It was not that she was seized and held with great violence. On the contrary, for a calm voice enjoined1 those who were carrying her to be as gentle as possible, and on no account to bruise2 her.
Naturally, she was terror-stricken, but added to that was the awful indignity3 of being handled like she was. She, Helen Ardane, who all her life had been treated with the greatest of respect, and had never known what rough treatment was!
In her childhood, in those far-off days in Virginia, all tender and loving care had been lavished4 upon her. In her years of budding maidenhood5 she had held her court as a princess, and her smile or the touch of her hand had been gifts then, to be received, by her admirers, almost as a sacrament.
Then when she had come to Carmel Abbey as the young wife of the wealthy Sir Charles Ardane, her life had been almost that of a queen, for the highest in the land had paid tribute to her youth and beauty, and in the countryside around the great historic Abbey, she had been the one above all others to be revered6 and respected as the sovereign lady who held the livelihood7 and well-being8 of so many employees and dependants9 in her hands.
So, the events of that afternoon, apart from their awful terror, were a dreadful blow to her pride. It had all happened so suddenly, too. One minute she had been free and the proud mistress of her domain10, and the next — she was a prisoner and cut off from all that world where it was hers to order and issue commands.
Once inside the van, the doors were banged to, a cloth was pressed against her face, a rug was wound quickly round her, and stretched out at full length upon the flooring, she was held down by many hands, so that she should make no movement. Then one of her arms was drawn11 out and she heard a calm voice say, “Steady now, you must keep her absolutely still.”
A moment later something was swabbed upon her arm, and she felt the sharp prick12 of a needle. “Now, don’t distress13 yourself,” she heard the voice say. “You are not going to be hurt in any way, but just going to be sent to sleep.”
Then a great peace began to fall upon her. The faces above became indistinct and faded away, she sank down and down, and finally was conscious of nothing more for a long time.
Then she began to awake, and her head was lifted up gently and she was given something to drink. Its taste was unpleasant, but she drank it quickly, for she was very thirsty.
After that everything was a confused dream. She was being jolted14 slowly along, and the smell of hay was strong in her nostrils15. She thought she heard a man talking, and he must have been speaking to a horse, for he said, “Gee up, now,” many times, and often she heard the cracking of a whip.
The jolting16 ceased after a long while, and then she was lifted up and carried into the cold night air. Then she was laid carefully upon something soft, rugs were tucked all round her, and once again her head was lifted up and she was given something to drink that tasted now like hot milk.
“You’re quite all right,” came the same voice that she had heard before. “No one’s going to do you any harm, you’re just going to sleep, that’s all.”
She opened her eyes drowsily17 and saw the stars shining through the trees. She thought she was dreaming and lying in a dark wood. She closed her eyes again and dropped off to sleep.
Next, she partly woke up, and saw that the sun was shining, and at once someone bent18 over, and gave her more hot milk. Presently she was lifted up very gently, once again came the smell of hay, and the jolting recommenced.
Now she was conscious of the rumbling19 of wheels, and it seemed to go on for ever and ever. Her legs began to feel stiff, and moving them, she found that they were tied loosely at the ankles. She stretched one hand down to unloosen them, and at once a man with a pleasant face came from somewhere behind her and did it for her.
“We’ll soon be there now,” he said kindly20, “and then you’ll be made more comfortable.”
Then she seemed suddenly to come to her senses altogether, and found that she was lying in a hay cart with hay piled all around her. She could only see the sky, and her eyes filled with tears when she saw it was so beautiful and blue, but she felt weak and heavy headed, and too listless to make any attempt to move.
Then the man who had loosened her bonds called out something, and the cart was stopped, and a few minutes later she was sitting up and given a basin of soup, but there must have been some drug in the soup she was sure, for she began to feel drowsy21 again at once, and very soon was asleep once more.
Her next awakening22 was in a soft bed, and opening her eyes she found she was in quite a fair-sized room, with a door at either end. It was scantily23 and shabbily furnished, with just a table, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers and a couple of chairs. There was no carpet upon the floor, and the one window was barred across with thick iron bars. She was partially24 undressed, with her frock hanging over the back of a chair near the bed.
For quite a long time she could not collect her thoughts or remember anything of what had happened. Then a flood of memories surged into her mind and she burst into tears. Everything had come back to her.
She was in the hands of her enemies at last.
She remembered being seized and carried into the van, the injection being put into her arm, the cups of hot milk, the night in the wood, the long journey among the hay, and finally, dimly, very dimly, being carried up some stairs in someone’s arms.
She slipped shakily out of bed, and turning the handle of the door nearest to her, found that it was locked. It was a thick and heavy door of solid oak. The door at the other end of the room was, however, ajar, and pushing it open, she found herself in a small bathroom. The bath was old and rusted25, but apparently26 quite serviceable, and there was an oil heater attached. Upon a chair nearby were two clean folded towels, a sponge, and new cake of soap.
Returning to the bedroom, she looked out of the window, but could not see for any great distance, because of a white fog. There were no other habitations anywhere in sight, and it appeared to her that the house she was in was situated27 in a big meadow.
