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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -</style> -<title>NO MAN'S ISLAND</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="No Man's Island" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Herbert Strang" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1921" /> -<meta name="MARCREL.ill" content="Brock island.rst:23: (INFO/1) Enumerated list start value not ordinal-1: "E" (ordinal 5) island.rst:23: (INFO/1) Enumerated list start value not ordinal-1: "C" (ordinal 3)" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="40555" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2012-08-21" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="No Man's Island" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="No Man's Island" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="island.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2012-08-21T21:38:59.921758+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40555" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Herbert Strang" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="C. E. Brock" name="MARCREL.ill" /> -<meta content="2012-08-21" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.19b4 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -<style type="text/css"> -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } -</style> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="no-man-s-island"> -<h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">NO MAN'S ISLAND</h1> - -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en noindent pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst">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 <a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a> -included with this eBook or online at -<a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a>.</p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container noindent white-space-pre-line" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst white-space-pre-line"><span class="white-space-pre-line">Title: No Man's Island<br /> -<br /> -Author: Herbert Strang<br /> -<br /> -Release Date: August 21, 2012 [EBook #40555]<br /> -<br /> -Language: English<br /> -<br /> -Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line">*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span>NO MAN'S ISLAND</span> ***</p> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container coverpage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 57%" id="figure-111"> -<img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -Cover</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container frontispiece"> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 66%" id="figure-112"> -<span id="they-rescued-what-they-could"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-front.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"THEY RESCUED WHAT THEY COULD." <em class="italics">See page</em> <a class="reference internal" href="#id2">152</a>.</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None center container titlepage white-space-pre-line"> -<p class="pfirst white-space-pre-line x-large">NO MAN'S ISLAND</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">BY</p> -<p class="large pnext white-space-pre-line">HERBERT STRANG</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">ILLUSTRATED BY C. E. BROCK</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">HUMPHREY MILFORD<br /> -OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS<br /> -LONDON, EDINBURGH, GLASGOW<br /> -TORONTO, MELBOURNE, CAPE TOWN, BOMBAY<br /> -1921</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None center container verso white-space-pre-line"> -<p class="pfirst small white-space-pre-line">PRINTED 1921 IN GREAT BRITAIN BY R. CLAY AND SONS, LTD.,<br /> -PARIS GARDEN, STAMFORD STREET, S.E.1, AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container plainpage white-space-pre-line"> -<p class="center large pfirst white-space-pre-line">HERBERT STRANG</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">COMPLETE LIST OF STORIES</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">ADVENTURES OF DICK TREVANION, THE<br /> -ADVENTURES OF HARRY ROCHESTER, THE<br /> -A GENTLEMAN AT ARMS<br /> -A HERO OF LIEGE<br /> -AIR PATROL, THE<br /> -AIR SCOUT, THE<br /> -BARCLAY OF THE GUIDES<br /> -BLUE RAIDER, THE<br /> -BOYS OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE<br /> -BRIGHT IDEAS<br /> -BROWN OF MOUKDEN<br /> -BURTON OF THE FLYING CORPS<br /> -CARRY ON<br /> -CRUISE OF THE GYRO-CAR, THE<br /> -FIGHTING WITH FRENCH<br /> -FLYING BOAT, THE<br /> -FRANK FORESTER<br /> -HUMPHREY BOLD<br /> -JACK HARDY<br /> -KING OF THE AIR<br /> -KOBO<br /> -LONG TRAIL, THE<br /> -LORD OF THE SEAS<br /> -MOTOR SCOUT, THE<br /> -NO MAN'S ISLAND<br /> -OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN, THE<br /> -ONE OF CLIVE'S HEROES<br /> -PALM TREE ISLAND<br /> -ROB THE RANGER<br /> -ROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS<br /> -SAMBA<br /> -SETTLERS AND SCOUTS<br /> -SULTAN JIM<br /> -SWIFT AND SURE<br /> -THROUGH THE ENEMY'S LINES<br /> -TOM BURNABY<br /> -TOM WILLOUGHBY'S SCOUTS<br /> -WITH DRAKE ON THE SPANISH MAIN<br /> -WITH HAIG ON THE SOMME</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container plainpage white-space-pre-line"> -<p class="center large pfirst white-space-pre-line">CONTENTS</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">CHAP.</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<ol class="left medium upperroman simple white-space-pre-line"> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#id1">NO MAN'S ISLAND</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#below-the-belt">BELOW THE BELT</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#prattle">PRATTLE</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-face-in-the-thicket">THE FACE IN THE THICKET</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-game-begins">THE GAME BEGINS</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#a-scrap-of-paper">A SCRAP OF PAPER</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#tin-tacks">TIN-TACKS</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#pin-pricks">PIN-PRICKS</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#reprisals">REPRISALS</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#a-soft-answer">A SOFT ANSWER</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#information-received">INFORMATION RECEIVED</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#queer-fish">QUEER FISH</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#fire">FIRE!</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#a-circular-tour">A CIRCULAR TOUR</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#underground">UNDERGROUND</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#watermarks">WATERMARKS</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-topmost-room">THE TOPMOST ROOM</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#zero">ZERO</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-prisoner">THE PRISONER</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-pace-quickens">THE PACE QUICKENS</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#trapped">TRAPPED</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#a-parley">A PARLEY</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#vi-et-armis">"VI ET ARMIS"</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#a-levy-en-masse">A LEVY EN MASSE</a></p> -</li> -<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#squaring-accounts">SQUARING ACCOUNTS</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#epilogue">EPILOGUE</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container plainpage white-space-pre-line"> -<p class="center large pfirst white-space-pre-line">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#they-rescued-what-they-could">"THEY RESCUED WHAT THEY COULD"</a> (see p. <a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#id2">152</a>) . . . <em class="italics white-space-pre-line">Frontispiece in Colour</em></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#clear-up-all-this-disgusting-litter">"'CLEAR UP ALL THIS DISGUSTING LITTER'"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-foreigner-charged-upon-him-like-an-infuriated-bull">"THE FOREIGNER CHARGED UPON HIM LIKE AN INFURIATED BULL"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-other-was-diving-into-the-stream">"THE OTHER WAS DIVING INTO THE STREAM"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#got-a-puncture-old-man">"'GOT A PUNCTURE, OLD MAN?'"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#they-shinned-up-a-small-tree">"THEY SHINNED UP A SMALL TREE"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#half-a-minute-later-the-car-ran-past">"HALF A MINUTE LATER THE CAR RAN PAST"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#pratt-threw-the-intruder-heavily-to-the-ground">"PRATT THREW THE INTRUDER HEAVILY TO THE GROUND"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#ze-tower-no-it-is-ruin-fall-to-pieces">"'ZE TOWER? NO, IT IS RUIN, FALL TO PIECES'"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#they-lifted-the-bundles-of-gear-and-carried-them-into-the-hut">"THEY LIFTED THE BUNDLES OF GEAR, AND CARRIED THEM INTO THE HUT"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-bottom-s-only-about-five-feet-deep">"'THE BOTTOM'S ONLY ABOUT FIVE FEET DEEP'"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#they-saw-a-short-stout-man-drawing-sheets-of-paper-from-the-opened-package">"THEY SAW A SHORT, STOUT MAN DRAWING SHEETS OF PAPER FROM THE OPENED PACKAGE"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#between-them-the-two-boys-assisted-the-mother">"BETWEEN THEM THE TWO BOYS ASSISTED THE MOTHER"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#he-strode-up-and-down-his-large-bony-hands-clasped-behind-him">"HE STRODE UP AND DOWN, HIS LARGE BONY HANDS CLASPED BEHIND HIM"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#he-remained-for-an-instant-in-his-bent-position-motionless">"HE REMAINED FOR AN INSTANT IN HIS BENT POSITION, MOTIONLESS"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#rush-swiftly-roped-his-arms-and-legs-together">"RUSH SWIFTLY ROPED HIS ARMS AND LEGS TOGETHER"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#he-staggered-backward-and-the-pistol-was-knocked-from-his-hand">"HE STAGGERED BACKWARD, AND THE PISTOL WAS KNOCKED FROM HIS HAND"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#squeeze-into-the-boat">"'SQUEEZE INTO THE BOAT'"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-farmer-was-uppermost">"THE FARMER WAS UPPERMOST"</a></p> -<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<!-- --> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="id1">CHAPTER I</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">NO MAN'S ISLAND</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">One hot August afternoon, a motor-boat, with -a little dinghy in tow, was thrashing its way up -a narrow, winding river in Southern Wessex. -The stream, swollen by the drainage of overnight -rain from the high moors that loomed in the hazy -blue distance, was running riotously, casting -buffets of spray across the bows of the little craft, -and tossing like a cork the dinghy astern. On -either side a dense entanglement of shrubs, bushes, -and saplings overhung the water's edge, forming -a sort of rampart or outwork for the taller trees -behind.</p> -<p class="pnext">The occupants of the boat were three. Amidships, -its owner, Phil Warrender, was dividing -his attention between the engine and the tiller. -Warrender was tall, lithe, swarthy, with crisp -black hair which seemed to lift his cap as an -irksome incubus. A little abaft of him sat Jack -Armstrong, bent forward over an Ordnance map: -he had the lean, tight-skinned features, spare -frame, and hard muscles of the athlete, and his -hay-coloured hair was cropped as close as a -prize-fighter's. In the bows, on the scrap of deck, -Percy Pratt, facing the others, squatted -cross-legged like an Oriental cobbler, and dreamily -twanged a banjo. He was shorter and of stouter -build than his companions, with a round, chubby -face and brown curly hair clustering close to his -poll, and caressing the edge of his cap like the -tendrils of a creeper. All three boys were in their -eighteenth year, and wore the flannels, caps, and -blazers of their school Eleven.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We ought to be nearing this island," remarked -Armstrong, looking up from his map. "I say, -Pratt, you've been here before: can't you -remember something about it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt thrummed his strings, smiled sweetly, and -sang, in the head notes of a light tenor--</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line">"The roses have made me remember</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">All that I tried to forget;</div> -</div> -<div class="line">The past with its pain comes back again,</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">Filling my heart with----</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst">Sorry, old man, I've pitched it a bit too high. -Lend me your ears while I modulate from G to -E flat."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Keep your Percy's Reliques for serenading -the moon. You were here as a kid; aren't we -nearly there?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"'The past with its pain'--fact! It <em class="italics">was</em> pain. -My old uncle could beat any beak at licking. He -made a very pretty criss-cross pattern on me that -day--all for pinching a peach! Frightful temper -he had. My people said it was due to sunstroke -on his travels. Jolly lot of good being a famous -traveller, if it makes you a beast. He was more -ratty every time he came home. I don't wonder -my pater had a royal row with him, and hasn't -been near the place since. Rough luck, to have -to desert your ancestral dust-heap.</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line">"I try, try to forget you,</div> -<div class="line">But I only love you more."</div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst">"Isn't that the island? Away there to -starboard?" Warrender interposed. "But I thought -you said we might camp there, my Percy?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"True, sober Philip. We picnicked there in -the days of yore."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, we'd have to do a week's clearing before -we camped there now. Look at it!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt swung lazily round on his elbow, and -gazed over the starboard quarter towards the -left bank. The river was parted by what was -evidently an island. The channel between it -and the left bank was very narrow, and almost -impassable by reason of the low, overhanging -branches, which formed a tunnel of foliage. -Warrender steered across the broader channel towards -the right bank, all three scanning the island intently -as they coasted along.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Shows how old Tempus fugit," said Pratt. -"In the dim and distant ages when I was a kid -that island was a lawn; now it's a wilderness. -Think what your beardless cheeks will be like in -ten years' time, Armstrong. See what Nature will -do unless you use the razor. The place seems -quite changed somehow. But I'd never have -believed trees could grow so fast. As we're not -dicky birds, we certainly can't pitch our camp -there. Drive on, old shover."</p> -<p class="pnext">The island was, indeed, to all appearances, more -densely wooded than the river banks. By the -map scale it was about a third of a mile long, -and at its widest part fully half as broad. Nowhere -along its whole extent did they see a spot suitable -for camping.</p> -<p class="pnext">They ran past the island. The stream narrowed; -the wooded character of the mainland banks was -unchanged.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We might as well be on the Congo," growled -Armstrong. "Are you sure your uncle didn't -bring back a bit of Africa in his carpet bag, Pratt, -and plank it down here?"</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line">"Let the great big world keep turning,</div> -<div class="line">Never mind, if I've got you,"</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst">hummed Pratt. "Turn your eyes three points -a-starboard, Armstrong, and you'll see, peeping -at you through the sylvan groves, the gables of -my ancestors' eligible and beautifully situated -riverside residence. It's pretty nearly a -quarter-mile from the river, but that's a detail."</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender slowed down so that they might -get a better view of the stately old house of -which they caught glimpses through gaps in the -woodland.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You behold that ruined ivy-clad tower about -a cable's length away from it," Pratt went on. -"Tradition saith that one of my ancestors -incarcerated there a foeman unworthy of his steel, and -forgot to feed him."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I want my tea," said Armstrong. "We -had next to no lunch, and I can't live on memories."</p> -<p class="pnext">A sharp crack cut the air.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Some one's shooting in the woods ahead," -said Warrender. "Perhaps we'll catch sight of -them, and get a direction."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why not make a polite inquiry of that -woodland faun or satyr smoking a clay pipe yonder?" -suggested Pratt, pointing with his banjo to the -left bank.</p> -<p class="pnext">On a tree-stump near the water's edge sat a -thick-set man, square-faced, beetle-browed, -blear-eyed, a cloth cap pushed back on his close-cropped -bullet head, a red cloth tie knotted about his -neck. He wore a rusty, much-rubbed velveteen -jacket, corduroy breeches, and a pair of shabby -leggings. Warrender slowed down until the boat -just held its own against the current, and -called--"Hi! can you tell us of a clear space where -we can camp?"</p> -<p class="pnext">The man looked suspiciously from one to another, -chewing the stem of his pipe.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can't," said he, surlily.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Surely there's a stretch of turf somewhere?" -Warrender persisted.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Bain't. Not hereabouts. Woods, from here -to village up along."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nothing back on the island?"</p> -<p class="pnext">The man half closed his eyes, and again -suspicion lurked in the glance he gave the speaker.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No. No Man's Island be nought but furze -and thicket. Nothing hereabouts. Better go on -and doss at the Ferry Inn."</p> -<p class="pnext">Then, however, he leered, barely recovering his -pipe as it slipped from between his discoloured -teeth. "Ay, I were forgetting," he said with a -chuckle. "There be a patch farther up. Ay, -that might suit 'ee. A party camped there last -week. Ay, try en."</p> -<p class="pnext">He chuckled again. Warrender opened the -throttle, and when the boat had run a few yards -up a guffaw, quickly stifled, sounded astern.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Pleasant fellow," remarked Armstrong.</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line">"When you are near, the dullest day seems bright;</div> -<div class="line">Doubts disappear, my load of care grows light,"</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst">warbled Pratt. "But he didn't say which bank -it's on."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We can't miss it," said Warrender,--"unless -he was pulling our leg."</p> -<p class="pnext">Within three minutes, however, they found that -the man had not misled them. There was -disclosed, on the right bank, a considerable stretch -of smooth green sward, affording ample space for -their bell-tent and the simple impedimenta of their -camp. Warrender ran the boat in, and hitched -it to a sapling; then the three began to transfer -their equipment to the shore. Besides their tent, -they had a Primus stove, a kettle, a couple of -saucepans, pots, cups and plates of enamel, pewter -forks and, stainless knives, cases of provisions, -three sleeping-bags, three folding stools, and other -oddments.</p> -<p class="pnext">While Warrender and Armstrong were stretching -and pegging out the tent, Pratt started the -stove, filled the kettle from the river, and assembled -such utensils as they needed for their tea. These -operations were punctuated by renewed sounds of -shooting, which were drawing nearer through the -woods that skirted the clearing.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I say, you chaps," cried Pratt, "I wonder if -I talked nicely, if I could coax out of them -something gamey for supper to-night?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Wouldn't you like to sing for your supper, -like little Tommy Tucker?" said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Excellent idea! As you know, I've got a -select and extensive repertoire, and--hallo! Here's -my little dog Bingo."</p> -<p class="pnext">A retriever came trotting out of the wood, stopped -in the middle of the clearing, and gazed for a -moment inquiringly at the tent, just erected; -then turned tail and trotted back.</p> -<p class="pnext">"A very gentlemanly dog," said Pratt. "No -loud discordant bark, no inquisitive snuffling; -evidence of good breeding and a kind master."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hi, there!" called a loud voice. "What -are you doing on my land? Who the deuce -gave you permission to camp?"</p> -<p class="pnext">A stout, florid, white-whiskered gentleman of -some sixty years, wearing a loose shooting costume, -and carrying a shot-gun under his arm, hurried -across the clearing, the retriever at his heels.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'm sorry, sir," said Warrender, politely. -"We've come up the river, and this is the first -suitable place we've found. If we had known----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Known!" interrupted the stranger. "You -knew it wasn't common land--public property. -If you didn't know, any one about here would -have told you."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Just so, sir. But we understood that a -party had camped here a short while ago, and----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"You understood, boy? And where did you -get your information?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"From a gamekeeper sort of man a little below -on the other bank. He----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"That'll do," snapped the sportsman. "Take -down that tent. Clear up all this disgusting -litter, and be off. The place reeks with paraffin. -Look alive, now."</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 71%" id="figure-113"> -<span id="clear-up-all-this-disgusting-litter"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-017.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"'CLEAR UP ALL THIS DISGUSTING LITTER.'"</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">In silence Warrender and Armstrong began -to loosen the tent guys, while Pratt put out the -stove and started to carry the properties down -to the boat. He alone of the three showed -no sign of feeling; his friends sometimes said -that he was perennially happy because he was -fat, not, as he himself explained, because he had -music in his soul. Warrender's mouth had -hardened, his face grown pale--sure indications of -wrath. Armstrong, on the contrary, had flushed -over the cheek-bones, and expended his anger in -muscular energy, heaving unaided the tent to his -back, and carrying it, the pole, guys, and pegs, -with the ease of a coal-porter. The landowner -stood sternly on guard until the place was cleared.</p> -<p class="pnext">The boat moved off.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dashed old curmudgeon!" growled Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He and my uncle Ambrose would make a -pretty pair," remarked Pratt. "I'd give -anything to hear a slanging match between 'em. -Anything but this," he added, taking up his banjo.</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line">"I had a little dog,</div> -<div class="line">And his name was Bingo.</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst">His master's name ought to be 'Stingo!' Eh, what?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"It happens to be Crawshay," said Warrender, -pointing to a tree. Upon it was nailed a board, -facing upstream, and bearing the half-obliterated -legend, "Trespassers will be Prosecuted." Below -this, however, in fresh paint, were the words, -"Camping Prohibited.--D. CRAWSHAY."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Precisely; D. Crawshay," said Armstrong.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="below-the-belt">CHAPTER II</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">BELOW THE BELT</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">Something less than a mile up the river they -came upon an old-fashioned gabled cottage of -red brick, standing back a few yards from the -left bank. The walls were half-covered with -Virginia creeper; a purple clematis climbed over -the porch and round a sign-board bearing the -words, "Ferry Inn." Beyond it, on rising ground -some little distance away, glowed the red-tiled -roofs of a straggling village. A ferry boat, or rather -punt, lay alongside of a narrow landing-stage.</p> -<p class="pnext">The lads tied the boat to a post, and stepped -on to the planking. At the closed door of the -inn, standing with legs wide apart, was a little, -round man whose jolly, rubicund, clean-shaven -face and twinkling eyes bespoke good humour -and a contented soul. He was bare-headed, in -shirt-sleeves, and wore an apron. His brown, -straight hair was obviously a wig. In front of -him stood a group of villagers.</p> -<p class="pnext">"'Tis past opening time, I tell 'ee," one of -them was saying. "I can tell by the feel of my -thropple."</p> -<p class="pnext">"'Twould be always opening time if you trusted -to that, Mick," said the landlord, with a laugh. -"I go by my watch." He pulled out with some -difficulty from the tight band of his apron a large -silver timepiece. "There you are; three minutes -to the hour."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I reckon you be three minutes slow, -and so you could swear to if so be----"</p> -<p class="pnext">A slight jerk of the landlord's head caused the -rustic to look along the road to the right. -Strolling towards the inn was the village policeman.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He's had me fined once, and I didn't deserve -it," the landlord remarked. "And there's another -who'd like to catch me tripping."</p> -<p class="pnext">His eyes travelled beyond the policeman, and -rested on a thin, loose-jointed man with a stubbly -fair moustache and a close-cut beard, who was -hurrying to catch up with the constable.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay, Sammy Blevins do have a nature for -such," said another of the rustics. "'Tis my belief -he'll be caught tripping himself one o' these days."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay, and Constable Hardstone too," said the -first. "Birds of a feather. They be thick as -thieves, they two, and no friends o' yours, Joe. -Well, I bain't the man to glory in a friend's -tribulation, and so you may keep your door shut till -three minutes past."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Say, when is this blamed door opening?"</p> -<p class="pnext">The loud, hoarse voice caused a general turning -of heads. From round the corner of the inn -sauntered, somewhat unsteadily, his hands in his -pockets, a big burly fellow whose red waistcoat, -tight leather breeches, and long gaiters proclaimed -some connection with horseflesh. His accent was -nasal, but there was an undefinable something in -his pronunciation that suggested a European rather -than an American origin. A long, fair moustache -drooped round the corners of a wide, straight -mouth; his clean-shaven cheeks were thin and -hard; his pale-blue eyes heavy-lidded and watery. -The rustics appeared to fall back a little as he -approached. He leant one shoulder against a post -of the porch, and scowled at the landlord, attitude -and gesture indicating that, so far from needing -refreshment, he had anticipated the opening of the -door.</p> -<p class="pnext">"All in good time, Mr. Jensen," said the -landlord, placably. "Law's law, you know."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Law!" scoffed the man. "I'm sober. I want -a lemon-squash. See, if you don't open that -door---- Ah! I guess you know me."</p> -<p class="pnext">The landlord, consulting his watch, had turned, -and now threw open the door leading into the -bar. The foreigner entered behind him, and was -followed by the villagers one by one. A pleasant-faced, -motherly woman came out into the porch, -and looked inquiringly at the three lads. They -walked up from the landing-stage, where they had -lingered watching the scene.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can we have some tea?" asked Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay sure," replied the woman. "They told me -as three young gemmen had come up along in boat, -and I says to myself 'tis tea, as like as not. Sit 'ee -down at thikky table, and I'll bring it out to 'ee."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We're pretty hungry," said Armstrong. "What -can you give us?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why, there 'tis--I've nothing but eggs and bacon."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Glorious!" said Pratt. "Two eggs apiece, -and bacon to match."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay, I know what young gemmen's appetite -be," said Mrs. Rogers, smiling as she bustled away.</p> -<p class="pnext">They sat down at a table placed outside the -window. Within they saw Rogers, the landlord, -energetically pulling ale for his customers. He -had laid aside his snuff-coloured wig, revealing a -scalp perfectly bald.</p> -<p class="pnext">While they were awaiting their meal, a girl, -dressed in white, riding a bicycle, came along the -road on the far side of the river, and, dismounting -at the landing-stage, rang her bell continuously as -a summons to the ferryman. An old weather-beaten -man emerged from the back premises of -the inn, touched his hat, hobbled down to his -boat, and slowly poled it across. The girl wheeled -her bicycle on to it, chatted to the old man while -he recrossed the river, paid him with a silver coin -and smiling thanks, and, having remounted, sped -on towards the village.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why didn't I bring up my banjo?" said Pratt, -dolefully. "Of course, I can sing without -accompaniment.</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line">"There's no sunbeam as bright as your smile,</div> -<div class="line">There's no gold like the sheen of your hair----</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst">but you do want the one-two-tum, one-two-tum -to get the full effect, don't you, eh?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"You sentimental owl!" exclaimed Armstrong, -laughing. "Here comes our tea."</p> -<p class="pnext">They had finished their meal, and were leaning -back comfortably in their chairs, when the drone -of talk within the inn was suddenly broken by -voices raised in altercation. The clamour -subsided for a moment under the landlord's protest, -but burst forth again. There was a noise of -scuffling, then two men appeared in the doorway, -struggling together in the first aimless clinches -of a fight. They stumbled over the step; behind -them came the villagers in a group, some of them -making half-hearted attempts by word and act to -separate the combatants. These, reaching the -open, shook off restraint, swung their arms as if -to clear a space, and, after a preliminary feint or -two, rushed upon each other.</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender and his friends got up; were there -ever schoolboys, even sixth-formers and prefects, -who were not interested in a fight? The -antagonists were not unequally matched. Height and -weight were on the side of the foreigner, but his -opponent, apparently a young farmer, though -slighter in build, had clear eyes and a healthy -skin, contrasting with the other's well-marked -signs of habitual excess.</p> -<p class="pnext">The rustics formed up on one side, looking on -stolidly. The three lads moved round until they -faced the inn door. On the step stood the landlord -with arms akimbo. His wife came behind him, -slapped his wig on to his head, and retreated.</p> -<p class="pnext">For a minute or two the combatants, displaying -more energy than science, employed their arms -like erratic piston-rods, hitting the air more often -than each other's body. Armstrong's lip curled -with amusement as he watched them. Then they -appeared to realise that they had started too -precipitately, and drew apart to throw off their -coats and recover their wind.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's the quarrel?" asked Warrender, in -the brief interval, of the nearest bystander.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Furriner chap he said as the Germans be better -fighters than us Englishmen, and that riled Henery -Drew, he having the military medal and all. You -can see the ribbon on his coat."</p> -<p class="pnext">Stripped to their shirts, the combatants faced -each other. They sparred warily for a moment, -then the farmer darted forward on his toes, landed -a blow on the foreigner's nose, between the eyes, -and, springing back out of reach, just escaped -his opponent's counter.</p> -<p class="pnext">"One for his jib!" murmured Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">The blow, and the subdued applause of the -rustic onlookers, enraged the foreigner. Swinging -his bulk forward he bore down on the slighter -Englishman, appeared to envelop him, and for a -few seconds the two men seemed to be a tangle -of whirling arms. Suddenly Armstrong sprang -towards them, shouting, "Foul blow!" At the -same moment the farmer reeled, and the foreigner, -following up his advantage, dealt him a furious -body-blow that dropped him flat as a turbot. -Angry cries broke from the crowd, but, before the -slower-witted rustics could act, Armstrong dashed -between Jensen and the prostrate man.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You hound!" he cried. "You'll deal with me now."</p> -<p class="pnext">One arm was already out of its sleeve, but before -he could fling off his blazer the foreigner charged -upon him like an infuriated bull. Armstrong -sidestepped, threw his blazer on the ground, and stood -firmly, ready to meet the next onrush.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 74%" id="figure-114"> -<span id="the-foreigner-charged-upon-him-like-an-infuriated-bull"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-025.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"THE FOREIGNER CHARGED UPON HIM LIKE AN INFURIATED BULL."</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">The big man topped him by a couple of inches, -and bore down as if to smother him by sheer weight. -He shot out a long arm; Armstrong ducked, and -quick as lightning got in a counter-hit that took -the foreigner by surprise and caused him to draw -back an inch or two. Armstrong said afterwards -that he ought to be shot for mis-timing the blow, -which he had expected to crack the man's -wind-box. Already breathing fast, the foreigner -perceived that his only chance of winning was to -strike at once. He lowered his head and swung -out his left arm in a lusty drive at Armstrong's -ribs. It was an opening not to be missed by a -skilled boxer. With left foot well forward and -body thrown slightly back, Armstrong dealt him -a smashing right upper-cut on the point of the -chin. The man collapsed like a nine-pin, and -measured his six feet two on the ground.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Jolly good biff, old man!" cried Pratt. -"Won't somebody cheer?"</p> -<p class="pnext">The rustics were smiling broadly, but their -satisfaction at the close of the battle found no -more adequate mode of expression than a -prolonged sigh and a cry: "Sarve en right!" The -farmer, however, a little pale about the gills, had -risen to his feet, and, approaching Armstrong, -said--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thank 'ee, sir. 'Twas a rare good smite as -ever I see, and I take it kind as a young gentleman -should have----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, that's all right," Armstrong interrupted, -slipping on his blazer. "He should have fought -fair."</p> -<p class="pnext">"True. A smite in the stummick don't give a -man a chance. I feel queerish-like, and I'll get -Joe Rogers to give me a thimbleful, and then shail -home-along. That's my barton, on the hill yonder, -and if so be you're stopping hereabout, I'll be main -glad to supply you and your friends with milk -<em class="italics">and</em> cream."</p> -<p class="pnext">Assisted by two of his cronies, the farmer walked -into the inn, the rest of the crowd hanging about -and casting sheepish glances of admiration at -Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You'll come in and take a drop of summat, -sir?" inquired the landlord.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, thanks," replied Armstrong. "You might -have a look at that fellow, will you?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"And can you give us beds to-night?" asked -Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay sure, the missus will see to that."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Very well; we'll just go on to the village -and get a thing or two, and come back before -closing time. You'll give an eye to our boat?"</p> -<p class="pnext">The innkeeper having promised to set the -ferryman in charge of the boat, the three struck -into the road.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="prattle">CHAPTER III</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">PRATTLE</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">The one street of the village contained only -two shops. One of these, the forepart of a simple -cottage, was post office and general store, whose -window displayed groceries, sweetstuffs, stockings, -reels of cotton, and other articles of a miscellaneous -stock. A few yards beyond it stood a larger, -newer, and uglier building, the lower storey of -which was a double-fronted shop, exhibiting on -the one side a heterogeneous heap of old iron, on -the other a few agricultural implements, a -ramshackle bicycle, a mangle, tin tea-pots, a can of -petrol, a concertina, and various oddments. Above -the door, in crude letters painted yellow, ran the -description: "Samuel Blevins, General Dealer."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We must try the post office," said Warrender. -"But I don't expect we'll find anything up to -much. Still, there'll be some local views."</p> -<p class="pnext">They entered the little shop, filling the space -in front of the counter, and began to examine -picture-postcards. The shopkeeper, a middle-aged -woman in a widow's cap, was in the act of -handing packets of baking-powder to a customer--a -small man who turned quickly about as the boys -went in, showing a plump, brown face decorated -with a tiny, black moustache and dark, vivacious eyes.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And how be your missus?" the woman was saying.</p> -<p class="pnext">"She is ver' vell," said the man, swinging -round again. "Zat is, not bad--not bad. She -have a cold--yes, shust a leetle cold."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I be main glad 'tis nothing worse," said the -shopkeeper, drily. "Rogers did say only this -morning as he hadn't seed or heard anything of -her for a week or more--and her his own sister, -too, and not that breadth between 'em. She might -as well be in foreign parts. 'Twas never thoughted -when she married you, Mr. Rod; my meaning is, -Rogers believed her'd always be in and out, being -so near; whereas the truth is he sees no more of -her than if she lived at t'other end of the kingdom."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And now ze isinglass," said the man, with -the obvious intention of turning the conversation. -"Vat! No isinglass? Zis is terrible country. -Vell, zat is all, madame. You put every'ing in -ze book?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Trust me for that, Mr. Rod. Remember me -to Mary, and I hope she'll soon be rid of her cold."</p> -<p class="pnext">The man gathered up his purchases, and left -the shop, darting a glance at each of the boys -as he passed them.</p> -<p class="pnext">They bought a few postcards and some postage -stamps, and issued forth into the street. Blevins, -the general dealer, standing at his shop-door with -his hands under his coat-tails, gave them a hard look.</p> -<p class="pnext">"These country folk are as inquisitive as moths," -remarked Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Take us for strolling minstrels, I dare say," -rejoined Pratt. "Lucky I didn't bring my banjo."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Our blazers make us a trifle conspicuous," -said Warrender. "I say, as we've plenty of time -before dark, and I don't want to run into that -crowd at the inn again, suppose we stroll on."</p> -<p class="pnext">They passed the general dealer's, soon left -the last of the cottages behind them, and rambled -along the grassy bank of the road, which wound -across a wide and barren heath land. About -half a mile from the village they came to narrower -cross-roads, leading apparently to the few scattered -farmsteads of the neighbourhood. A few yards -beyond this they saw, rounding a bend, a girl -on a bicycle coasting down a slight hill towards them.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The fair maid in white!" said Pratt. "I -think my banjo ought to have been a guitar, or -a lute, whatever that is."</p> -<p class="pnext">A loud report startled them all. The bicycle -wobbled, stopped, and the girl sprang lightly -from her saddle, and bent down to examine the -front tyre. She rose just before the boys reached -her, gave them a fleeting glance, and started to -wheel the machine down the road.</p> -<p class="pnext">After a brief hesitation Warrender turned towards -her, lifting his cap.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can I be of any assistance?" he asked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, please don't trouble," replied the girl. -"It's a frightfully bad puncture, and I haven't -very far to go."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Some distance across the ferry?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, yes; but this will take a long time, and -I really couldn't think of----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's no trouble--if you have an outfit."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, I have, but----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"He's a dab at mending tyres, I assure you," -Pratt broke in. "Also at all sorts of tinkering -old jobs. Our engine broke down the other -day--that's our motor-boat, down at the ferry, you -know--I dare say you saw it when you passed -an hour ago--or was it two? It seems a jolly -long time. Do let him try his hand; he'll be -heartbroken if you don't. Besides, wheeling a -bicycle is no joke; I know from experience; and -for a lady--why, there's a smudge on your dress -already. Really----"</p> -<p class="pnext">Like many loquacious persons, Pratt was apt -to let his tongue run away with him. The girl -had shown more and more amusement with every -sentence that bubbled from his glib lips, and here -she broke into a frank laugh, and surrendered the -bicycle to Warrender, who laid it down on the -grass bordering the road, opened the tool pouch -and set to work.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He may be nervous, and fumble a bit, you -know," said Pratt, "if we look at him. I used -to be like that myself, when I was young. Don't -you think we'd better walk on? Perhaps you'd -like to be shown over our boat?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I think I'd prefer to wait for my bicycle," -said the girl, demurely.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Warrender's quite to be trusted," rejoined -Pratt. "He isn't just an ordinary tramp or tinker. -We've none of us chosen our professions yet. We -<em class="italics">have</em> been called 'The Three Musketeers' in some -quarters."</p> -<p class="pnext">"At school, I suppose," the girl put in.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Because we're always together, you know," -Pratt continued. "We came up the river to-day--on -a holiday cruise--all the joys of nautical -adventure without any of the discomforts. Of -course, there are disappointments; bound to be. -We thought of camping on the banks--one of -the banks, I mean--but, as Armstrong said, it -might be the Congo, it's so frightfully overgrown, -and as we didn't bring axes or dynamite, or any -of the old things that explorers use, we had to -reconcile ourselves to the shattering of our dreams.... -Whew! That was a near thing!"</p> -<p class="pnext">At the cross-roads just below, a motor-car, -carrying two men, had emerged suddenly from -the right, and run into a country cart which had -been lumbering along the high road from the -direction of the village. The chauffeur had clapped -his brakes on in time to avoid a serious collision, -but two spokes of the cart's near wheel had been -smashed, and the wing of the car crumpled. -Springing out of the car, the chauffeur, a -dark-skinned little man, rushed up to the carter, who -had been trudging on the off-side at the horse's -head, and began to berate him excitedly, with -much play of hands.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Vy you not have care?" he shouted, so rapidly -that the monosyllables seemed to form one word. -"You take up all ze road; you sink all ze road -belong to you; you not look round ze corner; -no, you blind fool, you crash bang into my car, -viss I not know how many pounds of damage."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Bain't my fault," said the carter, stoutly. -"Can <em class="italics">you</em> see round the corner? Then why didn't -you blow your horn?"</p> -<p class="pnext">The chauffeur retorted with a torrent of abuse, -in which broken English and expletives in some -foreign tongue seemed equally mingled, the carter -keeping up a monotonous chant of "Bain't my -fault, I tell 'ee."</p> -<p class="pnext">The former appealed to his passenger, a tall -man of fair complexion and straw-coloured moustache -and beard. A lull in the altercation between -the other two enabled him to declare that the -carter was in the wrong, and his clear measured -words rang with a distinctly foreign intonation in -the ears of the four spectators above. The squabble -revived, and was ended only when the passenger -got out of the car, laid a soothing hand on the -chauffeur, and persuaded the carter to give his -name, which he wrote down in a pocket-book. A -few seconds later the car snorted away into the -cross-road on the left-hand side.</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender had looked up from his task only -for a moment, but the other three had watched -the whole scene in silent amusement.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can you tell us," said Pratt to the girl, -"whether the Tower of Babel is anywhere in -this neighbourhood? We've seen four foreigners -since we landed at the ferry an hour or two ago, -and, if accent is any guide, they all hail from -different parts."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It is funny, isn't it?" said the girl. "And -the explanation is funny, too. They are all -servants of a strange old gentleman who lives in a -big house near the river. Some people say he is -mad, but I think he's only very bad-tempered."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Very likely the old buffer we saw. But go -on, please."</p> -<p class="pnext">"His English servants went to him one day -in a body and asked him to raise their wages. -It was quite reasonable, don't you think, with -all the labourers and people earning twice as -much as they did before the war? But they say -he stormed at them, using the most dreadful -language, dismissed them all, and vowed he would -never have an English servant again. Frightfully, -silly of him, but my father says that there's no -telling what extremes a hot-tempered lunatic like -Mr. Pratt will----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Who?" ejaculated Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's his name--Mr. Ambrose Pratt. -Perhaps you have heard of him? He was a great -traveller--quite famous, I believe."</p> -<p class="pnext">"My aunt! I mean--I'm rather taken by -surprise, you know; but--well, the fact is," -stammered Pratt, "he's--he's my uncle."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Mr. Pratt is! Oh, I'm so sorry!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"So am I!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"For calling him such names, I mean."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nothing to what I've called him, I assure you. -He gave me an awful licking once. Not that that -matters, of course; we men don't think anything -of a licking; no--what I meant was I'm sorry -an uncle of mine is bringing the ancient and -honourable name of Pratt into disrepute. Why, -he must be a regular laughing-stock. Fancy -having a menagerie of foreigners!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"But didn't you know? Aren't you staying -with him, then?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rather not. We're not on speaking terms."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I remember--you said you were thinking of -camping out."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes; and our dream was shattered. We've -had to take beds at the inn. It's terrible to lose -your illusions, isn't it? We all thought nobly -of our fellow-men till this afternoon, and now -our hearts are seared, and we'll be frightful cynics -till the end of the chapter. I don't suppose you -know him, but there's a bullet-headed brute of a -fellow in a red choker and a velveteen coat who -sits on a tree-stump down the river----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, yes," said the girl. "That's Rush. -Every one knows him. I believe he has been -in prison for poaching."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, it seems to be his business in life now -to delude unhappy mariners; a regular siren -luring them to their doom. We asked him to -direct us to a camping-place. At first he -protested there was no suitable spot, but his malignant -spirit prompted him to tell us of a glade where -the sward was like velvet, under a charming canopy -of umbrageous foliage. We had just got our tent -up, and I was boiling the kettle for tea, when -there broke upon our solitude a man and a -dog--detestable, unnatural creatures both; the dog -hadn't a bark in him--it was all transferred to the -man. The old buffer barked and bellowed and -bullied and brow-beat and bundled us off."</p> -<p class="pnext">A ripple of laughter from the girl's lips brought -Pratt up short. He looked at her reproachfully.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Do forgive me," she said, "but do you know, -I'm sure that--old buffer--was my father!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Even the ebullient Pratt was rendered speechless; -as Armstrong afterwards put it, in boxing -parlance, "he was fairly fibbed in the wind."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Father is a little hasty, but quite a dear, -really," the girl continued. "He has been -frightfully annoyed by trespassers--that man Rush, -for one, and some of Mr. Pratt's servants. But -don't you think perhaps we had better say no -more about our relations?