FOR LOVE FOR MONEY

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue IX, 26 August 1899, Page 5

FOR LOVE FOR MONEY

BY

ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE.

Author of ‘Doctor Jaek.* "A Fair Revolutkmiaw’ ‘A Sailor’s Sweetheart,' ‘A Chaae for a Bnde.

CHAPTER XXXIV. “O'ER LAND AND SEA." When the marquis looked at his watch he found they had accomplished the task in less time than had been promised. It was the fastest run that had e>er been made between London and Dover, and as they passed the motor he did not forget the grimy, faithful driver who had done his duty so fearlessly and so well. Again the man from Scotland Yard was put in charge, and bent his energies to discovering what had become of those they sought. One thing soon became evident—they had arrived in Dover too late for the last Channel boat and must still be in the city unless some special means of traversing the sea had been placed at their disposal. It was really wonderful how this man took up the trail—the others were reminded of a bird dog following a strong scent. Step by step he advanced, ami hope began to rise again in their breasts as they realised how quickly he rectitieii mistakes. The trail led them to the water, and then they knew the crisis was near.

It was a period of most intense anxiety on the part of the two men. for a dreadful fear haunted them that perhaps Juanita had some murnpon myriads of little wavelets, and sea would forever clear her path to the heart of the marquis.

In all his life Jaek Overton never suffered sueh wretched pangs of remorse and despair as came upon him while they looked out upon the dark waters where the stars were reflected upon myriads of little wavelets and eonsideretl what a trackless waste the sea might be.

Livermore was alternately swearing ami muttering threats to himself: if this strain were kept up it would be unsafe to insure his mind.

His very presence was a keen reproach to the marquis, while his agony stabbed Jack as might a twoedged sword.

Still, they were to a degree helpless in the hands of the man upon whose sagacity they depended, ami when hi.- rejjort made action possible it might be seen how quickly Overton would spring to the front, determined to win at anv cost.

He came at length, and brought positive news.

Those they sought had gone to sea in a small steamer that had evidentiv been awaiting their arrival.

From one point and another he had reached the conclusion that their goal was a Spanish port, since the men who manned the black little steamer always talked of Santander, and they declared themselves native fishermen of that picturesque spot on Biscay Bav.

"I bat was all they had to work upon, and yet the detective seemed so confident that he put much of hope into the minds of his companions. There was only one thing to do—follow.

They must shake the dust of old England from their feet and give chase.

Few people anticipate a trip upon Channel with pleasure, but none of the trio flinched. “Let ns find the boat," was what the marquis said, as cheerily as possible. And they began the search. It

piqued the man from Scotland Yard to think that all this trouble had been caused by a woman—evidently he was inclined to have a poor opinion of the sex as a whole—but. then, his operations had been confined to a certain class of criminals, usually stupefies I by drink, and as his experience took in a wider field he would learn that it was the height of folly to despise the schemes of a bright woman's mind.

Given a fevrish anxiety to be afloat, and unlimited capital, in a seaport one need not search very long for the craft.

Even at this uncanny hour of the night business was being transacted along the water-front, while boats arrived ami departed—for wind and title and weather are factors more important to seafaring men than daylight or darkness.

Following a clue he had picket! up. the detective soon had them aboard a little craft that was used in the coasting trade, a staunch and speedy boat, such as would answer their purpose admirable.

Alas! the owner was a thrifty Scot, who had a will as firm as the mountains of his native country —even a magnificent price did not appear to stir him : but w hen the marquis finally offered to purchase the boat at double her cost, he was conquered, overwhelmed. To his credit be it said that. later on. when he heard the story, he swore that he would have let them charter the boat on their own terms had the known ladies were in danger—nevertheless he did not retuse to accept when the marquis gave a staggering cheque for the craft's value, according to contract.

Out of the harbour and away. Their course was south-east by south.

An exhilaration took possession of them as the lights of Dover twinkled la-hind, but the Channel chop sea speedily reduced them to a chaotic condition.

Never, so long as they lived, would those gentlemen forget that voyage — addedtothemiserable qualmsofmalde user. which even a yachtsman like the marquis was not proof against, they had to contend with all the anxieties natural to such a blind chase, for there was no positive certainty that those they pursued meant to head for Santander. even though the detective had rached that conclusion. Nor was that all.

