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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fast as the Wind, by Nat Gould
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Fast as the Wind
+       A Novel
+
+Author: Nat Gould
+
+Release Date: March 20, 2011 [EBook #35618]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FAST AS THE WIND ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Matthew Wheaton, Suzanne Shell and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FAST AS THE WIND
+
+
+
+
+A NOVEL
+
+By NAT GOULD
+
+AUTHOR OF "The Rider in Khaki," Etc.
+
+
+[Decoration]
+
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+Publishers New York
+
+Published by arrangement with Frederick A. Stokes Company
+
+
+
+
+_Copyright, 1918, by_
+
+FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY
+
+
+_All rights reserved_
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                                       PAGE
+
+      I. THE BOOM OF A GUN                       1
+
+     II. STORY OF AN ESCAPE                     10
+
+    III. THE MAN ON THE ROAD                    20
+
+     IV. THE WOMAN AT THE TABLE                 30
+
+      V. PICTON'S WINNING MOUNTS                40
+
+     VI. IN BRACK'S COTTAGE                     50
+
+    VII. A CRITICAL MOMENT                      59
+
+   VIII. ON BOARD THE "SEA-MEW"                 69
+
+     IX. LENISE ELROY                           79
+
+      X. HAVERTON                               88
+
+     XI. TEARAWAY AND OTHERS                    97
+
+    XII. "I THINK HE'S DEAD"                   106
+
+   XIII. A WOMAN'S FEAR                        115
+
+    XIV. NOT RECOGNISED                        124
+
+     XV. "THE ST. LEGER'S IN YOUR POCKET"      132
+
+    XVI. HOW HECTOR FOUGHT THE BLOODHOUND      140
+
+   XVII. AN INTRODUCTION AT HURST PARK         149
+
+  XVIII. CONSCIENCE TROUBLES                   158
+
+    XIX. "WHAT WOULD YOU DO?"                  165
+
+     XX. RITA SEES A RESEMBLANCE               174
+
+    XXI. BRACK TURNS TRAVELER                  182
+
+   XXII. DONCASTER                             191
+
+  XXIII. THE CROWD IN THE RING                 200
+
+   XXIV. "BY JOVE, SHE'S WONDERFUL"            208
+
+    XXV. FAST AS THE WIND                      216
+
+   XXVI. THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CUP              224
+
+  XXVII. THE RESERVED COMPARTMENT              233
+
+ XXVIII. HOW HECTOR HAD HIS REVENGE            241
+
+   XXIX. AN ASTONISHING COMMUNICATION          250
+
+    XXX. TEARAWAY'S PROGENY                    258
+
+
+
+
+FAST AS THE WIND
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE BOOM OF A GUN
+
+
+A small but splendidly built yacht steamed slowly into Torbay, passed
+Brixham and Paignton, and came to anchor in the outer harbor at
+Torquay. It was a glorious spring morning, early, and the sun shone on
+the water with a myriad of dancing reflections; it bathed in light
+the beautiful town, the scores of villas nestling on the heights
+surrounding it, the palms on the terrace walk, on the mass of greenery
+clothing foot to summit, on the inner harbor, and on the rocky coast
+stretching out towards Anstey's Cove and Babbacombe Beach. It was a
+magnificent sight, the arts of man and nature mingled together, for
+once harmonizing, for Torquay has not been spoilt by builders, at
+least as seen from the bay. Behind, Brixham way, the red sails of the
+fishing boats flapped lazily in an idle breeze. Four men-of-war lay
+still in the bay, guardians of the peace, comforting, reassuring,
+a hint of what lay behind. How peaceful these monsters of the deep
+looked. Slumbering surely were they. What was that? A puff of white
+smoke, then a solemn sound, which sped across the bay, and echoed over
+the hills. One of the monsters had spoken, just to show it was wide
+awake.
+
+It had a curious effect on the man leaning over the side of the
+_Sea-mew_, the yacht that had just come to anchor. It startled him
+from his reverie, from his contemplation of all that was so beautiful
+around him.
+
+For a moment he looked across at the warships, and saw the smoke
+drifting away, then he turned and looked over the town and its
+heights, and his thoughts went far and landed on Dartmoor.
+
+Another gun boomed out. This time it seemed more natural. Again the
+echo ran over the hills, and again he turned and looked towards that
+vast moor which lay behind.
+
+"Supposing it were true," he muttered. "Would to God it were, and that
+he were safe on board my yacht. All for a woman, and such a woman!"
+
+He clenched his fist and struck the rail.
+
+Picton Woodridge, owner of the _Sea-mew_, was a man of about thirty,
+tall, good looking, genial, popular, but lonely, if a popular man
+can be described as lonely, and there are such men. He was rich,
+a sportsman. His stable at Haverton contained good horses: a Derby
+winner in prospect, one of the best stayers in England, and above all
+Tearaway, a black filly, three years old, described by her trainer,
+Brant Blackett, as "a beauty, a real gem, and fast as the wind."
+
+He ought to have been a happy man. To all outward appearances he was,
+but behind a smiling face there is sometimes a heavy heart. It was not
+exactly so in his case, yet there was something of it. There was one
+black shadow cast over his gilded path, and the echo of the gun from
+the man-of-war had deepened it.
+
+"Why the deuce did I come here?" he muttered. "Why did I promise Dick
+I'd ride for him at Torquay races?"
+
+He sighed; he knew why he had promised Dick Langford to ride for him;
+he would do a good deal more than this for Dick, for the sake of his
+sister Rita. He had no other companion on the yacht than Ben Bruce,
+captain of the _Sea-mew_, who stood towards him in the light of his
+best friend.
+
+Ben Bruce was a character in his way. He had been in the Navy, on the
+same ship with Picton's father, and Admiral Woodridge and the young
+officer had esteem and affection for each other. Lieutenant Bruce
+often came to Haverton in the Admiral's time and was always a welcome
+guest. He had known Picton from a boy, and shared the Admiral's
+fondness for the somewhat lonely child, whose mother died at his
+birth, and whose elder brother was generally away from home, training
+for the Army. Bruce remembered the elder boy, Hector, but had not seen
+so much of him, or become so attached to him as to Picton. Hector was
+of a different disposition, hasty, headstrong, willful, and yet the
+brothers were much attached, and when at home together, were seldom
+apart. There were ten years between them; consequently Hector regarded
+himself in the light of a protector to Picton.
+
+The Admiral loved them and endeavored to treat them equally in
+his affection, but it was not difficult to see the younger had the
+stronger hold over him. Hector saw it and smiled. He was not at all
+jealous; he felt if it came to choosing, and one of them had to be
+relied upon, his father would select him. And such would probably have
+been the case had occasion occurred, but it did not, and everything
+went on the even tenor of its way until the fatal day when a terrible
+thing happened and Hector became, so Picton was positively certain,
+the victim of a woman's wiles. What this happening was we shall learn.
+Sufficient to say, it caused the Admiral to retire. He never got
+over the shock, and died soon after he left the Navy. The bulk of his
+fortune was left to Picton, who was determined, when the time came,
+to surrender to Hector his proper share. Captain Ben Bruce left the
+service soon after the Admiral he had loved and served. He was, so to
+speak, a poor man, and when he came to Haverton, to his old chief's
+funeral, Picton begged him to stay with him for a few months to
+relieve his loneliness. This he readily consented to do. The months
+extended, and Picton would not let him go; he relied on the stronger
+man, who had carved his way upward by his own exertions. Ben Bruce
+protested, all to no purpose.
+
+"I can't do without you," said Picton. "You were my father's friend,
+he had every confidence in you; you are one of the executors, you are
+the proper man to remain here and run the show."
+
+Ben Bruce laughed.
+
+"Run the show!" he said. "Not much chance of that even if I wished
+it. You've a good head on your shoulders, and one quite capable of
+managing your affairs. If I stay, mind I say _if_, it will not be on
+that account."
+
+"It doesn't matter to me on what account you stay so long as you
+consent to remain," said Picton. "There's so much to do here; I am
+short of a companion--you know I don't take to everyone. There's
+another thing--although you're a sailor you are fond of horses, and a
+good rider, and I say, Ben, I've a proposition to make."
+
+Again Ben Bruce laughed.
+
+"You've got a fresh proposition almost every week, and it's nearly
+always something in my favor."
+
+"This will be to your liking, as well as, if you think so, in your
+favor."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Take charge of the Haverton horses--be my manager."
+
+"What about Blackett?"
+
+"He'll not mind; in fact he'll like it. I put it to him; he seemed
+rather enamored of the prospect of being closely connected with
+Captain Bruce, the friend of his adored Admiral. There wasn't a
+man living Blackett loved more than my father; I think it was the
+combination of the sea and the stable appealed to him. Blackett
+always had an idea, so he told me, until he became acquainted with the
+Admiral, that sailors were duffers where horses were concerned. 'But I
+soon found out the difference,' he said; 'the Admiral knew pretty near
+as much about a horse as I did. Of course I taught him a thing or two,
+but he was a good judge, he knew the points of a horse pretty near as
+well as he did the parts of a battleship.' That's Blackett's opinion,
+and he has an idea Captain Bruce has leanings in the same direction as
+the Admiral, so you can't raise any objections on that score."
+
+It did not take much persuasion to induce Captain Bruce to consent,
+and he became manager of Haverton Stables and, as a natural
+consequence, remained with Picton Woodridge.
+
+At the same time Picton said to him, with a serious face: "There's
+something else, far more important than anything I have mentioned.
+You've to help me to clear Hector; you believe him innocent, don't
+you, Ben, you can't do otherwise?"
+
+Ben Bruce was silent for a moment--Picton watched him anxiously--then
+said, "Yes, I am sure he is innocent. He couldn't have done that, not
+to secure any woman for himself; but it's a mystery, Picton, a grave
+mystery, and it will take a far cleverer man than myself to unravel
+it. I'll help you, I'll stick at nothing to help you and Hector."
+
+"Thanks, old friend, thanks a thousand times. With your help there is
+no telling what may be accomplished. There must be some way out of it;
+such a terrible injustice cannot be allowed to go on for ever," said
+Picton.
+
+And so Captain Ben, as he was called, became the constant friend and
+companion of Picton Woodridge. When the _Sea-mew_ was purchased it was
+Captain Ben who clinched the deal, and was appointed "skipper."
+
+"So I'm your stud manager and captain of your yacht, that's a queer
+combination," said Ben.
+
+"And you're as good in one capacity as the other," said Picton.
+
+"I think I'm safer on deck than on a horse," said Ben.
+
+It was Captain Ben Bruce who came quietly along the deck of the
+_Sea-mew_ and looked at Picton Woodridge as he gazed over Torquay bay.
+A kindly look was in his eyes, which were always bright and merry, for
+he was a cheerful man, not given to look on the dark side of things.
+His affection for Picton was that of a father for a son, in addition
+to being a companion and a friend. He noticed the sad far-away look on
+Picton's face, and wondered what it was that caused the shadow on this
+beautiful April morning.
+
+"I'll leave him to his meditations," he thought; "he'll be down for
+breakfast, and I'll ask him then."
+
+He was about to turn away when Picton looked round and said with a
+smile: "Something told me you were there."
+
+"Telepathy," said Ben.
+
+"Sympathy," said Picton. "Do you know what I was thinking about?"
+
+"No; I saw you were pensive. I'd have asked you at breakfast, you
+looked so serious."
+
+"I was serious."
+
+"What caused the passing cloud on such a glorious morning?" asked Ben.
+
+Picton took him by the arm, his grip tightened; with the other hand he
+pointed to the battleship.
+
+"The boom of a gun," he said; and Ben Bruce understood.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+STORY OF AN ESCAPE
+
+
+"Row me to the _Sea-mew_," said Dick Langford, and old Brackish touched
+his cap and replied, "Yes, sir; she's a beauty, she is. Hear the news,
+sir?"
+
+"No; anything startling?"
+
+"Nothin' out o' the common, at least not in these parts, but it's
+summat different to most."
+
+"You're always long-winded, Brackish--Yorkshireman, I suppose," said
+Dick impatiently.
+
+Brackish was a Yorkshire boatman, hailing from Scarborough; he came
+to Torquay because his mother, nearly ninety, could not stand the cold
+blasts of the North East coast, and the old salt had a heart. "Brack"
+had a rough red face, eyebrows lapped over a pair of blue eyes; his
+throat and chest were always bared, tanned the color of leather; black
+hair covered his chest; his hands were hard, a deeper brown than
+his chest, the hands of a son of toil, and a boatman. Brack had been
+popular at Scarborough; he was well known in Torbay as a brave hardy
+seaman, whom no weather daunted. At first he had joined the Brixham
+fishing fleet, but soon tired of it, and when he saved enough money he
+bought a couple of boats, and made a decent living in Torquay harbor.
+
+Brack was fond of gossip, and on this particular morning he was eager
+for a talk; it was his intention to have it out with Dick before he
+put foot in the boat, so he stood looking at the young man, barring
+his entrance to the craft he was eager to put his foot in. The old
+boatman was a sturdy figure in his rough seaman's clothes as he eyed
+Dick Langford, and, although impatient, Dick could not help smiling at
+him. He liked Brack, and the sailor returned the feeling.
+
+"Let me get in and you can tell me about the news as we row to the
+yacht," said Dick.
+
+"All right, sir; no hurry, you're here early. It's Mr. Woodridge's
+yacht, ain't it?"
+
+"Of course it is; you know the _Sea-mew_ as well as I do."
+
+"Nice gentleman, Mr. Woodridge," said Brack.
+
+"If you don't let me get into the boat I'll take another," said Dick.
+
+Brack grinned.
+
+"You'll not be doin' that, I'm thinking, after all I've done for yer."
+
+"What have you done?" asked Dick surprised.
+
+Brack looked indignant.
+
+"Yer don't recollect? Well I'm blessed! Fancy forgettin' things like
+that!"
+
+"Out with it," said Dick.
+
+"I give yer the winner of the Leger three year runnin', and it's
+forgotten. Lor' bless us, what memories young gents has!" growled
+Brack.
+
+Dick laughed heartily as he said: "So you did, old man. You're a real
+good tipster for the Yorkshire race."
+
+"So I ought'er be. Don't I hail from there? I can always scent a Leger
+winner, smell 'em like I can the salt from the sea, comes natural
+somehow," said Brack, as he moved away and allowed Dick to step in. He
+pulled with long steady strokes and was soon out of the inner harbor,
+making for the yacht.
+
+"By jove, this is a lovely morning!" said Dick, looking at the
+glorious hills he knew so well.
+
+"Nowt like Yorkshire," growled Brack.
+
+Dick laughed as he said: "You're a lucky man to be at Torquay, all the
+same; much warmer, fine climate."
+
+"Hot as----," said Brack with a grunt.
+
+"You haven't told me your news," said Dick.
+
+"It'll keep," said Brack.
+
+"Bet you a shilling you let it out before you reach the _Sea-mew_,"
+said Dick.
+
+"I don't bet," said Brack.
+
+"You mean you dare not in this case, or you would lose."
+
+"Very like I should, because I see yer burstin' to hear it, and I
+wouldn't like to disappoint yer," said Brack, as he ceased rowing and
+leaned on his oars.
+
+"Tired?" said Dick.
+
+"With that bit of a pull," said Brack, disgusted; "I should think
+not!"
+
+"Then what are you resting for?"
+
+"I baint restin', I'm easin' my oars."
+
+"Oh, that's it: the oars are tired," said Dick.
+
+"No more tired than I am, but when I gives 'em a spell for a few
+minutes they seems to work better," said Brack. "What's more, I talks
+better when I leans on 'em, sort o' gives me composure, and time to
+think; I'm a beggar to think."
+
+Dick was amused; he wanted to reach the _Sea-mew_, but on this sunny
+morning it was good to sit in the boat on the blue smooth water and
+listen to old Brack for a few minutes.
+
+"You must have done a lot of thinking in your time," said Dick,
+falling into his humor.
+
+"I'm thinking now," said Brack.
+
+"What about?"
+
+"That poor devil who escaped from Dartmoor five days ago."
+
+Dick smiled.
+
+"Is that your news?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"There have been several escapes lately."
+
+"But they've all been caught in no time; this chap ain't, and by gum,
+lad, if he come'd my way I'd help him out. I don't believe they'll get
+him; at least I hopes not."
+
+"They'll have him right enough," said Dick. "A convict at large is a
+danger to all on the moor."
+
+"This one ain't," said Brack. "'Sides, he may be innocent."
+
+"Innocent men don't get into Princetown," said Dick.
+
+"That's just where yer wrong," said Brack. "I've a brother in there
+now, and he's innocent, I'll swear it."
+
+Dick maintained a diplomatic silence.
+
+"Of course you'll not believe it, but it'll come out some day. He was
+on a man-o-warsman, and they lagged him for knocking a petty officer
+overboard; the chap was drowned, but Bill swore he never had a hand
+in it, and I believes him. At the trial it came out Bill had a down on
+the man; and no wonder--he was a brute, and a good riddance."
+
+"Do you know who knocked him over?"
+
+"No, but it's my firm belief Bill does, and that he's sufferin' for
+another, won't give him away."
+
+Dick smiled.
+
+"You don't know Bill; I does," said Brack emphatically.
+
+"But what about this man who escaped? Why do you think he'll get
+away?"
+
+"'Cause he's a good plucked 'un, a fighter, a brave man," said Brack.
+
+"In what way?"
+
+"They put bloodhounds on his track. One brute got away, they didn't
+find him for three days, when they did----," Brack hesitated; he wished
+to rouse his listener's attention. He succeeded.
+
+"Go on," said Dick eagerly.
+
+"The trackers found the hound dead, and alongside him was a suit of
+convict clothes--nice well marked suits, ain't they; you can't mistake
+'em," said Brack.
+
+"You don't mean to say the fellow killed the hound, and left his
+clothes beside it!" exclaimed Dick.
+
+"That's just what I have said, mister. Clever, weren't it? When the
+other hound found his mate, he found the clothes, and he lost the
+scent."
+
+"How?"
+
+"'Cause the man must have fled stark naked, and the hound only had the
+scent of his clothes; must have been that, 'cause he couldn't follow
+him. He'll get off right enough--you see if he don't. I wish Bill
+could do the same."
+
+"How did he kill the hound?" asked Dick. "And where did you hear all
+this?"
+
+"Strangled it. He's a good 'un he is; I'd like to have seen it. As for
+how I come to know by it, one of the men from the prison was here. He
+questioned me," said Brack with a grin. "Asked me if I'd seen a man
+like the one he gave a description of."
+
+"What did you say?" asked Dick.
+
+"Kept him talking for half an hour or more, gave 'im heaps of
+information. I filled him up, never you fear."
+
+"But you didn't see the man?" said Dick.
+
+"Lor' no! Wish I had, and that he was stowed away somewhere. I told
+the fellow I'd seen just such a man as he described, with his hands
+bound up in bandages, and a cloth round his neck. Said he'd a suit
+of old sailor's togs on, and that he went out in a boat with a lot
+of rowdy fellers to a 'tramp' in the Bay, and he didn't come back,"
+chuckled Brack.
+
+"And what was the result of your false information?" asked Dick.
+
+"I'll tell you what the result will be. It will put 'em off the scent;
+they'll think he's gone off on the 'tramp' to London, and they'll give
+him a rest on the moor for a bit," said Brack.
+
+"You think the man is still on the moor?"
+
+"'Course; where else should he be?"
+
+"Then he's sure to be caught."
+
+"Wait a bit--a man who can tackle a bloodhound and choke the life out
+of him is pretty determined," said Brack.
+
+Dick acknowledged as much and said the circumstances were out of the
+common. He was interested in the old sailor's tale. He did not know
+whether to admire what Brack had done or to condemn it; he put
+himself in his place, wondering how he would have acted under similar
+circumstances.
+
+Brack watched him, a peculiar smile on his face.
+
+"Goin' to give me away?" he asked.
+
+Dick laughed as he answered: "I was thinking whether you were right or
+wrong."
+
+"Guessed as much. I was right to give such a man another chance. He's
+no coward, not he, and guilty men are all cowards," said Brack.
+
+"Who is the man?"
+
+"Don't know; he wouldn't tell me, but he said he was a lifer. He
+didn't seem very keen about his capture."
+
+"You mean he seemed glad the man had escaped?" said Dick, surprised.
+
+"I guessed as much from his face," said Brack, "and I reckon there's
+worse judges than me of human nature--that's what makes me think he's
+innocent--like Bill."
+
+"It's all very interesting, but pull to the _Sea-mew_," said Dick.
+
+"About time," said Brack, as he started rowing again. They were soon
+alongside the yacht.
+
+Picton had just come on deck again from the saloon. He hailed Dick
+cheerfully.
+
+"Well, early bird, what's brought you here at this time?" he said,
+smiling.
+
+"Wished to welcome you, most mighty rider of winners," laughed Dick
+as he got out of the boat and stood on the steps of the gangway. "Here
+you are, Brack, and thanks for your story; it was thrilling."
+
+Brack touched his cap as he said: "And it's true, and there's heaps of
+things thrilling that ain't true," and he pulled away.
+
+"Brack been spinning yarns?" said Picton, who knew the old man.
+
+"A real shocker this time."
+
+"What about?"
+
+"A fellow escaped from Dartmoor the other day. It's worth hearing;
+I'll tell you all about it later on," said Dick.
+
+Picton Woodridge staggered backwards. At first Dick thought he was
+about to fall. He looked at him in astonishment.
+
+"What's the matter, Pic?" he asked.
+
+"Curious fit of faintness came over me; I'm all right now," said
+Picton, but Dick thought he didn't look it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE MAN ON THE ROAD
+
+
+Dick Langford told Brack's story to Picton Woodridge and Captain Ben.
+Both listened attentively: it was immensely interesting to them. From
+time to time Ben looked at his friend to see how he took it. Dick,
+absorbed in his tale, did not notice the look of strained attention on
+their faces. They were silent when he finished.
+
+"Not bad for Brack, eh?" said Dick.
+
+The simple question made them start.
+
+"You fellows seem all nerves this morning," said Dick. "When I told
+Pic on deck, he staggered; I thought he was going to faint. You're not
+afraid the fellow will board the yacht, are you?"
+
+Ben laughed as he said: "No, I don't think we're afraid, not of one
+man, even if he be an escaped convict."
+
+"You'll want all your nerve to-morrow," said Dick to Picton. "There's
+three of my horses to ride, and two of 'em are brutes."
+
+"Thanks," said Picton, smiling; "a pleasant prospect. Worth coming all
+these miles for, isn't it, Ben?"
+
+"Depends upon what Langford calls a brute," replied Ben.
+
+"Pitcher's not so bad; he's what I call a humorous horse, full of
+pranks and no vice about him. He's number one. Now we come to the
+first brute, Planet, a gelding with a temper; as likely as not he'll
+try and pitch you into the crowd."
+
+"Then he ought to have been named Pitcher," said Picton.
+
+"We don't all get our right names, I mean names that fit; we're
+saddled with 'em by unthinking parents. Sis has a maid, Evangeline
+Mamie; now that's what I call a big handicap for the girl," said Dick.
+
+They laughed, and Picton asked him to pass on to number two brute.
+
+"The Rascal," said Dick; "he's a terror. He's lamed a couple of my
+chaps, and Pete's right when you're in the saddle, but it's a deuce
+of a job to get there. He rises on his hind legs, and conducts an
+imaginary band with his fore legs, but he's got a rare turn of
+speed, and he ought to win the West of England Handicap Steeplechase
+to-morrow, and the Torbay and South Devon Steeplechase the next day."
+
+"Then you expect to bring off the double with him?" said Picton.
+
+"Yes, and if you do not, Sis says she'll never speak to you again."
+
+"Then I'll do it if I die in the attempt," said Picton.
+
+"Don't be heroic, no one wants you to die. You can kill The Rascal if
+you like, but promise me to come off unscathed," said Dick, laughing.
+
+"I'll try," said Picton.
+
+"Pitcher ought to win the Maiden Hurdle Race, and Planet the St.
+Marychurch Hurdle Race. Now you have a nice little program mapped out
+for you, and I fancy you'll win the four events. If you do, it will be
+a day for rejoicing at Torwood, and the wearer of the pink jacket will
+be an honored guest if he cares to desert the _Sea-mew_ for my humble
+abode."
+
+"Dick, you're incorrigible," said Picton, laughing. "You really expect
+to win four races?"
+
+"I do; Gordon won the lot at a meeting not far away on one occasion."
+
+"That's quite possible--he's a good rider."
+
+"So are you."
+
+"He is," said Ben; "few better."
+
+"What are you doing to-day?" asked Dick.
+
+"Nothing in particular; basking in the sunshine in your glorious bay."
+
+"Then you like Torquay?" said Dick.
+
+"Who could help liking it? And what a county lies behind it! I envy
+you the Devonshire lanes, Dick."
+
+"Then come and live among them. I can pick you an ideal spot, and it
+shall be well within your means, Mr. Millionaire."
+
+Picton laughed.
+
+"No millions here--a few thousands," he said; "just sufficient to keep
+my head above water."
+
+"And the _Sea-mew_ afloat," said Dick.
+
+"I'll manage that," said Ben.
+
+"Will you come ashore and have a look at Pitcher and the two brutes?"
+said Dick.
+
+"What do you say, Ben? Shall we?" asked Picton.
+
+Ben knew he wished to go--Rita was at Torwood--it was not the horses
+so much, although they were an attraction.
+
+"Yes," said Ben promptly, and the matter was settled.
+
+They went ashore. Dick Langford's dog-cart was at the Queen's and
+thither they adjourned. In a quarter of an hour they were going at
+an easy pace to Torwood, which lay about midway between Torquay and
+Newton Abbot.
+
+How fresh everything looked! The trees were just budding, tingeing the
+almost bare branches with tips of green. The air was cool and soft;
+there were no motors about--only an odd one or two, the tourist season
+had not commenced--but there would be plenty of people at the races on
+the following days.
+
+"Wonder what that fellow's up to!" exclaimed Dick, as he saw a man
+push through the hedge and disappear down the hill and across the
+meadow.
+
+"Probably belongs to the place," said Picton.
+
+"Then what the deuce did he get through the hedge for? Why didn't he
+go to the gate?" said Dick.
+
+"Short cut, perhaps," said Picton.
+
+"Wonder if he's that chap from Dartmoor?" laughed Dick, and he felt
+Picton start.
+
+"The man's got on your nerves," he said. "I'll say no more about him."
+
+Picton was looking at him as he went rapidly across the meadow;
+something about the figure appeared familiar, so did the long stride;
+he wondered if Ben noticed it, but the Captain was otherwise occupied.
+The incident was forgotten, and when they came in sight of Torwood,
+Picton became animated. He saw a figure on the lawn, and knew who it
+was. She recognized them and waved her handkerchief. This met with a
+quick response.
+
+Torwood was a typical Devonshire home, not large, but a commodious,
+comfortable, well-appointed house, standing on the hillside; trees at
+the back, a terrace, then a level stretch of lawn, then a sweep down
+to the road; a small lodge and gate at the drive entrance; a steep
+incline to the house. On the right were the stables, half a dozen
+loose boxes, and a three-stall building. Dick Langford was far from
+being a rich man, but he was happy and contented, with his sister.
+He was a partner in a firm of auctioneers at Newton Abbot, and was
+accounted a ready salesman; there was always laughter in front when he
+wielded the hammer; quick at repartee, there were many people prompt
+to draw him out, but he got his prices, and that paid the firm and the
+customers.
+
+Rita Langford was like her brother, of a bright and cheerful
+disposition, was popular in the neighborhood, and Torwood was a
+favorite house.
+
+"So glad to see you, Mr. Woodridge, and you too, Captain Bruce. When
+did you arrive in the bay?"
+
+"In the morning, yesterday; it was beautiful. How grand the country
+looks, and Torwood even prettier than ever!" said Picton.
+
+"I induced him to leave his floating palace, and visit our humble
+abode, by asking him to inspect the horses he is to ride," said Dick
+with a wink at Ben.
+
+"That is so, but there was a far greater inducement," said Picton,
+looking at Rita.
+
+"Must I take that to mean me?" she said, laughing.
+
+"Please," said Picton, thinking how charming she was.
+
+They had a quiet luncheon, then went to the stables. Dick engaged
+no regular trainer, but he had a man named Arnold Brent, who was a
+first-rate hand with horses, and at the same time an expert gardener;
+the combination was fortunate for the owner of Torwood. The horses
+were trained in the neighborhood, where Dick had the privilege of
+using some good galloping land, with natural fences--an up and down
+country, but excellent for the purpose. He had two lads who rode
+most of the work; sometimes he had a mount, and occasionally Brent.
+Altogether they did very well, and the Torwood horses generally
+secured a win or two at the local meetings. Dick Langford's favorite
+battle-grounds were Torquay and Newton Abbot. At the show at the
+latter place he often took prizes for dogs, poultry and garden
+produce; the money generally went into Brent's pocket. Brent knew both
+Picton and the Captain, and admired the former because he knew he was
+a first-class gentleman rider, although he had not seen him in the
+saddle. It was Brent who suggested to his master that Mr. Woodridge
+should ride at the local meeting for them.
+
+"Not a big enough thing for him," said Dick doubtfully. "He rides at
+some of the swell meetings."
+
+"You try him, sir," said Brent, adding, as he caught sight of Rita,
+"I'll bet he accepts."
+
+"I hear a terrible account of these horses I am to ride," said Picton,
+smiling.
+
+Brent smiled.
+
+"I expect Mr. Langford's been pulling your leg, sir," he said.
+
+"Isn't The Rascal a brute, isn't Planet another; and Pitcher was
+described as harmless, I think?" said Picton.
+
+"The Rascal's all right if you humor him," said Brent. "He's bitten
+a lad, and crushed another against the wall, but he's not half a bad
+sort, and he'll win the double easily enough in your hands, sir."
+
+"If I can mount him," laughed Picton.
+
+"I'll see to that; he'll stand steady enough with me at his head.
+That's him--the chestnut with the white face."
+
+Picton looked the horse over.
+
+"Bring him out," he said, and The Rascal was led out of his box. As
+Picton went up to him he laid back his ears, and showed the whites of
+his eyes; it was a false alarm, he let him pat his neck and pass his
+hand over him.
+
+"I like him," said Picton; "he looks a good sort."
+
+"He is, sir," said Brent.
+
+"Your favorite?" laughed Picton.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+Planet and Pitcher were both browns, handy sorts, and Picton thought
+it highly probable the three would win the races selected for them. He
+expressed this opinion, at which Dick and his sister were delighted.
+
+"It is very good of you to come and ride for my brother," she said to
+him.
+
+"It is always a pleasure to me to do anything to please you and Dick,"
+he replied.
+
+They chatted for some time; then she said: "I had an adventure not
+long before you arrived."
+
+"Your country has always been full of adventures," he said, smiling.
+
+"And adventurers, but the man who came here to-day was not an
+adventurer, poor fellow," she said.
+
+He looked at her quickly and she went on.
+
+"I was at the bottom of the garden, near that thick-set hedge, when I
+heard some one groan. It startled me; some tramp, I thought, and went
+to the gate. I saw a man sitting by the roadside. He looked up when he
+saw me, and I shall never forget the suffering in his face, the
+hunted look in it. I shivered, but I was quite sure he was harmless.
+I beckoned him; he came, turning his head from time to time in a
+frightened manner. He said he had tramped many miles, that he was
+hungry, footsore, weary to death. I took him to the back of the house,
+gave him something to eat, and offered him money. He refused the money
+at first, but I insisted and he took it. I gave him one of Dick's old
+top coats; when he put it on he seemed a different man. I hunted out
+a pair of old boots--he was very grateful for them. I am sure he was
+a gentleman; he spoke like one, he expressed himself as such when he
+left, there was a natural pride about him. He walked in the direction
+of Torquay; I wonder if you met him on the road."
+
+Picton Woodridge greatly astonished her by asking her the following
+questions:
+
+"Have you told your brother about this?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Did any one see him?"
+
+"I don't think so. I am almost sure they did not."
+
+"Will you do me a favor?"
+
+"Willingly."
+
+"Then do not mention this to a soul," said Picton earnestly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE WOMAN AT THE TABLE
+
+
+She promised readily, not asking questions, for which he was grateful.
+She knew there was something she could not penetrate, some mystery;
+her curiosity was aroused but she restrained it.
+
+"Thank you," he said. "I have good reasons for asking you to remain
+silent; some day I will tell you them, whether my conjectures prove
+right or wrong."
+
+"I shall not ask your confidence," she said.
+
+"I will give it to you. I would give it to you now if I thought it
+would be of any use."
+
+"I am sure you would."
+
+"Rita----"
+
+"Hallo, where are you, Picton?" shouted Dick.
+
+"Here!" he called. "On the seat near the hedge."
+
+"Oh, down there. Is Rita with you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Sorry I shouted; hope I didn't disturb you," sang out Dick.
+
+"Not in the least," said Picton; "we were just coming up."
+
+"I wonder what he was going to tell me when he said 'Rita,'" she
+thought as they walked up the hilly garden path.
+
+Picton said he would rather return to the yacht for the night; he
+loved being on the water, it always had a soothing effect and he was
+not a good sleeper.
+
+"I must be in tip-top condition for to-morrow--so much depends upon
+it," he said, smiling.
+
+Rita thought a good deal about her conversation with him when he left,
+tried to puzzle out the mystery, but failed.
+
+"I'll wait until he tells me," she said. "I wish Dick hadn't shouted
+when he said 'Rita'; it interrupted a pleasant sentence. I wonder how
+it would have finished?" and she smiled quietly to herself.
+
+Dick drove them to Torquay, then returned home. Brack rowed them out
+to the _Sea-mew_. He was loquacious as usual.
+
+"Nice night, gents," he said.
+
+"Beautiful, Brack. Isn't it rather dark though?" said Ben.
+
+Picton seemed moody.
+
+"Yes, there's no moon to speak of; it's darker than I've known it at
+this time o' year."
+
+The old fellow chatted until they came alongside.
+
+Picton paid him and said good-night. Brack thanked him and said:
+"Goin' to ride any winners to-morrow, sir?"
+
+This roused him and he told Brack the names of the horses and the
+races they were going for.
+
+"You back The Rascal for the double if you can find any one to lay it
+to you," said Picton.
+
+"We've a bookie among us," said Brack. "He's a young 'un and as good
+a sailor as the best of us, but he's artful, very artful, and he's had
+many a bob out'er me, and the rest. I'd like to take him down, and I
+will. The Rascal for the double, you said?"
+
+"Yes, and here's half a sovereign to put on him," said Picton.
+
+Brack gave an audible chuckle as he said: "Lor' love us, that'll just
+about bust him if it comes off."
+
+They laughed as he rowed away, whistling softly to himself.
+
+"I'll turn in early," said Picton.
+
+"The best thing you can do," said the Captain. "You seem a bit out of
+sorts to-day."
+
+"I am; I can't get the sound of the gun out of my ears."
+
+Ben looked at him sympathetically.
+
+"I knew what you meant, felt what you felt, when you spoke about it,"
+he said.
+
+"Strange some one should have escaped from Dartmoor a day or two
+before," said Picton.
+
+"Escapes are often occurring," said Ben.