Suddenly she heard a sharp knock upon the locked door and a moment later, hearing the key being turned, she jumped hastily into bed.
A man entered the room, quite young and of nice appearance. He smiled when he saw her pulling the bed clothes up to her head.
“Good morning,” he said, in a very pleasant voice. “How do you feel? A little bit heavy, I expect, from the sleeping draughts29 we had to give you.”
“Where am I?” she asked hoarsely31. “What have you brought me here for?”
The man seated himself upon a chair and regarded her in quite a friendly way.
“There need be no mystery about anything,” he said quietly, “and I’ll give you an explanation at once, so that you’ll know exactly how everything stands.” He took out a cigarette and lighted it. “You have been abducted32, kidnapped, or whatever you like to call it in order that eventually we may obtain a certain sum of money for your release. You are not going to be hurt or ill-treated in any way”— he laughed —“and as it’s purely33 a matter of ￡. s. d., and you have plenty of it, you really need have no anxieties at all.”
“Then how much do you want?” she asked quickly.
“Ah! that is not settled yet,” he replied. “You see, we have your friend, Sir Parry Bardell, here as well, and we have not decided34 how much we can get out of you both.” He nodded. “But it will have to be a good sum for it means us all clearing away from the farm where we now live, and taking up new occupations in another part of the world.” He laughed. “It’s just like selling you our land here, with you paying a good price for it.”
“I’m willing to pay anything reasonable,” she said with a choke in her voice, “and so, I am sure, is Sir Parry, too.”
He shook his head. “But it’s not quite so easily settled as that, for we have to consider how the money is going to be paid over. That’s the trouble, for with the whole country roused and every police officer on the look-out for us, no cheque you might write would be of the slightest value. We should never dare to present it.”
“But where am I?” she asked again.
“And there again,” he replied at once, “there is no reason that you should not know. As I have told you, the property is going to be all yours very shortly, and so naturally you would like to learn something of what you are purchasing. You are upon the Methwold Fens35, my lady, and the farm is known as Black Gallows36. It is 1600 odd acres and will carry a large number of sheep, but my uncle and we boys have been busy in other ways of late, and in consequence the farm has been very much neglected.” He pointed37 to the window. “It is nicely situated, and on a clear day you can see the spire38 of Ely Cathedral. Your nearest town is Downham Market and as the crow flies you are not much more than a mile from the main London road.” He looked at his watch and rose to his feet. “But it’s nearly five o’clock and you must have something to eat.”
“I don’t want, anything,” she replied brokenly. “I couldn’t touch a thing.”
“Nonsense!” he replied. “I’ll bring you some cold chicken and ham and a small bottle of wine, but I’ll get you a nice hot bath first. It will do your head a lot of good. Oh! one thing more,” and he paused to give her a whimsical smile, “I’m called Prince and I’m afraid you’ll have to accept me as your maid as long as you are staying with us, for, unfortunately, you are the only woman upon the premises40.” He shook his head. “But your ladyship need never give a thought to me, even if I come in when you are washing or dressing41, for I have no personal interest in you at all. I never allow pleasure to interfere42 with business, and you are just business to me. Nothing more, you understand. I shall be coming into this room at all times.”
Lady Ardane blushed furiously, and her bosom43 rose and fell in her emotion.
“I hear you,” she replied, her voice shaking, “but it is a great indignity. I shall be obliged if you will always knock, and wait until I have answered you before you enter.”
“But it will be quite unnecessary,” he said carelessly, “for you can regard me as your doctor, quite uninterested — your clergyman, quite harmless — or as just the man who has come to mend the sash-cord of the window. I repeat I have absolutely no interest in you. I have carried you in my arms several times, and yet honestly, I do not remember whether you have a good figure or whether your bones protrude44 or not.” He bowed. “You are just a business proposition to me and to keep you in a good state of preservation45 is all my concern.”
He disappeared into the bathroom and she heard him whistling cheerfully as he prepared the bath.
“All ready, your ladyship.” he said with a bow, when presently he returned, “and you won’t be able to say you haven’t been well looked after.” He approached the bed. “Oh! by-the-bye let me look at your arm. I want to see the place where I gave you the injection. You won’t show it! Well, no matter, for it’s sure to be all right. I used a disinfectant before I inserted the needle. I was a medical student once, and the knowledge I gained has come in very useful.” He bowed. “Well, I’ll come back in half an hour and you shall have your dinner then. I’ll bring a lamp with me, too.”
She had the bath, and, greatly refreshed, partook of the meal he had soon provided. She had now in part resigned herself to her misfortunes, and was determined46 to make the best of things. She had not forgotten Larose and Naughton Jones, and although she was aware from Sir Arnold that they were both laid up from the injuries they had received, yet he had told her they would both soon be about again, and she had every confidence in them both — she blushed ever so little — especially in Larose.
But then followed long, dreary47 days of unvarying monotony. She saw Prince only when he brought in her meals and half an hour later when he returned for the tray. At first he had started asking her every morning how she was feeling, and passing remarks, too, about the weather, but she had either made no reply at all or just responded in curt48 monosyllables, until, in the end, he had ceased speaking to her at all, and some days, “Thank you” were the only words uttered in the room.
