XXVIII -- TONY MAKES AMENDS
THE moon hung low above the clump of cottonwoods that flung their blackshadows across the road when Appleby with Harper and four of the SinVerguenza crept in among the roots which, rising like buttresses,supported the great columnar trunks. Beyond the trees the road woundfaintly white towards Santa Marta through the cane that stretched away avast sweep of dusky blueness, under the moon. The night was hot andalmost still, though a little breeze that was heavy with a spicy, steamysmell now and then shook a faint sighing from the cane.
The men sank into the blackest of the shadow with ears strained to catchthe slightest sound, while Appleby lay in a hollow with his rifle acrosshis knees where he could follow the strip of road until it twistedsharply. He also fancied that the light was clear enough to make itrisky for any of Morales' cazadores to venture round that bend, andthere was, he felt tolerably certain, a handful of them not far away,for certain supplies which had been sent the Sin Verguenza had failed toreach the hacienda. Supplies were also necessary, for, as Maccario hadpredicted, adherents had flocked in daily. They, however, had travelledby paths through the cane, and Appleby had gone out to locate one of thepickets which were watching the road.
It was not exactly his business, and both Maccario and Harding, who hadremained at the hacienda because he could not well get away, hadprotested against his undertaking it, but since the latter had given himNettie's message Appleby had been curiously restless, and felt that theexcitement might help him to shake off the thoughts and fancies thattroubled him. It had, however, signally failed to do so as yet, andwhile he lay with hot fingers clenched on the rifle barrel he once morefound himself wondering anxiously what had come about in England.
It was with a thrill of satisfaction, that was mixed with disgust at hisown infirmity of purpose, he realized that Nettie Harding must havemeant that she had vindicated him in Violet Wayne's eyes, but in thatcase it was evident that he had gone away in vain, since Nettie couldnot have proved his innocence without inculpating Tony. It also appearedout of the question that anybody would believe Tony if he told the truthnow, and Appleby flushed with anger at himself as he pictured the effectof the blow upon the girl. He knew at last that it was to save her thepain of the discovery he had borne the blame, and yet he could notovercome a curious sense of relief and content at the thought that shehad heard he was innocent. Then he wondered what had befallen Tony, anddecided with a trace of bitterness that it was no affair of his. Tonyhad had his chances, and if he had thrown them away had only himself toblame.
At last he shook himself to attention when a distant patter of feet camefaintly across the cane. The sound grew plainer as he listened, whilehere and there a shadowy figure rose up among the roots and sank fromsight again. It was evident that two or three men were moving down theroad in haste, but the soft patter of their feet did not suggest theapproach of the cazadores. Still, it seemed advisable to takeprecautions, and he sent out two men, who, crossing the road, fadedagain into invisibility on the edge of the cane.
"Now we're going to find out where that picket is," said Harper. "Thosefellows are coming right here, and I guess by the noise they're makingthey don't belong to the Sin Verguenza."
Appleby repeated the observation in Castilian, and a man unseen amongthe roots laughed softly.
"The Senor Harper has reason," he said. "Our friends do not travel on awhite road with their shoes on when the moon is shining."
In another moment a hoarse cry rose from the cane, the patter of feetquickened suddenly, and Appleby stood up when he heard the sharp ringingof a rifle. Another shot followed, but the men unseen beyond the canewere evidently running still, and there was a little murmur from the SinVerguenza. Appleby made a restraining gesture with his hand.
"I think the cazadores are coming too," he said.
Then there was silence among the cottonwoods, but hard brown fingersstiffened on the rifle barrels, and while the patter of feet grewrapidly louder the strip of white road was swept by watchful eyes. Stillnothing moved upon it, until a man appeared where it twisted into thecane. A moment later another showed behind him, and then a third, whoseemed to reel a little in his stride.
It was evident that they saw the cottonwoods, and hoped to findconcealment there, but the Sin Verguenza lay still watching the threeblurred shadowy objects with dispassionate curiosity. What befell thestrangers was no concern of theirs, but they were doing excellentservice in leading on the cazadores. Then there was a very faint murmuras a cluster of men in uniform appeared, for there were rather more ofthem than the Sin Verguenza had expected, and it became apparent thatthey were running faster than the fugitives. Appleby could almost seethe faces of the latter now, and a moment later Harper, who wascrouching close by, dropped his hand on his comrade's arm.
"That last one's not quite like the rest," he said.
Appleby stiffened his fingers on the rifle at his hip, and stared at thelast figure with growing astonishment.
"No. The man's complexion is as light as mine," he said.
