CHAPTER XII
Of one thing you may be sure; that was the fact that I was more thananxious to hear what Ferguson had to tell me. That the man was verymuch upset I could see, while the hint he had given me in the boat,concerning certain tidings he had to tell me, frightened me beyondmeasure. Immediately on reaching the yacht I took him to the saloonand poured him out a stiff glass of grog. He drank it off, and when hehad done so, seemed the better for it.
"Now come along to the chart-room," I said, "and let me hear what youhave to say. We shall be alone there, and I gathered from your mannerthat what you have to tell me will not bear the presence ofeavesdroppers."
"Come along then," he replied. "Let us go up there at once, I shallnot rest happy until I have shared this with you."
We accordingly left the saloon and ascended to the bridge. Once in thechart-room, and when we had shut the door carefully behind us, Iseated myself on the chart locker, while Ferguson took possession ofthe couch.
"Now then, go ahead," I said. "What have you discovered?"
"It's the most fiendish plot I ever heard of," he replied. "I wouldnot have believed a man could have thought of anything so vile. If Ihad not chanced to stray where I did no one would have been the wiser.And then----" He stopped abruptly, as if the thought were too much forhim.
"But you have not told me yet what it is you have heard," I continued,with some sort of impatience.
He rose and went to the door, opened it, looked outside, and thenreturned once more to his place on the couch.
"This afternoon, as you know," he began, leaning forward on his seat,as if he were desirous that no one but myself should hear, "I wentashore to see Silvestre. He was anxious, he said, to consult meconcerning the business of taking you to Cuba, and also about thelanding of himself and the others on the Equinata coast. I had a longtalk with him, during which he was all graciousness and condescension.Butter wouldn't have melted in his mouth. He praised all the serviceswe had rendered him. You can have no idea how pleasant he was. When hebecame President, I was to have command, if I wished it, of anEquinata man-o'-war, etc., and above all others I was to be histrusted naval adviser. No post could be too big for me."
"It sounds very nice, but he also endeavoured to advise me to returnwith him," I said.
"And what reply did you give him?" Ferguson inquired.
"I gave him to understand that I would not go back to Equinata for allthe money in the world," I said. "I had had quite enough of the placeto last me a lifetime."
"That was my reply exactly," Ferguson replied. "The next time they seeme there of my own free will, they may treat me as they please."
"Well, never mind that, continue your story," I returned. "What is ityou have discovered?"
"Well, after I left Silvestre, I had the misfortune--or the goodfortune--as you may consider it, to miss my way. How I came to do so Iam unable to say. It is sufficient that I did. You know how thick thejungle is up there! Well! instead of taking the track that brings onedown to where we embark, I branched off to the left, and found myselfstranded in as thick a bit of scrub as ever I have seen in my life. Itwas hot enough to roast the scalp on your head, and I was justbeginning to think of turning back, when I heard a voice come fromthick bushes on my right. 'Hulloa, what on earth is he doing there?'I said to myself, for I recognized it as belonging to Manuel, thehalf-caste. The words I heard him utter made me more than a bitsuspicious."
"What was it he said?" I inquired.
"'You can do it easily, nobody will ever find out,'" Ferguson replied."'But I can't, I can't,' a woman's voice answered. It was old Palmyre,the negress, who spoke. 'You'd better do it, or he'll cut your throatas he would a pig's,' Manuel continued. 'Why do you argue about thematter? You know very well that you are out here gathering the herbsyourself.' 'But their spirits will haunt me,' cried the old woman.That made me all attention, you may be sure. The half-caste uttered anoath in reply. The spirit that would haunt him would have to be afairly potent one. 'What does it matter,' he went on; 'you will bewell paid for it.' For a few seconds nothing more was said, but as Ilistened I heard something that sounded very like a sob. Whatever hewas trying to persuade the old negress to do, it was very plain thatshe did not relish the job. Presently she whispered, 'When must it bedone?' 'As soon as Silvestre leaves in the yacht,' the other replied.'What difficulty is there in it? All you have to do is to stew theherbs and to slip them into their food. You'll be a rich woman forthe rest of your life.' After that they moved further away from me,and I came down to the boat."
"Good heavens!" I cried, the awful truth coming to me in a flash."Silvestre intends to poison them."
"There is not much doubt about that," said Ferguson. "When you are outof the way and he has left for Equinata, the Senorita and Presidentwill never trouble him or any one else again. And as far as I can seenothing can save them!"
"It's too horrible! It's devilish," I cried, springing to my feet. "Hetook his oath to me that not a hair of their heads should be harmed."