For some reason Prince would not explain, she was allowed no books or papers, and in consequence, in addition to looking out of the window, her own thoughts were her only occupation. She could see the carts and cars passing along the Ely road, and she used to brood over how care-free and happy their occupants would probably be. At any rate, she was sure they could have no such troubles as were hers, and how willing they would be to help her, she thought, too, if they only knew of the sad and lonely woman behind these prison bars!
Several nights, at dusk, when the wind was in the right direction, she heard the sound of church bells, the bells of eventide, and tears would well up into her eyes as she thought of how often she had sat with her little boy in the dim and shrouded49 light of the old Abbey chapel50.
She thought a lot, too, about Larose in those days, for, since that night among the trees, her feelings towards him had undergone a great change. She had cordially disliked him up to then, for he had been so masterful and had treated her, not as if she were Lady Ardane and the proud chatelaine of Carmel Abbey, with its broad acres, but just as if she were a Mrs. Anybody on whose behalf his services had been called in in just the ordinary way.
But that night he had held her in his arms and she had been affected51 as she had never been affected before.
As a young girl she had been given for wife to a man whom she had learned to love and respect and in due time she had borne him a son. But she had had no thrill of passion for him, and he had never delved52 deeply into her woman’s nature. He had never roused in her what lifts man and woman, if only for a few short hours, into a heaven upon earth, and he had never touched upon those strings53 in her being, that in their vibrations54 make all else in life a common thing.
But now had come this stranger and, far above him in station, possessions and all that counts for honor in the social life, she was stepping down from the pedestal and looking up to him as if he were the sovereign ruler of her kingdom. She was often hot and angry with herself, and yet in her inmost thoughts there was a strange and wonderful sweetness in her homage55 and submission56.
The days passed on, and then one afternoon a dense57 fog fell upon the Fens, and looking out from her window she was glad of it, because it hid the great world beyond. It was as an opiate for her longings58 for freedom and soothed59 and calmed her as if it were the end of everything, and she would soon sleep in peace and be mindful of her sufferings no more.
But the next morning the bright sunlight was streaming through her window again, and it brought back all her yearnings and sad thoughts again.
She had just finished breakfast, and then the monotony of everything was broken, and never again, had she only known it, was she to be without either hopes or fears to occupy her mind.
Suddenly she heard a strange voice shouting angry words outside upon the landing, the door was opened sharply and then, to her amazement60, Sir Parry, the true and trusted friend of her widowhood, was thrust violently into the room, to be followed immediately by a man whom she had never seen before.
“Here he is,” shouted the strange man loudly, “and you two are to remain together until tomorrow and arrange how our money is to be paid over. It’s ￡100,000 we want, and you’ll have to think over how we’re going to get it. Tomorrow I shall come back to hear what you’ve got to say,” and with a black look that embraced them both, he went out and slammed and locked the door.
Lady Ardane almost choked in her great joy, and then running up to Sir Parry, who was standing62 trembling upon the threshold of the room, she threw her arms round his neck and burst into tears.
“Oh! uncle dear,” she sobbed63, with her head buried into his shoulder, “how glad I am to see you. I have been so miserable64.”
The tears were streaming, too, down Sir Parry’s face as he patted her fondly upon the cheek. “My darling Helen,” he exclaimed brokenly, “how you must have suffered, too!”
For a few minutes they stood clinging to each other, and then gently disengaging herself from his arms, she began wiping the happy tears away.
“Never mind, dear,” whispered Sir Parry in great emotion. “It will soon be over now, and then we shall all be happy again.”
They sat down upon the bed, side by side, and they told each other all that had happened since they had last been speaking to each other that afternoon in the Abbey grounds.
It appeared that Sir Parry’s sufferings had been much the same as her own. He had been drugged like she had been, and the same dreadful journey had been his through those long weary hours.
They calmed down presently, and then Sir Parry, holding her hand all the time, began discussing everything in a practical and business-like way. They were going to let him go away on the morrow, he said, and he would raise every penny he could find and bring back the ransom65. But they had warned him, with many horrible threats, that if he gave the slightest inkling to anyone why he wanted the money, or where he’d been, or what had happened, then he would never see her again, for they were going to poison her and escape away.
Lady Ardane trembled and shuddered66 as she listened, and then, clinging to him tightly, averred67 that every penny of the money would be returned to him, for, directly she was free, she would raise it from the Ardane estates.
Then suddenly, in the midst of their talking, a sharp, vicious crack came up from just below them, and Lady Ardane, her nerves all on edge, sprang to her feet.
“What was that?” she asked with widely-opened eyes. “It sounded like a pistol being fired.”
Sir Parry looked startled, too, and seemed very frightened, but the sound was not repeated, and after a moment, he exclaimed reassuringly68, “No, no, it was not a pistol. It was only the cracking of a whip. Someone was going by on a horse.”
So their conversation was resumed, and hour after hour they considered how the huge sum of ￡100,000 could be raised.
