TheMysteryoftheSea

ByBramStoker

THEMYSTERYOFTHESEA

CHAPTERISECONDSIGHT

IHADjustarrivedatCrudenBayonmyannualvisit,andafteralatebreakfastwassittingonthelowwallwhichwasacontinuationoftheescarpmentofthebridgeovertheWaterofCruden.Oppositetome,acrosstheroadandstandingundertheonlylittleclumpoftreesintheplacewasatall,gauntoldwoman,whokept lookingatmeintently.AsIsat,a littlegroup,consistingofamanandtwowomen,wentby.Ifoundmyeyesfollowthem,foritseemedtomeafter they had passedme that the twowomenwalked together and themanaloneinfrontcarryingonhisshoulderalittleblackbox—acoffin.IshudderedasIthought,butamomentlaterIsawallthreeabreastjustastheyhadbeen.Theoldwomanwasnowlookingatmewitheyesthatblazed.Shecameacrosstheroadandsaidtomewithoutpreface:“Whatsawyethen,thatyere’enlookedsoawed?”IdidnotliketotellhersoIdidnotanswer.Hergreateyeswerefixedkeenlyuponme,seemingtolookme through and through. I felt that I grew quite red, whereupon she said,apparentlytoherself:“Ithochtso!EvenIdidnotseethatwhichhesaw.”

“Howdoyoumean?”Iqueried.Sheansweredambiguously:“Wait!Yeshallperhapsknowbeforethishourto-morrow!”HeranswerinterestedmeandItriedtogethertosaymore;butshewouldnot.Shemovedawaywithagrandstatelymovement that seemed tobecomehergreatgauntform.After dinner whilst I was sitting in front of the hotel, there was a greatcommotion in thevillage;muchrunning toandfroofmenandwomenwithsadmien.OnquestioningthemIfoundthatachildhadbeendrownedinthelittleharbourbelow.Justthenawomanandaman,thesamethathadpassedthe bridge earlier in the day, ran bywithwild looks.One of the bystanderslookedafterthempityinglyashesaid:“Puirsouls.It’sasadhome-comin’forthemthenicht.”“Whoarethey?”Iasked.Themantookoffhiscapreverentlyasheanswered:“Thefatherandmotherofthechildthatwasdrowned!”AshespokeIlookedroundasthoughsomeonehadcalledme.Therestoodthegauntwomanwithalookoftriumphonherface.The curved shore of Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire, is backed by a waste ofsandhillsinwhosehollowsseagrassandmossandwildviolets,togetherwiththepretty“grassofParnassus”formagreencarpet.Thesurfaceofthehillsisheldtogetherbybent-grassandiseternallyshiftingasthewindtakesthefinesandanddriftsittoandfro.Allbehindisgreen,fromthemeadowsthatmarkthe southern edge of the bay to the swelling uplands that stretch away andawayfarinthedistance,tillthebluemistofthemountainsatBraemarsetsakindofbarrier.InthecentreofthebaythehighestpointofthelandthatrunsdownwardtothesealookslikeaminiaturehillknownastheHawklaw;fromthispointonwardtotheextremesouth,thelandrunshighwithagentletrenddownwards.Crudensandsarewideandfirmandthesearunsoutaconsiderabledistance.When there is a stormwith the wind on shore the whole bay is amass ofleapingwavesandbrokenwater that threatenseveryinstant toannihilate thestake-netswhichstretchouthereandtherealongtheshore.Morethanafewvesselshavebeenlostonthesewidestretchingsands,anditwasperhapstheroaringoftheshallowseasandtheterrorwhichtheyinspiredwhichsentthecrewstothespiritroomandthebodiesofthoseofthemwhichcametoshorelateron,tothechurchyardonthehill.IfCrudenBay is tobe taken figurativelyasamouth,with thesandhills forsoftpalate,and thegreenHawklawas the tongue, the rockswhichwork theextremitiesareitsteeth.Tothenorththerocksofredgraniterisejaggedand

broken.Tothesouth,amileandahalfawayasthecrowflies,Natureseemstohave manifested its wildest forces. It is here, where the little promontorycalled Whinnyfold juts out, that the two great geological features of theAberdeencoastmeet.Theredsieniteofthenorthjoinstheblackgneissofthesouth.Thatunionmusthavebeenoriginallyawildone;thereareevidencesofanupheavalwhichmusthaveshakentheearthtoitscentre.Hereandtherearegreatmasses of either species of rock hurled upwards in every conceivablevarietyofform,sometimesfusedorpressedtogethersothatitisimpossibletosayexactlywheregneissendsorsienitebegins;butbroadlyspeakinghereisan irregular line of separation. This line runs seawards to the east and itsstrengthisshowninitsoutcrop.Forhalfamileormoretherocksrisethroughthe sea singly or in brokenmasses ending in a dangerous cluster known as“The Skares” and which has had for centuries its full toll of wreck anddisaster.Didtheseaholditsdeadwheretheyfell,itsflooraroundtheSkareswouldbewhitenedwiththeirbones,andnewislandscouldbuildthemselveswiththepilingwreckage.Attimesonemayseeheretheoceaninherfiercestmood; for it is when the tempest drives from the south-east that the sea isfretted amongst the rugged rocks and sends its spume landwards.The rocksthatatcalmertimesrisedarkfromthebrinydeeparelosttosightformomentsin the grand onrush of thewaves. The seagullswhich usuallywhiten them,nowflutteraroundscreaming,andthesoundoftheirshriekscomesinonthegale almost in a continuous note, for the single cries are merged in themultitudinousroarofseaandair.The village, squatted beside the emboucher of the Water of Cruden at thenorthernsideofthebayissimpleenough;afewrowsoffishermen’scottages,twoor threegreat red-tileddrying-shedsnestled in thesand-heapbehind thefishers’houses.For therestof theplaceas itwaswhenfirstIsawit,a littlelookoutbesideatallflagstaffonthenortherncliff,afewscatteredfarmsovertheinlandprospect,onelittlehoteldownonthewesternbankoftheWaterofCrudenwithafringeofwillowsprotectingitssunkgardenwhichwasalwaysfulloffruitsandflowers.From the most southern part of the beach of Cruden Bay to Whinnyfoldvillagethedistanceisbutafewhundredyards;firstasteeppullupthefaceoftherock;andthenanevenway,besidepartofwhichrunsatinystream.Totheleftof thispath,going towardsWhinnyfold, thegroundrises inaboldslopeand thenfallsagainall round, formingasortofwideminiaturehillofsomeeighteen or twenty acres. Of this the southern side is sheer, the black rockdippingintothewatersofthelittlebayofWhinnyfold,inthecentreofwhichisapicturesqueislandofrockshelvingsteeplyfromthewateronthenorthernside,asisthetendencyofallthegneissandgraniteinthispart.Buttoeastandnorth there are irregular bays or openings, so that the furthest points of thepromontory stretch out like fingers.At the tips of these are reefs of sunken

rockfallingdowntodeepwaterandwhoseexistencecanonlybesuspectedinbadweatherwhentherushofthecurrentbeneathsendsupswirlingeddiesorcurling masses of foam. These little bays are mostly curved and are greenwherefallingearthordriftingsandhavehiddentheoutmostsideoftherocksandgivenafootholdtotheseagrassandclover.Herehavebeenatsometimeorothergreatcaves,noweitherfalleninorsiltedupwithsand,orobliteratedwiththeearthbroughtdownintherushofsurface-waterintimesoflongrain.Inoneof thesebays,BroadHaven, facing rightout to theSkares, standsanisolatedpillarofrockcalledlocallythe“Puirmon”throughwhosebase,timeandweatherhavewornaholethroughwhichonemaywalkdryshod.Through the masses of rocks that run down to the sea from the sides andshoresofallthesebaysarehereandtherenaturalchannelswithstraightedgesas though cut on purpose for the taking in of the cobbles belonging to thefisherfolkofWhinnyfold.WhenfirstIsawtheplaceIfellinlovewithit.HaditbeenpossibleIshouldhavespentmysummerthere,inahouseofmyown,butthewantofanyplaceinwhichtoliveforbadesuchanopportunity.SoIstayedinthelittlehotel,theKilmarnockArms.ThenextyearIcameagain,andthenext,andthenext.AndthenIarrangedtotake a feu at Whinnyfold and to build a house overlooking the Skares formyself.Thedetailsof thiskeptmeconstantlygoing toWhinnyfold,andmyhousetobewasalwaysinmythoughts.Hithertomylifehadbeenanuneventfulone.AtschoolIwas,thoughsecretlyambitious,dullastoresults.AtCollegeIwasbetteroff,formybigbodyandathletic powers gaveme a certain position inwhich I had to overcomemynaturalshyness.WhenIwasabouteightandtwentyIfoundmyselfnominallyabarrister,withnoknowledgewhateverof thepracticeof lawandbut littlelessofthetheory,andwithacommissionintheDevil’sOwn—theirreverentname given to the Inns of Court Volunteers. I had few relatives, but acomfortable, though not great, fortune; and I had been round the world,dilettantefashion.

CHAPTERIIGORMALA

ALLthatnightIthoughtofthedeadchildandofthepeculiarvisionwhichhadcometome.Sleepingorwakingitwasallthesame;mymindcouldnotleavethe parents in procession as seen in imagination, or their distractedmien inreality. Mingled with them was the great-eyed, aquiline-featured, gaunt old

womanwho had taken such an interest in the affair, and inmy part of it. Iasked the landlord if heknewher, since, fromhispositionaspostmasterheknewalmosteveryoneformilesaround.Hetoldmethatshewasastrangertotheplace.Thenheadded:“Ican’timaginewhatbringsherhere.ShehascomeoverfromPeterheadtwoorthreetimeslately;butshedoesn’tseemtohaveanythingatall todo.Shehasnothingtosellandshebuysnothing.She’snota tripper,andshe’snotabeggar,andshe’snotathief,andshe’snotaworkerofanysort.She’saqueer-lookinglotanyhow.Ifancyfromherspeechthatshe’sfromthewest;probablyfrom someof the far-out islands. I can tell that shehas theGaelic from thewayshespeaks.”Lateronintheday,whenIwaswalkingontheshoreneartheHawklaw,shecameuptospeaktome.Theshorewasquitelonely,forinthosedaysitwasraretoseeanyoneonthebeachexceptwhenthesalmonfishersdrewtheirnetsattheebbingtide.IwaswalkingtowardsWhinnyfoldwhenshecameuponmesilentlyfrombehind.Shemusthavebeenhiddenamongthebent-grassofthesandhills for had she been anywhere in view I must have seen her on thatdesolate shore. She was evidently a most imperious person; she at onceaddressedmeinatoneandmannerwhichmademefeelasthoughIwereinsomewayaninferior,andinsomehowtoblame:“Whatfordidyenotellmewhatyesawyesterday?”InstinctivelyIanswered:“I don’t know why. Perhaps because it seemed so ridiculous.” Her sternfeatureshardenedintoscornasshereplied:“Are Death and the Doom then so redeekulous that they pleasure ye intilsilence?”Isomehowfeltthatthiswasalittletoomuchandwasabouttomakea sharp answer, when suddenly it struckme as a remarkable thing that sheknewalready.FilledwithsurpriseIstraightwayaskedher:“Why,howonearthdoyouknow?Itoldnoone.”IstoppedforIfeltallatsea;therewassomemysteryherewhich Icouldnot fathom.Sheseemed to readmymind like an open book, for she went on looking at me as she spoke,searchinglyandwithanoddsmile.“Eh!laddie,doyenokenthatyehaeeenthatcansee?Doyenounderstandthatyehaeeenthatcanspeak?IsitthatonewiththeGifto’SecondSighthasnoanunderstandin’o’it.Why,yerfacewhenyesawthemarko’theDoom,waslikeaprintedbooktoeenlikemine.”“Doyoumeantotellme”Iasked“thatyoucouldtellwhatIsaw,simplybylookingatmyface?”“Na!na!laddie.Notallthat,thoughaSeeramI;butIknewthatyouhadseentheDoom!It’snothatvariedthatthereneedbeanymistake.AfterallDeathis

onlyone, inwhateverwaywemayspeak!”Afterapauseof thoughtIaskedher:“If youhave the power ofSecondSightwhydid younot see the vision, orwhateveritwas,yourself?”“Eh!laddie”sheanswered,shakingherhead“’Tislittleyekeno’thewarko’theFates!Learn ye then that theVoice speaks only as it listeth into chosenears,andtheVisioncomesonlytochoseneen.Nonecanwilltohearortosee,topleasurethemselves.”“Then”Isaid,andIfeltthattherewasameasureoftriumphinmytone“iftononebutthechosenisgiventoknow,howcomesitthatyou,whoseemnottohave been chosen on this occasion at all events, know all the same?” Sheansweredwithatouchofimpatience:“Doyeken,youngsir,thatevenmortaleenhavepowertoseemuch,iftherebe behind them the thocht, an’ the knowledge and the experience to guidethemaright.How, thinkye, is it thatsomecanseemuch,andlearnmuchastheygang;whileothersgoblindasthemowdiwart,attheendo’thejourneyasbeforeit?”“Thenperhapsyouwilltellmehowmuchyousaw,andhowyousawit?”“Ah!tothemthathaveseentheDoomthereneedsbutsma’guidancetotheirthochts.Toolang,an’toooftenhaeImysenseenthedeath-sarkan’thewatch-candlean’thedead-hole,nottoknowwhentheyareseentaeithereen.Na,na!laddie,whatIkento’yerseein’wasnobytheGiftbutonlybytheuseo’mypropereen.Ikentnotthemuckleo’whatyesaw.Notwhetheritwasaneorithero’thegarnishinso’thedead;butweelIkentthatitwaso’death.”“Then,”Isaidinterrogatively“SecondSightisaltogetheramatterofchance?”“Chance!chance!” she repeatedwith scorn. “Na!youngsir;when theVoicehasspokenthereisnomorechancethanthatthenichtwillfollowtheday.”“Youmistakeme,”Isaid,feelingsomewhatsuperiornowthatIhadcaughtherinanerror,“IdidnotforamomentmeanthattheDoom—whateveritis—isnotatrueforerunner.WhatImeantwasthatitseemstobeamatterofchancein whose ear the Voice—whatever it is—speaks; when once it has beenordainedthatitistosoundintheearofsomeone.”Againsheansweredwithscorn:“Na,na!thereisnochanceo’ochtaboottheDoom.ThemthatsendforththeVoice and the Seein’ know well to whom it is sent and why. Can ye nocomprehendthat it isfornobairn-playthatsuchgoesforth.WhentheVoicespeaks,itismainlyfollowedbytearsan’woean’lamentation!Nae!norisitonlyonebitmanifestationthatstandsbyitslanes,remoteandisolatefromallither.Truly’tisbutapairto’thegreatschemeo’things;an’besurethatwhoso

ischosentoseeortohearischosenweel,an’musthaetheirpairtinwhatistobe,ontotheverraend.”“AmI to takeit”Iasked,“thatSecondSight isbuta littlebitofsomegreatpurposewhichhastobewroughtoutbymeansofmanykinds;andthatwhososeestheVisionorhearstheVoiceisbut theblindunconsciousinstrumentofFate?”“Aye! laddie.WeeleneuchtheFatesknowtheirwishesan’ theirwark,no toneed the help or the thocht of any human—blind or seein’, sane or silly,consciousorunconscious.”All through her speaking I had been struck by the old woman’s use of theword‘Fate,’andmoreespeciallywhensheuseditintheplural.Itwasevidentthat,Christianthoughshemightbe—andintheWesttheyaregenerallydevoutobservants of the duties of theircreed—her belief in this respect came fromsomeoftheoldpaganmythologies.Ishouldhavelikedtoquestionheronthispoint;butIfearedtoshutherlipsagainstme.InsteadIaskedher:“Tellme,willyou,ifyoudon’tmind,ofsomecaseyouhaveknownyourselfofSecondSight?”“’Tisnoforthemtobragorboasttowhomhasbeengiventoseethewarko’thehando’Fate.But sineyeareyerself aSeeran’would learn, then Imayspeak. I hae seen the sea rufflewi’oot cause in the verra spotwhere later aboat was to gang doon, I hae heard on a lone moor the hammerin’ o’ thecoffin-wrightwhenonepassedmewhowassoontodee.Ihaeseenthedeath-sark fold round the speerit o’ a drowned one, in baith ma sleepin’ an’ mawakin’dreams.Ihaeheardthesettin’doomo’theSpaiks,an’IhaeseentheWeepersona’thecroodthatwalked.Aye,an’inmonyanitherwayhaeIseenan’heardtheComingo’theDoom.”“Butdidalltheseeingsandhearingscometrue?”Iasked.“Diditeverhappenthatyouheardqueersoundsorsawstrangesightsandthatyetnothingcameofthem?Igather thatyoudonotalwaysknowtowhomsomething isgoing tohappen;butonlythatdeathiscomingtosomeone!”Shewasnotdispleasedatmyquestioningbutrepliedatonce:“Na doot! but there are times when what is seen or heard has nomanifestfollowing.But thinkye,youngsir,howmonyacorp,stillwaitedfor, lies inthedepthso’thesea;howmonylieootonthehillsides,orarefallenindeepplaceswheretheirboneswhitenunkent.Nay!more, tohowmanyhasDeathcomeinawaythatmenthinkthewarko’naturewhenhishasteninghascomefrae the hand of man, untold.” This was a difficult matter to answer so Ichangedorrathervariedthesubject.

“Howlongmustelapsebeforethewarningcomestrue?”

“Yeknowyersel’,forbutyestreenyehaeseen,howtheDeathcanfollowhardupon the Doom; but there be times, naymostly are they so, when days orweekspassawayeretheDoomisfulfilled.”“Isthisso?”Iasked“whenyouknowthepersonregardingwhomtheDoomisspoken.” She answered with an air of certainty which somehow carriedconviction,secretly,withit.“Evenso!Iknowonewhowalkstheairthnowinalltheprideo’hisstrength.But theDoom has been spoken of him. I saw himwith these verra een lieproneonrocks,wi’thewaterrinnin’downfromhishair.An’againIheardtheminutebellsashewentbymeonaroadwhereisnobellforascoreo’miles.Aye,an’yetagainIsawhiminthekirkitsel’wi’corbiesflyin’roundhim,an’mairgatherin’fromafar!”HerewasindeedacasewhereSecondSightmightbetested;soIaskedheratonce,thoughtodosoIhadtoovercomeastrangesortofrepugnance:“Couldthisbeproved?Woulditnotbeasplendidcasetomakeknown;sothatifthedeathhappeneditwouldprovebeyondalldoubttheexistenceofsuchathingasSecondSight.”Mysuggestionwasnotwell received.Sheansweredwithslowscorn:“Beyon’alldoot!Doot!Whaistherethatdootsthebein’o’theDoom?Learnyetoo,youngsir,thattheDooman’alltherebyisnofortraffickin’wi’themthatonlycares for curiosityandpubleecity.TheVoiceand theVisiono’ theSeerisnoforfinemadamsandidlegentlestowhileawaytheirtimeinplay-toymake-believe!”Iclimbeddownatonce.“Pardonme!”Isaid“Ispokewithoutthinking.Ishouldnothavesaidso—toyouatanyrate.”Sheacceptedmyapologywithasortofregalinclination;butthemomentaftersheshowedbyherwordsshewasafterallbutawoman!“Iwilltellye;thatsointhefulltimeyemayhaenodootyersel’.ForyeareaSeerandasThemthathasthepowerhaegienyetheGiftitisnoforthelikeo’metocumbertheroado’theirdoin’.Knowyethen,andrememberweel,howitwastoldyebyGormalaMacNielthatLauchlaneMacleodo’theOuterIsleshaebeenCalled;tho’asyettheVoicehasnosoundedinhisearsbutonlyinmine.Butyewillseethetime——”Shestoppedsuddenlyas thoughsomethoughthadstruckher,andthenwentonimpressively:“WhenIsawhimlieproneontherockstherewasanethatbentowerhimthatIkentnot in thenichtwha itwas, though the lichto’ themoonwasaroundhim.Weshallsee!Weshallsee!”Without a word more she turned and left me. She would not listen to mycallingafterher;butwithlongstridespassedupthebeachandwaslostamong

thesandhills.

CHAPTERIIIANANCIENTRUNE

ONthenextdayIrodeonmybicycletoPeterhead,andwalkedonthepier.Itwasabrightclearday,andafreshnorthernbreezewasblowing.Thefishingboatswerereadytostartat theturnofthetide;andasIcameupthefirstofthem began to pass out through the harbour mouth. Their movement wasbeautiful to see; at first slowly, and then getting faster as the sails werehoisted, till at last they swept through the narrow entrance, scuppers under,rightingthemselvesastheyswungbeforethewindintheopensea.Nowandagainabelatedsmacksmancamehurryingalongtocatchhisboatbeforesheshouldleavethepier.TheeasternpierofPeterheadisguardedbyamassivewallofgranite,builtinseveralstepsortiers,whichbreaksthefuryofthegale.Whenanorthernstormison, it isawildspot; thewavesdashover it inwallsofsolidgreentoppedwithmountainousmassesoffoamandspray.Butatpresent,withtheJulysunbeatingdown,itwasavantagepostfromwhichtoseethewholeharbourandtheseawithout. Iclimbedupandsaton the top, lookingonadmiringly,andlazily smoked in quiet enjoyment. Presently I noticed some one very likeGormalacomehurryingalongthepier,andnowandagaincrouchingbehindoneofthemooringposts.Isaidnothingbutkeptaneyeonher,forIsupposedthatshewasatherusualgameofwatchingsomeone.

Soon a tall man strode leisurely along, and from every movement of thewoman I could see that he was the subject of her watching. He came nearwhere I sat,andstood therewith thatcalmunconcernedpatiencewhich isacharacteristicofthefisherman.Hewasafine-lookingfellow,welloversixfeethigh,withatangledmassofthick red-yellow hair and curly, bushy beard. He had lustrous, far-seeinggolden-browneyes, andmassive, finely-cut features.His pilot-cloth trousersspangled all overwith silver herring scales,were tucked into great, bucket-boots. He wore a heavy blue jersey and a cap of weazel skin. I had beenthinkingofthedeclineoftheherringfromtheactionofthetrawlersincertainwaters,and fancied thiswouldbeagoodopportunity togeta localopinion.BeforelongIstrolledoverandjoinedthissonoftheVikings.Hegaveit,andit was a decided one, uncompromisingly against the trawlers and the lawswhich allowed them to do their nefariouswork. He spoke in a sort of old-

fashioned,biblical languagewhichwasmoderateanddevoidofepithets,butfull of apposite illustration. When he had pointed out that certain fishinggrounds, formerlymostprolificof result to the fishers,werenowabsolutelyworthlessheendedhisargument:“And, sure, goodmaster, it stands to rayson. Suppose you be a farmer, andwhen you have prepared your land andmanured it, you sow your seed andplough the ridges andmake it all safe fromwind and devastatin’ storm. If,whenthegreencornbeshootin’fraetheairth,youtakeyourharrowanddragitath’artthespringin’seed,wherebethenthepromiseofyourgoldengrain?”Foramomentortwothebeautyofhisvoice,thedeep,resonant,earnestnessofhistoneandthemagnificent,simplepurityofthemantookmeawayfromthescene.Heseemedas though Ihad lookedhim throughand through,andhadfoundhimtobethroughoutofgoldenworth.Possiblyitwastheimageryofhisownspeechandthecolourwhichhiseyesandhairandcapsuggested,but he seemed to me for an instant as a small figure projected against abackground of rolling upland clothed in ripe grain. Round his feet weremassed the folds of a great white sheet whose edges faded into air. In amomenttheimagepassed,andhestoodbeforemeinhisfullstature.I almost gasped, for just behind him, where she had silently come, stoodGormala, gazing not at the fisherman but at me, with eyes that positivelyblazedwithasortofbalefuleagerness.Shewaslookingstraightintomyeyes;IknewitwhenIcaughtthelookofhers.Thefishermanwentontalking.Ididnot,however,hearwhathewassaying,foragainsomemysteriouschangehadcomeoveroursurroundings.Theblueseahadoveritthemysteryofthedarknessofthenight;thehighnoonsunhadlostitsfieryvigourandshonewiththepaleyellowsplendourofafullmoon.Allaroundme,beforeandoneitherhand,wasawasteofwaters;theveryairandearthseemedfilmedwithmovingwater,and thesoundoffallingwaterswasinmyears.Again,thegoldenfishermanwasbeforemeforaninstant,notasamovingspeckbut in full sizenowhe layprone; limpand lifeless,withwaxencoldcheeks,intheeloquentinactionofdeath.Thewhitesheet—Icouldseenowthatitwasashroud—wasaroundhimuptohisheart.IseemedtofeelGormala’s eyes burning into my brain as I looked. All at once everythingseemed to resume its proper proportion, and I was listening calmly to theholdingforthoftheViking.IturnedinstinctivelyandlookedatGormala.Foraninstanthereyesseemedtoblaze triumphantly; then she pulled the little shawl which she wore closerroundhershouldersand,withagesturefullofmodestyanddeferenceturnedaway.Sheclimbeduptheridgesoftheharbourwallandsatlookingacrossasattheseabeyond,nowstuddedwithamyriadofbrownsails.

A little later the stolid indifference as to time slipped all at once from thefisherman.Hewas instinctwith life andaction, andwith a touchofhis capanda“FarewellgoodMaster!”stoodpoisedontheveryedgeofthepierreadytospringona trim,weather-beatensmackwhichcamerushingalongalmostgrazingtheroughstonework.Itmadeourheartsjumpashesprangonboardandtakingthetillerfromthehandofthesteersmanturnedtheboat’sheadtotheopensea.Assherushedoutthroughtheharbourmouthweheardbehindusthevoiceofanoldfishermanwhohadhobbleduptous:“He’lldo thatonce toooften!LauchlaneMacleodis likeall thesemenfromUistandtherestoftheOutIslanders.Theydon’tcare‘naughtaboutnaught.’”LauchlaneMacleod! The veryman ofwhomGormala had prophesied! Theverymentionofhisnameseemedtoturnmecold.AfterlunchatthehotelIplayedgolfonthelinkstilleveningdrewnear.ThenIgotonmybicycletoreturnhome.Ihadlabouredslowlyupthelonghilltothe Stirling quarry when I saw Gormala sitting on the roadside on a greatboulderofredgranite.Shewasevidentlylookingoutforme,forwhenIcamenearsheroseupanddeliberatelystoodintheroadwayinmypath.I jumpedoffmywheel and askedherpoint blankwhat shewantedwithme somuchthatshestoppedmeontheroad.Gormalawasnaturallyan impressivefigure,butatpresentshe lookedweirdand almost unearthly. Her tall, gaunt form lit by the afterglow in a softmysterious lightwasprojected against thegreyof thedarkening sea,whosesombrenesswasemphasisedbythebrilliantemeraldgreenoftheswardwhichfellfromwherewestoodtothejaggedcliff-line.The lonelinessof the spotwasprofound.Fromwherewe stoodnot a housewastobeseen,andthedarkeningseawasdesertofsails.Itseemedasifwetwoweretheonlylivingthingsinnature’svastexpanse.Tomeitwasalittleawesome.Gormala’sfirstmysteriousgreetingwhenIhadseenthemourningforthechild,andherpersistentfollowingofmeeversince,hadbeguntogeton my nerves. She had become a sort of enforced condition to me, andwhether she was present in the flesh or not, the expectation or theapprehensionofhercoming—Ihardlyknewwhichitwas—keptmythoughtsperpetuallyinterestedinher.Now,herweird,statuesqueattitudeandthescenearoundusfinishedmyintellectualsubjugation.Theweatherhadchangedtoanalmostinconceivabledegree.Thebrightclearskyofthemorninghadbecomedarklymysterious, and thewindhaddiedaway toanominouscalm.Natureseemedaltogethersentient,andwillingtospeakdirectlytoamaninmyownreceptivemood. The Seer-woman evidently knew this, for she gave fully aminuteofsilence for thenaturalcharmtoworkbeforeshespoke.Then inasolemnwarningvoiceshesaid:

“Timeisflyingbyus;Lammas-tideisnigh.”Thewordsimpressedme,whyIknownot;forthoughIhadheardofLammas-tideIhadnotthesmallestideaofwhatwasmeantbyit.Gormalawascertainlyquickwithhereyes—shehadthatgypsyqualityinremarkabledegree—andsheseemedtoreadmyfacelikean open book.Therewas a suppressed impatience in hermanner, as of onewhomust stop in themidst of some importantmatter to explain to a childwhoseaidisimmediatelynecessary:

“Yenokenwhy?Isitthatyedinnaheedo’Lammas-tide,orthatyenokeno’theprophecyoftheMysteryoftheSeaandthetreasuresthatliehidtherein.”Ifelt more than ever abashed, and that I should have known long ago thosethingsofwhichthegauntwomanspoke,toweringabovemeasIleanedonmywheel.Shewenton:“An’yenoken,thenlistenandlearn!”andshespokethefollowingruneinastrange, staccatocadencewhichseemed tosuitoursurroundingsand tosinkintomyheartandmemorysodeepthattoforgetwouldbeimpossible:“TowintheMysteryo’theSea,“An’learnthesecretsthattherebe,“Gatherinonetheseweirdsthree:“A gowden moon on a flowin’ tide,“And Lammas floods for the spell tobide;“Andagowdenmonwi’deathforhisbride.”Therewasa longpauseofsilencebetweenus,andI feltverystrangely.Theseabeforemetookodd,indefiniteshape.Itseemedasthoughitwasofcrystalclearness,andthatfromwhereIgazedIcouldseeallitsmysteries.Thatis,Icould see so as to know there were mysteries, though what they wereindividuallyIcouldnotevendream.Thepastand thepresentand thefutureseemedtobemingledinonewild,chaotic,whirlingdream,fromthemassofwhichthoughtsandideasseemednowandagaintoflyoutunexpectedlyonallsides as do sparks from hot iron under the hammer.Withinmy heart grewvague indefinite yearnings, aspirations, possibilities. There came a sense ofpowersoparamountthatinstinctivelyIdrewmyselfuptomyfullheightandbecame conscious of the physical vigour within me. As I did so I lookedaroundandseemedtowakefromadream.Naught aroundmebut thedrifting clouds, the silent darkening land and thebroodingsea.Gormalawasnowheretobeseen.

CHAPTERIVLAMMASFLOODS

WHENIgottoCrudenitwasquitedark.IhadlingeredbythewaythinkingofGormalaMacNielandallthequeerkindofmysteryinwhichsheseemedtobeenmeshingme.ThemoreIthought,themoreIwaspuzzled;forthestrangestthingofalltomewasthatIunderstoodpartofwhatseemedtobeamystery.ForinstanceIwasbutimperfectlyacquaintedwiththeSeer-woman’sviewofwhatwas tobe the resultofherwatchingofLauchlaneMacleod. Iknewofcourse fromherwordsatour firstconversation that inhimshe recognisedamandoomedtoneardeathaccordingtothemanifestationofherownpowerofSecond Sight; but I knewwhat she did not seem to, that thiswas indeed agoldenman.FromthemomentaryglimpsewhichIhadhadinthatqueerspellof trance,orwhatever itwaswhichhadcome tomeon thepierhead, Ihadseemedtoknowhimasamanofgold,sterlingthroughout.Itwasnotmerelythathishairwasredgoldandthathiseyesmightfairlybecalledgolden,buthiswholebeingcouldonlybeexpressed in thatway;so thatwhenGormalaspoke, the old rhyme seemed at once a prime factor in the group of threepowerswhichhadtobeunitedbeforethefathomingoftheMysteryoftheSea.IaccordinglymadeupmymindtospeakwiththeSeer-womanandtoaskhertoexplain.Myownintellectualattitudetothematterinterestedme.Iwasnotsceptical,Ididnotbelieve;butIthinkmymindhunginpoise.Certainlymysympathies tended towards themysterious side, backed up by some kind ofunderstanding of the inner nature of things which was emotional orunintentionalratherthanfixed.AllthatnightIseemedtodream,mymindworkingeternallyroundthedataofthe day; hundreds of different relationships between Gormala, LauchlaneMacleod,Lammas-tide, themoonand the secretsof the sea revolvedbeforeme.ItwasgreymorningbeforeIfellasleeptotheoccasionalchirpingoftheearliestbirds.As sometimes happens after a night of uneasy dreaming of somedisturbingtopic,thereactionofthemorningcarriedoblivionwithit.ItwaswellintotheafternoonwhenallatonceIrememberedtheexistenceofthewitch-woman—for as such I was beginning to think of Gormala. The thought cameaccompaniedbyasenseofoppressionwhichwasnotoffear,butwhichwascertainlyofuneasiness.Wasitpossiblethatthewomanhadinsomeway,ortosome degree, hypnotised me. I remembered with a slightly nervous feelinghowtheeveningbeforeIhadstoppedontheroadwayobedienttoherwill,andhowIhadlosttheidentityofmysurroundingsinherpresence.Asuddenideastruck me; I went to the window and looked out. For an instant my heartseemedtobestill.Just opposite the house stood Gormala, motionless. I went out at once andjoinedher,andinstinctivelyweturnedourstepstowardthesand-hills.AswewalkedalongIsaidtoher:

“Wheredidyoudisappeartolastnight?”“Aboutthatwhichistobedone!”Herlipsandherfacewereset;Iknewitwasnousefollowingupthatbranchofthesubject,soIaskedagain:

“What did youmean by those verseswhich you toldme?”Her answerwasgiveninasolemntone:“Themthatmadethemalonecantell;untilthetimeshallcome!”“Whomadethem?”“Nane can now tell. They are as aud as the rocky foundations o’ the islesthemselves.”“Thenhowdidyoucometoknowthem?”Therewasadistinctnoteofprideinheranswer.Suchanoteasmightbeexpected fromaprincespeakingofhisancestry:“They hae come doon tome through centuries. Fraemither to dochter, andfrommithertodochteragain,wi’neverabreakinthelanglineo’thetellin’.Knowye,youngmaster,thatIamo’araceo’Seers.ItakemynamefromthatGormalao’Uistwhothroughlongyearsforesawthepassingo’monyaone.ThatGormalawhothroughouttheislandsofthewestwasknownandfearedo’allmen;thatGormalawhosemither’smither,andmither’smitheragain,awaybackintothedarknesso’timewhencoraclescrepttowardsthesunsetowertheseaandreturnednot,heldthefateso’menandwomenintheirhan’sandruledtheMysteries o’ theSea.”As itwas evident thatGormalamust have in herownmindsomekindofmeaningoftheprophecy,orspell,orwhateveritwas,Iaskedheragain:“Butyoumustunderstandsomethingofthemeaning,oryouwouldnotattachsomuchimportancetoit?”“Ikennaughtbutwhatisseentomaeen,andtothatinnere’ewhichtellethtaethesoulthatwhichitseeth!”“ThenwhydidyouwarnmethatLammas-tidewasnearathand?”Thegrimwomanactuallysmiledasshereplied:“Didyenohearkento thewordsspokenof theLammasfloods,whichbeofthePowersthatruletheSpell?”

“Well,thefactisthatIdon’tknowanythingof‘Lammas-tide!’Wedonotkeepit in theChurchofEngland,” I addedas anafterthought, explanatoryofmyignorance.Gormalawascleverenoughtotakeadvantageofhavingcaughtmeinaweakplace;soshetookadvantageofittoturntheconversationintothewayshewishedherself:

“What saw ye, when Lauchlane Macleod grew sma’ in yer een, and girtagain?”“Simply,thatheseemedtobeallatonceatinyimageofhimself,seenagainstawasteofripecorn.”ThenitstruckmethatIhadnotasyettoldheroranyoneelseofwhat Ihad seen.How thendid sheknow it? Iwasannoyedandaskedher.Sheansweredscornfully:“HowkentI it,an’meaSeero’araceo’Seers!Aremawakin’eenthensodimorsosma’thatIcannareadthethochtso’menintheglanceso’theireen.Did I no seeyer een looknear an’ far asquick as thocht?Butwhat sawyeafter,whenye looked raptandyereenpeeredside toside,as thoughatonelyin’ prone?” I wasmore annoyed than ever and answered her in a sort ofstupor:“I sawhim lyingdeadona rock,witha swift tide runningby;andover thewaters the broken track of a golden moon.” She made a sound which wasalmost a cry, andwhich recalledme tomyself as I looked at her. Shewasablaze.She towered toher full heightwith an imperious, exultantmien; thelightinhereyeswasmorethanhumanasshesaid:“Dead, as Imasel’ 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, andgowdenmoon,andgowdensea!Aye!an’Iseeitnow,backie-birdthatIhaebeen;thegowdenmonindeed,wi’hisgowdeneenan’hisgowdenhairandallthetrutho’hisgowdenlife!”Thenturningtomeshesaidfiercely:“WhydidIwarnyethatLammas-tidewasnear?Goaskthosethatvaluethemonthsanddaysthereof,whenbeLammasandwhatitmeanstothemthathaefaith.Seewhattheyare;learno’thecomin’o’themoonando’theflowin’o’thetidesthatfollow!”Withoutanotherwordsheturnedandleftme.Iwentbacktothehotelatonce,determinedtopostmyselfastoLammas-tide;its factsandconstitutions,and thebeliefsand traditions thathungaround it.Alsotolearnthehoursofthetides,andtheageofthemoonaboutthetimeofLammas-tide.DoubtlessIcouldhavefoundoutallIwantedfromsomeoftheministersofthevarioushousesofreligionwhichholdinCruden;butIwasnotwishful tomake public, even so far, themysterywhichwas closing aroundme.Myfeelingwaspartlyasavingsenseofhumour,or the fearof ridicule,andpartlyagenuinerepugnancetoenteruponthesubjectwithanyonewhomightnottakeitasseriouslyasIcouldwish.FromwhichlatterIgatherthatthewholeaffairwasbecomingwovenintothestructureofmylife.Possiblyitwas,thatsometrait,ortendency,orpowerwhichwasindividualtomewasbeginningtomanifestitselfandtofinditsmeansofexpression.Inmysecret heart I not only believed but knew that some instinctwithinmewas

guidingmythoughtsinsomestrangeway.Thesenseofoccultpowerwhichisso vital a part of divination was growing within me and asserting itsmasterdom,andwithitcameanequallyforcefuldesireofsecrecy.TheSeerinme,latentsolong,wasbecomingconsciousofhisstrength,andjealousofit.At this time,as the feelingofstrengthandconsciousnessgrew, it seemed tolosesomethingofitspowerfromthisverycause.GraduallyitwasforceduponmethatforthefullmanifestationofsuchfacultyasImightpossess,somekindof abstraction or surrender of self was necessary. Even a few hours ofexperience had taught me much; for now that my mind was bent on thephenomena of SecondSight thewhole living andmovingworld aroundmebecameaveritabledioramaofpossibilities.Withintwodaysfromtheepisodeat thePier head I hadhadbehindme a larger experienceof effort of occultforcethangenerallycomestoamaninalifetime.WhenIlookback,itseemstome that all the forces of life and nature became exposed tomy view.Athousand thingswhichhitherto I had accepted in simple faith as facts,werepregnantwithnewmeanings.Ibegantounderstandthat thewholeearthandsea, and air—all that of which human beings generally ordinarily takecognisance, is but a filmor crustwhichhides thedeepermovingpowersorforces. With this insight I began to understand the grand guesses of thePantheists, pagan and christian alike,who out of their spiritual and nervousand intellectual sensitiveness began to realise that there was somewhere apurposefulcauseofuniversalaction.Anactionwhichinitsspecialorconcreteworking appeared like the sentience of nature in general, and of themyriaditemsofitscosmogony.I soon learned that Lammas day is the first of August and is so oftenaccompanied by heavy weather that Lammas floods are almost annuallyrecurrent. The eve of the day is more or less connected with varioussuperstitions.Thismadememoreeagerforfurtherinformation,andbytheaidofachancefriend,IunearthedatAberdeenalearnedprofessorwhogavemeoffhandalltheinformationwhichIdesired.Infacthewassofullofastronomicallearningthat Ihad tostophimnowandagain inorder toelucidatesomepointeasilyexplainabletothosewhounderstoodhisterminology,butwhichwrappedmyswaddlingknowledgeinamysteryallitsown.Ihaveasneakingfriendlinessevennowforanyonetowhomtheword‘syzygy’carriesnospecialmeaning.Igotat thebasesoffacts,however,andunderstoodthatonthenightofJuly31,whichwastheeveofLammas-tide,themoonwouldbefullatmidnight.Ilearned also that from certain astronomical reasons the tide which wouldostensiblybeginitsflowalittleaftermidnightwouldinrealitycommencejustonthestroke.AsthesewerethepointswhichconcernedmeIcameawaywithanewfeelingofaweuponme.Itseemedasthoughtheheavensaswellasthe

earthwerebendingtowardstherealisationorfulfillmentoftheoldprophecy.Atthistimemyownconnectionwiththemystery,orhowitmightaffectmepersonally,didnotevenentermyhead.Iwascontenttobeanobedientiteminthegeneralschemeofthings.Itwasnowthe28thJulyso,ifitweretotakeplaceattheLammas-tideofthecurrentyear,weshouldknowsoonthefullmeasureofthedenouêment.Therewas but one thingwanting to complete the conditions of the prophecy. Theweather had been abnormally dry, and there might after all be no Lammasfloods. To-day, however, the sky had been heavily overcast. Great blackcloudswhich seemed to roll along tumbling over and over, as the sail of afoundered boat does in a current, loomed up from the west. The air grewcloser, and to breathe was an effort. A sort of shiver came over the widestretchofopencountry.Darkeranddarkergrewthesky,tillitseemedsolikenight that thebirds in the few low-lyingcoppicesand the scantyhedgerowsceased to sing. The bleat of sheep and the low of cattle seemed to boomthrough the still airwith ahollowsound, as if coming fromadistance.Theintolerable stillness which precedes the storm became so oppressive that I,who am abnormally susceptible to the moods of nature, could almost havescreamedout.Thenallatoncethestormbroke.TherewasaflashoflightningsovividthatitlitupthewholecountryawaytothemountainswhichencircleBraemar.Thefiercecrashandwiderollof the thunderfollowedwith incrediblequickness.Andthenthehot,heavy-droppedsummerrainfellintorrents.All that afternoon the rain fell, with only a few brief intervals of glowingsunshine. All night, too, it seemed to fall without ceasing, for whenever Iwoke—whichIdidfrequentlywithasenseovermeofsomethingimpending—Icouldhearthequick,heavypatterontheroof,andtherushandgurgleoftheoverchargedgutters.The next day was one of unmitigated gloom. The rain poured downceaselessly. Therewas littlewind, just sufficient to roll north-eastwards thegreat masses of rain-laden clouds piled up by the Gulf Stream against theruggedmountainsofthewesterncoastanditsrockyislands.Twowholedaystherewereofsuchrain,andthentherewasnodoubtastothestrengthoftheLammasfloodsthisyear.AllthewideuplandsofBuchanwereglisteningwithrunnelsofwaterwhenever theoccasionalglimpsesof sunshine struck them.BoththeWaterofCrudenandtheBackBurnwererunningbankhigh.Onallsidesitwasreportedthat theLammasfloodswerethegreatest thathadbeenknowninmemory.All this time my own spiritual and intellectual uneasiness was perpetuallygrowing. The data for the working of the prophecy were all fixed withremarkableexactness. In theatricalparlance‘thestagewasset’andall ready

for the action which was to come. As the hours wore on, my uneasinesschangedsomewhatandapprehensionbecamemergedinacuriousmixtureofsuperstitionandexaltation.Iwasgrowingeagertothecomingtime.TheafternoonofJuly31wasfine.Thesunshonebrightly;theairwasdryand,for the timeofyear,cool. It seemedas though thespellofwetweatherwasover and that fieryAugustwas coming to its own again.The effects of therainstormwere, however,manifest. Not onlywas every rill and stream andriver in theNorth in spate but the bogs of themountainswere so saturatedwithwet thatmany daysmust elapse before they could cease to send theirquota to swell the streams. The mountain valleys were generally lakes inminiature. As one went through the country the murmur or rush of fallingwaterwasforeverintheears.IsupposeitwasinmyowncasepartlybecauseIwas concerned in the mere existence of Lammas floods that the whole ofnature seemed so insistenton the subject.The soundofmovingwater in itsmyriadgamutwassoperpetually inmyears thatIcouldnevergetmymindawayfromit.Ihadalongwalkthatafternoonthroughroadsstilltoowetandheavyforbicycling. Icameback todinner thoroughly tiredout,andwent tobedearly.

CHAPTERVTHEMYSTERYOFTHESEA

IDOnotrememberwhatwokeme.Ihaveavagueideathatitwasavoice,butwhetheroutsidethehouseorwithinmyselfIknownot.Itwaseleveno’clockbymywatchwhenIlefttheKilmarnockArmsandtookmywayacrossthesandhills,headingfortheHawklawwhichstoodoutboldlyin the brilliant moonlight. I followed the devious sheep track amongst thedunescoveredwithwetbent-grass,everynowandagainstumblingamongsttherabbitburrowswhichinthosedayshoneycombedthesandhillsofCrudenBay.AtlastIcametotheHawklaw,and,climbingthesteepterracededgenearthesea,satonthetoptobreathemyselfaftertheclimb.Thescenewasoneofexquisitebeauty.Itsnaturallovelinesswasenhancedbythesoftnessof thefullyellowmoonlightwhichseemedtofloodtheheavensand the earth alike. To the south-east the bleak promontory ofWhinnyfoldstoodoutstarkandblackasvelvetandtherocksoftheSkareswerelikeblackdotsinthequiveringseaofgold.Iaroseandwentonmyway.ThetidewasfaroutandasIstumbledalongtherudepathabovethewasteofbouldersIhadafeelingthatIshouldbelate.Ihurriedon,crossedthelittlerillwhichusuallyonlytrickleddownbesidethefishers’zigzagpathatthebackofWhinnyfold

but whichwas now a rushing stream—again the noise of fallingwater, thevoiceof theLammas floods—and took thecart trackwhich ranhardby thecliffdowntothepointwhichlookeddirectupontheSkares.When I reached theveryedgeof the cliff,where the long sea-grass and thedeepclover feltunderfoot likea luxuriouscarpet, Iwasnot surprised to seeGormalaseated,lookingoutseawards.Thebroadtrackofthemoonlayrightacross theoutmost rockof theSkaresand fallingacross someof the jaggedrocks,whichseemedlikefangsrisingfromthedeepwaterastheheaveofthewavelessseafellbackandthewhitewaterstreameddown,cameuptowherewestoodandseemedtobatheboththeSeer-womanandmyselfinlight.Therewasnocurrentanywhere,butonlythesilentriseandfallof thewater in theeverlasting movement of the sea.When she heard me behind her Gormalaturned round, and the patient calmness of her face disappeared. She rosequickly,andasshedidsopointed toasmallboatwhichsailingupfromthesouthwasnowdrawingoppositetousandappearedtobemakingacourseasclosetoshoreaspossible,justclearingtheouterbulwarkoftheSkares.“Look!” she said, “Lauchlane Macleod comes by his lanes. The rocks arearoundhim,andhisdoomisathand!”Theredidnotappearanydangerinsuchacourse;thewindwasgentle,thetidewas at the still moment between ebb and flow, and the smoothness of thewaterbeyondtherockseemedtomarkitsgreatdepth.Allatoncetheboatseemedtostandstill,—weweretoofarofftohearasoundevenonsuchastillnight.Themastbentforwardandbrokeshortoff,thesailshung limp in the water with the peak of the lug sail sticking up in a greattriangle, like thefinofamammothshark.Afewsecondsafter,adarkspeckmoved on thewaterwhich became agitated around it; itwas evident that aswimmerwasmakingfortheland.Iwouldhavegonetohelphimhaditbeenofuse;but itwasnot, theouterrockwashalfamileaway.Indeed, thoughIknew itwas no use, Iwas yet about to swim tomeet himwhenGormala’svoicebehindmearrestedme:“Doye no see that gin yemeet him amid yon rocks, ye can,when the tidebeginstorace,benohelptoany.Ifhecanwinthrough,yemayhelphimifyebidehere.”TheadvicewasgoodandIstayedmyfeet.Theswimmerevidentlyknewthedanger,forhehurriedfranticallytowinsomepointofsafetybeforethe tide should turn.But the rocks of the Skares are deadly steep; they risefromthewatersheereverywhere,andtoclimbthemfromtheseaisahopelesstask.Once and again the swimmer tried to find a chinkor crannywherehecouldclimb;buteachtimehetriedtoraisehimselfhefellbackintothewater.Moreover I could see that hewaswounded, for his left hand hung idle.Heseemedtorealisethehopelessnessofthetask,andturning,madedesperatelyfor thepartwherewestood.Hewasnowwithin themostdangerousspot in

thewholeregionoftheSkares.Thewaterisofgreatdeptheverywhereandtheneedlepointsofrocksrisealmosttotheverysurface.Itisonlywhenthewavesareroughatlowwaterthattheycanbeseenatall,whenthedipofthewavesleavesthembare;butfromthesurfaceincalmweathertheycannotbeseenastheswirlofthetidearoundthemisinvisible.Here,too,thetide,roundingthepointandhavingthecurrentbrokenbythemassesofthegreatrock,rollswithinconceivablerapidity. Ihad toooftenwatchedfromtheheadlandwheremyhomewastobethesetofthetidenottoknowthedanger.IshoutedasloudlyasIcould,butforsomereasonhedidnothearme.Themomentserethetideshouldturnseemedlikeages;andyetitwaswithasuddenshockthatIheardthegurgleofmovingwaterfollowedbythelap,lap,lap,gettingquickereachsecond.Somewhereinlandaclockstrucktwelve.Thetidehadturnedandwasbeginningtoflow.Inafewsecondstheswimmerfeltitseffects,thoughhedidnotseemtonoticethem.Thenhewasswepttowardsthenorth.Allatoncetherewasamuffledcrywhichseemedtoreachslowlytowherewestood,andtheswimmerrolledoverforaninstant.Itwasonlytooapparentwhathadhappened;hehadstruckhisarmagainstoneofthesunkenrocksandinjuredit.Thenhecommencedamad struggle for life, swimming without either arm in that deadly currentwhichgrewfasterandfastereverymoment.Hewasbreathless,andnowandagainhisheaddipped;buthekeptonvaliantly.At last inoneof thesedips,bornebythemomentumofhisownstrengthandtheforceof thecurrent,hestruckhisheadagainstanotherofthesunkenrocks.Foraninstantheraisedit,andIcouldseeitrunredintheglareofthemoonlight.Thenhesank;fromtheheightwhereIstoodIcouldseethebodyrolloverandoverinthefiercecurrentwhichmadefortheoutmostpointtothenorth-eastofthepromontory.IranoverasfastasIcould,Gormalafollowing.WhenIcameto therock,whichhereshelved, Iplungedinandafterafewstrokesmetbychance the body as it rolled upward.With a desperate effort I brought it toland.The struggle to lift the body from the water and to bear it up the rockexhaustedme,sothatwhenIreachedthetopofthecliffIhadtopauseforafew seconds to breathe hard. Since the poor fellow’s struggle for life hadbegunIhadneverforaninstantgiventheprophecyathought.Butnow,allatonce, as I looked past the figure, lying limp beforemewith the poor armstwistedunnaturally and thehead turned—awaypast themoonlit sea and thegreat,goldenorbwhosetrackwaswrinkledovertheracingtide,thefullforceofitburstuponme,andIfeltasortofspiritualtransformation.Theairseemedfull of fluttering wings; sea and land alike teemed with life that I had nothithertodreamedof.Ifellinasortofspiritualtrance.Buttheopeneyeswereuponme; I feared themanwasdead,butBriton-like Iwouldnotaccept the

convictionwithouteffort.SoIraisedthebodytomyshoulders,determinedtomakewithwhat speed I could forWhinnyfoldwhere fire andwillinghandscouldaidinrestoration.AsIlaidthelimpbodyacrossmyshoulders,holdingthetwohandsinmyrighthandtosteadytheburdenwhilstwiththeleftIdrewsomeoftheclothingtight,IcaughtGormala’seye.Shehadnothelpedmeinanypossibleway, thoughmore than once in distress I had called to her. SonowIsaidangrily:“Getawaywoman!Youshouldbeashamedofyourselfnevertohelpatsuchatime,” and I took my way unaided. I did not heed at the time her answer,spokenwithacertainmeasureofdeprecation,thoughitafterwardscamebacktome:“AmItowarkagainsttheFateswhenTheyhavespoken!TheDeadaredeadindeedwhentheVoicehaswhisperedintheirears!”Now,asIpassedalongwiththehandsofthedeadmaninmine—thetrueshellofamanwhosespiritcouldbebut littlespaceawaywhilst thestillbloodintheveinswasyetwarm—astrangethingbegantohappen.Thespiritsofearthandseaandairseemedtotakeshapetome,andallthemyriadsoundsofthenighttohaveasentientcauseofutterance.AsIpantedandstruggledon,myphysical effort warring equally with the new spiritual experience so thatnothingremainedexceptsentienceandmemory,IcouldseeGormalawalkingabreast me with even steps. Her eyes glared balefully with a fiercedisappointment; never once did she remit the vigilant, keen look whichseemedtopierceintomyverysoul.Forashortspaceoftimetherewassomethingofantagonismtoher;butthisdied away imperceptibly, and I neither cared nor thought about her, exceptwhenmy attentionwould be called to her. I was becomingwrapped in therealisationofthemightierforcesaroundme.JustwherethelanewayfromthecliffjoinsWhinnyfoldthereisasteepzigzagpathrunningdownto thestonybeachfarbelowwherethefisherskeeptheirboatsandwhichisprotectedfromalmost thewildestseasbythegreatblackrock—the Caudman,—which fills themiddle of the little bay, leaving deepchannels on either hand. When I was come to this spot, suddenly all thesoundsofthenightseemedtocease.Theveryairgrewstillsothatthegrassesdid notmove or rustle, and thewaters of the swirling tide ceased to run ingrimsilenceontheircourse.Eventothatinnersense,whichwassonewtomethat the change in everything to which it was susceptible became at oncenoticeable, all things stood still. Itwasas though the spiritsof earthandairandwaterwereholdingtheirbreathforsomerareportent.IndeedInoticedasmyeyerangedthesurfaceofthesea,thatthemoontrackwasforthetimenolongerrippled,butlayinabroadglisteningband.

Theonlylivingthinginallthewideworldwas,itseemedtome,thefigureofGormalaas,withloweringeyesandsuspendedbreath,shestoodwatchingmewithuncompromising,persistentsternness.Thenmyownheartseemedtostandstill,tobeapartofthegrimsilenceofthewaitingforcesoftheworld.Iwasnotfrightened;Iwasnotevenamazed.AllseemedsothoroughlyinkeepingwiththeprevailinginfluenceofthetimethatIdidnotfeelevenamomentofsurprise.Up the steep path came a silent procession of ghostly figures, so misty ofoutline that through the grey green of their phantom being the rocks andmoonlit seawereapparent, andeven thevelvetblacknessof the shadowsofthe rocks did not lose their gloom. And yet each figure was defined soaccuratelythateveryfeature,everyparticleofdressoraccoutrementcouldbediscerned.Even the sparkle of their eyes in that grimwaste of ghostly greywaslikethelambentflashesofphosphoriclightinthefoamofmovingwatercleft by a swift prow. Therewas no need forme to judge by the historicalsequenceoftheirattire,orbyanyinferenceofhearing;IknewinmyheartthattheseweretheghostsofthedeadwhohadbeendrownedinthewatersoftheCrudenSkares.Indeedthemomentsoftheirpassing—andtheyweremanyforthelinewasofsickeninglength—becametomealessonofthelongflightoftime.Atthefirstwere skin-clad savages with long, wild hair matted; then others with rude,primitiveclothing.Andsooninhistoricordermen,aye,andhereandthereawoman,too,ofmanylands,whosegarmentswereofvariedcutandsubstance.Red-haired Vikings and black-haired Celts and Phoenicians, fair-hairedSaxonsandswarthyMoorsinflowingrobes.Atfirstthefigures,chieflyofthebarbarians,werenotmany;butasthesadprocessionpassedalongIcouldseehoweachlateryearhadbroughtitsever-growingtaleoflossanddisaster,andaddedmore and faster to the grimharvest of the sea.A vast number of thephantoms had passed when there came along a great group which at onceattractedmy attention. Theywere all swarthy, and bore themselves proudlyundertheircuirassesandcoatsofmail,ortheirgarbasfightingmenofthesea.Spaniardstheywere,Iknewfromtheirdress,andofthreecenturiesback.Foraninstantmyheartleapt;theseweremenofthegreatArmada,comeupfromthewreckofsome lostgalleonorpatache tovisitonceagain theglimpsesoftheMoon.Theywereoflordlymien,withlargeaquilinefeaturesandhaughtyeyes.Astheypassed,oneofthemturnedandlookedatme.Ashiseyeslitonme,Isawspringintothem,asthoughhewerequick,dread,andhate,andfear.HithertoIhadbeenimpressed,awed,bytheindifferenceofthepassingghosts.Theyhad lookednowhere, butwith steady, silent, even treadhadpassedontheirway.Butwhenthisonelookedatmeitwasaglancefromthespiritworldwhichchilledmetotheverysoul.

Buthetoopassedon.Istoodattheheadofthewindingpath,havingthedeadmanstillonmyshouldersand lookingwithsinkingheartat thesadarrayofthe victims of the Cruden Skares. I noticed thatmost who came nowwereseamen,withhereandthereagroupofshoresmenandafewwomenamongstthem.Thefishermenweremany,andwithoutexceptionworegreatseaboots.AndsowithwhatpatienceIcouldIwaitedfortheend.At length it came in the shape of a dim figure of great stature, and both ofwhosearmshunglimp.Thebloodfromagashonhisforeheadhadstreamedontohisgoldenbeard,andthegoldeneyeslookedfaraway.WithashudderIsawthatthiswastheghostofthemanwhosebody,nowlesswarm,layuponmyshoulders;andsoIknewthatLauchlaneMacleodwasdead.IwasrelievedwhenIsawthathedidnotevenlookatme;thoughasImovedon,followingtheprocession,hewalkedbesidemewithequalsteps,stoppingandmovingasIstoppedandmoved.ThesilenceofdeathwasuponthelittlehamletofWhinnyfold.Therewasnotasignoflife;notadogbarkedasthegrimprocessionhadmovedupthesteeppath or now filed across the running stream andmoved along the footpathtoward Cruden. Gormala with eager eyes kept watching me; and as theminutesworeonIbegantoresumemydoubleactionof thought,forIcouldsee in her face that she was trying to reason out frommy own expressionsomethingofwhat Iwas looking at.Aswemoved along she nowbegan tomakesuggestions tome ina fiercewhisper,evidentlyhoping thatshemightlearn something from my acquiescence in, or negation of, her thought.Through that ghostly silence her living voice cut with the harshness of acorncrake.“Shearingthesilenceofthenightwithraggededge.”Perhaps it was for the best; looking back now on that awful experience, Iknow that no man can say what his mindmay suffer in the aftertime whowalks alone with the Dead. That I was strung to some amazing pitch wasmanifestedbythefact thatIdidnotseemtofeel thegreatweightwhichlayuponmyshoulders.Ihavenaturallyvaststrengthandtheathletictrainingofmyyouthhaddevelopedithighly.Buttheweightofanordinarymanismuchtoholdorcarryforevenashorttime,andthebodywhichIborewasalmostthatofagiant.ThepathacrosstheneckoflandwhichmakestheSkaresapromontoryisflat,withhereandthereadeepcleftlikeaminiatureravinewherethewaterfromthe upland rushes in flood time down to the sea. All these rills were nowrunningstrong,but I couldhearno soundofmurmuringwater,no splashasthe streams leaptover the edgeof the cliffon the rocksbelow inwhiteningspray.Theghostlyprocessiondidnotpauseatanyofthesestreams,butmovedonimpassivelytothefarthersidewherethepathtrendsdowntothesandsof

CrudenBay.Gormala stood amomentwatchingmy eyes as they swept thelong line passing the angle so that I could see them all at once. That sheguessedsomethingwasevidentfromherspeech:“Theyaremany;hiseyes rangewide!” I started,andsheknew that shehadguessedaright.Thisoneguessseemedtosupplyherwithillimitabledata;sheevidentlyknewsomethingofthespiritworld,thoughshecouldnotseeintoitsmysteries.Hernextwordsbroughtenlightenmenttome:“Theyarehumanspirits;theyfollowthepaththatthefeeto’menhaemade!”Itwasso.Theprocessiondidnot floatover thesurfaceof fieldorsand,buttook its painful way down the zigzag of the cliff and over the rocky paththroughthegreatbouldersof theforeshore.Whentheheadof it reachedthesand,itpassedalongthesummitoftheridge,justaseverySundaynightthefishermenofWhinnyfoldandColliestondidinreturningtotheirherringboatsatPeterhead.Thetrampacrossthesandswaslonganddreary.OftenasIhadtakenthatwalkinrainorstorm,withthewindalmostsweepingmeoffmyfeetwhilstthesanddrift fromthebent-coveredhillsalmostcutmycheeksandears, Ihadneverfeltthewaytobesolongorsohardtotravel.ThoughIdidnotrealiseitatthetime,thedeadman’sweightwasbeginningtotellsorelyuponme.AcrosstheBayIcouldseethefewlightsinthevillageofPortErrollthatweretobeseenatsuchatimeofnight;andfaroverthewatercamethecoldgreylightwhichisthesignofthewaningofthenightratherthanofthecomingofthemorning.When we came to the Hawklaw, the head of the procession turned inwardthroughthesandhills.Gormala,watchingmyeyes,sawitandanextraordinarychangecameoverher.Foran instantshewasas if stricken,andstoodstockstill.Thensheraisedherhandsinwonder,andsaidinanawedwhisper:“TheHolyWell!Theygang toSt.Olaf’swell!TheLammasfloodswillayeservethemweel.”

With an instinct of curiosity strong uponme I hurried on so as to head theprocession.AsImovedalongtheroughpathamongstthesandhillsIfelt theweightof theburdenonmyshouldersgrowheavierandheavier, so thatmyfeetdraggedasdo the feetofone inanight-mare.As Imovedon, I lookedround instinctively and saw that the shade ofLauchlaneMacleod no longerkeptpacewithme,butretaineditsplaceintheprocession.Gormala’sevileyewas once more upon me, but with her diabolical cunning she guessed thesecretofmylookinground.Shemovedalong,notwithmebutattherateshehadbeengoingasthoughshelikedorexpectedtoremaininjuxtapositiontotheshadeofthedeadman;somepurposeofherownwastobefulfilled.AsIpressedon, theshadesaroundmeseemedtogrowdimmeranddimmer

still;tillatthelastIcouldseelittlemorethanafilmorhaze.WhenIcametoSt.Olaf’swell—thenmerely a rough pool at the base of the high land thatstretches back from the Hawklaw—the ghostly mist was beginning to fadeinto the water. I stood hard by, and the weight uponmy shoulders becamedreadful.Icouldhardlystand;Idetermined,however,toholdonaslongasIcouldandseewhatwouldhappen.Thedeadman,too,wasbecomingcolder!Idid not knowwhether the dimming of the shadowswas from this cause, orbecausethespiritofthemanwasfartheraway.Itwaspossiblyboth,forasthesilent,sadprocessioncameonIcouldseemoredistinctly.Whenthewraithofthe Spaniard turned and looked at me, he seemed once more to look withliving eyes from a living soul. Then therewas a drearywaitwhilst the restcame along and passed in awesome stillness down into the well anddisappeared.Theweightuponmyshouldersnowbecamemomentarilymoreintolerable.At last I couldbear it no longer, andhalfbending I allowed thebody to slip to the ground, I only holding the hands to steady the descent.Gormalawasnowoppositetome,andseeingwhatIhaddoneleapedtowardsmewith a loud cry.For onedimmoment thewraith of the deadman stoodaboveitsearthlyshell;andthenIsawtheghostlyvisionnomore.Atthatinstant,justasGormalawasabouttotouchthedeadbody,therewasaloudhissandmurmurofwaters.Thewholepoolburstupinagreatfountain,scatteringsandandwateraroundforawidespace.Irushedback;Gormaladidthesame.Then thewaters recededagain, andwhen I looked, the corpseofLauchlaneMacleodwasgone.ItwasswallowedupintheHolyWell.Overcome with physical weariness and strange horror of the scene I sankdownonthewetsand.Thescenewhirledroundme....Iremembernomore.

CHAPTERVITHEMINISTERSOFTHEDOOM

WHENatlastIlookedaroundmeIwasnotsurprisedatanythingIsaw;notevenattheintensefaceofGormalawhoseeyes,brightinthefullmoonlight,weresearchingmyfacemoreeagerlythanever.Iwaslyingonthesand,andshewasbendingovermesocloselythatherfacealmosttouchedmine.Itwasevident, even tomy half-awake sensibilities, that shewas listening intently,lestevenawhisperedwordfrommeshouldbemissed.The witch-woman was still seemingly all afire, but withal there wasmanifestedinherfaceandbearingasenseofdisappointmentwhichcomfortedme. Iwaited a fewminutes until I feltmy brain clear, andmy body rested

from the intolerable strain which it had undergone in carrying that terrificburdenfromWhinnyfold.WhenI lookedupagainGormalarecognisedthechangeinme,andherownexpression became different. The baleful glitter of her eyes faded, and theblind, unreasoning hate and anger turned to keen inquiry. Shewas not nowmerelybaffledinherhopes,andfacetofacewithanunconsciousman;therewasatleastapossibilityofhergainingsomeknowledge,andalltheenergyofhernaturewokeagainasshespoke:“Soye are backwi’ themoon andme.Whitherwent yewhenye laydownupon thesand.Was itbackyewent,or forrart;wi’ theghaists into theHolyWellandbeyondintheirmanifoldcourse;orbacktotheircomin’fraetheseaandallthatcouldtherebetold?Oh!mon,whatitistomethatanyithercanganglikethatintospiritland,andmehavetowaitherebymylanes;towringmyhandsan’torturemyhairtinbrokenhopes!”Iansweredherquestionwithanother:“Howdoyoumeanthatghostsgointothewellandbeyond?”Heranswerwasat the firstgiven inastern tonewhichbecame,however, softer,asshewenton.“Knewyenot, that theLammasFloodsare thecarrierso’ theDead; thatonLammasnichttheDeadcanwintheirwaytowheretheywill,undertheairthbywhereverthereisrinnin’watter.HappybetheythatcangainaHolyWell,an’sopassintothebowelso’theairthtowheretheylist.”“Andhowandwhendotheyreturn?”“Dinna jestwi’ Fate an’ theDead. They in their scope can gang and returnagain; no een, save your ain, o’ man or Seer has seen the method o’ theirgangin’.Noeen,evenyours,canseethemstealoutagaininthenicht,whenthechosengraves that theyhaesoughthae takenfromthemthedrosso’ theairth.” I felt itwas notwise to talk further, sowithout aword I turned andwalked home by the sheep tracks amongst the sand hills. Now and again Istumbled in a rabbit hole, and as Iwould sink forward thewet bentwouldbrushagainstmyface.Thewalkbackinthedarkdawnseemedinterminable.Allthistimemymindwasinaturmoil.Ididnotevenseemtorememberanythingdefinitely,orthinkconsecutively;butfactsandfanciessweptthroughmymindinachaoticwhirl.When Igot to thehouse, Iundressedquicklyandgot intobed; Imusthaveinstantlyfallenintoadeepsleep.NextafternoonIwalkedbytheshoretoWhinnyfold.ItwasalmostimpossibletobelievethatIwaslookingatthesameplaceasonlastnight.IsatonthecliffwhereIhadsatlastnight,thehotAugustsunandthecoolbreezefromtheseabeing inconceivably soothing. So I thought and thought.... The lack of

sufficient sleep thenightbeforeand the tired feelingof thephysical strain Ihadundergone—myshouldersstillached—tolduponme,andIfellasleep.WhenIwakedGormalastoodinfrontofme.Afteralongpauseshespoke:“Iseethatyeremember,elsewouldyeha’spokentome.Willyenotellmeallthatyesaw?Then,wi’yourSeer’seenan’myknowledgeo’thefactwemaythegither win oot the great Secret o’ the Sea.” I felt stronger than ever theinstinctiveconvictionthatImustremainkeenlyonguardwithher.SoIsaidnothing;waitingthusIshouldlearnsomething,whetherfromherwordsorhersilence. She could not stand this. I saw her colour rise till her facewas allaglowwitharedflushthatshamedthesunset;andatlasttheangerblazedinhereyes.Itwasinathreateningtonewhichshespoke,thoughthewordswerethemselvessufficientlyconciliatory:“TheSecretso’theSeaaretobewon;andtaetheeandmeitisgiventowinthem.Whathaebeen isbutanearnestofwhatwillbe.Forages ithershavetriedtowinbuthaefailed;andifwefailtooforlacko’purposeorbecauseyelikemenot,thentoitherswillcomeintimethegreatreward.Forthesecretsare there,andthe treasures lieawaiting.Thewayisopenfor those towhomaretheGifts.ThrownotawaythefavouroftheFates.Forif theybekindtogivewheretheywill,theyarehardtothwart,andtheirrevengeissure!”Imustconfess thatherwordsbegan toweakenmypurpose. Inoneway inexorablelogicwasonherside.Powerssuchasweremineweresurelygivenforsomepurpose.MightInotbewronginrefusingtousethem.IftheFinalCauseofmy powers were purposeful, then might not a penalty be exacted frommebecause Ihad thwarted theproject.Gormala,with thatdiabolicalcunningofhers,evidentlyfollowedtheworkingsofmymind,forherfacelitup.Howsheknew, Iknownot,but Idoknow thather eyesnever leftmine. I suppose itmay be that the eyes which have power to see at times the inwardness ofthings have some abnormal power also of expressing the thoughts behindthem.Ifelt,however,thatIwasindanger.AllmyinstinctstoldmethatonceinGormala’spowerIshouldrueit,soIspokeoutontheinstantstrongly:“Ishallhavenothingtodowithyouwhatever.Lastnightwhenyourefusedtohelp me with the wounded man—whom you had followed, remember, forweeks,hoping forhisdeath—Isawyou inyour truecolours;and Imean tohavenothingtodowithyou.”Fierceangerblazedagaininhereyes;butagainshe controlled herself and spokewith an appearance of calm, though itwaswonwithgreateffort,asIcouldseebythetensionofhermuscles:“An’soyewouldjudgemethatIwouldnothelpyetobringtheDeadtolifeagain!IknewthatLauchlanewasdead!Aye!andyekentit tooasweelasIdidmasel’.ItneedednoSeertotellthat,whenyebrochthimuptherocksoot

o’thetide.Then,whenhewasdead,forwhywadyenousehim?DotheDeadthemselvesobjectthattheyhelpthelivin’totheirendswhilethebloodisyetwarminthem?IsityethatobjecttothepoweroftheDead?Youwhoseveinshave the power o’ divination of the quick; you to whom the heavensthemselves opened, and the airth and the watters under the airth, when thespiritoftheDeadthatyecarriedwalkedbesideyeasyegangedtoSt.Olaf’sWell.An’asforme,whathaeIdonethatyoushouldobject.Isaw,asyoudid,thatLauchlane’ssandswererun.YouandIarealikeinthat.Tousbaithwasgiventosee,bysignsthatageshavemadesacred,thatFatehadspokeninhisears thoughhe had himself not heard theVoice.Naymore, tomewas onlygiventoseethattheVoicehadspoken.Buttoyouwasshownhow,andwhen,andwheretheDoomshouldcome,thoughyouyersel’thatcanreadthefutureas no ither that is known, canna read the past; and so could na tell what alesseronewouldha’guessedatlangsyne.IfollowedtheDoom;youfollowedtheDoom.Ibymycunnin’;youwhenyewakedfraeyersleep,followin’yerconviction, tillwemet thegitherforLauchlane’sdeath,amidLammasfloodsandunderthegowdenmoononthegowdensea.Throughhisaid—aye,youngsir—forwi’ootafreshcorptoaid,noSeero’airthcouldhaeseenasyedid,thatlanglineo’ghaistsyesawlastnicht.Throughhisaidthewonderso’theheavensandthedeep,o’airthandair,wasopenedtillye.Whathenbeyethatcondemnmethatonlysawasignan’followed?GinIbeguilty,whatbeyou?”It would be impossible to describe the rude, wild, natural eloquence withwhichthiswasspoken.Inthesunset,thegauntwomanseemedtotoweraboveme;andasshemovedherarms,thelongshadowsofthemstretchedoverthegreendownbeforeusandawayoverthewrinkledseaasthoughhergestureswere,giantlike,appealingtoallnature.I was distinctly impressed, for all that she said was quite true. She had inrealitydonenothingthatthelawwouldcallwrong.Lauchlane’sdeathwasinnopossiblewayduetoanyactofhers.Shehadonlywatchedhim;andashedidnotevenknowthatshewatchedhecouldnothavebeeninfluencedinanywaybyitorbyher.Astomyownpart!Herwordsgavemeanewlight.WhyhadIriseninthenightandcomeouttoWhinnyfold?Wasitintuition,oracallfrom the witch-woman, who in such case must have had some hypnoticinfluenceoverme?Orwasit——?Istoodappalledattheunspokenthought.CoulditbethatthepowersofNaturewhichhadbeenrevealed tomein thedreadhourhadnotonlysentiencebutpurpose!IfeltthatmytonewasmoreconciliatoryasIansweredher:“Ididnotmeantoblameyouforanythingyouhaddone.Iseenowthatyourwrongwasonlypassive.”Ifeltthatmywordswereweak,andmyfeelingwasemphasisedbythescornofherreply:

“Mywrangwas only passive!Mywrang!Whatwrang hae I done that youshouldsit in judgmentonme.Could Ihaehelpit itwhenLauchlanemethisdeathamangtherocksinthetide.Whyyouyoursel’satherebesideme,an’yenohelpithimor tried to,strongmanthoughyebe, thatcouldcarryhiscorpfraeheretoSt.Olaf’sWell;foryekennedthatnolivin’armcouldaidhiminthathouro’doom.Aye!laddie,theFatesknowtheirwarko’erweeltohaeonysuchbettermento’theirplans!An’divyethinkthatbyanyacto’yerain,orbyanyrefusalo’actorspeech,yecanbafflethepurposeo’theDoom.Yeareyetyoungandyemustlearn;thenlearnitnowwhilesyecan,thatwhentheWordisspokenallfollowsasordained.Aye!thoughtheMinisterso’ theDoombemanyan’various,an’thoughtheyhaetogatherinanefrommanyagesan’fraethefurthermostendso’theairth!”Gormala’s logicand theexactnessofherstatementwere toomuchforme. Ifelt that I owed her some reparation and told her so. She received it in hergauntwaywiththedignityofanempress.

Butthereherdignitystopped;forseeingthatshehadgotaleverinherhandsshebeganatonce,womanlike, touse it.WithoutanyhesitationordelaysheaskedmestraightlytotellherwhatIhadseenthenightbefore.Thedirectnessofherquestioningwasmybesthelp;myhearthardenedandmylipsclosed.ShesawmyanswerbeforeIhadspokenit,andturnedawaywithaneloquent,ruggedgestureofdespair.She felt thather lasthopewasgone; thather lastbolthadbeenspedinvain.Withhergoing,thelinkwithlastnightseemedtobreak,andasshepasseduptheroadthewholeofthatstrangeexperiencebecamedimmeranddimmer.IwalkedhomebyCrudensandsinasortofdream.Thechillandstrainofthenight before seemed to affect me more and more with each hour. Feelingfatiguedanddrowsy I laydownonmybedand sank intoaheavy, lethargicsleep.The last thing I remember is the sounding of the dinner-gong, and a dimresolutionnottoansweritscall....

Itwasweeksafter,whenthefeverhadpassedaway,thatIleftmybedintheKilmarnockArms.

CHAPTERVIIFROMOTHERAGESANDTHEENDSOFTHEEARTH

THElastweekinJuneofnextyear,1898,foundmebackinCruden.Myownhousewasinprocessofbuilding.Ihadpurposelyarrangedwiththebuildersthatthefittingupandwhattheconveyancerscall“beautifyings”shouldnotbedone until I should be on the spot myself next year, to be consulted abouteverything.EverydayIwentovertoseetheplaceandbecomefamiliarwithitbefore the plans for decoration should be taken in hand. Still there was noenjoymentingettingweteverytimeIwentandcame,orinremaininginwetclothes,sothatmydaywasmainlyspentathome.One of my first visits was to Peterhead which seemed to be in a state ofabsoluteactivity,fortheherringfishinghadbeengoodandtradeofallkindswas brisk.At themarket placewhichwas half full of booths, could be hadalmosteverythingrequiredfortheneedsorcomfortoflifesuchasitcanbeona fishing boat. Fruit and all sorts of summer luxurieswere abundant.BeingSaturday the boats had returned early and had got their nets away to thedrying-grounds, and the men had been able to shave and dress tidily. Thewomen, too,hadgot theirdressingdoneearly—thefishfirstand themselvesafterwards.Forawhile Iwanderedaboutaimlesslyamongst thebooths,with thatsortofunsatisfaction upon me which had of late been the prelude to many of themanifestations of the power of Second Sight. This used to be just as ifsomethingwithinmewasgropingorsearchingunsuccessfullyforsomethingunknown, thesatisfactioncomingwith therealizationof theobjectiveof thesearch.PresentlyIcametoanitinerantauctioneerwhowasdealingwithasmallcart-loadofoddsandends,evidentlypickedup invariousplaces.Hisauctionor“roup”wason the“Dutch”plan;anextravagantprice,according tohisownidea, being placed on each article, and the offer decreasing in default ofbidders.Theauctioneerwasreadywithhistongue;hispattershowedhowwellheunderstoodtheneedsandideasoftheclasswhomheaddressed.“Here’s the works of the Reverend Robert William McAlister ofTrottermaverish in twal volumes, wantin’ the first an’ the last twa; threedamaged by use, but still full of power in dealing with the speeritualnecessitieso’menwhogodowntothegreatdeepinships.Asermonforeverydayintheyear,intheGaelicforthemashasnagottheEnglish,an’ingoodEnglishforthemashas.Howmuchforthetwalvolumes,wantin’butthree?Notabawbeelessthannineshellin’,goin’goin’.Whasayseightshellin’forthelot.Sevenshellin’an’noless.Goin’forsix.Fiveshellin’foryousir.Anybidder at four shellin’.Not a bawbee less than three shellin’;Half a croon.Anybidderattwashellin’.Goneforyousir!”theninevolumeswerehandedover to a grave-looking old man, and the two shillings which he producedfromaheavycanvasbagdulypocketedbytheauctioneer.

Everythinghehad, found somebuyer; even a blue-book seemed to have itsattraction. The oddness of some of the odd lots was occasionally amusing.WhenIhadbeenroundthebasinsoftheharbourandhadseenthedressingsand barrelling of the fish, I again came across the auctioneer in themarketplace. He had evidently been using his time well, for the cart was almostempty.Hewas just puttingup the last article, anoldoak chestwhichup tonowhehadusedasasortoftableonwhichtodisplaytheobjectforsale.Anoldoakchesthasalwayscharmsforme,andIwasaboutfurnishingahouse.Isteppedover,openedthelidandlookedin;thereweresomepaperstossedonthebottomofit.Iaskedtheauctioneerifthecontentswentwiththechest,myrealobjectbeingtogetalookatthelockwhichseemedaveryoldoneofsteel,thoughitwasmuchdamagedandlackedakey.Iwasansweredwithatorrentofspeechintrueauctioneerfashion:“Aye,goodmaster.Take the lot justas itstands.Anoakenkist,hundredsofyearsaudandstillworthyarestinthehouse-placeofanymanwhohasgoodstoguard.Itwantsakey,truthtotell;butthelockisafineaudoneandyoucaneasyfitakey.Moreoverthecontents,betheywhattheymay,areyoursalso.See!audlettersinsomeforeigntongue—FrenchIthink.Yellowinagean’theink faded. Somebody’s love letters, I’m thinkin’. Come now, young menhere’sachance.Maybeifye’renothatfameeliarinwritin’yerhairtsoottothelassies,yecangetsomehintsfraethese.Theycanlearnye,Iwarrant!”I was not altogether unaccustomed to auctions, so I affected a nonchalancewhichIdidnotfeel.Indeed,Iwasunaccountablyexcited.Itmighthavebeenthatmy feelingsandmemorieshadbeenworkedupby the seeingagain thepierwherefirstIhadmetLauchlaneMacleod,andthemovinglifewhichthenhadenvironedhim.Ifeltcomingovermethatstrangeimpalpableinfluenceortendencywhichhadbeenapartofmynatureinthedaysimmediatelybeforethe drowning of theOut-islander. Even as I looked, I seemed to feel ratherthanseefixeduponmethebalefuleyesofthemanintheghostlyprocessiononthatLammaseve.Iwasrecalledtomyselfbythevoiceoftheauctioneer:“Thekistanditscontentswillbesoldforaguineaandnotabawbeeless.”“Itakeit!”Icriedimpulsively.Theauctioneerwhoinhiswildestdreamshadnohopeofsuchapriceseemedstartledintomomentarycomparativesilence.Hequicklyrecoveredhimselfandsaid:“Thekist isyours,goodmaster;andthatconcludestheroup!”Ilookedaroundtoseeiftherewaspresentanyonewhocouldevensuggestinanywaytheappearanceofthemanintheghostlyprocession.Buttherewasnosuchperson.Imetonlymirabiledictu,thegreedyeyesofGormalaMacNiel.ThateveninginmyroomattheKilmarnockArms,Iexaminedthepapersaswellas Icouldby lamplight.Theywere inanold-fashionedstyleofwriting

withlongtailsandmanyflourisheswhichmadeanaddeddifficultytome.ThelanguagewasSpanish,whichtongueIdidnotknow;butbyaidofFrenchandwhatlittleLatinIcouldrememberImadeoutafewwordshereandthere.Thedatesrangedbetween1598and1610.Theletters,ofwhichtherewereeight,wereofmanifestunimportance, shortnotesdirected:“DondeEscoban”andmerelyarrangingmeetings.Thentherewereanumberofloosepagesofsomeprintedfolio,usedperhapsassomekindoftallyorpossiblyacipher,fortheyweremarkedalloverwithdots.Thelotwascompletedbyathin,narrowstripof paper covered with figures—possibly some account. Papers of threecenturiesagowerevaluable,wereitonlyfortheirstyleofwriting.SoIlockedthemallupcarefullybeforeIwenttobed,withfullintentiontoexaminethemthoroughlysomeday.TheappearanceofGormalajustatthetimewhenIhadbecomepossessedof themseemed toconnect theminsomemysteriouswaywiththeformerweirdexperiencesinwhichshehadsoprominentapart.That night I dreamed as usual, thoughmy dreamingwas of a scattered andincoherentcharacter.Gormala’shauntingpresenceandall thathadhappenedduringtheday,especiallythebuyingofthechestwiththemysteriouspapers,aswellaswhathadtakenplacesincemyarrivalatCrudenwasmixedupinperpetuallyrecurringimageswiththebeginningofmySecondSightandthedeathofLauchlaneMacleod.Again,andagain,andagain,Isawwiththeeyesofmemory,infragmentaryfashion,thegrandformofthefishermanstandingin a blaze of gold, and later fighting hisway through a still sea of gold, ofwhichtheonlyreliefswerethescatteredpilesofblackrockandthepalefacepatchedwithblood.Again,andagain,andagain,theghostlyprocessioncameupthesteeppathfromthedepthsofthesea,andpassedinslowsilentmeasureintoSt.Olaf’sWell.Gormala’swordswerebecomingatruthtome;thataboveandaroundmewassome forcewhichwas impelling to an end all things ofwhich I could takecognizance,myselfamongsttherest.HereIstopped,suddenlyarrestedbythethought that it was Gormala herself who had set my mind working in thisdirection;andthewordswithwhichshehadatoncewarnedandthreatenedmewhenafterthenightofLauchlane’sdeathwestoodatWitsennanpoint:“WhentheWordisspokenallfollowsasordained.Aye!thoughtheMinistersoftheDoommaybemanyandvarious,andthoughtheymayhavetogatherinonefrommanyagesandfromthefurthermostendsoftheearth!”Thenextfewdaysweredelightfullyfine,andlifewasonelongenjoyment.OnMonday evening there was a sunset which I shall never forget. The wholewestern sky seemed ablazewith red and gold; greatmasses of cloudwhichhad rolledup seemed likehugecrimsoncanopies loopedwithgoldover thesun 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

patchedthesteepgreenhillsideaswithsnow.Iturnedtohimandsaid:“Isnotthataglorioussight?”“Aye!’Tisgrand.Butlikeallbeautyo’thewarlditfadethintonaught;an’isonlyamaskfordool.”“Youdonotseemtoholdaveryoptimisticopinionof thingsgenerally.”Hedeliberatelystokedhimselffromhissnuffmullbeforereplying:“OptimistnorpessimistamI,eechienorochie.I’mthinkin’theoptimistandthepessimistare learsalike; takin’apairt for thewhole,an’soguiltyo’ thelogical sin o’ a particulari ad universale. Sophism theymisca’ it; as if therewereanythingbutaleeinamisstatemento’fac’.Fac’sisgoodeneuchforme;an’that, letmetellye, iswhyIsaidthat thesplendouro’thesunset isbutamaskfordool.Lookyon!Thecloudsareallgoldandglory, likea regimentgoin’ oot to the battle. But bide ye till the sun drops, not only below thehorizonbutbeyond theangleo’ refraction.Thenwhat seeye?Allgrimandgrey, andwaste, and dourness and dool; like the army as it returns frae thefecht.Therebe some that think thatbecause the sun sets fine i’ thenicht, itwill of necessity rise fine i’ the morn. They seem to no ken that it has totraverseonehalfo’thewarldereitreturns;andthattheaveragesoffineandfoul,o’lightanddarkhaetobeayemaintained.Itmaybethatthedayso’finefollowaneanitherfast;orthatthefoultimeslingerlikewise.Butintheend,thefiguresoffineandfoultottleup,inaccordwi’theirorderedsum.Whatuseisit,then,tonotak’heedo’fac’s?WeelIken,thatthefac’o’themorrowwilldiffersairfrae thefac’so’ thisnicht.Not invainhaeIseenthewisdomandglory o’ the Lord in sunsets an’ dawnswi’oot learnin’ the lessons that theyteach.Mon,Itellyethatit’sallthoseglorieso’pompandpageantry—allthelasceeviousluxurieso’colouran’splendour,thataretheforerinnerso’disaster.Doyenoseethestreakso’windrinnin’i’thesky,fraetheeasttothewest?Doyekenwhattheyportend?I’mtellin’ye,thatbeforethesunsetsthemorrownichttherewillberuinanddisasteronallthissideo’Scotland.Thestormwillnobeginhere.It isperhapsragin’thenooawaytotheeast.Butitwillcomequick,mostlikelywi’therisin’o’thetide;andwoebethentothemashasnomadesafewi’all theycan.Harkye the stillness!”Shepherd-likehe tooknoaccountofhisownsheepwhoseceaselessbleating,soundingineverynoteofthescale,broketheotherwiseuniversalsilenceofnature.“I’mthinkin’it’sbutthecalmbeforethestorm.Weelsir,Imaungang.Theyowessayitistimeforthe hame comin’. An’ mark ye, the collie! He looks at me reproachful, asthoughIhadforgottheyowes!Mysairvicetoye,sir!”“Goodnight”Ianswered,“IhopeIshallmeetyouagain.”“I’m thinkin’ the samemasel’. I haemuch enjoyed yer pleasin’ converse. Ihopeit’smonyacrackweyetmayhaethegither!”Andsomyphilosophical

egoist moved homewards, blissfully unconscious of the fact that my solecontribution to the“pleasingconverse”was the remark thathedidnotseemoptimistic.The whole mass of his charge moved homewards at an even footpace, thecolliemaking frantic dashes here and there to keep his flock headed in therightdirection.PresentlyIsawtheherdpouringlikeafoam-whitenoisyriveracrossthenarrowbridgeovertheWaterofCruden.Thenextmorningwasfine,veryhot,andofanunusualstillness.OrdinarilyIshould have rejoiced at such a day; but the warning of the erudite andphilosophical shepherdmadememistrust. Tome theworst of the prophecybusinesswasthatitbecameadisturbinginfluence.To-day,perforce,becauseitwasfine,Ihadtoexpectthatitwouldendbadly.AboutnoonIwalkedovertoWhinnyfold; it being Saturday I knew that the workmen would have goneawayearly,andIwantedtohavethehousetomyselfsothatIcouldgooveritquietly and finally arrange the scheme of colouring. I remained there somehours,and then,whenIhadmadeupmymindas to things, Isetoff for thehotel.Inthosefewhourstheweatherhadchangedmarvellously.Busywithindoorsandthinkingofsomethingelse,Ihadnotnoticedthechange,whichmusthavebeen gradual however speedy. The heat had increased till it was mostoppressive;andyetthroughitalltherewasnowandthenacoldshiverintheair which almost mademe wince. All was still, so preternaturally still thatoccasionalsoundsseemedtostriketheearasdisturbances.Thescreamingoftheseagullshadmainlyceased,andthesoundofbreakingwavesonrocksandshorewasatvariancewiththesilenceoverthesea;thesheepandcattleweresoquietthatnowandagainthe“moo”ofacoworthebleatofasheepseemedstrangelysingle.As I stood lookingoutseaward thereseemed tobe risingacoldwind;Icouldnotexactlyfeelit,butIknewitwasthere.AsIcamedownthepathoverthebeachIthoughtIheardsomeonecalling—afaintfar-awaysound.AtfirstIdidnotheedit,asIknewitcouldnotbeanyonecallingtome;butwhenIfounditcontinued,Ilookedround.Thereisatleastasufficientamount of curiosity in each of us to make us look round when there is acalling.AtfirstIcouldnotlocateit;butthensightcametoaidofsound,andIsawoutonarock twowomenwavinghandkerchiefs.Thecallingmanifestlycamefromthem.Itwasnotgoodforanyonetobeisolatedonarockatatimewhenastormwascomingup;andIknewwelltherockswhichthesewomenwereamongst.IhurriedonasquicklyasIcould,fortherewasagoodwaytogotoreachthem.Near the southendofCrudenBay there is a clusterof rockswhich jutsoutfrom shore, something like a cock’s spur. Beyond this cluster are isolatedrocks, many of them invisible at high tide. These form part of the rocky

systemoftheSkares,whichspreadoutfan-likefromthepointofWhinnyfold.Amongsttheserocksthesearunsatchangeoftidewithgreatforce;morethanoncewhenswimmingthereIhadbeenalmostcarriedaway.WhatitwastobecarriedawayamongsttherocksoftheSkaresIknewtoowellfromthefateofLauchlaneMacleod.IranasfastasIcoulddownthesteeppathwayandalongtheboulder-strewnbeachtillIcametotheSandCraigs.AsIranIcouldseefrom the quick inrush of waves, which though not much at present weregatheringforceeveryinstant,thatthestormwhichtheshepherdhadpredictedwascomingfastuponus.Insuchcaseeverymomentwasprecious.Indeeditmightmeanlife;andsoinbreathlesshasteIscrambledovertherocks.Behindthemainbodyof theSandCraigsare twoisolatedrockswhosetopsare justuncoveredathightide,butwhicharewashedwitheverywave.Thenearoneoftheseisatlowwaternotseparatedfromthemainmass,butonlyjoinedbyanarrowisthmusafewfeetlong,overwhichthefirstwavesoftheturningtiderushvigourously,foritisinthedirectsweepoftheflowingtide.Beyondthis,someninetyorahundredfeetoffandseparatedbyadeepchannel,istheouterrock,alwaysinislandform.Fromthisspotatlowwateristhebestviewofthemultitudinous rocks of the Skares. On all sides they rise round you as youstand, the granite seeming yellowwith the washing of the sea between thelines of high and low water; above the latter the black seaweed ceasesgrowing.ThisislandissohiddenbythehigherrocksarounditthatitcannotbeseenfromanypartofCrudenBayorfromPortErrollacrossit;itcanonlybeseenfromthepathleadingtoWhinnyfold.Itwasfortunatethatsomeonehadbeenpassingjustthen,ortheeffortsofthepoorwomentoattractattentionmighthavebeenmadeinvain.WhenIreachedtheSandCraigsIscrambledatoncetothefarthestpointoftherocks,andcamewithinsightoftheisolatedrock.Fortunatelyitwaslowwater.Thetidehadonlylatelyturnedandwasbeginningtoflowrapidlythroughtherocks.WhenIhadscrambledonthesecondlastrockIwasonlysomethirtyyardsfromtheoutermostoneandcouldseeclearlythetwowomen.Onewasstoutandelderly,theotheryoungandtallandofexceedingbeauty.Theelderlyonewasinanalmostfranticconditionoffright;buttheyoungerone,thoughherfacewasdeadlypale—andIcouldseefromtheanxiousglanceswhichshekeptcastingroundherthatshewasfarfromatease—wasoutwardlycalm.Foraninstanttherewasacuriouseffectasherpalefaceframedindarkhairstoodoutagainstthefoamofthetidechurningroundthefaroffrocks.Itseemedasthough her headwere dressedwithwhite flowers. As therewas no time tolose,Ithrewoffmycoatandshoesandbracedmyselfforaswim.IcalledasIdid so:“Whathasbecomeofyourboat?”Theanswercameback inaclear,youngvoiceofmanifestlyAmericanintonation:

“Itdriftedaway.Ithasgoneoffamongstthoserocksattheheadland.”