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Certainly," said Armstrong, with a solemn -air of conviction. It was the first word he had -spoken, and the girl gave him a quick, amused -glance.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Umpire gives us both out!" remarked Pratt, -his equanimity quite restored. "We are now -back in the <em class="italics">status quo</em>, Miss Crawshay, with this -difference: that we know each other's name. -The Bard of Avon wouldn't have asked 'What's -in a name?' if he had been here five minutes ago. -If you had known my name, and I had known -that you were the daughter of----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's forbidden ground, Mr. Pratt."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, is there any ground that isn't -forbidden?" Pratt rejoined. "For our camp, I -mean?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why not try No Man's Island?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Siren Rush told us it's a mere wilderness, -'long heath, brown furze,' and so on."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh! That's quite wrong; he must know -better than that. There's an excellent camping -place on the narrower channel. We often picnicked -there before my father quarrelled with Mr. P----"</p> -<p class="pnext">Smiling, she caught herself up.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Call 'em X and Y," suggested Pratt. "It -is a sort of simultaneous equation, isn't it? But -the island can't belong to Y unless Y is generally -recognised in the neighbourhood as no man at all."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nobody knows whose it is. The owner died -years ago; his cottage there is falling to ruin; -they say it belongs now to a distant relative in -the colonies."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Then there's no one to chevy us away, as -soon as we've got things shipshape?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Unless you're afraid of ghosts. There are -all sorts of queer tales; the country folk shake -their heads when the island is mentioned; not -one of them will have the courage to set foot -on it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"A haunted island! How jolly! I've always -wanted to meet a spook. That's an additional -attraction, I assure you. Perhaps I can soothe -the perturbed spirits with my banjo. I admit it -has the opposite effect on Armstrong, but----"</p> -<p class="pnext">The girl turned suddenly away towards Warrender, -who had finished his job and was pumping -up the tyre.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You frightful ass!" muttered Armstrong -in a savage undertone, heard by Pratt alone. -"You've done nothing but drivel for the last -half-hour."</p> -<p class="pnext">"All right, old mule," retorted Pratt, grinning.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, it will carry you home," Warrender was -saying, "but I'm afraid you'll have to get a new -tyre."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thanks so much. It is really awfully good -of you," replied the girl.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'm sorry I've been such a time."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I've been very well entertained. It hasn't -seemed long at all. Thank you again. Good-bye."</p> -<p class="pnext">She mounted the bicycle, beamed an impartial -smile upon the three, and sped away down the road.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="the-face-in-the-thicket">CHAPTER IV</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">THE FACE IN THE THICKET</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">When the three friends arrived at the inn it was -full to the door. Rogers, wigless again, caught -sight of Warrender over the heads of the crowd, -and came from behind the counter, edging his way -outwards through the press of villagers.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Missus have got the rooms shipshape, sir," -he said. "She's a rare woman for making a man -comfortable."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'm sure she is," returned Warrender, "and -I'm only sorry we shan't know it by personal -experience. The fact is, we're going to camp on -No Man's Island; there's plenty of time before -sunset to fix ourselves up."</p> -<p class="pnext">"She'll be main sorry, that she will," said the -innkeeper, pocketing the two half-crowns Warrender -handed him. "No Man's Island, did 'ee say? -Maybe you haven't heard what folk do tell?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We have heard something, but I dare say -it's just talk, you know. Anyhow, we're going -to try it, and we'll let you know in the morning -how we get on."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now, Rogers--drat the man!" cried his wife's -voice from behind. She came out into the porch, -flourishing his wig. "How many times have I -told 'ee I won't have 'ee showing yourself without -your hair? If you do be a great baby, there's no -need for 'ee to look like one."</p> -<p class="pnext">Rogers meekly allowed her to adjust the wig, -explaining meanwhile the intention of the expected -guests. She received the news with disappointment -and concern.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I hope nothing ill will come o't," she said. -"Fists bain't no mortal use against spirits; 'twould -be like hitting the wind. Howsomever, the young -will always go their own gait. 'Tis the way o' the -world." She went back into the inn.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That furriner chap was hurt more in his temper -than his framework," said Rogers. "And knowing -what furriners be, I'd keep my weather eye open. -There's too many of 'em in these parts."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I understand they're servants of Mr. Pratt; -they should be fairly respectable."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay, that's where 'tis. A gentleman must -do as he likes, and we haven't got nothing to say -to't. But we think the more. And I own I was -fair cut up when my sister Molly married the cook; -a little Swiss feller he is."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We saw him up at the post office a while ago; -the shopwoman inquired after your sister, I -remember."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And well she might. I never see the girl -nowadays; girl, I say, but she's gone thirty, old -enough to know better. By all accounts Rod's -uncommon clever at the vittles, and the crew -down yonder be living on the fat of the land, while -the skipper's a-dandering round in furren parts."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Mr. Pratt's away from home, then?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay sure. He haven't been seen a good while, -and 'tis just like him to go off sudden-like. You'd -expect he'd be tired of it at his time o' life, but 'tis -once a wanderer, always a wanderer. Well, the -evening's getting on, so I won't keep 'ee. Good -luck, sir."</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender rejoined his companions, who had -taken over the boat from the ferryman, and they -were soon floating down on the current. They -took the narrow channel on the left of the island -which they had avoided on the way up, and found -it less difficult to navigate than it had appeared -at the other end. The dusk was deepening beneath -the trees, but in a few minutes they discovered a -wide open space that offered more accommodation -than they needed. Running the boat close to -the shore, they sprang to land, moored to a tree -overhanging the stream, and set to work with a -will to make their preparations for the night.</p> -<p class="pnext">The clearing was carpeted with long grass, -damp from yesterday's rain, and encircled by -dense undergrowth, thicket, and bramble. They -pitched the tent in the centre, beat down a stretch -of grass in front of it on which to place the stove -and the bulk of their impedimenta, and by the time -that darkness enwrapped them had everything in -order. The moon, almost at full circle, had risen -early, and soon, peering over the tree-tops on the -mainland, flung her silver sheen into the enclosure, -whitening the tent to a snowy brilliance and -throwing into strong relief the massed foliage beyond. -A light breeze set the leaves quivering with a -murmurous rustle. The hour and the scene made -an appeal to Pratt's sentimental soul too strong to -be resisted. Opening one of the folding chairs, he -lay back in it with crossed legs, gazed up into -the serene, star-flecked heavens, and began with -gentle touches of his strings to serenade the moon.</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender, having slipped on his overalls, -kindled a lamp and went down to tinker with -his engine. Unmusical Armstrong, always accused -by Pratt of being "fit for treasons, stratagems, -and spoils," sauntered, hands in pockets, across -the clearing. Elbowing his way through the -undergrowth he found, after some fifty or sixty yards, -that the vegetation thinned. The lesser shrubs -gave way to trees, which grew close together, but -with a regularity that suggested planting on a -definite plan. Pursuing his way, he came by -and by to a more spacious clearing than the one -he had quitted; and on the left, in the midst of -what had evidently been at one time a small -garden, he saw the shell of a two-storeyed cottage. -The walls were covered with creepers growing in -rank disorder; the windows gaped, empty of glass; -the doorless entrance shaped a rectangle of -blackness; and bare rafters, shaggy with unpruned -ivy, drew parallel lines upon the inky gloom of half -the upper storey. Ruins, in daylight merely -picturesque, take a new beauty in the cold radiance of -the moon, but present at the same time an image of -all that is desolate and forlorn. Practical, -unemotional as Armstrong was, he thrilled to the -impression of vacuity and abandonment, and -stood for a while at gaze, as though unwilling to -disturb the loneliness.</p> -<p class="pnext">Presently, however, he stepped lightly across -the unmown lawn, and the moss-grown path -beyond, and, entering the doorway, struck a -match and looked around. From the narrow -hall--strewn with fragments of brick and mortar, -broken tiles, heaps of plaster, and here and there -spotted with fungi--sprang the staircase, whole -as to the stairs, but showing gaps in the banisters. -Curling strips of torn discoloured paper hung from -the walls. The match went out; through the -open roof the stars glimmered. Deciding to defer -exploration till daylight, lest a tile or brick should -fall on his head, or the staircase give way under -him, Armstrong turned to go out. As he did so -he was aware of a low moaning sound, such as -a person inside a house may hear when a high -wind soughs under the eaves. It rose and fell -in cadences eerily mournful, as though the spirit -of solitude itself were lonely and in pain. -Armstrong shivered and sought the doorway, and -as he felt how gentle was the breeze he met, he -wondered at its having power enough to produce -such sounds. The moaning ceased; he listened -for a moment or two; it did not recur, though the -zephyr had not sensibly dropped. Puzzled, he -started to retrace his way to the camp. At the -farther side of the clearing the melancholy sound -once more broke upon his car. Almost involuntarily -he wheeled round to look back at the cottage; -then, impatient with himself, turned again to -quit the scene.</p> -<p class="pnext">His feeling, which was neither awe nor timorousness, -but rather a vague discomfort, left him as -soon as his active faculties were again in play. -Pushing his way through the undergrowth, he was -inclined to deride his unwonted susceptibility. -All at once, however, without sound or any other -physical fact to account for it, he was seized with -the fancy that some one was behind him. Does -every human being move in the midst of an -invisible, intangible aura, that acts as a sixth sense? -Whatever the truth may be, certain it is that -we have all, at one time or another, been conscious -of the proximity of some bodily presence, which -neither sight nor sound nor touch has revealed.</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong swung quickly round, and started, -for there in the thicket, within a dozen yards -of him, a shaft of moonlight struck upon a face, -pallid amidst the green. It disappeared in a flash.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Who's there?" called Armstrong, sharply; -then impulsively started forward, parting the -foliage.</p> -<p class="pnext">There was no answer, nobody to be seen. Indeed, -within a yard of him the thicket was so dense, so -closely overarched by loftier trees, that no ray of -moonshine percolated into its pitchy blackness.</p> -<p class="pnext">Holding the branches apart, peering into the -gloom, he listened. Overhead the leaves softly -rustled; within the thicket there was not a murmur. -He let the branches swing back; stood for a few -moments irresolute; then, with an impatient jerk -of the shoulders, strode away towards the camp.</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong was not what the pathologist would -call a nervous subject. His physical courage had -never been questioned; in his healthy life of work -and play his moral courage had never been called -upon; his lack of imagination had saved him from -the tremors and terrors that prey upon the more -highly strung.</p> -<p class="pnext">To find himself mentally disturbed was a novel -experience; it filled him with a sense of humiliation -and self-contempt; it enraged him. Thoughts of -Pratt's mocking glee when the tale should be told -made him squirm. "I say, the old bean's seen -a spook"--he could hear the light, ringing tones of -Pratt's voice, see the bubbling merriment in his -large, round eyes. "I swear it <em class="italics">was</em> a face!" -he angrily told himself. "Dashed if I don't come -in daylight and hunt for the fellow--some tramp, -I expect, who finds a lodging gratis in the ruins."</p> -<p class="pnext">By the time he reached the camp he had made -up his mind to say nothing about the incident. -Emerging into the silent clearing, he saw Pratt -and Warrender side by side on their chairs, fast -asleep, the latter with folded arms and head on -breast, the former holding his banjo across his -knees, his face, the image of placid happiness, -upturned to the sky. Apparently the swish of -Armstrong's boots through the long grass penetrated -to the slumbering consciousness of the sleepers. -Warrender lifted his head, unclosed his eyes for a -moment, muttered "Hallo!" and slept again. -Pratt, without moving, looked lazily through -half-shut eyelids.</p> -<p class="pnext">"'O moon of my delight, who know'st no -wane!'" he murmured. "Well, old bean, seen -the spook?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rot!" growled Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I believe you have!" cried Pratt, starting -up, his face kindling. "What's she like?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ass!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, what <em class="italics">did</em> you see? You don't, as a -rule, snap for nothing. I'll say that for you. -Only cats will scratch you for love. What's -upset the apple-cart?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I saw the ruined cottage, if you want to -know--a ghastly rotten hole. I'm dead tired--I'm -going to turn in."</p> -<p class="pnext">"All right, old chap; you shall have a lullaby." He -struck an arpeggio.</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line">"Sing me to sleep, the shadows fall;</div> -<div class="line">Let me forget the world and all;</div> -<div class="line">Lone is my heart, the day is long;</div> -<div class="line">Would it were come to evensong!</div> -<div class="line">Sing me to sleep, your hand in mine----"</div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst">Armstrong had fled into the tent.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I say, Warrender," murmured Pratt, nudging -the somnolent form at his side, "something's put -the old sport in a regular bait."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Eh?" returned Warrender, drowsily.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Armstrong's got the pip. Never knew him -like this. Something's curdled the milk."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, it's time to turn in," said Warrender, -rising and stretching himself. "He'll be all right -in the morning. Good-night."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Same to you. I suppose I must follow you, -but it's so jolly under this heavenly moon."</p> -<p class="pnext">And Warrender, undressing within the tent, -smiled as he heard the lingerer's pleasant voice.</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line">"Dark is life's shore, love, life is so deep:</div> -<div class="line">Leave me no more, but sing me to sleep."</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="the-game-begins">CHAPTER V</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">THE GAME BEGINS</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">For all his loquacity, his gamesomeness of -temper, Pratt was not without a modicum of -discretion. Next morning, when they had taken their -swim and were preparing breakfast, he did not -revive the subject of spooks, or make any allusion to -Armstrong's ill-humour. Armstrong, for his part, -always at his best in the freshness of the early hours, -had thrown off the oppression of the night, and -appeared his cheerful, vigorous, rather silent self.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You fellows," said Warrender, as they devoured -cold sausages and a stale loaf, "after I've -overhauled the engine, I think of pulling up stream in -the dinghy and getting some new bread at the -village----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rolls, if you can," Pratt interpolated.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And some butter and cheese, etcetera. Now -we're on this island, we may as well explore it. -You can do that while I'm away."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And hand you a neatly written report of our -discoveries. All right, Mr. President."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I shan't be gone more than about a couple -of hours."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Unless you get another tinkering job. By -the way, why not call at old Crawshay's, and ask -if she got home safe? I think that would be a -very proper thing to do, and the old buffer would -appreciate it. Good for evil, you know; coals -of fire; turning the other cheek, and all that."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You can turn your own cheek, Percy. You've -got enough of it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Do you allude to my facial rotundity, which -is Nature's gift, or to my urbanity of manner, -my----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dry up, man. It's too early in the morning -for fireworks. So long."</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt gave a further proof of his tact when -he started with Armstrong on their tour of -exploration. Instead of striking southward, in the -direction of the ruins, he set off to the north-west. -"The island's so small," he reflected, "that we -are bound to work round to that cottage, and -then----"</p> -<p class="pnext">Daylight showed the undergrowth dense indeed, -but not so impenetrable as it had seemed overnight. -At the cost of a few scratches from bramble bushes -laden with ripening blackberries, they pushed their -way through to the western shore, overlooking -the broader channel and the right bank of the river; -then they turned south, zigzagging to find the -easiest route.</p> -<p class="pnext">Hitherto, except for the whirr of a bird, or the -scurry of some small animal, they had neither -seen nor heard anything betokening that the island -had any other visitors than themselves. But not -long after their change of course they came to a -spot where the grass had recently been trampled.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, poor Robinson Crusoe!" hummed Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Here's a wire snare," exclaimed Armstrong. -"Some one's rabbiting."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Very likely Siren Rush," Pratt returned. -"It wasn't original malice that prompted him to -warn us against the island, but a sophisticated -fear of competition. I dare say he made tons -of money out of rabbits in the lean time during -the war; skinned them and the shop people too!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong let this pass; the face he had seen -for a brief moment overnight had not recalled -the leering countenance of the poacher.</p> -<p class="pnext">They went on, skirted the southern shore, and -turned northward. Presently Pratt caught a -glimpse through the trees of the roof of the ruined -cottage. He did not mention it, but struck to -the right towards the narrow channel, and led the -way as close as possible to its brink. A minute -or two later, in a shallow indentation of the shore, -they discovered the remains of a small pier or -landing-stage. The planks had rotted or broken -away; only a few moss-covered piles and -cross-stretchers were left, still, after what must have -been many years, defying the destructive energy of -the stream that swirled around them. Through -the channel, at this spot contracted to half its -average width, the swollen river poured with the -force of a millrace.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The old chap kept a boat, evidently," said -Pratt. "There ought to be a path from here -to the house, but there's no sign of one. Let's -strike inland, and see if we can trace it somewhere."</p> -<p class="pnext">They pushed through the thicket, here as closely -tangled as anywhere else, and emerging suddenly -into the wilderness garden, in which perennial -plants were stifling one another, they saw the ruined -cottage before them.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Jolly picturesque," said Pratt, halting. "I -dare say distance lends enchantment to the view; -no doubt it's a pretty dismal place inside; but the -sunlight makes a gorgeous effect with those old -walls. The creepers running over warm red -bricks--it's a harmony of colour, old man. I'd like -to make a sketch of it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Houses were built to be lived in," grunted -Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt made no reply at once. For the moment -the schoolboy was sunk in the artist. He let -his eyes linger on the spectacle--the broken roof; -the one gable that here survived; the creepers -straggling round it and over the glassless window -of the room beneath; the heap of shattered brick-work -at the base, half-clothed with greenery and -gay with flowers.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Of course, it looked very different by moonlight," -he said at last. "You'd lose all the colour. -Still----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I saw it from the other side," said Armstrong. -"That won't please you so much--it's not so much ruined."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, let's go and see."</p> -<p class="pnext">He was leading through the riot of untended -flowers, Armstrong close behind him, when he -stopped suddenly, and in a tone of voice -involuntarily subdued, asked--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Did you see that?"</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 77%" id="figure-115"> -<span id="did-you-see-that"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-052.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"'DID YOU SEE THAT?'"</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"What?" said Armstrong, starting in spite -of himself.</p> -<p class="pnext">"A figure--something--I don't know; at the -back of the room."</p> -<p class="pnext">The sunlight, slanting from the south-east, -shone full upon the cottage, but left the back -of one of the rooms on the ground floor shadowed -by the screen of creepers falling over the gaping -window.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, suppose there was, why the mysterious -whisper?" said Armstrong, his own doubts and -remembered tremors disposing him to ridicule -Pratt's excitement. "Why shouldn't there be -some one there? <em class="italics">We</em> are here--why not others?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, but--well, I didn't expect it. Perhaps -you did."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It may have been only the shadow of the -creeper on the wall."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It may have been your grandmother! Let's -get into the place and have a look round. -The window's too high to climb; is the door open?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"There's no door."</p> -<p class="pnext">"So much the better. Come on."</p> -<p class="pnext">They hastened to the front, and through the -doorway into the hall. The house was silent -as a tomb. On either side opened a doorless -room. They entered the one on the right--that -in which Pratt had believed he saw a moving -figure. It was pervaded by a subdued greenish -sunlight, becoming misty by reason of the dust -their footsteps had stirred up. It held neither -person nor thing. They crossed to the opposite -room, which, being out of the sunshine, was in -deep gloom. This, too, was empty. Passing the -staircase they arrived at the back premises, a -stone-flagged kitchen and scullery. Both were -bare; even the grate had been removed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now for upstairs," said Pratt. "They've -made a clean sweep down here."</p> -<p class="pnext">They mounted the staircase, at first treading -carefully, then with confident steps as they found -that the creaking stairs were sound. There were -four rooms on the upper storey, two of them exposed -to the sky. Of these the floors were thick with -blown leaves, twigs, birds' feathers, fragments of -tiles and bricks, broken rafters, and the debris -of the ceiling. The other two, roofed and whole, -were as bare as the rooms below. Through the -empty casement of one they caught sight of the -tower in the grounds of Mr. Ambrose Pratt's house, -and the upper windows and roof of the house -itself. Pratt's appreciative eye was instantly -seized by the prospect--the foreground of low -thicket; the glistening stream; the noble trees -beyond, springing out of a waving sea of -sun-dappled bracken; the gentle slope on whose -summit stood the buildings, and in the far -background the rolling expanse of purple moorland. -For the moment he forgot the shadowy figure -he had seen, and lingered as if unwilling to miss -one detail of the enchanting landscape.</p> -<p class="pnext">"There's no one here," said Armstrong, -matter-of-fact as ever.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I dare say it was an illusion. Look how the -sunlight catches the ripples, Jack. And did you -see that kingfisher flash between the banks?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll go and have another look downstairs," -Armstrong responded. "I'll give you a call if -I find anything."</p> -<p class="pnext">He felt, as he went down, that perhaps he -would have done better to be candid with Pratt. -Why make any bones about an incident capable, -no doubt, of a simple explanation? The tramp, -if tramp he was, had, of course, the objection -of his kind to being found on enclosed premises, -even though they were a ruin. Yet it was strange -that he had left no tracks--had he not? Armstrong -was suddenly aware of something that had hitherto -escaped him. There was no dust, no litter on the -stairs. Singular phenomenon in a long-deserted -house! And surely the floor of the room in which -Pratt now stood, unlike the other floors, was clear. -It, and the staircase, must have been swept. -Why? Not for tidiness--no tramp would bother -about that. For what, then? Secrecy? Dusty -floors would leave tell-tale marks--and with the -thought Armstrong hurried down to the room in -which the figure had been seen, and examined the -floor. Yes! besides the footprints of himself -and Pratt between door and window, there were -others along the wall at the back of the room. The -fellow must have slipped out with the speed of a -hare. Armstrong perceived at once the clumsiness -of the attempt at secrecy, for the very fact that -some of the floors were swept gave the game away. -At the same time, he was puzzled to account for -the man's motive. The island was deserted; it -was no longer the scene of picnics; the villagers -avoided it; why then should a casual visitor--for -there was no evidence of continuous occupation--be -at the pains even to try to cover up his -movements? The strange oppression of the previous -night returned upon Armstrong's mind, and he -roamed about the lower floor in a mood of curious -expectancy.</p> -<p class="pnext">He came once more to the kitchen, and noticed -that between it and the scullery was a closed -door--the only door that remained in the house. -Instinctively bracing himself, he turned the handle; -the door opened, disclosing a dark hole and a -downward flight of stone steps. He went down into -the darkness, at the foot of the steps struck a match, -and found himself in a low, spacious cellar, empty -except for a strewing of coal dust. As the match -flickered out he caught sight of something white -in a corner. Striking another, he crossed the floor -and picked up a jagged scrap of paper, slightly -brown along one edge. At the same moment he -observed a little heap of paper ashes.</p> -<p class="pnext">Throwing down the match he trod upon it, -and turned, intending to examine the paper in -the daylight above. Pratt's voice shouting, and -a sound of some one leaping down the staircase -to the hall, caused him to spring up the steps two -at a time.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's up?" he shouted back, unable to -distinguish Pratt's words.</p> -<p class="pnext">He reached the hall just in time to see Pratt -dash through the doorway and sprint at -headlong pace towards the river. Stuffing the paper -into his pocket, Armstrong doubled after him. -Pratt was already plunging into the thicket, -and, when Armstrong came within sight of the -channel, the other had flung off his cap and blazer, -and was diving into the stream.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 74%" id="figure-116"> -<span id="the-other-was-diving-into-the-stream"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-059.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"THE OTHER WAS DIVING INTO THE STREAM."</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"What mad trick----"</p> -<p class="pnext">He cut short his exclamation, for his long strides -had brought him to the pier, and he saw the cause -of Pratt's desperate haste. The motor-boat, -broadside to the stream, was drifting down the channel. -Already it was some thirty yards beyond the spot -where Pratt had taken the water, and Pratt was -swimming after it with the ease of a water-rat.</p> -<p class="pnext">Feeling that there was no reason why himself -should get soaked too, Armstrong forged his -way through the vegetation at the brink of the -channel, but made slow progress compared with -the swimmer. Pratt was rapidly overhauling the -boat. Watching him, instead of his own steps, -Armstrong tripped over a creeper, and fell headlong. -By the time he had picked himself up, Pratt had -disappeared. Armstrong's momentary anxiety was -banished by the sight of the boat moving slowly -in towards the shore of the island.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good man," he shouted. "You headed it -off splendidly."</p> -<p class="pnext">Pushing and swimming, Pratt was evidently -making strenuous efforts to drive the boat into -the bank before the current swept it past the island. -If he failed, Armstrong saw that he would have -to change his tactics and run it ashore on the left -bank--his uncle's property. It would then be -necessary for Armstrong to swim across, for Pratt -had never taken the trouble to learn the working -of the engine.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Stick it, old man," he called.</p> -<p class="pnext">In a few moments more Pratt contrived to -edge the boat among the low branches of an -overhanging tree. Its downward progress thus partly -checked, he was able to exert more force in the -shoreward direction. When Armstrong, after a -rough scramble, arrived at the spot, he had just -rammed the boat's nose securely into a tangled -network of branches, and was clambering, a -dripping, bedraggled object, up the bank.</p> -<p class="pnext">A prolonged "Coo-ee!" sounded from far -up the river.</p> -<p class="pnext">"There's old Warrender, shrieking like a -bereaved hen," said Pratt, shaking himself. "And -it's all through his not tying the thing up properly! -Armstrong, water is very wet."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I say, did you ever know Warrender not -tie it up properly?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"How else would it break away?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"You didn't see it break away?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, you can't see our camping-place from -the ruins. It was a good way down before I caught -sight of it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, they've kicked off; the game's begun!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"What on earth do you mean?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Wring yourself dry, and we'll talk."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="a-scrap-of-paper">CHAPTER VI</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">A SCRAP OF PAPER</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">Pratt had just stripped off his clothes, and -spread them to dry, when Warrender arrived -in the dinghy.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's the game, you chaps?" he inquired. -"Why a second bath, Pratt?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Eyes left!" responded Pratt. "The sight -of my habiliments basking in the sunlight will -inform you that I have just been performing a -cinema stunt--plunging fully clothed into the -boiling torrent to rescue the heroine, whom the -villain----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dry up!" said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Just what I am trying to do. But you are -bursting with information, old chap. Expound. -I am all ears."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You tied up the boat as usual, Warrender?" -Armstrong asked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Of course. Why?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Pratt saw her drifting down the stream, that's -all, and had to dive in to prevent her getting right -past the island."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's rum," said Warrender. "The knot -couldn't have worked loose. Who's been monkeying -with her?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's the point," said Armstrong. "There's -some one else on the island, and whoever it is, -wants the place to himself. Setting the boat -adrift seemed to him a first step to driving us away, -which shows he is a juggins."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Q.E.D.," said Pratt. "Now the corollary, -if you please."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Wait a bit," Warrender interposed. "It -may be only a stupid practical joke--the sort -of thing the intelligence of that poacher fellow -might rise to."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It may be, of course," returned Armstrong, -"but I think it's more. You remember what -Miss Crawshay and the people at the inn told -us about the island being haunted, you know? -Well, rumours of that sort are just what might -be set going by some one who has reasons of his -own for keeping people away. It may be Rush; -we found a rabbit-snare this morning; but if it -is, there's some one else in the game. Last night, -as I was returning to camp, I saw a face in the -thicket, just for a moment; it was gone in a flash; -but it wasn't Rush's face; it was a different type -altogether."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why on earth didn't you tell us?" asked -Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I might have been mistaken; moonlight -plays all sorts of tricks; besides----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Just so, old man," said Pratt. "Are there -visions abroad? The witching hour of night----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let's keep to cold fact," Warrender put in. -"You saw a face, and it wasn't Rush's; but Rush -lied to us about the island to keep us off it; -therefore Rush and some unknown person are in league. -What next?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Pratt saw some one in one of the rooms of -the ruined cottage as we approached it an hour -or so ago. We hunted through the place, but -couldn't find any one. I noticed one strange -fact: that while some of the rooms are thick with -dust, the staircase and one of the rooms upstairs -are pretty clear, although there's no sign whatever -of anybody living there. There's not a stick of -furniture. What is the cottage used for?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Is there anything particular about the -upstairs room?" Warrender asked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nothing that I could see," replied Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Except that it gives a magnificent view," -Pratt added. "You can see my uncle's grounds, -and up and down the river. It was when I was -looking out of the window that I saw the boat -adrift."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I think I'll have a look at the place," -said Warrender, "and if you'll take my advice, -Percy, you'll go up in the dinghy, get into dry -togs, and give an eye to the camp."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Righto! There ought to be some one at -home to receive callers. You'll be back to lunch, -I suppose?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender nodded, and strode off with Armstrong -towards the ruins. Together they explored -the house from roof to cellar, seeking, not for an -inhabitant, but for some clue to the puzzle suggested -by the partly cleared floors. No discovery -rewarded them. It was not until they were -inspecting the cellar that Armstrong remembered the -scrap of paper he had picked up there. Taking -it out of his pocket when they returned to daylight, -he handed it to Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Is it Greek?" he asked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No," replied Warrender. "I fancy it's -Russian; a scrap torn from a Russian newspaper, -by the look of it. Pretty old, too, judging by the -colour."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I don't know. It's brown at the edge, but -that's due to the scorching it got when the other -papers were burned. It's fairly clean everywhere -else. You can't read it, then?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not a word; how should I? Russian's a -modern language; belongs more to your side -than mine. Besides, what if I could? A -newspaper wouldn't tell us anything."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Very likely not. But a Russian newspaper -would hardly be in the possession of anybody -but a Russian, and what was a Russian ever doing here?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah! I think I see daylight. What if it -belonged to one of what Pratt calls his uncle's -menagerie of foreigners? They might come here -in their off times. There's nothing very wonderful -about it after all; but as there's nothing valuable -in the ruins, they can't have any object in trying -to keep us out. My belief is that that fellow Rush -set the boat drifting out of sheer mischief, and we'd -better keep our eye on him."</p> -<p class="pnext">On leaving the ruins it occurred to Armstrong -to examine the surroundings more narrowly than -he had yet done. The flower-beds and the -moss-grown path in the direction of the jetty showed -the impress of his own and Pratt's feet, but another -path, which they had not trodden, also bore slight -marks of use. Following it up with Warrender, -he found that it led to a narrow track through the -undergrowth, leading southward almost in a straight -line. In single file they made their way along -this, and came presently to a shallow indentation -in the western shore, near its southern end.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Pratt and I must have crossed this track a -while ago," said Armstrong; "but I didn't notice -it, and I'm sure he didn't."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Look here," said Warrender, who had bent -down to examine the grass and shrubs growing -on the low bank. "Wouldn't you say that a -boat had been run in? In fact, it's been drawn -up on to the bank. Here's a distinct mark of -the keel--a small rowing-boat, I should think."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not very recent, is it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"But certainly not very ancient, or it wouldn't -be so distinct. It's on Crawshay's arm of the -river, though. D'you know, Armstrong, I shouldn't -be surprised if it turns out we're a set of jackasses. -I dare say the place teems with rabbits, and there -are plenty of fellows besides Rush who'd be glad -of getting their dinner for nothing, and would want -to keep other people out of their preserves. Let's -be getting back."</p> -<p class="pnext">On arriving at their encampment they took -the precaution of drawing the bow of the motorboat -well on to the bank, and securing it firmly -to a stout sapling. The dinghy, which Pratt had -tied to a projecting root, they carried ashore, and -placed behind the tent.</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt was sitting on his chair, tuning his banjo.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You perceive I have not been idle," he said. -"You couldn't have carried the dinghy with such -agile ease if I hadn't emptied her first. Your -marketing was a success, Warrender?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, I got everything we wanted except petrol. -By the way, Pratt, there's a rival troubadour in -the village."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I say! Surely not a banjo?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"A banjo it is, and the player is no other than -that general dealer fellow--what's his name? -Blevins. I went up to the shop to get a can of -petrol, and heard the tum-ti-tum and a tenor -voice as good as your own----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't crush me quite!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Warbling one of your own songs out of the -open window above the shop--'Love me and the -world is mine.' Really it might have been you, -only the fellow has a little more of what you call -the tremolo, don't you?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Vibrato--if you want to know. But hang it! -The glory is departed. Another banjo, another -tenor--and singing my songs! Pity we're not -in Spain."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why on earth?" asked Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Because then we'd meet on some delicious -moonlit night under the window of some fair -senorita, and after trying to sing each other down -like a couple of cats, we'd have a bit of a turn-up, -and I'd have a chance to show I'm the better man. -But how do you know it was the general dealer? -It might have been some fair swain as comely as -myself."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll tell you. I went into the shop, and asked -the sheepish young fellow there for one of the cans -of petrol I saw against the wall. He declared they -were all for Mr. Pratt at the Red House. There -were at least half a dozen, and I protested that -Mr. Pratt couldn't possibly want them all at once, -and insisted on his fetching his employer. The -singing had been going on all the time. It stopped -a couple of seconds after the fellow had gone into -the house, and the man Blevins came into the -shop. It's a fair deduction that he and the singer -were one."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It is, it is," murmured Pratt, mournfully, -throwing a glance across the river.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What <em class="italics">are</em> you squinting at?" asked Armstrong. -"I've noticed you several times; what's there to -look at?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"There's me," replied Pratt, quickly. "Look -at me, old chap, or at any rate, don't look that -way; tell you why presently. Well, what about -old Blevins, Warrender? My hat! what a name -for a light tenor!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I asked him for one can to go on with. He -was very polite--oily, in fact;--regretted extremely -that he couldn't oblige me; the whole supply had -been ordered for Mr. Pratt, and he daren't offend -so good a customer."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But I thought my uncle was away from home."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Of course. Why didn't I remember that? -Anyhow, while he was talking, in came that little -foreign chauffeur we saw yesterday--an Italian, -I fancy: he talked just like those Italian waiters -at Gatti's. He had come to order a car; said -that Mr. Pratt's car had broken down, and he had -had to tow it to Dartmouth for repairs. He'd -keep Blevins's car until the repairs were done. -Blevins was a bit offhand with me after that. I -suppose it was the regular tradesman's attitude -to a less important customer. Anyhow, he told me -rather bluntly that I couldn't have any petrol till -to-morrow, and I came away."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Quite right. You couldn't argue with a fellow -who sucks up to my uncle, and sings my songs. -I say, I think I shall go in for diplomacy. Don't -you think I'd make a first-class attaché, or whatever -they call 'em?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Astonished at the sudden change of subject, -they looked at him. He winked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You know," he went on--"one of those fellows -in foreign capitals whose job it is to see and hear -everything, and look innocent, while inside they're -as wily as the cunningest old serpent. Your -chronicle of Blevins is very small beer, Warrender; -and while you've been yarning on about your old -petrol, I've been corking myself up with something -vastly more interesting, and you hadn't the least -notion of it. That's why I'm sure I'd make no -end of a hit in the diplomatic corps. Just keep your -eyes fixed on my goodly countenance, will you? and -I'll enlighten your understanding."</p> -<p class="pnext">He took up his banjo, which he had laid across -his knees, struck a note or two, then proceeded--</p> -<p class="pnext">"After I'd changed, and carried up your -purchases, I sat me down to beguile the tedium of -waiting for you with my unfailing resource. -Happening to glance across the river, I caught -sight of some one watching me from the thick of -a shrub, and my lively imagination conjured up -the goose-flesh sensations of old Armstrong last -night. With that presence of mind which will -serve me well in my climb up the diplomatic ladder -to a peerage, I hummed a stave of 'Somewhere -a voice is calling,' and turned my head away with -the grace of a peacefully browsing gazelle; but -the fellow's been watching me for the last half-hour, -and I bet he doesn't know he's been spotted. -Armstrong, you've got the best eyes. While I go on -gassing, just look round as if you were jolly well -bored stiff--no, I've a better idea; go into the tent, -and take a squint through that small tear on the -side facing the river, and fix your eyes on the shrub--I -fancy it's a lilac past its prime--that fills the -space between two beeches in the background. -I don't flatter myself that the fellow was attracted -by my dulcet strains, and if he's watching me, you -may be sure he's watching all of us."</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong got up, thrust his hands into his -trousers pockets, and strolled nonchalantly into -the tent. In a couple of minutes he returned in -the same unconcerned way.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You're right," he said, drawing up his chair -beside Pratt's. "I saw a slight movement among -the leaves, and a face. I'm not quite sure, but I -believe it's that poacher fellow. It's certainly -not the face I saw last night."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, now, what interest do you suppose Siren -Rush takes in us? And what's he doing in my -uncle's grounds? D'you think my uncle's a bit -potty, and sets Rush to keep watch like a warder -on a tower? Is he afraid of some one squatting -on his land in his absence? I don't suppose we're -far wrong in accusing Rush of setting the boat -adrift, but what's his motive in watching us? -It's not mere curiosity; but if not curiosity, what is it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We must wait and see," said Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's very prudent, but it promises poor -sport," Pratt rejoined. "By the way, I suppose -you didn't find anything fresh in the ruins?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nothing. But Armstrong picked up a scrap -of paper in the cellar this morning--a bit of a -Russian newspaper. Hand it over, Armstrong."</p> -<p class="pnext">"No," said Pratt, quickly. "Don't show it. -I don't suppose Siren Rush can read Russian any -more than I can; the paper can't be his, but he'd -better not see us examining anything. Where -did you find it, Armstrong?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"In the cellar, by a heap of paper ash."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Incriminating documents, as they say in the -police courts. But why Russian? Look here, -I know a man in London who reads Russian; he -seems to like it. Give me the paper presently. -We'll go into the village this afternoon and post -it to him. I can't see how it will throw any light -on things here, but we can at least get it translated. -And now, let's have lunch."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="tin-tacks">CHAPTER VII</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">TIN-TACKS</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">That night, Warrender was unusually wakeful. -As a rule he slept as soundly as his companions; -but now and then, when he had anything on his -mind, he wooed sleep in vain. The strange -incidents of the past two days had affected him more, -psychologically, than either of the others. -Armstrong, as soon as his doubts were removed, would -suffer no more mental disturbance until something -fresh, outside his experience, again upset his balance; -while Pratt was one of those happy souls to whom -life itself is a perpetual joy, and events only the -changing patterns of a kaleidoscope.</p> -<p class="pnext">Envying the two placid forms stretched on -either side of him, Warrender was trying to grope -his way through the labyrinth of mystery in which -they seemed to have been caught, when he was -surprised by a sudden slight rattling sound upon -the tent, like the patter of small hailstones; it -ceased in a second or two. The night had been -fine, without any warning of a change of weather; -the air was still; it seemed strange that a storm -could have risen so rapidly, without a premonitory -wind. His companions had evidently not been -awakened. Moving carefully, so as not to disturb -them, he crept across to the flap of the tent, and -looked out. The stars glittered in a vault of -unbroken blue; the tree-tops were silvered by the -sinking moon; not a wisp of cloud streaked the -firmament.