically. I stood ready to hold her off if necessary. At the first -moment the passion in her was so great that she spoke in Gaelic; blind, -white-hot fury will not allow a choice of tongues. The savage in her was -speaking, and it spoke in the tongue it knew best. Of course neither -of us could understand it, and we only stood smiling. Marjory smiled -deliberately as though to exasperate her; I smiled because Marjory was -smiling. Presently, through the tumult of her passion, Gormala began to -realise that we did not understand her; and, with an effort which shook -her, began to speak in English. With the English which she had, came -intention and the restraint which it implies. Her phrases were not -common curses, but rather a picturesque half prophecy with a basis of -hate. The gravamen of her charge was that Marjory had scoffed against -the Doom and Fate and the Voices. To me, who had suffered the knowledge -to which she appealed, the attack was painful. What was charged was a -sort of natural sacrilege; and it wounded me and angered me to see -Marjory made the subject of any attack. I was about to interfere, when -with a gesture, which the Witch-woman did not see, she warned me to -silence. She struck into the furious woman's harangue with quiet, -incisive, cultured voice which made the other pause: - -"Indeed you do me a wrong; I scoffed at nothing. I should not scoff at -your religion any more than I should at my own. I only asked you a few -questions as to facts which seemed to touch a friend of mine." The -point of this speech which, strange to say, affected the woman most was -regarding her religion: - -"Wha be ye, ye hizzie, that wad daur to misca' me that is a Christian -woman all my days. What be your releegion, that ye try to shame me wi' -mine." Marjory said deliberately, but with all the outward appearance of -courtesy: - -"But I did not know that in the scheme of the Christian belief there -were such things as the Doom and the Voice and Fate!" The old woman -towered up; for a moment she was all Seer and Prophet. Her words -thrilled through me; and I could see through Marjory also. Though she -held herself proudly, her lips grew pale: - -"Then learn while ye may that there be lesser powers as well as greater -in the scheme o' God's warld, and o' His working o' the wonders therein. -Ye may scoff at me wha' am after all but an aud wife; though one to whom -are Visions given, and in whose ears the Voice has spoken. Ye may pride -yersel' that yer ignorance is mair than the knowledge o' ithers. Ye -may doot the truths that hae been garnered oot o' centuries o' dour -experience, an' tak' the cloak o' yer ignorance as an answer to a' the -mysteries that be. But mark me weel! the day will come--it is no far aff -the noo--when ye will wring yer honds, and pray wi' all the power an' -bitter grief o' yer soul for some licht to guide ye that ye no hae had -yet!" She paused and stood in a sort of trance, stiffening all over like -a pointer at mark. Then she raised one hand high over her head, so that -the long arm seemed to extend her gaunt form to an indefinite length. -With a far-away solemn voice she spoke: - -"I see ye too, though no by yer lanes, in the wild tide-race amang the -rocks in the dark nicht, mid leaping waves. An' lo! o'er the waste o' -foam is a floatin' shrood!" Then she stopped, and in a few seconds came -back to herself. In the meantime Marjory, whose lips had grown white as -death, though she never lost her proud bearing, groped blindly for my -hand and held it hard. She never for a moment took her eyes off the -other. - -When Gormala was quite her own woman again, she turned without a word -and walked away in her gaunt, stately manner, feeling I am sure, as we -did, that she did not go without the honours of war. Marjory continued -to watch her until she had passed up the track, and had disappeared -behind the curve of the hill. - -Then, all at once, she seemed to collapse in a faint; and had I not held -her hand, and so was able to draw her into my arms, she must have fallen -to the ground. - -In a wonderfully short time she recovered her senses, and then with a -great effort stood up; though she still had to steady herself by my -hand. When she was all right again she said to me: - -"I suppose you wonder why I attacked her like that. Oh! yes, I did -attack her; I meant to," for she saw the question in my eyes. "It was -because she was so hostile to you. What right had she to force you to do -anything? She is harmful to you, Archie. I know it! I know it! I know -it! and I determined not to let her have her way. And besides,"--this -with a shy loving look at me, "as she is hostile to you she must be to -me also. I want to be with you, even in the range of the hate and the -love of others. That is to be one; and as we are to fight together I -must share your lot in all!" I took her in my arms, and for some divine -moments, our hearts beat together. - -In those moments my mind was made up as to the wishes of Adams. How -could I refuse in any way to fight the battle, as she might wish it -fought, of a girl who so loyally shared my lot! - -Then we arranged that I should go home for my bicycle, and meet Marjory -at the bridge by the Parish Church. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -CROM CASTLE - - -When I rejoined Marjory, we went up the high road and then turned off -by a by-way which took us round innumerable slopes and mounds, so -characteristic of this part of Aberdeen. The entire county, seen from -high places, looks bare and open; but it has its hills and hollows in -endless variety. From the cross road we turned up another and still -another, till I lost my bearings entirely. - -The part of the country where we now were was a sort of desolation of -cultivation; endless low hills clad with fields of wheat and barley with -never a house to be seen, except some far off cottage or the homestead -of a laird perched on the top of a hill. At last we entered through an -open gateway with broken pillars, still bearing the remains of some -armorial device in statuary. There was an avenue, fringed with tall -trees on either side, and beyond a broad belt of undergrowth. The avenue -wound round and round in an endless series of curves. From the gate -where we entered was a thick, close wood nearly a quarter of a mile in -width. Here the trees stood so close, and their locking branches made -such a screen, that it was quite gloomy within. Here too the road was -made in perpetual curves, so that it was not possible to see far ahead. -Indeed I remarked to Marjory as we rode along: - -"No wonder you chose this as a place to hide in; it looks as if it was -made for concealment. It is a regular Rosamund's Bower!" - -When we had passed through the wood, we came out on a great piece of -level ground with a wide mound some twenty feet high, in the midst of -it. On this was built of granite, a crenelated castle. It was not very -high, but extended wide in a square, with a low arched doorway in front -of us through which it might be possible to drive with care. The doorway -was closed by two gates; first a massive network of interlocking steel -bars of seemingly foreign workmanship, and secondly great gates of oak -fortified with steel bands and massive bosses of hammered iron. Before -going in, Marjory took me right round the castle and I saw that it was -the same on all four sides. It was built by the points of the compass; -but there was no gateway except on one side. The ordinary way of -entering was by a more modern door on the south side. From inside the -castle it was not possible to see anywhere beyond the wood. Even from -the stone roof, made for defence, where Marjory took me, it was only -possible to get a glimpse through the tree tops here and there of -round-topped hills yellow with ripening grain or crowned with groves of -scanty wind-swept pine trees. Altogether it was as gloomy a place as I -had ever seen. It was cut off altogether from the outer world; one might -remain in it for a life-time unknown. - -Inside it was, if possible, more gloomy. Small rooms almost everywhere, -except the great hall, and one room at the top facing the south side -which lay just under the roof and which was lined with old oak. Here -there were quite a number of windows such as Marjory had described, all -of them, though wide on the inner side, narrowed to mere slits on the -outer. In castles and houses built, like this, for defence, it did -not do to allow opportunities to an attacking force to send missiles -within. - -Mrs. Jack and Marjory had made this their living room, and here were all -the pretty treasures and knick-knacks which they had gathered on their -travels. The old lady welcomed me warmly. Then Marjory took her aside -and told her something in whispers. I could guess what it was; but any -doubts I might have had were dispelled when she came over and kissed me -and said: - -"Indeed, I congratulate you with all my heart. You have won the best, -and sweetest, and dearest girl that ever drew breath. I have been with -her all my life; and I have not found a flaw in her yet. And I am glad -that it is you whom she has chosen. Somehow, I wished it from the first -moment I saw you. That you may both be happy, I pray the good Lord God! -And I know you will; for you are true, and Marjory has a heart of gold." - -"A heart of gold!" Her words had given me more than pleasure; but the -last phrase pulled my joy up short. A cold shiver ran through me. A -golden man had been a part of the prophecy of the Mystery of the Sea; -and only a little while ago Gormala had in her vision seen Marjory -struggling in the tide-race with a shroud in the air. - -I think Marjory felt something of the same kind, for she looked at me -anxiously and grew a little pale. She said nothing, however, and I -thought it better to pass the matter by. Although Marjory had heard the -expression of the Witch-woman's vision, and though I had told her of -my first experience of the old rhyming prophecy, the former was at a -time when neither I myself nor the whole mystery was of any special -importance to her. She might not have remembered it; I trusted that this -was so. - -However, we could not either of us be sad for long to-day. Our joy was -too fresh to be dimmed by any thought of gloom, except momentarily as a -mirror is by a passing breath. - -Tea in the old oak room was a delight, with the afternoon sun coming -in slantwise through the narrow windows and falling in lines of light -across the floor. Marjory made the tea and served me; and each time I -took anything from her hand our fingers met, she no more than myself -avoiding the touch. Then, leaving the old lady upstairs, she took me -through the various rooms; and in her pretty, impulsive way she told me -all the romances which she had already woven about them in her brain. -She came and saw me off; with her kiss of good-bye on my lips I rode -back through the gloomy wood, feeling as proud and valiant as a knight -of old. - -I found my way to Ellon and went on the train to Aberdeen, for I felt it -due to Adams that I should see him at once. It was impossible to write -all I had to say; and besides I wanted to retain his good will, and to -arrange for securing his aid, if he would consent to do so under our -altered conditions. - -I found him in his room hard at work. He was writing something which I -suppose he considered important, for he put it carefully away and locked -his despatch box before we began to talk. Of course it might have been -only his diplomatic habit; but he seemed grave over it. I entered at -once on the matter between us, for I thought to get the disagreeable -side over first and let concessions and alterations follow: - -"I am sorry, Sam, I shall not be able to help you with information -regarding Miss Drake." - -"Why? Haven't you heard from her?" - -"It is not that; but I am not free to do what you wish." Adams looked at -me for a long time. Then he said quietly: - -"I see. You have your orders! Well, I am sorry for it; it may bring -dreadful harm to her, and I daresay to you too, now. Say, old chap, is -that decision of yours final? The matter is more grave than I thought -when I saw you last. We have had more information, and they are pressing -us from Washington to take all precautions we can. Come, won't you help -me--help her?" - -"I can't, the way you say. Sam Adams, you know I would do anything I -could for you; but in this matter I am pledged. I have been given a -secret, and I must keep it honourably at all hazards. But look here, I -am anxious all the same. Can't you trust me a little bit and tell me -what to look for. I won't give you away; and I may be able to carry out -your wishes as to helping to guard her, though I have to do it in my own -way." He smiled, though very bitterly and ironically. I was glad to see -the smile anyhow, for we were old and tried friends and I should not -like there to be any break between us. Besides I wanted his help; his -knowledge now, and his resources later on, if need should be. He was an -official, and the matter was an official one though his heart was in it; -it was not as if his personal feelings or his honour had been involved. - -"Well," he said, "you have a fine gall anyhow! You refuse point blank to -give me the slightest help, though I ask it on all grounds, official for -America, personal as I am in charge, and for the sake of your own girl; -and then you expect me to tell you all I can. Well, look here, I'll tell -you anything that will help you as soon as I know it, if you will keep -me advised of exactly where you are--so--so that I may be able to find -you if I wish." - -I told him heartily that I would keep him posted as to my movements. -Then, as there was nothing to remain for, I said good-bye--a good-bye, I -am glad to say, given and taken with our old heartiness. Before I went I -said: - -"Sam, you know how a message can find me if there is anything you -should think it well to tell me." To which he replied: - -"All right, Archie, I'll remember. You understand that as I shall have -to work this racket alone I must do it in my own way: otherwise we shall -have complications. But if there is anything I can do on your side, I -shall do it all the same. You know how to reach me. If you send for -me I shall come any hour of the day or night. And say, old chap, I go -heeled!" he pointed to his pistol pocket. "Let me advise you to do the -same just at present!" - -I took his advice and bought in Aberdeen, before returning to Cruden, -two of the finest revolvers I could get. One of them was made for a -lady; the other I always carried myself from that day forward. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -SECRET SERVICE - - -Next morning after breakfast I wheeled over to Crom, bringing in my -bicycle bag the revolver and ammunition for Marjory. I could not but -feel alarmed for her safety as I rode through the wood which surrounded -the house. It would need a regiment to guard one from a stray assassin. -For myself I did not have any concern; but the conviction grew and grew -on me to the point of agony that harm which I should be powerless to -prevent might happen here to Marjory. When I was inside the house the -feeling was easier. Here, the place was to all intents and purposes -fortified, for nothing short of cannon or dynamite could make any -impression on it. - -Marjory received my present very graciously; I could see from the way -that she handled the weapon that she had little to learn of its use. I -suppose the thought must have crossed her that I might think it strange -to find her so familiar with a lethal weapon, for she turned to me and -said with that smoothness of tone which marks the end rather than the -beginning of a speech: - -"Dad always wished me to know how to use a gun. I don't believe he was -ever without one himself, even in his bed, from the time he was a small -boy. He used to say 'It never does any one any harm to be ready to -get the drop first, in case of a scrap!' I have a little beauty in my -dressing-case that he got made for me. I am doubly armed now." - -I stayed to lunch, but went away immediately after as I was anxious to -find if Adams had sent me any message. Before going, I asked Marjory -to be especially careful not to be out alone in the woods round the -house, for a few days at any rate. She demurred at first; but finally -agreed--'to please you' as she put it--not to go out at all till I -had come again. I told her that as I was coming to breakfast the next -morning if I might, it was not a very long time of imprisonment. - -When I asked for telegrams at the post-office, which was in the hotel, -I was told that a gentleman was waiting to see me in the coffee room. I -went in at once and found Sam Adams reading an old newspaper. He started -up when he saw me and straightway began: - -"I hurried over to tell you that we have had further news. Nothing very -definite to-day; but the Washington people hope to have a lot of detail -by to-morrow night. So be ready, old chap!" I thanked him, but even in -the act of doing so it struck me that he had taken a deal of trouble to -come over when he could have sent me a wire. I did not say so, however; -doubts of an act of this kind can always wait. - -Sam had tea with me, and then we smoked a cigar outside on the little -terrace before the hotel. There were some fishermen and workmen, as -usual sitting on or leaning against the wall across the road, and three -men who were lounging about, evidently trippers waiting for their tea to -be served. When we came out and had passed them, the little group went -into the coffee room. They were, all three, keen-looking, alert men, and -I had a passing wonder what they were doing in Cruden as they had no -golf bags with them. Sam did not remain long but caught the six-ten -train back to Aberdeen. - -I cannot say that my night was an easy one. Whilst I lay awake I -imagined new forms of danger to Marjory; and when I fell asleep I -dreamt them. I was up early, and after a sharp ride on my bicycle came -to Crom in time for breakfast. - -As we had a long forenoon, Marjory took me over the house. It was all of -some interest, as it represented the life and needs of life in the later -days of Queen Elizabeth in a part of the country where wars and feuds -had to be prepared for. The Castle was arranged for siege, even to the -water supply; there was a well of immense depth situated in a deep -dungeon under the angle of the castle which they called the Keep. They -did not, however, ordinarily depend on this, as there was otherwise an -excellent water supply. In the dungeon were chains and manacles and some -implements of torture, all covered with the rust of centuries. We hoped -that they had not been used. Marjory consoled herself with the thought -that they had been placed there at the time of the building as part of -the necessary furnishing of a mediæval castle. One room, the library, -was of great interest. It had not been built for the purpose, for there -was no provision of light; but it must have been adapted to this use not -long after the place was built. The woodwork of carved oak was early -seventeenth century. I did not have time to look over the books, and -there was no catalogue; but from the few which I glanced at I could see -that whoever had gathered the library must have been a scholar and an -enthusiast. - -In the course of our survey of the castle, Marjory showed me the parts -which were barred up and the rooms which were locked. That such a thing -should be in a house in which she lived was a never-ending source of -curiosity. There was a dozen times as much room as she could possibly -want; but here was something unknown and forbidden. She being a woman, -it became a Tree of Knowledge and a Bluebeard's Chamber in one. She was -so eager about it that I asked if she could not get permission from the -agent to go through the shut rooms and places so as to satisfy herself. -She replied that she had already done so, the very day after she had -arrived, and had had an answer that the permission could not be given -without the consent of the owner; but that as he was shortly expected -in Scotland her request would be forwarded to him and his reply when -received would be at once communicated to her. Whilst we were talking of -the subject a telegram to Mrs. Jack came from the agent, saying that the -owner had arrived and was happy to give permission required and that -further he would be obliged if the tenant would graciously accord him -permission to go some day soon through the house which he had not -seen for many years. A telegram was at once sent in Mrs. Jack's name, -thanking him for the permission and saying that the owner would be most -welcome to go through the house when he pleased. - -As I was anxious to hear if there was any news from Adams I said -good-bye at the door, and rode back on my bicycle. I had asked Marjory -to renew her promise of not going out alone for another day, and she had -acceded; 'only to please you,' she said this time. - -I found a wire from Adams sent at six o'clock: - -"Important news. Come here at once." I might catch the train if I -hurried, so jumped on my bicycle and got to the station just in time. - -I found Adams in his room at the Palace Hotel, walking up and down like -a caged panther. When I came in he rushed over to me and said eagerly as -he handed me a sheet of note paper: - -"Read that; it is a translation of our cipher telegram. I thought you -would never come!" I took it with a sinking heart; any news that was so -pressing could not be good, and bad must affect Marjory somehow. I read -the document over twice before I fully understood its meaning. It ran as -follows: - -"Secret Service believe that Drake plot is to kidnap and ransom. Real -plotters are understood to be gang who stole Stewart's body. Are using -certain Spanish and other foreigners as catspaw. Heads of plot now -in Europe, Spain, England, Holland. Expect more details. Use all -precautions." - -"What do you think of that?" said Adams when I had taken my eyes off the -paper. - -"I hardly know yet. What do you make of it? You have thought of it -longer than I have." - -"Just what I have thought all along. The matter is serious, very -serious! In one way that wire is something of a relief. If that -kidnapping gang are behind it, it doesn't mean political vengeance, but -only boodle; so that the fear of any sudden attack on her life is not so -imminent. The gang will take what care they can to keep from killing the -goose that lays the golden eggs. But then, the political desperadoes who -would enter on such a matter are a hard crowd; if they are in power, or -at any rate in numerical force, they may not be easy to keep back. -Indeed, it is possible that they too may have their own game to play, -and may be using the blackmailers for their own purpose. I tell you, old -man, we are in a very tight place, and must go to work pretty warily. -The whole thing swings so easily to one side or the other, that any -false move on the part of any of us may give the push to the side we -would least care should win. By the way, I take it that you are of the -same mind still regarding Miss Drake's wishes." - -"Now and always! But as you can guess I am anxious to know all I can -that can help me to guard her." Somewhat to my astonishment he answered -heartily: - -"All right, old chap, of course I will tell you; but I will depend on -your letting me know of anything you are free to tell which might serve -me in my work." - -"Certainly! I say," I added, "you don't mind my not having worked with -you about finding her address." - -"Not a bit! I have to find it in my own way; that is all!" There was -a sort of satisfaction, if not of triumph, in his tone which set me -thinking. - -"Then you know it already?" I said. - -"Not yet; but I hope to before the night is over." - -"Have you a clue?" He laughed. - -"Clue? a hundred. Why, man, none of us were born yesterday. There isn't -a thing on God's earth that mayn't be a clue now and again if it is -properly used. You are a clue yourself if it comes to that." In a -flash I saw it all. Adams had come to Cruden to point me out to his -detectives. These were the keen-looking men who were at Cruden when he -was. Of course they had followed me, and Marjory's secret was no secret -now. I said nothing for a little while; for at the first I was angry -that Adams should have used me against my will. Then two feelings strove -for mastery; one of anxiety lest my unconscious betrayal of her secret -might hurt me in Marjory's eyes, the other relief that now she was in a -measure protected by the resources of her great country. I was easier in -my mind concerning her safety when I thought of those keen, alert men -looking after her. Then again I thought that Adams had done nothing -which I could find fault with. I should doubtless have done the same -myself had occasion arisen. I was chagrined, however, to think that it -had all been so childishly simple. I had not even contemplated such a -contingency. If I couldn't plot and hide my tracks better than that, -I should be but a poor ally for Marjory in the struggle which she had -voluntarily undertaken against her unknown foes. - -Before I left Adams, I told him that I would come back on the to-morrow -evening. I went to bed early in the Palace hotel, as I wanted to catch -the first train back to Cruden. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -A SUBTLE PLAN - - -It was now a serious matter of thought to me how I could take Marjory -into proper confidence, without spoiling things and betraying Adams's -confidence. As I pondered, the conviction grew upon me that I had better -be quite frank with her and ask her advice. Accordingly when I saw -her at Crom at noon I entered on the matter, though I confess with -trepidation. When I told her I wanted to ask her advice she was all -attention. I felt particularly nervous as I began: - -"Marjory, when a man is in a hole he ought to consult his best friend; -oughtn't he?" - -"Why certainly!" - -"And you are my best friend; are you not?" - -"I hope so! I should certainly like to be." - -"Well, look here, dear, I am in such a tangle that I can't find a way -out, and I want you to help me." She must have guessed at something like -the cause of my difficulty, for a faint smile passed over her face as -she said: - -"The old trouble? Sam Adams's diplomacy, eh?" - -"It is this. I want to know how you think I should act so as to give -least pain to a very dear friend of mine, and at the same time do a very -imperative duty. You may see a way out that I don't." - -"Drive on dear; I'm listening." - -"Since we met I have had some very disturbing information from a source -which I am not at liberty to mention. I can tell you all about this, -though you must not ask me how I know it. But first there is something -else. I believe, though I do not know for certain, that your secret is -blown; that the detectives have discovered where you live." She sat up -at once. - -"What!" I went on quickly: - -"And I am sorry to say that if it is discovered it has been through me; -though not by any act or indeed by any fault of mine." She laid her hand -on mine and said reassuringly: - -"If you are in it, I can look at it differently. May I ask how you came -into that gallery?" - -"Certainly! I am not pledged as to this. It was by the most simple and -transparent of means. You and I were seen together. They did not know -where to look for you or follow you up, when they had lost the scent; -but they knew me and watched me. Voila!" - -"That's simple enough anyhow!" was her only comment. After a while she -asked: - -"Do you know how far they have got in their search?" - -"I do not; I only know that they expected to find where you lived two -days ago. I suppose they have found it out by this." - -"Sam Adams is getting too clever. They will be making him President, or -Alderman or something, if he doesn't look out. But do you know yet why -all this trouble is being taken about me." - -"I can tell you," I answered "but you must not tell any one, for it -would not do for the sake of others if it got about. There is a plan got -up by a gang of blackmailers to kidnap you for a ransom." She jumped up -with excitement and began to clap her hands. - -"Oh, that is too delicious!" she said. "Tell me all you know of it. We -may be able to lead them on a bit. It will be an awful lark!" I could -not possibly share her mirth; the matter was really too grave. She saw -my feeling in my face and stopped. She thought for a minute or two with -her brows wrinkled and then she said: - -"Are you really serious, Archie, as to any danger in the matter?" - -"My dear, there is always danger in a conspiracy of base men. We have -to fear, for we don't know the power or numbers of the conspiracy. We -have no idea of their method of working, or where or how we may expect -attack. The whole thing is a mystery to us. Doubtless it will only come -from one point; but we must be ready to repel, all round the compass." - -"But, look here, it is only danger." - -"The danger is to you; if it were to me, I think I could laugh myself. -But, my darling, remember that it is out of my love for you that my fear -comes. If you were nothing to me, I could, I suppose, bear it easily -enough. You have taken new responsibilities on you, Marjory, since you -let a man love you. His heart is before you to walk on; so you have to -tread carefully." - -"I can avoid treading on it, can't I?" she said falling into the vein of -metaphor. "Surely, if there is anything in the world that by instinct I -could know is in danger, it would be your heart!" - -"Ah, my dear, it does not stay still. It will keep rolling along with -you wherever you go; hopping back and forward and sideways in every -conceivable way. You must now and again tread on it for all your care; -in the dark or in the light." - -"I had no idea," she said "that I had taken such a responsibility on my -shoulders when I said I would marry you." - -"It is not the marrying" I said "but the loving that makes the -trouble!" - -"I see!" she replied and was silent for a while. Then she turned to me -and said very sweetly: - -"Anyhow Archie, whatever we may settle about what we are to do, I am -glad you came to consult me and to tell me frankly of your trouble. Do -this always, my dear. It will be best for you, and best for me too, to -feel that you trust me. You have given me a pleasure to-day that is -beyond words." - -Then we spoke of other things, and we agreed to wait till the next day -before arranging any fixed plan of action. Before I went away, and -whilst the sentiment of parting was still on her, she said to me--and I -could see that the thought had been in her mind for some time: - -"Archie, you and I are to live together as man and wife. Is it not -so? I think we both want to be as nearly one as a man and a woman can -be--flesh of each other's flesh, and bone of bone, and soul of soul. -Don't you think we shall become this better by being joined, us two, -against all comers. We have known each other only a short time as yet. -What we have seen of each other has been good enough to make us cling -together for life. But, my dear, what has been, has been only the -wishing to cling; the clinging must be the struggle that is to follow. -Be one with me in this fight. It is my fight, I feel, begun before I -ever knew you. When your fight comes, and I can see you have it before -you with regard to that treasure, you will know that you can count on -me. It may be only a fancy of mine, but the comradeship of pioneers, -when the men and women had to fight together against a common foe, -runs in my blood! Let me feel, before I give myself altogether to your -keeping, or you to mine, that there is something of this comradeship -between us; it will make love doubly dear!" - -What could a man in love say to this? It seemed like the very essence of -married love, and was doubly dear to me on that account. Pledged by my -kisses I came away, feeling as if I had in truth left my wife behind. - -When I got back to Cruden I took up the matter of the treasure whilst I -was waiting for news from Adams. In the stir of the events of the last -few days I had almost forgotten it. I read the papers over again, as -I wished to keep myself familiar with the facts; I also went over the -cipher, for I did not wish to get stale in it. As I laboured through it, -all Marjory's sweetness to me on that day of the ride from Braemar came -back to me; and as I read I found myself unconsciously drumming out the -symbols on the table with the fingers of my right hand and my left after -the fashion of Marjory's variant. When I was through, I sat pondering, -and all sorts of new variants kept rising before me in that kind of -linked succession when the mind runs free in day-dreaming and one idea -brings up another. I was not altogether easy, for I was now always -expecting some letter or telegram of a disconcerting kind; anxiety -had become an habitual factor in my working imagination. All sorts of -possibilities kept arising before me, mostly with reference to Marjory. -I was glad that already we understood in common one method of secret -communication; and I determined then and there that when I went over to -Crom on the next day I would bring the papers with me, and that Marjory -and I would renew our lesson, and practice till we were quite familiar -with the cipher. - -Just then a message was brought to me that a gentleman wished to see -me, so I asked the maid to bring him up. I do not think that I was -altogether surprised to find that he was one of the three men whom I had -seen at Cruden before. He handed me in silence a letter which I found to -be from Adams. I read it with a sinking heart. In it he told me that it -was now ascertained that two members of the blackmail gang had come to -England. They had been seen to land at Dover, but got out between there -and London; and their trace was lost. He said he wished to advise me at -once, so that I might be on the alert. He would himself take his own -steps as I understood. The messenger, when he saw I had read the letter, -asked me if there was any answer. I said "only thanks" and he went away. -It was not till afterwards that I remembered that I might have asked the -man to tell me something of the appearance of the suspected men, so that -I might know them if I should come across them. Once again I fell in my -own esteem as a competent detective. In the meantime I could do nothing; -Marjory's last appeal to me made it impossible for me to take steps -against her wishes. She manifestly wanted the fight with the kidnappers -to go on; and she wanted me to be with her in it heart and soul. -Although this community of purpose was sweet, there grew out of our very -isolation a new source of danger, a never-ending series of dangers. The -complications were growing such that it would soon be difficult to take -any step at all with any prospect of utility. Marjory would now be -watched with all the power and purpose of the American Secret Service. -That she would before long infallibly find it out, and that she would in -such case endeavour at all hazards to escape from it, was apparent. If -she did escape from their secret surveillance, she would be playing into -the hands of her enemies; and so might incur new danger. I began to -exercise my brain as to how I could best help her wishes. If we were to -fight together and alone, we would at least make as good a battle as we -could. - -I thought, and thought, and thought till my head began to spin; and then -an idea all at once sprang into my view. It was so simple, and so much -in accord with my wishes; so delightful, that I almost shouted out with -joy. - -I did not lose a minute, but hurried a change of clothes into a bag and -caught the train for Aberdeen _en route_ for London. - -I did not lose any time. Next morning I was in London and went with my -solicitor to Doctor's Commons. There I got a license of the Archbishop -of Canterbury entitling Archibald Hunter and Marjory Anita Drake to be -married anywhere in England--there being no similar license in Scotland. -I returned at once, stopping at Carlisle to make arrangements with a -local clergyman to be ready to perform a marriage service at eight -o'clock of the second morning. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -INDUCTIVE RATIOCINATION - - -I think Marjory must have suspected that I had something strange to say, -for almost as soon as I came in the morning room I saw that queer little -lift of her eyebrows and wrinkle in her brows which I was accustomed -to see when she was thinking. She held out her two hands towards me so -that I could see them without Mrs. Jack being able to. She held up her -fingers in the following succession: - -Left index finger, right middle finger, left little finger, right little -finger, left thumb, right fourth finger, right index finger, left thumb, -right index finger; thus spelling "wait" in her own variant of our -biliteral cipher. I took her hint, and we talked commonplaces. Presently -she brought me up to the long oak-lined room at the top of the Castle. -Here we were all alone; from the window seat at the far end we could see -that no one came into the room unknown to us. Thus we were sure of not -being overhead. Marjory settled herself comfortably amongst a pile of -cushions, "Now" she said "go on and tell me all about it!" - -"About what?" said I, fencing a little. - -"The news that you are bursting to tell me. Hold on! I'll guess at -it. You are elated, therefore it is not bad; but being news and not -bad it must be good--from your point of view at any rate. Then you -are jubilant, so there must be something personal in it--you are -sufficiently an egoist for that. I am sure that nothing business-like -or official, such as the heading off the kidnappers, would have such a -positive effect on you. Then, it being personal, and you having rather -more of a dominant air than usual about you--Let me see--Oh!" she -stopped in confusion, and a bright blush swept over her face and neck. -I waited. It frightened me just a wee bit to see the unerring accuracy -with which she summed me up; but she was clearing the ground for me -rapidly and effectively. After a pause she said in a small voice: - -"Archie show me what you have got in your waistcoat pocket." It was my -turn to blush a bit now. I took out the tiny case which held the gold -ring and handed it to her. She took it with a look of adorable sweetness -and opened it. I think she suspected only an engagement ring, for when -she saw it was one of plain gold she shut the box with a sudden "Oh!" -and kept it hidden in her hand, whilst her face was as red as sunset. I -felt that my time had come. - -"Shall I tell you now?" I asked putting my arms round her. - -"Yes! if you wish." This was said in a low voice "But I am too surprised -to think. What does it all mean? I thought that this--this sort of thing -came later, and after some time was mutually fixed for--for--_it_!" - -"No time like the present, Marjory dear!" As she was silent, though she -looked at me wistfully, I went on: - -"I have made a plan and I think you will approve of it. That is as a -whole; even if you dislike some of the details. What do you think of -an escape from the espionage of both the police and the other fellows. -You got hidden before; why not again, when once you have put them off -the scent. I have as a matter of fact planned a little movement which -will at any rate try whether we can escape the watchfulness of these -gentlemen." - -"Good!" she said with interest. - -"Well, first of all" I went on, getting nervous as I drew near the -subject "Don't you think that it will be well to prevent anyone talking -about us, hereafter, in an unpleasant way?" - -"I'm afraid I don't quite understand!" - -"Well, look here, Marjory. You and I are going to be much thrown -together in these matters that seem to be coming on; if there is any -escaping to be done, there will be watchful eyes on us before it, and -gossiping tongues afterwards; and inquiries and comparing of notes -everywhere. We shall have to go off together, often alone or under odd -circumstances. You can't fight a mystery in the open, you know; and -you can't by walking out boldly, bamboozle trained detectives who have -already marked you down." - -"Not much; but it doesn't need any torturing of our brains with thinking -to know that." - -"Well then my suggestion is that we be married at once. Then no one can -ever say anything in the way of scandal; no matter what we do, or where -we go!" My bolt was sped, and somehow my courage began to ooze away. I -waited to hear what she would say. She waited quite a while and then -said quietly: - -"Don't be frightened, Archie, I am thinking it over. I must think; it -is all too serious and too sudden to decide on in a moment. I am glad, -anyhow, that you show such decision of character, and turn passing -circumstances into the direction in which you wish them to work. It -argues well for the future!" - -"Now you are satirical!" - -"Just a little. Don't you think there is an excuse?" She was not quite -satisfied; and indeed I could not be surprised. I had thought of the -matter so unceasingly for the last twenty-four hours that I did not miss -any of the arguments against myself; my natural dread of her refusal -took care of that. As, however, I almost expected her to begin with a -prompt negative, I was not unduly depressed by a shade of doubt. I was, -however, so single-minded in my purpose--my immediate purpose--that -I could endure to argue with her doubts. As it was evident that she, -naturally enough, thought that I wanted her to marry me at once out of -the ardour of my love, I tried to make her aware as well as I could of -my consideration for her wishes. Somehow, I felt at my best as I spoke; -and I thought that she felt it too: - -"I'm not selfish in the matter, Marjory dear; at least I don't wish to -be. In this I am thinking of you altogether; and to prove it let me say -that all I suggest is the formal ceremony which will make us one in -form. Later on--and this shall be when you choose yourself and only -then--we can have a real marriage, where and when you will; with flowers -and bridesmaids and wedding cake and the whole fit out. We can be good -comrades still, even if we have been to church together; and I will -promise you faithfully that till your own time I won't try to make love -to you even when you're my wife--of course any more than I do now. -Surely that's not too much to ask in the way of consideration." - -My dear Marjory gave in at once. It might have been that she liked the -idea of an immediate marriage; for she loved me, and all lovers like the -seal of possession fixed upon their hopes: - - "Time goes on crutches, till love have all his rites." - -But be this as it may, she wished at any rate to believe in me. She came -to me and put both her hands in mine and said with a gentle modesty, -which was all tenderness in fact, and all wifely in promise: - -"Be it as you will, Archie! I am all yours in heart now; and I am ready -to go through the ceremony when you will." - -"Remember, dear" I protested "it is only on your account, and to try -to meet your wishes at any sacrifice, that I suggested the interval -of comradeship. As far as I am concerned I want to go straight to the -altar--the real altar--now." Up went her warning finger as she said -lovingly: - -"I know all that dear; and I shall remember it when the time comes. But -what have we to do to prepare for--for the wedding. Is it to be in a -church or at a registry. I suppose it doesn't matter which under the -circumstances--and as we are to have the real marriage later. When do -you wish it to be, and where?" - -"To-morrow!" She started slightly as she murmured: - -"So soon! I did not think it could be so soon." - -"The sooner the better" said I "If we are to carry out our plans. All's -ready; see here" I handed her the license which she read with glad eyes -and a sweet blush. When she had come to the end of it I said: - -"I have arranged with the clergyman of St. Hilda's Church in Carlisle to -be ready at eight o'clock to-morrow morning." She sat silent a while and -then asked me: - -"And how do you suggest that I am to get there without the detectives -seeing me?" - -"That is to be our experiment as to escape. I would propose that you -should slip out in some disguise. You will of course have to arrange -with Mrs. Jack, and at least one servant, to pretend that you are still -at home. Why not let it be understood that you have a headache and are -keeping your room. Your meals can be taken to you as would be done, and -the life of the household seem to go on just as usual." - -"And what disguise had you thought of?" - -"I thought that if you went dressed as a man it would be best." - -"Oh that would be a lark!" she said. Then her face fell. "But where am -I to get a man's dress? There is not time if I am to be in Carlisle -to-morrow morning." - -"Be easy as to that, dear. A man's dress is on its way to you now by -post. It should be here by now. I am afraid you will have to take chance -as to its fit. It is of pretty thick cloth, however, so that it will -look all right." - -"What sort of dress is it?" - -"A servant's, a footman's. I thought it would probably avoid suspicion -easier than any other." - -"That goes! Oh this is too thrilling;" she stopped suddenly and said: - -"But how about Mrs. Jack?" - -"She will go early this afternoon to Carlisle and put up at a little -hotel out of the way. I have got rooms in one close to the station. At -first I feared it would not be possible for her to be with us; but then -when I thought it over, I came to the conclusion that you might not care -to let the matter come off at all unless she were present. And besides -you would want her to be with you to-night when you are in a strange -place." Again she asked after another pause of thought: - -"But how am I to change my clothes? I can't be married as a footman; and -I can't go to a strange hotel as one, and come out as a young lady." - -"That is all thought out. When you leave here you will find me waiting -for you with a bicycle in the wood on the road to Ellon. You will have -to start about half past five. No one will notice that you are using a -lady's wheel. You will come to Whinnyfold where you will find a skirt -and jacket and cap. They are the best I could get. We shall ride into -Aberdeen as by that means we shall minimise the chance of being seen. -There we will catch the eight train to Carlisle where we shall arrive -about a quarter to two. Mrs. Jack will be there ready for you and will -have the dress you will want to-morrow." - -"Oh, poor dear won't she be flustered and mystified! How lucky it is -that she likes you, and is satisfied with you; otherwise I am afraid she -would never agree to such precipitancy. But hold on a minute! Won't it -look odd to our outside friends on the watch if a footman goes out and -doesn't return." - -"You will return to-morrow late in the evening. Mrs. Jack will be home -by then; she must arrange to keep the servants busy in some distant -part of the house, so that you can come in unobserved. Besides, the -detectives have to divide their watches; the same men will not be on -duty I take it. Anyhow, if they do not consider the outgoing of a -footman as sufficiently important to follow him up they will not trouble -much about his incoming." - -This all seemed feasible to Marjory; so we talked the matter over and -arranged a hundred little details. These things she wrote down for Mrs. -Jack's enlightenment, and to aid her memory when she would be alone to -carry out the plans as arranged. - -Mrs. Jack was a little hard to convince; but at last she came round. She -persisted to almost the end of our interview in saying that she could -not understand the necessity for either the hurry or the mystery. She -was only convinced when at last Marjory said: - -"Do you want us to have all the Chicago worry over again, dear? You -approve of my marrying Archie do you not? Well, I had such a sickener of -proposals and all about it, that if I can't marry this way now, I won't -marry at all. My dear, I want to marry Archie; you know we love each -other." - -"Ah, that I do, my dears!" - -"Well then you must help us; and bear with all our secrecy for a bit; -won't you dear?" - -"That I will, my child!" she said wiping tears from the corners of her -eyes. - -So it was all settled. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -A WHOLE WEDDING DAY - - -Fortune favoured us admirably in our plans. Mrs. Jack, taking only her -dressing bag and a few odd parcels, went by the afternoon train from -Ellon to Aberdeen. In hearing of the household she regretted that she -had to go alone, as Miss Marjory was unable to leave her room. About -five o'clock I was in the wood as appointed; and in about half an hour -Marjory joined me in her footman's livery. I had a flannel coat in my -bag which we exchanged for that which she wore and which we hid in the -wood. We were thus less noticeable. We reached Whinnyfold a little after -six, and Marjory went into the house and changed her dress which was -left ready. She was not long; and we were soon flying on our road to -Aberdeen. We arrived a little before eight and caught the mail; arriving -at Carlisle at ten minutes to two o'clock. In the hotel we found Mrs. -Jack anxiously awaiting us. - -In the early morning we were ready; and at eight o'clock we all went -together to St. Hilda's Church, where the clergyman was waiting as had -been arranged. All formalities were gone through and Marjory and I -were made one. She looked oh! so sweet in her plain white frock; and -her manner was gentle and solemn. It all seemed to me like a dream of -infinite happiness; from which every instant I feared I should wake, and -find in its stead some grim reality of pain, or terror, or unutterable -commonplace. - -When we went back to breakfast at the hotel, we did not even go through -the form of regarding it as in any way a wedding feast. Marjory and I -had each our part to play, and we determined--I certainly did--to play -it well. Mrs. Jack had been carefully coached by Marjory as to how she -should behave; and though now and again she looked from one to the other -of us wistfully, she did not make any remark. - -After a little shopping we got the 12:53 train, arriving at Aberdeen at -6:20. Mrs. Jack was to go on by the 7 train to Ellon where the carriage -was to meet her. My wife and I got our bicycles and rode to Whinnyfold -by Newburgh and Kirkton so as to avoid observation. When she had changed -her clothes in our own house, we started for Crom. In the wood she -changed her coat and left her bicycle. - -Before we parted she gave me a kiss and a hug that made my blood tingle. - -"You have been good" she said "and that is for my husband!" Once again -she held up that warning finger which I had come to know so well, and -slipped away. She then went on alone to the Castle, whilst I waited in -nervous expectancy of hearing the whistle which she was to blow in case -of emergency. Then I rode home like a man in a dream. - -I left my bicycle at the hotel, and after some supper walked by -the sands to Whinnyfold, stopping to linger at each spot which was -associated with my wife. My wife! it was almost too much to think of; I -could hardly realise as yet that it was all real. As I sat on the Sand -Craigs I almost fancied I could see Marjory's figure once again on the -lonely rock. It seemed so long ago, for so much had happened since then. - -And yet it was but a few days, all told, since we had first met. Things -had gone in a whirl indeed. There seemed to have been no pause; no room -for a pause. And now I was married. Marjory was my wife; mine for good -or ill, till death did us part. Circumstances seemed to have driven us -so close together that we seemed not new lovers, not bride and groom, -but companions of a lifetime. - -And yet.... There was Marjory in Crom, compassed round by unknown -dangers, whilst I, her husband of a few hours, was away in another -place, unable even to gaze on her beauty or to hear her voice. Why, it -was not like a wedding day or a honeymoon at all. Other husbands instead -of parting with their wives were able to remain with them, free to come -and go as they pleased, and to love each other unfettered as they would. -Why.... - -I brought myself up sharp. This was grumbling already, and establishing -a grievance. I, who had myself proposed the state of things to Marjory, -to my wife. She was my wife; mine against all the rest of the world. My -love was with her, and my duty was to her. My heart and soul were in her -keeping, and I trusted her to the full. This was not my wedding day in -the ordinary sense of the word at all. This was _not_ my honeymoon. -Those things would come later, when our joy would be unfettered by -circumstances. Surely I had reason to rejoice. Already Marjory had -called me her husband, she had kissed me as such; the sweetness of her -kiss was still tingling on my lips. If anything but love and trust could -come to me from sitting still and sentimentalising and brooding, then -the sooner I started in to do some active work the better!... - -I rose straightway and went across the headland to my house, unpacked -the box of tools which had come from Aberdeen, and set about my task of -trying to make an opening into the cave. - -I chose for various reasons the cellar as the spot at which to make the -first attempt. In the first place it was already dug down to a certain -depth, so that the labour would be less; and in the second, my working -could be kept more secret. In clearing the foundations of the house the -workmen had gone down to the rock nearly all round. Just at the end of -Witsennan point there seemed to be a sort of bowl-like hollow, where -the thin skin of earth lay deeper than elsewhere. It was here that the -cellar was dug out, and the labour of cutting or blasting the rock -saved. With a pick-axe I broke and stripped away a large patch of the -concrete in the centre of the cellar, and in a short time had dug and -shovelled away the earth and sand which lay between the floor level and -the bed rock. I cleared away till the rock was bare some four or five -feet square, before I commenced to work on it. I laboured furiously. -What I wanted was work, active work which would tire my muscles and keep -my thoughts from working into channels of gloom and disintegration. - -It took me some time to get into the way of using the tools. It is all -very well in theory for a prisoner to get out of a jail or a fortress by -the aid of a bit of scrap iron. Let any one try it in real life; under -the most favourable conditions, and with the best tools available, he -will come to the conclusion that romancing is easy work. I had the very -latest American devices, including a bit-and-brace which one could lean -on and work without stooping, and diamond patent drills which could, -compared with ordinary tools of the old pattern, eat their way into -rock at an incredible rate. My ground was on the gneiss side of the -geological division. Had it been on the granite side of the line my -labour and its rapidity might have been different. - -I worked away hour after hour, and fatigue seemed to come and go. I was -not sleepy, and there was a feverish eagerness on me which would not let -me rest. When I paused to ease my muscles cramped with work, thought -came back to me of how different this night might have been.... And then -I set furiously to work again. At last I took no heed of the flying -hours; and was only recalled to time by the flickering of my lamp, which -was beginning to go out. When I stood up from my task, I was annoyed to -see how little I had done. A layer of rock of a few inches deep had been -removed; and that was all. - -When I went up the steps after locking the cellar door behind me and -taking away the key, I saw the grey light of dawn stealing in through -the windows. Somewhere in the village a cock crew. As I stepped out of -the door to return home, the east began to quicken with coming day. My -wedding night had passed. - -As I went back to Cruden across the sands my heart went out in love -without alloy to my absent wife; and the first red bolt of dawn over the -sea saw only hope upon my face. - -When I got to my room I tumbled into bed, tired beyond measure. In an -instant I was asleep, dreaming of my wife and all that had been, and all -that was to be. - -Marjory had arranged that she and Mrs. Jack were for the coming week at -least, to come over to Cruden every day, and lunch at the hotel; for my -wife had set her heart on learning to swim. I was to be her teacher, and -I was enthusiastic about the scheme. She was an apt pupil; and she was -strong and graceful, and already skilled in several other physical -accomplishments, we both found it easy work. The training which she had -already had, made a new accomplishment easy. Before the week was over -she was able to get along so well, that only practice was needed to make -her a good swimmer. All this time we met in public as friends, but no -more; we were scrupulously careful that no one should notice even an -intimacy between us. When we were alone, which was seldom and never for -long, we were good comrades as before; and I did not venture to make -love in any way. At first it was hard to refrain, for I was wildly -in love with my wife; but I controlled myself in accordance with my -promise. I soon began to have a dawning feeling that this very obedience -was my best means to the end I wished for. Marjory grew to have such -confidence in me that she could be more demonstrative than before, and -I got a larger share of affection than I expected. Besides I could see -with a joy unspeakable that her love for me was growing day by day; the -tentative comradeship--without prejudice--was wearing thin! - -All this week, whilst Marjory was not near, I worked in the cellar at -Whinnyfold. As I became more expert with the tools, I made greater -progress, and the hole in the rock was becoming of some importance. -One day on coming out after a spell of afternoon work, I found Gormala -seated on a stone against the corner of the house. She looked at me -fixedly and said: - -"Be yon a grave that ye thole?" The question staggered me. I did not -know that any one suspected that I was working in the house, or even -that I visited it so often as I did. Besides, it did not suit my purpose -that any one should be aware, under any circumstances, that I was -digging a hole. I thought for a moment before answering her: - -"What do you mean?" - -"Eh! but I'm thinkin' ye ken weel eneuch. I'm no to be deceived i' the -soond. I've heard ower mony a time the chip o' the pick, not to ken it -though there be walls atween. I wondered why ye came by yer lanes to -this dreary hoose when ye sent yon bonnie lassie back to her hame. Aye -she is bonnie though her pride be cruel to the aud. Ah, weel! The Fates -are workin' to their end, whatsoe'er it may be. I maun watch, so that I -may be nigh when the end cometh!" - -There was no use arguing with her; and besides anything that I could say -would only increase her suspicion. Suspicion abroad about my present -task was the last thing I wished for. - -She was round about the headland the next morning, and the next, and the -next. During the day I never saw her; but at night she was generally to -be found on the cliff above the Reivie o'Pircappies. I was glad of one -thing; she did not seem to suspect that I was working all the time. Once -I asked her what she was waiting for; she answered without looking at -me: - -"In the dark will be a struggle in the tide-race, and a shrood floatin' -in the air! When next death an' the moon an' the tide be in ane, the -seein' o' the Mystery o' the Sea may be mine!" - -It made me cold to hear her. This is what she foretold of Marjory; and -she was waiting to see her prophecy come to pass. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -ENTRANCE TO THE CAVERN - - -One night, when I had got down a considerable depth into the rock, I -took the pick to loosen out some stone which I had drilled. As I struck, -the sound of the rock was hollower than I had before noticed. My heart -leaped into my mouth, and I had to pause. Then I struck again harder, -and the sound was more hollow still. Whether or no it was the place I -was looking for, there was some cave in the rock below me. I would have -gone on working straightway had there been anyone with me; but being -alone I had to be careful. I was now standing on, evidently, only a -layer of rock, over an opening of whose depth I was in ignorance. Should -this piece of stone break away, as was quite possible from my working -on it, I might be precipitated into a living tomb. The very secrecy in -which I had kept my work, might tend to insure my death. Therefore I -made all preparation for such a casualty. Henceforth I worked with round -my waist a short rope the other end of which was fastened to a heavy -staple in the wall. Even if the rock should give way underneath me, a -foot or two would limit my fall. This precaution taken, I worked more -furiously than ever. With a large hammer I struck the rock at the bottom -of the shaft, again and again, with all my might. Then I heard a dull -sound of something rattling below me; the top of the cave was falling -in. I redoubled my efforts; and all at once a whole mass of rock sunk -beneath my hammer and disappeared into a black chasm which sent up -a whiff of cold air. I had seized my rope to scramble out, fearing -asphyxiation; but when I smelled salt water I did not fear. Then I knew -that I had got an opening into a sea cave of some sort. I stuck to my -work till I had hammered an irregular hole some three feet square. Then -I came up to rest and think. I lowered a rope with a stone at the end, -and found that the depth was some thirty feet. The stone had gone into -water before it touched bottom. I could hear the "plop" as it struck the -surface. As I thought it better not to descend by myself, lest there -should be any danger of returning, I spent the rest of my stay for that -evening in rigging up a pulley in the roof over the hole so that I might -be lowered down when the time should come. Then I went home, for I -feared lest the fascinating temptation to make the descent at once would -overcome me. - -After breakfast I rode over to Crom, and when I was alone with Marjory -told her of my discovery. She was wild with excitement, and I rejoiced -to find that this new pleasure drew us even closer together. We agreed -that she should come to help me; it would not do to take any one else -into our confidence, and she would not hear of my going down into the -cave alone. In order to avoid comment we thought it better that she -should come late in the evening. The cave being dark, it was of course -immaterial whether day or night was appointed for the experiment. Then -it was, I could not help it, that I said to her: - -"You see now the wisdom of our being married. We can go where we like; -and if we should be found out no one can say a word!" She said nothing; -there was nothing to say. We decided that she had better slip out, -as she had done before, in the footman's dress. I went off and made -preparation for her coming, bringing in food for supper and plenty of -candles and matches and lamps and rope; for we did not know how long the -exploration might take. - -A little before nine o'clock I met her as before in the wood. She -changed her livery coat for the flannel one, and we rode off to -Whinnyfold. We got into the house without being noticed. - -When I took her down to the cellar and turned into the hole the -reflector of the strong lamp, she held on to me with a little shiver. -The opening did certainly look grim and awesome. The black rock was -slimy with sea moisture, and the rays of the light were lost far below -in the gloom. I told her what she would have to do in lowering me down, -and explained the rude mechanism which I had constructed. She was, I -could see, a little nervous with the responsibility; and was anxious to -know any detail so thoroughly that no accident of ignorance could occur. - -When the rope was round me and I was ready to descend, she kissed me -more fondly than she had ever done yet, and held on to me as though loth -to part. As I sank into the opening, holding the gasoline bicycle lamp -which I had elected to take with me, I saw her pretty forehead wrinkled -up in anxiety as she gave all her mind to the paying out of the rope. -Even then I was delighted with the ease and poise of her beautiful -figure, fully shown in the man's dress which she had not changed, as it -was so suitable for the work she had to do. - -When I had been lowered some twenty feet, I turned my lantern down and -saw through the sheen of water a bottom of rock with here and there -a cluster of loose stones; one big slab which stuck up endwise, was -evidently that which had fallen from the roof under my hammer. It was -manifest that there was, in this part of the cave at any rate, not -sufficient water to make it a matter of any concern. I called to Marjory -to lower slowly, and a few seconds later I stood in the cave, with the -water just above my knees. I moved the new-fallen slab to one side lest -it might injure any one who was descending. Then I took the strong rope -from me, and knotted round my waist the end of the thin rope which I -had brought for the purpose. This formed a clue, in case such should be -necessary, and established a communication with Marjory which would tend -to allay her anxiety. With the cord running through her fingers, she -would know I was all right. I went cautiously through the cave, feeling -my way carefully with the long stick which I had brought with me. When I -had got some distance I heard Marjory's voice echoing through the cave: - -"Take care there are no octopuses!" She had been thinking of all sorts -of possible dangers. For my own part the idea of an octopus in the cave -never crossed my mind. It was a disconcerting addition to my anxieties; -but there was nothing to do. I was not going to abandon my project for -this fear; and so I went on. - -Further inland the cave shelved down on one side, following the line of -the rock so that I passed through an angular space which, though wide -in reality, seemed narrow by comparison with the wide and lofty chamber -into which I had descended. A little beyond this again, the rock dipped, -so that only a low tunnel, some four feet high, rose above the water. I -went on, carefully feeling my way, and found that the cave ended in a -point or narrow crevice. - -All this time I had been thinking that the appearance of the place did -not quite tally with the description in de Escoban's narrative. No -mention had been made of any such difficulties; as the few men had -carried in what must have been of considerable bulk and weight there -would have been great difficulties for them. - -So I retraced my steps, intending to see if there was any other branch -nearer to the sea. I kept the line taut so that Marjory might not be -alarmed. I think I was as glad as she was when I saw the light through -the opening, and the black circle of her head as she looked down -eagerly. When underneath, I told her of my adventure, and then turned -seawards to follow the cave down. The floor here was more even, as -though it had been worn smooth by sea wash and the endless rolling of -pebbles. The water deepened only a few inches in all. As I went, I threw -the rays of my lamp around, anxiously looking for some opening. The -whole distance from the place where I had made the entry to the face -of the cliff was not very great; but distance in the open seems very -different from that within an unknown cavern. Presently I came to a -place where the floor of the cave was strewn with stones, which grew -bigger and more as I went on; till at last I was climbing up a rising -pile of rocks. It was slippery work, for there seemed some kind of ooze -or slime over the stones which made progress difficult. When I had -climbed up about half way towards the roof, I noticed that on my left -side the slope began to fall away. I moved over and raising my lamp saw -to my inexpressible joy that there was an opening in the rock. Getting -close I found that though it was nearly blocked with stones there was -still a space large enough to creep through. Also with pleasure I saw -that the stones here were small. With a very slight effort I dislodged -some of them and sent them rolling down, thus clearing the way. The -clatter of the stones evidently alarmed Marjory for I heard her calling -to me. I hurried back under the opening--the way seemed easy enough now -I knew it--and told her of my fresh discovery. - -Then I went back again and climbed down the slope of fallen stones; this -was evidently the debris of the explosion which had choked the mouth of -the cave. The new passage trended away a little to the right, making a -sharp angle with the cave I had left. Then after deflecting to the left -it went on almost straight for a considerable distance, thus lying, as -I made it out, almost parallel to the first cave. I had very little -anxiety as to the safety of the way. The floor seemed more level than -even that of the entrance to the first cave. There was a couple of feet -of water in the deepest part, but not more; it would not have been -difficult to carry the treasure here. About two hundred feet in, the -cave forked, one arm bending slightly to the left and the other to the -right. I tried the former way and came to a sheer dip in the rock such -as I had met with before. Accordingly I came back and tried the second. -When I had gone on a little way, I found my line running out; so I went -back and asked Marjory to throw me down the end. I was so sure of the -road now that I did not need a clue. At first she demurred, but I -convinced her; taking the rope I fixed one end of it within the cave -before it branched. Then I started afresh on my way, carrying the coil -of rope with me. - -This branch of the cave went on crookedly with occasionally strange -angles and sharp curves. Here and there, on one side or the other and -sometimes on both, the rock walls bellied out, making queer chambers or -recesses, or narrowing the cave to an aperture only a few feet wide. The -roof too was raised or fell in places, so that I had now and again to -bend my head and even to stoop; whilst at other times I stood under a -sort of high dome. In such a zigzag course I lost my bearings somewhat; -but I had an idea that the general tendency was inland to the right. -Strange to say, the floor of the cave remained nearly level. Here again, -ages of tide and rolling pebbles had done their work effectively. My -cord ran out again and I had to lose the far end and bring it on, fixing -it afresh, as I did not like to proceed without keeping a clue behind -me. Somewhat further on, the cave dipped and narrowed so that I had to -bend nearly double to pass, my face being just above the water as I -went. It was with difficulty that I kept the lamp from touching the -water below or knocking against the rock above. I was much chagrined to -find this change in the structure of the cave, for since I had entered -on this branch of it I had completely made up my mind that I was on the -right road and that only a short time and a little distance lay between -me and the treasure. However there was nothing to do but to go on. - -A few feet more and the roof began to rise; at first in a very gentle -slope, but then suddenly. Stretching my cramped back and raising my -head, I looked around. I raised my lamp high, turning it so that its -rays might let me take in a wide circle. - -I stood at the side of a large, lofty cave, quaint of outline, with here -and there smooth walls from which great masses of red rock projected -ominously. So threatening did these overhanging masses look, that for a -few seconds I feared to stir lest some of them should topple over on me. -Then, when my eyes had become accustomed to the greater glare, I saw -that they were simply masses of the rugged rock itself. The whole cave, -so far as I could see, was red granite, formed of the great rock flung -upward in the pristine upheaval which had placed the Skares in the sea. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -VOICES IN THE DARK - - -I looked round the cave with mingled feelings. The place itself was, -as a natural wonder, superb; but to me as a treasure hunter it was a -disappointment. In no way did it answer the description of Don de -Escoban. However I did not despair; there were many openings, and some -one of them might bring me to the required spot. I passed to the centre -of the cavern and looked round. As I did so, I got a momentary fright, -for several of the openings were so much alike that only for my rope I -would not have been able to distinguish that by which I had come in. The -lesson of this shock should not be lost; I must make a mark by which I -could distinguish this entrance from the others. No matter where the -other openings might lead to, this alone, so far as I could tell, was -the one which could lead me to safety. With a heavy pebble I hammered -away at the right side of the entrance till I had chipped off a piece of -rock. I could tell this place again by sight or by touch. Then I went -round the cave examining the various branches. It was here that I began -to feel the disadvantage of my imperfect light. I wanted some kind of -torch which would give sufficient light to see the whole place at once. -One could get no fit idea of proportion by merely making the little -patch of dim light from the bicycle lamp travel along the rocky walls. -I felt that all this time Marjory must be anxious about me, doubly so -since she had no clue to where I had gone. So I determined to come back -at once, and postpone the thorough examination of the place until I -should have proper appliances. Accordingly I made my way back to the -place where Marjory anxiously awaited me. - -Her reception of me was sweet and tender. It was so natural that its -force was hardly manifest. It may have been that my mind was so full of -many things that I did not receive her caress with the same singleness -of devotion as was my wont. Now that I was assured of her love for me, -and since I had called her my wife, my love lost its element of anxiety. -It is this security which marks the difference of a husband's love -from that of a lover; doubt is an element of passion, but not of true -conjugal love. It was only afterwards, when I was alone, and Marjory's -enchanting presence was not with me, that I began to realise through -the lenses of memory and imagination the full sweetness of my wife's -greeting in her joy at the assurance of my safety. It took a very -few moments to tell her all the details of my adventure, and of the -conclusion which I had come to as to the need for postponement. She -thoroughly agreed with me in the necessity; and we then and there -settled that it would be wiser for her to go back to Crom to-night. We -were to settle later, when all preparations had been made, when we -should again attempt the investigation of the cave. - -When I had put on dry clothes, we set out for Crom. We walked our -bicycles past Whinnyfold, and were grateful for the unique peculiarity -of that village, an absence of dogs. We did not light our lamps till we -got on the Peterhead road; and we put them out when we got into the -mesh of crossroads near Crom. In the wood Marjory once more resumed her -footman's coat, and we set out for the castle. On our way we had agreed -that it would be best to try the other side of the castle where it was -not likely that any stranger would attempt to approach, as there was -only the mossy foot track through the wood by the old chapel. In the -later days both Marjory and I had used our opportunities of finding new -paths through the wood round the castle; and we had already marked down -several tracks which we could follow even in the dark with a little -care. This was almost a necessity, as we had noticed of late traces of -the watchers round the main gateway through which all in the castle were -accustomed to come and go. - -The path which we took to-night required a long detour of the wood, as -it lay right on the other side from the entrance gate. It was only a -narrow grass path, beginning between two big trees which stood closely -together not very far from one of the flanking mounds or hillocks which -here came closer down to the castle than any of the others. The path -wound in and out among the tree trunks, till finally it debouched at the -back of the old chapel which stood on a rising rock, hidden in the wood, -some three hundred feet from the west side of the castle. It was a -very old chapel, partly in ruins and antedating the castle by so many -centuries that it was manifestly a relic of the older castle on whose -site Crom was built. It may have been used for service early in the -sixteenth century; but it could not even have been in repair, or even -weather-proof, for there were breaches at the end of it in which had -taken root seedlings which were now forest trees. There was one old oak -whose girth and whose gnarled appearance could not have been achieved -within two centuries. Not merely the roots but the very trunk and -branches had pushed aside the great stones which lay firmly and -massively across the long low windows peculiar to the place. These -windows were mere longitudinal slits in the wall, a sort of organised -interstices between great masses of stone. Each of the three on either -side of the chapel was about two feet high and some six feet in length; -one stone support, irregularly placed, broke the length of each. There -was some kind of superstition amongst the servants regarding this place. -None of them would under any circumstances go near it at night; and not -even in daytime if they could decently excuse themselves. - -In front of the chapel the way was very much wider. Originally there had -been a clear space leading through the wood: but centuries of neglect -had done their work. From fallen pine-cone, and beech-mast, and acorn, -here and there a tree had grown which now made of the original broad -alleyway a number of tortuous paths between the towering trunks. One -of the reasons why we had determined to use this path was that it was -noiseless. Grass and moss and rusty heaps of pine needles betrayed no -footfall; with care one could come and go unheard. If once she could get -through the wood unnoticed, Marjory might steal up to the doorway in the -shadow of the castle and let herself in, unobserved. - -We went hand in hand slowly and cautiously, hardly daring to breathe; -and after a time that seemed endless came out at the back of the chapel. -Then we stole quietly along by the southern wall. As we passed the first -window, Marjory who was ahead of me stopped and gripped my hand so hard -that I knew there must be some good cause for her agitation. She pressed -back so that we both stood away from the window opening which we could -just see dimly outlined on the granite wall, the black vacancy showing -against the lichen-covered stone. Putting her lips close to my ear she -whispered: - -"There are people there. I heard them talking!" My blood began to run -cold. In an instant all the danger in which Marjory stood rushed back -upon me. Of late we had been immune from trouble, so that danger which -we did not know of seemed to stand far off; but now the place and the -hour, the very reputation of the old chapel, all sent back in a flood -the fearful imaginings which had assailed me since first I had known of -the plot against Marjory. Instinctively my first act was to draw my wife -close to me and hold her tight. Even in that moment it was a joy to me -to feel that she let herself come willingly. For a few moments we stood -silent, with our hearts beating together; then she whispered to me -again: - -"We must listen. We may perhaps find out who they are, and what they -intend." - -Accordingly we drew again close to the opening, Marjory standing under -the aperture, and I beside it as I found I could hear better in this -position. The stooping made the coursing of my own blood sound in my -ears. The voice which we first heard was a strong one, for even when -toned to a whisper it was resonant as well as harsh and raucous: - -"Then it's settled we wait till we get word from Whiskey Tommy. How long -is it likely to be?" The answering voice, also a whisper, was smooth and -oily, but penetrating: - -"Can't say. He has to square the Dutchy: and they take a lot of sugar, -his kind. They're mighty pious when they're right end up; but Lordy! -when they're down they're holy terrors. This one is a peach. But he's -clever--I will say that; and he knows it. I'm almost sorry we took him -in now, though he is so clever. He'd better mind out, though, for none -of us love him; and if he goes back on us, or does not come up to the -mark--" He stopped, and the sentence was finished by a click which I -knew was the snapping of the spring of a bowie knife when it is thrown -open. - -"And quite right too. I'm on if need be!" and there was another click. -The answering voice was strong and resolute, but somehow, for all the -wicked intent spoken, it did not sound so evil as the other. I looked -at Marjory, and saw through the darkness that her eyes were blazing. My -heart leaped again; the old pioneer spirit was awake in her, and somehow -my dread for her was not the same. She drew close to me and whispered -again: - -"Be ready to get behind the trees at the back, I hear them rising." She -was evidently right, for now the voices were easier to hear since the -mouths of the speakers were level with the window. A voice, a new one, -said: - -"We must git now. Them boys of Mac's 'll be on their round soon." With -a quick movement Marjory doubled under the window and came to me. She -whispered as before: - -"Let us get behind trees in front. We may see them coming through the -door, and it will be well to know them." So motioning to her to go on -the side we were on, I slipped round the back, and turning by the other -side of the chapel, and taking care to duck under the windows, hid -myself behind one of the great oak trees in front, to the north of the -original clearing. From where I stood I could see Marjory behind a tree -across the glade. From where we were we could see any one who left -the chapel; for one or other of us commanded the windows, and we both -commanded the ruined doorway. We waited, and waited, and waited, afraid -to stir hand or foot lest we should give a warning to our foes. The time -seemed interminable; but no one came out and we waited on, not daring to -stir. - -Presently I became conscious of two forms stealing between the trees up -towards the chapel. I glided further round behind my sheltering tree, -and, throwing an anxious glance toward Marjory, was rejoiced to see that -she was doing the same. Closer and closer the two forms came. There was -not the faintest sound from them. Approaching the door-way from either -side they peered in, listened, and then stole into the darkness between -the tree trunks which marked the breach in the wall. I ventured out and -slipped behind a tree somewhat nearer; Marjory on her side did the same, -and at last we stood behind the two nearest trees and could both note -the doorway and each of us the windows on one side. Then there was a -whisper from within; somehow I expected to hear a pistol shot or to see -a rush of men out through the jagged black of the doorway. Still nothing -happened. Then a match was struck within. In the flash I could see the -face of the man who had made the light--the keen-eyed messenger of Sam -Adams. He held up the light, and to our amazement we could see that, -except for the two men whom we had seen go in, the chapel was empty. - -Marjory flitted over to me and whispered: - -"Don't be afraid. Men who light up like that aren't likely to stumble -over us, if we are decently careful." She was right. The two men, seeing -that the place was empty, seemed to cast aside their caution. They came -out without much listening, stole behind the chapel, and set off along -the narrow pathway through the wood. Marjory whispered to me: - -"Now is my chance to get in before they come back. You may come with me -to the edge of the wood. When I get in, dear, go back home as fast as -you can. You must be tired and want rest. Come to-morrow as soon as you -can. We have lots to talk over. That chapel must be seen to. There is -some mystery there which is bigger than anything we have struck yet. -It's no use going into it now; it wants time and thinking over!" We were -whispering as we walked along, still keeping carefully in the shadow of -the trees. Behind the last tree Marjory kissed me. It was her own act, -and as impulsively I clasped her tight in my arms, she nestled in to me -as though she felt that she belonged there. With a mutual 'good-night' -and a whispered blessing she stole away into the shadow. I saw her reach -the door and disappear through it. - -I went back to Cruden with my mind in a whirl of thoughts and feelings. -Amongst them love was first; with all the unspeakable joy which comes -with love that is returned. - -I felt that I had a right to call Marjory my very own now. Our dangers -and hopes and sympathies made a tie which seemed even closer than that -tied in the church at Carlisle. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -THE MONUMENT - - -For the remainder of that night, whether rushing home on my bicycle, -preparing for rest, lying awake, or even in my sleep, I thought over -the mystery of the disappearance of the speakers in the old chapel. -Certainly I went to sleep on the thought, and woke with it. It never -left me even after breakfast as I rode out towards Crom. It was manifest -that there must be some secret vault or hiding place in the chapel; or -it might be that there was some subterranean passage. If the latter, -where did it lead to? Where else, unless to the castle; such would be -the natural inference. The very thought made my blood run cold; it was -no wonder that it overspread my mind to the exclusion of all else. In -such case Marjory's enemies were indeed dangerous, since they held a -secret way to her at all times; once within the castle it would not be -hard to work evil to her. - -I thought that this morning I would do a little prospecting on my own -account. Accordingly I left my bicycle in the wood and went a long -circuit, keeping in the shadow of the woods where possible, and -elsewhere stealing behind the hedgerows, till I got to the far side of -the hill or spur which came nearest to the old chapel. This was one of -the hills up whose base the trees ran in flame-shaped patches. Half way -up, the woods ceased, and there was a belt of barrenness--outcropping -rock fringed with green grass. The top, like most of the hills or -mounds around the castle, was covered with woods, close-growing masses -of pine which made a dusk even in the noonday. - -I took my way up the back of the hill and stole through the wood, -carefully keeping a watchful look out all round me, for I feared the -presence of either of the sets of spies. At the very top I came upon a -good sized circle of masonry, low but heavily built of massive stones -completely covered with rich green lichen. The circle was some fifteen -feet diameter, and the top was slightly arched as though forming a -roof. Leaning over it I could hear a faint trickle of water; this was -evidently the source of the castle supply. - -I walked round it, examining it carefully; anything which had any direct -communication with the castle was at present of possibly the supremest -importance. There was no flaw or opening anywhere; and from the unbroken -covering of the stones by the lichen, it was apparent that there had -been no disturbance for years. - -I sat down on the edge of the stonework and for a long time thought over -matters of probability. If underneath me, as was almost to be taken -for granted, lay the reservoir of the castle, it must have been made -coevally with Crom itself, or even with the older castle on whose -ruins it was built. It must be fed by springs in the rock which formed -the base of the hill and cropped out all over it; and if it was not -approachable from without, there must be some way of reaching the water -from within. It might be that the chamber which contained the reservoir -had some other entrance from the hill top, or from some lower level. -Accordingly I made as I conceived a bee line for the castle, till I -came to the very base of the hill, for I knew that in matters of water -conduit the direct way is always chosen where work has to be done. As -I went, I conned the ground carefully; not merely the surface for that -was an uniform thick coating of brown pine needles, but the general -conformation. Where a trench has been made, there is ever after some -trace of it to be found. Even if the workmen level the trench most -carefully there and then, the percolation of rain through the softer -broken earth will make discovery of the change by shrinkage. Here, -however, there was no such sign; the ground, so far as one could judge, -had never been opened. The trees grew irregularly, and there was no gap -such as would be, had one ever been removed. Here and there particles of -rock cropped out amongst the pine needles just as anywhere else. If any -opening existed it was not on the direct line between the reservoir and -the castle. - -Back again I went to the reservoir, and, using it as a base, began to -cast around for some opening or sign. I made circles in all directions, -just as a retriever does when looking for a fallen partridge in a dry -stubble when the scent is killed by heat. - -At last I came upon something, though whether or no it might have any -point of contact with my purpose, I could not at once decide. It was a -rude monument of some kind, a boulder placed endwise on a slab of rock -roughly hewn to form a sort of square plinth. This again was surrounded -on the outside, for the whole monument was on the very edge of a -steeply-dipping crag, by a few tiers of rough masonry. The stones were -roughly cut and laid together without mortar; or if mortar or cement -there had ever been, time and weather had washed it away. In one respect -this structure was in contrast to that above the reservoir, there was -not a sign of moss or lichen about it. The trees of the wood came close -up behind it; in front it was shut out from view below by the branches -of a few pine trees which grew crookedly from a precarious foothold -amongst the ledges of rock beneath. As I stood in front of it, I could -see nothing immediately below me; however, when I had scrambled to a -ledge a few feet lower down, the back wall of the old chapel became -visible, though partly obscured by trunks and branches of intervening -trees. I searched all over the monument for some inscription, but could -see none. Then I stood on the plinth to see if there might be any -inscription on the top of the boulder. As I stood, looking over the top -of it from the bank, I could just see through a natural alleyway amongst -the tree tops, the top of one corner of the castle, that on the side of, -and farthest from the old chapel. As I looked, a bright thought struck -me. Here was a place from which one might correspond with the castle, -unseen by any one save at the one spot. I determined then and there, -that Marjory and I should arrange some method of signalling to one -another. - -Somehow this place impressed me, possibly because it was the only thing, -except the reservoir, which seemed to have a purpose in the whole scheme -of the hill top. Where there was labour and manifest purpose, there must -surely be some connection. I examined all round the place minutely, -scrambling down the rocks below and on either side, but always keeping -a bright look out in case of spies. The only thing I noticed was that -there seemed a trace of some kind of a pathway through the wood here. -It was not sufficiently marked to allow one to accept it with certainty -as a pathway; but there is something about a place which is even -occasionally trodden, which marks it from its surroundings virgin of -footsteps. I could not find where the path ended or where it began. It -seemed to grow from the monument, but here underfoot was stone and hard -gravel; and the wind coming over the steep slope swept the fallen pine -needles back amongst the shelter of the trees. After a few hundred yards -any suggestion of a pathway disappeared, lost in the aisles of the pine -trees spreading round on every side. There was no need of a pathway here -where all was open. Once or twice as I searched the thought came to me -that there might be some opening here to a secret way or hiding place; -but look how I would, I could not find the faintest trace or suggestion -of any opening. In the end I had to take it that the erection was merely -a monument or mark of some kind, whose original purpose was probably -lost in time. - -At last, as the day was well on, I made my way back to where my bicycle -was hidden, always taking care to keep from observation. Then emerging -on the road, I went as usual through the old ruined gateway and the long -winding avenue to the castle. - -Marjory met me with an anxious look, and hung on to my arm lovingly as -she said: - -"Oh, you are late! I have been quite nervous all the morning lest -anything should have happened to you!" Mrs. Jack, after we had greeted, -discreetly left us alone; and I told my wife of all that I had thought -since we had parted, and of what I had seen on the hill top. She was -delighted at the idea of a means of signalling; and insisted on my -coming at once to the roof to make further arrangements and discoveries. - -We found the spot which I had indicated admirably adapted for our -purpose. One could sit on the stone roof, well back from the wall, and -through one of the openings in the castellation see the top of the -monument amongst the tree tops; and could yet be unobserved oneself from -any other spot around. The angles of the castellation of the various -walls shut out the tops of the other hills or mounds on every side. -As the signs of our code were already complete we had only to fix on -some means of signalling 'A' and 'B'. This we did by deciding that by -daylight A should be signified by red and B by white and at night A by -red and B by green. Thus by daylight two pocket handkerchiefs of red -and white or two flowers of white and red; or a piece of paper and -a red leaf or flower would suffice. We fixed on colour as the best -representative, as the distance made simplicity necessary. By night an -ordinary bicycle lamp with the lens covered could be used; the ordinary -red and green side lights could be shown as required. Then and there we -arranged that that very afternoon when I had left the castle I should -steal back to the monument and we should make a trial of our signalling. - -Then we talked of other things. Alone there on the roof we could talk -freely; and the moments flew swiftly by in a sweet companionship. Even -if the subjects which we had to discuss were grim ones of danger and -intrigue; of secret passages and malignant enemies; of spies and -possibilities of harm to one or both of us, still mutuality of our -troubles and dangers made their existence to us sweet. That we shared -in common even such matters was dear to us both. I could not but be -conscious of Marjory's growing love for me; and if I had to restrain -myself now and again from throwing my arms round her and pressing her -beautiful body close to me and sweeping her face with kisses, I was -repaid when, as we descended she put both her hands in mine and said: - -"Oh Archie! you are good to me! and--and--I love you so!" Then she sank -into my arms and our mouths met in a long, loving kiss. - -We decided that as there must be some hidden opening in the old chapel, -we should make search for it the next day. I was to come soon after -sunrise, for this we judged would be the time when the spies of both -kinds would least expect movement from the castle. I was to come by the -grass path between the trees into the old chapel where she would meet -me and we should make our investigations together. - -After tea I came away. Marjory came out on the steps with me to see me -off. As we bade each other good-bye she said aloud in case any one might -be listening: - -"Remember, you are to come to tea to-morrow and to bring me the book. I -am quite anxious to know how it ends. It is too bad of the librarian not -to send us all the volumes at once!" - -When I got to the road I hid my bicycle in the old place, and took -my way secretly to the monument. Marjory had been much struck by the -suggestion of the footpath, and, woman-like, had made up her mind on the -subject. She had suggested that we should test whether any one came or -went by it, and to this end gave me a spool of the finest thread so that -I might lay a trap. Before I should leave the place I was to stretch -threads across it here and there between the tree trunks. If on the next -visit I should find them broken, we might take it that some one had been -there. - -From the top of the boulder I made signal and was immediately answered. -My own signal was simply the expression of my heart's feeling: - -"I love you, my wife!" The answer came quickly back filling me with joy: - -"I love you, my husband! Don't forget me! Think of me!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -THE SECRET PASSAGE - - -That night was one of rest. I was physically tired out, and after I had -posted a few letters to merchants in Aberdeen, giving orders for various -goods to be sent at once to Whinnyfold, I went to bed and slept till the -early morning. I got up at daylight, and after my morning swim rode off -to Crom. Again I left my bicycle in the wood and took my way round to -the back of the hill and up through the wood to the monument beyond the -reservoir. It was still early morning, as it is counted in the cities, -though the sun was well up. I went with extra caution, stealing from -tree to tree; for I knew nothing of the locality of the watchers at -this hour. I saw no sign of anyone; and coming at last to where the -rudimentary pathway lay, examined carefully where I had placed the first -thread. As I did so I straightened myself quickly and looked round with -apprehension. The thread was broken across, though the two ends were -tied where I had placed them! - -With a beating heart I examined all the others in turn, with the same -result. It was quite evident that some one, or some thing had passed -along the track. In spite of my concern I rejoiced, for something had -been found. It was at least probable that there was a regular route -somewhere at hand. Accordingly I prepared my traps afresh, this time -placing them in various directions, and at irregular distances along the -path and all round the monument. I might thus be able to trace the -exact route of anyone who might disturb them. This done, and it took -some time, I went back to the wood, and thence rode to the castle. - -Marjory was eager for news, but it thrilled me to see that her eagerness -was not all from this cause; hour by hour I found myself growing in her -affection. When I told her of the broken threads, she clapped her hands -with delight; the hunter spirit hereditary in her was pleased. She gave -her opinion that on the next morning I should be able to locate the -entrance to the passage, if one there was. In the midst of her speaking -thus she stopped; a bright, keen light came into her eyes, and her brows -knitted. - -"Why," she said, "how stupid I am. I never once thought of doing the -same at my end. Yesterday, after you left, I spent an hour in the old -chapel and went over every inch of it; but it never occurred to me to do -there what you had gone to do at the monument. If I had done so, I might -this morning have been able to discover the secret of the disappearance -of the kidnappers. I shall take good care to do it this evening." - -While she was speaking a fear grew upon me lest being alone in the ruin -she might give her enemies the very opportunity they wanted. She saw my -distress, and with her quick woman's wit guessed the cause of it. With -a very tender movement she placed her hand on the back of mine, and -without squeezing it held it there firmly as she said: - -"Don't be frightened for me, dear. These are expert workmen that we are -dealing with. They won't move till their plans are all ready. They don't -wish to get hold of me for five minutes and let "Mac's men"--as lacking -due respect for President McKinley, they call the Secret Service agents -of my country--catch them red-handed. They are only laying their plans -as yet. Perhaps we may have cause to be anxious when that is done; but -as yet it's all right. Anyhow, my dear, as I know it will make you -easier in your mind, when you are not at hand to protect me, I shall lay -the traps whilst you are with me. There now! Am I good to my husband, or -am I not?" I made her aware in my own way--I could not help it--that she -was good! and she let the incident pass unrebuked. Even lovers, though -they have not the status of the husband, must be allowed a little -latitude now and again. - -We talked over all the possibilities that we could either of us think of -with regard to a secret passage between the castle and the monument. It -was apparent that in old time such a hidden way might have been of the -utmost importance; and it was more than possible that such a passage -might exist. Already we had reason to believe that there was a way -between the ruined chapel and the top of the reservoir hill, and we knew -that there must be existing some secret hiding place gained from the -interior of the chapel. What we had still to discover, and this was the -most important of all, was whether there was a method of communication -between the castle and the chapel. After tea we started out together; -and as we had arranged between us before starting, managed in our -strolling to go quite round the castle and through many of the grassy -alleys between the woods. Then, lest there should be any listener, I -said: - -"Let us go into the old chapel. I haven't had a good look at it since I -have been coming here!" So we went into the chapel and began to lay our -traps. Of course we could not guard against any one spying upon us. -There might be eyes of enemies bent on us through some secret chink or -cranny or organised spy-hole. This we could not help, and had to take -our chances of it; but if anyone were within ear-shot and unable to -see us, we guarded our movements by our misleading remarks concerning -history and art. Deftly Marjory stretched sections of her gossamer -thread from place to place, so that if any one went in the chapel their -course must be marked by the broken threads. We finished near the door, -and our artless, innocent, archæological conversation stopped there, -too. We strolled back to the castle, feeling sure that if there were any -secret hiding place within the ruin we should have located the entrance -to it in the morning. - -That afternoon I went to the house at Whinnyfold. Most of the things -which I had ordered had arrived, and when I had had the various boxes -and bundles moved inside I felt able to start on my work. - -First I rigged up a proper windlass over the hole into the cave; and -fixed it so that any one could manipulate it easily and safely from -above. It could be also worked from below by aid of an endless chain -round the axle. I hammered the edges of the hole somewhat smoother, -so that no chance friction might cut the rope; and I fixed candles -and lanterns in various places, so that all the light which might be -necessary could be had easily. Then I furnished a room with rugs and -pillows, and with clothes for Marjory for changing. She would be sure to -require such, when our search after the treasure should come off. I had -ready some tins of provisions, and I had arranged at the hotel that as -I might sometimes stay and work in my own home--I was supposed to be an -author--some fresh provisions were to be sent over each morning, and -left ready for me with Mrs. Hay at Whinnyfold. By the time my work was -through, it was late in the evening, and I went to the hotel to sleep. -I had arranged with Marjory to be with her early in the morning. It -was hardly daylight when I woke, but I got up at once and took my way -towards Crom, for the experience of the day before had shown me that -whoever used the path near the monument used it in the grey of the dawn. -As usual I hid my bicycle and took my way cautiously to the monument. By -this time the sun was up and the day was bright; the dew lay heavy, and -when I came on any of my threads I could easily distinguish them by the -shimmering beads which made each thread look like a miniature rope of -diamonds. - -Again the strings across the path were broken. My heart beat heavily -as I began to follow back towards the monument the track of the broken -thread. It led right up to it, on the side away from the castle, and -then stopped. The other threads all round the monument were intact. -Having learned so much, my first act was to prevent discovery of my -own plan. Accordingly I carefully removed all the threads, broken and -unbroken. Then I began to make minute investigation of the monument -itself. As it was evident that whoever had broken the threads had come -straight from it, there was a presumption that there was an opening -somewhere. The rock below was unbroken and the stonework was seemingly -fixed on the rock itself. By a process of exclusions I came to the -belief that possibly the monument itself might be moveable. - -Accordingly I began to experiment. I pressed against it, this way and -that. I tried to move it by exercising pressure top and bottom in turn; -but always without avail. Then I began to try to move it sideways as -though it might be on a pivot. At first there was no yielding, no answer -of any kind to my effort; but suddenly I thought I perceived a slight -movement. I tried again and again, using my strength in the same way; -but with no result. Then I tried turning it in the suspected direction, -holding both my hands low down on the corners of the boulder; then going -gradually up higher I pursued the same effort; again no response. Still -I felt I was on the track and began to make efforts in eccentric ways. -All at once, whilst I was pressing with my left hand low down whilst I -pulled with my right high up on the other edge, the whole great stone -began to move in a slow easy way, as though in perfect poise. I -continued the movement and the stone turned lazily over on one side, -revealing at my very feet a dark opening of oval form some three feet -across its widest part. Somehow I was not altogether surprised; my head -kept cool in what was to me a wonderful way. With an impulse which was -based on safety, lest the opening of the hole should make discovery of -my presence, I reversed the action; and the stone rolled slowly over to -its old position. Several times I moved it from its place and then back -again, so that I might become accustomed to its use. - -For a while I hesitated as to whether I should explore the opening -immediately; but soon came to the conclusion that I had better begin -at once. So I went back to my bicycle and took the lamp with me. I had -matches in my case, and as I had the revolver which I always carried -now, I felt equal to any emergency. I think I was finally influenced in -my decision to attempt the passage at once by the remembrance of -Marjory's remark that the kidnappers would make no effort until their -plans were quite complete. They, more than I, might fear discovery; and -on this hope I was strong as I lowered myself down through the narrow -opening. I was glad to see that there was no difficulty in moving the -stone from the inside; there were two iron handles let into the stone -for the purpose. - -I cannot say I was at ease in my mind, I was, however, determined to go -on; and with a prayer to God for protection, and a loving thought of -Marjory, I went on my way. - -The passage was doubtless of natural origin, for it was evident that -the seams in the rock were much like those on the coast where the strata -of different geological formations joined. Art had, however improved the -place wonderfully. Where the top had come too low it had been quarried -away; the remnants still lay adjacent where the cave broadened out. The -floor where the slope was steep was cut into rough steps. Altogether, -there were signs of much labour in the making of the passage. As I went -down, I kept an eye on the compass whenever I came to a turn, so that I -might have a rough idea of the direction in which I was going. In the -main the road, with counterbalancing curves and angles, led straight -down. - -When I had got to what I considered must be half way, allowing for the -astounding magnitude which seems to be the characterisation of even a -short way under ground; the passage forked, and at a steep angle another -passage, lower and less altered than that along which I had come, turned -away to the left. Going a few feet up it I could hear the sound of -running water. - -This was evidently the passage to the reservoir. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -MARJORY'S ADVENTURE - - -As I felt that time, in which I had the passage all to myself, was -precious, I turned back to the main way down. The path was very steep -and low and the rock underfoot was cut in rude steps; as I held the -lantern before me I had to droop it so that I could smell the hot metal -where the flame touched the back. It was indeed a steep and difficult -way, made for others than men of my own stature. As I went, I felt my -first fears passing away. At first I had dreaded a lack of air, and all -sorts of horrors which come to those who essay unknown passages. There -came back to my recollection passages in Belzoni's explorations in the -Pyramids when individuals had got lost, and when whole parties were -stopped by the first to advance jamming in a narrow passage as he -crawled along on his belly. Here, though the roof came down in places -dangerously low, there was still ample room, and the air came up sweet -and cool. To any one unused to deep burrows, whether the same be natural -or artificial, there is a dread of being underground. One is cut off -from light and air; and burial alive in all its potential horrors is -always at hand. However, the unexpected clearness and easiness of the -way reassured me; and I descended the steep passage with a good heart. -All distance underground seems extravagantly long to those unaccustomed -to it; and to me the mere depth I had descended seemed almost impossible -when the way before me became somewhat level again. At the same time -the roof rose so that I could stand upright. I guessed that I must -be now somewhere at the foot of the hillock and not far from the old -chapel; so I went forward carefully, keeping my hand ready to cover up -the front of the lamp. As the ground was fairly level, I could in a -way pace it; and as I knew that there was only about two hundred feet -distance from the foot of the hill to the chapel, I was not surprised -when after some eighty paces I found the passage end in a sort of rude -chamber cut in the rock. At right angles to the place of my entry there -was a regular stairway, partly cut in rock and partly built, leading -upward. Before I ascended I looked around carefully and could see that -sections of the walls of the chamber were built of great blocks of -stone. Leaving further investigation for the future I went upward with a -beating heart. - -The stair was rudely circular, and I had counted thirty steps when I saw -the way blocked by a great stone. For a few seconds I was in fear lest I -should find this impossible; then I looked carefully for any means of -moving the obstacle. I thought it more than likely that something of the -same process would be adopted for both ends of the passage. - -Luck was certainly on my side to-day! Here were two iron handles, much -the same as those with which I had been enabled to move the monument -from within. I grasped them firmly, and began to experiment as to which -way the stone moved. It trembled under my first effort; so exerting a -very little of my strength in the same direction the great stone began -to move. I saw a widening line of open space through which a dim light -shone in upon me. Holding the stone in poise with one hand, I covered -the front of the lamp with my cap, and then resumed the opening process. -Slowly, slowly, the stone rolled back till a clear way lay abreast of me -through which, doubled up, I could pass. From where I stood I could see -part of the wall of a building, a wall with long low windows in massive -stone; and I knew that at last I had reached the old chapel. A joyous -feeling rushed over me; after the unknown perils of the cavern passage -at last I had reached safety. I bent low and began to step out through -the narrow opening. There was fully four feet in the circumference of -the stone so that two such steps as were possible to me were necessary -to take me out. I had taken one and my foot was lifted for the second -when a clear firm voice said in a whisper: - -"Hands up! If you move you are a dead man!" I stopped of course, and -raising my face, for my head was bent low in the necessary effort of -stooping, I found myself opposite the muzzle of a revolver. For an -instant I looked at it; it was firm as the rock around me, and I felt -that I must obey. Then I looked beyond it, to the hand which held it, -and the eyes which directed. These too were inflexible; but a great joy -came over me when I recognised that the hand and eyes were those of -Marjory. I would have sprung forward to her, but for that ominous ring -of steel in front of me. I waited a few seconds, for it seemed strange -that she did not lower the revolver on seeing who it was. As, however, -the pistol still covered me unpleasantly, I said: - -"Marjory!" In an instant her hand dropped to her side. I could not but -notice with an admiration for her self-control and the strength of her -resolution, that she still held the revolver in her grasp. With a glad -cry she leaped towards me with a quick impulsive movement which made my -heart bound, for it was all love and spontaneity. She put her left hand -on my shoulder; and as she looked into my eyes I could feel the glad -tremor that swept through her. - -For several seconds she stood, and then with a sigh said in a voice of -self-reproach: - -"And _I_ did not know _you_!" The way she spoke the words "I" "you" was -luminous! Had I not already known her heart, she would in that moment -have stood self-revealed. - -We were manifestly two thoroughly practical people, for even in the -rapture of our meeting--to me it was no less than rapture to come -from so grim an aperture in the secret cavern passage--we had our wits -about us. I think she was really the first to come to a sense of our -surroundings; for just as I was opening my mouth to speak she held up a -warning finger. - -"Hush! Some one may come; though I think there is no one near. Wait -dear, whilst I look!" she seemed to flit noiselessly out of the doorway -and I saw her vanish amongst the trees. In a few minutes she returned -carrying carefully a wicker basket. As she opened it she said: - -"Some one might suspect something if they saw you in that state." -She took from the basket a little bowl of water, soap, towel and a -clothes-brush. Whilst I washed my face and hands she was brushing me -down. A very short time completed a rough toilet. Then she poured -the water carefully into a crack in the wall, and putting the things -together with my lamp, back in the basket, she said: - -"Come now! Let us get to the Castle before any one finds us. They will -think that I have met you in the wood." We went as unobtrusively as we -could to the Castle; and entered, I think, unobserved. I had a thorough -clean up before I let any one see me; our secret was too precious to -risk discovery by suspicion. When I had seen Mrs. Jack, Marjory took me -to her boudoir in the top of the castle, and there, whilst she sat by -me holding my hands, I told her every detail of my adventure. I could -feel how my story moved her; when there was any passage of especial -interest the pressure of her clasp grew tense. She, who had seemingly no -fear for herself, was all in fear for me! - -Then we talked matters over. We had now a good clue to the comings -and goings of the kidnappers; and we felt that by a little thoughtful -organisation we might find their hours, and be able to trace them one -by one. By lunch time we had decided on our plan of action. We took our -idea from one of the old "Tales of the Genii" where the conquered king -was brought by his faithful vizier into a cavern and asked to cut a rope -which was stretched before him, and which he soon discovered released -the great rock which roofed the pavilion specially built by the vizier -to be seen and occupied by the conqueror. We would fix a fine thread to -the top of the monument and bring it secretly to the castle, where its -breaking would apprise Marjory of the opening of the passage; thus she -would discover the hour of the coming of the kidnappers to the chapel. -We arranged another ingenious device, whereby a second thread, fastened -to the stone in the old chapel, would be broken by the opening of the -stone, and would cause a book to fall on Marjory's bed and wake her if -she were asleep. The better part of the afternoon was taken up by us -carrying out these ideas, for we went slowly and cautiously to work. -Then I went home. - -I was early at the monument in the morning, and getting behind the stone -signalled to the Castle roof in case Marjory should happen to expect me -and be there. But there was no answer. So I sat down to wait till it -would be decent time to go to the Castle for an early breakfast. - -As I sat waiting I thought I heard a sound, either close to me and -muffled, or else distant; I could hardly tell which. Matters might be -lively if I were discovered; so I got my revolver ready. With my heart -beating so heavily that I mistook it at moments for the foreign sound, I -listened and listened, all ears. - -It was as I had suspected; the sound came from the tunnel beneath me. I -hardly knew whether to stay or go. If I waited I could see who came from -the opening; but on the other hand I should at once be known to have -discovered the secret. Still as the stone might roll back at any moment, -it was necessary that I should make up my mind; I should either go or -stay. I decided that I would stay and make discovery at once. In any -case should I succeed in capturing a blackmailer, or even in discovering -or partially discovering his identity, I should be aiding in Marjory's -safety. So I got my revolver ready; and standing back so that I could -not be seen at once by any one emerging, waited. - -No one came; but I could still hear a slight sound. Filled with a -growing unrest, I determined to take the initiative, and began to move -close to the stone. As I looked, it began to quiver, and then to move -slowly. As it rolled softly back I kept behind it so that I might not be -seen; and waited with revolver ready and what patience I could. - -There was dead silence; and then a hand holding a revolver rested a -moment on the edge of the opening. - -I knew the hand, and I knew the revolver, and I knew the quickness of -both. I did not say a word or make a sound, till Marjory with an alert -movement seemed to sweep up out of the opening and whirled round with -ready pistol, as though suspecting an enemy on every side. - -Marjory, all covered with dust, her cheeks as white as snow, so that the -smears of dust lay on them like soot; and eyes with pupils distended -as in coming from the dark. For a few seconds she seemed hardly to -recognise me; but when she did she sprang gladly into my arms. - -"Oh! Archie, I am glad to see you. It was so terrible and lonely in the -dark. I began to fear I might never find my way out!" In the dark! I -began to fear, and asked her: - -"But, dear one, how did you come; and why? Hadn't you got a light with -you? Surely you didn't come unprepared, if you did venture into the -cave!" Then in a rush she told me the whole story. How before dawn she -had been waked by the dropping of the book and had hurried to the castle -roof to watch the stone. With her field glass she had presently seen it -move. She was then satisfied that the watchers had gone home; and had -determined on a little adventure on her own account. - -"I put on a grey tweed dress, and taking my revolver and bicycle lamp, -stole out of the castle and reached the old chapel. Having lit my lamp, -I rolled back the stone and set out to explore the tunnel. I followed -from your description, the passage to its bifurcating, and determined to -explore the other arm to the reservoir. I easily found it, a deep, dark -tank cut in the rock and seemingly fed by springs which bubbled up from -patches of fine sand, the accumulation of years of wasting rock. Whilst -I was trying to look into the depth of the reservoir, holding my bicycle -lamp so as to throw its light downwards, I saw something white at the -bottom. Just then the lamp from its inverted position began to smoke, -but as I looked in that last moment through the crystal pure water I -recognised that the white object was a skull. In the sudden shock of the -discovery, the lamp dropped from my hand and disappeared hissing and -bubbling in the last flicker of light." As she told me this, I took her -hand for I feared that the memory of such an appalling moment must have -unnerved her; but to my surprise her nerves were as firm as my own. She -let her hand remain in mine; but she had evidently understood my thought -for she said: - -"Oh! it's all right now, Archie. For a moment or two I do believe I was -frightened. You can have the laugh on me there if you like! But then -common sense came to my aid. I was in a tight place, and it would need -all I knew to get out. I thought the matter over as coolly as I could; -and do you know that coolness seemed to grow with the effort! I was in -the dark, in a cave, deep underground, the entrance to which was secret; -I had no means of getting a light even for an instant, for though I had -taken plenty of wax matches they were all in my lamp. The only thing I -could do was to try to grope my way out. I had noted the passage as -I came along, but I found so soon as I had felt my way out of the -reservoir chamber, how little use an abstract recollection is when every -second there is a new detail. I found, too, the astonishing difference -between sight and touch; what I had remembered had been with my eyes and -not with my fingers. I had to guard all round me, my head, my feet, my -sides. I am amazed, now when I think of it, how many different kinds of -mistakes and calculations I made in a few yards. It seemed a terribly -long time till I came to the place where the passage forks. There I -weighed up the matter of whether it would be better to go back by the -way I had come to the old chapel, or to go up the other passage to the -monument of which you told me. Somehow the latter seemed to me the more -feasible. I think it must have been that I trusted you more than myself. -You had not shrunk from going into that passage; and I would not shrink -from going out." - -I squeezed her hands hard, I had got both by this time. She blushed a -little and looked at me fondly and went on: - -"There was something cheering in the mere fact of going up instead of -down. It was like coming towards the air and light again; and the time -did not seem so long till I came to the end of the passage, for so far -as I could feel there was nothing but solid rock all round me. For a -little bit my heart sank again; but I soon bucked up. I knew that this -must be the way out; and I felt around for the iron handles of which you -had told me. And then, Thank God for His goodness! when the stone began -to turn I saw the light, and breathed fresh air again. They seemed to -give me back all my courage and caution. Up to this I had not troubled -about kidnappers; there was quite enough to think of in getting along -the passage. But now I was my own woman again, and I determined to take -no chances. When I saw it was your gun that was aimed at me I was -glad!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -THE LOST SCRIPT - - -After a little consideration of ways and means, we decided that the best -thing we could do was to pass through the passage to the old chapel. -It was still very early, so early that in all probability none of the -household were yet awake; if Marjory could regain her room before -being seen, it would avoid curiosity. She was certainly in a shocking -condition of dust and dishevelment. Her groping in the dark through that -long rugged passage had not been accomplished without many hardships. -Her dress was torn in several places, and her hat was simply knocked to -pieces; even her hair was tumbled about, and had been put up again and -again with dusty fingers. She saw me smiling; I think it pained her a -little for she suddenly said: - -"Come along quick; it's simply awful standing here in the light of day -in this filthy state. It won't feel half so bad in the dark passage!" -Without more ado I lit my lamp, and having, of course, closed the -entrance behind us, we went back into the cavern. - -The tramp back through the tunnel did not seem nearly so long or so -difficult as at first. It may have been that comparative familiarity -made it easier; it certainly eased its terrors. Or it is possible that -our companionship, each to the other, made the bearing of fears and -difficulties lighter. - -Anyhow, it was something of a surprise to both of us to find ourselves -so quickly in the rude chamber whence the steps led up to the old -chapel. Before we left this, we made a rough examination of it, turning -the lantern over walls and floor and ceiling; for I had an idea that the -passage from the castle, which I was satisfied must exist, made its exit -here. We could not, however, see any external sign of an opening; the -walls were built up of massive unmortared stones, and were seemingly as -solid as the rock itself. - -When we got into the chapel we found the utility of Marjory's foresight. -In a corner was her little basket with soap and towel, water and clothes -brush; and together we restored her to some semblance of decency. Then -she went back to the castle and got in unobserved, as I, watching from -the shelter of the trees, could see. I took my way back through the -passage; and so to the wood where my bicycle was hidden. I washed my -hands in the stream and lay down in the shelter of a thick grove of -hazel, where I slept till breakfast time. When I rode up to the castle, -I found Marjory with her kodak on the sweep outside, taking views of its -various points. - -The morning was intensely hot; and here, in the shelter of the little -valley and the enclosing wood, the air was sultry, and the sun beat down -pitilessly. We had a table set out under the shelter of the trees and -breakfasted _al fresco_. - -When we were alone in her boudoir I settled with Marjory that we would -on that evening attempt to find the treasure, as the tide would be out -at midnight. So we went down to the library and got out Don de Escoban's -narrative and began to read it afresh, noting as we went every word and -sign of the secret writing, in the hope that we might in thus doing -stumble on some new secret or hidden meaning. - -Whilst we were thus engaged a servant came looking for Mrs. Jack, for -whom a stranger had brought a letter. Marjory told where she might be -found, and for some time we went on with our work. - -Suddenly the door opened, and Mrs. Jack entered, speaking over her -shoulder as she came to a high-bred looking, dark man who followed her. -As she saw us she stopped and said to Marjory: - -"Oh! my dear, I didn't know you were here. I thought you were in the -ladies' room." This was what they usually called the big room at the top -of the castle. We both rose, seeing a stranger. For my own part there -was something in his face which set me thinking; as to Marjory I could -not help noticing that she drew herself up to her full height, and held -herself at tension in that haughty way which now and again marked her -high spirit and breeding. There seemed so little cause for this attitude -that my own thinking of the new-comer was lost in the contemplation -of hers. Mrs. Jack noticed that there was some awkwardness, and spoke -hurriedly: - -"This is the gentleman, my dear, that the agent wrote about; and as -he wanted to look over the house I brought him myself." The stranger -probably taking his cue from her apologetic tone spoke: - -"I trust I have not disturbed the Senora; if I have, pardon! I have but -come to renew my memory of a place, dear to me in my youth, and which -through the passing of time and of some who were, is now my own -heritage." Marjory smiled, and swept him a curtsey as she said, but -still in her distant arm's-length manner: - -"Then you are the owner of the castle, sir. I hope that we do not -disturb you. Should you wish to be anywhere alone we shall gladly -withdraw and wait your pleasure." He raised a hand of eloquent protest, -a well-kept, gentleman's hand, as he said in tones sweet and deferent: - -"Oh! I pray you, do not stir. May I say that when my house is graced -with the presence of so much loveliness I am all too full of gratitude -to wish for any change. I shall but look around me, for I have a certain -duty to do. Alas! this my heritage comes not only as a joy, but with -grave duties which I must fulfill. Well I know this room. Many a time as -a boy I have sat here with my kinsman, then so old and distant from me -in my race; and yet I am his next successor. Here has he told me of old -times, and of my race of which we who have the name are so proud; and of -the solemn duty which might some day come to me. Could I but tell...." -Here he stopped suddenly. - -His eyes had been wandering all over the room, up and down the -bookshelves, and at the few pictures which the walls contained. When -they rested on the table, a strange look came into them. Here lay -the type-script which we had been reading, and the secret writing of -the dotted printing. It was on the latter that his eyes were fixed -absorbingly. - -"Where did you get that?" he said suddenly, pointing to it. The question -in its bald simplicity was in word rude, but his manner of asking it was -so sweet and deferential that to me it robbed it of all offence. I was -just about to answer when my eye caught that of Marjory, and I paused. -There was such meaning in her eyes that my own began roving to find the -cause of it. As I looked she put her hands on the table before her, and -her fingers seemed to drum nervously. To me, however, it was no nervous -trifling; she was speaking to me in our own cipher. - -"Be careful!" she spelled out "there is some mystery! Let me speak." -Then turning to the stranger she said: - -"It is curious is it not?" - -"Ah, Senora, though curious it be in itself, it is nothing to the -strangeness of its being here. If you only knew how it had been searched -for; how the whole castle had been ransacked from roof to dungeon to -find it, and always without avail. Did you but understand the import of -that paper to me and mine--if indeed the surmises of many generations -of anxious men availed aught--you would pardon my curiosity. In my own -youth I assisted in a search of the whole place; no corner was left -untouched, and even the secret places were opened afresh." As he went -on, Marjory's eyes were resting on his face unflinchingly, but her -fingers were spelling out comments to me. - -"There are secret places, then; and he knows them. Wait" the stranger -went on: - -"See, I shall convince you that I speak from no idle curiosity, but from -a deep conviction of a duty that was mine and my ancestors' for ages." -There was a sternness mingled with his grave sweetness now; it was -evident that he was somewhat chagrined or put out by our silence. -Leaving the table he went over to one of the bookshelves, and after -running his eye over it for a moment, put his hand up and from a shelf -above his head took down a thick leather-covered volume. This he laid -on the table before us. It was a beautiful, old black letter law book, -with marginal notes in black letter and headings in roman type. The -pagination was, I could see as he turned it over, by folios. He turned -to the title-page, which was an important piece of printing in many -types, explanatory of the matter of the book. He began to read the -paragraphs, placed in the triangular in form in vogue at that day; -following the text with his forefinger he read: - -"A collection in English of the Statutes now in force, continued from -the beginning of Magna Charta made in the 9. yeere of the reigne of King -H. 3. until the ende of the Session of Parliament holden in the 28 yeere -of the reigne of our gracious Queene Elizabeth under Titles placed by -order of Alphabet. Wherein is performed (touching the Statutes wherewith -Justices of the Peace have to deale) so much as was promised in the -Booke of their office lately published. For which purpose"--&c. -&c.,--Then turning over the page he pointed to a piece of faded writing -on the back of it which had been left blank of printing. We bent down -and read in the ink, faded to pale brown by time: - -"My sonnes herein you will find the law which binds the stranger in this -land, wherein a stranger is a Vagabond. F. de E. - - XXIII. X. MDLXLIX." - -Then he turned rapidly over the leaves, till towards the end there was a -gap. On the right hand page, where the folio number was all along placed -was the number 528. - -"See," he said, turning back and pointing to the bottom of the title -page "Anno 1588. Three hundred years, since first my people used it." - -Turning back he looked at the folio before the gap; it was 510. "See" -he said, placing his hand on the pinmarked pages. "Folio 511 and the -heading of 'Vagabonds, Beggars, et cetera.'" He folded his arms in a -dignified way and stood silent. - -All along I had been following my own train of thought, even whilst -I had been taking in the stranger's argument, and at the same time -noting Marjory's warning. If this man who owned the Castle knew of the -existence of the secret writing; whose ancestors had owned the book in -which was the clue signed F. de E., surely then this could be none other -than the descendant of the Don Bernardino who had hidden the treasure. -This was his castle; no wonder that he knew its secret ways. - -Matters were getting complicated. If this man were now the hereditary -guardian of the hidden treasure--and from his likeness to the ghostly -Spaniard whom I had seen in the procession at Whinnyfold I saw no reason -to doubt it--he might be an enemy with whom we should have to cope. I -was all in a whirl, and for a few seconds I think quite lost my head. -Then rushed over me the conviction that the mere lapse of time passed -in these few minutes of agonised silence was betraying our secret. This -brought me up with a round turn, and I looked about me. The strange man -was standing still as marble; his face was set, and there was no sign of -life in him except his eyes which blazed as they wandered around, taking -everything in. Mrs. Jack saw that there was something going on which she -did not understand, and tried to efface herself. Marjory was standing by -the table, still, erect and white. Her fingers began to drum softly as -she caught my eye, and spelled out: - -"Give him the paper, from Mrs. Jack. Lately found in old oak chest. Say -nothing of interpretation." This seemed such a doubtful move that with -my eyes I queried it. She nodded in reply. So I gathered myself together -and said: - -"I'm afraid, sir, that there is some mystery here which I cannot -undertake to understand. I think I may say, however, for my friend Mrs. -Jack, that there will be no trouble in your having full possession of -your book. I am told that these pages were lately found in an old oak -chest. It is remarkable that they should have been missing so long. We -were attracted by the funny marks. We thought that there might be some -sort of cryptogram; and I suppose I may take it, from the fact of your -looking for them so long, that this is so?" - -He grew suspicious in a moment, and stiffened all over. Marjory saw, and -appreciated the reason. She smiled at me with her eyes as she drummed on -the table: - -"The herring is across his path!" As the awkward pause was this time -with the stranger, we waited with comparative ease. I saw with a feeling -of wonder that there was, through all her haughtiness, a spice of malice -in Marjory's enjoyment of his discomfiture. I looked at Mrs. Jack and -said: "May I give these papers to Mr. ----" She answered promptly: - -"Why cert'nly! If Mr. Barnard wants them." Marjory turned round suddenly -and in a surprised voice said: - -"Mr. Barnard?" - -"That is the name given in the letter which he brought, my dear!" The -stranger at once spoke out: - -"I am Mr. Barnard here; but in my own country I am of an older name. -I thank you, sir, and Madam" turning to Mrs. Jack "for your courteous -offer. But it will be time enough for me to consider the lost pages when -through the unhappiness of your departure from my house, I am enabled to -come hither to live. In the meantime, all I shall ask is that the pages -be replaced in this book and that it be put in its place on the shelf -where none shall disturb it." As he spoke in his sweet, deferential way -there was something in his look or manner which did not accord with his -words; a quick eager shifting of his eyes, and a breathing hard which -were at variance with his words of patience. I did not pretend, however, -to notice it; I had my own game to play. So without a word I placed the -pages carefully in the book and put the latter back on the shelf from -which he had taken it. There was an odd look in Marjory's face which I -did not quite understand; and as she gave me no clue to her thoughts by -our sign language, I waited. Looking at the stranger haughtily, and with -a distinctly militant expression she said: - -"The agent told us that the Barnard family owned this castle!" He bowed -gravely, but a hot, angry flush spread over his face as he replied: - -"He spoke what truth he knew." Marjory's reply came quickly: - -"But you say you are one of the family, and the very memorandum you -pointed out was signed F. de E." Again the hot flush swept his face; but -passed in an instant, leaving him as pale as the dead. After a pause of -a few moments he spoke in a tone of icy courtesy: - -"I have already said, Senora, that in this country our name--my name, is -Barnard. A name taken centuries ago when the freedom of the great land -of England was not as now; when tolerance for the stranger was not. In -my own land, the land of my birth, the cradle of my race, I am called -Don Bernardino Yglesias Palealogue y Santordo y Castelnuova de Escoban, -Count of Minurca and Marquis of Salvaterra!" As he rehearsed his titles -he drew himself up to his full height; and pride of race seemed actually -to shine or emanate from him. Marjory, too, on her side of the table -drew herself up proudly as she said in a voice in which scorn struggled -for mastery with dignity: - -"Then you are a Spaniard!