Then there was another rifle shot, and a little spurt of dust leapt upfrom the road. The third man swung suddenly round and a pistol twiceflashed in his hand, while his companions flung themselves gasping intothe shadow of the cottonwoods. Hands were stretched out that seized themand pulled them down, and a little quiver ran through Appleby as hewatched the lonely figure that now showed clear in the moonlight by theedge of the road. Close behind it the cazadores were coming on at a run,and there were considerably more of them than there were of the SinVerguenza.
Still, the fugitive stood tense and immovable. He was dressed simply inwhite duck, with a wide felt hat on his head, but there was somethingcuriously familiar in his pose that perplexed Appleby, until turninghalf round suddenly he looked over his shoulder. Then as his face showedwhite in the moonlight Appleby gasped and flung up his rifle.
"Keep still!" he cried in English.
He felt the jar on his shoulder, there was a thin red flash and thesmoke was in his eyes. Then spurts of pale flame blazed out from amongthe trees, and when the soft vapor slid away the road was empty save forone man, who ran straight in towards the cottonwoods with unevenlurching stride. Then while the Sin Verguenza looked on wonderingAppleby stepped out from the shadow.
"Tony!" he said. "By all that's wonderful, Tony!"
The stranger stood still gasping, and stared at him, ignoring hisoutstretched hand. Then he drew back a pace.
"I have found you at last," he said. "I've a good deal to tell you, butit scarcely seems likely those fellows yonder will give me theopportunity now. It's specially unfortunate, because there does not seemto be many of you, and I'm a trifle lame."
Appleby glanced up the road, and saw enough to convince him that thecazadores were slipping forward circumspectly through the shadow of thecane, while it became evident from their murmurs that his companions haddecided it was advisable to retire while the way was open. He slippedhis arm through Tony's, and they started down a little path through thecane, while Tony endeavored to shake his grasp off, and finding that hecould not do so limped along clumsily, leaning heavily upon him. Thecazadores, however, apparently knew the ways of the Sin Verguenza toowell to venture far from the open in pursuit of them, and finally theycame gasping and perspiring into sight of the hacienda. Maccario stoodat the gate of the patio waiting them, and glanced curiously at thestranger.
"A prisoner?" he said.
"No," said Appleby. "A friend of mine!"
Maccario swung off his hat, but when he begged Appleby to explain thatany friend of his was welcome there he saw that the stranger winced.
They went up to Appleby's room, where there was an awkward silence for amoment or two, when Tony dropped limply into the nearest chair andaverted his eyes from Appleby, who leaned upon the table looking down onhim compassionately. He was worn with travel, and his face showed pallidand haggard under the lamplight.
"How did you chance upon the cazadores?" said Appleby, who felt
that thequestion was trivial as he asked it.
"They were watching the road"; and Tony laughed in a curious hollowfashion, though there was apparently no cause for it. "They nearly gotme. I was a little lame, you see. Tore my foot with one of thosecondemned aloe spikes a day or two ago."
"Well," said Appleby, "you were about the last person I expected to comeacross. What, in the name of wonder, brought you here?"
Tony looked at him a moment and smiled, while Appleby felt the bloodrise to his forehead, and grew angry with himself. The constraint thatwas evidently upon Tony had extended to him, and would not be shakenoff. Why this was so he did not know, but he could not greet his comradewith fitting friendliness.
"I came to find you," said Tony hastily. "Landed at Havana withHarding's address as my only guide. He had, I found out, left the city,but I came across two or three men who seemed to know him, and one ofthem passed me on to his friends, who contrived to get me here. Wetravelled, for the most part, at night, hiding in the daytime, and gotvery little to eat, but most of the men I met did what they could for mewhen I told them that I had business with a leader of the SinVerguenza."
Appleby laughed a little. "You will find a bath yonder, and I'll sendyou up some food," he said. "Then come down when you are ready. You willfind me on the veranda."
He spent half an hour pacing up and down the veranda before Tonyreappeared, and as it happened Harding came out from his room just then.The moon, which had risen higher now, flooded the veranda with silverylight. Harding glanced at the stranger and pointed to a cane chair,while Appleby, who was not sure whether he was glad or displeased to seehim at the moment, introduced them. Tony, however, did not shake hands.
"I had the pleasure of meeting your daughter in England, Mr. Harding,and it was only owing to that fact I managed to get here at all," hesaid. "You have evidently a good many friends in this country."
"I am glad I have been of service," said Harding, with a smile. "In themeanwhile I haven't the slightest doubt that you and Appleby will excuseme."
Tony looked at him gravely. "I understood from Miss Harding that you hadreposed a good deal of trust in Appleby and that he had taken you intohis confidence respecting something which happened in England."
