CHAPTER XLIII
NEARER
To Geoffrey the position was a strange one. There was something unrealabout the whole thing. Nor was it pleasant to remember that by this timethe family had missed him, and were doubtless bewailing him for dead.
"I am afraid there is no help for it," said Tchigorsky. "I could not seemy way to certain conclusions and ends without inconvenience."
"Something more than inconvenience," Geoffrey murmured.
"Anxiety, troubles, what you like," Tchigorsky replied coolly. "It isnecessary. I want to have the castle cleared for a time, and I couldthink of no better and less suspicious way of doing it. The anxiety andsuspense will not last long and by daylight your people shall see youagain. And the one who is most likely to suffer has been alreadyrelieved."
So Geoffrey was fain to wait in the cave listening to Tchigorsky'spiquant conversation, and waiting for the time to come for action.
"There will be plenty to do presently," the Russian said. "Meanwhile Iam going to leave you to yourself for a space. The woman who regards meas her servant may need me. And, remember, you are not to leave the cavein any circumstances, else all my delicately laid plans will be blown tothe winds."
So saying Tchigorsky disappeared. It seemed hours before anythinghappened. It was safe in the cave. Nobody was likely to come there, andif they did there was not the slightest chance of discovery, for thecave went far under the cliff and was dark as the throat of a wolf.
By and by there came the sound of voices on the beach, and RupertRavenspur, followed by the two fishermen, appeared. Geoffrey's heartsmote him as he saw his grandfather. Then they found the boat, anddirectly afterwards the two fishermen rushed away, leaving Ravenspurbehind.
It was only the strongest self-control that prevented Geoffrey frommaking his presence known to the figure gazing so sadly at the boat. Buthe remembered Tchigorsky's warning.
After all, he reflected, it would only be for a little time. And thehead of the family knew nothing of the great conspiracies workingthemselves out around him. His open honorable nature would have shrunkfrom the subtle diplomacy and cunning that appealed so powerfully toTchigorsky.
Rupert Ravenspur would not have tolerated the position for a moment. Hewould have insisted upon going to Mrs. May and having the matter out atonce, or he would have called in the police. And that course would befatal.
So Geoffrey was constrained to stay and watch. Presently he saw thefishermen return, followed by the family. There was a gathering aboutthe foundered boat, and then Geoffrey turned his eyes away, ashamed towitness the emotion caused by what they regarded as his untimely death.
He had seen them all and beheld their grief. He could see Marion bentdown with a handkerchief to her streaming eyes and the head of thefamily comforting her. He saw Vera apart from the rest, gazing out tosea.
Beyond, a fleet of boats were coming round the point. They were smallfishing smacks in search of the drowned Ravenspur.
Geoffrey pinched himself to make sure he was awake. It is not oftenthat a live man sits watching people search for his dead body.
But there was comfort in the knowledge that Vera was aware ofeverything. Geoffrey could see that she had been told. That was why shekept apart from the rest. She walked along the sands past the mouth ofthe cave, her head bent down.
Flesh and blood could stand it no longer; in the mouth of the caveGeoffrey stood and called Vera softly by name.
The girl started and half turned.
"Don't be alarmed," Geoffrey whispered. "I am in the cave. It is safehere. Watch your opportunity and come in, for I must have a few wordswith you. Only do it naturally and don't let anybody suspect."
Vera had turned her back to the cave, and appeared to be sadly gazingover the sea. Gradually she slipped back, watching the others, whoapparently had forgotten her, until she was lost in the gloom of thecavern.
A moment later and Geoffrey had her in his arms. It was good to feel herheart beating against his, to feel her kisses warm on his lips.
"Did Tchigorsky tell you?" he asked.
"No, Uncle Ralph. Oh, I am so glad to see you again, Geoffrey. I knewyou were not lost, that you would be safe after what uncle said, and yetall the time there was a strange void in my heart."
"But my darling, I am safe."
Vera laid her head restfully on his shoulder.