Then gradually, very gradually, a subtle feeling of embarrassment69 began to mar39 Lady Ardane’s supreme70 happiness in being reunited to her friend, for Sir Parry’s affection for her became so effusive71, and he kept on kissing her, and would not let go her hand. He kissed her once on the lips, too, and asked her to kiss him back. Finally, she rose and moved away from him and sat down upon a chair, but he followed after her, and moving up another chair close beside her, again wanted to hold her hand.
Then when, just after noon, the same man who had thrust Sir Parry so unceremoniously into the room appeared with the dinner tray and plumped it down upon the table and retired72 again without a word, Sir Parry wanted to drink out of the same glass she was drinking from, and she did not like it at all. He never took his eyes off her either, and in the end she became really frightened. At last a remark he made almost terrified her.
“Of course, dear,” he said nervously73, and evading74 her eyes, “my being alone with you here until tomorrow will compromise you, if anyone hears of it, but we must try and keep it from everyone and get married the first moment we can. I’ll bring back a special license75 with me and it’ll be as my wife that you will return to Carmel Abbey.”
Her heart almost stood still, but she had perfect control of herself.
“No, uncle,” she replied firmly, “I shall never marry again. I’m determined upon that.”
He looked very upset, and shook his head solemnly. “But you must think it over,” he said, “for a woman’s reputation is the most precious possession that she has”— his eyes filled with tears —“and I could not have a breath of scandal against you, for anything in the world.”
Then she began to doubt him, and was sure that he was deceiving her in some way, for he said suddenly, “And I’ll be a good father to little Charles.” His face brightened as if he were imparting good news. “He’s included in the ransom money, of course, and they will give him up directly it is paid.”
“Where is he?” she asked suspiciously.
“Somewhere in London,” he replied. He hesitated. “They won’t tell me exactly where, but I think he’s in Kensington.”
“Who got him for them?” She asked, and her voice was now as hard and stern as a cross-examiner in a court.
He hesitated again. “I’m not quite certain,” he replied. “They never told me, but it was one of the servants, I think. Charles was hurried on board that yacht they have, and they said he was in London the next day.”
Then an instinct told her that he was lying, and had no knowledge of the whereabouts of the child, for his eyes had been everywhere but upon her when he had spoken, and he picked his words slowly, as if he were making it all up as he went along.
From that moment a great change took place in her, and she was no longer the weeping, clinging creature broken all to pieces by her misfortunes. Instead, she had become all at once, in the space of a few seconds, so it seemed, a strong and resolute77 woman, nerving herself to face new dangers and deal with them as they came.
But she was tactful with it, too, and to check the amorous78 advances of Sir Parry, without any appearance of noticing them, at once gave him some work to do. “Now you clean out that bath-heater,” she said sharply, “there’s something wrong with the carrier of the wick, and you’ll have to take it all to pieces. I can’t raise it up far enough to get any heat in the water,” and she herself began remaking her bed and shaking up the mattress79 violently.
But the tasks could not last forever, and Sir Parry was soon back in the bedroom again. She would not now, however, allow him to come near her. “I’m hot and tired,” she said crossly, “and want to think. So, leave me alone, please, and don’t talk any more.”
He received the rebuff with a disagreeable frown, and then with his eyes still fixed80 intently upon her, began muttering angrily to himself. Some of his words she did not catch, but others she could not help hearing, and they almost froze her blood in fear. He seemed like a man who was going out of his mind, for he muttered on and on and on.
The afternoon waned81 and dusk began to fall. She lit the lamp, wondering, with a lump in her throat, how long the light would last if it were turned very low.
Then suddenly the silence outside was abruptly82 broken, and three loud reports in quick succession came from somewhere close near to the house, and rushing to the window, she flung up the bottom sash and pushed out her head as far out as the bars would allow.
The light was fading quickly but objects close near could be picked out distinctly.
She heard hoarse30 shouts coming from round the side of the building, that were answered immediately by someone in a slow-moving car in front of the building, that was then instantly brought to a standstill, with a jerk. Then its searchlight was switched on and in two seconds focused straight upon the house, a man at the same time springing out and dropping upon one knee to level a rifle.
The rifle cracked, once, twice, three times, and then the whole building seemed to shake as the house door was banged violently to. Then she heard both bolts shot into their sockets83 and for a few seconds silence reigned84.
Hurried steps sounded upon the stairs, about two minutes of silence followed, then the key in the lock of her door was turned, the door was pushed open and — Larose stepped into the room.
“Good evening,” he said quietly, but with his breath coming quickly, “I’m a bit late, but I’ve come at last, as you see.”
Then before either she or Sir Parry could utter a word, the whole demeanor85 of the detective altered.
“Take that lamp away,” he cried sharply to Lady Ardane. He pointed to the open door of the bathroom. “Go in there and put it on the floor. Shut the door behind you, and wait until I tell you to come out.”
Then, when she had at once complied, as if it were the most natural thing to do, he advanced menacingly to Sir Parry, who, with his mouth open and his face a ghastly pallor, was trembling violently.
“You devil,” he hissed86, “I know all about you. Up with your hands! Have you got any weapon on you?” He passed his hands rapidly over his body. “Any poison?” he asked, and he plucked the wallet out of the trembling man’s breast pocket. Then he pushed him violently into a corner. “And there you stay,” he went on, “and the slightest movement and I’ll blow your brains out.”