"He wished you to take his words literally, you see," Fergusonreturned. "He said nothing about giving each of them a dose of poison.Look at the matter from his point of view. As long as they live theyare his enemies and he is not safe. He owes Fernandez a deadly grudgeand he means to pay it."
"But what is to be done? We cannot let them be murdered in cold blood.Human nature couldn't stand that. And yet if he knows that we areaware of his plot, he will take means to prevent our interfering andkill them out of hand. For God's sake, Ferguson, advise me!"
"I don't see exactly what we can do," he replied sorrowfully."Silvestre has got us in a cleft stick and we can't help ourselves."
"But surely you are not going to stand by and allow him to carry outhis fiendish plot?" I returned hotly. "I can't believe that of you!"
"But you don't know what Silvestre is," said Ferguson, not daring tomeet my eyes. "It would be madness to thwart him."
"If I don't know what he is," I retorted, "I at least know what I am.I brought these unfortunate people here. He shall not harm them, if itcosts me all I have on earth, even life itself. And what is more, ifyou're a man you'll help me."
"But what can I do?" he answered helplessly. "I have always beenconsidered a fairly plucky fellow. I must confess, however, that thisbusiness is too much for me. I've a wife and family to think of, youknow!"
"Your wife would despise you above all living men if she knew that youwere a party to the murder of that woman," I answered.
He scratched his chin and looked at me in a perplexed way. It wasevident to me that I must not expect very much assistance from him.
"To my mind a man ought to think of his wife and children beforeanything else," he said at last, in a tone of apology. "If anythinghappens to me what is to become of them? I'm beginning to think I wasa fool to have told you anything about it!"
"Not a bit of it," I answered. "There, at least, you did an honestaction. Don't spoil it by drawing back."
This only elicited his old query.
"But what can we do?"
"We must get them out of the island before Silvestre can do them amischief," I replied.
"And pray how is that to be done?"
"A way must be found," I answered. "Surely it should not be so verydifficult. Remember, Ferguson, I did you a good turn once. Repay itnow by helping me to save them. If they die, their deaths will be atour doors. For my part, if that happens I shall never know a moment'speace again, or be able to look an honest man or woman in the face. Iworked for Silvestre because I had given him my promise to do so, andhad taken his money; he has repaid it by breaking his oath to me. Byjove! whether I am bound to him or not, I will prevent him fromcarrying out this terrible crime."
I could see that, and also realized, that whatever Ferguson's desiremight be to help me, he was not willing to run any great riskshimself.
"I must have time to think it over," he said. "In the meantime keepyour own counsel. If a hint of this gets about we are done for
."
I did not reply, but left him and went below to my cabin, where Ithrew myself down on my bunk and set to work to try and think thequestion out. What a fool I had been to mix myself up in the matter atall. One moment's thought should have told me that Silvestre was notthe sort of man to have any mercy upon his enemy. A dozen plans foreffecting the escape of the President and Senorita formed themselvesin my mind, only to be thrown aside at once as useless. Then the gongsounded for dinner and I made my way to the saloon. I had just setfoot inside the companion, when a voice I knew so well, and had nowlearned to hate, greeted me.
"Good-evening, my friend," said Silvestre cheerily. "I have comeaboard to be your guest this evening. As my fever has left me, Ithought a little sea air and congenial society would do me no harm.Shall we go in to dinner?"
For a moment I was so surprised at seeing him that I could not answer.I followed him, however, to the saloon, where I found that threeplaces had been laid. A few minutes later Ferguson made his appearanceand we sat down to our meal. As we did so I shot a glance at theother's face. It was plain from the expression upon it thatSilvestre's presence had alarmed him considerably.
"We should really have invited the Senorita to join us," saidSilvestre, as he spread his serviette over his knees. "SenorFernandez, I regret to say, is suffering from a slight attack of feverto-day. I have prescribed for him, however, and trust he will behimself shortly."
As he said this I glanced sharply at him. Was he commencing his awfulcrime already? The mere thought of it was sufficient to take myappetite away. Had I been able to follow my own inclinations, I shouldhave laid down my knife and fork and have risen from the table withouttouching another morsel. Prudence, however, bade me remain where Iwas. I shot a glance at Ferguson, to find him wiping his face with hishandkerchief. Silvestre was also watching him.
"The evening is very hot," said the captain, by way of excuse, "veryhot indeed."
"I agree with you," Silvestre returned dryly. "If I am not mistaken,we shall have a thunderstorm later."
During the remainder of the repast Silvestre continued to converse invery much his usual fashion. He did not refer again, however, to theprisoners. At ten o'clock he left for the shore, but before he did so,he bade me be ready to start for Cuba on the following afternoon. Itried to invent an excuse for remaining longer, but one would not cometo my hand.
