With less courage than she usually felt, Marion went on her way. Perhapsthere was no more miserable being in England at that moment. It is hardto play a double part, hard to be thrust one way by cruel circumstanceswhen the heart and soul are crying out to go the other.
This was Marion's position. And whichever way she went she was destinedto be equally unhappy and miserable. She had to help her relations; shehad to try to shield that infamous woman at the same time.
And now the great secret of her life had come to light. That was thebitterest trial of all. Vera had discovered that Marion loved Geoffrey.Ralph Ravenspur had made the same discovery long ago, but it did notmatter so very much about him; Vera was different.
And here she was in the dead of night carrying out the errand of thedeadliest foe the house of Ravenspur had ever known. She was halfinclined to throw the whole thing to the winds, to disappear and neverreturn again. Why should she----
She stopped. Something was stirring in the bushes on either side of her.Perhaps it was a rabbit or a fox. Probably somebody had dogged herfootsteps.
"Who are you?" Marion cried. "Speak, or I call for help."
The threat was futile, considering the time of night. The bushes partedand two men appeared. Marion gave one loud scream, but before she couldrepeat the cry a hand was laid on her lips.
Whoever they were, they were not unduly rough. The hand that stayedfurther clamor was hard, but it was not cruel.
"You are not to cry out again," a voice whispered. "I will not injureyou if you promise not to call out."
Marion indicated that she would comply with this suggestion. Immediatelythe hand fell from her lips.
"This is an outrage," she said. "Who are you?"
"That is beside the point," was the reply. "It is an outrage, but we arenot going to treat you badly. We are unfortunately compelled to keep youfor some four-and-twenty hours from the custody of your friends, but youmay rest assured that you will be treated with every consideration."
"I am your prisoner, then?"
"Since you like to put it in that way, yes."
Marion was properly indignant. She pointed out that the course these menwere pursuing was a criminal one, and that it was likely to lead theminto trouble.
But she might have been speaking to the winds. If she could only seethese people! She had not the remotest idea what they were like. The manwho spoke was evidently a gentleman; his companion seemed like a workingman--a sailor by his walk. And yet it was impossible to see the faces ofeither.
"Where are you going to take me?" Marion asked.
"We are going to conduct you to one of the caves," was the reply."Unfortunately no house is available for our purpose, or we should notput you to this inconvenience. But we have made every preparation foryour comfort, and you are not likely to suffer for want of food oranything of that kind. And I pledge you my word of honor that you shallnot be detained a minute beyond the specified time."
He touched Marion on the arm to indicate a forward movement.
"I suppose it is of no use to ask your name," Marion said coldly.
"I have no objection," said the other. "The time is coming when it willbe necessary to speak very plainly indeed. My name is George Abell, andI am secretary to Dr. Sergius Tchigorsky. My friend's name is Elphick.He was at one time a servant in the employ of one of your family."
"Tchigorsky?" Marion cried. "But he is dead."
"That seems to be the popular impression," Abell said gravely.
The words appeared to strike a chill in Marion. She began to comprehendthat all her sacrifices had been made in vain.
"Tchigorsky not dead?" she said hoarsely.
"No," said Abell. "I saw him a little time ago. It will perhaps notsurprise you to hear that I am acting under his orders."
"But he could not know that I----"
"Dr. Tchigorsky seems to divine matters. He seems to know what peoplewill do almost by instinct. He is a wonderful man and does wonderfulthings. But I cannot tell you any more; I am merely acting underorders."
He indicated the way and Marion proceeded without further protest. Shefelt like a condemned criminal when the sentence is pronounced. Certainthings were coming to an end. A long period of suspense and anxiety wasnearly finished. How it was going to end Marion neither knew nor cared.But she did know that the woman who was known as Mrs. May was doomed.
Not another word passed until the foot of the cliffs was reached. It wasno easy matter to get down in the dark, but it was managed at length.
It was near the lonely spot where Geoffrey's stranded boat had beenfound. For days together nobody came here and Marion could not consoleherself with the fact that she would be rescued. Not that she muchcared; indeed, it was a matter of indifference to her what happened.
Abell was polite and attentive. He indicated a pile of rugs and wraps;if Miss Ravenspur wanted anything she had only to call out and it wouldbe supplied immediately.
"I wanted nothing but to rest," Marion said wearily. "I am tired out. Ifeel as if I could sleep for a thousand years. I am so exhaustedmentally that I have no astonishment to find myself in this strangesituation."
Abell bowed and retired. The night was warm and the cave, being aboveany, even the high spring tides, was dry. Marion flung herself down uponthe pile of wraps and almost at once fell fast asleep. When she came toherself again the sun was shining high. Outside Abell was pacing thesands. Marion called to him.
"I want some breakfast," she said, "and then I should like to have atalk with you. If only I had a looking glass."
"You don't need one," Abell said respectfully if admiringly. "Still,that has been thought of. There is a looking glass in the corner."
Marion smiled despite herself. She found the glass and propped it upbefore her. There was no cause for alarm. She looked as neat and freshas if she had just made a due and elaborate toilette. Geoffrey was fondof saying that after a football match Marion would have remained as neatand tidy as ever. She ate her breakfast heartily--good tea, with eggs,and bread-and-butter and strawberries.
"Do you want anything more?" asked Abell, looking in.
"Nothing, except my liberty," Marion replied. "You may come in and smokeif you like. How long are you going to detain me here?"
"Four-and-twenty hours."
"But I shall be missed. They will search for me. By this time, ofcourse, they are hunting all over the place for me. They will comehere----"
"I think not," Abell said politely. "It is too near home. Nobody woulddream of looking for you in a cave close to the castle. We thought ofall that. They will not look for you for other reasons."
Marion glanced swiftly at the speaker.
"How could you prevent them?" she demanded.
Abell puffed airily at his cigarette. He smiled pleasantly.
"There are many ways," he said. "You do not come down to breakfast. Theybegin to be alarmed at your absence. Somebody goes to your room andfinds there a note addressed to your grandfather. That note isapparently in your handwriting. It contains a few lines to the effectthat you have made a great discovery. You have gone at once to follow itup. The family are not to be alarmed if you do not return till verylate. When you come back you hope to have a joyful revelation foreverybody."
Marion smiled in reply. Abell seemed to be so sure of his ground.
"What you outline means forgery," she said.
"So I presume," Abell replied coolly. "But forgery is so simple nowadayswith the aid of the camera. After what I have told you you will be ableto see that our scheme has been thoughtfully worked out."
"And when I come back do I bring a joyful confession with me?"
Abell looked steadily at the speaker. There was something in theexpression of his eyes that caused her to drop hers.
"That depends entirely upon yourself," he murmured. "One thing you mayrely upon--the confession will be made and the clouds rolled away. It isonly a matter of hou
rs now. Surely, you do not need to be told why youare detained?"
For some reason best known to herself Marion did not need to be told. Itwas a long time before she spoke again. She ought to have been angrywith this man; she ought to have turned from him with indignation; butshe did nothing of the kind. And if she had, her indignation would havebeen wasted.
"You are in Dr. Tchigorsky's confidence?" she asked.
Abell shook his head with a smile.
"I know a great deal about him," he said. "I help him in hisexperiments. But as to being in his confidence--no. I don't suppose anyman in the world enjoys that, unless it is your uncle Ralph."
Marion started. In that moment many things became clear to her. Hithertoshe had regarded Ralph Ravenspur as anything but a man to be dreaded orfeared. Now she knew better. Why had she not thought of this before?
"They are great friends?" she said.
"Oh, yes. They have been all over the world together. And they have beenin places which they do not mention to anybody."