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII - -DON BERNARDINO - - -The stranger held himself with, if possible, greater hauteur as he -answered: - -"I have that great honour." - -"And I, sir," said Marjory, with a pride rivalling his own, "am an -American!" Issue was joined. - -For a period which from its strain seemed very long, though it was -probably but a few seconds, they stood facing each other; types of the -two races whose deadly contest was then the interest of the world. The -time was at any rate sufficiently long for me to consider the situation, -and to admire the types. It would have been hard to get a better -representative of either, of the Latin as well as of the Anglo-Saxon. -Don Bernardino, with his high aquiline nose and black eyes of eagle -keenness, his proud bearing and the very swarthiness which told of -Moorish descent, was, despite his modern clothes, just such a picture as -Velasquez would have loved to paint, or as Fortuny might have made to -live again. - -And Marjory! She looked like the spirit of her free race, incarnate. -The boldness of her pose; her free bearing; her manifest courage and -self belief; the absence of either prudery or self-consciousness; her -picturesque, noble beauty, as with set white face and flashing eyes she -faced the enemy of her country, made a vision never to be forgotten. -Even her racial enemy had unconsciously to fall into admiration; and -through it the dominance of his masculine nature spoke. His words were -gracious, and the easy gracefulness of their delivery was no less marked -because the calm was forced: - -"Our nations alas! Senora are at war; but surely not even the courtesies -of the battlefield need be strained when individuals, even of the most -loyal each to their own, meet on neutral soil!" It was evident that even -Marjory's quick wit did not grasp at a suitable reply. The forgiveness -of enemies is not the strong point of any woman's nature, or of her -education. The only remark she made was to again repeat: - -"I am an American!" The Spaniard felt the strength of his position; -again his masculinity came out in his reply: - -"And all good women, as well as all men, should be loyal to their Flag. -But oh Senora, before even your nationality comes your sex. The Spanish -nation does not make war on women!" He seemed really to believe what he -said; for the proud light in his face could not have been to either a -dastard or a liar. I confess it was with a shock that I heard Marjory's -words: - -"In the _reconcentrados_ were as many women as men. More, for the men -were fighting elsewhere!" The passionate, disdainful sneer on her lips -gave emphasis to the insult; and blood followed the stab. A red tide -rushed to the Spaniard's swarthy face, over forehead and ears and neck; -till, in a moment of quick passion of hate, he seemed as if bathed in -red light. - -And then in truth I saw the very man of my vision at Whinnyfold. - -Marjory, womanlike, feeling her superiority over the man's anger, went -on mercilessly: - -"Women and children herded together like beasts; beaten, starved, -tortured, mocked at, shamed, murdered! Oh! it is a proud thought for a -Spaniard, that when the men cannot be conquered, even in half a century -of furious oppression, their baffled foes can wreak their vengeance on -the helpless women and children!" - -The Spaniard's red became white; a deathly pallor which looked grey -in the darkened room. With his coldness came the force of coldness, -self-command. I had a feeling that in those few moments of change had -come to him some grim purpose of revenge. It was borne in upon me by -flashes of memory and instinct that the man was of the race and class -from which came the rulers and oppressors of the land, the leaders of -the Inquisition. Eyes like his own, burning in faces of deathly white, -looked on deeds of torture, whose very memory after centuries can appal -the world. But with all his passion of hate and shame he never lost the -instinct of his dignity, or his grace of manner. One could not but feel -that even when he struck to kill he would strike with easeful grace. -Something of the feeling was in his speech, perhaps in the manner rather -than the words, when after a pause he said: - -"For such foul acts I have nought but indignation and grief; though in -the history of a nation such things must be. It is the soldier's duty to -obey; even though his heart revolt. I have memory of hearing that even -your own great nation has exercised not so much care as might be"--how -he sneered with polished sarcasm as he turned the phrase--"in the -dealing with Indians. Nay more, even in your great war, when to kill was -fratricidal, there were hardships to the conquered, even to the helpless -women and children. Have I not heard that one of your most honoured -generals, being asked what was to become of the women in a great march -of devastation that he was about to make, replied, "The women? I would -leave them nothing but their eyes to weep with!" But, indeed, I grieve -that in this our mutual war the Senora grieves. Is it that she has -suffered in herself, or through others dear to her?" Marjory's eyes -flashed; pulling herself to full height she said proudly: - -"Sir, I am not one who whines for pain of my own. I and mine know how to -bear our own troubles, as our ancestors did before us. We do not bend -before Spain; no more to-day than when my great ancestors swept the -Spaniard from the Western Main, till the seas were lit with blazing -masts and the shores were fringed with wreckage! We Americans are not -the stuff of which you make _reconcentrados_. We can die! As for me, the -three hundred years that have passed without war, are as a dream; I look -on Spain and the Spaniard with the eyes, and feel with the heart, of my -great uncle Francis Drake." - -Whilst she was speaking Don Bernardino was cooling down. He was -still deadly pale, and his eyes had something of the hollow glare of -phosphorus in the sockets of a skull. But he was master of himself; and -it seemed to me that he was straining every nerve to recover, for some -purpose of his own, his lost ground. It may have been that he was -ashamed of his burst of passion, with and before a woman; but anyhow he -was manifestly set on maintaining calm, or the appearance of it. With -the fullness of his grace and courtesy he said, turning to Mrs. Jack: - -"I thank you for the permission, so graciously granted to me, to visit -again this my house. You will permit me, however, I hope without any -intention of offence, to withdraw from where my presence has brought so -much of disturbance; the which I deplore, and for which I crave pardon." - -To me he bowed stiffly with a sort of lofty condescension; and finally, -looking towards Marjory, he said: - -"The Senora will I trust believe that even a Spaniard may have pity -to give pain; and that there are duties which gentlemen must observe -because they are gentlemen, and because they reverence the trust that is -reposed in them more than do common men. She can appreciate the call of -duty I know; for she can be none other than the new patriot who restores -in the west our glorious memories of the Maid of Saragossa. I pray that -the time may come when she shall understand these things and believe!" -Then, with a bow which seemed the embodiment of old-fashioned grace and -courtesy, he bent almost to the ground. Marjory instinctively bowed. Her -training as to good manners, here stood her in good stead; not even -patriotic enthusiasm can at times break the icy barrier of social -decorum. - -When the Spaniard left the room, which he did with long strides but -bearing himself with inconceivable haughtiness, Mrs. Jack, with a glance -at us, went with him. Instinctively I started to take her place; in the -first instance to relieve her from an awkward duty, and beyond this with -a feeling that I was not quite satisfied with him. No one could be in -antagonism with Marjory, and acquire or retain my good will. As I moved, -Marjory held up her hand and whispered to me to stay. I did so, and -waited for her to explain. She listened intently to the retreating -footsteps; when we heard the echoing sound of the closing the heavy -outer door, she breathed freely and said to me with relief in her voice: - -"I know you two would have fought if you had got alone together just -now!" - -I smiled, for I was just beginning to understand that that was just how -I felt. Marjory remained standing at the table, and I could see that she -was buried in thought. Presently she said: - -"I felt it was cruel to say such things to that gentleman. Oh! but he -is a gentleman; the old idea seems embodied in him. Such pride, such -haughtiness; such disdain of the commoner kind; such adherence to ideas; -such devotion to honour! Indeed, I felt it very cruel and ungenerous; -but I had nothing else to do. I had to make him angry; and I knew he -couldn't quarrel with me. Nothing else would have taken us all away from -the cipher." Her words gave me quite a shock. "Do you mean to say -Marjory," I asked, "that you were acting a part all the time?" - -"I don't know" she answered pensively, "I meant every word I said, even -when it hurt him most. I suppose that was the American in me. And yet -all the time I had a purpose or a motive of my own which prompted me. I -suppose that was the woman in me." - -"And what was the motive or purpose?" I asked again, for I wondered. - -"I don't know!" she said naively. I felt that she was concealing -something from me; but that it was a something so tender or so deep in -her heart that its very concealment was a shy compliment. So I smiled -happily as I said: - -"And that is the girl in you. The girl that is American, and European, -and Asiatic, and African, and Polynesian. The girl straight out of the -Garden of Eden, with the fragrance of God's own breath in her mouth!" - -"Darling!" she said, looking at me lovingly. That was all. - -During the day, we discussed the visitor of the morning. Mrs. Jack said -very little, but now and again implored Marjory to be cautious; when she -was asked her reason for the warning her only reply was: - -"I don't like a man who can look like that. I don't know which is worst, -when he is hot or cold!" I gathered that Marjory in the main agreed -with her; but did not feel the same concern. Marjory would have been -concerned if the danger had been to anyone else; but she was not -habituated to be anxious about herself. Besides, she was young; and the -antagonist was a man; and haughty and handsome, and interesting. - -In the afternoon we completed our arrangements for the visit to the -treasure cave. We both felt the necessity for pressing on this matter, -since the existence of the secret writing was known to Don Bernardino. -He had not hesitated to speak openly, though he did not know of course -the extent of our own knowledge of the subject, of a grave duty which he -had undertaken from hereditary motives, or of the tragic consequences -which might ensue. It was whilst we were speaking of the possibility of -his being able to decipher the cryptogram, that Marjory suddenly said: - -"Did you understand exactly why I asked you to give him the paper at -once?" - -"Far be it from me" I answered "to profess to understand _exactly_ the -motives of any charming woman." - -"Not even when she tells you herself?" - -"Ah! then the real mystery only begins!" I said bowing. She smiled as -she replied: - -"You and I are both fond of mysteries. So I had better tell you at once. -That man doesn't know the secret. I am sure of it. He knows there is a -secret; and he knows a part, but only a part. That eager look wouldn't -have been in his eye if he had known already. I daresay there is, -somewhere, some duplicate of what the original Don Bernardino put down -in his story. And of course there must be some allusion to the treasure -in the secret records at Simancas or the Quirinal or the Vatican. -Neither the kings of Spain nor the Popes would let such a treasure pass -out of mind. Indeed it is possible that there is some key or clue to it -which he holds. Did you notice how he referred at once to the secret -meaning of the memorandum in the beginning of the law book? If we had -not given it up at once, he would have forced on the question and wished -to take the paper away; and we could not have refused without letting -him know something by our very refusal. Do you understand any more of -my meaning now? And can you forgive me any more for my ill-mannered -outbreak? That is what I am most sorry for, of all that has been in the -interview to-day. Is that also any more light to you on the mystery of a -woman's mind?" - -"It is, you dear! it is!" I said as I took her for a moment in my arms. -She came easily and lovingly to me, and I could not but be assured that -the yielding even momentarily to tenderness helped to ease the strain -which had been bearing upon her for so long. For my Marjory, though a -strong and brave one, was but a woman after all. - -At six o'clock I took my way back to Whinnyfold; for I wanted to have -all ready for our enterprise, and take full advantage of the ebb tide. -We arranged that on this occasion Marjory should come alone to join me -at the house--our house. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV - -THE ACCOLADE - - -When Marjory arrived, I had all ready for our exploration. There were -several packages waiting for her, and when she emerged from the room -where she had gone to change, their purpose was manifest. She appeared -in a flannel tennis frock, short enough to show that she had put on her -sand shoes on her bare feet. She saw that I noticed and said with a -little blush: - -"You see I am dressed for the part; you came back so wet the last time -that I thought I had better prepare for it too." - -"Quite right, my dear," I said. "That pretty head of yours is level." We -went to the cellar at once where I had lamps and candles prepared and -ready to light. I showed Marjory how to get up and down by herself, -in case anything should happen to me. This made the gravity of our -enterprise apparent. Her face grew a trifle anxious, though she did not -change colour; I could see that all her anxiety was for me and none -for herself. We took care to bring a plentiful supply of matches and -candles, as well as an extra lamp and an oil can, and some torches and -red and white lights. All these were in a tin box to insure their being -kept dry. I had a meal of bread and meat packed ready; also a bottle of -water and a flask of brandy, for the exploration might take a long time. -The tide was not quite out, and there was still in places a couple of -feet of water; but we decided to go on at once as it would give us more -time if we started on a falling tide. - -I took Marjory first up the passage inland, so that she might understand -something of the lines of the cave system. There was, however, too much -tide just then to show her where I surmised there might be some deep -opening, perhaps permanently under water, into some of the other -caves. Then we retraced our steps and gained the pile of debris of the -explosion at the cave's mouth. I could not but notice how much Marjory -was impressed by the stillness of the place. Here, the tide, filtering -in by innumerable crevices and rifts between the vast pile of stones, -showed no sign of the force of waves without. There was not time for the -rise and fall of waves to be apparent; but the water maintained its -level silently, except for that ceaseless gurgle which comes with the -piling in of water anywhere, and is so constant that it does not strike -one as a sound. It was borne in upon us that the wildest storm without, -would make no impress upon us here in this cavern deep; and with it, as -an inevitable corollary, came the depressing thought of our helplessness -should aught go wrong in the fastnesses of this natural prison. - -Marjory bounded over the slippery stones like a young deer, and when we -passed through the natural archway into the cave beyond, her delight was -manifest. She was hurrying on so quickly that I found it necessary to -tell her she must go slow so as to be able to take stock of all around -her as she went. It was needful to look back as well as forward, so that -she might recognise the places when coming the other way. I reminded her -of caution by holding up the great ball of stout cord which I carried, -the end of which was attached to the rope of the windlass in the -cellar. "Remember, dear," I said, "that you have to be prepared for all -eventualities; if necessary to go back alone and in the dark." She -shuddered a little and drew closer to me; I felt that the movement was -one of protection rather than of fear. - -When we went along the passage, where on the first occasion I had found -the water rise nearly to the roof, we had to wait; a little way ahead of -us, where the cave dipped to its lowest, the water was still touching -the top. We possessed our souls with what patience we could, and in -about half an hour's time we were able to pass. We were quite wet, -however, for only our faces and our lamps were above water; with the -exception, of course, of the tin box with the candles and matches and -our provisions, which I took care to keep dry. - -Marjory's delight at the sight of the huge red cave was unspeakable. -When I lit one of the red lights the blinding glow filled the place, -exposing every nook and corner, and throwing shadows of velvet -blackness. The natural red of the granite suited the red light, the -effect being intensely rich. Whilst the light lasted it was all like a -dream of fairyland; and Marjory hung on to me in an ecstasy of delight. -Then, when the light died down and the last sparks fell into the natural -darkness, it seemed as if we and all around us were steeped in gloom. -The little patches of faint light from our lamps seemed to our dazzled -eyes to openly emphasise the surrounding blackness. - -Marjory suggested that we should explore the great cavern before we did -anything else. I acquiesced, for it was just as well that we should be -thoroughly acquainted with the various ramifications of the cave. I was -not by any means sure as yet that we should be able to get to the cave -of the treasure. Here, all around us, was red; we were entirely within -the sienite formation. When I had been first in the cave I had not seen -it lit up. Only where the comparatively feeble light of my bicycle -lantern had fallen had I seen anything at all. Of course it may have -been that the red light which I had burned had misled me by overwhelming -everything in its lurid glow. So this time I got a white light out of -the box and lit it. The effect was more ghastly and less pleasant. In -the revealing glare, the edges of everything stood out hard and cold, -and so far repulsive that instinctively Marjory drew closer to me. While -the light remained, however, I was able to satisfy myself of one thing; -all around was only the red granite. Colour and form and texture all -told the same thing; we had passed the stratification of gneiss and -entered on that of the sienite. I began to wonder and to think, though I -did not at once mention the matter to Marjory. The one guiding light as -to locality in the Don's narrative was the description of the cave "the -black stone on one hand and the red on the other." Now at Broad Haven -the gneiss and the red sienite join, and the strata in places seem as if -welded together or fused by fire. Here and there can be found patches in -the cliff where it is hard to say where one class of rock ends and the -other begins. In the centre bay, however, to the north of my house, -there is a sort of dip in the cliff covered deep with clay, and bright -with grass and wild flowers. Through this a tiny stream rushes in wet -weather, or in dry trickles down the steep incline. This is the natural -or main division between the geological formations; for on either side -of it is a different kind of rock--it was here that I expected to find -that the treasure cave was situated. It had been of course impossible -for me, though I had had a compass with me, to fix exactly the windings -of the cave. I knew, however, that the general trend was to the right; -we must, therefore, have passed behind the treasure cave and come into -the region of red granite. I began to have an idea, or rather the -rudiment of one, that later on we should have to go back on our tracks. -Inasmuch as my own house stood on the gneiss formation, we should have -to find whereabout in the cave windings the red and the black rocks -joined. From this point we might be able to make new and successful -progress towards discovery of the treasure itself. In the meantime I was -content to linger a few minutes in the great cavern. It was evident that -Marjory was in love with it, and was at present in a whirl of delight. -And, after all, she was my world, and her happiness my sunshine. I fully -realised in the delightful passages of our companionship the truth of -the lover's prayer in Herrick's pretty poem. - - "Give me but what this Ribbon bound, - Take all the rest the sun goes round." - -Every day, every hour, seemed to me to be revealing new beauties of my -wife's character and nature. She was herself becoming reconciled to our -new relationship; and in the confidence of her own happiness, and in her -trust of her husband, the playful and sweet sides of her nature were -gaining a new development. I could not help feeling at times that all -was going on for the best; that the very restraint of the opening of -our married life was formative of influence for good on us both. If -all young husbands and wives could but understand the true use of the -old-fashioned honeymoon, the minute knowledge of character coming in -moments of unconscious self-revelation, there might be more answers -in the negative to the all important nineteenth century philosophical -query, "Is marriage a failure?" It was evident that Marjory was -reluctant to leave the cave. She lingered and lingered; at last in -obedience to a command of hers, conveyed--for she said nothing--in some -of those subtle feminine ways, which, though I did not understand their -methods, I was beginning to learn to obey, I lit a torch. Holding it -aloft, and noticing with delight how the light danced in my wife's -beautiful eyes as she clapped her hands joyously with the overt pleasure -of a child, I said: - -"Her Majesty wishes to inspect her new kingdom. Her slave awaits her -pleasure!" - -"Lead on!" she said. "Her Majesty is pleased with the ready -understanding of her Royal Consort, and with his swift obedience to her -wishes; and oh! Archie isn't this simply too lovely for anything!" The -quick change into the vernacular made us both laugh; and taking hands -like two children we walked round the cavern. At the upper end of it, -almost at the furthest point from where we entered, we came across a -place where, under an overhanging red wall which spread out overhead -like a canopy, a great rock rose from the level floor. It was some -nodule of especial hardness which in the general trituration had not -been worn away by the wash of the water and the rolling of pebbles which -at one time undoubtedly helped to smooth the floor. In the blinking -light of the torch, the strength of which was dimmed in the vastness of -the cavern, the isolated rock, standing as it did under the rocky canopy -whose glistening surface sent down a patchy reflex of the glare, seemed -like a throne. The idea occurred simultaneously to both of us; even as I -spoke I could see that she was prepared to take her seat: - -"Will not Her Majesty graciously take her seat upon the throne which the -great Over-Lord, Nature, has himself prepared for her?" - -She took the stick which she carried to steady her in the wading, and -holding it like a sceptre, said, and oh, but her sweet voice sounded -like far music stealing through the vastness of the cavern: - -"Her Majesty, now that she has ascended her throne, and so, formally -taken possession of her Kingdom, hereby decrees that her first act of -power shall be to confer the honour of Knighthood on her first and -dearest subject. Kneel therefore at the feet of your Queen. Answer me by -your love and loyalty. Do you hereby promise and vow obedience to the -wishes of your Queen? Shall you love her faithfully and truly and -purely? Shall you hold her in your heart of hearts, yielding obedience -to all true wishes of hers, and keeping the same steadfastly to the end? -Do--you--love--me?" - -Here she paused; the rising emotion was choking her words. The tears -welled into her eyes and her mouth quivered. I was all at once in a fire -of devotion. I could then, and indeed when I think of it I can now, -realise how of old, in the days when loyalty was a passion, a young -knight's heart flowered and blossomed in the moment of his permitted -devotion. It was with all the truth of my soul and my nature that I -answered: - -"I do love you, oh, my gracious Queen. I hereby take all the vows you -have meted to me. I shall hold you ever, as I do now, in my very heart -of hearts. I shall worship and cherish you till death parts us. I shall -reverence and obey your every true wish; even as I have already promised -beside the sea and at the altar. And whithersoever my feet may go -in obedience to your will, my Queen and my Love, they shall go on -steadfast, to the end." Here I stopped, for I feared to try to say more; -I was trembling myself and the words were choked in my throat. Marjory -bent over as I knelt, laid her wand on my shoulder and said: - -"Rise up, Sir Archibald, my own True Knight and Loyal Lover!" Before I -rose I wanted to kiss her hand, but as I bent, her foot was temptingly -near. I stooped lower to kiss it. She saw my intention and saying -impulsively: "Oh, Archie dear, not that wet, dirty shoe," kicked it off. -I stooped still lower and kissed her bare foot. - -As I looked up at her face adoringly, a blush swept over it and left her -pale; but she did not flinch. Then I stood up and she stepped down from -her throne, and into my arms. She laid her head against my shoulder, and -for a few moments of ecstasy our hearts beat together. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV - -THE POPE'S TREASURE - - -"Now," said Marjory, at last disengaging herself from me, "let us get -down to business. We've got to find the treasure, you know!" So we set -ourselves down to a systematic search. - -We explored one after another all the caves leading out of the main -cavern. Some of them were narrow and tortuous; some were wide and low -with roof dropping down, down, until it was impossible for anything in -the shape of humanity to pass. All these, however, with one exception, -ended in those fissure-like clefts, running somewhere to a point, which -characterise cavern formations. The exception was at the north west side -of the cavern where a high, fairly wide passage extended, with an even -floor as though it too had been levelled by rolling pebbles. It kept on -straight for a good length, and then curved round gently to the right, -all the while fairly maintaining its proportions. Presently it grew so -high that it was like a narrow way between tall houses. I lit a white -light, and in the searching glare noticed that far overhead the rocky -walls leaned together till they touched. This spot, just above us, was -evidently the highest point; the roof thence fell rapidly till at last -it was only some ten feet high. A little further on it came to a sudden -end. - -Here there was a great piled-up mass of huge, sharp-edged rocks, at the -base of which were stones of all sizes, some round and some jagged. -Scattered near and isolated were many stones rounded by constant -friction. - -As I looked, the whole circumstances seemed to come to me. "See," I -cried to Marjory, "this was evidently another entrance to the cave. The -tides, ebbing or flowing, drove in through one way and out at the other; -and the floor was worn level in process of countless years by rolling -pebbles like these. Then came some upheaval or wearing away by water -drift of supporting walls of rock; and this mouth of the cave fell in. -We must be by now somewhere at the Cruden side of Whinnyfold; we are -facing almost due north." - -As there was manifestly nothing to be done here, we took our way back -to the main cavern. When we began to look around us for a new place to -explore, Marjory said: - -"There doesn't seem to be any treasure cave at all here. We have now -tried everywhere." Then it was that my mind went back again to the Don's -description "Black on the one hand and red on the other." "Come," -I said, "let us go back till we find the joining of the gneiss and -granite." As we went back the floor was almost dry; only a few pools of -water here and there, lying in the depressions, called attention to the -fact that we were under tidal influence. As we went we kept a careful -look-out for the fusion of the rocks; and found it where the passage -with the descending roof debouched into that which led from the blocked -up entrance of the cave. There was here, however, no sign of another -passage, and the main one outside was like that under my own house, -entirely through the gneiss. - -I could not help feeling a little disappointed. For many weeks my mind -had been set on finding the Pope's treasure; and though I believe it was -not greed which controlled me even to any great extent, I was deeply -chagrined. I had a sort of unworthy fear that it might lower me in the -eyes of Marjory. This feeling, however, was only momentary; and when it -went, it went for good. Drawing in my note-book a rough outline of -Whinnyfold, I dotted lines where I took the various branches of the cave -to lie and then marked in the line of fusion of the gneiss and the -granite as it was manifest on the cliffs and on the shore beyond. -Marjory was at once convinced; indeed when I saw my surmise put down in -black and white it seemed to me quite apparent that it must be correct. -The treasure cave must be within that space which lay between the -dismantled entrance on the side of the Skares, and that which had fallen -in on the north side. The logical inference was that if there was an -entrance to be found at all it would be close to the debris from the -Don's explosion. So we took in silence, our way back to that point and -began at once to examine the debris for any sign of an opening in the -rock to the north side. Marjory scrambled up to the top of the pile -whilst I explored the base. Turning my lantern on the rocky wall I began -to examine it foot by foot and inch by inch. - -Suddenly Marjory cried out. I raised my head and looked at her. Her -face, lit by the rays of my own lamp which, with the habit of searching -now familiar to me I had turned as my eyes turned, was radiant with joy -and excitement. - -"Look! look!" she cried. "Oh, Archie, there is the top of an opening -here. The stones fill it up." As she spoke she pushed at a stone on the -top of the pile; under her hand it moved and disappeared with a hollow -rattle. By this time I had scrambled up the slippery pile and was beside -her. The disappearance of the stone had enlarged the opening, and -something like a foot square was discovered. - -So we began to work at the heap of stones, only we pulled and threw -them into the cave where we were so as not to block the place we aimed -at. The top layer of stones was easy to move, as they were comparatively -small, and were not interlocked, but below them we found a much more -difficult task. Here the rocks were larger and more irregular in shape, -and their points and edges interlocked. We did not mind, however, but -toiled on. I could not but notice as we did so, a trait of Marjory's -coolness of head in the midst of all her excitement, when she took from -her pocket a pair of heavy gloves and put them on. - -In some fifteen or twenty minutes we had unmasked a hole sufficiently -large to pass through comfortably. I found that the oil of my lamp was -running low; so I refilled it and Marjory's also. Then holding my own -lamp carefully, whilst Marjory turned hers in the direction I was going, -I passed over the top of the miniature moraine, and in a few seconds was -on the floor of the other cave. Marjory threw me the ball of string and -scrambling down joined me at once. We went along carefully, for the roof -of the cave dipped very low and we had in more than one place to bend -considerably; even then we were walking in a couple of feet of water as -the floor dipped as well as the roof. When we had gone some distance, -however, the roof rose as the cave turned sharp to the left, round a -corner of very broken and jagged rock in which I could see signs of the -fusion of the two geological formations. Our hearts beat high and we -took hands instinctively; we were now confident that we were in the -treasure house at last. - -As we went up the cave, here running, so far as I could ascertain by the -compass, straight in and from the sea, we could note, as we turned our -lamps now and again to either side, that on our left was all black rock -whilst on the right was all red. The cave was not a long one; nothing -to compare with those we had left. It was not very many seconds, though -we had to go slow as we did not know for certain as to the floor level, -before the cave began to expand. - -When, however, it widened and became more lofty, the floor rose in all -some three feet and we went up a sharp incline though not of very great -magnitude. This dipped a little again forming a pool which spread ahead -of us so far as we could see by the dim light of our bicycle lamps. As -we did not know the depth I waded in, Marjory enjoining me anxiously to -be careful. I found it deepened very slowly; so she joined me and we -went on together. By my advice, Marjory kept a few feet in the rear, so -that in case I should stumble or meet with a deep hole and so lose my -light, hers would still be safe. I was so intent on my feet, for I -feared lest Marjory following so close might get into some trouble, that -I hardly looked ahead, but kept cautiously on my way. Marjory, who was -flashing her lamp all around as she went, suddenly called out: - -"Look! look! There to the right, the figure of the San Cristobal with -the golden Christ on his shoulder." - -I turned my lantern to the angles of the cave to the right to which we -were now close. The two lamps gave us light enough to see well. - -There, rising from the water under the shelf of rock, was the figure -that Benvenuto had wrought, as Don Bernardino had left it three -centuries ago. - -As I moved forwards I stumbled; in trying to save myself the lamp was -shaken from my hand and fell hissing in the dark water. As it fell I saw -by the flash of light the white bones of a skeleton under the San -Cristobal. Instinctively I called out to Marjory: - -"Stand still and take care of your lamp; I've dropped mine!" - -"All right!" came back her answer coolly; she had quite command of -herself. She turned the lamp downwards, so that we could see into the -water, and I found I had stumbled against an iron box, beside which, in -about two feet of water, lay my lamp. I picked this up first and shook -the water from it and laid it on the shelf of rock. "Wait here a -moment," I said, "I shall run back and get a torch." For I had left the -tin box on the top of the heap of debris when we had scrambled through -the hole. I was starting back at once when she said after me, and -in that cave the voice came after me "monotonous and hollow like a -ghost's:" - -"Take my lamp with you dear. How can you find the box, or even the way -to it, in the dark?" - -"But I can't leave you alone here; all in the dark, too." - -"Oh, I'm all right," she answered gaily, "I don't mind a bit! And -besides it will be a new sensation to be here alone--with Olgaref and -the treasure. You won't be long, will you, dear?" I felt that her query -almost belied her brave words; but I knew that behind the latter lay her -pride which I must not offend; so I took the lamp she was holding out to -me and hurried on. In a few minutes I had found the box and brought it -back; but I could see that even those minutes had been a trying time -to Marjory, who was deathly white. When I came close, she clung to me; -after a second or two she said, as she drew herself away, looking at me -diffidently as though to excuse herself, or rather to account for her -perturbation: - -"The moment you had gone and I was alone in the dark with the treasure, -all the weird prophecying of Gormala came back to me. The very darkness -itself made light patches, and I saw shrouds floating everywhere. But -it's all right now that you are here. Light a torch, and we shall look -at the Pope's treasure." I took a torch out of the box and lit it; she -laid it so that the lighted end projected well beyond the shelf of rock -and gave a fine if fitful, light to all around. We found water about -three feet deep at its worst; in the glare of the torch and because of -its crystal purity, it did not look even so much. We stooped down to -examine the box, which was only one of several lying in front of a great -heap of something, all dark with rust and age, which filled up a whole -corner of the cave. - -The hasp was eaten through with rust, as well it might be after three -centuries in the water, and only retained its form. This was doubtless -due to the stillness of the water, for even the shock of my striking the -box with my boot had broken it across. When I pulled at it, it crumbled -to pieces in my fingers. In the same way the iron of the box itself was -rusted right through; and as I tried to lift the lid which was annealed -by corrosion to the sides of the box, it broke in my hands. I was able -to tear it away like matchwood. The contents were not corroded, but were -blackened by the sea. It was all money, but whether silver or gold we -could not tell, and did not stop to see. Then we opened box after box in -the same way, and in all but one found coins. This took a considerable -time; but we did not in our excitement note its flying. The heap in -the corner was composed of great ingots, to lift any of which took a -distinct effort of strength. The one box unfilled with coins contained -smaller boxes or caskets which were uncorroded and were, we presumed, of -some superior metal, silver or gold. They were all locked; I lifted one -of them and laid it on the shelf of rock whilst I searched for a key. It -was a difficult matter to find any definite thing whilst stooping in the -water, so I took my knife and tried with its point to prise open the -casket. The lock must have been of iron and corroded; it gave way -instantly under pressure, disclosing a glittering heap of stones which, -even through all the cloudiness of the saline deposit of centuries, -flashed red lights everywhere. - -"Rubies!" cried Marjory who stood close to me, clapping her hands. "Oh! -how lovely. Darling!" she added kissing me, for her expression of -delight had to find a vent on something. - -"Next!" I said as I bent to the iron chest to lift out another of the -caskets. - -I drew back with a shudder; Marjory looking anxiously at my face divined -the cause and cried in genuine alarm: - -"The tide! The tide is rising; and is shutting us in!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI - -THE RISING TIDE - - -I think there must be some provision of nature which in times of real -danger keeps men's minds away from personal fears. I can honestly say -that not a thought of danger for myself crossed my mind; though I was -harrowed up and appalled by fears for Marjory. My mental excitement, -however, took a practical shape, and thought after thought flashed -through my brain as to how I could best serve my wife. The situation -with its woeful possibilities came first; and afterwards, in quick -succession, the efforts which might be made. But first I must see how we -really stood. I did not know this cave and the lengths and levels of it -well enough to be sure whether the tide could block us completely in. If -there were but head-room the actual distance was not far to swim. This -I could soon settle; taking Marjory's lamp which stood on the ledge of -rock I ran down the cave calling out as I went: - -"Stay here a minute, dear, I want to see how far the tide is in." The -double winding of the cave made it hard for me to judge at a glance; it -was only when I came to the piece of straight passage leading up from -the sea that I could judge. From the time I left the treasure chamber of -the cave the water got deeper and deeper as I went, but the difficulty -was not in this way; I knew that so long as there was headway I could -swim for it and take Marjory with me. But when I came down the straight, -my hopes were altogether dashed. As the floor dipped towards the sea so -did the roof in much greater degree. I knew that there was one place -where at low water there was only barely headway even when we stooped -low; but I was not prepared for what I saw. The water had already risen -so far that this place was, from where I stood waist high in water, -obliterated; the rocky roof sank into the still, level water. For a -moment I considered whether it would not be best to dive through it. I -had the cord to guide me, and I knew that towards its mouth the cave -roof rose again. But then there was Marjory. She was not like myself an -accomplished diver. It might be possible if the worst should come to -the worst to draw her through the water-choked piece of tunnel by the -guiding cord. But if the cord should break or anything go wrong.... The -thought was too dreadful! I hurried back to Marjory to see how far it -might be advisable to make the attempt, however dangerous, rather than -be drowned in the deepening water of the cave, or asphyxiated if the -space left were too small to allow us breathing till the falling of the -tide. - -I found Marjory standing on the shelf of rock, to which she had climbed -by the aid of the San Cristobal figurehead. She was holding up the torch -and examining carefully the walls and roof of the cave. When she heard -the splash of my coming through the water, she turned; I could see that -though her face was pale she was very calm and self-possessed. She said -quietly: - -"I have been looking for high-water mark, but I can hardly see any sign -of it. I suppose in this dark cave, where neither seaweed nor zoophyte -exists, there is no such thing. Unless of course it be that the whole -cave is under the water line; in which case we must be ready for -the worst." As she spoke she was raising the torch till its light -illuminated, so far as was possible, the extreme angle of the cavern -where it ran up to a sort of point. I scrambled up beside her, and -making use of my greater height, took the torch and keeping it away -at arm's length put my hand into the narrowing angle. I had a sort of -secret hope that there might be some long crack or rift which, though it -might be impossible for our bodies, might still give us air. Any such -half-formed hope was soon shattered; the angle of the cave was in the -solid rock, and there was no fissure or even crack beyond. - -As there was no clue to the level reached by the tide, I tried back on -the possibility of gauging it by measuring from low water, so far as my -memory of the tides might serve. Judging by the depth of the water, so -far as I had gone, the fall of the floor level must here have been some -three feet. The floor level of the cave was almost that of low water, -except where it dipped under the overhanging roof, or where was the -ascending grade up to the pool in which the treasure boxes lay. As here -on the border of the North Sea, with no estuary to increase tidage, the -normal rise of the tide is between eleven and twelve feet, we had to -account for another eight or nine feet for the rise of the tide. -The ledge was about a foot above the surface of the water. If my -calculations were correct there was head room and breathing space, for -as I stood on the ledge the top of my head was still about two feet from -the highest point of roof over us. I could not, however, be certain of -my calculations, within a couple of feet. If, therefore, we could keep -our place on the shelf of rock and endure the cold we might yet win -through. The cold was a serious matter. At Cruden where the full sweep -of the icy current from the North Sea runs in shore, the water is -grievously cold, even in the hottest summer time. Already we were -feeling the effects of our wet clothes, even in this silent cavern where -the heat seemed to be much more than outside. When we had been looking -at the jewels, I had myself felt the chill, and could feel Marjory -shiver now and again. Indeed, I had been about to suggest our returning -when I made the discovery of the rising tide. - -It was no use regretting, however. We were caged in the cavern; and our -only chance was to hold on somehow, till the tide should fall again. The -practical side of Marjory's mind was all awake. It was she who quietly -refilled the two lamps, and, with much spluttering of the wick at first, -lighted again the one which I had let fall into the water. When both -lamps were ready, she put out the torch and placed it in the tin box -which she handed to me, saying: - -"We may need all the air we can get for our breathing, and the torches -would burn it up. We must have two lamps lest one should fail. Shove the -box as far as it will go into the corner of the cave; it will be safe -there--as safe as us at any rate, for it will be over our heads." - -As she spoke a new idea occurred to me. I might raise the level of the -ledge by piling the ingots on it! I did not lose any time, but jumping -down began at once to lift them one by one on the ledge. It was heavy -work, and no one but a very strong man could have lifted them from off -the ground, much less have placed them on a ledge over where he stood. -Moreover I had to bend into the water to reach them, and in the years -which they had lain there in juxtaposition some deposit of salt or sea -lime of some kind had glued them together. After the separation of the -first, however, this difficulty grew less. Marjory aided me in placing -the bars in position; when they were once fixed their great weight kept -them in place. - -It was odd how little in these moments the treasure counted for. The -little heap of rubies lay on the shelf of rock unnoticed, and when in -the strain of placing the ingots some of them were brushed off into the -water, neither Marjory nor I took the trouble even to sweep them with -a brush of the hand into a safer place. One of the metal caskets was -tumbled bodily into the water without a thought. - -When the ingots were all in place, and shaken into steady position, -we got on the ledge together and began to test the security of our -platform; it would be too late to find out any flaw of construction when -the tide should have risen. We had made a foothold nearly two feet -above the surface of the ledge, and this might give us at the last an -additional chance. At any rate, even if we should not be so hard pressed -as to have to raise our heads so high, it would give us a longer period -of comparative dryness. We were already beginning to feel the chill -of the tide. In those caves the air is all right, and we had not felt -chilled, although we were more or less wet through; but I dreaded lest -it might numb either of us so much as to prevent our taking every -chance. When we stood together on the pile of gold and silver, our heads -were so close to the roof that I felt safe so far as actually drowning -or asphyxiation were concerned if the tide did not rise higher than -I had computed. If we could only hold out till the tide had fallen -sufficiently, we might get back. - -And then we began the long, dreary wait for the rising tide. The time -seemed endless, for our apprehension and suspense multiplied the real -danger whatever it might be. We stood on the cave floor till the water -had reached our waists, and all this time tried to keep moving, to -dance up and down, to throw about arms and legs so as to maintain the -circulation of the blood. Then we climbed up and sat on the platform of -bullion till the water rose round our knees again. Then we stood on the -ledge and took what exercise we could till the water climbed up over our -feet and knees. It was a terrible trial to feel the icy, still water -creep up, and up, and up. There was not a sound, no drip or ripple of -water anywhere; only silence as deadly as death itself. Then came the -time when we had to stand together on the pile of bullion which we had -built up. We stood close, for there was merely foothold; I held Marjory -up as well as I could, so as to lessen for her the strain of standing -still. Our hearts beat together. We felt it, and we knew it; it was only -the expression of both our thoughts when Marjory said: - -"Thank God! dear, at the worst we can die together." In turn we held the -lamp well over the water, and as we looked in aching suspense we saw the -dark flood rise up to the sloping roof of the cave and steal towards us -with such slow, relentless precision that for my own part I felt I must -scream. I felt Marjory tremble; the little morsel of hysterics which -goes to make up the sum total of every woman was beginning to assert -itself. Indeed there was something hypnotic in that silent line of death -creeping slowly towards us. At this time, too, the air began to feel -less fresh. Our own breaths and the exhalations of the lamp was -vitiating our breathing space. I whispered to Marjory: - -"We must put out the light!" She shuddered, but said with as brave a -voice as she could: - -"All right! I suppose it is necessary. But, darling, hold me tight and -do not let me away from you, or I shall die!" - -I let the lantern fall into the water; its hissing for a moment drowned -my own murmur of grief and Marjory's suppressed groan. - -And now, in the darkness, the terror of the rising flood grew worse and -worse. The chill water crept up, and up, and up; till at last it was -only by raising her head that Marjory could breathe. I leaned back -against the rock and bending my legs outward lifted her so that she -rested her feet upon my knees. Up and up rose the chill water till it -reached my chin, and I feared that the last moments had come. - -There was one chance more for Marjory: and though it cut me to the soul -to speak it, for I knew it would tear at her very heartstrings, I had to -try it: - -"Marjory, my wife, the end is close! I fear we may not both live. In a -few minutes more, at most, the water will be over my mouth. When that -time comes I shall sink over the pile of treasure on which we rest. You -must then stand on me; it will raise you sufficiently to let you hold -out longer." A dreadful groan broke from her. - -"Oh, my God!" was all she said, but every nerve in her body seemed to -quiver. Then without a word she seemed to become limp and was sliding -out of my arms. I held her up strongly, for I feared she had swooned: -she groaned out: - -"Let me go, let me go! Either of us can rest on the other's body. I -shall never leave this if you die." - -"Dear one" I said "do as I wish, and I shall feel that even death will -be a happy thing, since it can help you." She said nothing but clung to -me and our mouths met. I knew what she meant; if die we must, we should -die together in a kiss. - -In that lover's kiss our very souls seemed to meet. We felt that the -Gates of the Unknown World were being unbarred to us, and all its -glorious mysteries were about to be unveiled. In the impassive stillness -of that rising tide, where never a wave or ripple broke the dreadful, -silent, calm, there was no accidental fall or rise which might give -added uneasiness or sudden hope. We had by this time become so far -accustomed to its deadly perfection as to accept its conditions. This -recognition of inevitable force made for resignation; and I think that -in those moments both Marjory and I realised the last limitations of -humanity. When one has accepted the inevitable, the mere act of dying is -easy of accomplishment. - -But there is a contra to everything in the great ledgers of the Books -of Life and Death, and it is only a final balance which counts for gain -or loss. The very resignation which makes the thought of death easy -to bear, is but a balance of power which may not be gainsayed. In the -struggle of hope and despair the Winged One submits, and that is all. -His wings are immortal; out of fire or water, or pestilence, or famine, -or the red mist of battle they ever rise again, when once there is light -of any kind to animate them. - -Even when Marjory's mouth was bent to mine in a fond kiss of love and -death, the wings of Hope fluttered around her head. For an instant or -two she paused, as if listening or waiting, and then with a glad cry, -which in that narrow space seemed to ring exultingly, she said: - -"You are saved! You are saved! The water is falling; it has sunk below -your lips." Even in that dread moment of life and death, I could not but -be touched by her way of rejoicing in the possibility of our common -safety. Her only thought was for me. - -But her words were true. The tide had reached its full; the waters were -falling. Minute by minute we waited, waited in breathless suspense; -clinging to each other in an ecstasy of hope and love. The chill which -had been upon us for so long, numbing every sense and seeming to make -any idea of effort impossible, seemed to have lost its power. In the new -quickening of hope, our hearts seemed to beat more warmly, till the -blood tingled in our veins. Oh! but the time was long, there in the -dark, with the silent waters receding inch by inch with a slowness which -was inconceivable. The strain of waiting became after a while almost -unbearable; I felt that I must speak to Marjory, and make her speak and -keep speaking, lest we should both break down, even at the very last. In -the time of our waiting for death we had held on to our determination, -blindly resolute to struggle to the last; even though we had accepted -the inevitable. But now there was impatience added to our apprehension. -We did not know the measure of our own endurance; and Terror seemed to -brood over us with flapping wings. - -Truly, the moments of coming Life are longer than hours of coming -Death. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII - -ROUND THE CLOCK - - -When the water had fallen so far that we could sit on the ledge, we -rested for a few minutes to relieve the long and terrible strain of -standing, cramped and chilled as we were. But we soon felt the chill of -the water and stood again till the rocky ledge was quite free. Then we -enjoyed a rest, if the word "enjoyment" could be applied to our wearied, -teeth-chattering, exhausted condition. I made Marjory sit on my lap, so -that we could get some warmth together, and that she might be saved from -the benumbing coldness of the rock. We wrung out our clothes as well as -we could, and with braver hearts set ourselves down to the second spell -of our dark captivity. Well we knew that the tide had risen higher than -the tin box in the corner of the cave, and tacitly put off the moment of -assured knowledge. Presently when the chill had somewhat passed from her -and she shivered less, she stood up and tried to get down the box. She -could not reach it, so I rose and took it down. Then we resumed our -places on the ledge, and, with the box beside us, began to investigate. - -It was a sadly helpless performance. In the dark everything seemed -strange, with regard to size as well as to shape. Our wet hands could -not of themselves discriminate as to whether anything was wet or dry. -It was only when we found that the box was quite full of water that we -realised that there was no hope of light in this quarter, and that we -must have patience through the darkness as well as we could. I think -that Marjory cried a little. She covered it up for me in some womanly -way. But there are eyes in the soul that can see even through cimmerian -gloom; and I knew that she cried, though my senses could detect no sign. -When I touched her face, my wet hands and my own wet face could tell me -nothing. Still we were happy in a way. The fear of death had passed, and -we were only waiting for light and warmth. We knew that every minute, -every breath we drew, the tide was falling; and we knew too that we -could grope our way through the cavern. We rejoiced now that there was -no labyrinth of offshoots of the cave; and we were additionally glad -that our clue, the cord which we had taken with us, remained. We could -easily pick it up when we should begin to move, for there was no stir of -water to shift it and draw it away. - -When we thought that a sufficient time must have elapsed, even at the -deadly slow pace at which it crawled, we kissed each other and began our -first effort to escape. - -We easily found the cord, and keeping hold of it, felt our way slowly -along the rugged wall. I made Marjory keep close behind me, a little to -the right, for I was feeling way by the left hand alone. I feared lest -she should get bruised by the jagged rock which protruded here and -there. It was well I did so, for in the first dozen yards I got some -severe knocks that might have permanently scarred her tender skin. The -experience made me careful, however, and after it I took care to feel my -way all round before advancing a step. I found by experience that it was -the cord which had misled me by straining where there was a curve or an -angle, and so taking me close to the rock instead of in the middle of -the passage where we had originally dropped it as we went along. - -When we had passed the first two bends, the anxious time came; it was -here that the roof dropped, and we did not know if the tide had fallen -low enough to let us through. We pushed on however into the deepening -water, Marjory still keeping close behind me, though I wished to go on -alone and explore. We found that the rock dipped below the water level -when we had gone some way into the tunnel. So we came back and waited -a good while--it seemed a long, long time. Then we essayed again, and -found that though the water was still high there were some inches of -space between rock and water. - -Joyfully we pushed on slowly; our hearts beat gladly when we could raise -our heads from the stooping position and raise them freely in the air. -It only took us a few minutes to reach the pile of rocks; then holding -the cord as a clue to the narrow opening we scrambled up as well as we -could. I helped Marjory as much as possible, but in this matter she -was as good as I was; nay better, for all her woman's instinct came to -aid, and it was she who first got through the narrow hole. Then very -carefully we climbed down the other side, and, still holding our guiding -cord, came at last to the tackle by which we had lowered ourselves into -the cave. It was rather a surprise to us when we reached it, for we -expected to see the welcome light through the opening before we had come -under it. - -At first, in the whirl of thoughts, I imagined that something had gone -wrong, a rock fallen in, or some sort of general collapse. Then I -fancied that we had been tracked down, and that some one had tried to -bury us in the cave. It is wonderful what strange thoughts come to -one in a prolonged spell of absolute darkness; no wonder that even -low-grade, violent, unimaginative criminals break down in the black -hole! Marjory said nothing; but when she spoke, it was evident from her -words that she had some of the same ideas herself. There was a tone of -relief in her voice which was unmistakable, and which must have followed -some disconcerting thought: - -"Of course not! It is only that the lamps and candles have burned -out. We have forgotten the long time which has passed; but the lights -haven't!" It was evident enough now. We had been so many hours in the -cave that the lights were exhausted; and at no time was there a gleam of -natural light in the cellar. - -I found it a little difficult to work the tackle in the dark with my -numbed hands. Hope, however, is a paramount force, and very soon Marjory -was swinging up through the hole in the rock. I called to her to get -light as soon as she could; but she refused point blank to do anything -until I was beside her. When I got the rope round me, we both pulled; -and in a very few seconds I too was up through the hole and in the -cellar. I found the matches easily enough and oh! the glorious sight of -the light even in this spluttering form. We did not linger an instant -but moved to the door, which I unlocked, and we stepped out and ran -up the steps. The lantern on the roof which lit the staircase was all -ablaze with sunshine, and we felt bathed in light. For a second or two -we could not realise it, and blinked under the too magnificent glare. - -And then, with inconceivable rapidity, we came back to the serenity and -confidence which comes with daylight. In less than a second we were -again in the realities of life; and the whole long night of darkness and -fear was behind us like a dream. - -I hurried Marjory into the room where she had dressed, and where were -a store of her clothes; and then I proceeded to make up a fire. The -chimney place in the dining room was made after the old fashion, wide -and deep, and had in the back a beautiful old steel rack with brackets -on which to hang pots and kettles. I thought this would be the best -place for a fire, as it was the biggest in the house. So I got from -the fuel house off the kitchen an armful of dry furze and another of -cut billets of pine which I dumped on top of it. A single match was -sufficient, and in an instant, there was a large fire roaring up the -chimney. I filled a great copper kettle with water and slung it in the -blaze, and then, when I found myself in a cloud of steam from my wet -clothes, ran into my own room. After a hard rub down which made my skin -glow, and a wash which was exquisite, I put myself into dry clothes. -When I came back to the dining room I found Marjory busy getting ready -a meal--supper, breakfast, dinner, we did not know what to call it. -One glad moment in each other's arms, and then kneeling together we -thanked God for the great mercy which He had shown us. Then we resumed -preparations to eat, for we were ravenous. The kettle was beginning to -sing, and we soon had hot delicious tea, which sent a glow through us. -There were plenty of cooked provisions, and we did not wait to warm -them: such luxuries as hot food would come into our lives later. It was -only when we had satisfied our appetites that we thought of looking at -the time. My own watch had stopped when I had first tried the entrance -to the great cave and had been waist high in water, but Marjory had left -hers in her room when she had changed her dress for the expedition. It -was now one o'clock and as the sun was high in the heavens it was--P. M. -Allowing for the time of dressing and eating, we must have been in all -in the caves some twelve hours. I looked amongst my books and found -Whittaker's Almanach, from which I gathered that as the tide was full at -half past six o'clock we must as the normal rise of the tide was between -eleven and twelve feet have been immersed in the water some four hours. -The very thought of it made us shudder; with an instinctive remembrance -of our danger and misery we drew close together. - -Then a heavy sleepiness seemed all at once to settle on us. Marjory -would not leave me, and I did not wish her to. I felt, as she did, that -we could not sleep easily if separated. So I got great armloads of rugs -and cushions and made up two nests close to the fire which I built up -with solid logs. I wrapped her in a great, warm plaid and myself in -another, and we sank down on our couches, holding hands and with her -head upon my shoulder. - -When I woke it was almost pitch dark; only for a slight glow which came -from the mass of red embers on the hearth the darkness would have been -as complete as that of the cave. It is true that the sunblinds were down -and the curtains drawn; but even so, when there was light outside some -gleams of it even, if only reflected, found their way in. Marjory was -still sleeping as I stole softly to the window and looked out. - -All was dark. The moon was hidden behind a bank of cloud, only the edges -of which tinged with light showed its place in the heavens. I looked at -Marjory's watch which she had laid upon the table, having wound it up -instinctively before the sleepiness had come upon her. It was now a few -minutes past one. - -We had slept right round the clock. - -I began to make up the fire as softly as I could, for I did not wish to -wake Marjory. I felt that sleep and plenty of it was the best thing for -her after the prolonged strain and trial which she had undergone. I got -ready clean plates and knives and forks, and put on the kettle again. -Whilst I was moving about, she woke. For an instant or two she looked -round in a dazed uncomprehending way; and then all at once the whole -remembrance of the night swept across her. In a single bound, with the -agility of a young panther, she sprang to her feet, and in an instant -her arms were round me, half protectingly and whole lovingly. - -We had another hearty meal. It was pic-nic-ing _in excelsis_, and I -doubt if the whole world held two happier beings. Presently we began to -talk of the cave and of the treasure, and I was rejoiced to find that -all the trial and anxiety had left no trace on Marjory's courage. It was -she herself who suggested that we should go back to the cave and take -out what she called those dear little boxes. We put on once more our -cave clothes, which were dry again but which had shrunk lamentably, and -laughing at each other's grotesque appearance we went down into the -cellar again. Having renewed the lamps and made all safe for our return, -we took lamps and torches and matches and set out on our quest. I think -we both felt a little awed--we were certainly silent--as we crept -through the hole over the moraine and took our way up the treasure cave. -I confess that my own heart sank within me when we saw the ledge, with -the San Cristobal and the infant Christ seeming to keep guard upon it; -and I felt a pity, which I had not felt before, for the would-be thief, -Olgaref. Marjory I think felt the same way as I did, for she kept very -close to me and now and again held on to me; but she said nothing. We -lit a torch and renewed our search. Whilst I stooped over the box and -took out other caskets containing gems, Marjory held the light with one -hand whilst she gathered the little heap of rubies from the first box -and put them in the pocket of my jacket. Her feminine care was shown -in her searching for the box and the rubies which had fallen into the -water so that none might be lost. There were not many of the little -caskets--it is astounding what a small space will contain a many -precious gems. They easily fitted into the bag which I had brought for -the purpose. Then we took our way back to the house. - -When we had ascended, we put out the lights and locked the cellar. We -changed our clothes again, Marjory putting on her livery; it was now -nearly four o'clock in the morning, and it was time to be getting back -to Crom. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII - -THE DUTY OF A WIFE - - -Just as we were about to start Marjory said to me, half in jest but -wholly in earnest: - -"I wonder what has become of Gormala these times. If she knew of the -last two nights, she would simply become desperate; and there is no -knowing what she might prophecy!" - -Strangely enough, I had been myself thinking of the Witch-woman. I -suppose it was that the memory of the finding of the treasure, and -of the hovering near us of death, had recalled her weirds. With the -thought of her, came once more that strange feeling which I had before -experienced, a feeling as if she were present. Motioning to Marjory to -put out the light, I stole to the window. The heavy curtains, when I had -passed through them, shut out the glimmer of the firelight. Marjory came -and joined me, and we looked out together. There were drifting clouds, -and thus, moments of light and shadow. In one of the former I saw a dark -mass on the edge of the deep grass that crowns the rock just over the -entrance of Witsennan Point. If it was a woman it was probably Gormala; -and if it was Gormala she was probably watching me, for of course she -could not know that Marjory was with me. I determined to find out if I -could; so I told Marjory to slip out by the back door whilst I went to -the point. We arranged to join at the upper village of old Whinnyfold. - -Having placed my bicycle ready to start, and shut the door behind me -softly, I stole over to the cliff. Lying just below the edge, but so -that her head was at the top lay Gormala, asleep. At first I thought -it was pretence, for I knew the wily nature of the old woman; but on -examining closely I found her sleep was real. She looked worn and tired -out, and I concluded that it was the second night of watching on end -which had finished her. It was well she slept, for had she been awake -she must have seen us. The place she had chosen commanded both paths -away from the house left and right; only by stealing back over the hill -and keeping the house all the time between us and herself could we have -avoided her prying eyes. Even then, were there light enough, she might -have seen us debouching on the roadway had we gone inland by Whinnyfold. -I could not but be sorry for her; she looked so old and feeble, and -yet with such purpose in her strong, stern face. I could afford to be -pitiful now; my life was running on happy lines. I had won Marjory, and -we had found the treasure! - -I left her undisturbed; I would have put some rug or covering over her; -but I was afraid lest I should awake her, and so make discovery of our -plans. Besides it would be hard to account for my being awake myself and -about at that hour of the night--or morning, I hardly knew which it was. -Almost as hard as it would have been for Gormala to explain why she was -in similar case. - -When I joined Marjory, we took our way as quickly as possible to -Crom; we were both anxious that she should get into the castle before -daylight. It was with a certain dread, for the experiences of the night -were not yet hardened in memory, that I saw Marjory descend into the -cave when we rolled away the stone. She too was not free from misgiving; -I knew it from the emphasis with which she impressed on me that I was -not to fear for her. She was to wave a white handkerchief from the roof -when she had got in safely. - -Looking over the stone towards the castle whence must come her signal I -waited with an anxiety which I could not conceal from myself. The grey -dawn grew paler and paler as I looked, and the sky began to quicken. -Here and there around me came every now and again the solitary pipe of -an awakening bird. I could just see the top of the castle, looking bare -and cold through the vista between the treetops. In a short time, almost -shorter than I could have anticipated, I saw on the roof the flutter of -a white handkerchief. My heart leaped; Marjory was safe. I waved my own -handkerchief; she answered again, and there was no more sign. I came -away satisfied, and wheeled back to Cruden with what speed I could. It -was still very early morning, when I reached Whinnyfold. Not a soul was -up as I passed on my way, and I crept in secretly by the back of the -house. - -When I looked carefully out of a window in front, I could see in the -growing light of morning that Gormala still lay on the edge of the -cliff, motionless and manifestly asleep. - -I lay down for a while and dozed till the morning was sufficiently -advanced. Then after a cold bath and a cup of hot tea, took my way to -Crom, timing myself so as to arrive for an early breakfast. - -Mrs. Jack met me, beaming. She was so hearty, and so manifestly glad to -see me, that I bent over and kissed her. She was not a bit displeased; -she seemed a little touched by the act, and smiled at me. Then Marjory -came in, looking radiant. She greeted me with a smile, and went over to -and kissed Mrs. Jack affectionately. Then she kissed me too, and there -was a glad look in her eyes which made my heart thrill. - -After breakfast she sat in the window with Mrs. Jack, and I went to the -fireplace to light a cigarette. I stood with my back to the fire and -looked over at Marjory; it was always a joy to me when she was in my -sight. Presently she said to Mrs. Jack: - -"Weren't you frightened when I didn't come back the night before last?" -The elderly lady smiled complacently as she answered: - -"Not a bit, my dear!" Marjory was astonished into an exclamation: - -"Why not?" The affectionate old woman looked at her gravely and -tenderly: - -"Because I knew you were with your husband; the safest place where a -young woman can be. And oh! my dear, I was rejoiced that it was so; for -I was beginning to be anxious, and almost unhappy about you. It didn't -seem right or natural for two young people like you and your husband to -be living, one in one place and one in another." As she spoke she took -Marjory's hand in hers and stroked it lovingly. Marjory turned her -head away from her, and, after one swift glance at me from under her -eyelashes, from me also. Mrs. Jack went on in a grave, sweet way, -lecturing the girl she loved and that she had mothered; not as a woman -lectures a child but as an old woman advises her junior: - -"For oh! Marjory, my dear one, when a woman takes a husband she gives -up herself. It is right that she should; and it is better too, for us -women. How can we look after our mankind, if we're thinking of ourselves -all the time! And they want a lot of looking after too, let me tell you. -They're only men after all--the dears! Your bringing-up, my child, has -not made you need them. But you would well understand it, if when you -was a child, you was out on the plains and among the mountains, like I -was; if you didn't know when you saw your daddy, or your brother, or -your husband go out in the morning whether you'd ever see him come back -at night, or would see him brought back. And then, when the work was -over, or the fight or whatever it might be, to see them come home all -dirty and ragged and hungry, and may be sick or wounded--for the Indians -made a lot of harm in my time with their good old bows and their bad new -guns--where would we women and girls have been. Or what sort of women -at all at all, if we didn't have things ready for them! My dear, as I -suppose you know now, a man is a mighty good sort of a thing after all. -He may be cross, or masterful, or ugly to deal with when he has got his -shirt out; but after all he's a man, and that's what we love them for. -I was beginning to wonder if you was a girl at all, when I see you let -your husband go away from you day after day and you not either holdin' -him back, or goin' off with him, way the girls did in my time. I tell -you it would have been a queer kind of girl in Arizony that'd have let -her man go like that, when once they had said the word together. Why, my -dear, I lay awake half the night sayin' my prayers for the both of you, -and blessin' God that He had sent you such a happiness as true love; -when there might have been them that would have ben runnin' after your -fortun' and gettin' on your weak side enough to throw dust in your eyes. -And when in the grey of the dawn I looked into your room and found you -hadn't come, why I just tip-toed back to my bed and went to sleep happy. -And I was happy all day, knowin' you were happy too. And last night I -just went to sleep at once and didn't bother my head about listenin' for -your comin'; for well I knew you wouldn't be home then. Ah! my dear, -you've done the right thing. At the least, your husband's wishes is as -much as your own, seein' as how there's two of you. But a woman only -learns her true happiness when she gives up all her own wishes, and -thinks only for her husband. And, mind you, child, it isn't givin' up -much after all--at least we didn't think so in my time--when she pleases -her husband that she loves, by goin' off to share his home." - -I listened full of deep emotion as the old lady spoke. I felt that every -word she said was crystallised truth; and there was no questioning the -deep, earnest, loving-kindness of her intent. I was half afraid to look -at Marjory lest I should disconcert her; so I turned round quietly till -I faced the fireplace, and leaning on the plinth of it stole a glance in -the old oval mirror above. Marjory sat there with her hand in Mrs. -Jack's. Her head was bent, and there was a flush on her neck and arms -which told its own story. I felt that she was silently crying, or very -near it; and a lump rose in my own throat. This was one of the crises in -her life. It was so borne in upon me; and I knew its truth. We have all, -as the Scotch say, to "dree our own weird," this was a battle with her -own soul which Marjory must fight alone. The old woman's wise words -sounded a trumpet note of duty. She was face to face with it, and must -judge for herself. Even with all my love, I could not help her. I stood -silent, scarcely daring to breathe lest I should disturb or distract -her. I tried to efface myself, and for a few minutes did not even look -in the mirror. The old woman too, knew the value of silence, for she sat -still; there was not even the rustle of her dress. At last I could hear -Marjory's in-drawn breath, and looked in the mirror. Her attitude had -not changed, except that she had raised her head; I could tell by its -proud poise that she was her own woman again. She still kept her face -away; and there was the veil of recent tears over her sweet voice as she -spoke tenderly: - -"Thank you, dear. I am so glad you have spoken to me so freely and so -lovingly." I could see from the motion of the two hands and her own -whitening knuckles that she was squeezing her companion's fingers. -Then, after a few moments she rose quietly, and, still keeping her head -averted, sailed quietly out of the room in her own graceful manner. I -did not stir; I felt that I could please her best by keeping quiet. - -But oh! how my heart went with her in her course. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX - -AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR - - -I chatted with Mrs. Jack for a few minutes with what nonchalance I could -muster, for I wanted to cover up Marjory's retreat. I have not the -faintest idea what we talked about; I only know that the dear old lady -sat and beamed on me, with her lips pursed up in thought, and went on -with her knitting. She agreed with everything I said, whatever it was. -I longed to follow Marjory and comfort her. I could see that she was -distressed, though I did not know the measure of it. I waited patiently, -however, for I knew that she would either come to me, or send me word to -join her when she wanted me. - -She must have come back very quietly, almost tip-toe, for I had not -heard a sound when I saw her in the doorway. She was beckoning to me, -but in such a manner that Mrs. Jack could not see her. I was about to -go quietly, but she held up a warning hand with five fingers outspread; -from which I took it that I was to follow in five minutes. - -I stole away quietly, priding myself on the fact that Mrs. Jack did not -notice my departure; but on thinking the matter over later, I came to -the conclusion that the quiet old lady knew a good deal more of what was -going on round her than appeared on the surface. Her little homily to -Marjory on a wife's duty has set me thinking many a time since. - -I found Marjory, as I expected, in the Ladies' Room. She was looking -out of the window when I came in. I took her in my arms for an instant, -and she laid her head on my shoulder. Then she drew herself away, and -pointed to a great chair close by for me to sit down. When I was seated -she took a little stool, and placing it beside me, sat at my feet. From -our position I had to look down at her, and she had to look up at me. -Often and often since then have I recalled the picture she made, sitting -there in her sweet graceful simplicity. Well may I remember it, for -through many and many an aching hour has every incident of that day, -however trivial, been burned into my brain. Marjory leant one elbow -on the arm of my chair, and put the other hand in mine with a sweet -confiding gesture which touched me to the heart. Since our peril of two -nights before, she was very, very dear to me. All the selfishness seemed -to have disappeared from my affection for her, and I was her true lover -as purely as it is given to a man to be. She wanted to speak; I could -see that it was an effort to do so, for her breast heaved a few times, -as a diver breathes before making his downward leap. Then she mastered -herself, and with infinite grace and tenderness spoke: - -"I'm afraid I have been very selfish and inconsiderate. Oh! yes I have" -for I was commencing a protest. "I know it now. Mrs. Jack was quite -right. It never occurred to me what a brute I have been; and you so -good to me, and so patient. Well, dear, that's all over now! I want -to tell you, right here, that if you like I'll go away with you -to-morrow--to-day if you wish; and we'll let every one know that we are -married, and go and live together." She stopped, and we sat hand in hand -with our fingers clasping. I remained quite still with a calm that -amazed me, for my brain was in a whirl. But somehow there came to me, -even as it had come to her, a sense of duty. How could I accept such a -sweet sacrifice. The very gravity of her preparation for thought and -speech showed me that she was loth to leave the course on which she had -entered. That she loved me I had no doubt; was it not for me that she -was willing to give it all up. And then my course of action rose clear -before me. Instinctively I stood up as I spoke to her, and I felt that -big stalwart man as I was, the pretty self-denying girl at my feet ruled -me, for she was more to me than my own wishes, my own hopes, my own -soul. - -"Marjory, do you remember when you sat on the throne in the cave, and -gave me the accolade?" She bowed her head in acquiescence; her eyes -fell, and her face and ears grew rosy pink. "Well, when you dubbed me -your knight, and I took the vow, I meant all I said! Your touch on -my shoulder was more to me than if it had come from the Queen on her -throne, with all the glory of a thousand years behind her. Oh, my dear, -I was in earnest--in earnest then, as I am in earnest now. I was, and -am, your true knight! You are my lady; to serve, and make her feet walk -in easy ways! It is a terrible temptation to me to take what you have -offered as done, and walk straightway into Paradise in our new life. -But, my dear! my dear! I too can be selfish if I am tempted too far; and -I must not think of my own wishes alone. Since I first saw your face -I have dreamt a dream. That a time would come when you, with all the -world to choose from, would come to me of your own free will. When you -wouldn't want to look back with regret at anything, done or undone. I -want you to be happy; to look forward only--unless the backward thought -is of happiness. Now, if you give up your purpose and come to me with -the feeling that you have only made a choice, the regret that you did -not have the opportunity you longed for, may grow and grow, till--till -it may become an unhappiness. Let me be sententious for a moment. -'Remember Lot's wife' was not merely the warning of a fact; it touched a -great allegory. You and I are young; we are both happy; we have all the -world before us, and numberless good things to thank God for. I want you -to enjoy them to the full; and, my dear one, I will not stand in your -way in anything which you may wish. Be free, Marjory, be quite free! The -girl I want beside my hearth is one who would rather be there than -anywhere else in the wide world. Isn't that worth wishing for; isn't -it worth waiting for? It may be selfish in the highest plane of -selfishness; I suppose it is. But anyhow, it is my dream; and I love you -so truly and so steadfastly that I am not afraid to wait!" - -As I spoke, Marjory looked at me lovingly, more and more. Then all at -once she broke down, and began to sob and cry as if her heart would -break. That swept away in a moment all my self-command; I took her in my -arms and tried to comfort her. Kisses and sweet words fairly rained upon -her. Presently she grew calm, and said as she gently disengaged herself: - -"You don't know how well you argue. I'm nearer at this moment to giving -up all my plans, than I ever thought I should be in my life. Wait a -little longer, dear. Only a little; the time may be shorter than you -think. But this you may take for your comfort now, and your remembrance -later; that in all my life, whatever may come, I shall never forget your -goodness to me, your generosity, your love, your sympathy--your--! But -there, you are indeed my Knight; and I love you with all my heart and -soul!" and she threw herself into my arms. - -When I left Crom after lunch the weather seemed to have changed. There -was a coldness in the air which emphasised the rustling of the dry -leaves as they were swept by intermittent puffs of wind. Altogether -there was a sense of some presage of gloom--or disaster--of discontent, -I knew not what. I was loth to part with Marjory, but we both felt it -was necessary I should go. I had not had my letters for three days; and -besides there were a thousand things to be attended to about the house -at Whinnyfold. Moreover, we began to think of the treasure, the portable -part of which--the jewels--was left almost open in the dining room. I -did not want to alarm Marjory by any dim fears of my own; I knew that, -in any case, there might be a reaction from her present high spirits. -The remembrance of the trials and anxieties of the past few days would -come back to her in the silence of the night. She saw, however, with the -new eyes of her wifely love, that I was anxious about something; justly -inferring that it was about her, she said to me quietly: - -"You need not be alarmed about me, darling. I promise you I shall not -stir out of the house till you come. But you will come as early as you -can to-morrow; won't you. Somehow, I don't like your leaving me now. I -used not to mind it; but to-day it all seems different. We don't seem to -be the same to each other, do we, since we felt that water creep up us -in the dark. However, I shall be very good. I have a lot of work to do, -and letters to write; and the time may not go so very slowly, or seem so -very long, till I see my husband again." - -Oh! it was sweet to look in her eyes, and see the love that shone from -them; to hear the delicate cooing music of her voice. My heart seemed -to fly back to her as I moved away; and every step I took, its strings -seemed nearer and nearer to the breaking point. When I looked back at -the turn of the winding avenue between the fir trees, the last I saw -through my dimming eyes was the wave of her hand and the shining of her -eyes blending into one mass of white light. - -In my rooms at the hotel I found a lot of letters about business, and a -few from friends. There was one however which made me think. It was in -the writing of Adams, and was as follows, no place or date being given: - -"The people at Crom had better be careful of their servants! There is a -footman who often goes out after dark and returns just before morning. -He may be in league with enemies. Anyhow, where he gets out and in, and -how, others may do the same. _Verb. sap, suff. A._" - -We had been watched then, and by the Secret Service detectives. I was -glad that Marjory had promised not to go out till I came. If "Mac's men" -had seen her, others might also; and the eyes of the others might have -been more penetrating, or their reasoning powers more keen. However, I -thought it well to send her a word of warning. I copied Adams's letter -into mine, with just a word or two of love added. I was amazed to find -that altogether it ran to several pages! The gillie of the hotel took it -over in a pony cart, with instructions to bring me back an answer to -Whinnyfold. For safety I enclosed it in an envelope to Mrs. Jack. Then, -when I had written a few notes and telegrams, I biked over to my house -on the cliff. - -It was a bleak afternoon and everything seemed grey, sky and sea alike; -even the rocks, with their crowning of black seaweed swept with the foam -of lapping waves. Inside the house nothing had of course been stirred; -but it seemed so bleak without a fire and with the curtains wide, that I -made up a fire of billets and drew the heavy curtains close. As I stood -in the great bay window and looked out on the fretting sea, and listened -to the soughing of the rising wind, a great melancholy seemed to steal -over me, so that I became in a way lost in a mist of gloom. So far as -I remember, my thoughts were back with the time when I had seen the -procession of the dead coming up out of the sea from the Skares beyond, -and of the fierce looking Spaniard who walked alone in their ranks and -looked at me with living eyes. I must have been in a sort of day-dream -and unconscious of all around me; for, though I had not noticed any one -approaching, I was startled by a knocking at the door. The house was not -quite finished; there were electric bells in position, but they had not -yet been charged, and there was no knocker on the door. The knocking was -that of bare knuckles on a panel. I thought of course that it was the -gillie back from Crom, for I did not expect any one else; so I went at -once and opened the door. I recoiled with pure wonder. There, looking -grave and dignified, an incarnation of the word 'gentleman' stood Don -Bernardino. His eyes, though now serene, and even kindly, were the eyes -of the dead man from the sea. Behind him, a few yards off, stood Gormala -MacNiel with an eager look on her face, half concealed by such a grin -as made me feel as though I had been trapped, or in some way brought to -book. The Spaniard at once spoke: - -"Sir, your pardon! I wish much that I may speak with you in private, and -soon. Forgive me if that I trouble you, but it is on a matter of such -moment, to me at the least, that I have ventured an intrusion. I learned -at the hotel that you had hither come; so with the guidance of this good -lady, who did me much inform, I have found." As he spoke of Gormala, -he half turned and made a gesture towards her. She had been watching -our every movement with cat-like eagerness; but when she saw that we -were speaking of her, a dark look swept her face, and she moved away -scowling. The Spaniard went on: - -"What I have to say is secret, and I would be alone with you. May it -be that I enter your house; or will you come to mine? I do not mean my -castle of Crom, but the house at Ellon which I have taken, until such -time as the Senora Jack and that so fair patriot of hers shall wish to -leave it." His manner was so gravely courteous and his bearing so noble, -that I found it almost impossible to mistrust him, even when there -flashed across my memory that dark red-eyed look of his at Crom, which -recalled so vividly the dead Spaniard with the living eyes of hate in -the procession of ghosts from the Skares. I felt that, in any case, -it could not do any harm to hear what he had to say: 'Forewarned is -forearmed' is a good apothegm in dealing with an enemy. I motioned him -into the house; he bowed gravely and entered. As I shut the door behind -us, I caught sight of Gormala with an eager look on her face stealing -swiftly towards the house. She evidently wanted to be near enough to -watch, and to hear if she could. - -As I was opening the door of the drawing-room for Don Bernardino to -enter, a sudden glimpse of its interior, seen in the dim light through -the chinks of the shutters, changed my plans. This was the room -improvised as a dressing room for Marjory, and the clothes which she had -worn in the cave were scattered about the room, hung over the backs of -chairs to dry. Her toilet matters also were on the table. Altogether -I felt that to bring the stranger into the room would not only be an -indelicacy towards my wife, but might in some way give a clue to our -enemy to guess our secret. With a hasty excuse I closed the door and -motioned my guest into the dining room across the hall. I asked him -to be seated, and then went over to the window and pulled aside the -curtains to give us light. I felt that somehow I was safer in the light, -and that it might enable me to learn more than I could have done in the -dim twilight of the curtained room. - -When I turned round, the Spaniard was still standing, facing me. He -appeared to be studiously keeping himself still; but I could see that -under his long black lashes his eyes were roaming round the room. -Unconsciously to myself, as I know now, my eyes followed his and took in -the frightful untidiness of the place. The great hearth was piled with -extinct ashes; the table was littered with unwashed cups and plates -and dishes, for we had not cleared up anything after our night in the -cave. Rugs and pillows were massed untidily on the floor, and the stale -provisions on the table made themselves manifest in the close atmosphere -of the room. I was moving over to throw up the window so as to let in a -little fresh air, when I remembered that Gormala was probably outside -with her ears strained close to the wall to hear anything that we might -say. So, instead, I apologised for the disorder, saying that I had -camped me there for some days whilst working at my book--the excuse I -had given at the hotel for my spells of solitary life. - -The Spaniard bowed low with grave courtesy, and implored that I would -make no apology. If there were anything not perfect, and for himself he -did not see it, such deficiencies were swept away and lost in the tide -of honour with which I had overwhelmed him in the permission to enter my -house; and much more to the same effect. - -Then he came to the serious side of things and began to speak to the -point. - - - - -CHAPTER XL - -THE REDEMPTION OF A TRUST - - -"Senor, you may wonder why I am here, and why I would speak with you -alone and in secret. You have seen me only in a place, which though my -own by birthright, was dominated by the presence of ladies, who alas! by -their nationality and the stress of war were mine enemies. From you is -not such. Our nations are at peace, and there is no personal reason why -we should not be of the most friendly. I come to you, Senor, because it -is borne to me that you are cavalier. You can be secret if you will, and -you will recognise the claims of honour and duty, of the highest. The -common people know it not; and for the dear ladies who have their own -honour, our duties in such are not a part of their lives--nay! they are -beyond and above the life as it is to us. I need not tell you of a -secret duty of my family, for it is known to me that all of such is -already with you. The secret of the Pope's treasure and of the duty of -my House to guard and restore it has been in your mind. Oh yes, this I -know" for he saw I was about to speak. "Have I not seen in your hands -that portion of the book, so long lost!" Here he stopped and his eyes -narrowed; some thought of danger, necessitating caution, had come -to him. I, too, was silent; I wanted to think. Unless I had utterly -misconceived him, he had made an extraordinary admission; one which had -given him away completely. The only occasion on which I had seen him -was when he had pointed out to us that the pages which I had found -belonged to the book in the library. It is true that we had suggested to -him that there was a cipher in the marking of the letters, but he had -not acknowledged it. At the time he certainly did not convey the idea to -us that he believed we had grasped the secret. How then did he know; or -on what assumption did he venture to state that I knew his secret. Here -was a difficult point to pass. If I were silent he would take all for -granted; in such case I might not learn anything of his purpose. So I -spoke: - -"Your pardon, Sir, but you presume a knowledge on my part of some secret -history of your family and of a treasure of the Pope; and then account -for it that you have seen in my hand the book, a part of which was long -lost. Am I to take it that because there is, or may be, a secret, any -one who suspects that there is one must know it?" The steady eyes of the -Spaniard closed, narrower and narrower still, till the pupils looked -like those of a cat in the dark; a narrow slit with a cavern of fire -within. For fully half a minute he continued to look at me steadily, and -I own that I felt disconcerted. In this matter he had the advantage of -me. I knew that what he said was true; I did know the secret of the -buried treasure. He had some way of knowing the extent of my knowledge -of the matter. He was, so far, all truth; I was prevaricating--and we -both knew it! All at once he spoke; as though his mind were made up, and -he would speak openly and frankly. The frankness of a Latin was a fell -and strange affair: - -"Why shall we beat about the bush. I know; you know; and we both know -that the other knows. I have read what you have written of the secret -which you have drawn from those marked pages of the law book." - -As he spoke the whole detail of his visit to Crom rose before me. At -that time he had only seen the printed pages of the cipher; he had not -seen my transcript which had lain, face down, upon the table. We had -turned it, on hearing some one coming in. - -"Then you have been to the castle again!" I said suddenly. My object was -to disconcert him, but it did not succeed. In his saturnine frankness -had been a complete intention, which was now his protection against -surprise. - -"Yes!" he said slowly, and with a smile which showed his teeth, like the -wolf's to Red Ridinghood. - -"Strange, they did not tell me at Crom," I said as though to myself. - -"They did not know!" he answered. "When next I visited my own house, it -was at night, and by a way not known, save to myself." As he spoke, the -canine teeth began to show. He knew that what he had to tell was wrong; -and being determined to brazen it out, the cruelty which lay behind his -strength became manifest at once. Somehow at that moment the racial -instinct manifested itself. Spain was once the possession of the Moors, -and the noblest of the old families had some black blood in them. In -Spain, such is not, as in the West, a taint. The old diabolism whence -sprung fantee and hoo-doo seemed to gleam out in the grim smile of -incarnate, rebellious purpose. It was my cue to throw my antagonist off -his guard; to attack the composite character in such way that one part -would betray the other. - -"Strange!" I said, as though to myself again. "To come in secret into -a house occupied by another is amongst civilised people regarded as an -offence!" - -"The house is my own!" he retorted quickly, with a swarthy flush. - -"Strange, again!" I said. "When Mrs. Jack rented the castle, there was -no clause in her agreement of a right to the owner to enter by a secret -way! On the contrary such rights as the owner reserved were exactly -specified." - -"A man has a right to enter his own house, when and how he will; and to -protect the property which is being filched from him by strangers!" He -said the last words with such manifest intention of offence that I stood -on guard. Evidently he wanted to anger me, as I had angered him. I -determined that thenceforward I should not let anything which he might -say ruffle me. I replied with deliberate exasperation: - -"The law provides remedies for any wrongs done. It does not, that I -know of, allow a man to enter secretly into a house that he has let to -another. There is an implied contract of peaceful possession, unless -entry be specified in the agreement." He answered disdainfully: - -"My agent had no right to let, without protecting such a right." - -"Ah, but he did; and in law we are bound by the acts of our agents. -'_Facit per alium_' is a maxim of law. And as to filching, let me tell -you that all your property at Crom is intact. The pieces of paper that -you claimed were left in the book; and the book has remained as you -yourself placed it on the shelf. I have Mrs. Jack's word that it would -be so." He was silent; so, as it was necessary that the facts as they -existed should be spoken of between us, I went on: - -"Am I to take it that you read the private papers on the table of the -library during your nocturnal visit? By the way, I suppose it was -nocturnal." - -"It was." - -"Then sir," I spoke sharply now, "who has done the filching? We--Miss -Drake and I--by chance discovered those papers. As a matter of fact they -were in an oaken chest which I bought at an auction in the streets of -Peterhead. We suspected a cipher and worked at it till we laid bare the -mystery. This is what we have done; we who were even ignorant of your -name! Now, what have you done? You come as an admitted guest, by -permission, into a house taken in all good faith by strangers. When -there you recognised some papers which had been lost. We restored them -to you. Honour demanded that you should have been open with us after -this. Did you ask if we had discovered the secret of the trust? No! You -went away openly; and came back like a thief in the night and filched -our secret. Yes sir, you did!" He had raised his hand in indignant -protest. "It was our secret then, not yours. Had you interpreted the -secret cipher for yourself, you would have been within your rights; and -I should have had nothing to say. We offered to let you take the book -with you; but you refused. It is evident that you did not know the whole -secret of the treasure. That you knew there was a treasure and a secret -I admit; but the key of it, which we had won through toil, you stole -from us!" - -"Senor!" the voice was peremptory and full of all that was best -and noblest in the man. "A de Escoban is not wont to hear such an -allegation; and he who makes such shall in the end have his own death -to answer for!" He stopped suddenly, and at his stopping I exulted -secretly; though I wished to punish him for his insinuation that Marjory -had filched from him, I had no desire to become entangled in a duel. I -was determined to go on, however; for I would not, at any hazard, pass -a slight upon my peerless wife. I think that his sudden pause meant -thought; and thought meant a peaceful solution of things on my own -lines. Nevertheless, I went on forcing the issue: - -"I rejoice, sir, that you are not accustomed to hear such allegations; -I trust that you are also not accustomed to deserve them!" By this time -he was calm again, icily calm. It was wonderful with what rapidity, and -how widely, the pendulum of his nature swung between pride and passion. -All at once he smiled again, the same deadly, dreadful smile which he -imagined to be the expression of frankness. - -"I see I am punished! 'Twas I that first spoke of stealing. Senor, you -have shown me that I was wrong. My pardon to that so good lady who is -guest of my house; and also to that other patriotic one who so adorns -it. Now let me say, since to defend myself is thrust upon me, that you, -who have, with so much skill made clear the hidden mystery of that law -book which I have only lately read, know best of all men how I am bound -to do all things to protect my trust. I am bound, despite myself, even -if it were not a duty gladly undertaken for the sake of the dead. It was -not I who so undertook; but still I am bound even more than he who did. -I stand between law and honour, between life and death, helpless. Senor, -were you in my place, would you not, too, have acted as I did? Would you -not do so, knowing that there was a secret which you could not even try -to unravel, since long ago that in which it was hidden had been stolen -or lost. Would you not do so, knowing, too, that some other--in all good -faith and innocence let us say--had already made discovery which might -mock your hopes and nullify the force of that long vigil, to which ten -generations of men, giving up all else, had sacrificed themselves? Would -not you, too, have come in secret and made what discovery you could. -Discovery of your own, mark you! Would not also that lady so patriotic, -to whom all things come after that devotion to her country, which so -great she holds?" - -Whilst he was speaking I had been thinking. The pretence of ignorance -was all over to both of us; he knew our knowledge of the secret trust, -and we knew that he knew. The only thing of which he was yet ignorant, -was that we had discovered the treasure itself. There was nothing to -be gained by disputing points of conjectural morals. Of course he was -right; had either Marjory or myself considered ourselves bound by such a -duty as lay so heavy on him we should have done the same. I bowed as I -answered; - -"Sir, you are right! Any man who held to such a duty would have done the -same." - -"Senor," he answered quickly, "I thank you with all my heart!" Poor -fellow, at that moment I pitied him. The sudden flash of joy that leaped -to his face showed by reaction in what a hell he must have of late -been living. This momentary episode seemed to have wiped away all his -bitterness; it was in quite a different way that he spoke again: - -"And now, Senor, since your engaging frankness has made my heart so -glad, may I ask further of your kindness. Believe me that it is not of -my own will, but from an unbending sense of duty that I do and may have -to do such things; my life till lately has been otherwise, oh! so much -so! You have the feelings of honour yourself; like me you are also man -of the world, and as such we can sacrifice all things save honour. Is -there no way in which you can aid me to fulfill my trust; and let there -be peace between us?" He looked at me anxiously; I said: - -"I fear I hardly understand?" With manifest embarrassment he went on; - -"You will forgive me if I err again; but this time I must make myself -clear. It is manifest to me that in these days of science nothing can -long remain hidden, when once a clue has been found. You already know -so much that I am placed almost as though the treasure has already -been found. Thereafter where am I; what am I? One who has failed in -his trust. Who has allowed another to step in; and so dishonour him! A -moment, Senor, and I am done," for he saw that I was about to speak. "It -is not the treasure itself that I value, but the trust. If I could make -it safe by the sacrifice of all my possessions I would gladly do so. -Senor, you are still free. You have but to abandon your quest. It is not -to you a duty; and therefore you sacrifice naught of honour should you -abandon it. Here I pledge to you--and, oh Senor, I pray have patience -that you take no affront that I do so--that in such case I shall give to -you all that I have. Give it gladly! So, I may redeem the trust of my -House; and go out into the wide world, though it may be as a beggar, yet -free--free! Oh! pause, Senor, and think. I am rich in the world's goods. -My ancestors were of vast wealth; even at that time when the great -Bernardino did give his ship to his king. And for three centuries all -have been prudent; and all their possessions have grown. There are vast -lands of corn, great forests, many castles, whole ranges of mountains -as yet untouched for their varied treasures which are vast. There are -seaports and villages; and in all, the dwellers are happy and content. I -am the last of my race. There is none to inherit; so I am free to pledge -myself." He did not bow or bend; there was no persistence of request in -his voice, or tone, or manner. In all there was no feeling of a bargain. -It was an offer, based on the fulfillment of his own desires; given in -such a lordly way that there could be no offence in it. He recognised so -thoroughly the strength of my own position, that the base side of barter -became obliterated; it was an exchange of goods between gentlemen. Such, -at least, I recognised was his intellectual position; my own remained -the same. How could I, or any man, take advantage of such an offer. -After thinking a few seconds I said to him: - -"Sir, you have honoured me by grouping us as men of honour. What would -you do in my place?" His eye brightened, and his breath came more -quickly as he replied: - -"Were it my case, I should say: 'Senor, your duty is one of honour; mine -is one of gain. There can be no comparisons. Fulfill your debt to your -forefathers! Redeem the pledge that they have made in your name! -Discover your treasure; and be free!'" There was infinite pride in his -voice and manner; I think he really meant what he said. I went on with -my questioning: - -"And what about the taking of your estate as a reward of forbearance?" - -He shrugged his shoulders: "For that," he said, "it matters not." - -"Ah, for you to give you mean?" He nodded. - -"But what for me to take? Would you do so in my place?" He was -manifestly in a dilemma. I could see something of the working of -his mind in his face. If he said he would himself take it, he would -manifestly lower himself in his own eyes; and to such pride as his, his -own self-respect was more than the respect of others, in proportion to -his self-value. If he said he would not, then he might peril his chance -of getting what he desired. The temptation was a cruel one; with all -my heart I honoured him for his answer, given with the fullness of his -mighty pride: - -"Senor, I can die; I cannot stoop! But what avails my own idea? The -answer is not for me! I have offered all I have. I will in addition -pledge myself to hold my life at your service when this great trust is -relieved. To this my honour is guardian; you need not fear it shall be -redeemed! Now Senor, you have my answer! To redeem the trust of my sires -I give all I have in the world, except my honour! The answer rests with -you!" - - - - -CHAPTER XLI - -TREASURE TROVE - - -There was no doubt that the Spaniard's devotion to his cause placed me -in a considerable difficulty. I could not disguise from myself that he -put forward a very strong claim for the consideration of one gentleman -by another. It was only on hurriedly thinking the matter over that the -weakness of his cause was apparent. Had the whole affair been a private -or personal one; had the treasure belonged to his ancestors, I should -have found it in my own heart a very difficult matter to gainsay him, -and be subsequently at ease with myself. I remembered, however, that -the matter was a public one. The treasure was collected by enemies of -England for the purpose of destroying England's liberty, and so the -liberty of the whole human race for which it made. It was sent in charge -of a personal enemy of the country in a ship of war, one of many built -for the purpose of invading and conquering England. In time of national -stress, when the guns were actually thundering along our coast from the -Thames to the Tyne, the treasure had been hidden so as to preserve it -for future use in its destined way. Though centuries had passed, it was -still held in mind; and the very men who had guarded it were, whilst -professing to be Britons, secret enemies of the country, and devoted to -her ultimate undoing. Beyond this again, there was another reason for -not giving it up which appealed to me more strongly than the claim of -my own natural duty, because it came to me through Marjory. Though Spain -was at peace with my country, it was at war with hers; the treasure -collected to harm England might--nay, would--be used to harm America. -Spain was impoverished to the last degree. Her treasuries were empty, -her unpaid soldiers clamourous for their arrears. Owing to want at home, -there was in places something like anarchy; abroad there was such lack -of all things, ships, men, stores, cannon, ammunition, that the evil -of want came across the seas to the statesmen of the Quirinal with -heart-breaking persistence. America, unprepared for war at first, was -day by day becoming better equipped. The panic had abated which had set -in on the seaboard towns from Maine to California, when each found -itself at the mercy of a Spanish fleet sweeping the seas, no man knew -where. Now if ever, money would be of value to impoverished Spain. This -great treasure, piled up by the Latin for the conquering of the -Anglo-Saxon, and rescued from its burial of three centuries, would come -in the nick of time to fulfill its racial mission; though that mission -might be against a new branch of the ancient foe of Spain, whose roots -only had been laid when the great Armada swept out in all its pride and -glory on its conquering essay. I needed no angel to tell me what would -be Marjory's answer, were such a proposition made to her. I could see -in my mind's eye the uprearing of her tall figure in all its pride and -beauty, the flashing of her eyes with that light of patriotic fire which -I knew so well, the set of her mouth, the widening of her nostril, the -wrinkling of her ivory forehead as the brows were raised in scorn---- - -"Sir," said I with what dignity I had, "the matter is not for you or me -to decide. Not for us both! This is an affair of two nations, or rather -of three: The Papacy, the Spaniard, the Briton. Nay, it touches another -also, for the lady who shares the secret with me represents the country -with which your nation is at war!" The Spaniard was manifestly baffled; -the red, hellish light shone in his eyes again. His anger found -expression in a sneer: - -"Ah! so I suppose you do not propose to deal with the treasure, when -found, as a private matter; but shall hand it over to your government -to deal with!" The best answer to his scorn was complacency; so I said -quietly: - -"There again we are in a difficulty. You see, my dear fellow, no one -exactly knows how we stand in this matter. The law of Treasure Trove, -as we call it in this country, is in a most chaotic state. I have been -looking it up since I undertook this quest; and I am rather surprised -that in all the years that have elapsed since our practical law-making -began, nothing has been done to put such matters on an exact basis. The -law, such as it is, seems to rest on Royal Prerogative; but what the -base of that prerogative is, no one seems exactly to know. And besides, -in the various constitutional changes, and the customs of different -dynasties, there are, or certainly there may be, barriers to the -assertion of any Crown right--certainly to the fulfillment of such!" He -seemed staggered. He had manifestly never regarded the matter as other -than the recovery of property entrusted to him through his ancestors. I -took advantage of his mental disturbance; and as I myself wanted time to -think, so that I might fix on some course of action which would suit -Marjory's wishes as well as my own, I began to tell him the impression -left on my mind by such study of the subject of Treasure Trove as I had -been able to achieve. I quoted now and again from notes made in my -pocket book. - -"The Scotch law is much the same as the English; and as we are in -Scotland, we are of course governed by the former. The great point of -difference, seen with the eyes of a finder, is that in Scotland the -fraudulent concealment of Treasure Trove is not a criminal offence, as -it is in England. Thus, from my point of view, I have nothing to fear -as to results; for though by the General Police Act the finder is bound -to report the find to the Chief Constable, the statute only applies to -things found on roads or in public places. So far as this treasure is -concerned, it may turn out that it can, in a sense, be no treasure trove -at all."-- - -"According to Blackstone, treasure trove is where any money or coin, -gold, silver, plate or bullion is found hidden _in_ the earth or other -private place, the owner thereof being unknown. If found _upon_ the -earth, or in the sea, it belongs, not to the Crown, but to the finder, -if no owner appears. It is the hiding, not the abandoning, which gives -the Crown the property."-- - -"Coin or bullion found at the bottom of a lake or in the bed of a river -is not treasure trove. It is not hidden in the earth."-- - -"The right of the Crown is ... limited to gold or silver, bullion or -coin. It extends to nothing else."