Ihadforamomentanideathatmybestplanmightbetofetchitfirst,butaglanceatthedistanceandattheconditionoftheseamademeseethefutilityof any such hope. Already the waves were rising so fast that they werebeginningtosweepoverthecrestoftherocks.Eventhatinfrontofmewherethe women stood was now topped by almost every wave. Without furtherdelayIjumpedintotheseaandswamacross.Thegirlgavemeahanduptherock,andIstoodbesidethem,theoldladyholdingtighttomewhilstIheldtheyoungeroneand the risingwaveswashing roundour feet.For amomentortwo I considered the situation, and then asked them if either of them couldswim.Theanswerwas in thenegative. “Then,” I saiddecisively, “youmustleaveyourselvestome,andIshallswimacrosswitheachofyouinturn.”Theold lady groaned. I pointed out that therewas no otherway, and that ifwecameatonceitwouldnotbedifficult,asthedistancewasshortandthewaveswerenotasyettroublesome.Itriedtotreatthematterasthoughitwereaniceholiday episode so that Imight keep up their spirits; but all the same I feltgravely anxious. The distance to swimwas only some thirty yards, but thechannel was deep, and the tide running strong. Moreover the waves wererising,andweshouldhavetogetafootholdontheslipperyseaweed-coveredrock. However there was nothing to be done but to hasten; and as I wasconsideringhowbestIshouldtaketheoldladyacrossIsaid:“Whatapityitisthatwehaven’tevenastrongcord,andthenwecouldpulleachotheracross.”Thegirljumpedattheideaandsaid:“Therewasplentyintheboat,butofcourseitisgone.Stillthereshouldbeashortpiecehere.Itookcaretofastenthepaintertoapieceofrock;butlikeawomanforgottoseethattheotherendwasfixedtotheboat,sothatwhenthetideturnedshedriftedawaywiththestream.Thefastendshouldbeherestill.”Whenthecomingwavehadrolledonshepointedtoashortpieceofropetiedroundajuttingpieceofrock;itslooseendswayedtoandfrowitheverywave.Ijumpedforitatonce,forIsawapossiblewayoutofourdifficulty;eveniftheropewereshort,sowasthedistance,anditsstrandsravelledmightcoverthewidthofthechannel.IuntiedtheropeasquicklyasIcould.Itwasnotaneasytask,forthewavesmadeitimpossibletoworkexceptforafewsecondsatatime;however,Igotitfreeatlastandpulleditup.Itwasonlyafragmentsomethirty feet in length;butmyheart leapedfor Isawmywayclearnow.Thegirlsawittooandsaidatonce:“Let me help you.” I gave her one end of the rope and we commencedsimultaneouslytoravelthepiles.Itwasalittledifficulttodo,standingaswedidupontheunevensurfaceoftherockwiththewavesrushingoverourfeetandtheoldladybesideusgroaningandmoaningandimploringustohasten.Mostlysheaddressedherselftome,asinsomewaythedeusexmachinaandthus superior to the occasion where helpless women were concerned; but

occasionallythewailwasdirectedtohercompanion,whowouldthen,eveninthattimeofstressandhurry,spareamomenttolayacomfortinghandonherasshesaid:“Hush!ohhush!Donot sayanything,dear.Youwillonly frightenyourself.Be brave!” and such phrases of kindness and endearment. Once the girlstoppedasawavebiggerthantherestbrokeoverherfeet.Theoldladytriedtostillhershriekintoamoanassheheldontoher,saying“OhMissAnita!OhMissAnita!”plaintivelyoverandoveragain.AtlastwehadravelledthefourstrandsoftheropeandIbegantoknotthemtogether.Theresultwasaropelongenoughtoreachfromrocktorock,thoughitwasinplacesofverydoubtfulstrength.Imadeabigloopatoneendofitandput itover thestout lady’sheadandunderherarmpits. Icautionedbothwomennottotaxthecordtooseverelybyagreatorsuddenstrain.Theelderladyprotested against going first, butwaspromptlynegativedby theyounglady,whosewishesonthesubjectweretomeaforegoneconclusion.Itookthelooseendoftheropeanddivingintothewaterswamacrosstotheotherrockupon the top of which I scrambled with some little trouble, for the waves,though not as yet in themselves dangerous, made difficult any movementwhichexposedmetotheirforce.Isignedtotheoldladytoslideintotheseawhich, assistedby thegirl, shedidverypluckily.Shegasped andgurgled agooddeal and clutched the loopwith adeathgrip; but I kept a steady evenstrainontheropewhosestrengthImistrusted.Inafewsecondsshewassafelyacross, and I was pulling her up by the hands up the rock.When she wasfirmlyfixedIgaveherthelooseendofthecordtoholdandswambackwiththeloop.Thegirldidnotdelayorgiveanytrouble.AsshehelpedmeuptherockIcouldnotbutnoticewhatstrengthshehad;hergripofmywethandwasfirmandstrong,andtherewasinitnoquiverofanxiety.Ifeltthatshehadnocareforherself,nowthathercompanionwassafe.Isignalledtotheoldladyto be ready; the girl slipped into thewater, I going in at the same time andswimmingbesideher.Theoldladypulledzealously.Soabsorbedwassheinherworkthatshedidnotheedmywarningcrynottopulltoohard.Shepulledasthoughonherstrengthrestedtheissueoflifeanddeath;withtheresultthatbeforewewereathirdofthewayacrosstheropebrokeandshefellsittingonthe rock behind her. For an instant the girl was submerged and came upgasping.Inthespasmodicimpulsecommonatsuchmomentsshegrippedmesohard round theneck that I feltwewereboth indanger.Beforewesank Iwrenched,thoughwithsomedifficultyherhandsawayfromme,sothatwhenwe rose I had her at arm’s length. For a few seconds I held her so that shecouldgetherbreath;andasIdidsoIcouldheartheoldladyscreamingoutinanagonisedway:“Marjory!Marjory!Marjory!”With her breath came back the girl’s reason,

and she left herself tome passively.As I held her by the shoulder, awavesweeping over the rock took us, and inmy sudden effort to hold her I toreawaythegownatherthroat.Itwasquiteevidentherwitswereallabouthernowforshecriedoutsuddenly:“Oh,mybrooch!mybrooch!”Therewas no time towaste and no time forquestions.Whenamanhas to swim for two in a choppy sea, andwhen theotheroneisafullyclothedwoman,thereislittletowasteofstrengthoreffort.SoIswamasIhadneverdone,andbroughtheruptotherockwheretheoldladyhelpedhertoscrambletoherfeet.WhenIhadgotmybreathIaskedheraboutherbrooch.Shereplied:“Iwouldnothavelostitforalltheworld.Itisanheirloom.”“Wasitgold?”Iasked,forIwantedtoknowitsappearanceasI intendedtodiveforit.“Yes!”shesaid,andwithoutanotherwordIjumpedintothechannelagaintoswimtotheouterrock,foritwasclosethereitmusthavebeenlostandIcoulddive from there. The channel between the rocks has a sandy bottom, and itwouldbeeasytoseethegold.AsIwentshecalledouttometocomeback,nottomind,thatshewouldratherloseitathousandtimesthanhavemerunanyrisk,andsoforth; thingsmightilypleasant tohearwhenspokenbysuchlips.FormyselfIhadonlyexultation.Ihadgotoffboththewomenwithoutaccident, and the seawas asyet, not such as togive any concern to agoodswimmer. Idived from the rockandgotbottomeasily, thedepthbeingonlytenortwelvefeet;andafterafewsecondslookingroundmeIsawthegleamofgold.WhenIhadrisenandswamtotheinnerrockthetwowomenpulledmeuptomyfeet.WhenIgaveherthebroochtheyoungladypressedittoherlips,andturningtomewithtearsinhereyessaid:“Oh you brave man! You kind, brave man! I would not have lost this foranythingIcallmine.Thankyou thatyouhavesavedour lives;and thatyouhavesavedthisforme.”Thenwithgirlishimpulsivenessandunpremeditationsheputupherfaceandkissedme.Thatmoment,withherwetfacetomine,wasthehappiestofmylife.

CHAPTERVIIIARUNONTHEBEACH

THEgirl’skisswassospontaneousandsonaturalthatitcouldnotconveyanyfalse impression to me. It was a manifest expression of gratitude, and that

only.Neverthelessitsetmyheartbeatingandmyveinstinglingwithdelight.FromthatinstantIdidnotfeelquiteastrangertothegiver;norcouldIeverfeel asquite a stranger again.Somethingof the same ideamayhavepassedthroughthegirl’smind,forsheblushedandlookedaroundhershyly;but,withaproudliftingofherheadandaslightstampofherfootontherock,sheputthematterbehindher,forthepresent.Theoldlady,inthemidstofherconcernforhercompanionandherself,wasabletothrowaglanceofdisapprovalonme, as though I haddone somethingwrong; fromwhich I gathered that theyoungerladywasnotonlyverydeartoher,butheldinsomesortofunusualrespect as well. It was peculiar that she should in the midst of her presentconditionbeabletogiveathoughttosotrivialathing.Forthoughdeathdidnotnowstareherintheface,shewascoldandwet;therockshestoodonwashardandslippery,andthefoamofthebreakingwaveswasevennowcurlingaroundherfeet.Shelookedaboutherapprehensively;shedidnotknowwhetherornowewereonanotherisolatedrock.Ireassuredheronthissubject,andwescrambledasquicklyaswecouldovertherocksonourwayshoreward.Theelderladytookupmostofmytime.Hereandthereinadifficultplace,forthewindbynowblewsostronglythatonefoundithardtobalanceoneselfasisnecessarywhenwalkingonrocks,Iofferedtheyoungermyhand.Atfirstshefirmlydeclined;butthen,manifestlythinkingitchurlish,sherelentedandletmehelpher.Thatkisswasevidentlyranklinginhermind.Both the women breathedmore freely whenwe had reached the shore andstood secure from the sea.And indeed by this time the view, aswe lookedback,wasenoughtofrightenone.Greatwavestoppedwithwhitewererollingin fromas faraswecouldsee;dashingover the rocks, sendinguphereandtherewhitetowersofspray,orrollinginontheflatshoreinfrontofuswithanominous roar.Woe betide any onewhomight be isolated now on any rockbeyond;hewouldbesweptoff,andbeatenontherocks.Theoldladygroanedas she saw it, and then said audibly a prayer of thankfulness. Even the girlgrew white for a moment; then, to my secret joy, unconsciously she drewclosertome.Itookcontroloftheparty.“Come,”Isaid,“youmustn’tstandhereinyourwetclothes.Hurrytothehotelandgetdried.Youwillgetyourdeathofcold.Wemustallrun!Orhasten,atallevents!”Iadded,asItookinthedimensionsoftheelderlady.“Wehaveleftourtrapatthehotel”saidtheyoungerladyaswebegantowalkquicklyinthedirectionofPortErroll.AsweweremovingoffitsuddenlystruckmethatGormalamighthaveseentheepisodeoftherescue.TheverythoughtofsuchathingfilledmewithsuchdismaythatIgroanedaloud.NotforalltheworldwouldIhavehadherhaveahandinthis;itwastoosacred—toodelightful—toomuchapartfromordinary

things!Whilst Iwas lost in a reverieof inexpressible sweetness forperhapstwoor threesecondsaltogether, Iwasrecalled tomyselfby thevoiceof thegirlwhocameclosetome:“Areyouhurt?Pleasetellmeifyouare.IamaFirstAid.”“Hurt?”Iasked,surprised“notatall.Whatonearthmakesyouthinkso?”“Iheardyougroan!”“Oh that——” Ibeganwith a smile.Then I stopped, for again thehauntingfearofGormala’sinterferenceclosedovermyheartlikeawetmist.Withthefear,however,camearesolution;Iwouldnothaveanydoubttotormentme.Inmyglanceabouttheshore,aswecameofftherocksontothebeach,Ihadnot seenasignofanyone.At thispartof theshore thesandhillshave fadedawayintoanarrowflatcoveredwithbent-grass,beyondwhichthelandslopesupdirectly to the higher plain.Therewas not roomor place for any one tohide;evenone lyingamongst the longbentscouldbe seenat aglance fromabove.WithoutawordIturnedtotheleftandranasquicklyasIcouldacrossthebeachandupthesteepbankofthesandyplateau.Withacertaindegreeofapprehension,andmyheartbeatinglikeatrip-hammer—Ihadcertainlytakenthismatterwithmuchconcern—Ilookedaround.ThenIbreathedfreely;therewasnotasignofanyoneasfarasIcouldsee.Thewind,nowcomingfiercelyin from the sea, swept the tall bent-grass till it lay over, showing the palergreenofitsunderside;theblue-green,metallicshimmerwhichmarksit,andwhichpaintersfinditsohardtoreproduce,hadallvanishedunderthestress.I ran back to join the ladies. The elder one had continuedwalking stolidlyalongtheshore,leavingatrackofwetonthehalfdrysandasshewent;buttheyoungeronehadlingeredandcametowardsmeasIapproached.“Ihopetherewasnothingwrong?”sheaskedinamostnaturalway.“No,”Isaiditwithoutthinking,fortherewassomethingaboutthegirlwhichmademefeelas ifwewereoldfriends,andIspoke toherunconsciously inthisstrain.“It’sallright.She’snotthere!”“Who?” she asked with unconsciousness of any arrière pensée, anunconsciousnesssimilartomyown.“Gormala!”Ianswered.“And who is Gormala?” For quite a minute or two I walked on withoutspeaking,forIwantedtothinkbeforeIanswered.Ifeltthatitwouldbehardto explain the odd way in which the Seer-woman seemed to have becometangledupinmylife;andyetIwantedtotellthisgirl.Ifearedthatshemightlaughatme;thatshemightthinkmeridiculous;thatshemightdespiseme;oreventhatshemightthinkmealunatic!ThenagainGormalamightcomeandtellthingstoher.Therewasnoaccountingforwhatthewomanmightdo.She

mightcomeuponusatanymoment;shemightbehereevennow!Theeffectofherfollowingorwatchingmehadbeguntotellonmymind;herexistencehauntedme.Ilookedaroundanxiously,andbreathedfreely.Therewasnosignofher.Myeyesfinallyfetcheduponthefaceofthegirl....Herbeautiful,darkeyeswerefixedonmewithinterestandwonder.“Well!”shesaid,afterapause,“Idon’tsupposeI’mmoreinquisitivethanmyneighbours,butIshouldjustliketoknow,righthere,what’swrongwithyou.You looked round that time just as if youwere haunted!Why did you runaway that timeandsearch roundas if someonehad takenapot-shotatyouandyouwantedtolocatehim?Whydidyougroanbeforeyouwent,andcomebackhumming?Who isGormala,anyhow;andwhywereyouglad thatyoudidn’t seeher?Whydidn’tyouanswermewhen Iaskedyouwhoshewas?Whydidyouwalkalongwithyourheadupandyoureyesstaring,asthoughyouwereseeingvisions?Andwhy——”Allatonceshestopped,andaswiftblushsweptoverher faceandevenherneck.“Oh,”shesaidinalowtonewithanoteofpathosinhervoice,“Ibegyourpardon!myunruly tongueranawaywithme. Ihaveno right toasksomany questions—and from a stranger too!” She stopped as suddenly as shehadbegun.“Youmighthavesparedmethat!”Isaid“IknowIhavebeenrudeindelayingtoansweryourquestionaboutGormala;butthefactisthattherearesomanyodd things inconnectionwithher that Iwas reallyconsideringwhetheryouwould thinkme a fool or a lunatic if I told them toyou.Andyou certainlywouldnotunderstandwhyIdidn’twanttoseeher,ifIdidn’t.AndperhapsnotevenifIdid,”Iaddedasanafterthought.Thegirl’sawkwardnessslippedfromherlikearobe;theblushmergedintoasmileassheturnedtomeandsaid:“Thisismostinteresting.O!dotellme—ifyoudon’tmind.”“I shall bedelighted” I said, and Ionly expressedmy thought. “Gormala” Ibegan;butjustthenthestoutladyinfrontofus,whowasnowaconsiderablewayahead,turnedroundandcalledtous.Icouldonlyhear“MissAnita;”butthegirlevidentlyunderstood,forshecalledout:“Allright!Wearecomingatonce!”andshehurriedon.Itgavemeathrillofpleasure that she said “we” not “I;” it was sweet to have a part in such acomprehension.Aswewentsheturnedtomeandsaid:“Youmust tellmeall about it; I shan’tbehappy till Ihear thewhole story,whatever it is.This is all too lovelyandexciting. Ihadn’t an ideawhenwewentoutsleepilythismorningthattherewouldbesomuchinthedaytothinkofafterwards.”IfeltthatIhadtakenmycourageinbothhandsasIsaid:“You’llbothdinewithmeatthehotel,won’tyou.Youhavemissedlunchandmustbehungry,sowecandineearly.Itwillbesuchatruepleasuretome;and

I can tell you all about everything afterwards, if we can manage to get amomentalone.”Shepaused,andIwaitedanxiously.Thenshespokewithadelightfulsmile:“Thatmust be asMrs. Jack says. But we shall see!”With this I had to becontentforthepresent.Whenwecameuptoher,Mrs.Jacksaidinawoefulway:“Oh,Miss Anita, I don’t know what to do. The sand is so heavy, and myclothesaresoweightywiththewet,andmybootssquishsowiththewaterinthemthatI’mbeginningtothinkI’llneverbeabletogetwarmordryagain;thoughI’mbothwarmenoughanddryenoughinotherways.”Asshespokeshemoved her feet somewhat after themanner of a bear dancing, so as tomake her wet boots squeak. I would have liked to have laughed, though Ireallypitiedthepoorthing;butaglanceat theconcernonMissAnita’sfacecheckedme.Very tenderly she began to help and comfort the old lady, andlookedatmepleadinglytohelpher.“Whydear”shesaid“nowonderitishardwalkingforyouwithyourclothessowringingwet,”andshekneltdownonthewetsandandbegantowringthemout.IlookedaroundtoseewhatIcoulddo to help. Just opposite,wherewewere the outcrop of rock onwhich theHawklaw is based sent up a jagged spur of granite through the sand, closeunderthebent-coveredhillocks.Ipointedtothisandweledtheoldladyoverto itandmadeher sitdownona flat rock.Thenweproceeded towringherout,sheallthewhileprotestingagainstsomuchtroublebeingtakenabouther.Wepulledoffherspring-sideboots,emptiedthemoutand,withconsiderabledifficulty,forcedthemonagain.Thenweallstoodup,andthegirlandItookherarmsandhurriedheralongthebeach;weallknewthatnothingcouldbedoneforrealcomfort tillweshouldhavereachedthehotel.Aswewentshesaidwithgratitudeineverynoteofhervoice,thewordsjogglingoutofherasshebumpedalong:“Oh,mydears,youareverygoodtome.”Onceagaintheuseofthepluralgavemepleasure.Thistime,however,itwasmyhead, rather thanmyheart,whichwasaffected; tobesobrackettedwithMissAnitawastohavehopeaswellaspleasure.Thingswerebeginningtomovefastwithme.WhenwegottoCrudentherewasgreatlocalexcitement,andmuchrunningtoandfroonthepartof thegoodpeopleof thehotel togetdryclothesfor thestrangeladies.Noneofusgaveanydetailastohowthewettingtookplace;bysomekindof commonconsent itwas simplymadeknown for the time thattheyhadbeenovertakenbythetide.WhenoncetheincompleteideahadbeenstartedI tookcarenot toelaborate it. Icouldseeplainlyenoughthat thoughtheelderladyhadeverywishtobeprofuseintheexpressionofhergratitude

tome,theyoungeronenotonlyremainedsilentbutnowandagainrestrainedhercompanionbyawarninglook.Needlesstosay,Iletthingsgointheirownway;itwastoosweetapleasuretometoshareanythinginthewayofasecretwithmynew friend, to imperil suchablissbyanybreachof reticence.Theladiesweretakenawaytobedroomstochange,andIaskedthatdinnerforthethreeofusmightbeservedinmyroom.WhenIhadchangedmyownclothes,overwhich operation I did not lose any time, I waited in the room for thearrival ofmy guests.Whilst the tablewas being laid I learned that the twoladies had come to the hotel early in the day in a dogcart driven by theyoungerone.Theyhadgivennoordersexceptthatthehorseshouldbeputupandwellcaredfor.It was not long before the ladies appeared.Mrs. Jack began to express hergratitudetome.I triedtoturnitaside,forthoughitmovedmealittlebyitsgenuineness, I felt somewhat awkward, as though I were accepting praiseunderfalsepretences.SuchserviceasIhadbeenabletorender,thoughoftheutmost importance to them, had been so easy of execution tome thatmorethanapassingexpressionofthanksseemedoutofplace.AfterallIhadonlyacceptedawettingonbehalfof two ladiesplaced inanawkwardposition. Iwas a good swimmer; and my part of the whole proceeding wasunaccompaniedbyanydangerwhatever,Ithought,ofcourse,haditbeenlaterin the coming of the storm, things might have been very different. Here Ishuddered as my imagination gave me an instantaneous picture of the twohelplesswomen in the toilsof the raging sea amongst thosegrim rocks andborneby that racing tidewhichhaddonepoorLauchlaneMacleod todeath.As if to emphasisemy fears there now came a terrific burst ofwindwhichseemedtosweepoverthehousewithappallingviolence.Ithowledandroaredaboveus,sothateverywindow,chimneyanddoor,seemedtobearthesoundright in upon us. Overhead was heard, between the burst which shook thewindows and doors, that vague, booming sound, which conveys perhaps abetter sense of nature’s forces when let loose, than even the concreteexpression of their violence. In this new feeling of the possibilities of thestorm,I realised thebaseand the truthof thegratitudewhich the ladiesfelt;and I also realisedwhatanawful tragedymighthavecome topasshad IorsomeoneelsenotcomedownthepathfromWhinnyfoldjustwhenIdid.IwasrecalledtomyselfbyanexpressionofconcernbyMrs.Jack:“Lookhowpalehehasgot.Idohopehehasnotbeenhurt.”MechanicallyIanswered:“Hurt!Iwasneverbetterinmylife,”thenIfeltthatmypallormusthaveleftmeandthatIgrewredwithpleasureasIheardMissAnitasay:“Ah!Iunderstand.Hedidnothaveanyfearforhimself;butheisbeginningtofeelhowterribleitwasforus.”Thefulnessofunderstandingonthepartofthe

beautiful girl, her perfect and ready sympathy, the exactness of herinterpretationofmymind,madeformeaninexpressiblepleasure.WhenI toldMrs.Jack that Ihadventured toclaimthembothasmyguests,andhoped that theywouldhonourmebydiningwithme, she lookedathercompanioninthesameinquiringwaywhichIhadalreadynoticed.Icouldnotseethefaceoftheyoungerladyatthemomentasitwasturnedawayfromme,butherapprovalwasmanifest;theanswerwasmadegladlyintheaffirmative.ThenIputforthahopethattheywouldallowmetohaveacarriagereadytotakethemhome,whenevertheymightdesire,sothattheymightfeelateaseinremaining till they had been thoroughly restored after their fatigue. I addedthatperhapsitwouldbegoodforMissAnita.Mrs.Jackraisedhereyebrowsslightly,andIthoughttherewasanoteofdistanceinhervoice,asthoughsheresentedinaquietwaymymentioningthename:“MissAnita!”shesaid;andtherewasthatunconsciousstiffeningofthebackwhichevidences thatone isonguard. I feltsomewhatawkward,as thoughIhad taken a liberty. The younger lady sawmy difficulty, and with a quicksmilejumpedtotherescue.“OhMrs.Jack”shesaid“Iquiteforgotthatwewereneverintroduced;butofcourse he heard you mention my name. It was rather hurried our meeting;wasn’tit?Wemustsetitrightnow.”Thensheaddedverydemurely:“DearMrs.Jack,willyoupresenttoMissAnita,Mr.——”shelookedatmeinterrogatively.“ArchibaldHunter”Isaid,andthepresentationwasformallymade.ThenMissAnitaansweredmyquestionaboutthecarriage:“Thankyouforyourkindoffer,Mr.ArchibaldHunter”Ithoughtshedweltonthename,“butweshalldrivebackaswecame.Thestormwillnotbequitesobadinland,andasitdoesnotrainthecartwillbeallright;wehaveplentyofwraps.Thelampsaregood,andIknowtheroad;Inoteditwellaswecame.Isnotthatright?”sheadded,turningtohercompanion.“Quiteright,mydear!Dojustasyoulike,”andsothemanneroftheirgoingwasarranged.Thenwe had dinner; a delightful, cosymeal. The fire leapedwhenever thewind roared; and as the darkness of the storm made a sort of prematurenightfall, it gave a pleasant, homely look to everything.After dinnerwe satroundthefire,andIthinkforatimewewereallcontent.Tomeitwassolikea dream. To sit there close to the beautiful stranger, and to think of theromanticbeginningofouracquaintance,wasenjoymentbeyondwords.AsyetIdidnotdare tocastaglanceforwards;but Iwascontent towait for that. Ihadaconvictionthatmyownmindwasmadeup.

Afteralittlewhileweallbecamesilent.Mrs.Jackwasbeginningtodozeinherchair,andwetwoyoungfolkinstinctivelybandedourselvestogetherwithour youthful superiority over sleep and fatigue. I sat quite still; there wassomething so sweet in this organised companionship of silence that itenrapturedme. I didnot needMissAnita’s lookof caution to remainquiet;therewassomethinginherface,somepowerorqualitywhichwasaseloquentasspeech.Ibegantothinkofit;andthehabitofintrospection,whichhadnowbecome a part of my nature, asserted itself. How much of this quality Ithought,was in her face, howmuch inmy own eyes and the brain that laybehindthem.Iwasrecalledtomyselfbyawhisper:“I thought for a moment you were going to sleep too. Hsh!” she placed afinger on her lip amoment and then tiptoed over to the sofa; taking a softcushion she placed it under Mrs. Jack’s head, which had now fallen oversidewaysuponthearmofthechair.Thenshesatbesidemeagain,andbendingoversaidsoftly:“Whilesheisasleepwouldyoumindwalkingdowntothebeach,Iwanttoseethewaves.Theymustbebigbynow;Icanheartheirroaringfromhere.”“Iwillgowithdelight;”Isaid“butyoumustwrapupproperly.Itwillnotdotorunanychanceofachill.”“Allright,ohwiseman!Iobey,KingSolomon!IshallwaittoputonmyownclothestillIgetback;andyoucanlendmeamackie-coatifyouwill.”Igotoneofmineforher,thenewest;andwewalkedoverthesandhillstothebeach.The wind was blowing furiously. It never left off for a moment; butoccasionallytherewereburstsofsuchaddedviolencethatwefounditdifficulttokeepourfeet.Weclungtoeachotheratsuchmoments,andtheverysenseofthestrengthwhichenabledmetoshieldhersomewhatfromtheviolenceofthe storm, made a new feeling of love—I could not now disguise it frommyself.Somethingwentoutfrommetoher;somesubtlefeelingwhichmust,Isuppose,havemanifesteditselfinsomeway,howIknownot,forIkeptguarduponmyself.Foroneblissfulmoment,possiblyofforgetfulness,sheclungtome as the weak cling to the strong, the clinging of self-surrender which isequallydeartotheweakandthestrong,tothewomanandtheman.Andthenshedrewherselfsharplyawayfromme.There was no misunderstanding the movement; it was an intentional andconscious one, and the motive which lay behind both was her woman’smystery.Ididnotknowmuchaboutwomen,butIcouldmakenomistakeastothis.InasmuchasProvidencehasthoughtfitinitswisdomtomakemenandwomendifferent,itisjustaswellthateachsexshouldatcriticaltimesuseitsown potentialities for its protection and advancement. Herein comes, in themidst of an unnatural civilisation, the true utility of instinct. Sincewe have

lost the need of early information of the presence of game or of predatoryanimals or hostile men, even our instincts adapt themselves to oursurroundings.Manyanactwhichmayafterwardsseemtheresultoflongandcareful premeditation is, on reflection, found to be simply the result of thatform of momentary impulse which is in reality a blind obedience to someknowledge of our ancestors gained through painful experience. Someprotective or militant instinct whose present exercise is but a variant of itsprimal use. For an instant the man and the woman were antagonistic. Thewomanshrank,thereforeitwastheman’sinteresttoadvance;allatoncethemaninmespokethroughthebashfulnessandreticenceofyears:

“Whydoyoushrinkfromme?HaveIdoneanything?”“Ohno!”“Thenwhy?”Ahotblushmantledherfaceandneck.HadshebeenanEnglishgirlIshouldnotprobablyhavehadadirectanswer;shewouldhaveswitchedconversationonsomesafer track,orhave,aftersomeskirmishing,forbiddenthe topic altogether. This girl’s training, however, had been different. Herequalcompanionshipinstudywithboysinschoolandcollegehadtaughtherthefutilityof tryingtoburkeaquestionwhenherantagonistwasmasculine;andthenaturalpluckanddominance—theassertionofindividualitywhichisapartofanAmericanwoman’sbirthright—broughtupherpride.Stillblushing,butbearingherselfwithadditionaldignity,shespoke.Hadshebeenmoreself-conscious, and could she have seen herself at themoment, shewould haverecognisedtothefullthatwithsomuchprideandsomuchdignityshecouldwellaffordtodiscussanytopicthatshechose.“Thefaultisnotyours.Itis,oritwas,myown.”“Youmean when I gave you back your brooch?” The blood deepened anddeepenedtoapainfulintensity.Inalowvoice,inthetoneofspeech,butwithonlythepowerofawhispersheansweredme:“Yes!” This was my chance and I said with all the earnestness I had, andwhichIfelttothefull:“Letmesaysomething. Ishallnoteverallude to itagainunlessyouwish. Itookthatsweetacknowledgmentofyourgratitudeexactlyasitwasmeant.DobelievethatIamagentleman.Ihavenotgotasister,Iamsorrytosay,butifIhad, I should not mind her giving a kiss to a stranger under suchcircumstances.ItwasasweetandwomanlyactandIrespect—and—likeyoumoreforit.Iwouldn’t,ofcourse,forall theworldyouhadn’tdoneit;andIshallneverforgetit.ButbelievemeIshallneverforgetmyselfonaccountofit.IfIdidIshouldbeahowlingcad;—and—that’sall.”As I spoke her face brightened and she sighedwith an expression of relief.

Theblushalmostfadedaway,andabrightsmilebrokeoverherface.Withaseriousdeeplookintheeyeswhichglistenedthroughhersmilesheheldoutherhandandsaid:“Youareagoodfellow,andIthankyouwithallmyheart.”I felt as if I walked on air as we forced our way through the stormwhichroaredaroundus,overthesandhillstowardsthesea.ItwaswithanexultationthatmademyheadswimthatInoticedthatshekeptstepwithme.

CHAPTERIXCONFIDENCESANDSECRETWRITING

THEshorewasamiracleofwildwaterandwhitefoam.WhenthewindblowsintoCrudenBaythereisnoendorlimittotheviolenceofwaves,whichseemto gather strength as they rush over the flat expanse of shore. The tidewasnowonlyhalfin,andordinarilytherewouldhavebeenagreatstretchofbaresandbetween thedunesand the sea.To-night,however, thepilingupof thewaters sent in an unnatural tide which swept across the flat shore withexceedingviolence.Theroaringwasinterminable,andaswestooddownonthebeachwewereenvelopedinsheetsofflyingfoam.Thefierceblastscameatmomentswithsuchstrengththatitwasphysicallyimpossibleforustofacethem.Aftera littlewe tookshelterbehindoneof thewoodenbathing-boxesfasteneddownunderthesandhills.Here,protectedfromthedirectviolenceofthestorm,theshelterseemedlikeacalmfromwhichweheardtheroaringofwindandwaveas fromfaroff.Therewasa senseofcosiness in the shelterwhichmadeusinstinctivelydrawclosetogether.Icouldhaveremainedhappyinsuchproximityforever,butIfearedthatitwouldendatanymoment.Itwastherefore,withdelightthatIheardthevoiceofMissAnita,raisedtosuittherequirementsoftheoccasion:“Now that we are alone, won’t you tellme about Gormala and the strangeoccurrences?”Itriedtospeak,butthestormwastoogreatforthepurposesofnarrative.So I suggested thatweshouldcomebehind the sandhill.Wewentaccordingly, and made a nest in a deep hollow behind the outer range ofhillocks.Herecrouchedamongthetallbent,whichflewlikewhiplasheswhenthewilderburstsofthestormcame,andamidanever-endingscourgeoffinesandswept fromthe topof thesandhills, I toldherofallmyexperiencesofGormalaandSecondSight.She listenedwith a rapt attention.At times I couldnot seeher face, for theeveningwasclosinginandthedrivingcloudsoverhead,whichkeptpilingupingreatmassesalong thewesternhorizon,shutout the remnantsof theday.

When,however,inthepausesofdriftingsandandflyingfoamIcouldseeherproperly, I found her face positively alight with eager intelligence.Throughout,shewasmovedattimes,andnowandagaincreptalittleclosertome; as for instance when I told her of the dead child and of LauchlaneMacleod’sterriblestruggleforlifeintheraceofthetideamongsttheSkares.Her questions were quite illuminating to me at moments, for her quickwoman’sintuitiongraspedpossibilitiesatwhichmymerelogicalfacultieshadshied. Beyond all else, she was interested in the procession of ghosts onLammasEve.Onlyonceduringmynarrativeof thisepisodeshe interruptedme; not an intentional interruption but a passing comment of her own,candidly expressed.Thiswaswhere the bodyof armedmen came along; atwhichshesaidwithadeephissingintakeofherbreaththroughherteeth:“Spaniards!Iknewit!TheywerefromsomelostshipoftheArmada!”WhenIspokeof theonewho turnedand lookedatmewitheyes thatseemedof thequick, she straightened her back and squared her shoulders, and looking allroundheralertlyas though for somehiddenenemy,clenchedherhandsandshutherlipstightly.Hergreatdarkeyesseemedtoblaze;thenshegrewcalmagaininamoment.WhenIhadfinishedshesatsilentforawhile,hereyesfixedinfrontofheraswithonewhosemindisoccupiedwithintrospection.Suddenlyshesaid:“Thatmanhadsomesecret,andhefearedyouwoulddiscoverit.Icanseeitall!He,comingfromhisgrave,couldseewithhisdeadeyeswhatyoucouldseewithyourlivingones.Nay,more;hecould,perhaps,seenotonlythatyousaw, and what you saw, but where the knowledge would lead you. ThatcertainlyisagrandideaofGormala’s,thatofwinningtheSecretoftheSea!”Afterapauseofa fewmomentsshewenton,standingupasshedidsoandwalkingrestlesslytoandfrowithclenchedhandsandflashingeyes:“AndiftherebeanySecretsoftheSeawhynotwinthem?IftheybeofSpainandtheSpaniard,whynot,athousandtimesmore,winthem.IftheSpaniardhad a secret, be sure it was of no good to our Race. Why—” she movedexcitedlyas shewenton:“Why this isgrowing interestingbeyondbelief. Ifhisdeadeyescouldforaninstantbecomequick,whyshouldnot thechangelastlonger?Hemightmaterialisealtogether.”Shestoppedsuddenlyandsaid:“There! I am getting flighty as usual. I must think it all over. It is all toowonderfulandtooexcitingforanything.Youwillletmeaskyoumoreaboutit,won’tyou,whenwemeetagain?”Whenwemeetagain!Thenwewouldmeetagain:Thethoughtwasadelighttome;anditwasonlyafterseveralrapturoussecondsthatIansweredher:“I shall tell you all I know; everything. You will be able to help me indiscoveringtheMystery;perhapsworkingtogetherwecanwintheSecretof

theSea.”“That would be too enchanting!” she said impulsively, and then stoppedsuddenlyasifrememberingherself.Afterapauseshesaidsedately:“I’mafraidwemustbegoingbacknow.Wehavealongwaytodrive;anditwillbequitelateenoughanyhow.”AswemovedoffIaskedherifImightnotseeherandMrs.Jacksafelyhome.Icouldgetahorseatthehotelanddrivewiththem.Shelaughedlightlyassheanswered:“Youareverykindindeed.Butsurelyweshallnotneedanyone!Iamagooddriver; thehorse isperfectand the lampsarebright.Youhaven’t any ‘hold-ups’hereaswehaveOutWest;andas IamnotwithinGormala’ssphereofinfluence, I don’t think there is anything to dread!” Then after a pause sheadded:“BythewayhaveyoueverseenGormalasince?”Itwaswithaqueerfeelingwhich I could not then analyse, but which I found afterwards contained acertainproportionofexultationIanswered:“Ohyes!Isawheronlytwodaysago—”HereIstoppedforIwasstruckwitha new sense of the connection of things.MissAnita saw thewonder inmyfaceanddrawingclosetomesaid:“Tellmeallaboutit!”SoItoldheroftheauctionatPeterheadandofthechestand thepaperswith themysteriousmarks,andofhowI thought itmightbesome sort of account—“or,” I added as a new idea struck me—“secretwriting.”WhenIhadgotthusfarshesaidwithdecision:“Iamquitesureitis.Youmusttrytofinditout.Oh,youmust,youmust!”“Ishall,”saidI,“ifyoudesire it.”Shesaidnothing,butablushspreadoverherface.Thensheresumedhermovementtowardsthehotel.We walked in silence; or rather we ran and stumbled, for the fierce windbehindusdroveusalong.Theupsanddownsofthesurfacewereveiledwiththemistofflyingsandsweptfromamongstthebent-grassonthetopsofthesandhills. I would have liked to help her, but a judicious dread of seemingofficious—andsolosingastepinhergoodgraces—heldmeback.IfeltthatIwaspayingapriceofabstinenceforthatkiss.Aswewent,thesilencebetweenusseemedtoberidiculous;sotogetoveritIsaid,aftersearchinginmymindforatopicwhichwouldnotcloseuphersympathieswithme:“Youdon’tseemtolikeSpaniards?”“No,”sheansweredquickly,“Ihatethem!Nasty,cruel,treacherouswretches!LookatthewaytheyaretreatingCuba!LookattheMaine!”Thensheaddedsuddenly:

“ButhowonearthdidyouknowIdislikethem.”Ianswered:“YourvoicetoldmewhenyouspoketoyourselfwhilstIwastellingyouabouttheghostsandthemanwiththeeyes.”“True,”shesaidreflectively.“SoIdid.Imustkeepmoreguardonmyselfandnotletmyfeelingsrunawaywithme.Igivemyselfawaysoawfully.”Icouldhavemadeareplytothis,butIwasafraid.Thatkissseemedlikeanembodiedspiritofwarning,holdingaswordovermyheadbyahair.ItwasnotlongbeforeIfoundthevalueofmysilence.Thelady’sconfidenceinmydiscretionwasrestored,andshebegan,ofherowninitiative,totalk.Shespokeoftheprocessionofghosts;suddenlystopping,however,asifshehadrememberedsomething,shesaidtome:“ButwhywereyousoanxiousthatGormalashouldnothaveseenyousavingusfromtherock?”“Because,”Ianswered,“Ididnotwanthertohaveanythingtodowiththis.”

“Whatdoyoumeanby‘this’?”Therewassomethinginthetoneofherquerywhichsetmeonguard. Itwasnotsincere; ithadnot thatnatural intonation,even,allthrough,whichmarksaquestionputinsimplefaith.Ratherwasitinthe tone of one who asks, knowing well the answer which will or may begiven. As I have said, I did not knowmuch about women, but the tone ofcoquetry, no matter how sweet, no matter how ingenuous, no matter howlovable,cannotbemistakenbyanymanwithredbloodinhisveins!SecretlyIexulted,forIfeltinstinctivelythatthererestedsomeadvantagewithmeinthestruggleofsex.Theknowledgegavemecoolness,andbroughtmybraintotheaidofmyheart.Nothingwouldhavedelightedmemoreatthemomentthantoflingmyself,actuallyaswellasmetaphorically,atthegirl’sfeet.Mymindwasmadeup to try towinher;myonly thoughtnowwas thebestmeans to thatend.IfeltthatIwasalittlesententiousasIrepliedtoherquestion:“By‘this’Imeanthewholeepisodeofmymeetingwithyou.”“AndMrs.Jack,”sheadded,interruptingme.“AndMrs.Jack,ofcourse,”Iwenton,feelingrejoicedthatshehadgivenmeanopportunityofsayingsomethingwhichIwouldnototherwisehavedaredtosay. “Or rather I should perhaps say, my meeting with Mrs. Jack and herfriend.ItwastomeamostdelightfulthingtomeetwithMrs.Jack;andIcanhonestlysaythisdayhasbeenthehappiestofmylife.”“Don’tyou thinkwehadbetterbegettingon?Mrs.Jackwillbewaitingforus!”shesaid,butwithoutanykindofreproachinhermanner.“Allright,”Ianswered,asIranupasteepsandhillandheldoutmyhandtohelpher.Ididnotletherhandgotillwehadrundowntheotherside,andup

anddownanotherhillockandcameoutupontheflatwasteofsandwhichlaybetween us and the road, and over which a sort of ghostly cloud of sanddrifted.Beforeweleftthesand,Isaidearnestly:“Gormala’spresenceseemsalways tomeangloomandsorrow,weepingandmourning, fear and death. Iwould not have any of them come near you oryours. This is why I thanked God then, and thank Him now, that in ourmeetingGormalahadnopart!”Shegavemeherhandimpulsively.Asforaninstanthersoftpalmlayinmypalmandherstrongfingersclaspedmine,Ifeltthattherewasabondbetweenuswhichmightsomedayenablemetoshieldherfromharm.WhenMrs.Jack,and‘herfriend’,wereleavingthehotel,Icametothedoortoseethemoff.Shesaidtome,inalowvoice,asIbadefarewell:“We shall, I daresay, see you before long. I know thatMrs. Jack intends todriveoverhere again.Thankyou for all yourkindness.Goodnight!”Therewasashakeofthereins,aclatteroffeetonthehardroad,asweepingroundoftheraysof lightfromthe lampas thecartswayedat thestartunder the leapforwardof thehigh-bredhorseandswungup thesteep inland roadway.Thelast thing I sawwasadark,muffled figure, toppedbya tam-o’-shanter cap,projectedagainstthemistofmovinglightfromthelamp.Next morning I was somewhat distrait. Half the night I had lain awakethinking;theotherhalfIhaddreamt.Bothsleepingandwakingdreamsweremixed,rangingfromallthebrightnessofhopetotheharrowingpossibilitiesofvague,undefinedfear.Sleeping dreams have this difference over day dreams, that the possibilitiesbecome for the time actualities, and thus for good and ill, pleasure or pain,multiply the joys or sufferings. Through all, however, there remained onefixedhopealwaysvergingtowardbelief,IshouldseeMissAnita—Marjory—again.Late in theafternoon Igota letterdirected ina strangehand, fineand firm,with marked characteristics and well formed letters, and just enough ofunevenness tosetmeatease. Iamneverquitehappywith thewriterwhosehandisexact,letterbyletter,andwordbyword,andlinebyline.Somuchcanbe told by handwriting, I thought, as I looked at the letter lying besidemyplate.Ahandthathasnocharacteristicsisthatofapersoninsipid;ahandthatis toomarked and too various is disconcerting and undependable. Heremyphilosophising came to an end, for I had opened the envelope, and notknowingthewriting,hadlookedatthesignature,“MarjoryAnita.”Ihoped thatnooneat the tabled’hotebreakfastnoticedme, for I felt that I

was red and pale by turns. I laid the letter down, taking care that the blankbackpagewasuppermost;withwhatnonchalanceIcouldIwentonwithmysmokedhaddie.ThenIputtheletterinmypocketandwaitedtillIwasinmyownroom,securefrominterruption,beforeIreadit.Thatoneshouldkissaletterbeforereadingit,isconceivable,especiallywhenitisthefirstwhichonehasreceivedfromthegirlheloves.Itwasnotdatednoraddressed.Aswiftintuitiontoldmethatshehadnotgiventhedatebecauseshedidnotwishtogivetheaddress;theabsenceofbothwaslessmarkedthanthepresenceoftheonealone.Itaddressedmeas“DearMr.Hunter.”Sheknewmyname,ofcourse,forIhadtoldittoher;itwasontheenvelope. The body of the letter said that she was asked by Mrs. Jack toconveyherwarmthanksforthegreatservicerendered;towhichsheventuredtoaddtheexpressionofherowngratitude.Thatinthehurryandconfusionofmind,consequentontheirunexpectedposition,theyhadbothquiteforgottenabouttheboatwhichtheyhadhiredandwhichhadbeenlost.Thattheownerofitwouldnodoubtbeuneasyaboutit,andthattheywouldbothbegratefulifIwouldseehim—helivedinoneofthecottagesclosetotheharbourofPortErroll—andfindout fromhimthevalueof theboatso thatMrs.Jackmightpayittohim,aswellasareasonablesumforthelossofitsuseuntilheshouldhave been able to procure another. ThatMrs. Jack ventured to give him somuchtrouble,asMr.Hunterhadbeenalreadysokindthatshefeltemboldenedtotrespassuponhisgoodness.Andwas“yoursfaithfully,‘MarjoryAnita.’”Ofcoursetherewasapostscript—itwasawoman’sletter!Itranasfollows:“Haveyoudecipheredthosepapers?Ihavebeenthinkingoverthemaswellasotherthings,andIamconvincedtheycontainsomesecret.YoumusttellmeallaboutthemwhenIseeyouonTuesday.M.”I fear that logic, as understood in books, had little to do with my kiss onreadingthis;thereasoningbelongedtothathigherplaneofthoughtonwhichreststhehappinessofmenandwomeninthisworldandthenext.Therewasnot a thought in the postscript which did not give me joy—utter andunspeakablejoy;andthemoreIthoughtofitandtheoftenerIreaditthemoreitseemedtosatisfysomeachingvoidinmyheart,“Haveyoudecipheredthepapers”—thepaperswhoseexistencewasonlyknowntoherandme!Itwasdelightfulthatweshouldknowsomuchofasecretincommon.Shehadbeen‘thinkingoverthem’—andotherthings!‘Otherthings!’—Ihadbeenthinkingofother things; thinkingof themsooften that everydetail of their beingorhappeningwasphotographednotonlyonmymemorybut seeminglyonmyverysoul.Andofallthese‘otherthings’therewasone!!...Toseeheragain;tohearhervoice;tolookinhereyes;toseeherlipsmove

andwatcheachvaryingexpressionwhichmightpassacrossthatlovelyface,evokedbythoughtswhichweshouldholdincommon;totouchherhand....Isatforawhilelikeoneinarapturousdream,whereoneseesallthehopesofthe heart fulfilled in completeness and endlessly.And thiswas all to be onTuesdaynext—Onlysixdaysoff!...I started impulsivelyandwent to theoakchestwhichstood in thecornerofmyroomandtookoutthepapers.After looking over them carefully I settled quietly down to a minuteexaminationofthem.Ifeltinstinctivelythatmymandateorcommissionwastoseeif theycontainedanysecretwriting.ThelettersIplacedaside,for thepresentatany rate.Theywere transparentlysimpleandwritten ina flowinghandwhichmadeanythinglikethenecessaryelaborationimpossible.Iknewsomething of secret writing, for such had in my boyhood been a favouriteamusement with me. At one time I had been an invalid for a considerableperiodandhadtakenfrommyfather’slibraryabookbyBishopWilkins,thebrother-in-lawofOliverCromwell,called“Mercury:or theSecretandSwiftMessenger.”Hereinweregivenaccountsofmanyoftheoldmethodsofsecretcommunication, ciphers, string writing, hidden meanings, and many of themechanical devices employed in an age when the correspondence ofambassadors, spies and secret agentswasmainly conducted by suchmeans.Thisexperiencehadsetmymindsomewhatonsecretwriting,andeverafterwheninthecourseofmiscellaneousreadingIcameacrossanythingrelatingtothesubjectImadeanoteofit.InowlookedoverthepaperstoseeifIcouldfindtracesofanyofthemethodswithwhichIwasacquainted;beforelongIhadanidea.Itwasonlyarudimentaryidea,asurmise,apossibility;butstillitwasworthgoing into. It was not any cause of undue pride to me, for it came as acorollarytoanestablishedconclusion,ratherthanasafinepieceofreasoningfromacuteobservation.Thedatesofthelettersgavetheperiodastheendofthe sixteenth century, when one of the best ciphers of that time had beenconceived, the“BiliteralCipher”ofFrancisBacon.To thismyattentionhadbeendirectedbytheworkofJohnWilkinsandIhadfolloweditoutwithgreatcare.AsIwasfamiliarwiththeprincipleandmethodofthiscipherIwasabletodetectsignsofitsexistence;andthisbeingso,Ihadatoncestronghopesofbeingabletofindthekeytoit.TheBiliteralcipherhasasitsgreatadvantage,thatitcanbeusedinanyordinarywriting,andthatitsformsandmethodsaresimplyendless.All that it requires in the first instance is that therebesomemethod arranged on between the writer and the reader of distinguishingbetweendifferentformsofthesameletter.InmydeskIhadatypewrittencopyofamonographonthesubjectoftheBiliteralcipher,inwhichIhalfsuggestedthat possibly Bacon’s ideamight beworked outmore fully so that a fewer

number of symbols than his five would be sufficient. Leaving my presentoccupationforamomentIwentandgotit;forbyreadingitoverImightgetsomeclue toaidme.Somethoughtwhichhadalreadycometome,orsomeconclusionatwhichIhadalreadyarrivedmightguidemeinthisnewlabyrinthoffigures,wordsandsymbols.WhenIhadcarefullyreadthepaper,occasionallyreferringtothedocumentsbeforeme, Isatdownandwrotea letter toMissAnita tellingher that Ihadundertaken the task at once on her suggestion and that I surmised that themethodofsecretwritingadoptedifany,wasprobablyavariantoftheBiliteralcipher. I therefore senthermyownmonographon the subject so that if shechoseshemightstudyitandbepreparedtogointothematterwhenwemet.Istudiously avoided saying anything which might frighten her or make anybarrier between us; matters were shaping themselves too clearly for me toallowmyselftofallintothefollyofover-precipitation.ItwasonlywhenIhadplaced the letterwith its enclosure in the envelope andwrittenMarjory’s—MissAnita’s—namethatIrememberedthatIhadnotgotheraddress.IputitinmypockettokeepforhertillweshouldmeetonTuesday.WhenIresumedmyworkIbeganonthetworemainingexhibits.Thefirstwasasheafofsomethirtypagestornoutofsomeblack-letterlaw-book.Theonlyremarkable thing about it was that every page seemed coveredwith dots—hundreds,perhapsthousandsoneachpage.Thesecondwasquitedifferent:anarrowslipofpapersomewhatlongerthanahalfsheetofmodernnotepaper,coveredwithanendlessarrayoffiguresinevenlines,writtensmallandwithexquisitecare.Thepaperwasjustsuchasizeasmightbeputasmarkerinanordinaryquarto;thatithadbeensousedwasmanifestbythediscolourationofa portion of it that had evidently stuck out at the top of the volume.Fortunately,initslongdustyrestinthebookshelfthesidewrittenonhadbeendownwardsothatthefigures,thoughobscuredbydustandfadedbylightandexposure to the air, were still decipherable. This paper I examined mostcarefully with a microscope; but could see in it no signs of secret writingbeyondwhatmightbecontainedinthedispositionofthenumbersthemselves.Igotasheetoffoolscapandmadeanenlargedcopy,takingcaretoleavefairspacebetweentherowsoffiguresandbetweenthefiguresthemselves.ThenIplacedthecopyoffiguresandthefirstofthedottedpagessidebysidebeforemeandbegantostudythem.Iconfinedmyattentionatfirstchieflytothepaperoffigures,foritstruckmethatitwouldofnecessitybethesimplerofthetwosystemstoread,inasmuchas thesymbols shouldbeself-contained. In thedotted letters itwaspossiblethatmorethanoneelementexisted,forthedispositionofsignificantsappearedtobeofendlessvariety,andtheverynoveltyofthemethod—itbeingonetowhichtheeyesandthesenseswerenotaccustomed—madeitadifficultoneto

followatfirst.Ihadlittledoubt,however,thatIshouldultimatelyfindthedotcipherthemoresimpleofthetwo,whenIshouldhavelearneditssecretandbecomeaccustomedtoitsform.Itsmerebulkmadethesuppositionlikelythatitwasinrealitysimple;foritwouldbeindeedanendlesstask,toworkoutinthislaboriousformtwowholesheetsofacomplicatedcipher.Over and over and over again I read the script of numbers. Forward andbackward;vertically;upanddown, for the linesbothhorizontalandverticalwere complete and exact, I read it. But nothing struck me of sufficientimportancetocommencewithasabeginning.Of course therewere here and there repetitions of the same combination offigures,sometimestwo,sometimesthree,sometimesfourtogether;butofthelarger combinations the instances were rare and did not afford me anysuggestionofaclue!So Ibecamepractical, andspent the remainderofmywork-time thatday inmakingbyaidofmymicroscopean exactbut enlargedcopy,but inRomanletters,ofthefirstoftheprintedpages.

Then I reproduced the dots as exactly as I could.Thiswas a laborious taskindeed.Whenthepagewasfinished,half-blinded,Itookmyhatandwentoutalong theshore towardsWhinnyfold. Iwanted togo to theSandCraigs;buteventomyselfIsaid‘Whinnyfold’whichlayfartheron.“Men are deceivers ever,” sang Balthazar in the play: they deceive eventhemselvesat times.Ortheypretendtheydo—whichisanewandadvancedformofthesamedeceit.

CHAPTERXACLEARHORIZON

IFanyordinarypersonbeafflictedwithennuiandwantsomethingtotakehisthoughts away from a perpetual consideration of his own weariness let merecommend him to take up the interpretation of secret writing. At first,perhaps, he may regard the matter lightly and be inclined to smile at itstriviality.Butafteralittlewhile,ifhehaveinhimatallanyofthepersistenceordoggednesswhichis,andshouldbe,apartofaman’snature,hewillfindthe subject takepossessionofhim to the almost entire exclusionof all else.Turnfromithowhewill;makeheneversomanyresolutionstoputthematterbehindhim;tryheneversohardtofindsomemoreengrossingtopic,hewillstill find the evasivemystery ever closebefore him.Formyownpart I canhonestly say that I ate, drank, slept and dreamed secret writing during the

entireofthedaysandnightswhichintervenedbetweenmytakingupthetaskandthecomingofMissAnitatoCrudenBay.Alldaylongthehiddenmysterywas before me; wherever I was, in my room, still or contorting myself;walkingonthebeach;oroutontheheadlands,withthebreezessinginginmyears, and the waves lapping below my feet. Hitherto in my life my onlyexperience of haunting had been that of Gormala; but even that experiencefailedbefore theever-hopeful, ever-baffling subjectof thecryptograms.Theworstofmyfeeling,andthatwhichmadeitmorepoignant,wasthatIwasofthe firm belief not only that therewas a cryptogram but thatmymindwasalreadyonthetrackofit.Everynowandagain,sometimeswhentheMS.orits copywas beforeme and sometimeswhen Iwas out in the open, for themomentnotthinkingofitatall,asortofinspirationwouldcometome;somesortofrootideawhosefullsignificanceIfeltitdifficulttograsp.Myfirst reliefcameonTuesdaywhenatnoon I saw thehighdog-cartdashpastthegateanddrawupshortoppositethepost-office.Ididnotloseanytimeinreachingthecartsoastobeabletohelptheladiesdown.Marjorygavemebothherhandsandjumpedlightly,buttheelderladyrequiredagooddealofhelp.Itisalwaysthus;theexperienceofeveryyoungmanisthesame.Everywoman,oldoryoung,excepttheonewhomhelikestoliftorcarrytenderly,iswillingtobeliftedorcarriedinthemostleisurelyorself-denyingmanner.WhenMrs.Jackand‘herfriend’hadcomeintothehotelsitting-roomthelattersaidtome:“Ihopeyouforgiveusforallthetroublewehaveputyouto.”“No trouble at all,” I answered—and oh! it sounded so tame—“only apleasure!”“Thankyou,”shecontinuedgravely,“thatisveryniceofyou.Nowwewantyoutoaddtoyourkindnessandtakeusoutagainonthatrock.Ihavenotyetfinishedmysketch,andIdon’tliketobebaffled.”“Finishedyour sketch,mydear,” saidMrs. Jack, ina tonewhichmanifestlyshowed that thewhole thingwasnew toher. “Why,Marjory, itwaswashedintotheseabeforeMr.Huntercametohelpus!”Theslight,quickblushwhichrose to her face showed that she understood the false position inwhich themaladroitremarkplacedher;butshewentonpluckily:

“Oh,yes,dear,Iknow!WhatImeanis, thathavingsetmyheartonmakingthatsketch, Iwant todo it;even ifmyfirsteffortwentwrong.That is,dearMrs.Jack,ifyoudonotmindourgoingoutthereagain.”“Oh,mydear,”saidtheelderlady,“ofcourseIwilldojustwhateveryouwish.ButIsupposeitwilldoifIsitontherocknearathand?Somehow,sinceourexperiencethere,Iseemtopreferthemainlandthananyplacewhereyoumay

havetoswimtogetawayfromit.”Marjorysmiledatmeasshesaidtoher:“Thatwilldocapitally.Andyoucankeepthelunchbasket;andhaveyoureyeonmeandtherisingofthetideallthetime.”So I sent toWhinnyfold to have a boat ready when we should drive over.WhilsttheladieswerepreparingthemselvesfortheboatingtripIwenttomyroomandtookinmypocketthepapersfromthechestandmyrescripts.ItookalsotheletterwhichIhadnotbeenabletodeliver.AtWhinnyfoldMissAnitaandItookthesteepzigzagtothebeach,pilotedbyoneofJohnHay’sboyswhilsttheothertookMrs.JackacrosstheneckoftheheadlandtotheSandCraigs.As we went down the steep path, the vision of the procession of ghostsmovingsteadilyupitonLammasEve,camebacktome;instinctivelyIlookedroundtoseeifGormalawaswatching.IbreathedmorefreelywhenIsawshewasnotabout.I shoulddearlyhave liked to takeMissAnitaalone in theboat,but I fearedthatsuchwasnotsafe.RowingamongsttherocksoftheSkaresisatthebestof times no child’s play, and I was guardian of too great a treasure to bewillingtorunanyrisks.YoungHayandIpulled,theboybeinginthebowanddoingthesteering.Thispositionofaffairssuitedmeadmirably,foritkeptmeclosetomycompanionandfacingher.Itwasatalltimesapleasuretomeasitwouldhavebeentoanyman,towatchherface;butto-dayhereagerjoyatthebeautyofallaroundhermademethrillwithdelight.Thedaywasidealfortheplace;abright,cleardaywithjustarippleofwindfromthewaterwhichtooktheedgefromtheJulyheat.Theseaquiveredwithpointsoflight,asthoughitwerestrewnwithdiamonds,and the linesof theracing tide threadingawayamongsttherocksbelowwerealoneanendlesssourceofinterest.Werowedslowly which is much the safest way of progression in these waters, andespeciallywhen,asnow,thetidewasrunningtowardstheendoftheebb.Asthe boy seemed to know every one of the myriad rocks which topped thewater,andbyasortofinstincteventhosethatlaybelow,westeeredadeviouscourse. I had told him to take us round by the outer rocks from whichthousands of seabirds rose screaming aswe approached; and aswe crept inunderthelargestofthemwefeltthatmysterioussenseofunworthinesswhichcomes to one in deep water under the shadow of rocks. I could see thatMarjoryhadthesenseofdoubt,orofpossibledanger,whichmadeherclutchhardateachgunwaleoftheboattillherknucklesgrewwhite.Asweroundedthe Reivie o’ Pircappies, and found the tide swirling amongst the pointedrocks, she grew so deadly pale that I felt concerned. I should have liked toquestionher,butasIknewfrommyexperienceofhercouragethatshewouldprobablypreferthatIremainedsilent,Ipretendednottonotice.Malepretencedoesnotcountformuchwithwomen.Shesawthroughmeatonce,andwitha

faintsmile,whichlitthepallorofherfacelikesunshineonsnow,shesaidinsolowawhisperthatitdidnotreachthefisherboy:“Iwasthinkingwhatitwouldhavebeenforusthatday—onlyforyou.”

“Iwasglad,” I answered in an equally lowvoice, “tobe able to render anyhelpto—toMrs.Jackandherfriend.”“Mrs. Jack—and her friend—are verymuch obliged to you,” she answeredgailyinhernaturalvoiceandtone.Icouldseethatshehadfullyregainedhercourage, as involuntarily she took her hands from the sides of the boat.Wekeptnowwellout fromthe rocksand indeepwater,andshortlysighted theSand Craigs. As we could see Mrs. Jack and her escort trudging leisurelyalongthesand,andaswedidnotwishtohurryher,IaskedyoungHaywithmy companion’s consent, to keep round the outermost of the Sand Craigs,whichwasnowgrey-whitewithsea-gulls.Onourapproachthebirdsallroseandwheeledroundwithmyriadscreaming;thewonderandadmirationofthegirl’seyesastheyeagerlyfollowedthesweepofthecloudofbirdswasgoodtosee.WehungaroundthegreatpointedrocktillwesawMrs.Jackmakingherwaycautiouslyalongtherocks.Werowedatoncetotheinnerrockandplacedtheluncheonbasket inasafeplace.We thenprepareda littleshelterednookforMrs. Jack,with rugs and cushions so that shemight be quite at ease.MissAnita chose theplaceherself. I ambound to say itwasnot just as I shouldhave selected; forwhen she sat down, her backwas towards the rock fromwhichshehadbeenrescued.Itwasdoubtlesstheyounggirl’sthoughtfulnessin keeping her mind away from a place fraught with such unpleasantmemories.When shewas safely installedwedismissed theboys till thehalf tide.Mrs.Jackwassomewhattiredwithhertrudgeoverthesand,andevenwhenwelefthershewasnoddingherheadwithcomingsleep.ThenMissAnitagotoutherlittle easel which I fixed for her as she directed; when her camp stool wasrightlyplacedandherpalettepreparedIsatdownontherockatherfeetandlooked at her whilst she began her work. For a little while she painted insilence:thenturningtomeshesaidsuddenly:“Whataboutthosepapers?Haveyoufoundanythingyet?”ItwasonlythenIbethoughtme of the letter inmy pocket.Without a word I took it out andhandedittoher.Therewasaslightblushaswellasasmileonherfaceasshetookit.Whenshesawthedateshesaidimpulsively:“WhydidInotgetitbefore?”“BecauseIhadnotgotyouraddress,anddidnotknowhowtoreachyou.”

“Isee!”sheansweredabstractedlyasshebegantoread.Whenshehadgonerightthroughitshehandedittomeandsaid:“Nowyouread itout loud tomewhilst Ipaint;and letmeaskquestionssothatImayunderstand.”SoIread;andnowandagainsheaskedmesearchingquestions.TwiceorthreetimesIhadtoreadoverthememorandum;buteachtimeshebegantounderstandbetterandbetter,andatlastsaideagerly:“Haveyoueverworkedoutsuchreductions?”“Notyet,butIcoulddoso.IhavebeensobusytryingtodecipherthesecretwritingthatIhavenothadtimetotryanysuchwritingmyself.”“Haveyousucceededinanyway?”“No!” I answered. “I am sorry to say that as yet I have nothing definite;thoughIamboundtosayIamsatisfiedthatthereisacipher.”“Haveyoutriedboththenumbersandthedots?”“Both,”Ianswered;“butasyetIwantajumping-offplace.”“Doyoureallythinkfromwhatyouhavestudiedthatthecipherisabiliteralone,oronthebasisofabiliteralcipher?”“Ido!Ican’tsayexactlyhowIcametothinkso;butIcertainlydo.”“Aretherecombinationsoffive?”“NotthatIcansee.”“Aretherecombinationsoflessthanfive?”“Theremaybe.Therearecertainly.”“Thenwhy on earth don’t you begin by reducing the biliteral cipher to thelowestdimensionsyoucanmanage?Youmaylightonsomethingthatway.”Alightbegantodawnuponme,andIdeterminedthatmytask—sosoonasmyfriends had left Cruden—would be to reduce Bacon’s biliteral. It was withgenuineadmirationforhersuggestionthatIansweredMissAnita:“Yourwoman’sintuitionisquickerthanmyman’sratiocination.‘Ishallinallmybestobeyyou,Madam!’”Shepaintedawaysteadilyforsometime.Iwaslookingather,covertlybutsteadilywhenanoddflashofmemorycametome;withoutthinkingIspoke:“When I first saw you, as you andMrs. Jack stood on the rock, and awaybeyondyoutherockswereallfringedwithfoam,yourheadlookedasifitwasdeckedwithflowers.”Foramomentortwoshepausedbeforeasking:“Whatkindofflowers?”OnceagaininourbriefacquaintanceIstoodonguard.Therewassomethinginhervoicewhichmademepause.Itmademybrainwhirl,too,buttherewasa

noteofwarning.Atthistime,Godknows,Ididnotwantanyspurring.Iwasheadoverheelsinlovewiththegirl,andmyonlyfearwaslestbyprecipitancyIshouldspoilitall.NotforthewideworldwouldIhavecancelledthehopesthatweredawning inmeand fillingmewith a feverish anxiety. I couldnothelpasortofsatisfiedfeelingasIanswered:

“Whiteflowers!”“Oh!”shesaidimpulsively,andthenwithablushcontinued,paintinghardasshespoke:“That iswhat theyputonthedead!Isee!”Thiswasacounter-strokewithavengeance.ItwouldnotdotoletitpasssoIadded:“Thereisanother‘first-column’functionalsoinwhichwhiteflowersareused.Besides,theydon’tputflowersontheheadofcorpses.”“Ofwhomthen?”Thenoteofwarningsoundedagaininthemeeknessofthevoice.ButIdidnotheedit.Ididnotwanttoheedit.Ianswered:“OfBrides!”Shemadeno reply—inwords.She simply raisedher eyesandsentone flashingglance throughme, and thenwentonwithherwork.Thatglancewas to a certaindegree encouragement; but itwas to amuchgreaterdegreedangerous,foritwasfullofwarning.Althoughmybrainwaswhirling,I kept my head and let her change the conversation with what meekness Icould.Weaccordinglywentbacktothecipher.Sheaskedmemanyquestions,andIpromisedtoshowherthesecretwritingswhenweshouldgobacktothehotel.Hereshestruckin:“Wehaveordereddinneratthehotel;andyouaretodinewithus.”ItriednottotrembleasIanswered:“Ishallbedelighted.”“Andnow,”shesaid“ifwearetohavelunchhereto-daywehadbettergoandwake Mrs. Jack. See! the tide has been rising all the time we have beentalking.Itistimetofeedtheanimals.”Mrs. Jack was surprised when we wakened her; but she too was ready forlunch.Weenjoyedthemealhugely.At half-tide the Hay boys came back. Miss Anita thought that there wasenoughworkforthembothincarryingthebasketandhelpingMrs.Jackbackto the carriage. “Youwill be able to row all right, will you not?” she said,turningtome.“Youknowthewaynowandcansteer.Ishallnotbeafraid!”WhenwewerewelloutbeyondtherockandcouldseethefiguresofMrs.Jackandtheboysgettingfurtherawayeachstep,Itookmycourageinbothhands;

Iwasgettingrecklessnow,andsaidtoher:“Whenamanisveryanxiousaboutathing,andisafraidthatjustforomittingtosaywhathewouldliketosay,hemaylosesomethingthathewouldgivealltherestoftheworldtohaveachanceofgetting—do—doyouthinkheshouldremainsilent?”Icouldseethatshe,too,couldrealiseanoteofwarning.Therewasaprimnessandawantof theusual reality inhervoiceassheansweredme:“Silence, they say, is golden.” I laughed with a dash of bitterness which IcouldnothelpfeelingasIreplied:“Theninthisworldthegoldoftruehappinessisonlyforthedumb!”shesaidnothingbutlookedoutwithasortofsteadfastintrospectiveeagernessoverthemillionflashingdiamondsofthesea;Irowedonwithallmystrength,gladtoletgoonsomething.Presentlysheturnedtome,andwithallthelambencyofherspiritinherface,saidwithasweetnesswhichtingledthroughme:“Areyounotrowingtoohard?YouseemanxioustogettoWhinnyfold.Ifearweshallbetheretoosoon.Thereisnohurry;weshallmeettheothersthereingoodtime.Hadyounotbetterkeepoutsidethedangerousrocks.Thereisnotasailinsight;notone,sofarasIknow,overthewholehorizon,soyouneednotfearanycollision.Remember,Idonotadviseyoutoceaserowing;for,afterall,thecurrentmaybearusawayifwearemerelypassive.Butroweasily;andwemayreachtheharboursafelyandingoodtime!”Her speech filledmewitha floodof feelingwhichhasnoname. Itwasnotlove; itwasnotrespect; itwasnotworship; itwasnot,gratitude.But itwascompoundedofthemall.IhadbeenoflatestudyingsecretwritingsoearnestlythattherewasnowapossiblesecretmeaningineverythingIread.Butoh!thepovertyofwrittenwordsbesidethegraciousrichnessofspeech!Nomanwhohadahearttofeelorabraintounderstandcouldhavemistakenhermeaning.Shegavewarning,andhope,andcourage,andadvice;allthatwifecouldgivehusband,orfriendgivefriend.Ionlylookedather,andwithoutawordheldoutmyhand.She placedhers in it frankly; for a brief, blissfulmomentmysoulwasatonewiththebrightnessofseaandsky.There,intheveryspotwhereIhadseenLauchlaneMacleodgodownintothedeep,myownlifetookanewbeing.

CHAPTERXIINTHETWILIGHT

ITwasnotwithoutmisgivingthatIclimbedthesteepzigzagatWhinnyfold,

forateveryturnIhalfexpectedtoseetheunwelcomefaceofGormalabeforeme. It seemedhardlypossible that everythingcouldgoon sowellwithme,andthatyetIshouldnotbedisturbedbyherpresence.MissAnita,Ithink,sawmyuneasinessandguessedthecauseofit;Isawherfollowmyglancesround,and then she tookept aneager lookout.Wewon the top,however, andgotintothewaitingcarriagewithoutmishap.Atthehotelsheaskedmetobringtotheir sitting-room the papers with the secret writing. She gave a whisperedexplanation that we should be quite alone asMrs. Jack always took a nap,whenpossible,beforedinner.She puzzled long and anxiously over the papers and overmy enlarged partcopyofthem.Finallysheshookherheadandgaveitupforthetime.ThenItoldher thechiefof thesurmiseswhich Ihadmade regarding themeansbywhichthebiliteralcipher,didsuchexist,mightbeexpressed.Thatitmustbebymarksofsomesortwasevident;butwhichof thoseusedwereappliedtothis purpose I could not yet make out.When I had exhaustedmy stock ofsurmisesshesaid:“MorethaneverIamconvincedthatyoumustbeginbyreducingthebiliteralcipher.EverytimeIthinkofit,itseemsplainertomethatBacon,oranyoneelseusingsuchasystem,wouldnaturallyperfectitifpossible.Andnowletusforgetthisforthepresent.Iamsureyoumustwantarestfromthinkingofthecipher,andIfeelthatIdo.Dinnerisready;afterit,ifyouwill,Ishouldlikeanotherrundowntothebeach.”“Another”runtothebeach!thensherememberedourformeroneasasortoffixedpoint.Myheart swelledwithinme,andmyresolution to takemyowncourse,evenifitwereanunwiseone,grew.Afterdinner,wetookourwayoverthesandhillsandalongtheshoretowardstheHawklaw,keepingonthelineofhardsandjustbelowhigh-watermark.The sun was down and the twilight was now beginning. In these northernlatitudestwilightislong,andatthebeginningdifferslittlefromthefulllightofday.Thereisamellowedsoftnessovereverything,andallisgreyinearthandseaandair.Light,however,thereisinabundanceatthefirst.Themysteryof twilight, as Southerns know it, comes later on, when the night comescreeping up from over the sea, and the shadows widen into gloom. Stilltwilightistwilightinanydegreeofitschangingexistence;andthesentimentof twilight is the same all theworldover. It is a timeof itself; between thestressandcautionoftheday,andthesilentoblivionofthenight:Itisanhourwhen all living things, beasts aswell as human, confine themselves to theirown business.With the easy relaxation comes something of self-surrender;soul leans to soul andmind tomind, as does body to body inmoments oflargerandmorecompleteintention.Justasinthemomentaftersunset,whentheearthislitnotbythenarrowdiscofthesunbutbythegloryofthewide

heavensabove, twin shadowsmerge intoone, so in the twilight twonatureswhichareakincomeclosertotheidentityofone.Betweendaylightanddarkas the myriad sounds of life die away one by one, the chirp of birds, thelowingofcattle,thebleatingofsheep,thebarkingofdogs,sodothenaturalsounds such as the rustle of trees, the plash of fallingwater, or the roar ofbreakingwaveswakeintoanewforcethatstrikesontheearwithasenseofintentionorconsciouspower.Itisasthoughinallthewidecircleofnature’smightthereisnevertobesuchathingasstagnation;nomomentofpoise,savewhenthespiritsofnatureproclaimabnormalsilence,suchasruledwhenearthstood“atgaze,likeJoshua’smoononAjalon.”Thespiritsofmycompanionandmyselfyieldedtothissilentinfluenceofthecomingnight.Unconsciouslywewalkedclosetogetherandinstep;andweresilent, wrapt in the beauty around us. Tome it was a gentle ecstasy. To bealonewithherinsuchaway,insuchaplace,wasthegoodofallheavenandallearthinone.Andsoformanyminuteswewentslowlyonourwayalongthe deserted sand, and in hearing of themusic of the sounding sea and theechoingshore.But even Heaven had its revolt. It seems that whether it be on Earth or inHeavenintelligenceisnotcontenttoremaininaconditionofpoise.Everthereare heights to bewon.Out ofmy ownvery happiness and the peace that itgaveme, came afresh thewild desire to scale newheights and tomake thepresentaltitudewhichIhadachievedastepping-offplaceforaloftierheight.All arguments seemed to crowd inmymind to prove that Iwas justified inaskingMarjorytobemywife.Othermenhadaskedwomenwhomtheyhadknownbutashorttimetomarrythem;andwithhappyresult.Itwasapparentthatat the leastshedidnotdislikeme.Iwasagentleman,offairstock,andwell-to-do;Icouldofferheratrueandawholeheart.She,whowasseeminglyonly companion to a wealthy woman, could not be offended at a man’sofferingtoherallhehadtogive.Ihadalreadyapproachedthesubject,andshehadnotwarnedmeoffit;shehadonlygivenmeinasweetlyartfulwayadvicein which hope held a distinct place. Above all, the days and hours andmomentswereflyingby.IdidnotknowheraddressorwhenIshouldseeheragain, or if at all.This latest thought decidedme. Iwould speakplainly to-night.Oh,butmenaredullbesidewomeninthewayofintuition.Thisgirlseemedtobe looking over the sea, and yetwith some kind of double glance, such aswomen have at command, she seemed to have been all the time lookingstraight throughand throughmeandgettingsome ideaofherownfrommychangingexpression.Isupposetheappearanceofdeterminationfrightenedherorsetheronguard,forshesuddenlysaid:“Oughtwenottobeturninghome?”

“Notyet!”Ipleaded,allawakeinamomentfrommydreams.“Afewminutes,andthenwecangoback.”“Verywell,”shesaidwithasmile,andthenaddeddemurely;“wemustnotbelong.”Ifeltthatmyhourhadcomeandspokeimpulsively:“Marjory,willyoubemywife?”HavinggotoutthewordsIstopped.MyheartwasbeatingsoheavilythatIcouldnotspeakmore.Forafewseconds,whichseemed ages tome,wewere both silent. I daresay that shemay have beenprepared for something; fromwhat I knownow I am satisfied that her ownintention was to ward off any coming difficulty. But the suddenness andboldness of the question surprised her and embarrassed her to silence. Shestoppedwalking,andasshestoodstillIcouldseeherbosomheave—likemyown.Thenwithagreateffort,whichinvolvedalongbreathandthepullingupofherfigureandthesettingbackofhershoulders,shespoke:

“Butyouknownothingofme!”“IknowallofyouthatIwanttoknow!”ThistrulyHibernianspeechamusedher,eventhroughhermanifestemotionandawkwardness,ifonecanapplythewordtoonecompactofsomanygraces.Isawthesmile,anditseemedtosetusbothmoreatease.“Thatsoundsveryrude,”shesaid“butIunderstandwhatyoumean,andtakeit so.”This gaveme an opening intowhich I jumped at once. She listened,seeming not displeased atmywords; but on thewhole glad of amoment’spausetocollectherthoughtsbeforeagainspeaking:“Iknowthatyouarebeautiful;themostbeautifulandgracefulgirlIeversaw.Iknow thatyouarebraveandsweetand tenderand thoughtful. Iknow thatyou are clever and resourceful and tactful. I know that you are a goodcomrade;thatyouareanartistwithapoet’ssoul.Iknowthatyouaretheonewomaninallthewideworldforme;thathavingseenyoutherecanneverbeanyoneelsetotakeyourplaceinmyheart.IknowthatIwouldratherdiewithyouinmyarms,thanliveakingwithanyotherqueen!”“Butyouhaveonlyseenmetwice.Howcanyouknowsomanynice thingsaboutme.Iwishtheywerealltrue!Iamonlyagirl;andImustsayitissweettohear them,whether theybe trueornot.Anyhow,supposing themall true,howcouldyouhaveknownthem?”Hopewassteppingbesidemenow.Iwenton:“I did not need a second meeting to know so much. To-day was but arepetitionofmyjoy;anendorsementofmyjudgment;afreshrivettingofmyfetters!”Shesmiledinspiteofherselfasshereplied:“You leaveme dumb.How can I answer or arguewith such a conviction.”

Thenshelaidherhandtenderlyonmyarmasshewenton:“Oh, I know what you mean, my friend. I take it all in simple truth; andbelieve me it makes me proud to hear it, though it also makes me feelsomewhatunworthyofsomuchfaith.Butthereisoneotherthingwhichyoumustconsider.Injusticetomeyoumust.”ShepausedandIfeltmyheartgrowcold.“Whatis it?”Iasked.I triedtospeaknaturallybutIfelt thatmyvoicewashoarse.Heranswercameslowly,butitseemedtoturnmetoice:“ButIdon’tknowyou!”Therewasapityinhereyeswhichgavemesomecomfort,thoughnotmuch;amanwhosesouliscryingoutforlovedoesnotwantpity.Loveisagloriousself-surrender; all spontaneity; all gladness, all satisfaction, in which doubtandforethoughthavenopart.Pityisaconsciousactofthemind;whereinisaknowledge of one’s own security of foothold.The two can nomoreminglethanwaterandoil.Theshockhadcome,andIbracedmyselftoit.IfeltthatnowifeverIshoulddomydevoirasagentleman.Itwasmydutyaswellasmyprivilegetoshieldthiswoman fromunnecessarypainandhumiliation.Well Iknew, that ithadbeenpain toher tosaysucha thing tome;and thepainhadcomefrommyownselfishimpulse.Shehadwarnedmeearlierintheday,andIhadbrokenthroughherwarning.Nowshewasput inafalseposition throughmyact; itwasnecessaryIshouldmakeherfeelingsaslittlepainfulasIcould.Ihadeventhenasortofdimideathatmybestplanwouldhavebeentohavetakenherinmyarmsandkissedher.HadwebothbeenolderImighthavedoneso;butmylovewasnotbuiltinthisfashion.Passionwassomingledwithrespectthattheothercourse,recognitionof,andobedienceto,herwishesseemedallthatwasopen to me. Besides it flashed across me that she might take it that I waspresumingonherownimpulsiveactontherock.IsaidwithwhatgoodheartIcould:“Thatisanargumentunanswerable,atpresent.Icanonlyhopethattimewillstand my friend. Only” I added and my voice choked as I said it “Do, dobelievethatIamindeadlyearnest;thatallmylifeisatstake;andthatIonlywait, and Iwillwait loyallywithwhat patience I can, in obedience to yourwill.Myfeelingsandmywish,and—andmyrequestwillstandunalteredtillIdie!”Shesaidnotaword,butthetearsroseupinherbeautifuleyesandrandownherblushingcheeksassheheldoutherhandtome.ShedidnotobjectwhenIraisedittomylipsandkisseditwithallmysoulinthekiss!Weturnedinstinctivelyandwalkedhomewards.Ifeltdejected,butnotbroken.At first the sand seemed to be heavy to my feet; but when after a little Inoticedthatmycompanionwalkedwithabuoyancyunusualeventoher,Itoobecamegayagain.Wecamebacktothehotelmuchinthespiritinwhichwe

hadsetout.WefoundMrs. Jackdressed,allbutheroutercloak,andreadyfor the road.Shewent awaywithMarjory to finish her toilet, but came back before heryoungercompanion.Whenwewerealoneshesaidtomeafterafewmomentsof’hum’ingand’ha’ingandawkwardpreparationofspeech:“OhMr.Hunter,MarjorytellsmethatsheintendstorideonherbicycledowntoAberdeenfromBraemarwherewearegoingonFriday.IamtodrivefromBraemar toBallater and thengoonby train so that I shallbe inbeforeher,thoughIamtoleavelater.ButIamfearfulaboutthegirlridingsuchajourneybyherself.Wehavenogentlemanfriendhere,anditwouldbesogoodofyouto takechargeofher, ifyouhappened tobeanywhereabout there. IknowIcan trust you to take careof her, youhavebeen sogood toher, and tome,already.”My heart leaped.Herewas an unexpected chance comemyway.Timewasshowinghimselftobemyfriendalready.“Bequiteassured,”IsaidascalmlyasIcould“Ishallbetrulygladtobeofthe least service.And indeed itwill just suitmy plans, as I hoped to go toBraemaronmybicycleonedayverysoonandcanarrangetogojustasmaysuityou.Butofcourseyouunderstand that ImustnotgounlessMissAnitawishesit.Icouldnotpresumetothrustmyselfuponher.”“Ohthatisallright!”sheansweredquickly,soquicklythatItookitthatshehadalreadyconsideredthematterandwassatisfiedaboutit.“Marjorywillnotobject.” Just then theyoung ladyentered the roomandMrs. Jack turning tohersaid:“IhaveaskedMr.HuntermydeartoridedownwithyoufromBraemar;andhe says that as it just suits his plans as hewas going there hewill be veryhappyifyouaskhim.”Shesmiledasshesaid:“Ohsinceyouaskedhimandhehad saidyes Ineednot askhim too;but Ishallbeveryglad!”Ibowed.WhenMrs.Jackwentout,Marjoryturningtomesaid:“WhendidyouplantogotoBraemar?”“WhenMrs.Jacktoldmeyouweregoing”Iansweredboldly.“Oh! Ididn’tmean that,”shesaidwithaslightblush“butatwhat timeyouweretobethere.”TowhichIsaid:“Thatwillbejusttosuityourconvenience.Willyouwriteandletmeknow?”Shesawthroughmyruseofgettingaletter,andsmilinglyheldupawarningfinger.Aswestrolleduptheroad,waitingforthedog-carttobegotready,shesaidto

me:“NowyoucanbeagoodcomradeIknow;andyousaid that,amongstotherthings,Iwasagoodcomrade.SoIam;andbetweenBraemarandAberdeenwemustbothbegoodcomrades.Thatandnothingmore!Whatevermaycomeafter,forgoodorill,thattimemustbekeptapart.”“Agreed!” I said and felt a secret exultationaswe joinedMrs. Jack.BeforetheystartedMarjorysaid:“Mrs.JackIalsohaveaskedMr.HuntertocomeontheridefromBraemar.Ithoughtitwouldpleasehimifwebothaskedhim,sinceheissodiffidentandunimpulsive!”Withasmileshesaidgood-byeandwaveditwithherwhipastheystarted.

CHAPTERXIITHECIPHER

I WENT straight to my own room and commenced to work afresh on thebiliteralcipher.MorethaneverhadItheconvictionuponmethatthereadingof the secretwritingwould be the first step to the attainment ofmywishesregarding Marjory. It would have been strange therefore if I had not firstattempted the method which she had herself suggested, the reducing theBaconianciphertoitslowestelements.Formanyhours I labouredat thiswork,and finallywhen Ihad reduced theBaconian five symbols to three I felt that I had accomplished all that waspossibleinthatway.WhenIhadarrivedatthisresult,andhadtesteditsaccuracyinworking,Ifeltinapositiontoexperimentwithmynewknowledgeontheoldnumbercipher.FirstIwroteoutmymethodofreductionasasortofaddendumtothepaperwhichIhadpreparedforMarjory.ThenImadeakeytocipherandonetode-cipher.Bythistimethenightwaswellonandthegreyofearlymorningwasbeginningtostealinbytheedgesoftheblinds;Iwasnotsleepy,however;Iwastoomuchexcitedtothinkofsleep,forthesolvingoftheproblemseemedalmostwithinmygrasp.Excitedtoastatewhichalmostfrightenedmebyitsintensity, Igot readymycopyof thenumbercipherandmynewlypreparedkey.WithaneffortwhichtookmeallmyresolutionIwentonsteadilywritingitsproperletterundereachcombinationwithoutoncelookingback;forIknewthat even should some of the letters bemisplaced in the key the chance ofrecognisingtherightoneswouldbelargelyincreasedbyseeingaconsiderablenumberofletterstogether.

