CHAPTER XX
THE ESCAPE
The shock of the tragedy which had taken place in so brief a space andso unexpectedly threw me into confusion. I knew I was gazing at thePrincess, who was bent over her brother, and I heard the weeping ofMademoiselle Trebizond punctuating the deep silence which had fallenafter those two reports. There was some movement among the mutineerswhich I did not understand, and presently I found that Legrand and Iwere being marched to one of the cabins.
"Doctor, do you know anything of this?" sounded a voice in my ear, andI was aware that Holgate was speaking. "The treasure, man, thetreasure!" he added, seeing, I suppose, some bewilderment in my face.
"No," said I shortly; "the only man who did is dead."
"Very well," said he sharply, "I'll deal with you when I have time,"and he hurried off.
Our captors shoved Legrand and myself into what had been the Prince'ssmoking-room, and gave us to understand that we were to be shot down ifwe made any attempt to escape. The rest of these pirates, I conceived,must be in full cry after the spoils, for I heard the sound of thedoors being opened and the noise of voices exchanging calls and souroaths. Presently the door was thrust aside, and the Princess andMademoiselle were ushered in unceremoniously by the foul-faced Pierce.They were resolved to box us up in our prison until they had settled ona fate for us.
The Princess was pale, but quiet, in contrast with her companion, whowas still in a storm of sobs. She declared that she was doomed, thatshe was betrayed, and in a breath vowed that her Frederic would havesaved her had he been alive. She appealed to us in turn for aid, andcalled God to witness that we were cowards and would desert her andhand her over to death. In a word, she behaved with that hystericalexhibition of nerves which I had noted in her at the outset of ourhapless voyage. Princess Alix, on the other hand, was still and silent.She made no attempt to calm her companion, and it was as if she heardnot those weak and selfish wailings. Once her blank gaze fell upon meas it wandered, and I was alarmed, so tragic were the eyes. I got up,and put my hand impulsively on her arm.
"Princess," I said in a low voice.
Her lip quivered. She hid her face. I went back to my seat. Who was Ithat I should intervene upon that infinite private sorrow? No, the pastwas not for me; the future faced me, pressed upon me, staring bleaklyand cruelly upon our condition. Was all over? Had we to remain there,merely at Holgate's pleasure helpless victims to his will, sheep readyfor the slaughter that he destined for us? I swore in my heart in thathour that it should not be--not without a struggle. I took God towitness in my inmost soul that I would die before harm should touch thePrincess. No, all was not lost yet--not so long as we were free to moveand breathe and think intelligently.
But, if anything were to be done, it must be attempted ere Holgateremembered us again. He had placed the guard upon us, and he would notturn his thoughts our way again until he had either found what he waslooking for or despaired of finding it. How long would the search goon? As I resolved the situation in my head, ideas began to assume formin my quickening brain. In the cabin, under watch and ward, were thetwo ladies, Legrand, and myself. Lane and Ellison were elsewhere, ifthey had not been killed by the mutineers, as I almost feared. Also,there was Juliette, Mademoiselle's maid. What had become of her? It wasnot death I feared for her. But the mutineers, it was quite certain,would think of nothing but running to earth the treasure for thepresent. The Prince had successfully concealed it, but, of course, thespace on a yacht is limited, and it seemed as if in time the discoverymust be made. How long would it be? But then came in a flash adisturbing thought. They would abandon their hunt when the light faileduntil the following morning, and the interlude would direct theirattention to their unfortunate prisoners. If they found the treasure bythat time, it might be too late for us, but if they went on tilldark--I thought I saw light at last in these reflections. We must wait,and act as soon as darkness fell.
