CHAPTER XXIX
It would be idle to say that Browne will never forget his feelings,when the hail reached him from the deck, announcing the fact that aboat from the Russian man-o'-war was coming alongside. It was the mostdesperate moment of his life; and there are times, even now, when onlyto dream of it is sufficient to bring him wide awake with a cold sweatupon his forehead. As he heard it, he turned to Jimmy, who was leaningover the bunk in which Maas lay, and said anxiously:--
"I suppose I may leave him to you, Jimmy? You will take care that theydon't get any information out of him?"
"You may trust me for that," Jimmy replied, and there was a look ofdetermination in his face as he said it, that boded ill for any attemptMaas might make to communicate with the enemy. "I hope for his ownsake that he won't wake while they are here. Jack, my son, this isgoing to be a big deal for all of us. Keep your head while they'reaboard, or you'll be in Queer Street."
Thereupon they shook hands solemnly.
"Thank Heaven, I've got you with me, old chap," continued Brownefervently. "You don't know what a relief it is to me to know that.Now I must go and warn Miss Petrovitch and Madame Bernstein."
"Good-bye, old fellow," said Foote. "Good luck go with you."
Browne glanced again at Maas, then he went out, closing the door behindhim, and made his way through the saloon in the direction ofKatherine's cabin. He had scarcely knocked at the door before sheopened it. From the pallor of her face he guessed that she knewsomething of what was happening. This proved to be so; for Browneafterwards discovered that the cruiser had all the time been plainlyvisible from her port-hole.
"I have just seen a boat pass," she said. "Have they come to searchthe yacht?"
"Yes," answered Browne. "You need not be afraid, however; they willnot find him. He is hidden in a place where they would never think oflooking; and, to make assurance doubly sure, MacAndrew is with him."
"But what was that noise I heard just now? It sounded as if you werestruggling with some one, and trying to drag him down into the saloon."
Browne informed her in a few brief words of what had occurred, and badeher, in case she should be questioned, keep up the fiction that Maaswas seriously ill. Then, bidding her inform Madame Bernstein of whatwas going on, he left her and returned to the deck. Simultaneouslywith his arrival the Russian officer made his appearance at thegangway. He was a tall, handsome man of about thirty years of age.Having reached the deck, he looked about him as if he scarcely knewwhom to address; then, seeing that the captain looked to Browne as iffor instructions, he saluted him, and said in French:--
"Your pardon, monsieur, but this is the yacht _Lotus Blossom_, is itnot?"
"It is," replied Browne, "and I am the owner. What can I have thepleasure of doing for you? You find us in rather a fix. We have had abreak-down in the engine-room, and, as you can see for yourself, it hasleft us in a by no means pleasant position."
"I have to present the compliments of my captain to you, and to requestthat you will permit me to overhaul your vessel."
"To overhaul my vessel!" cried Browne. "Surely that is a very curiousrequest For what reason do you wish to inspect her?"
"I regret to say that we have heard that an attempt is being made torescue an escaped convict from the island yonder. From informationreceived, it is believed he is on board your vessel."
"A runaway convict on board my yacht?" exclaimed Browne in a tone thatsuggested complete surprise. "You must excuse me if I do notunderstand you. You surely do not suppose that I make it my businessto go about the world, assisting convicts to escape from captivity?"
"That is no business of mine," answered the officer. "All I have to dois to obey my instructions. I should, therefore, be glad if you wouldpermit me to inspect your vessel."
"You may do so with pleasure," said Browne. "But let it be understood,before you commence, that I resent the intrusion, and shall,immediately on my return to civilization, place the matter before myGovernment to act as they think best. You have, of course, consideredwhat the consequences of your action will be?"
"It is not my business to think of the consequences," responded theother. "All I have to do is to obey the orders I receive. May Itherefore trouble you to permit me to carry them out? I should beloath to have to signal to my ship for assistance."
"Such a course will not be necessary," rejoined Browne, with all thedignity of which he was master. "If you persist in your absurd demand,I shall raise no further objection. Only, I should be glad if youcould do so with as little delay as possible. I have a friend belowwho is seriously ill, and I am anxious to return to him."