ThenIglancedoverthewholeandfoundthatmanyofthesymbolsmadeupletters.Withsuchabasistoworkon,therestwasonlylabour.Afewtentativeefforts and I had corrected the key to agreement with some of thecombinationsinthecipher.I found, however, that only here and there were letters revealed; try how Iwould,Icouldnotpieceouttheinterveningsymbols.Atlastitoccurredtomethattheremightbeinthepapertwoormoreciphers.Ontryingtofollowoutthe idea, it became apparent that therewere at least a quantity of impedingnumbers scattered through the cipher. Thesemight be only put in to bafflepursuit, as I had surmised might be done when I made the cipher; or theymighthaveamoredefinitepurpose.Atanyratetheyhamperedmywork,soIstruck them out as I went along. That I continued till I had exhausted thewholelistofnumbersinthescript.WhenIlookedbackovertheletterstranslatedfromthecipherthusdepleted,Ifound to my inexpressible joy that the sequence and sense were almostcomplete.Thetranslationreadasfollows:“ToreadthehistoryoftheTrustusecipherofFr.Bacon.ThesensesandthefiguresarelessworthythantheTrinityB.deE.”One step more and my work was done. I set the discarded numbers insequenceonanothersheetofpaper,andfoundtomyintensesatisfactiontheyformedaninnerrecordreadablebythesamekey.The“encloased”words,touseBacon’sphrase,were:

“TreasureCavecliffoneandhalfdegreeNortheofEastfromouterrock.”ThenandthenonlydidIfeeltired.ThesunwaswellupbutItumbledintobedandwasasleepinamoment.Thegongwas sounding forbreakfastwhen I awoke.Afterbreakfastwhen IresumedmyworkIsetmyselftoconstructavariantofmynumberkeytosuitthe dotted letters, for my best chance, now that I was on the track was toconstructratherthantodecipher.AftersomehardworkIatlastconstructedacipheronthisplan.I thenbegan therefore toapplymynewkey to thecopyof thecipher in theprintedpages.I worked steadily and completed the whole of the first page, writing downonly the answer to those combinations which fitted into my scheme, andleaving all doubtful matters blank. Then I laid aside my key, and with abeatingheartglancedovertheresult.Itmorethansatisfiedme,forinthescatteredlettersthoughthereweremanyblanks, was manifestly a connected narrative. Then I took the blanks and

workedatthemalteringmykeytosuittheschemeoftheoriginalwriter,tillbyslowdegreesIhadmasteredthesecretofthecipherconstruction.From thathouron, till Ihad translated thecipherwriting frombeginning toendIknewnorestthatIcouldavoid.Ihadtotakemymeals,andtosnatchafew hours of sleep now and again; for the labour of translation was veryarduous and slow, and the strain on my eyes was too great to be kept upcontinuously;witheachhour,however,Iacquiredgreaterfacilityinthework.Itwastheeveningofthefourthday,however,beforemyworkwascomplete.Iwasthenabsolutemasterofthewriter’sintent.All this time I had not heard fromMarjory, and this alonemade excessivework a necessary anodyne. Had I not had the long and overwhelmingpreoccupation to keep my mind from dwelling on the never endingdisappointment, I do not knowwhat I should have done. I fully expected aletterbythelastpostthatnight.IknewMarjorywasstayingsomewhereintheCounty; 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 wholetranslation.Thefirstpartofitwasintheshapeofaletter,andranasfollows:“MydeareSonne,ThesefromthetowneofAberdeyneinScotlandwherinIliesick, and before I go on my quest for the fullfillment of my Trust. I havewritten,fromtimetotimeduringmylongsickness,afullnarrativeofwhathasbeen;sothatyoumayknowallasthoughyourownearshadheardandyourown eyes had seen.All that I havewritten is to the one end—that youmyeldestsonneandtherestofmychildren,may,shouldIfail—andIamweakinbodietosostrive—carryontheTrusttowhichIhavepledgedyouaswellasmyself;sothatuntillthatTrustbeyieldedupcomplete,neitherInoryounorthey are free to any that may clash with the purpose to which our race ishenceforth nowdevoted.But thatmine oathmay not press overhard onmychildren,and ifneedbeon theirchildrenand theirchildren’schildren to theend, it will suffice if one alone at all times shall hold himself or herselfpledgedtothefullfillmentoftheTrust.TothisendIchargeherewithallofmyblood and race that the eldest sonne of each generation do hold himselfpledgedtothepurposeoftheTrust,unlesssomeotherofthedirectlineagedoundertake it on his behalf. In default ofwhich, or if such undertaken Trustshallfail,thenthedutyrevertethbackandbacktillonebefoundwhosedutyitis by priority of inheritance, unless by some other of the direct lineage theTrustbeundertakenonhisbehalf.Andbemindfuloneandalltowhomisthissacreddutythatsecrecyisofitsveryessence.ThegreatTrustwastomeinthefirst instance in that His Holiness Pope Sixtus Fifth andmy good kinsmanknownastheSpanishCardinalheldgraciousllythatIwasoneinwhosehearttheancienthonourofourdearSpainhadaplaceoflodgementsosecurethat

timealonecouldnoteffaceitnoritscontinuanceintheheartsofmychildren.TothepurposethenofthisgreatTrustHisHolinesshathhimselfgiventomeandminefullpowersofallkindssotodealwithsuchcircumstancesasmayarisethatthelabourwhichwehaveundertakenmayinallcasesbebroughttoa successful issue. To the which His Holiness hath formulated a Quittancewhichshallbeco-existentwiththeTrustandwhichshallpurgethenaturalsinofanytowhominthedischargeofthedutiesoftheTrustanynecessitymayarise.ButinasmuchastheTrustisasecretoneandtheunduepublicationofsuchQuittancemight call the attention of the curious to its existence, suchDocumentisfiledinthesecretrecordoftheVatican,where,shouldnecessityhereafterarise,itmaybefoundbytheHolyFatherwhomaythenoccupytheChairofSt.Peteronapplicationmade tohimonbehalfofanywhomaysooffend against law or the rules of well-being which govern the children ofChrist.AndIchargeyou,oh!mysonnetoeverbearinmindthatthoughtherebesomestrangethingsinthenarrativetheyareinmineowneyestrueinallways,thoughitmayappeartoyouthattheyaccordnotwithwhatmaybesaidhereafterofthesetime’sbyothermen.“Andoh,mysonne,andmychildrenall,takethismylastblessingandwithitmycounselthatyewalkalwaysinFaithandRighteousness,inHonourandinGoodReport,with your duty ever toHolyChurch and to theKing in loyalservice. Farewell! God and the Blessed Virgin and the Saintes and Angelswatchoveryouandhelpyouthatyourdutybedone.“Yourfatherinalllove,“BERNARDINODEESCOBAN.”“Thesewillbebroughtbyatrustyhand,forIfearlesttheyshallfallintothehandsoftheEnglishQueene,oranyofherhereticallsurroundings.IfitbethatyoufailatthefirstinthespeedyfullfillmentoftheTrust—asmaybe,nowthatthe purpose of our great Armada hath been checked—it may be well thatwhosotowhomistheTrustmaycomehitheranddwellupontheseshoressothat he may watch over the purpose of the Trust and be at hand for itsfullfillmentwhenoccasionmayserve.Butbemindfulever,ohmysonne,thatwhosoguardeththeTrustwillbeeversurroundedbyenemies,heathenishandwithout remorse, whose greed should it ever be awakened to this purposewouldbefataltoallwhichwecherish.Dixi.”Followingthiscame:“NarrativeofBernardinodeEscoban,KnightoftheCrossoftheHolySeeandGrandeeofSpain.InthiswassetoutatfulllengththehistoryofthegreatTreasuregatheredbyPopeSixtusFifth for the subjugationofEngland, andwhichheentrusted tothewriterofthenarrativewhohadathisowncostbuiltandmannedoneofthe

vessels of the Armada the San Cristobal flagship of the Squadron of theGalleonsofCastile.ThePope,weariedbythedemandsofPhilipofSpainandoffendedbyhis claim to appoint bishopsunder thenewdomain and furtherincensed by the incautious insolence of Count de Olivares the Spanishambassador toRome, has chosen tomake this a secret trust and has on thesuggestionoftheSpanishCardinalchosenDonBernardinodeEscobanfortheservice. 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 BenvenutoCellini.Alsohehasgivenhimasa souvenir abroochwroughtby the samemaster-hand, thefigureheadwrought inpetto.DonBernardinogivesaccountof the defeat of theArmada and tells how his vessel being crippled and hebeingfearfulof theseizureof the treasureentrusted tohimburies itand thecoveted figurehead in awater cave at theheadlandof abayon the coast ofAberdeyne. He has blown up the opening of the cave for safety. In thenarrativewerecertainenlighteningphrasessuchaswhenthePopesays:“‘TowhichendIamplacingwithyouavastnessoftreasuresuchasnonationhatheverseen.”WhichwastobeappliedtoonlytheadvancementoftheTrueFaith,andwhichwasincaseoffailureoftheenterpriseoftheArmadatobegiventothecustodyofwhateverKingshould,afterthedeathofSixtusV,situponthethrone.Andagain:“‘TheCavewasagreatoneonthesouthsideoftheBaywithmanywindingsand blind offsets.... ‘The black stone on one hand and the red on the othergivingbacktheblareofthelantern.’”ThememorandawhichfollowgivethefuturehistoryoftheTrust:

“Thenarrativeofmyfather,thegreatandgoodDonBernardinodeEscoban,Ihaveputinthepresentformforthepreservationofthesecret.Forinasmuchasthecharttowhichhehasalludedisnottobefound,thoughotherpapersandchartstherebe,itmaybenecessarythatabranchofourhousemayliveinthiscountryinobediencetotheprovisionoftheTrustandsomustlearntospeaktheEnglishasthoughitwerethemothertongue.AsIwasbutayouthwhenmy fatherwrote, somany years have elapsed that death haswroughtmanychangesandthehandthatshouldhavecarriedthemessageandgivenmethepapersandthechartisnomore,lyingasisthoughtbesidemyfatheramongstthesurgesoftheSkyres.SothatonlyabriefnotepointingtothecontentsofanoakenchestwhereinIfoundthem,thoughincomplete,wasallthatIhadtoguideme.The tongue thatmight have spoken some addedwords of importwassilentforever“FRANCISCODEESCOBAN.”“23,October,1599.”

“The narrative of my grandfather, together with my father’s note have IEnglishedfaithfullyandputinthissecretformfortheguidanceofthosewhomayfollowme,andwhoselifemustbepassedinthisrigorousclimeuntillthesacredTrustcommittedtousbyPopeSixtustheFifthbefullfilled.Whenonthedeathofmyelderbrother,Ibeingbutthesecondson,IwassenttojoinmyfatherinAberdeyne,ImadegravepreparationforbearingworthilytheburdenlaiduponusbytheTrustandsoschooledmyselfintheEnglishthatitisnowasmymothertongue.Thenwhenmyfather,havingcompletedthebuildingofhiscastle,sethimselftothefindingofthecavewhereofthesecretwaslost,inwhichemprisehe,likemygrandfatherlosthislifeamongstthewatersoftheSkyresofCrudene.Yethatmayfollowmeinthetrustregardwellthissecretwriting,madefor theconfusionof thecuriousbut to thepreservationofoursecret. Bear ever in mind that not all that is shows on the surface of evensimplewords.ThecipherofmyGrandfatherdevisedbyFr.BaconnowHighChancellorofEnglandhasmanymouths,allofwhichmayspeakif therebeaughttosay.“BERNARDINODEESCOBAN.”“4,July,1620.”InadditiontotheciphernarrativeIfoundoncloseexaminationthattherewasa separate cipher running through the marginal notes on the earlier of theprintedpages.Whentranslateditranasfollows:“Cavemouthenortheofouter rockonedegreeandhalfNorthofEast.ReefliesfromshorepointthreeandhalfdegreesSouthofSouthEast.”

CHAPTERXIIIARIDETHROUGHTHEMOUNTAINS

IREADDonEscoban’s narrativeover andover again, till I had thoroughlymasteredeverydetailof it; thenIstudied thekeyof thenumbercipher till Ihaditbyheart.Ihadaninstinctthatmemoryonthissubjectwouldbeahelpandasafetytomenoworhereafter.Fornownewdoubtshadbeguntoassailme. What I had learned was in reality a State secret and had possibleconsequences or eventualities which, despite the lapse of three centuries,mightprovefar-reachinganddangerous.Thetreasureinquestionwassovast,itspurposesodefinite,anditsguardianshipsojealouslyprotectedagainsttimeand accident, that therewas but little chance of forgetfulness regarding it. Iwasnotassailedbymoralscruplesinanyway.Thetreasurehadbeenamassedanddedicated to theundoingofEngland;and for thosewhohadgathered itand sent it forth I had no concern. That it had been hidden in Britain byBritain’s enemies during time of war surely deprived them of all right to

recoverbylegalmeans.WhatthelawmightbeonthesubjectIdidnotknow,andtillIknewIcaredlittle.Itwasacaseof“finderskeepers,”andifIcouldfinditfirstIheldmyselfjustifiedinusingittomyownpurposes.AllthesameImadeupmymindtolookupthelawofTreasureTrove,whichIhadahazyideawasinaprettyuncertaincondition.Atfirstnoneoftheseissuestroubledme.Theywereindeedsideissuestillthetreasureshouldbefound;whentheywouldbecomeofprimeimportance.Ihadfeltthatmyfirststeptowinningthehand ofMarjoryAnita was to read the cipher. This I had done; and in thedoinghadmadediscoveryofasecretofsuchanaturethatitmightplacemebeyondthedreamsofavarice,andinapositiontoaskanygirlintheworldtomarryme.IbelievethatIregardedthetreasureasalreadymyown;asmuchasthoughIhadalreadyrecovereditfromthebowelsoftheearth.EarlyinthemorningItookmywaytoWhinnyfold,bringingwithmeapocketcompasssothatIcouldlocatetheexactspotwherethemouthofthecavehadbeen closed. I knew of course that even granite rocks cannot withstanduntouched the beating of three centuries of stormy sea, the waste of threehundredsummersandwinters,andthethousandsofnightsofbitterfrostanddaysofburningsunwhichhadcometopasssincetheentranceofthecavehadbeensorudelyshakendown.ButIwas, Iconfess,notpreparedfor theutterannihilationwhichhadcometoeverytraceofitswhereabouts.Timeaftertimetheseahadbitten into the land;andfallingrocks,andcreepingverdure,anddriftingsandhadchangedthesea-frontbeyondallrecognition.IdidwhatIcould,however,totakethebearingsoftheplaceaslaiddownbyDondeEscobanbywalkingalong the topof thecliff,beginningat theveryedgeofWitsennanPointtillIreachedaspotwherethesouthendoftheouterrockoftheSkaresstoodout.ThentomysurpriseIfoundthatitwasasnearaspossibleinthedirectionofmyownhouse.InfactwhenIlookedattheplanwhichthelocalsurveyorhadmadeofmyhouseIfoundthatthenorthernwallmadeabeelineforthesouthendofthemainrockoftheSkares.Asitwasmanifestthatwhathadoriginallybeen the front of the cave had fallen in and been partly worn and workedaway,myremaininghopewasthatthecaveitselflayunderpartofmygroundifnotunderthehouseitself.Thisgaveanewfeaturetothewholeaffair.IfmysurmisewerecorrectIneednothurryatall;thesafestthingIcoulddowouldbe toquietlymake anopening frommyhouse into the cave, and explore atleisure.Allseemedclearforthisproceeding.Theworkmenwhohaddonethebuildingweregone,andthecomingofthedecoratorshadnotyetbeenfixed.Icould therefore have the house to myself. As I went back to the hotel, IplannedoutinmymindhowIshouldgetfromGlasgoworAberdeenproperimplements for digging and cutting through the rock into the house; thesewouldbesentincases,sothatnoonewouldsuspectwhatIwasundertaking.

TheworkwouldhavetobedonebymyselfifIwishedtopreservesecrecy.Ihad now somuch to tellMarjorywhenwe shouldmeet that I felt I shouldhardlyknowwheretobegin,andthebusinesssideofmymindbegantoplanandarrangesothatallthingsmightcomeindueorderandtothebesteffect.WhenIgottothehotelIfoundawaitingmealetterfromMarjorywhichhadcomebythelastpost.Itookitawaytomyroomandlockedthedoorbeforeopeningit.Ithadneitheraddressnordate,andwasdecidedlycharacteristic:“My dear Sir: Mrs. Jack asks me to write for her to say that we shall beleavingBraemaronTuesday.WeshallbestayingattheFifeArmsHotel,andshewill be very happy if youwill breakfastwith us at nine o’clockA.M.RoomNo.16.ThisisallofcourseincaseyoucaretoridedowntoAberdeen.We are breakfasting so early as the ride is long, sixtymiles, andMrs. Jackthinks that I should have a rest at least twice on theway.As I believe youknowtheroad,shewillbegladifyouwillkindlyarrangeourstoppingplaces.Mrs.JackwillleaveBraemarataboutthreeo’clockanddrivedowntoBallaterto catch thehalf-past five train.She asksme to say that shehopesyouwillpardonherforthetroublesheisgivingyou,andtoimpressonyouthatincaseyouwouldrathernotcome,orshouldanythingoccurtopreventyou,shewillquiteunderstandatelegramwiththesingleword‘regret.’Bythewayshewillbeobligedifyouwillkindlynotmentionhername—eitherhersurnameorherChristian name—before any of the people—strangers or hotel people, atBraemarorduringthejourney—orindeedduringtheday.Believeme,Yoursverytruly,“MARJORYANITA.”“P.S.—Howabout thecipher;haveyoureducedthebiliteral,orgotanyclueyet?“P.P.S.—Idon’tsupposethatanything,unlessitbereallyserious,willpreventyourcoming.Mrs.Jackissolookingforwardtomyhavingthatbicycleride.“P.P.P.S.—Haveyousecond-sightedanyshipsyet?Oranymorewhiteflowers—fortheDead?”ForlongIsatwiththeletterinmyhandafterIhadreaditoverandoveragainmanymany times.Each timeI read it itspurposeseemedmore luminous. Itmayhavebeenthatmyoldhabitofayearagooffindingsecretmeaningsineverything was creeping back to me. I thought and thought; and theintrospective habit made me reason out causes even in the midst ofimaginativeflights.“Mightnot”Ithought“itbepossiblethattherebeminorformsofSecondSight;DayDreamsbasedonsomegreateffortoftruth.Intherealworldtherearemanifestationsoflifeinloweraswellashigherforms;andyetallalikeareinstinctwithsomeofthathigherprinciplewhichdividesthequickand thedead.Thesecretvoicesof thebrainneednotalwaysspeak in

thunder; theDream-Painterwithinusneednotalwayshaveafullcanvasfortheexerciseofhiscraft.”OnTuesdaymorningwhen at nine o’clock to theminute Iwent to theFifeArms at Braemar, I foundMarjory alone. She came forward with a bright,frank smile and shook hands. “It’s real good to see you” was all she said.Presentlysheadded:“Mrs.Jackwillbehereinaminuteortwo.Beforeshecomes,itisunderstoodthatbetweenthisandAberdeenandindeedforto-day,youandIareonlytobecomrades.”“Yes!” said I, and then added: “Without prejudice!” She showed her pearlyteethinasmileassheanswered:“Allright.Withoutprejudice!Beitso!”ThenMrs.Jackcamein,andhavinggreetedmewarmly,wesatdown tobreakfast.When thiswasover,Marjorycutagoodpacketofsandwichesandtiedthemupherself.Theseshehandedtomesaying:“Youwillnotmindcarryingthese.Itwillbenicerhavingourlunchoutthangoingtoahotel;don’tyouthinkso?”NeedlesstosayIcordiallyacquiesced.Bothourbicycleswerereadyatthedoor,andwelostnotimeingettingunderweigh. Indeed my companion showed some anxiety to be off quickly, asthoughshewishedtoavoidobservation.Thedaywasglorious.Therewasbrightsunshine;andaskyofturquoisewithhere and there a flock of fleecy clouds. The smart easterly breeze swept usalongasthoughwewereundersail.Theairwascoolandtheroadsmoothasasphalt,butwiththespringinessofwell-packedgravel.Withtheleasteffortofpedalling we simply seemed to fly. I could see the exhilaration on mycompanion’s face as clearly as I could feel it in my own nature. All wasbuoyancy,above,below,aroundus;andIdoubtifinallthewidecircleofthesun’sraysthereweretwosuchgladheartsasMarjory’sandmyown.Aswe flewalong, the lovely sceneryoneitherhandseemed likeanendlesspanorama. Of high mountains patched with heather which here and there,earlyintheyearasitwas,brokeoutindelicatepatchesofpink;ofoverarchingwoods whose creaking branches swaying in the wind threw kaleidoscopicpatterns of light along our way; of a brown river fed by endless streamsrushing over a bed of stones which here and there lifted their dark headsthroughthefoamofthebrown-whitewater;ofgreenfieldsstretchingawayoneithersideof the riveror risingsteeply fromour feet to the fringesofhigh-lyingpinesortheblackmountainswhichrosejustbeyond;ofendlessaislesofforestwhere,throughthedarkshadeofthebrowntrunks,rosefromthebrownmassof long-fallenpineneedleswhich spread thegroundbelow,andwherepatchesofsunlightfellinplaceswithaseeminglyintolerableglare!Thenout

intotheopenagainwherethesunlightseemedallnaturalandeventheideaofshade unreal. Down steep hills where the ground seemed to slide backunderneathourflyingwheels,anduplesserhills,sweptwithouteffortbythewindbehindusandtheswiftimpetusofourpace.After a while the mountains before us, which at first had seemed like anunbrokenlineoffrowninggiantsbarringourcourse,seemedtoopenawaytous.Roundandroundweswept,curveaftercurveyieldingandfallingbackandopeningnewvistas; till at the lastwepassed into theopengapbetween thehills aroundBallater.Here in the faceofpossibledangerwebegan tocrawlcautiously down the steep hill to the town.Mrs. Jack had proposed thatweshouldmakeourfirsthaltatBallater.As,however,weputonpaceagainatthefootofthehillMarjorysaid:“Ohdonotletusstopinatown.Icouldnotbearitjustafterthatlovelyridethroughthemountains.”“Agreed!” I said “let us push on! That twenty miles seems like nothing.BeyondCambus-o-Maythereisalakeonthenorthernside;wecanriderounditandcomebacktotheroadagainatDinnet.Ifyoulikewecanhaveourlunchintheshelterofalovelywoodatthefarsideofit.”“That will be enchanting!” she said, and the happy girlish freshness of hervoicewas like a strain ofmusicwhich suitedwell the scene.WhenwehadpassedBallater and climbed the hill up to the railwaybridgewe stopped tolookback;andinsheerdelightshecaughtholdofmyarmandstoodclosetome.Andnowondershewasmoved,forintheworldtherecanbefewplacesofequalbeautyofasimilarkind.Rightaboveustotheright,andagainacrossthevalley,toweredmountainsofrichbrownwithpatchesofpurpleandlinesofgreen;andinfrontofusinthecentreoftheamphitheatre,tworoundhills,loominglargeinadelicatemist,servedasportalstothevalleywhichtrendedupwardbetweenthehillsbeyond.TheroadtoBraemarseemedlikeaveritableroad ofmystery, guarded by an enchanted gate.With a sighwe turned ourbacks on all this beauty, and skirting the river, ran by Cambus-o-May andbetweenwoodsofpineinanopeningvistaofnewloveliness.Eastwardbeforeus lay a mighty sweep of hill and moor, backed on every side by greatmountainswhichfellawayonebehindtheotherintomistydistanceofdelicateblue.Atour feet farbelow, lay twospreading lakesofsapphirehue, fringedhere and there with woods, and dotted with little islands whose trees bentdown to thewater’s edge.Marjory stood rapt for awhile,herbreastheavingandherfaceglowing.Atlastsheturnedtomewithasigh;herbeautifuleyeswerebrightwithunshedtearsasshesaid:“Oh,was thereever in theworldanythingsobeautifulas thisCountry!Andwasthereeversoexquisitearideasoursto-day!”

Doeseveramanloveawomanmorethanwhensheshowsherselfsusceptibleto beauty, and is moved to the fulness and simplicity of emotion which isdeniedtohisownsex?Ithoughtnot,asMarjoryandIsweptdownthesteeproad and skirted by the crystal lakes ofCeander andDavan to thewood inwhichweweretohaveouralfrescolunch.Here,shelteredfromthewind,thesunshineseemedtoostrongtomakesittingintheopenpleasant;andweweregladtohavetheshadeofthetrees.AswesatdownandIbegantounpacktheluncheon,Marjorysaid:“Andnowtellmehowyouhavebeengettingonwiththecipher.”Istoodstillforsolongthatsheraisedherheadandtookasharpglanceofsurpriseatme.InthecharmofherpresenceIhadabsolutelyforgottenallaboutthecipherandwhatmightgrowfromit.

CHAPTERXIVASECRETSHARED

“THEREissomuchtotell”Isaid“thatIhardlyknowwheretobegin.PerhapsIhadbettertellyouallhere,wherewearealoneandnotlikelytobedisturbed.Wehavecomesofastthatwehavelotsoftimeandweneednothurry.WhenyouhavehadyourlunchIshalltellyouall.”“Ohpleasedon’twaittillthen,”shesaid,“Iamallimpatience.Letmeknowrightaway.”“Youngwoman”Isaidsternly“youareatpresentinsincere.Youknowyouareravenously hungry, as you should be after a twenty mile ride; and you arespeakingaccordingtoyourideaofconventionandnotoutofyourheart.Thisis not convention; there is nothing conventional in thewhole outfit. Eat thefoodpreparedforyoubythethoughtfulnessofaverybeautifulandcharminggirl!”Sheheldupawarningfingerandsaid:“Remember‘BonCamarade—withoutprejudice.’”“Allright”Ianswered“soitshallbe.ButiftheladywantstoholdmeupforcriminallibelIshallundertaketorepeattheexpressionwhen,andwhere,andhowshewill.Ishallrepeattheassertionandabidebytheconsequences.”Shewentoneatinghersandwiches,not,Ithought,displeased.Whenwehadbothfinishedsheturnedtomeandsaid:“Now!”I tookfrommypocket therescriptofDonBernardinodeEscoban’snarrative and handed it to her. She looked at it, turned over the pages, andglanced at them as shewent. Then she returned to the beginning, and afterreadingthefirstfewlines,saidtomewithaneagerlookinhereyes:

“Isthisreallythetranslationofthesecretwriting?Oh,Iamsogladyouhavesucceeded.You are cute!” She took out herwatch, and having looked at it,wenton:“Wehaveloadsoftime.Won’tyoureaditforme?Itwillbesomuchnicer!Andletmeaskyouquestions.”“Delighted!”Ianswered,“ButwoulditnotbebetterifIreaditrightthroughfirst,and then letyouaskquestions!Orbetterstillyouread ityourself rightthrough, and then ask.” I had apurpose in this. If I had to read it,my eyesmustbewhollyengrossedinmywork;butifsheread,Ineednevertakethemoff her face. I longed to see the varying expression with which she wouldfolloweveryphaseofthestrangestory.Shethoughtforafewsecondsbeforeanswering,andasshethoughtlookedmestraightintheeyes.Ithinkshereadmysecret,oratanyrateenoughofit tofathommywish;nothingelsecouldaccountforthegentleblushthatspreadoverherface.Thenshesaidinquiteameektone:“Ishallreaditmyselfifyouthinkitbest!”Ishallneverforgetthatreading.Herface,alwaysexpressive,wastomelikeanopenbook.IwasbythistimequitefamiliarwithdeEscoban’snarrative,asIhadwithinfinitepatiencedugitoutletterbyletterfromthecipherinwhichithadbeenburiedforsolong.AsalsoIhadwrittenitoutfair twiceover, itwas littlewonder that Iknew itwell.Asshe read I so followed that Icouldhave told to a sentence how far she had got in the history. Once sheunconsciouslyputherhandtoherthroatandfeltthebrooch;butimmediatelydrewitawayagain,glancingforamomentatmefromunderhereyelashestoseewhetherIhadobserved.ShesawIhad,shookherheadwithasmile,andreadon.When she had finished reading, she gave a long sigh and then held out herhandtomesaying:“Bravo!Icongratulateyouwithallmyheart!”Hertouchthrilledme;shewasallonfire,andtherewasapurposefullookinherfacewhichwasoutsideandbeyondanyjoythatshecouldhavewithregardtoanysuccessofmine.ThisstruckmesomuchthatIsaidimpulsively:“Whyareyousoglad?”Sheansweredinstinctivelyandwithoutthought:“Becauseyouwill keep it from theSpaniards!”Then she stopped suddenly,withagestureofselfrepression.Ifeltalittlepiqued.Iwouldhavethoughtthatherconcernwouldhavebeenratherindividualthanpolitical.Thatinsuchamatterevenbeforeracialhatredwouldhavecomegladnessat thewell-doingofevensucha friend—withoutprejudice—asIwas.Lookingatme,sheseemedtoseethroughmeandsaid“Withhertwowhitehandsextended,asifprayingoneoffended:”

“Oh, Iamsorry! Ididnotmean tohurtyou. Ican’texplainyet;not to-day,which is for comradeship only.—Yes without prejudice”—for she saw mylook and answered it “But some day you will understand.” She was soevidentlyembarrassedandpainedathavingforsomereasonwhichIdidnotcomprehendtoshowreticencetomewhohadbeensoopenwithher,thatIfeltitmyduty to put her at ease.This I tried to doby assuringher that I quiteunderstood that she had some good reason, and that I was quite content towait.IcouldnothelpaddingbeforeIstopped:“Thisisasmallthingtohavetowaitforafterall;whenIhavetowaitforsomethingsomuchmoreimportant.”Thewarningfingerwasheldupagainwithasmile.Thenwewentover thewholeof thenarrativeagain, I reading this timeandshestoppingtoaskmequestions.Therewasnotmuchtoask;allthestorywasso plain that the proceeding did not take very long. Then she askedme toexplain how I had come to decipher the cryptogram. I took outmy pocketbookandproceededtomakeakeytothecipher,explainingasIwentontheprinciple.“Tome,”Isaid,“itisverycomplete,andcanbeusedinaninfinityofways.Anymodeofexpressioncanbeusedthathastwoobjectswithfivevarietiesofeach.”Heresheinterruptedme.AsIwasexplainingIwasholdingout my hands with the fingers spread as a natural way of expressing mymeaning. She saw at once what had escaped me, and clasping her handsexclaimedimpulsively:“Likeyour twohands! It isdelightful!Twohands,and five fingersoneach.Wecan talkanewdeafanddumbalphabet;whichnoonebutourselvescanunderstand!”Herwords thrilled throughme.Onemore secret to sharewithher;onemoresecretwhichwouldbeinperpetualexercise,inpursuanceofacommonthought.Iwasabout tospeakwhenshestoppedmewithagesture.“Sorry!”shesaid.“Goon;explaintome!Wecanthinkofvarietylater!”SoIcontinued:“Solongaswehavemeansthataresuitable,wehaveonlytotranslateintothebiliteral,andwewhoknowthiscanunderstand.Thuswehaveadoubleguardofsecrecy.Therearesomewhocouldtranslateintosymbolswithwhichtheyare familiar, symbolswithwhich theyarenot;but in thismethodwehaveabufferofignoranceormysterybetweentheknownandtheunknown.Thereisalsothisadvantage;thecipherasitstandsissufficientlyonabasisofscienceoratanyrateoforder, that itskey iseasilycapableof reproduction.Asyouhave seen, I can make a key without any help. Bacon’s biliteral cipher isscientificallyaccurate. It can, therefore,beeasily reproduced; themethodofexclusions is also entirely rational, so that we need have no difficulty inrememberingit.Iftwopeoplewouldtakethetroubletolearnthesymbolsofthebiliteral,askeptaftertheexclusionsandwhichareusedinthiscipher,theymightwith very little practice be able towrite or read off-hand. Indeed the

suggestion,whichyouhavejustmade,ofadeaf-and-dumbalphabetiscapital.Itisassimpleasthedaylight!Youhaveonlytodecidewhetherthethumborthe little fingermeans1or 2; and then reproduceby right handor left, andusingthefingersofeachhand,thefivesymbolsoftheamendedbiliteral,andyoucantalkaswellandaseasilyasdothedeafmutes!”Againshespokeoutimpulsively:“Letusbothlearnoffbyheartthesymbolsofourcipher;andthenweshan’twanteventomakeakey.Wecantalktoeachotherinacrowd,andnoonebethewiserofwhatwearesaying.”Thiswasverysweettome.Whenamanisinlove,asIwas,anythingwhichlinkshimtohislady,andtoheralone,hasacharmbeyondwords.Herewasaperpetuallink,ifwecaredtomakeitso,andiftheFateswouldbegoodtous.“The Fates!” With the thought came back Gormala’s words to me at thebeginning.Shehadtoldme,andsomehowIseemedtohavealwaysbelievedthe same, that the Fates worked to their own end and in their own way.Kindnessorunkindnesshadnopartintheirworkings;pityhadnoplaceatthebeginning of their interest, no more than had remorse at the end. Was itpossible that in the schemeofFate, inwhichGormala and I andLauchlaneMacleodhadplaces, therewasalso aplace forMarjory?TheWitch-womanhadsaidthattheFateswouldworktheirwill,thoughforthedoingofitcameelementsoutofpastcenturiesand from theendsof theearth.ThecipherofDondeEscobanhadlainhiddenthreecenturies,onlytoberevivedatitsduetime.MarjoryhadcomefromanationwhichhadnoexistencewhentheDonhadlived,andfromaplacewhichinhistimewasthefarhomeoftheredmanandthewolfandthebisonandthebear.But yet what was there to connect Marjory with Don de Escoban and hissecret?As I thought, I sawMarjorywhohad turnedherback tome,quietlytakesomethingfromher throatandput it intoherpocket.Herewastheclueindeed.The brooch!When I had taken it up from the sea at the SandCraigs I hadreturnedittoherwithonlyaglance;andasIhadoftenseenitsince,withoutanymystery,Ihadhardlynoticedit.ItrushedinonmymindthatitwasofthesameformasthatdescribedbyDondeEscobanashavingbeengivenbythePope. Ihadonlynoticedabig figureanda littleone;but surely it couldbenoneotherthanafigureofSt.Christopher.IshouldhavelikedtohaveaskedMarjory about it at once; but her words already spoken putting offexplanation,andherrecentact,ofwhichIwassupposedtoknownothing,inputtingitoutofsight,forbademetoinquire.AllthemoreIthought,however;andothermattersregardingitcrowdedintomymind.The chain was complete, the only weak link being the connection between

MarjoryandtheSt.Christopherbrooch.Andevenheretherewasamystery,acknowledged inherconcealment,whichmightexplain itselfwhen the timecame.Matterstooksuchagraveturnformewithmylatestsurmise,thatIthoughtitwouldbewelltoimprovetheoccasionwithMarjory,insofarasitmightbepossible to learn something of her surroundings. I was barred from askingquestionsbyherownwish;butstillIdidnotliketolosethechancewithoutaneffort,soIsaidtoher:“Wehavelearnedalotto-day,haven’twe?”“Indeed we have. It hardly seems possible that a day could make such achange!”“Isupposeweshouldtakeitthatnewknowledgeshouldapplynewconditionstoestablishedfact?”Isaidthiswithsomediffidence;andIcouldseethatthechange in my tone, much against my will, attracted her attention. Sheevidentlyunderstoodmywish,forsheansweredwithdecision:“Ifyoumeanby‘newconditions’anyalterationofthecompactmadebetweenus for to-day—yes, I remember ‘without prejudice’—there is nothing in ournewknowledgetoaltertheoldones.Doremember,sir,thatthisdayisonesetapart, and nothing that is not a very gravematter indeed can be allowed toalterwhatisestablishedregardingit.”“Then,”said I,“atallevents letus learn thecipher—ourcipherasyouveryproperlycalledit.”“Ohno!surely?”thiswassaidwitharisingblush.“Indeed,yes—Iamgladtosay!”“Takecare!”shereplied,meaningly,thensheadded:“Verywell!Oursletitbe.ButreallyandtrulyIhavenorighttoitsdiscovery;itmakesmefeellikeafraudtohearyousayso.”“Be easy,” I replied. “You helped me more than I can say. It was yoursuggestiontoreducethetermsofthebiliteral;anditwasbythatmeansthatIreadthecipher.Butatanyratewhenwecallit‘ours’itwillcontentmeiftheword‘ours’”—Icouldnothelprepeatingthewordforitwasdelighttome;itdid not displease her either, though it made her blush—“is applied not toinventionbuttopossession!”“All right,” she said. “That is good of you. I cannot argue with you.Amendmentaccepted!Come,letusgetonourwheelsagain.Youhavethekeyofourcipherwithyou;youcantellmetheitemsonebyone,andwewilllearnthemaswegoalong.”Andsoasweswept roundDavanLake,with thewindbehindusdrivingus

alongexcept justbeforewe regained thehigh roadatDinnet, I repeated thesymbolsofthereducedbiliteral.Wewentoverandoverthemagainandagain,tillwewereunabletopuzzleeachotherquestioningupanddown,‘dodging’astheschool-boyssay.Oh, but that ridewasdelightful!Therewas some sort of conscious equalitybetweenuswhich Icouldseemycomrade feltaswellasmyself.Down thefallingroadwespedalmostwithouteffort,ourwheelsseemingtoglideonair.Whenwecameto thebridgeover therailwayjustaboveAboyne,wheretherivercomesnorthandrunsinunderabankofshaleandrock,wedismountedand looked back. Behind uswas our last view of the gorge aboveBallater,wherethetworoundhillsstoodasportals,andwherethecloudrackhangingaboveandbeyondmadeamysterywhichwasfullofdelightfulfascinationandnolessdelightfulremembrance.Thenwithasighweturned.There, before us lay a dark alley between the closing pines. No lessmysterious,butseeminglydarkandgrim.

CHAPTERXVAPECULIARDINNER-PARTY

WEdidnotstopatAboyne,butranonbeyondKincardineO’Neill,andtookour second restclose to theBridgeofPotarchwherewehad teaat the littlehotel on the right bank of the river. Then for a while we leaned over theparapetandlookedatthewaterflowingswiftlyfarbelowastherivernarrowsfrom itspebblybed to thegorgeof rockonwhich thebridge rests.There issomething soothing, perhaps something hypnotic, in the ceaseless rush ofwater. Itunconsciously takesone’s thoughtsonandon, till the realityof thepresent is in somemeasure lost and themindwanders towards imaginationthrough the regions of the unknown. As I looked at Marjory, with theafternoonsunfallingonhersuperbfigureandshowingupherclear-cutprofilewith all the finish of a cameo, I could not but be struckwith the union ofgentlenessandindependencewhichwassoclearlymanifestedinher.Withoutthinking,Ispokeoutmymind.Itisaprivilegeofthosewhounderstandeachother, or of the very young, to give voice to the latter portion of a train ofthought without feeling it necessary to enlighten the hearer as to what hasgone tomake up the conclusion. The feelingwas hourly growing uponmethat,evenifIcouldnotquiteunderstandMarjory,atleastsheunderstoodme.“ButthenallyouAmericangirlsaresoindependent!”Shedidnotseemabitsurprisedby this fag endof reasoning; shehad evidently been followingupsometrainofthoughtofherown,andbysomehappyinstinctmywordsfitted

inwithit.Withoutturningtowardsme,butstillkeepinghereyesfixeddownthestreamtowherefarawayitswayedtotherightthroughagapbetweenpinecladhillssheanswered:“Yes!Weareasarulebroughtuptobeindependent.Itseemstobeapartofwhatourpeoplecall the‘genius’ofthecountry.Indeedformany,womenaswellasmen,itisasortofnecessity.Ournationissovast,anditexpandssoquickly, that there isnearlyeverywherea family separation. In themain, allthe children of one generation become the heads of families of the next.Somehow,thebulkofouryoungpeoplestillfollowthesunset;andinthenewlife which comes to each, whether in the fields or in the city or in thereclamationofthewilderness,theonethingwhichmakeslifeendurableisthisindependencewhichisanotherformofself-reliance.Thisitiswhichenablesthemtobravehungerandthirstandalldangerwhichcomestopioneers;whichinthecitiesmakesthesolitudeoflonelylifebearabletotheyoungaswellastotheold;whichmakesthemworkandstudyinpatience;whichmakesthemself-sacrificing,andthrifty,andlongenduring.Itellyouitisthiswhichmakesa race of patriots, whose voices swell in unison till the great voice of thenation,raisedinsomegoodcause,canringandechothroughtheworld!”Asshespokeshegotmoreandmoreearnest,moreandmoreenthusiastic,tillhervoicebegantovibrateandherfacetoflush.Whensheturnedtowardsmeattheend,hereyeswerefullofspirituallight.Ilookedather,andIsupposemyloveaswellasmyadmirationmusthaveexpresseditself,forhereyesfellandtheflushonherfacemeltedintoasoftblush.Sheturned,lookedatthewateragain,andthenwentonspeaking:

“Thisisthegoodsideofourindependenceandfautedemieuxitserves;thosewhoknownobetterdonotmisswhatmightbe.Butoh!ithastobepaidfor.The little sufferings of day by day can grow into amass which in the endoutweighs those seemingly far greater ills whichmanifest themselves all atonce.Nooneknows,nooneeverwillknow,howmuchquiet,dullpaingoestotameawoman’shearttothesolitudeoflife.Ihavenotseensomuchofitassome others;my life has been laid in pleasant places, and only through thesmallaccidentsoflifehaveIcometoknowofthenegativepainwhichothergirlshavetoendure.Itissomuchtohaveroundonethefamiliarfacesofouryouth; to meet sympathy at every turn of life, and to know that there isunderstandingforusalways.Wewomenhavetogivesomethinginordertobehappy.Thestronger-mindedones,aswecallthem,blametheCreatorforthisdispositionofthings—orelseIdonotknowwhoorwhattheyblame;buttherestofus,whoarewiseenoughtoacceptwhatcannotbealtered,trytorealisewhatcanbedoneforthebest.Weallwanttocareforsomeoneorsomething,ifitisonlyacatoradog.Formyself,sofarbackasIcanremember,Ilongedtohaveabrotherorsister,butIthinkthatinmysecretheartitwasabrotherI

wanted.OfcourseasImergedintomyactualsurroundingsIgrewoutofthis;butonceitwasbroughthometomewithnewforce.WewerestayingforafewdaysinoneofthosegreatEnglishhouseswheretherewasagrowingfamilyofboysandgirls.Therewasonesweetyounggirl,justaboutmyownage,whoseemedidolisedbyallherbrothers.Whenwearrivedtheywereallgoingintoeveningprayers.The lastof the sunlightwas falling through theold stainedglasswindowofthegreatbaronialhall,andlitupthelittlefamilygroup.Thegirlsatbetweentwoofheryoungbrothers,greatstalwartladswhohadallthecharacteristicsofafamilyofsoldiers.Duringprayerseachofthemheldoneofherhands;andwhentheyallknelt,herarmswentroundtheirnecks.Icouldnothelpfeelingdeeply—downintotheverydepthsofmysoul—howgooditwasfor themall.IwouldhavegiveneverythingIhave,oramever likelytohave,thatminehadbeensuchanupbringing.Think,howinafteryearsitwillcomebacktothoseboysinhoursoftrial,orpain,orprosperity,orpassion;inalltimeswhentheirmanhoodortheirhonourortheirworthistobetried;howthey will remember the words which were spoken to them as those werespoken, and were listened to as those were listened to, in the midst ofsympathyandlove.Manyandmanyatimeinyearstocomethoseboyswillblesssuchhours,andGodHimselfwillsurelyrejoicethatHiswillwasbeingwrought in so sweet a way. And the same thing is going on in a thousandEnglish homes!” She paused and turned tome and the feeling in her heartfoundexpressioninthesilenttearsthatrandownhercheeks.Againsheturnedhereyes to therunningwaterandgazedawhilebeforespeakingagain.Thenlookingatme,shewenton:“Andthegirl, too,howgooditwasforher!Whatanantidotetoselfishness!Howmuchofself-control,ofsympathy,oflove,oftolerationwasbegunandfosteredandcompletedinthosemomentsoftheexpressionofherheart!Whatplacecantherereallybeforselfishwantandsorrowsintheheartofawomansotrainedtosympathisewithandhelpothers?It isgood!good!good!andIpraythatinthelaterdevelopmentofmyowndearcountry,allsuchthingsmayhave a part. Expansion at its present rate must soon cease; and then somepredominant idea must take the place of the eternal self-independence.Weshall, I trust,moultno featherofournational feelingofpersonalduty;but Iamsurethatourpeople,andmoreespeciallyourwomen,willleadhappieraswellashealthierlives.”This present phase of Marjory’s character was new to me, fresh andenchanting.Everyhour seemed tobringoutnewworths andbeautiesof thegirl’scharacter,ofherintellectualgifts,oftheendlesswealthofherheart.When she ceased speaking I took her hand inmine, she not resenting, andkissedit.Isaidonlyoneword“Marjory!”butitwasenough.Icouldseethatinhereyeswhichmademyheartleap.

Then a new life seemed to come to both of us.With one accordwemovedtowards our bicycles, andmounted in silence.After a fewminutes of rapidspindowntheslopingroadfromthebridge,webegantochatagaingaily.FormyselfIwasinwildlyjoyousspirits.Evenaself-doubtinglovercouldnotfailto understand such a look in his mistress’s eyes. If ever love spoke out ineloquent silence it was then, all doubt melted from my heart, as the nightshadowspalebefore thedawn. Iwascontent towaitnow, illimitablyand insilence. She, too, seemed altogether happy, and accepted in unquestioningfaith all the little pleasureswhich came in the progress of our journey.Andsuch pleasures aremany.Aswe drewdown the valley of theDee,with themountainsfallingbackandthedarkpinewoodsrunningupthemliketonguesofflameandemphasisingbytheirgloomthebrightnessofgrassandheatherwhichcroppedupamongsttherocksbeyond,everyturnoftheroadbroughtusto some new scene of peaceful beauty. From under the splendid woods ofCrathesCastlewesawtheriverrunninglikeablueribbonfartotheeastandoneithersideofitfieldsandgardensandwoodsspreadingwide.Onwespedwith delight in everymoment, till at last throughmiles of shadywoodswecame to the great stone bridge, and ended our jaunt over the rough granitecobblestonesofAberdeen.Wewerealittlebeforethetimethetrainwasdue;soleavingourwheelsinthePalaceHotelwewentdownontheplatformtomeetMrs.Jackonherarrival.Wemet her in due course, and brought her up to the hotel.At the stairwayMarjory,whohad lingeredhalfa flightbehindhercompanion,whispered tome:“Youhavebeenagoodboyto-day,arealgoodboy;andyoushallbeforelonghaveyourreward.”Asshegavemeherhand,Iwhispered:“Iamcontent towaitnowMarjory;dearMarjory!”Sheblushedandsmiled,andfledupstairswithawarningfingerlaiduponherlips.IthadbeenunderstoodthatIwastodinewithMrs.Jackandherfriend,soIwentuptotheroomwhichIhadsecured,tochangemyclothes.WhenIcamedown, inwhatI thoughtwasareasonable time,Iwent to theprivatesitting-roomandknocked.AstherewasnoanswerIknockedagain;thenreceivingnoreplyI took it forgranted that the ladieshadnotyetcomefromtheir roomsandentered.TheroomwasemptybutonthetablewhichwaslaidfordinnerforthreewasanoteinMarjory’shanddirectedtome.WithasinkingoftheheartIopenedit,andstoodforafewminutesamazed.Ithadnoapostropheandranasfollows:—“Wehavehadtoleavesuddenly,butMrs.Jackwantsyoutoobligeherverymuchifyouwillbesogood.Stayintheroom,andwhendinnerisservedsit

downbyyourselfandeatit.Please,pleasedonotthinkhardlyofMrs.Jack’srequest;anddonotfailtocarryitout.Thereisgoodreasonforit,asyouwillverysoonknow.MoredependsonyourdoingasMrs.Jack”—the“Mrs.Jack”waswrittenoveranobliterated“I”—“asksthanyoumaythink.Iamsurethatbythistimeyouknowyoucantrustme.“MARJORY.”Thesituationwasdisappointingandbothhumiliatingandembarrassing.Tobea guest under such conditions was almost ridiculous; and under ordinarycircumstancesIshouldhaverefused.ButthenIrememberedthatlastlookofMarjory’seyesatthebridgeofPotarch!Withoutaword,oranotherthought,ofrevoltIsatdowntothedinnerwhichthewaiterwasjustnowbringingintotheroom.Asitwasevidenttomethatmystayingintheroomwasforsomepurposeofdelay,IlingeredovermywineandhadtwocigarsbeforeIcameaway.

CHAPTERXVIREVELATIONS

INthehallImettogethertwomenwhomIknewwell.ThefirstwasAdamsoftheAmericanEmbassyinLondon;thesecondCathcartoftheBritishEmbassyatWashington,nowonleave.Ihadnotseeneitherfor twoyears,anditwaswithmutualpleasurethatwemet.Afterourpreliminaryhandshaking,andtheinevitabledrinkattheAmerican’srequest,Adamsslappedmeontheshoulderandsaidheartily:“Well,oldfellow,Icongratulateyou;orratheramItocongratulateyou?”“Whatdoyoumean?”Iaskedinfeebleembarrassment.“All right,oldchap!”hesaidheartily.“Yourblush isenough. I see ithasn’tcome off yet at all events!” Aman never lets well alone when he is in anawkwardposition.IfIhadonlyheldmytongueImightnothavemadeaguyofmyself;butas Iwas indoubtas towhatmightbe the issueofmysuit toMarjory,Ifeltadditionallyconstrainedtoaffectignoranceofhismeaning.SoIflounderedon:“‘Comeoffyet’?Whatonearthdoyoumean?”Againheslappedmeonthebackashesaidinhischaffingway:“MydearboyIsawyoucomeinoverthebridge.YouhadhadalongrideIcould see by your wheels; and I am bound to say that you did seem onexcellent terms with each other!” This was getting dangerous ground, so Itriedtosheeroff.“Oh,”Isaid,“youmeanmybikeridewithMissAnita”—I

wasinterruptedbyhissuddenwhistle.“Oh,”hesaidinexact imitationofmyownmanner.“YoumeanMissAnita!Soithascometothatalready!AnyhowIcongratulateyouheartily,whetherithascome,ormaycome,orwillcometoanythingelse.”“I don’t see,” I said, with a helpless feeling of having been driven into acorner,“thatthereisanythingespeciallyremarkableinamanhavingabicycleridewithayoungladyofhisacquaintance.”“Keep your hair on, old man!” he said with a smile. “There is nothingremarkableaboutamanridingwithayounglady;butthereissomethingveryremarkableaboutanyman ridingwith thisparticularyoung lady.Why,manalive, don’t you know that there isn’t a man in America, or out of it, thatwouldn’tgivetheeyesoutofhisheadtotakeyourplaceonsuchanoccasion.ToridealonewithMarjoryDrake—”“Withwhom?” I said impulsively; and having spoken could have bitten outmytongue.Adamspaused;hewassilentsolongthatIbegantogrowuneasy.Hisfacegrewverygrave,andtherespreadoveritthatlookbetweencunningand dominance which was his official expression. Then he spoke, but hiswordshadnot thesamecareless ring in them.Therewasamanifestcautionandacertainindefinablesenseofdistance.“Lookhere,ArchieHunter! Is itpossible thatyoudon’tknowwho it is thatyouwerewith.All right! Iknowofcourse thatyouareacquaintedwithherpersonally,” for he saw Iwas about to protest, “the very fact of your beingwithherandyourknowingthenamethatsheseldomusesanswerforthat;andyoumaytakeitfrommethattheladyneedsnocharacterfordiscretionfromme.Buthowisitthatyouareonsuchgoodtermswithher,andyetdon’tseemeven to knowher name?” For fully aminute therewas silence between us.Cathcart had asyet saidnot aword, andAdamswas thinking.Formyself Iwasinaseaofmultitudinousconcerns;whicheverwayIturnedIwasfacetofacewithsomenewdifficulty. Itwouldnotdo to leave thesemenunder theimpression that there was any social irregularity in my friendship withMarjory; I was too jealous of her good name to allow such a thing to bepossible.AndyetIcouldnotexplainat lengthhowwehadcometobesuchgoodfriends.Alreadythereweresomanylittlemysteries;rightuptothisveryeveningwhensheandMrs. Jackhadgoneawaysostrangely, leavingme intheridiculouspositionofaguestwithnohost.Itwasnoteasytoexplainthesethings; itwas impossible toavoidthem.In themidstof thischaoticwhirlofthoughtsAdamsspoke:“IthinkIhadbettersaynomore,anyhow.Afterall,ifMissDrakechoosestokeepasecret,ortomakeone,itisnotmybusinesstogiveit,orher,away.Sheknowswhatshe’sdoing.Youwillexcuseme,oldfellow,won’tyou;butasit

ismanifestlyalady’swish,IthinkIcandobestbyholdingmytongue.”“Any wish of that lady’s,” said I, and I felt that I must seem to speakgrandiloquently,“canonlyhavemymostloyalsupport.”Therewasanawkward silencewhichwas relievedbyCathcart,whosaid tome:“Comeup tomyroom,Archie; Iwant to tellyousomething.You’ll joinus,too,Sam,won’tyou?”“All right, Billy,” saidAdams, “I’ll come in a fewminutes. I want to givesomedirectionsaboutahorseforto-morrow.”

WhenwewereinCathcart’sroom,heclosedthedoorandsaidtomewiththemostgenuinegoodfeeling:“Ididn’tliketosayaworddownstairs,oldchap;butIcouldseeyouwereinsome difficulty. Of course I know it’s all right; but ought you not to knowsomethingof the lady?With anyone else butSamandmyself such a thingmighthaveconveyedafalseimpression.Surelyyoucanbestprotecttheladyby knowing how to avoid anything thatmight embarrass her!”Thiswas allgoodsoundcommonsense.ForamomentIweighedupthematteragainstthepossibility of Marjory’s wishing to keep her name a secret. Looking back,however, Icouldsee thatanyconcealment thathadbeenwasratherpositivethannegative.Theoriginalerrorhadbeenmine;shehadsimplyallowedittopass.Thewholethinghadprobablybeenthepassingfancyofabright,spiritedyounggirl;totakeittooseriously,ortomaketoomuchofitmightdoharm.Why,eventhesemenmight,wereItoregarditasimportant,takeitassomepiece of deliberate deceit on her part. Thus convinced of the wisdom ofCathcart’spropositionIspoke:“You are quite right! and I shall be much obliged if you will—if you willenlightenme.”Hebowedandsmiled,andwentongenially:“TheladyyoucalledMissAnita,yousofarcalledquitecorrectly.HernameisAnita;butitisonlyhersecondChristianname.SheisknowntotheworldasMissMarjoryDrake,ofChicago.”“Knowntotheworld.”Wasthisamerephrase,orthesimpleexpressionofafact!Iaskeddirectly:“Howknowntotheworld?Doyoumeanthatisthenameknownamongsthercircle of acquaintances? Is—is there any causewhy the greatworld outsidethat circle should know her at all?” He smiled and laid his hand on myshoulderinaverybrotherlywayasheanswered:“Yes, old fellow. There is a reason, and a good one, why the great worldshouldknowher.Iseeyouareallinthedark;soIhadbettertellyouwhatI

know.MarjoryAnitaDrakeisanheiress,agreatheiress,averygreatheiress;perhaps a longway thegreatest heiress inAmerica, or out of it.Her father,whodiedwhen shewas a baby, left her a gigantic fortune; and her trusteeshave multiplied it over and over again.” He paused; so I said—it seemingnecessarytosaysomething:“Butbeinganheiress isnotsufficientreasonwhyagirlshouldbeknowntotheworld.”“Itisaprettygoodone.Mostpeoplewouldn’twantanybetter.Butthisisnotthereasoninhercase.SheisthegirlwhogavethebattleshiptotheAmericanGovernment!”“Gavethebattleship!Idon’tunderstand!”“It was this way. At the time the reports kept crowding in of the Spanishatrocitiesonthereconcentrados;whenpublicfeelingwasrisingintheUnitedStates,thisgirlgotallonfiretofreeCuba.Tothisendsheboughtabattleshipthat the Cramp’s had built for Japan. She had the ship armed with KruppcannonwhichsheboughtthroughfriendsinItaly;andwentalongtheEasterncoastamongstthesailorsandfishermentillshehadrecruitedacrew.Thenshehanded thewhole thingover to theGovernmentasaspur to it to takesomeaction.TheshipisofficeredwithmenfromtheNavalAcademyatAnnapolis;andtheytellmethereisn’toneofthecrew—fromthecabinboytothecaptain—thatwouldn’tdieforthegirlto-morrow.”“Bravo!”Isaidinstinctively!“That’sagirlforanationtobeproudof!”“Sheisallthat!”saidCathcartenthusiastically.“NowyoucanunderstandwhyAdams congratulated you; and why he was so surprised when you did notseemtoknowwhoshewas.”Istoodforamomentthinking,andallthecloudswhichwrappedMarjory’spurposeinmysteryseemedtodisperse.This,then,was why she allowed the error of her name to pass. She had not made anincognita; chance had done this for her, and she had simply accepted it.Doubtless, wearied with praise and with publicity and notoriety in all itspopularforms,shewasgladtogetawayandhideherselfforawhile.Fortunehad thrown in her way a man who was manifestly ignorant of her veryexistence;anditwasapleasuretoplaywithhimathide-and-seek!Itwas,afterall,anup-to-datestoryofthePrincessindisguise;andIwastheyoungman,allunknowing,withwhomshehadplayed.Hereaterribledoubtassailedme.OtherPrincesseshadplayedhide-and-seek;and, having had their sport, had vanished; leaving desolation and an emptyheartbehindthem.Wasitpossiblethatshetoowaslikethis;thatshehadbeenallthewhileplayingwithme;thatevenwhilstshewasbeingmostgracious,shewastakingstepstohideevenherwhereaboutsfromme?HerewasI,whohadevenproposedmarriage;andyetwhodidnotevenknowwhenorwhereI

shouldseeheragain—ifindeedIshouldeverseeheragainatall.Icouldnotbelieve it. I had looked into her eyes, and had seen the truth.Herewas nowantonplayingatbowlswithmen’shearts.Mylifeuponherfaith!I seemed to have lost myself in a sort of trance. I was recalled from it byCathcart,whoseeingmeinareveriehadgoneovertothefireplaceandstoodwithhisbacktome,fillinghispipeatthemantel-piece:“IthinkIhearAdamscoming.Pardonme,oldfellow,butthoughIamsureheknows I have told you aboutMissDrake, and though he probablymade anexcuse for delay so that Imight have an opportunity to do so, hewants toappearnottoenteronthesubject.Heisdiplomatallover.RememberheisoftheU.S.Embassy;andMissDrake,asanAmericancitizen, is theoreticallyunder his care in this foreign country. Let us be talking of something elsewhen he comes in!” Sam came along the passage softly whistling a bar of“YankeeDoodle.”Cathcartnoddedtomeandwhispered:“Itoldyouso!Hetakesgoodcarethathemaynotsurpriseus.”WhenhecameinweweretalkingoftheprospectsoftheAutumnfishingontheDee.WhenweleftCathcart’sroom,afteracigar,I,beingsomewhattiredwithmylongride,wentatoncetomyroom.Adamscamewithmeasfarasthedoor.IwasjustgettingintobedwhenIheardaslighttapatthedoor.IunlockeditandfoundAdamswithout.Heraisedawarninghand,andsaidinawhisper:“May I come in? I want to say something very privately.”More than evermystified—everythingseemedamysterynow—Iopenedthedoor.HecameinandIcloseditsoftlyandlockedit.

CHAPTERXVIISAMADAMS’STASK

ADAMSbeganatonce:“ArchieIwanttotellyousomething;butitisinthestrictest confidence.Youmust promisemenot tomention to anyone,mindany one, what I say; or even that I have spoken to you on the subject.” Ithoughtforamomentbeforereplying.ItflashedacrossmethatwhathehadtosaymustconcernMarjory,soIanswered:“IfearIcannotmakesuchapromise,ifthematterisregardingsomeoneotherthanmyself.”Ashadeofannoyancepassedacrosshisfaceashesaid:“Well,itisaboutsomeoneelse;butreallyyoumusttrustme.Iwouldnotfortheworld,oldfellow,askyoutodoanythingthatwasnotcorrect.”“Iknowthat”Isaid“Iknowit rightwell;butyousee itmightberegarding

someonewithwhommyrelationsmightbepeculiar—notfixedyouknow.Itmight be necessary forme to speak. Perhaps not now; but later on.” I wasstumblingblindly,sosoughtrefugeinfactandquery,“Tellme”Isaid“doesitrelatetoMissDrake?”“Itdoes;butIthoughtthatyouwhoareafriendofhersmightliketodoheraservice.”“OfcourseIwould.”Ianswered.“ThereisnothingIwouldnotdoforherifitwereinmypower.”“Except hold your tongue!” he saidwith a touch of bitterness unusualwithhim.IcouldseethatanxiousasIwastohearhewasstillmoreanxioustotellme; so I was able to keep my temper and not make matters worse byansweringbacksarcastically.Isaid:“Yes,oldchap,evenbyholdingmytongue.IfIcouldseethatIwouldbenefitherbyholdingmytongue,orbycuttingoutmytongue,Iwoulddoit.WhatImustrefuseistopromisetoholdmytongue.Come,oldfellow,don’tputmeinawrongposition.Youdon’tknowallthatIdo,orexactlyhowIamplaced.Whydon’tyoutrustme?IamwillingtopromisethatIwon’tspeakatallofthematterunlessitbenecessary;andthatIwon’tspeakatallinanycaseofhavingbeentoldanythingbyyou.”Hebrightenedupatonceandsaid:“Allright,thenwecandriveon.Itakeitthatsincewemetlast”—thatwasafewminutes ago, but hewas a diplomatist—“you have learnedmore aboutMissDrake,orratherofherhistoryandherpositionandimportance,thanyouknewatthattime?”“Yes,”Ianswered,andIcouldnothelpsmiling.“Thenweneedn’tgointothat.Wetakefactsforgranted.Well,thatfineactofhers—youknowwhatImean—hasbroughther,ormaybringher,apeckoftrouble.Thereare,ortherewere,acertainlotofSpaniards—Copperheads—athomewholookonherasasortofembodimentoftheAmericanantagonismtotheir ownnation.They are the low lot; formindyou, thoughwe are atwarwiththemIsayit,thegoodSpaniardisafinefellow.ItcametotheearsoftheauthoritiesinWashingtonthattherewassomesortofplotonfoottodoheraharm.TheSecretServicewasalittleatfault,andcouldn’tgetaccurateorfullinformation; for naturally enough the Spaniards didn’t trust any butthemselves in such a matter. We know enough, however, to be somewhatconcernedforher;anditwasarrangedthatasecretwatchshouldbekeptonher,sothatnoharmshouldcomethatcouldbeprevented.Thepropermenhadbeen detailed off for the work; when to our surprise, and a little to ourconsternation,itturnedoutthattheyoungladyhaddisappeared.Weknewofcourse thathergoingwasvoluntary;shehad leftword to thateffect, so thattheremightnotbeanybothermadeabouther.Butthetroublewasthatshedid

notknowofthedangerwhichthreatenedher;andasourpeopledidn’tknowwhereshewas,nostepcouldbe takentoprotectorwarnher. It isclear thatmyladygottiredoffireworksandoftheJoanofArcbusiness,andbolted.Itwasconsiderednecessaryatheadquartersthatweshouldinthemeantimeallkeepourheadsshut.ButwewereadvisedattheEmbassyinLondonthattheplotwason,andthatweshouldhumpourselvesabittolookafterherincaseshewasinEngland.Thematterwashandedovertome,andIhavebeenontheruneversince;butIhavenotbeenabletoheartaleortidingofher.Twodaysagowegotacableinourcipherwhichtoldusthat,frominformationreceivedandtherestofit,theysuspectedshewasinEngland,orprobablyinScotland;and that there was later evidence that the plot was more active than ever.Unfortunatelywehaveasyetnodetails,andnotevenaclue.ThatiswhyIamhere.IcamedownwithCathcart,whofortunatelywasboundfortheNorth,asitcoveredupmypurpose.Ihavebeeninaregularstewfordayspast.MarjoryDrakeistoogoodtohaveanytroublecometoherthatanyAmericancanhelp.YoucanimaginemydelightwhenIsawherthisevening;fornowthatIhavelocatedher,Icantakestepstolookafterhersafetyifnecessary.Youtwowentso fastonyourwheels that I lostyouat theBridge;but I surmised thatyouwouldbecominghereanyhowafteryour ride.SoIcameupasquicklyas Icould,andsawyoutwoandtheoldladycomeupfromtherailwaystation.Icouldn’tgettoseeMissDraketo-night;butIexpecttolookherupprettyearlyinthemorning.”Here was a new entanglement. It seemed to me as more than likely thatMarjory,havingseenAdamsandknowinghisdiplomaticposition,suspectedsome interferencewith her liberty, andmade an escape at once. This, then,was thereasonwhyshehadaskedmetostayandeatdinneralone; Iwas tocoveruphertracksandsecureheranight’sdelay.Thus,eventoAdams,mytonguewastiedastohermovements.Ididnotwishtoseemtodeceivehim,soavoidedthesubject.InanswertohimIasked:“Buttellme,oldfellow,howandwheredoIcomeintoyourstory?Whydoyoutellmethis?”Heansweredverygravely:“BecauseIwantyourhelp.Thisis,orrathermaybe,averyseriousmattertoMissDrake.Thewholebusinessisentrustedbyourgovernmenttomychief,whohasdetailedmeontheservice.ItisofsodelicateandsecretanaturethatIcannotmakeconfidencewithmanypeople,andIamlothtotrustanyonebuta gentleman. Besides Miss Drake is a very peculiar girl. She is absolutelyindependent,thoroughlydetermined,andmorethanplucky.Ifsheknewtherewasaplotonfoot,aslikelyasnotshewouldtrytoencourageitoutofmererecklessness; andwould try tocounterplot allbyherself.Herenemiesknowthis, andwill avail themselves of every chance and of every falsemove ofhers;sothatshemighthelptoworkoutherselftheevilintendedforher.This

wecannotpermit;andIamquitesurethatyou,whoareafriendofhers,areatonewithmehere.Now,ifyouwanttoknowexactlyhowyoucanhelpIwilltellyou;andyouwill,Iamsure,pardonmeifIsaytoomuch—ortoolittle.Ifshewere to know that thematter of her protectionwas aGovernment one,nothing on earthwouldmake her yield herself to our views. But if it weresuggestedbya—afriendwhomshe—shevalued,heractionwouldprobablybequitetheopposite.Sheisagirlallheartandsoul.Whensheistakenrightlyyoucanleadherwithathread;butyoucan’tdragherwithgun-ropes.Fromwhat I saw yesterday, I am inclined to think that you might have moreinfluencewithherthananyoneelseIcouldpickout.”I could not say anything to this, either positive or negative, so I remainedsilent.Hewenton:“There isoneother reasonwhy I askyou tohelp,but it is secondary to theotherone,believeme,andoneIonlyusetofortifyabetterone.Iaskyouasanoldfriendtohelpmeinamatterwhich,evenifyouarenotconcernedinit,maybeoftheutmostimportancetomeinmydiplomaticcareer.Thismatterhasbeenplacedinmyhands,anditwouldnotdoformetofail.Thereisnotmuch κυδος to be got out of it if all be well—except with my immediatechiefs; but if I failed it would go far against me. IfMarjory Drake shouldsufferfromthisSpanishplot,shewhohad,sotospeak,firedthetorchofthenationinthewar,itwouldbeformal,officialruintome.Therewouldn’tbeamanfromMainetoCalifornia,fromtheLakestotheGulf,whowouldn’tlookonmeasanimbecile,orworse!”WhilsthewasspeakingIwasthinking,andtryingtomakeupmymindastowhatIshoulddo.Manifestly,Icouldnottellhim of the dawning relations between Marjory and myself. I was not yetprepared to speak of the Pope’s treasure. I could not in honour give awayMarjory’s confidence in me in asking me to cover up her escape, or theimplied promise ofmy acceptance of it. Still, Adams’s confidence requiredsomemeasureoffranknessfromme.Hislastappealtomeasanoldfriendtohelphimasan individual inan importantwork,whichmightmar if itcouldnotmakehim,demandedthatIshouldstretcheverypointIcouldinhisfavour.SoIsaid:“Sam,IshalldoallIhonestlyorhonourablycan.ButImustaskyoutowaitawhileand trustme.Thefact is Iamnotat liberty justatpresent to turnanyway I choose. I am already committed to certain confidences, which weremadebeforeIsawyouorhadanyknowledgeofwhatyoutellme.Moreover,Iam in certainways ignorant inmatters that youwouldnot expect. I shall atoncetakeeverystepIcantobeinapositiontospeaktoyoumorefreely.Iammoredeeplystirred,oldfellow,bywhatyouhavetoldmethanIcansay;andoutof thedepthsofmyheart Iamgrateful toyouandyourGovernmentforyourcareforMissAnita—MissDrake.Imaysaythis,thatuntilto-morrowat

all events, I amunable tohelpyou inanypossibleway.Were I to try todoanything till a certain thing happens, it would hinder rather than help yourpurpose.Sowaitpatientlyanddopleasetrytounderstandme.”Herepliedwithunwontedsarcasm:“Try to understand you! Why man alive I’ve been trying whilst you werespeaking,untilmybrain reels.But I’mblamed if Icanmakeheador tailofwhatyousay.Youseemtobesnarledupinmoreknotsthanaconjuror.Whatthehelldoes itallmean?Youdon’tseemtobeable to turnanywhereordoanything,evenwhenthesafetyorthelifeofsuchagirlasMarjoryDrakeisinquestion.OnmyfaithMr.HunterIhopeIdon’tmakeanymistakeaboutyou!”“Yes,youdo,Sam!”Isaidquietly, for Icouldnotbut feel thathehadgoodcausefordisappointmentorevenanger.“AtthefirstmomentIamfreetodoso,IshalltellyouallIcan;andyoushallthenseethatIamonlydoingwhatyouwouldundersimilarcircumstancesdoyourself.Won’tyou trustme,oldfriend!”Hegazedatmesteadilyforafewseconds,andthenhislooksoftened.“ByGodIwill!”hesaid,asheheldouthishand.“Nowtellme,”Isaid“whatcanIdotokeepintouchwithyou.Imustgobackto Cruden in the morning. It is necessary.” This was in answer to hisquestioning look. “It is the first step inmydoingasyouwish.” Iknew thatMarjorywouldsendtome, ifatall, toCruden.“But tellmehoworwhereIcanwireyouincasewearenotwithinhail.”Foranswerhepulledoutofhispocket a bundle of “priority” telegrams addressed to the United StatesEmbassyinLondon.“Takethemandusethemasmayberequired.IaminconstanttouchwiththeEmbassyandtheywillknowwheretofindme.HowwillIfindyou?”“SendtomecareofPost-office,CrudenBay,”Isaid,“IshallkeepyouadvisedofwhereverImaybe.”Withthatwesaidgoodnight.“Ishallseeyouinthemorning,”hesaidashewentout.

CHAPTERXVIIIFIREWORKSANDJOANOFARC

FORsometimeIdidnotsleep.Thingswerehurryingonsofast;andsomanynew events and facts and dangerswere coming to light, that I hardly knewwheretobegintothink.Ofcourseall thingsconcerningMarjory,principallyhersafety,tookthefirstplace.WhatcouldbethisSpanishplot;whatcouldbeitsmethodor itspurpose?At firstwhenAdamshad toldmeof it, Ihadnotbeenmuchconcerned;itseemedsofaraway,soimprobable,thatIfearIdid

not take itwith sufficientgravity. I hadnot thought at the time that the twonationswereactuallyatwar,andthatalready,bothbeforethewarandduringit,deedsofdesperatetreacheryhadbeendone,thememoryofwhichwerenoteven obliterated by the valour and chivalry which had been shown by thenoblerofAmerica’sfoes.“RememberTheMaine”wasstillawatchwordandwarcry.Thereweremanyscoundrels,suchaschieflycometothesurfaceinwar time,whowould undertake anywork, however deadly, however brutal,howeverdangerous.Suchvillainsmightbeatworkevennow!WithaboundIwas out upon the floor. In that moment of concrete thought of danger toMarjoryIrealisedtothefullthedangerofmyownignoranceofhersituation,andevenof the localitywhere shemightbe.This impotence todoanythingwas simply maddening; when I felt it I could not but understand theannoyanceofAdamsinfeelingameasureofthesameimpotence,withwhatlookedlikemyobstinacyadded.ButthinkhowIwould,IcoulddonothingtillI should seeMarjory or hear from her.With this thought,which, under thecircumstances,wasmorethanharrowing,Iwentbacktobed.IwaswakedbytheknockingofAdamswhoinreplytomy“Come,”slippedinandshutthedoorbehindhim.“Theyaregone!”“Who?”Iaskedmechanically,thoughIwellknew.“MissDrakeandher friend.Theywentaway lastnight, just afteryoucameback from the station.By theway, I thoughtyoudinedwith them?”he saidinterrogatively,andwithadashofsuspicioninhistone.“Iwastodinewiththem;”Ianswered“buttheywerenotthere.”Hemadealongpause.“Idon’tunderstand!”hesaid.IfeltthatasthetimewhichIwastocoverhadpassed,Imightspeak;forallsakesIwantedtoavoidcollisionwithAdamsortheappearanceofdeceivinghim.SoIsaid:“Ican tellyounow,Sam. Iwasasked todine lastnightwithMrs. JackandMiss Anita—Miss Drake.When I came down to the room I found a lettersayingthattheyhadtogoawayandmakingaspecialrequestthatIwoulddinealone,justasthoughtheywerethere.Iwasnottosayawordtoanyoneabouttheirbeingaway.Pleaseunderstand,mydearfellow—andImustaskyoutotakeitthatthisisonlyahintwhichyoumustacceptandnotattempttofollowup—that therearereasonswhyIshouldactonanyrequestofMissDrake’s,blindfold. I toldyou lastnight thatmyhandswere tied; thiswasoneof thecords.To-dayIholdmyselffreetoexplainImaynowalsotellyoumore.LastnightIcoulddonothing.Icouldtakenostepmyself,norcouldIhelpyoutotake one; simply for the reason that I do not know where Miss Drake isstaying.She is Iknowstopping,orwas till lately,somewhereon theeastern

sideofAberdeenCounty;butwheretheplaceisIhavenotthefaintestidea.Iexpecttoknowveryshortly;andthemomentIknowIwilltrytoinformyou,unlessIamforbidden.YouwillknowintimethatIhavespokenexacttruth;thoughyoumayhave foundmywordsormeaninghard tounderstand. IammorethananxioustoputMarjoryonguard.Whenyouleftmelastnight,thewholedeadlyseriousnessofthemattergrewonme,tillIwasasmiserableasamancanbe.”HisfacelightenedasIspoke.“Well,”hesaid“atleastweareoneinthematter;thatissomething.Ifearedyouwere, andwould be, working againstme. Now look here, I have beenthinking thematterover, and Idaresay Ihavecomenearer tounderstandingyour position than you imagine. I don’t want to limit or hamper you inworking inyourownway forMissDrake’sgood; but Imay tell you this. Imean to find her if I can, and inmyownway. I amnot fettered anywhere,exceptbythenecessarysecrecy.OutsideofthisIamfreetoact.IshallkeepyouadvisedatCruden.”BeforeIwasdressedIhadanothervisitor.ThistimeitwasCathcartwho,withconsiderable diffidence and all the shamefaced embarrassment of anEnglishman when doing a kindly action in which he may be taken asintruding,offeredmehisservices.Itriedtosethimateasebytheheartinessofmythanks.Uponwhichheexpandedenoughtosay:“FromsomethingAdamsletdrop—inallconfidencebelieveme—Igatheryouare ormaybe in trouble about some friend. If this shouldbe, and frommyheartI trust itmaynot, Ihopeyouwillbear inmindthatIamafriend,andunattached.Iamprettywellaloneintheworldsofarasfamilyisconcerned,andthereisnoonetointerferewithme.Indeedtherearesomewhowouldbehappy, for testamentary reasons, to attend my funeral. I hope you willrememberthis,oldchap,ifthereisanyfungoing.”Thenhewentaway,easyof carriage and debonair as usual. It was in such wise that this gallantgentlemanmademeaprofferofhislife.ItmovedmemorethanIcantell.IwentdowntoCrudenbythenexttrain,andarrangedwiththepostmastertosend on tome at once bymessenger orwire any telegram thatmight comedirectedasIhadtoldAdams.Towardsduskaletterwasbroughttome.ItwasinMarjory’shand,andonmyaskingatoncehowithadcome,Iwastoldthatitwasbroughtbyamountedmanwhoonhandingitinhadsaid“noanswer”andhadriddenaway.WithhopeandjoyandmisgivingmingledIopenedit.Allthesefeelingswerejustifiedbythefewwordsitcontained:“Meetmeto-morrowatelevenatPircappies.”IpassedthenightwithwhatpatienceIcould,androseearly.AttenI tookalightboatandrowedbymyselffromPortErrollacrossthebay.Ihunground

outside the Skares, ostensibly fishing but keeping watch for any sign ofMarjory;forfromthispointIcouldseetheroadtoWhinnyfoldandthepathbythebeach.AlittlebeforeelevenIsawawomanwheelingabicycledowntheWhinnyfold laneway.Taking inmy lines, I pulled, quietly and avoidinganyappearanceofhurry,forIknewnotwhetheranyonemightseeus,intothetinyharbourbehindthejuttingrock.Marjoryarrivedjustatthesametime,andIrejoicedtoseethatherfaceborenomarkorsignofcare.Asyetnothinghadhappened.Wemetwithaslighthandshake;buttherewasalookinhereyeswhichmademyheartleap.Forthepastthirty-sixhoursmyanxietyforherhadputasideeveryotherfeeling.Ihadnotthoughtofmyself,andthereforenotofmyloveforher;butnowmyselfishinstinctwokeagaininfullforce.Inherpresence, and in the jubilanceofmyownheart, fear in all forms seemedasimpossible to realise as that theburning sun aboveus shouldbeblottedoutwithfallingsnow.Withoneofhermysterioussignsofsilenceshepointedtothe rock thathere stretchesout into the sea, andwhose top is crownedwithlongseagrass.Togetherweclimbedthefaceof thecliff,andbearingacrossthenarrowpromontorypassedoverthetopoftherock.Wefoundacosynesthidden behind it. Here we were absolutely isolated from the world; out ofearshotofeveryone,andoutofsightexceptfrombeyondthestretchofrockysea.Inademurewaysheacknowledgedmysatisfaction.“Isn’titaniceplace.IchoseitoutyesterdaywhenIwashere!”ForaninstantI felt as though she had struck me. Just to think that she had been hereyesterday,whilst Iwaswaiting for her only across the bay, eatingmyheartout.However,therewasnouselookingback.Shewaswithmenow,andwewere alone.Thewhole delight of the thing swept away every other feeling.With a pretty littlemotion of settling herself comfortably, andwhich tomeseemedtopreludealongtalk,shebegan:“Isupposeyouknowalotaboutmenow?”“Howdoyoumean?”“Comenow,don’tprevaricate.IsawSamAdamsinAberdeen,andofcoursehetoldyouallaboutme.”Iinterrupted:“Nohedidn’t.”Theverytoneofmyvoiceenlightenedher.Withasmileshesaid:

“Thensomeoneelsedid.Answermesomequestions.Whatismyname?”“MarjoryAnitaDrake.”“AmIpoor?”“Inthewayofmoney,no.”“Right!WhydidIleaveAmerica?”

“TorunawayfromthefireworksandtheJoanofArcbusiness.”“Rightagain;but that soundsmighty likeSamAdams.Well, that’sall right;nowwemaybegin.Iwanttotellyousomethingwhichyoudon’tknow.”Shepaused.Halfindelightandhalfinfear,forherappearanceofpurposealarmedme,Isetmyselftolisten.

CHAPTERXIXONCHANGINGONE’SNAME

WITHasmileMarjorybegan:“You are satisfied that it was because of the fireworks and Joan of ArcbusinessthatIcameaway?”“Ohyes!”“Andthatthiswasthefinalanddeterminingcause?”“Whycertainly!”“Thenyouarewrong!”Ilookedatherinwonderandinsomesecretconcern.IfIwerewronginthisbelief, thenwhynotinothers?IfAdams’sbeliefandmy acceptance of it were erroneous, what new mystery was there to berevealed? Just at present things had been looking so well for theaccomplishment of my wishes that any disturbance must be unwelcome.Marjory,watchingmefromunderhereyelashes,hadbythistimesummedmeup. The stern look which she always had when her brows were fixed inthought,meltedintoasmilewhichwaspartlyhappy,partlymischievous,andwhollygirlish.“Makeyourmindeasy,Archie”shesaid,andoh!howmyheartleapedwhenshe addressed me by my Christian name for the first time. “There isn’tanythingtogetuneasyabout.I’lltellyouwhatitwasifyouwish.”“CertainlyIwish,ifyoudon’tdisliketellingme.”Soshewenton:“I did notmind the fireworks; that is I didmind them and liked them too.Betweenyouandme, therehas tobea lotof fireworks forone toobject tothem.Peoplemaysaywhattheyplease,butit’sonlythosewhohavenottastedpopularfavourthatsaytheydon’tlikeit.Idon’tknowhowJoanofArcfelt,but I’veaprettycute idea thatshewas likeothergirls. Ifsheenjoyedbeingcheeredandmademuchofaswell as Idid,nowonder that shekeptup thegame as long as she could. What broke me all up was the proposals ofmarriage!It’sallverywellgettingproposedtobypeopleyouknow,andthat

youdon’tdislike.Butwhenyougetawashingbasketfullofproposalseverymorning by the post;when seedy looking scallywags ogle you;when smugyoungmenwith soft hats and no chinswait outside your door to hand youtheirownpoems;andwhengreasycranksstopyourcarriage toproffer theirhearts toyoubeforeyour servants, itbecomes toomuch.Ofcourseyoucanburntheletters,thoughtherearesomeofthemtoogoodandtoohonestnottotreattheirwriterswithrespect.Butthecranksandegotists,andscallywagsandpublicans and sinners, the loafers that float round one like an unwholesomemiasma;thesearetoomanyandtoovarious,andtooawfultocopewith.Ifelttheconvictionsodrivenin tomethat thegirl,oratanyrateherpersonality,counts for so little, but that her money, or her notoriety, or celebrity orwhateveritis,countsforsomuch,thatIcouldn’tbeartomeetstrangersatall.Burglarsandghostsandtigersandsnakesandallkindsofthingsthatdartoutonyouarebadenough;butItellyouthatproposersonthepounceareaholyterror.Why, at last I began to distrust everyone.Therewasn’t an unmarriedman ofmy acquaintance that I didn’t begin to suspect of some design; andthen thefunnypartof itwas that if theydidn’tcomeup to thescratchI feltaggrieved.Itwasawfullyunfairwasn’tit?ButIcouldnothelpit.Iwonderifthere is a sort ofmoral jaundicewhichmakesone see colours allwrong! Ifthereis,Ihadit;andsoIjustcameawaytogetcuredifIcould.“Youcan’timaginethefreedomwhichitwastomenottobemademuchofand run after. Of course there was a disappointing side to it; I’m afraidpeople’sheadsswellveryquick!But,alltold,itwasdelightful.Mrs.Jackhadcomewithme,andIhadcoveredupmytracksathomesothatnoonewouldbeworried.WeranuptoCanada,andatMontrealtookasteamertoLiverpool.We got out, however, at Moville. We had given false names, so that wecouldn’tbetracked.”Hereshestopped;andashylookgrewoverherface.Iwaited,forIthoughtitwouldembarrassherlesstotellthingsinherownwaythan to be asked questions. The shy look grew into a rosy blush, throughwhich came that divine truth which now and again can shine from a girl’seyes.Shesaid inquiteadifferentwayfromanyinwhichshehadspokentomeasyet;withagentleappealinggravity:“ThatwaswhyIletyoukeepthewrongimpressionastomyname.Icouldn’tbearthatyou,whohadbeensogoodtome,should,attheverystartofour—ourfriendship,findmeoutinapieceoffalsity.Andthenwhenwekneweachotherbetter,andafteryouhadtreatedmewithsomuchconfidenceabouttheSecondSightandGormalaandtheTreasure,itmademefeelsoguiltyeverytimeIthoughtofitthatIwasashamedtospeak.”ShestoppedandIventuredtotakeherhand.IsaidinasconsolatoryawayasIcould:“Butmydear, thatwasnotanydeceit—tomeatany rate.You tookanothername to avoid trouble before ever I even saw you; how then could I be

aggrieved.Besides”Iadded,feelingbolderasshedidnotmakeanyefforttodrawawayherhand,“Ishouldbethelastpersonintheworldtoobjecttoyourchangingyourname!”“Why?”sheaskedraisinghereyestominewithaglancewhichshotthroughme.Thiswaspurecoquetry;sheknewjustaswellasIdidwhatImeant.Allthesame,however,Isaid:“Because I toowant you to change it!”Shedid not say aword, but lookeddown.Iwasnowsureofmyground,andwithoutawordIbentoverandkissedher.She did not drawback.Her armswent roundme; and in an instant I had aglimpseofheaven.Presentlysheputmeawaygentlyandsaid:“TherewasanotherreasonwhyIdidnotspeakallthattime.Icantellittoyounow.”“Pardonme”Iinterrupted“butbeforeyoutellme,amItotakeitthat—well,whathasjustbeenbetweenus—isanaffirmativeanswertomyquestion?”Herteethflashedaswellashereyesassheanswered:“Have you any doubt? Was there any imperfection in the answer? If so,perhapswehadbetterreaditas‘no.’”Myanswerwasnotverbal;butitwassatisfactorytome.Thenshewenton:“Icansurelytellyounowatallevents.Haveyoustilldoubts?”“Yes” said I, “many,verymany,hundreds, thousands,millions, all ofwhichareclamouringforinstantsatisfaction!”Shesaidquietlyandverydemurely,atthesametimeraisingthatwarninghandwhichIalreadywellknew,andwhichIcouldnotbutfeelwasapttohaveaninfluenceonmylife,thoughIhadnodoubtbutthatitwouldalwaysbeforgood:“Thenas therearesomany, there isnot theslightestuse trying todealwiththemnow.”

“All right” I said “we shall take them in proper season and dealwith themseriatim.”Shesaidnothing,butshelookedhappy.Ifeltsohappymyselfthattheveryairroundus,andthesunshine,andthesea,seemed full of joyous song. Therewasmusic even in the screaming of themyriadseagullssweepingoverhead,andinthewashoftherisingandfallingwavesatourfeet.IkeptmyeyesonMarjoryasshewentontospeak:“Oh,itisadelighttobeabletotellyounowwhatapleasureitwastometoknowthatyou,whoknewnothingofme,ofmymoney,ormyship,orallthefireworks 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 helpprolonging.EvenhadIhadnoawkwardnessintellingmyname,Ishouldhavekeptitbackifpossible;sothat,tillwehadmadeourinnerfeelingsknowntoeach other, I should have been able to revel in this assurance of personalattraction;”IwassohappythatIfeltIcouldinterrupt:“Thatsoundsanawfullystiltedwayofputtingit,isitnot?”Isaid.“MayItakeitthatwhatyoumeanis,thatthoughyoulovedmealittle—ofcourseafterIhadshownyouthatIlovedyouagreatdeal—youstillwishedtokeepmeonastring;sothatmyignoranceofyourextrinsicqualitiesmightaddaflavourtoyourenjoymentofmypersonaldevotion?”“Youtalk”shesaidwithajoyfulsmile“likeasmallbookwithgiltedges!Andnow,Iknowyouwanttoknowmoreofmysurroundings,wherewearelivingandwhatareourplans.”Herwordsbrought a sortof cold shiver tome. Inmygreathappiness Ihadforgottenforthetimeallanxietyforhersafety.Inarushtheresweptovermeallthematterswhichhadcausedmesuchanguishofmindforthelastdayandahalf.Shesawthechange inme,andwithpoeticfeelingput inpicturesqueformherevidentconcern:“Archie, what troubles you? your face is like a cloud passing over acornfield!”“I amanxious about you” I said. “In theperfectionof happinesswhichyouhavegivenme, I forgot for themoment some things that are troublingme.”With infinite gentleness, and with that sweet tenderness which is thesympatheticfacetoflove,shelaidherhandonmineandsaid:“Tell me what troubles you. I have a right to know now, have I not?” ForanswerIraisedherhandandkissedit;thenholdingitinmineIwenton:“AtthesametimethatIlearnedaboutyou,Iheardofsomeotherthingswhichhavecausedmemuchanxiety.Youwillhelptoputmeatease,won’tyou?”“AnythingyoulikeIshalldo.Iamallyoursnow!”“Thankyou,mydarling,thankyou!”wasallIcouldsay;hersweetsurrenderofherselfoverwhelmedme.“ButIshalltellyoulater;inthemeantimetellmeallaboutyourself,forthatisapartofwhatIwaitfor.”Soshespoke:“We are living, Mrs. Jack and I, in an old Castle some miles back in thecountry fromhere.First Imust tellyou thatMrs. Jack ismyoldnurse.Herhusbandhadbeenaworkmanofmyfather’s inhispioneerdays.WhenDadmadehisownpilehetookcareofJack—JackDempseyhisnamewas,butwenevercalledhimanythingbutJack.HiswifewasMrs.Jackthen,andhasbeensoeversincetome.Whenmotherdied,Mrs.Jack,whohadlostherhusbandalittlewhilebefore,cameto takecareofme.Thenwhenfatherdiedshetook

careofeverything;andhasbeenlikeamothertomeeversince.AsIdaresayyou have noticed, she has never got over the deferentialmanner which sheusedtohaveinherpoorerdays.ButMrs.Jackisarichwomanaswomengo;ifsomeofmyproposershadanideaofhowmuchmoneyshehastheywouldneverletheralonetillshemarriedsomeone.IthinkshegotalittlefrightenedatthewayIwastreated;andtherewasasecretconvictionthatshemightbethenexttosuffer.Ifithadn’tbeenforthat,Idoubtifshewouldever,eventopleaseme,have fallen inwithmymadschemeof runningawayunder falsenames.Whenwe came to Londonwe saw the people atMorgan’s; and thegentlemanwhohadchargeofouraffairsundertooktokeepsilenceastous.Hewasaniceoldman,and I toldhimenoughof thestateofaffairs forhim tounderstand that I had a good reason for lying dark. I thought that Scotlandmightbeagoodplacetohideinforatime;sowelookedaboutamongsttheland agents for a house where we would not be likely to be found. Theyofferedusa lot;butat last theytoldusofonebetweenEllonandPeterhead,waybackfromtheroad.Wefounditinadipbetweenalotofhillswhereyouwould never suspect there was a house at all, especially as it was closelysurroundedwithawood.Itisinrealityanoldcastle,builtabouttwoorthreehundredyearsago.Thepeoplewhoownit—Barnardbyname,areaway,theagenttoldus,andtheplacewastoletyearafteryearbutnoonehasevertakenit.Hedidn’tseemtoknowmuchabouttheownersashehadonlyseentheirsolicitor;buthesaidtheymightcomesometimeandasktovisitthehouse.Itis an interesting old place, but awfully gloomy.There are steel trellis gates,andgreatoakdoorsboundwithsteel,thatrumblelikethunderwhenyoushutthem.Therearevaultedroofs;andwindowsinthethicknessofthewall,whichthough theyarebigenough tosit in,areonlyslitsat theoutside.Oh! it isaperfectdaisyofanoldhouse.Youmustcomeandsee it! Iwill takeyoualloverit;thatis,overallIcan,fortherearesomepartsofitshutoffandlockedup.”“WhenmayIgo?”Iasked.“Well,Ihadthought,”sheanswered,“thatitwouldbeveryniceifyouweretogetyourwheelandrideoverwithmeto-day.”“Countmeineverytime!Bythewaywhatisthenameoftheplace?”“CromCastle.Cromisthenameofthelittlevillage,butitisacoupleofmilesaway.”IpausedawhilethinkingbeforeIspoke.ThenwithmymindmadeupIsaid:“Before we leave here I want to speak of something which, howeverunimportant you may think it, makes me anxious. You will let me at thebeginningbeg,won’tyou,thatyoudonotaskmewhomyinformantis,ornottotellyouanythingexceptwhatIthinkadvisable.”Herfacegrewgraveasshesaid:

“Youfrightenme!ButArchie,dear,Itrustyou.Itrustyou;andyoumayspeakplainly.Ishallunderstand.”

