CHAPTER VII.
THE MYSTERY OF THE DESERTED VESSEL.
After listening at the partition for some time Bambino became convincedthat a human being was confined in an inner cabin.
Frequently he heard sobs and groans mingled with exclamations in theFrench language, with which he was well acquainted.
A further examination showed him a door, against which several piecesof furniture were jammed, they having evidently been thrown against itduring the progress of the storm.
This had effectually prevented the egress of the unfortunate personinside.
Being a powerful man, the Italian exerted himself to the utmost andsucceeded in removing a bureau, some chairs and a heavy table whichwere piled up in confusion.
Then the door flew open, and he beheld a lady lying on a bed, and itwas easily observable that she was in a state of complete exhaustion,having been many days without food.
Had not help come when it did, she could not have survived much longer.
Though the face was very beautiful, the cheeks were sunken, emaciatedand hollow; her long silken hair hung in disheveled masses over hershoulders, and in her deeply expressive eyes there was the glare ofincipient insanity.
No sooner did the girl see Bambino than she endeavored to rise, but wascompelled to fall back again by weakness.
"Who are you?" he asked, tenderly.
"I am an angel now," she replied. "Death has held me in his arms. I donot suffer any more, though it was hard and bitter to die."
Her voice was faint and feeble. There was that in her words and mannerwhich indicated that her mind was wandering. Reason had tottered onits throne, until it had finally given way beneath the weight of hersufferings.
Seeing that she was in want of nourishment, he procured some food whichhe administered with a spoon, afterward compelling her to drink somewine.
Toward night she improved considerably, and fell into a refreshingsleep.
Bambino went repeatedly on deck to look out for a sail, but did not seeone.
His position was a precarious one, for should another storm arise,there was little doubt the vessel would either capsize or break herback.
He drew some consolation from the fact that he was in the path of thesteamships which were constantly crossing and recrossing the Atlanticocean.
Two days passed, during which the lady remained in a comatose state;but, as he continued to feed her at intervals, she gradually regainedher strength, and on the third day was able to get up and converse.
Her mind, however, was gone. She talked incoherently, persisting thatshe had died during the storm, and that she was a spirit.
"When I was alive," she would say, "I lived in France and I married anEnglish nobleman. When he dies and comes to the land of spirits, hewill not deny that I am his wife, though on earth, he drove me from himand broke my heart."
"What was his name?" asked Bambino, who became interested in her randomutterings, he scarcely knew why.
"Lord Maltravers; you see I remember that, though I cannot recollectall things that happened before I died. I was called Adele."
Bambino started and visibly changed color.
He had heard his master speak of this girl, and it appeared to him thathe had made an important discovery.
Maltravers had admitted to this confidential villain that he hadlegally married the girl, and he hoped that she was dead, as she mightgive him some trouble if she lived.
Slave as he was, bound hand and foot to his titled master, Bambino feltthat, with this girl in his possession, he would have a powerful weaponto use, should he ever come into open conflict with him.
He determined to say that she was his sister and that the captain andcrew of the ship had left them behind in their hurry to quit, while hecould easily add that Adele had become crazed with terror.
A week went by; and though Adele grew stronger, there was noamelioration in her mental condition.
She was quiet and even childish. Never did she utter any threatsagainst Lord Maltravers. She loved him in a sweet, innocent way thatwas very affecting.
In a locket, which she wore around her neck, she had a faded photographof the handsome, bad man, who had made her the plaything of an idlehour and ruined her young life. This she would take from her bosomwhere she concealed it and kiss with the greatest rapture, pressing herlips to it and murmuring words of purest affection and despairing love.
It was a sight to make the hardest heart feel, and bring tears to theeyes of the most callous man of the world.
Even Bambino, wretch that he was, had known what it was to love, and hesighed for her misery.
At length the wished-for sail hove in sight, and the Italian contrivedto attract the attention of the crew, who lowered a boat to come totheir rescue.