"Needless to say I am anxious to get on to Equinata with alldispatch," said Silvestre. "I cannot do so until I have carried out mypromise to you."
"Why not go first and let the yacht come back for me?" I suggested. "Iam in no particular hurry."
"I could not dream of such a thing," he answered politely. "It wouldbe better for you to go at once. Indeed, I have this evening given thenecessary instructions to Ferguson."
After that there was nothing more to be said.
As he went down the accommodation ladder an idea occurred to me. Hisboat was not more than a dozen lengths from the yacht's side before Ihad made my way up the ladder to the bridge and had entered thechart-room. Above the chart-locker was a shelf on which were kept thebooks of reference needful for the navigation of the yacht. In a feverof impatience I ran my eye along them until I came upon the volume Iwanted. To consult the index and discover a certain island was aquestion of a few moments. I read what the book had to say regardingit, but I was not greatly relieved by so doing. Communication with theisland was evidently only a matter of chance. I thereupon took thechart of that particular part of the Carribean Sea and studied itattentively. The nearest island to San Diaz was that of Asturia,distant something like a day and a half's steam. It was comforting tolearn that numerous trading boats touched there. Let me go at once, asSilvestre had proposed, and, instead of proceeding to Cuba, induceFerguson to put into this island. If luck favoured me, I could chartera vessel there and return to San Diaz to rescue the President and theSenorita. Having once thought of this plan, I was eager to put it intoexecution. I determined, however, to say nothing to Ferguson until themorrow, and only then when we were well out at sea. Friendly thoughthe little man was to me, I had seen enough of him to feel sure thatit would need but little pressure from Silvestre to undermine thatfriendship.
Next morning I left the yacht and went ashore to bid Silvestrefarewell. I could very well have dispensed with this ceremony, but Iwas afraid of arousing his suspicions. I found him seated in theverandah of his house when I arrived, a cigar in his mouth, and a bookin his hand. He greeted me pleasantly enough. As I looked at him Icould not help recalling the evening when I had seen him seated in thelittle summerhouse of the inn at Falstead. How many things hadhappened since that memorable afternoon!
He rose to receive me and held out his hand.
"I wonder whether we shall ever see each other again, Helmsworth?" hesaid, when I had seated myself. "You have done me a great service, andin the name of the people of Equinata I thank you for it. You willreturn to Falstead at once, I suppose," he went on, after a shortpause, "marry the girl of your heart, and settle down to shire life. Iwonder what my fate will be?"
I thought that if Fernandez managed to escape, I could hazard a verygood guess. Before leaving him I touched upon the old subject, inorder to see what his reply would be.
"I presume you will not permit me to say farewell to your prisoners,"I said.
"It would not be wise," he answered. "Fernandez, as I told you lastnight, is down with fever, and the Senorita is not in the best oftempers just now. However, I will convey all sorts of kind messages tothem from you when next I see them."
I rose from my chair.
"Don Guzman," I began, trying to speak calmly, "you are not playing mefalse, are you? If any harm should befall Fernandez and his niece,remember you will have all Civilization against you."
At this he fairly lost his temper.
"_Madre de Dios_, man," he cried, "do you want to make me angry withyou? Why do you harp so continually on this string? I have told you,and reiterated the fact, that I do not intend to harm them. If I did,don't you think I should have done so ere this? What's more, Mr.Helmsworth, let me just give you a word of advice. When you return toEngland, be sure you keep a silent tongue in your head. I can be agood friend, and a particularly bitter enemy. I've a long arm, andwhen I strike I strike deep. But there, my dear fellow, don't let usquarrel at the time we're about to say farewell to each other. We mustpart friends. Is it time for you to go? Then good-bye, and may goodfortune go with you."
When I left him I made my way towards the path leading to the beach.As I crossed the open space in front of the house, I turned my eyes inthe direction of the hut where Fernandez was confined. One of thegigantic negroes that I had seen on the day of our arrival at theisland was standing on guard, rifle in hand, before it. Silvestre, Iknew, was watching me from the verandah, so there was no chance ofbeing able to communicate with the prisoner. I accordingly continuedmy walk down to the beach. Two hours later the yacht was steaming outof harbour, and so far as Silvestre knew, I was on my way to England_via_ Cuba.
As I have already observed, it is a day and a half's steam from SanDiaz to the nearest island--Asturia. The latter is, if anything,slightly bigger than its neighbour. It is certainly more prosperous.Lying in the track of ships it has a number of visitors, and trade isconsequently fairly brisk--the principal exports being a peculiarspecies of hard wood, and a small quantity of sugar, for which productthe soil is well adapted.