CHAPTERXXCOMRADESHIP

“IWANTyou topromiseme thatyouwillnothideyourselfwhere Icannotfindyou.Ihavegravereasonfortherequest.Also,Iwantyou,ifyouwill,toletsomeothersknowwhereyouare.”Atfirsttherewasinstinctivedefianceinhermouthandnostrils.Thenherbrowswrinkledinthought;thesequencewasanindextocharacterwhichIcouldnotbutnotice.Howeverthewarwasnotlong; reason, whatever was the outcome of its dominance, triumphed overimpulse. I thought I could understand the logical process which led to herspokenconclusion:“Youwanttoreportmeto‘UncleSam’.”“That’saboutit!”Ianswered,andhurriedontogiveherareasonbeforeshemadeuphermindtoobject.“Remember,mydear,thatyournationisatwar;and,thoughyouareatpresentsafeinacountryfriendlytobothbelligerents,thereareevil-mindedpeopleinallcountrieswhowilltakeadvantageofanythingunusual,toworktheirownends.Thatsplendidgiftofyourstothenation,whileithasmadeyouapublicfavouriteandwonforyoumillionsoffriends—andproposals—hasyetmadeforyouahostofenemies. It isnotas ifyouhadgivenahospital-shiporanambulance.Yourgiftbelongstothewarsideandcallsoutactivehatred;andno doubt there are men banded together to do you harm. This cannot beallowed. Your friends, and the nation as a whole, would take any step toprevent such a thing; but they might all be powerless if you were hiddenanywherewheretheycouldnotfindyou.”AsIspoke,Marjorylookedatmekeenly,notwithhostility,butwithgenuineinterest.WhenIhadfinishedshesaidquietly:“Thatisverywell;butnowtellme,dear”—howthewordthrilledme;itwasthe first time shehadused it tome—“didSamAdams fill youupwith thatargument, or is it your own? Don’t think me nasty; but I want to knowsomethingofwhatisgoingon.Believeme,Iamwillingtodoallyouwishifitisyourownwill;andIamgratefulforyourthoughtforme.ButIdon’twantyoutobeameremouthpieceforanypartymovesbythepoliticiansathome.”“Howdoyoumean?”“Mydearboy,Idon’tsupposeyouknowenoughofAmericanpoliticstosee

howacertainlotwouldusetotheirownadvantageanythingthatcameintheirway.Anybodyoranythingwhichthepublictakesaninterestinwouldbe,andis, used by them unscrupulously. Why, if the hangers-on to the war partywanted to make a show, they might enroll my proposers and start a newbattalion.”“But,”Iremonstrated,“youdon’tthinktheGovernmentislikethat?”Inreplyshesmiled:“Idon’taltogetherknowaboutthat.Partiesarepartiesalltheworldover.Butof course theWashington peoplewouldn’t do things that are done by localpoliticians.Andoneotherthing.Don’timagineforamomentthatIthinkSamAdams is anything of the kind.He belongs to the service of the nation andtakeshisordersfromhischief.Howcanhe,oranyonefixedlikehim,knowtheinsandoutsofthings;exceptfromwhathehearsprivatelyfromhome,orgathersfromwhatgoesonaroundhimifheiscute?”Itappearedtomethatallthis was tending to establish an argument against taking the AmericanEmbassyintoconfidence,soIstruckinbeforeitshouldbecomplete.AsIwasnot at liberty to takeMarjory into confidence with regard to my source ofinformation,IhadtotrytogethertoagreetowhatIthoughtrightornecessaryonothergrounds:“Mydearest,canyounotleaveoutpolitics,Americanorotherwise.Whatonearthhavepolitics todowithus?”Sheopenedhereyes inwonder; shewasreasoningbetterthanIwas.Withanairofconvictionshesaid:“Why,everything!Ifanyonewantstodomeharm,itmustbeonthegroundsof politics. I don’t believe there is any one in theworldwho couldwant toinjuremeonprivategrounds.Oh!mydear,Idon’twanttotalkaboutit,noteventoyou;butallmylifeIhavetriedtohelpotherpeopleinaquietway.MyguardianswouldtellyouthatIhaveaskedthemfortoomuchmoneytogivetocharities;andpersonallyIhavetriedtodowhatagirlcaninahelpfulwaytoothers.Ihavebeeninhospitalsandhomesofallkinds;andIhaveclassesofgirlsinmyownhouseandtrytomakethemhappierandbetter.Archie,don’tthinkpoorlyofmeforspeakinglikethis;butIcouldn’tbearthatyoushouldthinkIhadnosenseoftheresponsibilityofgreatwealth.Ihavealwayslookedonitasatrust;andIhope,mydear,thatintimetocomeyouwillhelpmetobeartheburdenandtosharethetrust!”IhadthoughtuptonowthatIcouldn’tlovehermorethanIdid.ButwhenIheardherwords,andrecognisedthehighpurposethatlaybehindthem,andsawthesweetembarrassmentwhichcametoherinspeakingthemtome,IfeltthatIhadbeenmistaken.Shelookedatmelovingly,and,holdingmyhandinbothofhers,wenton:“Whatthencouldhurtmeexceptitcamefromthepoliticalside.Icouldquiteunderstand it ifSpaniardswished toharmme,for IhavedonewhatIcan tohinder them from murdering and torturing other victims. And I could

understandifsomeofourownlow-downpoliticianswouldtrytousemeasastalkinghorse,thoughtheywouldn’tharmme.Iwanttokeepclearofpolitics;andItellyoufranklythatIshallifIcan.”“ButMarjorydear,theremaybe,Ibelievethereare,Spaniardswhowouldtrytoharmyou.IfyouwereinAmericayouwouldbesaferfromthem;forthereat present, whilst the war is on, every stranger is a marked man. Here, onneutralground,foreignersarefree;andtheyarenotwatchedandobservedinthesameway.Ifthereweresuchfiends,andIamtoldthereare,theymightdoyouaharmbeforeanyonecouldknowtheirintentionorhavetimetoforestallthem.”All thenativeindependenceofMarjory’sraceandnaturestoodoutinstrongreliefassheansweredme:“MydearArchie,Icomefromaraceofmenwhohaveheldtheirlivesintheirhands from the cradle to the grave.My father, andmy grandfather, andmygreat grandfatherwere pioneers in Illinois, inKentucky, in theRockies andCalifornia. They knew that there were treacherous foes behind them everyhourof their lives;andyet theywerenotafraid.And Iamnotafraideither.Theirblood is inmyveins,andspeaks loudly tomewhenanysenseof fearcomesnearme.Theirbrains,aswellastheirhands,keptguardontheirlives;andmybrains are like theirs. I do not fear any foe, open or secret. Indeed,whenIthinkofasecretfoeallthekeennessofmypeoplewakesinme,andIwanttofight.Andthissecretworkisawayinwhichawomancanfightinanage like ours. Ifmy enemies plot, I can counter-plot; if theywatchwithoutfalteringtocatchmeoffguard,Icankeepguardunflinchingly.Awomancan’tgooutnow-a-days,exceptatoddtimes,andfightwithweaponslikeJoanofArc,or theMaidofSaragossa;but shecandoher fighting inherownway,levelwithhertime.Idon’tseethatifthereistobedangeraroundme,whyIshouldn’tdoasmyancestorsdid,fightharderthantheirfoes.Here!letmetellyou somethingnow, that I intended to say later.Doyouknowwhat raceofmenIcomefrom?Doesmynametellyounothing?Ifnot,thenthiswill!”She tookfromherneck,whereagain ithadbeenconcealedbya lacecollar,thegoldenjewelwhichIhadrescuedfromthesea.AsItookitinmyhandandexamineditshewenton:“Thatcametomefrommyfather,whogotitfromhis,andhefromhis,onandontillourstoryofit,whichisonlyverbal,forwehavenorecords,islostinthelegendthatitisarelicoftheArmadabroughttoAmericabytwocousinswho had married, both being of the family to which the great Sir FrancisDrake belonged. I didn’t know, till lately, and none of us ever did, whereexactly in the family the last owners of the brooch came in, or how theybecame possessed of such a beautiful jewel. But you have toldme in yourtranslationofDondeEscoban’snarrative.ThatwasthejewelthatBenvenuto

Cellini made in duplicate when he wrought the figurehead for the Pope’sgalley.ThePopegaveittoBernardinodeEscoban,andhegaveittoAdmiralPedrodeValdes. Ihavebeen lookingup thehistoryof the timesince I sawyou,and I found thatAdmiraldeValdeswhenhewas takenprisonerbySirFrancisDrakeatthefightwiththeArmadawaskept,pendinghisransom,inthehouseofRichardDrake,kinsmanofSirFrancis.HowtheDrakefamilygotpossessionofthebroochIdon’tknow;butanyhowIdon’tsupposetheystoleit. Theywere a kindly lot in private, any of them that I ever knew; thoughwhen theywere in a fight they fought like demons. The old Spanish Donsweregenerousandfreewith theirpresents,and I take it thatwhenPedrodeValdesgothisransomhemadethefinestgifthecouldtothosewhohadbeenkindtohim.ThatisthewayIfigureitout.”Whilst she was speaking, thoughts kept crowding in upon me. Here wasindeedthemissinglinkinthechainofMarjory’sconnectionwiththehiddentreasure;andherewasthebeginningoftheendofGormala’sprophecy,forassuch I had come to regard it. The Fateswere atwork upon us.Clothowasspinning the thread which was to enmeshMarjory andmyself and all whowere in the scheme of the old prophecy of theMystery of the Sea and itsworkingout.Oncemorethesenseofimpotencegrewuponme.Wewereallasshuttlecocks,buffetedtoandfrowithoutpowertoalterourcourse.Withthethoughtcamethatmeasureofresignationwhichistheanodynetodespair.InasortoftranceofpassivityIheardMarjory’svoicerunon:“Therefore,mydearArchie,Iwill trust toyoutohelpme.Thecomradeshipwhichhasbeenbetweenus,willneverthroughthisgrowless;thoughneareranddearerandclosertiesmayseemtoovershadowit.”Icouldnotanswersuchreasoning;butItookherinmyarmsandkissedher.Iunderstood,asshedid,thatmykissesmeantacquiescenceinherwishes.AfterawhileIsaidtoher:“OnethingImustdo.IoweitasadutyofhonourtotellmyinformantthatIamunable togiveyouraddress to theAmericanEmbassy,and that I cannotmyselftakeapartinanythingwhichistobedoneexceptbyyourconsent.Butoh!mydear,Ifearweareenteringonadangerouscourse.Weareallstayingdeliberatelyinthedark,whilst thereis lighttobehad;andweshallneedallthe lightwhichwecanget.”Thena thoughtstruckmeandIadded,“Bytheway,IsupposeIamfreetogiveinformationhowIcan,solongasyouarenotcommittedorcompromised?”Shethoughtforquiteafewminutesbeforesheanswered.Icouldseethatshewasweighingupthesituation,andconsideringitfromallpointsofview.Thenshesaid,puttingbothherhandsinmine:“Inthis,asinallways,Archie,IknowthatIcantrustyou.Thereissomuch

more thaneven thisbetweenus, that I should feelmean togive ita thoughthereafter!”

CHAPTERXXITHEOLDFARWESTANDTHENEW

PRESENTLYMarjoryjumpedupandsaid:“NowyoumustgetyourwheelandcomeovertoCrom.Iamburningtoshowit to you!” We crossed the little isthmus and climbed the rocks above theReivieo’Pircappies.AswetoppedthesteeppathIalmostfellbackwiththestartIgave.There sat Gormala MacNiel, fixed and immovable as though she were ofstone. She looked so unconcerned that I began to suspect her. At first sheseemednottonoticeus;butIcouldseethatshewaslookingatusunderhereyelashes. Iwasanxious to findouthow longshehadbeen there, so I said,mentioninghernameinorderthatMarjorymightknowwhoshewas:“Why,Gormala,whathasbecomeofyou?IthoughtyouwereoffagaintotheIslands. We haven’t seen you for a long time.” She replied in her usualuncompromisingway:“Ihaenaedootthatyethochtmefar,ginyedidnaseeme.Aye!Aye!thetimehasbeenlang;butIcouldwait:Icouldwait!”“What were you waiting for?”Marjory’s voice seemed almost as that of abeing from another world. It was so fresh, so true, so independent that itseemedatvariancewithGormalaandherwholeexistence.Asamanbesidetwo women, I felt more as a spectator than as a participant, and my firstgeneralimpressionwasthattheNewWorldwasspeakingtotheOld.Gormalaseemedtomeabsolutelyflabbergasted.Shestared,andlookedinadazedway,at the girl, standing up as she did so with the instinctive habit, ingrainedthroughcenturiesofcustom,ofaninferiortoasuperior.Thenshemovedherhandacrossherforehead,asthoughtoclearherbrain,beforeshereplied:“WhatwasIwaitin’for?I’lltellye,anyewill.Iwaswaitin’forthefulfillmento’theDoom.TheVoiceshaespoken;andwhattheyhaesaid,willbe.Therebethemthatwouldstandinthewayo’Fate,andwouldtrytohinderthecomin’thatmust be.But theywill fail; theywill fail!They can nomore block therivero’timewi’onydeedso’mon,thantheycandamthespatewi’abairn’splaytoy.” Again came Marjory’s searching question, with all the mystery-dispelling freshness of her unfettered youth; and indeed it seemed as if theOld-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 anAmericangirlcanunderstand?”Gormalagazedatherinmanifestwonder.Toher,rearedintheatmosphereoftheOldFarWest,thisproductoftheNewFarWest seemed likeabeingofanotherworld.HadMarjorybeen less sweet inhermannerthanshewas,orlessfairtolookupon,lessdignified,orlessgrave,theoldwomanwouldprobablyhaveshownhostilityatonce.Butitseemedtome impossible that even awitch-womancouldbehostile toMarjory to-day.Shelookedsosweet,andkindandhappy;sobrightandjoyous;somuchlikethe incarnation of ideal girlhood, that criticism was disarmed, and hostilitycouldnotforceawayintothecharmedcircleofthatradiantpresence.Tome,herattitudetowardsGormalawasincomprehensible.SheknewGormala,forIhad told her of who and what the Seer was, and of the prophecies andwarningsthatshehadalreadyuttered;andyetfromhermannersheappearedignorantofall concerningbothherand them.Shewasnotconciliatoryafterthe manner of the young who wish to please the old, or to ingratiatethemselves with them. She was not hostile, as would be one who haddeterminedonopposition.Aboutherorhermannertherewasnothinghard,orfrivolousor contradictory.Andyet itwasapparent tome that shehad somefixed,determinedpurposeofherown;anditbecamebeforelongapparenttome also, that the other woman knew, or at any rate suspected, such anexistence,thoughshecouldneithercomprehendnorlocateit.Gormalaseemedonce,twice,asthoughshewereabouttospeak,buthesitated;at lastwithaneffortshespokeout:“TheVoiceo’ theDoomno sounds inwords such asmortals canhear. It isspokeninsoundsthatareheardoftheinnerear.Whatmatterthewords,whentheearthathearkenscanunderstan’!”“But,”saidMarjory,“couldInotbetoldthewords,oriftherewerenoactualwords, could you not give me in your own words what the sounds utteredseemed to you tomean?”To anyone but a Seer such a requestwould seemreasonableenough;butvisionarieswhohaveareceptivepoweroftheirown,andwholearnbymeanswhosemethodsareunconscioustothem,canhardlyundertake to translate thedim,wide-stretchingpurposeof thepowersof theUnknownintobald,narrow,humanspeech.Gormala’sbrowswrinkledupinthought;thenascowlofdisappointmentsweptoverherface.Inanangrytonesheturnedtomeandsaid:“Whabeyonlassiethatquestionssoblithelythetrutho’theVoicethatiskentbyyean’me?Whydinnayetakherawa’beforeshemocksme,an’inmetheDoom;an’Ispeakoottoher?”Marjoryspokeupforherself.“Pleasedonotthinkitalibertytoaskyou;butIshouldlikesomuchtoknowexactlywhatwassaid.Itissoeasyforpeopletoconfuseideaswhenwordsare

looselyused.Don’tyoufinditso?”IdonotthinkGormalaMacNielhadanyhumouratall;ifshehad,Ihadcertainlyneverseenanytraceofit.Haditbeenthere it would have surely saved her from anger; for there was somethingdelicious in theway inwhichMarjoryputherquestion,as though tooneofher 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 theexistenceofhumour,shemusthavefeltconsciousoftheblank.Shecouldnotunderstandtheotherwoman;andforalittlewhilesoughtrefugeinasilencecomposed of about equal parts of sulk and dignity. But Marjory was notcontent with silence; she pressed home her question in the most polite butmostmatteroffactway, till IcouldseetheWitch-womanmentallywrithe.Ishould have interfered, for I did not want any unpleasant scene in whichMarjorymusthaveapart;butIfeltthatthegirlhadsomepurposefulmeaninginherpersistence.HadGormalahadapause in theattack shewould, I felt,have gone away and bided her time: but in such a pushing of thematter asMarjorybracedherselfto,therecouldbenowithdrawal,unlessunderdefeat.Gormala looked round now and again, as one, man or animal, does whenhunted; but each time she restrainedherself by an effort.At last her temperbegan to rise; her face flushed, and the veins, of passion stood out on herforehead.Hereyesflashed,andwhitemarksbegantocomeandgoabouttheface,especiallyroundthenose.IcouldseefromtheleapoffireinMarjory’seyes that thiswaswhat shewaswaiting for.She loweredhervoice, and thetoneofherspeaking, tillbothmatterandmannerwere icilychill;butall thetimeshepersistedinhermatter-of-factquestioning.

AtlastGormala’stemperbroke,andsheturnedonthegirlinsuchafurythatfor a few seconds I thought shewas going to attack her physically. I stoodreadytoholdheroffifnecessary.AtthefirstmomentthepassioninherwassogreatthatshespokeinGaelic;blind,white-hotfurywillnotallowachoiceoftongues.Thesavageinherwasspeaking,anditspokeinthetongueitknewbest.Ofcourseneitherofuscouldunderstandit,andweonlystoodsmiling.Marjory smiled deliberately as though to exasperate her; I smiled becauseMarjorywas smiling. Presently, through the tumult of her passion,Gormalabegan to realise that we did not understand her; and, with an effort whichshookher,begantospeakinEnglish.WiththeEnglishwhichshehad,cameintention and the restraint which it implies. Her phrases were not commoncurses, but rather a picturesque half prophecy with a basis of hate. Thegravamenofherchargewas thatMarjoryhadscoffedagainst theDoomandFate and theVoices. Tome,who had suffered the knowledge towhich sheappealed, the attack was painful. What was charged was a sort of naturalsacrilege;anditwoundedmeandangeredmetoseeMarjorymadethesubjectofanyattack.Iwasabouttointerfere,whenwithagesture,whichtheWitch-

woman did not see, she warned me to silence. She struck into the furiouswoman’sharanguewithquiet, incisive,culturedvoicewhichmade theotherpause:“Indeedyoudomeawrong; I scoffedatnothing. I shouldnotscoffatyourreligionanymorethanIshouldatmyown.Ionlyaskedyouafewquestionsastofactswhichseemedtotouchafriendofmine.”Thepointofthisspeechwhich,strangetosay,affectedthewomanmostwasregardingherreligion:“Whabeye,yehizzie,thatwaddaurtomisca’methatisaChristianwomanall my days. What be your releegion, that ye try to shame me wi’ mine.”Marjorysaiddeliberately,butwithalltheoutwardappearanceofcourtesy:“ButIdidnotknowthatintheschemeoftheChristianbeliefthereweresuchthingsastheDoomandtheVoiceandFate!”Theoldwomantoweredup;foramomentshewasallSeerandProphet.Herwords thrilled throughme;andIcould see through Marjory also. Though she held herself proudly, her lipsgrewpale:“Thenlearnwhileyemaythattherebelesserpowersaswellasgreaterintheschemeo’God’swarld, ando’Hisworkingo’ thewonders therein.Yemayscoffatmewha’amafterallbutanaudwife;thoughonetowhomareVisionsgiven,andinwhoseearstheVoicehasspoken.Yemayprideyersel’thatyerignoranceismairthantheknowledgeo’ithers.Yemaydootthetruthsthathaebeen garnered oot o’ centuries o’ dour experience, an’ tak’ the cloak o’ yerignoranceasananswertoa’themysteriesthatbe.Butmarkmeweel!thedaywillcome—itisnofaraffthenoo—whenyewillwringyerhonds,andpraywi’allthepoweran’bittergriefo’yersoulforsomelichttoguideyethatyenohaehadyet!”Shepausedandstoodinasortoftrance,stiffeningalloverlikeapointeratmark.Thensheraisedonehandhighoverherhead,sothatthelongarmseemedtoextendhergauntformtoanindefinitelength.Withafar-awaysolemnvoiceshespoke:“Iseeyetoo,thoughnobyyerlanes,inthewildtide-raceamangtherocksinthedarknicht,midleapingwaves.An’lo!o’erthewasteo’foamisafloatin’shrood!”Thenshestopped,andinafewsecondscamebacktoherself.InthemeantimeMarjory,whose lips had grownwhite as death, though she neverlostherproudbearing,gropedblindlyformyhandandheldithard.Sheneverforamomenttookhereyesofftheother.

WhenGormalawasquiteherownwomanagain, she turnedwithoutawordandwalkedaway inhergaunt, statelymanner, feeling Iamsure,aswedid,thatshedidnotgowithoutthehonoursofwar.Marjorycontinuedtowatchheruntilshehadpassedupthetrack,andhaddisappearedbehindthecurveofthehill.

Then, all at once, she seemed to collapse in a faint; and had I not held herhand,andsowasabletodrawherintomyarms,shemusthavefallentotheground.In awonderfully short time she recoveredher senses, and thenwith a greateffortstoodup;thoughshestillhadtosteadyherselfbymyhand.Whenshewasallrightagainshesaidtome:“IsupposeyouwonderwhyIattackedherlikethat.Oh!yes,Ididattackher;Imeant to,” for shesaw thequestion inmyeyes.“Itwasbecauseshewassohostiletoyou.Whatrighthadshetoforceyoutodoanything?Sheisharmfultoyou,Archie.Iknowit!Iknowit!Iknowit!andIdeterminednottoletherhave herway.And besides,”—thiswith a shy loving look atme, “as she ishostiletoyoushemustbetomealso.Iwanttobewithyou,evenintherangeof thehate and the loveof others.That is tobeone; and aswe are to fighttogether Imust share your lot in all!” I took her inmy arms, and for somedivinemoments,ourheartsbeattogether.In thosemomentsmymindwasmade up as to thewishes ofAdams.HowcouldIrefuseinanywaytofightthebattle,asshemightwishitfought,ofagirlwhosoloyallysharedmylot!ThenwearrangedthatIshouldgohomeformybicycle,andmeetMarjoryatthebridgebytheParishChurch.

CHAPTERXXIICROMCASTLE

WHENIrejoinedMarjory,wewentupthehighroadandthenturnedoffbyaby-waywhichtookusroundinnumerableslopesandmounds,socharacteristicofthispartofAberdeen.Theentirecounty,seenfromhighplaces,looksbareand open; but it has its hills and hollows in endless variety. From the crossroadweturnedupanotherandstillanother,tillIlostmybearingsentirely.The part of the country where we now were was a sort of desolation ofcultivation;endlesslowhillscladwithfieldsofwheatandbarleywithneverahouse to be seen, except some far off cottage or the homestead of a lairdperchedonthetopofahill.Atlastweenteredthroughanopengatewaywithbrokenpillars, still bearing the remainsof somearmorial device in statuary.Therewasanavenue,fringedwithtalltreesoneitherside,andbeyondabroadbeltofundergrowth.Theavenuewoundroundandroundinanendlessseriesofcurves.Fromthegatewhereweenteredwasa thick,closewoodnearlyaquarter of amile inwidth. Here the trees stood so close, and their lockingbranchesmade such a screen, that itwasquite gloomywithin.Here too the

roadwasmadeinperpetualcurves,sothatitwasnotpossibletoseefarahead.IndeedIremarkedtoMarjoryaswerodealong:“Nowonderyouchosethisasaplacetohidein;itlooksasifitwasmadeforconcealment.ItisaregularRosamund’sBower!”Whenwehadpassedthroughthewood,wecameoutonagreatpieceoflevelgroundwithawidemoundsometwentyfeethigh,inthemidstofit.Onthiswas built of granite, a crenelated castle. Itwas not very high, but extendedwideinasquare,witha lowarcheddoorwayinfrontofusthroughwhichitmightbepossible todrivewithcare.Thedoorwaywasclosedby twogates;first a massive network of interlocking steel bars of seemingly foreignworkmanship,andsecondlygreatgatesofoak fortifiedwithsteelbandsandmassive bosses of hammered iron. Before going in,Marjory took me rightroundthecastleandIsawthatitwasthesameonallfoursides.Itwasbuiltbythepointsofthecompass;buttherewasnogatewayexceptononeside.Theordinarywayofenteringwasbyamoremoderndooronthesouthside.Frominsidethecastleitwasnotpossibletoseeanywherebeyondthewood.Evenfrom the stone roof,made for defence,whereMarjory tookme, itwasonlypossibletogetaglimpsethroughthetreetopshereandthereofround-toppedhillsyellowwithripeninggrainorcrownedwithgrovesofscantywind-sweptpinetrees.AltogetheritwasasgloomyaplaceasIhadeverseen.Itwascutoff altogether from the outer world; one might remain in it for a life-timeunknown.Inside it was, if possible, more gloomy. Small rooms almost everywhere,exceptthegreathall,andoneroomatthetopfacingthesouthsidewhichlayjustundertheroofandwhichwaslinedwitholdoak.HeretherewerequiteanumberofwindowssuchasMarjoryhaddescribed,allofthem,thoughwideon the inner side,narrowed tomere slitson theouter. In castles andhousesbuilt,likethis,fordefence,itdidnotdotoallowopportunitiestoanattackingforcetosendmissileswithin.

Mrs.JackandMarjoryhadmadethistheirlivingroom,andherewereallthepretty treasures and knick-knacks which they had gathered on their travels.Theoldladywelcomedmewarmly.ThenMarjorytookherasideandtoldhersomethinginwhispers.Icouldguesswhatitwas;butanydoubtsImighthavehadweredispelledwhenshecameoverandkissedmeandsaid:“Indeed, I congratulate youwith all my heart. You have won the best, andsweetest,anddearestgirl thateverdrewbreath. Ihavebeenwithherallmylife;andIhavenotfoundaflawinheryet.AndIamgladthatitisyouwhomshehaschosen.Somehow,IwisheditfromthefirstmomentIsawyou.Thatyoumaybothbehappy,IpraythegoodLordGod!AndIknowyouwill;foryouaretrue,andMarjoryhasaheartofgold.”

“Aheartofgold!”Herwordshadgivenmemore thanpleasure;but the lastphrasepulledmyjoyupshort.Acoldshiverran throughme.Agoldenmanhadbeenapartof theprophecyof theMysteryof theSea; andonlya littlewhileagoGormalahadinhervisionseenMarjorystrugglinginthetide-racewithashroudintheair.I think Marjory felt something of the same kind, for she looked at meanxiouslyandgrewa littlepale.Shesaidnothing,however,and I thought itbettertopassthematterby.AlthoughMarjoryhadheardtheexpressionoftheWitch-woman’svision,andthoughIhadtoldherofmyfirstexperienceoftheoldrhymingprophecy,theformerwasatatimewhenneitherImyselfnorthewhole mystery was of any special importance to her. She might not haverememberedit;Itrustedthatthiswasso.However,wecouldnoteitherofusbe sad for long to-day.Our joywas toofreshtobedimmedbyanythoughtofgloom,exceptmomentarilyasamirrorisbyapassingbreath.

Tea in the old oak room was a delight, with the afternoon sun coming inslantwisethroughthenarrowwindowsandfallinginlinesoflightacrossthefloor.Marjorymade the tea and servedme; and each time I took anythingfromherhandour fingersmet,shenomore thanmyselfavoiding the touch.Then, leaving theold ladyupstairs, she tookme through thevarious rooms;andinherpretty,impulsivewayshetoldmealltheromanceswhichshehadalreadywovenabout them inherbrain.Shecameand sawmeoff;withherkissofgood-byeonmylipsIrodebackthroughthegloomywood,feelingasproudandvaliantasaknightofold.IfoundmywaytoEllonandwentonthetraintoAberdeen,forIfeltitduetoAdams that I shouldseehimatonce. Itwas impossible towriteall Ihad tosay;andbesidesIwantedtoretainhisgoodwill,andtoarrangeforsecuringhisaid,ifhewouldconsenttodosounderouralteredconditions.I found him in his room hard at work. He was writing something which Isupposeheconsideredimportant,forheputitcarefullyawayandlockedhisdespatchboxbeforewebegantotalk.Ofcourseitmighthavebeenonlyhisdiplomatichabit;butheseemedgraveoverit.Ienteredatonceonthematterbetween us, for I thought to get the disagreeable side over first and letconcessionsandalterationsfollow:“Iamsorry,Sam,Ishallnotbeable tohelpyouwith informationregardingMissDrake.”“Why?Haven’tyouheardfromher?”“Itisnotthat;butIamnotfreetodowhatyouwish.”Adamslookedatmeforalongtime.Thenhesaidquietly:

“I see.Youhaveyour orders!Well, I am sorry for it; itmaybringdreadfulharmtoher,andIdaresaytoyoutoo,now.Say,oldchap,isthatdecisionofyoursfinal?ThematterismoregravethanIthoughtwhenIsawyoulast.Wehavehadmoreinformation,andtheyarepressingusfromWashingtontotakeallprecautionswecan.Come,won’tyouhelpme—helpher?”“Ican’t,thewayyousay.SamAdams,youknowIwoulddoanythingIcouldforyou;butinthismatterIampledged.Ihavebeengivenasecret,andImustkeep it honourably at all hazards.But lookhere, I amanxious all the same.Can’tyou trustmea littlebitand tellmewhat to lookfor. Iwon’tgiveyouaway;andImaybeabletocarryoutyourwishesastohelpingtoguardher,thoughIhave todo it inmyownway.”Hesmiled, thoughverybitterlyandironically. I was glad to see the smile anyhow, for we were old and triedfriends and I should not like there to be any break between us. Besides Iwantedhishelp;hisknowledgenow,andhisresourceslateron,ifneedshouldbe.Hewasanofficial,andthematterwasanofficialonethoughhisheartwasinit;itwasnotasifhispersonalfeelingsorhishonourhadbeeninvolved.“Well,”hesaid,“youhaveafinegallanyhow!Yourefusepointblanktogiveme the slightest help, though I ask it on all grounds, official for America,personalas I am incharge, and for the sakeofyourowngirl; and thenyouexpectmetotellyouallIcan.Well,lookhere,I’lltellyouanythingthatwillhelpyouassoonasIknowit, ifyouwillkeepmeadvisedofexactlywhereyouare—so—sothatImaybeabletofindyouifIwish.”ItoldhimheartilythatIwouldkeephimpostedastomymovements.Then,astherewasnothing to remain for, I saidgood-bye—agood-bye, I amglad tosay,givenandtakenwithouroldheartiness.BeforeIwentIsaid:“Sam,youknowhowamessagecanfindmeifthereisanythingyoushouldthinkitwelltotellme.”Towhichhereplied:“Allright,Archie,I’llremember.YouunderstandthatasIshallhavetoworkthis racket alone I must do it in my own way: otherwise we shall havecomplications.ButifthereisanythingIcandoonyourside,Ishalldoitallthe same.Youknowhow to reachme. Ifyou send forme I shall comeanyhourof thedayornight.And say,oldchap, Igoheeled!”hepointed tohispistolpocket.“Letmeadviseyoutodothesamejustatpresent!”ItookhisadviceandboughtinAberdeen,beforereturningtoCruden,twoofthefinestrevolversIcouldget.Oneofthemwasmadeforalady;theotherIalwayscarriedmyselffromthatdayforward.

CHAPTERXXIIISECRETSERVICE

NEXTmorningafterbreakfastIwheeledovertoCrom,bringinginmybicyclebagtherevolverandammunitionforMarjory.Icouldnotbutfeelalarmedforhersafetyas I rode through thewoodwhichsurrounded thehouse. Itwouldneedaregimenttoguardonefromastrayassassin.FormyselfIdidnothaveanyconcern;but theconvictiongrewandgrewonme to thepointofagonythat harm which I should be powerless to prevent might happen here toMarjory.WhenIwasinsidethehousethefeelingwaseasier.Here,theplacewas to all intents and purposes fortified, for nothing short of cannon ordynamitecouldmakeanyimpressiononit.Marjory receivedmypresentverygraciously; I could see from theway thatshe handled theweapon that she had little to learn of its use. I suppose thethought must have crossed her that I might think it strange to find her sofamiliar with a lethal weapon, for she turned to me and said with thatsmoothnessoftonewhichmarkstheendratherthanthebeginningofaspeech:“Dadalwayswishedmetoknowhowtouseagun.Idon’tbelievehewaseverwithoutonehimself, even inhisbed, from the timehewasa smallboy.Heusedtosay‘Itneverdoesanyoneanyharmtobereadytogetthedropfirst,incaseofascrap!’Ihavealittlebeautyinmydressing-casethathegotmadeforme.Iamdoublyarmednow.”

Istayedtolunch,butwentawayimmediatelyafterasIwasanxioustofindifAdams had sent me any message. Before going, I asked Marjory to beespeciallycarefulnottobeoutaloneinthewoodsroundthehouse,forafewdaysatanyrate.Shedemurredatfirst;butfinallyagreed—‘topleaseyou’assheput it—not togooutatall till Ihadcomeagain.I toldher thatasIwascomingtobreakfastthenextmorningifImight,itwasnotaverylongtimeofimprisonment.WhenIaskedfor telegramsat thepost-office,whichwas in thehotel, Iwastold thatagentlemanwaswaitingtoseemein thecoffeeroom.Iwent inatonceandfoundSamAdamsreadinganoldnewspaper.Hestartedupwhenhesawmeandstraightwaybegan:“I hurried over to tell you that we have had further news. Nothing verydefiniteto-day;buttheWashingtonpeoplehopetohavealotofdetailbyto-morrownight.Sobe ready,oldchap!” I thankedhim,buteven in theactofdoingsoitstruckmethathehadtakenadealoftroubletocomeoverwhenhecouldhavesentmeawire.Ididnotsayso,however;doubtsofanactofthiskindcanalwayswait.Samhadteawithme,andthenwesmokedacigaroutsideonthelittleterracebeforethehotel.Thereweresomefishermenandworkmen,asusualsittingon

orleaningagainstthewallacrosstheroad,andthreemenwhowereloungingabout,evidentlytripperswaitingfortheirteatobeserved.Whenwecameoutandhadpassedthem,thelittlegroupwentintothecoffeeroom.Theywere,allthree, keen-looking, alertmen, and I had a passingwonderwhat theyweredoinginCrudenastheyhadnogolfbagswiththem.Samdidnotremainlongbutcaughtthesix-tentrainbacktoAberdeen.I cannot say thatmynightwas an easyone.Whilst I lay awake I imaginednewformsofdangertoMarjory;andwhenIfellasleepIdreamtthem.Iwasup early, and after a sharp ride on my bicycle came to Crom in time forbreakfast.Aswe had a long forenoon,Marjory tookme over the house. Itwas all ofsome interest, as it represented the lifeandneedsof life in the laterdaysofQueen Elizabeth in a part of the country where wars and feuds had to beprepared for. The Castle was arranged for siege, even to the water supply;therewasawellofimmensedepthsituatedinadeepdungeonundertheangleof the castlewhich they called theKeep.They did not, however, ordinarilydepend on this, as there was otherwise an excellent water supply. In thedungeon were chains and manacles and some implements of torture, allcovered with the rust of centuries.We hoped that they had not been used.Marjoryconsoledherselfwiththethought that theyhadbeenplacedthereatthe time of the building as part of the necessary furnishing of a mediævalcastle.Oneroom,thelibrary,wasofgreatinterest.Ithadnotbeenbuiltforthepurpose,fortherewasnoprovisionoflight;butitmusthavebeenadaptedtothisusenotlongaftertheplacewasbuilt.Thewoodworkofcarvedoakwasearlyseventeenthcentury.Ididnothavetimetolookoverthebooks,andtherewas no catalogue; but from the few which I glanced at I could see thatwhoeverhadgatheredthelibrarymusthavebeenascholarandanenthusiast.Inthecourseofoursurveyofthecastle,Marjoryshowedmethepartswhichwerebarredupandtheroomswhichwerelocked.Thatsuchathingshouldbeinahouse inwhich she livedwasanever-ending sourceof curiosity.Therewas a dozen times asmuch room as she could possiblywant; but herewassomethingunknownandforbidden.Shebeingawoman,itbecameaTreeofKnowledgeandaBluebeard’sChamberinone.ShewassoeageraboutitthatIaskedifshecouldnotgetpermissionfromtheagenttogothroughtheshutroomsandplacessoastosatisfyherself.Sherepliedthatshehadalreadydoneso, the very day after she had arrived, and had had an answer that thepermissioncouldnotbegivenwithouttheconsentoftheowner;butthatashewasshortlyexpectedinScotlandherrequestwouldbeforwardedtohimandhis replywhen receivedwould be at once communicated to her.Whilstwewere talking of the subject a telegram to Mrs. Jack came from the agent,sayingthattheownerhadarrivedandwashappytogivepermissionrequired

andthatfurtherhewouldbeobligedifthetenantwouldgraciouslyaccordhimpermissiontogosomedaysoonthroughthehousewhichhehadnotseenformanyyears.Atelegramwasatoncesent inMrs.Jack’sname, thankinghimfor thepermissionand saying that theownerwouldbemostwelcome togothroughthehousewhenhepleased.AsIwasanxioustoheariftherewasanynewsfromAdamsIsaidgood-byeatthe door, and rode back on my bicycle. I had askedMarjory to renew herpromiseofnotgoingoutaloneforanotherday,andshehadacceded;‘onlytopleaseyou,’shesaidthistime.IfoundawirefromAdamssentatsixo’clock:“Importantnews.Comehereatonce.”ImightcatchthetrainifIhurried,sojumpedonmybicycleandgottothestationjustintime.I foundAdamsinhis roomat thePalaceHotel,walkingupanddownlikeacagedpanther.WhenIcame inhe rushedover tomeandsaideagerlyashehandedmeasheetofnotepaper:“Read that; it is a translation of our cipher telegram. I thought you wouldnever come!” I took itwith a sinking heart; any news thatwas so pressingcouldnotbegood,andbadmustaffectMarjorysomehow.IreadthedocumentovertwicebeforeIfullyunderstooditsmeaning.Itranasfollows:“SecretServicebelievethatDrakeplotistokidnapandransom.RealplottersareunderstoodtobegangwhostoleStewart’sbody.AreusingcertainSpanishandotherforeignersascatspaw.HeadsofplotnowinEurope,Spain,England,Holland.Expectmoredetails.Useallprecautions.”“Whatdoyou thinkof that?”saidAdamswhenIhad takenmyeyesoff thepaper.“Ihardlyknowyet.Whatdoyoumakeof it?Youhave thoughtof it longerthanIhave.”“JustwhatIhavethoughtallalong.Thematterisserious,veryserious!Inonewaythatwireissomethingofarelief.Ifthatkidnappinggangarebehindit,itdoesn’t mean political vengeance, but only boodle; so that the fear of anysuddenattackonherlifeisnotsoimminent.Thegangwilltakewhatcaretheycan to keep from killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. But then, thepoliticaldesperadoeswhowouldenteronsuchamatterareahardcrowd; iftheyareinpower,oratanyrateinnumericalforce,theymaynotbeeasytokeep back. Indeed, it is possible that they toomay have their own game toplay,andmaybeusingtheblackmailersfortheirownpurpose.Itellyou,oldman, we are in a very tight place, andmust go to work pretty warily. Thewholethingswingssoeasilytoonesideortheother,thatanyfalsemoveonthepartofanyofusmaygivethepushtothesidewewouldleastcareshould

win.Bytheway,I takeit thatyouareofthesamemindstillregardingMissDrake’swishes.”“Nowandalways!ButasyoucanguessIamanxioustoknowallIcanthatcan help me to guard her.” Somewhat to my astonishment he answeredheartily:“Allright,oldchap,ofcourseIwilltellyou;butIwilldependonyourlettingmeknowofanythingyouarefreetotellwhichmightservemeinmywork.”“Certainly!Isay,”Iadded,“youdon’tmindmynothavingworkedwithyouaboutfindingheraddress.”“Notabit!Ihavetofinditinmyownway;thatisall!”Therewasasortofsatisfaction,ifnotoftriumph,inhistonewhichsetmethinking.“Thenyouknowitalready?”Isaid.“Notyet;butIhopetobeforethenightisover.”“Haveyouaclue?”Helaughed.“Clue?ahundred.Why,man,noneofuswerebornyesterday.There isn’t athingonGod’searththatmayn’tbeacluenowandagainifitisproperlyused.Youareaclueyourselfifitcomestothat.”InaflashIsawitall.AdamshadcometoCrudentopointmeouttohisdetectives.Thesewerethekeen-lookingmenwhowereatCrudenwhenhewas.Ofcoursetheyhadfollowedme,andMarjory’ssecretwasnosecretnow.Isaidnothingforalittlewhile;foratthefirstIwasangrythatAdamsshouldhaveusedmeagainstmywill.Thentwofeelingsstroveformastery;oneofanxietylestmyunconsciousbetrayalofhersecretmighthurtmeinMarjory’seyes,theotherreliefthatnowshewasinameasure protectedby the resources of her great country. Iwas easier inmymindconcerninghersafetywhenI thoughtof thosekeen,alertmen lookingafter her.Then again I thought thatAdamshaddonenothingwhich I couldfind faultwith. I should doubtless have done the samemyself had occasionarisen. Iwas chagrined, however, to think that it had all been so childishlysimple.Ihadnotevencontemplatedsuchacontingency.IfIcouldn’tplotandhidemytracksbetterthanthat,IshouldbebutapoorallyforMarjoryinthestrugglewhichshehadvoluntarilyundertakenagainstherunknownfoes.

Before I left Adams, I told him that I would come back on the to-morrowevening.IwenttobedearlyinthePalacehotel,asIwantedtocatchthefirsttrainbacktoCruden.

CHAPTERXXIVASUBTLEPLAN

ITwasnowaseriousmatterofthoughttomehowIcouldtakeMarjoryintoproperconfidence,withoutspoilingthingsandbetrayingAdams’sconfidence.AsIpondered, theconvictiongrewuponme that Ihadbetterbequite frankwithherandaskheradvice.AccordinglywhenIsawheratCromatnoonIentered on thematter, though I confess with trepidation.When I told her Iwantedtoaskheradviceshewasallattention.IfeltparticularlynervousasIbegan:“Marjory,whenamanisinaholeheoughttoconsulthisbestfriend;oughtn’the?”“Whycertainly!”“Andyouaremybestfriend;areyounot?”“Ihopeso!Ishouldcertainlyliketobe.”“Well,lookhere,dear,IaminsuchatanglethatIcan’tfindawayout,andIwantyoutohelpme.”Shemusthaveguessedatsomethinglikethecauseofmydifficulty,forafaintsmilepassedoverherfaceasshesaid:“Theoldtrouble?SamAdams’sdiplomacy,eh?”“Itisthis.IwanttoknowhowyouthinkIshouldactsoastogiveleastpaintoaverydear friendofmine, andat the same timedoavery imperativeduty.YoumayseeawayoutthatIdon’t.”“Driveondear;I’mlistening.”“Since wemet I have had some very disturbing information from a sourcewhichIamnotatlibertytomention.Icantellyouallaboutthis,thoughyoumustnot askmehow Iknow it.But first there is somethingelse. I believe,thoughIdonotknowforcertain,thatyoursecretisblown;thatthedetectiveshavediscoveredwhereyoulive.”Shesatupatonce.“What!”Iwentonquickly:“AndIamsorrytosaythatifitisdiscoveredithasbeenthroughme;thoughnotbyanyactorindeedbyanyfaultofmine.”Shelaidherhandonmineandsaidreassuringly:“Ifyouareinit,Icanlookatitdifferently.MayIaskhowyoucameintothatgallery?”“Certainly! I am not pledged as to this. It was by the most simple andtransparentofmeans.YouandIwereseentogether.Theydidnotknowwheretolookforyouorfollowyouup,whentheyhadlostthescent;buttheyknewmeandwatchedme.Voila!”“That’s simple enough anyhow!”was her only comment.After awhile sheasked:

“Doyouknowhowfartheyhavegotintheirsearch?”“Idonot; I onlyknow that theyexpected to findwhereyou lived twodaysago.Isupposetheyhavefounditoutbythis.”“Sam Adams is getting too clever. They will be making him President, orAldermanorsomething,ifhedoesn’tlookout.Butdoyouknowyetwhyallthistroubleisbeingtakenaboutme.”“Icantellyou,”Ianswered“butyoumustnottellanyone,foritwouldnotdofor the sake of others if it got about. There is a plan got up by a gang ofblackmailerstokidnapyouforaransom.”Shejumpedupwithexcitementandbegantoclapherhands.“Oh,thatistoodelicious!”shesaid.“Tellmeallyouknowofit.Wemaybeabletoleadthemonabit.Itwillbeanawfullark!”Icouldnotpossiblysharehermirth;thematterwasreallytoograve.Shesawmyfeelinginmyfaceandstopped.She thought for aminuteor twowithherbrowswrinkledand thenshesaid:“Areyoureallyserious,Archie,astoanydangerinthematter?”“Mydear,thereisalwaysdangerinaconspiracyofbasemen.Wehavetofear,forwedon’tknowthepowerornumbersoftheconspiracy.Wehavenoideaoftheirmethodofworking,orwhereorhowwemayexpectattack.Thewholethingisamysterytous.Doubtlessitwillonlycomefromonepoint;butwemustbereadytorepel,allroundthecompass.”“But,lookhere,itisonlydanger.”“Thedangeristoyou;ifitweretome,IthinkIcouldlaughmyself.But,mydarling,rememberthatitisoutofmyloveforyouthatmyfearcomes.Ifyouwerenothingtome,Icould,Isuppose,beariteasilyenough.Youhavetakennewresponsibilitiesonyou,Marjory,sinceyouletamanloveyou.Hisheartisbeforeyoutowalkon;soyouhavetotreadcarefully.”“Icanavoidtreadingonit,can’tI?”shesaidfallingintotheveinofmetaphor.“Surely, if there is anything in theworld that by instinct I couldknow is indanger,itwouldbeyourheart!”“Ah, my dear, it does not stay still. It will keep rolling along with youwherever you go; hopping back and forward and sideways in everyconceivableway.Youmustnowandagaintreadonitforallyourcare;inthedarkorinthelight.”“I had no idea,” she said “that I had taken such a responsibility on myshoulderswhenIsaidIwouldmarryyou.”“Itisnotthemarrying”Isaid“butthelovingthatmakesthetrouble!”

“Isee!”sherepliedandwassilentforawhile.Thensheturnedtomeandsaidverysweetly:“AnyhowArchie,whateverwemaysettleaboutwhatwearetodo,Iamgladyoucametoconsultmeandtotellmefranklyofyourtrouble.Dothisalways,mydear.Itwillbebestforyou,andbestformetoo,tofeelthatyoutrustme.Youhavegivenmeapleasureto-daythatisbeyondwords.”Thenwespokeofotherthings,andweagreedtowaittillthenextdaybeforearranging any fixed plan of action. Before I went away, and whilst thesentimentofpartingwasstillonher,shesaidtome—andIcouldseethatthethoughthadbeeninhermindforsometime:“Archie,youandIaretolivetogetherasmanandwife.Isitnotso?Ithinkwebothwant tobeasnearlyoneasamanandawomancanbe—fleshofeachother’s flesh, and bone of bone, and soul of soul.Don’t you thinkwe shallbecomethisbetterbybeingjoined,ustwo,againstallcomers.Wehaveknowneachotheronlyashorttimeasyet.Whatwehaveseenofeachotherhasbeengoodenoughtomakeusclingtogetherforlife.But,mydear,whathasbeen,hasbeenonlythewishingtocling;theclingingmustbethestrugglethatistofollow.Beonewithmeinthisfight.Itismyfight,Ifeel,begunbeforeIeverknewyou.Whenyourfightcomes,andIcanseeyouhaveitbeforeyouwithregard to that treasure, youwill know that you can count onme. Itmaybeonly a fancy of mine, but the comradeship of pioneers, when the men andwomenhadtofighttogetheragainstacommonfoe,runsinmyblood!Letmefeel,beforeIgivemyselfaltogethertoyourkeeping,oryoutomine,thatthereissomethingofthiscomradeshipbetweenus;itwillmakelovedoublydear!”What could a man in love say to this? It seemed like the very essence ofmarried love, and was doubly dear to me on that account. Pledged by mykissesIcameaway,feelingasifIhadintruthleftmywifebehind.WhenIgotback toCrudenI tookup thematterof the treasurewhilst IwaswaitingfornewsfromAdams.InthestiroftheeventsofthelastfewdaysIhad almost forgotten it. I read the papers over again, as I wished to keepmyselffamiliarwiththefacts;Ialsowentoverthecipher,forIdidnotwishtogetstaleinit.AsIlabouredthroughit,allMarjory’ssweetnesstomeonthatdayoftheridefromBraemarcamebacktome;andasIreadIfoundmyselfunconsciouslydrummingoutthesymbolsonthetablewiththefingersofmyright hand and my left after the fashion ofMarjory’s variant.When I wasthrough,Isatpondering,andallsortsofnewvariantskeptrisingbeforemeinthatkindof linkedsuccessionwhen themindrunsfree inday-dreamingandone ideabringsupanother. Iwasnot altogethereasy, for Iwasnowalwaysexpectingsomeletterortelegramofadisconcertingkind;anxietyhadbecomean habitual factor inmyworking imagination.All sorts of possibilities keptarisingbeforeme,mostlywith reference toMarjory. Iwasglad that already

we understood in common one method of secret communication; and Idetermined thenand there thatwhen Iwentover toCromon thenextday Iwould bring the papers with me, and that Marjory and I would renew ourlesson,andpracticetillwewerequitefamiliarwiththecipher.Justthenamessagewasbroughttomethatagentlemanwishedtoseeme,soIaskedthemaidtobringhimup.IdonotthinkthatIwasaltogethersurprisedtofindthathewasoneofthethreemenwhomIhadseenatCrudenbefore.HehandedmeinsilencealetterwhichIfoundtobefromAdams.Ireaditwithasinkingheart.Inithetoldmethatitwasnowascertainedthattwomembersofthe blackmail gang had come to England. They had been seen to land atDover,butgotoutbetweenthereandLondon;andtheirtracewaslost.Hesaidhewished to adviseme at once, so that Imight be on the alert. HewouldhimselftakehisownstepsasIunderstood.Themessenger,whenhesawIhadreadtheletter,askedmeiftherewasanyanswer.Isaid“onlythanks”andhewent away. It was not till afterwards that I remembered that I might haveaskedthemantotellmesomethingoftheappearanceofthesuspectedmen,sothatImightknowthemifIshouldcomeacrossthem.OnceagainIfellinmyown esteem as a competent detective. In themeantime I could do nothing;Marjory’slastappealtomemadeitimpossibleformetotakestepsagainstherwishes.Shemanifestlywantedthefightwiththekidnapperstogoon;andshewantedme to bewith her in it heart and soul.Although this community ofpurpose was sweet, there grew out of our very isolation a new source ofdanger, a never-ending series of dangers. The complications were growingsuchthatitwouldsoonbedifficulttotakeanystepatallwithanyprospectofutility.MarjorywouldnowbewatchedwithallthepowerandpurposeoftheAmericanSecretService.Thatshewouldbeforelonginfalliblyfinditout,andthat shewould in such case endeavour at all hazards to escape from it,wasapparent.Ifshedidescapefromtheirsecretsurveillance,shewouldbeplayinginto the hands of her enemies; and so might incur new danger. I began toexercisemybrainastohowIcouldbesthelpherwishes.Ifweweretofighttogetherandalone,wewouldatleastmakeasgoodabattleaswecould.I thought, and thought, and thought tillmyheadbegan to spin; and then anideaallatoncesprangintomyview.Itwassosimple,andsomuchinaccordwithmywishes;sodelightful,thatIalmostshoutedoutwithjoy.Ididnotloseaminute,buthurriedachangeofclothesintoabagandcaughtthetrainforAberdeenenrouteforLondon.I did not lose any time.Nextmorning I was in London andwentwithmysolicitor to Doctor’s Commons. There I got a license of the Archbishop ofCanterburyentitlingArchibaldHunterandMarjoryAnitaDraketobemarriedanywhereinEngland—therebeingnosimilarlicenseinScotland.Ireturnedatonce,stoppingatCarlisletomakearrangementswithalocalclergymantobe

readytoperformamarriageserviceateighto’clockofthesecondmorning.

CHAPTERXXVINDUCTIVERATIOCINATION

ITHINKMarjorymusthavesuspectedthatIhadsomethingstrangetosay,foralmostassoonasIcameinthemorningroomIsawthatqueerlittleliftofhereyebrowsandwrinkleinherbrowswhichIwasaccustomedtoseewhenshewasthinking.SheheldouthertwohandstowardsmesothatIcouldseethemwithout Mrs. Jack being able to. She held up her fingers in the followingsuccession:Left index finger, rightmiddle finger, left little finger, right little finger, leftthumb, right fourth finger, right index finger, left thumb, right index finger;thusspelling“wait”inherownvariantofourbiliteralcipher.Itookherhint,andwe talkedcommonplaces.Presently shebroughtmeup to the longoak-linedroomatthetopoftheCastle.Herewewereallalone;fromthewindowseatatthefarendwecouldseethatnoonecameintotheroomunknowntous.Thusweweresureofnotbeingoverhead.Marjorysettledherselfcomfortablyamongstapileofcushions,“Now”shesaid“goonandtellmeallaboutit!”“Aboutwhat?”saidI,fencingalittle.“Thenewsthatyouareburstingtotellme.Holdon!I’llguessatit.Youareelated,thereforeitisnotbad;butbeingnewsandnotbaditmustbegood—fromyourpointofviewatanyrate.Thenyouare jubilant,so theremustbesomethingpersonalinit—youaresufficientlyanegoistforthat.Iamsurethatnothingbusiness-likeorofficial,suchastheheadingoffthekidnappers,wouldhave such apositive effect onyou.Then, it beingpersonal, andyouhavingrathermoreofadominantair thanusualaboutyou—Letmesee—Oh!” shestopped in confusion, and a bright blush swept over her face and neck. Iwaited.Itfrightenedmejustaweebittoseetheunerringaccuracywithwhichshe summed me up; but she was clearing the ground for me rapidly andeffectively.Afterapauseshesaidinasmallvoice:“Archieshowmewhatyouhavegotinyourwaistcoatpocket.”Itwasmyturntoblushabitnow.Itookoutthetinycasewhichheldthegoldringandhandedittoher.Shetookitwithalookofadorablesweetnessandopenedit.Ithinkshesuspectedonlyanengagementring,forwhenshesawitwasoneofplaingold she shut the boxwith a sudden “Oh!” and kept it hidden in her hand,whilstherfacewasasredassunset.Ifeltthatmytimehadcome.“ShallItellyounow?”Iaskedputtingmyarmsroundher.

“Yes! ifyouwish.”Thiswassaid ina lowvoice“But Iamtoosurprised tothink.Whatdoesitallmean?Ithoughtthatthis—thissortofthingcamelater,andaftersometimewasmutuallyfixedfor—for—it!”“Notimelikethepresent,Marjorydear!”Asshewassilent,thoughshelookedatmewistfully,Iwenton:“I havemade aplan and I thinkyouwill approveof it.That is as awhole;evenifyoudislikesomeofthedetails.Whatdoyouthinkofanescapefromtheespionageofboththepoliceandtheotherfellows.Yougothiddenbefore;whynotagain,whenonceyouhaveputthemoffthescent.Ihaveasamatterof factplanneda littlemovementwhichwill at any rate trywhetherwecanescapethewatchfulnessofthesegentlemen.”

“Good!”shesaidwithinterest.“Well,firstofall”Iwenton,gettingnervousasIdrewnearthesubject“Don’tyouthinkthatitwillbewelltopreventanyonetalkingaboutus,hereafter,inanunpleasantway?”“I’mafraidIdon’tquiteunderstand!”“Well,lookhere,Marjory.YouandIaregoingtobemuchthrowntogetherinthesemattersthatseemtobecomingon;ifthereisanyescapingtobedone,therewillbewatchfuleyesonusbeforeit,andgossipingtonguesafterwards;and inquiries and comparing of notes everywhere.We shall have to go offtogether,oftenaloneorunderoddcircumstances.Youcan’tfightamysteryintheopen,youknow;andyoucan’tbywalkingoutboldly,bamboozletraineddetectiveswhohavealreadymarkedyoudown.”“Notmuch; but it doesn’t need any torturing of our brainswith thinking toknowthat.”“Wellthenmysuggestionisthatwebemarriedatonce.Thennoonecaneversayanythinginthewayofscandal;nomatterwhatwedo,orwherewego!”Myboltwassped,andsomehowmycouragebegantooozeaway.Iwaitedtohearwhatshewouldsay.Shewaitedquiteawhileandthensaidquietly:“Don’tbefrightened,Archie,Iamthinkingitover.Imustthink;it isall tooseriousandtoosuddentodecideoninamoment.Iamglad,anyhow,thatyoushow such decision of character, and turn passing circumstances into thedirectioninwhichyouwishthemtowork.Itargueswellforthefuture!”“Nowyouaresatirical!”“Justalittle.Don’tyouthinkthereisanexcuse?”Shewasnotquitesatisfied;andindeedIcouldnotbesurprised.Ihadthoughtofthemattersounceasinglyforthelasttwenty-fourhoursthatIdidnotmissanyoftheargumentsagainstmyself; 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 undulydepressed by a shade of doubt. I was, however, so single-minded in mypurpose—my immediate purpose—that I could endure to argue with herdoubts.Asitwasevidentthatshe,naturallyenough,thoughtthatIwantedhertomarrymeatonceoutoftheardourofmylove,ItriedtomakeherawareaswellasIcouldofmyconsiderationforherwishes.Somehow,IfeltatmybestasIspoke;andIthoughtthatshefeltittoo:“I’mnotselfishinthematter,Marjorydear;atleastIdon’twishtobe.InthisIamthinkingofyoualtogether;andtoproveitletmesaythatallIsuggestistheformalceremonywhichwillmakeusoneinform.Lateron—andthisshallbewhen you choose yourself and only then—we can have a realmarriage,whereandwhenyouwill;withflowersandbridesmaidsandweddingcakeandthewhole fit out.We can be good comrades still, even if we have been tochurch together; and I will promise you faithfully that till your own time Iwon’ttrytomakelovetoyouevenwhenyou’remywife—ofcourseanymorethanIdonow.Surelythat’snottoomuchtoaskinthewayofconsideration.”MydearMarjorygaveinatonce.Itmighthavebeenthatshelikedtheideaofan immediate marriage; for she loved me, and all lovers like the seal ofpossessionfixedupontheirhopes:“Timegoesoncrutches,tilllovehaveallhisrites.”Butbethisasitmay,shewishedatanyratetobelieveinme.Shecametomeandputbothherhandsinmineandsaidwithagentlemodesty,whichwasalltendernessinfact,andallwifelyinpromise:

“Beitasyouwill,Archie!Iamallyoursinheartnow;andIamreadytogothroughtheceremonywhenyouwill.”“Remember,dear”Iprotested“it isonlyonyouraccount,andtotrytomeetyourwishesatanysacrifice,thatIsuggestedtheintervalofcomradeship.AsfarasIamconcernedIwanttogostraighttothealtar—therealaltar—now.”Upwentherwarningfingerasshesaidlovingly:“Iknowallthatdear;andIshallrememberitwhenthetimecomes.Butwhathavewetodotopreparefor—forthewedding.Isittobeinachurchorataregistry. I suppose it doesn’tmatterwhich under the circumstances—and aswearetohavetherealmarriagelater.Whendoyouwishittobe,andwhere?”“To-morrow!”Shestartedslightlyasshemurmured:“Sosoon!Ididnotthinkitcouldbesosoon.”“Thesoonerthebetter”saidI“Ifwearetocarryoutourplans.All’sready;seehere” I handed her the license which she read with glad eyes and a sweetblush.WhenshehadcometotheendofitIsaid:

“Ihave arrangedwith the clergymanofSt.Hilda’sChurch inCarlisle tobeready at eight o’clock to-morrowmorning.” She sat silent awhile and thenaskedme:“AndhowdoyousuggestthatIamtogettherewithoutthedetectivesseeingme?”“That is tobeourexperimentas toescape. Iwouldpropose thatyoushouldslipoutinsomedisguise.YouwillofcoursehavetoarrangewithMrs.Jack,andatleastoneservant,topretendthatyouarestillathome.Whynotletitbeunderstoodthatyouhaveaheadacheandarekeepingyourroom.Yourmealscanbetakentoyouaswouldbedone,andthelifeofthehouseholdseemtogoonjustasusual.”“Andwhatdisguisehadyouthoughtof?”

“Ithoughtthatifyouwentdressedasamanitwouldbebest.”“Ohthatwouldbealark!”shesaid.Thenherfacefell.“ButwhereamItogetaman’sdress?ThereisnottimeifIamtobeinCarlisleto-morrowmorning.”“Beeasyastothat,dear.Aman’sdressisonitswaytoyounowbypost.Itshouldbeherebynow.Iamafraidyouwillhavetotakechanceastoitsfit.Itisofprettythickcloth,however,sothatitwilllookallright.”“Whatsortofdressisit?”“Aservant’s,afootman’s.Ithoughtitwouldprobablyavoidsuspicioneasierthananyother.”“Thatgoes!Ohthisistoothrilling;”shestoppedsuddenlyandsaid:“ButhowaboutMrs.Jack?”“ShewillgoearlythisafternoontoCarlisleandputupatalittlehoteloutoftheway.Ihavegotroomsinoneclosetothestation.AtfirstIfeareditwouldnotbepossibleforhertobewithus;butthenwhenIthoughtitover,Icametotheconclusionthatyoumightnotcaretoletthemattercomeoffatallunlessshewere present.And besides youwouldwant her to bewith you to-nightwhen you are in a strange place.” Again she asked after another pause ofthought:“ButhowamItochangemyclothes?Ican’tbemarriedasafootman;andIcan’tgotoastrangehotelasone,andcomeoutasayounglady.”“Thatisallthoughtout.WhenyouleavehereyouwillfindmewaitingforyouwithabicycleinthewoodontheroadtoEllon.Youwillhavetostartabouthalfpastfive.Noonewillnoticethatyouareusingalady’swheel.YouwillcometoWhinnyfoldwhereyouwillfindaskirtandjacketandcap.Theyarethebest I couldget.We shall ride intoAberdeen asby thatmeanswe shall

minimise the chance of being seen. There we will catch the eight train toCarlislewhereweshallarriveaboutaquartertotwo.Mrs.Jackwillbetherereadyforyouandwillhavethedressyouwillwantto-morrow.”“Oh,poordearwon’tshebeflusteredandmystified!Howluckyitisthatshelikes you, and is satisfiedwith you; otherwise I am afraid shewould neveragree to such precipitancy.But hold on aminute!Won’t it look odd to ouroutsidefriendsonthewatchifafootmangoesoutanddoesn’treturn.”“Youwill return to-morrow late in the evening.Mrs. Jackwill be home bythen; shemust arrange tokeep the servantsbusy in somedistantpartof thehouse, so that you can come in unobserved.Besides, the detectives have todividetheirwatches; thesamemenwillnotbeondutyI take it.Anyhow, ifthey do not consider the outgoing of a footman as sufficiently important tofollowhimuptheywillnottroublemuchabouthisincoming.”ThisallseemedfeasibletoMarjory;sowetalkedthematteroverandarrangeda hundred little details. These things she wrote down for Mrs. Jack’senlightenment,andtoaidhermemorywhenshewouldbealonetocarryouttheplansasarranged.Mrs. Jack was a little hard to convince; but at last she came round. Shepersisted to almost the end of our interview in saying that she could notunderstand the necessity for either the hurry or the mystery. She was onlyconvincedwhenatlastMarjorysaid:“DoyouwantustohavealltheChicagoworryoveragain,dear?YouapproveofmymarryingArchiedoyounot?Well,Ihadsuchasickenerofproposalsandallabout it, that if Ican’tmarry thiswaynow,Iwon’tmarryatall.Mydear,IwanttomarryArchie;youknowweloveeachother.”“Ah,thatIdo,mydears!”

“Wellthenyoumusthelpus;andbearwithalloursecrecyforabit;won’tyoudear?”“ThatIwill,mychild!”shesaidwipingtearsfromthecornersofhereyes.Soitwasallsettled.

CHAPTERXXVIAWHOLEWEDDINGDAY

FORTUNE favoured us admirably in our plans.Mrs. Jack, taking only herdressingbagandafewoddparcels,wentbytheafternoontrainfromEllonto

Aberdeen.Inhearingofthehouseholdsheregrettedthatshehadtogoalone,asMissMarjorywasunabletoleaveherroom.Aboutfiveo’clockIwasinthewood as appointed; and in about half an hour Marjory joined me in herfootman’slivery.Ihadaflannelcoatinmybagwhichweexchangedforthatwhichsheworeandwhichwehidinthewood.Wewerethuslessnoticeable.WereachedWhinnyfoldalittleaftersix,andMarjorywentintothehouseandchangedherdresswhichwasleftready.Shewasnotlong;andweweresoonflyingonourroadtoAberdeen.Wearrivedalittlebeforeeightandcaughtthemail;arrivingatCarlisleattenminutestotwoo’clock.InthehotelwefoundMrs.Jackanxiouslyawaitingus.Intheearlymorningwewereready;andateighto’clockweallwenttogethertoSt.Hilda’sChurch,wheretheclergymanwaswaitingashadbeenarranged.All formalities were gone through andMarjory and I were made one. Shelookedoh!sosweetinherplainwhitefrock;andhermannerwasgentleandsolemn. It all seemed tome like a dream of infinite happiness; fromwhicheveryinstantIfearedIshouldwake,andfindinitssteadsomegrimrealityofpain,orterror,orunutterablecommonplace.

Whenwewentbacktobreakfastatthehotel,wedidnotevengothroughtheformofregardingitasinanywayaweddingfeast.MarjoryandIhadeachourpart toplay, andwedetermined—Icertainlydid—toplay itwell.Mrs. Jackhad been carefully coached by Marjory as to how she should behave; andthoughnowandagainshelookedfromonetotheotherofuswistfully,shedidnotmakeanyremark.After a little shoppingwe got the 12:53 train, arriving atAberdeen at 6:20.Mrs.Jackwastogoonbythe7traintoEllonwherethecarriagewastomeether.MywifeandIgotourbicyclesandrodetoWhinnyfoldbyNewburghandKirktonsoastoavoidobservation.Whenshehadchangedherclothesinourownhouse,westartedforCrom.Inthewoodshechangedhercoatandleftherbicycle.Beforewepartedshegavemeakissandahugthatmademybloodtingle.“Youhavebeengood”shesaid“andthatisformyhusband!”Onceagainsheheldup thatwarning fingerwhich Ihadcome toknowsowell, and slippedaway. She then went on alone to the Castle, whilst I waited in nervousexpectancy of hearing the whistle which she was to blow in case ofemergency.ThenIrodehomelikeamaninadream.I leftmybicycleat thehotel, andafter somesupperwalkedby the sands toWhinnyfold, stopping to linger at each spot which was associated withmywife.Mywife!itwasalmosttoomuchtothinkof;Icouldhardlyrealiseasyetthat itwasall real.As I saton theSandCraigs Ialmost fancied Icouldsee

Marjory’sfigureonceagainonthelonelyrock.Itseemedsolongago,forsomuchhadhappenedsincethen.Andyetitwasbutafewdays,alltold,sincewehadfirstmet.Thingshadgoneinawhirlindeed.Thereseemedtohavebeennopause;noroomforapause.AndnowIwasmarried.Marjorywasmywife;mineforgoodorill,tilldeathdiduspart.Circumstancesseemedtohavedrivenussoclosetogetherthatweseemednotnewlovers,notbrideandgroom,butcompanionsofalifetime.And yet.... There was Marjory in Crom, compassed round by unknowndangers, whilst I, her husband of a few hours, was away in another place,unableeventogazeonherbeautyortohearhervoice.Why,itwasnotlikeaweddingdayor ahoneymoonat all.Otherhusbands insteadofpartingwiththeir wives were able to remain with them, free to come and go as theypleased,andtoloveeachotherunfetteredastheywould.Why....I brought myself up sharp. This was grumbling already, and establishing agrievance. I,whohadmyselfproposed the stateof things toMarjory, tomywife.Shewasmywife;mineagainstall the restof theworld.My lovewaswithher,andmydutywastoher.Myheartandsoulwereinherkeeping,andItrustedhertothefull.Thiswasnotmyweddingdayintheordinarysenseofthewordatall.Thiswasnotmyhoneymoon.Thosethingswouldcomelater,when our joywould be unfettered by circumstances. Surely I had reason torejoice. AlreadyMarjory had calledme her husband, she had kissedme assuch; thesweetnessofherkisswasstill tinglingonmy lips. Ifanythingbutlove and trust could come tome from sitting still and sentimentalising andbrooding,thenthesoonerIstartedintodosomeactiveworkthebetter!...I rose straightway andwent across theheadland tomyhouse, unpacked theboxoftoolswhichhadcomefromAberdeen,andsetaboutmytaskoftryingtomakeanopeningintothecave.

I chose for various reasons the cellar as the spot atwhich tomake the firstattempt.Inthefirstplaceitwasalreadydugdowntoacertaindepth,sothatthelabourwouldbeless;andinthesecond,myworkingcouldbekeptmoresecret.Inclearingthefoundationsofthehousetheworkmenhadgonedowntotherocknearlyallround.JustattheendofWitsennanpointthereseemedtobe a sort of bowl-like hollow, where the thin skin of earth lay deeper thanelsewhere.Itwasherethatthecellarwasdugout,andthelabourofcuttingorblasting the rock saved.With a pick-axe I broke and stripped away a largepatchof theconcrete in thecentreof thecellar,and inashort timehaddugandshovelledawaytheearthandsandwhichlaybetweenthefloorlevelandthe bed rock. I cleared away till the rock was bare some four or five feetsquare,beforeIcommencedtoworkonit.Ilabouredfuriously.WhatIwantedwaswork, activeworkwhichwould tiremymuscles andkeepmy thoughts

fromworkingintochannelsofgloomanddisintegration.Ittookmesometimetogetintothewayofusingthetools.Itisallverywellintheoryforaprisonertogetoutofajailorafortressbytheaidofabitofscrapiron.Letanyonetryitinreallife;underthemostfavourableconditions,and with the best tools available, he will come to the conclusion thatromancing iseasywork. Ihad thevery latestAmericandevices, includingabit-and-brace which one could lean on and work without stooping, anddiamond patent drillswhich could, comparedwith ordinary tools of the oldpattern, eat theirway into rockat an incredible rate.Mygroundwason thegneiss sideof thegeologicaldivision.Had itbeenon thegranite sideof thelinemylabouranditsrapiditymighthavebeendifferent.Iworkedawayhourafterhour,andfatigueseemedtocomeandgo.Iwasnotsleepy,andtherewasafeverisheagernessonmewhichwouldnotletmerest.WhenIpausedtoeasemymusclescrampedwithwork,thoughtcamebacktomeofhowdifferentthisnightmighthavebeen....AndthenIsetfuriouslytoworkagain.AtlastItooknoheedoftheflyinghours;andwasonlyrecalledtotimeby the flickering ofmy lamp,whichwas beginning to go out.When Istoodupfrommytask,IwasannoyedtoseehowlittleIhaddone.Alayerofrockofafewinchesdeephadbeenremoved;andthatwasall.WhenIwentupthestepsafterlockingthecellardoorbehindmeandtakingawaythekey,Isawthegreylightofdawnstealingin throughthewindows.Somewhereinthevillageacockcrew.AsIsteppedoutofthedoortoreturnhome, the east began to quicken with coming day. My wedding night hadpassed.AsIwentbacktoCrudenacrossthesandsmyheartwentoutinlovewithoutalloytomyabsentwife;andthefirstredboltofdawnovertheseasawonlyhopeuponmyface.WhenIgottomyroomItumbledintobed,tiredbeyondmeasure.InaninstantIwasasleep,dreamingofmywifeandallthathadbeen,andallthatwastobe.Marjory had arranged that she andMrs. Jackwere for the comingweek atleast, tocomeovertoCrudeneveryday,andlunchat thehotel;formywifehad set her heart on learning to swim. I was to be her teacher, and I wasenthusiasticaboutthescheme.Shewasanaptpupil;andshewasstrongandgraceful, and already skilled in several other physical accomplishments, webothfounditeasywork.Thetrainingwhichshehadalreadyhad,madeanewaccomplishmenteasy.Beforetheweekwasovershewasabletogetalongsowell,thatonlypracticewasneededtomakeheragoodswimmer.Allthistimewemetinpublicasfriends,butnomore;wewerescrupulouslycarefulthatnooneshouldnoticeevenanintimacybetweenus.Whenwewerealone,whichwasseldomandneverforlong,weweregoodcomradesasbefore;andIdid

notventuretomakeloveinanyway.Atfirstitwashardtorefrain,forIwaswildly in lovewithmywife;but I controlledmyself inaccordancewithmypromise.IsoonbegantohaveadawningfeelingthatthisveryobediencewasmybestmeanstotheendIwishedfor.Marjorygrewtohavesuchconfidenceinme that she could bemore demonstrative than before, and I got a largershareofaffectionthanIexpected.BesidesIcouldseewithajoyunspeakablethat her love formewas growing day by day; the tentative comradeship—withoutprejudice—waswearingthin!All this week, whilst Marjory was not near, I worked in the cellar atWhinnyfold.AsIbecamemoreexpertwiththetools,Imadegreaterprogress,and the hole in the rock was becoming of some importance. One day oncomingoutafteraspellofafternoonwork,IfoundGormalaseatedonastoneagainstthecornerofthehouse.Shelookedatmefixedlyandsaid:“Beyonagrave that ye thole?”Thequestion staggeredme. I didnot knowthatanyonesuspectedthatIwasworkinginthehouse,oreventhatIvisiteditsooftenas Idid.Besides, itdidnotsuitmypurpose thatanyoneshouldbeaware, under any circumstances, that I was digging a hole. I thought for amomentbeforeansweringher:“Whatdoyoumean?”“Eh!butI’mthinkin’yekenweeleneuch.I’mnotobedeceivedi’thesoond.I’veheardowermonyatimethechipo’thepick,nottokenitthoughtherebewallsatween.Iwonderedwhyyecamebyyerlanestothisdrearyhoosewhenyesentyonbonnielassiebacktoherhame.Ayesheisbonniethoughherpridebecrueltotheaud.Ah,weel!TheFatesareworkin’totheirend,whatsoe’eritmaybe.Imaunwatch,sothatImaybenighwhentheendcometh!”There was no use arguing with her; and besides anything that I could saywould only increase her suspicion. Suspicion abroad aboutmy present taskwasthelastthingIwishedfor.Shewas round about the headland the nextmorning, and the next, and thenext. During the day I never saw her; but at night shewas generally to befoundonthecliffabovetheReivieo’Pircappies.Iwasgladofonething;shedidnotseemtosuspectthatIwasworkingallthetime.OnceIaskedherwhatshewaswaitingfor;sheansweredwithoutlookingatme:“Inthedarkwillbeastruggleinthetide-race,andashroodfloatin’intheair!Whennextdeathan’themoonan’thetidebeinane,theseein’o’theMysteryo’theSeamaybemine!”Itmademecoldtohearher.ThisiswhatsheforetoldofMarjory;andshewaswaitingtoseeherprophecycometopass.

CHAPTERXXVIIENTRANCETOTHECAVERN

ONEnight,whenIhadgotdownaconsiderabledepthintotherock,ItookthepicktoloosenoutsomestonewhichIhaddrilled.AsIstruck,thesoundoftherockwashollowerthanIhadbeforenoticed.Myheartleapedintomymouth,andIhadtopause.ThenIstruckagainharder,andthesoundwasmorehollowstill.WhetherornoitwastheplaceIwaslookingfor,therewassomecaveintherockbelowme.Iwouldhavegoneonworkingstraightwayhadtherebeenanyonewithme;butbeingaloneIhadtobecareful.Iwasnowstandingon,evidently, only a layer of rock, over an opening of whose depth I was inignorance.Shouldthispieceofstonebreakaway,aswasquitepossiblefrommyworkingonit,Imightbeprecipitatedintoalivingtomb.TheverysecrecyinwhichIhadkeptmywork,mighttendtoinsuremydeath.ThereforeImadeallpreparationforsuchacasualty.HenceforthIworkedwithroundmywaistashortropetheotherendofwhichwasfastenedtoaheavystapleinthewall.Eveniftherockshouldgivewayunderneathme,afootortwowouldlimitmyfall.This precaution taken, Iworkedmore furiously than ever.With a largehammerIstrucktherockatthebottomoftheshaft,againandagain,withallmymight.ThenIheardadullsoundofsomethingrattlingbelowme;thetopofthecavewasfallingin.Iredoubledmyefforts;andallatonceawholemassofrocksunkbeneathmyhammeranddisappearedintoablackchasmwhichsent up a whiff of cold air. I had seized my rope to scramble out, fearingasphyxiation;butwhenIsmelledsaltwaterIdidnotfear.ThenIknewthatIhadgotanopeningintoaseacaveofsomesort.IstucktomyworktillIhadhammeredanirregularholesomethreefeetsquare.ThenIcameuptorestandthink.Iloweredaropewithastoneattheend,andfoundthatthedepthwassome thirty feet. The stone had gone intowater before it touched bottom. Icould hear the “plop” as it struck the surface. As I thought it better not todescendbymyself, lest there shouldbe anydangerof returning, I spent therestofmystayforthateveninginriggingupapulleyintheroofovertheholeso that Imight be lowered downwhen the time should come. Then Iwenthome,forIfearedlestthefascinatingtemptationtomakethedescentatoncewouldovercomeme.AfterbreakfastIrodeovertoCrom,andwhenIwasalonewithMarjorytoldherofmydiscovery.Shewaswildwithexcitement,andIrejoicedtofindthatthis new pleasure drew us even closer together.We agreed that she shouldcometohelpme;itwouldnotdototakeanyoneelseintoourconfidence,andshewouldnothearofmygoingdowninto thecavealone.Inorder toavoidcommentwe thought itbetter that she shouldcome late in theevening.Thecave being dark, it was of course immaterial whether day or night was

appointed for theexperiment.Then itwas, I couldnothelp it, that I said toher:“Youseenowthewisdomofourbeingmarried.Wecangowherewelike;andifweshouldbefoundoutnoonecansayaword!”Shesaidnothing;therewasnothingtosay.Wedecidedthatshehadbetterslipout,asshehaddonebefore,in the footman’s dress. I went off and made preparation for her coming,bringinginfoodforsupperandplentyofcandlesandmatchesandlampsandrope;forwedidnotknowhowlongtheexplorationmighttake.Alittlebeforenineo’clockImetherasbeforeinthewood.Shechangedherliverycoatfortheflannelone,andwerodeofftoWhinnyfold.Wegotintothehousewithoutbeingnoticed.WhenItookherdowntothecellarandturnedintotheholethereflectorofthestronglamp,sheheldontomewithalittleshiver.Theopeningdidcertainlylookgrimandawesome.Theblackrockwasslimywithseamoisture,andtheraysofthelightwerelostfarbelowinthegloom.Itoldherwhatshewouldhavetodoinloweringmedown,andexplainedtherudemechanismwhichIhadconstructed.Shewas,Icouldsee,alittlenervouswiththeresponsibility;and was anxious to know any detail so thoroughly that no accident ofignorancecouldoccur.WhentheropewasroundmeandIwasreadytodescend,shekissedmemorefondlythanshehadeverdoneyet,andheldontomeasthoughlothtopart.AsIsankintotheopening,holdingthegasolinebicyclelampwhichIhadelectedtotakewithme,Isawherprettyforeheadwrinkledupinanxietyasshegaveallhermindtothepayingoutoftherope.EventhenIwasdelightedwiththeeaseandpoiseofherbeautiful figure, fullyshown in theman’sdresswhichshehadnotchanged,asitwassosuitablefortheworkshehadtodo.WhenIhadbeenloweredsometwentyfeet,Iturnedmylanterndownandsawthroughthesheenofwaterabottomofrockwithhereandthereaclusterofloosestones;onebigslabwhichstuckupendwise,wasevidentlythatwhichhadfallenfromtheroofundermyhammer.Itwasmanifestthattherewas,inthispartofthecaveatanyrate,notsufficientwatertomakeitamatterofanyconcern.IcalledtoMarjorytolowerslowly,andafewsecondslaterIstoodinthecave,withthewaterjustabovemyknees.Imovedthenew-fallenslabtoone side lest itmight injure any onewhowas descending. Then I took thestrong rope fromme, and knotted roundmywaist the end of the thin ropewhichIhadbroughtforthepurpose.Thisformedaclue,incasesuchshouldbe necessary, and established a communication with Marjory which wouldtendtoallayheranxiety.Withthecordrunningthroughherfingers,shewouldknow I was all right. I went cautiously through the cave, feeling my waycarefullywith the long stickwhich I had broughtwithme.When I had gotsomedistanceIheardMarjory’svoiceechoingthroughthecave:

“Take care there are no octopuses!” She had been thinking of all sorts ofpossibledangers.Formyownpart the ideaof anoctopus in the cavenevercrossedmymind. Itwas a disconcerting addition tomy anxieties; but therewasnothingtodo.Iwasnotgoingtoabandonmyprojectforthisfear;andsoIwenton.Further inland the cave shelveddownonone side, following the lineof therocksothatIpassedthroughanangularspacewhich,thoughwideinreality,seemednarrowbycomparisonwiththewideandloftychamberintowhichIhaddescended.Alittlebeyondthisagain,therockdipped,sothatonlyalowtunnel,somefourfeethigh,roseabovethewater.Iwenton,carefullyfeelingmyway,andfoundthatthecaveendedinapointornarrowcrevice.AllthistimeIhadbeenthinkingthattheappearanceoftheplacedidnotquitetally with the description in de Escoban’s narrative. No mention had beenmadeofanysuchdifficulties;asthefewmenhadcarriedinwhatmusthavebeenofconsiderablebulkandweighttherewouldhavebeengreatdifficultiesforthem.SoIretracedmysteps,intendingtoseeiftherewasanyotherbranchnearertothesea.IkeptthelinetautsothatMarjorymightnotbealarmed.IthinkIwasasglad as shewaswhen I saw the light through theopening, and theblackcircleofherheadasshelookeddowneagerly.Whenunderneath,Itoldherofmyadventure,and then turnedseawards to follow thecavedown.The floorherewasmoreeven,asthoughithadbeenwornsmoothbyseawashandtheendlessrollingofpebbles.Thewaterdeepenedonlyafewinchesinall.AsIwent, I threw the rays of my lamp around, anxiously looking for someopening.ThewholedistancefromtheplacewhereIhadmadetheentrytotheface of the cliff was not very great; but distance in the open seems verydifferent from that within an unknown cavern. Presently I came to a placewhere the floor of the cavewas strewnwith stones,whichgrewbigger andmoreasIwenton;tillatlastIwasclimbinguparisingpileofrocks.Itwasslipperywork, for there seemed somekindofoozeor slimeover the stoneswhichmadeprogressdifficult.WhenIhadclimbedupabouthalfwaytowardstheroof,Inoticedthatonmyleftsidetheslopebegantofallaway.Imovedover and raising my lamp saw to my inexpressible joy that there was anopening in therock.GettingcloseI found that though itwasnearlyblockedwith stones therewas still a space largeenough tocreep through.Alsowithpleasure I saw that the stones here were small. With a very slight effort Idislodged some of them and sent them rolling down, thus clearing theway.TheclatterofthestonesevidentlyalarmedMarjoryforIheardhercallingtome. I hurried back under the opening—theway seemed easy enough now Iknewit—andtoldherofmyfreshdiscovery.ThenIwentbackagainandclimbeddowntheslopeoffallenstones;thiswas

evidentlythedebrisoftheexplosionwhichhadchokedthemouthofthecave.Thenewpassagetrendedawayalittletotheright,makingasharpanglewiththecaveIhadleft.Thenafterdeflectingtotheleftitwentonalmoststraightforaconsiderabledistance,thuslying,asImadeitout,almostparalleltothefirst cave. I had very little anxiety as to the safety of the way. The floorseemedmorelevelthaneventhatoftheentrancetothefirstcave.Therewasacoupleof feet ofwater in thedeepest part, but notmore; itwouldnot havebeendifficult tocarrythetreasurehere.About twohundredfeet in, thecaveforked,onearmbendingslightly to the leftandtheother to theright. I triedthe formerwayandcame to a sheerdip in the rock suchas I hadmetwithbefore.AccordinglyIcamebackandtriedthesecond.WhenIhadgoneonalittleway,Ifoundmylinerunningout;soIwentbackandaskedMarjorytothrowmedowntheend.Iwassosureof theroadnowthatIdidnotneedaclue.At first shedemurred,but I convincedher; taking the rope I fixedoneendofitwithinthecavebeforeitbranched.ThenIstartedafreshonmyway,carryingthecoilofropewithme.Thisbranchof the cavewentoncrookedlywithoccasionally strangeanglesandsharpcurves.Hereandthere,ononesideortheotherandsometimesonboth, the rock walls bellied out, making queer chambers or recesses, ornarrowing the cave to an aperture only a few feet wide. The roof too wasraisedorfellinplaces,sothatIhadnowandagaintobendmyheadandevento stoop;whilst at other times I stoodunder a sort of highdome. In such azigzagcourseIlostmybearingssomewhat;butIhadanideathatthegeneraltendencywasinlandtotheright.Strangetosay,thefloorofthecaveremainednearlylevel.Hereagain,agesoftideandrollingpebbleshaddonetheirworkeffectively.MycordranoutagainandIhadtolosethefarendandbringiton,fixingitafresh,asIdidnotliketoproceedwithoutkeepingacluebehindme.Somewhat further on, the cave dipped and narrowed so that I had to bendnearly double to pass,my face being just above thewater as Iwent. ItwaswithdifficultythatIkeptthelampfromtouchingthewaterbeloworknockingagainst the rock above. I was much chagrined to find this change in thestructure of the cave, for since I had entered on this branch of it I hadcompletelymadeupmymindthatIwasontherightroadandthatonlyashorttimeandalittledistancelaybetweenmeandthetreasure.Howevertherewasnothingtodobuttogoon.Afewfeetmoreandtheroofbegantorise;atfirstinaverygentleslope,butthen suddenly. Stretching my cramped back and raising my head, I lookedaround.Iraisedmylamphigh,turningitsothatitsraysmightletmetakeinawidecircle.Istoodatthesideofalarge,loftycave,quaintofoutline,withhereandtheresmoothwalls fromwhich greatmasses of red rock projected ominously. So

threateningdidtheseoverhangingmasseslook,thatforafewsecondsIfearedtostirlestsomeofthemshouldtoppleoveronme.Then,whenmyeyeshadbecomeaccustomedtothegreaterglare,Isawthattheyweresimplymassesoftheruggedrockitself.Thewholecave,sofarasIcouldsee,wasredgranite,formed of the great rock flung upward in the pristine upheaval which hadplacedtheSkaresinthesea.