He went below and roused Adele, who was bending over the photograph ofthe loved one, very much as a little child plays with a pretty toy.
"Come, _mio caro_," he exclaimed, "we are going on board another ship,which will take us to a great city. Put that thing away."
Adele held up the picture, while a smile overspread her countenance.
"Isn't he lovely?" she asked.
Bambino set his lips firmly together, while the dark eyes--peculiar tothe Latin race--flashed forth their fire.
"I can't say anything against him," he replied, "for I owe him much;but, _cospetto_! you and he will go to different places when you die."
"I am dead. You know that," said the simple-minded girl. "But will henot come to me in time and ask my pardon? Will he not fold me in hisarms as of old and call me his darling?"
"Possibly."
"Oh, yes," said she, as her eyes rolled in an ecstasy of unboundedaffection. "It must be so. There _must_ be some recompense for the purein heart, hereafter."
Bambino was touched.
He patted her beautiful hair with the air of an affectionate brother.
"Would to God, my child," he said, "that I had won your love instead ofthe woman's who--but no matter; my hand is red with her blood."
Adele looked at him in dread surprise.
"Did you kill her?" she asked.
Bambino laughed, in a harsh, metallic tone.
"She is dead," he replied. "Ay, and--_Corpo di Baccho_! the man is inthe grave, too."
"Man! what man?" inquired Adele.
"Ask me no more questions, unless you want to madden me," criedBambino. "I thought the wound was cicatrized, but you, with yourchildish questions, set my blood on fire. I loved that woman."
"Maltravers loved me once, yet I did not kill him when he deserted meand afterward drove me from him, when I laid my heart at his feet. Howcan you kill those you love?"
Bambino could say no more. He led Adele gently but firmly up thecompanion-ladder, and in a few minutes the boat from the steamer wasalongside.
They were taken off the ship. He told his story and excited muchsympathy, especially when he reached the vessel, which was bound to NewYork.
Adele and he were given berths in the intermediate part of the ship,which is amidships, and in five days they found themselves in New York.
Bambino was careful to conceal his right name, as he knew the log wouldbe published in the papers, and might reach Harkaway's eye.
The Italian resolved to keep Adele in his charge, as a counterfoil toany ill-treatment he might receive from Lord Maltravers.
When the steamer arrived, he went to a hotel and having securedattendance for Adele, cast about for some place where he could placeher.
In a paper he saw an advertisement to this effect:
"ASTROLOGY.--Madame Vesta Levine, the only real fortune-teller in thecity--electric baths--galvanism. Boarders taken. W. 32d St."
The morning after his arrival he called upon Mme. Levine, who was amiddle-aged lady, with an intellectual face.
She did not look like a charlatan, and exhibited a diploma from amedical college, which proved that she had some knowledge of thehealing art.
He was received in her
office, which contained only a few chairs, atable and some books on a shelf, having no skulls, stuffed snakes andthe ordinary stock in trade of a fortune-teller.
"What can I do for you, sir?" she demanded.
"I have a sister," replied Bambino, "whose mind is affected througha disappointment in love and a subsequent shipwreck at sea. She isyoung. I do not wish to put her in an asylum. I have great faith inelectricity and I will place her in your care, paying three months'board in advance, if you will receive her."
"I shall be glad to take her as a patient," answered Mme. Levine.
"You will try to cure her?"
"Undoubtedly."
"I must warn you that she imagines she is a departed spirit."
Mme. Levine smiled.
"That is nothing," she answered. "I have had worse cases than that.When shall I expect your sister, sir?"
Bambino promised to bring her round that evening, and took hisdeparture.
Later in the day he made his reappearance with Adele, who evinced noattachment for him and seemed only to care for being alone.
For hours she would talk to herself and occasionally press her hands toher head, as if it hurt her.
Mme. Vesta Levine had a room at the top of her house prepared for herand detailed a colored woman to wait upon her.
"Beware," said Bambino as he left the house, "how you treat my sister.I shall demand a strict account of you."