"In that case, it would be as well for us to proceed without furtherloss of time," continued the officer.
Turning to Captain Mason, who was standing beside him, Browne gave thenecessary orders. The Russian officer immediately called up a coupleof hands from his boat alongside, and then, escorted by Browne, set offon his tour of inspection. Commencing with the men's quarters forward,he searched every nook and cranny, but without success. Then, littleby little, they worked their way aft, exploring the officers' andengineers' quarters as they proceeded. The engine-room and stoke-holefollowed next, and it was then that Browne's anxiety commenced. Theconvict, as he had good reason to know, was the possessor of a hackingcough, and should he give proof of its existence now they were ruinedindeed.
"I presume you do not wish to look into the furnaces," ironicallyremarked the chief-engineer, who had accompanied them during theirvisit to his own particular portion of the vessel. "Should you desireto do so, I shall be pleased to have them opened for you."
"I have no desire to look into them," answered the officer, who by thistime was beginning to feel that he had been sent on a wild-goose chase.
"In that case let us finish our inspection, and be done with it," saidBrowne. "It is not pleasant for me, and I am sure it cannot be foryou." As he spoke he turned to the officer, and signed him to make hisway up the steel ladder to the deck above. Just as he himself wasabout to set foot on it, the sound of a smothered cough came from thespot where the men lay hidden, and at the same instant the officerstopped and looked round. Browne felt his whole body grow cold withterror. Fortunately, however, even if he had heard it, the otherfailed to place the proper construction upon it, and they left theengine-room without further comment. Then, having explored thesmoking-room and deck-house, they made their way aft to thedrawing-room by way of the main companion-ladder.
"I have two ladies on board, monsieur," said Browne as they reached thedrawing-room and stood for a moment looking about them, "also the sickfriend of whom I spoke to you just now. Perhaps you would not mindwaiving your right to inspect their cabins."
"Monsieur," returned the officer, "I must see every cabin. There mustbe no exceptions."
"In that case," replied Browne, "there is no more to be said. Will yoube kind enough to accompany me?"
So saying, he led him forward a few paces, and, having shown him thepantry and stewards' quarters, the storerooms, bathrooms, and otherdomestic offices, took him to the cabin in which Maas was undergoinghis involuntary confinement. Browne knocked softly upon the door, anda moment later Jimmy Foote opened it, with his finger on his lips as ifto warn them to be silent.
"Hush!" he whispered. "Don't wake him; he has been asleep for nearlyhalf an hour, and it will do him a world of good."
Browne translated this speech to the officer, and, when he had done so,they entered and approached the bedside. The representative ofImperial Russia looked down upon Maas, who was sleeping as placidly asa little child; at the same time his eyes took in the rows of medicinebottles on the table and all the usual paraphernalia of a sick-room.It was plain not only, that he imagined Jimmy Foote to be the doctor incharge, but also that he knew nothing of the identity of the man beforehim.
"What is the matter with him?" he asked a little suspiciously of Browne.
"Pneumonia, following a severe c
hill," the other replied. "We want toget him down to Yokohama as quickly as possible in order that we mayplace him in the hospital there. I presume you are satisfied that heis not the man you want?"
The officer nodded his head. "Quite satisfied," he answeredemphatically. "The man I want is a little, old fellow with red hair.He is thirty years this gentleman's senior."
Thereupon they passed out of the cabin again, and made their way alongthe alley-way towards the drawing-room once more.
When they reached it they found Katherine and Madame Bernstein awaitingthem there. Browne, in a tone of apology, explained the reason of theofficer's visit.
"However, I hope soon to be able to convince him that his suspicionsare unfounded," he said in conclusion. "We have searched every portionof the yacht, and he has not so far discovered the man he wants."
"Do you say that the person you are looking for is a Russian convict?"continued Madame Bernstein, who felt that she must say something inorder to cover the look of fear, that was spreading over Katherine'sface.