+
+"What did you think about that man on the road, who pushed through the
+hedge to avoid us?" asked Picton.
+
+"Didn't give it more than a passing thought," said Ben.
+
+"What was the passing thought?"
+
+"I said to myself, 'I wonder if that's the man who escaped?'"
+
+"Good-night," said Picton; "I'll turn in."
+
+"Good-night," said Ben, as he sat on a deck chair.
+
+"He's in a curious mood to-night," he thought. "I'm sorry for him. We
+ought not to have come here, it brings up painful recollections, the
+vicinity of Dartmoor; and yet it has its compensations--there's Miss
+Langford, lovely girl, and as nice as she looks. I hope he'll win
+to-morrow, it will cheer him up."
+
+Ben's mind went back to the time when Picton and Hector were lads
+together, and the Admiral was alive. His heart was sore for Hector,
+although he was half inclined to believe him guilty, but tried to
+convince himself to the contrary by expressing his firm belief in his
+innocence, in order to be of the same mind as Picton.
+
+One thing Captain Ben had long determined upon: if ever he got a
+chance, he would help Hector, no matter at what risk or cost. He was
+a man who had run into many dangers, not useless dangers, necessary
+perils, with his eyes open, knowing the consequences of failure,
+therefore he was a brave man. Blindfolded, impetuous, blundering
+rushes against great odds excite the admiration of the crowd, but it
+is the Captain Bens who are to be relied upon in times of emergency.
+
+The air became cooler. Ben rose from his chair and went to his cabin;
+looking into Picton's as he passed, he was glad to see him asleep.
+
+The _Sea-mew_ swung round with the tide, quietly, without a sound;
+it was very still and calm; she looked like a dull white bird on the
+water. So thought a man who crept stealthily along the wall toward the
+inner harbor.
+
+"I wish I were on her and out at sea," he muttered. He could just
+discern her outline, the white hull and the lights.
+
+He heard footsteps, a measured beat, a policeman, he knew by the
+tread. He put his hand on the wall to steady himself, shivered, then
+groaned. There was no getting out of it, he must face the man, and
+it was late. He staggered forward with a drunken reel, but not too
+unsteady on his legs. He lurched, just avoiding the constable, who
+merely said: "Now, my man, get off home, and mind you keep quiet."
+
+"All right, sir, I'm a'goin'," was the reply.
+
+The constable moved on, blissfully ignorant that he had probably
+missed a chance of promotion. The man walked past the pier, past
+the Torbay Hotel, where there were lights in one of the rooms on the
+ground floor, evidently a late supper party, at least so thought the
+man outside. Do what he would, he could not resist the temptation to
+cross the road and see what was going on. There was a chink in the
+blind. At first he saw little, his eyes were curiously dim and heavy
+from lack of sleep, gradually the mist in them lifted. He saw four
+people seated at a table, brilliantly lighted, a dainty supper spread.
+It was long since he had seen such things, but he had been used to
+them. Naturally, being hungry, he looked at the well-laden table; then
+his eyes went to the people sitting there, two men and two women. He
+saw the men first, then one woman, then the other woman, and his eyes
+started, his hands clenched, his face went livid, his teeth met with
+a snap; for a moment he stood thus, regarding the woman with a fixed
+stare of horror. She was a beautiful woman, voluptuous, with a luring
+face, and eyes which knew every language in every tongue of unspoken
+love. She was smiling into the eyes of the man at her side as she
+toyed with a dainty morsel on a silver dessert fork. She was dressed
+with excellent taste, expensively, not lavishly. She was a woman who
+knew overdressing spells disaster. Her white teeth gleamed as she
+smiled; the man at her side was lost in admiration--it was not
+difficult to see that.
+
+The man looking outside raised his clenched fists and said: "Is there
+no God, no justice anywhere?"
+
+As he spoke the woman dropped her fork and started, a shiver passed
+over her. The man at her side hastily got up, brought her a wrap and
+placed it on her shoulders. The man outside saw the fork fall, he saw
+the wrap, and he muttered again: "There is a God, there is justice;
+her conscience imprisons her as surely as----"
+
+"Move on there! What are you lurking about here for?"
+
+"All right, goin' 'ome, just met yer brother along there."
+
+"He's not my brother," said the constable gruffly.
+
+"Thought yer were all brothers, members of the same cloth, anyhow yer
+all good sorts. Good-night."
+
+"Be off home," said the constable, as he went on his way; and a second
+man lost a chance of promotion that night.
+
+"I must not run any more risks," thought the man, "but I'm glad I
+crossed the road and looked in at that window. She suffers, she could
+not have heard my voice, perhaps an internal justice carried it to her
+and my words were whispered in her ears--such things have been known.
+There she sits, feasting, surrounded by every comfort, but she's not
+happy, she never will be, such women never are. God, to think what I
+have gone through for her, what I have suffered! I have lived in hell,
+in purgatory, and I ought to be on my way to heavenly peace. God, give
+me a chance; I am an innocent man and You know it."
+
+"Hallo, mate, where goin'? Yer a late bird," said Brack, as he knocked
+against the man walking in a curiously wild way in the middle of the
+road.
+
+"Goin' 'ome," said the man.
+
+"That'll not get over me; yer puttin' it on. I'm fra Yorkshire, and a
+bit too cute for that."
+
+"What d'yer mean?"
+
+"That I've heard gents speak in my time, and I reckon you're one."
+
+The man started; at first he was inclined to bolt; then as the light
+of a lamp shone on Brack's face he saw it was honest, kindly, full of
+charity, and through it he knew there was a big heart inside the rough
+body.
+
+"You are right," he said. "I was a gentleman, I hope I am one still,
+although I have lived such a life that the wonder is I am not a
+beast."
+
+Brack looked hard at him; from his face his gaze wandered over his
+body, then he looked at his hands; one was bound up, the other had
+marks on it, deep marks, like the marks of teeth. Brack made up his
+mind.
+
+"Don't move," he said, "when I tell you something. I'm a man, not a
+fiend, and I've an innocent brother over there," and he jerked his
+hand in the direction of the moor far away. "Maybe you've seen him."
+
+The man gasped--this old sailor knew! Should he--no, the face was
+honest, he would trust him.
+
+"Perhaps I have," he said.
+
+"Are you the man that throttled that bloodhound?"
+
+"Why do you ask?"
+
+"Because if you are I'd like to clasp yer hand and say I think yer
+brave."
+
+The man held out his bandaged hand; the old sailor took it in his big,
+horny palm tenderly, pressing it gently.
+
+"The other one," he said.
+
+The man held out his other hand.
+
+"I'm glad I've held 'em both, the hands that strangled that cursed
+hound. Come along with me. I'll see yer safe, never fear. There's not
+a man jack of 'em in Torquay or Princetown, or anywhere, would ever
+suspect old Brack of harboring a--gentleman."
+
+Without a word the man went with him. As he walked at the honest
+Brack's side he thought: "My prayer has been answered."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+PICTON'S WINNING MOUNTS
+
+
+It was Easter Monday, and a holiday crowd gathered on the slopes of
+Petitor racecourse at St. Mary Church. More than usual interest was
+shown in the meeting owing to the presence of Picton Woodridge, whose
+fame as a gentleman rider was well-known. Dick Langford was popular
+and the success of the pink jacket eagerly anticipated.
+
+Petitor is not an ideal course; it is on the slope of a hill, and a
+queer country to get over, but some interesting sport is seen and the
+local people take a pride in it; as a golf links it is admirable.
+
+Picton had not seen the course before, at least only from the road,
+and as he looked at it he smiled.
+
+"I may lose my way," he said to Rita; "go the wrong course."
+
+"You will find it easy enough, and you are not likely to make
+mistakes. Look," and she pointed out the track to him, and the various
+obstacles.
+
+There were bookmakers there--where are they not when races are on, no
+matter how small the fields, or the crowd?
+
+Picton wore the pink jacket, ready to ride Pitcher in the Maiden
+Hurdle Race, the opening event. There were only three runners, and yet
+the books accepted six to four on Dick's horse; there was a strong run
+on Frisco; and Fraud was nibbled at.
+
+"Come along," said Dick; "time to mount."
+
+"Good luck!" said Rita with a smile. "You'll find Pitcher easy to
+ride. I've been on him several times."
+
+"He'll find me rather a different burden," said Picton.
+
+The three runners came out, and Picton received a hearty welcome,
+which he acknowledged.
+
+"Sits his horse well," said one.
+
+"A good rider, anybody can see that."
+
+"Here, I'll take seven to four and it's picking up money!" shouted a
+bookmaker; and so thought the backers as they hurried up with their
+money, and Pitcher quickly became a two to one on chance.
+
+The distance was two miles. Picton indulged Frisco with the lead until
+half a mile from home, when he sent Pitcher forward, had a slight
+tussle with Frisco, then forged ahead and landed the odds by ten
+lengths amidst great cheering.
+
+"Win number one," said Dick triumphantly; "when the meeting is over
+they'll bar you from riding here again."
+
+Rita was delighted, her face all smiles; she was proud of the
+good-looking man who had carried her brother's colors to victory.
+
+Picton, as he walked about with Rita, Dick, Captain Ben and a host of
+friends, was the cynosure of all eyes; but he was accustomed to being
+stared at.
+
+"Now comes the tug-of-war," said Dick. "There's The Rascal. See how
+he's lashing out, scattering the crowd. I believe he's in a nasty
+temper, confound him."
+
+There were five runners in the Steeplechase, and although The Rascal
+had Picton up, the favorite was Anstey, who had Hordern in the saddle.
+The Tor, Moorland, and Stream, were the other runners, but wagering
+was confined to the favorite and The Rascal.
+
+Picton walked up to his mount; The Rascal switched round, despite
+Brent's efforts, and refused to be mounted. His rider watched him with
+an amused smile; Dick and his sister looked anxious, while a crowd
+gathered round at a respectful distance.
+
+Picton bided his time, then, when The Rascal had his attention
+attracted by Brent, slipped up to him, took the reins and swung
+into the saddle, and before the astonished horse recovered from his
+surprise he had him well under control. The spectators cheered; it was
+a clever piece of work, deserving of recognition. Once mounted, The
+Rascal seemed tractable enough; but Picton knew the horse was not in
+the best temper, and required humoring.
+
+"You've not got a very nice mount," said Hordern as they rode
+together.
+
+"I'm told he's queer-tempered," said Picton; and as he looked at
+Anstey he thought: "Your mount will take a bit of beating."
+
+They were soon on their journey. At first The Rascal made a deliberate
+attempt to bolt; he discovered he had a rider who refused to put up
+with his inclinations in this direction. Finding bolting stopped, he
+tried to swerve at the first fence; this object was also frustrated
+and he received a few stinging cuts from the whip, wielded by a strong
+arm. These vagaries allowed Anstey and the others to forge ahead, and
+The Rascal was in the rear.
+
+Dick looked glum, but Brent said: "There's plenty of time. He's a rare
+turn of speed--and a grand rider up."
+
+At the end of the first mile The Rascal was still last. He began to
+improve his position; quickly passed Stream, and Moorland, then the
+Tor; but Anstey was a dozen lengths ahead, fencing well. Two more
+obstacles then the run home. Picton rode The Rascal hard to find if he
+would respond to his call. Whatever else he was, the horse was game,
+he did not flinch, and Picton was surprised how easily he went ahead.
+Anstey blundered at the next fence, Hordern making a fine recovery;
+this cost the favorite several lengths. At the last fence The Rascal
+was only three or four lengths behind. Anstey cleared it well, The
+Rascal struck it, stumbled, threw Picton on his neck, struggled up
+again; and Picton was back in the saddle and riding hard before the
+crowd realized what had happened. Then a great cheer broke out, for a
+splendid bit of jockeyship.
+
+"Not one man in a hundred could have done that," said Brent
+enthusiastically.
+
+Hordern thought he had the race won. The Rascal on his knees, with
+Picton on his neck, was good enough for him. He took a pull at Anstey;
+he intended winning the double, and did not wish to press him too
+hard. It was a blunder; he found it out when he heard the cheering and
+cries of, "Well done, Picton!" "Rascal's catching him!" The stumble
+seemed to put new life into The Rascal, for once again he showed what
+a rare turn of speed he possessed.
+
+Picton rode his best.
+
+"Rita expects me to win--I will," he thought; and something told The
+Rascal it would be bad for him if he failed to do his best.
+
+Two hundred yards from the winning post Anstey led, but it had taken
+Hordern a few moments to get him going again when he realized the
+situation. It was dangerous to play these games with Picton. The
+Rascal came along, moving splendidly; he gained on Anstey, drew level,
+held him, then got his head in front. Hordern rode well, but he
+had met his match. The Rascal drew ahead and won by a length amidst
+tremendous cheering--Picton Woodridge was the hero of the day. Rita
+was proud of him and told him so at Torwood the same night. The Rascal
+had been backed to win the double with every man who had a book on the
+races, so next day the excitement rose to fever heat when the Torbay
+Steeplechase came on for decision.
+
+The Rascal was in the best of tempers, he actually allowed Picton to
+stroke his face, pat his neck, and pay him sundry attentions; Rita
+gave him lumps of sugar, and said he was the dearest and best of
+Rascals.
+
+"You will win the double," she said to Picton. "I am sure of it."
+
+"And I'll try to win a far richer prize before long," he said, looking
+at her in a way that caused the red blood to mount to her cheeks.
+
+Anstey ran again, but the main opposition was expected to come from
+Sandy, a Newton Abbot horse. Dick's horse had to give him a stone,
+which was a tall order, but Brent said he could do it, unless Sandy
+had improved out of all knowledge.
+
+"I'd take The Rascal to the front this time," said Brent to Picton;
+"he's in a good temper and when that is the case he likes to make the
+pace, and he jumps freer."
+
+"If he'll do it, I'll let him," said Picton. "Will he stay there?
+Remember he's giving lumps of weight away."
+
+"He can do it," was the confident reply.
+
+Six runners went out, a field above the average at Petitor.
+
+Most people thought some of the runners would have been better out
+of it, they would only be in the way, a danger to the others at the
+fences; a blunderer is often a veritable death trap.
+
+It astonished Leek, who was on Sandy, to see Picton take The Rascal to
+the front. He smiled as he thought, "He's making a mistake this time."
+
+Evidently the others thought the same, for they patiently waited for
+the leader to come back to them.
+
+Arnold Brent smiled.
+
+"I gave him good advice. They're doing exactly what I thought they
+would, waiting. Let 'em wait."
+
+The distance was two miles and a half. The Rascal held a big lead at
+the end of a mile and a half. Leek on Sandy thought it was about time
+he came back to him, but The Rascal showed no sign of this; on the
+contrary, he gained ground. To go after him was the best thing and
+Leek tried. Much to his astonishment, he discovered the pace was
+much faster than he thought; Sandy made very little headway. At first
+Picton's policy of making the running was considered a mistaken one;
+this opinion changed as the race progressed; and when they saw Leek
+hard at work on Sandy in second place and making hardly any headway,
+The Rascal's numerous backers were jubilant. The cheering commenced,
+it became deafening as Picton drew near to the winning post. It was an
+extraordinary race. The Rascal, the top weight, made all the running
+and won by twenty lengths; more than that, he was not in the least
+distressed.
+
+Picton was congratulated on all sides. Turning to Dick and Rita he
+said: "He's one of the best horses I have ever ridden over fences;
+there's a National in him."
+
+Dick shook his head.
+
+"You're too enthusiastic. Wait until you've cooled down," he said.
+
+"I shall not alter my opinion," said Picton. "Where's Planet?"
+
+"Over there," said Dick, and they walked across.
+
+The next race was the Marychurch Hurdle Plate, and Picton rode Planet.
+The race needs little description; there were three runners, and
+Dick's horse won comfortably.
+
+At Torwood that evening there were great rejoicings; but as Picton
+wished to sleep on the _Sea-mew_ he and Ben were driven to Torquay.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Before he left, Picton said to Rita: "Next time I am here I have a
+very important question to ask you."
+
+"Have you?" she said. "I wonder what it is."
+
+"Cannot you guess?"
+
+"I'll try," she answered, smiling happily.
+
+"It's too important to put in a hurry," laughed Picton, "and I haven't
+the courage to do it now."
+
+"Not after four victories," she answered, laughing.
+
+He shook his head, as he got up beside her brother in the trap.
+
+"If you won't sell The Rascal, send him to Haverton," said Picton as
+they bade Dick good-night.
+
+"All right, I will, and you can do what you like with him," said Dick
+cheerily.
+
+"Brack's not here; that's strange. We shall have to get some one
+else," said Ben.
+
+They hired a younger man. He happened to be the boatmen's bookie.
+
+"Where's Brack?" asked Ben.
+
+"He backed the double with me for half a sov.," said the man. "He's
+about broke me, sir, but I don't begrudge it him; he's a real good
+sort. I expect he's celebrating it in town."
+
+Brack was not celebrating it; he was biding his time, and opportunity.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+IN BRACK'S COTTAGE
+
+
+Brack's was a humble abode not far from the inner harbor. He lived
+there with his mother. The old woman idolized him; he was a very good
+son. She attended to their small wants and kept the house scrupulously
+clean.
+
+"I've brought a mate, mother," said Brack as he entered with his
+companion.
+
+"He's welcome, my boy." She always called him her boy, and somehow it
+did not sound strange.
+
+"Come in, don't be afraid," said Brack.
+
+The man stepped into the small room, looking round suspiciously. Why
+had Brack brought him here, had he any particular reasons for doing
+so, reasons that would benefit himself?
+
+Brack gathered something of what was passing in his mind and
+whispered, "You'll be quite safe here, sit down."
+
+They had a fish supper; to the stranger it was the most wonderful meal
+he had partaken of for some years. He ate greedily, he could not help
+it, but Brack, watching him, knew he was a well-bred man.
+
+The old lady asked no questions, she never questioned what her son
+did; she bade them good-night and went to her room. It was then Brack
+learned something of the man he had brought to his home; and the tale
+harrowed his feelings, froze the marrow in his bones, horrified him;
+he shuddered as he imagined what this highly cultured man must have
+suffered.
+
+They talked until the small hours of the morning, Brack considering
+what he should do, how to get his companion away from Torquay?
+
+Suddenly he said, "Do yer mind telling me yer name? I'd like to know
+it in case I hear of yer in the world sometimes. You'll be far away
+from here, but I'd like to have something to remember yer by and I
+reckon yer name's the best thing."
+
+The man was startled; again the suspicious look came into his eyes.
+Would it ever be entirely absent, that haunted gaze; it was pitiable.
+
+"I don't want it if you don't care to give it to me."
+
+"I beg your pardon. You deserve my entire confidence. You are running
+grave risk for my sake, an unknown man, a stranger, worse--an escaped
+prisoner from Dartmoor."
+
+"Never mind the risk; we'll not trouble about that," said Brack.
+
+"Do you know what the consequences would be if it were known you had
+hidden me?"
+
+"I don't know and I don't care," said Brack.
+
+"Think of your mother."
+
+Brack laughed as he said: "She'll glory in what I've done when I tell
+her; she's Bill out there."
+
+"I forgot; that makes all the difference. And he's innocent."
+
+"Like you."
+
+"How do you know I am innocent?"
+
+"Yer face tells me. I'd trust a man like you anywhere and anyhow."
+
+"If ever I come into my own again, if ever my innocence is proved,
+I'll see to you and your mother for life, and I'll promise to do all I
+can for Bill, your brother."
+
+Brack's face glowed.
+
+"Damn me but you're a man!" he said and seized his hand. "I forgot,
+I'm a fool," he added, as the man winced. The pain from Brack's honest
+grip was intense.
+
+"I will tell you my name. You may have heard it before--we receive
+news sometimes--my brother is a famous rider. You are a bit of a
+sportsman?"
+
+"I am," said Brack. "I've had a tip for the races here, for the
+double, and I've got ten bob to put on; the gentleman who's goin' to
+ride gave it me. He says to me as I left the yacht--I'd rowed him out
+there--he says, 'Here, Brack, there's half a sov. for you. Back The
+Rascal for the double.' And I mean to."
+
+"The Rascal?"
+
+"That's the name of the horse--funny, isn't it?"
+
+"Who was the gentleman?"
+
+"The owner of the _Sea-mew_, the yacht lying at anchor in the bay."
+
+"The yacht with such beautiful lines, painted white? I just saw her as
+I came along by the wall before I met you, my good friend."
+
+"That's her. She's not big but she's a gem. She's been here several
+times."
+
+"And who is the owner?"
+
+"The same as rides Mr. Langford's horses at the races."
+
+"But you have not told me who he is."
+
+"Ain't I? No more I have! It's Mr. Picton Woodridge."
+
+The man stared at Brack; he seemed on the point of falling off his
+chair.
+
+"Picton Woodridge," he said in a hoarse voice.
+
+"Yes; have you met him in days gone by?" asked Brack.
+
+"He is my younger brother," said the man. "I am Hector Woodridge."
+
+It was Brack's turn to stare now. This man he had brought to his home
+Picton Woodridge's brother? Was it possible? This was indeed a
+strange chance! He peered into his companion's face, trying to trace a
+resemblance, and found one.
+
+"Yes," he said, "you're like him, or you were once."
+
+Hector Woodridge sighed.
+
+"Once," he said; "it all seems such a long while ago."
+
+"I remember, I recollect now," said Brack. "I wonder it did not strike
+me afore. Yer a Yorkshire family. I know, at Haverton. I was a boatman
+at Scarborough when it happened. I always said you were innocent; I
+call to mind the trial well. Yer Mr. Hector Woodridge, thank God for
+that; I see a way out of it all. You must bide here and I'll pick the
+night when I can get you away."
+
+"Get me away!" exclaimed Hector. "How, where shall I go?"
+
+"Leave that to me. There's a man on the watch here. His name's Carl
+Hackler. He's from Dartmoor, and he's prowling around here on the
+lookout--has been for a week or more."
+
+"I don't remember his name," said Hector.
+
+"Likely enough not; there's plenty of 'em there as you'd never see,
+but he's seen you, and he'd recognize you. I've fooled him once and I
+think he knows it; I'll have a stiff job to do it again; but I will do
+it, and you'll get clear away."
+
+"What is your plan?"
+
+Brack hesitated; he wondered if Hector Woodridge would care to go
+on board the _Sea-mew_, whether he would be afraid to implicate his
+brother. He decided it would be better for his purpose not to say what
+his plan was until he had his man safe in his boat on the way to the
+yacht.
+
+"I'll tell you that when the time's ripe. You'd best turn in and have
+some sleep; you look as though you could do with it."
+
+"I can. Where shall I go?"
+
+"In there," said Brack, pointing to a small room.
+
+"It is your room."
+
+"Never mind me. Go in and rest."
+
+Hector was dead beat. He opened the door, he was so exhausted he fell
+fast asleep before he had time to undress.
+
+Brack sat ruminating until an early hour. This discovery that his
+guest was Hector Woodridge stunned him, he could not comprehend it.
+He recollected all about the celebrated trial which resulted in Hector
+Woodridge being condemned to death for the murder of the husband
+of the woman he had become entangled with. All Yorkshire signed
+the petition for a reprieve and the sentence was commuted to penal
+servitude for life. He remembered how the shock killed Admiral
+Woodridge, Hector's father.
+
+Brack went to the old black horse-hair sofa and lay down. He was soon
+asleep, dreaming in a few minutes, strange dreams in which convicts,
+Dartmoor, the _Sea-mew_, The Rascal, Carl Hackler, and divers and
+other persons and places were mixed up in the most extraordinary
+manner.
+
+A knocking at the door roused Brack.
+
+Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes, yawned, struggled to his feet. He had
+his sailor clothes on.
+
+Another knock.
+
+"Comin'. Don't be in such a hurry. Leave the milk can, yer fool."
+
+Another knock.
+
+"Must be deaf. Drat the lad, what's he wakin' an honest man up at this
+hour for?"
+
+He went to the door, unlocked it, pulled back the bolt, opened it, and
+found Carl Hackler standing before him.
+
+As Brack said afterward: "I wish I could 'ave pushed him into the
+harbor, me a'top of him."
+
+"'Morning, Brack. I want a boat; can you come quick?" said Carl.
+
+Brack's relief was so great that he gave a loud, startling laugh.
+
+"What the deuce is the matter with you? Have you suddenly gone mad?"
+
+"Sane as you are, Mister Hackler," said Brack. "Maybe a bit saner at
+times."
+
+"I believe you fooled me about that man being rowed out to the tramp.
+Anyhow the tramp's here, put back for something I suppose, and I'm
+going to board her before she leaves again, and question the skipper.
+I particularly want you to row me out because I mean to tell him who
+gave me the information while you are alongside," said Hackler.
+
+"Now I call that nice of you," said Brack. "Here I gives you the best
+tip I can and you want to get me into trouble if it's correct. I did
+my best for yer, Mr. Hackler, on my honor."
+
+"Will you row me out?" said Hackler impatiently.
+
+"What's it worth?"
+
+"Five shillings."
+
+"I'll be with you in a minute," said Brack. "I'll just tell mother."
+
+"Let her know her little boy is going out in good company," said
+Hackler.
+
+"I'll tell her who I'm goin' with, then she can judge for herself,
+whether the company's good or bad," replied Brack.
+
+Hackler laughed as he said: "You're a smart chap, Brack."
+
+"Am I? Then perhaps you can find me a job out your way."
+
+"Better where you are," said Hackler, with what sounded very much like
+a sigh.
+
+Brack went into his mother's room. She was awake.
+
+"What is it, lad?" she asked.
+
+"Hush, mother! I'm goin' out with Hackler in my boat. He's the man
+from Dartmoor, on the lookout for the escaped prisoner. I'm rowin' him
+out to the tramp; she's put back again."
+
+She smiled; she knew all about it.
+
+"Tell him not to stir out of that room until I comes home. He'll sleep
+a good while. He must not come out, not even in here--you understand,
+mother?"
+
+"Yes, but who is he?"
+
+"He's the man Hackler's after; the man who strangled the bloodhound.
+He knows our Bill. He's a gentleman; he'll do what he can for him when
+he's proved his innocence. He is----"
+
+"Come on, Brack; don't be all day," called Hackler.
+
+"I'll see to him, lad, never fear; he's safe with me," said his
+mother.
+
+"Comin'," said Brack as he went out and joined him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A CRITICAL MOMENT
+
+
+"Brack, as I remarked before, you are a smart fellow. Were you putting
+me off the scent when you said the man I am looking for went off in
+the tramp?" said Hackler.
+
+"I never said he were the man; I said there were a man went off with
+the boat's crew to the tramp."
+
+"I gave a description of him."
+
+"It seemed like him to me," said Brack.
+
+They reached the harbor; Brack pulled in his boat; Hackler stepped in
+and was rowed toward the tramp. The dirty looking steamer was farther
+out than anticipated, and Brack took his time; his practiced eyes
+discerned something invisible to Hackler.
+
+"Steam up," said Carl.
+
+"Most likely she'll be going in an hour or two."
+
+"I wonder what she put back for?" said Hackler half to himself.
+
+"Short o' coal," grinned Brack.
+
+"Shut up and don't be a fool," growled Carl.
+
+Brack could see the steamer as he looked sideways over his shoulder. A
+humorous smile stole over his face.
+
+"She's movin'," he thought.
+
+There was a stir at the stern of the tramp, the screw revolved, she
+was steaming away, and Carl Hackler was too late. When he recognized
+this he lost his temper; he had taken his journey for nothing.
+Catching sight of Brack's face, he fancied he detected laughter there;
+this did not improve matters.
+
+"Confound you, I believe you knew she was going!" he said angrily.
+
+"Not until the screw turned," said Brack.
+
+Hackler stood up in the boat and waved; some one on the tramp answered
+the signal but she continued on her way.
+
+"D----n the fellow, why doesn't he stop!" raged Carl.
+
+"Looks suspicious, but he doesn't know who you are. If he did he'd be
+sure to slow down," said Brack.
+
+Carl turned round quickly; he had an idea he was being chaffed and
+didn't like it. He stumbled, barked his leg on the seat, fell forward,
+and sprawled in the bottom of the boat. He did not know a sudden spurt
+by Brack caused this.
+
+He floundered about, smothered his rage as best he could, then ordered
+Brack to row him back.
+
+"Hope yer not hurt," said Brack sympathetically.
+
+No answer was vouchsafed to this polite inquiry.
+
+"Looks as though he might be aboard that tramp," said Brack. "They got
+off pretty sudden; perhaps you were recognized."
+
+"Who'd have recognized me?" asked Carl.
+
+"Him as yer looking for."
+
+Carl laughed.
+
+"Not likely; I don't think he ever saw me."
+
+"But you've seen him?"
+
+"Scores of times."
+
+"You'd know him again?"
+
+"Of course; he's easy to recognize. But they've probably got him by
+now."
+
+"Poor chap."
+
+"Call him that, do you? You'd not do it if you knew what he was there
+for."
+
+"Tell me."
+
+"He shot a man whose wife he had been carrying on with. It was a
+brutal, cold-blooded murder. The husband found them together; they
+were fairly trapped, so the fellow shot him."
+
+"Funny he should carry a revolver about with him," said Brack.
+
+"It wasn't his revolver, it was the husband's; that's why he was
+reprieved. It was argued that the weapon was in the room, that on the
+spur of the moment he picked it up and shot him."
+
+"Oh," said Brack meditatively. "I suppose it never occurred to you, or
+the larned judge, or the blessed jury, that some one else might have
+shot him."
+
+Carl laughed.
+
+"Who else could have shot him?"
+
+"It's not for me to say; I'm not clever enough. She might 'a' done
+it."
+
+"Who?"
+
+"The wife."
+
+"What nonsense! He confessed he did it."
+
+"Eh!" exclaimed Brack.
+
+"I say he confessed he fired the shot."
+
+"And he says he's innocent," said Brack.
+
+Carl stared at him.
+
+"Says he's innocent!" he exclaimed. "How do you know?"
+
+Brack saw his mistake and quickly covered it.
+
+"I lived in Yorkshire at the time. I know all about the trial; I read
+it."
+
+"Oh," said Carl. "If you read it you know more about it than I do."
+
+"Very likely," said Brack as the boat went alongside the steps.
+
+Carl landed; he gave Brack half a crown.
+
+"Five bob," said Brack.
+
+"But you didn't go to the tramp."
+
+"I couldn't; she was away."
+
+"Then you can't claim the lot," said Carl, who was annoyed at missing
+the steamer.
+
+"I suppose not exactly," drawled Brack, "but betwixt gents, I should
+say it holds good."
+
+Despite his annoyance, Carl could not help laughing.
+
+"I suppose you must have it," he said, and handed him another
+half-crown.
+
+"Goin' home to-day?" asked Brack.
+
+"Home!"
+
+"To Dartmoor."
+
+"That's not my home."
+
+"It's where yer located, at any rate."
+
+"I don't know. There's no trace of the man. It's queer where he's got
+to; I fancy he's dead--fallen down a mine, or been starved out."
+
+"That's about it," said Brack. "Fancy looking for him round here!
+Seems a bit soft to me."
+
+"You take a lot of interest in this man," said Carl eying him closely.
+
+"No more than I do in any man who makes a fight for liberty."
+
+"Would you let 'em all loose on Dartmoor?" sneered Carl.
+
+"I'd chance it if there were any innocent men among 'em."
+
+"There are none."
+
+"There's one I know of."
+
+"Who?"
+
+"My brother Bill."
+
+Carl laughed as he said: "Your brother Bill was lucky not to be
+hanged," and walked away.
+
+Brack scowled after him and muttered: "And you'll be lucky not to be
+drowned if yer not careful."
+
+When Brack arrived home he told Hector Woodridge what happened.
+
+"By gad, he gave me a shock when he came to the door this morning,"
+said Brack. "You must wait for to-night; I'll come and fetch you if
+the coast is clear. You'll have to trust me, leave it all to me."
+
+"I will," said Hector. "I can do nothing for myself."
+
+"You can do a lot. If there's danger keep cool and don't betray any
+alarm--face it out."
+
+"I place myself entirely in your hands," said Hector.
+
+There was no chance that night. Brack stayed about the harbor until
+ten o'clock. Just as he thought the opportunity favorable Carl Hackler
+turned up, and Brack made for home, thinking he had not been seen. He
+was mistaken.
+
+"Something mysterious about the old fellow lately," thought Carl. "He
+can't know anything; it's absurd, of course; but I'll swear he put me
+off the scent about that tramp. Confound him, he's a shrewd 'un, he
+is. It's my belief No. 832 is in Torquay somewhere. There'll be a
+shindy if he gets away, because he's got a lot of rich relations I
+believe; somebody's sure to say it's a put up job. There wasn't any
+put up business about strangling that dog; I can't help admiring the
+fellow for that. He bore a good name in the prison too."
+
+"No go to-night," said Brack as he came in, "but I've got a bit of
+news."
+
+"What is it?" asked Hector.
+
+"I've won the first part of my bet with The Rascal."
+
+Hector could not help smiling; it seemed a curious piece of news under
+the circumstances. He said: "I hope you'll win the double."
+
+"It'll mean a fiver to me," said Brack, "and that's a lot to a poor
+man."
+
+"You shall have a pocket full of fivers when I prove my innocence,"
+said Hector.
+
+"I'd not take 'em," said Brack. "I'd be satisfied to know I'd done you
+a good turn, that I would," and he meant it.
+
+Next evening Brack was very well pleased with himself when The Rascal
+won the double. He proceeded to draw his money and enlighten the
+youthful bookie on the follies of gambling; he also exhibited some
+liberality in the matter of drinks to several mates.
+
+He saw nothing of Carl Hackler, although he walked about the streets
+and loitered near the water.
+
+"I'll try it to-night," he thought. "The races are over and maybe the
+_Sea-mew_ will sail before morning. There's no telling, and it's the
+best chance there is; it can't be missed; it's too good, even if we
+run some risk. If I only knew where that Dartmoor chap was. I'd give
+half my winnings to know--I'd give the whole blessed lot to get him
+safe on that yacht."
+
+Brack went home full of his plan, and how best to manage it without
+exciting suspicion.
+
+It was after ten o'clock when he slipped out of the house. Hector
+Woodridge followed at some distance, keeping him in sight.
+
+"He's going to the harbor," thought Hector. "What will he do there?"
+
+Brack looked round in every direction as he went down the steps and
+hauled in his boat. It was no unusual thing for a boat to go out at
+night to a man-o'-war, or to some craft lying in the bay, but he was
+not fond of such work and knew if any of his mates saw him it would
+attract notice. Looking up, he saw Hector leaning over, and beckoned
+him to come down.
+
+"Once we're out of the inner harbor there'll not be much danger," said
+Brack. "Chuck that waterproof over yer shoulders; it'll keep yer warm
+and it looks seaman-like. Now we're ready."
+
+"Hallo, Brack!"
+
+He looked up and saw Carl Hackler on the steps peering at the man in
+the boat. Brack had wonderful control. It was a matter of more than
+life or death to Hector Woodridge; if Hackler got him he would be sent
+back to his living tomb, for such it was to him.
+
+"Oh, it's you!" said Brack with as much contempt as he could master.
+"And pray what are you doing here? Want another trip in the bay? If
+you do, jump in and I'll take you. I've got the mate of the _London
+Belle_ here; he's a bit overseas and I'm taking him out. Ain't that
+right, Harry?"