</p> -<p class="pnext">There was no repetition of the sound, and -Warrender, thinking that he must, after all, have been -dreaming, returned to his sleeping-bag. As often -happens in cases of insomnia, the slight exertion -of walking had the effect of inducing sleep, and he -woke no more until morning.</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong, as usual the first to rise, clutched -his towel, and sallied forth barefoot for his dip. -He had no sooner passed into the open, however, -than he uttered what, with some exaggeration -Pratt called a fiendish yell. Hurrying out to -learn the cause of it, the others saw him standing -on one foot and rubbing the sole of the other.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Which of you blighters dropped a tin-tack -here?" he asked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Got a puncture, old man?" said Pratt, -sympathetically. "Your skin's pretty tough, luckily. -Now, if it had been me--ough!"</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 73%" id="figure-117"> -<span id="got-a-puncture-old-man"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-073.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"'GOT A PUNCTURE, OLD MAN?'"</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">He, too, hopped on one foot, and crooked the -other leg, his face contorted for a moment out of its -wonted cherubic calm.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Told you so," he cried, picking a blue tack -from between his toes. "I'm a very sensitive plant, -I can tell you. I see blood. Warrender, I'd have -yours if you weren't such a thundering big lout."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not guilty," said Warrender, who had prudently -stood still. "You had better both come and put -your boots on. We haven't any tacks in our -outfit, so--I say!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"What do you say?" said Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Last night I heard a sound like a sharp shower -of rain or hail on the tent. Just wait till I pull -my boots on."</p> -<p class="pnext">In half a minute he was out again, shod, and -began to examine the grass around the tent.</p> -<p class="pnext">"As I thought," he said. "There's a regular -battalion of the beastly things; another trick -of that blackguard Rush, no doubt. He's trying -frightfulness."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll wring his neck if I catch him," cried -Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, you don't, my son," said Pratt. "The -law would say 'neck for neck,' I'm afraid. I -shouldn't object to your blacking his eyes. But -when you come to think of it, perhaps Rush isn't -the culprit after all. We've never seen him on -this side of the channel. It may have been the -other fellow."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's clear is that some one is making a -dead set at us," said Warrender, "and I don't -like it. It will mean our moving camp."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You surely won't let this sort of thing drive -you away?" said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's to be done, then? They first monkey -with the boat--by Jove! they may have cut her -loose again."</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, I spy her nose," said Pratt. "They -believe in variety, evidently. But I quite agree -with you. We shall always have to leave one -on guard, and that will spoil the trio. Two's -company, three's fun. All the same, the position -is so jolly interesting that I shouldn't like to go -right away and leave the mystery unsolved--I -mean their objection to our company. We -haven't had the cold shoulder anywhere else; -and here, first old Crawshay, then these unknown--look -here, you fellows, I vote we take the job up -in earnest, and get to the bottom of it. It will -alter the Arcadian simplicity of our holiday, but -for my part I'd risk any amount of brain fag over -a good jigsaw puzzle like this."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We'll think it over," said Warrender. "The -principal thing is not to lose my boat, and the -hundred odd pounds she cost."</p> -<p class="pnext">On their way down to the river, Pratt espied -a greyish object sticking in a bush. Shaking it -down, he picked up a broken cardboard box on -which was printed a description of "Best quality -tin-tacks: British made."</p> -<p class="pnext">"A clue!" he cried. "Sherlock Holmes would -have built a whole theory on this. I don't think -I was cut out for diplomacy after all. Criminal -investigation is my forte. I'll go down to remote -posterity as the most brilliant detective of this -Pratt lost no time in taking a first step in his -new career. At breakfast Warrender suggested -that the tent had better be removed from its -surrounding of tacks, which were too numerous to be -easily collected.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Very well," said Pratt. "You and Armstrong -are the hefty men. You won't want my help, -so I'll scull the dinghy up to the ferry, and start -my investigations."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't talk too much," said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"My dear chap, speech was given us to conceal -thought. There's an art, some ancient said, in -concealing art, and I bet I'd say more and tell less -than any old Prime Minister that ever lived."</p> -<p class="pnext">Leaving the dinghy in charge of the ferryman, -he smiled a greeting to Rogers, the innkeeper, -whose jolly face he caught sight of at the window, -walked on to the village, and entered the general -dealer's shop.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Fine morning," he said to the aproned youth -in attendance. "D'you happen to have any -tenpenny nails?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We've got some nails three a penny, sir."</p> -<p class="pnext">"No good at all. You couldn't hang a pirate -on one of those, I'm sure. I suppose the tenpenny -nail has gone out of fashion, but perhaps you -have some tin-tacks. I dare say they'll do as -well."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay, we've got some tin-tacks--two sorts, white -and blue."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not red?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No; I don't know as ever I seed 'em red."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I particularly wanted red; they don't -show their blushes, you know. If you haven't, -you haven't. I'll try blue; they won't look any -bluer however hard you hit 'em." The assistant, -staring at him like an amazed ox, handed him a -box. "Yes," he went on, "now I look at them, -I couldn't wish for better. They're a most -admirable shade of blue, and exactly match my Sunday -socks. I don't suppose there's much demand for -'em; my hosier assured me my socks were a very -special line, so, of course, there couldn't be many -people wanting tacks of that colour. I dare say -you haven't sold a box of these since last season."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah, but we have," said the simple youth, -catching at something at last within his -comprehension. "Only yesterday one of they furriners -up at Red House bought three boxes."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You don't say so! What an appetite he must -have! I suppose it was that big fellow who talks -through his nose? He wears a red waistcoat, -so I dare say he has blue socks."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It warn't him. He's the groom. 'Twas the -gardener chap."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Of course. What was I thinking of? He -wanted them to tack up his vines. They wouldn't -be any good for horse-shoes, and there's no question -of socks at all. You needn't wrap it up, the box -won't catch cold in my pocket. Sixpence ha'penny? -Dirt cheap. I think they're worth quite a guinea -a box, but you daren't charge that, of course, or -they would haul you up as profiteers. Thanks so much."</p> -<p class="pnext">He had noticed that the full box exactly matched -the broken one taken from the bush.</p> -<p class="pnext">Elated at the success of his first move, Pratt -returned at once to the camp.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You're soon back," said Warrender. "Changed -your mind again?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not a bit. I'm inclined to think diplomats -and detectives are of one kidney. I've been -magnificently diplomatic, and I've made a -discovery."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"My old uncle's as mad as a hatter!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"A family failing," Armstrong remarked. "But -what's that to do with it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why, this, old tomato. He employs a lot -of foreigners; that's mad, to begin with. He -goes away, and leaves them in the house with -instructions to sow tin-tacks on No Man's Island. -If that isn't stark madness, I'd like to know what is."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hadn't you better tell us plainly what you've -been about?" said Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"In words of one syllable. I bought a box -of tin-tacks. Here it is, and here's the one we -found in the bush. You see, they're twins. They -were bought at the same shop, to wit, the one -owned by Samuel Blevins, general dealer and -banjoist, I understand. My uncle's gardener -bought three yesterday. Now, I ask you, would -any man's gardener sprinkle inoffensive campers -with tin-tacks unless instructed to? It's all as -plain as a pikestaff. My mad uncle has a morbid -horror of trespassers. He leaves word that they -are to be chevied away by means fair or foul----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"But No Man's Island isn't his," Warrender -interrupted.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Certainly. That proves his madness. He -thinks anybody who gets a footing here has designs -on his property. It's a sort of Heligoland. He -employs an ex-poacher to guard his own domains, -and the foreigners to clear his outpost. Nothing -could be plainer."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rot!" exclaimed Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Have it your own way. The facts are undeniable. -Rush and the foreigners are in league to -get rid of us, and they can't have any motive -except their master's interest."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We don't know that," said Warrender. "Your -imagination runs too fast, young man. We don't -even know for certain that Rush and the foreigners -are working together. All we really know is that -some one wants to make the place too uncomfortable -for us. The question is, what shall we do?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Stick it," said Armstrong. "It means keeping -watch by night; we can take turns at that. We'll -soon find out if----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ahoy, there!" cried a voice from the river.</p> -<p class="pnext">Unperceived, a skiff had run in under the bank, -and its occupant, a stout old gentleman in flannels, -was stepping ashore.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Old Crawshay!" murmured Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">They got up to meet their visitor.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good-morning, my lads," said he, genially. -"Surprised to see me, I dare say. We didn't part -on the best of terms, but--well, let's shake hands -and forget all about that. My daughter told me -that you very kindly came to her assistance the -other day. I'm obliged to you. I'm only sorry -it didn't happen before we--but there, that's wiped -up, isn't it? If you knew how I'd been pestered! -By the way, one of you is related to my neighbour -across the river, I understand."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, sir, that's me," said Pratt. "We're -not on calling terms, though."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Neither am I," rejoined Mr. Crawshay, with -a smile. "We don't hit it together. He's a -little----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Potty, sir," said Pratt, as the old gentleman -caught himself up. "It's a sore trial to the rest -of the family. We were only talking about his -distressing affliction just before you came. He -really ought to be shut up."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Indeed! I wasn't aware that it was as bad -as that. That is certainly very distressing."</p> -<p class="pnext">"A most unusual form of mania, too. I never -heard anything like it before. Of course, there are -people who crab their own country and countrymen, -but it's more talk than anything else. My poor -uncle, however, goes so far as to employ foreigners, -who stick tin-tacks into people."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Bless my soul!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Pratt draws the long bow, sir," said -Warrender, thinking it time to intervene.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And hits the bull's-eye every time," Pratt -rejoined. "You can't deny that twenty yards -away the grass is simply bristling with tin-tacks."</p> -<p class="pnext">"The fact is, sir," said Warrender, "that some -one is trying to annoy us. Yesterday morning -our motor-boat was set adrift, and in the night -some one showered a lot of tin-tacks round our -tent. The motive seems to be the wish to drive -us away. And Pratt thinks that his uncle gave -instructions to the men at the house to prevent -camping either on his ground or on the island. -They've chosen a very annoying way of going about it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Outrageous! Scandalous!" cried Mr. Crawshay. -"He has no rights on the island. It's -criminal. I'm a magistrate, and I'll issue you -a warrant against the ruffians."</p> -<p class="pnext">"The difficulty is that we haven't caught any -one in the act," Warrender pursued. "I believe -that warrants can't be anonymous. We've seen -a fellow named Rush hanging about----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"A notorious gaol-bird. I've had my eye on him."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But the tacks were bought at Blevins's shop -by my uncle's gardener," said Pratt. "I pumped -that out this morning. I dare say we could find -out the man's name."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But it's no crime to buy tin-tacks," said -Warrender. "We don't know who actually scattered -them. Indeed, we've no evidence at all; only -inferences."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nothing to act on, certainly," said Mr. Crawshay. -"It seems to me you had better cross -the river, and camp on my ground after all; or, -better still, come to the house; I've plenty of room."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's jolly good of you, sir," said Warrender, -"but it goes against the grain to knuckle under. -We'd like to catch the fellows, and find out, if -we can, what their game really is. I don't think -even Pratt believes his uncle is responsible, even -indirectly."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not responsible for his actions, unfit to plead, -to be detained during His Majesty's pleasure," -said Pratt. "We talked it over, and decided to -stick it, sir. It's a matter of pride with me. I'm -thinking of taking up criminal investigation as a -profession."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Indeed!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"He's just cackling, sir," said Armstrong, -impelled to utterance at last.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I suspected as much. Well, you've made -up your minds, I see. I understand. At your -age I should have done the same. If you want -any help, you've only to row across the river. -My house is about half a mile through the woods -and across a field. You must come up one day -in any case, and have lunch or dinner with me, -and discuss the situation. And, by the way, if -you're fond of shooting, my coverts are positively -overstocked. I can provide guns, and you're -welcome to 'em."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Many thanks indeed, sir," said Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And you'll keep me informed? I'll take action -the moment you have evidence. It's atrocious."</p> -<p class="pnext">They escorted him to his boat, gave him a shove -off, and watched him until he was out of sight. -Returning to the tent, Pratt remarked--</p> -<p class="pnext">"D. Crawshay seems to be a dashed good sort -after all."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="pin-pricks">CHAPTER VIII</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">PIN-PRICKS</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">Late that afternoon, Warrender and Pratt -started for a spin in the dinghy to the mouth of -the river, intending to return on the tide. In -accordance with their newly formed plan, -Armstrong remained on guard in the camp.</p> -<p class="pnext">Just before the scullers gained the river mouth -they overtook a weather-beaten old fisherman -leisurely rowing his heavy tub out to sea. Pratt -gave him a cheery hail as they came abreast of -him, and learning, in answer to a question, that he -was proceeding to inspect his lobster pots nearly a -mile out, they asked if they might accompany him.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay sure, I've nothing against it," said the old man.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nor against us, I hope," rejoined Pratt, smiling.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not as I knows on."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Then we're friends already. I always make -friends in two seconds and a half, and being, like -Cæsar, constant as the northern star, I stick like a -limpet. You can't shake me off."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Same as a lobster when he gets a grip."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah! you know more about lobsters than I do. -Is that a lobster pot on the beach there?"</p> -<p class="pnext">He indicated a low wooden hut, standing a little -above high-water mark, on the shore curving away -to the east.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You be a joker, sir," said the fisher, his native -taciturnity thawed. "That be a fisherman's hut. -Fisherman, says I, but 'tis little fishing as goes on -hereabouts nowadays. I mind the time when -there was a tidy little fleet in these waters, but that -was long ago. There was good harbourage in those -days, but the sea have cast up a bar across the -mouth of the river; we're going over it now; and -it makes the passage dangerous for a boat of any -draught. One or two old gaffers like me goes out -now and again, but 'tis not what it was in my -young days."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That hut looks a bit dilapidated--is it yours?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, it belongs to Mr. Pratt, up along at the house."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You don't say so! I dare say you'll be surprised -to hear it, but it wouldn't be fair to you to -keep it a secret; Mr. Pratt is my uncle."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Do 'ee tell me that, now?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"But I hope you won't think any the worse of -me. It's not my fault--I'm sure you'll admit that."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Think the worse of 'ee! I reckon 'tis t'other -way about. He be my landlord, and a rare good -'un; never raised my rent all the thirty years I've -knowed 'un. We thinks a rare lot of 'un in village."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I say, do you mean that?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"What for not? He never gives us no trouble, -and if you can say that of the landlord as owns -best part o' the village, you may reckon there ain't -much wrong with 'un. Not but what he've a bit -of a temper, and can't abide being put upon; but -treat him fair, and he'll treat you fair. Ay, and -more. That there hut, now. It do belong to him, -but I doubt he's never been richer for any rent -paid him for't."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Who rents it, then?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Uses it, I'd say. Nick Rush never paid no -rent, that I'd swear."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Siren Rush again, Phil," said Pratt, in an -undertone, to Warrender. "I thought Rush was -a poacher," he added, to the fisherman.</p> -<p class="pnext">The old man made no reply. Pratt guessed -that for some reason or other he was unwilling to -commit himself.</p> -<p class="pnext">"My uncle, as you say, can't stand being put -upon," he went on. "Which makes it the more -surprising that he should allow a rascal like Rush -to use his hut rent free. I wonder he doesn't -turn him out."</p> -<p class="pnext">"He did, a year or two back," said the fisherman, -tersely.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That was when Rush went to gaol for poaching, -of course?" said Pratt, with the air of one -who was well acquainted with the circumstances. -"I should have done the same myself. No one -would be hard on a poor fellow who kept straight, -but when Mr. Crawshay had to sentence him for -poaching, that was the last straw. But how is it -that he has been allowed to come back? Has he -turned over a new leaf?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"The hut was empty for a year or two, and was -falling to pieces," answered the fisherman. "When -Rush came back to these parts he mended it a -bit, and Mr. Pratt having gone to furrin parts again, -I reckon his secretary didn't think it worth while -to bother about the feller."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I dare say that was it. In these days it's not -easy to get rid of an unsatisfactory tenant, I -understand. But my uncle won't be pleased when -he comes home, I'm sure. The secretary ought to -know that."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay, and so he would if 'twas an Englishman, -but with these furriners, there's no accountin' for -them. The village do have a grudge against -Mr. Pratt on that score; the folk don't like 'em. -I feel a bit strong about it myself. There's my son -Henery, as owns a dairy farm up yonder, was -courting Molly Rogers, sister of Joe at the inn, -afore the war; terrible sweet on she, he was; and -everybody thought, give her time, they'd make a -match of it. But bless 'ee, afore he was demobbed, -as they call it, these furriners come along, and daze -me if the smallest of 'em weren't Molly's husband -inside of a month. And to make matters worse, -it do seem as she've cast off all her old friends, -becas nobody sees nothing of her these days. But -there 'tis; you can't never understand a woman."</p> -<p class="pnext">The greater part of this conversation took place -while the old man was lifting his lobster pots--the -others lying by. He went on to give them -information about the coast--where good line-fishing -could be had, rocks where crabs could be picked -up at low tide. Having bought a couple of lobsters, -Warrender turned the dinghy's head for home.</p> -<p class="pnext">The sun was going down as they approached -the island. Near its southern point they met -Rush, slowly pulling a tubby boat down stream. -He did not look at them as they passed; his square -countenance was expressionless.</p> -<p class="pnext">Rowing straight along the narrow channel to -their camping-place, they lifted the dinghy ashore, -and carried it towards the tent. Armstrong was -not to be seen.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The sentry has deserted his post," remarked -Pratt. "But I dare say he's not far."</p> -<p class="pnext">He gave a shrill whistle. An answer came -distantly from the woods, and presently Armstrong -appeared, pushing his way through the thickets on -the western side of the clearing.</p> -<p class="pnext">"All quiet, old man?" asked Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Until a little while ago," Armstrong replied. -"I heard a rustling and crackling in the thicket -yonder. I couldn't see anything, and for a time -I simply kept on the watch; but it went on so long -that I got sick of doing nothing, and started off -quietly to investigate, and nab the fellow if I could. -But though I couldn't see him, it's clear he could -see me. What his game was, I don't know; I -only know that I could always hear him moving -some little distance ahead of me, and before I -realised how far I had got, I found myself pretty -near the farther shore. I just caught a glimpse -of a back among the bushes, but when I got to -the place there was nothing to be seen or heard -either. It occurred to me then that I'd been -decoyed away while some one played hanky-panky -here, and I cursed myself for an ass and hurried -back, but things look undisturbed."</p> -<p class="pnext">They glanced around the camp and inspected the -interior of the tent. Their various properties -appeared to be exactly as they had been left; -nothing was obviously missing.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I suppose it was another little freak of Siren -Rush," remarked Pratt. "We met him rowing -down as we came up. No doubt he was going to -visit his hut on the beach."</p> -<p class="pnext">He retailed the bits of information derived from -the fisherman, dwelling particularly on the -surprising fact that, "potty" though he might be, -Mr. Ambrose Pratt was respected, and even liked, -by the country folk.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was not until they began to make preparations -for their evening meal that a new light was cast -on the mysterious movements in the thicket. -Armstrong took their kettle and bucket down to -the river. Neither would hold water. Examining -them, he found a hole in the bottom of each, clean -cut as if made by a bradawl. Meanwhile Pratt had -discovered that their tea was afloat in the caddy, -and the wick had been removed from their stove.</p> -<p class="pnext">"More pin-pricks," he said. "Any one would -think the blighters had learnt ragging at a public -school."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Pin-pricks be hanged!" cried Armstrong, -wrathfully. "They're much worse than a jolly -good set-to--much more difficult to deal with. If -they'd come out into the open, we'd jolly well -settle their hash."</p> -<p class="pnext">The others guessed that Armstrong's anger was -largely due to his own failure as a watchman.</p> -<p class="pnext">"One thing is clear," said Warrender, considerately. -"Whoever played these tricks, it was not -Rush. He couldn't possibly have drawn you to -the shore, cut round here and done the damage, -and then got back to his boat and dropped down -stream to where we met him, while you were coming -straight across. On the other hand, if he had got -into his boat directly after he disappeared, he could -just have done it. If he was the decoy, who was -the confederate?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"'Time's glory is to calm contending kings,'" -quoted Pratt, "and among other stupendous feats, -'to wrong the wronger till he render right.' But -I'm not disposed to leave old Time to his own -unaided resources. These island Pucks are -decidedly annoying, but they're also uncommonly -interesting. 'Life is a war,' some one said. Well, -it's to be a war of wits, by the look of it, and I'll -back our wits in the end against sirens or sorcerers, -or any old scaramouch. Only I'm bound to -confess that up to the present the enemy is several -points up."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="reprisals">CHAPTER IX</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">REPRISALS</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"What about dividing the night into watches?" -asked Armstrong, when they had cleared away their -evening meal.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dark to dawn is about eight hours," responded -Warrender. "By summer-time, nine to five."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And three into eight will go with a recurring -decimal," added Pratt. "I don't mind being the -recurring decimal, which as a matter of practicality -I take to mean that I'll come on every tenth -hour; that is to say, I'll have ten hours' sleep -unbroken, and turn up, fresh as a lark, at seven in -the morning."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Very ingenious," said Warrender, "but I -prefer my fractions vulgar. Two-thirds of an hour -is forty minutes, and you'll do your two hours -forty minutes like us two. We'll start alphabetically, -shall we? Armstrong first--then the vulgar -fraction, then me."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I always thought the middleman got the best -of it in life," said Pratt. "Here's an exception, -any way. The first and last men will each have -five hours twenty minutes' sleep on end; the -middleman won't get any, because he won't fall -asleep at all in the first watch, from over-anxiety, -or in the third, because it won't seem worth while. -Still, if we permutate--APW, PAW and so -on--we'll all suffer in turn. I warn you, when I'm -middleman I shan't be able to keep awake without -the solace of my banjo."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I bar that," said Armstrong. "It'd give me -nightmare."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I've warned you. If the Assyrian comes -down like a wolf on the fold, somewhere about -midnight, don't blame me."</p> -<p class="pnext">But when, about seven o'clock in the morning, -they compared notes, they found that none of -them had been disturbed, and Pratt had a good -deal to say on the advantages of the midnight -hours for the refreshment of the inner man. Two -empty ginger-beer bottles beside his chair approved -his sentiments.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's only a respite, of course," he said. "They -wouldn't have started their tricks without a -reason; they won't give them up until they find -them useless; and they'll make that discovery all -the sooner if we open a defensive offensive. I -propose to go into the village after breakfast; an -idea's occurred to me; and I'll call at the post -office and see if any answer has come from the -fellow I sent that Russian newspaper to. You -had better come with me, Jack; it's Phil's turn to -be house-dog."</p> -<p class="pnext">So it was arranged. Pratt and Armstrong rowed -the dinghy to the ferry. Joe Rogers was standing -at his inn door.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Morning to 'ee, young gentlemen," he said. -"You be Mr. Pratt's nephew, sir," he added to Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"How do you know that?" asked Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Old Gaffer Drew telled me when he came home -along last night. He said as 'twas the young feller -whose tongue went like a clapper, so I knowed 'ee -at once."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I'd rather be known by my tongue than -by my finger-prints, wouldn't you?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay, we've all got our weaknesses. Mine is -baldness, come of a fever I took aboardship when -we was off Gallapagos. My old woman <em class="italics">will</em> make -me wear a wig, though I could do without it this -hot weather. And how do 'ee find No Man's -Island, sir?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"A place of enchantment, equal to Prospero's -island. We know there's a Puck, and we suspect -there's a Caliban, but more of that anon."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You do talk like a book, sir. Well, I'm glad -you be comfortable. Good day to 'ee."</p> -<p class="pnext">They called at the village post office. There was -no letter from Pratt's friend.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let's go on and have a look at my uncle's -house," said Pratt, when they came out. "It's -about a mile beyond the village, on that by-road -we saw the other day. The road winds a good -deal, and though I don't propose to leave my card -at the house, I'd like to take a peep at it once more, -closer than we can get from the river."</p> -<p class="pnext">They went on, turned into the by-road, and -after about three-quarters of a mile came to a brick -wall on the right, in which there was a massive gate, -and within it a small lodge. The gate was -padlocked, the lodge closed and shuttered. A few -hundred yards beyond was a second gate and lodge. -The latter also was evidently unoccupied, but the -gate was open.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's the shortest way from the house to -Dartmouth," said Pratt. "We can't see the house -for the trees, but if I remember rightly the ground's -more open a little farther along."</p> -<p class="pnext">In a minute or so they came to a spot where, by -mounting the wall, they were able to obtain a clear -view of the building. It stood above a terraced -garden some three hundred yards from the road. -Fine though the day was, they were both struck -by a sense of gloom. The windows were all closed; -those on the ground floor were shuttered; and -but for a thin wisp of smoke rising from one of -the chimneys the house might have been supposed -to be untenanted.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The servants' quarters are at the back," said -Pratt. "The foreigners at any rate don't play -high jinks in the front rooms while my uncle is -away. But it looks pretty dreary, doesn't it, old -man? Makes me think of Mariana in the moated -grange."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't know the lady," said Armstrong. "But -look! there's a car coming out of the garage at -the side."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That used to be the stables," said Pratt, as -the doors were flung wide, and an open four-seated -touring car emerged. "That's not the car we saw -the other day, though the chauffeur's the same."</p> -<p class="pnext">Perched on the wall they remained watching. -The chauffeur stopped the car, got out, and shut -the doors of the garage. Meanwhile the big fellow -whom Armstrong had felled came round the other -side of the house carrying a small leather trunk. -Behind him walked a short, dapper little man, -wearing a grey Homburg hat and a light -overcoat. From his gestures it appeared that he -ordered the big man to strap the trunk on to the -luggage-carrier at the rear of the car. When this -was done, the small man got into one of the back -seats, and the chauffeur, already at the wheel, -started the car along the right-hand fork in the -drive leading to the open gate.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Down! They mustn't see us," said Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">They dropped from the wall into the grounds, -and shinned up a small tree whose thick-laden -branches overhung the edge of the road. Half a -minute later the car ran past, swung to the right -outside the gate, and dashed rather noisily in the -direction of Dartmouth.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 72%" id="figure-118"> -<span id="they-shinned-up-a-small-tree"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-096.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"THEY SHINNED UP A SMALL TREE."</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 73%" id="figure-119"> -<span id="half-a-minute-later-the-car-ran-past"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-097.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"HALF A MINUTE LATER THE CAR RAN PAST."</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"The passenger is my uncle's secretary, I -suppose," said Pratt. "I wonder which of the many -nations of the world claims him? He might pass -for an Englishman, but you can't tell from a fugitive -glance when a man's clean-shaven."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I thought he looked a decent sort of chap," -said Armstrong, as they returned to the road; "not -the kind of fellow to consort with a man like Rush."</p> -<p class="pnext">"No. I dare say Rush is playing some game of -his own with one of the underlings. I'll tell you -my idea, by the way. Leaving us alone last night -struck me as rather suspicious. They've probably -got something in hand for to-night. Well, it -occurred to me that if Rush comes prowling around -our tent, with more tin-tacks or who knows what, -it would be rather a good dodge to trip him up and -collar him before he can hook it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"He'll guess we're on the watch. No man -would be such an ass as to suppose we'd let him -do the tin-tack trick a second time."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That may be. Very likely he kept off last -night just for that reason. As you say, he'd guess -we'd be on the watch, and probably thinks we're -all jolly sick to-day because nothing happened, -and won't be inclined to keep vigil again. -Anyhow, if he does come again, he won't expect any -danger until he gets near to the tent, and I propose -to nab him before then."</p> -<p class="pnext">"How?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Stretch a cord two or three inches above the -ground just where the thicket ends at the edge of -the clearing. He wouldn't see it, even by -moonlight, because it would be pretty well hidden by -the grass. But he'd be bound to catch one of his -hoofs in it, and a lumbering lout like that couldn't -pick himself up before any one of us three would -be down on him."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But how d'you know which way he'd come?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"He wouldn't come across the clearing, that's -certain. Well, the tent is about six yards from -the thicket behind, and the edge of the thicket -makes a sort of rough half-circle. A cord of fifty -or sixty yards would be plenty long enough. I -dare say we'll get one at old Blevins's shop. We'll -pay him a call on the way back."</p> -<p class="pnext">The shop was unattended when they entered it, -but a rap on the counter brought Blevins himself, -wearing the polite tradesman's smile.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good-morning, Mr. Blevins," said Pratt. -"You've a motor-car for hire, I believe?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, yes, sir, I do have as a rule, but 'tis out -to-day. In fact, I don't know when it will be -back. 'Tis hired for the Red House, Mr. Pratt's -being under repair."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah! that's a pity. We'll have to put off our -joy-ride. Well, it can't be helped. Perhaps you -could let us have a skipping-rope instead?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"A skipping-rope, sir?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes. Didn't you know? Skipping is one -of the most beneficial exercises any one could -indulge in. It brings into play I forget exactly -how many muscles, develops a perfect co-ordination -between the brain, the eye, the hands and feet; -and if you ever go to Oxford, I dare say you'll see -on any college lawn all the brainiest men of the -rising generation skipping about under the eyes of -their revered tutors. If the mountains could skip -like rams, as we're told they did, there's nothing -surprising in a future Prime Minister skipping like -a giddy goat, is there? And there are hundreds of -future Prime Ministers imbibing the milk of -academic instruction at Oxford to-day."</p> -<p class="pnext">Blevins had listened with a stare of puzzlement. -The short, chubby youth appeared to be serious; -his companion's face showed no flicker of a smile; -yet the general dealer, remembering what his -assistant had told him, had a dim suspicion that -he was dealing either with a joker or with a lunatic. -To get rid of his dilemma he confined himself to the -severely practical.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, sir," he said, "I don't keep skipping-ropes -as such, but I've a cord which the neighbours -do make clothes-line of."</p> -<p class="pnext">"The very thing!" cried Pratt. "We haven't -made any arrangements about our washing, and, -as laundry prices have gone up beyond all bearing, -we may have to do our own. Of course we shall -want a clothes-line for hanging out our shirts and -things on, and as my friends are regular nuts, and -possess a very extensive wardrobe, we shall want a -long line--quite fifty yards. Add ten yards for a -skipping-rope, that makes sixty; we'll take sixty -yards, Mr. Blevins; and as you can't possibly make -a neat parcel of that, you'd better twist 'em round -the hefty frame of my friend here; sort of bandolier, -you know."</p> -<p class="pnext">The man proceeded to measure out the cord -from a bale which he rolled from his back premises.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You be camping on No Man's Island, 'tis said," -he remarked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We are," replied Pratt. "We're followers of -the simple life; fresh air, cold water, and plain -fare. We drink nothing stronger than ginger-beer, -and eat nothing more luxurious than macaroons, -and I suppose we can't get even them in a place -like this? What's the consequence? We never -have bad dreams, like people who stuff themselves -and sleep in stuffy rooms."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And you haven't been troubled by the sounds, sir?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"What sounds?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well--some folks do talk of terrible groans -they've heard if so be they've rowed past the -island by night, and 'tis said the place is haunted -by the spirit of the old gentleman as used to live -there."</p> -<p class="pnext">"He hasn't disturbed our rest, I assure you. -I dare say he's been soothed by my banjo; I -usually tune up a little before I go to bed. You -play the banjo yourself, I hear; you know how -grateful and comforting it is--sweet and low, not -like the squeaking scrape of the violin, or the -ear-splitting blast of the cornet. I think you're a man -of taste, Mr. Blevins, and as a fellow-musician -I congratulate you.... That's sixty yards? -Now, Armstrong, stick out your chest, and Mr. Blevins -and I between us will rig up your bandolier."</p> -<p class="pnext">When they had left the shop, Pratt asked: "I -say, what's he mean by those old groans?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I heard a sort of moaning the night I first saw -the cottage," Armstrong replied; "but I put it -down to the wind, of course."</p> -<p class="pnext">"There's been no wind to speak of since we -settled on the island. I'd like to hear those sounds. -Strikes me they're an acoustical phenomenon. Sure -it wasn't an owl?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nothing like it; the note was deeper and more -prolonged."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, if it's the wind in the eaves the sound will -be heard by day as well as by night, and I'll trot -over to the cottage the first breezy morning and -listen."</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender had nothing to report when they -regained the camp. He thought well of Pratt's -idea of a trap, and they spent the greater part of -the day in cutting a number of stout pegs from -saplings in the woods. These they drove into the -ground, at intervals of a few feet, in a long -semi-circle at the edge of the clearing, and stretched -the clothes-line upon them about six inches from -the ground. One or other of them kept a careful -look-out while the work was in progress, and nothing -was seen of Rush or any other human being. -Before dusk the task was completed, and they had -provided themselves in addition with stout cudgels.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was Pratt's turn to take first watch that night. -On the previous night each had sat out in the open, -but it occurred to Pratt that a better place would -be just within the tent. Accordingly, when the -others encased themselves in their sleeping-bags, -he posted himself on his chair at the entrance, -shaded from the moonlight by the projecting flap.</p> -<p class="pnext">More than two hours had passed; he was growing -sleepy, frequently glancing at his watch to see -when it would be time to awaken Warrender. -Just before half-past eleven he heard a slight -sound from the thicket on his right. Seizing his -cudgel, he looked in the direction of the sound. -The edge of the clearing on that side was deep in -shadow. He stood up; it might be a false alarm; -he would not awaken his companions.</p> -<p class="pnext">Suddenly there was a heavy thud, followed by -smothered curses. Pratt dashed out of the tent -and across the clearing. At the edge of the thicket -a man was struggling to his feet. Even at that -moment Pratt was too much of a sportsman to use -his cudgel. He closed with the man, gripped him -by the collar, and hauled him into the moonlight, -crying, "What are you doing here?" The man -attempted to wriggle loose. Pratt dropped his -cudgel, got a firm grip with both hands, and with -a dexterous use of his knee threw the intruder -heavily to the ground. Next moment he was -struck violently on the left side of his head, and -fell half-stunned.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 73%" id="figure-120"> -<span id="pratt-threw-the-intruder-heavily-to-the-ground"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-103.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"PRATT THREW THE INTRUDER HEAVILY TO THE GROUND."</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">Meanwhile the sounds had wakened Armstrong -and Warrender. Heaving themselves out of their -sleeping-bags they rushed in their pyjamas across -the clearing. Pratt was sitting up, dazedly rubbing -his head.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's the row?" asked Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Diamond cut diamond," murmured Pratt. -"Help me up, you fellows. Everything's whirling -round."</p> -<p class="pnext">They helped him back into the tent and sponged -his head. Presently he was able to tell them what -had happened.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Was it Rush you collared?" asked Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, a bigger man, with a broad face, high -cheekbones, and a bent-in nose."</p> -<p class="pnext">"The face I saw in the thicket!" exclaimed -Armstrong. "Who was the other chap?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I don't know. I didn't see him, confound the -fellow! Just my luck! And it was my scheme!"</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="a-soft-answer">CHAPTER X</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">A SOFT ANSWER</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">There was no more sleep that night for any -of the party. When Pratt's bruised head had -been bathed and bandaged the three placed their -chairs at the tent entrance, and sat in the still, -warm air, discussing the situation more seriously -than they had yet done. They had learnt definitely -from the recent incident that at least two men were -concerned in the campaign of petty annoyance. -One of these--the man whose face Armstrong had -seen in the thicket--looked like a foreigner, and -apparently either lived somewhere on the island -or had means of reaching it from the mainland. -What more probable than that the second man -was Rush, and that his boat was placed at the -foreigner's disposal?</p> -<p class="pnext">"The more I think of it," said Warrender, "the -more likely it seems that Rush and one of the -foreigners are playing some private game of their -own. I haven't a notion what the game is, but I -can't believe that Pratt's uncle left instructions -to worry trespassers on an island that isn't his, -or that any decent fellow in his secretary's position -would encourage it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That assumes the secretary is a decent fellow," -remarked Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, why not?" asked Pratt. "A man may -be mad without being a fool, and my old uncle, -though he's mad enough to hate English servants, -wouldn't be such a fool as to engage foreigners -without inquiring about their characters."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That fellow Armstrong knocked down wasn't -an attractive specimen," said Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He was drunk," said Pratt. "Some of the -most estimable characters--the most respectable -of English butlers, for instance--may now and -then take a drop too much."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That fellow is a sot," said Armstrong. "It's -marked all over him."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I tell you what I think we had better -do," said Warrender. "Go up to the house, see -the secretary, and put the case to him. If he's -a decent fellow, and the man you tripped, Pratt, -is one of his crew, he'll put a stop to this foolery. -Will you go up with me to-morrow?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Better take Armstrong," Pratt replied. "If -my uncle were at home I'd go and beard him, -and jolly well tell him a few things for his good. -But I'd rather not show up in his absence. Besides, -I shall have a head to-morrow, and a swelling -the size of a turnip. I feel the growing pains; -I'll be fit for nothing."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rough luck!" said Warrender, commiseratingly. -"Very well. Jack and I will go, and I -dare say that'll be the end of our troubles."</p> -<p class="pnext">At nine o'clock next morning Armstrong and -Warrender rowed off in the dinghy; at a quarter -to ten they entered the grounds of the Red House. -The paths were weedy, the grass untrimmed, the -flower-beds untidy.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The foreigners don't overwork," remarked -Armstrong, as they walked along the drive towards -the house. "The place is a disgrace to the -neighbourhood."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It certainly looks very much neglected," -said Warrender. "The house might be -uninhabited but for that smoke from one of the -chimneys, and the car waiting at the door."</p> -<p class="pnext">"The same car Pratt and I saw yesterday. -It belongs to old Blevins. I wonder whether -they use it for joy-riding, or what? The secretary -may be away, by the bye; yesterday he went off -with a trunk."</p> -<p class="pnext">"A nuisance if he is. But we'll see."</p> -<p class="pnext">The front of the house faced south-east, and -the drive wound from the gate in a wide arc to -the left. The lower windows were shuttered; -at some of those on the upper storey the blinds -were drawn; but as the visitors approached there -appeared at a small upper casement on the side -of the house facing them the form of a woman, -At first it seemed that she had not seen them; she -stood looking out in an attitude of idle immobility. -They could not distinguish her features through the -small square panes of the casement; she was stout in -build, and dressed in the print of a domestic servant.</p> -<p class="pnext">Suddenly, as her eyes fell on them, she gave a -perceptible start. She turned her head quickly -from the window, as if to see whether any one was -behind her; then raised her hands, apparently to -undo the catch. Next moment she dropped them -with a gesture of impatience or despair. The -boys saw her shake her head, and, lifting an arm, -make a sweeping movement with it towards the -rear of the house. A moment later she left the -window hurriedly, as a servant might do in -answering a call.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rummy!" said Warrender. "That's Rogers's -sister, I suppose; wife of the chef, you remember. -What did she mean?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"It looked as if she wanted to open the window -and couldn't," returned Armstrong. "She wanted -to speak to us."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That movement of her arm--was it a warning -to us to go away?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Too late in any case. That's the secretary -coming out; he's seen us."