About daybreak of the second daj the wind blew great guns, ami they found themselves in a storm. it is bad enough to meet with such a gale of wind upon the open sea. but the danger becomes doubly great when there hangs over one the chance •»: being in collision with some other tempest-driven craft. The English Channel ami Biscay Bay have swallowed up many a devoted vessel as a consequence of such meetings in the storm rack: and dancing. blue waves conceal sad sights and murmur the requiem of many a gallant tar as they lap the shore or glisten, in the sunlight. But such is a sailor's life—here today. ami to-morrow Heaven alone may know.

The marquis had gained the mastery over his sickness, ami had forced his way to the deek so that he might gaze upon the fury of the blast. Somehow-, the tumbling billows that tossed the little Clyde-built steamer upon their crests as if she were a straw or a cork seemed to be in sympathy with the storm that raged within—he even exulted in the furious

gusts of wind that made the vessel quiver from stem to stern and tore the white caps from the summit of each giant wave, to send it wildly flying to leewarvi in a cloud of spume. At the same time the presence of this little tempest in a teapot gave him uneasiness, more on account of the other boat than their own—perhaps the vessel Juanita had engaged for the purpose of abduction might not be sc staunch a craft. In common with all Anglo-Saxons, the marquis had a species of contempt for anything that floated the crimson and gold banner of Spain, although the Caledonian captain assured him that four-fifths of sueh vessels had undoubtedly Iteen built in the dockyards of France. Italv. or Great Britain.

Captain Livermore also appeared, looking peaked and gray. The poor man suffered intense agony of mind, nor eotdd anyone blame him under such distressing conditions.

He had in a measure gained control over himself, and was very quiet: but the firmly-closet! lips and the glitter of his eyes declared how eagerly he awaited an opportunity to strike a blow, even though it cost him his life, for the woman he loved—Fedora.

The storm was at its height about noon. and. as they had been blown far out of their course, no one might say when the port of Santander would be reached, although the captain made some sort of a prophecy that under certain conditions they would bring up there by the second night.

At sundown the st rm st»l! raged, and the gallant little steamer struggled desperately to hold her own.

That is the time when honest workmanship counts, when an imperfect casting may bring about sudden and irrevocable disaster: but they make sterling engines at Belfast, and every rod and joint performed its duty in the hour of need.

So these men again sought their staterooms to pray, not so much for themselves, since they had lost all personal fear, but for the one whose absence from home had taken them upon this wild chase across the stormy waters.

During the night, between the cat naps he secured, the marquis was impressed with the belief that the vessel did not pitch and toss so violently and upon making an observation found that the clouds had parted. leaving a clear skv overhead.

This was at least reassuring, and going back to his berth he fell into a refreshing sleep, from which he was not aronsed until the sun. peeping through the bull's-eye window, fell upon his eyes. I pon reaching deck he found everything lovelv.

The sea had subsided almost entirely and a fresh morning breeze was commencing to stir its surface into myriads of laughing wavelets. As soon as the captain could decide upon his course he laid her head almost due east, expecting at noon to take an observation, when he might discover their location to a fraction.

It was a pleasant day's journey. About noon the captain called their attention by means of the glass to far distant land to the south, which he declared to be the northern coast of Spain, showing that they were now traversing the romantic Bay of Biscay, known to the natives as the Gulf of Gascogne. Thus there was now a fair chance, the captain promised, that before midnight they would be at anchor in the harbour of Santander.

This gave the two haggard, desperate men some relief—at least, it was a satisfaction to know they would arrive at a point where the worst could l>e discovered.

Night came on. Far away were lights, and these came from the Spanish sea|M>rt whither they were bound. How like lead dragged the hours as they steamed directly toward the beacon! The marquis walked the deck incessantly, while Livermore leaned over the bow. his anxious gaze glued on those lights which seemed to dance just beyond their reach like jack-o'-lanterns in a marsh.

But all things must end. and finally they entered the harbour, where other vessels lay at anchor, and the captain soon had their mudhook fastened in Spanish soil.

It was perhaps ten minutes later when the marquis ap|>eared at Livermore's elbow as the latter stood at rhe rail surveying the lights of the town, and said in a hoarse whisper: “Make no outcry, mv friend: control yourself and listen. Our captain is ready to take his oath that the steamer dimly seen on our quarter yonder is the boat that left Dover, and which we have chased over the sea!"

CHAPTER XXXV. THE SEARCH FOR A WIFE.

The words of the marquis electrified Livermore. All his lassitude seemed to suddenly vanish.

In the presence of actual danger, when face to face with a genuine emergency that called for manly qualities. he was again the cool.’ heroic explorer who had traversed the African wilderness and won fame and fortune beneath the tropic skv.