The madame smiled scornfully, for she glanced from the swarthy Italianto the fair-haired daughter of France, and she knew in one instant thatthey were not related.
"Sir," she replied, "your 'sister' is perfectly safe in my hands, andwhen you require her I shall be perfectly ready to deliver her."
Bowing politely the Italian took his leave, feeling that Adele was ingood hands, and that he could find her whenever he wanted her.
While returning to the hotel at which he was staying, he beheld twogentlemen walking together on Broadway.
No sooner had he seen them than he drew his breath quickly and drawinghis hat over his brows, darted into a doorway to allow them to pass,without perceiving him.
It was Jack Harkaway and his friend Harvey.
"We must hurry," exclaimed Jack, "or we shall be late for Miss VanHoosen's reception, and you do not know how my heart longs to see thatgirl once more."
Harvey laughed lightly.
"It seems to me," he replied, "that you are very much smitten in thatquarter."
"I don't mind acknowledging it," said Jack. "She is just about thesweetest, prettiest, most charming young lady that I ever met in all mytravels."
"So she is," answered Harvey. "She is worthy of you and you of her."
"If it had not been for the superlative attraction that she has for meI should not be here now."
"Well! You can congratulate yourself on one thing."
"What is that?"
"You have cut Lord Maltravers out of the game entirely. He has no shownow. Ha! Ha!" laughed Harvey.
"Ha! ha!" laughed Jack. "You are right there, but the fellow isdangerous."
"Yes, indeed."
"Fancy his sending a fellow to assassinate me. It was lucky I got thebest of him."
"Between you and the fishes of the Atlantic there cannot be much leftof the villain," remarked Harvey.
This conversation was distinctly audible to Bambino, as the two youngmen had paused to light their cigars.
"We shall see!" muttered the crafty Italian. "Let those laugh who win."
At this moment an elderly gentleman, passing by in the dim light of theevening, drew out his pocket-handkerchief; and, in doing so, a largewallet fell on the sidewalk.
He did not notice his loss.
Bambino, however, saw it, and a sudden idea came into his head, uponwhich he did not hesitate to act.
Starting rapidly forward, he picked up the wallet, and pushing againstJack, dropped it into the pocket of his overcoat.
"Here, you, sir!" exclaimed Jack. "Where are you coming to?"
"Beg pardon," answered Bambino, in a gruff voice.
"Don't do it again, that's all," rejoined Jack. "There is lots of roomfor both of us."
Bambino retired as quickly as he came, and walked after the elderlygentleman who had lost the wallet.
"Sir," he exclaimed, touching him on the shoulder.
This man was a merchant connected with the Produce Exchange, verywealthy, but very mean.
"I've nothing for you," replied Mr. Cobb, for that was his name.
"I want to speak to you."
"Not to-night, my good fellow. I can't give anything to tramps andbeggars."
"Listen a moment," persisted Bambino. "Have you lost anything?"
Instantly Mr. Cobb's hands dived into his pockets, and a look of alarmstole over his face.
"Why, bless me, yes, my wallet!" he said. "Have you seen it?"
"Did it contain anything valuable?"
"I should say it did. Valuable! What's the man talking about? Where isit? Tell me at once, or I'll call the police and have you arrested."
Bambino pointed to Harkaway, who was only a few yards ahead.
"Do you see that person?" he asked.
"Which one--there are two together?"
"The stout one. It is he whom I saw take your wallet from your pocket."
"Then he is a thief?"
"Precisely," replied Bambino. "Good-evening. I hope you will recoveryour property."
Lifting his hat politely, he turned down a side street, leaving Mr.Cobb to go after his money.
Harkaway was perfectly unconscious of the trick that had been playedupon him.
As for Harvey, he was a little uneasy.
"Jack," he said, "did you notice the face of that fellow who pushed upagainst you?"
"Not distinctly; why?" replied Jack.
"I did, and the features reminded me of that Italian scoundrel of whomwe were talking."
"Bambino?"
"Yes. The hired assassin of your sworn enemy, Lord Maltravers."