</p> -<p class="pnext">The dapper little man whom Armstrong had -seen on the day before, dressed as he was then, -was hurrying down the steps from the front -entrance when he caught sight of the boys. He -stopped short, gave a swift glance behind him, -then descended the remaining steps and came -towards them. His movements were quick, his step -was light, and as he drew nearer they were aware -of a very vivid personality, accentuated by dark -eyes of great brilliance, set rather closely together.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, gentlemen," he said, smiling, "what can -I do for you?"</p> -<p class="pnext">His voice was low and smooth; the intonation, -rather than the accent, alone suggested a foreign -origin.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can you give us a few minutes alone?" said -Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">The chauffeur had just come down the steps, carrying -a box, and stood with it still in his arms, beside -the car, looking on with an air of startled curiosity.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Certainly," replied the man, "if it is only -a question of minutes. As you see, I am about -to drive out, and my time is short. Henrico"--he -addressed the chauffeur--"put the box down -and go into the house. Now, gentlemen."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You are Mr. Pratt's secretary, I believe," -said Warrender, feeling a little awkwardness in -the situation, and wishing that the voluble banjoist -were in the office of spokesman instead of himself.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes. My name is Gradoff--Paul Gradoff."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, Mr. Gradoff, I'm sorry to trouble you, -but you may be able to throw some light on a -puzzle that's rather annoying to us."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Anything I can do----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We are camping on the island over there, -and ever since our arrival have been the object -of annoying and--I'm afraid I must say--malicious -attacks. We have reason to believe that one -of the aggressors is not an Englishman, and knowing -that your staff here is largely foreign, we have -come up to--to----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Complain?" suggested Gradoff, as Warrender -hesitated.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, rather to ask if you can help us," -Warrender went on. "I should explain that we fell -foul of one of your men on the evening of our -arrival, and it occurs to me that he, or one of his -mates, may be retaliating."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah yes; I had heard of that little matter -from my man, Jensen," said Gradoff, suavely. -"You could hardly expect him to be amiable, -could you? He was insulted by a yokel, very -properly chastised him, and was then suddenly -set upon by one of you young men, and before he -could defend himself was seriously hurt."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's nonsense, Mr. Gradoff!" exclaimed -Armstrong. "The man dealt a foul blow, and I -stepped in."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It was you?" rejoined Gradoff, in his suave, -smooth tones. "The version is different: <em class="italics">tot -homines tot sententiæ</em>--being students you will -recognise the allusion. It is so very difficult to -reconcile conflicting stories, especially in common -brawls. But, come; it is not like Englishmen to -make a fuss about trifles, and Olof Jensen is not -the man to bear malice. If that is the sum of your -complaint----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"But it is not," Warrender broke in, nettled -by the Russian's suavity and his Latin. "We -hadn't been twelve hours on the island when -our motor-boat was set adrift----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"My dear young man, <em class="italics">quandoque dormitat -Homerus</em>--you will correct me if I do not quote -accurately; my schooldays, alas! are a distant -past. Even the most experienced sailors--and -I am far from saying I do not include you among -them--may tie a careless knot; make a slip, as -you English say. And the current is strong when -swollen by the rain. Really, my dear sir----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"At any rate tin-tacks don't rain from heaven. -We had a shower of them over our tent one night, -and in the morning----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"<em class="italics">Latet anguis in herbâ</em>! Come, come; you -were dreaming. I am told that in the past the -island was a favourite resort of trippers, a class -of people who reprehensibly leave behind them -much rubbish--paper bags, bottles, tin cans; why -not tin-tacks?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender was fuming, irritated by his lack of -evidence as well as by the secretary's manner. -He wished that he had ignored the minor incidents, -and confined his statement to the latest.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We'd no proof--I know that--till last night," -he said. "A fellow tripped over a rope snare -we had rigged up. One of us caught him, and -knocked him out; he was clearly a foreigner----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"And you have him in custody? Ah, now we -are getting to something substantial! He was -a foreigner; on the principle <em class="italics">ex pede Herculem</em>--you -recognise the proverb?--you infer that he -belongs to my staff. And you did not bring him -with you for confrontation?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"He was rescued by----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"By another foreigner?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We don't know who by; he gave my friend -a blow from behind."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That is more serious, truly. But what do -you tell me? You are camping on the island--with -permission? No, of course not; is it not No -Man's Island? Well, what is no man's is all men's. -What more likely than that others are camping -there also? One of them falls over your rope, -and is knocked out by your friend; your friend is, -in turn, knocked out by a friend of the tripper. -It is the <em class="italics">lex talionis</em>--the term is familiar to you? -That, of course, is only a theory, but I commend it -to your consideration. And now, I take it, I have -the sum of your complaints. I put it to you, do -they make a case against my staff?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I wasn't making a case against your staff," -said Warrender. "I merely stated the facts."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But with a bias; yes, with a bias, natural -enough to youth and hot blood. I do not blame -you; but you will agree that I am somewhat -concerned for the good name of the men under my -charge. Lest you should still harbour doubts -about them, I will summon them. You shall see -them. They number four. There is Jensen, the -Swede, whom you, sir"--turning to Armstrong--"so -unhappily misjudged. But you shall see them -all. There is a woman, too, the wife of the chef, -an amiable countrywoman of yours. It is perhaps -not necessary to summon her? You do not suspect -her of sowing tin-tacks or falling over your rope?"</p> -<p class="pnext">He smiled, and without waiting for an answer -went to the open house-door and called his chauffeur, -to whom he gave instructions. Meanwhile, the two -boys, chafing under his politeness with its touch of -irony, exchanged looks of silent sympathy.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The men will be here immediately," said -Gradoff, rejoining them. "What a delightful -summer we are having! <em class="italics">Per æstivam liquidam</em>--you -remember the line? How I envy you your -daily browsing on the Classics! Ah, here come -the four suspects! Two, you perceive, are tall; -two are short. I will align them in order of their -heights, as they do in your army, I believe. Halt, -men! Stand in line: Jensen at one end, then -Radewski, then Prutti, last of all, Rod. Now, -my dear sirs, inspect the company."</p> -<p class="pnext">"There's no need," said Warrender. "We've -seen them all in or about the village. None of -these is the man you saw, Jack?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No," replied Armstrong, shortly.</p> -<p class="pnext">"But darkness, even moonlight, is deceptive," -said Gradoff, in his suavest manner. "Really, I -am concerned to convince you thoroughly; I -should regret your going away harbouring the least -particle of suspicion. I will interrogate them in -turn. Jensen, you do not amuse yourself by -sowing tin-tacks on No Man's Island?--Jensen, -I may explain, is Mr. Pratt's horsekeeper, in -particular, and handy-man in general. Well, Jensen?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nope," replied the man, gruffly, eyeing Armstrong -with a scowl.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And you, Radewski?--Radewski is the gardener." The -boys recognised him as the passenger -in the car that had collided with the farm-wagon.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, of course not," answered the Pole, smiling.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And now you, Prutti?--the chauffeur, as you see."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It is silly, stupid; I say ze question----" -began the Italian, volubly.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, yes; but I want no comments. Just say -yes or no," Gradoff interrupted.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, zen; I say no. I say ze question----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"He comes from the south, gentlemen," said -Gradoff, deprecatingly. "Now, Rod, what have -you to say?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Sacré nom d'un----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now, now. Maximilien Rod is the chef, -gentlemen, accustomed to the use of the diction -of the menu. Plain English, Rod, if you please."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Zen I say zat ze man vat accuse me of so -imbecile, so--so--so----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Contain yourself, Rod. Yes or no?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, no; not at all--no!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Four negatives do not make an affirmative," -said Gradoff, turning to the boys, and smiling -with the persistent urbanity they were beginning -to detest. "These are all my staff--with the -exception of the excellent woman, Rod's wife. -Would you like to pursue your inquiries?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thank you, it is unnecessary," replied -Warrender, in as even and polite a tone as he was -master of.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Then the men may return to their duties, -and I may begin my journey. May I give you -a lift as far as the cross-roads? Or, stay! You -are here very near the river. You may prefer to -take a short cut through the grounds, and avoid -the long walk on the dusty road."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thank you," said Warrender, ready to accept -any suggestion that would remove him quickly -from the presence of Mr. Gradoff; "if some one -will show us the way."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Certainly. Quite a happy thought," said the -Russian. He called to the chef, the rearmost of -the party filing away. "Rod, show these -gentlemen the shortest way to the river; bring them -opposite to the island. Good-morning, gentlemen. -I am sorry you have found me a broken reed. But -I do hope your holiday will not be spoilt; I have -such keen memories of my own happy -holidays--<em class="italics">liberatio et vacuitas omnis molestiæ</em>: you -remember your Cicero? <em class="italics">Good</em>-morning."</p> -<p class="pnext">He sprang into the car, in which the chauffeur -was already seated, and with a smile and a wave -of the hand was driven away.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="information-received">CHAPTER XI</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">INFORMATION RECEIVED</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"Sarcastic swine!" muttered Armstrong, -savagely, as he set off with Warrender behind -the rotund little chef.</p> -<p class="pnext">"So confoundedly polite I could have kicked -him," returned Warrender, in the same undertone. -"His beastly Latin, too! What did he take us for?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"What we are--a couple of mugs. And Pratt's -worse, with his absurd theories. Of course these -chaps aren't in it. Rush is at the bottom of it, -and the other fellow, though he looked like a -foreigner, is very likely only some ugly freak of a -Devonian after all."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I'll be hanged if I stand any more of -Rush's nonsense. Next time anything happens, -I'll get old Crawshay to set that bobby moving we -saw the other day. I'm sick of it."</p> -<p class="pnext">Ill-humour had for the moment got the upper -hand, and they were conscious only of their soreness -as they followed their guide through the unkempt -grounds. Their attention was attracted presently -by the tower that reared itself out of a thicket -some little distance on their left. It was a square -much-dilapidated building of stone, encrusted with -moss and ivy, reaching a height of some fifty or -sixty feet. The window openings were boarded -up with deal planks that were evidently new.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Is the tower used for anything now?" -Warrender asked the Swiss.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ze tower? No, it is ruin, fall to pieces," -replied the man.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 74%" id="figure-121"> -<span id="ze-tower-no-it-is-ruin-fall-to-pieces"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-117.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"'ZE TOWER? NO, IT IS RUIN, FALL TO PIECES.'"</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"I say, we <em class="italics">are</em> a couple of lunatics!" cried -Armstrong. "We've left the dinghy at the ferry. -What's the good of the short cut? Pratt can't -work the motor."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hang it! I'd clean forgotten."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Zen ve go back?" said the guide, eagerly. -He had come to the end of the open grounds; the -rest of the way lay through a wilderness of shrubs -that promised laborious walking.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, I'm hanged if we do," said Warrender. -"Now we've come so far we'll not go back."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Zen how you cross ze river?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Swim it. You needn't come. We'll forge -straight ahead. Thanks."</p> -<p class="pnext">He tipped the man, and plunged with Armstrong -into the thicket. Ten minutes' battling with the -intricately woven mass of greenery brought them -to the brink of the stream almost exactly opposite -to their camping-place. They stripped, bundled -their clothes upon their heads, and made short -work of the thirty-foot channel.</p> -<p class="pnext">"My aunt! In native garb!" cried Pratt, -as they walked up still unclothed. "'Here be -we poor mariners.' Shipwrecked? Lost the -dinghy?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, only our tempers," replied Armstrong. -"The dinghy's still at the ferry."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I say, my uncle hasn't got back, has he?" -asked Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No. Why?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I thought perhaps you had met him, and got -a taste of <em class="italics">his</em> temper, that's all. 'Tell me not in -mournful numbers'--but tell me anyhow you like -the cause of this Ulyssean exhibition."</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender began the narrative as he towelled -himself, continued it through his dressing, and -concluded it when he had dropped into his chair -by Pratt's side. Pratt listened with ever-growing -merriment.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You priceless old fatheads!" he exclaimed. -"When the beggar chucked Latin at you why -didn't you pelt him with Greek, Phil?--or with -sines and hypotenuses, and all that, Jack? Don't -you remember how some Cambridge josser floored -a heathen bargee by calling him an isosceles -triangle? I wish I'd gone."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I wish you had!" echoed Warrender. "But -when a fellow's so dashed polite----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Polite! I tell you what it is: you're both -too serious for this flighty world. When you -consider that it's gyrating at the rate of I don't -know how many thousand miles a minute, it's -unnatural, positively indecent, for any one to be -so stuggy. The art of life is to effervesce. But, -you know, the important feature of your morning's -entertainment seems not to have sufficiently -impressed you."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's that?" asked Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rod's wife. <em class="italics">Cherchez la femme</em>! You oughtn't -to have come away without having had a word -with her."</p> -<p class="pnext">"How on earth could we?" said Warrender. -"We weren't asked into the house, and if we -had been----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"My dear chap, if a fair lady beckoned to me -out of her casement window I'd find some means -of receiving her behests. Rod's wife, <em class="italics">née</em> Molly -Rogers, didn't make signs to you for nothing, and -I foresee that I shall have to turn our skipping-rope -into a rope ladder, and----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, don't go on gassing," Armstrong -interposed, irascibly. "Can't you be serious?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Solemnity itself. We've got to fetch that -dinghy. I want to go to the post office. Very -well, after lunch Phil shall run me up in the -motorboat. I'll have a word with Rogers on the way, -and I bet my boots I won't come back without some -little addition to our dossier."</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt's programme was carried out. Warrender -and he found Joe Rogers pulling spring onions in -his garden behind the inn. The man had placed -his wig on a pea-stick, and his bald pate glowed -in the sunlight like a pink turnip.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good-afternoon, Joe," said Pratt, genially. -"I wonder how it is that you sailormen so -often take to gardening when your sea days are over?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I can't tell 'ee, sir, 'cept it be as we loves the -look o' vegetables, being without 'em so long at a -time. The old woman do say it keeps me out o' -mischief."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now, Rogers," called his better half from an -upper window, "put on your hair this minute. -Drat the man! Do 'ee want to catch your death -of sunstroke?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Rogers gave a sly look at his visitors as he donned -his wig.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It do make my skull itch terrible," he said. -"But she's a good woman."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I jolly well hope I shall be looked after as well -when my time comes," said Pratt. "But I'm not -thinking of matrimony yet. What age did you -marry at, Joe?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thirty-one, just the same age as my sister -Molly, but not in such a hurry. My missus took -a deal o' courting; 'twas five years' hard labour; -whereas Molly give in in less than a month."</p> -<p class="pnext">"He came, he saw--he conquered. Must be -something fascinating about him. Has she lost -her cold, by the way? My friends happened to -see her this morning."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well now, if that ain't too bad. She haven't -been nigh me for a good fortnight, and she didn't -ought to go about the village without looking in."</p> -<p class="pnext">"They saw her at the house. She seemed to -be catching flies or something at the window. I -gather you don't like her husband."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I've nothing against him, 'cept his name and -furren nature. My missus told her she was cutting -a rod for her own back."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Surely he doesn't beat her?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"That wasn't her meaning. Rod's his name, -and the missus do have a way of taking up a -word and twisting of it about, you may say. -'A rod in pickle,' says she. 'Tis just a clappering -tongue; there's no sense in it. But it do seem as -Molly have turned her back on all her old friends. -'Tis like this: they furriners bain't favourites in -the parish, and Molly sticks to her husband, as -'tis her duty. That's what I make of it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I dare say she chose the pick of the -bunch. How many are there of them, by the bye?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Four, leaving out the secretary. They don't -go about in the village much. None of 'em comes -here 'cept that feller you saw t'other day, and he -don't come often. <em class="italics">I</em> don't get no good of 'em. -'Twas different in the old days."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Things will take a turn," said Pratt, -consolingly. "When my--when Mr. Pratt returns -I dare say he'll quarrel with the foreigners, and -get English servants again."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And be ye all right on the island, sir?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Having a ripping time. We're always on -the look-out for the ghost, but he seems rather -shy. I can sympathise with him, being so bashful -myself."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You do seem to have a bit of a bump one -side of the head, sir. No inseck have been poisoning -'ee, I hope."</p> -<p class="pnext">"No. Insects love me too well to disfigure -me. I'm inclined to think it was a worm, or -something like a leech, perhaps. It's a trifle; a -molehill, not a mountain. To-morrow both sides will -be equal, and the angles subtended at the base as -right as ever. Good-bye; keep your hair on."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, old man, we've spent a profitable quarter -of an hour," said Pratt, as he went on with -Warrender to the village. "The number of Gradoff s -staff is confirmed; therefore the chap I collared -is not one of them. As to Rod's wife, there's no -mystery about her. She's disgusted, as any -sensible person would be, at the petty -narrow-mindedness of the natives who dislike her husband -simply because he's of another breed, and so she -cuts 'em dead."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But what did her movements at the window -mean?" asked Warrender. "It certainly looked -as if she wanted help or something."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nothing of the sort, depend upon it. She was -waving you off; she's as careful of Rod as Rogers's -missus is of him; she was afraid Armstrong would -go for Rod as he went for the Swede. I'm always -ready to own up when I'm wrong. My old theories -won't hold water. I think I'll give up detecting -and go in for the Bar. You only have to stick -to your brief; needn't have an idea of your own."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, it seems to me we're not much for'arder."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Quite a mistake. The issue is narrowed down. -Clear our minds of the foreign menagerie and all -that, and concentrate on Rush. That's the ticket."</p> -<p class="pnext">Calling at the post office, he was handed a letter -from his London friend, who reported that the -scrap of paper was torn from a copy of the <em class="italics">Pravda</em>. -Only part of the date of issue was visible--the word -June; and the incomplete paragraph of text -appeared to relate to the high prices of perambulators.</p> -<p class="pnext">"There you are," said Pratt. "Much cry and -little wool. It proves nothing except that some -one, some time or other, had a Russian -newspaper, which was partly burnt along with other -papers, no doubt equally uninteresting and -unimportant. What we have to do is simply to -weave a spider's web for Rush."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You change your mind twice a day, and are -cock-sure every time," Warrender remarked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"A clear proof that I ought to go in for politics, -after all. I'm glad it's settled at last. Percy -Pratt, M.P.--reverse 'em, you get P.M., Prime -Minister; then Sir Percy, Bart.; Baron Pratt, -Viscount, Earl--why not Duke while I'm about -it? But do dukes play the banjo, I wonder?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"You're better qualified for the part of Mad -Hatter, I fancy. Come, let's step it out."</p> -<p class="pnext">The evening of that day turned out rather cool -and overcast. A breeze sprang up in the south-west, -refreshing after the still heat. After early -supper, Armstrong, declaring that he was getting -flabby for want of exercise, set off in the dinghy -for a pull down the river. Pratt thought it a good -opportunity for testing Armstrong's report of the -sounds he had heard in the cottage, and went off -alone, leaving Warrender on guard at the camp.</p> -<p class="pnext">He had not yet come within sight of the ruins -when, above the rustle of the stirred leaves, a -strange moaning broke upon his ear. He stopped -to listen. While far more impressionable than -Armstrong, he had solid musical knowledge which -his schoolfellow lacked, and he was struck at once -by an unusual quality in the sound he heard.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's not the wind in the eaves," he thought. -"It's more like the whining of an organ pipe when -a lazy blower is letting the wind out."</p> -<p class="pnext">He hurried on. The sound rose and fell. For -some moments it maintained a steady, pure organ -note; then with rising pitch it became almost a -shriek.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I don't wonder the rustics are a bit scared," -he thought, "but no ghost could produce a tone -like that--unless he'd been a cathedral alto in -his lifetime. It's due, I expect, to some metal -chimney-pot that's got displaced and partly closed. -Wonder if I can find it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">He entered the ruins, and ran up the staircase. -A roseate twilight suffused the western sky. Led -by the persistent sound, he came to the unroofed -room facing the west. The moaning proceeded from -some spot above his head. He tried to clamber -up the mass of broken masonry that littered the -floor, but found that he could not gain the level -of the roof except by climbing the jagged brickwork -of the broken wall, a feat too perilous in the half -light.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's the worst of being fat," he said to -himself. "I believe Armstrong could do it."</p> -<p class="pnext">Leaving the room presently, he went idly, -without definite motive, into the second room, -facing east and overlooking the river and his -uncle's grounds. In this direction dusk was -already deepening into night; the nearer trees -were still distinguishable, but beyond the river all -individual objects were blurred by the darkness.</p> -<p class="pnext">He sat on the paneless window-sill, listening -to the strange sound from above, looking out -towards the Red House, wondering whereabouts -in the wide world his uncle was travelling. All -at once, far away, almost on a level with his -eyes, he thought he saw a faint red glow. It -disappeared in a moment--so quickly that it -seemed an illusion. But there it was again, -indubitably some small luminous body. "Some -one with a lamp in one of the top rooms of the -Red House," he thought. Again it disappeared, -only to show again after an interval--a third -time--a fourth.</p> -<p class="pnext">To Pratt these phenomena were at first merely -sensations of sight, not perceptions of intelligence. -But by and by he was struck by the fact that the -glow always appeared at the same spot, not here -and there, like a lamp carried by a person moving -about a room. Then he found himself mentally -measuring the intervals between its appearances, -expecting their occurrence as regularly as the -beats of a striking clock. It was with surprise -and a sort of disappointment that he discovered -that the intervals were irregular, and with curiosity, -after a while, that they were regular and irregular -both, as it seemed, fitfully; the glow appeared -two or three times at equal intervals, then the -intervals became shorter or longer. "Signals, -of course," he thought, when the impression of -order and purpose became fixed in him. "Who -is it? Where is it? What's the game?"</p> -<p class="pnext">The alternations continued for several minutes, -then finally ceased. Pratt got up, left the ruins, -and made his way with some difficulty back to camp.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Armstrong back?" he asked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not yet," replied Warrender. "Time he -was. This is the darkest evening we've had. -See any one?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not a soul. All quiet here?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Absolute peace. <em class="italics">You</em> weren't here."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thanks. Glad you missed me. Will the -sweet, melodious strains of my gentle banjo disturb -your serenity?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not a bit. Strum away. But hadn't you -better turn in? It's past nine. Old Jack won't -get much sleep before second watch if he isn't -here soon; no reason why you shouldn't have your -full whack, especially after last night's affair."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll stay up till he comes."</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt softly thrummed his strings, musing on -his discoveries. Half-past nine came; ten o'clock.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I say, what's happened to Armstrong?" said -Warrender. "Surely he hasn't been carried out -to sea? Come and help me shove off; I'll run -down and see if I can find him. You won't turn -in, so you won't mind taking part of my watch."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Righto! But I dare say Jack's enjoying himself."</p> -<p class="pnext">They were just about to launch the motor-boat -when they caught the dull sound of oars in -the distance. They waited. The rising moon -struggled through the rack, and cast a faint light -on the stream. Presently the dinghy appeared -from among the overarching foliage. Armstrong -was sculling very quietly.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thought you were lost," said Warrender. -"It's past ten; your watch starts at eleven-forty."</p> -<p class="pnext">"All right. Pratt, tie up, will you? Come -with me, Warrender."</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong led the way at a long, rapid stride -across the clearing and into the thicket. He said -nothing, and did not pause until he came to the -shore of the western channel.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Keep well behind this tree," he said, in a -whisper, placing himself in shadow.</p> -<p class="pnext">In a few minutes they heard the splash of oars. -A boat emerged from the shades down stream, lit -up fitfully by the transient moonbeams. It -passed close beneath their hiding-place. It held -a single oarsman, whose thickset frame would -have been unmistakable even if the moonlight had -not touched his face. He pulled out of sight.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's he been up to?" said Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let's get back," replied Armstrong. "I -wanted a second witness. Pratt will wish to start -a new career now, I expect."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="queer-fish">CHAPTER XII</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">QUEER FISH</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">When Armstrong had started in the dinghy -for a pull down the river his intention was to -scull easily on the current to the mouth, then to -turn westward, and exercise his muscles more -strenuously in a contest with the wind. On -reaching the coastline, however, he found that there -was much more force in the breeze than had appeared -inland, and a considerable swell on the sea, and -he contented himself with hugging the shore, -protected in some measure by the cliffs that -swept round to a promontory in the distance.</p> -<p class="pnext">After a stiff pull for half an hour or so he turned. -The last faint radiance of sunset was behind him, -and as he approached the river mouth, being himself -shadowed by the cliffs, he noticed signs of activity -about the fisher's hut on the beach beyond the -farther bank. Two men were carrying what -appeared to be fishing gear down to a boat at -the water's edge. The weather seemed scarcely -to promise good fishing, and, knowing from his -friends that the hut was in the occupation, if not -the possession, of Rush, he was sufficiently -interested to decide upon watching the men's proceedings. -He pulled a little more closely inshore, shipped -his oars, and lay to under cover of a mass of rock.</p> -<p class="pnext">In a few minutes the men got aboard the boat, -and pulled out to sea in the direction of a small -tramp steamer which was just visible on the eastern -horizon, and, as the trail of smoke from its funnel -showed, was coming down channel. It seemed to -Armstrong a good opportunity for examining the -hut; possibly he might find there some clue to -Rush's mysterious activities. Assured that under -the shadow of the cliffs he would be invisible to -the boatmen, he pulled across to the opposite -beach, and ran the dinghy ashore in a small, sheltered -cove two or three hundred yards from the hut. -Leaving the boat high and dry, he made his way -back along the beach at the foot of the cliffs, and -approached the hut, which stood on a rocky -platform above high-water mark. As he neared it -he was careful to keep it between himself and the -boat at sea; Rush, if he were one of the two, -was probably long-sighted.</p> -<p class="pnext">By the time he reached the hut the boat was -nearly a mile out, and the men appeared to be -letting down a net. He slipped in through the -open door, and threw a glance round the interior, -seizing the last moments of twilight for his rapid -scrutiny. He saw, as might have been expected, -the usual fisherman's gear: old nets, lobster pots, -cork floats, a broken oar, part of a rudder, an old -sou'wester, baskets, ropes--nothing that had any -particular interest or significance. But, just as -he was about to leave, he noticed in the darkest -corner half a dozen tins strung by the handles -upon a length of trailing rope. Their shape -suggested paraffin or petrol rather than any material -useful to fishers; yet they were not the common -petrol cans; they were larger and wider-necked -than those that held the ordinary motor-spirit. -He lifted one; it was empty, but very firmly -corked, as likewise were the others.</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong took one of the cans, stretching -the rope, towards the door, to examine it more -closely in what was left of the twilight. On -the shoulder, enclosed in a panel, was an -embossed description, the characters reminding -Armstrong of the printed letters of the Russian -newspaper.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rummy," he thought. "Gradoff, judging -by his name, is a Russian, and the only Russian -hereabouts. Yet we find a Russian newspaper -in the cellar, and Russian petrol tins in Rush's -hut. Queer!"</p> -<p class="pnext">He replaced the cans, and left the hut. As -he did so he saw, out at sea, the steamer he had -noticed as a distant smudge some twenty minutes -before. No smoke was now pouring from her -funnel; apparently she had stopped or slowed -down some distance beyond the small boat. While -he was watching, the vessel went ahead. The small -boat rowed farther out; then appeared to beat -about for a time; finally stopped, and from the -movements of the figures Armstrong saw aboard, -they were lifting something from the water. The -steamer, meanwhile, was proceeding steadily on -her course down channel.</p> -<p class="pnext">The growing dusk had rendered it impossible -for the watcher to discern anything clearly; -steamer, boat, and men were merely indistinct -shapes. But the boat, without doubt, was the -one that he had seen leave the beach; its -movements were strange, and Armstrong decided to -await its return. Who were its occupants? What -was their errand? What were they bringing back -with them?</p> -<p class="pnext">The enlarging boat was evidently coming ashore. -Armstrong looked rapidly around, and spied, -close to the hut, and, between that and his own -boat, a ridge of rock that would give him cover. -Posting himself there, he waited. The dusk -deepened. Presently he heard the faint, slow, -regular thuds of oars in the rowlocks, then low -voices. He could now discern the boat as a -dark patch on the white crests of the rollers. It -came steadily in, grounded; the two men sprang -into the surf. The tide was going out. They did -not haul the boat up, but lifted from it the bundles -of gear and carried them into the hut. But there -was no fish. They passed Armstrong's hiding-place -near enough for him to recognise them. The -first of them was Rush; the second--even in the -dusk Armstrong knew again that broad, flat face. -It was the face he had seen in the thicket--the -face of the mysterious assailant Pratt had described.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 72%" id="figure-122"> -<span id="they-lifted-the-bundles-of-gear-and-carried-them-into-the-hut"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-133.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"THEY LIFTED THE BUNDLES OF GEAR AND CARRIED THEM INTO THE HUT."</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">After disposing of their gear in the hut, they -returned to the boat. The stranger, a big man, -came up again alone, bent under a bulky package, -to which a string of petrol tins was attached. -"Smugglers, by jiminy!" thought Armstrong. -The package appeared to be encased in tarpaulin. -The man halted at the door of the hut, let down his -load, detached the cans, and waited. In a few -seconds Rush joined him, helped him to hoist the -package to his back, and bade him a gruff -"Good-night." The man marched heavily up the beach -to the east, towards a narrow rift in the cliff. -Rush took the cans into the hut, shut and locked -the door, and, with his hands in his pockets, -moved slowly down towards his boat. Fearing -that as he rowed back he might discover the -dinghy in the cove, Armstrong hurried quietly -away, shoved off, and had turned into the river -when he heard the splash of Rush's oars. Pulling -quickly but steadily, he was out of sight by the -time Rush reached the mouth, and when he -arrived at the camping-place guessed that he and -Warrender could cross to the western shore of the -island before Rush rowed past.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">Such was the story Armstrong quietly told -his companions as they sat on their chairs before -the tent.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Smugglers!" ejaculated Pratt, lowering his -voice as if instinctively. "I thought the smuggling -days were over long ago. D'you think Rush -does a roaring trade in Dutch tobacco, and finds -the foreign gang at the house good customers? -Tobacco weighs light for its bulk. How big was -the bundle, Jack?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Two or three feet square, I think," replied -Armstrong. "But tobacco is light, as you say. -I fancy this was something else, for Rush had to -help the other fellow lift it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And he took it eastward up the cliff?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, in the direction that would lead to your -uncle's house, unless I'm out in my bearings."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I'm hanged! Won't my old uncle -rave when he hears what his pet foreign domestics -are up to in his absence! He's a terrible stickler -for law and order, not the kind of man to wink at -smuggling, as the county folk used to do in days of -yore. That explains the light I saw."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What light?" asked the others.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I wended my way to the ruins to hear the -spooks groan. They groan jolly well--a mellow -note, mostly on B flat, I fancy, though it -sometimes shrieks up a chromatic scale to what you -may call vanishing point. Of course, it's caused -by the wind, but what surprises me is how the -wind can fetch such a musical tone out of a -chimney-pot. It must be a tube of some sort, and what -else could it be but a chimney-pot? I tried to -find it, but that required an acrobatic feat too -difficult for a man of my avoirdupois."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But the light?" asked Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh yes, I was forgetting! I was looking -over towards my uncle's place when I saw a reddish -sort of glow, just about the level of the tree-tops. -It came and went, and presently it dawned upon -my usually alert intelligence that it stood a good -deal upon the order of its comings and goings; in -fact, that it was a signal. It must have been just -about the time that tramp steamer came in sight."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But why on earth should anybody at the -house, even if they are customers of Rush's, -signal to the smuggling steamer?" asked -Armstrong. "There aren't any revenue officers about -here, and if there were any about the coast the -people at the house wouldn't know anything about them."</p> -<p class="pnext">"My dear chap, there are wheels within wheels," -said Pratt, oracularly. "You have two -contemporaneous phenomena--jolly good phrase, that!--the -signal light, and the accosting of a tramp -steamer by a poacher and a burglar. That's -circumstantial evidence good enough for me."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, drop theories, and come to practice," -said Warrender. "Whatever the game is, we're -going to find it out. It's time for us to take the -offensive. These fellows have stalked us; it's -now for us to stalk them. I vote we leave the -island, and accept old Crawshay's offer. The enemy -will chortle at having succeeded in driving us away, -and will very likely be off his guard. Then we'll -chip in."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Just so; we'll <em class="italics">reculer pour mieux sauter</em>--you -recognise the phrase, as your Gradoff would -say? Your suggestion smiles to me, Phil. We -carry it unanimously, and we'll strike camp the -morn's morn. I say, listen!"</p> -<p class="pnext">The wind had increased in force, and there -came from the direction of the ruins the musical -moan which Warrender, alone of the three, had -not yet heard.</p> -<p class="pnext">"'The horns of Elfland faintly blowing,'" -quoted Pratt. "Really, it seems a pity, after -all, to leave a spot which one can imagine the -haunt of fairies, the seat of an enchanted palace, -the----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't start the sentimental strain!" Armstrong -interposed. "Suppose your horns of Elfland -are a signal, too?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Jehoshaphat! What a synthetic mind you -have, old bird! I shouldn't be surprised if---- But -no! it won't wash. A signal that depended -on the wind wouldn't be any good. Leave me -some of my illusions, Jack. Let me revel in -my romantic imaginings. Call it Roland's horn, -appealing vainly for succour when the paladin was -fighting fearful odds in the pass of Roncesvaux."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I think you'd better turn in, old man," said -Warrender. "It's your last watch to-night. We -none of us got much sleep last night, and that -crack on the head----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'm cracked. All right--wake me at two-twenty."</p> -<p class="pnext">He withdrew into the tent. His companions, -tired though they were, resolved to keep each -other company, and patrol the neighbourhood -of the camp till it was time to awaken Pratt. -Hour after hour passed. Nothing disturbed them. -The wind increased to the force of half a gale, -and the sound from the ruins persisted with -scarcely a variation of pitch. When two-twenty -came they agreed to let Pratt sleep on, and kept -vigil until the eastern sky was streaked with dawn.</p> -<p class="pnext">"D'you hear the sound?" asked Warrender, suddenly.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No; it's stopped. But the wind is higher -than ever," Armstrong replied.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's queer. The wind is in the same direction, -too. Darkness and light oughtn't to make -any difference."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Perhaps it has blown the old chimney-pot -clean off the roof. I'll go down and have a look -presently. I'm dog-tired. We might take a couple -of hours' sleep now, don't you think?"</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="fire">CHAPTER XIII</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">FIRE!</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">About eleven o'clock next morning Warrender -and Pratt landed from the motor-boat at the ferry, -and, inquiring of the ferryman the way to -Mr. Crawshay's house, struck up the hilly road that -ran westward from the right bank of the river. -Mr. Crawshay, it was true, had invited them to make -straight for the house across the fields; but they -had decided that it would be more becoming, on -this first visit, to observe the customary forms.</p> -<p class="pnext">The house stood amid well-kept grounds, about -as far west of the river as Mr. Pratt's was in the -opposite direction.</p> -<p class="pnext">The apple-cheeked maid-servant who answered -their ring announced that her master was out, and -would not return till the afternoon. Disappointed, -they were leaving when Lilian Crawshay, who had -recognised Warrender's voice as she descended -the stairs, called to them.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You wanted to see my father, Mr. Warrender?" -she asked, as they turned back.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes; I'm sorry he's out, but we'll call again -this afternoon."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What a pity, when you have so far to go! -Can't I give him a message? Won't you come -in and see Mother?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's very good of you, but we have some -shopping to do in the village, or Armstrong will -get no lunch. It will be no trouble to come again. -We get up and down very quickly in the motor-boat."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, then come up in time for tea. Father -will be home then; he has only gone on some stupid -business of quarter-sessions. And bring Mr. Armstrong -with you. Mother was greatly interested -in the 'Three Musketeers.'"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thank you very much."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good-bye, then, for the present. Tea is at -half-past four."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why didn't you tell her we can't all come?" -said Pratt, as they walked away.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Because it's clear that the old man hasn't -said anything about our affairs, and I couldn't -anticipate him with explanations. We'll toss for -the odd man."</p> -<p class="pnext">On returning to the ferry Pratt went on to the -village to make some necessary purchases, leaving -Warrender to forestall gossip by informing Rogers -of their change of plan. Warrender rapped on -the door.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Bain't opening time yet," called a voice from -above. Mrs. Rogers's head appeared at an open -window. "Oh, beg pardon; 'tis you, sir. We -have to be that careful; Constable Hardstone be -always on the prowl. You'll find Rogers in the -garden, sir--through that little gate. And if so -be you find he haven't got his hair on, I beseech -'ee to mind him of it; he's that careless of his -brains, and I know they'll be broiled some day."</p> -<p class="pnext">The innkeeper, with his wig awry, was pinching -out his tomatoes. He smiled when Warrender -told him of the projected removal of the camp.</p> -<p class="pnext">"'Tis what I expected--ay, and all the village -likewise," he said.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We find the island a trifle inconvenient, you -know," said Warrender, in pursuance of the -understanding he had come to with his companions -that their real reason should not at present be -disclosed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay sure, that's what we all said. The neighbours -wondered how long you'd stand it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Stand what?" asked Warrender, wondering -whether any whispers of the truth had got abroad.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why, them sperits. Flesh and blood you -can deal with, but when it comes to sperits they're -bound to get the better of you, give 'em time. -You can't get hold of 'em no way. Smite 'em, -you might as well smite the wind. I've been here -and there about the world in my time, and I tell -'ee I wouldn't spend a night on that island not if -you doubled my pension."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, we did hear some very queer sounds last -night. Of course, it was very windy. I expected -rain to-day, but it has cleared up. By the way, -are there any coastguards about here?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"There's Lloyd's signal station away at the -point yonder. I go over now and again for a -crack and a smoke with an old messmate of mine."</p> -<p class="pnext">"How far is it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Four mile or so. You go past Mr. Crawshay's, -then sheer off to the left and get into the old -coastguard track over the cliffs."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll take a walk out there some day. We -haven't seen much of the neighbourhood yet. -There's no signal station in the village, of course."</p> -<p class="pnext">"No; we're too far from the sea. Have 'ee -heard what they're saying about Mr. Pratt, sir?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's that?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah, poor gentleman. 'Tis feared he've gone -a-lost, or been swallered by lions, or summat. -'Tis the end of many a poor traveller."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why do they fear that? Is there any news?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No; that's where 'tis; there be no news at -all. 'Tis five weeks since he went off, not a soul -knowing, as his way is; and Susan Barter up at -post office was saying only yesterday that there's -not been a single line from him to any o' they -people at the house. 'Tis never been knowed -afore. As a rule there's a letter from Paris, or -Marseilles, or Brindisi--ay, from places farther -away; but this time not a line. He'll be missed -in the parish, sir, if so be he've gone aloft, like -poor Tom Bowling."</p> -<p class="pnext">Rogers proceeded to relate anecdotes of his -landlord--instances of his peppery outbursts and -splenetic quarrels with his county neighbours, -but more of kindly deeds and unobtrusive generosity -among his poorer tenants.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And your friend be his nephew, to be sure!" -he added. "Well, don't worrit the poor young -gent yet awhile. No news is good news; maybe -there'll be word of him one of these days. Susan -Barter is sure to tell us."