It was not until we had been several hours at sea that I broached thesubject that was uppermost in my mind to Ferguson. For reasons alreadystated I was by no means certain how he would receive it. Would hisfriendship for myself be sufficiently strong to stand the test?However, the matter had to be decided, one way or the other, and whatwas more there was no time to be lost. I accordingly took advantage ofthe opportunity that presented itself, and came to business. He heardme out in silence, but there was an expression upon his face that toldme he was not particularly in love with my proposal. Indeed, betweenourselves, I don't s
ee how he could have been.
"Look here, Mr. Helmsworth Trevelyan, or TrevelyanHelmsworth--whatever you please to call yourself--as I understand ityou are asking me to do a thing I have never done before. In otherwords you are asking me to go back upon the man whose money I amtaking."
"Oh! come, now----"
"Just one moment before you reply. Let me put it in my own way, andyou can work it out as you like afterwards. I can't see for myselfthat there is any other construction to be placed upon your proposal.You'll admit, I suppose, that Silvestre is my employer? I am here torun this boat according to his orders, and my instructions are to takeyou to Cuba and to land you there. You want me to disregard them, andto drop you at Asturia."
"But surely----"
"Hold hard until I have finished. You know that I'm not a particularsqueamish fellow. I've done a good many things that a number of peoplewouldn't even look at; but--and mark you this 'but' is fairlyimportant, if I've got to choose between you and Silvestre--friendshipsteps in and Silvestre goes to the wall. At the same time I don't mindconfessing that it's far from a nice position you have placed me in.The world won't be big enough for me to hide in when it comes togetting away from Silvestre. And when you come to think I've a wifeand family at home all depending upon me, I'll leave you to figure outhow much you value Fernandez' life at."
This was a way of looking at the question that I had not foreseen.
"But I cannot go away and leave the man there to be murdered," Ibegan. "Flesh and blood wouldn't allow that."
"Very well, then let us say no more about it. It's settled that I runinto Asturia and that you go ashore there."
"And after that?"
"I shall go on to Cuba!"
"Give me all the time you can," I said. "I've a big bit of work beforeme when I get back to the island."
"And I wish you joy of it."
Darkness had fallen when we reached the island. I was anxious,however, to lose no time, and determined to land at once. Immediatelyon dropping anchor, therefore, I asked Ferguson to put me ashore. Thishe willingly consented to do, and in due course I found myself with mybaggage on the beach. When I had seen the boat depart, I made my wayinto the town. It was a queer little place, built on the side of ahill, and with, so far as I could see, a very sparse white population.
From a negro boy I inquired my way to the principal hotel, if thereshould happen to be more than one. He grinned expansively and offeredto conduct me to it. It proved to be only a short distance away andfaced the sea-front. I rewarded the boy, entered it, and made my wayinto the bar. The landlord was a Spaniard, and about as villainous aspecimen of his race as I'd ever seen. I told him I had just arrived,and that I was anxious to charter a schooner at once, and inquiredwhether he could help me in the matter, promising to reward himliberally should he do so.
As it happened, he declared that he knew of exactly the sort of vesselI wanted. I inquired the owner's name and asked the landlord where shecould be seen.
"She's anchored about a couple of cables from the pier, senor," hereplied, "and she is the property of my good friend, Maxime Blonde.Maxime was lamenting to me only this evening that, having no cargo, hemust return to Martinique empty."
"Where can I find him?"
"On board, senor." Then, scenting business, he continued: "If you wishit, I will escort you to him."
To this I willingly agreed, and then, when he had called his wife totake charge of the saloon, and a negro to accompany him, we made ourway to the pier. A boat was soon discovered, and in her, rowed by thenegro, we set off for the _La Belle Josephine_ of Martinique.
She proved to be a small fore-and-aft schooner of about fifty tons,nattily built, so far as I was able to judge in the darkness, and verywell suited to my purpose.
"Maxime, Maxime Blonde," screeched the hotel keeper, "a senor to seeyou on business. Come forth!"
"What now?" cried a voice from the cabin aft. "Who is it calls Maximeat this time of night?"
The hotel keeper went aft and explained matters. Presently he returnedand invited me to follow him to the cabin. Of all the dirty holes ithas been my misfortune to enter this was certainly the worst. Straw,paper, and banana peel littered the floor. On the right-hand side ofthe cabin was a narrow bunk, upon which a small, shrivelled-up mulattowas seated. He explained that he was Monsieur Maxime, and that he wasowner and captain of the vessel. Being unable to bear the closeness ofthe cabin I suggested that we should do our business on deck, andthither the little man followed me. In something under a quarter of anhour my arrangements were made with him, and it was settled that weshould sail for San Diaz at daybreak.