CHAPTERXXVIIIVOICESINTHEDARK

ILOOKEDround thecavewithmingledfeelings.Theplace itselfwas,asanaturalwonder,superb;buttomeasatreasurehunteritwasadisappointment.InnowaydiditanswerthedescriptionofDondeEscoban.HoweverIdidnotdespair;thereweremanyopenings,andsomeoneofthemmightbringmetotherequiredspot.Ipassedtothecentreofthecavernandlookedround.AsIdid so, I got amomentary fright, for several of the openingswere somuchalikethatonlyformyropeIwouldnothavebeenabletodistinguishthatbywhichIhadcomein.Thelessonofthisshockshouldnotbelost;ImustmakeamarkbywhichIcoulddistinguishthisentrancefromtheothers.Nomatterwheretheotheropeningsmightleadto,thisalone,sofarasIcouldtell,wastheonewhichcouldleadmetosafety.WithaheavypebbleIhammeredawayattherightsideoftheentrancetillIhadchippedoffapieceofrock.Icouldtell this place again by sight or by touch. Then I went round the caveexamining the various branches. It was here that I began to feel thedisadvantageofmyimperfectlight.Iwantedsomekindoftorchwhichwouldgivesufficientlighttoseethewholeplaceatonce.Onecouldgetnofitideaofproportion by merely making the little patch of dim light from the bicyclelamp travel along the rockywalls. I felt that all this timeMarjorymust beanxiousaboutme,doublysosinceshehadnocluetowhereIhadgone.SoIdeterminedtocomebackatonce,andpostponethethoroughexaminationoftheplaceuntilIshouldhaveproperappliances.AccordinglyImademywaybacktotheplacewhereMarjoryanxiouslyawaitedme.Herreceptionofmewassweetandtender.Itwassonaturalthatitsforcewashardlymanifest. Itmayhavebeen thatmymindwas so fullofmany thingsthatIdidnotreceivehercaresswiththesamesinglenessofdevotionaswasmywont.NowthatIwasassuredofherloveforme,andsinceIhadcalledhermywife,mylovelostitselementofanxiety.Itisthissecuritywhichmarksthedifference of a husband’s love from that of a lover; doubt is an element ofpassion, but not of true conjugal love. It was only afterwards, when I wasalone, andMarjory’s enchanting presencewas notwithme, that I began to

realisethroughthelensesofmemoryandimaginationthefullsweetnessofmywife’s greeting in her joy at the assurance ofmy safety. It took a very fewmoments to tell her all the details of my adventure, and of the conclusionwhichIhadcometoastotheneedforpostponement.Shethoroughlyagreedwithmeinthenecessity;andwethenandtheresettledthatitwouldbewiserfor her to go back to Crom to-night. We were to settle later, when allpreparationshadbeenmade,whenweshouldagainattempttheinvestigationofthecave.WhenIhadputondryclothes,wesetoutforCrom.WewalkedourbicyclespastWhinnyfold,andweregratefulfortheuniquepeculiarityofthatvillage,anabsenceofdogs.Wedidnot lightour lamps tillwegoton thePeterheadroad; and we put them out when we got into the mesh of crossroads nearCrom.InthewoodMarjoryoncemoreresumedherfootman’scoat,andwesetoutforthecastle.Onourwaywehadagreedthatitwouldbebesttotrytheothersideofthecastlewhereitwasnotlikelythatanystrangerwouldattempttoapproach,astherewasonlythemossyfoottrackthroughthewoodbytheoldchapel.InthelaterdaysbothMarjoryandIhadusedouropportunitiesoffinding new paths through the wood round the castle; and we had alreadymarkeddown several trackswhichwecould followeven in thedarkwith alittlecare.Thiswasalmostanecessity,aswehadnoticedoflatetracesofthewatchers round the main gateway through which all in the castle wereaccustomedtocomeandgo.Thepathwhichwetookto-nightrequiredalongdetourofthewood,asitlayrightontheothersidefromtheentrancegate.Itwasonlyanarrowgrasspath,beginning between two big trees which stood closely together not very farfromoneoftheflankingmoundsorhillockswhichherecamecloserdowntothecastle thananyof theothers.Thepathwound inandoutamong the treetrunks,tillfinallyitdebouchedatthebackoftheoldchapelwhichstoodonarisingrock,hiddeninthewood,somethreehundredfeetfromthewestsideofthecastle.Itwasaveryoldchapel,partlyinruinsandantedatingthecastlebysomanycenturies that itwasmanifestlyarelicof theoldercastleonwhosesiteCromwasbuilt. Itmayhavebeenusedforserviceearlyinthesixteenthcentury;butitcouldnotevenhavebeeninrepair,orevenweather-proof,fortherewerebreachesat theendofit inwhichhadtakenrootseedlingswhichwerenowforesttrees.Therewasoneoldoakwhosegirthandwhosegnarledappearancecouldnothavebeenachievedwithintwocenturies.Notmerelytherootsbuttheverytrunkandbrancheshadpushedasidethegreatstoneswhichlay firmlyandmassivelyacross the long lowwindowspeculiar to theplace.Thesewindowsweremere longitudinal slits in thewall, a sort of organisedintersticesbetweengreatmassesofstone.Eachofthethreeoneithersideofthe chapel was about two feet high and some six feet in length; one stonesupport,irregularlyplaced,brokethelengthofeach.Therewassomekindof

superstition amongst the servants regarding this place.None of themwouldunderanycircumstancesgonear itatnight;andnoteven indaytime if theycoulddecentlyexcusethemselves.Infrontofthechapelthewaywasverymuchwider.Originallytherehadbeenaclearspaceleadingthroughthewood:butcenturiesofneglecthaddonetheirwork.Fromfallenpine-cone,andbeech-mast,andacorn,hereandthereatreehad grown which now made of the original broad alleyway a number oftortuouspathsbetween the towering trunks.Oneof the reasonswhywehaddeterminedtousethispathwasthatitwasnoiseless.Grassandmossandrustyheapsofpineneedlesbetrayednofootfall;withcareonecouldcomeandgounheard. If once she could get through thewood unnoticed,Marjorymightsteal up to the doorway in the shadow of the castle and let herself in,unobserved.Wewent hand in hand slowly and cautiously, hardly daring to breathe; andafteratimethatseemedendlesscameoutatthebackofthechapel.Thenwestole quietly along by the southern wall. As we passed the first window,Marjorywhowas aheadofme stopped andgrippedmyhand so hard that Iknew theremustbe somegoodcause forher agitation.Shepressedback sothatweboth stoodaway from thewindowopeningwhichwecould just seedimly outlined on the granite wall, the black vacancy showing against thelichen-coveredstone.Puttingherlipsclosetomyearshewhispered:“Therearepeoplethere.Iheardthemtalking!”Mybloodbegantoruncold.InaninstantallthedangerinwhichMarjorystoodrushedbackuponme.Oflatewehadbeenimmunefromtrouble,sothatdangerwhichwedidnotknowofseemedtostandfaroff;butnowtheplaceandthehour,theveryreputationofthe old chapel, all sent back in a flood the fearful imaginings which hadassailedmesincefirst Ihadknownof theplotagainstMarjory. Instinctivelymyfirstactwastodrawmywifeclosetomeandholdhertight.Eveninthatmomentitwasajoytometofeelthatsheletherselfcomewillingly.Forafewmomentswestoodsilent,withourheartsbeatingtogether;thenshewhisperedtomeagain:“We must listen. We may perhaps find out who they are, and what theyintend.”Accordinglywedrewagainclosetotheopening,Marjorystandingundertheaperture, and I beside it as I found I could hear better in this position. Thestoopingmade the coursing ofmy own blood sound inmy ears. The voicewhichwefirstheardwasastrongone,forevenwhentonedtoawhisperitwasresonantaswellasharshandraucous:“Thenit’ssettledwewaittillwegetwordfromWhiskeyTommy.Howlongisitlikelytobe?”Theansweringvoice,alsoawhisper,wassmoothandoily,but

penetrating:“Can’tsay.HehastosquaretheDutchy:andtheytakealotofsugar,hiskind.They’re mighty pious when they’re right end up; but Lordy! when they’redownthey’reholyterrors.Thisoneisapeach.Buthe’sclever—Iwillsaythat;andheknowsit.I’malmostsorrywetookhiminnow,thoughheissoclever.He’dbettermindout,though,fornoneofuslovehim;andifhegoesbackonus, or does not come up to themark—”He stopped, and the sentencewasfinishedbyaclickwhich Iknewwas thesnappingof thespringofabowieknifewhenitisthrownopen.“And quite right too. I’m on if need be!” and therewas another click. Theanswering voice was strong and resolute, but somehow, for all the wickedintent spoken, itdidnot soundsoevilas theother. I lookedatMarjory,andsawthroughthedarknessthathereyeswereblazing.Myheart leapedagain;theoldpioneerspiritwasawake inher,andsomehowmydreadforherwasnotthesame.Shedrewclosetomeandwhisperedagain:“Be ready to get behind the trees at the back, I hear them rising.” Shewasevidentlyright,fornowthevoiceswereeasiertohearsincethemouthsofthespeakerswerelevelwiththewindow.Avoice,anewone,said:“Wemustgitnow.ThemboysofMac’s ’llbeon their roundsoon.”WithaquickmovementMarjory doubled under the window and came to me. Shewhisperedasbefore:“Letusgetbehindtreesinfront.Wemayseethemcomingthroughthedoor,anditwillbewelltoknowthem.”Somotioningtohertogoonthesidewewereon,Islippedroundtheback,andturningbytheothersideofthechapel,andtakingcaretoduckunderthewindows,hidmyselfbehindoneofthegreatoaktreesinfront, to thenorthof theoriginalclearing.FromwhereIstoodIcould seeMarjory behind a tree across the glade. Fromwherewewerewecouldseeanyonewholeftthechapel;foroneorotherofuscommandedthewindows, and we both commanded the ruined doorway. We waited, andwaited,andwaited,afraidtostirhandorfootlestweshouldgiveawarningtoourfoes.Thetimeseemedinterminable;butnoonecameoutandwewaitedon,notdaringtostir.Presently I became conscious of two forms stealing between the trees uptowards the chapel. I glided further round behind my sheltering tree, and,throwingananxiousglancetowardMarjory,wasrejoicedtoseethatshewasdoing the same. Closer and closer the two forms came. There was not thefaintest sound from them. Approaching the door-way from either side theypeered in, listened, and then stole into the darkness between the tree trunkswhichmarkedthebreachinthewall.Iventuredoutandslippedbehindatreesomewhat nearer; Marjory on her side did the same, and at last we stood

behindthetwonearesttreesandcouldbothnotethedoorwayandeachofusthewindowsononeside.Thentherewasawhisperfromwithin;somehowIexpectedtohearapistolshotortoseearushofmenoutthroughthejaggedblackofthedoorway.Stillnothinghappened.Thenamatchwasstruckwithin.IntheflashIcouldseethefaceofthemanwhohadmadethelight—thekeen-eyedmessengerofSamAdams.Heheldup the light,and toouramazementwecouldseethat,exceptforthetwomenwhomwehadseengoin,thechapelwasempty.Marjoryflittedovertomeandwhispered:“Don’tbeafraid.Menwholightuplikethataren’tlikelytostumbleoverus,ifwearedecentlycareful.”Shewas right.The twomen, seeing that theplacewasempty,seemed tocastaside theircaution.Theycameoutwithoutmuchlistening, stole behind the chapel, and set off along the narrow pathwaythroughthewood.Marjorywhisperedtome:“Nowismychancetogetinbeforetheycomeback.Youmaycomewithmetotheedgeofthewood.WhenIgetin,dear,gobackhomeasfastasyoucan.Youmust be tired andwant rest. Come to-morrow as soon as you can.Wehave lots to talk over. That chapelmust be seen to. There is somemysterytherewhichisbiggerthananythingwehavestruckyet.It’snousegoingintoitnow; it wants time and thinking over!”Wewere whispering as we walkedalong, stillkeepingcarefully in theshadowof the trees.Behind the last treeMarjorykissedme.Itwasherownact,andasimpulsivelyIclaspedhertightinmyarms, shenestled in tomeas thoughshe felt that shebelonged there.Withamutual‘good-night’andawhisperedblessingshestoleawayintotheshadow.Isawherreachthedooranddisappearthroughit.I went back to Cruden with my mind in a whirl of thoughts and feelings.Amongstthemlovewasfirst;withalltheunspeakablejoywhichcomeswithlovethatisreturned.I felt that I had a right to callMarjorymyveryownnow.Ourdangers andhopesandsympathiesmadea tiewhichseemedevencloser than that tied inthechurchatCarlisle.

CHAPTERXXIXTHEMONUMENT

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 themystery of the disappearance of the speakers in the old chapel. Certainly Iwent to sleep on the thought, andwokewith it. It never leftme even after

breakfastasIrodeouttowardsCrom.Itwasmanifestthattheremustbesomesecretvaultorhidingplaceinthechapel;oritmightbethattherewassomesubterraneanpassage.Ifthelatter,wherediditleadto?Whereelse,unlesstothe castle; suchwould be the natural inference. The very thoughtmademybloodruncold;itwasnowonderthatitoverspreadmymindtotheexclusionofallelse.InsuchcaseMarjory’senemieswereindeeddangerous,sincetheyheld a secretway to her at all times; oncewithin the castle itwouldnot behardtoworkeviltoher.IthoughtthatthismorningIwoulddoalittleprospectingonmyownaccount.AccordinglyIleftmybicycleinthewoodandwentalongcircuit,keepinginthe shadowof thewoodswhere possible, and elsewhere stealing behind thehedgerows,tillIgottothefarsideofthehillorspurwhichcamenearesttotheold chapel. Thiswas one of the hills upwhose base the trees ran in flame-shaped patches. Half way up, the woods ceased, and there was a belt ofbarrenness—outcroppingrockfringedwithgreengrass.Thetop,likemostofthehillsormoundsaroundthecastle,wascoveredwithwoods,close-growingmassesofpinewhichmadeaduskeveninthenoonday.I tookmywayup thebackof thehillandstole through thewood,carefullykeepingawatchfullookoutallroundme,forIfearedthepresenceofeitherofthesetsofspies.AttheverytopIcameuponagoodsizedcircleofmasonry,low but heavily built ofmassive stones completely coveredwith rich greenlichen. The circle was some fifteen feet diameter, and the top was slightlyarchedasthoughformingaroof.LeaningoveritIcouldhearafainttrickleofwater;thiswasevidentlythesourceofthecastlesupply.I walked round it, examining it carefully; anything which had any directcommunication with the castle was at present of possibly the supremestimportance.Therewasnoflaworopeninganywhere;andfromtheunbrokencoveringof the stonesby the lichen, itwas apparent that there hadbeennodisturbanceforyears.I sat down on the edge of the stonework and for a long time thought overmattersofprobability.Ifunderneathme,aswasalmosttobetakenforgranted,lay the reservoir of the castle, itmust have beenmade coevallywithCromitself,orevenwiththeoldercastleonwhoseruinsitwasbuilt.Itmustbefedbysprings in therockwhichformed thebaseof thehillandcroppedoutalloverit;andifitwasnotapproachablefromwithout,theremustbesomewayof reaching the water from within. It might be that the chamber whichcontained the reservoir had some other entrance from the hill top, or fromsomelowerlevel.AccordinglyImadeasIconceivedabeelineforthecastle,till I came to the very base of the hill, for I knew that inmatters of waterconduitthedirectwayisalwayschosenwhereworkhastobedone.AsIwent,Iconnedthegroundcarefully;notmerelythesurfaceforthatwasanuniform

thick coatingof brownpineneedles, but thegeneral conformation.Where atrenchhasbeenmade,thereiseveraftersometraceofittobefound.Eveniftheworkmenlevelthetrenchmostcarefullythereandthen,thepercolationofrain through the softer broken earth will make discovery of the change byshrinkage.Here,however, therewasno suchsign; theground, so farasonecouldjudge,hadneverbeenopened.Thetreesgrewirregularly,andtherewasnogapsuchaswouldbe,hadoneeverbeenremoved.Hereandthereparticlesof rock cropped out amongst the pine needles just as anywhere else. If anyopening existed it was not on the direct line between the reservoir and thecastle.BackagainIwenttothereservoir,and,usingitasabase,begantocastaroundfor someopeningor sign. Imadecircles in all directions, just as a retrieverdoeswhen looking for a fallen partridge in a dry stubblewhen the scent iskilledbyheat.AtlastIcameuponsomething,thoughwhetherornoitmighthaveanypointof contact with my purpose, I could not at once decide. It was a rudemonumentofsomekind,aboulderplacedendwiseonaslabofrockroughlyhewn to form a sort of square plinth. This again was surrounded on theoutside, for thewholemonumentwason theveryedgeof a steeply-dippingcrag,bya fewtiersof roughmasonry.Thestoneswereroughlycutand laidtogetherwithoutmortar;orifmortarorcementtherehadeverbeen,timeandweatherhadwashed it away. Inone respect this structurewas in contrast tothatabovethereservoir, therewasnotasignofmossorlichenaboutit.Thetreesofthewoodcamecloseupbehindit;infrontitwasshutoutfromviewbelow by the branches of a few pine trees which grew crookedly from aprecariousfootholdamongsttheledgesofrockbeneath.AsIstoodinfrontofit,Icouldseenothingimmediatelybelowme;however,whenIhadscrambledto a ledge a few feet lower down, the back wall of the old chapel becamevisible,thoughpartlyobscuredbytrunksandbranchesofinterveningtrees.Isearchedalloverthemonumentforsomeinscription,butcouldseenone.ThenIstoodontheplinthtoseeiftheremightbeanyinscriptiononthetopoftheboulder.AsIstood,lookingoverthetopofitfromthebank,Icouldjustseethroughanaturalalleywayamongstthetreetops,thetopofonecornerofthecastle, that on the side of, and farthest from the old chapel. As I looked, abrightthoughtstruckme.Herewasaplacefromwhichonemightcorrespondwiththecastle,unseenbyanyonesaveattheonespot.Ideterminedthenandthere, thatMarjory and I should arrange somemethod of signalling to oneanother.Somehow this place impressedme, possibly because it was the only thing,exceptthereservoir,whichseemedtohaveapurposeinthewholeschemeofthehill top.Wheretherewaslabourandmanifestpurpose, theremustsurely

be some connection. I examined all round the place minutely, scramblingdowntherocksbelowandoneitherside,butalwayskeepingabrightlookoutin case of spies. The only thing I noticedwas that there seemed a trace ofsomekindofapathwaythroughthewoodhere.Itwasnotsufficientlymarkedtoallowone toaccept itwithcertaintyasapathway;but there issomethingabout a place which is even occasionally trodden, which marks it from itssurroundings virgin of footsteps. I could not find where the path ended orwhereitbegan.Itseemedtogrowfromthemonument,buthereunderfootwasstone and hard gravel; and thewind coming over the steep slope swept thefallenpineneedlesbackamongsttheshelterofthetrees.Afterafewhundredyardsanysuggestionofapathwaydisappeared, lost in theaislesof thepinetrees spreading round on every side. Therewas no need of a pathway herewhereallwasopen.OnceortwiceasIsearchedthethoughtcametomethattheremightbe someopeninghere to a secretwayorhidingplace; but lookhowIwould,Icouldnotfindthefaintesttraceorsuggestionofanyopening.IntheendIhadtotakeitthattheerectionwasmerelyamonumentormarkofsomekind,whoseoriginalpurposewasprobablylostintime.Atlast,asthedaywaswellon,Imademywaybacktowheremybicyclewashidden, always taking care tokeep fromobservation.Then emergingon theroad, Iwent as usual through the old ruined gateway and the longwindingavenuetothecastle.Marjorymetmewithananxiouslook,andhungontomyarmlovinglyasshesaid:“Oh, you are late! I have been quite nervous all themorning lest anythingshouldhavehappenedtoyou!”Mrs.Jack,afterwehadgreeted,discreetlyleftusalone;andItoldmywifeofallthatIhadthoughtsincewehadparted,andofwhatIhadseenonthehilltop.Shewasdelightedattheideaofameansofsignalling; and insisted on my coming at once to the roof to make furtherarrangementsanddiscoveries.WefoundthespotwhichIhadindicatedadmirablyadaptedforourpurpose.Onecouldsitonthestoneroof,wellbackfromthewall,andthroughoneoftheopeningsinthecastellationseethetopofthemonumentamongstthetreetops; and could yet be unobserved oneself from any other spot around.Theangles of the castellation of the variouswalls shut out the tops of the otherhillsormoundsoneveryside.Asthesignsofourcodewerealreadycompletewehadonlytofixonsomemeansofsignalling‘A’and‘B’.ThiswedidbydecidingthatbydaylightAshouldbesignifiedbyredandBbywhiteandatnightAbyredandBbygreen.Thusbydaylighttwopockethandkerchiefsofredandwhiteortwoflowersofwhiteandred;orapieceofpaperandaredleaforflowerwouldsuffice.Wefixedoncolourasthebestrepresentative,asthe distance made simplicity necessary. By night an ordinary bicycle lamp

with the lens covered could be used; the ordinary red and green side lightscould be shown as required. Then and there we arranged that that veryafternoonwhenIhadleftthecastleIshouldstealbacktothemonumentandweshouldmakeatrialofoursignalling.Thenwetalkedofotherthings.Alonethereontheroofwecouldtalkfreely;and the moments flew swiftly by in a sweet companionship. Even if thesubjectswhichwehad todiscussweregrimonesofdanger and intrigue;ofsecretpassages andmalignant enemies;of spies andpossibilitiesofharm toone or both of us, still mutuality of our troubles and dangers made theirexistencetoussweet.Thatwesharedincommonevensuchmatterswasdeartousboth.IcouldnotbutbeconsciousofMarjory’sgrowingloveforme;andif Ihad to restrainmyselfnowandagain from throwingmyarms roundherandpressingherbeautifulbodyclosetomeandsweepingherfacewithkisses,Iwasrepaidwhen,aswedescendedsheputbothherhandsinmineandsaid:“OhArchie!youaregoodtome!and—and—Iloveyouso!”Thenshesankintomyarmsandourmouthsmetinalong,lovingkiss.Wedecidedthatastheremustbesomehiddenopeningintheoldchapel,weshouldmakesearchfor it thenextday.Iwastocomesoonaftersunrise,forthiswe judgedwould be the timewhen the spies of both kindswould leastexpectmovementfromthecastle.Iwastocomebythegrasspathbetweenthetrees into theoldchapelwhereshewouldmeetmeandweshouldmakeourinvestigationstogether.AfterteaIcameaway.Marjorycameoutonthestepswithmetoseemeoff.As we bade each other good-bye she said aloud in case any one might belistening:“Remember,youaretocometoteato-morrowandtobringmethebook.Iamquiteanxioustoknowhowitends.Itistoobadofthelibrariannottosendusallthevolumesatonce!”When Igot to the road Ihidmybicycle in theoldplace, and tookmywaysecretlytothemonument.Marjoryhadbeenmuchstruckbythesuggestionofthefootpath,and,woman-like,hadmadeuphermindonthesubject.Shehadsuggestedthatweshouldtestwhetheranyonecameorwentbyit,andtothisendgavemeaspoolof the finest threadso that Imight laya trap.Before IshouldleavetheplaceIwastostretchthreadsacrossithereandtherebetweenthetreetrunks.IfonthenextvisitIshouldfindthembroken,wemighttakeitthatsomeonehadbeenthere.FromthetopoftheboulderImadesignalandwasimmediatelyanswered.Myownsignalwassimplytheexpressionofmyheart’sfeeling:“Iloveyou,mywife!”Theanswercamequicklybackfillingmewithjoy:

“Iloveyou,myhusband!Don’tforgetme!Thinkofme!”

CHAPTERXXXTHESECRETPASSAGE

THATnightwasoneofrest.Iwasphysicallytiredout,andafterIhadpostedafew letters tomerchants inAberdeen, giving orders for various goods to besentatoncetoWhinnyfold,Iwenttobedandslepttilltheearlymorning.Igotupatdaylight,andaftermymorningswimrodeofftoCrom.AgainIleftmybicycle in thewood and tookmyway round to the back of the hill and upthrough the wood to the monument beyond the reservoir. It was still earlymorning,asitiscountedinthecities,thoughthesunwaswellup.Iwentwithextracaution,stealingfromtreetotree;forIknewnothingofthelocalityofthewatchersatthishour.Isawnosignofanyone;andcomingatlasttowheretherudimentarypathwaylay,examinedcarefullywhereIhadplacedthefirstthread. As I did so I straightened myself quickly and looked round withapprehension.The threadwasbroken across, though the twoendswere tiedwhereIhadplacedthem!WithabeatingheartIexaminedalltheothersinturn,withthesameresult.Itwasquiteevidentthatsomeone,orsomethinghadpassedalongthetrack.InspiteofmyconcernIrejoiced,forsomethinghadbeenfound.Itwasatleastprobable that there was a regular route somewhere at hand. Accordingly Ipreparedmytrapsafresh,thistimeplacingtheminvariousdirections,andatirregulardistancesalongthepathandallroundthemonument.Imightthusbeabletotracetheexactrouteofanyonewhomightdisturbthem.Thisdone,andittooksometime,Iwentbacktothewood,andthencerodetothecastle.Marjorywaseager fornews,but it thrilledme tosee thathereagernesswasnotallfromthiscause;hourbyhourIfoundmyselfgrowinginheraffection.WhenItoldherofthebrokenthreads,sheclappedherhandswithdelight;thehunterspirithereditary inherwaspleased.Shegaveheropinion thaton thenextmorning I should be able to locate the entrance to the passage, if onetherewas.Inthemidstofherspeakingthusshestopped;abright,keenlightcameintohereyes,andherbrowsknitted.“Why,”shesaid,“howstupidIam.Ineveroncethoughtofdoingthesameatmyend.Yesterday,afteryouleft,Ispentanhourintheoldchapelandwentover every inchof it; but it never occurred tome to do therewhat youhadgonetodoatthemonument.IfIhaddoneso,Imightthismorninghavebeenabletodiscoverthesecretofthedisappearanceofthekidnappers.Ishalltakegoodcaretodoitthisevening.”

Whileshewasspeakingafeargrewuponmelestbeingaloneintheruinshemight give her enemies the very opportunity they wanted. She saw mydistress,andwithherquickwoman’switguessedthecauseofit.Withaverytender movement she placed her hand on the back of mine, and withoutsqueezingitheldittherefirmlyasshesaid:“Don’t be frightened for me, dear. These are expert workmen that we aredealingwith.Theywon’tmovetilltheirplansareallready.Theydon’twishtogetholdofmeforfiveminutesandlet“Mac’smen”—aslackingduerespectforPresidentMcKinley, theycall theSecretServiceagentsofmycountry—catch them red-handed.They are only laying their plans as yet. Perhapswemay have cause to be anxious when that is done; but as yet it’s all right.Anyhow,mydear,asIknowitwillmakeyoueasierinyourmind,whenyouare not at hand to protectme, I shall lay the trapswhilst you arewithme.Therenow!AmIgoodtomyhusband,oramInot?”Imadeherawareinmyownway—I could not help it—that shewas good! and she let the incidentpassunrebuked.Evenlovers,thoughtheyhavenotthestatusofthehusband,mustbeallowedalittlelatitudenowandagain.We talked over all the possibilities thatwe could either of us think ofwithregard to a secret passage between the castle and the monument. It wasapparent that in old time such a hiddenwaymight havebeenof theutmostimportance; and it wasmore than possible that such a passagemight exist.Alreadywe had reason to believe that therewas away between the ruinedchapel and the top of the reservoir hill, and we knew that there must beexistingsomesecrethidingplacegainedfromtheinteriorofthechapel.Whatwehadstill todiscover,andthiswasthemost importantofall,waswhethertherewasamethodofcommunicationbetweenthecastleandthechapel.Afterteawestartedouttogether;andaswehadarrangedbetweenusbeforestarting,managedinourstrollingtogoquiteroundthecastleandthroughmanyofthegrassy alleys between the woods. Then, lest there should be any listener, Isaid:“Letusgointotheoldchapel.Ihaven’thadagoodlookatitsinceIhavebeencoming here!” So we went into the chapel and began to lay our traps. Ofcoursewe could not guard against anyone spyinguponus.Theremight beeyesofenemiesbentonusthroughsomesecretchinkorcrannyororganisedspy-hole. This we could not help, and had to take our chances of it; but ifanyonewerewithinear-shotandunabletoseeus,weguardedourmovementsby our misleading remarks concerning history and art. Deftly Marjorystretched sectionsofhergossamer thread fromplace toplace, so that if anyonewentinthechapeltheircoursemustbemarkedbythebrokenthreads.Wefinishednear the door, andour artless, innocent, archæological conversationstoppedthere,too.Westrolledbacktothecastle,feelingsurethatiftherewere

anysecrethidingplacewithintheruinweshouldhavelocatedtheentrancetoitinthemorning.ThatafternoonIwenttothehouseatWhinnyfold.MostofthethingswhichIhadorderedhadarrived,andwhen Ihadhad thevariousboxesandbundlesmovedinsideIfeltabletostartonmywork.FirstIriggedupaproperwindlassovertheholeintothecave;andfixeditsothatanyonecouldmanipulateiteasilyandsafelyfromabove.Itcouldbealsoworkedfrombelowbyaidofanendlesschainroundtheaxle.Ihammeredtheedgesoftheholesomewhatsmoother,sothatnochancefrictionmightcuttherope; and I fixed candles and lanterns invariousplaces, so that all the lightwhichmightbenecessarycouldbehadeasily.ThenIfurnishedaroomwithrugs and pillows, andwith clothes forMarjory for changing. Shewould besuretorequiresuch,whenoursearchafterthetreasureshouldcomeoff.Ihadreadysometinsofprovisions,andIhadarrangedatthehotelthatasImightsometimesstayandworkinmyownhome—Iwassupposedtobeanauthor—somefreshprovisionswere tobesentovereachmorning,and left readyformewithMrs.HayatWhinnyfold.Bythetimemyworkwasthrough, itwaslate in the evening, and I went to the hotel to sleep. I had arranged withMarjory to bewith her early in themorning. Itwas hardly daylightwhen Iwoke,butIgotupatonceandtookmywaytowardsCrom,fortheexperienceof the day before had shown me that whoever used the path near themonumentuseditinthegreyofthedawn.AsusualIhidmybicycleandtookmywaycautiouslytothemonument.Bythistimethesunwasupandthedaywasbright;thedewlayheavy,andwhenIcameonanyofmythreadsIcouldeasilydistinguishthembytheshimmeringbeadswhichmadeeachthreadlooklikeaminiatureropeofdiamonds.Again the strings across the path were broken. My heart beat heavily as Ibegantofollowbacktowardsthemonumentthetrackofthebrokenthread.Itledrightuptoit,onthesideawayfromthecastle,andthenstopped.Theotherthreadsallroundthemonumentwereintact.Havinglearnedsomuch,myfirstactwastopreventdiscoveryofmyownplan.AccordinglyIcarefullyremovedall the threads, broken and unbroken. Then I began to make minuteinvestigation of the monument itself. As it was evident that whoever hadbroken the threads had come straight from it, therewas a presumption thatthere was an opening somewhere. The rock below was unbroken and thestoneworkwasseeminglyfixedontherockitself.ByaprocessofexclusionsIcametothebeliefthatpossiblythemonumentitselfmightbemoveable.Accordingly Ibegan toexperiment. Ipressedagainst it, thiswayand that. Itried to move it by exercising pressure top and bottom in turn; but alwayswithoutavail.ThenIbegantotrytomoveitsidewaysasthoughitmightbeonapivot.Atfirsttherewasnoyielding,noanswerofanykindtomyeffort;but

suddenly I thought I perceived a slight movement. I tried again and again,usingmystrengthinthesameway;butwithnoresult.ThenItriedturningitinthesuspecteddirection,holdingbothmyhandslowdownonthecornersoftheboulder;thengoinggraduallyuphigherIpursuedthesameeffort;againnoresponse.StillIfeltIwasonthetrackandbegantomakeeffortsineccentricways.Allatonce,whilstIwaspressingwithmylefthandlowdownwhilstIpulledwithmyrighthighupontheotheredge,thewholegreatstonebegantomove in a slow easy way, as though in perfect poise. I continued themovementandthestoneturnedlazilyoverononeside,revealingatmyveryfeet a dark opening of oval form some three feet across its widest part.SomehowIwasnotaltogethersurprised;myheadkeptcoolinwhatwastomeawonderfulway.Withanimpulsewhichwasbasedonsafety,lesttheopeningoftheholeshouldmakediscoveryofmypresence,Ireversedtheaction;andthestonerolledslowlyovertoitsoldposition.SeveraltimesImoveditfromitsplaceandthenbackagain,sothatImightbecomeaccustomedtoitsuse.For a while I hesitated as to whether I should explore the openingimmediately;butsooncametotheconclusionthatIhadbetterbeginatonce.SoIwentbacktomybicycleandtookthelampwithme.Ihadmatchesinmycase,andasIhadtherevolverwhichIalwayscarriednow,Ifeltequaltoanyemergency. I think I was finally influenced in my decision to attempt thepassageatoncebytheremembranceofMarjory’sremarkthatthekidnapperswouldmakenoeffortuntiltheirplanswerequitecomplete.They,morethanI,mightfeardiscovery;andonthishopeIwasstrongasIloweredmyselfdownthroughthenarrowopening.Iwasgladtoseethat therewasnodifficultyinmoving the stone from the inside; there were two iron handles let into thestoneforthepurpose.IcannotsayIwasateaseinmymind,Iwas,however,determinedtogoon;andwith a prayer toGod for protection, and a loving thought ofMarjory, Iwentonmyway.Thepassagewasdoubtlessofnaturalorigin,foritwasevidentthattheseamsin the rockweremuch like those on the coastwhere the strata of differentgeological formations joined. Art had, however improved the placewonderfully.Wherethetophadcometoolowithadbeenquarriedaway;theremnantsstilllayadjacentwherethecavebroadenedout.Thefloorwheretheslopewassteepwascutintoroughsteps.Altogether,thereweresignsofmuchlabour in themaking of the passage.As Iwent down, I kept an eye on thecompasswheneverIcametoaturn,sothatImighthavearoughideaofthedirection inwhich Iwasgoing. In themain the road,with counterbalancingcurvesandangles,ledstraightdown.When I had got to what I considered must be half way, allowing for theastoundingmagnitudewhichseemstobethecharacterisationofevenashort

wayunderground; thepassageforked,andatasteepangleanotherpassage,lowerand lessaltered than thatalongwhichIhadcome, turnedaway to theleft.GoingafewfeetupitIcouldhearthesoundofrunningwater.Thiswasevidentlythepassagetothereservoir.

CHAPTERXXXIMARJORY’SADVENTURE

ASIfelt that time, inwhichIhadthepassageall tomyself,wasprecious,Iturnedbacktothemainwaydown.Thepathwasverysteepandlowandtherockunderfootwascutinrudesteps;asIheldthelanternbeforemeIhadtodroopitsothatIcouldsmellthehotmetalwheretheflametouchedtheback.Itwasindeedasteepanddifficultway,madeforothersthanmenofmyownstature.AsIwent,Ifeltmyfirstfearspassingaway.AtfirstIhaddreadedalackofair,andallsortsofhorrorswhichcometothosewhoessayunknownpassages. There came back to my recollection passages in Belzoni’sexplorations in thePyramidswhenindividualshadgot lost,andwhenwholepartieswerestoppedbythefirsttoadvancejamminginanarrowpassageashecrawled along on his belly. Here, though the roof came down in placesdangerously low, therewasstillample room,and theaircameupsweetandcool. To any one unused to deep burrows, whether the same be natural orartificial,thereisadreadofbeingunderground.Oneiscutofffromlightandair;andburialaliveinallitspotentialhorrorsisalwaysathand.However,theunexpectedclearnessandeasinessofthewayreassuredme;andIdescendedthe steep passage with a good heart. All distance underground seemsextravagantlylongtothoseunaccustomedtoit;andtomethemeredepthIhaddescended seemed almost impossible when the way before me becamesomewhat level again.At the same time the roof rose so that I could standupright.IguessedthatImustbenowsomewhereatthefootofthehillockandnot far from the old chapel; so I went forward carefully, keepingmy handreadytocoverupthefrontofthelamp.Asthegroundwasfairlylevel,Icouldin awaypace it; and as I knew that therewasonly about twohundred feetdistancefromthefootofthehilltothechapel,IwasnotsurprisedwhenaftersomeeightypacesIfoundthepassageendinasortofrudechambercutintherock.At right angles to the place ofmy entry therewas a regular stairway,partlycutinrockandpartlybuilt,leadingupward.BeforeIascendedIlookedaroundcarefullyandcouldseethatsectionsofthewallsofthechamberwerebuilt of great blocks of stone. Leaving further investigation for the future Iwentupwardwithabeatingheart.The stairwas rudelycircular, and Ihadcounted thirty stepswhen I saw the

wayblockedbyagreatstone.ForafewsecondsIwasinfearlestIshouldfindthisimpossible;thenIlookedcarefullyforanymeansofmovingtheobstacle.I thought it more than likely that something of the same process would beadoptedforbothendsofthepassage.Luckwascertainlyonmysideto-day!Hereweretwoironhandles,muchthesame as thosewithwhich I had been enabled tomove themonument fromwithin. Igrasped themfirmly,andbegan toexperimentas towhichway thestonemoved.Ittrembledundermyfirsteffort;soexertingaverylittleofmystrengthinthesamedirectionthegreatstonebegantomove.Isawawideninglineofopenspacethroughwhichadimlightshoneinuponme.Holdingthestoneinpoisewithonehand,Icoveredthefrontofthelampwithmycap,andthenresumedtheopeningprocess.Slowly,slowly,thestonerolledbacktillaclearway lay abreast ofme throughwhich, doubledup, I couldpass. FromwhereIstoodIcouldseepartofthewallofabuilding,awallwithlonglowwindowsinmassivestone;andIknewthatatlastIhadreachedtheoldchapel.A joyous feeling rushed over me; after the unknown perils of the cavernpassageatlastIhadreachedsafety.Ibentlowandbegantostepoutthroughthenarrowopening.Therewasfullyfourfeetinthecircumferenceofthestonesothattwosuchstepsaswerepossibletomewerenecessarytotakemeout.Ihadtakenoneandmyfootwasliftedforthesecondwhenaclearfirmvoicesaidinawhisper:“Handsup!Ifyoumoveyouareadeadman!”Istoppedofcourse,andraisingmyface,formyheadwasbentlowinthenecessaryeffortofstooping,Ifoundmyselfoppositethemuzzleofarevolver.ForaninstantIlookedatit;itwasfirmastherockaroundme,andIfeltthatImustobey.ThenIlookedbeyondit, to the hand which held it, and the eyes which directed. These too wereinflexible;butagreatjoycameovermewhenIrecognisedthatthehandandeyeswerethoseofMarjory.Iwouldhavesprungforwardtoher,butforthatominous ring of steel in front ofme. Iwaited a few seconds, for it seemedstrangethatshedidnotlowertherevolveronseeingwhoitwas.As,however,thepistolstillcoveredmeunpleasantly,Isaid:“Marjory!”Inaninstantherhanddroppedtoherside.Icouldnotbutnoticewithanadmirationforherself-controlandthestrengthofherresolution,thatshestillheldtherevolverinhergrasp.Withagladcrysheleapedtowardsmewithaquickimpulsivemovementwhichmademyheartbound,foritwasallloveandspontaneity.Sheputherlefthandonmyshoulder;andasshelookedintomyeyesIcouldfeelthegladtremorthatsweptthroughher.

For several seconds she stood, and thenwith 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!HadInotalreadyknownherheart,shewouldinthatmomenthavestoodself-revealed.Weweremanifestlytwothoroughlypracticalpeople,forevenintheraptureofour meeting—to me it was no less than rapture to come from so grim anaperture in thesecretcavernpassage—wehadourwitsaboutus. I thinkshewasreally thefirst tocome toasenseofoursurroundings; for justas Iwasopeningmymouthtospeaksheheldupawarningfinger.“Hush!Someonemaycome; thoughI thinkthere isnoonenear.Waitdear,whilstIlook!”sheseemedtoflitnoiselesslyoutofthedoorwayandIsawhervanishamongst the trees. Ina fewminutes she returnedcarryingcarefullyawickerbasket.Assheopeneditshesaid:“Someonemightsuspectsomething if theysawyouin thatstate.”She tookfromthebasketalittlebowlofwater,soap,towelandaclothes-brush.WhilstIwashed my face and hands she was brushing me down. A very short timecompletedaroughtoilet.Thenshepouredthewatercarefullyintoacrackinthewall,andputtingthethingstogetherwithmylamp,backinthebasket,shesaid:“Comenow!LetusgettotheCastlebeforeanyonefindsus.TheywillthinkthatIhavemetyouinthewood.”WewentasunobtrusivelyaswecouldtotheCastle;andentered,Ithink,unobserved.IhadathoroughcleanupbeforeIletanyone seeme; our secretwas tooprecious to riskdiscoveryby suspicion.WhenIhadseenMrs.Jack,Marjorytookmetoherboudoirinthetopofthecastle,andthere,whilstshesatbymeholdingmyhands,Itoldhereverydetailofmyadventure.Icouldfeelhowmystorymovedher;whentherewasanypassageofespecialinterestthepressureofherclaspgrewtense.She,whohadseeminglynofearforherself,wasallinfearforme!Thenwe talkedmatters over.We had now a good clue to the comings andgoingsof thekidnappers; andwe felt thatbya little thoughtfulorganisationwemightfindtheirhours,andbeabletotracethemonebyone.Bylunchtimewehaddecidedonourplanofaction.Wetookour ideafromoneof theold“Tales of the Genii” where the conquered king was brought by his faithfulvizier intoacavernandaskedtocutaropewhichwasstretchedbeforehim,and which he soon discovered released the great rock which roofed thepavilionspeciallybuiltbytheviziertobeseenandoccupiedbytheconqueror.Wewouldfixafinethreadtothetopofthemonumentandbringitsecretlytothe castle, where its breaking would appriseMarjory of the opening of thepassage;thusshewoulddiscoverthehourofthecomingofthekidnapperstothechapel.Wearrangedanother ingeniousdevice,wherebyasecond thread,fastenedtothestoneintheoldchapel,wouldbebrokenbytheopeningofthestone,andwouldcauseabook to fallonMarjory’sbedandwakeher if shewereasleep.Thebetterpartoftheafternoonwastakenupbyuscarryingout

theseideas,forwewentslowlyandcautiouslytowork.ThenIwenthome.I was early at the monument in the morning, and getting behind the stonesignalledtotheCastleroofincaseMarjoryshouldhappentoexpectmeandbethere.Buttherewasnoanswer.SoIsatdowntowaittill itwouldbedecenttimetogototheCastleforanearlybreakfast.AsIsatwaitingIthoughtIheardasound,eitherclosetomeandmuffled,orelse distant; I could hardly tell which. Matters might be lively if I werediscovered;soIgotmyrevolverready.WithmyheartbeatingsoheavilythatImistookitatmomentsfortheforeignsound,Ilistenedandlistened,allears.ItwasasIhadsuspected;thesoundcamefromthetunnelbeneathme.Ihardlyknew whether to stay or go. If I waited I could see who came from theopening;butontheotherhandIshouldatoncebeknowntohavediscoveredthesecret.Stillasthestonemightrollbackatanymoment,itwasnecessarythat I shouldmake upmymind; I should either go or stay. I decided that Iwould stay and make discovery at once. In any case should I succeed incapturing a blackmailer, or even in discovering or partially discovering hisidentity, I shouldbe aiding inMarjory’s safety.So I gotmy revolver ready;andstandingbackso that I couldnotbe seenatoncebyanyoneemerging,waited.No one came; but I could still hear a slight sound. Filled with a growingunrest, I determined to take the initiative, and began to move close to thestone.As I looked, itbegan toquiver,and then tomoveslowly.As it rolledsoftly back I kept behind it so that I might not be seen; and waited withrevolverreadyandwhatpatienceIcould.Therewasdeadsilence;andthenahandholdingarevolverrestedamomentontheedgeoftheopening.Iknewthehand,andIknewtherevolver,andIknewthequicknessofboth.Idid not say a word or make a sound, till Marjory with an alert movementseemedtosweepupoutoftheopeningandwhirledroundwithreadypistol,asthoughsuspectinganenemyoneveryside.Marjory,allcoveredwithdust,hercheeksaswhiteassnow,sothatthesmearsof dust lay on them like soot; and eyeswith pupils distended as in comingfrom the dark. For a few seconds she seemed hardly to recognise me; butwhenshedidshespranggladlyintomyarms.“Oh!Archie,Iamgladtoseeyou.Itwassoterribleandlonelyinthedark.IbegantofearImightneverfindmywayout!”Inthedark!Ibegantofear,andaskedher:“But,dearone,howdidyoucome;andwhy?Hadn’tyougotalightwithyou?Surelyyoudidn’tcomeunprepared,ifyoudidventureintothecave!”Thenin

arushshetoldmethewholestory.Howbeforedawnshehadbeenwakedbythedroppingofthebookandhadhurriedtothecastlerooftowatchthestone.Withherfieldglassshehadpresentlyseenitmove.Shewasthensatisfiedthatthewatchershadgonehome;andhaddeterminedonalittleadventureonherownaccount.“Iputonagreytweeddress,andtakingmyrevolverandbicyclelamp,stoleoutofthecastleandreachedtheoldchapel.Havinglitmylamp,Irolledbackthestoneandsetouttoexplorethetunnel.Ifollowedfromyourdescription,thepassagetoitsbifurcating,anddeterminedtoexploretheotherarmtothereservoir.Ieasilyfoundit,adeep,darktankcutintherockandseeminglyfedbyspringswhichbubbledupfrompatchesoffinesand, theaccumulationofyears of wasting rock. Whilst I was trying to look into the depth of thereservoir,holdingmybicyclelampsoastothrowitslightdownwards,Isawsomethingwhiteat thebottom. Just then the lampfrom its invertedpositionbegantosmoke,butasI lookedinthatlastmomentthroughthecrystalpurewaterIrecognisedthatthewhiteobjectwasaskull.Inthesuddenshockofthediscovery, the lamp dropped from my hand and disappeared hissing andbubblinginthelastflickeroflight.”Asshetoldmethis,ItookherhandforIfearedthatthememoryofsuchanappallingmomentmusthaveunnervedher;buttomysurprisehernerveswereasfirmasmyown.Sheletherhandremaininmine;butshehadevidentlyunderstoodmythoughtforshesaid:“Oh! it’s all right now, Archie. For a moment or two I do believe I wasfrightened.Youcanhavethelaughonmethereifyoulike!Butthencommonsensecametomyaid.Iwasinatightplace,anditwouldneedallIknewtogetout.IthoughtthematteroverascoollyasIcould;anddoyouknowthatcoolness seemed to growwith the effort! Iwas in the dark, in a cave, deepunderground, the entrance towhichwas secret; I hadnomeansof getting alighteven foran instant, for thoughIhad takenplentyofwaxmatches theywereall inmylamp.Theonly thingIcoulddowas to try togropemywayout.IhadnotedthepassageasIcamealong,butIfoundsosoonasIhadfeltmywayoutofthereservoirchamber,howlittleuseanabstractrecollectioniswhen every second there is a new detail. I found, too, the astonishingdifferencebetweensightandtouch;whatIhadrememberedhadbeenwithmyeyesandnotwithmyfingers.Ihadtoguardallroundme,myhead,myfeet,mysides.Iamamazed,nowwhenIthinkofit,howmanydifferentkindsofmistakesandcalculationsImadeinafewyards.ItseemedaterriblylongtimetillIcametotheplacewherethepassageforks.ThereIweighedupthematterofwhether itwould be better to go back by theway I had come to the oldchapel,ortogouptheotherpassagetothemonumentofwhichyoutoldme.Somehowthelatterseemedtomethemorefeasible.IthinkitmusthavebeenthatItrustedyoumorethanmyself.Youhadnotshrunkfromgoingintothatpassage;andIwouldnotshrinkfromgoingout.”

Isqueezedherhandshard,Ihadgotbothbythistime.Sheblushedalittleandlookedatmefondlyandwenton:

“Therewassomethingcheeringinthemerefactofgoingupinsteadofdown.Itwaslikecomingtowardstheairandlightagain;andthetimedidnotseemsolongtillIcametotheendofthepassage,forsofarasIcouldfeeltherewasnothingbutsolidrockallroundme.Foralittlebitmyheartsankagain;butIsoonbuckedup.Iknewthatthismustbethewayout;andIfeltaroundfortheiron handles of which you had told me. And then, Thank God for Hisgoodness!whenthestonebegantoturnIsawthelight,andbreathedfreshairagain.Theyseemedtogivemebackallmycourageandcaution.UptothisIhad not troubled about kidnappers; there was quite enough to think of ingetting along the passage. But now I was my own woman again, and Ideterminedtotakenochances.WhenIsawitwasyourgunthatwasaimedatmeIwasglad!”

CHAPTERXXXIITHELOSTSCRIPT

AFTER a little consideration of ways andmeans, we decided that the bestthingwecoulddowas topass through thepassage to theoldchapel. Itwasstillveryearly,soearlythatinallprobabilitynoneofthehouseholdwereyetawake; ifMarjory could regain her room before being seen, itwould avoidcuriosity.Shewascertainlyinashockingconditionofdustanddishevelment.Her groping in the dark through that long rugged passage had not beenaccomplishedwithoutmanyhardships.Herdresswas torn in severalplaces,andherhatwassimplyknockedtopieces;evenherhairwastumbledabout,andhadbeenputupagainandagainwithdustyfingers.Shesawmesmiling;Ithinkitpainedheralittleforshesuddenlysaid:“Comealongquick;it’ssimplyawfulstandinghereinthelightofdayinthisfilthystate.Itwon’tfeelhalfsobadinthedarkpassage!”WithoutmoreadoIlitmy lamp, and having, of course, closed the entrance behind us,wewentbackintothecavern.Thetrampbackthroughthetunneldidnotseemnearlysolongorsodifficultas at first. It may have been that comparative familiarity made it easier; itcertainlyeaseditsterrors.Oritispossiblethatourcompanionship,eachtotheother,madethebearingoffearsanddifficultieslighter.Anyhow, it was something of a surprise to both of us to find ourselves soquicklyintherudechamberwhencethestepsleduptotheoldchapel.Before

weleftthis,wemadearoughexaminationofit,turningthelanternoverwallsandfloorandceiling;forIhadanideathatthepassagefromthecastle,whichIwassatisfiedmustexist,madeitsexithere.Wecouldnot,however,seeanyexternal sign of an opening; thewallswere built up ofmassive unmortaredstones,andwereseeminglyassolidastherockitself.WhenwegotintothechapelwefoundtheutilityofMarjory’sforesight.Inacornerwasherlittlebasketwithsoapandtowel,waterandclothesbrush;andtogetherwerestoredhertosomesemblanceofdecency.Thenshewentbacktothecastleandgotinunobserved,asI,watchingfromtheshelterofthetrees,couldsee.Itookmywaybackthroughthepassage;andsotothewoodwheremybicyclewashidden.Iwashedmyhandsinthestreamandlaydownintheshelterofathickgroveofhazel,whereIslepttillbreakfasttime.WhenIrodeuptothecastle,IfoundMarjorywithherkodakonthesweepoutside,takingviewsofitsvariouspoints.Themorningwasintenselyhot;andhere,intheshelterofthelittlevalleyandtheenclosingwood, theairwas sultry, and the sunbeatdownpitilessly.Wehadatablesetoutundertheshelterofthetreesandbreakfastedalfresco.WhenwewerealoneinherboudoirIsettledwithMarjorythatwewouldonthateveningattempttofindthetreasure,asthetidewouldbeoutatmidnight.Sowewentdownto the libraryandgotoutDondeEscoban’snarrativeandbegantoread itafresh,notingaswewenteverywordandsignof thesecretwriting,inthehopethatwemightinthusdoingstumbleonsomenewsecretorhiddenmeaning.WhilstwewerethusengagedaservantcamelookingforMrs.Jack,forwhomastrangerhadbroughtaletter.Marjorytoldwhereshemightbefound,andforsometimewewentonwithourwork.Suddenlythedooropened,andMrs.Jackentered,speakingoverhershoulderasshecametoahigh-bredlooking,darkmanwhofollowedher.AsshesawusshestoppedandsaidtoMarjory:“Oh!mydear,Ididn’tknowyouwerehere.Ithoughtyouwereintheladies’room.”Thiswaswhattheyusuallycalledthebigroomatthetopofthecastle.Webothrose,seeingastranger.Formyownparttherewassomethinginhisfacewhichsetme thinking;as toMarjory Icouldnothelpnoticing that shedrewherselfuptoherfullheight,andheldherselfat tensioninthathaughtywaywhichnowandagainmarkedherhighspiritandbreeding.Thereseemedsolittlecauseforthisattitudethatmyownthinkingofthenew-comerwaslostin the contemplation of hers. Mrs. Jack noticed that there was someawkwardness,andspokehurriedly:“Thisisthegentleman,mydear,thattheagentwroteabout;andashewantedtolookoverthehouseIbroughthimmyself.”Thestrangerprobablytakinghis

cuefromherapologetictonespoke:“ItrustIhavenotdisturbedtheSenora;ifIhave,pardon!Ihavebutcometorenewmymemoryofaplace,deartomeinmyyouth,andwhichthroughthepassing of time and of somewhowere, is nowmy own heritage.”Marjorysmiled, and swept him a curtsey as she said, but still in her distant arm’s-lengthmanner:“Thenyouaretheownerofthecastle,sir.Ihopethatwedonotdisturbyou.Shouldyouwishtobeanywherealoneweshallgladlywithdrawandwaityourpleasure.”Heraisedahandofeloquentprotest,awell-kept,gentleman’shand,ashesaidintonessweetanddeferent:“Oh!Iprayyou,donotstir.MayIsaythatwhenmyhouseisgracedwiththepresenceofsomuch loveliness Iamall toofullofgratitude towishforanychange.Ishallbutlookaroundme,forIhaveacertaindutytodo.Alas!thismyheritagecomesnotonlyasajoy,butwithgravedutieswhichImustfulfill.WellIknowthisroom.ManyatimeasaboyIhavesatherewithmykinsman,thensooldanddistantfrommeinmyrace;andyetIamhisnextsuccessor.Herehashetoldmeofoldtimes,andofmyraceofwhichwewhohavethenamearesoproud;andofthesolemndutywhichmightsomedaycometome.CouldIbuttell....”Herehestoppedsuddenly.Hiseyeshadbeenwanderingallovertheroom,upanddownthebookshelves,and at the fewpictureswhich thewalls contained.When they restedon thetable,a strange lookcame into them.Here lay the type-scriptwhichwehadbeenreading,andthesecretwritingofthedottedprinting.Itwasonthelatterthathiseyeswerefixedabsorbingly.“Wheredidyougetthat?”hesaidsuddenly,pointingtoit.Thequestioninitsbaldsimplicitywasinwordrude,buthismannerofaskingitwassosweetanddeferential that tome it robbed it of all offence. Iwas just about to answerwhenmyeyecaughtthatofMarjory,andIpaused.Therewassuchmeaninginhereyesthatmyownbeganrovingtofindthecauseofit.AsIlookedsheputherhandsonthetablebeforeher,andherfingersseemedtodrumnervously.Tome,however,itwasnonervoustrifling;shewasspeakingtomeinourowncipher.“Be careful!” she spelled out “there is somemystery! Letme speak.” Thenturningtothestrangershesaid:“Itiscuriousisitnot?”“Ah,Senora,thoughcuriousitbeinitself,itisnothingtothestrangenessofitsbeing here. If you only knewhow it had been searched for; how thewholecastlehadbeenransackedfromrooftodungeontofindit,andalwayswithoutavail. Did you but understand the import of that paper tome andmine—ifindeedthesurmisesofmanygenerationsofanxiousmenavailedaught—you

would pardon my curiosity. In my own youth I assisted in a search of thewhole place; no cornerwas left untouched, and even the secret placeswereopened afresh.” As he went on, Marjory’s eyes were resting on his faceunflinchingly,butherfingerswerespellingoutcommentstome.“Therearesecretplaces,then;andheknowsthem.Wait”thestrangerwenton:“See,IshallconvinceyouthatIspeakfromnoidlecuriosity,butfromadeepconvictionofadutythatwasmineandmyancestors’forages.”Therewasasternnessmingledwithhisgrave sweetnessnow; itwas evident that hewassomewhatchagrinedorputoutbyoursilence.Leavingthetablehewentovertooneofthebookshelves,andafterrunninghiseyeoveritforamoment,puthishandupandfromashelfabovehisheadtookdownathickleather-coveredvolume.Thishelaidonthetablebeforeus.Itwasabeautiful,oldblackletterlawbook,withmarginalnotesinblackletterandheadingsinromantype.Thepaginationwas, I could see as he turned it over, by folios.He turned to thetitle-page, which was an important piece of printing in many types,explanatoryofthematterofthebook.Hebegantoreadtheparagraphs,placedin the triangular in form in vogue at that day; following the text with hisforefingerheread:“A collection in English of the Statutes now in force, continued from thebeginningofMagnaChartamadeinthe9.yeereof thereigneofKingH.3.untiltheendeoftheSessionofParliamentholdeninthe28yeereofthereigneof our graciousQueeneElizabeth underTitles placed by order ofAlphabet.Whereinisperformed(touchingtheStatuteswherewithJusticesof thePeacehave to deale) somuch aswas promised in theBooke of their office latelypublished. For which purpose”—&c. &c.,—Then turning over the page hepointedtoapieceoffadedwritingonthebackofitwhichhadbeenleftblankofprinting.Webentdownandreadintheink,fadedtopalebrownbytime:“Mysonneshereinyouwillfindthelawwhichbindsthestrangerinthisland,whereinastrangerisaVagabond.F.deE.XXIII.X.MDLXLIX.”Thenheturnedrapidlyover the leaves, till towards theendtherewasagap.Ontherighthandpage,wherethefolionumberwasallalongplacedwasthenumber528.“See,”hesaid,turningbackandpointingtothebottomofthetitlepage“Anno1588.Threehundredyears,sincefirstmypeopleusedit.”Turningbackhelookedatthefoliobeforethegap;itwas510.“See”hesaid,placing his hand on the pinmarked pages. “Folio 511 and the heading of‘Vagabonds,Beggars,etcetera.’”Hefoldedhisarms inadignifiedwayandstoodsilent.

All along I had been followingmy own train of thought, evenwhilst I hadbeentakinginthestranger’sargument,andatthesametimenotingMarjory’swarning.IfthismanwhoownedtheCastleknewoftheexistenceofthesecretwriting;whoseancestorshadownedthebookinwhichwasthecluesignedF.de E., surely then this could be none other than the descendant of theDonBernardinowhohadhiddenthetreasure.Thiswashiscastle;nowonderthatheknewitssecretways.Matters were getting complicated. If this man were now the hereditaryguardianofthehiddentreasure—andfromhislikenesstotheghostlySpaniardwhomIhadseenintheprocessionatWhinnyfoldIsawnoreasontodoubtit—hemightbeanenemywithwhomweshouldhave tocope. Iwasall inawhirl,andforafewsecondsIthinkquitelostmyhead.Thenrushedovermethe conviction that the mere lapse of time passed in these few minutes ofagonised silencewasbetrayingour secret.Thisbroughtmeupwitha roundturn,andIlookedaboutme.Thestrangemanwasstandingstillasmarble;hisfacewasset,andtherewasnosignoflifeinhimexcepthiseyeswhichblazedastheywanderedaround,takingeverythingin.Mrs.Jacksawthat therewassomethinggoingonwhichshedidnotunderstand,andtriedtoeffaceherself.Marjorywasstandingbythetable,still,erectandwhite.Herfingersbegantodrumsoftlyasshecaughtmyeye,andspelledout:“Give him the paper, from Mrs. Jack. Lately found in old oak chest. Saynothing of interpretation.” This seemed such a doubtfulmove thatwithmyeyesIqueriedit.Shenoddedinreply.SoIgatheredmyselftogetherandsaid:“I’mafraid,sir, that there issomemysteryherewhichIcannotundertake tounderstand.IthinkImaysay,however,formyfriendMrs.Jack,thattherewillbenotroubleinyourhavingfullpossessionofyourbook.Iamtoldthatthesepageswerelatelyfoundinanoldoakchest.Itisremarkablethattheyshouldhavebeenmissingsolong.Wewereattractedbythefunnymarks.Wethoughtthattheremightbesomesortofcryptogram;andIsupposeImaytakeit,fromthefactofyourlookingforthemsolong,thatthisisso?”He grew suspicious in a moment, and stiffened all over. Marjory saw, andappreciatedthereason.Shesmiledatmewithhereyesasshedrummedonthetable:

“Theherringisacrosshispath!”Astheawkwardpausewasthistimewiththestranger,wewaitedwithcomparativeease.Isawwithafeelingofwonderthatthere was, through all her haughtiness, a spice of malice in Marjory’senjoyment of his discomfiture. I looked atMrs. Jack and said: “May I givethesepaperstoMr.——”Sheansweredpromptly:“Whycert’nly! IfMr.Barnardwants them.”Marjory turned round suddenly

andinasurprisedvoicesaid:“Mr.Barnard?”“Thatisthenamegivenintheletterwhichhebrought,mydear!”Thestrangeratoncespokeout:“IamMr.Barnardhere;butinmyowncountryIamofanoldername.Ithankyou, sir, andMadam” turning toMrs. Jack “for your courteous offer.But itwill be time enough for me to consider the lost pages when through theunhappinessofyourdeparturefrommyhouse,Iamenabledtocomehithertolive.Inthemeantime,allIshallaskisthatthepagesbereplacedinthisbookandthatitbeputinitsplaceontheshelfwherenoneshalldisturbit.”Ashespokeinhissweet,deferentialwaytherewassomethinginhislookormannerwhichdidnotaccordwithhiswords;aquickeagershiftingofhiseyes,andabreathinghardwhichwere at variancewithhiswordsof patience. I didnotpretend,however,tonoticeit;Ihadmyowngametoplay.SowithoutawordIplacedthepagescarefullyinthebookandputthelatterbackontheshelffromwhichhehad taken it.Therewasanodd look inMarjory’s facewhichIdidnotquiteunderstand;andasshegavemenocluetoherthoughtsbyoursignlanguage, I waited. Looking at the stranger haughtily, and with a distinctlymilitantexpressionshesaid:“The agent told us that the Barnard family owned this castle!” He bowedgravely,butahot,angryflushspreadoverhisfaceashereplied:“Hespokewhattruthheknew.”Marjory’sreplycamequickly:“But you say you are one of the family, and the very memorandum youpointedoutwassignedF.deE.”Againthehotflushswepthisface;butpassedinaninstant,leavinghimaspaleasthedead.Afterapauseofafewmomentshespokeinatoneoficycourtesy:“I have already said, Senora, that in this country our name—my name, isBarnard.Aname takencenturies agowhen the freedomof thegreat landofEnglandwasnotasnow;whentoleranceforthestrangerwasnot.Inmyownland,thelandofmybirth,thecradleofmyrace,IamcalledDonBernardinoYglesiasPalealogueySantordoyCastelnuovadeEscoban,CountofMinurcaandMarquisofSalvaterra!”Asherehearsedhis titleshedrewhimselfuptohis full height; and pride of race seemed actually to shine or emanate fromhim.Marjory,too,onhersideofthetabledrewherselfupproudlyasshesaidinavoiceinwhichscornstruggledformasterywithdignity:“ThenyouareaSpaniard!”

CHAPTERXXXIII

DONBERNARDINO

THEstrangerheldhimselfwith,ifpossible,greaterhauteurasheanswered:“Ihavethatgreathonour.”“AndI,sir,”saidMarjory,withapriderivallinghisown,“amanAmerican!”Issuewasjoined.Foraperiodwhichfromitsstrainseemedverylong, thoughitwasprobablybutafewseconds,theystoodfacingeachother;typesofthetworaceswhosedeadly contestwas then the interest of theworld. The timewas at any ratesufficiently longforme toconsider thesituation,and toadmire the types. Itwouldhavebeenhard togetabetter representativeofeither,of theLatinaswellasoftheAnglo-Saxon.DonBernardino,withhishighaquilinenoseandblack eyes of eagle keenness, his proud bearing and the very swarthinesswhich toldofMoorishdescent,was, despitehismodern clothes, just such apicture as Velasquez would have loved to paint, or as Fortuny might havemadetoliveagain.And Marjory! She looked like the spirit of her free race, incarnate. Theboldnessofherpose;her freebearing;hermanifest courage and self belief;the absence of either prudery or self-consciousness; her picturesque, noblebeauty, aswith setwhite face and flashing eyes she faced the enemyofhercountry, made a vision never to be forgotten. Even her racial enemy hadunconsciously to fall into admiration; and through it the dominance of hismasculinenaturespoke.Hiswordsweregracious,andtheeasygracefulnessoftheirdeliverywasnolessmarkedbecausethecalmwasforced:“Ournationsalas!Senoraareatwar;butsurelynoteventhecourtesiesofthebattlefieldneedbestrainedwhen individuals,evenof themost loyaleach totheirown,meetonneutralsoil!”ItwasevidentthatevenMarjory’squickwitdidnotgraspatasuitablereply.Theforgivenessofenemiesisnotthestrongpointofanywoman’snature,orofhereducation.Theonlyremarkshemadewastoagainrepeat:“IamanAmerican!”TheSpaniardfeltthestrengthofhisposition;againhismasculinitycameoutinhisreply:“Andallgoodwomen,aswellasallmen,shouldbeloyaltotheirFlag.ButohSenora,beforeevenyournationalitycomesyoursex.TheSpanishnationdoesnotmakewaronwomen!”Heseemedreallytobelievewhathesaid;fortheproud light in his face could not have been to either a dastard or a liar. IconfessitwaswithashockthatIheardMarjory’swords:“Inthereconcentradoswereasmanywomenasmen.More,forthemenwerefighting elsewhere!” The passionate, disdainful sneer on her lips gave

emphasis to the insult;andbloodfollowed thestab.Ared tide rushed to theSpaniard’sswarthyface,overforeheadandearsandneck;till,inamomentofquickpassionofhate,heseemedasifbathedinredlight.AndthenintruthIsawtheverymanofmyvisionatWhinnyfold.Marjory, womanlike, feeling her superiority over the man’s anger, went onmercilessly:“Women and children herded together like beasts; beaten, starved, tortured,mockedat,shamed,murdered!Oh! it isaproudthoughtforaSpaniard, thatwhen the men cannot be conquered, even in half a century of furiousoppression, their baffled foes can wreak their vengeance on the helplesswomenandchildren!”TheSpaniard’s redbecamewhite;adeathlypallorwhich lookedgrey in thedarkenedroom.Withhiscoldnesscametheforceofcoldness,self-command.Ihadafeelingthatinthosefewmomentsofchangehadcometohimsomegrimpurpose of revenge. It was borne in upon me by flashes of memory andinstinctthatthemanwasoftheraceandclassfromwhichcametherulersandoppressors of the land, the leaders of the Inquisition. Eyes like his own,burning in faces of deathly white, looked on deeds of torture, whose verymemoryaftercenturiescanappal theworld.Butwithallhispassionofhateandshameheneverlosttheinstinctofhisdignity,orhisgraceofmanner.Onecouldnotbutfeelthatevenwhenhestrucktokillhewouldstrikewitheasefulgrace. Something of the feeling was in his speech, perhaps in the mannerratherthanthewords,whenafterapausehesaid:“For such foul acts I have nought but indignation and grief; though in thehistoryofanationsuchthingsmustbe.It isthesoldier’sdutytoobey;eventhoughhisheart revolt. Ihavememoryofhearing that evenyourowngreatnation has exercised not somuch care asmight be”—how he sneeredwithpolishedsarcasmashe turnedthephrase—“inthedealingwithIndians.Naymore,eveninyourgreatwar,whentokillwasfratricidal,therewerehardshipstotheconquered,eventothehelplesswomenandchildren.HaveInotheardthatoneofyourmosthonouredgenerals,beingaskedwhatwastobecomeofthewomeninagreatmarchofdevastationthathewasabouttomake,replied,“Thewomen?Iwouldleavethemnothingbuttheireyestoweepwith!”But,indeed, Igrieve that in thisourmutualwar theSenoragrieves. Is it thatshehassufferedinherself,orthroughothersdeartoher?”Marjory’seyesflashed;pullingherselftofullheightshesaidproudly:“Sir,Iamnotonewhowhinesforpainofmyown.Iandmineknowhowtobearourowntroubles,asourancestorsdidbeforeus.WedonotbendbeforeSpain;nomoreto-daythanwhenmygreatancestorsswepttheSpaniardfromtheWesternMain,tilltheseaswerelitwithblazingmastsandtheshoreswere

fringedwithwreckage!WeAmericans are not the stuff ofwhich youmakereconcentrados. We can die! As for me, the three hundred years that havepassedwithoutwar,areasadream;IlookonSpainandtheSpaniardwiththeeyes,andfeelwiththeheart,ofmygreatuncleFrancisDrake.”Whilst she was speaking Don Bernardino was cooling down. He was stilldeadlypale,andhiseyeshadsomethingofthehollowglareofphosphorusinthesocketsofaskull.Buthewasmasterofhimself;anditseemedtomethathewasstrainingeverynervetorecover,forsomepurposeofhisown,hislostground. Itmayhavebeen thathewasashamedofhisburstofpassion,withandbeforeawoman;butanyhowhewasmanifestlysetonmaintainingcalm,or the appearance of it.With the fullness of his grace and courtesy he said,turningtoMrs.Jack:“Ithankyouforthepermission,sograciouslygrantedtome,tovisitagainthismy house. You will permit me, however, I hope without any intention ofoffence, to withdraw from where my presence has brought so much ofdisturbance;thewhichIdeplore,andforwhichIcravepardon.”Tomehebowedstifflywithasortofloftycondescension;andfinally,lookingtowardsMarjory,hesaid:“TheSenorawill I trust believe that even aSpaniardmayhavepity togivepain;andthattherearedutieswhichgentlemenmustobservebecausetheyaregentlemen,andbecausetheyreverencethetrustthatisreposedinthemmorethandocommonmen.ShecanappreciatethecallofdutyIknow;forshecanbe none other than the new patriot who restores in the west our gloriousmemoriesoftheMaidofSaragossa.Ipraythatthetimemaycomewhensheshallunderstand these thingsandbelieve!”Then,withabowwhich seemedthe embodiment of old-fashioned grace and courtesy, he bent almost to theground.Marjory instinctively bowed.Her training as to goodmanners, herestoodheringoodstead;notevenpatrioticenthusiasmcanattimesbreaktheicybarrierofsocialdecorum.WhentheSpaniardleft theroom,whichhedidwithlongstridesbutbearinghimselfwithinconceivablehaughtiness,Mrs.Jack,withaglanceatus,wentwithhim.InstinctivelyIstartedtotakeherplace;inthefirstinstancetorelieveherfromanawkwardduty,andbeyondthiswithafeelingthatIwasnotquitesatisfiedwithhim.NoonecouldbeinantagonismwithMarjory,andacquireorretainmygoodwill.AsImoved,Marjoryheldupherhandandwhisperedtometostay.Ididso,andwaitedforhertoexplain.Shelistenedintentlytotheretreatingfootsteps;whenweheard theechoingsoundof theclosingtheheavyouterdoor,shebreathedfreelyandsaidtomewithreliefinhervoice:“Iknowyoutwowouldhavefoughtifyouhadgotalonetogetherjustnow!”Ismiled,forIwasjustbeginningtounderstandthatthatwasjusthowIfelt.

Marjoryremainedstandingatthetable,andIcouldseethatshewasburiedinthought.Presentlyshesaid:“I felt it was cruel to say such things to that gentleman. Oh! but he is agentleman;theoldideaseemsembodiedinhim.Suchpride,suchhaughtiness;suchdisdainofthecommonerkind;suchadherencetoideas;suchdevotiontohonour!Indeed,Ifelt itverycruelandungenerous;butIhadnothingelsetodo.Ihadtomakehimangry;andIknewhecouldn’tquarrelwithme.Nothingelsewouldhavetakenusallawayfromthecipher.”Herwordsgavemequiteashock.“DoyoumeantosayMarjory,”Iasked,“thatyouwereactingapartallthetime?”“I don’t know” she answered pensively, “I meant every word I said, evenwhenithurthimmost.IsupposethatwastheAmericaninme.AndyetallthetimeIhadapurposeoramotiveofmyownwhichpromptedme. Isupposethatwasthewomaninme.”“Andwhatwasthemotiveorpurpose?”Iaskedagain,forIwondered.“I don’t know!” she said naively. I felt that she was concealing somethingfromme;butthatitwasasomethingsotenderorsodeepinherheartthatitsveryconcealmentwasashycompliment.SoIsmiledhappilyasIsaid:“And that is the girl in you. The girl that is American, and European, andAsiatic, andAfrican, andPolynesian.The girl straight out of theGarden ofEden,withthefragranceofGod’sownbreathinhermouth!”“Darling!”shesaid,lookingatmelovingly.Thatwasall.Duringtheday,wediscussedthevisitorof themorning.Mrs.Jacksaidverylittle,butnowandagainimploredMarjorytobecautious;whenshewasaskedherreasonforthewarningheronlyreplywas:“Idon’tlikeamanwhocanlooklikethat.Idon’tknowwhichisworst,whenheishotorcold!”IgatheredthatMarjoryinthemainagreedwithher;butdidnotfeelthesameconcern.Marjorywouldhavebeenconcernedifthedangerhad been to anyone else; but she was not habituated to be anxious aboutherself.Besides,shewasyoung;andtheantagonistwasaman;andhaughtyandhandsome,andinteresting.In theafternoonwecompletedour arrangements for thevisit to the treasurecave.Webothfeltthenecessityforpressingonthismatter,sincetheexistenceof thesecretwritingwasknowntoDonBernardino.Hehadnothesitated tospeak openly, though he did not know of course the extent of our ownknowledge of the subject, of a grave duty which he had undertaken fromhereditarymotives,orof the tragicconsequenceswhichmight ensue. Itwaswhilstwewere speaking of the possibility of his being able to decipher thecryptogram,thatMarjorysuddenlysaid:

“DidyouunderstandexactlywhyIaskedyoutogivehimthepaperatonce?”“Farbeitfromme”Ianswered“toprofesstounderstandexactlythemotivesofanycharmingwoman.”“Notevenwhenshetellsyouherself?”“Ah! then the realmystery only begins!” I said bowing. She smiled as shereplied:“YouandIarebothfondofmysteries.SoIhadbetter tellyouatonce.Thatmandoesn’tknowthesecret.Iamsureofit.Heknowsthereisasecret;andheknowsapart,butonlyapart.Thateagerlookwouldn’thavebeeninhiseyeif he had known already. I daresay there is, somewhere, some duplicate ofwhattheoriginalDonBernardinoputdowninhisstory.AndofcoursetheremustbesomeallusiontothetreasureinthesecretrecordsatSimancasortheQuirinal or theVatican.Neither the kings of Spain nor the Popeswould letsuchatreasurepassoutofmind.Indeeditispossiblethatthereissomekeyorcluetoitwhichheholds.Didyounoticehowhereferredatoncetothesecretmeaningofthememoranduminthebeginningofthelawbook?Ifwehadnotgivenitupatonce,hewouldhaveforcedonthequestionandwishedtotakethe paper away; and we could not have refused without letting him knowsomethingbyourveryrefusal.Doyouunderstandanymoreofmymeaningnow?Andcanyouforgivemeanymoreformyill-manneredoutbreak?ThatiswhatIammostsorryfor,ofallthathasbeenintheinterviewto-day.Isthatalsoanymorelighttoyouonthemysteryofawoman’smind?”“Itis,youdear!itis!”IsaidasItookherforamomentinmyarms.Shecameeasilyandlovinglytome,andIcouldnotbutbeassuredthattheyieldingevenmomentarily to tendernesshelped to ease the strainwhichhadbeenbearinguponherforsolong.FormyMarjory,thoughastrongandbraveone,wasbutawomanafterall.At sixo’clock I tookmywayback toWhinnyfold; for Iwanted tohave allreadyforourenterprise,andtakefulladvantageoftheebbtide.WearrangedthatonthisoccasionMarjoryshouldcomealonetojoinmeatthehouse—ourhouse.

CHAPTERXXXIVTHEACCOLADE

WHEN Marjory arrived, I had all ready for our exploration. There wereseveralpackageswaitingforher,andwhensheemergedfromtheroomwhereshehadgonetochange,theirpurposewasmanifest.Sheappearedinaflannel

tennisfrock,shortenoughtoshowthatshehadputonhersandshoesonherbarefeet.ShesawthatInoticedandsaidwithalittleblush:“YouseeIamdressedforthepart;youcamebacksowetthelasttimethatIthoughtIhadbetterprepareforittoo.”“Quiteright,mydear,”Isaid.“Thatprettyheadofyoursislevel.”WewenttothecellaratoncewhereIhadlampsandcandlespreparedandreadytolight.IshowedMarjoryhowtogetupanddownbyherself,incaseanythingshouldhappentome.Thismadethegravityofourenterpriseapparent.Herfacegrewa trifle anxious, though she did not change colour; I could see that all heranxietywas forme and none for herself.We took care to bring a plentifulsupplyofmatchesandcandles,aswellasanextra lampandanoilcan,andsome torchesand redandwhite lights.All thesewere ina tinbox to insuretheirbeingkeptdry.Ihadamealofbreadandmeatpackedready;alsoabottleofwaterandaflaskofbrandy,fortheexplorationmighttakealongtime.Thetidewasnotquiteout,andtherewasstillinplacesacoupleoffeetofwater;butwedecidedtogoonatonceasitwouldgiveusmoretimeifwestartedonafallingtide.I took Marjory first up the passage inland, so that she might understandsomethingofthelinesofthecavesystem.Therewas,however,toomuchtidejust then to show herwhere I surmised theremight be some deep opening,perhaps permanently under water, into some of the other caves. Then weretracedourstepsandgainedthepileofdebrisoftheexplosionatthecave’smouth. I could not but notice how much Marjory was impressed by thestillnessoftheplace.Here, thetide,filteringinbyinnumerablecrevicesandrifts between the vast pile of stones, showed no sign of the force ofwaveswithout.Therewasnottimefortheriseandfallofwavestobeapparent;butthewatermaintainedits levelsilently,exceptfor thatceaselessgurglewhichcomeswiththepilinginofwateranywhere,andissoconstantthatitdoesnotstrikeoneasasound.Itwasborneinuponusthatthewildeststormwithout,wouldmakeno impressuponushere in thiscaverndeep;andwith it, asaninevitable corollary, came the depressing thought of our helplessness shouldaughtgowronginthefastnessesofthisnaturalprison.Marjory bounded over the slippery stones like a young deer, and when wepassed through the natural archway into the cave beyond, her delight wasmanifest.ShewashurryingonsoquicklythatIfounditnecessarytotellhershemustgoslowsoastobeabletotakestockofallaroundherasshewent.Itwasneedfultolookbackaswellasforward,sothatshemightrecognisetheplaceswhencoming theotherway. I remindedherofcautionbyholdingupthegreatballofstoutcordwhichIcarried,theendofwhichwasattachedtotheropeofthewindlassinthecellar.“Remember,dear,”Isaid,“thatyouhaveto be prepared for all eventualities; if necessary to go backalone and in the

dark.”Sheshudderedalittleanddrewclosertome;Ifeltthatthemovementwasoneofprotectionratherthanoffear.Whenwewentalongthepassage,whereonthefirstoccasionIhadfoundthewaterrisenearlytotheroof,wehadtowait;a littlewayaheadofus,wherethe cave dipped to its lowest, the water was still touching the top. Wepossessedoursoulswithwhatpatiencewecould,andinabouthalfanhour’stimewewereabletopass.Wewerequitewet,however,foronlyourfacesandourlampswereabovewater;withtheexception,ofcourse,ofthetinboxwiththecandlesandmatchesandourprovisions,whichItookcaretokeepdry.Marjory’sdelightatthesightofthehugeredcavewasunspeakable.WhenIlitoneof thered lights theblindingglowfilled theplace,exposingeverynookandcorner,andthrowingshadowsofvelvetblackness.Thenaturalredofthegranite suited the red light, the effect being intensely rich.Whilst the lightlasted itwasall likeadreamoffairyland;andMarjoryhungon tomeinanecstasyofdelight.Then,whenthelightdieddownandthelastsparksfellintothe natural darkness, it seemed as if we and all around us were steeped ingloom.Thelittlepatchesoffaintlightfromourlampsseemedtoourdazzledeyestoopenlyemphasisethesurroundingblackness.Marjory suggested that we should explore the great cavern before we didanything else. I acquiesced, for it was just as well that we should bethoroughlyacquaintedwiththevariousramificationsofthecave.Iwasnotbyanymeanssureasyetthatweshouldbeabletogettothecaveofthetreasure.Here, all around us,was red;wewere entirelywithin the sienite formation.When I had been first in the cave I had not seen it lit up. Onlywhere thecomparativelyfeeblelightofmybicyclelanternhadfallenhadIseenanythingatall.Ofcourse itmayhavebeen that the red lightwhichIhadburnedhadmisledmebyoverwhelmingeverythinginitsluridglow.SothistimeIgotawhite light out of the box and lit it. The effect was more ghastly and lesspleasant. In the revealing glare, the edges of everything stood out hard andcold,andsofarrepulsivethatinstinctivelyMarjorydrewclosertome.Whilethe light remained, however, I was able to satisfy myself of one thing; allaroundwasonlytheredgranite.Colourandformandtexturealltoldthesamething; we had passed the stratification of gneiss and entered on that of thesienite.Ibegantowonderandtothink,thoughIdidnotatoncementionthemattertoMarjory.TheoneguidinglightastolocalityintheDon’snarrativewasthedescriptionofthecave“theblackstoneononehandandtheredontheother.”NowatBroadHaventhegneissandtheredsienitejoin,andthestratainplacesseemas ifwelded togetheror fusedby fire.Hereand therecanbefoundpatchesinthecliffwhereitishardtosaywhereoneclassofrockendsand the other begins. In the centre bay, however, to the north ofmy house,thereisasortofdipinthecliffcovereddeepwithclay,andbrightwithgrass

andwildflowers.Throughthisatinystreamrushesinwetweather,orindrytricklesdown the steep incline.This is thenaturalormaindivisionbetweenthegeologicalformations;foroneithersideofitisadifferentkindofrock—itwasherethatIexpectedtofindthatthetreasurecavewassituated.Ithadbeenof course impossible for me, though I had had a compass with me, to fixexactlythewindingsofthecave.Iknew,however,thatthegeneraltrendwasto the right; we must, therefore, have passed behind the treasure cave andcome into the region of red granite. I began to have an idea, or rather therudiment of one, that later on we should have to go back on our tracks.Inasmuchasmyownhousestoodonthegneissformation,weshouldhavetofindwhereaboutinthecavewindingstheredandtheblackrocksjoined.Fromthis point we might be able to make new and successful progress towardsdiscoveryofthetreasureitself.InthemeantimeIwascontenttolingerafewminutes in thegreatcavern. Itwasevident thatMarjorywas in lovewith it,andwasatpresentinawhirlofdelight.And,afterall,shewasmyworld,andherhappinessmy sunshine. I fully realised in thedelightful passagesofourcompanionshipthetruthofthelover’sprayerinHerrick’sprettypoem.“GivemebutwhatthisRibbonbound,Takealltherestthesungoesround.”Every day, every hour, seemed to me to be revealing new beauties of mywife’scharacterandnature.Shewasherselfbecomingreconciledtoournewrelationship;and in theconfidenceofherownhappiness,and inher trustofher husband, the playful and sweet sides of her naturewere gaining a newdevelopment. I couldnot help feeling at times that allwasgoingon for thebest;thattheveryrestraintoftheopeningofourmarriedlifewasformativeofinfluence for good on us both. If all young husbands and wives could butunderstand the true use of the old-fashioned honeymoon, the minuteknowledge of character coming in moments of unconscious self-revelation,theremight bemore answers in the negative to the all important nineteenthcentury philosophical query, “Is marriage a failure?” It was evident thatMarjorywasreluctant toleavethecave.Shelingeredandlingered;at last inobediencetoacommandofhers,conveyed—forshesaidnothing—insomeofthosesubtlefeminineways,which,thoughIdidnotunderstandtheirmethods,Iwasbeginning to learn toobey, I lit a torch.Holding it aloft, andnoticingwithdelighthowthelightdancedinmywife’sbeautifuleyesassheclappedherhandsjoyouslywiththeovertpleasureofachild,Isaid:“Her Majesty wishes to inspect her new kingdom. Her slave awaits herpleasure!”“Leadon!”shesaid.“HerMajestyispleasedwiththereadyunderstandingofherRoyalConsort,andwithhisswiftobediencetoherwishes;andoh!Archieisn’t this simply too lovely for anything!” The quick change into thevernacularmadeusbothlaugh;andtakinghandsliketwochildrenwewalked

round the cavern. At the upper end of it, almost at the furthest point fromwhereweentered,wecameacrossaplacewhere,underanoverhangingredwallwhichspreadoutoverheadlikeacanopy,agreatrockrosefromthelevelfloor.Itwassomenoduleofespecialhardnesswhichinthegeneraltriturationhadnotbeenwornawaybythewashofthewaterandtherollingofpebbleswhichatonetimeundoubtedlyhelpedtosmooththefloor.Intheblinkinglightofthetorch,thestrengthofwhichwasdimmedinthevastnessofthecavern,theisolatedrock,standingasitdidundertherockycanopywhoseglisteningsurfacesentdownapatchyreflexoftheglare,seemedlikeathrone.Theideaoccurredsimultaneouslytobothofus;evenasIspokeIcouldseethatshewaspreparedtotakeherseat:“WillnotHerMajestygraciouslytakeherseatuponthethronewhichthegreatOver-Lord,Nature,hashimselfpreparedforher?”Shetookthestickwhichshecarriedtosteadyherinthewading,andholdingitlikeasceptre,said,andoh,buthersweetvoicesoundedlikefarmusicstealingthroughthevastnessofthecavern:“HerMajesty,now that shehas ascendedher throne, and so, formally takenpossessionofherKingdom,herebydecreesthatherfirstactofpowershallbeto confer the honour of Knighthood on her first and dearest subject. KneelthereforeatthefeetofyourQueen.Answermebyyourloveandloyalty.Doyouherebypromiseandvowobedience to thewishesofyourQueen?Shallyouloveherfaithfullyandtrulyandpurely?Shallyouholdherinyourheartofhearts,yieldingobediencetoalltruewishesofhers,andkeepingthesamesteadfastlytotheend?Do—you—love—me?”Hereshepaused;therisingemotionwaschokingherwords.Thetearswelledintohereyesandhermouthquivered.Iwasallatonceinafireofdevotion.Icouldthen,andindeedwhenIthinkofitIcannow,realisehowofold,inthedays when loyalty was a passion, a young knight’s heart flowered andblossomedinthemomentofhispermitteddevotion.ItwaswithallthetruthofmysoulandmynaturethatIanswered:“Idoloveyou,oh,mygraciousQueen.Iherebytakeall thevowsyouhavemetedtome.Ishallholdyouever,asIdonow,inmyveryheartofhearts.Ishallworship andcherishyou till deathpartsus. I shall reverence andobeyyoureverytruewish;evenasIhavealreadypromisedbesidetheseaandatthealtar.Andwhithersoevermyfeetmaygoinobediencetoyourwill,myQueenandmyLove, they shall go on steadfast, to the end.”Here I stopped, for Ifearedtotrytosaymore;Iwastremblingmyselfandthewordswerechokedinmythroat.MarjorybentoverasIknelt,laidherwandonmyshoulderandsaid:“Riseup,SirArchibald,myownTrueKnightandLoyalLover!”BeforeIrose

Iwantedtokissherhand,butasIbent,herfootwastemptinglynear.Istoopedlower to kiss it. She sawmy intention and saying impulsively: “Oh,Archiedear,not thatwet,dirtyshoe,”kicked itoff. I stoopedstill lowerandkissedherbarefoot.

AsI lookedupatherfaceadoringly,ablushsweptover itandleftherpale;butshedidnotflinch.ThenIstoodupandshesteppeddownfromherthrone,and into my arms. She laid her head against my shoulder, and for a fewmomentsofecstasyourheartsbeattogether.

CHAPTERXXXVTHEPOPE’STREASURE

“NOW,”saidMarjory,atlastdisengagingherselffromme,“letusgetdowntobusiness.We’vegottofindthetreasure,youknow!”Sowesetourselvesdowntoasystematicsearch.Weexploredone after another all the caves leadingout of themain cavern.Someofthemwerenarrowandtortuous;somewerewideandlowwithroofdropping down, down, until it was impossible for anything in the shape ofhumanity to pass. All these, however, with one exception, ended in thosefissure-like clefts, running somewhere to a point, which characterise cavernformations.The exceptionwas at the northwest side of the cavernwhere ahigh, fairlywide passage extended,with an even floor as though it too hadbeenlevelledbyrollingpebbles.Itkeptonstraightforagoodlength,andthencurved round gently to the right, all the while fairly maintaining itsproportions.Presentlyitgrewsohighthat itwaslikeanarrowwaybetweentall houses. I lit a white light, and in the searching glare noticed that faroverhead the rocky walls leaned together till they touched. This spot, justaboveus,was evidently thehighest point; the roof thence fell rapidly till atlastitwasonlysometenfeethigh.Alittlefurtheronitcametoasuddenend.Heretherewasagreatpiled-upmassofhuge,sharp-edgedrocks,atthebaseofwhichwerestonesofallsizes,someroundandsomejagged.Scatterednearandisolatedweremanystonesroundedbyconstantfriction.AsIlooked,thewholecircumstancesseemedtocometome.“See,”IcriedtoMarjory,“thiswasevidentlyanotherentrancetothecave.Thetides,ebbingorflowing,droveinthroughonewayandoutattheother;andthefloorwaswornlevel in process of countless years by rollingpebbles like these.Then camesome upheaval orwearing away bywater drift of supportingwalls of rock;and this mouth of the cave fell in.We must be by now somewhere at the

CrudensideofWhinnyfold;wearefacingalmostduenorth.”Astherewasmanifestlynothingtobedonehere,wetookourwaybacktothemaincavern.Whenwebegan to lookaroundus for anewplace toexplore,Marjorysaid:“Theredoesn’t seem tobe any treasure cave at all here.Wehavenow triedeverywhere.” Then it was that my mind went back again to the Don’sdescription“Blackontheonehandandredontheother.”“Come,”Isaid,“letusgobacktillwefindthejoiningofthegneissandgranite.”Aswewentbackthefloorwasalmostdry;onlyafewpoolsofwaterhereandthere,lyinginthedepressions,calledattentiontothefactthatwewereundertidalinfluence.Aswewentwekeptacareful look-out for the fusionof the rocks;andfound itwhere the passage with the descending roof debouched into that which ledfromtheblockedupentranceofthecave.Therewashere,however,nosignofanotherpassage,andthemainoneoutsidewaslikethatundermyownhouse,entirelythroughthegneiss.I couldnothelp feelinga littledisappointed.FormanyweeksmymindhadbeensetonfindingthePope’streasure;andthoughIbelieveitwasnotgreedwhichcontrolledmeeventoanygreatextent,Iwasdeeplychagrined.Ihadasort of unworthy fear that it might lower me in the eyes of Marjory. Thisfeeling, however,wasonlymomentary; andwhen itwent, itwent forgood.Drawinginmynote-bookaroughoutlineofWhinnyfold,IdottedlineswhereI took thevariousbranchesof thecave to lieand thenmarked in the lineoffusionofthegneissandthegraniteasitwasmanifestonthecliffsandontheshorebeyond.Marjorywasatonceconvinced;indeedwhenIsawmysurmiseputdown inblack andwhite it seemed tomequite apparent that itmustbecorrect. The treasure cavemust bewithin that spacewhich lay between thedismantledentranceonthesideoftheSkares,andthatwhichhadfalleninonthenorth side.The logical inferencewas that if therewas anentrance tobefoundatall itwouldbeclosetothedebrisfromtheDon’sexplosion.Sowetookinsilence,ourwaybacktothatpointandbeganatoncetoexaminethedebris for any sign of an opening in the rock to the north side. Marjoryscrambled up to the top of the pilewhilst I explored the base. TurningmylanternontherockywallIbegantoexamineitfootbyfootandinchbyinch.SuddenlyMarjorycriedout.Iraisedmyheadandlookedather.Herface,litbytheraysofmyownlampwhich,withthehabitofsearchingnowfamiliartomeIhadturnedasmyeyesturned,wasradiantwithjoyandexcitement.“Look!look!”shecried.“Oh,Archie,thereisthetopofanopeninghere.Thestones fill itup.”Asshespokeshepushedata stoneon the topof thepile;underherhanditmovedanddisappearedwithahollowrattle.BythistimeIhadscrambleduptheslipperypileandwasbesideher.Thedisappearanceofthe stone had enlarged the opening, and something like a foot square was

discovered.Sowebegantoworkattheheapofstones,onlywepulledandthrewthemintothecavewhereweweresoasnottoblocktheplaceweaimedat.Thetoplayerofstoneswaseasytomove,astheywerecomparativelysmall,andwerenotinterlocked, but below themwe found amuchmore difficult task.Here therocks were larger and more irregular in shape, and their points and edgesinterlocked.Wedidnotmind,however,buttoiledon.Icouldnotbutnoticeaswe did so, a trait of Marjory’s coolness of head in the midst of all herexcitement, when she took from her pocket a pair of heavy gloves and putthemon.Insomefifteenortwentyminuteswehadunmaskedaholesufficientlylargetopassthroughcomfortably.Ifoundthattheoilofmylampwasrunninglow;soIrefilleditandMarjory’salso.Thenholdingmyownlampcarefully,whilstMarjoryturnedhersinthedirectionIwasgoing,Ipassedoverthetopoftheminiaturemoraine,and ina fewsecondswason the floorof theothercave.Marjorythrewmetheballofstringandscramblingdownjoinedmeatonce.Wewentalongcarefully,fortheroofofthecavedippedverylowandwehadinmorethanoneplacetobendconsiderably;eventhenwewerewalkinginacoupleoffeetofwaterasthefloordippedaswellastheroof.Whenwehadgonesomedistance,however,theroofroseasthecaveturnedsharptotheleft,roundacornerofverybrokenandjaggedrockinwhichIcouldseesignsofthefusionofthetwogeologicalformations.Ourheartsbeathighandwetookhandsinstinctively;wewerenowconfidentthatwewereinthetreasurehouseatlast.As we went up the cave, here running, so far as I could ascertain by thecompass,straightinandfromthesea,wecouldnote,asweturnedourlampsnowandagaintoeitherside,thatonourleftwasallblackrockwhilstontherightwasallred.Thecavewasnotalongone;nothingtocomparewiththosewehadleft. Itwasnotverymanyseconds, thoughwehadtogoslowaswedidnotknowforcertainastothefloorlevel,beforethecavebegantoexpand.When,however,itwidenedandbecamemorelofty,thefloorroseinallsomethreefeetandwewentupasharpinclinethoughnotofverygreatmagnitude.Thisdippedalittleagainformingapoolwhichspreadaheadofussofaraswecouldseebythedimlightofourbicyclelamps.AswedidnotknowthedepthIwadedin,Marjoryenjoiningmeanxiouslytobecareful.Ifounditdeepenedvery slowly; so she joined me and we went on together. By my advice,Marjorykepta fewfeet in therear,so that incaseIshouldstumbleormeetwithadeepholeandsolosemylight,herswouldstillbesafe.Iwassointentonmyfeet, forI feared lestMarjoryfollowingsoclosemightget intosometrouble, thatIhardlylookedahead,butkeptcautiouslyonmyway.Marjory,whowasflashingherlampallaroundasshewent,suddenlycalledout:

“Look!look!Theretotheright,thefigureoftheSanCristobalwiththegoldenChristonhisshoulder.”Iturnedmylanterntotheanglesofthecavetotherighttowhichwewerenowclose.Thetwolampsgaveuslightenoughtoseewell.There, rising from the water under the shelf of rock, was the figure thatBenvenutohadwrought,asDonBernardinohadleftitthreecenturiesago.AsImovedforwardsIstumbled;intryingtosavemyselfthelampwasshakenfrommyhandandfellhissinginthedarkwater.AsitfellIsawbytheflashoflight the white bones of a skeleton under the San Cristobal. Instinctively IcalledouttoMarjory:“Standstillandtakecareofyourlamp;I’vedroppedmine!”