"That is cheering news, marquis If true, it relieves our minds of one dreadful fear—the boat survived the storm, at least. Please Heaven, she is safe on board, and that we mav succeed in rescuing her! When shall we go?"

Evidently the captain believed in promptness. He would hav e shown a similar celerity of action had it been some other man's wife who was in danger: at the same time his eagerness was easily understood. Nothing suited the marquis better, f °r he was a man of action himself Besides, the strain upon his own mind w-as very severe, seeing he had fears that innocent trusting Mazette had l»een lured from her apartments in “he same way as Fedora—Mazette, who would have down anywhere and braved all dangers if under the belief that she could be of assistance to him.

’’Let us have a council of war,” he >aid with energy, ’’and take the opinions of our detective and the captain as to the advisability of making an immediate advance on the enemy's works.”

Good! That is spoken as I would have put it. declared Maurice, eage r -

So the four of them came together, and the pros and cons were discussed ea rnestlv.

A plan of action was decided upon

Steam should lx* kept up by the commander, so that an immediate departure from the harbour could be made in case it was deemed necessary.

The three others entered a boat, which was manned by several of the stoutest and most expert sailors on lx-art!—men wliose muscles were capable of enormous work should there be need of haste. Unknown dangers lay before them, but such a thing as fear never entered into their calculations; having determined to accomplish the sacred object rtiey had in view, all the perils that might be accumulated together would not daunt them.

Under the magic touch of expert rowers the dusky boat glided toward the quarter where the outlines of the other steamer could be dimly seen.

If an indifferent watch were kept aboard the craft there would be little or no difficulty in accomplishing the first part of their scheme, at least. This was to temporarily disable the screw of the steamer, so that such a thing as pursuit would be out of the question.

To this end the canny Scot had not only advised them out of his abunnant knowledge, but he had at the same time supplied them with the material of uar from which they were to accomplish a given purpose.

Other adventures through which these two men had (Hissed dwindled into insignificance when com|»ared with the one upon which they were now fullv emluirked.

They could only hope and pray for the fidl measure of success which their daring warranted them in expecting.

Fortunately the night was dark, and it would take the keenest of eyes to have detected the presence of the boat that glided like a spectre barque over the water of Santander harbour. Sounds came from the shore, such as may be heard from Spanish cities far into the small hours of fhe night — the strains of music, of laughter and loud voices.

Rut silence seemed to surround the little steamer that lay at anchor in the quiet waters after buffeting the stormy deep.

Nearer they drew, and those who were so deeply interested held their very breath, for fear lest a sudden hail from on board might bring about discovery and possibly runi for fheir

plans. It was already arranged that in case such a contretempts occurred they were to advance to the side of the steamer, addressing the man on guard in Spanish, which the marquis was easilv capable of doing, announcing themselves officers of the port, bent upon their duties, who wished to come aboard.

Once alongside, they could speedily clamber over the low waist of the little steamer, whether invited or not.

As to the rest, they were armed, and meant to carry out their object though the heavens fell. Men in times past have gone forth upon all sorts of crusades —in pursuit of the Holy Grail: to seek the Golden Fleece; to redeem the Holy City from t*he Saracen usurper, and hosts of other like causes have drawn them into the jaws of danger: but. in all probability, there never was an expedition planned that better deserved success than the venture upon which thev were now embarked. Closer still, and no harm. Every moment the captain knew meant more life to their plans, and in his heart the passage of each segment of time was marked by a fervent expression of thanksgiving, iienerbexrs oba efi It seemed as though all the nervous intensity of feeling, of anxiety, hope and fear were concentrated tn this small space of time, and that he lived long years in a brief minute. Now thev were 'under the overhanging Stern of the steamer, and all seemed well thus far. The sailors were to manage the task of using the chain, which they hail carried, so that it would lie wound about the propeller with the first few revolutions made. Thev had been selected on account of their knowledge of such marine matters and were well coached by the Scotch skipper ere starting forth. It was well done. Not a single clanking sound l>et raved them. The chain was lowered into the water until from certain indications thev knew it lay upon the propeller, and’ then it was made fast above so that no ordinary jerk would dislocate it. So far everything was lovely, and if this good luck only continued no one could complain. Their next task required an abundance of favrvet which, fortunately, was not lacking.

It is a recognised fact that in any par: of the world, should men who are not empowered by law attempt to board a vessel at anchor in a harbour. thev are looked upon in the light of pirates and dealt with, accordingly. Hence’ it was taking their lives in their hands when they came to Imarding the steamer in this surreptitious

Were the danger ten times as great not one would have wavered. The mttrquis had been using his lies as well as the darkness allowed, and he saw that the steamer was built in a manner that made the task of Iraarding her more difficult

than he had anticipated. They might lie compelled to rely upon some chance rope dangling over the side.