"You have surmised correctly," said Harding.
"Then I would sooner you sat down and listened to me. It is, I fancy,likely that he has not told you all the story. You are not altogetherunconcerned in it, since your daughter was the means of sending mehere."
Appleby made a little impatient gesture. "Tony," he said sharply, "is itnecessary?"
"I believe it is"; and Tony leaned forward in his chair. "It would be afavor if you sat down, sir."
Harding did so, and for ten minutes Tony, who stared straight in frontof him at the blue Bougainvillea on the moonlit wall, spoke with quietconciseness, while Harding sat in the shadow watching him. At last heturned to Harding.
"I think you will see that your confidence in the man I have injured wasfully warranted, sir," he said. "If I have made you understand that, itis, at least, a little in reparation. I can't ask you to forgive,Bernard, but I want to straighten out what I can."
Harding for some reason moved uneasily in his chair, but Appleby,leaning across the table, held out his hand.
"You can't look past it now, Tony," he said. "Can't we still befriends?"
Tony glanced at him, and made a curious little sound which resembled agroan, then a red flush crept into his face as he took Appleby's hand.An unpleasant silence followed until Harding spoke.
"I shall hope for your better acquaintance, Mr. Palliser," he said.
Tony looked at him in wonder. "You realize what I have done, sir?"
Harding nodded gravely. "I have heard how you have tried to make it up,"he said. "Well, I guess I've seen and handled a good many men, andthere's more hope of those who trip up and get on their feet again thanfor quite a few of the others who have never fallen at all. Now, I'mglad you've told me, though, so far as my belief in Mr. Appleby goes, itwas not by any means necessary."
Tony made a little movement with his head. "I've made over Dane Cop toyou, Bernard," he said. "It is yours by right, and you can take itwithout feeling that you owe anything to me. Godfrey Palliser meant itfor you--until I deceived him."
Appleby said nothing, but his set face showed what he was bearing forhis comrade, and Harding quietly touched his shoulder.
"It seems to me that Mr. Palliser is right," he said. "The land isyours, anyway, and you would only hurt him by not taking it."
Tony raised his head, and looked at him gratefully. "Thank you, sir," hesaid. "It would hurt me, Bernard."
Appleby smiled a little, though it apparently cost him an effort."Well," he said, "I'm not burdened with money yet, and I think you canafford it."
A light crept into Tony's eyes. "That is one thing accomplished. Whenwill you come back?"
"I don't quite know. I may find an opportunity in a year or two."
"You must come now."
"I can't."
"You must," said Tony, almost hoarsely. "Bernard, can't you see that tobring you over, and to prove that I have made amends is the last chancefor me?"
"The last chance. You must be more explicit, Tony."
They were both apparently oblivious of the fact that Harding waswatching them, and Tony's voice trembled a little with eagerness.
"It's the only way I can make my peace with Violet," he said. "Can't youunderstand what she is to me? She would promise nothing until I had madeall straight with you--and I can't let her go."
Appleby's face was compassionate, but he shook his head. "It is out ofthe question, Tony. I can't--even for you," he said. "I have got to stayhere, and see this trouble through."
"Mr. Appleby is right," said Harding. "He has work to do."
Tony seemed to groan, and sat still a pace. Then he looked up with alittle flush in his face.
"Well," he said very quietly, "in that case I'll stay with you."
Appleby laughed. "The thing is palpably absurd. A Palliser of Northropconsorting with the Sin Verguenza!"
"Still," said Tony doggedly, "I'm not going back to leave you in perilhere. I couldn't face Violet, and tell her that tale. Nor am I as sureas you seem to be that the thing is so absurd. It's only the moralcourage that has been left out of me."
"Try to realize what it is you wish to do," said Appleby almost sternly.
Tony smiled curiously. "It is quite plain to me already. I'm going tostay here and see the affair through with you; then when the insurgentswill let you go you'll come with me, if it's only for a week or two, andtell Violet that you have forgiven me. In the meanwhile Craythorne andmy agent will take better care of Northrop than ever I could do. Thereis another point you don't seem to have remembered. I should almostcertainly be made a prisoner by the Spaniards if you sent me away."
"There is a good deal of sense in that," said Harding.
Appleby sat silent for almost a minute, and then seeing that Tony wasresolute made a little gesture of resignation.
"Well," he said slowly, "we will talk to Maccario. Mr. Harding, I mayask you for a month's leave when we have taken Santa Marta."
"You shall have it," said Harding quietly.
Just then, as it happened, Maccario strolled into the veranda, andAppleby, who stood up, laid his hand on Tony's shoulder.
"I have the honor of presenting you another comrade," he said.