“Allright!”camebackheranswercoolly;shehadquitecommandofherself.She turned the lamp downwards, so thatwe could see into thewater, and IfoundIhadstumbledagainstanironbox,besidewhich,inabouttwofeetofwater,laymylamp.Ipickedthisupfirstandshookthewaterfromitandlaiditontheshelfofrock.“Waithereamoment,”Isaid,“Ishallrunbackandgetatorch.”ForIhadleft thetinboxonthetopoftheheapofdebriswhenwehad scrambled through the hole. I was starting back at oncewhen she saidafterme,and in thatcave thevoicecameafterme“monotonousandhollowlikeaghost’s:”“Takemylampwithyoudear.Howcanyoufindthebox,oreventhewaytoit,inthedark?”“ButIcan’tleaveyoualonehere;allinthedark,too.”“Oh,I’mallright,”sheansweredgaily,“Idon’tmindabit!Andbesidesitwillbeanewsensationtobeherealone—withOlgarefandthetreasure.Youwon’tbelong,willyou,dear?”Ifeltthatherqueryalmostbeliedherbravewords;but Iknewthatbehind the latter layherpridewhich Imustnotoffend;so Itookthe lampshewasholdingout tomeandhurriedon.InafewminutesIhadfoundtheboxandbroughtitback;butIcouldseethateventhoseminuteshadbeenatryingtimetoMarjory,whowasdeathlywhite.WhenIcameclose,she clung tome; after a second or two she said, as she drew herself away,lookingatmediffidentlyasthoughtoexcuseherself,orrathertoaccountforherperturbation:“ThemomentyouhadgoneandIwasaloneinthedarkwiththetreasure,alltheweirdprophecyingofGormalacamebacktome.Theverydarknessitselfmade lightpatches,and I sawshrouds floatingeverywhere.But it’sall rightnowthatyouarehere.Lightatorch,andweshalllookatthePope’streasure.”I took a torch out of the box and lit it; she laid it so that the lighted end

projectedwell beyond the shelf of rock andgave a fine if fitful, light to allaround.Wefoundwateraboutthreefeetdeepatitsworst;intheglareofthetorch and because of its crystal purity, it did not look even so much. Westooped down to examine the box, which was only one of several lying infrontofagreatheapofsomething,alldarkwithrustandage,whichfilledupawholecornerofthecave.Thehaspwaseatenthroughwithrust,aswellitmightbeafterthreecenturiesinthewater,andonlyretaineditsform.Thiswasdoubtlessduetothestillnessof the water, for even the shock of my striking the box with my boot hadbrokenitacross.WhenIpulledatit,itcrumbledtopiecesinmyfingers.Inthesamewaytheironoftheboxitselfwasrustedrightthrough;andasItriedtoliftthelidwhichwasannealedbycorrosiontothesidesofthebox,itbrokeinmyhands.Iwasabletotearitawaylikematchwood.Thecontentswerenotcorroded,butwereblackenedbythesea.Itwasallmoney,butwhethersilverorgoldwecouldnottell,anddidnotstoptosee.Thenweopenedboxafterboxinthesameway,andinallbutonefoundcoins.Thistookaconsiderabletime;butwedidnotinourexcitementnoteitsflying.Theheapinthecornerwas composed of great ingots, to lift any ofwhich took a distinct effort ofstrength.Theoneboxunfilledwithcoinscontainedsmallerboxesorcasketswhichwereuncorrodedandwere,wepresumed,ofsomesuperiormetal,silverorgold.Theywerealllocked;IliftedoneofthemandlaiditontheshelfofrockwhilstIsearchedforakey.Itwasadifficultmattertofindanydefinitethingwhilststoopinginthewater,soItookmyknifeandtriedwithitspointtopriseopenthecasket.Thelockmusthavebeenofironandcorroded;itgaveway instantly under pressure, disclosing a glittering heap of stones which,eventhroughallthecloudinessofthesalinedepositofcenturies,flashedredlightseverywhere.“Rubies!”criedMarjorywhostoodclosetome,clappingherhands.“Oh!howlovely.Darling!” she addedkissingme, for her expressionof delight had tofindaventonsomething.“Next!”IsaidasIbenttotheironchesttoliftoutanotherofthecaskets.Idrewbackwithashudder;Marjorylookinganxiouslyatmyfacedivinedthecauseandcriedingenuinealarm:“Thetide!Thetideisrising;andisshuttingusin!”

CHAPTERXXXVITHERISINGTIDE

ITHINKtheremustbesomeprovisionofnaturewhichintimesofrealdanger

keepsmen’sminds away from personal fears. I can honestly say that not athoughtofdangerformyselfcrossedmymind;thoughIwasharrowedupandappalled by fears for Marjory. My mental excitement, however, took apracticalshape,andthoughtafterthoughtflashedthroughmybrainastohowIcouldbestservemywife.Thesituationwithitswoefulpossibilitiescamefirst;andafterwards,inquicksuccession,theeffortswhichmightbemade.ButfirstImustseehowwereallystood.Ididnotknowthiscaveandthelengthsandlevelsofitwellenoughtobesurewhetherthetidecouldblockuscompletelyin.Iftherewerebuthead-roomtheactualdistancewasnotfartoswim.ThisIcould soonsettle; takingMarjory’s lampwhichstoodon the ledgeof rock IrandownthecavecallingoutasIwent:“Stayhere aminute, dear, Iwant to seehow far the tide is in.”Thedoublewindingofthecavemadeithardformetojudgeataglance;itwasonlywhenI came to the piece of straight passage leadingup from the sea that I couldjudge. From the time I left the treasure chamber of the cave the water gotdeeperanddeeperasIwent,butthedifficultywasnotinthisway;IknewthatsolongastherewasheadwayIcouldswimforitandtakeMarjorywithme.ButwhenIcamedownthestraight,myhopeswerealtogetherdashed.Asthefloordipped towards theseasodid the roof inmuchgreaterdegree. Iknewthat therewasoneplacewhereat lowwater therewasonlybarelyheadwayevenwhenwestoopedlow;butIwasnotpreparedforwhatIsaw.Thewaterhadalreadyrisensofarthatthisplacewas,fromwhereIstoodwaisthighinwater,obliterated;therockyroofsankintothestill,levelwater.ForamomentIconsideredwhetheritwouldnotbebesttodivethroughit.Ihadthecordtoguideme,andIknewthattowardsitsmouththecaveroofroseagain.ButthentherewasMarjory.Shewasnotlikemyselfanaccomplisheddiver.Itmightbepossibleiftheworstshouldcometotheworsttodrawherthroughthewater-chokedpieceof tunnelby theguidingcord.But if the cord shouldbreakoranythinggowrong....Thethoughtwastoodreadful!IhurriedbacktoMarjorytoseehowfaritmightbeadvisabletomaketheattempt,howeverdangerous,ratherthanbedrownedinthedeepeningwaterof thecave,orasphyxiatedifthespaceleftweretoosmalltoallowusbreathingtillthefallingofthetide.IfoundMarjorystandingontheshelfofrock,towhichshehadclimbedbytheaid of the San Cristobal figurehead. She was holding up the torch andexaminingcarefullythewallsandroofofthecave.Whensheheardthesplashofmycomingthroughthewater,sheturned;Icouldseethatthoughherfacewaspaleshewasverycalmandself-possessed.Shesaidquietly:“Ihavebeenlookingforhigh-watermark,butIcanhardlyseeanysignofit.Isupposeinthisdarkcave,whereneitherseaweednorzoophyteexists,thereisnosuch thing.Unlessofcourse itbe that thewholecave isunder thewaterline; inwhich casewemust be ready for theworst.”As she spoke shewas

raising the torch till its light illuminated,sofaraswaspossible, theextremeangleof thecavernwhere it ranup toasortofpoint. Iscrambledupbesideher,andmakinguseofmygreaterheight,tookthetorchandkeepingitawayatarm’s lengthputmyhand into thenarrowingangle. Ihada sortof secrethope that theremight be some long crack or riftwhich, though itmight beimpossibleforourbodies,mightstillgiveusair.Anysuchhalf-formedhopewassoonshattered;theangleofthecavewasinthesolidrock,andtherewasnofissureorevencrackbeyond.As there was no clue to the level reached by the tide, I tried back on thepossibilityofgaugingitbymeasuringfromlowwater,sofarasmymemoryofthetidesmightserve.Judgingbythedepthofthewater,sofarasIhadgone,thefallofthefloorlevelmustherehavebeensomethreefeet.Thefloorlevelof the cavewas almost that of lowwater, exceptwhere it dipped under theoverhangingroof,orwherewastheascendinggradeuptothepoolinwhichthetreasureboxeslay.AshereontheborderoftheNorthSea,withnoestuaryto increase tidage, the normal rise of the tide is between eleven and twelvefeet,wehadtoaccountforanothereightorninefeetfor theriseof the tide.Theledgewasaboutafootabovethesurfaceofthewater.Ifmycalculationswerecorrect therewasheadroomandbreathingspace, foras Istoodon theledgethetopofmyheadwasstillabouttwofeetfromthehighestpointofroofoverus.Icouldnot,however,becertainofmycalculations,withinacoupleoffeet.If,therefore,wecouldkeepourplaceontheshelfofrockandendurethecold we might yet win through. The cold was a serious matter. At CrudenwherethefullsweepoftheicycurrentfromtheNorthSearunsinshore,thewater isgrievouslycold, even in thehottest summer time.Alreadywewerefeelingtheeffectsofourwetclothes,eveninthissilentcavernwheretheheatseemed to be much more than outside. When we had been looking at thejewels, I had myself felt the chill, and could feel Marjory shiver now andagain. Indeed, I had been about to suggest our returning when I made thediscoveryoftherisingtide.Itwasnouseregretting,however.Wewerecagedinthecavern;andouronlychancewastoholdonsomehow,till the tideshouldfallagain.ThepracticalsideofMarjory’smindwasallawake.Itwasshewhoquietlyrefilledthetwolamps, and,withmuch splutteringof thewickat first, lightedagain theonewhichIhadletfall intothewater.Whenbothlampswereready,sheputoutthetorchandplaceditinthetinboxwhichshehandedtome,saying:“Wemayneedalltheairwecangetforourbreathing,andthetorcheswouldburnitup.Wemusthavetwolampslestoneshouldfail.Shovetheboxasfarasitwillgointothecornerofthecave;itwillbesafethere—assafeasusatanyrate,foritwillbeoverourheads.”Asshespokeanewideaoccurredtome.Imightraisetheleveloftheledgeby

piling the ingots on it! I did not lose any time, but jumping down began atoncetoliftthemonebyoneontheledge.Itwasheavywork,andnoonebutaverystrongmancouldhaveliftedthemfromofftheground,muchlesshaveplacedthemonaledgeoverwherehestood.MoreoverIhadtobendintothewatertoreachthem,andintheyearswhichtheyhadlainthereinjuxtapositionsomedepositofsaltorsealimeofsomekindhadgluedthemtogether.Aftertheseparationofthefirst,however,thisdifficultygrewless.Marjoryaidedmeinplacingthebarsinposition;whentheywereoncefixedtheirgreatweightkepttheminplace.Itwasoddhowlittleinthesemomentsthetreasurecountedfor.Thelittleheapofrubieslayontheshelfofrockunnoticed,andwheninthestrainofplacingtheingotssomeofthemwerebrushedoffintothewater,neitherMarjorynorItook the trouble even to sweep themwith a brush of the hand into a saferplace.Oneof themetalcasketswas tumbledbodily into thewaterwithoutathought.Whentheingotswereallinplace,andshakenintosteadyposition,wegotontheledgetogetherandbegantotestthesecurityofourplatform;itwouldbetoolatetofindoutanyflawofconstructionwhenthetideshouldhaverisen.Wehadmadea footholdnearly twofeetabove thesurfaceof the ledge,andthismight give us at the last an additional chance.At any rate, even if weshouldnotbesohardpressedastohavetoraiseourheadssohigh,itwouldgiveusalongerperiodofcomparativedryness.Wewerealreadybeginningtofeelthechillofthetide.Inthosecavestheairisallright,andwehadnotfeltchilled,althoughweweremoreorlesswetthrough;butIdreadedlestitmightnumbeitherofussomuchas topreventour takingeverychance.Whenwestood togetheron thepileofgoldand silver,ourheadswere soclose to theroofthatIfeltsafesofarasactuallydrowningorasphyxiationwereconcernedifthetidedidnotrisehigherthanIhadcomputed.Ifwecouldonlyholdouttillthetidehadfallensufficiently,wemightgetback.Andthenwebeganthelong,drearywaitfortherisingtide.Thetimeseemedendless, for our apprehension and suspense multiplied the real dangerwhateveritmightbe.Westoodonthecavefloortillthewaterhadreachedourwaists,andallthistimetriedtokeepmoving,todanceupanddown,tothrowaboutarmsand legs soas tomaintain thecirculationof theblood.Thenweclimbed up and sat on the platform of bullion till thewater rose round ourkneesagain.Thenwestoodontheledgeandtookwhatexercisewecouldtillthewaterclimbedupoverourfeetandknees.Itwasaterribletrialtofeeltheicy, stillwater creepup, andup, andup.Therewasnot a sound, nodriporrippleofwateranywhere;onlysilenceasdeadlyasdeathitself.Thencamethetimewhenwehadtostandtogetheronthepileofbullionwhichwehadbuiltup.Westoodclose,fortherewasmerelyfoothold;IheldMarjoryupaswell

asIcould,soas to lessenforher thestrainofstandingstill.Ourheartsbeattogether.We felt it, andwe knew it; itwas only the expression of both ourthoughtswhenMarjorysaid:“ThankGod!dear,attheworstwecandietogether.”Inturnweheldthelampwell over thewater, and aswe looked in aching suspensewe saw the darkflood rise up to the sloping roofof the cave and steal towardsuswith suchslow, relentless precision that for my own part I felt I must scream. I feltMarjorytremble;thelittlemorselofhystericswhichgoestomakeupthesumtotal of every woman was beginning to assert itself. Indeed there wassomethinghypnoticinthatsilentlineofdeathcreepingslowlytowardsus.Atthis time, too, the air began to feel less fresh. Our own breaths and theexhalations of the lamp was vitiating our breathing space. I whispered toMarjory:“Wemustputoutthelight!”Sheshuddered,butsaidwithasbraveavoiceasshecould:“Allright!Isupposeitisnecessary.But,darling,holdmetightanddonotletmeawayfromyou,orIshalldie!”Iletthelanternfallintothewater;itshissingforamomentdrownedmyownmurmurofgriefandMarjory’ssuppressedgroan.Andnow,inthedarkness,theterroroftherisingfloodgrewworseandworse.Thechillwatercreptup,andup,andup;tillatlastitwasonlybyraisingherhead thatMarjorycouldbreathe. I leanedbackagainst therockandbendingmylegsoutwardliftedhersothatsherestedherfeetuponmyknees.Upandup rose the chill water till it reached my chin, and I feared that the lastmomentshadcome.TherewasonechancemoreforMarjory:andthoughitcutmetothesoultospeakit,forIknewitwouldtearatherveryheartstrings,Ihadtotryit:“Marjory,mywife, the end is close! I fearwemay not both live. In a fewminutes more, at most, the water will be over my mouth. When that timecomesIshallsinkoverthepileoftreasureonwhichwerest.Youmustthenstand on me; it will raise you sufficiently to let you hold out longer.” Adreadfulgroanbrokefromher.“Oh,myGod!”wasallshesaid,buteverynerveinherbodyseemedtoquiver.Thenwithoutawordsheseemedtobecomelimpandwasslidingoutofmyarms.Iheldherupstrongly,forIfearedshehadswooned:shegroanedout:“Letmego,letmego!Eitherofuscanrestontheother’sbody.Ishallneverleavethisifyoudie.”“Dearone”Isaid“doasIwish,andIshallfeelthatevendeathwillbeahappything,sinceitcanhelpyou.”Shesaidnothingbutclungtomeandourmouths

met.Iknewwhatshemeant;ifdiewemust,weshoulddietogetherinakiss.Inthatlover’skissourverysoulsseemedtomeet.WefeltthattheGatesoftheUnknownWorldwerebeingunbarredtous,andallitsgloriousmysterieswereabouttobeunveiled.Intheimpassivestillnessofthatrisingtide,whereneverawaveorripplebrokethedreadful,silent,calm,therewasnoaccidentalfallor risewhichmight give added uneasiness or sudden hope.We had by thistime become so far accustomed to its deadly perfection as to accept itsconditions. This recognition of inevitable force made for resignation; and IthinkthatinthosemomentsbothMarjoryandIrealisedthelastlimitationsofhumanity.Whenonehasacceptedtheinevitable,themereactofdyingiseasyofaccomplishment.ButthereisacontratoeverythinginthegreatledgersoftheBooksofLifeandDeath,and it isonlya finalbalancewhichcounts forgainor loss.Theveryresignationwhichmakesthethoughtofdeatheasytobear,isbutabalanceofpowerwhichmaynot begainsayed. In the struggleof hope anddespair theWingedOne submits, and that is all.Hiswings are immortal; out of fire orwater,orpestilence,orfamine,or theredmistofbattle theyeverriseagain,whenoncethereislightofanykindtoanimatethem.EvenwhenMarjory’smouthwasbenttomineinafondkissofloveanddeath,thewingsofHopeflutteredaroundherhead.Foraninstantortwoshepaused,asiflisteningorwaiting,andthenwithagladcry,whichinthatnarrowspaceseemedtoringexultingly,shesaid:“Youaresaved!Youaresaved!Thewater is falling; ithassunkbelowyourlips.”Eveninthatdreadmomentoflifeanddeath,Icouldnotbutbetouchedby her way of rejoicing in the possibility of our common safety. Her onlythoughtwasforme.Butherwordsweretrue.Thetidehadreacheditsfull;thewaterswerefalling.Minutebyminutewewaited,waitedinbreathlesssuspense;clingingtoeachotherinanecstasyofhopeandlove.Thechillwhichhadbeenuponusforsolong,numbingeverysenseandseemingtomakeanyideaofeffortimpossible,seemed to have lost its power. In the new quickening of hope, our heartsseemed tobeatmorewarmly, till theblood tingled inourveins.Oh!but thetimewaslong,thereinthedark,withthesilentwatersrecedinginchbyinchwithaslownesswhichwasinconceivable.Thestrainofwaitingbecameafterawhile almost unbearable; I felt that Imust speak toMarjory, andmake herspeak andkeep speaking, lestwe shouldbothbreakdown, even at theverylast.Inthetimeofourwaitingfordeathwehadheldontoourdetermination,blindly resolute to struggle to the last; even though we had accepted theinevitable.Butnowtherewasimpatienceaddedtoourapprehension.Wedidnotknowthemeasureofourownendurance;andTerrorseemedtobroodoveruswithflappingwings.

Truly,themomentsofcomingLifearelongerthanhoursofcomingDeath.

CHAPTERXXXVIIROUNDTHECLOCK

WHENthewaterhadfallensofarthatwecouldsitontheledge,werestedforafewminutestorelievethelongandterriblestrainofstanding,crampedandchilledaswewere.Butwesoonfeltthechillofthewaterandstoodagaintillthe rocky ledge was quite free. Then we enjoyed a rest, if the word“enjoyment” could be applied to our wearied, teeth-chattering, exhaustedcondition. ImadeMarjorysitonmy lap, so thatwecouldget somewarmthtogether, and that she might be saved from the benumbing coldness of therock.Wewrungoutourclothesaswellaswecould,andwithbraverheartssetourselvesdown to thesecondspellofourdarkcaptivity.Wellweknewthatthetidehadrisenhigherthanthetinboxinthecornerofthecave,andtacitlyput off the moment of assured knowledge. Presently when the chill hadsomewhatpassedfromherandsheshiveredless,shestoodupandtriedtogetdown the box.She could not reach it, so I rose and took it down.Thenweresumed our places on the ledge, and, with the box beside us, began toinvestigate.Itwas a sadlyhelplessperformance. In thedark everything seemed strange,withregardtosizeaswellastoshape.Ourwethandscouldnotofthemselvesdiscriminate as to whether anything was wet or dry. It was only when wefoundthat theboxwasquitefullofwater thatwerealised that therewasnohope of light in this quarter, and that we must have patience through thedarknessaswellaswecould.IthinkthatMarjorycriedalittle.Shecovereditupformeinsomewomanlyway.But thereareeyesinthesoul thatcanseeeventhroughcimmeriangloom;andIknewthatshecried,thoughmysensescoulddetectnosign.WhenItouchedherface,mywethandsandmyownwetfacecouldtellmenothing.Stillwewerehappyinaway.Thefearofdeathhadpassed,andwewereonlywaitingforlightandwarmth.Weknewthateveryminute,everybreathwedrew,thetidewasfalling;andweknewtoothatwecouldgropeourway through thecavern.Werejoicednowthat therewasnolabyrinthofoffshootsofthecave;andwewereadditionallygladthatourclue,the cordwhichwe had takenwith us, remained.We could easily pick it upwhenweshouldbegin tomove,for therewasnostirofwater toshift itanddrawitaway.Whenwethoughtthatasufficienttimemusthaveelapsed,evenatthedeadlyslowpaceatwhichitcrawled,wekissedeachotherandbeganourfirstefforttoescape.

Weeasilyfoundthecord,andkeepingholdofit,feltourwayslowlyalongtheruggedwall.ImadeMarjorykeepclosebehindme,alittletotheright,forIwasfeelingwaybythelefthandalone.Ifearedlestsheshouldgetbruisedbythejaggedrockwhichprotrudedhereandthere.ItwaswellIdidso,forinthefirst dozen yards I got some severe knocks that might have permanentlyscarredhertenderskin.Theexperiencemademecareful,however,andafteritI took care to feel my way all round before advancing a step. I found byexperiencethatitwasthecordwhichhadmisledmebystrainingwheretherewasacurveoranangle,andsotakingmeclosetotherockinsteadofinthemiddleofthepassagewherewehadoriginallydroppeditaswewentalong.Whenwehadpassedthefirst twobends,theanxioustimecame;itwasherethattheroofdropped,andwedidnotknowifthetidehadfallenlowenoughtoletusthrough.Wepushedonhoweverintothedeepeningwater,Marjorystillkeeping close behindme, though I wished to go on alone and explore.Wefoundthattherockdippedbelowthewaterlevelwhenwehadgonesomewayintothetunnel.Sowecamebackandwaitedagoodwhile—itseemedalong,longtime.Thenweessayedagain,andfoundthat thoughthewaterwasstillhighthereweresomeinchesofspacebetweenrockandwater.Joyfullywepushedonslowly;ourheartsbeatgladlywhenwecouldraiseourheadsfromthestoopingpositionandraisethemfreelyintheair.Itonlytookusafewminutestoreachthepileofrocks;thenholdingthecordasacluetothenarrowopeningwescrambledupaswellaswecould.IhelpedMarjoryasmuchaspossible,butinthismattershewasasgoodasIwas;naybetter,forallherwoman’sinstinctcametoaid,anditwasshewhofirstgotthroughthenarrowhole.Thenvery carefullyweclimbeddown theother side, and, stillholdingourguidingcord,cameatlasttothetacklebywhichwehadloweredourselvesintothecave.Itwasratherasurprisetouswhenwereachedit,forweexpectedtoseethewelcomelightthroughtheopeningbeforewehadcomeunderit.Atfirst,inthewhirlofthoughts,Iimaginedthatsomethinghadgonewrong,arock fallen in, or some sort of general collapse.Then I fancied thatwehadbeen trackeddown,and thatsomeonehad tried toburyus in thecave. It iswonderfulwhatstrangethoughtscometooneinaprolongedspellofabsolutedarkness; no wonder that even low-grade, violent, unimaginative criminalsbreakdown in theblackhole!Marjory saidnothing;butwhen she spoke, itwasevidentfromherwordsthatshehadsomeofthesameideasherself.Therewas a tone of relief in her voicewhichwas unmistakable, andwhichmusthavefollowedsomedisconcertingthought:“Ofcoursenot!Itisonlythatthelampsandcandleshaveburnedout.Wehaveforgotten the long time which has passed; but the lights haven’t!” It wasevidentenoughnow.Wehadbeensomanyhours in thecave that the lights

wereexhausted;andatnotimewasthereagleamofnaturallightinthecellar.I found it a little difficult to work the tackle in the dark with my numbedhands. Hope, however, is a paramount force, and very soon Marjory wasswingingupthroughtheholeintherock.Icalledtohertogetlightassoonasshecould;butsherefusedpointblank todoanythinguntil Iwasbesideher.WhenIgottheroperoundme,webothpulled;andinaveryfewsecondsItoowasupthroughtheholeandinthecellar.Ifoundthematcheseasilyenoughandoh!theglorioussightofthelighteveninthissplutteringform.Wedidnotlingeraninstantbutmovedtothedoor,whichIunlocked,andwesteppedoutand ran up the steps.The lantern on the roofwhich lit the staircasewas allablaze with sunshine, and we felt bathed in light. For a second or two wecouldnotrealiseit,andblinkedunderthetoomagnificentglare.And then, with inconceivable rapidity, we came back to the serenity andconfidencewhichcomeswithdaylight.Inlessthanasecondwewereagainintherealitiesoflife;andthewholelongnightofdarknessandfearwasbehinduslikeadream.IhurriedMarjoryintotheroomwhereshehaddressed,andwherewereastoreofherclothes;andthenIproceededtomakeupafire.Thechimneyplaceinthediningroomwasmadeaftertheoldfashion,wideanddeep,andhadinthebackabeautifuloldsteelrackwithbracketsonwhichtohangpotsandkettles.I thought thiswouldbe thebestplace fora fire,as itwas thebiggest in thehouse.SoIgotfromthefuelhouseoffthekitchenanarmfulofdryfurzeandanotherofcutbilletsofpinewhichIdumpedontopofit.Asinglematchwassufficient, and inan instant, therewasa large fire roaringup thechimney. Ifilledagreatcopperkettlewithwaterandslungitintheblaze,andthen,whenI foundmyself in a cloud of steam frommywet clothes, ran intomy ownroom.After a hard rubdownwhichmademy skinglow, and awashwhichwasexquisite,Iputmyselfintodryclothes.WhenIcamebacktothediningroom I foundMarjorybusygetting readyameal—supper, breakfast, dinner,wedidnotknowwhattocallit.Onegladmomentineachother’sarms,andthen kneeling together we thanked God for the great mercy which He hadshownus.Thenwe resumedpreparations to eat, forwewere ravenous.Thekettlewasbeginningtosing,andwesoonhadhotdelicioustea,whichsentaglowthroughus.Therewereplentyofcookedprovisions,andwedidnotwaittowarm them: such luxuries as hot foodwould come intoour lives later. Itwasonlywhenwehadsatisfiedourappetitesthatwethoughtoflookingatthetime.My ownwatch had stoppedwhen I had first tried the entrance to thegreatcaveandhadbeenwaisthighinwater,butMarjoryhadlefthersinherroom when she had changed her dress for the expedition. It was now oneo’clockandasthesunwashighintheheavensitwas—P.M.Allowingforthetimeofdressingandeating,wemusthavebeeninallinthecavessometwelve

hours. I looked amongst my books and foundWhittaker’s Almanach, fromwhichIgatheredthatasthetidewasfullathalfpastsixo’clockwemustasthe normal rise of the tide was between eleven and twelve feet have beenimmersed in the water some four hours. The very thought of it made usshudder;withaninstinctiveremembranceofourdangerandmiserywedrewclosetogether.Thenaheavysleepinessseemedallatoncetosettleonus.Marjorywouldnotleaveme,andIdidnotwishherto.Ifelt,asshedid,thatwecouldnotsleepeasilyifseparated.SoIgotgreatarmloadsofrugsandcushionsandmadeuptwonestsclosetothefirewhichIbuiltupwithsolidlogs.Iwrappedherinagreat,warmplaidandmyself inanother,andwesankdownonourcouches,holdinghandsandwithherheaduponmyshoulder.WhenIwokeitwasalmostpitchdark;onlyforaslightglowwhichcamefromthe mass of red embers on the hearth the darkness would have been ascompleteas thatof thecave. It is true that thesunblindsweredownand thecurtainsdrawn;butevenso,when therewas lightoutsidesomegleamsof iteven,ifonlyreflected,foundtheirwayin.MarjorywasstillsleepingasIstolesoftlytothewindowandlookedout.Allwasdark.Themoonwashiddenbehindabankofcloud,onlytheedgesofwhichtingedwithlightshoweditsplaceintheheavens.IlookedatMarjory’swatch which she had laid upon the table, having wound it up instinctivelybeforethesleepinesshadcomeuponher.Itwasnowafewminutespastone.Wehadsleptrightroundtheclock.I began tomakeup the fire as softly as I could, for I did notwish towakeMarjory. I felt thatsleepandplentyof itwas thebest thingforherafter theprolongedstrainand trialwhichshehadundergone. Igot readycleanplatesandknivesandforks,andputonthekettleagain.WhilstIwasmovingabout,shewoke.Foraninstantortwoshelookedroundinadazeduncomprehendingway; and thenall at once thewhole remembranceof thenight swept acrossher.Inasinglebound,withtheagilityofayoungpanther,shesprangtoherfeet, and inan instanther armswere roundme,halfprotectinglyandwholelovingly.Wehadanotherheartymeal.Itwaspic-nic-inginexcelsis,andIdoubtifthewholeworldheldtwohappierbeings.Presentlywebegantotalkofthecaveandofthetreasure,andIwasrejoicedtofindthatallthetrialandanxietyhadleftnotraceonMarjory’scourage.Itwassheherselfwhosuggestedthatweshouldgobacktothecaveandtakeoutwhatshecalledthosedearlittleboxes.Weputononcemoreourcaveclothes,whichweredryagainbutwhichhadshrunklamentably,andlaughingateachother’sgrotesqueappearancewewentdown into thecellaragain.Havingrenewed the lampsandmadeall safe for

ourreturn,wetooklampsandtorchesandmatchesandsetoutonourquest.Ithinkwebothfeltalittleawed—wewerecertainlysilent—aswecreptthroughtheholeoverthemoraineandtookourwayupthetreasurecave.Iconfessthatmyownheartsankwithinmewhenwesawtheledge,withtheSanCristobalandtheinfantChristseemingtokeepguarduponit;andIfeltapity,whichIhad not felt before, for thewould-be thief,Olgaref.Marjory I think felt thesamewayasIdid,forshekeptveryclosetomeandnowandagainheldontome; but she said nothing.We lit a torch and renewed our search.Whilst Istooped over the box and took out other caskets containing gems,Marjoryheldthelightwithonehandwhilstshegatheredthelittleheapofrubiesfromthefirstboxandputtheminthepocketofmyjacket.Herfemininecarewasshown inher searching for theboxand the rubieswhichhad fallen into thewatersothatnonemightbelost.Therewerenotmanyofthelittlecaskets—itis astoundingwhat a small spacewill contain amany precious gems. Theyeasilyfittedinto thebagwhichIhadbroughtfor thepurpose.Thenwetookourwaybacktothehouse.When we had ascended, we put out the lights and locked the cellar. Wechangedourclothesagain,Marjoryputtingonher livery; itwasnownearlyfouro’clockinthemorning,anditwastimetobegettingbacktoCrom.

CHAPTERXXXVIIITHEDUTYOFAWIFE

JUSTaswewereabouttostartMarjorysaidtome,halfinjestbutwhollyinearnest:“IwonderwhathasbecomeofGormala these times. If sheknewof the lasttwonights,shewouldsimplybecomedesperate;andthereisnoknowingwhatshemightprophecy!”Strangelyenough,IhadbeenmyselfthinkingoftheWitch-woman.Isupposeitwasthatthememoryofthefindingofthetreasure,andofthehoveringnearusofdeath,hadrecalledherweirds.Withthethoughtofher,cameoncemorethat strange feelingwhich Ihadbeforeexperienced,a feelingas if shewerepresent.MotioningtoMarjorytoputoutthelight,Istoletothewindow.Theheavycurtains,whenIhadpassedthroughthem,shutouttheglimmerofthefirelight. Marjory came and joined me, and we looked out together. Therewere drifting clouds, and thus,moments of light and shadow. In one of theformerIsawadarkmassontheedgeofthedeepgrassthatcrownstherockjustovertheentranceofWitsennanPoint.IfitwasawomanitwasprobablyGormala;andifitwasGormalashewasprobablywatchingme,forofcourse

shecouldnotknow thatMarjorywaswithme. Idetermined to findout if Icould;soItoldMarjorytoslipoutbythebackdoorwhilstIwenttothepoint.WearrangedtojoinattheuppervillageofoldWhinnyfold.

Havingplacedmybicyclereadytostart,andshutthedoorbehindmesoftly,Istoleovertothecliff.Lyingjustbelowtheedge,butsothatherheadwasatthetoplayGormala,asleep.AtfirstIthoughtitwaspretence,forIknewthewilynatureoftheoldwoman;butonexaminingcloselyIfoundhersleepwasreal. She lookedworn and tiredout, and I concluded that itwas the secondnightofwatchingonendwhichhadfinishedher.Itwaswellsheslept,forhadshebeenawakeshemusthaveseenus.Theplaceshehadchosencommandedbothpathsawayfromthehouseleftandright;onlybystealingbackoverthehillandkeepingthehouseallthetimebetweenusandherselfcouldwehaveavoidedherpryingeyes.Eventhen,weretherelightenough,shemighthaveseen us debouching on the roadway had we gone inland byWhinnyfold. Icouldnotbutbesorryforher;shelookedsooldandfeeble,andyetwithsuchpurposeinherstrong,sternface.Icouldaffordtobepitifulnow;mylifewasrunningonhappylines.IhadwonMarjory,andwehadfoundthetreasure!Ileftherundisturbed;Iwouldhaveputsomerugorcoveringoverher;butIwas afraid lest I should awake her, and so make discovery of our plans.Besidesitwouldbehardtoaccountformybeingawakemyselfandaboutatthat hour of the night—ormorning, I hardly knewwhich itwas.Almost ashard as it would have been forGormala to explainwhy shewas in similarcase.WhenIjoinedMarjory,wetookourwayasquicklyaspossibletoCrom;wewerebothanxious that she shouldget into thecastlebeforedaylight. Itwaswithacertaindread,fortheexperiencesofthenightwerenotyethardenedinmemory, that I sawMarjorydescend into thecavewhenwerolledaway thestone.Shetoowasnotfreefrommisgiving;IknewitfromtheemphasiswithwhichsheimpressedonmethatIwasnottofearforher.Shewastowaveawhitehandkerchieffromtheroofwhenshehadgotinsafely.Looking over the stone towards the castle whence must come her signal IwaitedwithananxietywhichIcouldnotconcealfrommyself.ThegreydawngrewpalerandpalerasIlooked,andtheskybegantoquicken.Hereandtherearoundmecameeverynowandagainthesolitarypipeofanawakeningbird.Icould just see the top of the castle, looking bare and cold through the vistabetween the treetops. In a short time, almost shorter than I could haveanticipated, I saw on the roof the flutter of awhite handkerchief.My heartleaped;Marjorywassafe.Iwavedmyownhandkerchief;sheansweredagain,and there was no more sign. I came away satisfied, and wheeled back toCruden with what speed I could. It was still very early morning, when I

reachedWhinnyfold.NotasoulwasupasIpassedonmyway,andIcreptinsecretlybythebackofthehouse.WhenIlookedcarefullyoutofawindowinfront,IcouldseeinthegrowinglightofmorningthatGormalastilllayontheedgeofthecliff,motionlessandmanifestlyasleep.Ilaydownforawhileanddozedtillthemorningwassufficientlyadvanced.Then after a cold bath and a cup of hot tea, tookmyway toCrom, timingmyselfsoastoarriveforanearlybreakfast.Mrs.Jackmetme,beaming.Shewassohearty,andsomanifestlygladtoseeme,thatIbentoverandkissedher.Shewasnotabitdispleased;sheseemedalittle touched by the act, and smiled atme. ThenMarjory came in, lookingradiant.Shegreetedmewithasmile,andwentovertoandkissedMrs.Jackaffectionately.Thenshekissedmetoo,andtherewasagladlookinhereyeswhichmademyheartthrill.After breakfast she sat in the window with Mrs. Jack, and I went to thefireplacetolightacigarette.IstoodwithmybacktothefireandlookedoveratMarjory;itwasalwaysajoytomewhenshewasinmysight.PresentlyshesaidtoMrs.Jack:“Weren’tyoufrightenedwhenIdidn’tcomebackthenightbeforelast?”Theelderlyladysmiledcomplacentlyassheanswered:“Notabit,mydear!”Marjorywasastonishedintoanexclamation:“Whynot?”Theaffectionateoldwomanlookedathergravelyandtenderly:“BecauseIknewyouwerewithyourhusband;thesafestplacewhereayoungwoman can be. And oh! my dear, I was rejoiced that it was so; for I wasbeginningtobeanxious,andalmostunhappyaboutyou.Itdidn’tseemrightornaturalfortwoyoungpeoplelikeyouandyourhusbandtobeliving,oneinoneplaceandoneinanother.”AsshespokeshetookMarjory’shandinhersandstrokeditlovingly.Marjoryturnedherheadawayfromher,and,afteroneswiftglanceatmefromunderhereyelashes,frommealso.Mrs.Jackwentoninagrave,sweetway,lecturingthegirlshelovedandthatshehadmothered;notasawomanlecturesachildbutasanoldwomanadvisesherjunior:“Foroh!Marjory,mydearone,whenawomantakesahusbandshegivesupherself.Itisrightthatsheshould;anditisbettertoo,foruswomen.Howcanwe look after ourmankind, ifwe’re thinkingof ourselves all the time!Andtheywantalotoflookingaftertoo,letmetellyou.They’reonlymenafterall—the dears!Your bringing-up,my child, has notmade you need them.Butyouwouldwell understand it, ifwhenyouwas a child, youwasout on theplainsandamongthemountains,likeIwas;ifyoudidn’tknowwhenyousawyourdaddy,oryourbrother,oryourhusbandgoout in themorningwhether

you’deverseehimcomebackatnight,orwouldseehimbroughtback.Andthen,whentheworkwasover,orthefightorwhateveritmightbe,toseethemcomehomealldirtyandraggedandhungry,andmaybesickorwounded—fortheIndiansmadealotofharminmytimewiththeirgoodoldbowsandtheirbadnewguns—wherewouldwewomenandgirlshavebeen.Orwhatsortofwomen at all at all, ifwe didn’t have things ready for them!My dear, as Isupposeyouknownow,amanisamightygoodsortofa thingafterall.Hemaybecross,ormasterful,oruglytodealwithwhenhehasgothisshirtout;butafterallhe’saman,andthat’swhatwelovethemfor.Iwasbeginningtowonderifyouwasagirlatall,whenIseeyouletyourhusbandgoawayfromyoudayafterdayandyounoteitherholdin’himback,orgoin’offwithhim,waythegirlsdidinmytime.ItellyouitwouldhavebeenaqueerkindofgirlinArizonythat’dhavelethermangolikethat,whenoncetheyhadsaidthewordtogether.Why,mydear,Ilayawakehalfthenightsayin’myprayersforthebothofyou, andblessin’God thatHehad sentyou suchahappiness astruelove;whentheremighthavebeenthemthatwouldhavebenrunnin’afteryourfortun’andgettin’onyourweaksideenoughtothrowdustinyoureyes.Andwhen in the grey of the dawn I looked into your room and found youhadn’tcome,whyIjusttip-toedbacktomybedandwenttosleephappy.AndIwashappyallday,knowin’youwerehappytoo.AndlastnightIjustwenttosleepatonceanddidn’tbothermyheadabout listenin’ foryourcomin’; forwellIknewyouwouldn’tbehomethen.Ah!mydear,you’vedonetherightthing.At the least,yourhusband’swishes isasmuchasyourown,seein’ashowthere’stwoofyou.Butawomanonlylearnshertruehappinesswhenshegivesupallherownwishes,andthinksonlyforherhusband.And,mindyou,child,itisn’tgivin’upmuchafterall—atleastwedidn’tthinksoinmytime—whenshepleasesherhusbandthatsheloves,bygoin’offtosharehishome.”Ilistenedfullofdeepemotionastheoldladyspoke.Ifeltthateverywordshesaid was crystallised truth; and there was no questioning the deep, earnest,loving-kindnessofherintent.IwashalfafraidtolookatMarjorylestIshoulddisconcerther;soIturnedroundquietlytillIfacedthefireplace,andleaningontheplinthofitstoleaglanceintheoldovalmirrorabove.MarjorysattherewithherhandinMrs.Jack’s.Herheadwasbent,andtherewasaflushonherneckandarmswhichtolditsownstory.Ifeltthatshewassilentlycrying,orverynearit;andalumproseinmyownthroat.Thiswasoneofthecrisesinherlife.Itwassoborneinuponme;andIknewitstruth.Wehaveall,astheScotchsay,to“dreeourownweird,”thiswasabattlewithherownsoulwhichMarjorymust fight alone. The oldwoman’swisewords sounded a trumpetnoteofduty.Shewas face to facewith it, andmust judge forherself.Evenwithallmylove,Icouldnothelpher.Istoodsilent,scarcelydaringtobreathelest I should disturb or distract her. I tried to efface myself, and for a fewminutesdidnotevenlookinthemirror.Theoldwomantoo,knewthevalueof

silence, for she sat still; therewasnot even the rustleofherdress.At last IcouldhearMarjory’s in-drawnbreath,and looked in themirror.Herattitudehadnotchanged,exceptthatshehadraisedherhead;Icouldtellbyitsproudpoise that shewasher ownwoman again.She still kept her face away; andtherewastheveilofrecenttearsoverhersweetvoiceasshespoketenderly:“Thank you, dear. I am so glad you have spoken to me so freely and solovingly.” I could see from the motion of the two hands and her ownwhitening knuckles that she was squeezing her companion’s fingers. Then,after a few moments she rose quietly, and, still keeping her head averted,sailedquietlyoutoftheroominherowngracefulmanner.Ididnotstir;IfeltthatIcouldpleaseherbestbykeepingquiet.Butoh!howmyheartwentwithherinhercourse.

CHAPTERXXXIXANUNEXPECTEDVISITOR

ICHATTEDwithMrs.JackforafewminuteswithwhatnonchalanceIcouldmuster,forIwantedtocoverupMarjory’sretreat.Ihavenotthefaintestideawhatwetalkedabout;Ionlyknowthat thedearoldladysatandbeamedonme,with her lips pursed up in thought, andwent onwith her knitting. SheagreedwitheverythingIsaid,whateveritwas.IlongedtofollowMarjoryandcomfort her. I could see that shewas distressed, though I did not know themeasure of it. Iwaited patiently, however, for I knew that shewould eithercometome,orsendmewordtojoinherwhenshewantedme.Shemusthavecomebackveryquietly, almost tip-toe, for IhadnotheardasoundwhenIsawherinthedoorway.Shewasbeckoningtome,butinsuchamannerthatMrs.Jackcouldnotseeher.Iwasabouttogoquietly,butsheheldupawarninghandwithfivefingersoutspread;fromwhichItookitthatIwastofollowinfiveminutes.Istoleawayquietly,pridingmyselfon thefact thatMrs.Jackdidnotnoticemydeparture;butonthinkingthematteroverlater,Icametotheconclusionthatthequietoldladyknewagooddealmoreofwhatwasgoingonroundherthanappearedonthesurface.HerlittlehomilytoMarjoryonawife’sdutyhassetmethinkingmanyatimesince.

IfoundMarjory,asIexpected,intheLadies’Room.ShewaslookingoutofthewindowwhenIcamein.Itookherinmyarmsforaninstant,andshelaidherheadonmyshoulder.Thenshedrewherselfaway,andpointedtoagreatchairclosebyforme tositdown.WhenIwasseatedshe tooka littlestool,

andplacingitbesideme,satatmyfeet.FromourpositionIhadtolookdownather,andshehadtolookupatme.OftenandoftensincethenhaveIrecalledthepictureshemade,sittingthereinhersweetgracefulsimplicity.WellmayIrememberit,forthroughmanyandmanyanachinghourhaseveryincidentofthatday,howevertrivial,beenburnedintomybrain.Marjoryleantoneelbowonthearmofmychair,andputtheotherhandinminewithasweetconfidinggesturewhich touchedme to theheart.Sinceourperilof twonightsbefore,shewasvery,verydeartome.Alltheselfishnessseemedtohavedisappearedfrommyaffectionforher,andIwashertrueloveraspurelyasitisgiventoamantobe.Shewantedtospeak;Icouldseethatitwasanefforttodoso,forher breast heaved a few times, as a diver breathes before making hisdownward leap. Then she mastered herself, and with infinite grace andtendernessspoke:“I’mafraidIhavebeenveryselfishandinconsiderate.Oh!yesIhave”forIwascommencingaprotest.“Iknowitnow.Mrs.Jackwasquiteright.Itneveroccurred to me what a brute I have been; and you so good to me, and sopatient.Well,dear,that’sallovernow!Iwanttotellyou,righthere,thatifyoulikeI’llgoawaywithyouto-morrow—to-dayifyouwish;andwe’llleteveryoneknowthatwearemarried,andgoandlivetogether.”Shestopped,andwesathandinhandwithourfingersclasping.Iremainedquitestillwithacalmthatamazedme,formybrainwasinawhirl.Butsomehowtherecametome,evenasithadcometoher,asenseofduty.HowcouldIacceptsuchasweetsacrifice.Theverygravityofherpreparationforthoughtandspeechshowedmethatshewaslothtoleavethecourseonwhichshehadentered.ThatshelovedmeIhadnodoubt;wasitnotformethatshewaswillingtogiveitallup.Andthenmycourseofactionroseclearbeforeme.InstinctivelyIstoodupas I spoke to her, and I felt that big stalwartman as Iwas, the pretty self-denyinggirlatmyfeetruledme,forshewasmoretomethanmyownwishes,myownhopes,myownsoul.“Marjory,doyourememberwhenyousatonthethroneinthecave,andgavemetheaccolade?”Shebowedherheadinacquiescence;hereyesfell,andherfaceandearsgrewrosypink.“Well,whenyoudubbedmeyourknight,andItookthevow,ImeantallIsaid!Yourtouchonmyshoulderwasmoretomethan if it had come from the Queen on her throne, with all the glory of athousandyearsbehindher.Oh,mydear,Iwasinearnest—inearnestthen,asIaminearnestnow.Iwas,andam,yourtrueknight!Youaremylady;toserve,andmakeherfeetwalkineasyways!Itisaterribletemptationtometotakewhatyouhaveofferedasdone,andwalkstraightwayintoParadiseinournewlife.But,mydear!mydear!ItoocanbeselfishifIamtemptedtoofar;andImust not think ofmy ownwishes alone. Since I first saw your face I havedreamt a dream. That a time would come when you, with all the world tochoose from,wouldcome tomeofyourown freewill.Whenyouwouldn’t

want to lookbackwithregretatanything,doneorundone.Iwantyoutobehappy; to look forward only—unless the backward thought is of happiness.Now, ifyougiveupyourpurposeandcometomewith thefeeling thatyouhaveonlymadeachoice,theregretthatyoudidnothavetheopportunityyoulongedfor,maygrowandgrow,till—tillitmaybecomeanunhappiness.Letmebesententiousforamoment. ‘RememberLot’swife’wasnotmerely thewarningofafact;ittouchedagreatallegory.YouandIareyoung;wearebothhappy;wehavealltheworldbeforeus,andnumberlessgoodthingstothankGod for. Iwant you to enjoy them to the full; and,my dear one, Iwill notstandinyourwayinanythingwhichyoumaywish.Befree,Marjory,bequitefree!ThegirlIwantbesidemyhearthisonewhowouldratherbetherethananywhereelse in thewideworld. Isn’t thatworthwishing for; isn’t itworthwaitingfor?Itmaybeselfishinthehighestplaneofselfishness;Isupposeitis.Butanyhow,itismydream;andIloveyousotrulyandsosteadfastlythatIamnotafraidtowait!”AsIspoke,Marjorylookedatmelovingly,moreandmore.Thenallatonceshebrokedown,andbegan tosobandcryas ifherheartwouldbreak.Thatswept away in amoment allmy self-command; I took her inmy arms andtriedtocomforther.Kissesandsweetwordsfairlyraineduponher.Presentlyshegrewcalm,andsaidasshegentlydisengagedherself:“Youdon’tknowhowwellyouargue.I’mneareratthismomenttogivingupallmyplans, thanIever thought I shouldbe inmy life.Waita little longer,dear.Onlyalittle; thetimemaybeshorterthanyouthink.Butthisyoumaytake for your comfort now, and your remembrance later; that in allmy life,whatevermaycome,Ishallneverforgetyourgoodnesstome,yourgenerosity,yourlove,yoursympathy—your—!Butthere,youareindeedmyKnight;andIloveyouwithallmyheartandsoul!”andshethrewherselfintomyarms.WhenIleftCromafterlunchtheweatherseemedtohavechanged.Therewasacoldness in theairwhichemphasisedtherustlingof thedryleavesas theywere swept by intermittent puffs of wind. Altogether there was a sense ofsomepresageof gloom—ordisaster—ofdiscontent, I knewnotwhat. IwaslothtopartwithMarjory,butwebothfeltitwasnecessaryIshouldgo.Ihadnothadmylettersforthreedays;andbesidestherewereathousandthingstobeattendedtoaboutthehouseatWhinnyfold.Moreover,webegantothinkofthetreasure,theportablepartofwhich—thejewels—wasleftalmostopeninthediningroom.IdidnotwanttoalarmMarjorybyanydimfearsofmyown;I knew that, in any case, there might be a reaction from her present highspirits.Theremembranceofthetrialsandanxietiesofthepastfewdayswouldcomebacktoherinthesilenceofthenight.Shesaw,however,withtheneweyesofherwifely love, that Iwasanxiousabout something; justly inferringthatitwasabouther,shesaidtomequietly:

“Youneednotbealarmedaboutme,darling.IpromiseyouIshallnotstiroutofthehousetillyoucome.Butyouwillcomeasearlyasyoucanto-morrow;won’tyou.Somehow,Idon’tlikeyourleavingmenow.Iusednottomindit;butto-dayitallseemsdifferent.Wedon’tseemtobethesametoeachother,dowe, sincewe felt thatwatercreepupus in thedark.However, I shallbeverygood.Ihavealotofworktodo,andletterstowrite;andthetimemaynotgosoveryslowly,orseemsoverylong,tillIseemyhusbandagain.”Oh!itwassweettolookinhereyes,andseethelovethatshonefromthem;tohear thedelicatecooingmusicofhervoice.Myheart seemed to flyback toher as I moved away; and every step I took, its strings seemed nearer andnearer to thebreakingpoint.When I lookedbackat the turnof thewindingavenuebetweenthefirtrees,thelastIsawthroughmydimmingeyeswasthewaveofherhandandtheshiningofhereyesblendingintoonemassofwhitelight.InmyroomsatthehotelIfoundalotoflettersaboutbusiness,andafewfromfriends.Therewasonehoweverwhichmademethink.ItwasinthewritingofAdams,andwasasfollows,noplaceordatebeinggiven:“The people at Crom had better be careful of their servants! There is afootmanwho often goes out after dark and returns just beforemorning.Hemaybeinleaguewithenemies.Anyhow,wherehegetsoutandin,andhow,othersmaydothesame.Verb.sap,suff.A.”Wehadbeenwatched then,andby theSecretServicedetectives. IwasgladthatMarjoryhadpromisednottogoouttillIcame.If“Mac’smen”hadseenher, others might also; and the eyes of the others might have been morepenetrating,ortheirreasoningpowersmorekeen.However,Ithoughtitwelltosendherawordofwarning.IcopiedAdams’sletterintomine,withjustaword or two of love added. I was amazed to find that altogether it ran toseveral pages! The gillie of the hotel took it over in a pony cart, withinstructionstobringmebackananswertoWhinnyfold.ForsafetyIenclosedit in an envelope toMrs. Jack. Then, when I had written a few notes andtelegrams,Ibikedovertomyhouseonthecliff.Itwasableakafternoonandeverythingseemedgrey,skyandseaalike;eventhe rocks, with their crowning of black seaweed swept with the foam oflapping waves. Inside the house nothing had of course been stirred; but itseemedsobleakwithoutafireandwiththecurtainswide,thatImadeupafireof billets and drew the heavy curtains close. As I stood in the great baywindowandlookedoutonthefrettingsea,andlistenedtothesoughingoftherisingwind,agreatmelancholyseemedtostealoverme,sothatIbecameinaway lost in amist of gloom.So far as I remember,my thoughtswere backwiththetimewhenIhadseentheprocessionofthedeadcomingupoutofthesea from theSkaresbeyond,andof the fierce lookingSpaniardwhowalked

aloneintheirranksandlookedatmewithlivingeyes.Imusthavebeeninasort of day-dream and unconscious of all aroundme; for, though I had notnoticed any one approaching, Iwas startled by a knocking at the door. Thehousewasnotquitefinished;therewereelectricbellsinposition,buttheyhadnotyetbeencharged,andtherewasnoknockeronthedoor.Theknockingwasthatofbareknucklesonapanel.IthoughtofcoursethatitwasthegilliebackfromCrom,forIdidnotexpectanyoneelse;soIwentatonceandopenedthedoor. I recoiled with pure wonder. There, looking grave and dignified, anincarnationof theword‘gentleman’stoodDonBernardino.Hiseyes, thoughnow serene, and even kindly, were the eyes of the deadman from the sea.Behindhim,a fewyardsoff,stoodGormalaMacNielwithaneager lookonherface,halfconcealedbysuchagrinasmademefeelasthoughIhadbeentrapped,orinsomewaybroughttobook.TheSpaniardatoncespoke:“Sir,yourpardon!IwishmuchthatImayspeakwithyouinprivate,andsoon.ForgivemeifthatItroubleyou,butitisonamatterofsuchmoment,tomeattheleast,thatIhaveventuredanintrusion.Ilearnedatthehotelthatyouhadhithercome;sowiththeguidanceofthisgoodlady,whodidmemuchinform,I have found.”As he spoke ofGormala, he half turned andmade a gesturetowards her. She had been watching our every movement with cat-likeeagerness;butwhenshesawthatwewerespeakingofher,adarklooksweptherface,andshemovedawayscowling.TheSpaniardwenton:“WhatIhavetosayissecret,andIwouldbealonewithyou.MayitbethatIenteryourhouse;orwillyoucometomine?IdonotmeanmycastleofCrom,butthehouseatEllonwhichIhavetaken,untilsuchtimeastheSenoraJackand that so fair patriot of hers shall wish to leave it.” His manner was sogravelycourteousandhisbearingsonoble,thatIfounditalmostimpossibletomistrusthim,evenwhenthereflashedacrossmymemorythatdarkred-eyedlook of his at Crom, which recalled so vividly the dead Spaniard with thelivingeyesofhateintheprocessionofghostsfromtheSkares.Ifelt that, inanycase,itcouldnotdoanyharmtohearwhathehadtosay:‘Forewarnedisforearmed’isagoodapothegmindealingwithanenemy.Imotionedhimintothe house; he bowed gravely and entered. As I shut the door behind us, Icaught sight of Gormala with an eager look on her face stealing swiftlytowards thehouse.Sheevidentlywanted tobenearenoughtowatch,and tohearifshecould.AsIwasopeningthedoorofthedrawing-roomforDonBernardinotoenter,asuddenglimpseofitsinterior,seeninthedimlightthroughthechinksoftheshutters,changedmyplans.ThiswastheroomimprovisedasadressingroomforMarjory, and the clotheswhich shehadworn in the cavewere scatteredabout theroom,hungover thebacksofchairs todry.Her toiletmattersalsowere on the table.Altogether I felt that to bring the stranger into the room

wouldnotonlybeanindelicacytowardsmywife,butmightinsomewaygiveacluetoourenemytoguessoursecret.WithahastyexcuseIclosedthedoorandmotionedmyguestintothediningroomacrossthehall.Iaskedhimtobeseated,andthenwentovertothewindowandpulledasidethecurtainstogiveuslight.IfeltthatsomehowIwassaferinthelight,andthatitmightenablemetolearnmorethanIcouldhavedoneinthedimtwilightofthecurtainedroom.WhenIturnedround,theSpaniardwasstillstanding,facingme.Heappearedtobestudiouslykeepinghimselfstill;butIcouldseethatunderhislongblacklasheshiseyeswereroamingroundtheroom.Unconsciously tomyself,asIknownow,my eyes followed his and took in the frightful untidiness of theplace.Thegreathearthwaspiledwithextinctashes;thetablewaslitteredwithunwashedcupsandplatesanddishes,forwehadnotclearedupanythingafterournightinthecave.Rugsandpillowsweremasseduntidilyonthefloor,andthe stale provisions on the table made themselves manifest in the closeatmosphereoftheroom.Iwasmovingovertothrowupthewindowsoastoletinalittlefreshair,whenIrememberedthatGormalawasprobablyoutsidewithherearsstrainedclosetothewalltohearanythingthatwemightsay.So,instead, Iapologised for thedisorder, saying that Ihadcampedme there forsomedayswhilstworkingatmybook—theexcuseIhadgivenatthehotelformyspellsofsolitarylife.TheSpaniardbowedlowwithgravecourtesy,andimploredthatIwouldmakenoapology.Iftherewereanythingnotperfect,andforhimselfhedidnotseeit,suchdeficienciesweresweptawayandlostinthetideofhonourwithwhichIhadoverwhelmedhiminthepermissiontoentermyhouse;andmuchmoretothesameeffect.Thenhecametotheserioussideofthingsandbegantospeaktothepoint.

CHAPTERXLTHEREDEMPTIONOFATRUST

“SENOR,youmaywonderwhyIamhere,andwhyIwouldspeakwithyoualoneandinsecret.Youhaveseenmeonlyinaplace,whichthoughmyownby birthright, was dominated by the presence of ladies, who alas! by theirnationality and the stress ofwarweremine enemies. Fromyou is not such.Ournationsareatpeace,andthereisnopersonalreasonwhyweshouldnotbeofthemostfriendly.Icometoyou,Senor,becauseitisbornetomethatyouarecavalier.Youcanbesecretifyouwill,andyouwillrecognisetheclaimsofhonourandduty,ofthehighest.Thecommonpeopleknowitnot;andforthe

dear ladieswhohave their ownhonour, our duties in such are not a part oftheirlives—nay!theyarebeyondandabovethelifeasit istous.Ineednottellyouofasecretdutyofmyfamily,foritisknowntomethatallofsuchisalready with you. The secret of the Pope’s treasure and of the duty of myHousetoguardandrestoreithasbeeninyourmind.Ohyes,thisIknow”forhesawIwasabouttospeak.“HaveInotseeninyourhandsthatportionofthebook,solonglost!”Herehestoppedandhiseyesnarrowed;somethoughtofdanger,necessitatingcaution,hadcometohim.I,too,wassilent;Iwantedtothink.Unless Ihadutterlymisconceivedhim,hehadmadeanextraordinaryadmission;onewhichhadgivenhimawaycompletely.TheonlyoccasiononwhichIhadseenhimwaswhenhehadpointedouttousthatthepageswhichIhadfoundbelongedtothebookinthelibrary.Itistruethatwehadsuggestedto him that therewas a cipher in themarking of the letters, but he had notacknowledgedit.Atthetimehecertainlydidnotconveytheideatousthathebelieved we had grasped the secret. How then did he know; or on whatassumptiondidheventuretostatethatIknewhissecret.Herewasadifficultpoint to pass. If I were silent hewould take all for granted; in such case Imightnotlearnanythingofhispurpose.SoIspoke:“Yourpardon,Sir,butyoupresumeaknowledgeonmypartof somesecrethistoryofyour familyandofa treasureof thePope;and thenaccount for itthatyouhaveseeninmyhandthebook,apartofwhichwaslonglost.AmItotake it thatbecause there is, ormaybe, a secret, anyonewho suspects thatthereisonemustknowit?”ThesteadyeyesoftheSpaniardclosed,narrowerand narrower still, till the pupils looked like those of a cat in the dark; anarrowslitwithacavernoffirewithin.Forfullyhalfaminutehecontinuedtolookatmesteadily,andIownthatIfeltdisconcerted.Inthismatterhehadtheadvantageofme.Iknewthatwhathesaidwastrue;Ididknowthesecretoftheburiedtreasure.Hehadsomewayofknowingtheextentofmyknowledgeofthematter.Hewas,sofar,alltruth;Iwasprevaricating—andwebothknewit! All at once he spoke; as though hismindweremade up, and hewouldspeak openly and frankly. The frankness of a Latin was a fell and strangeaffair:“Whyshallwebeataboutthebush.Iknow;youknow;andwebothknowthattheotherknows. Ihave readwhatyouhavewrittenof thesecretwhichyouhavedrawnfromthosemarkedpagesofthelawbook.”AshespokethewholedetailofhisvisittoCromrosebeforeme.Atthattimehehadonlyseentheprintedpagesofthecipher;hehadnotseenmytranscriptwhichhadlain,facedown,uponthetable.Wehadturnedit,onhearingsomeonecomingin.“Thenyouhavebeentothecastleagain!”Isaidsuddenly.Myobjectwastodisconcerthim,but itdidnotsucceed. Inhissaturnine franknesshadbeena

completeintention,whichwasnowhisprotectionagainstsurprise.“Yes!”hesaidslowly,andwithasmilewhichshowedhisteeth,likethewolf’stoRedRidinghood.“Strange,theydidnottellmeatCrom,”Isaidasthoughtomyself.“Theydidnot know!”he answered. “Whennext I visitedmyownhouse, itwas at night, and by a way not known, save to myself.” As he spoke, thecanineteethbegantoshow.Heknewthatwhathehadtotellwaswrong;andbeing determined to brazen it out, the crueltywhich lay behindhis strengthbecame manifest at once. Somehow at that moment the racial instinctmanifesteditself.SpainwasoncethepossessionoftheMoors,andthenoblestoftheoldfamilieshadsomeblackbloodinthem.InSpain,suchisnot,asinthe West, a taint. The old diabolism whence sprung fantee and hoo-dooseemedtogleamoutinthegrimsmileofincarnate,rebelliouspurpose.Itwasmycuetothrowmyantagonistoffhisguard;toattackthecompositecharacterinsuchwaythatonepartwouldbetraytheother.“Strange!”Isaid,asthoughtomyselfagain.“Tocomeinsecretintoahouseoccupiedbyanotherisamongstcivilisedpeopleregardedasanoffence!”“Thehouseismyown!”heretortedquickly,withaswarthyflush.“Strange, again!” I said. “When Mrs. Jack rented the castle, there was noclauseinheragreementofaright to theownertoenterbyasecretway!Onthecontrarysuchrightsastheownerreservedwereexactlyspecified.”“Aman has a right to enter his own house, when and how hewill; and toprotect thepropertywhich is being filched fromhimby strangers!”He saidthe lastwordswithsuchmanifest intentionofoffence that I stoodonguard.Evidently he wanted to anger me, as I had angered him. I determined thatthenceforward I should not let anything which he might say ruffle me. Irepliedwithdeliberateexasperation:“Thelawprovidesremediesforanywrongsdone.Itdoesnot,thatIknowof,allowamantoentersecretlyintoahousethathehaslettoanother.Thereisanimplied contract of peaceful possession, unless entry be specified in theagreement.”Heanswereddisdainfully:“Myagenthadnorighttolet,withoutprotectingsucharight.”“Ah,buthedid;andinlawweareboundbytheactsofouragents.‘Facitperalium’ is a maxim of law. And as to filching, let me tell you that all yourpropertyatCromis intact.Thepiecesofpaperthatyouclaimedwereleft inthebook;andthebookhasremainedasyouyourselfplaceditontheshelf.Ihave Mrs. Jack’s word that it would be so.” He was silent; so, as it wasnecessarythatthefactsastheyexistedshouldbespokenofbetweenus,Iwenton:

“Am I to take it that you read the private papers on the table of the libraryduringyournocturnalvisit?Bytheway,Isupposeitwasnocturnal.”“Itwas.”“Thensir,”Ispokesharplynow,“whohasdonethefilching?We—MissDrakeandI—bychancediscoveredthosepapers.Asamatteroffacttheywereinanoaken chest which I bought at an auction in the streets of Peterhead. Wesuspectedacipherandworkedatittillwelaidbarethemystery.Thisiswhatwehavedone;wewhowereevenignorantofyourname!Now,whathaveyoudone?Youcomeasanadmittedguest,bypermission,intoahousetakeninallgood faithby strangers.When thereyou recognised somepaperswhichhadbeen lost.Werestored themtoyou.Honourdemanded thatyoushouldhavebeenopenwithusafterthis.Didyouaskifwehaddiscoveredthesecretofthetrust?No!Youwentawayopenly;andcamebacklikeathiefinthenightandfilched our secret. Yes sir, you did!” He had raised his hand in indignantprotest. “It was our secret then, not yours. Had you interpreted the secretcipherforyourself,youwouldhavebeenwithinyourrights;andIshouldhavehad nothing to say.We offered to let you take the bookwith you; but yourefused. It isevident thatyoudidnotknowthewholesecretof the treasure.That you knew therewas a treasure and a secret I admit; but the key of it,whichwehadwonthroughtoil,youstolefromus!”“Senor!”thevoicewasperemptoryandfullofallthatwasbestandnoblestintheman.“AdeEscoban isnotwont tohear suchanallegation;andhewhomakes such shall in theendhavehisowndeath toanswer for!”He stoppedsuddenly,andathisstoppingIexultedsecretly;thoughIwishedtopunishhimfor his insinuation that Marjory had filched from him, I had no desire tobecomeentangledinaduel.Iwasdeterminedtogoon,however;forIwouldnot,atanyhazard,passaslightuponmypeerlesswife.Ithinkthathissuddenpausemeantthought;andthoughtmeantapeacefulsolutionofthingsonmyownlines.Nevertheless,Iwentonforcingtheissue:“Irejoice,sir,thatyouarenotaccustomedtohearsuchallegations;Itrustthatyou are also not accustomed to deserve them!” By this time he was calmagain, icily calm. Itwaswonderfulwithwhat rapidity, and howwidely, thependulum of his nature swung between pride and passion. All at once hesmiled again, the same deadly, dreadful smilewhich he imagined to be theexpressionoffrankness.“I see I am punished! ’Twas I that first spoke of stealing. Senor, you haveshownmethatIwaswrong.Mypardontothatsogoodladywhoisguestofmyhouse;andalso to thatotherpatrioticonewhosoadorns it.Nowletmesay, since to defendmyself is thrust uponme, that you,who have,with somuchskillmadeclearthehiddenmysteryofthatlawbookwhichIhaveonlylatelyread,knowbestofallmenhowIamboundtodoall thingstoprotect

my trust. I am bound, despite myself, even if it were not a duty gladlyundertakenforthesakeofthedead.ItwasnotIwhosoundertook;butstillIam bound even more than he who did. I stand between law and honour,betweenlifeanddeath,helpless.Senor,wereyouinmyplace,wouldyounot,too,haveactedasIdid?Wouldyounotdoso,knowingthattherewasasecretwhichyoucouldnoteventrytounravel,sincelongagothatinwhichitwashiddenhadbeenstolenorlost.Wouldyounotdoso,knowing,too,thatsomeother—inallgoodfaithandinnocenceletussay—hadalreadymadediscoverywhichmightmockyourhopesandnullifytheforceofthatlongvigil,towhichtengenerationsofmen,givingupallelse,hadsacrificedthemselves?Wouldnot 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, towhomall thingscomeafter thatdevotion tohercountry,which sogreat sheholds?”WhilsthewasspeakingIhadbeenthinking.Thepretenceofignorancewasallover tobothofus;heknewourknowledgeof thesecret trust,andweknewthatheknew.Theonly thingofwhichhewasyet ignorant,was thatwehaddiscovered the treasure itself. There was nothing to be gained by disputingpoints of conjecturalmorals.Of course hewas right; had eitherMarjory ormyselfconsideredourselvesboundbysuchadutyaslaysoheavyonhimweshouldhavedonethesame.IbowedasIanswered;“Sir, youare right!Anymanwhoheld to suchadutywouldhavedone thesame.”“Senor,”heansweredquickly,“Ithankyouwithallmyheart!”Poorfellow,atthat moment I pitied him. The sudden flash of joy that leaped to his faceshowed by reaction in what a hell he must have of late been living. Thismomentary episode seemed to havewiped away all his bitterness; itwas inquiteadifferentwaythathespokeagain:“Andnow,Senor,sinceyourengagingfranknesshasmademyheartsoglad,mayIaskfurtherofyourkindness.Believemethatitisnotofmyownwill,butfromanunbendingsenseofdutythatIdoandmayhavetodosuchthings;mylifetilllatelyhasbeenotherwise,oh!somuchso!Youhavethefeelingsofhonouryourself; likemeyouarealsomanof theworld,andassuchwecansacrificeall thingssavehonour. Is therenoway inwhichyoucanaidme tofulfill my trust; and let there be peace between us?” He looked at meanxiously;Isaid:“IfearIhardlyunderstand?”Withmanifestembarrassmenthewenton;“YouwillforgivemeifIerragain;butthistimeImustmakemyselfclear.Itismanifesttomethatinthesedaysofsciencenothingcanlongremainhidden,whenonceacluehasbeenfound.YoualreadyknowsomuchthatIamplaced

almostasthoughthetreasurehasalreadybeenfound.ThereafterwhereamI;whatamI?Onewhohasfailedinhistrust.Whohasallowedanothertostepin;andsodishonourhim!Amoment,Senor,andIamdone,”forhesawthatIwasabouttospeak.“ItisnotthetreasureitselfthatIvalue,butthetrust.IfIcouldmakeitsafebythesacrificeofallmypossessionsIwouldgladlydoso.Senor,youarestillfree.Youhavebuttoabandonyourquest.Itisnottoyouaduty; and therefore you sacrifice naught of honour should you abandon it.Here Ipledge toyou—and,ohSenor, I prayhavepatience thatyou takenoaffrontthatIdoso—thatinsuchcaseIshallgivetoyouallthatIhave.Giveitgladly! So, Imay redeem the trust ofmyHouse; and go out into thewideworld, though itmay be as a beggar, yet free—free!Oh! pause, Senor, andthink.Iamrichintheworld’sgoods.Myancestorswereofvastwealth;evenatthattimewhenthegreatBernardinodidgivehisshiptohisking.Andforthree centuries all have been prudent; and all their possessions have grown.There are vast lands of corn, great forests, many castles, whole ranges ofmountainsasyetuntouchedfortheirvariedtreasureswhicharevast.Thereareseaportsandvillages;andinall,thedwellersarehappyandcontent.Iamthelastofmyrace.Thereisnonetoinherit;soIamfreetopledgemyself.”Hedidnotboworbend;therewasnopersistenceofrequestinhisvoice,ortone,ormanner.Inalltherewasnofeelingofabargain.Itwasanoffer,basedonthefulfillmentofhisowndesires;giveninsuchalordlywaythattherecouldbenooffenceinit.Herecognisedsothoroughlythestrengthofmyownposition,that thebasesideofbarterbecameobliterated; itwasanexchangeofgoodsbetweengentlemen.Such,at least, I recognisedwashis intellectualposition;myownremainedthesame.HowcouldI,oranyman,takeadvantageofsuchanoffer.AfterthinkingafewsecondsIsaidtohim:“Sir, youhavehonouredmebygroupingus asmenofhonour.Whatwouldyoudoinmyplace?”Hiseyebrightened,andhisbreathcamemorequicklyashereplied:“Wereitmycase,Ishouldsay:‘Senor,yourdutyisoneofhonour;mineisoneof gain.There canbeno comparisons.Fulfill your debt to your forefathers!Redeemthepledgethattheyhavemadeinyourname!Discoveryourtreasure;and be free!’” Therewas infinite pride in his voice andmanner; I think hereallymeantwhathesaid.Iwentonwithmyquestioning:“Andwhataboutthetakingofyourestateasarewardofforbearance?”Heshruggedhisshoulders:“Forthat,”hesaid,“itmattersnot.”“Ah,foryoutogiveyoumean?”Henodded.“Butwhatformetotake?Wouldyoudosoinmyplace?”Hewasmanifestlyinadilemma.Icouldseesomethingoftheworkingofhismindinhisface.Ifhesaidhewouldhimselftakeit,hewouldmanifestlylowerhimselfinhisown

eyes;andtosuchprideashis,hisownself-respectwasmorethantherespectofothers,inproportiontohisself-value.Ifhesaidhewouldnot,thenhemightperilhischanceofgettingwhathedesired.The temptationwasacruelone;withallmyheartIhonouredhimforhisanswer,givenwiththefullnessofhismightypride:“Senor,Icandie;Icannotstoop!Butwhatavailsmyownidea?Theanswerisnotforme!IhaveofferedallIhave.Iwillinadditionpledgemyselftoholdmylifeatyourservicewhenthisgreattrustisrelieved.Tothismyhonourisguardian; youneednot fear it shall be redeemed!NowSenor, youhavemyanswer!ToredeemthetrustofmysiresIgiveallIhaveintheworld,exceptmyhonour!Theanswerrestswithyou!”

CHAPTERXLITREASURETROVE

THEREwasnodoubtthattheSpaniard’sdevotiontohiscauseplacedmeinaconsiderabledifficulty.Icouldnotdisguisefrommyselfthatheputforwardavery strong claim for the considerationof onegentlemanby another. Itwasonlyonhurriedlythinkingthematteroverthattheweaknessofhiscausewasapparent.Hadthewholeaffairbeenaprivateorpersonalone;hadthetreasurebelonged to his ancestors, I should have found it in my own heart a verydifficult matter to gainsay him, and be subsequently at ease with myself. Iremembered, however, that the matter was a public one. The treasure wascollected by enemies of England for the purpose of destroying England’sliberty,andsothelibertyofthewholehumanraceforwhichitmade.Itwassent in charge of a personal enemy of the country in a ship ofwar, one ofmany built for the purpose of invading and conqueringEngland. In time ofnationalstress,whenthegunswereactuallythunderingalongourcoastfromtheThamestotheTyne,thetreasurehadbeenhiddensoastopreserveitforfutureuseinitsdestinedway.Thoughcenturieshadpassed,itwasstillheldinmind; and the very men who had guarded it were, whilst professing to beBritons, secret enemiesof thecountry, anddevoted toherultimateundoing.Beyond this again, there was another reason for not giving it up whichappealedtomemorestronglythantheclaimofmyownnaturalduty,becauseitcametomethroughMarjory.ThoughSpainwasatpeacewithmycountry,itwas at war with hers; the treasure collected to harm England might—nay,would—beusedtoharmAmerica.Spainwasimpoverishedtothelastdegree.Her treasurieswere empty, her unpaid soldiers clamourous for their arrears.Owing towantathome, therewas inplaces something likeanarchy;abroadtherewassuchlackofallthings,ships,men,stores,cannon,ammunition,that

the evil ofwant came across the seas to the statesmen of theQuirinalwithheart-breakingpersistence.America,unprepared forwarat first,wasdaybydaybecomingbetterequipped.ThepanichadabatedwhichhadsetinontheseaboardtownsfromMainetoCalifornia,wheneachfounditselfatthemercyofaSpanishfleetsweepingtheseas,nomanknewwhere.Nowifever,moneywouldbeofvaluetoimpoverishedSpain.Thisgreattreasure,piledupbytheLatin for theconqueringof theAnglo-Saxon, and rescued from itsburialofthree centuries,would come in the nick of time to fulfill its racialmission;thoughthatmissionmightbeagainstanewbranchoftheancientfoeofSpain,whose roots only had been laidwhen the greatArmada swept out in all itspride and glory on its conquering essay. I needed no angel to tellmewhatwouldbeMarjory’sanswer,weresuchapropositionmadetoher.Icouldseeinmymind’seyetheuprearingofhertallfigureinallitsprideandbeauty,theflashingofhereyeswiththatlightofpatrioticfirewhichIknewsowell,theset of her mouth, the widening of her nostril, the wrinkling of her ivoryforeheadasthebrowswereraisedinscorn——“Sir,”saidIwithwhatdignityIhad,“thematterisnotforyouormetodecide.Notforusboth!Thisisanaffairoftwonations,orratherofthree:ThePapacy,theSpaniard,theBriton.Nay,ittouchesanotheralso,fortheladywhosharesthesecretwithmerepresents thecountrywithwhichyournation isatwar!”TheSpaniardwasmanifestlybaffled; the red,hellish light shone inhiseyesagain.Hisangerfoundexpressioninasneer:“Ah!soIsupposeyoudonotproposetodealwiththetreasure,whenfound,asaprivatematter;butshallhanditovertoyourgovernmenttodealwith!”Thebestanswertohisscornwascomplacency;soIsaidquietly:“Thereagainweare inadifficulty.Yousee,mydear fellow,nooneexactlyknowshowwestandinthismatter.ThelawofTreasureTrove,aswecallitinthis country, is in a most chaotic state. I have been looking it up since Iundertookthisquest;andIamrathersurprisedthatinall theyearsthathaveelapsed sinceourpractical law-makingbegan,nothinghasbeendone toputsuchmattersonanexactbasis.Thelaw,suchasitis,seemstorestonRoyalPrerogative;butwhatthebaseofthatprerogativeis,nooneseemsexactlytoknow.Andbesides,inthevariousconstitutionalchanges,andthecustomsofdifferent dynasties, there are, or certainly there may be, barriers to theassertionofanyCrownright—certainlytothefulfillmentofsuch!”Heseemedstaggered. He had manifestly never regarded the matter as other than therecoveryofpropertyentrustedtohimthroughhisancestors.Itookadvantageofhismentaldisturbance;andasImyselfwantedtimetothink,sothatImightfixonsomecourseofactionwhichwouldsuitMarjory’swishesaswellasmyown,Ibegantotellhimtheimpressionleftonmymindbysuchstudyofthesubject of Treasure Trove as I had been able to achieve. I quoted now and

againfromnotesmadeinmypocketbook.“TheScotchlawismuchthesameastheEnglish;andasweareinScotland,weareofcoursegovernedbytheformer.Thegreatpointofdifference,seenwith the eyes of a finder, is that in Scotland the fraudulent concealment ofTreasureTrove isnotacriminaloffence,as it is inEngland.Thus, frommypointofview,Ihavenothingtofearas toresults; for thoughbytheGeneralPoliceAct the finder is bound to report the find to theChiefConstable, thestatuteonlyappliestothingsfoundonroadsorinpublicplaces.Sofarasthistreasure is concerned, itmay turn out that it can, in a sense, be no treasuretroveatall.”—“According toBlackstone, treasure trove iswhere anymoneyor coin, gold,silver,plateorbullionisfoundhiddenintheearthorotherprivateplace,theowner thereof being unknown. If found upon the earth, or in the sea, itbelongs, not to the Crown, but to the finder, if no owner appears. It is thehiding,nottheabandoning,whichgivestheCrowntheproperty.”—“Coinorbullionfoundat thebottomofalakeor inthebedofariver isnottreasuretrove.Itisnothiddenintheearth.”—“The right of the Crown is ... limited to gold or silver, bullion or coin. Itextendstonothingelse.”...WhenIhadgotthusfartheSpaniardinterruptedme:“Butsir,inallthesethatyousay,therightsoftheownerseemtoberecognisedeveninyourlaw.”“Ah, but there comes in again a fresh difficulty; or rather a fresh series ofdifficulties,beginningwithwhatis,intheeyeofthelaw,the‘owner.’Letusforamomenttakeyourcase.Youclaimthistreasure—ifitcanbefound—asheldbyyoufortheoriginalpossessor.Theoriginalpossessorwas,Itakeit,thePope,whosentitwiththeArmada,tobeusedfortheconversionorsubduingofEngland.Wewilltakethepurposelater,butinthemeantimeweareagreedthattheoriginalownerwasPopeSixtusV.Now,thePopedomisanoffice,andon the death of one incumbent his successor takes over all his rights andpowersandprivilegeswhatevertheymaybe.Thus,thePopeofto-daystandsinexactlythesamepositionasdidPopeSixtusV,whenhesentthroughKingPhilip,andintrustofBernardinodeEscobantheaforesaidtreasure.”Ifeltthatthewords‘aforesaidtreasure’soundedverylegal;ithelpedtoconsolidateevenmyownideasasIwentalong.“So,too,youastherepresentativeofyourownfamily,areinthesamepositionoforiginaltrusteeaswasyourgreatancestorof which this record takes cognisance.” This too was convincingly legal insound.“IdonotthinkthatBritishlawwouldrecogniseyourposition,orthatofyourpredecessorsinthetrust,inthesamewayasitwouldthecontinuationoftheownership,ifany,onthepartofthesuccessionofthePopes.However,

forthesakeoftheargument,letustakeittheywouldbeofequalforce.Ifthisbe so, the claim of ownership and guardianship would be complete.” As Ipaused, the Spaniard who had been listening to me with pent up breath,breathedmorefreely.Withagracefulmovement,whichwasalmostabow,hesaid:“If so that you recognise the continued ownership, and if you speak as theexponentoftheBritishlaw,whereinthenisthedifficultyofownershipatall;should itbe that the treasuremaybefound?”Herewas therealdifficultyofbothmyownargumentandDonBernardino’s.Formyownpart,Ihadnotthefaintestideaofwhatthelawmightbe;butIcouldseeeasilyenoughthatgreatissuesmight be raised for the British side against the Spanish. As I had to‘bluff’myopponent to a certain extent, I added the impressionsofpersonalconvictiontomymannerasIanswered:

“Haveyouconsideredwhatyou,orratheryourpredecessorsintitleandtrust,havedonetoforfeitanyrightswhichyoumayhavehad?”Hepaledandwasvisiblystaggered;itwasevidentthatthisviewofthequestionhadnotenteredhismind. Themere suggestion of thematter now opened up for him gravepossibilities.His lipsgrewdry,and itwaswithavoicehoarser thanhithertothat,afterapause,hesaid:“Goon!”“This treasurewas sent, in time ofwar, by the enemies ofEngland, for thepurpose of her undoing—that is her undoing from the point of view of theestablished government of the time. Itwas in itself an act ofwar.The verydocuments that could, or can, prove the original ownership,would serve toprovethehostileintentofsuchownersinsendingit.Remember,thatitcameinawarship,oneofthegreatArmadabuiltandbroughttogethertoattackthiscountry.Theownerofthetreasure,thePope,gaveitintrustforthecestuiquetrust,theKingofSpaintoyourancestorBernardinodeEscoban,ashereditarytrustee.YourancestorhimselfhadthebattleshipSanCristobalbuiltathisowncostfortheKing’sserviceinthewaragainstEngland.Yousee,theywereall—theindividualaswellasthenation—hostiletoEngland;andtheintentionofevil towards that country, what British law calls ‘malice prepense’ or the‘mensrea’wasmanifestinall!”TheSpaniardwatchedmeintently;Icouldseebythedarkeningofhisswarthyfaceandtheagonisedcontractionofhisbrowsthat the argument was striking home to his very heart. The man was sodistressedthat,enemyasIfelthimtobe,itwaswithapangthatIwenton:“ItremainstobeseenwhatviewtheBritishlawwouldtakeofyouraction,orwhatisthesame,thatofyourpredecessorinthetrust,inhidingthetreasureinthedomainsofBritain.Asaforeigneryouwouldnothave,Itakeit,arightinanycase.Andcertainly,asaforeignerinarmsagainstthiscountry,youwould

have—couldhave—norightineitherdomesticorinternationallaw.TherightwasforfeitonlandingfromyourwarshipintimeofwaronBritishshores!”Therewasa longpause.Now that I came topieceout intoanargument thescatteredfragmentsofsuchlegalmattersasIhadbeenabletolearn,andmyown ideas on the subject, the resulting argumentwas stronger than I had atfirst imagined.Awholehostofcollateralmattersalsocroppedup.As Iwasexpoundingthelaw,asIsawit,thesubjecttookmeawaywithit:“Thisquestionwouldthennaturallyarise:iftheforfeitureoftherightsoftheoriginalownerwouldconferarightupontheCrownofBritain,standingasitdoes in such a matter as the ‘remainder man.’ Also whether the forfeitedtreasurehavingbeenhidden,beingwhatthelawcalls‘bonavacantia,’canbeacquiredbythefinder,subjecttothelawrelatingtotheRoyalprerogative.Inboththeabovecasestherewouldarisepointsoflaw.Ineither,forinstance,thenature of the treasure might limit the Crown claim as over against anindividualclaimingrightsasfinder.”“How so?” asked Don Bernardino. He was recovering his sang froid, andmanifestlywaswishfultoreasserthimself.“According to the statement of Don Bernardino, whichwould assuredly beadducedinevidenceoneitherside,thetreasurewas,oris,ofvariousclasses;coinedmoney,bullion,gemsandjewelwork.ByoneoftheextractswhichIhave read you, the Crown prerogative only applies to precious metals orbullion.Gemsorjewelleryarethereforenecessarilyexcluded;foritcouldnot,Ithink,beclaimedthatsuchbaubleswerecontrabandofwar.”“Again,theplaceofhidingmaymakeabartoCrownclaimastreasuretrove.According to the cipher narrative the place of hiding was a sea cave. Thiscouldnotbeeither‘on’theground,whichwouldgivetitletothefinder;or‘in’thegroundwhichwouldgiveCrownclaim.Butbeyondthisagain,theremightarisethequestionastowhetherthetreasureshouldinanywaycomeintothepurview of the law at all. You will remember, in one of my excerptsBlackstoneexceptstheseafromtheconditionsoftreasuretrove.ItmighthavetobefoughtoutintheLawCourts,rightuptotheHouseofLordswhichisourfinal Court ofAppeal,whether the definition of ‘sea’would include a caveinto which the tide ran.” Here I stopped; my argument was exhausted ofpresentpossibilities.TheSpaniard’sthoughtnowfoundavoice:“But still ownershipmight be proved.Our nations have been at peace eversince that unhappy time of the InvincibleArmada.Naymore, have not thenationsfoughtsidebysideinthePeninsula!Besides,atnotimehastherebeenwarbetweenEnglandandthePope,evenwhenhispriestswereproscribedandhunted, and imprisoned when captured. The friendship of these countrieswouldsurelygiveabasefor thefavourableconsiderationofan international

claim.Eveniftheremayhavebeenaconstructiveforfeiture,suchwasneveractuallyexacted;Englandmight, inherwisdom,yieldthepoint toafriendlynation,whenthreehundredyearshadelapsed.”Hereanotherideastruckme.“Ofcourse”Isaid“suchmightbeso.Englandisrichandneednotenforceherrighttoatreasure,howeveracquired.Butletmeremindyouthatlawyersareverytenaciousofpointsoflaw,andthiswouldhavetobedecidedbylawyerswhoare the servants of the state and the advisers of thegovernments.Suchwould,nodoubt,beguidedbyexistingprinciplesoflaw,evenifthespecificcase were not on all fours with precedents. I learn that in India, which isgovernedbylawsmadebyBritonsandconsonantwiththeschemeofBritishlaw, there is actually an act in existencewhich governs TreasureTrove.Bythis,themagisterialdecisioncanbeheldovertoallowthemakingofaclaimof previous ownership within a hundred years. So you see that by analogyyourclaimofthreehundredyearsofpeacewouldputyoucleanoutofcourt.”Webothremainedsilent.ThentheSpaniard,withalongsigh,roseupandsaidcourteously:“IthankyouSenor,fortheaudiencewhichyouhavegiventome.Asthereistobenorapprochementtous,whatIcansaymaynotavail.Imustnowtakemyowncourse.Iamsad;forwhatthatcoursemayhavetobe,Iknownot.Iwouldhavegivenmyfortuneandmylifetohaveacquittedmehonourablyofthe trust imposedonme.But suchhappinessmaynotalas!bemine.Senor”thishesaidverysternly“ItrustthatyouwillalwaysrememberthatItriedallwaysthatIknowof,ofpeaceandhonour,tofulfillmyduty.ShouldIhavetotakemeansothertodischargemyduty,eventothepointoflifeanddeath,youwillunderstandthatIhavenoalternative.”“Wouldyoutakelife?”Isaidimpulsively,halfincredulous.“Iwouldnotscruple regardingmyownlife;whyshouldI, regarding thatofanother?”hesaidsimply,thenhewenton:“Butoh!Senor,itisnotthetakingoflife,myownoranother’s,whichIdread.ItisthatImayhavetowalkindeviousways,wherehonourisnot;haveInotalreadytastedofitsbitterness!Understandmethatthisdutyofguardianshipofthetrustisnotofmychoosing.Itwassettomeandminebyotherandgreaterpowers than ourselves, by the Vicegerent of God Himself; and what isordainedbyhimIshalldoinallwaysthataredemandedofme.”Iwassorryforhim,verysorry;buthiswordsmadeanewfear.HithertoIhadbeendealingwithagentleman,andthereismuchprotectioninthisthoughttoanyopponent.Now,however,hecalmlyannouncedthathewouldactwithoutscruple.Iwasinfuturetodread,notfairfightingalone,butcrookedwaysandbaseacts.SoIspokeout:“Am I not then to look on you as a man of honour?” His face darkened

dangerously;butallitshaughtypridewasobliteratedbyalookofdespairandgriefashesaidsadly:“AlasIknownot.IaminthehandsofGod!Hemaydealmercifullywithme,andallowmetopasstomygravenotdishonoured;butformyselfmypathhasbeensetinwaysthatmayleadIknownotwhither.”Somehowhiswordsmademefeellikeacad.Ididn’tmindfightingamanfair;orindeedfightinghimanyway,solongasweunderstoodthematterfromthefirst.But thiswas against the grain.Theman had shownhimselfwilling togiveupeverythinghehad,soastofulfillhistrustandbefree;andformenowtohaveapartinforcinghimintowaysofdishonourseemedtoobad.Itdidn’tseem altogether fair tome either. I had always tried to act honourably andmercifully,sothattohavemyownhandforcedtoacquiesceinthedownfallofanothermanwasinitswayhardlinesonmetoo.Truly,thewaysofwealtharefullofthorns;andwhenwarandpoliticsandintriguearejoinedinthechaseforgold, there ismuchsuffering forallwhoare sounhappyas tobedrawnwithin the spell. Iwasweakening inmy resolve regarding the treasure, andwould,Iamsure,inamomentofimpulsehavemadesomerashproffertotheSpaniard;whenoncemoretherecamebacktomethepurposeofthetreasure,andwhatMarjorymightthinkifIallowedittogobackwhereitmightbeusedagainsthercountry.WhateverImightdo, therewasnohopeofcompromiseonthepartofDonBernardino.Hisonepurpose,blindandset,wastofulfillthe obligation set by his forefather and to restore the treasure to Spain, bywhom it might or might not be restored to the Pope. The intensity of mythought had concentrated my interests to such an extent that I did notconsciouslynoticewhatwasgoingonaroundme.OnlyinasortofdimwaydidIknowthat theSpaniard’seyeswererovingroundtheroom;seeking, intheblindagonyofthedespairwhichwasuponhissoulforaclueoropeningsomewhere.All at once I became broad awake to the situation of things which hadhappenedinthosefewseconds.Hewasgazingwitheyesofamazementontheheapofmetalcaskets,dimmedwiththreecenturiesofseawater,whichwerepiledonthesidetableamongstthescatteredheapsofoddsandendsofvariouskinds,mademanifestbysometrickoflight.Thentherecamealightintohiseyesasheraisedhishandandpointedsaying:“Sothetreasurehasbeenfound!”