One thing that gave me hope was that our guards showed no specialvigilance. I suppose this was partly because we were considered to besafely disposed of, and partly because they were interested in theprogress of the search. Now and then one of them opened the door andglanced in, shutting it again abruptly, to resume conversation with hiscompanion. We had been deprived of our weapons, and the outward windowstowards the deck were so small as to forbid the possibility of escapethat way, even had the intermittent visitations of our sentries beenwanting. Another thing encouraged me, which was, that we were free totalk unheeded. What could the communion of helpless, unarmed prisonersmatter? I glanced at Legrand, who sat back, his eyes staring at theceiling, his arms folded, a deep frown bitten in his forehead.
"Legrand," I whispered. His eyes dropped to my level. "They will bebusy till dark. What about dusk?"
He stirred, and shifted towards me. "Odd. I've been thinking the same,"he answered in a low tone. "We may have one more chance if we make it."
"We must make it," said I.
"I'll tell you what it is, Phillimore," said he. "There's something wecan't do without, in our circumstances, and I think I know where tofind it." He rose, and opened a cupboard in the wall, from which hebrought out a bottle of brandy, some glasses and some tinned foods."There's always been some kept here," he added. "And, as I live, aknife, if only a jack-knife. Well, she'll do, man--first to open thetins, and then----" He left his meaning in the air.
When the tins were opened, I endeavoured to persuade the Princess toeat. She refused at first from lips of marble, but I used my authorityas a doctor.
"Come," I said with asperity, "you're under orders here, Princess. Youmust do as you're told."
Her lips quivered. "I will try," she said in a strangled voice.
Mademoiselle had sat up some time ago and dried her tears. I think shehad worn herself out with that passion of weeping, and her nimble witsbegan to flow again.
"You are right, doctor," she said. "It is well to eat, otherwise webecome weak. I will eat and then see what may be done."
"Bravo, Mademoiselle!" said I. "That is spoken like a sensible woman."
"Yes," she went on, "I will try my eloquence upon them--those beasts.They will not harm me, if I speak to them. It was Sir John before, andhe was only a man, and clumsy. I will sing to them, if necessary. Iwill charm them. Have I not done it before?"
I wondered if the poor lady had any guess in her mind, had anyrealisation at all, of what human passions, let loose as upon thatship, amounted to. She spoke as a child, as a vain and hopeful child,boasting of her influence. But it was the mood I wanted rather than thehysterical state of tears. We ate, and drank a little brandy and water,without interruption from without, and turned once more to the thoughtof escape. The search was still going on, as sounds that came to ourears indicated, and slowly the room darkened with the enveloping night.I could just see the Princess across the cabin. Legrand whispered tome:
"They're still hard at work. We shall have our chance soon."
Our plan was simple, if we could once get quit of our guards. One ofthe smaller boats lay on the starboard side, and, hanging outwards fromthe davits, could, from the slant of the _Sea Queen_ as she lay on therocks, be easily dropped and floated. If we could lower her into thewater and get the ladies into her, it would be possible, under cover ofthe darkness and the preoccupation of the mutineers, to reach theisland. Once there, we must, of course, trust to our luck for food andshelter.
Legrand got to his feet and moved noiselessly towards the door. Theyacht was comparatively still, and we could hear the lapping of thequiet sea beyond the broken windows. I followed him.
"We have one jack-knife," I whispered in his ear. He nodded.
"And there are two men," he whispered back.
"Is the door locked?" He fumbled softly.
"I don't think so. They did not turn the key last time. But it's aquestion of who's outside. If the body of the mutineers are stillthere, we're done. If the two are alone----"
"They are alone," I whispered. "I can hear no noise. T
hey're huntingelsewhere."
"The darkness about suits us now. Explain to the ladies," he said underhis breath. "Let them be ready directly we are."
I went back to the couch and poured out my story through the darkness.I spoke to two shadows, and as I did so a hand moved in the air andtouched mine. I took it, and it was cold like the snows in January. Ipressed it softly.
"Be of good heart. I will come back. And do not cry out."
Even as I stole back in that critical moment, my heart bounded, for Iknew to whom the hand belonged. Body of Love! should not I know it inthe grave? I reached Legrand.