“But don’t tell her,” wailed87 Sir Parry in a hoarse whisper and with tears welling up into his eyes. “I only did it because I loved her so.” He held up his hands imploringly88. “She must never know, and I’ll destroy myself presently.”
“And it’s the best thing you can do,” replied Larose sharply. The tone of his voice changed in an instant, and he called out cheerfully, “You can come in, Lady Ardane, but, don’t bring the lamp with you, and keep out of the line of the window, whatever you do. They’ll be firing in, in a few moments.”
Then he sprang to the window and, bending down, with his head just above the sill, made a trumpet89 of his hands. “I’m Larose,” he shouted in loud and clarion90 tones. “Gilbert Larose, and here’s my visiting card,” and at the same moment he fired twice with his pistol at the stationary91 motor car, before he bobbed down.
“Had to do it!” he explained quickly to Lady Ardane. “I wanted to let them know that I was armed, so that they’ll hesitate about coming too close. I don’t want them to start upon breaking in that door below. I gave them my name, too, to set them thinking. They may bolt away now, not knowing who else is in the neighborhood.”
“Oh! I’m so thankful!” exclaimed Lady Ardane brokenly. “I can’t tell you how I feel.”
“That’s all right,” replied Larose cheerfully, “but down upon the floor at once,” and that his advice was good was evident almost immediately, for bullet after bullet came crashing through the window. The panes92 were smashed to atoms and the bullets scattered93 the plaster upon the wall in all directions. The fusillade lasted about half a minute and then all was still.
“And that’s about all they dare to do,” went on Larose in matter-of-fact tones, “for if they bang any more, they’ll be afraid of attracting attention in the surrounding villages and bringing people here to know what’s happened.”
Ignoring Sir Parry altogether, he asked Lady Ardane what was in the other room, and where the window was there. She told him and that there was no window, only a skylight.
“Well, you stand by the door,” he enjoined, “and I’ll just have a wash. Call me instantly if you hear the slightest sound.”
In the meantime an anxious conference was being held by five men, huddled95 together behind the stationary car outside.
Their faces were white and grim and they looked at one another with uneasy and furtive96 eyes.
“I don’t like the look of things,” said a man with a big scar across his forehead. His voice shook. “Where’s Prince and where’s Juno? I believe they’ve had a knife into them, too. It’s all up, I say, and there may be a mob of police round here in no time now. We’d better cut whilst we can.”
“No, no,” exclaimed the tall man, Clem, sharply, “don’t you be a blithering coward, Peter. Prince will turn up soon, I’m certain. He’s a match for a dozen like that Larose, and not one to be knifed quietly behind his back.” He sneered97 scornfully. “We’re not going to lose our heads and be beaten by one single man.” He pointed to the racing98 stables, still held under the ghostly rays of the searchlight. “That fool there made the mistake of his life when he bawled99 out he was Larose, for everyone’s heard of the devil and knows he always works alone. Prince says it’s notorious he always spies out everything by himself to get all the credit, and never asks for any help until the very end.” He was most emphatic100. “No, we can be quite sure that no one knows he’s here.” He put his head round the side of the car and shook his fist in the direction of the shattered window. “We’ve got the devil in a trap right enough, and it’s only a question of keeping him there and then we’ll be quite safe and nothing will happen.”
Roy Fensum, a dark man, but with a face now of a horrible sickly color, swore an obscene oath. “And I can see all that’s happened,” he exclaimed savagely101. “It’s as plain as day to me. He came on to Black Gallows yesterday and got lost in that fog. Then Ishmail nosed him out somehow, but he managed to kill the brute102 and find his way to the stables here. Then he hid in that shed with the hay loft103 that I caught him sneaking104 out of just now. He’s been there all last night and all today.” His voice rose excitedly. “Yes, he’s been on Black Gallows for more than twenty-four hours and that means for certain that he’s all alone and no one knows where he is, or the police would have been here long ago. If we wait ——”
“But how can we get at him?” broke in another man with a scowl105. “He’s got a gun on him and I’ve heard tell he’s the best pistol shot in Australia.”
“Starve him out,” snapped Fensum, “and the old fool and woman, too. The only thing, we must watch the stable on both sides and never give him a chance of breaking away. The moon’ll be out in half an hour and then we’ll shift this car back a couple of hundred yards.” He laughed mockingly. “I’ll bet he’s feeling pretty glum106.”
But had he been only there to see him, Larose was not feeling at all glum. On the contrary, refreshed by a good wash, he was squatted107 on the floor just opposite to Lady Ardane, and she was pouring out a glass of wine for him as he was eating sparingly of some of the ham and chicken left over from her dinner with Sir Parry Bardell.
Lady Ardane was looking quite a different woman now, for her face was no longer strained and the shadows had all gone from her beautiful eyes.