</p> -<p class="pnext">Presently Pratt returned, laden with sundry -parcels. The boys took leave of Rogers, and by -half-past twelve were back in camp. Armstrong -had nothing to report. He declined at first to -make one of the tea-party, but when the spin -of a coin elected him against Pratt, he yielded to -Warrender's argument that it would appear -discourteous if only one of them accepted the -invitation. Promptly at half-past four the two, wearing -grey flannels for the occasion, entered the grounds of -Mr. Crawshay's house, and were met on the drive -by the owner himself.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Glad to see you, my lads," he said, heartily. -"You've something to tell me? I guessed it. -Now, not a word before the ladies. I haven't -told them anything of your troubles; best not -to disturb them, you know. We'll have a talk in -private, after tea."</p> -<p class="pnext">The consequence was that presently Armstrong -found himself left in the company of Mrs. Crawshay -and her daughter, while Warrender was taken by -Mr. Crawshay to his study.</p> -<p class="pnext">It had been decided that nothing should be -said to the old gentleman about the visit to the -Red House, the mysterious doings of Rush at sea, -or the strange light Pratt had seen among the trees. -Determined as the lads were to probe the mystery -to the bottom, they felt that their purpose might -be defeated by any premature activity on the part -of the county magistrate. Accordingly, when -Mr. Crawshay and Warrender were seated in deep -armchairs facing each other, and the former said, -"Now, my lad, what is the latest news?" Warrender -simply related the incident of the midnight -visit to the camp, concluding--</p> -<p class="pnext">"And so, sir, we have decided to accept your -offer of a camping-place on your land, not merely -to escape these annoyances--we should rather like -to hold our ground in regard to them--but because -we think we should stand a better chance of -discovering what really is going on."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ah, what does that mean? There's more -in it than appears?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"If you don't mind, sir, I won't tell you details -now; but we have found out one or two facts -that have given rise to certain suspicions. By -removing from the island we feel that we shall be -better able to put them to the test, and when our -information is complete we will lay it before you."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I won't press you. Many a rogue has -escaped justice because the case against him has -been badly prepared. Tell me all in your own time. -Now as to your camp. There's a little natural -dock in my bank of the river. I'll put on my -gardener and odd man to make a small clearing for -you. It's too late to-day; the men knock off -at five--eight hours' day, you know. But you -can bring your boat up the river, and put up for -the night with me."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thank you, sir; but we have a little errand -at the signal station before we go back--it might -be rather late before we could get everything packed -up. I think we had better wait till the morning."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Very well. You may have fresh light on the -matter then. I shall expect all three to lunch -to-morrow. On my land you won't need to guard -your camp."</p> -<p class="pnext">Taking leave a little later, the boys walked -across the cliffs to the signal station. On inquiry -from the man in charge they learnt that the steamer -seen late on the previous evening was the <em class="italics">Katarina</em>, -from Helsingfors for New York.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Did you notice a small boat pull out to her?" -asked Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rush's boat," replied the man. "It didn't -pull out to her; 'twas out before she came in sight. -Rush has some lobster pots out there. He's a -well-known character in these parts."</p> -<p class="pnext">They thanked their informant, and retraced -their steps.</p> -<p class="pnext">"She was a Russian boat," remarked Armstrong. -"No secret about her name or course. -All the same--a Russian newspaper, a Russian -secretary at the Red House, Russian petrol cans, -a Russian steamer. Queer coincidences, at the -least."</p> -<p class="pnext">It was nearly eight o'clock when they regained -the camp. Pratt was humming "I dreamt that -I dwelt in marble halls" to the accompaniment -of his banjo.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And how is the fair lady of the punctured -tyre?" he asked. "Did she deplore my absence?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"She did say something about 'that amusing -Mr. Pratt,'" Armstrong replied. "I like her -mother."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We're all going up to lunch to-morrow," said -Warrender, and explained the arrangements made.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Then, as it's our last night on this island of -spooks, I vote that Armstrong and I go to the ruins -and track that weird sound," said Pratt. "The -wind is high; we'll have time before dark."</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong and he set off. The breeze was -blowing in the same direction, and almost as -strongly, as on the night before, but no moaning -met their ears. Arriving at the cottage, they -heard the characteristic whistle and hiss of wind -playing about the eaves, but not the tuneful, mellow -note that had reminded Pratt of an organ pipe. -They searched around the base of the walls for a -recently fallen chimney-pot. There was none.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Extraordinary!" said Pratt. "No wonder -the rustics are jumpy. Of course, there must -be some simple explanation--some slight change -of direction in the wind, I expect. If you've ever -tried to play the penny whistle you'll know that -you can't always get a note, when you're a beginner. -We've had our walk for nothing."</p> -<p class="pnext">They were half-way back to the camp; dusk -was just merging into darkness, when the organ-note, -riding, as it were, upon the rustle of the leaves, -struck upon their ears.</p> -<p class="pnext">"By George!" exclaimed Pratt. "One would -think the spook was just waiting for the dark. -Come back. This is an acoustical phenomenon -worth writing about to some scientific rag."</p> -<p class="pnext">They hurried back to the ruins, and sprang -up the staircase. Pratt tracked the sound, as -before, to the partially unroofed room on the west -side. Armstrong tried to climb up the jagged -brickwork of the outer wall, but found the footing -too insecure to persevere. Baffled, they stood -for a while listening.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's no good," said Armstrong at last. "It's -a job for daylight. Besides, it's of no importance; -we've got more interesting mysteries to fathom."</p> -<p class="pnext">"True, old matter-of-fact. You haven't a -disinterested passion for science. Well, I'll show you -where I saw the light from last night."</p> -<p class="pnext">They went into the other room, and looked -across the river into the darkness, faintly patterned -by the nearer trees. Suddenly, high up, a glow -appeared, shone for a second, disappeared, recurred. -They watched in silence. Presently Armstrong -spoke.</p> -<p class="pnext">"They're certainly signals. Keep your eye -on them; count them."</p> -<p class="pnext">There was a period of complete darkness; it -seemed that the signalling had ceased. Then -the glow peered over the tree-tops again; it was -repeated at regular intervals, at first short, then -longer, then short again.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's like Morse," said Armstrong. "Did you count?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nine times."</p> -<p class="pnext">"In groups of three?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Four, three, and two, I thought."</p> -<p class="pnext">"So did I. Well, if it's Morse, that spells VGI. -What on earth does that mean?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Goodness knows. It's stopped. Wonder if -it'll start again?"</p> -<p class="pnext">A minute or two passed. Again the glow -appeared, at intervals as before. Again they -counted its appearances.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nine times. Three groups of three--longs -and shorts. I make that ROD."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, that's a word, at any rate; and the -chef's name, by gum! But what about VGI?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Perhaps I was mistaken. We'll wait for the next."</p> -<p class="pnext">But though they remained some ten minutes -at the window the glow appeared no more.</p> -<p class="pnext">"A dashed fruitless expedition!" exclaimed -Pratt, as they descended the stairs. "They used -to divide science into sound, light, and heat. We're -flummoxed by sound and light; it only wants -heat to biff us altogether."</p> -<p class="pnext">Before many hours had passed they had reason -to remember that almost prophetic utterance of -Pratt's. It was his turn again to take the middle -watch, and at eleven-forty Armstrong wakened him.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hang you, Jack!" he cried. "I was dreaming -I was blowing fire-balloons out of an organ -pipe, and I wanted to see the end of it. All -serene?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not a mouse stirring."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, the air doesn't bite shrewdly. I cap -your quotation, you see. It's a warm sou'wester. -Can you hear that sound?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Just faintly. I say, I believe I understand -that signal. I've been thinking it over. I've -had no particular practice in reading signals; -perhaps the fellow signalling is a novice, too. In -that case one or other of us might easily make a -mistake. It's clear he made three letters each -time; I fancy they weren't either VGI or ROD."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What then?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"S.O.S."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What-ho! The signal of distress at sea. But, -I say, this is on land, old man."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes; but I take it that it's a signal for help -that any one knowing Morse might make."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But who wants help? In my uncle's grounds? -Wait a jiff. It was in the direction of the house. -I have it! What a pudding-head I am! Of -course, Rod's wife. You remember she tried to -signal to you and Phil. She's in trouble. She's -being ill-treated, or something. She's calling -for help. We're to be knights-errant--Perseus -rescuing Andromeda----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, shut up! Is it likely that an innkeeper's -sister would know Morse?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Mark my words, I'm right. A woman knows -everything she wants to. Turn in, old chap. I -wanted something to keep me awake, and I'll -cogitate a plan for rescuing Molly Andromeda -from the jaws of the Minotaur."</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt, however, found that cogitation was an -ineffectual preventive against drowsiness. Three -disturbed nights in succession was an experience -unknown to him heretofore. He paced about for -a little, sat down and lit a cigarette, dozed over it, -started up and walked again. Once more he -sat down, ruminated, nodded--and presently awoke, -sniffing. What was that smell of burning? He -looked on the ground, where the half-smoked -cigarette lay. It was dead. He got up. The -smell was in the air. He took a few steps, looking -around. His eye caught a flicker of flame to -windward--two, three flickers some yards apart. For -a moment his drowsy intelligence failed to respond -to his senses; for a moment only. Then he -shouted--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hi, you fellows! Fire! Fire!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Already the flickers had been whipped by the -wind into a wall of flame, advancing with a hiss -and low roar from the thicket across the little -clearing. The heat of the last few days had dried -the grass, which, though much trampled around -the tent, was still long. The fire swept over it -like a ruddy tide. Smoke surged across the open -space; twigs and leaves crackled in the surrounding -thicket. When Armstrong and Warrender, awakened -by the shouts, the reck, the roar and crackle, -tumbled out in their pyjamas, they choked and -spluttered and fell back before the intolerable -heat and smother.</p> -<p class="pnext" id="id2">It was only too clear that the camp was doomed. -There was not time to lower the tent. They rescued -what they could. Armstrong dashed into the tent, -and returned dragging the three Gladstones that -held their clothes. Pratt caught up a petrol can -and his banjo; Warrender secured his razor-case -and sponge-bag. Driven by the remorseless flames, -they retreated hurriedly towards the river, working -round to the right until they arrived at a spot -on the bank that lay out of the course of the wind. -There they stood, coughing, watching the scene, -fascinated. Springing from the south-west, the -fire raced across the island, like a giant cutting -with blazing scythe a path through the tough -undergrowth. There was nothing to stay its advance. -The low flames danced beneath the trees, red goblins -in a dust of smoke, twigs and branches crackling, -the sappy wood adding rather to the smother than -to the blaze.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Sound, light, and heat!" murmured Pratt. -"What a magnificent spectacle!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We've paid pretty dearly for our tickets!" -said Armstrong, morosely.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And some one shall pay pretty dearly before -I've done with them!" cried Warrender. "We're -homeless. We'd better run up to the Ferry Inn, -and get Rogers to bed us."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We'll be the talk of the village for a hundred -years," said Pratt. "We'll pass into legend; -future ages will tell of the three magicians who -exorcised the spooks of No Man's Island with fire."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Come and help shove off the boat," said -Warrender. "We've still got that, thank goodness!"</p> -<p class="pnext">The fire had burnt itself out at the north-east -of the island by the time the boat passed. At -the ferry was assembled a crowd of the natives. -Rogers was in the act of setting off in Fisherman -Drew's boat, along with Blevins, Hardstone, the -village constable, and one or two more.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Praise be!" exclaimed the innkeeper, as the -motor-boat ran alongside the stage. "I was -afeared as you young gentlemen might be cinders."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We're only smoked at present, dry-cured," -said Pratt. "Saved our bacon, you see."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I want to know summat about this," said -the constable. "I'll have to make a report. If -so be you set fire to that there island, with the -terrible destruction of growing trees, I won't say -but 'twill be brought in arson, and that's five years' -penal. Which one of you was it chucked down -the match?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"My dear good man," said Pratt, blandly, -"we're only too anxious to give every assistance -to the officer of the law; but, as you see, we're -in a great state of nervous agitation. D'you think -Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in a -condition to answer questions after their experience -of the fiery furnace? Abed we go, if Mr. Rogers will -oblige us. Come up in the morning, constable; -you're all losing your beauty sleep. In the morning -we'll swear affidavits, or whatever it is you want. -To-night we're too tired even to swear. Good-night."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="a-circular-tour">CHAPTER XIV</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">A CIRCULAR TOUR</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">Fatigued though they were, the boys lay long -awake in the room Mrs. Rogers provided for them, -discussing the situation into which they had been -thrown by the fire, and their plans for the future. -They had saved next to nothing but their clothes. -If they were to start another camp a new -tent--almost a complete new outfit--would be -necessary. Pratt suggested that they should accept -Mr. Crawshay's offer and take up their abode with -him until the mystery of the island had been solved; -but this idea was opposed by the others, Armstrong -in particular pointing out that they would -stand a better chance of success if they remained -more closely in touch with their former encampment.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We must do our best to throw the beggars off -the scent," he said. "If we rig up barbed wire -round our new camp, they'll imagine we're merely -on the defensive, and the longer we keep up that -illusion, the better."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I agree," said Warrender. "There can't be -the slightest doubt now that something is going on -on the island that they'll stick at nothing to -prevent our discovering. We've got to make them -believe we can't see farther than the ends of our -noses, so we must keep quiet, pretend we think the -fire was caused by our cigarettes--anything to put -them off their guard. But, of course, we must -take the first opportunity of making another -search in the ruins. It's as plain as a pikestaff -that that moaning sound is artificial; that is to -say, they've got some sort of an instrument rigged -up that catches the wind just when they wish, -and only then. And that signal must have -something to do with their schemes; I'm inclined to -think you're mistaken, Armstrong, and it's not -S.O.S. at all."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Perhaps," replied Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I stick to it that Molly Rogers or Rod is in -distress," said Pratt. "Rogers was a seaman, -and there's nothing unlikely in his sister knowing -something of Morse. I had a passion for ciphers -at one time, and my sister Joan was very keen on -it, I can tell you. Anyway, we'll ask Rogers in -the morning."</p> -<p class="pnext">They got up to a late breakfast. Rogers brought -them their bacon and eggs, and they were struck -by a peculiarity in his appearance.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I say, Rogers, what's happened to your -beautiful auburn locks?" asked Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">The innkeeper looked profoundly depressed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I begged and prayed the missus, but 'twas no -good," he answered. "She will have me wear a -nightcap at night, and my hair by day, no matter -how hot it be. I said as every one will laugh at -me, and she said as health comes afore feelings."</p> -<p class="pnext">"A very wise woman. Still, as a mere matter of -scientific curiosity, we'd like to know how that -brown became apple-green."</p> -<p class="pnext">Rogers snatched off his wig and held it out with -a gesture of indignation.</p> -<p class="pnext">"'Tis a trick of some blessed young scug in the -village, and if I catch him I'll give him all the colours -of the rainbow. I did but set my hair on a -pea-stick while I was digging yesterday, the missus -being out for the day. I own I forgot it, and when, -come night, I thought I'd better put it on, bless -me if I could find it. Half an hour after I'd closed -the door the missus came home. 'Here's a parcel -on the doorstep,' says she, and then she undoes -it, and gives a shriek. 'You wicked man!' says -she: 'you've done it just to rile me.' As if the -cussed thing warn't bad enough brown, for one to -want it green! Of course I telled her as how I'd -put it down and missed it, and she went on like -one o'clock, said I'd have to wear it, green or blue, -and I'd better stand out in the first shower of rain -and see if it'd wash clean, and 'twould be a lesson -to me. Don't you never go bald, young gentlemen: -'tis the way to break up a happy home."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hard luck, Rogers," said Pratt. "But the -colour will soon wear off. You'll be piebald for a -bit, I dare say--sort of mottled, you know; but -nobody will think the worse of you. I say, you -and your sister were great pals, weren't you?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Till the missus come along, sir."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And no doubt you taught her how to splice -ropes and reef sails, and make signals, and all that?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"There you're wrong, sir. The lass don't know -more than a babby about such things; and as for -signals, I don't know nothing about 'em myself."</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt looked crestfallen.</p> -<p class="pnext">"One theory exploded," remarked Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Did 'ee signal for help last night?" asked -Rogers.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, we----" Pratt began, but Warrender -interrupted him.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, we hadn't time," he said. "The fire came -on us too suddenly. By the way, we shall have to -buy some new things. I suppose Blevins can -provide us with a tent?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Surely, sir; he've most everything somewhere -about. I always thought no good 'ud come of -camping on that island. There's a fate in it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"How long has it had this ill name?" asked -Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not so long, sir. You see, nobody bothered -much about it after the old man died years ago. -It didn't belong to no one, seemingly; there was -nothing to take any of the folk there; and 'twasn't -till a month or two ago that they began to talk of -sperits. Nick Rush came in all of a tremble one -night--he'd been away for a bit--and said he was -setting a snare there when he heard most horrible -groanings and moanings. He took some of the -folk along, and they heard 'em too, and ever since -then the village have give it a wide berth. You're -well out of it, that's what I say. Not as ghosts -carry matches, though; I reckon 'twas one of you -young gentlemen a-smoking as did the mischief."</p> -<p class="pnext">"A lesson to us, Rogers," said Pratt, gravely. -"Smoking is a very bad habit, according to our -masters at school--who all smoke like -furnaces--they ought to know."</p> -<p class="pnext">They had hardly finished breakfast when -Mr. Crawshay drove down to the ferry in a light trap, -crossing on foot.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's true, then," he said, as he entered the -parlour. "I knew nothing about it until an hour -ago. A lighted match, they say."</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt got up and closed the door.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let them say, sir. We were burnt out."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You don't say so! Upon my word, it's time -something was done. Have you lost much?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Almost everything but our clothes."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Scandalous! Then you'll come up to the house?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We'd rather keep to our arrangement, sir," -said Warrender. "It will give us a better chance -of running the fellows to earth. We think of -making a thorough search on the island. The -difficulty is that we can't do it by daylight; we -are sure to be watched, at any rate for a day or -two. There's another difficulty. They're sure to -keep their eye on our motor-boat and dinghy; it -will be too risky to use them. Of course, we -could swim the river, but it would be a bit of a -nuisance."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I can help you there. You had better not -use my skiff, but I've an old Norwegian pram in -one of my outhouses----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"A what, sir?" asked Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"A pram--a sort of abbreviated punt. At one -time I used it for fishing on the river. It's small -and very light; two of you could carry it. You -had better fetch it yourselves; my men might talk -in the village. I have set them clearing a camping-place -for you, by the way. It's about half-way -between here and the island. But I can't lend you -a tent."</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender explained that he proposed to buy -one of the general dealer.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Very well," said Mr. Crawshay. "I shall -expect you to lunch. We'll talk over things then -more at leisure."</p> -<p class="pnext">While Warrender went off to do the necessary -shopping, Armstrong and Pratt, in the dinghy, set -out for their new camping-place. It lay on the -shore of a little natural bay some fifteen yards -deep and about half that width. Mr. Crawshay's -gardeners had already mown the long grass and -lopped some of the lower branches of overhanging -trees. A ten minutes' walk through the wood and -across fields brought the two boys to the house, -where Mr. Crawshay had already arrived. Having -seen that none of his men were about, the old -gentleman led them to the outhouse in which he -kept his pram; and by the time that Warrender, -conveying his purchases in the motor-boat, reached -the new encampment, the others had carried the -odd little craft across the fields, and found a secure -hiding-place for it in the wood a little distance from -the bay, almost opposite to the north end of the -island, near a spot convenient for landing under -cover of the trees. With it Mr. Crawshay had lent -them a couple of light oars.</p> -<p class="pnext">After erecting their new tent--a sorry specimen -compared with the one that had been destroyed--they -went up to the house for lunch, discussed their -plans with Mr. Crawshay privately in his study, and -returned to fence the camp with barbed wire and -get things in order. So far there had been no sign -of the enemy; but in the course of the afternoon -Armstrong climbed a tree from which, unobserved -himself, he could obtain a view of the opposite bank -of the river, and discovered without surprise that -a spy was lurking among the bushes. No doubt -all their ostensible proceedings had been watched, -and they congratulated themselves on the illusion -of mere defensiveness which their business-like -activity must have created.</p> -<p class="pnext">During the remainder of the day they were -careful not to depart from their usual procedure. -They had an early supper; when they had -cleared away and washed up, they placed three -oddly assorted and shabby deck-chairs, purchased -from Blevins, in front of the tent, and while -Armstrong and Warrender read newspapers, Pratt -warbled sentimental ditties to the accompaniment -of his banjo.</p> -<p class="pnext">Just before dark Pratt and Armstrong went into -the tent to go to bed, while Warrender perambulated -the camp armed with a thick club. The spin of a -coin had decided that he should remain on guard -while the others paid a nocturnal visit to the -island.</p> -<p class="pnext">About midnight, when it was quite dark, the two -raiders crept out of the tent, and striking inland for -a little, made their roundabout way to the spot -where the pram was hidden. Reconnoitring -carefully, to assure themselves that their movements -had not been followed, they lifted the pram, -lowered it gently into the water, and pushed off, -floating on the tide near the bank, and steering with -one oar in the stern. They struck the shore of the -island about midway, seized a projecting branch, -and drawing their craft into the bank, pulled it up -among the reeds at the edge. Then they started to -cross the island.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was pitch-dark in the thicket. Spreading -roots and trailing brambles tripped their feet; -their faces were lashed by the foliage as they pushed -their way through; thorns caught at their clothes. -It was difficult to avoid noise. Twigs snapped -underfoot, branches creaked and rustled, and every -now and again there was a strident shriek of -rent clothing as they tore themselves from the -embrace of some clinging bramble. Heedless of the -obstacles, hot and weary, they plodded doggedly -on, and presently, after making unconscionably -slow progress, they emerged upon the bank of the -river. The stream looked much wider than they -had expected.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Whereabouts are we?" whispered Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We've come too far south, I fancy," returned -Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">They peered up and down, trying vainly to -discover some landmark. They stood listening; -there was breeze enough to cause the moaning, but -they heard no sound except the rustle of the leaves -and the gentle gurgle of the tide. They cast about, -taking wary steps up stream and down; hoping in -one direction or the other to come upon the -wilderness garden.</p> -<p class="pnext">Suddenly Pratt whispered: "I say, this isn't a -tidal river, is it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No; it always flows down," replied Armstrong. "Why?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Because----"</p> -<p class="pnext">And then he stopped.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Look here," he murmured to Armstrong behind him.</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong looked, and there, at Pratt's feet, was -the dark shape of the pram, nestling in its bed of -reeds.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hang!" exclaimed Armstrong. "We've been -going in a circle."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Just so. Everybody does it!" said Pratt, -with a chuckle. "I suspected it when I noticed -the way the stream was flowing."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nothing to chortle about," Armstrong growled. -"We've had all our trouble for nothing. Absolutely -waste time!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"But look how we've enlarged our experience! -I think I'd like to be a traveller, like my old uncle. -I've read about these circular tours often enough, -but never believed in 'em. Why can't one walk -straight in the dark?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ask your grandmother! I'm fed up; scratched -all over, too. I'll not try this again without a -luminous compass. Let's get back."</p> -<p class="pnext">It was nearly two o'clock before they trudged -wearily into camp.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Any luck?" asked Warrender, still doing sentry-go.</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt related what had happened.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I'm glad for once I lost the toss," said -Warrender, smiling. "We'll certainly get a -luminous compass, and I fancy we'd be the better -for a few lessons from the Boy Scouts."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="underground">CHAPTER XV</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">UNDERGROUND</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">The change of camp had relieved the boys of one -irksome tie. There was no longer any need for a -constant guard. The barbed wire, and Warrender's -patrolling of the camp, were merely ruses for the -deception of the enemy. Next morning, therefore, -for the first time since their arrival, all three went -off together in the motor-boat, to make a trip down -the river and along the coast westward. They -threw a keen glance at Rush's hut as they turned -the point. Its door was closed; nobody was -about; and the only human being they saw in -the course of their expedition was one solitary -figure moving slowly along the top of the -cliff--possibly a coastguard.</p> -<p class="pnext">They lunched on the boat, and did not return -until afternoon. Leaving the others to prepare -tea, Warrender went on to the village, bought a -small luminous compass, and an electric torch -from Blevins's miscellaneous stock, and a few buns -at the baker's. When he regained the camp, his -companions reported that there was no sign of its -still being kept under observation--by this time -the enemy was probably persuaded that their only -wish was to be left alone. While they were having -tea, Rush rowed slowly past, going down stream. -He did not turn his head towards them, but Pratt -declared that he had given them a sly glance out -of the tail of his eye.</p> -<p class="pnext">To keep up appearances, they decided that one -of them should remain on guard that night as -before. The lot fell upon Pratt. At nightfall the -others, equipped with the compass and torch and -two short stout sticks, put off in the pram, and, -landing on the island, without much difficulty -struck their old clearing--now clearer than ever, -and redolent of smoke and fire---and wound their -way to the ruined cottage. The moaning sounded -more eerie than they had yet heard it, rising and -falling with the fitful gusts.</p> -<p class="pnext">When they reached the old garden, they bent -low, approached the ruins under cover of the -tallest plants, and waited a while at the foot of -the wall before venturing into the entrance. -Warrender kept guard on the lower floor while -Armstrong, who knew the place better, explored the -upper storey thoroughly with the aid of the torch, -which he kept carefully shaded from outside view. -Above his head, somewhere on the roof, the dismal -note sounded continually. He went into the -eastern room from which he had seen the signal -light. No light was visible. Returning below -stairs, he examined the whole of the premises with -equal care. Everything was as it had been. -There was nothing to indicate that any one had -entered the place since his last visit.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We shall have to make a night of it," said -Warrender. "It was morning when Pratt saw -some one in the lower room. It doesn't follow -that he comes every morning, or, indeed, that he -has ever come again; but we had better wait on -the chance."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let us go upstairs, then, and sit against the -wall where we can see the window. I don't -believe that signal can be seen from the sea, and -the fact that it can be seen from here seems to -show that the signaller expects some one to be at -the cottage. It won't be easy to keep awake, but -we mustn't fall asleep together."</p> -<p class="pnext">With backs against the wall, arms folded, and -legs stretched on the floor, they sat watching. No -light shone; there was no sound but those -produced by the wind in the leaves and that -monotonous, provoking, doleful wail from the roof. -Hour after hour passed. Now and then each got -up in turn to stretch his limbs. One or the other -dozed at times. The still hours crept on; nothing -happened; it seemed that their patience was to -meet with no reward.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was not until the faint grey tint of early dawn -was stealing up the eastern horizon that a sound -below caught Armstrong's attentive ear. He -nudged Warrender dozing by his side. Grasping -their sticks, they rose and tiptoed to the doorway. -Some one was clumsily mounting the stairs. They -peeped out. At the farther end of the landing a -large, dark shape rose from the staircase, turned -at the head, and went into the western room. -Slipping off his boots, Warrender crept stealthily -along the wall and looked in after the intruder. -The room was dark, but, against the twilight -framed by the window-opening, he saw the legs -and feet of a man disappearing upwards outside. -In a few moments there came scraping sounds -from the roof; the moaning suddenly ceased, and -after a little the man's feet reappeared; he was -lowering himself into the room. Warrender stole -back; at Armstrong's side he watched the man -return across the landing to the staircase, and -heard his heavy footsteps as he descended.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Watch from this window; I'll go to the other," -whispered Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">From these posts of observation, commanding -almost the whole of the surroundings of the cottage, -they looked for the emergence of the visitor. He -did not appear; nor, after his footsteps had ceased, -did they hear a sound. Had he gone into one of -the lower rooms? Leaving Armstrong to keep -watch at his window, Warrender, in his stockinged -feet, stole down the stairs, and peeped into each -of the rooms and the kitchen and scullery in turn. -The dawn was growing; but the man was not to -be seen. All was silent. A slight whistle -summoned Armstrong; together the boys quietly and -rapidly ranged the lower floor, taking advantage -of the increasing light to search for some secret -hiding-place, some recess or cranny in the wall. -There was nothing. The walls were too thin to -enclose space enough for a man to hide. Where -had he gone? He had not left the place by -doorway or window; he must be somewhere within.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The cellar!" said Armstrong, remembering -the scrap of paper he had found there.</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender ran upstairs, slipped on his boots, and -returned. The door at the head of the cellar -staircase was closed. They opened it gently, -listening. There was no sound from below. -Cautiously, step by step, they descended. At -the foot of the staircase they held their breath for -a moment. Then Warrender flashed the torch. -The cellar was empty. They examined every inch -of the walls up to the height of a man. The -brick-work was whole; not a brick was displaced, not a -seam of mortar missing. They tramped over the -black, dusty floor; everywhere it was solid; there -was no hollow ringing beneath their feet. Scraping -away a little of the coal dust, they found that the -floor also was of brick except at the foot of the -steps, where there was a large flagstone. Something -caught Armstrong's eye. He stooped.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Look here," he said. The joint between the -flagstone and the brickwork of the floor had a -sharp, well-defined edge. The crevice was free -from coal dust.</p> -<p class="pnext">"A little suspicious, eh?" said Warrender. -"Stamp on the stone."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hold hard! What if that fellow is underneath it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We've got to the point where we must take -risks. But it's not credible that any one actually -lives down below, even if there is a below. Try a -kick or two."</p> -<p class="pnext">But there was no ringing sound when Armstrong -stamped; the stone was either laid firmly -on the earth, or it was so thick that, if there was a -hollow beneath it, the fact would not be detected. -Nor, when Armstrong trod heavily all over its -surface, was there the slightest sign of movement.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Feel along the edge," Warrender suggested.</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong went down on hands and knees and -drew his finger along the base of the lowest step.</p> -<p class="pnext">"A slight crack here, at the left end," he said.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Big enough to get your finger in?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No; it can't be more than an eighth of an inch -wide. It's upright, between the step and the wall. -Looks as if the stone has shifted."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, if you can't get your finger in, try your -knife blade."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Wait a bit, there's another crack, smaller still, -right along the edge of the step, between it and the -upright slab."</p> -<p class="pnext">They had both lowered their voices to a whisper. -Armstrong gave the upright a push, near the middle. -It was firm, unyielding. But pushing leftwards, he -felt a slight movement, and at the extreme end, a -very gentle pressure caused the slab to swing -inwards easily, the right half of it at the same time -moving outwards.</p> -<p class="pnext">"By gum, it works on a pivot!" exclaimed -Armstrong, under his breath. "We're on the -track! But this opening's only about six inches -wide; nobody but a baby could crawl through it."</p> -<p class="pnext">For a few moments they held their breath, -listening for sounds. All was silent. Then -Warrender dropped on all fours and shone his torch -into the dark gap. The space was empty. Armstrong -thrust in his hand, and felt over the earthen -floor, then along the edge of the flagstone, and -finally beneath it.</p> -<p class="pnext">"There's a hollow space here," he said. "And, -I say, here's a metal hand-grip just below the -flagstone."</p> -<p class="pnext">He tugged it; there was no movement. He -pushed it on each side in turn, still without result. -Baffled, he sat on his haunches.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's the hand-grip for?" he said. "Obviously -for moving something. Then why doesn't -anything move?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Perhaps it can only be operated from below," -Warrender suggested. "If this is an entrance to -the cellar, it may be left open when any one comes -this way."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's not likely. An entrance that can only -be opened from one side isn't worth much. No, -something sticks, and if that fellow went through -a few minutes ago, it can't be for want of use. -<em class="italics">Why</em> does it stick, then?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong pondered for a few moments, then -said suddenly, "Possibly it's my pressure on the -stone. Let's try."</p> -<p class="pnext">He moved back, so that the weight of his body -bore upon the rear instead of the fore end of the -stone. Then, however, he found that he could not -reach the hand-grip.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why not try the other side?" said Warrender. -"There may be another grip there."</p> -<p class="pnext">The other side of the staircase was open to the -cellar, and Armstrong was able to thrust his arm -into the aperture below the step without treading -on the flagstone.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Got it!" he said, a moment later. "There's -a grip here. It moves in a quarter-circle. -Something--a disk of stone, I fancy--is revolving."</p> -<p class="pnext">He pressed on the flagstone; still there was no -distinct movement downwards, though it seemed -to have yielded a trifle.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Clearly it won't shift until the other grip is -turned," he said. "But how to get at that?"</p> -<p class="pnext">After a little consideration he had another idea. -Going a few steps up the staircase, he turned, and -crawled down head first until he was able to get his -hand under the edge of the stone.</p> -<p class="pnext">"All right, old man," he said, cheerfully. "I've -moved the grip now. Keep clear of the other end -of the stone."</p> -<p class="pnext">Lying full stretch on the staircase, he pressed -on the stone beneath him. It sank gently; the -other end moved upwards, and in a few seconds -the stone stood upright in the middle of a dark gap. -Warrender bent down, holding the electric torch -just above the opening.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The bottom's only about five feet deep," he -said. "It's the end of some sort of passage. -Come down, old man, and we'll explore it together."</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 72%" id="figure-123"> -<span id="the-bottom-s-only-about-five-feet-deep"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-173.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"'THE BOTTOM'S ONLY ABOUT FIVE FEET DEEP.'"</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">They dropped lightly into the cavity. By the -light of the torch they saw that on each side a flat -circular wheel of stone, lacking one quadrant, -moved on an iron axle in such a way that a -half-turn of the hand-grip removed the support of the -flagstone and allowed the corner to drop down. -The flagstone was nicely balanced on a revolving -iron rod let into a socket at each end. This -contrivance formed the entrance to a narrow tunnel -about four feet wide, and something over five -feet high in the centre. Neither of the boys could -stand upright in it. The floor was of hard-beaten -earth; the walls and the arched roof were of -ancient brick, covered with an incrustation of -slimy moss.</p> -<p class="pnext">"An old smugglers' tunnel, I'll be bound," said -Armstrong. "It will be very odd if we have -struck a lair of modern smugglers. Just look at -your compass and see what direction it takes."</p> -<p class="pnext">The needle swung almost perpendicular to the -course of the tunnel.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Eastward," said Warrender. "That's strange. -I thought it probably ran south, to somewhere -near that place at the end of the island where we -saw the marks of a boat the other day."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It seems to shelve downward slightly. Looks -as if it runs under the channel."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Towards Pratt's uncle's grounds. Let's explore."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Better switch off your light, then. We can -find our way in the dark by touching the sides."</p> -<p class="pnext">They went forward in single file, stepping -gingerly, and bending their heads to avoid the -roof. The air smelt musty and dank, and was -unpleasant and oppressive. For a time the floor -sloped gently downwards, but presently they were -aware that it had taken an upward trend.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We've crossed the channel," said Armstrong -in a whisper that the vaulted walls made -unnaturally loud.</p> -<p class="pnext">A little later they noticed ahead of them a space -dimly illuminated. Moving forward cautiously, -they found themselves at the bottom of a circular -shaft. Far above them they saw daylight in -parallel streaks.</p> -<p class="pnext">"A dry well," murmured Warrender, "roughly -boarded over." Consulting his compass, he added, -"Still eastwards. Rummy if the tunnel goes to -the Red House."</p> -<p class="pnext">Pursuing their way in utter darkness as before, -the floor still rising very slightly, they became -aware by and by that the tunnel had enlarged. -From the centre they could not touch the wall on -either side, and the greater lightness of the air -gave them a sense of spaciousness. Suddenly -Armstrong, who was leading, stumbled over -something on the floor and fell forward. His hands, -instinctively thrust out, were arrested by a bundle -encased in tarpaulin. He straightened himself. -For a moment or two they waited, straining their -ears. There was no sound.</p> -<p class="pnext">"A light," murmured Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">The light revealed that they had arrived at a -small chamber about twelve feet square and seven -or eight feet high. The farther end was broken -by the tunnel. In each side wall, a foot below -the roof, were let a couple of iron rings, deeply -rusted.</p> -<p class="pnext">"For holding torches," said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">The chamber was empty except for three bundles -on the floor. It was over one of these that -Armstrong had stumbled. Two of them were -completely covered with tarpaulin, and roped; the -third was partly open at the top.</p> -<p class="pnext">"They're like the bundles I saw Rush and the -other fellow carry up from the boat," said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Queer smuggling," said Warrender, bending -over the open bale. "It seems to hold nothing -but paper."</p> -<p class="pnext">He took up the topmost sheet. It was a thin, -semi-transparent paper, and crackled to the touch.</p> -<p class="pnext">"This isn't newspaper," he said.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Cigarette paper, perhaps," said Armstrong. -"But where's the 'baccy?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can't smell any. I wonder how much farther -the tunnel goes?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Entering it at the extreme end of the chamber, -Warrender came within a yard to a contrivance -similar to that which gave access from the cellar.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Here's the end," he said. "Look, the grips -are turned. Shall we risk lifting the stone?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dangerous," said Armstrong. "Goodness -knows where we'd find ourselves."</p> -<p class="pnext">Scarcely had he spoken when from above came -the dull sound of footsteps. Switching off the -light, Warrender backed into the chamber and -hastily crossed it with Armstrong, both moving -on tiptoe. They re-entered the tunnel, crept along -for a few yards, then halted, listening breathlessly. -They heard the footsteps of one man in the chamber -they had just left. The footsteps ceased, and were -followed by a rustling. It seemed clear that their -presence was unsuspected, and they ventured to -tiptoe back until, near the opening of the tunnel, -they were able to peep into the chamber. By the -dim light that came through the aperture left open -by the revolved flagstone on the farther side, they -saw a short, stout man drawing sheets of paper -from the opened package. He counted them as he -took them up, and presently turned, carried them -through the opening, and let down the flagstone -behind him. There was not light enough by which -to identify him.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 75%" id="figure-124"> -<span id="they-saw-a-short-stout-man-drawing-sheets-of-paper-from-the-opened-package"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-177.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"THEY SAW A SHORT, STOUT MAN DRAWING SHEETS OF PAPER FROM THE OPENED PACKAGE."</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">The boys re-entered the chamber, and listened -until the sound of his retreating footsteps above -had died away. Then Warrender switched on the -light, took a sheet of paper from the top of the bale, -folded it, and put it into his breast pocket.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now for home," he whispered. "We've -something for Percy to start a new theory on."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="watermarks">CHAPTER XVI</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">WATERMARKS</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">As they began to retrace their steps through the -tunnel, Armstrong said--</p> -<p class="pnext">"If we count our paces we shall have some sort -of an idea where we've been to. We know the -tunnel runs pretty nearly due east from the ruins, -and there must be a building at the end. It seems -to me it's a choice between the Red House and -that old tower. There's no other."</p> -<p class="pnext">"True. Well, we'll both count. Bet you we -don't agree."</p> -<p class="pnext">"People never do agree when the count is a -long one. Besides, we can't keep step in the dark, -unless we left-right all the way, and I'm hanged if -I do that!"</p> -<p class="pnext">They started. Suddenly Warrender stopped.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I say, we shall look pretty green if some one -has discovered that open trap in our absence--Rush, -for example."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Frightful mugs, the two of us. We ought to -have closed it. But it's still very early in the -morning. Let's hope Rush isn't up with the lark. -Hang it. I've forgotten how many steps I'd -counted. What do you make it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Fifty-eight. Concentrate your mind, my son."