+
+"That's the job, Brack, that's it," hiccoughed Hector, who guessed the
+danger was great.
+
+"I've half a mind to come," said Carl, not quite satisfied, but
+utterly deceived by Brack's cool manner.
+
+"You'll have ter make up the other half quick," said Brack.
+
+"I'll leave you to it. Mind your mate doesn't fall overboard," said
+Carl.
+
+"I'll see to that," said Brack.
+
+A hoot came across the bay, a peculiar sound. Brack knew it; it came
+from the _Sea-mew_.
+
+He sat down and pulled his best. Would he reach her in time?
+
+Carl Hackler watched the boat until it was out of sight.
+
+The hoot came again.
+
+"What's that steamer sounding?" he asked a sailor close to him.
+
+"The _Sea-mew_; she'll be leaving to-night, I reckon."
+
+Carl started. Was it possible? No, of course not. What a fool he was;
+and yet, Brack was rowing as though his life depended on it.
+
+"Better make sure," he muttered, and turning to the boatman said:
+"Will you row me out to the _London Belle_?"
+
+"Yes, sir, how much?"
+
+"Half a sovereign," said Carl.
+
+Another hoot came across the bay from the _Sea-mew_.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+ON BOARD THE "SEA-MEW"
+
+
+"I wonder if the beggar'll follow us," gasped Brack, between his
+spurts; "seemed mor'n half inclined to it--cuss him for his meddling!"
+
+"Where are you going?" asked Hector.
+
+"To the _Sea-mew_."
+
+Hector started--his brother's yacht. He must not go there. What would
+be the consequences if he were taken on her, found concealed? Picton
+would be compromised, in grave danger, probably of imprisonment.
+
+"I cannot let you go there," said Hector; "it is impossible."
+
+"Just you sit still. You're a'goin' there whether you like it or not,"
+said Brack doggedly.
+
+"I will not place my brother in a false position."
+
+"What'd you do if he were in your place and came to the yacht as
+you're doin'?"
+
+Hector made no answer; he knew he would take the risk.
+
+"There y'ar," said Brack triumphantly; "I knew it. You'd take him
+aboard and gie him a hearty welcome."
+
+"Put back; I won't go," said Hector.
+
+"Put back, eh, and land yer right in his arms. Not me, not for Brack,
+oh dear, no; you just sit still, will yer?"
+
+Brack had a peculiar habit of saying "you" and "yer," and sundry other
+words, changing them as the mood took him.
+
+"Now I'd not be at all surprised if he'd hired a boat and was on his
+way to the _London Belle_, just to scent out things; he's a human
+bloodhound, d----n him, that's what he is."
+
+"If he goes to the _London Belle_ he'll find out we have not been
+there and he will guess we have come to the _Sea-mew_," said Hector.
+"I cannot risk it, Brack."
+
+"Leave him to me. We'll reach the _Sea-mew_ long afore he can get to
+the _Belle_. That's her out there, right beyond the yacht. I'll put
+you aboard and row round to her like h----, and I'll meet him comin'
+to her if so be he's set out; I'll see he doesn't board her if I have
+to run him down."
+
+Brack was pulling with all his might; the boat seemed to skim through
+the still water of the bay like a skiff; they were nearing the
+_Sea-mew_.
+
+Captain Ben Bruce was on deck, looking over the side. They were about
+to leave the harbor; Picton was anxious to get away. He was in the
+cabin. Ben left him reading; probably he had fallen asleep after the
+excitement of the day.
+
+He heard the sound of oars, and in another minute or two saw the boat
+shooting toward the yacht.
+
+"Who's this coming here?" he wondered.
+
+He made no sound, merely watched, wondering what would happen.
+
+Brack did not see him as he came alongside; the gangway steps were up;
+how was he to get Hector aboard?
+
+"Is that you, Brack?" said Ben.
+
+"It's me, sir. Let down the steps quick. I've something to say to you,
+something that won't keep."
+
+"As particular as all that?"
+
+"Yes, a matter of life or death," said Brack.
+
+"We're just about to leave the harbor."
+
+"For God's sake, let down the steps!" said Brack.
+
+Hector did not move or speak; his nerves were strung to the highest
+pitch, he quivered all over.
+
+Captain Ben called a hand and they opened the gangway and lowered the
+steps.
+
+"Now's yer time--go up quick!" said Brack.
+
+"Who's that?" asked Ben, as Hector rose up.
+
+"He's comin' aboard; he's a friend of Mr. Woodridge's."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"He'll tell you when he's aboard," said Brack.
+
+"That won't do for me," said Ben.
+
+"Don't yer trust me?" asked Brack.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then, for God's sake, let him aboard or you'll regret it for the rest
+of your days."
+
+"Come up," said Ben, thinking it passing strange the man did not give
+his name.
+
+Hector hesitated; Brack urged him on.
+
+"Go, go! Think what I've got to do--row round by the _Belle_ in case
+he's after us."
+
+Hector hesitated no longer; he could not leave Brack in the lurch, and
+if Hackler found out they had not rowed to the _Belle_ there would be
+trouble. He got out of the boat; no sooner was he on the steps than
+Brack pushed off and shot away. Ben called after him but he did not
+stop; he was making for the _London Belle_ as fast as he could row.
+
+"Who are you?" again asked Ben as he came on deck.
+
+Hector trembled with excitement; he was unstrung, he had suffered
+much; the chase over the moor, the battle with the hound, the naked
+flight, hunger, exposure, the fear of being taken, the suspense of the
+past few days brought on a burning fever. He tried to speak but could
+not; his tongue clove to the roof of his mouth; his lips were parched;
+he held out his hands in a helpless fashion; he staggered, reeled
+across the deck. Ben gazed at him in wonder. He could not make it out.
+There was something very mysterious; Brack must have known what he was
+doing.
+
+Hector groped along the deck like a man walking unsteadily in his
+sleep; he mumbled to himself, looked from side to side furtively,
+began to run, stopped, knelt down, put his face close to the deck in
+a listening attitude. Ben watched him, followed him. Was this a madman
+Brack had put on board?
+
+Presently Hector came across a coil of rope. He seized it with both
+hands and wrestled with it in his fierce grasp.
+
+"Strangling some one," thought Ben.
+
+"You beast, you're dead, ha, ha, ha, I've done for you!" and the weird
+laugh sounded doubly strange on the water.
+
+Hector rose and pulled off his coat, then stripped off his shirt.
+
+"I must stop this," said Ben. He stepped forward and was about to take
+him by the arm, when Hector whipped round and flung himself on him.
+
+"You'll never take me alive, never, I'll die first! Kill me if you
+like--I'll never go back!" hissed Hector, as he clenched Ben by the
+throat. It was an easy matter for the Captain to hold him off at arm's
+length, a strong man against a weak, and as he did so he saw into his
+face by the light of the lamp behind him.
+
+Something in the face roused memories in Ben. He looked long and
+earnestly. The fever-stricken man returned his gaze; the poor tired
+brain had a glimmering of reason again. Thus they stood, gazing,
+forging the past, piecing links together in a chain of recollection.
+
+"Ben, Ben, don't you know me?"
+
+It was a bitter, heartbroken cry, a wail of anguish, and it struck Ben
+like a knife, it seemed to cut through him. As Hector's cry ceased he
+fell forward into Ben's arms. Like a flood the incidents of the past
+few days rushed into Ben's mind. The boom of the gun, the escape of
+the convict, Brack's story, the strangling of the bloodhound, the man
+on the road to Torwood.
+
+"Great heaven, it's Hector!" said Ben. "Poor fellow! My God, what a
+wreck!"
+
+Then his thoughts flew to Picton. It would never do to let him know
+to-night; he must be prepared for the shock. Where to conceal Hector?
+For the present, at any rate, he would put him in his cabin. The
+hands on board--could they be trusted? Some story would have to be
+concocted. There was a man near and Ben called him.
+
+"Help me to carry him into my cabin," said Ben.
+
+The sailor obeyed without a word. He was an elderly man; he had served
+with Captain Bruce on the _Tiger_.
+
+"Say nothing of this until I give you permission," said Ben.
+
+"Right, sir," said Abe Glovey.
+
+"Abe, you are much attached to Woodridge and myself?"
+
+"I am, sir."
+
+"Can you persuade every man on board to keep this man's presence here
+a secret? It's very important."
+
+"It shall be done, sir. They are all good men and true."
+
+"Mr. Woodridge will reward them handsomely if nothing transpires
+ashore."
+
+Hector lay on Captain Ben's bunk, and they stood looking at him.
+
+Ben took a sudden resolution.
+
+"Abe, I will confide in you, tell you a secret, which if disclosed
+means ruin to us all, and a living death to him."
+
+"I think I understand, sir."
+
+"You guess who he is?"
+
+"I know, sir. A terrible change has come over him, and no wonder, but
+I can recognize him, for I knew him and loved him in the old days.
+There's not one in a thousand would know him, but I do--it's Hector,
+sir, is it not?"
+
+"Yes, it's Hector Woodridge, or what's left of him. He's in a bad way,
+Abe."
+
+"He is, sir."
+
+"And we can't have a doctor to him."
+
+"No, sir, but we'll pull him through. Every man of us will help. Give
+me permission to tell them. They'll stand by him and Mr. Picton; you
+need have no fear of that, sir."
+
+"Trust them all; yes, that will be the best," said Ben.
+
+"I'm sure you're right, sir; quite sure."
+
+Captain Ben gave orders for the _Sea-mew_ to leave Torbay, and she was
+soon moving slowly toward the sea.
+
+He sat beside Hector and listened to his moaning and muttering. He
+saw the wasted form, the haggard, drawn face, the gray hair, then he
+noticed the hands and shuddered. What an awful chase that must have
+been across the moor, bloodhounds on his track, every man's hand
+against him, no hope, no place to hide in. Yet there must have been
+one man whose compassion had been aroused on the moor, the man who
+clothed Hector, when he found him almost naked. Ben vowed when he
+knew that man's name he should receive his due reward. And there was
+another man, Brack, honest rough old Brack, with a heart of gold, and
+the courage of a bulldog. Ben felt it was good to be a sailor and be
+one of such a class.
+
+Brack must have discovered Hector in Torquay, and hidden him until he
+could get him on the _Sea-mew_. Where had he found him? That story was
+to be told. They were only just in time; Ben thought what might have
+happened had they missed the _Sea-mew_ and had to return to Torquay,
+and shuddered. He vowed again that Hector should not be recaptured;
+no, not if he had to sail the _Sea-mew_ half the world round,
+and fight for him. It would be weeks, perhaps months, before the
+fever-stricken man became well, and there was no better hiding-place
+than the _Sea-mew_, and no better doctor than the sea and its
+attendant breeze.
+
+Brack, rowing from the _London Belle_, saw the _Sea-mew_ moving slowly
+toward the entrance to the bay.
+
+"He's safe; they'll never part with him. Brack, you're not such a bad
+sort after all! I wonder where's Hackler got to--perhaps he didn't
+follow us," thought the old boatman.
+
+He lay on his oars and watched the _Sea-mew's_ lights until they
+disappeared.
+
+"There's a boat comin' now--wonder if it's him?" he said with a
+chuckle. "I'm ready for him, anyway."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+LENISE ELROY
+
+
+"You'll have to hurry," said Hackler impatiently as the seaman
+slouched round for his boat.
+
+"That's my craft over there; I'll have her alongside in a bit," said
+the man.
+
+"Can't we take this boat?"
+
+"No, I'll get my own; besides, I'm used to her."
+
+It seemed a long time to Carl before the man brought the boat
+alongside and he was seated in her.
+
+"Row faster!" said Carl.
+
+"Wait until we're out of the harbor; it's rather dark."
+
+"Go ahead, pull!"
+
+The man obeyed. He was not such a skillful pilot as Brack; as they
+reached the wall he pulled hard with his right and the boat crashed
+into the stonework. Carl shot forward, bruising his face; there was
+a sound of splintering timber; the boatman fell forward. When they
+recovered, Carl cursed him for a blundering fool. The man found the
+boat leaked badly; there was nothing for it but to row back as fast as
+possible and take another.
+
+This caused a delay and enabled Brack to put Hector aboard the
+_Sea-mew_ and row round by the _London Belle_ in time.
+
+"Who goes there?" shouted Brack.
+
+Carl was sick of the whole business; he was glad to hear Brack's
+voice. He had been to the _London Belle_, his story was correct. What
+a fool he, Carl, had been for his pains!
+
+There was no answer to Brack's hail. Carl said to the man: "Keep on
+rowing; never mind him."
+
+This did not suit Brack's purpose. He had no desire for Carl to go on
+board the _London Belle_; that would upset everything.
+
+Brack went after the boat, quickly overtaking it. By the dim light he
+saw who was in it.
+
+"You again!" he said with a laugh. "What yer scouring the bay at this
+time o' night for? Looking for pirates?"
+
+"No, smugglers!" said Carl.
+
+"Hope ye'll catch 'em. Where do they hail from? I thought the days of
+smuggling in Torbay were over. Better come with me; I'll row you back
+quicker than him," said Brack.
+
+An altercation ensued between the seamen. Brack had insulted Carl's
+man; the wordy warfare became furious.
+
+"Row back to the harbor!" shouted Carl in a rage. "And you sheer off
+or it will be the worse for you."
+
+This was all Brack wished to hear. If Hackler returned, there was no
+danger.
+
+"Keep cool," shouted Brack. "I reckon I'll be home first."
+
+His mother was sitting up anxiously awaiting the news when he came.
+
+"He's got safe away, but we had a narrow squeak for it," he said, and
+told her what happened.
+
+"I wish our Bill were on the _Sea-mew_," she said with a sigh.
+
+"Maybe he will be some day, mother," said Brack.
+
+The _Sea-mew_ forged ahead toward the North and Captain Ben watched at
+Hector's bedside. The unfortunate man slept heavily but uneasily; he
+groaned and raved incoherently, tossed from side to side, sometimes in
+danger of falling out of the berth.
+
+Toward six o'clock Ben sent for Abe Glovey, who came and took his
+place while he went to meet Picton.
+
+Ben had a difficult task before him. He wished to break the news
+gently; the shock would be great; then they would have to think what
+was best to be done.
+
+Picton was out early; he had not slept well; strange dreams caused him
+uneasiness.
+
+"I've had a restless night. You look as though you had," he said to
+Ben.
+
+"I have; it has been a strange night. I've something to tell you," and
+he proceeded to explain about Brack coming to the yacht.
+
+"What on earth did he want at that hour of the night?" said Picton.
+
+"He brought some one to see me."
+
+Picton was surprised.
+
+"Who was it?"
+
+"A man," said Ben. He was not a good hand at this sort of thing; he
+wanted to blurt it all out in his blunt way.
+
+Picton smiled.
+
+"Don't beat about the bush, Ben; you can't do it."
+
+"That's a fact, I can't. You'll stand a shock, Picton, a very great
+shock."
+
+"Is it tremendous?"
+
+"Yes," said Ben seriously. "The man Brack brought here last night is
+aboard now; he's asleep in my cabin; he is very ill; he has suffered
+a lot; he will require a great deal of care. We shall have to be very
+careful."
+
+Picton looked at him wonderingly. Gradually a light broke in upon him;
+he turned pale and felt giddy. Ever since the boom of the gun startled
+him he had had Hector in his mind.
+
+"Was it Hector who escaped?" he asked.
+
+Ben nodded.
+
+"Was it Hector Brack brought to the _Sea-mew_?"
+
+Again Ben nodded.
+
+"Let us go to him," said Picton.
+
+Ben wondered at his taking it so calmly, but he knew the strain must
+be great. They went to Ben's cabin.
+
+"Glovey's inside; I'll send him out," said Ben.
+
+When the man was gone Picton stepped inside and looked at his brother
+with tears in his eyes.
+
+"What a wreck, Ben; it's awful."
+
+Captain Ben turned away his head. There are some things worse than
+death to look upon, cause more sorrow and pain.
+
+Hector lay on his back. His face told a tale of misery such as few
+care to hear, and none to suffer.
+
+"Leave me, Ben; I'd rather bear this alone; I may get used to it in
+time," said Picton in a hollow voice.
+
+Ben put his hand on the younger man's shoulder for a moment, then went
+out of the cabin; he never wished to feel again as he felt then,
+in the whole course of his life. Picton watched Hector, heard his
+ravings, shuddered at them, and wondered how it were possible for a
+man to suffer so much and live. He stayed there over two hours,
+and what his thoughts were during that time no one knew; there was,
+however, throughout, one predominant resolve: Hector should never
+go back to Dartmoor. He would sooner see him dead; it would be more
+merciful. What roused Picton was the thought of the woman who had
+done this thing; he held her responsible. She was older than Hector, a
+woman subtle, versed in the wiles of the world, and she had lured him
+to destruction. If ever a woman should suffer she ought. He wondered
+how she would feel if she stood where he stood now, looking down at
+the awful disaster of this man's life. Would she smile? She might; he
+thought she would; he believed at that moment she was the worst woman
+he had ever heard of. She must pay the penalty sooner or later; no
+atonement on her part could wash out that. These thoughts stifled
+him; he opened the door for fresh air. Ben's cabin was on deck; as
+the light streamed in Hector awoke. Before Picton realized what had
+happened his brother sprang from the berth, rushed past him, and had
+Abe Glovey not caught him round the waist would have flung himself
+overboard.
+
+With difficulty they carried him, struggling, back to the cabin, and
+laid him down exhausted.
+
+"He's mad," said Picton.
+
+"Temporarily, but we'll cure all that. I'm a bit of a doctor; leave
+him to me," said Ben, trying to make the best of it.
+
+"What are we to do?" asked Picton.
+
+"You mean about concealing him?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Ben said he had taken Abe Glovey into his confidence, and they had
+decided the whole of the crew should know the facts.
+
+"Will it be safe?" asked Picton.
+
+"I am sure of it; they are all real good fellows, and it is our only
+chance."
+
+"You must call them together and explain it all," said Picton.
+
+Ben said he would, and went on: "This is the opportunity we have
+waited for--Hector's escape. How fortunate we came here! Providence
+had a hand in this, it's more than mere coincidence, and as Providence
+helps those who help themselves we must lend a hand. When Hector
+recovers, it will be some weeks; he must remain on the _Sea-mew_ until
+he becomes a changed man. In twelve months no one will know him who
+has seen him now; the change will be wonderful, and it will be quite
+as wonderful a change from what he was before the trial. Hector
+Woodridge must cease to exist; he is dead; his body was never found
+on the Moor because he probably fell down some disused mine or was
+drowned in a still pond. That way safety lies, but there may be one
+stumbling block."
+
+"What is that?" asked Picton.
+
+"Hector's desire to prove his innocence," said Ben.
+
+"He must be persuaded that will be easier to do if it is thought he is
+dead; we must try and do it."
+
+"We have tried; there is only one person in the world who can prove
+his innocence," said Ben.
+
+"Lenise Elroy," said Picton.
+
+"Yes, Lenise Elroy. There were three persons in the room at the time:
+Raoul Elroy, Lenise Elroy, and Hector," said Ben.
+
+"Hector said at the trial the weapon went off in a struggle," said
+Picton.
+
+"Lenise Elroy, with apparent reluctance, said Hector shot her
+husband," said Ben.
+
+"If this were not true, why did she say it?" asked Picton.
+
+"She may have thought it true. Heaven knows what is in the mind of a
+woman like that! But the truth will come out some day."
+
+"Still, she ought to have shielded him, corroborated his story that it
+was an accident," said Picton.
+
+"The strangest part of the whole thing is that Hector has not told
+even you what actually happened," said Ben.
+
+"And I don't believe he will," said Picton.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+HAVERTON
+
+
+When the _Sea-mew_ arrived at Bridlington Bay Hector Woodridge lay
+at death's door, but the fever had somewhat abated and the ravings
+ceased. He was completely exhausted, worn out, and Picton doubted if
+he would have strength to struggle back to life.
+
+Captain Ben had seen a good deal of illness and was confident he could
+pull Hector round in time, but he said it would take many weeks.
+
+What was to be done? Picton could not remain on the _Sea-mew_; his
+absence would be noted at Haverton, where Brant Blackett was busy with
+the horses and expecting his arrival daily.
+
+"Abe Glovey is a good seaman, quite capable of looking after the
+_Sea-mew_," said Ben. "There is no reason why she should not remain
+here for a time; there will be nothing unusual about it. I will stay
+until Hector is convalescent, or nearly so, and then join you at
+Haverton. Glovey can take the _Sea-mew_ short cruises; when they are
+away from the coast Hector can come on deck freely without danger.
+Leave it all to me; I'll explain to him when he is well enough."
+
+Picton thought this the best thing they could do.
+
+He went ashore at Bridlington and from there traveled to Haverton. He
+knew he was running a grave risk in having Hector on board his yacht.
+He cared very little about that; all he wanted was for his brother
+to get well. He was certain no one would recognize him, he was so
+changed. It was a long, tedious journey to Haverton, and Picton was
+glad when it was over, and he was in his own house again.
+
+Mrs. Yeoman, the housekeeper, was surprised not to see Captain Bruce;
+he was seldom away from Picton. He explained in answer to her question
+that the Captain had remained on the _Sea-mew_ to see to some repairs
+in the engineers' department. This only half satisfied her; she knew
+McTavish was a capable man and could look after repairs himself. She
+had a very kindly feeling toward Jack McTavish, who sometimes came
+to Haverton and was not at all averse to a mild flirtation with the
+buxom, comely widow.
+
+When she saw Blackett she asked him what he thought about it.
+
+"Why hasn't the Captain come with him? It's all moonshine his staying
+on the _Sea-mew_ to see to repairs in the engine room. Mac's quite
+good enough for that job," she said.
+
+"It's none of your business, anyway," said Brant; "and as for
+McTavish, you're prejudiced in his favor--I shouldn't wonder if you
+aren't Sarah McTavish some day."
+
+"Nonsense, Brant! I've had one dose of married life; I don't want to
+try it again," she said.
+
+"Give the poor man a chance; he's only one thing against him," said
+the trainer.
+
+"And pray what's that?" she asked.
+
+"His name."
+
+"Jack McTavish. I reckon it's the equal of Brant Blackett, anyway,"
+she said.
+
+He laughed as he answered: "You're always a bit touchy where the
+McTavish is concerned. I wish you luck with him, Sarah. We'll see you
+a Highland chieftainess before many months are passed. I'll put myself
+in training and dance a reel after the ceremony's over."
+
+"You're old enough to know better, and you ought to have more sense,"
+she snapped, and walked away.
+
+Picton had been at Haverton a week and still Captain Ben did not come.
+He was anxious, but knew he could do no good if he went to the yacht;
+he was better away. He rode several of the horses at work to keep
+himself occupied, and was constantly roaming about the estate. He felt
+lonely; he missed Ben sadly; he was such excellent company.
+
+Haverton was a large mansion situated in one of the most beautiful
+districts in Yorkshire. The mansion had an aspect of gentility, and
+its various forms of architecture made it doubly interesting. The
+strong tower on the North East dated from Plantagenet times, and was
+a fine example of those peel towers on the border, of which the most
+southern are in the north of Yorkshire. The west side was in the Tudor
+times, showing the domestic architecture of the period. The two towers
+were commanding features of the fine old mansion. The gardens were
+lovely old-world places; clipped yews and flower beds intermingled on
+the south terrace The entrance was imposing and the gates were
+always open, as though the visitors were expected; the hospitality of
+Haverton was proverbial, even in such a county as Yorkshire.
+
+Picton was very proud of the old mansion, which had been in the
+possession of the Woodridges for many generations. He loved the
+glorious park with its magnificent trees, and undulating stretches of
+land. Oaks of great age, with their knotted arms outstretched, studded
+the landscape in all directions. There was a large lake, a mile long,
+half a mile wide, and in it were pike of great size and weight. In
+the river Aver, which flowed through the park, were trout, perch,
+grayling, and many other kinds of fish, and here they were safe from
+the voracious pike in the lake. Picton was a good angler, and he loved
+to have a tussle with a twenty-four-pound pike, or a thirty-one-pound
+trout in the river. He was the owner of the land for many miles round,
+numerous farms, which had been in the same families for ages, and the
+famous downs of Haverton, where so many good horses had been trained.
+These downs were magnificent galloping grounds, and there was a clear
+stretch of three miles straight--small wonder that Brant Blackett
+turned out some good stayers.
+
+Picton gloried in a good gallop on the downs, where the wind whistled
+in freedom, and where there was no occasion to ease a horse until he
+had done a four- or five-mile burst.
+
+He was happy at Haverton--at least he always appeared to be--but there
+was one thing cast a gloom over the place at all times: that was
+the Admiral's death, and the cause of it--Hector's sentence to penal
+servitude, after his reprieve. This was why Picton did not care to be
+alone in the great house, why he always wished Captain Ben to be with
+him. He had many friends who came to see him, but his best friend next
+to Ben was Dick Langford, and he was far away in Devonshire. Sarah
+Yeoman, at the end of a week, took it upon herself to speak to Picton.
+
+"You're lonely, sir; you're brooding. It's not good for young folks
+to brood. Wait till you're my age; then you can start if you are so
+minded. The Captain ought to come, sir. He's been gallivanting on
+the _Sea-mew_ long enough; I hope there's not a lady in the case, Mr.
+Picton," she said.
+
+Mrs. Yeoman was privileged; she had been at Haverton since she came
+as a girl over thirty years ago and by sheer worth had risen to the
+position of housekeeper, and ruler, at Haverton. Her husband had been
+a groom there. Sarah Yeoman practically ruled everybody and everything
+at Haverton; even Robert Rose, the butler, Amos Kidd, the head
+gardener, and all the rest of the male and female kind bowed down to
+her will. They bowed but did not worship; some of the maids--there
+were four--would have liked to pull her back hair at times and scratch
+her, but Sarah, although aware some feeling of this sort existed, went
+on her way serene and calm, knowing she was doing her duty. There was
+one thing about her: she was just, she held an even balance when there
+was a dispute; and Fanny, the head housemaid, who at times almost
+hated her, said she'd trust Sarah Yeoman under any circumstances to
+arrive at a right decision. She was slow to anger but when roused "all
+hands" fled from her wrath. With all her faults, there could have been
+no better woman chosen to take the helm at Haverton. She was loyal
+to the backbone; she considered the Woodridges the best family in
+Yorkshire, or any other shire. She felt the blow when Hector was
+condemned, and had not forgotten it, never would forget. She loved
+both boys in her motherly way, and, although Picton was her favorite,
+she held Hector in high esteem. She was surprised at Hector's falling
+a victim to a woman, she would not have been surprised had Picton done
+so.
+
+"No, I don't think there's a lady in the case," replied Picton,
+smiling. "At least I am not aware of it."
+
+"Sailors are sly," she said.
+
+"I thought Captain Ben was a favorite of yours," he said.
+
+"So he is, but sailors are sailors all the same, and there's no
+telling what he's up to on board the _Sea-mew_," she said.
+
+Picton thought she would be astonished if she knew what Captain Ben
+was up to.
+
+"I think I'll go to Bridlington to-morrow and see him," he said.
+
+"If you do, bring him back with you."
+
+"I will if possible."
+
+"Why should it not be possible? What's to hinder him from coming?" she
+asked.
+
+They would need her help later on, when Hector came to Haverton; he
+might as well tell her now: she was thoroughly trustworthy.
+
+"A strange thing happened when we were at Torquay," said Picton.
+
+She waited for him to go on.
+
+"Late one night, just before we sailed, an old boatman rowed across
+the bay to the _Sea-mew_ bringing a man with him."
+
+"Well?" she said anxiously.
+
+"Captain Ben was on deck, the boatman hailed him and said the man
+had come to see me. Ben asked his name, it was not given, but the
+boatman--Brack we call him--implored him to permit the man to go on
+board. So earnestly did he plead that Ben opened the gangway and let
+down the steps. The man no sooner set foot on them than Brack cleared
+away as fast as he could. The man came on deck, he seemed dazed,
+behaved like a madman. He flung himself on Ben, who easily held him
+back, the poor fellow was terribly weak and starved. Ben looked into
+his face, the man looked back; they recognized each other. That man
+is on the _Sea-mew_ now. Captain Ben is watching over him, nursing
+him back to life and sanity. A great and grave task lies before us.
+We have to shield this man, hide him, until such time as he can come
+ashore without danger of being recognized. There was an escape from
+Dartmoor when we were at Torquay, Sarah."
+
+She gasped; she felt faint; she pulled herself together.
+
+"An escape from Dartmoor--not----"
+
+"Hector. He is on the _Sea-mew_. That is why Captain Ben is not here,"
+said Picton.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+TEARAWAY AND OTHERS
+
+
+There was no occasion for Picton to travel to Bridlington. Captain Ben
+arrived next day and was very pleased to see him.
+
+"He's much better," said Ben; "making a wonderful recovery. He's quite
+sane, remembers everything, but his health is terribly shattered and
+a long rest on the _Sea-mew_ will do him a world of good. He has no
+desire to come to Haverton, or to leave the yacht; he thinks he is
+safer where he is, and he is right. There was no need to caution him
+to be careful, he knows what it means for all of us if there is the
+slightest suspicion about the _Sea-mew_. Glovey will attend to him, so
+will Mac, and the crew to a man have sworn to keep everything secret.
+Don't worry yourself about it, Picton; it will do no good; and I will
+return in a week or so to see how he is going on."
+
+"Mrs. Yeoman knows," said Picton.
+
+"She can be trusted, and it is better she should; it will prepare her
+for his coming," said Ben.
+
+It was no use worrying, as Ben said, and as Brant Blackett was anxious
+to put the horses through the mill, several trials took place on the
+moor.
+
+Tearaway proved herself a veritable flyer; she easily disposed of the
+lot pitted against her, and fully bore out the trainer's opinion of
+her, that she was as fast as the wind. She was a beautiful mare, black
+as coal, not a white speck on her, and stood sixteen hands high. No
+fault could be found with her; she was sound in her wind and limb,
+possessed terrific speed and was also a stayer. Blackett idolized her;
+he was desperately cut up that she had not been entered in any of the
+classic events, with the exception of the St. Leger. How she came to
+be entered in the great Doncaster race was peculiar. Her breeder, a
+Yorkshire squire, always entered his youngsters freely in the classic
+races. Somehow Tearaway had been overlooked until the last moment and
+a telegram was sent to enter the filly by King Charles--Far Away, in
+the St. Leger only. This was Tearaway, who was named afterward.
+
+Picton bought her at the sales at Doncaster for five hundred guineas,
+at which price she was a bargain.
+
+She ran only once as a two-year-old because Blackett saw she was
+growing fast and required time; to hurry her thus early in her career
+might, he said, ruin her.
+
+Picton was immensely proud of her, and desirous of bringing off
+a great coup by winning the St. Leger. It had been the Admiral's
+ambition to win the Doncaster event, and more than once he had been
+within an ace of doing so. Every Yorkshire owner of horses, on
+any pretensions to a large scale, is anxious to win the Leger, the
+greatest race in the North.
+
+Tearaway was practically an unknown quantity and Picton decided she
+should not run in public before September. With some fillies this
+would have been a risky policy to pursue, but Tearaway was so quiet
+and docile that there was no fear of her being frightened by a crowd,
+no matter how large, or by any amount of noise. The trainer agreed
+with this plan: Blackett was quite as anxious to win a Leger as his
+master. He was a Yorkshireman, and patriotism was strong within him.
+
+Brant Blackett was intended by his father for an auctioneer and had
+been sent to a local firm in Whitby. He hated office work and was
+always slipping away and going out to sea on one of the fishing boats.
+The firm declined to have anything to do with him, and in some way or
+other he drifted to Middleham and took a situation in a racing stable.
+He was small, weighed under eight stone, and soon learned to ride
+well. He never rode in public but was considered as good as the best
+of them in getting the strength of a trial. He was recommended to the
+Admiral, when he wanted a private trainer, and came to Haverton, where
+he had been for many years. He was much attached to the family, and
+the place, and, like the rest of them, he was cut up over Hector
+Woodridge's trial. He had won many races during the time he had
+been at Haverton, but vowed no such flier had been in his hands as
+Tearaway. He was fond of the breed, and fond of the mare, and she
+repaid his kindness by being as obedient as a child.
+
+"She's the sweetest-tempered filly I ever handled," he said. "Her
+temper's just lovely. She never flares up, or misbehaves; a perfect
+lady, that's what she is."
+
+Everybody who saw the filly agreed with him, and in the Haverton
+district Tearaway was regarded as a good thing for the St. Leger.
+
+"It's a long way off to September," said Picton as he and Ben sat on
+their hacks and looked at her after a morning gallop. She had been
+two miles at a fast pace and pulled up without the slightest sign of
+blowing. Her glorious black coat shone like satin in the sunlight; she
+tossed her head proudly, looking round with intelligent eyes that took
+in all her surroundings.
+
+"No need to hurry her," said the trainer; "and there's nothing will
+happen to her, I'm sure. A sounder mare never stepped."
+
+"We have hardly anything good enough to try her," said Picton.
+
+"That's a fact," said Blackett. "It takes something out of the common
+to extend her."
+
+There were a dozen horses at work, some cantering, others having spins
+over five and six furlongs.
+
+As Picton rode back with Ben and the trainer he said: "What with one
+thing and another I forgot to tell you Mr. Langford is sending The
+Rascal here and he says I am at liberty to do what I like with him.
+He's a real good 'chaser, the same I won the double on at Torquay. It
+would be rather a joke if we won the St. Leger with Tearaway, and the
+National with The Rascal. I wonder if a trainer ever accomplished that
+feat?" said Picton, smiling.
+
+"Never heard of it," said Blackett; "but I don't see why it should not
+be done. We've a pretty good schooling ground here."
+
+"The Rascal is one of the best horses I have ridden over fences. He's
+a bit queer-tempered, but once he settles down to his work you can
+depend upon him to do his best," said Picton.
+
+"Then, if he'll do that, he must be a good horse no matter what his
+temper may be," said the trainer.
+
+During the week The Rascal arrived at Haverton and the white-faced
+chestnut created a favorable impression.
+
+Picton found the same difficulty in mounting him, but once in the
+saddle all went well, and the way the horse took the stiffish fences
+on the Haverton schooling ground convinced the trainer there was a
+good race in him; but whether The Rascal was up to National form was
+another matter.
+
+Picton wrote to Dick Langford, stating The Rascal had arrived safely,
+and saying he wished he, Dick, had come with him.
+
+When Dick received this letter he said to his sister: "This is as good
+as an invitation. I'll avail myself of it and go down to Haverton for
+a few days. You don't mind, Rita?"
+
+"Indeed, no; I think Mr. Woodridge is a very good friend," she
+replied.
+
+"He is, and he'll make a very decent sort of brother-in-law," said
+Dick.
+
+"Don't be silly," said Rita, her cheeks glowing.
+
+"Is it silly? Not a bit of it--you know it's not. Picton's fond of
+you, and you're fond of him--that ends the matter. I wonder he hasn't
+asked you before."
+
+"Asked what?"
+
+"To be his wife."
+
+Rita laughed as she said: "I think you spoilt an opportunity when you
+called to us in the garden that night. You remember?"
