I LOOKED round the cave with mingled1 feelings. The place itself was, as a natural wonder, superb; but to me as a treasure hunter it was a disappointment. In no way did it answer the description of Don de Escoban. However I did not despair; there were many openings, and some one of them might bring me to the required spot. I passed to the centre of the cavern2 and looked round. As I did so, I got a momentary3 fright, for several of the openings were so much alike that only for my rope I would not have been able to distinguish that by which I had come in. The lesson of this shock should not be lost; I must make a mark by which I could distinguish this entrance from the others. No matter where the other openings might lead to, this alone, so far as I could tell, was the one which could lead me to safety. With a heavy pebble4 I hammered away at the right side of the entrance till I had chipped off a piece of rock. I could tell this place again by sight or by touch. Then I went round the cave examining the various branches. It was here that I began to feel the disadvantage of my imperfect light. I wanted some kind of torch which would give sufficient light to see the whole place at once. One could get no fit idea of proportion by merely making the little patch of dim light from the bicycle lamp travel along the rocky walls. I felt that all this time Marjory must be anxious about me, doubly so since she had no clue to[230] where I had gone. So I determined6 to come back at once, and postpone7 the thorough examination of the place until I should have proper appliances. Accordingly I made my way back to the place where Marjory anxiously awaited me.
Her reception of me was sweet and tender. It was so natural that its force was hardly manifest. It may have been that my mind was so full of many things that I did not receive her caress8 with the same singleness of devotion as was my wont9. Now that I was assured of her love for me, and since I had called her my wife, my love lost its element of anxiety. It is this security which marks the difference of a husband’s love from that of a lover; doubt is an element of passion, but not of true conjugal10 love. It was only afterwards, when I was alone, and Marjory’s enchanting11 presence was not with me, that I began to realise through the lenses of memory and imagination the full sweetness of my wife’s greeting in her joy at the assurance of my safety. It took a very few moments to tell her all the details of my adventure, and of the conclusion which I had come to as to the need for postponement12. She thoroughly13 agreed with me in the necessity; and we then and there settled that it would be wiser for her to go back to Crom to-night. We were to settle later, when all preparations had been made, when we should again attempt the investigation14 of the cave.
When I had put on dry clothes, we set out for Crom. We walked our bicycles past Whinnyfold, and were grateful for the unique peculiarity15 of that village, an absence of dogs. We did not light our lamps till we got on the Peterhead road; and we put them out when we got into the mesh17 of crossroads near Crom. In the wood Marjory once more resumed her footman’s coat, and we set out for the castle. On our way we had agreed that it would be best to try the other side of the castle where it was not[231] likely that any stranger would attempt to approach, as there was only the mossy foot track through the wood by the old chapel19. In the later days both Marjory and I had used our opportunities of finding new paths through the wood round the castle; and we had already marked down several tracks which we could follow even in the dark with a little care. This was almost a necessity, as we had noticed of late traces of the watchers round the main gateway20 through which all in the castle were accustomed to come and go.
The path which we took to-night required a long detour21 of the wood, as it lay right on the other side from the entrance gate. It was only a narrow grass path, beginning between two big trees which stood closely together not very far from one of the flanking mounds22 or hillocks which here came closer down to the castle than any of the others. The path wound in and out among the tree trunks, till finally it debouched at the back of the old chapel which stood on a rising rock, hidden in the wood, some three hundred feet from the west side of the castle. It was a very old chapel, partly in ruins and antedating23 the castle by so many centuries that it was manifestly a relic24 of the older castle on whose site Crom was built. It may have been used for service early in the sixteenth century; but it could not even have been in repair, or even weather-proof, for there were breaches25 at the end of it in which had taken root seedlings27 which were now forest trees. There was one old oak whose girth and whose gnarled appearance could not have been achieved within two centuries. Not merely the roots but the very trunk and branches had pushed aside the great stones which lay firmly and massively across the long low windows peculiar16 to the place. These windows were mere5 longitudinal slits28 in the wall, a sort of organised interstices between great masses of stone. Each of the three[232] on either side of the chapel was about two feet high and some six feet in length; one stone support, irregularly placed, broke the length of each. There was some kind of superstition29 amongst the servants regarding this place. None of them would under any circumstances go near it at night; and not even in daytime if they could decently excuse themselves.