... - -When I had got thus far the Spaniard interrupted me: - -"But sir, in all these that you say, the rights of the owner seem to be -recognised even in your law." - -"Ah, but there comes in again a fresh difficulty; or rather a fresh -series of difficulties, beginning with what is, in the eye of the -law, the 'owner.' Let us for a moment take your case. You claim this -treasure--if it can be found--as held by you for the original possessor. -The original possessor was, I take it, the Pope, who sent it with the -Armada, to be used for the conversion or subduing of England. We will -take the purpose later, but in the meantime we are agreed that the -original owner was Pope Sixtus V. Now, the Popedom is an office, and on -the death of one incumbent his successor takes over all his rights and -powers and privileges whatever they may be. Thus, the Pope of to-day -stands in exactly the same position as did Pope Sixtus V, when he sent -through King Philip, and in trust of Bernardino de Escoban the aforesaid -treasure." I felt that the words 'aforesaid treasure' sounded very -legal; it helped to consolidate even my own ideas as I went along. "So, -too, you as the representative of your own family, are in the same -position of original trustee as was your great ancestor of which this -record takes cognisance." This too was convincingly legal in sound. "I -do not think that British law would recognise your position, or that -of your predecessors in the trust, in the same way as it would the -continuation of the ownership, if any, on the part of the succession of -the Popes. However, for the sake of the argument, let us take it they -would be of equal force. If this be so, the claim of ownership and -guardianship would be complete." As I paused, the Spaniard who had been -listening to me with pent up breath, breathed more freely. With a -graceful movement, which was almost a bow, he said: - -"If so that you recognise the continued ownership, and if you speak -as the exponent of the British law, wherein then is the difficulty of -ownership at all; should it be that the treasure may be found?" Here was -the real difficulty of both my own argument and Don Bernardino's. For -my own part, I had not the faintest idea of what the law might be; but -I could see easily enough that great issues might be raised for the -British side against the Spanish. As I had to 'bluff' my opponent to a -certain extent, I added the impressions of personal conviction to my -manner as I answered: - -"Have you considered what you, or rather your predecessors in title and -trust, have done to forfeit any rights which you may have had?" He paled -and was visibly staggered; it was evident that this view of the question -had not entered his mind. The mere suggestion of the matter now opened -up for him grave possibilities. His lips grew dry, and it was with a -voice hoarser than hitherto that, after a pause, he said: - -"Go on!" - -"This treasure was sent, in time of war, by the enemies of England, for -the purpose of her undoing--that is her undoing from the point of view -of the established government of the time. It was in itself an act -of war. The very documents that could, or can, prove the original -ownership, would serve to prove the hostile intent of such owners in -sending it. Remember, that it came in a warship, one of the great Armada -built and brought together to attack this country. The owner of the -treasure, the Pope, gave it in trust for the _cestui que trust_, the -King of Spain to your ancestor Bernardino de Escoban, as hereditary -trustee. Your ancestor himself had the battleship _San Cristobal_ built -at his own cost for the King's service in the war against England. You -see, they were all--the individual as well as the nation--hostile to -England; and the intention of evil towards that country, what British -law calls 'malice prepense' or the '_mens rea_' was manifest in all!" -The Spaniard watched me intently; I could see by the darkening of his -swarthy face and the agonised contraction of his brows that the argument -was striking home to his very heart. The man was so distressed that, -enemy as I felt him to be, it was with a pang that I went on: - -"It remains to be seen what view the British law would take of your -action, or what is the same, that of your predecessor in the trust, in -hiding the treasure in the domains of Britain. As a foreigner you would -not have, I take it, a right in any case. And certainly, as a foreigner -in arms against this country, you would have--could have--no right in -either domestic or international law. The right was forfeit on landing -from your warship in time of war on British shores!" - -There was a long pause. Now that I came to piece out into an argument -the scattered fragments of such legal matters as I had been able to -learn, and my own ideas on the subject, the resulting argument was -stronger than I had at first imagined. A whole host of collateral -matters also cropped up. As I was expounding the law, as I saw it, the -subject took me away with it: - -"This question would then naturally arise: if the forfeiture of the -rights of the original owner would confer a right upon the Crown of -Britain, standing as it does in such a matter as the 'remainder man.' -Also whether the forfeited treasure having been hidden, being what the -law calls '_bona vacantia_,' can be acquired by the finder, subject to -the law relating to the Royal prerogative. In both the above cases there -would arise points of law. In either, for instance, the nature of the -treasure might limit the Crown claim as over against an individual -claiming rights as finder." - -"How so?" asked Don Bernardino. He was recovering his _sang froid_, and -manifestly was wishful to reassert himself. - -"According to the statement of Don Bernardino, which would assuredly be -adduced in evidence on either side, the treasure was, or is, of various -classes; coined money, bullion, gems and jewel work. By one of the -extracts which I have read you, the Crown prerogative only applies to -precious metals or bullion. Gems or jewellery are therefore necessarily -excluded; for it could not, I think, be claimed that such baubles were -contraband of war." - -"Again, the place of hiding may make a bar to Crown claim as treasure -trove. According to the cipher narrative the place of hiding was a sea -cave. This could not be either 'on' the ground, which would give title -to the finder; or 'in' the ground which would give Crown claim. But -beyond this again, there might arise the question as to whether the -treasure should in any way come into the purview of the law at all. You -will remember, in one of my excerpts Blackstone excepts the sea from the -conditions of treasure trove. It might have to be fought out in the Law -Courts, right up to the House of Lords which is our final Court of -Appeal, whether the definition of 'sea' would include a cave into which -the tide ran." Here I stopped; my argument was exhausted of present -possibilities. The Spaniard's thought now found a voice: - -"But still ownership might be proved. Our nations have been at peace -ever since that unhappy time of the Invincible Armada. Nay more, have -not the nations fought side by side in the Peninsula! Besides, at no -time has there been war between England and the Pope, even when his -priests were proscribed and hunted, and imprisoned when captured. -The friendship of these countries would surely give a base for the -favourable consideration of an international claim. Even if there may -have been a constructive forfeiture, such was never actually exacted; -England might, in her wisdom, yield the point to a friendly nation, when -three hundred years had elapsed." Here another idea struck me. - -"Of course" I said "such might be so. England is rich and need not -enforce her right to a treasure, however acquired. But let me remind you -that lawyers are very tenacious of points of law, and this would have -to be decided by lawyers who are the servants of the state and the -advisers of the governments. Such would, no doubt, be guided by existing -principles of law, even if the specific case were not on all fours with -precedents. I learn that in India, which is governed by laws made by -Britons and consonant with the scheme of British law, there is actually -an act in existence which governs Treasure Trove. By this, the -magisterial decision can be held over to allow the making of a claim of -previous ownership within a hundred years. So you see that by analogy -your claim of three hundred years of peace would put you clean out of -court." We both remained silent. Then the Spaniard, with a long sigh, -rose up and said courteously: - -"I thank you Senor, for the audience which you have given to me. As -there is to be no _rapprochement_ to us, what I can say may not avail. -I must now take my own course. I am sad; for what that course may have -to be, I know not. I would have given my fortune and my life to have -acquitted me honourably of the trust imposed on me. But such happiness -may not alas! be mine. Senor" this he said very sternly "I trust that -you will always remember that I tried all ways that I know of, of peace -and honour, to fulfill my duty. Should I have to take means other -to discharge my duty, even to the point of life and death, you will -understand that I have no alternative." - -"Would you take life?" I said impulsively, half incredulous. - -"I would not scruple regarding my own life; why should I, regarding that -of another?" he said simply, then he went on: - -"But oh! Senor, it is not the taking of life, my own or another's, which -I dread. It is that I may have to walk in devious ways, where honour is -not; have I not already tasted of its bitterness! Understand me that -this duty of guardianship of the trust is not of my choosing. It was set -to me and mine by other and greater powers than ourselves, by the -Vicegerent of God Himself; and what is ordained by him I shall do in all -ways that are demanded of me." - -I was sorry for him, very sorry; but his words made a new fear. Hitherto -I had been dealing with a gentleman, and there is much protection in -this thought to any opponent. Now, however, he calmly announced that he -would act without scruple. I was in future to dread, not fair fighting -alone, but crooked ways and base acts. So I spoke out: - -"Am I not then to look on you as a man of honour?" His face darkened -dangerously; but all its haughty pride was obliterated by a look of -despair and grief as he said sadly: - -"Alas I know not. I am in the hands of God! He may deal mercifully with -me, and allow me to pass to my grave not dishonoured; but for myself my -path has been set in ways that may lead I know not whither." - -Somehow his words made me feel like a cad. I didn't mind fighting a man -fair; or indeed fighting him anyway, so long as we understood the matter -from the first. But this was against the grain. The man had shown -himself willing to give up everything he had, so as to fulfill his trust -and be free; and for me now to have a part in forcing him into ways of -dishonour seemed too bad. It didn't seem altogether fair to me either. I -had always tried to act honourably and mercifully, so that to have my -own hand forced to acquiesce in the downfall of another man was in its -way hard lines on me too. Truly, the ways of wealth are full of thorns; -and when war and politics and intrigue are joined in the chase for -gold, there is much suffering for all who are so unhappy as to be drawn -within the spell. I was weakening in my resolve regarding the treasure, -and would, I am sure, in a moment of impulse have made some rash proffer -to the Spaniard; when once more there came back to me the purpose of the -treasure, and what Marjory might think if I allowed it to go back where -it might be used against her country. Whatever I might do, there was no -hope of compromise on the part of Don Bernardino. His one purpose, blind -and set, was to fulfill the obligation set by his forefather and to -restore the treasure to Spain, by whom it might or might not be restored -to the Pope. The intensity of my thought had concentrated my interests -to such an extent that I did not consciously notice what was going on -around me. Only in a sort of dim way did I know that the Spaniard's eyes -were roving round the room; seeking, in the blind agony of the despair -which was upon his soul for a clue or opening somewhere. - -All at once I became broad awake to the situation of things which had -happened in those few seconds. He was gazing with eyes of amazement on -the heap of metal caskets, dimmed with three centuries of sea water, -which were piled on the side table amongst the scattered heaps of odds -and ends of various kinds, made manifest by some trick of light. Then -there came a light into his eyes as he raised his hand and pointed -saying: - -"So the treasure has been found!" - - - - -CHAPTER XLII - -A STRUGGLE - - -I think that at first sheer amazement had controlled the Spaniard's -thoughts. But whatever the cause of the control was, it soon passed -away; then the whole fiery nature of the man seemed to sweep from him -like a torrent: - -"And so all the learned arguments with which you have overwhelmed me, -were but a cloak to cover your possession of the treasure which it was -given to me and mine to guard. I might have guessed, that without the -certainty of possession you would not have been so obdurate to my offer, -given in all sincerity as it was. From other things, too, I might have -known! That woman, so old, who watches you with eyes that see more than -is to see, and who have reason of her own to mistrust you, she telled -to me that nightly she has heard you dig in the rock as though you make -grave. Take care it is not so! I am guardian of that treasure; and I am -desperate! Already have I told you that all things are to me, all ways -to fulfill the trust of my fathers. We are here alone! I am armed; and -already my life is forfeit to this course. Yield yourself, then, to me!" - -Like a flash of light he had drawn a dagger from his breast; and with an -upward sweep of his hand held it poised, either to strike or throw. -But already I had taken warning from his eyes. Ever since danger had -threatened Marjory, I had carried my revolver with me; even at night it -rested under my pillow. The practice which Marjory and I had often had, -till she had taught me the old trick which her father had taught her of -getting "the drop" on an adversary, stood me now in good stead. Whilst -he had been drawing his dagger, I had already covered him; he finished -the words of his command straight into the muzzle of my six-shooter. -I said as quietly as I could, for it was with a mighty effort I kept -approximately calm under stress of such a sudden attack: - -"Drop that dagger! Quick; or I shall shoot it from your hands!" He -recognised his helplessness in the matter. With a despairing sigh he -opened his fingers; the dagger fell jingling to the floor. I went on: - -"Now hold up your hands, well above your head! Move back to the wall!" -He did so, and stood facing me with a disdainful smile. I stooped, and -with my right hand picked up the dagger, still keeping him covered with -my left. I put the weapon on the far side of the table, and approached -him. He did not move, but I could see that he was sizing me up. This -gave me no anxiety, for I knew my own strength; and I had also a shrewd -idea that if he had any other arm about him he would not be calculating -his chances for a physical struggle. Cautioning him that his life -depended on his stillness, for I still held my revolver to his breast, I -passed my hand lightly over him; he had manifestly no other weapon. The -only sign of one was the sheath of his dagger; this I took from him. -I placed the dagger in it and put it in my own pocket; then I drew a -chair to the middle of the room and motioned him to sit down. He obeyed -sullenly. Having by this time regained something of my serenity of mind, -I spoke: - -"Your pardon, Sir, for the indignity to which I have been obliged to -submit you; but I am sure you will remember that it was not I who began -the question of force. When you thought it right to draw arms upon me in -my own house, you made it necessary that I should protect myself. Now, -let me say something in answer to your charge against me. The finding of -the treasure has nothing whatever to do with my theory of action; -I should hold my present view just as strongly had we not made the -discovery. Indeed, I may say that since we have had actual possession of -the treasure, it seems not nearly so desirable as it had been. So far as -I am concerned, I don't care a straw whether I have ultimate possession -of it or not; but I am so fixed up that if I waive my rights--that is if -I have any to waive--that I may aid in doing a repugnant thing to a very -dear friend. That I shall not do. I shall oppose its doing by any means -in my power!" The Spaniard saw a chance, and spoke: - -"But if I undertake----" I cut him short: - -"Sir, in this matter you are not in a position to undertake. By your own -showing, you are simply bound to fulfill your trust and to restore the -treasure to the King, who will restore it to the Pope; or to restore it -to the Pope direct." He answered quickly: - -"But I can stipulate----" again I interrupted him for this was a useless -road to travel; - -"How can you stipulate? You would, or might, be told to simply fulfill -the duty that had been undertaken for you. Did you refuse, from whatever -motive, no matter how justly founded, on ground of right or honour, you -would not be holding to the simple terms of your trust. No! sir. This is -no private affair to be settled by you or me, or by us both together. It -belongs to politics! and international politics at that. The Government -of Spain is desperately in want of money. How do you know to what shift, -or to what specious argument it will condescend in its straits. I have -no doubt that, should anything be done contrary to your idea of fair -play, you would be grievously pained; but that is not to the point. Your -Government would not take thought for any wish of yours, any more than -for aught of mine. Your King is a minor; his regent is a woman, and his -councillors and governors are all men chosen to do what they can to save -their country. Sir, but a few minutes ago you professed it your duty to -take any step, even to crime and dishonour, to carry out your duty. -Indeed, you drew a weapon upon me, a presumably unarmed man, in my own -house in which you are a self-invited guest. Suppose some of the -Government of Spain hold ideas of their duty, equally strong and equally -unscrupulous; who then is to answer for what they do. Why, in such case, -they would undertake anything, until they had got possession of the -treasure; and would then act entirely upon what they would call their -'better judgment.'" His native pride awoke in an instant for he said -hotly: - -"I would have you know, Senor, and remember always when you talk with a -Spaniard, that our statesmen are not criminals, but men of honour." I -bowed instinctively as I answered him: - -"Sir, I have no doubt whatever, and I speak in all sincerity, that you -yourself are, under normal circumstances, a man of the highest honour. -Your self-sacrificing offer has shewn me that; and I have added to that -knowledge by seeing the pain you have suffered at even the thought of -dishonour." Here he bowed low, and there was a look of gratitude in his -eyes which touched me to the quick. "And yet even you have openly told -me that all your belief in honour, all your life-long adherence to its -behests, will not keep you from fulfilling a duty should these things -clash. Nay more, you have already done things which I take it are at -variance with your principles. How then can you, or I, believe that -other men, of less lofty lineage and less delicate sense of honour, -will forego an advantage for their country in distress, yielding to a -theoretical point of right or wrong. No sir" I went on pitilessly, for I -felt that it would be a kindness to him to shut absolutely this door of -hope, "We must take no step which will place in the hands of others the -guardianship of that treasure, of which you have hitherto conceived -yourself trustee, and of which I now believe myself to be the owner." -For fully several minutes we faced each other in silence. His face grew -more and more fixed and stern; at last he stood up with such a look of -resolution that instinctively my fingers tightened round the butt of my -revolver. I thought that he might be about to throw himself upon me, and -attempt even at such odds as were against him, a struggle for present -mastery. Then, without moving from his place, he spoke: - -"When I have done all I can to fulfill my trust in its completeness, -and have failed, I shall ask the government of my country to make -representation to her friend England of a friendly claim, so that we may -get even a part of the treasure; and then I will devote myself to the -avenging of my honour on those who have foiled me in my duty!" This was -a sort of speech which braced me up again. It was a promise of war, man -to man, and I could understand it better than the subtleties which now -enmeshed us. I put my pistol back in my pocket, and bowed to my opponent -as I answered: - -"And when that time comes, Sir, you will find me at your service; how -you will; where you will; and when you will. In the meantime, when first -you place the matter on the international plane, I shall take care that -the American government, in which dear friends of mine are interested, -shall make friendly demand of her friend, England, that she shall take -no step with regard to this particular treasure--if indeed it be then in -her possession--which may be used to the detriment of the trans-Atlantic -power. Thus you see, sir, that time must in any case elapse before a -final settlement. Nothing can be done till the close of the present war, -when I take it that immediate need of the sinews of war shall have -ceased to exist. Be very careful, then, how you take any steps to bring -upon the scene other powers than ourselves; powers vastly more strong, -and vastly less scrupulous--perhaps." He answered nothing, but looked at -me a long time in silent cold disdain. Then he said quietly: - -"Have I your permission, Senor, to depart?" I bowed, and brought him -to the door. When outside he turned, and, lifting his hat high in an -old-fashioned, stately way, bowed. He passed up the laneway towards -Whinnyfold, without once glancing back. - -As I stood looking at him, I saw in the dusk Gormala's head now and -again showing above the low green bank which guarded the edge of the -cliff. She was bent double, and was in secret following the Spaniard. - -I went back to the house to think over matters. Altogether, we were -getting so complicated that there did not seem any straight road to -take. In the back of my mind I had a firm idea that the best thing -I could do would be to hand over the treasure to the custody of the -police; inform the Sheriff; and get my solicitor to enter a formal claim -of ownership, wherever the claim should be made. Then I should get -Marjory to come upon our honeymoon. I could see that her mind was -almost, if not quite, made up to accept this step; and for a while I -lost myself in a day dream. - -I came back to the reality of things by dimly and gradually realising -that it had grown dark. So I made preparation for the night, bearing in -mind that I had a vast treasure in my possession, and that a desperate -man who claimed to represent its ownership was aware that I had it in -the house. It was not till I had seen to the fastenings of every window -and door, that I began to prepare a meal. - -By this time I was exceedingly hungry; when I had eaten I seated myself -before a rousing fire of pine logs, lit my pipe, and began to think. -Without, the wind was rising. I could hear it whistle along the roof, -and now and again it roared and boomed down the chimney; the leaping -fire seemed to answer its call. I could not think definitely; my -thoughts kept whirling in a circle from the Spaniard to the treasure, -from the treasure to Gormala, from Gormala to Marjory, and from Marjory -back to the Spaniard again. Every time the cycle became complete and my -thoughts came back to Marjory, my rapture as I thought of her and of -our future, became clouded by a vague uneasiness. It was out of this -that the thought of Don Bernardino came to commence the next round of -thought. In all my mental wanderings he became a dominant character; -his pride, his sense of duty which subordinated even honour, his -desperation, his grief, all seemed to be with me and around me. Now and -again I trembled, when I thought that such self-sacrificing forces might -be turned against Marjory. - -Little by little, despite all my anxiety, stole over me the disposition -of sleep. I was indeed almost worn out. The events of the past few days -had crowded together so quickly that I had had no time for pause. Even -the long sleep which had crowned the vigil in the water cave had not -enabled me to lay in, so to speak, a provision of sleep; it had been the -payment of a debt to nature rather than the putting by of capital. I -had the consoling thought that Marjory had promised me she would not -leave Crom Castle till I came. Safe in this thought I rolled myself in -rugs--choosing those that she had used--and fell asleep. - -I think that even in sleep I did not lose the sense of my surroundings, -for in dreams my thoughts ran in their waking channel. Here again, all -the disturbing elements of my life of late became jumbled together; and -a sort of anxiety regarding something unknown seemed to brood over me. -So far as I remember, I slept fitfully; waking often in a sort of agony -of indefinite apprehension. A couple of times I made up the fire which -was falling low, for there was a sort of companionship in it. Without, -the wind howled more loudly, and each time as I sank back to rest I -pulled the rugs more closely around me. - -Once, I started broad awake. I thought I heard a cry, and naturally, in -my present frame of mind, my thoughts flew to Marjory in some danger; -she was calling me. Whatever the cause was, it reached my brain through -a thick veil of sleep; my body answered, and before I had time to think -of why or wherefore, I was standing on the floor broad awake, alert and -panting. Again there came a sharp cry outside, which threw me in an -instant into a cold sweat. Marjory was in danger and was calling me! -Instinctively I ran to the window, and pulling open the shutters, threw -up the sash. All was dark outside, with just that cold line on the far -Eastern horizon which told of coming dawn. The wind had risen high, and -swept past me into the room, rustling papers and making the flames -dance. Every now and again a bird swept by me on the wings of the -wind, screaming as it flew; for the house was so close to the sea that -the birds took no note of it as they would ordinarily do of a human -habitation. One of them came so close that its scream seemed to sound -loudly in my ears; it was doubtless just such a cry as this which had -torn me from my sleep. For a while I hesitated whether I should go right -away to Crom; but second thoughts prevailed. I could not get into the -house at such an hour, without creating alarm and causing comment. So I -went back to the chimney corner, and, piling on fresh logs and snuggling -into my nest of rugs, soon found sleep again descending on me. The -serenity of thought which comes with the day was using its force.... - -This time I woke more slowly. The knocking was continuous and -imperative; but it was not a terrifying sound. We are all more or less -used to such sounds. I listened; and gradually consciousness of my -surroundings came back to me. The knocking was certainly persistent.... -I put on my shoes and went to the door. - -Outside was Mrs. Jack, looking troubled and hot in spite of the cold of -the wind which seemed to sing around the house. As I opened the door, -she slipped past me and closed it behind her. Her first words made my -heart sink, and my blood run cold with vague terror: - -"Is Marjory here?" - - - - -CHAPTER XLIII - -THE HONOUR OF A SPANIARD - - -Mrs. Jack saw the answer in my eyes before speech came, and staggered -back against the wall. - -"No," I said "Why do you ask?" - -"She is not here! Then there is something wrong; she was not in her room -this morning!" - -This morning! The words set my thoughts working. I looked at my watch; -it was past ten o'clock. In a dazed kind of way I heard Mrs. Jack go on. - -"I did not say a word to any of the servants at first, for I didn't want -to set them talking. I went all over the house myself. Her bed had not -been slept in; I pulled the clothes off it and threw them on again -roughly so that the maid might not suspect. Then I asked quietly if any -of the maids had seen her; but none had. So I said as quietly as I could -that she must have gone out for an early walk; and I took my breakfast. -Then I had the cart got ready, and drove over here myself. What can it -be? She told me last night that she was not going out until you came; -and she is always so exact when she says a thing, that there must be -something wrong. Come back with me at once! I am so anxious that I don't -know what to do." - -Two minutes sufficed for my toilet; then shutting the door behind us, -we got into the cart and drove to Crom. At the first and at the last we -went quietly, so as not to arouse attention by our speed; but in the -middle space we flew. During the journey Mrs. Jack had told me that -last night she had gone to bed as usual, leaving in the drawing room -Marjory, who had told her that she was going presently into the library -to write as she had a lot of letters to get through, and that no one was -to wait up for her. This was her usual habit when she sat late; it -therefore excited no extra attention. Mrs. Jack who was an early riser, -had been dressed for an hour before she went to Marjory's room. In -the course of her enquiries amongst the servants, one of them, whose -business it was to open the hall door, told her that she had found it -locked and chained as usual. - -Within the house at Crom we found all quiet. I went at once into the -library, as that was presumably the last place where Marjory had been. -As we went, I asked Mrs. Jack if any letters had been left out to post. -She said no! that the usual habit was to put such in the box on the hall -table, but she had herself, looked, when she came down to put in a -letter for America. I went over at once to the table near the fire where -Marjory usually sat at night. There were plenty of writing materials -and blank paper and envelopes; but not a sign of a letter or anything -written. I looked all round the room but could see nothing to attract -my attention. Once more I asked Mrs. Jack what Marjory had said to her -about her intention of not leaving the castle till I had come. With some -hesitation at first, as though she were fearful of breaking confidence, -but afterwards more freely as if glad to be able to speak, she told me -all: - -"The dear child took to heart what I said yesterday about her living -with her husband. After you had gone she came to me and laid her head on -my breast, as she used to do as a little child, and began to cry; and -told me that I had been very good to her. The darling! And that her mind -was made up. She realised now her duty to her husband; and that as he -wished her to stay in the house, nothing in the world would induce her -to leave it till he came. That was the first act of her new duty! And, -oh my dear! that is why I was so concerned when I found that after all -she was not in the house. I don't understand it; there must be something -on foot that I don't know; and I am full of fear!" Here the old lady -quite broke down. I felt that any self control now was precious. It -would not do to leave Mrs. Jack in ignorance of the danger, so I told -her in as few words as I could of the blackmailing going on and of -the watch set by the United States Secret Service. At first she was -overwhelmed; but her early apprenticeship to dangers of all kinds stood -her in good stead. Very soon her agitation took practical shape. I told -her I was off to seek for help, and that she must keep the house till I -returned. I would have tried the secret tunnel, but from what Mrs. Jack -had said I was convinced that Marjory had never left the house of her -own accord. If she had been captured she was doubtless far away by this -time. It was possible that the blackmailers had found the secret passage -into the Castle by which Don Bernardino had come. Here the thought came -to me in full force; that was how they had discovered it. They had -seen and watched the Don!... I felt that another debt for our day of -reckoning had been piled up against him. - -I got in the cart again and went to Cruden as hard as the mare could go. -As I went, I formed my plans, and had my telegrams made up in my mind -ready to write them out at once. For a while I doubted whether I should -go to another telegraph office, lest the Cruden people might come to -know too much. But there was no need of concealment now. I was not -afraid of any one knowing, though I determined to be discreet and -secret if possible. The circuit was occupied, so I found the use of the -priority telegraph forms Adams had sent me. There was not a moment lost; -one was being despatched whilst I was writing the next. To Adams I said: - -"They have succeeded: Wire men see me at Crom right away. Come if you -can. Want all help can get. Time vital...." - -To Cathcart I wired at his house in Invernesshire: - -"Come to me without moment's delay. Vital. Want every kind of help." I -knew he would understand, and would come armed. - -As it would be some little time before anything could be done, I -determined to find Don Bernardino if possible; and induce him to show me -the secret exit. Without knowledge of this we would be powerless; with -it we might find some clue. I did not make up my mind as to what I would -do if he refused; but to myself the instinctive grinding of my teeth, -and clenching of my fingers, seemed to answer my question. Of one thing -I was glad, he was a gentleman. In such a matter as that in which I was -engaged, there were possibilities, if even there were not definite hope. - -I drove to Ellon; and from the agent there got his address. I soon found -it; an old-fashioned house near the town, in a tiny park surrounded with -great trees. I left the cart on the road, with the mare tethered to the -gate post, there being no lodgekeeper or no lodge. Before I rang the -hall-door bell I saw that my revolver was ready to my hand. The instant -the door was opened I stepped in, and said to the old woman who opened -it: - -"Mr. Barnard is in the study I suppose? I have pressing business with -him!" She was so taken aback by the suddenness of my entry and speech -that she pointed to a door saying: "He is in there." - -As I entered the room, closing the door behind me, the Don, who had been -seated in a large chair with his back to the door turned unconcernedly. -He had evidently not expected any disturbing visitor. The instant he -saw me, however, he leaped to his feet, all his hostility awake. As -he scanned my face his concern grew; and he glanced around, as though -seeking for some weapon. I put my hand on my revolver, and said as -quietly as I could, remembering his own precision of manner: - -"Forgive my intrusion, Sir; but I have urgent need of speech with you." -I suppose there was something in my tone which bore home to his brain -the idea that I had changed in some way since we had met. Do what I -would, I could not conceal the anxiety of my voice. After a pause he -said: - -"Regarding the treasure?" - -"No!" said I: "Since last night I have not even given it a thought." A -strange, new look came over his face, a look in which hope and concern -seemed to have equal parts. He paused again; I could see he was -thinking. Mechanically I tapped my foot on the floor with impatience; -the golden moments were flying by. He realised my gravity of purpose, -and, manifestly turning his attention to me, said: - -"Speak on Senor!" By this time I had well in my mind what I intended to -say. It was not my purpose to further antagonise the Spaniard; at the -outset at any rate. Later on, that might be necessary; but I should -exhaust other means first. - -"I have come, Sir, to ask your aid, the help of a gentleman; and I feel -at a loss how to ask it." Through the high-bred courtesy of the -Spaniard's manner came a note of bitterness, as he answered: - -"Alas! Senor, I know the feeling. Have not I myself asked on such a -plea; and stooped in vain!" I had nothing to say in reply to this, so -went on: - -"Sir, I am aware that you can make much sacrifice: I ask, not for -myself, but for a lady in peril!" He answered quickly: - -"A lady! in peril! Say on Senor!" There was such hope and purpose in his -quick tone that my heart instinctively leaped as I went on: - -"In peril, sir; of life; of honour. To you I appeal to lay aside your -feelings of hate towards me, however just they may be; and come like a -true gentleman to her aid. I am emboldened to ask this because it was, -I think, by your act that the peril--the immediate peril, has come to -her." He flushed at once: - -"Through me! Peril to a lady's honour through me! Have a care, sir! Have -a care!" With a rush I went on: - -"By your going into the castle through a secret passage, other enemies -of the lady, low, base and unscrupulous who have been plotting to carry -her off for ransom, have doubtless made an entry otherwise impossible to -them. Now we must find a clue, and at once. Tell me, I implore you, of -the secret way; that thus we may at once begin our search." For a few -seconds he looked me through and through; I think he suspected some plot -or trap, for he said slowly: - -"And the treasure; can you leave it?" I answered hotly: - -"The treasure! I have not even thought of it since the news came of -Marjory's disappearance!" Here I took it that he was beginning his -unscrupulous purpose, and was playing my loss against his own; and a -thought came to me that had not even crossed my mind before--had he been -the abductor for the purpose of just such a bargain? I took from my -pocket the key of the house in Whinnyfold and held it out to him. "Here -Sir" I said "is the key of my house. Take it with all it contains, and -all it leads to! The treasure is as you left it last night; only help me -in my need." - -He waved my hand aside with an impatient gesture as he said simply: - -"I do not bargain with a woman's honour. Such comes before all the -treasures of Popes or Kings; before the oath and duty of a de Escoban. -Come! Senor, there is no time to lose. Let us settle this affair first; -later we can arrange matters that rest between thee and me!" - -"Your hand, Sir" was all I could say. "In such trouble as mine, there is -no help like that of a gentleman. But will you not honour me by keeping -the key? This other is a trust which you have won by honour; as your -great ancestor won his glorious duty long ago." He did not hesitate; all -he said as he took the key was: - -"It is a part of my duty which I must not forego." - -As we left the house he looked like a new man--a man born again; there -was such joyous gladness in his face and voice and movements that I -wondered. I could not help saying when we had got into the cart and were -on our way: - -"You seem happy, Sir. I would that I could feel the same." - -"Ah, Senor, I am happy beyond belief. I am happy as one raised from Hell -to Heaven. For now my honour is no more perilled. God has been good to -me to show a way, even to death, without dishonour." - -As we flew along to Crom I told him what I knew of the secret passage -between the chapel and the monument. He wondered at my having discovered -the secret; but when I told him of how the blackmailing gang had used -the way to evade the Secret Service men, he suddenly cried out: - -"There was but one who ever knew the secret of that passage; my kinsman, -with whom I stayed in Crom when young, told me of him. He tried much to -find the entrance to the Castle, and finally under threat he went away -to America. He was a base-born and a thief. It must be he who has come -back after these years and has told of the secret way. Alas! they must -have watched me when I went, all unsuspicious; and so discovered the -other secret." Then he tried to explain where the entrance was. It was -not in the chamber where we had expected it would be, but in a narrow -corner of the stair, the whole corner being one stone and forming the -entrance. - -When we arrived at Crom we found that the Secret Service men were -waiting for me, having been instructed from London. There were also -telegrams from Adams and Cathcart saying that they were on the way to -join me. Adams wired from Aberdeen, and Cathcart from Kingussie. Mrs. -Jack was with the detectives and had taken them through the rooms which -Marjory had used. They had had up the servants one by one and examined -them as to what they knew. The chief man had insisted on this; he said -matters were now too serious to play the fool any longer. The servants -were not told anything, even that Marjory was missing; but of course -they had their suspicions. A peremptory order was given that no one -should leave the house without permission. The chief confided to me that -Mrs. Jack had quite broken down when she was telling him that Marjory -knew all along about the blackmailers and had never told her. "But she's -all right now, Sir," he concluded. "That old lady is just full of sand; -and I tell you her head is level. She's been thinking of everything -which could possibly be of use to us. I guess I have heard more of -this racket within the last half hour than I have done in the last two -weeks." - -By the instructions of Don Bernardino we went into the library. I asked -Mrs. Jack to send for lamps and candles, and these were brought shortly. -In the meantime I asked that one of the detectives should be sent into -the old chapel and another to the monument on the hill. Both were warned -to have their guns ready, and to allow no one to pass at any hazard. To -each before going I explained the secret mode of entry. - -The Don went over to one of the book-cases--the very section containing -the shelf in which I had replaced the old law book. Taking out that -particular volume, he put his hand in and pressed a spring. There was a -faint click. He replaced the book and pressed against the bookcase with -slow level pressure. Very slowly it seemed to give way before him; and -then turning on a hinge at one side, left an open cavity through which a -man could easily pass. I was about to rush in, and was quite ready, with -a lamp in one hand and a revolver in the other, when the chief of the -detectives laid a restraining hand on my arm as he said: - -"Wait a moment. If you go too fast you may obliterate some sign which -would give us a clue!" The wisdom of his speech was not to be gainsaid. -Instinctively I fell back; two of the trained observers drew close to -the doorway, and holding their lamp in such wise as to throw light all -round the opening, began an exact scrutiny. One of them knelt down and -examined the flooring; the other confined his attention to roof and -walls. After a silence, lasting perhaps a minute, the man kneeling stood -up and said: - -"Not a doubt about it! There has been a violent struggle here at the -doorway!" - - - - -CHAPTER XLIV - -THE VOICE IN THE DUST - - -One of the men produced his note book and began taking down in shorthand -the rapid utterances of the chief, repeating it so as to check the -accuracy as he went on: - -"Easy to see the marks; the floor is deep in dust, and the walls are -thick with it. On floor, mark of several feet--confused in struggle, may -articulate separately later on--one woman's--also trailing of long -skirt. On walls marks of hands, fingers outspread, as if trying to -grasp. Some of the long marks down the wall others across." The speaker -here raised his lamp and held it in the opening as far as his arm would -go; then he went on: - -"Steps wind downwards to right. Struggle seems to have stopped. -Footmarks more clear."... Then the chief turned to us: - -"I think gentlemen, we may follow in now. The footmarks may be -discriminated and identified later. We must chance destroying them, or -we cannot pass in this narrow passage." Here I spoke; a thought had been -surging up in my brain ever since the detective had pointed out the -finger marks on the wall "down and across": - -"Stop a moment please! Let me see the marks on the wall before any one -enters; the passage is narrow and they may be rubbed off." A glance was -enough, just time enough to formulate which was the symbol of "a" and -which of "b." The perpendicular strokes were "a" and the horizontal "b." -Marjory had kept her head, even at this trying time, and was leaving a -message for me as she was forced along. I understood why the struggle -had ceased. Seized and forced through the narrow doorway, she had at -first struggled hard. Then, when she realised that she could leave a -clue behind her, she had evidently agreed to go quietly; for so she -might have her hands free. It would be a hard job to carry or force -along an unwilling captive through that narrow uneven passage; doubtless -the captors were as willing as she was that she should go quietly. I -said to the detectives: - -"These marks on the wall are in a cipher which I can read. Give me the -best lamp we have, and let me go first." - -So, in an orderly procession, leaving two men in the library with Mrs. -Jack to guard the entrance, we passed into the secret passage. As I read -off the words written on the wall, the man with the note-book took them -down, his companion holding a candle so as to enable him to do so. How -my heart beat as I read my dear girl's message, marked on the wall on -the inner side whichever way the curves ran. Obviously it would create -less attention by guiding herself in this wise as she passed. She had -kept her hand well down so that her signs should not be confused with -the marks made by the men who, guiding themselves likewise, had held -their hands at a natural height. Her sign marks ran continuously, -even after we had passed into the passage between the chapel and the -monument; the writing ran as follows: - -"Four men came in--two waiting in passage through bookcase--late--striking -one--struggled--then quiet--hands free--same voice we heard in Chapel. -Feathers thin voice, small man, dark--all masked--Whisky Tommy hoarse -voice, big man, sandy, large hands--Dago, deep voice, swarthy, little -finger missing left hand--Max, silent, nods for speech, think dumb--two -others on ahead too far see, hear." - -In a pause I heard the chief detective murmur: - -"That girl's a peach. We'll get her yet!" The spot at which we were -pausing was where the way to the reservoir branched off. Here Marjory -probably stood with her back to the wall and used her hands behind her -back, for the strokes were smaller and more uneven. There were faults -which put me out and I could only read a few words--"whispering"--"only -word can hear 'manse.'" There was evidently some conversation going on -between her captors, and she was making use of her opportunities. Then -we went on and found the signs renewed. It cut me to the heart when I -saw a smear of blood on one of the marks; the rough uncertain movement -and the sharp edges of the rock had told on her delicate skin. But later -on, the blood marks were continued, and I could not but think that she -had cut her fingers on purpose to make a more apparent clue. When I -mentioned my surmise to the detective, his instinct having been trained -in such matters, showed a keener insight than my own: - -"More likely she is preparing to leave a mark which we can see when they -get her out of the tunnel. They may not suspect intention if her fingers -are bleeding already!" The words following the stop where I had read -"manse" were: - -"Boat ready--Seagull--Coffin--Hearse--bury isl--" Here the next mark -instead of being horizontal took a sudden angle down, and the blood was -roughly rubbed off. It was as though her hand had been struck in the act -of making the mark. Her captors had suspected her. There were no more -marks on the wall. I could not imagine, however, that Marjory would be -entirely baffled. She had infinite resource, and would doubtless find -some other means of leaving a clue. Telling the others therefore to keep -back I threw the rays of the lamp over roof and walls and floor as we -proceeded. - -It was a strange scene. The candles and lamp showing up but patches of -light in the inky black darkness; the moving figures projected against -the lights as I looked back; the silence broken by the shuffling tread -of stumbling feet on the rock floor; the eager intense faces, when a -change in the light flashed them into view. It all moved me at moments, -for there was a gleam of hope in its earnestness. - -I tried to put myself in Marjory's position. If her hands were useless, -as they would be if she could not use them without suspicion--even were -they not tied now as was probable--her next effort would be with her -feet; I therefore looked out carefully for any sign made this way. -Presently I came across a mark which I suspected. It was only a few -steps beyond the last mark on the wall. It was a sort of drag of the -foot, where there was any slight accumulation of dust, or rubbish, or -sand. There were more such traces ahead. So motioning to the others to -keep back, I followed them up, taking care not to disturb any of them. -They were but the rough marks made during a stumbling progress; and for -a time I was baffled; though I could distinguish the traces of Marjory's -little feet amongst the great ones. Then I went back and looked at them -afresh from the beginning, and a light burst upon me. They were made -with the right or left foot as required; thus she could reproduce the -bi-literal symbol. Interpretation was now easy enough, and hence on, to -the exit from the tunnel, I could tell almost every word written. There -being only a few cases where the sign was not sufficiently marked for -me to read it. - -"Suspicious. Hands tied--gagged--find Seagull--find Manse." - -It was sadly slow work, and my heart at times sank within me at the -exasperating delay in our progress. However, it was progress after -all; and that sustained us. All along, as we worked our way towards -the monument, I had been thinking of the word "manse;" and now its -repetition showed its importance. It would be necessary that the -abductors have some place in which to conceal their captive, before they -should be able to get her out of the country. That this latter would be -a necessary step towards their object was manifest; but the word -_Seagull_ settled it. - -When we got to the entrance of the tunnel we examined every inch of the -way; this was the wish of the detective rather than my own. Marjory -would, it seemed to me, go quietly through the entrance. She would -know that she was being watched here with extra carefulness; and would -reserve herself for a less suspicious opportunity. She would also know -that if I were on her track at all, I would be able to follow through -the secret entrance. - -Outside, on the ground beside the monument, were no unusual signs -of passage. The patch of bare earth and gravel, which we had before -noticed, left no trace of footsteps. Those who had used it had evidently -taken care that there should be no sign. We went slowly along the -route, which, by my former experiments with the thread, I had found was -habitually used. Presently one of the Americans asked me to stop, as he -had seen a trace of feet. For my life I could distinguish nothing in the -seemingly undisturbed mass of pine needles. But the man, who in his -youth had been in Indian country, had learned something of tracking; -he could interpret signs unseen to others with less highly developed -instincts. He went down on his knees and examined the ground, inch by -inch, using a microscope. For some ten yards he crawled along on hands -and knees engaged in this way. Then he stood up and said: - -"There's no error about it now. There are six men and a woman. They have -been carrying her, and have let her down here!" We did not challenge his -report, or even ask how he had arrived at it; we were all well content -to accept it. - -We then moved on in the manifest direction in which the ground trended; -we were working towards the high road which ran past the gates of Crom. -I asked the others to let me go first now, for I knew this would be -Marjory's chance to continue her warning. Surely enough, I saw presently -a slight disturbance in the pine needles, and then another and another. -I spelled out the word "Manse" and again "Manse" and later on "try all -Manses near." Then the sign writing ceased; we had come out of the wood -on to a grass field which ran down to the high road. Here, outside a gap -at the bottom of the field, were the marks in the dust of several feet, -the treading of horses, and the ruts of wheels. A little further on, -the wheel marks--some four-wheeled vehicle--were heavy; and from the -backward propulsion of the dust and gravel in the hoof-tracks we could -easily see that the horses were galloping. - -We stopped and held a council of war. It was, of course understood by us -all that some one should follow on the track of the carriage, and try to -reach the quarry this way. For my own part, I felt that to depend on a -wheel mark, in such a country of cross roads, was only the off chance. -In any case, this stern chase must be a long one; whereas time was -vital, every moment being precious. I determined to try to follow out -Marjory's clue. "Try every Manse near." To do this we should get to -some centre where we could obtain a list of all the churches in the -neighbourhood. Ellon was naturally the place, as it was in the centre of -the district. They all acquiesced in my view; so we hurried back to -Crom, leaving two men, the tracker and another, to follow the fugitives. -Hitherto Don Bernardino had hardly said a word. He was alert, and the -eager light of his eye was helpful; but after he had shown us the secret -way, and found that already I knew the outer passage as well as he did, -or better, he had contented himself with watchfulness. Now he suggested: - -"There is also the boat! May it not be well that some one should follow -up that side of the matter? Thus we shall be doubly armed." - -His advice commended itself to the chief of the detectives; though I -could see that he took it suspiciously from the Spaniard. It was with -manifest purpose of caution that he answered: - -"Quite right! But that we shall see to ourselves; when Mr. Adams comes -he will work that racket!" The Spaniard bowed, and the American returned -the courtesy with a stiff back. Even in such a time of stress, racial -matters were not to be altogether forgotten. - -In the hall at Crom, we found, when we came back through the old chapel, -Sam Adams. He had arrived just after we had set out on our search, but -was afraid to follow over-ground lest he should miss us; wisely he did -not attempt the underground way as he had no proper light. His coming -had been a great comfort to Mrs. Jack, who, always glad to see a -countryman of her own, now almost clung to him. He had brought with him -two young men, the very sight of whom made my heart warmer. One of them -he introduced as "Lootenant Jackson of West Point" and the other as -"Lootenant Montgomery of Annapolis." "These boys are all right!" he -added, laying a hand affectionately on the shoulder of each. - -"I am sure they are! Gentlemen, I thank you with all my heart for -coming!" I said as I wrung their hands. They were both fine specimens -of the two war Academies of the United States. Clean-built from top to -toe; bright-eyed, resolute and alert; the very type of highly bred and -trained gentlemen. The young soldier Jackson answered me: - -"I was too delighted to come, when Adams was good enough to get leave -for me." - -"Me too!" echoed the sailor "When I heard that Miss Drake was in -trouble, and I was told I might come, I think I danced. Why, Sir, if you -want them, we've only to pass the word, and we can get you a man of -war's crew--if every man of them has to desert!" - -Whilst we were speaking there was a sound of rapid wheels, and a -carriage from Ellon drew up at the door. Out jumped Cathcart, followed -by a tall, resolute looking young man who moved with the freedom of an -athlete. - -"Am I in time?" was Cathcart's greeting as he rushed towards me. I told -him exactly how we stood. "Thank God!" he said fervently "we may be in -time yet." Then he introduced his friend MacRae of Strathspiel. This was -the host with whom he had been staying; and who had volunteered to come, -on hearing of his summons: - -"You may trust Donald!" was his simple evidence of the worth of his -friend. - -This addition to our forces gave us great hope. We had now a sufficiency -of intelligent, resolute men to follow up several clues at once; and in -a brief council we marked out the various duties of each. Cathcart was -to go to Ellon and get a list of all the manses in the region of -Buchan, and try to find out if any of them had been let to strangers. We -took it for granted that none of the clergy of the place were themselves -concerned in the plot. MacRae was to go with Cathcart and to get all the -saddle horses he could without attracting public attention, and bring -them, or have them brought, to Crom as soon as possible. Secrecy of -movement was insisted on with almost agonised fervour by Adams and the -Secret Service men. "You don't know these wretches," said the chief of -the latter "They are the most remorseless and cruel villains in the -world; and if they are driven to bay will do anything however cruel or -base. They are well plucked too, and don't know what fear means. They -will take any chances, and do anything to get their way and protect -themselves. If we don't go right in this matter, we may regret it to the -last of our days." - -The silence in the room was only broken by the grinding of teeth, and by -Mrs. Jack's suppressed sobs. - -Adams was to go to Aberdeen as a working centre, and was to look after -the nautical side of the adventure; he was to have Montgomery in this -work with him. Before he left Crom, he wrote some cipher telegrams to -the Embassy. He explained to me that one of his suggestions was that -an American war-ship which was cruising in the North Sea should, if -possible, be allowed to lie off the coast of Aberdeen ready for any -emergency. When Montgomery heard it, he asked that if possible a message -should be sent from him to the first officer of the _Keystone_: "Tell -the men privately that they are helping Marjory Drake!--There will -be a thousand pair of eyes on the watch then!" he added by way of -explanation. - -I was to wait with the detectives till we should get word from any of -our sources as to what could be done. - -For there were several possibilities. The trackers might mark down the -locality where the prisoner was hidden. Cathcart might, before this, -come with the list of manses and their occupants. Adams or Montgomery -might get wind of the _Seagull_; for Montgomery had already orders to go -to Petershead and Fraserburgh, where the smacks for the summer fishing -were gathered. - -Don Bernardino remained with me at Crom. - - - - -CHAPTER XLV - -DANGER - - -The time of waiting was inconceivably long and dreary. When Marjory and -I had been waiting for death in the water-cave, we thought that nothing -could be so protracted; but now I knew better. Then, we had been -together, and whatever came, even death itself, would be shared by us. -But now I was alone; and Marjory away, and in danger. In what danger I -knew not, I could only imagine; and at every new thought of fear and -horror I ground my teeth afresh and longed for action. Fortunately there -was something to do. The detectives wanted to know all I could tell -them. At the first, the chief had asked that Mrs. Jack would get all the -servants of the house together so that he might see them. She had so -arranged matters that they would be together in the servants' hall, and -he went down to inspect. He did not stay long; but came back to me at -once with an important look on his face. He closed the door and coming -close to me said: - -"I knew there was something wrong below stairs! That footman has -skipped!" For a few seconds I did not realise what he meant, and asked -him to explain. - -"That footman that went out gallavantin' at nights. He's in it, sure. -Why isn't he in the hall where the others are? Just you ask the old lady -about him. It'll be less suspicious than me doing it." Then it dawned on -me what he meant. - -"There is no footman in the house!" I said. - -"That's so, Mister. That's just what I'm tellin'! Where is he?" - -"There is none; they don't have any male servants in the house. The only -men are in the stables in the village." - -"Then that makes it worse still. There is a man who I've seen myself -steal out of the house after dark, or in the dusk; and sneak back again -out of the wood in the grey of the dawn. Why, I've reported it to Mr. -Adams. Didn't he warn you about it; he said he would." - -"He did that." - -"And didn't you take his tip?" - -"No!" here from the annoyed expression of his face I took warning. -It would never do to chagrin the man and set him against me by any -suspicion of ridicule. So I went on: - -"The fact is, my friend, that this was a disguise. It was Mar--Miss -Drake who used it!" He was veritably surprised; his amazement was -manifest in his words: - -"Miss Drake! And did she put on the John Thomas livery? In the name of -thunder, why?" - -"To escape you!" - -"To escape me! Wall, I'm damned! That elegant young lady to put on -livery; and to escape me!" - -"Yes; you and the others. She knew you were watching her! Of course she -was grateful for it!" I added, for his face fell "but she couldn't bear -it all the same. You know what girls are," I went on apologetically, -"They don't like to be cornered or forced to do anything. She knew you -were all clever fellows at your work and didn't take any chances." I was -trying to conciliate him; but I need not have feared. He was of the -right sort. He broke into a laugh, slapping his thigh loudly with his -open hand as he said heartily: - -"Well, that girl's a daisy! she's a peach; she's "It"! To think of her -walking out under our noses, and us not having an idea that it might -be her, just because we didn't think she'd condescend to put on the -breeches--and the footman's at that. Well, it's a pity we didn't get on -to her curves; for it might have been different! Never mind! We'll take -her out of her trouble before long; and Mr. Whisky Tommy and his push -will have to look out for their skins!" - -This little episode passed some of the time; but the reaction to the -dreary waiting was worse than ever. As I began again an endless chain of -surmises and misgivings, it occurred to me that Don Bernardino might be -made of some use. The blackmailers had evidently watched him; it might -be that they would watch him again. If so, he could be the means of a -trap being laid. I turned the matter over in my mind, but at present -could see no way to realise the idea. It gave me another thought, -however. The Don had been very noble in his attitude to me; and I might -repay some of his goodness. Although he was so quiet and silent, I knew -well that he must be full of his own anxiety regarding the treasure, now -exposed as it might be to other eyes than his own. I could ask him to -go to see after it. With some diffidence I broached the matter to him, -for I did not want in any way to wound him. Since I had determined to -relinquish the treasure if necessary, I was loth to make the doing so -seem like an ungracious act. At first he almost took offence, reminding -me with overt haughtiness that he had already assured me that all the -treasures of Spain or of the Popedom were secondary to a woman's honour. -I liked him all the better for his attitude; and tried to persuade him -that it was his duty to guard this trust, as otherwise it might fall -into bad hands. Then a brilliant idea struck me, one which at once met -the case and made the possibility of a trap. I told him that as the -blackmailers had watched him once they might have done so again, and -have even followed him to my house. As I was speaking, the thought -struck me of how well Providence arranges all for the best. If Don -Bernardino had not taken from the library the typescript of the secret -writing, it might have fallen into the hands of the gang. When I -mentioned the idea to him he said in surprise: - -"But I did not take the papers! I read them on the table; but did not -think of moving them. Why, had I done so, I should have at once made -suspicion; and it was my purpose to keep the secret if I could." An idea -struck me and I ran over to the table to look where the papers usually -were. - -There was not a sign of them about. Somebody had secured them; it could -hardly have been Marjory who lacked any possible motive for doing so. -The Spaniard, eagerly following my face, saw the amazement which I felt; -he cried out: - -"Then they have taken them. The treasure may yet prove a lure through -which we may catch them. If it be that they have followed me to your -house, and if they have any suspicions that came to me on reading that -paper, then they will surely make some attempt." If anything were to be -tried on this line, there was no time to lose. I had to carry out the -matter privately; for on mentioning to Don Bernardino that I should ask -one of the detectives to go with him, he at once drew back. - -"No!" he said, "I have no right to imperil further this trust. The -discovery was yours, and you knew of the hiding place before I did; but -I could not with my consent allow any other person to know the secret. -Moreover, these men are enemies of my country; and it is not well -that they should know, lest they should use their knowledge for their -country's aid. You and I, Senor, are _caballero_. To us there is, -somewhere, a high rule of honour; but to these people there is only -law!" - -"Well," I said, "if you are going, you had better lose no time. These -people have had nearly six hours already; I left the house with Mrs. -Jack a little after ten. But you had better go carefully. The men are -desperate; and if they find you alone, you may have a bad time." - -For answer he pulled a revolver from his pocket. "Since yesterday," he -said, "I go armed, till these unhappy businesses are all over!" - -I then told him of the entrance to the caves, and gave him the key of -the cellar. "Be sure you have light." I cautioned him "Plenty of light -and matches. It will be towards low water when you get there. The rope -which we used as a clue is still in its place; we did not take it away." -I could see that this thought was a new source of anxiety to him; if the -gang were before him it would have served to lead them to the treasure -itself. As he was going, I bade him remember that if there was any sign -of the men about, he was to return at once or send us word, so that we -could come and catch them like rats in a trap. In any case he was to -send us word, so that we might have knowledge of his movements, and -inferentially of those of our enemies. In such a struggle as ours, -knowledge was everything. - -Not long after he had gone, Cathcart and MacRae arrived on horseback. -They said there were three other saddle horses coming after them. -Cathcart had a list of all the churches, and the manses of all the -clergy of all shades of doctrine, in Buchan; and a pretty formidable -list it made. He had also a map of Aberdeen County, and a list of such -houses as had been let for the summer or at any period during it. Such -was of course only an agent's list, and would not contain every letting -privately. - -We set to work at once with the map and the lists; and soon marked the -names which were likely to be of any use to us, those which had at any -time lately been let to strangers. Then Cathcart and Gordon and all the -detectives, except the chief, went off on horseback with a list of -places to visit. They were all to return to report as soon as possible. -The chief kept tab of the places to be visited by each. When the rest -had gone, I asked him if he knew where any of those supposed to be -of the gang lived in the neighbourhood. He said he felt awkward in -answering the question, and he certainly looked it. "The fact is," he -said sheepishly, "since that young lady kicked those names on the dirt, -and so into my thick head, I know pretty well who they are. Had I known -before, I could easily have got those who could identify them; for I -never saw them myself. I take it that 'Feathers' is none other than -Featherstone who was with Whisky Tommy--which was Tom Mason--in the -A. T. Stewart ransom case. If those two are in it, most likely the -one they called the 'Dago' is a half-bred Spaniard that comes from -somewheres over here. That Max that she named, if he's the same man, -is a Dutchman; he's about the worst of the bunch. Then for this -game there's likely to be two Chicago bums from the Levee, way-down -politicians and heelers. It's possible that there are two more; a man -from Frisco that they call Sailor Ben--what they call a cosmopolite for -he doesn't come from nowhere in particular; and a buck nigger from Noo -Orleans. A real bad 'un he is; of all the.... But I hope he isn't in the -gang. If he is, we haven't no time to lose." - -His words made my blood run cold. Was this the crowd, within whose -danger I had consented that Marjory should stand. The worst kind of -scoundrels from all over the earth. Oh! what it was to be powerless, -and to know that she was in their hands. It took me all my strength of -purpose not to weep, out of very despair. I think the detective must -have wished to cheer me a little, for he went on: - -"Of course it's not their game to do her any harm, or let harm come to -her. She's worth too many millions, alive and unharmed, for them to -spoil their market by any foolishness. It's here that I trust Whisky -Tommy to keep the rest straight. I suppose you know, Sir, that criminals -always work in the same way every time. We know that when the Judge -wouldn't pay up for old A. T., Featherstone threatened to burn up the -stiff; but Whisky Tommy knew better than to kill the golden goose like -that. Why he went and stole it from Featherstone and hid it somewhere -about Trenton till the old lady coughed up about twenty-five thousand. -Tommy's head's level; and if that black devil isn't in the squeeze, -he'll keep them up to the collar every time." - -"Who is the negro?" I asked, for I wanted to know the worst. "What has -he done?" - -"What hasn't he done that's vile, is what I'd like to know. They're a -hard crowd in the darkey side of Noo Orleans; and a man doesn't get a -bad name there easily, I tell you. There are dens there that'd make God -Almighty blush, or the Devil either; a darkey that is bred in them and -gets to the top of the push, doesn't stick at no trifles! - -"But you be easy in your mind as yet, Sir; at present there's naught to -fear. But if once they get safe away, they will try to put the screw on. -God knows then what may happen. In the meantime, the only fear is lest, -if they're in a tight place, they may kill her!" - -My heart turned to ice at his words. What horrible possibilities were -there, when death for my darling was the "only" fear. It was in a faint -enough voice I asked him: - -"Would they really kill her?" - -"Of course they would; if it was their best course. But don't you be -downhearted, Sir. There's not much fear of killing--as yet at all -events. These men are out for dough; and for a good heap of it, too. -They're not going to throw away a chance till the game's up. If we get -on to their curves quick, they'll have to think of their own skins. It's -only when all's up that they'll act; when they themselves must croak if -she doesn't!" - -Oh! if I had known! If I had had any suspicion of the dangerous nature -of the game we were playing--that I had consented that Marjory should -play--I'd have cut my tongue out before I'd have agreed. I might -have known that a great nation like the United States would not have -concerned itself as to any danger to an individual, unless there had -been good cause. Oh fool! fool! that I had been! - -If I had been able to do anything, it might not have been so bad. It was -necessary, however, that I should be at the very heart and centre of -action; for I alone knew the different ramifications of things, and -there was always something cropping up of which I had better knowledge -than the others. And so I had to wait in what patience I could pray for. -Patience and coolness of head were what were demanded of me for the -present. Later on, the time might come when there would be action; and -I never doubted that when that time did come it would not find me -wanting--even in the issues of life and death. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVI - -ARDIFFERY MANSE - - -In the dreary time of waiting I talked with the detective chief. -Everything which he told me seemed to torture me; but there was a weird -fascination in his experience as it bore on our own matter. I was face -to face, for the first time in my life, with that callousness which is -the outcome of the hard side of the wicked world. Criminal-hunters, as -well as criminals, achieve it; so I suppose do all whose fortunes bring -them against the sterner sides of life. Now and again it amazed me to -hear this man, unmistakably a good fellow and an upright one, weighing -up crime and criminals in a matter-of-fact way, without malice, without -anger, without vindictiveness. He did seem to exercise in his habitual -thought of his _clientele_ that constructive condemnation which sways -the rest of us in matters of moral judgment. The whole of his work, and -attitude, and purpose, seemed to be only integral parts of a game which -was being played. At that time I thought light of this, and consequently -of him; but looking back, with judgment in better perspective, I am able -to realise the value of just such things. There was certainly more -chance of cooler thought and better judgment under these conditions, -than when the ordinary passions and motives of human life held sway. -This man did not seem to be chagrined, or put out personally in any way, -by the failure of his task, or to have any rancour, from this cause, in -his heart for those to whom the failure was due. On the contrary, he, -like a good sportsman, valued his opponent more on account of the -cleverness which had baffled him. I imagined that at first he would -have been angry when he learned how all the time in which he and his -companions had been watching Crom Castle, and were exulting in the -security which their presence caused, their enemies had been coming and -going as they wished by a safe way, unknown; and had themselves been the -watchers. But there was nothing of the kind; I really believe that, -leaving out of course the possibly terrible consequences of his failure, -he enjoyed the defeat which had come to him. In his own way he put it -cleverly: - -"Those ducks knew their work well. I tell you this, in spite of the -softies we have been, it isn't easy to play any of us for a sucker. Just -fancy! the lot of us on sentry-go day and night round the castle, for, -mind you, we never neglected the job for one half hour; and all the -time, three lots of people--this push, you and the girl, and this Dago -lord of yours--all going and coming like rabbits in a warren. What -puzzles me is how you and Miss Drake managed to escape the observation -of Whisky Tommy's lot, even if you went through us!" - -It had been after five o'clock when the party set out to visit the -manses; at six o'clock the reports began to come in. The first was a -message scribbled on a leaf torn from a note book, and sent in one of -the envelopes taken for the purpose. - -"All right at Auquharney." From this on, messengers kept arriving, -some on foot, some on horseback, some in carts: but each bearing a -similar message, though couched in different terms. They came from -Auchlenchries, Heila, Mulonachie, Ardendraught, Inverquohomery, -Skelmuir, and Auchorachan. At nine o'clock the first of the searchers -returned. This was Donald MacRae; knowing the country he had been able -to get about quicker than any of the others who had to keep to the -main roads. His report was altogether satisfactory; he had been to six -places, and in each of them there was no ground for even suspicion. - -It was nearly three hours before the rest were in, but all with the same -story; in none of the manses let to visitors through an agent, and in -none if occupied by their incumbents, could the fugitives have hidden. -The last to come in were the two trackers, disappointed and weary. They -had lost the track several times; but had found it again on some cross -road. They had finally lost it in a dusty road near Ardiffery and had -only given up when the light had altogether gone. They themselves -thought their loss was final, for they could not take up the track -within a quarter of a mile of either side of the spot where they had -lost it. - -It was now too late to do anything more for this night; so, after a -meal, all the men, except one who remained on watch, went to sleep for a -few hours. We must start again before dawn. For myself I could not rest; -I should have gone mad, I think, if I had to remain the night without -doing something. So I determined to wheel over to Whinnyfold and see how -Don Bernardino had progressed. I was anxious, as I had not heard from -him. - -At Whinnyfold all was still, and there was no sign of light in the -house. I had brought with me the duplicate key which I had given to -Marjory, and which Mrs. Jack found for me on her dressing table; but -when I inserted it, it would not turn. It was a Yale lock; and it was -not likely that it should have got out of order without the use of -some force or clumsiness. I put it down in the first instance to the -inexperience of the Don in such mechanism. Anyhow, there was nothing to -be done as to entry by that way, so I went round to the back to see if -I could make an entry there. It was all safe, however; I had taken care -to fasten every door and window on the previous night. As the front door -was closed to me, it was only by force that I could effect entrance to -my own house. I knocked softly at the door, and then louder; I thought -perhaps, for some reason to be explained, the Don had remained in the -house and might now be asleep. There was no sound, however, and I began -to have grave doubts in my own mind as to whether something serious -might have happened. If so, there was no time to lose. Anything having -gone wrong meant that the blackmailers had been there. If I had to break -open the door I might as well do it myself; for if I should get help -from the village, discussion and gossip would at once begin, if only -from the fact that I could not wait till morning. - -I got a scaffold pole from the yard where some of the builder's material -still remained, and managed by raising it on my shoulder and making a -quick run forward to strike the door with it just over the lock. The -blow was most efficacious; the door flew open so quickly that the handle -broke against the wall of the passage. For a few seconds I paused, -looking carefully round to see if the sound had brought any one to the -spot; but all was still. Then carefully, and with my revolver ready in -my right hand and the lamp of my bicycle in my left, I entered the -house. - -A glance into each of the two sitting-rooms of the ground floor showed -me that there was no one there; so I closed the hall-door again, and -propped it shut with the scaffold pole. Quickly I ran over the house -from top to bottom, looking into every room and space where anyone could -hide. The cellar door was locked. It was odd indeed; there was not a -sign of Don Bernardino anywhere. With a sudden suspicion I turned into -the dining-room and looked on the table, where the several caskets which -we had taken from the cave had lain. - -There was not a sign of them! Some one had carried them off. - -For a while I thought it must have been Don Bernardino. There came back -to me very vividly the conversation which we had had in that very room -only a day before; I seemed to see the red light of his eyes blaze -again, as when he had told me that he would not stop at anything to -gain possession of the treasure. It must have been, that when he found -himself in possession, the desire overcame him to take away the treasure -to where he could himself control it. - -But this belief was only momentary. Hard upon its heels came the -remembrance of his noble attitude when I had come to ask his help for a -woman in distress--I who had refused his own appeal to my chivalry only -a few hours before. No! I would not believe that he could act so now. In -strength of my belief I spoke aloud: "No! I will not believe it!" - -Was it an echo to my words? or was it some mysterious sound from the sea -beneath? Sound there certainly was, a hollow, feeble sound that seemed -to come from anywhere, or nowhere. I could not locate it at all. There -was but one part of the house unsearched, so I got a great piece of wood -and broke open the door of the cellar. There was no one in it, but the -square hole in the centre of it seemed like a mystery itself. I listened -a moment; and the hollow sound came again, this time through the hole. - -There was some one in the cave below, and the sound was a groan. - -I lit a torch and leaning over the hole looked down. The floor below -was covered with water, but it was only a few inches deep and out of -it came the face of the Spaniard, looking strangely white despite its -natural swarthiness. I called to him. He evidently heard me, for he -tried to answer; but I could distinguish nothing, I could only hear a -groan of agony. I rigged up the windlass, and taking with me a spare -piece of rope lowered myself into the cave. I found Don Bernardino just -conscious; he was unable, seemingly, to either understand my questions -or to make articulate reply. I tied the spare rope round him, there -being no time or opportunity to examine him as he lay in the water, and -taking the spare end with me pulled myself up again. Then, putting the -rope to which he was attached on the windlass, I easily drew him up to -the cellar. - -A short time sufficed to give him some brandy, and to undress him and -wrap him in rugs. He shivered at first, but the warmth soon began to -affect him. He got drowsy, and seemed all at once to drop asleep. I lit -a fire and made some tea and got provisions ready. In less than half an -hour he awoke, refreshed and quite coherent. Then he told me all that -had passed. He had opened the door without trouble, and had looked into -the dining-room where he found the caskets still on the table. He did -not think of searching the house. He got a light and went into the -cellar, leaving the door open, and set about examining the winch, so as -to know the mechanism sufficiently well as to be able to raise and lower -himself. Whilst stooping over the hole, he got a violent blow on the -back of the head which deprived him of his senses. When he became -conscious again there were four men in the cellar, all masked. He -himself was tied up with ropes and gagged. The men lowered each other -till only one remained on guard. He heard them calling to each other. -After a long wait they had come back, all of them carrying heavy burdens -which they began to haul up by the windlass. He said that it creaked -loudly with the weight as they worked it. He had the unutterable chagrin -of seeing them pack up in sacks and bags, extemporised from the material -in the house, the bullion of the treasure which his ancestor had -undertaken to guard, and to which he had committed his descendants -until the trust should have been fulfilled. When all was ready for -departure--which was not for many hours, and when two of the men had -returned with a cart of some sort, whose wheels he heard rumbling--they -consulted as to what they should do with him. There was no disguise made -of their intent; all was spoken in his hearing with the most brutal -frankness. One man, whom he described as with grey lips of terrific -thickness, and whose hands were black, was for knifing him at once or -cutting his throat, and announced his own readiness to do the job. He -was overruled, however, by another, presumably the leader of the gang, -who said there was no use taking extra risks. "Let us put him into the -cave," he said. "He may break his neck; but anyhow it does not matter -for the tide is rising fast and if anyone should come they will find -that he met his death by an accident." - -This suggestion was carried out; he was, after the ropes and gag were -removed with the utmost care but with the utmost brutality, lowered into -the cave. He remembered no more till the deadly silence around him was -broken by the sound, seemingly far away, of a heavy blow on wood which -reverberated. - -I examined him all over carefully, but could find no definite harm done -to him. This knowledge in itself cheered him up, and his strength and -nerve began to come back; with his strength came determination. He -could, however, tell me nothing of the men who had attacked him. He said -he would know their voices again, but, what with their masks and his -cramped position, he could not see enough to distinguish anything. - -Whilst he was recovering himself I looked carefully round the room and -house. From the marks at one of the windows at the back I gathered that -this was the means by which they had gained admission. They were expert -housebreakers; and as I gathered from the detective that Whisky Tommy -was a bank burglar--most scientific and difficult of all criminal -trades, except perhaps, banknote forgery--I was not surprised that they -had been able to gain admittance. None of the jewels which Marjory and I -had taken from the cave were left behind. The robbers had evidently made -accurate search; even the rubies, which I had left in the pocket of the -shooting-coat which I had worn in the cave, had disappeared. - -One thing I gathered from their visit; they evidently felt secure as to -themselves. They dared not risk so long delay had not their preparations -been complete; and they must have been satisfied as to the mechanism -of their escape since they could burden themselves with such weight of -treasure. Moreover, their hiding place, wherever it was, could not be -far off. There were engaged in this job four men; besides, there were -probably watchers. Marjory had only recorded in her cipher six engaged -in her abduction, when presumably their full strength would have been -needed in case of unexpected difficulties or obstacles. The Secret -Service chief presumed at least eight. I determined, therefore, that I -would get back to Crom as soon as possible, and, with the aid of this -new light, consult as to what was best to be done. I wanted to take Don -Bernardino with me, or to try to get a trap to take him on; but he said -he would be better remaining where he was. "I can be of no use to any -one till I get over this shock," he said. "The rest here, if I remain -longer, will do me good; and in the morning I may be able to help." I -asked him if he was not afraid to be left alone in his present helpless -condition: His reply showed great common sense: - -"The only people whom I have to fear are the last who will come to this -place!" - -I made him as comfortable as I could, and fixed the catch of the door so -that the lock would snap behind me. Then I got on my bicycle and rode to -Crom as quickly as I could. As it was now nearly early morning the men -were getting ready for their day's work. Cathcart and I discussed the -new development with the detective chief. I did not tell him of the -treasure. It was gone; and all I could do was to spare the Spaniard's -feelings. It was enough that they knew of the attack on Don Bernardino, -and that they had taken from my house whatever was of value in it. As I -went over the practical side of the work before us, I had an idea. It -was evident that these men had some secret hiding place not far away; -why should it not be an empty house? I made the suggestion to my two -companions, who agreed with me that we should at once make search for -such a place. Accordingly we arranged that one man of the force should -go into Ellon, as soon as it was possible to find any one up, and -another into Aberdeen to try to find out from various agents what houses -in the district were at present unoccupied. In the meantime I looked -over the list of Manses and found that there were two which were open -for letting, but had not yet been occupied, Aucheries and Ardiffery. We -determined to visit the latter first, as it was nearer, amid a network -of cross roads on the high road to Fraserburgh. When we were arranging -plans of movement, the two trackers who wanted to resume their work said -that we might put them down on our way, as the spot they aimed for lay -in the same direction. We left two men behind; the rest of us kept -together. - -As we drove along in the brake, the trackers showed us how they had -followed the carriage. It brought an agonising hope to me to think that -we were actually travelling on the same road as Marjory had gone. I had -a secret conviction that we were going right. Something within me told -me so. I had in former days--days that now seemed so long ago--when I -realised that I had the Second Sight, come to have such confidence in my -own intuition that now something of the same feeling came back to me as -a reality. Oh! how I longed that the mysterious gift might now be used -on behalf of her I loved. What would I not have given for one such -glimpse of her in her present situation, as I had before seen of -Lauchlane Macleod, or of the spirits of the Dead from the Skares. But it -is of the essence of such supernatural power that it will not work to -command, to present need, to the voice of suffering or of prayer; but -only in such mysterious way and time as none can predicate. Whilst I -thought thus, and hoped thus, and prayed with all the intensity of my -poor breaking heart, I seemed to feel in me something of the mood in -which the previous visions had come. I became lost to all surroundings; -and it was with surprise that I became conscious that the carriage had -stopped and that the trackers were getting off. We arranged with them -that after our visit to the Manse at Ardiffery we should return for -them, or to see how they had got on with their task. They were not -hopeful of following a two-day-old trail of a carriage on these dusty -roads. - -The cross road to Ardiffery branched off to our left, and then to the -left again; so that when we came near the place, we were still within -easy distance, as the crow flies, from where we had left our men. - -The Manse at Ardiffery is a lonely spot, close to the church, but quite -away from the little clachan. The church stands in its own graveyard, in -a hollow surrounded with a wall of considerable dimensions. The garden -and policies of the house seem as though carved out of the woodland -growth. There is a narrow iron gate, sheer in the roadway, and a -straight path up to the front of the house; one arm branches to the -right in a curved lane-way through fir trees leading to the stable and -farm offices at the back of the house. At the gateway was a board with -a printed notice that the house, with grounds, gardens and policies, -was to be let until Christmas. The key could be had from, and details -supplied by, Mrs. MacFie, merchant at the Ardiffery cross roads. The -whole place had a deserted air; weeds were growing everywhere, and, -even from the roadway, one could see that the windows were fouled from -disuse. - -As we drew near, the odd feeling of satisfaction--I can hardly describe -it more fully--seemed to grow in me. I was not exultant, I was scarcely -hopeful; but somehow the veil seemed to be lifting from my soul. We left -the brake on the road, and went up the little avenue to the front of the -house. For form's sake we knocked, though we knew well that if those we -sought should be within there would be little chance of their responding -to our call. We left one man at the door, in case by any chance any one -should come; the rest of us took the other way round to the back of the -house. We had got about half way along it, where there was an opening -into the fields, when the detective chief who was in front of us held up -his hand to stop. I saw at a glance what had struck him. - -Whilst the rest of the rough roadway was unkempt and weed-grown, the -gravel from this on, to the back of the house, had been lately raked. - -"Why?" - -The only answer to the unspoken query of each of us was that Marjory had -made some marks, intentionally or unintentionally--or some one had; and -the gang had tried to efface them. - -Fools! their very effort to obliterate their trace was a help to us. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVII - -THE DUMB CAN SPEAK - - -The Secret Service men spread round the house, moving off silently right -and left, in accordance with the nods of their chief in answer to their -looks of query. As they moved, keeping instinctively in shelter from any -possible view from the house so far as the ground afforded opportunity, -I could see that each felt that his gun was in its place. They all knew -the gang they had to deal with, and they were not going to take any -chances. MacRae said to me: - -"I'll go and get the key! I know this country better than any of you; -I can run over to the cross roads in a few minutes and it will be less -marked than driving there." As he went out at the gate he told the -driver to pull down the road, till the curve shut him out of sight. -Whilst he was gone, the men surrounded the house, keeping guard at such -points that nothing coming from it could escape our notice. The chief -tried the back door but it was shut; from its rigidity it was manifestly -bolted top and bottom. - -In less than a quarter of an hour MacRae returned and told us that Mrs. -MacFie was coming with the key as quickly as she could. He offered to -take it, telling her who he was; but she said she would come herself and -make her service, as it would not be respectful to him and the other -gentlemen to let them go alone. In a few minutes she was with us; the -chief detective, Cathcart, and I stayed with MacRae, the rest of the -men remaining on watch and hidden. There was a little difficulty with -the lock, but we shortly got in, Mrs. MacFie leading the way. Whilst she -was opening the shutters of the back room, which was evidently the -Minister's study, Cathcart and the chief left the room, and made a -hurried, though thorough, search of the house. They came back before the -old lady was well through her task, and shook their heads. - -When the light was let in, the room presented a scene of considerable -disorder. It was evident that it had been lately inhabited, for there -were scattered about, a good many things which did not belong to it. -These included a washing jug, and a bowl full of dirty water; a rug and -pillows on the sofa; and a soiled cup and plate on the table. On the -mantlepiece was a guttered out candle. When the old woman saw the state -of the room, she lifted her hands in horrified amazement as she spoke: - -"Keep's 'a! The tramps must ha' been here. In the Meenester's own study, -too! An' turnin' the whole place topsal-teerie. Even his bukes all -jumm'lt up thegither. Ma certes! but won't he be upset by yon!" - -Whilst she had been speaking, my eyes had been taking in everything. All -along one side of the room was a bookcase, rough shelves graduated up in -height to suit the various sizes of books. There were in the room more -than enough books to fill them; but still some of the shelves towards -the right hand end were vacant and a great quantity of books lay on the -floor. These were not tumbled about as if thrown down recklessly, but -were laid upon the floor in even rows. It looked as if they had been -taken down in masses and laid out in the same order as though ready to -put back. But the books on the shelves! It was no wonder that the old -woman, who did not understand the full meaning, was shocked; for never -was seen such seeming disorder in any library. Seldom did a volume of a -series seem to be alongside its fellow; even when several were grouped -together, the rest of the selection would be missing, or seen in another -part of the shelf. Some of the volumes were upside down; others had -the fronts turned out instead of the back. Altogether there was such -disorder as I had never seen. And yet!... - -And yet the whole was planned by a clever and resolute woman, fighting -for her life--her honour. Marjory, evidently deprived of any means of -writing--there was neither pen nor ink nor pencil in the room--and -probably forbidden under hideous threats to leave any message, had yet -under the very eyes of her captors left a veritable writing on the wall, -full and open for all to read, did they but know how. The arrangement of -the books was but another variant of our biliteral cipher. Books as they -should be, represented A; all others B. I signed to the man with the -notebook, who took down the words wrought in the cipher as I read them -off. Oh, how my heart beat with fear and love and pride as I realised in -the message of my dear girl the inner purpose of her words: - -"To-morrow off north east of Banff _Seagull_ to meet whaler -_Wilhelmina_. To be Shanghaied--whatever that means. Frightful threats -to give me to the negro if any trouble, or letters to friends. Don't -fear, dear, shall die first. Have sure means. God with us. Remember -the cave. Just heard Gardent--" Here the message ended. The shelf was -empty; and the heap of books, from which she had selected so many -items, remained as they had been placed ready to her hand. She had been -coerced; or else she feared interruption in her task, and did not want -to cause suspicion. - -Coerced! I felt as though choking! - -There was nothing further to be gained here; so we told the old lady -that we should write regarding the rental if we decided to take the -house. When we went back to our wagonette, we picked up our two -trackers--there was no use for them now--and went back to Crom as fast -as the horses could gallop. It was necessary that we should arrange from -headquarters our future plans; such maps and papers as we had were at -Crom, where also any telegrams might await us. In the carriage I asked -the detective chief what was meant by 'Shanghaied' for it was evidently -a criminal class word. - -"Don't you know the word," he said surprised. "Why I thought every one -knew that. It isn't altogether a criminal class word, for it belongs -partly to a class that call themselves traders. The whalers and others -do it when they find it hard to get men; as a rule men nowadays don't -like shipping on long whaling voyages. They get such men delivered on -board by the crimps, drunk or, more generally, hocussed. Then when they -get near a port they make them drunk again, which isn't much of a job -after all, and they don't make no kick; or if things are serious they -hocus them a bit again. So they keep them one way or another out of -sight for months or perhaps years. Sometimes, when those that are not -too particular want to get rid of an inconvenient relative--or mayhap -a witness, or a creditor, or an inconvenient husband--they just square -some crimp. When he gets his hooks on the proper party, there ain't no -more jamboree for him, except between the bulwarks, till the time is up, -or the money spent, or whatever he is put away for is fixed as they want -it." - -This was a new and enlightening horror to me. It opened up fresh -possibilities of distress for both Marjory and myself. As I thought of -this, I could not but be grateful to Montgomery for his message to the -man-of-war's men. If once they succeeded in getting Marjory on board -the _Seagull_ we should, in the blindness of our ignorance as to her -whereabouts, be powerless to help her. The last word of her message -through the books might be a clue. It was some place, and was east of -Banff. I got the big map out at once and began to search. Surely enough, -there it was. Some seven or eight miles east of Banff was a little port -in a land-locked bay called Gardentown. At once I sent off a wire to -Adams at Aberdeen, and another to Montgomery to Peterhead on chance that -it might reach him even before that which Adams, whom he kept posted as -to his every movement, would be sure to send to him! It was above all -things necessary that we should locate first the _Seagull_ and then the -_Wilhelmina_. If we could get hold of either vessel we might frustrate -the plans of the miscreants. I asked Adams to have the touching of the -_Wilhelmina_ at any port telegraphed to him at once from Lloyds. - -He was quite awake at his end of the wire; I got back an answer in an -incredibly short time: - -"_Wilhelmina_ left Lerwick for Arctic seas yesterday." - -Very shortly afterwards another telegram came from him: - -"Montgomery reports _Seagull_ fishing this summer at Fraserburgh. Went -out with fleet two days ago." Almost immediately after this came a third -telegram from him: - -"_Keystone_ notified. Am coming to join you." - -After a consultation we agreed that it was better that some of us -should wait at Crom for the arrival of Adams, who had manifestly some -additional knowledge. In the meantime we despatched two of the Secret -Service men up to the north of Buchan. One was to go to Fraserburgh, and -the other to Banff. Both were to follow the cliffs or the shore to -Gardentown. On their way they would get a personal survey of the coast -and might pick up some information. MacRae went off himself to send a -telegram ordering his yacht, which was at Inverness, to be taken to -Peterhead, where he would join her. "It may be handy to have her at the -mouth of the Firth," he said. "She's a clipper, and if we should want to -overhaul the _Seagull_ or the _Wilhelmina_, she can easily do it." - -It was a long, long wait till Adams arrived. I did not think that a man -could endure such misery as I suffered, and live. Every minute, every -second, was filled with some vague terror. _Omne ignotum pro mirifico._ -When Fear and Fancy join hands, there is surely woe and pain to some -poor human soul. - -When Adams at last arrived he had much to tell; but it was the -amplification of what we had heard, rather than fresh news. The U. S. -cruiser _Keystone_ had been reached from Hamburgh, and was now on her -way to a point outside the three-mile limit off Peterhead; and a private -watch had been set on every port and harbour between Wick and Aberdeen. -The American Embassy was doing its work quietly as befits such an arm -of the State; but its eyes and ears were open, and I had no doubts its -pockets, too. Its hand was open now; but it would close, did there be -need. - -When Adams learned our purpose he became elated. He came over to me and -laid his hand tenderly on my shoulder as he said: - -"I know how it is with you, old fellow; a man don't want more than two -eyes for that. But there's a many men would give all they have to stand -in your shoes, for all you suffer. Cheer up! At the worst now it's her -death! For myself I feared at first there might be worse; but it's plain -to me that Miss Drake is up to everything and ready for everything. My! -but she's a noble girl! If anything goes wrong with her there's going to -be some scrapping round before the thing's evened up!" He then went on -to tell me that Montgomery would be joined at Peterhead by two other -naval fellows who were qualified in all ways to do whatever might be -required. "Those boys won't stop at much, I can tell you," he said. -"They're full of sand, the lot; and I guess that when this thing is -over, it won't harm them at Washington to know that they've done men's -work of one kind or another." - -It was comfort to me to hear him talk. Sam Adams knew what he meant, -when he wanted to help a friend; thinking it all over I don't see what -better he could have said to me--things being as they were. He went back -to Aberdeen to look out for news or instructions, but was to join us -later at Banff. - -We left two men at Crom; one to be always on the spot, and the other to -be free to move about and send telegrams, etc. Then the rest of us drove -over to Fyvie and caught the train to Macduff. - -When we arrived we sent one man in the hotel in Banff in case we should -want to communicate, and the rest of us drove over in a carriage to -Gardentown. It is a lovely coast, this between Banff and Gardentown, but -we should have preferred it to be less picturesque and more easy to -watch. - -When our man met us, which he did with exceeding caution, he at once -began: - -"They've got off, some of them; but I think the rest of the gang's -ashore still. That's why I'm so particular; they may be watchin' us now -for all I can tell." Then he proceeded to give us all the information he -had gleaned. - -"The _Seagull_ was here until yesterday when she went out into the -Firth to run down to Fifeshire, as the fish were reported going south. -She had more than her complement of men, and her skipper volunteered the -information that two of them were friends whom they were taking to join -their own boat which was waiting for them at Burnt Island. From all -accounts I gather," he went on, "that they wasn't anything extra -high-toned. Most of them were drunk or getting a jag on them; and it -took the two sober ones and the Skipper to keep them in order. The -Skipper was mighty angry; he seemed somehow ashamed of them, and hurried -out of port as quick as he could when he made his mind up. They say he -swore at them frightful; though that was not to be wondered at when -he himself had to help bring the nets on board. One of the men on the -quay told me that he said if that was the effect on his men of waiting -round for weeks doing nothing, he would see that another time their -double-dashed noses were kept to the grindstone. I've been thinking -since I heard of the trouble they had in carrying on the nets, that -there was something under them that they meant to hide. The men here -tell me that the hand-barrow they carried would have been a job for six -men, not three, for it was piled shoulder high with nets. That's why -the skipper was so wrathy with them. They say he's a sort of giant, -a Dutchman with an evil, cunning face; and that all the time he was -carrying the back handles he never stopped swearing at the two in front, -though they was nigh speechless with the effort of carrying, and their -faces as red as blazes. If I'm right we've missed them this time. -They've got the girl on the fishing boat; and they're off for the -whaler. She's the one we'll have to find next!" - -As he spoke my heart kept sinking deeper and deeper down. My poor -girl, if alive, was in the hands of her enemies. In all the thoughts -which filled me with anguish unspeakable there was but one gleam of -consolation--the negro was not on board, too. I had come to think of -this miscreant as in some way the active principle of whatever evil -might be. - -Here, we were again at a fault in our pursuit. We must wait for the -reports of Montgomery who was making local inquiries. We had wired him -to join us, or send us word to Gardentown; and he had replied that he -was on the way. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVIII - -DUNBUY HAVEN - - -We had to-day been so hot in the immediate pursuit of Marjory that we -had hardly been able to think of the other branches of our work; but all -at once, the turn of the wheel brought up as the most important matter -before us what had been up to now only a collateral. Hitherto the -_Seagull_ had been our objective; but now it must be the _Wilhelmina_. -Adams had been in charge of the general investigation as to these boats, -whilst Montgomery had been attending to local matters. It was to the -former, therefore, rather than the latter, that we had to look for -enlightenment. Montgomery and MacRae were the first to arrive, coming on -horseback from Fraserburgh, the former with all the elan and abandonment -of a sailor ashore. He was frightfully chagrined when he heard that the -_Seagull_ had got safely away. "Just like my luck!" he said, "I might -have got her in time if I had known enough; but I never even heard of -Gardentown till your wire came to me. It isn't on the map." He was still -full of lamentings, though I could tell from the way he was all nerved -and braced up that we should hear of him when the time for action came. -When we arrived at the station at Macduff to meet Adams, we hurried him -at once into the carriage which we had waiting; he gave us his news as -we hurried off to Gardentown. We felt that it might be a mistake our -going there, for we should be out of the way of everything; but we had -made arrangements for news to be sent there, and it was necessary we -should go there before holding our council of war. Adams told us that -the whaler _Wilhelmina_ had been reported at Lerwick two days ago, but -that she had suddenly left on receipt of a telegram, hurrying in the -last of her stores at such a rate that some of them had been actually -left behind. He had not been able to gain any specific information by -wire. The Master of the ship had said to the Harbour Master that he was -going to Nova Zembla; but nothing more definite could be obtained. - -When we got together in the hotel at Gardentown we were surprised by -another arrival; none other than Don Bernardino, who had come by the -same train as Adams, but had had to wait to get a carriage. We had got -away so quickly that none of us had seen him. - -Things were now at such a stage that it would not do to have any -concealment whatever; and so after a moment in private with the Don, I -told my companions of the attack on the Spaniard in my house, and of the -carrying off the great treasure. I did not give any details of the -treasure or its purpose; nor did I even mention the trust. This was now -the Don's secret, and there was no need to mention it. We all agreed -that if we should have any chance at all of finding Marjory, it would be -by finding and following the members of the gang left on shore. Sam -Adams who was, next to the Secret Service men, the coolest-headed of our -party, summed up the situation. - -"Those fellows haven't got off yet. It is evident that they only came to -look for the treasure after Miss Drake had been shipped off from -Gardentown. And I'm pretty sure that they are waiting somewhere round -the coast for the _Wilhelmina_ to pick them up; or for them to get -aboard her somehow. They've got a cartload of stuff at the very least to -get away; and you may bet your sweet life that they don't mean to leave -it to chance. Moreover, you can't lay your hand at any minute on a -whaler ready for shanghaieing any one. This one has been fixed up on -purpose, and was waiting up at Lerwick for a long time ready to go when -told. I think myself that it's more than likely she has orders to take -them off herself, for a fishing smack like the _Seagull_ that has to be -in and out of these ports all the time, doesn't want to multiply the -chances of her discovery. Now that she has done a criminal thing and is -pretty sure that it can't be proved against her, she'll take her share -of the swag, or whatever was promised her, and clear out. If the -_Wilhelmina_ has to get off the gang it'll have to be somewhere off this -coast. They are nearly all strangers to start with, and wouldn't know -where else to go. If they go south they get at once into more thickly -peopled shores, where the chances of getting off in secret would be -less. They daren't go anywhere along the shore of the Firth, for their -ship might be cut off at the mouth, and they might be taken within the -three-mile limit and searched. Beyond the Firth they can know nothing. -Therefore, we have got to hunt them along this shore; and from the lie -of the land I should say that they will try to get off somewhere between -Old Slains and Peterhead. And I'll say further that, in-as-much-as the -shore dips in between Whinnyfold and Girdleness outside Aberdeen, the -ship will prefer to keep up the north side, so that she can beat out to -sea at once, when she has got her cargo aboard." - -"Sam is about right!" broke in Montgomery "I have been all along the -coast since we met, surveying the ground for just this purpose. I tried -to put myself in the place of that crowd, and to find a place just such -as they would wish. They could get out at Peterhead or at Boddam, and so -I have set a watch at these places. Some of our sailors who were sent -up to me from London are there now, and I'll stake my word that if the -_Wilhelmina_ tries to come in to either of these places she won't get -out again with Marjory Drake on board. But it's not their game to come -near a port. They've got to lie off shore, somewhere agreed on, and take -off their friends in a boat. There are dozens of places between Cruden -and Peterhead where a boat could lie hidden, and slip out safely enough. -When they got aboard they could hoist in the boat or scuttle her; and -then, up sails and off before any one was the wiser. What I propose, -therefore, is this, for I take it I'm the naval expert here such as it -is. We must set a watch along this bit of coast, so as to be ready to -jump on them when they start out. We can get the _Keystone_ to lie off -Buchan; and we can signal her when we get sign of our lot. She'll be -well on the outside, and these scallywags don't know that she'll be -there to watch them. When the time comes, she'll crowd them into shore; -and we'll be ready for them there. If she can hunt the _Wilhelmina_ into -the Firth it will be easy enough to get her. "Fighting Dick" Morgan -isn't a man to stand on ceremony; and you can bet your bottom dollar -that if he gets a sight of the Dutchman he'll pretty well see that she -hasn't any citizen of the United States aboard against her will. Dick -wouldn't mind the people in Washington much, and he'd take on the Dutch -to-morrow as well as the Spaniards. Now, if in addition this gentleman's -yacht is to the fore, with any one of us here aboard to take -responsibility, I guess we can overhaul the whaler without losing time." - -"I'll be aboard!" said Donald MacRae quietly. "The _Sporran_ is due at -Peterhead this afternoon. Just you fit me up with signals so that we'll -know what to do when we get word; and I'll see to the rest. My men are -of my own clan, and I'll answer for them. They'll not hang back in -anything, when I'm in the front of them." - -I wrung the hands of the two young fellows. East and West, it was all -the same! The old fighting gallantry was in their hearts; and with the -instinct of born Captains they were ready to accept all responsibility. -All they asked was that their men should follow them. - -They immediately sat down to arrange their signals. Montgomery was of -course trained in this work, and easily fixed up a simple scheme by -which certain orders could be given by either flags, or lights, or -rockets. There was not need for much complication; it was understood -that when the _Wilhelmina_ should be sighted she should be boarded at -once, wherever or however she might be. We were, one and all of us, -prepared to set at defiance every law--international, maritime, national -or local. Under the circumstances we felt that, given we could once get -on track with our enemy, we held a great power in our hands. - -Before long, MacRae was off to Peterhead to join his yacht, which would -at once start on a sort of sentry-go up and down the coast. The rest of -us set about arranging to spread ourselves along the shore between -Cruden and Peterhead. We did not arrange watches, for time was now -precious to all, on both sides of the encounter. If an attempt was to -be made to take off the treasure, it would in all probability be made -before morning; every hour that passed multiplied the difficulties and -dangers of the blackmailers. The weather was becoming misty, which was -a source of inconvenience to us all. Thick patches of white fog began -to drift in from the north east, and there was ominous promise in the -rising wind of there being danger on sea and shore before many hours had -passed. We each took provision with us for the night, and a sufficiency -of rockets and white and red lights for our signalling work, in case -there might be need of such. - -In disposing of our forces, we had not of course a sufficiency of men to -form a regular cordon; but we so arranged ourselves that there was no -point at which a boat could land which was not in view of some of us. I -was terribly anxious, for as the evening came on, the patches of white -mist came driving in more quickly, and getting thicker and more dense. -Between them the sea was clear, and there was no difficulty in keeping -accurate observation; but as each fog belt came down on the rising wind -our hearts fell. It would come on like a white cloud, which would seem -to strike the land and then close in on every side, as though wrapping -the shore in a winding sheet. My own section for watching was between -Slains Castle and Dunbuy, as wild and rocky a bit of coast as any one -could wish to see. Behind Slains runs in a long narrow inlet with -beetling cliffs, sheer on either side, and at its entrance a wild -turmoil of rocks are hurled together in titanic confusion. From this -point northward, the cliffs are sheer, to where the inlet of Dunbuy has -its entrance guarded by the great rock, with its myriad of screaming -wildfowl and the white crags marking their habitation. Midway between -those parts of my sentry-go is a spot which I could not but think would -be eminently suited for their purpose, and on this for some time I -centred my attention. It is a place where in old days the smugglers -managed to get in many a cargo safe, almost within earshot of the -coastguards. The _modus operandi_ was simple. On a dark night when -it was known that the coastguards were, intentionally or by chance, -elsewhere, a train of carts would gather quickly along the soft grass -tracks, or through the headlands of the fields. A crane was easily -improvised of two crossed poles, with a longer one to rest on them; one -end held inland, could be pushed forward or drawn back, so as to make -the other end hang over the water or fall back over the inner edge of -the cliff. A pulley at the end of this pole, and a long rope with its -shore end attached to the harness of a strong horse completed the -equipment. Then, when the smugglers had come under the cliff, the rope -was lowered and the load attached; the waiting horse was galloped -inland, and in a few seconds the cluster of barrels or cases was swung -up on the cliff and distributed amongst the waiting carts. - -It would be an easy matter to invert the process. If all were ready--and -I knew that the gang were too expert to have any failing in that -respect--a few minutes would suffice to place the whole of the treasure -in a waiting boat. The men, all save one, could be lowered the same way, -and the last man could be let down by the rope held from below. I knew -that the blackmailers had possession of at least one cart; in any case, -to men so desperate and reckless to get temporary possession of a few -carts in a farming country like this would be no difficult task. So I -determined to watch this spot with extra care. It was pretty bare at -top; but there was a low wall of stone and clay, one of those rough -fences which are so often seen round cliff fields. I squatted down -behind a corner of this wall, from which I could see almost the whole -stretch of my division. No boat could get into Dunbuy or Lang Haven, or -close to the Castle rocks without my seeing it; the cliff from there up -to where I was was sheer, and I could see well into the southern passage -of the Haven inside Dunbuy Rock. Sometimes when the blanket of fog -spread over the sea, I could hear the trumpeting of some steamer far -out; and when the fog would lift, I would see her funnels spouting black -smoke in her efforts to clear so dangerous a coast. Sometimes a fishing -boat on its way up or down would run in shore, close hauled; or a big -sailing vessel would move onward with that imperceptible slowness which -marks the progress of a ship far out at sea. When any fishing boat came -along, my heart beat as I scanned her with the field glass which I had -brought with me. I was always hoping that the _Seagull_ would appear, -though why I know not, for there was now little chance indeed that -Marjory would be on board her. - -After a spell of waiting, which seemed endless and unendurable, in one -of the spells of mist I thought I saw on the cliff a woman, taking -shelter of every obstacle, as does one who is watching another. At that -moment the mist was thick; but when it began to thin, and to stream away -before the wind in trails like smoke, I saw that it was Gormala. Somehow -the sight of her made my heart beat wildly. She had been a factor of so -many strange incidents in my life of late years--incidents which seemed -to have some connection or fatal sequence--that her presence seemed to -foretell something fresh, and to have some kind of special significance. -I crouched still lower behind the corner of the wall, and watched with -enhanced eagerness. A very short study of her movements showed me that -she was not watching any specific individual. She was searching for some -one, or some thing; and was in terror of being seen, rather than of -missing the object of her search. She would peer carefully over the edge -of the cliff, lying down on her face to do so, and putting her head -forward with the most elaborate care. Then, when she had satisfied -herself that what she sought was not within sight, she would pass on -a little further and begin her survey over again. Her attitude during -the prevalence of a mist was so instructive, that I found myself -unconsciously imitating her. She would remain as still as if turned to -stone, with one ear to windward, listening with sharp, preternatural -intentness. I wondered at first that I could not hear the things that -she manifestly did, for the expression of her face was full of changes. -When, however, I remembered that she was born and reared amongst the -islands, and with fisher folk and sea folk of all kinds whose weather -instincts are keener than is given to the inland born, her power was no -longer a mystery. How I longed at that moment to have something of her -skill! And then came the thought that she had long ago offered to place -that very power at my disposal; and that I might still gain her help. -Every instant, as past things crowded back to my memory, did that help -seem more desirable. Was it not her whom I had seen watching Don -Bernardino when he left my house; mayhap she had guided him to it. Or -might it not have been Gormala who had brought the blackmailers to my -door. If she had no knowledge of them, what was she doing here now? Why -had she sought this place of all places; why at this time of all times? -What or whom was she seeking amongst the cliffs? - -I determined not to lose sight of her at present, no matter what might -happen; later, when I had come at her purpose, either by guessing or -by observation, I could try to gain her services. Though she had been -enraged with me, I was still to her a Seer; and she believed--must -believe from what had passed--that I could read for her the Mystery of -the Sea. - -As she worked along the cliff above Dunbuy Haven, where the rock -overhung the water, she seemed to increase both her interest and her -caution. I followed round the rude wall which ran parallel to the cliff, -so that I might be as near to her as possible. - -Dunbuy Haven is a deep cleft in the granite rock in the shape of a Y, -the arms of which run seawards and are formed by the mother cliff on -either hand and the lofty crags of the island of Dunbuy. In both these -arms there is deep water; but when there is a sea on, or when the wind -blows strong, they are supremely dangerous. Even the scour of the tide -running up or down makes a current difficult to stem. In fair weather, -however, it is fairly good for boating; though the swell outside may be -trying to those who are poor sailors. I had often tossed on that swell -when I had been out with the salmon fishers, when they had been drawing -their deep floating nets. - -Presently I saw Gormala bend, and then disappear out of sight. She had -passed over the edge of the cliff. I went cautiously after her, and -throwing myself on my face so that she could not see me, peered over. - -There was a sort of sheep track along the face of the cliff, leading -downward in a zigzag. It was so steep, and showed so little foothold, -that even in the state of super-excitement in which I then was, it made -me dizzy to look at it. But the old woman, trained on the crags of the -western islands, passed along it as though it were the broad walk of a -terraced garden. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIX - -GORMALA'S LAST HELP - - -After Gormala had disappeared down the zigzag under the rock, where I -could no longer see her movements, I waited for her return. At the end -of the Haven, where the little beach runs up to the edge of the cliff, -there is a steep path. Even this is so steep that it is impracticable to -ordinary persons; only fisher folk, dalesmen and hunters can use such -ways. For myself I dare not leave my post; from the end of the Haven I -could not see any part at all of the coast I had come to watch, except -the narrow spot between great cliffs where the channels ran right and -left of the Rock of Dunbuy. So I crept back to my hiding place behind -the angle of the wall, from which I could watch the entrance to the -track down which she had passed. - -Time wore away slowly, slowly; and the mist kept coming in more frequent -belts, heavier and more dank. After the sunset the fog seemed to come -more heavily still, so that the promise of the night was darkness -invincible. In Aberdeen, however, the twilight is long, and under -ordinary conditions it is easy to see for hours after sunset. All at -once, after the passing of a belt of mist, I was startled by a voice -behind me: - -"And for what is it ye watch, the nicht? Is it the Mystery o' the Sea -that holds ye to the dyke; or maybe it is the treasure that ye seek!" -Gormala had evidently come up the path at the end of the Haven. For a -while I did not say a word, but thought the matter over. Now, if ever, -was there need to use my wits, and I could best deal with Gormala if I -should know something of her own wishes beforehand; so I tried to master -her purpose and her difficulties. Firstly, she must have been in search -of some hiding place herself, or she would not have come behind the -wall; I was quite sure that she had not known of my presence before she -went down the sheep track. If she wanted cover, what then was it she was -watching? She had been down to the beach of the Haven, and so must have -known whether or no it was bare of interest. As she was choosing a -corner whence she could watch the track, it was at least likely that she -expected some one to go up or down by it. If she were looking for some -one to go down, she would surely rather watch its approaches than the -place itself. It was, therefore, for some one to come up for whom she -wished to watch. As, instead of hurrying away or hiding herself from me -when she had seen me without my seeing her, she had deliberately engaged -with me in conversation, it was evident that she did not expect whomever -she watched for to come up at once. In fine I concluded, she intended to -watch for some one who _might_ come; with this knowledge I drew a bow at -a venture: - -"So your friend isn't coming up yet? Why didn't you fix matters when -you were down below?" For an instant she was betrayed into showing -astonishment; the surprise was in both her expression and in the tones -of her voice as she replied: - -"How kent ye that I was doon the Haven?" Then she saw her mistake and -went on with a scowl: - -"Verra clever ye are wi' yer guesses; and a daft aud wife am I to no ken -ye better? Why did----" - -"Did you find him down below?" even whilst I was speaking the -conviction came to me--I scarcely know how, but it was there as though -deep-rooted in my brain all my life--that our enemies were down below, -or that they had some hiding place there. Gormala must have seen the -change in my face, for she exclaimed with jubilation: - -"It would hae been better for ye that ye had taken my sairvice. The een -that watched others micht hae been watchin' to yer will. But it's a' -ower the noo. What secret there was is yours nae mair; an' it may be -waur for ye that ye flouted me in the days gone." As she spoke, the -bitterness of her manner was beyond belief; the past rushed back on me -so fiercely that I groaned. Then came again, but with oh! what pain, the -thought of my dear one in the hands of her enemies. - -Let no man question the working of the Almighty's hand. In that moment -of the ecstasy of pain, something had spoken to the heart of the old -woman beside me; for when I came back to myself they were different -eyes which looked into mine. They were soft and full of pity. All the -motherhood which ever had been, or might have been, in that lonely soul -was full awake. It was with a tender voice that she questioned me: - -"Ye are muckle sad laddie. Do I no ken a look like that when I speer it, -and know that the Fates are to their wark. What maks ye greet laddie; -what maks ye greet?" for by this time the revulsion of tenderness had -been too much for me and I was openly weeping. "Is it that the lassie -is gone frae ye? Weel I ken that nane but a lassie can mak a strong man -greet." I felt that the woman's heart was open to me; and spoke with all -the passion of my soul: - -"Oh, Gormala help me! Perhaps you can, and it may not be too late. She -is stolen away and is in the hands of her enemies; wicked and desperate -men who have her prisoner on a ship somewhere out at sea. Her life, her -honour are at stake. Help me if you can; and I will bless you till the -last hour of my life!" The old woman's face actually blazed as I spoke. -She seemed to tower up in the full of her gaunt height to the stature of -her woman's pride, as with blazing eyes she answered me: - -"What! a woman, a lassie, in the hands o' wicked men! Aye an' sic a -bonnie, gran' lassie as yon, though she did flout me in the pride of her -youth and strength. Laddie, I'm wi' ye in all ye can dae! Wi' a' the -strength o' my hairt an' the breath o' my body; for life or for death! -Ne'er mind the past; bad or good for me it is ower; and frae this oot -I'm to your wark. Tell me what I can dae, an' the grass'll no grow under -my feet. A bonnie bit lassie in the power o' wicked men! I may hae been -ower eager to win yer secret; but I'm no that bad to let aught sic come -between me and the duty to what is pure and good!" She seemed grand and -noble in her self-surrender; such a figure as the poets of the old sagas -may have seen in their dreams, when the type of noble old womanhood was -in their hearts; in the times when the northern nations were dawning. I -was quite overcome; I could not speak. I took her hand and kissed it. -This seemed to touch her to the quick; with a queer little cry she -gasped out: - -"Oh, laddie, laddie!" and said no more. Then I told her of how Marjory -had been carried off by the blackmail gang; I felt that she was entitled -to this confidence. When I had spoken, she beat with her shut hand on -the top of the wall and said in a smothered way: - -"Och! if I had but kent; if I had but kent! To think that I might -hae been watchin' them instead o' speerin' round yon hoose o' yours, -watchin' to wring yer secret frae ye, an' aidin' yer enemies in their -wark. First the outland man wi' the dark hair; an' then them along wi' -the black man wi' the evil face that sought ye the nicht gone. Wae is -me! Wae is me! that I ha' done harm to a' in the frenzy o' my lust, and -greed, and curiosity!" She took on so badly that I tried to comfort her. -I succeeded to a measure, when I had pointed out that the carrying off -of Marjory was altogether a different matter from what had gone on in my -house. Suddenly she stopped rocking herself to and fro; holding up one -long gaunt arm as I had seen her do several times before, she said: - -"But what matters it after a'! We're in the hands o' Fate! An' there are -Voices that speak an' Een that see. What is ordered of old will be done -for true; no matter how we may try to work our own will. 'Tis little use -to kick against the pricks." - -Then all at once she became brisk and alert. In a most practical tone of -voice she said: - -"Noo tell me what I can dae! Weel I ken, that ye hae a plan o' yer ain; -an' that you and ithers are warkin' to an end that ye hae set. Ye hae -one ither wi' ye the nicht; for gude or ill." She paused, and I asked -her: - -"Why did you go down the sheep path to the Haven. For what or for whom -were you looking?" - -"I was lookin' for the treasure that I suspect was ta'en frae your -hoose; an' for them that took it! 