"Absurd!" exclaimed Jack. "The fellow perished at sea. We know thatvery well."
"Never mind; the face haunts me."
"You shouldn't indulge such silly fancies, Dick. I tell you the rascalis as dead as a doornail," replied Jack.
Just then, Mr. Cobb rushed up and seized Harkaway rudely by the arm.
"Hello!" exclaimed Jack. "What's the matter with you? Has every one gota mania for jostling me to-night?"
"My wallet, my wallet!" cried Mr. Cobb.
Jack shook off his grasp and drawing himself up proudly looked himsternly in the face.
"My good sir," he said, "be kind enough to explain yourself."
"You have stolen my wallet. I saw you do it."
This was a stretch of imagination on the part of the produce merchant,but he relied on what Bambino had told him.
"Do I look like a--a thief?" inquired Jack, not knowing whether to getangry or not, and feeling inclined to regard Mr. Cobb as a harmlesslunatic.
"No," admitted the merchant, "but gentlemanly thieves are the mostdangerous."
Jack turned inquiringly to Harvey.
"Dick," he exclaimed, "ought I not to knock this man down?"
"Under the circumstances, you would be justified," replied Harvey."But, my dear boy, he is old and we should respect old age."
"True. Pass on, sir, and do not presume to annoy me any more with yourridiculous charges," said Jack.
"My money. I want my money, robber. You shall not escape me thus,"persisted Mr. Cobb.
Again he laid his hand on Jack, who this time flung him violentlyagainst the window of a store.
A small crowd of idlers began to collect, and the attention of one ofthe Broadway squad was arrested.
"What's all this?" asked the officer, coming up.
"Arrest this man," cried Mr. Cobb.
"What for?"
"Robbery. I charge him with having stolen my wallet, containing a largesum."
"Who are you?"
"Richard Cobb, of the firm of Cobb and Co. Every one knows me in Southstreet."
The officer seized Jack by the elbow.
"I arrest you," he said. "Come along."
"Allow me to explain," exclaimed Jack.
"You can do that at the station."
Jack shrugged his shoulders.
"This is a queer country," he replied; "yet I make it a rule never toresist constituted authority."
"You wouldn't find it much use if you did," answered the officer,swinging his locust club.
Harvey was much annoyed.
"Let me assure you, policeman," he said, "that you have made a mistake."
"Can't help it," was the stolid reply.
"This is my friend, Mr. Harkaway, of England. We are stopping at theFifth avenue Hotel."
"I guess the pair of you will stop somewheres else to-night," answeredthe policeman, smiling at his own joke.
It was useless to argue the point, and the officer conducted hisprisoners to the station, where Mr. Cobb made his charge.
Jack indignantly denied the accusation, and demanded to be searched.
Imagine his dismay, when the searchers produced the missing wallet fromthe pocket of his overcoat.
"That's mine!" cried Mr. Cobb, exultantly. "What did I tell you?"
"Lock 'em both up," said the captain.
"I will send for the British Consul," exclaimed Jack. "This is someinfamous plot."
"Bambino," muttered Harvey.
"Right, Dick; your eyes were better than mine. I ought to have knownthat the fellow was never born to be drowned," replied Jack.
"Put them in different cells," continued the captain.
They were conducted below and locked up, feeling very indignant, butunable to help themselves.
The charge looked very grave against them, and Harvey was as muchimplicated as Jack, because he was regarded as an accomplice.
Mr. Cobb promised to appear in the morning, and went home.
As he left the station he did not perceive a man who was hiding in theshadow of a house.
This was Bambino, who had watched the arrest, and finding that the gamewas securely bagged, turned away with a chuckle.
"Five years in State's prison for highway robbery," he muttered, "willplease his lordship."
Repairing to a telegraph office, he sent the following dispatch bycable to Maltravers:
"Come over as soon as you can. The coast is clear. The lady can be yours, as Jack will not be likely to cross your path for some time to come.
"BAMBINO."