“And it can’t be long,” Larose told her cheerfully, “before we are rescued. Any moment, in fact, but most probably tomorrow. I’ve got two good men helping108 me. They know in which direction I was making my enquiries, and they’ll soon ferret along the trail. Then there’s another man, only seven miles from here, and he’ll be looking for me, too. He’s an expoliceman and knows exactly where I was coming. He’s been away from home today, but he’ll be back to-night, and if I am any judge of character, hearing nothing about me, he’ll be going to look where he told me to leave my car and finding it still there — then I don’t know exactly what he will do. He’ll probably, however, ring up the police at Downham Market and then”— he laughed merrily —“the fat will be in the fire for those gentlemen outside.”
She watched him as he spoke76, and she thrilled with a feeling of great happiness, which she took no thought to analyse.
Her dress was soiled and crumpled109 by the rough usage it had undergone, for a week and more she had been denied all the little toilet luxuries that make a woman pleasing! She was squatting110 in semi-darkness upon the bare boards of a room that had at all times been shabby and comfortless! The night air was rushing in through a window that had now no panes! There were bullet marks upon the wall just above her head! She was in an atmosphere of strife111 and violence and sudden death! There were men near her whom she knew would have no compunction in committing any horror to hide their evil deeds and yet — she was quite happy!
The man who had been so often in her thoughts had come into her life again, and all faith that she could render, she had in him. She was no longer the proud mistress of Carmel Abbey, and he was not a policeman from Scotland Yard. They were just man and woman together, and in unspoken words the old, old story was being told once again.
Only one thing marred112 the absolute harmony of everything, for Larose would not tell her where her son was. He assured her that the boy was all right, and inclining his head ever so slightly in the direction of Sir Parry, added that although for the moment it was a secret, she would nevertheless soon know.
And all this time Sir Parry had remained seated in the corner where Larose had pushed him, with his hands clasped together and his eyes staring on to the floor. He seemed like a man in a trance and oblivious113 to all that was going on around him.
Presently the moon rose in its cold and silvered majesty114 and the search light on the car was switched off. “But it’ll be death to anyone to look,” warned Larose speaking rather loudly, “for they’ll be watching during every second of the night.”
Then came the question of how they would all sleep, and Larose issued his orders in no uncertain manner.
“I’ll push your bed up to the end of the room,” he said to Lady Ardane. “Sir Parry will sleep where he is, I see his overcoat is here, and I’ll lie down by the door.”
“But you’ll both be so cold,” protested Lady Ardane. “I have two blankets and you are quite welcome to one.” But the detective would not hear of it, and speaking both for himself and Sir Parry who, however, made no comment, assured her they would be quite warm enough if they kept out of the current of the draught28.
Then gradually silence fell upon the room, with surely as strange an assortment115 of room-mates there as could be found anywhere. Lady Ardane had climbed into the bed and slipped off her dress under the clothes, Sir Parry was leaning back heavily in the corner from which he had still never moved, and Larose was lying before the door with his head upon his arm.
An hour passed and they were all awake, two hours and then Sir Parry’s head sagged116 upon his chest and he began to snore lightly. A cloud passed over the moon, and then, with the room in total darkness, Larose heard soft foot-falls come from the direction of the bed. Then he felt a hand groping for him, but he did not move because he knew whose it was. His heart beat terribly and he trembled as if he were in an ague.
“Mr. Larose, I must speak to you,” breathed a voice so faintly that he could hardly hear it, and Lady Ardane bent down to whisper in his ear. He turned his head so that he could take in what she was going to say, and then his lips brushed against hers. Instinctively117 then, and acting94 upon an impulse that he made no attempt to control, he raised himself up nearer and kissed them, and for one brief second they were not withdrawn118. Her burning face was close against his and he could feel her heart beating as violently as was his own. Then with a quick movement she drew herself away.
“You oughtn’t to have done that,” she reproved, but so gently that there was no sting in the reproof119. “Still, I’m so happy in your coming that I could forgive you almost anything for the moment.”
“But it was not nice of me to do it,” whispered back Larose sharply, and now in a fury of remorse120. “It was taking advantage of your overwrought feelings and I humbly121 beg your pardon.”
“It is all right,” came the soft reply, and the darkness hid her smile. She touched his arm lightly. “Now I have a lot of things to ask you,” and then he could feel that she was rising to her feet, “but wait a moment until I fetch a blanket. I’m cold and shivering here.”
But it was not the cold that made her shiver. It was the kiss that he had given her and the thought that she had had no wish to draw her lips away.
She was back in a few seconds. “Here’s the other one for you,” she whispered. “No, don’t be foolish.” She laughed softly. “You are not the only one who can give orders here.” Something of her old imperious manner came back. “Now tell me at once about my boy.”
Then with the blankets wrapped round them and sitting so close together that each could feel the warmth of the other’s body, Larose told her most of what had happened, refraining, however, from all mention of Sir Parry in any way.
A long silence followed when he had finished, and then she asked hesitatingly, as if fearful of the answer he would give, “But who then, has been the instigator122 of it all?” He could feel her trembling against him. “Who — has — been — my — enemy — all — along!”