'Twas I that guided them, after the -dark man had gone; and watched whiles they were within. Then they sent -me on a lang errand away to Ellon; and when I got back there was nane -there. I speered close, and saw the marks o' a cairt heavy loaden. It -was lost on the high road; an' since then, nicht an' day hae I sought -for any trace; but all in vain. But I'm thinkin' that it's nigh to here -they've hid it; I went down the yowes' roadie, an' alang the rock, an' -up the bit beach; but never a sign did I see. There's a many corners -aboot the crags here, where a muckle treasure might lie hid, an' nane -the wiser save them that pit it there!" Whilst she was talking I was -scribbling a line in my pocket-book; I tore out the page and handed it -to her: - -"If you would help me take that letter for I must not leave here. Give -it to the dark gentleman whom you know by sight. He is somewhere on the -rocks beyond the Castle." My message was to tell Don Bernardino that I -believed the treasure was hidden somewhere near me, and that the bearer -of the note would guide him if he thought wise to join me. - -Then I waited, waited. The night grew darker and darker; and the fog -belts came so thick and so heavy that they almost became one endless -mass. Only now and again could I get a glimpse of the sea outside the -great rock. Once, far off out at sea but floating in on the wind, I -heard eight bells sound from a ship. My heart beat at the thought; for -if the _Keystone_ were close at hand it might be well for us later on. -Then there was silence, long and continuous. A silence which was of -the night alone; every now and again when some sound of life from near -or far came to break its monotony the reaction became so marked that -silence seemed to be a positive quality. - -All at once I became conscious that Gormala was somewhere near me. I -could not see her, I could not hear her; but it was no surprise to me -when through the darkness I saw her coming close to me, followed by Don -Bernardino. They both looked colossal through the mist. - -As quickly as I could, I told the Don of my suspicions; and asked his -advice. He agreed with me as to the probabilities of the attempt to -escape, and announced his willingness to go down the path to Dunbuy -Haven and explore it thoroughly so far as was possible. Accordingly, -with Gormala to guide him, he went to the end of the Haven and descended -the steep moraine--it was a declension rather than a path. For myself I -was not sanguine as to a search. The night was now well on us, and even -had the weather been clear it would have been a difficult task to make -search in such a place, where the high cliffs all around shut out the -possibilities of side light. Moreover, along the Haven, as with other -such openings on this iron-bound coast, there were patches of outlying -rock under the cliffs. Occasionally these were continuous, so that at -the proper state of the tide a fairly good climber could easily make way -along them. Here, however, there was no such continuity; the rocks -rising from the sea close under the cliffs were in patches; without a -boat it would be useless to attempt a complete exploration. I waited, -however, calmly; I was gaining patience now out of my pain. A good while -elapsed before the Don returned, still accompanied by Gormala. He told -me that only the beach had been possible for examination; but as far as -he could see out by either channel, there was no sign of anyone hiding, -or any bulk which could be such as we sought. - -He considered it might be advisable if he went to warn the rest of our -party of our belief as to the place appointed, and so took his way up -north. Gormala remained with me so as to be ready to take any message if -occasion required. She looked tired, so tired and weary that I made her -lie down behind the rough wall. For myself sleep was an impossibility; I -could not have slept had my life or sanity depended on it. To soothe, -her and put her mind at rest, I told her what she had always wanted to -know; what I had seen that night at Whinnyfold when the Dead came up -from the sea. That quieted her, and she soon slept. So I waited and -waited, and the time crept slowly away. - -All at once Gormala sat up beside me, broad awake and with all her -instincts at her keenest. "Whish!" she said, raising a warning hand. At -this moment the fog belt was upon us, and on the wind, now risen high, -the white wreaths swept by like ghosts. She held her ear as before -towards seaward and listened intently. This time there could be no -mistake; from far off through the dampness of the fog came the sound of -a passing ship. I ran out from behind the wall and threw myself face -down at the top of the cliff. I was just at the angle of the opening of -the Haven and I could see if a boat entered by either channel. Gormala -came beside me and peered over; then she whispered: - -"I shall gang doon the yowes' roadie; it brings me to the Haven's mooth, -and frae thence I can warn ye if there be aught!" Before I replied she -had flitted away, and I saw her pass over the edge of the cliff and -proceed on her perilous way. I leaned over the edge of the cliff -listening. Down below I heard now and again the sound of a falling -pebble, dislodged from the path, but I could see nothing whatever. Below -me the black water showed now and again in the lifting of the fog. - -The track outwards leads down to the sea at the southern corner of the -opening of the Haven; so I moved on here to see if I could get any -glimpse of Gormala. The fog was now on in a dense mass, and I could see -nothing a couple of feet from me. I heard, however, a sort of scramble; -the rush and roll of stones tumbling, and the hollow reverberating -plash as they struck the water. My heart jumped, for I feared that some -accident might have happened to Gormala. I listened intently; but heard -no sound. I did not stay, however, for I knew that the whole effort of -the woman, engaged on such a task, would be to avoid betraying herself. -I was right in my surmise, for after a few minutes of waiting I heard a -very faint groan. It was low and suppressed, but there was no mistaking -it as it came up to me through the driving mist. It was evident that -Gormala was in some way in peril, and common humanity demanded that I -should go down to help her if I could. It was no use my attempting the -sheep track; if she had failed on it there would not be much chance of -my succeeding. Besides, there had been a manifest slip or landslide; and -more than probably the path, or some necessary portion of it, had been -carried away. It would have been madness to attempt it, so I went to the -southern side of the cliff where the rock was broken, and where there -was a sort of rugged path down to the sea. There was also an advantage -about this way; I could see straight out to sea to the south of Dunbuy -Rock. Thus I need not lose sight of any shore-coming boat; which might -happen were I on the other path which opened only in the Haven. - -It was a hard task, and by daylight I might have found it even more -difficult. In parts it actually overhung the water, with an effect of -dizziness which was in itself dangerous. However, I persevered; and -presently got down on the cluster of rocks overhung by the cliff. Here, -at the very corner of the opening to the Haven, under the spot where the -sheep track led down, I found Gormala almost unconscious. She revived a -little when I lifted her and put my flask to her lips. For a few seconds -she leaned gasping against my breast with her poor, thin, grey hair -straggling across it. Then, with a great effort, she moaned out feebly, -but of intention keeping her voice low lest even in that lone spot amid -the darkness of the night and the mist there might be listeners: - -"I'm done this time, laddie; the rocks have broke me when the roadie gav -way. Listen tae me, I'm aboot to dee; a' the Secrets and the Mysteries -'ll be mine soon. When the end is comin' haud baith my hands in ane o' -yours, an' keep the ither ower my een. Then, when I'm passin' ye shall -see what my dead eyes see; and hear wi' the power o' my dead ears. -Mayhap too, laddie, ye may ken the secrets and the wishes o' my hairt. -Dinna lose yer chance, laddie! God be wi' ye an' the bonny lass. Tell -her, an' ye will, that I forgie her floutin' me; an' that I bade the -gude God keep her frae all harm, and send peace and happiness to ye -both--till the end. God forgie me all my sins!" - -As she was speaking her life seemed slowly ebbing away. I could feel it, -and I knew it in many ways. As I took her hand in mine, a glad smile was -on her face, together with a look of eager curiosity. This was the last -thing I saw in the dim light, as my hand covered her filming eyes. - -And then a strange and terrible thing began to happen. - - - - -CHAPTER L - -THE EYES OF THE DEAD - - -As I knelt with the dead woman's hands in one of mine and the other over -her eyes, I seemed to be floating high up in the air; and with amazing -vision to see all round for a great distance. The fog still hung thick -over the water. Around, the vast of the air and the depths of the sea -were as open as though sunshine was on them and I was merely looking -through bright water. In the general panorama of things, so far as the -eye could range, all lay open. The ships on the sea, and the floor under -it; the iron-bound coast, and the far-lying uplands were all as though -marked on a picture chart. Far away on the horizon were several craft, -small and large. A few miles out was a ship of war; and to the north of -her but much closer in shore lay a graceful yacht, slowly moving with -the tide and under shortened sail. The war ship was all alert; on every -top, and wherever there was a chance of seeing anything, was the head of -a man on the look-out. The search-light was on, and sea and sky were lit -alternately with its revolving rays. But that which drew my eyes, as -the magnet draws the iron, was a clumsily rigged ship close in shore, -seemingly only a few hundred yards beyond the Dunbuy Rock. She was a -whaler I knew, for on her deck were the great boats for use in rough -seas, and the furnace where the blubber was melted. With unconscious -movement, as though my soul were winged as a bird, I hung poised over -this vessel. It was strange indeed, but she seemed all as though -composed of crystal; I could see through her, and down into the deep -below her where her shadow lay, till my eyes rested on the patches of -bare sand or the masses of giant seaweed which swayed with the tide -above the rocks on which it grew. In and out amongst the seaweed the -fishes darted, and the flower-like limpets moved ceaselessly outside -their shells on the rocks. I could even see the streaks on the water -which wind and current invariably leave on their course. Within the -ship, all was clear as though I were looking into a child's toy-house; -but a toy-house wrought of glass. Every nook and cranny was laid bare; -and the details, even when they did not interest me, sank into my mind. -I could evermore, by closing my eyes, have seen again anything on which -in those moments of spiritual vision the eyes of my soul had rested. - -All the time there was to me a dual consciousness. Whatever I saw before -me was all plain and real; and yet I never lost for a moment the sense -of my own identity. I knew I was on shore amid the rocks under the -cliff, and that Gormala's dead body was beside me as I knelt. But there -was some divine guiding principle which directed my thought--it must -have been my thought, for my eyes followed as my wishes led, as though -my whole being went too. They were guided from the very bow of the ship -along the deck, and down the after hatchway. I went down, step by step, -making accurate and careful scrutiny of all things around me. I passed -into the narrow cabin, which seemed even to me to smell evilly. The rank -yellow light from the crude oil lamp with thick smoky wick made the -gloom seem a reality, and the shadows as monstrous. From this I passed -aft into a tiny cabin, where on a bunk lay Marjory asleep. She looked -pale and wan; it made my heart sick to see the great black circles round -her eyes. But there was resolution in her mouth and nostrils; resolution -fixed and untameable. Knowing her as I did, and with her message "I can -die" burned into my heart, it did not need any guessing to know what was -in the hand clenched inside the breast of her dress. The cabin door was -locked; on the outside was a rough bolt, newly placed; the key was not -in the lock. I would have lingered, for the lightning-like glimpse made -me hungry for more; but the same compelling force moved me on. In the -next cabin lay a man, also asleep. He was large of frame, with a rugged -red beard streaked with grey; what hair remained on his head, which was -all scarred with cicatrices, was a dull red turning white. On a rack -above him, under the chronometer--which marked Greenwich time as -2.15,--ready to his hand, were two great seven shooters; from his pocket -peeped the hilt of a bowie knife. It was indeed strange to me that -I could look without passion or vindictiveness on such a person so -disposed. I suppose it was the impersonal spirit within me which was at -the moment receptive, and that all human passion, being ultimately of -the flesh, was latent. At the time, though I was conscious of it, it did -not strike me as strange; no more strange than that I could see far and -near at the same glance, and take in great space and an impossible -wilderness of detail. No more strange, than that all things were for me -resolved into their elements; that fog ceased to deaden or darkness -to hide; that timber and iron, deck and panel and partition, beam and -door and bulkhead were as transparent as glass. In my mind was a vague -intention of making examination of every detail which could bear on the -danger of Marjory. But even whilst such an idea was in its incipient -stage, so swift is the mechanism of thought, my eyes beheld, as though -it were through the sides of the ship, a boat pass out from a watercave -in the cliffs behind the Rock of Dunbuy. In it I saw, with the same -seeing eye which gave me power in aught else, seven men some of whom I -knew at a glance to be those whom Marjory had described in the tunnel. -All but one I surveyed calmly, and weighed up as it were with -complacency; but this one was a huge coal-black negro, hideous, and of -repulsive aspect. A glimpse of him made my blood run cold, and filled my -mind at once with hate and fear. As I looked, the boat came towards the -ship with inconceivable rapidity. It was not that she moved fast through -the water, for her progress was in reality slow and laboured. The wind -and the sea had risen; half a gale was blowing and the seas were running -so high that the ship rose and fell, pitched and rolled and tossed -about like a toy. It was, that time, like distance, was in my mind -obliterated. Truly, I was looking with spirit eyes, and under all -spiritual conditions. - -The boat drew close to the whaler on the port side, and I saw, as if -from the former, the faces of several men who at the sound of oars came -rushing from the other side of the ship and leaned over the bulwarks. It -was evident that they had expected arrival from the starboard. With some -difficulty the boat got close, for the sea was running wilder every -moment; and one by one the men began to climb the ladder and disappear -over the bulwark. With the extraordinary action of sight and mind and -memory which was to me at present, I followed each and all of them at -the same time. They hurriedly rigged up a whip and began to raise from -the boat parcels of great weight. In the doing of this one of them, the -negro, was officious and was always trying to examine each parcel as it -came on board; but he was ever and always repulsed. The others would not -allow him to touch anything; at each rebuff he retired scowling. All -this must, under ordinary conditions, have taken much time, but to my -spirit-ruled eyes it all passed with wondrous rapidity.... - -I became conscious that things around me were growing less clear. The -fog seemed to be stealing over the sea, as I had seen it earlier in the -evening, and to wrap up details from my sight. The great expanse of the -sea and the ships upon it, and all the wonders of the deep became lost -in the growing darkness. I found, quicker and quicker, my thoughts like -my eyes, centred on the deck of the ship. At a moment, when all others -were engaged and did not notice him, I saw the great negro, his face -over-much distorted with an evil smile, steal towards the after hatchway -and disappear. With the growing of the fog and the dark, I was losing -the power to see through things opaque and material; and it came to me -as an actual shock that the negro passed beyond my vision. With his -going, the fear in my heart grew and grew; till, in my frantic human -passion, all that was ethereal around me faded and went out like a dying -flame.... - -The anguish of my soul, in my fear for my beloved, tore my true spirit -out of its phantom existence back to stern working life.... - -I found myself, chilled and sick at heart, kneeling by the marble-cold, -stiffening body of Gormala, on the lone rock under the cliff. The rising -wind whistled by me in the crannies above, and the rising sea in angry -rushes leaped at us by the black shining rocks. All was so dark around -me that my eyes, accustomed to the power given in my vision of making -their own light, could not pierce the fog and the gloom. I tried to look -at my watch, but could only see the dial dimly; I could not distinguish -the figures on it and I feared to light a match lest such might betray -my presence. Fortunately my watch could strike the hours and minutes, -and I found it was now half past one o'clock. I still, therefore, had -three-quarters of an hour, for I remembered the lesson of the whaler's -chronometer. I knew there would be no time nor opportunity to bring -Gormala's body to the top of the cliff--at present; so I carried her up -to the highest point of the underlying rock, which was well above high -water mark. - -Reverently and with blessing I closed her dead eyes, which still looked -up at the sky with a sort of ghostly curiosity. Then I clambered up -the steep pathway and made my way as quickly as I could round to the -other side of the Haven, to try if I could discover any trace of the -blackmailers, or any indication of the water-cave in which their boat -was hidden. The cliffs here are wofully steep, and hang far over the -sea; so that there is no possibility of lying on the cliff edge and -peering over. Round here also the stark steepness forbids the existence -of even the tiniest track; a hare could not find its way along these -beetling cliffs. The only way of making search of this channel would be -to follow round in a boat. The nearest point to procure one would be at -the little harbour beside the Bullers O'Buchan, and for this there was -not time. I was in dire doubt as to what was best to do; and I longed -with a sickening force for the presence of Montgomery or some of our -party who would know how to deal with such a situation. I was not -anxious for the present moment; but I wanted to take all precautions -against the time which was coming. Well I knew that the vision I had -seen with the eyes of the dead Gormala was no mere phantasm of the mind; -that it was no promise of what might be, but a grim picture of what -would be. There was never a doubt in my mind as to its accuracy. Oh! if -I could have seen more of what was to happen; if I could have lingered -but a few instants longer! For with the speed at which things had -passed before my inner eye in that strange time, every second might have -meant the joy or sorrow of a lifetime. How I groaned with regret, and -cursed my own precipitancy, that I could not wait and learn through the -medium of the dead woman's spiritual eyes the truths that were to be -borne in mind! - -But it was of no use to fret; action of some sort would be necessary if -Marjory was to be saved. In one way I might help. Even alone I might -save her, if I could get out to the whaler unknown to her crew. I knew I -could manage this, for anyhow I could swim; for a weapon which the water -could not render useless I had the dagger I had taken from Don -Bernardino. Should other weapons be necessary I might be able to lay -hands on them in the cabin next Marjory's, where the red-bearded man lay -asleep. I did not know whether it would be better to go in search of -some of my comrades, or to wait the arrival of the Don, who was to be -back within an hour of the time of leaving. I was still trying to make -up my mind when the difficulty was settled for me by the arrival of the -Spaniard, accompanied by one of the young American naval officers. - -When I told them of my vision I could see, even in the darkness which -prevailed, that neither of them was content to accept its accuracy -in blind faith. I was at first impatient; but this wore away when I -remembered that neither of them had any knowledge of my experiences in -the way of Second Sight, or indeed of the phenomenon at all. Neither in -Spain nor America does such a belief prevail; and I have no doubt that -to both of them came the idea that worry and anxiety had turned my -brain. Even when I told them how I meant to back my belief by swimming -out beyond the Dunbuy Rock in time to reach the ship before the boat -would arrive, they were not convinced. The method of reception of the -idea by each was, however, characteristic of his race and nation. To -the high-bred Spaniard, whose life had been ruled by laws of honour and -of individual responsibility, no act done in the cause of chivalry could -be other than worthy; he did not question the sanity of the keeping of -such a purpose. The practical American, however, though equally willing -to make self-sacrifice, and to dare all things in the course of honour -and duty, looked at my intention with regard to its result; was I taking -the step which would have the best result with regard to the girl whom -we were all trying to save. Whilst the Spaniard raised his hat and said: - -"May God watch over your gallant enterprise, Senor; and hold your life, -and that of her whom you love, in the hollow of His hand!" The American -said: - -"Honest injun! old chap, is that the best you can do? If it's only a man -and a life you want, count me in every time. I'm a swimmer, too; and I'm -a youngster that don't count. So far as that goes, I'm on. But you've -got to find the ship, you know! If she was there now, I should say 'risk -it'; and I'd come with you if you liked. But there's the whole North Sea -out there, with room for a hundred million of whalers without their -jostling. No, no! Come, I say, let us find another way round; where we -can help the girl all together!" He was a good young fellow, as well -as a fine one, and it was evident he meant well. But there was no use -arguing; my mind was made up, and, after assuring him that I was in -earnest, I told him that I was taking a couple of rockets with me which -I would try to keep dry so that should occasion serve I would make -manifest the whereabouts of the whaler. He already knew what to do with -regard to signalling from shore, in case the boats of the whaler should -be seen. - -When we had made what preparations we could for the work each of us had -in hand, the time came for my starting on my perilous enterprise. As -my purpose became more definite, my companions, who I think doubted in -their hearts its sincerity, became somewhat more demonstrative. It was -one thing to have a vague intention of setting out on a wild journey of -the kind, and even here common sense rebelled. But on the edge of the -high cliff, in the dark, amid the fog which came boiling up from below -as the wind puffs drove it on shore; when below our feet the rising -waves broke against the rocks with an ominous sound, made into a roar by -the broken fastnesses of the cliffs, the whole thing must have seemed as -an act of madness. When through a break in the fog-belt we could catch -a glimpse of the dark water leaping far below into furious, scattering -lines of foam, to dare the terrors of such a sea at such a time was like -going deliberately to certain death. My own heart quailed at moments; -when I saw through the fog wreaths the narrow track, down which I must -again descend to where Gormala's body lay, fading into a horrid gloom; -or when the sound of breaking water drove up, muffled by the dark mist. -My faith in the vision was strong, however, and by keeping my mind -fixed on it I could shut out present terrors. I shook hands with my two -friends, and, taking courage from the strong grip of their hands, set -myself resolutely to my journey down the cliff. The last words the young -navy man said to me were: - -"Remember, if you do reach the whaler, that a gleam of light of any kind -will give us a hint of where you are. Once the men of the _Keystone_ see -it, they'll do the rest at sea; as we shall on land. Give us such a -light when the time comes--if you have to fire the ship to get it!" - -At the foot of the cliff path the prospect was almost terrifying. The -rocks were so washed with the churning water, as the waves leaped at -them, that now and again only black tops could be seen rising out of -the waste of white water; and a moment after, as the wave fell back, -there would be a great mass of jagged rocks, all stark and grim, blacker -than their own blackness, with the water streaming down them, and great -rifts yawning between. Outside, the sea was a grim terror, a wildness of -rising waves and lines of foam, all shrouded in fog and gloom. Through -all came a myriad of disconcerting sounds, vague and fearsome, from -where the waves clashed or beat into the sounding caverns of Dunbuy. -Nothing but the faith which I had in the vision of Marjory, which came -to me with the dead eyes of the western Seer, could have carried me out -into that dreadful gloom. All its possibilities of horror and danger -woke to me at once, and for a moment appalled me. - -But Faith is a conquering power; even the habit of believing, in which I -had been taught, stood to me in this wild hour. No sceptic, no doubter, -could have gone forth as I did into that unknown of gloom and fear. - -I waited till a great wave was swept in close under my bare feet. Then, -with a silent prayer, and an emboldening thought: 'For Marjory!' I -leaped into the coming water. - - - - -CHAPTER LI - -IN THE SEA FOG - - -For a few minutes I was engaged in a wild struggle to get away from the -rocks, and not to be forced back by the shoreward rush and sweep of the -waves. I was buffeted by them, and half-choked by the boiling foam; but -I kept blindly and desperately to my task, and presently knew that I had -only to deal with the current and the natural rise and fall of the -rollers. Down on the water the air was full of noises, so that it was -hard to distinguish any individual sound; but the fog lay less dense on -the surface than above it, so that I could see a little better around -me. - -On the sea there is always more or less light; even in this time of -midnight gloom, with moon and stars hidden by the fog, and with none of -that phosphorescence which at times makes a luminous glow of its own -over the water, I could see things at an unexpected distance. More than -all, was I surprised as well as cheered to find that I could distinguish -the features of the land from the sea, better than I could from land -discern anything at sea. When I looked back, the shore rose, a dark -uneven line, unbroken save where the Haven of Dunbuy running inland made -an angle against the sky. But beside me, the great Rock of Dunbuy rose -gigantic and black; it was like a mountain towering over me. The tide -was running down so that when I had got out of the current running -inland behind the rock I was in comparatively calm water. There was no -downward current, but only a slow backwater, which insensibly took me -closer to the Rock. Keeping in this shelter, I swam on and out; I saved -myself as much as I could, for I knew of the terrible demand on my -strength which lay before me. It must have been about ten minutes, -though it seemed infinitely longer, when I began to emerge from the -shelter of the Rock and to find again the force of the outer current. -The waves were wilder here too; not so wild as just in shore before they -broke, but they were considerably larger in their rise and fall. As I -swam on, I looked back now and then, and saw Dunbuy behind me towering -upward, though not so monstrously as when I had been under its lee. The -current was beginning already to bear me downwards; so I changed my -course, and got back to the sheltered water again. Thus I crept round -under the lee of the Rock, till all at once I found myself in the angry -race, where the current beat on and off the cliff. It took me all my -strength and care to swim through this; when the force of the current -began to slacken, as I emerged from the race, I found myself panting and -breathless with the exertion. - -But when I looked around me from this point, where the east opened to -me, there was something which restored all my courage and hope, though -it did not still the beating of my heart. - -Close by, seemingly only a couple of hundred yards off to the north -east, lay a ship whose masts and spars stood out against the sky. I -could see her clearly, before a coming belt of fog bore down on her. - -The apprehension lest I should miss her in the fog chilled me more than -the sea water in which I was immersed; for all possibilities of evil -became fears to me, now that the realisation of my vision was clear. I -was glad of the darkness; it was a guarantee against discovery. I swam -on quietly, and was rejoiced to find as I drew close that I was on the -port side of the ship; well I remembered how in my vision the boat -approached to port, to the surprise of the men who were looking out for -it on the other side. I found the rope ladder easily enough, and did not -have much difficulty in getting a foothold on it. Ascending cautiously, -and watching every inch of the way, I climbed the bulwark and hid behind -a water barrel close to the mast. From this security I looked out, and -saw the backs of several men ranged along the starboard bulwark. They -were intent on their watching, and unsuspicious of my proximity; so I -stole out and glided as silently as I could into the cabin's entrance. -It was not new to me; I had a sense of complete security as to my -knowledge. The eyes of Gormala's soul were keen! - -In the cabin I recognised at once the smoky lamp and the rude -preparations for food. Thus emboldened, I came to the door, behind which -I knew Marjory lay. It was locked and bolted, and the key was gone. I -slid back the bolt, but the lock baffled me. I was afraid to make the -slightest noise, lest I should court discovery; so I passed on to the -next cabin where was her jailer. He lay just as, in the vision, I had -seen him; the chronometer was above him and the two heavy revolvers hung -underneath it. I slipped in quietly--there were not shoes to remove--and -reaching over so that the water would not drip from my wet underclothing -on his face, unhooked the two weapons. I belted them round my waist with -the strap on which they hung. Then I looked round for the key, but could -see no sign of it. There was no time to lose, and it was neither time -nor place to stand on ceremony; so I took the man by the throat with my -left hand, the dagger being in my right, and held with such a grip that -the blood seemed to leap into his face in a second. He could utter -no sound, but instinctively his hand went back and up to where the -revolvers had hung. I whispered in a low tone: - -"It's no use. Give me the key. I don't value your life a pin!" He was -well plucked, and he was manifestly used to tight places. He did not -attempt to speak or parley; but whilst I had been whispering, his right -hand had got hold of a knife. It was a bowie, and he was dexterous with -it. With some kind of sharp wrench he threw it open; there was a click -as the back-spring worked. If I had not had my dagger ready it would -have been a bad time for me. But I was prepared; whilst he was making -the movement to strike at me, I struck. The keen point of the Spanish -dagger went right through the upturned wrist, and pinned his hand down -to the wooden edge of the bunk. Whilst, however, he had been trying -to strike with his right hand, his left had clutched my left wrist. He -tried now to loose my grasp from his throat, whilst bending his chin -down he made a furious effort to tear at my hand with his teeth. -Never in my life did I more need my strength and weight. The man was -manifestly a fighter, trained in many a wild 'rough-and-tumble', and his -nerves were like iron. I feared to let go the hilt of the dagger, lest -in his violent struggling he should tear his wrist away and so free his -hand. Having, however, got my right knee raised, I pressed down with it -his arm on the edge of the bunk and so freed my right hand. He continued -to struggle ferociously. I knew well it was life and death, not only for -me, but for Marjory. - -It was his life or mine; and he had to pay the penalty of his crime. - -So intent was I on the struggle that I had not heard the approach of the -boat with his comrades. It was only when I stood panting, with the limp -throat between my fingers which were white at the knuckles with the -strain, that the sound of voices and the tramp of feet on deck reached -my intelligence. Then indeed I knew there was no time to lose. I -searched the dead man's pockets and found a key, which I tried in the -lock of Marjory's cabin. When I opened the door she started up; the hand -in her bosom was whipped out with a flash, and in an instant a long -steel bonnet pin was ready to drive into her breast. My agonised -whisper: - -"Marjory, it is I!" only reached her mind in time to hold her hand. She -did not speak; but never can I forget the look of joy that illumined her -poor, pale face. I put my finger on my lip, and held out my hand to her. -She rose, with the obedience of a child, and came with me. I was just -going out into the cabin, when I heard the creak of a heavy footstep on -the companion way. So I motioned her back, and, drawing the dagger from -my belt, stood ready. I knew who it was that was coming; yet I dared not -use the pistols, save as a last resource. - -I stood behind the door. The negro did not expect anyone, or any -obstacle; he came on unthinkingly, save for whatever purpose of evil was -in his mind. He was armed, as were all the members of the blackmail -gang. In a belt across his shoulder, slung Kentucky fashion, were two -great seven shooters; and across his waist behind was a great bowie -knife, with handle ready to grasp. Moreover, nigger-like, the handle of -a razor rose out of the breast pocket of his dark flannel shirt. He did -not, however, manifestly purpose using his weapons--at present at any -rate; there was not any sign of danger or opposition in front of him. -His comrades were busy at present in embarking the treasure, and would -be for many an hour to come, in helping to work the ship clear into -safety. Every minute now the wind was rising, and the waves swelling to -such proportions that the anchored ship rocked like a bell-buoy in a -storm. In the cabin I had to hold on, or I should have been shot from -my place into view. But the huge negro cared for none of these things. -He was callous to everything, and there was such a wicked, devilish -purpose in his look that my heart hardened grimly in the antagonism of -man to man. Nay more, it was not a man that I loathed; I would have -killed this beast with less compunction than I would kill a rat or a -snake. Never in my life did I behold such a wicked face. In feature and -expression there was every trace and potentiality of evil; and these -superimposed on a racial brutality which made my gorge rise. Well indeed -did I understand now the one terror which had in all her troubles come -to Marjory, and how these wretches had used it to mould her to their -ends. I knew now why, sleeping or waking, she held that steel spike -against her heart. If-- - -The thought was too much for me. Even now, though I was beside her, she -was beset by her enemies. We were both still practically prisoners on a -hostile ship, and even now this demon was intent on unspeakable wrong. I -did not pause; I did not shrink from the terrible task before me. With a -bound I was upon him, and I had struck at his heart; struck so truly and -so terrible a blow, that the hilt of the dagger struck his ribs with a -thud like the blow of a cudgel. The blood seemed to leap out at me, even -as the blow fell. With spasmodic reaction he tumbled forwards; fell -without a sound, and so quickly that had not I, fearing lest the noise -of his falling might betray me, caught him, he would have dropped like a -stricken bullock. - -Never before did I understand the pleasure of killing a man. Since then, -it makes me shudder when I think of how so potent a passion, or so keen -a pleasure, can rest latent in the heart of a righteous man. It may have -been that between the man and myself was all the antagonism that came -from race, and fear, and wrongdoing; but the act of his killing was to -me a joy unspeakable. It will rest with me as a wild pleasure till I -die. - -I took all the arms he had about him, two revolvers and a knife; they -would give me fourteen more shots were I hard pressed. In any case they -were safer, so far as Marjory and I were concerned, in my hands than -in those of our enemies. I dragged the body of the negro into the cabin -with the other dead man; then I closed the door on them, and when -Marjory joined me, I locked the door of her cabin and took away the key. -In case of suspicion this might give us a few minutes of extra time. - -Marjory came with me up on deck; and as she caught sight of the open sea -there was an unspeakable gladness on her face. We seized a favourable -opportunity, when no one was looking, for all on deck were busy hauling -up the treasure; and slipped behind the cask fastened to the mast. There -we breathed freely. We both felt that should the worst come to the -worst we could get away before any one could touch us. One rush to the -bulwarks and over. They would never attempt to follow us, and there was -a chance of a swim to shore. I gave Marjory a belt with two revolvers. -As she strapped it on she felt safer; I knew it by the way she drew -herself up, and threw back her shoulders. - -When the last of the bags which held the treasure came on board, the men -who had come with it closed in a ring around the mass as it lay on deck. -They were all armed; I could see that they did not trust the sailors, -for each moment some one's hand would go back to his gun. We heard one -of them ask as he looked round: "What has become of that damned nigger? -He must take his share of work!" Marjory was very brave and very still; -I could see that her nerve was coming back to her. After a little -whispered conversation, the newcomers began to carry the bags down to -the cabin; it was slow work, for two always stood guard above, and two -remained down below evidently on similar duty. Discovery of the dead man -must come soon, so Marjory and I stole behind the foremast which was -well away from every one. She was first, and as she began to pass behind -she recoiled; she got the drop on some one in front of her. There was a -smothered 'h-s-s-sh' and she lowered her weapon. Turning to me she said -in a faint whisper: - -"It is the Spaniard; what is he doing here?" I whispered back: - -"Be good to him. He is a noble fellow, and has behaved like a knight of -old!" I pressed forward and took his hand. "How did you get here?" I -asked. His answer was given in so faint a voice that I could see that he -was spent and tired, if not injured: - -"I swam, too. When I saw their boat pull out of the northern channel, I -managed to scramble down part of the cliff, and then jumped. Fortunately -I was not injured. It was a long, weary swim, and I thought I should -never be able to get through; but at last the current took me and -carried me to the ship. She was anchored with a hawser, not a cable. -I managed to climb up it; and when I was on board I cut it nearly -through." - -Even as he spoke there was a queer lurch of the ship which lay stern -forward, and a smothered ejaculation from all the seamen. - -The hawser had parted and we were drifting before wind and tide. Then it -was that I felt we should give warning to the yacht and the battleship. -I knew that they were not far off; had I not seen them in my vision, -which had now been proven. Then it was also that the words of the young -American came back to me: "Give us a light, if you have to fire the ship -to get it." - -All this time, from the moment when I had set foot on the whaler's deck -till this instant, events had moved with inconceivable rapidity. There -had been one silent, breathless rush; during which two lives had been -taken and Marjory set free. Only a few minutes had elapsed in all; and -when I looked around under the altered conditions, things seemed to be -almost where they had been. It was like the picture in one's mind made -by a lightning flash; when the period of reception is less than the time -of the smallest action, and movement is lost in time. The fog belt was -thinning out, and there was in the night air a faint suggestion that one -might see, if there were anything to be seen. - -The great Rock of Dunbuy towered up; I could just distinguish so much on -the land side. Whilst I was looking, there came a sudden light and then -a whirr; high overhead through the sea fog we could see faintly the -fiery trail of a rocket. - -Instantly out at sea was an answer; a great ray of light shot upwards, -and we could see its reflection in the sky. None of us said anything; -but instinctively Marjory and I clasped hands. Then the light ray seemed -to fall downward to the sea. But as it came down, the fog seemed to -grow thicker and thicker till the light was lost in its density. There -was stir of all on our ship. No loud word was spoken, but whispered -directions, given with smothered curses, flew. Each man of the crew -seemed to run to his post, and with a screeching and straining the sails -rose. The vessel began to slip through the water with added speed. Now, -if ever, was our time to warn our friends. The little rockets which I -had brought had been sodden with water and were useless, and besides we -had no way of getting a light. The only way of warning was by sound, and -the only sound to carry was a pistol shot. For an instant I hesitated, -for a shot meant a life if we should be pushed to it. But it must be -done; so signing to the others I ran aft and when close to the mast -fired my revolver. Instantly around me was a chorus of curses. I bent -double and ran back, seeing through the darkness vague forms rush to -where I had been. The fog was closing thicker around us; it seemed to -boil over the bulwarks as we passed along. We had either passed into -another belt of fog, or one was closing down upon us with the wind. The -sound of the pistol shot had evidently reached the war ship. She was far -off us, and the sounds came faintly over the waste of stormy sea; but -there was no mistaking the cheer followed by commands. These sounded -faint and hoarsely; a few words were spoken with a trumpet, and then -came the shrill whistle of the boatswain's pipe. - -On our own deck was rushing to and fro, and frenzied labour everywhere. -The first object was to get away from the searchlight; they would seek -presently, no doubt, for who had fired the betraying shot. If I could -have known what to do, so as to stay our progress, there would have been -other shots; for now that we were moving through the water, every second -might take us further from the shore and place us deeper in the toils of -our foes. - - - - -CHAPTER LII - -THE SKARES - - -I whispered to Marjory and Don Bernardino: - -"If they once get away we are lost! We must stop them at all hazards!" -The Spaniard nodded and Marjory squeezed my hands; there was no need -of speech. Then I fixed the order of battle. I was to fire first, then -the Spaniard, then Marjory, each saving his fire till we knew whether -another shot was required. This precaution was necessary, as we had no -reserve ammunition. We took it for granted that the chambers of the -revolvers were full; my one shot had been satisfactory in this respect. -When the sails were set and we began rushing through the water I saw -that even at the risk of betraying ourselves to our enemies we must give -warning again, and so fired. There was an answering cheer from the -_Keystone_ through the fog; and then a sudden rush forward of those on -our own deck. When they were close to us, the seamen hung back; but the -men of the gang kept on firing as they came. Fortunately we were in a -line behind cover, for I could hear the 'ping' and the tearing wood as -the bullets struck the mast. I fired a shot just to show that we were -armed; and heard a sharp cry. Then they fell back. In a moment or two -they also had formed their plan of battle. These were men used to such -encounters; and as they knew that at such times a quick rush may mean -everything, they did not let the grass grow under their feet. I could -see one of the seamen remonstrating with them, and hear the quick, -angry tones of his voice, though I could not distinguish the words. - -He pointed out into the fog, where now there was distinctly a luminous -patch of light: the searchlight was moving towards us. The _Keystone_ -was coming down on us. - -The blackmailer shook off the seaman and, then gave some directions to -his comrades; they spread out right and left of us, and tried to find -some kind of cover. I lifted Marjory and put her standing on the barrel -fastened behind the mast, for I thought that as the flash of my pistol -had come from the deck they would not expect any one to be raised so -high. Don Bernardino and I curled down on the deck, and our opponents -began to fire. In the thickening fog, and with the motion of the ship -which threw us all about like ninepins, their aim was vague; fortunately -no one was hit. When I thought I had a chance I fired, but there was -no response; the Don got a shot and Marjory another, but there was no -sound, save that of the bullets striking on wood or iron. Then Marjory, -whose traditional instinct was coming into play, fired twice in rapid -succession; there was a quick exclamation and then a flood of horrible -profanity, the man was only winged. Again and again they fired, and I -heard a groan behind me from the Don. - -"What's that?" I whispered, not daring to stop or even to look back: - -"My arm! Take my pistol, I cannot shoot with my left hand." I put my -hand back, and he placed the revolver in it. I saw a dark form rush -across the deck and fired--and missed. I tried another shot; but the -weapon only answered with a click; the chambers were exhausted. So I -used the other revolver. And so for a few minutes a furious fight went -on. Marjory seldom fired, she was holding herself in reserve; but -before I knew what was happening my second revolver was empty. Our -antagonists were no chickens at their work; there was little to teach -any of them in such a method of contest as this. Some one had evidently -been counting the shots, for he suddenly called out: - -"Not yet boys! They've at least three shots still!" With a sudden -simultaneous rush they ran back into shelter. - -During this time we had been tearing through the water at our full -speed. But behind us on the port quarter was the sound of a great ship -steaming on. The roar of the furnaces could be heard in the trumpeting -of the funnels. The boatswain's whistles were piping, and there were -voices of command cutting hoarsely through the fog. The searchlight too -was at work; we could see its rays high up on the mist, though they did -not at the moment penetrate sufficiently to expose us to the lookout of -the _Keystone_. Closer on our starboard quarter was another sound which -came on the trailing wind, the rush of a small vessel running fast. -We could hear down the wind the sharp 'slap slap' of the waves on the -bows, and the roaring of the wind among the cordage. This must be -the _Sporran_ following us close with grim disregard of danger. The -commander of the whaler, recognising the possibility of discovery, put -his helm hard to starboard. I could myself not see through the darkness; -but the seaman did and took his chance of grounding in Cruden Bay. When -we had run in a little way the helm was jammed hard down again, and -we ran on the other tack; for the moment we were lost to both the war -ship and the yacht. Marjory looked at me appealingly and I nodded; the -situation was not one to be risked. She fired another shot from her -pistol. There was an immediate reply from far out on our port side in -the shape of more directions spoken with the trumpet and answering -piping from the boatswains. Several shots were fired towards us by the -gang; they were manifestly on chance, for they went wildly wide of us. -Then we could hear an angry remonstrance from the whaler captain, and a -threat that if there were any more firing, he would down with his sails -and take chance of being captured. One of the gang answered him: - -"That packet can't capture you within the three-mile limit; it's a -cruiser of Uncle Sam's and they won't risk having to lie up in harbour -here till the war is over." To which the other surlily replied: - -"I wouldn't put money on it. Anyhow someone will! You keep quiet if you -can. There's enough against us already if we should be caught!" The -reply of the blackmailer was at least practical. I could not see what he -did, but I took it that he put his pistol to the captain's head as he -said with a frightful oath: - -"You'll go on as you arranged with me; or I'll blow your brains out -where you stand. There's quite enough against any of us, you included; -so your one chance anyhow is to get out of this hole. See?" The captain -accepted the position and gave his orders with a quiet delivery, to the -effect that we ran first shorewards and then to starboard again till we -were running back on our tracks like a hare. - -Suddenly, however, this course was brought to an end by our almost -running into a small vessel which as we passed I could see by its trim -appearance was a yacht. We were so close for a few seconds, whilst we -ran across her stern, that I shouted out: - -"All right, MacRae. All safe as yet. She's trying to run out to sea. Try -to tell the _Keystone_." The answer was a cheer from all aboard. - -As our ship swept into the fog, several of our enemies ran at us. I -handed Don Bernardino his own dagger and took the bowie knife myself. -Then we stood ready in case our foes should get to close quarters. -They got nearly up to us, firing as they came; but we were just then -sheltering behind the mast and no injury was done. They hesitated to -come on, not seeing us; and we waited. As we stood with beating hearts -the ship began to come to starboard again. We must have been sheltered -in some way, for we did not seem to feel either wind or tide so much as -before. Suddenly one of the seamen said: - -"Whist! I hear breakers!" The rest paused and listened, and the captain -called out: - -"Hard to starboard; we are running on shore!" The ship answered at once, -and we began to run across the wind, feeling the tide at the same time. -But as we went, a searchlight flashed on the fog before us. We could not -stop or change quick enough to quite avoid the ship from which it came, -but the helm was put hard to starboard again and we ran close along side -a great war ship. I could see her tower with protruding cannon as we ran -by. A voice came through a speaking trumpet, and I could just catch the -first words as the vessel swept by us: - -"Rocks ahead!" The instinct of the seaman spoke, even at such a time, to -keep another vessel from harm. The answer from our vessel was a volley -of curses. Then the searchlight swept our deck, and we could see all our -enemies. They were round us in a great ring and closing in upon us. They -saw us, too, and with a shout began to run in. I took Marjory by the -waist and ran with her to the bow of the ship; I flung her up on the -bulwark and jumped up beside her. Don Bernardino joined us in a moment, -and we saw the searchlight as it passed us and pierced into the fog -ahead. Already the bulk of the battleship was almost lost in the mist; -there was only a faint indication of her presence in a monstrous mass -behind the searchlight, and the end of a spar rising above the fog. In -front of us there was a great roaring of water and that sharp rushing -sound which comes from the back sweep of a broken wave. Our skipper saw -the danger, and in a voice like a trumpet gave his orders. - -But it was too late to do anything. As the searchlight again swept our -deck, I saw the ring of men break up and scatter; almost at the same -moment the rays passing beyond us, fell on a low rock rising from the -sea up whose sides great waves were dashing. We were rushing to it, -borne by wind and tide in a terrible haste. - -At that instant we struck a rock below the water. With the shock we -three were thrown forward into the sea. I heard a despairing shout -behind us; and then the water closed over my head. - -When I rose it was in a wild agony of fear for Marjory. She had been -sitting to my left on the bulwark and must therefore have fallen to -seaward of me. I raised myself as well as I could and looked around; -and, by God's grace, saw two hands rising above the water a few yards -from me. With all my might I struggled towards them, and was able to -drag my wife up to the surface. When I had her with me, though my terror -and anxiety increased, I could think. At such moments the mind acts with -lightning speed, and in a second or two I came to the conclusion that -the rock we had struck must be amongst the Skares. If so, the only -chance was to edge in with the tide and try to avoid striking any of the -underlying rocks which I knew well were so deadly. Had not I seen -Lauchlane Macleod come to his death through them. - -It was a desperate struggle before us. The tide was racing amongst the -rocks, and even were there no waves it would have been a difficult task -to have won through it into shore. For myself I was a strong enough -swimmer to have found my way in, even if I had had to round the outer -rock and keep up to the harbour of Whinnyfold. But with Marjory to care -for, too--Marjory who had only lately learned to swim.... The prospect -was indeed a terrible one. We must not lose a chance, and so I made my -wife loose her skirts which fell away in the drag of the water; she -could then swim more freely and to the best of her power. - -The wind beat fiercely, and the tops of the breaking waves nearly choked -us as they flew. There was just light enough down on the water level to -see rocks a few yards ahead; the line of the shore rose like one dim -opaque mass. In the darkness and the stress of the tide race there was -little I could do, save keep Marjory's head and my own above the water -and let the current bear us on. I must avoid the rocks as well as I -could, and let all my efforts tend to bring us shorewards. There was not -time for fears or doubting, or hoping; the moments must pass and the -struggle be made, never-ending though it seemed to be. - -After a few minutes I began to tire; the strain of the last few days and -my late effort in reaching the whaler had begun to tell on me. I had now -and again a passing thought of Don Bernardino and the friends who had -been helping us; but they were all far off. The Spaniard I should -probably never seen again; the others might never see us.... I was -relapsing into the lethargy of despair. - -With a violent effort I woke to the task before me, and kept sternly on -my way. Marjory was striving her utmost; but her strength was failing. -Her weight was becoming deader.... That nerved me to further effort, -and I swam on so frantically that I drew closer to the mainland. Here -there was shelter of a kind; the waves broken by the outer rocks -were less forceful. The crested tops which the wind had driven on us -were weakening also. There was hope in this and it kept me up. On I -fought--on--on--on. Oh! would the struggle never end! I shut my teeth, -and forged on fiercely. I could feel that we were going with the rush of -the waves through a gully between sunken rocks. - -Joy! there was shore beneath my feet, rough pebbles which rolled and -worked against each other. The wave pulled us back. But my heart was -renewed again. I made one more frantic effort, and swam closer to the -land. Then as I saw the wave began to recoil I put down my feet, and -with the last of my strength lifting Marjory in my arms I fought -fiercely with the retreating wave. Staggering over the screaming -pebbles, exhausted to the point of death, I bore her high up on the -beach and laid her down. Then I sank lifeless beside her cold body. - -The last thing I remember was the faint light of the coming dawn, -falling on her marble-white face as she lay on the shore. - - - - -CHAPTER LIII - -FROM THE DEEP - - -It could not have been more than a few minutes before I recovered -consciousness, if indeed I were ever absolutely unconscious. It was -rather the inevitable yielding to a strain on nerve and muscle and -brain, than a time of oblivion. I think that I always knew that I was -by the sea, and that Marjory was beside me and in trouble; but that was -all. I was in the nightmare stage, when one can understand danger and -realise terror; and when the only thing impossible to one is to do -anything. Certainly, when I came to myself I was fully conscious of my -surroundings. I was even surprised that I did not see on Marjory's pale -face, the cold faint gleam of light which had been there when last I saw -her. The general light had, however, increased. The strand and the rocks -looked now not black, but inexpressibly drear in the uniform grey which -seemed to make all colour and shape and distance into one sad flat -screen. My first work was of course to attend Marjory. For a while I -feared that she was dead, so white was she amid the surrounding grey. -But her heart still beat, and her breast moved, though very slightly, -with her breathing. I could now see that we were in Broad Haven and, so, -close to my own home. I could see through the pierced rock called the -"Puir Mon." I took my wife in my arms and carried her, though with -infinite difficulty for I was sorely exhausted, up the steep path, and -brought her into the house. I had to break the door in again, but there -was no one to help me or to interfere in the matter. I got some brandy -and poured a few drops into her mouth, and laid her in a pile of rugs -whilst I lit the fire. The supply of whin bushes in the wood house was -not exhausted, and very soon there was a roaring fire. When Marjory -opened her eyes and looked around the room, a certain amount of -consciousness came to her. She imagined the occasion of her being with -me was the same as when we had escaped from the flooded cave; holding -out her arms she said to me with infinite love and sweetness: - -"Thank God, dear, you are safe!" A moment later she rubbed her eyes and -sat up, looking wildly around as one does after a hideous dream. In her -survey, however, her eyes lit on her own figure, and a real wave of -shame swept over her; she hastily pulled the rug round her shoulders and -sank back. The habit of personal decorum had conquered fear. She closed -her eyes for a moment or two to remember, and when she opened them was -in full possession of all her faculties and her memory. - -"It was no dream! It is all, all real! And I owe my life to you, -darling, once again!" I kissed her, and she sank back with a sigh of -happiness. A moment later, however, she started up, crying out to me: - -"But the others, where are they? Quick! quick! let us go to help them if -we can!" She looked wildly round. I understood her wishes, and hurrying -into the other room brought her an armful of her clothes. - -In a few minutes she joined me; and hand in hand we went out on the edge -of the cliff. As we went, I told her of what had happened since she -became unconscious in the water. - -The wind was now blowing fiercely, almost a gale. The sea had risen, -till great waves driving amongst the rocks had thrashed the whole region -of the Skares into a wild field of foam. Below us, the waves dashing -over the sunken rocks broke on the shore with a loud roaring, and washed -high above the place where we had lain. The fog had lifted, and objects -could be seen even at a distance. Far out, some miles away, lay a great -ship; and by the outermost of the Skares a little to the north of the -great rock and where the sunken reef lies, rose part of a broken mast. -But there was nothing else to be seen, except away to south a yacht -tossing about under double-reefed sails. Sea and sky were of a leaden -grey, and the heavy clouds that drifted before the gale came so low as -to make us think that they were the fog belts risen from the sea. - -Marjory would not be contented till we had roused the whole village of -Whinnyfold, and with them had gone all round the cliffs and looked into -every little opening to see if there were trace or sign of any of those -who had been wrecked with us. But it was all in vain. - -We sent a mounted messenger off to Crom with a note, for we knew in what -terrible anxiety Mrs. Jack must be. In an incredibly short time the -good lady was with us; and was rocking Marjory in her arms, crying and -laughing over her wildly. By and bye she got round the carriage from the -village and said to us: - -"And now my dears, I suppose we had better get back to Crom, where you -can rest yourselves after this terrible time." Marjory came over to me, -and holding my arm looked at her old nurse lovingly as she said with -deep earnestness: - -"You had better go back, dear, and get things ready for us. As for me, I -shall never willingly leave my husband's side again!" - - * * * * * - -The storm continued for a whole day, growing rougher and wilder with -each hour. For another day it grew less and less, till finally the wind -had died away and only the rough waves spoke of what had been. Then the -sea began to give up its dead. Some seamen presumably those of the -_Wilhelmina_ were found along the coast between Whinnyfold and Old -Slains, and the bodies of two of the blackmailers, terribly mangled, -were washed ashore at Cruden Bay. The rest of the sailors and of the -desperadoes were never found. Whether they escaped by some miracle, or -were swallowed in the sea, will probably never be known. - -Strangest of all was the finding of Don Bernardino. The body of the -gallant Spanish gentleman was found washed up on shore behind the Lord -Nelson rock, just opposite where had been the opening to the cave in -which his noble ancestor had hidden the Pope's treasure. It was as -though the sea itself had respected his devotion, and had laid him by -the place of his Trust. Marjory and I saw his body brought home to Spain -when the war was over, and laid amongst the tombs of his ancestors. We -petitioned the Crown; and though no actual leave was given, no objection -was made to our removing the golden figure of San Cristobal which -Benvenuto had wrought for the Pope. It now stands over the Spaniard's -tomb in the church of San Cristobal in far Castile. - - - - -APPENDICES - - - - -APPENDIX A - - -"In the First Edition of his work "The Two Bookes of Francis Bacon, -of the proficience and advancement of Learning, divine and humane" -published at London in 1605, the Author only alludes briefly to his -Bi-literal Cipher. Speaking of Ciphers generally (Booke II) he says: - -"But the vertues of them, whereby they are to be preferred, are three; -that they be not laborious to write and reade; that they bee impossible -to discypher; and in some cases, that they bee without suspicion. -The highest Degree whereof, is to write OMNIA PER OMNIA; which is -undoubtedly possible, with a proportion Quintuple at most, of the -writing infoulding, to the writing infoulded, and no other restrainte -whatsoever." - -It was not till eighteen years later that he gave to the public an -explanation of this 'infoulding' writing. In the rarely beautiful -edition of the work in Latin printed in London by Haviland in 1623, the -passage relating to secret writing is much amplified. Indeed the entire -work is completed in many ways and greatly enlarged as is shown by its -title. - -"De Dignitate et Augmentis Scientiarum. Libros IX." - -The following is his revised statement: - -"Ut vero suspicio omnis absit, aliud Juventum subijciemus, quod certe, -cum Adolescentuli essemus Parisiis, excogitavimus; nec etiam adhuc visa -vobis res digna est, quae pereat. Habet enim gradum Ciphrae altissimum; -nimirum ut _Omnia per Omnia_ significari possint: ita tamen, ut Scriptis -quae involuitut, quintuplo minor sit, quam ea cui involvatur: Alia nulla -omnino requiritur Conditio, aut Restrictio. Id hoc modo fiet. Primo, -universae literae Alphabeti in duas tantummodo Literas soluantur, per -Transpositionem earum. Nam Transpositis duarum Literarum, per Locos -quinque, Differentiis triginta duabus, multo magis viginti quatuor (qui -est Numerus Alphabeti apud nos) sufficiet. Huius _Alphabeti_. Exemplum -tale est." - - * * * * * - -"But for avoiding suspicion altogether, I will add another contrivance, -which I devised myself when I was at Paris in my early youth, and which -I still think worthy of preservation. For it has the perfection of a -cipher, which is to make anything signifying anything; subject however -to this condition, that the infolding writing shall contain at least -five times as many letters as the writing infolded; no other condition -or restriction is required. The way to do it is this: First let all the -letters of the Alphabet be resolved into transpositions of two letters -only. For the transposition of two letters through five places will -yield thirty-two differences; much more twenty-four, which is the number -of letters in our Alphabet. Here is an example of such an Alphabet. - - A B C D E F G H - aaaaa aaaab aaaba aaabb aabaa aabab aabba aabbb - - I K L M N O P Q - abaaa abaab ababa ababb abbaa abbab abbba abbbb - - R S T V W X Y Z - baaaa baaab baaba baabb babaa babab babba babbb - -"Nor is it a slight thing which is thus by the way effected. For heare -we see how thoughts may be communicated at any distance of place by -means of any objects perceptible either to the eye or ear, provided -only that those objects are capable of two differences; as by bells, -trumpets, torches, gunshots, and the like. But to proceed with our -business. When you prepare to write, you must reduce the interior -epistle to this bi-literal alphabet. Let the interior epistle be: - - Fly. - Example of reduction. - F L Y - aabab ababa babba - -"Have by you at the same time another alphabet in two forms; I mean in -which each of the letters of the common alphabet, both capitals and -small, are exhibited in two different forms,--any forms that you find -convenient." - -[For instance, Roman and Italic letters; "a" representing Roman and "b" -representing Italic.] - -"Then take your interior epistle, reduced to the bi-literal shape, and -adapt it, letter by letter, to your exterior epistle in the biform -character; and then write it out. Let the exterior epistle be: - - "Do not go till I come." - Example of reduction - F L Y - aabab ababa babba - DO_N_O_T_ G_O_T_I_L _L_I_CO_M--_E_ - do not go till I come - - * * * * * - -From the above given dates it would almost seem as if Bacon had treated -the matter in a purely academic manner, and had drawn out of his -remembrance of his younger days a method of secret communication which -had not seen any practical service. Spedding mentions in his book -"Francis Bacon and his Times" that Bacon may have got the hint of the -'bi-literal cypher' from the work of John Baptist Porta, "De occultis -literarum notis," reprinted in Strasburg in 1606, but the first edition -of which was published when Porta was a young man. It is however -manifest from certain evidence, that Bacon practised his special cipher -and used it for many years. Lady Bacon, mother of the philosopher, -writing in 1593, to her son Anthony, elder brother of Francis, speaking -of him, Francis, says, "I do not understand his enigmatical folded -writing." Indeed it is possible that many years before he had tried to -have his invention made use of for public service. His was an age of -secret writing. Every Ambassador had to send his despatches in cipher, -for thus--and even then not always--could they be safe from hostile -eyes. The thousands of pages of reports to King Philip made by Don -Bernardino de Mendoza, the Spanish Ambassador at the Court of Queen -Elizabeth, before the time of the Armada, were all written in this form; -the groaning shelves of the records at Simancas bear evidence of the -industry of such political officials and of their spies and secretaries. -An ambitious youth like Francis Bacon, son of the Lord Keeper, and so -traditionally and familiarly in touch with Court and Council, who in his -baby days was addressed by Elizabeth as her "young Lord Keeper," and who -spent the time between his sixteenth and eighteenth years in the suite -of the English Ambassador in Paris, Sir Amyas Paulet, must have had -constant experience of the need of a cipher which would fulfill the -conditions which he laid down as essential in 1605--facility of -execution, impossibility of discovery, and lack of suspiciousness. When, -in a letter of 16 Sept. 1580, to his uncle Lord Burghley, he made suit -to the Queen for some special employment, it is possible that the post -he sought was that of secret writer to Her Majesty. His letter, though -followed up with a more pressing one on 18th October of the same year, -remained unanswered. Whatever the motive or purpose of these last two -letters may have been, it remained on his mind; for eleven years later -we find him again writing to his uncle the Lord Keeper: "I ever have a -mind to serve Her Majesty," and again, "the meanness of my estate doth -somewhat move me." In the interval, on 25th August, 1585, he wrote to -the Right Hon. Sir Francis Walsingham, Principal Secretary to the Queen: -"In default of getting it, will go back to course of practice (at Bar) I -must and will follow, not for my necessity of estate but for my credit's -sake, which I fear by being out of action will wear." His brother -Anthony spent the best part of his life abroad, presumably on some -secret missions; and as Francis was the recipient of his letters it was -doubtless that "folded writing" which so puzzled their mother which was -used for the safety and secrecy of their correspondence. Indeed to what -a fine point the biliteral method must have been brought by Bacon and -his correspondents is shown by the extraordinarily minute differences -given in his own setting forth of the symbols for "a" and "b" etc., in -the "_De Augmentis_" of 1623 and later. In the edition printed in Latin -in Paris the next year, 1624, by Peter Mettayer, the differences, -possibly through some imperfection of printing, are so minute that -even the reader studying the characters set before him, with the extra -elucidation of their being placed under their proper headings, finds it -almost impossible to understand them. The cutting for instance of the -"n" which represents "a" and that which represents "b" seems, even after -prolonged study, to be the same. - -It is to be noticed that Bacon in setting forth the cipher in its -completeness directs attention to its infinite possibilities and -variations. The organised repetition of any two symbols in combinations -of not more than five for one or both symbols may convey ideas. Not -letters only but colours, bells, cannon, or other sounds may be used -with effect. All the senses may be employed, or any or some of them, in -endless combinations. - -Again it is to be noted that even in his first allusion to the system in -1605, he says, "to write Omnia per Omnia, which is undoubtedly possible, -with