+
+"Yes, I remember, and I also recollect I thought what a fool I was at
+the time," he said.
+
+Picton was glad when Dick Langford arrived at Haverton; it gave Ben a
+chance to go back to the _Sea-mew_ for a few days.
+
+Dick always enjoyed a visit here, and small wonder, for such a lovely
+place could not fail to attract. He was fond of horses and Brant
+Blackett liked him.
+
+"I hate showing a fellow round who pretends he knows a heap and knows
+nothing," said the trainer. "With Mr. Langford it's different; he's a
+very fair judge, and he's willing to learn; he's never cocksure about
+anything. He makes some shrewd remarks too, and he's clever--yes, I
+like Mr. Langford; there's grit in him."
+
+Mrs. Yeoman gave Dick the hall-mark of her approval.
+
+"He's a cheerful soul, not given to moping, and he's easily pleased;
+he always cheers Mr. Picton up, and he wants it at times--more than
+ever now," she thought.
+
+It had come as a shock to her when Picton told her Hector had escaped
+and was on board the _Sea-mew_. She wondered if he were safe there.
+Picton told her Hector would be so changed when he left the yacht that
+no one would recognize him, and that he would change his name. Hector
+Woodridge would be dead to the world.
+
+"Unless he can prove his innocence," he said.
+
+"Oh, I wish that could be done!" she said. "Some day I think it will
+come to pass. He's innocent, I'm sure of it. Do you know what I think,
+Mr. Picton?"
+
+"No; what is it?"
+
+"I believe Mrs. Elroy killed her husband."
+
+"Good heavens!" exclaimed Picton. "What makes you think that?"
+
+"I read every scrap of evidence at the trial. I am almost certain Mr.
+Hector was shielding her; he's just the sort."
+
+"If your surmise is correct his innocence will never come to light,
+because he will never betray her," said Picton.
+
+"Perhaps not, but she can't stand that on her conscience forever,
+she'll have to confess sooner or later, the burden is more than any
+woman or man can bear," she said.
+
+"She may have done it," said Picton. "Her punishment must already be
+great if she did."
+
+"If I were Mr. Hector, I'd seek her out and make her own up to it,"
+she said.
+
+"That's all very well, but you may be mistaken. In any case it is
+in Hector's hands, and he will not allow any one to interfere," said
+Picton.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+"I THINK HE'S DEAD"
+
+
+It was Lenise Elroy who was supping at the Torbay Hotel when Hector
+Woodridge looked through the chink in the blind and saw her with her
+friends. The man who brought her the wrap to put on her shoulders was
+Fletcher Denyer.
+
+Denyer lived mainly on his wits. He was a dark, handsome man, about
+ten years younger than Mrs. Elroy, and made her acquaintance some two
+years back at a ball at a large London hotel. He was a man likely to
+attract such a woman. He was unscrupulous; of his morals the less said
+the better; he possessed unlimited confidence in himself. Who he was,
+or where he came from, no one appeared to know, but he had wormed
+himself into a certain class of society, had become known on the
+racecourse, and in financial circles, and acted as a kind of tout to
+more than one firm of wine merchants, also to a big turf commission
+agent, who treated him liberally when he introduced business. His
+address was Marine View, Hove, Brighton, and he was frequently to be
+seen in the gay city by the sea.
+
+Marine View was a small house off one of the main streets, comfortably
+furnished, and Denyer was the sole tenant. Two half caste servants, a
+man and his wife, looked after the place. The man's name was Antonio
+Tobasco, his wife's Lucille, and they knew more about their master
+than any one.
+
+Tobasco seemed devoted to Denyer; so did his wife; they attended to
+his wants, and looked after the house during his absence. Tobasco's
+father was an Italian emigrant who went to America in the fifties,
+and gradually drifted to Mexico, where he married a native woman.
+Lucille's mother was an Italian, her father a dark man in the Southern
+States. There was plenty of black blood in them, and with it mingled
+a certain amount of treachery. Denyer had lived in Mexico; it was here
+he became acquainted with them, through Lucille, whom at one time he
+admired--it was his money that gave Tobasco the chance to marry her,
+but the man did not know of the relations which at one time existed
+between Denyer and Lucille. She was quite contented to marry him, and
+the union had proved satisfactory for several years.
+
+It was Lucille who persuaded Denyer to bring them to England with him.
+At first he refused, but she knew how to handle him and succeeded in
+having her way.
+
+Lenise Elroy had seen Hector's face at the window, just a glimpse,
+but sufficient to frighten her. She thought she recognized him, then
+wondered why she had been such a fool; he was safe in Dartmoor, and
+not likely to come out again. At the same time she could not get rid
+of the impression, nor could she make an excuse for her sudden alarm.
+
+She came to Torquay with Denyer at his request; he said he wanted a
+change, and her society. There was no question of love on his side,
+although Lenise was a handsome woman, but he was to a certain extent
+infatuated with her, and proud of being seen in her company. What her
+feelings were toward him she hardly knew. She was at a critical age,
+when a woman sometimes loses her head over a man much younger than
+herself. She would have been very sorry to lose Denyer's friendship,
+but she had no intention of letting her inclinations run away with
+her common sense. She kept on the right side, there was nothing wrong
+between them; they were familiar, but it had been carried no farther,
+and she was determined to be his wife, if she wished--at present she
+did not wish it.
+
+She tormented him, but at the same time attracted him; moreover, she
+was useful to him. She had a settled income, he had not; occasionally
+he found himself short of money, hard up. She helped him, he pocketed
+the cash and felt grateful for a few days. She did not despise him for
+taking the money from her; she wished to bind him to her, and this was
+a sure way.
+
+It was during her brief stay at Torquay that Lenise Elroy came across
+Brack. She was fond of the sea, had a liking for rowing in small
+boats.
+
+"Can't understand what you see in 'em," said Denyer; "beastly cockly
+things, might go over at any moment."
+
+"Well, I do like them, and I'm not going to explain why. If you don't
+care to go out, stay here until I come back; I'm going to have a row
+round the men-of-war," she said.
+
+"Please yourself, but it's a waste of time. Why not go for a motor
+drive instead?"
+
+"I prefer the row; you take the motor."
+
+"I will. Brady's doing business, so I'll take his wife for a spin;
+she's good company."
+
+"Very," said Lenise. "She's not at all a bad sort."
+
+She knew very well Mrs. Brady would not go out alone with him; if he
+didn't know it, he was not quite so wide awake as she imagined.
+
+She went to the harbor, and, seeing Brack, took a fancy to him.
+
+"Want to go for a row?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, round the warships."
+
+"I'm yer man. I get a lot of patronage from ladies; they're safe with
+me, I'm a steady goin' old 'un."
+
+He took his blackened pipe out of his mouth and slipped it into his
+pocket.
+
+"This is my boat, _The Dart_," he said. "Wait till I put the cushion
+right for you."
+
+She got in. Brack thought what a handsome woman she was.
+
+He was about to push off when he looked up and saw Carl Hackler.
+
+"So yer here still, messin' about! Wonder yer not tired of it," he
+said.
+
+"I am," said Carl. "Dead tired of it! Nothing can be done here. My
+belief is he's dead."
+
+"And mine too; he couldn't have stood it all this time, wandering
+about the moor," Brack said.
+
+When they were out in the bay she asked:
+
+"Who is dead? What were you talking about?"
+
+"It's a long story, mum, a sad story; I don't suppose it would
+interest you."
+
+"Who was that man on the quay?" she asked.
+
+"He's from Dartmoor, from the prison," said Brack.
+
+He did not see the look of interest on her face as he spoke.
+
+"A warder?" she asked.
+
+"Not exactly that; I fancy he's one of the fellows turned on for
+special duty at times."
+
+"And what is he doing at Torquay?"
+
+"A week or so back a man escaped from Dartmoor prison. They've not
+caught him yet; it's my opinion they never will," he answered with a
+chuckle.
+
+She felt that peculiar feeling come over that she experienced when she
+fancied she saw Hector's face looking through the window of the hotel.
+
+"What nonsense!" she thought. "There are hundreds of prisoners there;
+why should he be the one to escape?"
+
+She was restless, all the same, and wished Brack would tell her more.
+
+"I suppose it is no uncommon thing for a prisoner to escape?" she
+asked.
+
+"No; they do a bolt sometimes. They're generally caught inside
+twenty-four hours."
+
+"But this man is not taken?"
+
+"No, and Hackler's been mooning about Torquay looking for him for a
+week, just as though the fellow would be likely to come here," said
+Brack.
+
+"I wonder who he was?"
+
+"Don't know, but he was a good plucked 'un," said Brack, and proceeded
+to tell her all about the throttling of the hound.
+
+"He must be a very desperate character," she said.
+
+"It's enough to make a man desperate," said Brack.
+
+"What was he in prison for?" she asked.
+
+"Murder, so I've heard," said Brack.
+
+She started.
+
+"What murder, where?"
+
+"Somewhere up in Yorkshire, I believe," said Brack, who was now
+watching her. He saw her turn pale and clutch the side of the boat
+with one hand.
+
+"Takes an uncommon interest in it," he thought. "Wonder who she is?"
+
+"Do you know anything about the murder--the trial I mean? You come
+from Yorkshire, do you not--I can tell by your accent," she said with
+a faint attempt at a smile.
+
+"Yes, I'm fra Yorkshire," said Brack. "Used to be at Scarborough some
+years ago."
+
+"I come from Yorkshire too," she said. "I remember some years ago
+there was a celebrated trial there, a murder case, the man who was
+convicted shot the husband of some lady he had been compromised with.
+It was a very sad case, a very old Yorkshire family, I forget the
+name, it was Wood something--oh, I have it, Woodridge, that's it. Do
+you recollect it?"
+
+Brack was on the alert. She knew a good deal more about it than she
+pretended; he was sure of it. Who was she?
+
+"I remember it; most folks up our way will remember it to their dying
+day," he said.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because no one believed him guilty."
+
+"But he was found guilty and sentenced."
+
+"Many an innocent man suffers for another's crime," said Brack.
+
+"Perhaps it was this man who escaped," she said.
+
+"If it were, the poor fellow's dead by now," said Brack. "They did say
+at the time it was the woman, the wife, that got him into his trouble.
+Women's generally at the bottom of these things. I believe she was a
+mighty fine woman too; but she must have been wicked."
+
+Lenise was restless.
+
+"Don't you think we had better put back?" she said.
+
+"I thought you wanted to row round the men-o'-war," he said.
+
+"It is too far; I want to be back for lunch."
+
+"Shall I turn round?"
+
+"Yes, please."
+
+"Do you think they'll catch the man who escaped?" she asked before
+they reached the landing steps.
+
+"I think he's dead or they'd have got him afore now," said Brack.
+
+She gave a sigh of relief, as she handed him half a sovereign.
+
+"I haven't got any change," said Brack.
+
+"You can keep that; you interested me in your conversation. What did
+you say was the name of the man from the prison?"
+
+"Carl Hackler," said Brack.
+
+"Thank you; if I wish to go out again I will take your boat."
+
+"Very good, my lady, always at your service," said Brack; adding to
+himself, "I'd like to find out who she is, and why she's so mighty
+interested in it all."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A WOMAN'S FEAR
+
+
+Lenise Elroy was troubled; she felt uneasy, afraid of something, she
+hardly knew what; she had a presentiment that a calamity hung over
+her, that much trouble was in store.
+
+Fletcher Denyer was irritated. She was not at all like the gay woman
+of a few days back; what ailed her? He questioned her, received no
+satisfactory reply.
+
+"I want to go to town," he said.
+
+"I don't; I like being here."
+
+"But I must return to London, I have a lot of business to see to."
+
+She smiled; when he talked about business it amused her.
+
+He noticed it and said angrily: "You never think I do anything in the
+way of business."
+
+"I judge by results," she answered.
+
+"And I don't show any, is that it?"
+
+She nodded.
+
+"Look here, Len, we've been together for a couple of years and been
+good friends; we don't want to quarrel now."
+
+"I'm sure I've no wish to do so."
+
+"There's a good deal more in me than you imagine. Why didn't you
+speculate in those Mexican shares I told you about? You'd have made a
+pile."
+
+"I should; you were right in that instance. It has always struck me
+you know a good deal about Mexico."
+
+"Perhaps I do; it's a great country, I'm told."
+
+"I suppose you have not been there?" she said.
+
+"If I had, I should probably be better off."
+
+"If you must go to London, go. I'll follow in a few days," she said.
+
+"You seem to have suddenly taken an interest in the place."
+
+"I have, I like it. It is my first visit. I think it beautiful," she
+said.
+
+He wondered why she wished to remain, but did not question her
+further. In the afternoon he went to London. She was glad to be alone;
+she wanted to be quiet and think. Supposing Hector Woodridge had
+escaped from Dartmoor, and was not dead, what would happen? What would
+he do to her? She trembled, felt faint; there was no telling to
+what lengths such a man infuriated at the cruelty and misery he had
+suffered, might go. She must find out more about it. The man to see
+was Carl Hackler, but how to approach him?
+
+She meant to converse with him at any cost, and went out with that
+intention.
+
+Carl had nothing to do but idle time away; he was quite certain the
+prisoner had either got clear off, or was lying dead on the moor. He
+saw Mrs. Elroy coming toward him, and recognized her as the lady Brack
+had taken out in his boat. She evidently intended speaking to him.
+
+"You are Mr. Hackler, I believe?" she asked.
+
+"I am; at your service."
+
+"The boatman told me who you were. You come from the prison at
+Dartmoor?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"A man has escaped, I want to know more about it. The boatman gave me
+to understand he was tried for murder in Yorkshire some years ago. If
+this is the man who escaped I know him, I know the family," she said.
+
+"What name?" asked Hackler.
+
+"Woodridge. Hector Woodridge," she said.
+
+"I believe it's the same man," said Hackler, interested.
+
+"Will he be caught?"
+
+"If he's alive he's sure to be taken."
+
+"But you think it probable he is dead?" she questioned.
+
+"I think it quite possible."
+
+"Are you here on the lookout for him?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Surely he would not be likely to come to Torquay."
+
+"I don't know so much about that. You see he might be able to get
+away by sea if he had friends, or some one willing to help him," said
+Hackler.
+
+"Who would help him? The risk would be too great."
+
+"There's many men take risks for each other. You seem interested in
+him."
+
+"I am. I know him, a dangerous man, I should not care to meet him
+again," she said.
+
+"He had not that reputation at Dartmoor. He was quiet and inoffensive,
+about the last man we'd have thought would try to escape," he said.
+
+"And you have no doubt he is Hector Woodridge?"
+
+"No, I don't think there's much doubt about that; in fact none at all.
+It is improbable he will meet you again. Even if he has got away he'll
+go out of the country into some safe hiding-place; he's not likely to
+roam about England," he said.
+
+She thanked him, asked him to accept a sovereign, which he did not
+refuse.
+
+Carl Hackler watched her as she walked away; she looked stately,
+carried herself well, what he called a "stunner."
+
+Carl wondered why she was so anxious to find out who the escaped
+prisoner was. She must have some personal interest in him; she did not
+seem like a woman who wasted her time over trifles. He determined to
+see Brack and hear what he had to say about the lady. He had a good
+deal of regard for Brack, also a shrewd idea that in some way or
+another the boatman had the better of him.
+
+Brack was nothing loath to chat when Carl came up.
+
+"All the ladies seem fond of you, Brack," he said.
+
+"Yes, I don't say as they're not; I often has ladies in my boat," he
+said.
+
+"Rather a smart woman you took out to-day."
+
+"A very pretty craft, built on fine lines," said Brack.
+
+"I've had a talk with her. She's interested in the man I'm on the
+lookout for."
+
+"Is she?"
+
+"You know she is. Didn't she speak about him when you took her out?"
+
+"Maybe she did, maybe she didn't."
+
+Carl laughed.
+
+"You're a sly old sea dog," he said. "Now Brack, listen to me. That
+lady is interested in Hector Woodridge, No. 832; that's his name,
+certain of it, no mistake. Another thing, she's afraid of him; afraid
+he'll do her some bodily harm if he comes across her. Now why should
+he? There must be some good reason."
+
+"Afraid of him, is she? By gad, I thought the same thing."
+
+"Then you talked about him in the boat?"
+
+"Yes, that's so."
+
+"What did she say?"
+
+"Not much; she knew the family, his family, knew all about the trial."
+
+"Did she now? What was the woman like?"
+
+"Which woman?"
+
+"The wife of the man Woodridge shot."
+
+Brack was thoughtful.
+
+"What yer drivin' at, Carl, my boy?"
+
+"I've got a kind of notion she must have been mixed up in the case,"
+said Carl.
+
+"There was only one woman in it--the wife," said Brack. "Gosh!" he
+exclaimed, and looked at Carl with a startled expression.
+
+"Well?" said Carl.
+
+"I thought I'd seen her face somewhere afore, pictures of her, photos,
+or something."
+
+"Yes; go on."
+
+"I may be mistaken; I'd not like to say as much without being
+certain."
+
+"You can trust me; it shall go no farther."
+
+"She's like the wife, the woman whose husband he shot," said Brack.
+
+"You've hit it," said Carl. "That accounts for it; she is the woman,
+no doubt."
+
+"Don't hurry; it may be only a likeness."
+
+"You'd not have remembered it if she'd not been the woman," said Carl.
+"It's stuck in your memory."
+
+"If she's the one, no wonder she's afraid to meet him--he'd do for
+her."
+
+"I don't think so. He must have been precious fond of her, or he'd
+never have done time for her."
+
+"Come home with me and have a talk," said Brack, and Carl went.
+
+Mrs. Elroy found it slow at night, but her thoughts were busy. She was
+restless, ate very little dinner, hardly spoke to Mrs. Brady, or her
+husband, and left them as soon as she could decently do so.
+
+"Seems out of sorts," said Brady.
+
+"Fletcher Denyer has gone to town," was Mrs. Brady's comment, and she
+spoke as though that explained everything.
+
+"Do you think she's fond of him?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, but she hardly knows it."
+
+"Is he fond of her?"
+
+"He's not in love with her; he's infatuated, that's all. Lenise has a
+way with the men that's hard to resist," she said.
+
+Mrs. Elroy, for want of something better to do, looked over some
+back copies of the Torquay _Times_, and came across an account of
+the races. She saw Picton Woodridge had ridden four winners, which
+surprised her not a little; she had not seen him for years, had no
+desire to meet him.
+
+Then she read about the escape from Dartmoor; there was not much about
+it, she gleaned very little fresh information.
+
+A paragraph that attracted her close attention was about Picton
+Woodridge's yacht, the _Sea-mew_. A description of it was given and at
+the end it stated, "She left the bay during the night, her departure
+was rather unexpected."
+
+Picton Woodridge's yacht in Torbay at the time Hector escaped from
+Dartmoor. Was this a coincidence, or was it part of a well-laid plan?
+She shivered, felt cold, a chill passed over her. She rang the bell
+and ordered a brandy; this put new life into her for the moment. Her
+brain worked actively; she was piecing things together. The _Sea-mew_
+left in the night unexpectedly. Why? Had Hector Woodridge contrived to
+board her? Had Picton and Captain Ben Bruce helped him?
+
+The thought tormented her, she could not sleep, she tossed uneasily on
+her bed.
+
+"He's dead! Hackler says so, the boatman says so; he could not live
+on the moor. It is impossible. How could he reach the _Sea-mew_?
+Supposing he seeks me out, what would he do?"
+
+A cold perspiration broke out over her body.
+
+"He'd kill me if I didn't speak," she said with a shudder.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+NOT RECOGNIZED
+
+
+The _Sea-mew_ cruised about from one place to another and Hector
+Woodridge recovered his health and strength; but he was a changed man.
+Even Picton thought it difficult to recognize him; he would not have
+done so had he met him in the street.
+
+Captain Ben said: "It is quite safe for you to go ashore. You are
+supposed to be dead; you must take another name."
+
+"William Rolfe--how will that do?" said Hector.
+
+"As good as any other," said Picton. "We'll test it. You come to
+Haverton as William Rolfe to look at the horses, and if Sarah Yeoman
+and Blackett don't recognize you it will be proof positive there is no
+danger."
+
+It was early in August when Hector Woodridge, as William Rolfe, came
+to Haverton. Mrs. Yeoman did not recognize him, nor did the trainer,
+although the former thought his face familiar.
+
+The change in Hector was extraordinary. Not only was his appearance
+entirely different, but his voice, manner, everything about him was
+that of another man.
+
+Mrs. Yeoman and Blackett were not enlightened as to his identity.
+Hector was glad they did not recognize him; he was careful to give
+them no clue to his identity, although occasionally when off his guard
+he almost betrayed himself by showing his knowledge of the house and
+its surroundings. Amos Kidd, the head gardener, as he saw him walking
+about, thought: "He must have been here before, but I don't recollect
+seeing him."
+
+It was a sore trial to him to come back to the old home as a stranger.
+Everything revived recollections of the misery he had caused, and of
+the Admiral's death, and at last these became so vivid and painful
+that he told Picton he could stand it no longer.
+
+"I shall go mad if I stay here," he said. "I must get away."
+
+"Where will you go?" asked Picton.
+
+"To London for a time; it is a safe place--such a vast crowd--and
+probably I am forgotten at Dartmoor. There is an advantage in being
+dead, is there not?" he said, smiling grimly.
+
+"Perhaps it will be for the best. In London you will see so many
+sights, your attention will be taken away from the past. I quite
+understand how you feel about Haverton, but you will grow out of it in
+time," said Picton.
+
+"Never; at least not until my innocence is proved."
+
+"You think it will be?"
+
+"Yes, it must; I mean to prove it."
+
+"How?"
+
+"Leave that to me. I have a plan which may prove successful, but it
+will be risky; everything will depend on the first bold step."
+
+"Don't rush into danger," said Picton. "Where's the use? You may fail;
+you may be recognized; and then, think what would follow."
+
+"You fear I might be sent back to prison," he said, smiling. "There is
+no fear of that. I promise you I will never go back to Dartmoor."
+
+"You must have all the money you require, Hector," said his brother.
+
+"I shall want money; there is plenty for both."
+
+"Ample; it costs a lot to keep up Haverton, but half of what I have is
+yours."
+
+"Too generous, Pic; you always were. I shall not want half, nothing
+like it. Place a few thousands to my credit in a London bank."
+
+"That would not be safe. I will draw ten thousand pounds in notes, and
+you can use it as you think best," said Picton.
+
+"Very well. That is a large sum, but I shall probably require it.
+The scheme I have in my mind will cost money, a lot of it, but I'd
+sacrifice all I have to prove my innocence," said Hector.
+
+"And I will help you. I want to keep up Haverton, but you shall have
+the rest. I'll tell you what. Hector, I'm going to back Tearaway to
+win a fortune in the St. Leger. Already money is going on at forty
+to one; I may get a thousand on at that price, perhaps more," said
+Picton.
+
+"I'd like to see her have a spin before I leave," said Hector.
+
+"And you shall. Blackett has obtained permission from Sir Robert
+Raines to use his famous Cup horse Tristram in a trial gallop. The
+horse will be here to-morrow, and we can put them together with one
+or two more the next morning. Sir Robert is coming over to see it. He
+takes a great interest in her; he owns her sire King Charles."
+
+"Sir Robert coming?" said Hector doubtfully.
+
+"He'll never recognize you--no one would, not even----"
+
+Picton pulled himself up short. He had spoken unthinkingly and stopped
+just in time; but Hector was not satisfied.
+
+"Not even--whom did you mean?" he asked.
+
+"Never mind; it was a slip; I forgot."
+
+"Lenise Elroy?" asked Hector calmly.
+
+"Yes, I thought of her."
+
+"And you think she, even that woman, would not recognize me?"
+
+"I am certain she would not. She might have done so when you escaped,
+but not now. Your illness has changed you in a very strange way. I can
+hardly believe you are Hector sometimes," said Picton.
+
+"Then I must be safe," he said, smiling. "Speaking of Mrs. Elroy," he
+went on, "did I tell you I saw her in Torquay?"
+
+"No," said Picton surprised. "Where? Are you sure?"
+
+"I was passing a hotel when something prompted me to cross the road
+and look in at the window. I saw her seated at the supper table,
+laughing gayly with people, a man beside her, probably her lover,
+he seemed infatuated with her. She is still very beautiful, the same
+luring smile, and eyes like stars; you can imagine how I felt. The
+sight was too much for me, as I contrasted her position with mine.
+I raised my hands and appealed to God for justice. My prayer was
+answered, for a little farther on, as I staggered down the road, I
+came across that great-hearted fellow Brack. You know the rest."
+
+"Yes, I know the rest," said Picton.
+
+They were in the study and could talk freely. No one ventured in
+except Captain Ben, and he came at this moment. He saw something
+serious was going on; shutting the door quietly he sat down.
+
+"Hector is going away, to London. He can't stand the associations at
+Haverton. It is not to be wondered at," said Picton.
+
+"I'm surprised he stood it so long; I know what it must have cost him.
+You're brave, Hector, far braver than we are. By God, you're a man if
+ever there was one!" said Ben in his straight manner.
+
+"A man can bear far more than he imagines. Torture of the mind is
+greater than torture of the body," said Hector.
+
+"You're right, no doubt," said Ben. "But why London, why go there?"
+
+"I have my reasons; they are powerful. On board the _Sea-mew_ I laid
+my plans; I think I shall succeed," said Hector.
+
+"Would you like Ben to go with you?" asked Picton.
+
+"No--he'd be too merciful," said Hector calmly.
+
+They looked at him; he spoke quietly, but there was that in his voice
+and face boded ill for somebody.
+
+"When are you going?" asked Ben.
+
+"After Tearaway has had her trial with Tristram," said Hector.
+
+"That will be worth seeing," said Ben.
+
+"And the filly will beat Sir Robert's horse," said Picton.
+
+"I doubt it," said Ben. "Think what he's done, and Ascot Cup winner,
+Doncaster Cup Cesarewitch, Metropolitan, Northumberland Plate--he must
+be the best stayer in England."
+
+"So he is," said Picton, "but Tearaway will beat him for speed at the
+finish. Blackett says he'll put them together over two miles, with
+only seven pounds between them. I suggested level weights but he
+doesn't want to take the heart out of her."
+
+"If she can beat Tristram at seven pounds she's the best filly ever
+seen," said Ben.
+
+"And I believe she is," was Picton's enthusiastic comment.
+
+Hector Woodridge sat in his room, when everything was still in the
+house, and thought over his plans. No one recognized him, Picton said
+even Lenise Elroy would not recognize him; so much the better, for he
+had dealings with her.
+
+How he hated this woman, who had fooled him to the top of his bent and
+done him so great an injury! She must suffer. Did she suffer now? She
+must, there was some sort of conscience in her. Her beauty appealed
+to him once; never would it do so again. She knew he was innocent, the
+only person who did, and he intended wringing a confession from her.
+
+Fortunately he had money. His brother was generous, and offered him
+more than he had a right to expect; he would make it up to him some
+day, when he had completed the work he intended.
+
+There was a man on Dartmoor, and there was Brack: they must be
+rewarded for their kindness, for the help they had given him. And
+there was that gracious lady who assisted him as he tramped to
+Torquay. He had not forgotten her face, it was engraven on his memory.
+He was thinking of her now, how she gave him the coat, the boots,
+food, and spoke kindly to him. When times were changed, and his work
+done, he would seek her out again and thank her. His heart warmed
+toward her; he contrasted her purity with that of the other woman, and
+wondered how he could have been caught in Lenise Elroy's toils.
+
+Elroy was a weak-minded, foolish fellow; she married him for his
+money. He recalled his first meeting with her; they were mutually
+attracted, and so it went on and on, from bad to worse, until the end,
+when the fatal shot was fired.
+
+And since then? He could not bear to think of it all. He vowed Lenise
+Elroy should pay the penalty as he had, that her tortures of mind
+should equal his; then she would know what he had suffered; no, not a
+tenth part of it; but even that would overwhelm her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+"THE ST. LEGER'S IN YOUR POCKET"
+
+
+Tristram arrived at Haverton; Sir Robert Raines came the same day;
+everything was in readiness for the trial next morning.
+
+Sir Robert was a great racing man, came of a sporting family, had a
+fine seat about forty miles from Haverton, called Beaumont Hall, where
+he kept a stud of horses and about thirty or forty racers. He was well
+known as a plunger, and had landed some big stakes; occasionally he
+was hard hit, but so far the balance had been on the right side.
+He and the Woodridges had been friends for years; he had known the
+Admiral and admired him. He had also known Raoul Elroy and his wife,
+and been present at Hector's trial, on the grand jury, and after. Sir
+Robert was loath to believe Hector guilty, but on the evidence
+could arrive at no other conclusion. The result of the trial made no
+difference in his friendship with the Admiral and Picton; when the
+former died he helped his son to the best of his ability. He had a
+great liking for Captain Ben, which was returned.
+
+It was a critical moment when Hector was introduced to him as William
+Rolfe, "a friend of mine from Devonshire," said Picton.
+
+Sir Robert shook hands with him; it was easy to see he had no idea it
+was Hector Woodridge, and all breathed more freely.
+
+"So you imagine you've got the winner of the St. Leger at Haverton,
+eh, Pic?" he said as they sat smoking after dinner.
+
+"It's more than imagination. I think Tearaway is the best filly I
+ever saw; so does Blackett; he says she's as fast as the wind," said
+Picton.
+
+"Is she? The wind blows at a pretty pace over the wolds sometimes,
+sixty miles an hour or more; she's not quite up to that," said Sir
+Robert.
+
+"No, not quite," laughed Picton; "but she has a rare turn of speed,
+and can stay as long as she's wanted."
+
+"I haven't seen her for some time," he said.
+
+"She's improved a lot, a real beauty; I'm sure you will say so. You
+ought to back her to win a good stake."
+
+"I'm told Ripon will win. They fancy him a lot at Newmarket; they also
+think he had bad luck to lose the Derby."
+
+"Suppose Tearaway beats Tristram in the morning at seven pounds
+difference?" said Picton.
+
+"It will be the biggest certainty for the St. Leger ever known," said
+Sir Robert.
+
+Hector joined in the conversation. Sir Robert liked him, but no look
+or word reminded him of Hector Woodridge.
+
+"I'm safe," thought Hector. "Sir Robert ought to have been one of the
+first to recognize me."
+
+Next morning they were all on the moor early. Four horses were to take
+part in the trial: Tristram, Tearaway, Rodney and Admiral, and the
+filly was giving weight to all except Sir Robert's great horse.
+
+"By jove, she has grown into a beauty!" exclaimed the baronet when
+he saw the beautiful black filly with Fred Erickson, the popular
+Yorkshire jockey, in the saddle. Erickson lived at Haverton village,
+but was not often at home, as he had an enormous amount of riding,
+going to scale under eight stone easily.
+
+"Good morning, Fred," said Sir Robert. "You're on a nice filly."
+
+"She is, Sir Robert; one of the best."
+
+"Can she beat Tristram? You've ridden him."
+
+"I wouldn't go so far as that, but she'll give him a good race," said
+the jockey.
+
+Abel Dent came from Beaumont Hall to ride Tristram in the gallop. He
+was always on the horse's back in his work and knew him thoroughly.
+
+"You'll have to keep him going, Abe," said Sir Robert, smiling.
+
+"I'll keep 'em all going," was the confident reply.
+
+Rodney and Admiral were more than useful; the latter was to bring them
+along for the last mile, it was his favorite distance.
+
+Brant Blackett greeted them as he rode up on his cob. He was brimful
+of confidence as to the result of the spin. He set Tearaway to give
+Rodney and Admiral a stone each.
+
+"I'll send them down to the two-mile post," he said.
+
+"This is the best long gallop anywhere, I should say," said
+Sir Robert. "I often envy it you, Pic, my boy. Fancy four miles
+straight--it's wonderful."
+
+It was indeed a glorious sight. The moor stretched away for miles,
+undulating, until it was lost in the hill in the distance. The
+training ground had been reclaimed from it, snatched from its
+all-devouring grasp, and been perfected at great expense. Beside the
+somber brown of the wild moorland it looked a brilliant, dazzling
+green.
+
+Haverton Moor harbored vast numbers of birds, and the grouse shooting
+was among the best in Yorkshire. Picton Woodridge owned the moor; it
+was not profitable, but he loved it, and would sooner have parted with
+fertile farms than one acre of this brown space. It was not dull this
+morning; the sun touched everything, and as far as the eye could see
+there were billows of purple, brown, green, yellow, and tinges of red.
+A haze hung over it when they arrived, but gradually floated away like
+gossamer and disappeared into space. The air was bracing; it was good
+to be out on such a morning, far away from the noise and bustle of the
+busy world; a feeling of restfulness, which nature alone gives, was
+over all.
+
+To Hector, however, it recalled memories which made him shudder. He
+thought of that great moor he had so recently been a prisoner on, and
+of his escape, and the privations he suffered. There was not the cruel
+look about Haverton, and there was no prison in its space.
+
+Blackett sent his head lad to start them. Looking through powerful
+glasses he saw when they moved off and said, "They're on the way; we
+shall know something."
+
+The three were galloping straight toward them at a tremendous pace.
+
+Rodney held the lead; he would be done with at the end of the first
+mile, then Admiral would jump in and pilot them home.
+
+Abe Dent meant winning on Tristram; he had little doubt about it. How
+could Tearaway be expected to beat him at a difference of only seven
+pounds? It was absurd!
+
+Rodney fell back, and Admiral took command with a six lengths' lead.
+The lad on him had instructions to come along at top speed, and was
+nothing loath; he knew his mount was a smasher over a mile.
+
+Tearaway was in the rear, Erickson keeping close behind Tristram.
+When Admiral took Rodney's place the jockey knew the filly was going
+splendidly; he felt sure he could pass Tristram at any time.
+
+Dent saw Admiral sailing ahead and went after him; the gap lessened,
+Tristram got within three lengths and stopped there. Sir Robert's
+horse was a great stayer, but he lacked the sprinting speed for a
+lightning finish. This was where Tearaway had the advantage.
+
+"What a pace!" exclaimed Sir Robert. "By jove, Pic, you've got a
+wonder in that filly, but she'll not beat my fellow."
+
+"They have half a mile to go yet," said the trainer. "There'll be a
+change before long."
+
+So great was the pace that Admiral ran himself out at the end of six
+furlongs and came back to Tristram. Fred saw this, and giving Tearaway
+a hint she raced up alongside the Cup horse.
+
+When Dent saw her head level with him he set to work on his mount.
+Tristram always finished like a bulldog, and had to be ridden out. He
+gained again.
+
+Sir Robert saw it and said: "He'll come right away now."
+
+So thought the others, with the exception of the trainer; he sat on
+his cob, a self-satisfied smile on his face.
+
+"Wait till Fred turns the tap on," he thought.
+
+Erickson was not long in doing this. He knew Tearaway's speed was
+something abnormal; in his opinion nothing could stand against it.
+
+In answer to his call, Tearaway swooped down on Tristram again,
+drew level, headed him, left him, and was a length ahead before Dent
+recovered from the shock. On came Tearaway. They looked in amazement.
+Sir Robert could hardly believe his eyes. What a tremendous pace at
+the end of a two-mile gallop.
+
+"What did I tell you!" exclaimed the trainer triumphantly. "Fast as
+the wind, you bet she is."