He answered her very solemnly. “You know quite well, Lady Ardane,” he said, “that the strongest urge in life is what we call love, and while the passion of a man for a woman can be the most glorious thing on earth, yet at the same time it can be the most terrible one. It can so warp123 his mind that while sane124 in everything else, he is stark125, staring mad in that one particular.” He picked his words carefully. “Well, a certain man conceived a passion for you that he knew was hopeless and with no fulfillment — he went mad. That is all. I cannot tell you more now, but unhappily you will have to learn all one day, and then it will be a great sorrow for you.” He spoke sharply. “Now, not another question, please.”
Her voice shook. “I understand a little,” she said slowly, “and I don’t want to know any more.”
“Well, you go back to your bed now,” he went on. “We must both try and get some sleep.”
“I’ll go back in a few minutes,” she sighed, “but I was very cold there and I’m quite warm now. We won’t talk.”
Then a deep silence fell upon them, and gradually, very gradually, he felt that she was leaning heavily and more heavily against him. Then her breathing became slow and regular and he knew she was asleep. The red head was now upon his shoulder.
“Poor little woman,” he murmured, “and she’ll be so sorry for it later.” He smiled sadly. “Part of my dream has at all events come true”— he grinned —“but there is no blind to pull down.” His face became sad again “and alas126, there is no need of it.”
The night waxed and waned, it was cloudy and then fine, and the moon and the searchlight playing hide-and-seek together. Always, one of them was shining on the building, and, perhaps, the moon was curious as to what was going on inside that chamber127 with the shattered window panes.
Then finally the night was over and Larose, who had been dozing128 on and off a score of times, saw that the dawn was coming and that objects were now distinguishable in the room. He pushed against Lady Ardane very gently and she awoke suddenly and looked at him with startled eyes. Then face, neck, and the opening to her bosom crimsoned129 furiously.
Larose pointed to the still slumbering130 Sir Parry. “Go back to your bed,” he whispered and she obeyed instantly. Then, once more ensconced among her pillows, she gave him a roguish smile and closed her eyes as if she were going to sleep again.
An hour and more passed and then with the sun high in the heavens, she whispered to him that she was going into the bathroom.
“And don’t you come out until I call you,” he replied sternly. “I am going to see if they are still on the watch and they will probably fire again. So don’t be afraid. I want to make them fire, to draw attention in the villages that something unusual is going on.”
Then the moment she had gone into the bathroom and shut the door, he sprang up and shook Sir Parry roughly.
“Wake up,” he whispered sharply. “The time has come.”
“What time?” whispered back Sir Parry hoarsely, and from the expression upon his face it was plain that a realisation of all his terrors had come back to him.
“The time for you to decide what you are going to do,” replied Larose, “and you have only a few minutes to do it, for Lady Ardane will be back very quickly. Now listen to me.” He regarded the wretched man with a face as hard and pitiless as a stone. “Consider your position. The police may be here any moment, and they will arrest you directly they come. You tried to poison me, but I shall say nothing about that, for it was one of the risks of my profession. Your wits were pitted against mine, and you showed yourself the better man.”
“I was mad,” gasped131 Sir Parry, “I was ——”
“Of course, you were mad,” snapped Larose, “you have been mad all along. Well, I’ll lay no charge against you there, but you’ll be arrested for conspiracy133, and you’ll have to stand your trial.”
“Oh! but I loved her so,” wailed Sir Parry, “and as I knew she would never marry me for love, because I am too old, I thought perhaps she would marry me out of gratitude134 if her child was stolen and I got him back for her. So I took young Clive into my confidence and he said he knew some smugglers who would arrange it all for me. Then it got out of my hands, for they are evil men who will do anything. I could not restrain them and it got worse and worse, and I became a would-be murderer myself.”
“But I am quite aware of all that,” said Larose quickly, “and it’s a waste of time your telling me,” His voice was cold and hard. “I want to know what you are going to do.”
“But what can I do,” gasped Sir Parry. “I can’t undo135 what I have done now.”
Larose pointed to the broken window. “You can go and stand there,” he said sternly, “and your friends, your coconspirators who have brought such misery136 upon this poor woman, will put a bullet through your head and you will escape everything, and it will all be over. Button up your jacket and put my cap on, and then they’ll think that they are firing at me.”
Sir Parry recoiled137 in horror. “You mean me to be killed?” he gasped. He shook his head. “I daren’t do it.”
“Think of the shame that is coming to you!” hissed Larose. “You will stand in the dock, and the story will be told, how, night after night, you used to creep up into that corridor and, standing upon that box, watch Lady Ardane disrobe. The Crown Prosecutor138 will describe your gloating eyes, how the bestiality of an old man’s mind ——”
“Stop, stop,” choked Sir Parry, “I can’t bear it.”
“Lady Ardane will be there,” went on Larose pitilessly. “She will hear how her best friend and a man old enough to be her father, spied upon her in her most private movements and ravished her nightly with his eyes; how ——”
“That’s enough,” exclaimed Sir Parry springing up. “I’ll do it; but push me there, so that I don’t try to draw back.”
For the first time, the detective felt a little pity for the wretched man whom he was sending to his doom139. “Your death will be quite painless,” he said kindly, “for you will not feel anything, and not even hear the bullet that will kill you.”