CHAPTERXLIIASTRUGGLE

ITHINKthatatfirstsheeramazementhadcontrolledtheSpaniard’sthoughts.But whatever the cause of the control was, it soon passed away; then thewholefierynatureofthemanseemedtosweepfromhimlikeatorrent:“And so all the learned arguments with which you have overwhelmed me,werebutacloaktocoveryourpossessionofthetreasurewhichitwasgiventome and mine to guard. I might have guessed, that without the certainty ofpossession you would not have been so obdurate to my offer, given in allsincerityasitwas.Fromotherthings,too,Imighthaveknown!Thatwoman,soold,whowatchesyouwitheyesthatseemorethanistosee,andwhohavereasonofherowntomistrustyou,shetelledtomethatnightlyshehasheardyoudig in the rock as thoughyoumakegrave.Take care it is not so! I amguardianofthattreasure;andIamdesperate!AlreadyhaveItoldyouthatallthingsaretome,allwaystofulfillthetrustofmyfathers.Weareherealone!Iamarmed;andalreadymylifeisforfeittothiscourse.Yieldyourself,then,tome!”Like a flash of light he had drawn a dagger from his breast; and with anupwardsweepofhishandhelditpoised,eithertostrikeorthrow.ButalreadyIhadtakenwarningfromhiseyes.EversincedangerhadthreatenedMarjory,I had carriedmy revolverwithme; even at night it restedundermypillow.ThepracticewhichMarjoryandIhadoftenhad,tillshehadtaughtmetheoldtrickwhichher father had taught her of getting “the drop”on an adversary,stoodmenow in good stead.Whilst he had beendrawinghis dagger, I hadalreadycoveredhim;hefinishedthewordsofhiscommandstraight into themuzzleofmysix-shooter.IsaidasquietlyasIcould,foritwaswithamightyeffortIkeptapproximatelycalmunderstressofsuchasuddenattack:“Dropthatdagger!Quick;orIshallshootitfromyourhands!”Herecognisedhishelplessness in thematter.With adespairing sighheopenedhis fingers;thedaggerfelljinglingtothefloor.Iwenton:“Nowholdupyourhands,wellaboveyourhead!Movebacktothewall!”Hedidso,andstood facingmewithadisdainful smile. I stooped,andwithmyrighthandpickedupthedagger,stillkeepinghimcoveredwithmyleft.Iputtheweapononthefarsideofthetable,andapproachedhim.Hedidnotmove,butIcouldseethathewassizingmeup.Thisgavemenoanxiety,forIknewmyownstrength;and Ihadalsoashrewd idea that ifhehadanyotherarmabout 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 myrevolvertohisbreast,Ipassedmyhandlightlyoverhim;hehadmanifestlynootherweapon.Theonlysignofonewasthesheathofhisdagger;thisItookfromhim.Iplacedthedaggerinitandputitinmyownpocket;thenIdrewachair to themiddle of the room andmotioned him to sit down.He obeyedsullenly.Having by this time regained something ofmy serenity ofmind, I

spoke:“Your pardon, Sir, for the indignity towhich I have been obliged to submityou;butIamsureyouwillrememberthatitwasnotIwhobeganthequestionofforce.Whenyouthoughtitrighttodrawarmsuponmeinmyownhouse,youmadeitnecessarythatIshouldprotectmyself.Now,letmesaysomethinginanswertoyourchargeagainstme.Thefindingofthetreasurehasnothingwhatevertodowithmytheoryofaction;Ishouldholdmypresentviewjustasstronglyhadwenotmadethediscovery.Indeed,Imaysaythatsincewehavehadactualpossessionofthetreasure,itseemsnotnearlysodesirableasithadbeen.SofarasIamconcerned,Idon’tcareastrawwhetherIhaveultimatepossessionofitornot;butIamsofixedupthatifIwaivemyrights—thatisifIhaveanytowaive—thatImayaidindoingarepugnantthingtoaverydearfriend. That I shall not do. I shall oppose its doing by any means in mypower!”TheSpaniardsawachance,andspoke:“ButifIundertake——”Icuthimshort:“Sir, in this matter you are not in a position to undertake. By your ownshowing,youaresimplyboundtofulfillyourtrustandtorestorethetreasuretotheKing,whowillrestoreittothePope;ortorestoreittothePopedirect.”Heansweredquickly:“ButIcanstipulate——”againIinterruptedhimforthiswasauselessroadtotravel;“How can you stipulate?Youwould, ormight, be told to simply fulfill thedutythathadbeenundertakenforyou.Didyourefuse,fromwhatevermotive,nomatterhowjustlyfounded,ongroundofrightorhonour,youwouldnotbeholdingtothesimpletermsofyourtrust.No!sir.Thisisnoprivateaffairtobesettled by you or me, or by us both together. It belongs to politics! andinternationalpoliticsatthat.TheGovernmentofSpainisdesperatelyinwantofmoney.Howdoyouknow towhat shift,or towhat speciousargument itwillcondescend in its straits. I have no doubt that, should anything be donecontrarytoyourideaoffairplay,youwouldbegrievouslypained;butthatisnot to the point. YourGovernmentwould not take thought for anywish ofyours,anymorethanforaughtofmine.YourKingisaminor;hisregentisawoman,andhiscouncillorsandgovernorsareallmenchosentodowhattheycantosavetheircountry.Sir,butafewminutesagoyouprofessedityourdutytotakeanystep,eventocrimeanddishonour,tocarryoutyourduty.Indeed,youdrewaweaponuponme,apresumablyunarmedman,inmyownhouseinwhichyouareaself-invitedguest.SupposesomeoftheGovernmentofSpainholdideasoftheirduty,equallystrongandequallyunscrupulous;whothenistoanswerforwhattheydo.Why,insuchcase,theywouldundertakeanything,untiltheyhadgotpossessionofthetreasure;andwouldthenactentirelyuponwhat theywould call their ‘better judgment.’”His nativepride awoke in an

instantforhesaidhotly:“Iwouldhaveyouknow,Senor,andrememberalwayswhenyoutalkwithaSpaniard, thatourstatesmenarenotcriminals,butmenofhonour.” IbowedinstinctivelyasIansweredhim:“Sir,Ihavenodoubtwhatever,andIspeakinallsincerity,thatyouyourselfare, under normal circumstances, a man of the highest honour. Your self-sacrificingoffer has shewnme that; and I have added to that knowledgebyseeingthepainyouhavesufferedateventhethoughtofdishonour.”Herehebowedlow,andtherewasalookofgratitudeinhiseyeswhichtouchedmetothe quick. “And yet even you have openly told me that all your belief inhonour, all your life-long adherence to its behests, will not keep you fromfulfillingadutyshouldthesethingsclash.Naymore,youhavealreadydonethingswhichItakeitareatvariancewithyourprinciples.Howthencanyou,or I, believe that othermen, of less lofty lineage and less delicate sense ofhonour,will forego an advantage for their country in distress, yielding to atheoreticalpointofrightorwrong.Nosir”Iwentonpitilessly,forIfeltthatitwould be a kindness to him to shut absolutely this door of hope, “Wemusttakenostepwhichwillplace in thehandsofothers theguardianshipof thattreasure,ofwhichyouhavehithertoconceivedyourselftrustee,andofwhichInowbelievemyselftobetheowner.”Forfullyseveralminuteswefacedeachotherinsilence.Hisfacegrewmoreandmorefixedandstern;atlasthestoodupwithsuchalookofresolutionthatinstinctivelymyfingerstightenedroundthebuttofmyrevolver.Ithoughtthathemightbeabouttothrowhimselfuponme,andattemptevenatsuchoddsaswereagainsthim,astruggleforpresentmastery.Then,withoutmovingfromhisplace,hespoke:“WhenIhavedoneallIcantofulfillmytrust initscompleteness,andhavefailed,Ishallaskthegovernmentofmycountrytomakerepresentationtoherfriend England of a friendly claim, so that we may get even a part of thetreasure;andthenIwilldevotemyselftotheavengingofmyhonouronthosewhohavefoiledmeinmyduty!”Thiswasasortofspeechwhichbracedmeupagain.Itwasapromiseofwar,mantoman,andIcouldunderstanditbetterthanthesubtletieswhichnowenmeshedus.Iputmypistolbackinmypocket,andbowedtomyopponentasIanswered:“Andwhen that timecomes,Sir,youwill findmeatyourservice;howyouwill; where you will; and when you will. In the meantime, when first youplacethematterontheinternationalplane,IshalltakecarethattheAmericangovernment,inwhichdearfriendsofmineareinterested,shallmakefriendlydemandofherfriend,England,thatsheshalltakenostepwithregardtothisparticulartreasure—ifindeeditbetheninherpossession—whichmaybeusedtothedetrimentofthetrans-Atlanticpower.Thusyousee,sir,thattimemustinanycaseelapsebeforeafinalsettlement.Nothingcanbedonetilltheclose

of thepresentwar,when I take it that immediateneedof the sinewsofwarshall have ceased to exist.Bevery careful, then, howyou take any steps tobringuponthesceneotherpowersthanourselves;powersvastlymorestrong,andvastlylessscrupulous—perhaps.”Heanswerednothing,butlookedatmealongtimeinsilentcolddisdain.Thenhesaidquietly:“HaveIyourpermission,Senor,todepart?”Ibowed,andbroughthimtothedoor.When outside he turned, and, lifting his hat high in an old-fashioned,statelyway,bowed.Hepassedup the laneway towardsWhinnyfold,withoutonceglancingback.AsIstood lookingathim, Isawin theduskGormala’sheadnowandagainshowingabove the lowgreenbankwhichguarded theedgeof thecliff.Shewasbentdouble,andwasinsecretfollowingtheSpaniard.Iwentbacktothehousetothinkovermatters.Altogether,weweregettingsocomplicated that theredidnotseemanystraight road to take. In thebackofmymindIhadafirmideathatthebestthingIcoulddowouldbetohandoverthe treasure to the custody of the police; inform the Sheriff; and get mysolicitor toentera formalclaimofownership,wherever theclaimshouldbemade.ThenIshouldgetMarjory tocomeuponourhoneymoon. Icouldseethathermindwasalmost,ifnotquite,madeuptoacceptthisstep;andforawhileIlostmyselfinadaydream.Icamebacktotherealityofthingsbydimlyandgraduallyrealisingthatithadgrowndark.SoImadepreparationforthenight,bearinginmindthatIhadavast treasure in my possession, and that a desperate man who claimed torepresent itsownershipwasaware that Ihad it in thehouse. Itwasnot till Ihadseentothefasteningsofeverywindowanddoor,thatIbegantoprepareameal.By this time I was exceedingly hungry; when I had eaten I seated myselfbeforearousingfireofpinelogs,litmypipe,andbegantothink.Without,thewindwasrising.Icouldhear itwhistlealongtheroof,andnowandagainitroaredandboomeddownthechimney; theleapingfireseemedtoanswer itscall. I couldnot thinkdefinitely;my thoughtskeptwhirling inacircle fromtheSpaniard to the treasure, from the treasure toGormala, fromGormala toMarjory,andfromMarjorybackto theSpaniardagain.Everytimethecyclebecame complete and my thoughts came back to Marjory, my rapture as Ithought of her and of our future, became clouded by a vague uneasiness. ItwasoutofthisthatthethoughtofDonBernardinocametocommencethenextround of thought. In all my mental wanderings he became a dominantcharacter; his pride, his sense of dutywhich subordinated even honour, hisdesperation, his grief, all seemed to be with me and around me. Now andagain I trembled, when I thought that such self-sacrificing forces might beturnedagainstMarjory.

Littlebylittle,despiteallmyanxiety,stoleovermethedispositionofsleep.Iwas indeed almostworn out. The events of the past few days had crowdedtogether so quickly that I had had no time for pause. Even the long sleepwhichhadcrownedthevigilinthewatercavehadnotenabledmetolayin,soto speak, a provision of sleep; it had been the payment of a debt to natureratherthantheputtingbyofcapital.IhadtheconsolingthoughtthatMarjoryhad promisedme shewould not leaveCromCastle till I came. Safe in thisthought I rolledmyself in rugs—choosing those that shehadused—and fellasleep.I think thateven insleepIdidnot lose thesenseofmysurroundings, for indreamsmythoughtsranintheirwakingchannel.Hereagain,allthedisturbingelements ofmy life of late became jumbled together; and a sort of anxietyregarding something unknown seemed to brood over me. So far as Iremember, I slept fitfully; waking often in a sort of agony of indefiniteapprehension.AcoupleoftimesImadeupthefirewhichwasfallinglow,forthere was a sort of companionship in it. Without, the wind howled moreloudly, and each time as I sank back to rest I pulled the rugsmore closelyaroundme.Once, I started broad awake. I thought I heard a cry, and naturally, in mypresentframeofmind,mythoughtsflewtoMarjoryinsomedanger;shewascallingme.Whateverthecausewas,itreachedmybrainthroughathickveilof sleep; my body answered, and before I had time to think of why orwherefore,Iwasstandingonthefloorbroadawake,alertandpanting.Againtherecameasharpcryoutside,whichthrewmeinaninstantintoacoldsweat.Marjorywasindangerandwascallingme!InstinctivelyIrantothewindow,andpullingopen the shutters, threwup the sash.Allwasdarkoutside,withjustthatcoldlineonthefarEasternhorizonwhichtoldofcomingdawn.Thewind had risen high, and swept pastme into the room, rustling papers andmaking the flames dance. Every now and again a bird swept byme on thewingsofthewind,screamingasitflew;forthehousewassoclosetotheseathat the birds took no note of it as they would ordinarily do of a humanhabitation.Oneofthemcamesoclosethatitsscreamseemedtosoundloudlyinmyears;itwasdoubtlessjustsuchacryasthiswhichhadtornmefrommysleep. For awhile I hesitatedwhether I should go right away toCrom; butsecond thoughts prevailed. I could not get into the house at such an hour,withoutcreatingalarmandcausingcomment.SoIwentbacktothechimneycorner, and, piling on fresh logs and snuggling into my nest of rugs, soonfound sleep again descending onme. The serenity of thoughtwhich comeswiththedaywasusingitsforce....ThistimeIwokemoreslowly.Theknockingwascontinuousandimperative;butitwasnotaterrifyingsound.Weareallmoreorlessusedtosuchsounds.I

listened; andgradually consciousness ofmy surroundings cameback tome.Theknockingwas certainly persistent.... I put onmy shoes andwent to thedoor.OutsidewasMrs. Jack, looking troubled and hot in spite of the cold of thewind which seemed to sing around the house. As I opened the door, sheslippedpastmeandcloseditbehindher.Herfirstwordsmademyheartsink,andmybloodruncoldwithvagueterror:“IsMarjoryhere?”

CHAPTERXLIIITHEHONOUROFASPANIARD

MRS. JACKsaw theanswer inmyeyesbefore speechcame,and staggeredbackagainstthewall.“No,”Isaid“Whydoyouask?”“Sheisnothere!Thenthereissomethingwrong;shewasnotinherroomthismorning!”Thismorning!Thewordssetmythoughtsworking.I lookedatmywatch; itwaspastteno’clock.InadazedkindofwayIheardMrs.Jackgoon.“Ididnot sayaword to anyof the servants at first, for Ididn’twant to setthemtalking.Iwentalloverthehousemyself.Herbedhadnotbeensleptin;Ipulled the clothes off it and threw them on again roughly so that themaidmightnotsuspect.ThenIaskedquietlyifanyofthemaidshadseenher;butnonehad.SoIsaidasquietlyas Icould thatshemusthavegoneout foranearlywalk;andItookmybreakfast.ThenIhadthecartgotready,anddroveover here myself.What can it be? She toldme last night that she was notgoingoutuntilyoucame;andsheisalwayssoexactwhenshesaysa thing,that theremust be somethingwrong.Come backwithme at once! I am soanxiousthatIdon’tknowwhattodo.”Twominutessufficedformytoilet; thenshuttingthedoorbehindus,wegotintothecartanddrovetoCrom.Atthefirstandatthelastwewentquietly,soas not to arouse attention by our speed; but in the middle space we flew.DuringthejourneyMrs.Jackhadtoldmethatlastnightshehadgonetobedasusual,leavinginthedrawingroomMarjory,whohadtoldherthatshewasgoing presently into the library to write as she had a lot of letters to getthrough,andthatnoonewastowaitupforher.Thiswasherusualhabitwhenshesatlate;itthereforeexcitednoextraattention.Mrs.Jackwhowasanearlyriser,hadbeendressedforanhourbeforeshewenttoMarjory’sroom.Inthe

courseofherenquiriesamongst theservants,oneofthem,whosebusinessitwastoopenthehalldoor,toldherthatshehadfounditlockedandchainedasusual.WithinthehouseatCromwefoundallquiet.Iwentatonceintothelibrary,asthatwas presumably the last placewhereMarjory had been.Aswewent, IaskedMrs.Jackifanylettershadbeenleftouttopost.Shesaidno!thattheusualhabitwas toputsuch in theboxon thehall table,butshehadherself,looked,when she came down to put in a letter forAmerica. Iwent over atoncetothetablenearthefirewhereMarjoryusuallysatatnight.Therewereplentyofwritingmaterialsandblankpaperandenvelopes;butnotasignofaletteroranythingwritten.Ilookedallroundtheroombutcouldseenothingtoattractmyattention.Oncemore IaskedMrs. JackwhatMarjoryhadsaid toher about her intention of not leaving the castle till I had come.With somehesitation at first, as though she were fearful of breaking confidence, butafterwardsmorefreelyasifgladtobeabletospeak,shetoldmeall:“ThedearchildtooktoheartwhatIsaidyesterdayaboutherlivingwithherhusband.Afteryouhadgoneshecametomeandlaidherheadonmybreast,assheusedtodoasalittlechild,andbegantocry;andtoldmethatIhadbeenverygoodtoher.Thedarling!Andthathermindwasmadeup.Sherealisednowherdutytoherhusband;andthatashewishedhertostayinthehouse,nothing in theworldwould induceher to leave it tillhecame.Thatwas thefirst actofhernewduty!And,ohmydear! that iswhy Iwas soconcernedwhenIfoundthatafterallshewasnotinthehouse.Idon’tunderstandit;theremustbesomethingonfootthatIdon’tknow;andIamfulloffear!”Heretheold lady quite broke down. I felt that any self control nowwas precious. ItwouldnotdotoleaveMrs.Jackinignoranceofthedanger,soItoldherinasfewwordsasIcouldoftheblackmailinggoingonandofthewatchsetbytheUnited States Secret Service. At first she was overwhelmed; but her earlyapprenticeshiptodangersofallkindsstoodheringoodstead.Verysoonheragitationtookpracticalshape.ItoldherIwasofftoseekforhelp,andthatshemustkeep thehouse till I returned. Iwouldhave tried the secret tunnel,butfromwhatMrs.JackhadsaidIwasconvincedthatMarjoryhadneverleftthehouseofherownaccord.Ifshehadbeencapturedshewasdoubtlessfarawaybythistime.ItwaspossiblethattheblackmailershadfoundthesecretpassageintotheCastlebywhichDonBernardinohadcome.Herethethoughtcametome in full force; that was how they had discovered it. They had seen andwatchedtheDon!...Ifeltthatanotherdebtforourdayofreckoninghadbeenpiledupagainsthim.IgotinthecartagainandwenttoCrudenashardasthemarecouldgo.AsIwent,Iformedmyplans,andhadmytelegramsmadeupinmymindreadytowritethemoutatonce.ForawhileIdoubtedwhetherIshouldgotoanother

telegraphoffice, lest theCrudenpeoplemight come toknow toomuch.Buttherewasnoneedofconcealmentnow.Iwasnotafraidofanyoneknowing,though I determined to be discreet and secret if possible. The circuit wasoccupied,so I found theuseof thepriority telegraphformsAdamshadsentme. There was not a moment lost; one was being despatched whilst I waswritingthenext.ToAdamsIsaid:“Theyhave succeeded:Wiremen seeme atCrom right away.Come if youcan.Wantallhelpcanget.Timevital....”ToCathcartIwiredathishouseinInvernesshire:“Cometomewithoutmoment’sdelay.Vital.Wanteverykindofhelp.”Iknewhewouldunderstand,andwouldcomearmed.Asitwouldbesomelittletimebeforeanythingcouldbedone,IdeterminedtofindDonBernardino ifpossible;and inducehimtoshowmethesecretexit.Withoutknowledgeofthiswewouldbepowerless;withitwemightfindsomeclue.IdidnotmakeupmymindastowhatIwoulddoifherefused;buttomyself the instinctive grinding of my teeth, and clenching of my fingers,seemedtoanswermyquestion.OfonethingIwasglad,hewasagentleman.In such amatter as that inwhich Iwas engaged, therewere possibilities, ifeventherewerenotdefinitehope.IdrovetoEllon;andfromtheagenttheregothisaddress.Isoonfoundit;anold-fashionedhousenearthetown,inatinyparksurroundedwithgreattrees.Ileftthecartontheroad,withthemaretetheredtothegatepost,therebeingnolodgekeeper or no lodge. Before I rang the hall-door bell I saw that myrevolverwasreadytomyhand.TheinstantthedoorwasopenedIsteppedin,andsaidtotheoldwomanwhoopenedit:“Mr.Barnard is in thestudyI suppose? Ihavepressingbusinesswithhim!”Shewas so taken abackby the suddennessofmyentry and speech that shepointedtoadoorsaying:“Heisinthere.”

As I entered the room, closing thedoor behindme, theDon,whohadbeenseatedinalargechairwithhisbacktothedoorturnedunconcernedly.Hehadevidentlynotexpectedanydisturbingvisitor.Theinstanthesawme,however,he leaped to his feet, all his hostility awake. As he scanned my face hisconcerngrew;andheglancedaround,asthoughseekingforsomeweapon.Iputmyhandonmyrevolver,andsaidasquietlyasIcould,rememberinghisownprecisionofmanner:“Forgive my intrusion, Sir; but I have urgent need of speech with you.” IsupposetherewassomethinginmytonewhichborehometohisbraintheideathatIhadchangedinsomewaysincewehadmet.DowhatIwould,Icouldnotconcealtheanxietyofmyvoice.Afterapausehesaid:

“Regardingthetreasure?”“No!”saidI:“SincelastnightIhavenotevengivenitathought.”Astrange,new look came over his face, a look inwhich hope and concern seemed tohaveequalparts.Hepausedagain;Icouldseehewasthinking.MechanicallyItappedmyfootonthefloorwithimpatience;thegoldenmomentswereflyingby.Herealisedmygravityofpurpose,and,manifestlyturninghisattentiontome,said:“SpeakonSenor!”BythistimeIhadwellinmymindwhatIintendedtosay.ItwasnotmypurposetofurtherantagonisetheSpaniard;attheoutsetatanyrate.Lateron,thatmightbenecessary;butIshouldexhaustothermeansfirst.“Ihavecome,Sir,toaskyouraid,thehelpofagentleman;andIfeelatalosshowtoaskit.”Throughthehigh-bredcourtesyoftheSpaniard’smannercameanoteofbitterness,asheanswered:“Alas!Senor,Iknowthefeeling.HavenotImyselfaskedonsuchaplea;andstoopedinvain!”Ihadnothingtosayinreplytothis,sowenton:“Sir,Iamawarethatyoucanmakemuchsacrifice:Iask,notformyself,butforaladyinperil!”Heansweredquickly:“A lady! in peril! Say on Senor!” Therewas such hope and purpose in hisquicktonethatmyheartinstinctivelyleapedasIwenton:“Inperil,sir;oflife;ofhonour.ToyouIappealtolayasideyourfeelingsofhatetowardsme,howeverjusttheymaybe;andcomelikeatruegentlemantoheraid.Iamemboldenedtoaskthisbecauseitwas,Ithink,byyouractthattheperil—theimmediateperil,hascometoher.”Heflushedatonce:“Throughme!Peril toa lady’shonour throughme!Haveacare,sir!Haveacare!”WitharushIwenton:“Byyourgoingintothecastlethroughasecretpassage,otherenemiesofthelady, low,baseandunscrupulouswhohavebeenplottingtocarryheroffforransom,havedoubtlessmadeanentryotherwiseimpossibletothem.Nowwemustfindaclue,andatonce.Tellme,I imploreyou,ofthesecretway;thatthus we may at once begin our search.” For a few seconds he looked methrough and through; I think he suspected some plot or trap, for he saidslowly:“Andthetreasure;canyouleaveit?”Iansweredhotly:“Thetreasure!IhavenoteventhoughtofitsincethenewscameofMarjory’sdisappearance!” Here I took it that he was beginning his unscrupulouspurpose,andwasplayingmylossagainsthisown;andathoughtcametomethathadnotevencrossedmymindbefore—hadhebeentheabductorforthepurposeofjustsuchabargain?ItookfrommypocketthekeyofthehouseinWhinnyfoldandhelditouttohim.“HereSir”Isaid“isthekeyofmyhouse.

Takeitwithallitcontains,andallitleadsto!Thetreasureisasyouleftitlastnight;onlyhelpmeinmyneed.”Hewavedmyhandasidewithanimpatientgestureashesaidsimply:“Idonotbargainwithawoman’shonour.SuchcomesbeforeallthetreasuresofPopesorKings;before theoathanddutyofadeEscoban.Come!Senor,there is no time to lose. Let us settle this affair first; later we can arrangemattersthatrestbetweentheeandme!”“Yourhand,Sir”wasallIcouldsay.“Insuchtroubleasmine,thereisnohelplikethatofagentleman.Butwillyounothonourmebykeepingthekey?Thisotherisatrustwhichyouhavewonbyhonour;asyourgreatancestorwonhisglorious duty long ago.”He did not hesitate; all he said as he took the keywas:“ItisapartofmydutywhichImustnotforego.”Asweleftthehousehelookedlikeanewman—amanbornagain;therewassuchjoyousgladnessinhisfaceandvoiceandmovementsthatIwondered.Icouldnothelpsayingwhenwehadgotintothecartandwereonourway:“Youseemhappy,Sir.IwouldthatIcouldfeelthesame.”“Ah,Senor,Iamhappybeyondbelief.IamhappyasoneraisedfromHelltoHeaven.Fornowmyhonourisnomoreperilled.Godhasbeengoodtometoshowaway,eventodeath,withoutdishonour.”As we flew along to Crom I told him what I knew of the secret passagebetweenthechapelandthemonument.Hewonderedatmyhavingdiscoveredthesecret;butwhenItoldhimofhowtheblackmailingganghadusedthewaytoevadetheSecretServicemen,hesuddenlycriedout:

“Therewasbutonewhoeverknew the secretof thatpassage;mykinsman,withwhomIstayedinCromwhenyoung,toldmeofhim.Hetriedmuchtofind the entrance to the Castle, and finally under threat he went away toAmerica.Hewasabase-bornanda thief. Itmustbehewhohascomebackaftertheseyearsandhastoldofthesecretway.Alas!theymusthavewatchedmewhenIwent,allunsuspicious;andsodiscoveredtheothersecret.”Thenhetriedtoexplainwheretheentrancewas.Itwasnotinthechamberwherewehadexpecteditwouldbe,butinanarrowcornerofthestair,thewholecornerbeingonestoneandformingtheentrance.WhenwearrivedatCromwefoundthattheSecretServicemenwerewaitingforme,havingbeeninstructedfromLondon.TherewerealsotelegramsfromAdams and Cathcart saying that they were on the way to join me. Adamswired fromAberdeen, andCathcart fromKingussie.Mrs. Jackwaswith thedetectives and had taken them through the roomswhichMarjory had used.

Theyhadhaduptheservantsonebyoneandexaminedthemastowhattheyknew. The chief man had insisted on this; he said matters were now tooserioustoplaythefoolanylonger.Theservantswerenottoldanything,eventhat Marjory was missing; but of course they had their suspicions. Aperemptory order was given that no one should leave the house withoutpermission.Thechiefconfided tome thatMrs. JackhadquitebrokendownwhenshewastellinghimthatMarjoryknewallalongabouttheblackmailersandhadnevertoldher.“Butshe’sallrightnow,Sir,”heconcluded.“Thatoldladyisjustfullofsand;andItellyouherheadislevel.She’sbeenthinkingofeverythingwhichcouldpossiblybeofusetous.IguessIhaveheardmoreofthisracketwithinthelasthalfhourthanIhavedoneinthelasttwoweeks.”BytheinstructionsofDonBernardinowewentintothelibrary.IaskedMrs.Jack to send for lamps and candles, and these were brought shortly. In themeantimeIaskedthatoneofthedetectivesshouldbesentintotheoldchapelandanothertothemonumentonthehill.Bothwerewarnedtohavetheirgunsready, and to allow no one to pass at any hazard. To each before going Iexplainedthesecretmodeofentry.TheDonwentovertooneofthebook-cases—theverysectioncontainingtheshelf in which I had replaced the old law book. Taking out that particularvolume,heputhishandinandpressedaspring.Therewasafaintclick.Hereplacedthebookandpressedagainstthebookcasewithslowlevelpressure.Veryslowlyitseemedtogivewaybeforehim;andthenturningonahingeatone side, left an open cavity throughwhich aman could easily pass. Iwasabouttorushin,andwasquiteready,withalampinonehandandarevolverintheother,whenthechiefofthedetectiveslaidarestraininghandonmyarmashesaid:“Waitamoment.Ifyougotoofastyoumayobliteratesomesignwhichwouldgiveusaclue!”Thewisdomofhisspeechwasnottobegainsaid.InstinctivelyI fell back; two of the trained observers drew close to the doorway, andholdingtheirlampinsuchwiseastothrowlightallroundtheopening,beganan exact scrutiny. One of them knelt down and examined the flooring; theotherconfinedhisattentiontoroofandwalls.Afterasilence,lastingperhapsaminute,themankneelingstoodupandsaid:“Notadoubtaboutit!Therehasbeenaviolentstrugglehereatthedoorway!”

CHAPTERXLIVTHEVOICEINTHEDUST

ONEofthemenproducedhisnotebookandbegantakingdowninshorthand

therapidutterancesofthechief,repeatingitsoastochecktheaccuracyashewenton:“Easytoseethemarks;thefloorisdeepindust,andthewallsarethickwithit. On floor, mark of several feet—confused in struggle, may articulateseparatelylateron—onewoman’s—alsotrailingoflongskirt.Onwallsmarksof hands, fingers outspread, as if trying to grasp. Some of the long marksdownthewallothersacross.”Thespeakerhereraisedhislampandhelditintheopeningasfarashisarmwouldgo;thenhewenton:“Stepswinddownwardstoright.Struggleseemstohavestopped.Footmarksmoreclear.”...Thenthechiefturnedtous:“I think gentlemen, we may follow in now. The footmarks may bediscriminated and identified later. We must chance destroying them, or wecannotpassinthisnarrowpassage.”HereIspoke;athoughthadbeensurgingupinmybraineversincethedetectivehadpointedoutthefingermarksonthewall“downandacross”:“Stop a moment please! Let me see themarks on the wall before any oneenters; the passage is narrow and they may be rubbed off.” A glance wasenough,justtimeenoughtoformulatewhichwasthesymbolof“a”andwhichof “b.” The perpendicular strokeswere “a” and the horizontal “b.”Marjoryhadkeptherhead,evenatthistryingtime,andwasleavingamessageformeasshewasforcedalong.Iunderstoodwhythestrugglehadceased.Seizedandforced through the narrow doorway, she had at first struggled hard. Then,when she realised that she could leave a clue behind her, she had evidentlyagreedtogoquietly;forsoshemighthaveherhandsfree.Itwouldbeahardjob tocarryor forcealonganunwillingcaptive through thatnarrowunevenpassage;doubtless thecaptorswereaswillingasshewas thatsheshouldgoquietly.Isaidtothedetectives:“ThesemarksonthewallareinacipherwhichIcanread.Givemethebestlampwehave,andletmegofirst.”So,inanorderlyprocession,leavingtwomeninthelibrarywithMrs.Jacktoguardtheentrance,wepassedintothesecretpassage.AsIreadoffthewordswritten on the wall, the man with the note-book took them down, hiscompanionholdingacandlesoastoenablehimtodoso.Howmyheartbeatas I read my dear girl’s message, marked on the wall on the inner sidewhichever way the curves ran. Obviously it would create less attention byguidingherselfinthiswiseasshepassed.Shehadkeptherhandwelldownsothathersignsshouldnotbeconfusedwiththemarksmadebythemenwho,guidingthemselveslikewise,hadheldtheirhandsatanaturalheight.Hersignmarksrancontinuously,evenafterwehadpassedintothepassagebetweenthechapelandthemonument;thewritingranasfollows:

“Four men came in—two waiting in passage through bookcase—late—striking one—struggled—then quiet—hands free—same voice we heard inChapel.Feathers thinvoice, smallman,dark—allmasked—WhiskyTommyhoarsevoice,bigman,sandy, largehands—Dago,deepvoice, swarthy, littlefinger missing left hand—Max, silent, nods for speech, think dumb—twoothersonaheadtoofarsee,hear.”InapauseIheardthechiefdetectivemurmur:“Thatgirl’sapeach.We’llgetheryet!”Thespotatwhichwewerepausingwaswherethewaytothereservoirbranchedoff.HereMarjoryprobablystoodwithherbacktothewallandusedherhandsbehindherback,forthestrokeswere smaller and more uneven. There were faults which put me out and Icouldonlyreadafewwords—“whispering”—“onlywordcanhear‘manse.’”Therewasevidentlysomeconversationgoingonbetweenhercaptors,andshewasmakinguseof her opportunities.Thenwewenton and found the signsrenewed. It cutme to the heartwhen I sawa smear of bloodononeof themarks;theroughuncertainmovementandthesharpedgesoftherockhadtoldonherdelicateskin.Butlateron,thebloodmarkswerecontinued,andIcouldnotbutthinkthatshehadcutherfingersonpurposetomakeamoreapparentclue.WhenImentionedmysurmisetothedetective,hisinstincthavingbeentrainedinsuchmatters,showedakeenerinsightthanmyown:“Morelikelysheispreparingtoleaveamarkwhichwecanseewhentheygether out of the tunnel. They may not suspect intention if her fingers arebleeding already!”Thewords following the stopwhere I had read “manse”were:“Boat ready—Seagull—Coffin—Hearse—bury isl—” Here the next markinstead of being horizontal took a sudden angle down, and the blood wasroughly rubbedoff. Itwas as thoughherhandhadbeen struck in the act ofmakingthemark.Hercaptorshadsuspectedher.Therewerenomoremarkson the wall. I could not imagine, however, that Marjory would be entirelybaffled.Shehadinfiniteresource,andwoulddoubtlessfindsomeothermeansofleavingaclue.TellingtheothersthereforetokeepbackIthrewtheraysofthelampoverroofandwallsandfloorasweproceeded.Itwasastrangescene.Thecandlesandlampshowingupbutpatchesoflightintheinkyblackdarkness;themovingfiguresprojectedagainstthelightsasIlookedback;thesilencebrokenbytheshufflingtreadofstumblingfeetontherock floor; the eager intense faces,when a change in the light flashed themintoview. Itallmovedmeatmoments, for therewasagleamofhope in itsearnestness.ItriedtoputmyselfinMarjory’sposition.Ifherhandswereuseless,astheywould be if she could not use themwithout suspicion—evenwere they not

tiednowaswasprobable—hernexteffortwouldbewithherfeet;Ithereforelooked out carefully for any signmade thisway. Presently I came across amarkwhichIsuspected.Itwasonlyafewstepsbeyondthelastmarkonthewall.Itwasasortofdragofthefoot,wheretherewasanyslightaccumulationofdust,orrubbish,orsand.Thereweremoresuchtracesahead.Somotioningtotheotherstokeepback,Ifollowedthemup,takingcarenottodisturbanyof them.Theywerebut the roughmarksmadeduringa stumblingprogress;andforatimeIwasbaffled;thoughIcoulddistinguishthetracesofMarjory’slittlefeetamongstthegreatones.ThenIwentbackandlookedatthemafreshfromthebeginning,andalightburstuponme.Theyweremadewiththerightor left foot as required; thus she could reproduce the bi-literal symbol.Interpretationwasnoweasyenough,andhenceon,totheexitfromthetunnel,Icouldtellalmosteverywordwritten.Therebeingonlyafewcaseswherethesignwasnotsufficientlymarkedformetoreadit.“Suspicious.Handstied—gagged—findSeagull—findManse.”It was sadly slow work, and my heart at times sank within me at theexasperatingdelayinourprogress.However,itwasprogressafterall;andthatsustainedus.Allalong,asweworkedourwaytowardsthemonument,Ihadbeen thinking of the word “manse;” and now its repetition showed itsimportance. It would be necessary that the abductors have some place inwhichtoconcealtheircaptive,beforetheyshouldbeabletogetheroutofthecountry. That this latterwould be a necessary step towards their objectwasmanifest;butthewordSeagullsettledit.Whenwegottotheentranceofthetunnelweexaminedeveryinchoftheway;this was the wish of the detective rather than my own. Marjory would, itseemedtome,goquietlythroughtheentrance.Shewouldknowthatshewasbeingwatchedherewithextracarefulness;andwouldreserveherselfforalesssuspiciousopportunity.ShewouldalsoknowthatifIwereonhertrackatall,Iwouldbeabletofollowthroughthesecretentrance.Outside, on the ground beside the monument, were no unusual signs ofpassage.Thepatchofbareearthandgravel,whichwehadbeforenoticed,leftno trace of footsteps. Those who had used it had evidently taken care thatthereshouldbenosign.Wewentslowlyalongtheroute,which,bymyformerexperimentswiththethread,Ihadfoundwashabituallyused.PresentlyoneoftheAmericansaskedmetostop,ashehadseenatraceoffeet.FormylifeIcoulddistinguishnothingintheseeminglyundisturbedmassofpineneedles.But the man, who in his youth had been in Indian country, had learnedsomething of tracking; he could interpret signs unseen to others with lesshighly developed instincts. He went down on his knees and examined theground, inch by inch, using a microscope. For some ten yards he crawledalongonhandsandkneesengagedinthisway.Thenhestoodupandsaid:

“There’snoerrorabout itnow.Thereare sixmenandawoman.Theyhavebeen carrying her, and have let her down here!”We did not challenge hisreport,orevenaskhowhehadarrivedatit;wewereallwellcontenttoacceptit.Wethenmovedoninthemanifestdirectioninwhichthegroundtrended;wewereworkingtowardsthehighroadwhichranpastthegatesofCrom.Iaskedtheotherstoletmegofirstnow,forIknewthiswouldbeMarjory’schancetocontinueherwarning.Surelyenough, I sawpresentlya slightdisturbance inthepineneedles,andthenanotherandanother.Ispelledouttheword“Manse”andagain“Manse”andlateron“tryallMansesnear.”Thenthesignwritingceased;wehadcomeoutofthewoodontoagrassfieldwhichrandowntothehighroad.Here,outsideagapatthebottomofthefield,werethemarksinthedust of several feet, the treading of horses, and the ruts of wheels. A littlefurther on, thewheelmarks—some four-wheeled vehicle—were heavy; andfrom the backward propulsion of the dust and gravel in the hoof-trackswecouldeasilyseethatthehorsesweregalloping.Westoppedandheldacouncilofwar.Itwas,ofcourseunderstoodbyusallthatsomeoneshouldfollowonthetrackofthecarriage,andtrytoreachthequarry thisway.Formyownpart, I felt that todependonawheelmark, insuchacountryofcrossroads,wasonlytheoffchance.Inanycase,thissternchase must be a long one; whereas time was vital, every moment beingprecious.IdeterminedtotrytofollowoutMarjory’sclue.“TryeveryMansenear.”Todothisweshouldgettosomecentrewherewecouldobtainalistofallthechurchesintheneighbourhood.Ellonwasnaturallytheplace,asitwasin the centre of the district. They all acquiesced inmy view; sowe hurriedback to Crom, leaving two men, the tracker and another, to follow thefugitives.HithertoDonBernardinohadhardlysaidaword.Hewasalert,andthe eager light of his eyewas helpful; but after he had shownus the secretway, and found that already I knew the outer passage aswell as he did, orbetter,hehadcontentedhimselfwithwatchfulness.Nowhesuggested:“Thereisalsotheboat!Mayitnotbewellthatsomeoneshouldfollowupthatsideofthematter?Thusweshallbedoublyarmed.”Hisadvicecommendeditselftothechiefofthedetectives;thoughIcouldseethathetookitsuspiciouslyfromtheSpaniard.Itwaswithmanifestpurposeofcautionthatheanswered:“Quite right!But thatweshall see toourselves;whenMr.Adamscomeshewillwork that racket!”TheSpaniardbowed, and theAmerican returned thecourtesywithastiffback.Even insucha timeofstress, racialmatterswerenottobealtogetherforgotten.In thehall atCrom,we found,whenwe cameback through theold chapel,

SamAdams.Hehadarrivedjustafterwehadsetoutonoursearch,butwasafraidtofollowover-groundlestheshouldmissus;wiselyhedidnotattempttheundergroundwayashehadnoproperlight.HiscominghadbeenagreatcomforttoMrs.Jack,who,alwaysgladtoseeacountrymanofherown,nowalmostclungtohim.Hehadbroughtwithhimtwoyoungmen,theverysightofwhommademyheartwarmer.Oneof themhe introduced as “LootenantJackson of West Point” and the other as “Lootenant Montgomery ofAnnapolis.”“Theseboysareallright!”headded,layingahandaffectionatelyontheshoulderofeach.“Iamsuretheyare!Gentlemen,Ithankyouwithallmyheartforcoming!”Isaid as Iwrung their hands.Theywere both fine specimens of the twowarAcademies of the United States. Clean-built from top to toe; bright-eyed,resolute and alert; the very type of highly bred and trained gentlemen. TheyoungsoldierJacksonansweredme:“Iwastoodelightedtocome,whenAdamswasgoodenoughtogetleaveforme.”“Me too!” echoed the sailor “When Iheard thatMissDrakewas in trouble,and Iwas told Imight come, I think I danced.Why,Sir, if youwant them,we’ve only to pass theword, andwe can get you aman ofwar’s crew—ifeverymanofthemhastodesert!”Whilstwewere speaking therewas a soundof rapidwheels, and a carriagefrom Ellon drew up at the door. Out jumped Cathcart, followed by a tall,resolutelookingyoungmanwhomovedwiththefreedomofanathlete.“AmIintime?”wasCathcart’sgreetingasherushedtowardsme.Itoldhimexactly howwe stood. “ThankGod!” he said fervently “wemaybe in timeyet.”ThenheintroducedhisfriendMacRaeofStrathspiel.Thiswasthehostwithwhomhehadbeenstaying;andwhohadvolunteeredtocome,onhearingofhissummons:“YoumaytrustDonald!”washissimpleevidenceoftheworthofhisfriend.Thisaddition toourforcesgaveusgreathope.Wehadnowasufficiencyofintelligent, resolute men to follow up several clues at once; and in a briefcouncilwemarkedoutthevariousdutiesofeach.CathcartwastogotoEllonandgetalistofallthemansesintheregionofBuchan,andtrytofindoutifanyofthemhadbeenlettostrangers.Wetookitforgrantedthatnoneoftheclergyoftheplacewerethemselvesconcernedintheplot.MacRaewastogowith Cathcart and to get all the saddle horses he could without attractingpublic attention, andbring them,or have thembrought, toCromas soon aspossible.SecrecyofmovementwasinsistedonwithalmostagonisedfervourbyAdamsandtheSecretServicemen.“Youdon’tknowthesewretches,”saidthechiefofthelatter“Theyarethemostremorselessandcruelvillainsinthe

world;and if theyaredriven tobaywilldoanythinghowevercruelorbase.Theyarewellplucked too,anddon’tknowwhat fearmeans.Theywill takeanychances,anddoanything toget theirwayandprotect themselves. Ifwedon’tgorightinthismatter,wemayregretittothelastofourdays.”Thesilenceintheroomwasonlybrokenbythegrindingofteeth,andbyMrs.Jack’ssuppressedsobs.AdamswastogotoAberdeenasaworkingcentre,andwastolookafterthenauticalsideoftheadventure;hewastohaveMontgomeryinthisworkwithhim.BeforeheleftCrom,hewrotesomeciphertelegramstotheEmbassy.Heexplained tome that one of his suggestionswas that anAmericanwar-shipwhichwascruisingintheNorthSeashould,ifpossible,beallowedtolieoffthecoastofAberdeenreadyforanyemergency.WhenMontgomeryheardit,heaskedthatifpossibleamessageshouldbesentfromhimtothefirstofficeroftheKeystone:“TellthemenprivatelythattheyarehelpingMarjoryDrake!—Therewillbeathousandpairofeyesonthewatchthen!”headdedbywayofexplanation.

I was to wait with the detectives till we should get word from any of oursourcesastowhatcouldbedone.Fortherewereseveralpossibilities.Thetrackersmightmarkdownthelocalitywheretheprisonerwashidden.Cathcartmight,beforethis,comewiththelistofmansesandtheiroccupants.AdamsorMontgomerymightgetwindoftheSeagull; for Montgomery had already orders to go to Petershead andFraserburgh,wherethesmacksforthesummerfishingweregathered.DonBernardinoremainedwithmeatCrom.

CHAPTERXLVDANGER

THEtimeofwaitingwasinconceivablylonganddreary.WhenMarjoryandIhadbeenwaitingfordeathinthewater-cave,wethoughtthatnothingcouldbeso protracted; but now I knew better. Then, we had been together, andwhatevercame,evendeathitself,wouldbesharedbyus.ButnowIwasalone;andMarjory away, and in danger. Inwhat danger I knew not, I could onlyimagine;andateverynewthoughtoffearandhorrorIgroundmyteethafreshandlongedforaction.Fortunatelytherewassomethingtodo.ThedetectiveswantedtoknowallIcouldtellthem.Atthefirst,thechiefhadaskedthatMrs.Jackwouldgetalltheservantsofthehousetogethersothathemightseethem.Shehadsoarrangedmattersthattheywouldbetogetherintheservants’hall,

andhewentdown to inspect.Hedidnot stay long;butcameback tomeatoncewithanimportantlookonhisface.Heclosedthedoorandcomingclosetomesaid:“Iknewtherewassomethingwrongbelowstairs!Thatfootmanhasskipped!”ForafewsecondsIdidnotrealisewhathemeant,andaskedhimtoexplain.“Thatfootmanthatwentoutgallavantin’atnights.He’sinit,sure.Whyisn’theinthehallwheretheothersare?Justyouasktheoldladyabouthim.It’llbelesssuspiciousthanmedoingit.”Thenitdawnedonmewhathemeant.

“Thereisnofootmaninthehouse!”Isaid.“That’sso,Mister.That’sjustwhatI’mtellin’!Whereishe?”“Thereisnone;theydon’thaveanymaleservantsinthehouse.Theonlymenareinthestablesinthevillage.”“Thenthatmakesitworsestill.ThereisamanwhoI’veseenmyselfstealoutofthehouseafterdark,orinthedusk;andsneakbackagainoutofthewoodinthegreyofthedawn.Why,I’vereportedittoMr.Adams.Didn’thewarnyouaboutit;hesaidhewould.”“Hedidthat.”“Anddidn’tyoutakehistip?”“No!”herefromtheannoyedexpressionofhisfaceItookwarning.Itwouldnever do to chagrin the man and set him against me by any suspicion ofridicule.SoIwenton:“Thefactis,myfriend,thatthiswasadisguise.ItwasMar—MissDrakewhoused it!” He was veritably surprised; his amazement was manifest in hiswords:“MissDrake!And did she put on the John Thomas livery? In the name ofthunder,why?”“Toescapeyou!”“Toescapeme!Wall,I’mdamned!Thatelegantyoungladytoputonlivery;andtoescapeme!”“Yes;youandtheothers.Sheknewyouwerewatchingher!Ofcourseshewasgratefulforit!”Iadded,forhisfacefell“butshecouldn’tbearitallthesame.You knowwhat girls are,” Iwent on apologetically, “They don’t like to becornered or forced to do anything. She knewyouwere all clever fellows atyourworkanddidn’ttakeanychances.”Iwastryingtoconciliatehim;butIneednothavefeared.Hewasoftherightsort.Hebrokeintoalaugh,slappinghisthighloudlywithhisopenhandashesaidheartily:

“Well,thatgirl’sadaisy!she’sapeach;she’s“It”!Tothinkofherwalkingoutunderournoses,andusnothavinganidea that itmightbeher, justbecausewedidn’tthinkshe’dcondescendtoputonthebreeches—andthefootman’satthat.Well, it’s a pitywedidn’t get on toher curves; for itmight havebeendifferent!Nevermind!We’lltakeheroutofhertroublebeforelong;andMr.WhiskyTommyandhispushwillhavetolookoutfortheirskins!”This little episode passed some of the time; but the reaction to the drearywaitingwasworse thanever.As Ibeganagainanendlesschainofsurmisesandmisgivings,itoccurredtomethatDonBernardinomightbemadeofsomeuse.Theblackmailershadevidentlywatchedhim;itmightbethattheywouldwatchhimagain.Ifso,hecouldbethemeansofatrapbeinglaid.Iturnedthematteroverinmymind,butatpresentcouldseenowaytorealisetheidea.Itgave me another thought, however. The Don had been very noble in hisattitudetome;andImightrepaysomeofhisgoodness.Althoughhewassoquietandsilent,Iknewwellthathemustbefullofhisownanxietyregardingthe treasure,nowexposedas itmightbe toothereyes thanhisown. Icouldaskhim togo to see after it.With somediffidence I broached thematter tohim,forIdidnotwantinanywaytowoundhim.SinceIhaddeterminedtorelinquishthetreasureifnecessary,Iwaslothtomakethedoingsoseemlikeanungracious act.At first he almost tookoffence, remindingmewithoverthaughtinessthathehadalreadyassuredmethatallthetreasuresofSpainorofthePopedomweresecondarytoawoman’shonour.I likedhimallthebetterfor his attitude; and tried to persuade him that itwas his duty to guard thistrust,asotherwiseitmightfallintobadhands.Thenabrilliantideastruckme,onewhichatoncemetthecaseandmadethepossibilityofatrap.Itoldhimthatastheblackmailershadwatchedhimoncetheymighthavedonesoagain,and have even followed him to my house. As I was speaking, the thoughtstruckmeofhowwellProvidencearrangesallforthebest.IfDonBernardinohad not taken from the library the typescript of the secret writing, it mighthavefallenintothehandsofthegang.WhenImentionedtheideatohimhesaidinsurprise:“ButIdidnot takethepapers!Ireadthemonthetable;butdidnotthinkofmovingthem.Why,hadIdoneso,Ishouldhaveatoncemadesuspicion;anditwasmypurposetokeepthesecretifIcould.”AnideastruckmeandIranovertothetabletolookwherethepapersusuallywere.Therewas not a sign of them about. Somebody had secured them; it couldhardlyhavebeenMarjorywholackedanypossiblemotivefordoingso.TheSpaniard,eagerlyfollowingmyface,sawtheamazementwhichIfelt;hecriedout:“Thentheyhavetakenthem.Thetreasuremayyetprovealurethroughwhichwemaycatchthem.Ifitbethattheyhavefollowedmetoyourhouse,andif

theyhaveanysuspicionsthatcametomeonreadingthatpaper,thentheywillsurelymakesomeattempt.”Ifanythingweretobetriedonthisline,therewasnotimeto lose. Ihad tocarryout thematterprivately; foronmentioning toDonBernardinothatIshouldaskoneofthedetectivestogowithhim,heatoncedrewback.“No!”hesaid,“Ihavenorighttoimperilfurtherthistrust.Thediscoverywasyours,andyouknewofthehidingplacebeforeIdid;butIcouldnotwithmyconsentallowanyotherperson toknowthesecret.Moreover, thesemenareenemies of my country; and it is not well that they should know, lest theyshould use their knowledge for their country’s aid. You and I, Senor, arecaballero.Tousthereis,somewhere,ahighruleofhonour;buttothesepeoplethereisonlylaw!”“Well,” I said, “if you aregoing, youhadbetter loseno time.Thesepeoplehavehadnearlysixhoursalready;IleftthehousewithMrs.Jackalittleafterten.Butyouhadbettergocarefully.Themenaredesperate;andif theyfindyoualone,youmayhaveabadtime.”Foranswerhepulledarevolverfromhispocket.“Sinceyesterday,”hesaid,“Igoarmed,tilltheseunhappybusinessesareallover!”Ithentoldhimoftheentrancetothecaves,andgavehimthekeyofthecellar.“Besureyouhavelight.”Icautionedhim“Plentyoflightandmatches.Itwillbetowardslowwaterwhenyougetthere.Theropewhichweusedasaclueisstillinitsplace;wedidnottakeitaway.”Icouldseethatthisthoughtwasanew source of anxiety to him; if the gang were before him it would haveserved to lead them to the treasure itself. As he was going, I bade himrememberthatiftherewasanysignofthemenabout,hewastoreturnatonceorsendusword,sothatwecouldcomeandcatchthemlikeratsinatrap.Inany case hewas to send usword, so thatwemight have knowledge of hismovements, and inferentially of those of our enemies. In such a struggle asours,knowledgewaseverything.Notlongafterhehadgone,CathcartandMacRaearrivedonhorseback.Theysaidtherewerethreeothersaddlehorsescomingafterthem.Cathcarthadalistofallthechurches,andthemansesofalltheclergyofallshadesofdoctrine,in Buchan; and a pretty formidable list it made. He had also a map ofAberdeenCounty,andalistofsuchhousesashadbeenletforthesummeroratanyperiodduringit.Suchwasofcourseonlyanagent’slist,andwouldnotcontaineverylettingprivately.Wesettoworkatoncewiththemapandthelists;andsoonmarkedthenameswhichwere likely tobeofanyuse tous, thosewhichhadatanytimelatelybeenlettostrangers.ThenCathcartandGordonandallthedetectives,exceptthechief,wentoffonhorsebackwithalistofplacestovisit.Theywereallto

return to report as soon as possible. The chief kept tab of the places to bevisitedbyeach.Whentheresthadgone,Iaskedhimifheknewwhereanyofthosesupposedtobeoftheganglivedintheneighbourhood.Hesaidhefeltawkwardinansweringthequestion,andhecertainlylookedit.“Thefactis,”hesaidsheepishly,“sincethatyoungladykickedthosenamesonthedirt,andsointomythickhead,Iknowprettywellwhotheyare.HadIknownbefore,Icould easily have got thosewho could identify them; for I never saw themmyself.Itakeitthat‘Feathers’isnoneotherthanFeatherstonewhowaswithWhiskyTommy—whichwasTomMason—intheA.T.Stewartransomcase.Ifthosetwoareinit,mostlikelytheonetheycalledthe‘Dago’isahalf-bredSpaniardthatcomesfromsomewheresoverhere.ThatMaxthatshenamed,ifhe’sthesameman,isaDutchman;he’sabouttheworstofthebunch.Thenforthisgame there’s likely tobe twoChicagobumsfromtheLevee,way-downpoliticians and heelers. It’s possible that there are two more; a man fromFriscothattheycallSailorBen—whattheycallacosmopoliteforhedoesn’tcomefromnowhereinparticular;andabuckniggerfromNooOrleans.Arealbad’unheis;ofallthe....ButIhopeheisn’tinthegang.Ifheis,wehaven’tnotimetolose.”Hiswordsmademybloodruncold.Wasthisthecrowd,withinwhosedangerIhadconsentedthatMarjoryshouldstand.Theworstkindofscoundrelsfromallovertheearth.Oh!whatitwastobepowerless,andtoknowthatshewasintheirhands.Ittookmeallmystrengthofpurposenottoweep,outofverydespair.Ithinkthedetectivemusthavewishedtocheermealittle,forhewenton:“Ofcourse it’snot theirgame todoher anyharm,or letharmcome toher.She’sworth toomanymillions, alive and unharmed, for them to spoil theirmarket by any foolishness. It’s here that I trustWhiskyTommy to keep thereststraight.Isupposeyouknow,Sir,thatcriminalsalwaysworkinthesamewayeverytime.WeknowthatwhentheJudgewouldn’tpayupforoldA.T.,Featherstonethreatenedtoburnupthestiff;butWhiskyTommyknewbetterthan to kill the golden goose like that. Why he went and stole it fromFeatherstoneandhiditsomewhereaboutTrentontilltheoldladycoughedupabouttwenty-fivethousand.Tommy’shead’slevel;andifthatblackdevilisn’tinthesqueeze,he’llkeepthemuptothecollareverytime.”“Who is thenegro?” Iasked, for Iwanted toknowtheworst.“Whathashedone?”“What hasn’t he done that’s vile, is what I’d like to know. They’re a hardcrowdinthedarkeysideofNooOrleans;andamandoesn’tgetabadnamethereeasily,Itellyou.Therearedenstherethat’dmakeGodAlmightyblush,or theDevil either; a darkey that is bred in them and gets to the top of thepush,doesn’tstickatnotrifles!

“Butyoubeeasyinyourmindasyet,Sir;atpresentthere’snaughttofear.Butifoncetheygetsafeaway,theywilltrytoputthescrewon.Godknowsthenwhatmayhappen. In themeantime, theonlyfear is lest, if they’re ina tightplace,theymaykillher!”My heart turned to ice at hiswords.What horrible possibilitieswere there,whendeathformydarlingwasthe“only”fear.ItwasinafaintenoughvoiceIaskedhim:“Wouldtheyreallykillher?”“Of course they would; if it was their best course. But don’t you bedownhearted,Sir.There’snotmuchfearofkilling—asyetatallevents.Thesemenareout fordough;and foragoodheapof it, too.They’renotgoing tothrow away a chance till the game’s up. Ifwe get on to their curves quick,they’llhavetothinkoftheirownskins.It’sonlywhenall’supthatthey’llact;whentheythemselvesmustcroakifshedoesn’t!”Oh!ifIhadknown!IfIhadhadanysuspicionofthedangerousnatureofthegamewewereplaying—that I had consented thatMarjory shouldplay—I’dhave cutmy tongue out before I’d have agreed. Imight have known that agreatnationlike theUnitedStateswouldnothaveconcerneditselfas toanydangertoanindividual,unlesstherehadbeengoodcause.Ohfool!fool!thatIhadbeen!If I had been able to do anything, it might not have been so bad. It wasnecessary,however,thatIshouldbeattheveryheartandcentreofaction;forIalone knew the different ramifications of things, and there was alwayssomethingcroppingupofwhichIhadbetterknowledgethantheothers.Andso Ihad towait inwhatpatience I couldpray for.Patience andcoolnessofheadwerewhatweredemandedofmeforthepresent.Lateron,thetimemightcomewhentherewouldbeaction;andIneverdoubtedthatwhenthattimedidcomeitwouldnotfindmewanting—evenintheissuesoflifeanddeath.

CHAPTERXLVIARDIFFERYMANSE

IN the dreary time of waiting I talked with the detective chief. Everythingwhichhetoldmeseemedtotortureme;but therewasaweirdfascinationinhis experience as it boreonourownmatter. Iwas face to face, for the firsttimeinmylife,withthatcallousnesswhichistheoutcomeofthehardsideofthe wicked world. Criminal-hunters, as well as criminals, achieve it; so Isupposedoallwhosefortunesbringthemagainstthesternersidesoflife.Nowandagainitamazedmetohearthisman,unmistakablyagoodfellowandan

uprightone,weighingupcrimeandcriminalsinamatter-of-factway,withoutmalice,withoutanger,withoutvindictiveness.Hedidseemtoexerciseinhishabitualthoughtofhisclientelethatconstructivecondemnationwhichswaysthe rest of us in matters of moral judgment. The whole of his work, andattitude,andpurpose,seemed tobeonly integralpartsofagamewhichwasbeingplayed.AtthattimeIthoughtlightofthis,andconsequentlyofhim;butlooking back, with judgment in better perspective, I am able to realise thevalueofjustsuchthings.Therewascertainlymorechanceofcoolerthoughtandbetter judgmentunder theseconditions, thanwhentheordinarypassionsandmotivesofhumanlifeheldsway.Thismandidnotseemtobechagrined,or put out personally in anyway, by the failure of his task, or to have anyrancour, fromthiscause, inhisheart for those towhomthefailurewasdue.On the contrary, he, like a good sportsman, valued his opponent more onaccount of the clevernesswhichhadbaffled him. I imagined that at first hewouldhavebeenangrywhenhelearnedhowallthetimeinwhichheandhiscompanionshadbeenwatchingCromCastle,andwereexultinginthesecuritywhichtheirpresencecaused,theirenemieshadbeencomingandgoingastheywishedbyasafeway,unknown;andhad themselvesbeen thewatchers.Buttherewasnothingof thekind;Ireallybelievethat, leavingoutofcoursethepossiblyterribleconsequencesofhisfailure,heenjoyedthedefeatwhichhadcometohim.Inhisownwayheputitcleverly:“Thoseducksknewtheirworkwell.I tellyouthis, inspiteofthesoftieswehavebeen,itisn’teasytoplayanyofusforasucker.Justfancy!thelotofusonsentry-godayandnightroundthecastle,for,mindyou,weneverneglectedthejobforonehalfhour;andallthetime,threelotsofpeople—thispush,youandthegirl,andthisDagolordofyours—allgoingandcominglikerabbitsinawarren.WhatpuzzlesmeishowyouandMissDrakemanagedtoescapetheobservationofWhiskyTommy’slot,evenifyouwentthroughus!”Ithadbeenafterfiveo’clockwhenthepartysetouttovisitthemanses;atsixo’clockthereportsbegantocomein.Thefirstwasamessagescribbledonaleaf torn from a note book, and sent in one of the envelopes taken for thepurpose.“All rightatAuquharney.”From thison,messengerskeptarriving, someonfoot, someonhorseback, some incarts:buteachbearinga similarmessage,though couched in different terms. They came from Auchlenchries, Heila,Mulonachie,Ardendraught,Inverquohomery,Skelmuir,andAuchorachan.Atnine 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 theothers who had to keep to the main roads. His report was altogethersatisfactory; he had been to six places, and in each of them there was nogroundforevensuspicion.

Itwasnearlythreehoursbeforetherestwerein,butallwiththesamestory;innoneofthemanseslettovisitorsthroughanagent,andinnoneifoccupiedbytheirincumbents,couldthefugitiveshavehidden.Thelasttocomeinwerethetwo trackers, disappointedandweary.Theyhad lost the track several times;buthadfounditagainonsomecrossroad.TheyhadfinallylostitinadustyroadnearArdifferyandhadonlygivenupwhenthelighthadaltogethergone.They themselves thought their losswas final, for theycouldnot takeup thetrackwithinaquarterofamileofeithersideofthespotwheretheyhadlostit.Itwasnowtoolatetodoanythingmoreforthisnight;so,afterameal,allthemen,exceptonewhoremainedonwatch,went tosleepforafewhours.Wemuststartagainbeforedawn.FormyselfIcouldnotrest;Ishouldhavegonemad, I think, if I had to remain the night without doing something. So Idetermined towheel over toWhinnyfold and see howDonBernardino hadprogressed.Iwasanxious,asIhadnotheardfromhim.AtWhinnyfoldallwasstill,andtherewasnosignoflightinthehouse.Ihadbroughtwithme theduplicatekeywhichIhadgiven toMarjory,andwhichMrs.Jackfoundformeonherdressingtable;butwhenIinsertedit,itwouldnotturn.ItwasaYalelock;anditwasnotlikelythatitshouldhavegotoutoforderwithout theuseof some forceorclumsiness. Iput itdown in the firstinstance to the inexperience of theDon in suchmechanism.Anyhow, therewasnothingtobedoneastoentrybythatway,soIwentroundtothebacktoseeifIcouldmakeanentrythere.Itwasallsafe,however;Ihadtakencaretofasten everydoor andwindowon thepreviousnight.As the front doorwasclosed to me, it was only by force that I could effect entrance to my ownhouse. I knocked softly at the door, and then louder; I thought perhaps, forsome reason tobe explained, theDonhad remained in thehouse andmightnow be asleep. There was no sound, however, and I began to have gravedoubts in my own mind as to whether something serious might havehappened.Ifso,therewasnotimetolose.Anythinghavinggonewrongmeantthattheblackmailershadbeenthere.IfIhadtobreakopenthedoorImightaswell do it myself; for if I should get help from the village, discussion andgossip would at once begin, if only from the fact that I could not wait tillmorning.Igotascaffoldpolefromtheyardwheresomeof thebuilder’smaterialstillremained,andmanagedbyraisingitonmyshoulderandmakingaquickrunforward to strike the door with it just over the lock. The blow was mostefficacious; the door flewopen so quickly that the handle broke against thewallofthepassage.ForafewsecondsIpaused,lookingcarefullyroundtoseeifthesoundhadbroughtanyonetothespot;butallwasstill.Thencarefully,andwithmyrevolverready inmyrighthandand the lampofmybicycle inmyleft,Ienteredthehouse.

Aglance into each of the two sitting-roomsof the ground floor showedmethattherewasnoonethere;soIclosedthehall-dooragain,andproppeditshutwith the scaffold pole. Quickly I ran over the house from top to bottom,lookingintoeveryroomandspacewhereanyonecouldhide.Thecellardoorwas locked. It was odd indeed; there was not a sign of Don Bernardinoanywhere.WithasuddensuspicionIturnedintothedining-roomandlookedonthetable,wheretheseveralcasketswhichwehadtakenfromthecavehadlain.Therewasnotasignofthem!Someonehadcarriedthemoff.ForawhileIthoughtitmusthavebeenDonBernardino.Therecamebacktomeveryvividlytheconversationwhichwehadhadinthatveryroomonlyadaybefore;Iseemedtoseetheredlightofhiseyesblazeagain,aswhenhehad told me that he would not stop at anything to gain possession of thetreasure. It must have been, that when he found himself in possession, thedesire overcame him to take away the treasure to where he could himselfcontrolit.But this belief was only momentary. Hard upon its heels came theremembrance of his noble attitude when I had come to ask his help for awomanindistress—Iwhohadrefusedhisownappealtomychivalryonlyafewhoursbefore.No!Iwouldnotbelievethathecouldactsonow.InstrengthofmybeliefIspokealoud:“No!Iwillnotbelieveit!”Was itanecho tomywords?orwas it somemysterioussoundfromtheseabeneath? Sound there certainly was, a hollow, feeble sound that seemed tocomefromanywhere,ornowhere. Icouldnot locate itatall.Therewasbutonepart of thehouseunsearched, so I got a great pieceofwood andbrokeopenthedoorofthecellar.Therewasnooneinit,butthesquareholeinthecentreofitseemedlikeamysteryitself.Ilistenedamoment;andthehollowsoundcameagain,thistimethroughthehole.Therewassomeoneinthecavebelow,andthesoundwasagroan.I lit a torch and leaning over the hole looked down. The floor below wascoveredwithwater,butitwasonlyafewinchesdeepandoutofitcamethefaceoftheSpaniard,lookingstrangelywhitedespiteitsnaturalswarthiness.Icalled to him. He evidently heard me, for he tried to answer; but I coulddistinguish nothing, I could only hear a groan of agony. I rigged up thewindlass, and takingwithme a spare piece of rope loweredmyself into thecave. I foundDonBernardino just conscious; hewas unable, seemingly, toeither understandmy questions or tomake articulate reply. I tied the spareroperoundhim,therebeingnotimeoropportunitytoexaminehimashelayinthewater,andtakingthespareendwithmepulledmyselfupagain.Then,puttingtheropetowhichhewasattachedonthewindlass,Ieasilydrewhim

uptothecellar.Ashorttimesufficedtogivehimsomebrandy,andtoundresshimandwraphiminrugs.Heshiveredatfirst,butthewarmthsoonbegantoaffecthim.Hegotdrowsy,andseemedallatoncetodropasleep.Ilitafireandmadesometeaandgotprovisionsready.Inlessthanhalfanhourheawoke,refreshedandquitecoherent.Thenhetoldmeall thathadpassed.Hehadopenedthedoorwithout trouble, and had looked into the dining-room where he found thecaskets still on the table.Hedid not thinkof searching the house.Hegot alightandwentintothecellar,leavingthedooropen,andsetaboutexaminingthewinch,soastoknowthemechanismsufficientlywellastobeabletoraiseandlowerhimself.Whilststoopingoverthehole,hegotaviolentblowontheback of the head which deprived him of his senses. When he becameconsciousagaintherewerefourmeninthecellar,allmasked.Hehimselfwastied up with ropes and gagged. The men lowered each other till only oneremainedonguard.Heheardthemcallingtoeachother.Afteralongwaittheyhadcomeback,allofthemcarryingheavyburdenswhichtheybegantohaulup by the windlass. He said that it creaked loudly with the weight as theyworkedit.Hehadtheunutterablechagrinofseeingthempackupinsacksandbags,extemporisedfromthematerialinthehouse,thebullionofthetreasurewhichhisancestorhadundertakentoguard,andtowhichhehadcommittedhisdescendantsuntilthetrustshouldhavebeenfulfilled.Whenallwasreadyfordeparture—whichwasnotformanyhours,andwhentwoofthemenhadreturned with a cart of some sort, whose wheels he heard rumbling—theyconsultedastowhattheyshoulddowithhim.Therewasnodisguisemadeoftheirintent;allwasspokeninhishearingwiththemostbrutalfrankness.Oneman, whom he described as with grey lips of terrific thickness, and whosehands were black, was for knifing him at once or cutting his throat, andannounced his own readiness to do the job.Hewas overruled, however, byanother,presumablytheleaderofthegang,whosaidtherewasnousetakingextrarisks.“Letusputhimintothecave,”hesaid.“Hemaybreakhisneck;butanyhowitdoesnotmatterforthetideisrisingfastandifanyoneshouldcometheywillfindthathemethisdeathbyanaccident.”Thissuggestionwascarriedout;hewas,aftertheropesandgagwereremovedwiththeutmostcarebutwiththeutmostbrutality, loweredintothecave.Heremembered nomore till the deadly silence around himwas broken by thesound,seeminglyfaraway,ofaheavyblowonwoodwhichreverberated.Iexaminedhimallovercarefully,butcouldfindnodefiniteharmdonetohim.Thisknowledgeinitselfcheeredhimup,andhisstrengthandnervebegantocomeback;withhisstrengthcamedetermination.Hecould,however,tellmenothingofthemenwhohadattackedhim.Hesaidhewouldknowtheirvoicesagain,but,whatwiththeirmasksandhiscrampedposition,hecouldnotsee

enoughtodistinguishanything.Whilst he was recovering himself I looked carefully round the room andhouse.FromthemarksatoneofthewindowsatthebackIgatheredthatthiswas the means by which they had gained admission. They were experthousebreakers;andasIgatheredfromthedetectivethatWhiskyTommywasabank burglar—most scientific and difficult of all criminal trades, exceptperhaps,banknoteforgery—Iwasnotsurprisedthattheyhadbeenabletogainadmittance.NoneofthejewelswhichMarjoryandIhadtakenfromthecavewere left behind.The robbers had evidentlymade accurate search; even therubies,whichIhadleftinthepocketoftheshooting-coatwhichIhadworninthecave,haddisappeared.One thing I gathered from their visit; they evidently felt secure as tothemselves.Theydarednotrisksolongdelayhadnottheirpreparationsbeencomplete; and they must have been satisfied as to the mechanism of theirescape since they could burden themselves with such weight of treasure.Moreover,theirhidingplace,whereveritwas,couldnotbefaroff.Therewereengagedinthisjobfourmen;besides,therewereprobablywatchers.Marjoryhad only recorded in her cipher six engaged in her abduction, whenpresumablytheirfullstrengthwouldhavebeenneededincaseofunexpecteddifficulties or obstacles. The Secret Service chief presumed at least eight. Idetermined,therefore,thatIwouldgetbacktoCromassoonaspossible,and,withtheaidofthisnewlight,consultastowhatwasbesttobedone.IwantedtotakeDonBernardinowithme,ortotrytogetatraptotakehimon;buthesaidhewouldbebetter remainingwherehewas.“Icanbeofnouse toanyonetillIgetoverthisshock,”hesaid.“Theresthere,ifIremainlonger,willdomegood;andinthemorningImaybeabletohelp.”Iaskedhimifhewasnotafraidtobeleftaloneinhispresenthelplesscondition:Hisreplyshowedgreatcommonsense:“The only people whom I have to fear are the last who will come to thisplace!”ImadehimascomfortableasIcould,andfixedthecatchofthedoorsothatthelockwouldsnapbehindme.ThenIgotonmybicycleandrodetoCromasquicklyasIcould.Asitwasnownearlyearlymorningthemenweregettingreadyfortheirday’swork.CathcartandIdiscussedthenewdevelopmentwiththe detective chief. I did not tell himof the treasure. Itwas gone; and all IcoulddowastosparetheSpaniard’sfeelings.Itwasenoughthattheyknewofthe attack on Don Bernardino, and that they had taken from my housewhatever was of value in it. As I went over the practical side of the workbeforeus,Ihadanidea.Itwasevidentthatthesemenhadsomesecrethidingplace not far away; why should it not be an empty house? I made thesuggestiontomytwocompanions,whoagreedwithmethatweshouldatonce

makesearch for suchaplace.Accordinglywearranged thatonemanof theforceshouldgointoEllon,assoonasitwaspossibletofindanyoneup,andanotherintoAberdeentotrytofindoutfromvariousagentswhathousesinthedistrictwereatpresentunoccupied.InthemeantimeIlookedoverthelistofMansesandfoundthatthereweretwowhichwereopenforletting,buthadnotyetbeenoccupied,AucheriesandArdiffery.Wedeterminedtovisitthelatterfirst, as it was nearer, amid a network of cross roads on the high road toFraserburgh.Whenwewere arranging plans ofmovement, the two trackerswhowanted to resume theirworksaid thatwemightput themdownonourway, as the spot they aimed for lay in the same direction.We left twomenbehind;therestofuskepttogether.Aswedrovealonginthebrake,thetrackersshowedushowtheyhadfollowedthecarriage.ItbroughtanagonisinghopetometothinkthatwewereactuallytravellingonthesameroadasMarjoryhadgone.Ihadasecretconvictionthatweweregoingright.Somethingwithinmetoldmeso.Ihadinformerdays—days that now seemed so long ago—when I realised that I had the SecondSight,cometohavesuchconfidenceinmyownintuitionthatnowsomethingof thesamefeelingcameback tomeasa reality.Oh!howI longed that themysteriousgiftmightnowbeusedonbehalfofherIloved.WhatwouldInothavegivenforonesuchglimpseofherinherpresentsituation,asIhadbeforeseenofLauchlaneMacleod,orofthespiritsoftheDeadfromtheSkares.Butit is of the essence of such supernatural power that it will not work tocommand,topresentneed,tothevoiceofsufferingorofprayer;butonlyinsuchmysteriouswayand timeasnone canpredicate.Whilst I thought thus,andhopedthus,andprayedwithalltheintensityofmypoorbreakingheart,Iseemedtofeelinmesomethingofthemoodinwhichthepreviousvisionshadcome.Ibecamelosttoallsurroundings;anditwaswithsurprisethatIbecameconsciousthatthecarriagehadstoppedandthatthetrackersweregettingoff.WearrangedwiththemthatafterourvisittotheManseatArdifferyweshouldreturnforthem,ortoseehowtheyhadgotonwiththeirtask.Theywerenothopefuloffollowingatwo-day-oldtrailofacarriageonthesedustyroads.ThecrossroadtoArdifferybranchedofftoourleft,andthentotheleftagain;sothatwhenwecameneartheplace,wewerestillwithineasydistance,asthecrowflies,fromwherewehadleftourmen.

TheManseatArdiffery isa lonelyspot,close to thechurch,butquiteawayfrom the little clachan.Thechurch stands in its owngraveyard, in ahollowsurroundedwithawallofconsiderabledimensions.Thegardenandpoliciesofthe house seem as though carved out of the woodland growth. There is anarrowirongate,sheer in theroadway,andastraightpathuptothefrontofthehouse;onearmbranchestotherightinacurvedlane-waythroughfirtrees

leadingtothestableandfarmofficesatthebackofthehouse.Atthegatewaywasaboardwithaprintednotice that thehouse,withgrounds,gardensandpolicies,wastobeletuntilChristmas.Thekeycouldbehadfrom,anddetailssuppliedby,Mrs.MacFie,merchantat theArdifferycross roads.Thewholeplacehadadesertedair;weedsweregrowingeverywhere,and,evenfromtheroadway,onecouldseethatthewindowswerefouledfromdisuse.Aswedrewnear,theoddfeelingofsatisfaction—Icanhardlydescribeitmorefully—seemedtogrowinme.Iwasnotexultant,Iwasscarcelyhopeful;butsomehowtheveilseemedtobeliftingfrommysoul.Weleftthebrakeontheroad,andwentupthelittleavenuetothefrontofthehouse.Forform’ssakeweknocked, thoughweknewwell that if thosewe sought shouldbewithintherewouldbelittlechanceoftheirrespondingtoourcall.Weleftonemanatthedoor,incasebyanychanceanyoneshouldcome;therestofustooktheotherwayroundtothebackofthehouse.Wehadgotabouthalfwayalongit,wheretherewasanopeningintothefields,whenthedetectivechiefwhowasinfrontofushelduphishandtostop.Isawataglancewhathadstruckhim.Whilst the rest of the rough roadway was unkempt and weed-grown, thegravelfromthison,tothebackofthehouse,hadbeenlatelyraked.

“Why?”Theonly answer to theunspokenqueryof eachofuswas thatMarjoryhadmadesomemarks,intentionallyorunintentionally—orsomeonehad;andtheganghadtriedtoeffacethem.Fools!theirveryefforttoobliteratetheirtracewasahelptous.

CHAPTERXLVIITHEDUMBCANSPEAK

THESecretServicemenspreadroundthehouse,movingoffsilentlyrightandleft, in accordance with the nods of their chief in answer to their looks ofquery.Astheymoved,keepinginstinctivelyinshelterfromanypossibleviewfromthehousesofarasthegroundaffordedopportunity,Icouldseethateachfeltthathisgunwasinitsplace.Theyallknewthegangtheyhadtodealwith,andtheywerenotgoingtotakeanychances.MacRaesaidtome:“I’llgoandgetthekey!Iknowthiscountrybetterthananyofyou;Icanrunovertothecrossroadsinafewminutesanditwillbelessmarkedthandrivingthere.”Ashewentoutatthegatehetoldthedrivertopulldowntheroad,tillthecurveshuthimoutofsight.Whilsthewasgone,themensurroundedthe

house,keepingguardatsuchpointsthatnothingcomingfromitcouldescapeournotice.Thechief tried thebackdoorbut itwas shut; from its rigidity itwasmanifestlyboltedtopandbottom.In less than a quarter of an hour MacRae returned and told us that Mrs.MacFiewascomingwiththekeyasquicklyasshecould.Heofferedtotakeit,telling herwho hewas; but she said shewould come herself andmake herservice, as itwould not be respectful to him and the other gentlemen to letthemgoalone.Inafewminutesshewaswithus;thechiefdetective,Cathcart,andIstayedwithMacRae,therestofthemenremainingonwatchandhidden.Therewasalittledifficultywiththelock,butweshortlygotin,Mrs.MacFieleadingtheway.Whilstshewasopeningtheshuttersofthebackroom,whichwasevidently theMinister’sstudy,Cathcartand thechief left the room,andmadeahurried,thoughthorough,searchofthehouse.Theycamebackbeforetheoldladywaswellthroughhertask,andshooktheirheads.Whenthelightwasletin,theroompresentedasceneofconsiderabledisorder.Itwasevidentthatithadbeenlatelyinhabited,fortherewerescatteredabout,agoodmanythingswhichdidnotbelongtoit.Theseincludedawashingjug,andabowlfullofdirtywater;arugandpillowsonthesofa;andasoiledcupandplateonthetable.Onthemantlepiecewasagutteredoutcandle.Whentheold woman saw the state of the room, she lifted her hands in horrifiedamazementasshespoke:“Keep’s’a!Thetrampsmustha’beenhere.IntheMeenester’sownstudy,too!An’ turnin’ the whole place topsal-teerie. Even his bukes all jumm’lt upthegither.Macertes!butwon’thebeupsetbyyon!”Whilst she had been speaking, my eyes had been taking in everything. Allalong one side of the roomwas a bookcase, rough shelves graduated up inheight to suit thevarious sizesofbooks.Therewere in the roommore thanenoughbookstofillthem;butstillsomeoftheshelvestowardstherighthandendwerevacantandagreatquantityofbookslayonthefloor.Thesewerenottumbledabout as if throwndown recklessly,butwere laidupon the floor inevenrows.Itlookedasiftheyhadbeentakendowninmassesandlaidoutinthesameorderasthoughreadytoputback.Butthebooksontheshelves!Itwasnowonderthattheoldwoman,whodidnotunderstandthefullmeaning,wasshocked;forneverwasseensuchseemingdisorderinanylibrary.Seldomdidavolumeofa series seem tobealongside its fellow;evenwhenseveralweregroupedtogether, therestof theselectionwouldbemissing,orseeninanotherpartoftheshelf.Someofthevolumeswereupsidedown;othershadthefrontsturnedoutinsteadoftheback.AltogethertherewassuchdisorderasIhadneverseen.Andyet!...Andyetthewholewasplannedbyacleverandresolutewoman,fightingforher life—herhonour.Marjory,evidentlydeprivedofanymeansofwriting—

therewasneitherpennorinknorpencilintheroom—andprobablyforbiddenunderhideousthreatstoleaveanymessage,hadyetundertheveryeyesofhercaptors left averitablewritingon thewall, full andopen forall to read,didtheybutknowhow.Thearrangementofthebookswasbutanothervariantofour biliteral cipher. Books as they should be, representedA; all others B. Isignedtothemanwiththenotebook,whotookdownthewordswroughtinthecipherasIreadthemoff.Oh,howmyheartbeatwithfearandloveandprideasIrealisedinthemessageofmydeargirltheinnerpurposeofherwords:“To-morrowoffnortheastofBanffSeagulltomeetwhalerWilhelmina.TobeShanghaied—whateverthatmeans.Frightfulthreatstogivemetothenegroifany trouble, or letters to friends.Don’t fear, dear, shall die first. Have suremeans. God with us. Remember the cave. Just heard Gardent—” Here themessageended.Theshelfwasempty;andtheheapofbooks,fromwhichshehad selected somany items, remained as theyhadbeenplaced ready to herhand.Shehadbeencoerced;orelseshefearedinterruptioninhertask,anddidnotwanttocausesuspicion.Coerced!Ifeltasthoughchoking!

Therewasnothingfurthertobegainedhere;sowetoldtheoldladythatweshouldwrite regarding the rental ifwedecided to take thehouse.Whenwewentbacktoourwagonette,wepickedupourtwotrackers—therewasnousefor themnow—andwentback toCromas fastas thehorsescouldgallop. Itwasnecessarythatweshouldarrangefromheadquartersourfutureplans;suchmaps and papers aswe hadwere atCrom,where also any telegramsmightawait us. In the carriage I asked the detective chief what was meant by‘Shanghaied’foritwasevidentlyacriminalclassword.“Don’t you know the word,” he said surprised. “Why I thought every oneknewthat. It isn’taltogetheracriminalclassword, for itbelongspartly toaclassthatcallthemselvestraders.Thewhalersandothersdoitwhentheyfindit hard to get men; as a rule men nowadays don’t like shipping on longwhalingvoyages.Theygetsuchmendeliveredonboardbythecrimps,drunkor,moregenerally,hocussed.Thenwhentheygetnearaporttheymakethemdrunkagain,whichisn’tmuchofajobafterall,andtheydon’tmakenokick;or if things are serious theyhocus themabit again.So theykeep themoneway or another out of sight formonths or perhaps years. Sometimes,whenthosethatarenottooparticularwanttogetridofaninconvenientrelative—ormayhapawitness,oracreditor,oraninconvenienthusband—theyjustsquaresomecrimp.Whenhegetshishooksontheproperparty,thereain’tnomorejamboree for him, except between the bulwarks, till the time is up, or themoneyspent,orwhateverheisputawayforisfixedastheywantit.”Thiswasanewandenlighteninghorrortome.Itopenedupfreshpossibilities

ofdistressforbothMarjoryandmyself.AsIthoughtofthis,IcouldnotbutbegratefultoMontgomeryforhismessagetotheman-of-war’smen.IfoncetheysucceededingettingMarjoryonboardtheSeagullweshould,intheblindnessof our ignorance as to her whereabouts, be powerless to help her. The lastwordofhermessage through thebooksmightbeaclue. Itwas someplace,andwas east of Banff. I got the bigmap out at once and began to search.Surely enough, there itwas.Some sevenor eightmiles east ofBanffwas alittleportinaland-lockedbaycalledGardentown.AtonceIsentoffawiretoAdamsatAberdeen,andanothertoMontgomerytoPeterheadonchancethatitmightreachhimevenbeforethatwhichAdams,whomhekeptpostedastohis everymovement,would be sure to send to him! Itwas above all thingsnecessary thatweshould locatefirst theSeagullandthen theWilhelmina. Ifwe could get hold of either vessel we might frustrate the plans of themiscreants.IaskedAdamstohavethetouchingoftheWilhelminaatanyporttelegraphedtohimatoncefromLloyds.He was quite awake at his end of the wire; I got back an answer in anincrediblyshorttime:“WilhelminaleftLerwickforArcticseasyesterday.”Veryshortlyafterwardsanothertelegramcamefromhim:“Montgomery reports Seagull fishing this summer at Fraserburgh.Went outwithfleettwodaysago.”Almostimmediatelyafterthiscameathirdtelegramfromhim:“Keystonenotified.Amcomingtojoinyou.”AfteraconsultationweagreedthatitwasbetterthatsomeofusshouldwaitatCrom for the arrival of Adams, who had manifestly some additionalknowledge.InthemeantimewedespatchedtwooftheSecretServicemenuptothenorthofBuchan.OnewastogotoFraserburgh,andtheothertoBanff.BothweretofollowthecliffsortheshoretoGardentown.Ontheirwaytheywouldgetapersonalsurveyofthecoastandmightpickupsomeinformation.MacRaewentoffhimselftosendatelegramorderinghisyacht,whichwasatInverness,tobetakentoPeterhead,wherehewouldjoinher.“Itmaybehandyto have her at themouth of the Firth,” he said. “She’s a clipper, and ifweshouldwanttooverhaultheSeagullortheWilhelmina,shecaneasilydoit.”Itwasa long, longwait tillAdamsarrived. Ididnot think thatamancouldenduresuchmiseryas Isuffered,and live.Everyminute,everysecond,wasfilled with some vague terror. Omne ignotum promirifico.When Fear andFancyjoinhands,thereissurelywoeandpaintosomepoorhumansoul.WhenAdamsatlastarrivedhehadmuchtotell;butitwastheamplificationofwhatwehadheard,ratherthanfreshnews.TheU.S.cruiserKeystonehadbeenreachedfromHamburgh,andwasnowonherwaytoapointoutsidethe

three-milelimitoffPeterhead;andaprivatewatchhadbeensetoneveryportandharbourbetweenWickandAberdeen.TheAmericanEmbassywasdoingitsworkquietlyasbefitssuchanarmoftheState;butitseyesandearswereopen, and I had no doubts its pockets, too. Its hand was open now; but itwouldclose,didtherebeneed.WhenAdamslearnedourpurposehebecameelated.Hecameovertomeandlaidhishandtenderlyonmyshoulderashesaid:“Iknowhowitiswithyou,oldfellow;amandon’twantmorethantwoeyesfor that.But there’s amanymenwould give all they have to stand in yourshoes,forallyousuffer.Cheerup!Attheworstnowit’sherdeath!FormyselfIfearedatfirsttheremightbeworse;butit’splaintomethatMissDrakeisuptoeverythingandreadyforeverything.My!butshe’sanoblegirl!Ifanythinggoes wrong with her there’s going to be some scrapping round before thething’s evened up!”He thenwent on to tellme thatMontgomerywould bejoinedatPeterheadbytwoothernavalfellowswhowerequalifiedinallwaystodowhatevermightberequired.“Thoseboyswon’tstopatmuch,Icantellyou,”hesaid.“They’refullofsand,thelot;andIguessthatwhenthisthingisover,itwon’tharmthematWashingtontoknowthatthey’vedonemen’sworkofonekindoranother.”Itwascomforttometohearhimtalk.SamAdamsknewwhathemeant,whenhewantedtohelpafriend;thinkingitalloverIdon’tseewhatbetterhecouldhave said tome—things being as theywere. Hewent back toAberdeen tolookoutfornewsorinstructions,butwastojoinuslateratBanff.Weleft twomenatCrom;one tobealwayson thespot,and theother tobefreetomoveaboutandsendtelegrams,etc.ThentherestofusdroveovertoFyvieandcaughtthetraintoMacduff.Whenwe arrivedwe sent oneman in the hotel inBanff in casewe shouldwant to communicate, and the rest of us drove over in a carriage toGardentown.Itisalovelycoast,thisbetweenBanffandGardentown,butweshouldhavepreferredittobelesspicturesqueandmoreeasytowatch.Whenourmanmetus,whichhedidwithexceedingcaution,heatoncebegan:“They’vegotoff,someofthem;butIthinktherestofthegang’sashorestill.That’swhyI’msoparticular;theymaybewatchin’usnowforallIcantell.”Thenheproceededtogiveusalltheinformationhehadgleaned.“TheSeagullwashereuntilyesterdaywhenshewentoutintotheFirthtorundowntoFifeshire,as thefishwerereportedgoingsouth.Shehadmore thanhercomplementofmen,andherskippervolunteeredtheinformationthattwoofthemwerefriendswhomtheyweretakingtojointheirownboatwhichwaswaitingforthematBurntIsland.FromallaccountsIgather,”hewenton,“thattheywasn’tanythingextrahigh-toned.Mostofthemweredrunkorgettinga

jagonthem;andit tookthetwosoberonesandtheSkippertokeeptheminorder.TheSkipperwasmightyangry;heseemedsomehowashamedofthem,andhurriedoutofportasquickashecouldwhenhemadehismindup.Theysayhesworeatthemfrightful;thoughthatwasnottobewonderedatwhenhehimselfhadtohelpbringthenetsonboard.Oneofthemenonthequaytoldmethathesaidif thatwastheeffectonhismenofwaitingroundforweeksdoingnothing,hewouldseethatanothertimetheirdouble-dashednoseswerekepttothegrindstone.I’vebeenthinkingsinceIheardofthetroubletheyhadincarryingonthenets,thattherewassomethingunderthemthattheymeanttohide.Themenhere tellme that thehand-barrow theycarriedwouldhavebeen a job for sixmen, not three, for it was piled shoulder highwith nets.That’swhytheskipperwassowrathywiththem.Theysayhe’sasortofgiant,aDutchmanwithanevil,cunningface;andthatallthetimehewascarryingthebackhandlesheneverstoppedswearingat the two in front, though theywas nigh speechless with the effort of carrying, and their faces as red asblazes.IfI’mrightwe’vemissedthemthistime.They’vegotthegirlonthefishingboat;and they’reoff for thewhaler.She’s theonewe’llhave to findnext!”Ashespokemyheartkeptsinkingdeeperanddeeperdown.Mypoorgirl,ifalive,wasinthehandsofherenemies.Inallthethoughtswhichfilledmewithanguishunspeakabletherewasbutonegleamofconsolation—thenegrowasnotonboard, too. Ihadcome to thinkof thismiscreantas insomeway theactiveprincipleofwhateverevilmightbe.Here,wewereagainatafaultinourpursuit.WemustwaitforthereportsofMontgomerywhowasmakinglocalinquiries.Wehadwiredhimtojoinus,orsenduswordtoGardentown;andhehadrepliedthathewasontheway.