"Yes, Madame," the officer replied. "He is a most dangerous person,who in his time has caused the police an infinity of trouble."
"A Nihilist, I suppose?" remarked Browne, as if he thought that thatpoint might be taken for granted.
"Indeed, no," continued the officer. "His name is Kleinkopf, and heis, or rather was, the most noted diamond-thief in Europe."
"What?" cried Browne, startled out of himself by what the other said."What do you mean? A diamond----"
What he was about to add must for ever remain a mystery, for at thatmoment Madame Bernstein uttered a little cry and fell forward againstthe table in a dead faint. With a face as ashen as a cere-cloth,Katherine ran to her assistance, and Browne followed her example.Together they raised her and carried her to a seat.
"Katherine ran to her assistance."]
"You see, sir, what mischief you have done," said Browne, addressingthe Russian officer, who stood looking from one to another of them, asif he scarcely knew what to say or how to act. "You have frightenedher into a faint."
Picking her up in his arms, he carried her to her cabin, and laid herin her bunk. Then, resigning her to the care of Katharine and thestewardess, whom he had summoned to his assistance, he rejoined theofficer outside.
"If you will come with me, sir," he began, "I will show you theremainder of the vessel, and then I think you will be able to return toyour ship and inform your commander that, on this occasion, at least,he has committed an egregious blunder, of which he will hear more anon."
"I am at monsieur's disposal," replied the officer; and together theyentered Katherine's cabin. Needless to say there was no sign of anyfugitive there. Browne's own cabin followed next, with the sameresult. At last they reached the deck once more.
"You are satisfied, I presume, sir, that the man you want is not onboard my yacht?" asked Browne, with considerable hauteur.
"Quite satisfied," replied the other. "And yet I can assure you,monsieur, that we had the best reasons for believing that you wereconniving at his escape."
"I am very much obliged to you, I am sure," retorted Browne. "I fancy,however, that, even presuming I contemplated anything of the sort, Ihave convinced you that I have not carried it out yet. And now I havethe honour to wish you a very good morning. My engineer informs methat the break-down in the engine-room has been repaired; and, if youhave any suspicions left, you will have the satisfaction of seeing usget under way without further delay. I tell you this in case youshould imagine, that I intend hanging about here, in the hope ofpicking up the man to whom you allude. By the way, did you say thathis name is Kleinkopf, and that he was originally a diamond-thief?"
"He was the most expert diamond-thief in Europe, monsieur," the officerreplied. "Now, permit me to offer my apologies for the trouble towhich I have put you, and to bid you farewell. At the same time, ifyou will allow me to do so, I will give you a little advice. If I werein your place I should leave this coast as soon as possible."
"I shall do so within a quarter of an hour, at latest," Browne answered.
With that the officer saluted once more and disappeared down thecompanion-ladder. A few moments later his boat was to be seen makingher way in the direction of the man-of-war. Browne stood and watchedher, scarcely able to realize that all danger was now passed and clonewith. Then he turned to go in search of his friends, and as he did soa thought came into his mind, and brought him to a standstill oncemore. What could the officer have meant when he had said that theescaped convict's name was Kleinkopf, and that he was not a Nihilist,as they had been informed, but a diamond-thief; not a man who plottedand risked his life for the welfare of his country, but a common felon,who lived by defrauding the general public? Was it possible thatKatherine's father could have been such a man? No; a thousand timesno! He would never believe such a thing. But if it were not so, whatdid it all mean? Madame Bernstein had recognised the fugitive asKatherine's father, and the man himself had rejoiced at being with hisdaughter again after so long a separation. There was a mysterysomewhere, upon which he would have to be enlightened before very long.
As he arrived at this conclusion Captain Mason approached him.
"The chief-engineer reports that all is ready, sir," he said. "If youwish it we can get under way at once."
"The sooner the better, Mason," Browne replied. "I shall not be happyuntil we have put the horizon between ourselves and that gentleman overthere."
He nodded in the direction of the cruiser, which the boat had justreached.