“Shake hands, Mr. Larose,” sobbed Sir Parry. “I’d like to feel that I die with someone who has pity for me, by my side.”
But the detective drew back sharply. “No, Sir Parry,” he replied with the utmost coldness, “I cannot, for I draw the line at you. I have shaken hands with murderers who were about to die, but you — you are worse than any of them.”
The scorn in his voice braced61 the doomed140 man like a deep draught of wine, and he drew himself up proudly. “Very well,” he said calmly, “then I would prefer to die alone,” and with not the slightest hesitation141 and with steady steps he walked over to the window and stood full before it.
Half a minute of breathless silence followed, and then Sir Parry remarked calmly. “Here it comes. He’s resting his rifle upon the bonnet142, of the car. I think it’s the man they call Clem, Clem Lamb. He boasts he is a very good shot.”
Then two bullets came crashing into the room in quick succession. They missed and buried themselves into the wall behind. Sir Parry stood quite still. He had not flinched143 a hair’s breadth.
“You’re a brave man!” exclaimed Larose hoarsely, “and I will shake hands with you now.”
Then, as Sir Parry, with a cold smile, stretched back his right hand for Larose to grasp, a bullet struck him square in the middle of his forehead and he fell back dead, into the detective’s arms.
The crack of the rifle died away and Larose called out shrilly144. “Don’t come in yet, Lady Ardane. Sir Parry’s killed. They got him with a bullet in the head,” and a gasp132 of horror came from behind the bathroom door.
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收听单词发音
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1
enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bruise
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| n.青肿，挫伤；伤痕；vt.打青；挫伤 | |
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indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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maidenhood
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| n. 处女性, 处女时代 | |
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revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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well-being
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| n.安康，安乐，幸福 | |
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dependants
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| 受赡养者，受扶养的家属( dependant的名词复数 ) | |
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domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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prick
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| v.刺伤，刺痛，刺孔；n.刺伤，刺痛 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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14
jolted
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| （使）摇动， （使）震惊( jolt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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jolting
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| adj.令人震惊的 | |
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drowsily
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| adv.睡地，懒洋洋地，昏昏欲睡地 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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rumbling
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| n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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scantily
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| adv.缺乏地；不充足地；吝啬地；狭窄地 | |
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partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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rusted
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| v.（使）生锈( rust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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28
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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32
abducted
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| 劫持，诱拐( abduct的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（肢体等）外展 | |
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33
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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fens
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| n.（尤指英格兰东部的）沼泽地带( fen的名词复数 ) | |
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gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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spire
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| n.(教堂)尖顶，尖塔，高点 | |
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mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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41
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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44
protrude
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| v.使突出，伸出，突出 | |
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45
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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46
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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48
curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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49
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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50
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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51
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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52
delved
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| v.深入探究，钻研( delve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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54
vibrations
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| n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动 | |
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55
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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56
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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57
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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58
longings
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| 渴望，盼望( longing的名词复数 ) | |
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59
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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60
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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61
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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62
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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63
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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64
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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66
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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67
averred
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| v.断言( aver的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；证明…属实；作为事实提出 | |
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68
reassuringly
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| ad.安心，可靠 | |
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69
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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70
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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71
effusive
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| adj.热情洋溢的；感情(过多)流露的 | |
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72
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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73
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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74
evading
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| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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75
license
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| n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许 | |
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76
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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77
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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78
amorous
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| adj.多情的；有关爱情的 | |
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79
mattress
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| n.床垫，床褥 | |
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80
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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81
waned
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| v.衰落( wane的过去式和过去分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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82
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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83
sockets
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| n.套接字，使应用程序能够读写与收发通讯协定(protocol)与资料的程序( Socket的名词复数 )；孔( socket的名词复数 )；（电器上的）插口；托座；凹穴 | |
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84
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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85
demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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86
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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87
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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88
imploringly
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| adv. 恳求地, 哀求地 | |
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89
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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90
clarion
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| n.尖音小号声；尖音小号 | |
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91
stationary
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| adj.固定的，静止不动的 | |
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92
panes
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| 窗玻璃( pane的名词复数 ) | |
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93
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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94
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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95
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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96
furtive
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| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
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97
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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98
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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99
bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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100
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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101
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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102
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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103
loft
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| n.阁楼，顶楼 | |
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104
sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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105
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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106
glum
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| adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的 | |
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107
squatted
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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108
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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109
crumpled
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| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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110
squatting
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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111
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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112
marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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113
oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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114
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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115
assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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116
sagged
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| 下垂的 | |
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117
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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118
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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119
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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120
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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121
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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122
instigator
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| n.煽动者 | |
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123
warp
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| vt.弄歪，使翘曲，使不正常，歪曲，使有偏见 | |
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124
sane
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| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
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125
stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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126
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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127
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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128
dozing
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| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
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129
crimsoned
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| 变为深红色（crimson的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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130
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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131
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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132
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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133
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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134
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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135
undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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136
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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137
recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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138
prosecutor
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| n.起诉人；检察官，公诉人 | |
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139
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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140
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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141
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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142
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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143
flinched
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| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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144
shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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