She had entirely1 enchanted2 me. The more I saw of her, the more graceful3, the more charming, she seemed. There was nothing loud or masculine about her; she was a sweet, modest woman, yearning4 for love, sympathy, and protection.
The manner in which she was bound to this clever gang of rogues5 was still a mystery. In me she had confided6 many things during those two calm hours of our new-born love, but from me she still concealed7 the real reason why her interests were bound up in those of Purvis, Bennett, and their two accomplices10. I guessed, and believed that I guessed aright. The tragedy at Kilburn held her to them irrevocably. She was entirely and helplessly in their hands, to fetch and carry, to do their bidding; indeed, to act unlawfully at their command.
If that were so, surely no woman could be in a more horrible position—compelled to be the accomplice9 of assassins.
I thought it all over as, in the darkness, I walked back to Caldecott.
True, I had gained her affection that night. Yet, together with the perfect bliss11 that comes in the first hour of true love, there had also come to me the hideous12 truth of her bondage13.
The last train from Rugby having rushed past, sparks flying from the engine and awakening14 the echoes of the night, stopped for a moment at Rockingham Station and then continued its journey eastward15. And presently, as I walked onward16 in the darkness, I encountered a man whose face I could not see, for we passed each other beneath the shadow of some trees. I saw he was tall and thin, and wore a long light overcoat. He was whistling to himself, as a lonely man sometimes whistles to keep himself company.
His silhouette17 stood out distinctly in the gloom, and although I saw not his countenance18 I knew well that it was my enemy Purvis—the man who held my love in bondage.
Back at the Manor19 I found everything prepared for siege. Seal was not a man to stand idle if there was any chance of a scrimmage. Like all giants in strength, he loved fighting. His hesitation20 to face Black Bennett had now entirely disappeared, and over his rum that night he expressed a most fervent21 hope that the “white-livered swabs,” as he termed them, would appear in the secret passage.
On the table between us lay three revolvers, and as we took counsel together each of us smoked furiously. I told them something of what Dorothy Drummond had related to me, how our enemies meant to raid us, and of their firm belief that the treasure was concealed there. But I said nothing of my tender passion, nor did I allow them to suspect the real object of our clandestine23 meeting.
“Ah!” remarked Reilly. “If you could only get Miss Drummond, or Bristowe, or whatever is her real name, to secure that parchment of old Knutton’s, then the game would be entirely in our own hands.”
“That’s unfortunately impossible,” I answered. “The man Purvis has it securely put away. I have already mentioned it to her, and she tells me that she has no idea where it is.”
“Well,” remarked the skipper, “Black Bennett and his men are just as much in the dark as we are. Let ’em come. They’ll get a warm reception. How many of ’em are there?”
“Four. Bennett and the other two are lodging24 in Kettering.”
“The only reason of the secret attack upon us, as far as I can see, is in order to gag and secure us while they make a thorough search of the premises25. They surely wouldn’t dare to kill the whole three of us in our beds!” said Reilly.
“They won’t kill Job Seal, you can bet your sea-boots on that,” remarked the skipper with a grin upon his great furrowed26 face.
But my mind was running upon the tragedy at Kilburn, and I was trying to devise some means by which we might denounce the whole gang, and hand them over to the police.
There was, alas27! one fact which would ever prevent us taking such an action. If we boldly charged them with murder, Dorothy must be implicated28. To arrest them would mean arrest for her. She had acted as decoy, and could not deny it!
So I was compelled to abandon all hope in that direction. By sheer force we would be compelled to combat this quartette of unscrupulous adventurers, and to that end we awaited their coming.
So thoroughly29 and carefully had we examined every hole and corner of the house that all three of us were beginning to despair of ever discovering the hidden hoard30. In an old-fashioned mansion31 of that character there were a thousand and one places where gold might be stored. In chimneys, under stairs, beneath the flags of the big, vaulted32 cellars, behind the large, open fireplaces—some of which still had their quaint33 iron dogs of ancient days—all these places we had investigated in vain. Not a single room was there but bore traces of our chisels34, picks and crowbars. The result of our search consisted in two or three copper35 coins, an old letter dated in 1796, a skeleton with rings upon the fingers, an old leathern mug, and two or three articles not worth enumeration36.