+
+The black filly came on, increasing her lead at every stride; she
+passed them a good couple of lengths ahead of Tristram, Admiral
+toiling in the rear.
+
+"Wonderful!" exclaimed Sir Robert. He seemed puzzled to account for
+it. Was Tristram off color? He must ask Dent.
+
+The pair pulled up and came slowly to the group.
+
+"Anything wrong with my horse?" asked Sir Robert.
+
+"No, sir; he galloped as well as ever, but that filly's a wonder, a
+holy terror, never saw anything like it, she flew past him--her pace
+is tremendous," and Dent looked at Tearaway with a sort of awe.
+
+"Won easily," said Fred. "Never had to press her. I had the measure of
+Tristram all the way; I could have raced up to him at any part of the
+spin. Look at her now. She doesn't blow enough to put a match out; you
+can't feel her breathing hardly. She's the best racer I ever put my
+leg across."
+
+"Pic, the St. Leger's in your pocket," said Sir Robert, as he shook
+him heartily by the hand.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+HOW HECTOR FOUGHT THE BLOODHOUND
+
+
+The night before Hector was to leave Haverton he sat with his brother
+and Captain Ben in the study. They had been talking over Tearaway's
+wonderful trial, and Picton said he should back her to win the biggest
+stake he had ever gone for.
+
+"And you shall have half if she wins, as I feel sure she will," he
+said to Hector.
+
+"You are too good," said Hector; "but I won't refuse it. I may want
+it. I have a difficult and expensive game to play."
+
+"Don't run into danger," said Ben.
+
+"I'll avoid it where possible," said Hector.
+
+"You have not told us how you escaped from prison," said Picton.
+"Perhaps it is too painful a subject."
+
+"Painful it is, but I fully intended telling you. I may as well do
+it now. I want to recompense the man on the moor, also Brack, without
+whose assistance I should not have boarded the _Sea-mew_. I protested
+but he insisted on taking me there. I thought my presence on board
+might compromise you. Brack asked me what I would do if you and I
+changed places and I confessed to myself I would help you to escape."
+
+"Did you doubt what I would do?" asked Picton.
+
+"No, but I did not wish you to run any risk for my sake."
+
+"That was unkind; you know I would do anything for you," said Picton.
+
+"Anyhow, I am glad Brack insisted on my going on the _Sea-mew_," said
+Hector, smiling. "I had some luck in getting away. I do not think the
+warders thought I would try to escape--I had been quiet and orderly
+during the time I had been there. When the gang I was in returned to
+the prison I managed to creep away and hide in some bushes. I had no
+irons on, I had a good deal of liberty, most of the men liked me, one
+or two of them were kind and pitied me. It was much easier to slip
+away than I anticipated. When I was alone I ran as fast as I could
+across the moor. They were not long in discovering I was missing, and
+as I fled I heard the gun fired, giving warning that a prisoner had
+escaped. The sound echoed across the moor; I knew every man's hand
+was against me but I meant making a fight for liberty. Even the hour's
+freedom I had enjoyed helped me. I was out of prison, alone on the
+moor, I determined not to be taken back--I would sooner die. I knew
+there were many old disused quarries, and limekilns, about. Could I
+not hide in one of these? No; they would be sure to search them.
+I must get into densely wooded country, among the bushes and
+undergrowth, and hide there. I was weak in body, for my health had
+broken down, but I kept on until nightfall, when I sank down exhausted
+in a mass of bracken and fell asleep. The sun was up when I awoke. I
+looked cautiously round, starting at every sound; a bird in the trees,
+or a rabbit scuttling away made me nervous. I saw no one about, so I
+hurried along, taking advantage of every bit of cover. I passed the
+back of a huge Tor, which reared its granite head high above
+the country, like a giant hewn in stone. It looked cold, bleak,
+forbidding, had a stern aspect, made me shudder; I hurried away from
+it across more open country. How to get rid of my clothes and obtain
+others puzzled me. I had no money; if it came to the worst I must
+watch some farm house where there was a chance of making an exchange.
+I dare not face any one; when I saw a man coming toward me I hid until
+he passed. I knew the trackers were after me, that a thorough search
+would be made, and the feeling that I was being hunted down almost
+overwhelmed me. I had nothing to eat except a few berries and roots;
+the nights were cold and I lay shivering, ill, and worn out. Two days
+passed and I began to think I had a chance. My prison clothes were the
+great hindrance. I could not leave the moor in them: it meant certain
+capture. I did not know in which direction I was traveling; my one
+object was to go on and on until an opportunity offered to rid myself
+of the tell-tale garments.
+
+"Almost done up for want of food, and the long tramp, I sat down to
+rest on a rock, from which I had a good view of the moor, although I
+was hidden from sight. I knew telescopes and glasses would be used,
+and that I should be discovered if I showed myself.
+
+"I saw no one about, but about a mile distant was a farm house. It was
+in a lonely, bleak spot. I wondered if the people in it were as cold
+as the country; they could hardly be blamed if their surroundings
+hardened them, made them callous to human suffering. I don't know what
+it was, but something prompted me to go toward this house. I walked
+along, keeping under cover where possible, until half the distance had
+been traversed.
+
+"As I walked I fancied I heard a peculiar sound behind me. It chilled
+my blood in me; it made me tremble. I dare not look back, I stood
+still, panting with horror. It was not the sound of human footsteps,
+and yet something was coming after me; I distinctly heard the thud on
+the ground, and whatever it was it must be drawing nearer.
+
+"I cannot convey to you any idea of the peculiar unearthly sound I
+heard, no description of mine could be adequate, but you can imagine
+something of what I felt, weak and overtaxed as I was, my mind in a
+whirl, my legs deadly tired and numbed, every part of my body aching.
+The sound came nearer. Then a noise which increased my horror--I
+had heard it before, near the prison--it was the bay of a hound--a
+bloodhound was on my track. I knew what such a brute would do, pull
+me down, tear me, fasten his teeth in me, worry me to death. In
+desperation I turned and stood still. I saw the bloodhound coming
+along at a fast pace, scenting the ground, then baying from time to
+time. He lifted his huge head and saw me. I fancied I saw fire flash
+in his eyes, his mouth looked blood red, his huge jaws and cheeks hung
+massively on each side. He was a great beast, savage, with the lust of
+blood on him, and he came straight at me. There was a chain attached
+to his collar, so I judged he must have wrenched away from the man who
+held him in leash. He was within fifty yards of me and I prepared
+to grapple with him; I had no intention of allowing my weakness to
+overcome me. Fight him I must. It was his life or mine; but how could
+I wrestle with so much brute strength in my feeble condition? He came
+at me with the ferocity of a lion. He leaped upon me, and I caught him
+by the collar. He bit and scratched my hands, but I did not let go.
+For a moment I held him, his savage face glared into mine, his huge
+paws were on my chest, he stood on his hind legs, the incarnation of
+brute strength. We glared at each other. Like a lightning flash it
+crossed my mind that I must loose my hold on the collar and grasp his
+throat with both hands, throttle him. This was easier thought than
+done, for once I loosened my grip on the collar he might wrench
+himself free and hurl me to the ground; then his teeth would be at
+my throat instead of my hands at his. I did it in a second. He almost
+slipped me; he was very cunning--the moment I loosened my hold on the
+collar he seemed to know my intention. But I had him, held him, put
+all my strength with it and felt his windpipe gradually being crushed
+closer and closer. At that moment I think I was as great a savage as
+the bloodhound, I felt if it had been a man I held by the throat I
+should have done the same to free myself. How he struggled! We fell
+to the ground and rolled over, but I never loosened my hold and hardly
+felt the pain in my hands. He tore me with his feet, scratching,
+striving to bite me and failing. We rolled over and over but I did not
+let go. I was almost exhausted when the hound's struggle relaxed--in a
+few minutes he was dead. No one can imagine the feeling of relief and
+thankfulness that came over me. I offered up a prayer for my delivery
+from a terrible death, then sank down in a faint by his side.
+
+"When I came to I thought what I should do. There would be another
+hound on the track, I must put it off the scent. The smell of my
+clothes was what they were following; I knew this from what I had been
+told in the prison. I must get rid of the clothes. I stripped them off
+and laid them on the bloodhound, then I tied my coarse vest round my
+loins and started toward the farm house. As I went I saw a man come
+out at the gate with a gun. I determined to face him, risk it,
+throw myself on his mercy. He saw me and stood still, staring in
+amazement--and well he might. At first I think he thought I was mad.
+
+"I sank down at his feet, utterly overcome, and I saw a look of pity
+in his somewhat stern face and eyes.
+
+"'You are an escaped convict,' he said.
+
+"I acknowledged it and pleaded my innocence.
+
+"He smiled as he said: 'They are always innocent.'
+
+"I asked him to come and see what I had done.
+
+"'Here, put this coat on,' he said.
+
+"He wore a long coat, almost to his heels, and it covered me. We
+walked to where the hound lay. I explained what had happened, that I
+had wrestled with the brute and after a long struggle throttled him.
+He was amazed and said I was a good plucked 'un. There was no one in
+the house but himself, he said; the others had gone to Torquay; would
+I come with him and tell my story? I went, and made such an impression
+upon him that he said he believed my tale and would help me. He gave
+me some old clothes, food and drink, then hurried me on my way. He
+advised me to go to Torquay and try and communicate with some friends.
+He promised to put the searchers off the scent if they made inquiries.
+I said he would reap a reward for what he had done, but he did not
+seem to care about this. He urged me to get off the moor as quickly as
+possible.
+
+"Before I left he filled my pockets with cheese, meat, and bread, and
+gave me an old cap, and worn-out boots. I said I should never forget
+him; he answered that he hoped he had done right in helping me.
+
+"I tramped to Torquay, I--" he hesitated. No, he would not tell them
+of the gracious lady who assisted him and treated him as a man, not a
+tramp.
+
+"I found Brack. He took me to his home, concealed me there until he
+contrived to smuggle me on board the _Sea-mew_," said Hector, as he
+finished his story.
+
+"What an awful experience!" exclaimed Ben.
+
+"Terrible!" said Picton with a shudder.
+
+"Can you wonder that I hunger for revenge?" said Hector; and they
+understood him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+AN INTRODUCTION AT HURST PARK
+
+
+It was pure chance that led to the introduction of Hector Woodridge,
+as William Rolfe, to Fletcher Denyer.
+
+Hector had been in London a week; he visited various places of
+amusement, showed himself openly, made no attempt at concealment.
+He went to the races at Hurst Park and Gatwick. It was at the famous
+course on the banks of the Thames that he was made known to Denyer, by
+a man he became friendly with at his hotel. There is much freedom on
+the racecourse, and men, often unknown to each other, speak on various
+topics connected with the sport, without introduction.
+
+Denyer and Hector were soon in conversation, discussing the merits
+of various horses. Denyer received a word from the man who introduced
+them that Mr. Rolfe had money and might be exploited profitably to
+both. A hint such as this was not likely to be neglected; he thought
+if he could put this newly made acquaintance on a winner it would
+probably result in future business. He had been advised to back Frisky
+in the Flying Handicap, and told Hector it was a real good thing, and
+likely to start at a long price.
+
+Hector wondered why he should tell him. As he looked at Denyer he
+fancied he had seen him before, but where he could not for the moment
+recall. Denyer walked away to speak to a jockey, and Hector stood
+trying to remember where he had met him. It flashed across his mind so
+vividly and suddenly that he was startled--Denyer was the man he had
+seen at the supper table in the hotel with Lenise Elroy. There was no
+doubt about it; he remembered his face distinctly. Here was a stroke
+of luck. Some guiding hand had led him to this man. He must cultivate
+his acquaintance; through him he could be brought face to face with
+the woman who had ruined him.
+
+Frisky won comfortably, started at ten to one, and Hector landed a
+hundred pounds. He also backed the winner of the next race, the Welter
+Handicap, and doubled his hundred. This was encouraging; it was to be
+a day of success--at least it appeared so.
+
+Denyer he did not see for some time. Shortly before the last race he
+noticed him walking across the paddock with a lady. It was Mrs. Elroy,
+and Hector's heart almost stopped beating. For a moment he trembled
+with nervous excitement, which by a great effort he suppressed.
+
+They came up; Denyer introduced her. She held out her hand, Hector
+took it, they looked into each other's eyes. There was not a shadow
+of recognition on her part, but there was something else there--Lenise
+Elroy had by some strange intuition thrilled at the sight of this man,
+felt a wave of emotion flow through her body. She was sure she would
+like him, like him very much indeed, and she immediately resolved to
+better the acquaintance. Hector divined something of what passed in
+her mind and smiled. He could have wished for nothing better; it was
+what he most desired, but had not dared to hope for.
+
+Denyer left them together for a moment.
+
+"You are a friend of Mr. Denyer's?" she said in a soothing voice.
+
+"I was introduced to him here," he said. "I have not known him more
+than an hour or so. He put me on a winner, Frisky, and I also backed
+the last winner. My luck is in to-day," he added, as he looked
+meaningly at her.
+
+Lenise Elroy returned his glance; she understood men. She thought she
+had made a conquest and that he was worth it.
+
+"Will you ride back to town with us in my motor?" said Denyer, as he
+joined them again.
+
+"Yes, do, Mr. Rolfe; we shall be delighted if you will. And perhaps
+you will dine with us at the Savoy," she said.
+
+Hector said he would be delighted. Fortune was indeed favoring him.
+
+They rode to town together, and dined at the Savoy; later on they went
+to the Empire. It was an eventful day and night for Hector. Before he
+left, Denyer was half inclined to regret introducing him to Lenise; he
+did not care for her to show preference for another man; where she was
+concerned he was jealous. He reflected, however, that if she and Rolfe
+became good friends it would facilitate the process of extracting
+money from him, and this was his intention; every rich man he regarded
+as his lawful prey. To him Rolfe appeared rather a simple-minded,
+easy-going fellow; probably he had traveled a good deal, he looked
+tanned with the sun, as though he had been in hot climates; such men
+were generally free with their money, fond of company, and the society
+of an attractive woman like Lenise, who had very few scruples about
+the proprieties.
+
+When he left, Hector promised to lunch with them the following day.
+
+Fletcher Denyer went home with Lenise. Her maid was accustomed to
+seeing him in her rooms at all hours; she had never known him remain
+in the house for the night; she judged, and rightly, there was nothing
+improper in their relations. The fact of the matter was, they were
+mutually useful to each other. Lenise wanted some one to go about
+with; and Denyer not only liked her society, but found her help to him
+in many of his schemes.
+
+She took off her cloak, handing it to her maid, then sat down on the
+couch and made herself comfortable, and attractive; she knew the
+full value of her personal appearance, and fine figure, and posed
+accordingly. Fletcher Denyer always admired her; to-night she looked
+so radiant and alluring he was fascinated, under her spell. He forgot
+his caution so far as to come to the sofa, bend over her, attempt to
+kiss her. She pushed him back roughly, and said: "Keep your distance,
+Fletcher, or we shall fall out. You have had too much champagne."
+
+"It's not the champagne," he said hotly; "it's your beauty; it acts
+like wine. You are lovelier than ever to-night. That fellow Rolfe
+admired you, any one could see it. You're not going to throw me over
+for him, are you, Len?"
+
+"Don't be a silly boy. As for throwing you over, there is no
+engagement between us; we are merely good friends, and if you wish to
+maintain the relationship you had better not try to kiss me again. I
+hate being kissed; kisses are only for babes and sucklings," she said.
+
+He laughed; it was no good quarreling with her. He was satisfied to
+think that had any other man attempted to kiss her she would have
+ordered him out of the house.
+
+"Not much of the babe about you," he said.
+
+"More than you think, but I'm not made to be kissed."
+
+"That's just what you are, the most lovable woman I ever met."
+
+She laughed.
+
+"That champagne was certainly too strong for you," she said.
+
+She never seemed tired; all go, no matter how late the hour; her
+flow of spirits seldom flagged, her eyes always shone brightly, her
+complexion never failed her; she was really a remarkable woman. No one
+knew what an effort it cost her to keep up appearances--alone a change
+came over her, the reaction set in. She did not care to be alone, at
+times she was afraid.
+
+"What do you think of Rolfe?" he asked.
+
+"In what way?"
+
+"All ways, as far as you can judge from what you have seen to-day, and
+to-night," he said.
+
+She was thoughtful. He watched her; the jealous feeling came uppermost
+again.
+
+"I think," she said slowly, "he is a man who has had a great deal of
+trouble, suffered much, probably on account of a woman. I think he is
+a strong man, that he is determined, and if he has an object in view
+he will attain it, no matter what the obstacles in his way.
+Probably he has traveled, seen a good deal of the world, had strange
+experiences. He has remarkable eyes, they pierce, probe into one,
+search out things. He is a fine looking man, well built, but has
+probably had a severe illness not long ago. I think I shall like him;
+he is worth cultivating, making a friend of."
+
+She spoke as though no one were present. Fletcher Denyer felt for the
+time being he was forgotten and resented it.
+
+"You have analyzed him closely; you must be a character reader. Have
+you ever turned your battery of close observation on me?" he asked
+snappishly.
+
+She smiled.
+
+"You angry man, you asked me what I think of him and I have told you.
+I have turned the battery on you, Fletcher. I know your worth exactly.
+I am useful to you; you are useful to me--that is all."
+
+"All!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Well, what else? We are not in love, are we?"
+
+"No, I suppose not. Has it ever occurred to you, Lenise, that I want
+you to be my wife?" he asked.
+
+"No, it has not occurred to me, nor has it occurred to you before
+to-night," she said.
+
+"Yes, it has."
+
+"I doubt it. Besides, things are much better as they are. I would not
+be your wife if you asked me," she said.
+
+"Why not?" he asked.
+
+"Because--oh, for the very sufficient reason that you could not keep
+me, and I have sufficient to live upon," she said.
+
+He saw it would be better to drop the subject and said: "You have no
+objection to giving me a helping hand?"
+
+"In what way?"
+
+"This man Rolfe has money. I don't agree with your estimate of him as
+a strong man; I think he is weak. He may be useful to me."
+
+"You mean he may be induced to finance some of your schemes?" she
+said.
+
+"Yes; why not? Where's the harm? His money is as good as another's, or
+better."
+
+"And you think I will lure him into your financial net?" she said
+calmly.
+
+"Not exactly that; you can hint that I sometimes get in the know,
+behind the scenes, and so on, then leave the rest to me," he said.
+
+"Take care, Fletcher. This man Rolfe is more than your equal; I am
+sure of it. If he is drawn into your schemes it will be for some
+object of his own. Don't drag me into it."
+
+"There's no dragging about it. You have merely to give me a good
+character, say I am clever and shrewd--you know how to work it," he
+said.
+
+"Yes, I think I know how to work it," she said quietly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+CONSCIENCE TROUBLES
+
+
+Lenise Elroy sat in her bedroom long after Fletcher Denyer left the
+house. She dismissed her maid before undressing, who, accustomed to
+her mistress's moods, thought nothing of it.
+
+"I hate being alone," she said to herself, "and yet it is only then I
+can throw off the mask. I am a wicked woman; at least I have been told
+so, long ago. Perhaps I am, or was at that time. I wonder if Hector
+Woodridge is dead, or if he escaped? It is hardly likely he got away.
+I could wish he had, if he were out of the country and I were safe.
+It was not my fault altogether; he has suffered, so have I, and suffer
+still. I loved him in those days, whatever he may have thought to the
+contrary, but I don't think he loved me. Had Raoul been a man it would
+never have happened, but he was a weak, feeble-minded mortal and bored
+me intensely. I ought not to have married him; it was folly--money
+is not everything. I could have been a happy woman with such a man
+as Hector. How he must have suffered! But so have I. There is such a
+thing as conscience; I discovered it long ago, and it has tormented
+me, made my life at times a hell. I have tried to stifle it and
+cannot. Ever since that night at Torquay I have been haunted by a
+horrible dread that he got away on his brother's yacht, the _Sea-mew_.
+Captain Bruce is devoted to them, he would do anything to help them.
+Perhaps it was part of the plan that the _Sea-mew_ should lie in
+Torbay waiting for his escape. Money will do a great deal, and bribery
+may have been at work. It seems hardly possible, but there is no
+telling. The boatman said he was dead, Hackler said the same; they may
+be wrong--who knows--and at this moment he may be free and plotting
+against me. I can expect no mercy from him; I have wronged him too
+deeply; it is not in human nature to forgive what I have done."
+
+She shuddered, her face was drawn and haggard, she looked ten years
+older than she did an hour ago.
+
+"Do I regret what happened?" she asked herself. She could not honestly
+say she did; given the same situation over again she felt everything
+would happen as it did then. It was a blunder, a crime, and the
+consequences were terrible, but it freed her, she was left to live her
+life as she wished, and it was an intense relief to be rid of Raoul.
+She knew it was callous, wicked, to think like this, but she could not
+help it. She had not been a bad woman since her husband's death, not
+as bad women go. She had had one or two love affairs, but she had
+been circumspect, there was no more scandal, and she did no harm.
+She prided herself on this, as she thought of the opportunities and
+temptations that were thrown in her way and had been resisted.
+
+"I'm not naturally a bad woman," she reasoned. "I do not lure men to
+destruction, fleece them of their money, then cast them aside. I have
+been merciful to young fellows who have become infatuated with
+me, chilled their ardor, made them cool toward me, saved them from
+themselves." She recalled two or three instances where she had done
+this and it gave her satisfaction.
+
+Her conscience, however, troubled her, and never more than to-night.
+She could not account for it. Why on this particular night should
+she be so vilely tormented? It was no use going to bed; she could
+not sleep; at least not without a drug, and she had taken too many of
+late. Sleep under such circumstances failed to soothe her; she awoke
+with a heavy head and tired eyes, her body hardly rested.
+
+She got up and walked to and fro in the room. She was debating what to
+do, how to act. Never since her love affair with Hector Woodridge had
+she met a man who appealed to her as William Rolfe did. The moment she
+was introduced to him at the races she knew he was bound to influence
+her life for good, or evil. She recognized the strong man in him, the
+man who could bend her to his will; she knew in his hands she would be
+as weak as the weakest of her sex, that she would yield to him. More,
+she wished him to dominate her, to place herself in his power, to say
+to him, "I am yours; do what you will with me." All this swept over
+her as she looked into his eyes and caught, she fancied, an answering
+response. She had felt much of this with Hector Woodridge, but not
+all; William Rolfe had a surer hold of her, if he wished to exercise
+his power, she knew it.
+
+Did she wish him to exercise the power?
+
+She thought no, and meant yes. Fletcher Denyer was useful to her, but
+in her heart she despised him; he took her money without scruple when
+she offered it. She was quite certain Rolfe would not do so, even if
+he wanted it ever so badly. She had no fear of Denyer, or his
+jealous moods. She smiled as she thought of him in his fits of anger,
+spluttering like a big child. Rolfe was a man in every respect, so she
+thought; she was a woman who liked to be subdued by a strong hand. The
+tragedy in her life had not killed her love of pleasure, although the
+result of it, as regards Hector Woodridge, had caused her much pain.
+Still she was a woman who cast aside trouble and steeled herself
+against it. She had not met a man who could make her forget the past
+and live only in the present, but now she believed William Rolfe could
+do it.
+
+Would he try, would he come to her? She thought it possible, probable;
+and if he did, how would she act? Would she confess what had happened
+in her life? She must, it would be necessary, there would be no
+deception with such a man. What would be the consequences--would he
+pity, or blame her?
+
+At last she went to bed, and toward morning fell asleep, a restless
+slumber, accompanied by unpleasant dreams. It was eleven o'clock when
+she dressed; she remembered she had to meet Fletcher and William Rolfe
+at luncheon. She took a taxi to the hotel, and found Rolfe waiting for
+her. He handed her a note; it was from Denyer, stating he was detained
+in the city on urgent business, apologizing for his unavoidable
+absence, asking Rolfe to meet him later on, naming the place.
+
+He watched her as she read it, and saw she was pleased; it gave him
+savage satisfaction. He had not thought his task would be so easy;
+everything worked toward the end he had in view.
+
+"I hope you will keep your appointment, at any rate," he said.
+
+"I have done so, I am here," she answered, smiling.
+
+"I mean that you will lunch with me."
+
+"Would it be quite proper?" she asked with a challenging glance.
+
+"Quite," he said. "I will take every care of you."
+
+She wondered how old he was. It was difficult to guess. He might be
+younger than herself--not more than a year or two at the most. What
+caused that look on his face? It certainly was not fear; he was
+fearless, she thought. It was a sort of hunted look, as though he were
+always expecting something to happen and was on his guard. She would
+like to know the cause of it.
+
+"You cannot imagine how difficult I am to take care of," she said.
+
+"I am not afraid of the task," he said. "Will you lunch with me?"
+
+"With pleasure," she replied, and they went inside.
+
+The room was well filled, a fashionable crowd; several people knew
+Mrs. Elroy and acknowledged her. To a certain extent she had
+lived down the past, but the recollection of it made her the more
+interesting. Women were afraid of her attractions, especially those
+who had somewhat fickle husbands; their alarm was groundless, had they
+known it.
+
+"Wonder who that is with her? He's a fine looking man, but there's
+something peculiar about him," said a lady.
+
+"What do you see peculiar in him? Seems an ordinary individual to me,"
+drawled her husband.
+
+"He is not ordinary by any means; his complexion is peculiar, a
+curious yellowy brown," she said.
+
+"Perhaps he's a West Indian, or something of that sort."
+
+They sat at a small table alone; she thoroughly enjoyed the lunch. She
+drank a couple of glasses of champagne and the sparkling wine revived
+her.
+
+"Shall we go for a motor ride after?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, if you wish, and will not be tired of my company," she said.
+
+"You do yourself an injustice," he said. "I do not think you could
+tire any one."
+
+She laughed as she said: "You don't know much of me, I am dull at
+times, rather depressed." She sighed, and for a moment the haggard
+look came into her face. Hector wondered if remorse were accountable
+for it; if she ever repented the injury she had done; no, it was not
+possible or she would have stretched out her hand to save him.
+He steeled his heart against her; he hated her; he would have his
+revenge, cost her what it might.
+
+They entered a taxi and were driven in the direction of Staines and
+Windsor. She felt a strange thrill of pleasure as she sat close beside
+him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+"WHAT WOULD YOU DO?"
+
+
+They went along the Staines Road, then by the banks of the Thames
+past Runnymede, came to Old Windsor, and from there to the White Hart
+Hotel. She thoroughly enjoyed it; the drive nerved her; she forgot
+the painful reflections of the previous night. He talked freely. She
+noticed with satisfaction he seemed attracted by her, looked at her
+searchingly as though interested. They went on the river and were
+rowed past the racecourse. It was warm and fine, the flow of the water
+past the boat soothed her. They had tea at the hotel, then returned to
+town.
+
+"Where to?" he asked when they were nearing Kensington. She gave the
+name of her flat and they alighted there.
+
+"I have been here some time," she said. "I find it comfortable and
+quiet. Will you come in?"
+
+He followed her. He noticed her room was furnished expensively and in
+excellent taste; there was nothing grand or gaudy about it.
+
+"I am alone here, with my maid," she said. "They have an excellent
+system: all meals are prepared downstairs and sent up; there is a very
+good chef."
+
+"The least possible trouble," he said. "How long have you been here?"
+
+"Three years. It suits me; I do not care to be away from London. In my
+married days I lived in the country, but it bored me to death. Do you
+like the country?"
+
+"Yes, I love it; but then much of my life has been spent in solitude."
+
+"You have traveled?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I thought so."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Your complexion denotes it. I like it, there is a healthy brown about
+it."
+
+"I have done much hard work in my time," he said.
+
+"Mining?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, I suppose you would call it that."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"On Dartmoor," he said.
+
+She was so astonished she could not speak. She looked at him with fear
+in her eyes.
+
+"Dartmoor?" she whispered. "I did not know there were mines on
+Dartmoor."
+
+"Oh, yes, there are--copper mines. I was fool enough to believe there
+was money in them, but I was mistaken; there is copper there, no
+doubt, but I did not find it," he said.
+
+She felt as though a snake fascinated her, that she must ask questions
+about it.
+
+"I have been to Torquay, but I did not go to Dartmoor," she said.
+
+"You ought to have done so; it is a wonderful place. I was there a
+long time. When were you in Torquay?"
+
+She told him.
+
+"Strange," he said; "I was there at that time."
+
+She felt a curious dread, not of him, but of something unknown.
+
+"I went to the races--a friend of mine was riding there. He won four
+events. Lucky, was it not?"
+
+"Yes," she said faintly. "Who was he?"
+
+"Picton Woodridge. His yacht the _Sea-mew_ was in the bay. I was on
+it."
+
+"You!" she exclaimed, and he saw the fear in her eyes.
+
+"Yes, why not? Is there anything strange about it?" he asked, smiling.
+"He lives at Haverton. He is rich, but he is not quite happy."
+
+"Why not, if he has everything he wants?"
+
+"He has not everything he wants; no one has, as a matter of fact. It
+would not be good for us. You have not all you want."
+
+"No, I have not; but I get along very well."
+
+"What is missing out of your life?" he asked.
+
+"I can hardly tell you."
+
+"My friend's life is overcast by a great calamity that befell his
+family some years ago."
+
+"What was it?" she asked, and a slight shiver passed through her.
+
+"His brother was accused of murder, of shooting the husband of the
+woman he had fallen in love with. He was condemned and reprieved; he
+is at Dartmoor now. That is enough to make his brother's life unhappy;
+it killed the Admiral, their father."
+
+"How shocking!" she said.
+
+"I never thought of it before, but, strange to say, the man's name was
+Elroy. It is your name," he said.
+
+She laughed uneasily; she could not tell him now.
+
+"I hope you do not connect me with the lady in question?"
+
+"No, of course not. How absurd! But still it is strange--the name is
+uncommon," he said.
+
+"I suppose you never saw his brother at the prison?"
+
+"I did--I wish I had not."
+
+"Did he look very ill, broken down?"
+
+"He was a terrible wreck. He suffered awful agony, of mind more than
+body. I never saw such a change in a man in my life. When I knew
+Hector Woodridge he was a fine, well set up, handsome man, in the
+army, a soldier's career before him. The breakdown was complete; it
+made me suffer to look at him. I never went again and I do not think
+he wanted it. If ever a man was living in hell upon earth he was; the
+wonder is it did not kill him."
+
+"How terrible!" she said.
+
+"I wonder if the woman suffers? He did it on her account. I do not
+believe he is guilty--I am certain he is not. His brother believes in
+his innocence, so does Captain Bruce, and all his friends. I believe
+it is the knowledge that he is innocent sustains him in his awful
+life; he told me he hoped one day to prove his innocence, but that
+his lips were sealed, he could not speak. I told him that was foolish,
+that it was due to himself to speak, but he shook his head and said,
+'Impossible!'"
+
+"Is it a very terrible place at Dartmoor?"
+
+"I suppose it is like all such prisons; but think what it must be for
+an innocent man to be caged there with a lot of desperate criminals,
+the scum of the earth. What must it be for such a man as Hector
+Woodridge, cultured, refined, an army man, well-bred--and on the top
+of it all the knowledge that the disgrace killed his father. It would
+drive me mad."
+
+"And me too," she said. "You say he is there still?"
+
+"Yes; there is no chance of his escaping. I wish he could."
+
+"A prisoner escaped when I was at Torquay. I saw it in the local
+paper," she said.
+
+"So did I; the fellow had a terrible fight with a bloodhound and
+strangled it. A desperate man has desperate strength," he said.
+
+"I met an old boatman named Brack there; he told me the man must be
+dead."
+
+"No doubt; fell down a disused mine, or drowned himself, poor devil. I
+don't wonder at it," he said.
+
+"I wonder how the woman feels about it?" she said in a low voice. "She
+must suffer, her conscience must trouble her, in a way her life must
+be as hard to bear as his."
+
+"That depends on the woman," he said. "I believe she can prove his
+innocence; something tells me she can; his brother believes it too. If
+this be so, she ought to speak and save him, no matter at what cost to
+herself."
+
+"Do you think she will?"
+
+"No; or she would have spoken before. She must be callous,
+hard-hearted, dead to all sense of human feeling. Such a woman would
+make me shudder to come in contact with her," he said.
+
+She smiled as she thought: "He little knows I am that woman. I must
+wait. If he loves me later on I can tell him."
+
+"Perhaps the woman cannot prove his innocence. She may believe him
+guilty."
+
+"Impossible. There were only three persons present: the husband, the
+wife, and Hector Woodridge."
+
+"It seems very strange that if he is innocent she has not declared the
+truth."
+
+"Steeped in wickedness and sin as she is, I do not wonder at it; she
+is probably living in the world, leading a fast life, ruining men as
+she ruined him."
+
+"Or she may be suffering agonies and be too much of a coward to speak;
+she may be an object of pity; perhaps if you saw her you would be
+sorry for her, as sorry as you are for him," she said.
+
+"He is in prison, she is free; she has the world to distract her, he
+has nothing."
+
+"You spoke of torture of the mind. Perhaps she is a sensitive woman;
+if so, her sufferings are as terrible as his."
+
+"If you were the woman, what would you do?" he asked.
+
+The question was put with an abruptness that startled her; again a
+feeling of fear was uppermost. It was strange he should know Hector
+Woodridge; still more curious that he was on the _Sea-mew_ in Torbay.
+He must know if Hector Woodridge boarded the yacht; was he concealing
+something?
+
+"I do not know what I should do. It would depend upon circumstances."
+
+"What circumstances?" he asked.
+
+"If I knew he was innocent, I should speak, I think--that is, if I
+could prove it."
+
+"She must be able to prove it," he said. "I believe he is suffering,
+keeping silent, to save her."
+
+"If he is, his conduct is heroic," she said.
+
+"Foolish--a sin and a shame that he should waste his life for such a
+woman."
+
+"You think her a very bad woman?"
+
+"I do, one of the worst," he said.
+
+She sighed.
+
+"I am glad I have never been placed in such an unfortunate position,"
+she said.
+
+"So am I, but I am sure if you had been, Hector Woodridge would be a
+free man," he said.
+
+"I wonder if he loved her?" she asked quickly.
+
+"Loved her? He must have done so. Think how he is suffering for her;
+he must love her still," he said.
+
+"Perhaps she does not know this."
+
+"She ought to know; all his actions speak of love for her. No man ever
+made a greater sacrifice for a woman," he said. Then, looking at his
+watch, he added, "It is time for me to go, to meet Mr. Denyer. He is a
+great friend of yours, is he not?"
+
+"I should not call him a friend exactly, although I have known him a
+long time; he is useful to me in business matters," she said.
+
+"Can I be of any use in that way?" he asked.
+
+"You might; I will ask you if I require anything."
+
+"And then I shall be an acquaintance," he said, smiling.
+
+"Would you rather be my friend?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+She held out her hand.