"Ready," I said.
"You take the nearest," said he. "A jack-knife carries farther."
"I shall want it," I said. "I have only my fingers."
"You shall have it," he said grimly. "One at a time. Fingers or throat,mind you, and no noise. Have you got your muscles back? You're a strongman, Phillimore, but, by heaven! all rests on your fingers. And youhave been wounded?"
"I could tear down the pillars of Gaza at this moment," I replied. "Myblood's afire."
"God be with us!" he muttered, and slowly turned the handle.
The door opened inwards, and in the darkness loomed a single figure.Legrand sprang, and the two disappeared in a heap upon the floor. I hadleapt to one side and was feeling in the air for my enemy, but my handstook nothing, nor could my eyes make out any other figure in the gloom.Presently something rose from the floor, and I heard Legrand's voice.
"He's alone. There was only the one."
"Yes," I whispered back. "And the mutineers are gone from here."
Faint noises issued from below, acquainting us in what direction thesearch had flowed.
"All the better," said Legrand. "The way's clear for us. Where are thewomen?"
I found my way into the cabin again and called them in a low voice."Give me your hand," said I to the first that reached me. I recognisedthe tall figure. Mademoiselle was _petite_. I conducted both throughthe doorway, and the Princess stumbled and gave vent to a little moan.It was the dead man. I pulled her to me.
"Legrand," said I, "you must take Mademoiselle; she will not find herway alone, and I must have an arm free."
"I want two," he growled.
At that moment a beam of light flashed from the cabins across the way.Legrand gave vent to a hiss of warning and moved off. I could see hisshadow for a moment, and then it was swallowed in the blackness. He waswaiting and watching outside the cabin. The light streamed out in a fantowards us, and revealed, in the opening of a door, a man's form, andeven as it did, Legrand struck. The man went down in silence, andLegrand bent over and picked up the lantern which had clashed to thefloor. He stooped and examined the face of his victim. Then he crossedto us, and on my arm a hand was trembling like a leaf in the wind.
"Courage," I whispered, and I groped for Mademoiselle on the otherside.
"It was the other man," said Legrand calmly. "I don't know what he didthere, but we've got a bull's-eye, which is so much to the good. Come,let's get on."
We passed down the corridor and through the bare doorway to the deck.Here the breath of the night blew softly on our faces. Legrand movedalong the bulwarks till he reached the davits from which the boatdepended. Standing into the opaque blackness, he cut at the ropesabove. Presently I heard a splash. I did not offer to assist, for hehad the knife and the knowledge; the two women were my charge. It musthave been twenty minutes that we waited there silently, deep in thesecurity of the darkness.
"She's down," said Legrand in my ear. "It's not a long drop, but it's ajob for women. Do you think you can manage it?"
"I'm going to try," I said, and I whispered to the Princess, "Will youtrust yourself to me? I must lower you into the boat?"
"Yes--yes," she answered in a low voice.
"Legrand," said I, "you go first. I'll lower them, and then I'llfollow."
He made no answer, but slipped over the railing, and presently hisvoice sounded softly from below: "Now."
I took the Princess's hand from my arm. "You must go," said I; "Legrandis awaiting you. If I put you over, can you hang by the rope and loweryourself? He will catch you."
"Yes," she said in the same voice.
I lifted her gently to the top of the bulwarks and put the rope in herhands, and I felt her go down slowly. I had faith in her, yet I waitedanxiously until I heard the voice below: "Safe."
I turned to where I had left Mademoiselle, but my hands moving in thedarkness encountered nothing. She was gone.
What had become of her? I moved a little way, and almost fell on myface over some obstacle, which was soft and moved. I stooped, and feltthere on the deck with a sudden misgiving. It was MademoiselleTrebizond, who had gone off in a swoon! What was to be done? I rackedmy brains, and could not see any means by which she could be lowered inthat unconscious state to the boat. I called out to Legrand softly,informing him of the situation, and I heard an oath float on the air.Suddenly a thought came to me and I leaned over. "Wait," I said, "Ihave an idea. I will be back shortly."