"I know, I know!" she said. "But I have had a foretaste of what mighthave been. When Wass and Watkins came and told me that your overturnedboat had been found, I began to realize what it might be to live withoutyou. Dear Geoff, will it be long before all this anxiety is disposedof?"
Geoffrey kissed her trembling lips.
"Not long, so Tchigorsky says, and I have implicit faith in him. Thepresent situation is all part of the plot of our salvation. And theothers?"
"Are heartbroken. My poor grandfather looks ten years older. You knowhow entirely he has been wrapped up in us. I feel sure that if he couldhave saved us by sacrificing the rest, himself included, he would havedone so."
"I know," Geoffrey said hoarsely. "I know, dear. And Marion?"
"Marion is sorely disturbed. I hardly know what to make of Marion. Forthe first time she positively appears to be frightened. And Marion isnot the girl who cries. I was alarmed about her a little time ago,"replied Vera.
"Ah, well, it won't be very long," Geoffrey said consolingly. "To-morrowmorning Tchigorsky has promised that I shall be safe and sound in thebosom of the family again. What are they going to do now?"
"They are going to search until they find you. All the boats from thevillage are out, even the servants are assisting. You can understand howI should feel if I did not know everything. I could not stay in thehouse; I could do no more than wander along the shore feeling that I washelping. It would be impossible to remain in the house and that is whatthey all feel. There is a full moon to-night, and they will be here tillthey are exhausted."
Geoffrey nodded. He was wondering how he was going to account for hisabsence and for the manner in which he was finally to turn up safe andsound again. He would have to concoct some story of being picked up by apassing boat and landed some way down the coast.
"They guess I am a victim to the vendetta?" he asked.
"Of course. They say the mast and oars were partly sawn away. It will bethe talk of the country in a few hours. Geoffrey, I must go. Don't yousee that they have missed me?"
Vera had been missed. Already Marion was calling her. There was justthe chance that she might be yet another victim. Vera slipped out of thecave, walking backwards as if she were looking for something.
"You won't betray yourself?" said Geoffrey.
"I'll try not to, dear. I understand how necessary it is that the truthshould be concealed. And yet it is hard not to be able to ease theirminds."
Vera was clear of the cave by this time, and her voice ceased. A fewyards farther on and Marion came up to her. She was looking pale andghastly; there were rings under her eyes; her nerves had had a terribleshock.
"I couldn't imagine where you had got to," she said. "I looked round,and you had disappeared. I feared you had been spirited away."
"By the cruel foe, Marion? One by one we go. It may be your turn next."
"Would to Heaven that it was!" Marion whispered vehemently. "A littletime ago I fancied that I was strong enough to bear up against anything.Now I know what a feeble creature I am. Before this happened I would athousand times have been the victim myself. And I--I----"
She paused and beat the air impotently. Vera wondered. Could this reallybe the strong, self-reliant Marion who had uplifted them in so manytroubles, this the girl who always had a smile on her face and words ofcomfort on her lips? This was a weak, frightened creature, with eyesthat were haunted.
"Be brave," said Vera, "and be yourself. What should we do without you?Why, you are so full of remorse you might have been responsible forGeoffrey's death yourself."
Marion looked up swiftly and then her eyes fell.<
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"It is because I love him," she said.
"And I love him, too. But I try to be brave."
Marion was silent under the reproof. Vera was calm and collected. What areaction there would be later, Marion thought.
"You have not given up all hope?" she asked.
"No, I cannot. It would be too cruel. I cannot imagine that anythingreally serious has happened to Geoffrey. I cannot feel anything for thepresent, save for you. And my heart is full for you, Marion."
"Ay," Marion said drearily. "It need be."
Vera turned and walked swiftly across the sands. She wanted to be alonenow that no danger threatened.
Then presently the moon rose and shone upon the people gathered on thefringe of the sea. To the impatient Geoffrey came Ralph Ravenspur with acloak and slouched hat over his arm.