"I agree with you, sir," answered the captain. "I will get the anchoraway at once."
"Before you do so, Mason," said Browne, "just get those two men out ofthe tunnel and send them aft. Don't let them come on deck whatever youdo. They're certain to have their glasses on us over yonder."
"Very good, sir," Mason returned, and went forward to execute hiserrand.
Anxious as he was to go below, Browne did not leave the deck until thescrew had commenced to revolve. When he did, it was with a great fearin his heart--one that he would have found it extremely difficulteither to describe or to account for. As he argued with himself, itwas extremely unlikely that the Russian Authorities would make amistake; and yet, if they did not, why had Madame Bernstein always beenso anxious to assure Katherine that the man, he had saved, was herfather? And, what was still more important, why had she fainted thatmorning when the officer had given his information concerning thefugitive? When he entered the drawing-room, to his surprise, he foundKatherine alone there. Her face was still very white, and it struckBrowne that she had been crying.
"What is the matter, dear?" he inquired, as he placed his arm round herand drew her towards him. "Why do you look so troubled?"
"I do not know," she answered, burying her face in his shoulder, "but Iam very, very unhappy."
He did his best to soothe her, but without success. A weight waspressing upon her mind, and until it was removed relief would beimpossible. For some reason Browne made no inquiry after Madame'scondition. It seemed, for the moment, as if he had forgotten her veryexistence. At last he bade Katherine put on her hat and accompany himto the deck. The fresh air would revive her, he said. She accordinglydeparted to her cabin, and in five minutes rejoined him. In themeanwhile Browne had visited the cabin on the starboard side, and hadinformed Foote of all that had transpired. Maas was still sleepingquietly in his bunk.
"Thank goodness they've cleared out," said Jimmy. "Now our friend herecan wake up as soon as he pleases."
"The sooner the better," Browne replied. "In the meantime, Jimmy, I'vesomething awfully important to say to you."
In a few words Browne told him what he had discovered, and what hesuspected. Foote listened with attention, and when he had finished,scratched his chin and regarded his own face in the mirror opposite,looking the very figure and picture of perplexity.
"What did I always tell you?" he remarked at last. "I was as ce
rtainthen, as I am now, that the woman was playing some underhand game,though what it is I cannot say. However, I'll find out somehow oranother. Upon my word, when we return to civilization, I think I shallembark upon the career of a private inquiry agent."
Feeling that there was nothing more to be said upon the subject justthen, Browne left him, and returned to the drawing-room in search ofKatherine. He found her ready to accompany him to the deck above.
"The fresh air will soon bring the roses back to your cheeks," hewhispered, as they made their way along the drawing-room in thedirection of the companion-ladder.
She was about to reply, when the sound of footsteps reached them fromthe port alley-way, and, before they had set foot upon the first step,MacAndrew and the fugitive stood before them. Browne noticed thatKatherine instinctively shrank away from the latter. He accordinglyslipped his arm round her, and, telling MacAndrew that he would like tospeak to him in a few minutes, led her to the deck above.
CHAPTER XXX
Their first business when they reached the deck was to glance in thedirection whence they had last seen the cruiser. Then she had been aliving and very present reality to them; now she was only a tiny speckupon the horizon, and in a quarter of an hour, or even less, she wouldhave vanished altogether. They made their way aft to the taffrail, andstood there leaning on the rail, looking at her. Both felt that it wasa crisis in their lives, that had to be tided over, and knew that, ifever they desired to be happy together, they must fight the next tenminutes on their merits. For this reason, perhaps, they began by beingunusually silent. It was Katherine who spoke first.
"Dearest," she commenced very slowly, "I want you to listen to me andnot to speak until I have finished. I have something to say to you,and I don't quite know how to say it. I don't want you to think that Iam capricious, or that I think only of myself. In this I am thinkingof you, and of your happiness only."
"I can quite believe that," Browne replied, trying to force down thelump that was rising in his throat. "But I must hear you out before Ican say more. What is it you have to say to me?"