a proportion _Quintuple at most_, of the writing infoulding, to the -writing infoulded." - -"Quintuple at most!" But in the instances of his system which he gives -eighteen years later, when probably his time for secret writing as a -matter of business had ceased, and when from the lofty altitude of -the Woolsack he could behold unmoved any who had concealments to -make--provided of course that they were not connected with bribes--there -is only one method given, that of five infolding letters for each one -infolded. In the later and fuller period he speaks also of the one -necessary condition "that the infoulding writing shall contain _at least -five times as many letters_ as the writing infoulded"-- - -Even in the example which he gives "Do not go till I come," there is a -superfluous letter,--the final "e;" as though he wished to mislead the -reader by inference as well as by direct statement. - -Is it possible that he stopped short in his completion of this -marvellous cipher? Can we believe that he who openly spoke from the -first of symbols "_quintuple at most_," was content to use so large a -number of infolding letters when he could possibly do with less? Why, -the last condition of excellence in a cipher which he himself laid down, -namely, that it should "bee without suspicion," would be endangered by -a larger number than was actually necessary. It is by repetition of -symbols that the discovery of secret writing is made; and in a cipher -where, manifestly, the eye or the ear or the touch or the taste must be -guided by such, and so marked and prolonged, symbols, the chances of -discovery are enormously increased. Doubtless, then, he did not rest in -his investigation and invention until he had brought his cipher to its -least dimensions; and it was for some other reason or purpose that -he thus tried to divert the mind of the student from his earlier -suggestion. It will probably be proved hereafter that more than one -variant and reduction to lower dimensions of his biliteral cipher was -used between himself and his friends. When the secrets of that -"Scrivenry" which, according to Mr. W. G. Thorpe in his interesting -volume, "The Hidden Lives of Shakespeare and Bacon," Bacon kept at work -in Twickenham Park, are made known, we shall doubtless know more on the -subject. Of one point, however, we may rest assured, that Bacon did not -go back in his pursuance of an interesting study; and the change from -"Quintuple at most" of the infolding writing of 1605, to "Quintuple -at least," of 1623, was meant for some purpose of misleading or -obscuration, rather than as a limitation of his original setting forth -of the powers and possibilities of his great invention. It will some -day be an interesting theme of speculation and study what use of his -biliteral cipher had been made between 1605 and 1623; and what it was -that he wished to conceal. - -That the original cipher, as given, can be so reduced is manifest. Of -the Quintuple biliteral there are thirty-two combinations. As in the -Elizabethan alphabet, as Bacon himself points out, there were but -twenty-four letters, certain possibilities of reduction at once unfold -themselves, since at the very outset one entire fourth of the symbols -are unused. - - - - -APPENDIX B - -ON THE REDUCTION OF THE NUMBER OF SYMBOLS IN BACON'S BILITERAL CIPHER - - -When I examined the scripts together, both that of the numbers and those -of the dots, I found distinct repetitions of groups of symbols; but no -combinations sufficiently recurrent to allow me to deal with them as -entities. In the number cipher the class of repetitions seemed more -marked. This may have been, however, that as the symbols were simpler -and of a kind with which I was more familiar, the traces or surmises -were easier to follow. It gave me hope to find that there was something -in common between the two methods. It might be, indeed, that both -writings were but variants of the same system. Unconsciously I gave my -attention to the simpler form--the numbers--and for a long weary time -went over them forward, backward, up and down, adding, subtracting, -multiplying, dividing; but without any favorable result. The only -encouragement which I got was that I got additions of eight and nine, -each of these many times repeated. Try how I would, however, I could not -scheme out of them any coherent result. - -When in desperation I returned to the dotted papers I found that this -method was still more exasperating, for on a close study of them I could -not fail to see that there was a cipher manifest; though what it was, or -how it could be read, seemed impossible to me. Most of the letters had -marks in or about them; indeed there were very few which had not. -Examining more closely still I found that the dots were disposed in -three different ways: (a) in the body of the letter itself: (b) above -the letter: (c) below it. There was never more than one mark in the -body of the letter; but those above or below were sometimes single and -sometimes double. Some letters had only the dot in the body; and others, -whether marked on the body or not, had no dots either above or below. -Thus there was every form and circumstance of marking within these three -categories. The only thing which my instinct seemed to impress upon me -continually was that very few of the letters had marks both above and -below. In such cases two were above and one below, or _vice versa_; but -in no case were there marks in the body and above and below also. At -last I came to the conclusion that I had better, for the time, abandon -attempting to decipher; and try to construct a cipher on the lines of -Bacon's Biliteral--one which would ultimately accord in some way with -the external conditions of either, or both, of those before me. - -But Bacon's Biliteral as set forth in the _Novum Organum_ had five -symbols in every case. As there were here no repetitions of five, I set -myself to the task of reducing Bacon's system to a lower number of -symbols--a task which in my original memorandum I had held capable of -accomplishment. - -For hours I tried various means of reduction, each time getting a little -nearer to the ultimate simplicity; till at last I felt that I had -mastered the principle. - -Take the Baconian biliteral cipher as he himself gives it and knock out -repetitions of four or five aaaaa: aaaab: abbbb: baaaa: bbbba: and -bbbbb. This would leave a complete alphabet with two extra symbols for -use as stops, repeats, capitals, etc. This method of deletion, however, -would not allow of the reduction of the number of symbols used; there -would still be required five for each letter to be infolded. We have -therefore to try another process of reduction, that affecting the -variety of symbols without reference to the number of times, up to five, -which each one is repeated. - -Take therefore the Baconian Biliteral and place opposite to each item -the number of symbols required. The first, (aaaaa) requires but one -symbol "a," the second, (aaaab) two, "a" and "b;" the third (aaaba) -three, "a" "b" and "a;" and so on. We shall thus find that the 11th -(ababa) and the 22nd (babab) require five each, and that the 6th, 10th, -12th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 23rd and 27th require four each. If, therefore, -we delete all these biliteral combinations which require four or five -symbols each--ten in all--we have still left twenty-two combinations, -necessitating at most not more than two changes of symbol in addition to -the initial letter of each, requiring up to five quantities of the same -symbol. Fit these to the alphabet; and the scheme of cipher is complete. - -If, therefore, we can devise any means of expressing, in conjunction -with each symbol, a certain number of repeats up to five; and if we can, -for practical purposes, reduce our alphabet to twenty-two letters, -we can at once reduce the biliteral cipher to three instead of five -symbols. - -The latter is easy enough, for certain letters are so infrequently used -that they may well be grouped in twos. Take "X" and "Z" for instance. -In modern printing in English where the letter "e" is employed seventy -times, "x" is only used three times, and "z" twice. Again, "k" is only -used six times, and "q" only three times. Therefore we may very well -group together "k" and "q," and "x" and "z." The lessening of the -Elizabethan alphabet thus effected would leave but twenty-two letters, -the same number as the combinations of the biliteral remaining after -the elision. And further, as "W" is but "V" repeated, we could keep a -special symbol to represent the repetition of this or any other letter, -whether the same be in the body of a word, or if it be the last of -one word and the first of that which follows. Thus we give a greater -elasticity to the cipher and so minimise the chance of discovery. - -As to the expression of numerical values applied to each of the -symbols "a" and "b" of the biliteral cipher as above modified, such -is simplicity itself in a number cipher. As there are two symbols -to be represented and five values to each--four in addition to the -initial--take the numerals, one to ten--which latter, of course, could -be represented by 0. Let the odd numbers according to their values stand -for "a": - - a=1 - aa=3 - aaa=5 - aaaa=7 - aaaaa=9 - -and the even numbers according to their values stand for "b": - - b=2 - bb=4 - bbb=6 - bbbb=8 - bbbbb=0 - -and then? Eureka! We have a Biliteral Cipher in which each letter is -represented by one, two, or three, numbers; and so the five symbols of -the Baconian Biliteral is reduced to three at maximum. - -Variants of this scheme can of course, with a little ingenuity, be -easily reconstructed. - - - - -APPENDIX C - -THE RESOLVING OF BACON'S BILITERAL REDUCED TO THREE SYMBOLS IN A NUMBER -CIPHER - - -Place in their relative order as appearing in the original arrangement -the selected symbols of the Biliteral: - - a a a a a - a a a a b - &c - -Then place opposite each the number arrived at by the application of odd -and even figures to represent the numerical values of the symbols "a" -and "b." - - Thus aaaaa will be as shown 9 - aaaab will be as shown 72 - aaaba will be as shown 521 - -and so on. Then put in sequence of numerical value. We shall then have: -0. 9. 18. 27. 36. 45. 54. 63. 72. 81. 125. 143. 161. 216. 234. 252. 323. -341. 414. 432. 521. 612. An analysis shows that of these there are two -of one figure; eight of two figures; and twelve of three figures. Now -as regards the latter series--the symbols composed of three figures--we -will find that if we add together the component figures of each of those -which begins and ends with an even number they will tot up to nine; -but that the total of each of those commencing and ending with an odd -number only total up to eight. There are no two of these symbols which -clash with one another so as to cause confusion. - -To fit the alphabet to this cipher the simplest plan is to reserve one -symbol (the first--"0") to represent the repetition of a foregoing -letter. This would not only enlarge possibilities of writing, but would -help to baffle inquiry. There is a distinct purpose in choosing "0" as -the symbol of repetition for it can best be spared; it would invite -curiosity to begin a number cipher with "0," were it in use in any -combination of figures representing a letter. - -Keep all the other numbers and combinations of numbers for purely -alphabetical use. Then take the next five--9 to 45 to represent the -vowels. The rest of the alphabet can follow in regular sequence, using -up of the triple combinations, first those beginning and ending with -even numbers and which tot up to nine, and when these have been -exhausted, the others, those beginning and ending with odd numbers and -which tot up to eight, in their own sequence. - -If this plan be adopted, any letter of a word can be translated into -numbers which are easily distinguishable, and whose sequence can be -seemingly altered, so as to baffle inquisitive eyes, by the addition of -any other numbers placed anywhere throughout the cipher. All of these -added numbers can easily be discovered and eliminated by the scribe who -undertakes the work of decipheration, by means of the additions of odd -or even numbers, or by reference to his key. The whole cipher is so -rationally exact that any one who knows the principle can make a key in -a few minutes. - -As I had gone on with my work I was much cheered by certain resemblances -or coincidences which presented themselves, linking my new construction -with the existing cipher. When I hit upon the values of additions of -eight and nine as the component elements of some of the symbols, I felt -sure that I was now on the right track. At the completion of my work I -was exultant for I felt satisfied in believing that the game was now in -my own hands. - - - - -APPENDIX D - -ON THE APPLICATION OF THE NUMBER CIPHER TO THE DOTTED PRINTING - - -The problem which I now put before myself was to make dots in a printed -book in which I could repeat accurately and simply the setting forth -of the biliteral cipher. I had, of course, a clue or guiding principle -in the combinations of numbers with the symbols of "a" and "b" as -representing the Alphabetical symbols. Thus it was easy to arrange that -"a" should be represented by a letter untouched and "b" by one with -a mark. This mark might be made at any point of the letter. Here I -referred to the cipher itself and found that though some letters were -marked with a dot in the centre or body of the letter, those both above -and below wherever they occurred showed some kind of organised use. "Why -not," said I to myself, "use the body for the difference between "a" and -"b;" and the top and bottom for numbers?" - -No sooner said than done. I began at once to devise various ways of -representing numbers by marks or dots at top and bottom. Finally I -fixed, as being the most simple, on the following: - -Only four numbers--2, 3, 4, 5--are required to make the number of times -each letter of the symbol is repeated, there being in the original -Baconian cipher, after the elimination of the ten variations already -made, only three changes of symbol to represent any letter. Marks at the -top might therefore represent the even numbers "2" and "4"--one mark -standing for "two" and two marks for "four"; marks at the bottom would -represent the odd numbers "3" and "5"--one mark standing for "three" and -two marks for "five." - -Thus "a a a a a" would be represented by "[a:]" or any other letter with -two dots below: "a a a a b" by ä b, or any other letters similarly -treated. As any letter left plain would represent "a" and any letter -dotted in the body would represent "b" the cipher is complete for -application to any printed or written matter. As in the number cipher, -the repetition of a letter could be represented by a symbol which in -this variant would be the same as the symbol for ten or "0." It would be -any letter with one dot in the body and two under it, thus--[t:]. - -For the purpose of adding to the difficulty of discovery, where two -marks were given either above or below the letter, the body mark -(representing the letter as "b" in the Biliteral) might be placed at the -opposite end. This would create no confusion in the mind of an advised -decipherer, but would puzzle the curious. - -On the above basis I completed my key and set to my work of deciphering -with a jubilant heart; for I felt that so soon as I should have adjusted -any variations between the systems of the old writer and my own, work -only was required to ultimately master the secret. - - -The following tables will illustrate the making and working--both in -ciphering and de-ciphering--of the amended Biliteral Cipher of Francis -Bacon: - - -CIPHER FOR NUMBERS AND DOTS. - - P (Plain) means letter left untouched - D (Dot) means letter with dot in body - One Dot--(.) at Top (t)--_2 - One Dot--(.) at Bottom (b)--_3 - Two Dots--(..) at Top (t)--_4 - Two Dots--(..) at Bottom (b)--_5 - - ================+==========+============+==========+================= - | | NUMBER | | - | | CIPHER. | | - | No. of +------------+ Alphabet | - BACON CIPHER. | Symbols | No. Values | to be | DOT CIPHER - | Required | of | arranged | - | | Symbols | in order.| - | | reported. | | - ----------------+----------+------------+----------+----------------- - A-- 1--a a a a a| --1-- | 9 | --A | --P..b - B-- 2--a a a a b| --2-- | 7.2 | --D | --P..t--D - C-- 3--a a a b a| --3-- | 5.2.1 | --Y | --P .b--D--P - D-- 4--a a a b b| --2-- | 5.4 | --B | --P .b--D.t - E-- 5--a a b a a| --3-- | 3.2.3 | --T | --P .t--D--P.t - F-- 6--a a b a b| --4-- | 3.2.1.2 | | - G-- 7--a a b b a| --3-- | 3.4.1 | --X.Z. | --P .t--D.t--P - H-- 8--a a b b b| --2-- | 3.6 | --O | --P .t--D.b - I-- 9--a b a a a| --3-- | 1.2.5 | --P | --P--D--P.b - K--10--a b a a b| --4-- | 1.3.3.2 | | - L--11--a b a b a| --5-- | 1.2.1.2.1 | | - M--12--a b a b b| --4-- | 1.2.1.4 | | - N--13--a b b a a| --3-- | 1.4.3 | --R | --P--D .t--P.t - O--14--a b b a b| --4-- | 1.4.1.2 | | - P--15--a b b b a| --3-- | 1.6.1 | --S | --P--D .b--P - Q--16--a b b b b| --2-- | 1.8 | --E | --P--D..t - R--17--b a a a a| --2-- | 2.7 | --I | --D--P..t - S--18--b a a a b| --3-- | 2.5.2 | --K.Q. | --D--P .b--D - T--19--b a a b a| --4-- | 2.3.2.1 | | - V--20--b a a b b| --3-- | 2.3.4 | --H | --D--P .t--D.t - W--21--b a b a a| --4-- | 2.1.2.3 | | - X--22--b a b a b| --5-- | 2.1.2.1.2 | | - Y--23--b a b b a| --4-- | 2.1.4.1 | | - Z--24--b a b b b| --3-- | 2.1.6 | --G | --D--P--D.b - 25--b b a a a| --2-- | 4.5 | --U.V. | --D.t--P.b - 26--b b a a b| --3-- | 4.3.2 | --M | --D.t--P.t--D - 27--b b a b a| --4-- | 4.1.2.1 | | - 28--b b a b b| --3-- | 4.1.4 | --L | --D .t--P--D.t - 29--b b b a a| --2-- | 6.3 | --C | --D .b--P.t - 30--b b b a b| --3-- | 6.1.2 | --N | --D .b--P--D - 31--b b b b a| --2-- | 8.1 | --F | --D..t--P - 32--b b b b b| --1-- | 9 | --Repeat | --D..b - ================+==========+============+==========+================= - -NOTE.--When there are to be two dots at either top or bottom of a -letter, the dot usually put in the body of a letter which is to indicate -"b" can be placed at the opposite end of the letter to the double -dotting. This will help to baffle investigation without puzzling the -skilled interpreter. - - -KEY TO NUMBER CIPHER - -Divide off into additions of nine or eight. Thus if extraneous figures -have been inserted, they can be detected and deleted. - - Cipher. De-Cipher. - - A = 9 O = Repeat Letter - B = 54 125 = P - C = 63 143 = R - D = 72 161 = S - E = 18 18 = E - F = 81 216 = G - G = 216 234 = H - H = 234 252 = K or Q - I = 27 27 = I - K.Q = 252 323 = T - L = 414 341 = X or Z - M = 432 36 = O - N = 612 414 = L - O = 36 432 = M - P = 125 45 = U or V - R = 143 521 = Y - S = 161 54 = B - T = 323 612 = N - U.V = 45 63 = C - X.Z = 341 72 = D - Y = 521 81 = F - Repeat = O 9 = A - - -FINGER CIPHER. - -Values the same as Number Cipher. - -The RIGHT hand, beginning at the thumb, represent the ODD numbers, - -The LEFT hand, beginning at the thumb, represent the EVEN numbers. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - -KEY TO DOT CIPHER - - P--Letter left plain. - D--Dot in centre or where are two dots t or b in other end (b or t). - .--Dot. - t--top of letter. - b--bottom of letter. - - Cipher. De-Cipher. - - A = P .. b P ------ D ------ P . b = P - B = P . b -- D . t P ------ D . t -- P . t = R - C = D . b -- P . t P ------ D .. t -------- = E - D = P .. t -- D P ------ D . b -- P --- = S - E = P -- D .. t P . t -- D ------- P . t = T - F = D .. t -- P P . t -- D . t -- P --- = X or Z - G = D -- P -- D . b P . t -- D . b -------- = O - H = D -- P . t -- D . t P .. t -- D ------------- = D - I = D -- P .. t P . b -- D ------- P = Y - K.Q = D -- P . b -- D P . b -- D . t ------- = B - L = D . t -- P -- D . t P .. b ----------------- = A - M = D . t -- P . t -- D D ------- P ------- D . b = G - N = D . b -- P -- D D ------- P . t -- D . t = H - O = P . t -- D . b D ------- P .. t -------- = I - P = P -- D -- P . b D ------- P . b -- D --- = K or Q - R = P -- D . t -- P . t D . t -- P ------- D . t = L - S = P -- D . b -- P D . t -- P . t -- D --- = M - T = P . t -- D -- P . t D . t -- P . b -------- = U or V - U.V = D . t -- P . b D .. t -- P ------------- = F - X.Z = P . t -- D . t -- P D . b -- P ----- D ----- = N - Y = P . b -- D -- P D . b -- P . t -------- = C - Repeat = D .. b (W = U repeated) D .. b -------- = Repeat (W) - - -MEMORANDA. - -Begin fresh with each line. - -Take no account of stops. - -Take no account of Capitals or odd words. - -ye is one letter. - - - - -APPENDIX E - -Page ---- - -NARRATIVE OF BERNARDINO DE ESCOBAN, KNIGHT OF THE CROSS OF THE HOLY SEE -AND GRANDEE OF SPAIN - - -When my kinsman who was known as the "Spanish Cardinal" heard of my -arrival in Rome in obedience to his secret summons, he sent one to me -who took me to see him at the Vatican. I went at once and found that -though the carriage of his great office had somewhat aged my kinsman -it had not changed the sweet bearing which he had ever had towards me. -He entered at once on the matter regarding which he had summoned me, -leaving to later those matters of home and family which were close to us -both, and prefacing his speech with an assurance--unnecessary I enforced -on him--that he would not have urged me to so great a voyage, and at a -time when the concerns of home and of His Catholic Majesty so needed me -in my own place, had there not been strictest need of my presence at -Rome. This he then explained, ever anticipating my ignorance, so lucidly -and with sweet observance of my needs, that I could not wonder at his -great advancement. - -Entering at once on the enterprise of the King as to the restoration of -England to the fold of the True Church he made clear to me that the one -great wish of His Holinesse was to aid in all ways the achievement of -the same. To such end he was willing to devote a vast treasure, the -which he had accumulated for the purpose through many years. "But" said -my kinsman, and with so much smiling as might become his grave office -"the King hath here at the Court of Rome one to represent him, who, -though doubtless a zealous and faithful servant of his Royal Master, -hath not those qualities of discretion and discernment, of the -subjugation of self and the discipline of his own ideas, which go to -make up the perfection of the Ambassador. He hath already many times and -in many ways, to many persons and in many Countries, said of His -Holinesse such things as, even if true--and they are not so--were, in -the high discretion of his office as Ambassador, better unspoken. This, -moreover, in an Embassy wherein he wishes to acquire much which the -mundane world holds to be of great worth. The Count de Olivares hath -spoken freely and without reserve of the Holy Father's reticence in -handing over vast sums of money to His Catholic Majesty as due to -parsimony, to avarice, to meanness of spirit, and to other low qualities -which, though common enough in men, are soil to the name of God's -Vicegerent on Earth! Nay" he went on, seeing that my horror was such as -to verge on doubt, "trust me in this, for of the verity of these things -I am assured. Rome hath many eyes, and the hearing of her ears is -widecast. The Pope and his Cardinals are well served throughout the -world. Little indeed happens in Christendom--aye and beyond it--which is -not echoed in secret in the Vatican. I know that not only has Count de -Olivares spoken of his beliefs regarding the Holy Father to his mundane -friends, but he has not hesitated in his formal despatches to say the -same to his Royal Master. It hath grieved His Holinesse much that any -could so misunderstand him, and it hath grieved him more that His -Catholic Majesty should receive such calumnies without demur. Wherefore -he would take some other means than the hand of the King of Spain to -accomplish his own secret ends. He knoweth well the high purpose of His -Catholic Majesty, your Royal Master, in the restoration of England -to the True Faith; but yet his mind is much disturbed by his recent -pronouncements regarding the Bishoprics. The See of Rome is the Arch -Episcopate of the Earth, and to its Bishop belongs by God's very -ordinance the ruling of all the bishoprics of the Church. "Upon this -Rock shall I build my Church." Now His Holinesse hath already promised -a million crowns towards the great emprise of the Armada; and he hath -promised it so that it be handed over to the King when his emprise, -which is after all for the enlargement of his own kingdom, hath begun to -bear fruit. But Count de Olivares is not content with this promise--the -promise remember of God's Vicegerent--and he is ever clamorous, not only -for the immediate payment of this promised sum, but for other sums. His -new request is for another million crowns. And even in the very presence -of His Holinesse, he so bears himself as if the non-compliance with his -demand were a wrong to him and to his Master. From all which His -Holinesse, consulting in privacy with me who am also his friend--such is -the greatness with which he honoureth me--hath determined that, whereas -he will of course keep to the last letter his promise of help, and will -even exceed largely the same, he will dispose in other ways of the great -treasure which he had already set aside for this English affair. When he -honoured me by asking my advice as to whom should be entrusted with this -high endeavour, and had shown that of necessity it should be some -Spaniard so that hereafter it might not be said that the emprise of the -Armada had not his full sanction and support, I ventured to suggest that -in you first of all men this high trust should be reposed. For yourself, -I said that I had known you from childhood, and had found you without -a flaw; and that you came from a race that had gone clothed in honour -since the time of the Moors." - -Much other of like kind, my children, did my kinsman tell me that he had -said to His Holinesse; which so satisfied him that he had commanded him -to send for me so that he could have the assurance of his own seeing -what manner of man I was. My kinsman then went on to tell me how he had -told His Holinesse of what I had already taken in hand regarding the -Great Armada. How I had promised the King a galleon fully equipped and -manned with seamen and soldiers from our old Castile; and how His -Majesty was so pleased, since my offer had been the first he had -received, that he had sworn that my vessel should carry the flag of the -squadron of the galleons of Castile. He told him also that the galleon -was to be called the _San Cristobal_ from my patron saint; and also that -so her figurehead should bear the image of the Christ into English -waters the first of all things that came from my Province. Which idea so -wrought upon the mind of His Holinesse that he said: "Good man! Good -Spaniard! Good Christian! I shall provide the figurehead for the _San -Cristobal_ myself. When Don de Escoban comes here I shall arrange it -with him." - -When my kinsman had so informed me as to many things he left me a while, -saying that he would ask the Pope to arrange for an audience with me. -Shortly he returned with haste, saying that the Holy Father wished me to -come to him at once. I went in exaltation mingled with fear; and all my -unworthiness of such high honour rose before me. But when I came to His -Holinesse and knelt before him he blessed me and raised me up himself. -And when he bade me, I raised my eyes and looked at him in the face. -Whereat he turned to the Spanish Cardinal and said: "You have spoken -under the mark, my brother. Here is a man indeed in whom I can trust to -the full." - -And so, my children, he made me sit by him, and for a long time--it was -more than two hours by the clock--he talked with me about his wish. And, -oh my children, I would that you and others could hear the wise words of -that great and good man. He was so worldly-wise, in addition to his -Saintly wisdom, that nothing seemed to lack in his reasoning; nothing -was too small to be outside his understanding and considerations of the -motives and arts of men. He told me with exceeding frankness of his -views of the situation. All the while, my kinsman smiled and nodded -approval now and again; and it filled me with pride that one of my own -blood should stand so close to the counsels of His Holinesse. He told -me that though war was a sad necessity, which he as himself an earthly -monarch was compelled to understand and accept, yet he preferred -infinitely the ways of peace; and moreover believed in them. In his own -wise words, "the logic of the cannon, though more loud, speaks not so -forcibly as the logic of the living day between sunrise and sunset." -When later he added to this conviction that, "the chink of the money-bag -speaks more loudly than either," I ventured an impulsive word of -protest. Whereupon he stopped and looking at me sharply asked if I knew -how to bribe. To which I replied that as yet I had given none, nor taken -none. Then smilingly he laid his hand in friendlinesse on my shoulder -and said: "My friend, Saint Escoban, these be two things, not one; and -though to take a bribe is to be unforgiven, yet to give one at high -command is but a duty, like the soldier's duty to kill which is not -murder, which it would be without such behest." Then raising his hand -to silence my protest he said: "I know what you would say: 'Woe to that -man by whom the scandal cometh,' but such argument, my friend, is my -province; and its responsibility is mine. Ere you proceed on your -mission you shall have indemnity for the carriage of all my commands. -You go into an enemy's country; a country which is the professed and -malignant enemy of Holy Church, and where faith and honour are not. -God's work is to be done in many ways. It is sufficient that He has -allowed instruments that are unworthy and unholy; and as unworthy and -unholy we must use them to His ends. You, Don de Escoban, shall have no -pain in such matters, and no shame. My commands shall cover you!" -Then, when I had bowed my recognition of his will, he resumed his -instructions. He said that in England in high places were many men who -were open to sell their knowledge or their power, and that when once -they had accepted payment it were needful for their own credit and -even for their safety, that they should further the end which they had -undertaken. "These English," he said, "are pagans; and it was said of -this our Holy City in pagan times '_Omnia Romae venalia sunt!_'" -Whereupon there was borne upon me a recollection of years before when I -was in the suite of the Ambassador at Paris, how a boy in the British -Embassy who was shewing me a cipher of encloased writing which he -had just perfected had written in it with uncouth lettering as an -illustration "_Omnia Britaniae venalia sunt_." And further did remember -how we had enlarged and perfected the cipher when we resided together at -Tours. His Holinesse told me that in great seasons it were needful to -scatter favours with a lavish hand, and that no season was or could be -so great as that which foreran the restoring to the fold a great and -active nation who was already beginning to rule the seas. "To which -end," he said, "I am placing with you a vastness of treasure such as -no nation hath ever seen. The gifts of the Faithful have begun it -and enlarged it; and the fruits of many victories have enhanced it. -Regarding it, there is only one promise which I will exact from you, -and that I shall exact in the most solemn way of which the Church has -knowledge; that this vast treasure be applied to onely that purpose to -which it is ordained--the advancement of the True Faith. It will add -also, of course, to the honour and glory of the Kingdom of Spain, so -that for all time the world may know that the comfort of the Roman See -is on the emprise of the Great Armada! In proof of which should, for the -sins of men, the great emprise fail, you or those who may succeed you in -the Trust are, if I myself be not then living, to hand the Treasure to -the custody of whatever monarch may then sit upon the throne of Spain -for his good guardianship, in trust with me." - -So he proceeded to detail; and gave full instructions as to the amount -of the treasure. How it was to be placed in my hands, and when; and all -details of its using when the Armada should have made landing on English -shores. And how I should use it myself, in case I were not told to hand -it over to some other. If I were to yield up the treasure, the mandate -should be enforced by letter, together with the showing of a ring, which -he took from the purse where he kept the Fisherman's ring wherewith he -signs all briefs, and allowed me to examine it so that I might recognize -it if shown to me hereafter. All of which things of using are not now -of importance to you, my children, for the time of their usefulness has -passed by; but only to show that the treasure is to be guarded, and -finally given to the custody of the King of Spain. - -Then His Holiness spoke to me of my own vessel. He promised me that a -suitable figurehead, one wrought for his own galley by the great -Benvenuto Cellini, and blessed by Himself, should be duly sent on to me. -He promised also that the Quittance to me and mine, which he had named -should be completed and lodged in the secret archives of the Papacy. -Then once more he blessed me, and on parting gave me a relic of San -Cristobal, whose possession, together with the honour done me, made me -feel as I left the Vatican as though I walked upon air. - -On my return to Spain I visited the ship yard at San Lucar, where -already the building of the _San Cristobal_ was in progress. I arranged -in private with the master builder that there should be constructed in -the centre of the galleon a secret chamber, well encased round with teak -wood from the Indies, and with enforcement of steel plates; and with -a lock to the iron door, such as Pedro the Venetian hath already -constructed for the treasure chest of the King. By my suggestion, -and his wisdom in the doing of the matter, the secret chamber was so -arranged in disposition, and so masked in with garniture of seeming -unimportance, that none, unless of the informed, might tell its -presence, or indeed of its very existence. It was placed as though in a -well of teak wood and steel, hemmed in on all sides; without entrance -whatever from the lower parts, and only approachable from the top which -lay under my own cabin, down deep in the centre of the galleon. Men in -single and detachments, were brought from other ship yards for the doing -of this work, and all so disposed in Port that none might have greater -knowledge than of that item which he completed at the time. Save only -those few of the guilds whose faith had long been made manifest by their -rectitude of life and their discretion of silence. - -Into this secret receptacle (to continue this narrative out of its due -sequence) when the final outfitting of the Invincible Armada came to -pass, was placed, under my own supervision, in the night time and in -secret, all the vast treasure which had before then been sent to me -secretly by agents of His Holinesse. Full tally and reckoning made I -with my own hand, nominating the coined money by its value in crowns and -doubloons, and the gold and silver in bullion by their weight. I made -a list in separate also of the endless array of precious stones, both -those enriched in carvings and inriching the jewells of gold and silver -wrought by the cunning of the great artizans. I made list also of the -gems unplanted, which were of innumerable number and of various bigness. -These latter I specified by kind and number, singling out some of rare -size and quality for description. The whole table of the list I signed -and sent by his messengers to the Pope, specifying thereon that I had -them in trust for His Holinesse to dispose of them as he might direct; -or to yield over to whomsoever he might depute to receive them whenever -and wherever they might be in the guardianship of me or mine, the order -of His Holinesse being verified by the exhibition by the new trustee of -the Eagle Ring. - -Before the _San Cristobal_ had left San Lucar, there arrived from Rome, -in a package of great bulk--brought by a ship accredited by the Pope, so -that corsairs other than Turks and pagans might respect the flag, and so -abstain from plunder--the figurehead of the galleon which His Holinesse -had promised to supply. With it came a sealed missive cautioning me that -I should open the package in privacy, and deal with its contents only -by means of those in whom I had full trust, since it was even in its -substance most precious. In addition to which it had been specially -wrought by Benvenuto Cellini, the Master goldsmith whose work was -contended for by the Kings of the earth. It was the wish of His -Holinesse himself that on the conversion of England being completed, -either through peace or war, this figurehead of the _San Cristobal_ -should be set over the High Altar of the Cathedral at Westminster, where -it would serve for all time of an emblem of the love of the Pope for the -wellbeing of the souls of his English children. - -I opened the case with only present a chosen few; and truly we were -wonderstruck with the beauty and richness of the jewell, for it was none -other, which was discloased to us. The great figure of San Cristobal was -silver gilded to look like gold, and of such thickness that the hollow -within rang sweetly at a touch as though a bell sounded there. But the -Figure of the child Christ which he bore upon his shoulder was of none -other than solid gold. When we who were present saw it, we sank to our -knees in gratitude for so great a tribute of Holinesse, and also the -beauty of the tribute to the Divine Excellence. Truly the kindness of -the Pope and the zeal of his artist were without bound; for with the -figurehead came a jewell made in the form of a brooch carven in gold -which represented it _in petto_. It was known to all the Squadron that -the Pope himself had sent the figurehead of the _San Cristobal_; and as -our vessel moved along the line of galleons and ships, and hulks, and -pataches, and galleys of the Armada, the heads of all were uncovered and -the knees of all were bent. We had not any christening of the galleon, -for the blessing of the Holy Father was already on the figurehead of the -ship and encompassed it round about. - -None knew on board the _San Cristobal_ of the existence of the treasure, -save only the Captain of the galleons and ships, and hulks, and -pataches, and galleys of the Squadron of Castile, to both of whom I -entrusted the secret of the treasure (though not the giver nor the -nature of the Trust nor the amount thereof), lest ill should befall me, -and in ignorance the whole through some disaster be lost. And let me -here say to their honour that my confidence was kept faithfully to the -last; though it may be that had they known the magnitude of the treasure -it might have been otherwise, men being but as flax before the fire of -cupidity. - -For myself after I embarked, I went on the journey with mixed feelings; -for my body unaccustomed to the sea warred mightily with my soul that -had full trust in the enterprise. The many days of storm and trial after -we had left Lisbon, until we had found a refuge in Corunna did seem as -though the comings of eternity had been made final. For the turmoil -of the winds and the waves was indeed excessive, and even those most -skilled in the ways and the wonders of the deep asseverated that never -had been known weather so unpropitious to the going forth of ships. -Truly this time, though less than three weeks in all, did seem of a -durance inconceivable to one on land. - -Whilst we lay in the harbour of Corunna, which was for more than four -weary weeks, we effected some necessary repairs. The _San Cristobal_ had -been taking water at the prow, and we should find the cause and remedy -it. Possibly it was that the bow was left unfinished at San Lucar for -the better fixing of the figurehead, and that some small flaw thus begun -met enlargement from the straining of the timbers in the prolonged -storm. To the end of this repairing the work was given to some of the -ship-men on board, Swedes and other Northerns, the same being expert -calkers on account of their much experience of their repair of ships -injured in their troublous seas. Among them was one whom I mistrusted -much, as did all on board, so that he should not have been retained save -only that he was a nimble and fearless mariner who be the seas never so -great would take his place in the furlment of sails or in other perilous -labour of the sea. He was a Russian Finn and like all these heathen -people had strange powers of evill, or was by all accredited with the -same. For be it known that these Finns can, by some subtile and diabolic -means, suck or otherwise derive the strength from timbers; so that many -a tall ship has through this agency gone down to the deep unknown. This -Finn, Olgaref by name, was a notable calker and with some others was -slung over the bow to calk the gaping seams. I made it to myself a -necessity to be present, for I regarded ever the cupidity of man -together with the inestimable value of the Pope's gift. Right sure was -I that no Spaniard or no Christian would lay a sacrilegious hand on -the Sacred Figure of Our Lord or of the good Saint who bore Him; and -hitherto the esteem of all had been so great that none would dare so -much. But with a pagan such considerations avail not, and I feared -lest even his suspicions might be aroused. Well indeed were my fears -justified. For as I leaned over the prow, I saw him touch the metal of -the Christ and of the Saint as though some of the same diabolic instinct -which had taught him to deal infamously with the timbers of ships had -guided him to the discernment of the metals also. Then as I looked, he, -all unknowing of my observation, tapped softly with his calking-mallet -on both the metals which in turn gave out sounds which no one could -mistake. He seemed satisfied with his quest, and resumed his work upon -the oakum with renewed zeal. Thenceforth during our stay in Corunna I so -arranged matters that ever both day and night there was a sentinel on -the prow of the _San Cristobal_. When the day came when, praise be to -God, 8,000 soldiers and sailors confessed to the friars of the fleet -on an island in the harbour in which the Archbishop of Santiago had -arranged altars--for we had no Bishop on the Armada--I feared lest -Olgaref should make, through some inadvertence of those left behind, -some attempt upon the precious gift. He was too wary, however, and -behaved with such discretion that for the time my suspicion was -disarmed. - -On the 22nd. July, after a Council of War in the Royal Galleon in which -the chief Admirals of the Fleet took part, our squadron, which had been -waiting outside the harbour of Corunna with the squadron of Andalusia, -the Guipuzcoan Squadron and the squadron of Ojeda, set sail on our great -emprise. - -Truly it did seem as though the powers of the seas and the winds was -leagued against us; for after but three days of fair weather we met with -calms and fogs and a very hurricane which was as none other of the same -ever known in the month of Leo. The waves mounted to the very heavens, -and some of them broke over the ships of the fleet doing thereby a vast -of damage which could not be repaired whilst at sea. In this storm the -whole of the stern gallery of our galleon was carried away, and it was -only by the protection of the Most High that the breach so made was not -the means of ultimately whelming us in the sea. With the coming of the -day we found that forty of the ships of the Armada were missing. On this -day it was that that great and bold mariner the Admiral Don Pedro de -Valdes by his great daring and the hazard of his life saved my own life, -when I had been swept overboard by a mighty sea. In gratitude for which -I sent him that which I held most dear of my possessions, the jewell of -the San Cristobal given me by the Pope. - -Thenceforth for a whole week were we hourly harassed by the enemy, -who, keeping aloof from us, yet managed by their superior artillery to -inflict upon us incalculable damage; so that our carpenters and divers -had to work endlessly to stop the shot holes above water and below it -with tow and leaden plates. - -On the last day of July two disasters befell, in both of which our -galleon afterwards had a part. The first, was to the ship _San Salvador_ -of Admiral Miguel de Aquendo's squadron, through the diabolic device of -a German gunmaster, who in revenge for punishment inflicted on him by -Captain Preig, threw, after firing his gun, his lighted linstock into a -barrel of powder, to the effect of blowing up the two afterdecks and the -poop castle, and killing over two hundred men. As on this ship was Juan -de Huerta the Paymaster General with a great part of the treasure of the -King, it was necessary that she should if possible be saved from the -enemy who were rushing in upon her. The Duke, therefore firing a signal -gun to the fleet to follow, stood by her to the dismay of the English, -thus baulked of so rich a prey. In the strategy of getting the wounded -ship back to her place in the formation came the second disaster; for -the foremast of the flagship of Don Pedro de Valdes _Nuestra Senora del -Rosario_ gave way at the hatches, falling on the mainsail boom. The -rising sea forbade the giving her a hawser; the Duke ordered Captain -Ojeda to stand by her with our pataches together with Don Pedro's own -vice flagship the _San Francisco_ and our own _San Cristobal_. A galleon -also was to try to fix a hawser for towing; but the night shut down on -us, and the wiser counsel of the Admiral-in-Chief advised by Diego -Flores forbade so many ships to remain absent from the going on of the -Armada lest they too should be cut off. So we said farewell to that -gallant mariner Don Pedro de Valdes. - -That same evening the wind began to blow and the sea to rise so that the -injured ship of Admiral Oquendo was in danger of sinking; wherefore the -High Admiral, on such word being brought to him, gave orders that we -should keep close to her and take in our care the mariners and soldiers -on board her and also the King's treasure chest; for it was said that -His Catholic Majesty had on the Armada half a million crowns in bullion -and coined money. It was dark as pitch when we saw the signal made when -the flagship shortened sail--two lanterns at the poop and one halfway -up the rigging, put out for the guidance of the fleet. Fearsome their -lights looked shining over the dark heaving waters which now and again -so broke with the oncoming waves that the tracks of light seemed in -places to rise and fall about as though they could never be reunited. -But our Mariners answered to the call, and the boats soon rocked by our -sides and with a flash of our blades in the lamplight--for the battle -lanterns were lit to aid them--one by one they were swept into the dark. -It was long before they came back, for the wild sea made their venture -impossible. But before noon of the next day they again made essay; and -in several voyages brought back many men and great store of heavy boxes, -which latter were forthwith lodged in the powder room which was guarded -by night and day. This made greater anxiety for Senor de las Alas, in -that his seamen and mariners, and worse still the foreigners, knew that -there was such a store of wealth aboard. - -Thenceforth we bore our part in the running fight which ensued between -our Armada and the Squadrons of Drake and the Lord Admiral Howard; and -also that of John Hawkins which assailed us with such insistence that we -fain thought the Devil himself must have some hand in his work. At last -came a time when by God's grace the flagship of the enemy was almost -within our grasp, for she lay amongst us disabled. But many oar-boats of -her consorts flocked to her, and towed her to safety in the calm which -forbade us to follow. In this action a dire disaster had almost befallen -us, and Christendom too, for a shot struck us athwart the bow and so -loosened the girding of our precious figurehead that almost it had -fallen into the sea. San Cristobal watched over his own, however; and -presently we had with ropes haled it aboard and held it firmly with -cables so that it was immediately safe. It was covered up with tow and -sacking and so hidden under pretence of safety that none might discover -the secret of its intrinsic preciosity. Ere this was completed we were -again called to action, as for our fleetness we were required to chase -with the _San Juan_ of Portugal, the flagship of the enemy which was -flying from our attack. For the English ships, though not so large, were -swift as our own and more easy of handling; and by their prerogative of -nimble steerage could so thwart our purposes that ere we could recover -on following their tacking, they were well away with full-bellied sail. -By this, however, we were saved much pain of concern, for when off -Calais roads the Armada lay at anchor we, coming amongst the latermost, -were placed on the skirts of the fleet. Thus when the English on the -night of Sunday August 7th. sent their fire ships floating with wind and -tide down on the Armada, so that in panic most of the great vessels had -to slip their anchors or even to cut their cables, we could weigh with -due deliberance and set sail northerly according to our orders from the -Duke. - -When by Newcastle we saw the English ships drop off in their pursuit we -knew thereby that their finding was at an end and their magazines empty. -Whereupon, setting our course ever northwards, so that rounding Scotland -and Ireland we might seek Spain once more, we began our task of counting -our scars, and thence to the work of the leech. Truly we were in -pitiable plight, for the long continued storm and strain had opened our -seams and we took water abominably. In that we were of the most swift -of the vessels of the fleet, our galleon and the _Trinidad_ of our own -squadron outsailed the rest, and bearing away to the eastward, though -not too much so, and thence north, found ourselves on the 11th day of -August, off the coast of Aberdeyne. The sea had now fallen so far that -though the waves were more than we had reckoned upon at the first yet -they were but mild in comparison with what had been. Here in a sandy -bay close under Buquhan Ness we cast anchor and began to overhaul. - - * * * * * - -Both our ships had been very seriously damaged, and repairs were indeed -necessary which required careening, had such been possible. But it could -not be in a latitude where, even in the summer, the seas rose so fast -and broke so wildly. Our consort the _Trinidad_, though in sad plight, -was not so bad as we were; and it was greatly to be feared that if -occasion was not to be had for making good the ravages of the storm and -the enemy she might meet with disaster. But such amending might not be -at this time. The weather was threatening; and moreover the enemy would -soon be following hard behind us. From one of our foreign seamen, a -Scotchman who in secret visited Aberdeyne, we learned that Queen -Elizabeth was sending out a swift patache to scour the whole northern -coast for any traces of the Armada. Though we were two galleons, we yet -feared such a meeting; for our stores were exhausted and our powder had -run low. Of ball we had none, for such fighting as these dogged -Englishmen are prone to. Moreover it is the way of these islanders to so -hold together that when one is touched all others run to aid; whereby -were but one gun of ours fired, even off that desolate coast, in but a -little while would be an army on the shore and a squadron of ships upon -the sea. It began therefore sorely to exercise my conscience as to how I -should best protect the treasure entrusted to me. Were it to fall into -the hands of our enemies it were the worst that could happen; and -matters had already so disastrously arranged themselves that it was to -be feared we should not hold ourselves in safety. Therefore, taking -much counsel with Heaven, whose treasure indeed it was that I was -guarding, I began to look about for some secret place of storage, to -the which I might resort in case danger should threaten before we could -get safely away from the shore. The Artificers said that two days, or -perhaps three, would be required to complete our restorations; and on -the first of these I took a small boat, and with two trusty mariners of -my own surroundings I set out to explore the land close to us, which -was of a veritable desolation. The shallow bay, in whose mouth we were -anchored in a sufficiency of water at all tides, was lined with great -sandhills from end to end save at the extremities, where rocks of -exceeding durability manifested themselves even at high tide, but which -shewed with ferocity at low water. We essayed at first the northern -side, but presently abandoned the quest, for though there were many deep -indentures, wherein the sea ran at times with exceeding violence, the -simple contours of the rocks and of the land above gave little promise -of a secret place of storage. - -But the south side was different. There had been in times long past much -upheaval of various kinds, and now were many little bays, all iron-bound -and full of danger, lying between outflanking rocks of a steepness -unsurpassable. Seaweed was on many great rocks rising from the sea -whereon multitudinous wild fowl sat screaming; between them rose -numberless points often invisible, save when the surges fell from -them in their course, and amongst which the tide set with a wonderful -current, most perilous. Here, after we had many times escaped -overturning, being borne by the side of sunken rocks, I at last made -discovery of such a place as we required. Elsewhere I have recorded for -your guidance its bearings and all such details as may be needful for -the fullfillment of your duty. The cave was a great one on the south -side of the bay, with many windings and blind offsets; and as best met -my wishes in accordance with my task, the entrance was not easy to be -discovered, being small and of a rare quality for concealment. Here I -made preparation for the landing of the treasure, in so far as that I -took note of all things and made perfect my designs. I had left the -mariners in the boat, enjoining them to remain in her in case of need, -so that none of them, much though I trusted them, knew of the discovered -cave. When we had returned to the galleon night had fallen. - -Forthwith, after secret consultation with our admiral, I visited the -captain of the _Trinidad_ and obtained his permission to use on that -same night one of his boats with a crew for some special private -service. For I had thought that it were better that none of our own -crew, who might have had suspicion of what wealth we carried, should -have a part in our undertaking. This my own kinsman Admiral de las Alas -had advised. When night came, he had so disposed matters on the _San -Cristobal_ that whilst our debarkation was being made, not even the -sentries on deck or in the passage ways could see aught--they being sent -below. The Captain himself onely remained on deck. - -We made several voyages between the ship and the shore, piling after -each our weighty packets on the pebble beach. None were left to guard -them, there being no one to molest. Last of all we took the great -figurehead of silver and gold, which Benvenuto had wrought and which the -Pope had blessed, and placed it on the shore beside the rest. Then the -boat went back to the _Trinidad_. Climbing on the rock overhead, I saw a -lantern flashed on her deck, as signal to assure me that the boat had -returned. - -Presently a boat of our own vessel drew near, as had been arranged, -manned by three trusty men of my own; and in silence we brought the -treasure into the cave. In the doing so we were mightily alarmed by a -shot from a harquebuss from one of the ships in the bay. Eagerly we -climbed the rocks and looked around as well as we could in the darkness. -But all was still; what so had been, was completed. In the darkness, and -whilst the tide was low, we placed the treasure in a far branch of the -cave, placing most of it in the shallow water. The sides of the rock -were sheer in this far chamber, save onely at the end where was a -great shelf of rock. On this we placed the image of San Cristobal, not -thinking it well that the Sacred Figure should lie prone. In this far -cave the waters rose still and silent, for the force of the waves was -broken by the rocks without. It was risen so high in places as to cause -us disquietude as we made our way out. My chosen mariners made, before -we left the shore, solemn oath on the Holy Relic of San Cristobal which -the Pope had given to me that they would never reveal aught of the -doings of the night. - -Before dawn, which cometh early in these latitudes, we were back on -board ship; and sought our various quarters silently that none who knew -of our absence might guess whence we came. - -Morning brought only more trouble to me. I was told that in the night -the harquebussier on sentry had seen a man swim from the ship and had -fired at him. He could not tell in the darkness if his aim had been -true. I said nothing of my suspicion; but later on discovered that the -Russian Finn, Olgaref, had disappeared. I knew then that this man, -having suspicions, had watched us; and that if he was still alive he -perhaps knew of the entrance of the cave. - -All day I took much counsel with myself as to how I should act; and at -the last my mind was made up. I had a sacred duty in protecting the -treasure. I should seek Olgaref if he had reached the shore and should -if need be kill him; and by this and other means, secure the secret of -the entrance of the cave. Thus, you will see, oh! my children, the heavy -nature of the Pope's Trust, and what stern duty it may entail on all of -us who guard it. - -Secretly during the day I made preparation for my enterprise. I placed -on board the small boat which we had used, some barrels of gunpowder, -wherein I had very much difficulty for our store of armament had run low -indeed and only the Admiral's knowledge of the greatness of my Trust and -the measure of my need inclined him to part with even so much. I rowed -myself ashore in the afternoon, and harquebuss in hand made search of -all the many promontories and their secret recesses for the Finn. For -some hours I searched, examining every cranny in the rock; but no sign -could I find of Olgaref. At last I gave up my search and came to the -cave to complete the work which I had determined upon. Lighting my -lantern I waded into the shallow water which lay in the entrance and -stretched inland under the great overhanging rock flanked by two great -masses of stone that towered up on either hand. Patiently I waded on, -for the tide was low, through the curvings of the cave; the black stone -on one hand and the red on the other giving back the flare of the -lantern. Turning to the right I waded on, knowing that I would see -before me the golden figure of San Cristobal. But suddenly I came to an -end and for a moment stood appalled. The Figure no longer stood erect -as placed on the wide shelf of rock, but lay prone resting on something -which raised one end of it. Lifting high the lantern, I saw that this -mass was none other than the dead body of Olgaref. - -The wretched man had after all escaped from the galleon and in secret -followed us to the cave. He had climbed upon the shelf and in an -endeavour to steal the precious figure had pulled it over on himself; -and the weight of the gold which formed the Christ had in falling killed -him. He had evidently not known of the other treasure, and had followed -only this of which he had knowledge. As I was about to shut the entrance -to the cave until such time as I could come with safety to open it, I -did not disturb the body, but left it underneath the Holy Image which he -had dared to touch with sacrilegious hand. - -At the Judgment Day, should the treasure not be recovered, he will find -it hard to rise from that encumbrance that his evil deed had brought -upon him. - -With sad heart I came away; and then, for that I had to guard the Pope's -treasure, I fixed the barrels of gunpowder in place to best wreak the -effect I wished. After piling them with rocks as mighty as I could lift, -I laid a slow match which I lighted; then I stood afar off to wait and -watch. - -Presently the end came. With a sound as of many cannon, though muffled -in its coming, the charge was fired, and with a great puff of white -smoke which rose high in air together with stones and earth and the -upheaval of a great mass of rock which seemed to shake the far off place -on which I rested, the whole front of the cave blew up. Then the white -cloud sank lower and floated away over the grass; and for a few minutes -only a dark thin vapour hung over the spot. When this had gone too I -came close and saw that the great stone pinnacles had been overthrown, -and that so many great rocks had fallen around that the entrance to the -cave was no more, there being no sign of it. Even the channel of water -which led up to it was so overwhelmed with great stones that no trace of -it remained. - -Then I breathed more freely, for the Pope's treasure was for the -present safe, and enclosed in the great cave in the bowels of the earth, -where I or mine though with much labour could find it again, in good -season. - -In the dark I came back to the _San Cristobal_ where my kinsman the -admiral told me that already rumours were afloat that I had gone to hide -some treasure. Whereupon we conferred together, and late that night, but -making such noise that many of the soldiers and mariners could hear what -was being done and give news in secret of our movements, we made -pretense of making a great shipment into the _Trinidad_ so that the -suspicions of all were thereupon allayed. - -In the morning the Armada--all that was left of it--hove in sight; and -joining it we began a dreary voyage, amid storms and tempests and trials -and the loss of many of our great ships on the inhospitable coast of -Ireland, which lasted many days till we found ourselves back again in -Spain. - -Thence, in due season, anxious to see that the Pope's treasure had not -been discovered, I made my way in secret again to Aberdeyne where there -overtook me, from the rigours of this northern climate and from many -hardships undergone, the sickness whereof I am weary. - -Where and how the place of hiding will be found I have told in the -secret writing deposited in the place prepared for it, the chart being -exact. I have written all these matters, because it is well that you my -sonne, and ye all my children who may have to look forward so much and -so long to the fullfillment of the Trust, may know how to look back as -well. - -These letters and papers, should I fail to return from that wild -headland, shall be placed in your hands by one whose kindness I have -reason to trust, and who has sworn to deliver them safely on your -application. Vale. - - BERNARDINO DE ESCOBAN. - - - - -_BOOKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR_ - - - DRACULA - THE WATTER'S MOU - THE SNAKES' PASS - UNDER THE SUNSET - THE SHOULDER OF SHASTA - MISS BETTY - - - - -Transcriber's note - - -Text in italics was surrounded with _underscores_, a word in Greek was -surrounded with +signs+, and text in small capitals was changed to all -capitals. Letters with two dots below were transcribed as [a:] or [t:], -and a y with a small e on top was transcribed as ye. - -The numbers on page xi originally had spaces between them. They were -removed to keep the page within the limitations of width. - -Some punctuation errors were silently corrected, but a lot of seemingly -missing commas were not added. (In sentences like: "There is so much to -tell" I said "that I hardly know where to begin.") - -Oddities like the repeating of parts of a sentence ("at all at all" on -page 314), and possibly misspelled foreign words ("clientele" without -accent) were not corrected. - -Errors in the chapter numbers were corrected. - -Inconsistently spelled or hyphenated words were usually not corrected, -the few exceptions are mentioned in the following list. - -These corrections are made, on page - - ix "510" was changed to "310" (THE DUTY OF A WIFE 310) - 29 "fulfilment" changed to "fulfillment" (realisation or fulfillment - of the old prophecy) - 36 "felt" changed to "fell" (I fell in a sort of spiritual trance.) - 49 "jugment" changed to "judgment" (that you should sit in judgment - on me.) - 54 "MacNeil" changed to "MacNiel" (the greedy eyes of Gormala - MacNiel.) - 86 "as" changed to "is" (This is why I thanked God then) - 165 paragraph break added between "if you don't dislike telling me." - and "So she went on:" - 247 "Marjorie" changed to "Marjory" (Deftly Marjory stretched - sections of her gossamer thread) - 310 "night" changed to "nights" (If she knew of the last two nights) - 332 "embarassment" changed to "embarrassment" (With manifest - embarrassment he went on) - 350 "subleties" changed to "subtleties" (better than the subtleties - which) - 473 "33" changed to "23" (--23--b a b b a) - 477 "Ambasador" changed to "Ambassador" (his office as Ambassador) - 485 "galleons leons" changed to "galleons" (Captain of the galleons - and ships). - -Otherwise the original was preserved. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mystery of the Sea, by Bram Stoker - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MYSTERY OF THE SEA *** - -***** This file should be named 42455-8.txt or 42455-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/4/5/42455/ - -Produced by eagkw, Robert Cicconetti and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -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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