I had the bull's-eye, and now I turned it on and lighted myself backinto the corridor. In a flash I had had a thought as to what the secondguard had wanted in the cabin, and I retraced my way to it along thedeserted corridor, and found the door open and the man's body blockingit. I stepped over this and threw the light about. I had guessed it wasthe _boudoir_. I pushed into the farther room, which had beenMademoiselle's, and a cry greeted me. I had conjectured rightly. Thesecond man had been set as guard on other prisoners. Juliette ran to mequickly.
"Mademoiselle?" said she.
"Is safe," I answered, "but wants your help. Come." I cast the light onLane. "Can you walk, Lane?"
"Yes," he said; "I'm fit for anything."
"Ellison?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, follow me. If you'd known it, your prison was open for you. Beas silent as you can. There's no time to lose."
As I issued from the doorway, I stopped and took the revolver andcartridge-belt from the dead man, and Ellison followed my example inrespect of the other sentry. We reached the deck without a word, and Ishut off the lantern. I called to Legrand, and he answered.
"Hush!" he said. "There's been some one along here just now. Becareful."
I told him what had happened, and, as there was no time for more words,stooped to find Mademoiselle's unconscious form. It was not there!
Perplexed, I communicated my discovery to my companions, and wesearched in the dark for some minutes. But it then became apparent thatshe had vanished utterly. I heard Legrand's voice in warning below.
"There's a light coming aft. Quick. We can't wait."
I was fairly distracted, and knew not what to do. It was plain that, ifwe lingered there, we should be detected, and it seemed equally plainthat there was no chance of discovering Mademoiselle. Some one who hadpassed that way had lighted upon her unconscious body.
"Quick, man," said Legrand. "All will be lost."
I ordered Juliette down the rope, and as she protested, talking of hermistress, I told her all would be well if she would only descend. Thusreassured--for she had understood but imperfectly what had happenedthrough her ignorance of English--she jumped on the rail alertly anddisappeared. Lane followed, and Ellison, despite his wound, was litheas a cat. Then I mounted.
Heaven was a vault of darkness, and the sea poured multitudinous smallnoises in my ears as it rippled against the side of the _Sea Queen_.There was visible but the loom of the funnel and the stack of thestate-rooms turning night into deeper night. Noises now arose from thesaloon and streamed up to me. I put my hands on the rope, and then avoice wheezed almost in my ear.
"I'll lay it's the doctor."
It was Holgate, as civil and indifferent as if he were greeting afriend on the quarterdeck. I started and gripped my revolver tightly.
"It couldn't be any one else," pursued Holgate; and now his bulk was ablacker shadow than the empty blackness around. "Got a little partydown the
re, I dare say? Well, now, I never thought of that, doctor. Forone thing, I hadn't an idea that you would have left a lady all alonein a faint. It wasn't like your gallantry, doctor. So I didn't tumbleto it. But it's no odds. You're welcome. I make you a present of yourparty. Good-night, doctor."
I slipped down the rope and reached the boat ere this astounding speechwas ended. He was a fiend. Why did he torture us thus?
"Let her go, man," said I fiercely to Legrand. "He's the Devil in theflesh."
The rope was overboard, and the oars dipped. A lantern flashed from theside of the yacht, and a trail of light spread faint over the quietwater.
"Shall I give him a barrel, sir?" asked Ellison respectfully.
"No," said I shortly; "we shall have enough to do with our barrelspresently. Besides, you wouldn't hit him."
The boat sped out beyond the channel of light.
"Good-night, doctor," called out Holgate. "We've got a little businesson, but when that's over I hope to drop in to tea. You're not goingfar."
No one answered, and the wash of the water foamed about the nose of theboat as she turned seaward.