We were sorely disappointed. We could not conceal8 from ourselves the bare fact that at any rate in the Manor House the treasure of Bartholomew da Schorno was non-existent, and, furthermore, we feared that some one in generations past had been before us and secured it in secret.
Nevertheless, the careful and ingenious actions of our enemies in order to gain entry into the place puzzled us. From what my love had told me, they were evidently in possession of some information of which we were in ignorance—information which made it plain that, after all, the treasure was actually there.
They meant mischief37; we had no doubt about that. But, being forewarned, we calmly awaited their coming, Seal chuckling38 to himself at the reception they would receive.
The church clock struck midnight. We had moved into the room from which the secret way opened, and, Reilly having produced a pack of cards, we played nap in under-tones, our weapons lying at hand in case of need.
Now and then—indeed, after every game—one or other of us rose and listened within the secret chamber39 for the approach of the invaders40. One o’clock passed, two o’clock, yet no sound save the familiar thumping41 and squealing42 of the rats and the dismal43 howling of the wind in the wide, old-fashioned chimney.
Seal had lost five shillings, and had therefore become engrossed44 in the game, when of a sudden we heard a low grating noise. In an instant we were on our feet, revolver in hand, and according to our pre-arranged plan our light was at once extinguished.
It was our object to watch and take the intruders by surprise.
Without a sound we all three moved across the room and out into the corridor, concealing45 ourselves in a big cupboard upon which Reilly had placed an inside fastening. Our bedrooms we had locked and had the keys in our pockets, intending that our enemies should believe us to be asleep. In the cupboard door Reilly had bored holes that enabled us to see without being seen, while beside us were lamps ready to be lit in case of emergency.
Boxed up there, we waited, scarce daring to breathe lest we should betray our presence. We could hear low, gruff whispers and expressions of surprise as the invaders crept out of the secret chamber into the room. From their muffled46 tread we knew they had stockings pulled over their boots, and from our spy-holes we saw Bennett, lantern in hand, emerge into the corridor and look up and down to see that all was clear. Then he crept out, followed by three others, one of whom, I saw, was tall and gaunt, with fair moustache—the man who held my love beneath his thrall47.
Creeping along quietly, they passed us in procession, carrying chisels and picks, and taking every precaution against surprise. Having traversed the corridor, they descended48 the wide oaken stairs to the ground floor, where the uncertain light of the lanterns was quickly lost to view.
As soon as they had passed out of hearing, Reilly took up the hurricane lamp and opening the cupboard let us out, whispering:?—
“Watch them, doctor. See where they try, but don’t give the alarm until I return.” Then he left us, and we heard nothing more of him. His quick disappearance49 was a surprise to both of us, for he had previously50 told us nothing of his intentions, and had apparently51 acted on the spur of the moment.
At first Seal had been inclined to meet them at their entrance and drive them back, but to me such a proceeding52 seemed useless. My idea was to watch and ascertain53 where they went. Their own actions would betray the spot where they believed the gold was concealed. Our council had been a long one, but my suggestion had been adopted. Hence our retirement54 into the cupboard.
Job Seal had no love for Black Bennett, and as we crept along the corridor after them he gave vent22 to a strong nautical55 imprecation between his teeth. At the top of the staircase we listened, but could hear no sound. Therefore we crept down, fearing every moment the creaking oak might betray us, for the thin-worn old stairs were loose in places and gave forth56 sounds that in the night awakened57 the echoes of the empty place.
We arrived safely in the stone hall and halted, our ears strained to catch the slightest sound. We, however, heard nothing. All was silent as the grave. Indeed, the invaders with their swinging lanterns had passed by us silently in single file and seemed to have disappeared.
“They must have gone down to the cellars,” I whispered to Seal. Therefore we passed through the big stone kitchen into a small scullery beyond, from which a flight of stone steps led into the deep vaulted basement. The stout58 door was closed, but listening at it we heard voices quite distinctly. Our enemies were below, apparently divided in opinion as to the exact spot to open.
We heard one authoritative59 voice, which the skipper at once recognized as Bennett’s, saying:?—
“I tell you that it’s here, in this side wall. Don’t you remember that the old fortune-teller said three times three from the bottom of the steps. Look!” and we heard him count one, two, three—to nine, as he measured the paces. “It’s in this wall, here. Come, let’s get to work, and don’t make any noise, either. Is the door above closed?”