In front of the chapel the way was very much wider. Originally there had been a clear space leading through the wood: but centuries of neglect had done their work. From fallen pine-cone, and beech-mast, and acorn30, here and there a tree had grown which now made of the original broad alleyway a number of tortuous31 paths between the towering trunks. One of the reasons why we had determined to use this path was that it was noiseless. Grass and moss18 and rusty32 heaps of pine needles betrayed no footfall; with care one could come and go unheard. If once she could get through the wood unnoticed, Marjory might steal up to the doorway33 in the shadow of the castle and let herself in, unobserved.
We went hand in hand slowly and cautiously, hardly daring to breathe; and after a time that seemed endless came out at the back of the chapel. Then we stole quietly along by the southern wall. As we passed the first window, Marjory who was ahead of me stopped and gripped my hand so hard that I knew there must be some good cause for her agitation34. She pressed back so that we both stood away from the window opening which we could just see dimly outlined on the granite35 wall, the black vacancy36 showing against the lichen-covered stone. Putting her lips close to my ear she whispered:
“There are people there. I heard them talking!” My blood began to run cold. In an instant all the danger in which Marjory stood rushed back upon me. Of late we had been immune from trouble, so that danger which[233] we did not know of seemed to stand far off; but now the place and the hour, the very reputation of the old chapel, all sent back in a flood the fearful imaginings which had assailed37 me since first I had known of the plot against Marjory. Instinctively38 my first act was to draw my wife close to me and hold her tight. Even in that moment it was a joy to me to feel that she let herself come willingly. For a few moments we stood silent, with our hearts beating together; then she whispered to me again:
“We must listen. We may perhaps find out who they are, and what they intend.”
Accordingly we drew again close to the opening, Marjory standing39 under the aperture40, and I beside it as I found I could hear better in this position. The stooping made the coursing of my own blood sound in my ears. The voice which we first heard was a strong one, for even when toned to a whisper it was resonant41 as well as harsh and raucous42:
“Then it’s settled we wait till we get word from Whiskey Tommy. How long is it likely to be?” The answering voice, also a whisper, was smooth and oily, but penetrating43:
“Can’t say. He has to square the Dutchy: and they take a lot of sugar, his kind. They’re mighty44 pious45 when they’re right end up; but Lordy! when they’re down they’re holy terrors. This one is a peach. But he’s clever—I will say that; and he knows it. I’m almost sorry we took him in now, though he is so clever. He’d better mind out, though, for none of us love him; and if he goes back on us, or does not come up to the mark—” He stopped, and the sentence was finished by a click which I knew was the snapping of the spring of a bowie knife when it is thrown open.
“And quite right too. I’m on if need be!” and there was another click. The answering voice was strong and[234] resolute46, but somehow, for all the wicked intent spoken, it did not sound so evil as the other. I looked at Marjory, and saw through the darkness that her eyes were blazing. My heart leaped again; the old pioneer spirit was awake in her, and somehow my dread47 for her was not the same. She drew close to me and whispered again:
“Be ready to get behind the trees at the back, I hear them rising.” She was evidently right, for now the voices were easier to hear since the mouths of the speakers were level with the window. A voice, a new one, said:
“We must git now. Them boys of Mac’s ’ll be on their round soon.” With a quick movement Marjory doubled under the window and came to me. She whispered as before:
“Let us get behind trees in front. We may see them coming through the door, and it will be well to know them.” So motioning to her to go on the side we were on, I slipped round the back, and turning by the other side of the chapel, and taking care to duck under the windows, hid myself behind one of the great oak trees in front, to the north of the original clearing. From where I stood I could see Marjory behind a tree across the glade48. From where we were we could see any one who left the chapel; for one or other of us commanded the windows, and we both commanded the ruined doorway. We waited, and waited, and waited, afraid to stir hand or foot lest we should give a warning to our foes49. The time seemed interminable; but no one came out and we waited on, not daring to stir.