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll start at fifty-nine, then. Don't you think -we might venture on a light now?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not for anything. The tunnel's straight, and -if you've ever been in a straight railway tunnel -you'll know a light can be seen for miles. Better -be on the safe side."</p> -<p class="pnext">They completed the course in darkness.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, what's your total?" asked Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Two hundred and eighty-three."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Mine's two hundred and ninety-one. Not so bad."</p> -<p class="pnext">On emerging into the cellar, they replaced the -flagstone and made sure that the hand-grips were -turned as they had found them. Then they -mounted to the upper floor of the cottage.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I want to discover how that moaning is caused," -said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"But it means shinning up to the roof," said -Warrender. "It's broad daylight now. You -might be seen."</p> -<p class="pnext">"So I might. Well, let's take a look over -Ambrose Pratt's grounds."</p> -<p class="pnext">They went into the eastern room. The tower, -a little south of the house, appeared to be slightly -the nearer to them, but, ignorant as they were -of the exact length of their paces, they agreed that -the end of the tunnel might lie beneath either -of the buildings.</p> -<p class="pnext">Going then into the room facing south, they -started back from the window. Rush was tramping -along the weedy path leading to the southern -end of the island.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Lucky I didn't climb!" murmured Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">They watched the man. He seemed to be a little -suspicious, stopping every now and again to listen -and look round. Presently he disappeared into -the thicket.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Safe to go now?" asked Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let's wait a bit."</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender kept his eyes fixed on the stretch of -river which was visible over the low trees -southward. After a while he saw a small boat moving -slowly down stream.</p> -<p class="pnext">"All right now," he remarked. "I dare say -he's been spying out on our camp from the north -end. Hope he hasn't missed us."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Or found our pram! Come on, I want my breakfast."</p> -<p class="pnext">They stepped out of the cottage, regained the -western shore, discovered the pram where they -had concealed it, and, having crossed the river -unobserved, so far as they knew, laid the craft in -its former hiding-place, and returned to camp. -Pratt was busy at the paraffin stove.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What ho!" he exclaimed. "One must feed, -even when pain and anguish wring the brow. I -made sure the spooks or some one had got you, -and after fortifying myself with bacon and eggs I -was going up to ask old Crawshay whether an -inquest would be necessary. You look very much -washed out. Been on the tiles?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll wring your neck if you don't hand over -that frying-pan," said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thy necessity is greater than mine. As you -know, I'd lick Philip Sidney or any other old -paladin in chivalry. Eat, drink, and be merry. -There's enough coffee brewed for us all. Make a -fair division of the bacon and eggs between you, -and I'll fry some more in a brace of shakes. I say, -I am jolly glad to see you! I've had the deuce of -a time!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"More pin-pricks?" asked Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No. But I'm blessed--or cursed--with a very -vivid imagination, as you are aware. I stayed up -till daybreak, expecting you back every minute, -and when you didn't come I got in a regular stew, -saw you tumble from the roof, and your members -all disjected over the garden--horrid sight! Saw -you knocked on the head, trussed and gagged in -the cellar; boated off to France; growing -white-haired in a dungeon like that fellow in the -Bastille--you know, finger nails a yard long--mice -and rats and toads. Toads were the last straw, -I saw 'em hopping about, and----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"That bacon done?" said Armstrong. "How -many bottles of ginger-beer did you drink?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I am not drunk, most noble Festus. But I -say, what <em class="italics">did</em> happen?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'd have told you already," said Warrender, -"only I couldn't get a word in."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's the reward of patience! I only -twaddled, you juggins, to give you a chance to -feed. You did both look awfully done up. The -hue of health is returning now. Fire away, then!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender, between the mouthfuls, related the -experiences of the night, Pratt showing unusual -self-restraint as a listener.</p> -<p class="pnext">"My poor old uncle!" he exclaimed at the conclusion -of the story. "He can't be convicted as -an accessory, can he?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Of course not," replied Warrender. "No one -could hold him responsible for what his foreign -crew are doing in his absence. It's a pity you -don't know where he's gone. A cable or a -Marconigram would bring him home post-haste."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I might, perhaps, ask Gradoff for his last -address."</p> -<p class="pnext">"The less we have to do with Gradoff the better, -until we have got to the bottom of the business. -Just run down to the boat, will you, and bring up -our map."</p> -<p class="pnext">The scale of the map was two inches to the mile. -A moment's examination proved that the tower, -marked on the map, lay within a radius of -one-eighth of a mile from the island.</p> -<p class="pnext">"There isn't much doubt that the far end of the -tunnel is under the tower," said Warrender. -"The house is a trifle beyond. Didn't you ever -hear of the smugglers' passage, Percy?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Never. All I know about it is the tradition -that some one was starved in the tower centuries -ago. My sister and I used to play in it as kids; -it was a mere ruin then; no roof, no boarding on -the windows."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I wonder if a local guide-book would give any -information?" said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good idea! We'll see presently," said Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"But we're not studying antiquities," Warrender -remarked. "The essential point is, what -are those beggars using the place for now? What -are they doing with those bales of paper? Come -into the tent, and I'll show you the specimen I -bagged."</p> -<p class="pnext">Within the shelter of the tent he unfolded -the sheet, and the others bent over it curiously, -fingering it.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It has a sort of parchmenty feel, and it's -much too thick for cigarette paper," said Pratt. -"Is there a watermark?" He held it up to the -sunlight.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Jiminy!" he exclaimed. Whipping out his -pocket-book he took a pound note, and held it -beside the larger sheet. "Look here! The -watermark's almost, but not quite, the same. A dashed -clever imitation. Here are the words, 'One pound,' -crowns, diagonal hatchings--everything. The -beggars are forging Bradburys."</p> -<p class="pnext">The sinister discovery almost robbed the others -of breath. There could be little room for doubt. -Such paper, so marked, could be used for only one -purpose. A flood of light was poured on all the -mysterious events of the past week. The paper was -brought from abroad, and landed as a rule on the -island in preference to the coast, to avoid the risk -of interference by coastguards; also, no doubt, for -greater ease of transport. Rush was employed -because he was a well-known figure in the -neighbourhood, and could go up and down the river in -his boat without awakening suspicion. He might -or might not know the contents of the bales; -what was clear was that the printing of the notes -must be done either in the tower or in Mr. Pratt's -house. The foreigners had entered his service -with no other end in view than their criminal -work. Gradoff, the head of the gang, had probably -known in advance of Mr. Pratt's intention to -travel, and had astutely seized the opportunity of -carrying on his operations in this remote spot, on -the premises of an eccentric gentleman who was -something of a recluse, and prone to quarrel with -his neighbours.</p> -<p class="pnext">"They're clever blackguards," said Pratt. "No -wonder the island is haunted! And I say, Molly -Rod's peculiar actions the other day are explained. -She has found out what's going on, and being a -decent Englishwoman, wants to stop it, husband -or no husband. You may say what you like, -Jack; I'm certain it is she who makes those signals, -and, of course, my poor old uncle is absolutely -ignorant of everything. He'll be in a terrific bait -when he knows."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's our next move to be?" asked -Warrender. "Inform the police?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Certainly not that fellow who yarned about -arson the other night," said Armstrong. "It's a -matter for the Chief Constable."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Or Mr. Crawshay? He's a magistrate," -suggested Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And an impetuous old hothead," rejoined -Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Plenty of common sense, though," said -Warrender. "You remember, he said a good case is -often lost through being ill prepared? Well, we've -still only suspicion to go on. There's no earthly -doubt about it, of course; but wouldn't it be best -to catch the forgers in the act before we call in -the law?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"It means loss of time," said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That doesn't matter to us. You see, if we set -the authorities at work now, they might send a -bobby to the house to make inquiries, and give -clever scoundrels like those a chance to get away. -But if we can go to them and say definitely, 'An -international gang of forgers is printing notes in -the Red House, and here's one of the forgeries,' -the matter becomes much more important, and -they'd take steps to secure the whole crowd without -the possibility of failure. To my mind we'd better -keep everything a dead secret until we've got -positive proof."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I concur with my learned brother," said Pratt. -"Besides, we've got so far with it that I own I -should hate to see it taken out of our hands. -Furthermore and finally, it's good sport, and a -ripping holiday adventure."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's the best argument of the lot," said -Armstrong. "The only sound one. I confess I'd -like to get into the tower, and see them at it."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We'll go through the tunnel again to-night," -said Warrender. "If we can't find an entry that -way, we'll try the outside."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I make a third to-night," said Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We must leave some one in camp, if only for -appearance's sake," said Warrender. "I think -Armstrong and I had better go again, as we know -the course. Hope you don't mind. Your turn -will come, Percy."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I'd like to feel myself a martyr, but -unluckily I've got a certain amount of common -sense, and I can't help admitting you're right. -Hadn't you better take a snooze, then?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I intend to," said Armstrong. "We'll sleep till -lunch; this afternoon we'll go to the village and get -a guide-book. We want some more bacon, too."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And I'll start preparing our case," said Pratt. -"We'd better have it in writing, so I'll draw up -an account of our discoveries so far. Shouldn't -wonder if it becomes a classic document in the -archives of Scotland Yard."</p> -<p class="pnext">After lunch Armstrong and Warrender set off -up the river in the dinghy for the sake of exercise. -They made various purchases in the village, and -obtained a small guide-book at the post office. -It contained a few lines about the tower, which -Warrender read aloud as they returned to the -ferry: "In the grounds of the Red House are the -remains of a square tower, believed to date from -the troublous times of King Stephen. There is a -tradition that in the thirteenth century a certain -baron was incarcerated there by an ancestor of -the present owner, and starved to death. At one -time open to the public, since tourists cut their -initials in the oaken beams it has been closed to -sightseers."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not a word about smugglers, you see," -remarked Warrender. "The secret was evidently -very well kept."</p> -<p class="pnext">Rogers happened to be cleaning his windows as -they passed, and they turned to have a chat with -him. Warrender discreetly led the conversation -to the subject of the tower.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay, 'tis the only old ancient curiosity we've -got in these parts," said the innkeeper. "I know -the place, though I haven't been there since I was -a nipper, thirty odd years ago. Us youngsters -used to like to climb the winding stairs; 'twas open -in those days. Had no roof then. Mr. Pratt a -few years back did some restoring, as they call it; -put on a flat roof. My friend Saunders, his old -butler, told me the top room was used as a sort of -museum; Mr. Pratt kept there a whole lot of -curiosities he'd collected in his travels. I mind -as how my neighbour Parsons, the builder, was -affronted because the building job was done by a -firm from Dartmouth, and so far as I know none -of the village folk have been inside the place since. -Mr. Pratt was very particular after he'd rigged up -his museum; wouldn't let anybody in except his -special cronies; and 'tis always locked up when -he's away, so if you young gents had an idea of -visiting it, I'm afeard you'll be disappointed."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We should certainly have liked to see the -museum," said Warrender. "There's nothing else -very interesting, apparently. But no doubt the -curiosities are valuable, and Mr. Pratt is quite -right to lock up the place. Have you seen your -sister, by the way?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not a sign of her. She've deserted us quite. -She won't even see Henery Drew's milkman, I -suppose becos Henery fought her husband's friend, -Jensen. I call it downright silly, but there, who'd -be so bold as to say what a woman'll do next? -There's my missus----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now, Joe," called Mrs. Rogers from within, -"get on with they winders, my man. There's all -the pewters to shine afore opening time."</p> -<p class="pnext">Rogers gave the boys his usual rueful smile, and -they went on their way. Rowing with their faces -up stream, they did not notice until they pulled in -to the landing-place above the camp that the -motor-boat no longer lay at her moorings.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Have those beggars let her drift again?" said -Warrender, angrily. "Pratt!" he called.</p> -<p class="pnext">There was no answer. They looked down the -river. The boat was not in sight. Hurrying to -the tent, with the expectation of finding Pratt -asleep there, they discovered that it was untenanted.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What the dickens!" exclaimed Warrender. -"Surely he hasn't gone larking with the boat? -He always prided himself on knowing nothing -about her working!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Seems to me they've run off with him and the -boat too," said Armstrong. "Where's his banjo, -by the way?"</p> -<p class="pnext">It was neither in the tent nor on the chair -outside, where Pratt sometimes left it.</p> -<p class="pnext">They looked blankly at each other for a moment, -then Warrender exclaimed--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Come on! This is serious! I can't believe -he's kidnapped. What's the use of that? Let us -row down--perhaps he hasn't gone far."</p> -<p class="pnext">They ran to the bank, sprang into the dinghy, -and sculled rapidly down stream, every now and -then turning their heads to scan the river, the -banks, the island, for a sign of the motor-boat. -They had almost reached the mouth when -Armstrong suddenly cried--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Listen! Isn't that a banjo?"</p> -<p class="pnext">They shipped oars. Faintly on the breeze from -seaward came the strains of "Three Blind Mice." A -few strokes brought the rowers round the slight -bend. Looking out to sea they descried, about half -a mile away, the motor-boat, stationary, lapped by -white-crested wavelets.</p> -<p class="pnext">"By George! He's picked up some girls," -exclaimed Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">There were certainly two parasols, a pink and a -blue, at the stern of the boat.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The young dog!" cried Warrender. "And got -them stranded on a sandbank. But 'Three Blind -Mice!' He's a rummy idea of entertaining girls."</p> -<p class="pnext">The sound of the banjo ceased. "Ahoy!" -came from the boat, and the two parasols were -agitated. The scullers pulled on.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Heavens! It's Mrs. Crawshay and her -daughter," said Warrender, after glancing over -his shoulder. Armstrong grinned.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Twig?" he said. "Master Percy has been showing off."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Silly young ass! Jolly lucky he hasn't wrecked -'em! I shall have to talk to him."</p> -<p class="pnext">They rowed almost up to the boat, keeping clear -of the sandbank.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hullo, old sports," said Pratt. "Really, Phil, -you ought to carry a chart--an up-to-date one, -you know, that would show all the coral reefs and -other traps for the hapless navigator. The -Admiralty ought to mark 'em with buoys or lightships -or something, but you can never expect anything -from the Government. There's no danger, of -course. I assured the ladies that they needn't be -the least bit nervous or frightened, but it's annoying -to be pulled up when you don't want to be. I'm -sure a 'bus conductor must get frightfully annoyed -when the old 'bus is spanking along and somebody -wants to get in or out. I dare say you've noticed -it, Mrs. Crawshay; the conductor is so ratty at -being interrupted that he simply won't see the -umbrella you're waving at him from the kerb. -Mrs. Crawshay and Miss Crawshay were kind enough -to pay a call on us at the camp this afternoon. It -was just after you had gone, and as it was far too -early for tea, I thought it would be interesting--what -they call a treat, you know"--Pratt's -impetuous tongue had fairly run away with his <em class="italics">savoir -faire</em>--"to take the ladies for a spin, especially as -they had never been in a motor-boat before. I -promised faithfully to bring them back to tea; -you got some meringues and things, of course--and -I have a distinct grudge against fate for -making me out to be not a man of my word. -There's no armour against----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, Mr. Pratt, please!" Lilian Crawshay -implored. "Mr. Warrender, can you get us off?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I have given up all hope of tea," said -Mrs. Crawshay, good-temperedly. "We have friends -coming to dinner, and Mr. Pratt tells me that we -must wait till the tide turns. Will that be long?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Three hours or so, I'm afraid," replied -Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dear, dear! We shall be very late, Lilian," -said Mrs. Crawshay.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can't you tug us off?" asked the girl.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'm sorry to say we haven't a hawser. But I -think we could pull the dinghy near enough for -you to get into it, if Mrs. Crawshay would venture?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll venture anything rather than wait here -three hours," said the lady, "though Mr. Pratt has -been most kind. I have really quite enjoyed it, -but three hours more, you know----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"It would be rather awful!" said Warrender, -with a glance at Pratt, who having succeeded -in his object, to prevent certain disclosures, was -mopping his brow in the background. Now, -however, he came forward.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's right, Phil," he said. "No nearer, or -you'll run aground too."</p> -<p class="pnext">He leapt overboard, and stood up to his knees in -water. "I'll hold the boat's nose, Mrs. Crawshay. -Or perhaps I might take you in my arms and----" -"Bless the boy! You're getting your feet wet. -No, no! I don't think you shall take me in your arms."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Or try pick-a-back? Or shall I make myself -into a gangway for you to walk over? I'd stand -perfectly firm."</p> -<p class="pnext">"If you would give me a hand! Lilian, my -dear, jump in first. Then you can each give me a -hand, and I shall manage very nicely. Dear me! -What an adventure for an old woman!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not at all," said Pratt. "I mean----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I am sure you do," said Mrs. Crawshay, -interrupting. "Will you take my parasol?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt meekly relieved her of the parasol, then -turned to help the girl into the dinghy. Lilian, -however, sprang in without his aid, and between -them the two boys assisted the mother, who gave -a sigh of relief as she sank down upon the thwart.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 72%" id="figure-125"> -<span id="between-them-the-two-boys-assisted-the-mother"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-193.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"BETWEEN THEM THE TWO BOYS ASSISTED THE MOTHER"</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"We'll come back for you presently, Pratt," -said Warrender, stiffly. "Don't attempt to run -up, mind."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good-bye, Mr. Pratt," said Mrs. Crawshay. -"And thank you so much. When you come up to -dinner, be sure to bring your banjo."</p> -<p class="pnext">The two boys pulled off, Pratt climbing back -into the motor-boat.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What a clever, amusing person Mr. Pratt is," -said Mrs. Crawshay to Armstrong, facing her. -"So ready! And an excellent performer on the -banjo! We could never be dull in his company. -He talked most amusingly, then sang us song after -song. Don't you think 'Two Eyes of Blue' very -pretty, Mr.----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rather sentimental, isn't it?" said Armstrong, -blushing.</p> -<p class="pnext">"All his songs are sentimental. He was playing -a very funny tune, though, when you came round -the bend. I was sure his voice was getting tired, -and asked him just to play. The tune was quite -unknown to me, but I thought it very cheering."</p> -<p class="pnext">Meanwhile, at the other end of the boat, Lilian -had been giving explanations to Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He intended just to bring us to the mouth of -the river, but seemed to have some difficulty in -turning round. I think he said he wanted more -sea-room. At any rate, he ran out to sea, and -then we stuck on that wretched sandbank. He -talked and sang to amuse us; he has quite a -pleasant voice, but his songs are dreadfully -sentimental, aren't they?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Frightful tosh!" returned Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, it was very good of him, especially when -he must have been much annoyed at the mishap, -which, of course, wasn't his fault."</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, of course not," said Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You speak as if you thought it was."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, no. Any one might run on a hidden -sandbank. But the fact is----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"You see, he was in charge of the camp."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You mean he oughtn't to have come at all?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Naturally he thought it would please you and -Mrs. Crawshay, but----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh!"</p> -<p class="pnext">The girl said no more.</p> -<p class="pnext">"She thought I was jealous, or huffy, or -something," Warrender confided to Armstrong later. -"I wonder what she'd have said if I'd told her -that the idiot had never run a motor-boat before?"</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="the-topmost-room">CHAPTER XVII</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">THE TOPMOST ROOM</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">It was in the evening twilight that Armstrong -and Warrender put off in the pram for their second -expedition to the tunnel. On reaching the ruins, -Warrender posted himself in one of the lower -rooms, while Armstrong mounted to the upper -floor, intent on discovering the source of the -ghostly moans. Climbing out of the window -opening, and pulling aside the ivy, he found that -steps had been made in the brickwork of the -crumbling wall, by means of which any one with -a steady head might with ease ascend to the roof. -And there, behind one of the gables, partly -protected from the weather, he came upon a long -metal organ pipe laid flat, and near it a large -funnel-shaped object. A strong breeze was blowing -from the south-west, but the organ pipe gave forth -no sound.</p> -<p class="pnext">Still puzzled as to the manner in which the -sound was produced, and reflecting that Pratt -would probably have jumped to it at once, -Armstrong heard a low whistle from below. He -scrambled hastily down, and had only just slipped -into the eastern room when he heard lumbering -footsteps upon the stairs. From the doorway he -watched the man whom he had seen in the morning. -A minute or two after the new-comer had entered -the western room, the moaning broke out. -Armstrong waited until the man had descended and all -was quiet again, then once more climbed upon the -roof. The mystery was solved. The funnel had -been so adjusted as to catch the wind, and direct -it with some force into the mouth of the organ pipe. -It turned like a weather-cock, so that the sound -was independent of the veering of the wind.</p> -<p class="pnext">Rejoining Warrender, Armstrong informed him -of the discovery, and suggested that he should -examine the contrivance for himself.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll take your word for it," said Warrender, -smiling. "I don't care about steeple-jack feats -in half darkness. We'll wait a little before we -follow that fellow through the tunnel. Let's go -up and watch for the signal."</p> -<p class="pnext">It was perhaps half an hour later when the light -appeared above the tree-tops.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Most certainly it's S.O.S.," said Armstrong, -after counting the recurring glows.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I shouldn't wonder if Pratt is right after all, -and it's Molly Rod signalling. He was right about -the organ pipe."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Doesn't it occur to you that the light may -come from the tower?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"But if the forgers are at work there, why -should any one signal?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can't we discover whether it's from the tower -or the house?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We can't take any bearings in the dark. -Stay, though. If we move back from the window, -and go to the side of the room, perhaps we'll find -a spot where the light just becomes invisible. I'll -mark that on the floor, and in daylight there'd be -no difficulty."</p> -<p class="pnext">Acting on this suggestion, they were not long -in discovering the required spot. Warrender -scratched a pencil mark on the floor; then they -descended to the cellar, cautiously lifted the -flagstone, and groped their way through the tunnel -until they came to the chamber at the end. Nothing -was altered there, except that the opened bale of -paper had been removed. They had intended to -enter the archway on the farther side, and lift the -flagstone which, they suspected, closed the entrance -to another cellar; but from above there came dully -a succession of regular thuds which proved that -somebody was about, and active.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I dare say that's the press at work," said -Warrender in a whisper, after they had listened -for a few minutes.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Doing overtime," said Armstrong. "I suppose, -not knowing exactly when Mr. Pratt will return, -they want to make the most of their opportunity. -Who knows how many thousands of pounds of -spurious money are getting into circulation? No -doubt Gradoff had his trunk full of notes that -morning we saw him driving off in the car."</p> -<p class="pnext">They seated themselves on the unopened bales, -hoping that work would presently cease, and the -man would leave the tower. But the thuds -continued with monotonous regularity.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Every thud means a forged note," said -Armstrong. "They may be going on all night. How -long can you stick it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We'll wait till eleven; then if they're still at -it, we'll go back and reconnoitre the outside."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Perhaps they have a sentry."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Perhaps; but I fancy they'll feel pretty safe -now that they've chevied us from the island."</p> -<p class="pnext">At eleven o'clock the work was still going on. -The boys retraced their course to the ruins, regained -the pram, and allowed it to drift on the current -down channel to the south of the island. There -they lay to for a few minutes, listening, peering -through the darkness. There was no moon; the -starlight scarcely revealed the outlines of the -trees. Presently, with careful, soundless -movements of the sculls, they rowed across to the left -bank, and, pulling the craft out of sight, landed a -little below the island, and laboriously pushed their -way through the thicket, guiding themselves by -the compass. Some fifty yards from the bank the -vegetation thinned, and they found themselves -in a wood of taller trees. Here the going was -easier, though once or twice they stumbled over -trunks that had been felled and stripped ready for -carting. Emerging from the wood into park-like -ground, where there were large trees only at -intervals, they progressed still more rapidly, and -at last caught sight, on their left, of the dim, -square shape of the tower. Behind a broad elm -they stood for a minute or two, watching. There -was no light in the tower. Its base was -surrounded by a mass of low-growing shrubs. The -doorway, no doubt, was on the farther side from -them. The walls were covered with ivy, except -at the window openings, where the recent boarding -was visible as faint grey patches.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now for it," whispered Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">They stole forward over the long grass. As -they drew nearer to the tower they heard the dull -regular thudding; there was no other sound. -Armstrong posted himself at one corner, while -Warrender gently pushed a way through the shrubs -to the wall. He examined the boarded window, -apparently an old embrasure much widened. -The boards were on the inside; the outside was -protected by cross bars of iron. He went round -the building. There was only one other window -opening on the ground floor. At the north-eastern -angle he halted, looking out for a possible sentry, -then crept along until he reached the entrance, -a low iron-studded door flush with the wall. -Putting his ear against the wood, he heard more -clearly the metallic thuds, and men's voices. A -footstep approached. He slipped back to the -corner, and crouched in the shelter of a shrub. -The door opened outwards, creaking on its hinges, -and letting out a stream of light. A short, stout -figure emerged from the tower, carrying a number -of cans which rattled as he walked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"<em class="italics">Fermez la porte!</em>"</p> -<p class="pnext">The words, in a savage, half-suppressed shout, -sounded from some little distance away in the -direction of the house. The man addressed hastily -closed the door behind him, and went on. -Warrender saw another man meet him. They stopped -and exchanged a few words. Rod continued his -way to the house, his progress faintly marked by -the rattling cans. The other man came towards -the tower. He opened the door quickly, slipped -inside, and shut it. In the one second during -which the light shone out, Warrender recognised -the pale face of Paul Gradoff.</p> -<p class="pnext">He hurried round to the spot where Armstrong -had remained on guard.</p> -<p class="pnext">"All right!" he whispered. "No sentry. Rod -has just gone to the house; Gradoff has gone in."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well," returned Armstrong, "what can we do?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We'll try the door first of all. Come on!"</p> -<p class="pnext">They moved with slow, careful steps round the -tower, came to the door, and gently tried the -handle. There was no yielding; the door was -fastened. They went on to the western face of -the tower. Here also there was a window opening -on the ground floor, as securely boarded up as the -other. At equal intervals above it were two other -embrasures, similarly blocked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No way of getting in," murmured Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">The sound of the door creaking sent them -scurrying to cover in the undergrowth. When all was -silent again, Warrender whispered--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Come among the trees. We can talk more -freely there."</p> -<p class="pnext">They crept over the ground, and took post -under a tall, thick-leaved beech nearly a hundred -yards away.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I don't see any chance of getting in," said -Warrender, "and that's a pity. I wanted to -see them actually turning out their forged notes."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I suppose it was Gradoff going out again we -heard just now," said Armstrong. "If he and -Rod are both away, there can't be more than -four others in the tower, probably not so many. -They'll take turns at night-work."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That doesn't matter. Any forcible entry is -quite out of the question, if that's what you're -thinking of. I say, isn't that a light up the -tower?"</p> -<p class="pnext">More than half-way up the wall a faint streak -of light was visible.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Evidently there's some one in the top room," -said Warrender. "Some one sleeps there, I -suppose. The machine is on the ground floor. -Where light gets out, we should be able to see in. -You've done some climbing already to-night; -are you game to clamber up the ivy? There's no -other way."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I weigh eleven stone," said Armstrong, dubiously.</p> -<p class="pnext">"But ivy's pretty tough. It may support -you. You may find foothold in the wall."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hanged if I don't try. You'll stand -underneath and break my fall if I tumble. I reckon it's -about thirty feet up; plenty high enough to break -one's neck or leg."</p> -<p class="pnext">They hastened to the foot of the tower. With -Warrender's help, Armstrong got a footing in the -lower embrasure. Then, taking firm hold of the -stout main stem of the ivy, he began to swarm up, -seeking support for his feet in the thick, spreading -tendrils and in notches of the stone-work. -Warrender watched him hopefully. Slowly, inch by -inch, he ascended. He gained the second -embrasure, rested there a few moments, then climbed -again, and was almost half-way to his goal, when -he felt the ivy above him yield slightly. Digging -his feet into the wall, he hung on, but at the first -attempt to ascend he felt that the attenuated stem -would no longer support his weight, and began -slowly to lower himself.</p> -<p class="pnext">At this moment Warrender heard the door -creak, and threw up a warning whisper. -Armstrong stopped, effacing himself as well as he -could amongst the ivy, to which he clung with -the disagreeable sensation that he was dragging -it from its supports above. Voices were heard; -heavy footsteps. After a few moments they -ceased. Were the men turning to come back? -Had they heard anything? Then came the scratching -of a match. Warrender drew relieved breath; -some one had halted, only, it appeared, to light his -pipe or cigarette. The footsteps sounded again, -gradually receding, and finally died away.</p> -<p class="pnext">"All safe!" whispered Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong let himself down, and stood beside -his friend.</p> -<p class="pnext">"A quivery job," he murmured. "My arms -ache frightfully. It's not to be done, Phil. -Another foot up and I should have dragged down the -whole lot, possibly a stone or two as well. We're -fairly beaten."</p> -<p class="pnext">"The sound inside has stopped. They've apparently -knocked off work; it's past midnight. I -wonder if any one's left inside?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why should there be?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, there was some one up above. Is the -light showing still?"</p> -<p class="pnext">They walked some distance away from the -tower, and looked up. The thin streak of light, so -faint that it might have escaped casual observation, -still showed at the level of the topmost room. -They went to the door and again gently tried it. -It was shut fast.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We had better get back," said Warrender. -"There's nothing to be done."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Unless we try the tunnel again, now that all -is quiet inside."</p> -<p class="pnext">"If you like."</p> -<p class="pnext">They crossed the grounds with the guidance -of the compass, and presently came among the -medley of prostrate trunks.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I've an idea," said Armstrong. "It'll take -a long time to get back through the tunnel. Why -not shift one of these poles, and put it up against -the tower? I could climb then, and take a look -in at that upper window."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good man! We must take care to get one -long enough."</p> -<p class="pnext">They found a straight fir stem that appeared -to be of the required length, carried it to the -tower, and raised it silently until the top rested -in the ivy, just above the left-hand corner of the -window.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Steady it while I climb," said Armstrong. -"Don't let it wobble over."</p> -<p class="pnext">He began to swarm up. For the first eighteen -or twenty feet it was easy work; then with every -inch upward his difficulties grew, for not only was -there less and less room between the pole and the -wall, but the pole itself showed more and more -tendency to roll sideways, in spite of Warrender's -steadying hands below. Slowly, very slowly -Armstrong mounted, maintaining equilibrium partly -by clutching the ivy. At last, gaining the level -of the window, he gripped one of the iron bars -that stretched across it, rested one knee on the -wide embrasure, and peeped through a narrow -crack between two of the boards.</p> -<p class="pnext">He was transfixed with amazement. The first -object that caught his eye was the figure of an -elderly man, bald, with thick grey moustache and -beard, seated at a table, resting his head on his -hands as he read by the light of a small paraffin -lamp the book open before him. On one end of -the table stood a couple of plates, one holding a -half-loaf of bread, a knife, and a jug. Upon the -walls beyond him hung animals' horns, tusks, -savage weapons, necklaces of metal and beads. The -remainder of the room was out of the line of sight.</p> -<p class="pnext">As Armstrong gazed, the inmate got up and -paced to and fro. He was tall and lank; his -clothes--an ordinary lounge suit--hung loosely -upon his spare frame. There was a worn, harassed -look in the eyes beneath a deeply furrowed brow. -He strode up and down, his large bony hands -clasped behind him; sighed, sat down again, and -began to take off his clothes.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 76%" id="figure-126"> -<span id="he-strode-up-and-down-his-large-bony-hands-clasped-behind-him"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-207.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"HE STRODE UP AND DOWN, HIS LARGE BONY HANDS CLASPED BEHIND HIM."</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">Puzzled as to the identity of this solitary, -wondering whether he, and not Gradoff, was the -head of the gang, Armstrong backed down to make -his descent. The pole swayed as his full weight -came upon it, and he saved himself from crashing -to the ground only by desperately clinging to the -ivy, and forcing the top of the pole into a tangled -mass of the foliage. Then he slid rapidly down, -barking his hands on the rough stem.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Quick!" whispered Warrender. "You made -too much row."</p> -<p class="pnext">He ran backwards, letting down the pole; -Armstrong caught up the lower end, and they -hurried away with it, laying it in the wood among -the others. Meanwhile they had heard sounds of -movement from the tower. Some one had come -out. There were low voices, footsteps coming -towards them. Without an instant's delay they -pushed on in the direction of the river, thankful -for the darkness of the night and the overshadowing -trees. Only when they had gained the shelter of -the thicket did they dare to pause for a moment -to consult the compass. On again, but more -slowly, lest the rustling leaves should betray them.</p> -<p class="pnext">At length they came to the channel. The -island was opposite to them. Turning southward, -they groped along the bank until they stumbled -upon the pram. They launched it, and floated -down stream. When they were well past the -southern end of the island they pulled round into -the broader channel, and, closely hugging the right -bank, rowed quietly up the river to their landing-place.</p> -<p class="pnext">Only then did Warrender venture a whispered question--</p> -<p class="pnext">"What did you see?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"An oldish man, reading."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not one of those we have seen?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No. Can't make it out."</p> -<p class="pnext">They returned to camp. It was past two o'clock. -Pratt sprang up from his chair before the tent, -and held a small paraffin lamp towards them.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well?" he asked, guessing from their aspect -that they brought news.</p> -<p class="pnext">"They were working in the tower," said -Warrender. "We heard the machine, and couldn't -risk going up from the tunnel. But we came back -and reconnoitred the outside, and Armstrong -climbed up and peeped through a crack in the -boarding of the top room. What did you see, Jack?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"An old man reading by the light of a paraffin lamp."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Another one of the gang!" exclaimed Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I don't know. Perhaps. He looked haggard -and anxious."</p> -<p class="pnext">"No wonder. What was he like?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Tall and thin, with grey moustache and beard."</p> -<p class="pnext">"A foreigner?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Couldn't tell. He might well have been -English. A queer old johnny--hook-nosed, high -bald head: might have been a 'varsity professor."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What!" shouted Pratt. "Bald! Beard! -Hook nose! Like a professor! Great heavens--my -uncle!"</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="zero">CHAPTER XVIII</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">ZERO</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">A half truth, some one has said, is the greatest -of lies: perhaps there is nothing more staggering -to the intelligence than a half discovery--a -discovery which solves one problem only to propound -another.</p> -<p class="pnext">"My old uncle, for a certainty," said Pratt. -"He has been bald as long as I can remember -him: lost his hair in the wilds of Africa, I believe. -Years ago his man stuffed me up with the tale that -a lion clawed his tresses out by the roots. Lucky -he didn't marry, or his wife might have plagued -him about wearing a wig, like Mother Rogers. -That's the mystery of the signal solved, then."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Is it?" said Armstrong. "No signal was -ever shown from the window of that top room; -that I'd swear. The light we saw to-night was the -merest streak: came through a slit certainly not -more than a quarter of an inch wide."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But hang it all!--there's the poor old chap a -prisoner: who else would signal for help?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I thought you suggested Molly Rogers," -remarked Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I've given that up. Didn't Rogers say she -knows nothing about signals? But that doesn't -matter. The point is that those foreign -blackguards have him under lock and key while they're -committing a criminal offence on his premises. I -shouldn't wonder if it killed him, or made him -clean potty. He's over sixty, and solitary -confinement----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I say, it's very late," Armstrong interrupted. -"We've none of us had much sleep lately. Let's -see what's to be done and then get all the rest -we can before morning. I foresee a thick time -to-morrow."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We must set old Crawshay moving," said -Pratt. "No doubt he's hand in glove with the -Chief Constable."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We talked about Crawshay before," rejoined -Armstrong. "The affair is complicated now. -We've got your uncle's safety to consider. You may -be sure that those ruffians won't stick at trifles, -and if any action is taken against them publicly -it's quite on the cards that they'd put a bullet into -the old man. I'm inclined to think it's up to us."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What do you mean?" asked Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We know the subterranean entrance to the -tower. Can't we get in and release him ourselves? -He'd be valuable outside as a witness."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But, my dear chap, if the prisoner disappeared -the foreigners would know the game was up," -said Warrender. "They'd clear off before they -could be caught."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Look here, old man, he's my uncle," said -Pratt earnestly. "The poor old boy has been -cooped up there goodness knows how long. He's -over sixty, accustomed to an active life: imagine -what it means to him. It's just the sort of thing -to send him to a lunatic asylum for the rest of his -days. I'd never forgive myself if I didn't make -some effort to get him out of it. If you put it -to me, I say I don't care a hang whether the -forgers are caught or not. The personal matter -quite outweighs any other. If we go interviewing -magistrates and constables we'll lose precious -time: you know what officials are. The thing is, -to rescue my old uncle without a moment's delay, -and let the rest take its chances."</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt's unwonted gravity had its effect upon -his companions.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Shall we try it?" asked Warrender, turning -to Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'm game," was the ready reply. "It's risky: no -good blinking that. We are three to six or seven, -if we include Rush; and there's not the least doubt -they're armed. Fellows like that always carry -automatics. We've got cudgels! We can't fight -'em; our only chance is to get in when there are -few of them about."</p> -<p class="pnext">"That's during the morning," said Warrender. -"You remember that Gradoff has twice gone off -in the car, and that morning we went up all the -men were at the house."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Except Rush," added Armstrong, "and that -ugly fellow we weren't introduced to."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, then, I tell you what," said Pratt. -"I'll go into the village in the morning and find -out whether the car has left as usual. We want -some eggs, and some spirit for the stove. I'll get -that at Blevins's, and see if I can pump a little -information out of him or his assistant. If Gradoff -and the chauffeur are away the odds against us -will be reduced, and with luck we might get into -the tower in their absence. What do you say?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"There seems nothing better," said Warrender. -"Let us turn in and get four or five hours' sleep."</p> -<p class="pnext">Soon after breakfast next morning Pratt went -off alone in the dinghy.</p> -<p class="pnext">"By the way," Warrender said as he was -pulling away, "bring an ounce of pepper, and a -large tin of sardines. We can't bother about cooking -to-day, and sardines want a little condiment."</p> -<p class="pnext">"A packet of mustard, too," called Armstrong. -"There's none for to-morrow's bacon."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Righto," shouted Pratt. "I shan't be long."</p> -<p class="pnext">Arrived at the village, he made his purchases -at the little provision shop, thrust them into his -pocket, and went on to the general dealer's for a -can of spirit. As he approached, he heard a -high-pitched, angry voice from the depths of the yard -at the side of the shop.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You go at vunce, at vunce, I say. Ve hire -your car; vat is ze goot? Always it break down, -one, two, tree times. It is too much."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay, and you owe me too much already," replied -Blevins gruffly.</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt halted, straining his ears towards the -altercation.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You pay up: that's what I say," Blevins went -on. "You've had my car a week or more, and -over-drive, that's what you do. And not a penny -piece have you paid."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But zat is all right," expostulated the foreigner. -"Mr. Gradoff he pay at end of ze month. He say -so; vell, you vait all right. You have--vat you -call it?--a bike; it is ten mile, but vat is zat? -You go quick."