+
+"I do not think that will be difficult," she said, her eyes flashing
+into his.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+RITA SEES A RESEMBLANCE
+
+
+Some acquaintanceships ripen fast into friendship; it was so with
+Lenise Elroy and Hector, at least on her side. She knew him as William
+Rolfe and as such he appealed to her. At times he reminded her in a
+vague way of Hector Woodridge; she liked him none the worse for this,
+although it brought back painful memories. She was fast drifting into
+the ocean of love where she would be tossed about, buffeted by the
+waves, and probably damaged. The impression he made on her was not
+easily effaced; she began to neglect Fletcher Denyer, much to his
+mortification. Before she met Rolfe their connection had been smooth,
+going on the even tenor of its way, with nothing to mar the harmony,
+but this new acquaintance proved a disturbing element and she was no
+longer the same to him. He resented it but could do nothing; he was
+powerless. He spoke to her, remonstrated, and she laughed at him; it
+was of no use tackling Rolfe, who would probably tell him to mind his
+business.
+
+He had, however, no intention of relinquishing what little hold he
+had over her, and tried to make himself more indispensable. Rolfe was
+friendly, took a hint as to some speculative shares and made money.
+
+It was September and the St. Leger day drew near. Hector had not
+forgotten Tearaway. He did not write to his brother; he thought
+it better not, safer. He watched the papers and saw the filly
+occasionally quoted at a hundred to four taken. The secret of the
+trial had been well kept, nothing leaked out about it. Ripon was a
+firm favorite at three to one, and all the wise men at Newmarket were
+sanguine of his success. Bronze was much fancied in certain quarters,
+and Harriet, The Monk, and Field Gun, frequently figured in the list;
+there was every prospect of a larger field than usual.
+
+Fletcher Denyer often talked about racing with Hector, who was quite
+willing to discuss the chances of horses with him.
+
+"I am told on the best authority Bronze will win," said Fletcher.
+"What do you fancy, Rolfe?"
+
+"I haven't thought much about it," replied Hector. "If Bronze is as
+good as they make out, he must have a chance."
+
+"If you want to back him I can get your money on at a good price,"
+said Fletcher.
+
+"I'll think it over," said Hector.
+
+Mrs. Elroy was also interested in the St. Leger. She knew the owner of
+Ripon, who told her he did not think his horse had anything to fear.
+This news was imparted to Hector.
+
+"Are you going to Doncaster?" she asked.
+
+He said he was, that he always liked to see the St. Leger run.
+
+"I think I shall go," she said. "I have been asked to join a house
+party near Doncaster."
+
+Hector wondered how it came about that a woman who had behaved so
+badly could be so soon forgiven, and her past forgotten.
+
+"Then I shall have the pleasure of seeing you there," he said.
+
+"I hope so. Your friend Mr. Woodridge has something in the
+race--Tearaway, is it not? I suppose she hasn't got much of a chance,
+it is such a good price about her," she said.
+
+"No, I don't expect she has or she would not be at such long odds," he
+answered.
+
+"There have been some big surprises in the St. Leger," she said.
+
+"It doesn't look like one this year," he replied.
+
+A few days before the Doncaster meeting, Hector went to Haverton,
+where he had a warm welcome. Sir Robert Raines was there, Captain Ben,
+and one or two more, including Dick Langford, and Rita. Lady Raines
+came to act as hostess for Picton and brought two of her daughters;
+it was the knowledge that she would be there induced Rita to come with
+her brother.
+
+At first Picton hesitated to ask her; she had never been to Haverton;
+but finally he decided. Lady Raines and her daughters would be there,
+it would be all right and proper. He was delighted when he heard she
+had arranged to come with Dick.
+
+Hector came the following day after their arrival. He first saw Rita
+in the garden with Picton. He recognized her at once: it was the lady
+who had been so kind to him on his way from Dartmoor to Torquay. He
+saw how close they walked together, how confidential was their talk,
+and guessed the rest. He recognized this with a pang; he had built
+castles in the air about her, which, like most such edifices, are
+easily shattered. Would she know him again as the tramp she helped
+on the road? It was not likely. In the first place, he was greatly
+changed, and secondly she would never expect to find him here. He
+smiled grimly as he thought of the condition he was in the last time
+they met. He went out to face her and walked toward them.
+
+Picton introduced them. She started slightly as she looked at him.
+
+"I thought I had seen you somewhere before," she said with a bright
+smile. "You quite startled me, but I dare not tell you about it, it is
+quite too ridiculous."
+
+"You have roused my curiosity. Please enlighten me," he said.
+
+"You are quite sure you will not be offended?" She looked at them
+both.
+
+"I shall not, and I am the principal person to consider," said Hector.
+
+"Then, if you promise not to be angry with me, I will; after all, I am
+sure he was a gentleman although in reduced circumstances," she said.
+
+"Who was a gentleman?" asked Picton.
+
+"The man I for the moment fancied resembled Mr. Rolfe," she said. "It
+was the day you came to Torwood."
+
+Rita told them about the tramp she had befriended, and added:
+
+"He was a well-bred man who must have met with some great misfortune.
+I pitied him, my heart bled for him; he was no common man, it was easy
+to recognize that. He thanked me courteously and went on his way down
+the road. I have often thought of him since and wondered what became
+of him. When you first came up, Mr. Rolfe, you reminded me of him, in
+looks and build, that is all. Have I offended you?"
+
+"Not at all," said Hector. "You are quite sure I am not your gentleman
+tramp? Look again."
+
+"Don't be absurd! Of course you are not the man; it was a mere passing
+resemblance," she said.
+
+"You did a very kindly action, and I am sure the man, whoever he is,
+will never forget it, or you. Perhaps at some future time he may repay
+your kindness. Who knows? There are some strange chances in the world,
+so many ups and downs, I should not at all wonder if you met him again
+in a very different sphere," said Hector.
+
+Lady Raines and her daughters came on to the terrace and Rita joined
+them.
+
+"Whew!" said Hector, "that was a narrow squeak, Pic. I went hot and
+cold all over when I recognized who it was with you, but I thought I
+had better come out and face the music."
+
+"That's about the closest shave you've had, but even had she been
+certain she would only have known you as William Rolfe."
+
+"I forgot that," said Hector. "Still, it is better as it is. I say,
+Pic, is she the one?"
+
+"I hope so," his brother replied, laughing. "I mean to have a good
+try."
+
+"Lucky fellow!" said Hector with a sigh. "There's no such chance of
+happiness for me."
+
+"There may be some day," said Picton. "You have not told me what you
+have been doing in London."
+
+"Plotting," said Hector. "I am on the way to secure my revenge--I
+shall succeed."
+
+"Can't you give me some idea how you mean to be revenged?" asked
+Picton.
+
+"Not at present. You may get an inkling at Doncaster, if you keep
+your eyes open; but I expect all your attention will be riveted on
+Tearaway," said Hector.
+
+"That's highly probable. One doesn't own a Leger winner every year,"
+said Picton.
+
+"Then you think she is sure to win?"
+
+"Certain, and Sir Robert won't hear of her defeat. He has backed her
+to win a large stake, and he's jubilant about it."
+
+"It seems strange she does not shorten in the betting," said Hector.
+
+"I don't take much notice of that; she's not a public performer, and
+it is a field above the average. If it had leaked out about the
+trial it would have been different, but we have a good lot of lads at
+Haverton; they know how to hold their tongues," said Picton.
+
+"I'll tell you what, Pic, I'd like to let old Brack know. Wouldn't the
+dear old boy rejoice at getting on a twenty-five to one chance; he'd
+think more of it than anything. Brackish, boatman, Torquay, would find
+him," said Hector.
+
+"He shall know," said Picton. "I'll tell you what, it would be a joke
+to get him to Doncaster for the St. Leger. I'll send Rose down to hunt
+him up and bring him."
+
+"I'm afraid Rose would look askance at Brack, he's such a highly
+superior person," said Hector.
+
+"I fancy Brack would break his reserve down before they reached
+Doncaster," said Picton. "I shall send him, anyway."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+BRACK TURNS TRAVELER
+
+
+"Rose, I am about to send you on an important mission to Torquay,"
+said Picton.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You are to find an old boatman named Brackish, generally called
+Brack. He is a well-known character; there will be no difficulty about
+it. You will hand him this letter, and if he requires persuading you
+will use all your eloquence in that direction. You will give him ten
+pounds and pay all his expenses, and you must land him in the paddock
+at Doncaster at the latest on the St. Leger day. You understand?"
+
+"Yes, sir. May I ask what kind of an individual he is?"
+
+"Rough and ready. He was formerly a boatman at Scarborough. He is a
+Yorkshireman. He will don his best clothes; perhaps he will require a
+new pilot coat--if he does, buy him one."
+
+"And what am I to do when I land him in the paddock, sir?"
+
+"Wait until I see him."
+
+"Very good, sir. Is that all?"
+
+"Yes, I think so. Look after him well; he once did me a good turn.
+You'll find him interesting, also amusing."
+
+"When shall I go, sir?"
+
+"To-morrow; that will give you ample time--a day or two in Torquay
+will be a pleasant change."
+
+"Thank you, sir; it will," said Rose.
+
+"Come to me in my study to-night and I will give you the money," said
+Picton.
+
+Robert Rose thought, as he watched him walk away: "I hope he doesn't
+expect me to make a friend of the man. No doubt he'll smell of the
+sea, and fish, tar, oil-skins, and other beastly things; it won't be
+a pleasant journey--we shall have to put the windows down. I wonder
+if he washes, or whether he's caked with dirt, like some of 'em I've
+seen. It's coming to a pretty pass when I am dispatched on such an
+errand."
+
+He complained to Mrs. Yeoman but got no sympathy.
+
+"If Brack's good enough for your master he's good enough for you,"
+she snapped, and he thought it advisable not to pursue the subject
+farther.
+
+Rose arrived in Torquay in due course, late at night, after a tiring
+journey. Next morning he went forth in quest of Brack. A policeman
+pointed the boatman out to him. Brack was leaning against the iron
+rail protecting the inner harbor. Rose looked at him in disgust.
+Brack had met a friend the night before and they had indulged somewhat
+freely in ale. He was all right but looked rather seedy and unkempt.
+
+Rose walked up to him, putting on his best air. Brack saw him and
+summed him up at once.
+
+"Somebody's flunkey," he thought.
+
+"Are you Mr. Brackish?" asked Rose in a patronizing manner.
+
+"I'm Brack, name Brackish, don't know about the mister, seldom hear it
+used when I'm addressed. Now who may you be, my good man?" said Brack,
+mischief lurking in his eyes.
+
+To be addressed by this clod of a boatman as "my good man" quite upset
+Rose's dignity. He put on a severe look, which did not abash Brack in
+the least, and said: "I am from Haverton in Yorkshire. I represent Mr.
+Picton Woodridge. He desired me to see you and deliver this letter,"
+and he handed it to him.
+
+Brack took it, opened the envelope, and handed it back.
+
+"I've lost my glasses," he said; "must have left them in 'The Sailor's
+Rest' last night. Me an' a mate had a few pints more than we oughter.
+Why the deuce didn't he post the letter and save _you_ the trouble of
+comin' to see _me_?"
+
+"It suited Mr. Woodridge's purpose better that I should personally
+deliver it. I will read it to you if you wish."
+
+"That's what I gave it to you for," said Brack.
+
+Rose read the letter. It was written in a kind and friendly way;
+Robert thought it too familiar. Brack listened attentively; at first
+he hardly grasped the full meaning.
+
+"Would you mind reading it again?" he asked.
+
+Rose did so with ill-concealed impatience; then said: "Now do you
+understand its import, or shall I explain more fully?"
+
+"Don't trouble yourself. I wouldn't trouble such an almighty high
+personage as yourself for the world," said Brack.
+
+"No trouble at all, I assure you," said Rose.
+
+"As far as I understand," said Brack, "I'm to put myself in your
+charge and you are to convey me safely to Doncaster to see the Leger
+run for."
+
+"That's it; we will leave to-morrow," said Rose.
+
+"Will we? Who said I was goin'?" asked Brack.
+
+"Of course you'll go; Mr. Picton wishes it."
+
+"He ain't my master, just you remember. Brack's got no master. I'm
+my own boss, and a pretty stiff job I have with myself at times. Last
+night, for instance. As boss I ordered myself home at ten; as Brack I
+went on strike and declined to move--see?"
+
+"But he will be very much disappointed if you don't go to Doncaster
+with me. All your expenses will be paid. You'll have ten pounds to
+invest on the course, and you'll back Tearaway, say at twenty to one
+to a fiver," said Rose.
+
+"Shall I indeed? And pray who says Tearaway will win the Leger?"
+
+"I do," said Rose confidently.
+
+"And I suppose that settles it. If you say so, she must win."
+
+"Mr. Picton says she will; so does Sir Robert Raines."
+
+"Do they now? And I'm to take all this for gospel?"
+
+"It's quite correct. They have all backed Tearaway to win large sums,
+thousands of pounds," said Rose.
+
+"Well, it's worth considering," said Brack. He wondered if Hector
+Woodridge were at Haverton. It was not mentioned in the letter.
+Perhaps this man did not know him; he would keep quiet about it.
+
+"You'll have to make up your mind quick because we must leave early
+in the morning. I was instructed to buy you a new coat, or any other
+thing you wanted."
+
+"That's handsome; I'll accept the coat, a blue pilot, and a pair of
+boots, a tie, and a cap. I've got a fancy waistcoat my father used
+to wear. It's all over flowers and it's got pearl buttons. It's a
+knock-out; you'll admire it--perhaps you'd like to borrow it," said
+Brack.
+
+Rose declined, said he would not deprive Brack of it for worlds.
+
+"You'll come with me?" he asked.
+
+"Oh, yes; I'll come to oblige Mr. Woodridge; he's a gent and no
+mistake. Will you come and see my old mother?"
+
+Rose thought it would be diplomatic to do so. Evidently Brack was a
+man who wanted humoring; it was humiliating, but he must go through
+with it.
+
+Old Mrs. Brackish welcomed the visitor, dusted a chair for him,
+treated him with apparent deference which soothed Rose's feelings. He
+declined to remain for dinner, making as an excuse that he never ate
+anything until evening, it did not agree with him, the mid-day meal.
+When he left it was with a sense of relief.
+
+"The mother is better than the son," he thought; "she knew what was
+due to my position."
+
+"He's a pompous old fool," she said to Brack when he was out of the
+house.
+
+Brack laughed as he said: "You've hit it, mother; you generally do."
+
+"An' so you're agoin' to Yorkshire," she said with a sigh. "Sometimes
+I wish I were back there, but it wouldn't suit me, and he's been very
+good to us here, Brack."
+
+"We've nowt to grumble at," said Brack. "We're better off than lots o'
+people. I may make a bit o' money at Doncaster on Leger day--you know
+how lucky I am over the race."
+
+"You oughtn't to bet," she said.
+
+"I don't. My bit isn't bettin'; I just put a shillin' on now and again
+for the fun of the thing. Where's the harm in that?" he asked.
+
+"I suppose you know best, Brack, and you've always been a good son to
+me," she said.
+
+"And I always shall, have no fear of that, mother." And she had not;
+her faith in him was unbounded.
+
+Brack looked quite rakish, so he told himself, when he gazed in a
+mirror in the hat shop next day, on the way to the station. He had
+been to the barber's, had his whiskers and mustache trimmed, his hair
+cut, and a shampoo.
+
+"I'm fresh as paint," he said to Rose, who was glad to see him so
+respectable. The smell of the sea hung about him, but it was tempered
+by some very patent hair oil which emitted an overpowering scent.
+
+Several porters spoke to Brack, asking where he was going.
+
+"Doncaster to see the Leger run."
+
+They laughed and one said: "Bet you a bob you don't get farther than
+Exeter."
+
+"Don't want to rob you, Tommy," was the reply. "I'll give you chaps a
+tip--have a shilling or two on Tearaway."
+
+"Never heard of him."
+
+"It's a her, not a he."
+
+"Whose is she?"
+
+"Mr. Woodridge's, Picton Woodridge's."
+
+"The gentleman who rode four winners here last Easter, and won the
+double on The Rascal?"
+
+"The same, and he's given me the tip."
+
+"Nonsense!"
+
+"Gospel," said Brack.
+
+"You must have come into a fortune; it'll cost you a pot of money
+going to Doncaster."
+
+"Mr. Woodridge is paying my expenses. He kind o' took a likin' to me
+when he was here; I rowed him to his yacht several times. He's one of
+the right sort, he is," said Brack.
+
+"You're in luck's way," said the porter he had addressed as Tommy.
+
+"It's men like me deserve to have luck--I'm a hard worker."
+
+"We're all hard workers," said Tom.
+
+"Go on! Call trundling barrers, and handlin' bags hard work? Rowin's
+hard work. You try it, and you'll find the difference," said Brack.
+
+Tom laughed as he said: "You're a good sort, Brack, and I wish you
+success. This is your train."
+
+Rose came up.
+
+"I've got the tickets. Is this the London train, porter?"
+
+"Yes, right through to Paddington," said Tom, staring as he saw Rose
+and Brack get in together.
+
+"Who is he, Brack, your swell friend?" he asked.
+
+"Him? Oh, he's a cousin from Yorkshire," grinned Brack; and Rose sank
+down on the seat overwhelmed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+DONCASTER
+
+
+Brack and Rose arrived at Doncaster on the eve of the St. Leger,
+staying at a quiet hotel on the outskirts of the town. The railway
+journey from Torquay had been a source of anxiety to Rose. Brack made
+audible observations about the occupants of the carriage, which were
+resented, and Rose exercised diplomacy to keep the peace. He was
+horrified to see Brack pull a black bottle out of his bag.
+
+"Beer," said Brack; "will you have some?"
+
+Rose declined in disgust; Brack pulled at it long and lustily, emptied
+it before reaching Exeter, got out there, went into the refreshment
+room, had it refilled, and nearly missed his train; Rose pulled, a
+porter pushed behind, and he stumbled in just in time; the bottle
+dropped on the floor, rolled under the seat, and Brack created a
+diversion among the passengers by diving for it. He generously passed
+it round, but no one partook of his hospitality. It was a relief
+to Rose when he went to sleep, but he snored so loud he thought it
+advisable to wake him. Brack resented this, and said he was entitled
+to snore if he wished.
+
+It was with evident relief that Rose saw him go to bed. When Brack
+disappeared he related his misfortunes to his host, who sympathized
+with him to his face and laughed behind his back: he considered Brack
+the better man of the two.
+
+At breakfast Rose explained what Doncaster was like in Leger week,
+until Brack, with his mouth crammed with ham, and half a poached egg,
+spurted out, "You're wastin' yer breath. I've been to see t'Leger many
+a time."
+
+"Have you? I thought this was your first visit."
+
+"And me a Yorkshireman--go on!" said Brack.
+
+They drove to the course in the landlord's trap, arriving in good
+time.
+
+"I suppose you have not been in the paddock before?" said Rose
+patronizingly.
+
+"No; I've been over yonder most times," and he waved toward the crowd
+on the moor.
+
+"Follow me and I will conduct you."
+
+Brack laughed.
+
+"You're a rum cove, you are. What do you do when you're at home?"
+
+"I am Mr. Woodridge's general manager," said Rose loftily.
+
+"You don't say so! Now I should have thought you'd been the head
+footman, or something of that kind," said Brack.
+
+"You are no judge of men," said Rose.
+
+"I'd never mistake you for one," growled Brack.
+
+When they were in the paddock Rose was anxious to get rid of him, but
+he had his orders, and must wait until Mr. Woodridge saw them.
+
+Brack attracted attention; he was a strange bird in the midst of
+this gayly plumaged crowd, but he was quite at home, unaware he was a
+subject of observation.
+
+At last Picton Woodridge saw him and came up.
+
+"Well, Brack, I am glad you came," he said as he shook hands. "I hope
+Rose looked after you."
+
+"He did very well. He's not a jovial mate, a trifle stuck up and so
+on, gives himself airs; expect he's considered a decent sort in his
+own circle--in the servants' hall," said Brack.
+
+Picton caught sight of Rose's face and burst out laughing.
+
+"Speaks his mind, eh, Rose?" he said. "You may leave us."
+
+"He's a rum 'un," said Brack. "What is he?"
+
+"My butler; I thought I had better send him for you in case you were
+undecided whether to come. I am glad you are here; and, Brack, I have
+a caution to give you. No one knows my brother, he is so changed. If
+you recognize him, say nothing--it would be dangerous."
+
+"I'll be dumb, never fear," said Brack. "I thank you for giving me
+this treat; it's a long time since I saw t'Leger run. Your man tells
+me Tearaway will win."
+
+"I feel certain of it. You had better put a little on her at twenty to
+one," said Picton.
+
+"I will, and thank you. It was kind to give me ten pounds."
+
+"You deserve it, and you shall have more, Brack. If my filly wins
+to-day you shall have a hundred pounds and a new boat."
+
+"Good Lord!" exclaimed Brack. "A hundred pounds! It's as much as I've
+saved all the time I've been in Torquay--and a new boat, it's too
+much, far too much."
+
+"No, it isn't. Remember what you risked for us."
+
+"That's him, isn't it?" said Brack, pointing to Hector, who had his
+back to them. "I recognize his build."
+
+"I'm glad no one else has," said Picton. "Yes, that's he."
+
+Hector, turning round, saw Brack, came up, and spoke to him. Picton
+said: "This is Mr. Rolfe, William Rolfe, you understand?"
+
+Brack nodded as he said: "He's changed. I'd hardly have known his
+face."
+
+It was before the second race that Hector met Lenise Elroy in the
+paddock with her friends. She was not present on the first day and,
+strange to say, he missed her society. It startled him to recognize
+this. Surely he was not falling into her toils, coming under her
+spell, for the second time, and after all he had suffered through her!
+Of course not; it was because of the revenge burning in him that he
+was disappointed. How beautiful she was, and how gracefully she walked
+across the paddock; she was perfectly dressed, expensively, but in
+good taste. She was recognized by many people, some of whom knew her
+past, and looked askance at her.
+
+Hector went toward her. She saw him and a bright smile of welcome lit
+up her face.
+
+"I am so glad to see you," she said.
+
+They walked away together, after she had introduced him to one or two
+of her friends.
+
+Brack saw them and muttered to himself: "That's the lady was making
+inquiries about him at Torquay, and she doesn't know who he is; she
+can't. Wonder what her game is, and his? She knows Hackler too. There
+may be danger. I'd best give him a hint if I get a chance."
+
+"What will win the St. Leger, Mr. Rolfe?" she asked.
+
+"Ripon, I suppose; that is your tip," he said.
+
+"Yes, they are very confident. His owner is one of our party; we are
+all on it. Have you backed anything?"
+
+"I have a modest investment on Tearaway; I am staying at Haverton with
+Mr. Woodridge," he said.
+
+"You appear to have faith in the filly."
+
+"Oh, it's only a fancy; she may not be as good as they think," he
+said.
+
+Picton saw them together. He was surprised, startled; he thought of
+Hector's remark about keeping his eyes open. He recognized Mrs. Elroy,
+although he had not seen her for several years. What a terrible risk
+Hector ran! Was it possible she did not recognize him, that she really
+thought he was William Rolfe? It seemed incredible after all that had
+happened. Was she deceiving Hector as he was her? Picton remembered
+his brother had spoken about a plan, and revenge. What was his
+intention? If Mrs. Elroy did not know he was Hector Woodridge, then
+indeed his brother had a weapon in his hands which might help him to
+awful vengeance; the mere possibility of what might happen made
+Picton shudder. Hector had suffered terribly, but was it sufficient
+to condone a revenge, the consequences of which no one could foresee?
+They appeared quite happy together. Had his brother fallen under her
+spell for the second time? No, that was not possible; it was not in
+human nature to forgive such injuries as she had inflicted upon him.
+Mrs. Elroy saw Picton, recognized him, and said to Hector: "That is
+your friend Mr. Woodridge, is it not?"
+
+"Yes; do you know him?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Would you care to be introduced?"
+
+"As you please," she replied; she was thankful when Picton went away
+with Sir Robert, and the introduction was avoided.
+
+"There will be an opportunity later on," said Hector. "When are you
+returning to town?"
+
+"After the races, on Saturday."
+
+"From Doncaster?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What train do you travel by?"
+
+She named a train in the afternoon.
+
+"May I have the pleasure of your company?" he asked.
+
+"I shall be delighted if you wish it."
+
+"I do," he said. "Nothing will give me greater pleasure."
+
+"Then I shall expect you," she said, with a glance he knew well, as
+she rejoined her friends.
+
+Undoubtedly Lenise Elroy was one of the most attractive women at the
+races; there was just that touch of uncertainty about her mode of
+living which caused men to turn and look at her, and women to avoid
+her when possible.
+
+Sir Robert Raines, when he saw her, said to Picton: "I wonder she dare
+show her face here in Yorkshire; some women have no shame in them."
+
+"She is a wicked woman, Bob; she ought to be in prison instead of poor
+Hector. I believed at the trial she shot Elroy, and I always shall,"
+said his wife.
+
+"Who is that beautiful woman who was talking to Mr. Rolfe?" asked
+Rita.
+
+"She is Mrs. Elroy," said Picton.
+
+Rita knew nothing about Hector's troubles; she was young at the time
+of the trial.
+
+Something in his manner of speaking caused her to ask: "You do not
+like her?"
+
+"No; she is a woman with a past, a very bad past, but she faces it
+out, and is recognized by some people. I should not like you to know
+her," he said.
+
+"Men are very unmerciful to a woman who errs," she said.
+
+"If you knew as much about her as I, you would agree with me that she
+ought to be treated as an outcast; she is not fit to be in the company
+of respectable people," he said bitterly.
+
+This was so unlike Picton that she felt he must have strong grounds
+for what he said. Her curiosity was aroused; Mr. Rolfe might enlighten
+her.
+
+"Let us go and see Tearaway," she said, and at the mention of his
+favorite's name Picton's face cleared, the shadows flitted away, he
+was himself again.
+
+Brant Blackett came up hastily, a troubled look on his face.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Picton anxiously.
+
+"Erickson's been taken suddenly ill," he said. "I'm afraid he'll not
+be able to ride."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THE CROWD IN THE RING
+
+
+This was a serious matter indeed. Erickson knew the mare well, having
+ridden her in several gallops; in addition he was a clever, capable
+rider. It would be a great misfortune if he could not ride.
+
+Picton went with his trainer at once, leaving Rita with her brother
+and Hector.
+
+Fred Erickson looked pale and ill; he was not a strong man.
+
+"I'm afraid I can't do the filly justice," he said, "but I'll ride if
+you wish, Mr. Woodridge. I feel a trifle better now, but I'm weak."
+
+"I'd like you to ride, Fred, if you can manage it. I can't get a
+suitable jockey at the last minute."
+
+"Then I'll do it. Will you get me some brandy?"
+
+The trainer went for it, a small group gathered round, Erickson looked
+very pale, there were whispers that he would not be able to ride.
+These quickly spread, and when some of the people from Haverton
+village heard the rumor they were very much upset; all had pinned
+their faith to, and put their money on, Tearaway.
+
+Several came to Picton, asking him if there was any truth in it; he
+said unfortunately there was, but that Erickson would be able to ride,
+he thought. With this they had to be contented and wait. It was an
+hour before the St. Leger was to be decided. Fred Erickson pulled
+himself together, but he was afraid he would not be able to do the
+mare justice; he would try his best, she was so good that if he
+managed to stick on and guide her she would run her own race and
+probably win.
+
+Sir Robert Raines spoke to him; he was very anxious, he had a large
+sum at stake.
+
+"Feel any better, Fred? I hope so; we are all depending on you to pull
+through."
+
+"I'll manage it somehow, Sir Robert," said the jockey, "but I'm not
+myself at all. I wish I were. There'd be no doubt about the result
+then."
+
+"But you are strong enough to ride, you'll not give in?"
+
+Fred smiled.
+
+"I'm not one to give in. I'll ride the filly and win on her if I can,"
+he said.
+
+"That's right," said Sir Robert. "Can I get you anything? Would a
+glass or two of champagne brace you up?"
+
+"I've had a liqueur brandy," said Fred.
+
+"That will mix with the champagne. Come with me."
+
+Fred drank two glasses and felt better; the color came back into his
+cheeks, his hands were firmer, the shivering left him; if only it
+would last until Tearaway had won.
+
+All was bustle and excitement; the horses were being saddled for the
+great race, fifteen of them, a larger field than usual.
+
+Ripon was a hot favorite, and it was probable he would start at two to
+one. He had been second to Snowball in the Derby, and ninety-nine out
+of a hundred people who saw the race vowed he was unlucky to lose,
+that his jockey rode a bad race on him, and came too late. Snowball
+broke down and was scratched for the St. Leger, so they could not
+fight their Epsom battle over again; even had this been the case
+Ripon would in all probability have been the better favorite. Bronze,
+Harriet, The Monk, Field Gun, Hot Pot, The Major, and Dark Donald,
+were all supported; a lot of money was going on Bronze. Tearaway had
+been backed at a hundred to five; when it was known Fred Erickson
+was not well her market position was shaken and she went out to
+thirty-three to one.
+
+Fletcher Denyer was in the ring. Of late there had been some coolness
+between him and Lenise. He had no desire to lose her; as he saw her
+slipping away from him he became anxious to possess her altogether. He
+recognized at last that he was in love, that she was necessary to him,
+part of his life, that it would be very dull without her. Chance might
+put something in his way; he was a believer in luck. If only he could
+discover something about this man Rolfe, who had come between them.
+No one appeared to know anything about him. He had made inquiries in
+various quarters; William Rolfe had never been heard of. It seemed
+strange, a man with money too, and moving in racing circles, where
+people generally found out all about each other. Lenise Elroy had
+avoided him in the paddock, he saw it plainly; it angered him, but he
+had the sense to know he must not interfere but bide his time.
+
+It was in an ill-humor that he went into the ring. He had been given a
+"great tip" about Bronze, and, as he was in funds for the time being,
+he determined to speculate above his average. Bronze was in a stable
+famous for great surprises. He was a horse that had shown good form
+but in the summer seemed to go all to pieces and was badly beaten at
+Ascot and Newmarket. There was, however, no doubt that he had been
+backed to win a huge fortune for the St. Leger. The famous Doncaster
+race, in this particular year, was the medium of some wild plunging
+which was reminiscent of twenty or thirty years before. At least
+six horses were backed to win fortunes. The plunging on Ripon was
+desperate, and on Bronze the money was poured like water. The Monk was
+backed to win many thousands, so were Harriet, Field Gun, and Hot Pot;
+Tearaway would take sixty thousand pounds or more out of the ring, at
+long odds, if she won. Small wonder the scene in Tattersalls was more
+animated than usual. The big bookmakers, aware of every move in the
+market, kept laying the favorite and others. Their wagers were framed
+on business lines: only one horse could win and they were taking
+hundreds on half a dozen or more; if an outsider came to the rescue
+they would land thousands--with one exception--this was Tearaway.
+There was hardly a well-known man in the ring who had not laid Picton
+Woodridge's filly almost to the extent of his book, and more money was
+coming on for her.
+
+Fred Erickson mastered his feeling of faintness in wonderful fashion.
+His will helped him, he was determined, and as the time drew near for
+the race the excitement of the event kept him strung up to concert
+pitch.
+
+Gradually the filly came back to her former position in the market,
+but twenty to one was freely offered against her: she was an unknown
+quantity and this did not augur well for her chance.
+
+Hector went into the ring and put several hundreds on Tearaway; he was
+anxious to have a good win, and Picton was so sanguine of success.
+
+Fletcher Denyer saw him and, following behind, heard him book several
+big wagers about Tearaway.
+
+"He can't know much about it," he thought, "to back an outsider like
+that."
+
+At the same time he was uneasy, for he had a lot of money on Bronze,
+and had put a saver on the favorite. William Rolfe had shown he
+was not a man to be taken in: Denyer found that out in one or two
+transactions he had with him.
+
+He spoke to Hector, asking him what he knew about Tearaway.
+
+"Not much," he replied. "I fancy her, that's all; she's a very good
+looking filly."
+
+"But you must have some line to go upon. Perhaps she has won a good
+trial?"
+
+"I am not likely to know that," said Hector.
+
+"Be fair with me, Rolfe. Is she worth a tenner or two?"
+
+"Please yourself. I don't see how she can beat the favorite, or
+Bronze; but she might--there's no telling," and he walked on.
+
+"Hang him, I believe he knows something about her and he won't
+enlighten me. He can keep it to himself. If she wins I'll pay him out
+in some way or other," muttered Fletcher.
+
+Brack had never been in Tattersalls before. The noise, the crush, the
+yelling of odds, the struggle to get money on, amazed him. He wondered
+if all the people had suddenly gone mad. He had five pounds in his
+hands, he knew enough about betting to know what to do.
+
+"What are you layin' Tearaway?" he asked a man on the rails.
+
+The bookmaker looked at him and smiled.
+
+"Twenty to one," he said.
+
+"I'll have five pounds on," said Brack.
+
+"A hundred to five Tearaway," said the bookmaker, and his clerk booked
+it. "What name?" he asked.
+
+"Brack, but you'd better give me a ticket."
+
+"As you please," and he handed him one. There was a lull in the row
+for a moment and the bookmaker said to him: "You don't often go to the
+races, eh?"
+
+"No, not often," said Brack.
+
+"A seaman?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Where do you hail from? I've a son at sea."
+
+"I'm a boat owner at Torquay; I used to be at Scarborough."
+
+"Yorkshireman?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You seem a good sort. Who told you to back Tearaway?"
+
+"Never mind that. I fancy it," said Brack.
+
+"Somebody must have told you," persisted the man.
+
+"Well, if you want to know and it'll do you any good, the owner told
+me," said Brack.
+
+The bookmaker laughed.
+
+"You're a cute 'un," he said. "The owner, eh? Mr. Woodridge. I suppose
+you're a friend of his?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Good, you'll do. I hope I have to pay you the hundred; it will suit
+my book," laughed the bookmaker.
+
+"Don't believe me, eh?" muttered Brack as he walked away. "You'll
+maybe have a better opinion of me after Tearaway's won."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+"BY JOVE, SHE'S WONDERFUL"
+
+
+The horses were saddled, the jockeys mounting, everything in readiness
+to go out for the parade.
+
+Picton was talking anxiously to his trainer and Erickson, last
+instructions were given, Fred was told to make the most of Tearaway
+in every part of the race, use her staying powers, and in the last
+furlong her wonderful sprinting qualities to the utmost.
+
+"You feel better now?" asked Picton.
+
+"Yes, much better," said Fred; but he was anything but strong.
+
+A great cheer broke out from the stands and course.
+
+"That's the favorite," said Picton, smiling.
+
+"Tearaway will make a hack of him before the winning post is reached,"
+said Fred.
+
+"You are the last out. Good luck to you, Fred," said Picton as he rode
+off. "Well, Brant, what do you think of it?"
+
+"What I have always thought, that she will win."
+
+"But about Fred?"
+
+"He'll be all right; he would not have ridden had he not been
+confident of himself," said the trainer.
+
+It was a beautiful sight, the fifteen horses, parading in the soft
+September light, the colors of the riders flashing, the thoroughbreds
+eager for the fray, well knowing what was about to be required of
+them. There was a dense crowd on the moor, a real Yorkshire crowd, all
+horse lovers, enthusiasts, judges; on no racecourse in the world is
+there a more sport-loving crowd than Doncaster on St. Leger day.
+
+The stands were packed, so were the rings; bustle and excitement on
+all sides; the only clear space was the course, a bright green grass
+track, winding in and out amidst a black surging mass of people.