"I want you"--here she paused as if she were fighting for breath--"Iwant you to give up any idea of marrying me, and to put me ashore atthe first port at which you call. Will you do this?"
Nearly a minute elapsed before Browne answered. When he did his voicewas curiously husky.
"Katherine," he said, "this is just like you. It is like your noblenature to try and make my path smoother, when your own is so difficultthat you can scarcely climb it. But you don't, surely, suppose that Ishould do what you ask--that I should give you up and allow you to goout of my life altogether, just because you have been tricked as I havebeen?"
She glanced up at him with a face as white as the foam upon which theylooked. What she would have replied I cannot say; but at that momentMacAndrew, accompanied by Jimmy Foote, appeared on deck. The latterapproached them and asked Browne if he could spare him a few minutes.Not being averse to any proposal, that would tend to mitigate theseverity of the ordeal he was then passing through, Browne consented.
"What is it you want with me?" he asked, as savagely as if he werebeing deliberately wronged. "For Heaven's sake, Jimmy, be easy withme! You can have no idea what the strain of the last few minutes hasbeen."
"I know everything, my son," rejoined Jimmy quietly. "Do you think Ihaven't been watching you of late? That is exactly what I am here for.Poor old boy, you've been on the rack a shade too long lately; but Ithink I can put that right if you'll only let me. I've great news foryou."
"I don't know what sort of news you can have that will be acceptable tome," replied Browne lugubriously. "I'm carrying about as much just nowas I can possibly manage. What is it?"
"Do you think you're altogether fit to hear it?" he asked. "And whatabout Miss Petrovitch? Can you leave her for a few moments?"
"I will speak to her," Browne answered, and accordingly went back toKatherine. A moment later he rejoined Foote.
"Now then, what is it?" he cried almost fiercely. "What freshtreachery am I to discover?"
"Come to the smoking-room," Jimmy began. "I can't tell you here ondeck, with all the world trying to overhear what I have to say."
When they reached the cabin in question Browne discovered MacAndrewthere, sitting on one of the marble tables and smoking a cigarette.
"I don't know what you think about it, Mr. Browne," remarked thelatter; "but it strikes me now, that we have come very well out of thatlittle encounter with our Muscovite friend over yonder. The ideathey've got in their heads is that the runaway and myself are not onboard; and if I know anything of their tactics, they will patrol thecoast for the next week or ten days in the expectation of your comingback to pick us up."
"I wish them joy of their stay," Browne replied. "By the time they'retired of it we shall be safely out of reach. But what is it you haveto say to me, Jimmy? You didn't bring me here to talk about thecruiser, I suppose?"
"I did not," said Jimmy, with a great show of importance. "I broughtyou to talk about something far more interesting. Look here, old man,I don't, of course, know what your feelings may be; but I've got a sortof a notion that--well, to put it in plain words--that you're none toopleased with your prospective father-in-law. He doesn't quite come upto your idea of the man whom you had been told suffered martyrdom forhis country's good--eh?"
"I have never said that I disapproved of him," Browne retorted. "Idon't know why you should have got this notion into your head."
"You're very loyal, I must say, old man," continued Jimmy; "but thatcat won't fight--not for an instant. Any one could see that. No, no;I know as well as if you had told me, that you're as miserable as a mancan well be, and so is Miss Petrovitch. I don't wonder at it. Iexpect I should be as bad if I were likely to be blessed with such apapa. I should be inclined to wish him back again in the wilds ofSaghalien."
"Oh, for Heaven's sake, get on with what you've got to say!" criedBrowne. "Why do you keep me on the rack like this?"
Jimmy, however, was not to be hurried. He had never had such a hand toplay before, and he was determined to make the most of it.
"It was MacAndrew there who made the discovery," he replied. "I onlycame in at the end, like the Greek Chorus, to explain things. The factof the matter is, Browne, when our friend here and the littlered-haired gentleman were shut up together in the tunnel, the formerelicited the information (how he managed it I am not prepared to say)that the name of the ex-convict is not Polowski or Petrovitch, butKleinkopf; that he is not a Nihilist, as we have been led to believe,but a diamond-thief of the first water."
