CHAPTER VI
ABELL CARRIES OUT HIS ERRAND
When Ralph Ravenspur reached the basement, his whole aspect had changed.For the next day or two he brooded about the house, mainly with his ownthoughts for company. He was ubiquitous. His silent, cat-like treadcarried him noiselessly everywhere. He seemed to be looking forsomething with those sightless eyes of his; those long fingers werecrooked as if about the throat of the great mystery.
He came into the library where Rupert Ravenspur and Marion were talkingearnestly. He dropped in upon them as if he had fallen from the clouds.Marion started and laughed.
"I declare you frighten me," she said. "You are like a shadow--theshadow of one's conscience."
"There can be no shadow on yours," Ralph replied. "You are too pure andgood for that. Never, never will you have cause to fear me."
"All the same, I wish you were less like a cat," Ravenspur exclaimedpetulantly, as Marion walked smilingly away. "Anybody would imagine thatyou were part of the family mystery. Ralph, do you know anything?"
"I am blind," Ralph replied doggedly. "Of what use is a blind man?"
"I don't know; they say that when one sense is lost the others aresharpened. And you came home so mysteriously, you arrived at a criticalmoment for me, you were at my door at the time when help was sorelyneeded. Again, when you burst my door open you did the only thing thatcould have saved me."
"Common sense, sir. You were stifling and I gave you air."
Ravenspur shook his head. He was by no means satisfied.
"It was the common sense that is based upon practical experience. Andyou prowl about in dark corners; you wander about the house in the deadof the night. You hint at a strange past, but as to that past you aredumb. For Heaven's sake, if you know anything tell me. The suspense ismaddening."
"I know nothing and I am blind," Ralph repeated. "As to my past, that isbetween me and my Maker. I dare not speak of it. Let me go my own wayand do not interfere with me. And whatever you do or say, tellnobody--nobody, mind--that you suspect me of knowledge of the familytrouble."
Ralph turned away abruptly and refused to say more. He passed from thecastle across the park slowly, but with the confidence of a man who isassured of every step. The recollection of his boyhood's days stood himin good stead. He could not see, but he knew where he was and even thegrim cliffs held no terrors for him.
He came at length to a certain spot where he paused. It was here yearsago that he had scaled the cliffs at the peril of his neck and found theraven's nest. He caught the perfume of the heather and the crushedfragrance of the wild thyme, but their scents were as nothing to hisnostrils.
For he had caught another scent that had brought him up all standingwith his head in the air. The odor was almost exhausted; there wasmerely a faint suspicion of it, but at the same time it spoke to Ralphas plainly as words.
He was standing near the hollow where Geoffrey had been two days ago. Inhis mind's eye Ralph could see into this hollow. Years before he hadbeen used to lie there winter evenings when the brent and ducks werecoming in from the sea. He scrambled down, sure-footed as a goat.
Then he proceeded to grope upon the grass with those long restlessfingers. He picked up a charred stick or two, smelt it, and shook hishead. Presently his hand closed upon the burnt fragments of a gourd. AsRalph raised this to his nostrils his eyes gleamed.
"I was certain of it," he muttered. "Two of the Bonzes have been here,and they have been making the pi. If I could only see!"
As yet he had not heard of Geoffrey's singular discovery. There had beenno favorable opportunity of disclosing the secret.
Ralph retraced his steps moodily. For the present he was helpless. Hehad come across the clue to the enigma, but only he knew of thetremendous difficulties and dangers to be encountered before the heartof the mystery could be revealed. He felt cast down and discouraged.There was bitterness in his heart for those who had deprived him of hisprecious sight.
"Oh, if I could only see!" he cried. "A week or month to look from oneeye into another, to strip off the mask and lay the black soul bare. Andyet if the one only guessed what I know, my life would not be worth anhour's purchase! And if those people at the castle only knew that thepowers of hell--living, raging hell--were arrayed against them! But theywould not believe."
An impotent sigh escaped the speaker. Just for the moment his resolutionhad failed him. It was some time before he became conscious of the factthat some one was dogging his footsteps.
"Do you want to see me?" he demanded.
There was no reply for a moment. Abell came up cautiously. He lookedaround him, but so far as he could see he and Ravenspur were alone. Ashe caught sight of the latter's face he had no ground for further doubt.
"I did want to see you and see you alone, sir," Abell replied. "Ibelieve I have the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Ralph Ravenspur?"
"The same, sir," Ralph said coldly. "You are a stranger to me."
"A stranger who brings a message from a friend. I was to see you aloneand for two days I have been waiting for this opportunity. My employerasks me to deliver this box into your hands."
At the same time Abell passed the little brass case into Ralph's hand.As his fingers closed upon it a great light swept over his face; ahoarse shout came from lips that turned from red to blue, and then towhite and red again. So Tchigorsky had behaved when he discovered thatthis man still lived.
"Who gave you this, and what is your message?" Ravenspur panted.
"The message," said Abell, "was merely this. I was to give you the boxand say: 'Tchigorsky--Danger,' and walk away, unless you detained me."
"Then my friend Tchigorsky is alive?"
"Yes, sir; it is my privilege to be his private secretary."
"A wonderful man," Ralph cried; "perhaps the most wonderful man inEurope. And to think that he is alive! If an angel had come down fromheaven and asked me to crave a boon, I should have asked to haveTchigorsky in the flesh before me. You have given me new heart of grace;you are like water in a dry land. This is the happiest day I have knownsince----"
The speaker paused and mumbled something incoherent. But the stolidexpression had gone from his scarred face, and a strange, triumphanthappiness reigned in its stead. He seemed years younger, his step hadgrown more elastic; there was a fresh, broad ring in his voice.
"Tchigorsky will desire to see me," he said. "Indeed, it is absolutelyessential that we should meet and that without delay. A time of dangerlies before us--danger that the mere mortal does not dream of. Take thisto Tchigorsky and be careful of it."
He drew from a chain inside his vest a small case, almost identical tothe one that Abell had just handed to him, save that it was silver,while the other was brass. On it were the same queer signs and symbols.
"That will convince my friend that the puzzle is intact," he continued."We hold the key to the enigma--nay, the key to the past and future. Butall this is so much Greek to you. I will come and see my friend onFriday; but not in the guise of Ralph Ravenspur."
"What am I to understand by that, sir?" Abell asked.
"It matters nothing what you understand," Ralph cried. "Tchigorsky willknow. Tell him 7:15 at Euston on Friday, not in the guise of Ravenspuror Tchigorsky. He will read between the lines. Go and be seen with me nomore."
Ralph strode off with his head in the air. His blood was singing in hisears; his pulse was leaping with a new life.
"At last," he murmured; "after all these years for myself and my kin! Atlast!"