</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 79%" id="figure-127"> -<span id="but-zat-is-all-right"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-215.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"'BUT ZAT IS ALL RIGHT.'"</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"And you think I'm going to ride twenty mile -for a commutator. Not me. What do you want -the car for, anyway? Driving in and out nigh -every day, scorching along fit to bust up any -machine. What's your game? Do 'ee take me -for a fool? You're up to some hanky-panky while -your master's away. Think I didn't know that -all along? Nice goings on! A pretty tale the -village 'll have to tell him when he gets back! -Spending his money like I don't know what. -Spending, says I; running up bills, that's what it -is. You pay up, and you shall have a commutator. -I don't need to ride no bikes to fetch it: -I've got it on the spot; only I'll see your money -first."</p> -<p class="pnext">The men had begun to walk up the yard. Pratt -slipped into the shop. Evidently the car would -not be used to-day, he thought, if Blevins remained -obdurate. Evidently, also, Blevins was suspicious -of the doings at the Red House, though it was -clear that he had no well-defined idea of what -those doings were, or any knowledge of Mr. Pratt's -whereabouts. He went past the shop, still bickering -with the Italian. Pratt had a free field.</p> -<p class="pnext">His former acquaintance, the youthful assistant, -came forward to attend to him.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good-morning," said Pratt, genially. "It -seems quite an age since I saw you. I've often -thought of that pleasant little conversation we had. -But I'm in rather a hurry to-day. I want some -methylated spirit: that's what you call it, isn't -it?--the stuff that burns with a blue flame. Rummy -how often blue comes into business affairs, don't -you think? Last time I was here I wanted blue -tacks, I remember. By the way, I suppose your -friend, the gardener at the Red House, hasn't -bought any more tacks?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No friend o' mine," growled the youth.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Indeed! It's a pity not to be friends. Friendship -oils the machinery of life, don't you know. -Still, I am sure it's not your fault. Why doesn't -he reciprocate the amiable sentiments you cherish -towards him?"</p> -<p class="pnext">The youth gave Pratt a puzzled stare. "I -don't know nothing about that," he said slowly. -"All I do know is, I hate furriners, I do so. Fair -cruel they be. Why, the feller comed in here not -a hour ago and wanted six foot of iron chain--to -chain up a dog. 'Twas cruelty to animals, and -so I told 'un."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Perhaps the dog feels the heat and gets snappy."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But the thickness of it! Look 'ee here, sir; -here's the chain I cut. 'Tis thick enough to hold -a mad bull. Do 'ee call that a chain for a dog? He -wouldn't have a little small chain, as was proper."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, after all, you haven't seen the dog. It -may be a whopper of a brute. Give him the -benefit of the doubt. You'll feel better now you've -told me."</p> -<p class="pnext">He paid for the can of spirit and left the shop. -Blevins and the chauffeur were a little way up -the road, still quarrelling. Forgetting the eggs -that were part of his commission, Pratt hastened -back to the ferry, and found that his friends had -just arrived in the motor-boat.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We saw Rush pulling down stream," said -Warrender, "and hurried up to meet you and -save time. He's one less. Any news of the car?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"It appears to have broken down," replied -Pratt, going on to relate what he had heard. -"Pity Gradoff won't be away. But the Italian -is still squabbling with Blevins, and if we look -sharp we may get into the tower before he returns -to the house. That will make them two short."</p> -<p class="pnext">He had placed on the deck the can of spirit and -the tin of sardines while he was speaking, then -tied the dinghy astern and jumped aboard.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rush wasn't going to the island?" he asked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We watched him row past it," said Warrender. -"He's probably off to his hut. Let's hope that -the other fellows are at the house and not at the -tower."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's 'over the top' now," remarked Armstrong, -as the boat sidled away from the landing-stage.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="the-prisoner">CHAPTER XIX</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">THE PRISONER</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">Pratt was the only one of the three who had the -curiosity to look at his watch when they descended -into the cellar of the ruined cottage. It was -twelve minutes past ten.</p> -<p class="pnext">They had tied up the motor-boat at its moorings -below the camp, and after a careful look-out in all -directions, had crossed to No Man's Island by -Mr. Crawshay's pram. For weapons Pratt and -Armstrong each carried a short thick cudgel; Warrender -at the last moment caught up his spanner, remarking -that he might need a knuckle-duster.</p> -<p class="pnext">The flat stone was revolved. They sprang -lightly into the cavity below.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Shall we leave it open in case we have to come -back in a hurry?" asked Warrender in a whisper.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Better close it," said Armstrong. "If Rush -or the other fellow turns up and finds it open we -may be fairly trapped."</p> -<p class="pnext">Having made all secure they stood for a few -moments listening. There was no sound.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now," said Warrender, moving to the front -with his electric torch. "You're lucky, Pratt; -you're the only one of us who can walk upright."</p> -<p class="pnext">"'Were I so tall to reach the pole,'" Pratt -quoted.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Shut up!" said Armstrong, in a murmur. -"Every sound carries. You can recite your little -piece when we're through with it."</p> -<p class="pnext">Slowly, quietly, in pitch darkness, they groped -their way. Warrender thought it prudent not to -switch on his light. At the dry well they halted -to listen once more. On again, until they reached -the vaulted chamber at the end. From overhead -came the dull regular thud of the working machine. -This was a disappointment. They wondered how -many men were above. Did the trap here give -entrance to a cellar as in the cottage? Was the -printing done in such a cellar, or on a higher floor? -They could not tell. The least movement of the -flagstone might be noticed; they might be -overwhelmed before they could emerge; but it was no -time to weigh risks.</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong went forward, and by a momentary -flash from Warrender's torch saw the positions of -the hand-grips. With infinite care he moved them -round, and let the flagstone drop for a fraction of -an inch. The sound from the machine was scarcely -louder; only a subdued light shone through the -crack. He lowered the stone noiselessly a little -more; again a little more. The thuds continued; -there was no other sound. No longer hesitating, -Armstrong turned the stone over until it stood -upright and peered over the edge of the cavity. -He saw a large, dimly lit chamber, evidently -underground, one side of which was filled with -packing cases, crates and boxes. On the other -side was a wooden staircase with a short return, -giving access to the room from which came, more -distinctly now, the thud of the printing press. It -was only through the opening at the head of the -staircase that light, apparently from a lamp, -penetrated into the chamber.</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong scrambled up; Warrender was -following him, when the thuds suddenly ceased. -The boys held their breath. Had they been heard -in spite of their care? There was no movement -above. Warrender signed to Pratt to clamber up. -Whether from excitement, or because he was -shorter than the others, Pratt dropped his stick, -which fell with a crack upon the floor. A voice -from above called out two or three words which -none of the boys understood. They had the -rising inflection of a question; the last seemed to -be a name. With quick wit Pratt uttered a -low-toned grunt as if in answer. Armstrong flung a -glance at his companions--a look in which they -read resolution and a claim for their support. -Then he walked boldly up the stairs.</p> -<p class="pnext">On turning the corner he saw the well-remembered -figure of Jensen the Swede in his -shirt-sleeves, bending over, examining the platen -of a small hand printing press. No daylight -penetrated into the room, which was illumined by -a powerful lamp hanging from the ceiling. Jensen's -back was towards the staircase. He did not at -once look up; Pratt's grunt had apparently -satisfied him; but he growled a few words in a -tongue unknown to the boys, as if he was finding -fault with the machine. Receiving no answer, -he glanced up. At the sight of Armstrong he -remained for an instant in his bent position, -motionless, as though turned to stone. Then he -dashed towards the farther wall, where his coat -hung from a nail.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 74%" id="figure-128"> -<span id="he-remained-for-an-instant-in-his-bent-position-motionless"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-222.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"HE REMAINED FOR AN INSTANT IN HIS BENT POSITION, MOTIONLESS."</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">His momentary hesitation was his undoing. -Armstrong sprang after him. Before the man -could withdraw his hand from the coat pocket -Armstrong struck down his left arm, raised -instinctively to ward off a blow, with a smart stroke -from his cudgel, following it up with a smashing -left-hander between the eyes, which drove his -head against the wall. While he still staggered, -Armstrong seized him about the middle and flung -him to the floor, wrenching from his hand the -automatic pistol he had taken from his pocket.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hold his legs," cried Armstrong to Warrender, -who had joined him. "Pratt, bring up some -rope; there's plenty on the packing cases below."</p> -<p class="pnext">The Swede heaved and writhed, but the firm hands -of Armstrong and Warrender held him to the floor -until Pratt had neatly bound his arms and legs. -He filled the air with curses while the pinioning -was a-doing. Warrender caught up some sheets -from the pile of paper that had already been -printed, and twisting them into a wad, stuffed it -between the man's teeth. Laid helpless against -the wall, the Swede concentrated all the bitterness -of his rage and resentment in his eyes, which -followed every movement of his captors.</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong had already shot the stout bolt that -defended the heavy oaken door on the inside. -Having disposed of their victim, they threw a -hasty glance at the small hand press, the piles of -paper, printed and unprinted; in their eagerness -to achieve their purpose they did not stay to make -a thorough examination.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Jack, will you close the trap-door below and -remain on guard here?" said Warrender. "Take -this fellow's pistol. You can spy out through a -chink in the boarding, and if you see any of the -others coming, sing out."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Righto," said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt was already through the low doorway in -the north-east corner of the room. Warrender -followed him, and found himself at the foot of a dark -stone staircase, which wound so rapidly that Pratt -was even now out of sight. The stairs were much -worn in the middle, and in their haste to ascend -the boys were glad to avail themselves of the rope -that ran along the inner wall, supported by rusty -iron stanchions.</p> -<p class="pnext">When they had mounted a score of steps by the -light of Warrender's torch, they came to an open -doorway giving access to a low room lined with -bookcases, except on the eastern wall, where a -window, closely boarded up, looked towards the -Red House. A desk stood in the centre of the -floor; there was no other furniture, no occupant, -only an array of small tin cases along one of the -walls. Going higher, they presently halted before -a closed door, the top of which was only a few feet -below the massive timbers of the roof. Pratt -turned the large iron ring; the door did not yield. -He rapped smartly on the oak: there was no reply. -Stooping, he peeped through the enormous keyhole. -The interior of the room was dark. Warrender -held the torch to the hole.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The door's four or five inches thick," said -Pratt. "No wonder he can't hear--if this is the -room. Bang with your spanner."</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender smote the door vigorously, Pratt -listening at the keyhole. There was no reply, but -Pratt declared that he heard a slight movement, -and putting his mouth to the keyhole he cried--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can you hear? We are friends."</p> -<p class="pnext">Still there was no voice in answer. The only -sound was a clanking of metal.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Is your uncle deaf?" asked Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He wasn't ten years ago. You try, Phil; -your voice may carry better than mine."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Are you Mr. Ambrose Pratt?" Warrender -shouted, then turned his ear to the hole.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes. Who are you?"</p> -<p class="pnext">The words were spoken in tones so low and -hollow that Warrender could scarcely distinguish -them.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Friends," he replied. "Your nephew Percy. -Come to the door."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What did you say?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Come--to--the--door!" Warrender bawled, -spacing out the words.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Why do you mock me? You know I cannot."</p> -<p class="pnext">Again came the clanking of metal.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He must be deaf," said Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We have come to help you," cried Warrender, -slowly and distinctly. "Can you open the door?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"To help me!" The clanking was louder, -more prolonged. "Are the villains gone? Who -are you?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"This is rotten," said Warrender to Pratt. -"Shall I never make him understand? Please be -still and listen," he called. "We are friends. -We have come to let you out. Can you help us?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No. The door is locked. That man Gradoff -has the key, and I am chained."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good heavens!" ejaculated Pratt. "Can we -burst in the door?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Standing on the narrow top step of the staircase, -with winding stairs behind them, they were unable -to bring any momentum to bear, and the pressure -of their shoulders did not cause the heavy timber -to yield a fraction of an inch. Warrender tried to -force first the head of his spanner, then the narrower -end of the handle between the door and the -side-post. He failed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Get Jensen's pistol and blow it in," suggested -Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender hurried down the stairs. Returning -with the pistol, he called through the keyhole--</p> -<p class="pnext">"We will try to blow the lock in. Keep away -from the line of fire."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Fire away. I am at the side of the room," -said the prisoner.</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender placed the muzzle in the keyhole and -fired. There was the crack of shattered metal, -but still the door did not yield. He fired a second -time and pushed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It is giving. Shove!" he said.</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt turned his back to the door, and thrusting -his feet as firmly as he could against the curving -wall, he drove backwards with all his force. The -fragments of the broken lock clattered upon the -floor within, and the door swinging open suddenly, -precipitated Pratt headlong into the room.</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender flashed his torch upon the scene. -Against the left, the eastern wall, sitting on a -roughly contrived bunk supported between two -massive oaken beams that stretched from floor to -roof, was the tall lank figure that Armstrong had -described. He was chained by the leg to one of -the beams, the chain forming a loop around it, the -last link being riveted to one in the longer portion.</p> -<p class="pnext">Ambrose Pratt gazed in speechless surprise at -the two schoolboys.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Uncle!" exclaimed Pratt, going forward with -outstretched hand.</p> -<p class="pnext">Mr. Pratt looked with an expression of utter -bewilderment and incredulity.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't you remember me? I'm your nephew -Percy," said the boy.</p> -<p class="pnext">"My nephew!" murmured Mr. Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let us postpone explanations," said Warrender. -"We have to get away. Hold the chain, Percy. -I'll smash it with the spanner."</p> -<p class="pnext">But the chain, which the general dealer's assistant -had described as strong enough to hold a mad bull, -resisted all the vigorous blows Warrender rained -upon it.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Run downstairs, Pratt," he said, "and see if -there's a hammer and chisel below--or any tool -about the printing press."</p> -<p class="pnext">During Pratt's absence he repeated his efforts -with the spanner, but made no impression on the -tough steel. Pratt returned with a long steel rod -which he had found lying near the press, and -inserting this in one of the links, they tried to -burst it.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No good!" declared Warrender. "Nothing -but a chisel and hammer will do it. I've both in -my tool box in the motor-boat. We must have -them. It's the only chance. You had better go -for them, Pratt. Jack and I could tackle the -foreigners if they came up."</p> -<p class="pnext">"All right," said Pratt. "What's the chisel like?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"What's it like?" exclaimed Warrender. "Like -a chisel! Hang it! We can't risk a mistake. -I'll go myself. You stay with your uncle. Jack -will keep guard below, with the pistol. The door's -strong, and we may be able to keep the enemy out -until I have time to get back, suppose they come. -I'll be as quick as I can: afraid I can't do it under -half an hour. Good luck!"</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="the-pace-quickens">CHAPTER XX</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">THE PACE QUICKENS</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"So you are my nephew Percy," said Mr. Pratt -when Warrender had gone. "Light the lamp and -let me look at you. I don't recognise you. When -was our last meeting?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"About ten years ago," replied Pratt, surprised -at his uncle's calm demeanour. "You tanned me -for picking one of your peaches."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Did I?" Mr. Pratt smiled. "You were -always a mischievous young ruffian. But how do -you come here? Do you bear an olive branch -from that cantankerous father of yours?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I came through the tunnel," Pratt began, -ignoring the aspersion upon his father. Mr. Pratt -interrupted him.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What tunnel?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"The tunnel between No Man's Island and this -tower. Didn't you know of it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I never heard of it before. Who told you -about it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We discovered it by accident. My chums and -I came for a boating holiday, and camped on the -island. We have had----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"You saw my signals?" his uncle interposed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, and----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"And the police are informed? These villains -will be arrested?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, as a matter of fact, Uncle," said Pratt, -and was again interrupted.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You did not? Then I am afraid you and your -companions have tumbled into a hornets' nest, -young man. As we are to have apparently a few -minutes' leisure, I think you had better put me -wise, as our American friends say, about the -essential facts of the situation. How many do -you muster?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt, in the exalted mood of a rescuer, and -himself bursting with questions, was a little dashed -by his uncle's cool matter-of-fact manner.</p> -<p class="pnext">"There are three of us," he said. "We got in -through the tunnel, and found one man below at -the printing press."</p> -<p class="pnext">"A printing press! Indeed! What literature -are my guardians disseminating?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Forged notes."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Forgers!" ejaculated Mr. Pratt, for the first -time showing signs of agitation. "Things are -worse than I dreamed. You are sure of what you say?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Absolutely. We found the watermarked paper."</p> -<p class="pnext">"The scoundrels! You had better get away. -If these fellows are an international gang of forgers -they will have no scruples. The lives of you and -your companions are not worth a rap. Leave me. -Get away while there is time. Inform the police -and leave matters in their hands."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's too late for that," said Pratt. "We have -trussed up the man downstairs. Our only idea -was to rescue you. If we left you now the others -would find Jensen and know that the game is up. -They might shoot you. We must get you away -now at all costs."</p> -<p class="pnext">"It is utter folly. Hare-brained adventuring! -I fear you are right; it is too late. I must join -forces with you when this chain is broken. I -blame myself that my signals have let you young -fellows into this terrible trap."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We had suspicions before we saw them--in -fact, ever since we heard about your staff of foreign -servants."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, yes. I have been frightfully deluded. -No doubt it is the talk of the village. I engaged -my cook and gardener through an advertisement. -The cook introduced that scoundrel Gradoff as an -unfortunate Russian nobleman driven from his -country. The plausible wretch engaged the others. -They seemed a respectable, hard-working set of -men. I was making hurried arrangements for a -trip to North Africa via Paris. Gradoff gave me -every assistance. I was on the point of starting. -They kidnapped me and shut me up here. I -thought their sole motive was robbery. Gradoff -tried to get me to sign cheques for large amounts. -I flatly refused, of course. They adopted starvation -tactics, threatened to murder me; but I have -looked death in the face too often to purchase life -at such a price. They dropped these efforts some -time ago, but I suspected that Gradoff was forging -my name, and thought he would liberate me as -soon as he had fleeced me bare."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And how did you signal, with the windows -boarded up?" asked Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"With handfuls of flock from my mattress dipped -in paraffin, stuck on a lath from my bed and -poked up the chimney. Gradoff discovered me -last night. I was in the chimney. He had gone -to the roof, saw the flame emerge, and snatched -the lath from my hands. He whipped out his -pistol and threatened to shoot me. I laughed -at him; asked him whether he wished to add -murder to forgery; he gave me a curious stare -at that. I reminded him that we still retain -capital punishment. He cursed me and left. This -morning he brought the chain. No doubt he -would have killed me if there had been -anything to gain by my death; but he must have -supposed that the signals had not been seen; they -had had no apparent result. You say you had -suspicions before you saw the signals. Why?--apart -from the usual British distrust of foreigners."</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt was beginning to recount the series of -incidents that had occurred since the arrival on -No Man's Island when there came a hail from below. -He went to the top of the stairs.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What is it, Armstrong?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Can you come down for a moment?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt ran downstairs.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I didn't want to alarm your uncle," said -Armstrong, "but just now, looking through a -chink in the boards, I saw four men coming towards -the tower. What are we to do?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt went to the boarded window and looked out.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Gradoff and the chauffeur," he said. "The -other two I haven't seen before. We might have -tackled two; let 'em in and bagged them. But -four!--probably armed, like Jensen. It's no go."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We can only lie low, then, and play for -time. The door's a stout piece of timber, and it's -not so easy to blow off a bolt as to blow in a lock."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't speak," whispered Pratt, "they're just here."</p> -<p class="pnext">The handle of the door was turned. Then came -a sharp knock. A pause of a few seconds; then a -more peremptory knock and Gradoff's voice.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Jensen!"</p> -<p class="pnext">The Swede prostrate against the wall wriggled -and emitted a low gurgling noise through his gag. -The boys glanced at him; he was unable to release -his limbs; the sound could not have been heard -through the thick door.</p> -<p class="pnext">A third time Gradoff knocked. He rattled the -door-handle, repeated his call, with the addition -of sundry violent expletives. The boys remained -tensely silent.</p> -<p class="pnext">The voices without subsided. Conversation was -still carried on, but in lower tones.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Probably they think he is downstairs getting -paper," whispered Pratt. "There's nothing -alarming at present."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But they'll smell a rat if he doesn't soon answer. -What then?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"They may think he has fallen ill or something."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And then?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, I can't answer for the intelligence of -Gradoff and company, but if I were in his shoes I -should either break in the door or send some one -round by the tunnel. You see, he can't have the -ghost of an idea what has happened. And if his -game were discovered, he wouldn't expect to find -the place merely closed against him."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I dare say you're right. But don't you think -you had better go through the tunnel and hurry -Phil up? We should be in a pretty tight place if -Gradoff did send a man or two round, and we found, -when we had released your uncle, that the exit -at the other end was blocked."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I don't care about leaving you alone. Suppose -they broke in while I was away?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Two wouldn't be much better than one against -four armed ruffians. And they'd guess that you -and Phil had gone to fetch the police, and I fancy -they'd be too anxious to save their skins to bother -much about me. At any rate, I'll risk it. I think -you had better go. In fact, when you meet Phil, -why not go and tell Mr. Crawshay how things -stand? Phil and I will get your uncle away if it's -possible, and though I don't suppose Crawshay -could do anything to secure the gang--there's -apparently only one policeman--he might 'phone -or wire the authorities, and set every one on the -qui vive for miles around."</p> -<p class="pnext">"All right. If I'm going, better go at once, -before any one has time to go round by the cottage. -I'll consult Phil about your suggestion, and go to -Crawshay if he agrees. I wish I had the torch. -I shall have to grope my way along the tunnel, but -I'll be as quick as I can."</p> -<p class="pnext">He ran noiselessly down the stairs. The flagstone -was upright, as it had been left. He jumped -into the cavity, crossed the store-room, entered the -tunnel on the farther side, and hurried along as -rapidly as the darkness allowed. Now and again -he stopped to strike a match and to listen for -Warrender's footsteps, but he reached the end -without having seen or heard anything of his friend.</p> -<p class="pnext">By the light of a match he saw that the flagstone -was slightly depressed. Then he caught sight of -Warrender's electric torch lying on the ground, -and was seized with a vague uneasiness. He -picked up the torch. Revolving the stone, he -heard something slide with a metallic rattle along -its surface, and felt a smart blow on one of his feet. -He flashed the torch, and saw a hammer and a -chisel. Still more uneasy, he clambered up into -the cellar, and without lowering the flagstone, -climbed on to the staircase.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You there, Phil?" he called up.</p> -<p class="pnext">There was no answer. The door at the top was -open. He rushed up, ran through the kitchen -and the corridor to the front of the cottage, and -looked anxiously around. No one was in view.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What on earth is he doing?" he thought.</p> -<p class="pnext">It was clear that Warrender had fetched the -tools from the motor-boat and returned to the -cellar. Why then had he left them there? Where -had he gone? What could have interrupted him?</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt felt himself on the horns of a painful -dilemma. He had now the instruments of his -uncle's deliverance; one impulse urged him to -hurry with them back to the tower. On the other -hand, Warrender's disappearance argued that -something untoward had happened, and he was -loth to leave the spot without making an attempt -to find him. For a few moments he stood in the -doorway, weighing the one course against the -other. A search for Warrender might prove -fruitless, and in any case would take time. -Meanwhile affairs at the tower might be developing in a -way that would nullify the prime motive that had -actuated them all--the release of his uncle. It -seemed that this had a paramount claim upon him, -and he turned, reluctantly, to retrace his steps to -the cellar.</p> -<p class="pnext">As he passed the foot of the staircase to the upper -floor, it occurred to him that from the windows -there, giving a wider outlook over the surroundings -of the cottage, he might see Warrender approaching: -perhaps, indeed, as the result of an after-thought, -he had made a second visit to the motor-boat. -Pratt ran upstairs, and going from room to -room, threw a searching glance upon the prospect. -Neither on the eastern side nor on the western -was there anything to attract his attention. But -looking out of the window of the room facing south, -he noticed that the foliage of the thicket beyond -the weedy path was violently disturbed. Some one -was moving in it, towards the ruins. He watched -eagerly: surely it was Warrender returning. -Presently two legs came into view; but they were -not Warrender's. They were encased in rusty -brown leggings. In another moment the figure -of Rush emerged from the thicket upon the path, -and immediately behind him was a second form, -that of a tall and heavily built man with a broad -flattish face. When free from the thicket they -quickened their pace.</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt hesitated no longer. The men were -evidently making for the ruins: perhaps they -intended to proceed along the tunnel. It was -imperative that he should anticipate them. He -hastened downstairs, and had just reached the -cellar when he heard clumping footsteps overhead. -Leaping into the cavity, he swung the stone over, -turned the hand-grips, and by the light of the -torch bolted along the tunnel. After running -about twenty yards he switched off the light and -stopped. Voices came from behind him; then -he heard two heavy thuds in succession; the men -had jumped into the tunnel. The flagstone banged -as it was swung carelessly into place; the men were -coming after him. Without more delay he set -forward with all speed, guiding himself by touching -the walls with his outstretched hands.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="trapped">CHAPTER XXI</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">TRAPPED</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">Meanwhile, what had happened to Warrender?</p> -<p class="pnext">On entering the cottage by way of the tunnel -and the cellar, he went upstairs to make a careful -survey of the surroundings, saw no sign of the -enemy, and hurried across the island to the pram, -in which he crossed the river unobserved. In less -than ten minutes he was back at the cottage with -the hammer and chisel taken from his motor-boat. -As he was on the point of re-opening the trap, he -found that the electric torch showed a much feebler -light than before, and if it gave out before -Mr. Pratt was brought away, the flight through the -tunnel might be dangerously delayed. It seemed -worth while to pay another rapid visit to the camp -for the purpose of getting a small hand lamp or a -couple of candles. Laying the hammer and chisel -under the staircase, he went up again, once more -crossed the island, found one candle in the -motorboat, and returned without delay.</p> -<p class="pnext">It happened, however, that as he left the cottage -on this second journey, Rush and his big flat-faced -companion were approaching it from the south. -Unseen themselves, they caught sight of -Warrender as he emerged from the entrance, watched -him until he had disappeared into the thicket, -waited a few minutes, then entered the cottage -and descended to the cellar. They had no light, -and Warrender had taken the precaution of -carefully replacing the flagstone; but in his haste he -had omitted to close the upright slab beneath the -lowest step, leaving open the access to the -handgrips. Rush was suspicious. The gap might have -been left open, of course, by one of the confederates; -on the other hand, it was possible that the secret -passage had been discovered by the boy he had -seen leaving the cottage. The boy might return, -and Rush allowed his curiosity to delay the visit -to the tower on which he had been summoned. -It was an error of judgment that had important -consequences.</p> -<p class="pnext">He posted himself with his companion in a -remote corner of the cellar, and waited.</p> -<p class="pnext">Some ten minutes later, Warrender came down -the steps. He flashed his torch to light the -opening, retrieved the hammer and chisel, and laid -them down on the flagstone while he inserted his -arm in the gap to turn the hand-grips. All the -time his back was towards the men lurking within -twenty feet of him. As he sprawled over the -stone, there was a sudden noise behind him. -Hastily withdrawing his hand, he half rose, but -too late. Seized by powerful hands and taken -at a disadvantage, he was helpless. His torch fell -into the gap, and in the darkness he was dragged -up the stairs between his captors.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Cotched 'en!" chuckled Rush, as they lugged -him through the hall. "What'll we do with 'en, -Sibelius?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Kill!" said the Finn. "Throw in river!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, no, that won't do!" said Rush. "He -bain't alone. There's the other young devils. -It bain't safe. I think of my neck. No; we'll -take 'en down to the hut and tie 'en up; he'll be -out of harm's way there, and in a few hours it -won't matter."</p> -<p class="pnext">Like most Englishmen in speaking to a foreigner, -he shouted, and the Finn warned him to speak -more quietly: the prisoner would hear all he said.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What do it matter?" laughed Rush. "Let -'en hear--by the time his friends find 'en we'll be -far away. Curious 'tis, that we've cotched 'en the -very last day. If it'd a been yesterday, we might -have <em class="italics">had</em> to kill 'en. We'll stuff up his mouth, -though; t'others may be about."</p> -<p class="pnext">Pulling Warrender's handkerchief from his -pocket, he rolled it up, and thrust it between the -lad's teeth. Warrender ruefully reflected that -just in such a way had Jensen been gagged that -morning. Then the men hauled him through the -thicket towards the point of the island where Rush -moored his boat.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I say, Sibelius," remarked Rush, when they -were half-way there, "I reckon we'd better not -take 'en to the hut after all. 'Twill take time, and -we don't know where his mates be. Better go and -tell the boss all about it; he'd be fair mad if -anything spoilt his game the last moment."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What we do, then?" asked the Finn.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We'll truss 'en up: plenty of rope in the boat; -and put 'en in among the bushes. He'll be snug -enough there."</p> -<p class="pnext">He chuckled. Dismayed at the prospect opened -before him, Warrender, who had hitherto offered -no resistance, made a sudden dive towards the -ground, at the same time throwing out his leg in -an attempt to trip the bulkier of his captors. But -though he succeeded in freeing one arm, and -causing the Finn to stumble, he had no time to -wrench himself from Rush's grip before the other -man had recovered his balance and seized him in -a clutch of iron.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Best come quiet!" growled Rush, "or there's -no saying what we might do to you. I've got a -tender heart," he chuckled, "but my mate 'ud -as soon kill a man as a rat."</p> -<p class="pnext">Arrived at the boat, they threw him into the -bottom, and the Finn held him down while Rush -swiftly roped his arms and legs together. Then -they carried him a few yards into the thicket, and -laid him down in a spot where he was completely -hidden from any one who might pass within arm's -length of him.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 72%" id="figure-129"> -<span id="rush-swiftly-roped-his-arms-and-legs-together"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-248.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"RUSH SWIFTLY ROPED HIS ARMS AND LEGS TOGETHER."</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"Now we'll traipse through to the tower," -said Rush. "He'll take a deal of finding, I'm -thinking!"</p> -<p class="pnext">The men struck away towards the ruins, satisfied -that their victim could not escape, and that his -hiding-place was not likely to be discovered until -discovery mattered nothing. They had not -noticed, however, that while the trussing was in -progress, Warrender's cap had fallen off, and -now lay between two of the thwarts of the boat.</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt, hurrying along the tunnel with the -hammer and chisel, and knowing that he was -pursued, felt that he had done rightly in not -making a prolonged search for Warrender. His -sole pre-occupation now was the necessity of -outstripping his pursuers by an interval sufficient to -allow him time to block up their ingress to the -tower. If Armstrong was still unmolested, and -Mr. Pratt could be set free, the three were capable -of dealing with the two men in the tunnel, and -might make good their escape before Gradoff and -his confederates at the tower door had any inkling -of the true situation.</p> -<p class="pnext">He soon understood that he was gaining on the -men behind; but he presently became aware that, -not far ahead of him, daylight seemed to have -percolated into the tunnel. For a moment he was -nonplussed until he remembered the dry well. It -then occurred to him in a flash that some one must -have removed the boards that had lain across the -top of the well, and he was seized with a misgiving. -Had Gradoff, unable to obtain admittance to the -tower, bethought himself of this opening into the -tunnel from above, and lowered one or more of his -men, who had already made their way to the end, -and perhaps overpowered Armstrong?</p> -<p class="pnext">Taking advantage of the faint illumination of -the tunnel, he quickened his pace. In a moment -or two he saw to his consternation a man swing -down the well, and on reaching the ground, begin -to release himself from the rope that was looped -under his arms. It was not a time for hesitation. -Pratt dashed forward, flung himself against the -man before he was free from the rope, and drove -him doubled up against the wall. The man -yelled; from the top of the well forty feet above -them came excited shouts; and out of the tunnel -behind sounded hoarse reverberating cries from -the pursuers, who must have seen what had -happened. Pratt plunged into the tunnel beyond, -and, sprinting along with reckless haste, arrived -in a few minutes breathless at the end, where the -flagstone was still raised as he had left it.</p> -<p class="pnext">He sprang up, slammed down the flagstone -behind him, and let out a lusty cry for Armstrong -to join him.</p> -<p class="pnext">"They're after me--at least three of them!" -he exclaimed, as Armstrong came leaping down -the stairs. "Help me to lug these boxes on to -the flagstone."</p> -<p class="pnext">The crates and boxes ranged along the wall -were empty, and their weight alone would not have -sufficed to resist the pressure of determined men -below. But the roof was low-pitched, and the -boys saw that by piling box upon box they could -create an obstruction which would defy all efforts -to remove it. With feverish haste they dragged -the boxes across the floor, and had already placed -them one upon another when they heard footsteps -beneath, and felt a movement of the flagstone.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Another box will do it," said Armstrong. -"You must heave it up while I stand on the stone."</p> -<p class="pnext">He placed himself on the half of the stone that -moved upwards as it revolved, and bore down with -all his weight. Pratt pulled over a fourth box, -and, standing on the projecting edge of that which -formed the base of the pile, managed with some -difficulty to shove it on to the top, where a space -of no more than two or three inches separated it -from the roof.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good man!" said Armstrong, stepping off the stone.</p> -<p class="pnext">The pressure below raised it perhaps three inches, -then it stuck.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We'll put another pile on each side, to make all -secure," said Armstrong. "Then I think we -needn't worry."</p> -<p class="pnext">With less haste they erected the buttress piles, -listening grimly to the hoarse curses of Rush, and -shriller cries from a foreigner by whose voice they -recognised the Italian chauffeur. In a few minutes -their work was done. Short of an explosion, -nothing could dislodge the jam of boxes between -the flagstone and the roof.</p> -<p class="pnext">Panting from the strain of their exertions, they -went up into the tower.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Where's Phil?" asked Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I don't know," replied Pratt, going on to -relate rapidly his discovery at the end of the -tunnel.</p> -<p class="pnext">"They've got him, I expect," said Armstrong. -"Though I can't make out how they came to -leave this hammer and chisel."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What has happened here?" asked Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nothing. Gradoff and the others waited -outside for a bit, talking quietly. I couldn't -understand what they said. Then Gradoff sent the -chauffeur towards the house, and by and by went -off himself in the direction of the river, leaving the -two strangers behind. Evidently he had sent the -chauffeur for a rope. Perhaps he thought Jensen -had drunk himself silly, and decided to let a man -down the well--a much shorter way than going -across to the island and entering by the tunnel. -The fat's in the fire now. If we release your uncle -we can't get him away."</p> -<p class="pnext">"No," replied Pratt, looking through the chink -in the boards. "Here they come: Gradoff, Rod, -the Pole, the whole gang except the fellows below. -It strikes me we are squarely trapped."</p> -<p class="pnext">Looking towards the prisoner on the floor, -Armstrong fancied he caught a malignant gleam -in the man's eyes.</p> -<p class="pnext">"On the whole," he said quietly, "I'm inclined -to agree with you."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="a-parley">CHAPTER XXII</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">A PARLEY</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"You're more hefty with tools than I am," -said Pratt to Armstrong. "So if you'll run -upstairs and smash that chain off my uncle, I'll keep -an eye on what's happening outside."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Right," replied Armstrong. "The hammer -strikes me as a bit light for the job, but one can -only try. Yell if you want me."</p> -<p class="pnext">Taking the hammer and chisel, he leapt up the -winding staircase to the topmost room. Mr. Pratt -was thoughtfully drawing his fingers through his -beard.</p> -<p class="pnext">"So you are the third member of the trio," -he said.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, I'm Armstrong. If you'll kindly stretch -the chain tight over the edge of the bed, I'll do my -best to break a link. I'm afraid I shall jar you, -but----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't consider that. Make your break as near -my leg as you can."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll break the loop. Are you ready, sir?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Quite."</p> -<p class="pnext">For perhaps two minutes the room echoed and -re-echoed with the metallic din of hammering. -The chisel was of finely tempered steel, and -Armstrong compensated the lightness of the hammer -by the vigour of his blows. A link snapped, the -chain clanked upon the floor, and the prisoner stood -up, free.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Very neatly done," said he. "And now I will -go below and join you and your companions in a -council of war."</p> -<p class="pnext">"There are only two of us now, sir," said -Armstrong. "Warrender didn't come back."</p> -<p class="pnext">As they went downstairs he related succinctly -the events of the last three-quarters of an hour. -Mr. Pratt made no comment. Entering first the -room at the bottom, he threw a glance on the -printing press, the piles of paper, and the Swede -glowering on the floor; then he turned to his -nephew.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, Percy, what is going on?" he asked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Nothing, Uncle. I haven't seen any of the -men. D'you think they see the game is up, and -have bolted?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I think not, judging by what your friend has -just told me. It appears that they have captured -the other man--Warrender, I think you called -him--and they know that you two are here. It -seems improbable that they will decamp already. -They outnumber you hopelessly, and it is more -than likely that there is a large number of forged -notes in the tower which they will secure if they can."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, as the coast seems clear, can't we get -away?" asked Percy. "We came to rescue you; -our job's done."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But, if you'll permit me, mine is just -beginning," said Mr. Pratt. "Do you suppose that I'd -be content to walk meekly away, and let the pack -of scoundrels who have made my house a hotbed -of crime get off with the fruits of their villainy?" The -old gentleman spoke warmly. "I've knocked -about the world for more than thirty years, been -in many tight corners, and I've never knuckled -under to man, beast, or circumstance. This is the -tightest of them all, and, by the Lord Harry, I'll -make a fight for it. You young fellows----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"We're with you, sir," cried Armstrong, -enthusiastically.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rather!" exclaimed Pratt. "If you're game, -Uncle Ambrose----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let us keep cool," returned his uncle. "I'm -no longer under any illusions as to the character -of the wretches I was misguided enough to employ. -They are forgers--that is bad enough--but before -they were forgers they were anarchists, members -of that fraternity of fools whose ideas, put into -practice, would turn the world into a hell. There -are no more reckless malefactors than these -international gangs who exercise their criminal -propensities under the cloak of political enthusiasm. -Make no mistake, young fellows; in resisting -Gradoff and his gang we take our lives in our -hands. In their eyes we are of less value than rats."</p> -<p class="pnext">"We've got to keep 'em out, then," said Percy.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Let us keep cool, I repeat. Let us discuss the -situation."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, sir," said Armstrong, somewhat amazed -at the professional manner of the old gentleman; -"but time's flying, and----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Therefore it is vitally important that we should -focus our attention. As I read the situation, we -shall have to stand a siege. Gradoff determines -to save his forged notes, if not his accomplice -yonder. The question is, what will he do?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I know what I'd do if I----" began Pratt, but -his uncle silenced him with a gesture.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What you would do is not in question. What -Gradoff will do we must infer from the probabilities. -His final aim must be to get away quickly -with his booty. His booty is inaccessible while we -hold the tower. Therefore he must either persuade -or compel us to let him in. Finding persuasion, -reinforced by menace, futile, he will attempt -compulsion. That is to say, he will bring up all -his men and try to force the door. It is useless -for us to blink facts--just peep through the crack, -Percy, and see if he is already moving."</p> -<p class="pnext">Percy reported that still there was no one in sight.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Then we will continue our calm conference. -Gradoff had four men under him at my house. -One of them, Jensen, the Swede, lies there. From -what you tell me he employs also Rush, and another -foreigner whom I have never seen. You tell me -that two strangers--by their appearance foreigners--came -with him to the tower to-day. Therefore -we are three against eight."