+Brack surveyed the scene with wondering eyes. It was all new to him,
+although he had been on the moor, and seen the great race before,
+he had never witnessed it from the stand side; the contrast was
+remarkable. It was also many years since he had been on a racecourse.
+
+He was not excited, he viewed the scene calmly; it was not in his
+nature to bubble over with enthusiasm. As the horses galloped past,
+and went to the post, he was thinking about Lenise Elroy, what she
+had said to him at Torquay, and how she had spoken to Carl Hackler. He
+wondered if danger threatened Hector Woodridge; he must try and have a
+word or two with him before he left the course.
+
+Mrs. Elroy watched the purple and white sleeves worn by Banks, the
+rider of Ripon, the favorite. She wanted him to win. She had, at
+Rupert Hansom's suggestion, put a hundred pounds on him. Rupert Hansom
+was the owner of Ripon, a rich man, not particularly popular, living
+apart from his wife, who had obtained a separation from him on account
+of his conduct with a well-known opera singer. He admired Mrs. Elroy,
+would have liked to be intimate with her, but she did not care for him
+in that way, he was merely a casual acquaintance. Her eyes rested on
+the saffron jacket and red cap of Picton Woodridge.
+
+"What pretty colors!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Mine?" Hansom asked.
+
+"No; they are very nice. I was looking at that peculiar yellow jacket
+and red cap."
+
+"They're Woodridge's colors--saffron, red cap. I don't think Tearaway
+has much chance, although I hear they have backed her for a large
+sum," he said.
+
+So that was Tearaway! What a splendid black mare, and how well the
+colors of the racing jacket contrasted with her dark shining coat.
+
+There was not much time for reflection; in a few minutes they were
+sent on their journey, getting off in an almost unbroken line, a
+splendid start.
+
+Round the bend they swept, a moving mass of brilliant colors. The
+Major held the lead, stretched out to his full extent, half a dozen
+lengths in front; he was followed by Dark Donald, Bronze, Harriet,
+Ripon, The Monk, Field Gun, and Tearaway, the remainder well up.
+
+The Major traveled at a great pace; it was to be a fast run race. He
+was a very fair horse, although not quite equal to staying the St.
+Leger course; as a matter of fact, he was out on a pace-making mission
+for Bronze. At the back of the course The Major still led, the others
+were creeping up. Harriet was now in second place, Ripon, and Bronze,
+racing together, Tearaway close behind them, level with The Monk.
+
+The race became more interesting. All the well backed horses shaped
+well, and their numerous backers watched every move with interest.
+
+Picton worked his way through the crowd and entered his box just
+before the start. Rita was all excitement; she said Torquay races were
+very tame after this.
+
+"I don't suppose I shall ever have a chance of riding four winners in
+two days here, or of winning a double," said Picton.
+
+Hector caught sight of Mrs. Elroy's glance and smiled; she was not far
+away.
+
+Sir Robert was fidgety. He had done what he considered a rather risky
+thing, backed Tearaway for several hundreds, standing to win a large
+sum. He considered it risky because he still doubted if the trial on
+Haverton Moor was quite correct; it seemed too good to be true that
+Tearaway had beaten Tristram at only seven pounds difference. He had
+on the spur of the moment said that Picton had the St. Leger in
+his pocket, but that was merely a figure of speech, the result of
+over-enthusiasm. He was now watching the race with keen interest, and
+thought Tearaway too far back.
+
+"Erickson's not making sufficient use of her," he said.
+
+"He'll get through presently," said Picton. "I think The Major made
+the pace rather hot for the first six furlongs."
+
+"Perhaps that's it," said Sir Robert. "I hope he'll ride it out, I
+wish that queer sort of faintness had not come over him."
+
+They were entering the straight, when rounding the bend a good deal of
+bumping took place.
+
+The cause of it was the sudden collapse of The Major, who almost
+stopped dead, and narrowly escaped knocking Bronze down. Bronze in
+turn collided with Harriet, and the pair interfered with Ripon, and
+The Monk, who had come with a fast run, Tearaway was in the center of
+the course and steered clear of the lot.
+
+Fred Erickson pulled her wide on the outside to avoid any possibility
+of a collision because he did not feel equal to it. When he saw the
+interference at the bend he was glad; it was the best thing he could
+have done.
+
+The consequences of the colliding were not serious; no one was to
+blame. Fairly in the straight, Harriet took command, followed by
+Bronze, Ripon, The Monk, and Dark Donald, with Tearaway in the middle
+of the course.
+
+The race grew more and more exciting. Up to this point the winner
+could not be picked, half a dozen horses had excellent chances.
+
+"My fellow will win," said Rupert Hansom to Mrs. Elroy.
+
+"I hope so," she answered; but her glance was on the saffron jacket,
+and the black mare. They looked dangerous.
+
+"He's going well," said Sir Robert.
+
+"Which is going well?" asked his wife.
+
+"The favorite, confound him," he snapped.
+
+Brack had a very good view of the horses as they came up the straight.
+He saw the bright jacket of Tearaway's jockey in the center of the
+course and to him it appeared the race was little short of a certainty
+for her. He was not much of a judge, but he loved racing, and when he
+saw the black mare, out alone, catching the leaders, he shouted for
+joy. Some one told him to make less noise; it had no effect on him,
+he still continued to talk to himself, and give vent to an occasional
+cheer.
+
+Fred Erickson rode a great race. Tearaway was going splendidly; he
+felt a glow of pride in her, was glad he had such a mount, for he had
+not yet won a St. Leger, it had long been his ambition to do so.
+
+Halfway down the straight something seemed to stab him in the chest;
+his head swam, for a moment he reeled in the saddle, the reins
+loosened in his hands, Tearaway slackened speed. Half dazed, by sheer
+force of will he controlled himself. His eyes were dim, he saw the
+horses in a mist, they hardly appeared real. He took hold of Tearaway
+and urged her forward, the gallant mare responded, her astonishing
+speed began to tell.
+
+Blackett saw Fred almost swoon--he had exceptionally powerful
+glasses--and wondered he did not fall off.
+
+"It's all up," he muttered; then, as he looked again, he saw Tearaway
+coming along as fast as the wind. The black filly stood out by
+herself, the saffron jacket alone in the center of the course. On the
+rails Ripon and Harriet were racing hard, with Bronze drawing up; the
+trio appeared to have the race among them. Already there were shouts
+for the favorite, and Rupert Hansom said to Mrs. Elroy: "I told you he
+would win."
+
+She had seen many races, and did not think Ripon would win. She feared
+the black filly, who was going so fast, catching the leaders. She
+wondered Hansom did not see it too.
+
+In Picton's box it was all excitement. Fred Erickson was seen to
+swerve in the saddle, then recover, and send Tearaway along at a
+terrific pace.
+
+"Well done, bravely done, Fred!" exclaimed Sir Robert.
+
+"Splendid!" said Rita.
+
+"She'll win!" said Picton as he watched her, the perspiration standing
+in beads on his forehead.
+
+"I think she's a chance," said Hector; "but Ripon is forging ahead,
+and Bronze is not done with."
+
+"Look at her now!" said Picton.
+
+"By jove, she's wonderful!" said Sir Robert.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+FAST AS THE WIND
+
+
+A St. Leger long to be remembered. Three horses abreast fighting a
+terrific battle a furlong from the winning post; in the center of the
+course a coal black mare, coming with a beautiful even stride, at a
+pace men marveled at. Old hands who had seen Hannah, Marie Stuart,
+and Apology win, later Dutch Oven, and La Fleche, Throstle, and the
+peerless Scepter, were astounded at Tearaway's speed.
+
+On came Picton Woodridge's black filly, the saffron jacket showing
+boldly, Fred Erickson sitting motionless in the saddle. How still he
+sat! No one knew he dared not move; had he done so he felt he must
+fall off. With desperate efforts he retained his seat; he alone
+knew what a great performance Tearaway was putting in, that she was
+carrying more than a dead weight, that if anything he hampered instead
+of assisting her.
+
+Ripon got his head in front of Harriet and Bronze, and the shouting
+was deafening.
+
+"Ripon wins!" yelled Rupert Hansom.
+
+Mrs. Elroy was looking at Tearaway. The black mare was gaining fast,
+she would get up and win, she had no doubt about it. She was mortified
+because William Rolfe had not told her the real strength of the mare
+and her trial. He ought to have done so; they were friends. What was
+his reason? Was he jealous of her being with Rupert Hansom? Perhaps he
+was, and thought she would tell him about the mare. If this were so,
+she did not mind losing her hundred. He had promised to meet her at
+the station and journey to town with her; much might happen between
+Doncaster and London--possibly he might propose. She intended to urge
+him on in every possible way, and she possessed remarkable powers of
+fascinating men and was aware of it. These thoughts were mixed up in
+her mind as she watched the saffron jacket. The great mass of people
+on the rails, and standing on forms behind, at last saw that Tearaway
+was dangerous. Ripon held the lead, Bronze next, Harriet and Tearaway
+level. The noise was terrific, the thousands of people surged to and
+fro, hundreds of them could just see the red cap bobbing up in the
+center of the course.
+
+Tearaway settled Harriet's pretensions, and caught Bronze. Fletcher
+Denyer turned pale with rage; he recognized that Rolfe had not given
+him the strength of Tearaway. It was a shame, after the excellent
+mining tips he had given him.
+
+Bronze was beaten. He had lost a large sum, more than he cared to pay;
+when he had settled on Monday there would be very little ready money
+left, and he must settle or his reputation, such as it was, would be
+gone. Rolfe evidently knew all about Tearaway; there was no doubt he
+backed the mare to win many thousands of pounds. The commission agent
+he worked for said Tearaway was one of the worst in his book, and the
+bulk of the money had gone to William Rolfe. Denyer introduced Rolfe
+to the man, who would not thank him for this client whose first wagers
+were on a winner at thirty-three to one.
+
+Tearaway passed Bronze and drew level with Ripon. Rupert Hansom was
+quiet now, watching the struggle on which so much depended. His hopes
+of winning were of short duration. Tearaway wrested the lead from him,
+passed him, forged ahead, Erickson sitting perfectly still, and won by
+a couple of lengths, with the greatest ease. The way the flying filly
+left the favorite was wonderful. Ripon might have been standing still.
+Banks, his rider, when he realized the situation was amazed. Ripon was
+a good horse; what, then, must this filly be?
+
+No matter what wins the St. Leger, there are rousing cheers for the
+victor. It was so in this case. They were given with more heartiness
+because she was a Yorkshire-bred mare, owned by a popular Yorkshire
+squire; there was a real county flavor about it, and the men of the
+wolds rejoiced exceedingly. Some of them lost money on Ripon, but that
+was a small matter compared with the defeat of the Newmarket champion
+by a home-bred 'un; patriotism first is always the case with a
+Doncaster crowd.
+
+"Picton, my boy, I congratulate you," said Sir Robert, wringing his
+hand. "By gad, I wish the Admiral could have seen this!"
+
+Hector heard the words and turned round quickly; they cut deep into a
+not-yet-healed wound.
+
+Picton looked hastily at his brother and guessed what that sudden
+movement meant.
+
+"Thank you, Sir Robert," he said. "It is a great victory. I also wish
+my father could have seen it," he added in a low voice.
+
+Rita's congratulations came next.
+
+"I am so glad," she said, "so very glad; you own the best mare in
+England."
+
+"Go down and lead her in, don't waste time here," said Sir Robert; and
+Picton went.
+
+Hector followed him, glad to get out of the box. "I wish the Admiral
+could have seen it." Sir Robert's words rang in his ears.
+
+He caught sight of Mrs. Elroy in a box and vowed he would make her pay
+to the uttermost for the misery she had caused. There was no mercy in
+him at that moment; the recalling of his father's death steeled
+his heart, deadened his conscience, made him cruel, hard, almost
+murderous. She smiled at him and her glance fanned the flame within
+him.
+
+"To-morrow we journey to London, to-morrow," he thought.
+
+Picton Woodridge was recognized as he came with his trainer to lead
+Tearaway in. Cheer after cheer was given as he walked beside her
+through the living lane.
+
+"How are you, Fred?" he asked.
+
+The jockey did not speak, he gazed straight before him with dull eyes,
+like a man in a dream.
+
+"Brant, he's very ill," said Picton.
+
+The trainer looked at the jockey and was alarmed at the expression
+on, and color of, his face. There was no spark of life in it and his
+complexion was a leaden color.
+
+"Keep up, Fred, keep up! You've done splendidly!" said Brant.
+
+Many people in the crowd noticed the jockey's condition and wondered
+at it.
+
+"He's ill, poor chap."
+
+"The race has been too much for him."
+
+"I heard he was bad before they went out."
+
+"He's a good plucked 'un anyhow."
+
+Many such remarks were passed as Tearaway went in.
+
+"Get down," said Brant sharply, trying to rouse him.
+
+Fred looked at him but did not seem to understand.
+
+"Get down, unsaddle, and weigh in," said Brant.
+
+"Yes, of course, I forgot," said Fred in a hollow voice.
+
+Two of the stewards were looking on; they had just congratulated
+Picton on his win.
+
+"Your jockey looks ill," one of them said.
+
+"He is; he was very bad, faint, before the race, but he said he'd pull
+through, and I could not find a good jockey at the last moment," said
+Picton.
+
+"You might have ridden her," said the other steward. "You are about
+the weight, and would not have made any difference to the result."
+
+Picton was flattered; this was high praise indeed; the steward was one
+of the best judges of racing in the land.
+
+Fred managed to take the saddle off and walked with unsteady steps to
+the weighing room. He sat in the chair with a bump. The clerk at the
+scales looked at him.
+
+"You're ill, Fred," he said.
+
+The jockey nodded; he would not have been surprised had they told
+him he was dying. He got up from the scales, and Banks, the rider
+of Ripon, dropped his saddle and caught him as he fell forward in a
+faint.
+
+"All right," was called.
+
+Brant came forward; he and Picton carried him outside. A doctor came,
+ordered him to be taken to the hospital at once, and thither he was
+conveyed, Picton accompanying him.
+
+When Fred came to, he said to Picton, with a faint smile: "Don't stay
+here; I'm all right. I did feel bad; I don't know how I stuck on.
+She's a wonder; she won the race on her own, and carried a log of wood
+on her back. I was quite as useless; I could not help her at all."
+
+"You are sure you do not wish me to stay?"
+
+"Quite," said Fred. "I shall probably be on the course to-morrow."
+
+"What's the matter with him, doctor?" asked Picton, when they were in
+the consulting room.
+
+"He's consumptive, there are all the symptoms, and it is weakness
+caused through that. He may be able to go out to-morrow as he says; it
+is wonderful how they rally--a flash in the pan. He can't live long,
+I'm afraid; in any case he ought to give up riding," said the doctor.
+
+"I don't think he'll mind that so much now he's won the St. Leger,"
+said Picton, smiling. He liked the doctor, fancied he resembled some
+one he knew. "Will you come to Haverton and have a shot on the moor?"
+he asked.
+
+"You are very kind, Mr. Woodridge, but perhaps when you hear my name
+you may be prejudiced against me."
+
+"A name can make no difference," said Picton. "What is it?"
+
+"Bernard Elroy."
+
+Picton started; he was much surprised.
+
+"I am the brother-in-law of Mrs. Elroy. Now do you understand?"
+
+"Yes," said Picton. "It makes no difference; all that is past."
+
+"But not forgotten," said the doctor.
+
+"No, it is not. You cannot expect it."
+
+"Mr. Woodridge, if I could prove your brother's innocence, I would.
+I'd give a great deal to prove it, do anything that would assist in
+proving it."
+
+"You believe he is innocent?" asked Picton.
+
+"I do not believe he shot Elroy," said Bernard.
+
+"Then who did shoot him?" asked Picton.
+
+"There is only one person can tell us that."
+
+"And it is?"
+
+"Mrs. Elroy," said Bernard.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CUP
+
+
+Tearaway was in the Doncaster Cup on the concluding day of the
+meeting, but Fred Erickson was not well enough to ride, although on
+the course.
+
+Picton said nothing to his brother about Dr. Elroy. Hector had rather
+a serious wordy encounter with Fletcher Denyer, who called him nasty
+names, and plainly said he had willfully deceived him about Tearaway.
+Hector spoke his mind freely, saying he had no wish to see him again.
+
+"If you think you've seen the last of me, you're mistaken," said
+Fletcher. "I owe you a bad turn and I'll repay it, I always do."
+
+Hector laughed as he walked away. He told Lenise Elroy of the
+encounter.
+
+"You must choose between us," he said. "I have no desire to meet him
+at your flat."
+
+"You can easily guess which I shall choose," she said.
+
+He questioned her and she replied, "You."
+
+"The climax is drawing near," he thought.
+
+"You'll run Tearaway in the Cup I expect?" asked Sir Robert. His
+favorite Tristram was in, and he had no desire to see the celebrated
+Cup horse beaten by the flying filly, as he feared would be the case.
+
+"I think so," said Picton. "You will start Tristram?"
+
+"Yes. I must not own up I am afraid of your mare; but, by jove, I am,
+my boy," said Sir Robert.
+
+"It will be a great race between them," said Picton.
+
+"A real sporting event," said Sir Robert. "It will cause more
+excitement than the St. Leger."
+
+When it became known on Thursday night that Tristram and Tearaway
+would oppose each other in the Doncaster Cup, and that Ripon, Bronze,
+Fair Dame, and Sir Charles, would run, excitement worked up to fever
+heat. Nothing else was talked about in the town at night, and in all
+the papers on Friday morning mention was made of the great struggle
+that might be expected. The _Special Commissioner_ wrote that it was
+an open fact that Tristram and Tearaway had been tried on Haverton
+Moor before the St. Leger and the filly had won at a very slight
+difference in the weights, and he concluded as follows: "This being
+the case, the Leger winner should be victorious, as Sir Robert Raines'
+great horse will have to give a lump of weight away, so I shall go for
+Tearaway to win."
+
+This appeared to be the general opinion; only many shrewd men thought
+Tristram would prove more than a match for Tearaway over the Cup
+distance. Another argument was that the severe race in the St. Leger
+must have taken it out of the filly, while Tristram was fresh, and
+very fit; in fact, Sir Robert's horse was stated to be better than
+he had ever been. Bronze, too, was given a chance, as he was a proved
+stayer; while Ripon was not considered out of it.
+
+Much to Rupert Hansom's disgust, Banks declined to ride Ripon and
+accepted the mount on Tearaway. At first this seemed somewhat unfair,
+but Hansom had severely taken the jockey to task over his riding in
+the St. Leger, and Banks resented it, knowing he had done his best.
+
+"Tearaway is the best filly we've seen for years," he said, "and Ripon
+had no chance with her; you'll see how it is if she runs in the Cup."
+
+"Perhaps you'd like to ride her?" sneered Rupert.
+
+"I should. I will if I get the chance."
+
+His chance came sooner than he expected. Seeing Picton Woodridge on
+Thursday, before the last race, the jockey said, "Will Fred be well
+enough to ride your mare in the Cup, sir?"
+
+"No, he's not at all well, Dick. He's consumptive, I'm sorry to say."
+
+"Have you a jockey?"
+
+"Not at present."
+
+"Will you give me the mount?"
+
+"Are you not engaged to ride Ripon?" asked Picton, surprised.
+
+"No, there is no engagement, and I have fallen out with Mr. Hansom
+about the riding of his horse in the St. Leger," said Banks.
+
+"You are free to ride my mare?" asked Picton.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then you shall have the mount. I would sooner see you on her than any
+one, except Fred," said Picton.
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Banks, jubilant, and went off to tell Rupert
+Hansom, who said it was an infernal shame, and raved about it to his
+friends, calling Banks all sorts of names.
+
+"I don't see what you have to complain of," said Mrs. Elroy. "You said
+he rode a bad race in the St. Leger, jeeringly asked him if he'd like
+the mount on Tearaway in the Cup, when he replied he would. It appears
+he took you at your word and accepted the mount when it was offered
+him; I think he's on the winner."
+
+"Do you indeed?" he said crossly. "I hope if you back her you'll lose
+your money."
+
+"How very disagreeable you are," she said. "Men with diminutive minds
+always appear to lose control over their tempers, and forget their
+manners."
+
+Rupert Hansom found another jockey in Crosby, a very fair rider.
+
+There were seven runners for the Cup, fields had been stronger than
+usual at the meeting.
+
+Rita looked supremely happy. She knew what was coming; Picton had more
+than hinted at it. Before she left Haverton he would ask her to be his
+wife; she knew what her answer would be. She loved him, had done so
+from the first time they met, and she was quite sure he loved her.
+
+Dick Langford also guessed what was about to happen; it pleased him to
+contemplate Picton as a brother-in-law.
+
+"I'll give him The Rascal as a wedding present," he said to himself,
+laughing.
+
+Before they went to the races on Friday he said to Rita: "Picton's
+having a great week--the Leger, the Cup to-day, a wife before the
+week's out."
+
+She laughed as she replied: "That's a treble--better than his double
+on The Rascal."
+
+"You're worth the winning, Rita," he said kindly. "Wonder what I shall
+do without you."
+
+"Find a wife," she said.
+
+"Expect it will be compulsory; it is not good for a man to live
+alone," he answered.
+
+A tremendous crowd witnessed the Doncaster Cup. It was as memorable a
+race as the St. Leger; many thought it more so.
+
+Sir Robert secured the services of May, a reliable jockey, at times
+brilliant.
+
+"I hope I shall beat you," he said to Picton.
+
+"I hope Tearaway will win," was the laughing reply.
+
+"It will be a great race," said Dick; "but my bit goes on the mare."
+
+"And mine," said Rita.
+
+"And mine," said Hector.
+
+"All against me," laughed Sir Robert. "My hundred or two goes on
+Tristram."
+
+"Robert, I don't think you ought to bet. Remember the trial," said his
+wife.
+
+"You against me!" he exclaimed. "I am in a terrible plight indeed."
+
+The horses were out, seven in number, a real good lot.
+
+Sir Robert's face glowed with pride as he heard the roar of cheers
+which greeted the red jacket and black cap, and his good horse
+Tristram. Another roar was given for Tearaway; the others were all
+cheered lustily. They were soon on their journey, Sir Charles making
+the running, followed by Fair Dame, Bronze, and Harriet, with Ripon,
+and Tearaway next, and Tristram last. Sir Robert's horse never went to
+the front in the earlier stages of a race.
+
+Rupert Hansom gave Crosby instructions to keep in touch with Tristram
+and Tearaway.
+
+"You've nothing else to fear," he said; "and remember there's a
+hundred for you if you win."
+
+Sir Charles soon dropped out of it and Harriet took his place. At the
+back of the close the lot closed up, half a dozen lengths separated
+first and last.
+
+In the straight they swept; then a change took place. Ripon made the
+first move forward, followed by Tearaway and Tristram.
+
+Up the straight they came at a terrific pace, for Tearaway had gone
+to the front, and Banks was making every use of her great speed and
+staying powers.
+
+Cheer after cheer pealed over the course when the saffron jacket was
+seen in the lead; the filly was favorite, a six to four chance.
+
+Banks kept pushing her along; he did not know how to handle her as
+well as Fred Erickson, but did his best.
+
+May was riding Tristram strictly to orders.
+
+"Bring him with a rush in the last quarter of a mile," said Sir
+Robert.
+
+Ripon was going well, but could not keep the pace with Tearaway.
+
+At last May brought Tristram out and the great horse came along with
+giant strides, his natural style of going. On he came swooping down,
+passing first one then another, drawing level with Ripon, leaving him,
+and going in pursuit of Tearaway.
+
+The excitement was intense; all eyes were fixed on the splendid pair,
+the mare and the horse, owned by two good sportsmen, hailing from
+Yorkshire, both well known in the county. Captain Ben Bruce was with
+Brack, who had been persuaded to stop until the meeting was over; he
+was very fond of the old boatman, and knew he deserved well of them
+all. Brack was to have a look round Haverton before he returned home.
+He had backed Tearaway again, and was shouting her name frantically,
+much to the Captain's amusement. She looked like a winner, she was
+going so well, but there was no mistaking the way in which Tristram
+galloped.
+
+"He's catching her!" said Sir Robert excitedly.
+
+Picton smiled confidently; he did not think he would do it.
+
+A great shout went up when Tristram got to Tearaway's girth; May rode
+a brilliant finish.
+
+Banks handled the filly well, but had not the same powers as Fred
+Erickson at his best; they were wanted now just to help her home.
+
+Neck and neck they raced, head and head, not an inch between them,
+outstretched nostrils; it was a tremendous race, one of the best ever
+seen for the Cup.
+
+Sir Robert and Picton looked on, thrilling with excitement. It was a
+desperate finish. Both were game, the filly and the horse, and fought
+to the bitter end. As they passed the judge's box no one could tell
+which had won.
+
+"Dead heat," said the judge.
+
+Sir Robert and Picton shook hands heartily.
+
+"By jove, what a race!" the baronet said.
+
+"I'm glad it was a dead heat," said Picton. "We've both won."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+THE RESERVED COMPARTMENT
+
+
+Lenise Elroy arrived at the station and looked around for Mr. Rolfe.
+He was not there; at least she did not see him. As the time drew near
+for the departure of the train she became anxious; she hoped much from
+this railway journey in a reserved compartment: they would be able to
+talk without interruption.
+
+Hector had seen Brack, who explained how Mrs. Elroy had questioned him
+at Torquay, and also Carl Hackler.
+
+"You'd best be careful," said Brack; "I saw you talking with her on
+the course."
+
+"She has no idea who I am. I thank you all the same," he answered.
+
+"Mr. Woodridge has given me a hundred pounds and a new boat," said
+Brack.
+
+"And you richly deserve it! Here's a twenty-pound note to add to it,"
+said Hector.
+
+"I'll be a rich man before I get back to Torquay," said Brack.
+
+"Here you are; I thought you were not coming," said Mrs. Elroy, as
+Hector came up.
+
+"There's plenty of time," he said; "ten minutes."
+
+"You can't think how anxious I felt."
+
+"Why? You could have gone on alone."
+
+"That would not have suited me; I want your company," she said.
+
+They were shown to a reserved compartment, the guard locking the door
+until the train started; it was crowded, and some of the race-goers
+are not particular where they get in.
+
+"It's a non-stop train; we are alone until we arrive at King's Cross,"
+said Hector.
+
+Lenise was at her best. She confessed she was really in love this
+time; she meant to find out how matters stood with him.
+
+Despite all she had done, he felt her charm still. She was not a good
+woman, far from it, but there was something so subtle and attractive
+about her he found it hard to resist the spell.
+
+The thought of Sir Robert's words, "I wish the Admiral could have seen
+this," gave him courage. It had to be done--why not do it now? There
+was no escape for her; it was not a corridor train; they were boxed up
+for three hours or more. She looked at him with softly gleaming
+eyes; her whole being thrilled toward him; she had never been so
+fascinating.
+
+"You are quiet. What are you thinking about?" she said. "Reckoning up
+your winnings on Tearaway, I suppose."
+
+"My thoughts were far away from there," he said.
+
+"Where were they wandering?"
+
+"I was thinking about you," he said.
+
+"How nice of you," she said quietly.
+
+"You prefer me to Fletcher Denyer?"
+
+"How can you ask such an absurd question?"
+
+"I was wondering whether I loved you; I was thinking whether you would
+be my wife, if I had the courage to ask you."
+
+"Try," she said, her eyes on him.
+
+"Do you really love me?" he asked.
+
+"You know I do; you must have known it from the first time we met."
+
+"There should be no secrets between us," he said. "I have something to
+tell you."
+
+She turned pale, a faint shiver passed through her; he noticed it.
+Would she confess what she had done?
+
+"I too have a confession to make, if you love me, and wish me to be
+your wife."
+
+"Otherwise?"
+
+"I shall keep my counsel; it would not interest you."
+
+"Let me tell you something first," he said.
+
+"As you please, confidence for confidence," she said with a faint
+smile.
+
+"I have not always lived a decent life," he said. "I once committed a
+crime, I paid the penalty, I was sent to prison, to Dartmoor."
+
+She started again, a look of fear was in her eyes.
+
+"When I told you I was mining on Dartmoor it was not true; I worked
+on Dartmoor, but it was as a prisoner. I was in the same gang as Mr.
+Woodridge's brother."
+
+"You were," she said in a hollow voice, wondering why he told her
+this.
+
+"Yes, poor fellow. I never saw a man so broken down in my life; his
+face haunted me. I said something about it before, you may remember."
+
+"Yes, I recollect," she said.
+
+"We had very little chance of speaking but I heard his story in
+fragments, how he hated the woman who had brought him down so low. He
+swore to me he did not kill the woman's husband, but he would not tell
+me who did, although I asked him many times. From what I heard I came
+to the conclusion she fired the shot."
+
+His eyes were on her; she could not face their searching glance.
+
+She made no remark, and he went on: "It was mainly through me he
+escaped," he said. "When I was released I searched out his brother
+and made a suggestion. Mr. Woodridge has no idea I was in prison; he
+thought I had been abroad for several years. Needless to say, I did
+not enlighten him; I will trust you not to do so."
+
+"I shall never speak of it."
+
+"Does this alter your opinion of me? Shall I go on?" he asked.
+
+"I love you," she said. "I shall always love you, no matter what
+happens."
+
+"As you know, Hector Woodridge escaped."
+
+"But he is dead."
+
+"That is uncertain. He may be, or he may have got away and be in
+hiding. He must be greatly changed, no one would recognize him," he
+said.
+
+"It is hardly possible," she said.
+
+"Perhaps not, but still he may be alive, and if he is, the woman who
+ruined him had better beware. I believe he would kill her if he
+met her. What have you to confess to me? You see I have placed my
+character in your hands; you can ruin me socially if you wish."
+
+"I do not wish, and I thank you for the trust you have placed in me,"
+she said. "I am afraid to confess all to you, afraid you will never
+speak to me again when you know who I am."
+
+"Who you are?" he exclaimed.
+
+"I told you, when you remarked on the curious coincidence that my name
+was Mrs. Elroy, that I was not the Mrs. Elroy connected with Hector
+Woodridge's case."
+
+"Well," he said.
+
+"I told you a lie. I am the same Mrs. Elroy. It was my husband Hector
+Woodridge shot. It was me he was in love with."
+
+He looked at her without speaking for several minutes. The silence was
+painful; he was thinking how to launch his thunderbolt, how best to
+trap and overwhelm her. There was no escape, she was entirely at his
+mercy.
+
+"You ruined Hector Woodridge, sent him to penal servitude for life,"
+he said.
+
+"I was not entirely to blame. We loved, or at least we thought so."
+
+"How did it happen?" he asked.
+
+"The shooting?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"It was quite unpremeditated; had the revolver not been there it would
+never have happened. I believe my husband intended to shoot him, and
+me--it was his revolver."
+
+Hector wondered if this were true.
+
+"The revolver was on a small table. I saw it but did not remove it;
+had I done so the tragedy would not have happened."
+
+"Why did you leave it there?" he asked.
+
+"I do not know; probably because I did not wish my husband to know
+I was afraid. I was aware he had found us out, that an exposure must
+come sooner or later. He was madly in love with me; I almost hated
+him, he was so weak, almost childish, and I wanted a strong man to
+rule me. Shall I go on, do you despise me, look upon me as a very
+wicked woman?" she asked in a strained voice.
+
+"Go on," he said; "tell me the whole story, how he was shot,
+everything."
+
+"I will, I will make a full confession; but be merciful in your
+judgment, remember I am doing this because I love you, that I do not
+want it to stand between us, I plead to you not to throw all the blame
+on me. Hector Woodridge was a strong man and I loved him, I believe he
+loved me, he overcame all my scruples. I yielded to him, gave myself
+to him--surely that was a great sacrifice, my name, honor, everything
+for his sake. We were together in my husband's study. We thought he
+was in London, but he did not go; he set a trap and caught us. I shall
+never forget the look on his face when he came into the room. I saw
+his eyes rest on the revolver, and I felt it was our lives or his, but
+we stood between him and the weapon.
+
+"Hector Woodridge guessed what was in his mind; he must have done so,
+for he laid his hand on the revolver. My husband saw the movement and
+said, 'Put that down, you scoundrel,' and advanced toward us. Hector
+raised the revolver and told him to stand back. He did so; he was
+afraid.
+
+"There was an angry altercation. I remember saying I was tired of him,
+that I would live with him no longer, that I loved Hector Woodridge.
+This drove him to distraction; he became furious, dangerous; he would
+have killed us without hesitation had he possessed the revolver, there
+was such a murderous look in his eyes. Does my sordid story interest
+you?" she asked.
+
+"It does; everything you do or say interests me," he said.
+
+"And you do not utterly despise me, think me too bad to be in decent
+society, to be sitting here alone with you?"
+
+"Go on," he said in a tone that was half a command, and which caused
+her to feel afraid of something unknown.
+
+"At last Elroy's rage got the better of his prudence; he made a dash
+forward to seize the revolver, raised in Hector's hand. It was the
+work of a second, his finger was on the trigger; he pulled it, there
+was a report, Elroy staggered forward, fell on his face, dead," she
+said with a blanched face, and trembling voice.
+
+"_You_ pulled the trigger," he said, calmly looking straight at her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+HOW HECTOR HAD HIS REVENGE
+
+
+This direct charge so astonished her that for a few moments she did
+not recognize its full significance. She sat wildly staring at him,
+completely overwhelmed.
+
+He watched; her terror fascinated him, he could not take his eyes off
+her.
+
+She tried to speak and failed, seemed on the point of fainting. He let
+down the window; the cool air revived her, but she was in a deplorably
+nervous condition.
+
+At last the words came.
+
+"I pulled the trigger?" she said. "What do you mean, how can you
+possibly know what happened?"
+
+"I said you pulled the trigger. It is true, is it not?"
+
+"No; Hector Woodridge shot my husband," she said in a low voice. She
+was afraid of him; his knowledge seemed uncanny--or was it merely
+guesswork?
+
+"That is a lie," he said.
+
+"How dare you say that!" she said, her courage momentarily flashing
+out.
+
+He smiled.
+
+"I thought this was to be a full confession," he said.
+
+"I will say no more; you do not believe me," she said.
+
+"Then I will continue it," he said, and she seemed petrified with
+fright. He gave her no chance. He related the history of the trial; so
+minute were his particulars that she wondered if he were a man, or a
+being possessed of unearthly knowledge.
+
+"Hector Woodridge was condemned to be hanged, and you spoke no word to
+save him. Your evidence damned him, almost hanged him, sent him to a
+living tomb."
+
+"I could not lie; I had sworn to speak the truth," she faltered.
+
+"You did not speak the truth," he almost shouted; and she shrank
+back, cowering on her seat. She wondered if he had suddenly gone mad.
+Impossible. His knowledge was uncanny.
+
+"Had you spoken the truth you would have saved him; but you dared
+not. Had you told all he would have been set free, you would have
+been sentenced. You were too much of a coward to speak, fearing the
+consequences; but he, what did he do? He remained silent, when he
+might have saved himself and proved you guilty."
+
+"It is not true," she murmured faintly.
+
+"It is true," he said fiercely. "Think what he has suffered, think and
+tremble when you imagine his revenue. I will tell you something more.