He paused to hear what Browne would say, and, if the truth must beconfessed, he was mortified to find that the other betrayed no sort ofsurprise.
"I know all that," answered his friend. "Have you discovered nothingelse?"
"A heap more," continued Jimmy; "but perhaps you know that, too. Areyou aware that the convict is the famous Red Rat, who once defied theunited police of Europe? Well, he is! He is also--and, mark you, thisis the greatest point of all--he is no less a person than _MadameBernstein's husband_!"
"Madame Bernstein's husband?" cried Browne, in stupefied surprise."What on earth do you mean by that? I warn you not to joke with me.I'm not in the humour for it."
"I'm not joking," Jimmy returned, with all gravity. "I'm telling youthis in deadly earnest. The Red Rat is Madame Bernstein's husband. Hewas sentenced to transportation for life in St. Petersburg, was sent toSiberia, and later on was drafted to Saghalien."
"Is this true, MacAndrew?" inquired Browne. "You should know."
"It is quite true," said MacAndrew. "For my part, I always thought hewas the man you were trying to rescue. If you will look at it you willfind that he tallies exactly with Madame's description of the man wewanted."
"Oh heavens! how we have been deceived!" groaned Browne. Then, asanother thought struck him, he added, "But if this is so, then MissPetrovitch's father
is still in captivity."
"No," said MacAndrew; "he has escaped."
"What do you mean? When did he escape?"
"He is dead. He died early last year."
A silence that lasted upwards of five minutes fell upon the trio.
"The more I think of it the farther I am from understanding it," Brownesaid at last. "Why should I have been singled out for the task ofrescuing this man, in whom I don't take the least bit of interest?"
"Because you are rich," muttered Jimmy. "Why, my dear fellow, it's allas plain as daylight, now that we've got the key to the puzzle. Madamewas aware that Miss Petrovitch would do anything to rescue her father,and so would the man she loved. Therefore, when you, with your money,your influence, and, above all, your yacht, came upon the scene, shetook advantage of the opportunity Providence had sent her, and laid herplans accordingly. You know the result."
"And while Miss Petrovitch has been wearing her heart out with anxietyto save her father, this heartless woman has been deceiving her--towhom she owes everything--and adapting our means to secure her ownends."
"It looks like it--does it not?" said Jimmy. "Now, what do you intenddoing? Remember, you have two traitors to deal with--Madame Bernsteinand Mr. Maas."
"I don't know what to do," replied poor Browne, "It is sufficientlyvexatious. I shall have to tell Miss Petrovitch, and it will break herheart. As for Maas, we must consider what is best to be done with him.I'll have no mercy on the brute."
"Oh yes, you will," argued Jimmy. "Whatever you are, you are notvindictive, Jack. Don't try to make me believe you are."
Leaving the two men together, Browne went in search of his sweetheart.When he found her, he summoned up all the courage he possessed and toldher everything from the beginning to the end. She was braver than hehad expected, and heard him out without comment. Only when he hadfinished, she rose from her seat, and asked him to excuse her, sayingthat she would go to her cabin for a little while.
A little before sunset that afternoon a small brig was sighted, fivemiles or so away to the south-west. A course was immediately shaped tointercept her. Her attention having been attracted, she hove to andwaited for the boat, that Mason warned her he was sending. When sheput off the third officer was in charge, and MacAndrew was sittingbeside him in the stern sheets. They returned in something under anhour, and immediately on his arrival on board MacAndrew made his way tothe smoking-room, where he was closeted with Browne for upwards of anhour. After that he went below with Jimmy Foote.
The orb of day lay like a ball of fire upon the horizon when theyreappeared. This time they escorted no less a person than Maashimself, who looked as if he were scarcely awake. Without inquiringfor them or asking leave to bid his host and hostess farewell, hedisappeared down the accommodation-ladder, and took his place in theboat alongside, and his traps were bundled in after him. Half an hourlater the boat returned, but this time Maas was not in her. MacAndrewascended to the deck, and once more made his way to the smoking-room.He found Browne and Jimmy there as before.