The sailors knew what to expect, and foot by foot the boat was worked along close to the hull of the steamer until the groping hand of the man

who searched came in contact with what they sought, a rope, by means of which any sailor ashore eould, iqion arrival at the vessel, clamber aboard. There is something in knowing the tricks of the trade set a thief to catch a thief—the sailor* who served under the Scotch captain were men of great Britain, but they could give a shiewil guess as to what these Jack Spaniards would do upon reaching a home port. At any rate, that rope was worth a thousand times its weight in gold to them, and the marquis has it occupying to-day the most honoured position upon the wall of his library. He was the first to take hold of it after the sailor had fastened one end to a thwart. Fortunately Jack Overton had lost none of his’ agility, and he passed over the rail of the steamer in a jiffy. (Touching there he awaited the coming of the others, ready to defend the expedition if necessary to the bitter end. Then came the man from Scotland Yard, who also made the passage easily enough. With Livermore it was a serious business, for he had accumulated much avoirdupois since his last equatorial tramp through the African wilderness. However, the same game spirit as of yore resided in his body, and while he puffed considerably, making sounds that Jack feared would draw attention from the watch, the discovery did not come, and he was given the privilege of assisting his friend aboard. It was lucky, indeed, that such a lack of discipline prevailed on board tb.e Spanish boat. Perhaps this was partly due to the effects of the recent storm, the men being completely exhausted.

At any rate, no matter from what it sprang, our friends were only too glad to accept the favour and lie thankful. They began to move toward the stern of the boat, seeking the cabin, for it was there those they sought would be found if still on board the boat.

This latter point was a question which gave the marquis a cold chill when it came before his mind —he dreaded lest the Spanish woman had ere now carried out her diabolical plot to rid herself of those who stood iietween bhe object she sought to attain and herself. Fortune favoured them in that they were able to reach the cabin without meeting any one. Looking back at the venture and calculating howmany chances there were against such success, the marquis was always amav.ed at their luck. Perhaps they were favoured by Providence because of the sacred nature of their mission.

It was pleasant to think so at least.

Once at the saloon door, they looked its length without discovering a single soul. Evidently those whom they- sought must lie in their state-rooms opening off the cabin, and there was nothing left to them hut to open these., one at a time, to discover the truth. This was the crucial time. The marquis, bold enough to take advantage of the slender opportunity fortune had granted them, stepped to the first door and opened it. Was ever a prayer answered more quickly ? The light from the cabin entering disclosed Fedora seated on a chair, having refused to retire to the berth after the terror of the last two nights.

She was awake, and the astonishment felt at seeing the marquis almost caused her to faint. He advanced to her side and said in a low but earnest tone : " Do not cry out or all is lost ! We have come across the water to save you. He is close at hand—your husband. Come to him now. and please utter no sound above a whisper." Then she suffered him to lead her out. not sure that it was a dream or some delusion. There stood the captain awaiting his own. and with a cry she could not repress she threw herself into his extended arms. The marquis rightly feared that discovery was now sure to come, and realising that not a second mils- lxlost he Iw-gged Fedora to tell him if she had a companion in her captivity. Enable to speak, she pointed to a floor opposite to the stateroom she had occupied, and as Jack turned to it he saw Mazette standing there, with

(tale face and dishevelled hair—but, Mazette, alive, thank Heaven !

Another instant and he had clasped her to his heart—it was one of those moments when words are useless to convey the sentiments of the soul, for Mazette knew he loved her. even as she had for years adored her former comrade and instructor in Bohemia.

No doubt this made a charming picture. and the detective could not but admire what was spread before his eyes : at the same time he realised that while there was a se pent in Eden's Garden, so this Paradise would very likely lie disturbed. Nor was he at all out of t: e w iv in his calculations. .lust as the marquis, overwhelmed by his sentiments, threw the mask aside anil betrayed his love for Mazette by straining the miniature painter to his heart, another door flew open anil there issued forth a figure that in its warlike demeanour might have stood for a modern Joan of Arc—a figure that, at sight of the marquis and Livermore, uttered savage little cries in Spanish, and with blazing eyes and heaving bosom rushed toward the former, waving desperately in her hand a revolver, which he knew full well she had learned how to use under the palms of Gantarica. since he himself, as wretched luck would have it. had taught her the first principles of marksmanship. (To lie concluded.)