Presently I became conscious of two forms stealing between the trees up towards the chapel. I glided50 further round behind my sheltering tree, and, throwing an anxious glance toward Marjory, was rejoiced to see that she was doing the same. Closer and closer the two forms came. There was not the faintest sound from them. Approaching[235] the door-way from either side they peered in, listened, and then stole into the darkness between the tree trunks which marked the breach26 in the wall. I ventured out and slipped behind a tree somewhat nearer; Marjory on her side did the same, and at last we stood behind the two nearest trees and could both note the doorway and each of us the windows on one side. Then there was a whisper from within; somehow I expected to hear a pistol shot or to see a rush of men out through the jagged black of the doorway. Still nothing happened. Then a match was struck within. In the flash I could see the face of the man who had made the light—the keen-eyed messenger of Sam Adams. He held up the light, and to our amazement51 we could see that, except for the two men whom we had seen go in, the chapel was empty.
Marjory flitted over to me and whispered:
“Don’t be afraid. Men who light up like that aren’t likely to stumble over us, if we are decently careful.” She was right. The two men, seeing that the place was empty, seemed to cast aside their caution. They came out without much listening, stole behind the chapel, and set off along the narrow pathway through the wood. Marjory whispered to me:
“Now is my chance to get in before they come back. You may come with me to the edge of the wood. When I get in, dear, go back home as fast as you can. You must be tired and want rest. Come to-morrow as soon as you can. We have lots to talk over. That chapel must be seen to. There is some mystery there which is bigger than anything we have struck yet. It’s no use going into it now; it wants time and thinking over!” We were whispering as we walked along, still keeping carefully in the shadow of the trees. Behind the last tree Marjory kissed me. It was her own act, and as impulsively52 I clasped her tight in my arms, she nestled in to me as[236] though she felt that she belonged there. With a mutual53 ‘good-night’ and a whispered blessing54 she stole away into the shadow. I saw her reach the door and disappear through it.
I went back to Cruden with my mind in a whirl of thoughts and feelings. Amongst them love was first; with all the unspeakable joy which comes with love that is returned.
I felt that I had a right to call Marjory my very own now. Our dangers and hopes and sympathies made a tie which seemed even closer than that tied in the church at Carlisle.
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1
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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pebble
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| n.卵石，小圆石 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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6
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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7
postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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8
caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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9
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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10
conjugal
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| adj.婚姻的，婚姻性的 | |
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11
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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12
postponement
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| n.推迟 | |
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13
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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14
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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15
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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16
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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17
mesh
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| n.网孔，网丝，陷阱；vt.以网捕捉，啮合，匹配；vi.适合； [计算机]网络 | |
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18
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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19
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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20
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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21
detour
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| n.绕行的路，迂回路；v.迂回，绕道 | |
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22
mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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23
antedating
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| v.（在历史上）比…为早( antedate的现在分词 )；先于；早于；（在信、支票等上）填写比实际日期早的日期 | |
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24
relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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25
breaches
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| 破坏( breach的名词复数 )； 破裂； 缺口； 违背 | |
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26
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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27
seedlings
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| n.刚出芽的幼苗( seedling的名词复数 ) | |
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28
slits
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| n.狭长的口子，裂缝( slit的名词复数 )v.切开，撕开( slit的第三人称单数 )；在…上开狭长口子 | |
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29
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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30
acorn
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| n.橡实，橡子 | |
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31
tortuous
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| adj.弯弯曲曲的，蜿蜒的 | |
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32
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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33
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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34
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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35
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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36
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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37
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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38
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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39
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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40
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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41
resonant
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| adj.(声音)洪亮的，共鸣的 | |
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42
raucous
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| adj.(声音)沙哑的，粗糙的 | |
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43
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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44
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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45
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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46
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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47
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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48
glade
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| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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49
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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50
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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51
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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52
impulsively
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| adv.冲动地 | |
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53
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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54
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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