"They will land him at Tomari in the Kuriles in three months' time," hereported, with what appeared to be considerable satisfaction.
"Tomari is the capital of Kunashiri Island," said Jimmy, who had turnedup a copy of the _China Sea Directory_ during the short silence thatfollowed. "It has a permanent population of about one thousand fivehundred souls, which is largely increased in summer time by fishermen."
"You are sure he will be quite safe," asked Browne. "Scoundrel andtraitor though he is, I shouldn't like to think that any harm wouldbefall him."
"You need not be afraid," replied MacAndrew. "He is quite able to lookafter himself. Besides, the skipper is an old friend of mine, and amost respectable person. He will take every care of him, you may besure. You have paid him well enough to make it worth his while."
After that, for the remainder of the voyage, the name of Maas was nevermentioned by any of the party. Even to this day Browne scarcely likesto hear it spoken. Nor does he permit himself to dwell very often uponwhat happened a few days later, when, after a most uncomfortableinterval, the yacht rounded Hakodate Headland and came to an anchor inthe harbour.
"Leave everything to me," said MacAndrew, when he went into thesmoking-room to bid Browne farewell. "I know how painful an interviewwould be for you all, and I think you can very well dispense with it.I believe they are ready to go ashore."
"In that case, let them go. I never wish to see their faces again."
"I can quite understand it; and now I must bid you farewell myself. Iam sorry our adventure has not turned out more successfully; but at anyrate you have had a run for your money, and you have seen something oflife in the Far East."
"I have, indeed," said Browne. "Now, tell me of the arrangements youhave made concerning these two miserable people. What will happen tothem eventually?"
"They can do as they think best," replied MacAndrew. "They can eitherstay here or go wherever they please. The Nippon Yusen Kwaisha Linecall here thrice weekly; and from Yokohama you can reach any part ofthe known world."
"But they are practically penniless," said Browne. Then, taking anenvelope from his pocket, he handed it to MacAndrew. "If you can findan opportunity of delivering it, will you contrive to let them havethis? There is something inside that will keep the wolf from the door,for a time at least."
MacAndrew looked at him a little curiously. He was about to saysomething, but he checked himself, and, stowing the envelope away inhis pocket, held out his hand.
"You were not inclined to trust me when first we met; but I hope youare satisfied now that I have done my best for you."
"I am more than satisfied," replied Browne. "I am very grateful. Iwish you would let me do something to help you in return."
"You _have_ helped me," MacAndrew answered. "You have helped meamazingly; more perhaps than you think. Now, good-bye, and may goodluck and every happiness go with you."
"Good-bye," said Browne; and then the tall, graceful figure passedalong the deck in the direction of the main companion-ladder. A fewmoments later the sound of oars reached his ears; and when they couldno longer be heard Browne went in search of Katherine and Jimmy Foote.
"Well, old man," asked the latter when the screw had begun to revolveonce more, "what now? What is the next thing?"
"The next thing," Browne replied, seating himself beside Katherine ashe spoke, and taking her hand, "is Yokohama, and a wedding, at whichyou shall assist in the capacity of best man."
That night the lovers stood on deck, leaning against the bulwarkswatching the moon rise from behind a bank of cloud.
"Of what are you thinking, sweetheart?" Browne inquired, looking at thesweet face beside him. "I wonder if I could guess."
"I very much doubt it," she answered, with a sad little smile. "Youhad better try."
"You were thinking of a tiny land-locked harbour, surrounded bysnow-capped mountains, were you not?"
"Yes," she replied; "I certainly was. I was thinking of our firstmeeting in Merok. Oh, Jack! Jack! how much has happened since then!"
"Yes," he continued slowly. "A great deal has happened; but at leastthere are two things for which we should be thankful."
"And what are they?"
"The first is that we are together, and the second is that you are notTHE RED RAT'S DAUGHTER!"
THE END.
Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London.
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