CHAPTERXLVIIIDUNBUYHAVEN

WEhadto-daybeensohot intheimmediatepursuitofMarjorythatwehadhardlybeenabletothinkoftheotherbranchesofourwork;butallatonce,theturnofthewheelbroughtupasthemostimportantmatterbeforeuswhathadbeenuptonowonlyacollateral.HithertotheSeagullhadbeenourobjective;butnowitmustbetheWilhelmina.Adamshadbeeninchargeofthegeneralinvestigationastotheseboats,whilstMontgomeryhadbeenattendingtolocalmatters. Itwas to the former, therefore, rather than the latter, thatwehad tolook for enlightenment. Montgomery and MacRae were the first to arrive,coming on horseback from Fraserburgh, the former with all the elan andabandonmentofasailorashore.Hewasfrightfullychagrinedwhenheheard

that theSeagull had got safely away. “Just likemy luck!” he said, “Imighthave got her in time if I had known enough; but I never even heard ofGardentowntillyourwirecametome.Itisn’tonthemap.”Hewasstillfulloflamentings,thoughIcouldtellfromthewayhewasallnervedandbracedupthatweshouldhearofhimwhenthetimeforactioncame.WhenwearrivedatthestationatMacdufftomeetAdams,wehurriedhimatonceintothecarriagewhichwehadwaiting;hegaveushisnewsaswehurriedofftoGardentown.Wefeltthatitmightbeamistakeourgoingthere,forweshouldbeoutofthewayofeverything;butwehadmadearrangementsfornewstobesentthere,and itwas necessarywe should go there before holdingour council ofwar.AdamstoldusthatthewhalerWilhelminahadbeenreportedatLerwicktwodaysago,butthatshehadsuddenlyleftonreceiptofatelegram,hurryinginthe lastofher storesat sucha rate that someof themhadbeenactually leftbehind.Hehadnotbeenable togain any specific informationbywire.TheMasteroftheshiphadsaidtotheHarbourMasterthathewasgoingtoNovaZembla;butnothingmoredefinitecouldbeobtained.When we got together in the hotel at Gardentown we were surprised byanotherarrival;noneotherthanDonBernardino,whohadcomebythesametrain asAdams, but had had towait to get a carriage.We had got away soquicklythatnoneofushadseenhim.Thingswerenowatsuchastagethatitwouldnotdotohaveanyconcealmentwhatever; and so after a moment in private with the Don, I told mycompanionsoftheattackontheSpaniardinmyhouse,andofthecarryingoffthegreattreasure.Ididnotgiveanydetailsofthetreasureoritspurpose;nordidIevenmentionthetrust.ThiswasnowtheDon’ssecret,andtherewasnoneedtomentionit.WeallagreedthatifweshouldhaveanychanceatalloffindingMarjory, it would be by finding and following the members of thegangleftonshore.SamAdamswhowas,nexttotheSecretServicemen,thecoolest-headedofourparty,summedupthesituation.“Thosefellowshaven’tgotoffyet.ItisevidentthattheyonlycametolookforthetreasureafterMissDrakehadbeenshippedofffromGardentown.AndI’mpretty sure that they are waiting somewhere round the coast for theWilhelminatopickthemup;orforthemtogetaboardhersomehow.They’vegot a cartload of stuff at the very least to get away; and youmay bet yoursweetlifethattheydon’tmeantoleaveittochance.Moreover,youcan’tlayyourhandatanyminuteonawhalerreadyforshanghaieinganyone.Thisonehasbeenfixeduponpurpose,andwaswaitingupatLerwickforalongtimereadytogowhentold.Ithinkmyselfthatit’smorethanlikelyshehasorderstotakethemoffherself,forafishingsmackliketheSeagullthathastobeinandoutoftheseportsallthetime,doesn’twanttomultiplythechancesofherdiscovery.Now that she has done a criminal thing and is pretty sure that it

can’tbeprovedagainsther,she’lltakehershareoftheswag,orwhateverwaspromisedher,andclearout.IftheWilhelminahastogetoffthegangit’llhavetobesomewhereoffthiscoast.Theyarenearlyallstrangerstostartwith,andwouldn’tknowwhereelsetogo.If theygosouththeygetatonceintomorethickly peopled shores,where the chances of getting off in secretwould beless. They daren’t go anywhere along the shore of the Firth, for their shipmightbecutoffat themouth,andtheymightbetakenwithinthethree-milelimit and searched.Beyond the Firth they can knownothing.Therefore,wehavegottohuntthemalongthisshore;andfromthelieofthelandIshouldsaythattheywilltrytogetoffsomewherebetweenOldSlainsandPeterhead.AndI’llsayfurtherthat,in-as-much-astheshoredipsinbetweenWhinnyfoldand Girdleness outside Aberdeen, the ship will prefer to keep up the northside, so that she can beat out to sea at once, when she has got her cargoaboard.”“Samisaboutright!”broke inMontgomery“Ihavebeenallalongthecoastsincewemet,surveyingthegroundforjustthispurpose.Itriedtoputmyselfin theplaceof thatcrowd,and tofindaplace justsuchas theywouldwish.TheycouldgetoutatPeterheadoratBoddam,andso Ihavesetawatchattheseplaces.Someofour sailorswhowere sent up tome fromLondonaretherenow,and I’ll stakemyword that if theWilhelmina tries tocome in toeitherof theseplacesshewon’tgetoutagainwithMarjoryDrakeonboard.But it’s not their game to come near a port. They’ve got to lie off shore,somewhereagreedon,andtakeofftheirfriendsinaboat.TherearedozensofplacesbetweenCrudenandPeterheadwhereaboatcouldliehidden,andslipoutsafelyenough.Whentheygotaboardtheycouldhoistintheboatorscuttleher;andthen,upsailsandoffbeforeanyonewasthewiser.WhatIpropose,therefore,isthis,forItakeitI’mthenavalexpertheresuchasitis.Wemustsetawatchalong thisbitofcoast, soas tobe ready to jumpon themwhentheystartout.WecangettheKeystonetolieoffBuchan;andwecansignalher when we get sign of our lot. She’ll be well on the outside, and thesescallywags don’t know that she’ll be there to watch them. When the timecomes,she’llcrowdthemintoshore;andwe’llbereadyforthemthere.Ifshecan hunt the Wilhelmina into the Firth it will be easy enough to get her.“FightingDick”Morgan isn’taman tostandonceremony;andyoucanbetyourbottomdollarthatifhegetsasightoftheDutchmanhe’llprettywellseethatshehasn’tanycitizenof theUnitedStatesaboardagainstherwill.Dickwouldn’tmindthepeopleinWashingtonmuch,andhe’dtakeontheDutchto-morrowaswellastheSpaniards.Now,ifinadditionthisgentleman’syachtistothefore,withanyoneofushereaboardtotakeresponsibility,Iguesswecanoverhaulthewhalerwithoutlosingtime.”“I’ll be aboard!” said Donald MacRae quietly. “The Sporran is due atPeterhead this afternoon. Justyou fitmeupwith signals so thatwe’llknow

whattodowhenwegetword;andI’llseetotherest.Mymenareofmyownclan,andI’llanswerforthem.They’llnothangbackinanything,whenI’minthefrontofthem.”I wrung the hands of the two young fellows. East andWest, it was all thesame!Theold fightinggallantrywas in theirhearts;andwith the instinctofbornCaptainstheywerereadytoacceptallresponsibility.Alltheyaskedwasthattheirmenshouldfollowthem.They immediately sat down to arrange their signals. Montgomery was ofcourse trained in this work, and easily fixed up a simple scheme bywhichcertainorderscouldbegivenbyeitherflags,orlights,orrockets.Therewasnotneedformuchcomplication;itwasunderstoodthatwhentheWilhelminashould be sighted she should be boarded at once,wherever or however shemightbe.Wewere,oneandallofus,preparedtosetatdefianceeverylaw—international,maritime,nationalorlocal.Underthecircumstanceswefeltthat,givenwecouldoncegeton trackwithourenemy,weheldagreatpower inourhands.Before long,MacRaewasoff toPeterhead to joinhisyacht,whichwouldatonce start on a sort of sentry-go up and down the coast. The rest of us setabout arranging to spread ourselves along the shore between Cruden andPeterhead.Wedidnotarrangewatches,for timewasnowprecioustoall,onboth sides of the encounter. If an attempt was to be made to take off thetreasure, itwouldinallprobabilitybemadebeforemorning;everyhourthatpassedmultipliedthedifficultiesanddangersoftheblackmailers.Theweatherwas becomingmisty,whichwas a source of inconvenience to us all. Thickpatches of white fog began to drift in from the north east, and there wasominous promise in the risingwind of there being danger on sea and shorebeforemanyhourshadpassed.Weeachtookprovisionwithusforthenight,andasufficiencyofrocketsandwhiteandredlightsforoursignallingwork,incasetheremightbeneedofsuch.Indisposingofourforces,wehadnotofcourseasufficiencyofmentoformaregularcordon;butwesoarrangedourselvesthattherewasnopointatwhichaboatcouldlandwhichwasnotinviewofsomeofus.Iwasterriblyanxious,foras theeveningcameon, thepatchesofwhitemistcamedriving inmorequickly,andgettingthickerandmoredense.Betweenthemtheseawasclear,and therewasnodifficulty inkeepingaccurateobservation;but as each fogbelt came downon the risingwind our hearts fell. Itwould comeon like awhitecloud,whichwouldseemtostrikethelandandthencloseinoneveryside, as thoughwrapping the shore in awinding sheet.My own section forwatchingwasbetweenSlainsCastleandDunbuy,aswildandrockyabitofcoastasanyonecouldwishtosee.BehindSlainsrunsinalongnarrowinletwithbeetlingcliffs,sheeroneitherside,andatitsentranceawildturmoilof

rocksarehurledtogetherintitanicconfusion.Fromthispointnorthward,thecliffsaresheer,towheretheinletofDunbuyhasitsentranceguardedbythegreatrock,withitsmyriadofscreamingwildfowlandthewhitecragsmarkingtheirhabitation.Midwaybetweenthosepartsofmysentry-goisaspotwhichIcouldnotbut thinkwouldbeeminentlysuited for theirpurpose,andon thisfor some time I centred my attention. It is a place where in old days thesmugglersmanagedtogetinmanyacargosafe,almostwithinearshotofthecoastguards. Themodus operandiwas simple.On a dark nightwhen itwasknownthatthecoastguardswere,intentionallyorbychance,elsewhere,atrainof carts would gather quickly along the soft grass tracks, or through theheadlandsof thefields.Acranewaseasily improvisedof twocrossedpoles,with a longer one to rest on them; one end held inland, could be pushedforwardordrawnback,soastomaketheotherendhangoverthewaterorfallbackover the inneredgeof thecliff.Apulleyat theendof thispole,andalong rope with its shore end attached to the harness of a strong horsecompletedtheequipment.Then,whenthesmugglershadcomeunderthecliff,the ropewas loweredand the loadattached; thewaitinghorsewasgallopedinland,andinafewsecondstheclusterofbarrelsorcaseswasswunguponthecliffanddistributedamongstthewaitingcarts.Itwouldbeaneasymattertoinverttheprocess.Ifallwereready—andIknewthat the gang were too expert to have any failing in that respect—a fewminuteswouldsufficetoplacethewholeofthetreasureinawaitingboat.Themen,allsaveone,couldbeloweredthesameway,andthelastmancouldbelet down by the rope held from below. I knew that the blackmailers hadpossessionofatleastonecart;inanycase,tomensodesperateandrecklesstogettemporarypossessionofafewcartsinafarmingcountrylikethiswouldbeno difficult task. So I determined towatch this spotwith extra care. Itwaspretty bare at top; but therewas a lowwall of stone and clay, one of thoseroughfenceswhicharesooftenseenroundclifffields.Isquatteddownbehindacornerofthiswall,fromwhichIcouldseealmostthewholestretchofmydivision.NoboatcouldgetintoDunbuyorLangHaven,orclosetotheCastlerockswithoutmyseeingit;theclifffromthereuptowhereIwaswassheer,and I could seewell into the southern passage of theHaven insideDunbuyRock.Sometimeswhentheblanketoffogspreadoverthesea,Icouldhearthetrumpetingofsomesteamerfarout;andwhenthefogwouldlift,Iwouldseeherfunnelsspoutingblacksmokeinhereffortstoclearsodangerousacoast.Sometimes a fishing boat on itsway up or downwould run in shore, closehauled; or a big sailing vessel wouldmove onwardwith that imperceptibleslownesswhichmarkstheprogressofashipfaroutatsea.Whenanyfishingboatcamealong,myheartbeatasIscannedherwiththefieldglasswhichIhad brought with me. I was always hoping that the Seagull would appear,thoughwhyIknownot, for therewasnowlittlechance indeed thatMarjory

wouldbeonboardher.Afteraspellofwaiting,whichseemedendlessandunendurable,inoneofthespells ofmist I thought I sawon the cliff awoman, taking shelter of everyobstacle,asdoesonewhoiswatchinganother.At thatmoment themistwasthick;butwhenitbegantothin,andtostreamawaybeforethewindintrailslike smoke, I saw that itwasGormala.Somehow the sight of hermademyheartbeatwildly.Shehadbeenafactorofsomanystrangeincidentsinmylifeof late years—incidents which seemed to have some connection or fatalsequence—thatherpresenceseemedtoforetellsomethingfresh,andtohavesomekindofspecialsignificance.Icrouchedstilllowerbehindthecornerofthe wall, and watched with enhanced eagerness. A very short study of hermovementsshowedmethatshewasnotwatchinganyspecificindividual.Shewassearchingforsomeone,orsomething;andwas in terrorofbeingseen,ratherthanofmissingtheobjectofhersearch.Shewouldpeercarefullyoverthe edgeof the cliff, lyingdownonher face todo so, andputtingherheadforwardwiththemostelaboratecare.Then,whenshehadsatisfiedherselfthatwhat she soughtwasnotwithin sight, shewouldpassona little furtherandbeginhersurveyoveragain.Herattitudeduringtheprevalenceofamistwasso instructive, that I found myself unconsciously imitating her. She wouldremainasstillasifturnedtostone,withoneeartowindward,listeningwithsharp, preternatural intentness. I wondered at first that I could not hear thethings that she manifestly did, for the expression of her face was full ofchanges.When,however,Irememberedthatshewasbornandrearedamongstthe islands, and with fisher folk and sea folk of all kinds whose weatherinstinctsarekeenerthanisgiventotheinlandborn,herpowerwasnolongeramystery.How I longed at thatmoment to have something of her skill!Andthencamethethoughtthatshehadlongagoofferedtoplacethatverypoweratmydisposal;andthatImightstillgainherhelp.Everyinstant,aspastthingscrowdedback tomymemory,did thathelp seemmoredesirable.Was itnother whom I had seen watching Don Bernardino when he left my house;mayhapshehadguidedhimtoit.OrmightitnothavebeenGormalawhohadbroughttheblackmailerstomydoor.Ifshehadnoknowledgeofthem,whatwasshedoingherenow?Whyhadshesoughtthisplaceofallplaces;whyatthistimeofalltimes?Whatorwhomwassheseekingamongstthecliffs?Ideterminednottolosesightofheratpresent,nomatterwhatmighthappen;later,whenIhadcomeatherpurpose,eitherbyguessingorbyobservation,Icould try togainherservices.Thoughshehadbeenenragedwithme, IwasstilltoheraSeer;andshebelieved—mustbelievefromwhathadpassed—thatIcouldreadforhertheMysteryoftheSea.AssheworkedalongthecliffaboveDunbuyHaven,wheretherockoverhungthewater,sheseemedtoincreasebothherinterestandhercaution.Ifollowed

roundtherudewallwhichranparalleltothecliff,sothatImightbeasneartoheraspossible.DunbuyHavenisadeepcleftinthegraniterockintheshapeofaY,thearmsofwhichrunseawardsandareformedbythemothercliffoneitherhandandtheloftycragsoftheislandofDunbuy.Inboththesearmsthereisdeepwater;butwhenthereisaseaon,orwhenthewindblowsstrong,theyaresupremelydangerous. Even the scour of the tide running up or downmakes a currentdifficulttostem.Infairweather,however,itisfairlygoodforboating;thoughthe swell outside may be trying to those who are poor sailors. I had oftentossedonthatswellwhenIhadbeenoutwiththesalmonfishers,whentheyhadbeendrawingtheirdeepfloatingnets.PresentlyIsawGormalabend,andthendisappearoutofsight.Shehadpassedovertheedgeofthecliff.Iwentcautiouslyafterher,andthrowingmyselfonmyfacesothatshecouldnotseeme,peeredover.Therewasasortofsheeptrackalongthefaceofthecliff,leadingdownwardinazigzag.Itwassosteep,andshowedsolittlefoothold,thateveninthestateofsuper-excitement inwhichI thenwas, itmademedizzyto lookat it.Buttheoldwoman,trainedonthecragsofthewesternislands,passedalongitasthoughitwerethebroadwalkofaterracedgarden.

CHAPTERXLIXGORMALA’SLASTHELP

AFTERGormala had disappeared down the zigzag under the rock,where Icouldnolongerseehermovements,Iwaitedforherreturn.AttheendoftheHaven,wherethelittlebeachrunsuptotheedgeofthecliff,thereisasteeppath. Even this is so steep that it is impracticable to ordinary persons; onlyfisher folk, dalesmen and hunters can use suchways. Formyself I dare notleavemypost;fromtheendoftheHavenIcouldnotseeanypartatallofthecoastIhadcometowatch,exceptthenarrowspotbetweengreatcliffswherethechannelsranrightandleftoftheRockofDunbuy.SoIcreptbacktomyhiding place behind the angle of the wall, from which I could watch theentrancetothetrackdownwhichshehadpassed.Timeworeawayslowly, slowly;and themistkeptcoming inmore frequentbelts,heavierandmoredank.After thesunset thefogseemedtocomemoreheavily still, so that the promise of the night was darkness invincible. InAberdeen, however, the twilight is long, and under ordinary conditions it iseasy to see for hours after sunset.All at once, after the passingof a belt ofmist,Iwasstartledbyavoicebehindme:

“Andforwhatisityewatch,thenicht?IsittheMysteryo’theSeathatholdsye to the dyke; or maybe it is the treasure that ye seek!” Gormala hadevidentlycomeupthepathattheendoftheHaven.ForawhileIdidnotsayaword,butthoughtthematterover.Now,ifever,wasthereneedtousemywits,and I couldbest dealwithGormala if I shouldknowsomethingofherownwishesbeforehand;soItriedtomasterherpurposeandherdifficulties.Firstly,shemusthavebeeninsearchofsomehidingplaceherself,orshewouldnothave comebehind thewall; Iwas quite sure that she hadnot knownofmypresencebeforeshewentdownthesheeptrack.Ifshewantedcover,whatthenwasitshewaswatching?ShehadbeendowntothebeachoftheHaven,andso must have known whether or no it was bare of interest. As she waschoosingacornerwhenceshecouldwatchthetrack,itwasatleastlikelythatsheexpectedsomeonetogoupordownbyit.Ifshewerelookingforsomeonetogodown,shewouldsurelyratherwatchitsapproachesthantheplaceitself. It was, therefore, for some one to come up for whom she wished towatch.As,insteadofhurryingawayorhidingherselffrommewhenshehadseen me without my seeing her, she had deliberately engaged with me inconversation,itwasevidentthatshedidnotexpectwhomevershewatchedfortocomeupatonce.InfineIconcluded,sheintendedtowatchforsomeonewhomightcome;withthisknowledgeIdrewabowataventure:“Soyour friend isn’t comingupyet?Whydidn’t you fixmatterswhenyouwere down below?” For an instant she was betrayed into showingastonishment;thesurprisewasinbothherexpressionandinthetonesofhervoiceasshereplied:“How kent ye that I was doon theHaven?” Then she saw hermistake andwentonwithascowl:“Verracleveryearewi’yerguesses;andadaftaudwifeamI tonokenyebetter?Whydid——”“Didyoufindhimdownbelow?”evenwhilst Iwasspeaking theconvictioncametome—Iscarcelyknowhow,butitwasthereasthoughdeep-rootedinmy brain allmy life—that our enemieswere down below, or that they hadsomehidingplacethere.Gormalamusthaveseenthechangeinmyface,forsheexclaimedwithjubilation:“Itwouldhaebeenbetter forye thatyehad takenmysairvice.Theeen thatwatchedothersmichthaebeenwatchin’toyerwill.Butit’sa’owerthenoo.What secret therewas is yours naemair; an’ itmay bewaur for ye that yefloutedmeinthedaysgone.”Asshespoke,thebitternessofhermannerwasbeyond belief; the past rushed back onme so fiercely that I groaned. Thencameagain,butwithoh!whatpain,thethoughtofmydearoneinthehandsofherenemies.

LetnomanquestiontheworkingoftheAlmighty’shand.Inthatmomentofthe ecstasy of pain, something had spoken to the heart of the old womanbesideme; forwhen I came back tomyself theywere different eyeswhichlookedintomine.Theyweresoftandfullofpity.All themotherhoodwhicheverhadbeen,ormighthavebeen,inthatlonelysoulwasfullawake.Itwaswithatendervoicethatshequestionedme:“Yearemucklesadladdie.DoInokena looklikethatwhenIspeer it,andknowthattheFatesaretotheirwark.Whatmaksyegreetladdie;whatmaksyegreet?”forbythistimetherevulsionoftendernesshadbeentoomuchformeandIwasopenlyweeping.“Isitthatthelassieisgonefraeye?WeelIkenthat nane but a lassie canmak a strongman greet.” I felt that thewoman’sheartwasopentome;andspokewithallthepassionofmysoul:“Oh,Gormalahelpme!Perhapsyoucan, and itmaynotbe too late.She isstolen away and is in the hands of her enemies;wicked and desperatemenwhohaveherprisoneronashipsomewhereoutatsea.Herlife,herhonourareatstake.Helpmeifyoucan;andIwillblessyoutillthelasthourofmylife!”Theoldwoman’sfaceactuallyblazedasIspoke.Sheseemedtotowerupinthefullofhergauntheighttothestatureofherwoman’spride,aswithblazingeyessheansweredme:“What!awoman,alassie,inthehandso’wickedmen!Ayean’sicabonnie,gran’ lassie as yon, though she did flout me in the pride of her youth andstrength.Laddie,I’mwi’yeinallyecandae!Wi’a’thestrengtho’myhairtan’ thebreatho’mybody; for lifeor fordeath!Ne’ermind thepast;badorgoodformeitisower;andfraethisootI’mtoyourwark.TellmewhatIcandae,an’thegrass’llnogrowundermyfeet.Abonniebitlassieinthepowero’wickedmen!Imayhaebeenowereagertowinyersecret;butI’mnothatbadtoletaughtsiccomebetweenmeandthedutytowhatispureandgood!”Sheseemedgrandandnobleinherself-surrender;suchafigureasthepoetsoftheold sagas may have seen in their dreams, when the type of noble oldwomanhoodwasintheirhearts; inthetimeswhenthenorthernnationsweredawning.Iwasquiteovercome;Icouldnotspeak.Itookherhandandkissedit.Thisseemedtotouchhertothequick;withaqueerlittlecryshegaspedout:“Oh, laddie, laddie!”andsaidnomore.ThenI toldherofhowMarjoryhadbeen carried off by the blackmail gang; I felt that she was entitled to thisconfidence.WhenIhadspoken,shebeatwithhershuthandonthetopofthewallandsaidinasmotheredway:“Och! if I had but kent; if I had but kent! To think that I might hae beenwatchin’theminsteado’speerin’roundyonhooseo’yours,watchin’towringyersecretfraeye,an’aidin’yerenemiesintheirwark.Firsttheoutlandmanwi’thedarkhair;an’thenthemalongwi’theblackmanwi’theevilfacethatsoughtyethenichtgone.Waeisme!Waeisme!thatIha’doneharmtoa’in

thefrenzyo’mylust,andgreed,andcuriosity!”She tookonsobadly that Itriedtocomforther.Isucceededtoameasure,whenIhadpointedoutthatthecarryingoffofMarjorywasaltogetheradifferentmatterfromwhathadgoneoninmyhouse.Suddenlyshestoppedrockingherselftoandfro;holdinguponelonggauntarmasIhadseenherdoseveraltimesbefore,shesaid:“Butwhatmattersitaftera’!We’reinthehandso’Fate!An’thereareVoicesthatspeakan’Een thatsee.What isorderedofoldwillbedonefor true;nomatterhowwemaytrytoworkourownwill.’Tislittleusetokickagainstthepricks.”Thenallatonceshebecamebriskandalert.Inamostpracticaltoneofvoiceshesaid:“NootellmewhatIcandae!WeelIken,thatyehaeaplano’yerain;an’thatyouandithersarewarkin’toanendthatyehaeset.Yehaeoneitherwi’yethenicht;forgudeorill.”Shepaused,andIaskedher:“Whydidyougodown thesheeppath to theHaven.Forwhator forwhomwereyoulooking?”“Iwaslookin’forthetreasurethatIsuspectwasta’enfraeyourhoose;an’forthemthattookit!’TwasIthatguidedthem,afterthedarkmanhadgone;andwatchedwhilestheywerewithin.ThentheysentmeonalangerrandawaytoEllon;andwhenIgotbacktherewasnanethere.Ispeeredclose,andsawthemarks o’ a cairt heavy loaden. Itwas lost on the high road; an’ since then,nichtan’dayhaeIsoughtforanytrace;butallinvain.ButI’mthinkin’thatit’snightoherethey’vehidit;Iwentdowntheyowes’roadie,an’alangtherock,an’upthebitbeach;butneverasigndidIsee.There’samanycornersabootthecragshere,whereamuckletreasuremightliehid,an’nanethewisersavethemthatpitit there!”WhilstshewastalkingIwasscribblingalineinmypocket-book;Itoreoutthepageandhandedittoher:“IfyouwouldhelpmetakethatletterforImustnotleavehere.Giveittothedark gentleman whom you know by sight. He is somewhere on the rocksbeyond theCastle.”Mymessagewas to tellDonBernardino that Ibelievedthe treasurewashidden somewherenearme, and that thebearerof thenotewouldguidehimifhethoughtwisetojoinme.Then Iwaited,waited. The night grew darker and darker; and the fog beltscamesothickandsoheavythattheyalmostbecameoneendlessmass.OnlynowandagaincouldIgetaglimpseoftheseaoutsidethegreatrock.Once,faroffoutatseabutfloatinginonthewind,Iheardeightbellssoundfromaship.Myheartbeatat the thought; for if theKeystonewerecloseathand itmightbewellforuslateron.Thentherewassilence,longandcontinuous.Asilencewhichwasofthenightalone;everynowandagainwhensomesoundof life fromnear or far came to break itsmonotony the reaction became so

markedthatsilenceseemedtobeapositivequality.AllatonceIbecameconsciousthatGormalawassomewherenearme.Icouldnotseeher,Icouldnothearher;butitwasnosurprisetomewhenthroughthedarkness I sawher coming close tome, followedbyDonBernardino.Theybothlookedcolossalthroughthemist.AsquicklyasIcould,ItoldtheDonofmysuspicions;andaskedhisadvice.He agreed with me as to the probabilities of the attempt to escape, andannouncedhiswillingnesstogodownthepathtoDunbuyHavenandexploreitthoroughlysofaraswaspossible.Accordingly,withGormalatoguidehim,hewent to theendof theHavenanddescendedthesteepmoraine—itwasadeclension rather thanapath.Formyself Iwasnot sanguineas to a search.Thenightwasnowwellonus,andevenhadtheweatherbeenclearitwouldhavebeenadifficulttasktomakesearchinsuchaplace,wherethehighcliffsallaroundshutoutthepossibilitiesofsidelight.Moreover,alongtheHaven,aswithother suchopeningson this iron-bound coast, therewerepatchesofoutlyingrockunderthecliffs.Occasionallythesewerecontinuous,sothatattheproperstateofthetideafairlygoodclimbercouldeasilymakewayalongthem.Here,however,therewasnosuchcontinuity;therocksrisingfromtheseacloseunderthecliffswereinpatches;withoutaboatitwouldbeuselesstoattempt a complete exploration. I waited, however, calmly; I was gainingpatiencenowoutofmypain.AgoodwhileelapsedbeforetheDonreturned,still accompanied by Gormala. He told me that only the beach had beenpossibleforexamination;butasfarashecouldseeoutbyeitherchannel,therewasnosignofanyonehiding,oranybulkwhichcouldbesuchaswesought.Heconsidereditmightbeadvisableifhewenttowarntherestofourpartyofourbeliefas to theplaceappointed,andso tookhiswayupnorth.Gormalaremainedwithmesoastobereadytotakeanymessageifoccasionrequired.Shelookedtired,sotiredandwearythatImadeherliedownbehindtheroughwall.Formyselfsleepwasanimpossibility;Icouldnothaveslepthadmylifeor sanitydependedon it.To soothe,her andputhermindat rest, I toldherwhat she had always wanted to know; what I had seen that night atWhinnyfoldwhentheDeadcameupfromthesea.Thatquietedher,andshesoonslept.SoIwaitedandwaited,andthetimecreptslowlyaway.AllatonceGormalasatupbesideme,broadawakeandwithallherinstinctsatherkeenest.“Whish!”shesaid,raisingawarninghand.Atthismomentthefog belt was upon us, and on the wind, now risen high, the white wreathssweptbylikeghosts.Sheheldherearasbeforetowardsseawardandlistenedintently. This time there could be no mistake; from far off through thedampnessofthefogcamethesoundofapassingship.Iranoutfrombehindthewallandthrewmyselffacedownat the topof thecliff. Iwas justat theangleoftheopeningoftheHavenandIcouldseeifaboatenteredbyeither

channel.Gormalacamebesidemeandpeeredover;thenshewhispered:“Ishallgangdoontheyowes’roadie;itbringsmetotheHaven’smooth,andfrae thenceIcanwarnye if therebeaught!”BeforeI repliedshehadflittedaway,andIsawherpassovertheedgeofthecliffandproceedonherperilousway.Ileanedovertheedgeoftheclifflistening.DownbelowIheardnowandagain thesoundofafallingpebble,dislodgedfromthepath,but Icouldseenothingwhatever. Belowme the blackwater showed now and again in theliftingofthefog.ThetrackoutwardsleadsdowntotheseaatthesoutherncorneroftheopeningoftheHaven;soImovedonheretoseeifIcouldgetanyglimpseofGormala.Thefogwasnowoninadensemass,andIcouldseenothingacoupleoffeetfromme. I heard, however, a sort of scramble; the rush and roll of stonestumbling, and the hollow reverberating plash as they struck the water. Myheart jumped, for I feared that some accident might have happened toGormala.Ilistenedintently;butheardnosound.Ididnotstay,however,forIknewthatthewholeeffortofthewoman,engagedonsuchatask,wouldbetoavoidbetrayingherself.Iwasrightinmysurmise,forafterafewminutesofwaitingIheardaveryfaintgroan.Itwaslowandsuppressed,buttherewasnomistakingitasitcameuptomethroughthedrivingmist.ItwasevidentthatGormalawas in someway inperil, and commonhumanitydemanded that IshouldgodowntohelpherifIcould.Itwasnousemyattemptingthesheeptrack; if she had failed on it there would not be much chance of mysucceeding. Besides, there had been a manifest slip or landslide; and morethanprobablythepath,orsomenecessaryportionofit,hadbeencarriedaway.Itwouldhavebeenmadnesstoattemptit,soIwenttothesouthernsideofthecliffwhere the rockwasbroken, andwhere therewas a sort of ruggedpathdown to the sea. There was also an advantage about this way; I could seestraightouttoseatothesouthofDunbuyRock.ThusIneednotlosesightofanyshore-comingboat;whichmighthappenwere Ion theotherpathwhichopenedonlyintheHaven.Itwasahardtask,andbydaylightImighthavefounditevenmoredifficult.Inpartsitactuallyoverhungthewater,withaneffectofdizzinesswhichwasin itself dangerous. However, I persevered; and presently got down on theclusterofrocksoverhungbythecliff.Here,attheverycorneroftheopeningtotheHaven,underthespotwherethesheeptrackleddown,IfoundGormalaalmostunconscious.SherevivedalittlewhenIliftedherandputmyflasktoher lips. For a few seconds she leaned gasping against my breast with herpoor,thin,greyhairstragglingacrossit.Then,withagreateffort,shemoanedout feebly,butof intentionkeepinghervoice lowlesteven in that lonespotamidthedarknessofthenightandthemisttheremightbelisteners:“I’mdonethistime,laddie;therockshavebrokemewhentheroadiegavway.

Listentaeme,I’maboot todee;a’ theSecretsandtheMysteries’llbeminesoon.Whentheendiscomin’haudbaithmyhandsinaneo’yours,an’keeptheitherowermyeen.Then,whenI’mpassin’yeshallseewhatmydeadeyessee;andhearwi’thepowero’mydeadears.Mayhaptoo,laddie,yemaykenthesecretsandthewisheso’myhairt.Dinnaloseyerchance,laddie!Godbewi’yean’thebonnylass.Tellher,an’yewill,thatIforgieherfloutin’me;an’thatIbadethegudeGodkeepherfraeallharm,andsendpeaceandhappinesstoyeboth—tilltheend.Godforgiemeallmysins!”Asshewasspeakingherlifeseemedslowlyebbingaway.Icouldfeelit,andIknewit inmanyways.AsI tookherhand inmine,agladsmilewasonherface,togetherwithalookofeagercuriosity.Thiswasthelast thingIsawinthedimlight,asmyhandcoveredherfilmingeyes.Andthenastrangeandterriblethingbegantohappen.

CHAPTERLTHEEYESOFTHEDEAD

ASIkneltwiththedeadwoman’shandsinoneofmineandtheotheroverhereyes,Iseemedtobefloatinghighupintheair;andwithamazingvisiontoseeallroundforagreatdistance.Thefogstillhungthickoverthewater.Around,thevastoftheairandthedepthsoftheseawereasopenasthoughsunshinewas on them and Iwasmerely looking throughbrightwater. In the generalpanoramaofthings,sofarastheeyecouldrange,alllayopen.Theshipsonthesea,andthefloorunderit;theiron-boundcoast,andthefar-lyinguplandswereallas thoughmarkedonapicturechart.Farawayon thehorizonwereseveralcraft,smallandlarge.Afewmilesoutwasashipofwar;andto thenorthofherbutmuchcloserinshorelayagracefulyacht,slowlymovingwiththetideandundershortenedsail.Thewarshipwasallalert;oneverytop,andwherevertherewasachanceofseeinganything,wastheheadofamanonthelook-out.Thesearch-lightwason,andseaandskywerelitalternatelywithitsrevolving rays.But thatwhichdrewmyeyes, as themagnetdraws the iron,wasaclumsilyriggedshipcloseinshore,seeminglyonlyafewhundredyardsbeyondtheDunbuyRock.ShewasawhalerIknew,foronherdeckwerethegreat boats for use in rough seas, and the furnace where the blubber wasmelted.With unconsciousmovement, as thoughmy soul werewinged as abird,Ihungpoisedoverthisvessel.Itwasstrangeindeed,butsheseemedallas though composed of crystal; I could see through her, and down into thedeepbelowherwhereher shadow lay, tillmyeyes restedon thepatchesofbaresandor themassesofgiantseaweedwhichswayedwith the tideabovetherocksonwhichitgrew.Inandoutamongsttheseaweedthefishesdarted,

andtheflower-likelimpetsmovedceaselesslyoutsidetheirshellsontherocks.Icouldevensee thestreakson thewaterwhichwindandcurrent invariablyleaveontheircourse.Withintheship,allwasclearasthoughIwerelookinginto a child’s toy-house; but a toy-housewrought of glass. Every nook andcrannywaslaidbare;andthedetails,evenwhentheydidnotinterestme,sankintomymind.Icouldevermore,byclosingmyeyes,haveseenagainanythingonwhichinthosemomentsofspiritualvisiontheeyesofmysoulhadrested.Allthetimetherewastomeadualconsciousness.WhateverIsawbeforemewasallplainandreal;andyetIneverlostforamomentthesenseofmyownidentity. I knew I was on shore amid the rocks under the cliff, and thatGormala’s dead bodywas besideme as I knelt. But therewas some divineguidingprinciplewhichdirectedmythought—itmusthavebeenmythought,formyeyesfollowedasmywishesled,asthoughmywholebeingwenttoo.Theywereguidedfromtheverybowoftheshipalongthedeck,anddowntheafter hatchway. I went down, step by step, making accurate and carefulscrutinyofallthingsaroundme.Ipassedintothenarrowcabin,whichseemedeventometosmellevilly.Therankyellowlightfromthecrudeoillampwiththick smoky wick made the gloom seem a reality, and the shadows asmonstrous. From this I passed aft into a tiny cabin, where on a bunk layMarjory asleep. She looked pale andwan; itmademy heart sick to see thegreatblackcirclesroundhereyes.Buttherewasresolutioninhermouthandnostrils;resolutionfixedanduntameable.KnowingherasIdid,andwithhermessage “I can die” burned intomy heart, it did not need any guessing toknowwhatwasinthehandclenchedinsidethebreastofherdress.Thecabindoorwaslocked;ontheoutsidewasaroughbolt,newlyplaced;thekeywasnotinthelock.Iwouldhavelingered,forthelightning-likeglimpsemademehungry formore; but the same compelling forcemovedme on. In the nextcabinlayaman,alsoasleep.Hewaslargeofframe,witharuggedredbeardstreakedwithgrey;whathairremainedonhishead,whichwasallscarredwithcicatrices, was a dull red turning white. On a rack above him, under thechronometer—which marked Greenwich time as 2.15,—ready to his hand,were two great seven shooters; from his pocket peeped the hilt of a bowieknife. It was indeed strange to me that I could look without passion orvindictivenessonsuchapersonsodisposed.Isupposeitwastheimpersonalspirit within me which was at the moment receptive, and that all humanpassion, beingultimatelyof the flesh,was latent.At the time, though Iwasconscious of it, it did not strikeme as strange; nomore strange than that Icould see far and near at the same glance, and take in great space and animpossiblewildernessofdetail.Nomorestrange,thanthatallthingswereformeresolvedintotheirelements;thatfogceasedtodeadenordarknesstohide;that timber and iron, deck and panel and partition, beam and door andbulkheadwereas transparentasglass. Inmymindwasavague intentionof

making examination of every detail which could bear on the danger ofMarjory.Butevenwhilstsuchanideawasinitsincipientstage,soswiftisthemechanismofthought,myeyesbeheld,asthoughitwerethroughthesidesofthe ship, a boat pass out from awatercave in the cliffs behind theRock ofDunbuy.InitIsaw,withthesameseeingeyewhichgavemepowerinaughtelse,sevenmensomeofwhomIknewataglancetobethosewhomMarjoryhaddescribedinthetunnel.AllbutoneIsurveyedcalmly,andweighedupasitwerewithcomplacency;butthisonewasahugecoal-blacknegro,hideous,andofrepulsiveaspect.Aglimpseofhimmademybloodruncold,andfilledmymindatoncewithhateandfear.AsI looked, theboatcametowards theshipwith inconceivable rapidity. Itwasnot that shemoved fast through thewater,forherprogresswasinrealityslowandlaboured.Thewindandtheseahadrisen;halfagalewasblowingandtheseaswererunningsohighthattheshiproseandfell,pitchedandrolledandtossedaboutlikeatoy.Itwas,thattime, like distance, was in my mind obliterated. Truly, I was looking withspiriteyes,andunderallspiritualconditions.Theboatdrewclosetothewhalerontheportside,andIsaw,asiffromtheformer,thefacesofseveralmenwhoatthesoundofoarscamerushingfromthe other side of the ship and leaned over the bulwarks. Itwas evident thattheyhadexpectedarrivalfromthestarboard.Withsomedifficultytheboatgotclose,fortheseawasrunningwildereverymoment;andonebyonethemenbegan to climb the ladder and disappear over the bulwark. With theextraordinary action of sight and mind and memory which was to me atpresent, I followed each and all of them at the same time. They hurriedlyriggedupawhipandbegantoraisefromtheboatparcelsofgreatweight.Inthedoingofthisoneofthem,thenegro,wasofficiousandwasalwaystryingto examine each parcel as it came on board; but he was ever and alwaysrepulsed.Theotherswouldnotallowhimtotouchanything;ateachrebuffheretired scowling.All thismust, under ordinary conditions, have takenmuchtime,buttomyspirit-ruledeyesitallpassedwithwondrousrapidity....I becameconscious that things aroundmeweregrowing less clear.The fogseemedtobestealingoverthesea,asIhadseenitearlierintheevening,andtowrapupdetailsfrommysight.Thegreatexpanseoftheseaandtheshipsuponit,andallthewondersofthedeepbecamelostinthegrowingdarkness.Ifound,quickerandquicker,mythoughtslikemyeyes,centredonthedeckoftheship.Atamoment,whenallotherswereengagedanddidnotnoticehim,Isaw the great negro, his face over-much distorted with an evil smile, stealtowardstheafterhatchwayanddisappear.Withthegrowingofthefogandthedark,Iwaslosingthepowertoseethroughthingsopaqueandmaterial;anditcametomeasanactualshockthatthenegropassedbeyondmyvision.Withhis going, the fear in my heart grew and grew; till, in my frantic humanpassion, all that was ethereal around me faded and went out like a dying

flame....Theanguishofmysoul,inmyfearformybeloved,toremytruespiritoutofitsphantomexistencebacktosternworkinglife....I found myself, chilled and sick at heart, kneeling by the marble-cold,stiffeningbodyofGormala,onthelonerockunderthecliff.Therisingwindwhistledbymeinthecranniesabove,andtherisingseainangryrushesleapedat us by the black shining rocks.Allwas so dark aroundme thatmy eyes,accustomedtothepowergiveninmyvisionofmakingtheirownlight,couldnotpiercethefogandthegloom.Itriedtolookatmywatch,butcouldonlyseethedialdimly;IcouldnotdistinguishthefiguresonitandIfearedtolighta match lest such might betray my presence. Fortunately my watch couldstrikethehoursandminutes,andIfounditwasnowhalfpastoneo’clock.Istill, therefore,hadthree-quartersofanhour,forIrememberedthelessonofthewhaler’schronometer. Iknewtherewouldbeno timenoropportunity tobringGormala’sbodytothetopofthecliff—atpresent;soIcarriedheruptothe highest point of the underlying rock, whichwaswell above highwatermark.ReverentlyandwithblessingIclosedherdeadeyes,whichstilllookedupattheskywithasortofghostlycuriosity.ThenIclamberedupthesteeppathwayandmademywayasquicklyasIcouldroundtotheothersideoftheHaven,totryifIcoulddiscoveranytraceoftheblackmailers,oranyindicationofthewater-caveinwhichtheirboatwashidden.Thecliffsherearewofullysteep,andhangfarover thesea;so that there isnopossibilityof lyingon thecliffedge and peering over. Round here also the stark steepness forbids theexistenceofeven the tiniest track;aharecouldnot find itswayalong thesebeetling cliffs. The onlyway ofmaking search of this channelwould be tofollowroundinaboat.ThenearestpointtoprocureonewouldbeatthelittleharbourbesidetheBullersO’Buchan,andforthistherewasnottime.Iwasindiredoubtastowhatwasbesttodo;andIlongedwithasickeningforceforthepresenceofMontgomeryor someofourpartywhowouldknowhow todealwith such a situation. Iwas not anxious for the presentmoment; but Iwanted to take all precautions against the time which was coming. Well Iknew that the vision I had seenwith the eyes of the deadGormalawas nomerephantasmof themind; that itwasnopromiseofwhatmightbe,but agrimpictureofwhatwouldbe.Therewasneveradoubtinmymindastoitsaccuracy.Oh!ifIcouldhaveseenmoreofwhatwastohappen;ifIcouldhavelingered but a few instants longer! For with the speed at which things hadpassed before my inner eye in that strange time, every second might havemeantthejoyorsorrowofalifetime.HowIgroanedwithregret,andcursedmyownprecipitancy, that Icouldnotwaitand learn throughthemediumofthedeadwoman’sspiritualeyesthetruthsthatweretobeborneinmind!

Butitwasofnousetofret;actionofsomesortwouldbenecessaryifMarjorywas tobesaved. Inoneway Imighthelp.Evenalone Imight saveher, if Icouldgetouttothewhalerunknowntohercrew.IknewIcouldmanagethis,for anyhow I could swim; for a weapon which the water could not renderuseless I had the dagger I had taken from Don Bernardino. Should otherweaponsbenecessaryImightbeabletolayhandsontheminthecabinnextMarjory’s,where the red-beardedman layasleep. Ididnotknowwhether itwouldbebettertogoinsearchofsomeofmycomrades,ortowaitthearrivaloftheDon,whowastobebackwithinanhourofthetimeofleaving.Iwasstilltryingtomakeupmymindwhenthedifficultywassettledformebythearrival of the Spaniard, accompanied by one of the young American navalofficers.When I told them of my vision I could see, even in the darkness whichprevailed,thatneitherofthemwascontenttoacceptitsaccuracyinblindfaith.Iwasatfirstimpatient;butthisworeawaywhenIrememberedthatneitherofthemhad anyknowledgeofmyexperiences in thewayofSecondSight, orindeedof thephenomenonat all.Neither inSpainnorAmericadoes suchabelief prevail; and I have no doubt that to both of them came the idea thatworryandanxietyhadturnedmybrain.EvenwhenItoldthemhowImeanttobackmybeliefbyswimmingoutbeyond theDunbuyRock in time to reachtheshipbeforetheboatwouldarrive,theywerenotconvinced.Themethodofreception of the idea by each was, however, characteristic of his race andnation. To the high-bred Spaniard, whose life had been ruled by laws ofhonourandof individual responsibility,noactdone in thecauseofchivalrycouldbeother thanworthy;hedidnotquestion thesanityof thekeepingofsuchapurpose.ThepracticalAmerican,however, thoughequallywilling tomake self-sacrifice, and to dare all things in the course of honour and duty,lookedatmy intentionwith regard to its result;was I taking the stepwhichwouldhavethebestresultwithregardtothegirlwhomwewerealltryingtosave.WhilsttheSpaniardraisedhishatandsaid:“MayGodwatchoveryourgallantenterprise,Senor;andholdyourlife,andthatofherwhomyoulove,inthehollowofHishand!”TheAmericansaid:“Honestinjun!oldchap,isthatthebestyoucando?Ifit’sonlyamanandalife you want, count me in every time. I’m a swimmer, too; and I’m ayoungsterthatdon’tcount.Sofarasthatgoes,I’mon.Butyou’vegottofindtheship,youknow!Ifshewastherenow,Ishouldsay‘riskit’;andI’dcomewithyouifyouliked.Butthere’sthewholeNorthSeaoutthere,withroomforahundredmillionofwhalerswithouttheirjostling.No,no!Come,Isay,letusfindanotherway round;wherewecanhelp thegirl all together!”Hewasagoodyoung fellow,aswellasa fineone,and itwasevidenthemeantwell.Buttherewasnousearguing;mymindwasmadeup,and,afterassuringhim

thatIwasinearnest,ItoldhimthatIwastakingacoupleofrocketswithmewhich Iwould try to keep dry so that should occasion serve Iwouldmakemanifest the whereabouts of the whaler. He already knew what to do withregardtosignallingfromshore,incasetheboatsofthewhalershouldbeseen.Whenwehadmadewhatpreparationswecouldfortheworkeachofushadinhand,thetimecameformystartingonmyperilousenterprise.Asmypurposebecamemoredefinite,mycompanions,whoIthinkdoubtedintheirheartsitssincerity, became somewhatmoredemonstrative. Itwasone thing tohave avague intention of setting out on awild journey of the kind, and even herecommonsenserebelled.Butontheedgeofthehighcliff,inthedark,amidthefogwhichcameboilingup frombelowas thewindpuffsdrove iton shore;whenbelowourfeettherisingwavesbrokeagainsttherockswithanominoussound,madeintoaroarbythebrokenfastnessesofthecliffs,thewholethingmusthaveseemedasanactofmadness.Whenthroughabreakinthefog-beltwe could catch a glimpse of the darkwater leaping far below into furious,scattering linesof foam, todare the terrorsofsuchaseaatsucha timewaslike going deliberately to certain death.My own heart quailed atmoments;when I saw through the fog wreaths the narrow track, down which I mustagain descend towhereGormala’s body lay, fading into a horrid gloom; orwhen the sound of breakingwater drove up,muffled by the darkmist.Myfaithinthevisionwasstrong,however,andbykeepingmymindfixedonitIcouldshutoutpresentterrors.Ishookhandswithmytwofriends,and,takingcourage from the strong grip of their hands, set myself resolutely to myjourneydownthecliff.Thelastwordstheyoungnavymansaidtomewere:“Remember,ifyoudoreachthewhaler,thatagleamoflightofanykindwillgiveusahintofwhereyouare.OncethemenoftheKeystoneseeit,they’lldotherestatsea;asweshallonland.Giveussuchalightwhenthetimecomes—ifyouhavetofiretheshiptogetit!”Atthefootofthecliffpaththeprospectwasalmostterrifying.Therocksweresowashedwiththechurningwater,asthewavesleapedatthem,thatnowandagainonlyblacktopscouldbeseenrisingoutofthewasteofwhitewater;andamomentafter,asthewavefellback,therewouldbeagreatmassofjaggedrocks, all stark and grim, blacker than their own blackness, with the waterstreamingdownthem,andgreatriftsyawningbetween.Outside,theseawasagrimterror,awildnessofrisingwavesandlinesoffoam,allshroudedinfogand gloom. Through all came amyriad of disconcerting sounds, vague andfearsome,fromwherethewavesclashedorbeatintothesoundingcavernsofDunbuy.Nothing but the faithwhich I had in the vision ofMarjory,whichcametomewiththedeadeyesofthewesternSeer,couldhavecarriedmeoutintothatdreadfulgloom.Allitspossibilitiesofhorroranddangerwoketomeatonce,andforamomentappalledme.

ButFaith isaconqueringpower;eventhehabitofbelieving, inwhichIhadbeentaught,stoodtomeinthiswildhour.Nosceptic,nodoubter,couldhavegoneforthasIdidintothatunknownofgloomandfear.Iwaitedtillagreatwavewassweptincloseundermybarefeet.Then,withasilent prayer, and an emboldening thought: ‘ForMarjory!’ I leaped into thecomingwater.

CHAPTERLIINTHESEAFOG

FOR a fewminutes Iwas engaged in awild struggle to get away from therocks, and not to be forced back by the shoreward rush and sweep of thewaves. Iwas buffeted by them, and half-choked by the boiling foam; but Ikeptblindlyanddesperatelytomytask,andpresentlyknewthatIhadonlytodealwiththecurrentandthenaturalriseandfalloftherollers.Downonthewater the air was full of noises, so that it was hard to distinguish anyindividual sound;but the fog lay lessdenseon the surface thanabove it, sothatIcouldseealittlebetteraroundme.On the sea there is alwaysmoreor less light; even in this timeofmidnightgloom, with moon and stars hidden by the fog, and with none of thatphosphorescencewhichat timesmakesa luminousglowof itsownover thewater, I could see things at an unexpected distance. More than all, was IsurprisedaswellascheeredtofindthatIcoulddistinguishthefeaturesofthelandfromthesea,betterthanIcouldfromlanddiscernanythingatsea.WhenI looked back, the shore rose, a dark uneven line, unbroken savewhere theHavenofDunbuy running inlandmadeanangle against the sky.Butbesideme,thegreatRockofDunbuyrosegiganticandblack;itwaslikeamountaintoweringoverme.ThetidewasrunningdownsothatwhenIhadgotoutofthecurrentrunninginlandbehindtherockIwasincomparativelycalmwater.Therewasnodownwardcurrent,butonlyaslowbackwater,whichinsensiblytookmeclosertotheRock.Keepinginthisshelter,Iswamonandout;IsavedmyselfasmuchasIcould,forIknewoftheterribledemandonmystrengthwhichlaybeforeme.Itmusthavebeenabouttenminutes,thoughitseemedinfinitelylonger,whenIbegantoemergefromtheshelteroftheRockandtofindagaintheforceoftheoutercurrent.Thewaveswerewilderheretoo;notsowildasjustinshorebeforetheybroke,buttheywereconsiderablylargerintheir rise and fall. As I swam on, I looked back now and then, and sawDunbuy behindme towering upward, though not somonstrously aswhen Ihad been under its lee. The current was beginning already to bear medownwards; so I changed my course, and got back to the sheltered water

again.Thus I crept roundunder the lee of theRock, till all at once I foundmyselfintheangryrace,wherethecurrentbeatonandoffthecliff.Ittookmeallmystrengthandcare toswimthroughthis;when theforceof thecurrentbegan to slacken, as I emerged from the race, I found myself panting andbreathlesswiththeexertion.ButwhenI lookedaroundmefromthispoint,where theeastopenedtome,therewassomethingwhichrestoredallmycourageandhope,thoughitdidnotstillthebeatingofmyheart.Closeby,seeminglyonlyacoupleofhundredyardsofftothenortheast,layashipwhosemastsandsparsstoodoutagainstthesky.Icouldseeherclearly,beforeacomingbeltoffogboredownonher.Theapprehension lest I shouldmissher in the fogchilledmemore than theseawaterinwhichIwasimmersed;forallpossibilitiesofevilbecamefearstome,nowthattherealisationofmyvisionwasclear.Iwasgladofthedarkness;itwasaguaranteeagainstdiscovery. I swamonquietly,andwas rejoiced tofindasIdrewclosethatIwasontheportsideoftheship;wellIrememberedhowinmyvisiontheboatapproachedtoport,tothesurpriseofthemenwhowerelookingoutforitontheotherside.Ifoundtheropeladdereasilyenough,and did not have much difficulty in getting a foothold on it. Ascendingcautiously,andwatchingeveryinchoftheway,Iclimbedthebulwarkandhidbehindawaterbarrelclose to themast.FromthissecurityI lookedout,andsawthebacksofseveralmenrangedalongthestarboardbulwark.Theywereintentontheirwatching,andunsuspiciousofmyproximity;soIstoleoutandglidedassilentlyasIcouldintothecabin’sentrance.Itwasnotnewtome;Ihadasenseofcompletesecurityastomyknowledge.TheeyesofGormala’ssoulwerekeen!InthecabinIrecognisedatoncethesmokylampandtherudepreparationsforfood.Thusemboldened,Icametothedoor,behindwhichIknewMarjorylay.Itwas lockedandbolted,andthekeywasgone.Islidbackthebolt,but thelockbaffledme. Iwasafraid tomake the slightestnoise, lest I shouldcourtdiscovery;soIpassedontothenextcabinwherewasherjailer.Helayjustas,in the vision, I had seen him; the chronometerwas above him and the twoheavyrevolvershungunderneathit.Islippedinquietly—therewerenotshoestoremove—andreachingoversothatthewaterwouldnotdripfrommywetunderclothingonhisface,unhookedthetwoweapons.Ibeltedthemroundmywaistwiththestraponwhichtheyhung.ThenIlookedroundforthekey,butcouldseenosignofit.Therewasnotimetolose,anditwasneithertimenorplacetostandonceremony;soItookthemanbythethroatwithmylefthand,thedaggerbeinginmyright,andheldwithsuchagripthatthebloodseemedtoleapintohisfaceinasecond.Hecouldutternosound,butinstinctivelyhishandwentbackanduptowheretherevolvershadhung.Iwhisperedinalow

tone:“It’s no use. Giveme the key. I don’t value your life a pin!” Hewaswellplucked, and hewasmanifestly used to tight places. He did not attempt tospeakorparley;butwhilstIhadbeenwhispering,hisrighthandhadgotholdofaknife. Itwasabowie,andhewasdexterouswith it.Withsomekindofsharpwrenchhethrewitopen;therewasaclickastheback-springworked.IfIhadnothadmydagger ready itwouldhavebeenabad timeforme.But Iwasprepared;whilsthewasmaking themovement to strikeatme, I struck.Thekeenpointof theSpanishdaggerwent right through theupturnedwrist,andpinnedhishanddowntothewoodenedgeofthebunk.Whilst,however,hehadbeentryingtostrikewithhisrighthand,hislefthadclutchedmyleftwrist.Hetriednowtoloosemygraspfromhisthroat,whilstbendinghischindownhemadeafuriousefforttotearatmyhandwithhisteeth.Neverinmylife did I more need my strength and weight. The man was manifestly afighter, trained inmanyawild ‘rough-and-tumble’,andhisnerveswere likeiron.Ifearedtoletgothehiltof thedagger, lest inhisviolentstrugglingheshouldtearhiswristawayandsofreehishand.Having,however,gotmyrightknee raised, I presseddownwith it his armon the edgeof thebunkand sofreedmyrighthand.Hecontinuedtostruggleferociously.Iknewwellitwaslifeanddeath,notonlyforme,butforMarjory.Itwashislifeormine;andhehadtopaythepenaltyofhiscrime.SointentwasIonthestruggle thatIhadnotheard theapproachof theboatwith his comrades. It was only when I stood panting, with the limp throatbetweenmyfingerswhichwerewhiteattheknuckleswiththestrain,thatthesoundofvoicesandthetrampoffeetondeckreachedmyintelligence.Thenindeed Iknew therewasno time to lose. I searched thedeadman’spocketsandfoundakey,whichItriedinthelockofMarjory’scabin.WhenIopenedthedoorshestartedup;thehandinherbosomwaswhippedoutwithaflash,andinaninstantalongsteelbonnetpinwasreadytodriveintoherbreast.Myagonisedwhisper:“Marjory,itisI!”onlyreachedhermindintimetoholdherhand.Shedidnotspeak;butnevercanIforgetthelookofjoythatilluminedherpoor,paleface.I putmy finger onmy lip, andheldoutmyhand to her. She rose,with theobedienceofachild,andcamewithme.Iwasjustgoingout intothecabin,when I heard the creak of a heavy footstep on the companion way. So Imotionedherback,and,drawingthedaggerfrommybelt,stoodready.Iknewwho it was that was coming; yet I dared not use the pistols, save as a lastresource.Istoodbehindthedoor.Thenegrodidnotexpectanyone,oranyobstacle;hecameonunthinkingly,saveforwhateverpurposeofevilwasinhismind.Hewasarmed,aswereallthemembersoftheblackmailgang.Inabeltacrosshis

shoulder,slungKentuckyfashion,weretwogreatsevenshooters;andacrosshis waist behind was a great bowie knife, with handle ready to grasp.Moreover,nigger-like,thehandleofarazorroseoutofthebreastpocketofhisdarkflannelshirt.Hedidnot,however,manifestlypurposeusinghisweapons—atpresentatanyrate;therewasnotanysignofdangeroroppositioninfrontof him. His comrades were busy at present in embarking the treasure, andwould be formany an hour to come, in helping towork the ship clear intosafety.Everyminutenowthewindwasrising,andthewavesswellingtosuchproportions that theanchoredship rocked likeabell-buoy inastorm. In thecabinIhad toholdon,or Ishouldhavebeenshotfrommyplace intoview.But the huge negro cared for none of these things. He was callous toeverything,andtherewassuchawicked,devilishpurposeinhislookthatmyhearthardenedgrimlyintheantagonismofmantoman.Naymore,itwasnotamanthatIloathed;IwouldhavekilledthisbeastwithlesscompunctionthanIwouldkillaratorasnake.NeverinmylifedidIbeholdsuchawickedface.In feature and expression therewas every trace andpotentiality of evil; andthese superimposed on a racial brutality which made my gorge rise. WellindeeddidIunderstandnowtheoneterrorwhichhadinallhertroublescometoMarjory,andhowthesewretcheshadusedit tomouldher totheirends.Iknewnowwhy,sleepingorwaking,sheheldthatsteelspikeagainstherheart.If—The thoughtwas toomuch forme.Evennow, though Iwas beside her, shewasbesetbyherenemies.Wewerebothstillpracticallyprisonersonahostileship, and even now this demonwas intent on unspeakablewrong. I did notpause;Ididnotshrinkfromthe terrible taskbeforeme.WithaboundIwasuponhim,andIhadstruckathisheart;strucksotrulyandsoterribleablow,thatthehiltofthedaggerstruckhisribswithathudliketheblowofacudgel.Theblood seemed to leapout atme, evenas theblow fell.With spasmodicreactionhetumbledforwards;fellwithoutasound,andsoquicklythathadnotI,fearinglestthenoiseofhisfallingmightbetrayme,caughthim,hewouldhavedroppedlikeastrickenbullock.Never before did I understand the pleasure of killing a man. Since then, itmakes me shudder when I think of how so potent a passion, or so keen apleasure,canrestlatentintheheartofarighteousman.Itmayhavebeenthatbetweenthemanandmyselfwasalltheantagonismthatcamefromrace,andfear,andwrongdoing;buttheactofhiskillingwastomeajoyunspeakable.ItwillrestwithmeasawildpleasuretillIdie.I tookall thearmshehadabouthim, tworevolversandaknife; theywouldgivemefourteenmoreshotswereIhardpressed.Inanycasetheyweresafer,so far asMarjory and I were concerned, in my hands than in those of ourenemies. Idragged thebodyof thenegro into thecabinwith theotherdead

man; thenIclosedthedooronthem,andwhenMarjoryjoinedme,I lockedthedoorofhercabinandtookawaythekey.Incaseofsuspicionthismightgiveusafewminutesofextratime.Marjory camewithmeupondeck; andas she caught sightof theopen seathere was an unspeakable gladness on her face. We seized a favourableopportunity,whennoonewaslooking,forallondeckwerebusyhaulingupthe treasure; and slipped behind the cask fastened to the mast. There webreathedfreely.Webothfeltthatshouldtheworstcometotheworstwecouldgetawaybeforeanyonecouldtouchus.Onerushtothebulwarksandover.Theywouldneverattempttofollowus,andtherewasachanceofaswimtoshore.IgaveMarjoryabeltwithtworevolvers.Asshestrappeditonshefeltsafer;Iknewitbythewayshedrewherselfup,andthrewbackhershoulders.Whenthelastofthebagswhichheldthetreasurecameonboard,themenwhohadcomewithitclosedinaringaroundthemassasitlayondeck.Theywereallarmed;Icouldseethattheydidnottrustthesailors,foreachmomentsomeone’shandwouldgobacktohisgun.Weheardoneofthemaskashelookedround:“Whathasbecomeof thatdamnednigger?Hemust takehisshareofwork!”Marjorywasverybraveandverystill;Icouldseethathernervewascoming back to her. After a little whispered conversation, thenewcomersbegan tocarry thebagsdown to thecabin; itwasslowwork, fortwo always stoodguard above, and two remaineddownbelowevidently onsimilar duty.Discovery of the deadmanmust come soon, soMarjory and Istolebehindtheforemastwhichwaswellawayfromeveryone.Shewasfirst,andasshebegantopassbehindsherecoiled;shegotthedroponsomeoneinfrontofher.Therewas a smothered ‘h-s-s-sh’ and she loweredherweapon.Turningtomeshesaidinafaintwhisper:“ItistheSpaniard;whatishedoinghere?”Iwhisperedback:“Begoodtohim.Heisanoblefellow,andhasbehavedlikeaknightofold!”Ipressed forward and took his hand. “How did you get here?” I asked. Hisanswerwasgiven in so faint a voice that I could see that hewas spent andtired,ifnotinjured:“I swam, too. When I saw their boat pull out of the northern channel, Imanaged to scrambledownpart of the cliff, and then jumped.Fortunately Iwasnot injured.Itwasa long,wearyswim,andI thoughtIshouldneverbeabletogetthrough;butatlastthecurrenttookmeandcarriedmetotheship.Shewasanchoredwithahawser,notacable. Imanaged toclimbup it;andwhenIwasonboardIcutitnearlythrough.”Evenashespoketherewasaqueerlurchoftheshipwhichlaysternforward,andasmotheredejaculationfromalltheseamen.Thehawserhadpartedandweweredriftingbeforewindandtide.Thenitwas

thatIfeltweshouldgivewarningtotheyachtandthebattleship.Iknewthattheywerenotfaroff;hadInotseentheminmyvision,whichhadnowbeenproven.ThenitwasalsothatthewordsoftheyoungAmericancamebacktome:“Giveusalight,ifyouhavetofiretheshiptogetit.”

All this time,fromthemomentwhenIhadsetfootonthewhaler’sdecktillthisinstant,eventshadmovedwithinconceivablerapidity.Therehadbeenonesilent,breathlessrush;duringwhichtwoliveshadbeentakenandMarjorysetfree.Onlyafewminuteshadelapsedinall;andwhenIlookedaroundunderthealteredconditions,thingsseemedtobealmostwheretheyhadbeen.Itwaslike thepicture inone’smindmadebya lightningflash;when theperiodofreceptionislessthanthetimeofthesmallestaction,andmovementislostintime. The fog belt was thinning out, and there was in the night air a faintsuggestionthatonemightsee,iftherewereanythingtobeseen.ThegreatRockofDunbuytoweredup;Icouldjustdistinguishsomuchonthelandside.Whilst Iwas looking, therecameasuddenlightand thenawhirr;high overhead through the sea fog we could see faintly the fiery trail of arocket.Instantlyoutatseawasananswer;agreatrayoflightshotupwards,andwecouldseeitsreflectioninthesky.Noneofussaidanything;butinstinctivelyMarjoryandIclaspedhands.Thenthe lightrayseemedtofalldownwardtothesea.Butasitcamedown,thefogseemedtogrowthickerandthickertillthelightwaslostinitsdensity.Therewasstirofallonourship.Noloudwordwasspoken,butwhispereddirections,givenwithsmotheredcurses,flew.Eachmanofthecrewseemedtoruntohispost,andwithascreechingandstrainingthe sails rose.Thevesselbegan to slip through thewaterwith added speed.Now,ifever,wasourtimetowarnourfriends.ThelittlerocketswhichIhadbroughthadbeensoddenwithwaterandwereuseless,andbesideswehadnowayofgettingalight.Theonlywayofwarningwasbysound,andtheonlysoundtocarrywasapistolshot.ForaninstantIhesitated,forashotmeantalifeifweshouldbepushedtoit.Butitmustbedone;sosigningtotheothersIranaftandwhenclosetothemastfiredmyrevolver.Instantlyaroundmewasa chorusof curses. I bent double and ranback, seeing through thedarknessvagueformsrushtowhereIhadbeen.Thefogwasclosingthickeraroundus;itseemedtoboiloverthebulwarksaswepassedalong.Wehadeitherpassedintoanotherbeltoffog,oronewasclosingdownuponuswiththewind.Thesoundofthepistolshothadevidentlyreachedthewarship.Shewasfaroffus,and the soundscame faintlyover thewasteof stormy sea;but therewasnomistaking the cheer followed by commands. These sounded faint andhoarsely;a fewwordswerespokenwitha trumpet,and thencame theshrillwhistleoftheboatswain’spipe.

Onourowndeckwasrushingtoandfro,andfrenziedlaboureverywhere.Thefirstobjectwas togetawayfromthesearchlight; theywouldseekpresently,nodoubt,forwhohadfiredthebetrayingshot.IfIcouldhaveknownwhattodo,soastostayourprogress,therewouldhavebeenothershots;fornowthatweweremovingthroughthewater,everysecondmight takeusfurtherfromtheshoreandplaceusdeeperinthetoilsofourfoes.

CHAPTERLIITHESKARES

IWHISPEREDtoMarjoryandDonBernardino:“If theyoncegetawayweare lost!Wemust stop thematallhazards!”TheSpaniard nodded and Marjory squeezed my hands; there was no need ofspeech.ThenIfixedtheorderofbattle.Iwastofirefirst,thentheSpaniard,then Marjory, each saving his fire till we knew whether another shot wasrequired. This precautionwas necessary, aswe had no reserve ammunition.We took it forgranted that thechambersof the revolverswere full;myoneshot had been satisfactory in this respect.When the sails were set and webegan rushing through the water I saw that even at the risk of betrayingourselvestoourenemieswemustgivewarningagain,andsofired.TherewasanansweringcheerfromtheKeystonethroughthefog;andthenasuddenrushforwardof thoseonourowndeck.When theywereclose tous, the seamenhungback;but themenofthegangkeptonfiringastheycame.Fortunatelywewere in a line behind cover, for I could hear the ‘ping’ and the tearingwoodas thebulletsstruck themast. I firedashot just toshowthatwewerearmed;andheardasharpcry.Then theyfellback. Inamomentor twotheyalsohadformedtheirplanofbattle.Theseweremenusedtosuchencounters;andastheyknewthatatsuchtimesaquickrushmaymeaneverything,theydid not let the grass grow under their feet. I could see one of the seamenremonstratingwiththem,andhearthequick,angrytonesofhisvoice,thoughIcouldnotdistinguishthewords.Hepointedoutintothefog,wherenowtherewasdistinctlyaluminouspatchof light: the searchlight was moving towards us. TheKeystone was comingdownonus.Theblackmailershookoff theseamanand, thengavesomedirections tohiscomrades;theyspreadoutrightandleftofus,andtriedtofindsomekindofcover.IliftedMarjoryandputherstandingonthebarrelfastenedbehindthemast,forIthoughtthatastheflashofmypistolhadcomefromthedecktheywouldnotexpectanyonetoberaisedsohigh.DonBernardinoandIcurled

downonthedeck,andouropponentsbegantofire.Inthethickeningfog,andwiththemotionof theshipwhichthrewusallabout likeninepins, theiraimwasvague;fortunatelynoonewashit.WhenIthoughtIhadachanceIfired,buttherewasnoresponse;theDongotashotandMarjoryanother,buttherewasnosound,savethatofthebulletsstrikingonwoodoriron.ThenMarjory,whose traditional instinct was coming into play, fired twice in rapidsuccession; there was a quick exclamation and then a flood of horribleprofanity,themanwasonlywinged.Againandagaintheyfired,andIheardagroanbehindmefromtheDon.“What’sthat?”Iwhispered,notdaringtostoporeventolookback:“Myarm!Takemypistol, Icannotshootwithmylefthand.”Iputmyhandback,andheplacedtherevolverinit.Isawadarkformrushacrossthedeckand fired—andmissed. I tried another shot; but theweapon only answeredwithaclick;thechamberswereexhausted.SoIusedtheotherrevolver.Andsoforafewminutesafuriousfightwenton.Marjoryseldomfired,shewasholdingherselfinreserve;butbeforeIknewwhatwashappeningmysecondrevolverwasempty.Ourantagonistswerenochickensattheirwork;therewaslittletoteachanyoftheminsuchamethodofcontestasthis.Someonehadevidentlybeencountingtheshots,forhesuddenlycalledout:“Notyetboys!They’veatleastthreeshotsstill!”Withasuddensimultaneousrushtheyranbackintoshelter.Duringthistimewehadbeentearingthroughthewateratourfullspeed.Butbehindusontheportquarterwasthesoundofagreatshipsteamingon.Theroar of the furnaces could be heard in the trumpeting of the funnels. Theboatswain’swhistleswerepiping,andtherewerevoicesofcommandcuttinghoarsely through the fog.The searchlight toowas atwork;we could see itsrays high up on the mist, though they did not at the moment penetratesufficiently to expose us to the lookout of the Keystone. Closer on ourstarboardquarterwasanothersoundwhichcameonthetrailingwind,therushofasmallvessel runningfast.Wecouldheardownthewind thesharp‘slapslap’ of the waves on the bows, and the roaring of the wind among thecordage.ThismustbetheSporranfollowingusclosewithgrimdisregardofdanger. The commander of the whaler, recognising the possibility ofdiscovery,puthishelmhardtostarboard.Icouldmyselfnotseethroughthedarkness;buttheseamandidandtookhischanceofgroundinginCrudenBay.Whenwehadruninalittlewaythehelmwasjammedharddownagain,andweranontheothertack;forthemomentwewerelosttoboththewarshipandtheyacht.MarjorylookedatmeappealinglyandInodded; thesituationwasnot one to be risked. She fired another shot from her pistol. There was animmediatereplyfromfaroutonourportsideintheshapeofmoredirectionsspokenwith the trumpet andansweringpiping from theboatswains.Several

shotswerefiredtowardsusbythegang;theyweremanifestlyonchance,fortheywentwildlywideofus.Thenwecouldhearanangryremonstrancefromthewhalercaptain,anda threat that if therewereanymorefiring,hewoulddown with his sails and take chance of being captured. One of the gangansweredhim:“That packet can’t capture you within the three-mile limit; it’s a cruiser ofUncleSam’sandtheywon’triskhavingtolieupinharbourheretillthewarisover.”Towhichtheothersurlilyreplied:“Iwouldn’t putmoneyon it.Anyhow someonewill!Youkeepquiet if youcan.There’senoughagainstusalreadyifweshouldbecaught!”Thereplyoftheblackmailerwasatleastpractical.Icouldnotseewhathedid,butItookitthatheputhispistoltothecaptain’sheadashesaidwithafrightfuloath:“You’llgoonasyouarrangedwithme;orI’llblowyourbrainsoutwhereyoustand. There’s quite enough against any of us, you included; so your onechance anyhow is to get out of this hole. See?” The captain accepted thepositionandgavehisorderswithaquietdelivery,totheeffectthatweranfirstshorewardsandthentostarboardagaintillwewererunningbackonourtrackslikeahare.Suddenly,however,thiscoursewasbroughttoanendbyouralmostrunningintoasmallvesselwhichaswepassedIcouldseebyitstrimappearancewasayacht.Weweresocloseforafewseconds,whilstweranacrossherstern,thatIshoutedout:“Allright,MacRae.Allsafeasyet.She’stryingtorunouttosea.TrytotelltheKeystone.”Theanswerwasacheerfromallaboard.Asourshipsweptintothefog,severalofourenemiesranatus.IhandedDonBernardinohisowndaggerand tookthebowieknifemyself.Thenwestoodreadyincaseourfoesshouldgettoclosequarters.Theygotnearlyuptous,firingastheycame;butwewerejustthenshelteringbehindthemastandnoinjurywasdone.Theyhesitatedtocomeon,notseeingus;andwewaited.Aswestoodwithbeatinghearts the shipbegan tocome to starboardagain.Wemusthavebeenshelteredinsomeway,forwedidnotseemtofeeleitherwindortidesomuchasbefore.Suddenlyoneoftheseamensaid:“Whist!Ihearbreakers!”Therestpausedandlistened,andthecaptaincalledout:“Hardtostarboard;wearerunningonshore!”Theshipansweredatonce,andwebegantorunacrossthewind,feelingthetideatthesametime.Butaswewent,asearchlightflashedonthefogbeforeus.Wecouldnotstoporchangequickenoughtoquiteavoidtheshipfromwhichitcame,butthehelmwasputhardtostarboardagainandweranclosealongsideagreatwarship.Icouldseeher towerwithprotrudingcannonasweranby.Avoicecame througha

speakingtrumpet,andIcouldjustcatchthefirstwordsasthevesselsweptbyus:“Rocksahead!”Theinstinctoftheseamanspoke,evenatsuchatime,tokeepanothervesselfromharm.Theanswerfromourvesselwasavolleyofcurses.Thenthesearchlightsweptourdeck,andwecouldseeallourenemies.Theywereroundus inagreat ringandclosing inuponus.Theysawus, too,andwithashoutbegantorunin.ItookMarjorybythewaistandranwithhertothebowoftheship;Iflungheruponthebulwarkandjumpedupbesideher.Don Bernardino joined us in a moment, and we saw the searchlight as itpassedus andpierced into the fogahead.Already thebulkof thebattleshipwasalmostlostinthemist;therewasonlyafaintindicationofherpresenceinamonstrousmassbehind thesearchlight,and theendofa spar risingabovethefog.Infrontofustherewasagreatroaringofwaterandthatsharprushingsoundwhichcomesfromthebacksweepofabrokenwave.Ourskippersawthedanger,andinavoicelikeatrumpetgavehisorders.Butitwastoolatetodoanything.Asthesearchlightagainsweptourdeck,Isawtheringofmenbreakupandscatter;almostatthesamemomenttherayspassingbeyondus,fellonalowrockrisingfromtheseaupwhosesidesgreatwaves were dashing. We were rushing to it, borne by wind and tide in aterriblehaste.Atthatinstantwestruckarockbelowthewater.Withtheshockwethreewerethrownforwardintothesea.Iheardadespairingshoutbehindus;andthenthewaterclosedovermyhead.WhenIroseitwasinawildagonyoffearforMarjory.Shehadbeensittingtomy left on the bulwark andmust therefore have fallen to seaward ofme. IraisedmyselfaswellasIcouldandlookedaround;and,byGod’sgrace,sawtwohandsrisingabove thewatera fewyardsfromme.WithallmymightIstruggledtowardsthem,andwasabletodragmywifeuptothesurface.WhenIhadherwithme, thoughmyterrorandanxietyincreased,Icouldthink.Atsuchmoments themind actswith lightning speed, and in a secondor two Icame to the conclusion that the rock we had struck must be amongst theSkares. If so, the only chancewas to edge inwith the tide and try to avoidstrikinganyof theunderlyingrockswhichIknewwellweresodeadly.HadnotIseenLauchlaneMacleodcometohisdeaththroughthem.Itwasadesperatestrugglebeforeus.Thetidewasracingamongsttherocks,andevenweretherenowavesitwouldhavebeenadifficulttasktohavewonthrough it into shore. For myself I was a strong enough swimmer to havefoundmywayin,evenifIhadhadtoroundtheouterrockandkeepuptotheharbourofWhinnyfold.ButwithMarjorytocarefor,too—Marjorywhohadonlylatelylearnedtoswim....Theprospectwasindeedaterribleone.Wemustnotloseachance,andsoImademywifelooseherskirtswhichfellawayin

thedragofthewater;shecouldthenswimmorefreelyandtothebestofherpower.Thewindbeatfiercely,andthetopsofthebreakingwavesnearlychokedusastheyflew.Therewasjustlightenoughdownonthewaterleveltoseerocksafewyardsahead;thelineoftheshoreroselikeonedimopaquemass.Inthedarknessandthestressof thetideracetherewaslittleIcoulddo,savekeepMarjory’sheadandmyownabovethewaterandletthecurrentbearuson.ImustavoidtherocksaswellasIcould,andletallmyeffortstendtobringusshorewards.Therewasnottimeforfearsordoubting,orhoping;themomentsmustpassandthestrugglebemade,never-endingthoughitseemedtobe.AfterafewminutesIbegantotire;thestrainofthelastfewdaysandmylateeffortinreachingthewhalerhadbeguntotellonme.IhadnowandagainapassingthoughtofDonBernardinoandthefriendswhohadbeenhelpingus;buttheywereallfaroff.TheSpaniardIshouldprobablyneverseenagain;theothersmightneverseeus....Iwasrelapsingintothelethargyofdespair.WithaviolenteffortIwoketothetaskbeforeme,andkeptsternlyonmyway.Marjorywasstrivingherutmost;butherstrengthwasfailing.Herweightwasbecoming deader.... That nerved me to further effort, and I swam on sofranticallythatIdrewclosertothemainland.Heretherewasshelterofakind;thewavesbrokenbytheouterrockswerelessforceful.Thecrestedtopswhichthewindhaddrivenonuswereweakeningalso.Therewashopeinthisanditkeptmeup.OnI fought—on—on—on.Oh!would thestruggleneverend!Ishutmyteeth,andforgedonfiercely.Icouldfeelthatweweregoingwiththerushofthewavesthroughagullybetweensunkenrocks.Joy!therewasshorebeneathmyfeet,roughpebbleswhichrolledandworkedagainsteachother.Thewavepulledusback.Butmyheartwasrenewedagain.Imadeonemorefranticeffort,andswamclosertotheland.ThenasIsawthewave began to recoil I put downmy feet, andwith the last ofmy strengthlifting Marjory in my arms I fought fiercely with the retreating wave.Staggeringoverthescreamingpebbles,exhaustedtothepointofdeath,Iboreherhighupon thebeachand laidherdown.Then I sank lifelessbesidehercoldbody.Thelast thingIrememberwasthefaintlightofthecomingdawn,fallingonhermarble-whitefaceasshelayontheshore.

CHAPTERLIIIFROMTHEDEEP

IT could not have been more than a few minutes before I recovered

consciousness,ifindeedIwereeverabsolutelyunconscious.Itwasrathertheinevitableyielding toastrainonnerveandmuscleandbrain, thana timeofoblivion. I think that I alwaysknew that Iwasby the sea, and thatMarjorywasbesidemeandintrouble;but thatwasall. Iwasinthenightmarestage,whenonecanunderstanddangerand realise terror;andwhen theonly thingimpossible toone is todoanything.Certainly,whenIcame tomyself Iwasfullyconsciousofmysurroundings.IwasevensurprisedthatIdidnotseeonMarjory’spaleface,thecoldfaintgleamoflightwhichhadbeentherewhenlastIsawher.Thegeneral lighthad,however, increased.Thestrandandtherockslookednownotblack,butinexpressiblydrearintheuniformgreywhichseemedtomakeallcolourandshapeanddistanceintoonesadflatscreen.MyfirstworkwasofcoursetoattendMarjory.ForawhileIfearedthatshewasdead,sowhitewassheamidthesurroundinggrey.Butherheartstillbeat,andher breastmoved, thoughvery slightly,with her breathing. I could now seethat wewere in BroadHaven and, so, close tomy own home. I could seethrough thepierced rockcalled the“PuirMon.” I tookmywife inmyarmsandcarriedher,thoughwithinfinitedifficultyforIwassorelyexhausted,upthesteeppath,andbroughtherintothehouse.Ihadtobreakthedoorinagain,buttherewasnoonetohelpmeortointerfereinthematter.Igotsomebrandyandpouredafewdropsintohermouth,andlaidherinapileofrugswhilstIlitthefire.Thesupplyofwhinbushesinthewoodhousewasnotexhausted,andvery soon therewas a roaring fire.WhenMarjory openedher eyes andlookedaroundtheroom,acertainamountofconsciousnesscametoher.Sheimagined the occasion of her beingwithmewas the same aswhenwe hadescaped from the flooded cave; holding out her arms she said to me withinfiniteloveandsweetness:“ThankGod,dear,youaresafe!”Amomentlatersherubbedhereyesandsatup, lookingwildlyaroundasonedoesafter ahideousdream. Inher survey,however,hereyeslitonherownfigure,andarealwaveofshamesweptoverher;shehastilypulledtherugroundhershouldersandsankback.Thehabitofpersonal decorumhad conquered fear.She closedher eyes for amoment ortwotoremember,andwhensheopenedthemwasinfullpossessionofallherfacultiesandhermemory.“Itwasnodream!It isall,all real!AndIowemylife toyou,darling,onceagain!” Ikissedher,andshesankbackwithasighofhappiness.Amomentlater,however,shestartedup,cryingouttome:“But theothers,whereare they?Quick!quick! letusgo tohelp them ifwecan!”Shelookedwildlyround.Iunderstoodherwishes,andhurryingintotheotherroombroughtheranarmfulofherclothes.Inafewminutesshejoinedme;andhandinhandwewentoutontheedgeofthe cliff. As we went, I told her of what had happened since she became

unconsciousinthewater.Thewindwasnowblowingfiercely,almostagale.Theseahadrisen,tillgreatwavesdrivingamongsttherockshadthrashedthewholeregionoftheSkaresintoawildfieldoffoam.Belowus,thewavesdashingoverthesunkenrocksbroke on the shore with a loud roaring, and washed high above the placewherewe had lain. The fog had lifted, and objects could be seen even at adistance.Farout,somemilesaway,layagreatship;andbytheoutermostoftheSkaresalittletothenorthofthegreatrockandwherethesunkenreeflies,rosepartofabrokenmast.Buttherewasnothingelsetobeseen,exceptawaytosouthayachttossingaboutunderdouble-reefedsails.Seaandskywereofaleadengrey,andtheheavycloudsthatdriftedbeforethegalecamesolowastomakeusthinkthattheywerethefogbeltsrisenfromthesea.Marjory would not be contented till we had roused the whole village ofWhinnyfold,andwiththemhadgoneallroundthecliffsandlookedintoeverylittleopeningtoseeifthereweretraceorsignofanyofthosewhohadbeenwreckedwithus.Butitwasallinvain.WesentamountedmessengerofftoCromwithanote,forweknewinwhatterribleanxietyMrs.Jackmustbe.Inanincrediblyshort timethegoodladywaswithus;andwasrockingMarjoryinherarms,cryingandlaughingoverherwildly.Byandbyeshegotroundthecarriagefromthevillageandsaidtous:“Andnowmydears,IsupposewehadbettergetbacktoCrom,whereyoucanrestyourselvesafterthisterribletime.”Marjorycameovertome,andholdingmyarmlookedatheroldnurselovinglyasshesaidwithdeepearnestness:“Youhadbettergoback,dear,andgetthingsreadyforus.Asforme,Ishallneverwillinglyleavemyhusband’ssideagain!”

Thestormcontinuedforawholeday,growingrougherandwilderwitheachhour.Foranotherdayitgrewlessandless,tillfinallythewindhaddiedawayandonlytheroughwavesspokeofwhathadbeen.Thentheseabegantogiveup its dead. Some seamen presumably those of theWilhelminawere foundalongthecoastbetweenWhinnyfoldandOldSlains,andthebodiesoftwoofthe blackmailers, terriblymangled,werewashed ashore atCrudenBay.Therest of the sailors and of the desperadoes were never found.Whether theyescapedbysomemiracle,orwereswallowedin thesea,willprobablyneverbeknown.Strangestof allwas the findingofDonBernardino.Thebodyof thegallantSpanish gentlemanwas foundwashed up on shore behind the LordNelsonrock,justoppositewherehadbeentheopeningtothecaveinwhichhisnobleancestor had hidden the Pope’s treasure. Itwas as though the sea itself had

respectedhisdevotion,andhadlaidhimbytheplaceofhisTrust.MarjoryandI saw his body brought home to Spain when the war was over, and laidamongstthetombsofhisancestors.WepetitionedtheCrown;andthoughnoactual leavewas given, no objectionwasmade to our removing the goldenfigure of SanCristobalwhichBenvenuto hadwrought for the Pope. It nowstandsovertheSpaniard’stombinthechurchofSanCristobalinfarCastile.

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