Somebody gave an affirmative response, and soon afterwards we heard the sound of chisels upon the stones. They worked with very little noise, so little, indeed, that had we been asleep the sound would not have reached us.
With Seal standing60 beside me, his fingers itching61 to come in contact with Bennett, I think I must have stood there nearly half an hour. The work went on unceasingly, silently, hardly a word being spoken. Reilly’s absence surprised me, but soon we heard a low whisper inquiring where the intruders were, and our companion stood beside us listening.
“They evidently know something of the right spot,” I whispered to him. “They’re taking down part of the foundations. Hark!”
A man was speaking—probably Purvis.
“Now we’re here, we ought to see whether they’ve made any investigations62. Come, Harding, let’s go up and have a look round while they’re getting those stones out. We’ll only be ten minutes or so. Have you got the torch?”
“All right,” responded the other, and I knew by the name and the voice that it was the seaman63 of the Thrush who had read those documents and who had been insolent64 at my remonstrance65.
The instant, however, we heard their intention we sprang out of the kitchen and upstairs to our previous hiding-place. The cupboard was not in the least suspicious—one of those generally built in old houses for the storage of linen66. If they found it locked they would not risk awakening us by forcing the door.
Up came the two men a few minutes later, passing from one open room to the other, taking a general look at the place with an electric torch, and expressing whispered surprise at the havoc67 we had played with the walls. Finding the doors of our two bedrooms locked, they did not touch them for fear of disturbing us.
Seal was impatient to make an attack upon them, but I considered that discretion68 was best, and that to watch was more politic69 than to show fight. So we waited in silence, until the grey dawn shone through the long corridor. Then at last we heard a slight movement, and the men re-passed in procession as noiselessly as they had come, and disappeared into the room.
Reilly opened the cupboard and listened. We heard a bang as the door in the flooring was shut down after they had descended to the underground burrow70; then in a moment he was all excitement.
“Come, help me quickly!” he cried, rushing forward into the secret chamber. “Quick! pile up these stones so that they cannot re-open the flap! They will return very soon. Quick!” And he began frantically71 heaping upon the trap-door the stones that we had taken from the wall, a work in which Seal and I assisted with a will.
When at last we had secured it by wedging two crowbars across the heap of stones so that it could not possibly be opened from below, Reilly burst into loud laughter and danced with delight, saying:?—
“We’ve trapped them, doctor! Trapped them all like vermin! When I left you I rushed down the passage to the well and found it bridged. I drew the boards away and tossed them down into the water. They can’t get across by any means. Come! Let’s close the door!” And he pulled back into its place the stout, iron-studded oak with the supreme72 satisfaction of knowing that he had entombed the invaders in that damp, dismal burrow which they themselves had discovered.
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1
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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yearning
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| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
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rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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accomplices
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| 从犯，帮凶，同谋( accomplice的名词复数 ) | |
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bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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bondage
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| n.奴役，束缚 | |
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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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15
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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17
silhouette
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| n.黑色半身侧面影，影子，轮廓；v.描绘成侧面影，照出影子来，仅仅显出轮廓 | |
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18
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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21
fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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clandestine
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| adj.秘密的，暗中从事的 | |
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lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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furrowed
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| v.犁田，开沟( furrow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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28
implicated
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| adj.密切关联的；牵涉其中的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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hoard
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| n./v.窖藏，贮存，囤积 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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chisels
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| n.凿子，錾子( chisel的名词复数 )；口凿 | |
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copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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enumeration
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| n.计数，列举；细目；详表；点查 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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38
chuckling
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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41
thumping
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| adj.重大的，巨大的；重击的；尺码大的；极好的adv.极端地；非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词)；狠打；怦怦地跳；全力支持 | |
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42
squealing
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| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的现在分词 ) | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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45
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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46
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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thrall
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| n.奴隶；奴隶制 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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50
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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51
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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52
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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53
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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54
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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55
nautical
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| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
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56
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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57
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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59
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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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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61
itching
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| adj.贪得的，痒的，渴望的v.发痒( itch的现在分词 ) | |
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investigations
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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63
seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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66
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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67
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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politic
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| adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政 | |
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70
burrow
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| vt.挖掘(洞穴)；钻进；vi.挖洞；翻寻；n.地洞 | |
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frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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72
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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