+You were in Torquay when he escaped. You were at supper one night;
+there was a chink in the blind; footsore, hunted, his hands torn by
+the hound, his body all bruised and battered, hungry, thirsty, every
+man's hand against him. Hector Woodridge looked through it, he saw you
+feasting with your friends."
+
+"Stop!" she cried in an agonized voice. "Stop! I can bear no more. I
+saw his face, I have never had a peaceful moment since."
+
+"I shall not stop," he said harshly. "Outside he cursed you, prayed
+for justice, and another chance in life."
+
+"How do you know all this?" she asked in a voice trembling with dread.
+
+"Never mind how I know; sufficient that I know," he said. "Hector
+Woodridge, thanks to an old boatman, escaped and boarded the
+_Sea-mew_, his brother's yacht, lying in Torbay."
+
+Her agitation was painful, her face became drawn and haggard, she
+looked an old woman. Rising from her seat, she placed her hands on his
+shoulders, looking long and searchingly into his face.
+
+"Sit down," he said sternly, and she obeyed.
+
+"He was taken away on the _Sea-mew_. He went mad, was insane for
+some time, then he fell dangerously ill; when he recovered he was so
+changed that even the servants at Haverton, who had known him all his
+life, failed to recognize him."
+
+"He went to Haverton?" she said.
+
+"Yes; he is alive and well. No one recognizes him as Hector Woodridge;
+he has assumed another name and once more taken a place in the world.
+To all who knew him he is dead, with two or three exceptions. The
+prison authorities think he is dead; they have given up the search for
+him. He is safe, able to carry out his scheme of revenge against the
+woman who so cruelly wronged him. You are that woman, Lenise Elroy."
+
+"And what does he purpose doing with me?" she asked faintly. "You
+cannot know that."
+
+"I do; I am his most intimate friend."
+
+She started; a weird, unearthly look came into her face.
+
+"His one object in life is to prove his innocence. He cannot do that
+unless you confess," he said.
+
+"Confess!" she laughed mockingly. "There is nothing to confess."
+
+"You know better, and you will be forced to confess or else--"
+
+"What?"
+
+"If you do not prove his innocence he will--"
+
+"Kill me?"
+
+"That may happen, under certain circumstances, but he wishes to give
+you a chance."
+
+"He has asked you to speak to me?"
+
+"Yes; he was at Doncaster."
+
+"At the races?"
+
+"He saw you there. Something of the old fascination you exercise over
+him came back, and for a moment he wavered in his desire for revenge."
+
+He saw a faint smile steal over her face.
+
+"He told you this?"
+
+"Yes, and more; but I have said enough."
+
+"You have indeed. You have brought a terrible indictment against me,
+Mr. Rolfe; if it were true I ought to die of shame and remorse, but it
+is not true, not all of it," she said.
+
+"Lenise, look at me. Do you love me after all I have said?"
+
+"I do. Nothing you can say or do will ever alter that."
+
+"And you will marry me?" he asked. "It is a strange wooing."
+
+"I will be your wife. You will save me from him; you will try and
+persuade him I am not deserving of a terrible revenge," she said.
+
+"Are you afraid of him--of--Hector Woodridge?"
+
+She shuddered.
+
+"Yes," she said, "I am."
+
+"Supposing he were here, in this carriage in my place?"
+
+"I should fling myself out," she said. "I should be afraid of him; it
+would be terrible, awful. I could not bear it."
+
+"Because you know you have wronged him. Do the right thing, Lenise.
+Confess, prove his innocence, think how he has suffered for your sake,
+how he has kept silent all these years," he said.
+
+"Why do you torture me? If he has suffered, so have I. Do you think
+the knowledge of his awful position has not made me shudder every time
+I thought of it? I have pictured him there and wished I could obtain
+his release."
+
+"You can prove his innocence," he said.
+
+"Supposing I could, what then? What would happen? I should have to
+take his place."
+
+"And you dare not."
+
+"I am a woman."
+
+"Then you will not help to prove his innocence?"
+
+"I cannot."
+
+Hector got up quickly, took her by the wrists and dragged her up.
+
+"Look at me, Lenise. Look well. Do you not know me?"
+
+He felt her trembling; she marked every feature of his face. Gradually
+it all came back to her, overwhelmed her. She traced feature by
+feature--the eyes were _his_ eyes, yes, the face was _his_ face. He
+saw the dawn of recognition come over her and break into full light.
+She knew him; her eyes dilated with terror, her cheeks went ashen
+pale, her lips were colorless, her limbs trembled, she could hardly
+stand.
+
+"Yes," he said. "It is I, Lenise, Hector Woodridge, and you are alone
+with me in this carriage."
+
+"Mercy, Hector, mercy, I am only a woman."
+
+"And you love me, you said so, you love William Rolfe?"
+
+She sank on her knees, she clasped his limbs, looking piteously into
+his face. He saw how she suffered.
+
+"Get up," he said; "do not kneel there."
+
+She hid her face between her arms, he heard her sobs, saw they shook
+her frame. The train rattled on, whirling at a great pace, drawing
+nearer and nearer to London. She moaned, it cut him to the heart to
+hear her. A fierce struggle went on within him, a battle with his
+strong will. He placed in the front rank the memory of all he had
+suffered, then brought up his father's death, the cruel disgrace, as
+a reserve to support it. He had his enemy beaten at his feet, he was
+victor, it was a humiliating defeat for her.
+
+"The quality of mercy is not strained."
+
+Strange how the line should come into his mind at this moment. He had
+always been a student of Shakespeare, he knew much of it by heart, in
+prison he repeated whole parts, and it solaced him.
+
+"Lenise, get up."
+
+His tone had changed, she raised her tear-stained face. What she saw
+in his look made her cry out:
+
+"Hector, is it possible? Speak to me, Hector! I know you now. Oh, what
+a fool I have been! I have always loved you, but I was a coward. It
+was you, not William Rolfe, I loved again when we met. You were Hector
+Woodridge and my soul went out to you. Do with me as you will. I am
+strong now, for I believe you love me. I will confess, make it public,
+tell everything. You know I did it. The revolver was in your hand,
+your finger on the trigger, I pulled your hand and it went off. I will
+make it known if only you will forgive me. God, what a fiend I have
+been to let you suffer so! And you have kept silence all these years
+for my sake!"
+
+She spoke rapidly; he knew she was in earnest and his heart softened.
+He had loved her deeply, he loved her now, he had always loved her,
+even in his bitterest moments in prison, when he had framed a terrible
+revenge. It had been his intention to marry her in his assumed name,
+and on their wedding night tell her he was Hector Woodridge and
+then--well he shuddered at the mere thought of how near a brute he had
+been.
+
+Hector was never more of a man than at this moment. He had won a great
+victory over himself, far greater than over the woman at his feet. He
+had conquered revenge, utterly crushed it, cast it out forever.
+
+He stooped down and raised her gently.
+
+The train hissed on, carrying its living freight, drawing nearer to
+London.
+
+She hung her head; he raised it, looked straight into her eyes, then
+kissed her.
+
+From that moment Lenise Elroy was another woman. She felt the change
+instantaneously; she was transformed, she knew whatever happened she
+would be true to him, that she would love him with a devotion that
+could not be surpassed.
+
+He kissed her again as he held her in his arms.
+
+"This is my revenge, Lenise," he said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+AN ASTONISHING COMMUNICATION
+
+
+At Haverton everything shaped well. Picton asked Rita to be his wife
+and she consented. They were very happy, Dick rejoiced exceedingly,
+Captain Ben was pleased, Brack congratulated them in his quaint way
+before he returned to Torquay.
+
+"I'll give you The Rascal for a wedding present," said Dick. "I hope
+he'll win the National for you."
+
+"He will have a good chance," said Picton. "It is a very welcome
+gift."
+
+"I think you and Rita will be happy," Dick said.
+
+"We shall, and when she is mistress here there will be a delightful
+change for the better," said Picton.
+
+"I hope there will be no collision between Rita and Mrs. Yeoman,"
+laughed Dick.
+
+"No fear of that. She is very fond of Rita; she told me so, said she
+was very pleased I was going to marry her."
+
+"Then that's all right," said Dick.
+
+He and his sister remained a week longer, then returned to Torwood;
+Rita and Picton were to be married from there early in the New Year.
+
+Dr. Elroy came from Doncaster for a few days' shooting. Picton
+liked him, so did Captain Ben. The doctor was an excellent shot, and
+accounted for many brace of grouse; he also showed some knowledge of
+horses, which at once ensured Brant's good opinion.
+
+It was during the doctor's stay Picton received a letter from his
+brother, containing an enclosure. Both astonished him immensely, and
+small wonder.
+
+He read them carefully twice, and decided that Hector's wishes should
+be obeyed. These were to the effect that Picton should read them
+to Captain Ben, Sir Robert Raines, and any other persons he thought
+desirable should know the truth. Picton decided Dr. Elroy should join
+them when he read the letter. Sir Robert received a hasty summons to
+Haverton.
+
+"Wonder what's in the wind now," he said.
+
+"A trial I expect," said his wife.
+
+"You and Mr. Woodridge think of nothing but horses."
+
+"I have had a communication I wish you to hear," said Picton. "I have
+heard from my brother."
+
+"Hector!" exclaimed Sir Robert.
+
+"Yes. He is alive and well. He knows you are to be trusted; he wished
+you to hear all he has written. You will be surprised to learn William
+Rolfe is Hector."
+
+"Good heavens!" exclaimed Sir Robert. "Do you know, Picton, my boy, I
+thought he resembled him, but of course I had no idea he was Hector.
+It's wonderful; how did he get away?"
+
+Picton gave him an account of Hector's escape and how he boarded the
+_Sea-mew_, and all that followed.
+
+"The strangest part of the story is better told in his own words,"
+said Picton. "I wish you, Captain Ben, and Dr. Elroy to hear it."
+
+Sir Robert was lost in wonder at such strange happenings. When they
+were all seated in Picton's study he asked them to promise to keep
+everything secret, which they readily did, when he explained whom the
+communication was from.
+
+Picton began Hector's letter, which, after a few preliminaries, read
+as follows: "You know how I escaped, and thanks to the good farmer
+on the moor, and with the aid of Brack, boarded the _Sea-mew_ and
+got safely away. Then, taking the name of William Rolfe, I came to
+Haverton and no one knew me. I wish it to be thought that Hector
+Woodridge is dead, that I am William Rolfe, and shall always remain
+so, for reasons which I will explain, and which will cause you great
+astonishment. Something wonderful has happened since I left Haverton,
+something that surprises me even now, and which I can hardly
+understand, yet it is an accomplished fact, and I shall never regret
+it.
+
+"I met Lenise Elroy at Doncaster station by appointment; we traveled
+alone in a reserved compartment. You have some idea of the vengeance
+I intended taking upon her, but you have no conception how terrible it
+was to be. I purposed carrying it out in the train, declaring to
+her who I was--she thought I was William Rolfe. I gradually led the
+conversation up to a point when I could relate to her how Hector
+Woodridge escaped and boarded the _Sea-mew_, and that he was alive and
+well, living under an assumed name. I posed as his best friend. She
+was amazed, and frightened, at the minute details I gave her, thought
+it uncanny. There was a dramatic moment when she explained what
+happened when Elroy was shot, in order to clear herself, offer an
+excuse for her conduct. She said Hector Woodridge pointed the revolver
+at Elroy and as he advanced, fired. Then I said, 'You pulled the
+trigger.' This, as you may imagine, was a knock-down blow for her; she
+almost fainted. She denied it, of course; it was a critical moment.
+Then I bade her look in my face, asked her if she recognized me.
+Gradually she did so; she fell on her knees, clasped my legs, sobbed
+as though her heart would break. She confessed all. She said I held
+the revolver pointed at Elroy, but she pulled my hand back, and it
+went off, killing him. I enclose a confession she has signed to this
+effect. It proves my innocence. I did not actually fire the shot,
+although I leveled the revolver at him, to frighten and keep him back.
+I had no intention of shooting him; as God is my judge, I did not wish
+to take his life. She acted on a sudden impulse; perhaps she wished to
+pull my hand down, thinking I intended shooting him, and, as my finger
+was on the trigger, it went off. It was all a terrible blunder, which
+she and I have suffered terribly for. You little know how she has
+suffered; she has told me and I believe her. What I suffered no one
+can imagine, but I believe I can learn to forget it under the new
+conditions of life I have mapped out.
+
+"As she knelt at my feet sobbing, a strange revulsion of feeling swept
+over me. Before all this happened she acknowledged she loved me as
+William Rolfe, that she had done so from the first time we met.
+
+"I looked down at her and spoke gently. She noticed the changed
+tone in my voice and raised her head. 'Hector!' she cried in strange
+surprise.
+
+"Stooping down I raised her gently. I felt no desire for revenge; all
+my savage feelings were swept away. I loved her, loved Lenise Elroy,
+who had so deeply wronged me, with an undying love. I knew I had
+always loved her, even when in prison, and my feelings were bitterest
+against her. She saw something of this in my face. I kissed her and
+held her close to me. From that moment, Picton, I forgave all, she was
+very dear to me. No matter how she had sinned I knew she had
+always been mine. I remembered how she surrendered herself to me; I
+recognized that I had tempted her, as she had tempted me; that we were
+both guilty, that had I behaved as a man, and kept away from her, the
+tragedy which blighted so many lives would not have happened.
+
+"We sat side by side and did not speak. The wonder of it all swept
+over us and held us silent. We looked into each other's eyes and read
+our thoughts. She was transfigured, a different woman, a new soul had
+entered her body, she was not the Lenise Elroy of old days. I felt all
+this; I was certain I could rely upon her. She spoke at last, and said
+she would write a confession which I could place in your hands to do
+as you wished with; she would abide the consequences. I have sent this
+to you, Picton, knowing you will never make it public, but hide it
+in some place until our deaths take place. You can read it to our old
+friend Sir Robert, and Captain Ben, and any one else you think ought
+to know, and that you can depend upon to keep silent. It is short, but
+true, and she has signed it.
+
+"Perhaps the strangest news of all for you is that we are married, and
+are now Mr. and Mrs. Rolfe. I wished it to take place at once, and she
+was willing to do anything I asked.
+
+"As Mr. and Mrs. William Rolfe, we sail for Melbourne in a fortnight,
+where I shall go up country and buy a small station somewhere. We
+intend to keep out of the world, to live for ourselves. Lenise wishes
+it, she says a lifelong devotion to me will only help to blot out the
+past. Of her love I am certain; she is not demonstrative, but I catch
+her sometimes unawares, and her face expresses her thoughts. Forgive
+her as I have, Picton, write her a kindly letter, tell her she has
+done right, wish her happiness in her new life. We shall not come to
+Haverton; it is better not.
+
+"I won a large sum over Tearaway; I had a thousand pounds on her at
+a hundred to three. I do not want any more money. Keep the dear old
+place up; some day we may see it, but not for years--it may be never.
+I should like to see you, Sir Robert, and Captain Ben, if you will
+meet me in town, just to say farewell. I hope you will be happy with
+Rita; I am sure you will. At some future time you may tell her the
+tramp she treated so kindly on his way to Torquay was your brother
+Hector. I have Dick's coat she gave me; I shall always keep it as
+a treasured remembrance of a good woman's kindness and sympathy.
+Remember always that Hector Woodridge is dead, that William Rolfe
+lives, and is a settler in Australia. In that great country we shall
+be surrounded by new scenes, faces, and places; no one will know us;
+we shall live our lives peacefully until the end.
+
+"The storm is over, Picton, and calm come at last. This is how I took
+my revenge. How strange are the workings of Providence, how sure is
+His eternal justice, how wonderful and mysterious His ordering of all
+things!"
+
+Picton then read Lenise's confession, which exonerated Hector from
+blame. It was brief and to the point; she did not spare herself.
+
+"I'll tell you what, Picton, Hector's a great man, an extraordinary
+man, he deserves the highest praise we can give him," said Sir Robert,
+and with this they all agreed.
+
+"Remember, Hector is dead, William Rolfe lives," said Picton, and
+again they agreed to abide by this decision.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+TEARAWAY'S PROGENY
+
+
+It was a quiet wedding and Dick gave his sister away. A few friends
+met at Torwood to bid them speed on their honeymoon, which was spent
+at Florence. On their return they went direct to Haverton, and Mrs.
+Woodridge settled down to her duties as mistress of the house, with
+Mrs. Yeoman as her trusty guide.
+
+Rita was supremely happy; Picton told her Hector's story when they
+were in Florence.
+
+"So I was right when I thought I recognized Mr. Rolfe as the man who
+asked me for help, or rather whom I assisted on his tramp to Torquay,"
+she said.
+
+"Yes, you were right," said Picton. "You made a greater hit than you
+were aware of."
+
+Picton schooled The Rascal over stiff fences on Haverton Moor. A
+four-mile course had been specially mapped out by Brant during his
+absence in Italy, and the fences were as high as those on the National
+course.
+
+"You'll find 'em formidable," said the trainer, "but if he's to jump
+the National course so much the better."
+
+Picton soon found, as he had thought when he won on him at Torquay,
+that The Rascal was a great fencer. The ease with which he went
+over the biggest jump without a mistake proved this, and Brant grew
+enthusiastic about his chance. Rita was nervous when she saw Picton
+riding over these great jumps, but The Rascal seemed to fly them so
+easily she gained confidence and eventually became as keen about his
+winning the National as Picton himself.
+
+Everything went well with his preparation; the horse was as sound as a
+bell, and under Brant's tuition became quiet and docile.
+
+The Rascal liked Picton, he and his rider were on excellent terms,
+they knew exactly how they felt toward each other. A week before the
+Aintree meeting Dick Langford came to Haverton. He was surprised when
+he saw the improvement in The Rascal, grew enthusiastic as he watched
+Picton ride him over the big fences.
+
+"I'd no idea he could jump like that!" exclaimed Dick.
+
+"I had when I won on him at Torquay," said Picton.
+
+"Do you think he's a chance in the National?" Dick said to the
+trainer.
+
+"He has, Mr. Langford, a ripping chance. I can't pick out anything
+to beat him, and he's got such a nice weight, only ten stone; he'll
+gallop them all to a standstill. And as for fencing, he'll fly
+Beecher's Brook like a bird."
+
+Neither Rita nor Picton, nor their many friends who saw the race, will
+ever forget that memorable Grand National. What an awful day it
+was! The March wind howled and whistled over the course, biting
+and stinging, cutting the face almost like a lash. Then sleet fell,
+followed by a whirling snowstorm, which had not abated when the horses
+went out. The course was heavy, dangerously slippery, but for all that
+not bad going. It was all against the top weights.
+
+The Rascal lashed out as he felt the stinging half-frozen particles
+whipping his skin. He put back his ears, lowered his head, and took
+a lot of persuading before he faced the blast. Most of the horses
+protested in the same way.
+
+Then the sun gleamed out, the snow ceased, and for a few minutes it
+was bright and clear.
+
+They were off, twenty of them, and a glorious sight it was. Rita stood
+with Captain Ben, Sir Robert, and Dick. They had an excellent view of
+the course; had it been clearer they would have seen the whole race.
+
+When the horses had gone a little over a mile, snow fell again, the
+sun disappeared in the gloom, the light became bad.
+
+Picton could hardly see the jumps, so blinding was the storm; but
+The Rascal saw them and despite slipping, and an occasional stumble,
+cleared them. Once he rapped hard; this roused him and for the
+remainder of the journey he did not make a mistake.
+
+It was an extraordinary race. Horse after horse came down, until
+at the last two jumps only three were left in. Another fell, then
+Mortimer came down at the last obstacle, and The Rascal came in alone,
+being the only one to finish the course. It was a day of triumph for
+Picton and his friends. A big stake was landed, a big double, the St.
+Leger and the Grand National won for the famous saffron colors.
+
+The Rascal and Tearaway were the pets of the Haverton stable. The
+former won at Manchester and Sandown, Picton riding him. The filly won
+the Great Metropolitan and the Ascot Gold Cup, following this up with
+a veritable triumph in the Cesarewitch, carrying nine stone. She then
+retired to the stud, and was mated with her old opponent Tristram, to
+the huge delight of Sir Robert, who prophesied the result would be a
+remarkable equine prodigy. The Rascal ran in the National again and
+fell, the only time he came down in a long and wonderful career;
+Picton had a nasty spill and was brought back in the ambulance. This
+was a shock to Rita; she longed for the time when he would give
+up steeplechase riding, but she never hinted at it, she knew how
+passionately fond of it he was. The Rascal won the great 'Chase again
+the following year, thus setting the seal on his fame by carrying top
+weight to victory.
+
+By this time Picton and Rita had two sons; this was followed in
+due course by two girls; so they were supremely happy and all went
+swimmingly at Haverton. They had troops of friends. Picton became
+Master of the Haverton Hounds, and his popularity was unbounded. Rita
+was regarded as a ministering angel when she went abroad, scattering
+good things around in the depth of winter, and all the poor blessed
+her name.
+
+Brack retired from active service, but had half a dozen boats and was
+a popular favorite at Torquay. Picton never forgot him at Christmas,
+or the farmer on the moor, who had helped Hector to escape.
+
+Carl Hackler often chaffed Brack about the escaped prisoner and said
+he was not quite sure yet whether he had not smuggled him on board the
+_Sea-mew_.
+
+Brack, however, was as close as an oyster, and Carl got no
+satisfaction in this direction.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Far away across the ocean, in Australia, about fifty miles from
+Ballarat in Victoria, Hector and his wife settled down, as Mr. and
+Mrs. Rolfe, on a small station with a picturesque homestead and
+excellent paddocks surrounding. They were happy, but there was one
+shadow hanging over their lives which had not yet lifted. They could
+not forget; it was impossible. They never alluded to it, but they knew
+it was there. Still, they were contented and made friends in the new
+land. They were prosperous. Hector took kindly to the life. He worked;
+his hands all liked him. He had a fine herd of cattle, a hundred good
+horses, sheep on a large run he had just taken over, in addition to
+Willaura, his homestead.
+
+Lenise had her share in the stock: she owned a few horses, a couple
+of Alderney cows, and a large number of poultry of various breeds
+with which she took prizes, and of which she was very proud. After ten
+years came the crowning of her life. She had a son, and in bearing him
+she almost lost her life. Never till he felt her slipping away from
+him had Hector known how much he loved her. When she recovered, after
+a long illness, she said to him:
+
+"I feel we are forgiven. Our child has lifted the shadow from our
+lives. We must think of the past no more; we must live for him and the
+future."
+
+Picton received frequent letters from his brother, and answered
+them. In one he wrote to Hector that it was evident he never intended
+returning to England, and that the only chance of seeing him again
+was to go out to Australia. "Rita says she would like the trip, and it
+would do us both good. Captain Ben is a trustworthy friend to leave
+in charge of Haverton, so don't be surprised if some day we arrive at
+Willaura."
+
+"Do you think she would like me?" Lenise asked her husband.
+
+"Yes; no one could help liking you," he replied.
+
+"Do you ever regret marrying me?" she asked.
+
+"That is a foolish question. You know I do not. Never ask me again,"
+he said.
+
+Hector sometimes went to Melbourne. On one of his visits he saw
+a broken-down man in Bourke Street and recognized him as Fletcher
+Denyer. He gave him a wide berth and did not mention it to his wife.
+He heard once or twice from Brack, who in one letter said: "Brother
+Bill is a free man again--I reckon you know what that means; the man
+who did it confessed on his death-bed. He looks after my boats. He's a
+good sort, is Bill. Mr. Picton never forgets me. He's a good sort too.
+So are you; so's everybody to me."
+
+"Tearaway's stock are doing wonders," wrote Picton. "Her best are by
+Tristram, and Runaway is a champion. I think he will turn out the best
+she has had, and he is by Sir Robert's old favorite, and will probably
+be the last he will get, as he is very weak and ailing but hobbles
+about in his paddock. I am sending you out as a present a six-year-old
+horse by Tristram-Tearaway. He should make a splendid stallion. You
+can expect him landed in Melbourne in about eight weeks from now. We
+tried Runaway this morning and Brant says he is like his mother--as
+'fast as the wind.'"
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+Popular Copyright Novels
+
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+          Abner Daniel. By Will N. Harben.
+          Adventures of Gerard. By A. Conan Doyle.
+          Adventures of a Modest Man. By Robert W. Chambers.
+          Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. By A. Conan Doyle.
+          Adventures of Jimmie Dale, The. By Frank L. Packard.
+          After House, The. By Mary Roberts Rinehart.
+          Alisa Paige. By Robert W. Chambers.
+          Alton of Somasco. By Harold Bindloss.
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+          Ann Boyd. By Will N. Harben.
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+          Athalie. By Robert W. Chambers.
+          At the Mercy of Tiberius. By Augusta Evans Wilson.
+          Auction Block, The. By Rex Beach.
+          Aunt Jane. By Jeanette Lee.
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+          Awakening of Helena Richie. By Margaret Deland.
+
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+          Bandbox, The. By Louis Joseph Vance.
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+          Bar 20. By Clarence E. Mulford.
+          Bar 20 Days. By Clarence E. Mulford.
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+          Betrayal, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim.
+          Better Man, The. By Cyrus Townsend Brady.
+          Beulah. (Ill. Ed.) By Augusta J. Evans.
+          Beyond the Frontier. By Randall Parrish.
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+          Blind Man's Eyes, The. By Wm. MacHarg & Edwin Balmer.
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+          Bob, Son of Battle. By Alfred Ollivant.
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+          Broad Highway, The. By Jeffery Farnol.
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+          Buck Peters, Ranchman. By Clarence E. Mulford.
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+
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+          Cease Firing. By Mary Johnson.
+          Chain of Evidence, A. By Carolyn Wells.
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+          Cleek of Scotland Yard. By T. W. Hanshew.
+          Clipped Wings. By Rupert Hughes.
+          Coast of Adventure, The. By Harold Bindloss.
+          Colonial Free Lance, A. By Chauncey C. Hotchkiss.
+          Coming of Cassidy, The. By Clarence E. Mulford.
+          Coming of the Law, The. By Chas. A. Seltzer.
+          Conquest of Canaan, The. By Booth Tarkington.
+          Conspirators, The. By Robt. W. Chambers.
+          Counsel for the Defense. By Leroy Scott.
+          Court of Inquiry, A. By Grace S. Richmond.
+          Crime Doctor, The. By E. W. Hornung.
+          Crimson Gardenia, The, and Other Tales of Adventure.
+          By Rex Beach.
+          Cross Currents. By Eleanor H. Porter.
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+
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+          Dave's Daughter. By Patience Bevier Cole.
+          Day of Days, The. By Louis Joseph Vance.
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+          Desired Woman, The. By Will N. Harben.
+          Destroying Angel, The. By Louis Joseph Vance.
+          Dixie Hart. By Will N. Harben.
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+
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+          El Dorado. By Baroness Orczy.
+          Elusive Isabel. By Jacques Futrelle.
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+
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+          Four Million, The. By O. Henry.
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+
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+          Gilbert Neal. By Will N. Harben.
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+          Girl Who Lived in the Woods, The. By Marjorie Benton Cook.
+          Girl Who Won, The. By Beth Ellis.
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+
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+
+          Ranch at the Wolverine, The. By B. M. Bower.
+          Ranching for Sylvia. By Harold Bindloss.
+          Real Man, The. By Francis Lynde.
+          Reason Why, The. By Elinor Glyn.
+          Red Cross Girl, The. By Richard Harding Davis.
+          Red Mist, The. By Randall Parrish.
+          Redemption of Kenneth Galt, The. By Will N. Harben.
+          Red Lane, The. By Holman Day.
+          Red Mouse, The. By Wm. Hamilton Osborne.
+          Red Pepper Burns. By Grace S. Richmond.
+          Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary, The. By Anne Warner.
+          Return of Tarzan, The. By Edgar Rice Burroughs.
+          Riddle of Night, The. By Thomas W. Hanshew.
+          Rim of the Desert, The. By Ada Woodruff Anderson.
+          Rise of Roscoe Paine, The. By J. C. Lincoln.
+          Road to Providence, The. By Maria Thompson Daviess.
+          Robinetta. By Kate Douglas Wiggin.
+          Rocks of Valpre, The. By Ethel M. Dell.
+          Rogue by Compulsion, A. By Victor Bridges.
+          Rose in the Ring, The. By George Barr McCutcheon.
+          Rose of the World. By Agnes and Egerton Castle.
+          Rose of Old Harpeth, The. By Maria Thompson Daviess.
+          Round the Corner in Gay Street. By Grace S. Richmond.
+          Routledge Rides Alone. By Will L. Comfort.
+
+          St. Elmo. (Ill. Ed.) By Augusta J. Evans.
+          Salamander, The. By Owen Johnson.
+          Scientific Sprague. By Francis Lynde.
+          Second Violin, The. By Grace S. Richmond.
+          Secret of the Reef, The. By Harold Bindloss.
+          Secret History. By C. N. & A. M. Williamson.
+          Self-Raised. (Ill.) By Mrs. Southworth.
+          Septimus. By William J. Locke.
+          Set in Silver. By C. N. and A. M. Williamson.
+          Seven Darlings, The. By Gouverneur Morris.
+          Shea of the Irish Brigade. By Randall Parrish.
+          Shepherd of the Hills, The. By Harold Bell Wright.
+          Sheriff of Dyke Hole, The. By Ridgwell Cullum.
+          Sign at Six, The. By Stewart Edw. White.
+          Silver Horde, The. By Rex Beach.
+          Simon the Jester. By William J. Locke.
+          Siren of the Snows, A. By Stanley Shaw.
+          Sir Richard Calmady. By Lucas Malet.
+          Sixty-First Second, The. By Owen Johnson.
+          Slim Princess, The. By George Ade.
+          Soldier of the Legion, A. By C. N. and A. M. Williamson.
+          Somewhere in France. By Richard Harding Davis.
+          Speckled Bird, A. By Augusta Evans Wilson.
+          Spirit in Prison, A. By Robert Hichens.
+          Spirit of the Border, The. By Zane Grey.
+          Splendid Chance, The. By Mary Hastings Bradley.
+          Spoilers, The. By Rex Beach.
+          Spragge's Canyon. By Horace Annesley Vachell.
+          Still Jim. By Honore Willsie.
+          Story of Foss River Ranch, The. By Ridgwell Cullum.
+          Story of Marco, The. By Eleanor H. Porter.
+          Strange Disappearance, A. By Anna Katherine Green.
+          Strawberry Acres. By Grace S. Richmond.
+          Streets of Ascalon, The. By Robert W. Chambers.
+          Sunshine Jane. By Anne Warner.
+          Susan Clegg and Her Friend Mrs. Lathrop. By Anne Warner.
+          Sword of the Old Frontier, A. By Randall Parrish.
+
+          Tales of Sherlock Holmes. By A. Conan Doyle.
+          Taming of Zenas Henry, The. By Sara Ware Bassett.
+          Tarzan of the Apes. By Edgar R. Burroughs.
+          Taste of Apples, The. By Jennette Lee.
+          Tempting of Tavernake, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim.
+          Tess of the D'Urbervilles. By Thomas Hardy.
+          Thankful Inheritance. By Joseph C. Lincoln.
+          That Affair Next Door. By Anna Katharine Green.
+          That Printer of Udell's. By Harold Bell Wright.
+          Their Yesterdays. By Harold Bell Wright.
+          The Side of the Angels. By Basil King.
+          Throwback, The. By Alfred Henry Lewis.
+          Thurston of Orchard Valley. By Harold Bindloss.
+          To M. L. G.; or, He Who Passed. By Anon.
+          Trail of the Axe, The. By Ridgwell Cullum.
+          Trail of Yesterday, The. By Chas. A. Seltzer.
+          Treasure of Heaven, The. By Marie Corelli.
+          Truth Dexter. By Sidney McCall.
+          T. Tembarom. By Frances Hodgson Burnett.
+          Turbulent Duchess, The. By Percy J. Brebner.
+          Twenty-fourth of June, The. By Grace S. Richmond.
+          Twins of Suffering Creek, The. By Ridgwell Cullum.
+          Two-Gun Man, The. By Charles A. Seltzer.
+
+          Uncle William. By Jeannette Lee.
+          Under the Country Sky. By Grace S. Richmond.
+          Unknown Mr. Kent, The. By Roy Norton.
+          "Unto Caesar." By Baronett Orczy.
+          Up From Slavery. By Booker T. Washington.
+
+          Valiants of Virginia, The. By Hallie Erminie Rives.
+          Valley of Fear, The. By Sir A. Conan Doyle.
+          Vane of the Timberlands. By Harold Bindloss.
+          Vanished Messenger, The. By F. Phillips Oppenheim.
+          Vashti. By Augusta Evans Wilson.
+          Village of Vagabonds, A. By F. Berkley Smith.
+          Visioning, The. By Susan Glaspell.
+
+          Wall of Men, A. By Margaret H. McCarter.
+          Wallingford in His Prime. By George Randolph Chester.
+          Wanted--A Chaperon. By Paul Leicester Ford.
+          Wanted--A Matchmaker. By Paul Leicester Ford.
+          Watchers of the Plains, The. By Ridgwell Cullum.
+          Way Home, The. By Basil King.
+          Way of an Eagle, The. By E. M. Dell.
+          Way of a Man, The. By Emerson Hough.
+          Way of the Strong, The. By Ridgwell Cullum.
+          Way of These Women, The. By E. Phillips Oppenheim.
+          Weavers, The. By Gilbert Parker.
+          West Wind, The. By Cyrus T. Brady.
+          When Wilderness Was King. By Randolph Parrish.
+          Where the Trail Divides. By Will Lillibridge.
+          Where There's a Will. By Mary R. Rinehart.
+          White Sister, The. By Marion Crawford.
+          White Waterfall, The. By James Francis Dwyer.
+          Who Goes There? By Robert W. Chambers.
+          Window at the White Cat, The. By Mary Roberts Rinehart.
+          Winning of Barbara Worth, The. By Harold Bell Wright.
+          Winning the Wilderness. By Margaret Hill McCarter.
+          With Juliet in England. By Grace S. Richmond.
+          Witness for the Defense, The. By A. E. W. Mason.
+          Woman in Question, The. By John Reed Scott.
+          Woman Haters, The. By Joseph C. Lincoln.
+          Woman Thou Gavest Me, The. By Hall Caine.
+          Woodcarver of 'Lympus, The. By Mary E. Waller.
+          Woodfire in No. 3, The. By F. Hopkinson Smith.
+          Wooing of Rosamond Fayre, The. By Berta Ruck.
+
+          You Never Know Your Luck. By Gilbert Parker.
+          Younger Set, The. By Robert W. Chambers.
+
+
+
+
+TRANSCRIBERS NOTES
+
+
+Passages in italics are indicated by _underscores_.
+
+Passages in small caps were replaced with ALL CAPS.
+
+Inconsistent spellings retained.
+
+Minor punctuation errors were corrected without notice.
+
+Following typographical errors have been corrected:
+
+  p. 27 "Plant" amended to "Planet".
+
+  p. 107 It appears that the word "that" has been omitted in the
+  phrase "it was his money gave Tobasco the chance to marry her".
+  Text was amended.
+
+  p. 147 "wth" amended to "with" in "I had wrestled wth the brute".
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Fast as the Wind, by Nat Gould
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