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But we are inside," said Percy.</p> -<p class="pnext">"As a chicken is inside an egg. The shell can -be cracked. That door, stout as it is, can be -hacked through, blown in, or battered down. -Probably they will not risk an explosion; it might -attract even our stolid village policeman to the -scene. Defending our position with such poor -weapons as we have, we cannot prevent the enemy -from sooner or later forcing an entrance."</p> -<p class="pnext">"These are surely arguments for scuttling, sir, -while we have time," said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I am not arguing, but calmly stating facts," -returned Mr. Pratt. "Scuttle! Is it conceivable -that I shall scuttle for fear of this pirate crew, who -have half-starved me, chained me up, carried on -their dastardly work under my roof? But let me -keep cool," he added, checking the tide of indignation. -"The villains break in, I say, sooner or -later. What then? With your assistance I -propose to defend the stairs. The winding of the -staircase is in favour of the defence. In so narrow a -space the assailants lose the advantage of numbers. -With resolution we shall hold our own."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But that can't go on indefinitely, Uncle," said -Pratt. "They could starve us out."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hardly; for this reason. You will be missed -from your camp. Mr. Crawshay, you tell me, -knows that you are making investigations. Your -prolonged absence will alarm him; he will raise a -hue and cry. Gradoff is perfectly aware that what -he has to do must be done quickly. If we can -withstand him for twenty-four hours, he is a beaten man."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You think, then, sir, that they will give it up -within twenty-four hours and then bolt?" said -Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That is my forecast. They will save their skins -and lose their forged notes, which are no doubt -hidden away somewhere in the tower. Take another -look out, Percy."</p> -<p class="pnext">The boy peered through the crack in the boarding, -and again reported no one in sight.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Come with me to the roof," said his uncle. -"From there we can survey a wide extent of the -park. Armstrong will oblige me by remaining on -guard."</p> -<p class="pnext">He led the way up the stairs to the topmost -room. Here he opened a low door in the wall, -which gave access to a short flight of steps leading -to the flat roof. Looking out towards the river, -they saw a group of men gathered about the -well-head. A moment later they caught sight of -Gradoff and the two strangers approaching the -tower from the direction of the house. Mr. Pratt -leant over the parapet in full view, watching them. -One of the strangers noticed him, and caught -Gradoff by the arm. The Russian looked up, -halted, and seemed for a moment to be taken aback. -The three men spoke rapidly together, then -advanced to the foot of the tower. Gradoff tried the -door. Retreating a few steps, he called up--</p> -<p class="pnext">"Holà!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well?" said Mr. Pratt, leaning on the parapet.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Come down and open the door. I have a -proposition to make."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Make it now. I can hear you quite well."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You have Olof Jensen in the tower?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"He is a prisoner. Yes."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I also have a prisoner--one of three boys. I -exchange him for Jensen, on condition that you -come out with the other two."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And then?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"You shall go free, provided you promise to -remain quietly in the park for two hours and do -not approach the house."</p> -<p class="pnext">"You would accept my promise?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Certainly."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And what assurance have I that you would -keep yours?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"You have my word, witnessed by my friends here."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And what is your word worth, by whomsoever -witnessed?"</p> -<p class="pnext">Gradoff's habitual smoothness left him. Shaking -his fist, he shouted--</p> -<p class="pnext">"I will show you what my word is worth. If -you do not unbolt the door we shall kill you -like--like a dog. I give you one minute."</p> -<p class="pnext">Mr. Pratt leant motionless on the parapet, gazing -down at the three men with a grim smile. Beside -him his nephew, tingling with excitement, felt -unbounded admiration for this strange uncle of -his. The minute passed in silence. Gradoff, watch -in hand, paced restlessly about. His friends stood -together.</p> -<p class="pnext">At the end of the minute Gradoff thrust his -watch into his pocket.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Look out, Uncle!" cried Percy.</p> -<p class="pnext">One of the strangers had whipped out a revolver -with extraordinary rapidity and fired point-blank -at the motionless figure above. Mr. Pratt did not -wince--showed neither fear nor agitation. Slowly -unfolding his arms, he stood erect and turned to -his nephew.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Come," he said, "I think it is time we went below."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="vi-et-armis">CHAPTER XXIII</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">"VI ET ARMIS"</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">When uncle and nephew regained the lower -floor they found that Armstrong had not been idle. -From one side of the room he had hauled a long, -stout table and set it up endwise against the door, -between that and the printing press.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Capital!" said Mr. Pratt. "You have doubled -the thickness of our armour. But, in default of -sandbags, we must find something to strengthen -our defences still further."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I had thought of that, sir," said Armstrong. -"There's nothing but this bale of paper and the -sheets already printed. I think they will pretty -well fill the space between the press and the door; -if not we can get some of the boxes from below. -They are no longer needed there."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Excellent idea! You young fellows set about -that while I keep watch."</p> -<p class="pnext">In a few minutes the boys had wedged the paper -and a number of boxes into the vacant space, so -as to form almost a solid block. Mr. Pratt -meanwhile reported the movements of the enemy -without.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Gradoff is surrounded by his gang. He is -haranguing them. Two of them have gone away -towards the river. Nick Rush looks a little -uncomfortable. No doubt he prefers stealth and -secrecy, and has visions of the interior of a prison -cell. Wonderful how brave a man can be if he -thinks he will not be found out. They are taking -off their coats. Aha! They are going to ram us. -The two men have returned with a long pole. A -pity I had those trees felled; pity, too, that I had -the parapet so thoroughly repaired, or we might -have hurled stones upon our assailants in the -manner of our ancestors. They used boiling oil, -too, molten lead, and various other pleasant -devices which are out of our power. Ah! The -performance is about to begin. Six of them have -lifted the pole--a fine, straight piece of timber. -One of the strangers, I observe, is lending a hand. -Gradoff is usually so calm and self-contained that -the excitement with which he is now giving orders -is somewhat amusing. What weapons have we, -by the way?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I have that fellow Jensen's pistol, sir," said -Armstrong. "Besides that we have only short -cudgels."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And the hammer and chisel," added Percy.</p> -<p class="pnext">"We are unexpectedly well off," said Mr. Pratt. -"I think I will take the pistol; no doubt I am a -little more used to that sort of thing than -Armstrong. For the rest--come, my lads, Gradoff has -finished. Stand ready!"</p> -<p class="pnext">The position now was that before an entry could -be forced, the door must be broken, and the -barricade of table, boxes and paper overthrown. -Mr. Pratt and the boys had just posted themselves -beside the printing press, when there was a thundering -crash at the door. The room seemed to quiver; -some of the upper sheets of paper rose and fell as -if a wind had blown upon them; and the vibration -caused the printing press to give forth a low ringing -note. But the stout oaken door had not yielded. -There were shouts outside. A few moments -passed; then the building shook under the impact -of a second stroke.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Heart of oak!" exclaimed Mr. Pratt, with -satisfaction. "The door is oak; the ram, I think, -is beech. Listen."</p> -<p class="pnext">The tones of Gradoff's voice, soaring to an -unnatural pitch, were heard chiding, urging, -encouraging. A third time his men advanced, not -with the cheery unisonal "Yo! ho!" of British -tars, but each man raising his particular cry.</p> -<p class="pnext">"More vim in that," remarked Armstrong, as -the shattering blow resounded. "And look, sir."</p> -<p class="pnext">About a foot below the upper hinge of the door, -which was not covered by the table, a jagged -streak of light shone through.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes," said Mr. Pratt, coolly. "They have -cracked the shell. The hinges will give. In five -or six minutes they will be scrambling over our -barricade. I find I have only four cartridges; -they must be reserved for the critical moment. -Percy, run upstairs and bring down the hammer and -chisel--yes, and the chain. I have no objection -whatever to turning the enemy's weapons against him."</p> -<p class="pnext">While Percy was absent, the assailants, who -had evidently marked the damage already done, -again rammed the door, on the same side. There -was a flood of light through a gap nearly a foot -square; splinters of timber across the upturned -end of the table fell at Armstrong's feet. At the -next blow the door split from top to bottom, and -the whole of the upper part fell inwards. -Apparently the enemy guessed that some attempt at a -barricade had been made, for their next stroke -was delivered lower down, with such force that it -broke through the door, drove the table in, and -sent some of the piled-up boxes toppling.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Won't you now try a shot, sir?" said Armstrong.</p> -<p class="pnext">"They have drawn back; next time," replied -Mr. Pratt. "Stand clear."</p> -<p class="pnext">Once more the battering-ram was rushed -forward. It could now be seen that the shorter men -held the fore part; the taller men were behind. -Mr. Pratt raised his arm, but before he could take -deliberate aim the forceful stroke carried the -remnants of the door inwards, and hurled the -shattered table, broken boxes, and flying sheets -of paper in one indistinguishable mass upon the -printing press, which gave way and fell with a -mighty crash upon the floor. Mr. Pratt barely -escaped being overthrown with it. He staggered -backward, and the pistol was knocked from his -hand. The small figure of the Italian chauffeur -leapt into the breach, and began to clamber over -the wreckage. Armstrong darted forward, and, -before the man had time to swing round, -Armstrong's cudgel descended with a resounding crack -upon his skull, and he fell sprawling among the -litter.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 74%" id="figure-130"> -<span id="he-staggered-backward-and-the-pistol-was-knocked-from-his-hand"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-260.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"HE STAGGERED BACKWARD, AND THE PISTOL WAS KNOCKED FROM HIS HAND."</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">But Maximilien Rod was at his heels. Stumbling -over him, the cook plunged head foremost among -the boxes, only his fall saving him from Armstrong's -club. Immediately behind him dashed the tall -Pole. Having no time to swing his cudgel, -Armstrong jabbed at him, and catching him under the -chin sent him reeling against the doorpost. -Meanwhile Mr. Pratt had disengaged himself from the -obstructing press and regained his pistol, just as -Rush and his big comrade of the island forged -through the opening. The Pole had sprung to his -feet with catlike agility. A revolver cracked. -Mr. Pratt recoiled, rapidly changed his pistol from the -right hand to the left, and fired.</p> -<p class="pnext">There was a sudden lull. Rush and the Finn -had slipped back out of harm's way. Through the -smoke Armstrong saw two men on the floor--the -chauffeur whom he had felled, and the Pole, victim -to Mr. Pratt's pistol.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Back to the stairs!" murmured the old -gentleman. He tottered.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Are you hit, sir?" cried Armstrong, darting -to his support.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes. Leave me and hold the stairs."</p> -<p class="pnext">At this moment the entrance was darkened by -the forms of the remaining members of the attacking -party, Rush and the Finn, urged forward by -Gradoff and his friends. Armstrong, holding -Mr. Pratt, felt that the game was up. But now came -Percy leaping down the winding stairs. Into the -room he dashed, carrying a long bar of iron. -Taking in the situation at a glance, he flung himself -at the foremost intruders. Rush doubled up -under his vehement onslaught; Sibelius recoiled -upon Gradoff; and the momentary check gave -Armstrong time to haul Mr. Pratt out of the light -to the foot of the dark stairway. Swiftly -withdrawing from the heap of wreckage, Percy had -barely joined them and helped to draw his uncle -up a few steps to the protection of the curving -wall, when four pistols cracked, and chips of stone -fell clattering upon the stairs.</p> -<p class="pnext">Immediately afterwards a burly arm and -shoulder showed itself in the round of the wall. -Quick as thought Percy lunged with his iron bar -and jabbed the intruder just below the elbow. -The man threw out a hoarse, savage cry, and -disappeared. For a brief space there was silence; -then came the noise of heavy feet kicking aside -the debris in the room below, and rushing towards -the stairway.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Leave me," said Mr. Pratt again, sitting on -one of the steps.</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong sprang down, and darting in front -of Percy, came face to face with one of the strangers, -who was rounding the corner, brandishing a pistol. -Unprepared, apparently, for sudden counter-attack, -and incommoded by the right-hand twist of the -narrow staircase, the man let slip his momentary -chance of firing point-blank, but had enough -presence of mind to dodge the blow Armstrong -aimed at him. If there had been room for two -abreast on the stairs it might have gone ill with -Armstrong then; he staggered forward and thrust -his hands against the wall to save himself from -falling. Behind him, however, Percy had swiftly -taken his cue. With his extemporised pike he -caught the stranger in the middle. The man -recoiled upon his companions in the rear. A -storm of curses broke from them, but in a few -moments the din subsided, and nothing was heard -except the low voices of the enemy in consultation.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Jolly good weapon," whispered Armstrong, -indicating the iron bar. "Where did you get it?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Wrenched it off my uncle's bedstead," replied Percy.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Any more?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"One."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, leave me this and go and get it, old chap. -It's more useful than the club."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Is there time?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I think so. They won't know quite what to -do. But hurry up. I'll look after your uncle--give -him first aid. He ought to go upstairs; by -the time you're down again I'll have him ready to -move."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Much hurt, Uncle?" asked Pratt, bending down.</p> -<p class="pnext">"A furrow ploughed in my forearm; nothing vital. -Perhaps one of you will bind up the wound for me."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll do that, sir," said Armstrong. "Cut -away, Percy."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="a-levy-en-masse">CHAPTER XXIV</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">A LEVY EN MASSE</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">To lie on one's back, bitted like a horse, trussed -like a chicken, with flies and midges disporting -themselves, unchecked, about one's features, and -ants making adventurous journeys among one's -clothes, is a situation that, to say the least of it, -puts a strain upon a man's patience and equanimity. -It is not greatly eased by the liberty of his eyes -when their range is limited by dense overhanging -foliage, which stirs in the breeze, opening tantalising -glimpses of a sunbright sky.</p> -<p class="pnext">On his turfy couch Warrender lay, groaning -inwardly, cursing himself for delaying his errand, -and Fate for bringing his enemies just then upon -the scene; vexing his soul with visions of his -companions caught unawares, and of Mr. Pratt still -chained to his post; blaming himself, with the -insight of the afflicted, for having countenanced a -scheme that usurped the functions of the officers -of the law. A fly feasted on his nose; gnats -buzzed in and out of his ears; ants chased one -another over his neck and up his arms, causing -him to feel one multitudinous and intricate itch.</p> -<p class="pnext">He had tried to wriggle himself free from his -bonds, but Rush had not been poacher and fisher -for nothing. Desisting from his vain struggles, -he lay mumbling his gag, shaking his head like a -tormented horse, and, as the minutes passed, -sweating with alarm.</p> -<p class="pnext">Presently his straining ears caught the faint -regular thud of oars turning in rowlocks. The -sound drew nearer. He tried to shout, but was -capable of nothing more than a gurgling grunt. -The knowledge that a boat was rounding the -southern end of the island set him a-throb with -hope, anxiety, despair--for what should bring the -oarsman to shore? If, indeed, he should land, what -should draw him to this overgrown spot, or cause -him to pry among the bushes? The sound began -to recede; the boat was passing on down the river; -his momentary hopefulness was crushed under the -weight of disappointment.</p> -<p class="pnext">But after a little while his numb spirit was -revivified by the sound of oars approaching again. -He listened with throbbing eagerness. The -movements were not now so regular; they were -interrupted; presently they ceased altogether. Then -he heard a rustle, and a slight thud as of some -light-footed person jumping ashore. Again he -tried to shout, but only the feeblest groan issued. -All was silent. The new-comer, whoever it was, -had seemingly not moved. But--was that not -a cry?--a faint coo-ee, like an attenuated echo -rather than a substantive sound. It came again, -a little louder. After an interval, a third time, -louder still. But there was no footstep, no rustling -of branches, or swishing in trodden grass.</p> -<p class="pnext">Frenzied by the thought of some one standing -within easy reach of him--some one, too, who -was seeking, if not him, at any rate -somebody--Warrender jerked his jaw until he succeeded in -shifting a little the handkerchief knotted behind -his poll; and, blowing out his cheeks, he fetched -from the depth of his throat a note like the boom -of a bull-frog. He heard--or was it fancy?--a -muffled exclamation. Again he boomed. Then--surely -he was not mistaken?--a light-toned voice, -asking, with the breathless utterance of surprise, -"Who is it?" He could but reply with his -inarticulate bass note. Footsteps came towards -him; then hesitated. He boomed encouragement.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Where are you?"</p> -<p class="pnext">The words were scarcely above a whisper. -Boom, boom! The swishing footsteps advanced, -leaves clashed together, twigs snapped, and -Warrender, feeling that his throat would crack and -his cheeks burst, kept up his hollow note in moto -continuo--accelerando--crescendo, as the hoped-for -relief drew nearer.</p> -<p class="pnext">Presently, after what seemed an age, the foliage -above his head was gently, timorously parted, and -his eyes beheld amazement, concern, indignation -in the face of Lilian Crawshay.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh!" she exclaimed, pushing through the -shrub. "What--why--oh, you poor thing!"</p> -<p class="pnext">She dropped on her knees, lifted his head, and -swiftly untied the knot in the handkerchief.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Thank you," he gasped.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Who did it? What does it mean? But -presently--presently. Your arms!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Turning, she sought to untie the knots. They -were too firm, the rope too coarse, for her little -fingers.</p> -<p class="pnext">"My knife--coat pocket," murmured Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">In a trice she found the knife; even its keen -blade she had to use as a saw before the bonds were -severed. Warrender got up, stiffly. He stretched -his aching arms, shook himself, stamped his feet.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I can't thank you enough," he said, the words -coming hoarsely through his parched lips.</p> -<p class="pnext">"But who had the wickedness----? Never -mind; tell me presently. What can I do? There -is something--something terrible, I know. What -can I do to help?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Will you row me to our camp? As we go, I -shall be able to explain. My voice is coming back."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes, let us go. Let me help you."</p> -<p class="pnext">She took his arm, hurried him on his cramped -legs to the skiff that lay half on the bank, and, -hauling this into the water, assisted him to the -stern thwart. Then she turned, ran a few steps to -Rush's boat, and brought from it Warrender's cap.</p> -<p class="pnext">"But for this----" she began. "Oh, it's too -horrible!"</p> -<p class="pnext">Springing to her seat facing him, she unshipped -the sculls and began to pull up stream.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I rowed to your camp," she said. "My -father gave me a message for you. I was -surprised to find it deserted, and came down, thinking -I might see some of you on the water. But there -was no sign of you, and I was returning when I -caught sight of the cap in Rush's boat. I -wondered. I knew it belonged to one of you, and it -surprised me to find it there. I got ashore. Did -you hear me coo-ee? It was very soft; I hardly -knew what to think."</p> -<p class="pnext">Warrender nodded.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Then I heard that strange sound. I was a -little frightened; but after a moment I thought -it might be Mr. Pratt; he is funny sometimes. -It was when you didn't answer that I thought -something must be wrong, and--well, you know. -I am so glad I didn't run away. How long had -you been in that dreadful position?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I don't know--an age."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And was it Rush?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes. I must tell you. The foreigners at the -Red House----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, I guessed! Dear old Father was so -mysterious. Did he tell you to keep it from me?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, yes, he did."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I knew it. Why does a man like to play the -ostrich? I knew ages ago there was something -strange happening, and we poor women creatures -mustn't be startled, shocked. Daddy is an Early -Victorian. Is it so very horrid?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's a long story. D'you mind if I tell you -later? I want you to land, if you will, at the -camp, and go across to your house as quickly as -possible, and ask Mr. Crawshay to bring every man -he can muster, armed, to the tower in Mr. Pratt's -grounds. One thing I had better tell you at once: -the foreigners had Mr. Pratt a prisoner in the tower."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Good gracious! Mr. Ambrose Pratt?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes. Here we are. Please give my message -at once. Mr. Crawshay will partly understand. -Impress on him that speed is vital."</p> -<p class="pnext">"And you?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I am going to rush up to the village in the -motor-boat."</p> -<p class="pnext">"But are you able?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Quite. The stiffness is wearing off. Tell -Mr. Crawshay I am taking some men--all the -able-bodied men I can collect--to the tower, and -if he can somehow send a message to the nearest -town for the police----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes; I understand. We've no telegraph or -telephone in this benighted place, but it shall be -done. You are quite sure you can manage alone? -I don't think you are fit for much exertion, you -know."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'm quite all right," replied Warrender, smiling -as he handed the girl ashore. "By the way, Pratt -and Armstrong are in the tower. Will you tell -Mr. Crawshay that? And speed is all important."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I'll run like a hare. Good-bye. I do hope----"</p> -<p class="pnext">She left her thought unsaid, and, gathering -her skirt, fled across the field towards her home.</p> -<p class="pnext">Ten minutes afterwards, Warrender ran the -motor-boat alongside the landing-stage, sprang -ashore, and hurried up to the Ferry Inn. The -door was open--it was the mid-day interval for -refreshment--and he saw a good many familiar -figures with their elbows on the bar, or tipping -up the pots which Joe Rogers, in his shirt-sleeves, -had drawn for them. His arrival precisely at -this moment could not have happened more -luckily. Rogers greeted him with a smile; Henery -Drew and one or two others nodded and went on -drinking. No one spoke; the countryman takes -a minute or two to think of an opening.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Rogers, my friends, I want your help," said -Warrender. The rustics looked at him solemnly. -He went on, not pausing to choose his words: -"Those foreigners are forging Treasury notes in -Mr. Pratt's tower. They have Mr. Pratt himself -a prisoner there." Eyes widened; pots were -suspended in mid course. "My chums have got -in and are holding the place against them. I want -every man of you to come with me and lend a hand. -With your help we'll collar the whole gang. There's -no time to lose."</p> -<p class="pnext">No one moved. Rogers stood staring, with his -hand on the draw-pull. The others gaped.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Don't you understand?" cried Warrender. -"Mr. Pratt's in danger. They're desperate -criminals--six or eight of them against three. -You, Mr. Drew--you're a soldier. Rogers----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"What have they done to my sister Molly?" -shouted Rogers. "Neighbours all, do 'ee hear? -Mr. Pratt, as we thought abroad--'od rabbit it all, -come on!" He darted round the counter.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Got a gun, Rogers?" asked Warrender.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay, there's a fowling-piece in the parlour," -cried the man, running back again.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I've got one up along," said Drew. "Do 'ee -say now! I'll fetch 'en."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Stay!" said Warrender. "There isn't time. -You must bring what you can. Don't delay. -Sticks, forks, spades--you've a mattock there," -he added, addressing a man on the settle against -the wall. "Bring it along. All of you bring what -you can lay hands on. Mr. Drew, you're an active -man. Run up into the village and collect all the -men you can find, and take them up to the Red -House by the road. Set a couple to guard the gate, -lead the rest on to the tower. You others, borrow -some garden tools from Rogers--or anything; and -come with me. Here's Rogers." The innkeeper, -minus his wig, came back with his fowling-piece. -"You'll lend your tools?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay sure. In the shed, neighbours; you do -know the way. My poor Molly!"</p> -<p class="pnext">"I give you five minutes!" cried Warrender. -"Come down to the ferry. I'll wait for -you--five minutes only."</p> -<p class="pnext">He hurried out, followed by Rogers. The -younger men among the rest, bestirring themselves -at last, went round the inn into the garden. Within -five minutes a group of seven, armed with hoe, -rake, spade, mattock, fork, fowling-piece, and -coal-hammer, was gathered on the landing-stage.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Squeeze into the boat," said Warrender. -"I'll run you down and land you opposite No Man's -Island. You must pack tight."</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 74%" id="figure-131"> -<span id="squeeze-into-the-boat"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-272.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"'SQUEEZE INTO THE BOAT.'"</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">They crowded into the boat. Warrender opened -the throttle. A shriek was heard, and Mrs. Rogers -came flying out of the inn, flourishing her -husband's wig.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Joe, you gawkhammer, you've left your hair -behind."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Make it into a stew and be jowned to it!" -shouted Rogers, as the boat hummed away.</p> -<p class="pnext">Landing on the bank opposite the cottage, the -party hurried through the plantation, Warrender -taking the lead.</p> -<p class="pnext">"No talking, men," he said.</p> -<p class="pnext">They emerged into the park. The tower came -in sight. From the roof a dense column of brown -smoke rose straight into the still air. Rogers -groaned.</p> -<p class="pnext">"God send we be in time!" he murmured, as he -pounded heavily along.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="squaring-accounts">CHAPTER XXV</p> -<p class="center medium pnext">SQUARING ACCOUNTS</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">Armstrong profited by the enemy's first check -to bind his handkerchief round Mr. Pratt's arm.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hadn't you better go upstairs, sir, out of -harm's way?" he asked.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Call myself a casualty and slink to the rear? -No, thank you, my lad. Not while I can stand -and use my left arm. We must hold our ground -here at all costs."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Here, sir?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Yes. They must not drive us beyond the first -floor. No doubt they have released the man you -tied up, and the fact that they still attack us shows -there is something upstairs they don't want to leave."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I saw some tin cases in the room above."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Filled with forged notes, beyond doubt. But -what's this? Do you smell burning?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Smoke--wood smoke. D'you hear the -crackling? They have fired the tower."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Not they. They won't burn their notes. -They want to drive us above. It is very -ingenious--and very unpleasant."</p> -<p class="pnext">The pungent smoke from burning wood rolled -up the staircase in ever-increasing volume. Percy -came running down, carrying, not an iron bar, -but an assegai taken from the wall of the top room.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Didn't notice it before," he said.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Run up again and open the door to the roof," -said his uncle. "We may as well stave off -asphyxia as long as we can."</p> -<p class="pnext">Armstrong caught sight of a head peering up -from the round of the wall below. He raised -his hand suddenly as if to fire. The head -disappeared.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Spying to see if we have gone," chuckled -Mr. Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">With the opening of the door above, the smoke -rose more rapidly. Mr. Pratt coughed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I have the misfortune to be a trifle asthmatical," -he said. "It is very unpleasant."</p> -<p class="pnext">"May as well cough, too. It will encourage -'em," said Armstrong, with a grim smile. "Percy, -you can manage a churchyard cough."</p> -<p class="pnext">They both coughed, at first deliberately, but -as the smoke thickened, involuntarily.</p> -<p class="pnext">Suddenly there was a rush of feet below. -Armstrong bent forward, thrusting out his iron bar; -but the foremost of the assailants, the Swede, -seemed to have expected the move, for he slipped -aside, bent almost double, crying to his comrade -behind him, and sprang towards Percy. The boy, -having just run downstairs and only at that -moment caught up the assegai, was a little late -with his lunge. Jensen seized the head of the -weapon and tugged at it, forcing Percy down a -step or two. To save himself, Percy let go; -the Swede staggered backward against Radewski, -who was in the act of discharging his revolver -at Armstrong. The jostling of the man's arm -spoilt his aim, and the bullet, which, fired -point-blank, would probably have found its billet in -Armstrong's breast, struck him on the right -shoulder and spun him half round. Mr. Pratt -had hitherto been unable to use his pistol for fear -of hitting one or other of the boys; but now, -seeing that both were for the moment at a -disadvantage, he dashed between them, fired with -his left hand at the Pole, only two steps below, and -sent him rolling down the stairs with a shot in his -groin.</p> -<p class="pnext">But the enemy were not this time to be denied. -Jensen, inspired with lust of vengeance, had -quickly recovered his footing. Immediately below -him Rod and Sibelius, pointing their revolvers, -only awaited an opportunity of firing as soon as -there was no risk of hitting their own comrade. -Mr. Pratt, who was weaker than he knew, had just -pulled his trigger without effect; either the chamber -was empty or something had jammed. Armstrong, -with a wound in the shoulder, was leaning, for the -moment overcome with pain, against the wall -of the staircase. Taking in the whole scene, -Percy felt that all was over. His own weapon -was gone; even if he should seize Armstrong's bar, -single-handed he must soon be overpowered.</p> -<p class="pnext">At this crisis, by one of those tricks of the mind -which no one can account for, he suddenly -remembered the packet of pepper he had bought in the -village, and one of the uses to which pepper could -be put. It was still in his pocket. Snatching it -out, he swiftly unfolded the top of the cone-shaped -paper bag, and holding the bag by the screwed-up -end, he scattered its contents upon the face of -Jensen, just rounding the bend. With a howl of -rage and pain the Swede recoiled on his comrades -behind, driving them back upon the remainder of -their party at the foot of the stairs. The volume -of wood smoke had lessened when they started the -attack; and now the cloud of pepper, floating -down slowly upon the fumes, spread over the -whole width of the staircase. A chorus of sneezes -soared up--a chorus in many parts, from the -shrill tenor of Prutti, the Italian chauffeur, to the -resonant bass of the corpulent Swiss, Maximilien -Rod. Gradoff's sneeze was distinguishable from -Jensen's, and the two strangers performed a duet -in sternutation. There were interludes of cursing -and yelling; Rush's sense of humour appeared to -be tickled, as well as his nostrils; for Pratt declared -that he heard him guffawing between his sneezes. -After all, Rush was an Englishman.</p> -<p class="pnext">The performers were still busy--the audience -on the stairs was about to move a little higher -up--when there came, from some spot without, -a sound of cheers. Never was applause so -unwelcome to a foreign band. With the sneezes -now mingled cries of alarm, the noise of feet -scuffling amid litter, a running to and fro. Percy, -with a whoop of delight, dashed downstairs, -picking up his assegai on the way. When he -reached the room below, he was momentarily -checked by a sneeze; then, through the clearing -smoke, his streaming eyes beheld two figures -struggling on the floor. A second glance -distinguished them as Jensen and his old enemy, -Henery Drew. The farmer was uppermost.</p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 74%" id="figure-132"> -<span id="the-farmer-was-uppermost"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-279.jpg" /> -<div class="caption figure"> -"THE FARMER WAS UPPERMOST."</div> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">"Come and see fair play, Jack," Pratt shouted -up the stairs to Armstrong, who had pulled himself -together and was following him.</p> -<p class="pnext">From outside came fierce shouts, pistol shots, -the clash of weapons. Pratt dashed out. Gradoff -and his gang (all but Rush, who had surrendered -at once) were sustaining an unequal struggle with -the infuriated villagers who had closed upon them. -On the one side Warrender, with Rogers and the -rest, on the other the group of villagers collected -by Drew--of whom the general dealer, smarting -for his unpaid bill, had constituted himself the -temporary leader in rivalry with Constable -Hardstone--a body of some twenty determined men, -who were perhaps a little breathless from haste. -Not so with the others. As Samson lost his -strength with his hair, so these international -adventurers, desperate, courageous enough, holding -life cheap, became as children under the debilitating -pungency of pepper. A man cannot sneeze and -fight. Some few shots were fired; a bullet grazed -Rogers's shining skull; another struck out of -Blevins's hand the mallet he carried; a third -carried away the lobe of an ear from a young -carter, who refused to leave the field until he had -found it. Short, sharp, decisive, the battle ended -in a general capitulation. Only one of the foreigners -escaped; Gradoff, seeing that all was lost, kept his -last bullet for himself.</p> -<p class="pnext">From the doorway Mr. Pratt had watched the -pinioning of the prisoners. A cheer broke from -his neighbours and tenants. And, just as a move -towards the house was being made, Mr. Crawshay -and two of his men, armed with shot-guns, came -trotting across the sward.</p> -<p class="pnext">"God bless you, Pratt, my dear fellow," cried -the old gentleman, grasping his neighbour by the -hand, and shaking it vigorously up and down.</p> -<p class="pnext">Mr. Pratt sneezed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"And you, Crawshay," he said. "But try -the other hand, my friend; my right arm bears an -honourable wound."</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center large pfirst" id="epilogue">EPILOGUE</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst">It was Saturday afternoon. The spacious lawn -in front of Mr. Crawshay's house was spread with -bamboo tables and deck-chairs. At the porch -stood Mr. Crawshay and Mr. Ambrose Pratt side -by side, smoking long cigars, chatting and laughing -with the familiarity of old friends. Mr. Pratt's -right arm was in a sling.</p> -<p class="pnext">"It's time they came," said Mr. Crawshay, taking -out his watch. He wore a large panama, and his -suit of spotless ducks gave him a festal air.</p> -<p class="pnext">"They're probably squabbling for precedence," -said Mr. Pratt; "not on social grounds, but for -modesty. It's an ordeal, you know, Crawshay; -and when they see your rig, and that purple tie of -yours, they'll be abashed."</p> -<p class="pnext">"What'll they say to the women, then?" -returned Mr. Crawshay. "Upon my soul, Pratt, -I think you are right to come in your old clothes; -they'll feel more at home. It never occurred to me."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, well, you're lord of the manor; I dare -say you're right to look the part. But here they -come, in a bunch. Mrs. Rogers is, perhaps, a -shade ahead."</p> -<p class="pnext">Mr. Crawshay turned and called through the -open door. His daughter, in a dainty confection -of muslin and lace, and a straw hat trimmed with -pink silk, came running out, followed by her mother, -an impressive figure in blue, and our three campers, -in flannels and blazers. Armstrong also had an -arm in a sling.</p> -<p class="pnext">Grouped in front of the porch they awaited the -coming of the party that had just entered the drive. -Mrs. Rogers, in stiff black silk, and a wonderful -bonnet, marched along a little in advance of her -husband, hardly recognisable in his Sunday suit -of blue serge and a bowler hat sitting uneasily on -the back of his head. Samuel Blevins, the general -dealer, had affected a long frock coat and a tall hat. -Henery Drew, magnificent in a brown bowler and -a suit of large-checked tweed, walked beside -Hardstone, the constable, disguised in habiliments that -might have become a prosperous plumber. The -rest of the company, whose names we do not know, -were alike in one respect; all had donned their -"Sunday best." Every face, without exception, -wore an air of deep solemnity.</p> -<p class="pnext">Mr. Crawshay took a step forward.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Glad to see you, neighbours," he said, genially. -"We are lucky in a fine afternoon."</p> -<p class="pnext">He shook hands with them individually, a -greeting that inflicted on them various degrees of -embarrassment, deepened by the smiling welcome -of his wife and daughter. Mr. Pratt contented -himself with a general salutation; it was not until -the boys began to crack jokes with them that the -prevailing gloom lightened.</p> -<p class="pnext">"You didn't bring your sister, Rogers?" said -Mr. Crawshay to the innkeeper.</p> -<p class="pnext">"True, sir; she bain't come along."</p> -<p class="pnext">"She couldn't face 'ee, sir," added Mrs. Rogers. -"I always did say as she was making a rod for -her back, though never did I think Rod was such -a downright wicked feller. And Henery Drew, -as would have made her a good husband as far as -husbands do go, and now he can't marry her without -committing bigamy."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, well! We must hope for the best," said -Mr. Crawshay. "Now, my friends, we're all here. -Take your seats, and we'll have tea."</p> -<p class="pnext">The company seated themselves. Maids brought -from the house trays filled with good things. -Mrs. Crawshay poured out tea, and Lilian and the boys -carried round the eatables. Under the influence -of good cheer the villagers' stiffness wore off, and -they began to descant upon the moving events of -the past days. For the first time in its history the -village had become a place of importance. Visitors -had flocked to it from all parts; journalists -with cameras had interviewed the actors in the -drama, and expressed themselves very freely on -Mr. Pratt's refusal to admit them to his grounds, -and to pose for his photograph. His modesty -in this respect was a standing puzzle to his -humble neighbours. Mrs. Rogers, for instance, was -extremely proud of the portrait of her husband -that had appeared in the previous day's picture paper.</p> -<p class="pnext">"The scar shows beautiful," she said, complacently.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dear me," said Mrs. Crawshay, with a -discreet glance at Rogers's broad face, "I wasn't -aware----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Take off your hat, Joe, and show the lady."</p> -<p class="pnext">Removing his hat, Rogers displayed a red -furrow that ran across his shiny pate.</p> -<p class="pnext">"What a narrow escape!" exclaimed Mrs. Crawshay.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Ay sure, ma'am, 'twas so," said Mrs. Rogers. -"And I'm certain a widow's cap wouldn't have -suited me."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, Mrs. Rogers, you won't be so particular -about Joe's wig after this," said Percy Pratt. -"You see, if he'd worn his wig, his scalp wouldn't -have been touched; think what millions of people -have had the pleasure of admiring your husband, -talking about his bravery, discussing the track of -the bullet across his skull. No one wanted to take -my photograph."</p> -<p class="pnext">"They took 'ee unbeknownst, then, becos there -you be, next to Joe, with 'Pepper and Salt' -printed underneath; very clever, I call it, Joe -being once a sailor."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Oh, I say," exclaimed Pratt, "did they get -the others too?"</p> -<p class="pnext">"No, sir. Not as I think it a very good likeness. -You've got your two eyes half shut, and your -mouth is a very queer shape, like as if you was -expecting of somebody to pop something in it--a -drop of physic, maybe."</p> -<p class="pnext">The villagers looked merely interested, the others -frankly amused. Pratt blushed.</p> -<p class="pnext">"He must have caught you when you were -singing a particularly sentimental song, old chap," -said Warrender, smiling.</p> -<p class="pnext">"That reminds me," said Mrs. Crawshay. "Do -bring out your banjo, Mr. Pratt, and sing us -something."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Wait a minute," said Mr. Crawshay. "Before -we begin the--entertainment, shall I call it?--I -want to say a word or two."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hear, hear!" exclaimed Blevins. "'Tis what -I call an event."</p> -<p class="pnext">"No heroics, for goodness' sake, Crawshay," -murmured Mr. Pratt.</p> -<p class="pnext">Mr. Crawshay assumed the look of one determined -not to be interfered with.</p> -<p class="pnext">"I just want to say, neighbours," he proceeded, -"how glad I am to see you all here this afternoon, -in celebration of what Mr. Blevins rightly calls an -event in the simple history of our little parish. -You all had a part in the frustration of the most -nefarious criminal conspiracy that has ever come -within my long experience as a county magistrate. -Thanks to the ingenuity and perseverance of my -dear young friends, their refusal to be intimidated, -their sleepless vigils and untiring watchfulness, -the secrets of that criminal conspiracy were laid -bare, my old friend and neighbour was rescued -from a most distressing situation, and you, anticipating -the slow operation of the law, but sanctioned -by the presence among you of an officer of the law, -were able to secure the apprehension of the whole -band of criminals, who are now awaiting in the -darkness of the county gaol the due reward of their -deeds. Our village is to be congratulated on -the visit of three young men, typical products of -our renowned public school system, and on the -public spirit of its own inhabitants, who, when -the call for action came, forgetting all class -distinctions, regardless of personal risk, braved the -murderous weapons of unscrupulous villains, and -nobly carried out the first duty of the patriotic -citizen. I am speaking the mind of you all," the -worthy magistrate went on, warming to his subject, -"when I say that we shall long treasure the memory -of our young friends, their high spirits, their -unfailing cheerfulness under persecution, their courage -and ingenuity; and it is a matter of regret that, -yielding to paramount claims, the claims of parental -affection, they are leaving us to-day. But it will -please you all to hear that, in response to my -invitation--I may say to my insistence--they -have agreed to visit us again next year; and I -understand from my old friend and neighbour, -Mr. Pratt, that he intends to acquire No Man's -Island, so long derelict, and restore the cottage as -a holiday hostel for boys of our public schools."</p> -<p class="pnext">Here there were general cheers.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Dear old Father!" whispered Lilian to the -boys. "He gets so few chances of making a -speech, and he does love it so."</p> -<p class="pnext">"I won't detain you longer," Mr. Crawshay went -on. "No doubt Mr. Pratt would like to say a few -words."</p> -<p class="pnext">"Hate it!" exclaimed Mr. Pratt. "One thing -only. I've had a bad time. I deserved it. I -was over-hasty. My old servants are scattered; -if any of you know where they are, tell them to -come to me. I'll reinstate them--if we can agree -about wages."</p> -<p class="pnext">Under cover of the villagers' applause, Percy -seized the opportunity of unbosoming himself to -a select audience, his companions and Lilian -Crawshay.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Are we blushing, Miss Crawshay?" he asked. -"I don't think we are, because, you see, we are -supremely conscious of each other's merits. We -really are benefactors, you know--public and -private. Who would ever believe that the two -old gentlemen were not long ago calling each other -luna----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now, Mr. Pratt," the girl interrupted.</p> -<p class="pnext">"Well, X and Y then," rejoined Pratt. "It's -undeniable, isn't it, that they're reconciled through -us? And as for my uncle and me, we're quite -pally; the old feud is healed, and before long I -expect my father and Uncle Ambrose will kiss -again with tears. Tennyson, you know. -Anyway, it's been a ripping holiday, and----"</p> -<p class="pnext">"Now, Mr. Pratt, we are all waiting," said -Mrs. Crawshay, amiably.</p> -<p class="pnext">Pratt obediently went into the house, brought -out his banjo, and trolled out ditties of the -most sentimental order. Presently Warrender -announced that it was time to go if they meant to -reach Southampton before dark. The whole -company trooped down to the bank with them, and -watched them board the motor-boat, already -loaded with their camp equipment. Last -good-byes were said; Warrender opened the throttle; -and as the boat panted down stream there came to -the ears of the silent spectators the gentle -strumming of the banjo, and Pratt's melodious tenor--</p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line">"Our hearts were once divided,</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">But now they beat as one;</div> -</div> -<div class="line">The clouds roll by across the sky,</div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line">And yonder shines the sun."</div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst small">THE END</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line">*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span>NO MAN'S ISLAND</span> ***</p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">A Word from Project Gutenberg</h2> -<p class="pfirst">We will update this book if we find any errors.</p> -<p class="pnext">This book can be found under: <a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40555"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40555</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext">Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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